This makes me sick

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15197558/

Long story short, this woman came home from a night of drinking and got into a fight with her baby daddy. She used her infant as a "bat" to hit said baby daddy, and the infant has a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain. I can not believe that there are people on this planet who struggle every day to have children, but are unable to. And then there are people like this who have four other children and abuse their kids. Absolutely repulsive. I would love to use her as a bat to hit a building or metal wall. But instead, I just pray these five children are placed in a loving Christian home with people who love them as much as they are able.

Accomplishments

My good friend just finished her last final of her college career today. There is such a sense of pride I have for her. She has worked so hard to finish within four and a half years, which is almost impossible as of lately. She also has run a salon, worked three jobs at a time, interned at one of the most prominent companies in the world, and been a great friend throughout these years. It is funny, I have known her since she was a freshman and watched her grow into an amazing woman. Love ya babe!! Congratulations, I am so proud.

Only because Jill asked me to...

Well, I survived. My kid turned one, and I only cried once. It is amazing. It feels like just yesterday I got the phone call telling me I was pregnant, and I called my hubby to figure out what in the world we would do with another person to care for. And now, he is walking. Not talking so much, but singing. A lot. He loves Josh Kelley the most, and keeps a tune rather well. He is certainly not my child. Looking back on the past year with someone very wise today reminded me that this year is something to celebrate, not to mourn. He is starting his second year of life eating wheat, along with table foods, drinking from a sippy cup, walking, talking, and is healthy. In addition, I have learned to trust God more in a lot of situations, although like most of us, I still try to grab control at times. I was told recently that God is testing my faith with his allergies. So I decided to let God have his way. Since, I have not paid for more than two cans of formula. AND he has outgrown some of his allergies. God is good. Oh, and I am officially avoiding the scale until after cinnamon ice cream season is over.

Two more things I am thankful for...

*Friends who are willing to share HUGE chocolate chips from their black raspberry chip ice cream.
*CINNAMON ICE CREAM!!! (graeter's) It may mean I am the happiest person ever.
And do not laugh if I gain ten pounds during this ice cream season.

Hmmm.....

I am struggling with a lot of inner issues, none of which I feel the need to go into deep detail about, but it is slowly eating me alive. I have been engulfed with these problems for far too long. I know that God will provide a way out of this situation, but it is still difficult. I need to surround myself in prayer and God's word more. I need to be more disciplined. I need to grow more in Him. But I am too lazy. So this is my prayer. I want to be closer to God this last month of the year than I was in November. And in January, more than December. Let's hope this is a positive change. So when you talk to me, be encouraging. I need all the lovin I can get.

What I am thankful for

*I have a wonderful husband that loves me so much, and is willing to have terrible conversations with me, even if it means being upset sometimes. And is willing to love me, even if I am fat and awful.
*My beautiful son is AMAZING, getting more like a little man every day. He is walking independently, bending over to pick things up on his own, and talking up a storm. So far, he is being healed of his allergies slowly but surely.
*God has shown me love in a whole new way this year, through friends, family, and His love, grace, and mercy.
*Wilson has the most wonderful school environment we could ever ask for. His teachers are as concerned with his health as we are.
*We have jobs. Although they may not be the best, they are jobs that provide.
*We have fantastic friends and family. I am just so thankful for all of them, no matter how much I forget to appreciate them.
*God loves ME!
*I am FREE!

Just a thought ;)

Growth brings change...

Lately I have been struggling with my son's health issues. He will be one in eight days, and is still dependent on formula. He will not eat finger foods, mostly because we are at a loss of what to give him. He is allergic to numerous foods, and it is hard to find things he can have safely. My sister has been pressuring me to get a second opinion, so I called a pediatric allergist. No better way than to see a specialist, right? We went this morning, and had a skin prick test. I had a difficult time with that, it seems so barbaric. They basically stuck his little back with eighteen foods that he has shown some reaction to, along with other varieties to hopefully give us some hope. There have been a lot of people praying for him, including his parents. Today, we got amazing news. Booger is no longer allergic to wheat, peas, or cherries. While this seems small compared to the severity of his peanut, tree nut, cow's milk, soy, banana, and dog dander, it opens a whole new world to us with relation to his eating habits. MY BABY CAN HAVE CHEERIOS!! HE CAN HAVE PUFFS!! While it seems so silly to some, this is the biggest step for us. We are now waiting for next week's meeting with a nutritionist for more options and solutions to help our family adjust to giving him new foods. There is a 50% chance he will outgrow milk, soy, egg, and banana by his second birthday, 75% by his third, 85% by his fourth. The doctors are trying to get our helath insurance to cover the formula, and hopefully that will help our finances. I know God is going to heal him, and apparently it is going to take time, but it will happen. I know it. This is such a relief to us, and we are so grateful.
We also got word that as of now, our brother will be leaving in June for deployment. This is six months later than we were anticipating, so I will take it. Patience, it's a pain in the butt but totally worth it.

Oh, by the way, the dr. also said the best way to get rid of these allergies is total avoidance. That means a few more years of no nuts at all. So keep reading labels when we are around!!