Back to School/Fall/And More--lots more!

Howdy! It's been a wild and crazy summer here, so I'm going to try and catch up with one big whopping blog post. Pictures in no particular order. 

 

Canning. These are tomatoes. We raw pack them and use them for everything during the winter months. Tomato soup, Stew, Spaghetti, ect.

 

This picture was taken the eveing after we found out that Kaderick had Mastocytosis. He wasn't feeling too good and was snoozing with daddy who had just got home from work.

I helped the hubby decorate his new office at work. It turned out pretty sweet. It doesn't have a real theme, but lots of Pony Express/Wells Fargo/Wild West/Stagecoach stuff. I'm thinking that's pretty appropriate.

 



 

Oh, and plenty of pics of his kids! =)

 

My girls are still avid Barbie players. Here they were practicing for the Barbie's Christmas Program. Love how Ken is all decked out on a wash cloth with hair scunci's for a beard and turban and you have to love the pipe cleaner staff.

 

Some of our work stored away for the winter months. Economical and much more tasty.

 

We've been getting some zucchini. Kammy always begs for me to make it into bread rather than eating it the healthy way. =)

 

Kammy is still drawing daily. We invested in whiteboards--that much paper is expensive after a while. This was drawn just before we went on a picnic. =)

 

Horse church. LOL

 

The kids made this for my parents on Grandparent's Day. It depicts a tree at Grandpa and Grandma's house and is made with handprints and finderprints. It even has a swing just like the real tree!

 

Kade had been very sick for a week with fever, ect. He was just starting to feel better and we took him outside to get some air. Kaite was making sure he was not too warm.

 

Speaking of Kade being sick--we became concerned that his illness was due to or worsened by his mastocytosis, so his dr sent him to a Gastroenterologist, Allergist, and Oncologist. They were all so nice and knowledgable. After joining a masto-moms support group, I realized how blessed we are here. I read so many horror stories. Kids so much sicker than Kade, docs who simply don't know what they are doing, LONG waiting lists to see specialists, ect. Anyhow....Gastro wants to work on feeding by sending Kade to therapy. He just does not like solid foods, which causes him to nurse ALL night and get terrible reflux. Kade is also taking Zantac now to help with this. The Allergist did some testing and found a lot of food allergies--not uncommon with masto kids and gave us some instructions and an epi-pen for bad reactions. The scariest thing was visiting the Oncologist at the Cancer Center in Boise. Kade had some blood work done that concerned the drs a little so they referred him there on the rare chance that his mastocytosis had gone systemic or into Mast Cell Leukemia. After doing another really good blood work up, the oncologist ruled that out and maintains that there is a really good chance Kade will outgrow this completely. Our every breath for the past few weeks has been a prayer. We are so thankful for this wonderful news! The rainbow photo was taken on the way home from the oncologist.

 

He is 9 months old now. Crawling EVERYWHERE and into EVERYTHING! He keeps me busy, but I am HAPPY with that! It seems like there is no way to evenly split my time, especially now that we are back in school. I'm not complaining--I love my life, but I just GO, GO, GO! If it's not one of the kids, it's the hubby our the house or church work or friends--yes, I do have those too. I'm actually very glad to still be nursing this little guy--it is my quiet "sit down" time.

 

Kade was having a tough time taking his nap, so Kalli sat by the dryer and sang to him. He has a lot ot itching and reflux with his masto which keeps him from sleeping for than about 15-20 minutes at a time--even at night. I am thankful that he usually goes back to sleep very quickly. He is on medication which helps some, but I try to give him as little as possible (I hate medication).

 

Sweet girl. Playing dress up.

 

Kade was given this quilt by a neighbor church ladies group. He LOVES it! It is very precious with trains and little scripture verses and prayers.

 

The sisters were walking on and rubbing Papa's back and Kade carefully backed up and sat on his head! LOL

 

Just being his charming self!

 

At the local car-hop for a midnight snack.

 

Grandma and Grandpa's cat had kittens so the littles have enjoyed visiting and playing with them.

 

Well, I think it's about time to wrap this up. Hello??? Anyone actually still reading? Sorry about the length. I hope to do better. Maybe my emotions will stabilize here in a while if Kade keeps doing well and I will get back on track! I've missed you all and also plan to get back around to check on you SOON!