setting up stones

I Love You, Mom!!!

2010-11-19T17:37:00.004-06:00

Hi everybody, its Emily, Lisa's bestest daughter!!! And all I want to say is that I love my mommy VERY MUCH!!!!! Umm ... I also want to congratulate everyone who has just adopted or is just about to. I will tell you, from my personal opinion, it is worth it!!!!:) Love Emily(:)

"Picnic?"

2010-04-22T20:18:00.004-05:00

Emily and KayLi went on another "picnic" today. If you can call it that.

The first picnic was a few weeks ago. It included a picnic basket, packed by Emily, filled with two bags of potato chips, a baggie full of cookies, two bananas and one bottle of water. Niiiice!

Today's picnic included songs, tickling, laughter, and smiles.

It's hard to pack, carry and sneak out of the house with a picnic basket full of junk food when you are on crutches!

Small side note:

Emily's ankle is getting better...slowly. If you look closely you can see some of the bruising but thankfully it is not nearly as painful now. Thank you so much for the kinds words and prayers. Hopefully she'll be off the crutches in a few days :0)

Emily went to a birthday party Saturday...

2010-04-18T21:04:00.006-05:00

KayLi and I stayed home.

Emily had a blast on the inflatable slide...

until she decided to see how far down the slide she could jump.

Then she ended up in the ER with a severely sprained ankle.

Now she has to keep it elevated for 48-72 hours.

It's swollen and bruised....very pretty.

I am waiting on her like the princess that she is.

It's been a lot of fun at our house.

Until the Mortin wears off!

A Very Happy Child

2010-04-15T16:39:00.008-05:00

It started raining yesterday and hasn't really stopped.

So today Allie picked Emily up from school. You know, so she wouldn't get soaked walking home in the rain.

Then he had some work to do outside and apparently she figured if he could be out in the rain, so could she.

By the time I noticed her she was drenched. Hmmm...scold her or grab the camera?

The camera won. Until I took all the pictures my little heart desired. Then I made her come in, where her little sister scolded her!

A Blessed Easter

2010-04-10T11:10:00.028-05:00

Our Easter celebration started on Thursday with a small egg hunt and a few friends at church. Words can't describe what it was like to watch KayLi listen to the Easter story and enjoy this season for the first time. Overwhelming really.

It was so windy that most of the pictures I took had her hair blowing in her face but I love her expression as she told me her eggs were too heavy!

When she found this egg, she didn't want it, "That chicken, not egg." Then she learned it had candy too. Going through all the eggs was such sugary fun!

On Friday, Ryan came home and brought his friend Calem with him. Saturday was wonderfully relaxed. We headed to the park and enjoyed the beautiful weather.

KayLi was so excited to feed the ducks!

It's not easy getting all three of them in one shot, so I was very excited by this one! Still windy...you've gotta love West Texas!

Sweet, sweet sisters.

Emily had as much fun on the play equipment as KayLi did. So Rapunzel-ish?

Age difference aside, these two just enjoy each other!

I never did capture her squealing on the swings, so you'll just have to trust me...she LOVES them!

Umm...let's just say, everyone liked the swings.

This was KayLi's first time to play in a sand box. I know...how have we missed this? She could have stayed there for the rest of the day. I see a sandbox of her own in the future.

"This tickle KayLi toes."

It was well passed midnight when I finally put their baskets together. Shhh...don't tel them I almost forgot to do them.

Emily's excitement to wear her new dress was obvious when she had it on before the guys even woke up! She's growing up...sigh.

Ryan's favorite Easter tradition...sleepy pictures with his basket.

Not even Calem was exempt from this long held tradition...poor guy didn't know what he was getting into coming here for the holiday.

Sometimes egg hunts, candy, and baskets seem like such a fluffy way to celebrate the resurrection and the life it gives. Is there really any way to commemorate and celebrate what Christ has done that wouldn't fall terribly short? I thoroughly enjoyed the wonderfully long, relaxed weekend with friends and family. But more often than not, I felt completely inadequate to express my desire to bring Christ glory.

I am inexpressibly grateful for the sacrifices my Savior has made for me. And I feel so very blessed that He has allowed us to teach this precious little girl about His amazing love for her.

Disneyland!!!!

2010-03-29T20:54:00.015-05:00

Ahhh...Disneyland! I just love it! I grew up about twenty minutes from there and we went so often that I will probably never need a map of the place. It makes me sad that we live so far away from it that my kids have never experienced ALL of it. We are always rushing to try and fit it into one day...impossible! We keep saying that someday we are going to go and stay at the Disney Hotel and have a total Disney vacation...someday. In the meantime we are so thankful that we were able to spend at least one day there!

Mad Hatter hats were everywhere and Emily choose this Mickey inspired one instead of ears. When I asked her to smile pretty so I could send a good picture to her dad, this is the grin I got. You gotta love her!

I was certain that KayLi would not want to ride anything but I couldn't have been more wrong! She LOVED the rides! The "Big Cups" was one of her favorites.

It was awesome to spend a week with my brother and his family and they always make Disney so fun! I miss them :0(

Emily wanted to be independent and fly solo on Dumbo.

KayLi LOVED the "Elephants!" I still can't believe how much she loved the rides. She even rode a pretty scary little roller coaster in Toon Town and The Pirates of the Caribbean!

This is the same child who had a MAJOR melt down on a super small carousel in China!

My brother is the photographer in our family (I missed that gene) and he got this great shot of Will! I love his expression and the action of the shot!

The lines at Disney are always long, even on a Monday but we tried to have a little fun.

But some lines were longer than others.

Taylor was such a trooper and stuck it out all day long. We all fell head over heals for this sweet baby!

KayLi couldn't resist Emily's lovely hat!

The lines to see Mickey & Minnie were way more than we could handle, so we were thrilled when Goofy made a random appearance!

KayLi did sooooo much better than I expected. I honestly thought I was going to have to spend some down time in a room on Main Street that is set aside for nursing mothers. She did awesome! I really shouldn't have worried at all. The only thing that freaked her out were the fireworks. Taylor and KayLi had fallen asleep in their strollers, so my mom volunteered to sit with them while we rode a couple faster rides. We thought the fireworks started at ten but they started at 9:30. So they woke both the little ones up and no mommies where there...my poor mom. She ended up with two crying granddaughters and was practically in tears herself when we got to them. KayLi hugged me so tight when I picked her up and said "I happy to see you!" So sweet! She was fine the rest of the evening. The next day, after we slept in way too late, I asked her if she liked Disneyland. She replied "More Disneyland, please." I wish!

One Year Ago...

2010-03-28T20:56:00.004-05:00

We saw KayLi's precious face for the very first time. Finally, we had a face to fill the longing God had placed in our hearts.

I really can't believe it's been a year....until I look at how much KayLi has grown and changed and blossomed.

What an awesomely redemptive God we serve!

Small side note...

The white dress KayLi is wearing above, was Emily's flower girl dress from my brothers wedding. Emily wore it one week after turning four. It was a favorite in her dress up box and she had so much fun dressing KayLi in it yesterday!

Disney pictures and a recap of our California trip coming soon...promise :0)

Back in Cali

2010-03-13T14:01:00.006-06:00

Our flights here went smoothly, with KayLi only getting a little anxious during our first take off. Once she understood that we would "Go slow" again, all was well. She even did great during our two hour layover in Vegas. Emily was excited to see the strip with all it's huge casinos when we landed and again on take off.

We stayed up ridiculously late catching up with my brother and sister in law. It was so fun to watch KayLi and Will play together. They tackled each other over and over, laughing each time they would fall. No one could believe how much KayLi has grown. Or how "mature" Emily has gotten. I can't figure out when Will turned into a big kid. And the baby, oh the sweetness of her.

Yesterday we tried to sleep in late and get used to the time difference. This will be the first time I have EVER looked forward to daylight savings time. It will put us only an hour out of whack!

Once we all got ready (no small task with four adults, one teenager, two kids and a two month old baby and ONE bathroom) we were off to a small zoo and then the beach for dinner at sunset.

When we got to the zoo it was kind of cool to see that scenes from the movie "Old Dogs" had been filmed there. Only in Cali! It's a small zoo with mostly monkey's, birds and a few mid-sized animals. We had a very nice time following the kids around and watching their excitement over each exhibit. They also had a play ground that the kids loved but I forgot to take any pictures. We'll all swap out pictures later but I think by then you all may be a little tired of pictures of this trip. Maybe, I'll bore you with them anyway :0)

We timed everything perfectly and left the zoo heading for the beach and Ruby's restaurant in plenty of time to get their before sunset and take some beautiful pictures. Or so we thought...

It's important to know that my brother and sister in law have two small cars and we have how many people? So we drove to the zoo and the beach in separate vehicles. Wendy, the baby (that sweet tiny thing I want to inhale), Will (my adorable nephew) and Emily (bless her baby loving heart) were in one vehicle. KayLi, Jay and I were in the other. Wendy had basic directions to the restaurant/beach were were heading towards and was following us...through Orange County traffic.

I know you guessed it...our separate vehicles got seriously separated. No problem right? Wendy has a phone. Nope. Oh well, I'll call Emily's phone. That worked...for about two minutes of very broken service. So with our limited cues as to where each other were we spent the night hour, of very precious daylight, trying to find each other. We were headed towards Ruby's restaurant on the end of the Huntington Beach pier but who would have thought that since we were last there Newport Beach had built four new piers. Three of which now have a Ruby's restaurant on the end.

Praise God for a few crazy miracles because we actually found each other again, right as Jay and I were about to give up and head home...with drive through fast food instead of the long sought after Ruby's. We ended up having a great dinner, at Ruby's woo hoo! Ah but my poor beloved beach pictures will have to wait until next time. We have bounced around a couple ideas of possibly heading back to try again. It's not looking good though. Jay has to work all but one other day while we are hear and we need two experienced California drivers.

So today we will be at the mall. A huge mall if it matters, having fun at the stores we only get to shop at when we are here. Probably spending more money than I would like to. But what the heck...when in Cali...

Thank you all for your prayers for KayLi. She is doing great! No sleep issues, she's not over whelmed, minor jealousy of her cousin and I and no major problems with sharing! She and Allie talked on the phone for a long time this morning and that went well too. So far it seems that I was concerned for no reason. Please keep praying...Disneyland is coming :0)

Sometimes You've Gotta Laugh

2010-03-10T13:36:00.000-06:00

Emily's reactions to people, even inconsiderate people, often makes me smile. But when she told me how she responded to an incident at school a couple weeks ago, I couldn't help but laugh. Really laugh! If I hadn't laughed, I would have gotten annoyed and angry. Really angry. It's so much more fun to laugh!

She and a few of her friends were showing each other pictures that they had stored on their phones. Typical junior high girls standing around giggling over each others silly faces and corny poses.

One of her friends had some pictures of her four year old cousin. She showed Emily a picture of her cousin smiling really big with her eyes squinted and said "Look how cute she looks making Chinese Eyes."

Emily quickly pulled up a picture of KayLi, handed it to her friend and said "This is how KayLi does it."

My Busy Girl

2010-03-10T07:59:00.004-06:00

With Emily in junior high, the days of barely being able to keep up with her seem to have begun. Her schedule is crazy and there is always an event coming up, project due or test to study for. She's constantly on the phone, f*cebook or texting. I'm not complaining, just stating the facts. Her teenage years are coming quickly and I KNOW how fast time will fly. It makes me kinda sad.

She LOVES playing in the band. She's doing really well too. She is first chair and went on her first band trip last weekend. It was a solo and ensemble competition and she received a Division 1 rating! She played a solo of Amazing Grace, a song the band director asked her to try. She was so nervous about it but she did great! Makes this musically challenged mama proud.

Being a big sister has been different than she dreamed it would be. KayLi has a mind of her own and isn't the baby doll Em had imagined. It hasn't been easy to give up the title of "baby" after twelve years but I think we have finally adjusted. She is a great Jie Jie!

She is seriously looking forward to Spring Break. We all are. The girls and I are heading to California. I can't wait to see my family there and meet my new niece. Emily can't wait for Disneyland and the beach! Even if she will miss a certain guy that she texts a LOT!

On a side note, please say a little prayer for us. We are beginning our Spring Break a little early and leaving tomorrow. I'm a little worried about KayLi. It will be the first time we have been on a plane since coming home. Plus, we will be gone for almost a week...without Allie. I know we will have a great time but I'm just the teeniest bit concerned that it may be confusing or over whelming for her. I appreciate your prayers!

And if you have any ideas as to why blogger is underlining the paragraph above and it was first appearing like a link, I would love to hear them. I'm clueless :0)

My First Night Out

2010-03-08T19:03:00.010-06:00

In November I left KayLi with Allie for awhile. Just to go over to our church and pick up Emily. I wasn't going to be gone long but started talking and ended up being there for over an hour. I hadn't realized how much I missed my friends. Talking to them uninterrupted was heavenly.

It wasn't heavenly for KayLi. Allie tried every trick he could think of but nothing worked. It just wasn't pretty. Since then we have been working on me leaving for small amounts of time. Slowly, very slowly she is beginning to trust that I will come back.

So when I was asked to do some face painting for a "Sixteenth Birthday Carnival" I was excited but nervous. It sounded so fun! But could KayLi handle me being gone for almost three hours? Was she ready? Did she trust me enough?

I got out the paint and started practicing. Telling myself the whole time that, I would only be a mile from home. Allie could bring her to me at any time. Everyone would understand if I had to leave. And maybe, just maybe if Allie took the girls out for pizza it would work.

So they dropped me off and went for pizza. Then ice cream. She was fine! Allie even sent me video from his phone of her dancing! She was happy and I was having a great time. Huge sigh of relief!

I talked to people without having to keep a constant eye on a three year old who is still learning how to behave in public. I think I had forgotten what it is like to just talk to people. To be able to look at the person I was talking to was almost odd. And wonderful!

KayLi missed me and was clingy in a happy way when they picked me up. She told me all about her pizza and ice cream headache. She was very excited to tell me about riding on the dinosaur! She didn't even like to sit on rides like that seven months ago. She has come so far!

Happy 16th Birthday, Alex! Thank you so much for giving me a great excuse to see if we were ready for some time apart! And thanks a bunch to my family and Emily's friends for being crazy enough to let me practice on your beautiful faces! I still can't believe Allie let me paint a butterfly on him!!!

Snowmen!

2010-02-24T09:16:00.007-06:00

Our beautiful snow is melting but not as quickly as I thought it would. There is still quit a bit and the kids were sad to go to school knowing it would likely be gone when they got home. If only the pile of wet clothes they left would magically disappear before they get home. I think they soaked and changed clothing three times! And the final count on snow ice cream...four batches!!! It's a good thing there were lots of kids around to help eat it all.

Even though I missed the "sledding" yesterday I did get a few cute pictures of Emily and her friends making snowmen.

Caitlynn's looks as pink and girly as she is. Later she found a pencil and used it for the nose...very creative!

Shelby used KayLi's cowboy hat and it turned out really cute! These snowmen may look small to you but they are gigantic to us!

Sidenote: Shelby's mom had sinus surgery this morning. I just heard she is in recovery and doing well. I know she would appreciate your prayers. Thanks for lifting her up!

And just in case you missed KayLi's pout yesterday...

I cropped it so you could get a better look.

I love it!!!!

A HUGE Fundraiser!

2010-02-23T15:20:00.002-06:00

Another sweet family is raising money to bring their little one home. Adoption shouldn't be this expensive but it is. Please consider helping them. A $10 raffle ticket (and there are A LOT of prizes!) would really help.

Another Snow Day!

2010-02-23T12:44:00.008-06:00

We went to sleep last night knowing we would likely wake up to snow. We didn't realize we would wake up to 2+ inches and that it would continue snowing until 10:00 am. We actually ended up with over 4 inches. The most we have had in one snowfall since we have lived in West Texas. This is huge here!

Everyone is thrilled to have another snow day!

Except KayLi. She does not like it. When I opened our back door to show her the snow, she immediately starting closing it saying "No, dat no cold."

Don't you love the way a cleft baby pouts?

After a slow start Emily bundled and headed out to enjoy all this glorious white stuff. She and her friends were off being pulled around on a sled and trying desperately to find a small hill they could slid down. Good luck with that. I was really hoping she would take a few pictures with her phone. Nope. Not one. "It's too cold to take off your gloves off to push the button."

So Allie bundled KayLi and headed out. Just for a little while because, seriously, she doesn't like it. I understand. I love the snow. It looks very pretty out my windows.

When I stepped onto the porch to take these pictures, I knew, why Emily din't take a single picture.

It's 1:00pm now and EVERYONE is inside. Were it is very warm. The fireplace is blazing. Soup will be on the stove soon. Three batches of snow ice cream have been made. Lots of kids helped eat it. Shoes and gloves are drying by the front door. Curling is on the television?

Huge flakes just started to fall again. Really huge flakes. They are outside. Looking beautiful!

I love snow days!

Our Week in Pictures

2010-02-22T17:37:00.014-06:00

MONDAY:

After spending the weekend in Austin, Ryan surprised us by stopping by and staying the night on his way back to Lubbock. We all love it when he gets to visit!

Ryan LOVED Mercer Mayer's Critter books and it was so surreal to look over and see him reading one to KayLi.

TUESDAY:

KayLi loves her little pink sunglasses, so when these two swapped glasses I ran for the camera.

I will love this picture forever!!!

WEDNESDAY:

KayLi loves making crafts! For this one she "rumpled" tissue paper and glued it onto a card stock flower. With every piece of tissue paper she would say "Rumple, rumple, rumple."

THURSDAY:

Ah, F*cebook. These two were cut from the same mold!

Sorry for the terrible lighting. I was trying to sneak the picture before they refused to let me take it and turning on lights would have ruined the moment.

FRIDAY:

I had no idea how influenced by China I was becoming until KayLi walked over to me wearing her cowgirl hat and I said "Yee Hao!" As in

Ni Hao + Yee Ha = Yee Hao!

SATURDAY:

Most of you already know that Allie plays guitar and leads worship at our church. I haven't written much about it but Emily is awesome on the djembe (drum)! Seriously awesome! Every week these two instruments are hauled to church and then put back in this little corner. It touched my heart to see KayLi guitar thrown in the mix!

SUNDAY:

Emily walked out of her room saying "She begged to be put in here mom, really she begged!"

She must have because she stayed in this laundry basket for almost twenty minutes. When I would ask her if she wanted out she would say "No. KayLi looking." And she was...through each little hole.

Emily took a lot pictures of KayLi in the basket. Since I couldn't decide between these two, you get to see them both!

Our Little Artist

2010-02-21T16:54:00.005-06:00

Emily helped out in our church nursery this morning, which meant that I felt comfortable leaving KayLi for the first time in months. Don't ask about the last time. I'm still trying to forget it. This time my cell phone was on silent and Em could text me quickly if KayLi had any problems.

I was very excited.

It was so nice to worship and really listen. Too bad Em can't help out every week. And praise God she does help, every Sunday night. It's the only hour all week that KayLi isn't with me.

Anyway, they colored a little and with Emily's help, KayLi drew her first drawing that actually looked like what she was drawing. Emily drew the eyes but the rest is all KayLi.

What? You can't you see the eyes? It's a perfect likeness. Can't you tell what she drew? Come on, really? Look closely...

It's Goliath, or as KayLi calls him "BIG!" As in "Ahhhh, Big coming! Oh no, he Big!" Which is what KayLi says every time she watches it.

KayLi was so excited to show me her "paypa." When I asked about it, she told me "Dat Big. Big mad!"

She's such a budding artist. I love it!!!!

Can you help?

2010-02-18T16:30:00.002-06:00

This sweet family is having a great fundraiser raffle. $10 is all it takes to help bring a precious little one home to her forever family. And who knows...you just may win?

Chinese New Year Recap

2010-02-18T13:00:00.008-06:00

We celebrated our 1st Chinese New Year with our sweet friends the Kendricks and it was so fun! We had lunch at a local Chinese restaurant, where KayLi had her favorite "Nonnles!"

Is Toryn adorable or what?! He told his mama that morning that he looked "petty." I think he's right!

A small side note...We have been trying very hard to teach KayLi who is a boy and who is a girl. Last weekend KayLi was going through her mental list of just about every person she knows asking if they were a boy or girl. When I would answer, she would move down the list to the next person. But not when she asked about Toryn. When I answered that he was a boy she replied, "Dat myyyyyyy boy."

He's even cute when he's making silly faces at the camera!

I can't figure out where this silly face came from though...pick one, they're both silly!

Don't the guys look excited!

It was so fun to celebrate with these sweet people. Red envelopes and stuffed tigers are a far cry from a big traditional New Year celebration in China but these two precious little people couldn't have been more loved!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-02-17T11:08:00.002-06:00

Happy Valentines Day & Chinese New Year!

2010-02-14T16:42:00.012-06:00

We had so much fun today celebrating Valentines Day and Chinese New Year!

Don't you love how Allie got the girls to pose so sweetly?

OK, cheesily! Like my new word?

Yes, poor KayLi's eye is black. She fell last week and it was terrible. At least she's very quick to tell everyone that "It all betta now."

I tried to get Emily to pose with her Valentine gifts from her Dad and a very sweet young man but this was the best she would give me.

I also tried for a couple pictures of KayLi in her Valentine outfit yesterday.

Please tell me her cuteness makes up for how lacking I am behind a camera?

And of coarse when I tried to get KayLi to pose with her Valentines from her Daddy, she mimicked Emily's pose! It would have been nice if she had covered the black eye with the heart box.

I'll post more later about how we celebrated Chinese New Year with these great people!

I hope you all have a wonderful Valentines Day and a happy Chinese New Year!!!

Eye Contact

2010-02-10T11:49:00.004-06:00

Yesterday as we were leaving speech therapy, KayLi's therapist stressed how important it is that we encourage KayLi to look at people when they are talking to her. That she needs to watch people talk in order to see how words are formed and imitate them. Hmmmm.

On the long drive home I couldn't help but look back at KayLi's infancy. She missed so much.

The loving stares of a mother and her infant as she is nursing. The soft sounds that are imitated back and forth as a baby begins to forms it's first coos. The loving eye contact that takes place as a mother sings a lullaby. KayLi missed it all and it made my heart break for her all over again.

I would give anything...seriously, anything...to be able to go back and give her what she missed. I can't. All I can do is help her to go forward. Forward with as much love as possible. Every night she falls asleep with her face a few inches away from mine...looking into my eyes. She needs that. We play "Baby KayLi" often. Oh, how she loves being rocked and pretending she's a baby. She asks me to sing "Lullaby and G'night." It's my joy. I'll play as long as she wants me to.

An innocent request from her speech therapist was meant to encourage eye contact and communication skills. It did. It made me look up into the loving eyes of my Father. It encouraged me to pray more fervently than ever. That God will restore as only He can. That I will be able to teach KayLi about His amazing love for her and that she will willingly receive it. That someday she will find complete healing looking into His eyes.

A Long Awaited Duet

2010-01-30T14:24:00.004-06:00

Before KayLi's palate surgery, she was unable to drink through a straw. When she would try to blow into a whistle, most of the air would simply come out of her nose. She could barely exhale with enough force to blow bubbles.

This duet was music to my ears!!!

A Perfect Wednesday

2010-01-27T11:16:00.021-06:00

When I picked up Emily's little make up bag to take it to her room, I noticed that it was unusually heavy. After all she only keeps lip gloss and a little compact in there.

When I opened it and found this, I couldn't help but think about how PERFECTLY it suited where she is at right now....somewhere between jawbreakers and perfume.

A little later KayLi came walking toward me carrying this basket, that sits PERFECTLY out of reach, on a high shelf in her closet.

It normally contains some of her hair stuff.

Apparently she thought this was the PERFECT basket for these. Yes they are real. And yes I had to fight the urge to yell and laugh all at once as I very calmly said "Can I have the basket, please?"

Maybe it had something to do with the fact that she was watching these guys learn about birds?

Not too long after the egg incident I turned around and found KayLi gulping...yes gulping...my coffee as quickly as she possibly could. Note the cup is half empty! When she saw me she started immediately blowing it and saying "Hot coffee. I blow it for you." Wasn't she sweet to try and make my coffee the PERFECT temperature for me?

So what made this Wednesday so PERFECT? While KayLi was watching this, she turned to me and said "Flying Fairy School. I did it! I did it! Flying Fairy School!" She was giggling with joy because for her to ALMOST PERFECTLY pronounce two words that start with an F back to back and follow it with a very clear S word was HUGE!!! PERFECTLY HUGE!!!

Did I mention that's it's only 11:45 am and a friend of mine and I are cooking Chicken Spaghetti for about 70 people at church tonight?

Yeah and I just had to take a break from writting this because KayLi just walked over to me and said, "Mama, KayLi messy." When I looked down she was showing me that she was soaked with water. She had emptied a full sippy cup onto the coffee table and proceeded to spread it around finger paint style. I'm not even stopping to take a picure of the PERFECT mess or how wet she is.

Yep, a PERFECT Wednesday!!!

Update and clarification: After reading Kristi's comment and rereading this post, I thought I better clarify a little...just in case you have a three year old or a child with a cleft. KayLi did not pronounce "Flying Fairy School" perfectly. It was more like "Fwyin Faiwy Skoo" What was so huge was that she got the F's and S out perfectly! Especially in back to back words. She still has very far to go in her speech and language development. Her speech therapist feels she will be in therapy for at least a year. I would hate for anyone whose child has a cleft to feel that progressing that quickly is possible and that for whatever reason their child is behind. I'll post more about her speech and therapy as soon as I clean up all the the open washable markers KayLi used on a coloring book and half my dining room table. It's still PERFECT around here!

Rockin' Her Tiara

2010-01-25T08:32:00.000-06:00

Upside down and on her forehead...this girl really knows how to rock a tiara!

Just don't ask her to smile and look in your direction at the same time.

She knows she's adorable!

I sooooo love this silly princess! Even if, no especially since, her tiara is upside down!

Christmas Recap...Yes, Seriously

2010-01-24T14:32:00.018-06:00

I don't know about you but an average holiday season usually makes me want to take refuge for a couple weeks and recover from the chaos. Well, this was no average holiday season and I have needed more recovery time than ususal.

December started with KayLi's surgery and ending with all of us (except KayLi and Ryan, thank you Jesus) getting the flu. We never found out what type of flu but it took Allie and I almost three weeks to feel human again. All in all it was not the way I had envisioned KayLi's first Christmas. Surgery, flu, changed holiday plans, it may not have been the perfect Christmas but KayLi was home and none of it mattered.

Almost a full month later, I feel like life is getting back to something that looks a little like normal. Excuses aside, here are the highlights.

After three Christmas's of hanging an ornament for KayLi on the tree without her, it felt so good to hang this for her...with her here! Glory!!!

She and Emily worked on the gingerbread house together. Well, kinda together. Emily did most of it and KayLi "helped".

Emily also helped her make her first Christmas craft. It's so nice to have three styro foam cup angels!

I was in Dallas with Ryan and Ana, taking KayLi to her one week follow up appointment when Emily performed her first band concert. Sigh. If you try really hard you can find her right in the middle of this picture.

For about five years now Emily has taken this baby Jesus out of the manger and used him as a baby with various dolls. This year he stayed in the manager all season. Sigh, again.

I filled the Trailblazer with five crazy kids (Logan is in the passenger seat) and we drove through a wonderful live drive through nativity. KayLi really was happy...I have no idea where this sad face came from when the camera came out. Is it irreverent to eat chicken as you drive through a live nativity?

One of the many scenes in the drive through nativity. It really is a wonderful tradition. Flu or no flu, it wouldn't have felt like Christmas if we had missed it. And besides, I was just starting to feel bad and had no idea what was about to hit us.

KayLi had a very hard time saying "Merry Christmas" which worked out well. She wished everyone a "Happy Birthday Jesus" instead. When she saw a Christmas tree, decorations or even wrapping paper she would get excited and say "Jesus's birthday!" It was such a fun way to be constantly reminded of the reason we were celebrating. Such pure innocence and understanding all at once. She was so excited just opening their stockings because it was finally Jesus's birthday!

Ryan humored me for one more year and dressed up in fun Christmas pajamas to pose for a Chirstmas Eve picture. Poor Emily felt so lousy...she was trying!

We woke up to snow on Christmas Eve and it was our first white Christmas ever!

And we went to sleep that night praising God for the arrival of my precious new neice, Taylor Madison! Weighing in at 6lbs, 6 oz. and measuring 18 inches long, she was the sweetest Christmas gift. Isn't she beautiful!!! I can't wait to love on her during Spring Break!!!

Emily got many great gifts but I think her favorite were these clear Converse. She LOVES wearing miss matched, very bright socks with them!

We felt to lousy to make it to church the Sunday before Christmas and honestly, I don't think anyone would have wanted us to breath near them. So KayLi finally got to wear her first Christmas dress the Sunday after Christmas.

The biggest heartbreak of being so sick and miserable was that we had planned to travel to Allie's home town and enjoy Christmas with our family there. It was so sad not being able to see everyone but I know they didn't want us to breath near them either :0) Next year...

Even though Emily, Allie, and I felt terrible it was such a blessing to have all three of my kids home and together for a whole week. I am blessed beyond measure!

A Very Blessed Christmas!!!

2009-12-21T10:12:00.010-06:00

For the last four holiday seasons my prayer has been "Please Lord, bring KayLi home before next Christmas." God has answered that prayer in His perfect time and in ways I never could have imagined. Not only is she home but she is healed. Glory!

While I haven't had time to post, bake a single cookie or even wrap a gift we have been celebrating around here. Ryan & Ana were here last weekend and helped decorate the tree.

They also drove KayLi and I to Dallas to have her stitches removed last week and I'm so thankful for them. Allie had no time off left and the thought of driving almost six hours alone with KayLi and than navigating Dallas was, well...ugh!

Emily has put the angel on the tree for the last ten years and she was happy to do it again this year. We have teased her the last few years that next year KayLi would do it. Somehow it just felt right for her to do it one more year.

KayLi loved having Ryan and Ana here. She simply adores her big brother!

Sunday Emily went to see the Nutcracker ballet with the girls youth group. Oh, how I wanted to go but I'm not sure KayLi is ready for that yet. So we went for pizza and then relaxed while we waited for Emily to get home and we could take a few pictures under the tree.

I love these pictures beyond measure. They are an awesome reminder to me that the same God who kept His promise of a Savior for the world over 2000 years ago, also kept His promise to bring this sweet child home.

And He is keeping His promise to heal her. Less than two weeks after surgery, she is doing so well. She is still a little swollen and the interior stitches haven't dissolved yet but look at what God has done!

I am so glad that KayLi's surgery is over and that she is home this Christmas. But for the record we have a new rule around here. There will be no more surgeries during the month of December unless it is a matter of life and death. We have kept many of our traditions in spite of two trips to Dallas and KayLi's surgery. I'll be posting about those after the holidays. There simply isn't enough time to to celebrate, enjoy the holiday and blog about it.

I am behind on my Christmas "To Do" list like never before. And to be honest, that list has been spoiling the season I have waited too long for. If no cookies are baked, oh well. If I don't have time to finish a few gifts, everyone will understand. Because for the rest of the holiday season I am choosing to focus on the fact that God has given us the perfect gift in His son Jesus. Oh, how I want to give him my life in return.

May you have a very blessed Christmas!!!

Amazing!!!!

2009-12-10T09:43:00.007-06:00

I was completely and utterly amazed when we walked into the recovery room yesterday and saw KayLi for the first time after surgery. I knew we had found a wonderfully talented doctor. I had seen all of his before and after patient pictures. And I KNOW God is a mighty and powerful healer. But to see Him heal and restore MY child, almost physically brought me to my knees.

Her lip no longer arches higher on the cleft side. The wide scar from her first surgery is gone and only one small line will remain after stitches are removed next Wednesday. The old slipped tubes in her ears came out without any problems - PTL! Dr. Genecov built up the cleft side of her nose and once the swelling subsides, her nose will be very symmetrical. Perfect is the word I really want to use!!!

She was doing so well at the hotel yesterday that we decided to come home. She sleep well through the night and has been awake since 6:30. She hasn't even needed Tylenol today! Amazing!!!

I fought anxiety so hard over this surgery. Did she really need it? Was it worth it to cause her pain and possibly cause her to be fearful of doctors? Should we wait until after the holidays? What if we put her through this and something terrible happens? Yeah, our enemy was fighting dirty but our God was victorious!

Nothing terrible happened. Her pain level was very manageable. I'm pretty sure Christmas will go on as scheduled. KayLi is home, happy and has less of a stuffy nose than she did with a previous sinus infection.

OUR GOD IS AMAZING!!!

Oh, just for the record...I'm a terrible photographer to start with and these pictures were taken with my phone. Have I mentioned that I'm having camera issues. And if you are wondering why her upper lip is shiny, there is surgical glue on the incision to minimize scaring and create a protective barrier from germs.

Three Years and Three Surgeries

2009-12-07T08:31:00.001-06:00

KayLi's first surgery was to repair her cleft lip and it took place in 2007 at the Hospital of Jining Medical School, in Shandong, China. She was seven months old and I pray that one of the nannies from her orphanage was with her as she recovered.

Her second surgery was to repair her cleft palate and it took place on Sept.23rd, 2009 at the Medical City Children's Hospital in Dallas, Tx. Praise God we were with her to comfort and care for her as she recovered.

Now she is having her third surgery to revise her lip, reconstruct her nose and replace both slipped ear tubes, this Wednesday at Forest Park Medical Center in Dallas, Tx. We will be with her again and would like to ask you to pray for her. Last time she had know idea what to expect. This time there is no blissful ignorance.

When we took her for pre-surgical clearance last week she was not happy about it. She wanted to take one of her babies with her and the nurses and doctor were so sweet to take it's temp, blood pressure and check it's ears. All was well until they had to draw blood. Let's just say it wasn't pretty. Now when we talk about going to the doctor "to fix her lip and nose" she says "No KayLi doctor. Baby doctor."

It should be a simple day surgery to "build more of a ball tip and make her nostrils more symmetrical." I'm praying that the shorter surgical time will mean less anesthesia and that she comes out of it easier than last time. I'm certain that God placed her in our family to heal her and trust that He will be right there in the operating room with her.

Her palate surgery felt so necessary that I really just wanted to get it done and over with. This time...well I'm going to miss her little smooshed nose. I can't help but think that since I no longer notice it that no one else does either. My head knows that her appearance will play a huge part in developing a positive self image. And that it's best to get this done while she is hopefully young enough to forget all about it. But my heart wonders if it's really necessary to put her through a third surgery. Can't we just send her to karate classes to take care of the teasing kid on the school play ground? I'm kinda having to talk myself into this one. So would you be so kind as to say a little prayer for KayLi's mama too :0)

Oh Yeah, the silly picture above...she loved it when Allie came in from the cold last week and put his coveralls on her!!!

First Snow?

2009-12-04T13:29:00.009-06:00

For the season yes but most likely KayLi has seen and played in it before. Shandong, China gets a lot of snow each year. We just weren't sure if KayLi and her friends had been allowed to play in it.

We have been making a big deal out of the seasons lately and getting excited over pictures of snow in her books. I've asked her a few times if there is snow in China and she very casually says "yeah." We still weren't sure though.

When she looked outside for the first time this morning, she gasped and said "Oh no. Snow."

Right when we walked outside to play, Allie pulled up to see how she liked it. She loved it!!!

He quickly started to make a snow ball to ~~throw at~~ show her and she just as quickly told him no! I think that's a pretty good indicator that she has seen this cold white stuff before. He hadn't even finished making it when she warned him.

Emily was so happy to be home until 10 am and be able to enjoy it with KayLi. She and her friends were playing in it before I could get all three layers of clothing on KayLi!

She was thrilled when they canceled school for the whole day. Yep, it probably wasn't two inches and they called it a snow day. It snows so seldom here that this is a very big deal!!!

Emily had never seen snow at all until we moved here just over three years ago. She still loves making snow angels! She tried to get KayLi to make one but she was not having it. She just kept looking at Emily like she was crazy or laying down in the snow.

She thought it was pretty funny that there was snow on her scooter though.

Not long after I took this last shot (with my phone because I'm having major camera issues AGAIN!) we headed in to make a warm breakfast. Our friends Sundai, Shelby, and Logan came over for pancakes. Then the older kids went to the baseball field for a block party in the snow.

They will all be here again soon to watch the movie "Up". We are hoping KayLi will enjoy it. Until now she hasn't shown much interest in actual movies. This girl loves her some Sesame Street and Ni Hao Kai-lan though!

It's almost two in the afternoon now and most of the wonderful snow has melted. KayLi thinks it's raining because it's all dripping off the house. I'm hoping Allie will get home soon to pile on the couch with us and start the weekend a little early. I think a big pot of soup and a warm fireplace is in order! Hot coco anyone?

Favorite Photo Friday

2009-12-04T08:10:00.000-06:00

So Much To Be Thankful For...

2009-12-03T21:12:00.009-06:00

Sisterhood

Cousins

Favorite Trees

Good Food

Aunts & Uncles

New Tricks

Sweet People

I hope you all had a very blessed Thanksgiving!!!!

2009-11-26T08:00:00.000-06:00

"Mama, KayLi China?"

2009-11-24T23:17:00.010-06:00

Tonight as I was putting KayLi to bed she wanted to sing a song about going to China from Ni Hao Kai Lan. So, of course we sang it. When we finished singing this was our conversation:

K: "Mama, KayLi China?"
M: "Yes, you are from China."
K: " Ahhh, China."
M: "Mama, Daddy, & Emily went all the way to China to get you and bring you to KayLi's house."

She smiled her biggest smile and whispered "KayLi's house."
Then she feel asleep, literally still smiling.

KayLi & Bella

2009-11-24T09:34:00.010-06:00

Not long after we moved to West Texas Isabella, or Bella as KayLi calls her, was adopted by some sweet friends of ours.

So often as we were waiting to bring KayLi home Bella's mom and I would wonder if KayLi was the same age, the same size or going through the same stages as Isabella was.

(KayLi had jumped off the step...I can't believe I caught her in midair!)

When we received KayLi's referral it was exciting to learn that KayLi was just a few months older than Isabella. When we received an update we learned that they were almost exactly the same size. And while we waited for travel it was so fun to watch Isabella and think that there would soon be someone just that size in my house.

Since KayLi has been home they have created quite a special bond. KayLi simply loves Bella. While KayLi was recovering from her palate surgery, Bella left a "get well" message on our answering machine for her. KayLi knows exactly which button to push and loves to listen to Bella's sweet message.

"KayLi, dis a Bella. I hope you feel betta. I praying you. I luv you. Bye"
Over and over and over!!!

It is a complete joy to watch these two precious girls play together. They are both such amazing answers to prayer. I love that they are growing up as friends and neighbors just a block away from each other.

We love you Bella!!!

A Door

2009-11-22T13:20:00.004-06:00

A couple weeks ago a door closed that I was certain we would be walking through. My faith and attitude about it have been pitiful.

Normally I would remind myself that God opens and closes door for a purpose...for His greater glory. Normally, I would be fine, if not happy, with that. Not so much this time.

This particular door is one I have thought and dreamed about for over four years. I had no idea how set I was on it until I realized that it was not just shut but very firmly closed.

I know God can open it if He so chooses. After all it is His door. I don't think He he will though.

I'm praying like crazy that He opens another that is similar. Oh, how I want to see Him glorified!

It has all made my heart heavy. Very heavy. Until this morning...

During the sermon our pastor reminded us about a few things that I desperately needed to be reminded of. Things that changed my attitude about the situation...hopefully for good.

Things like being anxious for nothing. Even if those things will glorify God.

And to think on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, of good report, are virtuous or bring praise. Not on what might have been.

And to take EVERY thought captive. Even the ones that want to scream "Why not?"

And above all to rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS because He is so worthy of our joy and praise!

So until He opens the next door or triumphantly returns, I will try to give Him reason to be gloried. Even in my thought life. Especially in my thought life. I WILL rejoice in Him and in the amazing blessing He has given us. He is so worthy!!!

I Think I Exhaled

2009-11-07T16:26:00.010-06:00

I spent a few hours in my craft room today being blissfully creative.

I haven't been in this room since we started to prepare to travel.

All I made were a few simple little note cards.

It was wonderful. I think I finally exhaled!

Just Look At The Cuteness

2009-11-04T17:32:00.009-06:00

Well, apparently it's a miracle that I got through KayLi's adoption paperwork the first time. Our agency reminded me that our Adoption Certificate was translated and notarized in China. I totally spaced off that said document was one of three given to us in Shandong. Hopefully we will find favor with the HR department and a Chinese notary will suffice.

I posted more of the pictures from the "carousel" in the hopes that you will be so stunned by KayLi's cuteness that you will forget all about how much of an idiot I can be :0)

Help Please

2009-11-04T09:04:00.003-06:00

We are working on an adoption reimbursement that my husbands employer provides and need a translation service to translate KayLi's adoption certificate into English. The translation needs to be notarized. Do any of you know of such a service? I would really appreciate any leads :0)

The picture above is of KayLi playing on an awesome "carousel" in one of the waiting areas at KayLi's surgeons...I just threw it in for some random cuteness!

No Tricks, Just Treats!

2009-11-02T18:53:00.013-06:00

Ok, say it in unison with me..."Aaawwwwww!!!" I KNOW!!!! Is she the cutest Minnie Mouse ever or what?!?!?

For at least 18 years Allie has begged one, if two of my children to be a robot for Halloween. I am raising intelligent children who understand how uncomfortable cardboard can be after 20 minutes and they have always steadfastly refused. This year Emily humored him. Either that or she just wanted him to shut up, I'm not sure which.

She really was a cute robot though. I hate that I was having major camera issues.

Once the robot costume was complete and Minnie's face was sufficiently painted we headed for a Fall Festival that one of the local churches put on. It was a blast! Thanks so much Trinity Baptist...Great job!!!

Ryan graciously slide with KayLi on her first inflatable slide and she loved it!

Emily and her sweet friend Shelby walked the cake walk several times and I'm fairly convinced that there is large cake walk conspiracy across the great state of Texas. In over 21 years of parenting, countless carnivals and festivals, my children have never won a single cake. E.V.E.R. Shelby and her brother Logan won three...at this one festival. Call me a conspiracy theorist if you want to but I'm just sayin'!

Since Emily's costume was not jumping castle attire Shelby took KayLi in and bounced with her until she was sure of this large inflated box.

It didn't take long before she was having a great time with my friend Traci's little Asian Sensation!

A great time until I said, "KayLi, no more candy until we get home."
Seriously this was the reaction!

It's just pitiful to fill an entire pink purse full of candy and tell her to stop eating it after piece number, who knows what!

She cheered up fast though when we went to take this picture in this cute little spot. There was a barrel full of apples and plastic pumpkins set out and well, let's just say I'm really glad the place was almost deserted before she and Toryn found them.

I love this picture though! Em is soooooo done with her costume and Logan finally decided he would like to wear one!

This was the first Halloween for both these little cuties and they totally loved it!

I loved how Minnie's nose rubbed off throughout the evening and she smiles so cute when you ask her to say "Cheese!"

Pumpkin Carving!

2009-11-02T16:22:00.019-06:00

Well, I managed to get my house clean in time for Ryan and his high school sweetheart Ana's arrival. Was there ever any doubt? I even managed to get the Fall decorations in place!

Have I mentioned that I REALLY LOVE Fall !?!?!?

We started off our weekend by pumpkin carving on Friday night. KayLi wasn't sure about the pumpkin guts at first...

but she soon discovered that that slimy can be fun! Especially when she learned you can eat the raw pumpkin...a gross!

Our friends daughter was over for the evening and these two little sweeties really wanted to join in. Ummm...sharp tools and toddlers....let's just say they are both adopted and we didn't want to have to explain anything to their social workers :0)

Emily saved the night by showing them how to pock holes in the scraps from her pumpkin. Safe enough for a social worker! Em's such a good Jie Jie.

Most of us used patterns but Ryan couldn't find one he liked, so he decided to be original.

You never would have guessed that Ana had never carved a pumpkin before. She was a pro!

KayLi really loved the pumpkin that "we" made. She did help clean out those slimy guts remember!

Em's turned out very cute. Just like her!

Ryan's non-pattern was his "signature." Yep, that's my boy!

Allie's, well...he didn't use a pattern either.

Ana's turned out as adorable as she is. It looked very cute lite!

Here's Emily's.

And Ana's and KayLi's. I told you Ana's was cute lite!

Ok, Allie's did turn out cute once it was lite. I just can't help but think he was going for a self portrait in pumpkin form.

Hopefully I'll have a chance later tonight to post about Saturday night's Fall Festival. But right now the people I live with are really hoping I will make dinner.

A little note about the Happy Face Balloon picture in the last post. We had bought KayLi a couple helium balloons last weekend. The Happy Face balloon was starting to loose helium and do some serious hovering. You're right Kristi it was a little freaky...but funny!

He Makes Me Smile!!!!

2009-10-31T12:10:00.002-05:00

They're Here!!!

2009-10-30T23:03:00.002-05:00

Aren't they cute!!!!

Procrastination

2009-10-29T08:19:00.005-05:00

I need to clean.
The house is dusty.
Seriously, you could sign the coffee table and call it a guest book.
I haven't vacuumed in longer than I'm willing to admit.
Laundry is piled up but laundry is ALWAYS piled up.
My sink is even full of dishes...gross!
We've been busy!!!

Once all that is done, I would love to finally put up the Fall decorations.
I LOVE Fall!
I love my Fall decorations.
I love the cooler weather.
I love the promise of much cooler weather!
I love the changes it brings.
I love how everyone comes in to hibernate.
I don't love to clean!

All I really want to do is play!!!
I/we NEED a play day!!!
I'm trying really hard to justify playing all day.
If I pat KayLi's back with each syllable I speak can I call it speech therapy?
I'll ask her lots of questions that require more than a yes or no answer.
I'll encourage her to put her teeth together and say lots of "S" words!
Really, it would be sooo much more than just playing.

Aaahhhh, but I have to clean.
Not just because there is cleaning to be done.
There are two wonderful people coming tomorrow.
People that I love, even more than playing.
People that deserve my house to feel warm and welcoming.
Once they are here, we will play all weekend!
I can't wait!!!!

So, I'll go clean.
In my head all I hear is...
"I don't WAAANNNAAA!"
I may be cleaning but I'm whining on the inside!

I wonder if KayLi wants to Du-sssst or Vac-uum?

Sorry I haven't posted about speech therapy yet. We started last week and I keep forgetting my camera. LOVE IT!!! I'll post about it when my house is a little cleaner.

Sorry too about the totally unrelated picture of KayLi. I decided it was much cuter than a picture of cleaning supplies!!!

Sweet But Not So Innocent

2009-10-26T17:13:00.003-05:00

Last Sunday as we were leaving for church, I just HAD to stop and grab my camera. KayLi looked so cute! Her pink dress and shoes were new and the little sweater we found in China matched it perfectly.

I couldn't help but think that she looked so sweet and innocent!

Yep she's sweet alright but she is not so innocent. Trust me looks can be deceiving.

She may look like she is just sitting there, leaning against the laundry room door and calmly playing her little recorder. But on the other side of the door that...

her sister is screaming "Move KayLi! MOOOOOMMMMM, she won't let me out!!!!"

So of coarse I just HAD to grab my camera, to record this loving sisterly exchange before I asked KayLi to move.

Oh and just for the record, KayLi couldn't play with toys like this recorder or blow raspberries (called serberts around here) before her palate surgery. While she could blow bubbles without any problems these two things were very difficult. The air she would try and blow out her mouth would almost always come out her nose.

Now she's a pro! From what I understand all of the "blowing" toys and games are great for strengthening her palate. I never in a million years thought I would be intentionally looking for a whistle for one of my children but I am. Maybe we'll just blow extra bubbles!!!

It's Only Junior High School

2009-10-22T15:09:00.006-05:00

Sometimes you turn around and wonder how your children seemed to grow up so quickly. You can't believe they have breezed through another stage of childhood and you are left feeling like maybe you missed something. Shouldn't they still be playing with Barbies or Ninja Turtles? Weren't they just asking for piggy back rides yesterday.

Then there are times when you see it clearly. You know it's happening before your eyes but you're helpless to do anything about it. When you are watching them change and know deep in your soul that things will never be the same. Times when you want to scream "Stop! I'm not ready yet!" Or beg "Please slow down a little."

This is one of those times.

Everything in me wants to beg and scream and somehow put on the brakes of life. Emily is simply growing up way too fast these days.

The logical me says "It's just junior high. She's just playing the saxophone. She isn't leaving for college yet." But the Mama in me knows. Oh, she knows and she isn't happy about it.

Maybe if you all chant with me "It's only junior high school. It's only junior high school." Then she will magically stop growing up and remain my little girl forever and ever.

Yeah. If that worked I would have chanted "It's only five pounds." years ago!!!

I would appreciate a little prayer though. I can be pitiful sometimes.

Faith in Four Words

2009-10-16T07:30:00.002-05:00

Excitement.

Doubt.

Trust.

Blessed!

Wordless Wednessday

2009-10-14T07:30:00.001-05:00

So Thankful!

2009-10-13T10:30:00.010-05:00

A week ago Saturday a sweet friend of ours invited us to her garden to take pictures before the first frost. I am so thankful for that invitation and for the wonderful pictures her daughter captured of us.

Thank you so much Jaynie and Christi for having us over and capturing this special time in our lives. We will treasure these pictures and your friendship always!

When I was looking through the pictures after she brought them by, I was over whelmed with thankfulness. I really can't describe how blessed I felt as I looked at each shot.

I have so much to be thankful for...

I'm thankful that KayLi finally knows the joy of being part of a family.

And that Emily finally knows the love of a little sister.

That I have the privilege of watching this young girl grow into a woman of God.

And that three months ago today I had the honor of becoming this sweet child's mother.

Thank you Jesus!

We Made It!!!!

2009-10-08T11:19:00.004-05:00

Yeah!!! No more liquid diet!!!! My blender is tucked in a high cupboard and I don't plan on using it again for a very long time!

We saw Dr. Genecov Tuesday and he said she did great! I was shocked to hear that she can eat anything she wants. I just assumed she would be on a soft diet for a little while but he said she was fine. I still think we'll avoid tortilla chips and lollipops for a few days!

He further surprised us by saying we could go ahead and schedule her lip revision and nose reconstruction. He thought we may like to get it done before the end of the year for tax and insurance purposes. So please pray that Allie is able to get time off from work because we scheduled it for Dec. 2nd. As much as I hate the idea of going through all of this again so soon, I'm also glad that we will get it behind us quickly.

I was relieved to hear that her recovery from the upcoming surgery would be a little easier than this was. It won't be pleasant and I'm already dreading her coming out of anesthesia again but overall it's got to be easier than two weeks of liquids!

As soon as we left the doctors office, we had a banana (her favorite food ever) waiting in the car for her. She was so excited!!! I tried getting a pictures of it but it was a little difficult on my phone and in a moving vehicle.

We went straight to a little cafe for lunch and it was sooooo exciting to see her drink from a straw for the first time. Allie cut it down short and we were super careful not to let her hold the cup. All I could imagine was the straw going straight through that beautiful new palate....seriously it looks like there was never a cleft...amazing!!!!

She was so surprised and excited when she actually got a drink from the straw. She jumped back with the biggest grin ever!!! I can just imagine what the other people at the cafe thought of us. Don't all parents take pictures of their daughter taking a drink and laugh like idiots about it?!?!

I Think We Can Make It Through...

2009-10-05T14:50:00.001-05:00

MORE

DAY

OF A

LIQUID

DIET!

A Non-Issue Really

2009-10-04T13:59:00.010-05:00

This picture has nothing to do with the post but you'll be seeing a lot more like it very soon!

Several things have happened recently that have convinced me that maybe it would be a good idea to post about KayLi's language skills.

First an adoptive mom at KayLi's pre-op appointment asked about the language barrier. She and her husband are considering an older child adoption but are concerned about it. I had to try to keep from laughing because it's really a non-issue.

Then Rachelle at "With One Step" addressed a question someone had about language. I thought she did a great job in her post titled "75 Days".

And not long ago my friend Traci was telling me how surprised she was by the number of questions she had gotten about it.

So yesterday when a friend of mine asked if KayLi was learning English very well, I thought "I really need to address this "non-issue" because people seem to be really hung up on it."

I think it might help to understand that KayLi has two modes in public. Excited or quiet. So unless you come to my house and see her on her turf, it's easy to think she isn't leaning or doesn't understand. But that couldn't be further from the truth. She is actually learning so quickly that it is awesome to watch!

In almost three months we have only had one melt down because I couldn't figure out what she wanted. But that may have been because she was tired at the time...we weren't really sure about this particular incident :0) Anyway, it seems as though KayLi has understood us from the beginning. And while she still understands much more than she can say, she talks a lot at home.

I thought it might be fun to try to make a list of what KayLi can say. I know I won't be able to list everything because she knows and says the names of almost all every day objects. I also know that I will forget a lot and have to fight the urge to edit this post every two days.

While some things can only be understood by us, she knows exactly what she is saying. I totally believe that with speech therapy over the next several months, her language skills will thrive. Until then, I really don't mind being her translator.

So at the risk of bragging (like I had anything to do with her intelligence), here's the list :0)

"Drink please."
"Mama play KayLi" or whoever she wants to play with her at the moment.
"Mama help." Meaning "Mama do it."
"KayLi help." Meaning "I can do it myself!"
"KayLi's turn."
"KayLi sharing." It freaked me out how quickly she started sharing. It had to have been taught before us! Just don't take something from her unexpectedly...it's not pretty.
She can name most all body parts.
She can count to ten with you and count items to seven by herself.
"KayLi no tired." or "KayLi no night night." These often run together!
"Wait a minute." When she is running off to get something she wants you to play with.
"KayLi's...." you name it, it's ALL hers. This is her version of "Mine!" when she is not in the mode to share ;0)
"KayLi light on/off." She LOVES that she can do this!
"KayLi brush hair/teeth."
"I'm three." When asked how old she is.
"I'm three." Also her reply if asked "How are you."
"KayLi's shirt on." or pants, socks, shoes as she gets dressed.
"No wash KayLi hair." It's still not her favorite part of the bath.
"Nice dog." Dogs can be very scary :0)
"KayLi shopping, yeah!"
"Come on KayLi." meaning "Come with me."
"Yeah, Daddy's home!" or Emily, or Ryan!
"More candy please." Not recently but she did ask for "More oatmeal please." this morning.
"Oh my goodness."
"Mama where are you?"
"No yelling. Shhh." usually when the older kids are excited about a video game and never when she is yelling for "More Elmo Please." OK, usually without the "please" if she is yelling for Elmo. We're working on it!
"Hold me." I love this but I have to admit that I miss the way she said "Nay wa" when she wanted to be held or picked up. She just recently learned "hold me" and I was a little sad.
She knows red, blue & yellow and sometimes green but we are working on the rest of her colors..
"Running fast."
"Walking slow."
"That yucky gross."
"Mama, KayLi outside bubbles swing."
"Cold ice cream good."
"KayLi hot noodles?" I've heard this often lately, ramon noodles are total comfort food to her!
"Red jello so good."
"You teasing me." Usually said to her daddy!

"I love you so much."

And my personal favorite "Mama, Daddy, Emily, Grandma, KayLi, Ryan family."

I can't believe.....

2009-10-04T13:02:00.005-05:00

My husband put this....

in one of these....

added a little of this....

gave it to my daughter and she drank it!
Eeeewwwwww!!!!!

Yes, he even put the ketchup....just sick, I know!

What I Wish I Knew Before Surgery

2009-10-02T11:56:00.007-05:00

There seem to be so many little things that I wish I had known before KayLi's palate surgery. My sweet friend Traci tried to clue me in and I'm so thankful for the heads up she gave me on a few things. So I thought I would post a list of the things I wish I had known and try to give anyone else who has this in there future a heads up too.

Be warned though that most of these "tips" have to do with the liquid diet issue. It's by far the most challenging part of this procedure. So Rachelle, this list is written with you in mind but I'd still love it if you called :0)

If you don't have palate repair surgery in your future, please enjoy a couple pictures of KayLi and know that she is doing great!

Oh and if you happen to have already gone through this and lip revision or nose reconstruction, I would love to hear from you and learn you tips for recovery.

Love the "Candy Milk" mustache going on in this picture!

So here's my corny list"

Freezing yogurt in ice cube trays, then popping them out and putting them into a freezer bag is a wonderful way to have frozen yogurt ready for smoothies.

It's really hard to cook for yourself and the rest of your family when you are trying to keep food away from a toddler that wants to be where you are. So cook and freeze meals in advance. I really wish I had done this...would have saved us many meals of cold cereal or tv dinners :0)

Slightly thawed popsicles with juice smashed into them are a great cold treat. Especially the first few days when their little throats are so sore.

"Creamy" oatmeal ie, "Peaches & Cream" or "Blueberries & Cream" are great thinned down with milk. As long as you remove the fruit before you cook it. If you put it in the blender it gets gross and frothy. Just thin it way down and you're all set.

Nap when they nap the first several days because you will be up several times through out the night. Or better yet beg your mom to stay with you to give you a nap break every once in awhile. Thanks mom!

Potatoes boiled in half water half beef broth actually taste like roasted potatoes. If you thin the "potato soup", mash it like crazy and strain it with a fork, you don't have to put it in the blender...it gets frothy too...yuck!

Chowders blend really well. They are one of the few things that don't gross me out.

A three year old is capable of understanding that food will hurt her mouth and that when it gets better she can have cookies. I didn't think KayLi would get this. I thought she would think we were evil food Natzi's. She gets it....she's not always happy about it but she gets it.

Kids recover very quickly! You literally couldn't keep her down long. She was happy and playing so much sooner than I thought she would be.

Elmo party cups that I can throw away ROCK!

Drinkable yogurt makes a great snack and will buy you a little time when the "real" food is still cooking.

Cheddar Cheese soup (yes they make such a thing) works as a great cheese substitute and gives soups a nice consistency.

Instant potato flakes are a great way to make any soup more creamy and filling.

KayLi "eats" best if I feed her while she mindlessly watches Sesame Street. Pitiful I know but it's working for us. She has only lost one pound so far. Plus her counting skills are coming along very well. She counted the dishes, all the way to five, while I filled the dishwasher today. I guess her Elmo addiction has a few benefits.

Carnation Instant Breakfast and ice cream make a somewhat nutritious milk shake :0)

Pediasure is not nearly as great as I hoped it would be. The chocolate isn't too bad but the vanilla and strawberry are only working for us in smoothies. If I had it to do over I wouldn't have bought them and just used the instant breakfast. It has more sugar but she likes it and it's lots cheaper.

The first week or so we had to use Saline spray for KayLi's nose every four hours. If your doctor also wants you to do this, start trying to teach your child that nasal spray is not evil as soon as possible. Maybe you can let your child see you use it and pretend to use it on them. Or let them use a little. It was awful to use this, when KayLi was so disoriented and had no idea what it was. Now she thinks it's great fun to spray it in our noses once we have sprayed hers.

KayLi loves to drop strawberries or noodles into the blender and push the button. It's a lot of fun and it has helped her to understand that she IS getting food.

Time passes really quickly when you are preparing "meals" every 2-3 hours. I can't believe we only have 3.5 days left until she can eat again!!!!!

If God called you to this, He WILL see you through this! He promises!!! Philippians 1:6!!!!!
But I bet you already knew that :0)

The Ups & Downs

2009-09-28T13:19:00.006-05:00

Palate surgery has its Ups & Downs. So for those of your who may have it in your future and just for the record, here are a few of them.

Up: It's pretty hard to make a small patch of smoothies but at least there is plenty to share!
Down: We have wasted quite a bit of smoothie. I have some in the freezer now to see if it's any good when it thaws out. Wish me luck :0)

Up: I'm eating a lot less than normal and may shed a few pounds through all of this.
Down: It's only because I'm trying to hide from a hungry toddler while I choke down half a sandwich in 30 seconds.

Up: KayLi hasn't complained nearly as much as I thought she would about not being able to eat solid food.
Down: She complains plenty when she hears the blender or sees me coming with yet another cup in my hand.

Up: For the first time in a couple years I'm reading a book that isn't related to China or adoption.
Down: I'm reading it while sitting on the couch beside KayLi, trying to make sure her feet in my lap don't send it flying across the living room at any second.

Up: Saline spray is a great decongestant, that is very inexpensive.
Down: We have been using it for five days and she is just now learning that it's easier to be compliant, than to be pinned down and tortured by this evil spray that is clearly the invention of Satan himself. Oh, and she thinks it's hilarious to spray it in our noses once she has had her sprays but that's not really a "down" is it.

Up: Allie has KayLi thoroughly convinced that Carnation Instant Breakfast and Ovaltine are "Candy Milk". This has made these drink the best ever!!!
Down: I may be organizing a "Candy Milk" intervention by the time we are back on solid food but right now it's so worth it!

Up: Jello is considered a liquid and makes a great ~~bribe~~ dessert!
Down: You have to feed it to her by having her tip her head back, open her mouth and letting a small amount slide off the spoon into her mouth. Think "baby bird getting a worm" because the spoon CANNOT go in her mouth. This can be a little messy when the baby bird REALLY wants more than a small amount of jello. But again...it's so worth it right now!

Up: KayLi is content as long as Sesame Street is on with it's ever glorious promise of Elmo's World at the end.
Down: We have 16 episodes of Sesame Street recorded on the DVR and she has watched each one more times than I can count. The theme to Elmo's World was actually part of my dream last night.

Up: KayLi has discovered that "Ni Hao Kai Lan" and "Yo Gabba Gabba" are fun to watch too. Previously she would ONLY watch Sesame Street.
Down: That guy with the orange hair on "Yo Gabba Gabba" really freaks me out! Seriously. Freaks. Me. Out!

Up: KayLi is speaking more clearly and it has given us so much hope about how her speech will improve even more after speech therapy.
Down: She is saying things like "Mommy where are you?" if I leave the living room for the briefest minute. And sadly "KayLi hungry." You would be surprises how often food & nutrition are the topics of the previously mentioned television shows. There is NO party in KayLi's tummy :0(

Up: I am being reminded of what it is like to have a new born. Such a sweet time.
Down: I am fixing "bottles" every two hours and no one in the house is getting any real sleep. Well, except Emily...she's practically a teenager and could sleep through anything.

Up: KayLi is now able to blow her nose! This is HUGE! She even likes to do it by herself.
Down: She hasn't figured out how to get out one tissue at a time, which results in tissues all over the living room.

Up: We (God, please let it be so) only have eight more days of a liquid diet.
Down: We have at least eight more days of the liquid diet.

Up: This WILL pass and become a memory. One that I pray KayLi is able to forget.
Down: There is no "Down" for this. I know it Will pass and when it's over, it will be amazing to see the way God is healing and transforming this precious child.

The Rest of the Story

2009-09-25T12:36:00.009-05:00

Yesterday I posted about how happy KayLi was to be home and about how great she has been doing. So now that I have gotten a little sleep I thought I would tell the rest of the story.

They had told us that the anesthesia would take anywhere from 18 to 24 hours to get out of her system and I'm very thankful that it only took 15. They were long hours. The nurses kept reassuring me that her pain level was not very high. That the medication she was taking was taking care of the worst of it. It was hard to believe them though because KayLi woke up about every thirty minutes crying. Really crying. She was scared and disoriented in a heart wrenching way.

The highlight of our night was when a nurse brought KayLi a small crocheted blanket and a super huggable stuffed cat. Both had been donated to the children's hospital and actually made her smile! I never knew such simple gifts could mean so much. She wraps the cat in the blanket and puts it to bed...such a sweety. Many heart felt thanks to Project Linus for your kindness!

Around three in the morning she (we) finally slept. Unfortunately only until 6am when she wet the bed and drenched us both. IV fluids and Tyelenol with codeine are a bad combination! After we got things set right with the world she slept until 8 am and woke up almost 100% KayLi. Only now she has the sweetest voice ever!!!!

The surgery itself went beautifully. I think the world of Dr. David Genecov and his team. I really can't say enough about the International Craniofacial Institute in Dallas. They are simply awesome. I'm so thankful that God lead us to them. They have published a small book that is a great resource if you are considering adopting a child with a cleft lip/palate. If any one is interested in it, just email me and I'd be happy to mail it to you.

We had been uncertain about whether we would stay another night in Dallas but when they said we could go home WE DID! KayLi had asked to go to "KayLi's house" several times throughout the night and we really wanted to reassure her that she could go home again.

Now that we are home a liquid diet is our biggest challenge. Instant oatmeal thinned down with milk was are first attempt at it on our way home. Followed by a Mc Donalds milkshake, also with extra milk. Once we got home we tried "blenderizing" chicken noodle soup. Even with Emily excitedly drinking with her, it didn't go over very well.

Later we tried a yogurt and frozen raspberry smoothy and she loved it. Today I made thin potato soup with chicken broth that we all loved. I've been told that after a week or so I will throw anything in the blender.

When I blended some yogurt and strawberries today. KayLi just laid on the couch watching Elmo (have I mentioned how obsessed she is with that little red guy?) saying "No Mama" softly and repeatedly. She did like the smoothy though.

I had stocked a few things that I thought might work before we left but I'm heading to the grocery store in search of...well, anything that might work. So far drinkable yogurt, Pediasure and smoothy fixings are at the top of the list. If any of you have any ideas, I'm soooooo open to suggestions. I'll be doing a serious google search shortly!

"It's OK Mama"

2009-09-24T21:04:00.003-05:00

We are home and KayLi is doing amazingly well. Her surgery went great and she has been her wonderful little self since about eight this morning. Before that...well I'll post more tomorrow. She has been playing this afternoon and evening as if nothing at all happened yesterday! Other than a swollen upper lip and a few tiny bruises around her mouth, you would never know she had such a delicate surgery yesterday.

She and Emily started out unpacking her hair bows from her suitcase but somehow they ALL (not just the few I packed) ended up on KayLi and her "Wawa."

This afternoon I tried to look at her palate again and she brushed me aside and said "It's OK Mama." So I guess IT IS! Our God is soooooo GOOD!!!

Red, Red, Red!

2009-09-21T11:47:00.007-05:00

Last Friday was "Red Night" at our house. I actually thought of a red food that wasn't disgusting, so we had spaghetti. With red kool aide and you guessed it red jello for dessert.

Then we finger painted with red washable finger paints, which KayLi LOVED!

Allie tried to get away with folding his paper in half and calling it art but we wouldn't let that work. By the way this picture is pay back for all the terrible pictures of me he puts on Facebook.

After red finger painting we hunted for red circles that Emily and Shelby had hidden around the house. I wasn't sure how this activity would turn out but KayLi got so excited each time she found one.

Then Allie showed the kids that if you lick the red circles they will stick to your glasses. KayLi had a slightly harder time getting them to stick to her eyes but she was determined to wear red circles too!

On a different note, KayLi's palate surgery is Wednesday and I would greatly appreciate your prayers. My mom is hanging out with Emily and I know they would appreciate your prayers for them as well. I will be trying to post from the hospital and the hotel room but I'm sure they will be short and simple. I really wish I was going to be posting about "Yellow Night" instead but we are looking froward to getting this behind us. Two weeks of a liquid diet sounds awful though.

Allie is loading up as I type because she has pre-op appointments tomorrow.
Thanks for your prayers!!!

Pigtails!!!!

2009-09-21T11:39:00.003-05:00

KayLi's hair is ~~finally~~ barely long enough for pigtails!!!!!
I love this picture sooooooo much!!!!

Is This Wrong?

2009-09-21T11:37:00.008-05:00

My sweet friend Sundai (who is an amazing Special Education teacher) has been super supportive of all things educational for KayLi. She has hooked me up with a great pre-school curriculum, which I can't wait to get started on after KayLi recovers from her surgery.

Last week she was at a teachers supply store and picked up these way too cute lacing cards for KayLi. I'm wondering though...

is this the wrong way to use them?

Because if it is, we don't care. It's very fun to dance around wearing them!!!

Thank you Sundai!!! "KayLi Sue Lue Ellen" loves them very much!!!!

KayLi & Daddy Time

2009-09-21T11:34:00.008-05:00

I never know what I'm going to come home to when I leave Allie with the kids. After a Wednesday Night Youth Dinner at church, I came home to KayLi very excited about how Daddy did her hair!

It's been interesting trying to get pictures of her lately. She grabs whatever she can, pretends it's a camera and says "Smile!"

I did get one half smile of her with her precious hair do though!

We're So Blue

2009-09-21T11:33:00.008-05:00

On Sept 11th we officially resumed Family Nights at our house. Yep, it's been that long since I've posted...sign. Since KayLi is learning her colors in English I thought Blue would be our first theme.

First I decorated the dinning room to make things as blue as possible but I forgot to take a picture of how cute it looked before we ~~destroyed~~ enjoyed it.

I tried to think of blue foods for dinner but all I came up with was a feeble attempt at blue mashed potatoes. Don't try that...there's a reason I didn't take a picture of them. We did have fun with the blue Hawaiian punch and blue Jello for dessert.

Then we made a simple blue whale craft. KayLi was all about gluing on as many blue Fruit Loops as one whale could handle.

I think I had forgotten how much fun we used to have during our Family Nights when Em was little. We actually enjoyed making our silly Blue Whales. Can you guess whose is whose without enlarging the picture?

Celebrating Emily!

2009-09-11T18:23:00.012-05:00

We celebrated Emily's 12th birthday in a most unusual way. Normally there would be a big blow out of a slumber party that I would labor over for a good week. This year it just wasn't in me. I'm so thankful that she was cool with that! So we planned a few mini celebrations over the days surrounding her day.

Several days before the big day, we decided to give her "The Big Gift."

She was a little surprised when she opened the first present and it was a piece of paper.

But she was very excited when she read all the little pieces of paper!!!!!

The celebration continued Saturday night when we took her and her two best buds ice skating. Aren't they cute all ready to skate the night away?!?!?!

They hadn't been ice skating in a few years and the girls didn't get past holding onto the railing, when Logan decided to do a fancy spin move. So we ended up rushing to the ER to take care of this....

Poor Logan. We did get some very gory pics for him to proudly display on Facebook though.

You should thank me for not posting them here. Really, "Your Welcome."

Since we didn't have cake on the night of the unfortunate ice skating incident, we had a special dinner and cake on Labor Day. Which was nice because Ryan was able to be here :0)

Emily has heard the story of the year Ryan ended up with his face in his cake many times. After several text messages (from her new phone because texting is just the coolest thing ever) we took the hints and well....

She was a very happy (and prepared...check the hair) birthday girl!!!!

KayLi on the other hand said "No!" about fifty times!!! She has just discovered how great cake is and now this one is ruined. She was easily pacified by the chocolate back up cake though :0) She is sitting on my lap as I type this saying "No Emy messy messy cake."

Since KayLi thought the present was for her, Emily sweetly let her help open it. Ryan and Ana were very thoughtful. They put lots of fun little gifts in the pockets of a new messenger bag for her. She had been opening presents over several days and it was wonderful for her to have something to open on her actual birthday. Thanks Ryan & Ana!!!

It may not have been a huge birthday party but it was a very memorable celebration!

We love you Emily!!!! You can stop growing up any time now!!!!

Doctors, doctors and more doctors

2009-09-08T21:27:00.007-05:00

Last week on Monday, Aug. 31st Allie, KayLi and I loaded up and headed to Dallas for five medical appointments. KayLi did so great on the five hour drive. At least until...

The SWI staff mentioned that she got car sick on the drive to meet us but we haven't had any issues...until Dallas. As we pulled off the freeway, we were literally looking at the hotel when she threw up all over herself and the car seat. Just lovely!

It was almost 11:00 p.m. before we got her cleaned up, settled down and asleep. Then we had to clean the car seat and attempt to get some rest before the alarm went off at 6:30 a.m.

Her first appointment was with the dentist. We knew she had a couple cavities but they looked small. Unfortunately he thinks it would be best to cap them. So, she'll have four put on while she has her palate surgery.

Next on the list was the surgeon. We love him!!! We scheduled her palate surgery for the 23rd of September. Depending on how well she is able to swallow, she will be in the hospital for one or two days. He plans to revise her lip and do some reconstruction on her nose about six months later. She will need revisions as she grows but at least she will have a healthy self image. I'm so glad that Dr. Genecov and his team at the International Craniofacial Institute understand how important that is.

After that we had a visit with the speech pathologist. She was very thorough and thought that KayLi was doing very well with her language skills. I was surprised to hear that not all children require speech therapy after having their palates repaired so late. She said it was possible that we would just work on some things at home. I'm trying not to get my hopes up though. We'll do whatever we have to do.

After lunch we had an appointment with the ENT. This was, well awful! He was a very kind doctor and I'm certain he is an excellent ENT. He just wanted to make sure that KayLi had no problems with acid reflux. In order to do that he had to put a scope down her throat by going through her nose. Yeah...I left the room. She does have minor acid reflux issues and is now on medicine to get that under control. The last thing we want is all that yuck "bathing" her surgery site.

Her poor ears have been through a lot. Her left ear has a hole in it from a previous infection that ruptured. Her right ear is still infected. It likely has been since long before we held her. It's the one that was so bad in China. I'm thankful that we were able to at least calm it down before the flights home. It's actually scar tissue on her eardrum that is infected. We have been using some pretty strong ear drops for a week now and I think it's healing. She will have tubes put in both ears during her palate surgery.

We'll have her hearing checked after she recovers from surgery but we are not too concerned. She seems to be hearing well, so hopefully there is little or no long term damage.

Last on the list of appointments were medical photographs. That's where the oh so cute fishy waiting room was. I brought the camera with the idea to take pictures at each appointment but totally forgot about it. I did get a couple of her on the giant whale in the ground floor lobby. Notice the wardrobe change before the fishy waiting room pictures. That would be because she split orange juice all over her new cute dress at lunch. So we drove home with lots of fun laundry!

After the ENT I thought for sure we would never get her to hold still for anyone in scrubs again but she was great! She was great at all the appointments though. The dentist commented that she behaved like a five year old. It's very obvious that she was examined often because all of this is old hat to her. She just acts like it's no big thing at all to hold your mouth open for a stranger for five minutes!

That's about it. We got home late on the 1st where my mom was great and held down the fort for us. We let Emily stay up to see us before she went to bed. We were only gone one night but you would have thought we took her little sister away for a month. I'm praying hard for the week of the 23rd because we will be in Dallas ALL week.

Right now our schedule tentatively looks like this:
Sept. 21st - Head to Dallas
Sept. 22nd - Pre-op tests
Sept. 23rd - Surgery - Repair her palate, put tubes in both ears and cap four teeth.
Sept. 24th Possibly leave the hospital and stay at a hotel.
Sept. 25th Possibly leave the hospital and stay at a hotel.
Sept. 26th Drive home.

I'm so glad to have a game plan and know that KayLi is on the road to living a healthy, full life. I can't wait to have surgery behind us. I can't wait to know how she will sound. I can't wait to stop the flow of fluid to her ears and know they are well. I can't wait to see how she looks after her nose has been reconstructed. And way down the road I can't wait for her to have the language skills to share her thoughts with me.

I guess I'll have to wait though because none of it will happen quickly. Hhmmmm...maybe God has taught me a little bit about waiting for a reason!

All Three!

2009-09-08T19:46:00.007-05:00

Well, so much for catching up on the blog over the long weekend. It was a grand idea but my execution was futile :0) So I'm backing up a bit. Maybe eventually...

Yeah.

On Aug. 30th we dedicated KayLi. The whole weekend was a celebration of her and it meant so much to have all three of my children under one roof!

I can't tell you how incredible it was to give back to God what He has so graciously given us. Dedications at our church are very simple but so sweet. After the regular service our pastor called our family to the front of the church. Then he asked everyone (it's a small church) to surround us and lay hands on us as he prayed for KayLi and our family. So, so sweet!

After the service we celebrated on last time by going out for Chinese food. Have I mentioned that KayLi is a rock star at our local Chinese restaurant?

They LOVE her!

Then it was home for a mellow afternoon and I finally got pictures of ALL three of my kids!

My friend Traci gave them these cute t-shirts. The plan was to take the shirts to China but in the last minute craziness Emily's was forgotten in the dryer :0( I'm glad that we were able to take them when all of the kids could be together though.

It's very challenging trying to take pictures these days. KayLi pretends anything and everything is a camera and tries to take pictures of you. She's too cute when she peaks out from behind the remote telling you to "Mile" or "Eeeeesssse!"

If I had a decent camera (that hadn't been dropped on cement recently) maybe these pictures wouldn't be blurry. I've been so disappointed with all my pictures lately. Sadly, it doesn't look like the camera fairy will be visiting anytime soon. So I guess I better go back to my older (slower) one. Thank you all so much for putting up with my terrible pictures. At least my subjects are super cute!

Celebrating KayLi!

2009-09-05T11:11:00.008-05:00

Last Saturday (Aug. 29th) we celebrated KayLi's third birthday in a sweet and simple way. Ryan was home for the weekend and my friend Sundai and her two kids Logan & Shelby joined us. I fixed an easy meal of lasagna, french bread and salad for dinner. KayLi absolutely loves Elmo and to say she loves cake is an understatement.

When you combine the two, you get one very happy girl! She beamed and was a little embarrassed when we sang Happy Birthday to her. Too cute!!!

She had no idea what to do with with her gifts at first but when she learned that there was a cute "Wa wa" inside she was so excited! Thanks Ana! The dolls "medical supplies" are going to really help us prepare for her surgery.

She caught on to opening the presents very quickly and loved each one!

Each time Allie would bring out a new gift, she would say "Oh!", push the last one aside quickly and reach for the next one!

She really loved the bouncy ball that Ryan gave her!

It's so fun to look at the pictures from her night with her. She still gets shy and smiles if I sing Happy Birthday to her. It's great to see her feel so special.

I'm super behind on blogging and I hate it. I have serious plans to catch up on the blog, laundry and e-mails the day KayLi starts kindergarten!

Finally....

2009-08-26T19:54:00.001-05:00

one of my kids is happy to help with the laundry!!!

Praying...

2009-08-25T19:22:00.001-05:00

I've read more posts about birth mothers over the last four years than I can count. Everyone seems to express similar thoughts. Feelings of thankfulness and connectedness. A deep gratitude for the care she took in making sure our daughter was as safe as possible. A desire to somehow share with her that our daughter is well and very loved. An enormous longing to tell her that her choice to give our daughter a chance at getting the medical help she needs was worth it.

I understand all those posts because today the baby that she cared for and held for the first fifteen days of her life turned three years old. I can't help but wonder if she is thinking of her. I can't imagine that she isn't. No one that sacrificed so much, could possibly let the day pass without thoughts of the little one she loved.

My heart breaks for this woman who I will likely never meet. And all I can do is pray for her.

Lord, please draw KayLi's birth mother to you. Help her to know you as her Savior, so that she might know the forgiveness and peace that only you can give. May she somehow know that her daughter is loved beyond measure. And may she be filled to the fullness of your love.

Amen

An Early Birthday Gift

2009-08-24T18:27:00.000-05:00

While tomorrow is KayLi's actually birthday, my mom wanted to give KayLi her gift a little early. She was very excited about it and immediately began to multitask!

She and Emily prepared a wonderful meal of "nunnels & han-gergers" i.e. noodles & hamburgers. I love their beautiful dinning table!

It converts into a great place to color and cuddle.

And it's super fun with a princess flashlight!

Thanks Grandma Patti!!!!

We're Ready!

2009-08-24T17:31:00.001-05:00

Spurs season starts in October but we're ready! Now if we only had tickets...

Go Spurs Go!!!!

1st Day of 6th Grade

2009-08-24T17:20:00.000-05:00

Is it really possible that my little girl started Junior High today? Somebody please say it ain't so!!!

When she came home my obvious first question was "Well how was junior high?"

She answered, "I LOVE IT!!!!"

At least she's happy about it :0(

The After Bath Nightly Ritual

2009-08-22T16:34:00.001-05:00

1. Wrap up tightly in a towel and fly around the house super hero style with your "Arms up."

2. Squeal with delight as you fly faster and faster!!!!!

3. Stand on the dresser and adjust your panties by doing aerobic exercises.

4. Chant "One. Two. One. Two." as you do your aerobic exercises over and over.

5. Put on very cute pajamas.

6. Be very still while you have your hair brushed.

7. Give Daddy a "Big hug!"

A Little Disappointed

2009-08-18T15:39:00.000-05:00

We took KayLi to see a surgeon in Lubbock today. Unfortunately we were disappointed with his plans for treating her. I'm sure he would have done a good job repairing her palate but he didn't want to do any reconstruction on her nose until she is sixteen years old. Yeah. I'm glad that we have friends who took their son Toryn to the International Craniofacial Institute in Dallas. We know from them that she shouldn't have to wait that long. I had been hoping to avoid the five hour drive there but now I'm glad that we have appointments set up for next Tuesday. I can't wait to come up with a game plan. KayLi has been on antibiotics twice for ear infections in the short time she's been with us. So the sooner we can repair her palate the better.

The highlight of our day (aside from a very brief visit with Ryan....I forgot to get pictures of him and KayLi again...so sad ) was dinner at Joe's Crab Shack.

It was a great break from doctors and driving.

KayLi really liked climbing through all the tunnels.

But the slide was by far her favorite.

I think someone needs her own swing set!!!!

Somethings Fishy!

2009-08-16T14:56:00.000-05:00

The company that Allie works for has a tank (that's a man made lake for those of you who don't speak Texan) that they allow the employs to use. Today they allowed our local Cowboy Church to use the tank to baptist some of their members as long as an employee was present. So we spent the afternoon hanging out with God's people country style.

The kids even did a little fishing for small perch while we were there. Emily loves to fish, even if it's only for little fish to throw back.

KayLi on the other hand was not thrilled! My friend Sundai tried so hard to get her to appreciate these little creatures. She was just not having it.

So then Allie tried to show her that they really are nice. She still was not having it. No matter what they did....

she had this look on her face!

2009-08-13T15:41:00.002-05:00

One month ago today God answered our prayers when this precious child walked into our lives. She has filled our hearts with more joy than we could have dreamed of!

"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when dreams come true, there is life and joy."
Proverbs 13:12

The Third Day in a Row

2009-08-12T19:43:00.006-05:00

Today was the third day in a row that we spent a good chunk of our afternoon playing outside. Even though it's in the 90's, I honestly think she would stay out there all day if I let her. Maybe because 95 degrees here feels a lot different than 95 degrees in China!

While we were running errands this morning we just HAD to buy this cute pink scooter! She was so excited when she discovered that she could ride it by herself!!!!!

When we finally went inside I painted her finger and toe nails the softest shade of pink pearl nail polish ever. My dad and Candi brought her the nail polish when they meet us in LA. They though she would like it since she likes all things girly and they were right...she loved it!

And they match her new scooter perfectly!

Lovin Life Outside

2009-08-11T15:15:00.009-05:00

KayLi LOVES to be outside. She loves the flowers, the trees (yes there are a few in West Texas) and even just walking on the grass. I love how her hair is still sticking out from her nap!

The Summer heat has finished off almost all of the Spring flowers but Emily and KayLi picked a few.

KayLi just wanted to hold and sometimes smell the flowers. Emily on the other hand, got creative and put them in the frame of her glasses!

Emily tried to show KayLi how to ride her scooter. I think KayLi needs one with four wheels :0) As long as Emily kept her balanced, KayLi was happy to be pulled around.

At least until she decided it would be fun to pull Emily.

They make me smile!

If you've been following my blog for awhile, you may remember this jean purse that Emily made for KayLi. Somehow I knew this would happen! Oh and please completely ignore the unmade bed in the background. Someday, my house will be tidy again but right now, I'm enjoying these two precious people more than I ever dreamed possible!

What I Learned My First Week Home!

2009-08-01T20:45:00.021-05:00

I have had a very busy week learning so many new things!

First I learned that there were a lot of people waiting for me to come home. I like this guy a lot...he's my Ge Ge!

It is so fun to wake up and find out that your cousin is still here.

My Baba has big shoes but I think I look good in them. And check out these shorts. They have a pocket just the right size for a bag of Fruit Snacks...how cool is that?

These sleeping bags things are very slippery but I like them.

And when your Baba rolls you up in one they call you a burrito. What's up with that?

If you climb in this big tub, someone will come along and pull you around. It's great!

It's easy to amaze my new parents.

All you have to do is summersaults over and over again. Like it's hard or something.

My new house is cool but I think it needs a little redecorating. Don't you think these coasters look much better on the candles?

I have my OWN bed! Which I sleep in all night every night because I'm awesome!

I have a lot of new friends. Aren't they cute? My friend Jaci is from China, just like me!

My new stylist is so much better than my last one! She can actually cut straight!

There is nothing better than pink boots, cantaloupe and a cool big sister!

Don't I look gorgeous in ALL my necklaces and new sunglasses?

I really like these blocks. They are so fun to dump out over and over and over again!

I love my pool too! I can kick back and chill in it just like my sister!

Bubbles and sidewalk chalk are super fun and just a little messy.

And today I got my very own tricycle! I love it! It even has a trunk to store my juice and Cherrioes in!

I think I'm gonna like it here! This new family loves me A LOT!!!!

HOME....My Most Rambling Post to Date

2009-07-28T06:18:00.003-05:00

It's 6:19 a.m. and I cant believe I have been up since four! Allie, Em & I (yep they are awake too) all seem to be having a hard time sleeping in and recovering from the time differences and jet lag. It's definitly harder without the adrenalin rush of going to China! I think I'll try staying up late tonight and see if that helps. If you know me at all, you know I love sleeping late and slow mornings, so this is just way weird to me :0)

KayLi on the other hand had one kinda rough night where she woke up crying twice, was easily consoled and since then seems to just love home. It is such a joy to see her here, playing where I have imagined and dreamed her to be for so long. Just thinking of it and writing this brings tears to my eyes for the one billionth time!

We had a pretty uneventful flight home from LA which was followed by such a sweet welcome! I'll post pictures of it when I coax them from everyone who was snapping away as I fought tears. So many people made posters and banners....sooooo sweet!

We were so surprised to see Allie's mom and sister here...they were very sneaky and told no one they weyre coming up. Ryan's best friend since forever and his little sister were also big surprises. It was wonderful to see everyone and overwhelming to know that so many gave up their Saturday night to welcome KayLi home.

My sweet friend Traci meet as at the airpot with her Little Asian Sensation. She wrote the sweetest post about our homecoming. You can check it out here. Thanks so much to everyone for making our homecming so special! You're the bestest!!!!

KayLi is such a little mimic...or as Allie so loving puts it "She's a little Chinese parrot that mocks me." At the airport she quickly caught on to the way we were going around hugging everyone and found it great fun to do the same. She is so much more outgoing than I ever would have imagined her to be. She's funny and charming and waaaayyyy more vocal than I thought was possible. I wrongly had this assumption that her cleft palate and speach impediment would have caused her to be a quiet child....yeah right! She's actually pretty loud and fits right in our nousy house. We are working on her understanding of "Shhhh."

And this house has been extra nouisy lately. Ryan, his best friend Josh and little sister Jordan, my brother Jason, sis in law Wendy, my 4 yr. old newphew Will, my mom, Allie's mom Sharon and sister Susan (who decided to skip the insanity and stay at a hotel) were all here for our first full day home Sunday. It's been crazy & wonderful all at once. Definitly not a quiet first few days home. Those days will come but for now, I'm thankful that everyone is getting to know KayLi a little. We are enjoying a full house. Sharon, Susan, Josh & Jordan all headed home yesterday morning. Followed by Ryan last night. Now it's just Jason, Wendy, Will and mom and I'll take them to the airport tomorrow afternoon. The house will seem empty, I'm sure.

Ryan is totally infatuated with KayLi! When it's not early and I'm not rambling, I'll post more about them....just too cute! The nannies really prepared KayLi for us. She seemed to regonize, him & both the grandma's from the photo album we sent. Which I think I will order a copy cat version of from Red Thread, since they asked to keep the origonal. It won't be the same one we sent but I think it will be good for KayLi to look through one just like it with us. Not to mention that she will have it to show her children.

We took KayLi to the doctor yesterday and were happy to discover that her ear infection has cleared up...thank you Jesus! Since KayLi's TB test in China came back possitive but her X-Ray was clear, our doctor ordered another skin test that will be read tomorrow. She obviously doesn't have TB but he wants to judge his own test before making any assumptions about whether she has been exposed to it. After he looks at it tomorrow we will come up with a game plan. He said that since she tested positive once she would always test positive, so I'm a little confused as to why he wanted to test again but I'll ask more tomorrow.

KayLi just woke up and our plan for the day is to head to the local farmers market....this girls LOVES fruit! So I better get a move on finally making breakfast. It's so nice to be able to cook for her! I promise more pictures and a cohesive post when life settles into a wonderful new normal. Until then we are totally enjoying the honeymoon!!!!

Oh, a small prayer request. One of the children in our travel group has the chicken pox, so KayLi has been exposed to them too. Please pray that she doesn't come down with them before we get her vaccinated. Thanks in advance for praying...you're awesome :0)

One Step Closer to Home

2009-07-25T12:21:00.011-05:00

After four long years, we finally got on that very long flight home. Doesn't KayLi look absolutely thrilled to start her new life in America? In truth, none of us were thrilled to get on this plane...such a necessary evil.

When we landed at LAX KayLi officially became an American citizen!!!! I took about six pictures trying to get the perfect one of her waving both the Chinese and American flags..this is the best I got. You already know what Allie looks like...who needs to see his head in every picture anyway? For the record, KayLi did really well on the flight. She took two pretty good naps and was such a trooper. Our only major issue was the loud very scary airplane potty! That is one evil potty!

After successfully navigating immigration, customs, LAX and a short taxi ride, we meet my Dad and Candi at our hotel. It was so nice to see familiar faces! Once we got settled in our room, they gave KayLi an early birthday gift...her first most likely. She had no idea what to think of wrapping paper, let alone the cute V-Tech laptop they gave her. She loved it soon enough though...just like them! We went to our all time favorite burger joint...In & Out and enjoyed REAL french fries. I have to get video of the way KayLi says hamburger...it's adorable! She is picking up the English names for new things very quickly. If she already knows what something is, she tells us what it is in Chinese and looks like us like we are crazy. We say English, she says Chinese. Over and over and over. It's actually pretty comical...they learn through repetition right?

Now we are waiting for our check out time and we'll get on the last two airplanes home! Just in case any of you are traveling anytime soon, I really recommend breaking up the flights and staying an extra night along the way if you can. It was wonderful to rest last night before heading home. We had a much easier time with jet lag on the way to China and so far we feel very rested on our way back. I'm sure we will be exhausted but nothing like some of the stories I've heard.

I can't wait to land in Midland! KayLi will meet her grandma, big brother, aunt, uncle, cousin and many wonderful friends that we consider family!

We are almost home!!!!!

The Other Side of the World

2009-07-23T15:15:00.003-05:00

While Emily, KayLi and I were having a quick breakfast, our guide called Allie and said that everything arrived at the consulate and all was well. Praise God! He is soooo faithful! He has seen us through this from start to finish and I can't stop praising Him for all He has done. We have watched him work not only in our family but in lives of the families we traveled with. This is only the beginning of the plans that He has for these children. I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to seeing Him write their stories. I'm sure I'll be addicted to their families websites and blogs. There really are no words to describe how overwhelmed with gratitude I am for all God has done. He is simply awesome!

After we exhaled, we decided to finally visit the park across the street before the oath ceremony at three. I wish we had taken more time to really explore it more...it was sooooo beautiful. You would think that I wouldn't have been so surprised by the beauty but this country keeps taking my breath away.

It would have been so fun to go on a paddle boat with Emily. She really wanted to but we were afraid it would take too long and we were already so hot.

We did take the time to ride a small log ride type of ride. It was pretty funny that they named it "Water Surfing." It lasted all of a minute but was worth it to catch a slight breeze for a few seconds. It rained again this morning. so the humidity was crazy!

They also had several other amusement park rides, one of which was a small carousel. We thought that KayLi might like it. It started out ok...

but didn't end very well. We tried moving off the horse but she just wasn't having it.

We stopped to take one last picture by the park's entrance/exit and then it was down under the street, through the metro and back to the hotel. I was able to get a little packing done before we meet the last seven families of our group in the lobby.

It breaks my heart that they won't allow cameras at the oath ceremony. It's such a moving experience to stand there in a large room filled with adoptive families from all over America and complete the last task of the adoption process. I still can't believe that there are no more papers to be filled out or appointments to keep. She's really finally ours! I'm sure it will all sink in when we arrive home but for now it feels like a beautiful dream that I don't want to wake up from.

China is over crowded and smelly. Not speaking the language has been an issue but even still, I truly don't want to leave. KayLi's homeland is more beautiful than I could have imagined. I feel like I owe this country a debt that I will never be able to repay. I hate the thought of leaving here and possibly never coming back. I knew I would love KayLi but I had no idea I would China this much. I want to go home. I want my friends and family to see how amazingly precious KayLi is. I'm ready to begin the next chapter of our lives. But a huge piece of my heart will remain here forever...on the other side of the world.

USCIS Prayer Request

2009-07-22T16:07:00.003-05:00

Today was our consulate appointment, when our paperwork was reviewed by the American consulate to decide if all of our paperwork was in order and KayLi's visa could be approved. We and four other families had an issue with updates for special needs approval being sent from the US Citizenship & Immigration Services to the consulate. We will be trying to have those updates faxed to the consulate here asap and I will need to make phone calls to try and get that done at 9:00 pm here ( in 15 minutes) when they open at 8:00am in the states. One other family had the same issue yesterday and got things cleared up by this morning, so we are hopeful that we will get things sent soon and get things cleared up here tomorrow morning, since our oath ceremony is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. Please, pray that we fine favor and that paperwork flows smoothly to where it needs to be. One person needs to fax one paper to one office and everything will be fine. I am certain that God did not bring us this far in our journey to desert us in the final moments. This is just one last battle before we bring our daughter home.

Since the person with the vital paper was sleeping while we were trying to wait patiently, we decided to stroll around Shamian island again. I'm sorry that I was a little concerned with everything and didn't take many pictures today. I do like this picture of Allie pushing KayLi's loaded down stroller and Emily looking up at all the beautiful trees.

Thanks so much for your prayers!!!

We love Y'all!!!!

Got this little bit ago so I am adding it together for one awesome post! - TJ

I just got off the phone with the USCIS and was told that the necessary paperwork had already been sent to the National Visa Center! I had left her a message and so had the embassy here. We were hoping she would fax it directly to the consulate here but she said she had to send it to the National Visa Center and they would send it to the consulate. Praise God, she confirmed that we have already been approved for a special needs child and sent the paper work on with an expedited request! It could still get hung up at the NVC but we are choosing to trust that God will push it through quickly. Right now, it looks like when our guide calls the consulate in the morning they should have everything worked out. Please continue to pray that there are no hang ups at the National Visa Center and that they will also forward paperwork quickly. The woman at the USCIS that I spoke with told me they are having a lot of trouble with the new forms for updates. So if any of you are traveling soon, please make sure that any updates to your homestudy have been sent to the consulate by the USCIS. Check with your agency but I believe that the USCIS should send you a "Notice of Action" once they have been sent.

Thanks again for your prayers and praise God he is already moving on our behalf!!!!! He has shown us over and over on this journey and especially here in China what an awesome God He is! His heart for the orphan is HUGE! We have been watching Him transform a life literally right before our eyes. He is more worthy of our worship and our praise than I can very express in words!!!!!! I look forward to rejoicing with you all in person very soon!!!!

Sitting happily at the feet of the Father,

Lisa

We LOVE Shamian Island!!!!

2009-07-21T17:39:00.003-05:00

Our only scheduled event for the day was a group picture with about a third of the families in our travel group. The other two thirds went to two provinces and our group picture is comprised of the families that traveled to their child's province alone or with just one or two other families. KayLi didn't want to sit still so we didn't exactly get a great shot :0( Maybe the picture our guide took will be a little better.

We headed back to Shamian Island after our picture was taken. We REALLY love that island. It is an amazingly peaceful place in the middle of what feels like traffic chaos to these country folks. I've heard that the parks around our hotel are that way as well and I'm sure we will get to them before we leave. Right now we are thrilled with the beautiful trees on the island.

We also REALLY love Lucy's. So we headed there for lunch again today. While we waited for our food to arrive, we played our new favorite game....makin' silly faces at each other. Pitifully this face started the first time Emily told KayLi no. "Bu" is no in Chinese so KayLi had no idea what Emily was saying. She just mimicked the way Emily said it...chin down, eyes open wide and eyebrows raised! Eventually I'm sure she will learn the meaning of the word no but right now this face is cracking us up! I'm so thankful that she does understand what Bu means. She decided to play in the toilet today and I broke her heart by telling her bu in a firm voice for the first time. Seriously this was the first time I have had to scold her...pretty amazing. Typically most 35 month olds wouldn't be so fascinated by toilets but it was pretty obvious that KayLi had never seen one. Or at least not one like this before. We have a few pictures from an update the orphanage sent and in one of them there are potty chairs lined against a wall. I'm sure she used those but this girl LOVES to flush the toilet! I'm actually a little happy that she won't be using the frog potty chair I bought a couple days before we left. Oh and just for the record I figured out how to help a toddler use a squaty potty today...yeah. If you are traveling here and want a few tips, e-mail me. I'll save the rest of you from the gory details :0)

We can't help but stop and pose by the bronze statues! It's actually nice to see Chinese people pose with them too...it helps us feel less like tourist. :0) Since we couldn't read the plaque next to this statue we aren't sure if this statue depicts the progression of Chinese women or three generations of Chinese women. If any of you that have already been here have any idea, I'd love your take..

We found the coolest store called A Gift From China. It was founded as a non profit store by an English woman who adopted her daughter from here. All the profits go to help Chinas orphans. It was wonderful to shop a little while Allie, Emily and KayLi played with toys in a corner of the store. They had some of the cutest Chinese dolls and even some Christian things....sooo cute! You can even shop online at www.agiftfromchina.com They had so many things that I wanted and I'm sure I'll be visiting their site often once we are home.

One of our favorite purchases of the day were silk throw blankets for Emily & KayLi. Emily's is red & purple with flowers. It will look so cute in her room. KayLi's is pink and soft green with dragon flies...she loves loves to run her hands over it. She went right to sleep when I put it on her at the end of our gloriously slow day. Allie and Emily also found mandarin style shirts that they are thrilled with. Allies is cotton and he wants to get a couple more tomorrow. They both surprised me when they wanted them but I'm glad they like them...they look cute in them :0) Oh and I found some of the cutest little silk shoes for KayLi. They will look so sweet with Sunday School dresses!

Tomorrow is our consulate appointment and I would appreciate yours prayers that everything will go smoothly. The adoption is final here but now our government has to look through all our paperwork and issue KayLi a visa. It's the last hurtle to jump through and then we we will pick up KayLi's visa Thursday and head to LA on Friday. Then lastly we will leave LA for Midland on Saturday. Oh and please keep praying for KayLi's ear. She finished the antibiotics today but we wasted about four doses the first couple days when she would spit it out so bad...we finally started putting it in kiwi milk to get it down. Any port in a storm right? Anyway, she still messes with it a little but it doesn't smell anymore. I'm not sure if it's gone but it's A LOT better. So thanks so much for your prayers both past and present. I appreciate them and your sweet comments more than you know.

Sights & Shops

2009-07-20T12:56:00.006-05:00

Yesterday was a free day and it was soooooo nice to do some sight seeing and relax. Our guides scheduled a trip to a folk art museum that is housed in the Chen family temple. We loved the details in the architecture and the intricately carved wood....amazing really! We also liked the dog topiary that was in front.

Bronze statues like this one are becoming a common sight. There are some in a few parks and this was on in front of the temple. Poor KayLI looks as confused as I was about why Emily and Allie decided to pose like this.

After the museum we went to a tea store that taught you about the various types of tea here while you enjoyed tasting them. It was fun to see all the different types of tea pots and I was so excited to find KayLi a cute little tea set.

We spent a very relaxing evening in our room and KayLi had so much fun playing in the bath. It is is amazing to me how far she has come in such a short period of time. Some of the families have had a rough road but most like us has had rough moments that are surrounded by pure joy. KayLi loves to tease, tickle and be tickled. Especially by her JieJie.

Today we had to go back to the medical exam clinic and have KayLi's TB test read. All of the children over the age of two had to be tested and they were all fine. After that we found the famous Lucy's restaurant for a late lunch on Shamian Island. It was wonderful! Traci, I'm sorry I gave the impression that we have loved all the food. It has been a little frustrating. Several times we have ordered four or five dishes only to discover we like one or two of them. Pizza hut and Lucy are at the top of our list so far.

As soon as we finished eating we did some touristy shopping on the island. We found a store named Jordan's where the owner writes your childs name in Chinese characters for free. It's a fun little store that proudly boasts "No high pressure sales." We LOVED this sales approach! I could actually think about who Iwas shopping for and caluclate the exchange rates without someone asking constantly "You like this one? I make you good price."

This island, like every place else we have visited, is so beautiful!

I'm so thankful that KayLi lets me brush her teeth with out any problems. Tonight I let her brush them herself and was thrilled to discover that she knew what she was dong and did a good job of it. I think she may have a couple cavities, which is pretty common for cleft babies. Her palate doesn't look bad to me but what do I know :0)

Yeah....you gotta love this kid!

Catching Up

2009-07-19T13:58:00.003-05:00

I guess I have some catching up and a little clarifying to do. We haven't had internet troubles, we have just been annoyed that we are at a five star hotel and have to pay for internet access. I kept thinking I would go down to Starbucks and get online for free there but it's not looking like that's ever going to work out. I called my mom, who called TJ and gave her some highlights to post but it's not nearly as fun without the pictures. Besides. literally playing the "telephone game" caused a few things to get mixed up in the relay. But it's all good...I'll correct them as I go along.

Allie's allergies acted up pretty good in Shandong so when we first got to the hotel in Guangzhou Emily and KayLi & I went exploring while he rested a little. We discovered that the China Hotel Marriott has a beautiful tea garden. So the girls posed for a few pictures for me while we walked around.

We also discovered a little playroom. KayLi absoultly LOVED this blue bouncy cow. She bounced all the way across the room and laughed harder than we had heard so far. If you happened to have an extra blue bouncy cow...I know I little girl who would love to have it!

Ok, I know two girls who would love to have it!

After Allie woke up we headed out to do the real exploring. We hadn't ventured far from the hotel when we went in a 7-11 to get a few bottles of water and found these tasty looking varieties of Pringles. If any of you are in the mood for some seaweed, clam or shrimp flavored Pringles I know right where you can find them.

Yesterday was the most stressful day of our journey so far. In the morning we had to leave the hotel early to go get the medical exams for all the babies. As all the families with their new children were meeting at the breakfast buffet, all we wanted to do was hear everyones stories of how things went in all the different provinces. Instead, we were rushing through the buffet, knowing we were going to take our children to get poked and prodded...just when they are beginning to trust us.

KayLi did fine until we took her shoes off. She really like her shoes! When we went to the ENT room, the doctor had to get a different doctor when she looked into KayLi's left (cleft side) ear. I was a little concern until the doctor said there was just a lot of ear wax. KayLi never even whimpered as they examined her ears and then removed more earwax than I have ever seen! I hope it releaves some of the pressure for her. The doctor said only her right ear is infected. This is the ear that you could smell infection in, so I wasn't surprised. It breaks my heart that she has been on antibiotics since Monday (gotcha) and here it is Saturday and it's still infected. I had hoped it would have cleared up by now. At least she doesn't mess with it as much. So maybe it's at least a little better.

Since KayLi is over two years old, she had to be TB tested. It was excruciating to watch her get stuck with a needle when she wasn't over the trauma of having her shoes taken off. We will go back tomorrow (Monday) and let the doctor read the results...I'm sure she's fine. I was so glad when we were able to take her outside and walk around a little while we waited for the other's to finish. It was also the first chance we had to visit with a few of the other families. It is amazing how different everyones experiences were. Even those who went to the same province, all had their unique stories to tell.

After the medical exams we headed back to the hotel and had a "paperwork party" to get our immigration paperwork in line for our side of the border. It lasted over three hours! When it was finally over, my brain was so fried, I literally couldn't remember my room number. I had to go back to our guides room to ask them what it was. One mom told me at dinner that she was shaking when it was finished! So many of us have had issues with immigration over the last four years that we are all scared to death to have any problems at this stage of the game. In my heart I know God will see us through this last major task but it is unbelievably stressful! I'm so thankful that our guides are very experienced and have a handle on everything.

On a lighter note, we all went to a Japanese dinner tonight that was very nice. I wish I had thought to take some pictures of us. At first we thought we would be sitting around the table, on the floor. But their was room for our legs under the table...you just feel like you are sitting on the floor. The food was very good but Allie said it wasn't as authentic as he had been hoping for. After such a crazy day it was nice to sit in a tranqual environment and enjoy a relaxing meal.

At the end of our super stressful day, we went back to our room to rest for some sight seeing the next day. When we went into our room we all stared to take off our shoes. When we did we kinda lined them up along the wall and it was so cute to watch KayLi sit down and take her shoes off and line hers up with ours. After just going through the shoe removal trauma at the medical exam, it was so sweet to see her happy about following our lead and willingly taking them off. Now she likes to line them up there if we don't put them in the right spot.

We watched Daddy Daycare to unwind before calling it a day and I think KayLi had the best seat in the house!

Now that we have internet access in our room again, I'll post about todays sightseeing tomorrow. It's after one am and I'm exhausted! One last thing...KayLi has soooo gotten over her fear of the bathtub. In less than a week she has already learned to not just tolerate it but LOVE it! She had so much fun playing in there tonight!

Love & Blessings from Guangzhou China!!!!

Internet troubles!

2009-07-18T21:36:00.002-05:00

Internet has been a problem so Lisa called home and relayed a message for her blog.... via several phone calls so here goes....

They have met up with the other families that they are traveling with. At one point they were all in a room and of course all the kids took off their shoes. KayLi was not impressed I guess, started talking to the other kids (in mandrian!) and soon the shoes were lined up against the wall. In the hotel KayLi has a drawer that all her toys are kept in and when she is done playing she puts them up herself - without being told!

Allie and Lisa took KayLi to the doctor for her ear. They were amazed at the amount of wax that came out of her ears. KayLi is still taking medicine, but her ear is much better now.

KayLi is well behaved. she understands "no" and does not throw a fit when she hears it. She is also very cuddly and loves to be held by her daddy. Oh and typical of children from an orphanage she started out hoarding her food but in just a few days is already starting to share her food. Awesome!

For Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles; KayLi loves the dress up beads and her bows. She also gets very excited when they open the suitcase to find out what she gets to wear that day.

Thats all I have today. Hopefully soon we will get something from Lisa that I can post.