Sunday Adventure

We were all set to go to church. We were gathering all the last minute things, scriptures, bottle for Jackson, and a snack for Madelynne. And out of the peaceful Sunday air comes a blood curdling scream from my sweet little man. I run into him and there is my precious baby holding onto to the unplugged curling iron that was still incredibly hot because I had just finished curling Madelynne's hair. I thought it was up out of his reach, but he must of grabbed the cord and pulled it down. He is so little he didn't realize to drop the curling and so he was holding onto it the whole time it took me to get him. I mean it was maybe 15 seconds, tops, but that is a long time to have a curling iron burning into your hand. I felt terrible and sick to my stomach. We immediately ran cold water on it, gave him some Motrin, and then put some ice on it. The blisters started forming quickly and I knew it was bad. I kept asking Matt if he thought we should take him to the emergency room or urgent care. Matt wasn't sure what they could do for it and I thought that at least they could give him some stronger pain medication! Jackson was screaming and crying in pain and I just wanted to help my baby! After an agonizing (for Jackson and Mommy)hour and 15 minutes Matt decided that maybe we should take him to the ER. So, we all loaded up in the car and instead of going to church we spent the time in the ER. They cleaned and bandaged his hand and gave him some Tylenol with codeine for pain. They told us because the burn is on the palm of his hand, he will probably have to go to the Metro Health Burn Unit for more extensive care. They are concerned about scar tissue and Jackson being able to have full function of his left hand. Did I mention that I felt/feel terrible? We have spent the past two weeks at the doctor's office almost everyday having his hand debrided. Jackson has been such a brave little man. We are praying for no scar tissue, so he will not have to have surgery or other extensive treatment.

Here is Jackson on Sunday night with his bandaged hand.

This is the burn about a week after it happened. It was completely awful when they popped the blisters and debrided the burn. As a mother it is terrible to see your child suffer.


Please pray for our little man and his recovery.

The Pumpkin Patch

Yesterday we headed to our favorite farm to pick out pumpkins from the pumpkin patch.

The fall fairies have been busy here in Ohio painting all the trees the perfect shades of orange, yellow, and red. (Anyone who has seen the Tinkerbell movie knows what I am talking about).

Madelynne and Jackson both had a blast running around looking for the perfect pumpkin. Correction: Madelynne was looking for the perfect pumpkin and Jackson loved patting each pumpkin as he went past.


Madelynne thought she might like this pumpkin until she couldn't lift it and then decided it was not the one for her.

Daddy and his little "pumpkins".

Originally Madelynne wanted to carry her pumpkin until she figured out it was too heavy and Daddy needed to carry it because he has big muscles.

Mommy picked this sweet little "pumpkin" to take home.

Madelynne and Jackson proudly displaying the pumpkins they picked. Well, Madelynne picked Jackson's for him.

Our pumpkins weighing in for purchase.

The pumpkin prices.

Something about Kettle Korn just tastes like fall. We had some of this on our way out.

Even though the weather was chilly and it rained off and on we had a fun family outing to the pumpkin patch.

Blessing #6 & 7

My children: Madelynne and Jackson

Oh! I am so blessed to have the opportunity to be a mother. These precious children entrusted to me by my loving Heavenly Father are the world to me. They are my life and they make it wonderful. I feel such a great responsibility to raise and rear them in the gospel of Jesus Christ and with all the love and advantages I can possibly give them. I love the quote below by President Gordon B. Hinckley. He expresses all the things I want to say, but have a hard time finding the words.

“Never forget that these little ones are the sons and daughters of God and that yours is a custodial relationship to them, that He was a parent before you were parents and that He has not relinquished His parental rights or interest in these His little ones. … Rear your children in love, in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Take care of your little ones. Welcome them into your homes, and nurture and love them with all of your hearts. They may do, in the years that come, some things you would not want them to do, but be patient, be patient. You have not failed as long as you have tried” (“Excerpts from Recent Addresses of President Gordon B. Hinckley,” Ensign, July 1997, 73).

Happy Birthday Matt!

Happy 31st Birthday Matt! We celebrated with a steak dinner at home, presents, and birthday treat goodness.

Whipping up some delicious birthday goodness. Matt didn't want a cake this year, so we made him some butterscotch brownies and regular brownies. Yum!

Madelynne was asking all day if it was time for Daddy to blow his candles out. She finally got tired of waiting and decided to put the candles on herself. Little independent soul.

Jackson plotting the best way to get a handful of those brownies.

Make a wish Daddy! Look at Jackson's little tongue. Do you think he wants a brownie?

Good to the last crumb. Don't bother wiping my face I am saving it for a snack later.

Anyone who knows Madelynne knows she loves chocolate!

Father's Night at Preschool

Madelynne was simply over the moon about going to a party at her preschool. It was Father's/Special Person's Night. It was an ice cream/dessert social complete with crafts and coloring!

We made apple cupcakes to take to the party.

Because one cupcake is never enough when you are three...

Madelynne creating her ice cream cone craft.

Playing puppets with Daddy.

Madelynne really enjoyed having her whole family come to her school for a special party. Mommy was busy most of the time behind the scenes as she was in charge of all the food! We all had a great time even if some of us (OK, Mommy) was exhausted by the time we got home.

Blissfully Domestic

In the last few weeks I have felt quite blissfully domestic as I have made strawberry freezer jam and canned dilly beans. What is a dilly bean you say? It is a most delicious creation I was introduced to when I married Matt. It is bascically a pickled bean with a little bit of a kick. Yum!

The recipe.

Main ingredients.

Jars filled with the goodness!

The part that made me feel the most domestic? I used homegrown beans straight from our family garden. You can call me a domestic diva if you want...

Operation Private Greenway: Success!

Well, if you are reading this post it is official we have finally gone private. Welcome back. Come back and visit often! We love to hear from our friends and family so, don't be shy and leave us comments!