Red Thread To China 2007

One year ago today Jerry and I received the most precious gift ever, our son Levi. I can remember it like it was yesterday. I had a very hard time sleeping the night before wondering what the day would be like. We were very nervous and I couldn't eat that morning, then we got word that we would have to wait until the afternoon to go to the Social Welfare office. So we had to wait longer to get our first glimse of our son other than in the few pictures we had. We got to the office first and our guide started to process saying that they would be here any minute. And then there they were walking in the door. The Orphanage director, and 2 of the nannies. They sat down next to me and the next moments became a blur of paperwork and trying to get him to calm down. They were speakiing to him in Chinese, telling him that we were his mama and baba, that much I could understand. Our guide was helping them with paperwork as the nanny handed me this crying little boy. At first I was very nervous, but then it just clicked and I felt all the fear just leave me. This was our son, the child we had waited almost 2 years for. And we were his parents. We had to bribe him with food... he loves goldfish crackers!!! He calmed down, but when the nannies left he started to cry again. He cried so softly. I just wanted to hold him and take away all the grief he was feeling. He was the most beautiful little boy ever and continues to amaze us everyday! He has come a long way from the scared little boy that I first held in my arms because he could not walk to this strong , independent boy that is constantly running around everywhere. We love you little guy!!!! Happy forever family day!
Love mom and dad

We met friends at the park yesterday and had a blast!!! Check out these photos.

Well the check up went great and Levi doesn't need anything at this time. The surgeon said everything looks good and well healed. They were amazed at his progress and how well he is walking, running, and even jumping! We got some new prosthetic socks and suspension sleeves and were on our way. Of course I had to stop and get Levi nachos at Taco Bell, which is his favorite. We had a good mommy and son lunch and then headed home. Since it has been raining alot we haven't been out of the house much int he last week. Makes for a cranky little boy. I know we need the rain, but not all at the same time right? I haven't even been motivated to clean much lately bacause I have a cold coming on. I hate being sick!!

Look at daddy's little helper!!! He wanted to help his daddy carry this board over to the shed that he was building. He is such a helper when it comes to this kind of stuff. He just loves to take stuff apart and then try to put them back together. He loves playing with his tool set and bench. Enjoy the picture!

My goodness, Levi just threw the biggest fit!!! I think I am in for it. Wow does he have the worst temper!!! We walked up to Mimi's house to let Levi play with his cousin Laylyn. They play so good together and I thought that maybe just maybe Levi would sleep better tonight if he was just plain wore out. Well it was getting dark so we needed to get back to the house. I was telling Levi that we needed to go and to tell Laylyn bye and he started screaming and jumping up and down that he wanted to play. I couldn't even talk to him he was so crazy upset. SO I had to just grab his hand and start walking. He kept on about half way to the house before my daughter Charla could calm him down. Man some days he just wears me out!!!! But it does just the opposite to me, when I get so worked up I can't sleep. I am so glad this day is over!!!!

Well Jerry has been gone only 2 days now and we already miss him so much. Levi had a really bad night. First I couldn't sleep last night, so when I finally did fall asleep he woke up crying and Marcus brought him downstairs... big mistake! I have learned that when he does this to never move him around or talk to him too much because it just makes it worse. So we went back upstairs and I laid down with him, but that didn't work to well, but eventually he started to fall asleep. so I went back to my room. Well by 3 am he was up again crying for his daddy. It took me about an hour to get him calmed down enough to go back to sleep. So needless to say I didn't get much sleep either. I hope tonight is much better. He usually is a very good sleeper. I think this deployment is going to be very rough on my little boy.

This has been one of those days for me. It started out with me waking up at 5:30am, already late.... and then going up stairs to find that Levi has barfed all over his bed and himself. So I take his clothes off and put him in the bath while I strip his bed and put the sheets in the washer. Call in to work and sound like I am just playing hooky because I only have until next week at me job anyway. Then get a call into the doctor, he can be seen at 9:50am. So I start to go get ready and put in the Sponge Movie for Levi. He really hasn't eaten much since yesterday afternoon so I give him a banana and some juice. Later in the day when I was cleaning up I was going to put the movie up and noticed that the case was awful heavy for it to be empty. Well guess what?...... I opened it up and a banana peel flew out onto the floor. My older son had this look on his face like what int he world, and we both just started laughing. SOme of the things that boy does.....go figure.