Praising God in this Storm

We are praising God for this storm that we are going through and facing! Bear went to the Genetic doctor this week for his one year follow-up, and the Doctor said "I think there is something wrong, but I don't know what it is. It may be something very rare, and that I have never diagnosed before." Not something you want to hear from a specialist! He had a couple blood tests that we are awaiting results, and Patrick and I are praying about another MRI and getting a second opinion. This may mean traveling to another State.

Our 6 year old, Bug, is having Dental surgery on October 1st that will last 90 minutes. This is to fix 8 baby teeth that have cavities. He will get several crowns, fillings, a cleaning and sealants. We think this is from the Celiac disease and not having enough enamel on his teeth. We are praising God for this Storm and growing us in Him!! We love you Lord, and so thankful for pulling us through each day.

Join us in praying for our little guys!! and listen to the song Praise you in this Storm, by Casting Crowns, below.
And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character, character, hope. Romans 5:2

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:17

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12

Casting Crowns Praise You In The Storm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHdcyue0bSw

Bear update

We are so blessed with Bear's progress the last couple of months. We all delight in him everyday! He keeps us smiling all day, at all his antics. As you can see by the pictures, he has some new signs; night night, more, and yummy (we made that one up!!). He even said "nigh nigh" The other night at dinner, Bear kept opening and closing his mouth, where I thought he had something in there. He was in fact, imitating all of us chewing our food. We were all rolling out of our chairs laughing and of course that made him do it more, and laugh with us!! So sweet!!
He is now getting into all the cabinets, Wii games, videos, and climbing the stairs. He also had a molar pop through this week, so he is officially a big boy.
We have noticed that Bear's eyes are starting to go cross eyed, mainly his left eye. We don't know if this is just a lazy eye or something else going on. He has an appt. with the Pediatric Opthamologist at the end of the month. We have changed therapists again, (not by choice) and his new OT had him play with shaving cream. He didn't seem too interested, but touched it with caution. After a few seconds he started to gag and then projectile vomited. This has happened several times after feeling cotton balls, play-doh, and sweet potatoes. I thought for a long time that he was just gagging on table food because of his age, we now I know that it is from a new diagnosis...........Tactile Sensory Disorder. Something I knew nothing about, but thankfully Aunt Heather does!! So we are stepping up the therapy for this. He will have touch these item 4 times a week at home, in hopes he will eventually get used to it and not get sick. I am still learning!!! We are trusting the Lord each day to protect our little guy and He has already answered many prayers.



Imitating us chew!
signing "night night"
I see you mom

Sweet smile

Bear learning to drink from a straw

His Heritage is gluten free

Our family recently went Gluten free (5 weeks ago this week), and so far the results are fabulous! Our 6 year old son, Bug and Julie were diagnosed with Celiac Disease, so the reason for going gluten free. The rest of the family is not Celiac, but some are gluten intolerant and one has a wheat allergy and the others have several food allergies (dairy, eggs, and peanuts). We suspected Celiac for the last 2.5 years, and have done a lot of research, but, when the dx. came, we were in denial. Our bug got to the point of not eating at all and either said he wasn't hungry or ate 1-2 bites and said he was full. He complained of bellyaches 4-5 times a week and has been constipated with bloated bellies since he was a toddler. This has all disappeared and he eats complete meals and has been asking for seconds and thirds, bellyaches and bloated belly is gone, and goes potty (yes, #2) a few times a week!!
I feel excellent, my energy level is up, my brain fog (memory) is gone, and exhaustion and body aches are gone! It used to hurt to raise my arms and I would often crawl into bed during the day. No more bloated bellies for me either, but still no weight loss!!! http://www.celiacdisease.net/celiac-video

Goose preparing Gluten free pizza for the family!!

Here is the definition of Celiac:

Celiac Disease (CD) is a lifelong, digestive disorder affecting children and adults. When people with CD eat foods that contain gluten, it creates an immune-mediated toxic reaction that causes damage to the small intestine and does not allow food to be properly absorbed. Even small amounts of gluten in foods can affect those with CD and cause health problems. Damage can occur to the small bowel even when there are no symptoms present.Gluten is the common name for the proteins in specific grains that are harmful to persons with celiac disease. These proteins are found in ALL forms of wheat (including durum, semolina, spelt, kamut, einkorn and faro) and related grains rye, barley and triticale and MUST be eliminated.

1 out of 133 people have this (1-2 % of the Population) and 97% of people dont' know it!! An average child will visit 8 Pediatricians before being dx. with Celiac. The avg. amout of time to get dx...............7 years!!!

Celiac Disease Symptoms
Adults
Celiac Disease may appear at any time in a person's life. The disease can be triggered for the first time after surgery, viral infection, severe emotional stress, pregnancy or childbirth. CD is a multi-system, multi-symptom disorder. Celiac Disease symptoms are extremely varied, can often mimic other bowel disorders and are not always gastrointestinal.
Children
Infants, toddlers, and young children often exhibit growth failure, vomiting, bloated abdomen and behavioral changes.

Symptoms of Celiac Disease May Include One or More of the Following:
Recurring bloating, gas, or abdominal pain
Migraines/headaches
Chronic diarrhea or constipation or both
Unexplained weight loss or weight gain
Pale, foul-smelling stool
Fat in stool/floating stool
Anemia
Bone or joint pain
Behavior changes/depression/irritability
Vitamin Deficiency (either K, D, and/or B12)
Fatigue, weakness or lack of energy
Delayed growth or onset of puberty
Failure to thrive (in infants)
Missed menstrual periods
Infertility male & female
Spontaneous miscarriages
Canker sores inside the mouth
Tooth discoloration or loss of enamel
Gall bladder
ADHD/Mood disorders
Arthritis
Have You or a Family Member Been Diagnosed With the Following?
Type 1 Diabetes
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Fibromyalgia
IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
Eczema
Psoriasis
Sjogren's Syndrome
Peripheral Neuropathy
Thyroid Disease
Dermatitis Herpetiformis
Osteoporosis
Dermatitis Herpetiformis (DH) is skin manifestation of celiac disease characterized by blistering, intensely itchy skin. The rash has a symmetrical distribution and is most frequently found on the face, elbows, knees and buttocks. DH patients can have gastrointestinal damage without perceptible symptoms.

School time

We are heading into week 4 of the 2009-10 school year!! My how time flys! The boys are loving their new school. They go to school 3 days per week, M-W-F, and homeschooled on T-TH (with the assignments the Teachers send home). Goose is in the 3rd grade and Bug is in the 1st grade. Both their teachers are fabulous, and have children in the school also. The school is going into its 6th year and have grades K-7th, and will add a grade each year. We are blessed to be part of such a great school! We can't believe that this week (we moved here in 9/07) is our 2 year Anniversary! When we moved here, Goose was starting 1st grade, Bug was 4 yrs. old, Mouse just turned 2, and Bear was in mama's belly. Now we are looking at Bug in the 1st grade, mouse is 4 yrs. old, and bear is going on 2 (in Dec.) (sorry the pics are out of order)

Daddy drives the boys to school on Mon. and Fri.

Bug's classroom

Goose's classroom with his teacher,
Goose getting his assignments ready for the day

Bug with his teacher,

Bug-1st grade

Bear loving the piano with his brothers

Goose-3rd Grade

Treehouse, Boating, and Cousins

We spent the day on Keuka Lake with Julie's parents and Sister, Lisa and neice and nephew's(Our Cousins; Kayleigh, Aidan, and Collin) The children enjoy tubing. Julie grew up on Keuka and learned to water ski at age 7. She didn't give it a try this year or last year!!!The kids also enjoy Grandma and Grandpa's pond, wooded trails with the golf cart, and the famous treehouse (Grandpa, Daddy, Uncle Josh, and Uncle Byron built) The cousins especially love to get Grandma to sleep in the treehouse overnight!!! (she loves it!!)

Family Reunion 2009

We celebrated the 59th Reunion (Patrick's mom's side of the family) while in NY. We love to see far away family (most 1st, 2nd, and 3rd cousins) every year!! (most are from Pennsylvania, Nebraska, Florida, Tennesee, (that's us!!) and good ole NY!! This year the reunion was held at Patrick's parents new house (our Ooma and Papa) Here are some pics of our day!!

One interesting fact, we found out this year from our cousin Dave, a Presbyterian Pastor: We are related to Richard Baxter, an English Puritan who wrote, The Reformed Pastor http://www.ccel.org/b/baxter/ One of the books Patrick just read for his Seminary classes.