The Dotson Family Adoption

My IVF nurse called Monday to let me know that I needed to start my Lupron injection. So I had the joy of giving myself my very first injection. It wasn't bad at all. I didn't even feel the needle. I was so nervous, I watched multiple videos, read blogs and so did Kelly - as he is "the back up plan" - if for some reason I couldn't do it. Well... there we were standing in the kitchen with everything sterilized and ready. I grabbed the fat on my thigh and Kelly says, "Oh! My Dad and the boys are here" (they were bringing me banana pudding) so I said, "it's now or never" and I did it without flinching! I was so excited to have done that and it be no big deal... until about 20 minutes later when I began to vomit. So began a pretty long night. I already had a lot of pain from the surgery and then vomiting did not make it any more comfortable. I wasn't able to eat anything but crackers for dinner (not a bad thing for my diet!) The rest of ...

Well, I have decided to once again try to revive our blog. I'm not promising anything and I'm not going to come up with any cute "themes" to try to keep me motivated. My main goal is to update those who have an interest in what is happening in our life - especially those who aren't living in the same area. It's been really hard to keep everyone up to speed the past few months.  Disclaimer : This does include lots of medical info. I did try to dance around the details. There is nothing "gory" in here, but just wanted you to be warned. :) This past October I was told that if we wanted to have children, now is the time. According to my doctor, since I have Spina Bifida, my biological clock is ticking about 5 years ahead of my age. He also is thinking in terms of my being able to carry more than one pregnancy, so the sooner the better (or more children we can have). We believe that God is sovereign and able to do anything at anytime. With this news...

Ingredients: Crawfish Wontons Fresh Spinach Leaves (one leaf per wonton) Cream Cheese Mixture: (mix together in a bowl) 4 oz. Cream Cheese, softened 4 oz. Sour Cream 1 tsp. Soy sauce 1 tsp. Garlic Powder 1 tsp. Tony’s  1/4 c. chopped red onion 1 tsp. Parsley, chopped 1 tsp. Basil, chopped 1 tsp. Cilantro, chopped 1 tsp. Oregano, chopped Instructions: After mixing the cream cheese mixture together, lay out your first wonton.  Place one spinach leaf on the wonton.  Place a spoonful of the cream cheese mixture on top of the spinach leaf, then place 2 crawfish on top of that.  Pull the four corners of the wontons together. (Wet the wonton with a basting brush to help it stick). (you can also make these into egg rolls) Fry or steam however you like!  Dip in Soy or Teriyaki Sauce!  Enjoy!

This recipe is based on Paula Dean's recipe, but with few twists that my grandma taught me about making cakes... I hope you enjoy!!!  Ingredients for Cake : 1 (18.25-ounce) box white cake mix 1 (3-ounce) box strawberry-flavored instant gelatin 1 (15-ounce) package frozen strawberries in syrup, thawed and pureed 4 large eggs 1/2 cup vegetable oil 1/4 cup water (I do half (1/8) whole milk & 1/8 water to make a really moist cake!) Ingredients for Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting: 1/4 cup butter, softened 1 (8-ounce) package cream  cheese , softened 1 (10-ounce) package frozen strawberries in syrup, thawed and pureed (you will only need 1/4 cup of this) 1/2 teaspoon strawberry extract 7 cups confectioners' sugar Fresh strawberries, or chocolate covered strawberries for garnish, optional Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease 2 (9-inch) round cake pans In a large bowl, combine cake mix and gelatin.  Add pureed strawberries, eggs, oil, a...

I had been saving pics for a few months now of "reasons why I love him..." I'll keep collecting these for something in the future, but this year has been a year with many changes and challenges, so I wanted to put something together to express how "lucky" I am.  I'm so thankful that I have a husband who Loves Christ first and me second. I am undeserving of His love as well as Kelly's love and I'm so thankful for his precious heart.  Many of these pictures mean nothing to most people, but they hold memories that only the two of us, thru Christ, can share together, forever.  Love you always, 

While checking out at the grocery store tonight,  I looked and Kelly and simply sighed and said, "String Beans and Toilet Cleaner". Then it occurred to me. That sounds like a blog title. So I have a new challenge for myself. A new blog title each week. This week my inspiration comes from the grocery store.... I could just take the last two items on the conveyer belt each week and blog about them and why I am purchasing them.... that could be fun. Okay, that's what I'll do. unless you few blog stalkers (just kidding!) readers have any other suggestions.... here it goes! Green Beans....  I bought these b/c we are having friends over from church tomorrow evening. Kelly is cooking his famous Brisket and I'll do my double stuff baked taters and sautéed fresh green beans. :) Fresh green beans are so yummy. I simply drizzle some olive oil, salt and pepper over them and sauté them.... occasionally i'll add a little soy or teriyaki sauce; depending on the flavors in ...

"We're the Skyy Blue frat, we're the best and all that, we're the best docs anywhere! For all ye doctors be forgot, keep your heart on Skyy Blue!" (sung to the tune of "Your A Grand Ole Flag") Who: Dr. Watson - Holmes, Dr. Bacon, Dr. Foote When: Summer of 2000 Where: Orientation at Delta State University Some people often ask, What inspired you to become a Doctor? I often respond, I'm not really a Doctor, I just play one in real life.  No, we aren't doctors... yet. These are nicknames that, as music majors, we gave each other. Basically, we thought it would be funny to tell people we were pre-med majors (in my case, podiatry) - considering our last names. It was only fit that we would become great friends for years to come. The three of us, with separate sororities and activities, had a few things in common:  The Music Department,   a love of  Food  and  Laughter .  When you have the Music Department in common, you basically spend about 1...