More from Disney

Last year, Patsy helped a good friend from her high school days plan their reunion. This friend's father owns a large hotel chain, and he wanted to give Patsy gift of a week at his family's condo in Orlando. So, that's how this trip started. The condo was fabulous and gave all of us (5 kids and 5 adults) plenty of space. What a kind and generous friend Patsy has, and we were thankful she shared it with us. We had a great week and have lots of fun memories from the trip. The week started out very chilly but the weather was perfect by the end of the week. Our neice, Hayley, loves alligators. It just so happened that a man brought some alligators to the resort we were staying in for a special show and touch type of thing. I think he was from Gator Land. Anyway, Hayley just loved it, and I think she might have been the only child that got this close to the alligators.

Tim's sister, Melanie and her family, Patsy, and us

What started this trip was

one of Wesley's favorite rides-Aladdin's magic carpet ride

the kids enjoying popcorn before the afternoon parade at Magic Kingdom

our first day at Magic Kingdom

Our last day at Magic Kingdom

waiting to see the electric parade

A Magical Night

Tim's mom took us to Disney World for Christmas this year. I have lots of pictures to share, but tonight, this is it. At Disney, everyone always says, "Have a magical day." I just didn't really get it until this night. We decided to stay later in Magic Kingdom to see the electric parade and the fireworks. Both of them were amazing and the castle was lit up with tons of beautiful white lights. The weather had been nice that day and all of the kids were so excited to see the parade and fireworks. We were standing on a very crowded Main Street with the castle ahead of us and the fireworks lighting up the sky. Tim had both the boys and I was holding Lidiyanna. I was amazed that she was doing so well considering our girl likes going to bed early. She would look up at the fireworks for a minute and then lay her head on my shoulder. It was a wonderful night, and I am so thankful to Patsy for taking us on a great trip. More to come...

Our First Trip to the ER

Sorry for the poor picture quality.
Tim took this pic with his phone after we returned from the ER around 10pm. I couldn't believe he was still smiling. I think it must have been the Popsicle they gave him.

I thought it would be Graham that would take us to the ER someday, but it was his younger brother. Last night, Wesley fell on the sidewalk and received a pretty yucky cut on his forehead. The cut wasn't long but it was gaping open. I knew it needed more than a band aid.

Wesley is our child that freaks out just going to his regular check-ups, so I knew this was not going to be pleasant. Our pediatrician recommended taking him to the Vanderbilt Children's ER because it was a cut on the face. Tim decided to stay home with the other kids and I took Wesley to the ER. He was nervous from the minute we said he was going to have to see a doctor about his cut.

I called my brother who works at Vanderbilt, and he decided to stay up at the hospital and meet us at the ER. I am so glad he was there, and I am filled with gratitude when I think about him sacrificing his evening with his family to be with us at the hospital. He was a big comfort to me and Wesley, and I was glad to have another person that loved Wesley helping me through the experience.

I cannot say enough great things about Vanderbilt Children's Hospital and how great the staff treated us. They sent in a child life specialist to talk with Wesley using a doll and toys to try to help him relax. She was amazing and stayed with us until the stitches were complete.

Wesley was a trooper. He was scared and he screamed, but he was able to get the stitches without having sedation. Often times, they sedate the little ones to help keep them still, but I really didn't want to have to do that. Including the doctor, there were six of us gathered around my sweet son trying to keep him still while he got the three stitches. Fortunately, he didn't need a shot because they applied this cool, numbing gel when we first arrived at the ER. I was amazed at that magic goo because I remember how much those shots sting.

In the end, he came away with three stitches that will dissolve, a green Popsicle, and a look of pure relief. Today, he proudly told Nana on the phone all of the details of the harrowing evening. He's doing really well now and hasn't complained at all that his head hurts.

Again, I just feel so thankful for my wonderful, big brother who never cease to watch out for his little sister. I am also thankful for the compassionate staff at the hospital who never made me feel weird or annoying for having a screaming kid.

All that to say, I do not want to make a trip to the ER anytime soon. Hopefully, my next post will be about something fun-like our trip to Disney last week.

Three Months Ago

It has been three months since we brought Lidiyanna home, and tonight, we met with our social worker, whom I just love, for our first post-placement visit. This was the first out of three meetings to discuss bonding, attachment and the adjustment process. It went really well, and I joked later saying that our social worker said we could keep Lidiyanna.

It's hard to believe our little girl has been with us for three months. The time has gone by so quickly. But, in other ways, it seems like she's always been a part of our family.

The other day I was thinking about how small Lidiyanna's hands are and wondering if she'll always have little hands. I glanced down at my own hands questioning if she got her small hands from me. In that moment, I had completely forgotten that Lidiyanna is not related to me through blood. I smiled and got a little choked up realizing she completely feels like my daughter.

Last year, the boys helped me paint a bird ornament to hang on the tree for Lidiyanna. At that time, we had no idea who God had for our family, but we were hoping and waiting for our sweet daughter. On the back of the ornament, I wrote "waiting for baby girl", and I remember praying that God would bring us our daughter by Christmas time the next year.

Graham found the ornament this year as we were decorating the tree. When he showed it to me and I read the back, I was filled with thankfulness that God had answered our prayers. Immeasurably more.

Ephesians 3:19-21

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever, Amen!

A Mother's Love

My mom came to visit this past week while Tim was in Japan on business. With her came a flurry of snow. As the frigid temperatures kept us indoors, out came the scissors, glue, markers and stickers to create the crafts my mom had prepared for the kids. She spent lots of time with my kids in the kitchen baking yummy treats and designing Christmas decorations. My children loved it. My boys would much rather be in the kitchen crafting and baking than playing with toys. My mom understands this, and I think she enjoys it all just as much as they do.

She also spent lots of time on the floor with Lidiyanna cheering her on as she tried to crawl and pull up. I was thankful they got to spend this time together, and I was so thankful for all of my mom's help.

It was a crazy week with the snow, Christmas excitement, school parties, and well...a fender bender. Needless to say, I was not always the happiest mom around at times. I was stressed, tired, and running low on patience. I had hoped the week with my mom would be peaceful and calm. I envisioned the kids playing happily in the other room while my mom and I spent hours chatting over cookies and hot chocolate. Well, actually, I am more of a realist than that, but I was hoping for a calmer week.

Despite all the chaos, we made it through and have some fun memories to take with us. Last night, my mom and I sat on the couch hugging and not wanting to say goodbye. I knew she was tired and ready to get home just as I was ready to have Tim home, but she's one of my dearest friends. It's never easy to say good-bye to her.

Throughout the week, my mom babysat so I could go to Graham's school party, the grocery store, and a doctor's appointment. She helped fix dinner, gave Lidiyanna her bath, and helped entertain the boys. She did a lot of wonderful things, but the best gift she gave me was through her love. She loved my children despite their moodiness, selfishness, or fussiness. She let me know it was okay that they weren't perfect, that I was doing a good job even though I didn't feel like it, and that she thought my kids were pretty special. After a long week that could have brought discouragement and doubt, God used her to lift me up and remind me of unconditional love. The same kind of love that my mom poured out on me and my kids even in our ugly moments is the same kind of love God pours out on me.

Fiercely Loyal.

Unchanging.

No matter what kind of Love.

Sunday morning

Sledding

Last year, Wesley would not go down on the sled at all. Today, he was the first one down the hill on the sled. He loved it!! So proud of him every time he tries something new.

Brrrrrr!!

Rosy Cheeks

Warming up after playing in the snow

Pretty Red Dress

by the tree...take one

by the tree...take two

by the tree...take three

Dancing

Graham likes to pick his sister up and carry her around the house. It makes me a little nervous, but I think it's kind of sweet, too. Tim had the music on last night and got this sweet shot of Graham dancing with Lidiyanna. Just precious!!

Wonderfully Made

For You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful; I know that full well.

Psalms 139:13-14

Lidiyanna Jo

She is adorable and kissable. She loves to be snuggled and tickled. She likes to hold her blanket up to her face as she falls asleep. Tim calls her his chocolate chip. Her hair is challenging and yet irresitable. She loves other babies and children. She waves at everyone, and everyone smiles at her. Her eyes are dark and enchanting. She loves her bottle and does not like baby food. She happily kicks in her crib when I come in her room. She's my baby girl.

Wesley Mark

He's passionate and feels deeply. He's goofy and loves it when his daddy is silly with him. He wants to be tightly tucked in every night with two or three blankets. He likes to feel secure and needs a lot of assurance. He asks to pray for his grandparents often. He loves his tricycle and going off-roading. He giggles easily. He pays attention to details. He finds great joy in picking out a piece of candy to put in his lunchbox. He's my baby boy.

Graham Timothy

His smile lights up a room. He's loving, friendly, and compassionate. He trips and falls often, and most of the time, he just gets up and keeps on going. He is really into shopping with mommy and picking out an item he can buy with his quarters. He wants to buy a meal for a homeless man he sees on the side of the road, help a lost boy find his mom at a store, and comfort his friend on the bus who is sad. He's energetic and busy, always finding a project to get into or a craft to create. He's sometimes grouchy in the morning and gets a burst of energy right around bedtime. He's full of life, excitment, and hope. He saves the notes I put in his lunchbox. He's my firstborn.

So much to be thankful for...

I'm sorry it's been a month since I've posted pictures or blogged about anything. Part of the reason is we are temporarily without a camera. The other part is that we are just busy! Three kids require a lot of my time, and I drop into bed at night after very full days. As a dear friend said, "It's a good kind of tired." (Thanks, Florence, for your card!! I miss you, sweet neighbor.)



Over the past few weeks, Lidiyanna has learned to clap, wave, and has been trying to get up on all fours making efforts to crawl. It's so fun to watch her learn new things.

She loves to clap for herself. It's so cute!

The boys keep Lidiyanna entertained (and maybe sometimes a little annoyed). Graham thought she might like this ribbon around her to help her feel a little more festive. I'm not sure what she thought about it.


Hugs...

and more hugs.

Wesley and Graham were very into decorating the tree. Wesley stuck with it longer than Graham, and his ornaments always ended up in clumps around the tree.


For Thanksgiving, we stayed at home and had family come to us. Tim's mom and my mom and Sam celebrated with us. My cousin, Andrew, and his parents came over on Thursday as well. Unfortunately, I have no pictures of my mom, but she was here and got to meet Lidiyanna for the first time. I am happy that she is coming back in just a few weeks for a slightly longer visit-and to help me while Tim is on a business trip.

On Friday, we decided to skip the malls and go bowling instead with my brother and his family.

Graham and Will

Grandpa Sam giving Graham some pointers

Perpy and Lidiyanna

The cousins wanted to present a "program" to us one evening. Graham and Grace were a big hit on the piano.

Wesley and Graham enjoying their Thanksgiving lunch.