Ordinary Miracles (9)

Did you have a good weekend?  I do hope so!  Today I am reflecting on the last week and remembering some of the Ordinary Miracles I was able to witness.  So many little miracles happen in our lives each day ~ a sunrise, a smile from a stranger just when you need it, or simply being able to  spend time with a loved one ~  I was able to stop and see some Ordinary Miracles and I hope you were too!

We found out 1 week ago Sunday that our neighbor, who was also the father of one of Sassy's great friends passed away.  And while his death makes my heart hurt ~ there are so many Ordinary Miracles that take place when a loved one dies.  People come together to raise each other up.  He was honored at a beautiful funeral and we were reminded to love a little more, live fully everyday and to laugh ~ always find a reason to laugh.  We also remember the value of life, all life, and how short it is. Cherish these days ~ good and bad.  My prayers to this family (if you wouldn't mind, I'm sure they would appreciate any extra prayers from any of you).  

Spring is finally starting to show it's lovely face, but with all the snow we've had, and still do have (actually, it is snowing again today!) it can be a bit treacherous on the driveway and sidewalks with all of the thawing and overnight refreezing.  Unfortunately,  Sassy found this out first hand while she was walking to the bus stop on Monday morning.  She slipped and fell....HARD.  Gloves went flying, the wind was knocked out of her,  and she was left holding her head and trying to catch her breath.  We decided to go back into the house and assess her ~ she had a big gash on her chin ~ one that ended up requiring 5 stitches.  Boo!  How is this an Ordinary Miracle you ask?  First of all, I was with her.  I don't always walk with her, but decided to on this particular morning.  I can't imagine what she would have done had she been alone.  And, she didn't break anything, her teeth are all intact and since she just started wearing contacts 1 1/2 weeks ago, she didn't have her glasses on.  I am certain they would have been broken.  See, proof that not everything that happens is good, but it is possible to see the good!

Tuesday night we learned Action's baseball tryouts went well enough that he "made" a baseball team in the league he was shooting for.  Bring on summer, it's hot days and dusty fields!

And, like I said before, the slowly and sporadically getting warmer and we were able to get outside and enjoy ourselves a bit.  It was fun to watch Action help his sister on her bike.

And simply lovely to just be able to hang out on the deck.  I "caught" Smiley drawing and enjoying herself one afternoon while I was making lunch.

Anyway, I hope you'll look back at your week and think about the ordinary things, people, places or happenings that took place in your life.  The ordinary that is usually taken for granted.  Tell me what miracles occurred in your life!

(See Previous Ordinary Miracles Here)

Annual Doctor Appointment

Today is Embrace the Camera day

What does that mean you ask?

Today is the day that we are challenged (by Emily) to step out from behind the camera and get in front of it.  Why?  For our families, our spouses, children, and grandchildren and on and on, so they know who we are, remember our times together and the fun that was had.  So for future generations, we are not only a name, but we are a face.

Today, I am stepping out from behind the camera, not with my children, or spouse, but by myself.  You see, todays embrace is 2 fold.  It is me, in a lovely paper gown, being pro-active about my health, so I can not only be just in pictures, but so I can be physically present!

Welcome to my annual doctor's appointment. 

And I'm not talking "Women's Health" here.  This is my annual full body skin check at the dermatologist.

This annual check is very important to me ~ and I suggest you all go and have a full skin check.  A few years ago I had a couple moles removed.  They were considered dysplastic nevi. Basically atypical moles that can put you at a higher risk for melanoma.

So, every year I go in and get my skin checked out ~ from my scalp to the tips of my toes.  

And thankfully, nothing looked abnormal.

Yay!  

Time to get on with making more memories with my loved ones!

Oh, I must mention, I did get "caught" taking pictures of my reflection in the mirror by my nurse.  Pretty sure she thinks I'm crazy!

HA!

Reminding Myself

My little girl is miserable.

Runny nose

Coughing ~ you know the cough that is so hard and consistent that you almost puke ~ yep, that one.

Fever ~ at times over 103 degrees.

Last night I put her to bed at 8:15.  15 minutes later she was crying for me,  "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy........"

She needed me.

The list of things I needed to do, were going to have to wait.

The laundry would have to wait.

The menu would not get written

The grocery list would not be made.

It was a long night.

The recliner
The floor
The recliner
then the floor again.

 As tired as I was.

As miserable as my little girl was.

I had to remind myself that this cold, this potential ear infection is really nothing.  There are so many children out there who are sick, really sick.  Some will take a very long time to get better and some may never.  Cancers, diseases, syndromes........

We will go to the doctor once Sassy and Action go to school.
She may or may not be given any medication.

But in the grand scheme of life, this night, this day, maybe this weekend with a terrible, miserable cold are truly nothing.  Sure my body is craving sleep, we have company coming tomorrow, a weekend full of activities ~ choir concert, 3 basketball games, choir at church, Actions 8th birthday, softball.... but our life will not be changed by this cold, lack of sleep, or delay of the "things" I need to get done.  I can not say everyone is that fortunate.  And everything will get done.... eventually.

Really, It's all about perspective.

(Source)

Embrace the Camera ~ After Surgery

Yesterday Smiley had eye surgery.

We had to be at the hospital an hour early, to check in, go over paper work and to get her acclimated.  While we were taking care of business, she had a fabulous time playing with all the "new" toys.

Daddy held her when the Anesthesiologist gave her the medicine for her "nap".  She drifted off in his arms.  Then, Hubby and I went to the family waiting room and...... waited.  About 40 minutes later, her Doctor walked through the doors and reassured us that everything went perfectly.  We waited another half hour to be told we could finally go and be with her in her recovery room.  Sleepy head did not want to wake up.  Unfortunately, Hubby had to leave to catch a flight for work.  So I sat with her.  Watching her chest rise and fall with each breath.  Listening to her every movement.

She finally woke up.  And when she did, she sat up, looked around the room and said, "Where Daddy go?"  She was bummed that he wasn't there, thrilled she got a popsicle, happy to also get crackers and apple juice and very cranky that she couldn't go back and play with the toys.

Finally, she was discharged we went home.  When we arrived, we snuggled together and dozed off and on, while my sister played games with Sassy and Action.

So today I embrace the Camera with my little girl, just home from having eye surgery.  Both of us a little tired, and me very thankful for all of those who sent us their prayers and well wishes, as well as for God, who answers our prayers, and puts people in our lives to help us, guide us, protect us, teach us and love us.

Now go get out from behind the camera!

The story of a girl and her glasses

I have a story to tell, and it's kind of long.  But it's a story I want to tell.  One, I will always remember.
So go grab yourself a little snack and get comfy.
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Ready?

Ok........

Wait, one more thing ~ just a little warning that all of the pics have been scanned in and are not the best of quality ~ but you'll get the picture, I think :)

When She was born, we noticed her eyes right away.  Blue and beautiful.

As she grew older her eye lashes grew longer and her beautiful blue eyes seemed to sparkle.

She was spunky, happy and stubborn.  As she learned to talk the four words we most heard from her were, "I do it MYself"
So, when during her 3 year well-check she didn't want to "test" her eyes I was only mildly surprised.  Her doctor said she looked perfect ~ of picture of health (especially since she had ear tubes put in  when she was 11 months old).  She mentioned to keep an eye on Sassy's eyes and if I noticed anything weird ~ falling down a lot, squinting, or anything suspicious to call.

It was maybe 1 week later when I saw it.

I was putting some snapshots into a photo album.  It was so obvious.  How had I never noticed before?!  In many pictures my beautiful Sassy had 1 red eye and 1 normal eye. Weird.

And some of the time when it didn't turn out red, one eye seemed to be turning in.

We went back to the pediatrician.

We were referred to a pediatric opthamologist.

He is a very good doctor.

He is a very busy doctor.

We waited what felt like forever to see him.

And when we did, the results were shocking.

Sassy was 20/20 in her right eye ~ excellent!  And 20/1000 in her left eye!

That's right, 20/1000

She was diagnosed as having Amblyopia ~ which is basically loss of vision in one eye ~ for some reason, the brain prefers one eye over the other and does not turn the other eye on.  She also had significant crossing of
her left eye.

As a mother how could I not have known this!  I felt like I had failed my daughter.  I remember when her funny "trick" was to cross both of her eyes and then turn one back so she had one crossed eye and one straight eye.  Then she would make them both straight.  THIS WAS NO LONGER FUNNY!  Had I missed an important sign?

Well, we were determined to get her vision back.

She was prescribed glasses (which when on would mostly correct the turning of her left eye):

And had to patch her "good eye" 15 - 20 hours a week

while pretending to be pregnant.....  with a balloon.....

Just kidding!  Just had to see if you were still reading along :)

We had to go back and see the eye doctor every 3 months.

There was gradual improvement in her vision ~ with lots of tears and frustrations along the way.  I mean, really what 3 year old wants to wear a patch over the one eye they can see out of and basically walk around blind?

20/200

20/100

20/80

20/70 ~ stuck for what felt like FOR-E.V.E.R.

Still wearing glasses ~ trying to not scratch the heck out of them....

And still patching ~ and that got harder and harder.

She was busier.

And she was concerned about what her friends and other people might think.

There was lots of talk about "true" friends.

20/60

1st grade.

Eye alignment surgery.

We decided to have this surgery done to align Sassy's eyes.

She was "put under" and I cried.

Waited.

Nervous.

Never happier to see her eye doctor and hear him say she was being transported to recovery and that they would come and get us soon. He told us her surgery went perfectly.  Her eyes were finally straight and "man that girl has some beautiful eyelashes".

I just wanted my girl.

When we finally got to see her, her eyes were quite red and she was super nauseous.  I'll spare you the details and just tell you it was a very long 25 minute drive home.

The first thing she wanted to do when she got home was to look at her eyes.  Red or not the smile on her face when she saw how straight they were was priceless!

20/50

Woot Woot!!!

Straight eyes ~ WITHOUT GLASSES :)

 

Now, Sassy had to patch just enough to at least keep her vision where it was.

Appointments decreased from every 3 months to every 6.

20/40

No more patching, and we only have to see the doctor once a year.  Here she is and here she will stay.

Sassy, her long eyelashes, her beautiful blue/green/gray eyes that are perfect and straight.

Baby it's been long and at times frustrating for all of us, but you've been a champ.  You've come such a long way and I am so proud of you!

The Doctor

After a long couple of nights and a very crabby baby girl, a trip to the doctor was in order.

A not so smiley Smiley and I went to the doctor friday morning after only 1 hour of sleep on Thursday night. 

The doctor we saw had no personality. 

He wouldn't look at me when he talked.

He was quiet.

He answered my questions as he was walking out of the room.

But....

He determined Smiley had double ear infections and a blister in one of her ears.

We left with a prescription.

Then it was home to bed for her and eventually a little nap for myself.

Her ear drum burst, her fever went away (very low to begin with) and a lovely full night of sleep on friday night :)

I think we are finally on the up and up!

and

Maybe there is a future doctor ~ with lots of personality ~ living under my roof. 

See for yourselves: