Merry Christmas...

It is so hard to believe that Christmas is really here! The tree is up, presents wrapped and Santa has been seen. The kids are pumped and we are already exhausted...'tis the season!

Standing in line at the mall, waiting to see Santa, you can't help be feel the excitement in the little ones as they try to peek through the crowd to get a glimpse of the man in red. Anna would point and say, "ho, ho! ho, ho!" Parker started getting quiet and a little nervous knowing he was about to meet the one who "knows if you been bad or good." Carter is totally in his own world as he is reciting lines from "Elf" saying he was going to tell Santa he smelled like beef and cheese!!! And Jacob, poor Jacob...he was terrified that someone was going to see him in line to see Santa! I don't know how many more years I will be able to drag them to sit on Santa's lap with their little siblings...boo hoo...where did my babies go?!?

When it was finally our turn to see Santa himself, Anna ran right up to him and got in his lap. She immediately started playing with his beard and again, "ho, ho! ho, ho!" Parker is hiding behind my legs, refusing to sit on the "Ol' Man's" knee. When "he" heard me tell Parker to go sit on his lap, Santa said, "come here Parker and stand beside me." Parker went over and ended up on Carter's lap. They all recited their wish lists....Transformers....and we went on our way.

Later that night at home, Parker was playing on the computer, he turned around, very serious and asked, "How did Santa know my name?" His sweet face was in wonder and you could tell in his eyes his little mind was running a hundred miles and hour. I bet he had been thinking about Santa saying his name all night. I could have just ate him up! He is too sweet.

Those are the little moments that I want to remember as I get older. The innocent fascination, excitement and wonder of Christmas. The funny memories of Carter and Jacob shouldn't be forgot either. I remember having to sit on Santa's knee with my little brother when I really didn't want to, so it makes Jacob's reaction a little bit funnier to me I guess. Of course, Carter wanting to play "Buddy" is just funny period. I know I am partial, but seriously, are my kids not the best?!?

As we have fun and begin the traditional Christmas gatherings, there is a sense of someone is missing. The holidays seem harder. As Anna ran up to Santa, I could just imagine Anna holding Elli's hand and them running together. She is already a part of us and we just wish she were here. But for whatever reason, she isn't and although very difficult at times, I must enjoy my children this year that I do have with me. There are times that I feel a bit guilty enjoying myself, but I guess that is the internal pull between two places...here and China.

Sending love & hugs to our Elli,

Rodney, Marcy, Carter, Jacob, Parker & Anna Mei

The Winner Is.....

Julie Young!!! Congrats Julie on winning the necklace and thank you for your support. Thanks to everyone that participated. Every dollar is appreciated.

Sending love & hugs to Elli,
Rodney, Marcy, Carter, Jacob, Parker & Anna

Fundraiser Experiment...

We are having a fundraiser/giveaway on Elli's blog. If you would like to check it out - please do ;-)

Thanks,
Rodney, Marcy, Carter, Jacob, Parker & Anna

Birthday & Pre-School...

Yesterday we celebrated Anna's 3rd birthday with a small party with her brothers and cousins. Since we are soooooo cramped in the rent house, we had it at my mom and dad's....8 kids and 10 adults - there is no way we could pull that off in our house! Thanks Momma ;-) Anyway, the kids had a good time. The gift of the night...a Cinderella light up stick...go figure? My guess is that it has Cinderella's picture on it and it looks like a mini-light saber - what could be better? Oh yeah and she loved the incredibly gaudy Cinderella pink streamer ponytail holder from my sister. Sorry if any of you have these, or like them....just not my personal taste and my sister is well aware of that. We are very basic bows, barrettes type ladies...but Anna sported it very well and yes, I will let her wear it...to the mailbox!

See what I mean?

Today was Anna's first pre-school speech session. Since she is 3, she no longer qualifies for the "in-home" therapy and is transitioning into the school system. Thankfully, the school system is working with us and allowing us to only come for speech right now. Eventually, I will let her go more but not yet...still holding this little bird in the nest.

I know that it will be beneficial for Anna to go and I WILL put her best interest ahead of mine, but she is sooo tiny and the fact that she isn't verbal yet, I am just not comfortable with it just yet. I do want her to be transitioned to go more before Elli gets home because I think it will be very good for Elli to have some time with me alone without having to compete with Anna 24/7. Then we will start transitioning Elli into Anna's class. I know that Anna has a lot of ground to cover before she starts Kindergarten and I want her to be as prepared as possible. We want her to excel to her abilities whatever that may be. We know that she is sharp, she just hasn't been able to convey what's in that cute little head of hers just yet.

Anna and I went to the school this morning for her first day. She will only be going on Tuesdays for now. She was very excited to be going solo with Momma. I don't think she understood where we were going, but she just knew she had her new backpack and Parker was at home with Daddy. We got to the school, put on her jacket, backpack and I had to snap a couple of pictures for you guys ;-) She was so excited as she was taking it all in.

Seriously, how adorable is she? This is 'one' of the moments I wanted to put her back in the car and come home...simultaneously excited for her because I knew she was excited.

No, she isn't pointing at the "Welcome to Pre-School" sign, but rather saying "light!!" She loves lights.

We walked into her class and she squealed as she remembered the room and the teacher from our IEP meeting. All the other kids were seated on a rug in the center of the room ready for a story. Anna went straight to the middle of the carpet, right in the middle of all the kids and started hopping around. The teacher introduced Anna to the other kids, who were too cute, and they all said, "Hi Anna!!!" She then started walking around the circle waving and saying, "hi" to each kid...yeah, I was swallowing pretty hard at this point. She didn't want to sit on the carpet with the other kids and the teacher let her do her own thing. She walked back to me where I was bent down on the floor and sat in my lap. "Oh no, I missed my 'slip out' moment," I thought. She started whining, laying her head on my chest. I got up on my knees where she had to lean against me, but couldn't sit in my lap. After a minute or so, she walked away and sat in a chair. They divided up into small groups and when she got her paper and crayon, it was time for me to leave my little baby all alone in a room full of strangers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh my heart was ripping out of my chest...the torment!!!!!

"Hi, Hi, Hi" (wave, wave, wave).

Paper, crayons...good to go.

Okay, a little dramatic I know, but it was painful...painful. I do not like not having "supervisory control" over my kids, especially when they are tiny...did I mention how tiny she is? She wore a sweater size 24 months people...jeans - 24 months...and a diaper!!! She is a baby! I know, a 3 year old baby, but still a baby to me. But, no tears from either of us and I left.

I drove to the library and tried to get interested in a book...not thinking about her or the strong desire to constantly check my cell phone. The time passed and I was ready to go back and pick her up...hopefully finding her very happy and no evidence of tears!

I walked to the office door and there she was looking out the glass waiting for her momma! She yelled, "mama!" when I opened the door and wanted me to pick her up. Of course I obliged and the speech therapist told me she did really well...good girl! We told everyone good bye and we will do it again next week.

Growing pains are hard...on all of us!

Yeah for Anna being a big girl & for momma not making her mascara run!

Rodney, Marcy, Carter, Jacob, Parker & Anna

Happy Birthday Anna!!!

This day is not only the day of her birth 3 years ago in China, but also the day that we were officially matched with Anna 2 years ago. We cannot imagine our life without this tiny little gift. She loves to dance, sing, jump, flip, dress up and be the center of attention. She gives some of the best "love", has the sweetest smile and is the perfect size to cuddle. She can throw a Spider-man web, fight with light sabers and wear a tiara, all at the same time. Anna is an answered prayer, a symbol of love and encouragement to keep fighting for those forgotten. She has given us more than we could ever give to her. Many, many hugs and kisses to our perfect little girl Anna Mei Yi!

Happy Birthday Anna!!

Daddy, Momma, Carter, Jacob & Parker

Smile for Elli....

Rodney holding our baby nephew Sam (my sister's baby), Me holding Anna, our sole niece Caroline (my brother's daughter), standing our nephew Jack (my sister's son), Parker, Carter, Jacob and our nephew Harris wearing the tie (my brother's son). Harris LOVES to dress up - ties, suits, the whole bit...cute!

As we were gathering pictures for our dossier, I wanted to include a picture of Rodney and I with our niece and nephews. So, Sunday after church, we gathered the wild bunch...which was a task within itself, for a photo. Just think in a few months, there will be 2 more kids in the photo! Rodney's sister is expecting (due in March) and of course Elli. Can you imagine a sleep over at my house!?!

They really are all good kids...very smart, funny and yes, spoiled rotten! I was very fortunate to grow up close to my cousins which was a rarity when I was young...now my kids are getting to grow up with their cousins and I am soooo thankful. They love to play and argue over everything! But the do love each other.

We love all our babies ;-)

Rodney, Marcy, Carter, Jacob, Parker & Anna

Freedom....

We took Anna to her 2 week post-op visit on Wednesday. Her surgeon said that he was pleased with her healing. The sutures are dissolving and the tissue is "holding". The areas along her gum line are filling back in and he said we could lose the "no nos"!!! Freedom!!!!

Anna is still getting used to actually being able to bend her elbows. She will bring me her sippy cup for a drink and I tell her to do it herself. She gets a sheepish grin, remembering that she can. Anna is now able to eat normally and is she ever. The first evening, she was eating chips, crackers, cookies, pop-tarts...her favorite snacks. Anna is just like her momma; she loves her carbs!

We won't know exactly if and when Anna will need additional palate surgery. When Anna is about 5, we will be able to "hear" if Anna will need more surgery. For the next 2 years we will be working feverishly on her speech therapy and praying that she will require no more palate reconstruction.

Now for an Elli update, or at least Elli's papers update, the courier took our dossier to the US State Dept. and picked it back up on Wednesday. She then carried to the Chinese Embassy and is suppose to pick it up today! She is mailing Fed-Ex and it should be delivered to me on Monday. Good news ;-)

Sending love & hugs to Elli,

Rodney, Marcy, Carter, Jacob, Parker & Anna