January

I am so glad January is almost over! I looked at our blog from last year this time and the girls were sick at the same exact time. The good news is the girls are doing much better. Braylen still has the occassional cough, but they are doing really well. They are starting to get their appetites and sleeping schedule back in sync. The bad news is now I am coming down with something! I have a lot of drainage and and chest congestion. Can anyone tell me when spring will finally be here? I am so ready for spring and summer. I have never liked winter and the older I get, the more I dread January, February and March. Ok, enough complaining, maybe I will actually start taking pictures again and start posting more interesting things!

Nothing to Blog About

I have been informed that it has been WAY too long since I have updated. I have not taken ANY pictures since my last post.

Alea's asthma has kicked in. We are doing treatments 3 times a day. We have been weaning her off of her Zantac for acid reflux, but with the asthma attacks, the reflux had surfaced again. If by 24 months she is still bothered by the reflux, we will have to have surgery to repair the muscle. We are praying this will not be necessary.

Braylen has started coughing a lot. I am not sure if it is a cold or asthma. She used to have to take treatments. I went ahead and started her on treatments today as well. Let the fun begin!!! We were wishfully hoping to miss all the winter sickness this year, hmmmm.....

Brad and I have been busy working on a playroom for the girls in the basement. It is not finished, but playable. I will try to take pictures of it to post for everyone to see!

I Can't Believe What I Just Did!!!!

I just registered this baby for Kindergarten Round Up! How can this be? When did she go from Baby to Kindergartener???? Oh, I don't think I'm ready for this next step in life....

Mama Bev's Rocking Chair

Yesterday we received yet another package from Taiwan! This time it was things from Ted and Bev. They sent us clothing that Alea had come to them with. They also sent a Chinese New Testament, her hospital bracelet and a bag the hospital gave them. We were so grateful to receive these things! It is amazing how much of Alea's heritage we have already! They also sent the following that I had to share with you. It was written by Bev about her rocking chair.


Mama Bev's Rocking Chair


It isn't a very big chair. It doesn't have arm rests. It was brand new back in 1973. It folds up when not in use which is pretty much never. It has a slanted back that just fits me. The seat is only about two feet from the floor and that is perfect for me since I am quite short legged. It has been spit on, vomited on, and wet on, but it doesn't care.

As I sit in my rocking chair, I often sing a song that I half made up, "Rock a bye baby in the treetop. When the wind blows they cradle will rock. When the cradle rocks the baby will sleep. Sleep soundly my baby for Jesus to keep." Usually the baby's little eyes begin to close. The song I sing the most frequently is "Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong, they are weak, but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me, the Bible tells me so." When I care for the sweet little babies that song is sung hundreds of times. Why? Because that is the message that any child I have ever rocked needs to know. We are weak, but Jesus is strong.

My rocking chair and I rock together. It soothes me and my sweet babies at the same time. When I hold feverish sick babies it helps them feel better.

My rocking chair has many stories to tell about the babies that have been rocked in it. They were little and big, fat and skinny. Each one needed a special loving touch and cuddle. God allowed me to be the one to give that love and snuggle.

I never get tired of kissing babies, their soft little skin. They put their faces up next to mine and I give them a peck on the cheek. I always say, "God loves you and Mama Bev loves you, too." Maybe you were one of those precious babies I have rocked.

A few years ago a little eight month old baby boy came to our home. He did not know me and he was afraid of me. I rocked him. It did no good. I tried to feed him. It did no good. I walked the floor with him and he still cried. I said, "God, you calmed the storm and this little guy feels like he's in the middle of a storm. I've done all I can to quiet him and nothign has worked. Could you please calm him down? " I had no more than finished praying when the little guy laid his head on my shoulder and went right to sleep. God is so good. I call that "My God calming the baby miracle."

Then there was the little sweet bundle we found at our front door about 1 a.m. one morning. It was cold. SHe was nice and clean and wrapped in a heavy blanket. Papa Ted brought her into the house. She was so sweet and cuddly. She was about one month old, we guessed. I fed her and rocked her adn then we laid down on the couch together. After some crying she snuggled into my arms and fell asleep. That was our routine for several months until she got settled.

Lots of times as I sit in my rocking chair I play with the babies. They love to bounce up and down and fly like an airplane. As I kiss them on their neck they usually come out with a great big giggle. I have a wall hanging which says, "My day is complete. I heard a child laugh." I love that sound!

My rocking chair hears lots of crying. It doesn't care. We just rock away and try to make our little angel happier. We often listen to Christian music to set the mood. We just keep singing and rocking.

My rocking chair is ordinary, but to Mama Bev it is very, very special. God gave it to me so I can use it to bless others. The Bible says in Colossians 3:23, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." As I rock sweet babies I imagine I am also getting to rock sweet Baby Jesus. I thank God for the privilege.

We are commanded to love one another and to share the love of Christ with others. I think Mama Bev takes that command seriously. We are so thankful that she loved on our sweet Alea until we could bring her home. She loves some of the "least of these" and as she does, she loves her Saviour over and over again. Think about that!!

Happy New Year

Here are our girls on New Year's Eve before going to a party at friend's house. Alea was eating

a quesedilla before heading out. We had a fun night and both girls made it up until the new year! We are all very tired today!!! Happy New Year to all our friends and family out there. We pray this year finds you healthy and rejoicing in the blessings of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Merry Christmas From Alea's Birthmother

Alea received a package in the mail the other day from her Birthmother. We love when we get word from her birthmother all the way in Taiwan. Alea got lots of bath toys all in a rubber ducky theme! We love it! Thank you, birthmother!! We love you and pray for you daily! Please stay in contact with us! We would love to hear a comment from you on this blog if you read this!

Braylen on Christmas Morning

Braylen thoroughly enjoyed Christmas this year! It was fun to see her get so excited about each and every gift. This year, she and Alea got a pink Kitchen set. They got a stove, sink and refridgerator from us. Aunt Shelley got them a pink mixer, coffee maker, toaster and pots and pans. They got so many nice gifts. Here are some that Braylen got.

A special gift from Daddy--a daddy and little girl sitting together

Alea on Christmas Morning

Alea liked opening presents because Braylen was so excited about it. She wasn't quite sure what it was all about, but it was fun anyway! Her favorite gifts were elmo, her rocking chair and her pink refridgerator. Aunt Kiki got her an Asian baby doll! Alea isn't all excited about it, but Mommy is!!!

Mystery Santa Visits a Final Time

We heard a rustle downstairs Christmas morning and Brad ran down to see that Santa was in our living room, he ran upstairs, grabbed the girls and we all saw Santa leave out our door. Aunt Kiki and Papaw also saw what was going on. Too bad Mamaw was in the bathroom. We came down stairs to see what had been left for all of us! On top of the toys was a red box with a note that said THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL. OPEN NOW. We opened the gift and it was Baby Jesus for the Veggie Tale Nativity set and Mary and Baby Jesus for the Willow Tree nativity set. There was also a DVD that had a note saying to watch it now. We watched and learned all about the very first Christmas when the greatest gift came to earth, Jesus! This was an awesome way to start our Christmas morning! Thank you, Secret Santa!!!!

Christmas and Grandma and Grandpa's

We had a great time on Christmas Eve at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Santa even came and passed out some gifts to us all! Thank you for a great day!!!