Got Silk?

Our Katybug had her follow-up appointment at the GI Specialist last Thursday.  We were given the results of the biopsies from the two tissue samples that they collected during her endoscopy.  I am excited to say that we finally have answers as to why she's been having so many tummy troubles!  Her biopsy from the sugar test came back abnormal for Lactose which means that she is Lactose Intolerant. Lactose Intolerance is the inability to digest the sugar, lactose.  Her body does not produce the enzyme lactase that breaks down lactose.  This is why she was having such a difficult time with milk and dairy products, especially at Birthday parties where they were serving pizza and ice cream!  If she consumes food containing lactose it causes her to have gas, bloating, stomach cramps, nausea, constipation and eventually vomiting.  What horrible feelings to have!

Since this is something that she will have for the rest of her life, I was sent to a Dietician on Monday and Katy has been put on a restrictive diet that requires the avoidance of Lactose.

We are reading all labels and avoiding the following ingredients:

Butter, Caramel, Casein, Caseinates, Cheese, Cream, Cottage cheese, Curds, Custard, Ghee, Half & half, Lactalbumin, Lactoferrin, Lactulose, Processed lunch meats, margarine, Milk (in any form), nisin, nougat, Pudding, Recaldent, Rennet casein, Sour cream, Whey, Yogurt.

When I received the news I started crying...not because I felt this was horrible news, but because I had known in my heart something just wasn't right and I was thrilled to finally have answers to help my Katybug feel better!  Yes, it is going to be challenging, especially at supper time when the majority of meals I cook have at least one dairy product in it, but we are looking forward to experimenting with some new recipes.  If anyone has lactose free recipes, please share!  I am hoping to post some on my blog after we have tried them. 

Katy is proud to tell everyone she can't have "cow's milk" and she is enjoying her new Silk, especially the Dark Chocolate flavor.  I have to admit it's delicious!!!

Thank you for praying for Katy.  God has been so good to our family, especially through this trial.  He has provided us with wonderful Doctors and also has placed so many people in my path the last several months that are dealing with this issue.  I am so grateful and praise Him for always taking care of us!

God---His way is perfect; 

the word of the LORD is pure.

He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.

Psalm 18:30 

Buhl Academy 2011-2012

July 18th was our first day of school at Buhl Academy!  I know it's about a month early but we decided to start earlier because our baby girl is due November 22nd, and we will want to take an extra long break when she arrives.  (Not to mention that I am also a strong advocate for year round school!)
I'm really excited about the curriculum that we've chosen this year, and I thought I would share with you what we're using. 

Here is Lily, age 7 years old, who is a 3rd Grader!

Bible:  Adventures in My Father's World and Grapevine Studies Stick Figuring through the Bible "Old Testament Overview"
History/Geography:  Adventures in My Father's World
Science:  Apologia Exploring Creation with Astronomy
Math:  A Beka 3
Reading:  A Beka 3 & 4 and chapter books from book list at http://www.amblesideonline.com/ 
Language Arts/Grammar:  A Beka 3 & 4
Spelling:  A Beka 3 & 4 and http://www.spellingcity.com/ 
Music:  My Father's World "Introduction to the Orchestra" and "Introduction to Classical Music"
Foreign Language:  Spanish
Art:  Still searching for a good curriculum that's not just crafts...please share if you have any suggestions!
P.E.  Ballet, Jazz, and Dance Company at Angela Floyd Schools and Gym class at FBC Powell Life Center

 Here is Maddy, age 6 years old, who is a 1st Grader!

Bible: Adventures in My Father's World and Grapevine Studies Stick Figuring through the Bible "Old Testament Overview"
History/Geography: Adventures in My Father's World
Science: Apologia Exploring Creation with Astronomy
Math: A Beka 1
Reading: A Beka 1
Language Arts/Grammar: A Beka 1
Spelling: A Beka 1 and www.spellingcity.com
Music: Piano Lessons with Mrs. Thomas and My Father's World "Introduction to the Orchestra" and "Introduction to Classical Music"
Foreign Language: Spanish
Art: Still searching for a good curriculum that's not just crafts...please share if you have any suggestions!
P.E.: Gymnastics at Premier Athletics nd Gym class at FBC Powell Life Center

Here is Katy, age 4 years old, who is Pre-K!

We are using the Kindergarten Curriculum "My Father's World From A to Z" and Letters and Sounds Workbook from A Beka K4.  Katy is also going to be taking Ballet and Tap at Angela Floyd Schools starting in August.

Here is Parker, age 3 years old, who is Pre-School!

We are using Heart of Dakota "Little Hands to Heaven" curriculum.

We've added 2 class pets to our school.  They are two little dwarf frogs and we have named them Leap and Frogilina:

Buhl Academy is off to a great start and the kids are enjoying being Homeschooled again.  We love learning together and the flexibility that we have.  We've completed our 1st week and even took our first Field Trip thanks to Jonathan!  We spent today hiking and exploring in the Smoky Mountains at Spruce Flat Falls.  

We are using First Baptist Academy as our umbrella school again and are very pleased with everything they have to offer for Homeschoolers. 

Please pray for all of us and that we will have a great school year of learning and growing closer to the LORD!

Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6

Tummy Troubles

Our little Katybug has had tummy troubles since the first night she was born.  I suspected reflux and possible food allergy, and finally switched pediatricians when she turned 4 months old because we weren't getting the help we needed.  She was put on Prevacid and became a brand new baby!  We took her off around a year old, but ended up putting her back on around age 3.  Last year she started having severe constipation issues that would lead to her vomiting, so we went back to our pediatrician for advice and he sent us on to a GI specialist.  After the GI specialist examined her and did lots of bloodwork, he recommended that we do an upper endoscopy and a colonoscopy.  Wow!  Such big tests for our little girl!  We originally had the scopes set for December, but with my miscarriage and D & C falling at the exact time of her testing, we had to cancel.  The GI specialist suggested that we cut out dairy and substitute with soy so that we could get her tummy feeling better.  We were hoping and praying that would work, but after not having success with that approach, we scheduled her for outpatient testing.  On Wednesday, July 13th, I spent the entire day prepping Katy for her colonoscopy.  Bless her little heart!  But she's such a tough girl and she not once complained!  We had to be at Children's Hospital on Thursday, July 14th at 7:45 am.  I had to take pictures with my phone so they're a little blurry.  Here's our Katybug in her hospital gown:

She was excited to be lying in bed watching movies with her favorite Ruby:

The nurses gave her some "happy juice" to help her relax before putting her under anesthesia:

Katybug did very well during the procedure, and only had a little trouble coming off the medicine.  She was grumpy and wanting the IV out of the top of her hand!  When the testing was done, the GI specialist explained that from what she could tell, her colon appeared normal-Praise God!  But, that even with all of the bowel prep she was only half-way cleaned out.  My poor Katybug!  The upper scope showed reflux and gastritis and they also took two tissue samples to biopsy that will provide information on possible food allergies.  We will find out these results on July 28th. 
Katybug got to ride a wheelchair out to the van:

She was still feeling pretty "happy" on the ride home!

And she was so excited to come home to the cutest balloons from her sweet friend, Rachel!

Please continue to pray for Katybug, our family, and the Doctors that we are working with and that we will be able to help Katybug's tummy feel better.  We don't understand why she is suffering, but the LORD does and we are trusting in Him and His plans for our little girl.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.  For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Katy's 1st Manicure

A couple of months ago, I was given a gift certificate for a manicure.  This is something that I enjoy, but very rarely have done because of the expense.  When I came home with my newly polished nails, the girls begged and begged to go with me next time to get their nails polished.  I told each of the girls that if they would stop biting their nails (I know--such a bad habit!), I would treat them to a trip to the nail salon.  Our Katybug really wanted this special treat, so she immediately stopped biting her nails and they grew beautifully.  So the day after we returned from the beach, I took her to Dynasty Spa & Nails on Emory Road for her first "manicure."  They are so sweet there and only charged us $5! 

They filed Katy's nails:

And then painted them the color she picked out, Pompeii Purple!

She loved it!

I had so much fun taking Katybug to get her nails painted and am looking forward to more special treats with my daughters! 

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.

1Thessalonians 3:12

Puggles, & Cubbies, & Sparks-OH MY!

We were very blessed to have our children in the AWANA program again at our church this year.  Every Wednesday evening, Parker attended Puggles, Katy attended Cubbies, and Lily and Maddy attended Sparks.   Parker was the first one of ours to participate in Puggles.  They each got a cute shirt to wear every Wednesday night with the logo:

Awana Puggles is an enriching program for 2 yr olds that presents 2 basic biblical concepts:

We are a unique creation of God.
God loves us very much.
May 18th was the first night for AWANA Awards where the Puggles and Cubbies were recognized.  The pictures are dark because of the lighting in the Sanctuary, but Parker is the one in the middle:

He was very anxious about being on stage in the "big church" when we talked about it at home, so we were very happy that he stood up there!

He had the best teachers, Mrs. Nicole and Mrs. Amber.  Here they are giving Parker his award:

He was so proud!

The Cubbies were next to get their awards.  This is Katy's 2nd year in Cubbies, and she has really enjoyed it!   

They sang a couple of really cute songs with motions:

Director, Kim Sikes handed Katy her award and prizes.:

Katy was very proud of her certificate too!

Katy and one of her best friends, Rachel:

On Wednesday, May 25th, AWANA had their second night of awards for the Elementary School kids.  Unfortunately, Lily was not able to attend because of dress rehearsal for her Dance Recital.  We are so proud of her for completing all 3 Sparks books from Kindergarten-2nd Grade and receiving a plaque! 
Maddy was able to receive her award for completing Book 1:

She had been waiting for this night for a long time to receive her green ribbon!

We are so thankful for our church that provides our children with the opportunity to participate in AWANA where they memorize and hide God's Word in their hearts!  It is a wonderful way for the kids to worship, fellowship, and learn how to evangelize!

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.  All the believers were together and had everything in common.  Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.  Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.  They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying favor of all the people.  And the LORD added to their number daily those who were being saved. 

Acts 2:42-47

The Fruit of the Spirit

Friday night, April 29th, was bittersweet for our family.  We were so excited to see our Katybug perform on stage in her Spring Musical, "The Fruit of the Spirit," but were also sad that this was our last time at West Hills Baptist Church Preschool.  We have been part of the WHBC PreS family for 5 years and have loved every minute of it.  But, it is time to have all of our children at home together!  Here is our Katybug in her school T-shirt:

The stage is always decorated so cute for the musicals:

Each class sang two songs.  Katy's class sang "Peace Like a River" and "Standing in the Need of Prayer."

 Then all the classes came back for the finale and sang a Bible medley of songs: 

We are so proud of you, Katybug, and are praising God for how much you have grown this school year, not just physically, but spiritually too!  Can't wait to have you home with us at Buhl Academy!

But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control...

Galatians 5:22-23

Santa's Little Helper

It is the 6th day of the new year and I'm already behind on my blogging!  That's okay though, because I have been spending lots of time getting everything ready for Buhl Academy to open on January 10th!   More details on our exciting news to come soon!
On Monday, December 20th, Parker and I went to Katy's Preschool to celebrate Christmas with her and her sweet friends.  My friend, Angela Taylor, made Katy another cute ruffle outfit to wear.  It was sparkly blue, her favorite color!

She also made her a matching hairbow, which was Katy's favorite part of the outfit:

Since my sweet, loving husband insisted that I follow Dr.'s orders and rest all weekend after my surgery, I wasn't able to bring anything homemade to Katy's party.  But, I was so excited to have an excuse to go to Krispy Kreme and buy the snowman donuts that they kept showing on TV!  They are even cuter in person!

Right before the kids ate their snowman donuts, Katy announced to the class, "Hey guys...my mom MADE these donuts for us!"  It was so precious!  Oh, to have the innocence of a child! 

Katy and her friends decorated santa hats with their names...

and glittery shapes...

Here is one of  Santa's little helpers!

Katy is enjoying her Preschool class so much and can't wait to return tomorrow after a long break.  Thank you Mrs. Miller and Mrs. Skvara for all you do!  We are so blessed to have you teach and love our precious Katybug! 

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

1Chronicles 16:34