Look Who's Riding Without Training Wheels!

And in our family we believe in teaching by example...

And Aiddie cruises pretty durn fast on this little wiggle car...

And Sierra rips it nicely on her rip stick...

Where is Mialee, you ask? She found a friend and took off to his house to play!

Hazard of Having a Baby in the House

Nikell Anna

Today I am busily making brownies for a friends wedding. I am supposed to supply three jelly-roll pans full. So far, two pans have failed and the third I tried a completely different recipe--which I am dissatisfied with. So, at this point in time, I'll be lucky if I don't end up making 10 pans...That'll teach me to be confident in offering my support in the cooking arena. I'll look on the bright side someday and say something like, "Failure keeps me humble." Right now, though, I am ready to spit nails...

While I am taking a break from my brownie failing, I thought I would update on Nikelly-Belly.

Nikell is little, all around, except her belly. Many, many, months ago I noticed that her little belly began to protrude. She also started complaining of tummy aches. She stopped eating well too. At her 4 year check up, the Dr. reported her gaining 1 pound in the last year... Then she started throwing up about once a week or every two weeks. She's tired and lethargic (they're different, right?). She has dark circles under her eyes.

I could bore you with all the details of the last LONG while, but let's just say it's been a rollercoaster. I tried several things on my own and she would seem to get better and then she would throw up...again. Her little belly blows up like a balloon. She tells me how she doesn't feel well. I tried taking her to the doctor several times too. Then we tried several other things. She would seem to get better and then she would throw up. Her belly is till big. Her tummy still hurts. I tried a foot zoner. We have given her a blessing. I am running out of ideas.

My heart is breaking for this little girl. She is trying so hard to enjoy life. She is so patient as we drag her from place to place and try food after food and medicine after medicine. She tries not to be too needy in a family of 5 kids and is very accepting when I can't just sit down and hold her. But I want my baby back. The little girl who is vibrant and funny and charming. I want to see her enjoy running and riding her bike instead of gritting her teeth and working at it because it's supposed to be fun. I want to hear her ask me to go outside and play. I want to see her jump and roll and not just sit and contemplate.

We are up to the "specialists" now in the field of doctors. We tested her for a few things and found that she has an IGA deficiency--which just makes it harder to test her for other things and adds a whole new possibility to her problems. Friday we get to go in for an endoscopy. So what does this mean? It means that every night when I lay my tired head down for the night, I pray. I pray really hard that this will be the doctor that will be inspired to finally figure out the problem so that we can begin to find the solution. I pray that she will gain a little weight. I pray that her poor little belly won't pop out soo much tomorrow. I pray that she will smile because she feels good and that she will run because she wants too and that we won't have to go lay down when we're done. I pray that she won't throw up or tell me that her belly hurts....

Another day...another test...and we'll take it as it comes. We are happy and we feel blessed and know that the Lord will guide us and give us the answers in His own time. But I'm sure your petitions wouldn't hurt...

Grocery List

I am busy putting my grocery list together for the week and thought I would share a few recipes that I am excited about...

My dear childhood friend, Cindy, introduced me to Baked Oatmeal and I am seriously hooked! I have been picking fresh raspberries and adding blueberries and eating it for breakfast daily! I have to beat Jason to it though because it goes fast!

Find the recipe HERE

Another friend, from highschool, Tara, has been doing freezer meals and she found a few fun ones to try. Like Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos! Holy cow I am excited to try these!

Find the recipe HERE

Tara also found a recipe for some spinach smoothies. I know, gag me. BUT while visiting my sweet sister in Oregon, she made some of these for us and they were quite tasty. I figure you can't lose drinking spinach!

Find the recipe HERE

Enjoy!

A while ago I was reiterating a conversation to Jason. In this specific conversation the speaker said a naughty word. So as I was repeating the dialogue instead of repeating the swear word I said, "Blankety blank blank."

Now you have to understand that I did this very deliberately. I saw no need to repeat the word or to have anyone think the word. But Jason, being the over-zealous analyticalist that he is, immediately questioned what kind of word could be substituted for "blankety blank blank." I tried reasoning with him, telling him that it didn't matter, that the point was that there was a swear word, that I didn't see a reason for him to repeat the swear word in his mind...But, alas, he was stuck on the fact that I used a three-worded substitute for a one-worded swear word. It was irrational. I told him that my reasoning was completely rational--you still get the idea that it's a swear word and yet you don't think the specific word and muddy your mind.

So, of course, we have to hash over our argument at the next McKellar family function. And from this hashing Travis and Crystal claim that when someone says "The S word" instead of a swear word, they do not actually think the swear word. I told them they are both full of it. If you reiterated to me any common, well-known, substitute for a swear word, knowing that the substitute was really the swear word, I would automatically think the swear word. And I will argue that everyone else will too. Travis and Crystal say that they only think what was actually said and make no substitute in their mind.

So, let me get this straight. If I said to you, "Someone called me the "B" word today." You would just think, in your mind, "the "B" word." You wouldn't actually think the real word? They said yes, they don't think the swear word.

I still say they are full of crap. It's almost impossible to NOT think the given word. But, I have been wrong...this one time. So I thought I would ask my adoring readers. What do you think?

Cabin Hopping

Island Park

Nelson Family Reunion. Jason's Mom was in charge and it was soo much fun!

The four younger older girls all lined up in bed

Jason took the two older girls to Yellowstone. They saw lots of buffalo, Old Faithful, and more!

Mialee even made a new friend! Her and Dillan (sp?) were inseparable! Unfortunately, I was little grumpy on this trip. We have been dealing with the some health issues with Nikell and I was a little overwhelmed. But it was still a blast!

Bear Lake
We love visiting Bear Lake over the 24th of July, traditionally, with Zack and Heidi.

Jason always manages to build a little pool for the kids. There wasn't much beach this year and the sand was burning hot! It was a good thing we had shade!

Aren't Travis and Crystal cute with little Mackson?

Lava Hot Springs
Last stop was Lava for the Beddes Not-Really-A-Reunion.

My Sister in Law's grandparents have the most awesome cabin in Lava. This is the second time we have been. They are so incredibly nice and let us use the 4-wheelers, boats, swing, etc. Nikell fell in love with the 4-wheelers. She was on one every chance she got!

Jason and Kiella hanging at the pond.

Nikell going for the ride on the paddle boats.

The swing is one of the best parts of this cabin. I wish you could see the height that you start from...it's a long drop. And the kids love it! Adult supervision is required and Tim spent is fair share of time out there!

Three weeks and three cabins. That's a lot of laundry! Ha ha. We have thoroughly enjoyed our travels and spending time with friends and families. Now it's time to focus on a baby blessing and going back to school!