It's Apple Picking Time!!

Yesterday we made a trip to Huber Farm in Southern Indiana. A fun day of apple picking, yummy lunch, tractor ride, going down a 40' slide & seeing lots of animals.

We all continue to feel more settled & love living in Kentucky.

Hannah is starting Girl Scouts next week & still loving soccer. Her soccer team is undefeated, so that has helped her really enjoy this season. The girl is very competitive & all about winning!

Lily gets herself into everything & keep me on my toes all the time ... except of course, when we are both napping.  I have no shame .. I need my rest!!!

Life is good & I am enjoying this time of recovery and thankful everyday for the health of my children.

When you stop & think about it -- job promotions are great, a house is nice & a car will get you to where you want to go -- but if you don't have your health, nothing else really matters.

God is good & I am so thankful for the grace He continues to shower upon our family!!!!

"Taste & see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him."

Psalm 34:8

Tractor ride out to the apple orchard ...

At first Lily was not too excited to see that bees also like the apple orchard but after a few minutes, she got pretty into it & we did not have any bee stings!

Lily was DETERMINED to carry her apple bag all by herself back to the tractor.  The bag weighed more than her!!!!

Dragging it helped!

And eventually we got there!!  Good job, Lily!

These two are the joys of my life ... thank you, Lord!!!!

730 Days of Miss Lily Sha Hope

Two years ago today Lily's foster mother placed her into my arms at the Civil Affairs office in Changsha, Hunan, China.

Thank you, Lord, for the gift of these past 2 years & for the gift of the perfect 2nd daughter!

The time with Lily in China was truly one of the happiest times of my life. I will never forget that precious time of just getting to know her ... without a single thought about a disease I had never heard of, Aplastic Anemia.

I had waited so long for Lily. The pain of the wait melted away in an instant when I saw her beautiful face!!! I never would have believed it -- but it did.

Those days in China with Lily are such wonderful memories that I will treasure ALWAYS!

THREE

Lily turns three today.

I have much to post but for right now I will just share pictures of our super fun morning together.

Went to the park, went on a walk & went to a local farm.

Time for naps before Hannah gets home.

Needless to say, there are no words to describe the joy of being with Lily on this her super special day!!!

Three years ago in Milou, Hunan, China the most beautiful baby girl was born into this world.

How I wish I could have been there that day when she was born.

But I wasn't.

I am here for these days ... and forever grateful.

PS ... Lily has a bonk on her head because she fell off her bike earlier this week (with her helmet on).  The healing doesn't look pretty ... but she is still gorgeous!!!  

Praise Report & Let the Soccer Begin!

Before we get to soccer ...

Hannah had her monthly appointment at the Hematologist yesterday.  Thank you, Lord, her blood counts continue to be stable!!!  We go back next month & then we will start on a "once every 3 month" check up schedule, per her doctors at NIH.  I cannot believe it!!  Just a total miracle & something I NEVER take for granted!

Today was a new experience of what it means to have some normalcy again ... Hannah played in her first soccer game!!!

She had a blast learning all about DEFENSE & keeping the ball away from the goal.

Her team did great & won 6-1. 

Most importantly, the girls had fun & got along great.  And, really, life is just about having fun!!!

Here are some pictures from today.

Enjoy!

Spa Night: Kentucky Style

I was in a "time out"on our deck.

Just enjoying some alone time --- while my girls ran wild. 

Then things got out of control.

Shocking, I know.

They went to the creek behind our house & started to take mud baths.   I guess this is Spa Night, KY Style!

So I did what every mother would do.   I threw my girls straight into the bathtub.

No.

I got my camera and started documenting the madness.

It has been a fun night here from my "time out" on the deck.

Shabbat Shalom & La Shana Tova from Kentucky!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Saturday!

Hannah started soccer today.  Yes, my girl that was transfusion-dependent & living on a hospital unit for SO long is now playing on a soccer team!!!!!

Just amazing to me when we experience these new normal things!

I am so thankful.

Words can't describe the joy to have my daughter living life without any medicine, without blood transfusions & without the constant threat of going back into the hospital for an extended stay.

These days are good & I cherish the joy of the normal.

 And while Hannah practiced I took Lily over the playground near the field. 

 She kind of likes climbing up the slide better than going down.

 She is one happy, crazy girl ..... & I love every bit of her!!!

And then we went home for "nap time" (that includes me!).

A big event in Louisville today was the U of L vs. Kentucky game.

It was so fun ... even though Louisville lost to University of Kentucky.

Bummer for Coach Strong but we love living here & being fans of the Cardinals!!!

 Of course she stuck her tongue out ... Daddy must have said "smile"! 

OK, the people behind us were pretty drunk & cursing loudly the entire game.

I can't blame her for making such a face at them.   But they were pretty funny.

Especially when they said that U of L will be in the Alaska Pipeline Bowl in December.

I laughed.  A lot. 

 Are we still losing???

Little did we know this would be a last sighting of Lily's "baby".

We left "baby" somewhere in the stands.

I knew when we left we were forgetting something ... don't you hate that feeling?? 

 Hannah loved the game & shouted "Go Cards" at all the cars on our way to the game.  Lily loved the ice cream.

Much love from Kentucky.  We are loving life & enjoying each day!!

Thank you, Lord!

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"Thou, O Lord, wilt not withhold Thy compassion from me; Thy lovingkindness and Thy truth will continually preserve me."

Psalm 40:11