After standing in line 1 1/2 hours!! these little ladies finally got to see Santa the day before Christmas. Of course it took some bribery to get Katie Mei close to him....but once she did she told him "IWANTANARIELBARBIE!" Poor Santa didn't know what to think much less what she said. Good old Santa got a little merry though when Mom Jo sat on his lap and kissed him on the cheek. He asked her to go dancing!! Not sure what Mrs. Claus would have thought about that.....

New VanLue Flip Video Camera

New video camera for Christmas...the princesses have tested it out and want your feedback!

Merry Christmas From Our House To Yours!

Should we tell you that this Christmas season Leni (age 8) poured Listerine in the iron to make the clothes smell better? And how about Kristin (age 6) who in protest slept in her coat during our recent cold spell here in Central Florida? Or Katie (age 4) who is still only 33 lbs. and only 36.75 inches tall at 4 1/2 years old? Or the fact that she pulled the stocking holder down from the mantle on her head and the result was a gashed, bloody head that I didn't notice was hurt until we pulled up to her preschool and I turned around to see blood dripping down her head. She is one tough kiddo. Instead, we'll tell about our Savior who was born this season in order that we all may be saved!! Thanks to Jesus, our Savior, Redeemer and Friend who called us out of darkness into His Marvelous Light! May you have a glorious and wonderful Christmas!

Technical Difficulties

We are experiencing tech issues....first it's the internet company...and now it's IPhoto AGAIN!!!!! UGGGGHHHH! I have great photos and can't upload them.

It's taking the Merry out of my Christmas....but I have a feeling it will return soon:)

Happy Birthday Jay!

Our firstborn and only son turned 25 over the weekend. Jason's awesome wife Mel suprised him with a weekend away which meant one more around our house. The Cadertot came to visit and I don't think the action ever stopped. He is 3 1/2 now and not only can recognize but name every make/type of car on the road. Put that with 3 other girls all spitting out words with machinegun rapid-fire speed, and you have a crazy fun weekend. We took them to the Science Center for kicks.....and did lots of bike/scootering around the neighborhood. Katie and Cade are the best of buddies these days....and begged to sleep together. What could I say??

This Pretty Much Sums It Up.......

Life is grand when you choose to make it so!

Thank You!

It's been a week and a half since Leni had her tonsils/adenoids out. I must say after the first two days I thought it would be a piece of cake. Was I ever wrong!! She is still running a low grade fever and on pain meds....the worst has been the sharp ear pains that effect her at random times. This is very common on days 4-8 (who knew??) and the nightmares that come with the territory. I was prepared for a sore throat....and that has been the minimal problem. HOWEVER....yesterday was a huge turning point and today Miss Leni is up playing with her nephew. In a rare and unprecedented turn of events.....Leni and Cade are the only ones home at the moment. Katie is at school, and Kristi-Loo is at Mom Jo's house. I picked up Cade W. because Mel isn't feeling good today and when we returned....a box was on the doorstep. Sweet Mirielle from Carolina had sent Leni a get well present which see for yourself how the monkeys liked it. It sings and dances....just what the doctor ordered!! Thank you Miri!! Hope to see you soon!! ( Isn't it great to see Leni smiling??!!)

What's the Matter??!!

Are you dumb? Don't you know Rudolph is from Central China? Everybody knows that! (and no, you're not stupid...I just found out myself!!)

I Heart Referral Day!

Man, oh man do I love referral day!! What is referral day? It's when you finally are matched with your child from China (or another country) and you receive his/her information and most importantly their picture! I remember ours so very well as we saw Katie Mei for the first time! Well, Wednesday of this week was referral day for those waiting from March 2006. Yes, we've been back 3 1/2 years and we were logged in on May 17, 2005. That means they haven't even referred a calendar year of babies since we've come back from China. People that received their referral this week have been waiting.....4 years!! So exciting and worth the wait when you finally see who and where your child is for the first time. This means yet another group of children will be on their way to their forever families and will not live out their days in an orphanage. Here's the linkif you want to ohh and ahh over the newest set of babies headed to meet their new parents!

Two Steps Forward, Three Steps Back....

"You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3" This is the verse that begins a new book I am reading. Yesterday it was an excellent verse to meditate upon because as the title of this post suggests...we went backwards a little bit. Leni woke yesterday (post op day 2) with excruciating migraine-like headaches. It tore this mommy up. Because of her sensory issues, Leni doesn't feel pain like the rest of us. She has the highest pain tolerance of anyone I have ever met other than my husband. Anyway, when this kid says she hurts you listen. No drama from this girl. Yesterday got pretty sad as I struggled to help her in anyway I could. We switched her meds around a little bit and she was able to get some relief. In the midst of it all I found her Build-a-bear ready and waiting for surgery in her chair....and found this pic (which I tried to rotate and it keeps posting sideways!!!!GRRRRRR!!!!) that Leni made during a moment of reprieve. This is the sweetest child. I hate to see her hurt.

Happy to say...today is much better. Today is earache day which they said to expect. She's tolerating that very well. Thanks for praying and hopefully we're on the upswing!!

One Day Later...

I have to repeat myself...this child is nothing short of amazing. In the last month we've gotten glasses for the first time, had general anesthesia twice, been poked and prodded by 5 different specialists, had not one but two sleep studies, had multiple oxygen levels tested, was diagnosed with Narcolepsy and obstructive apnea, and yesterday had our tonsils/adenoids removed. Yesterday they guaranteed us she would throw up. She hasn't. They guaranteed us there would be blood loss. We've had none. They guaranteed us she would run a fever up to 102. Ours is 99 and holding. Here she is 24 hours after surgery going for a ride in her chariot! Grandma brought over a new butterfly habitat and net yesterday and we've already been on the hunt this morning:) She woke up this morning asking for pain medicine and her sisters. How cute is that?? The pain meds were administered right away.....the sisters will be back within the hour:) Thank you Lord for answers to prayers!!