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!


Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Look who's back....




Belinda....I love you friend, thank you!






Tubby after hair cute....as you can see, she was totally happy about it.

MY BABY!!!! This is a good side effect of chemo....she looks just like she did at 4 months old. I knew Sunday that this day was coming as her hair started to fall out pretty heavily...but by late this morning, I was putting a hat on her head just trying to keep it in till we got to my girl friend Belinda. Hair was every where, its all over our house, and believe it or not, after my big cry on Sunday, I was glad to see it go. It just got too messy and Bella was really miserable, she could not even eat with out hair all over her tray, hands and mouth. She looks adorable and we are honestly all good with this. Not how I wanted her first hair cut to be, but she had her hair 5 months longer than she was suppose too. Belinda said not to shave it off as she may keep some peach fuzz. So we will see, either way, she looks great and we LOVE seeing those big beautiful eye's popping out.

After dinner tonight, I gave Bella a tub and put her in to her much to big Dora jammies that were her cousins, she loves to put them on. After that, she wanted to hand me all of her hats, so I kept putting them on her head. She walked around with 4 hats on her head for an hour and half, too funny. She looked like the Cat in the Hat.

Walking by faith and not by sight. The more you do this, the easier it gets and before you know it, its habit! God's way is soooooo much easier, so grateful for His LIVING WORD!

Thanks for checking in and all your love and support. I want all of you fellow bloggers to know that I check your blogs weekly, I just dont get the opportunity to post enough, but I am working on it.




27 comments:

Vacant said...

Hi. My name is Livy and I've become a fan of your blog and your family. =) Your little peanut is a beauty and she has my prayers as well as the prayers of my friends and family... she is a treasure as are her siblings. =)

Her hairdo is lovely... pretty baby. =) I love her hats too.

Becky said...

She's beautiful! Praying for your sweet girl!

weightlosers said...

I haven't commented in awhile, but Bella and the rest of your families have continually been in our prayers. . . she is SO cute in all the hairbows and hats. . . I love that God is giving you the grace to look at it as a blessing. Mike and the girls can't wait to meet her in person ( :

Connie, Mike - Hannah, Beka and Acacia.

Brian and Jenifer said...

Susie- She is absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!! Those eyes! I loved the pictures of her out in the driveway with the boys, but with her new haircut, boy, do her eyes just stand out and look SO beautiful! She does look just like she did as a baby! How fun to see that "baby" look back for awhile. Thanks for sharing the great pictures. We continue to pray for you guys daily. What a blessing that she is handling the treatments so well!
Love you guys,
Jenifer

Robyn said...

Bella is beautiful!! I am continuing to lift up your family in prayer!!

Cheri said...

Bella is a role model. All the time I am pointing out things she's doing that Mae-Sloan won't do. Tonight, I was pointing at her bracelet. M-S insists on putting one on nearly everday and I swear it's a challenge to see how quickly she can remove it. Bella and Malae look more alike now...she's got the Malae-Cut!!! I'm glad she loves her headbands and hats. I'm glad you can feel God's arms wrapped around YOU! Love.

Courtney said...

Bella looks gorgeous. I must admit, I got a little teary eyed when I first saw the pictures. Then, I read your post and I felt better. I am happy to hear your doing well with her hair cut. Keep up the strenght and courage. XOXO courtney
kisses to bella

The Q family said...

She is a beauty!!!!! We are praying and believing for your little princess!
Angel

Lisa said...

Just discovered your blog.Please know that I am standing with you in faith for your lil' sweetie's healing.Thank you for sharing your life and family with us.

Anonymous said...

OHHH she looks soooooooooooooooooo darn cute!!!! That girl!!!

hugs and many prayers ,leslie

Heather said...

Yes beautiful as ever!!Zoey still has all of her hair and we are on her second to last round.Go figure.Looks like Bella is weathering the latest in wonderful form and we pray that the trend continues.Go Bella ... your doing great!

Jaimee said...

Awwww, she is sooooo beautiful! And you are right, her hair cut makes her look so little. I just want to scoop her up and squeeze her. You guys are always in my thoughts and prayers!

Vanessa said...

She's still as beautiful as can be!!

Lund7 said...

Praying that all goes well with this round of chemo for your little beauty! It's awesome that she is ok with the "haircut"!

Hope said...

She's gorgeous. I'm praying for your sweet daughter.

Leah Maya Benjamin said...

She's beautiful, and look at allthe fun hats, I'm still just so thankful how well she has done on allthe meds, she is amazing!

Stacy said...

Susie,
She is just as adorable as ever! Those big beautiful eyes and pouty lips are the best! So glad God has given you exactly what you stand in need of throughout this whole ordeal. Thank you Lord for your faithfulness!
Love,
Stacy

Alex and Sam said...

susie,
what a doll Bella is.. i love her new doo!!!! praying for you guys & hoping this round of treatment isnt so hard on that sweet girl of yours

alex

Magen said...

I love the haircut, cute as ever. I am praying that God heals Bella and the road isn't too hard.
God Bless

Jenne said...

What a beautiful girl!

Jack said...

You and your family are in our prayers! Bella is BEAUTIFUL!!!

David and Marianne said...

awwww, such a bitter-sweet post... sounds like you are doing well with it, as is Bella : ) She really does look adorable and truly an angelic spirit to endure all that she has. We continue to pray for Bella and all of you!

Unknown said...

She looks BEAUTIFUL. Can't wait to meet her. Congrats on coming to terms with this. Funny how it is so easy to get caught up in such things - I'd be the same way! But I'm just amazed at the wonderful perspective you have, and your faith and trust. You are very blessed in so many ways.

Mama Bear said...

gorgeous little haircut on the most precious of all princessess

Aileen said...

Bella is just precious with her new haircut and you are an amazing mommy! I love her bows and hats-too cute!

AMY, ROB, JAY, DREW & EMMA said...

She is BEAUTIFUL! Look at those eyes---WOW. I keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.
((((HUGS))))
Amy

Amanda said...

So blessed by your faith. And Bella is so gorgeous, hair or not. I'm grateful every day for her feeling better than was expected. I am grateful that she won't remember the pain, but will always remember the cuddles and rocking with Mama and love of her brothers and Daddy. I'm so grateful for what you teach me every time I read your blog. Thank you, AGAIN!

Love you from afar,
Amanda and Gabi