Last Day of 2007

Today is Monday, December 31. The last day of 2007. Sometimes, I find it hard to believe that the year has already passed and at other moments, it seems like it drug on FOREVER. We are thrilled and overjoyed with the changes in our family in the past year. We anxiously look forward to many wonderful things in 2008. We love seeing the sparkle in Elle's eye as she learns something new or experiences a "first time". Its great to watch her tease her brothers. Her language skills are blossoming - lately, its all about "Elmo". Its fun to see her light up when she tries on a new shirt and she'll tell you "ooo, pretty". She is full of giggles and laughter (most of the time).

It was neat this morning to tell her to go in their room and wake them up. We didn't know if she would because it was dark in there (and their room is never safe), but when I checked, she was up by Bryant's head with her hand on his shoulder, talking to him quietly. It was super sweet. Of course, when it was Alex's turn, she climbed on him and bounced up and down :-).

Bryant and Alex have January pretty well full of basketball games. Ken starts teaching a new EMS class tomorrow, plus he will begin working with his speech/forensics students to get them prepared for their first meet in late January. Elle and I will just try to get by and not get too lost in the shuffle.

We wish you and your families the best in 2008! Enjoy it because it will be gone like a flash and soon, we'll all be wondering where it went!

Happy Birthday, Bryant

Here is a photo of the amazing cake that Karen made for the celebration. She always comes up with something neat for each of the kids' birthdays. This one had REAL hay bales Mom had found along with black bulls and a white pick-up equipped with a working dew-eze. The next photo is our three clowns showing us their mouths full of food. Then, its Conlee helping the big boys put on the green flame skin for Bryant's DS. The last photo is Dayton, saying "cheese" for me while he played with Elle's tea party set.

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I hope that Bryant had a good 15th birthday. He and Alex are playing the new games that he got as gifts - and so far, they aren't fighting. Elle crashed hard and is sound asleep after a long day. Our wedding anniversary is normally overlooked and today was no different - The day is about Bryant's birthday and has been for a long time! Maybe when he is grown and leaves home, Ken and I can have an anniversary again :-).

December 29, 2007

Its our twentieth wedding anniversary and Bryant's fifteenth birthday. Here he is browning hamburger for the big "TACO CELEBRATION" tonight in honor of his special day. Elle and Alex are busy eating Teddy Grahams instead of helping us get ready for the party :-).

100th Post - 20 Roses

My 100th post is about twenty roses. I got them at work this week. They were from my husband - to celebrate the twenty years that we've been married. Can you believe its been that long? Several people told me that I wasn't old enough to have been married 20 years... guess they have not seen all my white hairs!

Returned to Work

Yesterday, I went back to work for the first time post-Elle. It was not hard in that I was totally comfortable with her being around Ken and the boys (they are on Christmas Break until January 7). She did go visit Judy again yesterday for a while. Alex stayed at the house with her, but HE SAYS (understand that he was playing his Nintendo DS at the time and you've seen photos here of how hard he concentrates on it) that she did fine. When I got home, Ken was in the shed outside. As I pulled into the driveway, I could hear her screaming - and she was in the house. Bryant and Alex had her so excited and hyped up that she was bouncing off the walls. When I went inside, the boys act like its no big deal and they had nothing to do with it....

She was so fun last night though. We read books, danced around, sang songs, looked at photo albums, and had a good time. She does well in the bathtub most of the time now and last night, not a single tear was shed - even while we were washing her hair. She loves her new slippers and especially enjoys hopping around when she has them on. Usually, when we look at a book, she has to be prompted about what the animals are and what sound they make. Last night, she told me that it was a kitty and then, when I asked her what a kitty said, she "meowed" on her own. She was even pointing at people in the room when I would ask where someone was. It was neat and exciting to see!

Today, however, is a little different story. I am concerned about how the morning will go for her. Ken went to my folks to help them and I went to work. Elle is at the house with the two boys. We banned them from the computer, PlayStation and Nintendo DS because they WON'T pay any attention to Elle if they are doing those things. We told them that the only movies allowed today were hers. Bryant has a basketball game this afternoon, so Ken will be home by lunch time. Hopefully, they can all manage a few hours together without any major problems. I think that I am ready for her to become a tattle tale though so that I know the truth about what Bryant and Alex are up to when we aren't around :-).

Watch out world!

We suvived Christmas...

.... now, we have to find places for all the gifts to go! Some of them are easy to take care of, like the food and chocolate. We just eat them :-). The big toys and such are a little tougher to find space for in our tiny cottage. I hope to have the boys take down the tree yet today along with putting the nativity scene and stockings away. Those were the only three decorations we got out. That will make for a little bit more room, but not much....

Maybe 2008 will hold a lottery jackpot (not a million dollar one, just a few hundred thousand would be plenty, I'm not greedy) so that we can pay off debts and then, be able to build a new house and buy a bigger vehicle. It would certainly be good!

Anyway, here's some photos of Elle, Conlee, and Dayton from last night. Conlee had a new Nintendo DS that Elle liked. Dayton had a Rubbermade Tote turned upside down, so he was KING! Every time my Mom came in the room though, the two youngest would fight for her attention, but it was cute. They had a good time!!

Christmas Eve/Christmas Day 2007

Greetings and Merry Christmas to you from our family!

We had a nice evening last night. Ken called my parents on the radio and they talked to Elle and Dayton. Both had to run to the door to see Grama and Grampa pull into the yard. It was too cute!

Conlee got a camera and had to take pictures of everyone. His probably turned out better than mine! The three big boys each got a Nintendo DS from Grama. Dayton got a John Deere Gator which he promptly tore the front rack off of (he watches Grampa too much we think). Elle got a sock coin purse and stickers from Grama/Grampa. There is a shopping cart coming too (back ordered) - which I know she will love because she found Conlee's last night from several Christmases ago and was using it. She got a neat Princess Bunny, Harley Davidson shirt, Red Jammies, and Dora Phone from my sister's family.

After the festivities, we went to the Christmas Eve program at church. Elle and her two big brothers took Baby Jesus to the manger at the beginning of the service. Elle sucked down her water and kept belching really loud. She also wanted to blow out the candle Daddy was holding after the Communion was over.

Santa came while we slept (some of us slept more than others, no comment) and so, Elle had even more gifts this morning. See her modeling her new slippers, new coat, holding her John Deere shirt and wearing the pink John Deere hat.

We are so blessed and still not done celebrating today. Thank you to all of you for your prayers and support for our family in 2007. It has been a wonderful year and we look forward to many laughs and awesome experiences in 2008.

Christmas Eve 2007

Its almost Christmas 2007 - Can you believe it? Sometimes, the year has flown by and at other times, it seemed to be at a stand-still. I finished wrapping the last of the gifts this morning (I HOPE). Once Ken gets home with the groceries, we'll put together some food for the parties we have coming up the next few days.

Tonight we will go to my sisters and open gifts with her family and my parents. At 8:30pm we have a program at church. They asked Elle to put baby Jesus in His manger this year, so that will be extra sweet (provided she is willing to do it).

On Christmas Day, tomorrow, the boys will wake us up once Santa has arrived and we'll open gifts - Elle's first Christmas in America! Later in the day, we'll go to Ken's Aunt Ada's for a formal Christmas celebration. Its always fun there with the neat place settings and fancy decorations for a late lunch/dinner. In the evening, we'll go to Granny's for the mass of people there. My dad has four sisters and each of them have 2-4 children. Over half of those grandkids are married with kids too, so it becomes quite crowded rather quickly.

It will be a special time for our family - and hopefully, it will be for your family as well. Merry Christmas!

Wednesday, December 19

The days are flying past - its going to be Christmas before we know it, and then, it will be back to work for Mommy.... Elle will stay with Daddy and her big brothers until they have to return to school in early January. Then, it will be babysitter time! Hopefully, it won't be a traumatic shift for anyone.

Uncle Paul is here this week which is always fun. The kids love him and enjoy having him see their sporting events and programs. Tomorrow, he can pick between Junior High and High School basketball as each of the boys have a game in different towns, at the same time. Ken will need to meet with his speech/forensics students, so he will have to attend the home game (Junior High). Mom will drive at least two hours to attend Bryant's basketball game. I don't know which place Elle or Paul will be going yet, but I won't blame them if they want to go with Daddy and watch Alex. Maybe I can get my mom to go with me to watch Bryant :-). Elle has loved having Paul around too because he colors such fun pictures!

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Alex's rash is still lingering, so we'll go to the doctor this afternoon. Hopefully, we can get some answers or at least some relief for him. Its always so difficult to figure out that stuff, but if we can at least keep him from itching and breaking out, it will be much better.

This photo is from Elle's "Big Girl Party" yesterday at the school. The teachers and staff didn't think she had enough stuff yet (SMILE), so they had a shower. It was different to attend a shower where you didn't pass around a new baby to hold. Also, she opened ALL her own gifts, ALL by herself! She did plenty of "Ooo, Pretty" and sign language "Thank You's" which was good. Thanks to all of you who were a part of this!

Monday, December 17th

Well, another day.... Alex is at home, covered in hives. JOY! Elle decided last night that she knew how to do the PlayStation, so she sits by the boys with a controller and does it too. See the photo above from last evening. That's what she is doing now - sitting by him doing NCAA Football, or so she thinks. Normally, the PS2 is off limits when they are home ill, but to keep him from itching, Mom agrees that its ok for today.

This morning, she went with me to Community Choir practice. We do the Hallelujah Chorus and some other songs with the High School and Junior High for the Christmas program tonight. Its a neat experience! Elle stood by me on the front row during rehearsal, playing with her barrettes which were coming out. Daddy came to take her during practice, but no doing. She needed to stay where she was, so he had to sit by her instead.

First Trip to Church

Elle went to church today for the first time. The last two Sunday's since we've been home, Ken was in the hospital and last week's service was cancelled. Here they are looking snazzy this morning. Tonight, we have my nephew's program at his church. We'll have to take pictures then too :-).

First Sled Ride

Elle went on her first sled ride today. We gave her new pink snow boots, which she was extremely proud of. She didn't say much during the ride, but she wasn't interested in getting out or quitting either. She was picky, however, about whose lap she would sit on. At the end, when Bryant dumped us all out in the snow, I said that it was enough and Elle said "All done". Not a whimper or a cry but a simple statement that she repeated a couple of times, "All done".

Saturday, December 15

We did great at the basketball game on Thursday night. Chaylee is our new best buddy and we gave five/knuckles to some of the girls in Junior High. We also showed everyone our sign language skills about a MILLION times. :-)

Friday, we left at 3:50am for the Cleft Team Appointment. We arrived there at 7:30am, in time to have some breakfast and find the right part of the hospital to begin our day. We spent four hours with them, having back to back appointments with various members of the team. We met with audiologists, genetic counselors, orthodontics, dentists, an ENT physician, a plastic surgeon, speech pathologists, and a pediatric geneticists. They evaluated all sorts of things for Elle and will be sending us a written report in a couple of two weeks.

The bottom line is that her lip and palate surgery while in China were good. We will need to do a bone graft when she is between 7 and 12 to fill the ridge gap behind her front teeth. There may be some nasal surgeries required when she is a teenager and also, lots of dental appointments over the years. There was significant fluid in her left ear which we will need to have checked again in a couple of weeks. It was effecting her hearing in that ear, so we'll have to determine if once the weather gets warmer can her body manage this on its own or does she need tubes. Otherwise, the team was very impressed with her communication skills and good health. They will be following her and doing the necessary interventions through her early adulthood.

The Sun is Finally Out Again!

Its Thursday, December 13. Its been a big day and now, its nap time!

Elle went with me to meet the nice lady who is going to take care of her while Mommy and Daddy go to work each day. There were lots of kids there too :-). We'll do it again a couple more times before the real deal - working up to Mom sneaking out for a while so that Elle is not totally surprised by all this. Its certainly different than taking a tiny baby to the babysitter! Bryant and Alex didn't have a clue that there was anything out of the ordinary going on. With Elle, she is suspicious of almost everything we do!

We went to eat Christmas dinner with Daddy and Alex at school too. Elle ate all of her mashed potatoes, ham, and cake with cool whip on it, plus some of Daddy's food. She was not impressed with Alex or Ken though and took some time to warm up to them. She was probably mad that they had ditched her earlier in the morning. They'd all been home Tuesday and Wednesday because of the weather, so it was like starting over for Elle again.

We had another first today too - we went with Grampa this afternoon to feed bales to the cows. Elle was impressed with them, but I think she was glad to be safe inside the pick-up cab! She and Grampa had their usual growling match, but I think Elle wins out most times.

Hopefully, she'll take a quick snooze now while watching Ice Age and then, at 4pm, we'll go pick up Daddy from school and head to our first basketball game. Alex will start at 4:45pm. Elle has a new green t-shirt with her name on the front and the mascot on the back. Grama got it for her. So, she is all set to yell for our team! She got a jingle bell from a Christmas card Daddy had this morning, so maybe we'll bring that along and ring it when Alex makes a point!

Tomorrow is our four hour trip to the cleft clinic for a four hour appointment.... Wish us safe driving and wonderful, professional caregivers on the other end. Hopefully, Elle will not panic too soon and the lab work will be minimal. Add to that the fact that Elle does ok on short rides, but anything over about 45 minutes doesn't always go so smooth. We are going to leave at 4am for our 8:30am appointment just in hopes that she will sleep most of the way.

Well, that's about the extent of our week. Take care and we'll keep you posted!

Monday, December 10

Elle and I spent the day together as Daddy returned to school today. She has been pretty quiet - until Alex came home and now she is going a hundred miles an hour again. The guys are putting the boxes of Christmas decorations back into the shed. We did the tree, stockings, and Nativity Scene, but that's plenty for this year.

The weather forecast is bad for tonight and tomorrow, so we'll see how things go. Elle is to have an appointment with the Cleft Team about 4 hours from here on Friday morning, hopefully, the weather and roads will be cleared long before then.

Sunday, December 9

The snow has stopped (for now) but its plenty icy out there. There is no church today because of the weather. Ken is outside, supposed to be only enjoying the fresh air, but I have a feeling that "work" is secretly involved. Bryant claims that he hid the snow shovels, but I am sure Ken will find them. In fact, I think that I hear one scraping the cement by the back door even now.

Bryant is begging me to take him sledding - I pull the sled behind the four-wheeler, but I have not relented yet. He also thinks Elle needs to go with us, but I am not sure I want her to be scared of the snow and the four-wheeler this early. Attached is a photo from this past January to give you an idea of how wild the rides can get! If she goes with us, I will have to give her the snow boots that were supposed to be a Christmas present. She does not mind the cold (goodness knows it was cold where she came from), so I guess we'll see if Mom can muster a mellow sled ride just for her, but save a wild one for the boys to enjoy!

Not Very Cooperative

She is not an easy one to get photos of. She would rather be on the other side of the camera looking in the lens or at the display. Every time she realizes that camera is out, she tries to get away and see the picture rather than be in it. I tried to take some photos of them in front of the tree tonight, but she was not cooperative... We even tried the "AH" way with their mouths open because that always works, but not this time.... Maybe another day... Merry Christmas anyway.

Decorating the Tree

December 7 and 8

Well, its Saturday - COLD AND SNOWY. A good day to stay inside and do online Christmas shopping, especially when you are a Scrooge like me! Actually, I spend less online because I don't buy other things that aren't Christmas gifts. Yesterday, I went into Target to buy presents and made a good dent in my list, but, I also bought new Christmas linens and other things that probably weren't necessary.

Ken's doctor was pleased yesterday with how well his arm is looking. He was concerned about the rash and total exhaustion that Ken was experiencing though, so he took him off two of the medications. Ken can already feel a difference, but its going to be a long haul before he is back to normal (whatever that is for Ken, ha ha) again. Ken did briefly have a twinkle in his eyes this morning, so that was a good sign.

Elle and the boys (sounds like a rock band) are putting up the tree. They are counting and practicing please/thank you as they do. Always good to work learning in with tasks :-). She was hiding on Grampa's lap last night as the boys terrorized her with a noisy toy. She even wanted Grampa to take her home and waved good-bye to the rest of us. She talked to him on the phone this morning too. I imagine we have made his day! The boys want to take her sledding this afternoon, but I'm not sure she is ready for that kind of excitement!

Well, here is wishing you a good afternoon, somewhere warm!

Thursday, December 6

The weather is nasty again today. Guess we will see if the Junior High Ballgames happen tonight. If they do, Elle will be attending her first sporting event. She spent last night growling at Grampa, having no fears. I am sure that the ballgame will work fine, although, I do wonder how she will react to the buzzer...

Ken has been about 24 hours now without a fever, so he is hoping to be on the mend. Tomorrow, he has a check-up with the specialist, so we will see how it goes. I desperately need to do some Christmas shopping also, but we'll see. Needless to say, funds are a little tight. We must finalize our re-payment for the adoption expenses and are now anticipating medical bills for both Ken and ElleAnna.

Wednesday, December 5

Ken is still on the couch. He went outside with Bryant for about an hour last night and that was too much again. He is still battling an occasional fever. He has no energy.

Elle is enjoying three new books from Auntie Ann and Cousin Amy. They also gave her an ornament for the tree (a tiara) when they came to visit yesterday. Elle barks and meows every time she sees the pictures in the books. Most of today has been spent pushing her stroller around with dollies in it. Some of the time she is wearing her new mittens. Her two babies are wrapped in special "love blankets". The stroller and blankets came from a special lady, Evelyn. She was extremely excited about our adoption and made a bunch of neat things for Elle. Unfortunately, she passed away a few weeks before we were able to bring Elle home. We hope she realizes the joy that she has brought into our daughter's life.

Tuesday, December 4

Ken WAY overdid yesterday, so we'll see how today goes. He had thought he'd be ready to go back to school tomorrow until he totally wore himself out yesterday without even exerting himself too much. I think the infection has zapped his energy level for a while and he's going to have to take it slower than what he thinks!

Elle is watching Seseme Street - and is mesmorized by it. I think its the music and the muppets. She didn't care for Conlee's puppets the other night, but maybe because they are on TV, they seem safer? :-)

She was glad to see the boys last night when they got home from basketball practice. They boys were exhausted, but they were re-energized by her excitement. Bryant wants to put the tree up tonight, but I am not sure we can even clean up a corner in the house enough to have room - we'll see what we can do. I know how much he loves Christmas and he is looking forward to sharing it with ElleAnna this year, so we'll have to find a way to make it work.

First Pediatrician Appointment

We had our first doctor's appointment in America. She did really well - especially considering that she got six shots (to be safe, we are re-doing her immunizations) and had blood draws on both arms (they couldn't make the first one work and didn't get enough from the second one to do all the tests, so we will have to go back another day). Daddy went along with us, but he was exhausted and so was Elle. They were both so tired that they slept all the way home while Mommy tried to stay awake to drive.... The boys went back to school today. They had their first basketball practices since coming home too, so they are also tired. Looks like a good night to eat supper, take a bath, and go to bed!

First Christmas Ornament

My mom gave Elle her first Christmas ornament - a red, wheel suitcase with 2007 on its tag. How perfect! Sharee loaned us a red suitcase just like this one when we went to China to get Elle. That special piece of luggage will be forever on the tree, reminding us each year of how wonderful our travels were in 2007 and how blessed we have been to have Elle in our family!

Thank you, Grama. Thank you, Sharee!

Daddy is Home!

We brought Ken home this afternoon, but I am thinking its going to be very difficult to make him "behave".... He didn't even take his coat off before he was outside doing things....

December 2

Greetings to you this COLD morning! Ken was switched from IV medications to oral ones this morning, so it is POSSIBLE that they will dismiss him today. We want him home, but we want him well also. Hopefully, we are headed down the right path now!

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We spent yesterday with Granny, Grama & Grampa, and my sister's family. It was neat to see Elle interact with these people who will always play a key role in her life. Ranelle gave Elle her first "American" chocolate chip cookie which she enjoyed. She and my oldest nephew did great together, playing catch and having a good time. When we arrived, all he wanted to know was where Elle was! My younger nephew was more concerned about having to share his toys as well as his best buddy, Alex, with a new person. Too funny. The little boys weren't all that hungry, but Elle cleaned her plate (using ketchup on her fries) and ate a bunch of Bryant's ice cream. She is a good eater!

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We could have taken her to see Santa last night at the Community Center, but we decided that we wanted Daddy to be able to witness that "first" for her, so we waited until later to go for the activities. She met lots of folks who were very excited to see her. She also got a bag of goodies (peanuts, chocolates) that we'll have to share with her in small doses.

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Everyone is still asleep here (its almost 9am), but once they wake up, we'll head to see Daddy. MAYBE we can even bring him home!

December 1

When I talked to Ken this morning, he said that the swelling in the upper part of his arm seems to be less today, but that his fingers are puffy again.... Elle is doing really well. She met Grampa and Grama yesterday - she liked Grama's M & M candies! The boys didn't even realize that she was eating them, only that her hands and lips were a little discolored when she was playing with them later! Smart Girl - eat your chocolate carefully/quietly and you don't have to share :-).

We went to Target last night for Epson salt (Alex has infected spots on his hands) and Elle got some little plastic animals (a panda and a puppy). We had to feed them cheerios and milk last night before bed! She slept extremely and didn't even cry for five minutes. She did fall out of bed this morning however, and hardwood floors are not a soft landing.

We'll probably stay home at least until later today given the ice and moisture outside. I'm not much into packing three kids (even though one is 6'2) into the car and venturing out in this kind of weather. We know that Ken is safe and can advocate for himself, so if it clears off, we'll go up later.