Poor Kaylyn

(This picture is a year or more old but I love it.)

I have wanted Kaylyn to be tested for allergies for some time but our previous doctor did not really think there was a need. We recently changed doctors because our previous doctor had moved to an office further away.

Kaylyn had her first physical with the new doctor back in August and without me even suggesting anything the doctor asked me if I ever considered having Kaylyn tested for allergies. I chuckled and explained that I have wanted her tested but the previous doctor didn't see a need.

An appointment was set up before we left that day. We missed our first scheduled appointment because one of the requirements is you need to be off all allergy medication for 2 weeks prior to testing. Unfortunately the Friday before her Monday appointment Kaylyn was out in the garden and broke out in a rash all over her hands and arms and called me for what she should do. Without even giving it a second thought, because it is normal for her, I told her to go ahead and take Benadryl. It dawned on me that Sunday night as I was getting her paperwork ready that I just ruined her allergy test for the next day. Bummer! I called and re-scheduled.

Today she had her allergy test done. It was not good. The poor girl is allergic to everything environmental. The short list: dogs (we own 2), cats, rabbits (we had 1-just gave it to school), horses, small rodents (hamster, gerbil, etc), cantaloupe (already knew that from a reaction she had but they confirmed it), ragweed, tree pollens, molds (which means no real Christmas tree this year), grass (she should never be out when the grass is being mowed), cockroaches, dust mites (which means she gets to say good buy to her stuffed animals).... the list goes on and is much more specific but it is a lot. The nurse asked if I had a camera on my cell phone because it was a bad reaction. They rate them 1+ to 4+ with a 4+ being the worst and hers were all 4+ except one (of the ones that reacted). I wish I had thought to take a camera so her siblings could see what she had to go through. Then they had to prick her arm 5 times to confirm a couple more of the "questionable reactions".

They also did asthma tests on her because she has had pneumonia before. Sure enough she also has asthma. She has complained to me before during track when she is running but she tends to be "a little dramatic" (those that know her are chuckling now because that is such an under statement) so I didn't think much of it. Turns out she shouldn't be doing any kind of exercising without using an inhaler. They gave her one before we left the office. She needs to use it before gym class everyday.

I feel like we have so much to process right now. It has been an overwhelming day as far as so much "new to me" information.

Please pray for Kaylyn. She doesn't like change and was having the hardest time with the idea of having to get rid of stuffed animals. She has a bear that she has had for years that she sleeps with every night. Then also the idea of not having a real Christmas tree. Mark always takes the kids to pick out and cut down our own every year and Kaylyn loves "traditions".

Thanks for letting me get that all off my chest.

-Smiles!

Creative Love

Mari over at My Little Corner of the World had this posted. The idea is that you are assigned a letter and you need to list 10 things you love, that start with that letter. The letter Mari gave me was M. (You think she did that to give me a good starting point?)


1. Mark
2. Mighty Mountains
3. Missionaries
4. Michigan
5. Mom
6. Mother-in-love
7. Milkshakes (from Ray's)
8. Meals around our dinner table
9. MSU football
10. Mari

If you want to join in, let me know in the comments and I'll give you a letter.

Smiles!

Giveaway at Laced with Grace

This giveaway sounds wonderful to me! The team of writers at Laced With Grace has joined with Women Of Faith Ministries to offer two premium tickets to attend the two day conference at any venue in the United States. Tickets include admission for two, boxed lunches and other neat stuff.

Click on the image above to check it out for yourself.

-Smiles!

Homecoming and Youth hunt

It was a busy weekend at the Hill house. Friday night was the Homecoming game. We won 62-0. We were ahead by like 40 points at halftime so we left so that Mark could get up north with Kaylyn and Anna for the Youth hunt. Saturday morning they weren't successful. Then it was time to get Anna back home so that she could get ready for the Homecoming Dance. Anna went with her friend, Andrew, from school. My camera died, argh, so I have gotten pictures from friends off from Facebook but I will be getting pictures on a cd from friends today. I can't believe how old Anna looked. Tears.


Zack went with a "throwing" friend from Kent City. They both go to a throwing club together at Calvin College. Too bad the sun was so bright. My husband was the typical guy about this picture when he seen they took it in front of his truck. Who cares how the kids look, how does my truck look? Funny guy.

Then 4am Sunday morning Mark woke up a groggy Anna and headed back up north. But not before informing me that my tire was flat and I would need to plan on taking Zack's car to church. Thank goodness for a back up plan.


Kaylyn had stayed up north with a friend of ours and his daughter. This time proved successful for Anna. I don't know if you can tell but it was raining a little bit also. They all had a great time. In the picture from left to right is Kaylyn, Mark, Anna, and Ellie (our friend's daughter).


Good times!
Smiles!

Must see movie!

Tonja's Purse Meme

Tonja (pronounce the "j", I have to keep reminding myself. wink) has started a Purse Meme. I think she has a thing for purses, check it out.

TONJA'S PURSE MEME:

1. Describe your favorite purse...
-right now it is black, it kinda looks like alligator skin, it has 2 handles, medium size, cheap (that is the best part)

2 What 4 things are ALWAYS in your purse...
-Epi Pen
-Lipstick
-Wallet
-Contact case

3. What is the most unusual thing you carry with you on a regular basis...
-Epi Pen

4. What is the strangest thing you have ever found in your purse...
-Popcorn (must have been sitting open near a kid)

5. Is your purse an "open book" or a "private sanctuary"....
-Private sanctuary usually but I do send the kids in it occasionally to get stuff but they never go in it without being told to.

6. Do you change purses often or tend to use the same one for everything...
-I only ever use 1 purse at a time

7. Any "purse wisdom" you would like to share....
-Life is much more simple when you stick to 1 purse. LOL!


If you are reading this please join in. Smiles!

Helping a friend

If you are in need of a cute baby gift please check out my friend's site. She makes adorable stuff. Be sure to check out the embroidered blankets. What baby wouldn't want to snuggle up in those?

You can click on the button above or the one in my sidebar.

MSU visit

We had a great visit to MSU this weekend. Below is Zack, Mark, MSU Throws Coach John Newell, and Aaron. Zack competed against Aaron 2 years ago and now Aaron is a thrower on the MSU track team. We were waiting for Mark's friend, Ed, to get into town with our 3 daughters. We were able to purchase 4 extra tickets right next to us for the MSU vs. Notre Dame game so that our girls could join us. It was also Ed's 40th birthday so we paid his way. He is a huge Notre Dame fan. (We don't hold that against him, we love him despite it.)


We (Zack, Aaron, Mark, and me) were given field passes so we took turns down on the field before the game. It was really cool to be right down there with everyone getting ready. Below is Anna, me, and Zack.


Below is Ed, Libby, Zack and Aaron.

Below is Kaylyn enjoying the halftime show.

At the beginning of the fourth quarter we were finally in the shade. Here are the guys during an intense part of the game.

Smiles!

Proverbs 31 Bible Study

Amy over at In Pursuit of Proverbs. 31 is hosting this bible study. This just happens to fit in perfectly with my 8 in 2008 goals for becoming a Proverbs 31 woman.

My answers to Amy's intro questions:

What do you hope to get out of this bible study?

I hope to better understand what the bible has to tell me about being a Proverbs 31 woman.

What, if anything, has prevented you from studying these scriptures in the past?

Nothing. I enjoy studying these scriptures.

What have you found helpful or frustrating about living out these scriptures?

Consistency. I feel like things are going well for a while and then life happens and it takes forever to get my focus back.


If you want to read more about it just click on the picture above.

-Smiles!

Interesting e-mail...

I received an e-mail today from someone I did not know. I usually delete them but this one didn't seem to be junk mail. Here it is:

Sorry to bug you, but my cousin ran across your site and forwarded it to me when he saw your profile said you were interested in the Bible. He thought I might want to tell you how to get any Bible reference you ever put on your site to have a cool automatic pop-up with the entire verse.

Just in case you're interested, you can add it to your blog for free.

You watch how it works and then get the code here: http://www.logos.com/reftagger

There are already almost 2,000 Christian blogs using it. If you like it go ahead and put it on your site. It is really easy to add. Then if you want to help spread the word write a blog post about it!  ?

...and if you want to link to the best Bible Software in the world, just add a link in the layout section.

Here are some links you might want to add:

Logos Bible Software Blog  http://blog.logos.com

Bible Study  http://www.logos.com

I hope you like the Bible reference tagger, it will work automatically for your blog once you add it. It will make every Bible reference you type from now on automatically linked, and it will also take any Bible reference you typed on any old posts and automatically link that too!

If you want a tutorial on how to add it to blogger, go to the post here:
http://blog.logos.com/archives/2008/06/adding_reftagger_to_a_blogger_blog.html


Thanks!

-Dan

Dan Pritchett, VP Marketing & Business Development
Logos Research Systems, Inc.
1313 Commercial St., Bellingham WA 98225-4307
Voice (360) 685-2335 FAX (360) 527-1707  dan@logos.com
http://www.logos.com 


Well I just had to check it out so instead of clicking on any of the provided links I googled the company (I had heard of it on the radio last week also). It is really cool and software and I have already added it to my blog and it is doing exactly what it claims to do. Scroll over John 3:16... Isn't that just too cool? 

Got this from Melissa and since I am taking a break from cleaning (yuck) and she says it is really fast I thought "why not".

TAG - YOU’RE IT! If you opened it, you have to do it (it only takes a couple minutes I swear!) Then, post it on yours!

Two names you go by:
1. Jen
2. Mom

Two things you are wearing right now:
1. pink tank top
2. blue jeans

Two things you want very badly at the moment
1. A house that cleans itself
2. children that pick up after themselves

Two people who will most likely send this back
1. ?
2. ?

Two things you did last night:
1. Watched Allendale beat Calvin Christian
2. Ate dinner at Peppino's

Two things you ate today:
1. Broccoli pasta
2. Nothing else (I know not very healthy since it is now 6pm)

Two people you last talked to:
1. Megan
2. Kaylyn

Two things you did today:
1. cleaned
2. cleaned some more

Two favorite beverages:
1. Chai with whip cream
2. Coke (but I gave it up)

Wow! That was fast! Now it’s your turn, don’t forget to link me so I know to check your site =)

Please take note and pray.

I have added a box on my sidebar to ask for prayer for the unreached. I seen it on Sue's site. What a wonderful visual to remind us every day that there are so many people that haven't heard the Good News of Jesus Christ. Please stop now for a minute and pray for the unsaved.

Something to think about...

I seen this on Laura's blog. We cannot be on the fence about our faith people are dying without having the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. My husband says, "I would rather offend then condemn." Be bold! Thank you for sharing it with us Laura!

Focus

Even though I wasn't looking forward to school starting and seeing so little of my kids I was looking forward to getting my days back to some sort of routine. Summer takes a huge toll on the "order" of my house. WELL... I still have no semblance of order or routine. Argh!
I feel so undisciplined sometimes. Can anyone out there relate? I think I started 50 different things today and they were all things that really need to get done but I think I only completed about 10. I am not good at staying focused when there are multiple things needing my attention.

Well blogging isn't on my "high priority" list of things to get on top of so I better get back to it.

Please keep Haiti in your prayers. It is being hit really hard by all the hurricanes.

Irresistible

My sister called me Saturday morning to let me know that Emily was feeling better (she was getting over a cold when I had her on Friday) and that she had said her first words, "Can Aunt Jen come over and play?"

Who could resist that? Not me! So while everyone else was outside on the lake tubing and water skiing I was inside enjoying Emily to myself.

Hello my sweet little Emily.

"Aunt Jen that flash is killing me!"

Smiles!