Camping Pics and a Medical Update

Despite the horrible rainstorms (times 3), a ridiculous amount of mud, a messed up dining canopy, and a slightly damp tent we ---eventually--- had a blast camping. We seriously considered packing up and going home after the first 10 hours of rain and not being able to get our dining canopy up. But the rain let up (briefly) and we discovered the wonders of duct tape in order to help with our dining canopy predicament so we decided to stick it out. I am so glad we did. The kids had a blast with only a few meltdowns, a couple mosquito bites, and lots of memories. Here are the photos of our amazing trip in a scrapblog. By the way, if you haven't tried it, it is tons of fun!!! One of these days I will actually get one printed!

(By the way, once we got home John looked up the rainfall amounts for where we went and over the course of our three day trip there was over 2 inches of rain! No wonder everything was wet!!!)




As far as the medical update, things have continued to stay interesting around here. I have been struggling with cloudy vision for the past week or so. Finally, I made an appointment with the ophthalmologist and found out that I have Uveitis again. This time in both eyes. I have probably had it for awhile, but because it presented itself differently I wasn't aware of it. Both eyes have developed keratic precipitates or little deposits of white blood cells all over (which is what is causing my vision to be cloudy). One of my pupils is also sticking and not dilating completely (so instead of being round, it is roughly heart shaped) so I am on a dilating drop 3 times a day in that eye. The steroid drops aren't bad, but the dilating drop makes my already cloudy vision extremely blurry (anyone who has had their eyes dilated knows exactly what I am talking about). I also just found out today that the pulmonary nodules on my lungs have not done anything since my first CT about 2 years ago. Because of this, there is nothing to worry about at this time and I don't have to have another CT! YAY!!!

I haven't been the only one to go to the doctor over the past week or so. Both Adalynn and Camden had their well checks. Adalynn's weight and height were 24.2 lbs and 36 inches and Camden weighed 42.4 lbs, but I forget how tall he was....I think it was 46 inches. She was in the 15% for weight and 75% for height and he was around the 50% for weight and 75% for height. Camden got 4 shots in preparation for kindergarten and didn't cry until shot #4 and Adalynn got one and didn't even whimper. She even asked for another "pokey" the next time we went back to the doctor (for Broderick-see below). Everything looks great for both of them and they both got a clean bill of health.

Broderick, on the other hand, hasn't been so lucky. He is battling a major infection on his bottom and is now on antibiotic #2. It is a staph infection (not MRSA) on top of a yeast infection (a.k.a. jock itch). He has been pretty miserable. He also had additional allergy testing (the actual under the skin tests) and found out that along with his severe pollen allergies, he is also allergic to dogs and dust mites. He had to be held down for these injections. We knew right away that both tests were positive when his arms began to welt and got very itchy. I thought he was going to lose it. He was really nervous about having to get rid of our dog. I assured him that we would not to do that. He is going to continue to take his 3 different allergy meds and we will be starting allergy therapy or immunotherapy (allergy shots) in the next few weeks. Hopefully it is successful! Camden will probably be on the same road considering he also has major allergies and is on the exact same meds as Broderick.

I think John has been the only one that has not been to the doctor over the past month. His turn is next though. He has to go for some blood work and then back to the doctor to check his cholesterol levels. He isn't completely out of the woods. Thanks for checking in on us and keeping our family in your continued prayers. At least the craziness that has been going on recently has been at home!

Here We Go

So I narrowed the 364 pictures down to 24. Enjoy!!!!

IN PENNSYLVANIA
(before the massive amount of traveling.)


Adalynn got her toenails painted for the first time shortly after her second birthday. She also got her first nightgown....doesn't she look so cute?

Broderick on his last day of first grade (in the brown t-shirt). I also had to include a photo of him on his first day of first grade as well-WOW!! What a difference a year makes.

IN INDIANA
(June 21st-July 6th)



In Indiana at "Papaw Hair-Face's" pool....we didn't spend the whole time taking care of John's parents, just part of it. :)


Sharing a sandwich with "Papaw Hair-Face"....you see the reason why the kids call their grandpa what they do, but the story behind it---well, it all started when we were trying to differentiate to Broderick (when he was a toddler) which grandpa was which. So there was Papaw and there was the Papaw with hair on his face. Broderick slowly just turned that into "Papaw Hair-Face" and it stuck. My grandma doesn't really like it, but hey that's what the kids call him and he doesn't complain.

Adalynn enjoying a ride on Papaw's tractor with daddy.

Camden's turn to ride! Can't you just see the excitement on his face as he runs across the field?!?!?

Loving every minute of it.

Broderick got to drive Papaw's tractor-such a little man already!

We stayed in Indiana long enough for my niece's 1st birthday. Isn't she adorable?

Adalynn with my mom at Maddy's party.

Watching fireworks on the Fourth of July with Mamaw, Papaw, and Aunt Michelle. No it isn't cold-Papaw had just had heart surgery and Mamaw had just had a mastectomy---both were recovering!

The fireworks didn't start until 10:30, so Adalynn could have cared less. She was more interested in snuggling and resting on daddy's shoulder. She was EXHAUSTED!!!

BACK IN PENNSYLVANA
(July 7th-July 14th)
Not much went on during this week besides lots of doctor's appointments, aspeech therapy visit-which went fine, and Broderick getting his 3rd set of tubes. Sorry, no pictures!!!

IN GEORGIA
(July 15th-July 18th)

Spending time with the Tadda's during our very brief trip to Georgia for Ryan and Missy's funerals.

We also got to meet Aidan (our good friend's Allison and Michael's beautiful baby boy). Camden was in love. He constantly wanted to hold him and feed him-well, when he wasn't playing their Wii. Adalynn could have cared less about the baby, she was a lot more interested in Mr. Michael (which the kids originally called "Ms. Allison's tall man). Now that they're married, he gets called "Mr. Michael". Remember when we tried to go to their wedding shortly after Adalynn was born? If you don't click here.....it was quite a story!

BRIEFLY BACK IN PENNSYLVANIA
(July 19th and July 20th)

Camden watching the pitchers in the bull-pen at his Iron Pigs birthday party. I can't believe my baby boy is already 5 years old!!!!

He loved seeing his name on the big screen!!! Such an excited moment. I think 5 of the 364 photos are of this! Guess, I didn't want to miss it

He was so anxious to open presents and see what he got.

The boys (and Adalynn) at the game.

And per his request (and the fact that there was no way I would have time to make him a cake) we stopped at Cold Stone Creamery and got him an Oreo ice cream cake. YUMMY!!!!



BACK IN INDIANA, AGAIN
(July 21st-July 24th)

Us with John's parent-looking so pretty for John's grandma's funeral.

The kids with their cousin Brandon, who, at 14, is taller than his Uncle John and his Papaw...over 6 feet tall!!! But, this also shows just how tall Broderick is at 7.

AND FINALLY, BACK IN PENNSYLVANIA
(July 25th-present)

resting and not planning to go anywhere big for quite some time (though we do have a camping trip planned for this weekend). Can't wait to share the pics!!!!

Guess the Song

I am embedding a video from facebook, so I hope it works! Adalynn has discovered the love of music. She sings everywhere we go. The quality isn't great because it is my cell phone, but I am sure that you will enjoy!!!!

and no, still haven't done the photos.....but will soon! Broderick started football tonight and practices from 6-8p.m. five days a week-so please be patient!!!