Thanksgiving 2011

Thanksgiving 2011 was "epic" as Colin would say. This time last year I was pacing the floor of our home, tapping my fingers on every surface available, praying, praying and praying for our Letter of Approval so that we could go and bring Miss Maddox home forever. It didn't come and I was so sad....this year she was home with us, there was no more pacing, but a lot of loving and taking in all of the things that we have to be thankful for.

Thanksgiving is the one holiday each year that Ryan and his siblings are all together. Yes, there are celebrations throughout the year for this and that but someone always seems to be missing. No one misses Thanksgiving. This year proved to be no different. In honor of Ryan's parents' 55th wedding anniversary, we all met at a "mansion" in the mountains for the occasion.

Maddox wasted no time at all roping G-Dad in. They could be spotted throughout the holiday putting their heads together to see what was on the agenda next. Dancing was at the top of the list.

Maddox's first Thanksgiving. We are so thankful for you little one. We are thankful for your giggles, your smiles, your love, your trust.

The children spent hours upon hours playing air hockey and pool.....

and Ms. Pacman......

and Simpson pinball.....

and cards with the cousins.....

Thanksgiving evening, everyone gathered together for a special toast to the wedding anniversary couple. We told stories and laughed at the memories......a great time of sharing!

Nightfall came and we happily retired to our beds.

That is when it all fell apart.

Black Friday. Cloud 9, our home away from home, slowly became known as The Infirmary.

While thousands all over the US were out shopping, I lay awake in bed feeling a bit unsettled. One thing led to another and before I knew it, I was sprawled out over the coldest, most comfortable bathroom floor there ever was. I was beyond sick - I was selfishly bargaining with God to free me of the pain and let me see my children grow up.....it.was.awful. On this very weekend 16 years ago, I met my husband. I asked Ryan the last time I had been this sick and he said he thought this was the worst he had ever seen me....it was horrid. While I curled up, barely conscience of the world around me, Ryan would frequently come into check on me AND he would give me the update - aka the who's up, who's down. We began our Thanksgiving weekend with 20 people in one house. By Saturday evening, 6 of the 20 remained illness free. Luckily, it was short lived, 24 hours max and sleeping, be it in a comfy bed or on the bathroom floor, was the best remedy.

Though we are not thankful for the stomach virus, we are so thankful for the time we were able to spend with Ryan's family.

STRAW!

She did it! She drank through a straw! And I was teary eyed as I watched. I didn't see her very first smile nor did I have the opportunity to cheer her on as she rolled over for the first time as an infant. And those first steps, we missed those too. However, I have watched this precious baby girl go from being scared to being an outgoing little enthusiast; I have heard her scream out of fear in the church nursery and now the screams soon cease once she gets settled in; and today I got to watch her eyes light up when she was able to drink milk from a straw - she would suck in, a bit of milk would enter her mouth and her eyes would get oh so wide out of her own surprise! It was the cutest thing ever and once she realized the praise that was involved, she wouldn't stop - she drank and drank and drank!

Missed Photo Ops

While in Nashville, an older gentleman made the comment to me, "You have your hands full!" He the made the comment due to the fact that I had two little ones singing and dancing their way to the lobby of our hotel followed by two older, more, ahem, mature guys laughing at their silly sisters - it was a scene and it was, in fact, quite funny. I smiled at the man and said, "Yes, I do, but not for long enough!" You see, every day I am reminded that my children are our blessings, they are growing up and, one day too soon, my hands will be less than full. However, at the moment, our hands are full and we are having the time of our lives! I try to photograph the craziness but, alas, this is not always done due to pure laziness or forgetfulness. This week we had a lot of moments that could have been photographed......

One, art night with co-op. All of our children participate in a homeschool co-op. And all of our children had art on display during their special night. And all of our children received awards during this annual event. From logic and debate to Meet the Masters to A Book About Me to a colorful tree.....an abundance to relish in yet not one picture for a memory, sigh.

Two, Maddox. This little one is always into something. This week, her choice was markers - the not so washable ones. I blame everything on the fact that she is the fourth child....I would have NEVER allowed this to happen with the other three yet the fourth knows exactly where to go to find said markers, help herself to them, color every.single.inch of her skin that is showing AND, apparently she wanted to add a little flavor to our tv cabinet as well - ack. Admittedly so, I laughed. It was kind of cute. Kind of. Until I couldn't get it off. For Christmas, she is asking for WASHABLE markers.

Three, Operation Christmas Child box making. Love this time with my kiddos.

Four, Colin's first middle school basketball game. They rocked. They won. And, I am told, Colin made a few "game saving" plays - way to go C!

Five, our adoption gathering. NEVER have I let a gathering go by without a picture of our kiddos on our beloved red couch. We had a full house - one that was filled with giggles and football and dress-up and delicious food. Our family cherishes these gatherings. We love the families and we love the time that we spend with them!

Our little pilgrim.....

she awoke this morning with nothing but giggles and smiles in anticipation of her "very special day!"

Twas Thanksgiving Feast day in preschool and our little pilgrim and her friends were the cutest!

After singing a few songs and reciting a poem, they each took their seat and said a thankful prayer.

And then the feasting began....

What a treat it was to spend some extra special time with MK! I am thankful for her and the smiles and trials she brings to our family - she is a one of a kind, beautiful little girl!

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for our family - keeping it real, I am thankful for them everyday! Last week we enjoyed a week together not like most weeks - all six of us in one room, no cleaning, no laundry, no cooking, some school, daily sightseeing outings, swimming, waking up with Ryan (usually he is long gone before we all awaken!), listening to all of my kiddos breathe peacefully as they sleep, knowing they are safe - so very sweet....jaunts away are truly one of my favorite times together.

Ryan was involved in a training program for his job - lucky for us, we were given the opportunity to visit him one afternoon to see his "training" in full action. I am told making a catapult and launching balls to hit a target all day really is working :)

MK. She travels well. She travels with everything but the kitchen sink, but the girl has this traveling thing down. Give her two comfy chairs, push them together, spread a pretty pink princess sleeping bag over said chairs, and there you have it - the most perfect, comfy princess bed.

And my boys. Give them a few pillows and plush bedding followed by a remote for the tv and their plethora of electronics, and they are all set. It is all part of the experience. Throw in a few Pop Tarts for breakfast and there you have it, two very happy, happy boys.

And Maddox. Our sweet little one. Oh, I can tell you over and over again how she just tugs at my heart to go adopt again and again and again. She will sleep anywhere at anytime; she will smile when you need a smile; she will dance when she is feeling the beat; and MK is positioned just-so in the pic above - she is always by her side watching her like a good little mommy would!

I will say that I wonder what goes through our little M's head. Our trip to Nashville was the first time we have stayed away from home, in a hotel room for a length of time since China. She has been home 8 months but I still get the hunch she remembers, maybe she always will.

Day Four - Opryland Hotel

Our last stop for the trip was the Opryland Hotel. We were all in awe of the decor and the plants and waterfalls as well as the size of the hotel itself - amazing. We chose to take a boat ride inside that gave us a bit of history on the hotel as well as some interesting facts.

And following the boat tour, we were off to explore all on our own. The statues proved to be a lot of entertainment for my kiddos.

In between posing with statues, I was able to capture a somewhat serious photo too.....

and then it was back to being silly.....

and even more silliness!

Nashville - Pancake Pantry

Day four began with a treat - PANCAKES.

Pryce chose Swiss Chocolate Chip pancakes.....the chocolate was melted just to add that special touch.

Colin chose Blueberry pancakes while MK devoured her display of silver dollar pancakes accompanied with eggs and bacon!

We were all just giddy for our pancakes! The best part was that I was able to snag a bite from all of the above.

Afterwards, we played outside for a bit.

Maddox, who was not excited about posing for pics, was all about running like the wind.

My kiddos just fell in love with little Lily.

They helped her find helicopters in the sky.....

they loved making her laugh.....

and they loved playing running games with her! We were all sad to say goodbye. The minute we got into the car, Pryce said, "I am going to miss Lily. When will we see her again?" And then they all chimed in, "Yeah, when will we see all of them again? We miss them already!" Thank you, Rankins, for making our time in Nashville that much sweeter!