Our life is nothing short of an adventure...

Wind in our hair and screams of delight but also unpredictable turns and unknown outcomes. We are a family of six; Dave, Susie, Nate, Jake, Sam, and Bella.

God has been faithful in our marriage and through the birth and blessings of our boys.

God has been faithful during our adoption journey and united Bella with us in May of 2008. We were privileged to visit with Bella's birth mother; therefore, Bella's family in Guatemala will always be dear to our hearts.

On October 16, 2008, Bella was diagnosed with ALL Leukemia. We are now battling the disease with 2 years and 3 months of treatment. We believe God will continue to be faithful!

Our family is committed to living life to the fullest...even on the hard days. Thank you for checking in and journeying with us!


Sunday, June 8, 2008

6 Weeks!

Mom...I am not so sure about this crawling thing!


Oh ya, I so got this Rocking Thing and I love it!


Pretty girl, thanks Amy for such a sweet dress.


Where are my Cheerios? I know I dropped one in here.


Ooh...I see it!


Sam, Jake, Bella and I at the indoor pool


Jake and Bella at the outdoor pool


Loving the bikini! She is so fun to DRESS!


Guess who wanted nothing to do with going to Festival?


Sam and Bella


Sam, Nate and Bella...can you tell the bands just started?

Today marks 6 weeks since we picked Bella up at the Orphanage. Again, I am utterly shocked at how quickly time is going by....LIGHTENING SPEED.....yet I remember the days of the 8 months we waited to be reunited with her....eternally slow. But I know the growth in me that would not be there had it not been for the wait.

Bella is doing great. We had a very eventful week. I have been working with Bella on her crawling, she is finally able to pull herself up to the crawling position and rock, so cute. She is getting so chubby due to her great eating skills. Cheerios is one of her favorites and she loves to dig into her bib to get the fallen ones. She swam in the pool for the first time this week and loved it! We also headed down to our Festival of the Arts down town...oh how big her eye's got when the bands started up, so funny. We even went on a couple field trips for the last week of schoold with the boys. Sleeping seems to be finally under control after "nap boot camp". Goodness, the girl just wanted to cat nap all day. That was so not going to work with 3 busy boys and a Mama in Real Estate. Not too mention her little body needs the much needed rest. She is taking 2 naps a day, morning and afternoon and in bed for the night by 9 pm or earlier. VICTORY....but it did come with out a little pain for both of us. Listening to a baby cry is never fun.

Schools out for the summer and I am really looking forward to the time with the boys. They are also a tremendous help, in fact, they always beet me to her crib side in the morning. Today, my 8 1/2 year old got her out of bed and then came up a 1/2 hour later and stood over my bed, "Mom, Bella's up". They entertained her for a 1/2 hour and we didn't even know it as we were still sleeping. Oh the joy of watching these boys dote on her. Poor Bella, she may never be able to date.

I am sure this week will bring many other firsts. I forgot how much fun it is to live life through an infant. Every day is a new adventure.

Blessings, Susie

8 comments:

Chris and Lindsey Wheeler said...

Y'all are such a fun family!!! Love the pics. 6 weeks has flown by! Thanks for always getting so excited with us.

Cheri said...

How 'bout those swimming diapers?! They don't work well for Malaena-Sloan....we had an EXPERIENCE! I can't wait to get our girls together so Bella can check Malae's ears out. We need NEW pictures together! I miss you, Sus! love.

Gail said...

I agree that dressing these little girls is fun!!
Keep practicing crawling Bella!
Gail

Cheri said...

New post already, sis!ha!

Steve & Amy said...

Susie, Thanks for stopping by my blog. Your video brought me to tears...you did a wonderful job! It will be such a keepsake when you celebrate the day Bella was placed in your arms forever. You pictures are adorable and you have such a beautiful family. May the Lord bless you and watch over you as you begin your life as a family of SIX:) {{{HUGS}}}

One Busy Momma said...

Congratulations on 6 weeks!!
Soo happy that Bella is sleeping well!!!! Also, it's great that her brothers are so doting on her!

Yea for crawling!!!!

Denise

Dimples and Stars Race Cars and Guitars said...

WOW up and rocking already...Not MOOSE...He is like a ROCK still...hehe...I love the pic of Bella in the HAT thos shows up on your PROFILE...TOO STINKIN CUTE. Looks like the BOYS love her to pieces. HUGS

Vanessa said...

Glad she's doing well!!! She'll be crawling in no time and running will soon follow!
HUGS
Vanessa
www.mommyslilblessings.blogspot.com