Chloe taking care of Jada
Because One Can Never Be TOO Careful....
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
First Haircut
Well, in six months time, we have gone from almost shaved hair with Jada to it being almost all the way down to the collar of her shirt BUT it was all uneven and time for a bit of a "shapening up". So we went in and got her a whole new look. Our stylist thought we should go shorter in the back until everything else grows out too. So she has an adorable little cut - I didn't get a good picture of the back, but it is a sweet little bob that tapers up in the back - too fun! She loved every minute of it. Oh dear, we are going to have another Chloe that begs for daily haircuts!
Pleased as punch!!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Dear Friends
I wish I could tell you the whole story of how far back we go with these friends. But that would take HOURS so suffice it to say - we were friends back in Grand Rapids - they saw all of our babies right shortly after they were born - we were there to see their boys right after they were born - we hung out together for fun - we went to the same church - even changed churches when we felt we needed to and ended up at the same church again. We moved to Iowa, they helped us move. They moved shortly after we did because they liked our quaint little city and because Tim found a good job while they were here helping us. We were there shortly after Dani was born, and we raced home from a vacation when we found out that Kari had been in a horrible car accident which took the short life of their precious Dani. I sang at Dani's funeral (I don't think you could call that singing - that was more like begging God to bring a song where there was none). They have loved on all of our kids and we think the world of their boys. But our girls especially think that Kari is WONDERFUL!! She is that special lady that is finding fun fabric for them and making them dresses and pajamas, and she spends time playing and talking with them. She has built a real bond with both Chloe and Jada. Kari and I even work together at our local library - why they allowed that we have no idea!! We've continued in a friendship that isn't a "have to" but a constant source of confident strength. When you need someone - you know they will be there - that's just the kind of friends they are. SO - a few years ago now, when they announced they were going to adopt from China - my heart leaped. I knew they would enjoy their little one as much as we had enjoyed our two girls and I could not wait for them to experience it. We've followed their ups and downs, we've struggled to fill out paperwork together, and thrilled together as they've gotten closer and cried together when the wait felt like it wasn't moving at all. We were honored when they called us the day they got little Lexi's file - we felt privileged to pray alongside them and watch God work. After they accepted her, we knew it would be soon that they would be traveling so we asked if we could help plan a tip night as friends had done for us. We were honored this past week to be a part of that. EVERYONE took part, Joe and I delivered pizzas to tables and kept the buffets clean and plates filled,
the boys washed dishes and bussed tables, and the girls 
carried mints around to tables and gave coloring pages to kids. We asked a few friends to help us from our church and they were just as willing as we were. (We were all exhausted and think we never want to see a pizza again though!!!) That's what I love - to see people rally around for others. We all were so thrilled just to be a small part. 
And God truly blessed their night - people gave over and above to this sweet family. I went to bed thinking that God must be grinning at what his people did for this family!Less than two days later, we find out they are SOON (as in TWO WEEKS!!!) on their way to China. I am telling you - I was awake much of that night after Kari called - I feel like it's us all over again - my excitement level is so high. I'm starting lists for her - what to take, what to remember - whether she likes it or not, I email her 20 times a day with little things I don't want to forget - I just LOVE it!!! I can't wait to see Alexis in their arms and meet her in person! Love to watch a new little one come home!
Sunday, March 07, 2010
Thursday, March 04, 2010
Silly Jada Faces
Jada's new thing- she takes her glasses off and comes up to us - gets REAL close to our faces and starts this blinking thing - to which we all laugh and so it has become a new game!!
She is too funny - her face is so expressive!
She is too funny - her face is so expressive!
Saturday, February 27, 2010
A Hero
Let me tell you about a hero that I have come to love and admire.
It all started almost a year ago now when one day, out of the blue, we first heard about her. The day I read her file and thought, "God, this is not what I had envisioned - I do not know if I can do this. I have never heard of this condition." To which my strong husband said, "You don't know if you can say yes, BUT can you say NO?"
It continued almost six months later when we met her in a noisy, sweltering hot room. She was handed to us at age three and a half with a bottle and an empty expression - I remember looking at her sweet face and thinking, "What have your last three and half years been like for you? Where is the little girl that should be smiling out of that somber face?"
I will never forget the first laugh she gave us - it was hard work, but we got it - a laugh that made us laugh along with her and yet cry as well. I remember thinking, "Oh little one, it shouldn't be that hard to laugh."
I will remember the way she walked with such a heavy gait - the unsteadiness - the unsureness of her steps. I remember thinking - we have to work on this - so we started having races down the hallways of those scorching hot China hotels - all in hopes of seeing some new coordination appear in her steps.
All the silent tears she cried when we laid her down each night - she never made a peep - but her silent tears said it all - no child should have to have silent tears - I vowed inside to do all I could in my power to end those tears - to never give her a reason to have to suffer silently again.
I remember the times I would ruffle her hair or touch the skin on her arm and she would pull away from me - and yet, I'd touch her again and again - squeeze her tighter - or tell her, "No honey, Momma wants to touch you, Momma loves you."
I remember her smiles - she smiled at EVERYTHING - she was just happy to play, go out and walk - it didn't matter - she was just happy.
I remember watching children take toys away from her and she had no fight in her - she just let it happen and then would watch the child play with that toy that used to be hers. I kept thinking, "Where is your fight? Get mad, scream, do something."
I remember the HOURS she played on the airplane with two styrofoam cups and a set of chopsticks - I am not kidding - HOURS. Which made me ask, "How can a three year old occupy herself for so long with such mundane objects?" That was not the first we'd see of that - nor the last - this little girl could make anything a toy - including menus that would become babies, 2 liter bottles that would be rocked to sleep - ANYTHING - she knew how to occupy herself.
I will never forget her face as she saw the crowd at the airport waiting to welcome her home. The sister that would not hardly give her breathing room and wanted to help her walk around the airport, the staring faces that all just wanted to say Hi. And then her face - just soberly staring at all of her brothers and sister in the van as we drove home - it was almost as if she was saying, "Where did all of these kids come from and when will they be leaving??"
But she adjusted - in no time, she had 3 big brothers wrapped around her fingers and a sister that doted on her every minute. Still she would not talk to us - we got simple words like "momma, da da, eat" etc. but nothing more.
I remember the nights of putting her to bed and her screaming and screaming. I remember thinking, "The screaming is horrendous, but at least she is making sounds - there are no silent tears - for that I am glad."
I can only imagine her feelings as she is taken from doctor to doctor, from therapist to therapist, from clinic to clinic. All we hoped to do is find out where her sweet words were and how to unleash them. We wanted to make sure all was ok in her small body - and for that I am grateful to SO many doctors.
I can hardly imagine what went through her mind when she started 4 weeks of dental work - 19 teeth that needed to be fixed - but she sat in that chair with very little "deadener" because she broke out so badly from the first dose - and she never made a peep. Her tongue may have tried to shove the dentist out of the way, but her body laid there and did not fight.
It has been that way with every doctor we've seen. She has not fought - in fact, each time we are told, she does better than some adults. She was taught to lay still and that is obvious - she does that "with the best of them."
She has come a long way in five months - she is saying a few more words, she is GALLOPING now, trying hard to master jumping around the house, and smiling confidently when she says, "Mine." (Thanks to our speech therapist!!) She knows how to make choices (thanks also to our fabulous speech therapist) and she smiles when she gets to make a choice. How does a child make it to age 3 and not know she has a choice, does not know that anything is "hers"? I may never know those answers....
All of this came rushing into my mind today as we sat in, yet another doctor's office, filling out the pages of paperwork. It hits me every time I have to write "UNKNOWN" in so many spots on her sheets. I hate it - I hate it that I know almost nothing of her first three and a half years. I hate it that I have no idea why her little words are "stopped up" inside of her. I hate it that I can't find that trigger to unleash those words. I hate it that I can't erase a past filled with fear and pain. I hate it that when I go to play with her and raise my hand, she sometimes flinches. I hate it that sometimes when I am trying to make some headway, I can see the curtain cover her face - I know she has retreated again.
I will not give up. This little girl is my hero. I may never know what all her past has held, but for me I am trying to let that go. She is here now - we are so blessed to have her. She is our little lover - she wants to hug us and plants kisses all over everything - she is just so happy. She won't let us leave without a "bye" and a kiss on the lips - and it isn't a peck on the lips either - it is a two-handed grab of your cheeks to pull you down to her level so she can plant a kiss on your lips that stays with you long after you've left home. She's the first one to run to the door when you come home - she has to greet you with her soft "Hi" (that is sometimes not-so-soft but that's ok too - because it's a word and we love that!). She goes to bed every night now without a peep - she is happy to sleep on the bunk under her big sister - BUT ONLY if you sing "Good night Jada" before you turn off the light. She loves that song that I made up for her in China, and even sometimes during the day, will find you and ask you to sing "Night Night" as she smiles. She attacks life with gusto - our little wonder that has MAYBE 20/100 vision, we are told, with her glasses on. Nothing stops her - she is a survivor and she loves life. And we love her - we love our Jada Faith. We are so blessed - she teaches each of us lessons everyday -
I have learned something very valuable - you don't have to talk to communicate - I usually know exactly what she is trying to tell me. She is bright - she can communicate clearly without words. She has picked up a lot of sign in a few months' time. We are not scared of what the future holds - we have heard terms like autistic, mentally retarded, severely delayed, nearly blind - they've all been thrown out there along with others. But labels don't frighten us - God gave us Jada - she is not a mistake. God planned her JUST LIKE SHE IS - and I don't waver on that. Do I wonder what the next years hold? You bet I do, any parent does - but I am trusting - God can work miracles and He can give grace in unreasonable amounts - we've already felt that - we rely on it daily!
As a doctor gently reminded us today - we have a long road ahead of us - a VERY LONG ROAD - but she is a charmer and she will go far! Jada, thank you for teaching me so much in five short months - you are a gift to us all.
It all started almost a year ago now when one day, out of the blue, we first heard about her. The day I read her file and thought, "God, this is not what I had envisioned - I do not know if I can do this. I have never heard of this condition." To which my strong husband said, "You don't know if you can say yes, BUT can you say NO?"
It continued almost six months later when we met her in a noisy, sweltering hot room. She was handed to us at age three and a half with a bottle and an empty expression - I remember looking at her sweet face and thinking, "What have your last three and half years been like for you? Where is the little girl that should be smiling out of that somber face?"
I will never forget the first laugh she gave us - it was hard work, but we got it - a laugh that made us laugh along with her and yet cry as well. I remember thinking, "Oh little one, it shouldn't be that hard to laugh."
I will remember the way she walked with such a heavy gait - the unsteadiness - the unsureness of her steps. I remember thinking - we have to work on this - so we started having races down the hallways of those scorching hot China hotels - all in hopes of seeing some new coordination appear in her steps.
All the silent tears she cried when we laid her down each night - she never made a peep - but her silent tears said it all - no child should have to have silent tears - I vowed inside to do all I could in my power to end those tears - to never give her a reason to have to suffer silently again.
I remember the times I would ruffle her hair or touch the skin on her arm and she would pull away from me - and yet, I'd touch her again and again - squeeze her tighter - or tell her, "No honey, Momma wants to touch you, Momma loves you."
I remember her smiles - she smiled at EVERYTHING - she was just happy to play, go out and walk - it didn't matter - she was just happy.
I remember watching children take toys away from her and she had no fight in her - she just let it happen and then would watch the child play with that toy that used to be hers. I kept thinking, "Where is your fight? Get mad, scream, do something."
I remember the HOURS she played on the airplane with two styrofoam cups and a set of chopsticks - I am not kidding - HOURS. Which made me ask, "How can a three year old occupy herself for so long with such mundane objects?" That was not the first we'd see of that - nor the last - this little girl could make anything a toy - including menus that would become babies, 2 liter bottles that would be rocked to sleep - ANYTHING - she knew how to occupy herself.
I will never forget her face as she saw the crowd at the airport waiting to welcome her home. The sister that would not hardly give her breathing room and wanted to help her walk around the airport, the staring faces that all just wanted to say Hi. And then her face - just soberly staring at all of her brothers and sister in the van as we drove home - it was almost as if she was saying, "Where did all of these kids come from and when will they be leaving??"
But she adjusted - in no time, she had 3 big brothers wrapped around her fingers and a sister that doted on her every minute. Still she would not talk to us - we got simple words like "momma, da da, eat" etc. but nothing more.
I remember the nights of putting her to bed and her screaming and screaming. I remember thinking, "The screaming is horrendous, but at least she is making sounds - there are no silent tears - for that I am glad."
I can only imagine her feelings as she is taken from doctor to doctor, from therapist to therapist, from clinic to clinic. All we hoped to do is find out where her sweet words were and how to unleash them. We wanted to make sure all was ok in her small body - and for that I am grateful to SO many doctors.
I can hardly imagine what went through her mind when she started 4 weeks of dental work - 19 teeth that needed to be fixed - but she sat in that chair with very little "deadener" because she broke out so badly from the first dose - and she never made a peep. Her tongue may have tried to shove the dentist out of the way, but her body laid there and did not fight.
It has been that way with every doctor we've seen. She has not fought - in fact, each time we are told, she does better than some adults. She was taught to lay still and that is obvious - she does that "with the best of them."
She has come a long way in five months - she is saying a few more words, she is GALLOPING now, trying hard to master jumping around the house, and smiling confidently when she says, "Mine." (Thanks to our speech therapist!!) She knows how to make choices (thanks also to our fabulous speech therapist) and she smiles when she gets to make a choice. How does a child make it to age 3 and not know she has a choice, does not know that anything is "hers"? I may never know those answers....
All of this came rushing into my mind today as we sat in, yet another doctor's office, filling out the pages of paperwork. It hits me every time I have to write "UNKNOWN" in so many spots on her sheets. I hate it - I hate it that I know almost nothing of her first three and a half years. I hate it that I have no idea why her little words are "stopped up" inside of her. I hate it that I can't find that trigger to unleash those words. I hate it that I can't erase a past filled with fear and pain. I hate it that when I go to play with her and raise my hand, she sometimes flinches. I hate it that sometimes when I am trying to make some headway, I can see the curtain cover her face - I know she has retreated again.
I will not give up. This little girl is my hero. I may never know what all her past has held, but for me I am trying to let that go. She is here now - we are so blessed to have her. She is our little lover - she wants to hug us and plants kisses all over everything - she is just so happy. She won't let us leave without a "bye" and a kiss on the lips - and it isn't a peck on the lips either - it is a two-handed grab of your cheeks to pull you down to her level so she can plant a kiss on your lips that stays with you long after you've left home. She's the first one to run to the door when you come home - she has to greet you with her soft "Hi" (that is sometimes not-so-soft but that's ok too - because it's a word and we love that!). She goes to bed every night now without a peep - she is happy to sleep on the bunk under her big sister - BUT ONLY if you sing "Good night Jada" before you turn off the light. She loves that song that I made up for her in China, and even sometimes during the day, will find you and ask you to sing "Night Night" as she smiles. She attacks life with gusto - our little wonder that has MAYBE 20/100 vision, we are told, with her glasses on. Nothing stops her - she is a survivor and she loves life. And we love her - we love our Jada Faith. We are so blessed - she teaches each of us lessons everyday -
I have learned something very valuable - you don't have to talk to communicate - I usually know exactly what she is trying to tell me. She is bright - she can communicate clearly without words. She has picked up a lot of sign in a few months' time. We are not scared of what the future holds - we have heard terms like autistic, mentally retarded, severely delayed, nearly blind - they've all been thrown out there along with others. But labels don't frighten us - God gave us Jada - she is not a mistake. God planned her JUST LIKE SHE IS - and I don't waver on that. Do I wonder what the next years hold? You bet I do, any parent does - but I am trusting - God can work miracles and He can give grace in unreasonable amounts - we've already felt that - we rely on it daily!
As a doctor gently reminded us today - we have a long road ahead of us - a VERY LONG ROAD - but she is a charmer and she will go far! Jada, thank you for teaching me so much in five short months - you are a gift to us all.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Great Words
I am so challenged by a book I read for part of my devotions - Jesus Calling by Sarah Young
just says it like it is.... Here is today's - it hit me where I am and wanted to share it.
"Come to Me with all your weaknesses: physical, emotional, and spiritual. Rest in the comfort of My Presence, remembering that nothing is impossible for Me.
Pry your mind away from your problems so that you can focus your attention on Me. Recall that I am able to do far beyond all that you ask or imagine. Instead of trying to direct Me to do this and that, seek to attune yourself to what I am already doing.
When anxiety attempts to wedge its way into your thoughts, remind yourself that I am your Shepherd. The bottom line is that I am taking care of you; therefore, you needn't be afraid of anything. Rather than trying to maintain control over your life, abandon yourself to My will. Though this may feel scary and dangerous, the safest place to be is in My will."
Eph. 3:20-21, "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever."
just says it like it is.... Here is today's - it hit me where I am and wanted to share it."Come to Me with all your weaknesses: physical, emotional, and spiritual. Rest in the comfort of My Presence, remembering that nothing is impossible for Me.
Pry your mind away from your problems so that you can focus your attention on Me. Recall that I am able to do far beyond all that you ask or imagine. Instead of trying to direct Me to do this and that, seek to attune yourself to what I am already doing.
When anxiety attempts to wedge its way into your thoughts, remind yourself that I am your Shepherd. The bottom line is that I am taking care of you; therefore, you needn't be afraid of anything. Rather than trying to maintain control over your life, abandon yourself to My will. Though this may feel scary and dangerous, the safest place to be is in My will."
Eph. 3:20-21, "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever."
Saturday, February 06, 2010
Cookie Nightmare (I mean fun!!!)
I do not know why we torture ourselves this way - oh yes, I do - the girls LOVE it!!
Enough with the directions, Dad - let's get to work!!
She was eating flour - oh dear, we need to work on that!
Jada's masterpiece - she goes light on the toppings!
Chloe's - she used the whole bottle of sugar on one cookie! (Ok, not quite, but close!)
If You Give Becky a Hair Dryer....
If you give Becky a hairdryer, she will start to dry her hair and then realize she needs her cup of coffee. (One CAN NOT dry one's hair without coffee!) Once she gets her cup of coffee, she sees that the coffee filters are almost gone so she needs to add that to the grocery list. Seeing the grocery list posted on the fridge reminds her that she has not cleaned off all of the notes on the fridge lately NOR has she worked on cleaning off the top of the fridge. So, she begins the task of organizing and pitching notes on the fridge and washing the top off. Once she wipes the top of the fridge off, she takes the washcloth down to the basement to wash and see LOADS of laundry that need to be switched, washed, folded, etc. and begins to make her way through those. Seeing the laundry reminds her that she hasn't gone through the girls clothes in awhile to see what fits so she proceeds to sort through drawers and closets to clean out clothes to take to the consignment shop. Sorting through clothes reminds Becky that the girls never got their hair brushed this morning, so she takes the girls into the bathroom to style their hair and sees the VERY smudgey glasses that are surely not helping her girls see!! As she is washing glasses for two girls, she sees her hairdryer and remembers that she was going to dry her hair. 3 hours later she thinks is it finally time to dry her hair and then she remembers she REALLY needs coffee to dry her hair. SEE WHY I DON'T GET MY HAIR DRIED UNTIL NOON!?!?!?!?(If this resembles If You Give a Mouse a Cookie at all - it is purely coincidental.)
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
How Can He Be 12??
There are some things that are just hard to fathom - and I have to say that believing that my little man is 12 is one of them! We love you Aaron -you are a blessing!!
We have had fun with this birthday - it's possibly the first Jada has seen so she is enamored with the cake, candles, and streamers! It is fun to watch!
Monday, January 18, 2010
Jada Update
It has been forever since I've posted on Jada - really, all is well. We are so amazingly grateful for the help we are receiving - Jada currently goes to speech therapy, occupational therapy, and will begin developmental preschool here shortly - we never knew all of this was even out there and we are just overwhelmed by the way our speech therapist has "gone to bat" for us. I mean it - she is amazing! We are seeing progress - it may seem slow, but it is sure - each day we hear new words and last week we even heard two words strung together!!! That is cause for celebration over here!
We are still in the middle of our weekly visit to our dentist - yes, it takes time to fill 19 cavities! But after our first visit where her lip ballooned to 4 times its size, and then proceeded to crack, peel, you name it - we are figuring it out! Last week our dentist used MUCH less numb-er and that seemed to do the trick - no problems! So two more visits yet in January and then we hope for a clean bill of "teeth"!!
We took Jada today to Sioux Falls to the "Castle" for her first appointment with her geneticist. We were so impressed again - both the counselor and Doctor were so helpful to us. The next step there is to write to our insurance company and request coverage for genetic testing - this is such a vital thing to help us know how to move forward with Jada, and yet our insurance company is not known for covering this. That's ok - we have a BIGGER God - and we pray that He will intercede for us!
We also had Jada's ultrasound done today - this is on her kidneys and is done once every three months to check for tumors - again, we were told she looked great. If I had time (ha, ha, ha!!!) one might be tempted to dwell on all of this - maybe worry, be tempted to wonder what in the world we've gotten ourselves into....but I have to say - that is just not where my mind goes (and that is amazing for me - a year ago - ok, six months ago!!! that would NOT have been the case.) I praise God for being totally in control - He gave us Jada and He has a plan for her little life. I praise Him for that -
I would be remiss though if I said we do all of this on our own - we make it because we are upheld in prayer - we thank each of you that cover us in prayer - we feel that and we are grateful. I must say also - I have always wanted to thank my parents publically - when we first told them we were adopting, it was scary for them, there are SO many unknowns - when we told them we were adopting a second time and this time possibly special needs - they bathed us in prayer, but we knew that that would create fear again. When we told them about Jada - they never flinched. They told us to step out in faith - and that was HUGE to us. And ever since that time - they have been "rocks" for us - even when I doubt, my parents shower Jada with nothing but praise and remind me how far she has come. I type this with tears in my eyes - we are blessed - we are just SO blessed. Thank you Dad and Mom for not saying "I told you so" but for loving on us AND Jada. (And all of our kids for that matter.) We just have so much to praise God for -
As I watched Jada today at the castle - I saw a little girl that was galloping down the hallway to each and every room she had to visit. (She doesn't walk anymore - the new Jada mode of transportation is a gallop!!) She held Chloe's hand, she smiled at people, she said "Hi" to doctors, and came away with a smile on her face. To me, that is worth it all - I love to see that smile!
We are still in the middle of our weekly visit to our dentist - yes, it takes time to fill 19 cavities! But after our first visit where her lip ballooned to 4 times its size, and then proceeded to crack, peel, you name it - we are figuring it out! Last week our dentist used MUCH less numb-er and that seemed to do the trick - no problems! So two more visits yet in January and then we hope for a clean bill of "teeth"!!
We took Jada today to Sioux Falls to the "Castle" for her first appointment with her geneticist. We were so impressed again - both the counselor and Doctor were so helpful to us. The next step there is to write to our insurance company and request coverage for genetic testing - this is such a vital thing to help us know how to move forward with Jada, and yet our insurance company is not known for covering this. That's ok - we have a BIGGER God - and we pray that He will intercede for us!
I would be remiss though if I said we do all of this on our own - we make it because we are upheld in prayer - we thank each of you that cover us in prayer - we feel that and we are grateful. I must say also - I have always wanted to thank my parents publically - when we first told them we were adopting, it was scary for them, there are SO many unknowns - when we told them we were adopting a second time and this time possibly special needs - they bathed us in prayer, but we knew that that would create fear again. When we told them about Jada - they never flinched. They told us to step out in faith - and that was HUGE to us. And ever since that time - they have been "rocks" for us - even when I doubt, my parents shower Jada with nothing but praise and remind me how far she has come. I type this with tears in my eyes - we are blessed - we are just SO blessed. Thank you Dad and Mom for not saying "I told you so" but for loving on us AND Jada. (And all of our kids for that matter.) We just have so much to praise God for -
As I watched Jada today at the castle - I saw a little girl that was galloping down the hallway to each and every room she had to visit. (She doesn't walk anymore - the new Jada mode of transportation is a gallop!!) She held Chloe's hand, she smiled at people, she said "Hi" to doctors, and came away with a smile on her face. To me, that is worth it all - I love to see that smile!
Friday, January 15, 2010
Send the Tooth Fairy!!
I can hardly even describe the amount of wiggling that's been going on over here ever since the dentist told Chloe that one of her teeth was getting wiggly. DAILY wiggling, pushing, asking if it's ready yet - you get the point! So, last night, when Dad announced it was time to try and pull the tooth - it was quite a deal! One slight yank, and it was out! Let the fun begin - Chloe had to show all of her brothers her pearly white prize! We had to find a special pillow to put it in under her pillow, and we had to make SURE the tooth fairy knew how to find her! We assured Chloe that she would be found! As she laid her head down last night, Chloe's words were, "I am afraid I will not be able to sleep tonight - I just can't WAIT for the tooth fairy to come." Oh my - to be five again!!
Friday, January 01, 2010
Our Visitors
Grandpa and Grandma FINALLY arrived - the snow subsided enough to let them travel our direction! We have had such fun with them - AND we had to take our annual Christmas (New Year's this year) photo!
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Friday, December 25, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
The Annual Bilby Christmas Letter
We can't decide - we're either very GREEN, or very CHEAP, or very LATE - or maybe all of the above!!! Either way - with a mom that's been house-bound for weeks - this is our way of sending Christmas Greetings this year. We do wish you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS! We are grateful for another year with family and friends!
2009 Christmas Letter
2009 Christmas Letter
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Movie Night
Movie night now has a whole new meaning. We used to be able to watch quietly and follow storylines with ease, now we have Jada! She does not, never has, enjoyed TV so when we sit down to watch a movie - thus begins Jada's playground. We are all fair game, yes, she even plopped in my lap MANY times, it was just harder to capture when it was my lap! So she hops from couch to couch, brings out many interesting toys, plays the piano, walks around singing, and even stands in front of the television - all Jada antics that keep the rest of us saying, "Is it bedtime yet?"
Meanwhile, the rest of us TRY to keep watching - she did start out by Chloe, but then Chloe missed out on any more "Jada visits"!
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Christmas Program
I hadn't had a great night OR day - so I was thinking I probably wouldn't try to go to the program when Chloe comes up to me - with all the seriousness of a 5 year old drama queen and says, "Mom, you really aren't thinking of missing the Christmas Program, are you!?!?" To which I replied, "Umm, No - definitely not!" So I put some make up on, put a smile on my face, and gingerly went to the program. It was SO good - I am glad I didn't miss it. Let me show you some highlights....
Jada clapped after every song - she was the only kid clapping, but she was just TOO proud!!
Jada clapped after every song - she was the only kid clapping, but she was just TOO proud!!
Jada reclined on Chloe - but hey, what's a sister for!?!?
Sometimes Jada just felt like sitting - hey, who can blame her - 45 min. is a LONG TIME at 3 years old!!
And sometimes it was just a good opportunity to practice tying our shoes - make the most of every moment!!
Sometimes Jada just felt like sitting - hey, who can blame her - 45 min. is a LONG TIME at 3 years old!!
And sometimes it was just a good opportunity to practice tying our shoes - make the most of every moment!!
And now I'm off to head to bed - that took all the gumption right out of me!
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