Mara's recovery...

You would never know that she had surgery. She looks like she has had a c-section. The Tuesday after her surgery she had strep throat and they tested her iron level and it was extremely low. She is doing great now. I ended up with Bronchitis after that. Mark has been criss crossing the nation over the last few weeks... so it has been very interesting around here. Mara will be going back to pre-school after Thanksgiving and Light gymnastics. We will have an ultrasound some time in December to make sure that her kidney is functioning right. In January, we will have a scan to make sure that the reflux is gone. Then if it all comes back ok....NO MORE MEDS!!! WE will just have a yearly scan to make sure that everything is still functioning as it should.

Just to recap the boring week we had....

Oct 24...Jama turned 1
Oct 25...Jama had her birthday party and my parents came in from Arkansas
Oct 26... We attended Katie's B-day party after church
Oct 28...Mara had surgery
Oct 29...Mara came home at 10:20 p.m.
Oct 30...Jama one year check-up
Oct 31...Halloween...yeah candy...voting for Mark and I
Nov. 1...Jema had a meet in Tucker at 7:45 a.m.
Nov. 2...Mom and Dad left

What a boring week we had...thanks mom and dad for all the help running Jema back and forth to school and gymnastics and everything else you did.

Jema's Meet Saturday

Jema had a great meet on Saturday...Can you believe that we had to be in Tucker, GA (hour away) at 7:45 a.m. That was a little crazy afterHalloween. It was great having my parents her to help get everyone ready that early and out the door. She won a third on Bars, fourth on floor and vault, four for all-around and a fifth on beam...she had a tough day on the beam again. Two medals and three ribbons later and a first for team we were heading home to take a nap after or boring week.

Halloween Friday

We had a great time Trick or Treating in our neighborhood. Some friend of ours had a party that we stopped by but Mara was not up to much socializing. She rode in the wagon to get her candy. Jema was a beautiful Angel...haha it did not rub off. Mara was DeeDee Doodlebop, Jama was a pea pod, and Mark was Goofy again which is very fitting for him. Some of the neighbors dressed their dogs up as a skunk and a hot dog...so cute. It was nice this year b/c I got to go with them and my mom and dad stayed at home and passed out the candy. Yes...four BIG bags of candy to be exact. I love living in a big neighborhood again.

Jama's one year check up...

Jama is finally a big girl...she gained 3 pounds in 3 months. This makes her 19 pounds...we are so thankful. It looks like she is tracking just like Mara did...we know what the turn out will be. My poor mom had to stay in there while Jama got three shots...Mara had to go potty at the same time and she chose Jama instead of Mara to help. I think she might have changed her mind afterwards but Mara was not letting anyone else help her at this point or now for that fact. Way to go Jama!!!! We maybe able to turn around in the car seat soon.

Mara's Surgery Tuesday

Mara had her reconnection surgery today. She was a great trooper through it all. They were able to reconnect both ureters to her bladder just using a slit in the bladder which is what we had prayed for. Once they got in there they did find that she was starting to have another infection...so they put her on extra antibiotics. She has an incision basically from hip bone to hip bone above her pelvis. She was very insistent in the hospital that she did not want to take pain killers or eat. They were giving her Morphine thru her IV b/c we all knew that she was in pain but refused to take the oral meds. They let us come home a day early b/c she was not eating or wanting to take oral meds. Once we got home she ate and told me she was a big girl and did not want me to break her pills anymore she could swallow them....and wala she is now swallowing pills. We go back on the 10th of Nov for them to take out the stitches and schedule for next VCUG. We will have the VCUG to make sure that the reflux is gone...if it's gone to more Antibiotics daily and we are good for now. If it is not they will talk about her having to have the more extensive surgery and we will be staying on antibiotics. Okay on a lighter note...kids and twilight drugs that is hilarious...the things that they say and do will keep you laughing. She enjoyed riding around in the wagon thru the hospital...also they gave the kids at the hospital Halloween costumes. She was so ready to come home...can you blame her.

Katie Snyders Party on Sunday

Mara got to go to her friend Katie's Birthday Party at the Bounce House right before her surgery. We tried to squeeze in as much as we could this week.

Jama turned 1!!!

Jama turned 1 on Oct 24...it just seems like yesterday that she was born. Maybe because she has been slow growing. My this year has gone by so fast. We had her party on Saturday with my Mom and Dad, Mark's Mom, and the Baker's. Just a small party since Mara was having surgery this week. Lets just say she loved the Cake.

Mara's surgery...

We have scheduled Mara's surgery for October 28. We do not know what time it will be until the hospital calls us...they usually take the youngest patients first. It will be at Egleston on the campus on Emery. Again... the goal of Dr. Broecker is to just do a slit in her bladder...reattach both ureters...fix hernia. There should be minimal days in the hospital 2 to 3. I am very thankful that my parents will be here for atleast a week. I will keep the blog updated with any new info that we receive.

OMG!!! I filled up for less than $100.00!!!!

Ok...I know this is a weird post but...I filled up the SUBURBAN for $84.00. I immediately text Mark to let him know...I knew he would be as excited as I. It's hard to be excited about putting $84.00 in the gas tank...when we bought it was $50.00 for a fill up. However...it is much better than the $120.00 it was taking not to long ago. Right now it is the small things in life that make me jump for joy.

I've been Tagged!

by my best friend Cindy

Here are the rules...

1. Post the rules on your blog

2. Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself

3. Tage 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs

4. Let each person know that they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

1. I Rodeoed growing up...iv'e goat tyed, barrell raced, roped, rode calves (bulls), and pole bended. Growing up on the Thomas Farm I'ved help castrat bulls...so you guys better watch out. Yes...I have had mountain oysters. Fixed fencees, tagged cattle. Also, won the local fairs FAT CALF by raising and showing the best calf.

2. I grew up in Central Arkansas without central heat or air. We had a woodburning stove in the middle of the living room that we cut wood for to heat the house. We had an attic fan to cool the house.

3. I made commercials for Silver Dollar City when I was 7.

4. When I was in 11th grade...I was in an exchange program with other girl scouts/girls guides and spent the summer in London. We got to see the Queen...it was awesome.

5. The first car that I bought on my own was a pink Isuzu Amigo that I special ordered.I have drove MONSTER TRUCKS with BIG 44" tall tires and helped put lifts on them...use to race them in mud bogs. I use to love to go mudding in trucks and on 4 wheelers. My Dad taught me a lot about working on cars.

6. I was on a deer stand when I was a few months old with my mom. I have hunted deer, squirrel, rabbit and anything else that moved when I was growing up.

7. I'm a small town country girl. I lived the first 3 years of my life in Warren, AR...which was the tomato capital of the world back then. They still are a big producer of tomatoes...they have the pink tomato festival. There was no major interstates or highways to get there...lots of driving on levees. BUT...if you are a big football fan you know they produce some of the best football players. Go Lumber Jacks. Just a few facts...Warren's population now is about 6000, median income $23,000 and median house cost $56,000. Most of my family still live their some in even a smaller towns Wilmar population 559.Wow!

Who am I tagging? Ray, Yael, Sloan, I can't think of any more that haven't been tagged or that has a blog. Sorry!

Mara's test results!

Yesterday we took Mara to the hospital for two different test on her Urinary Tract. The VCUG she has had before which test for reflux. The second test was a radioactive test called DSMA to she how much scaring has been done to her kidneys. Mara did great throughout the day. For the DSMA test they used contrast with isotopes that given through an IV and had to been given for 1.5 hours before the test could be done. Mara fell asleep in her bed waiting for the contrast to run through. They sedated her at about 12:00 and finished the test around 1:00. It took her awhile to wake up and she did not like it. She had not eaten since 8:00 the night before and was starving.

Mara after her VCUG...Waiting to get the IV for the next test...She is such a trooper.

Mark got in his workout yesterday...walking the halls with Jama...Dad and Jama were super

Mara after her IV waiting for the contrast meds to go through her system...as you can see she still had her sense of humor sticking her tongue out at the camera...she did not cry once while get ting her IV in...She thought that it was great that she got to lay in bed and watch TV all day...now that's a treat!

We meet with the doctor after, received the test results, discussed option, and devised a plan.

Praise...her right kidney system is perfect...right size...no scaring...and the reflux that was stage 2 is gone. This is what this test showed. The reflux could come back but if it did it could be fixed with deflux.

Pray...Her left kidney system is another issue...this is where she has the dual collection system...it is almost twice the size it's suppose to be...it is now over a grade 4 reflux...there is three place that have been scared but the good thing it has only caused 5% damage...there is now a hernia where the ureter connects to the bladder.

Dr. Broecker gave us three options to think about...

Deflux...probably will not work for the degree of issues she has. It is a less evasive procedure but no guarantee to work and may still have to have surgery.

Surgery where they slit the top of her bladder and reattach the ureters and fix the hernia...which is what we are doing...it should only be about a two day hospital stay.

Surgery where they have to cut her bladder open and reattach ureter and fix hernia...4 to 6 day hospital stay with lots of serious complication that could arise. This would be our last option but is the backup plan if they get in and things are not what they thought thru the testing.

Please keep her in your prayers and thanks to all of you who have been diligently praying for her. Especially thanks to MOM IN TOUCH for your specific prayers.

More Gymnastics in our future...

Jema received an invitation to join the TOPS competitive team at our gym last night. She will now have another 2.5 hours of practice a week...yes that makes 12.5 hours a week or her. For those of you who want to know what TOPS is...Keep Reading...If you don't then STOP Reading.

TOPS (Talent Opportunity Program) is a talent search and educational program for female gymnast ages 7-11. It is to develop better strength and flexibility as well as begin to work on elite training skills. Once a month, her progress will be tested and in June and July she may be able to be evaluated on her physical abilities at state and/or regional level.

WARNING...ONLY READ IF YOU HAVE HAD IBUPROFEN...READING THE SKILLS HAS BEEN KNOWN TO CAUSE BODY, MUSCLE, AND OVER ALL ACHES AND PAINS...PROCEED AT YOU OWN RISK!

There now that that is said...Some of the skills she will have to do is...drum roll please...

Handstand...kick from the floor and hold the tight extension...no moving...head down...arms straight...legs straight...toes pointed...and feet together for 30 seconds.

20 Meter Sprint...on vault runway...ok we all get that.

Vertical jump...we all get that too.

Leg Lifts...you probably get this but I will explain...hang from a bar in the straight position...then bring you legs to a 90 degree angle (horizontal)...bring them to touch the bar over head then back down to horizontal...now...do this 20 times.

Cast Handstand...start in front support on bar then cast to a handstand(same handstand qualification as above) on the low bar...ok you have to do that 5 times with only 2 seconds between each cast attempt...no falling you have to go back down to a front support between each attempt.

Leg flexibility...two vault spring boards are place low end to low end...she does the side splits with her body directly over where the boards meet... go down as far as you can without touching the floor with your hands. Yes...her legs will be pointed up to the sky!!!

Bridge...Press to a bridge...feet together...head remain neutral... feet flat on floor and knees together and straight.

WARNING...ONLY READ ON IF YOUR NOT IN ANY PAIN YET!!!!!

Rope Climb...sounds easy huh...well...Start while setting in pike position (body in an L shape) straight legs...pointed toes...legs together...legs stay horizontal on one side of the rope...then if climbing a rope like that is not hard enough...climb it 6 feet in that position.

Press Handstand...start in straddle L position (hands in middle legs to each side) then press to a handstand keeping straight legs and arms...come back down to the straddle position...legs straight...arms straight...and do that 5 times.

All this makes me hurt even think about attempting one of this skills in a day nevertheless all in the same day at a meet.

Way to go Jema...We are proud of you.

Jema's Best Meet!!!!!

The team looked great in their Tie Dyed Shirts, Jeans, and Groovy Glasses...look the coaches got in on the action too. Metro Retro was a great success for Jema. She had her best meet ever and did great. She won a medal for her floor routine and bar routine. She missed a medal on vault by .05. On beam she had one fall on her dismount and did not complete her dismount on her second which was over 1.0 off. She could have had her highest beam score. The NMGC Team came in a VERY close second for all-around. Also, Mark was great at announcing...everybody loved him.

Floor 8.75

Vault 8.95

Bars 8.85

Beam 7.65

Overall 34.2

Her best all-around before that was 32.625. She is working so hard and doing great. I can not wait until the next meet.

Jama's Pony Tail

I was putting the girls hair up for Jema to go to the meet and Mara's to go to the Block Party and they wanted me to give Jama a ponty tail...well...I did it...and it stayed in all night...so cute.

Getting ready for Metro Retro today!

Groovy Girl...Shagadalic...We are going to have fun at the meet tonight. The teams are dressing up the most they can in retro for the meet tonight. Level 4 dyed shirts and had a blast. Mark is the announcer for the last two session tonight...I sure that we be hilarious...yes...say it again...hilarious...he is such a good MC. Mara is staying with friends tonight since it is so late that Jema competes and Mark will be busy at the meet. More pictures to come of the competition...Straight...Stick it...Flip it...Rock the House Jema.

Jama our Bitty Baby

Well...Jama is 11 months old and still wearing size 1 diapers and 3-6 month clothes. I know...crazy! We have the last test results back that we were waiting for and it shows that her pancreas enzymes are low...which may explain the mal absorption. We are repeating the test to make sure that the results are the same before we start any type of treatment... so we will be awaiting the new test results.

Mara's New Fire Flies Leo!!

Mara is on a non-competitive team at NMGC called Fire Flies that practices 2 hours a week. She will then move to Hot Shots ... next USA Level 2 competitive...that is if she still likes it as much...and she is good enough. I can not imagine having two girls competing and maybe three. Crazy. She loves the leo and had to wear it to the gym today to drop off Jema.

Last test results for Jama...

We got the stool sample test results back and they found nothing wrong or out of sorts with the stool samples...we are back to square one. I will meet with the Dr. to see what the next step will be and will keep you posted.

We have Gas!!!! Yes..the kind that you use in the car!!!

This morning Mark had to take Gregg to the airport...AND...ALL our stations (3) at our neighborhood had gas. He filled up his Camry and came back to get the SUBURBAN...yes a 30 gallon tank. The guy at the station said he has been going through about 4000 gallons in 1 1/2 hours. A tanker truck can only hold 4000 gallons...no wonder there is a shortage. They will be getting 3 trucks a week...it wouldn't help if people don't stop filling up every container that they own with gas...per the gas guy.

And Yes...we would normally be at church but now everyone is sick but me...I am sure that I am next. Didn't think our friends would be happy at church if we brought our sickness to them. My sunday school class would surely not be happy since they are 9 - 12 month olds...at least their moms would not be pleased with me.

What a Saturday!!! Gas Shortage Can't Stop Us!!!

We had a time Saturday...UT is not playing well this year...but we always find a way to have a great time at the games. Gregg, Andy, Mark and myself drove down to Auburn to see UT play...well we almost didn't make it...hunting for gas to get there. It was amazing as soon as we hit Alabama everybody had gas.....40 cents cheaper per gallon gas. The guys had their picture made with a celebrity...or at least in their world. Our tickets were the very last row in the stadium...but they were beside the eagle...we got to see him fly close up. Just a great time with friends. Thanks to Megan for watching the girls and taking them to steak and shake and the fair. They had a great time. However...apparently while I was gone Mark, Jema and Mara caught a stomach virus because they were all very sick by the end of the night and no one else...I have quarantined them to the bedroom.

Andy, Bruce Pearl (UT mens basketball coach), Mark, and Gregg...you would have thought we seen the President.

The eagle flying was Breathtaking.

This window thing is cool...up...down...up...down

Jama took her first flight when we went out the funeral. She did great the whole trip...she's such a trooper. Thanks to Mark for running the girls and Tammy helping with Jema. Jama got to she her great-papaw on the trip along with lots and lots and lots of other family.

Happy Birthday to Mommy!!!!!

I can not believe I am another year older... I had a great birthday. Seeing my parents, Level 4 team get together, Gregg coming in, and cake/flowers/balloons/MUSICAL CARD. You can not beat it...Mara and Mark picked out a great design for the cake and Jema picked out my favorite ice cream. What an awesome end to a hard week. Thanks to all my friends and family that called to wish me a Happy Birthday and to Level 4 singing to me.

Wow...this is fantastic...very sweet...where has it been my whole life.

Level 4 Tie Dyed Party

Jema's level 4 team had a tie dyed party tonight after practice...to make costums for the metro retro meet. They ate pizza, made tie dyed shirts, and had lots of fun. We have a great team. coaches, and team parents.

Please Pray for My Family...

My Cousin Dustin "Rooster" Ferguson who turned 19 on Sept 20 went to be with the Lord in Heaven on Monday afternoon. He was killed in a head on collision on the main hwy in Monticello, AR. Please pray for his parents Tina and Ray and his sister Becca along with his grandparents Uncle Tommy and Aunt Dianne. Jama and I flew to his funeral on Thursday and it was one of the most moving funerals I have been to in a long time...It was so evident that he was an awesome christian boy that touched many lives while he was on earth and is still touching many lives while he is in heaven. There was more than standing room only...added extra seat in the sanctuary, and three viewing room with the service simulcast on TV in those rooms. Several of his friends have come to know the lord because of him and even after his death. He will be missed by many on earth please let them open their hearts and believe in the almighty God to get them through. Please just keep them in your prayers.

JEMA WAS BAPTIZED SUNDAY NIGHT

For those of you who did not know...Jema asked Jesus into her heart...as she says... on March 9, 2008. She had been asking lots of question when we lived in MA...her first Sunday at FBCW her Sunday School teacher was praying and Jema told her that she had asked Jesus to live in her heart. Her teacher talked with her and went through a great book that they gave her at FBCW. After that, Mark and I also spoke with her about it several times and she definitely gets it. She had been asking when she would get Baptized...well...Sunday morning the announced that they were Baptizing that night and Jema said I want to get Baptized tonight. It was awesome to see you child be Saved and Baptized. Thanks to anyone who has touched Jema's life. You will notice in the first video that Jema is her normal self just talking away. Sorry...I could not figure out how edit the other videos off the camcorder b/c it is to long...so...I uploaded the pictures.

Apple Classic Meet and Florida vs Tennessee Sept 20

Today was a busy day at the Reasoner's Jema had a meet in Kennesaw...Tennessee was playing Florida...Mark, Mara and Gregg were headed to the game along with some other friends... Arkansas was playing Alabama. Gregg was staying for the weekend and he and Mark got to play golf on Friday. It is a shame that we have nothing to do.

This was the biggest meet that we have been to thus far. Jema competed against 14 girls in JR A. They had 5 age groups for level 4. The most we have competed against was about 9 JR A. She had a lot better bar and floor routine, her vault was solid, and the wind must have been blowing on the beam since she did not stay on. Jema did a great job with tight body, and straight arms and legs. This meet was one with two judges that judge the college competitions so they were VERY tough. This was her best meet yet on the bars, floor, and vault even though the scores may not reflect it. That's gymnastics

Bars 7.6
Floor 8.65
Vault 9.0
Beam 6.7 (this would have at least been 7.7 if she had not fallen twice)
Total 31.95

NMGC Tied for 2nd

It was a happy time before the game...not a happy ride home since UT got taken to school. Mara had fun with Daddy and the guys being the only girl at the tailgate. Jama went to the meet with Jema and me. Mara was all decked out thanks to hand me downs from big sis. She even had football ribbons in her hair and the power T and Go Vols tattoos on her checks.

Medical Updates on Jema Mara and Jama

JEMA
They are starting to take her off one of her meds, if she does good we will be taking her off one more. That will just leave her taking one last med daily. She has been on three meds daily for kidney/bladder issues since she was four. We are sooooo excited.

MARA
She will have her testing done October 3rd. However, the test to see what her kidney's are functioning at my not be done....apparently the hospital is out of the contrast they need to run the test and there is only one company who makes it and they are out. We will not know about that test being run until the Friday before.

JAMA
She is growing just not very fast. When we were at the GI Dr. he was watching how much she ate and how well she chewed solid food to only be 10 months...she even said MO (more) and JU (juice) for him. He was impressed at her developmental level and eating skills. She was very interactive with him and he loved it...they played for a little while. However...Dr. Patel was concerned how with much she ate and how little she is growing. If only I had that problem. He sent us down to have blood work last Friday and then we had to collect four stool samples and freeze them this week to start off with. They called this Friday to let us know that she doesn't have CF, Siliacs, thyroid problem, or any thing else that they were looking for that could cause her SLLLOOOOOWWWWW growth. They did find that her iron level was low but that was not a surprise to us because she does not take the extra iron vitamins that most babies take because iron causes constipation...something that she alrady takes meds for...well we are now giving her extra iron and extra meds for constipation. We are still waiting on the stool sample results...it could be a couple of weeks before we get them back. Once we get all the results back, we will meet with her Dr. again and discuss our next line of testing if necessary. We also discussed that it could just be malabsorption which is what Mara was diagnosed with for her FTT. She is now....drum roll please.....15.6 pounds. I hope that we can turn her car seat around by the time she is 2.

Saturday UT game Sunday Gymnastic Meet...WOW!!!

We were excited that we could go to UT's opening home game because Jema's competes on Sunday! Not that that was not busy enough Mark plays golf Sunday afternoon with work then we have a cookout to go to for his work. Boy am I glad Jema is out of school next week...

Jama's first football game...The girls made sure she knew what to do...Jama caught on quick.

Don't we look cute in our warm up leos...Jema and some of her Level 4 team mates.

Jema on beam... I am glad there is somewhere to crawl...

I am still smiling but not for long...

Jema's sister are such troopers...we are generally at a meet from start to finish about 6 hours. Jema scored her first 9...to be exact 9.05. She received a 5th on vault...and posted another qualifying score for state...she will be able to compete at State Competition in December.

Bars 7.9

Vault 9.05

Floor 8.175

Beam 7.5

Total 32.625

YES...NMGC Rocked the House Again...1st in Team!!!!

It's FOOTBALL time at the Reasoner's

Football season starts and the cheerleaders come out...we are so excited in football time in the south and we are HERE!!! Jama crawled around in her Arkansas out fit and was so cute. Yes...not that you care but it is a 0-3 month outfit and she is 10 months in this picture. If you can't find us we are either at the gym or at the game...or sometimes both.

Hey are you taking a picture of me....

Let me show you my favorite team...

Did you get that? Yes, I go up here by myself...now let me outside...

Thanks...cutting four teeth is hard work!

Jema 1st meet!!! 5th All-Around

NMGC rocked the house by taking 1st place in team!!!! Jema did great at her first meet ever!!! Jema was so nervous but held it together to get 5th in all around. We are proud of you!!! Sorry I do not have a lot of pictures to post but I have not figured out how to get it off the camcorder. I am going to try and explain briefly scoring...she competes in USAG Level 4...scoring is out of a possible 10...every gymnasts does the same routine...every meet will have different judges...the judges judge everyone competing that day on the specific apparatus they are assigned to...vault, floor, beam, bars. The gymnast compete in every event...they are competing against the same level and are then broke up by age and that depends on how many are there as to where the age cut off is...however Jema is always a JR A because she is one of the youngest. THE MOST IMPORTANT PART....scoring is very subject ...you can not compare scores from one meet to another meet...Jema could do better at one meet than another but get a lower score at the meet she did better. Also...you have to score two 32's for combined scores to qualify for state.

Bars 7.6

Vault 8.525

Floor 8.45

Beam 7.9

Total 32.525

She received her first combined 32 needed for state competition.

Jema is 7!!!!!

Jema celebrated her 7th birthday at the skating rink with 23 of her friends. She won the skate race for her age group and she was ecstatic. She had a great party. Mom and Dad surprised her with her first concert tickets...yes... concert tickets at 7...I was at least 15 when I went to my first concert. Mark got the privilege of going to see the JONAS BROTHERS... or Jo Bro as Mara calls them. Mara and Jama got her a HSM Build-A-Bear.

Jema's First Day of Second Grade

I can not believe that she is a big second grader. They started school August 4 and Jema was so excited because she had never been in school on her Birthday. I think she picked out 5 different outfits for her first day.

Update on Mara

Mara will be having her Kidney Scan, VCUG, and Ultra Sound at Scottish Rites Children's in Atlanta on October 8. After all of her test are done, we will be meeting with her Ped. Urologist that afternoon. So...we should know what is going on and what will need to be done.

New update on Bitty Bitty Baby

Last Thursday, I took Jama for her 9 month check-up. Well...she is officially a bitty bitty baby. She weighed in at a whopping 14.5 lbs....yes...she did gain weight from her 6 month visit but...she has now dropped off the growth chart...below 3%. She is only 26 1/2 inches long...10-25%...she dropped singnifacantly in length on the chart also. I have caght fish bigger than her. I asked the Dr. to send us to a feeding theraphist for the low tone and high palate in her mouth. She is still thrusting her tongue when she eats...also she is having trouble with a sippy cup or a straw cup...they either flow to fast for her to swallow or she can not get a suction on it. The bottles that she drinks out of are made to form to her mouth versus her mouth forming to the bottle. Right after she was born, I had her at a feeding clinic before we left MA because of her palate and tone in her mouth. She has had trouble making a suction and sucking since her first appearance. We are going this Wed. to Children's in Atlanta to meeting with an OT and SLP who specialize in feeding. After that, we will probably do a swallow study to see what all is going on. Also, I take her back to the Ped. GI Sept. 21...he will probably be doing testing after that. Her pediatrician will be working with him to make sure that the blood work that they both want done can be done at the same time.

Our schedule for Fall...Gymnastics...UT Football...UA Football

Here is the Reasoner's Boring Fall Schedule, I am not sure that we can find anything to do...We're going to have a boring fall in the south. At least, they will be airing on CBS the UA vs LSU game unlike MASSACHUSETTS they decided that more people would like to watch the Nutcracker Ballet...No Joke!

Jema's Gymnastics Schedule...
GO NMGC!!! GO PINK!!!

Aug 23** NMGC Innersquad **USA Levels 4, 5, and 6

Sept 13 – 14** Cobb Gymnastics Cobb Challengers**USA Levels 2, 3, 4, 5, 5/6

Sept 20 - 21** Apple Classic Gym Academy of Atlanta**USA Levels 4, 5, 5/6 and 6

Oct 3 – 5** Metro Retro Invitational NMGC**USA Levels 2, 3, 4, 5, 5/6

Oct 18 – 19** Fright Flip Invit Atlanta Gym Center **USA levels 2, 3, 4, 5, 5/6

Nov 1 – 2** After Halloween Candy Classic Tucker**USA levels 2, 3, 4, 5, 5/6

Nov 7 – 9** Nifty November Cartersville Gymnastics** USA Levels 3, 4, and 5

*State Meet*
Dec 5 – 7** Dream It Gymnastics Tifton, GA**USA Levels 3 and 4


Tennessee Football Schedule...yes we have had season tickets since we were married

Sept 1** UT @ UCLA** Watching on ESPN
Sept 13** UAB @ UT** Hope Jema competes on Sun
Sept 20** Florida @ UT**Hope Jema competes on Sun
Sept 27** UT @ Auburn **Auburn here we come
Oct 4** N. Illinois @ UT**Hope Jema does not compete on Sat.
Oct 11** UT @ Georgia**Knoxville here we come
Oct 18** Miss State @ UT**Hope Jema competes on Sun
Oct 25** Alabama @ UT**Knoxville here we come
Nov 1** UT @ S. Carolina** TV after Jema's meet
Nov 8** Wyoming @ UT**Hope Jema competes on Sun
Nov 22** UT @ Vandy**Watching from Vegas
Nov 29** Kentucky @ UT**Knoxville here we come

Arkansas Football Schedule - WOOOO PIG SOOOIIEEEE- GO HOGS! We did not keep out season tickets when we moved to MASS

Aug 30** Western Illinois @UA-FAY
Sept 6** Louisiana-Monroe @ UA-LR
Sept 13 **UA @ Texas**Watching on Satellite @ UT Tailgate
Sept 20**Alabama @ UA-FAY
Oct 4** Florida @ UA - FAY
Oct 11**UA @ Auburn
Oct 18** UA @ Kentucky**Satellite @ UT Tailgate
Oct 25 **Ole Miss @ UA-FAY**Satellite @ UT Tailgate
Nov 1** Tulsa @ UA - FAY ** TV after meet
Nov 8 **UA @ South Carolina ** Satellite @ UT Tailgate
Nov 22** UA @ Miss. State**Watching from Vegas
Nov 28** LSU @ UA - LR **Thanksgiving Day

Birthday's and Trip's
August 13*****Jema's 7th Birthday
September 26 ****Jana's Birthday
November 5 & 6 *****Mark Guy's golf trip
October 24 *****Jama's 1st Birthday
November 22 weekend *****Mark & I in Vegas,**Happy Birthday MOM
Decmber 12-13****Guy's weekend at the Cash Cabin

Mara and Her Kidney's

On our way back home from Arkansas...June 25th Mara started running a fever and was complaining of her belly hurting. By the time we got home, she had spiked a high fever!!! By the time we got to see the doctor, her fever had hit 105.8. I knew what the doctor was going to say once we did a culture...Poly nephritis...kidney infection. This is the third one that she has had since Sept 2007 when she was diagnosed with stage 4 kidney reflux on the right and stage 3 on the left as well as a double collection system on the right. Layman terms she has two smaller kidneys and tubes on the right side that make up the size of one kidney and her urine goes back up to her kidneys from the bladder. She has been on bactrium (antibiotic) daily since then to keep from having the infections however she has had break thrus (infections). With the infections, she has had to have shots of rocephin, and another antibiotic after that. This time she had shots of rocephin, then augmenton, ceftin, and macrodantin. We went to the doctor on Friday, July 11, to get a clean culture and they told us she was clear. Sunday night she started running another fever only 101.0 but after talking to the doctor she called us in another round of ceftin. On Tuesday, the Dr. called to say the their was bacteria in the culture after 48 hours. We went back in on Wednesday to do another culture that also showed clear and finally after 48 hours her culture she was finally clear of infection. Our ped urologist will be doing a kidney scan, another ultrasound, and another VCUG in the next month. We should be able to know a what level her kidneys are functioning and how much scaring has happened as well as what we will be doing about the surgery that she will need to remove one of the kidneys. They have told us that anytime her fever is over 103 it can cause scaring and damage to the kidneys. We have also been told even on the bacterium, which is suppose to stop her from having infections, that she could keep having these infections, that a simple change in water, detergents, or toilet paper can cause them among other changes. That there is no way to completely stop them just try to keep the number of them down. I know that I have been rambling but several have asked how she is doing so I thought I would give an update. I will post more once we know that the testing shows.

Our friends the Sappenfields from Chicago

The Sappenfields came to spend a few days with us. We met in NWA and pre-kids and they have been transferred many time even more than us. We also have season ticket for UT Vols together and take some vacations together. We had a blast...the guys played golf, we all took the kids to the pool, and we got to go to dinner at Ray's on the River without kids...YEAH!!

Gregg, McKenna, and Luke at the pool

Mara eating cookie ice cream at the pool...

Gregg and Julie eating their ice cream...

Jama was done at the pool...

Jema and McKenna in the pool...

Gregg, Julie, Mark and me at Ray's on the River...NO KIDS!!!

The girls at my Aunts in Warren, AR

Pickin and Grinn

Singin, pickin, and grinin at the fish fry.

4th of July block party

We had an awesome 4th of July block party. Great food...great friends...unbelievable fireworks...and fun water slides.

You might be a redneck if....

you have to be attached to you neighbors for electricity by a big cord. On July 3rd...Marks 39 birthday...Happy Birthday...our electricity went out. No one else just ours. After much deliberations by the electric company at 9:00pm, they decided that the electric lines to our house were not working. So...we had to be hooked up to our neighbors house with a BIG Electrical cord through the 4th of July weekend. It was finally done by about 1:00 a.m.

Next Stop...Arkansas

We were in Arkansas from June 15 thru June 25. We traveled around Arkansas seeing family...usually we make in up to NWA but we are making in a separate trip this year. First, we spent some time with mamaw and papaw...the kids enjoyed following papaw around doing projects and learning about herbs. They took us picking blackberries, strawberries, and nectarines. The big girls helped mamaw make preserves. The girls also enjoyed going to the park where I use to play...however it's all new from when I was little.

Went we out to my Aunt Patsy and Uncle Don to swim with their cousins. My cousin Shelly is expecting her first child in October.




We had a fish fry with some of our family which was great...It is nice to several generations get together. They girls have 6 Great-Grandparents still alive...5 of which are my Grandparents that they got to see and spent time with while we were in Arkansas. We also had some pickin and grinnin with karaoke going on.


The girls with Granny Mangum...

Papa Martin...

Ninnie...

my mom teaching the girls how to play the guitar


Ray and Yale took us to down town little rock where we walked across the Arkansas River on a new walking bridge, shopped at the farmers market, went to the kids discover museum, rode the trolley, made bath soap at Bath Junkie and had lunch at the best fish place ever...The Flying Fish.
Ray,Yale, and the girls...
Mara doing surgery on a knee... Ray and Jema making electricity Making bath soap


I took them down to Leann and Jim's house twice to ride horses...this is where I learned to rodeo. Jema wanted to go back several times. Leann has a school where she teaches and trains kids... Jema enjoyed watching the kids rope and goat tie. She could not believe that mom use to do these sorts of things. Mara was not sure at first but once she got on she loved it. Jema wants to quit gymnastics and start rodeoing...I don't think she knows what she would be getting into. Jema and Mara played with some other cousins there and loved running around the big yards, swinging on the tire swing and feeding the goats, besides the riding.












We also went down to South Arkansas to see Big Mamaw and Big Papaw (Great-Grandparents) and some other family. We were sad that we could not see everyone but it was during the day and they were working. They nursing home that my grandfather is in is really nice...he has his own room and they have a big lounge room to go to which was nice for the kids. Jema read a book to everyone...she was so happy.


Big Mamaw, Big Papaw, with 4 of their great grand daughters

We were sad when we had to pack up and come home. Just look at the map and see where our 1800 mile trip took us...a big circle. Of course, Mara had to spike a fever on the way home. It seems traveling does not agree with her kidneys. When we returned home she was running 105.8...went to the doctor and yes it was poly nephritis (kidney infection) after two shots of rocephin, augmenton, ceftin, and macrodantin we thought it was over. More to come...

Thanks to everyone in Nashville and Arkansas for such a great vacation.