ALL We Want For Christmas Is.................

A Successful Surgery!!!!!!

That is right, we are having Nathan's 3rd surgery next week................AAAHHH! right before Christmas. I know it's a horrible time of year to do it but we are hoping the excitement of the holidays will distract him a bit. We thought long and hard about our decision and decided that we didn't want to wait until after the school year and then ruin another summer of fun. The sooner this stage of our life is over, the sooner we can take that long awaited trip to Disney World. Have I mentioned that yet, after all the stages of surgery are over (we will have one more after this one) Nathan gets to take a trip to Disney World with just Rod and I --- leaving baby brother at home with grandparents.

This little fella has been such a trooper and although he is well aware of what is taking place next week he has enjoyed every aspect of the holiday season thus far. We will leave on Monday morning for the normal pre-op appointment with Dr. Jones that afternoon. And surgery is scheduled for Tuesday morning around 11:00 central time. Please keep us all in your prayers.

For those that don't know (note: if you have already heard what this surgery is all about, skip on down) what the Stage 3 surgery is, let me give you a brief run down ---that way I don't have to repeat it a million times in the next few days :) ................As most of you have seen or heard, Nathan right now has basically an "ear-beneath-the-skin" look on his microtia side. This procedure separates the ear from the head with a skin graft (that will be taken from his upper leg/hip area) producing a limited space behind the ear. He should be in surgery for approximately 3-4 hours.

Of all the stages of the ear reconstruction, the new ear is probably the most delicate and vulnerable after this surgery and therefore will require a strict 4-6 weeks "no major activity" recovery.

Specific prayer requests..........For Nathan's courage and bravery, for mine and Rod's anxiety and worry to be lifted, for Dr. Jones's knowledge and skill to be at its highest, for a successful surgery with no complications, for safe travels to and from Atlanta, for minimal pain afterwards, and for a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I hope each and everyone of you that takes the time to stop and read my blog occasionally to have a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!

**Check back on Tuesday for updates throughout the day. Blessings!!!!