About Blake...

As we all know Blake is extremely smart. He just got his report card and of course he got straight A's!!! But, the best news is he has been invited join the Junior National Honor Society. We are so proud of him and wanted to share the news.

Congratulations Daddy (Steve)

Today Steve received his Bachelor of Science in Occupational Education from Wayland Baptist University. The ceremony was very nice and the speaker gave a great speech. We checked Blake out of school to attend the ceremony. Steve has done a wonderful job working full-time, going to school and being the world's best dad. Just doing one of those things alone is a huge accomplishment... doing all three is amazing. We are all so proud of him.

Circus Circus and Blake's Home!

I took Abby and Jacob (with the Parker's) to the circus today while Steve studied. Abby was scared of the horses and clowns, but she loved the music. Jacob liked the horses and the elephant. He managed to take a nap during the middle of the circus.
Abby, Kara, and Camilla at the circus.
Blake got home today and the kids were very excited. They had not seen him in two weeks since they were at Meemaw and Grandpa's for a week before he left. We are all ready for Dylan's visit, too. Jacob was confused and thought Dylan was on the plane, too.

The Princess Treatment

After flying kites, I took Abby to my stylist, Keyli to get a haircut and her nails painted.

Here she is getting her nails painted pink to match her shirt.

Here is the Princess in the car with the book and lollipop Keyli gave her.

Flying Kites

Yesterday was Fly a Kite Day at Abby and Jacob's school. I picked up Jacob and we went with outside with Abby's class. Jacob had more fun on the slides, but Abby loved flying her kite.

Abby & Jacob Home... Blake Gone.

Abby & Jacob came back from Meemaw's and Grandpa's yesterday. They had a great time visiting and playing. Steve, Blake, and I enjoyed a week without little people, but it is good to have them home. Of course, they kept us up all night with their scratching. I am making an appointment this week with their pediatrician to talk about some new medication I found on my support group website.

Blake is in S.C. for Spring Break. Abby and Jacob immediately asked for him when we picked them up. Dylan will be here in a few weeks and we are looking forward to that visit.

New 4-wheelers

Abby and Jacob are now the proud owners of their very own 4-wheelers. They had a blast on their new toys and have really gotten the hang of driving around the yard. I am sure in a few years they will be able to hit the trails with Daddy and Blake. The Parker's came over last night with their 4-wheelers and the kids had a blast.


Today, we drove up to Oklahoma City and met Meemaw, Grandpa, and Uncle Dustin. We walked around the Bass Pro Shop and had lunch at Red Lobster. Then, we moved the car seats over to Meemaw and Grandpa's car and Abby and Jacob went on a trip. They are spending the week with their Grandparents so Dad and Mom (and Blake) can have some downtime. Abby and Jacob are up most nights scratching and we are exhausted. We miss them already and the house is so quiet without them. We know they will have a great time in Arkansas and we will be well rested parents when they get home.

Blake's English Project

For the last few weeks Blake has been learning about the Holocaust. He had to do a bunch of research and write a paper and a response. All of this had to be put into a binder that he had to make. He and I have had some really interesting conversations about WWII, the Holocaust, and religious differences. I think he has gotten a lot out of this lesson and his final product is awesome!

This is a pic of him and his project (he is making a goofy face because he did not want me to take his picture). Love ya Blake!!!

Happy Birthday Daddy

We had a nice family party for Steve tonight. We had McAlister's for dinner and then for dessert we had choclate cupcakes that Abby, Jacob and I made. The best thing about the cupcakes is they are egg, milk, and peanut/tree nut free!!! The kids were very excited for it to be Daddy's birthday and wondered where his party hat was.

Some More Nice Weather Pictures

Abby playing basketball...

Abby balancing on one foot with her "magic wands."

Some Nice Weather

Blake and Dad shootin' some hoops...

Jacob's new haircut...

Jacob about to make a shot...

Blake...

All About Abby (Almost)

Today was Abby's allergist and nutritionist appointment in Oklahoma City. It went really well. My good friend Kara came with me to help me with Abby since I am still not able to pick the kids up and am still on a recovery schedule (lots of rest). She was such a great help and kept Abby occupied while I spoke to the doctor and nutritionist.

Abby was especially nervous when we arrived. When the nurse took her vitals her heart rate was very high as was her blood pressure. She even had a fever... the nurse thought she had worked herself up to a fever. She is 3 foot 5 and weighs 37 pounds. When the doctor went to look in her nose, she would not let him until she had a Kleenex... it was too cute.

The doctor was wonderful and gave us lots of useful information about eczema. The new standard of care is 2-3 thirty minute baths daily (I don't know how we are going to find time for that), lots of moisturizing, and Elidel (which contrary to studies is supposed to be wonderful and safe). So, we will start both the kids on 2 thirty minute daily baths and see how that goes. He also recommended we get with our pediatrician here and discuss some options of some other drugs that will help the kids retain some moisture.

Abby was a real trooper. They had to do the skin test for allergies. They gave Abby 15 "markers" (needle sticks) and she did awesome. She was actually more afraid of the ink pen where they wrote which test was which than of the actual test. Once Nurse Tina explained everything she was fine. I was so proud of her. The good news is Abby only reacted to a few of the allergens... dust, corn, peanuts, and eggs. She had a mild reaction to milk and cocoa, but they have told us to go ahead and slowly introduce them. We are also allowed to slowly introduce soy, wheat, and malt. We still have to avoid oranges and tomatoes, but those are easy to avoid.

The nutritionist gave us lots of information including cards with details of what foods contain the various allergens. We have to monitor her closely when we introduce the foods and keep a diary of any adverse reactions. All in all it was a very good visit. They gave Abby some Winnie-the-Pooh reading cards, Tinkerbell stickers, purple latex gloves, a tongue depressor that the doctor drew a little man on, and a coloring book... it was like Christmas.

Blake and Jacob are doing great and Blake has been a wonderful help, as always!!!! We get to see Dylan in about a month and we are very excited to see him.

Happy Presidents' Day

Steve & Blake leaving to go 4-wheeling.

Blake resting with Ethan & Jacob.
Jillian putting Abby's hair up.

We've had a relaxing 3-day weekend. Last night the Parker's came over for pizza and wings. Steve and Travis went out for a bit and Jillian and Blake helped Kara and I watch the smaller kids.

Today, Blake, Steve, and Travis are going 4-wheeling. Kara, Abby, Jacob and I are going to do a little running around. The weather has been a lot warmer (but windy), so it will be nice to get out of the house.

Happy Valentine's Day

Jacob opening his stickers.

Daddy & Abby making their goodies.
Abby with her Valentine's box from school.

Today has been a nice day. My friend Nikki stopped by for a visit and gave me some Valentine's treats. Then, Steve and the kids came home and we had a family party. Steve gave me some beautiful roses and candy. The kids got movies, candy and stickers (well, Abby & Jacob got stickers) and Steve got candy! Steve also brought me some goodies from some of my co-workers... I will surely be a piggy by the time I get back to work. Blake received 15 candy-grams at school and I think he will be on a sugar high all night.

Abby and Steve are making Valentine's treats and Jacob and Blake are watching one of the new movies and playing barrel of monkeys.

Jacob had his 3 year well baby check yesterday. The doctor was impressed by his ability to hop across the room and said he is advanced for his age. He weighs 33 pounds and is 3 feet 2 inches tall. He's getting to be such a big boy!

Happy Hearts Day!

Pictures

Abby playing with her clock from Grandma.

Jacob having a snack.

Blake being a goof... doing sit-ups on the ottoman.

First Week of February

This week has been much better than last! I am well on my way to recovery. One of my co-workers made us dinner, so it was really nice to have a prepared meal. Yesterday, Kara and the kids came over while the "boys" went 4-wheeling. She helped me with some chores around the house. Really, Steve and Blake have been awesome. Steve is the best "Mr. Mom" ever and I don't think this would be near as easy with out the biggest brother Blake.

Blake had his last basketball game of the season... he had a very good year with a total of 12 points scored (that doesn't sound like a whole bunch, but last year he only had 2 points). We are very proud of him. He also got his progress report and has all A's (again, we are very proud). He babysat for us today so Steve & I could run to the BX (it was my first outing since my surgery). It was nice to get out.

Abby is a math wiz! The other day she told me four threes are twelve... then she told me three threes are nine, two threes are six! I was so surprised. She also told me today that one hundred is a lot, one thousand is a very lot and one million is a very, very, very lot. She also is doing a great job writing her name. Blake (& Dora) are teaching her Spanish, too. She's a smart girl.

Jacob is as cute as ever. He loves to dance. He will dance to commercials, tv shows, and any song on my iPod. He has also been playing with the remote control car Dylan sent him for his birthday. He loves it. I think his favorite number is five because he always asks for five... 5 cookies, 5 crayons, etc.

Dylan is doing very well. He just got his progress report and he has all A's (we are proud of him, too). He and Blake just became big brothers again... their mom had a baby boy on 7 February. Congratulations to y'all and we know you will enjoy your newest family member.

A Looooooong Week

Monday night I had a terrible pain in my left side... long story short, I ended up having to have emergency surgery Tuesday afternoon (I won't bore you with the surgical details). I feel a lot better now, but it was a rough week. Poor Steve and Blake had to manage the household alone, not to mention cater to a "broken" Mommy. Steve brought Abby and Jacob up to see me at the hospital Wednesday and it was great to see them. Abby was a little nervous at first because she knew the doctor had cut Mommy. She thought it was neat to see the heplock and she even touched it. She also liked the adjustable bed. They got bored with me pretty quick and Steve took them home. My friends, family and co-workers were wonderful and spoiled me with flowers, cards, phone calls and visits. I was released on Thursday with orders not to drive for two weeks, pick up the kids for a month, and go back to work for six weeks. Wow, I really don't know what I will do while I am recovering.

Since I have been home everyone has been great. Abby and Jacob's skin has cleared up (thanks to some strong medicine), so they have been angels. I swear they grew while I was gone. Blake has made me dinner several times, cleaned the house and kept up with the little ones. Steve made a delicious dinner of chicken, fried potatoes and salad and has been Mr. Mom. I am supposed to take it easy, but today I cleaned the kitchen because I just could not stand sitting any longer. Of course, the simplest of tasks makes me tired.

Blake's last basketball game is tomorrow. Dylan sent Jacob a remote controlled car for his birthday and he loves it. He spent hours over the weekend chasing it around the house. Abby has been my little helper. She helps me get in and out of my chair or the bed. She also brings me drinks, Kleenexes or whatever else I need.

With all this spare time I will try not to post too many blogs. Take care everyone.

Another Cold Weekend

We have had cold weekends for the last three weeks. This weekend was much better than the last two, but still windy and overcast. Today the sun is out so that is nice.

Friday night Blake went to a birthday party that had been rescheduled three times due to the weather. He had fun and apparently there was a lot of delicious food there because he came home and wanted to make punch and chocolate covered pineapples.

Yesterday, I had to take Jacob to the doctor. He has an infection from scratching his eczema. It has made for a very long weekend. He and Abby have been a bit under the weather. Abby has been "scooting" everywhere because her legs hurt for her to walk. So, she has a dr's appointment in the morning. Steve and I are both exhausted from lack of sleep. It has been a long weekend.

Last night Blake was sweet and played Memory with Abby. She had a really nice time playing with her "biggest" brother. Oh, Abby's allergist appointment has been rescheduled for 6 February. I will let everyone know the outcome of that. I am off to sit in front of the fire... I am freezing (and I love it).

Happy Birthday to Me!

Yesterday was Jacob's third birthday! I can't believe our baby is three years old. He ran around all day singing "Happy Birthday to me!" It was so cute. Friday night we met the Parker's and our friend Cooper at Chuck E. Cheeses to start Jacob's birthday celebration. The kids had so much fun running around. Blake and Steve played skee ball and must have won 600 tickets each. We all had a nice time.

Yesterday we were expecting snow and all we got was rain. Blake and I were very upset about that. We just had a small family party here with cake, ice cream and presents. Jacob stayed in his jammies all day because he was so itchy (He and Abby have been having a very hard time with their eczema... I think it might be this cold snap we are having.). Unfortunately, my camera was dead and so was the video camera so I was only able to take a few pictures.

Friday Abby and I are going to Oklahoma City for her allergist appointment. I am really looking forward to the visit and hope we will come home with some useful info.

Iced In

Our frozen tree and icicles on the house.

Jacob and Blake in front of the fire.
Abby and Jacob watching Mickey Mouse on iTunes.

Friday morning when we left for work/school it was 60 degrees outside. By lunchtime the temps had dropped to the 40's and by the time we headed home it was sleeting and the temps were right at freezing. It sleeted all night and into Saturday. We even had some thunder. We have been lucky because about 40 miles north of us in Lawton they lost their power. Needless to say, we have been stuck inside all weekend. I don't think the roads are too bad, but we decided to stay home just to be safe. We've had a fire all weekend, had too many cups of hot chocolate and eaten lots of chicken chili. Blake and I have enjoyed watching movies and Monk. Abby and Jacob have played hide and seek, watched movies and helped with the chores. Steve has been able to watch some football, too. We've had a pretty relaxing weekend trying to stay warm.