Help

Jaime has been having skin reactions. I first noticed it one morning after feeding her some pineapple from a can. I think it was the first time she's ever had pineapple. I was worried and took her into the doctor, also having him check on her eczema. After looking her over he told me that she's got really sensitive skin and that she's likely to react to many things (with eczema and skin reactions reciprocally flaring each other up) and to keep an eye out for what she's reacting to and keep it from her. I thought it was the acid from the pineapple, so I was careful to keep acidic things away from her. But today, she had the reactions below from either home-canned peaches (I don't think this is likely, as she's eaten these peaches for quite some time and I've never noticed anything) or commercially-canned corn. To add to the confusion...later on in the day she had an orange without a hitch. So it's not acid. What?! Now I'm thinking it's something having to do with commercially canned products. Maybe some kind of preservative they use in canning?

It should be noted that these are solely skin reactions. She does not get a swollen tongue or have trouble breathing.

I've never dealt with this and nobody in my family has these problems. I'm wondering if any of you have experience with this and can help me out.

Blessings

Count your many blessings name them one by two, three, four, five, six, seven. That is the number of tornadoes that struck within 10-15 miles of my former home yesterday. Aaahhhhhh! Today I am grateful to have moved away from Illinois. What are you grateful for? Ooohhhh, Joe is coming!!!!!!!! I am definitely grateful for that one too.

My first manatee

Can you see it?



- Posted from my iPhone

Sabbath thoughts

Admittedly, I am not at church right now. Jaime and I haven't been feeling well, and while we did attend sacrament meeting today, we didn't feel comfortable sharing our germs with those in nursery. Had you heard that Justin and I are now in nursery? Yep, we are. We were called the primary board and were given the choice of being the teachers of the 6-7 year olds or being in nursery. We chose nursery hands down, for Jaime's sake. She doesn't quite understand social interaction like the other kids in there, but she'll get there.

Anyway, I wanted to take this opportunity to share a thought I've been mulling over lately regarding motherhood. My insight came about as I found myself wishing I had a greater capacity to serve other people. I wish I had the time and lack of obligations that would allow me to drop everything and help someone who needs it. At the time, I also didn't have a car to use. As a mother, with a husband that is gone at work everyday all day (and all night 2 nights a week), that is impossible. But, I got to thinking, what I do everyday isn't just the boring and frustrating duties of a mother, it is service. What more do we do as mothers than to clothe the naked, feed the hungry and minister to those that are sick and afflicted (Jacob 2:19)? How many times as mothers do we bless those that yell at us (in Jaime's case, quite loudly) and do good unto those that despitefully use us and persecute us (3 Nephi 12:44)?

So, my thought is that motherhood can be hard. It is hard to take care of screaming kids that only want to fight you when you are trying to help. They refuse to eat, make it difficult for you to change them, and sometimes deliberately make messes for you to clean up. But, I can't think of a better description of service than the job description of a mother. So, motherhood, bring it on!

Sand Castles on Siesta Key

- Posted from my iPhone

Michelle

Oh, and here are a few on Michelle's behalf.

All pictures taken at Justin's party taken by Marquie.

Life

Justin started his new job. I think he likes it. We're excited for the business management work experience, health benefits, salary, and international ties. We are now thinking of moving to Lindon. (I knew you were waiting for me to say China. Maybe someday.)

My dad is staying with us right now. He has a lot of back problems and I'm helping to take care of him. He actually takes care of Jaime much more than I take care of him. He enjoys getting to spend time with her. His and my mom's divorce is now final. It seems a strange end to a 34 year long marriage.

Jaime is sick. I am too, but it's much easier to take care of myself than it is to take care of someone else. Unlike me, Jaime is explosively sick. I've never cleaned up so many disgusting things in my motherhood career. Yay for looking at the future, with multiple children getting sick all at one time.

Justin's birthday was two days ago. He had a party on Saturday and his birthday was spent at his first day on the job. Awesome birthday present? I think so. God does a good job.