Gluten Free or Not...

So we are officially on day two of being on gluten and no problems with Jay... hoping everything goes as well as the doctor thinks it will....

Now to move on to getting rid of the paci. That is going to be a challenge.

Gluten Free or Not...

My little man,

So you just had another appointment with the GI... and you did grow..up to 26.8 pounds! Which is good as you are back in the 10th percentile for your weight which is where you were at when all this started. (the 10th percentile, not 26 pounds.) You definitely do not have Celiac Disease, but whether or not you have an allergy is definitely unclear at this time. We may have you retested when you get a little bigger if you continue to have problems. In the meantime, Dr. Dickensen thinks we should put you back on gluten to see what happens.

I had mixed feelings about that...but as we go into day two... you are doing pretty well and haven't had diarrhea. So, we will continue and see. We go back to see Dr. Dickensen on March 30th.

And, now we just wait to get the results back from the labs to see where your iron level is at.

Bookworm Meme

I was tagged to do this meme by Tara over at Too Much Perfection.

Here's what you do:

Grab the book nearest to you, find page 56. Go to the fifth line. Type it, and the few following. Of course, tell us the name and author of the book. Let us know if it's a good read, because we all need good reads!!

Here's mine:

ways they think of God and their country and their race. Their way can be just as right as your way. Remember that , and be glad you have a chance to choose the best of all ways.

That is from How to Behave and Why by Munro Leaf. I have not read the book yet, my mother just gave it to me over the Thanksgiving Holidays... well, she actually bought it for T and J but said I better read it first as it may be a little over their heads though it is a children's book. The author is better known for The Story of Ferdinand the Bull. Looks cute, so once I am done with all my sewing I will pick it up and read it.

Hmm.... who to tag, the people I know that read my blog have already played or been tagged....so I will just invite anyone that might come across this and find it interesting.

Gluten Free Cooking Blogs!

I have discovered a few awesome cooking blogs that are gluten free! Yay! Now I can experiment more with some food for Jay and don't have to rely on some of the packaged desserts that especially taste gross.....

They are A Year of Crockpotting and Karina's Kitchen! Check them out!

Listen to the Music

The Shuffleupagus Anti Meme. Borrowed from Slightly Cosmopolitan but Profoundly Ordinary

1. Put your iTunes or MP3 player on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer

YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!

IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
They are There- Three Men and a Tenor

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
Fishers of Men- Bible Songs for Kids

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Standin' in the Need of Prayer- St. John's Children's Choir

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Amazing Grace- Bible Songs for Kids

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
I Can't Dance- Genesis

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
A to Z with Noah- St. John's Children's Choir

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Tuxedo Junction- Glenn Miller

WHAT IS 2+2?
It's Raining Men- The Weather Girls

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
In My Heart- Laurie Berkner

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
A Tisket, A Tasket- 102 Children's Songs Vol. 2

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Shake Down the Stars- Glenn Miller

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Take a Look- Doodlebops

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Dancing in the Sheets- Shalamar (seriously...this really came up LOL)

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Crazy- Aerosmith (ROFL right now...)

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Schubert: Moment Musical #3 in F Minor, D 780

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Let's Build A Snowman- 102 Children's Songs Vol. 2 (I guess I am going to die in the winter....)

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
How You Ever Gonna Know- Garth Brooks

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Under the Sea- The Little Mermaid

WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
Here I Go Again- Whitesnake

HOW WILL YOU DIE?
Piano Quintet in A major op. 114 "The Trout" 4th mov.: Tema con variazioni (Andante)

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
The Rattlin' Bog- 102 Children's Songs Vol. 2

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Shall We Gather at the River- St. John's Childrens' Choir

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Pencil Thin Mustache- Jimmy Buffet

WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
Careless- Glenn Miller

WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
Invitation to the Dance- Carl Maria Von Weber

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
Symphony No. 5 in B-flat major: Third Movement- Franz Schubert

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
Symphonie Fantastique: Second Movement (Un Bal)- Hector Berlioz

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
Listen to the Music- Three Men and a Tenor

Woes of a Real Tree....

So, this is our first time with a real tree for Christmas. I know that as a kid, I had one a time or two...but Jim has never had one. So, when our artificial basically died last year we threw it out and decided this year we would get a real one.

I think in retrospect...we should have done a tiny bit of research before hand. I didn't really worry too much, new we needed a stand...but two of my sisters' have been getting real trees for quite some time now and I never heard of them having any major problems. (at least that they told us)

So, family Christmas Tree day was scheduled for last Saturday and we all went....even with some drama before hand ended up having a decent time...though my nephew and his wife did not end up coming to dinner (but that is a long story and one I don't really want to tell.....). Jim and I found a really nice douglas fir and were really excited to set it up and decorate it yesterday with the kids...

I found what I thought was a nice stand.... and it is, but I think it is too small for the tree. Our tree is bigger than we thought and I think that is a HUGE part of the issue. We set it up and got it partially decorated....and it fell. While we were eating dinner. And we lost a couple of ornaments... one that Jim's grandparents bought T for her first Christmas. Sucks...but it happens. So Jim calls my sister and borrows her tree stand.... nice one that you can swivel around and then lock into place when you find the side you want..... bigger stand... we think we are good. So we get it all set up and the tree is almost completely decorated.... and..... it falls. And this time we lose a few cheap ornaments...no biggie...and Jim's orange hunting ornament.... that is a big deal to him and can't really be replaced. :( That, I am sad about for him....

So, we are trying to keep Jay out of the living room because of the glass, T thankfully went back into our room cause I had the TV on and crawled into our bed to watch while we were dealing with the tree (and believe me.... she got LOTS of praise for that choice!) And as I was standing holding the tree from falling, Jim called friends for help and we took all the ornaments and lights off.

With help, the tree is back in the stand I bought....screwed in as far as it can go and we now have fishing line tied from the top to the metal top to the blinds...just to steady it. It is decorated and stayed up all night....and we are hoping it stays that way until at least Christmas Day. And the day after Christmas..... all the ornaments are getting put away by the kids and I and you can bet the first time we can get shopping... Jim and I are going to be looking for a great deal on an artificial tree.... as well as a tree stand for my sister to replace the one we broke.

Ugh.

Deja Vu?

It was almost a year ago (either the 4th or the 5th) that I totaled my silver Pontiac Grand Prix. I have been driving Jim's Town & Country since and we bought an Explorer for him to drive. Last night as I was driving home from picking up the kids Tommi out of the blue asked my about my "broken white car"....

I wonder why it all of a sudden popped into her head? And....so close to a year later? Weird.......

So then we were doing homework and she had to make up a story that had a character that had to fix a problem.... and she made up a story about her Mommy was at home and had a broken car so she drove Daddy's car..... :) She just cracks me up sometimes....

I'm overwhelmed...

It is December 2nd and I have so much to do before Christmas including a ton of sewing....and I didn't get anything done last night cause Jay decided to really fight going to sleep and I was exhausted....

I so have to get my butt in gear tonight.... If I can get the blanket binding done on Lizzie's blanket and at least cut out the rest of the beanbags (the material I have anyways) I will be in somewhat decent shape...

There are going to be a lot of late nights on my horizon.......

Believe

Love this song by Josh Groban...


I heard it last night on the radio on the way home from work... and it got me thinking (besides giving me the chills..in good way). It is part if the movie The Polar Express, which of course is about simply believing in Santa and the magic of the season.

But isn't it in a way about a simple belief in God? Listening to the words... it just touches me in a way that is more spiritual, the reason what the Advent and Christmas season really is for... celebrating the birth of Jesus.

Here are the lyrics:

Children, sleeping.
Snow is softly falling.
Dreams are calling,
Like bells in the distance.
We were dreamers,
Not so long ago.
But one by one, we
All had to grow up.

When it seems the magic slipped away...
We find it all again on Christmas Day.

Believe in what your heart is saying,
Hear the melody that's playing.
There's no time to waste,
There so much to celebrate.
Believe in what you feel inside,
Give your dreams the wings to fly.
You have everything you need, if you just believe.

Trains move quickly
To their journey's end.
Destinations...
Are where we begin again.
Ships go sailing,
Far across the sea.
Trusting starlight,
To get where they need to be.

When it seems that we have lost our way...
We find ourselves again on Christmas Day.

Believe in what your heart is saying,
Hear the melody that's playing
There's no time to waste,
There so much to celebrate.
Believe in what you feel inside,
And give your dreams the wings to fly.
You have everything you need, if you just Believe.

If you just believe.
If you just believe.

I love the line "Destinations...are where we begin again." To me that symbolizes being saved...placing your absolute trust in God to lead you where you need to be. And of course this line "You have everything you need, if you just Believe."

Isn't that the truth.....

GrosgrainStore.com Grand Opening & Giftcard Giveaway!!!!!!!!

GrosgrainStore.com Grand Opening & Giftcard Giveaway!!!!!!!!

This is an awesome blog I recently discovered....she has beautiful clothes that she makes! She also now has a store...check it out! GROSGRAINSTORE.COM

Happy Thanksmasween!

Or should I say Merry Hallochrisgiving??

I have been thinking about this quite a bit lately.... really any time I have gone into a store since before Halloween. It boggles my mind that holidays and seasons just seem to run into each other more and more, especially this time of year. Do retail stores actually get that much more money by putting their Christmas stuff out so early? I have a hard time believing that. And what's the purpose of playing Christmas music on the radio before Thanksgiving has even come and gone.....

I love Christmas music, I really do. It's my favorite...and within the next few weeks the choir and bells at church will start looking at pieces and I will be starting to figure out what I want to do for a solo for Christmas Eve and will start practicing. But I avoid the local radio station that is already playing it o the radio....cause that will just serve to burn me out.

I love the season (both the religious and secular parts of it)..... can't wait for Christmas to come... (though I do have a lot of work to do and need to get to it....)...and I am looking forward to hearing all the wonderful music once Advent has started.

Before though....no thanks. Count me out. Even if I would be considered a scrooge to think so. Bah Humbug....

Kindergarten!

T Girl,

You are such a big girl! Today you finished your second day of kindergarten. :) It does not seem like it has been five years since we brought you home from the hospital. It has been a wonderful and fun (and sometimes frustrating) five years....

I am really looking forward to watching you continue to learn and grow and to be able to show everyone just how smart you are! I am hoping that you stay on track and I am trying to put everything in place so that you can succeed. You know by now that I worry about you, I have the confidence in you but sometimes I worry that your speech issues may get in the way and give people a wrong opinion of you....

But next week you get to go to U of M and see Rebecca again, and mommy has a meeting next Friday with Ms. Leavitt who is going to be your speech teacher. And mommy really likes your teacher, and I am glad that you seem to like her too. :)

Hopefully now you can blossom and grow (maybe it will help a little with your shyness????). I love you so much honey...you will always be mine and daddy's baby girl no matter how big you get.

Love,
Mommy

Big Boy Bed

My Little Man,

I took the plunge today and took the side off your crib. I had actually been thinking about it for some time since you are getting to be so independent. Thankfully you have not ever pushed the issue by climbing out of the crib on your own. But as of today, you can now get in and out of your be like a big boy. I am taking a chance, since you ordinarily do not sleep all night, let alone in your bed.

But, maybe this will be different (I hope). You are growing up day by day and while it is sad sometimes to me to see my baby boy get so big, I rejoice in every way when I see you master each new thing.

Daddy wisely gave you back your pacifier (even though you didn't use it camping all weekend with Nana & Papa). As tired as you were tonight, we didn't want to push too much change on you all at once. So from now on, till you get used to your bed, you can have your "paci" in bed at night only.

You'll do great, you are so independent and I know you will master this new phase in your life. :)

I love you buddy. Sweet dreams.

Old Blue Chair

Had a conversation in the car last night when out for our 7th anniversay with Jim about Kenny Chesney's song Old Blue Chair. I found out some information that I really didn't know about him and his faith and I am in awe and in love all over again.

Here are the lyrics to the song:

There's a blue rockin' chair,
sittin' in the sand.
Weathered by the storms,
and well oiled hands.
It sways back and forth,
with the help of the winds.
Seems to always be there,
like an ol' trusted friend.

I've read a lot of books, wrote a few songs.
Looked at my life, where it's goin', where it's gone.
I've seen the world, through a bus windshield.
But nothing compares,
to the way that I see it,
to the way that I see it,
to the way that I see it,
when I sit in that Old Blue Chair.

From that chair I've caught
a few fish and some rays,
and I've watched boats sail,
in and out of Cinnamon Bay.
I let go of a lover,
that took a piece of my heart.
Prayed many times for forgiveness,
and a brand new start.

I've read a lot of books, wrote a few songs.
Looked at my life, where it's goin', where it's gone.
I've seen the world, through a bus windshield.
But nothing compares,
to the way that I see it,
to the way that I see it,
to the way that I see it,
when I sit in that Old Blue Chair.

That chair was my bed one New Year's night,
when I passed out from too much Malibu and diet,
and I woke up to a hundred mosquito bites. I swear.
Got 'em all sittin' right there, in the Old Blue Chair.

There's a blue rockin' chair,
sittin' in the sand.
Weathered by the storms,
and well oiled hands.

His "old blue chair" he told me is his hunting stand. He is able to utterly and totally relax, kind of a meditation of sorts, and he said that he prays more there than anywhere else. I have to admit that I was actually shocked. I know that Jim loves hunting, but never really thought that he would also use his time in the woods in such a profound manner while he is waiting and watching for deer.

Then in his silly way he started making up his own lyrics to the song and actually said that he was going to write them down. I hope he does, so I can write them here and compare the two. :) Each day I love him more and more.....

I really need and want an "old blue chair"...but I don't think that it is something that you can really seek out...I think that something that special and profound should just happen. I have been floundering in my faith for some time and honestly have just come to realize just how much. It was a rough spring for the family, and though things are better in some respects...we are struggling in others. And so I have been struggling within myself. It's hard to just let go and let God.

And so here I ask, though I know that He never left me, for the Lord to come back into my life, watch over me and mine and to guide us in His way. Amen.

Some Lab Results...

Okay, so some of Jay's results are back from the lab and it's got me worried....

The DNA screen for Celiac is not back yet, that one takes about 10 days...I won't be able to get that one until next week.

But he is anemic again (sigh). His iron level is at 28, and his saturation is low. Which I guess is normal when your iron levels are low. We've been through the low iron before, he was on an iron supplement for a while..it was doable although it's nasty smelling stuff....even stained our carpet green.

I am worried about the fact that his red blood cells are low. 3.88 and normal is 4. I wonder what that means? I am tempted to search the web but am afraid that it will just scare me.....I know I will post on my mommy boards for sure. I know, it doesn't seem very low at all when you know 4 is normal...but I worry about the whole picture.

What if this whole celiac thing is way off? If not celiac and not an allergy, what is going on with his poor little body? How sick could he really be when he basically looks like a healthy, happy little boy? Ugh.

I'm starting to be scared. Just a little, but scared nonetheless.....

Almost 2 pounds gained!

Jay had an appointment with the GI yesterday and while he still is not at a diagnosis I feel that we are coming close to one, which is good. He gained almost two pounds, and though it doesn't seem like much, for Jay it's a lot.

Here are the stats since we started a gluten free diet:
1/24/08 23.08 lbs. (10%)
4/22/08 23.74 lbs. (9%)
8/25/08 25.29 lbs. (12%)

Of course we all wish he would have gained more, but I can tell a difference and almost always know if he has ate something that had gluten in it (which I won't tell the disgusting details of his diarrhea...)

I had done some research and through discussion on the boards (thanks, Sensible Celiac) had learned that there are actually DNA markers for Celiac. Having the markers doesn't mean that you have Celiac Disease....it just means you are a carrier and could develop it. Of course with the symptoms.... It can also be a helpful route if all tests have come back negative as Jay's had.

I mentioned the testing to the nurse practitioner, and she stated that she and the doctor had been discussing that very thing (score one for me!) and since they wanted to do another CBC and check his iron levels again, they just added that to the lab slip as well. Our GI said that with his improvement...if he doesn't have the markers, then he will diagnose just a plain old allergy to gluten. If he has the markers on HDL CQ2 and CQ8 then it's just another piece in the puzzle and we go from there.

In my opinion though, if he has the markers then it's a done deal, especially considering all the other factors. Maybe this can prevent another EGD and colonoscopy.

Now all I have to do is wait the week and call on Tuesday if I don't hear from them first......

New Park!

So, we have a new park in our city, a boundless playground. That means that anyone, regardless of their ability can enjoy most if not all of the playground equipment. (you can even access the structure if you are in a wheelchair) :) We have more parks here than the surrounding cities do. Two within a block from our house and the elementary school 5 houses away. But this new park is really cool...it's got some neat features that non of the other parks do. I've taken the kids a few times, and thought I would post some pics from the day we took their cousins to play. It's the kids favorite park right now..and mine too.

Tommi and her cousin Andrea


The Gang

Stephen and Andrea

Jay

Tommi

SPAM

I hate it. I. HATE. IT.

And we are not talking about the disgusting food in a can here. Junk mail is the worst invention ever. I don't mind if it comes in the mailbox in paper form...some of that is actually interesting.

But the crap that comes in your inbox is horrid. Who really cares about enlarging penises and performance enhancing drugs and all those too good to be true you won a gift card things, take this survey and pay an ungodly amount of money to get your free stuff emails? I sure as hell don't. If me or Jim needs performance enhancing drugs we most certainly would not be buying them over the internet for goodness sake...we'd be having that discussion with our doctor.

So my yahoo and gmail, I do expect it a a little more, but the real culprit here is my work email. You've got it right, my work email. I had 72 pieces of SPAM in the junk mail folder alone and then 3 in my inbox... GRR.... It's bad when you have more SPAM than relevant email. And the folders were empty when I left work at 5:30 yesterday. I can't wait for Monday....that is three whole days of collecting crap. Woohoo! (insert eye roll here).

Who wants to guess the amount I have after the weekend! 1st prize is all my forwarded SPAM!