In 2010 we...

Welcomed Jacob Daniel...

And turned 5 the next day!

Enjoyed our favorite summer treat.

Learned to sleep in a big boy bunk bed with David.

Learned to swim like a champ!

Turned into a big boy overnight.

Played in the snow.

Stole my mama's heart!

Played tee ball, his favorite sport!

There are lots more things to remember about this past year, but I am going to do a kid-by-kid recap soon.

Looking back at the year 2010, I can say it was full of highs and lows for us. We welcomed a new family member (I'll document Jacob next) and said good-bye to my sweet nephew Bayler. We traveled, lost teeth, welcomed new neighbors, and had a blast reaching people in Myrtle Beach. We are thankful for all the year offered and look forward to 2011!

Back in the saddle...

Well, I've obviously taken a LONG break on this blog. I won't pretend to try to catch up, but I do want to start posting again. Why? Because this little place in cyberspace is my memory book. I don't like to scrapbook and I never remember to write special moments down (Jacob doesn't even have a baby book!), so this is the only place I have to look back on my kids lives. You think you'll remember all the funny things they say or do, but you don't. So, while blogs of all kinds exist, this one will solely be to document what our family does day by day. Thanks for reading!

David takes the runway..

A few months ago, my silly 4 year old was asked to be in a fashion show that benefited the Make a Wish Foundation. He gladly excepted the challenge and joined about a dozen kids from the MB area to strut his stuff...

I have to admit, I was a little nervous. David was one of the youngest kids in the show and he had a long wait "backstage" until his turn to walk. However, he was happy to take his turn in the spotlight! He marched down the runway and took his time at the end... then he struck a pose and walked off. He loved it and the crowd loved him :)!

He was so handsome in the outfit picked for him...

My hot husband also had a turn to show off some clothes!



We had a great night... Aunt Courtney and Uncle Ryan were in town so they babysat Jonathan while the rest of us enjoyed the show! It was fun and we were very proud of David for braving the crowd!

I love this guy!

He is constantly...

singing...

talking...

helping...

teaching his brother...

entertaining...

laughing...

eating...

imagining...

and making me feel like the most blessed mommy in the world! David is growing up so quickly and we are amazed to see how God speaks to him already at the age of 4. While we are aware he is not perfect, we are truly humbled to watch such a sweet little boy grow up before our eyes. We love you so much David!!!

Jon's diagnosis...

Well, we seem to have found a solution to all of this little monkey's problems :)! Jonathan has 3 different issues that are causing his diapers to be so horrible and him constantly getting sores in his throat...

1. He has acid reflux! Who knew?!? Actually, I asked our pediatrician about this last spring, but she ruled it out (we have since changed pediatricians, not just for this reason but it certainly supported our decision). We are starting a prescription for this 2x's per day...

2. His body doesn't breakdown/tolerate whey (or any other dairy product, however he doesn't intake any other dairy related enzymes due to his allergy). He now takes an over the counter lactose chewable pill with every meal...

3. His pancreas is inflamed and doesn't make the right amount of enzymes that helps the body breakdown/digest food. He is taking a prescription for this before every meal as well...

We are thrilled to have a diagnosis and are thankful that they are relatively easy to "fix". Jonathan should outgrow these problems and we are looking forward to our break in drives to/from Columbia for a few months. We go back in February to evaluate how things are going unless we don't see more change before then. We truly PRAISE THE LORD for protecting Jonathan as we pushed to find answers, allowing him to thrive even though his body was not absorbing nutrients and essential vitamins. We have seen God's protection and confirmation as we questioned how strongly we needed to push the doctors and not take "he'll be fine" for an answer. We are thankful for the doctors that did push for further testing and the need for an answer... we have seen God work in all of this and to have a diagnosis is certainly a burden lifted from our shoulders. Thank you for praying and being concerned for our little man. We know God has great things planned for his (HEALTHY) life!!!

Endoscopy Success!

Here is our little man, full of life and energy! Jon did great during his endoscopy last week. Thanks for praying! He was peaceful and well behaved during the 2 hour wait before his procedure. He could not eat or drink anything, so that was obviously the most difficult part. Children's Hospital (aka, "Bayler's hospital") in Columbia did an amazing job of keeping Jonathan happy and entertained. In addition to the staff, I was so thankful Dee Dee and Mimi were there to help! We will find out the results of the biopsy (of the small intestine & stomach) on Nov. 4th. However, we are happy to report that the pancreas medicine his on seems to be helping! Here are few more resent pictures of our little guy...

He was happy to pose for me, but when school picture day arrived, he told them all "NO" and refused to even sit in the chair!


Look at those cheeks! He doesn't look like a child who has spent months not absorbing nutrients, does he :)?!?

All things medical...

I guess that is what my blog has turned into... something I update when life lends time to do so, which means I mostly just update on who has what appointment next! First things first is Jon. Our follow up appointment to the GI doctor was actually good. We saw the nurse practictioner this time and I really liked her better than the doctor. The short of it is, Jon doesn't have Celiac Decease or a zinc issue. They have determined that he is losing nutrients faster than his body can absorb them, which they believe may have something to do with the enzymes in his stomach/intestines or pancreas. So, we return for an endoscopy on the 22nd. Sadly, they will have to put him to sleep but the procedure is quick. We hope this is the case as you can simply add enzymes through supplements... meaning we are back to eating anything he wants except what he is allergic to! I never thought I would be so happy to ONLY have to cut out dairy, eggs, and peanuts!!! He is enjoying his couscous again :).

Bayler Bean is about to undergo some serious treatments that his doctors in Columbia and specialists from Sloan Kettering in NYC are working on together to offer him. Please keep him in your prayers! We have hope, but the last week has been difficult for his entire family.

Brittany and baby Oliver are still hanging in there... she will be 36 weeks next week and we hope to have an estimated arrival date sometime soon. She visits both her urologist and ob this week!

The rest of us have had our fair share of the flu/strep/tummy bugs, but hope to all be well soon. Then I can post about something other than doctor's visits and treatments! God is good and giving us strength daily... oh, and Wellspring is rocking!!! We LOVE what God is doing here in Myrtle Beach. Hope to post some of those pictures soon (must get them from Beth).