Happy Birthday Jacob!!!

Birthday Boy!

Today Jacob turned 9 years old! I do not feel old enough to have a 9 year old child...I definatley do not feel old enough for my second child to be 9 years old!

Cute Party of 4

Jacob was our second child, our second son. He was born just 20 months after our oldest son, Carter. Jacob is a sweet, considerate and compassionate child. He is very thoughtful and loving. He adores his little sister and will do just about whatever she wants. He is a great kid and we are soooo proud of him. He is smart, witty and quite a dancer :-)

Happy Birthday Jacob - We love you very much!!

Love,
Daddy, Momma, Carter, Parker & Anna

Happy 1 Week Birthday!!

Mr. Samuel Ryan in his "big boy clothes"

Okay, so the picture wasn't taken on his 1 week birthday, but close enough. He is still doing great. He is still in NICU, but still no need for breathing assistance or IVs. He has taken some bottles, but mainly is on tube feedings due to his premature state and his inability to suck, swallow and breathe simultaneously. That doesn't come until about the 35th week and technically he is just 33 weeks. They have told my sister that once he is home, he will need to stay in one area of the house that is heated in the mid-70s and to stay wrapped all snug. He doesn't have the ability to maintain his body temperature yet, that too will just come with time.

Unfortunately for me, I haven't been able to "see" the little guy yet :-( It is a crummy time of year to have a newborn period, due to the "cold/flu" season, but especially a little guy like Samuel, it is critical to keep all potential germs and viruses far, far away. We have had coughing and runny noses in our house for a while now, so I wouldn't dare go near him...nor do I think my sister would allow it :-) When my nephew, Jack (Sam's big brother), was in treatment for Leukemia, we learned all about neutropenic conditions, so if you feel sick at all ---- you have to stay away. It is really hard to not go around, but I wouldn't jeopardize his health, or my sister's/brother in law's health right now...Sam needs them, not his aunt Marcy...that will come later. So we wait at home, hoping and praying for his continued improvements and dream of the first time we get to hold him, well I do anyway....he's sooo cute!!

Thankful for Samuel's continued progress and sending love to Sam!!

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

Welcome to the World Samuel Ryan!!!

On January 6 at 10:41 am, my sister Stephanie and her husband Rick welcomed their new son Samuel Ryan into the world and were overjoyed as he took his first breath and let out a loud cry announcing his arrival. Born at 32 weeks, we are just sooo thankful that he is doing better than anyone expected. He is not on oxygen, he is eating from a bottle and is just perfect. He is still in NICU due to his premature birth, but making progress far beyond expectations. God has answered our many prayers for his health. Mom and dad are doing great too.

Jack getting the news on the phone that Mom had the baby

Jack giving a very tired momma big hugs

Mr. Samuel Ryan

4 lbs. 11 oz 18 inches long

Happy to be an aunt again to another beautiful baby :-)

Sending love to Stephanie, Rick and baby Sam,

Rodney, Marcy, Carter, Jacob, Parker and Anna Mei Yi

Christmas in a Flash....

I know, I am horrible. Here is is January 7 and I haven't even posted that first picture of Christmas....awful! If you want to read my excuses, here they are, if not, skip to the next paragraph. We passed a viral infection around our house pre-Christmas, had Christmas with no sickness, then started getting sick AGAIN! We had body aches, head aches, sniffles, cough, fever, "red" eyes and just felt bad. I was house bound for about 1 1/2 weeks, no church, no grocery, no nothing! We usually do our "last minute" shopping the week before Christmas, but this time, I was scrambling online trying to get everything and make sure it was going to get here....it was nuts, but it all worked out and we had a wonderful Christmas.

Anna was not that concerned with the whole present thing...she was more fascinated with the ribbons and the center rolls of the wrapping paper. We pretty much had to unwrap all her presents and she played with the gift tags. Parker of course, being 3, he was loving it! Everything he opened, "It's a brand new _______!!!" "Amazing!" Every gift, I kid you not. Even in his stocking at my in-laws', he was announcing his "brand new apple!!" Totally thrilled with everything. Three, four and five (before kindergarten) is really the "prime" age for kids. They are just beside themselves and have no real reservations regarding their excitement outbursts...I loved it.

Carter and Jacob, they were loving Christmas too. Of course the gifts are always great, but they love playing with their cousins (Jack & Harris) as well as the extended cousins that they don't get to see that often.

This Christmas was extra special for us since it was Anna's first real Christmas. For two years prior, I knew I had a daughter somewhere that I needed to bring home as soon as possible. Last year, I knew who she was and where she was at, and this year, she was with us. What a tremendous blessing to have this little girl in our family. The joy she brings to our lives is unimaginable.

Very, very late Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all. May you find true peace and happiness in 2008 and may you and yours be blessed.

Sending love from Rodney, Marcy, Carter, Jacob, Parker & Anna Mei Yi

Broken Hearted...

As I write this post, I am doing so with a heavy heart. After many, many weeks of waiting, my cousin got word just yesterday, that CCAA had denied their pre-approval to bring home Cassi. It is due to some of the new regulations that went into effect in May, 2007. Gina and Richie are awesome parents and they had soooo much to offer this little girl, but due to difference in interpretations of the new regulations, they were denied.

This is heart breaking for many reasons. One of course is the fact that we all loved Cassi as a member of our family already, therefore there is a feeling of loss. As well, I hurt for Gina and Richie who opened themselves up to love a child, only to now feel hurt. Also, due to some of the regulations, the door for adopting from China is closed for so many good people that would be such good parents to these children. So I hurt not only for Cassi, but for all the other kids that could have families now if some of the regulations were not in play. But, there is nothing that can be done because what China says, goes.

We cannot understand why things happen the way that they do, but have to have faith that God is ultimately in control of everything. Cassi is a precious little girl and we pray that she is matched with a family very soon that will love and cherish her as she deserves. There will never be a child that can take her place in our hearts and she will always be remembered and loved.

Sending love and prayers for a family soon to Qing Zu Qiao and prayers of support and love to Gina, Richie & Issac

Love,

Rodney, Marcy, Carter, Jacob, Parker & Anna

Cassi is 2

Salem Cassidy ZuNei turns 2 today!! Cassi is waiting in China for her family, my cousin Gina & Richie. They are currently waiting for their PA (pre-approval) and ready to start the certification/authentication process of their dossier.
BTDT and it is not fun. The holidays are not easy when you are waiting for your child. But, the time really does pass and it really does happen. Last year at this time we were away from Anna during her birthday, Thanksgiving and Christmas and was horrible. It seemed as though the wait was endless, but now she is home! We are all excited for the time when Cassi will be home too.
Happy Birthday Cassi and prayers of comfort for her mommy and daddy as they wait,Rodney, Marcy, Carter, Jacob, Parker & Anna

Early Christmas Present...

This video was made by a fellow CHI member as a Christmas present to all her blogging buddies. There are countless beautiful children in this video that have joined their families through adoption. I am so happy that she included Anna and myself. Thank you Angel!

Tissue Warning! :-)



Sending love from Rodney, Marcy, Carter, Jacob, Parker & Anna