AND THEN THERE WAS ONE MORE . . .

On June 1st, 2016 the coolest thing happened. Our daughter Sara gave birth to a handsome baby boy who just happens to be our first grandchild! We are pretty darned excited about this little guy! We are so excited that we got in our car and made the trek to Portland to visit him (and his parents) last week. He is such a cutie-pie! We fell in love right away! We were actually in love before we met him but it got a lot stronger once we got to hold and love on him a bunch!

Sara had a pretty rough time getting him here so she is still recovering. It was nice to be able to let her rest a little and help where we could. Mostly it was nice to cuddle and love this new little family member. We are pretty happy about the whole deal.

Here are a few pictures of our little guy.

Sara with Ryan

Grandpa with his new grandson

Grandma and Ryguy

Aunt Carly loved holding little Ryan

Jono is so excited to be an Uncle!

He is such a cutie pie!

Every once in awhile I can see Sara in him--like in this photo. Otherwise, people say he looks like his daddy's baby photos.

CATCHING UP

Grandpa's oldest brother Ed and his daughter Diana came for a visit about 2 weeks ago. It was nice to have them here for a few days. Ed lives in California and Diana is in Oregon. We had a little family get together while they were here and it was fun to catch up with what they have been up to since we saw them last.

Carly, Grandpa, Ed and Jono, Rob, Grandma and Diana

Grandpa with microphone in hand so Ed could hear him better. (Grandpa couldn't talk loud and Ed couldn't hear well. So we solved it with the Karaoke machine! Lol!)

Brothers--John and Ed

I HAVE THE BEST MOM! HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MOM!

I am so blessed to have a mom who is also one of my very best friends. She has always been there for me, my sisters and my dad. She works so hard--still, every day. She probably works harder now than she did before she retired. She is my dad's sole caretaker and honestly never gets a break. On days when I am too tired to cook, she is magically in the kitchen with some new recipe she wants to try--saving me once again! (THANK YOU MOM!!!)

My mom is so smart. I don't know if you really know this about her or not--but she is. We get much of our brain smarts from her. She's amazing! One fun fact, she remembers phone numbers, a talent each of us got from her. But more than that, she's a writer, editor, financial whiz, real estate expert and she masters just about anything she puts her hand to.

She's such a loving, caring Mother and Grandmother and I want to be just like her when I grow up. I love you so much Mom! Happy Mother's Day!

Cooking with my Mommy

Me and Mom on my wedding day

JUST UNLOADING . . .

I don't know about you but I can't even watch the news anymore and I'm a news junkie. I'm afraid the election we are headed for is a train-wreck no matter which side you are on and I can't look! I can't remember a time when it's been this bad . . . when it's felt like there really isn't a good choice to be had. Maybe you see it differently and can enlighten me. It feels pretty hopeless to me right now. Sorry to unload on you but you were just sitting there. :)

On a lighter note, my little ones have their first track meet tomorrow. I'm pretty excited for them. They've had a few practices now and are getting the hang of it. Both of them are good runners and can't wait to participate. They each get to do three events.

It takes me back to my "Little Olympics" days. Dad would take us over to Blackstock stadium to practice. He'd give us a candy bar to give our energy level a kick start and then we'd run laps and practice racing. I did the same thing with the kids the other day. I stopped and got them a candy bar on the way to practice. I explained it was now a tradition and would make them faster. I think maybe it worked. Lol!

SMART MORMONS?

 I found this posted on Facebook a few moments ago. I think it pretty accurately represents our (Latter-Day Saints/Mormons) beliefs and I'd never really thought about it in this way. So, I thought I'd share.

"SMART MORMONS?"
 
By Mike Jensen Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Mormons have intrigued me ever since Mike Huckabee back in 2007 claimed that Mormons believe that Jesus and Satan are brothers. With the recent election over, I decided to check out Mormons a bit more.

My hope in doing this was to explain to readers who Mormons are and whether or not 22 percent of the people were justified in opposing having a Mormon president.

But instead I’m going to share an intriguing bit of Mormon theology I learned that I think makes them perhaps the most politically wise human beings on the planet. Ironically, this story stems from that Huckabee quote about the relationship between Jesus and the devil, but the lesson to be learned is one that, regardless of our political or religious views, we would all be wise to consider.
So here’s what I learned: Mormons, unlike most other Christian sects, believe that all humans lived a life before mortality. They call this the pre-existence or pre-earth life. At birth a veil is placed over our minds so that we don’t remember it (you’ll see why in a minute).

In this pre-earth life, we were all in the presence of God as His spirit children. Jesus was there—the first-born of God’s spirit children, and a leader in the councils in Heaven. Lucifer was also there, and was another leader among the children of God. He was called a "son of the morning."
At some point in this existence, the Father called all of His children together to explain how things worked. All of His children would have to leave His presence and come to earth for a period of testing. The goal was to see if we would live a righteous life even when we had to live by faith, as we would no longer be able to remember God or heaven (that’s the reason for the veil).

If we would live a righteous life, we would be given the opportunity to return and live with God forever. Otherwise we would forfeit that chance, because no unclean thing can live in God’s presence. However, God knew that we would all make mistakes, so he would provide a Savior for the world. This Savior would live a sinless life, and because of that, he would qualify to pay for the sins of the world through what would be called the "Atonement." If people would sincerely repent of their sins, then the Atonement would essentially erase their sins, and they could still return and live with God. The Father called for volunteers to be this savior, and two stepped forward: Jesus and Lucifer.
Lucifer said that he would be the savior and he would force everybody to live righteously, thus guaranteeing that all of God’s spirit children would return to Him in heaven. Jesus said that He would follow the Father’s plan and allow God’s children their free agency. They could choose for themselves whether to live righteously and take advantage of the Atonement or whether to live in sin and forfeit the opportunity to return and live with God.

God rejected Lucifer’s plan, causing Lucifer to rebel and declare war on God. One-third of God’s spirit children joined Lucifer in this rebellion. In the end, the rebellion failed and Lucifer and his followers were cast out of heaven. They came to earth without bodies and now, continuing the war they started in heaven, they tempt men to do evil to one another and lose out on the chance to return to God.

PAY ATTENTION HERE; THIS IS THE GOOD PART
Now, any traditional Christians reading this will see similarities to their own belief system. Most traditional Christians believe that Lucifer lived in heaven as an angel, but then declared war on God and was cast out.. However, the causes for that war are not necessarily clear in traditional Christian theology.

That is where Mormon theology is so intriguing. For Mormons, the greatest of all battles, the war in heaven, was fought over LIBERTY—or as they call it, "free agency." Lucifer wanted to take it away, while God demanded that humans have it.

Although a Mormon might balk at my making comparisons between their religious beliefs and modern politics (and as I said earlier, every Mormon I’ve ever known was a very good person, so I apologize to any I offend), I see a direct correlation here. For a Mormon, the battle for liberty is not unique to this life; it is the core battle of the ages. Lucifer lost the war in heaven (he really thought he could beat God?), but the war continues on earth. So seeing the government become more and more tyrannical is not just a political concern; it’s a fundamental, eternal concern.

I’m inspired by this Mormon theological idea: God intended for humans to be free to make our own choices and live with the consequences of those choices. The Founding Fathers of this country said essentially the same thing in the Declaration of Independence:
We hold these truths to be self-evidence, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

My study of Mormonism has not only given me newfound respect for this people and their religion; it has also made me evaluate my own attitude towards the liberty that seems to be slipping through all of our fingers. Is this just something that is nice to have, and for which I thank the Founding Fathers? Or is it really something that is endowed by God, and that He expects me to fight for. According to Mormon theology, I already fought for this once. The fact that I’m here says that I was on God’s side in the war in heaven, and fought for liberty.

A Mormon might ask, why should any of us be less willing to fight for it here than we were there?

NOW WAIT, WHO NEEDS TO DO WHAT?

Tonight I was on the phone with Julie and the kids wanted to talk to her. So, I let them gab away for a few minutes while I finished up dinner. When I got back on the phone Julie was still laughing from her conversation with Carly. I guess it went something like this:

Julie: "Carly, you are getting way too big! When are you going to stop growing?
Carly: "I'm not! I can't! When are you going to get a boyfriend?!"
Julie: Um, er -- Not for a long time!"

As you can imagine, Carly pretty much shut down the inquisition about her getting too big! I think she is getting pretty smart for her age! Lol!

SHORT UPDATE

Everyone here is good. We have had a few sickies over the last few weeks but hopefully everybody is well for a while now. We started having warm weather the beginning of this week. It even got up almost into the nineties. Then today we got cold air and rain back. It started freezing. It felt like Winter was starting all over again. Hoping it doesn't last too long.

The kids started track on Thursday. They have it for about 6 weeks and go a couple times a week. They almost didn't get in because it was too full. But after the first practice when some of the people didn't show up they called and told us there was room. They are both really excited to be in it. There are lots of other African American kids in it too. So, that's fun for them to be around some kids who look like them.

Grandma and Grandpa are both doing well. Grandpa is busy doing paperwork. It's that time of year. Grandma has started working on getting the flower garden in shape. It's starting to look beautiful. Lots of daffodils and tulips coming out right now.

Well, not much else to tell. Hope all is well with you. Love, Nancy

READY FOR SPRING!

This week is Spring Break for the kids. We were looking forward to picnics in the park and lots of play dates but it has been raining or snowing or just plain freezing cold most of the week so far. We are pinning our hopes on Friday when the temperature is supposed to rise to 51 or 52 and be sunny! I think we will believe it is warm given what the rest of the week has thrown us!

Oh, Grandma reminded me of a funny experience she had with Jonathon the other day. He is one of those kids who has to have dip with everything. He has always been that way--even things most people wouldn't dip in anything he does. He used to only like ranch dip and would put it on everything. He has since branched out and will eat blue cheese, onion dip and almost anything with flavor. He had some chips and was looking for dip but we didn't have any in the house so Grandma told him she would make him some. She took some sour cream and onion soup mix and made him some dip. He was chomping away on it and enjoying it until I came in and mentioned I didn't know we had any onion dip. She explained to me that she'd made it and how she'd done it--in front of Jonathon. Well, that was the end of that! He wasn't going to eat something that had soup in it! He wanted real dip! Hahaha! Silly boy!

 Everybody is doing pretty well here this week.  I think we are all kind of tired and still have some cough/cold-ish issues hanging on but other than that we are doing better. We are SO ready for Spring!!

Shopping with my cuties

Hanging out in the aisle while mom looks

CARLY'S BAPTISM DAY PHOTOS

I promised to post some pictures from Carly's Baptism. Unfortunately, I didn't take very many. I took some just before and then got caught up in making sure everything got done and never got back to my camera. I wish I'd stayed more in the moment so I had more memories. I don't have any of her with Grandma and Grandpa and I'm pretty bummed about that. But here are some of what I do have!

Who is that I see looking back at me?

Miss Carly

Carly and Daddy

Big Sister Sara who came all the way from Portland

Momma and Carly

 

Jules and Carly

Carly with her friend Mitaya

Our beautiful Carly

HAPPY EASTER MY FRIENDS

I can't believe it's almost Easter again. This year has flown by. I was thinking about my childhood memories of Easter tonight and I have such happy, sweet memories from our Easters. They always involved our family and by that I mean extended family getting together at my Grandma and Grandpa Flint's house. There was always lots of yummy food and we'd have a big Easter Egg hunt with actual dyed eggs from Grandma's chickens! Then we'd play croquet or go exploring or just hang out together as cousins. That's pretty much how all of our holidays went--we enjoyed being together so much and I don't think any of us could have imagined being anywhere else.

Times have sure changed and everyone is so busy and so involved in their own world they don't really stop to enjoy each other anymore. It makes me kind of sad. I think they are missing so much of what is really important in life.

Here's to an Easter not only filled with the love and hope of our Savior~but with family, friends and loved ones surrounding you!

TIME FOR SPRING TO SPRING!

Grandpa is doing much better. Thanks for all the prayers. He is up and around again. This muck that is going around is not friendly at all. It tends to hang on so we are happy he is doing so much better.
Grandma seems to be a lot better too. It's even getting warmer here. So, hopefully Spring will arrive with it's actual calendar date! That would be nice!

PRAYERS FOR MY DAD . . . PLEASE

In a couple of days I will (hopefully) post some pictures of the past few weeks (Carly's baptism, Sara's baby shower --at least the photo's I got.) I was a little harried that day but I pulled off a few photos.

                      ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

But tonight I am worried about my Dad. He's been sick for the last few days and could use your prayers. Last night he had a pretty high fever and then around midnight it broke and he seemed better. Even still this morning he seemed better but through the day he started going down hill again. It started with a cold, virus type thing. He's been coughing pretty bad too which is just hard for him. To be fair mom was sick the whole last week too, but she recovers so much easier than Dad does. He just has no constitution at all anymore.

It's so hard to see your big, strong daddy struggle. I was thinking tonight that in many ways for my Dad his whole life has been a struggle. But you know, for many years, as his daughter I didn't know that. To me, he was just my Dad. He was my always my Big. Strong. Dad. Now, as a grown up and having heard many of his life stories over my lifetime, I know how hard he worked for everything he ever attained. Nothing ever came easy or fell into his lap.

Having what I believe was the first case of Polio in Indiana at 18 months of age left him with a diagnosis of never being able to walk again. Though in the end, he of course did much more than just walk--it left him with the challenge and struggle to attain normalcy with one leg and foot left somewhat impaired from the disease. But with his grandfather's help and his father's refusal to allow him to be  treated as handicapped, my dad would would be able to do the things other kids could do. He might have to do them a little differently but he would figure out a way to do them.

I don't really know how people saw my Dad as he was growing up. I'm sure it was tough to sometimes be the kid who was a little different. My kids know something about that now. No matter how my father was seen by others or his peers or even by himself-- I want him to know one very important thing. All I, as his child, have ever seen him as--is whole and normal and perfect. No different than anyone else's father--except maybe I got the better deal!

Interestingly--my dad has always had a limp. But my sisters and I have rarely ever noticed it. Once in awhile someone would ask one of us about it and that would remind us. Other than that--it's not something we ever paid any attention to.

I guess I just wanted to say I have a really remarkable father. He got dealt a pretty tough hand early in his life. And now, toward the end, he got handed Post-Polio and Parkinson's. He took the hand he was dealt and he played it as a full-house. I believe my Dad is the good, honorable, amazing man he is today because he took the hard knocks and got back up and continued forward everyday and did his absolute best.

We don't always understand why we have the life tests we do but I believe there is always a reason. I guess we only have to think of good old "George Bailey" and "It's A Wonderful Life" to realize our lives really do have meaning and purpose and we are growing and becoming through all of life's tests and challenges. Thanks so much for the example Dad! I know it hasn't been easy--but it will have been worth it. I know. I love you!

NOW--GET BETTER!!

p.s. Remember we could use your prayers. Thanks!

BUSY, BUSY!

Busily preparing for a baptism and a baby shower this weekend--and both kids are mine! Lol! Well, sort of! I'm not sure I've said anything on here but Rob and I are going to be grandparents! So, I am having a baby shower for Sara this weekend. We are expecting an adorable grandson in May. So excited to meet him!

Carly gets baptized on Saturday and she is very excited too! Lots to do to prepare for both. Definitely keeping me busy! Well, more later!

p.s. You're all welcome to come! :)

JONO FOR THE WIN :(

Got in a power struggle with my 6 year old today. I know, I know. Never a smart move. But he got invested and so did I. He wanted to go skating--roller skating out on our sidewalk, in short sleeves, without a coat in 38 degree weather. He has severe asthma and ours is some of the worst air in the nation. My "NO!" was a firm one. I couldn't let him do it. Long story short, he was very, very upset with me and showed his upset in a number of ways. The final way before I put him in his room for awhile because, of course "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy Wait! I have to go to the bathroom first!" was this:

After a few moments he came out of the bathroom with an angry look on his face and said: "YOU are fer-ustrating me so much you made me have a nose bleed!" Then he shoved a piece of toilet paper with a pinkish red substance globbed in a couple of places at me. I said: "That isn't blood, it's candy.'  He argued with me about it, telling me it wasn't candy until I finally thought, I will settle this! I stuck my finger in the gooey substance and tasted it. It definitely wasn't candy. Instead it was Carly's pink toothpaste. I grumbled at him and told him not to waste toothpaste like that anymore. To which he replied: "I didn't waste toothepaste mommy! It was in the trash! I just pulled it out so I could pretend it was blood!

Please pardon me while I go vomit!

YOUR REACTION . . . DETERMINES YOUR STORY

Saw this quote and it totally reminds me of my dad--and his whole life.

"It is your reaction to adversity, not adversity itself, that determines how your life's story will develop."
~Dieter F. Uchtdorf~

Any of you who know my dad know he's a pretty remarkable man. Well, he got that way by going through some pretty tough stuff from the time he was a little tyke. I'm so proud of who he is and the example he has set for us. Dad, you are one of the strongest, kindest, most caring, giving people I know. You're the very best and I love you so much! Nancy

FREEDOM NEVER TASTED SO GREAT!

Jono graduated from his oral immunotherapy a couple of weeks ago. He was the 200th graduate. He is now cleared to eat what once would have killed him . . . peanuts! In fact, he has to eat peanuts for the rest of his life! Right now he still has to eat them twice a day. He only has to eat 8 peanuts twice a day right now. If we can get his blood levels to the right amount within a month's time he will be able to go to one dose a day. We are working on it--but it means eating more peanut products and he really doesn't care much for them. Go figure. I mean, when you keep them away from them their whole lives they never develop a taste for them. Now, I have to make him eat them. It's crazy! Lol. But the mere fact that he can do this now has taken so much fear out of my heart. I used to read the headlines whenever someone died from an accidental peanut exposure and just panic. I don't have to worry about that anymore. If you know someone with this kind of allergy--there is hope on the horizon!

Here are a few pictures from Jono's big day! He had to eat 24 peanuts to challenge his allergy! He did not like doing it but he passed with flying colors!

I can do it! No sweat!

This is a lot!

Still chewing!

Let's celebrate!

You did it!

Freedom!

The miracle workers!

Team Miracle!

SO THIS HAPPENED TODAY . . .

Julie bought her first car! And it's an insect! Lol! These are my dear friends--family really. They were ready to part with their bug and Julie was ready to buy a car. The timing worked perfectly. Yay!

Maren, Julie and Nancy

Tammie and Julie

The ecstatic new car owner!
I love this girly!

There she goes!

EIGHT IS GREAT!

Our sweet Carly turned 8 on Monday. Time has flown by. It's hard to believe she's growing up this fast. She got to take a few friends and go roller skating. Big sister Megan bought them all a pizza. They thought that was pretty cool. Pizza, cupcakes and roller skating~it doesn't get much better than that!

The Motley Crew

The birthday girl enjoying food, chit-chat and acting way too grown up!

PRESENTS!!

Her Disney "Frozen" cake!

SO MUCH TO TELL

I've really done it this time. Wow, a whole month plus. I need more hours in my day. I just do. It might have even been longer but my Julie made me promise I would write something tonight. She says she faithfully checks my blog everyday and has been sad not to find anything. Truthfully, I have been sad not to write. I have just become that crazy, wild-eyed, frizzy haired mom that doesn't quite know which direction she is heading in since her list is so long and she is trying to get so much done!

The first thing you are probably wondering how Grandma and Grandpa are. Well, about a week ago they were both pretty sick. Grandma was the worst. She was as sick as I've seen her. We're not sure what bug really hit her, whether it was a flu or what but she was laid up for several days. Then it got Grandpa for a couple days. But they have both recovered very well. Grandpa does worry us though. He has gotten weaker. He doesn't walk as well and some days his voice gets really weak, too. He is still getting up and working most days at his desk. I never thought I'd say this about my dad, but he doesn't have much of an appetite. We tend to have to push food on him. I think some of the weakness is that he doesn't get enough protein. We are working on that.

The week before that my niece Caitlin, Sarah's daughter got married. Mom and Dad stayed in a hotel near their house for a couple of nights so they didn't have to go back and forth. I think that helped a ton. It was a lovely day from beginning to end. Here are a few pictures:

Dad, me and mom

Grandpa and Grandaughter, Grandma in the background

Grandpa, Susan and Grandma

Grandma, Sarah and Grandpa

Megan, Caitlin and Julie

Caitlin with Grandma and Grandpa

 

 

 

Cait and Reed are back from their honeymoon. Reed has two little boys so Cait is an instant mom and she is doing awesome! She loves them and they adore her.

More later! Love you all! Nancy

BOTTOMS UP!

It's been a busy, kind of frustrating week. Rob had an accident while taking Carly to school Tuesday. Everyone was OK--but there was quite a bit of damage to the cars. We are focusing on the "everyone is OK" part, though and are very grateful for that.

We had our first bit of snow in a few weeks today. It was pretty light and we cleared it easily in about a half an hour. Jono did the front sidewalk all by himself. He is becoming such a little gentleman and a hard worker (when he wants to be.) He even went out and started without me. I was pretty proud of him.

I have been prepping since yesterday for a colonoscopy I'm having in the morning. If you've ever had one, you know how much fun the prep is! Hint: It's NOT! Anyway, I haven't been able to eat anything solid since Wednesday night. I told the kids yesterday I was having a procedure on Friday and wouldn't be able to eat for a couple days. So after school today Carly asked me for more details. I gave them to her and didn't pull any punches. I told her exactly what a colonoscopy was. She was no't impressed.

Of course, she moved right on to the next question which is always the same. "Mom, can I have friends over?" I told her again what I was prepping for and exactly why that would make me uncomfortable tonight. She then gave me the youth version of "TMI or too much information". "Mom! That's a terrible explanation! Stop! Don't say that again! You need to go back to explaining school!" Hahaha! I guess she doesn't like getting the straight poop! Next time I'll generalize! Lesson learned! Lol!

YOU'D BETTER NOT CRY ~ I'M TELLING YOU WHY!

Jono was pretty funny on Christmas morning. He never gets up early but Christmas is different. He made an extra effort. His sister Julie heard him get up and then he caught her eye and had this "Ugh" kind of look--like it's too early for anyone to be up! Then he must have remembered what day it was because he looked and saw all the presents and got a look of delight on his face. He ran toward the presents and Carly helped him find his stocking. As he looked in it he let out a great big sigh of relief and said, "Oh good! No coal!" Lol! I guess some little boy had reason to fear--don't ya know! Hahaha!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

We had a really nice day with my parents and sisters. We went out for a late lunch and then came back to the house for cake and ice cream. My sisters and their families stayed for awhile and visited. I think we wore Dad out but it was nice to get him out of the house for a bit.

We've had lots of snow here this past week so we are definitely having a white Christmas. We have somewhere between 6-8 inches on the ground--maybe more. It's been fairly cold--so it's not going anywhere for awhile.

Well, have a Very Merry Christmas from all of us to all of you!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!

Happy, Happy Birthday to my amazing, beautiful mom! I'm so grateful for all she is to me and my family and so glad she is a part of my everyday life. My sisters and their families are coming today and we are all going to break bread together to celebrate her birthday! My mom works so hard everyday taking care of my dad and helping keep my little ones on the straight and narrow. :) I'm glad we have a day to celebrate her! You mean the world to me mom! I LOVE YOU! Hope your day is fabulous!!!

MISSING LOVED ONES

It's been a while since I've posted. I apologize. Rob's mom died a little over a week ago and while she hasn't been super healthy, I can't say we were expecting it. We spent the last week having a service for her and being with family. We have had a month or so filled with losses--She is the third.

We lost our older daughter's Grandma on their mom's side but she claimed our younger ones as well. We called her Grammy. Thankfully, we went to visit her  (and Poppy) last year in CA. She had Parkinson's and had been sick for a very long time. I'm glad she is no longer in pain.

When Grammy died we went to CA for the funeral. Megan and Julie went with us and Sara flew in from Portland and met us there. We were able to spend time with Poppy, who isn't well either, and her sons and some of the kids' cousins/ It was nice to see everyone.

No sooner had we returned home than I got a message that my friend Venice, one of my closest, dearest friends had passed away. She was like a mother, sister, grandmother and friend all wrapped up in one person. She was also a grandma to my kids. I was and am still devastated by her loss. I had just checked on her before we left for CA. The kids and I had gone to visit her and I didn't have any idea she was so close to leaving.

Well, that's where I've been. Haven't felt much like writing. Just been feeling pretty sad about all the sweet people we've lost. 

PEANUTS ANYONE?

Today was a FANTASTIC day!! It was our first taste of freedom. Remember the scene in The Princess Bride where Inigo outsmarts the kidnapper because he's "spent the last few years building up an immunity to Iocane powder." Well, my son has spent the last few months building up an immunity to peanuts. Today for the first time--he ate his poison and he did not have a reaction. 

We are only at a dose of one peanut and we have to make it to 24 peanuts before he is free but this is truly a modern miracle!! Hallelujah! Thank you so much Douglas H Jones, MD!! We are so grateful we don't have to live in fear anymore! Thanks for all your hard work and for your wonderful staff! We love you!

Jono holding a peanut for the first time about to eat it!

Jono's medicine for the next week! A peanut - twice a day.

 

DON'T MESS WITH OUR CHOCOLATE!

Carly was still hungry after lunch today so I told her she could make a Nutella sandwich. It wasn't her first choice but she went ahead. As she was making it she said, "Mom Nutella is chocolate but they put a nut in it that ruined the chocolate." Hahaha! Such an astute observation for one so little! Rob and Jono LOVE the stuff. My baby girl and I, not so much! DON'T MESS WITH OUR CHOCOLATE!!! Just sayin'!

THE PLEDGE VERSION 2.0

Jonathon was wandering the kitchen while I was getting dinner together last night and he kept trying to recite The Pledge of Allegiance. They say it everyday at school as a class and he has it mostly memorized. He was mixing up a couple of verses and he had run a couple of words together in his mind but overall he had learned it pretty well. He did it over and over and I was helping him a little until he had it almost perfect. So he went through it one more time and it went like this.

I pledge allegiance to the flag
of the United States of America
And to the Republic for which it stands
One Nation under God, Indivisible,
And Everything, And a heart full of God

I really like his version--I'm keeping it for posterity. Plus, I think our country could use a little more of God in our hearts right now. Maybe we could add that verse in somewhere--lol. It's so cute the way kids hear and remember things. I think Jono got the gist anyway. Sure love my cute little guy!

HEAVEN HAS ANOTHER ANGEL

This morning I got a message that one of my oldest and dearest friends passed away. She and I have been friends for almost 28 years and have been through so much together. She is in her eighties and hasn't been well lately but for some reason, I still wasn't prepared for the news. I'd been to see her just before we left on our trip to CA and talked to her on the phone, too. I just wasn't expecting her to die. I am so sad. She truly was one of my best and most loyal friends.

One of the last things I told her when I saw her was not to go anywhere. Obviously, she had other plans. She lost her husband a couple of years ago and I know she really missed him. She was ready to go--but darn it, I wasn't ready for her to go. Thus, my caution to her. This should be easier when we know people are prepared to go, but it still isn't. I am going to miss her too much. She really was a light and joy in my life. She was someone I love so dearly and laughed with until we cried at times. Everyone should have a friend like her. I miss you already Venice. I love you.

Carly with Venice and the blanket she made for her

Venice holding Carly at Carly's sealing

Dick and Venice with Carly

Venice with Jono, me and Carly

Venice and me on our last visit