Where Have I Been?

I can hardly believe how quickly this year has gone....
And it has been over 5 months since my last blog entry.
I guess I have a few friends that stop by as they have commented on my lack of writing on here.
I love to blog, but life has been so busy and ever changing that my time is limited on the computer. Now that I have a phone that does texting and emailing that is about all I do to communicate via technology lately. I honestly didn't know I would ever join the ranks for texters and the such, but it really has made my life a bit easier in that regard, and I do end up spending less time on the internet that way, as I don't really enjoy reading stuff on my little phone anyway.

Since I didn't have time to send out Christmas cards and letters this year, I will do an update on all of us.

So what has been going on in our little world?

Well, we have had stress and joys and Blessings of building a house, moving into that house, unpacking, painting, organizing, schooling, hospital visits for Isaiah's heart, many-many therapy days and specialty doctor visits for many of the children, sickness for all of us, and regular old relationship building....which is most important..

Adelia is doing well. She has been home for 6 months now. It is so hard to believe. She got her wheelchair two weeks ago and it is so cute and she is using it a little bit most days. I think she likes her new independence. She speaks English only now. She still is into all Girly things. I can't wait to see how she enjoys Christmas this year.

Addie got her right Achilles contracture fixed with casting, only to quickly develop some horrible pressure sores from her AFO just a few weeks later. So she has been out of AFOs until we see what they are going to do with her hips. She will need recasting again and a different type of material in the AFO. We love our orthopedic Dr. She is so kind and patient. When we visit her she spends a good amount of time making both of us feel comfortable and all questions answered. Addie has some cavities that are going to get taken care in Feb. She will need to be under general anesthesia for them as one is a root canal and two crowns. Since she is very afraid of anything painful and being held down, screaming and fighting, we decided to do it that way. After the teeth are fixed then the orthopedic is going to perform an Arthrogram on her hips. This is an xray type test that uses dye and manipulation of her joints and muscles to see how her body moves and how much of it is all being used properly in those parts of the bodies. Both her hips are dislocated. However, since she won't be likely walking and she doesn't feel them out of socket, it could possibly stay that way. The big issue is that her right hip is so bad she also can not straighten her leg. She needs to be able to stand on both legs in the least, or at least sit with both legs in a comfortable position for her spine too. So this test will give lots of information to the doctors as to the potential surgeries that will be helpful or not helpful. One that they might be able to do only is lengthening the IT band over her femur. It is so tight right now. So all that to say, we just don't know yet. We did have an MRI in October which confirmed she has a Spinal Chord Injury and NOT Spina Bifida. It is disheartening to wonder what she has been through to cause that injury.  Wow, it feels like she has always been here with us. So thankful, so blessed.

Of course, all the kids are so excited about Christmas.
And we have a double blessing this Christmas...
We recently found out that our oldest son Tyler and his wife Emily are expecting a baby!! We are going to be Grandparents. I will be "Amma" and Jay will be "Baba". It is so fun already and I already feel this urgency and burden to pray for this little life. Emily is just about 16 weeks along and the baby seems to be growing well. I don't like that they live two states away, so I anticipate we will try to visit at least once a year. It is just a long drive for 12 people in the van. But to build a relationship with a new little one is so important. I can't wait to meet the baby and hold it. So thankful, so blessed.

Here is all the children on Christmas morning...

front row, then back row: Adelia (Addie 4), Isaiah (4), Asher (4), Lenea (7) Elliana (Ellie 4) Makenna (19), Tobias (Toby 9), Jacob (Jake 14), Eliza (17) and Moriah (11)

We all had a wonderful, blessed Christmas season.
God has been so good to all of us.

Jay still works for a wonderful company and God has provided a mostly stress-free job for him, with only a 45 minute commute.
We will celebrate 24 years of marriage on January 18th!! God has been making our marriage more beautiful every year. I am excited to see what it will be like another 24 years from now.


I am still able to stay home with my precious children, mothering and homeschooling. I enjoy cooking, playing with the kids, reading and scrapbooking when can. But mostly just being here is my joy. I am still big into Trim Healthy Mama. I never did do an update as to how that was going for me. It has been going well. I did the program on and off, faithfully for about 9 months and lost about 15 lbs, even with many cheats. The nice thing about this program is all the food is delicious, satisfying and if you make a choice to "cheat" or go off plan you can pick right up again next meal. I have stopped for the most part since we moved two months ago, and I gained a couple lbs back. But only 3 lbs in two months is nothing. I have a goal to start again next week and stay on track for a while until I reach my goal, which is only about 10 lbs away!! I also hope to add in some more exercise now too.

God has provided a strong, Bible-teaching ONLY, church that also is very supportive of adoption. We love Ellerslie and feel so blessed to be a part of this newer Missionary training church.

I can't say enough how blessed my life is. I may be turning 44 in a few months, but I feel healthier and happier than ever. Yes, I have hard moments, circumstances and even an entire day at times. There are situations that continually bring me to my knees in prayer and tears. There are things in my life that I struggle with daily, and ask the Lord to change in me or give me strength to deal with more.

Here are some of the other awesome reasons I am blessed.

My oldest daughter Makenna, is truly a gift. She is hard working, self-sacrificing, smart and a girl after me. She and I think, probably too much, alike. She is going to school full time to be a nurse and while Chemistry is a big challenge, however she is doing well. She stays home the rest of the week to help us. I so appreciate her giving of her time to us. Most young women would want to pursue selfish things with their time, but she is just keeps on giving. She loves the orphan and disabled. She is a big help to me with our disabled children. She hopes to adopt many children with special needs herself some day.

My next oldest daughter Eliza, is also a gift. She is a bit younger (17 tomorrow!!). She has truly become one of my heroes. She has had to endure some difficult things in her life, however, she still manages to put on a smile 99% of the time. She truly radiates Jesus every day. She is generally so patient and gentle, yet when she fails in that area she is quick to make it right. She is such an example to me, as it has taken me quite a long time to be like she is at all, and the Lord has put that in her heart at such an early age. She is working hard at high school, a junior. She is not sure what she will do when she graduates in 2016. I have encouraged her to take some time then to pray about it and see where God leads her. She loves also working with special needs. She hopes to lead a special needs worship dance camp this summer!

Then we have Jacob. He is growing in leaps and bounds the last year. He is close to 6 foot tall now. He is going through shoes every three months! Jacob has a true desire to learn about Jesus the last couple of years. It is exciting to watch his growth in that part of his life. He is also becoming more handy around the house. Jacob will be starting high school next year. It is so surreal to think about his beginning struggles in schooling. He was a very late reader, due to some possible dyslexia and a vision tracking problem. He didn't really read on his own until almost 10. However, in the last 5 years or so he has caught up in most areas of schooling. He is a very good student and a hard worker. I am thankful also for his sweet and joyful spirit.

Next is our gentle, patient and fun Moriah. She has a big birthday coming up in February. She will be 12. In our family 12 is a turning point from childhood to adulthood. It doesn't mean she will be considered fully an adult, obviously she still has maturing and growing to do. But it does mean we will encourage her to go deeper in lots of ways and be given more responsibilities and privileges.
She is such a gentle spirit. She is a favorite play mate to ALL of our children. She gets along with everyone and is creative and sweet. Moriah is entering 7th grade soon. She enjoys dance too.

Tobias is the next in line. He is the middle child with a huge passion for life. He still loves his Legos and doing things like puzzles, playing Army men, computer games, anything active, and listening to audio stories. He is doing well in 4th grade. He has dreams of becoming a Navy Seal someday. That sort of scares his Mommy, but we will trust God to have perfect plans for his life, whatever that may be. Since our move, he was able to move into his own room for the first time. It has been good for him to have a quiet place to retreat to when he needs it. Toby is the one to always make us smile.
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After Toby comes Lenea. She just turned 7 on New Years Eve. It is hard to believe she came into my arms that long ago. It feels like a blink. She is all girl. She loves dance, school, dolls, new clothes, her friends and family, to be a helper in the kitchen and to be a big sister. She does well in school. She took off in reading last summer but isn't to the point of preferring to pick up a book just yet for enjoyment. She did get some pretty reading glasses last week, and she wants to wear them all day long. I appreciate the way Lenea always wants to snuggle. Maybe it is because she was the "baby" of the family, but I will always welcome hugs and kisses from kids. Especially, now that I have experienced one moving far away.

Following Lenea we have the 4, four year olds...
Asher is the oldest and the one who has been with us the longest. Last November, it was 3 years since we went to China and became adoptive parents. It has brought so much joy and privilege and blessing into my life. It has also challenged me in so many ways. It keeps me on my knees. It gives me many things to keep learning and experiencing.

So Asher is all B.O.Y. He is strong, brave, smart, fun, active, a leader, and snuggly too. He is definitely the "First Born" of the adoptive 4 year olds. He has to be redirected often not to "boss" everyone. He is sweet though, and can usually be persuaded to do the right thing. He is also starting to ask some good questions about Jesus and why He died for us. It is such a joy to see faith through a child's eyes. Asher still has some speech issues that he will deal with, likely until his cleft is fully repaired at about age 8-10 with a bone graft. He speaks well besides those cleft related sounds.
He did experience his first ear infection and sinus infection just a few weeks ago. It was miserable for him. His first antibiotic he had a reaction too. The second seemed to work fine, but his ears are still itchy. So next week back to the ENT. I know that God has amazing plans for this boy. I am so blessed to be his Mommy.

Elliana is the next after Asher. Ellie has many issues daily that requires full-time care. I am sure it is only doable because there are many older children here to help us. We all find great joy in working with her, teaching her, playing with her and holding her. She is so smart and is even beginning to say some more works. She does lots of therapies: speech, occupational, physical, behavior, and we just started trying something new to us, called Anat Baniel Method. The testimonies that I have read are all very positive and encouraging. It is certain manipulations of the body to open up new neuro pathways, which will make new connections in the brain and help the person to do things they couldn't do before.

After Ellie is Addie, and she began this post. So I will go onto our baby. Isaiah!!!
Isaiah is doing pretty well. He had another heart cath in December. He did well. He also has been sleeping so much better since his tonsils were removed last May. To not have to use the CPAP is wonderful! He had an appointment with his cardiologist just today. His pulmonary valve is working well although that left pulmonary artery keeps narrowing after 6-9 months. The next step is a profusion Scan, which will measure how much oxygen is going to each lung. This will help them to decide what future steps are needed or not, to keep his lung developing properly. He has been otherwise healthy. His speech is very delayed though, so there is a thought that maybe his lack of O2 in the first months of his life might have caused some damage to his brain development. So he will be having an appointment with a neurologist next...Isaiah is the gentle, snuggly, loving, curious George if our house. He tries hard to keep up with Asher, they are two bosom buddies. However, sometimes Asher is too intense for him, and he and Addie or Ellie hang out in a quieter way, which I think Isaiah prefers. Again, so blessed to be called Mommy by this gentle little guy.

We all just got back from an amazing trip to Disney World for Isaiah's Make  A Wish. I will be posting lots of pictures soon!

I wanted to do this updated blog first.

I look forward to new adventures and experiences and relationships this New Year. May our God, continue to keep me on my knees and humble.

Health To A Better Way

I have always been interested in health, nutrition, exercise and supplements (aka vitamins, minerals, herbs, essential oils, anything that will enhance the body in natural health and healing).

Before I met Jay (at the young age of 19) I was going to school, aspiring to become a Nutritionist. Even after getting married (only 3 months after meeting him) and having a child a year later, I still went to college working toward that goal. 

However, when Tyler was 2 years old we moved to another state, which "temporarily" put my college on hold since we weren't residents and it would be too expensive. Shortly after that move, I was expecting Makenna and at the same time began seriously thinking about homeschooling my children. God, also at that time, brought me to a full surrendering my life to him. I had always known Him, "loved" Him and believed in Jesus, but I had not really ever understood what it meant to give my life to Him, I had always lived for self. So going back to college to have a career was not a strong desire any longer. Teaching my children and following the Lord was. So I gave up college at that time in my life. Honestly, I can say, I have No regrets!

Still health and nutrition interested me. I had a family I was managing, responsible for what they ate and how they spent their free time. My eating and cooking have been through quite the journey: typical American diet of junk, fast food, and empty calories as a kid, to then starving myself to lose "5-10" lbs, "because I never had a flat tummy." When I finally got to a "normal" weight I went from vegetarianism, to low fat, low carbs, low calories, only God-made foods, then back to the freedom of all foods (even junk again but in moderation)...Through all of that, having 7 biological babies, and when I turned 35 something wouldn't budge. My "baby" weight would not come off with the typical nursing, exercise and portion control. 

After the birth of my last "baby" (she is now 6), I finally got a sensible doctor who diagnosed me with hypothyroidism and low adrenals, so I began medication that has helped my energy tremendously. Unfortunately, since then I have had 20-25 lbs that I struggle back and forth with, losing and gaining back, never even reaching my pre-baby weight. It is yo-yo body, which I try not to be obsessive about or put as an idol before God. I know my weight and health is not something God wants me to put above Him. Nor do I want my children to see me as vain in my appearance; which might cause them to struggle inward about themselves. It is true though that when I am at a more normal weight for me, get in some exercise, and eat better I feel all around healthier with lots more energy, less aches in my joints, more clear minded and sleep better. 

So how do I find a balance that is safe, healthy and not idolatry? One that will keep the last half of my life on this earth, Lord willing, be one that is free from undue aches and pains, but also one that is not so strict that I can't enjoy living or cooking or fellowship with other friends around the dinner table? Not to mention I want to stay attractive for my husband. He has always been so kind and loving toward my many pregnancies and after baby weight. He insists he loves the way I look, which I believe him, but I think he just might enjoy a bit healthier wife. I am in no way advocating "skinny minnie" either. I believe, my matronly figure was earned and I am proud of it. I believe muscle is key to keeping things in place, keeping bones strong and bodies be healthy looking. I am also not speaking about body building types. While I do have some muscle under my thin layers of fat that I would prefer to stand out, body building is not for me

I am so excited to say that I believe I have found a wonderful answer to a healthy, easy, delicious, balanced approach that seems to work. 

The book Trim Healthy Mama by Serene Allison and Pearl Barrett. 

It was a Christmas request that I had asked for and received from the kids. I have always enjoyed Nancy Campbell's Above Rubies magazine and her Bible studies. I also have a couple of Serene and Pearl's music CDS. I was very excited to hear about this book the sisters had been working on for 5 years. I had heard amazing reviews about it.

It is a bit on the "expensive" side as books go. But I tell you I would pay double the price for what I have learned so far and all the recipes I have tried are really good and easy. I have been reading the book a couple hours every week since I got it for Christmas and still only about half way through it. There is a lot to learn and put into change. It is nothing like I have ever read or considered and I have read probably 25 books on nutrition, dieting, health etc. I am definitely going to recommend this book to every Mama I know! Just a little disclaimer, this book definitely has some topics that are not "Kid Approved", or maybe even Husband friendly. It is written toward married Mamas. My girls have enjoyed hearing me tell them about the content as to how the eating works for us to keep our weight managed and they have enjoyed the recipe section, but they have been warned to stay away from the rest of the content.

I am beginning to put some of the principles into practice which have been simple, satisfying and so delicious. The principles are not only biblical but they have been easy to put into practice and my family have been enjoying everything as well. I know, without a doubt, that it will be principles that I will easily be able to manage for the rest of my life. And in just a week's time of doing some of the program I have lost about 2 lbs (I am still learning and trying to figure how it will exactly work for my lifestyle). I haven't measured myself yet either but one pair of my pants are getting quite baggy in just that same week. 

I hope to give some progress as I go and learn. I also plan to continue and up my exercise with T-Tapp to 3-4 times a week. When I am faithfully doing T-Tapp I don't have back, hip or neck pain at all. The stretching and strengthening not only help you create more lean muscle mass but it keeps those injured body areas pain free. You can go to the above link and try some of her free exercises. Right now my new favorite is Lady Bug. It is supposed o be great for your hormones too!

Here is a before photo of me taken. This sweater isn't the most flattering, but that is okay. I wanted this "Before Photo" to be me at one of my worst looking days.

And here are a few links to get you started in learning about it. Let me know what you think.

Trim Healthy Mama Forum

Gwen's Nest Blog

This last link is a blog I found last night and she has lost 40 lbs on this diet in 6 months and maintained it. She has some delicious looking recipes. I already tried this milkshake recipe this morning for breakfast (yes breakfast, although I added a scoop of Jay Robb's chocolate whey protein powder) and it was amazing.

Thin Mint Peppermint Chocolate Chip Milkshake

There Once Was Two Christmas Trees

Each weekend after Thanksgiving, like most Americans I think, we pull out all the Christmas decorations. The children are giddy with delight knowing some of their favorite books will be coming out on display and that a beautiful tree will once again deck our living room for the next month.
This year I think Lenea (almost 6) and Asher (almost 4) were the most excited about it. Lenea was so sweet she said, "Putting up the Christmas tree makes me jump for joy!" and Asher kept looking at after it was set up asking if it would still be there in the morning, so mesmerized with the lights.

 The troops so excited to actually build the tree. 

Asher kept putting ornaments on the same branches.. That is okay, I went back later and rearranged them a bit, keeping the more fragile ones near the top as well.

Here was my very excited, almost 6 year old...

And Toby was excited, he just is learning to contain himself a bit more with age.

Our decorations won't win a prize photo on a magazine. They are simple and out-dated. I think those trees in magazines and fancy stores are beautiful, but they have never been my style. I prefer Christmas time to be traditions (which for me includes the same old ornaments from years ago), memories and most importantly of Christ. So I believe 90 % of our ornaments have a special meaning behind them. I also got rid of most of the decorations that really emphasize Santa. I know many people do Santa and that is there thing, but it hasn't been our thing for over 18 years. We began doing stockings again last year, which the kids know Mom and Dad fill; and we talk about St. Nicholas. However, our children all know Santa is not real. I remind them to be discreet to our friends who might celebrate that way, as it the parents choice in how they lead their children and families. However, we have always emphasized honesty. When I realized I was actually lying to my child and putting Santa ahead of Jesus we stopped playing the game, and haven't missed it at all. We didn't want them to think we might have also been lying about the Lord Jesus' birth as well.

So back to the decorations, I do buy new ornaments for all the kids each year. I try to buy something meaningful for the previous year we just finished. This year they each got a very pretty hand embroidered Chinese ornament, except I forgot to buy myself one. 

We will send their boxes of ornaments with them when they start their own families. Then they will have sweet memories to begin sharing with their children. And I will have room to buy some new ornaments for Jay and Me! 

Our ornaments include some strange looking ornaments, adorable hand- made ornaments by children, special ornaments my precious grandmother painstakingly sewed by hand, even some broken ones that are too meaningful to me to rid of but I never seem to make time to fix either. Here is one of the precious ones my grandmother made the year before she died almost 22 years ago.

Each of her ornaments were hand sewn with various beading and ribbons and lace, with her very arthritic hands. Each of them had two different sides, and each with unique designs. I am still in love with them. I think I have about 15 or 20 different ones, plus the ones I have given my children. She also made birds that are just so sweet. You know one thing that I love too, is that if I close my eyes and take a big smell I can actually smell her on them. I know it seems strange but it is true. I am thankful for the Lord giving me that "realness" of her. 
I have made a few in my day but stopped a while back when time became too filled with other things. I plan to return to this hobby again, maybe when I am grandmother. I know she would be happy to know that.

Well after our tree was complete, we realized that it was a bit lop-sided. Afterall, we have had this tree for I think 8 years now, it was a half off special at Walmart, we paid $50 I think. But Jay put a little something under the weak side to lift it up. Unfortunately, 2 days later it toppled over! Thankfully, no one got hurt.

So off to hunt for a new Christmas tree. When I was young we did live trees. Jay and I bought live tress until we moved to AZ 20 years ago. Most people in AZ don't buy live trees because the trees there are so dry and more of a fire hazard than usual. Now since moving to CO we have learned that myself and most of our children have pine tree allergies, so live is out. I miss the wonderful smell!

I found a pretty tree, not as tall as I wanted but pretty enough and the lights are already on the tree. I could not believe how much they have gone up in price..On sale at Lowes I spend over $150 for this tree and it is much smaller than the one that fell down. So the kids got to decorate two trees this year. 

 Sweet Ellie even got in on the fun. I just love her smile!

 Isaiah was being a goof ball with his cheesy smile. I am just so thankful he is smiling like he is and has some extra energy after his heart surgery. Praise God.

 And Yes, Lenea was just as excited to decorate another tree. She is a sweet big sister.

And here is our finished tree, the second one. I hope this one lasts a long time too. 

Our "Labor" Day Project

After the big "storm" from a few weeks ago we knew it would be time to repaint our house as well. It has been almost 10 years and I don't think they greatest paint was originally used when we bought the house. 

After much looking around at other colors of houses I liked and looking at many swatches I decided on a color called "Rustic Suede" at Lowes. Several people suggested Home Depot paint over Lowes, but I just could not find a sample of that same color. 

It is a darker grey. Some greys have a bluish hint, some have a greener hint, some of them look almost black, some of them look like dirty water. I wanted this one and Home Depot just didn't having what I wanted. So hubby said, "Let's just go with Lowes, their paint should be fine."

He bought a small can and put it on one spot (Jay surprised me one day when I was out shopping) and I loved it. I knew that was exactly what I wanted. So 15 gallons of paint later, the painting  has begun. 

We also put primer on first. I know the paint has primer in it. However, the fence guy who cleaned and refinished our fence after the storm noticed that because we have aspen trees there was mold deposits on our fence. He also found some around the house. He suggested when we paint we use primer first, as just the paint/primer mix alone would not kill the spores and he said they would come through the paint. So we took his advice and primed first. 

My strong, handsome and hard working husband has done so much. Honestly, I only helped paint for about 2 hours. Yes, we are hand painting it. All the children from Lenea on up have helped some too. We were also blessed with 5 young ladies from church today for a few hours. And with 3 days of working almost non-stop for my husband the house is only about half done. But it looks awesome! I can't wait until it is all done. Have I told you how much I love my husband? Thank you honey, you Rock, even with your sunburned calves.

 My handsome husband..

 What color is our house? We have the original light green, the white primer and a sampling of the grey.

 Lenea wanted to help too. She was covered when she was done, but she had fun.

 Mo helping as usual.

 Toby loved being a big helper too, but he was more covered than Lenea was.. It will be days before all the paint is off of him.

 Eliza, you are getting too big , too fast.. where has the time gone? Thanks for all your service to our family.  
Makenna and Jacob helped a ton too, I just don't have photos of them.

Here is the end of the day today the front of the house. Do you like our new garage door too? That was pretty dinged up from the hail so insurance gave us a new one. I love it.

A Storm

Last Saturday afternoon, our county was in the middle of a huge thunderstorm, and under a Tornado Warning. Everyone was home and we cautiously began watching the skies, following the emergency notification on our phones.

We could see the skies were not the typical thunderstorm look. Jay began teaching the kids right away about what to look for in the clouds with tornadoes. It was nearing the end of nap time, but Asher and Isaiah were still asleep. I kept watching to see how quickly the storm was approaching us from the north, debating if I should wake the boys. I got Asher first and gave him some snuggles. Then realized I didn't have much time before our skies would be black, so I also woke Isaiah and gave him his bottle.

Jay then noticed to the south of us, as it seemed there were two cells merging from the south and north, that a tornado was about to form. He called out, "Do you want to see a tornado?" Most of us came quickly out, except for poor Lenea who then began to cry in panic, wanting nothing to do with tornadoes. We did almost see a tornado form, but it subsided. However, we did learn that in that same area there was a tornado, so likely just a few minutes later. I urged everyone to head inside and downstairs.

Within in a few minutes of getting to the basement the hail began. We could hear wind whipping around, hail pounding the house and thunder around us. Lenea kept crying, she was very scared, poor thing. I remember feeling that way when I was her age, and where I grew up we didn't have storms even close to this level of noise. So we began praying out loud and I reassured her that God was in control of the storm, holding it in the palm of His hand. I reminded her that we could trust Him. 

After about 20 minutes of hail pelting the house, Jay went to the bathroom and came back a few minutes later telling us that water was in the guest bedroom window well, coming into the house and he needed to get the shop vac. (We had a small one he had just borrowed from his work. ) The kids all went to look and we soon noticed it was also coming into the girls room and our school room. The window in the guest room had it the most. 

The kids had recently been playing by that area outside, digging up the dirt. The drain pipe from the gutter also was located right there. With the combination of huge amounts of hail melting from the roof, coming into the window well and not so well packed dirt, it looked like a fish bowl in the window. Unfortunately, it was coming in fast!

Jay used the shop vac for about 10 minutes when it stop working. He decided he would need to go run to the store to buy a new one. At that time the hail had stopped, although it was still raining. Half of the children went outside and began bucketing the water out of the window and shoveling away the melting hail near it. They used buckets to catch the water from the gutter drain and dumped it else where. A couple of other children went from room to room catching the water they could with buckets and garbage cans. We had every towel in the house attempting to soak it up, that lasted about 5 minutes and only caused a  bunch of laundry. 

I kept the littles out of the way and occupied. It was quite an adventure. Everyone worked hard and diligently as a team, which made this Mama proud.

In the end, we will need a new roof, fixed fence, likely some new paint (which we were just about to paint ourselves..so glad that didn't happen yet), and some new gutters. Some of our trees might die, especially our baby plum trees.  Our van has $4500 worth of damage. Thankfully, I had Jay put his car in the garage right before the storm hit. Makenna's car has some damage, but we likely will not pay the deductible to get it fixed. We also need a new carpet pad for the guest room. We "think" we saved the carpet.

Lessons I learned from this storm:

God is bigger than anything. I recalled the days of being Lenea's age and crying with fear from thunder. It just seemed too big for my mind to grasp and it WAS bigger and stronger than me. This storm, I realized that even with a potential tornado by our house and damage being done to our house by the weather, I had no fear. My physical body was a bit under stress, but not badly. I felt peace in the storm that was abundant. It was only God and He was in control.

We prayed that our house would not get torn down by a tornado (Lenea's words). But we forgot to pray that it would not get water damage. Unfortunately, typical home owners insurance does not cover this type of basement damage due to melting hail and rain coming into the window wells. We do not live in a flood zone to did not have an extra flood policy. Once the water hits the ground, it is considered "flood". If it would have come in due to the hail breaking a window it would have been covered. So we should have prayed for no water entering our house. 

Even in the midst of the chaos, my husband and children were amazing!! I see so much growth in our family the last couple of years. Even with the sibling bickering and complaining that goes on, some times day to day, when there is a need they are a team. I have always taught my children that they should be each other's best friends. I know that truth be told, they are the longest relationship that will exist in each of their lives. Think about it, they were babies together and will maybe live 80 years.. That is 70-80 years of a potential friendship. If they don't realize that while they are growing up they will be missing out in a huge blessing that the Lord designed. He put them together in a family.

I did not worry or have anxiety when I saw the damage that was happening to our house. I know it will cost thousands of dollars to fix. Thankfully, insurance will pay the bulk of it. But it will be a hassle and a lot of work. However, I am okay with it all. If God took it all away, I need to be okay with that too. 

Thank you Lord, for the wonderful lessons you taught me.

 All of our yard looked like this, with a few spots of 12 inch mounds. It looked like snow. We saw some areas the next morning that still had ice that had not melted, so obviously got a LOT more than we did even.

 This was about the size of our biggest hail pieces found. However, there were reports of baseball size hail south of us a few miles breaking windows.

 Moriah and Toby working at soaking up the water coming in. Unfortunately, that bench under the window was filled with some of our favorite curriculum sets. As soon as we saw the water coming in I had 3 kids in there helping me pull it out as quickly as we could. Thus all the books on the table. I realize a few days after the storm that another important thing that was on the bench was a file folder that was holding adoption paperwork from Ellie and Isaiah, from China. Several documents were wet, they are drying out now in attempt to save them. 

 A lot of our plants were shredded. 

Here is the guest room window well. It would have easily filled to the top if everyone hadn't have worked hard and fast to keep it from all coming in. It looks like we should get some fish!

How We Spent Our 4th of July

It was nice to have Jay off an extra day this week. Sadly, tomorrow he and the kids have work and school. I am sure getting up early after a fun, late day will be a bit difficult. But at least it is Friday.

Here are some photos from the simple events in "traditional" 4th of July celebration in our home.

 Isaiah and Elliana looking so adorable in their red, white and blue.

 Two precious sisters, daughters, and friends..Mo Mo and Nay Nay

 This toy, was not meant for riding on really, but it is just her size and she get herself around pretty well. She loves it.

 Now the yearly water fight battle begins.. This is serious business.

 I am telling you it is very, very serious.

 Last year we had a firework ban so Toby, our creative son invented "Water works". Weeks prior to the 4th he saves all the empty shampoo, soap, vitamin bottles etc that I allow him to get his hands on. Then the kids created them into a water explosion of some sort. This year they even put food coloring into the water.

 Ellie had fun with her little water balloon that would not pop. Which was just great fun for her. She kept throwing it and Moriah retrieved it for her each time, for about 15 minutes it kept her occupied. 

 Asher having fun and working hard at these bubbles.

 Elliana and Eliza posing for the camera, as Eliza attempts to show her to throw down the Pop Its..one of children's highlights of the holiday.

 She was so excited as she made it "pop"! Here with Makenna.

 Our typical serious little boy, we got some big smiles from him when he figured out how to "pop" the Pop Its.

 Lenea, Jacob and Toby gearing up to watch the Fire Works.

 Nothing as fun as a little feet smooching on a baby boy.

 Asher was afraid of the firework sounds so he got to wear some shooting head protection. What a sweet cheesy smile.

After this little show we had in our front yard, Jay took most of the children down the road to watch some professional Fire Works Show. I stayed back for the 3 littlest to get to bed. 

Happy 4th of July!

Planting Grass

Before heading to China, Jay and the children, and the help from a friend (Thanks Ron!) worked hard at getting our yard ready to plant grass. It was "supposed" be done before heading to China. But we were in such a rush to go (only 5 days to make travel arrangements and pack, etc) and Jay ran into sprinkler issues so it was not completed.

But this last weekend we got some discounted sod and they put it in all in one day. I am so happy to have grass again. I could do a happy dance. 

 Before...

 Just beginning....

 One of the cutest helpers in the world..sweet Lenea..

 And one of the other cutest helpers in the world...sweet Liza Lou.

Finished product...Now onto the big water bill for the month of July. See our two little baby tress back by the fence. We planted those last summer and the one of the right is dead. I don't have it in this  photo but the next day we were able to replace it with a new from the nursery who gives you a year warranty. So we have two cute little plum trees growing there too. Next project is the fix the broken play house to the right and the swing set.

Catch Up Post: Adoption, China, Adjustment, Life

Our VPN wasn't working most of the time in China, therefore it was impossible to blog while there. AND I was so busy with little people it probably wouldn't have been much anyway.

We came home on June 8th, after 30 hours of travel time. Can I just say I really, really dislike that long airplane ride? The babies hated it and we held them while they fussed, cried, tossed in their 30 minute catnaps and Isaiah even got air sick the last hour for the long flight. We went to 4 airports, 3 flights.

I will post a bunch of photos and write captions to give a glimpse of our 18 days traveling to China and home. It really was a wonderful adoption trip. We had a tiny spout of stomach sickness with my teens and Jay, which lasted about 24 hours. I had sinus issues I think from the pollution, since it has mostly cleared the last 48 hours. I had a very bad stomach ache the night before we left and I was worried to get on the plane. After praying a lot through the night it cleared up. The babies were not sick at all, slept great. Ellie is quite attached to Mama and Isaiah to Daddy. They both are accepting of the other parent more and more each day.

Ellie's personality is a go-getter, strong, determined, feisty and sweet all in one very tiny package. She weighed a little under 19 lbs at Gotcha Day and today at the doctor was 20 lbs exactly. she fits pretty well into size 12 months except for her waist needs more like a 6 month. She LOVES food and loves to move. She loves clothes and odd things to look and play with. She is all baby. She doesn't talk at all, sometimes baby babble. She grunts a lot, cries loudly, and is learning to sign. She can not walk on her own, but loves to be walked around holding tight onto your hands. She "crawls" with a bent leg in criss-cross position and pulls herself forward. She is very delayed, but very smart. We suspect intestinal parasites which she is getting tested for right now. She loves to snuggle in the Ergo and be walked around. She smiles all the time and can get a sweet little giggle when being tossed into the air. We are suspecting her delays are more than just institutional, maybe Cerebral Palsy. We are not concerned though and the doctor wants to get her into PT, OT and ST as soon as we can before we go the neurological route and see how she improves. He said treatment is the same either way. She is teething molars and I think it has been making it a little crabby the last few days. She loves to investigate her new home. In spite of the fact that she has not the full capability to control her hands and arms, she can give a good right hook when she is mad. She has been sleeping better the last few nights. The first 3 nights we were home she screamed half the the night. We have put back in her little crib with a weighted blanket and added some essential oils to see if that helps, along with Ibuprofen for teething. All of the above seem to help her sleep "most" of the night. She has been waking lately for a midnight bottle, which I am gladly giving her. She is always wanting to eat, I am just thinking for 3 years she was hungry and she has a lot of catching up to do. I think she is going to have no problems gaining weight. What a sweet blessing she is.

Isaiah's personality is a lot different than hers. He is quiet, whiny, withdrawn and serious, with a bit of silly grin he is hiding under it all. He will not speak to us or sign very much at all. We have made small steps in getting him to sign "more" or "please" when he wants something. And I have heard him say "Dadda" and "Mama" on occasion. He only weights 22 lbs, is long and very lean. He doesn't smile often, but when he does his whole face lights up. He loves his belly kissed and we can get a huge belly laugh from that experience. He barely eats at all, but will take about 4oz of milk from a bottle several times a day and he likes to drink water from a Camelbak. He loves Daddy, since Jay had him from Gotcha day and 5 days without me. He wanted nothing to do with me the first couple days I was with him. Our first step in getting him to let me feed him was Jay holding him while I held the bottle. It was a step and just a day or so later he let me hold him with the bottle alone. He barely walks and when he does it was with straight legs. We "think" he was held a lot in his orphanage and in the crib. His nannies all loved him. When Jay took him for an orphanage visit one nanny said a blessing over him. Isaiah cried with delight to see his best friend in her crib (very bad hydrocephalus) and then he cried tears of anguish to leave her. Jay said it was heart wrenching to make them part. Isaiah seems to be deeply grieving. But he is slowly, being healed and opening up his heart to us. He has a very large pigeon chest from his last heart surgery, which we weren't aware of. He seems to not be bothered by it, but he doesn't lie on it very heavily. It will be interesting to hear what the heart surgeon thinks of it and if they will do anything to repair it. I think they have to rebreak the sternum to fix it.  He is a champion sleeper which has saved me with Ellie not sleeping so good, always. He does fuss in his sleep quite a bit, snore and seem short of a breath with some coughing while he sleeps. The doctor does not believe is due to his heart, maybe asthma, reflux or a residual from recent illness he might have had. We will see the heart surgeon in 10 days. When he needs me by fussing at night (his crib is next to our bed) I just hold his hand and he likes that.

So life at home is going well. Amazingly, laundry and cleaning are pretty great, due to my awesome older and younger helpers. We won't look in my bedroom though okay? Jay went back to work one day last week. I did not feel overwhelmed, but I was tired. I sat on the ground with the littles a lot. I am going to need to get more adventurous with them sooner or later. But for the first few weeks we are just getting to know each other and let them experience their siblings and new home. It has been a huge blessing to have a few meals come for the first few weeks. I know prayers are being said daily for us, I feel them. The older children love their new siblings. I am finding a bit hard to find the balance between working on bonding with new kiddos and keeping relationships with other children. I so appreciate all the grace, mercy and understanding my other children have given me through this transition. I think the fog has lifted from jet-lag, but my emotions feel a bit all over the place sometimes. Not quite as bad as post-partum hormones but maybe about 25 percent of that.

Here are the photos:

May 27, 2013 Elliana Kate Jun "Gotcha Day" Her Nanny (not this lady in the photo) gave her to me and from the get go Ellie was screaming and scared. She cried the entire 90 minutes we spent waiting for paperwork to be finalized for all the families in this room. Once we left the building and went to Walmart and she willingly took food from me she calmed down. We had a hard, whiny and crying day with her. By the following day she was better and each day after became more and more attached to me.

May 27, 2013 Isaiah Calvert Tao (Tao Tao) Gotcha Day. He was whimpering and scared. But quickly warmed up to Daddy.

May 28, 2013 Isaiah is officially our son."Adoption Day"!

May 28, 2013 Ellie is officially our daughter "Adoption Day" for her as well. She is starting to really love the Ergo as well.

Sweet, serious and somber little Isaiah. But in the photo by the baby (that is his friend) he was very gentle and loving toward her. We can see beautiful glimpses of a  little lover child. These photos were his visit to the orphanage.

Just a little comparison of Ellie from the first week to the second week we had her. The first photo we had her for just one day. She was curious but not wanting to smile much. The photos in the stroller were the second week. You can see a little brighter bounce in her eyes and of the course her smile is precious.

Our first day back together, after a short night's sleep. This was us waiting at the Medical Check up for the littles. So happy to be reunited.

These photos were at the Chen Ancestral Hall in Guangzhou (including the one of Jacob posing with the statues) and the Pearl Market. I bought some pearls for Ellie, Isaiah's future wife and Makenna for a graduation gift and some earings for myself and Eliza. They had bags and bags of colored pearls. You pick what strand you want and they make it into a necklace for you. This is where they tie each pearl individually. I think it took them about 5 minutes for each necklace. They were fast. I paid 60 American dollars for each necklace. They are simple and elegant.

A man, painting the names of the children inside a pretty handpainted blown glass jar I picked out for them. I think shopping was one of the highlights of the trip for me. I brought home many gifts for the children to give them on birthdays for the coming 2 decades I think.

Shopping on Shaiman Island.

Asher posing with a statue on Shaiman Island. Cute boy!

Lunch at Lucy's on Shaiman Island. I had just walked through a huge thunder storm to meet them for lunch after shopping at an amazing store owned by the agency that helps kids needing adoption. A Gift of Love is the name of the store.

(not the greatest photo of us) but I wanted you to see our first attempts at having Isaiah let me feed him. This was our 3 day together and he still would not snuggle me or take a bottle or food from me. So Daddy held him, while I held the bottle and it worked. Accept that Ellie was jealous and Asher wanted to be a part of the action too. Oh well..progress was made.

More times with me feeding my two "little birdies" noodles. They kids love noodles and they sat on each side of me and opened mouths wide while I put them in. They were very excited and happy with this game. And the bonding was moving along...

One of the daily highlights for Asher was the Koi Fish pond at our hotel by the breakfast room. He took bread every day and fed the fish. Isaiah liked it too.

One of the fun things we got to do with the other families from our agency was the Pearl River Dinner Cruise. These photos were from that evening. The one building that I got a good picture of was my favorite. It changed colors that spiraled up to the top of the building, including "rainbow".

June 5, 2013 our Ellie turned 3. We shared that evening with another family I will post next and their Reece who turned 3 as well that day and was from Ellie's province. She LOVED the cheesecake.

Wes, Heather and Reece from Alabama.

Adam, Jessica and Samuel. This little boy is the one we prayed about at the same time whether to adopt as we looked at Isaiah's file. We obviously God led us to choose Isaiah, but this little guy was precious too and we were double blessed to be there the same time he was getting adopted and meet his sweet family.

Robin, Andrew and Levi. Levi was a precious boy which Asher became fast friends with.

 We are so glad we brought Jacob and Eliza, they were instrumental and we couldn't have managed without them. I think they had a lot of fun too.

New parents....we are so blessed...