Hold the Veggies for this little Senorita!

Sometimes it feels like we're doing a science experiment around here when it comes to nutrition!

From the time Graham was about 2 years old, he has experienced a wide variety of food allergies/sensitivities and allergy related eczema. So far eggs, gluten, dairy, and corn are the major culprits. In the long process of adjusting his diet (and environment) to find out what foods were causing problems, we REALLY cut back on processed, pre-prepapared foods-mostly because they usually contain his primary allergens. This is a GOOD thing! It has forced us to adjust our eating habits as well! We do still enjoy a tasty donut or big greasy Egg McMuffin but not with the the frequency that we once did. Graham is by FAR the healthiest eater in our family.

At his 4 year well-visit our pediatrician asked, "What are your favorite foods?" He looked like he was gonna fall out of his chair when Graham replied, "ummm, salmon, broccoli, rice, cranberries, white soy milk....." Truly, Graham has learned what it means to "eat to live." We are so thankful for God's healing on his body.

(Above: June 2007, Below: June 2008)


Now...let's just say our baby girl has a "no veggie" policy. If it looks like it grew on anything other than the banana tree, a grapevine or french fry plant-FORGET IT! Could it be that I was so focused on Graham's nutrition in addition to my fear of starting certain foods "too early" in case it led to allergies....that have led to our picky little eater? She, like her momma, would rather munch on a morsel of well-processed, refined carbohydrate any old time. Recently we've had a breakthrough...although I think avocado might be considered a fruit...which figures, because they're so TASTY!

Yes, here's Hannah Reece enjoying a greenish snack of guacamole and corn chips. She woofed it down and came back for seconds! She says "mo gacamo peese!" And really, who needs veggies when you've got Tex-Mex?

Friday Flashback

Four years ago, Nana and Papa (my parents), 7 month old Graham and I were involved in a head on collision with a drunk driver.

This experience was terrifying, eye-opening, and an opportunity for God to be glorified. I am thankful.

Before this, I believed that I could handle anything-except the loss of my son. God used this terrible experience bring from my head to my heart the knowledge that he loves Graham more than we do and that the course of his life-is in God's able, sovereign hands. I am reminded of these truths even now when my neck and back ache from old injuries.

Friday Flashback

One year ago, we said...

"let's go fly a kite!"

...and tonight it's D.G.'s (much anticipated) date with

Wall-E

Funny Bunny

Dress-up is a favorite activity around our house lately. Each day we get to meet new characters-from Dr. T-Rex to Construction-Worker-Princess...the possibilities, and dramatics, are endless!

On this day, Hannah Reece (hopping out of her bedroom) says, "Mama...I...FUN...BUNNY!!!

"Awww, you are a funny bunny!" I say.

She hops away giggling and gleefully chanting "funn-eee bunn-eee!!!"

Later at dinner, Hannah Reece tells Daddy all about it...


Funny Bunny

Top ten things we love about Daddy....

10. Ending the day together-bathing, laughing, reading and praying-you make us feel so content, we go right to sleep

9. Shootin' our Nerf Shooters at each other while chasing each other all over the house

8. Your BIG Daddy hugs and whiskery sugars that leave rugburn on our soft little cheeks

7. The way you help out with us and household chores after a long day at work-we know how much you love our mama, it makes us feel happy

6. Your yummy dinners, we love mealtime "Chef Boyoedy" style-we really like your homemade fries

5. The way you teach us about Jesus-we see glimpses of our heavenly Father in you, Daddy

4. Your spontaneous spirit to jump in the car and drive to Disney on a whim so we can play together

3. The way you go "all out" for whatever we're interested in at the moment, we know that you are proud of us

2. You are a BIG dude with a BIG heart and you make us feel safe and protected

1. The way you walk in the door, put your bag down and we ask what the best part of your day was, you say, "coming home to you!", and we know that it's true.

Happy Father's Day! We love you SO much, Daddy.

Friday Flashback

Before the ride...

That was fun...I think?

These photos were taken on our annual "Road Rules" trip with the Middle School youth group back in June, 2005 when Graham was about 17 months old. These trips are about typically 4-5 days long, and just like the show, the students have no idea where they're going!

Graham and I tagged along this time and the itenerary included the Everglades, Key West, and the Dolphin Research Center on Grassy Key. Very sweet memories...Graham was SO serious about this airboat ride, but when it was over, he talked about the "fast boat" to anyone who'd hear about it-even to the lady at the check-in desk of the hotel lobby!

Notice how we're all wearing earplugs, airboats are very noisy things! D.G. wouldn't have any part of the earplugs, but Daddy covered his ears tightly the whole time.

I am so thankful for the influence of these young people in our children's lives. Graham calls them his "big kids" and even now at age 4 1/2, he'd rather go to youth group on Sunday afternoon than just about anything else!

Graham getting some special attention from his "big kids"

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12

Friday Flashback

I took this photo one afternoon last summer during rainy season...hurricane/rainy season is here again for these parts. Bring on the rain...and the bugs?!

If you came to our house...

You would see...

some folks who are glad you came! If we know you're coming, you'd see shiny floors and open spaces...if not, (watch your step!) you might have to manuver around some balls, cars, baby dolls, and other various items that tend to "escape" in our little two bedroom condo-just come on in!

We'd probably feed you...

Chef Boyoedy's specialty of the day. And until it's ready, we've usually got some chips and fresh salsa or fruit to share.

We'd undoubtedly ask you if you'd read...

a book to us! (Graham and Hannah Reece) And then Hannah Reece would back her little self up into your lap to listen.

We'd want to play this music for you...

a soundtrack to one of our Wednesday Night/VBS programs at church (which we all have MEMORIZED-especially because Graham can operate the stereo on his own now!) or 95.3 OLZ (oldies) Get ready to boogie!

We'd want to tell you the latest about...

the stuff we've been up to; our latest trip to Disney, Graham would tell you about learning how to play soccer, show you his lego creations and he might tell you that he want's to be a T-Rex for Halloweeen, Dan and I would share about his schooling and new things happening at the church and how we're thinking about homeschooling, Hannah Reece would tell you about her Cinderella "rella" baby and echo (enthusiastically) what big brother's chatting about.

We'd probably suggest a game of ...

the Settlers of Catan! Philip and Amanda introduced us to this game-it is so much fun-but it can be tricky to play when little people are present because there are a bunch of tiny pieces! And if it's Graham and Hannah Reece's choice, a lively game of "Gone Fishin" or "Zingo" Picture Bingo.

We might show off...

Graham's race car bed-a kind hand-me-down from Graham's buddy Nicholas. When the students from youth group come over Graham meets them at the door and says "hey guys! Wanna come check out my race car bed?" The funny thing is they dig it, too!

We might get on the computer and show you...

how to get into this blog to see our daily antics-or Graham might want to show you a monster truck video clip.

If it was a long enough visit, we might watch...

a pick from the library that week...like Blues Clues, Franklin, Charlie and Lola, or Elmo.

What would a visit to your house be like?

Please comment if you read this and wanna do it, too, or just comment so we know you came by for a visit today! Thanks, Kim, for sharing this neat idea for a post!

Bedtime Buddies

The bedtime routine is: bath/teeth, jammies, stories and prayers. Most nights the first part is a group effort and then Daddy reads stories and prays with the kids. On this night, Dan was working and Graham and Hannnah Reece had a serious (but not rare) case of overly-sleepy slaphappiness!
Graham chose a book for me to read. I'd start to read a few words only to be interrupted by someones giggles, an insatiable urge to jump on his/her bed, or some person's bodily noises, which of course led to UNCONTROLLABLE laughter...and more antics! Finally, I said (trying just way too hard to be serious) "Now, I guess I'll just put this book away if y'all aren't going to listen"...to which my son replied in HIS most serious tone, "Mom, it's ok! We just like each other."