She HAD a hole in her neck!

It's true...2 days ago Eden still had a hole in her neck...actually, it's called a Branchial Cleft Sinus. You can read about it here.

The day Eden was born I noticed a small pit on her neck. I didn't really think much of it since, let's be honest, new born babies sometimes have strange blotches and marks...nothing I have ever worried about before. The doctors didn't notice. Derek didn't notice. I meant to ask the doctor about it at well-child visits, but in the beginning I was more concerned about Eden's consistent refluxing that I forgot to ask. When she was two months old, I lifted up her chin to clean under there when all of the sudden I notice green discharge coming out of the "hole in her neck". Quickly, I called Derek in....the green stuff kept coming, and coming. So I called the doctor's office and they weren't as concerned, but said she needed to see her doctor sometime that week. Immediately, the doctor knew exactly what it was. It would probably need surgery someday...when she was old enough to safely have surgery. So, we were referred to the ONLY pediatric ENT in the whole entire state and the waiting time to see her was four months. Luckily, we really like Dr. Bennett---we were however a bit surprised when she said she could do the surgery in 6 weeks, and that since the sinus was acting up, we should take care of it so it won't cause any future problems. So...this is longer than I wanted it to be...that is how Eden came to have surgery.

Here is a picture of the Branchial Cleft Sinus--it is the small dot! (yes, it is that small):

Just a few minutes before the surgery...she was very tired, but barely fussed. Honestly, that was an amazing gift---she hadn't had food for many hours and was such a sweet, pleasant kid the whole day!

After surgery, I think this picture speaks volumes.

The sinus was only 2cm deep, and was not attached to her tonsil or throat. They were able to remove the whole entire duct. There is very little chance of it reoccurring. The whole surgery took a little over an hour.

I had a lot of anxiety about this surgery! The whole process really wore on my heart. My last words to the doctors were, "She's the only girl I have, so please take good care of her."

I cannot imagine what it must be like to have a very sick child that requires lots of time at the hospital. I'm so, so thankful that Eden's surgery is over, that it went well, and that it was for something so minor. If you are a parent reading this, you know exactly how much you worry and love your children...I don't even need to explain it. Thank you for all your prayers...I felt them!

Ten Things that have been on my MIND

1. Some of the best movies were made in the 80's! (Just watched Karate Kid I this week...great movie--sequels not so good)

2. Is it unfair that I told my 9 year-old that as long as he lives in my house, there will be no T.V. in his bedroom? Direct quote from him, "That is COMPLETELY unfair!"

3. Swine flu or no swine flu? I just want to know if we have had it or not.

4. Why, oh why, are most of the women's costumes you can buy "SEXY COSTUMES"? It's crazy....

5. I'm totally into the new thermometer that I just bought...just swipe it across the forehead. BRILLIANT!

6. Will our pumpkins get stolen this year? (yes...we have pumpkin thieves in our area)

7. I JUST WANT AFFORDABLE, GOOD HEALTH CARE--enough is enough!

8. If you were getting a new stove top...would you get gas, induction or smooth top electric?

9. You would all die if you saw my bedroom right now...it's a MESS.

10. I'm very nervous about Eden's surgery tomorrow...details to follow.

I ACTUALLY SEWED THIS COSTUME!

Do you know who he is??

BOO!

HaPPy HaLLowEEn

(click to enlarge)

HAVE YOU LAUGHED TODAY!

EDEN HAS, A LOT!

White Sands National Park

The Pictures Say it All!

It's Like a MAGICAL Kingdom

I love the Balloon Fiesta...especially the balloon glow. I feel like a little kid at Disneyland. Seriously. I love how the night progresses.

You have to get there before the sunset so you can see them blow all the balloons up. It's awesome because you see one, then you see 5, then 10, then 50...you get the point.

And then...you can sort of see them start to glow and pretty soon, it looks like everything is on FIRE!

Love, love, love it.... breathtaking.

The Way They Pull at Your HEART

I thought I knew before what it would feel like to have children. When I was young I would make mental lists of the kind of parent I would be. I would be COOL, I would have an AWESOME, HUGE house that was ALWAYS clean, I would dress like a HIP MOM, my kids would LOVE to be around me, I would never RAISE MY VOICE, I would be the PERFECT person with the PERFECT life.

Sometimes I have those days, the days when shoes are left in the middle of the kitchen floor, sand from the playground is all over my freshly swept floors, my kids start fighting at 6:45 a.m., my kitchen (which I consider the heart of my home) is a mess, my older kids forget to practice their music, I lose my temper and I think I might lose my mind along with it. Those days I wonder if my heart can take more, I wonder if I will make it through raising my children, teaching them good principles. I wonder if because I yelled at them if it will affect them for the rest of their lives. And my heart starts to ache.

I had one of those days the other day. I finally made it into the shower, finally alone for a moment. My 5 year-old comes running into my room "MOM, MOM, MOM!" With all of the kindness I could find, I muttered through clenched teeth, "What sweetie!" He replies, "MOM I LOVE YOU!" and runs right out of the room. It's funny how my heart grew ten times within a minute, and all the aching was gone.

I don't need a huge house, I don't even need to be a cool mom...I just need my sweet kids to be part of my life. Really, that's what matters.