Facial Reconstruction-surgery #5

This sweet face will change tomorrow.
 Hudson is having his 5th surgery related to his cleft (6th surgery in all).  We have been trying for a year to change from his former surgeon to a cleft team.  We were finally accepted by the team last month and we were shocked when his craniofacial surgeon wanted him scheduled for surgery right away.  We were not expecting another surgery until he was at least 7 and since he just had surgery in Oct this took us by surprise BUT....we are thrilled with the team and how hard they have worked on Hudson's behalf in just a month (another story for another day).  This surgery is the beginning of his facial reconstruction.  After closing a fistula in his palate they will begin on his nose and lip.  He has lots of scar tissue in his nose and it is visible at the base of his nose.  One of his nostrils is almost blocked inside with scar tissue.  This will be cleaned out and open up his nasal passages.  Dr G will then do a "lift" on the tip of his nose and bring in his nostrils.  Right now he has a very adult/wide looking nose and Dr G wants to give him a more "true to his age" nose.  He will also create the dimple above his lip that most of us have and bring in the sides around that dimple.   He will also get a 2nd set of tubes which will bring his loss of hearing back up.  The surgery will last about 3 hours and starts bright and early at 7:30 am.  Hudson is now fully aware of surgery and the after effects so this week has been a bit tough for him.  It is so hard as parents to know they will face pain with our permission......but we know it is for his benefit and part of what we signed up for.   His friend Ben is having surgery at the exact time so we will be sharing the waiting room with Ben's parents.   A "small world" story.  

Tonight Kailee, Hudson and I went out to take pictures in the Blue Bonnets.  Hudson has been learning about them at school and although it is a TX tradition to take pictures in the Blue Bonnets I haven't done it in years...and the first time with Hudson.  I figured I better get some pictures of the face that we adore.  It is always sad to know his face will change.  Last night as we were praying I thanked God for doctors.  Hudson asked "why?" and I said "doctors make us feel better and fix things"...he said "but I don't need fixing"....oh sweet boy.....you are right....so perfect in our eyes!!!!!

I appreciate your prayers....it is always a long day and longer night.  PICU is on standby as Hudson struggles so much coming out of anesthesia...we are praying we avoid that!!!

Kailee turns 14!!

This past Saturday, April 9th this cute thing turned 14!!!!  So hard to believe my baby girl is about to enter high school.    

Kailee was breech three times before she burst forth into this world after only 1.5 hours of labor and was delivered by the nurses.  No pain meds and not even in the proper position this little thing introduced herself to us pretty much like she does life to this day.  Determined, hard working and when she puts her mind to something she just does it until.....Her tumbling in the womb has never stopped and she recently made JV cheerleading for next year.  Her gymnastic team days have transferred to tumbling on the field and courts and her small size has her flying way on top...(A little nervous about those 9 high pyramids in highchool  

She began walking at 9 months....such a tiny thing it was strange to see her toddling around.

(yes, she has her arm in a cast here due to soccer and already in a bearcat cheer uniform!)

Kailee has been a trooper this year transferring from her small Christian school to a large public school.  She has reconnected with friends from her soccer days (most of the girls in the pictures below began playing soccer together at age 4 and continued together for several years).   We had a fun night taking them out to eat, ice cream and then home for a slumber party.  They all now play VB together and all but three of the girls below have been cheering together and will continue next year.   I recognize how quickly time goes and in just two short years they will all be driving and days of mom and dad taking them out will be history!

Happy Birthday Kailee!!!  We are so proud of you!

One of the most life changing weekends ever!!!

I am headed here in one hour to spend the weekend in intercessory prayer for the college generation.  This is the 3rd time I have done this, the first in One Day 2003 which was held right outside of Sherman.  Even before One Day I longed for the day my son (and eventually girls) could be a part of this amazing group and today is the day.  You have to be a high school Sr or College student to attend.  It is a weekend where the students spend seeking Gods face for their lives and is JAM PACKED with the most fabulous speakers and worship leaders in the world.  I am thrilled that Jordan asked to go a year ago and is excited for this weekend.  He is headed off with a few friends from his discipleship group at church and others and I can't wait to hear what God will show him this weekend, how his faith will be challenged and how he will be encouraged  for HIS FAME AND RENOWN.  It is an amazing priviledge to spend the weekend praying for these kids and is UNBELIEVABLE what God does.  Pray for me as I pray for our 268 Generation....your kids will be there one day!!!!!

Gotcha Anniversary #3...then and now..

.....then..March 30, 2008....he stood in the corner of the room behind the bed so sad and scared....

fall 2010, posing with complete cofidence

"....uhhh, hands off big guy"...and he didn't let dad touch him for another two weeks

2011, he wakes every morning and asks "where's dad?"..and many times throughout the day..."when is dad coming home?"

"not sure who or what you think you are but don't touch the pink shoes"

I love this picture...it was taken during Hudson's Christmas program...I snapped it right as he saw me in the audience.  Nothing like your child's face lighting up when they see you!!!  Very different from that first day.  

It is so hard to believe it has been three years and yet we really can't remember life without Hudson...he continues to bring joy and laughter to us daily and we are STILL in awe with humble gratitude that we were chosen to be his parents.

Three years ago today....

.....we were physcially still a family of five although finally in the same country as our boy...

We were climbing the great wall in below freezing temps....

eating lots of this...

and making dear, sweet friends....

...counting the hours before we got our hands on this sweet baby!!!

Thomas brought the circus to town..

This has become a permanent feature of our living room...once in a while it is replaced with scenes from Radiator Springs or back to the wild west with a playskool fort and then further back to midevil times with a castle but most days Thomas runs through our living room on a new adventure.  Last weekend the circus came to town so Thomas and friends have been busy building, moving and transporting animals...I hear this coming weekend is Thomas' b'day so a party is being planned.

My dad pegged Hudson as an engineer his first summer home (at age 2) when he would watch grandpa patiently in his shop as he would hammer red hot damascus steel into knives on his anvil or use any number of tools in some fix it job.  Hudson will study any sort of moving part in a machine and you can just see the wheels in his own head turn as he tried to figure out how things work.  He loves to construct his own bridges and train tracks and builds ramps and towers with anything he can get his hands on.  He will study Thomas "track maps" and go about following the design.  I have never once seen him show any frustration as he works puzzles, designs and takes things apart and puts them back together.  His tool kit is never far from whatever project he is working on a it always contains electrician tape which can hold anything together.    

Who knows what Hudson will end up doing in his life.  I have a child old enough that I know what they displayed when they were little does not necessarily mean it will interest them years later....but sure enjoying the imagination and wonderment of now.  

40 Days For Life

If any of you have read unPLANNED you know what 40 Days For Life is all about.  If you want to be part of a powerful, but PEACEFUL movement I would encourage you to go to their website and see if your city is participating.  I talk with girls weekly who are faced with crisis pregnancies and abortion is a consideration.  My heart SO longs for these girls to choose life for their babies over death.  Just as many of you are advocates for the orphan because they can't advocate for themselves we need to have the same passion for the unborn and ACT!!!!  I am totally opposed to any hateful and unloving actions towards those that are involved in the abortion industry in any way,  that is not how the battle will be won but we MUST storm heaven with our prayers and always be loving towards girls, boys, men and women who are victims of abortion and its money hungry industry.  I hear about the pain weekly in girls I talk with who come through our centers doors.  What they thought would be an "easy" fix to a then problem has turned into shame and emotional pain, and many time paralyzes them in their relationships.
My heart and hope is that adoption would be thought of more readily than abortion every time a girl/young woman is in a crisis pregnancy.   It is amazing to me that there is a more negative reaction to adoption than abortion and SO the enemies delight.  I met with a 13 year old last week who is pregnant and due to her mom's tough love is moving forward making an adoption plan, PLEASE pray with me that she will take this first act of parenting seriously and choose a future for her child.  She is one of three clients right now moving forward with adoption, all who have considered abortion.  They are my heroes!!!!
I would also encourage you to read unPLANNED.  This is Abby Johnson's story about how she left an abortion clinic in Bryan, TX after directing it for 8 years and literally ran in the back door of the Christian Coaltion down the street.  Because of their peaceful relationship that they had developed with her over time she knew she could go to them when she needed a safe zone.
It is an amazing book showing both sides of the battle....PLEASE read it as it will give you a whole new perspective on how the other side views "us" and what truly works.... an amazing story of God...grace and mercy!!!!




***Please feel free to email me privately at sharonteague@me.com if you have ever been touched by abortion.  Many women have never shared their story with any one, no shame or guilt will be found in you by me.