"A child born to another woman calls me Mom. The depth of the tragedy and magnitude of the privilege are not lost on me" -Jody Landers

I read this quote on a friend's facebook status yesterday in honor of Mother's Day.....what a profound and accurate statement.  I often find myself at a loss for words and inability to express how I feel about the honor I feel that I get to parent this sweet gift from above, and at the same time still can't wrap my head around the loss that has happened in order for us to be where we are.  The word tragedy is the only one I can think of...what kind of a world do we live in where a mother cannot keep their child? I don't know the reason for Miah's abandonment, but I'm sure if falls somewhere in between the family not being able to care for her; either financially or not being able to legally call her their own due to government restrictions.

This past Tuesday Miah fell off the monkey bars at school and broke her arm. As she lay sedated in her hospital bed, I was overwhelmed with emotions and the thought that her biological mother should be here...that her biological mother would want to be here. It saddens me as a mother that another mother does not get the opportunity to comfort their child in a time of need.

 

The result- a broken arm and 4-6 weeks in a cast.  I have one very disappointed little girl who can't go to gymnastics and swimming lessons for a few weeks.  We also found out this week that her bone grafting surgery is scheduled for July 5th. She might be taking two months off from all those extra activities....we might have to find her a new hobby...

 

Disneyland

This past week we took our annual family vacation to Disneyland. We just don't seem to tire of this place!  Each time is a little different as the girls get older.  The first time we went we spent most of our time visiting Princesses and characters.  Now, we are often found in lines for the more thrilling rides and the animation academy.  I don't think we even saw a princess once this trip.

 

 

One of the highlights of our trip was that the girls got to meet their cousin Alyssa for the first time.  How fun it was for them to have an older and cool girl to play with.  It was much more fun to ride with Alyssa than just Mom or Dad. Alyssa is living in California working with YWAM. What a great opportunity for our girls to hear about what she is doing with her life.

 

 

The other highlight of our time away was the day we spent in LEGOLAND with Tian.  Tian and Miah were friends from China.  We were told by the nannies at the girl's orphanage that they were buddies.  It is always a joy to see these two girls interact with each other.  I hope that they will continue to cherish this special friendship forever!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chinese New Years 2013 in Photos

 

 

 

Dental Sugery

Yesterday was surgery day for Miah.  They are preparing her mouth for her bone graft surgery that will also occur in the Spring.  She had a tooth that had erupted high up at the top of her cleft.  There was just a small portion showing that made itself known a few months ago.  We noticed after her last nose revision surgery that liquids were still making their way up through her nose...then one day, they just stopped...guess what was plugging the hole?  Yup-that tooth! It will be interesting to see what happens now that they have removed the tooth. They were also able to see one fistula that is on the soft palate portion of her palate.  It sounds like they could close that at the same time as the bone graft.

Miah was a star patient yesterday.  She is so brave and compliant with all that is asked of her.  She never cried once. Some of the cute things she said yesterday included:

"How is God going to hold me on the table?"

"That hospital sure has super sticky tape.  I was tempted to cry when they took it off me but I didn't."

"Do you think the tooth fairy brought me lots of money because it was my first tooth or I had to have surgery to get it out?"

"When I was sleeping I didn't have any dreams. It was hard to remember if I was sleeping at home or in the hospital"

First words upon waking "I want a Popsicle."

She also laughed very hard at Mommy in the OR as I was wearing a hat. "Momma has a funny hat."

 

2012-A Year in Review

We started 2012 off with a trip to California. We spent 9 nights in Anaheim playing in Disneyland, Legoland, took in a Duck`s game and spent a day at the beach in Santa Monica with Miah's friend Tian. We look forward to seeing them again this February when we head south again.




 

We spent the leap day in Disneyland. It was the first time the park had ever stayed open for 24 hours.  We were notthat daring, but it was nice to not have to think about opening or closing times.

 

In April we celebrated Mackenzie's 12th birthday by playing a game of lazer tag with her friends. I can't believe that we will have a teenager in the house in the near future!

In May we enjoyed the girl's year end dance recital called "Wiggle." Mackenzie was one of the actors; The Artist. She was feeling awful and fought through her 103 degree fever to fulfill her role.  Two days later her test results came back positive for Strep and she developed the chicken pox!

Madison also enjoyed her part in `Wiggle.`She danced in two numbers and had lots of fun backstage with her friends.

In July we were busy as a family with our church`s`Sky` kids day camp. Grandma and Grandpa Denis also came out to lend a hand.  Miah shared lots of giggles with her friends from Preschool.

Also in July, we celebrated Miah`s three year Gotcha Anniversary. So hard to believe that she has been home for three years. Most of the time, I can`t even remember what it was like not to have her here....it must have been quiet ;)

In August Miah turned 5 years old! We celebrated Disney style with an Alice in Wonderland Party. We even played croquet with pink flamingos.

 

 

 

In August Mackenzie also was involved in her third summer with Bumbershoot Children`s Theatre. She looks forward to auditioning again this month for the August 2013 show.

 

 In September, it was back to school and Miah started full time Kindergarten! It took her a few months to adjust to the routine, but by Christmas was loving it and even letting me drop her off in the parking lot so she could walk in with her big sister. Madison started garde three and Mack graduated over to the high school campus to start Junior High!

 

In October we celebrated Madison`s Ninth birthday at Color Me Mine, a local ceramic company.  Madi and her friends enjoyed painting ceramics and eating her zebra striped cake. This was so her style. She is our pop star loving, zebra print aspiring artist and chef.

 

This year we were actually ready for Halloween! Most years we are looking for costumes last minute in the dress up bin.  Madi was a Smurf, Miah a Bee and Mack a Pixie.  Another highlight was a girls road trip to Vancouver to see the Justin Bieber concert.

 

Also in October, Drew`s parents came to visit. We spent one day in Summerland riding the Kettle Valley Railroad.

Mackenzie was asked to audition for Theatre Kelowna`s performance of ``A Rockin` Tale of Snow White.``She was given the role of Kip, one of the seven dwarfs.  This was a great experience for her and she loved all 10 of their performances! Mack is the dwarf in Pink poking Snow White.

Christmas was spent in Vernon with my Mom and Dad, brother and sister-in-law.  The girls each received a very special doll that looks just like them! Thanks Grandma!

2012 was a surgery free year for Miah. What a nice break that was for her.  This year she has a tooth extraction surgery scheduled for January 21st and her bone grafting to follow in the Spring. Perhaps some additional plastic surgery in the fall as well.

 

We are thankful for all of God`s provisions and blessings in 2012. I can`t wait to see what He has in store for us in 2013!

 

Our verse for 2013:

 

In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps  Proverbs 16:9

 

Christmas 2012

Merry Christmas!