Stomach Flu and some time to breathe....

Only one child down with stomach flu this week--hopefully the ONLY child... God used the timing of it to allow me some time to reflect on my priorities.

One...that there is not enough time in the day to play with my kids, do the laundry, housework, make meals, take photos and read blogs. Oh...and do laundry. Did I say that already? Um...yeah, because I swear that it reproduces itself faster than rabbits. Seriously. I know I have 10 kids, but still....

So...back to my priorities...something had to give. And since I can't stop doing the laundry, I guess it will have to be reading blogs. Well, that's no fun. However...it's needed. So I may not post every day, and I may not read all my favorite blogs every day...but I will continue to post and read as God provides the time.

Enough about that...

Next week could be a very trying week, so I may not post much. Jeff has to go to Italy for the whole week (wah). Monday is a very, very important doctor appointment for our Miss Zoey. We have been waiting three months to see the specialist about her leg and foot. Her left leg is shorter than the other (by several inches) and her foot has no ankle/socket bones. Her foot is turned totally sideways so that the inside of her 'ankle' touches the ground when she walks. The surgeon we saw in Ohio told us that she falls into the gray area between amputation and trying to save her foot, and lengthen her leg. Best case scenario with trying to save her foot would be that she would never be able to bend it at the ankle, so it would stationary. I was very surprised to find out that they do not make ankle joint replacements (like hip and knee). An ankle joint gets so much use that it would wear out in a matter of months--hence, no replacement.

Before we adopted her, we knew that we were most likely facing an amputation. But after watching her run on the beach, play in the water, etc., this summer, it is so hard to imagine her trying to do that with a prosthetic that cannot get wet, needs to be cleaned (kept free of sand), etc. How will she run on the beach? How will she play in the sandbox without having to take her 'leg' off? She is a rough and tumble little girl--very athletic and loves to get dirty.

On the other hand, based on her athletic ability, the prosthetic would probably be a good thing--since it would enable her to move freely once it was strapped on.

Anyway...it's just hard to look at her cute little foot and imagine it not being there anymore. We are praying that the doctor is very decisive with his recommendation. It's a hard decision to make. If we choose amputation, will she be angry at us for 'cutting off her foot?' If we choose the multiple surgeries it would require to save her leg and foot, will she lose her childhood to a hospital (as the prior surgeon has warned)?

We know that God has a wonderful plan for our spunky girl and we trust that He will show us the best option for her.

Whatever the plan ends up being, we will do it together!

We love you, sweet girl!