Friday, May 28, 2010
Nifty Fifty!
Last night Jeff and found ourselves once again in the front row. This time it was the Pearl's turn to wow us! She and her classmates have been working very hard for the last six plus weeks on a gigantic state report. The culmination was an amazing show and event called "The Nifty Fifty." Not only did Ainsley and her peers work on individual major reports, and salt relief maps, they also performed 19 songs! Ainsley was a flight attendant on this tour of our country. She also was one of four couples in "The Yellow Rose of Texas" and she played the Xylophone (very well I would like to proudly add) in their wonderful song about Minnesota!
It was a very special night that showed how talented these special Third Graders are! They have had the kind of year that they will never forget! They have been blessed with two very special teachers that we will miss next year!
Ainsley was assigned the state of Kentucky which was fun for her (and Jeff!) Her "Little Grandma" and Uncle Greg and Aunt Tina live there. Thanks Greg for the great interview!!! Ainsley received 99 out of 100 on this report! Her hard work paid off!
My job was to bake a cake in the shape of KY for the party last night... It was added to the other 49 states in our country to make one amazing state map!!! It was a wonderful night!!
Four more days of school for The Pearl!!
*Video for the Grandparents below! :) Or anyone who would like to see a few clips of Ainsley's fun night!
The United States Cake
The Flight Attendants of "CHA Air"
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Pre-School Finale!!
In some cases photos and videos tell the story much better than I ever could. In summary, Ruby and Sienna had their final day at pre-school program yesterday. Next year it will be graduation... But, in many ways this was probably more profound than that will ever be. Jeff and I watched our two youngest daughters proudly march in carrying their American Flags singing their hearts out. One of them arrived on U.S. soil just 11 weeks ago. At the time she did not speak a word of English. She was scared and unsure. Yesterday she was confident, focused and so excited to be in her first concert. And, as for her language... she knew the words and the actions to every song.... Amazing! Both, have won the hearts and respect of their loving teachers, Mrs. Rebecca and Mrs. Kathy! Were there some tears shed... Yes, by the parents sitting in the front row! And, possibly those very special teachers too....
Saturday, May 22, 2010
A Very Special Purse!
You may recall the photo above.. This is when "Tung Tung" arrived quietly by elevator into the Civil Affairs office in Hunan. She had no idea that the three people she was staring down had just had their hearts stop at the sheer presence of her. No longer a picture, but a little four year old about to unwillingly say goodbye to the life she new that day. "Tung Tung" arrived to us wearing many of the care package items we had sent, including, the "doggie purse." Once we were able to settle Sienna down and remove her coat and multiple layers, we took off the purse too. She never fussed about it or asked for it again... We quietly took everything to the cleaners in China because honestly it smelled so bad. The smoke was so imbedded in most of her things. It still lingers on her clothes from Hengshan today. Since returning home most of her things have been set aside for keepsakes. Until yesterday....
Yesterday afternoon I was at the mall with the girls. To get to our car we had to walk through the store where I bought the "doggie" purse. They had the Spring version.. An adorable white scottie that she immediately grabbed off the hook and put over her shoulder, messenger bag style... Like the photo above. Somehow I got her to leave the store without a temper tantrum and without that dog. What she did not know is that I had bought it to save for her birthday in July. But, the entire ride home she asked for the "doggie purse." When we got home I decided to go into her China things and re-introduce her favorite accessory. And, I am so glad I did. But, also glad that I waited until now.. It was a precious moment. She was so excited. And, she said..."Mommy sent to me in China.. Thank you!" She quickly got her favorite (and mine too) photo of "Tung Tung" in China from my office... With Ainsley's help she asked me to take her picture with her purse on our front step... The last one here is of her re-playing kissing our family photo in China...
So somewhere in that little beautiful mind of Sienna's I believe she did know we were coming for her... She has grieved her life in Hengshan in such healthy ways... And, I am so proud of the way she has processed, accepted us and has slowly begun to move on. It's a daily process for her/us. But, God has given Sienna a quality that I can only describe by using the word grace. She has a strength that comes from within. She also has the gift of forgiveness and acceptance. Together, they are a beautiful package.
Slowly we will reveal more of Sienna's past in China to her... One step at a time.. On one special girls schedule... The only schedule that truly matters... our beautiful daughter's, Sienna Grace.
Friday, May 21, 2010
The "Things" go to a Birthday Party!
Well, I may have missed some of the "firsts" in Sienna's life, but Lord willing I will not miss anymore! Today, the girls were invited to a birthday party for a little girl in their class. Sienna was supposed to have her doctor's appointment today (more on that later) so I thought she would have to miss Jordan's party. But, we saw Dr. Nelson on Wednesday, so I was excited that she could attend too... While the girls were playing this morning I went upstairs to straighten up... When I walked into their room the photo above is what I saw... They had picked out what they were going to wear for Jordan's party.. It just made me smile thinking how far they have come together!Here was my dialogue as I tried to explain to Sienna (and Ruby too) about the day...
"This is Jordan's party! Not your birthday party.. You need to watch while Jordan opens her presents, they are for her! It is important to say "Happy Birthday" when you greet your friend. And, when you leave to say, "thank you for inviting me." You also need to listen to Jordan's Mommy, she is in charge! And, please take care of each other, and no fighting at Jordan's party! :) All of this was received with an "Ok Mommy" along with standard head nod! I ended this party conversation with, don't forget to use your very best manners!" Again, "Ok Mommy..." So, here they are ready to take on Jordan's birthday with style and grace...
Do you like the shoes they chose?
I love how excited she is!
Here they are walking into Jordan's house.... And, I can happily report that each of my precious girls greeted Jordan at the door and said "Happy Birthday Jordan" and handed off their presents!!!! At least part of my pep talk sunk in!!! A great start...This is a big day for Sienna, and I hope she is having fun as a guest at her first birthday party in the U.S!! I can't wait to hear how it goes!! And for me, I am just thankful to be here one step behind them documenting their journey of friendship, sisterhood, and a red thread that will never be broken!
Monday, May 17, 2010
Cabin Fun!
Guess who did not like being splashed in the above photo?
Yes, legally Sienna should be behind her Daddy.. They weren't moving... yet!
I love these early morning fishing shots...
The Pearl wanted to get in the water so bad... But, the 54 degrees was a little chilly!
A Daddy & Daughter First... The line goes in...
They crack me up...
The SeaDoo Adventures began here...
Sienna Grace has her first S'More with her Sisters!
Waiting for Daddy!
Roasting marshmallows is serious business at our cabin!
Some days I wish I knew what Sienna was really thinking... How does she process her new life with us. Do I think she is happy? Yes! She tells me so. But, really at the end of the day does she wonder how she got from there to here? This past weekend we were at the cabin and the weather was gorgeous... I think our newest child is going to be our adventurous one, as long as there are no bugs involved... She definitely does not like those.. And, the mosquitoes have not even introduced themselves yet.... The highlight was watching the huge smile on her face when she was on the SeaDoo with her Daddy. She LOVED it! Perhaps she too has a need for speed. When the water warms up a bit we will break out the Inter-Tubes... We will see what she thinks about the Big Mabel, and the rest of the water toys...
As for fishing... she seemed to get it from the start... But unfortunately no fish took a nibble on the newest pink fishing pole line... The male in our family was the only one who reeled a few in... Not even a bite for the Pearl and the Rubies... Soon they will be swarming the dock and I will be running from the house to take photos of their first catches of the year.
Have a great week!
P.S: Go to Pearl River.. Sweet Madison needs a sponsor!
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Thankful Thursday!
I have not spent much time here talking about Sienna's health. At some point I will be more specific. Thalassemia is complicated, and I want to make sure I have the time to give it the respect it deserves...But today I want to focus on how WELL Sienna Grace is doing. When we received her file from China along with updated information we were told that she was getting blood transfusions consistently on a quarterly basis. Her last transfusion was January 13, 2010. That is exactly FOUR months ago.... So, today I am thankful that Sienna has not needed to be transfused since coming home. We have seen her wonderful Hematologist monthly since her return and her Hemoglobin levels have remained constant! (Her next appointment is on the 21st.) This is truly answered prayer. We do know at some point she will be transfused, but the longer we can wait between treatments the better for her long term health!
Sienna will be having dental surgery on July 22nd. Since she runs on an overall lower Hb level than most children her age, she will need to be transfused for this procedure. I am praying we can hold out until then! It's possible!!
I am so thankful that Sienna came to us with a love for protein, and green vegetables!!!! I have been filling this girl with folic acid!!!! Yes, she loves spinach, broccoli, asparagus, etc... I think her body craves it!! Thank you Lord!
Sienna's diagnosis is Alpha Thalassemia, Hemoglobin H Disease. For any of you out there that may review files of children with this chronic illness, I want to encourage you! This disorder is manageable! If I didn't know it to be true, I would never think Sienna is ill. She is as active as her little sister in every way!
Lastly, I have a prayer request for Sienna. Her spleen is very large. When she came to us it was almost 10cm from end to end... Our prayer is for this to shrink on it's own.. Most likely she will be facing having her spleen removed. Perhaps even in the next year. But, if we can shrink the size of it, her surgery will be less invasive, and recovery so much easier.
One other miracle about Sienna to share.. We found out when her first blood was analyzed that she was NEVER vaccinated for Hep A nor Hep B. This child has survived 4 years of quarterly blood transfusions IN China without getting a serious disease from tainted blood! We know God has protected her since she was born, and we are so very thankful.
So for now, we will continue to pray for Sienna's Hb levels to remain steady or for them to miraculously increase... And, for her spleen to shrink on it's own... The only answer then, will be God.. Because these two things will not happen on their own and no medication exists to make it happen.
We are so thankful that we felt the nudge to seriously review the file of a little girl with Alpha Thalassemia! She was born to be here!
Blessings,
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
The Pearl's First Speech!!
Ainsley had her first Public Speech last week. The assignment was to to speak for 3-5 minutes on someone famous. Ainsley chose Princess Diana. Jeff and I were even invited to come and listen to her talk about the "People's Princess!" She new her subject, and she did a great job! She practiced so much with Sienna and Ruby as her audience that even Ruby can tell you where Lady Di is from, and what her sister's names are!!!Today she received her grade... 21/21! = A+ in my grade book!!! Way to go Ainsley! Your hard work paid off and we are so proud of you! We look forward to more public speaking appearances in your future.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Mothers Day Tea!
Last week I received two formal invitations to a very special tea party. It was at pre-school with my two youngest daughters... I am not sure who was more excited for 2:15... me or them! As I peeked in their room I saw all the work they had put into this precious day. Tablecloths, special gifts, cupcakes... Sienna greeted me first, and escorted me by the hand to my seat.. Ruby joined her and they told me exactly where to sit. Smack dab in the middle of my two little gems.. At that point it hit me... I was completely overwhelmed by my tiny blessings... As they closed their eyes and prayed before we could have our treats, I heard their sweet voices giving thanks for their many blessings.... Need I say more... It was a very special day for this Mom!
I hope that all of you Mom's that inspire me so, had a very special Mother's Day! And, a very special thank you to my beautiful Mother for teaching me how important it is to teach, love and train my girls in the way they should go... The most important job in the world!
Blessings,
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