Pictures of Elli!!!!

I woke up this morning to EIGHT beautiful pictures of Elli at her BIRTHDAY PARTY!!!!!! If you want to see one of the sweetest faces ever, you need to go check them out!

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

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

My Little Energizer Bunny...

If I had just had surgery, on my mouth on Tuesday, I honestly think I would still be in the hospital begging for morphine! It honestly hurts me to see the inside of her mouth; the stitches, the gum line pulled away from her teeth, the swelling...ouch!! But, not our little Anna. She is one fierce fighter. Anna doesn't let anything keep her down for long - I have called her my little energizer bunny!


We arrived at Jewish Hospital in Louisville at 6:00 am...yeah, that's 5:00 am my time! Anna was in a good mood and hadn't begged for any food, which is not typical of her normal routine. They took us back around 6:30 to do the pre-op questioning, weighing, temp, etc. One of the nurses was giving Anna stickers, crayons, coloring books to pass the time. The nurse picked out Dora and Piglet which Anna could have cared less about. Then I noticed a Spiderman roll of stickers. I showed Anna and she of course started her Spiderman chanting. She clung to her sticker until she fell asleep on my chest. The ENT physician and her plastic surgeon both came in to see us before they took her back around 7:20. She was asleep when the nurse took her from me. She raised her head and laid it back on the nurses shoulder. She never cried or fussed...thank you God! If she had started crying, it would have been bad on all of us.


The ENT came out around 7:50 to tell us he was done and the tubes went in fine. The palatoplasty was beginning and should last around 2 hours. At 8:40 her surgeon came out and told us he was finished. He said that Anna was awake and very upset, but they were giving her something to make her rest. I of course wanted to go to the Recovery Room then, but I knew I couldn't. Around 9:15, they told me I could come back. As I walked into the room, I could hear her. The patients in the "step-down" recovery area were all looking at me with this, "oh, that poor baby" look on their faces. As I rounded the corner to go into the recovery area, she was fighting a nurse trying to hold her. There were about 5 nurses in the area trying to move the bed out of the way, putting a reclining chair in the area for me and trying to console Anna. She had the same recovery nurse as last time, who knew me immediately as I entered the room. She told Anna, "here's momma, here's your momma."

Anna was bleeding some, but not as much as last time. Her face was pretty swollen and her lips were cracked at the corners. Her eyes were blank and she looked very confused. I tried to talk to her, but she was so mad at the arm restraints, the confusion and I am certain the pain. They gave her another dose of IV pain medication and it wasn't long until she was sleep on my chest. After about 45 minutes, they let Rodney come back to sit with us.

When he walked in, he started trying to talk to her. She in a pitiful little voice said, "button". Button is one of her favorite words. Rodney nodded and answered back, "button," as he pointed to the button on his shirt. He sat down and she then said, "necklace." My husband is not a terribly sentimental guy. But, when Carter was about 4 years old, made him a necklace. It is not pretty but Rodney wears it everyday without fail. It is just a black cord with six green beads and 1 yellow bead. It is one of the funny things about Rodney that makes me laugh at him but also makes me love him. It does not match his personality or his clothes for that matter. But he is faithful in wearing it. One day, he had forgotten to put it on after his shower. He came out of the bathroom and Jacob asked him where his necklace was. I think it means a lot to the boys, mainly Carter and Jacob that he wears it. Anna has since day 1 been fascinated with Rodney's necklace. When she said, "necklace" in the Recovery Room, he pulled it out from under his shirt, she raised her head and he put it on her. She then laid her head back on my chest and drifted off to sleep. She still has it on.

They clipped the tongue string, which was not a pleasant experience for anyone. During her very upset episode, she had managed to swallow the string. I had to flick the string that was at the back of her tongue where the nurse could get the scissors in to clip it. Then when she pulled the string, she had swallowed about a 10 inch string down her throat....the whole thing just wore her out. She quickly fell back asleep, hair soaked with sweat and "snubbing" during her sleep. You just want to cry for her because I am sure she just doesn't understand what has happened and why we are torturing her. Hopefully, she won't remember....she still loves me, so I guess she doesn't.

Anna's surgeon had a certain floor that he wanted Anna on, so we had to wait until someone was discharged on that floor and the room was cleaned. We were in recovery for 5 hours! It was a long time. The staff made us as comfortable as possible, but it just wasn't very private and there were other patients, who had just had surgery and I am sure feeling bad themselves wishing that the crying baby would stop. No one was rude to us at all, in fact they were all very sympathetic, but I am sure they wished their recovery period was a little more quiet.

After we got to the room, Anna and I laid in the bed and she rested pretty good beside of me as long as I was touching her. She would throw her hand up on my face or on my arm just to make sure I was still there. She wasn't interested in drinking anything and mainly wanted to sleep....so Anna slept the majority of the afternoon.

After being with Momma while groggy and grumpy, Anna is ready to play with Daddy when she is starting to feel "energized"! Notice the black cord necklace ;-)

Just 12 hours after surgery, Anna is willing to give us a sweet smile!

She rested really, really good during the night. Only waking up a few times. We kept the pain meds coming because I did not want to be playing "catch up" on pain management. If I had just had surgery, I wouldn't want to start hurting before I got my next dose. They were really good about bringing her what she needed, but not pestering. At times the night nurse would just walk to the end of the bed, ask me if everything was okay and leave. They didn't come in and check her BP every hour because she went nuts when they came rolling in the room with the BP & temp machine.

She woke up Wednesday morning in a really good mood and hungry. She ate a whole container of yogurt, half a container of chocolate pudding, drank some milk and a little bit of juice. We were discharged at 1:00 pm and headed home. We had to stop at the grocery to pick up some PediaSure and some foods that Anna could eat. We go back in one week for a post-op visit and to see if she will be ready for solid foods.

We just love this girl so much. How can you not just want to hug this sweet baby?

Last night, Anna ate some baby food (she likes it for some reason?!?!), pudding and drank some PediaSure. She slept all night and woke up this morning ready to go. She has ate 2 packets of grits...my little southern belle...PediaSure and now on a cup of milk. Anna is now running...let me repeat that, running around the house with a light saber! The swelling in her face is minimal now, her eyes aren't swollen at all now and her lips are looking pretty close to normal now. She isn't drooling very much at all and the bleeding is pretty non-existent.

This morning with a little PediaSure drool on Anna's dress & chocolate donuts on Parker's mouth, they were happy to be together again.

Anna has proven once again to be very strong. We are surprised how well she handles every obstacle that is thrown her way. She is determined and strong willed. And she does all this while being just down right gorgeous! We are so proud of our little girl and so thankful that her surgery was successful.

Happy to be home with a healthy little girl & sending love to Elli,
Rodney, Marcy, Carter, Jacob, Parker & Anna

God Has Responded...Again!

I don't think that I can accurately put into words the total feeling of relief, joy, thankfulness, gratitude, appreciation, and utter excitement of today's events. I began my morning with emailing my Representative, the CCAI, my home study and placing agency, the immigration attorney, and calling my Senator's office to let them know that our asset verification package arrived at the USCIS office yesterday morning. I wanted to let them know so that they could begin again to ask for our case status since our "new" information was in their possession.

Around 2:00 in the afternoon, I got a call from one of my Senator's office. When I saw the number on the caller ID, I ran into the bathroom - my new office - it is the quietest room in this house. The case worker said, "Mrs. Gross?" "This is she," I say. "This is XXXXX at Senator McConnell's office. I emailed immigration regarding your status and I just got an email from the field officer saying that your case had been approved and notification was sent in the mail yesterday." Hands are beginning to shake, stomach is making its way up my throat and I say, "Whoa, whoa, whoa...who is this?" Yeah, I was sounding really professional with my "whoas". She repeated her name. I said, "are you saying that we got our approval?" She read me the email message and said, "if you don't have it in the next couple of days, call me and I will walk down there and get it myself." Have you ever had an emotional dam to break? Well I have and I had another one to break today. I began to cry, nearly sobbing. She congratulated me and I hung up the phone. Tears are rolling, I begin to scream and jumping up and down. I think I may have pulled a muscle in my thigh, but that's okay. Parker came running into the room asking, "why are you crying? Momma, what are you doing? Momma, why are you doing that?" He got excited too when I told him that we got good news about Elli.

As soon as I get through with my happy dance, I call Rodney. Of course he doesn't answer! So I leave a message and call my cousin. She was the first one that I got to "tell". She has been an awesome support for me. I know that they have prayed, brain stormed, and were willing to do whatever to help us get this done....Thank you! Next, I started calling mine and Rodney's family. Everyone was really excited because we have been praying for this mountain to be removed since June. It wasn't on my time table, God knows, but he has responded!

I don't ever want to deny giving God the glory for what he has and is doing in my life. He has given me a life far better than one I could have planned on my own. He has provided and made ways for my family that no one else could have done. He has moved on people's hearts to help us, to fight for us and to pray for us. I praise God for this work, but I want to thank all of you who have supported us and prayed that our approval would come soon. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

So, if you are like the rest of my family...what's next? When the approval comes in the mail, I make a copy, have that copy notarized along with my other dossier documents, county certified and then they will go to Frankfort for the state level certification. I hope it comes tomorrow so that I can get this done tomorrow and in the mail to Frankfort by Saturday. Then Anna will have her surgery on Tuesday and I hope that it will be back to me by Thursday. Then it will be going to Washington, D.C. for Secretary of State certification and Chinese Embassy authentication. Following all the signatures, seals and stamps the documents will go to our placing agency where it will be translated and sent to China. When it arrives in China, we will wait for the LID (log in date). After the LID, somewhere around 80 days (sometimes more, sometimes less) we should receive a LOA/SC (letter of acceptance/seeking confirmation) asking us if we want to continue to proceed with the adoption. We check YES, sign and return to China. After the LOA/SC gets back to China they usually issue a TA (travel approval) in about 2 to 3 weeks. After the TA has been received, our placing agency will schedule our CA (consulate appointment) and that determines our travel dates and the day that WE WILL MEET ELLI!!!!

Can you see the light at the end of this insanely long and twisted tunnel? Because I think I see a flicker ahead! With averages, we could be traveling in mid-January. Yeah, go back and read my previous posts where I say that January looked near impossible...what's impossible? I am just loving today, what can I say?!?

So incredibly thrilled and sending the biggest hug ever to my sweet Elli,
Rodney, Marcy, Carter, Jacob, Parker & Anna

Promise Kept...

This post is purely just random pictures. I promised you all pictures of my sweet girl and yesterday I got into trouble for not updating the blog recently - so Jill, this is for you ;-)

She may be a girl, but the influences of her brothers and father are evident. Seriously, I never thought Anna would be wearing a Remington cap, but I guess I never really thought she would be obsessed with super heroes & Star Wars either!?!

Halloween costumes are out at our house all year long. We buy costumes after Halloween (when they are cheap!) and they are played with 365 days a year.

Look at that sweet face.

I told them to do funny faces...Anna had to get up from the couch so she would be front & center. She is quite the attention hog!

Anna isn't the only silly around here. Parker is quite the nut. He is one of the funniest 4 year olds I have ever met...no partiality here either.

It is a 'birthday tradition' at my house. If it is your birthday, you get to drink out of the King Cup, as it was named by Carter when he was about 4 years old. Since then, they don't let us forget to pull out the King Cup on their special day. It can be the smallest, silliest things that make a kid feel special....hence the traditional King Cup!

Parker turned the big FOUR in June. Can you just feel the excitement of blowing out candles? Parker was being cheered on by his cousin Harris.

My lone niece, Caroline. Parker & Caroline are only 1 month apart & best buds. They will play Star Wars & superheros one minute then cook in the "kitchen" the next.

Do you sense the "First Day of School" excitement? It lasted...oh, about 1 day - max!

So we are in the rental now & no one has any privacy. We are having a lot of 'together' time. Some days it is good, like the one pictured above...others, well I usually don't pull out the camera for those ;-)

Last night after church, Anna climbed up in the rocker & just passed out.

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

Total Drama Island...

My oldest boys are loving this cartoon. It is an adaptation of the "reality" shows that have taken over television land. Just like the "real" reality shows, it is basically a competition between the characters and at the end of the show, one of the characters gets kicked off the island. Well, we aren't cartoon characters, cause if we were, I would 're-draw' a few details, but we seem to be living on Total Drama Island!

If you have been following Elli's blog, then you are well aware of our family dramas. If not, you can feel a lot better about your day by reading about our crazy life right now ;-) I am well aware of how blessed I am....I have four beautiful, healthy children and a great husband - money can't buy what I have, BUT, my plate does seem a little full right now with everything going on right now.

I promise I will post pictures of my sweet Anna soon. Since we have moved, I honestly don't even know where my camera is right now and I haven't downloaded any pictures since mid-July...I know, that's bad! But, Anna is doing great. She is just as beautiful as ever. Her hair is growing, getting thicker and is actually attempting to use more words now. They are still very hard to understand if you aren't around Anna constantly, but she is making progress and we are proud of her.

She is definitely a soon-to-be 3 year old! She can throw a "fit" with the best of them. She has a temper and knows how to use it. When she isn't getting her way, she does the rottenly sweet thing where she is crying, mouth opened, and she takes her hand to cover her opened mouth. It is just like she is saying, "I am so shocked and disappointed that this is all happening." It really is a pitiful site, unless you have seen it about 10 times in one day - then it doesn't really bother you at all.

Anna is scheduled for her next surgery on the 23rd. It is suppose to be the closure of her soft palate and placement of tubes in her ears. I am not really excited about the recovery period of the palate surgery, but I am excited to see the difference tubes may make in her language.

Please continue to keep Anna in your prayers as she is facing another surgery. She needs to be healthy prior to, during and afterwards. No colds, no allergies, no nothing! As well, please keep our adoption proceedings with Elli in your prayers. It has been a long hard road and it seems to be getting longer. May God give us wisdom to help us bring Elli home as quickly as possible. We are praying that he intervenes on our behalf and settle all of this mess very soon.

Sending hugs and love to Elli,

Rodney, Marcy, Carter, Jacob, Parker & Anna

Happy 4th of July...

Fireworks, cookouts, lots of red, white & blue, the Fourth of July has always been a fun, hot holiday. When in the process of adopting Anna, one of the big things that I most looked forward to, other than the actual meeting of our daughter, was when we entered the United States and she became a citizen entitled to all the freedoms and rights we have in America.

Now, I know this nation isn't perfect...programs, policies, leaders, they are flawed, BUT, I can take my children outside, to the grocery, to church without the fear of being shot down by our military because I disagree with the above mentioned. Even with all the current issues, there is no where else I had rather live. At times, I do wonder about our future as a nation, I sometimes am concerned about what lies ahead, but I am thankful to be an American. Countless men and women served and died to form, protect and defend this country. Our freedoms that we so often throw around without thought did not come cheap.

So shoot some fireworks, eat a hot dog and wear the colors of "Old Glory" today...but remember take time to remember those who have fought and died so that you could do just that and give thanks for the freedoms that still exist in America.

Happy Independence Day,

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

Anna Sees the Atlantic...

What a funny site we must have been...three boys, one man and one woman, walking onto the beach with all our attention directed at one little girl. Taking pictures and video while we oooohhhh and ahhhhh at every little bit of excitement Anna displayed.

She liked the water, but not in her face. She likes the sand, as long as you get it washed off quickly, but her favorite....chasing the birds! There were sea gulls walking on the beach and Anna would squeal and take off. I think she would have ran all the way down the beach after a couple of birds if I would have let her. They were flying low and she just knew she could get them....I don't know what she thought she was going to do with them, but she wanted to do something.

The little pools of water that catch when the tide goes out are great "kiddie pools" for the little ones. Anna stood for a long time trying to get her footing on the sand. She walked so stiff legged, it was funny. She finally gained some confidence and starting walking "normal".

Even though it wasn't their first trip to the ocean, I don't know that the boys could have been more excited. We had to pick up somethings this morning and it was pure torture for Carter & Jacob knowing that Grandma & Pa were at the beach and they were at TJ Maxx!!

Finally!!!

Before we got to the beach, we stopped off at Metcalf Bottoms around Townsend, TN in the Smokey Mountains to meet up with a couple of families from our adoption agency. The kids had tons of fun playing in a mountain stream. It was great to finally see people that I have read soooo much about! We had a great time with the families. They were all just beautiful children. Savannah, Jack, Will, Thomas, Leah & Alanna (forgive me if I misspelled names)....such sweet kids. All the kids played good together and Jack - you can baby sit my boys ANYTIME! Carter and Jacob thought Jack was soooo cool.

Anna trying to get "kisses" from Alanna

Anna had a ball jumping with Leah

Water, rocks, critters - perfection!

Can we arrange a marriage between Anna & Thomas? He stole my heart!

Perfectly content just standing in the water watching the boys

We have really ran full speed for the last 2 days. Got to Gatlinburg around 1:00 am on Saturday morning. Anna did not go to sleep until after 5:00 am. Therefore, I did not go to sleep until after 5:00 am. We got up early Saturday morning, went to the picnic and the kids played hard the entire time we were there. They slept a little yesterday in the car, but they were awake for the majority of the 7 hour drive yesterday. They stayed up late last night, Anna crawled all over me all night last night, busy, busy all day today and after we got back from the beach, went to the pool, got baths, they literally passed out! Hopefully Anna will sleep good tonight - Momma needs it!

Anna fell asleep on Grandma's lap

I don't know how or why he was in this position, but Parker fell asleep watching cartoons

Jacob falls out before dinner is finished

Yeah, I know one day Carter will not like me posting a picture with his mouth wide open...at least he isn't drooling!

Having a great family vacation, but wishing there was one more here...

Sending love and hugs to Elli,

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

Supporting Elli's Class Through Search Engine...

This is new to me...maybe not to some of you, but I wanted to pass along. There is a fairly new search engine that is owned by Yahoo. When you use the search engine they will donate to a verified charity. If you shop through one of their sponsors, they will donate a percentage of the total purchase!!!

This is an awesome opportunity to support Elli's classroom at her orphanage. I have mentioned Half the Sky numerous times before and the work that they do in China orphanages - including Elli's. They are one of the charities that you can select your "donation" to be given to. As well, Love Without Boundaries is also one of the charities. LWB is the charity that got Elli's palate surgery done. In addition, there is Shaohannah's Hope which gave us a grant for Anna's adoption and we are in process of seeking a grant for Elli's adoption. Shaohannah's Hope not only give grants to adoptive families, but funds foster care and is currently building a 6-story home in China in Luoyang. As well, they educate churches, families, communities on adoption and the need for orphan care across the globe. Autism Speaks is another worthy cause. I have friends whose children have autism and this is a great non-profit that educates, informs and active in research. All are great organizations that could use the financial help. The main thing is - get involved!

So, my request...make Good Search your search engine/home page today! If you are going to be shopping online at one of the sponsor's sites, go through Good Search. There are hundred's of sites, Wal-Mart, iTunes, Target, Children's Place, Chadwicks, Staples, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, eBay, Sephora, JCPenney, Snapfish, Vera Bradley, Netflix, GameStop, Ballard Designs, BestBuy, Nike, elf, Fossil, Gap, GNC, ToysRUs....seriously must I go on?

Sending love and hugs to Elli,

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

One Year Anniversary - Gotcha Day!

Yes, I am well aware that I am over 1 week past due on this....BUT, I do have excuses :-)

On June 4th we celebrated, briefly, the 1 year anniversary of Anna's Gotcha Day. The boys were more upset with me than Anna, because she didn't have a clue, that we didn't get to "eat out" for the occasion, but we were getting the yard sale together for Elli. I asked Anna had she rather go celebrate or help bring her sister home...she squealed so I took that as a "let's bring home Elli!!"

We have been so blessed over the last year, actually the last 2 years...okay, our entire lives...Anna has just been an amazing joy and blessing to our family. I cannot imagine her not being here. There are still obstacles and we have to work on constantly to try to catch her up as much as possible, but considering how she was one year ago - she is a totally different child. It is amazing to see the pictures of June 2007 compared to now. We are soooooo proud of her! Truly God has blessed this little girl.

Praying for his continual blessings upon Anna and her life....we love you sweet girl!!
Daddy, Momma, Carter, Jacob & Parker - YOUR FAMILY

In Memory of Maria...

Since the tragic death of Maria Sue Chapman on May 21, 2008, there has been over $100,000 donated in her honor to Shaohannah's Hope. To learn more about how you can help honor this little girl and help orphans around the world please click here.

Tragedy...

I know that I don't personally "know" the Chapman family, but their family's loss has me in tears this morning. I was so moved by the Chapman's story when we went to a concert about 6 years ago. I sat and cried as Steven shared his 2 adoptive daughters' stories. They went on an adopted a third daughter from China, Maria.

The Chapman family has been a huge encouragement for so many adoptive families and changed the life of so many orphans around the world. Not only in the area of adoption, but their dedication to the children still in orphanages and foster care. We were blessed last year with a grant from their charitable organization, Shaohannah's Hope, when bringing home Anna. We have again applied to help with the expenses of Elli's adoption. I may not know them personally, but they have personally touched our family.

Please pray for this family as they are grieving the loss of their 5-year old daughter, Maria Sue. I cannot imagine what they must be feeling or the long road ahead of this family. There is no doubt that they love their children and are truly dedicated parents. Only God knows and only God can bring peace and comfort to this wonderful family.

Sending prayers to the Chapman Family,

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

With Hope

By Steven Curtis Chapman

1 Thess. 4:13-14 / Heb. 6:9, 10:23

This is not at all how

We thought it was supposed to be

We had so many plans for you

We had so many dreams

And now you've gone away

And left us with the memories of your smile

And nothing we can say

And nothing we can do

Can take away the pain

The pain of losing you, but ...

We can cry with hope

We can say goodbye with hope

'Cause we know our goodbye is not the end, oh no

And we can grieve with hope

'Cause we believe with hope

(There's a place by God's grace)

There's a place where we'll see your face again

We'll see your face again

And never have I known

Anything so hard to understand

And never have I questioned more

The wisdom of God's plan

But through the cloud of tears

I see the Father's smile and say well done

And I imagine you

Where you wanted most to be

Seeing all your dreams come true

'Cause now you're home

And now you're free, and ...

We have this hope as an anchor

'Cause we believe that everything

God promised us is true, so ...

We wait with hope

And we ache with hope

We hold on with hope

We let go with hope

China Earthquake...

I am sure that you have heard about the earthquake that occurred in China on Monday. The sheer devastation is just unimaginable to me. I have been so fortunate in my life to have never experienced anything so tragic. The pictures, stories, videos of those in China is just heartbreaking. The loss of lives, the number of people still missing is horrible.

Thankfully, there are many people in place who are intervening during this tragedy. Half the Sky is in action right now. They are checking on all the orphanages as well as the foster families that were/could be affected by not only the earthquake that hit on Monday, but the over 3,300, yes thirty-three hundred, aftershocks some registering 6.0. Just as the ice storm that hit China in early 2008, Half the Sky is there helping the orphanages get the needed supplies. You can select the links and read the updates from China. There are orphanages are structurally damaged as well as in need of formula, diapers, bedding, etc. They have also set up a fund to help with their efforts.

If you can make a donation, please do, but above all of that, please pray for the people of China.

Praying for God's comfort & peace in China,

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

Mother's Day...

As expected, Mother's Day was chaotic, but hey, I didn't expect it to be anything less. We got up and did the usual Sunday morning routine to make it to church late :-) During the service, all my kids were given a flower to bring to me. Being the typical cry baby, I cried when Parker first walked up to me and told me that he loved me as he handed me a little red carnation. Trying to swallow the tears, I finally decided to just give it up and let it go. I am truly one of those people that I used to laugh at...my mother's dream is finally coming true!!

Even though there are days that picking up that same toy that I just picked up an hour before gets very, very tiring, I do love being a mom. I would have never imagined having 4 children and another on the way...but I am so happy that I do. It just goes to prove that God's plan for our lives far exceed what we could have planned ourselves.

Anna, Carter, Me, Parker, Elli, Jacob

One Very, Very Proud Mom,
Marcy

Happy Mother's Day...

For 11 years now, I have been able to call myself a mother. The first year brought my first son. The years following brought many happy moments, joyful memories and a few more babies. Every year, I have tried to make sure I had a picture with my kids on Mother’s Day. Last year, I sat on my front porch swing after church to take a picture with my three beautiful blonde boys holding a picture of my daughter that waited for me in China. She held my heart even though she didn’t know it. Anna was just as much mine as the three that surrounded me. The day was filled with many tears as I so desperately wished all my children were with me.

This year, I am so blessed to have my little Anna with me on Mother’s Day. She is no longer a picture for me to hold, but in the flesh. She stands at my feet, swatting at my legs, gesturing for me to pick her up. She dances to the tunes of Backyardigans, hides under her bed with her feet sticking out as a game, brings me cereal boxes to let me know she has managed to open the pantry, kisses the mirror at the sight of herself, tries to put on her brothers’ shirts, plays in the cabinets, loves baths, climbs on her daddy, jumps on beds, mimics everything she sees us do, drags out the clothes in her drawers, comes running when she hears me yell for dinner, gets jealous when I hold Parker, thinks she runs the house, feels so cuddly in her little pajamas, hair falls right over her eyes, waddles when she runs, breaths heavy when she is asleep, makes you giggle when she does, plays kitchen in her room, feeds you food she magically gets out of the TV., understands “the look”, ignores “the look”, happy to be playing at home, loves when brothers come home from school, stands at the door when she see daddy in the backyard, squeals when grandparents come, loves to be center of attention, knows she usually gets her way, rotten as they come, and couldn’t imagine her not here.

This Mother’s Day, I will have my four with me on the front porch swing…holding another picture. A picture of another daughter that now pulls my heart. I will hold my four here just as close as I can believing that next year, she will be here with us fighting for attention, playing with her sister, messing up faster than I can clean, getting into mischief, tattling on her brothers and not wanting to sit still for next year’s picture…but believe me, there will be a picture.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Blessed mother of four & praying for blessing number five,
Marcy

I just got an e-mail from the Cohen family!! Their schedule got switched and they actually went to the orphanage today.....soooooooo, I have great news about Elli and PICTURES! I have included a excerpt from her e-mail where she describes Elli, as well as the slide show below...she is going to tower over Anna! I guess Anna will get Elli's hand me downs ;-)

Thank you so much to the Cohen Family!!!

Marcy,

Our schedule got switched around and we went to Qingyuan today! Elli is very shy, but she is a big, healthy looking girl. She was afraid to be near us except in the arms of her auntie, whom she seemed to be quite attached to. We lured her into pictures with a lollipop. She ran back to her seat, where they were doing an art project - so we know she can run! We left her room and went to the one next door and she came to peek at us and then wave goodbye and and blow kisses to us. She is precious!

Well, obviously, she is gorgeous, which we knew, but she is healthy and appears to be well taken care of, which is a huge blessing. I am glad that she is attached to a caretaker. Kids need that and it helps with the bonding process following the adoption. I called Rodney and told him about the update and how much she has changed...he will be home shortly ;-)

Apparently she loves doing art, so I now know what to include in her suitcase for the trip...lots of "artsy stuff!" Harris, you are going to have an art partner! I don't know if you noticed or not, but the auntie that is holding her has on a shirt with "Half the Sky" logo on the side. This is a great organization that does so much for the children in orphanages throughout China. They were so active in the recent winter storms ensuring that the children had heat, food, water, diapers, clothes, medicine, etc. They have a program at Elli's orphanage. They are great!

The kids have all looked at the pictures and think she is so cute. Parker is a little obsessed with the fact that she has a lollipop, what kind is it, do you think she dropped it, etc. You know sugar is a very important subject to the 3 year old. Anna, she is more concerned with the flowers in the pictures. That is her new favorite word, so while I am pointing out Elli, she is pointing out flowers!

So, so, so thrilled to find out that Elli is doing well. Updates are always bitter sweet. Happy she is being taken care of, but then the feeling of desperation to get her home deepens.

Sending love & hugs to that chubby cheeked princess, Elli,
Rodney, Marcy, Carter, Jacob, Parker & Anna Mei

Up and Running...

First, I want to thank everyone that prayed for Anna. She has done so good. The third and fourth day were pretty rough for her, but she has really bounced back. Her swelling is nearly gone and the drooling/mouth drainage has stopped. We still have some yucky nose stuff, but that is fading. We are so thankful for how she came through everything and how she has really healed quite nicely. She is one determined little girl.

Anna is feeling and looking much better

Anna woke up on the first Monday (day 3) very fussy. She couldn't be satisfied. She would cry for a toy, get the toy, throw the toy and then lay back on my chest. She still wasn't really eating any "food", just drinking. On Monday, she really didn't want to drink. Thankfully, Parker spent Sunday night with my sister-in-law, Thank You Shanda, so I was able to sit for hours just holding her. She slept some, but mainly, just wanted to be held. We stayed downstairs in the living room, it was quite, cozy, and we just snuggled all day.

On Tuesday, it was pretty much more of the same, but better. She was still very fussy, but she really wanted to play with Parker. She would play for a bit, then wanted to be held. She was drinking better, but you could just tell she didn't feel good. She didn't mind me putting her down, as long as I was close by. I was still pretty nervous about her hitting her mouth on something or Parker hitting her mouth. I took the lightsabers and hid them, but you know, when you are 3 and totally obsessed with StarWars, everything is a lightsaber! I stayed very close as they played to make sure no "dueling" occurred.

After Wednesday, things started getting much better. She began eating soft food much better. I know her appetite wasn't completely back yet, because she would only eat small amounts. But, at least she was trying to eat. Her mouth still looked very "sore" to me. I could only get small glimpse inside her mouth and I wasn't about to force a look. She still had quite a bit of drainage from her nose, which resulted in lots of dried drainage in her nostril. I tried to clean it all very gently because she acted as though it was pretty sensitive. Since we obviously can't clean her mouth or brush her teeth, her breath is pretty severe!

Parker tells us on a daily basis, multiple times, that "Sissy stinks!"

Even stinky she's just gorgeous!

I had been feeding Anna some baby foods, which she ate pretty well. Towards the end of the week, I began to puree whatever it was we were eating. She started eating that much, much better. I was initially afraid to do it as it might have too much salt or spices and in her sensitive/raw mouth, it would hurt. Well, by the end of the week, it was on! She started eating like Anna....pigging out!

Anna is still in her NoNos (arm restraints). But now, she really doesn't pay them any attention. I will take them off to give her arms a break or to clean them, they get nasty pretty quick, and she will stick her arms out straight to help me put them back on...no fussing. She has managed to take them off multiple times. On Sunday, she took one off and it took me over 15 minutes to find it. She has thrown it in front of the toy box in her room and then dumped toys on it. Not until I started picking up the toys did I finally discover the restraint. When I found it she started grinning and ran out of the room....this has played out multiple times as a game.

This is for you all (grandmas and aunts) who ask, "Why doesn't she have on socks?" or "Where are her socks...her feet are cold."

I promise I put socks on her feet...it just doesn't last very long!

On Monday, we went back to Louisville for her 1 week post-op visit. The surgeon told us he was happy with how it has healed and come together. He removed the two little "knots" in the stitches on her side and told us he wanted us back next week. He said that likely we can loose the arm restraints then if she continues to heal well. Maybe then we can start regular foods too. I hope so because she chases Parker with her mouth open and hands outstretched. He had a little bowl of Fruit Loops and she was chasing him around. He stopped and told her, "No Anna, your mouth is cut". Of course, that didn't stop her, she just screamed and continued the chase. Don't worry, she isn't being tortured, I got her and gave her a snack too, it just wasn't Fruit Loops, it was baby food fruit :-)

While I am obsessing about her hitting her mouth, she is jumping off the bottom step!

Can you see the mischievousness now?!?

Carter and Jacob are on Spring Break this week, so needless to say, our house has been hopping. They are really good with Anna, but she has learned the art of "messing" quite well. Of course being the apprentice of Parker, she was destined to become a master. So the day has finally came that I hear, "Momma, get Parker and Anna out of our room!" Or the famous excuse of "I didn't do it, Anna and Parker did." They told me it would never happen, but I knew better. Anna has definitely come into her own right as a toddler. She is sassy, spoiled and as rotten as they come. You put her and Parker together, who has a long list of adjectives we could use to describe him, and you have yourself a destructive duo! There isn't a room in the house untouched by these two...definitely partners in crime. What am I gonna do with 3 toddlers?!?!

"So what can we get into next?"

A couple that is adopting from Elli's orphanage is in China now. They just received their daughter on Monday and are hopefully traveling to the orphanage for a visit on Friday. They are going to try to get us an update and pictures of Elli. Hopefully I will have them on Saturday and of course I will share. I am sure that she has really grown quite a bit since the last pictures were taken and will probably look totally different. I am anxious to hear about her and to see her growth.

Happy to have my sweet girl almost back to normal & sending love to Elli,
Rodney, Marcy, Carter, Jacob, Parker & Anna Mei