Some Videos

Been having a very mellow weekend at home. It has been so nice to just do a lot of nothing! Hannah is off school tomorrow so we are going to be delivering Girl Scout cookies & doing her entire homework packet from the last week .... in one day!?! Yes, once again, I win the "Mother of the Year" award ...I know!

Did I mention that I took Lily for her 2 year check up (just a few months late!)? She made it onto the American growth chart & is in the 5th percentile with height & weight. The doctor attributed her being on the chart to the change in diet here in the US -- I attribute it to Auntie Mom's Italian food!! The doctor was just amazed at Lily's language development for a 2.5 year old -- truly impressive!

My parents just left on a cruise -- not going to be the same these next 7 days without being able to pick up the phone & call them anytime. Happy cruising, Dad & Mom!!! Our ship is leaving just 2 weeks after yours!!!

Here are two videos from my camera that hadn't made it to the computer yet. The first one is of the girls playing in the house. The second is from the hospital in January when Lily came to visit Hannah in the hallway of the hospital before we drove to Phoenix.

Enjoy .. no pressure to watch my home movies but I know the Aunties love this!!!

Thanks, Friends ...

Thanks, friends -- for all the support, nice comments, prayers, verses & encouragement. I haven't gotten back to everyone that sent me a message or an email - I apologize but please know that I am very grateful!! This week has been better!

Today Lily & I took off today for Disneyland. Just the two of us. Dropped off Hannah at school & then got to Disney for a few hours of walking around & just being together. I loved it and she was very busy checking out all the people & taking it all in while trying to figure out how the rides work (hello, future engineer??). We followed this horse, "Kayla", all the way down main street -- I think Lily wanted to bring her home!

Here are some pictures & a video from our day together. And, yes, Shay, this is the shirt from you -- Lily loves it! Cheering you on, my friend!!

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!!!