January 31, 2005

Two years ago today we got our long-awaited phone call - I was sick - flat in bed with the stomach flu and our social worker called and said - "We have your referral - you can come in tomorrow to see her." That was quite a day - I mean really, how do you sleep at all when you know that you will see your daughter in less than 24 hours?!?! We knew her Chinese Name - Jiang Liang and that she was in Pingjiang, Hunan China and that she was born on June 21, 2004. That is all we knew at that moment but we also knew we loved that little girl and she was ours!! Somehow we at least closed our eyes that night and first thing in the morning Joe met the boys and I at our Bethany office to see our Chloe's face. When our social worker pulled out those pictures I remember just staring - she was beautiful and it was so odd - we had never seen her before but we instantly bonded with that face.

Our social worker told us we had 24 hours to

decide if we wanted to keep that referral or say no - we hadn't even gotten out of the building and Caleb said, "We are going to say Yes, aren't we?!?" There was no doubt!!! We came home and made a million copies of her three pictures and off we went to show the world.

This is the email we sent to all of our family and friends:

We found out at exactly 10:30 this morning who our new daughter
would be!!!! We are attaching a picture (we have a few more in case
anyone wants to be bored to tears with our photo album!!!!) and I have some
info. Her name is Jiang Liang. Jiang is the city where her orphanage
is located and Liang is the name her caregivers gave her meaning “Best
Wishes”. We know her first name will be Chloe but we are unsure at this
point of her middle name and then we will use Liang in her name as
well.

She is in Pingjiang in the Hunan Province. She was
abandoned at the doorstep of the orphanage on June 28, 04 and the orphanage
doctor guessed her to be about a week old at that time – so they say her
birthday is June 21, 2004. We were told that we got one of the youngest
babies they have ever seen out of China – usually they are closer to a year
old. She was about 7 lbs. at birth so we are thrilled to have such a
healthy little one!! We took all of her medical papers to our family
doctor today and he was extremely pleased. He said there was nothing that
would even hint at a problem and for that we are very grateful!! We got a
lot of fun information on her – she loves music and being outdoors and sucks her
thumb to get to sleep. They said she is very happy and rarely
cries!!! (We’ll take that!!) They also said that she is such a
wonderful baby that her caregiver is very attached. That will be
hard! We did some searching on the internet and there is a site for this
orphanage and it said that this is one of the few orphanages where there is
a nanny for each baby. Wow – what a blessing – we have been praying from day
one that she would be held often and taken good care of – God is so
good!!

So, she is about 7 months now and this picture was probably
taken when she was 3-4 months old. They bundle them in many layers in
China and we have seen many babies with hair sticking straight up – so it
must be the style for little ones!!! Caleb has said we need to make sure and
take along gel to make that hair lay down, but Mom thinks we just need a bow
or two!!!

Anyway, just wanted to share our news – we are thrilled
and what is most amazing is to see how God has worked through all of our
prayers!!! We are told to expect to travel in late March so we shall see!!! It
is hard now that we’ve seen her – we just want to go get her!! Keep praying
for us in that – we are anxious to leave our boys for two weeks, but we know
that it is only short term and it is to go get another to add to our
family!! The boys are so excited – each one has something fun they want to
teach her!!! I think she will not be lacking for attention!!

Thanks again for all of your prayers-

Joe and Becky Micah, Caleb and Aaron and now Chloe!!!

Favorite Blinkie Wednesday

Ok - so we find all these great blinkies and when will we ever be able to use them all?!?! So (since I have nothing else to post) we can share some favorites today. If you chose to play along - just add your name and blog address to Mr. Linky and then post your favorite blinky on your blog today - we can all come and visit!!

Here's Mine (Thanks Verna)

Adoption Books

I can't let you all down and NOT post about books so here goes:

We've found some "new-to-us" adoption books that we (or I, rather) just love ~

Emma's Story by Deborah Hodge and The Three Names of Me by Mary Cummings

Mama's Wish/Daughter's Wish by Debbie Blackington

AND our new favorite CD????

Putumayo Kids Presents: Asian Dreamland

This CD is gorgeous - all lullabies/soft songs with an Asian flair - Chloe claims it's her new favorite!! I'm a big fan of Putumayo anyway but this one is wonderful!!

So there you go - our weekly favorites!! Ok everyone - go shopping!!

Profiles

Double Happiness has another photo challenge that looked fun to me. This week's is "Profiles". I tried to find some oldies and newer ones to use - that was tough - I think we mostly take pictures "face on" - it was fun though. (If it's hard to see - then double click on the image to make it larger.)

More Hockey

Hockey on Friday night, Hockey practice from 8:30-1 this morning, another game this afternoon, and ANOTHER tomorrow - can you say HOCKEY?!?!?!!?

Favorite Photo Friday

Here's my favorite funny one:

Here are two of our new rooms - after I took the pics I realized their idea of neat and my idea of neat may not be the same!!! So - disregard the sloppy beds!!! Oh, and no decor yet - this is after only one night down!!

Potty Time

You know - as I've lamented before - we are working on potty training at our house - have been for MONTHS - yes, we are trained - Chloe is not!!! I ask her - she says "No" - I take her - she goes. That's always the routine - so I just have to remember to take her and all is well. A week or so ago the boys were with her for just a bit when Joe and I ran out and Chloe had to go - not just the usual pee either!! So we get a call from Micah saying that Chloe had to go - THE BIG STUFF - and what should he do?? We told him that he would need to wipe her - after he picked his jaw up off the floor, we gave him instructions as to how to do that (sad, but the boys have not had to do this yet - or maybe that's a good thing!!). He agreed he could handle it BUT he was still a little hesitant so Dad (rich man that he is) offered him a dollar. That clinched it - he could do it!!! Well tonight I get another phone call - Chloe has gone potty again and what should they do??? (What is up anyway- she never tells me she has to go potty?!?!!?) I explained to Aaron that he would need to wipe her (it was the normal stuff this time so no big deal!!). He paused and I heard, "SO - do I get a dollar???" The jury is still out on that one!

Growing Up

Here it comes - I'm going to admit a weakness here -

Our basement is finished!! Well - finished enough for the boys to move down now anyway. After endless hours of manpower my husband conquered!! I am so proud of that guy!! (It was ALMOST worth the trip to Menard's - see a previous post for that story!!) Anyway - we spent many hours last night moving our boys down to their new rooms - all three are sharing two rooms now instead of one! They are thrilled - couldn't be more excited - it was so fun! But, here comes the weakness - I was trying to get to sleep last night lying there in my bed with tears streaming down my face - good grief!!! They are only in the basement - what am I going to do when they leave for college for Heaven's sake?!?!? I just can't believe they are really old enough to be alone downstairs and then LIKE it!!! Wasn't it just yesterday that I had three babies 3 and under and felt like I may not even make it out of that mess?!!??! God is good - He gets us through it and even makes us want to do it all again!!

The good side?? When I went down this morning - they all had their beds made - completely picked up their rooms and said, "Mom, we want to keep it this neat FOREVER!!!!" I'll take it!!!

Happy Birthday Aaron!

(double click on image to enlarge it)

Nine years ago today I went into the doctor at 39 weeks pregnant and found out I had a fever and other slight problems so they decided to induce me. It was at 39 weeks that they also found out that my 3rd child had decided to flip into a breech position. SO - naive that I was - I agreed to let two doctors push on my stomach until they turned Aaron into the correct position. They had barely gotten him into position and he flipped right over again. It was then that they came up with another brilliant idea - they admitted me into the hospital, started the Pitocin, and turned Aaron again - once they got him turned, they made Joe push down on my belly to hold Aaron in place until the Pitocin kicked in and Aaron started his way down into the birth canal. Hours later, Joe let go - up came Aaron - just the way he wanted to be in the first place and the doctor decided on a C-Section (exactly what I mentioned after they first found out he was breech!!). So, a C-Section it was!! And what a blessing that was - we found out that in the turning, his cord had wrapped around his neck and it could have been quite a serious delivery. So, our beautiful son, Aaron was born and that was only the beginning of his feisty little personality!! :) He was my favorite delivery - I loved my C-Section - we had an extra day in the hospital to bond and home we went - to Grandma and a 1 yr. old and a 2 yr. old. which were knee-deep in the stomach flu!!! Aaron and I promptly went up to the bedroom and didn't reappear for three days until the bug had fully passed. Bless Grandma's and Dad's hearts for dealing with the flu!! But I must say - it was such a special time with Aaron - I had to lay around a lot with just having the surgery and it was just him and I - what a special time together with the third child that would from here on out be "the little man" in our family. I love my kids - each one is so special - and today is Aaron's Day - my little man turns 9 - how does that happen??? I love you bud!!

Who is that Masked Girl??

Hmmm - who could be behind that book??? I was cooking dinner (DON'T fall over everyone!!) and hadn't heard a peep out of Chloe - that brings fear so off I went to find her. Here is where she was - in her room - in her chair - reading classic literature - whatever was I thinking?!?!? Notice the fashion here - slippers, ballerina skirt (which we are rarely without), very classy beads, and stylin' crown - wonder if that girl is into princesses?!?!?!? (Or VERY CLASSY librarians!!!!)It's Princess Chloe - or is it Librarian Chloe - guess it's Just-Plain-Goofy Chloe!!

Happy Birthday Grandpa!!

Today is my Dad's birthday - I have a wonderful Dad (I mean it - he's the best!!) - BUT he makes an even better Grandpa!! He knows how to have fun and my kids just love him to pieces. There is no dull moment with Grandpa around - hey, they've learned some of their best (WORST) habits from him!!!!

We love you Grandpa - Happy Birthday!!

Bert, I mean, Becky Bilby

You Are Bert

Extremely serious and a little eccentric, people find you loveable - even if you don't love them! You are usually feeling: Logical - you rarely let your emotions rule you You are famous for: Being smart, a total neat freak, and maybe just a little evil How you life your life: With passion, even if your odd passions (like bottle caps and pigeons) are baffling to others

The Sesame Street Personality Quiz

Yeah Stef, I'd have rather been Big Bird - at least he's got some character!!!! How do they come up with this stuff anyway!?!? Hey, at least I wasn't Oscar the Grouch - don't let my kids take this quiz for me!!

Muscles

My boys called me a couple of times the other night while I was at work to ask a few questions - each time they called the other librarian answered and the boys were amazed that he knew their voice each time. When I picked up the call the boys asked me how the other librarian knew it was them every time - I told them that he probably just heard a kid's voice and since they were asking for me - he knew it was them. There was a slight pause and then one of them said, "Oh, so we need to talk more muscular????" I love it!!!

Favorite Photo Friday

Almost one year ago TO THE DAY.....Absolutely amazing ~ Where does the time go?!?!

Wisdom

This is what my calendar says for today:

The 'good thing' that you desire will become the 'best thing' when you allow God
to give it to you in His time. "May He give you the desire of your heart
and make all your plans succeed." Psalm 20:4

Wow - something we all probably need to be reminded of - but in this LONG WAIT for our next little one - this was a great reminder for me!

Always Very Curious

Yes - he's our monkey "of choice"!!!

In fact - TWO are even better than one!!!

Girl with an Attitude

Here she is - our Spicy Girl:

Daddy curls her hair and she gets a little spunky!!!! (Bandaid and all!!)

Snowman Wishes

Just in case you all don't have snow - Chloe wanted to send you a little snowman!

40 Degrees – Italian cars in California won’t start. People in Indiana drive with the windows down.

20 Degrees – People in Florida wear coats, gloves and wooly hats. People in Michigan wear long sleeves.

0 Degrees – People in Miami cease to exist. Folks in Wisconsin have their last cook-out before it gets cold.

-20 Degrees – Californians fly to Mexico. Minnesotans get out their Winter coats.

-40 Degrees – Hollywood disintegrates. Girl Scouts in South Dakota begin selling cookies door to door.

-100 Degrees – Polar bears migrate to Antarctica. Old timers in Iowa start saying, “Cold nuff for ya?”

(Yes - and it's only a balmy 5 degrees today - we have a long way to go!!!!)

Catching Up.....

This is me today - lovin' that snow!!!! It's been snowing all day and is still coming - can you hear me cheering over here?!?!? I just love this stuff. I've heard we are HOPING FOR (ok, I'm hoping for) the 6 inches the weatherman said (which I actually think we already have) and the high winds - 25-30 mph - one can only hope, right?!? And it's not for a snow day either - my poor kids don't know what those are!!! "Mean Mom", I hear you all saying, but don't worry - we take other days off and they never complain!!

I wanted to give an update on the heart issue as well. I rescheduled the tests I had cancelled after I talked to a few people. Friday I got all the results back and the blood work, EKG, and chest xray looked very normal - so all that worry for nothing! Actually - I am VERY thankful to all of you that emailed me or forwarded me emails from others - I really may have done nothing unless I had heard from all of you. So, at this point, I am planning to do nothing more unless it happens again - then my doctor says he has some more tests to run - so here's to hoping I am done with all of that.

Well - it's off to do some hockey laundry - gotta get ready for another week! The boys did great yesterday- our oldest son's team took first in the tournament and our middle son's team took second - hey, not bad for being the "new guys". It was a fun day but that is literally all we got done - hockey, hockey and more hockey!!

Hockey Mania

In case you don't see me around tomorrow - I'll be: two guesses (and the first one doesn't count!!) AT THE ICE RINK!!! FOUR GAMES tomorrow starting at 8 am!!! We just plan on being there all day, dressing warmly so as not to get frostbite, yelling alot, feeding Chloe lots of popcorn to keep her occupied, making many trips to the bathroom for the little one during the best spots in the games - you get the point!!! All-in-all we LOVE it - downside - you lose a lot of good "basement" time (as Joe so handily describes his working time in the basement). SO - if you're bored tomorrow - come join us - we'll be at the rink!! (Oh, and probably no exciting penalty box episodes either - Aaron's watching his big brothers play tomorrow!)

Favorite Photo Friday

Our Penalty Box Offender in the box:

There it is for the record - #12.

ABC Tag

I was tagged about a week ago - that's horrible isn't it??!!? Just now getting to it, but here it is....

Available or Taken - Definitely Taken

Best Friend - My husband -who else knows all my "badness" and still loves me?!?!?

Cake or Pie - Cake - with no frosting -
Drink of Choice - Duh - COFFEE!!!

Essential Item I use Everyday - WASHING MACHINE!!! :) Love that invention!

Favorite Color - Blue

Gummy Bears or Worms - DEFINITELY NEITHER!!!!

Hometown - Cedar Falls

Indulgence - Getting my hair highlighted once a year!

January or February - LOVE JANUARY - it's winter you know!!

Kids' Names - Micah, Caleb, Aaron and Chloe

Life Incomplete Without - A Savior and my family oh yeah, and BOOKS!!!

Marriage - December 29, 1992

Number of Siblings - One~Denise, my sister

Oranges or Apples - Apples but they must be Braeburns or Honey Crisp

Phobias or Fears - Claustrophobia

Quiet Evening or Night on the Town - Quiet Evening - LOVE THAT!!

Reason to Smile - I have been blessed with four healthy kids that keep me laughing!!

Season - WINTER!!!! (Bet you'd have never guessed!!)

Tag 3 people - Whoever wants to be tagged!

Unknown fact about me - I wanted to be a mortician.

Veggie I don't Like - Lima Beans (I just figured that out!!)

Worst Habit - Worrying

Xrays - ugh, too many to count!

Zodiac - Oh gosh, I always have to look it up - I think Sagittarius - but not sure!

There Emmie - I did it!!!! :)

"Heart" Matters

I had a scary morning Monday morning and there is no explainable reason for it except to see God talking to me. I had just gotten out of the shower and I had extreme chest pain - I have never had pain like that - I went right to the floor - hoping laying down would help - I could hardly breathe - I am not exaggerating - it was VERY scary. I've had three babies - so I KNOW pain :) but this was very different - laying there, I remember thinking, "I'm not sure I'm going to make it." The boys came to see what was wrong and they were able to bring me the phone and then take Chloe away. I called Joe and he was concerned but said he'd be right home when I mentioned I was losing feeling in my left arm. So here comes Joe - he finds me on the floor - dripping with sweat - and an ugly shade of grey. He called the doctor and, to make a long story short, our doctor really felt it could not be heart - as I was too young - (bless his heart - he said I was TOO young!!!). To his credit - he checked on me off and on that day and yes, the pain did go away. You know though - as I'm laying on the floor - I was in so much pain that all of those strange thoughts went through my head - "No Lord - not yet, my kids still need a Mom." "I still have a baby in China that needs a mom - and China will never let us adopt if I have heart problems." "I want to be with You (Lord) but they still need me here." "How will Joe handle this all on his own?" I am not kidding - all of those thoughts ran through my head - God didn't give me any immediate answers to those but it has caused me to think - - - - I need to enjoy each day more - instead of always looking ahead to the "next big event". Wishing my time away will not help - it will only make me lose sight of the present. I want to enjoy my family more - they are not trying to create more work (a little smile here) they are blessings that I have been given for only a VERY short time. Wishing for a better financial state will not help either - we both work hard - we pay our bills - that is how God wants us to live. I could go on and on - it has REALLY made me think - maybe too deeply, but it has been good introspection - and sometimes we need that. I am thanking God for the "heart" pain that has caused my "heart" to look at things differently. Oh and by the way - Joe brought home LIGHT margarine for lunch that day and is deciding on an exercise plan for BOTH of us (at least it's for him too - because I HATE exercise - it makes me sweat!!) so we are making some changes - needed or not -it was a wake up call. These earthly bodies are not eternal - they are limited - but our spirits are the only things that matter. AND yes, the diagnosis at this point???? Severe indigestion - You've got to be kidding - I only had a waffle for breakfast - oh, maybe it was the jalapeno syrup!!!!

Chatty Chloe

After I got home from hockey practice this is what Chloe said - meeting me at the door, "Soooo - you have a good night at hockey?" I was a little taken off guard but answered, "Yes, did you have a good night?" She responded, "Ummmmm, Yes! I played with boys and helped Daddy." That girl never ceases to amaze me - our boys were much slower to talk and here she is using complete sentences regularly and is all girl even at 2!!! She'll beg to start a conversation - it cracks me up!! I don't know who she gets that from!!!

The Greater Bilby

Ok so you guys are all geniuses - well, MOST of you!!!! :) Yes - the Greater Bilby is something we happened upon awhile ago in a Children's book, of all things. Bilby Moon is that wonderful children's book - and yes, you all must RUSH right out and read it - Mr. Brian - we have it here at our library so you have NO excuse!!! (Wonder who that book buyer is?!?!!?) So, since we are famous, just had to share that tidbit with everyone. Hey, it's not everyday you have your name on a book!! Hope that provided some excitement to your day - thanks to all for playing along! Oh, and if you want EVEN more info. on that cute Greater Bilby click here. I think I feel a new pet coming on....

Bilby

Joe really thought I should do this poll since you all had so much fun with our last poll. SO - today's poll is "What is a Bilby?" It is something real - besides us - of course we enjoy this little-known fact!!!

You know what they say - if you use your brain you can reduce your risk of Alzheimer's - you'll thank me later!!!

It's Aaron!!!

The First Ever Bilby to get in the Penalty Box was our youngest - Aaron. Poor kid - he even said he was shaking he was so scared we were going to be mad at him!! We had to laugh - it is part of the game ~ we just don't try to encourage them to make penalties if they don't have to as it does hurt the team. AND - according to the ref (whom we know) and the coaches - it really could have not been a penalty - he was called for tripping as he was going for the puck and it was between a players feet but the player was already going down - kind of a tricky one but we just had to document it - the First Ever Bilby Penalty!!! A friend took pics of him in the box but she hasn't sent those to me yet- I'll post them when I get them - Aaron in "hockey timeout!!!" And yes, Caleb and Micah are laughing at how many people voted for Caleb - he is Mr. Docile and Micah is EVEN MORE SO - so we all knew it would be Aaron!!!! (Our go-getter!!!)