Final Four

Don't worry, this post isn't my analysis of the final four games, that is just what I'm watching while writing this.  I have trouble coming up with titles to posts sometimes.

Two highlights of this past week:

I.  Auntie C helped us take Tanner, Shelby Ann, and C-rae (aka squirmy) to the beach!  A new dog beach opened and C and I thoroughly enjoyed watching Tanner drag R into the ocean while Shelby Ann tried her hardest to drag R away from the ocean.

Of course that trip ended like all trips to any dog park - Tanner gets too excited, drinks too much water, and throws up.

Oh, and the amaryllis is blooming!

 

II.  We used a program on R's phone to video chat with our extended family on the annual family camping trip!  R and I are missing the camping trip this year and were thrilled that everyone took time out of eating, hiking, biking, and checking out local waterfalls to chat with us....although really we know that everyone just wanted to see squirmy.  So, she got to meet one set of great grandparents, lots of great aunts, uncles, and cousins!

Oh, and I've heard that my mother had four bike wrecks yesterday - so sad we weren't there.

Here are some of my favorite pictures from last year.

Family Meal Time - looks like breakfast

Early morning hike before we had to drive back to Florida

R on the Appalachian Trial

H and Me

Happy Birthday Mums

Being exhausted, on call 24 hours, and subjecting my nose to smells never before smelled has given me a new, deeper appreciation for my mom.  The first week we had squirmy at home, I thought, Why would someone do this? Next time we adopt, we are going to ask for a toddler that sleeps!  I can't believe my mother did this so many times, on purpose!

Waiting for one of the last shuttle launches

Epcot; And, yes, I look like an Amazon Giant next to my mom

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MUMS.

And thanks - for taking care of me as an infant and for being an amazing example of what a woman should be.

Iguanas

This past week I crawled into bed around 1 am and asked R if he was awake.  He responded yes....and then proceeded to talk to me about being in the hospital and how a friend of ours had gone to get his paperwork so R wouldn't have to go back to the hospital....being the good wife that I am, I prompted him with more questions and was very entertained.  And then made fun of him the next day.


When R left for work on Friday morning I had been asleep for approximately two hours.  And I tried to warn him about the giant iguanas that were lurking outside our front door - they were bright green and angry.  R later texted me that he actually thinks iguanas are cool.


This morning we ate breakfast together while our precious daughter was sleeping and R made a pot of hot water with the coffee maker....then we added a filter and coffee grounds and tried again. 

Need Vocab Flash Cards

Bath time joy - Or praying for Auntie L to return?

I'm reading a book right now about Americans who journeyed to Paris to expand their knowledge, improve their health, and general self-improvement.  Several of these past Americans are famous for their intellect and accomplishments, and a couple are famous writers, so I've been jealous of the excerpts from their letters that are included in the book - I wish I could write that well, and had a more extensive vocabulary.

Especially since it would be nice to write something heart warming and beautiful, something that would help convey my sincere gratitude, towards our friends and family right now.  

Although, they probably just want more pictures of squirmy.  

Future Salsa Dancer?

And to know that she made her debut in central Florida at a friend's birthday party last Saturday.

And her eyes are still blue.

And she doesn't cry a lot.

And she has a special gift for waking up when R and I try eating together, or when I attempt a nap.

And she loves to snuggle.

<Insert a beautifully written poem, An Ode to Auntie L, about how my youngest sister put things on hold to spend three weeks with me, keeping me sane with R in the hospital>

Getting Chubby :)

a Box

Almost to the Summit of Mount Snowdon

Two years ago, on my birthday, R and I climbed Mount Snowdon with two dear friends (and I should point out that our two dear friends were in much better shape and by the time R and I had made it this far, they were on their way back down to go pick up our car before it was wheel locked).

I don't remember by body every hurting so much as it did that day.  Or, being so proud of myself for actually surviving.  And, being proud of us as a couple for doing it together. 

It was painful.  But so beautiful.   

This week I placed pedge's things in a box.  I didn't have a lot of time, and chose not to try and dwell on what I was doing.  His ultrasounds, photos of his birth father, the banner with his name, and sweet condolence cards from friends and family.

And then I picked our daughter up because it was time to feed her.

Matthew 4:4

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."

    

Attempt at Catching Up

Gift from ELD

The above photo was captured by our dear friends MMD and ELD when they drove me to pick R up at the airport.  It looks so romantic....and that's a better way to view it, because in reality poor R was in pretty bad pain at this point because of his inflamed appendix and probably didn't appreciate me running up and hugging him....

The photos below is another gift from ELD.  A lovely summary from the past three weeks.

Another sweet gift from ELD

I realize I'm very behind on posting about our quiet, calm life here in central Florida....

And I may stay behind for a bit longer....but here are some pictures of what our dear friends did to our house while we were on the west coast meeting squirmy:

Some other things we are very thankful for:

• R had an appendectomy at our local hospital because our surprise birth mother went into labor early and he got off the plane instead of going to New Jersey for a business trip - I can't even imagine him being in the hospital in NJ while our daughter was in the hospital in Florida.
• I got to practice parenting under nurse supervision while our daughter received great care.  We also got to know our nurses and share our adoption story with them.
• We came home from visiting squirmy for several days to help R get better and we had time get the air fixed and put tires on the car before bringing her home.
• Our church family and local friends blessed, and surprised, us with girl clothes, diapers, formula, blankets, and bath stuff when we returned home from signing adoption papers and visiting with squirmy.
• R is amazing at saving money and thanks to him and our generous family we can still pay our bills after paying the placement fee, getting new tires, fixing the air conditioner, and stay in hotels on the west coast to visit squirmy.