The Call- One Year Ago Today

One year ago today I was working in my classroom at school trying to get ready to start a new school year when the phone rang. I answered it and Stacy our secretary said she had a MaryAnne on the phone. The only Mary Anne I knew, other than my aunt, was Mary Anne at Dillon. I took the phone call and it was Mary Anne from Dillon. She said she had a little boy to tell me about. She shared about a little boy from Can Tho. He was born on June 14th. She shared some other basic information and then asked if I wanted to see more information. I printed off the information after telling everyone at the school and calling Rachel, my friends Sue and Michelle, and my dad who was going to go with me to Vietnam. I asked my dad if he had his passport ready. I couldn't work any longer because I was sooo excited. So I left school and went to the pediatrician's office to have her look over the information so I could make a definite decision. She didn't get back to me until the next day but I had already made up my mind that this was my son. What an exciting day! I can't believe how things can change in one year!!

Vacation - Day 3

We started out the day on Wednesday by going to the neighborhood park. The boys got to swing together. Don't they look so cute together? Even the big girls got in on the swinging action. Then it was a walk through the neighborhood and back to Natashas for naps for the little guys.




While they napped, the big girls got to play dress up and try on Natasha's wedding dress. I can tell you that I am definitely not ready for that day to come yet.

After naps we headed over to the Dillon office to meet Jynger, Mary Anne and some of the others who were instrumental in helping us to bring home Levi. It was a very special time as we got to tour the office and put faces with names.








We intended to eat at a local Vietnamese restaurant that had catered food for the Vietnam weekend, but they were closed and we ended up eating at Taco Bueno. It was good as well but I was certainly looking forward to some Vietnamese food.

When we got back to the house it ewas time for the boys and Avi Joy to lay down for another nap. Then, we headed into Tulsa and did a little shopping before going to Maggies, a family run Italian restaurant. It was excellent!!! All in all it was a fun-filled day filled with great food and great fellowship.

Vacation - Day 2

On Tuesday we left by 8:15 to head to Tulsa. It took us 6-1/2 hours with stops to get to Tulsa. Thankfully, Levi slept for part of that time. As we drove, I was excited and nervous. I was finally going to meet Natasha, Adam, Avi Joy and Nehemiah. Once only strangers we were brought together as friends through 2 little boys born in Can Tho, Vietnam. They shared clothes and toys and many other things in the first 7-8 months of their lives and now after 6 months would be reunited. How sweet!! I know that they probably didn't recognize each other or understand the significance of this meeting but hopefully someday they will understand how important their friendship and the friendship of their mothers is.


Nehemiah and Levi getting a snack before their moms head out for massages and facials.


When we arrived, Nehemiah, Avi Joy and Natasha were waiting outside. There was lots of hugging and then the girls (Rachel and Ariana) were shown around the house as they would be babysitting for about the next 2 hours. Natasha was so sweet as to arrange for us to get away and have massages and facials. It was wonderful!!! It was the nicest thing anyone could have done for me. I will forever be grateful to her for making me feel so special.


Levi

Nehemiah

Rachel and Avi Joy playing dress-up

Avi Joy and Nehemiah

Rachel with Avi Joy and Nehemiah

Ariana with Avi Joy and Nehemiah

Nehemiah making a face that looks just like a Levi face. It was totally amazing how much their facial expressions are the same!

After our massage and facials, we went back to Natasha's house for supper with the Homans. They are another sweet adoptive family who has adopted a little girl (Sarah) from Vietnam and a little boy (Andrew) domestically. They are currently in process to adopt a third child. Again, what a blessing to meet a family whose blog I have followed in person. It amazes me the connection that exists because of adoption.


Levi, Avi Joy, Nehemiah, Sarah, and Andrew

Vacation - Day 1

On Monday we began our vacation. Our destination was Tulsa, OK to connect with people that we have become acquainted with through our adoption journey. Along the way we took in the sights and sounds of several other cities. We began by traveling from our home to St. Louis, Missouri. Our hope was to take in the Arch and the zoo this day. My plan was to leave home at 6:00 a.m. but with a car to load, two teenagers and a 1 year old, we didn't leave until 6:30. Not bad, all things considered. We arrived in St. Louis around 11:00. After finding our way to the Arch, we took some time for a picnic lunch. Then it was off to the top of the Arch. There were a lot of people at the Arch on Monday and we had to go through security and get tickets to ride to the top. Then it was wait for 1-1/2 hours before getting in line to go to the top. This is when I was given my unexpected "water baptism" down my back. The view from the top of the Arch is beautiful. We took several pictures and then because it was so crowded, we headed back down.

Because it was getting close to supper by now and the zoo would be closing by 5:00, we decided to wait until our return trip to do the zoo. So we headed to our hotel to get settled in and then to the mall (I can't imagine why we would want to head here with 2 teenagers). We ate in the food court and then the girls set out on their own to shop. I headed to JC Penny but didn't last long before someone was in need of a diaper change. So, to the opposite side of the mall I headed with Levi. As I was leaving Pennys, I noticed a play area for children so I decided to just head there and wait for the girls to finish shopping. Levi loved playing on the toys in this play area. I knew it would be difficult to get him to leave when the girls were ready to go. When the time came, he did pretty good. We had some ice cream at Marble Slab before heading back to the hotel. Levi settled down and went to sleep quickly and didn't wake up until 6:15 the next morning. We were so thankful he didn't wake up in the middle of the night and thankful for a door separating the bedroom.

Anyone for a good laugh...on me?

So, today was the first day of our vacation. We got up and left early this morning (altthough not as early as I would have liked). Even though Levi didn't sleep until after Springfield, he did quite well in the car. Perhaps it was having 3 women to look after him, with one in the seat right next to him. We reached the Arch in great time. We had some lunch and headed over for the tour. We had to go through security and then buy our tickets. Then we had to wait for an hour and a half to go up so we decided to go through the museum that is there. I had Levi in the stroller but he didn't really want to stay in there so I put him in the carrier. Well, on the front wasn't working because he kept wanting to grab the camera when I was taking pictures so I put him on the back. He hadn't been on my back more than 10 minutes when I felt this warm liquid running down my back. You guessed it!! He had peed through his diaper, his onesie, his shorts, and onto me and the carrier. Needless to say, it looked like I had peed my pants as well. Praise God we still had 45 minutes until it was our turn to go up because I had to make the long trek back to the van to get clean, dry clothes for both of us and then back through security (because even though I explained the situation to one of the ladies, they would not make an exception for me). Well, we can definitely say it was a memorable start to our vacation. Pictures to follow hopefully tomorrow. For now it is off to bed!

Hey Mom...Look what I can do!

Hey Y'all! This is Rachel! So all I have to say is we need a new baby gate because the barricade I set up isn't working!

Here's the scoop: We always have problems with Levi going into the kitchen while we're in the living room. It's a pain because you can't see what he's doing so you have to keep getting up and bringing him back into the great room, which he stays in for about 3.5 seconds, and then he's off into the kitchen again. So yesterday when I was babysitting him I decided to set up a barricade to keep him in the great room. I pulled some of our bar stools and dining room chairs and set them up in front of the entrance to our kitchen. It worked great!....for about 3 hours. Later on that night I was on the computer in the living room and mom was making supper in the kitchen. I confess I was supposed to be watching him...but I thought...what can he do...he is after all trapped in here. Then I heard an exclamation from mom. Apparently Levi had hoisted himself (with only his arms mind you) up onto one of the dining room chairs and was standing up looking over at mom.

All I can say is...he is one determined little person. Not to mention strong! Since then he had been pulling himself up whenever he feels like it because he thinks he's such a big shot! Today I caught a picture of him pulling himself up onto the chair so he could get a better look at the laptop. He's a stinker alright...but pretty darn adorable anyway!

So the moral of my story: please...anybody with an extra babygate...it would be much appreciated!

Peace Out!
Rachel :)

Happy 16-1/2 birthday,Rachel

I love this girl!! She has been a source of joy since the day she was born!! I can't even begin to tell you how proud I am of her. I am thankful for the relationship that we have. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching her grow and mature into the beautiful young lady she has become.

Weekend Visiting

This weekend we went in to my aunt's house in the "burbs". Although we drove in pouring rain all the way there on Friday, by afternoon it cleared up and we were able to spend some time in my aunt's heated pool. Levi went in with grandma and grandpa at first and was okay for a little bit but then wanted mom. We found that he prefers not to be in the floatie because he can't get close enough to the water. He likes to put his face in. The only problem is that he ends up drinking the water and then coughing. We found that he is definitely a little fish. He loves the water!! On Saturday we had him in for about an hour and got him out because he was shivering. Rachel was still in the pool and he decided he wanted in and did figure out how to get his legs over the edge to get in. Of course I was right behind him and Rachel was in the pool right in front of him.

On Friday night we grilled out hamburgers and had potato salad and other goodies. My aunt had put out some black olives and Rachel decided to give Levi a piece of one to try. When he got it in his mouth he said "yum" as clear as day. It was so cute! We were all really surprised because olives are kind of a different taste.





Isn't this picture great? Rachel took it from the pool. We didn't realize until we downloaded it onto the computer how great the details were. The water droplets in the air are just one of the great details we noticed. If you click on the picture you can see it bigger and can see the details much better. Rachel is going to enter this photo in the county fair. I was thinking I may see if there are any other photo contests to enter it in.


My aunt Diane and Levi. She is the one who took my dad and I to the airport and picked us up again when we came back from Vietnam. We stayed at her house that night before heading home.

aunt Diane's sister Julianne and Levi

my cousin Julianne and Levi

My cousin gave us a boatload of toys, books, videos, etc. for Levi. We filled up our entire van and sent some things with my parents as well. It was like Christmas and his birthday all wrapped up in one.



We also got to meet Jessica and Ethan in person. It was so sweet to see the boys together. They played with Ethan's toys - not together but side by side. When one had a toy, the other one wanted it. We have been blessed to see pictures from when Chad and Jessica were in Vietnam getting Ethan and then as he has grown and developed since coming home. We have always enjoyed all the silly faces he makes and yesterday we got to see some of his silly faces in person. He is absolutely as adorable in person as he is in photos. When Ethan's grandparents left, he went to stand by the door to see them off. Levi decided that he wanted to stand there too. It was the cutest thing to see. Rachel went out to take their pictures from the otuside. We look forward to getting to know them better. It is nice to know that one of Levi's buddies is only a short distance away. I hope that they can become good friends over the years. Hopefully Chad Jessica and Ethan will be able to come and visit us sometime.













Before heading home we stopped at Panera Bread and got some supper to eat in the car. Rachel ate hers and then fed Levi. He just sat in his car seat with his hands behind his head and let her do it. I think he was rather enjoying being fed. It was really quite comical, especially because he just thought he was sooo funny.