CAUGHT UP!!!

I’m finally caught up in blogging!!!  I have been behind for at least six months.

Now – I am also suffering with a sore lower back…. I believe I hurt it at work on Friday and then aggravated it on Saturday.  But I guess I will look for the good and acknowledge that at least I am caught up on my blogging.

There is only one outstanding entry from Prince Edward Island I hope to finish someday.

YAY!

If you are one of the few people who still read it…. THANK YOU!!  I appreciate it.  ♥  Say, “hi” if you will!  Here or in an email. 

Thank you!

My constant companion

I hurt my back, most likely at work.
While I am still going places and doing things, I am no where near as productive as usual.  That is hard for me mentally.

IMG_8645

Twins day

An early morning email.
Some rapid fire texting.
And these two jewels got to be “twins” for “Twins Day” at CBS.

IMG_8574

Phew…

Best playdate ever.

Some special people are moving to Florida.  Though we didn’t hang out that often, it was always a given that this family would be doing the same fun things we were doing in both our homeschool community and their church community.   Our kids have done VBS’s together since 2005.  Their sons have been in a few of my boys’ short films.  The DAD has even been in one.  Two of their sons and my boys have done Cub scouts, a boy’s club, homeschool co-op, CBS, and seasons of youth group together.  It has always just been the given that we would do things with them.

And now – a new chapter in their lives has them moving south.

So, when the packers came to their house today, I picked up these lovely ladies and we had what more than one of these girls has deemed “the best playdate ever.”

They played outside, and had a tea party, and played with princesses, and went to Bounce it Out, and came home for popsicles, and watched Mary Poppins.  And every last iota of the day was fun.  Said the girls.

IMG_8545

Daddy’s birthday 2018

You must be a very important guy if you have princesses at your birthday celebration.

IMG_8499

Even if they forget to take a photo of your cake before cutting it. 

This cake, tho.

IMG_8500

They were super excited to give Daddy their cards. 

IMG_8502IMG_8506IMG_8508IMG_8509IMG_8510IMG_8511

Marie’s card had us laughing so hard we couldn’t breathe.  She drew a picture of Daddy as a super hero.  He made Thor look like a lightweight.

IMG_8517IMG_8519

Groot pants.

IMG_8520

And only in Rochester do people get winter coats for their April birthday…

IMG_8523

Skin testing – 2018

It’s probably been 13 years since the last full-blown skin testing.

IMG_8480

We had some surprises.

IMG_8488

Turns out he *might* not be allergic to peas, some beans, and some nuts anymore, and possibly not soy.  We will have to pray about and plan how to proceed with doing oral challenges.

A few things scored very low, but should have been high….  so she did subq testing… ah ha – he still has a ton of environmental allergies.  We plan to do immunotherapy this summer to hopefully get him off some of his daily medications.  This makes sense in a few ways – both physiologically and financially.  We have some decent medical coverage and he may not in as a young man.  If we move through this now, we could both relieve his respiratory concerns, and alleviate the need to purchase daily medications the rest of his life. 

IMG_8485

Terrific Twelve

We met Tabitha Stacy Butler 12 years ago.
It’s been a wild ride that I wouldn’t trade. 

IMG_8416

Nene blessed her with STAR WARS sweatshirt.IMG_8419

Nan gave her that spiffy new bathrobe.

It was fun surprising her with new Converse.

IMG_8432IMG_8434IMG_8441

There were other gifts, too.
She chose yummy strawberry ice box cake.

IMG_8447IMG_8450

And that meant we all won.  Winking smile

IMG_8456

This “Easter Bunny” is 12.

IMG_8459

Bouncing Birthday

For her twelfth birthday Tab asked her friend Ava to come over.

I took them to Sky Zone for an hour of bouncing.

IMG_8353IMG_8356IMG_8358IMG_8361IMG_8372IMG_8373

We grabbed some amazing sandwiches at Smashburger and headed home.

Tab had made her own birthday cake, and opted to frost it to honor both herself and Ava, whose birthday had been the week before.  She also made LEGO girls to look like each of them.

IMG_8379IMG_8381

They watched Spiderman and didn’t get much sleep.

She said it was wonderful.

Flower City Work Camp ~ 2018

Last week one of my kids asked me, “Mom, why are you always so busy?”
I replied, “Because you are, honey.”

You being plural, of course.

I firmly believe in being engaged in what they do.  The last few years the boys have done FCWC.  I was part of a Sidewalk Club last year and resumed my role this year. 

John had his first year as a Worksite Leader.

Stewart’s college classes interfered with him taking part in the traditional way, but he was able to plug in to helping with some of the A/V needs and getting to hear some sermons. 

Nigel was eager to do another year on a worksite, and we twisted Marie’s arm to participate this year.

IMG_8024IMG_8029

IMG_8015

It was ridiculously cold.  And we endured one nasty, NASTY windstorm Wednesday.

IMG_8161IMG_8195IMG_8220

IMG_8130

Marie ended up coming home early because she was not feeling well.  She even fell asleep at her worksite…

IMG_8149

I don’t have a good photo of Nigel, but every time I saw him he was grinning ear-to-ear.

IMG_8252IMG_8258

It was pretty wonderful.