Friday, November 23, 2012

Thanksgiving 2012

This was Tommy’s first Thanksgiving.  This time last year, we were so worried about him in China and were waiting anxiously for our Travel Approval to go get him.  What a difference a year makes!

Matching turkey shirts that Karen and I made.1

2My stair-step kids.3Hantie and Grandmother.4

The oldest and the youngest:  Papa and Danielle5

Abby helping in the kitchen – until a favorite movie came on in the family room and then she was gone!6

Timmy the turkey and Emily.7

Hantie and Sarah (with a little chocolate on her chin)8

Timmy crawled under the table after dinner to sit on my lap… just like old times!9

Nana with all her granddaughters10

Tommy is liking his little girl cousins.  He thinks it’s fun to take their pacifiers in and out of their mouths.11

“Here Mama!  You do it!”12

My friend Krista!13

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Some “Fall-ish” type pictures

We had a few warm and sunny days last week… before the flood we’ve nicknamed “Sandy.”  So I took the opportunity to shoot a few leafy pictures.

attempting to rake some leaves"I'm staying the the wagon where it's safe"ready for some action!my three dark-eyed beauties!"this is what I'm talking about!""mom, I don't like touching these leaves"hangin outso pretty!I'm flying!climbing the ladder - his new favorite thing to doMy favorite!!!gotta get Mama in the photo!

And then things got a little silly!you can click on this to make it bigger

So thankful we had those few sunny days, cause now we’re stuck inside watching the rain come down and the floods come up – and listening to the wind!

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Sarah’s Surgery

Sarah had her second palate surgery last Monday.  The Dr. needed to make the hole at the back of her mouth smaller so that less air would pass through her nose when she talks.  He also took the opportunity to do a little lip and nose revision.

The surgery was scheduled for 10:45 a.m. So we got there a little after 9.  She had not had anything to eat since the night before.  She was able to drink some juice before we left that morning.  We did all the registration steps and then we were called back to the prep room.  Sarah was apprehensive about it all but settled down when she realized she would be able to watch a movie while she waited.1

A nice lady came by and taught Sarah how to use the breathing mask.  Sarah got to put scented chapstick inside the mask and decorate it with stickers.  She also gave Sarah a little doll with a mask of her own to decorate.  The goal is to take the fear out of putting the mask on your face.  They use sleeping gas first on the kids and then after they’re asleep, put the IV in for sedation during the surgery.  Sarah also showed a little two-year old boy how to use his mask too.234

One of the docs came by around 11 a.m. and told us that there was going to be a two-hour delay because of the first surgery taking longer than planned.  We later found out it was a little guy with cancer on his leg and they needed to make sure they got it all before closing up.  So thankful we’re not dealing with cancer and just speech delays with our little one.5

Sarah was a trooper during the wait and only asked to go home a half-dozen times.  She didn’t complain about the hunger – thankfully.  I hadn’t eaten anything either so I was starving as well.  She (we) watched three complete movies while in the prep-room.

Finally the first surgery was done and the doc came by to apologize for the wait and to tell us they were almost ready to start.  At last, we walked Sarah back to the “yellow line” and kissed and waved good-bye.  It was 3 p.m. and the surgery would take 3 hours.

My mom and I (yeah, my mom came with me!) went to the Ronald McDonald Family room and were able to sit in comfy chairs and relax a little.  They also served dinner that night from a local restaurant.  They only do that once a month and we happened to be there.  Thank you, Lord!  The surgery staff gave me a beeper and sent me texts during the surgery to let me know all was going well.

Finally done, we went back to see her and the doc told us everything went well and as planned.  She was a little disoriented when waking up and was not very cooperative in getting her checked into her room for the night.  But once they stopped poking and prodding she settled down.

And she got to watch another movie.  My dad had come to take my mom home.6

It was a rough night with the nurses and the IV and the blood pressure cuff and neither one of us got much sleep. In the morning one of the docs came by to say we could go home, but it wasn’t for another couple of hours that we actually said good-bye to the hospital.  I know it was only one night but it felt like forever.

She slept all the way home in the car and then some more on the couch.  She spent several days on the couch watching TV and eating yogurt and applesauce.  She was really self-conscious about her nose when anyone came over.  When I asked if she was going to school, she said, “I can’t!  My nose!”  She was very down emotionally.  Everyone who knows Sarah is aware that she is normally a “Sunshine” girl!  She was definitely “Cloudy” for a few days.

Finally, on Thursday afternoon, I convinced her to walk down to Auntie’s house with me.  It was good for her to get out of the house.  On Friday, she wanted to go to the library with us.  Then she and Daddy went to the doctor for a check-up.  He said everything looks good and the stitches and nose stint will come out next week.

And today we went to a Fall Festival and she did great!sarah and her pumpkin

She’s still on a soft food diet and limited activity (yeah, right).  But she is on the road to recovery and we won’t have to have more surgery for the next couple of years.

Thanks to everyone for their prayers!!  It is hard on this Mama to see her baby sad and hurt.  I’m glad she’s on the mend.

Tuesday, October 09, 2012

I heart Shutterfly

Here's a little photo book I did with some pictures that Keely Grant took for us.
Click here to create your own Shutterfly photo book.

Monday, September 10, 2012

First Day(s) of School!

Well, the girls have both had their “first day.”  And they are quickly getting settled into the routines.

Abby is now in Third Grade.  Such a big girl now.  She’s growing up way too fast.  Third grade brings a brand new backpack and a new teacher, Miss Horner.

where is my little girl????school chum and cousin, Joeyso studious!new teacher!

Sarah is doing a Pre-K program in the afternoons at the same pre-school that Abby attended.  She also has a new backpack and a new teacher, Mrs. Rhoad (Abby had her for Four-Yr-Old preschool).

Ready to go!new, big backpack!same ole silliness!we love Mrs. Rhoad!

Here’s to a successful new school year!!

Saturday, September 01, 2012

Little Buckeye Children’s Museum

Last month we went to Mansfield to have some fun with our adoption friends.  This was a really great place for the kids to play and explore.  We’ll be heading back there again!

They had many areas of discovery.  This was set up to dig for fossils.  The little guys just wanted to play in the mulch.1

23

Playing in the bank.4

Beauty Shop – that mannequin head has seen better days.5

And then they discovered the water table!!!67

Abby curling some hair.  I think she’s seen Mama do it a time or two.8

The science station – mixing “chemicals.”9

And Tommy is still at the water table.  That rain coat did absolutely no good at all.  The sleeves were conduits to run the water down to his clothes.  He was soaked!!!10

Always fun to dress up!11

Then we walked down the street to enjoy a few rides on the carrousel.  Such a fun day!12