More Andrew

We received Andrew's bloodwork results back about his allergies to stinging insects.  For all of the different types of stinging insects, he did not seem to have an allergy to them, except for honey bees, which was only slightly elevated.  So in the meantime, we will keep the EpiPen and Benadryl on hand to use as needed and f/u with the allergist in July unless need be before then. 

Hunter and Andrew also had ENT appointments this week.  Hunter has been cleared - no more ENT visits for him.  Andrew has fluid behind his eardrum, but he is also sick.  Dr. Graves decided to put him on antibiotics for 5 days and Zyrtec for 30 days to try to dry him out and will see him back Feb 9th.  If at that time he fails his hearing test, we are looking at a 3rd set of tubes.  If not, then we will continue to f/u with ENT.  Praying for that appointment.  He knows what surgery is now and does not want it again. 

Christmas Day on Christmas Eve

We decided to open gifts on Christmas Eve because we have church Christmas Day and I didn't want to feel anxious and stressed and rushed trying to open presents and get us to church on time.

I noticed no pictures of me and Andrew.  Guess he was too busy with gifts and I was too busy taking pictures, managing present opening and throwing away wrapping paper. :)

After Christmas at home, the boys and Sean and Pappy went to Rogue One and me and the girls walked the mall.  :)  

Christmas Eve dinner was taco quesadillas and dessert from Earth Fare.

And a testimony.......realizing how much the Lord loves us even when we don't deserve it and how he loves to bless us even when He shouldn't and how He loves to pay attention to all the little details.  A good reminder.  I know I have a hard time showing love when people don't "deserve it".  God did some pretty amazing things for us this Christmas season and I am humbled and grateful.  

Blood work and Gatlinburg

Went to Andrew's allergist appointment and he wanted to do blood work to test for allergies to stinging insects.  So here we are, me and Andrew, at Children's Hospital, on Thursday waiting in the lab to get his blood drawn.  He did very well.  He was mad about it when she poked him and said "that did not feel great at all" and said he would not do that again. 

Went to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg post fires yesterday with Pappy.  This is at the Christmas store in Pigeon Forge.  The landscape since the fire in and around Gatlinburg is heartbreaking and seeing the skeletons of buildings and houses is so sad.

In Gatlinburg in front of the Ripley's Aquarium

and the pictures

crown college christmas recital 2016

 https://youtu.be/F9vHMq8oU1M

Ryan playing violin at crown recital.

https://youtu.be/icZOhlXqyE8

and Ryan playing piano.

https://youtu.be/B-BtUSHiZg8

and hunter playing the violin.

They were nervous, and so were we, but they did great.  All the students did.  There were probably 20 students that performed and probably 75 to 100 people there.  It was so sweet and encouraging.  They had cider and cookies afterward.  Proud mama!

addison's stocking

My mother in law makes our stockings, well Sean's was made by his grandma, but any way here's Addie's penguin stocking.  That's her favorite animal.  Or at least our favorite animal that we've assigned her.  It's an important thing in this household to have a favorite animal ha ha lol

20 Week Anatomy U/S, etc

Here's baby!  Facial features look like Andrew!!  Baby looks good, praising God!

Kiddos wanted me to take a picture of them at Wal-Mart while we were getting our tree and some other stuff. 

At Anderson County Park with Pappy last week

Christmas time!  Grammy - the kids are very upset that Addie doesn't have a stocking hanging lol :)

In other news, Addie has an ear infection and is on amoxicillin, but her weight is up to 16 lbs!  :)  Andrew has an EpiPen now in case he needs it if he gets stung again and he is being referred to an allergist.  And finally, please pray for Gatlinburg.  We lost our time share at Westgate, due to the fire, it burned down.  They will rebuild and it was insured.  However, we just are not concerned about that.  We are heartbroken for the town and for those who lost loved ones and/or their homes/businesses.  Gatlinburg is like our home away from home.  Just devastating. 

Happy Thanksgiving 2016!

Sickness is slowly leaving our house, I'm thinking, I'm praying!  The kids still have congested coughs, but the noses have pretty much stopped running.  They act normal, well normal for them ha ha.  Sean and I both got the stomach virus on Monday night within an hour of each other and were both vomiting through the night.  We camped out in bed all day Tuesday and the kids really stepped it up.  They made breakfast and lunch and did chores and didn't fight with each other and swept and mopped and vacuumed all the floors.  We were proud parents!  We've never been that kind of sick at the same time with also have the whole parenting responsibility.  Any way, thank the Lord we are feeling better and have been able to enjoy a blessed Thanksgiving with Pappy! 

Library and Glowing Tree

When me and the kiddos go for a walk around 430 in the afternoon, the sun hits this tree just right and the kids like to point out how it is glowing.  This picture doesn't do it justice of course and the sun wasn't quite shining right, but any way here it is.   

Hailey at the library on Sunday.  She LOVES Hello Kitty.  I took Hailey, Hunter, and Addison up there while Sean stayed with the other two, Ryan had thrown up that morning.  :( 

Starting Nov

We got a new bench!  It was actually an old bench that our neighbors were throwing out.  Sean went with The Carrascos to a saw mill and got the wood cut for it and James did something to the wood and then gave them to us and Sean put them in and scrubbed the green stuff off the iron and repainted it and voila! 

We went on a field trip last Friday with our umbrella school and with our friends The Carrascos to Marble Springs in Knoxville, which is the home of the first governor of TN, John Sevier.

Devon and Peanut at the saw mill getting our wood for our bench :)

We are well here.  Well, not well well.  Sean and all the kids, but Ryan, have colds.  And Hunter threw up twice on Monday.  Me and Ryan are well.  Well, I've had poison ivy on my lips (yikes!) and the side of my nose near my eye, but it is healing so yay for that!  November has started out big with The Cubs winning The World Series (Sean's fave baseball team) and the presidential election and then Veteran's Day.  We took advantage of the blessings on that day and got a free car wash, free haircut, and free dinner at Calhoun's for Sean.  THANK YOU VETERANS!  I can't believe next week is Thanksgiving!

Ending October

Pay  no attention to the immodest baby

At IHOP for scary face pancakes

she just wanted me to take a picture of her :)

Finally!!!  1st tooth!!!  Although not the one that has an adult one growing behind it.  Oh well.

Andrew and etc

Here's Mr Andrew at the children's hospital on Friday afternoon.  He had been outside playing and was stung by a yellow jacket (probably) a couple of times - one on the foot and maybe one on the head.  He was REALLY upset and said he couldn't breathe.  I called Sean immediately and he came home from work (a 3 min drive to our house).  We ended up calling 911.  They assessed him and we declined on a ride to the ER.  Sean went back to work, we gave Benadryl and Advil, and thought all was probably fine.  And then his neck started swelling (hit foot was already super swollen) and he started breaking out in a rash/redness on his face.  I called Sean again and he took him to children where they gave him Decadron (a steroid for inflammation).  He is doing fine.  His neck and head aren't swollen anymore, but his foot still is.  

Sean and the kids made Halloween Bark yesterday while I was working (on my new schedule and so is Sean - we LOVE it!).  If you're interested in the yummy deliciousness, search for Halloween Bark on Pioneer Woman.

We went to the Andersonville Volunteer Fire Dept last night for trunk or treat.  We had found out about it when the paramedics were over on Friday lol.  

Just a little fall

Westgate Town Center

The first week of October we packed up and headed to FL - Kissimmee to have a week at our time share.  And that is a different story for another time, but yes we have a Westgate time share.  Any way, we had such a blessed time and made many memories!

breakfast by the pool for owners

a little humid

swan boats

real swans!

the church we attended on Sunday in Kissimmee.  It was like being at our church - it was held in a conference room at a hotel just like ours.  And the pastor went to Crown College right up the road from us here in TN and used their music on video for singing and we saw people we knew - too funny!

the Westgate property where we stayed.  And all the pictures except for the church are on the property and free for owners to use. 

Columbia restaurant - one of my favorites in Fl.  The 1905 salad is the best!

And we also experienced Hurricane Matthew.  Kept us indoors for one day.  Had up to 60 mph rains and 8 in of rain, but never lost power or anything so praise the Lord for that!