Friday, January 30, 2009

Ticklin' the Creative Bone

Well, as you can see I had a little free time today (okay NOT! but took it anyways) and re-decorated my blog. I had fun with "Cutest Blog on the Block" backgrounds which were so easy to just copy and paste a code and 'wa-laa' new blog background in a few seconds, yet I love the creating aspect of making my own.

I've never gotten into scrapbooking nor have I used any scrapbooking programs ~ just old fashioned PhotoShop and a little trial and error.

So, I'm pleased enough with this latest design that I think it'll be here for a while.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Feeling much better - you can see it in the eyes!

Standing on Grandma's turkey roasting pan - hoping she doesn't get caught!

Getting ready for some puzzle time.

Sporting her first "fountain top" ponytail - and I think loving it!

Loving the "cheesey" grin.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

A Week of Blessing

My dear sweet baby girl has been sick, really sick this past week with RSV (a respiratory virus that infects the lungs and breathing passages).

Now I can actually hear some of you asking "And how is that a blessing?"

I have had more mommy/daughter bonding time than anyone could ever ask for! I have hugged, rocked, held, cuddled, swaddled, sang to, swayed more hours in this past week, well than I could probably add up to since we've been home.

A week ago yesterday Abigail woke up with a mild cough that really didn't alarm any of us. It wasn't until late afternoon when she came down with a 103 degree fever that lasted all through the night and into the morning that really concerned us. Tylenol or ibuprofen had no affect what-so-ever, though we still tried. Upon waking the next morning she began what would be the longest week ever. Fevers ranging from 99 to 103 would be her norm, she was lethargic and wanted only to be held by me, she would cry at anything and everything. Cough, cough - cry, sneeze - cry, yawn - cry, Cry just because she can - cry. I say she was pathetic, but not in the patronizing way, but in the very sad way. She crackled in her chest anytime she breathed in/out. She truly was a mess.

After 3 days of no improvement, I took her to our Dr. who put her on an antibiotic - though her ears didn't look infected she suspected that maybe a slight pneumonia might be developing. 3 days on the medicine and still no marked improvement, in fact her temp that seemed to be hovering between 99-100 spiked to 102 on Saturday. So we made the decision to take her to Children's Hospital ER to have her evaluated which is where they diagnosed the RSV for us. They did x-ray her lungs just to be sure which came back clean for no pneumonia.

As I spent lots of hours in the rocking chair next to her bed, hubby said to me (about 4 days into this) "Well there is one blessing in all of this!" I of course replied, "oh really, what's that?" He returned, "At least she is here at home with HER family, HER mommy and daddy and brothers who love her so much. At least she has someone who will hold her, rock her, etc. Just imagine what it (was) would be like for her if she were this sick in the orphanage?" My heart broke just thinking about what it must have been like for her with any cold she may have had - how miserable she must have been to suffer alone! I hugged her even tighter, kissed her even more, told her how much I love her and how sorry I was that I couldn't have been there in her early months, but how incredibly blessed I am to have been here now! I let her know that it was going to be okay, that she was okay!

So, as I sit here and reflect back on my week, I wouldn't change any of it for a minute. I became more of Abigail's mommy to her and for that I am blessed.

Today, as I sat watching Abigail play in the bathtub I realized that today is January 27th, our LID. 3 years ago our paperwork officially became 'real' in China. A day that was filled with anxious anticipation month after month, year after year, but now will forever be seen as a blessing!

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Photo catch-up

I realized this morning that I had many pictures of Abigail that my intention was to post and never got around to it. So I figured why not start the week out with a little of this and a little of that.

So without further delay, I give you "Abigail in pictures"

making soup (or stewp for those of us who make a really thick soup)

There is a whole story that goes with this one. Abigail loves to carry around the boys bicycle pump (of course not knowing what to do with it...until now.) Noah decided to show her that when you press down on the handle air blows out the end and feels funny on your face, etc. So every time that Noah would press down, Abigail would open her mouth really wide.

THUS... I give you a new technique for mouth to mouth without all of the slobber/slime.




Here is Abigail showing off her 'wrestling' stance. Dalton would play with her and tell her to get into her wrestling stance, and every time she would crouch really low and throw her hands back, looking ready to charge her opponent - of course with a huge smile.


On of our 'baby' shower presents was a gift card to "Build-a'bear" (talk about a money making racket for sure - dolls and clothes and accessories and cars and tiaras and, and, and). So Friday night while at the mall we decided to use it for a grey kitty who wears "Hello Kitty" slippers. Abigail loves it and and carries it around saying "nooooww".

Well no Beethoven at the moment but we are working on it!

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Prayer Needed

I realize that my simple little blog doesn't attract too much attention or traffic for that matter, however there is a desperate situation that I have come across of another adopting 'blogger' family who just this morning has suffered the tremendous loss of their home to a fire. They have adopted many children into their family, a son from Korea, a son from China, most recently ( in December 2008) a son and daughter from Uganda and they are awaiting for their daughter from China.

You can visit their site at: A Place Called Simplicity (just click on the name to be taken to their site).

You can also catch updates as the Saunder's family may not be able to post from time to time here: JOY Unspeakable (again you can click on the name to be taken to their site).

Help is needed for this family! Would you please join me in praying for them as they deal with such an incredible loss.


***UPDATE: This morning the Saunder's family not only were dealing with the tragic loss of their home, but their son Graham was taken to the hospital for surgery for acute appendicitis. As if this family wasn't already experiencing enough trauma to their life. Your prayers are continually needed.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Taking a Vacation...

from my problems!!!
(for all those 'What about BOB' fans)

okay, so I can't say that I really have a whole lot of problems per se, rather it's more from the dreary weather we've had for the past month!

So with that I give you where my vacation would take me...to the SUN.




And then it's time for a FIESTA - Ole'
(at least baby cakes is ready)


Please, no autographs.


And of course, this face is worth coming back from vacation for!

Friday, January 09, 2009

Will it ever STOP!!!

Stranded, marooned, S.O.S.! These are all words to describe our current state of being. It wasn't enough to be subject to extreme winter snow weather we suffered during the last 2 weeks of December, now we are flooded in with no roads out - okay correction, as of 1pm today there is only 1 way in/out of our tiny little town we call home.

The Snoqualmie River, which runs through our little valley set a record this morning at 62.31 feet beating the old record back in November 2006.

A few from one of the upper streets over looking the valley.

A local playground under water



The "river" is between the first bridge post and the second you see here on the right. All of the rest is overflow.

This bridge is one of the main roads leading out of town and it has been closed since yesterday early morning. Posts today by the city state that this road will remain closed through the weekend due to damage to the road/surroundings from the flood. They will re-evaluate on Monday whether or not the road can be opened.

The other "main" road out of town looks like this:


So, can I just say how fed up I am with all this weather related road conditions we have. I would settle at this point for something quite mild.


***Stop by K1's site to see what our "closed" road really looks like - truly unbelievable.

Tuesday, January 06, 2009

Random 2008 & 2009

I was finally able to download all my photos off my camera and cell phone and so here is a collection of some 2008 and some 2009 pictures. There are actually a few from China (better late than never right?!?)

Hope you Enjoy the smilebox slide show below!



Click to play Misc Pics of 2008 & 2009

Create your own slideshow - Powered by Smilebox
Make a Smilebox slideshow

Friday, January 02, 2009

With a Moo and a Baa and a Cock-a-doodle-do

Picture this...

6 grown adults, sitting around the dining room table, making barn yard animals noises loudly to outdo one another! "Moo" "Baa" "Hiss" "Meow" "Ruff, Ruff" "Squeak Squeak" "Cock-a-doodle-do" "Hoot Hoot" "Hee Haw, Hee Haw"

Do you have the visual???

Well, that's how we spent New Year's Eve ~ playing "SNORTA" with 2 other couples. I would highly recommend this game to anyone who wants to have a "snorting good time".

We made it to midnight and rang in the New Year with a toast and a kiss!!!
Happy New Year!!!
We are looking forward to a fantastic 2009.