What is up with you??

Seriously, I have been really rather scarce in the "bloggin' world," really. Not intentionally, either. I love blogging, posting family photos, telling stories, sharing memories, sharing funny things my kids do/say, product reviewing, hosting contests....all that blogging is for. What has been happening lately? I am really not totally sure, but I think that I got a bit burnt out. I think I said, "yes," too much, and not enough of "not right now", or "no" to the requests. I can see from the past few months, that my blogging has become less of me, and more of reviews. I am so sorry about that. I got so busy, and everything got piled up. I have some catching up to do, and I hope you will all understand.
I haven't even been keeping up with the daily reviews and personal life stories, photos, or the like. I am sorry to all my readers who have come to see what is going on with me, as a person...to find not much new posted. Actually, we have been quite busy, and I fully intend to catch up, if that is possible. I have been through surgery to remove the melanoma in my ear. I am recovering, and healing! Praise the Lord the melanoma is gone from my ear, too! I just saw the Plastic surgeon on Tuesday, and he said it is looking good. I told him that I feel like I am sleeping on a rock, and asked if that will get better. He wasn't sure, but he said he could fix it in about 6 months if I am still having a hard time. I saw my dermatologist on Wednesday, and she checked me over again. We decided to have another mole removed on my back, and the surgery is set for the end of August. This surgery will take awhile, since the mole is bigger. I have had this mole most of my life (I believe) but it does concern her. I am praying that it is a cancer free mole. So, this is a worrisome fear on my heart, and I know I need to put my trust in God for good results. I also had Nathaniel in to see the dermatologist and had him remove a mole from his right temple. I hope that the results will be cancer-free for him, too. So, we ask for prayer that any and all moles removed are free of cancer, and that our trust remains strong in the Lord.
My blogging is going to be getting back to more of personal life and less of reviews. I won't be giving up on reviews, because I LOVE doing them. Plus, I like being "in the know" of what is out there. I am going to do my best to keep you all up to date on what is going on with my family, me, and our life. I want to put up lots of pictures of my kids, and their funny stories. Also, I don't want to lose touch with all the wonderful blogging friends I have made! I am sorry that I haven't been around much, but I hope to get back into the swing of things. I know my mind has been so much on the melanoma, and just life being so busy with 3 kids under the age of 4 and a pre-teen child. Plus, it is summer...so, that is less time indoors and at the computer. Thanks for hanging in with me. I hope we see more of one another. God bless you! Happy 4th of July!!

Recovering

I would like to thank all those who have lifted me up in prayer over the last few weeks. It has been quite the journey, so far, with my news of having Melanoma (skin cancer). It is a scary thing hearing that I have skin cancer. I know that my Lord has everything under control, He has a plan for me, and a plan through what I am experiencing.

My surgery was scheduled for Thursday morning. I had to be there at 9:30 for preparations/paper work/tests. I had to due a urine test for pregnancy, and (Whew....) it came back negative. (not that I was worried). :) I asked them if they had to forgo surgery for people with the tests coming back a surprising positive. She said that has happened. I am glad I wasn't one of those folks. Anyway, I answered a few medical questions, took my weight, and got in my beautiful paper gown. The gown was a high-tech gown with flaps and holes. I had a hose put in one of the holes and the heat turned on. How cool is that? It was like an inside paper gown heater. Weird. Then, I got the IV inserted. The nurse put on the rubber band and slapped my hand for about 10 minutes to get the vein to pop up. I don't have veins that like to cooperate with needles. She had success with the IV, and started the fluids. Then the anesthesiologist came in to ask a few more questions. We found out we have something in common...busy family life. His wife and him are expecting #4 baby in October. The surgeon came in next and asked me more questions, and answered my questions. He also asked me if I was used to coffee in the morning, and experienced head aches if I didn't have coffee. I said that I drank about 4-5 cups every morning, even through pregnancies. So, kindly enough, they gave me 500 ml of caffeine in my IV. How sweet is that? They said they didn't want me having a nasty head ache from withdrawal. :) Hee ha...whatever works for me!

I had to use the restroom one more time, and went on my way to the operating room. Can I just say I was scared out of my mind? I kept thinking of them giving me too much sleep meds and not waking back up. Crazy thought, I know, but it is one of the many things I was worried about.

I laid on the table (uncomfortable table) and laid my arms out like a T. The Dr.s strapped and wrapped my arms and legs, then they snugged my arms close to my side. I had pressure cuffs on my arms and legs to help with the circulation. I was talking to the nurses and Dr.'s about the geese and the Blue Heron on our lake. Then they asked me how old were my kids. Here is what I think I said:

"I have a 10 1/2 year old, an almost 4 year old, a 2 year old, and a 4 year old. Oh wait, he isn't 4 years he is an infant. You must have given me the meds because I feel all funny now. My baby is only 4 months....." And that is all I remember. When I woke up, I was trying desperately to roll over to get off my back. They kept pushing my legs down and asked if I was alright. I told them NO, and that my back was really hurting. They asked how much on a scale, and I said an 8 or 9. I have a high pain tolerance, though. I think they gave me some morphine, because some pain was relieved. I spent about 30-45 minutes in recovery, then they put me in another room for Stage 2 recovery (sitting in a chair). I was so thirsty! I kept asking for water, and they only gave me 2 glasses. They didn't want me getting sick.

I was a bit sleepy afterward, and slept on and off on the way home. I was wrapped up in a head wrap. I needed to keep on the wraps until Saturday.

We stopped by my parents to give them an update. The rest of the day I rested, and ate some food. Sleeping that night wasn't too bad, just sore. I did end up nursing Cole when I got home. The meds didn't seem to bother him. He did develop a rash on his cheeks and his stomach. We aren't sure if that was from the 2 bottles of Enfamil, or from one of the meds I had. Fortunately, I don't think I will need to give him anymore formula. I am so glad that Cole did OK without me for those hours of surgery and recovery.

I got Vicodin for pain relief, and that has been a big help. Sleeping has been interesting. I get really sore from laying just on my left side. I will post a picture of what my ear looks like now. It is really swollen, and smaller than what it was. The Surgeon took out less than what he was originally thinking. I am glad for that. He said that my ear is clear from the Melanoma now. I am so thankful! I am suppose to go back to the clinic on Wed., and he will possibly remove the stitches (if all is well). I am hoping things will heal quickly. Tonight my ear is pretty sore, but I don't have any pain meds in me yet.

Thanks again for all the prayers! I ask for continued prayer for any other moles taken off to be cancer free. I also pray for quick, and beautiful healing of my ear. I will be seeing an Oncologist next week for follow up visits. Then, I will see my Dermatologist again in July.

Appointment

My mole removal appointment went well on Tuesday. I was so nervous, I was seriously shaking. I don't know why I was so scared, because the procedure was non-painful. The nurse did have to numb the 3 areas in my stomach 3 times. For some reason, the numbing medications don't work as well on me. I have the same problems when I have dental procedures...a few doses of Novocaine. Anyway, what freaked me out was the cutting of my skin. I have 8 stitches total (2 in each area). I will have another appointment on May 1 for the removal of the stitches, and to find out the results of the biopsy. As I should, I should just pray about it, and give it to God. Easier said than done...I know it will be over a week of worry.
My prayer is that every mole is benign!!
Speaking of appointments, I will have to bring Madelyn into the Dr. this afternoon (again...second week in a row). She has a bad cough, greenish/yellow discharge, high fever, and just looks/feels miserable. Poor little girl! She sounds like she kind of holds her breath, but it is hard to know if it is worse than normal. For some reason Caleb and Maddie like to hold their breath. Anyway, I hope her appointment goes well. Not that I like to medicate my kids, but I hope the Dr. can give her something to get better. I really hope it isn't something like pneumonia. Blah!
Over the last weekend, Caleb and Madelyn went to Grandma's house. Terry and I went to a train show in Menomonie, WI. That is about a 2 hour drive from our house. It was a nice drive and pretty scenery! Unfortunately, we were both up late the night before. I had Ladies Night Out, which was and is always a great time. Terry just stayed up working on paperwork and putting together our new stroller.

I just wanted to share a few adorable pictures Terry took this weekend.

Daddy and Cole. Cole was standing on the seat~ unassisted. He loves to stand.
I think this picture is so adorable! Cole is so excited and happy to be standing there all by himself. We wish we had a full body picture to give you the full effect. (love those ears!)
The sun was very bright, so Cole's eyes are kind of closed. He still is super cute!

Updates

I had a great blogable moment with Caleb today....we were talking about Rain.

Caleb: Mother, we really could use some rain.
Me: Yes, we sure could! We should pray that God will bring rain.
Caleb: Mother, does rain come from God's sink?
(laughing inside) Me: I am not sure where the rain comes from exactly.\
Caleb: Maybe the rain comes from God's hands.

**He is smart!
Notice the "Mother." Caleb has been really into calling me Mother lately. I think it is super cute!

Caleb has been going through some stage right now. He is not being a very good listener, or being very attentive. I am thinking that may have to do somewhat with his age, and partly because of Cole's presence. I hope he isn't jealous...and if he is, I am really going to work on spending more quality time with him for reassurance.

Tomorrow I am headed to the clinic to have 4 moles removed. I am not looking forward to it at all! I am really rather worried about it. I know I shouldn't be worried...I should give it to God, I know. It is hard not to worry about my health, though. I have skin cancer in my family, and last year, Nathaniel's Dad was diagnosed with Melanoma (a deadly form of skin cancer). Fortunately, his dad is surviving it, and taking measures to help it from spreading. I am just praying that my moles are benign and there is no trace of cancer. I have several, no millions, of moles. I am a pasty white Scandinavian gal, and covered in moles. I have several that the Dr. is going to keep a close eye on that we will more than likely remove in the future. So, after the removal tomorrow, I wait for a week or so for the results.

Last week my hubby worked a LOT with the DNR with fire fighting. His hours at work were really slow, and there was not much work. So, fortunately he was able to work with the State. It doesn't pay that well, but it was something for pay....PLUS, it is what he loves to do~ fight fire. I know our checking account will suffer a bit, and we will have to tighten the belt with spending. I just pray that his hours at his job will really pick up. We really need some overtime pay. God will provide, I know.

Cole is officially rolling over both front to back, and back to front. Last night, I had laid Cole on Caleb's floor while I was making his bed. He was fussing and complaining. I watched him as he was really working on rolling from back to front. Low and behold, He did it!! WOO HOO!! I ran to tell Terry and Nathaniel. Terry told me, "Oh yeah, he did that this morning. He was getting upset with me when I was changing his clothes, and he flipped over. I couldn't remember which way you told me he rolled a few days ago!" Urgh...I missed the first back to tummy roll, but I saw the first tummy to back roll. It's all good! So, my little guy is going through another milestone. He is also reaching for toys, batting at them, and reaching for my face. I love all of it!! :)