Brooke's Allergy Test Results

Well, it's really no surprise over here that sister is allergic to.....pretty much everything.  She is by far the worst one of the bunch!  Caleb was only food allergies.  Sam & Nash were a mix of the two.  Brooke, well, she reacted to nearly every food (21/30) and nearly every airborne allergen (15/26) they stuck her with.  Poor baby.  Not sure what they're going to do.  The thing I thought was weird was that her milk allergy only registered a four.  Corn and lettuce registered at a SEVEN.  Yes, corn and LETTUCE.  Who the heck is allergic to lettuce?  Oh, right, Caleb and Brooke!  That's who!  Was I really surprised by this?  Actually, yes.
The foods that this poor girl is allergic to are cows milk, egg yolk, egg white, almond, yeast, lettuce, corn, wheat, rye, banana, beef, cacao bean, carrot, green pepper, honeydew, lettuce, oat, onion, pork, rice, strawberry, tomato and whole wheat.  Wondering what kind of milk that leaves for her to drink?  Maybe goat milk?  Soy has almond in it.

Her airborne allergens are aspen, birch, box elder, elm, juniper, alfalfa, bermuda, rye, grain, cocklebur, pigweed, plantain, mucor (mold), penicillium and cat.

Good thing we go see that immunologist next Tuesday.  Meanwhile we scheduled a follow up with Dr. Blotter for Friday May 30.  I'm willing to place money on him wanting to do allergy shots.  This means we are back to weekly visits.  And I was so happy to have both the big kids on every other week finally.  Oy!

Here's to hoping that when we go see the dentist and the orthodontist on June 4 we get some good news rather than "you have 3 kids who need braces and btw they have cavities that need fixed first."  The joys of motherhood!

My Mother's Day Babies

Here it is almost half way through May.  Holy cow!  Where did that go?!

Our online auction raised close to $100.  The yard sale/boutique we did on May 9-10 brought in another $517.  Wahoo!  We still have lots of stuff left from the yard sale so we're gearing up to do it again about the second or so week of June.  Hope we can make more money for our Relay team!

Today is this beautiful boy's birthday!  I can't believe he is NINE today!  Nash is such a fun boy.  He is so thoughtful of everyone around him.  Really, the only person he tends to butt heads with is Caleb.  He still loves building things and taking things apart.  I see an engineering job in his future!  He has also recently discovered a love of reading.  I figured it would happen eventually, it just took finding the right series.  He's reading Conspiracy 365.  There are 13 books in the series.  Each book is roughly 182 pages and they are about a mid fifth grade reading level.  It takes him 3 days to finish a book and he gets 100% on the comprehension tests at school.  So glad his reading skills have finally caught up to his math skills!  This boy is like his father in the math department - numbers just make sense to him.  He is going to be baptized on May 24th by his dad.  We are all looking forward to that.  I hope we have some nice weather so we can have lunch outside!  Since he has started his ADHD meds this school year I have seen a huge improvement in Nash's performance and attitude.  He no longer comes home from school frustrated and near tears. He doesn't fight with his siblings nearly as often and he's much easier to spend long periods of time with!  He started tumbling in January and has loved it.  I'm looking forward to getting his class pictures this week and their review on Saturday.  He may not be too coordinated, but he sure has fun with it and that's really all that matters!  Sure do love this boy!

A few of my other favorites of his baptism pictures by Silver Stem Photography

This sassy little thing turned 3 on Friday!  Boy does she keep me on my toes!

This little girl LOVES to dance!  She wears tutus with every sort of outfit you can imagine.  Not only that, but she rarely leaves home without tap or ballet shoes on her feet.  She takes Grandma Terri by the hand each times she comes to our house and holds her hostage in her bedroom so she can dance for her.  But Grandma can't dance with her - no, only Brooke dances.  Everyone else must only watch!  She loves to dress up in any outfit she can find.  She got light up Minnie Mouse shoes for Christmas and more than once I've found them on her feet or nestled tight in her arms when I've gone in to tuck them in bed before I go to bed myself!  She has got an attitude a mile wide and ten feet tall this one.  She tells you like it is and doesn't hold anything back!  She sure loves each of her siblings though.  Nash is affectionately referred to as "my Nash".  Brooke and Caleb tend to butt heads but I think that's because they are so much alike.  Unfortunately for Caleb she weighs more and is only 3 inches shorter than him.  They wear the same size clothes and she's just as stubborn as he is!  Brooke will start summer dance in June this year and she can hardly wait.  Shes also officially potty trained!  She even gets mad about having to wear a pull up to bed rather than panties.  Wahoo!  No more diapers at this house!  Sure do love this sweet girl!

And speaking of that sweet girl above, we've got more medical issues with her.  I took her into the ENT last week because I knew that at least 3 if not all 4 of her tubes were blocked.  The audiologist did a pressure check and he said the same thing.  When the dr. walked in and asked how we were I said, "Well, pretty sure all four tubes are blocked, one ear is infected and we're looking at a new set of tubes."  She winced and said, "That's actually what I was going to tell you."  I promptly asked why she gets paid then instead of me!  She joking said, "I'll give you this one!"  We scheduled another surgery for May 29th.  When I talked to Travis about it he wasn't happy.  He feels like the tubes are a waste of time and money because they don't work - we got 6 months out of these and they should last 12-18 months.  So, I called back to ask what our other options are.  I was told that our only other option is to go to Primary Children's Hospital and see an immunologist.  When I had gone to the appointment the day before I had asked when we could do the prick test for allergies and was told now so we got that set up for May 21st.  The dr. asked if B had ever been tested for CF.  I told her no.  She said that she thinks it's like a million to one odds that she has it but that every time she sees B she has mucous in her lungs that we can't seem to get rid of no matter what we do.  We've done Singular 2 different times, benadryl, limit milk intake to little or none, chiropractor, and prescriptions all to no avail.  So, the dr.'s office called PCMC to set up an appointment with an immunologist and to have a CF test done.  Apparently all the immunologists were booked until August (big surprise there).  However, one of them has their own clinic so we'll be going there first and then over to PCMC for the CF test.  Should be a fun filled day for B and me on May 27th.  In the meantime the dr. wants to eliminate ALL dairy from her diet.  We know she has a milk allergy because of the blood test they ran for that.  They are wondering if perhaps she has a dairy allergy and that's part or all of what's causing the mucous in her lungs.  So, here we are about a week from our appointment - totally dairy free - and girl friend is super sad and bummed out every time she asks if she can have something in particular because I have to tell her no it has milk in it.  She's really been a very good sport but she sure tells me she's hungry all the time.  Poor girl!  I sure hope it isn't a long term deal - she loves her dairy products!

Relay for Life Silent Auction

It's that time of year again!  

 Relay for Life will be held July 11-12th this year  at the Nibley Heritage Park (yes, this is change in location).  Our event will run from 2 pm on the 11th to 2 pm on the 12th.  We are also in the process of putting together a health fair of sorts at the same location on Saturday, July 12th.

You can follow the Relay for Life of Cache County facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/relayforlifecachecountyut

There will be a motorcycle ride held Saturday, May 31st at Elkridge Park.

There will be a Bark for Life (a Relay event for dogs & their owners) held on Saturday, May 31st at Willow Park.

There will be a boutique with a variety of booths on Friday May 9 from 1:00-6:00 pm & Saturday May 10 from 7:00 am - 3:00 pm.  This boutique will be located at 250 N 500 W Hyrum.  Interested vendors should contact Misty at 435-770-9326.  There are still a few spots available.  

There will be a fundraiser yard sale on Saturday May 10 from 7:00 am - 3:00 pm located at 250 N 500 W Hyrum.

Why I Relay:

I started to Relay because of my grandmother.  She passed away 11 years ago this past November.  My Relay for Life team is named in her honor, Lea's Legacy.  Since I began Relay 6 years ago, I've found many, many more reasons to Relay and now, well, I'm kind of addicted to it.

The Rules:

Please scroll all the way to the bottom to see all 21 items!

If for some reason blogger won't let you post your bid  please text or email your bid to Misty at 435-770-9326 or mistybown@hotmail.com & I will post your bid for you.  Be sure to tell me your name/contact info, the item you are bidding on & your bid amount.

1. To place a bid, leave a comment.  When you place a bid you need to state which item (if there are multiple of that item)  you are bidding on and your bid amount.  

2.You also need to leave an email address or some other form of contact information with your bid.

3. Please do not bid less than the minimum bid.  Please also don't place a bid unless you intend to purchase the item if you win.

4. Bids need to be made in whole dollar increments - with a minimum of a $1 increase.

5. Checks will be accepted for purchase, however, they will need to be made to The American Cancer Society.  I will not accept credit cards for purchases, as my square reader takes a 2% fee of each transaction.  Cash will be accepted as well.

6. All items must be paid for within one week of the close of the auction.  I am willing to mail items but you will need to cover the cost of shipping.  I am willing to meet you in locations other than my home town as long as it is within a reasonable distance.

7. Auction will close on Sunday, April 27th/ Monday April 28th at Midnight.

**Please scroll all the way to the bottom!  There are 20 different items**

 Item #1: Chloe's Cards for Cancer
Donated by On The Avenue  Visit them at: http://ontheavenuelogan.blogspot.com/

6 sets available

Item #2: Gift Certificate from Bamer's Bakery
Valued at: $20.00
Minimum bid: $15.00
1 available

You can visit Jaymie on facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/bamersbakery

Bamer's Bakery is located in Hyrum UT.

A few samples of her work:

                                        

                                           

Item #4: Gift Certificate for custom cake

Minimum bid $20

2 available

Here are a few samples (I have an entire cake album on my facebook page if you want to see more https://www.facebook.com/misty.bown.5).  I do need a week's notice to put a cake together if you want it before June.  After June 1 I can do it with a day or two notice.

Item #5: Crochet Scarf

2 available

Item #6: Table Runners

11 available

Item #7: Baby Car Seat blanket

One available

 Close up of fabric

 Item #8: Cancer Ribbons

2 yellow, 2 orange, 2 purple & custom orders available

Yellow & Orange ribbon on the left have glitter and no tule.  Ribbons on the right have no glitter but tule.

Item #9: Baby Bow Ties

Ties have a fake earring clip on the back that you use to attach to shirts, bags, etc.

Bow #1

Bow #2

Bow #3

 Bow #4

Bow #5

Bow #6

 Item #10: Usborne Books 30 Card pack

One available

Item #11: Flip Flops with Tule

Item #12: Photo Flip Book

2 available

#1

#2

Item #13: Baby Tag Blanket

One Available

Item #14: 5 pk flannel burp clothes

3 sets available

Item #15: Flat Iron Cases

Inside fabric is heat resistant so flat irons/curling irons can be placed into case while still hot.  Great for traveling!

5 available

Item #16: Make up or art supply travel case

*These were originally designed for make up brushes.  I can fit my make up brushes, eye liner, mascara, eye shadow & blush in each of the small pockets.  I only have to place my powder foundation on top of the pockets rather than inside a pocket.  **The pockets on these are longer than a crayon.  If you used one for an art supply case you would want to use colored pencils.

9 available

Item #17: Women's Reversible Apron

One size fits most 

One available

 Close up of fabric

Item #18: Girls Pillowcase dresses

My daughter wears a shirt & leggings under these so she can wear hers to school.  As they grow up they turn from a dress into a shirt!  These can be washed in your machine.  I just make sure to double knot my ribbons and wash it on a gentle cycle.  This way my ribbons don't come un-threaded.  The ends of the ribbon have been melted so they will not fray.

Size 3T 

3 available

 Close up of fabrics

Size 4T 

3 available

Size 5T

One available

Size 6

2 available

Size 7

2 available

Size 8

I did a size 8 for my daughter.  She'll 11 now and her dress still fits as a dress.  She's 5' tall and it comes just above her knees.

4 available

Item #19: Girls dance costume

Fits roughly a 4T

Item #20: Baby Blankets

Minky blanket

1 available

Micro fleece & flannel

1 available

 Close up of fabric

Flannel Back Satin

1 available

 Close up of fabric

Flannel Blankets

16 available
35" x 35" Minimum bid $15.00

 Close up of fabric

 Close up of fabric

 Close up of fabric

The yellow/green color on this blanket is kind of similar to highlighter yellow.

 Close up of fabric

 Close up of fabric

I messed up & forgot to give this one below a #!  This one is #18 - the center is the same fabric as the one above but the back & edges are different.  Sorry!

 Close up of fabric

 Close up of fabric