I miss these days...

 
 
 

Flipping through some pictures tonight and realizing how much I miss these days.
Life seemed easier when the kids were smaller. I suppose it didn't at the time, but now I think about it and it was a whole lot easier. I miss their cute little baby faces.
They are growing up amazingly fast. As much as they drive me crazy right now, I know I need to try to appreciate this time I have with them.

Update on "the bumps"

Two weeks ago I blogged about Julia's rash that was diagnosed as Molluscum. At that time she had hundreds of blistery bumps all over her legs, red bumps all over her face and arms. I was shocked a few minutes ago when I looked at her legs to put medicine on them. I would like to report that she has no bumps on her face and arms and 5 left on her legs and they are almost gone!
The doctor and all of the medical websites say there is no treatment....there is!
I gave her acidophilus internally to boost her immune system, I gave her colloidal silver internally and some externally for the first week. I gave her grapefruit seed extract internally and despite the warnings, I put it on externally. Lastly, I used a tea tree oil ointment to help soothe and heal them. I really think that putting the GSE on the bumps the last few days have made them really dry up the most. I wish I would have taken pictures of her legs to show you the dramatic difference.
I am greatly encouraged and hope by the end of the week she will be as good as new, just in time for the pool to open!!!

Happy Mother's Day

I heard little footsteps at 6:30 this morning. Julia was sneaking into the kitchen to make me my first breakfast in bed. After almost an hour of cooking by herself (Paul checked on her once to help her find the jam), I had the most gourmet breakfast you have ever seen! Two slices of bread with lots of jam and sliced bananas. With a side of milk in a coffee cup with one of the good straws!
It was the sweetest thing ever. I was a little afraid of what she was making for an hour, but proud of myself for letting her do it on her own.

I want to say a special Happy Mother's Day to all the new baby girls in my life....
Liesl and Keeley, Lorie and Lily, Sheridyn and Maicey, Jenn and Ella, Jenn and Laena, Grace and Jordyn!

An Artist is Born

Julia has become quite the artist. She also watches a bit of TV if you couldn't tell by her subject matter.

Unsure how to title this!

I am frustrated and sad right now.
Julia has had this "rash" since January. It has gotten worse over the last 2 weeks.
I finally took her to the doctor on Friday and they diagnosed her with Molluscum.
It is a form of pox virus. According to the doctor and most of what I have read online there is nothing we can do for her. Time is the only healer. However, the time tables are anywhere from 6 months to 4 years!!! Our doctor made a dermatology appointment, but the first the pediatric dermatologist could see her was June 16!

This stuff is all over her legs and is spreading to her arms and face. She itches like crazy. The more you itch the more it spreads. Tonight I was putting some herbal remedies I am trying on her and she just laid there in pain wanting to itch. It breaks my heart to see her so uncomfortable. The literature says it is not itchy, but due to the fact she also suffers with eczema she has itching with it.
I am also getting paranoid to touch her. Some information says it is "mildly" contagious while other things say "very" contagious. One big thing is that she should not go swimming with this. What are we going to do??? That is our biggest activity during the summer. We can't expect her to not go swimming!

I have been reading like crazy on the stuff. I don't get it. Apparently it is really starting to become a growing problem. It is mainly on children 5-10 years old, but adults are getting it like an STD.
There are lots of homeopathic recommendations out there. I am trying colloidal silver and tea tree oil on it. Tonight was the first night so we shall see what happens.
On the brighter side of my child's life she lost (or I should say I pulled) her first tooth. She was excited tonight because the one next to it is now loose as well.
It is so hard to see your children suffer. It is also frustrating to not be able to do anything to help them.

Happy 100th Birthday Papa!

This weekend the kids and I went to Atlanta for my Papa's 100th Birthday!
We had a great time with my family. Friday night we had a party with the neighbors for his birthday. Apparently when you turn 100 you not only get a card from the President of the United States, but you also get 4 birthday parties and lots of whiskey! If that isn't incentive enough to live that long I don't know what is!
I love you Papa! Happy Birthday. I am definitely glad he was born.

Snuggle Bug

It is fun getting to have a new baby around without having to keep it!
I finally got some quality snuggle time with Lily. I think she likes me...I definitely am in love with her. She can come sleep on my shoulder anytime!

More fun with Lily!

Debra and I had a great visit with Lily and family last night.
She is so beautiful...just like her mama.
I can't wait to love on them some more!

The miracle of childbirth!

There is nothing more beautiful in this world than seeing a baby being born.
I had the honor of seeing little Lily come into the world today.
It is always such an amazing process.
Lorie did great and had a quick and easy delivery.
I will forever be grateful for each birth I have had the pleasure of attending. It always reminds me how precious and wonderful life is...and how great the creator!

Easter

If I would have posted earlier in the day you would have heard a nice Easter message....right now all I can think of is
"DEATH to the person who created Easter Grass!!!!"
(and maybe to the son who has decorated our entire house with it)

Two thoughts for today

God gave me these two thoughts today....
Both come from books I am reading.

Romans 8:1
He NEVER sheds light on our weaknesses or shortcomings for the sake of condemnation. God makes us aware of hindrances so He can set us Free!

"Lord help me to be disciplined enough to obey you the way you want me to so I can become the person you created me to be."


We talked about our life as a story this week in small group. We tried to think of the themes for our life. I realized that one of my themes is obedience.
God desires my obedience. Obedience is very hard. (as pointed out by my children who live in timeout.) I am trying to obey. Perhaps I need some timeout myself.

A Blessed Get Away

This weekend I met my parents and my brother at the cabin in Elijay.
I had a great time with my family. It is so nice to get away from Nashville and enjoy nature. I wish the weather had been a little better so I could have gotten outside more. I have a really bad case of spring fever!
I am so blessed to have wonderful parents and a great brother!

Let it snow!

Welcome to Nashville where we have had 70 degree weather then snow the next day. This has happened a few times in the last month. These pictures were from Saturday morning. Today we are in shorts and enjoying the sun.
The kids love the snow. As soon as they see it they insist on getting dressed and going out to play,come in after 5 minutes, get undressed, then immediately ready to get their gear back on and go out! AHHH! I now have a new appreciation for my mother.

Girl's Night Out!

The "girl's" had our first night out~ We had a great time! We went out to dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. It was really fun to be together and away from the KIDS!
You can check out some of the photo fun we had as well... click on photo below for more.


Girl's night out">

Hungry

I am not physically hungry at the moment (although I tend to always be physically hungry too!). I have had the lyrics of this song in my head all day....



hungry I come to You
for I know You satisfy
I am empty
but I know Your love does not run dry
and I wait
and I wait
so I wait for You
so I wait for You

chorus
I'm falling on my knees
offering all of me
Jesus, You're all this heart is living for

broken I run to You
for Your arms are open wide
I am weary but I know Your touch restores my life
so I'll wait for You
so I'll wait for You

I'm falling on my knees
offering all of me
Jesus, You're all this heart is living for
Oh, I'm falling on my knees
offering all of me
Jesus, You're all this heart is living for

and I wait for you
and I wait for you
and I wait for you
and I wait

I'm falling on my knees
offering all of me
Jesus, You're all this heart is living for
Oh, I'm falling on my knees
offering all of me
Jesus, You're all this heart is living for

hungry I come to you,
for I know You satisfy

Greatest Show on Earth (I guess that is a matter of opinion!)

 

 

 

Here are a few pictures of the kids at the Circus!

Happy Birthday Julia

 
 
 
 
Julia had a great 6th Birthday!
She had a big road trip to Atlanta with her Gram, with 2 birthday celebrations while she was there.
On her actual birthday we had a day of festivities....Cake and Presents, then the circus.

Where has my baby gone?

My baby girl is turning 6!
I cannot believe how fast time has gone. It seems like just yesterday we were in the delivery room. Every year has been so precious and wonderful.
Julia is turning into a beautiful young lady. She loves to dress up and be the center of attention. Her brother is her very best friend and conveniently the prince to all her role playing. I am so grateful for my precious girl.

Elmo loves you!

You Are Elmo

Sweet and innocent, you expect everyone to adore you. And they usually do! You are usually feeling: Talkative. You've got tons of stories to tell. And when you aren't talking, you're laughing. You are famous for: Being popular, though no one knows why. Middle aged men especially like you. How you live your life: With an open heart. "Elmo loves you!"

The Sesame Street Personality Quiz

Hanging in there!

So it has been 11 days since my knee surgery. I think I am doing pretty well. The doctor was pretty impressed last week with where I was.
I am back at the Y walking on the treadmill. (Hard for me to not do my usual amount of cardio) Overall I feel pretty well. The last two days I was super tired and resorted to napping both afternoons. I think that was partly because I am not sleeping well at night. I also woke up Saturday with a horrible fever blister that is driving me crazy.
I start physical therapy tomorrow. Hopefully we can work on getting me back to being able to put pressure on my knee and fully bending it.
I know I am expecting a lot from myself in such a short period of time. I know I need to give myself some slack and let it fully heal. I just hope that the surgery will have fixed the problem. My fear is that I am still going to have the same pain that I was having before.
So that is where I am at the moment.