happy new year

We had an early dinner with friends and came home to our puppies and pj's for NYE.

We tried and tried to capture fun pictures and we had so much fun being silly.  

the fish even made this pic!

I'm so thankful for this man of mine. He's my best friend and I'm so happy to do this life with him.

My guys are ready for 2017!!  Hayden is still red, but he's all lotioned up for the night.

Hap. Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas ~ Silent Sunday

Christmas Eve 2016

We stuck with tradition and ate crab legs for Christmas Eve.  The weather was amazing, so we ate out on the back porch.  My parents came to join us for our lunch-dinner and I am a total slacker and didn't take many pictures.  I know...WHAT??

We have been wearing out the selfie stick.  I'm getting them trained to use it just right.  hahaha.  I love when they offer because I'm not as good with the stick as they are. 

Hayden and Lily crack me up in this picture.  Goodness, you'd think this was torture.  And Daisy looking at Lily like....girl, you a mess. 

Hey, we have new pj's act happy!

Remember the year Lily showed her butt during our pj picture and this year she snuck me the tongue.  

Good grief.  Never dull folks, never dull.

After we all opened our gift of pj's and got a decent family picture and we went to the front yard to spread the reindeer food.  I had to take a picture looking inside the house at the tree.  I love those huge windows in the front of the house.

We loaded up and went driving, looking at the lights all over Woodway.

Once we got back home the kiddos were tired and tucked into bed and Santa delivered all the packages.  

We are blessed!

Itchy and Red and Miserable

I try to keep things pretty positive around here, but our house has been turned upside down lately. Hayden's eczema is out of control.  As you know he has suffered with manageable eczema his whole life.  We hoped he would outgrow it like he outgrew most of his sinus issues and his asthma symptoms.  

Since we moved to Texas it seems like his eczema has gotten worse and worse. Yes, I know this is the allergy capital of the universe.  We visited the allergy doctor when we moved here so we could stay on his regular dose of Singulair and Zyrtec.  We know he's allergic to grass and mold and every tree known to man.  It's no secret we live in an older home, so that doesn't help.  Now the doctor tested him for foods and he's allergic to wheat and corn and peanuts and tomatoes and pork.  What in the world, did he eat pizza before his test?  It's almost like he's allergic to everything he was eating the day before testing.  Anyway, all that to say, we will conquer this.  We will help him get better, but goodness I'm so tired of seeing him hurting and itchy and red and dry. He is miserable.  He feels like he's the itchy kid at school.  He gets so ready and his skin flakes and peels.  I'm at my wits and when I say we have tried everything.....WE HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING.  We just left the doctor this morning with a plan. Let's hope we see results soon!

We are doing food elimination.  We are keeping him away from the dogs because suddenly he has a dog allergy he didn't have several years ago.  I'm washing and vacuuming his stuff every single day.  We have plans to purchase a new house in 2017. All that to say ... I'm turning it over to God.  I'm to the point where I have the same anxiety I had every night when the kids were newborn babies.  I remember every single night feeling so nervous wondering if they'd sleep or not.  I'd get sick to my stomach with worry about sleeping babies.  Now after Gary and I tuck the kids into bed I worry about HC's skin.  Am I doing everything I can do?  I research every single night.  Is he allergic to his lotion?  Is he allergic to cotton?  Geezzzzz.

We all need to eat healthier and we are now that we have had to make some changes in Hayden's diet.  No more processed foods, no more corn chips.  It isn't forever, but if it helps him we're doing it. 2017 will be the year we help get Hayden's skin under control.  I  know we will see him feeling better soon, but right now nothing is working and I am one stressed momma.  Any extra prayers you can send his way are very appreciated.  Boooo eczema.

Ho Ho Ho!!

Today was the last day of school and Christmas break is in full swing!  The weather was wonderful outside and so these two silly heads were outside being goofy.  Guess who had her camera handy to snap a few pics?  Their mother of course!!!!

Who needs to mail out Christmas cards when your momma takes pics and posts them EVERY.SINGLE.DAY?

My guy needs a haircut and so that is on the list for tomorrow, but goodness I love these two!

Layla is so flexible...Am I right?

 We can't believe our first Christmas living back in Texas is finally here!!

We got baths today!!!

Lily and Daisy went to the groomer this afternoon and they got fresh baths, a haircut for Daisy and new collars.  They are feeling all fiesty and clean and ready for Christmas.  

We recently found out that Hayden is allergic to dogs. He isn't so much allergic to Daisy, her breed is hypoallergenic, but Lily sheds enough in a day to create a small mouse.  We know she is the allergen in our family, but we love her anyway.  She's our big black bear and we will clean like mad people to help ease his ezcema! 

Merry Merry from our Christmas puppies!