The Melatonin miracle ..

My 5 year old has been having horrible, unexplained leg pain for over a year. I am talking up in the middle of the night, screaming, writhing, kind of pain.
The leg cramps came and went with out warning and we could never pinpoint anything that could be triggering them. I took him to the doctor several times over the course of this year trying to find something to make his agony stop, but nothing we tried worked. He had xrays, a cat scan and lots of blood work but nothing came up with an answer.
Then shortly after Christmas he got the stomach bug and for weeks after he complained of stomach pains, which cause the same reaction, he would wake screaming that his tummy hurt and nothing seemed to calm him.
We went back to the doctor and she could not find anything wrong, but she did tell us that she believed his pain was a manifestation of night terrors. She said she has seen this before in kid his age. The pain is real to them, the are in pain but it is not medically related. She wanted us to try melatonin to see if he fell deeper into sleep the pain would go away. I was skeptical but tried it that very night.
For the first time in months he didn't wake screaming, he slept through the night. I was amazed and thankful. He has been taking it ever since and the only time he has ever had another issue is the one night we forgot go give it to him.
It has been so wonderful. He has no pain and is sleeping well. I just wish we had tried it sooner.

Krews's puppy party

My baby turned TWO yesterday!! I cannot believe he is 2 already!! I was seriously so sad about it last night, but hey what can you do? He has always loved puppies so I knew we would have a puppy theme and with a little help from Pinterest, I came up with lots of cute ideas. I made his invitation above as well as everything else pictured except the cake. I am NOT a cake person, but lucky for me my best friend is:)

Here is the birthday boy with the doghouse my daughter and her friend made him, it was so cute.

We had a puppy adoption center where everyone adopted a dog and dog a house and then they took their puppies to the pet store to get a collar, a blanket, a ball, a water bowel and a food bowl with food. We also had a vet station outside, with band aids and a toy medical kit.

He was so excited to be sung to and blow our his candles, he just laughed and laughed! So precious.




My daughter and two of her friends made puppy ear headbands and painted their faces like puppies. He loved it.


I think all the kids had a great time, including the birthday boy whos favorite present was a drum set given to him by some friends of mine who obviously hate us:) :) LOL. Actually with five boys our house can't possible get any louder! And he is a pretty cute drummer, right?

Our big family

I am linking up this week with Kelly's Korner SUYL, Mom's of big families. I have enjoyed reading the stories of other bog families out there and so I thought I would share mine.

I had my first child and only daughter when I was 17 and in a very destructive relationship. With the help of my parents, I kept raised my daughter and finished school. I truly believe she saved me from the horrible path I was walking and allowed me to see my mistakes and make a better life for she and I.

I married my husband in 2001 and he adopted our daughter. He said at the time he wanted two children and I said I wanted 3.

Our first son was born in 2004 and I began my life as a stay at home mom. I became pregnant again unexpectedly when he was 14 months old but miscarried. After that we decided to try for another baby. A few months later I became pregnant with baby boy number 2 who was born in 2006.

We went back and forth about if we were done having children or not but while still nursing baby #3 I got pregnant and had baby boy 4 in 2008. We were sure we were done but took no permanent measures since I was breast-feeding, on birth control and had not yet had a period. That is when God decided to bless us with number 5. In 2010, after a job loss, a move and in the midsts of financial uncertainty I gave birth to our 5th son.

We were positive our family was complete with his birth. But again God decided to surprise us. This time with a 17 year old boy from our church, who had been through a lot in life and needed a stable home. So after lots of prayer, he became ours in 2011.

We never set out to have a "large" family. We just kind of decided to let God lead us in all areas. I would never say that people who have a "quiver-full" are wrong nor would I say that families who choose to have just one child are wrong.

I think each couple knows what it right for them. Honestly after baby 2, I thought I would never say, I didn't want anymore, I could not imagine not wanting another baby. But after baby number 5, I knew in my heart I was done. I knew I could not handle anymore, we could not handle anymore.

I have heard lots of people say I don't know how you do it, or I couldn't do what you do. I say to them, I do it just like any other mother, one day at a time. Is it hard to have a lot of children? Yes, but it is also hard having one child.

Big families have challenges and rewards just like any other family. I love having a large family and I hope my children can look back fondly on their childhood.

I would love to hear your stories, and comments and connect with other big families!

Happy Birthday Baby Boy

Living in pain

I am frustrated.. really,REALLY frustrated. I have been in pain for the better part of two years, have had two surgeries and still no one can tell me exactly what is causing the pain. I thought after being diagnosed with endometrosis that a hysterectomy would for sure be the answer. But it turns out I have actually had more problems since my surgery in July than I did before. I have been to several doctors and done a lot of research and I as of today still have no answers.
It is horrible to hear a doctor say that they don't know how to help you, horrible to be in pain day after day and not know why.
I know I am not the only one, I have read hundreds of stories of women being overlooked, their pain downplayed and having no answers for years.
I feel like I am letting my family down and I am starting to feel like this will never end. I just want an answer.

You would never guess..

By looking at this face that this boy can be so incredibly ornery that I want to pull my hair out..But it is true, of my six kids he is the most trying. But he can also be the sweetest, snuggliest thing ever. He is smart as a whip, scared of almost everything, obsessed with cooking and chocolate milk and loves Old Yeller.
Lately he is into singing, Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash or You are so Beautiful from the Little Rascal's movie are his favorites. He usually makes his way into bed with us about 1 am and snuggles as close to me as he can get, I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy this cuddle time.
He usually objects to having his pictures taken but this weekend when I was taking pictures of Krews for his birthday invitations he decided he wanted his picture taken too and I am so glad he did!
I am pretty sure God gave him that curly hair, those giant blue eyes and that melt your heart smile to make up for the times he makes me crazy, one look at him and I forget he was naughty moments before:)

Worrying about worrying: What it's like to grow up with OCD

If you have ever wondered what it is like to have OCD, have OCD or suspect someone you love has it, the below article is for you. Having suffered from this condition my whole life I can identify. I can't wait to read this book. OCD is often misunderstood and is usually takes a back seat to other, more common mental illnesses. I have heard more times than I can count "Just don't worry", it is hard to explain to someone who doesn't suffer from this disease just how impossible that is. To a person with OCD worrying even about completely absurd things is uncontrollable and the fear and anxiety associated with these fears is very real and often cause physical ailments as well. I hope more people will step forward and tell their stories, especially about childhood onset. Many children suffer in silence, or are simply unable or too ashamed to explain what they are feeling. I hope more parents and physicians can begin to recognize the signs of OCD in children and help these children get the help they need.

Worrying about worrying: What it's like to grow up with OCD