HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANNIE! My Great Grandmother, Emma Boisse, turned 95 this past Saturday! We celebrated with a party. Close to 40 people were there. Mostly family, a few cherished friends. One day my children will realize how special their relationship with their Great Great Grandmother is. Two of our kids are named for her and her husband: Emma and Everson POLO (Polo was her husband. He died in the 80s).

Tornado Fatigue... I've learned the tradeoff in living here versus NY...tornadoes! In NY we didn't look to the skies every thunderstorm and wonder if a funnel cloud would appear. Would the tornado sirens go off? The kids and I are doing a unit study on tornadoes this week and are learning quite a bit. A friend of mine who lives in Orlando once told me that they were suffering from "Hurricane Fatigue", boarding up the windows, cleaning out the laundry room so there was room for the whole family to fit, and waiting... We seem to have the same thing here. The weather over the last week or so has kept us glued to the tv, and hustling in the hallway for tornado sirens once. The kids are a bit freaked out by the whole thing (hence the unit study), wondering if the tornado would whisk away all of their precious things from their bedrooms. Then there is the HAIL! We've seen (and heard) quarter-sized hail. Friends 20 minutes away have had golf ball and BASEBALL-SIZED HAIL! That's serious car and roof and plant damage. My flowers and vines have all been beaten from last week's hail. I said to Doug one night, "Upstate NY snowstorms aren't stressful like this." His response, "They are if you have to go to work..." A nice break in the weather today...yesterday it was 101! Today is only to be in the 80s.

ALLERGY SHOTS for Erik started last week. He went twice last week and will again go twice weekly for about another month. The first shot went well, the second hurt a bit more and left a bruise. By the weekend, Erik was reconsidering this whole shot thing. When he said he didn't mind shots if they were going to help him out grow his allergies... He thought that he'd be able to drink milk after these shots... After a long talk about what these shots are really for (his long-term ability to B-R-E-A-T-H-E), his first reaction was, "Maybe we can get a cat, then!" He went prepared for the shot yesterday...with a very realistic scorpion tatoo on his shot arm. It was hidden under his shirt, to scare the "shot nurse" when she lifted his sleeve for the shot. He was pretty impressed with himself. His 'boy-ness' was really shining at that moment ;-)

This is Grandma and Poppy with the kids outside our new Visitor's Center, just down the road from my mom's house on the beautiful Concho River (do I sound like a tour guide?)
The kids couldn't wait for the pool to be completely filled with water! The temp that day was in the 90s and the Brach girls wanted to swim outside in April!
Life has been very very busy these past 3 weeks. I've received several emails from folks up North wondering if we're doing alright. We're fine, simply in the throes of life and dialup internet access...But here's what's been happening (aside from the regular school, coop, ballet, tball, baseball and AWANA). On Sunday the 2nd, Doug's mom and stepfather showed up on our doorstep... Doug and I knew they were coming, but the kids were completely dumbfounded by their appearance. We had 4 great days with them before they went back to NY. Then 12 days later, my friend Melanie Brach and her 3 girls came for 3 1/2 days. They had traveled from NY to Kansas City and decided to make the trek down to San Angelo to see us. With 3 more girls in the house (8 1/2, 5 and 2), Erik got to spend a day at his friend, Joel's house. His "play with boys tank" got filled with Joel and his 3 brothers. We had so much fun showing our NY friends and family around our new hometown. And the weather was great...I even have roses blooming! Book your flight and come on down!

Baseball Opening Day! We had a great day at the ballfield. Erik had 2 games and Ellie played 1. Erik plays in the Farm League. His team is the Tigers (the Dee-troit Tigers). Ellie plays for the A's. Ellie is quite amusing to watch, as are most kids who play tball. The ball is hit, and the entire team runs to get the ball. But she's having fun..even though she was hot and tired before her game even started. And she thinks she looks soo cute in her baseball outfit. Erik calls it a uniform LOL. Erik is enjoying the challenges of a new division which includes the use of a pitching machine. There is a pitching machine on the pitchers mound and the balls come at a consistent (and fast) speed. His first time at bat, he hit a ball over 2nd base and hit in 2 runs. He was very pleased! We have 8 more weeks of this...practices and games and more practices.

It's been a rather uneventful week. Thankfully. Erik has had some "wheat treats" this week: wheat pasta mixed with rice pasta, chicken nuggets. He also has itchy skin...so now we are having no wheat treats this week and mom is making donuts, muffins and pudding. I've also ordered 4 boxes of cookies and 12 bags of pretzels he loves (for $1.89/bag instead of buying it at a store here for $3.49). The UPS man will be VERY popular this week ;-) A family in our Sunday School class just received a 'severe food allergy' diagnosis for their 3 1/2 year old son. Many of the same allergies, but a few differences. Erik and I baked little Samuel banana muffins this afternoon. It was very important to Erik to help Samuel and his family. I'm so glad he has a big heart, and could identify with Samuel...of course I identify with mom, Judy. I remember feeling so alone when Erik was first diagnosed with all these crazy allergies 7 years ago. So glad we get to help another family. Well I need to go...Everson is spitting on Ellie ;-)

It's been a long week... Erik has struggled with his new diet...especially missing wheat in his pasta and pizza. And chicken nuggets. And saltines. And ice cream cones. And tortillas. We've made some headway though in seeing some of his symptoms getting better. I pointed that out to Erik today and he agreed that it's better to feel better than to have wheat food...now it's mom's job to make it taste better. We've gone from him crying at meals last weekend to asking for another piece of pizza this evening!

I found a cookbook online that our library 'happened' to have called Cooking Free. It's written primarily for folks with Celiac Disease, AND for those with additional sensitivities to milk and eggs! Just published last year! Where was this book when we started this journey7 years ago?!?!? She's done all of the kitchen mad scientist stuff that I never knew how to do. Mix these funky flours with these ingredients and, voila! And the pizza crust tonight was tasty (Doug even said so!) Tomorrow is pancakes. I actually feel like I can do this for Erik...and cook from scratch, instead of buying the stuff.

The challenge now, however, is actually getting the stuff I need here in San Angelo! Ah the joys of living off the beaten path and having to order things from the health food store on Friday and waiting until Monday or Tuesday to get it...if their distributor even carries the product, that is. We've had one store bend over backwards to get some of our staples. It's been a blessing. They've tried to order some other things, but their dist. doesn't carry the item. This weekend, I'm actually going to order stuff online myself and have the UPS man bring it do our door! So there's been progress...due largely to the discovery of this cookbook! I told Doug that I had to buy the book if we're going to stay wheat-free for Erik (which we are assuming will happen).

Sam and Angie and kids are leaving Albany tomorrow... I know I shouldn't be upset about it, since WE left Albany 7 1/2 months ago. But now, when we go back to NY to visit...they won't be there! They'll be in Raleigh, NC! Sam is going to college for a business degree, and they are getting a fresh start in warmer North Carolina. I'm thrilled for their new chapter, having recently begun one myself, just sad for us. I'm realizing it will be much harder to see them, with Sam working and in school, and us working and living in TX. I'm thankful for email and telephones, though. You can check out their blog for the full story behind their leaving...follow the link. I will say this about the huge difference in the cost of living of the Albany area and San Angelo...Sam and Angies house was within the city of Albany and they sold it for almost 2 1/2 times the cost of our house here! Mindblowing!

Allergy news... We visited the allergist this morning to learn the results of Erik's blood tests a few weeks ago. I left with questions answered, and a heavy heart. I'll start at the beginning. Dr. Charlesworth showed me the numbers (which is very helpful for me). A 'normal' non-allergenic 7 year old has IgE levels under 90. Erik's stand at 464.1. The IgE determines the allergens in a person's system, what you are allergic to. Then those IgE's are placed in 'Classes' from 0 to 6. Class 0 meaning no allergy to a substance, and Class 6 being the strongest. Dr. Charlesworth told me "We don't often see Class 6 allergies." On the environmental things, Erik scored in the Class 2-3 range for Cedar, Oak, Ragweed (2 kinds!), and Cocklebur (a southern fall weed). He suggested we consider beginning allergy shots for these things. We go back in 4 weeks with our decision. Now on to animals...I now understand why Erik had such a hard time at the rodeo...He has a Class 4 allergy to both Horses AND Cows!!! Cats, dogs, sheep and goats are also 3-4. Makes for an interesting life with rodeo and all kinds of horse competitions, not to mention sheep and goat ranches throughout the region. The foods all stayed the same...guess what milk was...an OFF THE CHART 6!!!! He's never had a patient with that high score. And now peanuts are on the screen. He's never had a peanut...now he can't at all. The dr. strongly urged me to get a medicalert bracelet for peanut and milk... But here's the heavy heart part...we are going wheat free for a month. His numbers suggested what Doug and I had been suspecting (and I've been in denial about). We've seen some symptoms in Erik that have made us wonder. Now we're going to try it. So this afternoon while Emma is at ballet, we're off to the Natural Food store to stock up on wheat-free baking stuff, etc. I'm really mad about it, but Erik seems willing to go with it to see if it will help him feel better. The heart wrenching thing for me is that in the past few weeks, Erik has been complaining about his allergies. Wondering why God allowed it and praying for God to take away his allergies. I'm feeling like this is going to be some kind of faith journey for all of us. I'll keep you posted.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMMA!
It's hard to believe that our little girl is 9 today. Doug is very very wistful these days at the thought. Last night he told her that she was halfway to being an adult...then his eyes got teary...

A great homeschooling moment this morning....

I had to write this down so I could use it as proof in the future with my kiddos... I emerged from bed this morning around 7:30 as my Everson-clock was calling my name. When I walked into the living room, I found Emma sitting in the chair reading her latest library book. On the couch right next to her, was Erik, READING his latest library book (a early reader mystery that Emma picked out for him). I had 2 kids voluntarily reading at 7:30 in the morning!

Erik was determined to finish the book. He went to bed reading it with a book light and was reading in bed in the morning before he realized that Emma was up.

I taught them to read! They love to read! It was a BIG rewarding moment for this homeschooling mom of 4! Erik has really just started to read proficiently and is enjoying reading. Just had to share it.

RODEO REPORT
I'll start by saying that I have no pictures of the rodeo. I took my camera, took some pictures, but they were all to dark. I am still trying to figure out how to use this digital camera of mine...

We had a good time, though it was all dampened by Erik's reaction to the allergens in the air. He took a large dose of benadryl before we left for the Coliseum, and had his inhaler on hand. Erik was also armed with a blue dust mask to wear. When we arrived, a local utility company was giving away orange bandannas at the front gate. Naturally, all 4 of my children wanted one. The girls decided to put them in their hair. Erik wanted his tied as well, "like a pirate". So there we sat...5 rows up from the bottom with, my great uncle and aunt and the kids. Erik wearing an orange bandanna on his head and a dust mask covering his nose and mouth. I said to Doug, "How long do you think it will take for someone from make-a-wish to come and talk to us?" Erik really looked funny to us, but I'm sure some folks were wondering.

After about half an hour, Erik started coughing. Within 45 minutes from walking in the door, he was begging to leave. So Doug and I took turns taking Erik for fresh air. Made me mad. Here we are in West Texas. At the 6th largest rodeo in the country. And my kid can't take the air. His lungs are still recovering from it!

We saw an allergist 2 weeks ago and he ordered bloodwork on Erik. Even tested for "San Angelo Environmental Allergens". We go back in 2 weeks for the results.

I think Everson had the best time though. He got to see LOTS of neigh neighs. And bulls. And cows. And even sheep! There is an event called Mutton Busting...little kids (Erik and Ellie's age) suit up and ride sheep like they are bulls. It's hysterical! Of course, none of my kids are willing to try it! Everson liked the rodeo so much that he was upset this afternoon...Emma received an invitation to go to the rodeo with some homeschool friends, so we dropped her off at the rodeo. Everson heard rodeo and got excited. When we pulled back into our driveway, he started crying HARD saying, "Rodeo! More neigh neighs!" Sure to be our little cowboy.

Well I've been staying up too many nights watching the Olympics and am determined to get to bed before midnight!

The windchill is 11 degrees here today! There's some freezing rain and we are staying INSIDE. The kids are kind of loopy. Yesterday, Ellie said, "We have to stay inside ALL day?!" They've grown so accustomed to going outside everyday with a sweatshirt at most...Erik doesn't even have a heavy winter coat!

Ev and Ellie have colds with coughs. Poor Ellie, she still gets that horrible deep chest cough with every cold. But she's a trooper.

It's RODEO time here in San Angelo. For 2 weeks, the 6th largest Rodeo in the US is happening here. We're taking the kids Sunday afternoon. Actually, my Uncle Polo and Aunt Ann are taking US. They have box seats right near where the bulls and calves are released (not at the same time LOL). It should be a lot of fun for us all. We're just hoping that Erik's asthma holds off long enough for him to actually enjoy being there. We went to a calf roping competition in the fall and he lasted about 25 minutes before the eyes started to water and the coughs started. But we're going better prepared this time: Erik will be wearing a bandanna around his face "like a robber". And we'll be armed with his inhaler. I'm really hopeful that he can enjoy it. I'll be sure to take my camera and post some pictures.

Our house came with 2 empty lots...so we have a really really big yard. The yard needs some work. We're not quite sure what to do with it yet, as there is little rain here. I want grass just in front of the house. We might just keep the rest of it at dirt for a while. The yard (with all the dirt) makes for a great baseball field, a place for the kids to run laps during Weekly-Gym-Class-With-Daddy...and a go cart track (we have THREE battery-operated jeeps!).

Here's a picture of the kids, taken on Valentine's Day. They had to take a break on the porch steps after shoveling ALL THAT SNOW that fell over the weekend...tee hee. We miss many things about our lives in NY...shoveling snow is DEFINATELY not one of them! And yes, they are BAREFOOT. It is 72 here today.

I LOVE NY
Growing up in NY, one grows accustomed to seeing the logo "I(big red heart)NY". You don't even seem to notice it after a point. But living in Texas, that logo has a deeper meaning. One of Emma's ballet teachers came to class one day sporting her ILOVENY t shirt. The other night I ran into a friend at the grocery store, and she was wearing one of the famous shirts. She was surprised to learn that I didn't own anything with that well known logo...funny, it just didn't seem important when I lived in NY. Its now the first thing on my list to buy when we come back to NY...

Here's our 4 beauties! Emma (almost 9), Erik (7), Ellie (5 1/2), Everson 2

Here's a picture of Everson (aka Football) after a fun time in the dirt.

I just had to write this down...
We've been studying Vikings in school. Today we read about a Viking funeral. So Emma had the idea to pretend that they were Vikings and wanted to draw a picture from a bird's viewpoint, of their Viking grave and their prized possessions. Note this: wealthy and powerful vikings were buried WITH THEIR BOATS and most prized possessions much like the pharoahs...
Emma had so many things she wanted to take, that she couldn't make pictures, so she just wrote the items (ballet shoes, AWANA workbook, paper and pencils, books, her pillow...very practical). Ellie wanted her dress up outfit (she was buried in it), her mermaid that she sleeps with, a blankie and some books. Erik wanted to have his best friend, Joel buried with him. And some clothes. Tells you what he thinks of Joel...and the rest of us...

Thought I'd take a few minutes to give a kiddo update...

Emma is turning 9 in about 5 or 6 weeks...I can hardly believe it! It was this time last year that Emma began her mission of helping homeless children in Albany. We had a fun time reminiscing about her Tea Party last year and all of the goodies she helped raise for the Womens and Childrens Shelter at the Rescue Mission. Just the other day she asked me for a bag and told me that she had a lot of things that she wanted to give away and could I find some needy children to give them to... She has a friend whose family takes regular trips to Mexico (just a few hours drive) to help a small church. I think we'll save the bag of toys for their next trip. Emma is taking 2 ballet classes each week. One with the San Angelo Civic Ballet (who staged The Nutcracker) and the other class is for homeschooled girls and is taught by a 15 year old homeschooler. It's great fun for Emma to be with other girls her age who love the Lord AND ballet. She's reading everything in sight and continues to be our drama queen.

Erik had his 3rd basketball game this morning. They are 2 and 1. He's enjoying running up and down the court, is pretty good at defense and is learning the mechanics of the sport. He played flag football this fall and is registered for little league beginning 4/1. He's working on his reading in school and yesterday worked through the first chapter of a Magic Tree House book, Viking Ships at Sunrise to complement our current study of Vikings. He has a best buddy, Joel. They share a love of drawing and its so fun to see them inseparable at our coop, trading drawings that they made for eachother during the week.

Ellie, now that she's 5 is enjoying the benefits of being 5: having her own library card, taking ballet, and participating in AWANA. She attacks all 3 with her usual intensity. She's not overly interested in her own school work of reading, writing and math, but enjoys geography and history with Emma and Erik. She can sing you the Africa countries song...there's I think 55 different countries she has memorized. She can tell you all about the reign of Charlemagne and why Viking longships have flat bottoms....So I guess she's getting an education ;-)

Everson continues to bring much laughter. He refers to himself as "Football". He tried out "Soccer Ball" for a few days, but has stuck with "Football". Its really amusing. Erik is "Guy", Emma is either "Emmie" or "Balleena", and Ellie is simply Ellie. He can hike the ball, shoot a "foop", and kick a soc-cer-ball. He loves neigh neighs, neigh neigh boots, neigh neigh belts and neigh neigh hats. And ducks too. Digging in the dirt in a longsleeved shirt in January is pretty fun too.