tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58831996973651821742024-03-05T09:27:42.103-05:00Adoption Makes SixA Journey of Faith With Limited SightScott and Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16177441773628427955noreply@blogger.comBlogger119125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883199697365182174.post-44785067119185164512014-05-26T23:09:00.000-04:002014-05-26T23:15:15.046-04:00Mini GolfI am posting Mercy's first time mini-golfing. I have two reasons for such a simple post. One is because my oldest daughter took lots of great pictures and I wanted to share them. My second is because I not only want to share life from an adoption stand point, but to also share life with a child who has Albinism. I want anyone who is considering adoption to see that life is normal (well if there is such a thing). There really isn't much that our little girl won't try and most times doesn't succeed at. I have had the privilege of sharing with a few prospective families in the past year who were considering a child with Albinism. I want to be open here too so that if someone is searching the internet and stumbles across our blog they will see first hand what our precious little girl can do.<br />
<br />
She loved mini-golfing for the first nine holes, after that the novelty wore off and she got bored (totally an age thing). She could not see the hole from the putter point, but as she seemed to catch on quickly that she just needed to swing at the ball and send it somewhere down the green. That became her goal. Eventually tse would get close of enough to the hole that she could sink it. We chose a yellow ball for her figuring it would have the highest contrast, plus it happens to be her favorite color at the moment. She did great and we had fun. She over shot the ball pretty often but we simply didn't count those against her. That may be partially a vision thing, partially an age thing and partially just normal, because we all do it at one time or another. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizYAI9qNC6UITIpEdXwOP9VBy7RZh4C9d0TRYsZMkNjbq3NHTMpioWDGWLcPnVJZWX0rLT-H1CK_Kmi0TP3oxPEluyy9FlJBkE-43sM0GEWFBMZBO2IiBxj5A8abGmREvgo-TpXivh7ANH/s1600/DSC07105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizYAI9qNC6UITIpEdXwOP9VBy7RZh4C9d0TRYsZMkNjbq3NHTMpioWDGWLcPnVJZWX0rLT-H1CK_Kmi0TP3oxPEluyy9FlJBkE-43sM0GEWFBMZBO2IiBxj5A8abGmREvgo-TpXivh7ANH/s1600/DSC07105.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMZWShdPRbG8vcFyL7BijCUXrr8heb9qrj8uZcuQJwyoDhyphenhyphen6RdMREo3fefwV35bbIaaxkwU40WiEnUweaaxfSoYLWamwL-sk9KzVtATsi9oN4LrjvId4GutpAyBsupglSuAil2Rl-cOZjF/s1600/DSC07106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMZWShdPRbG8vcFyL7BijCUXrr8heb9qrj8uZcuQJwyoDhyphenhyphen6RdMREo3fefwV35bbIaaxkwU40WiEnUweaaxfSoYLWamwL-sk9KzVtATsi9oN4LrjvId4GutpAyBsupglSuAil2Rl-cOZjF/s1600/DSC07106.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKfsKcRuVCL-k94oGZYH3DoPh4IEmMyfgVpkNWKLllIqSlEq8liETJECQEykIpbhcCxX3TkEVK7iEvSwWBAolBzaEPoGfwLdWVDem6pqcsapKU4IOcUCSiW_-JcFjAgi9HQlY-AF83p0rM/s1600/DSC07114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKfsKcRuVCL-k94oGZYH3DoPh4IEmMyfgVpkNWKLllIqSlEq8liETJECQEykIpbhcCxX3TkEVK7iEvSwWBAolBzaEPoGfwLdWVDem6pqcsapKU4IOcUCSiW_-JcFjAgi9HQlY-AF83p0rM/s1600/DSC07114.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOyQw4trRSpmupvW4718UU-IfzRxldCrRoZK7UPQ4qRVGXVLHl66oYwQRW_POvMxLsGEvmdMh_wM9jKOA07ca7_AUTwH8IA9cLnsvn-Oq516am1lnFdPOZJmWt2SqUauUdrDgzgVGN98mE/s1600/DSC07111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOyQw4trRSpmupvW4718UU-IfzRxldCrRoZK7UPQ4qRVGXVLHl66oYwQRW_POvMxLsGEvmdMh_wM9jKOA07ca7_AUTwH8IA9cLnsvn-Oq516am1lnFdPOZJmWt2SqUauUdrDgzgVGN98mE/s1600/DSC07111.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZPcbtxCvWB5JSORT0hQqzo5himAWUDsxxM6fl0kUM8wPKsv0QhDe5oON7VDvA6KymFKFOnWn-HCTJChPXalpC_9GSBtmlS4KnSmyplQjg09ev54_nDpeyqCDL_r3p7TkkBoKgSNfcG02Y/s1600/DSC07108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZPcbtxCvWB5JSORT0hQqzo5himAWUDsxxM6fl0kUM8wPKsv0QhDe5oON7VDvA6KymFKFOnWn-HCTJChPXalpC_9GSBtmlS4KnSmyplQjg09ev54_nDpeyqCDL_r3p7TkkBoKgSNfcG02Y/s1600/DSC07108.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrA1ccALsqpXy4myUH7KaPTYpLhuMkyg6vQhBZkpR8XJkHZQ7zBtw07gAYSGb4KtTDTDVXd-hBTl7xu3__bTWqMUeugOE3s9NRhrUf8_fAimKHHIix2Ga0YMWpaTSZ3DNZEdLkJ7eZu8K-/s1600/DSC07119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrA1ccALsqpXy4myUH7KaPTYpLhuMkyg6vQhBZkpR8XJkHZQ7zBtw07gAYSGb4KtTDTDVXd-hBTl7xu3__bTWqMUeugOE3s9NRhrUf8_fAimKHHIix2Ga0YMWpaTSZ3DNZEdLkJ7eZu8K-/s1600/DSC07119.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8ZGs1AZJ4rqHscwR4LUXtODSmssk4QOoXdhmO5f-e6-l8OMMyIuGPoiD8ZYGeVaypprBvn16S6LFWPFTB9__SC82vY_G-UOkIEDXI_zYF5IYs7zQHJXAlWR4dfDq8ptPEO0axdhJ1bDr/s1600/DSC07172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8ZGs1AZJ4rqHscwR4LUXtODSmssk4QOoXdhmO5f-e6-l8OMMyIuGPoiD8ZYGeVaypprBvn16S6LFWPFTB9__SC82vY_G-UOkIEDXI_zYF5IYs7zQHJXAlWR4dfDq8ptPEO0axdhJ1bDr/s1600/DSC07172.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ21jIAbqdwbkkMxJ4drdonzGpTygxk1GL5AGtTC9cW98J6RsngkcPGM8t7HrzCFzdnFjq_ExYaX0DQ6wV2-qf-L7TAcPwp9QXwGWdyi8kmdyio7YerVIW3IHpRr9cXAPO4Lldv7I7YQmc/s1600/DSC07184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ21jIAbqdwbkkMxJ4drdonzGpTygxk1GL5AGtTC9cW98J6RsngkcPGM8t7HrzCFzdnFjq_ExYaX0DQ6wV2-qf-L7TAcPwp9QXwGWdyi8kmdyio7YerVIW3IHpRr9cXAPO4Lldv7I7YQmc/s1600/DSC07184.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqu1joM6L_eDQylTuVE_VfyJNbjj1lvs3RkyD0j_gFKDZn-surYxgeMY6CxPxRgzprjY-T7q-tvldpQm8nPUMZasRpsbL2yK8CpudtzLRjZj-TqIpA0EH629ajCT0v8MH2ohmNPRS7W_28/s1600/DSC07188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqu1joM6L_eDQylTuVE_VfyJNbjj1lvs3RkyD0j_gFKDZn-surYxgeMY6CxPxRgzprjY-T7q-tvldpQm8nPUMZasRpsbL2yK8CpudtzLRjZj-TqIpA0EH629ajCT0v8MH2ohmNPRS7W_28/s1600/DSC07188.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
Scott and Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16177441773628427955noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883199697365182174.post-43679556211849178782014-05-10T17:23:00.000-04:002014-05-10T17:23:16.839-04:00She calls me Mommy.Mercy calls me mommy. This is a new thing. From the day we met her until just recently I have always been Mama. While it was a word she used to recognize me as a Mama in her life there was always a lack of endearment. Why? Because I knew that she called every other caretaker in China Mama too. That is what Chinese orphan children call those special ladies that meet there needs from day to day. So I was just another Mama to her. So the first time she called me mommy my heart melted. (Actually she calls me "Money.") But I know what she is trying to say and I will take it!!! I know there is a difference in her calling me mama verses mommy. It may seem strange to many, but I really believe in my heart she is recognizing in some way that when my other kids call me mommy there is something different in that word and so she now calls me "Money" too.<br />
<br />
The other night she woke up around midnight crying. It was most likely a nightmare. We have had the same scenario countless times before. But as she cried she called out "Money, Money." (deep sigh). As I went into her room to comfort her and assure her mommy was still here and hugged her she took a hold of hand and said "Money pray." This girl never ceases to amaze us. She finds comfort in praying when she is scared, at three years old! Her heart of worship, her heart seeking her Heavenly Daddy changes me for the better. She's such a gift, our little Mercy girl, such a sweet and precious gift.Scott and Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16177441773628427955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883199697365182174.post-3593454595763369072014-03-23T23:06:00.000-04:002014-03-23T23:06:35.191-04:00A Simple KissI am writing tonight because I want to mark a long awaited milestone. Tonight, for the very first time, Mercy impulsively kissed me. She has kissed me a thousand times, but not without some sort of prompting. Whether because I kissed her or because I ask her "can I have a kiss?" or someone else prompting her to "give mommy a kiss." But tonight she was simply sitting on my lap at the kitchen table and out of the clear blue, no prompting what.so.ever, on her own accord leaned in and planted the sweetest, gentlest kiss right on my cheek. I don't know if I can even describe what that moment felt like. It was a wave of emotion. From shock "did she really just do that?" to surprise "oh my word she just spontaneously kissed me at her own will!" to overflowing joy because a new victory was won tonight. It will be 10 months tomorrow that this fragile little girl was hoisted on a plane by two strangers who she barely knew and flown half way around the world to a unfamiliar and foreign land. Ten months of hard work, hardship, hard times intertwined with easy days, good days and moments like tonight. Moments where everything stops, including the beat of your heart because it has just skipped a beat as a surge of joy passes through it. Moments when you remember this kiss from her marks a milestone. It came with a price. She let her guard down tonight and allowed her heart to love, spontaneously. It has taken 10 months of her taking in and testing our love to bring her to a moment where she could lean in a kiss a cheek of someone she is growing to trust and love. I am so so so thankful I get to be that person!!!!! Thank you Jesus for a simple kiss, a memory I will cherish for as long as I live.Scott and Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16177441773628427955noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883199697365182174.post-43884670951576725622014-02-14T14:22:00.001-05:002014-02-14T14:22:53.156-05:00Mercy's First Valentine's DayWe have a few Valentine Day traditions at our house that we couldn't wait to share with Mercy this year. Sure it's a "Hallmark" holiday, totally man made, totally a money-making kind of day. But it's still a celebration of love, and who doesn't want to celebrate that? <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6TxPa-k07BrQYvVP0mnp0_tHTL8u0_Aoh0lfxoDrjChThIV_QT-i7bW3l7-LHsWDc8MCslQVAGT4ct62n8Bx_8CbwWehQF03D4arae3VrLmwCqwHvQhyOaLjTH2NxTdCzuursT3QfNLBj/s1600/DSC05606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6TxPa-k07BrQYvVP0mnp0_tHTL8u0_Aoh0lfxoDrjChThIV_QT-i7bW3l7-LHsWDc8MCslQVAGT4ct62n8Bx_8CbwWehQF03D4arae3VrLmwCqwHvQhyOaLjTH2NxTdCzuursT3QfNLBj/s1600/DSC05606.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making silly faces with her brother, who loves her very much.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbY1QCkl9DV5lPnsbzbNoBu-blsKTDuzS8MwrcTUU58XMHUUc2_mEPO50ch12m59pRS75oRzHZUbPTHoAD-NxycLtc44b-5_951ku_umqIAqcuajbEH3lRW9-4jUMce7-0CFuelwEgURw/s1600/DSC05611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbY1QCkl9DV5lPnsbzbNoBu-blsKTDuzS8MwrcTUU58XMHUUc2_mEPO50ch12m59pRS75oRzHZUbPTHoAD-NxycLtc44b-5_951ku_umqIAqcuajbEH3lRW9-4jUMce7-0CFuelwEgURw/s1600/DSC05611.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Receiving her very first flower from her Daddy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCkk_eodQNO7tbAIcHrRRonP2AwU9hNHn3TUg532lFR9zUHaO6Q6z6fPZlA1cwEgjogFq0FtONEocPZbiCfXj6CLMK2XXY3gYa_9cnHxgMnS8uGsD6oP2PAZBXJddGN2CRJvC-CDwzk2Rr/s1600/DSC05615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCkk_eodQNO7tbAIcHrRRonP2AwU9hNHn3TUg532lFR9zUHaO6Q6z6fPZlA1cwEgjogFq0FtONEocPZbiCfXj6CLMK2XXY3gYa_9cnHxgMnS8uGsD6oP2PAZBXJddGN2CRJvC-CDwzk2Rr/s1600/DSC05615.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He is smitten with her!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKIflfY02NW8oZFGjpoixpykvm0iAQhLn-ndV3N6rPNezX0yXZk6aKT0AL_D2YavSP7UaHJUdG4IzSKRMfPcOjOQ_2VQRIioHwG06KTlThyYBw8iiOix8_pdKhl_vhw19wfaslFeKXtzj/s1600/DSC05619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKIflfY02NW8oZFGjpoixpykvm0iAQhLn-ndV3N6rPNezX0yXZk6aKT0AL_D2YavSP7UaHJUdG4IzSKRMfPcOjOQ_2VQRIioHwG06KTlThyYBw8iiOix8_pdKhl_vhw19wfaslFeKXtzj/s1600/DSC05619.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pink, heart shaped pancakes made with love by her big sister.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghv76ufjNfsigtyR8gs__vJsBs6xegCAqADDJX-6tkLgQf9a_q2gYJqkwPNbi1rP6KrvuOdBKgGRd8exkqd7lOAyjQpxPOt-Nc8ekeEhwwocKJpSiLaza1W4KDEQ2rkgiNlxfizuJDI1Lb/s1600/DSC05624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghv76ufjNfsigtyR8gs__vJsBs6xegCAqADDJX-6tkLgQf9a_q2gYJqkwPNbi1rP6KrvuOdBKgGRd8exkqd7lOAyjQpxPOt-Nc8ekeEhwwocKJpSiLaza1W4KDEQ2rkgiNlxfizuJDI1Lb/s1600/DSC05624.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yum!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Scott and Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16177441773628427955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883199697365182174.post-11442750216432402602014-02-14T14:17:00.002-05:002014-02-14T14:17:44.111-05:00Chinese New YearA little past the day, but wanted to post a few pictures of Mercy celebrating her first Chinese New Year with us. We attended a luncheon hosted by Living Hope Adoption Agency. They are the agency that did our home study as well as does our post-adoption follow-up visits and reports. They had it in a banquet hall with a Chinese buffet and brought in some Chinese Dancers. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYUWB1p8sNXlnRPfHDjHeWvD21Q2OCB9fO_OABnKD3swVuguFhSRZNxCf4nyoNawGVOs0AaBS7udYnjNadh8AAWbnwQOU9xkO8Rhq7TYuwCPgk9c4BPNZDye8TWtzFhEnSfLUHaJTlJDQU/s1600/DSC05342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYUWB1p8sNXlnRPfHDjHeWvD21Q2OCB9fO_OABnKD3swVuguFhSRZNxCf4nyoNawGVOs0AaBS7udYnjNadh8AAWbnwQOU9xkO8Rhq7TYuwCPgk9c4BPNZDye8TWtzFhEnSfLUHaJTlJDQU/s1600/DSC05342.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mercy with her little friend Brynna</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiynTlp6xYAUiE1u31supI7D_rsRscTpb5VtKyRNUesw7BPqRmDfWhU5qb6_SVx0FSBQxT2xrv5nL5I9js46TfQl9rT7Bo7lu_CRxDAcs5CEpQQnTJ5z8r1r0CT7D004-iAAheahYOXFk56/s1600/DSC05344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiynTlp6xYAUiE1u31supI7D_rsRscTpb5VtKyRNUesw7BPqRmDfWhU5qb6_SVx0FSBQxT2xrv5nL5I9js46TfQl9rT7Bo7lu_CRxDAcs5CEpQQnTJ5z8r1r0CT7D004-iAAheahYOXFk56/s1600/DSC05344.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZaa1kzKWgQgrcxhBmYVsOeHj0OeVtMmdCcYoN2kR9QLIacoaxf5C8zXePQ6OQbs5tIjizZDK6j5PWgeEn2jehd_v_xiT0zIqUnMmBpMmqYgkQET1bzdS6YnsqYbRU5gF1yVnJvp9sdIn/s1600/DSC05347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZaa1kzKWgQgrcxhBmYVsOeHj0OeVtMmdCcYoN2kR9QLIacoaxf5C8zXePQ6OQbs5tIjizZDK6j5PWgeEn2jehd_v_xiT0zIqUnMmBpMmqYgkQET1bzdS6YnsqYbRU5gF1yVnJvp9sdIn/s1600/DSC05347.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOaEQb97Mfo6CZQ_PkBocyH4zGjCoZ4dqQ3J7V6QclIX1EuYFebWfoxAkNjniAdW_zeU0uiV7LH7VGkwPA_OZKSWj-0JpK8C9R-UPJpNTN6MB8EfS1VAcliCuOi8cBVrPfZZOaFIxX71-w/s1600/DSC05348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOaEQb97Mfo6CZQ_PkBocyH4zGjCoZ4dqQ3J7V6QclIX1EuYFebWfoxAkNjniAdW_zeU0uiV7LH7VGkwPA_OZKSWj-0JpK8C9R-UPJpNTN6MB8EfS1VAcliCuOi8cBVrPfZZOaFIxX71-w/s1600/DSC05348.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMyaJfQ5msyL9kJej0qqCOj-YeoX7Z5O3HWGikbZqX_aMjuIiUIlq1iVhCo6XihvZ5SAcTYfivFsdNGeOmUYJyAIV3hgZSa9LsxbhvqId_SJ2yN788kStCGQ_lUF2MfccoPjyfc5ZFTMia/s1600/DSC05349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMyaJfQ5msyL9kJej0qqCOj-YeoX7Z5O3HWGikbZqX_aMjuIiUIlq1iVhCo6XihvZ5SAcTYfivFsdNGeOmUYJyAIV3hgZSa9LsxbhvqId_SJ2yN788kStCGQ_lUF2MfccoPjyfc5ZFTMia/s1600/DSC05349.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRu989UXlf3UCrApWl8Lm4EXC6vUIG21OWcUBpb3pRf7RarFTf-cRpjnkqCapuUaI6EVUyB2S71-fgCgD5rg5zfj2-b33Dlk82gDSvbkQaJ28JqduEFv6RyFS4uLszhVIkUzgww7HSUBfS/s1600/DSC05360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRu989UXlf3UCrApWl8Lm4EXC6vUIG21OWcUBpb3pRf7RarFTf-cRpjnkqCapuUaI6EVUyB2S71-fgCgD5rg5zfj2-b33Dlk82gDSvbkQaJ28JqduEFv6RyFS4uLszhVIkUzgww7HSUBfS/s1600/DSC05360.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhgFJ-R6nl6tZ0FhX5LGxdHx67zSpq38TW9OtrDEFY_3pmlRJobiXdnQ5Up4ZplRKsD5XoXR-sIdXfMQTuXlD8AhCsaAcuoT1yEprLlzrcVZp9YuubQXnEKqdN2gSCZOHyttMLmjaO_iwI/s1600/DSC05380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhgFJ-R6nl6tZ0FhX5LGxdHx67zSpq38TW9OtrDEFY_3pmlRJobiXdnQ5Up4ZplRKsD5XoXR-sIdXfMQTuXlD8AhCsaAcuoT1yEprLlzrcVZp9YuubQXnEKqdN2gSCZOHyttMLmjaO_iwI/s1600/DSC05380.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0WE3IqM7lUSoH7tTaOVDZ8IFuXvDfnZCKQrNIfDuxpmihj5lSrHOxZ4iRv8uIoAJEXK89lxG5Rj-6rdNgjrv1hncBuJIKs64xQxyRId3YWfESvbHjDlMP6SvITIOlvE2GYdn9CRofoLqM/s1600/DSC05393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0WE3IqM7lUSoH7tTaOVDZ8IFuXvDfnZCKQrNIfDuxpmihj5lSrHOxZ4iRv8uIoAJEXK89lxG5Rj-6rdNgjrv1hncBuJIKs64xQxyRId3YWfESvbHjDlMP6SvITIOlvE2GYdn9CRofoLqM/s1600/DSC05393.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mercy reading a Chinese New Year book from her friend Brynna.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwOW71y5A3hP6srFE6U8gJlOtkxL14IgbIpo9qnLDV4hlLL5Ph6OEBRKBgff5BVevdkDM1EiW-GnsQXoj6wqAMHPgaj_B2H9-9Z325tElAp21X8SUjleAJQrdgqcHPQUqAkmQ3M7E9bKA-/s1600/DSC05395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwOW71y5A3hP6srFE6U8gJlOtkxL14IgbIpo9qnLDV4hlLL5Ph6OEBRKBgff5BVevdkDM1EiW-GnsQXoj6wqAMHPgaj_B2H9-9Z325tElAp21X8SUjleAJQrdgqcHPQUqAkmQ3M7E9bKA-/s1600/DSC05395.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Scott and Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16177441773628427955noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883199697365182174.post-41855617634917325932014-01-05T00:34:00.000-05:002014-01-05T00:38:08.233-05:00First Christmas<div style="text-align: center;">
Mercy's First Christmas </div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7YI_A4YE1xYjThz7Ewd9BBVQg6OBP60VRxxfd6VwWwCNmj2ip3YBV7U6_Svlsanh5yQVP-HXTUkv_g9p9sLvXj-qUBa4Kjwkza9XvA5vaovUZIkGBTdduy8XwDnnrwon_iZlbmKc-D-Em/s1600/DSC04190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7YI_A4YE1xYjThz7Ewd9BBVQg6OBP60VRxxfd6VwWwCNmj2ip3YBV7U6_Svlsanh5yQVP-HXTUkv_g9p9sLvXj-qUBa4Kjwkza9XvA5vaovUZIkGBTdduy8XwDnnrwon_iZlbmKc-D-Em/s320/DSC04190.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Christmas Tree outing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7LzldRMwT8ZmIvaMqUL123C135TxeJmAEBZ8sZ9EWnIV_AvvrjZ12Y5E-FrP-1yhCUzbbC90IR776fDefYS1p4WE-vwKcP5RO4gCSF1e9bdg65YGdNzEhNfibqWPxpQert6MmHwh2lARV/s1600/DSC04202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7LzldRMwT8ZmIvaMqUL123C135TxeJmAEBZ8sZ9EWnIV_AvvrjZ12Y5E-FrP-1yhCUzbbC90IR776fDefYS1p4WE-vwKcP5RO4gCSF1e9bdg65YGdNzEhNfibqWPxpQert6MmHwh2lARV/s320/DSC04202.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5rcDe8oNpUXZq9hmR0h4xeE8dpJERD0Q1PrBCalgIp0PI625Dgx2bs5vXMDAF7cSYT4IiLZBD0GGyeIKbmHIMmwMMRWJtREUQUyNl1bLNSPDy2YL6_AbxuzbMF5_MQNZQSkZ5EkRQQfg/s1600/DSC04268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5rcDe8oNpUXZq9hmR0h4xeE8dpJERD0Q1PrBCalgIp0PI625Dgx2bs5vXMDAF7cSYT4IiLZBD0GGyeIKbmHIMmwMMRWJtREUQUyNl1bLNSPDy2YL6_AbxuzbMF5_MQNZQSkZ5EkRQQfg/s320/DSC04268.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First time seeing Christmas tree lights</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5GttqUyR1aU68IzAFEnRd7FnxICFVC_JVHUj0d61Dlhjg8lN-7r4rrdoUWKw7luCPyrsDsbPfg9AtJH8IcHNBO6-vgM2bfOP2spfwHQgG8vzZbFGtigJ-9kybnA-saQIEx_YyNmtb6K04/s1600/DSC04299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5GttqUyR1aU68IzAFEnRd7FnxICFVC_JVHUj0d61Dlhjg8lN-7r4rrdoUWKw7luCPyrsDsbPfg9AtJH8IcHNBO6-vgM2bfOP2spfwHQgG8vzZbFGtigJ-9kybnA-saQIEx_YyNmtb6K04/s320/DSC04299.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First time on a ladder (sorry, couldn't resist making this one public)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg63iOsFu_Wiw6yaIbaQ5r68U_QN_AeA4SiUdqI5R3eQidfNM0BeF5gQ1SyQ21aOVB6FgeS-p3_AtS9KlmI4sb1uFJTpYhynTp5V236GEMb0XXHgCmRps1DpS-tZrcWYsMp8bR5PBWWUZGz/s1600/DSC04324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg63iOsFu_Wiw6yaIbaQ5r68U_QN_AeA4SiUdqI5R3eQidfNM0BeF5gQ1SyQ21aOVB6FgeS-p3_AtS9KlmI4sb1uFJTpYhynTp5V236GEMb0XXHgCmRps1DpS-tZrcWYsMp8bR5PBWWUZGz/s320/DSC04324.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Ornament</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpP2TxyWE-13Fq6WNVasDxi3n6-iMg8ObHyeEPKQqvxesKV1EHRZlVoK3vGlMJZnlxLkDaJ4rRol9d29ZK60BPOqCSaZLzLWo9_aTk6_EiRO-7lSiyuFn6a6GkoxWQWDJyNlXjVwubdenV/s1600/DSC04333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpP2TxyWE-13Fq6WNVasDxi3n6-iMg8ObHyeEPKQqvxesKV1EHRZlVoK3vGlMJZnlxLkDaJ4rRol9d29ZK60BPOqCSaZLzLWo9_aTk6_EiRO-7lSiyuFn6a6GkoxWQWDJyNlXjVwubdenV/s320/DSC04333.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Christmas Tree group photo (notice how happy she is about it)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV7A3V0Ug_F3HoQ4QObIrdC4AO1-JLCNuweGO0thuo3NI2B-UfdPVxSfTIlgPXTjZErohfJj-AjQxkdzIyBSuAq1Gu3a58WfnDhsmxg5MZovhyphenhyphenWGCvxl2DNamqbYUfwAcwEmYMva3-lzp3/s1600/DSC04408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV7A3V0Ug_F3HoQ4QObIrdC4AO1-JLCNuweGO0thuo3NI2B-UfdPVxSfTIlgPXTjZErohfJj-AjQxkdzIyBSuAq1Gu3a58WfnDhsmxg5MZovhyphenhyphenWGCvxl2DNamqbYUfwAcwEmYMva3-lzp3/s320/DSC04408.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First time on a sled, very unsure about this</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_w1vOEHaI1_sGAWejtae_iZl7Tr2Pum3tkJP8tevDH25fugCPW9GiGArALhG8NiAx9UINRcWPMIvdeXvDTgJC7AJQiCw-w6RBR74YWMdadKfb_1ZLmvTTJjopCcpifRVvV5d7XyKt3COv/s1600/DSC04460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_w1vOEHaI1_sGAWejtae_iZl7Tr2Pum3tkJP8tevDH25fugCPW9GiGArALhG8NiAx9UINRcWPMIvdeXvDTgJC7AJQiCw-w6RBR74YWMdadKfb_1ZLmvTTJjopCcpifRVvV5d7XyKt3COv/s320/DSC04460.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Snowfall, not a fan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUtr2zPjejiugE2AZ2zwZul4bjHlYNR61vHqhlEYSLZ-bVfgtaQxhmOh_UvLPh7Z8ZUKv8J3m40MDMH2bsReIPzmd7EPawS8cesYmualvPZIXdbJb9lKN1PkKXlKVaInAiwTrg27NCQvF/s1600/DSC04761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUtr2zPjejiugE2AZ2zwZul4bjHlYNR61vHqhlEYSLZ-bVfgtaQxhmOh_UvLPh7Z8ZUKv8J3m40MDMH2bsReIPzmd7EPawS8cesYmualvPZIXdbJb9lKN1PkKXlKVaInAiwTrg27NCQvF/s320/DSC04761.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It has been a long standing tradition for many years that we eat Chinese on Christmas Eve. This is her first time though. We never knew when we started this tradition that so many years later China would hold such a special place in our hearts.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQi6lOvt6CXpdLiY3y-L3tXrh4m-UbC_ZQwuwIK9iK-JU6wMYX-exra_eNheaVkZN9st2LIwgc6rrJLgqy6sLQSdP9zpMUl6nIPhottXuwrQNYFjIc82OnwG4N99ivqucAUQFI8QFC2Rr/s1600/DSC04787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQi6lOvt6CXpdLiY3y-L3tXrh4m-UbC_ZQwuwIK9iK-JU6wMYX-exra_eNheaVkZN9st2LIwgc6rrJLgqy6sLQSdP9zpMUl6nIPhottXuwrQNYFjIc82OnwG4N99ivqucAUQFI8QFC2Rr/s320/DSC04787.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Christmas Eve gift (PJ's)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSZrfFNGQnBm-_XWPscF4DS1pTPvq_4gtCaLGpfzkHqm43lD7L35g1KBgiYaPYYQVICiFlTzOqKDbQLVxdATpGHV1AmVyT5W9ipjYKHLNZRhdoqBNEdfGlXnShV-CWZ5IP3CTL-KJsrfy/s1600/DSC04825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSZrfFNGQnBm-_XWPscF4DS1pTPvq_4gtCaLGpfzkHqm43lD7L35g1KBgiYaPYYQVICiFlTzOqKDbQLVxdATpGHV1AmVyT5W9ipjYKHLNZRhdoqBNEdfGlXnShV-CWZ5IP3CTL-KJsrfy/s320/DSC04825.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Christmas Morning wait</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheBNbBuxKlQo4Xrwe7NzZlzctiDmr5kANWa2evX5DzQpxJQkUoo7A4nRaJS2EduXwRVrR6YnaJXzOUC5JHBmr1nO1kxhtMxMLyhxsKm90b-iJg8Uc7psBlKao_eO1mRxVNDHHG1HNxfTo2/s1600/DSC04833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheBNbBuxKlQo4Xrwe7NzZlzctiDmr5kANWa2evX5DzQpxJQkUoo7A4nRaJS2EduXwRVrR6YnaJXzOUC5JHBmr1nO1kxhtMxMLyhxsKm90b-iJg8Uc7psBlKao_eO1mRxVNDHHG1HNxfTo2/s320/DSC04833.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Christmas stocking</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijCh_pcU5DAcs1J5Ytbu4Hl-RFVgbEmdxkyL7WbwLGZ9waYFwysvuHi0pkZfirCebes5wwL1Pd_pPVvwS6jtsQTa_ob56ayD21Un4LWc361raN90ykpmCAToyQqP7Y18Aa1_Yzhj69KNFr/s1600/DSC04868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijCh_pcU5DAcs1J5Ytbu4Hl-RFVgbEmdxkyL7WbwLGZ9waYFwysvuHi0pkZfirCebes5wwL1Pd_pPVvwS6jtsQTa_ob56ayD21Un4LWc361raN90ykpmCAToyQqP7Y18Aa1_Yzhj69KNFr/s320/DSC04868.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Christmas morning sticky bun. YUM!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCj_y7M_Fdget3_v9RsOydm250R9wlm6mRDehD59lm1ofr1eiGddhlXrKCNMNgSkXhMOvVWMz9x7jcnLqcVU19jSfTeuqxe87r1tmeqBd1ueeyGTe_g2gREnv1k2jaTaPUEd1xoIGZ_HsD/s1600/DSC04873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCj_y7M_Fdget3_v9RsOydm250R9wlm6mRDehD59lm1ofr1eiGddhlXrKCNMNgSkXhMOvVWMz9x7jcnLqcVU19jSfTeuqxe87r1tmeqBd1ueeyGTe_g2gREnv1k2jaTaPUEd1xoIGZ_HsD/s320/DSC04873.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First time hearing Jesus birth read from the book of Luke</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF5-sHsUT02sWoQBjNtV7G-onlW4IoVUaqp_XCt8z7uZT-fbV00C2mQ-Fd9HueUykfHhroOvypC3GGVFmvktKzAKj5PWUPdDKAKZfJC93EDxSVTwt2xA9AAqOblUuKii2_Gq154UN4panq/s1600/DSC04893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF5-sHsUT02sWoQBjNtV7G-onlW4IoVUaqp_XCt8z7uZT-fbV00C2mQ-Fd9HueUykfHhroOvypC3GGVFmvktKzAKj5PWUPdDKAKZfJC93EDxSVTwt2xA9AAqOblUuKii2_Gq154UN4panq/s320/DSC04893.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First present</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30qYDKHAEwvV17qSQ7o1fFF8r_PMAyq2Z8agCDoxhLBfCW_UlrINpGfY61Ub-1ahBte6fyVedxzcDUGw-zeuB1kr_9bIM5tk17-vRQXlBNHTbYYTwsLxzFZDre6hEdvJly-oPRmnaO3Z1/s1600/DSC04897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30qYDKHAEwvV17qSQ7o1fFF8r_PMAyq2Z8agCDoxhLBfCW_UlrINpGfY61Ub-1ahBte6fyVedxzcDUGw-zeuB1kr_9bIM5tk17-vRQXlBNHTbYYTwsLxzFZDre6hEdvJly-oPRmnaO3Z1/s320/DSC04897.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just because</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiamDQpF67bIbbH-a-LAA1-IG_7MInzKYMnhde1sWeFH5uHxmKh5V8-mJwcecx1CkM5Clpc5-BGn2ocvBwsW-nkO0uGauyACicdiLvUwbz3NssPmXCh7RZXEz4dSfs4crpnIeNIcXt0GjP-/s1600/DSC05018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiamDQpF67bIbbH-a-LAA1-IG_7MInzKYMnhde1sWeFH5uHxmKh5V8-mJwcecx1CkM5Clpc5-BGn2ocvBwsW-nkO0uGauyACicdiLvUwbz3NssPmXCh7RZXEz4dSfs4crpnIeNIcXt0GjP-/s320/DSC05018.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First birthday cake for Jesus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBLPm9S4KtANmQT3MnT1Oi1VC2-HHAKF6WWD69jOAiVndRys18fCLkneMAkQPrV4E8CkCk_343FKABsGyxcXalHpYtLYavgyBLLE8il5GeQMVKznuQODBGE7C797CMwe3tXq9RfSWEMiP/s1600/DSC05039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBLPm9S4KtANmQT3MnT1Oi1VC2-HHAKF6WWD69jOAiVndRys18fCLkneMAkQPrV4E8CkCk_343FKABsGyxcXalHpYtLYavgyBLLE8il5GeQMVKznuQODBGE7C797CMwe3tXq9RfSWEMiP/s320/DSC05039.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And let's not forget her first New Year's Eve! </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
What a wonderful Christmas we had this year celebrating our Savior's birth </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and celebrating Mercy's First Christmas with us. <br />
<br />
</div>
Scott and Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16177441773628427955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883199697365182174.post-42495882495200525252013-11-30T00:11:00.000-05:002013-11-30T00:15:54.805-05:00Mercy Came RunningYesterday we celebrated Thanksgiving. This year we have so much to be thankful for. The obvious would be that Mercy is here with us to celebrate her very first Thanksgiving with her family. This year brought so much change to our life, and hers.<br />
<br />
While we have so much to be thankful for in regards to all that has happened in 2013, yesterday's celebration brought a few thankful moments of it's own. Mercy seemed to be much more comfortable around her extended family. She didn't fuss or cry while visiting at my Aunts house. This was a first for that. She let Grandma Jane hold her, her cousin Mark play with her, and she sat on her Uncle Steve's lap and listened to music on his phone. These are all people who she has been with many times, but this was the first time she let any of them get close to her. It was nice to see her opening up and letting them into her heart.<br />
<br />
The biggest blessing came in the way of Aunt and Uncle's dog Ruby. Ruby is a gorgeous, sweet, friendly boxer. Mercy was standing in the doorway of the dining room when she was gently greeted by Ruby's presence. Mercy turned away from Ruby with a look of fear on her face, a bit of a wimper came out and she ran. It wasn't a dramatic scene. She didn't scream or anything. She just made a sad face, cried a little and ran as fast as her little legs could go. So where did the blessing come in? Mercy ran straight for ME! She ran in my direction and right into my arms where when she got there all the wimpering and the scared face disappeared. She got scared and she turned ran to mommy for safety and comfort. My tears swell up just typing it!!! This is the greatest blessing I could have asked for this Thanksgiving. She is growing in her trust of us and because of her growing trust she is finding security in our arms. Mercy is learning that her family is there for her when she needs us. She is learning that when something doesn't seem right she has someone to lean on. She is learning that when she is scared Mommy (and Daddy) are here to protect and comfort her. It's been six months since she came to live with her new family. Six hard months. Yesterday some of the hard stuff we have faced was blessed with the fruit of our labor. We are thanking the Lord for His work in Mercy's life and in ours this Thanksgiving.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBFBuM7aYls3FWvEneE1gY_6_fuqWY1qXMJzs-4WniyDYL89nzn9j3x3AoqKZ3nXUEZT5JT95mQwNIpxXSgWyX4ersXNnLLdr29laKJCOSazQhdJky_ykqyWy2l1OwNg5O8HX4FmHcuaME/s1600/IMG_3476+Crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBFBuM7aYls3FWvEneE1gY_6_fuqWY1qXMJzs-4WniyDYL89nzn9j3x3AoqKZ3nXUEZT5JT95mQwNIpxXSgWyX4ersXNnLLdr29laKJCOSazQhdJky_ykqyWy2l1OwNg5O8HX4FmHcuaME/s320/IMG_3476+Crop.jpg" width="190" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruby</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Scott and Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16177441773628427955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883199697365182174.post-91822029471402501122013-11-03T21:54:00.002-05:002013-11-03T21:54:48.628-05:00Mercy's Child Dedication on Orphan SundayToday is Orphan Sunday. It's one day in the a year where many churches come together to bring awareness to children in need around the world. It's also a great time for pastors to remind their congregation that we are also orphans, that is until we are adopted by God through Jesus. "<span class="text Eph-1-5" id="en-ESV-29195">he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,</span> <span class="text Eph-1-6" id="en-ESV-29196"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved." Ephesians 1:5-6 </span><br />
<span class="text Eph-1-6" id="en-ESV-29196"><br /></span>
<span class="text Eph-1-6" id="en-ESV-29196">Today our church family recognized Orphan Sunday by having a Child Dedication Service. Three families whose lives have been changed by adoption dedicated a child today, our Mercy being one of them. Three very different testimonies of how the Lord has brought three different children into three different families. All with challenges, all beautiful, and all changed for the better.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4sAs8ZWVC2P5PUYHwGIoOPuL1gj4LnIoy3Q0KzzTA6UwiYoOpdOD2PvWCoUBnqNf56ss3ix9c8g7APgg8E0l5jTMN1IJoqimumG89VFRFbwDsQF8pQL6AXKxUBb0EU029mylc2znS3xn/s1600/DSC03963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4sAs8ZWVC2P5PUYHwGIoOPuL1gj4LnIoy3Q0KzzTA6UwiYoOpdOD2PvWCoUBnqNf56ss3ix9c8g7APgg8E0l5jTMN1IJoqimumG89VFRFbwDsQF8pQL6AXKxUBb0EU029mylc2znS3xn/s320/DSC03963.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="text Eph-1-6" id="en-ESV-29196">Last year I wrote a post about Orphan Sunday, you can read about here: <a href="http://scottandjanemiller.blogspot.com/2012/11/to-jesus-everyday-is-orphan-sunday.html" target="_blank">To Jesus Everday Is Orphan Sunday</a>. Not much has changed since this post. There is still an orphan crisis. There are still millions of children living in situations that make them fatherless, without a family, in need of love, in need of Jesus. And the gospel hasn't changed either. Today, tomorrow and everyday is Orphan Sunday to Jesus. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="text Eph-1-6" id="en-ESV-29196">Here is what has changed since last year. Last year on this exact same Sunday we didn't even know the face of our child. We were still waiting, praying, dreaming of a future day. Today that dream is reality. We not only know her face and her name, but we hold her, we kiss her, we love her on a daily basis. She is a daughter, a sister, a granddaughter, a niece, a cousin and she is ours. It was a joy filled day to have her in our arms, up on stage, dedicating her the Lord. It was a joy to share this with our family, friends and church. It is a day to celebrate because this little girl that the Lord hand picked just for our family, she is His. We are just the fortunate and blessed ones that get to love on her and care for every day and teach her about her Heavenly Father who loves her more than we do. </span><br />
<span class="text Eph-1-6" id="en-ESV-29196"><br /></span>
<span class="text Eph-1-6" id="en-ESV-29196">Scott shared a testimony today. It's as follows: </span><br />
<span class="text Eph-1-6" id="en-ESV-29196"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs8rz0qZ2d19HFHaXhn7mcDSHdmFjyLYH3X8rz0s1nzillSE6jui9yU04hyYlCmbAgvGVtldtFEe7KVvZV74VTJmgGYZbQ7N3LRns9NS3pM022zHdztLnoc0kSC37GwYPfP_ElauJvLH9e/s1600/DSC03952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs8rz0qZ2d19HFHaXhn7mcDSHdmFjyLYH3X8rz0s1nzillSE6jui9yU04hyYlCmbAgvGVtldtFEe7KVvZV74VTJmgGYZbQ7N3LRns9NS3pM022zHdztLnoc0kSC37GwYPfP_ElauJvLH9e/s320/DSC03952.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span class="text Eph-1-6" id="en-ESV-29196">"</span><span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro";">I’m Scott
Miller and I was born in Kansas. I don’t remember that time of my life, and it
doesn’t define who I am. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s really
become just a footnote on the pages of my life – because God had another plan
for me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My family moved back to
Pennsylvania where I grew up, eventually met my beautiful wife, and started a
family here – with Mercy as our latest addition. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God had a plan for her life too, that was not
defined by where it started.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro";">Many people
have said to us “what a lucky little girl, or how great of you to rescue this
little girl…”, but that characterization is so far from the truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wish I could say we were that noble and
fearless and strong, but we’re NOT – we’re just a regular family trying to
follow the Lord’s will for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And His
plans for us just happened to overlap His plans for her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But make no mistake; He had a plan for
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A great plan to love her and care
for all her needs. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And His plan would
not have been thwarted if we had given in to our fears and said no to His
voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, He would have taken good care
of her without us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She would have been
fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we would have missed it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would have missed out on the great
privilege of being a part of the Master’s plan, and being a part of Mery’s
life!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our family would not have been all
that He intended it to be without her.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<i><span style="color: #353535; font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">This journey began with small steps, each one
bringing about new fears. It challenged our hearts, revealing a lack of
trust in God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet God met us in each one
of those fears and showed us He is trustworthy. He didn't beat us down
for doubting, He didn't condemn us for having little faith, instead He lead us
with grace; gently, faithfully, one baby step at a time. With every
decision and obstacle we faced God guided us. From the decision to pursue
adoption from China, leading us to fundraise for financial support, through
processing the endless paperwork, to the night we received our referral.
This was the night we saw Mercy’s face in a picture for the very first
time. We thought we would open her file from our agency and know
instantly that she was the one. But surprisingly, more doubt and fear
came. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But once again God was faithful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jeremy and Julie took time to sit and
listen to our fears and pray with us, the Reinfords, Mellingers and Witters
prayed for us and in the end God was faithful to assure us this was the very
child He chose to bring into our family. Then came our trip, where God
provided more blessings: airline seats became available on a fully booked
flight just when we needed them, Annie and Becky signed up to get us to the
airport, the Frank’s to get us home again, Jane’s mom, the Godshalls and the
Stehrs stepped in to care for our kids and best of all, in the midst of the
chaos, an incredible, unexplainable peace filled our hearts and minds.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #353535; font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">The day we met Mercy was one of the most
amazing days of our lives. In the most surreal moment all those fears,
all those doubts just faded away at the sight of this little girl. The
one we prayed for, dreamt about, held in our hearts for what felt like
forever. There she was right in front of us, we could finally hold her,
kiss her, and touch her. She wasn't too sure about us, but it didn't
matter because we had a determination to win her heart. This first meeting was
only the beginning of a new chapter in our story: to earn her trust, teach her
what love looks like, and work hard to gain her affection in return. We
could now see a new purpose to our Lord’s process in leading us to this point: as
He walked patiently with us, building up our trust, assuring us of His love and
erasing our fears and doubts one by one – He was preparing us to do the same
for her. Mercy grieved hard in China. Our gaining a new daughter
came at a very great loss to her. She was giving up the only life she had
ever known, the only people she had ever known, to be with complete strangers
who didn't even speak a language she understood. She was terrified.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #353535; font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">Trust and security came slowly – in fact the
process is still continuing today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
has been home five months now and at times she still seems unsure if we’re
going to leave her and not come back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So
keep praying for us, that God would continue to build her trust and soften her
heart, and give her confidence that she is part of our family forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro";">Very
much the same as it was with our other kids; it didn’t take long before it was
hard to imagine life without her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even
with all the headaches that a two year old can bring, everything’s washed away
with the wave of joy that just one little smile can bring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our heavenly Father really does delight in
giving us good gifts doesn’t He!</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro";">Praise Jesus
that when we kept coming to Him with the same fears and concerns, He met us
with comfort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And every time we said
“But what if?”, He met us with peace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And when we demonstrated again and again by our every anxious thought
that we just didn’t trust Him enough, He met us with grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks to each of you who prayed with us and
prayed for us through those hard days of doubt and uncertainty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks to those who cared for our kids and
our home when we traveled so far away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And thanks to everyone who continues to encourage and strengthen us now
in these times of change and adjustment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It means a lot to us that we are not in this alone.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro";">On this day,
even as we celebrate the joy of having these three new additions to our church
family, we wanted to remember the countless thousands of children around the
world who are in need, and the call of the Psalmist “to do justice to the
fatherless and the oppressed.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our Lord
and Savior has a plan for each one of them too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Be attentive to His voice; He may be asking you to be a part of one of
those plans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You heard about Operation
Christmas Child last week, and this week there’s another resource in the hub in
the form of an advent calendar from Lifesong for Orphans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s another great organization whose mission
is “bringing joy and purpose to orphans”, which they do through child
sponsorships, providing resources to adoptive families, and many other
services.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These calendars provide a
scripture verse each day, as well as a fun family activity such as collecting
twenty cents for each winter coat you have in your closet to help provide for
children in need around the world.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro";">These are just
two of so many ways you can act as the hands and feet of Christ in this area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And maybe, just maybe, He is speaking to some
of you right now about adoption.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me
encourage you to listen carefully to this call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You may think you’re not prepared for something that big.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Guess what – you’re not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re not either!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But He is bigger still!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If He is truly calling you to this, He will
surely equip you for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He “is able to
do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is
at work within us.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Lord doesn’t
call everyone to this particular mission, but if you feel His prompting in your
heart – please don’t give in to fear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His plans will be accomplished anyway, but you don’t want to miss your
opportunity to be a part of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
rewards are too great!</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<i><span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">These kids all belong to Him ultimately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And as we celebrate that these three are now
part of our families, and part of your family!, we also commit them back to Him
today, and pray that they would grow to find their purpose in Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We look forward to a future day when our
little girl will not think of herself as “I’m Mercy and I was born in China.”
or even “I’m Mercy, daughter of Scott and Jane Miller.” but as “I’m Mercy, daughter
of the King of Kings!"</span></i><br />
<br />
<br />
We ended our celebration at a local Chinese Restaurant with family. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsq0vVnMkYl2qbrLCuOd9dNVcqCBDa0IPq8_8SbdYAIk3FT9ZgVQvZNyiT9f14whwhWho2m05silHTk0QFX0OdZr8NuPcJzGgJnnRh3g1Gz427orkyniXV_LbajFPYEmuQTFYWfdaGhUar/s1600/DSC04015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsq0vVnMkYl2qbrLCuOd9dNVcqCBDa0IPq8_8SbdYAIk3FT9ZgVQvZNyiT9f14whwhWho2m05silHTk0QFX0OdZr8NuPcJzGgJnnRh3g1Gz427orkyniXV_LbajFPYEmuQTFYWfdaGhUar/s320/DSC04015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihdIdVXfz7hzrIa1nYXgFSiM8L_jn2CTDx97H4f6s9VQQD_4ttPpN0TYGr1_jxFVL7iCbDx0BsGqvbUthJJMCadgZiljvLz5npCrEAsvXQKUeOfSZaeh2z62kfdDy6wsVAUx3nECt44hA/s1600/DSC04019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihdIdVXfz7hzrIa1nYXgFSiM8L_jn2CTDx97H4f6s9VQQD_4ttPpN0TYGr1_jxFVL7iCbDx0BsGqvbUthJJMCadgZiljvLz5npCrEAsvXQKUeOfSZaeh2z62kfdDy6wsVAUx3nECt44hA/s320/DSC04019.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAppzMCluqUWXDsgJnY8sh3L5TySMPrxOQn19aOi1_3bdDCC2x9JR5iP5BhSz_xunN9I2tf0M4EPYf5I4-45p8oNK4tk3At8D5LIMCPpCeDGA8bN0t72-tyNrG0AkMCbOIQk_jCfjE7hO/s1600/DSC04021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAppzMCluqUWXDsgJnY8sh3L5TySMPrxOQn19aOi1_3bdDCC2x9JR5iP5BhSz_xunN9I2tf0M4EPYf5I4-45p8oNK4tk3At8D5LIMCPpCeDGA8bN0t72-tyNrG0AkMCbOIQk_jCfjE7hO/s320/DSC04021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgivMXArQOQFi78u3BDFTpa49yKCiDJs03wu85wCrlZvLYaI7u3SxQHexBye3Uqw6OVuJFpIN3YCXcjhw-DdzADnlh7EwJSFWaDrFYl70yd8cNmdDD6Ylplj1bhdZG5XrX-ekp8UuquDb9d/s1600/DSC04047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgivMXArQOQFi78u3BDFTpa49yKCiDJs03wu85wCrlZvLYaI7u3SxQHexBye3Uqw6OVuJFpIN3YCXcjhw-DdzADnlh7EwJSFWaDrFYl70yd8cNmdDD6Ylplj1bhdZG5XrX-ekp8UuquDb9d/s320/DSC04047.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcbDQlXNSpK6hDv90ipqBL7QGMopaXari78wLiP9oupJXt3_sqJKK84xX3J7ZQASkv9_fqx8mGNUeKvCnphe8BkFKmiZpgi_AGpbx-_aeIYojFN-2MCuPxYThKRCnYgftPl5-V9Xijx39c/s1600/DSC04052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcbDQlXNSpK6hDv90ipqBL7QGMopaXari78wLiP9oupJXt3_sqJKK84xX3J7ZQASkv9_fqx8mGNUeKvCnphe8BkFKmiZpgi_AGpbx-_aeIYojFN-2MCuPxYThKRCnYgftPl5-V9Xijx39c/s320/DSC04052.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQ6h5l-mJu1yxBN-aTrY4SIvtbaESrqevXwpcKUfTZokJnwU01WwSAxS2ZctDuMXAG9AfbEXvfcCqEcyKGKrvzqLTCZDERwIA_fNVGInCzVgHCCj4SlvCA1qkr6IXaXqrCD3DURCtYD8s/s1600/DSC04058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQ6h5l-mJu1yxBN-aTrY4SIvtbaESrqevXwpcKUfTZokJnwU01WwSAxS2ZctDuMXAG9AfbEXvfcCqEcyKGKrvzqLTCZDERwIA_fNVGInCzVgHCCj4SlvCA1qkr6IXaXqrCD3DURCtYD8s/s320/DSC04058.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZCa5af4D0pr1kO3cihC_0i2HInolBtnv4jD4pyJNnXhU-msEi8LUc0yzEx3Xgb2F5C_9Adzx315GVSbnM4HpVWdko4wgwaR3-Uuv03Og6CQHeifM1BgDHqAXhMHF_xTssE5coOw8mKR-M/s1600/DSC04060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZCa5af4D0pr1kO3cihC_0i2HInolBtnv4jD4pyJNnXhU-msEi8LUc0yzEx3Xgb2F5C_9Adzx315GVSbnM4HpVWdko4wgwaR3-Uuv03Og6CQHeifM1BgDHqAXhMHF_xTssE5coOw8mKR-M/s320/DSC04060.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Scott and Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16177441773628427955noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883199697365182174.post-32525284570442297202013-10-21T16:19:00.000-04:002013-10-21T16:19:47.337-04:00Two Year Old "Extreme Tantrum" EditionToday was appointment #2 with CHOP Ophthalmology. It was a traffic fighting morning on the way, but Mercy did great in the car. It was once we got into the patient room that she decided to put her grumpy on and well see for yourself...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvCdvkVaUsf9bZ5wMHlzovo4jE6b3Te-PkUSzzmeMUI3gfPFJDMMHEFNxmxLFKAqQeW8F_jpFV7asPpg_hl_S_jDCq7wiHgi9k7idQ6eXY5xuzgy4S5cuw57W7raGuPXrbDrF4fL_-746U/s1600/DSC03716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvCdvkVaUsf9bZ5wMHlzovo4jE6b3Te-PkUSzzmeMUI3gfPFJDMMHEFNxmxLFKAqQeW8F_jpFV7asPpg_hl_S_jDCq7wiHgi9k7idQ6eXY5xuzgy4S5cuw57W7raGuPXrbDrF4fL_-746U/s320/DSC03716.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tantrum #1</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT4AZ0DJ90P0Svscth8Ef1AfsY0Y_DAyVyjJq49-KuEW88L27MF06yhI20G6XSehIr24anIw_2GwrzEE6r0SLfwJBBPFbrQB_-z_MwBPWUQxzOajxtIWYiTTPhVAdoQSZZI5PqTXcZxsrx/s1600/DSC03717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT4AZ0DJ90P0Svscth8Ef1AfsY0Y_DAyVyjJq49-KuEW88L27MF06yhI20G6XSehIr24anIw_2GwrzEE6r0SLfwJBBPFbrQB_-z_MwBPWUQxzOajxtIWYiTTPhVAdoQSZZI5PqTXcZxsrx/s320/DSC03717.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And she's getting back up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguELUhGxHjYMBIYDnpis2evzMzRJxBfcMxQSD_8zNtDbvHiPgVkQxvGGPpy2plKoHML-4C9-Rn2BaUCaR4NMYMQjHYMQDDFvO8sz_M3anGQM1F3HNiP9QYW6e50A4lqo4znhHN2Kf_CX4v/s1600/DSC03719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguELUhGxHjYMBIYDnpis2evzMzRJxBfcMxQSD_8zNtDbvHiPgVkQxvGGPpy2plKoHML-4C9-Rn2BaUCaR4NMYMQjHYMQDDFvO8sz_M3anGQM1F3HNiP9QYW6e50A4lqo4znhHN2Kf_CX4v/s320/DSC03719.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nope, she's down again</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZCB01AQt6Ma4IV26twzoBSVS95DNh7BYEl70bbW3u1Mzq9BLtqCCQ9ElVqr74nv7j1LLaB0QlEl6BPTF9slN7kWHN9y0MIxlO60nsYzMALrCCpe8C5t9caEF3fBrFg0kpzo5VtZY5AA9-/s1600/DSC03723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZCB01AQt6Ma4IV26twzoBSVS95DNh7BYEl70bbW3u1Mzq9BLtqCCQ9ElVqr74nv7j1LLaB0QlEl6BPTF9slN7kWHN9y0MIxlO60nsYzMALrCCpe8C5t9caEF3fBrFg0kpzo5VtZY5AA9-/s320/DSC03723.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Refusing to sit on Daddy's lap</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvInPfaLptSOVkhz-iH9C_QwlTNT0EE_71qKYhuF1bejvm5MkPx57egI4FzgxgmM-QUmMZgyf7zVHNwP3OVY2uM912zjZ7KLF-_6L8cQBAwUylLrZyL_wbX78aXNKca7RAdpPTKFBiz1yq/s1600/DSC03724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvInPfaLptSOVkhz-iH9C_QwlTNT0EE_71qKYhuF1bejvm5MkPx57egI4FzgxgmM-QUmMZgyf7zVHNwP3OVY2uM912zjZ7KLF-_6L8cQBAwUylLrZyL_wbX78aXNKca7RAdpPTKFBiz1yq/s320/DSC03724.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If I can't see you, you can't see me.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeVgMMhLb2H2upKDCeC01Tey_xRycEV7KLWaLO4snbfdfSVQ1434exiSye2N7gDb_G7iX94k1oLN8J5mM0lpWmTpvlEq8MZqKAVucnPIwKfgmFYa4nlbMEzssWOgPgiLh9-4bPt5X1gSgI/s1600/DSC03725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeVgMMhLb2H2upKDCeC01Tey_xRycEV7KLWaLO4snbfdfSVQ1434exiSye2N7gDb_G7iX94k1oLN8J5mM0lpWmTpvlEq8MZqKAVucnPIwKfgmFYa4nlbMEzssWOgPgiLh9-4bPt5X1gSgI/s320/DSC03725.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Head tilts up, "Is mommy still looking at me?"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhbyEv8nqo24YuxDncZLIiBHvIhGb2AHHK6QNBZ_D-yAwGUCmxchZGNa-G5z-_F0Mpjv1FS5NmY2rX-mE2Pz7Or8NK_55egT3Bp9_wTclJWB0at6lKzccHg-5zTUBvd5lcAzD48Ayz2KxB/s1600/DSC03727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhbyEv8nqo24YuxDncZLIiBHvIhGb2AHHK6QNBZ_D-yAwGUCmxchZGNa-G5z-_F0Mpjv1FS5NmY2rX-mE2Pz7Or8NK_55egT3Bp9_wTclJWB0at6lKzccHg-5zTUBvd5lcAzD48Ayz2KxB/s320/DSC03727.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh Good, now back to my fit!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB4KHBa643XRbP_iTpRP8xMQOUZfQMw7XAtp7QYZFNMlkWSox4JJwf-hPUF-qmx1E8kC6tOR3b2_6MppziO-Dv_4E64DIKb9HfEtxpNAO0EvP0pbUaeLO2lZ3D3m9qss0XzWGyxtOHOPpx/s1600/DSC03729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB4KHBa643XRbP_iTpRP8xMQOUZfQMw7XAtp7QYZFNMlkWSox4JJwf-hPUF-qmx1E8kC6tOR3b2_6MppziO-Dv_4E64DIKb9HfEtxpNAO0EvP0pbUaeLO2lZ3D3m9qss0XzWGyxtOHOPpx/s320/DSC03729.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I will not cooperate</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_s97yh8joviy2JI06k-gdfnJBD_usMFwycxKritU2ZuPLg0oaSodL2tCwU3zn2g16HRPirbaCrcWlYLcjecrhQgyNnY_5wH39mPbrpMKRJixL-lmu3-Ay-S4pkAJ1jOHUOybNwdqK_l2/s1600/DSC03730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_s97yh8joviy2JI06k-gdfnJBD_usMFwycxKritU2ZuPLg0oaSodL2tCwU3zn2g16HRPirbaCrcWlYLcjecrhQgyNnY_5wH39mPbrpMKRJixL-lmu3-Ay-S4pkAJ1jOHUOybNwdqK_l2/s320/DSC03730.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You cannot make me wear my glasses and take your test, so there.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRzEbtuRCl7AArn4KtJRzyIRlrCTFkQ-nAOTRS8qh5XzzJ2U6_4LivLp3HT7dre2y-fKreP-vw1jFFlJ08wjaNm2kAw79aRyhSNKpNwZzekiSWMHRpGSd5hSSzmDDUVxE6k7Y7PQOyeM01/s1600/DSC03731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRzEbtuRCl7AArn4KtJRzyIRlrCTFkQ-nAOTRS8qh5XzzJ2U6_4LivLp3HT7dre2y-fKreP-vw1jFFlJ08wjaNm2kAw79aRyhSNKpNwZzekiSWMHRpGSd5hSSzmDDUVxE6k7Y7PQOyeM01/s320/DSC03731.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crying</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0uGsNpFobprZV2DxxU-e7vXg9anef_w3dFp_x14wDmLP5W9iHz6_qcxSXuTWC2SWgF15aNeMKu_FJ0IXNPQzoyvdVJ8lfIn5FVUvWgDIu5iNFX2ULZhNqf9aU1wJdn9RPCUn7g-t0pxGi/s1600/DSC03732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0uGsNpFobprZV2DxxU-e7vXg9anef_w3dFp_x14wDmLP5W9iHz6_qcxSXuTWC2SWgF15aNeMKu_FJ0IXNPQzoyvdVJ8lfIn5FVUvWgDIu5iNFX2ULZhNqf9aU1wJdn9RPCUn7g-t0pxGi/s320/DSC03732.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Screaming!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExtoTLDkOiwEOiu7XvvrVVSkeKW5bJRyK0hZEGhYwRJy3vy_vx2moEbNQwgzfu2ydPy1s29ISbyhcGJFxQyN6gt1duKRnNZyln57TDDfN0IY5WgD1_Uys84HQa3zmWtcpkYgCEGfB-oZK/s1600/DSC03733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExtoTLDkOiwEOiu7XvvrVVSkeKW5bJRyK0hZEGhYwRJy3vy_vx2moEbNQwgzfu2ydPy1s29ISbyhcGJFxQyN6gt1duKRnNZyln57TDDfN0IY5WgD1_Uys84HQa3zmWtcpkYgCEGfB-oZK/s320/DSC03733.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">SCREAMING!!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgXuCiiNnO7FdLUlUB7m5Rs7Z4Yvc1nFuIqoEdDg5led4CDs_t8KvVvXjO18h2GytzuJZ97xY35DZFddUXo9_DLsgOjxhoD2hyphenhyphen4hWkgYJHfHbg34rLvk8gPivTT6XO932vVw_5wY_OG5Ip/s1600/DSC03737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgXuCiiNnO7FdLUlUB7m5Rs7Z4Yvc1nFuIqoEdDg5led4CDs_t8KvVvXjO18h2GytzuJZ97xY35DZFddUXo9_DLsgOjxhoD2hyphenhyphen4hWkgYJHfHbg34rLvk8gPivTT6XO932vVw_5wY_OG5Ip/s320/DSC03737.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I will drink my cup with an attitude and I won't look at anyone.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPr4aInmKbu1ziOv8QtW8RSWQ2VvEppqppjMinQcwyBKJ6vqo3oVHT_30uIk31KoQ8PaP-m5lXDIVx-zhOAjHVB709MDxItZ-qg-U-6_UZAIbqP8YWjn_6RoKQgj7fNDNoj0ITbDL_y0T/s1600/DSC03739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPr4aInmKbu1ziOv8QtW8RSWQ2VvEppqppjMinQcwyBKJ6vqo3oVHT_30uIk31KoQ8PaP-m5lXDIVx-zhOAjHVB709MDxItZ-qg-U-6_UZAIbqP8YWjn_6RoKQgj7fNDNoj0ITbDL_y0T/s320/DSC03739.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I will hold the water in my mouth and spit it on you when you make me mad.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMpdJGI5nlVchjf0ft2uwaGRdd1vlpH0BaDa6olqlqcCUoSBU3fHnndAzqIi-4AY9kSg0uTexiqy_FyTZ9eMbC29eglR_JSxz9R-E0XwwdkCiwlIq6egvzqWMCIMu74NvTrpEvAv9v3uUu/s1600/DSC03743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMpdJGI5nlVchjf0ft2uwaGRdd1vlpH0BaDa6olqlqcCUoSBU3fHnndAzqIi-4AY9kSg0uTexiqy_FyTZ9eMbC29eglR_JSxz9R-E0XwwdkCiwlIq6egvzqWMCIMu74NvTrpEvAv9v3uUu/s320/DSC03743.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who needs glasses anyway?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZdIPDLWOUhkwoWmQZuYjktp5W0moAo5DFRLqtBJcScWpvU66m84SYhh-pwRbPfFLDVbOhKmdWgehge5zDsbwk3Y_XK2OfrL8JN7zxwp0HHaMtU77awimb8B0oeogTTTxpCJoTE2HCFR2/s1600/DSC03759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZdIPDLWOUhkwoWmQZuYjktp5W0moAo5DFRLqtBJcScWpvU66m84SYhh-pwRbPfFLDVbOhKmdWgehge5zDsbwk3Y_XK2OfrL8JN7zxwp0HHaMtU77awimb8B0oeogTTTxpCJoTE2HCFR2/s320/DSC03759.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You might make me sit on the chair, but I will not look up!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4UFpOvnwyJ_NIMegkbL4QfDXNIt0h3OvJlIO-18YDDY0vj4x1ZOqDoYVqD2eyGcn0qkDhrZ1pqyaZxjPfm3yCCRJ-mzqO8LiQ_IwhiwX7X7UXt7G7lVcaQ0OLLMRrloi2JJLAeOABeZNo/s1600/DSC03762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4UFpOvnwyJ_NIMegkbL4QfDXNIt0h3OvJlIO-18YDDY0vj4x1ZOqDoYVqD2eyGcn0qkDhrZ1pqyaZxjPfm3yCCRJ-mzqO8LiQ_IwhiwX7X7UXt7G7lVcaQ0OLLMRrloi2JJLAeOABeZNo/s320/DSC03762.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And back down she goes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDMPMPPuAheFWGXA88pAk7eYUqG956l4fwRv_heFeE_3eJsKRlRTbX-hT5FCHWEbbg4CJn0GxrwN_xg2rW1d6nZ4LO4mLu-FK1Jbbmjq_w-wqAc6nWTjn7K8-S0PwjIMTzkVYeDsmugDEs/s1600/DSC03765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDMPMPPuAheFWGXA88pAk7eYUqG956l4fwRv_heFeE_3eJsKRlRTbX-hT5FCHWEbbg4CJn0GxrwN_xg2rW1d6nZ4LO4mLu-FK1Jbbmjq_w-wqAc6nWTjn7K8-S0PwjIMTzkVYeDsmugDEs/s320/DSC03765.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The End!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This may be one of my favorite posts to taunt her with when she is older. On a medical note, she doesn't need to go back until next July. Her vision is no longer (probably never was) 20/190, but is now stated to be 20/400. The reality is that with Albinism numbers mean very little, and we know she is living life loud and her vision doesn't hinder her. There is still talk of a future surgery to correct her head tilt, but nothing we need to worry about for a couple more years, in the meantime we pray. Hope you found this post as funny as we did! <br />
<br />
<br />Scott and Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16177441773628427955noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883199697365182174.post-59784147201852439022013-09-17T23:27:00.000-04:002013-09-17T23:41:33.113-04:00A Day In the LifeI strapped my camera to my wrist today with the intent of capturing day in the life of Mercy. The pictures unfold the stories...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn7SD121VnPJ3osS0_PTaBXpZuXFz90FkRGoHMEiORjAnAaT3-PmyxU3PEljvV5_5UVI7UzS877bpTyUlE_2UyW1yjxoEQVjKp3kZPUuCqBZBmDgqyiXSQnW8MjpF1yc0TRiJF07j2lsDM/s320/DSC03096.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good Morning</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLoz6SNkcYZfjBx_QLLff5bj5FB8boJzIDS2mWZNqQ8LBO_dnmYf_95Pk6PNn5OCzntS7yVesrUOoJWmw2WBG7LOrIACF9bxVwt4j-tB1i6IMq2KBiNGkM_YiiPo3fZw5jCbOHza2cVfFf/s1600/DSC03132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLoz6SNkcYZfjBx_QLLff5bj5FB8boJzIDS2mWZNqQ8LBO_dnmYf_95Pk6PNn5OCzntS7yVesrUOoJWmw2WBG7LOrIACF9bxVwt4j-tB1i6IMq2KBiNGkM_YiiPo3fZw5jCbOHza2cVfFf/s320/DSC03132.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bath Time (notice her hair disappears when wet)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqfF0bwGe6Baxexlx-2E9XJJUHoaPHW6Lev9l6QL03kOqfxW_w8tJkNKUMCHLgmALnmyi6qtL-VE1V3lLebMUgEkHZCEXHr_rBzg5DuYqECK2eSE8j06-qdEkqFaCSdIcgnfvkyPn3yNsm/s1600/DSC03167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqfF0bwGe6Baxexlx-2E9XJJUHoaPHW6Lev9l6QL03kOqfxW_w8tJkNKUMCHLgmALnmyi6qtL-VE1V3lLebMUgEkHZCEXHr_rBzg5DuYqECK2eSE8j06-qdEkqFaCSdIcgnfvkyPn3yNsm/s320/DSC03167.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brushing her teeth or eating the toothpaste?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Q0nsJbiV1zG3U7JNE0-1FlBI3TRJQ-Dpuk-asun5ON6nNEa9BuMaRLjTJH6c0rpHPC2e8GqN7O-ZNhxW-ejQG5A-oeU6GyB2Kcd_lN1IX4ZtH5Ss5Etc9lBc_vgxTRRQggFGuf90IHLA/s1600/DSC03201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Q0nsJbiV1zG3U7JNE0-1FlBI3TRJQ-Dpuk-asun5ON6nNEa9BuMaRLjTJH6c0rpHPC2e8GqN7O-ZNhxW-ejQG5A-oeU6GyB2Kcd_lN1IX4ZtH5Ss5Etc9lBc_vgxTRRQggFGuf90IHLA/s320/DSC03201.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eating eggs all by myself.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLLtkgDyFiDQqhGV3rYmtvzJflCKBhXQhxwBodFwO4I-AlLCB0shpX0Q1fNVDakh5q7iEbLRpi2nyg_qvCJz_pu5kCN51WBnjegPsz2dw7CHmVKZ6f9zZmI1aF2MgphR1vXZhkBC07Gmf6/s1600/DSC03210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLLtkgDyFiDQqhGV3rYmtvzJflCKBhXQhxwBodFwO4I-AlLCB0shpX0Q1fNVDakh5q7iEbLRpi2nyg_qvCJz_pu5kCN51WBnjegPsz2dw7CHmVKZ6f9zZmI1aF2MgphR1vXZhkBC07Gmf6/s320/DSC03210.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Speech Therapy with Miss Joan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYe1VHbIRRvMhli5nCptQKqGtOqRsNx5Wu7OA3LjJO4FrmvSz_vpPkXCJcSCTa_GGUzuak54xEZPYofTecJoKuODvbbRbreXDGvj6nz0pc_bJbyPAczfeiru_TAiLSxq4IqWGeGGTmag6V/s1600/DSC03212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYe1VHbIRRvMhli5nCptQKqGtOqRsNx5Wu7OA3LjJO4FrmvSz_vpPkXCJcSCTa_GGUzuak54xEZPYofTecJoKuODvbbRbreXDGvj6nz0pc_bJbyPAczfeiru_TAiLSxq4IqWGeGGTmag6V/s320/DSC03212.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I DID IT!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdhfxXZ8pQVaM3A3yYovnDO0PqvCT9tqMnu-moZCEqHS_CvfweOOKFTNywyRvcAmdLJ2LDW0j2Ux4x3QNBPYMymDNVZKRNTJQDU8fuPoP8aTF1s7sba0-wiGaQ29Khja276APM2ihGa5SD/s1600/DSC03223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdhfxXZ8pQVaM3A3yYovnDO0PqvCT9tqMnu-moZCEqHS_CvfweOOKFTNywyRvcAmdLJ2LDW0j2Ux4x3QNBPYMymDNVZKRNTJQDU8fuPoP8aTF1s7sba0-wiGaQ29Khja276APM2ihGa5SD/s320/DSC03223.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See?" </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1c52ZZSqrnKsFJtisGN26YD2TVKb_SSpeFQrVjJ5O653ptZj3LI5B4CBdnik8D6dzeYz_c0ZWKL5tilcGTTxOaZdQvb584RNg8suvmK8zjZ_QUf98QyLstdFvH4cR1mlKXMx2Q2i08Ug3/s1600/DSC03231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1c52ZZSqrnKsFJtisGN26YD2TVKb_SSpeFQrVjJ5O653ptZj3LI5B4CBdnik8D6dzeYz_c0ZWKL5tilcGTTxOaZdQvb584RNg8suvmK8zjZ_QUf98QyLstdFvH4cR1mlKXMx2Q2i08Ug3/s320/DSC03231.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Singing into her Leap Frog Jr. (Gail Reinford this one is for you!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1AX-TBC0xXEJ8_q7rU8qwOpP9f1eMPLeL1fb0XE_6DBPTHTyTKJqQ6II8wdo1uVpVC4RhhxsOvYdWco0dwInXsHZ8gClKhv_-rTdSRBZxYylerYDw4lRDHHHxTPNPM2FLm3NHHXrA602/s1600/DSC03234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1AX-TBC0xXEJ8_q7rU8qwOpP9f1eMPLeL1fb0XE_6DBPTHTyTKJqQ6II8wdo1uVpVC4RhhxsOvYdWco0dwInXsHZ8gClKhv_-rTdSRBZxYylerYDw4lRDHHHxTPNPM2FLm3NHHXrA602/s320/DSC03234.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Play-date with my friend Jayne</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsiovOl9VrC_20je_f4NLvMwMVJ2aa78aw5o6LAh8r1KyTVsIhCVLDHgJLYmi4mctzgFgwE2ahXMXXlGiJtpc7aFiQ6k7M5OcUFjVsOZOE7licba1Rtlu8ovDGmlkxQuxKhjnzKM5UhN2e/s1600/DSC03238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsiovOl9VrC_20je_f4NLvMwMVJ2aa78aw5o6LAh8r1KyTVsIhCVLDHgJLYmi4mctzgFgwE2ahXMXXlGiJtpc7aFiQ6k7M5OcUFjVsOZOE7licba1Rtlu8ovDGmlkxQuxKhjnzKM5UhN2e/s320/DSC03238.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mercy and Jayne in deep chatter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOGQ8p6CLMMKO6Tf2ahVsqg9FyVXoeffo02nktApwM7wVCJv4A3DazrNGgeKM0P4kirdw5y5MzwBZndgW5PsrA1Z5ZxJXOoGgG0LbCHDoNt5qKrLf63y4HDq8DmGWGfFhEMNIxas9U63J/s1600/DSC03240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOGQ8p6CLMMKO6Tf2ahVsqg9FyVXoeffo02nktApwM7wVCJv4A3DazrNGgeKM0P4kirdw5y5MzwBZndgW5PsrA1Z5ZxJXOoGgG0LbCHDoNt5qKrLf63y4HDq8DmGWGfFhEMNIxas9U63J/s320/DSC03240.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This hand suddenly appears under the crack of the door every single time mommy goes to the bathroom!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZmZNI3UzMWFuZxnKQPawCyNe9r63GXwwzbsYx2ZMoOzjTXeCUwl5Ur3zKJAfuB0QdLYTuhwmyujIAlnnfcgUE_eyTLTLlR3cnwEpxj3VQ5vnA6o_PEx8HvsmfIEhAfCV9K2XUfIKhAZDg/s1600/DSC03245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZmZNI3UzMWFuZxnKQPawCyNe9r63GXwwzbsYx2ZMoOzjTXeCUwl5Ur3zKJAfuB0QdLYTuhwmyujIAlnnfcgUE_eyTLTLlR3cnwEpxj3VQ5vnA6o_PEx8HvsmfIEhAfCV9K2XUfIKhAZDg/s320/DSC03245.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mercy found her lollipop that she was told needed to wait until after lunch. Lacey wanted in on it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgLrCwdcvL7O0lMkOPgzJ55ys7R7sKbuAqDtSIQjwyF4GRpZFB-oQlEhYyqO4Fnw2PMUamothk3sG9zYILFVmir1j7t30UgNe34ujTOcAUQ2guz9-CBiJhpiszDy1cXtypEr0wFjihGCDN/s1600/DSC03248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgLrCwdcvL7O0lMkOPgzJ55ys7R7sKbuAqDtSIQjwyF4GRpZFB-oQlEhYyqO4Fnw2PMUamothk3sG9zYILFVmir1j7t30UgNe34ujTOcAUQ2guz9-CBiJhpiszDy1cXtypEr0wFjihGCDN/s320/DSC03248.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helping mommy do laundry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn80kkRZdvnpJz9IErMQ0RG5QiKHG4iB_cs_mJhHcOvhUc9JxbAGfE73gzF3E7WbjA-8cfiJ6yUqT9WLPBAUBoYVqNUr5kArLBEd8kGziYRAjeyKb8lKHnbC4fDVmrkZ-uXgjV5wIhF32F/s1600/DSC03257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn80kkRZdvnpJz9IErMQ0RG5QiKHG4iB_cs_mJhHcOvhUc9JxbAGfE73gzF3E7WbjA-8cfiJ6yUqT9WLPBAUBoYVqNUr5kArLBEd8kGziYRAjeyKb8lKHnbC4fDVmrkZ-uXgjV5wIhF32F/s320/DSC03257.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All empty, time to close the door.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSUSPPkdLrKXVFKQ8VUcvNa9lvW1NTb2kODkxSyXyZDWgqOtkMXrwP6ENSQgSSq4jIN1_Gr0XDGuLGquBz1KqMXGRJOkAGLBon145iEwjqv9BOcR3f5nhnbrFsKG6h0VeYoQi7NPYy5Nst/s1600/DSC03261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSUSPPkdLrKXVFKQ8VUcvNa9lvW1NTb2kODkxSyXyZDWgqOtkMXrwP6ENSQgSSq4jIN1_Gr0XDGuLGquBz1KqMXGRJOkAGLBon145iEwjqv9BOcR3f5nhnbrFsKG6h0VeYoQi7NPYy5Nst/s320/DSC03261.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unfolding a basket of folded laundry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0ebIcsinZK1n_fZaN6QtpnL8J13vHhuDIphjLoH_hj26R7fyhqH0la41otRtxaJsg0HhbWnsMTGMy9BUlwtdrp92DQ45UADDOjn945XkKQo-CwQQq7Nbvui4mkjEcv8trYNXcJDcrjVm/s1600/DSC03264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0ebIcsinZK1n_fZaN6QtpnL8J13vHhuDIphjLoH_hj26R7fyhqH0la41otRtxaJsg0HhbWnsMTGMy9BUlwtdrp92DQ45UADDOjn945XkKQo-CwQQq7Nbvui4mkjEcv8trYNXcJDcrjVm/s320/DSC03264.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Showing Mommy where she put my coffee mug!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Rm1Sw5j3gKCqAvlBCzKACH1QgJ2_OioD-7FBtH6B2o7Wz_C6MD4n9PAqwcRSqgmISOKpNoZK8ZEPzhZt1kuQJBrqvk_kMtDPwy4XO4k_NPydiucltYm_w5c_1JNKSWW_C3m454DqxyhL/s1600/DSC03265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Rm1Sw5j3gKCqAvlBCzKACH1QgJ2_OioD-7FBtH6B2o7Wz_C6MD4n9PAqwcRSqgmISOKpNoZK8ZEPzhZt1kuQJBrqvk_kMtDPwy4XO4k_NPydiucltYm_w5c_1JNKSWW_C3m454DqxyhL/s320/DSC03265.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Decided the dog crate was a good place for her high chair tray.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6f6WL2BewWd95bYZJSVPITiIVe7i4yUjeEAnkojaFSbKcrndEI9cpK_SkNZvD0NN9pw8yl6iF2lE8K7hVYC-NZiwuuU1oFsBYPfgX_PvmYgIH5ZPZQeO33UqFM0ZMuTOdV9wcpRHBHGfn/s1600/DSC03275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6f6WL2BewWd95bYZJSVPITiIVe7i4yUjeEAnkojaFSbKcrndEI9cpK_SkNZvD0NN9pw8yl6iF2lE8K7hVYC-NZiwuuU1oFsBYPfgX_PvmYgIH5ZPZQeO33UqFM0ZMuTOdV9wcpRHBHGfn/s320/DSC03275.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dog food, yum yum!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJs15mBjs7gOIJ9n7cyYL8P3M6mNuzFQRIw8SNJcHbJ3C7Ec9YZrH2olJqm65coopo-jBy1qv_0KwAbO7Hm_a-1oMlQRKOf8i46OSle7H95a5APcUqTetFqKxoZdRf-_25JWnh2gzlfEnR/s1600/DSC03280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJs15mBjs7gOIJ9n7cyYL8P3M6mNuzFQRIw8SNJcHbJ3C7Ec9YZrH2olJqm65coopo-jBy1qv_0KwAbO7Hm_a-1oMlQRKOf8i46OSle7H95a5APcUqTetFqKxoZdRf-_25JWnh2gzlfEnR/s320/DSC03280.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbing the outside of the steps since the gate is blocking access.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLyQHJplC8clIO3_Gm3h4tb7LLHjfR5FjUiUutAxk6bQ3mP1mngcS74JE7straxyN71HhVVnv1InIU1IAKH5PrMSeGHxhtFzBkEXcCS9Fw-p1hq-rYIOKBpJXpHYxGVxPgCQ3_5xV8AkA/s1600/DSC03295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLyQHJplC8clIO3_Gm3h4tb7LLHjfR5FjUiUutAxk6bQ3mP1mngcS74JE7straxyN71HhVVnv1InIU1IAKH5PrMSeGHxhtFzBkEXcCS9Fw-p1hq-rYIOKBpJXpHYxGVxPgCQ3_5xV8AkA/s320/DSC03295.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready to chuck her school bus in anger.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin34sXRIKQlESGit-A6ZvI94-J4BYXxyjyKjin_wUgHUN0UK01rMl2nQSKYX4xVuYvYKvYH-EkdZPFvaJAD6xVUPLrsHIadamDQHlQIStw3_y_zPW3qmsDVt7B9T1y6w-i4HiRw4vQqIF7/s1600/DSC03301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin34sXRIKQlESGit-A6ZvI94-J4BYXxyjyKjin_wUgHUN0UK01rMl2nQSKYX4xVuYvYKvYH-EkdZPFvaJAD6xVUPLrsHIadamDQHlQIStw3_y_zPW3qmsDVt7B9T1y6w-i4HiRw4vQqIF7/s320/DSC03301.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nap Time!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcdg1owtiWfHsgAFAobGniwjD-uqGvWuBntFs67_hmX-UZHwGVuKRF5s12p1e1I-pR2ur3D3nCxDkjivEwvJMsjD6B72AwLZSq6TpCwq56B8VsSSE-dAS0G0jmtWakk_B11_wOHOj6K3nh/s1600/DSC03325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcdg1owtiWfHsgAFAobGniwjD-uqGvWuBntFs67_hmX-UZHwGVuKRF5s12p1e1I-pR2ur3D3nCxDkjivEwvJMsjD6B72AwLZSq6TpCwq56B8VsSSE-dAS0G0jmtWakk_B11_wOHOj6K3nh/s320/DSC03325.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ah, sweet moment.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6jXIElBN58g94nyDfknQ1ixJDDR6T-h9iR2F1piQ4t58WJQsLYvbfWzcuDMmsX9hcmYR8K6HSnusZCr4T_GSZcEnmiunDXUcXHypT_YsGDj_CXn0GLE9YTfmFhQJu5shtJ7Oz2OVAXDy/s1600/DSC03350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6jXIElBN58g94nyDfknQ1ixJDDR6T-h9iR2F1piQ4t58WJQsLYvbfWzcuDMmsX9hcmYR8K6HSnusZCr4T_GSZcEnmiunDXUcXHypT_YsGDj_CXn0GLE9YTfmFhQJu5shtJ7Oz2OVAXDy/s320/DSC03350.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every nap and bedtime she puts her hand up to the side of the crib and I have to poke it. We do this repeatedly for anywhere from 10 - 45 minutes and then she takes a deep breath, rolls over and goes to sleep</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
These photos truly were taken all in one day. We had a wardrobe change that
occurred between the finger poke and her falling asleep. Why, you ask?
Because she had a meltdown over her 3/4 length sleeves! So I changed
her shirt and she drifted to sleep.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkzRri5NGidMOpjoD38WNyFkCVF-JxURYbH9O_fUOjxdYCthsil5sQKqzr48YXsfimWD5JyExLDrxvoW0sPgC63E9-UgCSTwAsciGR04xPX2IRML22-fAutLPz5ckUoTtmiInwu7ZU6vpv/s1600/DSC03358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkzRri5NGidMOpjoD38WNyFkCVF-JxURYbH9O_fUOjxdYCthsil5sQKqzr48YXsfimWD5JyExLDrxvoW0sPgC63E9-UgCSTwAsciGR04xPX2IRML22-fAutLPz5ckUoTtmiInwu7ZU6vpv/s320/DSC03358.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dream land in her long sleeve shirt. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTRgz3GJvfJBvUgKHVzdbghpbjp6B4ko2RS2wZ049ols5gSrrfHLDPUwc5YOWFAW0q-svImQi4ZNp9xE2svEhskzr3z4YSPdd1iG124y91XEBepWWMjchsbp7lzvPmqZYSXo4ptjeLPm0y/s1600/DSC03361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTRgz3GJvfJBvUgKHVzdbghpbjp6B4ko2RS2wZ049ols5gSrrfHLDPUwc5YOWFAW0q-svImQi4ZNp9xE2svEhskzr3z4YSPdd1iG124y91XEBepWWMjchsbp7lzvPmqZYSXo4ptjeLPm0y/s320/DSC03361.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for her siblings school bus to arrive</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiai_kK0XZOMaPna9bEjlb71aKhDUrbVqbR-vcq2YzdXQFnnT9Ev4mY3RZrXZKY521TC2ueVDWoWHOuIbGZ45lfo3N1QnDCBW5sS8agWzm4CcRYykLf1Be129c_tad2_QW0PqSZFzKvawhN/s1600/DSC03373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiai_kK0XZOMaPna9bEjlb71aKhDUrbVqbR-vcq2YzdXQFnnT9Ev4mY3RZrXZKY521TC2ueVDWoWHOuIbGZ45lfo3N1QnDCBW5sS8agWzm4CcRYykLf1Be129c_tad2_QW0PqSZFzKvawhN/s320/DSC03373.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeding her brother</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe9D9Mlwt2aRkmJhtQTTsRKb7h1Iv2UxqFarc-iIzT418EeVJHLVNHEgdkKSv5rmsm9gsi8VS9aIEmlff6x9xW1ZrooiX5P0QCYFwn4vUEUiZcB-pJ3OOll3J6N7C-5UkM4XnWjr86BKpR/s1600/DSC03374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe9D9Mlwt2aRkmJhtQTTsRKb7h1Iv2UxqFarc-iIzT418EeVJHLVNHEgdkKSv5rmsm9gsi8VS9aIEmlff6x9xW1ZrooiX5P0QCYFwn4vUEUiZcB-pJ3OOll3J6N7C-5UkM4XnWjr86BKpR/s320/DSC03374.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting into her brothers homework</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nKgl6Hex2EkeEKw-699eymkfdLy9-NJm68evuhCA_ICjWmgZZuXTE3YiXOOQkm9uc1YJyCzlYLqwslXhd3Xr7DHXxaHpUMHY0D1pDsMtSKvIvRjyo-fjk-kQH-7-aGEF5mUsMLivGdz3/s1600/DSC03383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nKgl6Hex2EkeEKw-699eymkfdLy9-NJm68evuhCA_ICjWmgZZuXTE3YiXOOQkm9uc1YJyCzlYLqwslXhd3Xr7DHXxaHpUMHY0D1pDsMtSKvIvRjyo-fjk-kQH-7-aGEF5mUsMLivGdz3/s320/DSC03383.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She empties the entire container of baby wipes EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Today she actually snook it from the family room into the living room before emptying the contents. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0pbZWhwhwZ7xmTgipeR_BcjsemLNiQ18VD5RgJGKXblUVCVHrvIkD7omJk9wvJ_kREZTEHQWwEPKGxpB4_nW8IfHDZqMUs0OmZCTNED3h3kfRJ553mP7-IEKGgucvjk0W1hUjoOIOkpoe/s1600/DSC03388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0pbZWhwhwZ7xmTgipeR_BcjsemLNiQ18VD5RgJGKXblUVCVHrvIkD7omJk9wvJ_kREZTEHQWwEPKGxpB4_nW8IfHDZqMUs0OmZCTNED3h3kfRJ553mP7-IEKGgucvjk0W1hUjoOIOkpoe/s320/DSC03388.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Did you know it's a law that you CANNOT keep shoes on in the car? At least Mercy thinks so.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIfwMy8nChplZ76L7We77eH17YLlGSJiPj7XGEH8cAr7txZ4FhpZDN4avJPjJR8y691URQXnmec-0DvZTZZcQzuwJbqTrSnHLIAhqLC2_K2g2Q9uTMk_S7cZ1ixbY22fBHOvrgY44bCvXy/s1600/DSC03397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIfwMy8nChplZ76L7We77eH17YLlGSJiPj7XGEH8cAr7txZ4FhpZDN4avJPjJR8y691URQXnmec-0DvZTZZcQzuwJbqTrSnHLIAhqLC2_K2g2Q9uTMk_S7cZ1ixbY22fBHOvrgY44bCvXy/s320/DSC03397.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tossing her shoe into the backseat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURjHGR3YdzfjjtJbmAbDErN0roQUvr9o3SX6du4Xm3chUcOy5l81XydgIdmsR7YtQ0hyKwnX8K-D1YgW7D-0Zs1Mf40gGGLnvtQ5NHH5OP1WbS6B42GVsy61NpBsZuRW_hafki-qCrWdz/s1600/DSC03401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURjHGR3YdzfjjtJbmAbDErN0roQUvr9o3SX6du4Xm3chUcOy5l81XydgIdmsR7YtQ0hyKwnX8K-D1YgW7D-0Zs1Mf40gGGLnvtQ5NHH5OP1WbS6B42GVsy61NpBsZuRW_hafki-qCrWdz/s320/DSC03401.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking to the park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCPshevSKArqQ8b_c-jvpf_C7QPedmKp1CkN6ATait8egKPZzQy5ibM50RAuqdb6v0uK22ZvlYeG8pKcgcM0DRtwwByikrniNCph2SCxcVJSTUFlNUxchRP9IwRU5sAlw5wDt_TpK9xNEr/s1600/DSC03417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCPshevSKArqQ8b_c-jvpf_C7QPedmKp1CkN6ATait8egKPZzQy5ibM50RAuqdb6v0uK22ZvlYeG8pKcgcM0DRtwwByikrniNCph2SCxcVJSTUFlNUxchRP9IwRU5sAlw5wDt_TpK9xNEr/s320/DSC03417.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0vq-d1pmtAOjJ_R-z4C1U9EdlQcpXY2DftoJlK84opCoGaoQmQsLrG6bedN_PbjkNTLzQABjOgXxMI-5Ntm65grFA4036ZaZghajf2qZKuPiJZeD1RfoUISFzaEguyuYm3K-8wNhv8BIs/s1600/DSC03418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0vq-d1pmtAOjJ_R-z4C1U9EdlQcpXY2DftoJlK84opCoGaoQmQsLrG6bedN_PbjkNTLzQABjOgXxMI-5Ntm65grFA4036ZaZghajf2qZKuPiJZeD1RfoUISFzaEguyuYm3K-8wNhv8BIs/s320/DSC03418.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Success (with a little help) </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6zP301wqr3ImsHHdozsNUYoyXDsph4_6GerJocdisjgM8-YeSrCX8wmDujnqCindkPTC2dCekwJSF-Ix2aj2aoa1yavzUoz-K_64pjmEIPOshT1QSLYWsNhim5ZrYQUT0F4jrO79nzY2g/s1600/DSC03433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6zP301wqr3ImsHHdozsNUYoyXDsph4_6GerJocdisjgM8-YeSrCX8wmDujnqCindkPTC2dCekwJSF-Ix2aj2aoa1yavzUoz-K_64pjmEIPOshT1QSLYWsNhim5ZrYQUT0F4jrO79nzY2g/s320/DSC03433.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Brother Mason taking her up to go on the slide</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66UKVWMod66Q6SwWqtZqeogXxGfJX_Gqmpx1_SzzkO5l_icYLrQE01nV5Qr2RT60ASkKrxiZEYTC_gAW9MX8grE227bUpOmBOeuEeGRgy5Y70EpFgWxUsM56LwCHag57lmIocr6IOPdjy/s1600/DSC03434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66UKVWMod66Q6SwWqtZqeogXxGfJX_Gqmpx1_SzzkO5l_icYLrQE01nV5Qr2RT60ASkKrxiZEYTC_gAW9MX8grE227bUpOmBOeuEeGRgy5Y70EpFgWxUsM56LwCHag57lmIocr6IOPdjy/s320/DSC03434.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deciding she wants to try the steps herself.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQYwEvhpRHR24qUnaSpdpEp5SzmTEyMnAzLpgnyJzTxB5hdMZlcXfKaQE-w07JxPNIhWOSzJ4cxjHI7hk37oPiRnf4czxcSDwyzYSR18CQM0JqOfL8XBoGcmD5YAIk7iCAKFfis_K5jQuV/s1600/DSC03440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQYwEvhpRHR24qUnaSpdpEp5SzmTEyMnAzLpgnyJzTxB5hdMZlcXfKaQE-w07JxPNIhWOSzJ4cxjHI7hk37oPiRnf4czxcSDwyzYSR18CQM0JqOfL8XBoGcmD5YAIk7iCAKFfis_K5jQuV/s320/DSC03440.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So glad I have a big sister to carry me. Phew, I'm exhausted.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQMmQGmYsY1YPyoeKa-4tbfM0y4qwmmVB8KLy-BgfpGgWnsBWtpD7a5I-_eylEyPY9u8G13rWmNRgCLACq5pU2FDkerGMTnJK4OXCijM4KbNXTW7nwYAQ_zhEOMAM3lAKOqbJAxr80UhT7/s1600/DSC03444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQMmQGmYsY1YPyoeKa-4tbfM0y4qwmmVB8KLy-BgfpGgWnsBWtpD7a5I-_eylEyPY9u8G13rWmNRgCLACq5pU2FDkerGMTnJK4OXCijM4KbNXTW7nwYAQ_zhEOMAM3lAKOqbJAxr80UhT7/s320/DSC03444.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking her glasses off in the car. Notice the shoes are missing too...again!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_QEVZSIOnx5cXTlWqw9v5zirdUw0EkUoQlvfe-UXYNNkVsp1eeiCe5-Som2a2MsyLOkknWiGSybNcZJHrupdbStj52Tnbu2jicoP3CfUG3rX0KXrirtAFQwFcfCf-yiaYNL6TMmPwdSX/s1600/DSC03448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_QEVZSIOnx5cXTlWqw9v5zirdUw0EkUoQlvfe-UXYNNkVsp1eeiCe5-Som2a2MsyLOkknWiGSybNcZJHrupdbStj52Tnbu2jicoP3CfUG3rX0KXrirtAFQwFcfCf-yiaYNL6TMmPwdSX/s320/DSC03448.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Found a bag of potatoes to get into.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji3XZiwCN5UKzHVNkOF1SpsC7qtpUWlhn4Lx3-YtcLRLo69CZk7TV4IVZ7-isQxOTgLUf-al9vg9fYbSMYmkzKDv7LLW1Rfey0ZNddDvdybbnwGkT23iQkLa1tuMlvso3Y4FIJ_66FnnM8/s1600/DSC03460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji3XZiwCN5UKzHVNkOF1SpsC7qtpUWlhn4Lx3-YtcLRLo69CZk7TV4IVZ7-isQxOTgLUf-al9vg9fYbSMYmkzKDv7LLW1Rfey0ZNddDvdybbnwGkT23iQkLa1tuMlvso3Y4FIJ_66FnnM8/s320/DSC03460.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My night ended with taking a trip back to the library to find this! She will not keep them on her feet in the car and one escaped the van and was left behind. Thank God it was still there when I went back. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
I no longer wonder why I am so tired at the end of the day. This was actually a really good day!!! But I'm beat anyway.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Scott and Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16177441773628427955noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883199697365182174.post-37006725848214271662013-09-12T22:45:00.000-04:002013-09-12T22:45:50.692-04:00I'll Be BackNo that title is not intended to sound like Arnold Schwarzenegger. But it is a phrase we are saying pretty regularly here these days. We are trying to so hard to get Mercy to understand that when one of us leaves we will be back. So when Scott leaves for work he says "I'll be back." When the kids leave for school they say "I'll be back." When anyone of us leave for something we say "I'll be back." She's catching on because yesterday when I had to take Michaela to her Bible study I told Mercy "I'll be back." With that she chased me across the foyer screaming. I guess she didn't want me to leave. Tonight Scott and I had Michaela's meet the teacher back to school night. It was only the second time we have both left Mercy t the same time. Each of us has left her, but one of us is always home with her. Tonight as we both kissed her good-bye and said "I'll be back" she again headed for the door in tears. Thankfully she did stop crying and stayed content and happy while we were gone. When we got home and we walked through the door I don't know who gave us a bigger greeting, the dog or Mercy. She jumped into my arms and burried her head into me and then looked up into my face and shouted "back!" I could have cried. Yes, sweetheart mommy came back. I will always come back. <br />
<br />
Tonights welcome back greeting hits the heart hard because she always seems shocked when we come back. Tonights greeting also hit the heart hard because it assured me that she is bonding. She embraced me, she was excited to see me, she was excited to see Scott. Tonight when I put her to bed she fell asleep in my arms again and when I put her in the port-a-crib she didn't cry. She held her hand up, I poked it as I always do, and she turned over and peacefully fell back to sleep. I love this journey we are on. I love watching her wrestle with and then grow in trust. I love slowly watching her walls come down brick by brick. I love the picture it displays of our human hearts towards God. I love her and I am beginning to think she might be starting to love me too.<br />
<br />
<br />Scott and Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16177441773628427955noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883199697365182174.post-33195003883838833612013-09-10T11:48:00.001-04:002013-09-10T11:48:32.437-04:00A Beach Bum in the Making?<div id="header-wrapper">
<div class="header section" id="header">
<div class="widget Header" id="Header1">
<div id="header-inner">
<div class="titlewrapper">
<h1 class="title">
</h1>
</div>
<div class="descriptionwrapper">
<div class="description">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="crosscol-wrapper" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="post-header">
</div>
We took a day trip to the beach on Sunday. We knew it could be "risky"
not knowing how Mercy would respond. We knew it would most likely be
hard on her to be in the sun all day long and had know idea how she
would handle that. We knew it would most likely make her anxious to be
in a completely new environment with new smells, new noises and
unfamiliar scenery. And we knew that it would most definitely be
sensory overload. So we started the day with an open mind, flexible
heart, knowing that as quickly as we settled in, we might also be
packing back up and heading home. Why did we subject her to all of
this? Mostly for our other three loveys. We enjoy the beach and
usually spend a week there every year. The kids were missing the sand,
the ocean, boogie boarding and that wonderful ocean breeze. It just
didn't feel like summer was complete, and school was already back in
session. A day trip close by seemed "doable."<br />
<br />
We did manage to make it through the entire day. Scott and I juggled
Mercy in our arms on and off, back and forth all day long. Our kids
saving grace was when she conked out drinking her bottle and ended up
taking a three hour nap under the umbrella with that ocean breeze
blowing her wispy hair. Honestly, it was the perfect ending to a really
great day. The kids, Scott and I got our beach fix, and Mercy slept
off the horror we subjected her too.<br />
<br />
Mentally it was really great for Scott and I too. We were told by many
that we would be able to enjoy the beach despite her Albinism and sun
sensitivity, but there were a few times this summer that left us
wondering if that was true. As far as the sun is concerned she did
great. It was more the the unfamiliarity and new senses that kept her
cranky and fearful. We lathered her up with sunblock a couple times
during the day, put sunglasses on and kept a hat on her head (when she
would let us) and when she wasn't down by the water we kept her under a
beach umbrella. It wasn't much different than what we have done for our
other kids. OK, maybe I worried a little more about sunburn, but she
walked away from the entire day as white as when she started.<br />
<br />
It was a great day for Scott, me and the kids. It was a great day of
making a new memory, now as a family of six. However, I think it's safe
to say Mercy mostly hated the beach. We'll try again next year and hope she has a change of heart.<br />
<br />
I'll let the pictures speak for Mercy.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQB0EFvATKw_Hk129y0nFu6GytKxIeTyjFbYr1Eoj5Lbbc1qB9kE3ZjY0CILDG2quUk2HGwAiFqle8iD8xdh0vzXtZEd5ffV9BtOtposkOm8BcvRA0ENp8wcFHJzLF4UU_H4z7UuHq3z1q/s1600/DSC02935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQB0EFvATKw_Hk129y0nFu6GytKxIeTyjFbYr1Eoj5Lbbc1qB9kE3ZjY0CILDG2quUk2HGwAiFqle8iD8xdh0vzXtZEd5ffV9BtOtposkOm8BcvRA0ENp8wcFHJzLF4UU_H4z7UuHq3z1q/s320/DSC02935.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5OP7tZKCbv5sY6-lDgmiR6bh5ke5p6usNuiReVD-SywBFwPCT4LP742oh-0_eoJWtqG3UY1wgFkba_W4H8d_Wyt2C703sU115tdEHfkCCUysDpf7JR-XeudpZ4jaJ2ldI6uLiUZuM7E2/s1600/DSC02936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5OP7tZKCbv5sY6-lDgmiR6bh5ke5p6usNuiReVD-SywBFwPCT4LP742oh-0_eoJWtqG3UY1wgFkba_W4H8d_Wyt2C703sU115tdEHfkCCUysDpf7JR-XeudpZ4jaJ2ldI6uLiUZuM7E2/s320/DSC02936.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OK, I did NOT like that!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Ak3HUITtxrG6ddI5Vt7fjBI-rTMJd8gf_5qkdcv3lvmyCh1xBQTa-6DuqVfIsqdnwal0_rOuPB9D3GJsgVF9qByLMPTVGZQxs5oUmCelb0MHhQ9JfpE__DKbDif34jR48vRdb0aSe1UQ/s1600/DSC02941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Ak3HUITtxrG6ddI5Vt7fjBI-rTMJd8gf_5qkdcv3lvmyCh1xBQTa-6DuqVfIsqdnwal0_rOuPB9D3GJsgVF9qByLMPTVGZQxs5oUmCelb0MHhQ9JfpE__DKbDif34jR48vRdb0aSe1UQ/s320/DSC02941.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mommy please rescue me.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJoU1hRtYwp0M1DdOVSTkM-qqb9n-qveLjxW3kX9BKvLgfRsoxpFRFk7JiKga97B_uRNeITDLUXJ0ZTM-mzLUp-JLjzwPzzMUkTpfyd1-K8uqyaY1x7hNPQoAAAkdqrHAiQCC0C5ozevxM/s1600/DSC02946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJoU1hRtYwp0M1DdOVSTkM-qqb9n-qveLjxW3kX9BKvLgfRsoxpFRFk7JiKga97B_uRNeITDLUXJ0ZTM-mzLUp-JLjzwPzzMUkTpfyd1-K8uqyaY1x7hNPQoAAAkdqrHAiQCC0C5ozevxM/s400/DSC02946.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv1397630300tr-caption-container" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1378382783154_74966" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody id="yui_3_7_2_1_1378382783154_74965">
<tr id="yui_3_7_2_1_1378382783154_75825"><td class="yiv1397630300tr-caption" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1378382783154_75824" style="text-align: center;">My favorite shot of the day. She is saying "Daddy you think you can put me in that water again? Well watch this trick!"</td><td class="yiv1397630300tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="yiv1397630300tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="yiv1397630300tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFWfcrTjFZuM19vsC6F24uaD7AV6PwEQtZwmF3ka4zh-4-6OpCfU9Yrw6zwJC3cPb3fvRP6XP7t1XisuVK8sZtUBNnItSY2F0xqn6QL35vTqkTPmpw52MqoqMyrkfuSV1U-EpLebDmxgP_/s1600/DSC02978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFWfcrTjFZuM19vsC6F24uaD7AV6PwEQtZwmF3ka4zh-4-6OpCfU9Yrw6zwJC3cPb3fvRP6XP7t1XisuVK8sZtUBNnItSY2F0xqn6QL35vTqkTPmpw52MqoqMyrkfuSV1U-EpLebDmxgP_/s400/DSC02978.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglojx5UG_csQqkP9IcKHLRoQKmn6JC09bBfceJjWfpHg14n_JfBrran2_NOE_n7BQp58wHYwdkiVlu1gKoT3Dv71IKsay9pZEhhGmuLM4_6RUVVddis9MIeRD0-GSkWZmjI_cDIQh_UG5R/s1600/DSC02979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglojx5UG_csQqkP9IcKHLRoQKmn6JC09bBfceJjWfpHg14n_JfBrran2_NOE_n7BQp58wHYwdkiVlu1gKoT3Dv71IKsay9pZEhhGmuLM4_6RUVVddis9MIeRD0-GSkWZmjI_cDIQh_UG5R/s400/DSC02979.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one does make me feel a little sorry for her.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioqT3Y4ekDvEdnifE7TKZ22Pxu5kqZvqfmFoBImLTTMd4g9w7XESvKmngnx7tNmkIo4bU3p_4wGufLKJrlYrFoiLRscYOXsedg_zNiTDe8q4Yz1GL3UsJtYnigH2RPgqgmc8pD5NbzNrHD/s1600/DSC02980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioqT3Y4ekDvEdnifE7TKZ22Pxu5kqZvqfmFoBImLTTMd4g9w7XESvKmngnx7tNmkIo4bU3p_4wGufLKJrlYrFoiLRscYOXsedg_zNiTDe8q4Yz1GL3UsJtYnigH2RPgqgmc8pD5NbzNrHD/s320/DSC02980.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHABpVRA98tWKZGQLkIar1U_IPlu3UYaOcM681vZojid59cypwo8tDcaiEVJG1zoEQnlmSej6xIFPdSw5KVNfLO6Iy6bzbKo68ftup4pzUAKrlKfxaidJgbzKBhTQMZJokaQrg3H7cvqRl/s1600/DSC02981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHABpVRA98tWKZGQLkIar1U_IPlu3UYaOcM681vZojid59cypwo8tDcaiEVJG1zoEQnlmSej6xIFPdSw5KVNfLO6Iy6bzbKo68ftup4pzUAKrlKfxaidJgbzKBhTQMZJokaQrg3H7cvqRl/s320/DSC02981.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyt2DDRBhHit7LXWXBkKA9R1nxEMCzUq_glgbW8koEScQ5fl-c0Pfqolgc97kYTrqhorsCLiELIrXbEo6uo1XgmfjQF7R2A-Zzmqh0MpPZ22pPcykZ2_pzI2ili1kNH6oZGICsJ7Vyu0ul/s1600/DSC02982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyt2DDRBhHit7LXWXBkKA9R1nxEMCzUq_glgbW8koEScQ5fl-c0Pfqolgc97kYTrqhorsCLiELIrXbEo6uo1XgmfjQF7R2A-Zzmqh0MpPZ22pPcykZ2_pzI2ili1kNH6oZGICsJ7Vyu0ul/s320/DSC02982.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7LSFjIsLJnQjGKVQmdekh59m6KpffPbkLry6i_47jNY-K7HvzRnWj6pnu9DQXNTxlIqifiE4-CRW-qPLK22GsI_HvECWQz6P2NegQu0RcufYcR0fcwCjmBoAnvpYuf527mcHCGw-XwNgE/s1600/DSC02983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7LSFjIsLJnQjGKVQmdekh59m6KpffPbkLry6i_47jNY-K7HvzRnWj6pnu9DQXNTxlIqifiE4-CRW-qPLK22GsI_HvECWQz6P2NegQu0RcufYcR0fcwCjmBoAnvpYuf527mcHCGw-XwNgE/s320/DSC02983.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiogIdqN6R8aDGpNrSwvp4zFj4hsfc4ufWvGCRlydxHMxHUIrtGRtG_cQiz0xY-falbhzh5Q2AosNFiZ-Am3d8cPps0UiCEjEPsAoPu_-niGdjgpgIONnHfK01i5-8bREx9CF9SHNjTRxF/s1600/DSC02989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiogIdqN6R8aDGpNrSwvp4zFj4hsfc4ufWvGCRlydxHMxHUIrtGRtG_cQiz0xY-falbhzh5Q2AosNFiZ-Am3d8cPps0UiCEjEPsAoPu_-niGdjgpgIONnHfK01i5-8bREx9CF9SHNjTRxF/s320/DSC02989.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She
sat in her chair like this as much as possible. Everything tucked up
tight and away from the sand. Wouldn't even put her
feet down. She is checking out a seashell her sister gave her, but she
wouldn't touch it because it had sand on it.
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEuZgj6p_DH4yUrud8nSwXJoPktUliBj_KwVc3mbtyXT4VbAgw75WjyDq30fsGXBK-YxAKQwiaEWNGmDGkZH9bHvTJtH8unCFk6uIcvc0R17jSA-EwOtX_DTLWmu1weKP3_9OUYhok9iYu/s1600/DSC03012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEuZgj6p_DH4yUrud8nSwXJoPktUliBj_KwVc3mbtyXT4VbAgw75WjyDq30fsGXBK-YxAKQwiaEWNGmDGkZH9bHvTJtH8unCFk6uIcvc0R17jSA-EwOtX_DTLWmu1weKP3_9OUYhok9iYu/s320/DSC03012.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleepy or traumatized, the verdict is still out.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOp_M2v3CVrbZjtl-tS_awlRni7Jli49FDaCJzWkjWrrzobFidVe1SNF3fE84Di2eorJSIFtPQfth6sVZLqBu_x_OP86FJJuSAw5opafSsNhlsqGaa9ziWT7laL4ROLrjaiF6z2AiQQCXk/s1600/DSC03020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOp_M2v3CVrbZjtl-tS_awlRni7Jli49FDaCJzWkjWrrzobFidVe1SNF3fE84Di2eorJSIFtPQfth6sVZLqBu_x_OP86FJJuSAw5opafSsNhlsqGaa9ziWT7laL4ROLrjaiF6z2AiQQCXk/s320/DSC03020.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out that wind blown hair!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dnsMuqQhTQhDLCMfKmjt1mIYKFHeA7IYNzL2fnRrVKO03kaxmy8yIutF6-6hm6nGc22tKRqxIkBWdbwQYf2VEM6c8qZS-0bkAdgqPoAT3CdXICFXBMddICgYvb9a8SlMwsUBCQj5Yylx/s1600/DSC02919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dnsMuqQhTQhDLCMfKmjt1mIYKFHeA7IYNzL2fnRrVKO03kaxmy8yIutF6-6hm6nGc22tKRqxIkBWdbwQYf2VEM6c8qZS-0bkAdgqPoAT3CdXICFXBMddICgYvb9a8SlMwsUBCQj5Yylx/s320/DSC02919.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy to be heading off the beach and away from that giant swimming pool my family calls an Ocean.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Scott and Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16177441773628427955noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883199697365182174.post-1674134778185182522013-09-05T20:59:00.004-04:002013-09-05T20:59:46.407-04:00Audiology and DermatologyYesterday we headed to CHOP for two more appointments. Our first stop was Audiology to have Mercy's hearing tested. Back when we received her Chinese medical records there were references made to her hearing that left us with one of those unknowns. Was she hearing impaired? When we were in China we knew that couldn't possibly be the case because she seemed to hear EVERYTHING. However, she did have a severe ear infection when we were in China and when we returned home the doctor confirmed that her ear drum had been perforated, but was healing. Yesterdays visit showed that her left ear drum is still not healed. It also shows that she is hearing impaired. What does that mean? For the moment it means we know she does not have much hearing in her left ear and she also shows a slight impairment in her right ear. However, it continues to leave many unknowns because what we don't know is whether the hearing loss is permanent, or can be improved. So audiology is sending us to Otolaryngology (in laymans terms Ear, Nose and Throat). Once we see them we will hopefully get more answers. In the meantime we are praying hard that the hearing loss is temporary at best, or can be improved with a hearing aid at worst. What we don't want to be told is that it cannot be improved at all, that would be hard to hear. (no pun intended) Mercy is already a low vision child, so we know that hearing is a vital sense for her to navigate, especially in unfamiliar surroundings or bright settings. So please join us in praying that her hearing is fully restored.<br />
<br />
Another funny thing that came out of Mercy's audiology appointment was discovering I am hard of hearing too. They put the three of us (Scott,Mercy and I) in a sound proof room. Scott held Mercy on his lap and I sat on a chair across from them. Scott had a basket of blocks and I held an empty basket. We played a game with Mercy where when she heard a noise she was to take a block from daddy's basket and place it in mommy's basket. At one point she picked up a block and dropped it in and I said "no no, you need to wait for the noise." Scott looks at me and says "there was a noise." For the rest of that test there were certain times when I heard nothing and should have been hearing something. So now when I say to Scott "what did you say?" he can no longer get frustrated because apparently my hearing is not that great. HA! <br />
<br />
Our next stop was Dermatology. This was by far the easiest appointment we have had to date. We loved Dr. Treat. He gave her body a once over and found nothing alarming or concerning. Dr. Treat actually praised us for how well we are taking care of her skin. He gave us a few more tips to keep her skin protected and that was that. He also shared that once Mercy turns 20 she will probably not age at all. So when she is 50 she will still look 20. Lucky girl! If we all stayed out of the sun or protected ourselves the way she requires, we could look younger too. Although her Asian genes will also help in her "fountain of youth" appearance. We really loved this doctor and as long as he continues at CHOP we will see him once a year for the next 8 years, and then possibly more often after the age of 10. <br />
<br />
I will share one cool thing that came out of her dermatology appointment yesterday. We did have resident doctors for this appointment, besides Dr. Treat, and we witnessed a lesson on Albinism that made me smile. Mercy has a pretty bad bruise on her leg, so the physicians assistant asked why that should cause concern to the resident. I knew the answer and was so proudly ready to answer. The resident had no idea why bruising on a patient with Albinism should be concerning. The answer is because it should point to the possibility of Hermansky Pudlak Syndrome. Of course, we already know that Mercy does not have it, but the residents wouldn't know that. So it was cool to see them being educated on something so rare, and getting that experience and knowledge during their training. <br />
<br />
Scott and I joke that every time we have gone to CHOP we walk away with a few more appointments on our calendar. Yesterday was no different. Besides ENT, we also need to see a Neurosurgeon. It's probably nothing at all, just routine for a Sacral Dimple she has. But a Neurosurgeon is the type of doctor who specializes in confirming whether or not is is something. So two more specialists and two more appointments added to our calendar, but hopefully we can schedule them for the same day and make only one trip.<br />
<br />
Here are a few candid moments to highlight the day. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3oS1YtHtuOi89lWYBOiinP-1b8vtCFMf1pVxDyDedXqKtl4fmKCdDCYsmR4vxJm7CILvRMln_TDZBELjmGNHkM4_pe45ynqWvb1GguO1DYsLWiVWGheDnUnmf5FP74qvlsgL7D9cGfJ28/s1600/DSC02743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3oS1YtHtuOi89lWYBOiinP-1b8vtCFMf1pVxDyDedXqKtl4fmKCdDCYsmR4vxJm7CILvRMln_TDZBELjmGNHkM4_pe45ynqWvb1GguO1DYsLWiVWGheDnUnmf5FP74qvlsgL7D9cGfJ28/s320/DSC02743.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging out in the sound proof testing room.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpqPLd0czcNNUMyGwg0zSThNqwTIgcmNN2CQ9hSfHVjSv0d81K12PoLKF2P0SWUyiWTNmrxKBuCoAAzHdYlKulSRGXIM43fdnSNPUwqLYC23e2_vXyH1VGSEShmAOTjnERYqdPS6zVDjOn/s1600/DSC02744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpqPLd0czcNNUMyGwg0zSThNqwTIgcmNN2CQ9hSfHVjSv0d81K12PoLKF2P0SWUyiWTNmrxKBuCoAAzHdYlKulSRGXIM43fdnSNPUwqLYC23e2_vXyH1VGSEShmAOTjnERYqdPS6zVDjOn/s320/DSC02744.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin7uzDxorguK0nmPtbPPBL29xqp9sMV-XpDKjqju4M9i7qyAkSMsafwCOpRifgGv5FrfQ-NSgn6b08kdEwQIMsO0OSLMIdjBgGazUln83mLN35kP47XEhUKR4RF2fEBr9Div0JGfQ5AZe-/s1600/DSC02750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin7uzDxorguK0nmPtbPPBL29xqp9sMV-XpDKjqju4M9i7qyAkSMsafwCOpRifgGv5FrfQ-NSgn6b08kdEwQIMsO0OSLMIdjBgGazUln83mLN35kP47XEhUKR4RF2fEBr9Div0JGfQ5AZe-/s320/DSC02750.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She was't to sure about the hospital gown.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzkeyk5N66aBNCigrHQ2zsav9roKKurz_sVWolLqp8DqFA456Ic1obpVpdw_Jtps-VTEVLP-xGQPF7hbq1vsWz463rWM1xFw0l4AynJzxlirVSa1hFAARup6Obm-e8uEDH46KXkVx28Tqs/s1600/DSC02756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzkeyk5N66aBNCigrHQ2zsav9roKKurz_sVWolLqp8DqFA456Ic1obpVpdw_Jtps-VTEVLP-xGQPF7hbq1vsWz463rWM1xFw0l4AynJzxlirVSa1hFAARup6Obm-e8uEDH46KXkVx28Tqs/s320/DSC02756.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entertaining herself while waiting.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdFghQSAj4kKFW4LQe-V4sOu3nhCOV_ZOWd0bGOGPTVykbhR-NmZ96DP1L206d63RTeBf_M0SclIvSsTGJjcdKnLP9SZoaNB5JL6DJoxrT34eahl2kwSPoH6ArYknfnASdV5UTgSsgXb2H/s1600/DSC02759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdFghQSAj4kKFW4LQe-V4sOu3nhCOV_ZOWd0bGOGPTVykbhR-NmZ96DP1L206d63RTeBf_M0SclIvSsTGJjcdKnLP9SZoaNB5JL6DJoxrT34eahl2kwSPoH6ArYknfnASdV5UTgSsgXb2H/s320/DSC02759.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_khR4a4JiGRwTRlURjUXCwiFfNik0YaMCkOj5d0VeO_HyGhORnzwZ0fpz9y-8g1aSOTvZt9mMfPUZqhQvmA_fY1nlzpJRtGJIuKSF7wJOAmPHqHbCv0L64JR-anRLxloHYxrmqbWZRAcU/s1600/DSC02760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_khR4a4JiGRwTRlURjUXCwiFfNik0YaMCkOj5d0VeO_HyGhORnzwZ0fpz9y-8g1aSOTvZt9mMfPUZqhQvmA_fY1nlzpJRtGJIuKSF7wJOAmPHqHbCv0L64JR-anRLxloHYxrmqbWZRAcU/s320/DSC02760.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This girl LOVES her daddy!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />Scott and Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16177441773628427955noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883199697365182174.post-1522535757810421372013-09-03T23:02:00.001-04:002013-09-03T23:02:30.522-04:00Gasin' UpI thought I would make a few attempts to just simply write about our days here. A journal of daily life as we continue to adjust, and because I know that looking back can help me remember how far we have come. Looking back brings encouragement when looking forward seems so dim and dark.<br />
<br />
Overall, today went pretty well. It was the "second" first day back to school, as we had a long weekend with the kids being home Friday and Monday. I expected Mercy to be clingy, so I prepared accordingly and sure enough she was. She had Vision and Speech Therapy this morning and being clingy, along with her desire to write her own agenda made her fairly uncooperative. We got through the two sessions, but I can't say I felt either was productive or moved her forward today. Once her therapists left she was stuck to my hip until lunch time. After lunch we played for a bit and then got ready for nap time. Today she fell asleep in my arms before she was even finished with her bottle. I had a long list of things I wanted to accomplish during nap time, but let it go to just soak in the moment of holding her. She has been home with us for a little over three months and I think I can still count on one hand the times she has actually slept in my arms. She normally fights it. So I knew this was a rare and important moment to take in.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLx-G-QlwOxcLgid6rTeqT39l8ZZY5XKUC84kB97J6S7VKqWYhyxJTuXC8aiohzHz_ZiIVqYmFLW5a4KCQyF1sj2uSKUHwjKl6Sgynszr0ibJIdPD6oR-dUGrIWcW5g-orKpjwG9ZanfB/s1600/1240256_627392733961392_507848261_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLx-G-QlwOxcLgid6rTeqT39l8ZZY5XKUC84kB97J6S7VKqWYhyxJTuXC8aiohzHz_ZiIVqYmFLW5a4KCQyF1sj2uSKUHwjKl6Sgynszr0ibJIdPD6oR-dUGrIWcW5g-orKpjwG9ZanfB/s320/1240256_627392733961392_507848261_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
She woke up happy. That is also a rarity. Actually I don't know that she has ever woke up from a nap happy. She has woken up happy in the morning, but never at nap time. I guess she just needed to be held tight? <br />
<br />
Later this afternoon I had to run the kids to music lessons. Since the weather was so beautiful I took the two littlest to the park in between. Mason is such a sweet big brother to her. He carried her up the steps, positioned her on his lap and held her tight as he took her down the slide. As they reached the bottom she signed for more and he scooped her up and took her again. I don't think Mason weighs to much more then Mercy. She is a hefty little girl and he's a scrawny little boy. He struggled to carry her, but he did it proudly and with great perseverance. I loved watching them together.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSx-PEfJeu10Hy1kEjOBCX5PWf3xaE7Yq_u7eOun4Hb6W6pnBpf4uAQgOZKlw9cotkUhPXDu9iks04gGifzZbLZRRYBE_ARmI60gXhVGrmqAj2KcufN5HHLn7L3MEOgFSJpn9pfiov3wfG/s1600/IMG_2934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSx-PEfJeu10Hy1kEjOBCX5PWf3xaE7Yq_u7eOun4Hb6W6pnBpf4uAQgOZKlw9cotkUhPXDu9iks04gGifzZbLZRRYBE_ARmI60gXhVGrmqAj2KcufN5HHLn7L3MEOgFSJpn9pfiov3wfG/s320/IMG_2934.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBa2fPjs6BtXke1OKQzuNzVhVOQSF0ace9QYtMpS6aRUcAzW-wDyrJtDQ_KOfuT2NO-SNXgfB3ODSSNz1egnRB6Jhpx_uhk-wZilMHF-Gq_9WQO-wgKW2gPhu21kejE1W1OBCQ_kE5NSPL/s1600/IMG_2939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBa2fPjs6BtXke1OKQzuNzVhVOQSF0ace9QYtMpS6aRUcAzW-wDyrJtDQ_KOfuT2NO-SNXgfB3ODSSNz1egnRB6Jhpx_uhk-wZilMHF-Gq_9WQO-wgKW2gPhu21kejE1W1OBCQ_kE5NSPL/s320/IMG_2939.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Later tonight Mercy and I headed out to do some grocery shopping. I would normally leave her home with Scott, but the other kids needed to finish up homework so I thought eliminating the sweet little distraction known as Mercy might help. We got to the store and there was a pretty foul smell in the air. As I opened the door to get her out she was pinching her nose closed. Cracked me up.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy25qx5Fqx8kMF7cbQbDBF79KINxTjdW4HkTu88dq5i2L5f1iR6TiB7N87tNtodBTh8Kt-sLt19IE4Nebv-RK3PdB6cjlfQc6o_whbpyYszCg9EpzG_pLRCycRGeGR0PHelRFAdM0vcOxI/s1600/IMG_2943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy25qx5Fqx8kMF7cbQbDBF79KINxTjdW4HkTu88dq5i2L5f1iR6TiB7N87tNtodBTh8Kt-sLt19IE4Nebv-RK3PdB6cjlfQc6o_whbpyYszCg9EpzG_pLRCycRGeGR0PHelRFAdM0vcOxI/s320/IMG_2943.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
After shopping I stopped to fill the gas tank because we have another trip down to CHOP tomorrow. As I was pumping the gas I could hear screaming from inside the car. I opened the door to find her screaming, shaking and crying. I knew instantly she was terrified because well one I've seen her like this many times before and two she was in the car alone as I was out pumping gas and it was dark. I felt so bad for her. I calmed her down a bit, but then I had to finish up at the pump and she screamed the whole two minutes I was outside of the van and she was in. I never know what to do in this situations. Moments like this can take what felt like a seemingly "normal" day and throw it right back in my face that our life right now is nothing close to normal. It hurts, literally physically hurts my heart when I have to see her like that. A two year old's eyes should not scream sheer terror the way hers do. It's so wrong. It's so sad. It makes me an emotional mess because there are so many emotions it triggers. I am just sharing this one moment here, but moments like this happen all the time. I long for the day she realizes and trusts that I can be gone for a minute and I will be back.<br />
<br />Scott and Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16177441773628427955noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883199697365182174.post-21686081357118329752013-08-24T23:41:00.000-04:002013-08-24T23:45:49.825-04:00Three Months HomeIt was three months ago today that we boarded a plane from China back
to the US with one of the most beautiful and amazing little two year
olds we have ever known. This girl has brought countless blessings to
our lives and that day, along with so many others, will forever be an
unforgettable, joy filled memory.<br />
<br />
She has come
so far in such a short amount of time. She has learned to walk (including walking on uneven surfaces), climb, talk, play with toys, eat
by herself with a spoon or fork, drink from a cup, blow bubbles or
blow candles out, hug and kiss. She has changed languages, attempted to try
new foods, sleeps through the night and in her own bed (still in our
room, but we'll take what we can get), plays pretend, and she finally
will even pat the dog's head. She is also filling her role as a little sister
soaking in every ounce of attention her siblings lavish on her.<br />
<br />
All these things are wonderful and they give us hope for future
progress. We love this girl more than we could have ever dreamed possible. We say it all the time, but can't help it because it's true, we could not imagine our life without her, not after three months time, not ever.<br />
<br />
Here are some pictures of Mercy that have been taken over the past three months. Tell us what you think as you look at them. Better yet, leave a comment and tell her.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOb6Ad6sFAgKUBX2brDANdqh6YvzcI29mhLgUw_Pzs3of7mxWLicjv049y-6qziUrV_cQ5IGzA6YlXjmUpcMEJ39yB2UiAzLRwpz1OP2GZz-TIEFealfdaLJJLGomQOlidXqWIgxzkCxcX/s1600/DSC01373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOb6Ad6sFAgKUBX2brDANdqh6YvzcI29mhLgUw_Pzs3of7mxWLicjv049y-6qziUrV_cQ5IGzA6YlXjmUpcMEJ39yB2UiAzLRwpz1OP2GZz-TIEFealfdaLJJLGomQOlidXqWIgxzkCxcX/s320/DSC01373.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbaPau5OXGNfebty2lGU9f5BvibYN0A7ubxhbAdaXXjKJD7jgexf8EqDMoVZkGxNmdj4O7_8H4eM2sUYkXw-nGTFuYdu9ONa7nyk2AyIaWQsxSs3JvzPhnxforP7GYJ-CCbBy_xzpo1E-/s1600/DSC01375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbaPau5OXGNfebty2lGU9f5BvibYN0A7ubxhbAdaXXjKJD7jgexf8EqDMoVZkGxNmdj4O7_8H4eM2sUYkXw-nGTFuYdu9ONa7nyk2AyIaWQsxSs3JvzPhnxforP7GYJ-CCbBy_xzpo1E-/s320/DSC01375.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6n9QGYrIwJLJOlG85kkRWL0H2jSic3jQ8VEiQX2VKm_zMSmJIdePsWNN2CbR72AgJVhAskf-umbn_XWUvEo9yY4Nvda8-ga0MZwAb-admDURctCL2vC1mBLgmcLlV78jgpu03X5NkQNLc/s1600/DSC01390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6n9QGYrIwJLJOlG85kkRWL0H2jSic3jQ8VEiQX2VKm_zMSmJIdePsWNN2CbR72AgJVhAskf-umbn_XWUvEo9yY4Nvda8-ga0MZwAb-admDURctCL2vC1mBLgmcLlV78jgpu03X5NkQNLc/s320/DSC01390.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfU_eOA0ltZejDfWm1LS95DPezKOP2B1MSBLwpyYYrKE7vg1DXHHivIlUwzesdZSZnZscqBIMSCxppnICBD7OKzk-gHj2S19nMwub33i-Zw9pI96igS0NLA9BZqrxCwnO-Fo4GOIq6Fyy/s1600/IMG_2098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfU_eOA0ltZejDfWm1LS95DPezKOP2B1MSBLwpyYYrKE7vg1DXHHivIlUwzesdZSZnZscqBIMSCxppnICBD7OKzk-gHj2S19nMwub33i-Zw9pI96igS0NLA9BZqrxCwnO-Fo4GOIq6Fyy/s320/IMG_2098.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzna57jsJB03pAJ8PF6X2Zh0TxIWBnreSySIuwmYIHEkwIudpbgX6pSOvADCqu_jmS_XN_QmpaPg0drZEciE-HAJiqoJSCEyKQQVOIfvnH2854QkKxZBSpvFAeGbDi8GXRblsYB2xBIUpQ/s1600/DSC01543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzna57jsJB03pAJ8PF6X2Zh0TxIWBnreSySIuwmYIHEkwIudpbgX6pSOvADCqu_jmS_XN_QmpaPg0drZEciE-HAJiqoJSCEyKQQVOIfvnH2854QkKxZBSpvFAeGbDi8GXRblsYB2xBIUpQ/s320/DSC01543.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2tyaa19uPIQ32yG7d8ksa9VrmNasvAXpUH6l2HN3271mN4vcnIgBZ-TTd_F8Z_iedDvdH2XDQ8gv7RBQWKQf6IgH_me7RKPKzh4xhRd3bLo78OKuRt_xJcDGm4mHcw9XtQNksljd5Fe8-/s1600/DSC01549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2tyaa19uPIQ32yG7d8ksa9VrmNasvAXpUH6l2HN3271mN4vcnIgBZ-TTd_F8Z_iedDvdH2XDQ8gv7RBQWKQf6IgH_me7RKPKzh4xhRd3bLo78OKuRt_xJcDGm4mHcw9XtQNksljd5Fe8-/s320/DSC01549.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin7PB2IW30BuFScfLiJrV_r4o5XxfgaU3OUgo2tnPePA8f-AuGDHK67Zy4zUV5W9Xu96iaGErJi_ySfuxXqbQ4XhvRAdrNFv923Kuel3lHwgnTisfnfiafn7zN2zYYAjycKcWUfJrH566L/s1600/DSC01565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin7PB2IW30BuFScfLiJrV_r4o5XxfgaU3OUgo2tnPePA8f-AuGDHK67Zy4zUV5W9Xu96iaGErJi_ySfuxXqbQ4XhvRAdrNFv923Kuel3lHwgnTisfnfiafn7zN2zYYAjycKcWUfJrH566L/s320/DSC01565.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFpyJ-rs_jg4UIEGDTUJ_bKy_iVyHurHzrQQ8iBy3OwpqSLtrUxJYDgDniwSHh44aP0hzEBP6O6Pm7w0uslhLnGtWvpu0ZZK9d-ThyL8YO2v-4ARLprMAhQuyDDt-tE7kD5aHW-sZG4QXY/s1600/DSC01638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFpyJ-rs_jg4UIEGDTUJ_bKy_iVyHurHzrQQ8iBy3OwpqSLtrUxJYDgDniwSHh44aP0hzEBP6O6Pm7w0uslhLnGtWvpu0ZZK9d-ThyL8YO2v-4ARLprMAhQuyDDt-tE7kD5aHW-sZG4QXY/s320/DSC01638.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_mgCukNbHGegtW81Sulg7rsoApj_tOV2zO63c9x5tL0i_XJLk_txNJHJbdgxPm3yfL9pXfHPVEYSeQYXIr2zXVFS1mpbGrQy9eB1mIZA6k9liqb7dfJTxVIf7ts2nMhOUD5GychxLEQDC/s1600/DSC01701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_mgCukNbHGegtW81Sulg7rsoApj_tOV2zO63c9x5tL0i_XJLk_txNJHJbdgxPm3yfL9pXfHPVEYSeQYXIr2zXVFS1mpbGrQy9eB1mIZA6k9liqb7dfJTxVIf7ts2nMhOUD5GychxLEQDC/s320/DSC01701.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgU1kI0yqos0xVeTEy0ABtB2l19DjIiUOt4dl2BahJHFee3WJ58Q6HPl7mCNf_Ej3cnA5v8TXxTm6zreXVj0pDkZ5lifvfayDoRgA8kd-tJ_OE2W1ZhgTEFZLrSCzFUHvK4izxbBHvvPmM/s1600/DSC01781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgU1kI0yqos0xVeTEy0ABtB2l19DjIiUOt4dl2BahJHFee3WJ58Q6HPl7mCNf_Ej3cnA5v8TXxTm6zreXVj0pDkZ5lifvfayDoRgA8kd-tJ_OE2W1ZhgTEFZLrSCzFUHvK4izxbBHvvPmM/s320/DSC01781.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-Mr2HpzWX2LqddTrxXMTtLtjgMOHO9CaFQECVWR6V7KhJDXu_EBwfRtffWkDz_8TFtaFamdjneu0fAt9dwpm-qP7HzEhq0f5Ujto4FDHCi5M1ZIAczHQeqEb_nSFdsfCLp3jSkE6aBvh/s1600/DSC01796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-Mr2HpzWX2LqddTrxXMTtLtjgMOHO9CaFQECVWR6V7KhJDXu_EBwfRtffWkDz_8TFtaFamdjneu0fAt9dwpm-qP7HzEhq0f5Ujto4FDHCi5M1ZIAczHQeqEb_nSFdsfCLp3jSkE6aBvh/s320/DSC01796.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBk2Dk1eahmWauo1Glb9T8o5NrDlFZ0vDyXgzU-VFk-Bvmdm9pFqPaxXZOGmi-Pv1UCw_4ZIzxENFfH45v3pX9r4O3FBR7GDge-mUUbxfrCqz8I-PkgIGwoz3L-YY5fJOZsGJkcc852gUp/s1600/DSC02013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBk2Dk1eahmWauo1Glb9T8o5NrDlFZ0vDyXgzU-VFk-Bvmdm9pFqPaxXZOGmi-Pv1UCw_4ZIzxENFfH45v3pX9r4O3FBR7GDge-mUUbxfrCqz8I-PkgIGwoz3L-YY5fJOZsGJkcc852gUp/s320/DSC02013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzgsXkkHMWWOB3tDZgZ0fokc5-TJmYxMwlWA_31RnlbgZeZR2mE8NF-jnQbFDAF-TV2SlkD-zov6NwAD5NGemHW80x8EGGZYxxD7MKyBcdfDLsv2kjPpPMpZg5QviNla9U2ZURiJbYslv4/s1600/DSC02032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzgsXkkHMWWOB3tDZgZ0fokc5-TJmYxMwlWA_31RnlbgZeZR2mE8NF-jnQbFDAF-TV2SlkD-zov6NwAD5NGemHW80x8EGGZYxxD7MKyBcdfDLsv2kjPpPMpZg5QviNla9U2ZURiJbYslv4/s320/DSC02032.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2xxZOQ4JHPFtjwgJ3rQNQLFkz4SxNE5YqSYzwMgShz-Dd2KTkPQtEi8ls_2h7VgoC1qMP4WYg2NYoERHb2wHbw6HLi8EYS2kLA1lZTvP1DsbHJQF4t4B-TTg-TBAs0ANEiPkMVn9x62x/s1600/IMG_2334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2xxZOQ4JHPFtjwgJ3rQNQLFkz4SxNE5YqSYzwMgShz-Dd2KTkPQtEi8ls_2h7VgoC1qMP4WYg2NYoERHb2wHbw6HLi8EYS2kLA1lZTvP1DsbHJQF4t4B-TTg-TBAs0ANEiPkMVn9x62x/s320/IMG_2334.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJ1nFcmtHqmb5HSQ4y3y-d-Q25fhdDa7V8rchyphenhyphen-2gAEnZ6mEdAssHjIUPwpF3bOf6wbJlBJyQOROp7jiS5BiTrgPjZud2mgxGDT-RbiucoflOHmyGJJNmGQCIgKckyqUqfKfzLdaldScM/s1600/IMG_2383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJ1nFcmtHqmb5HSQ4y3y-d-Q25fhdDa7V8rchyphenhyphen-2gAEnZ6mEdAssHjIUPwpF3bOf6wbJlBJyQOROp7jiS5BiTrgPjZud2mgxGDT-RbiucoflOHmyGJJNmGQCIgKckyqUqfKfzLdaldScM/s320/IMG_2383.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8O0bgvVY5_LY-wHGT7aazfIK8Dfn5s9Iwqa3aZyhdX7aggUIF7RyGY__IImUWWPeDlm26fUk_qvcm5j290qAUZ71c3CWrQIYGh4htujQdbvBVM4mVlCWEAHl1qrFmB54isSjdO-k3oR7y/s1600/DSC02066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8O0bgvVY5_LY-wHGT7aazfIK8Dfn5s9Iwqa3aZyhdX7aggUIF7RyGY__IImUWWPeDlm26fUk_qvcm5j290qAUZ71c3CWrQIYGh4htujQdbvBVM4mVlCWEAHl1qrFmB54isSjdO-k3oR7y/s320/DSC02066.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3XshrbdP2TbwbKtxVBDTO872VW_UDrY7vFA6BrBzJlbgASjyGXfBEu3GquLFgwwiqndSJtagZ2MYG6FLlYTLffXr0deduFXyBTFntW8h-foPwbQsYzUfp8OMKP5baOSEb3TFkxQ9CbrO/s1600/IMG_2604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3XshrbdP2TbwbKtxVBDTO872VW_UDrY7vFA6BrBzJlbgASjyGXfBEu3GquLFgwwiqndSJtagZ2MYG6FLlYTLffXr0deduFXyBTFntW8h-foPwbQsYzUfp8OMKP5baOSEb3TFkxQ9CbrO/s320/IMG_2604.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8eM88xG5r2g_G5F0BclrWkapdBL0RxEYF3kq_OTp3K3kUnK5JHorti0mbH8QXmbmmSBj1_ai5xWpyzsn2QKZnfK8Ki8EkUaA_DqFASkxINM4izFytidu9quhM9uj5BCPWU9yVP4Xt77e6/s1600/DSC02504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8eM88xG5r2g_G5F0BclrWkapdBL0RxEYF3kq_OTp3K3kUnK5JHorti0mbH8QXmbmmSBj1_ai5xWpyzsn2QKZnfK8Ki8EkUaA_DqFASkxINM4izFytidu9quhM9uj5BCPWU9yVP4Xt77e6/s320/DSC02504.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhsj1nLvs5bIxOMLuLVditTHvKsp8QkG2VuUwssRMqGiFIrn0TlKJD4a2BNRRpCmzfAwZIQYKKA8FSdiQBMwK3PihqiKXKzYWH8rq-IKldY1FW4j8ycGBTynoTIE8s2vv1KjOfEiWNFiz/s1600/IMG_2666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhsj1nLvs5bIxOMLuLVditTHvKsp8QkG2VuUwssRMqGiFIrn0TlKJD4a2BNRRpCmzfAwZIQYKKA8FSdiQBMwK3PihqiKXKzYWH8rq-IKldY1FW4j8ycGBTynoTIE8s2vv1KjOfEiWNFiz/s320/IMG_2666.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb08PNcU03PC_BCF8GF8D52Axmq8KlJjLfOMCSTHRjIG9n72tBs2n2husX3ihuefu4Qa2Ei3E2x-oDdo-5nsr7QGwDHDXmHIZgnXKKaKW4jdWwZVl4uJL0IcysaV0Q0SRQPY75yCifVeOU/s1600/IMG_2707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb08PNcU03PC_BCF8GF8D52Axmq8KlJjLfOMCSTHRjIG9n72tBs2n2husX3ihuefu4Qa2Ei3E2x-oDdo-5nsr7QGwDHDXmHIZgnXKKaKW4jdWwZVl4uJL0IcysaV0Q0SRQPY75yCifVeOU/s320/IMG_2707.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-f8HcKAJiEjhI7ghU10K3J_VAX5H8us-srdLn3yyadG3Rg9T5pb96mltcP8jZWVTbOAGWFm76BKjRY-xbyMh_efiuZAMSdna6f5ftuELSWmWCyb4GaohfPiVJmwqE6dWrSRQvLLyaUaG/s1600/IMG_2722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-f8HcKAJiEjhI7ghU10K3J_VAX5H8us-srdLn3yyadG3Rg9T5pb96mltcP8jZWVTbOAGWFm76BKjRY-xbyMh_efiuZAMSdna6f5ftuELSWmWCyb4GaohfPiVJmwqE6dWrSRQvLLyaUaG/s320/IMG_2722.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4yGr_eXTVMrV_I9vka7rzGq4wcMqs9S4h89lCJvwEozKQwbJan9Qx0jaAMlF_RDyTr-3FxbuNVc5DEiLlVSHPGwjMktZU8QeVCe7D2w-MDPqe2h42Dtba_jOXUQz5OXV0NJcQ15dUDX0l/s1600/DSC02650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4yGr_eXTVMrV_I9vka7rzGq4wcMqs9S4h89lCJvwEozKQwbJan9Qx0jaAMlF_RDyTr-3FxbuNVc5DEiLlVSHPGwjMktZU8QeVCe7D2w-MDPqe2h42Dtba_jOXUQz5OXV0NJcQ15dUDX0l/s320/DSC02650.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheew2KULVKlEYZ1-nuC0dVaIswVR6iqPhSqu3x4vsQPiWSSn-tlZS7vxpsTy-q-0LgGVCqQBJyNBgOP6wWSMwTC5-eC9jvSd7l7Ve214qIz1D-kcHUrQ1sILWZ5H6vwAf8I464GjYs-Bcb/s1600/DSC02654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheew2KULVKlEYZ1-nuC0dVaIswVR6iqPhSqu3x4vsQPiWSSn-tlZS7vxpsTy-q-0LgGVCqQBJyNBgOP6wWSMwTC5-eC9jvSd7l7Ve214qIz1D-kcHUrQ1sILWZ5H6vwAf8I464GjYs-Bcb/s320/DSC02654.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSOBxWiyBaSTK1PotRhoyAE-O3t3cWmuKiabX40Zzk1oETD01yMFRjQGNJgSxpHX4xbuTutmdxDKEqn3rmVqSCHBYUWevZKQzAV8NYPRMaeYe7HCBlQ-4SXrzmENfrYh7Inu432OWIyZpQ/s1600/DSC02648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSOBxWiyBaSTK1PotRhoyAE-O3t3cWmuKiabX40Zzk1oETD01yMFRjQGNJgSxpHX4xbuTutmdxDKEqn3rmVqSCHBYUWevZKQzAV8NYPRMaeYe7HCBlQ-4SXrzmENfrYh7Inu432OWIyZpQ/s320/DSC02648.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1y7YxZ7lgpb86hx2ijGT2v1QAmMyzLCkwGundZkPaDDYoWo9EP1c0cOUE_GEmH0K_2CIWhL9iOnFR3Erd2E9c_OHtWEU9MPFfMH5GF-lvqyO0L0kNcofVNS7qiJv3aSJhnqqQHAVv68df/s1600/IMG_2798.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1y7YxZ7lgpb86hx2ijGT2v1QAmMyzLCkwGundZkPaDDYoWo9EP1c0cOUE_GEmH0K_2CIWhL9iOnFR3Erd2E9c_OHtWEU9MPFfMH5GF-lvqyO0L0kNcofVNS7qiJv3aSJhnqqQHAVv68df/s320/IMG_2798.JPG" width="240" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Scott and Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16177441773628427955noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883199697365182174.post-44166656740045349362013-08-17T00:47:00.002-04:002013-08-17T00:47:56.543-04:00More Fragile the Fine China<span style="font-size: small;">When I decided to blog about this adoption journey I vowed to be honest, and so far I have. I was honest about joys, anxiety, fear, anger, even my black tongue. But during the paperchase, the wait, and even during our time in China most of what I have blogged about has only been about me, or all of the positives since Mercy has joined our family. In the next few posts I want to share a little about the "hard" in adoption, at least from my experience so far. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I have been so hesitant to write about the "hard" because blogging is permanent and I know some day down the road my daughter could and probably will have access to reading this. I have wanted to be sensitive and protective of that day coming and what she will read. So Mercy, if you ever read this I want you to know that while everything I write is true, raw, honest emotion, none of what I write reflects "you" being hard, it only reflects the adoption process being hard. It reflects </span><span style="text-decoration: line-through;">the</span><span style="font-size: small;"> my sinful human heart being hard. This is not about you, it's about mommy. You are more than worth the hard and I love you more than you will ever know or understand. It also does not reflect in any way us having any regret in adopting you. There is NO regret because I can't imagine my life, hard or easy, without you in it as my daughter. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Adoption is hard. I had a friend say to me this past week that she agreed 100% that adoption is hard. She even ventured to say that it is the reason so many people don't adopt, because they know how hard it is so they steer away from it. While I know adoption isn't for everyone (although it should be) if you have had even the slightest whisper from God drawing you to adopt don't let the "hard" scare you away. Because I can assure you that while it is hard, it is so unbelievably worth it. The reward is greater than the challenges.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">This has been a tough three months for us on so many levels. For starters we are a pretty active family and lead a pretty busy life, so to live three months with a clear calendar and very little running around has been tough. One might think that it would be great to cut back activities and running, but it does get old after some time. Turing down trips, turing down summer picnics, pool parties, invitations here and there and many other summer fun activities has not been easy. Keeping to ourselves and limiting visitors when you are someone who lives for hospitality has not been easy either. Keeping family and friends at a distance when you would normally see them all the time. Giving up your mom coming every Wednesday night so you can get a date with your husband...that was really hard. Scott and I haven't been on a date in three months. Which only adds to difficulties. When do we find time to communicate, connect, be alone? Adoption is hard on a marriage. It's hard on a family. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Bonding and attachment is hard. Mercy has bonded well to the idea of us being her caretakers. She responds very well to both Scott and I and is willing to have either one of us meet her daily needs. But that is where it stops. She sees us as caretakers, no more no less. While she is willing to be held by us, fed by us, put to sleep by us, she is still lacking an emotional attachment. We have been told that we need to remember we are starting from scratch and emotionally we need to see her as a newborn. But it's difficult to see a 2 year old, who acts like a two year old on a daily basis, as a newborn. A newborn doesn't need discipline, a newborn doesn't tell you no or throw them self down in a temper tantrum or chuck toys at your head, spit on you (OK, maybe spit up, but that's different), hit you or demand to do things their way. A newborn sleeps more than twice a day and doesn't require a constant reassurance that you are there as they wrestle to find the peace to fall asleep. A newborn doesn't leave a room looking like a tornado swept through it. So while logically I get the idea of seeing Mercy being emotionally a newborn, the reality is she is not a newborn, but a very active, very strong-willed, very needy two year old. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I have had a few days in the past couple weeks when I have not felt an emotional connection with Mercy either. Where I have felt more like her caretaker than her mommy. It stunned me and brought about a condemnation like I have never experienced before. This past Saturday I sat on my bed crying for hours because the guilt was all consuming that I have had days when I just didn't want to love and care for her with the deep love in my heart that I have had on other days. I contacted my caseworker because it seemed serious enough to be addressed. I felt like there was something wrong with me. It was scary and I did have thoughts of wondering if we had made a mistake. (gasp) Not because there is something wrong with her, but because there is something wrong with me. Maybe I'm not capable of loving her they way she needs to be. Maybe there is a better mom out there for her that can love her everyday, not just some days. When I spoke on the phone with our agency I was frightened that as I was honest with them they may even think that they made a mistake. Maybe they would want to seek another family for her right away. The response I got in return was shocking to me: "Jane this is very normal." She reminded me that Mercy has only been with us for three months and emotional attachment for <b><i>both</i></b> the child and the parent can take years. She reminded me that everything with adoption seems backwards. She even went on to say that so many blog about their adoptions but they don't share the hard stuff for many reasons. Fear of judgement being at the top (so DON'T judge me), or fear of your child reading it someday (like me). That is what motivated me to write. I don't want people to think everything is OK when it's not. I don't want people to see me smiling as they pass by and think life is bliss now that she is home, because that's not true.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">So what is true? The truth is we have good days and bad days. I know there are some that are reading this and saying well that's normal with biological children. Yes, BUT, it really is different. The hard days with biological children are different because at the end of the day you don't worry about having just destroyed any ounce of bonding and attachment progress you have just made. I don't want Mercy to see me as her caretaker for the rest of her life, I want her to see me as her mommy. I want to connect with her emotionally. I want her to come running to me when she is hurt or scared. Right now when she gets hurt, I run to her, and when I get there many times she pushes me away. When she is scared, she screams and I mean screams and seeing my face or touching her does not bring comfort to that fear. When my biological kids are hurt they find great comfort in a hug or kiss from mom or dad. When they wake up in the middle of the night scared we walk into their bedroom and our very presence brings peace to their fear. When thunder roars during a storm and my bio kids are scared they climb into our bed and they can fall asleep while it's still thundering. Mercy on the other hand thinks she needs to comfort herself, at two years old. It's heartbreaking. I mean it is HEARTBREAKING!!! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Everyday I am faced with the reality that this little girl is hurt and more fragile than fine China. (no pun intended) It's hard to care for her and not live in a constant fear of breaking her more. It's like one wrong move and she'll shatter to pieces. But even though she is fragile, she is also tough. She has walls built around her little heart at only two years old. It makes me cry puddles for her. This feels like to heavy a burden to bear and I feel nothing short of inadequate to raise this precious, sweet little girl. Yet here I am with her sleeping beside me, faced with the challenge every single day. A commitment I love and wouldn't change, but fear at the same time.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Here is the thing about this particular hard, it's a good hard. Good for me, good for Scott, good for my kids, good for Mercy. I know that while I don't see that on a daily basis I have to believe that there is good coming out of these difficult days. I have to believe that God knew what He was doing when He chose me to be her mother. He knows I'm not perfect, He knows my weaknesses, He knows my selfish heart, and He brought her into my life anyway. I trust He knows what He is doing when I don't have a clue what I'm doing. And I know that even if I do shatter her to pieces, as fragile as she is, He will heal every last broken piece of her and He will make her whole if she lets Him. </span>Scott and Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16177441773628427955noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883199697365182174.post-4344193405216150192013-08-13T15:54:00.003-04:002013-08-13T15:54:44.350-04:003 Months Since GotchaThree Months ago today she was placed in our arms and our hearts burst with love and joy.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc0OHXIvmriZOb1hc9KgZ1wj1it45dA9qbndTUcHy85F2TAp_Ej4NiX8DW2bSXDSu5W4Y2352074cvjCshfeowdUQL5gavsVl8GljVWHlRNpI3YjCROMZ6JdexyJS6UQlI6zXb4Zu58bw3/s1600/DSC00349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc0OHXIvmriZOb1hc9KgZ1wj1it45dA9qbndTUcHy85F2TAp_Ej4NiX8DW2bSXDSu5W4Y2352074cvjCshfeowdUQL5gavsVl8GljVWHlRNpI3YjCROMZ6JdexyJS6UQlI6zXb4Zu58bw3/s400/DSC00349.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">THEN</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPxVznvABxUOUsCgsSC2eftuFlBG4W0Pgwt7mYIqMt3DV6DD0kiE8s7CPPy0JRa73mTq4M6P6cbhmMsMDEm2lhoSUkGUDjYii9AFfCgN-IeE-_T2BmetrGFa1frhqra4c496zdVHoZTDOT/s1600/IMG_2678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPxVznvABxUOUsCgsSC2eftuFlBG4W0Pgwt7mYIqMt3DV6DD0kiE8s7CPPy0JRa73mTq4M6P6cbhmMsMDEm2lhoSUkGUDjYii9AFfCgN-IeE-_T2BmetrGFa1frhqra4c496zdVHoZTDOT/s400/IMG_2678.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">NOW</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Scott and Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16177441773628427955noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883199697365182174.post-14973547888456083712013-08-12T10:59:00.002-04:002013-08-12T10:59:49.517-04:00A Pretend PicnicThis is a simple post, but one very dear to my heart. Since adopting Mercy she has been learning what it means to play. She has learned to stack blocks, she has learned to push buttons to make toys work, she has learned to push objects into containers or open containers to take objects out. She has learned to turn the pages of a book and is beginning to point to pictures. But yesterday was the very first time she finally used her imagination to pretend play. For me this was huge. I'm not sure why it was so important to me, but I got choked up when it finally happened. We had a picnic together and for the very first time she picked up the cup and "pretended" to drink from it, and then she picked up one of the food items and "pretended" to eat it. This is something we have sat down a played many many times and I always pretend and she always looks at me like I've lost my marbles. But yesterday she engaged, she joined in, she pretended too and we had a "pretend" picnic. It was so much fun and the smile on her little face underneath that empty cup, for me, was total joy.<br />
<br />
I just wanted to share, maybe more for myself then for any followers.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5QcM7sxZB7T3Lbwxt0dNyX6rZx6A4DKCTh15ioLWzy7KU2_iHzFSt225ujXk5AmeMPg7yDxTx1bSlZ_kiguBWadG3iUpQzfghzpYhFL6W71492-S6Y7yw44Xh_WMYrILNsM7sgcJ2Excj/s1600/IMG_2686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5QcM7sxZB7T3Lbwxt0dNyX6rZx6A4DKCTh15ioLWzy7KU2_iHzFSt225ujXk5AmeMPg7yDxTx1bSlZ_kiguBWadG3iUpQzfghzpYhFL6W71492-S6Y7yw44Xh_WMYrILNsM7sgcJ2Excj/s320/IMG_2686.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVcW4c-84YhyphenhyphenBUgAq3nUsMuqA8JHeiqJViBv__JtSa5B_Jo3HvU8QNYEZukYEgru1SnjUS01n9DYdNqGjD0bFfuIMXR_zT7dXO1GxnLOaMXArcsDFglEUqOU24cXfsuRbGTgNKDrX7NANC/s1600/IMG_2687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVcW4c-84YhyphenhyphenBUgAq3nUsMuqA8JHeiqJViBv__JtSa5B_Jo3HvU8QNYEZukYEgru1SnjUS01n9DYdNqGjD0bFfuIMXR_zT7dXO1GxnLOaMXArcsDFglEUqOU24cXfsuRbGTgNKDrX7NANC/s320/IMG_2687.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQiLoz860KSfS3SGIMGBgVqA50729TX-WNzyjtly0N4KpVP3Zu_uzkpLpTSxxndhJXrN8vQSE6DIEgEyEXIfVFSULrZXatJejQoB5Q9dTPGp7MambeUHWyCK2rHqgXYzXOwHin09hyphenhyphenjipF/s1600/IMG_2688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQiLoz860KSfS3SGIMGBgVqA50729TX-WNzyjtly0N4KpVP3Zu_uzkpLpTSxxndhJXrN8vQSE6DIEgEyEXIfVFSULrZXatJejQoB5Q9dTPGp7MambeUHWyCK2rHqgXYzXOwHin09hyphenhyphenjipF/s320/IMG_2688.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />Scott and Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16177441773628427955noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883199697365182174.post-26489437184907913692013-08-04T00:36:00.002-04:002013-08-04T00:57:56.430-04:00A Five Minute Genetics LessonJane wanted me to write this post so I could explain the details of our genetics appointment at CHOP yesterday. So before I start let me say I don't claim to be a doctor, let alone a geneticist. I don't know even a tiny fraction of what they know, and if we're being honest - they only know a tiny fraction about the amazing structures our Lord has created in the human bodies that carry us around in this world. So here's as simple a description as I can come up with for a very complex subject:<br />
<br />
Our physical bodies are made up of cells that do all the different things that keep our bodily systems running. And at the heart of each cell are 23 pairs of chromosomes. These chromosomes contain the genetic blueprint for our entire body in the form of DNA. No two people have exactly the same blueprint, (except identical twins - but that's another story...) We're each made unique with all the special characteristics that our creator intended us to have. This blueprint also serves as an instruction manual that tells the cells how to do all the jobs they need to do. Our DNA is divided up into pieces called genes. If the DNA is the whole instruction book, then a gene is like a page of that book that has the instructions for one specific job.<br />
<br />
Sometimes the information stored in a gene gets changed from its normal form - this is called a mutation. When this happens, it's like that particular page of instructions was copied wrong and the cells don't know how to do that particular job correctly. With around 25,000 genes in our DNA, people typically have many mutations in their genetic code - most of which have no significant effect on our lives. Some genes though, are more important than others. If these genes are coded wrong, it can result in diseases, disorders, or even death. This is part of the reason we have two sets of chromosomes (one from our father and the other from our mother.) If one set has a mutation in an important gene, chances are that the other set will not have a mutation on that same gene. As long as one set of instructions is good, it lowers the risk of having problems with the way your body functions, or at least makes the problems less severe.<br />
<br />
So what does all this have to do with Mercy, and why did we have her DNA tested? It's very obvious from her appearance that she has albinism, but the fact is there are several different genetic mutations that can cause this condition, and some bring other medical issues with them. Two of these which gave us the most concern are Hermansky Pudlak Syndrome, and Chediak Higashi Syndrome. Hermansky Pudlak brings with it bleeding problems and lung disease, and Chediak Higashi brings severe infections and nerve damage. Though these syndromes cannot be cured, knowing about them would help us be more prepared for the future - we would know what to look out for and get treatment quickly if any symptoms appeared.<br />
<br />
Our prayers were of course that Mercy would not have any of these syndromes, and we are happy to say after the test results we received yesterday: she does not! A blood sample from Mercy was sent to a specialized lab, where all of the genes associated with albinism and these related syndromes were analyzed from her DNA. The only significant mutation they found was in the gene called TYR. This gene carries the instructions how to make a chemical called tyrosinase, which is the first step in producing the pigment melanin, which gives our eyes, hair, and skin their color. Both of Mercy's chromosomes have the same TYR mutation which short-circuits her body's ability to make any pigment whatsoever.<br />
<br />
The great news is that the genes associated with both Hermansky Pudlak and Chediak Higashi syndromes did not show any of the mutations associated with those diseases! So Mercy's diagnosis is what is called Albinism type OCA1A - which means her body cannot produce any pigment, but otherwise there are no other health concerns that we should expect from her albinism!<br />
<br />
Combined with the news that her low iron levels have been rising nicely over the last few weeks, it was a great day for our family! As one by one our medical concerns about Mercy are diffused, we are just left in awe of our great God who has walked side by side with us all along this journey so far, reminding us not to fear. We agreed to place all our concerns at His feet, and He continues to amaze us with His faithfulness to Mercy. Her amazing growth and development over the last couple of months is a living testimony of His power and grace, and we can't wait to see what He has planned next!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSXxrWFwS7K-OBUqDmY87J0Hr-rITR5ew0qSnwk1Fjq3MKpML3Hg1OvkGUnBGGzCrU-wx4-W15bwmhJKlhl_yCu6UYMA-8dVN5Wb-_s3ngGgfrceX7IXMz8xuozTFXCejfb5X4KvhgsRWm/s1600/IMG_2599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSXxrWFwS7K-OBUqDmY87J0Hr-rITR5ew0qSnwk1Fjq3MKpML3Hg1OvkGUnBGGzCrU-wx4-W15bwmhJKlhl_yCu6UYMA-8dVN5Wb-_s3ngGgfrceX7IXMz8xuozTFXCejfb5X4KvhgsRWm/s320/IMG_2599.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the lobby waiting to be seen.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSitHAZkMSJcSkFksOcuW_XEg1PMYr1z-mjGi4yygweKopWgjSA8xXxMk6vWnQ54EFwnLIWwC8MID1HFYlAp5KGMlQB6_jTpyHJUCIH2LjZ5KU6JN78DseYQmn7IUyCTfyPzrVHBAx75s/s1600/IMG_2604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSitHAZkMSJcSkFksOcuW_XEg1PMYr1z-mjGi4yygweKopWgjSA8xXxMk6vWnQ54EFwnLIWwC8MID1HFYlAp5KGMlQB6_jTpyHJUCIH2LjZ5KU6JN78DseYQmn7IUyCTfyPzrVHBAx75s/s320/IMG_2604.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ended the day at the Cheesecake Factory for dessert.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaNVc0i7Pl-ou2wxcqzaotQgXINE-M8IosfylEw9kPYAkybL3WTYRzBoXQzUOsInoLKBw8-aJtU9DdnU5KHjnJ_wS3ML8lOPj9FQgerF5FVZK9zVmTIer39o4LoMeFUGNw2p4Rie0qbkjX/s1600/IMG_2624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaNVc0i7Pl-ou2wxcqzaotQgXINE-M8IosfylEw9kPYAkybL3WTYRzBoXQzUOsInoLKBw8-aJtU9DdnU5KHjnJ_wS3ML8lOPj9FQgerF5FVZK9zVmTIer39o4LoMeFUGNw2p4Rie0qbkjX/s320/IMG_2624.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Scott and Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16177441773628427955noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883199697365182174.post-1722163132989701752013-07-19T23:54:00.001-04:002013-07-19T23:54:16.571-04:00Unexpected VisionToday was Mercy's first Ophthalmology appointment. I would say she did great all things considered, but we did have a few meltdowns, however, if I were her I probably would have acted the same way or worse. We left the house at 6:30 this morning so just having to be woken up from a deep sleep in the early a.m. should have been enough to make one grouchy. But she was all smiles and even fell back to sleep for a bit on the car ride to Philly. <br />
<br />
Mercy was examined by two resident doctors as well as Dr. Mills who is her assigned ophthalmologist. She also had a Teller acuity test done. Overall it was a really great visit. She had a few meltdowns with nurses and doctors touching her eyes, shining bright lights in her eyes and probably the worst meltdown came when they put the dilation drops in her eyes. She had to be restrained for that and it did not go over well. In the end we are very happy with this doctor. On a side note, I will not let resident doctors be involved with examining her again in the future. I will only allow them to observe the doctor's exam. It was just way too many people for her to deal with and way too many times of having a bright light shined in her eyes. I know resident doctors need the experience, but they will have to find someone else's kid because mine is off limits. I didn't really realize that these resident doctors were only satisfying their curiosity and education and the "real" exam came from her actual ophthalmologist, yet they all examined her in the same way. So she basically got examined more than once today. Wish I had caught on sooner so I could have put an end to it. <br />
<br />
Most of what the doctor reported today was very encouraging news. Mercy's acuity tested 20/190. To be diagnosed as legally blind your acuity needs to be 20/200 or more. For us this was an answer to many many prayers. I want to be sensitive about this because I know many families who have children with Albinism that are legally blind and even a few adults who are as well. And this doesn't change their quality of life, they actually live very normal healthy thriving lives and do many if not all the same things as children with 20/20 vision do. If Mercy had tested as legally blind we were completely prepared to deal with whatever that would mean for her, actually, we were expecting it. I think it is safe to say any parent wants the best for their child so I wholeheartedly rejoice that she is not. But this doesn't change the fact that the girl has some serious vision impairment, and it also doesn't change her eyes sensitivity to sunlight. My prayers for Mercy have always been that her vision would be on the better end of the scale. Whatever the case, in my heart I prayed and God has answered and I want to give him the glory. Her vision is just above the mark with an acuity of 20/190 without correction. She is getting a pair of prescription glasses and we are hoping that will improve her vision a little bit more. As for her light sensitivity, we will also get her prescription sunglasses because the transition lenses do not tint dark enough to give her the best protection when outside in bright sunlight. The down side to this is that insurance will only cover one pair of glasses and we will be purchasing two.<br />
<br />
I can't say enough about this sweet little girl. She is defying all odds. When we accepted her referral and chose to adopt her we never imagined we would become the parents of this feisty, sassy, extremely smart little girl. But she never ceases to surprise us. Everyday she learns something new and I absolutely love that I get a front row seat to watching her grow, thrive, develop and blossom. It is a blessing beyond words. <br />
<br />
After her appointment we then headed to the third floor for her blood work. She SCREAMED. Everyone in the waiting room could hear her and a few "awes" were whispered amongst the crowd. We will not hear the results of that until next week. Please pray that her iron levels have increased. Our next stop is genetics on August 2nd. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBL5-iM_RCp8bAslXW9cZQ0V5FJmL8gD61-CRXmqCVkLbALUWaq0-daCwraFSRVmlkMvrtMDFzevM-6D9HX4pPopvTI7e3u88HJtPAFunJi3qiFb4iUDgU89ZjfOPBeItiGKVAMgtonFKw/s1600/DSC02073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBL5-iM_RCp8bAslXW9cZQ0V5FJmL8gD61-CRXmqCVkLbALUWaq0-daCwraFSRVmlkMvrtMDFzevM-6D9HX4pPopvTI7e3u88HJtPAFunJi3qiFb4iUDgU89ZjfOPBeItiGKVAMgtonFKw/s320/DSC02073.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happily waiting for her exam. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLj_uWmSsWYrz-I6Q7Ai39v1IR6shNt_sYk93kyklRyUCtOMpadxy5K3vvUFwJIumN9QVo6aB9zqUtr12nvtYeV7e_OLSe5jvY0Q7E6rPzdVyDS7lFdaH9WJSxLa4wZFNpSMq09AeI1MD/s1600/DSC02079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLj_uWmSsWYrz-I6Q7Ai39v1IR6shNt_sYk93kyklRyUCtOMpadxy5K3vvUFwJIumN9QVo6aB9zqUtr12nvtYeV7e_OLSe5jvY0Q7E6rPzdVyDS7lFdaH9WJSxLa4wZFNpSMq09AeI1MD/s320/DSC02079.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snacking in between waiting.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_vsaUNfsyd8jReameexbuSEQ5GASyCuUS-c_C8HqW18xppzxUEq-GUoUN78f8KbJi_XFLTzkj-AF1POLgG1oCfk2HSbaC1MIBV0lOG_Dd_yvaKeTDAjzlgwVq9Fyv-H6rz-8dIesv8tfU/s1600/DSC02081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_vsaUNfsyd8jReameexbuSEQ5GASyCuUS-c_C8HqW18xppzxUEq-GUoUN78f8KbJi_XFLTzkj-AF1POLgG1oCfk2HSbaC1MIBV0lOG_Dd_yvaKeTDAjzlgwVq9Fyv-H6rz-8dIesv8tfU/s320/DSC02081.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mommies turn to sit in the exam chair.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdiSZUBYPsPlah1Zq6WrA5lhILlWfvoc8NYPvAifLfqhOFg04_DwiMfFTxo7NHcbvMUKVhbU-504msPTMDougtF_ZpL_MFdtqTW0O_aKLST4SFWY_WHi6R_75xwg6YAPnoTEqnozkE6K8w/s1600/DSC02082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdiSZUBYPsPlah1Zq6WrA5lhILlWfvoc8NYPvAifLfqhOFg04_DwiMfFTxo7NHcbvMUKVhbU-504msPTMDougtF_ZpL_MFdtqTW0O_aKLST4SFWY_WHi6R_75xwg6YAPnoTEqnozkE6K8w/s320/DSC02082.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These animals moved and made noise when the doctor pressed a foot pedal. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLeWwlqJCcXeuEpbB_dZ4BRhuzd1sbaT5L8GANmOOKkiix_pHPE3n7SdwBXX6xgeHYSdNteiDrH_Qp7sY1oK4jKEisy3lNrORcvR6QAvTCVNCgdQYFV3ybKXqhI4M4juve3c8KChfXUHT/s1600/DSC02087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLeWwlqJCcXeuEpbB_dZ4BRhuzd1sbaT5L8GANmOOKkiix_pHPE3n7SdwBXX6xgeHYSdNteiDrH_Qp7sY1oK4jKEisy3lNrORcvR6QAvTCVNCgdQYFV3ybKXqhI4M4juve3c8KChfXUHT/s320/DSC02087.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing in the waiting room waiting for the eye drops to dilate her pupils.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZeVoFy8RYBbSou7_VE18hZ1BeJh8EoQbGPGF8hqGYhV-AicX013qjhdCnylISXdMwcldPdwHVfQ8tmsR838mtBi4DsEeXMdBvgqs-i4O2bsD2UkNLYHgal11kKmR2aQ1HZyQYQqET0trk/s1600/DSC02097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZeVoFy8RYBbSou7_VE18hZ1BeJh8EoQbGPGF8hqGYhV-AicX013qjhdCnylISXdMwcldPdwHVfQ8tmsR838mtBi4DsEeXMdBvgqs-i4O2bsD2UkNLYHgal11kKmR2aQ1HZyQYQqET0trk/s320/DSC02097.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daddy playing pirate with her headband (a.k.a. desperate entertainment)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5ECId9ZkecCXjcIE8bk9JHhKZAX61mNlAEIvaKQF72E9MJGmzfz-sTn04xB3K5zNk1zgJcR2qC6ldwkw-oeE4Fu213xKkUC16HJFMrV-sbBCIo4lKaNVD4d1HYOYLxp20rmo5J6b64IZ/s1600/DSC02100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5ECId9ZkecCXjcIE8bk9JHhKZAX61mNlAEIvaKQF72E9MJGmzfz-sTn04xB3K5zNk1zgJcR2qC6ldwkw-oeE4Fu213xKkUC16HJFMrV-sbBCIo4lKaNVD4d1HYOYLxp20rmo5J6b64IZ/s320/DSC02100.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of a few meltdowns.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQt_Y6a0UbsENmuEeQ51PjZxGrjg4k0RIhIPhCzM20JjZJ4Jj3OIoqej_jtgK4BnXCGHbspsQVl3Y8OIgwm3q5ou63JxzU1DD0a0m1u4QqDsJcUiBi1iY_clgNUh1Zz4RTAPXVDag1pdl8/s1600/DSC02106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQt_Y6a0UbsENmuEeQ51PjZxGrjg4k0RIhIPhCzM20JjZJ4Jj3OIoqej_jtgK4BnXCGHbspsQVl3Y8OIgwm3q5ou63JxzU1DD0a0m1u4QqDsJcUiBi1iY_clgNUh1Zz4RTAPXVDag1pdl8/s320/DSC02106.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And another meltdown.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxzf60X2LDASKFzXM8Iy_aty8Sd4ta9zxvdSXatNkz8-_b8eRR4KRB6ykckevXX4NRVmar5vVeIcuERDiDhGJVwXhIHXlNEuF1t_bUEN22CckyoedKGCqxthaSBeFlVw29ublocS2UlVy/s1600/IMG_2405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxzf60X2LDASKFzXM8Iy_aty8Sd4ta9zxvdSXatNkz8-_b8eRR4KRB6ykckevXX4NRVmar5vVeIcuERDiDhGJVwXhIHXlNEuF1t_bUEN22CckyoedKGCqxthaSBeFlVw29ublocS2UlVy/s320/IMG_2405.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pooped out is an understatement. The arm she is holding out is the one they drew blood from.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8nZ-v53yE2qjuPsqqRN201a4k_rxXqu1HfEh0JGzFTBLwIAtPcAWYnCcTTeNa1K9XduTnltyW5rOWyuCPml83zdugw_HvJDTmwvczASdtKP7kQs8iqR-Kv9rQ7pdZISfdgVHTR29weiW5/s1600/IMG_2412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8nZ-v53yE2qjuPsqqRN201a4k_rxXqu1HfEh0JGzFTBLwIAtPcAWYnCcTTeNa1K9XduTnltyW5rOWyuCPml83zdugw_HvJDTmwvczASdtKP7kQs8iqR-Kv9rQ7pdZISfdgVHTR29weiW5/s320/IMG_2412.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting fitted for her new glasses.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />Scott and Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16177441773628427955noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883199697365182174.post-73019612537277431442013-07-13T19:40:00.002-04:002013-07-13T19:40:58.596-04:00Two Months HomeSo I haven't written in exactly one month. I guess that alone shows how busy it has been since our return from China.<br />
<br />
I want to faithfully update this blog, but then I remember I'm human and not Mrs. Incredible or Wonder Woman or even a great manager of my time...so once a month is what you get, for now.<br />
<br />
As for what the past month has brought in changes, well there are many that I want to mention and probably a few I will forget to mention. But I'll try my best because she continues to amaze us and I want to document her progress along the way, even if only once per month.<br />
<br />
So today marks exactly two months to the day since we held Mercy in our arms for the first time. I still am nothing short of amazed at this little girl and how much we love her and how perfect she is for our family. Trusting in the Lord has never been an easy thing for me, especially as He called us to adoption and specifically this little one. But I'm hear to tell you if you struggle to trust in God take that step of faith that He is asking of you, whatever that may be, and watch and see how great and mighty and trustworthy He is!!! It will change you and it will change the way you see God and it will change your relationship with God.<br />
<br />
As for little Miss Mercy. She is defying all odds. Here are a few things that she has accomplished in the past four weeks since my last update. She is speaking more words and starting to sing a few songs. She is also putting three sign language signs together such as "more cookie please." She has added a few new signs such as help, book and open. That brings her to a total of eight, that equals a new one a week! Signing has definitely been a great from of communication for her to get her basic needs met. She has begun speech therapy and the therapist has encouraged as to keep adding more even while working on her speech.<br />
<br />
Mercy is walking! She is still wobbly and falls, but when she wants to get somewhere she chooses her feet over her knees these days. She is more willing to walk outside on uneven surfaces too as long as she is holding your hand. She has finally stepped barefoot in the grass, but she will not sit down and cries if she falls.<br />
<br />
Mercy is SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT!!! This is by far one of my favorite milestones. We have an occasional night with a night terror or interruption, but they are few and far between at this point. She is also now willing to let Scott put her to bed. Last month I posted that we transitioned her from our bed to a mattress on the floor. Well as our little courageous one has become more mobile and comfortable in her new home she has also become a little dare devil. One morning we woke up to no Mercy on her mattress or any where in our room. As I rushed downstairs I found her sitting in the kitchen by her high chair. When she saw me she signed "eat." That little stinker climbed off her mattress, which is wedges and has a bedrail again the open side of it and she managed to climb down an entire flight of stairs without anyone hearing a peep out of her. That evening we broke out our pack n' play and she has been sleeping in it ever since. I am hoping the next sleeptime transition we make will be a big girl bed in her bedroom, but I'm thinking it might be awhile. So along with walking and sleeping through the night she has also mastered going up and down all steps.<br />
<br />
She is playing by herself more often and I am able to be in another room away from her for longer periods of time without her fussing. She is also doing new things with the toys that she plays with. She can now stack the rings on her stacking toy and throw a ball. I know these may seem like puny steps for a 27 month old, but for us (and her) they are huge. Many of her delays are either stemming from lack of experience and exposure due to living in an orphanage and then there are those that stem from her lack of vision. We have had a vision therapist from the Overbrook School for the Blind coming weekly to work with us and Mercy. She has been a wealth of knowledge and has helped us adapt some things in our home, as well as some of Mercy's toys to better suit her vision impairment. <br />
<br />
Mercy has also begun occupational therapy. This has also been such a great source of help for us. We are seeing progress in her ability to feed herself with a spoon and fork. She still has a ways to go, but she is trying. It is fascinating to learn how a child's brain develops and what seems like something she should pick up rather quickly is taking longer to grasp. She is lacking in things that I would never have considered like the ability to suck from a straw, scoop up something with a spoon or poke with a fork. She struggles to just get the spoon already full of food to her mouth let alone be able to scoop the food herself.<br />
<br />
I think it is safe to say she has adjusted to her new role of being a baby sister. She shows affection for all three of her siblings and she calls them by name, gives them hugs and kisses and wants to be where they are much of the time. She even shows trust in them as they take turns holding her in the pool, at least the two older ones. And I just want to mention Michaela has such an amazing gift to nurture and tenderly care for her little sister. I love watching them together and I see in Michaela these little glimpses of a wonderful mother in the making. Michaela has even changed a few dirty diapers! <br />
<br />
In the past few days we have seen some new things that are telling us the "honeymoon" phase is coming to an end. Mercy is testing us in just about everything. She use to eat anything you put in front of her, but as she begins to realize that there are options and there will always be "more" she is turning food down and making it very clear when she doesn't like something. She is throwing herself down on the floor in little temper tantrums when she isn't getting her way and she is telling us NO when she doesn't like something. She is testing boundaries within the house and getting into more. I will say that her tempter tantrums are super super cute and make me laugh, sometimes out loud, which isn't helpful. I think it's partially because of her flexibility. When she throws herself down her legs nearly do a split as she is face down on the floor screaming. I'll have to try and video tape it sometime.<br />
<br />
I know I have said it before but we really do have an easy job when it comes to loving this little girl. She is a delight and joy to us and we cannot imagine life without her. I have had a few very emotional moments in the past four weeks when I think about her birth mommy. If she cared for Mercy those first 10 months of life before she entered the orphanage then she must miss her greatly because I have only had her in my arms for 8 weeks and I can't imagine a day without her. I find myself praying for her often and other times I can't let my mind wonder there because it breaks my heart both for Mercy and for her birth mother.<br />
<br />
As for continued prayers for us. Please pray that bonding continues to strengthen and progress. While Mercy has found her place in our family and will go to any one of the five of us, she still struggles to let us comfort her when she is upset. I know in my heart this will come with trust and time, but pray for her. Pray she begins to understand that she doesn't need to struggle with things "alone" because she has a family that wants to help her. Also pray for her upcoming Opthamology Appointment at CHOP. It is Friday, July 19th. This appointment is one we have anticipated because we want to know what her vision really is and how we can best improve it and help her. Pray that the doctor can get an acuity despite her young age and just that he has some wisdom and understands the visual needs of a child with Albinism. <br />
<br />
I will leave you with a few recent pictures.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidmmTNypKnn-yklxWnCPX21d37O6KVXO00GQbhtfV_64oGAT5fChZqEMTYg9_fknsQBwEqz-bQd2zqWVFZdoy6m3u5papfcKwz31bpXPVpSepU7qg83He1-MxdaUiGCVYVXJkUoSv1Jao/s1600/IMG_2243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidmmTNypKnn-yklxWnCPX21d37O6KVXO00GQbhtfV_64oGAT5fChZqEMTYg9_fknsQBwEqz-bQd2zqWVFZdoy6m3u5papfcKwz31bpXPVpSepU7qg83He1-MxdaUiGCVYVXJkUoSv1Jao/s320/IMG_2243.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She put her sunglasses on herself, can you tell?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_t3_2w_9WKMcxD1qA174HVekNcy6a6FinfpFKEgPzFSs0mIcz8xD20jHPOZj_0_un6HYs6QtIs7434tdUkgfgspj8n61elETVCIuDq3ggK7QZr1xianCqucqxaB_unPOfJ5cfFCyHVmV/s1600/DSC01819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_t3_2w_9WKMcxD1qA174HVekNcy6a6FinfpFKEgPzFSs0mIcz8xD20jHPOZj_0_un6HYs6QtIs7434tdUkgfgspj8n61elETVCIuDq3ggK7QZr1xianCqucqxaB_unPOfJ5cfFCyHVmV/s320/DSC01819.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sisters</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93FnyDTkiegmqt71IMAJfPyPn-KCPFGTZhg66dF8W_Ooip36gcbGucrtHSJZ2Tv9BWKdYnesPswvPez4GV1VH5vNSzCflCaJg8jrr1_FMLqaaOkltDXn33n8BEFKKQ0pECIGUEvbK8Gk8/s1600/DSC01882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93FnyDTkiegmqt71IMAJfPyPn-KCPFGTZhg66dF8W_Ooip36gcbGucrtHSJZ2Tv9BWKdYnesPswvPez4GV1VH5vNSzCflCaJg8jrr1_FMLqaaOkltDXn33n8BEFKKQ0pECIGUEvbK8Gk8/s320/DSC01882.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playdough fun</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdVaX7EY1ue9FSwS5NjP1djAdkDgTTQkEN3GnIqh9PLfdj7i2xU7GG1yVsD9R7N0NoJ69JRK0KzpPq7-Rtjd7K7mjGda85zAV6b3XkuZnvH95kElgF85Gn1XkBy46aG0zW9io9CUcA8en/s1600/DSC02011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdVaX7EY1ue9FSwS5NjP1djAdkDgTTQkEN3GnIqh9PLfdj7i2xU7GG1yVsD9R7N0NoJ69JRK0KzpPq7-Rtjd7K7mjGda85zAV6b3XkuZnvH95kElgF85Gn1XkBy46aG0zW9io9CUcA8en/s320/DSC02011.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Her sassy smirk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_GI_awvAQXv4H6Nfyy6_rojTfHVnkB2AFVBSps3dsaclTX4qKdeHqUAo2mJDjVQiKBmjFz60MIHYZolI43MN6p5aVllx5tkKKmLiS9VU4WYRPGZShZp5wsuIm4rtzOI7wsfW0R76nyPPT/s1600/DSC02013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_GI_awvAQXv4H6Nfyy6_rojTfHVnkB2AFVBSps3dsaclTX4qKdeHqUAo2mJDjVQiKBmjFz60MIHYZolI43MN6p5aVllx5tkKKmLiS9VU4WYRPGZShZp5wsuIm4rtzOI7wsfW0R76nyPPT/s320/DSC02013.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No need for words! I LOVE THESE TWO.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiApoxqKpqNkB9B8oYsxgSJ1Dn35uFae8Td_0xz_krCh22hcqZlhfDDmNtrwYZayLzOFZAyVM4wHdcmq3q9K_sawQF6jB90xlFRwA0yBfQkZQmkejaGLqOpdc8LtuOCOgSUD7zbzf-R_UNt/s1600/IMG_2334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiApoxqKpqNkB9B8oYsxgSJ1Dn35uFae8Td_0xz_krCh22hcqZlhfDDmNtrwYZayLzOFZAyVM4wHdcmq3q9K_sawQF6jB90xlFRwA0yBfQkZQmkejaGLqOpdc8LtuOCOgSUD7zbzf-R_UNt/s320/IMG_2334.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And these two!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6k8OkBXMiEIfJx2JeGZw9Dj9JkyiKx-yOZcsLEAy1P3ZwAG1z-6cOp7_rZPD0oaV0dKOanEENl6fmL-jcakLcevOxD7OOjW28oVBkwjkwSEgMWljEyYkGucMujEm1Fvfmdi60Zkhr7ady/s1600/IMG_2354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6k8OkBXMiEIfJx2JeGZw9Dj9JkyiKx-yOZcsLEAy1P3ZwAG1z-6cOp7_rZPD0oaV0dKOanEENl6fmL-jcakLcevOxD7OOjW28oVBkwjkwSEgMWljEyYkGucMujEm1Fvfmdi60Zkhr7ady/s320/IMG_2354.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Temper tantrum, check out her legs! </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Scott and Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16177441773628427955noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883199697365182174.post-21388082819279307812013-06-24T16:18:00.003-04:002013-06-24T16:18:28.194-04:00One Month HomeToday marks one month of Mercy being a US citizen and living in our home. I can hardly believe a month has already passed by. <br />
<br />
So what has happened and how has she progressed over the past month? We have been to CHOP twice. Once for a medical review and the second time for a development assessment. We have spent time playing with toys and swimming in the pool. We have worked with her and the dog who have a love hate relationship. She now tolerates the dog being close but she will not touch the dog at all. She will wear her sunglasses for longer stretches of time outside. She is just starting to try and use a spoon to feed herself. She is more content in the stroller for longer periods of time as well as a shopping cart. And while she is still sleeping in our bed and requires someone to lay with her until she is asleep, she is taking regular 2 hour naps and I am proud to say that for the past 5 nights she has slept through the night!!! <br />
<br />
It truly has been a month of growth. She still continues to amaze us everyday. She is still our main source of entertainment here and the kids are head over heels gaga for their little sister. She has all three of them wrapped tightly around her little finger, and her daddy too. The more comfortable she is becoming here the more she is beginning to act like a 2 year old, a terrible two year old that is. She is testing us every day to see what she can and can't control and what she can and can't do. She is testing us with eating, getting dressed and telling us no when she opposes what we are asking her. She use to be very easy to dress or to change her diaper, I mean easy. Now she puts her arms behind her back when I'm trying to put her shirt on, she twists her legs to the side during a diaper change. It's funny and frustrating all at the same time.<br />
<br />
She loves water, whether it's the bathtub, her baby pool or swimming in the big pool she will take water play any way she can get it. She has very little fear, even of our big pool. She will push herself off the side into my arms, she doesn't mind being dunked under water and she splashes and smiles with great delight. She laughs in her baby pool when someone dumps a cup of water on her head and she does the same thing in the bathtub when washing her hair. She flutters about and wipes her eyes and than signs for more.<br />
<br />
Her vocabulary is beginning to take off. She probably has a dozen or more words down. Most people may not understand her, but we do. She is signing please, more, all done and cookie, but honestly she speaks most of those words as she signs them. <br />
<br />
Overall it's been a fast moving month and she continues to fit right into our family. We love her and she seems to love us back. We have been having a ton of fun as we watch her experience new things and we really enjoy teaching her new things too. It's been a hard, but great month as we have adjusted and worked through some things. But life is settling into the new normal and we can barley remember what life was like without her.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCTL7nRqLIdqJutJEOZxMIaCULoJ2sTc44tsdE8UsJNClqfVjFWywFiN48zoS4Jel-G-ZKbTjJcRMT6RnnvC0Qw-v-JlulC1EaAJBfBhMiuEzaQavSPXK99YhnVGdPU5Ctjy7VuNWNgD8C/s1600/IMG_2066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCTL7nRqLIdqJutJEOZxMIaCULoJ2sTc44tsdE8UsJNClqfVjFWywFiN48zoS4Jel-G-ZKbTjJcRMT6RnnvC0Qw-v-JlulC1EaAJBfBhMiuEzaQavSPXK99YhnVGdPU5Ctjy7VuNWNgD8C/s320/IMG_2066.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">May 24th at Newark Airport just after getting off the plane.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQf20eP3_YTVvlZuiRtn80mP9WlGpdeBwS1SyhztnHyCWGf-LdIoqqp6n9JMyQANBeeCbUe9v7WPllpgAusSiaOThk9aRDt2bZPtLcCEnEAsY5TWUPjQGpHM3COe-joJ18JzAmOkoolAxW/s1600/DSC01369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQf20eP3_YTVvlZuiRtn80mP9WlGpdeBwS1SyhztnHyCWGf-LdIoqqp6n9JMyQANBeeCbUe9v7WPllpgAusSiaOThk9aRDt2bZPtLcCEnEAsY5TWUPjQGpHM3COe-joJ18JzAmOkoolAxW/s320/DSC01369.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">May 24th Homecoming Welcome</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFOgf5632ESwKDyS_A6jIA4e6Fcd8zMflBivpKPkjef07h_8OHwbeupp0MzQzvVdQuhKUZY9KntfXmpWeec-1UhvDKh7JUGL70zxdGy5O-Mg3CK8Z4DpwoU_-r22MTcKPpeWWnq_FlSgJq/s1600/DSC01633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFOgf5632ESwKDyS_A6jIA4e6Fcd8zMflBivpKPkjef07h_8OHwbeupp0MzQzvVdQuhKUZY9KntfXmpWeec-1UhvDKh7JUGL70zxdGy5O-Mg3CK8Z4DpwoU_-r22MTcKPpeWWnq_FlSgJq/s320/DSC01633.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They are going to be best friends some day, but for now this is as close as Lacey can get.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKAxK9jPrSHPFlrv032siL-vAwSfvd5vL-qW5q72IYY-AcG7QOc14AdkLwpzzcBKBK_RhRIQiI-Ft4moIyV9Ng7ztVGXw4P8M295j9nQS4DNkg3vxhRhqezDN7DxGh-3r9wfdlmEX91THv/s1600/DSC01722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKAxK9jPrSHPFlrv032siL-vAwSfvd5vL-qW5q72IYY-AcG7QOc14AdkLwpzzcBKBK_RhRIQiI-Ft4moIyV9Ng7ztVGXw4P8M295j9nQS4DNkg3vxhRhqezDN7DxGh-3r9wfdlmEX91THv/s320/DSC01722.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loves water poured on head.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwOZVyzsrbKchvH5tGKuY1ELW7nWY1rtsyDNR3GeurivaxqChvYYyz0gIg8HZTfFHI2mCwLmHuWz-bFUiUgEqwryYJFFp1WuYXP1yv1oHy2Ku822Xr2JCOqYYKX1TOl8Kv0rqm80rUvrXi/s1600/DSC01732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwOZVyzsrbKchvH5tGKuY1ELW7nWY1rtsyDNR3GeurivaxqChvYYyz0gIg8HZTfFHI2mCwLmHuWz-bFUiUgEqwryYJFFp1WuYXP1yv1oHy2Ku822Xr2JCOqYYKX1TOl8Kv0rqm80rUvrXi/s320/DSC01732.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wearing her sunglasses with a smile on her face</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhltFwGyBpzttc3jfjQE7kkWbZEYkJXiietK2vARjiYKbFG9sxW8eLJqhM5TunU1kvNo4yudByQ2btHuIwwLj7-czJVCI0z40Ei1V5ci9O07i7CsG42MBi3LrLNNB7T9CepQdnAvoojDdwn/s1600/DSC01738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhltFwGyBpzttc3jfjQE7kkWbZEYkJXiietK2vARjiYKbFG9sxW8eLJqhM5TunU1kvNo4yudByQ2btHuIwwLj7-czJVCI0z40Ei1V5ci9O07i7CsG42MBi3LrLNNB7T9CepQdnAvoojDdwn/s320/DSC01738.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First time eating a marshmallow.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3h8an7mtMojzk8B6liL17O1-MzWKgPI2fJhW4NgjErN5jzkEfVqj10F084WMWtS5tgRvZeXjkAwWDE0yZ43hloGs-uMcw7UcgyAibNT1du3I7HbzHgQffmWMh5Sg5wvokXr3TKpMjUeRe/s1600/DSC01750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3h8an7mtMojzk8B6liL17O1-MzWKgPI2fJhW4NgjErN5jzkEfVqj10F084WMWtS5tgRvZeXjkAwWDE0yZ43hloGs-uMcw7UcgyAibNT1du3I7HbzHgQffmWMh5Sg5wvokXr3TKpMjUeRe/s320/DSC01750.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First time eating a roasted marshmallow.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Scott and Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16177441773628427955noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883199697365182174.post-33308823922076016042013-06-16T22:35:00.001-04:002013-06-16T22:35:09.872-04:00Father's DayI know there are so many that struggle with man made holidays such as Father's Day. Maybe you have lost your father, maybe you have never known your father, maybe your relationship with your father is strained or difficult and you wish you had a different father. Maybe your father was anything but loving. Then there are those who are a father, but maybe you have a strained relationship with your own child. Maybe you spent this father's day separated from you child. Whatever the case, celebrating Father's Day falls short for many people.<br />
<br />
The truth is you have a Heavenly Father who lives in a high and holy place but also dwells with those lowly in spirit. You have a Heavenly Father whose love is steadfast and never ceases or changes. You have a Heavenly Father who has given everything, even his very life for you. You have a Heavenly Father who is your provider, protector and who has prepared a dwelling place for you in His Kingdom. His Kingdom, that's right, He is a King, royalty, and you, an heir to His throne.<br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-68-6"></span></span><br />
<span class="text John-14-1"><span class="woj"><i>“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.</i></span></span><i><sup> </sup><span class="text John-14-2" id="en-ESV-26659"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? </span></span><span class="text John-14-3" id="en-ESV-26660"><span class="woj">And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also</span></span><span class="text John-14-4" id="en-ESV-26661"><span class="woj">. And you know the way to where I am going.”<sup> </sup></span></span><span class="text John-14-5" id="en-ESV-26662">Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?<sup>" </sup></span><span class="text John-14-6" id="en-ESV-26663">Jesus said to him, <span class="woj">“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.</span></span> <span class="text John-14-7" id="en-ESV-26664"><span class="woj">If you had known me, you would have known my Father also.<sup> </sup>From now on you do know him and have seen him.”</span></span></i><br />
<br />
Are you a doubting Thomas? <br />
<br />
<i><span class="text John-14-7" id="en-ESV-26664"><span class="woj"><span class="text Gal-4-4" id="en-ESV-29119">Galatians 4:4-7 "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,</span><span class="text Gal-4-5" id="en-ESV-29120"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.</span><sup> </sup><span class="text Gal-4-6" id="en-ESV-29121">And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”</span> <span class="text Gal-4-7" id="en-ESV-29122">So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God."</span></span></span></i><br />
<br />
Are you a slave or a son?<br />
<br />
<i><span class="text John-14-7" id="en-ESV-26664"><span class="woj"><span class="text Gal-4-7" id="en-ESV-29122"> </span></span></span><span class="text John-14-7" id="en-ESV-26664"><span class="woj"><span class="text Gal-4-7" id="en-ESV-29122">Psalm 68:4-6 (ESV) "<span class="text Ps-68-4" id="en-ESV-14905">Sing to God, sing praises to his name;</span> <span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-68-4">lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts;</span></span> <span class="text Ps-68-4">his name is the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>;</span> <span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-68-4">exult before him!</span></span> <span class="text Ps-68-5" id="en-ESV-14906">Father of the fatherless and protector of widows</span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> is</span><span class="text Ps-68-5"> God in his holy habitation.</span></span> <span class="indent-1">God settles the solitary in a home..."</span></span></span></span></i><br />
<br />
Where does your heart settle?<br />
<br />
<span class="text John-14-7" id="en-ESV-26664"><span class="woj"><span class="text Gal-4-7" id="en-ESV-29122"><span class="indent-1">For the first two years of life the word Daddy had no meaning to Mercy. The word Dada was not even in her vocabulary. Last month all of that changed as she met her Daddy for the first time. In the past month she has learned to say Dada. She says it while smiling, she says it while laughing, she says it just to see Scott's reaction, she says it for attention, she says it when she sees Scott's picture and she says it while crying. She reaches her arms out to her Dada, she smiles at her Dada, she is beginning to desire her Dada more and more everyday, and she is learning to depend on her Dada to meet her needs. I could learn a lot from her. Reach for your Heavenly Father, laugh, smile, seek, desire and cry to Him. Depend on Him.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="text John-14-7" id="en-ESV-26664"><span class="woj"><span class="text Gal-4-7" id="en-ESV-29122"><span class="indent-1">I'm thankful today for Scott who has given me and our kids a tangible example of what God's love looks like. He's not perfect, sure he makes mistakes, but he shows patience, gentleness, kindness, mercy and love to me and our kids on a regular basis. He works hard and provides for our family. He so often sacrifices himself for our needs and time. Thank you Scott for being the godly father that you are. Thank you for pursuing your children with a strong yet gentle love. Thank you for working hard and for the many sacrifices you make to me and our four kids. Happy Father's Day. We love you! </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="text John-14-7" id="en-ESV-26664"><span class="woj"><span class="text Gal-4-7" id="en-ESV-29122"><span class="indent-1"> </span></span> </span></span>Scott and Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16177441773628427955noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883199697365182174.post-2460194464105053182013-06-16T00:06:00.002-04:002013-06-16T00:06:38.220-04:00Post Adoption Visit #1 CompleteFriday, June 15 we had our first post adoption home visit. Our social worker, Jinny, showed up at 9:30am and spent the next hour asking us loads of questions about our experience in China, how things are at home now with Mercy, our kids and us. She observed Mercy interact with us and she was very pleased to see how well she appears to be bonding with each of us. Jinny also got down on the floor and spent some time playing with Mercy, not sure why, but Mercy seemed to enjoy her. All in all it was pretty harmless and when she left I joked with the kids that we needed an easy button for that one. The boys replied, "we cleaned our room for nothing, she didn't even go upstairs!" I am guessing that when our next visit comes up in two months I am not going to get as much cooperation from the boys to help me clean. (LOL)<br />
<br />
We have another CHOP appointment this coming Thursday to meet with the occupational therapist who was sick the other day. Scott will still be away, so I will be flying solo for this one. Thankfully it's in King of Prussia and not the city. This visit should help us better gage where Mercy truly is developmentally.<br />
<br />
We also have early intervention coming to our house on June 25th. We are asking for prayer because we are desiring a vision expert from the Overbrook School for the Blind to come with our service coordinator. We know Mercy is going to need vision assistance, and we need assistance in learning how to best help her. The school requires an ophthalmologist report in order to send someone, but we don't see the ophthalmologist until the end of July. Our pediatrician wrote a letter stating that Mercy's vision impairment is part of her genetic condition and requested they send someone. Pray they will accept our pediatricians letter without an ophthalmologist report and that we can meet with a vision expert the same day that early intervention is here.<br />
<br />
Now that the kids are home everyday we have seen great strides in sibling bonding. Mercy has really taken to all three and it has made a world of difference for me. They all love to play with her and for the most part are more then willing to step in and occupy her if I need to get something done. As she is bonding better with them she is more content to be entertained by them for longer stretches of time. I love watching them dote on her and she soaks in their attention like a sponge.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmVqFQ7mhyphenhyphenrjvg1oXNPNLe8ycpa8172zv7meKI5hN-TDX-Jh5mzX-ZGxeAda_CklDg-Jf-mEV4U6etMDPRs5IGoeiKd9dZ-QdG7lKdGY2tUbi1FM_81QjQjqn4ZBeu0LAK3PRyjoer314/s1600/DSC01597-2.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmVqFQ7mhyphenhyphenrjvg1oXNPNLe8ycpa8172zv7meKI5hN-TDX-Jh5mzX-ZGxeAda_CklDg-Jf-mEV4U6etMDPRs5IGoeiKd9dZ-QdG7lKdGY2tUbi1FM_81QjQjqn4ZBeu0LAK3PRyjoer314/s320/DSC01597-2.bmp" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer Fun</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Scott and Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16177441773628427955noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883199697365182174.post-3523487767486044022013-06-13T22:24:00.000-04:002013-06-13T22:24:27.952-04:00CHOP and CheesecakeToday went really well. I can't say enough about the International Adoption Division of CHOP, specifically Dr. Lockwood. While she scared the dickens out of us back during our 72 hour referral process, we know she was giving us the "worst case scenario" so that we could prepare for it when we chose to accept Mercy's file. And while that worst case really threw us a curve ball at the time, God was so much bigger than our fears and He continued to lead and guide, which made today all the more special. In Dr. Lockwood's words "Mercy is AWESOME!" We certainly didn't need a doctor to tell us that, we agree 1000%. <br />
<br />
The family therapist that was present was nothing short of amazed at Mercy's progress as well, both from an attachment standpoint and progress in her development. She gave us many great tips for continued bonding, as well as working through sleep issues. She was a wealth of knowledge and we were thankful to meet her and know we will be seeing her again (next Thursday to be exact).<br />
<br />
Mercy is severely anemic. Her iron is so low it does raise concerns about certain forms of Thalassemia. We are hopeful that is not the case and just due to poor nutrition in the orphanage. We will start her on iron supplements and also through her diet. She's a good eater so this shouldn't be too difficult. She will have blood drawn again in four weeks to see if there is any improvement, if not we will go from there.<br />
<br />
<br />
The down side from today is we didn't really walk away with any concrete medical information. While it was great to have them see Mercy play, interact with us, and give her body the once over there are still many very important things lingering. She had blood drawn today to determine what type of Albinism, but we won't have the results for a few weeks. We also won't have the results on Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome for a few more weeks as well. We meet with the ophthalmologist in July, so while Dr. Lockwood agreed with us that her vision is better than expected, we won't truly know for another month where she really stands. So we look forward to that day with great anticipation.<br />
<br />
We are so confident she does not have any hearing issues, but we will visit with an audiologist in September. We could have gotten in a little sooner, but since it really is of little importance to us we decided to make the appointment the same day as dermatology so that we only have to make one trip. So in early September we will see audiology and dermatology on the same day. Dermatology is routine for a child with Albinism because they are so sensitive to the sun. It's important to have their skin checked over and it's also important to get a baseline for the future. <br />
<br />
Lastly, the Occupational Therapist was ill today, so we will now see her next Thursday. She will play a key role in assessing Mercy's development on all levels. We were so disappointed that she was not there today, but we are also very grateful that we only have to wait one week because she "fit us in." So while we didn't get an accurate developmental assessment, here is what we did walk away with. According to Dr. Lockwood Mercy was stuck between a 9-12 month old in her development. After Gotcha Day we really agreed with that as we got to know Mercy. Today is exactly one month from Gotcha Day and I'm beyond happy to say that as of today Mercy's development is now between a 15-16 month old! Praise God!!! Dr. Lockwood and the therapist said all this little girl needed was a loving family, and what a difference that is making in one month's time. It's so easy to love her and we are still amazed and so unbelievably grateful that we get to be that loving family she needed! Honestly, we need<strike>ed</strike> her too.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
We ended our day at the Cheesecake Factory to celebrate. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy One Month Gotcha Day Mercy, we love you to the moon and back!!!</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuC9mt-sqKoJbYQaRyrBGyxr-2EZ2eGpDph3KdM3oZWICbhhbRzbvzKuyKTQ87WWk8RWDCt-3Pxi5-AxuamOgMFCGv3IAL3DiHydM2VF4O2pvstOsvELa2VSceRGMYok0ck54aCo2glhOc/s1600/IMG_2151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuC9mt-sqKoJbYQaRyrBGyxr-2EZ2eGpDph3KdM3oZWICbhhbRzbvzKuyKTQ87WWk8RWDCt-3Pxi5-AxuamOgMFCGv3IAL3DiHydM2VF4O2pvstOsvELa2VSceRGMYok0ck54aCo2glhOc/s320/IMG_2151.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smiling even when woken up early in the morning. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGkt4yP67nKSrwC0UQao0iLaelycWw5rZxiv16wbxnIxGbbaL9BTtH9CEXBZ1SxSwFbViDG34ln8D71KOaHLQCnFgR1iauYl2CRQpAlxNSxL8_V9MLB-C51wLvc1Mgw9Kx5Oc2mOGslwD4/s1600/DSC01600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGkt4yP67nKSrwC0UQao0iLaelycWw5rZxiv16wbxnIxGbbaL9BTtH9CEXBZ1SxSwFbViDG34ln8D71KOaHLQCnFgR1iauYl2CRQpAlxNSxL8_V9MLB-C51wLvc1Mgw9Kx5Oc2mOGslwD4/s320/DSC01600.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Haha Daddy, I got your pen!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZvHM7f4Y4vHKQxxh40qv4Eyvr46vieaALJPqZCsBJF7atCKuCXv2uct3eN5SyYm0qdjrETLSV6LZBCPCE_gg5UpS0lG0ldRfdmf-AH9vbF_E8Z1So9df7BQhVsaaIjfxYkgLvxg-3B_Bx/s1600/DSC01611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-d0w7SbFoCsPz7IX0sO3O2GQu5kOOCFIdI0hFDTBpncjAZoPftCU0yEBRfG_-A2npyXGYUjdDN6k1JpQFmEfkPXVGd57QIb0MLigw1C12r_T_CCLG29PdnQtv9GF8sZoTBgBhCQxLAqkO/s1600/DSC01613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-d0w7SbFoCsPz7IX0sO3O2GQu5kOOCFIdI0hFDTBpncjAZoPftCU0yEBRfG_-A2npyXGYUjdDN6k1JpQFmEfkPXVGd57QIb0MLigw1C12r_T_CCLG29PdnQtv9GF8sZoTBgBhCQxLAqkO/s320/DSC01613.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tapping the pen to the beat of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse playing the background.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz0-4Ly_XlQy5rt5VZVm5tPxqmpZDrsG5S4cbMNLmrkhDPOOcJ4PahSaP0GYev_BKwBvqCmCNlfw2AK04ApGlKXRHEp1vKtXrqJIlgUJ-MBT_2n3qrqK1I6CpBI3Zik1iVx8XKUEA8XVG9/s1600/DSC01610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz0-4Ly_XlQy5rt5VZVm5tPxqmpZDrsG5S4cbMNLmrkhDPOOcJ4PahSaP0GYev_BKwBvqCmCNlfw2AK04ApGlKXRHEp1vKtXrqJIlgUJ-MBT_2n3qrqK1I6CpBI3Zik1iVx8XKUEA8XVG9/s320/DSC01610.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As quick as the hat is on, it's off.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_0GesXcR1-hAXyB__YMF3-DPHb7z02k1x77lzDUAZawI598kW5iHtGM2xwCbVEv4BpZt_FRQyKVPBfPlcbJ4LMTT7b8IwAHmS4CAoJ0JdiyIdgfr9WQcug7UHTmY65h-kGmiST3KI3jm0/s1600/IMG_2166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_0GesXcR1-hAXyB__YMF3-DPHb7z02k1x77lzDUAZawI598kW5iHtGM2xwCbVEv4BpZt_FRQyKVPBfPlcbJ4LMTT7b8IwAHmS4CAoJ0JdiyIdgfr9WQcug7UHTmY65h-kGmiST3KI3jm0/s320/IMG_2166.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Listening to the sound of the thunder.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl-BGhs0TASF_f8Q62t2KHafMw0lfH5wRF2c9V838dfFie8DGxAZ5nYlzhUhajvjdo77OBUnJ9t1Z70fP0XGt83PjWRAW_LDDtF_kYXBeVW_hdZoHuVqVP4Yb7lEoa2iALBSj6I71kliVw/s1600/DSC01615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl-BGhs0TASF_f8Q62t2KHafMw0lfH5wRF2c9V838dfFie8DGxAZ5nYlzhUhajvjdo77OBUnJ9t1Z70fP0XGt83PjWRAW_LDDtF_kYXBeVW_hdZoHuVqVP4Yb7lEoa2iALBSj6I71kliVw/s320/DSC01615.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"You want to do what with this?"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSFq1ln9pgG3BeCDso2UMT64h0EqbBKIuUa9p_Fn_k8wDnLeG7ASkn36RmH_tRWLt9Z2xAE7koMOSkNbWhupi8TL6otdUsmoa8JHuTGSg6R6L-cfsh0lLhrLH5zpd1xW7LOKaqVvq3eb9G/s1600/DSC01624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSFq1ln9pgG3BeCDso2UMT64h0EqbBKIuUa9p_Fn_k8wDnLeG7ASkn36RmH_tRWLt9Z2xAE7koMOSkNbWhupi8TL6otdUsmoa8JHuTGSg6R6L-cfsh0lLhrLH5zpd1xW7LOKaqVvq3eb9G/s320/DSC01624.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"And what do you do with this end?"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibsbYQHiTZJJXOCefIRSXwMN6RT_WrDCICZkF2qNtruCL-Zj0PYABqafUOC-i8NLpG2RF8XGLmw1jyzqWuMo21MCT-Ql6VPNawS2iurjty-usQ5zEooAsJfQ7IcphlN9-ueV59MK4TVGaC/s1600/DSC01628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibsbYQHiTZJJXOCefIRSXwMN6RT_WrDCICZkF2qNtruCL-Zj0PYABqafUOC-i8NLpG2RF8XGLmw1jyzqWuMo21MCT-Ql6VPNawS2iurjty-usQ5zEooAsJfQ7IcphlN9-ueV59MK4TVGaC/s320/DSC01628.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Wait a minute, there is no cheesecake on this fork!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Scott and Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16177441773628427955noreply@blogger.com3