Emily Now Has a Free Tongue

So this morning was Emily's surgery. She has been tongue tied from birth. I asked them to fix it in the hospital but they refused. So I had to wait till she was around 4-6 months. Adam was also tongue tied. They wouldn't do his for a year for some reason. I didn't like our pediatrician we were using at the time and actually had to have one of her partners refer us to the ENT to get it done. We have since changed pediatricians. I believe waiting so long interfered with his speech because now he is behind on expressive speech. The new doctor had no problem giving the referral for Emily, though.

We got there this morning at 5:30am, signed in, and did all the paperwork signing. We then were taken to the room. We talked to the nurses and waited for the doctor to get there. Yes we were there before the doctor. Go figure. So he comes in and tells us exactly what was going to happen and things started. They came in to get her. I carried her down the hall to the OR doors where I couldn't go any further. I kissed her cheek and gave her to the nurse to go the rest of the way. James and I watched her disappear around the doors with the nurse.

James had to leave at this point to get to work on time. I kissed him goodbye and went back to the room to wait. About the time I started to get restless the doctor came in to tell me everything went great. He freed up a considerable amount of her tongue and there wasn't even any blood. She was in recovery waking up. The surgery is super fast. She was into the OR and then moved to recovery in less than 10 minutes. Then about 5 minutes more in recovery and she was brought back out to me in the room. I just had to make sure she could drink some juice without throwing up and we could go.

We were out of there by 7:30am. Everything went great and shes now happily playing with her toys and doesn't know any difference. Well maybe she can because she is keeping her finger in her mouth and moving her tongue around it.

Its That Time of The Year Again

Its that time again. Yep. Its Birthday Season in the Isbell household. From august through December its at least one person's birthday each month! Technically, it starts in June and goes through February but Emily isnt 1 yet and Adam has only had 2 birthdays and their months are separated by a month each. Ok. Adam's is June. Chyenne's is August. Jordan's is September. Mine is October. James' is November. Hannah's is December. And finally Emily's is February. Can you believe that?! I joke saying well all we have to do now if fill in July and January and well be on a total roll with them all!

So now I have to get thinking. What do we do about presents and gifts and all that good stuff. I love doing parties for the kids but the bad thing is most of the time no one comes other than the grandparents! It happened again with Adam birthday last month. I invited a group of people and again it was just the grandparents that came. I love them and the kids adore them but sooner or later the kids will catch on that for some reason no one else shows up!

I think I will combine Jordan and Chyenne's parties again this year. Late year we actually had people show up to that one. I am going to borrow a giant slip and slide if I can and hopefully have a lot of fun. If not the slip and slide something else fun. We'll see.

A Brave Woman...Me??

OK I have 5 kids and I have homeschooled and I have been married since I was 15. I cant even begin to count how many times I have heard: "Dont you know what causes that?" or "are you done yet?" or "are they all yours?" or "you have your hands full!" or one that puzzles me most "you're a brave woman!"

My family is my number two only to my Father in heaven. I love them beyond life itself. I don't find what I do everyday to be so extraordinary or brave in anyway. I do what I need to take care of my blessings from above. James and I both make sacrifices for the most beautifully sweet rewards this world has ever seen. I know that I am not perfect and I stumble and well, lets face it, fall flat on my face sometimes on this journey that is my life. But I do know that I am trying and feel I do OK most of the time.

I try to teach my family the light and truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For me all these things are automatic. I find it strange that someone would call me brave. I can see calling our soldiers, who put their life on the line everyday for our freedom, brave. Or even our police officers and firefighters, who keep us safe right here in our hometown, brave. But not me. I'm just a mother.

I don't know if what I teach my children today will change the world of tomorrow but I know I just try my best and if I dont succeed today I will wake up and try again tomorrow.

So I may have more kids than most people and I may not fit the typical image of a 23 year old. I may have to shop in bulk or buy my dishes at the restaurant supply store but I am still just a mother. And I do not know if we will have another so don't ask me. That decision is in Gods hand and if you want to know ask him!

Preparing for Adventures

Today I am preparing for our up coming vacation to the beach. I am so excited. We haven't done much as a family before and I am so ready to get into some family fun. I know the long car ride will be a bit of a task but I know we will have fun. We will be camping on an island. Yes in a tent! A bunch of people have said we are crazy in this heat and with the kids. I think they are the crazy ones. I know there will be times of frustration but what day doesn't have those? I know my kids will treasure the memories we create on our first adventure together on vacation.

I remember camping as a kid and loving it. I haven't been camping often since about 10 or 11. Its sad because those were the times we needed it the most. I hope I can keep James and the kids excited about going out and doing more things together. I know I probably wont have a problem keeping the kids into it but James might need more convincing later. As for now, hes just as excited as I am.

So in my preparations I am packing up things and cleaning the house so it will be clean when we get back. I am making lists and getting information. I am trying to get as much done as possible in advance so that it will be easier when the time comes to pack the van and head out.

We will be cooking on a fire and roasting marshmallows. We will go shelling and swimming in the ocean. We will visit a water park and play mini golf. Most importantly we will spend time together. I am excited and hope everything goes ok. I know. I know. Fat chance! But still I hope nothing major goes wrong! =D