Thankful Thursday . . . in the nick of time.

It feels a little odd to single out two of my birds, but I kind of singled some others out last week, so here goes . . .

This Thankful Thursday I am especially thankful for what is going on in the lives of my firstborn bird and my tiny China bird . . .

My firstborn bird, Bryce, was promoted to the rank of Senior Airman today. Three stripes baby, and a pay raise! Oh yeah! My Survival Instructor bird returned from a week in the field tonight, and as always he called his mama. Oh how I love to hear that sweet deep voice of my firstborn. What's not to be thankful for? Bryce, you have worked hard the past two and a half years to get where you are. I am so thankful for the man you have become. I am so thankful for your noble character. I am so thankful that the Lord is at the center of the choices you make, and the life that you lead.

I am so thankful for the privilege of being your mom!

Thankfulness! From big . . . to my tiny China bird.

Flit decided this morning that she wanted to wear her little pink Gotcha skirt, which in turn sent her mama on a trip down memory lane. A very thankful trip . . .

Oh just look at my girl now. Still tiny, but not as tiny as she used to be. I am thankful for the two and a half inches, and the three pounds that my little bird managed to add in the past year. All that despite four surgeries . . . and of course despite her calorie burning flitting. Smile. I am thankful for caring doctors, successful surgeries, and for the fact that it is all behind us now (at least for awhile). I am thankful for patient speech therapists, and for the progress that our sweet girl is making. I am thankful for new sounds achieved, and new words pronounced, and for sentences! I am thankful for the way she says, "I. Love. YOU!" spontaneously throughout the day . . . for the giggles, the teasing, the chasing, the joy. I am thankful for the way that she trusts us, for the way that she looks at her siblings and grins her little "life is good" grin. I am grateful for the caring look in her eyes, and the compassion in her voice when we talk about friends who need our prayers. She's "been there" and she "gets it"-- an amazing thing for a four year old. I am thankful for her very first full sentence prayer, uttered preciously tonight, just before bed. "Thank you . . . God . . . for . . . my . . . home." My heart soared. Home to Teddi means so much more than this house we live in. It means us. Her family. Forever.

For eight years I prayed for this little girl--five of those before she was ever born, and now she is home, and I still have to pinch myself . . . fifteen months of pinching myself! Thank you Lord for hearing the prayers of my heart. Thank you Lord for bringing Teddi to be one of us. She is home, and she knows it. My heart overflows in gratitude to our God of details, who made the most perfect of little birds, and brought her home to bless my nest. There are no words.

(If you have never read Teddi's story, it is here at the end of her dedication post. Only God.)

One more "thankful" to mention. My dad underwent an outpatient heart procedure this past Monday morning. Did you know there was such a thing as outpatient heart anything? I didn't. Anyway, I am thankful to say that his procedure was a success and he is prayerfully on the road to recovery. He's a busy retired man, who hasn't enjoyed "sitting out the summer" while awaiting his turn with the surgeon. Daddy, I'm praying you are back to your "busy" self soon!

And to my Grinner (since I can hardly ignore that sweet grin) . . . I am thankful for the way you still look at pictures from the day we got Teddi, and GRIN! I am thankful that even today, as we took our trip down memory lane, you squeezed your arm tightly around your sister's shoulder and told her once again, "Teddi, I was soooo happy to see you!" Be still my mamas heart.

Now that only leaves two birds out. I can't do it. So . . . I am thankful for the fun cheeseburger date that I had with Brady last night. Yep, just me and my teenager and it was GOOD, the fellowship and the food! We need to do that more often B!

One more -- I am thankful for text messaging . . . and for my new phone with a keyboard! And for the 100 plus messages I pile up every week or so between me and my newlywed Taylor bird, who now lives in Houston . . . three hours away from her mama's nest. That would almost make it seem like we don't talk. Not to worry. We do. I love you my married bird, you too Francisco Z.!

Another Thursday with so much to be thankful for! Did I mention we got rain? Enough to moisten the worst drought here since they began keeping weather records. Thank you Lord for a refreshing shower, it made many, many people smile. And speaking of smiles, my blogger friend Tammy is wearing a beautiful one in China this week! Tammy and her husband Jim, along with big sister Madi (herself a tiny Chinese treasure) welcomed little sister Emma Hope into their open arms this week. She is precious! Four more siblings wait at home in Alabama to love on that baby girl. Thank you Lord, Emma is coming home!

Wow! So much . . . so very much . . .

Blessings from my "countin' my blessings" nest ~

Tina

Wordless Wednesday . . . Wedding Style

Just want to share a little more of our sweet May day . . .

Blessings from my "sure was fun" nest~

Tina

Thankful Thursday . . .

You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me!

I sing for joy because of what you have done.

~ Psalm 92:4, NLT

Today I am thankful that . . .

Teddi's recovery was nothing short of a miracle!

I know I've said this before, but by everything that I had heard about this surgery (from other mama's with babies who have been through it), it was supposed to be tough. When the doctor told me that the recovery wouldn't be "much worse" than her tonsil/adenoidectomy, I answered him with a disbelieving "Realllllly. . . . I've heard differently." Well, guess what? This recovery did not compare to anything this tough little bird has been through. The first 24 hours were rough (with the stents), but honestly she slept through most of that. Day two, when she decided to eat, she did it with gusto! A bowl of soup . . . pureed sweet potato's . . . applesauce . . . and THREE, yes three servings of ice cream . . . washed down with a carton of chocolate milk! You go little bird! And pain control? Plain old children's Tylen*l. Period. And once we were home, she only needed it on occasion. For her last three surgeries I will tell you that we had to set an alarm for Tylen*l with codeine, around the clock. For days.

Truly, nothing short of a miracle. My sister told me (through tears) that she had asked the Lord specifically, to spare our little bird from the pain this time. I know many of you were praying too. Oh how He answered our prayers! I am so thankful. The nap that Flit took last Wednesday afternoon, upon our return home from the hospital, was the last nap she took of the week. There was no couch time. As far as she was concerned, her recovery was O-V-E-R! Other than a slightly altered diet, of soft-ish foods, you would never know that my little bird has a throat full of sutures! She's flying strong!

"You thrill me oh Lord, with what You have done for me!"

I am thankful too, for the delicious meal that was brought to feed my family while I was away . . . for the leftovers of that same meal when I returned . . . and for the over abundance that is now in the freezer, to be enjoyed on a "I don't feel like cooking" day! Sooo good!

I'm also thankful for the three packages, and sweet cards that Teddi was blessed with upon her return home. What special surprises! Thank you to friend Claire in Alabama, friends Seth and Gavin in Nebraska, and also to Aunt Me-me, and Papa and Grandma, in Michigan. You guys rock!

Crafting with big sister.

I am thankful to my sweet Taylor, for staying in San Antonio to take care of Brogie, and to "hold down the fort" while we were away. Not only that, but for entertaining both babes during the week, as I recovered from an ugly sinus infection. Thank you Frankie, for letting us have your new wife! Thank you Taye for everything, I couldn't have done it without you.

I am thankful for a fun Sunday spent with our only Texas family. My first cousin's son, Aaron (who was born just three days after my Bryce) and his wife Michelle, have been stationed here near us since we moved here three years ago. It has been wonderful to have them close by, especially on holidays, when we are all so far away from our immediate families. There's just something about family, you know? Even when it is a second cousin twice removed. Who came up with that? I like the southern way better . . . they are "kin"! Aaron and Michelle are finishing up their time in Texas, and will return home to Michigan very soon . . . just in time to welcome their first baby into God's great world! We will miss you guys, but we are so thankful for the time we have had together!

On this Thankful Thursday I am also thankful for this guy (who is not going to be happy with me for using this crazy pic from his Colorado trip). Brady has been taking Brogie on excursions with him to his favorite guitar store, and then to "Happy Hour" at Soni*c, for "big brother/little brother" slushes. Brogie is ever so happy for "brother days" as he calls them, and mama and Teddi enjoy their time together as well. Tonight the brothers even hit the grocery store on their way home to pick up dinner. I love my teenager! Yes I do!

I am thankful to know that two more little China treasures are going to get families of their very own. My friend Alycia and her family, are working toward bringing their sweet (nearly four year old) Adahlyn home. And my friend Jen, whose daughter Sunshine was Teddi's orphanage sister, announced last week that Sunny is going to be a big sister! Jenn and Lloyd are working toward bringing three year old Maisy home. Thank you Lord for putting the orphans in families.

Lastly I am thankful for antibiotics, and for the fact that I am on my way to recovering from this sinus yuckiness. Oh yes, and I am thankful for air conditioning! Unfortunately it took our A/C malfunctioning last night (and our indoor temp rising quickly to a sweaty 83 degrees) to make me realize just how thankful I am for air conditioning. Make that VERY thankful! It seems to be working again now. Ahhhhhhh, cooooooool, thankfulness!

"You thrill me, Lord, with all You have done for me!"

Blessings from my thankful nest~

Tina

Oops, one more! I am thankul for my sister-in-love Jodi whose birthday is this very day! Jodi met my brother Fritz, in Kindergarten. They "liked each other" off and on over their younger years (haha), until they finally commited to each other (are you ready for this?) in the eighth grade. True story! Bry and I started dating the very same month (I was a junior, he was a senior). Fritz and Jodi married three years after we did, and between the four of us us we have been married a total of nearly 47 years! Thankfulness! On top of being a very busy and commited pastor's wife, Jodi is a homeschoooling mom, a listening ear to many, and the bestest sister-in-love! Fritz and Jodi have three great boys (umm, young men), and they are praying to adopt-- I'm counting that as one more thing I am very thankful for! I await the day that I will be told that I am going to be an Aunt again . . . maybe to a baby . . . maybe to a teenager . . . maybe to a precious sibling group. I will be thrilled!!! Happy Birthday Jod! May the new year bring you treasures from above! I love you!

Flit Is Back in Business

We are home from the hospital, and so very grateful for all of your prayers! God truly has smiled on this little bird, and other than a long nap to recharge, she has been up and playing most of the day. The results of your prayers are so evident! She is eating and drinking fine and has had nothing but regular Tyleno*l since her surgery, and hasn't needed anything stronger! If you read my earlier post about this particular surgery you know that I was prepared for much worse. The Lord truly has answered our prayers that this would not be "tough" on Teddi! Thank you Lord!

She had to have nose stents (it really is stents, not stints-who knew?) in place for the first 24 hours, and she was quite unhappy with them (and with the arm boards to keep her from bothering them), but thankfully she slept through most of that time. Once the stents came out late yesterday morning she started eating and drinking (soft foods) for us, and she hasn't stopped since!

We arrived home at 10:30 this morning, much earlier than I expected. She is working on a craft project with big sister right now-- I interrupted her to take this picture. Big sister ended up staying here instead of taking Brogan to Houston . . . a decision we made after being awaken at midnight on our Saturday night getaway by a sobbing Brogie. He wanted mama and daddy to come home, "now!" After it took twenty minutes on the phone to console him, I knew Plan A was not going to work. Much thanks to my newlywed girl for helping us out, even though it meant being apart from her new husband, who had to return to Houston by himself. (Thank you Frankie!) In the long run Plan B turned out to be a much better plan, as Teddi cried for Brogie while she was in the hospital (more than once) and a long separation would have been tough on her too. Brogie and Taye did get to come visit her in the hospital, and boy was she happy to see them!

I am still battling the crud I had before Teddi's surgery. I am going to the doctor in the morning, as I think it has turned into a sinus infection. Ick. Thankfully I did feel better on our little getaway (which was great), and for the hospital stay.

Thanks again for all of your prayers for us. My heart is so blessed. Flit is almost back to flit mode, I stand amazed at His goodness!

Blessings from my "glad that is over" nest ~

Tina

Little Bird's Surgery Update

Hello, this is Taylor posting for mom! Teddi is out of surgery and it went well. She will be in Pediatric ICU at least for the night, as a precaution. If all goes well, they will move to the regualar pediatric ward tomorrow. Hopefully they will not have to stay more than two nights. So far, so good! Thanks for the prayers!

What Have We Been Up To?

Where to begin?

At the top, I guess.

Or more appropriately the summit. Many of you may remember that when I left off in June, Brady was headed to Colorado on a mission/excursion with an organization called Dry Bones. He spent three days climbing a peak in the Rockies, and then another three days hanging out with the street kids in Denver. The climb was tough, really tough, but Brady said he would do it all again, if given the chance, including the street stuff.

This is my guy at the summit-- 14,000 feet! Am I a proud mom? Oh yeah. I love that huge "I did it!" grin he's wearing. Way to go B!

Never at a loss for things to do, Brogie declared one day, "We are going to make masks out of paper plates!" Followed by a hopeful, "Mom will you help us?" They picked the animals and I assisted. These are their proud results. The next day, Brogan wanted to make a monkey, and Teddi a tiger so . . . we did it all again.

With Teddi's cast off, it was time for a little summertime fun . . . Two swims, to be exact, before we hit stage three water restrictions due to drought. Stage three means no filling of yard pools. Bummer.

It was fun while it lasted! Needless to say, most of our playtime is taking place inside, as we push or hit 100 degrees, daily, here in HOT south Texas. This Michigan girl is really missing the green grass and cool nights.

Some of that indoor fun includes dress-up. Here we have the serious surgeon Claire, accompanied by Teddi, who appears to have spent some time in Beverly Hills. Careful in the heals Ted, or you may need Claire's professional skills!

We headed to Houston (three hours away) to celebrate Independence Day with the "Newlys"-- Taye and Frankie! Bry had a four day weekend, so he and I and the "littles" had a nice stay in the big city! This flag was hanging in the Memorial City Mall. "Oh say can you see . . . "

Swimming in the beautiful pool at big sister's new apartment complex. We had it all to ourselves on the 4th of July. Nice!

A visit to the mall meant a fun ride on a double decker carousel. Flit loved it!

Grinner was all about riding the tiger . . .

Taylor, and Frankie's sister Kathy, enjoyed the ride as well. Frankie's mom and sister were also visiting in Houston for the weekend. We had such a good time together. If you look closely in the pic above, you can see Frankie catching a nap on the bench down below.

The mall also has an ice rink. Guess who loves to skate?

Hint: He grins. A lot.

More skaters. Teddi had to be an onlooker, since she was still

on broken elbow "probation" (as in taking it easy, doctor's orders).

Next time Ted, you can slip slide with the rest of them!

Unfortunately when you are a military family, summertime usually means saying goodbye to someone, or several someones. We had to bid the Haines Gang farewell the beginning of July, as they headed for Alabama. As you might remember, Robin and Gary and their kiddos lived just down the street from us. They traveled to China just two months behind us, to bring home sweet Claire . . . Teddi's first best friend (here in the U.S.). Above is a pic of Claire's big brother Hunter, who Brogie thought was extremely cool, and funny (and he is)!

And here are our precious China treasures together. It took us a year of trying, to get a good picture of Teddi and Claire together. It only happened this time because we stood them up on a big rock--and they had to be still! Oh the things we do. We will miss you Haines Gang and we are so grateful for the special time that we shared together.

I have much more to share, but it's late, and I am supposed to be painting. Brady decided to move into Taye's bedroom since she is gone. His bedroom will now become a guest room. Wow, we've never had one of those. A nest with a guest room . . . that's what happens when the birds start flying! One catch. We allowed Brady to paint his room (a big deal in base housing where everything has to be returned to the original "melted vanilla ice cream" shade, as I call it, before you move out.) Since I don't have any big desire to decorate a guest room around Brady's choices of Pylon Orange and Hurt My Eyes Green--I'm painting. Well, I'm supposed to be painting, but actually I'm blogging! The double coat of primer has been painted (thank you Bry), but my two gallons of Glidde*n "Soothing Green Tea" await my roller. Don't tell anyone (okay, just don't tell my kids). . . the label "guest room" is really a cover up for "Mom's new quiet hangout". Ahhhhh, I can't wait.

Taye and Frankie will be here for the weekend. More motivation to get the "guestroom" painted. Guess who is finally going to get to celebrate that 25th wedding anniversary that happened in May? Yep, us, at the Hyatt on the Riverwalk! Yippee! Bry and I are escaping for a day, and a night away, thanks to the "newlyweds" who are coming to hang out with the "littles".

One more update. Teddi's Pharyngeal Flap surgery is scheduled for this coming Monday morning (the 27th). I have heard this surgery referred to as "the mother of all sore throats". Not sure how long she will be hospitalized, anywhere from one to four days is what I have seen on the "AdoptCleft" Yahoo (support) group I am a part of. Our surgeon says it shouldn't be much worse than her tonsil/adenoidectomy. The Yahoo Group mamas say the recovery is

T-O-U-G-H! Will you be in prayer for my little bird . . . and for me? My heart is so heavy right now, knowing that come this weekend I will have to "break the news" to Teddi that we are going back to the hospital so that the doctors can "help" her again. I know her tears will stream as soon as the words leave my mouth. Brogie will be going back to Houston to spend the week with big sister and Frankie. I am so thankful that I won't have to worry about Brogie as I care for Teddi, yet I've never been away from him for more than a night. I will miss my little man. Teddi will be none too happy that brother is going merrily on his way to Houston, and she gets to go to the hospital. No fair. So sorry baby girl. I'm so sorry. My heart hurts . . .

On a happier "THANKFUL THURSDAY" note . . . Dave and Rebekah arrived home with all four of their Brazilian treasures on July 6th! They are now a family of eleven, and recently posted a new family picture. Take a look here, it will bless your heart! Thank you Lord for moving many mountains on behalf of this precious family. I stand in awe! Thanks to all of you who prayed diligently for the Mowry family as well.

I have missed blogging, but honestly it has been a very good rest. Please know that I wasn't completly away . . . even though I have rarely commented, I have been peaking in (quickly) on you my friends. I have shared your wedding joys and your sweet Gotcha anniversaries, your graduation celebrations . . . your ups . . . and your downs. I am so blessed to be a part of each of your lives. Thank you. And to those of you who don't blog, but follow me along, thank you too!

Blessings from my nest ~

Tina

Mama Says . . .

. . . to be on the lookout. She's working on a post!

Blessings from our summmertime nest ~

Teddi ~ on behalf of Mama