Update to montage

I realized I didn'[t put some pictures from the park, Chicago, and Halloween in the montage so I added some more if you want to take another look. They won't be in order but they are there. Enjoy!

Happy Forever Family Day Isabella!!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Where has this year gone!? It really just seems like yesterday that we were stepping off the plane back in Lexington. I'm not very eloquent at this stuff so bear with me. Isabella has been such a joy from the start and I owe all of that to her foster family that loved her SO MUCH and took such great care of her. Isabella has fit in right from the start. Shane, Hunter, and Alex have been great with her. She couldn't ask for better brothers (boyfriends--watch out!). Besides ear infections, she has been perfectly happy and healthy. She's really growing up. She's getting a temper when she doesn't get her way (it's hard not to spoil her when I've wanted a girl for so long). Her hair is getting longer and I love to hear her say "Mom". She's eating better and getting a little taller. I'm looking forward to what the next years bring and watching her grow.

I tried to keep the pictures in the montage in order but it was hard. I forgot the Halloween pictures but they've been on the blog before so everyone has seen them. I had 1000s to choose from so it was really hard to decide which ones to put on there. But I hope you all enjoy looking at the pictures as much as I did.

Forever Family Day post coming soon

I know Isabella's Forever Family Day has come and gone--It was Sept. 8th--and I know I said I would have this wonderful post about it. I want to do a montage of pictures and half of my pictures are on my OTHER computer. I just haven't had time to transfer them to this computer so I can use them. SO, this weekend when I have alot more time, I will post something special about Isabella. Bear with me, with 3 other kids and working, I just haven't had the time. So check back on Sunday (I hope) and maybe I'll be done with it.

Sorry it's been so long!

Isabella and Krystal's neice, Jordan. They loved each other and Jordan is GREAT with kids. She will make a wonderful babysitter!

Isabella on the trampoline
The Birthday boy, Brayden and his sister Parker

For those of you that faithfully watch my blog for new posts, I'm sorry it's been so long since the last post. On Aug. 24th Isabella and I went to Krystal's house for Brayden's birthday party. We played, swam, jumped on the trampoline, and ate hotdogs, cake and ice cream. It was a fun-filled afternoon and Isabella's first party. Krystal's son is from Guatemala and we're "blog buddies" but it was nice to get to spend the afternoon with her and her family and friends. Thanks Krystal!



We also had our final social worker visit which was pretty painless. It only took 30 minutes or so. We are now officially done with everything relating to her adoption. Yea!



She also had an ear check to see if her tubes were still in place and everything is fine with that too. She's also getting better with her eating. The babysitter is feeding her all kinds of stuff and the most surprising thing is Vienna sausages. She loves them. I would never have thought to try that.

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

By the way, 1 year ago today we landed in Guatemala to pick up Isabella. Our thoughts and prayers are with the foster family because I know they are thinking of this time with happiness and also sadness. We love you M and family! So needless to say, Isabella's FOREVER DAY is coming up so I'll have a special post for that so check back!

Surgery went great!

I had to have Isabella at the surgery center by 6:45 this morning. We checked in and went back to her room. She watched videos and waled the halls until about 8:00 when they took her back. She wanted nothing to do with the female nurse, only the male nurse could carry her. As soon as they took her back I went to the waiting area. I took out my ipod and watched a 6 minute video and started another and they were calling my name that they were done. I think it literally took 10 minutes from putting her to sleep to taking her to recovery. The doctor came to talk to me and I went to recovery to give her some much needed hugs and kisses. She cried some but that was because of the anesthesia more than anything. As soon as we got to the van she was okay. We even made a trip to Wal-Mart to get Hunter some poster board, took it to him at school, went to another Wal-Mart (because the pharmacy wasn't open yet at the first one), then went home. She did great the whole time. I fed her a light lunch and put her in the bed. She climbed out 3 times before she finally went to sleep. I thought she would be so tired. She hasn't event whined once. She's still her smiling self. She's such a good girl!! So, that's how the morning went. She did fine and all is well! Thanks for all the prayers. Have a great weekend!

trying to play catch-up

She loves the water.
Who needs a swimsuit

First day of school
Finally! A picture of Shane!
A close-up
The babysitter's daughter, Britton, fixed Isabella's hair. I thought it was cute. It was sticking up everywhere!


It's been a couple of weeks and I'm sorry about that.

We decided not to have that x-ray for Isabella. The speech therapist doesn't think it's a physical issue. I agree. I think she will work her way through it. She's gaining weight so all is good. I did find a food that she absolutely loves--taquitos. She eats the WHOLE thing. No spitting this out for her. She is Guatemalan after all so maybe she wants food from her culture. She also like refried beans. Go figure! I guess I'll have to stock the pantry with hispanic food. She has her ear surgery on Thursday so again, remember her in your prayers.

As you saw, I do have a 17 year old here at the house. I actually got pictures of him to prove it! He's taken up the guitar and he's actually pretty good. He still has a girlfriend named Avery. He wants to take her on vacation with us in October. I told him we would see....they may not even still be a couple then. I took my boyfriend on vacation when I was his age so we'll see.

Yesterday was the first day of school here. They had a very short summer. They always seems to go to school into June because of snow days so that always make for a short summer break. Shane is a senior this year. Just seems like yesterday I was taking his picture as he got on the bus for kindergarten. Time flies! Hunter is a freshman. He moved up to the high school building so everything is new to him this year. He's happy because he thinks the high school has better food. Alex is in third grade. He was the most excited to get back to school. He loves school, his teacher, and his classmates. He's never tried to get out of going to school.

That's it for now. We're going to my brother's house today to cook out for my dad's b-day. Then we have to come back to church because Allen's mom and dad are getting baptized again tonight. I'll post more pictures from today later. Have a good weekend!

New doctor news

Sorry, no pictures this time. Well, the doctor tested Isabella's hearing and that was fine but she still has fluid in her right ear. So she will get tubes on August 14th. I also had him check to see why her nose sounded stuffy all the time. He put a scope in her nose to look and said her adenoids were a little swollen but he wouldn't take them out yet. She is also going next Tuesday for an x-ray to see if there is any reason for her chewing food and spitting it out all the time. They are going to x-ray while she eats so they can see how the food goes down I guess. She normally does not like doctors but she loved this one. She followed him around and gave him hugs. It was really sweet. I know the operation is a few weeks away and isn't that difficult, but pray that Isabella does well with the operation and tubes. I'm pretty sure she do fine since she's such a happy baby, even when she's sick. I'll post more pictures later. I just wanted to post an update real quick.