Hannah's finger

Hannah woke up yesterday and showed me her finger. She looked like she had a pimple on it. I told her I need to get the infectious pus out. A huge "No!!" followed by lots of tears.

This is her finger at the end of the day. Her finger is so swollen. Painful, and the infection is twice the size as it was in the morning. This picture doesn't even do it justice.



Hannah was in pain. Even though I told her that we would have to go to the hospital if she won't let us take care of it, she wasn't letting us do anything. Even reminding her how awful her hospital stay was had no effect. Even telling her that her finger falling off a great probabilty- nope, no budging. Her finger was getting noticeably worse by the hour. What is a parent to do? We drug her. Benadryl is a parents dream in situations such as this. Along with some Tylenol, we hope it will help her pain.




Here's Breck Trying to do his best to show Hannah that it doesn't hurt to poke your finger.



Here's Hannah trying the needle out on a normal finger. I even let her poke my finger.



She's taking a 'stab' at her puss-filled infection. Sounds so awesome right? Not happening.

She was trying to be brave. She tried. I can't blame her. I read a book to her after she's exhausted from crying her eyes out. After she fell asleep, Aric comes in to do some minor surgery and open the thing up.

This morning Hannah showed me her finger and it has greatly improved. It has drained, and her finger isn't twice the size as normal anymore Looks drastically better. Yeah! Sometimes parenting isn't a pretty job.

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Snow, Lots of snow

Love the snow, but I could really go without the blizzard today.




Outside my front door. Looking out the window.



Not really sure how anyone would get to my front door....




My back door.







My kids taking advantage of the weather to catch up on some tv watching.

I'm not really looking forward to shoveling all that snow today. Usually I don't mind shoveling snow. I usually think of it as a 'workout'. It's my way of pretending that I'm actually getting some exercise.

Oklahoma sounds pretty good at the moment. They get a few inches of snow and people don't know what to do. As much as I love Minnesota, there are a few things I won't miss, like the massive amounts of snow I must shovel throughout the lengthy winter.



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THE BIG NEWS!!!!

Aric accepted the fellowship at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma!!! His one year fellowship in Cleft and Craniofacial Surgery will start in July 2011. We are so excited!!

During the lull of post-fellowship interviews, the waiting was unbearable at times (although it was only a few weeks and shorter than we expected). We started second-guessing things. We are planners, or should I say Aric really, there's only so much I can do. We were coming up with plan B-F if things didn't work out. Although we both knew he would get an offer from somewhere, we were not quite sure from where or when we would hear back.

I guess I need to do some homework on what my husband will actually be doing. I have been so focused on him getting IN a fellowship that I really didn't pay close attention to all that the fellowship involves. Now that the decision has been made, i can finally ask my husband, "what will you be doing exactly?" In general, I know he will be doing surgery on kids who have cleft lip and palate and also cranial/facial deformities. I'm pretty sure there's more to it than that.

Now I just have to look into apartments, and schools. Get my house ready to sell.... so much to do and so little time.

I am sad that this officially means our time in Rochester will come to a close eventually. The kids have been great sports about it. But they know that there is no fellowship available here in Rochester, so we kinda have to move.

I could probably live in Rochester permanently if it wasn't for these freezing cold winters though. I mean really -50 degrees? I feel like a cave man because we just go about our business when it's -20, but if it's 80 degrees here in summer, it's a heat wave. I'm not kidding, it really is, i feel like I'm going to die of heat exhaustion. We'll probably never win with weather, unless we move back to San Diego. That trully is the perfect place, except for the fact that it's expensive as heck to live there. I didn't know how good I had it growing up. BUT I love experiencing fall, and a brief snow on christmas would be great.

I think I finally got this whole fellowship thing started when I turned in an application for Hannah to start Kindergarten at Washington Elementary next year (it is a highly coveted spot), and I'll probably keep her registered until papers are signed and an apartment is found ... maybe until our house sells, who knows. I turn in the paperwork and I'm thinking to myself "I'm going to jinx this whole fellowship by doing this."

All of the sudden an hour later I get a call from Aric, saying that he is offered a spot at West Virginia and Oklahoma, and before the day is done, we know we are going to Oklahoma. We took our kids out to eat at one of our favorite restaurants, HuHot a Mongolian grill. They love getting their uncooked food prepared to let some non-mongolian-probably spanish-person cook their meal over a fire. I wish I could get my kids to get excited to help me make dinner at home. they would probably say something like "yeah, but it's just not the same at home." I agree for a different reason, i love any dinner that I don't have to make.

To get a nostalgic about our lives, it's actually crazy to think that we started out on this path of higher, higher education 10 years ago. Aric started Dental School a bright-eyed and bushy-tailed eager student. When my mom told my dentist who has sadly had to see my mouth since a young child that my husband is in Dental school and wants to be an oral surgeon, he told her, "that's what they all say." The truth is, he didn't know my husband, and my husband likes to be challenged. When he puts his mind to something, he does it. Aric (and I) am no longer the young bushy-tailed kids that started out on this journey, but 30-somethings worn and alittle rough around the edges, him by working 80 hours a week for residency, me, by my wonderful children, and the fact that I'll never get a decent night's sleep ever again.

Thank you so much to our kids that are so awesome and are willing to share their daddy with those who need him. To our family who have supported us from the beginning. To all of our friends and neighbors who have become our family here in Rochester. We are so blessed.

iPhone

I kept hinting that an iPhone would be a really awesome Christmas gift but alas, my cell phone died last week and I got the ok from the hubby to just go and get the iPhone already. You don't have to tell me twice. Yesterday morning I dropped Hannah off at preschool and off to At&t I went. I had already picked out the cover for the phone so this was a pretty quick buy with only one standard iPhone color to choose from.

I noticed my 2 year old, Mady , get that far off stare that children do when they are about to go # 2. I proceeded to tell the salesperson that this better be quick because my daughter has a present in her pants and you REALLY don't want to find out what it looks like. As he is finishing the sale which of course cost much more than I had anticipated. Because you HAVE to buy the apple warranty and also MUST buy the car charger. Apple is very clever. Walking out much poorer than when I entered I left the store in a much stinkier state that it wouldn't surprise me if there was a NO toddler allowed sign in the window next time I walk by.

I spent the last two days loading on contacts & schedules, music, and apps, preparing my mini-computer for action. I will never buy a different phone again that isn't compatible with the iPhone. i
It's not be because I don't love it (which I do) but because I never want to waste this much time again loading info onto my phone, ever.

If I can get it to work I am going to try to post pics I took of my kiddos. It's going to take some getting used to. Blogger is not iphone friendly. I guess no pics today.

This blog was 'sent from my iPhone'

2009 cont... and 2010

This was a post I never published from the beginning of this year. 2009 sucked, and the beginning of 2010 was even worse. Now I know why I never published this post, it's so depressing, but really just a journal entry from my life at the moment. Right after this journal entry below at the beginning of january 2010 I got the flu so bad that I lost like 10 pounds, and then of course I got my vertigo and headaches again, which continued to go on, and on, and on forever, until February 1st, 2010 I finally had to see my physician. I refused to go to the ER, even though my neurologist brother told me to go. I was lossing my mind, my headache was so bad I couldn't eat or sleep for three days, nothing helped, I was literally going crazy. Smells made me sick, food made me sick. Imagine that you have all of the worst symptoms of a pregnancy of everything makes you sick, smells, food, you name it, than have an incredible migraine on top of it that you don't know how to fix. Know I know why we need sleep, it is very important. I went to see my doctor, with my pediaylte in one hand, and my vomit bag in the other. I was in a very bad place, I had what they call a "status migranosis" which is basically the worst headache ever, and can induce a stroke or other very bad things if not treated because the blood vessels in my brain were working overtime. I was finally able to get the attention and treatment from the right doctors who could not ignore my symptoms anymore. It was a mixed blessing in disguse that I hope to never go through again. Before this, I had not been able to get the right treatment because my symptoms were all over the place and they didn't know how to treat me. It is nice to be able to talk about it know, it wasn't until July I can say that I am back to normal. I still have migraines all the time, but my meds are helping tremendously and I will probably have to take them for the rest of my life,or else suffer from migraines daily and vertigo.

It has been 2 and 1/2 years since my first vertigo attack that has changed my life for ever. This is my new life, and that's ok. I know how to deal with it now, and knowing that I will never have to suffer like I did the past 2 and 1/2 years is very comforting in itself. I was starting to get some anxiety from the fact that I never knew when my vertigo was going to strike and keep me down for 6 weeks. I never have to miss out on life again. Yeah!! No more anxiety, I just carry around my meds with me. I had a migraine yesterday, and possibly having one come on today, but I know that I can receive treatment and medicate myself to stop the migraine, vertigo, or both, or lessen it atleast. Thank you to modern medicine, I love you, i love you, i love you!!! I can finally say that life is great again, it's a great feeling. By the way I was offically diagnosed with Vertiginous migraines, meaning I have vertigo and I have migraines, that may or may not happen at the same time. I could have told them that. But I didn't realize how nice it would be to have an official diagnosis, it only took a dozen doctor visits at Mayo Clinic with neurology, ENT, and multiple specialist in both areas, lots and lots of testing, and $10,000. But hey, now I know, and knowing is have the battle. I am such a stronger person because of all this, if I can survive that while trying to care for my kids, I can do anything.


Original post 1/12/2010:

Well we have had some great things happen in our family, and some not so great things. 2009 has by far been the toughest year of my life. I had several reoccurances of Vertigo that have just rocked my world. Most of 2009, beginning in January, I have been ill with Vertigo and had severe problems with my eyes, that I would say that I am so happy to see 2010. I hope that this year things will be better. I don't understand what is going on with my no-name illness that I just call"Vertigo". The first half of the year I spent sick to my stomach and very weak due to so much vertigo, just to be replaced by a rediculous nonstop horrible headache the entire second half of 2009. Lets just say I will never go on a rollercoaster again if I don't have to. I felt like I was on a rollercoaster this whole past year and at the moment I am glad to be off. I really count my blessings and am so grateful for my health when I feel good, or really, when then the world isn't spinning. My family has been great. There have been good things to come out of this. My children have been somewhat forced to learn to take care of themselves when it comes to it. Brecklen is so sweet. He is so proud of the fact that he can make lunch for our family when I really need him to. He is such a sweetheart.


I had a neuroconsult last January and an MRI in February. That was a scary time. I was trully afraid that I may have a tumor or something. But my MRI was clean and to be honest the neurologist didn't really know what to tell me. I can't belive that was a year ago.



Most of my time is either spent sick , getting over my vertigo and the affects of it, or planning for the next one since I have had them so often. I hope that I will have some more free time this year to actually see my friends and pursue a hobby even. I really just need to clean my house.


I think the hardest thing about the vertigo has been that I just can't take care of my kids the way I would have hoped. I have fallen short of my expectation, and through many tears and conversations with my sisters and mom, I am still trying to cope with the fact that I am only doing my best. I miss my mom dearly when I just need an extra set of arms. When things are good, I try to make up for it, but this really weighs on my conscience. Taking care of Madelyn has been the single biggest trial. We have survived. I don't know if it has neccisarily made us a stronger family, I hope so, but we have all learned how to help one another when in need. For that I am grateful.

Happy endings...

I saw a quote today I liked :

"Every story has a happy ending. If your not happy now, then your story isn't over. " :)

2009

2009 seemed to last forever and fly by at the same time. I haven't done much blogging in oh 9 months so here are the highlights of our year:

Madelyn has gotten bigger and bigger. Really she's actually just gotten taller. She's a tiny little thing (16 months), with a cute little tiny head. It has been fun for the whole family to see her grow up from rolling over, sitting up, to crawling, to walking and even turning one year old in September. Her favorite word and pretty much only word is "MAAM" which she likes to yell loudly when I am out of arms reach. I wish her hair would grow, but alas, she has grown a baby fem mullet, which I sadly decided yesterday that I must cut off. I hated to cut what little hair she had, but it had to be done. The fem mullet is not a good look for anyone, no, not even a baby of mine. Mady loves chasing Brecklen and hannah and joining in their play, and doesn't love it when they smother her in love, but I do!

Hannah turned three, started preschool and is still as cute as ever with her big brown eyes, the cutest voice that makes you laugh when she speaks, and is usually seen in a princess outfit. Hannah has most notably cut her hair twice in 2009, which we are still growing out. Honey, lets go for zero haircuts in 2010, ok? She is my little helper and we love to hang out. Everyday she asks me if it's a family day and I say "yes, it is." She claps and cheers when we get to hang out, as we do everyday. I love her enthusiasm. She is quite the fashonista and loves to wear a dress everyday, or atleast be very sparkly and girly.

Brecklen turned 6 and started kindergarten and is reading so well and is my big helper. He lost his first tooth, and the replacement is starting to grow in. He is an amazing big brother and a very caring and sensitive person. His prayers are always outstanding, and even brought grandpa to tears this past christmas. He is very concerned about the poor and homeless this winter and wants everyone to have a home and food to eat. He is such an amazing example of christ and I so get it when the scriptures say to be more like children, they are so humble, and caring of others. On a different note, Brecklen really wanted a camera, so santa got him his very own camera for christmas, and when we got home from visiting grandma and grandpa Murphy after christmas, Brecklen and Hannah each got to pick out two fish. So we now have 4 fish, that are still alive, and it's been a week. I am very proud of myself.

Aric graduated medical school this past summer and started his fifth year of residency (only a year and a half more... I can't contain my excitement), and completed not one but two triathalons this summer. Such an amazing accomplishment,I am so proud of everything Aric has done.

Me, I turned 30. Yeah, not so fabulous, but not horrible either, I feel more secure and sure of myself that now I understand when people say 30's are the new 20's. No? don't they? Well, I am.

We finished off the year by celebrating our 10 year anninversary on December 29th. It's amazing that the past ten years have gone by so quickly. Here we are living in Minnesota, have 3 kids, own a house, and Aric is almost done with residency. We are grateful, I am so grateful, to have such a wonderful family, and wonderful friends.

I wish I could have been more faithful in blogging these wonderful memories, and I will probably be posting pictures at some point of these times. I am so excited to actually be posting something, I will continue with 2009 on a different day. Happy 2010 to all of you, may it be all you are hoping for!

Today is Aric's 32 birthday. Happy birthday dear. I love you!