December Happenings

December was a really wonderful month. We had such a great time. We had a cookie decorating party at our house with all our cousins that live here. We went to the city for two weekends, one to go to a Christmas Party. While we went to the Christmas Party, the kids went to stay with Aunt Marsha. The other weekend, we went to celebrate Mark's mom Vickie's 60th birthday, visit the big man in the red suit, and do some much needed Christmas Shopping. All in all it was a great month and as busy as we were we really enjoyed our time together.

Also since we moved, Meah had gotten glasses. I hadn't got around to posting about her glasses, but right before we moved we found out she needed glasses. Well, this doesn't seem like a big deal, however when you only have one ear, glasses become quite a challenge. Marsha made her several different headband attachments, but everything was quite challenging, so we asked if she could have contacts. Well, they finally told us they would let her try contacts. I, of course was so excited, so I show Meah my contacts and how I put them in. She tells me their "scaries" Oh, no! So I continue telling her they don't hurt and let's just try them, so she finally agrees reluctantly. Well, the day we go to try them, she starts telling me it is "scaries", so I, resort to bribery. Suprisingly, I rarely use this technique, but I was desperate and I knew exactly what could sway her--food. So I said, "Meah if you go try the contacts I will take you anywhere you want to eat...What would you like?" Her little eyes light up as she says "Cheeseboogers" Perfect, I love a girl who will eat a cheeseburger! We go into the eye doctor, who is a mother and a very patient doctor, and she explains to Meah all about the contacts and then Meah sat still, while she put them in and we were done! Yeah, she loves the contacts and I have taken them out and put them in two times, without any problems. She is such a good girl. She has had so many challenges and she has met them head on. We are so proud of her.

Tonight, we are celebrating our family and bringing in the new year with Marsha and Richard. The kids are so excited. Wishing everyone a Happy, Healthy New Year!

"NO 'BOUT PRESENTS!"

It's Christmas night and we have had a wonderful day! Relaxing and spending time together as a family, celebrating Jesus' birthday! Mark's mom and brother were here and we had a great day!

I have to tell a little story about Meah, it was too funny. On Tuesday night, we were coming home from my parent's house after celebrating my dad's birthday. It was just me and the kids, Mark wasn't with us and one of them asked how much longer it was until Christmas. I told them they had two more days until Christmas. They immediately started talking about presents, which I know is typical for children their age, but I said, "Whose birthday do we need to remember and know that it's not about the presents?" Meah, immediately piped up saying, "NO 'BOUT PRESENTS, BOUT GRANDPA'S BIRTHDAY!" I, of course had to hold the laugh in and say, remember Jesus' birthday, "Oh right, Jesus birthday, no 'bout presents!"

Last night, we went to Christmas Eve mass and on the way home, they all sang Jesus the Happy Birthday song. It was really precious! Last year, we had just found Meah's picture and asked if we could adopt her. Feeling so blessed tonight to know that she is in her bed, safe and feeling loved!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Well, I haven't blogged for a long time and I've heard people talking about the blog being behind...(be careful, Mark and Marsha). I also heard that someone in AL, said I needed an update... All I can say is in the past month, I've moved 120 miles with four kids in tow, taken children to countless doctors appts., been sick with a throat infection, enrolled my children in a new school, and tried to prepare for Christmas...tried being the operative word.

By the way, since I've moved, I've had a birthday party for the boys at my new house and a kid's cookie decorating party at the new house. OK, OK enough with the excuses, although, I feel they are valid!!

So from OUR HOUSE TO YOURS....MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

P.S. The extra girl is our niece...we only added ONE child this year!!

The Little Elves

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Happy 4th Birthday Jules!

This post is a week old. Julien's birthday was on November 23rd, but I didn't have my pictures downloaded or didn't get to proofread my post. As Thanksgiving was approaching, I was thinking of all the things I was thankful for and I'm definately thankful for all my children and family. We've been in the process of moving closer to my family and we are now here!! Finally!! So, I haven't had much time, but I wrote many of the reasons why I'm so thankful for Julien down below! If you read it, you will see why!

Today is Julien's 4th birthday! Wow, it is hard to believe he turned four. We have been talking about his birthday for a few days and he came into our bedroom this morning and I said, "Happy Birthday, Julien". He said, "Is today my real birthday, today." "Yes, Julien it is, Happy Birthday." I said. He thought for a second and said, "Where's my present?" Yes, definitely FOUR!

Four years ago, Julien was born 8 weeks early after I had endured about 8 weeks of having an overabundance of amniotic fluid. So much that a week before he was born, the specialist drained off a liter of fluid. I was admitted to the hospital on the 22nd, because my water had started leaking and at about midnight, it started gushing. Julien's heartrate dropped and nurses began scrambling. They put an oxygen mask on my face and I was crying asking what was happening and no one was answering. They pushed my bed out into the hallway and into an operating room, all the while I'm still trying to find out what is going on. NO ANSWERS. I'm crying, I look at Mark and he looks panicked. The anesthesiologist says no family is allowed in the room. Mark leaves and that was all I remembered.

When I woke up, someone was saying my name and I don't see Mark...I asked,"Is my baby OK?" Someone said, yes he's fine, your husband is with him in the NICU. In my mind, all I could think of was Mark sitting out in the hall crying and Julien not making it. After what seemed like hours, Mark finally came back, he told me that Julien was doing fine. The nurses finally wheeled me into the NICU and there laid our little Julien...so small, but breathing on his own. He had tubes coming out everywhere, but he was breathing on his own. I was so, so thankful.

Later, I found out that the nurses has woken up a surgeon and while Mark was waiting out in the hallway, the surgeon was telling the nurse that she didn't want to do the surgery...she didn't know me or know anything about my case. About that time, one of the nurses yelled our Dr. was coming down the hallway. The nurses opened the doors and she came running down the hallway, scrubbed in and delivered our precious boy. The Dr. made it to the hospital from her house in 10 minutes!!!

The next morning when my doctor came into check on me, I was told if we hadn't been at the hospital that night, Julien would have never survived. It was only the fast work of professionals and God watching over us that got us through.

Julien was born two days before Thanksgiving, so every year we are able to so vividly remember why we are so thankful!

Happy Halloweeeeeeen!

Wow-What a Crazy Day! We went to three halloween parades, trick-or-treating at the mall, a haunted house, and more trick or treating! The kids had a ball! Meah loved Halloween--especially the haunted house---She said, "That's coool". Our friends set up a haunted house in their garage every year and it is incredible. The kids went through it four times!

All in all it was a great day---just soooo busy, as were finding our lives to be!

Yes, We Have to Take Those Pictures Again!!

Every year around the kid's birthdays, we take a special picture. For the boys, the picture is of them wearing one of Mark's shirts(same shirt every year). Since their first birthday, they've put the very large shirt on and had their picture taken. I know they think we're crazy every time we put the shirt on...and maybe we are! Even though Acel is only seven, I can see how much he has all ready grown...I'm so sad to think we will only be taking 11 more shirt pictures.

For the girls, I have one of Mark's grandmother's dresses and my pearls. Obviously, I won't be able to go back in time for Meah's, but at least we will have the next 10 years and I think she looks fabulous in the dress and pearls.

OK, OK, I Know It Has Been Forever!!

Ok, the blog has been on the backburner to me being sick!! I have been sick for over a week and I'm finally feeling a little like myself, so I thought I would let everyone in on what has been happening at this crazy household. Acel turned 7 on Friday, wow I still can't believe he was born 7 years ago--amazing! He is such a good boy and I'm so proud of him. For his birthday, we took the whole family to the RODEO! Yes, I love the rodeo and Acel loves bull riding! OK, OK, bull riding is MY favorite, too.

On Saturday, the kids carved pumpkins with McKenna and Rachel. Uncle Matthew and Daddy helped carved the pumpkins and they did an awesome job! I love fall, the crisp air and the beautiful leaves make for such wonderful days--even if you are sick!!

On Saturday night, we also got to do a little trick-or-treating at a fall festival. The kids are looking so forward to Friday night! Aren't we all!!!!!!!!!

Meah's 8th Birthday Party (1st one at Home)

Sunday was soooo busy, but we had a Great Day! Meah was baptized in the afternoon and then we celebrated her baptism and her first birthday party at home. She has been so excited singing her version of the Happy Birthday song preparing for the party. She received a lot of great gifts and enjoyed all the company.

Thanks to everyone who came and for all the great gifts. Meah didn't have school today, so mom has been very busy opening new toys. Meah has kept busy playing with everything.

Meah's Baptism

Tina Live!!!

On Wednesday night, Vickie, Aunt Carolyn, Marsha, and I went to see Tina Turner in concert! It was opening night in Kansas City at the Sprint Center. Tina has still got the moves!! It was a great Girl's Night Out!

Two Months

Two months ago today, I woke up after the best nights sleep I'd had in China. The night before I'd felt very nervous and when I woke up I just felt at peace.

Mark, Marsha, and I went to the office to meet Xin Tong Xue for the first time. As we were sitting in the office filling out papers, we saw a little girl walk by the door and then the orphanage director who had a hold of her hand pulled her back to the door opening and there she was--our beautiful little girl. All the Chinese women (there were four) in the room started telling her we were her mama and baba. Mark said in his very loud voice, "Hello and Wo ai ni (I love you)." Poor Xin Tong Xue started to cry, so I took her on my lap and started whispering to her. I know she didn't understand, but because she had started crying all the women kept chirping at her and I had no idea what they were saying. It was quite overwhelming to her and me. After a few minutes, she settled down and started to play with the toys we brought her. When we were finally done with that paperwork, we started to leave the office and Meah Ivy TongXue looked at me and grabbed my hand and we walked out together as mother and daughter. What a perfect day!

After two months, we have found that the little girl we thought was amazing then, is absolutely incredible. I'm not sure about adjustment issues, but she wants to be here and loves her new family. She tells us often, "I love you". She laughs all the time. She wants to learn and is all ready putting phrases together. She has moved up a level in Math class and we are so proud of her.

When we decided to adopt again, we had all ready decided to adopt a minor special needs child between the age of 2 to 4. When I saw Meah's picture, she was 7 years old and had a special need we knew nothing about, but there was just something about her I just couldn't forget. After looking at her picture for about two to three weeks, I showed her to Mark and he felt something too. We had several specialists check her file and tell us that she could lead a very happy, healthy live. We were happy to have their opinion, but had all ready decided to follow our hearts and take a leap of faith. I'm so glad we did, we have been Blessed beyond Measure!

The Weekend

Well, our week was pretty uneventful, but we had a great weekend. On Friday night, our church had a fall festival. The kids had a blast. There was a big blow-up slide, bean bag toss, rat (yuck) races, and lots more. They each won a toy at the bean bag toss. Meah, Isabel, and Jules picked a stuffed animal. Acel picked a little squishy ball. They were so excited to win and get to pick a prize.

On Saturday, I had a garage sale with Marsha and made a little extra cash, which is always nice. Then we made dinner saturday night at Marsha and Richard's house. The kids always have a good time there.

I'm sorry, but I just had to add this picture from the fall festival!

Date Night

Well, last year the LA Galaxy came to town to play the KC Wizards and my husband got me tickets for the match since I'm a Beckham fan! Anyway, Beckham was injured and didn't play. They thought he would come and support the team, but I think there was a family emergency and he didn't make the match.

This year, loving Mark again bought me tickets and on Saturday, he and I went to watch LA take on KC. Even though I'm a Beckham fan, I'm still a MO girl and was glad to see the Wizards win 2-0. We had a great time at the match, !

After the match, we had a free night's stay at the Westin, so we decided to stay down there, since the kids were with Aunt Marsha. After we got back from the match, Mark checked us in and then we went to the plaza to go eat. We decided to eat at O'Dowd's Irish Pub. The food was great. Once we got back to the Westin, we saw all of these people in the lobby with Raider's jerseys--YUCK! Anyway, we found out the team was staying at the Westin and everyone was waiting for them to get back. This morning we saw their buses when we went to eat breakfast. Then when we were leaving, we happened to get into the elevator with two of the Raider's players. We're really not sure which ones, but we did see what looked like a playbook in one of their bags!

The kids of course had a great time with Aunt Marsha, building forts and making monkey bread and we got a moment away--Thanks Aunt Marsha.

I also wanted to slip in a picture of my sweet little ballet girls getting ready to leave for jazz/ballet class. They are in the same class and I'm not sure how their doing, but they sure look cute!

Relaxing Weekend

Well, I spent last night trying to get caught up on my blog, but didn't have time to talk about our weekend. After a informative and very good session at Children's Mercy Hospital, I was still a little stressed out, so the kids and I left town to go stay with my mom and dad.

All the kids have a great time. Everyone is so relaxed in the country. We also got to see my sister (A.K.A. Aunt Annie) and my niece, Magie.

While we were there, the kids got to see the neighbor make cider from Grandpa's apples. We also had time to visit with good friends, and watch Magie play soccer. Her team didn't win, but played awesome! Way to go, Magie!

School Days

I had posted a picture of Acel's First Day of School on the Journey to Me site, but I did not get pictures posted of anyone elses first days. So here is Meah, Isabel, and Julien's first day of school pictures.

Meah started 2nd grade and is doing awesome! She is all ready sounding out words. She loves going to school and is working so hard to learn.

Isabel is in a Pre-Kindergarten class. She was so excited to return to school. She goes three days a week. Julien started school one day before Isabel and when he came home, the two of them were sitting at the table eating lunch and he said, "Isabel, I missed you so much when I was at school." and she so lovingly said, "Well, Julien...I'm sure you did!" Never a dull moment at our house.

Julien started pre-school and he loves going to school. He says, "I don't learn anything, I dis play" Since he told me he was cutting out green circles today, I would guess they do more than just play. If you know Julien, that is what you would expect him to say.

For me, I'm glad to be getting into a routine with them, but dropping kids off at three different schools everyday is crazy, but for now it is what's best!

At the Lake

On Labor Day, we went to the park with Mark's family for breakfast. This used to be something they did with extended family when they were growing up. I remember having breakfast in the park a couple of times when Mark's dad was alive. This is the first time we've done breakfast in the park since we've had kids. The kids had a lot of fun and we're hoping to do it again soon, although we're hoping the food cooks FASTER!

Family Photos