Preparing and Enjoying

Today WAS a fabulous adventure!!!

Leaving early for school 

Needed to stop at church as I left my Ipad in the pew last night:(

Teaching HEALTH

Post office

Ran into gas station for COFFEE -- quick

Teaching LANGUAGE ARTS -- Tall Tales - MY FAVORITE x 4

Meet with sub who is filling in for me while I'm off

Violin -- THANKS Lauren

LOTS of final preparations at school 
GRADING and MORE GRADING

Phone calls -- preparing for the hospital stay --

making sure ALL the kids are cared for :)

Catching up with Matt -- yep, thank-you LORD for cell-phones

Dinner -- thanks MD and Lauren

clean-up

showers

FUN -- dancing AND more dancing!!!

Time with the boys

WATCHING Dancing with the Stars

Snack

Cuddles

Bedtime

Help MD make Banana Muffins -- GLUTEN-FREE

Finish Dancing with the Stars

Computer Time W/ laundry, dishwasher, prep for tomorrow

Writing BLOG

AND

I'm sure tomorrow with be another FABULOUS adventure!

AND 

through it all WE CHOOSE JOY!!!

Well, we are preparing!  YES, preparing for the big SURGERY day!

I can't believe it is already here.  Wednesday, May 2 is the big day.

YES, she knows what is going to happen.

YES, she can verbalize the entire event -- in a bit of a crude way BUT she can :)

YES, she is a bit nervous (we all would be) BUT

YES, she wants it done.

AND 

(be ready for a tear)

All she cares about is:

'Mama be there, right?  Mama be there ALL the time?'

Oh, yes, sweetie!  Mama be there the WHOLE time!!! (I still tear up writing this!)

YES, she remembers her other 3 surgeries in China.

The longest -- she was in the hospital 28 days AND she was there ALONE!!!  

No mama or baba -- no nanny or friend.  I'm sure someone checked on her BUT no one to cuddle and protect and just plain LOVE on her!!

SO, this time around it WILL BE different!

Mama will be there!  Oh, and baba, too!  EVEN the siblings will come and visit.

We decided to do a few special things in preparation.

FIRST:

  A gift -- so, she can be like the other girls.  YES, she plays with My Darlings' doll ALL of the time!!! She REALLY wanted one.  AND we thought it would be special for her to have IN the hospital. 

ALL 3 LOVE their American Girl Dolls!

Oh, and they LOVED popping the bubbles on the packing.  YES, Elizabeth initiated this :)

SECOND:

We went out for dinner as an entire family on Saturday evening.  We know life will be changing and be CRAZY for a bit -- so, we wanted a fun evening.  We went out to one of our favorite Mexican restaurants.  Well, they were having karaoke -- no, we did not join in BUT it was so fun.  YES, the food was yummy, too.

Elizabeth got to pick out a few specials for the hospital.   New Hello Kitty pajamas, Hello Kitty fuzzy blanket AND mama got a few books and snacks.  Have you guessed???  This girl LOVES Hello Kitty :)

THIRD:

Tonight we ENJOYED letting loose and having fun.  We were listening to some fun Christian praise music and the girls got into some fun dancing.  They are just a hoot to watch!!!

LOVE BaJabs in this one!!  She is JAMMIN!!!

Some more dancing!

CRAZY!

YES, she is so happy and smiley!!

We certainly had to end the night with some yummy dessert.

Leftovers from Uncle Josh's birthday!!

Nanny's homemade Texas Sheet Cake! DELICIOUS!

Now from a mommy's heart!

This surgery is a BIG deal.  Yes, it HAS to be done.  There is no other choice with all that is involved.  BUT I still hurt for her.  She has come SO far AND she is simply AMAZING!!!

I'm asking for Prayer!  

1.  CALMNESS and UNBELIEVABLE understanding for Elizabeth

2.  Perfect WISDOM and steady hands for Dr. F

3.  HEALING for the wound and emotional/mental with Elizabeth

4.  STRESS for our family -- this effects ALL of the kids.

  5.  Matt -- juggling everything.  ASPARAGUS will still grow AND it still has to be picked.  So, really that he can do what needs to be done.

6.  ME -- Calmness-NO ANXIETY because I'm going to trust Christ through this - right?  Clarity of mind, PATIENCE with the situation -- UNDERSTANDING of Elizabeth with language -- PEACE -- TO CHOOSE JOY in everything!!!!

7.  AND an unspoken -- yes, it's very important with all of this situation BUT needs to stay unspoken for now :) 

THANK-YOU!!!  YOUR prayers are important for our family.  This is a BIG day AND the start of MORE BIG changes in Elizabeth's life.  PLEASE join us in this BIG adventure AND watch what AMAZING things GOD is going to do!