we made it!

We are in sunny FL!!! We left this morning at 7:30p, it was 16 degrees and snow. Two hours later we landed in Tampa FL, it's 67 here today!! Much better! The kids did great on the plane. Aliya got antsy until she fell asleep, then was fine. I didn't get any sleep on the plane as I was her body pillow and the seats aren't that comfortable. The coffee on the plane was GROSS and I could kill for a Starbucks right now! We were picked up at the airport by Tom, Jon's step dad, then back to Jon's folk's for lunch. Jon's brother and his family arrived yesterday so it's a full house for sure! BLT's for lunch and now we're trying to get Aliya down for a nap before we head to Winterhaven to see Grandma C and Aunt Kim! I can't wait!!! It's going to be a busy week, but I will try to check in when we get a second near a computer!

Update on Aliya...and now Joel

Well, Aliya's breathing treatments started yesterday. I'm convinced now that I am to not have anything to do with her treatments. She had her first treatment at the sitter's yesterday and Jennifer said that she did great! So last night we did on before bed, Jon and I tag teamed her and she screamed the entire 15 minutes. She did sleep better last night and is breathing easier. So this morning Jon decided to give Aliya her treatment while I was up doing some emails. And what to you know, she sat there the ENTIRE time with the mask on her face and didn't scream at all. Jon read her books and she did great. So, Jon has a new job around the house here for the next few days. She's starting to come around to her silly self again!

We were supposed to be heading to Joel's basketball game this morning, but we just got a call from Tracy (Joel's mom) and he's home sick in bed. What's up with this family!?!

I hope we are all well come Monday morning, we have to be at the airport REALLY early!

Please pray...

Our little ladybug is not feeling well. We've been home with her all week. She's cut two teeth this week and has a very deep chest cough. We went to the doctor's this morning (I was having flash backs of our last appt and was wondering how today would go...she did SO well! We walked in and she got right down after I took off her coat and played with the toys, she walked around and waved at everyone. When it was her turn, she walked back to the room on her own, let me put her on the scale, and told everyone her name, but when the nurse touched her she SCREAMED) Anyway, we were given orders for a breathing machine and treatments. We will start the treatments tomorrow, as the doctor forgot to write the dose on the script and the office was closed when I finally made it to the pharmacy. She has a slight fever and is very tired. Please pray she is better soon!

Gotcha Day

One year ago today at 6:10pm the most beautiful baby girl entered our lives. She was five weeks old weighing in at 9# 12oz, 21" long and perfect! It is amazing to think a year has gone by. Aliya is our miracle and has lived up to her name as she truly is a gift from God! We love you sweetie!

"HEY"

My mommy wanted you all to know that we are still here! We have been really busy, but she'll post some new stuff soon!!! Until then, here's a quick update on me and my brother:

Me:
*I'm walking all the time now. Crawling is for babies and I'm a big girl now!
*My 4th tooth just broke through this morning!
*I love to eat (still) chips are my new fav snack, even though mommy won't let me have them very often!
*I'm talking up a storm now, my newest words are "no" (snow), I do know how to say No really well, but I say that a lot louder than snow!, "dudin" (Dustin), "meow", "football" and"yeah"
*I like to tease people, I have a great sense of humor!
*I like to shut myself into rooms then scream because I can't get out
*My hair is getting long, mommy is going to take me for my first hair appt soon!
*I love to watch football with daddy and Joel, I can sign Touchdown, No good and holding! (I'm learning to say basketball now too)
*When I'm not talking, I'm singing and dancing. Mommy sings to me a lot and I interrupt her and say "hey mommy" then grin and sing my little heart out to her!
*I am still very much a mommy's girl, I love my daddy, but there's just something about mommy!
*I came home one year ago on the 21st!

Her's what's up with Joel:
*He's in basketball again this season. He doesn't like it much (I think it's too much running for him!)
*4th grade is hard, but he's doing well. He likes spelling the best (he didn't get his skills from mommy in that subject)
*He is getting so tall, he's almost up to mommy's shoulders!
*He is the best big brother in the world!
*He is gentle and kind
*Joel is funny, he makes me laugh all the time
*Science is his next favorite subject, he likes to do experiments!
*Still loves the Steeler's (don't ask me why!)
*Is so excited to go to FL next week!!!

Looking Back on 2008

2008 was an amazing year in our family. It had its ups and downs, but in the end God showed us that He is still so faithful! Our daughter came home, our brother-in-law went to be with the Lord. Promotions were given and jobs were laid off. Money was tight, we were blessed beyond measure. Tears of joy were shed, sobs of sorrow were released. New friendships developed, lost friendships were rekindled. Surgeries were scheduled, healing were preformed. Hair was cut, wigs were made. Babies were born and a wedding was planned. God was faithful, and I am thankful.

Grandma Gladys

As you all know we choose to have an open adoption with Aliya's birthmother. Well, we haven't heard from her since March, but a few months ago we received a letter from Gladys, Aliya's maternal bio grandma. We have been corresponding through snail mail and phone calls for several months now and finally decided it was time to meet. We met at Olive Garden in Lima on Friday 12/26. I was so nervous. I thought I was going to throw up the entire way there. But as soon as she came in all the nerves melted away. We had a wonderful lunch and visit. Aliya only let her hold her for about 30 seconds, but she didn't mind. She brought gifts for birthday and Christmas. Our bio mom did not join us for this visit. According to Gladys she is not in a very good place right now. Whether that means mentally or physically we're not sure. We didn't ask, and she didn't offer. Our visited lasted about 2 hours. Aliya looks a lot like Gladys. We are so glad we got this time with her. One of the reasons we choose and open adoption is that we want no secrets with Aliya. It's kind of obvious she's adopted, and we want to be able to answer as many questions that Aliya will have one day about her bio family.

Outside of Olive Garden afterwards


Gladys trying to get a good look at Aliya