Cat Got Your Tongue?

WARNING: Nasty pictures...

Before stitches... (these pictures make the cut look mild)

After Stitches.

This is what happens when your 2 yr old likes to climb on the stool, pull herself onto the counter to drink from the faucet, then misses the stool on the way down and catches herself with her chin on the edge of the counter... and don't forget her tongue was between her teeth.

I discovered why I was meant to have girls. Stitches don't happen too often in a house full of girls, and for that I am thankful. I was fine with the blood but once I saw that big chunk of tongue just hanging down, my stomache did a little flip.

The Doctor said it was bad enough for stitches, but warned us that the tongue is the hardest part to stitch.... that was an understatement!

Reese was fine until the Dr gave her a shot in the tongue, then she wouldn't open her mouth for anyone.

It took 4 adults holding her down, and after a half an hour, she was only able to get 2 stitches in. The poor nurse had to force her tongue out with a tongue depressor (resulting in those gross sores on the corner of her mouth) while the Dr tried to grab and keep a hold of her tongue with one hand, while stitching with the other.

Let's just say that Reese is freakishly strong for her size, and we were all dripping sweat when it was over with. Why they didn't drug her, I will never know.

So, if you ever have a kid who needs stitches in the mouth, make sure that they give them something strong to relax them.

It's pretty funny watching Reese try to eat or drink now. She holds her cup to the one corner of her mouth and drinks sideways. Today at lunch she pointed to her face and said, "Dis side have owie, but not dis side. I dwink wif dis side."

I guess if I had boys, this would have been no big deal...

Our Amazing Grandma Ginger

Have I ever told you about my amazing Grandma Ginger?

Well, she's amazing. So amazing, that I was named after her. I think that my parents were hoping that I would turn out to be just as great... sorry to dissapoint you Mom and Dad!

Well, I was blessed to have her in my life for 31 1/2 happy years.

My Grandma could do anything! She could bake the most wonderful desserts and breads, all without a recipe. She could take just about any boring item and turn it into something beautiful. When I was little, she crocheted a pair of leg warmers and a matching bag for me... I thought I was the stuff going back to school after Christmas break. She taught my girls how to make the most beautiful paper dolls. She was a beautiful writer and story teller. All though she grew up a city girl, she went on to help run a ranch in the middle of Montana, without electricity or running water. Later in her life, she went on to serve a mission with my Grandpa in Sau Paulo, Brazil. This meant that she had to learn to speak Portuguese, even though she was in her 60's. My Grandpa used to tell us that she could shoot a gun better than any man he knew.

All this, and she also raised 6 kids.

4 years ago, my Grandma was told that she had lung cancer and only had a couple of months to live. Well, a couple of months was not enough for her so she decided that she was going to stick around for a few more years... so she did.

My Grandma Ginger passed away peacefully on Christmas morning. I was able to see her the night before and tell her goodbye. It was such a sacred experience.

Although I will miss her terribly, I am so happy to have had such an amazing women in my life. I went away from her funeral wanting to be a better person and to try to live up to her name. I hope that my girls will remember her and her amazing strength.

I can't wait until the day I get to see her again (well, maybe I can wait about 50 or 60 years). I am going to miss her!