Halloween Road Rally

This weekend we had our Annual Halloween Party, only this time, we had a new twist by conducting an adult scavenger hunt called a Road Rally. We had 10 teams made up of 4-5 people, all were in costume and we ended the 3 hour excursion with a celebration victory party complete with food, drinks, dj and dancing. What a great night and great costumes. Can you guess my costume? Bella loved wearing her Daddy's boots the day before the party.

The boys all had a fever and cold last week, the fever only last 24 hours and they only missed one day of school. Bella has had a cold and fever since Friday night, but her spirits are overall good and she is still eating an drinking well, so that doctor believes it is symptoms of one of the bugs going around and we are home.

I completed my first 10k Saturday morning and I was really happy with my results...I cant even believe sometimes that I can run 6 miles without stopping. 15k is my next goal, will I get ambitious enough for a 25k? It's going to require a warm sunny place to do that.

Kids are excited for Halloween this week, focus is all on them now.

Be blessed!

Fall Fun

I just had to quick post these two pics of Bella. Loving LIFE! We had a wonderful family day this past Sunday with the six of us at the apple orchard. Bella was completely in love with the pony's and delighted to ride them. I just love this little girls smile and joy.

BOO!

Well, as you can see Halloween is in full force at our house! This is Jake's mask for his halloween costume, its almost as big as Bella! Bella had chemo and spinal tap today, she's doing great...steroids start tomorrow for 5 days, believing her personality will not be altered. All is well, were busy with football, Theatre and planning for our first Halloween Road Rally next weekend. Bella is talking up a storm, in fact, when in her own surroundings, she does not stop. Her personal favorite "please......" and ending it with Mama, Dada, etc. Makes it real hard to not give in. She loves playing with her dolls, doll house, Dora characters and playing "work" with Mommy's pens and paper. I reached my goal of running 6 miles and will be running a 10k next Saturday morning before our party. Believing all is gloriously wonderful in Him for all of you. Blessings!

Meet Number 13!

This the newest member to my family, not only is He the 13th grandchild, but he was also the tie breaker! His name is Nikola Peter and he is PERFECT in every way. This is my sister Mary and her husband Dejan first baby. They live 15 hours away...its so hard not to be with them and too hold this precious bundle. Bella calls him "Nee-toe".

"Be still and know that I am God"
That is Lake Michigan as I seen it this evening. Large bodies of water and the mountains, those of my spiritual physical places in God.

We packed up the kids and headed out to Lake Michigan this evening...40 minutes away, so love that. It was a 75 degree fall evening with over cast skies and the lake was beautiful. Boys and Dave had a great time playing football in the sand, Bella was content to just stroll the beach with me and pick up anything and everything in the sand as well as play in the chilly waters of the low tide. A year ago at this time, Bella was beginning to show signs of Leukemia and we had no idea. Today, she is healed, cancer free, strong, healthy and happy. How faithful our God is to His Word. She will continue chemo treatment for another year and a half, treatments are every 4 weeks, with spinal taps every 12 weeks and daily oral chemo. We see life so differently than we did 3 years ago when we just started the adoption process. The little things just don't get to us very often, my saying around the house "if it's not eternal, it doesn't matter". Sometimes, I get off track but the boys are quick to remind me.

Luv You Me

This is how Bella sings her new favorite song...from Barnie (thanks in large to Malaena). She walks around the house singing this all day to anyone who will listen including her dolls. It's so darn cute. She also loves to say "BABA do", meaning "Bella do". Ms. Very Independent right now and in to EVERYTHING! As soon as I get something cleaned up, she's on to the next project "helping Mommy" as she says...some how i dont think folded laundry scattered all over the floor and back in baskets is helping Mommy. Bella had intervenious chemo last week and this week was the lovely and ever emotional "Ms Steroid"!!!! With praise and thanksgiving, its only 5 days every 4 weeks.

Technically summer has come to an end, but no one told our weatherman and I would like it to stay that way. It's been beautiful the last few weeks, so I predict an "indian summer".

The Princess Turned 2 !!!!

I can't say it any better than my Mother did in the email she sent out to our family today.

"Good morning dear family,

This morning I am so filled with emotion as I look at the pictures of my grandchildren at the cottage two years ago and then last year. Two years ago, our youngest grandchild was Donnie, last year Joey and Bella were added. In 2007 even on this day we did not even know that Bella had been born. In 2008 we had secured Bella and we did not know the challenge that lay ahead. The picture in 2008 is so happy. And praise the Lord if we were to take another picture today, it would be even more happy. She has been secured to our family twice. And it has to be the Lords work. He chose her for us knowing all her needs. And I believe our needs also. All of us have experienced the strengthening of our faith as well as His love poured out to us through this very gentle, demonstrative, loving child. Happy birthday to Bella. Happy day to our entire family on the remembrance of the wonderful day that Bella came into the world. Let us not forget to pray for her birth mother, Elida, who gave her life.

With a big smile on my face, pride in all of you, and believing in God's continued favor and blessing, XONance"

We had a Dora Birthday today for our Dora lover, everything Dora, even her gifts. She was beyond excited. Speical thanks to my siblings who came out to help us celebrate the gift of Bella. It was a great day, and I admit, an emotional one for me. Just amazed and awed always by God's faithfulness to His Word, provision and plan.

Visit from Cheri and Dial Up

Oh my goodness......I am sitting here racking my brain as to how we ever survived internet on dial up. This summer has been one road trip after another for us and I use my cell phone to "tether" to my lap top which works great to get info, but its S-L-O-W! This is the main reason I have not been good about updating our blog. We have two weeks of summer left in which we will be home for 1 week and camping the next. It's been a fun summer, but I am looking forward to having my wireless internet again.

We have been on yet another camping trip since I last posted, a few days at the cottage, Chicago for my brothers wedding, a visit from our MO friends and last night we had our last cottage blow out with a Wine Tasting event on the beach of the cottage with my siblings and our faithful neighbor Paul and Michelle.


As I just mentioned, Cheri and Malaena along with Donnie came to visit us this past week. It went by much to quickly. Bella and Malaena picked up right where they left off, as if they had just been together the night before. They were so sweet together and Bella was so excited when she seen Malae for the first time in 3 months, she ran right over and wrapped her arms around her. The weather at the cottage was not our normal August weather, but we managed to make great memories any ways. Cheri and I never have a problem finding something to talk about or laugh about, we are so incredibly compatible.

Bella continues to do great, we are back to once a month clinic apts. Her hair is really starting to come in and thicken and its just as pretty as it was when it fell out.

We had a terrible loss a week ago, Bella's only friend she truly made at clinic went home to Jesus. Her name is Hannah and she was 14 years old. Although we know Hannah is enjoying eternal paradise, we miss her. It was hard on me, I took to this young girl and her family and the loss has been hard. I rejoice in knowing that because Hannah was in Christ and Christ is in me, I walk and laugh with Hannah every day.

More pics later when I know I have wireless and they upload quicker. Thanks for checking in.

First Night and Award

When I started this post, I almost said "first night without Bella" and then I quickly realized I would have thrown all of you into sinking stomachs fast! Bella is great! She is so stinking cute and also entering the joyful two's. :) This week she experienced her first "time outs" in the porta crib as she now throws fits when we take something away from her. I have not used this porta crib for anything other than sleeping when traveling and now, we have a great need for it. She get's 2 minute time outs when she throws a fit and cant get a grip. God bless her, most times, she is so obedient and sweet.

Tonight is our first night without Bella since she came home 15 months ago. I thought it would be harder, but so far, so good. My little brother Joe gets married in Chicago this weekend and a 2 year old at an out of town wedding would not be fun. So she is home with my in-laws and I am thrilled for Bella to get this quality time with her grandparents. Dave and I and the the boys are looking forward to a fun family weekend with no responsibilities other than fun...but we sure will miss our Princess, its just fun to see her smile, smell her head and kiss her cheeks. She can now say the entire alphabet by repeating it with us and can count to ten when walking up or down the stairs. She say's so many words, but her newest saying "love you" is my personal favorite. She lists off all her cousins names on a daily basis and walks around the house saying "cottage" with a question mark. Her eating is improving and she is beginning to try new foods again. She is still a "night owl" like her Mom and prefers a 10 o'clock bedtime. That works for the summer, but come fall, its over!

We get back Sunday evening and un-pack and pack again for our last summer camping trip with old neighbors and friends. This summer has been a whirl wind of living out of suitcases, yet I would not have changed anything. We spent an entire year home doing nothing with Bella coming home and then her diagnosis and treatment, its been wonderful to have a sense of freedom again. Bella has her monthly spinal tap chemo next week and continues to take oral chemo daily.

While during the adoption process I received a "blogging award", this summer, I am pretty sure you would aware me "worst update blogger". I hope to bring a new energy and look to my blog come fall. the 3 boys will be back in school and travel during the day will come to an end. I appreciate all of you keeping up on us and all your prayers and support.

Blessings, enjoy these last few weeks of summer.

Waiting for 80

My Dad

Johnny

Morgan

Gracie

Emma

Kathleen (aka Teenie)

The infamous and never boring....Joe Joe!

See that little scar on Bella's chest...that is where her port used to be. Sometimes, I forget all about that thing. It is absolutely wonderful not to have the noodle any more and Bella tolerates all her "pokey's" so well.

Were waiting....waiting for summer to come and let Spring be till next year. For all you living in the 100 degree states, I know you think differently, but when you get 6 months of winter, you live for 3 months of summer. We have had a well below normal temp summer as well as many clouds. June was good, but July has been a bit disappointing. Looking on the good side, the skin is staying shiny white amd we are spring cleaning around the house after being gone for 7 weeks. Of course, our break as brief as we have 2 more camping trips planned as well as my brothers wedding in Chicago and hopefully a visity from Cheri and Malaena!

Bella is back on track with her chemo and doing well. Little bit challenging last week as her steroid dose was doubled, a bit grouchy and emotional to say the least. It seems as though we have been at this for so long now, I cant believe we still have a year and half left! Overall, its gone great and we just give God the glory daily for His healing Word.

For those of you that have been wondering, we were camping in Higgins Lake in Michigan a couple weeks ago! Suzi, you got it! :) Need your address sweet friend.

The attached pictures are my family, other than my own kids, I think my nieces and nephews are the most amazing and beautiful children in the world. I love being with the summer and miss them all winter long, so do my kids. They just reflect God's joy. All of these pictures were taken at the cottage a couple weeks ago.

Love to all,