Easter Pictures

So many pictures.  I apologize in advance.

Following a wonderful sermon, preached by Steven, all of my family (minus Sarah and Kate--missed you both so much!!) had lunch out at the clubhouse in Ann and Steve's neighborhood.  That was a good call by mom and Ann (or whomever made the call)!!  There was plenty of open space for the kids to run around, and the walls are all windows, so it was very easy for the older ones to run around outside and us still be able to see them. 

The food was wonderful, the weather was wonderful, and it was a great way to CELEBRATE our risen savior.  I just love Easter.  The colors, the spring weather, the baskets, the little girls' dresses and bows and sandals.  Everything about the holiday points to hope and celebration and peace, do you agree? 

Anyway...on to the pictures.

 I hope that I am not totally stealing Ann's thunder, but I have to brag on her and tell you that she made!!! Ellie's easter dress!!!

And after lunch, my family traveled home, and life is back to reality.  Which these days, for us, involves lots of doctors' visits.

Tomorrow we head to the pediatric optometrist for John's eye consultation.  I assume that he will need a very minor surgery to unclog his tear duct. 

And my foot and hand "drama" still continues, as the skin biopsy came back with no clear answers.  At this point, I am supposed to call the dermatologist next week, and if things aren't cleared up by then, the nurse said that they would refer me to the University here.  I am not even sure what that means.  Anyone else know?  Obviously, I will ask her to clarify if that becomes necessary:)  It is a mystery, ya'll, which is a bit unsettling.  But hopefully someone will figure this thing out and get it cleared up.  My mom and I are beginning to suspect that my skin is just a symptom of something else since the dermatologist can't figure it out.  It seems that the problem must lie elsewhere, but what do I know? 

Anyway...that is an update on us. 

I am loving seeing everyone else's Easter pictures, so keep posting!!!

Pictures

I am back to post a few photos of the week so far.

I don't want to post too many from the birthday celebration in case Ann wants to do that, but I am including one or two.

John has done well this trip, making it the first time he has really been happy here, away from home.  He's growing up, I tell you;)  As I type this John is asleep in his bed.  He is worn out from a breath-holding spell.  I wouldn't let him climb my mom's hardwood stairs, and he threw himself into a fit, which ended with his passing out and being so worn out that he went down for a very early morning nap.  What if that's how we responded every time something didn't go our way?  I guess sometimes I practically do respond that way;)  

Ada loves being here because she has built in playmates in her cousins.  And, in fact, she and Andrew are playing really well together this trip, so she has added a companion to the list.  I know that I will blink and John will be in on the "cousin fun."  

My mom has a backyard that begs these kiddos to come out and play.  John is no exception.  He continually walks up to the back door, points, and uses his "syllables" to indicate that he wants to go outside!!  He has made a game of going up and down the ramp and stairs to the back porch.  In the second picture he is sitting on the steps to my mom's art studio.

Here are a few shots from the birthday celebration.  Ann, Ellie, Luke, Ada, and I ate lunch at Nothing but Noodles (Ellie's choice) and then "built" bears at Build-a-Bear.  Build-a-Bear has mastered the art of taking your money, haven't they?  Oh my word.  Ada wanted every little accessory that she saw.  Instead, she was able to choose a basic bear and one outfit.  She chose the ballerina outfit, complete with "toe" shoes.  It was a fun experience for her. 

And then, while Ellie picked an outfit at Gymboree, Ada and Luke played in this play area.  They loved it.  They were playing all kinds of astronaut games.  (Did you know that my absolute nightmare of all nightmares is to go into space?  It makes me nearly hyperventilate just thinking about it).

And in the midst of all this fun, I am still dealing with the foot issue, which has turned into a hand issue as well.  We ended up in Huntsville yesterday afternoon to see a doctor.  (The third doctor I have seen about this).  I am on some new medication, and hopefully, hopefully, this will work.  If not, I have a follow-up appointment on Friday afternoon (which truthfully, I don't really think the new medicine will work, and I think I will have to go back on Friday).  We have a family-friend pediatrician who actually saw me yesterday afternoon and immediately referred me to a wonderful dermatologist, who saw me after hours.  I was thanking everyone I laid eyes on because I was so grateful.  I feel relieved to finally be seen by people I know and trust, so hopefully things will get worked out soon.

There is the week so far.  We are having fun, and, in fact, Ada is out at Ann's house right now, and John and I are headed that way as soon as he wakes up.  

Cavity Free

Do you remember all the dentistry drama from last summer--root canals and fillings and everything else all while first trimester pregnant?

Well, yesterday I went to the dentist for the first time since all of that happened.  And I am so happy to report that I am cavity free.  I have terrible teeth, despite my best efforts to brush and floss correctly (okay, I could probably put forth more effort in the floss department), so it is a rare visit to the dentist that I walk away with no cavities to be filled.  I was relieved, and may finally be able to make the big switch to a Georgia dentist.  We'll see.

In the mean time, Ada is soaking up the time with her cousins.  (And John is eating and fussing and eating and fussing in typical John-fashion, all while getting to know his cousins a little bit better).

(here, Ada and Ellie are getting "murried" as Ada says.)