Soooo, that wasn't the end of it

I last posted that Peyton needed more prayers for healing. He continued to not keep anything down the rest of that day and night, and by the time Mike got home the next morning Peyton looked HORRID. His eyes were getting the sunk in look, he looked like one of those starving children from Africa or something, it was really scary.

Needless to say I took him straight to the ER, and we spent 5 hours there getting fluids and two kinds of anti-nausea meds to get his stomach to stop. Then we came home with some phenergan (anti-nausea med) and gave it to him for a little over 24 hours every 4 hours to keep some fluids in him. It was amazing how much better he did after all that.

He has been greatly improving ever since. Monday and Tuesday this week he went to school half days in the afternoon, tomorrow he will go in the morning and we'll see if he can take a whole day or if he still needs the extra rest. Poor kid has been through the wringer these last couple weeks, let me tell ya. You can see that his scabs are off, and you'd think he hadn't eaten in a year! He has been eating ALL the time. I am thrilled to have my little boy back though :)

He was so happy to be back to school, and the kids were all excited to see him too! They had made him a big get well card last week and all wrote him a message and signed it. That card holds a special place in his heart :)

Friday (or was it Thursday? I forget now) Jazlyn got up to get around for school complaining her tummy hurt. Thinking she was just faking and wanted to stay home we told her to get into the shower and then see how she felt. Well, she didn't make it to the shower, she threw up. I was sure this was the beginning of the same thing Peyton had and kept her home. She has been fine ever since.

Friday I did take Brylie in. She's been fighting congestion, colored drainage, etc., for a month now, and it was evident it was getting worse not better. Turned out she had an ear infection and sinus gunk. It wasn't a cold though, it was allergies. Ugh. So, we're treating her for allergies in addition to the antibiotic for the ear infection and she's getting better every day. She's got the typical "wipe it on my sleeve" though and I'm trying my hardest to stop that, but it's not looking too promising right now -- why do kids do that?!?!?!?!

Last weekend we set up the Christmas tree. Peyton's "special job" has been to put the star atop the tree every year (I love looking at the picture of him doing it when he was 7 months old!). He was sure to remind everyone of that quickly :) He only has about a foot to go before he doesn't need a chair or step-stool to help. I'm guessing by next year he'll be able to do tip toes and reach!


It was of course fun to go through all of the ornaments again, and tell the kids about where they came from/who made them/etc. They're slowly adding their own to the tree as well, and they're enjoying remembering where/when/how they made them. Jazlyn's special job is to hang the stockings and Brylie's is to set up the nativity. I finally got everything cleaned up and ready for these to happen probably tomorrow. We rediscovered that I STILL haven't finished up Brylie's stocking so I need to do that first!

Saturday the kids had fun going to the kids' shop at the Churches Thrift Shop. Every year they put out new or nearly new items/toys/etc. and have special elves that help the kids shop so mom and dad are surprised. Then they wrap them and the kids get to take them home. The kids absolutely LOVE doing this. They enjoy shopping for others (parents, siblings, and grandparents are the limit) and giving the gifts so much - even more than getting them. Peyton put a little more thought into his this year, and it was fun to hear his reasoning as to why he got each thing. Jazlyn's still in the whatever, I just think this is a neat thing, stage of shopping. Of course I took Brylie back and we picked up a few things for her list as well ;) Gives me warm fuzzies to think of them enjoying the giving so much.

Sunday was the Christmas program at church. Jazlyn was an angel again this year, Peyton was a king. Neither had speaking parts this year (there weren't really that many) but it was a very cute and thought provoking program as usual.


Monday was our Christmas party at preschool. Miss Judi (the one that broke her shoulder that I've been subbing for since early November) had planned to make an appearance but ended up sick. The kids were disappointed of course but understood. The party went great and I'm glad to have Christmas break. I tried to give the keys back to Miss Judi but she had me keep them, so I'm not sure where that leaves me as far as teaching in January, hehe!


Here are the little gifts I gave the kids. Nothing big, but cute I thought! In the bag are 3 little 3X3 greeting cards (all stamped with a set that looks like children's crayon drawings) that are simply stamped with black ink, and several crayons. They can color their cards and then give them away as needed.

I've been busy busy getting treats for the kids' school parties and teachers as well as dance class, etc. Hoping to get pics of them all up before long! I've also been quite busy getting everyone's family portrait sessions done and ordered and am getting booked up for the weekend after Christmas. I have been so blessed with a lot of business these last couple of months and I am so grateful! I am learning as I go along and have got lots of plans for the new year! I was able to buy some used studio lighting for VERY reasonable as well as purchase a new lens that will enable me to shoot indoors for the winter time. Of course that means the kiddos are getting more guinea pig time in, some of which will be on our Christmas cards.

This weekend my family will be gathering to celebrate Christmas! I am so excited, as usual, to see everyone. It makes me sad to know that my brothers and their wives don't have a lot of time with the kids :( David used to pal around with Peyton (and some Jazlyn - she was pretty little) before he moved. I think David misses that, and I KNOW the kids do. Peyton has very fond memories of getting after school treats with Uncle David in his Jeep, and going sledding and such. Brylie's just starting to remember who they are, and since we just saw everyone in October at the wedding they'll be fresh in her mind (especially if they bring the pets, lol).

I'm getting a bit ahead of myself and could ramble on about Christmas plans for a whole 'nother page of reading, but I'll save that for later ;)