July 4th Weekend!

So I'm about a month behind on my posting. What else is new?

We had a great time out at Flint Creek on July 4th! I made some BBQ chicken in the crock pot for sandwiches, macaroni salad, bought some chips and dip and made banana pudding to carry out with us. We met up with another family that was staying at the Creek in an RV. We took all the boys out on the boat, and they had a blast tubing. I got on with each of them while Jeffry drove the boat (of course, that means there was no one to take pics while I was on. Oh well...surely they'll remember me even though I'm never in pictures...lol) It was so much fun!


A thunderstorm came through later in the afternoon, and it was good that our friends had the RV....we hunkered down with them through the rain and lightning. There was actually another RV down the road that a tree fell on and split it right down the middle! Crazy. Blessed it wasn't us. Everything cleared up in time for us to enjoy some more time outside and then later, the fireworks show. It was a great show! We went out with all the boys on the party barge and anchored in the middle of the reservoir to watch the show. They loved it! I wasn't sure if Trace would like the noise or not, but of course, it didn't bother my laid-back baby! We really had a blast. I love times like this when there's not much of a schedule and we can just relax and enjoy each other as a family!

Tired of the DR's office....

No really. I am.

We took Brayden yesterday to get his orthotics for his shoes. It went a lot better than I thought it would! They are basically insoles that slide into any pair of his regular shoes. We had to go several weeks ago to have his feet casted so that the insole would be a perfect fit...in other words, not a cheap thing. To put it in terms where Bray could understand, "we could buy 4 Nintendo DS's with what we paid for your insoles so DO NOT lose them or hurt them!!" He tried them out and they didn't seem to bother him at all! Yay. Now we are working up to wearing them pretty much all day, even inside the house. The good news is that he doesn't need another pair for hopefully a year. We will go back in three weeks to check that his ankles are improving.

I just took Trace to the eye doctor today because he's had a little eye infection. She gave me some antibiotic drops for him to take three times a day for a week. It's nothing related to the strabismus, just a normal infection.

However, while we were there, the doctor went ahead and checked him for his two month checkup (which really wasn't scheduled until the middle of August). His right eye is not progressing as well as we had hoped, so we are having to start patching his eye for two hours a day instead of one. Sigh. That's ok though, I'm thankful we have options to correct it!

The doctor also told me that the worst angle of crossing is 50 and Trace is at 55. So, that's not so great news...she implied that the first surgery probably will not totally correct the problem and two surgeries will almost certainly be necessary. Which we knew from the beginning was a possibility...now it's looking more like a reality.

I'm soooo thankful that my children are healthy, and that these issues are entirely treatable. Also, I want to encourage any moms out there...if you EVEN THINK there may be a problem- even if other people tell you there isn't or they don't think it's serious- TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS! Go see the pediatrician or a specialist! We skipped the pedi and went straight to the pediatric ophthalmologist for Trace because someone told me that their pediatrician had misdiagnosed their child. He ended up being blind in one eye when his condition could have been corrected. Oh, and EVERY child should have at least an eye exam around their one year old birthday. Important lessons I'm learning!

I'll end with a picture of Caleb...just so he's not left out :)

Happy 4th!

Today is my last day at work before at three day weekend!! Jeffry and his dad are going fishing tomorrow, so I'm looking forward to spending time with the boys. I'm thinking slip n slide and a picnic lunch!! How fun would that be?

Saturday our church is doing an outreach in the form of a watermelon giveaway at Flint Creek Waterpark. We will get there around 5:00, help hand out watermelons, eat some dinner, and then watch fireworks. Nothing too extravagant, just good food and great friends. I can't wait!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and happy and safe 4th of July!