{iPhone Rewind} :: May

He keeps getting so big! He's not going to fit in my lap much longer...

How I found Eli, doing a little reading :)

It's not always peaceful or calm...but it's a family routine that I have come to cherish.

These beautiful flowers were in full bloom on the side of our house!

These pretty white ones too. They make me smile and think of sweet Becky.

Women's Spring Fellowship Brunch to celebrate all God has done this semester. So thankful for these beautiful women!

They eventually learn to smile normally, right? ;)

On a hike with Daddy at E.C. Lawrence Park!

Watching his little mind work through a problem and figure things out is such a joy

I wonder how long they will find this "fun"? ;)

Mother's Day 2023...just so thankful to be their Mama!

After-bath snuggles

Living that soccer mom life :)

Watching the strawberry muffins bake!

I'd like to pause time, just for a little while...

My girl

Working on our reading

He comes up with the most fun outfits. And always with that Pooh Bear...

Working so hard to write his numbers #thattongue

Pooh Bear even helps with chores

Our garage has become a bike repository...

Daddy found some rip sticks and has been enjoying time on wheels with the kids :)

Health Check-In :: MRI Results

After my appointment with the neurologist, she wanted to have a repeat MRI done, since I have a history of a tumor on my pituitary gland. I also had some lab work done to check my prolactin, B-12, and magnesium levels.

Thankfully, my B-12 and magnesium levels were normal. But my prolactin levels were slightly elevated again, so I was curious to see what the MRI showed. The good news is that there was no indication of a tumor in/on my pituitary gland. And "the overall appearance of the brain is normal." That's always good to hear :)

Since my prolactin levels are elevated, I will probably need to go see an endocrinologist to see if there's something else I need to address. It could also just be a result of medication I take, changes in hormones, a result of stress from being sick for so long, etc. So for now, it will be something we monitor.

The really interesting thing is that she could see a few tiny white dots scattered in the white matter of the brain. They are nonspecific {and benign}, and most commonly seen in individuals with a history of migraine headaches. Again, I didn't need more proof of the migraines I have experienced, but I thought it was so interesting that there is actual physical proof on my brain.

I have been on the maintenance medicine for a little over a month now. I have seen a slight improvement, mostly in the severity of my migraines. I still have had quite a few headache days, but most of them have been managed with Tylenol. I do also think that has been helped by the rescue med. If I can take it in time, then it usually knocks the migraine out, which turns a once 2 to 3 day migraine into a 1/2 day one...a huge difference! I am going to give it a couple more weeks and then check in with the neurologist, as we may have some tweaking to do to help bring the overall headache days down. But I have reflected more than once on how grateful I am that I was able to get in to see her in April, and did not have to wait until September, like originally planned. 

I'm not claiming victory over migraines yet, but I am definitely headed in a better direction!

Last Day of School!

We wrapped up school, and we now officially have 2 first graders and a {new} kindergartener!

Eli did so well this year! He was ready to rock kindergarten when we started, and he definitely did all year. He jumped right into math and reading, and he really loved science.

Maddie was a little skeptical of school, but she ended up doing so well! She also jumped right into math and reading, but she really loved music and art.

Aiden was not as interested in school this year, and he pretty much stayed that way all year haha. Every day, he would ask if we had to do school, and whenever I said "yes," he would let out a really big sigh and say "do we have to??" He technically didn't have to do school, but he hung in there with Eli and Maddie, learning all of kindergarten math! I gave him a pass on reading, and we'll start this summer, but overall he did really well. He was the MOST excited to be done :)

I am so thankful for such a good year. I wasn't sure how things would go; I took a big leap deciding to homeschool, mostly because it was something I never thought I would do. But it turns out, the kids did really well, and we had a great year. There is still a lot to learn, and I in no way have it all figured out. But I appreciate the freedom we have to match our school schedule to our life, and I love tailoring their education to each of their individual needs. The Lord was incredibly gracious to us, and we are looking forward to continuing our homeschooling journey next year!

Springtime Fun with Grandma and Papa

Grandma and Papa came to visit, and we got to do some fun springtime activities with them!

We made a stop at one of our favorites: Frying Pan Farm Park. We love seeing the animals {especially the babies!}, riding the tractors, and making the loop around the farm. While we did have some rain during the week, we still had plenty of beautiful weather for outdoor activities.

Jumping the gun on their race against Grandma haha

Lots of baby piglets!

Of course, we had to enjoy a walk around our neighborhood with a stop at the playground. We even enjoyed a few games of Pooh Sticks. Every time we walk the trails around our house, I am just so thankful that we get to live here, and the kids get to grow up with such beautiful scenery.

Baby geese!

We made a trip to the National Zoo, which is always a crowd favorite. I realized I didn't get a single photo and had to borrow a few from my parents! But rest assured, it was a good day :)

We got to introduce Grandma and Papa to our yearly strawberry-picking tradition! We headed out for our 3rd visit to Wegmeyer Farms, this time to their home farm in Hamilton {we usually go to Oatlands location}. But the experience was just as fun and the strawberries were just as delicious!

While they were here, we were able to do a combined birthday and Mother's Day celebration with my mom. We enjoyed lots of pasta at Maggiano's and picked up dessert from the Cheesecake Factory, which just happened to be next door ;)

As usual, we also got to spend lots of time at home, reading, building with LEGOs and marble towers, playing games, and coloring. The kids even convinced Grandma to race them in the front yard haha.

Playing "nap time"

We had such a good week, and we are so thankful for the time we get to spend with Grandma and Papa. The next time we see them, they will be picking us up at the airport in Dallas! :)