Soy, cockroaches and dogs- Oh My!

I went for allergy testing today. I totally expected it to be a waste of my time and uniformative. WRONG! Turns out I am allergic to dogs (darn), cockroaches (um, okayyyy) and soy (CRAP!) Doctor told me that since I don't have dogs or cockroaches, the soy could be the cause of my eczema and possibly my headaches. I am to go off soy for the next 6 weeks and report back to the doctor. I came home and looked in my cupboards and the following is a list of things currently in my home that contain evil soy-

Chicken Broth boullion
Campbells Chicken Noodle soup
Refried beans
peanut butter
onion soup mix
fish crackers
granola bars
ramen noodles
tortilla chips
italian and ranch dressing
baking soda (WHAT???!!!)
flour tortillas
french bread (store bought)
Sara Lee wheat bread

Wowzers. I also found it interesting that I am NOT allergic to wheat, which I was totally expecting. (although this doesn't mean that I am not gluten sensitive, thats a whole other test)

All in all, I am glad I went.

Informative!

Presidents Day

Aunt Amy and Uncle Ryan drove down to Richmond for the night to spend Presidents day with us.  This means they braved the traffic, our guest bed and 9 kids in our small home just to be with us. Kind of a big deal. We were so excited to have them come!

Tamsyn was in cousin-heaven.

What Liam did the entire time. Seriously. I think he made 15.

And Kyle and Ander were inseparable.

This is what Sylas and Mason did.

Biscuits and gravy!

We drove downtown and took the kids to the Confederate White House. 

Afterwards we took them to Buz and Ned's, featured on Throwdown with Bobby Flay and Man vs. Food. It was YUMMY!

 So glad they came. Next we will take them to the church where Patrick Henry made his famous "Give me liberty or give me death" speech. And maybe take them for a boat ride down the canal. We are so grateful that they are close by!

Also- I have an awesome husband. (Oh, shush, Lohn. I have bragging rights!)

I just LOVE him. (Beware. Sappy alert)

Remember how we met? I remember what you were wearing. I remember looking at you and thinking, "So, this is the guy I am going to marry." 

 Remember our wedding day? Remember how cold it was for pictures?

Remember how we snuck away to get a bite of food? I remember how annoyed you were that the bride and groom didn't get any cheesecake.

Remember how we dressed up as pioneers and trekked for miles in the harsh sun and sand?

 And then because my feet were a bloody mess, you volunteered to carry me?

I remember. And you did it with a smile.

I will always remember and appreciate that you are worthy to baptize our children.

 And bless them too. 

 I will always remember that you selflessly put my needs and wants above your own.

Remember the day you were accepted into Notre Dame? I do. I cried. I was so proud of you.

 Remember all the early mornings, late nights, and hard studying? Remember how despite all that, you made an effort to never work on Sunday, and devoted 5-7 pm to our children everyday? I remember.

 I will always remember the day you graduated Magna Cum Laude. 

 I will always remember how proud I was of you.

 I will always remember that it was you that taught me to love football, when it was almost certainly a lost cause. 

 I will always remember how you take time to take our children on dates 

 I will always remember how you like to teach a small principle to our children.

 I will always remember what a great cook you are. 

 I will always remember that you work extra hard so that our family can go on vacations.

  

I will always remember that because of you, our boys will excel in their scouting. 

I am delighted with the opportunity to make more memories with you everyday. I will always remember how much you mean to me and our family.  I am so grateful to you. You are forever, my love.

Looks Comfyyy

Around 11 pm, before I went to bed I went to check on my kids, and this is what I found.

Yeah, that's my kid asleep in a plastic tote. :)

This week he burped a juicy burp and said "Mom, thats my mixed up food burp." Where does he learn these things???

Basketball, smarty pants and Sylas's Birthday

We put Tamsyn and Ander in Basketball. I had NO IDEA how much driving this would require when we signed them up (Take Ander to practice, then drive 20 minutes to drop Tamsyn off at practice, then turn around to pick Ander back up, drop him off at home, then go back to get Tamsyn).  I am still glad we did it despite our crazy busy nights. They are learning a ton, and the games are fun to watch.

And don't they look good?!

Also, I should mention, I have really smart kids. Tamsyn is in the gifted students program, which means that she will be taking 7th grade level English in 6th grade, and because she scored over 97% on her math placement test, she will be taking 8th grade math in 6th grade next year. Ander just got recommended for the program, and if he passes the tests, he will be learning 5th grade material in fourth grade next year. 

In other news, Sylas turned 4 today. I love love LOVE my little monster.

I don't like to decorate cakes, and can't compete with those moms that make flawless themed cakes, so I let the kids decorate their own cakes. Sylas really wanted candy for his birthday, so I bought Skittles, Nerds and Rollos for him to decorate his cake with. (Yeah, it was kinda gross) 

 But the kids loved decorating it! 

Lohn made the requested chicken and fries (YUM)

 And we opened presents!

 Horton Hears a Who, from Tamsyn (FYI, I knitted that poncho. Admire, please.)

Buzz Lightyear Pez dispenser from Gunnar

A stuffed Horton (Thanks Kohl's special!)

 "Look, mom, It's the same Horton as the book!"

Daddy made him blocks. We could have bought Doug and Melissa blocks at half off for $40. Lohn made him twice as many for $18. (Yep, we are still tight wads)

 He loves them. All the kids do. They played with them all evening.

And I gave him the Lorax. This is my all time favorite children's book. Lohn hates it, he thinks there is some sort of Liberal agenda.  I read Horton Hears a Who tonight, and it seemed to me to have quite the Conservative agenda. What I really think, is that Dr. Suess liked to write great stories. And bless him for it.

 And lastly, the great consumption of the cake. 

 Yeah, the Skittles and Nerds made it taste a little funny...

These last 4 years have been interesting with 4 major moves, career changes and new friends. And I am so glad we had Sylas there with us for the ride. So grateful for my baby!