Persistence

I have to preface this picture with the fact that this girl LOVES to eat.  It is her happiest times of the day, every single day!  When it's meal time, it's time to get down to business, with no messin' around.  Well, to her, for the first two months of being home, praying before meal times was considered "messin' around", and we usually prayed quickly, while she fussed and hollered for her plate of food to be delivered!  Tonight, for the first time, after working on it for so long, she stopped, bowed her head and folded her cute little hands and closed her eyes while we prayed.  Okay, so I have to admit that NONE of the rest of the family had their eyes closed after we saw what she was doing, and we all clapped and clapped after prayer.  What a sweet, sweet moment that I (we) will never forget!  Yes, THANK YOU, Lord, for our food, and for our many blessings, including this sweet one!

(and no, I don't photo every prayer time, we had a re-enactment after dinner was done!)

The girls....

The beautiful grown up girl in this picture is my niece, Kaylee!  She's really more like a big sister to my girls, and she's AMAZING!  She would do anything for my girls, and has spent hours playing with, entertaining and loving them since the day Allyson came home!  Kaylee was so excited to finally have a GIRL cousin!  And my girls.... they think that "KayKay" can pretty much do anything! 

It's taken a little bit for Ella Grace to warm up to KayKay, but she hasn't given up!  She stops by often after school just to spend a few minutes playing with Ella Grace and bonding with her!  She brings her friends down to meet Ella Grace, cause she's just so excited to show her off!  All of her hard work has paid off.... Last night in church, Ella Grace started pointing behind me and putting her arms out... she had spotted her KayKay and wanted to go to her! 

Kaylee is going to adopt LOTS of kids from China one day (we've already discussed it), and I can't wait for the day that she brings her first little one home!  But for now, I'm so thankful that she wants to invest so much into my little girls!   Love you, KayKay!!!

LOVE IS....

....A big brother who brings home a book of sign language, so he can teach his baby sister how to better communicate! 

He has the book memorized after reading through it (so wish I had that ability!) and we can ask him just about anything and he can show us the sign.  We are working on more signs for Ella Grace, but her favorite sign, by far, is "more" and "eat"!  She giggles every time! 

Sweet Saturday!

Breaking her into the GOOD stuff!!!

39..... and holding....

I feel like I have blinked, and I'm now staring in the face of the big 4-0.  Let's not get too hasty, though, I'm going to enjoy year 39 first!  I really think I'd like to call it quits on getting older from here...having a 3 at the front of my number makes me feel young... doesn't necessarily mean that I am, but makes me feel that way, at least!  

My parents drove 4 hours on Monday to surprise me and take us out to dinner!  I was so excited to see them.  We had a great time with my family, and then we were able to celebrate with our family of 6 on my actual birthday.  Thanks so much, Mom and Dad.... it made my entire week to see you all!

 

My first order of business on my birthday, is to always get a good picture of me with my little blessings, so I was really excited to get a good one with all four kids this year, which is not an easy task!  I LOVE the result this year, I think, because it's just still amazing to see myself surrounded by FOUR kids!  Each one is an amazing gift far beyond what I deserve!

I got to open my present before we left for dinner and was so "surprised" to find what I have been asking for!  Wink, wink!  My parents, in-laws and hubby all went in together to get me an i-pad!  And just as a little side, it's a refurbished i-pad.... can't imagine EVER spending what these things cost brand new!  I'm pretty excited, but, so far, my kids know way more about it than I do!  I will get the hang of it, and it will be fun to play with.  I mostly wanted it for educational apps for the girls to use, and as a fun toy for me, too!

We went to dinner at Red Robin, and ended the evening going to Dairy Queen where we used our buy one get one free coupons for blizzards!  Really fun night, spent with my favorite people on the planet!

I feel so very blessed with all the many ways that God has continued to shower me with His lovingkindness.  I praise Him for another year of life, and pray that He allows me to continue enjoying every single day! 

While I enjoyed my day, my heart was in constant prayer for a bloggy friend, who I have followed for about three years.  She has 2 kids from Korea, her daughter is the same age as Allyson.  She was in surgery yesterday for a mass, and was diagnosed with Stage 3 Ovarian Cancer.  My heart is heavy for her and her beautiful family, and I know they would appreciate your prayers as they navigate this tough road ahead.  Thankfully, they know the Lord, and are relying on Him through this trial.  Please pray for Melissa at Life as a Lewis.

Ella Grace and the Doctor Visit....

Well, first, we had a little practice session at home, and I think things checked out JUST fine!

I have to say, first of all, that with our insurance, we have to see Doctor's who are in our group plan.  I was referred to a doctor who is supposedly a "specialist" in Down Syndrome, and after our first visit, I can assure you that she was/is not an expert in the field by any means.  We really were extremely disappointed in the visit we got, and we had to request every single test that was ordered.  Their initial feedback, after being seen one time, was come back at age 5 for a well-check.  Ella Grace is terribly underweight and tiny, and I know we need to have her weight checked again before NEXT year.  We were left with big question marks regarding her immunizations, and they left it at, "come back at age 5 for regular immunizations".  Needless to say, we know we are going to have to find another doctor to take her in to see.  The question is, who do we take her to, who is in our group plan???  In the meantime, we asked for a referral to a pediatric cardiologist to have her heart re-checked, since she came home after having a major heart surgery.  We want to be sure that all checks out and is okay.  We really feel like she's doing well, but want to see the proof! 

We requested a whole slew of blood tests, as well as an x-ray to have her spine checked for atlantoaxial dislocation, which she would be a candidate for because of her extreme "floppiness".  There's no other way to describe her, she's extremely floppy in all of her limbs.

She has also has been referred to do a hearing screening, and will eventually visit a pediatric dentist, and opthamologist.  We want to have her heart checked out before we take her to have any other procedures done. 

We left the clinic, after her doctor's appointment, and decided to wait a few days to put her through the xrays/blood draw, so we will tackle those this week.  She handled the short visit with the doctor very well, and came in weighing 23 pounds and measuirng 32 inches tall.

We've GOT to find a doctor who will take all of her history into consideration and show some interest in her case.  She's been through SO much in her 4 years of life, and we want to make sure that she is doing well, and will continue to grow at a healthy pace.

We have her school evaluation scheduled for April 1st, where we will be able to recieve speech therapy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy.  We don't plan to send her to school at this point, but plan to take her in for scheduled visits for her therapy.  We will look at school options next year, when we feel like her bond with us is completely healthy.  She definitely knows we are her family, but I just can't imagine dropping her off, being so small and vulnerable at this point. 

I don't share all of this to sound like a "complainer", but just to express that sometimes it's hard to find the right care, and very frustrating, when you take the time to entrust your child to someone, only to find out they aren't equipped to care for your child.  We are hoping, that maybe, through the pediatric cardiologist, maybe we can see who they recommend, and hopefully to receive some clear direction to her care.  At this point, we feel as lost as when we started.... but now have a few tests scheduled, at least.  I'm just not comfortable with the fact that we had to request every single test, and I'm not sure that we have everything covered!  I will keep you updated as we continue on this journey!  

In the meantime, how about a little cuteness?  She's wearing her new dress from her Aunt Cheryl on her first Sunday at church!  Just LOVE this girl so much!

My Baby Boy....

Turned 11 today!  Seriously, where does the time go?  I ask this question all the time, and I never seem to get an answer!  We celebrated this weekend with family.  My parents came in to celebrate, and also to have their first meet with Ella Grace, who loved her Papa and Grandma! 

Jake, words can't express how very much we love you!  You are an amazing young man, and bring so much joy to our family!  I love the way you question EVERYTHING, because your mind is always working and processing and figuring everything out. 

 I love that you are BEST friends with your brother, and I love that you have such a tender heart towards your youngest sister.  She lights up when you walk in the room!

You and Allyson have your moments, but when you are getting along with each other, you are her best friend, as well.  She looks up to you in everything and wants to be just like you! 

Mom and Dad are so very proud of you and want you to know that we LOVE you so very much!  Eleven years has flown by, and I can't imagine how the next few are going to fly as well.  Our prayer for you is that you continue to grow in the Lord, and learn to put your complete trust in Him and His plan for your life!  You have such a HUGE heart, and we know that He has something special in store for you!