A few thoughts...

Our family has been hit with our fair share of trials over the years, we've always gotten through them with our faith, our love in God, and the support of our family. I'm convinced that I'm being punished for my horrible youth, I'm sure that's not the truth and that Heavenly Father has many lessons he wants me to learn, and apparently I'm a slow learner.

I rarely post a blog solely on the topic of either of my kids, I usually keep it to pictures, family outings, or DIY how too's, but not this time. I've always used writing as a way of releasing, letting go of the "bad mojo", just cleansing my soul.

If you're a close friend or family member then you all know Grandon's story and the miracle he truly is to all of us, if you haven't had the chance to read his story, then I encourage you to go read it, here.

Recently, Grandon has been diagnosed with a condition called Anisocoria, is a condition characterized by an unequal size of the pupils. This is something that rarely occurs or pops up in children especially at the age of 6. Once Grandon was diagnosed with this our process of getting an appointment made with a pediatric neurologist started, and not to mention the build up of many emotions and nerves!

After our consultation today with Dr. Seals we are now on a elimination course to figure out the cause of this condition. The good news is that Grandon isn't showing any signs of a brain tumor, hydrocephalus, or aneurysm. Of course without any MRI we can't 100% rule any of those out.

The doctor thinks that he might be suffering from A typical migraines, for the next two weeks he will be on a strict diet intake, and we will have to document everything he eats, every times he gets a headache, he can't have certain foods or drinks. We will then go back in 2 weeks to see if this shows any improvements, if it doesn't then we will move onto step 2.

Our emotions have been so high, and this helps calm the nerves a bit, but I guess the mom part of me wanted/wants a more black and white answer. Waiting has always killed me, but when it's your baby it's harder. I'm not sure what step 2 will involve if we have to move onto step 2, but part of me wants an MRI done like tomorrow, I just want that here is the pictures of his brain there is nothing there.

I know Heavenly Father has a plan for Grandon, me and my family, I also know that I don't always understand his plan. I just hate that Grandon has to go through yet another medical obstacle in his life, part of me wants to play the whole it's not fair card, scream, cry, throw things, and have a huge fit, but I know I can't break down and I must stay strong for my family.

I'll be even more relieved when this is all said and done and everything is confirmed that Grandon is 100% healthy.

Tiffany

A place for my kids creations...

I LOVE that my kids are artist in there own rights, but come on moms lets admit it, we get tired of 500 drawings, pictures, notes, creations, and so forth over taking the fridge! 

I was browsing through Pinterest (when am I not?) and found some cute ideas, but not any I was sold on, but it did get the wheels turning, so I researched some more and found a masterpiece board, and I just knew I needed to create my own version of it!

So I started off by taking a trip to Lowe's and purchasing my wood, this piece cost about $5. I gave it a light sanding on the top and then sanded the sides and edges so they would be rounded.

I tend to do most of my crafting indoors, since I live in South Texas it tends to be a little on the hot side outdoors. Next I laid out my cut vinyl to give myself and idea of how everything was fitting. Which if you don't own a vinyl cutter (like me) you can go to this amazing little shop called Little Treasures and buy it from her.

 After getting my lay out done, I chose my paint color. My all time favorite color is yellow, I'm currently slowly in the processes of re-doing my living room, and let me stress the S.L.O.W.L.Y. part!

Since, I chose a bright color it required more coats of paint then a darker color would of, this is roughly 5-6 coats of paint, and I painted it on pretty thick. I got this color at Hobby Lobby it took the whole bottle, but it only cost $0.69.

Once my board was painted and dried it was time for putting the vinyl on, my husband did this part, he is very anal about spacing, positioning, and etc. (I personally think he just likes stickers, but don't tell him I said that)

Once, he got out of the way, I put two coats of Mod Podge on top, for a few reasons, one it seals the paint and the vinyl, two it protects the board a little more, and three it makes the board easier to clean, if when something got gets on it.

I bought these cool clips at Wal-Mart they came 2 to a package, for the whooping price of $1.88, they are perfect, because they don't have the magnets on the back, but still have the holes that go all the way through at the top. I chose a total of 4 clips so each of my kids would have 2 clips. My husband used his drill to screw these in and it worked perfectly.

We added a hanger to the back of the board and hung it up, I had the perfect stop in our hallway for it.

 And my kids, have already put it to good use, and I now have my fridge back, I really loved the way it turned out!

This craft was so easy to do and really inexpensive, the total cost came out to be about $13, not to bad for crafting on a budget!

 

Happy Crafting!

Tiffany

Initial Wreath

Who doesn't love a personalized "something" for there front door. My front door was looking pretty sad, since it had nothing hanging on it. When I first saw a post about a personalized wreath I knew it was going to be a midnight craft! We put our spin on it and LOVE how it turned out!

We first started out with a 14" natural vine wreath from Hobby Lobby, like the one pictured below:

 

Then I picked out some vines, flowers, and Ribbon to accent my wreath and match my decor if your front door can have decor , I really wanted my wreath to flow with the decor of my entry way.

 

 I love these vines that I got from Hobby Lobby, they are so pretty and different! 

 After Mod Podging my scrapbook paper onto my 

initial I tied some matching ribbon around my letter, made a little family plaque and hung it up on my front door!

 

I'm now in love with how my front door looks and the way this wreath came out!

Keep Crafting!
Tiffany

Family Pictures

Each year for the past few years my mother has paid for family pictures, the past two years we've used Delightful Dimples . The owner Britni Call is in our ward, and I highly recommend her if your in the New Braunfels/Gilmer area, because I personally think she is just GREAT!!! But I'll let our pictures speak for themselves!!!

 

Grandon Pictures

 A friend of ours from church has his own photography studio and did back to school pictures for Grandon! I thought I would share them all with you, if you see one you would like a print of please tell me which picture and size. Check out David Campos at saveamemory.com!

Back to school!!!

The school routine has been a fairly common one for our family, since Grandon has been in pre-K since he was 3, but some how that isn't quit the same as KINDERGARTEN!!! Yesterday was the mark of a new chapter in his little life, and for mommy as well. I was full of all kinds of emotions, so was Grandon, after a rough start that morning (not liking having to get up while it's still dark out, plus he had a rough night) we got out the door, and to school, good thing for us it's only a 2 min drive. 


Lucky, for me I still have Madison home for another 5 days before she starts pre-K4. Her being there to experience Grandon's first day of school, really helped her out, plus it helped keep this mommy in check with her emotions, I'm a firm believer in upholding a strong front for my kids, and then losing it at night in Clayton's arm. I'm the one those kids count on, rely on, and I need them to know that mommy will always be strong for them. Plus if Grandon saw me lose it, then, he would and it would of been a HUGE mess!!!

 Cheesy Grin

 Still cheesy!!

 One for the books

With his teacher

Can't forget one with sister

Saying goodbye, nope not goodbye...see you later!!!

He looks so big and grown up! His teacher is super nice, and we look forward to a year with Mrs. Dominguez!

UNO...anyone???

While Sam was here, we played a few games of UNO, Madison and her daddy totally rocked the cashbox with that game, for a 4 year old, she's got it down!

Daddy and the little girl who has him wrapped!

Sam focusing

A Day Trip....

4th of July kinda sucked this year, since we are in such horrible drought, we had no fireworks :( Instead the Saturday after we took a day trip to the coast and met up with my family! Lots of fun was had by all, and best part it was Sam's first trip to the coast, we had him for 2 weeks!

Since we are on the Dave Ramsey budget, we had to do a weekends worth of fun in a day, because we weren't able to stay the night, but we sure did have tons of fun!!!

We started off by taking a trip to the Texas State Aquarium!

Grandon and Sam in the front entrance

Then you get as many of the kids to pose on a big giant turtle for you, as shown by Madison

and by Grandon

Then you go watch a dolphin show

and take a family picture during the dolphin show

Then go see them from underneath

have a photo op with Aunt Jess and Madison

and another one with Grandon

Then you go to the beach start to build a sand castle with your cousin

Then bury your other cousin in the sand

Take a snap shot of your brother when he's not looking

and finally you take a picture of your daddy and your baby boy!!!