Phone Photo Dump...

I finally downloaded the pictures off of my cell phone again!  Here are a few I just had to share...

Ava Grace used her purple leggings as a scarf after watching me put my scarf on! 

Ava Grace likes to "help" with EVERYTHING!

Ava Grace with her cousin Silas and uncle John.  Check out her "pony tail!"

Lily and Ava Grace snuggling on the couch!  They sure do love each other!

My sweet little girl scout selling cookies outside of Food Lion.

Ava Grace watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.  She thinks her wagon makes a pretty cool seat.

Ava Grace helping herself to her sippy cup of milk.

Lily reading to Ava Grace while we wait for our Pizza!  I am so blessed to have such sweet girls in my life!!

There's just somethin' about that baby in a diaper!

Ava Grace and her cousin Bentlee

Lily is DETERMINED to turn her Daddy into a UT fan.  She gathered all her Vols gear together and made him pose with it!  :-)  I think she's winning him over!

And to close, an enthusiastic goodbye wave!

Photos, Fun, and Food

Last Friday I had a really fun day!  Ava Grace and I took Chris to work, then we rand some errands.  When lunch time rolled around we took lunch to Chris and a couple of our friends that he works with and we all enjoyed lunch together.  From there, Ava Grace and I went to visit Mimi and Pap (Chris' parents).  She stayed with them and I went back to Murfreesboro for a loaded night!  I met Lauren and Megan at Starbucks for some much needed girl time.  Then, I headed to Hooter's for our end-of-season (yes, we are a little late) Fantasy Football Party!  Afterwards, we went to my brother-in-laws for a friendly game of poker! It was a fun filled day for sure!

(Grandmommy and Ava Grace reading)

While at Starbucks, Megan mentioned that she had tried one of the recipes I recently posted.  We got to talking about how hard it can be to get a good dinner on the table with our hectic schedules.  Megan reminded me that it is so much easier when you plan ahead and know what you are making each night.

 

(Dressed up for church and full of joy!)

I thought about our conversation later and upon reflection realized I am falling back into the dinner-by-the-seat-of-our-pants routine again!  I plan before I go to the store and have ingredients to make lots of things, but I haven't been planning out each night.  Very specific planning really takes the guess work out and helps dinner time go so much more smoothly!

(behold the cuteness)

So, with all of that said... I am back to my old ways of menu planning.  I have kind of missed it.  Oh!  And I love being able to click on the menu plan link on my blog when I am running out of ideas!  It's always nice to be able to go back and get menu plan ideas from the past weeks and months!

(Lily and good friend Allee on the back deck)

Menu Plan for this week:

Monday:

Roast

(Nothing like meat, carrots, and potatoes!  AG LOVED it!)

Tuesday:

BBQ Baked Chicken

Green Beans and Oven Roasted Potatoes

Wednesday:

Chicken Corn Chowder

Thursday:

Ravioli and Garlic Breadsticks

Friday:

Leftovers

Saturday:

Poppyseed Chicken, Green Beans, 

and buttered boiled potatoes 

Sunday:

Out to eat after church!

I have birthday gift cards burning a hole in my  pocket!

Speaking of church... Bentlee (my niece) decided to do Upward Basketball this year!  She is a serious select team softball player and in the past has done Upward cheerleading.  This year she really wanted to get in the game... and boy did she ever!

We made it down for her last game of the season.  She scored a smooth 26 points!  It was pretty awesome and I was one really proud aunt!

I will close with a picture of me winning at poker the other night! lol.  Yes... that is really my chip stack!  ;-)  We do tournament style Texas Hold 'Em  I won... there's something extra sweet about beating the guys.  Love it when that happens.  Chris stayed to play some more and won the rest.  It was a Hooper family sweep! lol  ;-)

Welcome to the family baby boy...

This past weekend, before we headed to Cincinnati, we went down to Milton to visit Chris' family!  Jessica, Chris' niece who was raised more like a sister to him, and her husband and new baby boy were in for a visit!

John Harris Horton was born about 4 weeks ago at just under 10 pounds!!  Chris and I laughed because Ava Grace was a year old and still only weighs about 8 pounds more than he does! :-)  He is a big, beautiful, healthy boy!

We thoroughly enjoyed a weekend of meeting and visiting with him!  There was a lot of snuggling and cuddling going on!  I am pretty sure he spent the entire weekend being held!  The only time his backside was on something other than someones lap was when he was being changed! 

I was very curious to see how Ava Grace would react to another baby... specifically to me holding another baby.  She was amazing!  I thought she would probably just not even notice him much.  Boy, was I wrong!  She was VERY interested in John Harris and she was VERY gentle!  

She would lay her head on his belly or leg to give him hugs and pet his arms and legs!  The only thing we had to watch out for was his face.  She wanted so badly to touch his face, but she is still learning to be gentle, so I wasn't comfortable with her touching his face yet.

This one got lots of snuggles and was held a lot too!  There is always a lap to sit in at Mimi and Pap's house! Lily loves sitting with her Pap!!

It was a great weekend with a newly expanded family!  Welcome to the world John Harris!  You have lots of people, big and small, that love you very much!

A warm welcome and chilly day in Cincinnati

 We are well overdue for an update on Ava Grace's port wine stain (PWS) and today seems like the perfect day to update since she had her second treatment yesterday!

(Toy bag waiting for Ava Grace when we arrived in Cincinnati)

We have really been round and round with the insurance company in the months between her last treatment and today.  Although they do not require pre-approval, they denied to pay for Ava Grace's first surgery.  Actually, they paid everyone except for our plastic surgeon.  We appealed and they continued to deny.  Basically their policy states that until she is having painful symptoms and negative side effects from her PWS, surgery is considered cosmetic.  So, until she is suffering from painful nodules, bleeding spots, and impaired vision (among other painful and life changing symptoms), Cigna won't help her.  There are many problems with this - the big one being that by the time a PWS patient has reached that point, laser removal is no longer nearly as effective!

(Pre-op appointment... 

blood pressure - check

heart rate - check

gold fish - double check!)

After the disturbing news and ensuing back and forth with Cigna, we were very discouraged and looking at having to save, beg, borrow, and fund raise to pay for her remaining treatments out of pocket.  That was until, a friend of ours approached Chris at work and suggested he contact the Shriner's hospital in Cincinnati.

(View of downtown Cincinnati from our hotel room)

I didn't know anything about the Shriners or what they do, but I placed that call.  I still am in awe of the conversation that followed.  It was a 3 minute phone call.  The gentleman on the other end of the line introduced himself.  He asked for Ava Grace's name and birthday and for my name and Chris' names and our birth dates.  He asked me to share with him why I was calling.  I stated that Ava Grace had a PWS and that insurance was not going to cover her treatment.  He then said that they have doctors that would love to help us and cover all of her treatment for free.  That was it.  No qualifications.  No forms or applications.  Just this:  You have a child with medical needs and we have a doctor that can help. done.

(leaving for surgery: 6:00 AM)

The Shriners have 22 hospitals across the country, specializing in different things.  We had to go to Cincinnati to their hospital there.  They are a burn center, but they also treat kids with PWS, cleft lip and palate, and other reconstructive/plastic surgery type needs. We went in January for our pre-op assessment and to meet our surgeon and schedule our first treatment with them.  We were told at that time that they will take care of all of Ava Grace's needs related to her PWS for free.  They will track her development and any follow-up treatment will be taken care of by them until she reaches age 21.  We were, again, in awe.  To add to the incredible services the Shriners are providing, we were told that accommodations are also taken care of and if we need transpiration, they will drive us there as well.

 (Morning of surgery - outside of our hospital room)

That brings us to this past weekend.  Chris stayed back to take care of Lily and Ava Grace, my dad, and I headed to Cincinnati on Sunday.  We went for a pre-op evaluation and they showed us around!  That place is nothing short of magical, with playrooms and libraries and family areas.  Each child gets a VERY large room for them and their family.  They had toys waiting for her to play with and keep.  It was great!  They checked her out and prepared us for how the next morning would go and gave us instructions for getting her ready in the morning.

I think the hardest part, by far, was not eating!  She couldn't have anything after midnight - and this girl really enjoys breakfast!  They had a room reserved for us at the Radison overlooking the river.  We tried to get a good night's rest and then headed back to the hospital bright and early Monday morning for surgery.

We had to be there at 6:30, but surgery wasn't until 8:30, so it was quite a task keeping her distracted from her hunger.  They had her little hospital gown and toys ready for her when we arrived.  She spent a lot of time playing and visiting with the nurses and her Papaw.  Every nurse on the floor spent time in our room or hanging around our door - Ava Grace was a HUGE hit and they all just went on and on about how cute she was and how they couldn't believe she was walking so well and so verbal at such a young age!  You know this Mama was proud!  

She finally got too hungry to care about toys and exploring, so the nurses took her for a walk and passed her around the nursing station and as one of them was holding her, she fell asleep!  It was great!  The doctor came to get us and she was already taking a nap, so we walked with her to the operating room doors, kissed her on her sweet sleeping face, and walked away.  (That's the hard part!)

Thankfully, the procedure doesn't take long and they only put her under with a mask for a short a time as possible.  Less than 20 minutes later we were being paged.  The recovery nurse called to tell us that she woke up immediately and was straight up mad and she needed her mama!  We met her back in our room and gave her some juice and yogurt! 

(playing before surgery)

(after surgery, eating yogurt)

We hung around for a little bit to make sure she was fully alert and was walking and jabbering normally.  She seemed back to herself and checked out great, so we were allowed to leave around 10:30.

Our nurses were wonderful!  Actually everyone there was wonderful - it was such a positive experience.  Ava Grace did so great!  Dr. Kitzmiller felt like he got good results and no over-lasering, so no blisters!

Everyone always asks if it hurts.  It doesn't hurt during the procedure because she is asleep and she gets a mega-dose of tylenol before to help with pain after.  For 24 hours, the lasered area feels like a mild sunburn. After that, no pain at all!

Here she is this morning!  Her usual happy self, rip-roaring and ready to go!

We will return to Cincinnati in June for her third treatment.  I am already looking forward to another great experience.  My new charity of choice - the Shriners and the incredible work they do to provide for the needs of children!  

Recipes

I have tried some great recipes lately that I haven't had a chance to share!  Sooo... here are some great dinners for you to try.  I have linked the pictures to where they came from so that you can go to the original posts and get the full recipes!

The first one I want to share is

Easy and Creamy White Chicken Enchiladas!

(Click the picture to be linked to the original author's blog where the recipe can be found.)

This recipe was as easy as the title claims and as good as it looks!  In fact, I put the enchiladas together (I added onion and pepper) and in the pan and then mixed up the white sauce and covered it and put both in the fridge separately.  When Chris got home from work, he pulled out the pan, poured on the sauce, topped with cheese and put in the cold oven and turned it on.  It heated through and warmed up to bubbly by the time I got home and we sat down to a warm, delicious dinner that took me only a few minutes to assemble and him only a few minutes to finish and bake!  It was a hit!!  I served it was Spanish rice and dinner was done!  :-)  

Another recent new recipe trial was a recipe for White Bean Chicken Chili

(Click picture for recipe and original post) 

This was another hit and perfect for a cold day!!  It was quick and easy to mix up and the only thing I changed in the recipe was the addition of some frozen corn... just because I like it and I wanted to beef up the soup a little!  :-)  I really enjoyed this and served it with tortilla chips and salsa!  Even better... there was enough left over to freeze and we have already pulled that back out and enjoyed it all over again with some cornbread!

The third and final recipe I will share today doesn't have a picture and I can't remember where I got the idea, but it's easy as one, two, three.  One: put 2 or 3 frozen chicken breasts in a crock pot and cover with chicken broth, salt, and pepper.  Two: cover and cook on low while you are at work for 8 hours or so, or on high while you are around the house for 4 or 5 hours.  Three: shred the chicken and toss with a little ranch and a little wing sauce, stick it on a bun, and eat!  :-)  Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches.  E-A-S-Y!  Served with tater tots (even easier!).  :-)

Enjoy!

Back to Blogging... and a birthday

I am back to blogging.  I didn't intend to take such a long break and there were several factors.  We have had some stomach bugs, respiratory issues, and colds... busy busy schedules...girl scout cookie sales... church visits... family stuff... my favorite camera lens on the blink...and then the I'm-so-behind-I-don't-know-where-to-start factor all holding me back!!  I have thought daily about blogging, but with my camera issue I kept putting it off... y'all know I don't like posting without pictures.  This morning, as always, I thought about blogging and decided today was as good as any to get back to it!  :-)  Especially today, actually, because there is a birthday to celebrate!  And so, that is where we will begin.  I might go back and catch up the last month or two...or I might not.  Today, I will blog about today.

Happy Birthday Chris Hooper!

(CMS 2005)

You are the perfect guy for me!  Once, just the science teacher down the hall, you became my best friend and you still are today.  When we first became friends, you introduced me to so many new friends, new hobbies, and lots of fun!  Today, you are still doing that and have made me a more well-rounded person!

(Titans Game)

 There is no one I would rather tailgate with!  Whether we are at the game, out, or at home - you make game day an event!  

(Atlanta Braves Game)

 One of my favorite things about you (and one of the things that brought us together) is your love of sports! Some of my favorite memories of us are from game days - whether they are days spent with you at a sporting event or a day spent watching you coach or play.

  (Stones River Golf Course)

We have spent countless hours on the golf course together!  We have enjoyed 7 seasons of fantasy football together!  We have watched everything from Hockey to Baseball from professional to little league!  Looking back, sports have played a pretty big role in our time together and we still enjoy them together today!

(Lily age 2)

You brought this little angel into my life and have been the most amazing Daddy to her!  My, how she has grown!  She is developing into such a kindhearted, well-mannered, well-rounded, beautiful young lady and a so much of that is thanks to you for being such an incredible father.

(Old Fort Park) 

You two are inseparable.  As much as you have shaped her, she has shaped you!  She has taught you how to have a daddy's patience and has grown your heart even bigger than it already was.  She got you good and ready for number two...

(Ava Grace - newborn)

...our other precious angel!  Watching you bond with Ava Grace and be a father to her has made me fall even more in love with you!

(Couching it with the girls)

Watching you love our girls is possibly the thing I find most attractive about you.  God knew just what he was doing when he gave you a house full of girls!  You play dress up and pretty pretty princess and tickle fight on a daily basis.  You love those girls (and me) with a heart so big, I can't even put it into words.  You are gentle and kind and firm all at the same time.  You shower all three of us with words of praise 

every. single. day.

(our wedding day)

You are a remarkable husband.  You work long, hard hours to provide for our family.  You pamper me and spoil me in as many ways as you can.  You support our family, not only financially, but with prayer and with words of encouragement and with the gift of time.  You are so very invested in us and devoted to us and it shows daily in your actions and your words.

(Ashville, NC)

So, on your birthday, here is to you!

You are something special.  You have made our family and our lives richer and more blessed.  You have given us so much and today we want to show you that our hearts are full for you!

I hope you know how blessed I feel every day to have you in my life and as the head of our family.  You are loved and appreciated so very much.  I hope this birthday is the best yet, and knowing that I get to spend all the rest of your birthdays with you makes me one very happy wife!

Love and Happy Birthday to you my dear!