Some happenings

Ryan enjoys having playdates with Blake Smith. They paint together, play cars together, or kick or throw balls. Jeff set up a marble run and the kids loved it and it kept Blake entertained for awhile too. 

Day 6 of Whole 30 and I'm still going strong, hooray! Though today I was very tempted to give in and eat some cereal, but I remained strong so I proved I can have self-control, which is always empowering.

Grand Opening at Dunkin Donuts. Driving the fire truck.

A sewing day at Kelly's. These kids all played pretty well while we sewed, and they were especially happy this day when they got juice. It's the little things in life. 

Ryan brushing my hair. 

Lily decorated an apron and hat for her kiwi crate and had a great tie helping me make lots of meals. 

Last night I had Kelly Huff and Cara Mason over to sew. Kelly showed us how to quilt with our walking foot on our machine and it was fun to just chat. I realized I like getting together, but I like getting together for a purpose and getting something done in the meantime. So quilting has been great for that because I have made new friends and I will have a quilt to show for it.

Right after they left though Ryan started coughing really bad and having trouble breathing: croup. I didn't know what to do and Jeff was gone so I called him and woke him from a dead sleep and he said to just try and make it through the night. So I looked online for some information and looked in my essential oil book. I put frankincense on his chest, lavender on his back to help cool and calm him, and then we sat in the bathroom to let the shower steam us. I helped him to calm down and take deep breaths then put some marjoram in the humidifier for his room and he slept three hours! He woke up coughing, we repeated the same thing and he slept another three hours until it was morning. He was happy today and still coughing and raspy, but he also napped well too. I was so grateful for prayer and finding out answers in books and online for suggestions and that I did get some sleep. So while it was a hard night, I was definitely blessed.

Today we had some plans but had to cancel due to Ryan, but by staying home we were around when the plumber had to come back to fix a leak and he replaced the garbage disposal very quickly. When he was done it was nap time and again I was so grateful for the timing of everything and that things could be resolved so quickly. All in all, I felt really blessed.

One funny thing I have to write about is the other night Jeff and I heard crying in the boys' room. I walk in there and don't see Ryan anywhere on his bed, or his room for that matter, but I hear him crying. I finally find him standing on the window ledge, behind the curtain and blinds, sad because he couldn't get down.

Lily was excited to have Jeff roll her up.

Jeff found out one of the girls he home teaches was playing in an band concert so he took Lily with him. They picked up flowers before and when they presented them to the girl she was so excited. She was happy they came and gave Jeff a couple hugs. When she walked back to her family she looked like she was trying to show off the flowers. Jeff heard her family ask who they were from and she proudly said, "Brother Baer." Lily was happy to go and be part of it and especially to give such pretty flowers. I thought it was so nice and supportive of Jeff to go and it meant a lot to the family. 

One of Ryan's favorite activities is looking through his toy magazine. There's one page he loves in particular because of the cars it has on it. And he's always very distressed if he can't find that page fast enough. 

Lily likes pouring over toys she wants too.