-Jarel-Amy-Makena-Kali-Tyler-Hailey-Braxton-: Soccer Swim Party

Last night, Makena had a year end soccer party at the South Jordan swimming pool. She was so excited to go and get her medal from soccer and to be able to swim in the big pool. She was also excited that MacKenzie got to come because she was on her soccer team. We got there, Jarel and the kids got suited up and headed for the water. They were just finishing up swimming lessons so we took the kids to the 1 foot deep pool. All 3 jumped right in with Jarel and started playing, splashing and having a great time.

When they were all done with swimming lessons, the kids were able to go to the big pool and the water fountains were going, there was an alligator slide they could go down, and a lazy river.

Makena is my timid kid and didn't want anything to do with water over 2 feet deep, so she pretty much stayed in the little kid pool or really close to the wall. And there was nothing wrong with that...all I wanted her to have was a fun time...and that she did!

Tyler loved going down the alligator slide, playing in the bounce seats, jumping into the water and knowing Dad would catch him, liked going down the lazy river and just splashing in the water. I wasn't sure if he would like it, but he loved it and had so much fun. When he was done with the water, he would come over to me, get wrapped up in a towel for a minute or two and then right back to the water he went.

Kali was not shy at all with the water. All she wanted to do was go into the deep end. She loved going down the lazy river with Dad and would try and get over by herself. She loved going down the alligator slide, kicking her feet, thinking she was tricky that she could walk in water up to her chest, playing with the sprayers and just being silly.

At one point, Kali was going down the alligator slide with Uncle Chad. Jarel and I were over with Tyler and Makena in shallow end of the big pool. Now the alligator slide wasn't too far away, but the rope that was in the water telling us that the water got deeper if you crossed the rope was further away. I was just watching Makena and Tyler play and not really even thinking of watching Kali because she having fun with Chad. After a little bit, I looked to see where Kali was and just to see what she was doing and I couldn't see her at first. And then I turned my head and saw her going under the rope. I said, "Jarel there she goes" and I took off running to where she was. I don't know if I knocked anyone down, ran over anyone, but my mind was on running right to her. As I was running to her, I was seeing her going under the water, coming back up, but going right back under. There were people around her, but nobody noticed that she was struggling. As I reached her, she was under the water. I threw my camera to the side and jumped into the water and pulled her out (now, I didn't even think to throw my camera, it just happened. I would have jumped in with my camera, but for whatever reason, in that moment, my camera was out of my hand within seconds and I was leaping for the water at the same time.) She was chocking up water and struggling to breathe for not very long (it seemed long, but it wasn't). She started crying and I knew she was okay. She cuddled up in a towel and sat on my lap for a little bit, but then she was right back into the water. She stayed in the kiddie pool for quite some time, but then she was wanting to go back into the lazy river and trying to sneak off to go by herself.

I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who had me turn my head just at the right moment to see her, for giving my big pregnant body the strength to run over there and for letting Kali be alright. I think "what if I didn't see her" and think of what could have happened and then I have to think again, "how blessed I was last night."

Jarel with the kids...notice Kali making her silly face.

Tyler trying to splash Dad with the water

Kali playing in the kiddie pool

Me with the kids. I don't know if you can tell that my clothes are all wet in this picture.

Tyler playing with the sprayers

Jarel and Makena kicking their feet and talking.

MacKenzie in the jump seat.

Makena kept telling me that she was "practicing my swim lessons. I will take them when I am 6."

Kali jumping into Dad's arms. While Tyler waits for his turn.

Jarel and Kali in the lazy river

Jarel and Kali in the lazy river. Them going underneath one of the water falls. Kali had a great time going with dad in this river. She kept trying to go over by herself.

Tyler found this foam thing (I am assuming used for swimming lessons) and so I thought I would let him play with it. Once he bit a chunk out, it was time to put it back.

Makena and MacKenzie in the 2 foot deep end splashing the water.

Makena showing me that she can kick in the water

Tyler in the bounce chair

Kali making a silly face

Kali doesn't like the splash park, so I wasn't sure how she would be with water...she loved it and went "swimming, swimming" all over the pool. She wasn't afraid to get wet and go in the deep water.