It finally happened...

I knew that it was just a matter of time before we made our first visit to Children's Hospital. The girls are little dare devils and it doesn't matter how many times they get into trouble for climbing the stairs or standing on the end tables in the living room, they still break the law time and time again. We've gotten to the point where we are just letting them learn the hard way and pray that it doesn't result in serious injury.

Our first run to the ER though, didn't involve any cuts or scrapes or broken bones, thank goodness. The reason why we did go was scary enough though.

I noticed towards the middle of last week, after not having much of an appetite and being pretty lethargic for her usual self, that Cadence had her first molar coming in. She started running a pretty high fever Wednesday evening so we kept her doped up on Tylenol and put her to bed early thinking that it would run its course and she would be a little better by the morning. Although her fever subsided, she started to develop some weird rash around her mouth. By the next day, her upper body was covered in this rash and I noticed that it intensified the warmer she would get.

By Friday night she was very crabby. Cried herself to sleep that night, and around 11:30 as I was headed to bed, she woke up crying again. I decided to get her up and throw her in bed with us thinking that it would calm her down enough that she would fall back to sleep. Over the course of the next twenty minutes she just couldn't get comfortable. She would go back and forth between Daniel and I, and was doing this pitiful whine the entire time. Her rash at this point was all over her face, neck, belly, and back.

She finally crawled over to me in the bed and rested her head and upper body on my tummy. I began gently scratching her back and playing with her hair which usually calms her down right away. It was during the few minutes that I was playing with her hair that I discovered a marble sized bump along her hairline, right behind her right ear.

Now, being the negative nelly that I tend to be, I automatically assumed that it was a big deal. I just knew that something wasn't right with that bump, and shouldn't be associated with a teething baby. Since her rash seemed to be getting worse and she just hadn't been acting like her normal self, we both agreed that I should run her up to Children's emergency room juts to make sure it was nothing serious.

I cried the entire drive to downtown Dayton, and was still crying when I checked her in. The nurse was so sympathetic with me and after she filled out a few more things on the computer she came around to where I was standing, holding Cadence, and started feeling the bump and checking her vitals visually. She told me then that because of where the bump was located and the fact that it was squishy instead of firm, that it more than likely was just a swollen lymph node. Praise the Lord.


I calmed down immediately after she told me that, but still knew that with the rash and everything else, something could still be wrong.
After what seemed like an eternity, we had a resident come in, look her over, and check all of her vitals. These minor little tasks required me getting up on the bed with Cadence and holding her against my tummy. She did not like having her ears and throat looked at...lol. The resident confirmed that the bump was nothing more than a swollen lymph node, which meant she probably had some sort of virus. And she agreed that the rash was nothing more than just a rash caused by her fevers and when she got really warm. It was so hot in the room they had us in that her rash got worse while we sat and waited.

After the resident left, her boss, the head doctor, came in and confirmed everything the resident had said. They doped her up with some Benadryl and she fell asleep on me while we waited for the strep test to come back. After we received word that it was negative, they got our walking papers and sent us on our merry way.

We didn't get home until after 4 a.m. and after putting her to bed, and sending e-mails and facebook messages to the family and friends who wanted updates on her condition, I finally made it to bed around 5 a.m.

I'm so glad my baby is all right. This was another reminder of how blessed I am to have two healthy, vibrant little girls. I don't take their well being for granted!! I know this trip probably isn't our last, but I'm glad the initiation process was an easy one with a great outcome.

Father's Day 2012

Daniel & the girls working on the lawn mower.

First of all, happy father's day to my wonderful husband Daniel. I couldn't have asked for a better father for my children. They love him so much that everyday when they see him pull into the driveway after getting off work, they both squeal and shout until he has made it through the front door. It's absolutely priceless.



Uncle Dan & my Dad at Easter.

Second of all, being the child of divorced parents, I have a lot of male influences in my life. Several grandfathers, uncles, and even great uncles. I love each and every one of them, especially my godfather and uncle, Dan. I know he loves me just like I was his own and what is even more special is that I think he loves my girls more than me and his daughter Heather...lol.

Lastly, to my dad's. My step-dad Jim has been a part of my life since I was two or three. Even though he and my mom are now divorced, he still considers me one of his and I love being a part of his family. Secretly, I think I should have been Italian since my love of pasta and sauce is so out of control. How lovely is it that my step-dads family is Italian. We're talking, had to translate their Italian first names to more Americanized first names when they came over on the boat. Then theres my dad, Gary. The relationship I have with my dad is the relationship I hope my girls have with Daniel. I can talk to my dad about everything and anything and I know that I will have his support in almost anything. I have never once doubted his love for me as he tells me all of the time. He is the reason why I always tell my girls how much I love them, kiss them, and even hug them. He is the one who taught me to be affectionate to those who are deserving of those affections from me.


My step-dad grating parmesan cheese & watching the Jungle Book at the girls birthday party.

Happy fathers day to all of them, including my grandpa Powers and my papaw Ison.

A little bit of this, and a little bit of that!

We haven't been overly busy these past few weeks, but we have been spending lots of quality time together as a family. Our weeknights consist of family dinner time around our table, followed by lots of gardening and playing outside until the bugs start biting. I actually helped Daniel mow our grass the other night. Now to most that may not seem like a big deal, but I have been so sick these past few years, that pushing a lawn mower around the yard would have worn me out. This past year, it probably would have killed me...lol. It killed my knees afterwards, but I was so excited that I was able to do it that it was totally worth it.

I was recently diagnosed with entropathic arthritis which is yet another auto-immune disorder. It's pretty much an inflammation of the joints, which in my case, is caused by my Crohns disease. The unfortunate thing about having one auto-immune disorder is that it pretty much leaves you wide open to develop more. My GI is pretty sure that I have had it for awhile but since my Crohns flare was so severe, that it masked the arthritis. It wasn't until my surgery and my subsequent remission from the Crohns, that the arthritis came into play full force. These last few weeks I have had a lot of trouble walking. I named my walk, the grandma shuffle. My knees and feet were in such bad shape that I honest to goodness was having to shuffle just to get around. It didn't matter how much I rested my body, or how much activity I participated in, my joints hurt. Right now my course of treatment for the arthritis is to continue with my Remicade infusions. Not only does Remicade help those with irritable bowel disease,but it helps those with arthritis as well. Thankfully I get one treatment for two diseases. I had my first infusion since my surgery this past Saturday, and while my knees and feet are still sore, I can tell a big difference. I don't want to cry when walking down the stairs now...lol.

That is why mowing the grass the other night is blog worthy for me...lol. If I was able to mow the grass just before my infusion, now that I have had the infusion, I just might be able to mow the entire yard by myself...yay!

Planting her "pretties" in the garden.

Like I said we've been doing a lot of gardening. Our veggies and fruit are finally starting to go to town. I can't wait until we start getting actual produce from the plants. The garden is in need of a good weeding, however we are waiting to purchase a big container of Preen. Both girls love being out in the garden in bare feet. It doesn't matter how many times I sit down and put their shoes on after they have taken them off, they still repeat the process. I finally gave up with enforcing shoe wear, so I just keep my fingers crossed that neither girl step on anything.

Relaxing after her dinner.

Speaking of the girls, they both continue to thrive. Not a day goes by that they don't crack us up, Cadence especially. The other night at dinner she decided to kick back and relax until we were all finished. We don't typically encourage feet up on the table, but sometimes you just have to sit back and chuckle.You have to live a little and appreciate the small things.

Both ladies drinking the pool water like puppy dogs.

A couple of weeks ago we broke out the swimming suits and the girls took their first swim of the season at Mamaw's. Uncle Dusty was kind enough to fill up their pool early in the afternoon for a evening visit on Mamaw's last day of work. While she isn't officially retired until the end of the summer, since she was a school cook, her last official day of work was the schools last day in session. It was during this swimming session we discovered just how impressionable our daughters are at this age. Addison gets a kick out of mimicking the dogs. She will put a piece of food on the ground and eat it off of the ground like the dogs, she drinks the pool and bath water just like a dog, she'll even fetch a toy on all fours just like the dogs. I'm not really sure how we'll break her of this habit...lol. For now we just sit back and laugh at her and her sister.

Helping mommy make some homemade banana bread.

What do you think the problem is daddy?

Both girls are at a stage where they both really enjoy helping us out around the house. They always have to be involved with anything we are doing. I have been allowing Addie to help me cook. She'll pull up one of their kiddie chairs and just stand and watch until I allow her a task. She even helps do the dishes. Yesterday she helped us finally put boxes away that were still sitting in our dining room from when we moved in, and just this morning she got out their toy vacuum and followed me around while I swept the living room. Saturday night she and her sister even helped their daddy put a new blade on the lawn mower. I think that picture is going to be my favorite summer picture. I'm going to print it out for Daniel for fathers day so that he can put it on his desk at work. Who needs a son when you have two little girls that are happy to follow your every move!

I hope everyone has a great week!!

Sisters, sisters, there were never such devoted sisters...

Grilled cheese, tomato soup, peas, and apple slices for dinner.

First of all, if anyone can tell me the movie in which that verse was sung scores major brownie points with me. I'll give you a hint, it's one of my favorite Christmas movies ever and it stars Rosemary Clooney.

Secondly, one of my biggest wishes for my daughters is that they grow up being the best of friends. I want for them to do everything together, be each others support system, and I want them to talk on a daily basis...even when their grown and living apart. I know that they will more than likely go through some rough patches growing up, but I pray they overcome it and realize how fortunate they are to have one another.

Browsing at Lowes hand in hand.

This picture gives me a glimmer of hope that my wish just might come true. My heart just melted at this wonderful sight!

Don't you just love their 4th of July dresses? I got a great deal on them at Marshall's a couple weeks after my surgery when I just needed out of the house. It was my first visit and I loved the place. I was going to save them for the actual 4th of July, but I figured what's the point in buying them if you can't get your wear out of them.

Today's the start of our Memorial Day weekend. Daniel took today and Tuesday off  so he get's five full days with us. Tomorrow he and the girls are headed to Kentucky with other family members to put flowers on his Dad's grave. I'll be staying home baby-sit the darn dogs and enjoying the peace and quiet. Tuesday, I get to go to the dentist for the first time in forever. My Crohns issues has taken priority over other issues, including the broken molar that I have had since November. The pain these past two days has been out of control and has woke me up the past few nights. Now my jaw is starting to swell so I guess its time to get the issue addressed. Thank goodness I still have pain pills left over from before my surgery. I think I would have already sliced my throat had I not have had them.

Happy Memorial Day everyone! Be safe and eat lots of yummy food!!

Laura Ingalls Wilder at your service!

Farmer Dan in action!

The nice thing about our new house is that we have a lot of space in our side yard. We pretty much have no backyard, but the side yard is huge! We bought our first home in late 2006 and even though we had a decent sized backyard, it wasn't garden friendly. We had a small space by our shed that we always planted a few tomato plants, and a few pepper plants. I grew herbs in pots on the front porch and we had failed attempts and cantaloupe and pumpkins, mainly due to the lack of space.

This year we finally have the space to plant the garden that we've always dreamed of planting. It's huge and I must admit, we may not fill the entire thing with veggies or fruit because it's so big. Daniel borrowed a tiller from a friend at work and it took him just about one whole day to till up the space and get it ready for plants and seeds. We have bought a few thing so far, three tomato plants, sweet corn seeds that have taken up three rows so far, two different types of peppers that only Daniel will be eating, broccoli and cauliflower, two strawberry plants, and we have a blueberry and raspberry bush that are planted in big planters.

To say I am excited would be a dramatic understatement. I have high hopes for all the produce that should come forth from our garden and it couldn't come at a better time. I am no longer getting unemployment therefore I have no income coming in. Money is once again tight for us and our grocery bill continues to be outrageous. I love to cook meals each night, but have you checked out the price for fresh fruit and veggies? A few weeks ago I spent almost $8 on apples. I think I bought 5 or 6 of them and it cost me $8. I about had a heart attack at the price, but I insist on giving the girls fresh fruit every other day. On our off days they get canned fruit. Vegetables can be just as bad so I've been reduced to buying canned and frozen vegetables for the most part. Which honestly is probably just as good for them since they aren't big on eating veggies in their natural state.

Cadence helping plant the sweet corn!

Our goal for this garden is to grow enough produce that I can can and freeze enough to last us through until next spring or so. I really hope I'm not expecting more out of this garden than what it can handle, but something is better than nothing and right now...every little bit will help.

Secretly, I feel like Laura Ingalls Wilder when we're out there tending to it. I adore her books and I honestly think they are my all time favorite books to read. I couldn't tell you how many times I have read them. I spent over a $100 one year buying all of her books so that I would always have them on hand. I have had a real urge these past few days to re-read them but sadly they are sitting in our storage unit in Bellbrook. I asked Daniel the other day while he was creating the mounds in the garden if he could image how hard it was to grow gardens and crops back during her days? Back before they had tillers and fancy fertilizers and weed killers. What is even more amazing is how dependent they were on growing successful gardens. We aren't entirely dependent on this garden, but I remember one instance in her books when they had a hail storm that damaged not only their crops but their garden as well. I don't think I'm creative enough to make a pie out of green pumpkins like Mrs. Ingalls was. How disappointing it will be if we have the same experience, but it won't mean that we will run out of food during the winter like it would have meant for them.

A few of the veggies we've planted so far.

 I can't wait until it's fully planted and we start seeing the little buds turn into an actual fruit or vegetable. Most importantly...I am impatiently waiting for the tomatoes to start coming and to get my basil going!

Spring Fever

Prior to my surgery there is absolutely no way that I would have ever been able to take the girls outside by myself. You know in case I had to make a mad dash for the bathroom. Addison usually always puts up a fight when being forced to come in, I can handle carrying her in kicking and screaming but multiple that by two and there was no way I would have made it to the bathroom in time...lol. Even in the evenings if Daniel was outside to help with the girls, I often stayed inside because I was just so tired. Oh the joys of having Crohns disease.

Wednesday night instead of cleaning the kitchen after a dinner of taco salad, I went outside to watch the girls play while Daniel weeded and spruced up the flower beds. I'm still having trouble bending over so I supervised and made sure the weeds he was pulling weren't in fact flowers...haha. 

Outside playing Wednesday night. My little tree huggers!

Making herself comfy in the flower bed. Silly girl!

Sliding down like a big girl.

Anyway, now that I don't really have to worry about rushing to the bathroom I decided to take them out yesterday afternoon to play and get some vitamin D...all by myself I might add.

The weather was wonderful. Warm enough that we didn't need jackets, chilly enough that a light shirt and light pair of pants were needed, all with a lovely breeze in the air. It was perfect let's go outside and play weather.

Getty up horsey.

"So, where we headed Sissy?"

Doing her Great Poppy Tibbs walk. This is how Daniels grandfather used to walk. Both Cadence and Addie walk like this on occassion. The family gets a kick out of it.

Blowing bubbles.

I can't wait until this summer when we can get a pool up. Maybe for once in my life I'll have some sort of tan instead of this pasty white I've been sporting.

My confessions...

Megan over at Tales of the Trees did a post today on some of her confessions. I thought to myself, what a wonderful opportunity to share with the world some of my flaws as a wife, mother, whatever and to possibly give you a good chuckle!

1.) I hate folding laundry. HATE IT. Which is why we currently have baskets full of clean clothes waiting to be folded in the laundry room. I don't know where I get this from, my parents all folded our clothes right out of the dryer.

2.) I hate cleaning the kitchen right after I've made a big meal. I've gotten much better about this but last night I played outside with the girls and watched Daniel pull weeds out of our flower bed instead of cleaning the kitchen. So on days that the kitchen doesn't get cleaned after dinner, it gets cleaned when the girls go down for a nap the following day...only for it to be messed up in a few hours during dinner prep. It's a vicious cycle...kind of like laundry.

3.) I love children. I have always been drawn to babies. I now have two beautiful little girls of my own and I love them so much it's crazy sometimes. I have noticed though, since having my own, I really don't like other children. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my niece Ireland, and my nephew Dylan, and pretty much all of the kids in our families. But strange kids that don't belong to our families or close friends...chances are I'm not going to like them much! I would like to rephrase that last sentence, to not being able to tolerate them, not like them. And don't get me wrong, I would still play with them and talk to them and help them out if they needed help...but secretly I'm saying to myself "I'm glad you're not mine" HAHA. I feel like this statement has just earned myself a one way ticket to Hell.

4.) Since my surgery on April 18th, I have spent about 96% of my time in a t-shirt and scrub pants. Scrub pants that I may or may not have taken from the hospital. I think I have about four pairs of them. Normally I would feel guilty about taking them, but I can only imagine what that hospital bill is going to look like so I figure they can get over me taking a couple pairs of their pants. Seriously though, my stomach is still swollen and my ostomy areas are still tender. Not only are they tender but my one ostomy bag is right where the top of my pants would go. Needless to say when I do put on regular pants, they don't get zipped or buttoned because of this issue. I'm going to be wearing lots of dresses this summer.

5.) Speaking of bags, I hate mine. I know I'm only four weeks into this year long process but I hate them and am ready to be done with them. I'm still waiting for that moment when I don't mind them and am actually glad I have them.

6.) I can't bake. I tried making a homemade chocolate cake Tuesday, it was a major fail. Probably because instead of only putting in one and a half teaspoons of baking powder, I put in a tablespoon and a half. Typically this would be because of my impatience, but since my surgery my eyesight has gone down the toilet. Guess who will be getting glasses sometime in the near future??

7.) Since losing all of this weight, I feel the need to go out and buy all kinds of new clothes. It's a good thing we can't afford it right now. I'm supposed to be losing even more weight so it's best that I not buy to much right now anyway.

8.) Since my surgery my appetite has gone through the roof. Two weeks ago, I ate a whole bag of salted cashews all by myself over the course of two or three days. I also may or may not have added more sea salt to them. Also, pretty much every night since being home, I have eaten several of these bad boys. I'm addicted! Thankfully my appetite is starting to lessen.

9.) I'm a name brand girl. When I go to the grocery I tend to stay away from store brand items. This drives Daniel crazy. Anyway, since we're poor and needed groceries bad this past week and Meijer was having a great sale on a lot of their store brand items. Everything I purchased Tuesday was pretty much Meijer brand. I'm turning over a new leaf people...lol!

10.) I stopped taking my depression medicine a week ago due to a serious allergic reaction I had to it. Seriously you should my face, I'm still recovering from it. Not only can I tell I haven't had any, but so can Daniel. He informed me last night that I have been irritable these past two days. I will be put on another med at my next appointment in two weeks.

11.) Speaking of depression. My psychiatrist said I was so severely depressed, that she thought it would be best if I also started seeing a therapist. I feel like a nut...lol.

12.) I love the smell of lilac. I had a lilac bush at our old house and I miss that bush more than I will ever miss that house...lol. Meijer sells a candle that smells EXACTLY like lilacs and I burned through the thing in about a week. Since then I have had this overwhelming desire to go back and buy every last one they have.

13.) Lastly, we're getting ready to start the big girl bed process with Addison. I already know this is going to be a battle which makes me just want to keep her in a crib. Sending my daughter to college in a crib might be a problem huh??

There's a few of my confession, please tell me that there are others out there that might relate to this craziness? :)