We are still ALIVE!

My mom called this morning and said "people are going to think you and the girls are dead, since you haven't posted anything on the blog since the ER visit." Just to clarify, we are ALL still ALIVE! We are just all suffering from head colds and allergies. No fevers, just stuffy heads and runny noses. Therefore we haven't been doing much but sleeping and laying around the house relaxing and recovering.

I did have a meeting yesterday morning with the Hampton City School to discuss Madison. She is doing so well in school that they are going to retest her and she will most likely test out of "special education." She is no longer receiving Speech or OT therapies, so there is no reason for her to be a special ed. student. It is unclear where she will be going to Kindergarten though. They are building two new K-8 schools here in Hampton and closing down 3 existing schools. Hampton City is in the process of rezoning everyone so we don't know what her zoned school will be. Clay feels that we should look into the private school options, so I have a lot of research ahead of me. We will be praying for what is best for Madison.

Yesterday after school we went over to Lance, Nyx and Jude's house for dinner. It is always so nice to have dinner with other adults. Plus the kids love each other so much.

This morning before school I attempted to take a self-portrait of all of us since we all had red on and because Clay has been asking me to send him a picture with me in it. It is very difficult to take a good self-portrait of three people. This was our best shot. See we are ALIVE!

ER Visit

The girls and I just got back from the Emergency Room. Not exactly what I thought we would be doing when we went to bed last night. But Jocelyn woke up screaming and crying at 12:30 am saying that her ear hurt. I could not get her to calm down or go back to sleep. She just kept saying that her left ear hurt. Finally at 2:00 am I decided to just put the girls in the van and drive to the Emergency Room. I didn't know what else to do. Luckily there was only one other family at the ER. They got us right in to see the doctor. He checked her left ear and said that she did not have an ear infection, but that she did have some fluid/drainage in her middle ear that was causing the pain. He gave me some medicine to use tonight and even put in some medications for me to go pick up tomorrow at the pharmacy. Hopefully the medicines will help get her allergy issues under control. We got back home a little after 3:00 am. It took me awhile to get Jocelyn comfortable and back to sleep. I also emailed Clay to let him know what happened and to let him know that I missed having my personal doctor around. I am just praying that we all get some much needed sleep now.

Three Year Anniversary of "Gotcha Day!"

Three years ago today we woke up and got ready to head to Panama City to pick up our beautiful new daughter. A person from The Adoption Center picked her up from her birth family's house and brought her to us at a Chick Fil A. It was a very exciting day for all of us. Here are some pictures from our first few days together:

Jocelyn's transition went really well. She cried for the first few days, but she quickly adjusted to her new surroundings and family. We can't imagine not having her as a part of our family. God has blessed us with two beautiful girls!

“Gotcha Day”

A holiday of your own, when you can say
That you’ve found your home, it’s Gotcha Day!

An angel was prayed for, by the forlorn
Nine months later, you were born.

You came into this world, as an answered prayer.
What everyone wished for was finally there.

One family adoring you, but had to let go
To another that wanted and needed you so.

You brought all of us together, gave us the signs,
It’s as if you had said to us, “This family is mine.”

So tiny and helpless, yet perfect and strong,
You let both families know just where you belonged.

Such joy did you bring when you entered this world.
Never again will there be such a loved little girl!

Born to a family so filled with love,
And yet not your destiny, decided above.

My job was to help you and guide you along,
Until finding the family in which you belonged.

It was easy to see, by the look in your eyes,
Where you need to be, you were so very wise.

When the families met, it was love at first sight,
It’s as if you were telling me, “This family’s right.”

The bonding before me was so pure and true.
It became crystal clear just what I had to do.

You loved your new sister and then went to your dad.
These things you otherwise wouldn’t have had.

I’m watching you grow, mommy makes sure I do.
I’m always so glad that I listened to you.

The handprints, and pictures, sweet things that you make,
Only assure me, this was no mistake.

Everyone around you finds you so dear.
But never forget, that I’m always here.

January 25th, of each year, you can say...
“I’m special. I’m loved. This is my Gotcha Day!”

Thinking of you always,
Keisha

(Jocelyn's Birthmother)

Bounce House

This afternoon we went to the Bounce House with Lance, Nyx, and Jude.

Jocelyn LOVES all of the slides! Wheeeeee!

Peek-a-boo I see you!

Best Buddies Jumping!

Madison made some new friends. ;)

The kids had a great time tackling Mr. Lance at the Bounce House.

Madison Just Can't Stop Smiling!

Tonight Madison said, "sometimes I just can't stop smiling at school." I assumed it was because she likes school. She continued to tell me that "when I am in Centers or sit next to Scott at school I just start smiling and can't stop. I like Scott more than Kayla." Kayla is Madison's and Jocelyn's best friend at school. It looks like Madison has her first school boy crush!

"Jeep"ers!

This afternoon we went over to Lance, Nyx and Jude's house after Jude woke up from his nap and the girls got home from school.

Madison was very excited that she got to ride Jude's jeep for the first time. Nyx gave her a quick lesson and off she went all by herself. She was a pro.

Jocelyn wanted a ride, so Madison drove her around like a good big sister.

Jocelyn was sneaky though and reached over and put her foot on the gas pedal and surprised Madison.

Jocelyn's turn to drive. Watch out! She is a CRAZY driver!

Jocelyn tried to take Jude for a ride, but he got too scared from her crazy driving.

Silly Mr. Lance tried to drive the jeep to go pick up the pizzas for dinner.

After dinner the girls made Valentine cookies for dessert.

Jude made Valentine brownie bites.

What a fun evening we had with our friends. Lance is still on standby to go to Haiti if they need him. If he does not get sent to Haiti he will be deploying to Kyrgyzstan in July.

Gifts for Kerra

The girls and I are very excited that Mrs. Megan and Mr. Danny are expecting a baby girl after having three boys. We had so much fun shopping for their baby girl. The girls drew some cards the other night to include in the package that we sent them.

Jocelyn drew a picture of Mrs. Megan and Mr. "Manny" as she calls him.

She then filled the paper over and drew baby Kerra inside Mrs. Megan's tummy.

Madison worked very hard on making a family portrait of their family.

Madison with her finished family portrait of their family of six.

Today Mrs. Megan posted the following on their family blog after they received the packages we sent:

This afternoon, I was surprised to open the door to the mailman holding three boxes. While one was expected (clothes from my uncle to Danny), the other two weren't. The boys could hardly wait to help open the packages, but I asked them to wait until we were done with our chores first. When it finally came time to open the boxes, this is what we found in the first one:

Lookit all those precious girl clothes! I think I like the purple flower one the best. They're all so snuggly-soft. I just love them all! Thank you so much Brittney. They'll be great for winter and are just the size she'll be in then. I can hardly wait to dress Kerra in these and snuggle her. :)

In another box were these cute items. I love the little flower costume, Christmas onesies, cute sleepers, and lookit those adorable little shoes!!! Thank you so much girls, for these "firsts" for Kerra!

Amongst the girl clothes (tho' you shoulda heard them while we were opening them: "Oh!" "So cute!" "Look! For Kerra Mommy!"), the boys were happy to find balls to play with and sweet cards from the girls. Aren't Madison and Jocelyn great artists? Thank you for the pictures Madison and Jocelyn. We love them and have them hanging on our fridge and will think of you whenever we look at them. We love and miss you!

Thank you for the sweet surprise Brittney, Madison, and Jocelyn! It was so sweet of you to think of us and Kerra. We miss you girls SO much and hope to be able to see you soon!