Catching up

Well, what can I say? I have been a lazy blogger. I have debated on the best way to catch up and I guess I will just do one long post with lots of pictures. I need to hurry and get it updated because Monday is Graycen's birthday! Our girl will be 3 years old.

Christmas was great. We opened gifts at home for the kids on Christmas Eve morning. The boys were happy with their gifts and Graycen loves her "big kitchen". She will play for a long time by herself. Now if we can just convince Daddy that she needs a sister to enjoy playing with it even more!







































Then Kevin's parents and aunt came to our house for dinner and more present opening. Finally around 6pm Christmas Eve we all piled into the van and headed to Iowa. We arrived about midnight. Christmas morning was more presents with Grammy, Papa and Uncle. More good food and more extended family to visit with.

My dad took the big kids and Kevin to a sledding/skiing (term used loosely) resort for a fun time of tubing. They had gotten lots of snow and it even snowed the day they went. My kids love snow (must be their Iowa blood) and all things associated with it. I made a smilebox of their sledding trip:

Make a postcard - it's easy!

We headed home on the 27th. Graycen has PT on Friday the 28th. While we were there, she got her wheelchair. We are so thankful that it arrived before Jan 1. It didn't cost us anything because we had met all our out of pockets for 2007, and that tiny thing was close to $4000! It has been so nice to be able to have her in a good sitting position, and she can make herself go a little, too. We are using it in place of her stroller, we still have the ultimate goal of walking independently for her, gut this is for the time between now and achieving that goal.

January News:

On the 5th Kevin and I celebrated 17 years of wedded bliss. Well, not so heavy on the bliss part, but we are 3 years from 2 decades of marriage. I think we will make it!

Graycen is officially potty trained! The reason she hasn't been yet is me. I knew I would have to take her every time, and I guess I didn't think she would do as good as she did. She still sleeps with a diaper, but has been dry every morning and has even gotten me up 2 nights to take her potty. Wow! I should have done it earlier.

We also had our last First Steps PT visits this past week. Alan has been a part of our weekly routine for nearly 21 months. Graycen will miss playing with him. She will start preschool at Willard North on January 22nd. She could have started on the 15th, but I am taking a week off of something going on every weekday. She will go Tuesday and Thursday mornings for 3 hours. It will give Gavin and I some quiet time to get his homeschool done, although he mostly does it by himself.

Next post, birthday girl!

Yes, I'm still alive!

Okay, posts coming soon to catch me up since Christmas. I have a lot of pictures to share, and maybe even some video. Hope to get them up in the next few days! Hope everyone is having a blessed 2008 so far...

Merry Christmas!

Most of you reading this blog have probably already received a picture like this. If you haven't, please accept our family's wishes for you to have a very Merry Christmas! We are looking forward to 2008 and all it holds for us.

First Haircut and Baking Cookies

Graycen got her first haircut from Anna--well, more like a trim. Her ends were really scraggly and Anna fixed her up. Gavin and Garrett also got haircuts. Garrett didn't get as much off as I would have liked, but it is a little less in his eyes.



Then we tried to get Grant into the Christmas spirit by cutting out and frosting sugar cookies. Well, he "frosted" a couple and then ate the chocolate cupcakes that Anna brought over. Anna is very artistic, and made some amazing sugar cookies. Here is the star that became Patrick from Spongebob. Isn't she talented?

All bundled up

See what I had to go through to get to go sledding? I don't think I can get cold with all this stuff on!

Our first snow and sledding

We finally got some snow yesterday. Not the 5-10 inches that they were predicting, and my kids were hoping for, but enough to get the grass slick enough that the sleds would go down the hill. Graycen has been talking about going sledding for several weeks, always saying that she is "so excited" to go sledding. She was excited, but 2 times down the hill was enough for her--lucky for Garrett, who was carrying her up the hill. She did go out again later last night for 2 more trips down the hill. It was a good thing, because the sun finally came out today and the snow is mostly gone. She'll have to wait until we go up to Iowa for Christmas to sled some more at Grammy and Papa's house.

Gavin's School Program

Gavin had his Christmas program at Gloria Deo this week. It was so good! He had a speaking part and really enjoyed singing (as you can tell by his expression in the picture). He did enjoy eating the cookies he has in his mouth in the second picture. It was a great way to get in the Christmas spirit.

Grant turns 19 and the Springfield Christmas Parade

My biggest baby is in his final year of being a teenager. The time has gone by so quickly. He has grown into such a nice young man. He will be a husband in a little over 3 months. I can't believe it.



Garrett marched in the Springfield Christmas parade on Grant's birthday. It was chilly and drizzling...a beautiful day for a parade--NOT! We didn't watch, and waited for him by the busses in the van. He loves having his picture taken as you can see by the pictures!

Kevin Retires from the MOARNG

Okay, I am way behind with posting! This picture (not a good one) is from December 1. Kevin officially retired from the National Guard on October 1, but his unit had a retirement ceremony for him on Dec 1. Here he is saying a few words after they gave him this really neat picture and yes, that is an Elmo on the floor behind him. He is dressed in an Army uniform, including hat, Kevin's dogtags and boots. Kevin is known for his Elmo impersonation...I didn't know he shared it with his soldiers, too! Of course Graycen has claimed him as her Army Elmo and he has a place sitting on the end of her bed.

It was moving to see how the guys in his unit respect him and look to him as an example. I know he is a great guy, but to see others appreciate him was neat.

Kevin served for 21 years in either the Army or National Guard. He is now on Retired Reserve status, which means he could still get called up if things get really bad, but he should be home for quite awhile, hopefully forever. I am very happy he is no longer going to drills. I know he misses some aspects of it, but the bad was beginning to overcome the good for him. If he hadn't retired, he would be going to either Iraq or Kosovo for a year very soon. I don't think I could handle another deployment, or at least I wouldn't handle it very well. He missed out on 3 years with his family between September 11, 2001, and October 2005. It was hard on all of us. I am so proud of his service and know personally that freedom is not free, especially to the the soldiers and their families.

Happy Graycen Day!

We've officially had our girl for TWO whole years. We had a fun day of therapy (couldn't escape that), eating lunch at Graycen's second choice, McAlister's (Applebee's was her first, but they had a wait), and pizza and cake for supper. She finally got to open her present when Daddy got home. We had told her she had to wait for him. Well, we weren't paying attention and turned around to Graycen ripping open the paper and box. I said, "Graycen HongYuan!" She said sweetly, "Daddy's home!" Okay, she did wait until he was home, we just didn't get to see her open it. One of our travel mates gave me the heads up on the Hallmark China Joy to the World ornament as a great gift for this day, so we gave her one also. She loves it and hung it on the tree herself, well Gavin helped a little. Uncle came over to help celebrate. She kept telling everyone, "Happy Graycen Day!" We even changed the happy birthday song to sing Happy Graycen Day. She had the happiest smile while we sang.





See how she's changed in two years...

December 4, 2005

Happy Graycen Day!

Mommy makes me laugh!

Gavin helped me with my ornaments. I love him so much!

See my new ornaments on the tree?

Oh how we love this girl! We can't imagine how boring our lives would be without her. We are so thankful to God for allowing us to be her forever family. She is such a happy, funny, smart girl. We know that God's plan for her is going to be something big. Happy Graycen Day, Sweetie. You are our sunshine.

Remebering our Beijing Adventures

Please click on this link to read and see about our adventures in Beijing two years ago:



http://homefortheholledays.blogspot.com/2005/12/china-trip-december-1-3-beijing.html



It is amazing how much I have forgotten in two years! I guess I am getting old after all. Next post will be remembering and celebrating Gotcha Day, which I think we are going to change to "Graycen Day" a little more loving, I think. She doesn't really understand when I tell her we are going to have a special day, but maybe after it happens she'll remember for next year's celebration.



I actually got our Christmas pictures taken and have ordered them from shutterfly. They should be here next week. I don't think I've been this prepared for Christmas cards in a loooonng time! Here's a preview of one of the shots that didn't make the cut.







Happy December, everyone!

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Two years ago today, we were boarding a plane to China. We could finally see the end of the tunnel, that we would soon have our baby girl in our arms. The baby girl that we had prayed for and loved before we ever saw her face...before she was even born. The baby that had been in my heart for so many years, and later grew in Kevin's heart, too. (With a little convincing on my part!) How long have I known I wanted to adopt? Simply, ever since I can remember. You see, I have seen first hand how a mother can love a child that did not grow in her own tummy. Love a child so completely, so perfectly. I am that child, my brother is that child. We were both adopted at a few days old. My parents have been the best parents I could have wished or hoped for. They set the example and gave me the desire to love so unconditionally. Even though I was able to have 3 wonderful boys, I knew that I would become a mommy again by a different way. It always seemed natural to me. It was on this day two years ago I knew for sure that my long awaited dream really was going to come true. Stay tuned as we travel down memory lane over the next few days.

The Tree is Finished!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

I have a family for Christmas

November has been Adoption Awareness Month. This video shows some beautiful children that have a family this Christmas. Please remember all the orphans that are still waiting for their forever families to find them.

Follow up with Dr. Park and a visit with Carter

Yesterday we made a trip to St. Louis and back. It makes for a long day, but we had Graycen's follow-up appointment with Dr. Park. He is very pleased with Graycen's progress so far. He gave us some new exercises to help stretch her heel cords, and said that her hips were fine. There is a high risk of hip displasia in kids with CP, but Graycen's surgery was done early enough and she has been up on her legs enough that she will be okay in that area. Yeah! One less thing to be concerned about. We will go back to see Dr. Park in a year so they can see how she has progressed.

We also were able to arrange our appointment the same time as Carter's (Graycen's hospital roommate in July). Graycen and Carter had their surgeries on the same day. So they share a special bond. Oh yeah, AND Carter has told everyone that Graycen is his girlfriend since July. Carter lives in California with his family, so it took some arranging to be at Children's on the same morning! It was so adorable when Carter came into the room we were in yelling, "Graycen, Graycen, Graycen! I have a present for you, Graycen, I have a present for you!" He is the sweetest, funniest most adorable little guy! By the end of our time together Graycen agreed that she was Carter's girlfriend, and with a little explanation, we told her that Carter was her BOYfriend (she was saying that he was her GIRLfriend). What a sweet connection these two will have for the rest of their lives. They had such a life changing operation together...it will be amazing to watch their progress through the years.

Good lemonade at Applebee's

Coloring and drinking lemonade

Hey, I know you!

Holding hands

Carter just kept looking at Graycen, it was so cute!

We picked flowers

Band Banquet

Tonight was the band banquet to celebrate all the accomplishments of the marching band season. This year was an awesome year, The Cutting Edge took first in 3 of the 5 competitions they were in. The best year ever for them! We sat with the Holberts, so Lindsey and Garrett had to get their picture taken. One is their idea of a picture, the other is me making them be nice. Silly teenagers!

Looking Sweet Today

I took this on the way home from physical therapy today. I think Graycen looks so sweet in this picture! How lucky am I to be this girl's mama??

FotR (Fiddler on the Roof)

Garrett has survived fall marching band and now the fall musical. He has been soooo busy and tired for the last month +! Last night was the last of 4 performances, two yesterday. It was such a wonderful production! I can't believe how talented our high school kids are--Garrett included. They did a great job! Garrett was a Russian soldier for most of the play, but also played a villager for some scenes. Enjoy the pictures!

Garrett and Bethany (his friend since 2nd grade)

"I don't want my cwib anymore!"

Today was a big day at our house! We are borrowing a bed from our friend, Johnna. It is actually a bed that we used to own, used by Garrett and Gavin. I sold it to Johnna when I had my store (second hand children's & maternity store). Her daughter used it, and then it was most recently used by their cousin's daughter. It is the cutest, sweetest little bed. I bought it at a garage sale when we lived in Monett. It was an old metal twin sized bed that had the side rails cut down to make it a "little" bed. We had a mattress specially made for it so Garrett could use it when he moved out of the crib. We painted it red. Then Gavin used it when he moved from the crib. It is now white, which fits perfectly in Graycen's room. It sits really low to the floor and is great for the transition from the crib, just a little bigger than a crib mattress. It also has an escape alarm. It is old, so when you move in it it creaks a metal on metal sound...perfect!


Graycen said we should give her crib to someone else. I told her we'd move it to the basement so that SOMEDAY when Grant and Anna have a baby we can use it for him/her. I hope that day is a while away. I'm much too young to be a grammy!






Pretty comfy


I think I can get used to this

Room for Daddy, too!

Bouncing on the pillow

I am soooo big!