Fun at the Splash Park with Ashleigh!

We had a great time today at the Plano Splash Park with Debbie and Ashleigh. It took Merit a little while to get comfortable with the water. Ashleigh on the other hand, was like a fish in the water. It was good that they were together so Merit could watch Ashleigh playing. Debbie and I had so much fun catching up on life. Aren't good friends just wonderful?! Love you Debbie! We are looking forward to our next trip to a splash park!

Health Update - Visit With My Oncologist

My appointment with Dr. Juturi went great! She said that my blood levels have truly leveled out at this point. For the months of November - March my levels were very inconsistent. As of now, my white blood cell count seems to have leveled off as well as my red cell count and my platelets. She did send my blood off to be tested for remission. I should have the results some time this week. She said she has never seen anyone respond so quickly to the medicine and that in her opinion my bodies response is perfect. She is going to have me and JP meet with Dr. Braushawn again, he is the Leukemia specialist at Medical City. I am very hopeful that I will be in remission. However, God has truly met all of my needs for the past few months. I have felt great and have been able to continue my normal daily activities. We stay very busy at the McLain household. Please continue to pray for me! I appreciate your prayers!

First Ice Cream Cone!

As I said in my earlier post about Father's Day, J.P. requested Braum's ice cream for dessert after dinner. He couldn't wait to let Merit have his first ice cream cone. It was quite funny. Merit didn't really know what to do with the cone. He kept staring at it. I told him to taste it but he just kept looking at it and giggling. It was so cute! He finally tasted it and a big grin came across his little face. I tried to show him how to lick it but he wanted to bite right into it. What great memories!

Happy Father's Day Daddy!

Cute new baseball frame for Daddy's office

The card we made for Daddy

Merit's lovely abstract art; he did a great job!

For Father's Day, J.P. requested that we go to church, watch the World Series games and not go anywhere. So, that is exactly what we did. He laid on the couch basically all day and watched baseball while Merit slept. I worked out and then watched some ball with him. He wanted to-go from Oliver's for dinner and then he wanted to go to Braum's for dessert. We had a nice dinner, watched more baseball and then the three of us went to Braums. Merit had his first ice cream cone! Pictures to come!

Birthday Cake, BBQ & Corn on the Cob!

Merit loves corn but he had never eaten in straight off the cob before!

He just couldn't get enough of the corn!

Amy made delicious lemon birthday cake for Nana. Merit really enjoyed it!

We were blessed to be able to celebrate Nana's birthday with her today. We were so sad we couldn't make it to her party last night. I gave Nana a beautiful picture frame with pictures of all of her grand kids. She loved it and hung it in her kitchen. We swam, ate delicious BBQ from Hard 8 BBQ and enjoyed spending time together. We love you Nana! Happy Birthday!

Swimming at Nana's House

Lots of sunscreen, a shirt with SPF and floaties. What more do you need?!

Thinking about getting in the pool

We went to Nana's house today to give her a birthday gift and to wish her a happy belated birthday. We were supposed to go over to her house last night to celebrate but due to our irritating air condition issue we were unable to make it.

Yard Improvements!

One of our neighbors is making improvement on their landscaping and decided to get rid of a ton of rocks and stone. So, I took it for our yard. I lined the back bed with some of the white bricks and then made a new flower bed on the side on our yard out of the rocks. Another neighbor decided they no longer wanted some large chairs they had for their porch. They are going to look great with a fresh coat of paint! I love projects and I really love free materials for the projects!

Making Father's Day Cards

I taught Merit how to paint with water colors this week. He had do much fun making cards for Father's Day. We made a card for Poppy, Papa D, Daddy and Uncle Marc. We also made a birthday card for Nana. Merit liked painting with the brush but he really enjoyed painting with his fingers. What fun! We got all of the cards in the mail on Thursday morning!

First Ride On a Carousel!

Merit and I went to Stonebriar mall this week to walk, do some shopping and ride the carousel. He was not real sure about the carousel at first. After the ride really started going and the horse begin to go up and down he started to smile. By the end of the ride he was smiling and laughing. I think we will have to do this again very soon!

First Sonic Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Sonic definitely had at least one happy customer this week. Merit had his first grilled cheese sandwich. I cut in into fourths because it was gigantic! He wanted one piece in each hand. I would say he most definitely enjoyed this Sonic experience, however, this will not become a habit!

Watering Mommy's Flowers

Merit is becoming quite the little helper these days. He really likes to help water the grass and the flowers. It is very sweet. Hopefully as he gets older he'll continue to like to help me!

Placemat From Merit's Teachers

Merit's teachers at the CLC made him a placemat. The placemat includes pictures of me and JP and both sets of Grandparents. What a great way for Merit to learn to identify people in pictures! He has caught on very quickly. The cutest part is that I ask him where Daddy is and he points to J.P. and then kisses his picture. I'm going to make him another placemat that included pictures of his Aunts & Uncles and cousins.

Lightened Up Oreo Supreme Brownies

Ingredients:

One box brownie mix

One box reduced fat Oreos

Light Hershey's syrup

Directions:

Make brownie mix according to the directions. Make the brownies low fat by replacing the oil with applesauce. Poor half of the mix in a prepared glass baking dish. Bake for 15 minutes or until the brownies began to set. Take the brownies out of the oven and carefully place Oreos in rows to cover the brownies. Drizzle the light Hershey's syrup on top of the oreos. Pour the remaining batter over the Oreo layer. Put brownies back in the oven to finish baking. Watch them so you don't over bake. Cook the brownies according to the directions on the box. Total cooking time should be the, same start to finish. Remove brownies from the oven when done and drizzle the light Hershey's syrup on top. Then top with crushed Oreos. These brownies have all of the taste but they won't stick to your waist!

Hot Wheels Mania!

Daddy went a little crazy this weekend buying Merit new Hot Wheels cars. I got out J.P.'s collection of Hot Wheels cars and Merit absolutely had a blast playing with them. So, J.P. could not resist making a couple of trips to Walmart to buy more cars to add to the collection. He also bought him a large truck in which to carry his cars. Merit sat for hours playing with the cars and the truck. I'm sure these cars are some sort of learning tool, right?