T'was The Wednesday Before Christmas

We've been struggling a bit since we moved abruptly in August. Partly because we were very happy where we were. However, we felt strongly that we were supposed to move. We fought what we wanted to do and did what we were suppose to do. That being said, at times it has felt like we jumped out of the frying pan into the fire. My in-laws have been struggling even more than I could have imagined and we have been trying to help them as much as possible...which hasn't been much since it took Sam several months (yes, months) to find a good job. With the holidays approaching life in general seemed like a cruel joke. We teased that the kids were going to get I.O.U.s for Christmas. The sad part is we really weren't teasing. We tried to focus on the true meaning of Christmas instead of the commercialized materialistic meaning of Christmas that we are all bombarded with. All the while I worried. Sam started his new job the end of November but, the way pay periods fell we didn't know until a few days before Christmas whether we would be able to have gifts for our children. The Wednesday before Christmas my father-in-law finds wrapped Christmas presents on our front porch. I came down stairs that morning to find gifts under the tree for my children and a card for Sam and me. I open the Christmas card made out to Sam and Holly to find a precious handmade card with a beautiful heartfelt Christmas wish and "We love you"; there was no signature. Enclosed was a generous monetary gift that left me humbled, grateful, and emotional. I have NO idea who was responsible for this very thoughtful and loving gift...I like to think of them as angels. I can tell you that I felt the true love of Christ that day. These angels were commissioned by my Heavenly Father to deliver a message to me. The message being that my Savior is aware of my worries and trials. He is mindful of me and He loves me. This too shall pass and I will be stronger for it. If I am faithful everything will work out as He has planned for me in His time. I still don't know who delivered those gifts but, the spiritual gift they gave me was much greater than the tangible gifts. They have strengthened my testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and for that I am forever grateful.

A mouth full

Ross who is 3 has always snored like a freight train...from day one. His pediatrician said it was normal and he would grow out of it. He has been to the doctor for regular check-ups and immunizations since birth. He has had 2 febrile seizures with complete follow-ups after each to try to determine their cause. He has also been seen for repeated sinus infections. My point is he has been seen by a doctor many times. Well he also had sleep apnea. He would snore, chirp, whistle, wheeze...he made all kinds of crazy sounds while sleeping. A few months ago he got a cold and the apnea got worse. He would stop breathing in his sleep. I could count to 20 or 25 before he would gasp for air. It was exhausting to watch him try to breathe while he slept...not to mention scary to see you child not breathing. He would mouth breathe ALL the time. I just happened to look into his throat one day...I was astonished at what I saw. His tonsils were so large they were touching his uvula (the little hangy down thing in the back of the throat). I immediately made an appointment with the pediatrician so she could give us a referral to the ear, nose, and throat specialist. Within a week we saw two doctors and Ross was scheduled for surgery. He went in on 12/15 for a tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy. The surgeon said Ross' adenoid tissue was so enlarged his nasal passages were nearly completely blocked...he was getting little to no air through his nose. His tonsils were enormous. On a scale of 1-4...they were a 4. The dr. said when they laid him down not only were his tonsils "gigantic" but, they fell into what little airway he had left to breathe through. This was without him being sick or having any swelling from infection. CRAZY!!! Ross came out of surgery just fine. We stayed overnight just for observation. Everything went great. Ross was so brave and did so good. There was a huge difference in his breathing almost immediately. Now I have to check on him to make sure he is still breathing because he is so quiet. It is amazing. Bless his heart...he is finally getting some REM sleep. I share this story because if your child has sleep apnea, snores loudly, recurring sore throats, ear infections or sinus infections...you might want to check their tonsils...because the pediatrician won't tell you if you don't ask. It never occurred to me his problems were related to his tonsils. I have small tonsils and so does Sammy. However, Sam had large tonsils and clearly Ross had "gigantic" tonsils. It is so funny. Ross' voice changed slightly...it is a little higher. He sounds like a little elf...so cute. He is doing great and almost fully recovered.

Ok, just a little update. I have not fallen off the planet just in case you're wondering. However, our graphics card on our desktop is dead... plus life has been kinda crazy with the holidays and everything. With that being said ... I have totally been slacking on our blog. My New Year's resolutions will include being more diligent in my blogging efforts. Not that everyone is all that interested in every little aspect of my family life...but it is therapeutic for me in a way. It is like my journal and I have been neglecting it.

Guess who's 3!!!

I can't believe my baby just turned 3. Where did the time go? Three years ago today I was going into the hospital for a scheduled c-section. After everything was said and done I had this precious 8lb. 9oz. "chunk of love."

"Before"

(Yes, I know I was pregasourous...and I'm still trying to loose that baby weight...but he's worth it....most of the time.)

"After"

"Now"

Please note: He is wearing his new Spiderman helmet and pads while playing his new "magic flute."

I realize we have a Halloween theme going on here. It really was not intentional. Ross asked for cupcakes...so I thought chocolate of course...then he asked for orange cupcakes. Luckily, Grammy was able to whip up some homemade buttercream frosting on the fly...thank goodness for food coloring. As for Ross' wardrobe choice of the day...he just happened to choose his Halloween t-shirt, which coordinate with his cupcakes perfectly.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROSS!!!!

We love you!

Earlier in the day we took a ride on the 4-wheeler over to the Jenne's horse farm so Ross could ride Grammy's horse, Mac.

Beautiful Day

My in-laws live in a 120yr old house that used to be a women's dormatory. They have a huge yard with lots of trees, plants and shrubs. When it is not too hot and humid and the bugs aren't biting, it is wonderful to sit outside and enjoy the fresh air. Everything is so lush and green. I will take some pics to post later.

I love blowing bubbles.

It was so beautiful the other day. It was a little cooler. The sun was out and there was a gentle breeze. It was the perfect day for blowing bubbles.

Little Miss Lyla is about 10 weeks old now.

Isn't she cute?

I love the kool-aid smile.

August

Shortly after returning from Texas. Sam and I felt like we needed to move back to Alabama. So, reluctantly we packed again and made the long trip back home. Did I mention it was a long trip? Did I mention we loved where we were and didn't want to move? Anyway, in August we moved for the second time in two months, Sammy started 5th grade and he turned 10 all in the same week. Needless to say things have been a little hectic in my family for a while. We are finally adjusting and things are working out just fine. My wonderful in-laws have been gracious enough to rent us their entire upstairs. We are making ourselves at home and we all get along great.

Puppy Love

This is the newest addition to the Davis family. Her name is Lyla. She is a toy Australian shepherd and the sweetest thing ever. We are all totally in love with her. We have been caring for her since she was four days old.

Lyla was about 4 1/2 weeks old in these pics.