Colonoscopy? Seriously?

Today I took Brooklyn in to the doctor to check out some troubles we've been having with her GI tract. Turns out she needs to go in for a colonoscopy and possibly have a polyp removed. I was kind of in a state of disbelief as I was thinking that my 3 year old is needing a colonoscopy when I myself have never had one (nor do I look forward to having one). Seriously she's 3 years old! I'm really hoping that they don't find very many polyps for if they do then she'll have to get a colonoscopy once every 3 years. Talk about fun. I don't know what's going to be more fun being the parent who has to force all the prep work and keep a three year old from eating solid food for a day, or being the one who actually has the procedure. How do you explain this kind of stuff to a 3 year old? Needless to say I'm not looking forward to it.

I am grateful that of my two children that this happening with Brooklyn. She is such a good patient and is so interested in medicine. Brooklyn was quite apprehensive about the visit with the doctor. No one wants a doctor to get too personal with things, but she did very well and cooperated. The doctor wanted to run some blood labs on her to get some preliminary results before the procedure. We went to the lab and I didn't tell her where we were headed or what was going to happen until we got into the actual room for the blood draw. She sat on my lap and I began to explain that it would be a quick poke and then we could see her blood come out into a little tube. Poor Brooklyn then resisted, as all normal kids would, just to the cleaning with the alcohol wipe and drying with the cotton ball. Then as the time for the poke came I held her tightly in my arms as she bravely watched the tech stick her. Brooklyn didn't even cry. She just watched and held real still. I wish I could have seen her face. She relaxed once she realized it didn't hurt like a shot does and seemed fascinated by it. After it was all over she wanted to be sure to show her daddy her bandaid and the white thing under it (the cotton ball). I think the hardest part was telling her that we get to go back to see this doctor again next week. She asked if she would get poked again and I had to tell her yes because they will put in an IV for the procedure. She is one brave little girl.

I'm just impressed by the faith and blind obedience that she has in me as her mother. That all will be ok. I truly wish that I could be more like a little child like my sweet Brooklyn. That I can just reach up and hold someone's hand and trust that everything will be ok. Deep inside I know that and can feel it, but sometimes that external physical reassurance makes a big difference.

*Aside*

I had to laugh one of our toy baby strollers got stepped on and the handle snapped off. I tried to superglue it back together last night, but it didn't last long. Brooklyn brought the stroller to me and said that Heavenly Father could fix it. She's right He could. I told her I didn't think He would because He leaves things up to us to take care of down here most of the time. I'm just glad I don't hear "I want to kill Jesus!" nearly so often anymore. :) Scriptures are full of violence! I do hear in regards to answers to prayers that "Mama will do it" frequently. I love my girls and I'm glad they love me too.

Half Marathon's are Fun!

I recently just completed my first half marathon. Let me tell you from experience that a half marathon is SO much easier than a full marathon! The race felt really pretty good, not including the first three miles that it took my knee to loosen up and stop hurting, but other than that I loved it. The scenery and trails through Park City, UT were beautiful. The morning air was cool and crisp and you could see your breath before the race began. The usual race day excitement coursed through my veins and the lack of sleep the night before always makes me wonder why I even try to sleep. But try I did.

There is something about crossing that starting line knowing you have prepared and done a good job in training. As I'm running along the course and watch as the mile markers go past, I seemed to feel more and more confident and wanted to run a little faster. That is until the lovely gu entered my system and hit my stomach like a rock! That slowed me down for a mile or so at least. But once the benefits of the quick carbs kicked in I was ready to go. The downhill back to the finish was gentle and it almost felt like coasting in. I was approaching mile 12 and could feel some fatigue in my back and abs. My legs felt strong and mentally I was excited. The finish line was approaching. I rounded the last few corners saw my sister Val there and heard her cheer for me, then spotted my parents with my sweet little girls and my cousins Kelly and Kayla. It's always so nice to have people waiting for you at the finish and I've done enough races by myself to truly appreciate having someone at the finish to greet you and tell you good job. This half marathon seriously felt easier than the 10 mile trail run I'd done a few weeks beforehand. Maybe altitude doesn't make all that big of a difference... : )

Now if only I could figure out what is going on with my knee. It's been acting up for several months now. Hurting terribly after a long run, or any run. The week before the half I was in San Francisco and just walking around town I was dying. Limping around and in a good deal of pain. I was having doubts if I could even run the half marathon the following week. But after a 3 mile warm up run I knew I could tolerate the pain and the longer I ran the less it hurt, well, that is until I stopped running. Then it's a completely different story. But I made it through and now I'm hoping to get some good reason as to why my knee is so painful. MRI was done Friday and x-rays show the joint itself is still great. I'll keep my fingers crossed it's a fairly easy fix!

The irony is now that it seems that I can't run or probably shouldn't I really want to lace up those running shoes and head out the door. Why is it when you can you don't and when you can't you really want to? I guess I'll just have to wait and see what's up with my knee and then plan my next race!

Waiting for the Mail

Yesterday I brought the mail in and saw a letter that I had been waiting for. I knew that the letter contained the results from Eric's board exam that he took in June. It always seems like I am more anxious about them than he ever is. I handed him the letter and told him he might be interested in this. Then he said he'd open it after we got the girls tucked in bed. What?!? You're going to wait when you've already waited a month and a half?!? I'm always shocked that he can just wait like that. I told him he was lucky that I hadn't opened it for him already. But sure enough after the girls were tucked in he opened it. The result? He passed!! Hooray! He scored well placing in the 75% of all those who took the test. Congratulations Eric. I'm so proud of him. He has worked so hard and it's always nice when it pays off.

I typed "Dr. Eric Hogan" earlier and it kind of took me by surprise. I guess I've known for quite a while now that he was going to be a doctor but I guess I had just never put the Dr. in front of his name. CRAZY! It might take some getting used to. But it does have a nice ring to it. : )

FHE Answers to Prayers

Last night for FHE we did the lesson that Brooklyn brought home from her primary class on the first vision. Brooklyn was all excited that she was in charge of the lesson. Eric put Joseph Smith together with paper fasteners so you could make him sit or stand or kneel. Then we had the Sacred Grove backdrop thanks to her teachers and a few other cut outs to help tell the story. It was a great lesson, I know Brooklyn participated and was listening. Sadie on the other hand was busy doing a puzzle and I don't know how much she got out of it.

After the lesson we were talking about how Heavenly Father can answer our prayers. I reminded Brooklyn of the time she went into her room to say a prayer for Grandma Jane after her piano accident and was trying to help her recognize the Holy Ghost. When Brooklyn says "Jesus didn't come down in my room." How does one handle that situation?!? He didn't come and answer her prayer personally. I know I've felt like that before and wondered why the angels haven't appeared to me and answered my prayers. But a 3 year old? They truly are a chosen generation. Hopefully she understood a little about the Holy Ghost and that she can still get answers to her prayers even if Jesus doesn't come personally into her room.

It's times like these that make you smile and make you hope that you are doing enough in teaching your children the gospel.

Journey Within

Have you ever gone inside your eyes? Brooklyn has. She came in the other morning and said that she went in her eyes 5 times and that I didn't come with her. She and one of her friends was there in a car. Then her friend went in a building and she was lost. Brooklyn went in after her in the building and then to a house. She was quite upset that I didn't go with her in her eyes and that I didn't help her. I definitely think we have hit dreaming and remembering them after phase. I can't believe how much she is learning and growing. The time is passing so quickly.

Brooklyn is a very sensitive little girl. Our neighbor was crying the other night when we left and the next morning one of the first things Brooklyn wanted to do was make sure that McKenna was happy now. She loves to wear a pretty dress and dance all around and gets a sweet almost shy expression on her face as she does it. She loves to dance with Sadie and go on "dates." Brooklyn loves to create things and use her hands. She loves to color, paint, and play with playdough. She especially loves to help me cook. She's an excellent helper when it's time to make raspberry jam, she's the best berry squisher I know!