My Birthday Boy!!!!

Yesterday was Audie's 3rd birthday. Never in a million years did I believe it would take this long to bring him home. I really thought we would be in China by his birthday, but now the hope is for Christmas. We had a good day yesterday and tried to stay busy with the girls while sending Audie good thoughts for a great day. Then I awoke to the most wonderful pictures of Audie enjoying his birthday party in China. Once again, the boy has frosting on his forehead and nose, he will definitely fit in around here! I was startled by how much he has grown. He no longer looks like a toddler, but yet a very handsome little boy. Oh, I cannot wait to hug and kiss him, to tell him that we are his forever family and well, to spoil him just a little.

Please let our TA come today!!! I cannot imagine not having him by Christmas.

Becky

Birthday Season

Birthday Season???? Yes, at my house that is what it is called. Currently three of the four girls have their birthdays within 8 days of each other. I always want my kids birthdays to be super special, so I vow to do my best. Each girl had a dinner, presents, balloons, decorations and a cake on their birthday. Anna and Alenia had their own cake for their bouncy party and Allison had a cake for her party with the grandparents while they were in town. Too much cake!!! And this is coming from a cake person! ;) My house was overrun with toys, extra cake, Princess decorations, balloons, and just junk! It was really starting to drive me crazy! This was after spending 6 days and 5 nights at the glorious hospital with oldest daughter! We were released 4.5 hours before the said bouncy party (so glad I was smart enough to plan it somewhere besides home this year!). I had relatives in town, kids who had thoroughly missed their mommy, and an exhausted husband who was once again kissing my feet for the job I have staying at home with the little ones. I'm thinking, I will get caught up on Monday. Well of course, this is where God's sense of humor came into play, I got sick. I was home, but was exhausted and felt horrible for four days. My house is now a disaster and I'm pretty sure we're fixin to get nominated for Oprah's clean up your messy house series. My big plan was to do everything Sat morning after Museum school. Well, we were all exhausted after being in a dysfunctional funk for two weeks, the whole family took a four hour nap!! Since, when does this happen with the PITA??? So, on Sunday my poor family knew they had better pitch in or deal with a stressed out and grumpy mom. Then we treated ourselves to dinner and seeing MadagascarII. Now you ask when is Audie's birthday? November 23rd of course!!! Like the lady in Wal Mart said, "You need to find something better to do in February!!" . Well, two of them are adopted!! ;-)

Becky

PS, I promise to post she made it to three next time. Look for the PITA series!

MIA!!!

I cannot believe it has been a month since my last post!! We have been sooooo busy, it is unreal. The good news is we have received our LOA on day 117 for Audie!!! We are very hopeful that we will travel by the end of the year. I think celebrating Christmas in China sounds wonderful!!

We have officially entered "Birthday Season" at our house. Four birthdays in 18 days! We started the festivities last night with Anna's family party at home complete with a Snow White cake. She loved all of her presents and really loved being the center of attention. I took cupcakes to her class today and she loved having Princess and Spider man Cupcakes to pass out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnlspJFVPQ0

Allison has been in the hospital since Monday afternoon with blood in her urine and intense back pain. We have been filling her with Morphine and Loratab and still only have mediocre results. We are hopeful that we will have a more definitive news shortly.

Well, I must run as I have a few hours home before I return for my fourth night of sleeping in a hospital! Joy!! ;-)

Please, look for the "She made it to her third birthday" post coming soon!

Becky

The Pumpkin Patch, Sisters, and a Purple Blanket

On Saturday, we met with the local FCC to go too the Pumpkin Patch. The girls had a blast riding the train, the zip line, slide, and of course picking out a pumpkin. Sister Bear, threw several fits as she insisted that she be able to play in the gravel as if it were a sand box. Anna was a HUGE hit with two other girls there. They kept picking her up and playing tag with her. I think she is just so cute and little, that she demands attention where ever she goes! Enjoy the video and pictures!

This morning I was awoken by Miss Avery Grace crawling into my bed sometime during the wee hours of the night. I tried to talk her into going back to bed, but she was persistant and even threw in a tear to cement her spot. I relented and then when I was getting ready for the day I heard Anna crying. I went in and she was crying and telling me that she could not find Avery (they are sharing a room right now). How sweet!!! I had to take her into my room to show her that yes, Avery was in my bed. She was fine after that. This just confirms Avery's recent request to share a room with Anna. She even wants the room purple AND pink as these are her's and Anna's favorite colors. Anyone who knows Avery knows that this is huge! Just, this morning Avery was mad that she had to wear denim pants and not purple. These girls couldn't be closer to one another and I am still amazed that we were lead to the perfect girl for our family.

Now here is the most shocking news, Avery has informed me that she no longer needs her purple blanket!! I gave it to her this morning to put back into her room and she told me that she is now a big girl like Anna and she no longer needs it and I should put it into the trash!!!!!!!!!!! Once again, anyone who knows Avery, knows that she has slept and "chewed and smelled" on her purple blanket since she was about 10 months old. Therefor, her favorite color that she is absolutlely obcessed with is purple. We will see how tonight goes and see if I need to return it to her. Needless to say, I was stunned and shocked and ever so hopeful that this will cause Sister Bear to give up her binkies just as easily.

Becky who is on day 93 for her LOA!!!

Pictures and a new haircut for Anna!

O.K, so I am not a professional photographer, but I thought that I could take the girls to the Botanical Gardens and take pictures for Avery's fourth birthday there (a little late, yes I know). I have all of the girls dresses, bows, socks, shoes, a water spray bottle (for Sister Bear's curls), a brush, hairspray, Avery's panda bear dress, one moody teenager and my camera. When we arrive, I get Avery into her birthday dress and Anna and Alenia into their panda bear dresses. As we walk in, I start telling myself, I could take pictures professionally for children. I love to go to a beautiful outdoor area and I know to take into account the colors, blooms, shade and sun. I am brilliant!! I have a new career!! This is what I can do pt to keep myself employed and still able to convince Steve, that yes we can adopt more children! Then reality sits in. Avery is giving me her "cheese" smile and is looking away from the camera to look at all of the beautiful flowers. I am calmly trying to get her look at my eyes and then I try to get her to say something funny to crack a grin. Then her eyes are shut as she focuses on smiling. I take her to a few different spots and now I am just hopeful that I have one good picture. Now it is time to change Avery into her panda bear dress. We go to a secluded place and proceed to change. Now Alenia sees what we are doing and tries to undress. I quickly put out that fire and get Avery changed. Now here comes the fun part, getting three little ones to all look at the camera and smile at the same time. I laugh at myself for my earlier thoughts. Of course Anna is giving her plastic "cheese" smile, sister is saying "cheese" while looking away and Avery is almost done with the situation. Allison, aka moody teenager, tries to get everyone to look in the same direction and well, here is the best I was able to get. Soon after this, Alenia is mad and demands to either cry and walk (perfect for such a nice and peaceful area) or that I carry her. She is a very solid 39 lbs. I tell myself that maybe I got one good one and if not, then I guess I will have to go and get the pictures taken professionally. Well, you be the judge!

Maybe nursing isn't so bad after all. ;-)

Becky who is still waiting for her LOA

Happy Family Day Anna!!!

It so hard to believe that Anna has been with us for two years. It seems like just yesterday when we met her and it also feels like she has always been with us. Looking back over the last two years, Anna has grown and changed so much. She was initially not a fan of daddy in China, but now begs to be tickled by him and/or wrestling with him. She loves her sisters, but is especially close to Avery. It is so unbelievable the bond that these two have. They are best buds 95% of the time, which is remarkable. Anna is still a mama's girl and loves when she gets to help mom with dinner or to go to the grocery store with just mom and Anna. She still cries at the drop of a hat, which is frustrating, but she does now try to stop before going into full meltdown mode. An example is she was served chocolate ice cream and she wanted vanilla and viola, tears. I told her that she could tell me this without crying, but as they say Rome wasn't built in a day! She is a true sweet heart and charms the pants off of everyone she meets, and I have had many people ask me about China adoptions after meeting her. She is very petite weighing in at 29 lbs and 38 inches, about an inch shorter than Sister Bear who is 2 years younger. Above are some photos that show her evolution since she has joined our family! Enjoy!

Becky

Papa John

Well, last Wednesday I received the call we knew was coming, but still was sad to get. Papa John had passed away. He was at peace, ready, and had his family with him. Papa John was my first father in-law and we have maintained a special relationship through my first marriage ending. I was talking one day on how I wanted to go back to school and bridge from LVN to RN, but my current job wouldn't allow for anytime off to take the classes. The next time I went over to Papa and Granny's house, while I was still married to his son, he said that they wanted to pay for me to go to nursing school! I couldn't believe that, then he added that this had nothing to do with my relationship with his son, he wanted to give me my education as a way of letting me know how much they appreciate me as Allison's mom and to ensure that Allison would always be taken care of financially. So, back to school I went and I always showed him my grades so he could see his money at work. He was so nice, proud and supportive, even as my first marriage ended to his son. He was a hell of a guy who was funny, stubborn, a jokester, loving and the "boss". He would tell me that he was the nicest guy as long as you agreed with him! :) There were many funny stories told about him at his funeral, some shockingly that we had never heard. He was Papa John to my children with Steve and he was asked about Audie the last time we talked. I love you Papa and we will all miss you deeply.

Love,

Becky and the girls