We have an answer.

Ok, for all of you wandering what in the world is going on with Bella I will give you a quick run down!

About a month ago we noticed a large round bubble looking thing on the end of her tongue but on the underside of her tongue.  It looked like this.

We asked a couple of dentists in the family and they both said it looked like a clogged salivary gland. We watched it for a few weeks and it completely changed in shape, size, color and location.  Strange I know.  :)

We first thought a oral surgeon would be the one to remove it, but due to her age and the large amount of anesthesia that it would take, it just was not the safest route to take.  So, we were scheduled with a ENT in Russellville.  He looked at her and really was not sure what it was.  He felt due to the location of the mass, it was in our best interest to see a specialist at AR Children's Hospital.  Our appointment was scheduled for October 4th, but he felt this was something that needed quicker attention.  So, he made some calls for us and moved it to today!  

ACH is a humbling place.  You quickly become thankful for your minor situation in comparison to the vastly different place some families are in.  We came and we went.  Bella was happy and energetic the whole time we were there.  She colored and played games and looked forward to Chick-fil-a when we were finished. She ran around CFA like an excited 3 year old.  

As we sat near the registration desk, we saw the many people who were coming and going from ACH today.  I was reminded that life is but a vapor.  That my children are more important that the little things that take up too much of my time.  I watched as a mom cried because their insurance would not be paying for their child's life threatening neurological surgery.  I saw a mom and her teenage son walk hand in hand as he held his head up with a neck brace and a helmet due to a tragic wreck he was involved in.  I saw a couple that had a newborn baby that was needing brain surgery because of a skull that was not formed correctly.  A was reminded we serve a God who is sovereign and who can perform miracles.

I prayed for these families.  I hurt for these families.  As our daughter laughed and sang, and ate goldfish, I thanked God that she had a voice, and the ability to eat, that she had healthy legs to run and play.  

Bella has to have surgery in 2 weeks to remove the swollen gland.  The Dr. said he has never seen a gland so big.  They are usually 5-6mm enlarged and this one is at least 12mm.  So it will need to be removed.  They will surgically remove the gland and she should be able to go home that same day.  We are thankful for this report.  You never want your child to undergo surgery, and there are always risks involved, but we are filled with peace that she is held in the Father's hands.  I have said all along, she is His.  HE knows best.  We are blessed to care for her and to be her parents on this earth and we can't imagine a more spunky, precious little girl in our family.  :)

This has been an eye opening experience for us.  It has caused me to stop.  To do things I may not normally take the time to do because I get so caught up in things I need to take care of around the house...etc.   I held Bella tonight as she fell asleep.   I just looked at her, with tears in my eyes, and I Praised God for the gift that she is to us.  I never want to take the precious things in life for granted.    

Even on a bad day,  we have it so good and we are so incredibly blessed.  

Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. (Colossians 4:2)