What is this???

Gavin has broken out in a red splotchy rash all week. I've called it hives because I don't know what else to call it. Plus, when I give him Benadryl, the spots would be gone within 30 minutes. So, I think it's allergy related. We thought we had narrowed in down to pet dander, but tonight he broke out into patches of it again - and we haven't been around ANY animals all day. And again, it was late...7:00ish when it happened. Here are some pictures from earlier in the week. They're not as close up and clear as I wanted them to be. My camera would NOT cooperate. (Figures, the one time I really needed it to focus in, it decided to be ornary.)

The red splothes down his face and ear were red.

You can't see the white bumps in this one.

This was a patch that came up on his wrist. If you look closely, you can see the white bumps in the middle of the red.

The white bumps are the size of a pimple, some just a hair larger. It reminds me of a miniature blister. He's been getting them in different places...wrist, legs, ankle, face, knee. I'm at a loss. I just can't figure out what's triggering this rash. Jason and I have gone crazy this week trying to come up with ideas. No new foods. No nuts. Took him off strawberry milk. No animals (today). Maybe laundry detergent, but then it would affect him way before 4:00-5:00ish in the afternoon. Checked his clothes and bed. Checked his shoes and socks. No fresh fruit, other than bananas and apples. What else am I not thinking of?

Maybe you can help?

Family Randomness

We have been so busy around here...life has been crazy and random the last few weeks.

1. Jason's work schedule is crazy right now. He's working the afternoon shift. Needless to say, I haven't seen him all week, or all last week. By the time I get home from work, he's gone. And when he comes home from work, we're in bed asleep. I don't like being a single mom and single woman at home. I miss talking about our day during dinner. And I miss knowing that he's in the house or in the bed with me at night. (I'm scared of the dark.)
2. I'm in the middle of one of the best Bible studies. Of course, I've only done 4 in my life - this being one of them, so I can't speak as though I've done a lot of them. But seriously, this study has been so revealing of things in my life that take my attention off Christ. It's about modern day gods. Each week, the author writes about something that I never realized consumed my mind so much. If you ever are looking for a good study, whether it's by yourself or in a group, I highly recommend No Other Gods, by Kelly Minter. She has a book to read, and a workbook. We're doing the workbook one. It's an easy read, with easy words to understand (I need that), and the scriptures and stories she uses are very relevant and easy to apply to our lives.
3. Our bathtub faucet has been leaking for months. No matter how tight you turn the knob, it would still continue a small stream of water. Jason has been working on it all week, and finally had to break down and call a plumber to come fix it today. So, we have new pipes and new faucets in our tub...costing us $350. Thank goodness for tax return money.
4. Gavin has been breaking out in hives this week, and we can't figure out what's causing it. It only happens in the late afternoon when we get home....around 4:00-5:00ish. At first, I thought he had gotten into an ant hill or something in the yard because we had been playing outside. But he's done it several days in a row. He loves strawberry milk and drinks it constantly, so we took him off that, thinking it was the strawberry or red food coloring. Still came back. We thought maybe it is the detergent I washed his clothes in (I used mom's detergent last week), but if that were it, then it would break him out in the morning when he put his clothes on. I wear the same perfume that I've always worn...nothing new or different. He hasn't eaten anything new out of the ordinary that he hasn't eaten before. We do not have animals. I have checked inside his clothes to check for bugs or spiders. Nothing. We have thought of everything we can think of...and nothing seems to fit. Other than keeping his drugged on Benadryl, I don't have a clue what to do.
5. I have a major case of Spring Break fever! The warm weather this past weekend spoiled me and I have soooo missed it today and yesterday. I hate being cold with a passion and being stuck inside. I crave warm sunshine. I truly believe in people having seasonal depression. I don't think I have depression, but I surely feel gloomy and crabby in the wintertime and I feel like such a better person in the springtime. Plus, I'm counting down the days till our school break - some other teachers and I are going on a cruise to the Bahamas that week. I've never been on a cruise before so I'm super psyched about it. I told Jason this could be my Valentine's Day present, my birthday present, Easter, 4th of July, .... and all other holidays this year.

Of course there are more things going on in my mind and life, and in our family, but I'll spare you.

Gatlinburg, TN

On Presidents Day weekend every year, my family takes a trip to Gatlinburg to go snow tubing. Last year it was so warm that I had to take off my toboggan, scarf, and gloves; and I probably could have taken off my coat as well while we were tubing. This year was different. The temperature was actually normal, plus we got to see snow.

Friday night from our hotel room balcony

Saturday morning

Gavin was prepared with his pajamas and rainboots on

Jacob took snowboarding lessons

Jessie took skiing lessons

Mom was a stylish cheerleader for everyone

Jason and I went snow tubing

We took Gavin's bed rail with us. He was trying to climb over it like a fence and got stuck. This picture doesn't even do it justice - it was hilarious.

The drive to Gatlinburg took forever - the detour and the traffic were horrible. But the mountain views and scenery up I-26 into Tennessee were absolutely amazing...I have never been thru there before because we've always been on I-40. As frustrated as I was to be in the car for longer than I would have liked, I really did enjoy seeing a different side of the mountains.

Captain Underpants

This is what happens when I ask Jason to get Gavin ready for bed.

Captain Underpants wanna-be.

New Recipes

I tried a few new recipes this week. They turned out really well. They were super easy and quick, so I wanted to share them with you.

Chicken Tortilla Chowder

*from Taste of Home* 2 cans cream of potato soup 2 cans cream of chicken soup 2 cups milk 1 can chicken broth 1 can mexicorn, drained 1 package ready-to-serve chicken breast strips, chopped (I used Oscar Myer Deli Fresh Southwestern chicken strips) 1 small can chopped green chilis 3 flour tortillas, sliced 2 in. x 1/2 in. strips cheese Heat soups, milk, and broth in large pot, stirring frequently. Add corn, chicken, and chilis; bring to a boil. Stir in tortilla strips. Simmer 5 minutes. Stir in cheese.

BBQ Beef Biscuit Cups

*from Kraft Foods* 1 lb. lean beef Small green bell pepper, chopped Small red bell pepper, chopped (I used onion instead) 1/3 cup Bbq sauce (I eyeballed it and added a little more) 1 can of refrigerated biscuits (about 10 biscuits) Mexican style cheese Brown the meat in a medium pot with peppers (and onions). Stir in bbq sauce. In a muffin pan (12 cup pan), press 1 biscuit into the bottom and press it up against the sides of each cup. Fill biscuit cups with the meat mixture, and press the mixture down with the back of a spoon. Bake 10-12 minutes, or until biscuits are lightlybrowned. Top with cheese and bake 3-4 more minutes until cheese is melted. I served my beef biscuits with mashed potatoes, Steam Fresh corn (which I have fallen in LOVE with), and sauteed fresh green beans and zuccini with garlic.

Delicious!