While 2007 definitely had it's moments of euphoria, it also came with some stressful times. It was definitely a year that allowed me to grow as a person, both in the flesh and spiritually. Here are some of those lessons.

1. Sometimes the best gifts come hidden deep inside the packaging. (aka: Anna Grace).
   
2. Patience is definitely a virtue that is difficult to achieve, but not impossible.
   
3. Prayers are always answered, although sometimes not the answers we expect.
   
4. The meaning of a "clean house" is not quite the same as it use to be.
   
5. The importance to 3 toddlers' hearts of their Mama sitting with them and watching (for the 100th time) Dora, Cars or Madagascar is huge!
   
6. Storytime is so much more than reading a book.
   
7. I can stop all movement in the house just by saying "I'm gonna vacuum the floors".


8. I need to be more conscience of my own health in order to keep up with 3 little ones under 4 years old.
   
9. I accomplish only the necessary on a daily basis and have given up trying to be an over-achiever.
   
10. I've learned to eat healthier, only because 3 little mouths stand before me wide open asking for whatever I am attempting to eat.
    
11. I can manuever a double stroller AND a toddler on a leash, while walking thru a packed mall alone, with perfect precision.
    
12. Age is only a number, it's what matters in your life that truly keeps you young.
    
13. I have an amazing family, with which I would be lost without.
    
14. The Lord has given me great friends whom I can count on to lift me up in prayer when I have no strength to do so myself.
    
15. I am blessed beyond measure, and although my hands may be full, my heart is overflowing.

Coming up for air.....

Sorry, folks. Again, no pictures. I can't even tell you what this household has been like since New Year's eve. I have over 350 pictures in my camera that I need to download, but have been way to tired, lazy and just plain feeling too lousy to do so.

My mom, stepdad and sister's family all went to Disney for New Years. So, we thought we'd take the 3 hour drive and surprise them for the day and visit Epcot while we were there. We had all recovered from that miserable cold we had that lasted about 2 weeks right before Christmas and the kids were feeling ok, with the exception of AJ. Poor little guy had a head cold, runny nose, and a bit of a cough, but no fever. Anna Grace had spent the night in the ER just prior to Christmas with a fever of 105, but it only lasted that one night and everything seemed fine.

Upon arriving at Disney, which we had a great time at (but that's a whole other post) AJ's cold got worse. The weather didn't help. It's been a freakin' 80 degrees here for the entire winter, if you want to call it that, and the one time that I pack the kids to go away, we get a MAJOR cold front. By the time we left Disney on New Years Day at 8 p.m., the temperature was 40 degrees. Thank God I had brought jackets for the kids, but they certainly weren't dressed for that kind of weather. The following day, AJ woke up with 102. Hours later, Anna Grace started coughing up a storm. When I went to hold her, she felt warm....103 kind of warm. UGH! And Kai, although he didn't have a fever, soon began complaining that his ear hurt.
Scott seems to be coughing up what seems to be his lungs and I can't stop sneezing and back to feeling completely miserable. Fortunately, Amanda was with her Dad over New Year's week, so she was spared.

This morning, I finally got them all in to see the doctor. The end result? Kai has an ear infection that is disgustingly draining pus and blood from his left ear. (At least the tubes are doing their job.) AJ has a double ear infection and Anna Grace who is still running a low grade temp has an ear infection and possible strep. I have three miserable little ones who seem to do nothing but whine and cry, want to get picked up, then want to be put down, only to asked to be carried again 2 seconds later. I can't seem to please all 3 at once and I am finding myself just as miserable and whiney as they are.

So, after all of us going to the doctor, we got home, lined up the bottles of antibiotics and ear drops on the counter and began one-by-one until everyone had been medicated, myself included.

Scott has an appointment tomorrow morning to get his batch.

I don't think I've ever been this far behind in my updates and it sucks because I have so many cute stories and so many pictures to share. Hopefully soon. I also don't think we've all been sick at once, and for so long. But, we'll survive.

In the meantime, I want to thank everyone that is praying already and ask you to please continue lifting up little Ayla and her family. They've already started doing the testing and will possibly start her chemo on Friday. Now, more than ever, we need to continue to storm the heavens with prayers for all of them. Tonya, sending you love and bathing you all in prayer, my dear friend. Hang in there, God is right by your side through it all.

Calling all Prayer Warriors....

I know I have been absolutely horrible about posting updates, and now with three sick kiddos at home it's even worse, but I also know that many of you check in daily and although I haven't seriously blogged in the past month, I am still receiving about 100 hits a day. I also know that many of you are God-filled, faithful warriors of our Lord and it is to those that I am writing to tonight. We all know there is no force stronger than the power of prayer.

Many of you in the adoption community who check in on my blog also know my dear friend, Tonya. She came home from China with her precious Ayla a couple of months prior to us coming home with Anna Grace.

Totally unexpected to the family, little Ayla recently had a rare cancerous tumor removed and will be undergoing chemotherapy. You can read Tonya's complete story on her blog by clicking HERE.

I am asking all of you that pray to please lift little Ayla and her beautiful family up to our Lord and Savior. He created a miracle by allowing this tumor to be found and there is no doubt in my mind that this is only the beginning of the plans that He has for this amazing family and this precious child.

Lord Jesus,

You are the King of Kings and the great physician. We ask with faithfilled hearts that you take full control of this situation. That you continue to fill sweet Ayla's parent's heart with the peace that surpasses all understanding. The peace that only you can offer. We ask for a complete healing of Ayla and we give you all the glory and honor for allowing this tumor to be caught early, when it wasn't even something that was a thought in anyone's mind.

We know that you created Ayla perfectly in her mother's womb, as you do all of your children, each one a masterpiece. We fully trust, in your precious name, that you have great plans for her and that her testimony of your miracles in her life will bring you all the honor and glory that you are so worthy of. We thank you for loving her and for choosing the perfect family for her.

We ask this, as we do all things, in your precious name.

Amen.