Giveaway Winner!

Congrats to Lynn at Somewhere In the Sun, she won my prize! Thanks to everyone for your support!

Bathing Beauty

A much needed family day out!

Myah's first trip to the Hands On Museum

I have a picture of Dayton wearing this outfit when he was her age.
Making big bubbles together, look at her eyes!
Myah was the only dot from Wuhan China on this map!
She loved the water table!
Hang on Dayton!
Who says my kids can't live in a bubble?Yummy Cupcake place!
** I am not happy with my little camera but it is much easier than carrying around the mac daddy!


It took a bit of convincing (not really) but I got Mark to take the night off on Saturday so that we could enjoy one last day together as a family before Dayton's spring break ends. It isn't easy finding places to go where both of my kiddos can enjoy themselves, with a teen (ok, one more month to go) and a toddler I had to use my thinking cap and I remembered taking Dayton to the Hands On Musuem when he was about Myah's age and I thought he might enjoy it as well. Actually, we ended up having to drag him out of there. Myah was so happy, and entertained. I told Mark to watch her expressions, it was so cute, she was like on sensory overload, in a good way. It is in an old fire station and she loved dressing up in the fire hat and jacket pretending to drive a fire truck. They even have a full sized ambulance inside the museum for kids to play in. There is a whole area just for preschool children and I am thinking about getting a membership just for this area alone. Myah loved the water table, well, we all did. After we left we enjoyed the spring like day (yeah!) and walked downtown to the cutest little cupcake shoppe. It was just charming. They have 4 flavors that they make each week and when they sell out, they close for the day. I am definately going back to have birthday cakes made! The owner just won some awards on the Food Network. So much fun. So Yummy! There was a young couple in there ordering their wedding cake, I love love love weddings and I can just imagine how amazing their cake will be! We then went bowling, Mark and Dayton bowled and Myah and I were cheerleaders and ate french fries! We had such a nice day, we ended it by climbing into our spa on our deck, it was so relaxing and the kids were giggling so much. It was such a special day for us. We really needed a day like this. Dayton had his two teeth pulled last Wednesday and is doing good. We have to call the orthodontist to see about getting the teeth to come down straight now. Mark and Myah both had their appointments on Friday with their respective surgeons and both got good news, Myah is healed completely and Mark's vision is expected to get even better over the next few weeks. Whew!!! We woke up to 5 inches on snow on Friday morning, I pray that I don't see another flake until November! We seriously are hitting record amounts this year. Dayton ended his week with a roller skating 80's night with his youth group tonight. I know that this week is the beginning of the crazy roller coaster ride we call baseball season, practice every night now until the first game in a few weeks. Add a few birthdays, holidays, and boating season, and that is our life for the next 4 months. I am looking forward to the warm weather that is on its way, more than ever I am ready for April and the blossoms, green grass, birdies, and spring jackets! Bring it on! Hey tomorrow is opening day at Tiger Stadium! They dressed the big concerte tigers outside of the stadium in a huge Carhardt jacket! BRRRRR! Go Tigers, they are expected to win the World Series this year!

Just My Way of Saying Thank You!

I have to say I am just overwhelmed and humbled by the outpouring of love that so many of you have given to me and my family over the past few months. You have been so supportive through all of our medical issues and now with all of your prayers for my cousin Mandy. I have never met many of you and yet I feel like some of you are my dearest friends. Our family has been amazed at the generosity and love that you all have given to us and especially to Myah during her surgery. We all just need to huddle right now for a big ol group hug!! I have said it before but I never realized that adopting a little Chinese girl would open my world to a whole new family of friends. You all bring tears to my eyes and a lump in my throat, I love you dearly.

So, I know I am about 10 posts away from my 200th post giveaway (remember my giveaway back in October?), but I wanted to do something in honor of your faithfulness to our family and all of the prayers, quilt squares, gifts etc. I came across this a few weeks ago at my favorite store Home Goods and snatched it up before anyone else could get their grubby little paws on it. For one of you. It is so pretty, it can hang or could rest up against something, it is about 9x11 inches and it is magnetic! See the cute little fleur de lis magnets on it! And it has the Chinese Rose on it!! Perfect! So you know the drill, leave me a comment or email me and I will have my lovely assistant draw a name to declare a winner! Just for the record, you are all winners in my book! I will draw the names on Monday evening.

And by the way, remember last giveaway was a tutu that I had made, well, I finally got around to posting the instructions for how to make your own over at my other blog, click here to go there.

Update on Mandy

This picture is so special to me because it is the first time that Mandy met Myah, today. Myah went right in bed with her despite how nervous she was to enter the hospital after all she went through last week! I took this picture with my camera phone.

My family and I were up at the hospital with Mandy today and I can honestly say that all of us are amazed at how well she is handling this situation. I walked in her room and her niece and nephews were in her bed with her, lifting her up and down, she is smiling from ear to ear, taking their pictures with her cell phone. She then turned the camera to Myah and Dayton and started snapping theirs. Mandy has always been the little spit fire of our family, ever since she was very small, we knew that she was not going to take anything from anybody. I think God planted that spirit in her knowing the challenges that she would face in life. She is one of the funniest people I have ever met, God also has blessed her with the gift of humor. She loves to make jokes, laugh and have a good time. She has a huge heart, I have never seen anyone love her family and pets so much. She has raised and bred German Shephards for several years now and they are her babies. Mostly they are raised to become police dogs. Even with all of her disabilities she has been able to take care of her 7 dogs. Today one of the only times she started to cry was when she talked about her dogs sensing that she was dying. She has never married, and has no children so her dogs are her life as you can imagine.

During Mandy's life she has had so many surgeries on her little legs and feet, sadly it became normal for us to see her with crutches at a very young age and then braces, and wheelchairs. Amazingly, these things never got in her way, ever. She would walk, dance, swim and play just like all of us kids. She never once complained, I can honestly say that. I have never heard her complain about her disablities. She is very knowledgeable about her diseases and is very pro active in her own health. I am ashamed to say that I did not know she was this bad. I don't get to see her as much as I used to. She lives about 3 1/2 hours away from me now, so when I got the call today, my heart just sank. I knew that this was a disease that had taken its toll on her body through the years but I never imagined that at 31 years of age she could be taken from us. Mandy is a very spiritual woman and believes in a wonderful God. However, she is a bit scared right now, she told me she isn't sure if she is ready yet. She met with Hospice today and will be going home under their care in a few days. We don't know how much time she has left with us. She lost her dad just 2 years ago and she knows that he is waiting for her. However, she doesn't want to leave her family and her dogs, she doesn't want them to hurt. She has such a great attitude and is laughing through the tears, it is hard to get caught up in the seriousness of it all with her. She told me today that she just signed up at her church to help out with teaching the children, she said, "wow, I am a really great helper, I sign up and then I die on the kids". That is Mandy. She makes jokes to get through the tough times. That is how our family deals with life in general. We are a goofy, laugh till we cry family. And when one of us is hurting, we all are hurting, and we try to lift each other up with our humor. It works.

I just ask for your continued prayers for her and our family, especially her mother MaryAnn and her brother Cleo. Melanie and I were talking tonight and we are still in shock, all of us are actually. But we are banding together and will make the life that Mandy has left with us meaningful and special. She is the baby in our family and we protect her as you would expect. She is too young to die, bottom line, but we will be strong for her sake and draw upon the Lord for guidance and strength. Thank you all for your love and support once again, gosh I sure have said that alot lately haven't I? I sure appreciate it and I will let Mandy know about all of the special prayers being sent up in her honor. Love you all.

Urgent Prayers are Needed

I just received a call from my sister Melanie with some devastating news. My youngest cousin Mandy has been told that she is dying. Mandy has had muscular dystrophy her whole life. I am the oldest grandchild in our family and Mandy is the baby, I remember when she was born she had to wear braces on her tiny little feet. I think that is when Mandy became a fighter. We have never treated her any differently than the rest of us. We spent our whole lives together growing up, our grandma would take all 6 of us up to the cottage for the whole summer. Sadly, her dad, my Uncle Cleo died unexpectedly 2 years ago, right before we got Myah. Evidently, this weekend she fell ill and was told this morning that she is dying and there is nothing they can do for her. Please join me and my family in praying for her and our family. I am stunned to say the least, she just turned 31 yesterday. I am leaving immediately for the hospital.

Easter Weekend

Saturday~

On Saturday Uncle Scott, Aunt Lora, cousins Taylor and Rachel came over for a visit. This was such a treat because with 3 teenagers in their family, their schedules are really crazy and we don't get to just hang out with them very often. Usually we get to see each other at one sporting event or another, so it was extra special to spend a whole day together. Aunt Lora and mommy went to the antique mall and had so much fun, it was good for mommy to get out of the house for a few hours!

Ever since Dayton was a toddler we have left carrots and lettuce out for the Easter Bunny. Also the Easter Bunny calls the house the night before.


Taylor , Dayton and Daddy posing for mommy, it is hard to get a picture of these guys without one of them doing something crazy to the other one. This is a rare shot. Just for the record, Uncle Mark is still taller, not by much though. Good news, Dayton is taller than Aunt Lora!

Myah loved having cousin Rachel to play with, she was getting ready for bed here and had to show Rachel her pretty fans.

Easter Sunday~
We woke up Sunday morning and Myah was not in a good mood. She did not speak a word for about an hour. I knew that this was going to be the "worst day" that the Dr's kept talking about. She didn't even say anything when the Easter Bunny brought her a Dora big wheel bike! I knew she must have been hurting when she saw the big chocolate bunny and just smiled. Normally this would be a big deal to her! So we gave her some pain meds and she came around eventually. We went to the beautiful Easter service at our church and she actually sat with me almost the whole time! After we left church we had every intention of grilling out at our house, just us, I had even set a pretty dinner table. However, as we pulled out of our church's parking lot, we got sentimental and really wanted to spend the day with family. So we called my sister Melanie and asked if there were a few extra places to sit and of course she said there were. So we headed up north for a few hours. It was so nice to get out of the house! It also started to snow while we were there , we just bring it with us I swear! We usually are in Florida for Easter so it was nice to spend it with our family once again. Dayton is now on Spring Break and we are hoping to do some fun family activities this week. Poor little guy has to have his two teeth pulled on Wed. morning. On Friday Mark and Myah both have their post op Dr. appointments with their surgeons so hopefully after this week we can put our medical issues behind us!

Look at what the Easter Bunny brought!

Look at her Dora bike! She loves it!

Dayton was excited to get the two books that he had asked for!

My little sweeties, I love to take pictures outside but due to the 5 inches of snow on the ground, it didn't happen!

Grandpa was making it rain "Easter grass" for the girls, they had so much fun!

Myah, Annabelle and Chloe looking out the window at the snow coming down.

**Women bloggers only*** please go to my other blog at Feathers In My Nest and hear about the other big event this weekend, no hard feelings guys, I still love ya!

Happy Easter

We just wanted to wish you a Happy Easter, we will post pictures later.

We're Still Here

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for our packages and my little Longaberger (grandma sells them) Basket!

Coloring Eggs

Look at how pretty they turned out
Merry Christmas, oops I mean Happy Easter!
Thank you to Miss Lisa and Lindy for the fun stuff, she has played with it all day! Thanks to Dawn and Lucy for the quilt square and socks too! So cute! And she loved the stickers Aunt Barb and Uncle Bill! I found them on everything I own!

It has been a long week! Myah is doing pretty good, her wounds are healing, she is sleeping through the night, she is still using some medication for pain, and is bouncing back to her toddler ways. She has been so clingy this week, but I am enjoying that part of it, she has never let me hold her this much before. She still is a bit congested but it is improving. My parents talked to her on the phone last night and they agreed that she sounds weak, that is a good way to describe it. She has been eating and drinking very well, like I said before she is a tough little girl. She doesn't even want any of the Jello, pudding or popsicles that we bought. I am amazed. But if there was ever a little girl who loves her food it is Myah, so it doesn't srprise me one bit that she will suffer through the pain in order to eat what she wants. Mark's brother Scott and his family came over for the day and it was so nice to have some interaction with someone from the "outside". We also had a snowstorm yesterday and woke up and had to bring out the dreaded snowblower again!!! Enough already!!!

Myah is ready for the Easter bunny to come in the morning, my Dad, I mean the Easter Bunny called her on the phone tonight to make sure she left carrots and lettuce out for him. We are planning on attending church in the morning if she is up to it. The mornings and evenings have been rough for her. And us. Last night I felt just exhausted, the thought of walking upstairs to go to bed seemed overwhelming to me, I am whipped. I got sick to my stomach and Mark tucked me into bed early.

I want to thank all of you for your prayers, I could really use them right now, I need strength!

I also want to thank everyone for the gifts that have been sent to Myah, I am amazed at the love and generosity that you all have shown, especially from those of you who I have never met before. I am touched beyond words. I never imagined that by adopting a little girl from China that I would gain a whole family but I have. I love you all so much and pray that someday our little China girls can meet and maintain a friendship just as we have.

Well, I am off to hide baskets and a Dora Big Wheel! Have a wonderful Easter everyone!

Happy Birthday Sheri!

Here we are in our custom made Chinese jackets, (very humid, hence the Hubei Hair!)
On top of the Great Wall, this was after I actually layed on the ground to catch my breath! So hot!

All 4 of us buddies on referral day, I have the video camera, Sheri, Robin and Laura, such a wonderful day!
Here we are with our Hubei Honeys in China
One example of our buying the girls the same thing and not knowing it (stroller, coat and pants!)

Today is my dear friend Sheri's birthday! Our special friendship began during the adoption of our little girls. After we learned that we were in the same group we started meeting on a regular basis and our friendship grew. In my heart I know that we were meant to be friends. I always feel like she was the big sister that I never had. We laugh at how similar we are, so do our hubbys. She is one of my original 4 adoption buddies, we really got to know each other much better while in China together. I am so thankful that we shared this amazing experience together. Sarah and Myah were from the same orphanage and have always been very similar in their personalities, sometimes we wonder if they were separated at birth! I am so blessed to have her in my life, we have laughed and cried together, our families love each other, and I know that this is a life long friendship for all of us. She is one person that I can call and we pick up right where we left off. We live about 2 hours apart but we make an effort to get together on a regular basis. We always laugh at how we pick out the same items at the store, even when we aren't shopping together! When we were in China, I wore a lime green shirt from J Jill and she told me " I brought the same shirt with me", then as we were shopping in the pouring rain in Guanzhou, I pulled an umbrella out of my bag and she said " I have the same umbrella". This seriously happens alot!! We even met last winter with our buddies and Myah and Sarah were dressed almost identically!

I admire her as much as I love her. She is a wonderful mom to her 4 children, and a very devoted wife. We relate on so many levels and both of our husbands have very strange schedules, many weekends/nights we are alone and it is so nice to have a friend who can relate on those days when I could go crazy! I never hear her complain, ever! She is the most patient person that I know. Maybe because she is so organized, she is amazing. She leads a very spiritual life, and Christ is always at the center of her world.

I truly believe that red threads brought us together. One day when we were staying at her house she metioned to me about some skin care products that her family used and she said that her sister sold this particular line. I told her that I had been to one of those parties, my neighbor had one. Now I had not heard of this beauty product line before this party. I actually had some of their facial cleanser in my shower before we decided to adopt. Last fall Sheri brought me over some of the cleanser that she used and I looked on the back and her sister's name was on the product. For some reason it looked familiar to me. Mind you, her sister lives 2 hours away from here. A few months ago I was cleaning out my makeup drawer and came across a bottle of lotion that had an address label on it if I needed to re-order this product. Would you believe it was her sister's name. I had stared at that name for months in my shower every morning on my cleanser. No wonder it sounded familiar! Her sister had loaned the particular product to another consultant, so that I could have it. This was like 4 years ago! What are the odds that I would eventually travel across the world with this lady's sister and that her niece would come from the same orphanage as my daughter. Red threads.

I hope you hop on over to her site and wish her a super duper birthday! Have a great day my friend!!!

First Day of Spring!!!!!!

Hello!!! Goodbye!!!

Snoopy Saves the Day!

I had bought these special diva jammies for her a few months ago and saved them for today, she loved them! She was sitting in this chair and looked like a little movie star, I couldn't resist snapping this shot.

I have just tucked my little princess in to bed, hopefully for the night. Can I just say a huge WHEW! This has been a long day. She slept pretty good last night, after about 2am she slept till 8. A few times she woke up crying but was easily comforted and went right back to sleep. Mom and Dad got some much needed beauty sleep. Once she was awake, the demands started. She was pretty bossy today, and very irritable. I can't blame her one bit but WOW she is one tough cookie, and intimidating! She has told her daddy off more times today than I can count, she told me that I was stinky, for the record, I was not stinky, it was her own breath kicking back at her. She is eating a bit, like mac and cheese but drinking is a struggle, and that is what is so important right now. We have become very creative in encouraging her to take her meds and drinking. It is exhausting to say the least. But we know it is for her own good, and it is just temporary. Believe me, I know things could be so much worse and my heart goes out to those parents who are dealing with sick children each and every day. She would cry every time we went to give her something to drink and push it away, telling us she "can't". Then along came the Snoopy Snow Cone Maker that Heather, Emily and Hannah sent. I told her she couldn't use it unless she drank it, that is all that it took, she stood there waiting for the ice to crush and she just wanted water in hers, but she drank it right up, no fuss at all. Thank you Emily for picking out the perfect gift for Myah! You saved the day!!!!

She is more active today, it is very hard keeping her down, I caught her climbing the stairs to visit Dayton in his room, she was spread eagle on the floor when I saw her, I think it wore her out. I am glad that she is healing and feeling well enough to do that stuff but it makes her cough so bad when she does it. Another problem we have is that we are encouraging her to drink cold things, eat popsicles etc. However, I think the crowns that she had put on a few weeks ago are very sensitive still and I think that is a part of the problem with her drinking. So what do you do?

Daddy is off to work, bless his heart, I don't know how he will work all night long. He did go in a few hours late until we had her put to bed. The meds are a huge fight with her, she is so strong! I see progress and healing, that is all that I can ask for. Thanks again so much for all of your support, I am so blessed. It is kind of a bummer for us this week, usually tonight we are leaving for spring break in Florida. As much as I love the warm weather, I really enjoy just being together as a family, with no phones, schedules, work or obligations. That is what I will miss, the time alone together. Many of our friends are leaving, Dayton's break starts tomorrow after school. I feel bad that during his break we are dealing with a sister who is out of control and he has to have 2 teeth pulled. Fun times, I bet you all wish you could join us! Oh well, we will make the most of it! Well, I think I hear the princess calling now, gotta run!

Back to the ER

Well, our home sure was sweet but it didn't last for more than a few hours, Myah spiked a high fever and our Dr. sent us back to the ER for a chest xray to make sure she doesn't have pneumonia. She has developed a bad cough and fever and they thought maybe she caught the bug that the boys had and after having the tube down her throat during surgery it might have aggravated it. Good news though, it is now 8 pm and we are home, to stay I pray! She has some good meds and the xray looked great! I am so thankful! So needless to say, we are living on fumes, Mark just went to bring Dayton home and once again all my birdies will be in my nest and I will be a happy momma. I forgot to mention that when we went to leave the hospital today (the first time) our nurse cut off Myah's security bracelet before deactivating in and the whole entire hospital went into lock down mode. All elevators stopped, security came, doors locked shut, alarms went off. We left with a bang!

Home Sweet Home

Feels so good to be home!
Thank you Heather, Emily and Hannah for the snow cone maker!!
Bye Bye Hospital
Monique was our favorite! She loved Myah right up!
In the car on the ride home she fell asleep

Ahhhhhh, we're home. We were able to (bribe) I mean encourage Myah to drink plenty of liquids so that she could go down to the playroom before we were discharged. Hey whatever works with a 2 year old who doesn't want to swallow is ok in my book! She still has a slight fever, actually when we got home she was at 103 degrees but she was bundled up in her coat and hat, I am hoping that it will go down. Mark is off to the pharmacy to get the drugs that are keeping her happy. She slept the whole way home, and is asleep on the couch right now. She is making little groaning sounds in her sleep, it is weird, she has never made those sounds before. But I think this is just what she needs, she hardly slept at all yesterday or today. Even though we are in the comforts of our home there is something reassuring about being in the hospital knowing that monitors and nurses are there to guide you and check on her.

Thank you all so much for your encouragment and concern, even though I am exhausted, I gain strength from all of you. Thank you to Heather, Emily and Hannah for the package waiting for us today. Myah has yet to see her snow cone maker but I know she is going to love it, especially because Emily picked it out for her! So thoughtful of you!! We are so blessed, I just can't get over how sweet you all have been, the comments, emails and packages have been the highlight of my days! Or should I say of Myahs Days! Hee hee, ok, I am still slap happy! Well, I am going to try and sleep for the next hour and a half before Dayton comes home from school. I will keep you posted!

Day Two

Thanks to Lori for the book and Sheri and Sarah for the bag of goodies, love the lady bugs!
Dayton was here to help us go for a walk
She loved the Dora that he brought her. I am cracking up at this picture! Poor Baby!
This morning she is a bit more perkier, and obstinate!
Bed Sweet Bed
Oh my, what a long night! Or should I say short, not sure which seems most appropriate. Myah just would not go to sleep last night, no matter if her drugs were in her or not, she isn't going to give in for anything! We were up every hour at least, she would start to cough and it is so painful then she would cry and make her cough even worse. I slept in a chair, Mark slept in a chair that turned into a lounger. Neither was comfortable but we would fall asleep, I think just plain exhaustion. Then the door would open or she would wake up, or the iv would start beeping, or it was time for meds. Anyhow, the Dr. came in at 7 and said she looks good, he is concerned with the fever and wants to make sure it is down before he will let us leave. She also needs to drink 3-4 ounces of fluid, yeah right. I am breaking down and giving her Sprite-ish pop, it is the only thing that is motivating her to sip. She took about 4 bites of a pancake and that was about it. Her strong willed personality is even worse when she is tired I have learned! She is talking a bit more today, not much but enough to make me realize that she is a bit more "with it " today. I feel so bad for her, I know it hurts so bad! The nurses are in love with her, they have told us that she is the best T&A (tonsils and adenoids people!) patient that they have ever had. She takes her medicine for them we will see about it once we get home! We are getting slap happy, last night around 2am the nurse came in and said she was down with the other T&A patient, wishing that he was a good as Myah. Mark thought she said Tina, after she left Mark said " I thought she was calling Myah, Tina, I was about to tell her that this isn't Tina, you better not be giving her Tina's medication, this is Myah". It sounds so dumb now but we were cracking up all night, still today actually. We also keep laughing about how when we got in her room the nurse was writing our names on the board and she asked me what we want to be called, I wasn't paying attention to what she was doing and I was trying to figure out why she would want our number to call us when we were going to be here the whole time, so I said,"well, I guess you can have my cell number" Mark said "Leslie she wants our names." I felt so dumb! I love that man, we sure can get through times like this with humor thankfully!

I am hoping that we can get home soon, I think Myah will rest much better there. She is so tired. Well, I will close for now, just bored and trying to wait out these last few hours here. The lady just dropped off the menu for tomorrow and I told her we won't be here, she said she would leave it just in case, lets pray that we are out of here! We are going to have a rough few weeks, they said in about 4 days it will be worse for her when they start to scab over. Yikes! Lord give me strength!