Our Medical Life

It’s that time of year again!

Time for the calendar to be FULL of doctor’s appointments!

I have a conversation planned in my head to have with the littles’ specialists in Madison – because, in our opinion, this needs to be the last year that we have all these appointments fall at the end of December!

Tate and Eliza have most of their appointments with the same doctors, and for the same procedures.

We never really thought about any of that before they came home – but I will say, it is very nice!

Last week they both had ultrasounds done at our local hospital.

Renal ultrasounds are quick, painless, and easy!

The littles giggle and talk (and talk, and talk!) through the whole appointment – except for when it is Eliza’s turn and I try to lie her on the examination table. She is TERRIFIED of heights. BUT, she has words now! She will yell, “MOMMY! Mommy! Hold my feet! Hold my legs!” and once I hold on tight she calms right down.

Thank you, Jesus!

We love the valet parking!! Especially because it has been so very cold!

Friday Eliza had an appointment for new films and to see the pediatric orthopedic surgeon.

Whenever we prep the littles for appointments, their first question is always “Do we have to go in the BIG machine?” They are speaking of the MRI machine. They are awake for their MRI’s now. They are papoosed, strapped to a table, rolled into a tunnel, made to lay completely still for 20 plus minutes, and it is very, very loud. They do not like MRI’S!

That is why I take photos of our appointments.

I can show them photos of their last appointments to prepare them.

Seeing the photos eases their minds so much.

Eliza only needed standing x-rays on Friday, and only one view.

“Easy stuff!” she said!

We were on the newly remodeled floor of the local hospital.

Do you really think they need a huge smart TV in every examination room?!

Just saying, as nice as it was – who’s paying for those?

Don’t answer that!

Blake and I were caught a smidge off guard when the surgeon told us that she believes Eliza needs surgery again.

This time on her hips – or more specifically, hopefully just her right hip.

She has hip dysplasia, which we knew, and the doctor believes intervention is needed – definitely on the right, and maybe on the left as well.

We asked LOTS and lots of questions, some of which I wish we would have waited to ask, because details of that surgery is something I just don’t need to know right now.

Thankful that we left there with the plan to have new films taken in June and talk again then!

In the meantime, I have some prayers to say, a list of people I want to talk to about hip dysplasia, and some research to do.

Wise men lay up knowledge!

Next up, we have a two day trip to American Family Children’s Hospital in Madison.

Both the littles will see their doctors, and both will be sedated for a procedure.

Tate also will be seen for a car seat evaluation, as riding in his current car seat is very uncomfortable for him. He will be fitted for a car seat specifically for his disability. We have high hopes that the insurance will cover the cost!

I know, I know! But praying and hoping the cost will be covered is not a bad thing!

We are preparing as best we can for a big couple of days!

Packing the littles favorite blankets for sedation was first on the list!

If you would pray with us, we would be ever so grateful!

For travel mercies, for safety for Tate and Eliza during sedation, for security for them both, for Blake and I to be able to be all that we need to be, and to be able to process all that we learn from the doctors.

My biggest prayer and request is that neither Tate nor Eliza will have a tethered cord.

I love that the Lord already knows! He has went before us and made the way! He also hears our prayers!

We are just in awe that He trusted us with SO much!

Tate Owen and Eliza Claire, you are strong and brave!

We love you both SO much!!

Happy Birthday, Chad Ryan!!

Today our Chad Ryan is THIRTEEN years old!

A teenager.

With the biggest heart I have ever known!

It was such a pleasure to celebrate this young man last night.

And celebrate him we did!

To stick with tradition, we ate the meal of Chad’s choosing.

ALL I can say about that is….he wanted to make sure his Mama could eat every single thing that was served.

I know. My heart.

SO, we had baked barbecue chicken, cubed roasted sweet potatoes, bacon ranch roasted cauliflower, and fruit stew.

I did eat every single thing that was served!

It was super yummy!

We started a new tradition this birthday.

An idea that I borrowed!

Everyone told me their favorite thing about Chad, and I wrote it down.

Chad read them all and had to guess which one of us said which thing!

It was super fun, and a tradition that will carry on!

Chad opened gifts.

Which is also tradition.

Addie Mae made Chad the dessert of his choosing to finish out our party!

Grasshopper pie.

We need to rename grasshopper pie.

It was making two little people very confused!

Let’s call it mint chocolate chip ice cream pie!

We had Chad’s favorite people at his party!

Especially this one!

And these.

Chad Ryan, we are blessed beyond measure to call you our son. We are inspired by how determined you are, constantly laughing at your quick wit, love how big your heart is – especially for your siblings, and nothing could bring us more joy than seeing you walk in truth. We believe the Lord will use you mightily, Chad!! Keep living for Him in ALL that you do!!

Happy, happy birthday, Chad!!!

WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!

A Peek at Our Week

Well, well, it’s FRIDAY!!

This week’s days have all rruuunnnn together for us because we did not have school.

I was SO confused as to what day it has been!

I have been thinking of my Dad lots and lots this week.

It was two years ago today that he passed into Glory.

I loved writing my blog for him.

He loved reading it!

I always thought of my Dad and Mom, and now my Mom, when I sit down to write here.

My Dad loved talking about the weather.

So in honor of him, let’s start there!

IT IS FREEZING HERE.

That about sums it up!

Oh – except that we have another snow storm on the way, because, you know, a foot of the stuff is not enough!

They are only calling for 10 inches this time.

We live on a ridge top though, so we usually get more!

The kids would be THRILLED, except that it is supposed to have a wind chill of 45 below zero Sunday morning.

We will be enjoying the beautiful snow from inside – and praying our electricity stays on.

It has been so cold we have been watching a lot of things from the windows this week!

Like the brave guy who brought us some LP….after they FORGOT last month (which we didn’t realize)….and then suddenly we were OUT.

That means no furnaces, no fire, no stoves or ovens, no hot water, and no clothes dryer.

NO GOOD!

Thankfully they got here QUICK!

The kids also like to watch our plow guy and wave to him over, and over, and over from the window!

This guy has been home for a couple of weeks!

The winter weather had his job come to a screeching halt!

No worries, though, cause this guy is not much for standing still!

He went out and found himself another job! And started on Tuesday!

I miss him! Again!

Some puppies are a big part of our world right now!

I love them three SO much!

One may snuggle in bed with me!

Until a certain someone kicks him out!

I was doing a happy dance this week when I went to the cellar to look for oats and found a partial bucket of raw cashews.

They are pricey!

And we cannot buy them right now!

SO…I made our favorite cookies!

And ate a handful too!

Give you three guesses as to who labeled that bucket for me!

We spent a day at Clyde’s place this week too!

SUPER good for my mama and grand mama heart!

Their foster placement is moving along!

Their sweet baby girl will be home very soon!

Here’s another blurry photo of Clyde!

Blurry photos are my specialty – your welcome!

This week has also been about doctor’s appointments.

The littles had ultrasounds late Wednesday afternoon at the local hospital.

They were brave and strong!

We used the valet because it is just SO cold!

This morning, Blake, Eliza and I are headed back to the local hospital.

Eliza has an appointment for x-rays and then to see the orthopedic doctor.

We are hoping to beat the snow storm home!

When Eliza and Tate woke up this morning, Eliza said “TATE! I go to the hosibul today tomorrow!” And Tate said, “ELIZA! It is not tomorrow!”

Oh my word, they are SO cute!

I best finish getting ready to go!

And to start the van….because, baby, it is cold outside!

Have a GREAT Friday, you all!!

And a happy weekend!!

A Recipe//Chewy Cashew Apricot Cookies

I have followed this blog for quite awhile now, and have both of Hallie’s cookbooks.

Her Super Healthy Cookies book is GENIUS.

One of our favorite recipes from the book, though there are many, is Chewy Cashew Apricot Cookies.

This recipe has few ingredients, which is the way we choose to eat, but are SO delicious!

Chewy Cashew Apricot Cookies

1 1/2 cups raw cashews
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/3 cup unsulphured dried apricots, finely chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Place the cashews in a large skillet over medium heat. Toast, tossing them with a wooden spoon occasionally, until they turn a little brown, and smell really yummy. Don’t skip this step! I have, and they just are not the same!

Put the hot cashews into a food processor with the “S” blade. Add the coconut oil and process for 2 minutes, scraping the sides of the bowl a couple of times with a rubber spatula. Make sure you process the full two minutes.

Add the rest of the ingredients except the apricots. Process until it forms a smooth but oily dough.

Transfer the dough to a bowl and stir in the apricots. The dough will be a little sticky, oily, and thick.

Using a cookie scoop, scoop the cookies onto the baking sheets. Flatten each cookie with a fork, dipping in water between each one so the fork doesn’t stick. Bake for about 10 minutes until lightly golden brown. Cool completely and then store in an air tight container.

*we triple this recipe
*if your dried apricots are bright orange, they are not unsulphured. Bright orange dried apricots have a chemical on them so they stay that color. Unsulphured apricots will be brown.
*I let my kids eat these “cookies” for breakfast!
*we buy our raw nuts from here
*I used chocolate chips instead of apricots this time, because I wanted the kids to have a special treat

ENJOY!!