Let Me Out!

We had a really great Christmas, but right after Christmas, the boys came down with strep. It was NOT FUN! They were miserable. We were stuck at home for three days and by New Year's Eve I was ready to get out! The boys were all better, so all the kid's went to stay with Aunt Marsha for the night. Mark and I went out to an Irish Pub and had a great time. We have never went out for New Year's before, EVER! Before we had kids, we always had to work, then we had kids and the opportunity never presented itself. We had no idea what to do, but we thought the Irish Pub sounded like fun. Apparently everyone else did, too, because there were no tables when we arrived at 5:30 to eat. We were supposed to make reservations. Oh, well, we stood, yes there weren't even any available chairs at the bar. So we toasted in the Irish New Year at 6:00 p.m., ate some really good food, and went home. I know not very exciting, but I'm super glad I got to toast in the New Year with my Love, even if it was at 6:00 p.m.!

I'm not sure what 2011 will bring, except for strep. Yes, now Meah is sick! After, the ending to 2009, I wasn't sure how 2010 was going to be, but we had more Blessings than we ever imagined. Here's praying for Health for 2010, that is really all that is important to us, well Health and Happiness!

Here's to Health and Happiness for 2011!

Merry Christmas...

From Our House to Yours!

First NFL Experience

We were lucky enough to receive some free tickets to last Sunday's Chiefs v. Rams Football game. We had three tickets and decided to suprise Acel with the tickets. We could have received more tickets, but we knew that the other three wouldn't enjoy the game, which would mean that we wouldn't enjoy the game, so we decided to take Acel by himself. It's always nice to take one child by themselves now and then. They love the extra special attention and it is definitely a nice break and quite odd to only have to watch one child!

I had gotten up at 5:00 am to get ready since we had to drive to St. Louis. At about 5:30, I went to go get Acel, who is our early riser, and found him all ready awake. I told him to get dressed and come downstairs that Dad and I had a suprise for him. On Saturday, I had went to Dick's Sporting Goods and found a Matt Cassel shirt for him and Mark had wrapped it up. I gave him the gift to open and he opened it. Acel does not get excited over anything, he said, "It's a Matt Cassel shirt". I said, "Where would be a good place to wear that shirt?" He said, "A Chief's game". I'm so excited, of course and he was too, but he just does not show excitement. I said, "Yeah, baby, we're going to the game." He just looked at Mark and I and said, "Suh-Weet." Later in the car he said, "Mom, I've got four words for you, Best Christmas Present E-Ver!"

After getting inside the stadium, we found our seats. Thankfully, Acel thinks the higher you are, the better your seats! Me, not so much, but they weren't too bad and he loved them. The game started out kind of slow for the Chiefs, but they started picking up momentum and when they made their first touchdown, the guys in front of us started hi-fiving and turned around and were hi-fiving us and Acel was looking around like we were all crazy, but hurried and put down his pop to get in on the hi-fiving.

Even though it was a long drive, it was definitely worth it! GO CHIEFS!!

Another Birthday!

Tomorrow, our baby turns "6"! I can't believe it's been 6 years, since I was sitting in a hospital wondering how long I was going to have to be on bedrest. Wasn't quite a long wait, since early the next morning Julien arrived at 1:54 a.m., all 4 lbs. 8 oz., definitely all ready asserting his independence. He was a true blessing we didn't expect or plan for.

We Love You, Jules! Happy 6th Birthday!!

Changes

After much thought and a year of driving all over the state, we decided to move back closer to Mark's work. It was a decision that was best for our family. We are excited to be together every night as a family and as you can see the kid's look super cute in their new school uniforms. This is a picture from their first day at their new school, which is where Acel went to Kindergarten and a couple of months of first grade. They are loving school and making new BFF's every day (so they tell me)!

Another October Birthday!

So, we had a very, very busy couple of weekends. We had a family birthday party on the 17th for Meah, Acel, and their cousin. Acel turned 9, on the 24th. I can't believe he is 9! How did that happen? It seems like yesterday, we brought him home from the hospital, looked at each other, and said, "Now what do we do?"

Since he was a first child and was born 5 weeks early, we were definitely not prepared. Not sure if anybody really ever is, but we definitely weren't. He helped us tremendously by being easy. He was a great sleeper and was a wonderful baby! Now he's 9, it makes me so sad, but I'm so proud of him. He is a very kind, considerate, and compassionate boy.

We can't seem to catch a break from all the craziness. Lots of busy weekends ahead for us!

Who's turning 10 on 10-10-10?

If you haven't heard yet from Meah, yes she is turning the BIG "10" on 10-10-10!! Pretty Awesome! How many people does that happen to? She is so excited! I just dropped off her birthday treats at school.

Pretty Cute

We were watching TV a couple of days ago and I wasn't paying very much attention, but I heard Acel say the words pretty cute, so I said, "What's pretty cute?" I surely wouldn't want to miss something on the Disney Channel! So he said, "Selena Gomez is pretty cute.(long pause) No offense, Mom" As I was trying not to LAUGH OUT LOUD, he quickly said, "Mom, say no offense taken." I think he was worried I might be offended. "Don't worry son, no offense taken."

No worries, at least I still have Julien. He has all ready promised to never leave me, especially for a girl!

Labor Day Weekend Madness!!

Where to begin? Well, this has been a fun-filled weekend and we still have one day left. Starting off on Friday, we went to American Girl-Kansas City! How exciting is that? They just opened a little American Girl store at Oak Park mall. The girls had so much fun looking around and dreaming...and then Aunt Marsha came along and bought them some jammies and matching jammies for their dolls! Thanks Aunt Marsha!! They were so excited and have worn their new jammies for the past three nights. And yes, they did get washed today before they were worn a third time! The Grand Opening was on Saturday at 9:00 a.m. for American Girl and there were people camping out at 6:00 p.m friday night for the grand opening....with CHILDREN! Crazy!

On Saturday, we went to the KC Irish Festival! We love watching the Irish Dancers and Musicians. Mark and I love, love, love the Irish Culture. Kansas City puts on a fabulous Irish festival. The kids, participated in a Theatre of the Imagination Interactive play, listened to Jim Cosgrove "Mr. Stinky Feet" and Irish music, watched Irish dancers, and enjoyed just walking around. Sunday morning, there is a mass before the Irish Fest begins, so we took the kids. It was such a fun experience to attend mass outside. I've only attended one other mass outside, when I was 15, in Hawaii with my parents. It was so fun and I always remember it, so I hope the kids will remember a really fun weekend where they got to attend mass outside.

My only complaint was that there wasn't a Guinness booth? Come on, where's the Guinness?

My Little Fish

I forgot I had these pictures. For the first time in 8 years, we finally don't have to be in the pool right next to our kids every second. We are still close by and watching, but not an arms length away. I've actually taken them to the pool and didn't even have to get in. It has been soooo nice! They took 4 weeks of swim lessons this summer and have all done really well! They have no fear, Acel is even diving off the high dive. Everybody else has jumped off the high dive.

Another School Year Begins!

Well, today was the first day of school! Everyone was so excited! Julien told me if I missed him, I could go play in his room, but just make sure I put everything up when I was done playing. Julien is in Kindergarten, Isabel is in first grade, Acel is in third grade, and Meah is in fourth grade. They will all be at the same school this year. As you can see everybody got new haircuts for school. Isabel loves having short hair, because she hates putting her hair up. Meah, who said she would never have short hair again, after having a shaved head in China, decided that not pulling your hair up everday didn't seem like such a bad idea. After she saw how cute short hair could be on Isa, she wanted hers cut, too. They all look super cute!

Two More Days!

I can't believe that in two more days school starts! We have had a great summer basically doing nothing. Here are a few pictures of our summer fun.


The kids attended VBS and had a great time!


Who doesn't enjoy playing in the fountains!



Visiting Clifford at Crown Center. Make note Acel was definitely not there. He is definitely too old to have his picture taken with a Big Red Dog!



Loving on Daddy!



Visiting Union Station.



Enjoying a beautiful day at Legends shopping for new school shoes! Thanks Grandma Vickie!



Playing a little t-ball!

Coming soon...First Day of School Pictures with some really cute new haircuts!

Where does the time go?

It goes by so fast. I think I'm getting a little stressed because my sweet baby boy is going to Kindergarten, which means all the little folks at this house will be in school this year. How did that happen? This is one of the drawbacks of having all your children within 4 years. They all leave at the same time. Last weekend, we were at mass and Julien fell asleep on my lap literally 10 seconds after we set in the pew and I really couldn't remember the last time he had done that, but I set and held him tight thinking this could be the last time this little man sleeps on my lap. How sad is that?

Two Years Ago Today...

we saw our precious girl for the first time in person! She was and still is amazing! We had such a great trip to China with a great travel group! Happy Gotcha Day to all of our travel buddies!!

What are Po' Boys?

Mark said to me,"Are you ready for Po'Boys for lunch?" Isa said, "What's a Po Boy?" Acel, who was walking through the dining room said, "It's boys who live on the street, who don't have a house to live in and no food." Mark and I were laughing so hard I almost fell out of my chair.

We really have to get this boy to New Orleans!

Big Day Ahead!

Two years ago, we were preparing like crazy to take a little trip to meet the newest member of our family in China. Sometimes it seems like it was so long ago and sometimes it feels like yesterday. Meah is so excited about her upcoming Gotcha Day, she keeps telling everyone. We are going to make dumplings and have a great family night!

It was so hard to leave our other children, but it was a great time for Meah to bond with us alone. We had such a great trip and learned so much about the Chinese culture. I can't wait to celebrate two years with my Chinese Princess!

My Beautiful Ballerina Turns 7 Today!

Happy Father's Day!!

Happy Father's Day to all the Daddy's, Papa's, and Fathers! Today, I look back at all the events that have happened in our lives in the past year. It has been a really rough year, but we have learned and are still learning to live for the joy in every day! I hope you all find your JOY today!

Forever Family Fridays!!

Well, at least its the best four parts of our Forever Family!!

What's Been Going On?

Well, Matthew got engaged...


Mark and Matthew before Matthew's Deployment Ceremony


Daddy with his girls


The family seeing Matthew off. He left for Ft. Lewis in Washington, then to Africa!


Our special princess on her 6th Gotcha Day!!! Celebrating at school with her friends.

A Blessed Easter!

Yesterday, was such a beautiful day! Meah and Acel celebrated their First Holy Communion. They were so excited and we were so proud of them. It was a great day spent with family.

Post-Op

This is a picture of Meah before surgery on March 8th. She accidentally poked Mark with the distraction device. Good thing he has a hard head!




This is Meah right after surgery.




First day after surgery, probably right before we left to go home.




This last one was taken about two weeks after surgery. She is doing fantastic. She just got released from her liquid diet and is back to a soft food diet. She can now return to a regular classroom, but no P.E. or recess (bummer)! We return to the doctor in a month and I think were going to start doing her ear reconstruction fairly soon.



Wishing everyone a Safe and Happy Easter celebrating this Most Holy Week!

Surgery Over!

Well, as usual Meah's surgery went great! She had two ribs removed from the right side that were placed in her face. One rib bone was made into a cheekbone and one rib bone was used to make a temporal mandibular joint. In true Meah form, she went home from the hospital after one day. Yes, you read that correctly, the surgery was on Monday and Meah went home Tuesday and she has not asked for any pain meds since we've arrived home! She is truly incredible! She is still a bit swollen, but is doing awesome! Thanks for all your prayers. I will post pics soon.

The Device

On Jan. 19th, Meah was fitted with this distraction device to stretch the existing bone more forward in preparation for her major reconstruction surgery. I wasn't sure if I was going to post any pictures of this device, but after a special visitor in the hospital, I decided to post these pictures. While Meah was in the hospital, the nurse came in with a special request. Another patient, who was going to be scheduled for the same surgery, was really nervous and wanted to see the device. She asked if it was ok, to let him meet Meah. Knowing Meah's personality, I knew it would be ok and invited him and his parents into Meah's room. He was a very kind and sweet boy and I know it really helped to be able to come in and see Meah with the device. So, I'm posting this in case there is someone else out there, who might possibly be getting this device and might be a little nervous about it.

Meah's next surgery is March 8th. Once she heals, I will post pictures, so everyone can see the transformation. We are very anxious, but know that this surgery is in Meah's best interest, we are very saddened to lose a piece of the little face we fell in love with.

The best $1.00 I've ever spent!

When Meah came home from China, she was obviously a pro at using chopsticks! Isabel learned very quickly, however the boys have never been able to figure it out and had little patience to keep trying. So, I've looked for teaching ones and found some, but they all had little bunnies on them and I knew the boys would be humiliated, so I didn't buy them. Well, when we were at Epcot, I found these chopsticks for $1.00 and they were called EZ Chopsticks. The boys can finally eat with chopsticks! Of course, since I didn't know if they would work I only bought two pairs, so if anybody knows where to buys these chopsticks, please let me know! The boys were so proud of themselves!



The boys eating their Chinese New Year lunch with chopsticks! Happy Year of the Tiger!