Pictures in the Park with Alex and Emma

We had a wonderful day watching Alex and Emma while their Poppy was having heart surgery. We tried to stay occupied while Drew and Mandy were at the hospital. Oh, I should mention this did not occur today, but I have just now had to the chance to upload the pics to my camera. First we laid down for a rest while watching the new Tinker Bell movie. Then we went to the park, amazingly several of the pictures turned out really well. My favorite one is the first one (hence the reason it is bigger than the rest) because they are just being themselves! We finished the night with cheese pizza, a bath, and PJ's. We are glad that Poppy is home and doing better, and even prouder that the day went so well!

Yes I am Alive and Kicking...

I know I have been missing for a while, but I am alive. The family has been stricken with the lovely stomach bug, and Abbz with bronchiolitis. They have all returned to a "healthy" status, and things are starting to return to what we like to call, normal. I really have nothing exciting to write about; so I will leave you with my latest gluten-free recipe.

Grilled Parmesan Chicken with Alfredo Sauce and Quinoa:
3-4 Boneless, skinless chicken breast
Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder, and grated Parmesan Cheese

2 cups heavy whipping creme
1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup fresh minced parsley
6 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 tsp. tapioca starch (opt.)
1/2 tsp. salt

Coat chicken breast with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and parmesan cheese to taste. Grill chicken on prepared outdoor grill and cook until done (or until no longer pink inside). While the chicken is cooking pour whipping creme and tapioca starch (if using) into a sauce pan and mix together with a whisk. When well blended, add all of the other ingredients minus two crumbled bacon slices to the whip creme mixture. Heat until just boiling. Once the chicken is done slice on a diagonal.

To serve:
Prepare Quinoa as directed on box. Scoop as much Quinoa as is desired onto plate. Pour Alfredo mixture on top. Top this with grilled chicken slice, and a drizzle of Alfredo sauce. Garnish with crumbled bacon from reserved bacon and shredded Parmesan cheese. Can serve with bacon-wrapped asparagus on the side.

Although this recipe is "allergen-free" for us, it is really very delicious. Let me know if anyone tries it. Oh, and by the way, Quinoa is a grain much like rice, but packed with much more protein. I actually like it better than rice and I think it is much more flavorful.

A Quiet Moment

Ssshhhh....do you hear that? Of coarse you don't because you are there sitting staring at a computer screen, and I am here in my quiet house. Quiet? Yes, quiet. The girls are nicely tucked into bed, and Ross is fast asleep. Ross had a bad encounter with a bag of chips today. These chips he has had several times with no adverse reaction...until today. First his lip starting swelling, then his gums, and finally the lump in his throat indicating that he was in fact having an allergic reaction, and yes his throat was closing up. He quickly took 2 Benadryl and headed to Wal-Mart with the Epi-Pen tucked into his pocket. Why Wal-Mart you ask? He bought Children's liquid Benadrly to swish around his mouth and gargle to hopefully stop the swelling. After a couple of hours there was success. Oh, did I mention he was in Ft. Smith working? Yes, imagine my distress knowing that he was a good hour and 15 min. away. I felt completely helpless; as I am sure he did, but luckily everything turned out fine. Now he is fast asleep in our bed breathing normally. He will probably be out until morning. Wow...12 hours of sleep...I could go for that! Let me leave you with this...

"Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." -James 1:2-3

I have known this verse since I was a child, but came across it again in my reading last night. This verse and this verse alone may be the single most important verse for my family and the trails we are facing together. "Count it all joy..." I can honestly say that I see the joy in this disease called Eosinophilic Esophagitis. Yes my daughter and my husband both have this disease, but I see that my God has a bigger plan. A plan bigger than the disease, bigger than not being able to eat, bigger than the strange and confused looks, and much bigger than the tears. I know that this is for HIS glory. I am honored and blessed to be the wife of an incredibly strong man that restricts his foods so that he can be healthier, and so that someday he can tell his baby girl that he made sacrifices that paid off so they can both be well. A man who is willing to face this disease knowing that God is standing there with him through it all. Ross and I are equally as blessed to know that our Heavenly Father entrusted us to provide for such a sweet and beautiful little girl. Although Abigail isn't able to eat the foods we eat, she has brought us joy beyond words. Her name has truly brought meaning to our lives; even more so than we could have ever imagined. Abigail means "My father's joy," and she is just that. Not only has EE brought us joy, but it has also brought us patience. Patience in waiting for doctor's appointments, money to provide the medical care needed, test results, and the unknown. Through this trial we have met amazing people with children that posses unexplainable strength. We have seen doctors with passion like nothing I have ever seen before. We have become a part of a church family that many do not find in their lifetime, and relied on family and friends for the support they have promised to show. So, if asked, yes I have found divine joy and patience during this trial, and thank God that He knew that with Him we could handle it. This trial is a process, but someday I know there will be healing, and we will give Him and Him alone all of the glory!

Cincinnati Follow-Up and New Beginnings

We have our dates for our next Cincinnati trip. We will be leaving Dec. 14th returning Dec. 19th. It will be another busy trip; hopefully filled with just as much great information as the first trip. This will be a follow-up visit for Abigail. She will be scoped on Monday, and with much prayer she will have ZERO eos! We want 0 eos/hpf because that will mean that the elemental formula alone is working, and her levels should be able to control through diet. Although this is a follow-up for Abigail, it will be Ross' intial visit. He will see the GI specialist on Tuesday for a consultation, allergy tested on Wednesday, and scoped on Thursday. We are anxious to learn what his treatment options are and to see what improvements have occurred since his new diet restriction.

Baby Sister All Grown Up

Fayetteville's Homecoming was last weekend; and much to my surprise, my baby sister is all grown up! I still think of her as my little baby sister, when in fact she is turning into a beautiful young lady. Her beauty shines from the inside out, and I couldn't be more proud of her. Here are a few pictures I took of Blair and Nathan from that night.

FHS Homecoming 2008

Strep Throat and Busy Plans

Mary Grace has been unfortunately stricken with the dreaded Strep Throat. Poor baby was miserable. Her fever didn't break for two days and her throat was so swollen it is difficult for her to breathe when she was lying down. We started her antibiotic yesterday and let me tell you, it's a miracle drug. Dr. K said that his "drug of choice" for strep is Omnicef and that most children respond by the next day. I was hopeful, but realistic because it usually takes MG a good 5 days to recover. However, she woke up fever free and able to eat 1/2 a chocolate doughnut. That was huge improvement since she ate nothing the day before. Hopefully we are on our way to recovery which is good because we have a busy weekend planned. Friday is Fayetteville's Homecoming and my sister is cheering in the game, so I must go. Saturday we are going to Hot Springs for Ross' grandmother's birthday, and Sunday my grandmother will be in town; so of coarse we have to get the family together for a visit. It has been several months since she has seen Abigail; in fact the last time she saw her we were at Children's. I am looking forward to seeing family, but not the chaos that goes along with it.

Nonsense

I don't have anything exciting to talk about, but I don't want to clean house so I am going to think of something. What have we done? Yesterday, we went to the park with Mandy, Alex, and Emma. My girls always enjoy playing with "Emma and Alex" and it gives Mandy and I time to laugh...most of the time at one another. We had decided that our kids need a padded room, but then quickly remembered that wouldn't work because Abigail would most likely be allergic to the material in the padding...i.e. Latex. You have to laugh at that one.
Let's see, what else? Oh, I had another MEMEC meeting last night. It is always nice to talk with other mothers that are experiencing the same trials and tribulations that you are facing. Plus, it is a great escape for us mother's that are taking care of sick children all day. Four and a half hours later our meeting came to an end...only because Barnes and Noble closed, but I am sure our husbands were glad they didn't stay open any longer. Thanks husbands for letting us go out last night!
Amanda is coming over today to take pictures of my girls. I am so excited! The last time we had pictures taken, Abigail was 5 days old. Amanda is wanting to start her own photography business some day; so I figure she can practice on my girls any time! ;) I hope she is able to fulfill her dream; I know she will be great at it. Between Kristen and Amanda you would think I would have new pictures all of the time, but I don't. Who has time for real pictures (not just snap shots)???
You are all probably bored out of you minds reading this nonsense, so I will go for now. Until next time, have a wonderful day!