Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Thank you Bridget and Lucy!!
We had a wonderful weekend with our best girlfriends!!!! So many photos to go through!!! So here's one of my precious favorites! Thank you B and Lucy for being such wonderful hostesses! It was perfect in every way. We miss you already!
Love,
Di and the Girls!
Saturday, June 26, 2010
We Can't Wait!!!!
We have been counting down the dates, and the sleeps... Tomorrow the girls and I are off for four days to play with some of our favorite people!!!! Ruby will finally be back together with her best pal Lucy!!! Wow have we missed her and her Mommy!!! And, Sienna will be back together again with "Her Nadi!" Jill and the girls have extended a trip they are on to spend time with us.... We can not wait! What a blessing it is to have these very special friendships!!
I expect I will have some fun photos to post when we get home!
Friday, June 25, 2010
Thanks Mom!!!
What I never mentioned during Sienna's big week last week was that Jeff was not here. He had a meeting in LAX that unfortunately could not be missed. As much as we missed him, and he hated not being here for Sienna (and me), we understood. Thanks to text messages and calls I was able to give him the play by play during "Transfusion Tuesday" and her surgery. Sienna wanted Jeff to know when she got poked, and what was going on at all times... So sweet!
I owe a huge thank you to my Mom who flew in from Texas to be with me. She did countless loads of laundry, and anything else to keep the house going why I was busy with the girls. She also witnessed her daughter stressed, tired, and not so patient some nights... I am grateful she seemed to look past it all, and just helped keep me (and my life) together. She was even there to hold my hand when we met with the anesthesia team to put Sienna to sleep. One of the hardest things I have ever done...
So, I guess the moral of this post is that you are never too old to need your Mom! Thanks Mom for being there every step of the way last week. Hopefully, we can have some fun on your next visit!
I was able to get these precious photos with her granddaughters before she left! I love them all!
Blessings,
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
She Got Her Ears Pierced!
Ainsley was never in a hurry to get her ears pierced... And, I was not pushing it for her either. I was nine when I did too... But, when she made the decision, she couldn't get their fast enough. So while running around on Saturday, we got it done! I think she was surprised at how easy it was! (Things have changed in 37 years!) She is excited, and I think they look great! She has already gone through my jewelry box for anything that she may be able to wear, and she is counting down the days until she can take them out and change them! Oh, and she has a special gift certificate that she can't wait to use to add to her collection! Is this a sign she is growing up? I think so!
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Happy Father's Day Jeff!
I can't imagine a better partner to journey through parenthood with! Eleven years ago when we got married we never imagined our life with three beautiful daughters. We never could have dreamed that God would take us to China twice to grow our family in such a special way! It has been an incredible year in so many ways. Watching your heart get bigger just makes me smile! You are a wonderful father, and our girls are so blessed to call you "Daddy!"
We love you!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
She Is Doing Great..... Now!
We are thankfully and happily done!!! It was a really hard day for our precious girl! And for those of you who have been there with your children, you know it was a hard day for the parents (and Grandma) too! But, by about 4:00 the pain started to subside, and the soup stayed down, and our "Spicy Girl" was smiling again. Today took me back to China on so many levels. She was so scared, hurt and mad after surgery. But, the difference was, that she new who her Mama was.. And, it was me that she wanted to help her.. To hold her.. To surrender it all on. What a blessing to be here... on this end... three months later.
The wonderful news is that the surgery went well! Dr. King came out of the OR to find me and gave me the thumbs up... You see, we had been praying that we could keep her top teeth, and that he would be able to cap them. And, he did! And, he did a beautiful job! Unfortunately, Sienna had two molars on the bottom that needed to be pulled. This is where all of her pain was today. She has some new hardware on the bottom, just for preventative reasons.
I look forward to sharing her new pearly white smile with you soon! She has promised me a photo shoot!
Thank you for your prayers! Once again, God has faithfully been there by protecting our child. And, we are so grateful!
If she ever goes to bed, the "tooth fairy" may come for a visit tonight!
Blessings,
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Surgery Eve...
Sienna was amazing yesterday!!!! She did so great and I was so proud of her. I think her sweet disposition and "let me help you find that vein attitude" won over the Hematology staff. She was a great patient, and her transfusion went very well!!! Her Hb levels this morning were up! Answered prayer! She is ready to meet her dentist at the OR tomorrow morning at 10:15. And, I can honestly say, I think I am ready too!!!
Thank you for your prayers. We are so blessed by all of you who love our family from near and far!
"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."
~Philippeans 4:13
P.S: This precious dress and necklace came in a care package today from "Nadi's" family and another very special family we have met because of their friendship. Thank you girls! She was so excited.. I believe she will have some very cute socks on tomorrow in recovery!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
The GRACE in Sienna!
Today I will be with my daughter when she receives her first blood transfusion since she has been home. Something that is not new to her, but very new to me. I know it will be hard... for me.
Yesterday she proved once again how beautifully strong God has made her. She had her blood drawn with a smile. No drama from this girl. Just a matter-of-fact resilience that makes you want to know her more. Nurses, technicians, doctors.. All touched by this tough beauty. Her big sister came with us yesterday. She too, in awe that her little sister can do this with no apprehension. No tears. I will never know what it was like for Sienna when she was in China having treatments. I will never know who was with her. Who held her hand, who told her she was strong and brave... But, today I will be there. Holding her hand, telling her I love her, and making sure she is comfortable. Today she will have her favorite blanket, her favorite dolly, pictures of those who love her... We will sing "Jesus Loves Me" and we will thank God for bringing her here to us so we can take care of her! We will also give thanks to the donor who is making this possible for us today.
Thursday we will be at the hospital at 9:15am for her dental surgery. Another first for me with a child of mine. Again, she will gracefully approach this big day. And, again I will pray for the strength to be strong. We took a tour last night of this wonderful facility, and she will be in good hands... God will be there... And, so will I! And so will that favorite blanket and doll...
I love you Sienna Grace.. Quite honestly, I am crazy about you! And, I can't wait until Friday when you are home in your bed letting us all love on you! Thank you for the prayers, texts and emails about our week. We are so grateful! I will post an update when I can.
"Cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you."
1Peter 5:7
Blessings,
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Ainsley's Birthday Party!
Ainsley celebrated her 9th birthday with seven girlfriends. She was so excited for her party! We started by meeting at a nail salon for a little pampering... Then we went back to our house for some fun and games and cake and ice cream cones! I think they all had a fun time! I know the new nine year old did!!!
I want to give a special thank you to my sister and my Mom for their help at the party and with the girls. They babysat last night so Jeff and I could celebrate our anniversary! At one point I thought Sienna would be joining us on our date.. But, Aunt Bop took over and we were able to enjoy a wonderful night together! She called us at 7:00 to say "all was well, and to enjoy our night!" We did!
We still can't believe the Pearl is nine! What a gift she is!
Ainsley's BFF since she was 6 months old! "Little Katie!"
8 Sets of beautiful Fingers and Toes...
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Happy Birthday Ainsley!!
Nine years ago, on our second wedding anniversary, we arrived at the hospital in Nashville at 7:30am.. Our new daughter was in no hurry to make her entrance that day. But when she did at 7:51pm weighing in at 6 pounds 12 ounces on 6/12/01 we knew our lives would never be the same... We had no idea how much we could love one little girl...When I look back I think of how in-experienced Jeff and I were... We didn't even keep her in our hospital room out of fear that she would stop breathing... I remember waking up at 1:00am the next night and walking down to the nursery to stare at her... This beautiful, petite, fragile child that God had called me to parent... What a blessing, and what a humbling lesson it has been to be her Mom. A privilege and an awesome responsibility to love, teach, train and someday let go...
Ainsley is growing up to be as beautiful on the inside as God has made her on the outside. She has a carefree way about her. She is loving and funny, and charming too.. In many ways a blend of two people I know... But, God has made her unique in so many ways... Ways that I admire... Characteristics that make her a great friend, a loyal sister, and a loving daughter.
For now, she will continue to brighten up our world, drive us crazy, make us laugh, and teach us about what is really important! She will forever keep us young, and challenge us to be better people, and better parents.
We are so thankful for our precious Pearl, and we look forward to celebrating her special day! Happy Birthday Ainsley! We love you!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
KY Trip!
We just spent four days in KY with Jeff's family to celebrate our nephew Evan's HS Graduation. We had a wonderful time introducing Sienna to her family and catching up with everyone. We have another nephew to be very proud of... Evan is off to Eastern KY University with a bright future ahead for him! When I met Evan just 11 years ago, he was climbing on kitchen counters and helping me make french toast for everyone... How did he grow up so fast? I was reminded during this visit, that before we know it Ainsley will be wearing a cap and gown.... (She will be nine on Saturday!) Another reminder of how precious time and life is!Jeff and I were so proud of the girls... We are blessed with three great travelers! Once again Sienna amazed us with her ability to go with the flow... Not to mention what a big help she was! As you can see above, our girl can handle her own luggage.. She even washes floors at graduation parties! :)
But, the funniest comment from her came when we arrived back at home... Said with a smile by Sienna, "I am not sleeping on the floor tonight!" How quickly we get attached to our own beds!
We look forward to seeing everyone again soon....
Sienna meeting the graduate for the first time after we arrived!
Just because I love this photo!
Aunt Tina & Uncle Greg with "Baby Cakes"
Cousin Jeremy helping Sienna learn to play ball...
Daddy & Ruby
Ainsley proves she can HIT the ball!
These two LOVE a party!
Uncle Greg with the "Littles"
Grandpa Bill with Ainsley
Little Grandma and Aunt Mary
The proud Uncle with Evan & Jake
Cousin Marlene with Ruby
Cousins Ainsley & Hannah
Ice Cream with Grandma Sandee
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