Happy 2nd Birthday Tiny!

Happy Birthday Titus! This child makes our lives so very interesting. He says whatever he wants to and thinks he is four. He loves AsaJude as he calls them. He gets them mixed up all the time, but tries to do whatever they are doing. He also like to pretend bite them and runs around chomping while they run from him. They can get him to eat better than anybody. He smiles all the time, except when he is in one of his moods. Then, he will throw himself out wherever we may be, hide his eyes, and occasionally check to see if you are looking. He is our "tiny tornado." He has so rightfully earned that name. He gets into things the twins never touched. He loves his B and Sue Sue. He really loves Sue Sue's grits and eggs. He will eat bowl after bowl. He loves those big brothers, but he really enjoys while they are at school 1/2 day, three days a week. He gets to be with B by himself. He is a little bit spoiled rotten. He has a slight addiction to the paci. It mutes his loud self. We may never take it away. He can sing all the songs on my phone (the last word of each line). He loves cars, balls, and everything he is not supposed to play with. We love this little guy. Every night before bed, he runs around and gives kisses. He is our snuggler. He will crawl up on your and lay still, Asa and Jude NEVER do that. The child has no fear. He loves taking baths. He asks to brush his teeth. He is a blessing to our family! Happy Birthday Baby T!

I Feel Like a Pioneer

I don't even know who I am. Yesterday I shopped at the Health Food Store for the fourth month in a row. I rub my children in oils. I use coconut oil religiously. I sucked on a tree...I think when my throat hurt a few weeks ago. Slippery Elm. Heard of it? Yeah, I have some.

They told me to use fresh garlic and oregano whenever possible cooking. I found it freeze dried and use it all the time. I don't know what it does, but we may start smelling like it soon.

Today, I leapt further away from Walmart, Pharmacies, and the city. I bought brown fresh eggs and real butter, like rolled in paper with a sticker. Not country crock from a bucket.

I plan on going back for real cheese.

We have all been sick with various things since the week of Thanksgiving. Not a week has gone by that someone hasn't been to the doctor. We have had the flu, ear infections, virus, stomach flu, upper respiratory junk, croup, coughs, and more snot than anyone would like to hear about.  Everyone has had an antibiotic or two in some cases. All three kids have had steroids. I have used more Lysol and Clorox wipes then I can count. Nobody has truly gotten well, except me. I haven't had any or made a doctor visit since November. I escaped the hell and fury of the stomach flu. I didn't get my dad's pneumonia. I haven't had bronchitis. I didn't catch the upper respiratory crap. I didn't get microplasma. I didn't have snot. I haven't been eating benedryl.

I have used health food store stuff. Vitamins, minerals, aloe water....I don't know. I just swallow what they tell me to buy. Apparently, my gut flora needed to be aligned so I take probiotics. I took colloidal silver and vitamin A when I started the coughing. It ended in 48 hours. I also sucked the slippery elm things and had 2tbsp of aloe water twice a day. It all cost less than $50 and I have it for next time.  I diffuse eucalyptus when I am coughing or the kids. I rub oils on people to build immunity. We take vitamin C and Zinc chews while everyone is sick. All I know is everyone in this house has been on antibiotics in the last ten days, but me. I have been fine. 7 kids in my class have the stomach virus. I haven't gotten it (fingers crossed). 2 have confirmed influenza A, I don't. One has ring worm, I don't. Usually, I am the one passing the junk. David calls all of this Voodoo.

He is on day 5 of his antibiotic for microplasma that I typically test post for with a round of bronchitis about 3 times a year...not this year.

I may never go to a doctor for colds again. This stuff is amazing. It is a little tree-huggish for me, but whatever I am not sick. The boys have probiotics,vitamin A, and pan.....acid. I don't know how to pronounce. I don't even care. Everyone slept a solid 8 hours last night. We are about to kick this coughing.

The whole fresh egg thing. I am not a gluten, allergy, wheat, soy, steroid....freak. Dollar General was out of eggs and I had seen the place across the street on facebook. They had fresh ones. They were only $1.00 more. They are brown. I might have said, "This is my first time buying brown eggs and not the normal kind...do I use them like I normally do?" The lady laughed and asked if I used to live in the city. So, I am not Laura Ingalls Wilder yet, but I might be heading in that direction.

P.S. If I get sick and can't beat it with my herbs, minerals, and vitamins I will completely take back everything I just said.