Self-Management - Laurence Moon Bardet Biedl Syndrome

I wanted to share this video so that others can better understand Bardet-Biedl Syndrome.As I listened to this I just started to fall apart because all of the feelings and experiences are so familiar to me. Our world feels lonely, scary, and is very unknown. Some days it seeams as though BBS has taken away our dreams for our children's futures but, last night someone said, "They aren't missing out on anything!" Their world is beautiful and perfect! They are happy. We can't fix or change them. There is nothing to fix. We have to join them in their world. And, if we are patient and lucky enough we might just catch a glimpse of the vision of how God sees our special children.

Healthy Pre Made Lunches For Busy Moms

I know how crazy it is being a mom. Some days I don't even have time to sit down and have lunch.So, a friend and I made these supper yummy healthy salads and soup in jars. It was so nice last week to have them on hand!I made barbeque chicken Cobb salad, and I filled some jars with leftover Sausage and Kale Soup from that Sunday that I had made. My friend made a crab salad with fresh lemons and a Grilled Stake and Spinach salad! We made them in one day and they were perfect for our lunches!


BBQ Chicken Cobb Salad, Our Best Bites

Grilled Stake and Spinach Salad

2 to 3 oz. Grilled thinly sliced stake
1 Cup Spinach
1/4 cup shredded carrots
1/4 cup iceberg lettuce
tomato
cucumber
olives
cheese
Place a fresh lemon in between each layer of lettuce.

Fresh Crab and Spinach Salad
Spinach
Olives
Iceberg Lettuce
Cheese
Crab
Lemon
Place thinly sliced lemons in between each layer of lettuce and on top to keep the salad fresh.



Enjoy!!

Xander's Surgery

Save Now

I know it has taken me a long time to post how Xander's kidney surgery went on my blog. It was last Thursday. I've been posting pictures and updates on facebook from my phone just because it was fast and easy but the truth is that I am just now getting on the computer.Sorry!! His surgery went very well! It took 3 hours for them to do everything.

This is Xander in his cute little outfit right before his surgery getting into trouble just like always!
Throwing a tantrum on the floor. He was pretty tired.
This was after his surgery. He was having a little bit of trouble keeping his oxygen up for a bit, but after a little bit of help he did great!

Everything went great! He is doing really good. He's just been extra whinny and has lost his appetite some, which is weird for him.He also had his circumcision while he was under. Yesterday, we noticed that it was swelling and looked infected.It is a little scary looking.It really grosses me out!Court hates to change Xander's diaper. He says it hurts him too much to even look at it. LOL! We called Urology yesterday and they said to take him in to have his doctor look at it, so I did today and much to my embarrassment, I guess it usually looks like that. Yes, there I was again, feeling like the idiot crazy mom, but, his doctor is so nice, he didn't treat me like that at all! But I feel so embarrassed, AGAIN!
We did find out some more about Xander's heart. His masses haven't grown!!! They also found that an artery that is supposed to go down and pumps blood into one side of the heart, on Xander's it splits and pumps into both sides. I hope I am explaining it right. It is fine and shouldn't effect him. They will just keep watching him, like they are. I like the way that his pediatrician put it. It's just funky! My kids are just funky! LOL!But, he is doing so good! I am so thankful for all of the wonderful and kind doctors and nurses who took care of him.We feel so blessed. Thank you everyone for all of your sweet and caring comments, love, and prayers for him and our family. It means so much to us to have so many family and friends who love and care for him and us. Thank you with all our hearts.

Xander's Kidney Surgery Tomorrow

Tomorrow morning at 6 Xander is having his surgery on his Kidneys, (VUR). That means that we have to get up a t 4 tomorrow! And, I thought 4:30 was early! My mother-in-law is going to watch Savannah for us tomorrow so that we won't have to worry about her and she can go to school. She loves spending time with Grandma love!

I have been feeling so many emotions about it this week.
One of the biggest ones is that I am afraid, afraid of all of the unspeakable things that could happen to him. In fact, as it draws closer I am becoming terrified!I've tried not to think about it too much because I just knew that this would happen. Now, I'm just crying and I feel stupid for crying, because I know that he has to be okay. It's so hard to stop thinking about it.I just have to be brave and hold it together for him.

I am very hopeful that he will be fine after this surgery. He is a very strong and determined little boy!I am so grateful that God intrusted him to us.I know that we are always telling him that he is lucky that he is cute, whenever he gets into trouble( which is a lot! )But, the truth is that we love him unconditionally. He teaches us Patience and brings us joy in this crazy world!I love that I can see how much he loves his sister, and that he has no fear, well except for sleeping in his bed and that his mommy would leave him for any period of time. LOL! I love that he is a mommy's boy and I love it when he blows me kisses!He has such a sweet spirit! Even when he is angry he is adorable!

Well, I'll probably post some pictures tomorrow on Facebook and my blog. Thank you so much all of my family and friends for your kind thoughts and prayers!

Love To Run

I dreaded those weeks in gym class dedicated to running laps around the track, basketball teams, and relays.I placed last or very close to it in every race.I couldn't make a goal or a hoop if my life depended on it. I always felt self concuss standing next to those beauitful, popular, thin girls.As a child I took ballet and tap, Hula dancing, tennis, and was on a swim team one summer, I was never good at any of them, and I have had more than enough embarrassing moments to scare a girl for a lifetime! I never thought I would ever be someone who loves to work out and run.I was never an athlete.

A friend of mine and I have been getting up and going to the gym 3 to 4 days a week at 4:50AM. I know it's really early! How I can get up that early?Well, I wake up to my alarm at 4:35, sometimes just an hour after getting Xander back to sleep, hoping that my friend,Jill is going to text me that she can't make it or that she is too tired to go, because I would feel too bad if I were the one canceling on her.But, luckily, She is stronger than I am.I have to have my clothes layed out or else it takes me forever to get ready. I fill up my water bottle and I'm ready to go, well I'm still debating in my mind weather or not to call her to tell her I can't make it. Luckily, guilt overpowers my tiredness... most of the time!

Every morning after I work out I get a completely different attitude! I am happy and excited for the day!I make heaither eating choices for myself and my family! Working out helps me to feel empowered as well as fit and I am amazed at all of the energy that I have now! It takes some of my daily stress away and helps me to be inspired!

I love running because I never thought I could. Running reminds me that nothing in the world is impossible as long as I work at it and I believe in myself. Sure, It may take a lot of time, effort, stress, tears,pain, sweat, and ups and downs but, with courage, Patience, and determination it is possible!We have no boundries, and all we have to do is listen to our true selves and push on! I feel like being able to work out helps me destress, feel better about myself, make healthier choices, and to be a better mother and wife.I think that all moms need an outlet! I love to sew, cook and craft but, I don't always have time for that. For me 5 in the morning is my chance for my ME time to get out and do something for me that helps me feel better, and I love that It doesn't take time away from my family. They are all usualy still asleep! If I can have my time then I am usually in a better mood and my family is happier!

Here are some workout pointers that I feel like have helped me as a busy mom to keep going!

The most important thing is to schedule your workouts at a time that works for you and your family. You have to have a balance sot that you aren't taking time away from your family. I hate having that guilt of taking time for myself.

Get a work out buddy! This is so important! You need someone who you can make goals together and keep you going! I couldn't do this without Jill! I would have gone the first week and then just made excuses. I have many! She has helped me to keep motivated and she just makes it fun!

Make realistic goals so, that you don't get discouraged!

Mix it up! We run for half an hour then do the elliptcal, then 12 minute abs one day then do the 30 minute circuit, and run 30 minutes the next day, then something else another day. It helps to keep it not boring! Today we did steps! So much fun!

Compete with yourself! You are your greatest competitor! I may run 3 miles one day, the next I try to run father, or burn try to burn more calories or lift heavier weights.Don't try to compete with that tall, skinny model over there. Just think of how much weight she will put on if she has a baby! That always makes me feel better!

It really helps to have really good up beat music!

You just have to decide to do it and have fun!!!

Sausage and Kale Soup

I made this soup on Sunday for dinner! It is so good! It was perfect for a cold snowy day! And, it's very healthy too! I've never cooked with kale before. You would think that it would go slimy, but it was still very crisp. It was the perfect texture! I used turkey kielbasa instead so it would be even healthier!

Sausage and Kale Soup, Taste of Home

Ingredients

• 1 pound smoked kielbasa or Polish sausage, cut into 1/4-inch slices
• 3 medium Yukon Gold or red potatoes, chopped
• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 bunch kale, trimmed and torn
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo beans or chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1 carton (32 ounces) chicken broth

Directions

• In a Dutch oven over medium-low heat, cook the sausage, potatoes and onions in oil for 5 minutes or until sausage is heated through, stirring occasionally. Add kale; cover and cook for 2-3 minutes or until kale is wilted. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer.
• Add the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 9-12 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Discard bay leaves. Yield: 14 servings (3-1/2 quarts).

Valentines Fun Crafts With Kids

I had so much fun making these supper cute crafts with my niece and Savannah!Of course I found these neat ideas on Pinterest!

The instructions for the hearts on baking twine is found here!
The Valentines Jar with heart flowers here!
Here is where to find the download for this subway art!
Have fun crafting with your kids!!



I love her cute idea to glue hearts on the outside!

Savannah's Baking Birthday Party

Our Savannah is 5!!! We decided to have a baking party for her because, she loves to bake with me! She was so excited for her party so she could decorate cupcakes and be with her friends!









This is my poor attempt at a ruffle cake.



The boys decorated chef hats and the girls baking headbands!I didn't get any good pictures of this because Savannah threw a little tantrum, and I was busy.




Then, Savannah's favorite part, we decorated cupcakes!


The kids had their pictures taken with their adorable, some half eaten cupcakes!

We made little fruit kabobs!

Happy Birthday Savannah!!!
Savannah is 5!
Savannah had an awesome birthday! She loved being with her friends decorating, and eating cupcakes! . Then, on Sunday, we got together with our family and had family home evening and celebrated her birthday again! She had more sugar than we ever let her have. It was such a great birthday for her! Today, she told me that it's Savannah's birthday! So, I think she still thinks it is! She is so cute!We love our little 5 year old!!! She is beauitful, smart, and she always makes me smile and laugh! She does and says the cutest things! We all love her!

Celebrating Savannah's Birthday at School

My little girl is going to be 5 tomorrow! It's so sad how fast she has grown up! I wish I could just freeze her in time!

Today, We picked out mini cupcakes to take to her class! She made it very clear that she wanted a chocolate cupcake! She has been excited all day! We have been working on Savannah saying how old she will be tomorrow and showing us with her fingers! She is doing it! I love how excited she is for her birthday tomorrow! It is adorable!

Savannah kept saying " I love chocolate!" "I love cupcakes!" It was so cute! And she absolutely loved her Birthday Princess Crown that her teacher gave her! She even wore it to bed! LOL!
This is Savannah in her classroom with her cute little dinosaur costume that she loves! If you ask her what a dinosaur says she roars! I love it!
This is Savannah with her sweet teachers! They are all amazing!!!

We all love our Savannah!