Our Journey to Baby Sister #2

Hannah's First Haircut

2009-03-02T09:41:00.000-08:00

These pictures make it look like it was a piece of cake. Katie will testify that it wasn't as easy as it looks! Hannah is my serious child who is skeptical of everything. She was definitely nervous, but once she got a sucker, she warmed up to the idea and then it wasn't too traumatic!!!

Snow Day!!!

2009-02-26T16:21:00.000-08:00

We've had many snow days here in MI, but one night we went out and played while Dad shoveled the snow. We all had a blast! I wish I loved playing in the snow as much as the kids...then maybe we would do it more often!!! :)

Hangin' in SC

2009-02-26T16:16:00.000-08:00

Yes, we are totally crazy...we took a 13 hour road trip with our kiddos to visit our AWESOME friends in South Carolina. We had an absolute blast and hope to do it again soon!!!

A Little Behind

2009-02-26T16:06:00.000-08:00

Ok...blogger is totally making me CRAZY!!! I've tried to update my blog a million times and it will only allow me to write in blue underline above any of my pictures...so...until I figure it out...I'll just add new pics and won't write anything above them. None of you really want to hear my rambling anyway...you just want to see my cute kids, right???

Well...hope you enjoyed Christmas in February!!!

1 Year and 3 Days Ago...

2008-12-25T05:12:00.000-08:00

our lives were changed FOREVER!!!!!

Last year at this time we were dealing with Rotavirus and poopy diapers and this year we are dealing with 2 year old and 1 year old tantrums, but I wouldn't trade it for anything!!!

Tessa,
You are such an AMAZING addition to our family. I never dreamed I would have such an adorable little girl. I'm glad God's plan for your life was to become a part of our family forever!!! You have such a sweet spirit. I love your snuggles and cuddles. I hope you are this cuddly forever!

Each day, you amaze me more and more with your strength and determination. I know you will grow up to be all that you can be and I'm so glad that I get to watch!!!

This year has been full of ups and downs, but what a wonderful year it has been!!! I LOVE YOU WITH ALL OF MY HEART, Bug!!!

Love,
Mama

Isn't she the most adorable thing you have ever seen??? We celebrated her forever family day by making our Gingerbread House. She loved every minute of it...especially eating it!!!

Is this a classic, or what? Only my crazy kiddos!!!

FALL OvErLoAd!!!

2008-11-11T13:01:00.000-08:00

Ok...I know some of you are wondering...where have you been??? Well..it's been a rough few weeks and ALL five of us have been sick for a long time!!!

We have been having a FUN FALL in the midst of all of the sickness and her is a recap of all we've done. ENJOY!!!

FALL FESTIVAL AT THE FARM (with our Church)

Riding the hayride out to all of the fun

The corn maze was quite the hit!!! It will be much more fun when both girls can actually walk...or maybe run!

Hannah was scared of the goats, but warmed up to them quickly.

'Twas the Night Before Halloween

We have a pumpkin carving party each year with my family just before Halloween.

Here is Tessie checking out the pumpkins...

Crazy girl...loved licking them...YUCK!!!

One fun thing the younger kids did was paint craft pumpkins. They turned out so cute and are still sitting on my kitchen table. I thought it would be fun to do this each year, write the year on the bottom and save them.

My dad and his grandkids...PRECIOUS!

The Big kids...works of art.

HALLOWEEN DAY

Hannah started the day as a Princess. She wore her costume to therapy and was so cute!!!

I worked in Benjamin's class for the Halloween party. Can you say CRAZY?????

Here are the kiddos just before trick or treating...none of them felt good, but they still wanted to go!

Tessie the Bumblebee

Benjamin the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle

And...Hannah...the miserably sick flower...but cute nonetheless!!!

FUN IN THE LEAVES

Although we were still sick...the weather was beautiful, so I raked up some leaves and let the kids jump in the piles. WHAT FUN!!!!!

I love the look of wonder on Tessa's face.

Her first time in the leaves...so sweet!

Well that about wraps up our Fall. The weather here is like Winter now...UGH!!! Can't believe it's so cold already!!! I'm not ready to be stuck inside, yet!!!

Apple Pickin'

2008-10-20T11:22:00.001-07:00

Last weekend we went to the apple orchard to pick apples and pumpkins, but as you'll see in the pictures, it was about 80's and we were all hot and sweaty...so we decided to just get apples. We'll have to go back on a cooler day for pumpins!!! :)

Yummy cider and donuts!!!

This girl can eat! :)

Poor Tessie was so hot and tired, she couldn't even hold her head up!

I want...that one!

Benjamin took apple pickin' to a whole new level! He's such a boy!

This picture cracks me up...the apple is almost as big as her head! :)

HAPPY FALL!!!!!!

Finally...an Update!!!

2008-10-07T09:50:00.001-07:00

Start with the pictures...the reason you all visit the blog...then I'll bore you with our life!!!

BIG GIRL!!!

Mr. Upsidedown Bat

Silly Girl

Wow...I can't believe it's been a month since I've updated! You would think we must be a boring family that doesn't do anything around here, but that's far from the truth...I just don't take as many pictures as I should! :)

Let's see...a monthly update:

Mommy and Daddy- Not much is new with us. Daddy found out he has fatty liver disease, so Mommy is trying to cook healthy...FUN, FUN! Daddy works a lot and is TIRED when he gets home. Mommy works a lot and is TIRED, too! See a pattern???

Benjamin is doing well. He seems to like school ok. Days are long for him, but he likes it. I'm not sure how much he's really learning, but at least he doesn't have to run from appt. to appt. with the girls and I. He started Karate a few weeks ago and is enjoying it. I should take pictures. I'll try to remember to do that tomorrow.

Hannah is doing well. Her kidney tests came back great. She is so full of spunk and personality. She is doing well in school and keeps improving with her speech.

Tessa has AMAZED us all with how far she has come in the past few weeks. Many of you know that her PET scan came back showing not good news, but she has surpased the neurologists predictions already. She is such a fighter and is doing so well. She has started to wave, say "hi", her first word, and she pulls herself up on furniture. You go baby girl...we are SO PROUD of you!!!!!

In other news...God has been doing amazing things in the lives of ourselves and the girls birthfamily. All I can say is that it is AMAZING to see how faithful He is...even when we're not.

Hope you all had a great month and hope some of you are still around to read this!!!

Photo Shoots Are Fun... NOT!

2008-09-08T10:58:00.000-07:00

Usually we start out with the serious face...

Then...the cheesy smile...

Every once in awhile...we get a few precious photos...

Then there is Tessa...the paci gets in the way...

She thinks everything is a crack up...

She would rather yell and crawl VERY quickly than get her picture taken...

OK...no more...

The cutest I could get of the two of them...phew...that was exhausting!!!

Thanks Auntie Katie for the adorable matching outfits...YOU ROCK!!!! Can't wait to see you again!!!

My Brave Girl

2008-09-06T12:01:00.001-07:00

Hannah had a scan on her kidneys yesterday to see if they were damaged at all by her infection in February. She was such a sweetie and SO BRAVE!!!

We had to go in the morning to have dye injected and she just cried a little bit for that. Then we had to go back in the afternoon and she had to have an IV and general anesthesia for the procedure. When I came back into the recovery room...she was all smiles. The nurses all commented on how sweet she was. I guess she asked for me once, they gave her a popsicle and then she was fine!!!

What a trooper!!!

SCHOOL DAYS!!!

2008-09-02T12:36:00.000-07:00

Today was Benjamin's first day of Kindergarten...sob...sob...sob...

He was SO excited to start this new adventure! I am, of course, sad, but also happy to see what a sweet little boy he has become.

Benjamin with his friend Nathan from preschool. I hope they continue to be good buddies. Nathan is such a sweetie.

Here are his first two official assignments from school. This time last year, he didn't want anything to do with coloring, so I'm very proud at how far he has come! :)

If you look closely..."the frog was eating chocolate and got it all over his face". Benjamin has quite the imagination! :)

What color are you?

2008-08-26T12:09:00.000-07:00

Not feeling too sunny today, but I guess I'm yellow.

You are most like: You are Yellow
The clouds part and the smell of daffodils and daisies fill the air when you are around. Your sunny disposition cheers most, and makes others (the jealous and bitter ones) wish you'd never gotten out of bed.
Take this quiz: Which Crayola Box of 8 Color Are You?
Visit Toys For Your Blog.com for more blog quizzes

You are most like:

You are Yellow

The clouds part and the smell of daffodils and daisies fill the air when you are around. Your sunny disposition cheers most, and makes others (the jealous and bitter ones) wish you'd never gotten out of bed.

Take this quiz: Which Crayola Box of 8 Color Are You?

Visit Toys For Your Blog.com for more blog quizzes

God Sees Us As Perfect

2008-08-26T05:06:00.000-07:00

Here are my three angels sent straight from God...

First Attempt at a Video

2008-08-13T13:22:00.001-07:00

Well...I'm not sure if this is going to work...but we'll see!!!

Don't mind my crazy voice...and don't mind that the video isn't very exciting...

I'm just trying to figure this all out!!!

The next video I upload is for you Katie...Tessie is crawling like CRAZY!!!! :)

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Monkey See, Monkey Do

2008-07-31T11:24:00.001-07:00

We decided to walk to the library the other day and Hannah wanted to push her bunny...

So, guess who else just had to go inside and get a stroller and his penguin???

Tessa was in the baby pool by herself until...

Guess who loves to be a baby and have a paci???

I Scream, You Scream...

2008-07-23T07:58:00.000-07:00

Tessie screams for ice cream!!!

Her first cone...what a mess!!!:)

This last picture cracks me up. They are both saying "cheese"!!!:)

Angel Face

2008-07-22T11:47:00.000-07:00

Is this one of the sweetest faces you've ever seen???

She has been such a STINKER these past few days, that I need to be reminded how sweet she really is!!!!! :)

Our 4th of July

2008-07-21T05:15:00.000-07:00

We spent the day at the Comerica Taste Fest Downtown...

Before pics. of my adorable kids...sportin' their red, white and blue.

Waiting for Farmer John's show to start...

Benjamin is a star!!!

He made a great cowboy! :)

The African dancers were fun to watch...too bad the pics. didn't turn out better.

They invited all of the kids in the audience to come up and dance with them. This is what Hannah thought about that.

Vacation!!!

2008-07-14T04:48:00.000-07:00

Well...we've been back from our vacation for over a week and I'm still not caught up on life!!! I need a VACATION!!! :)

We had a fun week...spending time together as a family. As you'll see in the pictures...we spent a lot of time at the beach...went to lake Michigan...went to a few fairs and just overall had a GREAT time.

Notice Tessa with her hand in her mouth...she's trying out sand...

Here is how she felt after I tried to wash the sand out of her mouth...she was NOT happy. She loves to eat the sand. ACK!!!

Benjamin spent an entire day looking for snail shells at the beach. When I asked him what his favorite part of our trip was...he said...collecting shells...digging for gems (he thinks all rocks are gems) and spending time with his family. He has such a huge heart!!!

Our day at Lake Michigan...it was WINDY and cold!!!

Yes, Katie...we were out in the middle of nowhere and this is where we stayed. It told you it was just a step above camping!!! :) We used to go there every weekend growing up and had a blast. We loved to explore the woods, ride on the four wheelers and hang out at the beach. It was fun to be able to enjoy it with my kiddos now.

This picture is funny....the boys rode ALL of the carnival rides and this is what they looked like when I came to pick them up. They had just gone on the Zipper and the swings twice in a row and Benjamin wasn't feeling so well. He was so pale and sound asleep on a bench at the carnival. Poor thing felt SO sick!!! Can't believe my crazy boy went on the Zipper...but that's a different story!!!

Up North on the 4th fair...Hannah thought the penny scramble was the best.

Daddy was the official Hot Dog eating contest winner...GO DADDY!!!!!!!

Hannah roasting her first marshmallow...

Fourth of July pictures to come...

SISTERS!!!

2008-06-25T11:15:00.000-07:00

These pictures warm my heart. I love to watch these precious girls grow. I hope they can always feel my love for them and their love for each other. Sisters...I always wish I had one and am so glad my girls have each other!!!

Can't you feel the love??? :)

My Baby is Growing Up!!!

2008-06-18T03:51:00.001-07:00

AHHH....where has the time gone???

Benjamin graduated from preschool last week. Most days it feels like he should be just starting preschool, not graduating already!!!

He is off to ALL DAY Kindergarten in the Fall and he is SO excited! I know it will be harder on me than it is him. I can't imagine having him gone all day!!!

We just got the letter telling us who his teacher will be and we are both excited that it is the teacher we were hoping for!!!

Way to go, Benjamin!!! You make me SO proud!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Daddy's Day!!! (way late, of course! :))

2008-06-18T03:45:00.001-07:00

Happy Father's Day...to the best Daddy in the whole world!!!

Since Daddy LOVES to hunt and fish...I dressed the kids in matching camo. and had their pictures taken. We surprised Daddy by wearing our camo. to Church on Sunday morning. They were too cute!!!

Does she look STRESSED???

2008-06-06T12:19:00.001-07:00

Ok...sweet Tessa might not look stressed, but I sure was yesterday!!!

As most of you know, Tessa has epilepsy, so seizures aren't uncommon in our household. She had a very high fever, which most likely triggered another seizure. It wouldn't have been a big deal, except that she decided to scare her Mama and stop breathing twice during the seizure. She was not breathing for only about a minute...but long enough for me to panic!!!

It's no fun to watch your sweet baby girl stop breathing in your arms!

We spent most of the afternoon in the ER. They ran a bunch of tests which all came back negative. Their conclusion is that this is just what happens during some seizures and will most likely happen again. AHHH!!!!! I can handle seizures, but this has thrown me for a loop!!!

Please pray that I find away to be calm throughout the next episode. I appreciate it!!!!!

FFF

2008-05-30T12:02:00.000-07:00

Have you ever seen a more beautiful Guatemalan princess??? These are my recent favorite pictures!!!

Our Weekend in Pictures

2008-05-27T13:11:00.000-07:00

Our weekend started out with a Friday morning playdate with fellow Guatemalan friends at the park. The girls and I had a great time...until Hannah fell on her face on the cement. She was a little banged up, but wass definitely a trooper!!!

At home...post face smashing...

Saturday we went to the Heritage Festival, where they had a classic car show, Pioneer times games and crafts, a petting farm, and a craft show.

Benjamin got to sit in a Corvette and he thought that was the COOLEST!!!

Sunday we went to the zoo. We had a picnic and rode the train. We had a great time!!!

Monday we spent the day at a beautiful park near our home. The boys and Hannah had fun catching crayfish in the creek. The kids played at the park and we enjoyed a picnic while Tessa slept in the car!

Monday night...we spent hanging out in our backyard...playing on our swingset, playing in the sand and setting up Tessa and Hannah's new Little Mermaid table and chairs.

In between all of the fun we worked our buns off in the yard, too. All in all it was a great weekend! The beautiful weather was a blessing. It was great to spend so much time together as a family of 5! It's still hard to think of us as a family of five!!!!! WHAT FUN!!!

Happy Birthday Hannah Banana!!!

2008-05-20T11:46:00.000-07:00

My Sweet Birthday Girl...can't believe she's TWO!!!

We had a small party at Chuck E. Cheese. As you can tell by the pictures, she had a blast!!!

It was Tessa's party, too!!!

I love this picture of cousin Ty Ty...

Hannah and her new doll

Aww...they are so sweet together!!

Happy Birthday HANNAH!!!

Dear Sweet Hannah,

I think back over the last two years and am so AMAZED at how my life has changed. I always dreamed of having a little girl and you are definitely my dream come true!!! You have blessed our lives in ways we could never have imagined. You have grown from a scared little bean that came home at five months old, to a sweet, fiesty two year old that has stolen our hearts.

I love to watch you with your big brother and to see the wonderful relationship the two of you have. I stand back and watch you as you help your little sissy and it brings tears to my eyes to see how much you love her.

I can't wait to watch you grow. I love you so much baby girl!!!

Love,

Mommy

Happy Mother's Day!!!

2008-05-10T18:03:00.001-07:00

Mother's Day is a day filled with mixed emotions from me. I love that three little kiddos call me Mom. I love than they are a part of my life. I love that I get to watch them grow into the amazing people that God has planned for them to be. I love everything about being a Mom.

The one thing that I don't love about Mother's Day is not being able to celebrate it with my Mom. She was such a special, amazing woman and my best friend. I wish, now more than ever she was here to celebrate this special day with me and to see her 3 absolutely adorable grandkids. She would be so proud...I just know it.

Here are a few pictures of her with her Benjamin. I couldn't find any of the two of us, but I love these pictures of her with the only granchild she ever met.

Mom...I miss you so much EVERY DAY...I can't wait for the day that we get to celebrate Mother's Day in Heaven...I know you can't either.

Here are a few pictures of me and my precious little ones.

Happy 1st Birthday Sassafrass!!!

2008-05-09T11:34:00.000-07:00

What? It's my Birthday???

Oh, I'm SO excited!!!

My three kiddos waiting to make cupcakes

Mmm...this is the best part!!!

Before her first cupcake...

During...

After...

Sweet Tessa:

When I think about your life and God's plan for your life, I am humbled and amazed. Last year on May 7, 2007 a beautiful baby girl was born in a far away place. Here at home...I'm not sure exactly what I was doing on that day, but I do know what God was doing. He was planting the seed of my longing for another daughter. Just 9 days after you were born, we got one of the most exciting phone calls of our lives. We were told that our baby girl Hannah just became a big sister. We knew without a doubt that we wanted you to be a part of our family. We rushed around to prepare for the day you would come home.

We longed to see you and hold you, so when you were just 4 months old, we all flew to Guatemala to visit you. Your big brother was so excited. One of the first things he said to you was "Don't cry, you're a part of our family now. We are going to take care of you and love you forever." He is so proud to be your big brother. Your big sissy on the other hand, wasn't so sure about her new role. She didn't really like the attention you were getting, but that would soon change. We had an amazing visit. You were such a peanut and a sweet little baby. The day we left, was so sad, but we knew we would be back soon to take you home forever.

On December 22, 2007, our family grew from four to five. You had finally come home!!! We had an amazing Christmas with you home!!!

It has been 4 and a half months since you came home and I can't remember life without you. You are such a SWEET baby girl. I love that your entire face lights up when you smile. I love to watch you sleep. (although that doesn't happen often!) I love to watch your brother and sister play with you, be sweet to you and give you kisses. You make this world a better place and you make our family complete.

I LOVE YOU baby girl!!! I hope you always know how much I love you, but more importantly how much God loves you and that He has an AMAZING plan for your life. It started May 7, 2007 and I can't wait to continue to watch it unfold!!!

Happy First Birthday Sweet Bean!!!!!!!!!!

Love,

Mommy

Girls Day Out

2008-05-06T11:25:00.000-07:00

It was a beautiful day here in Michigan...Benjamin had a playdate with a friend, so I decided to pretend like the girls were older than they are and decided to take them on a girls day out adventure.

We had SO much fun!!! The weather was BEAUTIFUL and the girls were so happy the whole time!!!

We went downtown...we ate a yummy lunch at Noodles & Co., did a little shopping, had a nice walk and topped it off with some Dave & Thomas Popcorn (Hannah's new fav. treat...thanks Katie :)).

The most unbelievable thing about the whole day is...

I had the camera with me!!!

I know...the pictures aren't that exciting, but here are a few from our FUN day!!!

Yes mom...my hair is a mess...but look...I'm such a big girl now!!!

Precious Tessie...
Oh my sweet girls...I am so blessed to have them in my life!!! I thank God everyday for these two precious girls. They are complete gifts from GOD!!!

Birthday Party FUN!!!

2008-05-02T16:24:00.000-07:00

As always...I'm WAY behind on the picture updates...

Last Friday we went to our nephews Birthday party and had a blast. The kids ran around like crazy and had so much fun!!! Thanks for the GREAT party Aunt Do Do and Uncle Matt!!!

Cute cousin Ty Ty
Grandma and Kate...just hangin' out...

Hannah trying to get in on the action...

Tessa...lovin' life!!!

The crazy bunch having FUN!!!

Babies and Boo Boos

2008-04-22T23:53:00.000-07:00

As most of you know...Tessa has been having seizures, so last month we had the final test, a 23 hour EEG to see if they could find out what is causing them. The EEG came back normal, which is great, but she had another seizure a few days later, so she is now on medication for them. Here are a few pictures of my trooper at the hospital. She was such an AWESOME patient! All of the nurses loved her!!!!!!

This next picture was taken yesterday. We were on a walk and Benjamin fell, so of course when we got home he needed a bandaid. Well...guess who else needed one, too???

What a TRIP!!!!!

2008-04-15T16:40:00.001-07:00

Yes, we've been home from SC for a week and I'm just now getting around to posting! I'm finally getting caught up on laundry and sleep! :) We had an AMAZING trip and can't wait to go back!!! THANKS so much Mark, Katie and family for making us feel so at home!!!!!

Sweet Hannah on the plane

Hannah and her new buddy Mello

My girls PaRtYiNg at 5am the first morning!!!

Are you sure this isn't my car mom?

My big helper

Sweet Ky Ky lovin' Mr. Salsa

Are we a little obsessed? :)

Taylor and his pals

Don't they look sweet all dressed up for Church? I just love that Gelka matched, too. She is such a SWEET girl!!!

Hannah and her Gelka (shh...don't tell Arianna...she'll be mad!!!)

My little stinker with an attitude. She is too cute...even with her nasty face!!!

Off to feed the goats...this is my fav. picture of Anna and KiKi

Love this one of Hannah

Hannah was obsessed with the cats and dogs

Hannah and KyKy going to feed the goats

Cute farmers

Hannah is quite the multi-tasker!!!

Yes, Tessa was on the trip, too!!!

She is SO stinkin' adorable!!!

Katie was an AWESOME hostess!!!

Best friends forever!!!

Love these girls!!!
One last picture to show that Hannah is not always a sweetie. She has quite an attitude!!! I love her spunk!!!

I'm feeling so blessed to have such great friends!!! THANKS AGAIN for everything Nyblom family!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We're off to PaRtY!!!!

2008-04-03T03:34:00.001-07:00

The girls and I are going on an adventure today to visit some other Guat tots that we met in Guatemala.

Call me crazy...I am. I'm taking 2 girls under 2 on a plane by myself. Neither girl sleeps well home or away from home, so it should be interesting!!!

If you'd like to see pictures of our PaRtY...drop by

www.nyblomfamily.blogspot.com

or

www.thekyashow.blogspot.com

I'm sure they'll be better at updating their blogs than I will!!!! :)

AHHHH...the girls have been tagged!!!

2008-03-28T11:14:00.000-07:00

Here are the rules...post 10 bits of random info. of the girls and tag 10 others. I am SO bad at this, but here goes...

Hannah

1. Hannah LOVES to eat. She eats just about anything and she has a buddha belly to prove it!

2. Hannah really likes to be read to, but only books that have flaps. It must be interactive, or it's a no go.

3. Hannah has an infectious laugh. Her brother can make her crack up anytime.

4. She finally sleeps through the night...most nights anyway. It's been a long haul, but PHEW we're finally there!

5. She loves her nasty old bunny. It's name is Mimsy. Just the other day she decided it was time to potty train Mimsy. The only problem is that I have boys who don't always flush and somehow Mimsy ended up in the toliet instead of on...that was quite the mess!!! Poor Mimsy.

6. Hannah is obsessed with wipes and diapers. She's always emptying the wipe box and spreading diapers all over the house.

7. Her favorite person on earth besides her Mommy, Daddy, sissy and bubba is her Grampy. She gets so excited even when we drive by his house. It is so cute.

8. She goes to "school" on Mondays and LOVES every minute of it. (It is really early intervention at our school district where she gets physical therapy and speech therapy.)

9. She is an awesome communicator, but doesn't have very many words. She does a great job signing things. Her new favorite word is no no.

10. She is a precious angel sent from above. Really, she is an amazing little girl with so much love!!!

Tessa

1. Tessa LOVES to eat and has the same buddha belly as Hannah!!!

2. She doesn't LOVE anything with texture, though. We're working on it. She will finally eat Gerber puffs if they are broken in half.

3. She sleeps as well as Hannah did when she first came home...which is not much!!! She is still up two or three times a night for a bottle. I can't wait until next year when they are both sleeping through the night.

4. Tessa is a very happy go lucky baby until she poops and all ... breaks loose!!! If you don't change her diaper within 2 seconds of it being dirty she throws a fit. I definitely have a PRINCESS on my hands!

5. She has decided this past week that hair bows are a no go. She's just like Hannah used to be...she takes them out and sucks the hot glue right off them. Bummer...'cause she looks so cute in them!

6. Tessa also goes to "school" on Mondays now. We have been told that developmentally she is about 4 months old. She's way behind, but she'll catch up. She has just learned to sit independently.

7. She is a tiny little peanut. She is almost 11 months old. Weighs 18 lbs. and is 26".

8. Her favorite toys are her bubba and sissy. They keep her entertained!!!

9. She does not like me to be out of her sight for one minute.

10. Tessa is another precious angel sent from above. She completes our family...I hope! :)

We are tagging...

Victoria and Sofia

http://ourguatemalanbaby.blogspot.com

Lincoln

http://totrodlincoln.blogspot.com

Ruby

http://kerrysjourneytomommyhood.blogspot.com

Sophia

http://our-journey-for-sophia.blogspot.com

Jagger

http://thegreatfamilyadoption.blogspot.com

The Whole Crew

http://prayingthemhome.blogspot.com

Sophie

http://kissthefrog4me.blogspot.com

Carson

http://ouradoptionstory.blogspot.com

Emma

http://ourjourney2emma.blogspot.com

Brayden and Malayna

http://amylynn3-thegoldsteins.blogspot.com

Easter Blessings

2008-03-27T13:34:00.000-07:00

Wow...2 posts in one day...I must be sick...

We had a wonderful Easter...remembering Jesus and spending time with family.

The kids after the Easter egg hunt...checking out their loot.

Our sweet bunny Easter morning...

I love this pic...

Sisters...

Our 25th attempt at a photo of all three...

Easter buckets at Grampy's...

Ha, Ha...I stole my brothers raisins...he wasn't too bothered...he doesn't like them anyway!!!

Yummy puffs...the only real food I eat...and they have to be broken in half...yes...I am a princess!!!

BIRTHDAY FUN!!!!!!

2008-03-27T13:05:00.000-07:00

Well, I think I'll pat myself on the back for adding the promised pictures of Benjamin's Birthday long before he turns 6!!! :)

Here are a few pictures of his special day, his pirate party and hanging out with Grampy.

Birthday breakfast...excuse the mess in the background...our kitchen table always looks like that!!!

Power Rangers were quite the hit!!!

Grampy was gone to Florida for almost a month...so the kids were EXTRA happy to see him!!!

What is a birthday without cake and ice cream??? Actually Benjamin doesn't like cake so he was loving his Scooperman ice cream!!!

Benjamin and his preschool friends painting treasure boxes...pre pirate costumes.

Here are the scurvy pirates...practicing their ARGHH!!!

Silly pirates...

What a FUN birthday!!!

Where does the time go?

2008-03-10T10:28:00.001-07:00

Here are 9 month pictures of our sweet Tessa. Doesn't she look like a little angel?

We had a GREAT weekend. My baby boy turned "5"!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! Where does the time go??? We didn't do anything big...just had Grampy over for dinner and on Sunday Benjamin and his daddy went tobagganing. They had a BLAST!!! He is having a party this week with some of his preschool friends, so I will post those pictures later. (hopefully before he turns 6 :) )

Here are some pictures of my "Bubs" on his special day!!! Well...I've tried for 2 days to get my memory card to work in my camera and it won't, so these pictures will just have to do for now! Pictures of my sweet boy just before his birthday!

Before he was "attacked by a treadmill"...

After "the attack"...you don't even want to see his back or his arms...BRUTAL!!!

FFF-Piggie Tails

2008-03-07T04:20:00.000-08:00

Here are my sweet girlies in their piggies!!! I love that Hannah's hair is getting so long! Tessa's are a pathetic attempt, but I love them anyway!!! :)

I'm SO in LOVE!!!

2008-02-26T12:22:00.001-08:00

We're Still Here, Are You???

2008-02-26T12:12:00.000-08:00

OK...I know it has been WEEKS since I updated this blog, but as most of you know it has been a crazy few weeks. I had planned a Valentine post, a Big Helper Post, etc...but things don't always go as planned around here!!!!!

On Valentine's Day, Tessa was admitted to the hospital because of possible seizures. We stayed until Saturday afternoon. They ran a bunch of tests...ruled out heart problems and all other tests have come back negative. We still have one more LONG test to figure out the root of the problem, but so far, so good!!!

Friday, while I was in the hospital with Tessa, Hannah spiked a fever and Joe called to tell me she just wasn't feeling well at all. I made an appt. for them to go to the Dr. Sat. morning. Come to find out, she had a kidney infection. YIKES...my poor girl was SICK!!!! When we got home from the hospital with Tessa...her fever was 106! What a scary day.

So, between long nights with no sleep and miserable little girls...I haven't had much time or energy to blog, so I apologize.

I will try to be better about updating...so those of you that are still here have something to read! :)

I'm going to REWIND life and start anew with my Valentine pictures in the next post. ENJOY!

FFF- A Walk Down Memory Lane

2008-02-08T10:40:00.001-08:00

These pictures are some of my favorite from last Valentine's Day. I can't believe that next week I'll have three adorable kiddos in our Valentine's Day pictures!!!

I've been TAGGED!!!

2008-02-06T13:12:00.000-08:00

OK...I've been tagged by my friend Katie at http://nyblomfamily.blogspot.com

Being tagged means I am suppossed to tell 7 crazy/weird facts about myself and then tag 7 other blog friends to do the same.

I will tell the 7 crazy/weird things, but don't have 7 other blogger friends to tag because most have already been tagged...so sorry I'm not playing by the rules!!!!

Here are my 7...

1. I have a bionic nose. I can smell everything way better than others and it drives me CRAZY.

2. I am addicted to bargains. I LOVE to garage sale and make money on Ebay. I was going to say I sell used underwear, but that would sound WAY too crazy...even though I do! :) It's amazing what people will pay $$$ for on Ebay!!! :)

3. I sleep with my socks pulled up over my pj's in the winter. I know CRAZY!!!

4. I eat to live, not live to eat. I don't really enjoy most food.

5. I had to have heart surgery 6 weeks after Hannah came home for a problem I never knew I had.

6. I have three kids 4 and under...which most people think is CRAZY...I just like to call myself blessed!

7. My mom died 2 1/2 years ago and I still MISS her like CRAZY each and every day!!!!!

We Busted Out!!!

2008-01-31T12:11:00.001-08:00

We went to the mall, Build A Bear and had pizza for lunch.

Hannah was so cute. She had to kiss a heart...just like Bubba did when he put his heart in the dinosaur that Santa brought him.

We finally got OUT of the house and let me tell you...it was a MUCH needed day out!!!

READERS BEWARE!!!

2008-01-20T11:34:00.000-08:00

Ok...this post may sound negative, but I am just so SICK of being sick around here and I need to get this out...so bear with me. There will be pictures to reward you for reading...I promise!!! :)

We have had a ROUGH few weeks!!!

The week before last...Tessa had the stomach flu and so did I...it was MISERABLE!!!

Last week...here goes...

Sunday- Tessa had the stomach flu and I was just starting to feel better.

Monday- I took Tessa and Hannah to the Dr. to check on Tessa's ear infections and her stomach issues. They still can't figure out what is wrong. Benjamin came home from preschool...ran in the door and just barely made it to the bathroom...he also had the stomach flu. Around midnight that subsided and he began running a very high fever.

Tuesday- Benjamin was misearable all day. He took a 5 hour nap...which is NOT like him at all!!!

Wednesday- Benjamin was still miserable...cough...cold...fever...went to bed at 5 and slept until the next day.

Thursday- Benjamin was still sick...I called 911 because Tessa was unresponsive and not herself...very scary. They think she may have had a seizure. We have an EEG scheduled for next week...if all are healthy, of course.

Friday- Benjamin, Hannah, Tessa and I went to get Tessa's stool samples and bloodwork done. It took them 3 tries in three different veins and then FINALLY they got enough blood to run the tests. Needless to say...that wasn't any fun!!! We went through the McDonald's drive thru on the way home (Benjamin's request) and he was too tired to eat when we got home. He begged to go take a nap. FUN DAY, NOT!!!

Saturday- Just as I thought everyone was starting to feel better...BAM...Hannah woke up from her nap with a 103.5 fever. I called the Dr. and he wanted us to come in to make sure she didn't have the flu.

Sunday- This morning I took Hannah to the Dr. and she has RSV...not the flu. The Dr. is assuming Benjamin has it and gave it to Hannah. There isn't any treatment for it. We just need to monitor their breathing and it should go away within a week. Until then...it is very contagious...so...home bodies again for another week!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Have I mentioned that I am SO over everyone in this house being sick???? Of course...when kiddos are sick...they don't sleep...which means I'm running on no sleep and am SO tired!!! I just want to feel NORMAL again...whatever that is! :)

I know it could be much WORSE and I should stop whining...so OKAY...I'll stop!!!!
Kuddos to you that have read this far!!!!!
Here are the adorable pictures I promised!!!

My sweet sick bubs...poor baby...

We had plenty of time this week to practice our "nasty faces". Hannah is getting really good at it! :)

Here are the sweet faces that get me through each day and make me look forward to the next...no matter what may come our way!!!

Please pray that we get healthy soon!!!!!!!!!!

Christmas in January!!!

2008-01-14T11:36:00.000-08:00

We were all finally healthy for a few days in the last few weeks...so we snuck in 2 Family Christmas Get togethers before our next wave of sickness hit!!!

Last weekend we celebrated with my bro., his wife and Morgan. The kids always have fun playing together!!! Thanks Aunt Candy and Uncle Scott for the cute clothes!!!

Saturday we had Christmas at Grampy's house...there were presents galore!!!!! The kids had a BLAST!!!! They all LOVE their Grampy!!!

Christmas with a sick baby...

2007-12-30T11:32:00.000-08:00

We had a TON of Christmas festivities planned, but only made it to Christmas Eve at Joe's brothers house before we realized that Tessa was SICK with rotovirus. :(

Christmas day was spent at home...sleepless, changing lots of poopy diapers, cleaning up many messes, but LOVING every minute of having our whole family TOGETHER FOREVER!!!!

Here are some pictures to show the fun we did have!!!

Can't promise I'll have time to post again soon. Three kids 4 and under is a bit CRAZY!!! :)

Day 5

2007-12-30T11:22:00.001-08:00

Our last day in Guatemala was bittersweet...it was so good to be going home...I missed the rest of my family, but I also had to leave a country that I LOVE very much!!! We will be back soon...no doubt about it!!!

HOME!!!!!

Day 4

2007-12-30T11:09:00.000-08:00

Wow...Friday was an AMAZING day in Guatemala.

I was able to meet our daughters birthmom to tell her thank you and let her know how much we love her girls. It was an unbelievable experience. She is a wonderful woman with an amazing heart. The sacrifice she made to give her girls a better life is just so hard to imagine. I told her that we think of her and pray for her often. She was very grateful for that. I was also able to take pictures with her to share with our girls someday. We hope to be able to go back when the girls are a little older. I was also able to give her a photo album of the girls that she will share with the rest of her family.

Another really neat thing that happened was we were invited to Hannah's foster families house for dinner. We weren't sure what to expect and were a little nervous about it, but it turned out to be an amazing evening. We went to their home, paraded the streets of Guatemala carrying a nativity scene, lanterns, banging instruments, singing Christmas carols....which is a tradition that the Catholic church there does for 8 nights before Christmas....reinacting Mary and Joseph trying to find a place to give birth to Jesus and had dinner at their house. It was a very surreal experience. The food was amazing and PRAISE GOD we didn't get sick!!!!! We were so worried, but I just kept praying the whole time! I didn't want to decline the offer of going to their home just because I was worried about getting sick and I'm so glad we didn't!!!

Day 3

2007-12-26T16:38:00.000-08:00

YIKES we had to get up early for our Embassy appt.!!! It was uneventful which was great. All went well!!!

After the appt. we went back for breakfast and mostly just hung out for the day. We had luch by the pool again and just enjoyed a relaxing day.

For dinner, we met a bunch of forum friends at the Westin. It was so good to see Candy and her ADORABLE son Jagger again!!! We had a great time!!!

After dinner we got to see Santa at the hotel. He was too funny!!!

Then...it was off to bed!

Day 2

2007-12-26T16:23:00.000-08:00

Today was the day...Tessa was placed in my arms forever!!!!!

Her foster family was so sweet. It was a bittersweet reunion. The only thing that made me feel better is that they were very excited about the gifts I brought. I know they loved Tessa with all of their hearts. I can't even imagine their pain. They know that we will keep in touch always.

After a LONG nap and lunch by the pool...we ventured to the zoo and the Artisan Market by the airport. It was such a beautiful day. The zoo is very lush and green....much different than our zoo here!!! We had a nice time there and then headed over to do some shopping. What a nice market!!! They weren't high pressured sales people there either... so it was a nice change!!!

After dinner we just hung out at the hotel and got ready for the next day...our Embassy appt.

Our Trip to Guatemala... Day 1

2007-12-26T16:12:00.000-08:00

What an amazing trip we had!!! On Tuesday, we left bright and early for Guatemala and got there around 1pm. When we got to our hotel, we found out they weren't going to drop Tessa off until the next morning. I was SO bummed!!!!! I figured since it was out last opportunity to go out without a baby...we should go do something fun.

We decided to take a taxi to the big mall...did some shopping...finally found the jersey Joe has wanted since our first trip...had a churro...saw Santa...took in the sights and sounds of Guatemala.

After the mall, we had dinner at the top of a mountain overlooking Guatemala city at night. (El Porta del Angel) The food was not the greatest, but the view was spectacular!!! Too bad I was too sick to take pictures and by the time I felt better the fog rolled in! You'll just have to picture it in your mind!!!
After dinner, it was back to the hotel to get ready for the next morning!!!

Last Post Today, I Promise!!! SANTA

2007-12-15T12:36:00.001-08:00

Waiting patiently to see Santa...

Hmm...who is that big guy in the red suit??? I'm not too sure about him!

Hannah...it's Santa...he's cool!!!

Yeah, well...I'm NOT sitting on his lap!!!

WHEW...glad to be back in the car!!!

PINK!!!!!

2007-12-15T12:31:00.001-08:00

I forgot to blog our EXCITING NEWS!!!!!

Tessa will be home for CHRISTMAS!!!!! PRAISE GOD!!!!!

We have our Embassy Appt. next Thursday the 20th. My dad and I are going on Tuesday and will be home Saturday with our newest addition!!!! Tessa will be in my arms forever on Tuesday afternoon!!! I can't WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Naughty or Nice???

2007-12-15T12:15:00.001-08:00

Dear Santa...

I know you've been watching to see if I have been bad or good. I just want to let you know that I have been SO good. I know, I know...you saw this the other night.

My parents said they were doing it because I'm a stinker, but really, it's just because sissy is coming home soon and they know she will get into everything. Not me...really...I'm an angel. :)

Love,

The best big sissy in the world, Hannah

UGH!!!

2007-12-04T18:06:00.000-08:00

I hate to be a complainer...but this week just stinks.

My husband is out of town on business, so I'm a single mom, which I'm definitely not used to...

I had my purse stolen yesterday...got it back, minus our brand new digital camera and the pictures from our mini vacation this past weekend...

Lab Corp is STILL testing our DNA...they've had it since last Monday and now it is in further testing...our hopes of having Tessa home for Christmas are diminishing by the minute...

Other than that...things are fine! THANKS for listening!!! I know it could be MUCH worse...I'm just having one of those days/weeks!!!

On the up side...we had a great time at Splash Village on our mini vacation last weekend. Wish I had pictures to share...but you'll just have to imagine... Two of the most adorable kids in the world...having an AWESOME time!!!!

A Range of Emotions

2007-11-20T05:12:00.000-08:00

Wow...it has been a few weeks full of so many different emotions! When we got the call that we were out of PGN it was a feeling of relief. To me that is the most difficult part of the entire adoption process because of the fact that it is all a big unknown. Some people get out in 2 weeks and others it takes 2 years. We were blessed to get out in 6 weeks.

After the relief came excitement. How exciting it is to know that we will hold OUR baby girl in our arms in a few weeks!!! I can't wait to go to Guatemala...to see the sights, the sounds, the smells, the people. I can't wait to see friends that we have made on prior trips. I can't wait to eat the YUMMY tortilla soup at the Marriott. But, most of all, I can't wait to have Tessa in my arms forever!!!

Our lives will never be the same. We are blessed beyond anything we could ever imagine. Although I am so excited to end this journey, at times I become very nervous. How will I ever handle 3 kids??? Life with 2 is crazy enough! Will I be the best mommy I can be for all 3 of my sweet children? I know that God has placed each one of them in my life for a reason and that He gave them to me because He knows best. I just have to continue to place them in His hands.

Here are the newest pictures of Tessa...she is 6 months old. If all goes smoothly we should have this sweet girl in our arms in about 3 weeks!

So much news...I'm WAY behind!!!

2007-11-08T09:30:00.000-08:00

HALLOWEEN PICTURES

First, I've had people ask what Benjamin and Hannah were for Halloween and indeed I forgot to post actually pictures of them in their costumes. Benjamin was a "Knight in Shinning Armor" as he called himself and Hannah was the princess he rescued. It was his idea, so how could I say no??? On Halloween night it was too windy for him to wear his Knight costume, so he wore a ghost costume that I already had. He looked cute in both of them!

DADDY'S BIG "40" PARTY

Yes, my hubby is 40, can you believe it??? We surprised him at his sister's house on Saturday with singing and we had a surprise party on his actual b-day for him at a restaurant by our house. It was FUN, but boy are surprises hard to keep!!! Benjamin was so funny, he kept telling everyone that his dad was old!!! His daddy is "OLD", but we still love him anyway!!! :)

Cousins having fun!Aren't they so cute???
I think I might like Grandma, what do you think???

Cuties after the big party...Hannah looks like she partied HARD!!!

Next BIG news...HANNAH IS WALKING!!!!!

Actually, she only walks across the living room and isn't officially walking everywhere yet...but we're getting there and we are so excited!!! We have been working with a PT for about 6 weeks and all of her hard work is paying off! She looks silly in these pictures because my hubby is making her do her fish lip face. What goofballs!!!

And our last BIG news, but certainly not least...

We are OUT of PGN!!! Yes, you read that correctly...we got out of PGN in 6 weeks!!!!!!!!! We can't believe it, but are so excited!!! God is so good!!!!!!!!!!!

Reality continues to sink it...I have tons to do, Christmas is coming and the idea of 3 kids 4 and under overwhelms me, but I'm ready for the chaos!

Hopefully this sweet baby girl will be home for Christmas!!!

Hang on Tessa Carmen...we'll be there soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry I don't have updated photos, but she had an ear infection last week when she was supposed to go to the Dr., so she didn't go...new pictures will be next week.

Twas the Night Before Halloween...

2007-11-01T12:19:00.000-07:00

Each year our family (my hubby, kiddos, dad, bro., wife and niece) come to our house for a mini pumpkin carving party. Usually it's the adults carving really creative pumpkins, but this year...there were just too many little ones running around to have time to do anything creative, but we all had a GREAT time anyway!!!

My decorator before the party...

Benjamin, Hannah and cousin Morgan

Kiddos attempt #1

Kiddos attempt #2

Kiddos attempt #3...it will have to do!

Goofy boy

Sweet boy

This big orange thing is cool!

What, I'm not suppossed to eat this???

Carving fun

Our finished products...

FFF

2007-10-26T17:50:00.000-07:00

This is my all time favorite picture and probably always will be. My mom passed away of ovarian cancer a little over 2 years ago. This picture reminds me of how much she loved Benjamin and what a STRONG woman she was. In this picture she was on HIGH doses of pain medication and you would never guess it. They were having their first popsicle together...in Orlando Florida, just a few months before she passed away. It was an AMAZING trip!

I love you Mom and miss you more than ever!!!!! If only you could see what an awesome family I have...I know you would be proud!

Birthday Dinner

2007-10-24T20:20:00.000-07:00

We went out to dinner for my Birthday tonight and had a great time at a yummy restaurant. I really wanted to get some cute pictures of our kiddos...just wish Hannah would smile for the camera and Benjamin's smile wouldn't be so cheesy!!! Am I asking too much??? They are too cute for words anyway!!!!

I just love this pic...it is precious!!!You want me to what...smile???Like this???My handsome boysI love my Bubs
Who would have ever thought I would be so BLESSED!!!!! I have the most amazing husband and kiddos a girl could ever ask for!!!

Random STUFF

2007-10-24T11:23:00.000-07:00

Wow...it has been crazy busy around here. Our final adoption fundraiser was last Friday, so I can finally breathe a little. We had a dinner/silent auction and raised a little over $4,000!!! We have now officially surpassed our goal!!!!! We had a great night hanging out with family and friends. I was a little stressed out beforehand, but like I kept telling myself...God has it all planned out and it will go according to His plan...and sure enough...it did! It was an AMAZING night!!! (I forgot to take pictures that night....sorry guys....I know that's the only reason you really read this boring blog!!!!:))

As of Friday, October 19th...Hannah has been home with us ONE YEAR!!! I can't believe how it has flown by. Many days/nights were tough and for awhile I questioned if she would ever love us...but I'm so glad to say that she is an INCREDIBLE addition to our family. Life would be boring without her!!! She is a fiesty, spunky, sweet girl that loves to give hugs and kisses. We are so blessed to have her in our lives!!!!!

Here are some random pictures from last year when she first came home and last week...I can't believe how she's changed!!!

5 months old

Our sassy senorita!

My cutie pie!

My little sweetheart...

Isn't she so ADORABLE?!!!!

Happy Birthday to Me!!!

2007-10-24T10:45:00.000-07:00

Indeed it is my Birthday today and guess what I'm doing???? A whole lot of nothing!!!!!!! I decided that while Hannah naps...for all of 45 minutes....I should update this blog!

Bet you can't guess what I'm getting for my birthday????? A new roof....is that exciting or what??? They've been banging away all day!

Fall Fun....A BEAUTIFUL WEEKEND!!!

2007-10-01T10:05:00.000-07:00

I love Fall!!!!

This weekend we had perfect weather and it was a great time just being together as a family!!! We went to the cider mill on Saturday and had a fun day!!!

Hannah LOVES her Daddy!!!

I don't like this pic. of me and my giraffe neck, but Hannah looks cute!!!

Benjamin doing one of his fav. things on earth....throwing rocks into the river!!!

Am I the COOLEST mom or what?????

2007-10-01T10:01:00.000-07:00

Ok....maybe I'm the craziest, but I'm a sucker for my kids!!!!! Here is their newest favorite toy that I bought at a garage sale last weekend for $5!!! How could I pass this up?????

Yes, it has been very loud at our house this past week, but they LOVE it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Favorite Photo Friday

2007-09-28T18:11:00.000-07:00

Others in blogland have started posting their fav. pictures on Friday, so since my life is so uneventful right now...it will give me something to post!!!!!

Here are two of my sweet kiddos....I just love how happy they are in this picture!!! Can't you feel the love???

Days #5-10...

2007-09-15T18:20:00.000-07:00

Tuesday we flew home...had uneventful flights and got home around midnight.

Wednesday morning around 1 am, my Grandma passed away. She waited for us to get home safely and then peacefully went to be with Jesus. She had been sick...that is why my dad didn't go with us to Guatemala, but we didn't realize just how sick she really was. It has been a tough week, but it gives me peace to know she is in a better place and that we will see her again someday.

The last few days have been full of planning a funeral, the viewing and attending the funeral today.

I'm so sorry I didn't update this sooner, but it really has been crazy around here. I know many of you were waiting for pictures of our trip, so I hope you enjoy them...even though they are a few days late!!!

Day #4...Monday, September 10th

2007-09-15T18:13:00.000-07:00

Today was the day we had to give sissy back to her foster family. Benjamin was SO sad!!! It was very sweet.

After we said goodbye to sissy...we spent the rest of the day in Antigua. We had a great time, but it was a long day!!!!!

Day #3...Sunday, Sept.9th

2007-09-15T17:54:00.000-07:00

Sunday we spent the day playing at the pool and just lounging around kissing on our sweet girl. Here are a few pics from the day...

My 3 amazing kiddos...

Bathing beauty...

Aren't they sweet?

My future's so bright...She is precious...

Isn't this TOO sweet???

I just love her to pieces!!!

What a great day we had!!!

Day #2...Saturday, Sept. 8th

2007-09-15T17:39:00.000-07:00

On day 2...we were able to have lunch and go swimming with Hannah's foster family and Baby Sister #2's foster family. It was wonderful to see Hannah's family again and it was great to meet Baby Sister #2's. It truly was an AMAZING day!!!

Daddy and his little girl...

My Sweet Girls...Do we have to keep her??? Baby Sissy and her fostermom...

Baby Sissy's foster family...

Hannah and her foster family...Doesn't her fostermom look so happy to see her again?

WHAT A CRAZY 10 DAYS....

2007-09-15T17:25:00.000-07:00

I haven't updated my blog in 10 days, but it has been ONE crazy time in our lives...

I'll start with day one...

Friday, Sept. 7th-

Kiddos at the airport, bright and early!!!

We got up at 2 am to get to the airport in time for our trip to Guatemala. The kids were good on the plane...ok...Benjamin was GREAT and Hannah was just OK...so they balanced each other out!!!

We arrived in Guatemala around noon and they were planning on dropping the baby off at 4pm. When we got there, we ate a snack at Champions and took a quick nap before the baby got there.

Waiting for the baby...

Meeting Sissy...

Benjamin telling sissy...We're you're family now. We're going to take care of you and love you forever. It was ABSOLUTELY precious!!!!!!!

Outta Here...Well...almost!!!

2007-09-06T11:25:00.000-07:00

Ok all...if I have time before I leave...I will post Labor Day Camping pics, but if not...I'll be posting more exciting pictures when we get back!!!

We leave BRIGHT and EARLY tomorrow morning! We actually have to leave the house at 3 am...should be fun!!!!!!!!!!!! Hannah is usually up then anyways!!!!!

Can't wait to kiss our sweet baby girl!!!!!

Please pray that we have a safe, fun trip and that we all stay healthy while we are gone. Also, if you could pray for my dad and G-ma...my G-ma is back in the hospital not doing well at all, so my dad can't come with us and he is SO sad. He LOVED having the chance to meet Hannah and bond with her before she came home. He was so looking forward to experiencing that again with Baby Sis. #2. Please pray for peace for him.

THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Updates on Everyone

2007-08-29T12:48:00.000-07:00

Thank you all for your prayers. My dad was released from the hospital on Saturday. They didn't find anything wrong with his heart. He is on blood pressure medication, but that's it. They are assuming his problems are stress related and who can blame him!!!

My Grandma is being released from the hospital today and is going into a nursing home. It is sad to think that she won't ever be going home, but this is where she needs to be. She can no longer care for herself. My dad gave it a valiant effort, but it was just too much for him.

Adoption news...

We were told today that our file should be released from Family Court on Friday and we received our I171H today...which are both good news!!!

We are going to visit our sweet girl in 9 days!!!! Please pray for our safety!!! Here are a few cute pics of our girls...Baby Sister #1...and Baby Sister #2!

I'm Keeping My Promises...just a little late!!! PICTURES!!!

2007-08-25T05:32:00.000-07:00

Another Prayer Request

2007-08-25T05:28:00.000-07:00

Ok...I know I promised pictures, but once again, yesterday was a CRAZY day!!! My grandma is still in the hospital, there was a horrible storm...with tornadoes involved that lasted about 1 1/2 and the worst is my dad went to emergency yesterday because he thought he was having a heart attack.

UGH....he's still there in observation because his enzymes were elevated and they want to do a stress test. This is my dad...the only child that has been taking care of my grandma...do you think he's stressed??? :) I know it's a test for his heart, but I can tell you every inch of his body is stressed!!! Please pray that it is just from stress and there isn't anything major wrong. If there is something wrong...please pray that it can be easily fixed.

THANKS!!!!!!

Can you say SLACKER????

2007-08-23T19:18:00.000-07:00

Wow...I can't believe I've been such a loser and haven't updated my blog in a LONG time!!! I apologize to those of you that care!!!! :)

It has been a pretty crazy week and a half around here...between working on these crazy fundraisers...our sewer overflowing in our basement...our roof leaking...trying to get things sold on ebay to make money to pay for the sewer overflowing and the new roof we now need...my Grandma not doing well and needing 24 hour care at home...

Whew...it has been mentally exhausting!!!

My Grandma just had a really bad spell today with not being able to breathe...so she was rushed to the ER...they are admitting her and after that we will have to put her in a nursing home. We have tried for the last 2 weeks to take care of her at home and my dad has done an AWESOME job, but it has just gotten to be too much on all of us. So if you could say a little prayer for her and for my dad (an only child) who feels very guilty about all of this...I would appreciate it!!!

Ok...enough rambling about things that aren't very exciting...some good news...

We are going to visit in exactly two weeks from tomorrow!!! In 15 days I will be holding our baby girl!!!!! I can't wait!!!!!!!

I know most of you don't care about the happenings of life...you just want pictures...so I solemnly swear...pictures tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THANKS FOR LISTENING!!!!!

Baby Sister #2...who really needs a name...is 3 months old!!!

2007-08-10T18:47:00.000-07:00

Our agency director was in Guatemala last week and took these sweet pictures for us. I can't believe how big she is getting!!!!! She is a miniature Hannah, with a rounder face. I can't wait to kiss her chubby cheeks!!!! We leave in less than a month for our visit trip!!!! YAHOOOOO!!!

Katie- YOU ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-08-10T18:38:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had such an AMAZING friend that you just wanted to SHOUT it from the rooftop??? Well...I do. Through our adoptions from Guatemala, God brought us together. We only met once, in Guatemala for brunch, but I'm hoping we'll be friends for life! She is an amazingly funny, kind, compassionate, godly woman that I am so blessed to have as a friend!

Thank you Katie for what you have done for our family!!!! I truly will never be able to thank you enough, but I pray that God blesses you for being so SWEET to us!!!!!

THANK YOU!!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!

Updated Pictures of Baby Sister #2!!!

2007-08-01T14:06:00.001-07:00

Nidia is 2 months, 21 days old in these pictures. They are the sweetest!!!!! I love that she is all dressed up with her frilly socks and matching hair clip. These really confirm that she is being well taken care of and that she is well loved.

I also LOVE that she looks so much like our sweet Hannah!!!!! I can't wait to watch these two sisters grow up together!!!!!!!!!!!! What a blessing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Silly Kiddos

2007-07-24T19:10:00.001-07:00

We have toys, why??? My kids were happier than ever playing in a rubbermaid container of dirty clothes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes...they were dirty! Hannah proceeded to take all of them out of the container, so when I put them back in, I decided to put her in, too. She thought it was the funniest thing ever. Benjamin had to get in on the fun, too!!!

So silly!!!!!!

Putt Putt Golf

2007-07-24T18:59:00.000-07:00

My Two Boys...Love THEM!!!

Benjamin got to choose what we did for our family day this Sunday and he chose to play Putt Putt. The boys had a good time playing and the girls had fun watching! Actually it was hot and very hilly, so it was hard to manuever the stroller, but we had a good time anyway. I did make a mental note for next summer, though...send the boys...the double stroller would be impossible to get up and down all of those hills!!! Oh man...next summer will be a trip!!!

My man!!!
Notice the sign by Daddy's head...this was a hole where he had to do just what it says!!!Sweet girl!!!Do my teeth look blue??? We snuck a blue slurpee onto the golf course...it was YUMMY!

My Proud Boy

2007-07-24T18:51:00.000-07:00

Well...Benjamin officially passed his swimming class...he is no longer a tadpole, but is now a minnow.

He has had a great time at swim class. He is fearless when it comes to jumping in and loves to go down the big slide.

I just thought I'd share a few pictures of my proud boy.

God came to our door again....

2007-07-24T08:23:00.000-07:00

Okay...another funny God story and an update on our garage sale.

This weekend we raised $1259 at our garage sale...YIPPEE!!!!!

Here is the funny story...

Last night I was making dinner and a man came to my door and asked if we had a garage sale at our house this past weekend. I told him yes...and he reached in his pocket and got out some money and handed it to me. He told me that there was a record player at the garage sale that he was going to offer us $5 for, but he didn't have the money...he was going to come back to get it on Sunday, but instead saw it out in our garbage pile and picked it. He came to our door to give us money for it because he didn't feel right about just taking it.

I told him THANK YOU a million times and that it was for a good cause. He then asked me what it was for and I told him the story. I can't believe he came to our door to give us the money, especially since he didn't even know it was for a good cause. Actually, I can believe it...because my God has a great sense of humor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a Day!

2007-07-20T17:25:00.000-07:00

Today has been a VERY crazy day for us!

We had the first of many HUGE garage sales today and raised over $800...wahoo!!!!!!!! That was the exciting part.

The not so exciting part was that Hannah and I spent most of the day in the ER with Benjamin. My sweet boy was at Vacation Bible School this morning and he fell back in his chair and hit his head on the floor...HARD! When I went to pick him up and stay for the picnic, he was just sitting on the ground by himself, while the other kids were bouncy in the jumpy things the church had rented. I knew then something was wrong. If you know Benjamin...he is a 4 year old...and sitting is not one of his favorite pasttimes. He's my active boy. He said he didn't feel good, started crying and said he wanted to go home. I asked a bunch of questions and finally figured out that he had fallen and hit his head. He then began to act very sleepy and just not himself. I decided to take him to the ER...which was good because once there he began vomitting...so they decided to do a CAT scan. The scan came back normal and we were sent home to monitor him...but I'm still glad we went to the ER mostly to put my mind at ease.

What a FUN day!!!!!!!!!!!!

I need to get geared up for another exciting Garage Sale day, but right now I'm EXHAUSTED, so I might just go to bed early!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Overwhelmed!!!

2007-07-18T13:36:00.000-07:00

I am just writing to let everyone know that I have been totally overwhelmed by the generosity of others this past week. I know that this whole second adoption has been God's plan and that He already has it taken care of, but to watch it all unfold has been truly amazing!!!

Last week, a fellow Guatemamma...friend of mine that I met in Antigua last year volunteered to take our baby bottle fundraiser to their Church and see what they could do to raise money for us. What a dear friend and fellow Christian!!!!! Thanks K!!!

On Saturday, we received a package of empty baby bottles to use for our fundraiser, along with one full one and this unbelievable ENCOURAGING note...

Amy,

May these bottles serve as a very small token of my very huge admiration for you and your family. Your step of Faith is beyond encouraging. I pray that the Lord will bless your fundraising efforts and grant you more blessings than you could ever even hope to imagine!

The Lord only guides in the direction He is going to provide. I know, without a doubt, all of the money has already been provided to bring your daughter home. Now the fun part will be watching it all unfold!

May God bless you!

Love, S

Okay...this note has brought me to tears too many times to post...as well as everyone that I have read it to. What a HUGE ENCOURAGEMENT!!!!! Thanks S!!!

We also received a substantial donation from the B Family, which we are very grateful for!!!

WHAT A WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you to all of our friends and family for their support and prayers!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fundraising Success!!!!!

2007-07-11T19:43:00.000-07:00

We took our Baby Bottle Fundraiser flyers to Church tonight and with the help of some AWESOME friends...we were able to pass out almost 100 bottles!!!!!! It was really neat to see how many people were truly excited for us and are willing to do what they can!!!

In other adoption news...we got our fingerprinting appt. for our magic piece of paper (I171H) and it is next Wednesday. Hopefully we'll have our I171H in about 4 weeks after that. I guess we're not in a big hurry for it because we won't need it again until we are out of PGN, but it will be nice to have it in our possession!!!

As some of you know...my husband just started a new job Monday and we found out today that they have a $2,000 adoption credit...YEAH God!!!

It's just so neat to see God working in the our lives as well as so many others!

I stumbled upon a verse this week that I think has become my life verse...

"A man devises a plan in his heart, but God directs his path." Proverbs 16:9

Here are a few random pictures from the past week...aren't they sweet???

Hannah's latest..."Say Cheese"...

They love each other SO much!!!

My Lil' Firecrackers!!!

2007-07-05T13:05:00.000-07:00

We've had a busy week since Daddy came home Monday night!!! Joe took the week off and although we didn't go on vacation, we've been going on mini vacations each day!!!

Tuesday we went to the waterpark...Benjamin had a blast and Hannah loved the water, too!!! Tuesday night Daddy took Benjamin to see the fireworks in Royal Oak. They LOVED them!!!

Wednesday we took a road trip to Cabella's (my hubby's fav. place!) and had a good time! Last night we had our own fireworks in the front yard. Benjamin kept saying they were "AWESOME"!!! He just thought they were the coolest things ever!

Today we went to the Comerica Taste Fest in Detroit. We ate YUMMY food and had a fun day!

Yesterday we got news that Nidia's DNA test should be done tomorrow!!! One step closer!!!

Fun Weekend and Surprise Pictures!!!

2007-07-01T18:30:00.000-07:00

Well...Daddy has been away fishing since Thursday and is coming home tomorrow. He's called to report the fishing hasn't been good, but the time away has. I keep asking when Mommy gets to go away for 5 days!!! :)

We've been keeping busy around here...Friday we went to the park with friends, then to 7 Eleven for a slurpee...Benjamin's favorite treat!!! Saturday we went to the Stars and Stripes Festival and Benjmain had a blast riding the rides at the carnival and playing the games. The kids were so worn out that they napped until 6:30...I got a much needed break!!! Today the kids and I went to the Detroit Zoo. We had a great time...the weather was beautiful!!! Benjamin loved watching the polar bears and riding the train. Hannah's favorite part was eating the Dippin' Dots ice cream!!!

We came home to surprise photos of "Baby Sister #2" today! I am so happy that she looks healthy and clean in them! Just one more thing to praise God for! I just love this little girl so much! I can't wait to meet her and kiss her sweet face! Here are a few of the pics...isn't she PRECIOUS!!! I love the one where she is sleeping. She looks like a little ANGEL!!!

Our First Fundraiser...Baby Bottle Fundraiser

2007-06-29T13:12:00.000-07:00

Do you want to help us bring our baby girl home??? We need your help!!! Here is the flyer that I'm planning on passing out to any and everyone we know!!! A friend that I talked to today was very discouraging and thinks I'm crazy for setting our goal at 100 people a month, but when I really stop to think about it...it's not that many. I hope to find 20 people a month that I know commit to finding 5 others that they know to do it as well. Everyone has family members and friends and I'm just hoping they will all want to help out! Besides...God is bigger than my lofty goals!!! We need to raise $25,000, so if anyone has other ideas...we're all for them!!!

Here is a sample note of what we will be handing out with the bottles...

Have you ever gotten a phone call from God???

On May 16, 2007 the Moleski family did!!!

For two weeks prior to this call, we were praying and asking God what He wanted us to do for the people of Guatemala and on that day…we found out.

The phone call was our adoption agency calling to tell us that Hannah’s birth mom had just had a baby girl and they wanted to know if we were interested in keeping the girls together. Our hearts immediately said “yes”, but our wallet said “NO”. We decided we would pray about it and that if it was God’s plan for our lives, we would trust Him for the money. We prayed and God gave us a CLEAR answer. It is an AMAZING story!!! We know without a doubt that bringing Hannah’s sister into our family is HIS plan, but we need your help!

We need to raise a substantial amount of money to bring “Baby Sister #2” home. We have swallowed our pride and have decided that we will do whatever it takes to bring this baby girl home.

If you would like to help…we have many ways, here is one…

We are asking that you take this baby bottle and fill it with your spare change. At the end of the month we will collect the bottle with the change in it and see how close we are to our goal. We are hoping to pass out 100 bottles each month until she comes home!!! If you know anyone else that would be interested in joining us…please let us know.

Thank you in advance for your prayers and financial support. It has been amazing to watch God’s faithfulness as we have stepped out on faith to begin this exciting journey!!! We are so thankful God has called you to help!!!

Amy, Joe, Benjamin and Hannah Moleski
amyjoemoleski@hotmail.com

We hope to start passing these and the bottles out on the 4th of July....then collect the first set at the end of the month.

Please pray that we find others who would like to join us on this journey!!!!!

Updated Pictures of Baby Sister #2

2007-06-29T13:00:00.000-07:00

These are pictures from her monthly doctors appointment. She has gained 2 pounds and seems to be very healthy. It makes me sad that she is crying in most of them (I know babies cry, but it still makes me sad. :()and that she looks a little "greasy" in the photos. I need to pray and trust God that he is watching over her while we are not there. Whenever I got updated photos of Hannah, I had peace about them and knew she was being well taken care of. I wish I felt the same way when I saw these photos. I hope I'm just being an overprotective Mommy. They don't have the same fostermom...which I wish we would have pushed harder to have in the beginning. Hopefully next month she will look happy, healthy and clean! Here is our sweet baby girl!!! I just want to kiss those CHUBBY cheeks!!!

The Paperchase is OVER!!!!!!!! YIPPEEE!!!!

2007-06-29T12:57:00.001-07:00

Our dossier is officially on it's way to Guatemala!!! I'm so glad to finally be done with all of it!!! What an exciting feeling!!! I hope everything was done correctly and that our journey finally begins and it is a smooth process.

I was worried it was going to put us way behind, but I got it done in 6 weeks...not bad, huh??? We are still waiting on our I171H, but are hopeful that our attorney can start without it!

Officially Announcing...Baby Sister #2

2007-06-19T13:04:00.000-07:00

HERE SHE IS....

Birthname: Nidia Liseth

Born in Chiquimula, Guatemala

May 7, 2007

Isn't she precious??????

God is SO Faithful!!!!!

2007-06-19T12:55:00.000-07:00

Well...as most of you know...we don't have ANY money saved for this adoption because it was so out of the blue...but we felt God calling us to do it and are hoping that we will find the money for it!

We haven't even told most of our friends about this next adoption, but yesterday I sent an e-mail to a friend telling her and her response was..."What can I do to help?" I told her we would be having another Garage Sale and she wrote back that since she's getting married in two weeks, she would have a lot of stuff for it. Yesterday afternoon her mom calls to tell me that they are just finishing cleaning out her dad's house who passed away 6 months ago and we are welcome to anything that is left. Today, her sister calls to tell me that her nephew is moving to Germany and is bringing over everything he isn't taking with him and that she also has lots of stuff!!!

Can you see what is in our future???? HUGE GARAGE SALES!!!!! They are a ton of work, but we raised $3,000 for Hannah's adoption through having 2 Garage Sales. YIKES...I'm going to be a busy woman...not sure how I'll get it all done, but it is so exciting to see the faithfulness of God!!!

If anyone has any great ideas of fundraisers, we need to raise about $25,000...I know it sounds like a lot, but God is much bigger than a number!!!

We plan on having Garage Sales, a spaghetti dinner/auction, bottle and can drive and a baby bottle fundraiser where people collect their spare change in them for a month and donate it to our cause and we might write a letter to ask for help. We have a non-profit organization that we are working with so everyone's donations will be tax deductible. I never thought we would be asking for money, but we have swallowed our pride and decided that there are people out there that love us and want to help us out!!!

Thanks for all of your continued prayers!!!!!

Palmetto Hope Reunion Last Weekend

2007-06-14T06:38:00.000-07:00

Okay...I know it shouldn't take me this long to get caught up on pictures from the weekend...but it has!!! Last weekend we went to Cincinnati for a reunion of the adoption agency we used to bring Hannah home. We had a TON of fun!!! It was great to meet new friends and to see old ones again. Hannah enjoyed the trip, except for the drive...this was our first long car ride and she did NOT like it!!! Benjamin had a blast at the reunion. He met new friends...fed the turtles and fish...played soccer and really enjoyed the pinata.

On Sunday, we went to the Cincinnati Zoo...which was also a lot of fun!!! The neatest part was that it was superhero weekend and at the superhero show, Benjamin was chosen to come up on stage to become a superhero in training...it was so CUTE!!!

Here are some photos from our weekend....

An attempt at getting a picture of all of the babies that PH has helped come home...

Caroline (our agency director), myself and Hannah

Benjamin and his new friend Jake

Our Family

Daddy and Benjamin at the Zoo

Hannah being sleepy at the Zoo

Baby Sister #2 is one month today!!!

2007-06-07T06:43:00.000-07:00

Happy 1 month Birthday sweet girl!!!!! I hope and pray you are being well taken care of and that you get lots of love and kisses today!!!!!!!!! I can't wait to get updated pictures and show you off to all of my friends!!!!

WAITING NOT SO PATIENTLY!!!

2007-06-07T06:37:00.000-07:00

Okay...seriously...this wait is driving me crazy already!!! I really am trying to just trust that God has it all figured out, but boy is it hard!!! I've already had to be praying for patience each day...wonder what I'm going to be like when we finally get to PGN!!!!

Saturday we found out that there was not a mix-up at the lab, but that some of the tests needed to be re-done to make sure they were negative. We are now waiting on the results of one last blood test. It has been a scary few days, but we realize that this baby is as much our daughter as Hannah is and nothing would change our mind in accepting her referral.

I have been paperchasing like crazy...our dossier is pretty much finished except we are waiting on our updated homestudy and then things should be ready to be certified and authenticated. I'm not rushing too much anymore, because we can't do anything until we officially accept the referral and at this point...who knows when that will be!!!

I hope we get the good news soon!!! I'm dying to post a picture of her and officially decide on a name!!! I'll keep you all posted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Still waiting on one piece of paper...

2007-05-31T13:15:00.000-07:00

Our agency emailed us yesterday to tell us that they had to redo the girls' birthmom's bloodwork because there was a mix up at the lab and that we should have all of the referral documents by today...

well...it's 4:15 and I'm still waiting!!! We are trying to be patient, but MAN is it hard!!!!!

Trusting God and Waiting...

2007-05-30T07:21:00.000-07:00

Well...I know I said I would be better about keeping this blog going, but I haven't posted anything in awhile, because there isn't much new...

When we first found out about Baby Sister #2 we were told by our agency that she would have all of the rest of the paperwork for the referral in a few days...well...it has been a few weeks and I have been on pins and needles ever since!!!

I just wish I knew for sure if this was all going to work out or not, but I need to remember that we had clear confirmation from God to go forward with this and HE is in control of the whole situation!!!

I've been praying for peace for myself and my hubby...he too is stressed...he said he feels like an expectant father...

Hopefully I'll be able to post pictures and referral information soon...until then...........

Be careful what you pray for!!!

2007-05-25T06:32:00.000-07:00

It all started about 3 weeks ago when some friends of ours came over for dinner. I told them how much we loved Guatemala and the people of Guatemala and said that I would drop everything and move if I ever felt like that was what God wanted us to do. My hubby wasn't exactly on the same page...but later on that week he said he would do whatever God wanted us to do and that we really needed to pray about what He would have us do for the people of Guatemala.

We began praying and God began showing us the way. I stumbled on an AWESOME site...mayanfamilies.org and would read their blog everyday trying to figure out how we could help. I decided that I would buy shoes at Garage Sales and send them through their project. I figured I could do that and maybe that was what God wanted us to do for now.

We continued to pray...Joe began to look into other organizations and places to go to serve in Guatemala. On Wednesday night that week the service at Church really hit home, but confused us. It was on being a missionary in your own backyard. Not everyone is called to go to the mission field, but we are all called to be a missionary right here where we live...hmm....that wasn't the sign we were looking for, but realized later how God was preparing us for the phone call we would get the next day.

On Thursday morning...I was in the shower...crying because I miss my mom so much. I was crying out to God saying...if you knew you were going to take my mom away so young...why didn't you give me a sister...someone who would understand me and my life? Then I got to thinking how sad it was that Hannah lost her first mom sooner than I could ever imagine and that she would never have anyone in life that would totally understand her. I thought...poor Hannah, she'll never have a sister because I'm not getting pregnant and we can't afford to adopt another baby...little did I know...God already had it in His plan.

About 6 hours later, I received the call from our agency director that Hannah's birthmom had a baby girl 9 days ago and has just come to place her for adoption...are we interested? I couldn't believe my ears!!!!! I was so excited, yet sad at the same time because I knew there was no way we could afford it. I called Joe and told him...he was shocked, yet excited to. We decided to pray about it and needed to know our answer by Monday. How were we going to come up with all of the money we would need?????

Friday afternoon I was talking to a good friend and she just kept saying...if it is God's will He will provide the money. I told her that if it was...He was going to either have to knock on our door or send it in the mail. Not even 2 minutes after I got off the phone, there was a knock on my door. There was a carnival across the street last weekend and the man came to our door to see if we would be willing to put a sign in our yard to advertise his business and he would pay us for it. YES, HE CAME TO OUR DOOR OFFERING US MONEY FOR NOTHING!!! I told him that he was sent by God...of course he thought I was crazy, but after he heard the story, he gave us more money because it was for a good cause. That was our final confirmation that this is totally God's will for our lives. We don't know where the money will come from, but know that He will provide it!!!

And so...the saga begins...the paperchase...the crazy sleepless nights wondering if our baby is being well taken care of in a country far away...

Hang on baby sister #2...Mommy, Daddy, Big Brother Benjamin and Big Sister Hannah will be with you before we know it and we'll all be together forever!!!