Happy 30 Years Young Daddy!

Today marks the day of my husband's 30th birthday. Currently my husband is travelling with an organization called Healing the Children which helps children to teens who are born with a cleft palate. He is visiting the country of Cucuta, Colombia. This is his first travel out of the country without me and his very first mission trip. No words can describe how amazing and life changing this journey will be for him. We are so proud Daddy took this time to help these children have a brighter future and a brighter smile.

I'm sure most of you have witnessed the commercials for Operation Smile which is a similar organization, I visited the site because I wanted to learn more about the cleft palate condition. Did you know  every 3 minutes, a child is born with a cleft. Cleft lips and cleft palates can threaten both the life and livelihood of the child.

What causes cleft lips and cleft palates?
The exact cause is unknown. Cleft lips and cleft palates are congenital defects that occur early in embryonic development. Scientists believe a combination of genetic and environmental factors, such as maternal illness, drugs or malnutrition, may lead to a cleft lip or cleft palate. If one child in a family is born with a cleft, the risk increases by 2 to 4 percent that future children in the family will suffer from the same defect.

Can cleft lips and cleft palates be prevented?
Scientists are researching methods to prevent cleft lips and cleft palates. One finding, according to research studies, is that mothers who take multivitamins containing folic acid before conception and during the first two months of pregnancy may reduce their risk of giving birth to a baby with a cleft.

Does a cleft lip or cleft palate cause problems for a child?
Ear disease and dental problems occur frequently, as do problems with proper speech development. Children who suffer from a cleft lip and/or cleft palate may have difficulty eating. To address these issues, a child and family may work with a team of specialists — a pediatrician, a plastic surgeon, dental specialists, an otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat specialist), a speech-language pathologist and audiologist, a geneticist and a psychologist/social worker.

In the future, I hope to join my husband in his mission trips.

“For Attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

 For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

 For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

 For beautiful hair, let a child run their fingers through it once a day.

 For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone. 

 People, more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed. 
Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms. 
As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, 
one for helping yourself and the other for helping others.” 

― Sam Levenson

We are counting down the days until Daddy's arrival home. 

We miss you dearly and love you so very much!