Brotherly Love...

Rocco had a doctor's appointment recently. He needed to get shots. The paper I had been given said he would be getting 4 shots. So, before the nurse brought in all her gear I talked it over with Rocco so he'd be prepared and not so freaked out by the needles when the nurse came back. I told Rocco that he would be getting 4 shots because he was 4 years old. I said he needed to try really hard to be brave and try to not cry in front of ZeeZee so that he could show her how to be brave when she gets her shots. He was really scared but he said he'd be brave so she wouldn't be scared when it was her turn.

When the nurse came back she had 5 needles, not 4. Turns out he was getting 4 shots and a TB test. Rocco quickly counted the long needles and said "There are 4 shots for me cuz I'm 4 years old and one for ZeeZee cuz she is just 1 year old." I didn't say anything. I was hoping he wouldn't notice how many shots she put in his leg and would just think that the number 5 shot was only the number 4 shot. Does that makes sense?

Well, it doesn't matter what I was hoping, because he did notice. He held my hands and he cried and he screamed! Then he saw Zeegan's scared face (she was scared for her "Gocco"), and he started to be as quiet as he could and he bit his lip and he had silent tears streaming down his small face as the nurse put one huge shot after another into his tiny little legs. It was so hard to see him in so much pain, I wanted to cry right along with him. Shots are the worst part of being a parent.

When the nurse finished with the leg shots she let him take a minute to catch his breath.

Rocco looked at that one remaining needle in the basket and did the sweetest thing any big brother could ever do. He whimpered to me "Mommy, that shot will really hurt ZeeZee. I don't want her to hurt. I will have her shot instead."

Even as I'm retelling this story I am crying. It was one of the most wonderful moments of my life as a mother. Rocco had just experienced so much pain he was screaming, and then he offered to do it again so his baby sister wouldn't have to. He was willing to experience that agony for Zeegan. Zeegan! The one who teases him mercilessly at home. The one who steals his beloved batman toys all the time. ZeeZee, the one who bullies him like no little sister can! (Don't read this wrong; ZeeZee is my little princess and she loves her big brother like CRAZY!!!, she's just a bit of a rascal and knows exactly what buttons to push to get the biggest reactions from Rocco...). He was willing to take that shot for her.

I'm not sure why, but this experience got me to thinking about the atonement. I've always known Jesus is my older brother. I've always known him taking on our sins was painful. But I just never thought about it in depth I guess, or maybe I've just always thought that since he was doing such a great thing for all of us it wasn't so horrible for him? Or maybe I was thinking it wasn't so bad for him because he was only half mortal? I'm not sure what I always thought about it. To be honest, I'm not sure if I ever though about the pain part of Jesus' sacrifice. But you know, now that I've thought about it, I realize it WAS so horrible. After seeing my little Rocco in all his fear make his sacrifice, I couldn't help but wonder; Was he terrified? Was it such a hard decision that he whimpered? I'm sure it was more awful than I've ever spent time thinking about. Maybe he did whimper, maybe he was even crying from fear? We know that he threw himself on the ground in the garden of Gethsemane and begged the Father that if was possible, if there was any other way to save us, please let the cup pass from him.

And after realizing that it really was such an awful experience for Him, I couldn't help but wonder; why? Why did He do it for me? Why did He do it for everyone? Don't get me wrong, there are definitely some people out there that are wonderful enough that I can see Him being willing to die for them. But why me? Why would I, and Why did I matter to Him? I can be a really terrible and awful person sometimes!!! Ya know?

But I think I finally understand. I think he loves me no matter what. Because he's my older brother. And I'm sure that's not the only reason, but I bet it was reason enough. And I am do grateful...

And I am so grateful I have such a sweet and wonderful little boy for my son! I don't know how or why I was blessed with such an amazing little man, but I am so thankful I was. I'm so glad I got to witness such a beautiful showing of his love for his sister, and that I was able to learn what I did to from that experience.

St Patrick's Day Mischeif

Match Day Y'all!

Well Match Day finally came! And after what felt like years, but was in fact only months, of waiting; we found out where we are headed for the next 5 years!!!

It was an exciting day. Originally we thought only the medical student was allowed to be there and I was a little ticked about it because I felt like we had been supporting Seth through the past 4 years and we had the right to find out at the same time as he did. I decided I was going anyway. Then I decided the kids were going anyway too. Then we found out (a little last minute albeit) that all the family was invited if they want to come. Seth's mom ran over between surgery cases and got there just in time to see Seth open his envelope. Seth's Dad, Sisters and Grandparents were able to come too. It was great having family surrounding Seth as he opened such an important letter...

So they started the ceremony off with a breakfast, but I was WAY to nervous to eat anything (now that's a first!). And then some peoples gave speeches, but I don't remember a word that was said. And finally they started calling out names, and people started going to the front of the room and getting their envelopes and finding out where they were going. And it seriously felt like an eternity before Seth's name was finally called. Then He and ZZ went and got his envelope, and he came back and he opened it, and (drumroll please!)...

We're headed to TEXAS A&M!!!

We are SOOOOOOO happy! You may or may not recall, but that is where we did our away rotation last september, and we LOVED it! It will be wonderful place to live for the next 5 years! and Seth LOVED that hospital!!!

There was hugging and crying and laughing and a lot of other emotions being expressed that morning. But mostly I just remember feeling happy and relieved...

THanks to everyone who has been part of our support system for the past 4 years! We only have 7 more to go!!! Yipee-kay-a and Yeehaw!!!!

Between the match ceremony and the other events taking place that day; We took the kids to Chuck-E-Cheese to celebrate! The Chamberlin's, who also recently matched, joined us and we were able to celebrate our excitements together! Then we played games and had fun and made it a day we will (hopefully) remember.

Late that night after everyone finished work and their other responsibilities for the day. We went out for a late dinner with most of Seth's immediate family (Jade's family wasn't able to be there). We all went and had some southern style BBQ. It as fantastic! I will probably get fat in the next 5 years because the food is soooo good that I can't seem to stop eating even when I know I am full to the bursting point! LOL. And to be honest it is SOOOO worth every calorie!

Yay! Texas look out; here we come!!!

(PS- you may remember from my previous post about Seth's bday that I said we got him two hats but only one came before his birthday. They both should have come before his Bday because I ordered them in advance and got Amazon's free two day shipping on them. But for some reason the USC hat showed up the day before his birthday, and the Texas A&M hat showed up 3 days after his birthday, and was waiting in a box on our front door step when we got home from the match ceremony. LOL. How's that for timing?!)

Over the Hill, pretty much...

Seth turned 29!

The man had to work on his birthday, so we didn't do a whole lot in the department of celebrating, but we did give him a piece of Chocolate hazelnut mousse pie and a couple of presents. One present to take notice of was his two hats (one of which didn't come in the mail until the Friday after his birthday, which was match day! different story though...). We gave him two hats, one for USC and one for Texas A&M. They were good luck charms! We were showing our faith that he'd get into one of his top choices for residency! and it worked... (But like I said, that's a different story!)

Happy Birthday Seth Purcell!!! You're the bestest best Husband I have! and the oldest (Woo! 29! your practically over the hill Sparky!) husband I have! and the only Husband I have! Which I'm sure glad of; cuz you're as good as it gets!!!! and you're a hottie! Happy Birthday Babe...

Great Park! Great Cousins! Great Fun!!!

My oldest sister, Becca, Her husband, Jake, and their children Squeak and DA came to visit recently! Their family is moving here come June and they needed to see the area and do a little house hunting. Kind of sad that I'll finally have family here as soon as we leave. Oh well, we'll be back!

Anyway, one of the days they were here, we all went to the "Great Park" in Orange county. I LOVE that place! It's all free and the kids think it's the funnest park in the world!

The actual playground has lots to play and climb on so the kids thought playing on that was totally rad. Then we went up in the big helium air balloon ride. Which was terrifying at about 200 yards in the air. And Exhilarating at about 400!

After the balloon ride we just had to go on the carousel a bajillion times! But it was fun! ZeeZee was obsessed with riding the cat with the fish in it's mouth (Gross!). And Daddy was totally awesome and rode it with her a couple times, then I did my time and we took a playground break before once more hitting the carousel. Even squeak LOVED it!

Before leaving the park we did a Little "bike" riding. That had the kids (and Becca and myself) cracking up! At one point of our "biking excursion" we were all laughing so hard our eyes were watering.... Can't wait to go back!

Thanks for coming and playing with us Sullivan Family!!!!!