The allergy update

After traveling fourteen hours (seven hours each way), we gained more information regarding our dear Kate.

She is (confirmed) allergic to eggs, wheat, and milk. We knew about the milk. Jon reminded me that egg and wheat were mentioned a couple years ago, but I apparently chose to ignore the facts.

Our next steps... We are determining if she is a candidate for the sublingual immunization therapy. (Sounds fancy, huh?) Sublingual refers to glands under the tongue (that's my basic definition). The immunization therapy means placing a small amount of the allergen under the tongue several times a day to gradually increase her immunity to the allergens. This is similar to allergy shots, but it is in very small doses over the course of a day.

Once we determine IF she is a candidate, we have to determine if WE are willing to try this therapy. One part of me says, "Why not?" The other part of me says, "Get used to her life with food allergies now, hope she will outgrow them, and train her how she can eat."

We don't know what we will do.

Tasty Tuesday

As I continue to reflect on all that I have, I realize how much I waste. My complaints in America are basic: my house is a mess, my kids are in too many activities, wish my girls didn't have to share a too small bedroom, etc.

So, in thinking of all I have, I decided I really need to be much more resourceful in how I spend my food and time. We have a family goal of sit down dinners. I also love to try new recipes. Can be tricky with two working parents and busy schedules. Here is my tip for the week...

Cook once for the week: I usually cook on Saturday or Sundays. Here was last week's menu:

• Roast turkey, potatoes, and green beans

With the left over turkey, I made turkey stock and then shredded the meat. Here was the result:

• Turkey divan with homemade applesauce
• Turkey and stuffing casserole
• Turkey noodle soup

Knowing that the family would be sick of turkey, I also found a recipe for "brown bag burritos". We put together 20 burritos (homemade refried beans, browned hamburger, enchilada sauce, and some spices). We then wrapped and froze the burritos. These are excellent to heat for a quick family dinner. Finally, I made three lasagnas and froze them.

So, after one day's work we had family dinners for one week (and then some!) We were able to provide some meals for friends, too.

This week we continued the trend, but we wanted to try some new recipes and had lots of fresh fruits and veggies on hand... Here is the week:

• Turkey sausage, sauerkraut, sweet potatoes, sauteed spinach
• Roast, potatoes, carrots, salad
• Beef and noodles (leftover beef and stock)
• Spaghetti (homemade meatballs- made and frozen on Sunday), salad, homemade applesauce
• homemade eggrolls
• bbq chicken legs, rice, peas
• bbq chicken wraps (leftover chicken and rice)

So... my challenge to you is this: Do you want more time with your family? Do you want to make use of your pantry items and incorporate fresh fruits and veggies? Interested in family dinners with low stress on the family?

Try cooking one meal and "remaking" it for a later meal (like the roast or bbq chicken) OR cook once for the week (like the turkey).

A Day That Was TOO much...

This day just about wore me out! Even though it was the first day of ISTEP testing in my schools (which causes great amounts of stress), my own children had several needs to be met. So, here are the updates...

Allie- Allie had an appointment at the doctor to discuss recurring stomach aches. We determined that some of it may be related to her continued feelings of perfectionism and self-imposed stress. The other part of it we think is related to acid reflux. The good news is that Allie feels validated in knowing why her stomach hurts and that there is a plan to help with her upset stomachs. She was able to return to school today and feel okay. I hope that this discovery will help her this week as she has her violin recital on Friday.

Katie- This one came out of nowhere today... As you know, Katie has a fairly severe dairy allergy. While at the pediatrician today, she suggested a place called Allergy Associates of LaCrosse (as in LaCrosse, Wisconsin). They are licensed and board certified doctors who specialize in allergy and immunology. They determine the allergy and then do desensitization of the allergen. We can do the desensitization at home. They had a cancellation, so we will be able to go on March 19! It is a seven hour drive, but it could be life changing. I am thankful for my friends who have done something similar and experienced success with a removal of food allergies. We are now doing the unhappy task of gathering all of Kate's previous testing to try and avoid redoing similar tests. The goal is to make the first appointment very useful, so we can start the process. Friday, March 19 could start an end to food allergies for Katie.

William- This is something that has been such a burden for quite a while. William loves music but specifically, he loves drumming. Tonight he had his audition and instrument selection for 6th grade. The music department sends home a letter saying how difficult it is to be selected for percussion, because every sixth grade boy wants to be a drummer. I have fretted over this for months. What if William does not get selected? How will that crush his spirit? I have been praying in such a pitiful "mom" way. I have been asking God to please let William be chosen to percussion knowing how much we longs for it. Thinks are often so difficult for him, and he is already insecure. Please, God, let him get this!

When we arrived tonight, we were reminded that it is likely he will not be chosen. During the audition, William was awesome! He did far more than other auditions I watched. I walked away with a spring in my step thinking, "Thank you, God for answering my prayer! He has to be selected after that audition!" If trying out for percussion, it is required that you try other instruments. William definitely not interested... He tries trumpet, trombone, and baritone. The band teacher says several times how talented he is, how he can accomplish sounds that most new students cannot make, and more. She then offers to let him try French horn. She mentions that they do not let very many students try because it is so hard. He starts playing and does a great job. In fact, some of her descriptions were, "This is college money. He has a better ear than many high school students. He is smart and so naturally wonderful. If I could convince him to play anything it would be french horn, because very few can do it well." WOW. Now, here is the really amazing thing... Walking away from the night William says to me, "Mom, I will always play drums. I love it. Can't I take drum lessons and improve that skill but play French horn in the band? I think that I would miss drumming, but I would still do it all of the time. Maybe I should try the French horn and look at the future in drumming." This is what I love... God didn't answer my prayer that William get chosen to do percussion (although it looks like he will get that offer). God far exceeded my prayer in that He changed William's heart. How cool is that? I can stop worrying over William's hurt and pain at being rejected. His heart has been changed to not only accept something other than drumming but to celebrate it. Wow!

Balance update

Can you believe that it is March? I thought that it was probably high time to review my resolutions. My big word for the new year is "balance." So... how am I doing?

Spiritual:

I have done a good job of reading the Bible and spending more time in prayer. I totally bombed the "read the Bible in a year" deal, but I have been doing a good job of reading and learning. I am seeking a friend for accountability and prayer.

Physical:

Well, the past three weeks have been good. Does that count? I have been exercising, made a race goal, and have done a really good job of watching what I am eating. So... if we are only talking about the last few weeks, I am on a roll!

Mental:

I did start teaching a new dual credit class for Vincennes University and The Crossing. By teaching this class, I have stretched some new mental muscles I hadn't used for a while. I am also getting back into my book club that I haven't been able to attend for a while. This will help.

Social/Emotional:

Well, I am sorry to say that this is the weakest area for me right now. I have not done a great job of connecting with friends. This is silly since this is usually an area of strength for me. I have had really good family times and individual kid times. I have a friend who I am going to meet once a month for coffee. I need to create more balance with this.

Well, that is the update. This was a boring post, but it was good for me to reflect on how I am doing on my goals. Ooh, I need to go since we are having family (homemade) pizza/movie night. The pizzas are ready to come out of the oven right now.