Day 3 - Fun in the Sun!

On Saturday, after shopping, lunch and naps, the families enjoyed a little time by the pool at the hotel. The girls are all water babies and love the water...

Did we have a good time... or what???

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! (HUGS))

Day 3 - Down Time

After a wonderful, fattening breakfast, Danny and I decided our Lil' Miss needed a break.  Quiet time... & perhaps a BIG nap! She was still very tired from the previous day's activities and over-stimulation... and well, just a bit on the cranky side. (NOTE: Pictures below are very deceiving!) We both recognized that she needed some extra time alone to chill out. We planned to spend lots of time with our friends at the pool later in the day, so we knew that this "break" was necessary...

While Danny and Lilli hung out at the room, I headed out with rest of the group to do a little shopping. Danny isn't big on shopping, so let me assure you, he wasn't terribly disappointed! :o)

We spent a couple of hours out and about in Williamsburg... & when we returned to the hotel, I was ready for a nap too! Fortunately, Lilli still hadn't gone down for one, so we snuggled up together!! There's nothing like a snuggle nap!!!

Oops!! I almost forgot... it's "Thankful Thursday!!  Today, I am thankful for our good friends & "China Family" members ~ the Casteens and McCoys.... AND for snuggle naps! :o) What are you thankful for today?

Wishing everyone a terrific Thursday!! ((HUGS))

Wordless Wednesday - An Evening Dip!

Evening of Day 2 - Following Busch Gardens, naptime & delicious dinner at The Whaling Company...

Hope everyone has a blessed Wednesday! ((HUGS))

China Family Mini-Reunion - Day 2

Day Two began with travel to Williamsburg. We met Becky and Hannah at the hotel and then headed straight to Busch Gardens! We tried our best to get as many activities and rides in as possible, before the girls ran on empty... fumes almost!  I think we hit most of the highlights of the park too.

Becky and Miss Hannah

The gangs all here... well, except for me!

Lilli's favorite!

Lillibug

Hannah

Isabella

THREE LITTLE LOVE-BUGS!

The girls favovite area was Sesame Street's Forest of Fun. This is a fairly new addition to Busch Gardens. Very cool to have a section designated just for children. The girls had a blast playing in the waterpark... & the adults had a great time visiting too!

Lillibug enjoying the Sesame Street waterpark

Enjoying the waterpark

Pat, Isabella and Ronnie

Of course, this guy needs NO introduction!

A few of the Sesame Street Gang at the "Sunny Days" Performance

Stay tuned for more pictures of our weekend tomorrow.

Have a wonderful Tuesday y'all! ((HUGS))

China Family Mini-Reunion - Day 1

This is the first of MANY posts of our weekend visit with some of our "China Family".
On Friday, we traveled to Virginia Beach with the Casteen Family following close behind. We had a wonderful dinner at Panera Bread (my favorite) and then back to the house for a little playtime with the girls. My parents were also in Virginia Beach at the time and really enjoyed seeing the girls play together. They have met Pat and Ronnie on a few occasions, so they enjoyed seeing them too!

Nana with her Lilli & friend Isabella

Papa chilling out with Hosea the Monkey

PALS!

Do you think we can grin bigger than this?

Ronnie, Isabella and Pat

Sweet girls!!

Isabella and Lilli had a wonderful time playing and keeping everyone entertained... so many giggles! Then it was off to bed, as we had to leave fairly early in the morning to go to Williamsburg and meet Becky & Hannah... Busch Gardens on tap for Day 2!
More pictures to come tomorrow.
Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. ((HUGS))

Prayer Request: Danny and I have a friend from Faith Fellowship that went home to be with the Lord. Chris Heath was only 30 years old and had a massive heart attack Friday morning. He leaves behind a beautiful wife (expecting their second child), a 1-1/2 year old daughter, wonderful parents and in-laws that love him dearly... as well as many, many friends that are in total shock. Please pray for peace and healing for this precious family!!

So it's been a little crazy...

So much has been going on and I have had very little time to post.  Sadly, I haven't taken a single photo of Miss Priss in over a week. I know, I know - SHOCKER!
Lilli had her cauterization surgery on Friday to hopefully end the battle of nosebleeds and blood clots. I can't begin to thank the staff at LMH enough for the excellent care they provided my daughter. Thank you to her intake nurse, her anesthesiologist - Dr. Sutton, the surgical staff and most importantly her ENT specialist - Dr. Hosea!!
Things couldn't have gone more smoothly... My big girl didn't shed a tear when they took her back for surgery, although I cried my eyes out.  I wish I knew the name of the nurse that took Lilli back in the little red wagon. My mother-in-law, who works for the hospital, is trying to find out for me. The nurse is pictured with Lilli below. She held Lilli's hand on the way back to surgery... then held Lilli in her arms as they administered anesthesia & she drifted off to sleep. After the surgery was over, they placed Lilli back in the same nurse's arms, so when Lilli woke up, she wouldn't be afraid. As a parent, there is no greater feeling in the world than to know that your child is in capable, loving hands!

Lilli & several of her "babies" heading to surgery in the little red wagon

As for the surgery, Dr. Hosea said that things went very well. He found 4 spots to cauterize, when he was only expecting two. He said he felt very confident that Lilli's nosebleeds/blood clots will end, or decrease drastically! PRAISE GOD!! There's nothing like waking up in the middle of the night, to find your child's face covered in blood... or having a blood clot the size of your ring finger, appear out of nowhere.

Lilli has a new "lovie" thanks to the wonderful, talented ladies in the hospital's auxiliary!  After finding out Lilli was having surgery, I told my Mom that I hoped Lilli would be given one of their famous sock monkeys. And waaaah-laah!  Introducing "Hosea the Monkey" (I named him "Jose"... and Lilli quickly renamed him "Hosea") I can't think of a better way for a 3 year to pay tribute to her doctor, than name her new monkey after him... Can you?

Got this picture off the internet... Looks just like "Hosea the Monkey"

I am sooooo very thankful to my Heavenly Father, for watching over my precious daughter, our family, Lilli's doctors and their team... Holding everyone in HIS MIGHTY GRIP!!
I am blessed to have the greatest support network in the world. For everyone that signed up to be apart of Lilli's Timed Prayer Chain, THANK YOU!  I was overwhelmed with the response. I haven't officially counted, but well over 100 family, friends and church members were praying!! It was so comforting to look at this lengthy list, knowing my daughter was being blanketed in prayer all morning. Danny & I could both feel your prayers too!! Two words: Y'ALL ROCK!!!!

Lots of pictures to be taken this weekend. We are having a mini-reunion of sorts with some of our "China Family".  Can't wait to see Isabella, Pat, Ronnie, Hannah and Becky!  Woooooo-hoooooo!!

See y'all next week! Have a wonderful Wednesday... ((HUGS))