Four Year Anniversary from when I started this blog!

I can't believe it's been four years since I first posted a picture of our family and started this blog. This blog was meant to follow our journey to get Allison from China. We have now been home for a year and two months with her. She has been such a joy to watch grow into the funny, smart, OCD, little girl that she is.I finally found a pair of jeans with adjustable elastic in the waist. So I was able to put her in jeans today and put her cute little boots on due to the huge rain storm we got last night. I then put this cute raincoat on she has never worn. She absolutely loves it. Thanks Karrie!

Steven went to the gastroenterologist today for his stomach problem. They are in the doctor's office right now. So doctor is very worried, possible small intestine growth or blockage. He had more blood work done, has a barium test this week, and a scope on Monday. Can you say poor child!

I figured when the 25th of this month came, I would bring this blog to an end and start a new one to follow our family's journey from this point out. I am sending this blog to blog to print to have a hard copy of all my postings for the past four years. What a treasure this will be.

Please follow us on our new adventure to http://lailfamilylife.blogspot.com

God Bless!

Happy Chinese New Years!

So it is the year of the dragon! It was quite funny that this happens to also be the year I was born. So today I will have to look into what the year of the dragon holds.

I found this picture on Facebook from another adoption friend I have. I also wonder why their year and our year starts at different times. I understand the moon plays a roll in that but why then don't the US also join in that?

If anyone knows, please comment as silly as that is!


On another note, poor Tom came home from work this morning with a neck looking like a golf ball. He has a very sore throat. So off to the doctor he goes this afternoon. I had better drink a cup of my vitamin water and boost my system. Whatever it is, I don't want it.

Steven also called this morning from Fort Worth where he is still messing with the stock show. He is not feeling well at all. He even has decided to get surgery instead of going to the FFA show in San Antonio. That means he is really miserable to pass on that show. I need everyone to put a prayer out that we can find out what is going on and get him on the road to health as soon as possible.

I guess Jessica has now found a family in Germany that are interested in her being a nanny for them for a period of three months. That would be so good for her.

Seriously

I went through Ally's clothes yesterday and took out a full bag of clothes that are to small. She still weighs the same, but has got taller. So now all shirts are to short and pants are to short. She has went from a size 6 shoes to a size 7. It is crazy how fast our kids get bigger. I am hoping we go get Sara so that she can wear some of these clothes and shoes that Ally never did get to wear. I even have blanket that are new!

Ally even now has over seven pair of shoes out and all over the house. So we get to clean that mess up real soon. Really nothing new today. I would like to go to Dallas to see something for the China's new year that is starting tomorrow. It is the year of the dragon. Ally was born in the year of the tiger!

Quite amazing, Kyle's room is all tigers. He loves them very much. So maybe that is way he loves Ally so much.

Stock Show in Fort Worth

Congrats to Steven!

Steven is out at the stock show in Fort Worth with the FFA group with his cow "Maggie". She placed 5th out of 12th this morning in Fort Worth. He has been doing the best he can with her; however, with his kidney and stomach problem, that has made training her very difficult.

Ally and I were supposed to go but I woke up with the beginning of a headache and Ally had been coughing all night. I figured it safer to just stay home. So I've been on a cleaning spree this morning.

Heaven is for Real

I saw a recommendation on FaceBook for this book. Upon looking it up on YouTube, I decided it was very interesting so I had Kyle bring me his Kindle Fire and I bought it at that second. It was 10 o'clock last night when I started it and didn't put it down until 12:30 am when I finished it.

This was a very interesting story that makes you really think hard on Heaven. It truly is a great detailed book that describes things that this little one saw that only he would see if going to Heaven.

Cute Pictures!

I'm hoping to get a good head shot of these two together for our bedroom wall to join the one of Jenny and Kyle and then Steven and Taylor. With Minnie aging quickly, this will be one to have for a long time! We love you Minnie!
This is the little shirt Grandma got her for Christmas. It was a beautiful day, so she got to go to school looking sporty!

This is was dad said about this picture through email tonight:
That shirt Ally wore today made her look grown up and a little “preppy girl”…

Doctor

So, Steven is now beginning to vomit what food he does get down. Not a good thing at all. We have an appointment at the gastroenterologist on January 25th, so they can scope his stomach. Hopefully that will tell what in the world is going on!

His surgery date for his ureter is Feb. 2; however, we may have to reschedule that due to a FFA show in San Antonio on the 14th of February.

After taking three days of magnesium citrate, Ally hasn't made any progress with her constipation. I really don't know what else to do, but have an x-ray taken to possibly show if she has any obstruction going on in her intestinal track.

Jessica is thinking of going overseas for a three-month period to be a nanny. That sounds quite interesting, but we will see what happens with that.

I made progress yesterday with those things you never get to. Finally programming remotes for our tvs so that they work correctly, sewing up the hole in my slipper, and getting a huge bump out of the middle of my dad's exercise mat where the foam some how got bent over inside. Now I've got five ink cartridges ordered to get all of our printers working together. Now to figure out why the fax machine is sending faxes with a black line down them and figure out how to get the printer to scan like it's supposed to.

So here's to another good and productive day!

Stitches

Just when I thought it was going to be an unevenful day, Steven comes home with a big gash in his left hand. Tom took him to Care Now where they stitched it up with four stitches! This poor kid gets hurt and has so many issues it's not funny! We should be getting his blood work back today also to see why he can't eat and has lost so much weight!

Happy 36 to Me

It's my Birthday today! Happy, Happy Birthday to me! I picked up Kyle from a big overnight bonfire last night and am working on laundry and embroidery for the day. I think we will have a pork roast for dinner. The sun is partially out and it is supposed to be sort of warm outside. So here is to a good day!

This is my birthday gift from my husband! He must love me after almost fourteen years!

John Edward on Dr. Phil

So, I love John Edward and have been to two or three of his shows. He is an awesome psychic who brings closer to many people. I saw him on Dr. Phil show last night. Dr. Phil is really not it to this, but I think after seeing for himself, he believes a little more!

John Edward, Char Margolas, and Glynis McCants believe that 2012 is going to be a great year! That Dec. 21 is going to be a great day. Instead of being so into material things, people will change to being more into the spiritual world. We need to write done what we want this year, because the time is going to go very fast and we need to hold on to the seat of our pants!

The number 8 is our money number, Glynis says to write down the number 8 and put in your wallet. Forget about it and tell yourself every day things are going to be fine. Eventually God (spiritual world) will listen and money will be there! I am going to try it, why not!

My number (Cheri) is three. According to the numbers, I am a 3:

THREES communicate in all areas: written word and verbal. Writers, radio
broadcasters, actors, singers, performers, counselors. They are the natural
comedian. They can be manic depressive if they do not use their creative energy
and tend to exaggerate the truth. Known for their trademark smile, eyes and
voice.

My personality is a seven:

You don't get to know what they're thinking or feeling. They keep to themselves
and are introspective. They must continue studying the quest of why they are
here: The 7 Attitude asks the big questions. They will reveal themselves
slowly as they go. They can shut down and make you feel they are not remotely
interested in what you are saying, but the joke is on you because they are the
ultimate observers. They don't miss anything.

Doctor Appts

We've been busy with the kids at the doctors. Ally went to see our pediatrician, Mrs. Lanman, on Wednesday for her constipation. We have to give her magnesium citrate for three days to clean her out and then put her on a new constipation laxative after that.

Steven went to see the doctor on Thursday for his stomach, they took more blood and will let us know on Monday if that shows anything. He is still having a hard time eating and isn't putting anymore wait on.

It is very cold outside today and hopefully goes away!! Brrr!

Happy "35" to my Brother

Jack is 35 today! Happy Birthday! Him and I are the same age for five days. I have always thought that was neat! He is spending it with mom today since Jennifer is gone for a couple of days working. That has made mom's day and made mine.

Hope Chest For Ally

Allison's Grandpa "T" has made her a hope chest like her sister Jessica. These are made out of cedar. This will be so nice to have for her over the years to put stuff in.

Steven got a "A" on his math test after being out of school for awhile with everything going on with him not feeling good. He is going back to a new doctor Jan 23rd to see what they can do to help him feel better and soon.

Kyle finally cleaned his room really good. It has been a big mess for a week and looked bad. He got heard a couple of times to day at school and came home in a bad mood.

Braggin' Brave Award to Ally for last week!

Congrats Ally for receiving the Braggin' Brave Award for the week!

Lady Antebellum

Off the wall post! I love the group Lady A! They are the greatest group out there right now. I have been trying to win tickets to their concert this next month here in Texas on our local radio, but no luck! I see that Hillary Scott got married this weekend. That is so great for her and I wish her luck and good times!

Finally Friday

Ally finished her first week of PreK today. She has had a great week and loves going to school. She waited for two hours this morning wanting to go to school! It was funny. Now tomorrow and Sunday she will be upset not going!

Reply from Ally's PreK teacher

This was Ally's third day of school. I picked her up and went to Walmart. She was awake eat grapes until we pulled in. She slept for 45 minutes in the cart!

Here is a reply from a couple of questions I asked her. I was so excited to hear what she had to say below!
Thank you! She is doing great and everyone just loves her! The tickets are a behavior system the school does. They pass out tickets to students who are quiet and behaving in the hallways. They then get to trade the tickets in for stickers. The stickers go on a sticker chart and when they fill up their sticker chart, they are able to go to the office and get a prize. I think they gave it to her in the cafeteria yesterday after school. I will make sure and give her a sticker on her chart today.

For the Valentines party, they are allowed to bring gifts and candy. Valentines and Christmas are the two days they are allowed to bring candy and treats.

I will definitely let you know if anything is wrong. But she is a very sweet and well behaved girl! The speech therapist came and got her yesterday and said she did great for her and she was able to get quite a few words out of her. So that is good! Have a great rest of the week and weekend!

Feel free to contact me anytime.

Misty PuckettNeSmith ElementaryPre-K/PPCD

Ally's Second Day of Preschool

Ally had a great day at school today. It is only her second day and she went from the car running to see her PreK teacher, Mrs. Puckett. We were very happy to see that. When we got home, she decided to stay outside and ride her scooter that she has now mastered riding.

Good News, Bad News!

Where do I start for the day! Okay with the not so good news first. Steven has to have surgery now to open up his ureter. Basically cut open and made larger. He was born this way. If it isn't fixed, he will loose his kidney by the time he gets older. He will be in the hospital for three days and then take two weeks to get up and moving again. I feel for him; if it's not one thing, it's another. Not sure when he will decide to have this done, but will be soon I am sure.

With the good news, Ally started PreSchool today! She was happy to be there and walked in her room to start pulling stuff out and making a mess while the other kids put their coats up and sat down on the carpet. We got Ally to sit done and then walked out with out her seeing us. It was very neat to see her around other little kids her own age. Her school room is also very large with lots of things to do and two nice teachers to help!

Christmas at Grandmas!

It was a long drive, but fun. Some how mom got Ally to smile a not so cheesy smile and to have Kyle looking very handsome, and catch the happiness in Grandma's face!

Uncle got Jennifer this really neat saddle for Christmas. Now everyone has to have their turn on this saddle getting there picture taken. Go figure here is the cheesy smile!
Hardly any snow in Michigan this year. But Kyle did manage to find a hill to try to ski down on a sled and look, now he's hurt!

Ally finds it more fun to pull the sled, not sit and slide down the hill!

Kyle loves Landon. Aunt Pam, Jesse, Leela, Bekky, Landon, Donovan, Jack, Jennifer, Dakotah, Grandma, Ally, Kyle, and Me all smushed in Grandma's living room to see each other for Christmas. That is something we won't soon forget!

We were only in Michigan three whole days, but those three days we made ever lasting memories. Kyle and Grandma went to see "War Horse" at the movies for the first time. We got to see Jack; haven't seen him in over a year. I love my brother and boy did we miss each other. Everyone being packed in mom's house was too funny! No snow for the most part. I got Jack a barrel for Christmas! I can't wait to see want he uses if for.

So we had a very good Happy Christmas!