14 years and finally some HAPPY tears...

Hormones are starting to level out, which means the depression has lifted. Thank you JESUS! I am so grateful that my awesome God would give life to a doctor and that doctor would choose to follow a different path and this different path would lead to him treating me. God is AWESOME! And today I am profoundly grateful for the way He has used this doctor to heal many problems with my health. I still have a ways to go, but the relentless cloud of depression has finally moved on.

I have been making some major changes in my diet. Not fun changes. Giving up things I really love. Praying that these changes make a difference in my health. I also had some testing done for food allergies and heavy metals. It will be a few weeks till any results come back. Then I will have another appointment with a wonderful doctor who will help me decide where to go from there. Maybe I won't have to give up as many foods as I'm thinking. I had a weird dream last night about giving up my favorite food... wheat. I am praying that dream means nothing and freshly baked bread and pancakes will remain on the menu.

In the midst of medical craziness....

Aubrey is standing by herself all the time. Had her first ear infection. Is trying to cut molars. Saying: nigh night. bye-bye, ba ba (bottle), mommy, daddy, avery, abby, some version of Benji, Nona, Papa, See, that, cracker, ball, nana (banana and Hannah). Throwing lots of fits. Waving bye-bye. Signing please. Cruising around furniture. CLIMBING like crazy. Loves to show off her 8 teeth and big dimples. Has a deep, mischievous laugh. Still has curly hair! Wearing size 4 shoes. Weighs 19#4oz. 30 in long. Loves her nigh night (silky blanket from GG). Doesn't like her car seat. Favorite foods: AVOCADO!, bananas, pancakes, crackers, peas, rice, beans, sweet potato, strawberries and grapes. Doesn't like: meat or french fries. Will probably start walking any day.

Benjamin is almost 3 and can tell you his birthday is May 28th. He will also let you know that he wants a Lightning McQueen cake with Mater, Chick Hicks, and Dinaco on it. It must be chocolate. He is very anxious for his birthday party which he says will be at GG's house. His LOVES: cowboy hat, cowboy boots, camping, the travel trailer, his horse bulls eye, all things Cars (Lightning McQueen, Mac, Mater, etc), Veggie Tales, Bob the Builder, any sport, the plasma car, rice and beans (which he asks to eat for breakfast also!), Ramona, his little pillow, his camping shoes and rain boots, any polo shirt that looks like daddy's shirt, and his biggest love of all.... his daddy! He is very smart! He has several of his story books memorized. He likes to be told what day it is so that he can repeat it to everyone throughout the day. He speaks very well and very clearly. He holds very intelligent conversations with anyone who will listen. He is very expressive with his hands and likes to say, "Guts!" He also says, "I want to do (blank) soooo bad." He loves to give me hugs, kisses, and he always says, "I give you smooches!" He is a growing boy. He weighs 27lbs. He is 37in. tall. He still sleeps in his crib and is working on being potty trained. He is finally over his fear of the big toilet. So big boy underwear isn't far behind. I just love his personality. He is 100% all boy. He walks around with his gun and cowboy hat, saying, "put your hands up!" He cracks me up. But it is his soft side, his thumb sucking, hair twisting side that gets to me the most.

Abby is 8 and a half. How is that possible? She is reading so well now, is funny as ever and would much rather be living life than learning about it. She still has her adorable glasses and precious freckles. She is extremely helpful around the house and with Benjamin and Aubrey. They love her because she is so fun and always likes to play. She is a very talented musician, always making up beautiful melodies on the piano in minutes. And a very talented dancer. She rocks! She is still plugging away at therapy and doing very well. She recently started a cupcake business with Avery and they have turned out some yummy cupcakes for many people. I'm so proud of her. She always has this upbeat personality. It is always relaxing to hang out with her. She helps me to stay in the moment. That is where you will always find her. She is such a giver and loves to lavish gifts on people.

Avery's birthday is tomorrow. 11! Shocking to me. I told her birth story to her today. To me it feels like only yesterday. It was fun to relive that time with her. To let her know how much she was wanted and anticipated. She is growing up to be a stunning young lady. She is very smart, very organized, and likes to follow the rules. She always wears a watch and helps me to stay on top of things. When it's time to go somewhere, she will have everyone loaded in the car with my purse and cell phone. So sweet. She is a huge help around the house and with her siblings. She loves anything blue and loves studying anatomy this year. She wants to learn French this summer and work on her sewing some more. Along with growing her cupcake business. She has lots of things she'd like to do and it's really fun to watch her because she perseveres. I love to catch her smiling with her new braces and adorable freckles. She's amazing.

But I wouldn't have these gorgeous children if it weren't for my amazing husband. This month we celebrated 14 years of wedded bliss by taking a weekend trip to Tulsa, just the two of us. It was some much needed R and R. We ate and slept and ate and slept. It was AWESOME! We went to Ted's, Cheesecake Factory and Chipolte. We watched a movie, did some shopping, looked at some cars, got pedicures, and did lots of sleeping. I hope we get to do that again really soon. He is such an amazing man, provider, father, and protector. He is so wise with our finances and cares so much about all of us. He is my rock! I am so blessed.