A first for all of us

Ok, I want to start by apologizing to all the parents who's children have ever had ear infections and I thought under my breath "how hard could it be?" I'm so sorry, so sorry that your baby/toddler/school age child had to go through anything like that, hurting and not being able to tell you where they are hurting or if they do tell you, you still can't do anything about it. I'm just so sorry. My children have never had an ear infection. I know now that I've been extremely blessed by this. I can now no longer say "never" for this statement. My sweet Ryan got an ear infection right after school started in August. She came home from school, played, ate dinner and had a bath. We got ready for bed, we had prayer and I sent the girls to their room for the first time that evening. Not more than 30 minutes later, Ryan was screaming uncontrollably like a mad woman. I went in her room and screamed back at her to stay quiet, we live in an apartment, we have neighbors, etc. Basically, she was yelling and so was I. I went through the obligatory questions about pain, nausea, vomitting, etc. She denied all the symptoms I brought up. She'd quit for a few minutes then start up again, louder than before. After this went on for about 30 mins, I called Urgent Care, they returned my call but sadly it was too late, they were closing and all "urgent" needs would have to wait till the next day. By 9:30, I couldn't take it anymore so I called Joe to come home from work so I could take her to the ER or at the very least further away from her siblings for the night so they could get some rest. I don't know how, but both Britt and Hunt were very sleeping soundly and I didn't wanna rock that boat. When Joe finally got home, I was able to take Ryan to the new children friendly TMH ER and that's where they told us that her right ear was "terribly inflamed." I was shocked but I was also relieved that we have a diagnosis and she would be able to get better, which she did. It must have been festering since our beach trips this past summer, was the only reason I could think of. I just know I don't ever wanna see my baby scream like that again.


**MSL**

Back to School, 1st Grade Style

Ryan is always so excited to start a new school year. I hope she feels that way for many years to come, I think I say that each time I've posted about a new school year. I just hope that her excitement carries her throughout the school year and if I'm lucky, over to her Brittyn and Huntington as well. Ryan is very excited to go to first grade, she's an excellent reader and will do well with the curriculum. I hope she enjoys her teacher, Ms. Tharpe and she continues to make lots of friends. I'm pretty sure Brittyn and Huntington will have a great year at Grandma's school, they've got their backpacks ready too. While Ryan is at her school, the other two will be at Grandma's school modeling and learning and getting their creative on! Let's head out to school!!!





**MSL**

Hello summer, again

We do lots more than have birthday parties all summer long. We crash our friend's beach vacations and hang out on Saint George Island for a few days, we have cousins/friends over for a back to school sleepover, complete with a smelly, awesome vinegar explosion, we battle major ear infections for the very first time (I don't ever wish that pain and the accompanying volume it emits on anyone) and we get over it, thankfully. Lastly, once we are sufficiently "summered" out, we back our backpacks and get ready for a new school year. That's the kind of summer we have, they aren't much, but to me, they get better every year.














**MSL**

Birthday season

Yes, at our house, summer is the official kickoff to birthday season. All our family's birthdays are in the last six months of the year so I usually spend the first six months worrying, planning, prepping purchasing for these parties. It's a lot of work for a little amount of time and I always see other people on blogs and friends who do more than me with awesome and lots who do less than me with awesome results and I'm jealous. But my kids don't have to weed through all that, they just give me 75 of the same ideas 77 different ways of what they want for their party and I do what I can with my limited imagination to make it somewhat happen for them. As long as they're happy and they always are because it's their birthday, I'm happy. I can't ask for more than that. Thankfully, Britt is in the phase where she wants what party Ryan wants. Sadly, I didn't saw Ryan's decor for Britt's party. Next year I will try to be smarter. I love each of them and their very different, very precious personalities and I love to celebrate them on their birthday and everyday. I hope we throw many large, small parties for lots of years to come!!!
































**MSL**