Let It Snow

Let it snow!! We've got some beautiful snow today and are loving it. It's only in the 20s so it got a little cold out there but still well worth it. We think that Jodi has seen snow before but she tells us she hasn't been out in it. That would make sense because I'm guessing the orphanage didn't have the staff or clothing to allow all the kids to go out. We bundled her up, covered her cast, and off we went. She's been wanting to make a snow angel so as we were walking down the driveway, I mentioned it. Next thing I know, Jodi is on the ground, moving her arms and legs back and forth. She had a ball throwing snow at us but unfortunately the snow won't stick together to make a snowman. Maybe tomorrow!!

I forgot to mention that we had our year review with our social worker this week. It all went well and Jodi was her cute self, dragging the social worker into her room to show her everything. At one point when Jodi was running around laughing, the social worker looked at us and jokingly said, "Well I can see she doesn't seem very happy here." I think that's our last official thing that we have to do for our adoption. Can you believe it?? Thank you again for your faithful prayers and support over the last year. We love you!!

Surgery Update

Hi all! Just wanted to update you on Jodi's surgery today. The actual procedure took about one hour and the surgeon seemed pleased with how it looked. She is now in a purple cast (I know... what happened to pink??) and will wear it for at least a month. Today we found out she'll be splinted after the cast comes off so this will be a longer process than we had anticipated. Jodi handled everything so well and we were quite proud of our brave little one. Yesterday I was explaining what we would happening to her in the surgery and she looked at me and said," Don't worry Mama. I'll be just fine." After I wiped the tears out of my eyes, I gave her a huge hug and told her how special she is. The wait is never fun but we were blessed to find that we knew another couple in the waiting area whose son was undergoing a procedure. We got to visit for a while which made the wait much more tolerable. As Jodi was getting in the car to come home, she said, "I know people were praying for me." After I wiped the tears from my eyes yet again, we told her that absolutely people were praying for her!!! We thank you for those prayers and kind words which help us through these not so fun days. I too could feel the prayers when I had a peace come over me as I was getting ready this morning. I told Fred,"Someone's praying right now. I can feel it." We ask your continued prayers that her pain will stay under control. That's been the most difficult thing at this point. We thank God for you!!!

Into the New Year

Happy January!! The first picture shows her royal highness on her throne from Aunt Laura and Uncle Bobo. It lights up which she (and Mama) thinks is very cool!! The next one shows her with her Nye Nye when we were on our way out of town at Christmas. The holidays always go so quickly and I'm always left with a sense of sadness when it comes to an end. Now we look forward to the promise of spring!! The last picture shows Jodi modelling her new coat (pink of course) with the fuzzy hood. She had me take her picture in 3 different locations and gave me approval on each one. What a character!!

We are quickly approaching our year anniversary of meeting our daughter for the first time. It is beyond belief to us that this year has gone so quickly. Now we can't imagine life without her. Jodi continues to be a very loving child, affectionate and constantly saying, "I love you." She is also a strong willed 5 year old who is trying her best to push her little weight around and split Mama and Baba to get what she wants. She keeps us on our toes because she's a smart little one!! We continue to pray that we are the parents she needs us to be and that we keep a united front!!

Physically Jodi is doing well for having such an unusual diagnosis. She is definitely weaker in her left leg and can fall quite a bit when she's playing but it doesn't seem to bother her much. At our last doctor's appointment, we were shocked to find out that she has grown 5 inches since we got her!! She truly is a different child and you can see it when you compare pictures from a year ago. Jodi has her hand surgery on Thursday and we would greatly appreciate your prayers for her healing. We only have to stay overnight if there are any complications or if pain is an issue. Our love and thanks to you wherever you are tonight!!! God bless.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to you!! What a year we have had. Christmas was just incredible and Jodi again got to experience so many firsts. She decorated cookies with her Aunt Betty and Aunt Mary, learned to play pool with Uncle Mal, played with her cousin Will, opened more presents than she could have ever imagined, and received so much love and many many hugs. Everyone went out of their way to make it special for her. It was so much fun to watch her joy and excitement with each new experience. It's hard to believe that last year she was still just a picture on our refrigerator that we anxiously waited to meet. Jodi has brought us more joy and wonder than we would have ever experienced on our own. I think as we age, we can lose some of the excitement and now we get to see it all through her eyes. What an incredible gift we have been given. The world of children can be a very sweet and innocent one. The love that we have for Jodi is beyond any words and a true gift from God. Thank you to all of you who have continued to give us support and so much encouragement. We send all of our love to you and we wish you many blessings in the year ahead.