Oj got in another fight!

Oj gets into a fight at least once every other month. Today he came home with this wound: He must have a certain technique when he fights because his wounds are always in the same place. He does not get taken to the vet anymore. We just pour some Peroxide and apply first aid cream and he usually heals just fine.

Maya trying to give some love:

It Stopped Raining!

As soon as the rain stopped, Lauren and Jared showed up. The kids rode up and down the street for an hour! After being inside for days, they were ready for some fresh air.

A Rainy Day

It is still raining!

We cuddled this morning:We organized our DVD's and threw away all the cases:Now we have one basket full of movies
Since we are stuck inside, we made a computer schedule:

I better go, I only have two minutes left till it is Marley's turn on the computer!

.

PS: I love my husband so much! He hates needles but gave me my two shots yesterday. Thanks honey for taking one for the team!

(Marley took this photo)

Our Dogwood Tree

Our dogwood tree bloomed this week and I was able to get a picture of the girls in front of it before the rain moved in:

EDIT: Jason says this is not a Dogwood Tree. I don't know what it is, but it is pretty! If anyone knows what it is, please let me know. Thanks!

My dog ate a bar of Soap!

Yesterday I found about 1/4 bar of Ivory soap on my floor. Maya looked at me and ran to her crate with her head down. I looked in my bathroom and saw that I had left the cabinet door open. I knew that she had eaten it.

Why would a dog eat soap????? Why, Why, Why?????

Happy Birthday Isaac!

Last week we celebrated Isaac's birthday. I can't beleive he is already two!

Claudia and Addie PPs and Marley:

Happy St. Patrick's Day

A Rainy Day

Last Saturday we went to the park in shorts. This Saturday it is rainy and cold. We wanted to do this all day:But Jason suggested we go here:

We walked around and looked at all the "Junk":

The girls got a snack (corn on a stick covered with Mayo then sprinkled with Parmasan Cheese):

Jason got some eggs:

By the end of the trip I was pretty worn out. But we did have some good family time!

Sleepover Party

The girls went to a sleepover birthday party at a neighbors house last night . It was a glamor themed party. This is what they came home with: A portfolio of glamor shots! My neighbor asked me ahead of time if it was ok if the girls got made up with real make up. I didn't mind since it was just for one night.

The girls looked great!

Shopping Day

Claudia and I went to two thrift stores today and this is what we got:

The sunglasses are called solar shields and fit over your eyeglasses. I was planning on buying a pair for around 15-20 dollars at Walmart. I was lucky to find them for $2.00 today!

I was excited to find the Tupperware brand cake holder for $2.00.

.

The whole time we were there, employees were constantly putting out stuff. I talked to one of the employees and she told me that they finally got a truck in for the first time in weeks. She said that donations have been down and that because of the economy she assumes that more people are going to have yard sales this year.

.
Here are some clothing that I got for the girls:

I could have bought so much more, but I had to restrain myself (my budget is small)!

Claudia was so good at the store that I let her pick out a movie:

Marley brought home her art portfolio today.

Here is her Monet inspired art:

Here is her self portrait:

PS: My stomach is feeling great today (hence the reason for being able to go to two Thrift stores and Walmart)! I wonder if the medicine is already working???

First two shots today

I went to the Doctors office today to learn how to give myself the injections. I had my mom go with me for moral support. After I learned all about the shots, I had to give myself two right then and there (I kind of thought that my nurse would give them to me). I decided to start with my stomach and do my legs tomorrow. It wasn't too bad, but it did sting bad! The medicine comes in a pre filled pin. You take the cap off, press it into the skin and press the button. You never even see the needle! I almost pulled the first one back out because of the stinging, but I am supposed to push the button and hold it in for 10 seconds. I was more confident with the second shot. I am pretty proud of myself!

My nurse explained that I will be fatigued for a few days after each shot and that I should (cross your fingers) start responding to the medicine anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.

Today this arrived:

My medicine:

I will begin a medicine called Humira for my Crohns Disease. The medicine is an immune response modifier that works by blocking a protein made by the body's immune system.

.

This medicine is administered through injection. I will be going to the doctors office tomorrow to learn how to inject the medicine, then I will be injecting myself (I hope, If I can't do it, my mom will).

The first month I have 6 injections, then I will be down to two injections per month. I will let you know how it goes.

.

This is some serious medicine with a huge price tag. My portion after insurance was $550 for the first month, then $181 per month. After much prayer, I was able to receive co-pay assistance through the makers of Humira. I will not pay anything until month six, then I will start paying $50 a month.

.

The weather has been great the past few days, so we have been walking Maya more. Maya is almost two and becoming much more easy to manage. The girls are even able to walk her (I am not far behind).

Cookout

We went to my mom and dad's for a cookout yesterday.

Dad grilled Salmon, Steak and Corn:

The weather was perfect and the food was amazing!
This is the lemon cake that I made:

Jason sat in the hot tub because he hurt his back:

We had a great time!

Homemade Laundry Detergent

I have been using homemade laundry detergent for a month now and it has worked well for us. I got my recipe from http://www.christianhomekeeping.com/. She even had a YouTube video on how to make it.


These are the ingredients and cost me around $7.00. I will be able to get about two more batches made from the borax and washing soda. Each batch is supposed to last about 3 months. Shred up the soap:Melt the soap, then add borax and washing soda:

Pour in a big bucket of hot water, then add more and more water: Let it sit overnight. It forms into a watery gel:

I would like to thank my assistants: Marley Jayne and Maya the dog!

It was very easy to make and smells good. I have even checked Jason's work clothes before and after washing to make sure they are getting clean. And they are!

Before and After - Furniture

I have had this piece of furniture for a long time (it has been hiding in the attic). I had a spot for it - but I did not like the oak color, so I painted it cream.I like it much better now. I think that I will change out the artwork for something lighter.