When did these cute little peanuts...
turn into such big girls!?
The girls wore these Santa dresses for our Christmas card in 2007,
and then wore them as tops this year!
and then wore them as tops this year!
They are still super cute!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Pre-Christmas Update
The week before Christmas, the girls participated in a cheer clinic at BR. They also enjoyed making their gingerbread house. In years past, they've made quite a mess, but it was evident how big they are getting when momma watched them do it almost entirely by themselves and made very little mess in the process. It was a bittersweet moment.
I asked Brynna what she was doing.
She said, "Pretending like I'm getting ready to clap!" :)
Brynna's favorite part is always eating half the icing.
I asked Brynna what she was doing.
She said, "Pretending like I'm getting ready to clap!" :)
Brynna's favorite part is always eating half the icing.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Swonder Ice
Miss Brynna has been begging for over a month to go ice skating...I'm sure partly because my little ballerina sees it as another form of dancing. :) Yesterday, we wandered down to Swonder Ice rink with Abby, Lillie, and Karson. We had the best time! The kids surprised us with how well they did!
I warned my girls that it's harder than it looks, and the goal would not be to be doing fancy turns but just to stay on their feet! :) Miss Brynna had no fear at the beginning. She took off and had already made a lap around the rink before Braylee had made it a 1/4 of the way. Braylee and Lillie stayed in one spot in the beginning, getting the idea of how it works and laughing at their silliness. After awhile though, the older girls really got the hang of it and were all over the place! They were loving it. As time went on, Miss Brynna had taken too many falls on her behind and was complaining that her little booty hurt. ;) Amazingly, Abby and I never fell, even with little arms tugging on us. I'm guessing God knew we wouldn't recover as quickly as the little ones!
Not so sure about this...
Trying to pose while maintaining her balance!
She's figured it out now!
I warned my girls that it's harder than it looks, and the goal would not be to be doing fancy turns but just to stay on their feet! :) Miss Brynna had no fear at the beginning. She took off and had already made a lap around the rink before Braylee had made it a 1/4 of the way. Braylee and Lillie stayed in one spot in the beginning, getting the idea of how it works and laughing at their silliness. After awhile though, the older girls really got the hang of it and were all over the place! They were loving it. As time went on, Miss Brynna had taken too many falls on her behind and was complaining that her little booty hurt. ;) Amazingly, Abby and I never fell, even with little arms tugging on us. I'm guessing God knew we wouldn't recover as quickly as the little ones!
Not so sure about this...
Trying to pose while maintaining her balance!
She's figured it out now!
It was a fun adventure spent with sweet company!
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Christmas Sunday
The Sunday before Christmas is one of my favorite days of the year! I love worshiping with my church family, seeing everyone dressed in their "Sunday Best," singing Christmas carols, and learning something new about the familiar story of Jesus' birth.
My girls LOVE their cousins Sydney & Addison.
This tells the true story of trying to take group shots of kids! Love it!!
Emily, Sydney, Braylee, Brynna, & Addison
Then, we celebrated with my Dad's side of the family.
The girls with my Granny & Pa.
The girls with my Granny & Pa.
And with my parents.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Daddy's Birthday
Saturday was Daddy's birthday! When Braylee realized there would be no major fanfare, she proclaimed, "Adult birthdays are no fun!" Sadly...it's a little true. ;)
The girls made Daddy some giant birthday cards. They were so proud of them. Alex received his birthday gift a few months ago...since he just had to get the LOST box set the day it came out. (Saying he is obsessed with LOST is putting it mildly.) So he didn't get any presents to open Saturday, but we did bake him some yummy treats.
Brynna tells Daddy she made the hearts PINK
so he would know it was from her. ;)
Braylee's artwork
Happy Birthday, Daddy!! We love you!!
This melts my heart... Braylee made her little sister and a doll for her little sister. Isn't she sweet?!
The girls made Daddy some giant birthday cards. They were so proud of them. Alex received his birthday gift a few months ago...since he just had to get the LOST box set the day it came out. (Saying he is obsessed with LOST is putting it mildly.) So he didn't get any presents to open Saturday, but we did bake him some yummy treats.
Showing Daddy their cards
Brynna tells Daddy she made the hearts PINK
so he would know it was from her. ;)
Braylee's artwork
Happy Birthday, Daddy!! We love you!!
Sunday, the girls couldn't stand the thought of it snowing and not getting to play in it. So they hung out on the deck for about 7 minutes. ;)
This melts my heart... Braylee made her little sister and a doll for her little sister. Isn't she sweet?!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Fingerprints of God
Don't you just love watching the handy-work of God? Sometimes it's not evident at the time, but as I look back on events in my life, I see how God was preparing me and my family for certain situations. I don't believe anything in life is random or a coincidence. I truly believe it all has a purpose, even if it's hard to understand.
Back in the Summer of 2002, I was finishing up a management class (which in itself is odd because I should have already been done with the class in May but after going through surgery for the tumor that Spring, my teachers let me finish a few things in the summer). I was randomly assigned to the Pediatric/Peds ICU manager at St. Mary's. While doing clinicals with her, she offered me a job when she found out I worked in a pediatric office. (I was not looking for another job, but after discussing it with Alex, we decided it was a great opportunity.) I was assigned to a preceptor for orientation and training to the floor. My preceptor was Lisa. I instantly clicked with her. I admired her nursing skills and enjoyed talking with her on a personal level. During the time that I worked there, Lisa supported me through our first round of infertility as she could honestly relate. When I was pregnant with Braylee, she started HER adoption process for a little girl from China. :) I loved hearing all about it and following her on her journey.
I distinctly remember one night when Braylee was in NICU, and I was ordered to stay in bed because my BP was too high. I was supposed to call NICU when I had pumped milk so a nurse could come get it. I was surprised when Lisa walked in. :) She was picking up extra shifts to help with the adoption expenses. I remember thinking two things: 1) I prayed for her little girl and knew how lucky she would be to have such a great mommy. 2) I felt comfort knowing Lisa was taking the milk back to Braylee for me. Almost exactly a year later, Lisa went to China to pick up her precious Grace!
I'm thankful for the opportunity I had at St. Mary's. I'm thankful for the experience I gained in Peds/PICU while caring for ill and special needs children. I'm thankful for Lisa and Grace!
Our first time meeting Grace, just a few weeks after they returned from China.
Braylee has on her new squeaky shoes they brought her from China. :)
Grace & my girls last Spring
This past week, I was throwing a little pitty party for myself on Monday because even though I'm REALLY excited about the adoption, the pain of infertility is still there. And then, just when I needed it, God crossed my path with a little, special needs girl from China! What a wonderful blessing it was meeting her!
Back in the Summer of 2002, I was finishing up a management class (which in itself is odd because I should have already been done with the class in May but after going through surgery for the tumor that Spring, my teachers let me finish a few things in the summer). I was randomly assigned to the Pediatric/Peds ICU manager at St. Mary's. While doing clinicals with her, she offered me a job when she found out I worked in a pediatric office. (I was not looking for another job, but after discussing it with Alex, we decided it was a great opportunity.) I was assigned to a preceptor for orientation and training to the floor. My preceptor was Lisa. I instantly clicked with her. I admired her nursing skills and enjoyed talking with her on a personal level. During the time that I worked there, Lisa supported me through our first round of infertility as she could honestly relate. When I was pregnant with Braylee, she started HER adoption process for a little girl from China. :) I loved hearing all about it and following her on her journey.
I distinctly remember one night when Braylee was in NICU, and I was ordered to stay in bed because my BP was too high. I was supposed to call NICU when I had pumped milk so a nurse could come get it. I was surprised when Lisa walked in. :) She was picking up extra shifts to help with the adoption expenses. I remember thinking two things: 1) I prayed for her little girl and knew how lucky she would be to have such a great mommy. 2) I felt comfort knowing Lisa was taking the milk back to Braylee for me. Almost exactly a year later, Lisa went to China to pick up her precious Grace!
I'm thankful for the opportunity I had at St. Mary's. I'm thankful for the experience I gained in Peds/PICU while caring for ill and special needs children. I'm thankful for Lisa and Grace!
Lisa and Paula came to visit the day after Braylee was born.
(Don't you love my swollen eyes/face from the high BP?)
And yes, Lisa brought the Gymboree box! Another thing we both love!
(Don't you love my swollen eyes/face from the high BP?)
And yes, Lisa brought the Gymboree box! Another thing we both love!
Our first time meeting Grace, just a few weeks after they returned from China.Braylee has on her new squeaky shoes they brought her from China. :)
Grace & my girls last Spring
Monday, November 29, 2010
Our Journey to Adoption
Even before we were married, we knew adoption was on our hearts. We married in May 2002 and by the Fall of 2003, we had been trying to conceive for over a year without success. We met with a fertility specialist and also decided to start researching adoption. We were devastated to find out we were too young for most international adoptions, specifically China. Then (after 17 months of trying) we were blessed with our first pregnancy! Nine months later, Braylee arrived. We were beyond thrilled! With the help of a little fertility medicine, we were blessed with another little girl almost exactly two years later! At this point, I thought we'd found the "cure" to our infertility issues and didn't think we'd have to struggle through it again.
Boy was I wrong... Almost two years after deciding to try for #3, we had spent thousands of dollars on treatments, tried multiple medications and injections, cried for months and months, and prayed and prayed for a miracle. When we met with the fertility specialist again this spring, he told us, "I'm shocked you've ever gotten pregnant." When I reminded him that we have TWO girls, he shook his head and said "You two have about a 2% chance of getting pregnant on your own." Tingles ran down my spine and I was reminded in that moment just how much bigger God is than science!
During our most recent fertility treatments, we also started talking adoption again. On our way to Disney World back in March, we talked about how we felt like God was leading us through infertility again to help us realize adoption was still in our future...but at the time I thought in the future...I wasn't quite ready to quit trying for another biological child. The morning we arrived in Florida, my mom and I were sitting by the pool and she says, "Have you guys thought about adopting?" My heart began to race and I shared our desire to adopt...specifically from China.
Over the next few months, I researched adoption into the wee hours of the night. We found out the wait for a healthy child in China is over 4 years. That seemed too long for us so I started looking into other countries. Every time, we came to a dead end... something didn't feel right. Then I felt God telling us to adopt a special needs child from China (with the wait being substantially shorter). To be honest, my first answer was No. I displaced the thought for several months. Then I read a blog about an adopted Chinese special needs child with congenital heart disease and I thought about my Gramps' weak heart. I also thought about my aunt who had undergone open heart surgery as an infant. I felt the tugging at my own heart. God was telling me He would equip us. He would teach us. He would provide for us. I gently approached the topic with Alex and he agreed to look into it more.
As we continued our fertility treatments, we decided to slowly pursue adoption while we waited. By the end of August, we realized we had some big decisions to make. After months of praying, we decided to stop fertility treatments in October and completely pursue adoption. We still pray for a miracle and hope that one day God blesses us with more biological children, but we realize God's plan for us right now is to adopt! We are so excited about adding another little one to our family! We are working through an agency in Evansville that specializes in International adoption and our plan is to adopt a little girl with special needs from China. "Special Needs" includes children with minor, correctable issues and also those with chronic, more complex medical issues.
Our girls can't wait to meet their baby sister! They are already discussing names, drawing pictures of her (with black hair) and praying for her.
I'll share more of our story as it unfolds!! Please be praying for our little girl as there's a good chance she has already been born and is waiting on us!
Boy was I wrong... Almost two years after deciding to try for #3, we had spent thousands of dollars on treatments, tried multiple medications and injections, cried for months and months, and prayed and prayed for a miracle. When we met with the fertility specialist again this spring, he told us, "I'm shocked you've ever gotten pregnant." When I reminded him that we have TWO girls, he shook his head and said "You two have about a 2% chance of getting pregnant on your own." Tingles ran down my spine and I was reminded in that moment just how much bigger God is than science!
During our most recent fertility treatments, we also started talking adoption again. On our way to Disney World back in March, we talked about how we felt like God was leading us through infertility again to help us realize adoption was still in our future...but at the time I thought in the future...I wasn't quite ready to quit trying for another biological child. The morning we arrived in Florida, my mom and I were sitting by the pool and she says, "Have you guys thought about adopting?" My heart began to race and I shared our desire to adopt...specifically from China.
Over the next few months, I researched adoption into the wee hours of the night. We found out the wait for a healthy child in China is over 4 years. That seemed too long for us so I started looking into other countries. Every time, we came to a dead end... something didn't feel right. Then I felt God telling us to adopt a special needs child from China (with the wait being substantially shorter). To be honest, my first answer was No. I displaced the thought for several months. Then I read a blog about an adopted Chinese special needs child with congenital heart disease and I thought about my Gramps' weak heart. I also thought about my aunt who had undergone open heart surgery as an infant. I felt the tugging at my own heart. God was telling me He would equip us. He would teach us. He would provide for us. I gently approached the topic with Alex and he agreed to look into it more.
As we continued our fertility treatments, we decided to slowly pursue adoption while we waited. By the end of August, we realized we had some big decisions to make. After months of praying, we decided to stop fertility treatments in October and completely pursue adoption. We still pray for a miracle and hope that one day God blesses us with more biological children, but we realize God's plan for us right now is to adopt! We are so excited about adding another little one to our family! We are working through an agency in Evansville that specializes in International adoption and our plan is to adopt a little girl with special needs from China. "Special Needs" includes children with minor, correctable issues and also those with chronic, more complex medical issues.
Our girls can't wait to meet their baby sister! They are already discussing names, drawing pictures of her (with black hair) and praying for her.
I'll share more of our story as it unfolds!! Please be praying for our little girl as there's a good chance she has already been born and is waiting on us!
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this:
to look after orphans and widows in their distress. James 1:27
to look after orphans and widows in their distress. James 1:27
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Thanksgiving Weekend
I promise to fill you all in more on the adoption soon, but first I need to share what we've been up to recently before I get behind. :)
My mom went to Grandparents' Day with Braylee at school. I think one of Braylee's favorite parts was getting to ride home with Mamaw when it was over.
Wednesday night was the big opener to basketball season! The girls had a blast. Braylee is such the social butterfly.
Chloe & Elle saw Braylee's daddy and made him go get her!
Braylee & her best bud Sydney
Me & Elyas (licking the icing off his cake!)
Saturday, I took the girls to see Tangled at the theater. They loved it! Then we went to help Addison celebrate her 3rd birthday.
Today, the girls sang at church with their cousin Trista. Brynna couldn't help but to move her little hips just a bit as they sang.
My mom went to Grandparents' Day with Braylee at school. I think one of Braylee's favorite parts was getting to ride home with Mamaw when it was over.
Wednesday night was the big opener to basketball season! The girls had a blast. Braylee is such the social butterfly.
The girls with cousin Bridgette
Chloe & Elle saw Braylee's daddy and made him go get her!
Braylee & her best bud Sydney
On Thanksgiving Day, we always go to my brother and sister-in-law's house. She is a fabulous cook, and their house is the perfect setting for a Thanksgiving feast. We had so much fun playing "Just Dance" on the Wii.
Brynna & Aunt Heather
Me & Elyas (licking the icing off his cake!)
Today, the girls sang at church with their cousin Trista. Brynna couldn't help but to move her little hips just a bit as they sang.
Then the land will yield its harvest, and God, our God, will bless us.
Psalm 67:6
Psalm 67:6
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