Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Happy Days

I never thought I'd be thankful for the alarm clock to go off but it felt good to get Hannah back to school after the week off from Spring Break. We had a great week together and did a lot of fun things but I did not complain that school started again. I hear all you moms out there with kids in school saying "amen". You know what I am talking about -- routine is our friend!

Yesterday morning I mentioned to Lily that her hair was crazy & she needed a hair cut. Hours later, she said to me, "I ready Mommy". I said, "Ready for what?" She said, "Ready to go get hair cut. I have crazy hair." Seriously. She said that!! I took her & she has a cute new bob hair cut. Even more adorable than ever - thank you very much!

Here are some pictures from the girls yesterday after school. The weather was beautiful & Lily has been having a lot of fun playing with water outside. Lily attacked Hannah with the hose & Hannah loved every minute of it!

My niece, Sarah, is now here from Philadelphia. Yeah!!!! We just have a few days together but the girls are already having such a great time being together.

Happy days ... and I am so thankful!!!!












Sunday, March 28, 2010

Hannah's Solo at Church

The words to Hannah's solo:

"Through every miracle, we see your mighty hand to show us, Lord, how much you care as we walk throughout this land .."

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Fun Saturday

Today was an Easter Party put on by the group "Adonai". They do outreach events for families with critically ill kids. Hannah has been looking forward to this party for weeks!!! She sang karaoke, climbed the rock wall, made a huge Easter basket & had a great time! Lily ate almost an entire hot dog (rare for her!) & had a great time following her sister everywhere & making her own huge Easter basket!

Good times.

After nap time we went to the park - fed the ducks, played with puppies & enjoyed a beautiful Southern California afternoon! A blessing to just be out of the hospital & home. I still don't take any of it for granted!

Hannah is singing in the main service tomorrow at church. She has a small solo & let me just say, it is going to be very emotional to hear Hannah singing about God's healing hand. I will be sure to post a video tomorrow of her performance ... can't wait!

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"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." 2 Corinthians 1:3,4










Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Married to My Stuff?

Seriously, sometimes I have such a hard time throwing things away. I don't know what it is. I am not a potential candidate for Hoarders but it is hard sometimes to part with "stuff" & put it in the trash or send it for donations.

What is my problem?

Today I threw out 2 big bags of stuff & said "sorry" out loud every time I threw something in. Ridiculous! You'd think I took an oath to love, honor & cherish this "stuff" somewhere between the clearance aisle at Target & my house?!? I don't get it!

Two trash bags down & many, many to go! I do feel better but gosh, I hope I can stop apologizing every time I dump stuff in the trash.

I have finally caught up on laundry & now just hoping to actually get it all put away before Hannah's Spring Break is over ... good to have goals, right?

My Mom is back at home in Philadelphia. We had a great visit with her! On Sunday my Mom & I went with Lily to Carlsbad to the Flower Fields -- AMAZING! Here are some pictures. Also, we went to the park & the girls attacked the ducks ... check out the picture!




Friday, March 19, 2010

Spring Break

Hannah is officially on Spring Break. She has this next week off & we are making plans to enjoy this break before the last 8 weeks til Summer Twenty-Ten.

My mom is still here & we love having her!! Tonight we all had steak dinner on the bbq & then went for a mile walk together ... a nice NORMAL night at home!!

I can't write much right now but I stand amazed at the work God has done in Hannah's life. I am in awe of the miracle of her life! Her blood count numbers came back almost all normal. Yes, you read that right ... N-O-R-M-A-L!!!!!!!!!! It is hard for my mind to believe how incredible her recovery has been but this is exactly what so many of us were praying for ... so why should I be surprised?? Our God is alive & able to do more than we could ever think or imagine!

Her counts were normal except for platelets but those are the highest they have been since she got sick. For all you medical folks, her numbers were: white blood cells 8.4; hemoglobin 11.9 & platelets 97k. Truly, just a miracle. My daughter is a walking miracle. She is a testament to God's grace, to answered prayers & to the faithfulness of my Heavenly Father.

"How great are His signs and how mighty are His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and His dominion is from generation to generation." Daniel 4:3






Saturday, March 6, 2010

Going Away

Our dog, Joy, thinks if she sits in my suitcase I will bring her on the trip!


Jim & I are off for a great cruise to some fun places in the Caribbean. I am so excited to get away & just enjoy some down time. It blows my mind that we are going on this cruise right now when a few months ago I thought I'd be sitting in Seattle right now for Hannah's follow-up care from a Bone Marrow Transplant. Thank you, Lord, for the road of recovery that Hannah is on & for the complete miracle of her healing!!!!

Jen, I got the prescription for the patch ... thanks for the recommendation! I hope it does the trick & keeps me from being sick most of the time!

The girls are excited for a fun week at Auntie Mom's house. Lily totally knows the plan & was dancing around doing the two step when I counted for her how many nights she is going to be sleeping over at Auntie Mom's ... just like old times!!

Here are some pictures of Hannah doing a procedure tonight on one of her American Girl dolls ... boy did she learn a thing or two through all of her hospital stays!! Dr. Hannah!!!



It will be awhile before I get back online. I will be very unplugged while we are gone ... check back closer to St. Patrick's Day.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Hannah & Her Guy

Hannah & Jim before taking off for the "Me & My Guy" dance

Lily wanted to get in on all the photo action ... so cute!

After Hannah & Jim left for the dance, it was time for Lily's dinner: "Let's see how the noodles taste if I put them up my nose??"

Cracking herself (and me) up!!


Hannah with her project at the end of Girl Scout meeting.


Been neglecting the blog but not intentionally. Just been busy with L-I-F-E & that's a good thing!

* Jim & I leave for the East Coast on Saturday. Going on a Caribbean cruise out of Miami on Sunday. Did I mention Jim is on the board for a great organization & this cruise is the board retreat. Gosh I love boards ...thank you, ALI! Even if I am sea sick the entire time, it will just be so nice to be away & have some time to just relax ..even if it is over the railing of the ship! Ha, ha!!! The girls will be loving life with Aunt Kim & family and then with my Mom until we get back.

* Tonight at bedtime when I was praying with Lily after I finished, she said "more, more!" So I prayed some more & then she added "Thank you, Jesus, Auntie Mom .. and let's see? how about???? how about??? how about??? Jesus. Amen." So hilarious and so sweet.

* Today when I picked Lily up at pre-school she was on the playground with the little kids. When we walked back into the school to leave, we passed a class with 4 year olds. As we were walking by Lily waved & loudly said "Bye friends!!" The kids looked up & a bunch said "Bye, Lily!!!" Hello ... she is Miss personality!!! Why does it not surprise me that the kids from the other room know who this little pumpkin is?! She is too much!!!

* Hannah & Jim went to a "Me & My Guy" dance on Saturday night. I was a bit concerned that they might be home early but they had such a great time! Hannah wore her prom dress & made Jim wait at the bottom of the steps to see her after she was all dressed & ready to go on her date with him.

* Hannah got her first report card since being back in school & the girl is doing really well ... especially considering that she missed almost all of 1st grade & the first half of 2nd grade! She is on grade level with most things & just below in a few. Not bad at all!!!! Going back to school has been a huge adjustment but she has taken to the schedule, the routine & the work like a duck in water. She is doing so great & I am so proud of her!!!!

* Hannah's schedule is full & back to normal life with Girl Scouts, an art class & Awana. All things she is really enjoying. Some days it is hard to believe how sick she truly was. Thank you, Lord, for healing my precious girl!!

* Lastly, our family is so thrilled for the arrival of Sienna Grace into her new family in Changsha, Hunan, China (same place where we went for Lily). What a beautiful little girl she is with her dear family .. check here!