Where does the time go?

So the past week has been not so great. Last Saturday was my Grandmother's birthday. The plan was f0r them to come up here with my Dad and Jeff and we would all go to lunch to celebrate. Well, the morning started off fine, but as time went on I started feeling awful. By the time they got here I felt like my chest was on fire. I had Papa check me out and he said that my lungs sounded clear. He said that I was probably in the beginning stages of the flu. We went ahead and left for Abuelos as soon as Jason got home from work. (For those of you who know me this next part tells just how bad I felt.) We got to Abuelos and ordered our drinks and I had to leave to go lay down in the car. I never pass up a chance to eat Abuelos! I spent the nexy forty five minutes in the car while the rest of the family ate lunch. When we got home my temperature was 101.7 and I felt miserable. Well, my Papa was right and I had the flu. I slept all day Sunday and missed Monday through Thursday of school. School is where this nasty thing started. On Monday, when I was out, I had seven kids absent! In my seven years of teaching I have never had seven kids absent on the same day! Tuesday there were five out, Wednesday there were three out, Thursday there were four out and then four again on Friday. We have this coming Monday off for President's Day, so I hope everyone comes back on Tuesday well! I am feeling much better and so far neither Jason or Ryder has come down with anything. We will keep our fingers crossed!

Pityriasis Rosea what?

Well, it has been an interesting weekend at our house. Ryder has been sick with the stomach bug and he has the beginning stages of Pityriasis Rosea. It sounds like something really horrible, but basically it is a funky rash with little red bumps. He has it all over his chest and back. The main problem is that it itches and he doesn't understand that it isn't good to scratch it. The doctor told us that it could last for up to six weeks, so we will just have to wait and see how it goes. The other problem is that there is no medication that we can give him to help it clear up. The good news is that once he has it and it clears up, he will never get it again.

He looks like he is all skin and bones, but he eats all the time! When we took him to the doctor he had only gained half a pound, but grew three inches since July!

Jason has really enjoyed the new camera. He has taken some very random pictures trying to use all of the features on the new camera. My favorite is this windmill that is in our neighbor's backyard.

New Camera

Tomorrow is a big day in the Tipton house! We are getting a new camera. Not just any camera, a really good camera. We have had our old one since Jason and I got married and it is time for an update. Hopefully we will have more pictures to post and they will be of better quality.


I have had the hardest time getting up this week. Christmas break always spoils me. I get used to sleeping in and not being on a set schedule. Hitting the snooze button has been my downfall this week. Maybe next week will be better.

Something New

In an effort to keep family and friends updated on Tipton happenings I (Melissa) have started this blog. Ryder has his own website, but this one will be for the entire family. Please be patient as I figure out all the cool stuff I can do.



Christmas was so much fun this year. Ryder actually understood the concept and was very excited when "Santa" brought him just what he wanted!


During my two weeks off I spent a lot of time with Ryder and quite a bit of time reading. One of the girls Jason works with got me hooked on the Twilight series. I have read the first two books and went to see the movie over the break. I tried to get as much "fun" reading in as I could because I will be starting my masters classes again next week. I am happy to say that I have completed 9 hours and have a 4.0! Today was my first day back at school and I have to admit I was sad. I get so used to being home with Ryder and doing things on our own schedule. Hopefully this year will continue with the trend of time flying by after Christmas break.

Our Christmas present to each other this year was a treadmill! I refuse to walk around our neighborhood because I am afraid of the dogs that are allowed to roam the streets. Jason says I should just carry a stick, but I know that would do me absolutely no good if a dog wanted to attack me! I also argued that if we got a treadmill I could walk regardless of the weather, which proved handy today. I think the high was somewhere around 34 and it was sleeting most of the day. I have started out the new year with high hopes for some weight loss, so we will see! The first time I walked on it Ryder said "Mommy, are you treadmillin'?"