Thankful Thursday {friendship}

A friend loves at all times

Proverbs 17:17

I have been abundantly blessed in friendship throughout my life. I still have friends that I keep in touch with from when I was Kate's age (hello Stacy and Trish!). I still have friends from grade school, high school, college, grad school, work, having babies, moving around, Virginia (Hi Bagel and Tessa!), church, Mom's groups (hello Staci!) etc. In fact, a few Christmas cards each year are mailed internationally.

What amazes me though is that God continues to bless me with new friends all the time. I have only known Di and Jennifer for a few years (about 3 or more) but they have become such dear friends to me. I feel like I have known them all my life. Our days at the beach were so easy. We only put make-up on for the one night we went out (I think). We could be completely at ease with one another. They saw me for all of my uptight and neurotic self and I saw all of their fun and laid back ways. They make me want to be a better person. We had some deep and long talks and they inspired me.

(please keep in mind that we were up til the wee hours of the morning talking for a few nights in a row~so we might look a bit tired;)

So today I feel thankful for all of my friends...old and new.

I am also thankful to Jen's parents, Ralph and Linda. Di and I kind of got to know Jen's parents through the supportive and loving messages they left for Jen and her family while traveling to China to get Wesleigh. They were kind enough to come to the beach to meet the girls (and me and Di too). The girls all loved "Maw Maw and Paw Paw". Kate especially took a real liking to Jen's Dad. Unfortunately, Kate does not have a grandpa and her whole face lit up when he showered her with attention. Kate had a blast with them both. And we Moms got to go out and have a nice meal and a real conversation (uninterrupted, no less!) I am just so sad I did not get a photo of Linda with all the girls!

Ralph was such a good sport. Kate made him a princess picture "nametag" and was paper clipping it to his shirt!

Thank you Linda and Ralph. It was a joy to meet you both.

Hello? Thankful Thursday

I cannot believe I am posting another video of Kate. However, last night while we were eating dinner, out of the blue, Kate put her foot up to her ear (yes, that is what I wrote!) and just said, "Hello!" as though she were answering the phone. I laughed so HARD. She can be really FUNNY! I jumped up grabbed the flip... She is just cracking us up these days!!! It feels so good to laugh. Plus, it is the only work out my stomach gets these days.

She also told us at dinner that the beloved class frog (Al Jr.) was sick and had to go to the froggy doctor. She said he was "hiding" and would not move. I feared the worst and wondered if he had gone to froggy heaven. So, today I asked Kate's teacher about Al Jr. She told me that he is fine and Kate admitted to making the whole thing up for dinner conversation! What a little ham. I need to teach her about lying!

We have so much to be grateful for....

Our good friends, Karen and her family welcomed Katie to their family today we are so happy for them.

Our other good friends, Jennifer and family are landing in China now and will meet their daughter, Wesleigh this week. So exciting!!!

AND it is my friend Denise's b-day. I hope you have a GREAT birthday Denise!

Thankful

It has been a long time since I have done a Thankful Thursday post. But I am so thankful this week that it was time. I know it may seem odd with two sick children that I feel thankful. However, when you spend a few hours in a children's hospital, you realize just how blessed you are. The woman in front of me in the coffee line had a son who was in his second round of chemo and getting ready for surgery the next day. The child across from us in recovery had a brain tumor. His parents spoke Arabic and needed a translator to understand the surgeons. Can you imagine how scary that must have been? There are so many REALLY sick children out there. Please take a minute today to pray for one of them. I know I am.

~ I am thankful that Kate is recovering well. She is pretty clingy and she cries in pain when the meds are wearing off but in general she is doing really well. Thank you, Lord.

~I am thankful that Will is doing really well. His fever has gone and he feels MUCH better. He is still in isolation in his room. We wear masks and I wear gloves as we deliver his meals and things to him. We let him go out in the sun to get some Vitamin D yesterday. Vitamin D is supposed to be beneficial in both preventing the flu and helping your body heal. He wore a mask through the house and went outside for a little walk to get some fresh air.

Will relaxing in his room. We put a little TV in there for him. He is being such a good sport, reading, drawing, and watching movies. He does ring the little bell we gave him a lot. Sometimes, I feel like I am in a sitcom. I am tending to Kate and he starts ringing that bell ad does not stop until I get to him. I did tell him yesterday to stop it with the DAMN bell! I have my moments.

~I am thankful that Harry is recovering. I failed to mention in my last post that Harry sprained his neck! He was at a sleepover and went on a trampoline and really injured his neck. Luckily, our good friend is a chiropractor and he has helped Harry immensely. he told us that he was very lucky. It could have easily been MUCH worse (broken neck). He has not been able to do soccer (which started this week), judo, recess or PE but he is feeling better.

~I am thank for for my husband who has been such a great caretaker of the kids this week. When he is home from work, he is administering medications and ear drops and bringing Will food and movies and playing with Harry. What a good man.

~I am thankful for all of the kind gestures from everyone (prayers, meals, flowers, Dvd's, little gifts, phone calls and e-mails). They are too numerous to name here but when everyone is well...I will be sending y'all thank you notes.

~I am thankful for my partner in the preppy fall swap, Norah. She sent me the most wonderful swap package this week. I LOVE everything in it. It was the highlight of my day on Tuesday!!!!

Norah sent me lavender bath products, beautiful Lily monogrammed notecards, thanksgiving kitchen towels and cookie cutters, a book mark and light, personalized bookplates, Lily matches and fun beverage napkins and a subscription to Southern Living. Thank you SO much!

~I am thankful for an apology. An anonymous person apologized for leaving a harsh comment on my blog. I appreciate this gesture and forgive the person.

~I am thankful for Taylor who is coming to help me a few hours a day so that I can shower, cook dinner, pick up Harry from school and tend to Will while she sits with Kate. She has been a lifesaver!

Here are some photos of what we are up to....I am basically running back and forth between the patients. But they are both EXCELLENT patients!

Harry really misses Will and is worried about him. He sends little notes in with Will's meals and vitamins.

Kate cuddling up with Scout in the playroom. Scout is NOT allowed on the sofa!

Ruby and Ainsley sent Kate these beautiful pink flowers. When Kate saw them she said, "For me?!" She jumped up and down. She was so excited and she exclaimed, "They are so lovely!"

Kate plucked a rose from the arrangement and danced around with it in her codeine induced merriment. Unfortunately, it does not last long before the pain and crying return.

I bought her this little make-up kit and she has had lots of fun with it too.

Doesn't that pink lip gloss look divine in her eyebrows?

So thankful this week

I have so many reasons to be thankful this week...

~My new camera arrived today! I have been wanting the D-700 for months and months.  I have researched this camera to death but kind of thought it was too much camera for me.  I finally bit the bullet and bought it.  Here she is....

(Added for those who have asked...my top is Lily Pulitzer and I found it at Marshall's a few weeks ago;)

I have a lot to learn about this camera!!!

~Some of our best friends are visiting from Canada this week.  They are Harry's Godparents and we have so much fun with them.  

~I have had some really nice time with Kate.  She has some cold/sinus thing going on again but she is SO much better than she has been for the last several weeks.  Thank you for your prayers and well wishes. (Right after I posted this Kate woke up with 103 fever...we are back to the doctor tomorrow:(

~One of my very good friends is flying in for a visit in a few weeks:) I love Di and I cannot wait for her visit!!!

~Two blog buddies who I have followed for a very, very long time received their referrals this week!  It is so exciting!!!!

"T "has such a beautiful and FUN family.  This is one blog my hubby even enjoys.  He wants to be friends with them because they laugh so much.  They are always having FUN! Please congratulate them on their daughter, Emerson Grace...she is going to fit right in with them:)

I love Emerson Grace's little smile!

Another blog buddy, Debbie recieved her referral for beautiful Miss Darci. Debbie has been a long time reader of this blog and I have prayed for Darci for a long time! I am so happy for them. Please stop by and congratulate them too.

Isn't Darci darling?!

And Steffie B is in China with her new son!  Oh my goodness~ his smile melts my heart.  I am so thrilled for you, Steffie!  This little boy makes me want to adopt again!  If my hubby reads this~he will shoot me.  I know we are done.

It really is wonderful watching families you have come to "know" brought together with their children.  There is nothing like it!  

I think if we look around we can always find reasons to be thankful. Thank you Lord.

Thankful it was just the sleepies

So, the other day, the doctor tells me that the biggest thing to worry about with mono is a ruptured spleen.  She says, don't let Kate play at the playground and no rough housing.  Be careful even picking her up certain ways.  When she returns to pre-school, someone needs to really keep an eye on her on the playground.  Even a small blow to the stomach could rupture her spleen. Okay, I understand.

Yesterday, Miss Kate is sitting in her booster seat eating.  The seat has a tray but it comes off easily. She is pushing it with her stomach and I tell her very firmly, "Kate, don't push on that or you might fall."  She looks me right in the eye and pushes on it with her stomach.  She falls forward onto the ground with the tray cutting into her abdomen and her head smacks right into the cabinets. Now, I am not one who cusses at all.  I just don't.  But let me tell you I was shaking and cussing and crying.  I was terrified that she for sure ruptured her spleen.  So, I called Dave at the office and said "quick...google ruptured spleen symptoms and treatments." After a good 10 minutes of crying,  Kate calms down and we decided she is okay.

This morning, I go in to wake her up and SHE WILL NOT WAKE UP!  I cannot get her to open her eyes.  I am carrying her around the house....shouting KATE WAKE UP!!! OPEN YOUR EYES!  She was a little responsive but she would not open her eyes. I could not wake her up for 45 minutes! I start panicking....Does she have a concussion? She did have 2 goose eggs from the fall! Is her spleen ruptured and she is bleeding internally? Am I overreacting?  Maybe she is just really tired from the mono? Again I call Dave at the office!

Luckily, my housekeeper was here to help me because I completely panic in these situations. She got cold towels and we rubbed them all over her to get her to wake up. We finally got her awake and went to the doctors office. Concussion? NO.  Ruptured Spleen? NO.  Tired little girl? YES!  Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!

Went to Target to stock up on things to keep us busy:)

And 2 years ago today, Kate was placed in my amazing husband's arms....

Kate and Big Brother Will

We celebrate Forever Family Day on the day they came home (April 4th) because that is when our whole family was finally together.  But this was an important day too.  For the best blog post ever on three peanuts...read here.  My husband wrote it the day he got Kate and it makes me cry every time I read it!

So, this Thankful Thursday, I am thankful for my darling Kate and her health.  And my Husband, who is my rock:)

Thankful for these Amazing Women

As we all do, I often contemplate stepping away from the blogging world and then I am quickly reminded of the amazing people that I have come to "know" from being a part of blogging.  I want to tell you about two of them today...

Kimberley at the Seventh Diamond is truly one of the most altruistic people I have ever known. For 2 years (about) I have watched her help everyone.  She is constantly praying for people, surprising them with special greetings, hosting on-line baby showers, promoting fundraisers and raising awareness of special needs adoptions.  Kimberley truly is an inspiration to me.  Her whole life seems to be about helping others. She has made such a difference in so many people's lives. She collects items for children in orphanages, boxes them up and sends them off.  Now she is helping people sponsor orphans with cleft palate and cleft lip.

After many years of waiting to be matched with a baby from China, it is FINALLY Kimberley's turn.  The fees that adoptive parents must pay to the orphanage have recently gone up significantly and Kimberley's family needs help raising those funds.  If you want to help an amazingly giving family bring their cute pie home, please click here and make a donation at the chip-in on the side bar (every dollar helps them) or bid on an item. Note--The chip in takes a while to update but don't worry.  I know they are getting the donations and the graphic will eventually update.

At the risk of being judged....I am going to admit something for those of you who may not be in the adoption community and might be thinking what I used to think.....I used to wonder why people would adopt if they did not have the money for all of the adoption costs.  I know that is awful but I did think that way at one point in my life. I did not think that in a judgmental way but in an ignorant way. Now that I have met these amazing people who have so much love in their hearts, I don't wonder anymore. I know that they have enough money to raise these children but the fees for travel and adoption come very quickly at the end and most people would be hard pressed to come up with it in such a short amount of time.  These families who need our help are reaching out to children who would never have a family.  Please help them if you can.

One incredible side story about Kimberley...her user name on Blogger has always been Red Mary Janes.  Imagine the feeling she got when she saw this picture below of her daughter waiting for her in China!!!  There was no doubt this little girl was meant for them!!!!

Now, there is another woman in blogland that has inspired me in different ways.  Sebi at Pearls and Grace is such an example of how God wants us to be in our lives.  Her faith and her devotion to her family is incredible.  This Sunday, she is giving a talk in the NYC area.  If I lived anywhere near there, I would be there to listen to her amazing message.  Go here to find out more information.  Also, please pray for Sebi or leave her an encouraging word as she embarks on such a big event.

Sebi from Pearls and Grace with her beautiful family!

Sebi and Kimberley, thank you for inspiring me to be a better person.  I wish you both the best as you embrace the big changes coming in your lives!!!!

Too much for a title.

It is Thankful Thursday and this week, I am thankful for my husband. He can be so thoughtful sometimes. The other day a book arrived for him in the mail.  As he is not a reader (I am), I was curious.  Later that night, he told me he had a surprise for me. He presented me with this

What a sweetie.  He said, "You might already have this but I saw it on-line and knew it was something you would like."  Ironically, I subscribed to the magazine by the same name (founded by this author) for a few years while we built our last home.  However, I had never purchased the book.  I really did want it though and I never mentioned it to him.  I was so thankful. I think he knows that I am struggling decorating this home and he wanted to show his support.

Now, just to show you my hubby's sense of humor, he also e-mailed me these one morning this week:

So, this is the stuff my husband does late a night (order me books and make silly cartoons).  He is a night owl. And BTW~he is a Republican.  I love him and I am thankful for him.

On another note, back in October a few of you asked for the recipe for this lasagna:

Yup, that's right...I am just getting around to posting about it. Actually, I just popped one in the oven and thought I would share with you about the recipe.  I found the recipe here BUT (and I mean NO offense to the GREAT Pioneer Woman) I make some changes all in the name of better health:

~I use organic, preservative free Italian sausage in lieu of the Jimmy Dean sausage she recommends. 

~ I also do not add ANY salt at all.  It is plenty salty enough.

~I almost always purchase healthier (organic, less processed) cheeses if I can find them.

~Of course, I use gluten free noodles AND I don't boil them beforehand (but bake for an hour).

Even with these changes it is not the healthiest meal in our menu rotation (we only eat it every few months) but I will tell you that this really is delicious and pretty easy to prepare too!  When we have made it for others, they RAVE about it.

Have a great weekend Y'all!

Thankful for forever families

Three blogs families that I follow became forever families this week and if that isn't a reason to be thankful, I don't know what is.

Sara has Mya and they are doing very well!

Lilah Grace is with her Mommy and Daddy.  What a beautiful little family they are! Congrautaltions!

And Karliegh Mei is on her way home.

Aren't these BEAUTIFUL children?!  I thank these families for sharing their journeys with other families.  I love to see when children are untied with their family.  To me, it is the most beautiful story.  God is so very good.

I wish these families all the blessings life has to offer:)

A Christmas surprise....SNOW!

For those who have asked: Kate's dress is from the Matilda Jane Holiday line 2007. It is her 2nd year wearing it.

I lived in Houston for 11 years previously and I have NEVER seen it snow here. Not once in 11 years! So you can imagine our surprise last night as the kids were leaving for Judo when we saw big flakes falling from the sky! Snow is fun everywhere. But people---when you live in Texas, snow is HUGE EXCITEMENT!!!

So, today we are thankful for a few snowflakes. They brought joy to my children's faces. And really.... what is better than that?

What is this fluffy stuff falling from the sky?

Pure JOY!

Harry caught a snowflake on his tongue.

Kate felt them on her nose.

Snowflakes that fall on my nose and eyelashes! These are a few of my favorite things!

They were so excited that they were truly dancing around the yard.

It was so much fun and a few moments I hope I never forget.


You know it really is the little things in life that bring great joy.

We are also thankful for Aunt Dooney who is celebrating a birthday today!!! Happy Birthday!

Thankful Thursday

So much to write, so little time.  I am thankful ...

Becky

~ that this little cutie patootie and her Mommy are visiting us right now.  Yes, in the midst of all the gas leak drama and our anniversary, we have house guests. Much more on our visit soon and LOTS of pictures.

~that the boys LOVE their new school.  Thank you to all who have asked how they are doing. They are adjusting very well socially  and academically. Most importantly, they are happy.  My old, sweet Harry is coming back.  What happened in the second grade at their former school was atrocious and I am so glad it is behind us.

~ the gas leaks are fixed!  I did have to battle it out with a plumber yesterday (they fix the actual leaks). The BIG leak had already been repaired but there was still a pin hole leak. He showed up and claimed as soon as he walked in the house that he was not going to find a leak here (he had installed all of the original pipes).  Sure enough...he insisted there was none.  I would not take no for an answer, called the builder who then called his supervisor.  This morning we called the gas company and they came while the plumber was here.  They identified the second (and much smaller leak) with the machine, fixed it and checked again.  YEAH!  We are safe and gas-free.  Although I am still very foggy brained. I  have learned to be tenacious in these situations.

~ for my sweet husband.  He brought me beautiful flowers for our anniversary this week and has just been even sweeter than normal this week.  He knows I don't feel well and as usual he is picking up the slack.

~Kate has been home 19 months today! It is hard to imagine a time when she has not been part of our lives. She brings so much to our family.

Yesterday, the dress below arrived and Kate looked at it and said, "Oh, beautiful dress, Mama.  I wear it tomorrow?"  So, here she is... Isn't it adorable?  It is from Pish Posh Girls.

Laura does beautiful work and the customer service is excellent too!

I think I got the blouse underneath it at Walmart last year. It is 100% cotton and adorable.

~  Thank you to a sweet family (you know who you are~"A family") who sent the peanuts some presents (under the tree above).  We don't know this sweet family well but they read our blog and are always very, very kind to us.  You touch our hearts and the boys cannot wait to write your guys some letters.

Thankful for so many things!

~I am thankful that Kate had school for a few hours this morning!  I accomplished quite a bit and I think Kate was very happy to get out of the house. Most importantly though, she was excited to go to school!  She happily waved goodbye and blew me a kiss.  She did not want to bring her "lovey" to school this morning for the first time. Her teachers told me today that she cooked blueberry muffins and she taught her friends their colors!

This is Miss Kate right before school today.  Doesn't she look like she is concocting some mischievous plan?

One of the other Moms e-mailed me these pictures of Kate cooking at school.  I was not there (bad MOM!). I was home unpacking! I am thankful she e-mailed these to me.

I am am thankful that all of our closets are unpacked!

I finished Kate's closet.  I still have some framed photos and special decorative pieces for the shelves but they are not unpacked yet.

I have been working very hard on my closet.  As I have posted before, I arrange everything by group, color etc.. So this was a daunting task. 

Again, I have several family photos in silver frames and decorative trays to hold jewelry and accessories that will go on the top of the drawers but I have not found that box yet. 

Guess whose closet this is?

~I am thankful that Harry is feeling better.  I did not share this (and I will go into more another time) but Harry was experiencing some serious health problems.  They are so much better and I am so grateful to have my sweet Harry back again.

~I am thankful for Harry's soccer team.  It has been the best part of his days here so far. Last night they had their final game.  His team was undefeated this season and he is one of the strongest and most consistent players.  I am so proud of him.  He has great sportsmanship.  He always congratulates his team and the other team's players too!  Here are a few shots from the season.

Before each game, the teams hold hands and say a prayer.  It is a church league.  I love that!

Harry gets a little nervous and is either smiling while he plays or chewing his nails!

Last night, Miss Kate put her hands on her hips and said, "I want a Gatorade."  We instructed her to ask politely and she did.  But it was quite funny!

This one was right before......

Harry was bitten by a dozen FIRE ANTS!

OUCH!

I love this one!  They just gave each other some skin.  I wish the lighting was better (it is very shadowy at these late afternoon games in the South) and I am thinking about cropping it.  Any suggestions?

What are you thankful for today?