Requested scary surgery photos

I am posting the scary pictures at the request of others despite that I look like Frankenstein. I decided that it is part of our history and one day I might laugh or at least learn from the experience. This picture is after the first cut. Scott thought it would be cool to break out the cell phone camera. I didn't start swelling for a few hours.This is Thursday night and believe it or not I look awesome compared to Tuesday or Wednesday. I can actually see out of my left eye and with make-up you cannot see the discoloring. The swelling traveled from my eye and dropped down to my cheeks. They look like they are drooping.Tonight was a Blue and Gold Banquet for our ward. Scott organized a Chinese New Year's celebration. We had a Chinese dinner, Dragon dance, chopstick relay and cake competition. I had no choice but to shop the past few days at Costco and several decoration stores. I actually had a woman comment at my appearance not being appropriate for public... Yikes that bad. Tonight did have a fun highlight. Danielle and I read outloud every night together. We just finished the Secret Garden. We were able to go to a Mother Daughter book club after the Scout Banquet. I was so happy to spend not only the time reading each day but going on a special outing with my oldest daughter. She is such a joy to be around. She made me laugh when after the meeting she volunteered to do High School Musical Karaoke. She belted out some song I had never heard and that is when I realized that either I am getting old or she is growing up, probably both.

Quasimodo for a week

Monday involved more excitement than I would like for a long time. A month ago I had some Basal cell skin cancer removed from my nose. I went in for my scheduled Moh's surgery Monday at St. Al's out patient surgery office with Dr. Terri Cottingham. We arrived at 9:30 for what I thought would be a short procedure. Little did I know we would be there until after 3 p.m. The doctor gave me a few shots of litocain in and around the nose - I don't recommend a shot in the nose. Then she proceeded to color me with blue marker, cut out large pieces of flesh and cauterize any heavy bleeding. I cringed at the sounds and smells of all that she did. She then sent us out to the waiting room all bandaged up to wait for her to take the cells back to the lab.

I had this done twice until a clean bill of health was given. I was so grateful for her expertise at this point in time due to the seemingly huge hole in my nose. I could not fathom how she would manage to make me look normal. After my third round of litocain she cut two more large triangles from one end of my nose to the other and began stitching from the cheek into the crease of my nose. Scott said she treated it like she was sewing and creating a work of art. He spent the day holding Gideon and offering moral support.

I am grateful to have it all over and that I am cancer free but I am currently looking quite scary. They warned me of swelling and bruising but no one said anything about scaring your one year old. I will remain bandaged another week and hopefully will resume normality. It is a great week to have a lunch date, Blue and Gold Banquet, book club with Danielle, and Enrichment night. Scott says I currently look like one of the women on "The Planet of the Apes". On the bright side the boys think it's cool when I drop them off at wrestling because then can show their friends. Micah even brought a friend home today just to show him his mom's war wounds.

Northwestern Mutual Financial Network Agent of the Year!!!

February 1, 2008 was an amazing night for Scott. It was a crowning moment in his career and represented many years of long hours, late nights and continual education. Scott received the coveted Agent of the Year Award for his insurance and investment company. He doesn't like the spotlight all that much but he didn't seem to mind the extra attention this "Oscar" brought on Friday.

He picked up his mom and dad and we drove downtown Boise to the Grove Hotel where the dinner and ceremony were being held. We took baby Gideon with us and enjoyed his sweet company very much. Scott started his business about 10 year's ago with out any leads or background in the Treasure Valley. His parents and my parents gave him 200 people to call and introduce himself too. Since then he has developed a large base of clients in the area.

Scott had always had a fascination with the financial business and has had many excellent examples of men in his life who had made a successful career in the field. He did an internship with his Uncle Dean in California while in college and learned much from his example of how to run a good business. His grandpa Lyle Forman was awarded the State Farm Top Agent of Nevada for many year's. I guess it runs in the blood.

It was such an honor to have Scott's parents with us. Lori had worked for Scott previously for almost 3 years and had developed relationships with many of the men and women in the Boise office. She looked so beautiful in her formal attire. We had a yummy salmon and steak dinner. Gideon slept through the whole dinner.
Scott was able to pay tribute to those people who had helped him make his career a success. We have always felt so blessed to be able to pay our bills and provide for our family. He was asked what the secret to his success is and I believe he said the love and support of his wife and mother. I believe what he should have said was the secret is to have 7 kids to feed and that will get anyone hoppin!!I think the "Oscar" is nice but cash would have been better!!!Little Gideon was a hit in his white tuxedo and white shoes. He got passed around to all of the women and flirted and smiled at everyone. I think everyone has just gotten used to the fact that we bring all our new babies to the main events even if it is black tie.