Sweet Serenity

Serenity saw Santa last night. When she was telling him what she wanted this is what she said:

 She doesn't care if she gets an iPad or anything else for Christmas. She wants her family all together and happy. 

We are going to try to  give her what she wants. 

Psalm 34:18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

I've been spending a lot if time driving back and forth to Children's Hospital. Belle has had some issues with her port as well as her regular transfusion. 

She has an amazing strength. Daddy told her last night what a trooper she is. 

("Let's go back to Florida")

She really is. And Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh has been such a blessing to us. 

But not just to us they take care if so many others with bigger health problems than Belle. It is a real eye opener. 

There is so much suffering just beyond our own little circles. 

During this blessed season I encourage each if you to reach beyond your circle to be a blessing to someone else either in word or deed. 

And hug your loved ones a little tighter. 

I know I will. 

Disney Daze in pictures

1 Samuel 16:7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

I know better, I really do but I am human.  We(especially women)judge ourselves so harshly when we fall short of what we think is physical beauty.  We perm, straighten, pluck, tan, blush and bronze ourselves silly.  And we compare ourselves to unrealistic images.  

A few days ago I was looking at the internet news and clicked on one of those side headlines, it was something about the most photoshopped celebrities.  It was a real eyeopener.  Not even Madonna looks like Madonna!  

That started me thinking.  We(I)spend a lot of time before leaving the house on looking my best.  For years I have fretted over my thinning/greying hair, or the lines around my eyes. When someone may have thought I was Belle's grandmother, as soon as I got to the van I was calling my hair stylst getting an appointment to have my roots done.(true story)  

But I wonder, have I spent as much time or energy making sure my heart is as attractive as it can be?  Have I cultivated a beautiful spirit?  When the Lord looks at me is He pleased?

I guess having daughters is changing the way I think. When Serenity tells me I'm beautiful, I need to stop pointing out my flaws. I need to say Thank You and accept myself the way she sees me.  Because what am I teaching her if I constantly complain/put myself down for my perceived physical shortcomings?  I want her to see her own true beauty.  Can I find mine?  Can I cultivate my inner beauty and learn to love the lines around my eyes?  I still try to be attractive and I love how my hair is getting curly and fuller but I want to put more energy on the inner Jamie.

So I say, "Hollywood, you don't matter! I am who I am.  My goal is a better one.  I want to mirror God's love not Brittany's abs."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/12/celebrity-photoshop-photos_n_3428033.html
http://www.buzzfeed.com/jessicamisener/23-celebrities-before-after-photoshop
http://collegecandy.com/2012/04/21/54-photoshopped-celebrity-before-and-after-photos/#photo=1

Transfusion Monday

Belle is sleeping on my lap as her IV pumps 'go juice' into her 'magic button' 

Translation for those of you over 2: blood into her port access. 

When we were starting our second adoption and considering which special needs we were comfortable with we ruled out Thalassemia because... Well because we were lazy. I mean trips to the hospital every month for a whole day sounded like an ordeal. But we were wrong. These hospital days aren't so bad especially since she has a port. 

Most days at home I have dozens of things I feel like I should be doing, but on hospital day all I have to do is be with Belle. We have snacks, watch movies, get lunch, look at books, visit the kitchen for goldfish graham crackers and she naps. 

Oh sure there is some medical stuff going on but that's not my dept. someone else is in charge of that. I'm just in charge of being with my baby. 

Belle-guest blogger

Hi. I'm sure most of you know me by now. I'm Belle. Mom calls me Boss Baby. 

I gotta look out for mom. I feel kind of bad for her. She has to go to the bathroom all alone. And since I try to be a good baby I go with her. Mom doesn't want to interrupt me to go with her but I insist. After all I am a good daughter. 

And sometimes when I am playing with my blocks or watching Sesame Street she starts playing with yarn and this hook thingy, so I stop what I am doing to pay attention to her. 

I'm not sure who looked out for her before I came along. Poor thing. 

Keeping mom company is a full time job. I barely have time to take care of Daddy. 

Updates in pictures

Sorry I have been remiss in updating. But as Matt says I have been living the blog not writing it. 

Belle had her mediport inserted without any trouble. And she rocked her bow as long as she could presurgery and got it back as soon as she could post!

First US transfusion went well. Half way thru she stated dancing. 

Those trips to Philly tire a girl out. May as well get comfortable. 

Belle was baptized. She was very patient with the process but thought it was strange that man put water on her head. 

Serenity and I are enjoying the teas we brought home from China. 

Sisters are for helping. 

Happy happy happy birthday to Nikki Lee

Big change for Serenity. She had over a foot of hair cut off to donate to Wigs for Kids. To quote Serenity,"I feel like a different person."

First trip to the cabin for Belle.