So Very Thankful

What a lot we have to be thankful for this year! John and I were just talking last night about the trials that we've gone through that lead us to the amazing family of five that we are giving thanks for this year. My first prayer of thanks this morning was that 12 years ago, John pursued me in a way that he says he would have never done; it was God's leading. 12 years and 4 days ago, John proposed to me on the beach in Boca Grande when I least expected him to pop the question. Our journey has had it's many hard days but I could never have asked for a more amazing man to walk beside through those struggles and joyous days. We still don't and won't on earth totally understand the reason God takes us down the path He does to get us to the place He wants us to be. This year, I am giving thanks of course for the incredible blessing of children - after feeling that a part of our life was on hold for over five years, our family is complete now that Grace Lin is home! We are also so thankful for amazing family, friends, restored health and for financial provision during tough times!

Gracie's very first Thanksgiving dinner.
The Lyman family's first Thankful tree and a poem sent home from Carter's school
Making new traditions... playing at the park, the zoo and the aquarium.

Old traditions: packing shoe boxes and CCA Thanksgiving program followed by the family feast.

Fourth Grade Classes

Officially a US Citizen!

Certificate of CITIZENSHIP!!

I didn't think I should photograph the whole document to put on the web but wanted to share - look at that sweet picture! Grace Lin Jingxiao is officially a United States Citizen. Of course it was 'official' when we landed in Detroit but it was exciting to receive the document!
I caught Gracie Lin in action with her piece of paper! I think I mentioned before that if there is any type of paper within her reach, that is her play item of choice! She cracks me up surrounded by toys playing with and chewing a piece of paper.
"I got an awesome new hat from Aunt Jody! What do you think? I think it's just perfect!"
Tackled by Carter once again! I am pealing him off of her! I think she is getting used to it but she still isn't thrilled. He just can't wait to see her in the mornings and after naps. The first thing he says every time is, "I see Gwacie?" Tonight he was sitting on the floor watching something and she was sitting right beside him watching him. She sat up on her knees and leaned over to give him a kiss. She has become very affectionate with her kisses.

Its so fun each day to see how much our sweet girl's little personality is blossoming! It is so terrific to see her comfort level grow and grow. She still cries when she wakes up but I'm hoping one day to hear a "Mama" or just some happy sounds coming from her room! I think she is finding that her bed is a comfort spot when she is cuddled with her lovies. I lay her down, she rolls over and snuggles her lovie up to her little mouth. Daily, I see her play more with blowing kisses, covering her eyes for peek a boo, and patting her mouth to make noises and then she just grins about it all.

Today is Parker 9 1/2 birthday and he kicked off our week of no school with a boys night with Daddy and they watched a James Bond movie! 9 1/2! I saw the date and realized that he only has six more months of being a single digit age and on top of that, he was watching James Bond with his Dad! I get so sad about them growing up but at the same time I love it! I love watching him grow and mature! This week he got a pocket bible from school. When he got home, he was telling me about the index and that he had looked up a couple of words that he felt like he needed to focus on and then found the verses, dog eared the page and underlined them. I asked if those where things that the class was talking about and he said, 'no, they are just things that I need.' WOW! I got a bible from church when I was in 4th grade but it seems to me that it was all about having the bible and not necessarily about reading and applying it to my life! God has given this child a huge heart for people and I know that He has big plans for our boy!

Family Age

I was reminded last night that the age of our family is how long our newest member has been a part of the mix. As of 11/10 our family was one month old. Some days, I feel like I have no brain and just can't get it together to save my life! Well, if I keep in mind how young our family unit is, I think I should give myself a break. :) We have had five days of at least one sick child and the last two days we have two sick, not very happy kids. Carter of course is either jumping for joy in life or throwing himself on the floor in a tantrum. There is no even ground for this kid which is why we love him - he has so much life! However, when that 'throw himself on the ground' side is the norm instead of the fun happy boy we know, wow can it be exhausting! John and Parker have been at the farm hunting this weekend so I'm very thankful that Nanannette was here to help out and keep me company during the insanity!

In the midst of this hard week, sweet Gracie Lin said her first English word. She looked and John, reached toward him and said, "Dada!" She has also started to use the 'all done' and 'more' signs this week. She has been waking up early this week and I'm wondering if she is so excited about the toys she's discovering or the fact that she is learning and wants to know more. She just plays and plays with the toys and strives to figure out how they work. She is just not sleeping as long. I remember when Parker learned to crawl, stand, walk (major milestones), he would get up early in the morning like, "I'm ready to do it again!" The big difference is that Grace doesn't call to us happily, she wakes up a cries until we pick her up. Hopefully soon, she will learn that we ARE coming and that she doesn't have to cry but she can just call to us. If she weren't such a light sleeper, I think I would be tempted to let her sleep in the pack-n-play so I could roll her around the house and she would wake up wherever I am. So, I hear some little ones stirring (and crying) upstairs so I'm off!

Just One Month

Has it been just one month since our precious baby girl was placed in our arms? I just reread the post from that incredible day. The morning of October 10, I was up way before dawn but John was already up and sitting at the computer. The boys were sleeping soundly. We were filled with so much anticipation and excitement. I knew once the boys were awake, that we would be very distracted. I just laid in bed with two boys on one side of me and an empty crib on the other taking in the fact that we were moving from just having these two wonderful boys to adding a little girl... not sure if I would know what to do with her. Here we are one month later and I'm still not sure if I know what to do with her. So far, she's learning to play with legos and throw balls. :)

Brand new Crown Plaza in Nanchang

We pushed these beds together to make one enormous bed for all of us.

Our days are so filled with busy/crazy/fun times and it doesn't slow down enough for me to take it all in completely. My daily prayer is that God's will be done through my life and I will give John and all of the kids what they need from me whether I realize it or it's intentional. My desire is to do that but my mental capacity hasn't caught up to intentional yet! Some days are harder than others but there isn't a day that I don't see joy in this journey. Parker lights up when his sweet sister gets up in the morning and it is reciprocated. He can get her to belly laugh faster than anyone. He is such an amazing big brother. Through Carter's painful week of 2 year molars (hopefully arriving VERY soon!), he has sweet hugs and kisses for his baby sister every day. When he wakes in the morning and from his nap in the afternoon, his first words are, 'whas Gwacie doin' it?' and next, 'I see Gwacie?' This of course is after he calls for Daaadddy, Daaadddy to come get him up. No mater how much I do for him, he's all about Daddy!

What we've learned about sweet Jing Xiao so far:

She loves to EAT! She is demanding about eating!

She does not like her crib or being alone. We are working on that.

She learns so quickly. She last learned the sign for 'all done' and is working on 'more.'

She isn't a fan of dog kisses.

She loves bath time with Carter and handles hair washing much better than he!

She HATES her changing table in the middle of the night - ??

She is a happy little girl and gets so excited when others get excited.

She is a joy!

Hanging out with Daddy on 'Gotcha Day'

Amazing what a day can do! Exploring already on day 2 in the Lyman family

(as long as Parker was the one putting her down on the floor).

We are one happy family!