learning and growing: December 2007

Well, I haven't blogged in over a week. It has been crazy around here. I have had family in town since Tuesday and it has been wonderful. I have enjoyed my five brothers , my sister-in-laws, and my two little nieces. K has loved having so many people around! I have to say, I haven't taken any pictures and I am so disappointed cause we have done so much. We all bundled up and went sledding one day. K LOVED it....especially when he went down the hill with his uncles. We built a humongous snowman in my parents back yard. Everyone helped...it is pretty hilarious seeing 7 grown men, 4 grown women and 3 little kids out in a small back yard building an 8 foot snowman...and I have no pictures to show for it. Oh well, my bros took some...if they send them to me then I will try to post a few.
We actually already opened all our presents cause one of my brothers had to leave today. K got soo many train things. He was so excited! It has been crazy but so great to be with family.
Well, till next time. I hope you all have a blessed holiday with your friends and families!!!

I don't know if any of the people that read this blog have children with allergies, and I understand there is a fair amount of anxiety in raising young children in general...in fact, one person told me that the first 10 years of your child's life you worry about their physical health and the second 10 years of your child's life you worry about their emotional/spiritual health....I can understand that statement!
Anxiety over allergies is exasperated during the holidays...before I get to that let me start at the beginning. When K was a few days old we noticed he was struggling with the formula he was on so we switched to soy formula. After a few days of that his whole face broke out and he started pooping lime green. We thought "hey, maybe he is allergic to this" and we switched his formula again...and his face cleared up and his poop was of normal color! After that he started having eczema....and of course our pediatrician told us that along with eczema often comes allergies and asthma...well, we are 3 for 3. God's hand of protection has been all over K though. When he was about 1 I was making PB Balls and I touched his hands...he broke out in hives immediately...again I thought "hmmm, he may be allergic to peanuts!". Then, right before his 15 month check up I gave him a little bit of an egg...he got realy sick and threw up..."hmmm, allergic". So I didn't have him get his MMR shot at 15 months because it is made with egg.
We are, however, trusting the Lord that K will outgrow these things, as that can happen and does happen.
In the last few months we have had him tested and sure enough he is allergic to eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, beef, sunflower oil, sesame seeds, dogs and several spring trees! Needless to say we have totally changed our diet as everything that you buy processed runs the risk of having an allergen in it! This has been good for M and I...we needed a dietary make-over! Although, it is difficult cause I always have to pack his food, think about what he is eating and pray there are no adverse effects.
I get anxious around the holidays because there are allergens everywhere (mostly peanuts and nuts)...not in our home...we don't allow most of the things he is allergic to in our house. We figure it is the ONE totally safe place. I know he will eventually get to an age of understanding his body and will not just grab food without asking if it is ok to eat...but, until then I often live in a state of paranoia!
I also think about down the road to Kindergarten...I always thought I'd send him to our local Christian school, but what a nervous wreck I will be worrying about the food other kids bring to school...and the birthday parties...he can't eat most cake because there are eggs in it! Will I have to make him his own cupcake to bring on the days birthdays are being celebrated...will I have to make him eat by himself so that he doesn't touch or smell a peanut? Should I home school him because of his allergies? I know, I know I am getting paranoid...but these are the things I think about. A lot of people don't get the seriousness of allergies....and I understand, cause I never did! But I have been to the ER once with a serious allergic reaction and it is scary!
I have to say though...in all of my anxious thoughts I KNOW that the Lord is using this in my life cause I need to TRUST HIM so much more. He is K's ULTIMATE protector and a part of me has to let go...I also know that I need to put things into perspective...so many children have it so much worse...the Lord is teaching me to be thankful that there are ways to combat allergies and asthma. God is so faithful to bring things in our lives that shape and mold us into who he wants us to be! Thank you Lord!
A verse I cling to these days is a very familiar one....but I am gonna write it anyways!
Philippians 4:6-7
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."
PS...You may be wondering what brought this all on...K broke out in hives tonight. He is fine, it just brought up my silly fears and anxiety!