Belated acknowledgement :cP

A couple major mile stones have happened recently that I have failed to blog about.  Mile stones that definitely deserve recognition.  I will blame the lack of reporting to having two young kids and not much computer time, and also, unfortunately, a lack of time and money to do anything special for these mile stones.  The first major thing that has happened recently is that about a month ago Kaelynn started totally crawling.  She had been going in reverse for a couple months prior to this but finally figured out the forward direction.  (Two weeks shy of Morganne's crawling age.)  Now, nothing is safe and Morganne is realizing that an almost 1 year old sister that is constantly trying to "do" whatever she is doing, can be really annoying!  We've had our first "sister scuffles", with mostly Kaelynn instigating them.  She is going to be an ornery one!! 
The second major mile stone recently, literally the same weekend that Kaelynn began crawling, was that my best friend and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary on January 21st.  It was spent driving 8 hours to Iowa for the Grant Christmas.  On one hand it was awesome actually getting to spend the whole day with him, on the other it was kind of a bummer not getting to do anything special.  But, then again, we haven't done anything special for our anniversary, birthdays, v-day, or anything really since we got married.  That's our goal for the next year....  After 5 years so much has changed and God has blessed us immensely.  Justin is still my best friend, and still makes me smile and feel special everyday.  I couldn't ask God for a better husband or father to my beautiful girls. 
Thanks for reading.  I had to back-track and make mention to these two very important mile stones for our family.  I hope you all have a wonderful week!

Can we say allergic to Amoxicillin???

It's been one illness after another for us these past couple months and Kaelynn seems to be getting the brunt of everything lately.  I think we've spent nearly $200 in doctor co-pays over the last month.  Unfortunately, almost everything has been labeled a virus, leaving us to just wait it out.  This last visit however, when Kaelynn had spiked a 102.6 fever for 2 days, the doctor thought he saw an inner ear infection so he rx'd amoxicillin.  That was last Saturday.  She had been doing better, but then developed a rash on Tuesday evening.  I figured it was one of three reasons: 1- an allergic reaction to amoxicillin, 2- a strep rash, even though she had tested negative at the doctor's on Saturday, and 3- a viral rash.  So, since we were already on amoxicillin, which is the treatment for strep, and a viral rash would go away on it's own, I decided to watch and wait and on recommendation from a doctor friend, continue giving the amoxicillin.  (I also saw sores in her throat which are often signs of an viral infection too...) I decided not to visit the doctor again.  The rash went away Thursday morning.  Well, today it came back with a vengeance!!!  So, poor girl, she is now being labeled as allergic to amoxicillin!!! 

Here are a couple funny pictures of Morganne, being her normal, goofy self.  She has recently been having her "imaginary" friends over to play.  Kacie and Kiwi (Kacie's daughter) are with us often now.  Luckily, they are very friendly and well-behaved! :c)

God answers prayers

No, I'm not talking about the Super Bowl- though I'm sure there were a lot of prayers going on last night!  Frankly, I could have cared less, but it was entertaining as always hanging out with friends. 

I'm talking about God answering real prayers, even when we have no idea how things will work out.  I've mentioned on here many times about how blessed we have been.  I've written about my struggles with lack of faith, especially when it comes to money.  This past year has truly been one blessing after another.  It started with an overwhelming amount of support and gifts when we had Kaelynn.  They totally made up for everything we had to return that we had borrowed for Morganne.  Then He gave me multiple job offers when I listened to His urging me to leave my former place of employment.  It continued with anonymous gift givers that helped with bills and groceries, multiple new lawn care jobs for Justin, wonderful parents who helped out even when not prompted, and many many more.  At every turn he has provided our every need and most of our wants!  The latest answer to prayer came just this week while Justin was out shoveling the drive way.  We have been wanting a swing set for the girls for a long time.  The cost of a swing set was just too high and we didn't have the means recently to get one, even when they were marked 50% off.  Just this week I had been thinking about them again, as the girls' birthdays are quickly approaching and that would be an awesome birthday gift for them (even though they wouldn't get until a couple months late).  For the longest time I had been the one saying no, we can't do it right now.  But then last week, thinking of how much fun it would be and how much the girls would love it, I weakened and I was seriously considering going into debt just so we could get one while they are still on sale.  That was Thursday.  On Friday, Justin was out shoveling our driveway- again, and our neighbor from across the street came over to talk.  We've nicknamed this neighbor "SuperDad" as we see him out playing with the kids, doing boy scouts with his son, taking bike rides with them, and going on runs (we also think he might be in the National Guard).  (We've nicknamed all of our neighbors so we know who we're talking about- is this weird???  My goal for this summer is to actually get to know them all....)  Anyhow, "SuperDad" came over and told Justin, "Hey, I've been waiting to catch you outside sometime.  My kids have outgrown their playset in the back and you are welcome to have it if you want for your girls."  Justin mentioned waiting until everything thaws, but "SuperDad" even offered to help dismantle it and move it over!!!!  We don't even know his name!!!!  The playset is huge with swings, a regular slide and a curly slide even!  It's in good shape and they're giving it to us for free!!!  What a huge blessing and answer to yet another prayer!  Now we can't wait for the weather to get warmer....
So, the moral of this post is that God's timing is great and even when we think there can be no way he prevails- even for our pleasures and not just our needs.  God is good, all the time, God is good!

Christmas with the Grant's

Last weekend we headed West to Iowa for the Grant Christmas.  It was a great visit with very good weather.  The girls played great together, we got to go sledding, and had some wonderful food.  A good time was had by all :c).

The adorable new hats made for the girls by aunt Lynsey.  I love them!!!

Sue modeling her gift card!  This was supposed to be a gag gift, devised by my goofy husband.  It bombed, when Sue tried her best to like the gift we had given her.  After some explaination however, it was a good laugh and will serve to be a funny memory.

 Of course, Derek had to give it a try too!  Looks like something an eskimo would wear to keep warm!

 Fred, once again got to be the backstop that kept us from going into the ravine.  We were very thankful!

Right now we are dealing with sick kids and a nasty winter storm.  Looks like we will be chillin at home for a few days.  Hopefully cabin fever doesn't set it!!!  Glad this didn't hit last week!