The men in my life...

In honor of my son's birthday being this week, as well as, my husband and I celebrating our 10th anniversary, I thought I would share with you some pictures of my boys...

They weren't terribly excited to pose for me, but none-the-less, I bribed them a little (*wink*) and was able to snap a few good shots...

The hubs and I were kid free on Friday night thanks to my mom and dad, and we were able to go out for a nice dinner and spend a little "quality" time together.

My little Braden is now 5 years old! He is smack dab in the middle of two girls, and quite possibly the sweetest boy you will ever meet. I've been thinking and reflecting about him all week. You see, this angel of a boy changed the course of our family forever...

By the time Braden was 2 months old, he was throwing up constantly - at least half of what went in, came out! But the worst part was the horrible rash that quickly developed ALL over his body. He would literally scratch himself bloody, his skin was so inflamed and irritated. I was beside myself with what to do. I repeatedly took him to the pediatrician, who assured me it was "just eczema," and suggested that maybe we should put him on some medicine for acid reflux. All the while, he was getting worse, not better. It was excruciating to see him so uncomfortable, this baby of mine who was so mild mannered and good and sweet. Dear Lord, help me to figure out what is wrong with him, is all I could keep praying.

I couldn't just sit by and watch him suffer, so I launched a campaign, as my husband later put it. I was determined to find some answers. I poured through books and spent endless hours researching ways to eliminate every toxin, irritant, and "bad" substance from our homes and lives. Here is where I/we started "going green."

After prompting from a friend, I eventually insisted on a referral for my son to see an allergist. We figured out that Braden had a dairy allergy, the kind that requires carrying an epi pen and is life threatening. We finally had our answer. But the suffering of this poor child was not in vain. We are forever more a changed family. I firmly believe we live a better, healthier life thanks to his suffering all those months as a baby.

I have come to realize, and accept, over the years, that there are trying times in our lives...times that we look back on, and just don't really know why the good Lord sent us down that tough road. But my son's allergy is one of those trying times that I have complete clarity on God's greater plan for us...

We live a better life today because of Braden...because of God's beautiful love for us...

Happy 5th Birthday sweet Braden! And, thank you darling husband, for giving me your heart...

Tracey