Brownie Points for Momma

So I attempted to make my husband "pizza" and "cheesecake" a couple of days ago, and you know what? They actually both turned out very well. The flat bread pizza crust was made from tapioca flour, tapioca starch, basil and rosemary. It was very yummy...much like a pizzeria pizza! Then, as if that wasn't adventurous enough, I made a crust less chocolate cheesecake with ganache and whipped cream on top. It was also good, but a little too sweet for me. A little went a long way. Yes, my husband is the luckiest man in the world to have a wife that is willing to be a little adventurous; so that we do not have to eat the same foods over and over again. :) Enjoy the pictures of my master pieces.


Oh, I did not stop there with the coolness. I let my children have cheesecake and coffee for breakfast! Yes! Coffee...mind you, there was very little coffee and a WHOLE LOT of sugar and cream. They thought it was the best and I won several "coolest mom ever" points with the big two this morning. While I am bragging about myself, I might as well rack up on those brownie points while they are rolling in 'cause I have no idea what's for lunch today. ;)

Happy Fall!!!

For those of you who know well, you know that I love fall! Today is officially the first day of fall; so Happy Fall to you all! In honor of fall and in no particular order, here are a few reasons why I love fall:

*The crisp, cool, clean air.
*Autumn colors on the leaves.
*The smell of warm apple pie.
*Football
*Thanksgiving and Family
*Celebrating the birth of our 3rd daughter.
*Pumpkins
*Scarecrows
*Cornstalks, Hay, and Mums
*Hot apple cider

Catch Up

Okay, so in search of a doctor for Ross, we have been led back to Cincinnati. I spoke with three different clinics in Arkansas including UAMS, and none of them have had much experience with any eosinophilic disorder much less EE. After talking with the Centers for Eosinophilic Disorders in Cincinnati, we have confirmation this is where we are supposed to be. He will have to go through the same "approval" process that Abigail went through, but since she has already been seen and he has such large numbers of eos this should not be a problem. In fact, we already know that we will most likely be traveling during the weeks of Nov. 5 or Dec. 17. So....MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY...because we aren't gonna have any money left for gifts! Oh well, it's the thought that counts, right? RIGHT?!? ;) I'm sure we will work something out.

In other news, I took Abigail to the dentist last week. Dr. Rhodes, by the way is great if you are looking for a wonderful pediatric dentist that loves his job. Now that I have put my plug in for Dr. Rhodes, I will get to the point. He wants to see her every three months because she has calcification build up from not being able to eat anything abrasive, and since she has such severe allergies he wants to avoid decay at all costs (because she could be allergic to the material in fillings). He also suggested that we have her frenum (the thin piece of tissue that connects the top lip to the gums) cut. It is tight and very difficult to brush her top teeth. Our appointment with the oral surgeon is Thursday. Another procedure and anesthesia...is it ever going to end?

Hannah and Mary Grace are doing well, I am happy to announce. Mary Grace is loving school and Hannah is loving being the "big sis" while Gracie is there! I have to admit it has been fun having Hannah basically to myself for a few hours each day! As for me, well I was sick all weekend, but I am feeling much better today. I guess I just had a virus...or my body said it was time for rest because I ran a fever without any other symptoms for about 24 hours and felt crummy afterwards, but like I said am good today. Ross was wonderful though!! He kept the house clean and did laundry...he even cooked a little! Well, I am done playing the catch up game until next time.

Results are In...

After much waiting; Ross' pathology reports confirmed that he does in fact have Eosinophilic Esophagitis. Just to show you how he compares with Abigail, his highest eos count was 80 and Abigail's was 90. Pretty close to the same...in other words, he isn't doing too well either.
I have had several questions about how Ross is handling his new diet. He is actually doing quite well with it at the moment. It has effected all of our diets, but surprisingly it hasn't been that hard so far. Although reality hit me yesterday as I was watching the Food Network channel and I realized that I will not be able to bake like I used to. Baking is/was my passion and now I won't be doing that...for a while anyway. That's okay though; I will just have to learn to change my passion from baking to cooking. All in all we are doing okay! We are now in the process of seeking out doctors for Ross. Doctors who have seen adult EE patients. Well, it's time to get Abigail from therapy so I hope you all have a wonderful day!

I May Just Go CRAZY!!!

It has been two weeks since Ross' scope, and we still do not have the results! Is it just me or is that just absolutely ridiculous?! I may loose my mind before we even get the stinkin results. He went by the doctor's office today to see if they could tell him something, and they said that they didn't have them back yet. The pathology department said they would fax them over; but the nurse said that she didn't know if she would be able to read them, so someone will call in the morning. Seriously?!? Bring them home to me...I can read them! Can you since the frustration and impatience yet??? Okay, I am done ranting. I will let everyone know the results as soon as I know something! AAAAWWWWWWWHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! I feel a little better now ;).....

Allergy Testing and New Diets All Around!

Well, we have the results from Ross' allergy testing. Here goes: all fish/shellfish, all tree nuts, peanuts, peas, corn, wheat, rice, rye, oat, oranges, green beans, onions, soy and yeast. As well as, environmental allergies and cats. So between Ross, Hannah, and Abigail our diets will be seriously altered. Oh, and now for the funniest part! I talked to our vet yesterday, and because Kobe is not metabolizing his food properly, his little body is producing large amounts of kidney stones; so he will also be on a special diet the rest of his life. Now isn't that just appropriate! Okay sorry for the side note, back to Ross. He is going to have a hard time giving up wheat, so we are having a last "hoorah" this weekend. Since we are Italian by choice (meaning we LOVE Italian food) we are going to have pasta for dinner! Although he is already omitting most of the offensive foods now, he is planning on going "cold turkey" on Monday! This is going to be a life change for all of us, so I know we will need the prayers until we become a custom to our new way of eating. For all of you food lovers out there, enjoy it and please don't ever take it for granted!

Come On...

Really! Isn't it enough that my daughter has EE and my husband will most likely be diagnosed with it within the next two weeks? Now my dog has a problem! Poor little thing has had a "pee problem" as my 6 and 4 year olds so politely pointed out. I took him to the vet today, and he has an enlarged prostate and will be neutered tomorrow. As if that wasn't bad enough, I had to leave him there tonight. Let's just say he is not going to be happy we he gets home tomorrow! You know I just had to laugh to keep from crying. I know that my dog being neutered isn't a big deal, but come on...can't my dog at least be healthy?!?

Zach talked about peace today in Connection Group (our way of saying Sunday School). The opening question this morning was, "What is peace?" As soon as it was asked, my immediate answer (in my head) was Jesus! Jesus is peace. Not only is He peace, but He is the Prince of Peace. I have totally and completely found peace in my Prince of Peace through all of this with Abigail and now Ross. Now, don't get me wrong I have my emotional days; which I also think is normal. Through the emotion, there is peace and comfort in knowing that He is in control of it all. I have learned to accept the things which I cannot change, and He has given me the courage and knowledge to do the things He would have me do. It is through Him alone that I can feel this way and write these words, but it is true...every word.