Prayers, potatoes, and praises

I know it has been awhile. I have been, in good ways, busy. Just a different, rewarding sort of busy. I will start with exciting news. After a year of praying for help for Eli, we believe we have received it. A month ago, when we grew frustrated after we had cut out just about everything from his diet--gluten, eggs, dairy, sugar--and he still had rough episodes of itching, a sweet lady from church directed me to a guy who specializes in enzyme therapy. I went to his free Thursday night "question and answer" group with Lexi and Eli in tow. Kevin was out of town and Aaron was at his Papa and Granny's house. He asked about Eli, and I showed him his legs, neck and arms. He looked right at me and told me rather assuredly that he would not only get completely better on enzymes, but his allergies would go away in a matter of time as well. I cried. And I actually believed him. It always made sense that food triggered his flare-ups, but I never understood why he had allergies in the first place. He said that Eli's little body could not digest the foods he was eating and so they became toxic in his system(that's the reason he had such awful bowel movements, too). His body was basically toxic and it came out through his skin. We started him on the digestive enzymes the next day. We also added minerals. Within 2 days his bowel movements were normal for the first time since he started solid foods. He is on a restrictive diet right now until he is "out of the woods." So, he eats potatos in all forms, cooked in coconut oil, and lots of freshfruit. We will be adding in animal proteins-like yogurt, milk-- pretty soon. The first few weeks we had some ups and downs--but mostly ups. He would go days without itching and then have one episode of some itching. The guy said it could take some time depending upon how much toxins are stored up in his blood, but he has been so pleased at his progress. So have we. He is such a sight for sore eyes. I know in the grand scheme of things it is only eczema, but to see a baby itch like that everyday and feel helpless was hard on all of us. He has only a couple spots now, but they hardly ever bother him. He just keeps getting better. Praise God!
We are homeschooling all of the kids now. And it is going great. Our life has changed drastically, but we feel like it has been for the better for us. I will spare you any more talk, and post some pics.

I have to do before and "during" pics:

These are of Eli's legs the first day we started. Focus is a little bad, sorry.

back of his legs before

do you see the blisters?

Eli today. The are so much softer, too. Like real baby skin.

SO much better!

The back of his legs today. The right one has been the last to heal. And this pic actually makes them redder than they are in person.

Happy Eli. The circles around his eyes are gone. And he even has a twinkle in his eye.

His typical meal these days. Sometimes I mash the potatos or make hashbrowns. These are wedges, but we do all kinds of shapes. I never knew how good potatos are for you. Apparently, they don't get the credit they deserve.

This is me and my siblings with my dad. HE turned 60 last month. We celebrated in Tennessee and had a great time. It was so good to be together.

Kevin. I love this pic. He is such a teddy bear, ya know? Don't you just want to cuddle with him?

Our freind's baby Wyatt. He stayed with us after church one day. The kids loved him. So did I.

I didn't get to hold him that much.

Our house last week. The snow was beautiful. I wanted it to last another week. But it is gone now.