Where I've Been- Part 2

Oops! I didn't exactly show up the next day as promised did I? SO sorry. I've got to get back in a posting routine! On with June and July...

We hosted The Current at our house for an event called "Back in the Saddle". The Current is our young adult ministry for ages 18 to thirty somethings at Northwood. We had a blast! The day started out with a huge thunderstorm which dumped a ton of rain, but we still had over 20 people show up. Jeffry had penned up a calf and greased a pig...I can't even begin to tell you how hilarious it was to watch everyone!

A pic of some of The Current group

Jeffry and Micah, our youth pastor, playing on the trampoline

On June 9th, Trace had his 2nd eye surgery to correct the strabismus in his eyes. I wasn't nearly as nervous this time, having gone through it once before, but I was still anxious. Jeffry and I prayed over him before he went in, and the surgery went really well. He has healed up even better than expected. We actually go back to the eye doctor tomorrow for another checkup.

On his surgery bed, waiting to go back!

Sleeping off the drugs after surgery

Hooked up to his IV. His poor little face got super red from a reaction to the anesthesia.

A couple days after surgery. You can see how red the outer corners of his eyes were. But SO straight!

The boys spent a week at Vacation Bible School at FBC Wiggins. They had a great time, and I got to see their "performance" that Friday at noon. That's actually where the above picture of Trace was taken. I also got to celebrate one of my besties bdays a little early! We met in Picayune, got pedicures and had lunch with her family. It was a great day!

Me, Kisha, Cydnee

Jeffry and I celebrated our 8th anniversary in Jamaica again! SO relaxing. We left early on a Monday morning and came back on Saturday around noon. People keep asking us what we did, and we say NOTHING! Haha. We really love Sandals resorts because you can stay completely on the property, have great food and entertainment, and just relax and enjoy each others company. Can't wait til next year!

We came home from Jamaica on Saturday, stayed the night at home, and then loaded up our camper to take the boys to Flint Creek Waterpark on Sunday the 4th. Flint Creek is not too far from our house, so it's like a vacation, but we can still go to work during the day. Several of our friends were out their with their children, and the kids would play for hours. We actually stayed for just over 2 weeks! I was so ready to be home by then, but the boys had a blast. It was our "family vacation" since we skipped the beach this year. 

Bray, Trace, and Caleb in the camper getting ready for bed

Caleb chomping down on a Smore!

Bray with his Smore

Trace playing in the camper

I think that brings us through the end of July! I will post the boys pics of the first day of school next! 

Wordless Wednesday: Trace Surgery Edition

Before:

After:

Quick Update

Hey you guys! If you've been following me on Facebook or Twitter, you already know that Trace's eye surgery went really well yesterday! We had to be there at 7:30 in the morning. Once we arrived, we signed a few papers and they went ahead and took us back. About 15 minutes later, they gave Trace some purple medicine that would make him loopy. It didn't take long for him to get veeeerrrry relaxed! They took him back just before 8, and I got a little teary but I knew God had everything under control. Trace was under a general anesthesia and had an IV during the surgery. After 40 minutes or so, the doctor came in and told us everything went great! He did fine going to sleep and waking up, but he's been a little cruddy so they gave him a breathing treatment. Also, they had to try his IV three times but finally got it in his arm. When they brought him back to us from recovery, he had already sucked down two of the sugar water bottles! He didn't open his eyes for the longest time because he was still kinda out of it, but he drank an entire bottle off and on. We had to keep watching his oxygen monitor because they were a little worried about the rate since he had to have the breathing treatment. By 10:30, he was doing well enough to go home! He finally opened his eyes, and they looked incredible! I am so amazed how they look so different so fast! God is so good!! I promise to add some pics as soon as I can! If you follow me or Jeffry on Facebook, you can check out a few there. Thanks for all of your prayers!

Eye Surgery

We finally have a date! Trace will be having eye surgery on December 21st at 7:30AM. I'm nervous, scared, and excited. We are so ready to have it over with, but it has taken a while to get Trace's "bad eye" to strengthen up to where it should be. After the surgery we shouldn't have to do any patching!

I'm a little worried mostly about my reaction to seeing him after the surgery. Another mom friend of mine told me that no one really prepared her for what her baby would look like afterward. I know that the whites of his eyes will be pretty much completely red and bloodshot. The first day his eyes may kinda go all over the place, but we should see them straightening up within the first week. It's so exciting!

I know that this is a very common outpatient surgery, but as with any surgery, there is the chance of infection or that something could go wrong. We are very confident in our pediatric ophthalmologist and have full faith and trust in our Lord. We know that Trace is going to come out of this perfectly and can't wait to show you his beautiful straight eyes! Please keep him in your prayers!

Steadied by His Grace

It feels like I can't be consistent with blogging! I'm sure it would help if I had the internet at home...

Since my last post, we have had a lot going on. I guess the biggest thing affecting my life right now is that we found out Trace will need eye surgery in about six months. His eyes have been crossing some, and I kinda had a gut feeling that something wasn't quite right. I mean, I've had two other children, and I know the age that their eyes straighten out. Not to mention the fact that STRANGERS were kind enough (?!) to point out to me that his eyes cross. NO DUH. I'm his mother; I see him every day. Thanks for your concern. Ok, maybe that's harsh, but really...he's my baby, please don't point out his imperfections to me when I'm all too aware of them. It hurts my feelings.

Sooo, I made an appointment with one of the four pediatric opthamologists in Mississippi on Tuesday the 24th. I was expecting to maybe need a patch over one eye or glasses. As soon as the doctor walked into the office, she said, "Yes, his eyes definitely cross. This is not something that will straighten out on its own. We may be able to do glasses, but b/c it has onset this early, I am doubtful. He will probably need surgery at 10 months and then another surgery at 2." Wait, hold that, what?! Surgery?? Where did that come from? NOT what I was expecting to hear. She looked at his eyes with all different instruments, put some drops in, and then left for 15 minutes while the drops set in.

Fifteen minutes of me sitting in that exam room with Trace blown away by the fact that she mentioned surgery. I know it's routine and all, but he's my baby! I was just very shocked, and you know how the enemy tries to get you while you're down. I started praying over him while fighting back tears and finally felt the peace of the Lord with me in that room.

Trace's diagnosis is strabismus, specifically infantile esotropia. Basically, if you were on my right side I would look at you with my right eye, but he looks at you with his left. It crosses inward to see and focus. The problem is with his eye muscles, not the eye itself which is great news. It is correctable. There is a possibility that he may only need one surgery. Worst case scenario is two surgeries and glasses for life. We go back in three months for a check up to be sure that he is still using both eyes equally. There is a possibility he could start to use one more than the other, and if so, he'd have to have glasses or a patch to help correct that before the surgery.

I am praying and believing God for healing. Please pray with me! I know my God is powerful, and I know that He holds my baby in His hands. I am steadied by His grace which is more than sufficient for me...