What to Say?

Hannah had a HORRIBLE morning / afternoon with nurses trying to get an IV going for her transfusions. Five pokes & even one try at her port. Horrible. Thank you, Lord, finally an IV got started & Hannah will get platelets & red blood cells tonight.

Yesterday I spent part of the day in Hollywood with Hannah & some of her friends at a private Selena Gomez concert. Hannah had been invited by Selena's step-father (thank you, Brian!) after Hannah performed a Selena Gomez song ("Falling Down") for the audience at the taping of Wizards of Waverly Place last Tuesday. I have lots of pictures from the event yesterday but none with Hannah.

Let's just say that Hannah's friends had a great time at the private concert but Hannah had a melt-down. No, really. I mean: M-E-L-T D-O-W-N. I don't know what is really going on .. well, maybe I do? 9+ months of hospitals & plans for a BMT. I guess I can't blame her for having times of just being out of sorts but it is so rough. I held it together at the event (even though I was ready to toss her down Sunset Blvd).

Let me just say, I really needed today with just Lily & a day away from all things Hannah. I know, terrible to say but I am just a mom like the rest that has moments (or days) of getting fed up! Believe me, if you had been there yesterday, you'd be feeling the same way too!! :-)

Jim has been with Hannah at the hospital all day & is spending the night there tonight.

Lily & I had such a nice day together. Now she is at Kim's (aka "Auntie Mom") so I can get to the hospital in the morning so Jim can get working.

What a joy that little Lily is. My goodness, she is a treasure & even though I was emotionally drained today she brings my heart SUCH HAPPINESS. Thank you, Lord!

Here is another China video from our trip one year ago.

This video is of Lily & a sweet friend, Kay Linn, that we met in China. Her parents, Donnie & Bernie, are from Ireland & they adopted her the same day we adopted Lily (but they had been fostering her in Ireland for 6 years prior). Such a sweet family -- hi guys, if you are reading this!




Here is a little video of my lunch today with Lily at King's Fish House -- she makes my heart so happy!!!

Time Away

The girls & I did a get-a-way in the Palm Springs area for the past 2 nights. We stayed with my dear friend from college, Deb. What a nice wonderful relaxing time ... thank you, Deb & family!!!! It was so great to also see two other friends -- Brig & Rozanne. Love you guys & so incredibly thankful for all of your love, encouragement, support & prayers ... especially these past 9 months! I wish there had been more time to see everyone that I know & love in the area.

I used to go on trips all the time with Hannah when she was little - I realized today that this is the first "mother daugther" trip for Lily. My goodness, this year has been a whirlwind! The past 3 days were a few of the best days of the past year ... such a great time with both of my daughters!!!

Here are some more China videos ... mostly for my family to see.. no pressure for anyone to sit & watch my "home movies"! This was one year ago in China - wow!

More China ...

Here are two videos from our time in China with Lily ... enjoy!

One Year Ago This Week ...

With the time change, tonight will be one year since our dreams came true of meeting our sweet Lily. Our trip to China was incredible & I'd go back in a minute if I could. Each day this week I will try to post some videos from our time in China with miss Lily Sha Sha (Hannah still calls her "Sha Sha" all the time!). She is a dream...thank you, Lord, for the joy & privilege of having daughter #2!!!

As an update on Hannah: I talked to our Bone Marrow Transplant Search Coordinator at Seattle Children's Hospital & they have already located 3 potential donors that are 10 out of 10 matches to Hannah's HLA typing. All 3 potential donors are internationals ... Seattle is now contacting them to see if they are still eligible & available to be a donor for Hannah. We need to line up one donor & one back-up donor. Lord willing, the process will move quickly & Hannah will stay infection-free until transplant. Although we are still holding out hope for her treatment from June to work, all of the doctors are pretty sure it won't work & that she will need a BMT.

I am so grateful for the joy (and challenge!) of being a mom to two beautiful daughters!!

All God's best from our home --