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))

MOTHERHOOD ROCKS!!

Have I told y'all lately, how much I adore my daughter?
She's my greatest accomplishment in life... EVER!!!
She's such a good girl and is so smart! (too smart)
... and FUNNY!! Our silly girl keeps us giggling.

WHAT A HAM!!

Hope everyone has an awesome Tuesday!!! ((HUGS))

A day at the beach with our "almost cousins"...

Nana, Papa, Lilli and I spent the afternoon at the Topsail Island a little over a week ago with our "almost cousins"... I say this because they aren't truly our cousins. My siblings and I have always referred to my Mom's college roommate as our Aunt; therefore by default, her children, as well as her grandchildren are our cousins.

Aunt Charlotte helping Lilli with her "catch"

Lilli followed Riley around all day long!

Aunt Charlotte & my Mom

Sweet Wyatt

Emory snorkling & Wyatt taking a boat ride

It was so good to see everyone. We had the best time catching up and visiting with one another. Lilli has started to affectionately call cousin Susie's sons "my boys".  I have their photo on our refrigerator and she'll pull the picture down and bring it to me saying, "Mommy, look at my boys. I just love my boys." So sweet.  I am so glad she had the opportunity to spend time with her "almost cousins" while they were visiting North Carolina.
Sorry for the "haze" on the photos... my camera got a little wet! :o(

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. ((HUGS))

An Evening with Good Friends

About a week ago, Lilli & I met my good college friend, Julie and her daughter, in a neighboring city to celebrate Anna Parker’s 3rd belated birthday. Anna Parker was one of Lilli’s first friends… greeting us in the airport when we came home from China with Lilli.

We try to meet up whenever we can, so the girls can play together. They have such a great time too! We went to Chick-fil-A & after dinner, let the girls play for about an hour in the play area. While the girls played with a new friend "Alanah", Julie and I had a nice visit! You know, old friends are the BEST… No matter how much time is spent away from one another; you can always pick right up where you left off. Julie & I will be friends until we are both using walkers… may even share a room at the nursing home one day. I have strong feeling our daughters will be life-long friends too!

Hope everyone has a fabulous Friday and blessed weekend!

PRAYER REQUEST: The youth group, from the church we have been attending, is leaving for a mission trip to Jamaica this evening. Please keep the youth in your prayers, as well as their advisors. It’s going to be a life-changing experience for all of them. God bless them on their journey!

Annie at North Carolina Theatre

Lilli and I had a "girl's day" on Saturday! Daddy had to work, so as a total surprise, I bought tickets for the two of us to attend North Carolina Theater's production of Annie at the Progress Energy Performing Arts Center in Raleigh. She had NO IDEA where we were going until we walked in the building. I kept on referring to it as "Lilli's super surprise day with Mommy" the whole way there. Once we walked in the door, there was no way I could hide the surprise from her. Annie memorabilia was everywhere... & Mommy's such a sucker, she bought her 1/2 of what they were selling. Lilli got a t-shirt, stuffed Sandy dog and the broadway soundtrack. She's my only baby, so I try to spoil her when I can. :o)
The performance was AWESOME and starred Broadway's original Annie - Andrea McArdle as Miss Hannigan and Robert Newman (aka Josh Newman from Guiding Light) as Daddy Warbucks. The young lady that played Annie, English Bernhardt, was spectacular... WOW, what talent!!!! She is a student at NC Theater's Conservatory.

(PAUSE THE MUSIC AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SCREEN)

Funny story... as soon the orchestra struck up, Lilli began singing. Anyone surprised?? I told her that she didn't need to sing until the show ended, but promised her she could sing 'as loud as she wanted' when we were out of the auditorium. After a few brief seconds of "the pout", she settled down. Following the show, we needed to make a bathroom pitstop because traffic would be bad. Y'all... Lilli sang "Tomorrow" at the top of her lungs while we were in the stall (might I add, to the whole score of folks waiting patiently in line) She was soooooo LOUD! Everyone seemed to enjoy her performance! All gave her big smiles and thumbs up when she came out of the stall. She was so dramatic too, using her hands in the air, pretending to be Annie on stage. The singing didn't end there... it continued thru the lobby... out the door... walking to the parking garage... all the way home.... and still continues today! What can I say? My girl loves a muscial just like her Mama!
Hope everyone has a blessed Tuesday! ((HUGS))

Thankful Thursday - Poppi's BIG Day!!

Today, I am thankful for my Dad! He turned 76 years 'young' on Sunday. We celebrated his big day by having hot Blueberry-Crunch Cobbler topped with vanilla ice cream at our home. What a wonderful celebration... Dad is such a great man!! I feel blessed that I have him in my life. To know my Daddy, is to love my Daddy!

Lilli loves you bunches, Poppi!

Good Man

Dad,

Every year, your birthday reminds me

how grateful I am that you are my father.

With all that’s going on in the world today,

I’m thankful I get to watch you,

to look up to you, being an example of a good man.

What a privilege it is to observe your strength,

your competence, and your kindness.

I am so blessed to be under your wing,

your protection, your care,

learning important life lessons from you.

If all fathers were like you,

the world would be a very different

and much better place.

Happy Birthday, Dad,

from your admiring daughter.

by Joanna Fuchs

Have a wonderful Thursday y'all... What are you thankful for today??