Cuteness for the weekend!

I am headed to a work party tomorrow at Lanier with my #1 minnie man. Then, my minnie and I are headed for a night in the mountains. So, to tide you over (ok, really tide me over) for the weekend, here is some cuteness of the prettiest girl in China. These photos are from Eagles Wing III so they have been in the last 6 weeks. I would have to check my dates, but I believe they were from when she first arrived which is why she looks so timid. Oh, and great news...she is feeling much better!

Pippidy Piper, we love you!

Saturday's update. I just received even more photos of Baby Sissy from when she was a baby. I counted quickly and it looks like I have 35 total. Do you realize how amazing this is? Children usually are adopted with absolutely no history or life story to hold onto throughout their life. While there is still much that I do now know, the amazing people that I have met are helping me piece together Piper's life story. This is such a wonderful journey! I cannot wait to post more when I return next week.

Tonight's Prayer

Tonight's prayer was a real doozie....


Thank you God, for your blessings.

Thank you for the F word.

Thank you for mommy and the F word

Thank you for Mona, Mimmie, Bass and the F word.

Amen.

I was a little taken aback, but figured I shouldn't make a big deal about it. Then, I started my prayer....

Thank you God for my son, Harrison.

I went on to tell of our wonderful time last night at Tyrone's fair and how Harrison danced to the music, we walked hand-in-hand, and how we had so much fun...until I was interrupted.

No, Mommy, that is not the right prayer.

Ok, Harrison what is the right prayer?

Thank you God for the F word. The F word is the best word. Amen.

Sound a bit suspicious?

Harrison started learning his first letter this week in school during writing time. Wanna guess what the first letter is? The letter is "F." It has made a big impact. I think unfortunately, that the adult meaning of the phrase "The F Word" will have more meaning in several years [I hope at least 30 :) ] when he realized how hilarious and priceless tonight's prayer was.

So tonight, I too thank God for the F word and for giving me the opportunity to realize just how much the F word means to a 4 year old.

Also, after prayers Harrison wanted to learn a song (he is VERY theatrical). I couldn't think of one so I sang him one from my sorority days...A ZTA Goodnight. He nailed it and after about 15 performances he had to call "Aunt" Heather for a performance of it on her cell phone.

His version was just a little different.

Mine: A Zeta Goodnight, Goodnight, Goodnight, well it's time to go...

His: I say Goodnight, Goodnight, Goodnight cause I have to go...

Mine: Goodnight from Z T A

His: Goodnight from C D A

Calling all Doogie Howser, MDs...

My sweet Minnie Mr. is a puker. It has become so frequent, that it just cannot be a fluke. It seems to come out of nowhere and is not fever related. I often realize afterwards that his face looked somewhat blue and he looks like he has not slept in days before it happens. We have asked the doctor before, but with him not displaying any evidence of illness the doc tends to dismiss the issue.

Harrison almost had an episode tonight. His last episode was Wednesday at Outback Steakhouse...more specifically in their lovely landscaping. He has also had episodes in the car. The vomiting is violent, but once he finishes his color returns and he is good to go. I really want my sweet baby boy to feel better.

Anyone have any ideas?

Please Pray For Susannah

Please everyone take the time to visit Susannah's blog. This little girl and her family need our prayers. Miracles happen and I am praying for a miracle for Susannah.

Update 9-18-08: The prayers are working and sweet Susannah is hanging on. This family needs to move mountains to get Susannah out of the hospital and either into a better facility for surgery or back home. Little Susannah is very very sick and it is crucial that we all remember her and her family in our thoughts and prayers. Here is an updated picture of her playing with her stacking cups. Isn't she so adorable?

Happy Anniversary To Us!!!

We just received the best anniversary gift ever....a call from Baby Sissy. She is so stunningly beautiful and we are over the moon. I haved never received a better anniversary gift in my 6 years of marriage!

This is our second call and we fall more and more in love each day. Today she is still under the weather with a little fever, but we got to watch her eat her cereal and she blew kisses and waived goodbye to us. She is starting to look at us when we say Ma Ma or Ba Ba (Mandarin for mommy and daddy) - not so sure she is as thrilled about us as we are about her, but it's a start.

We also received an email from a new friend that met baby sissy last year in October and she sent us some wonderful pictures! We will showcase those at another time. The photo attached is from the party of a little boy that lives with her and was taken after our first call.

Piper, we love you and cannot wait to snuggle with you in person!

Psychic Palm Reading

Have you ever had your palm read? Well, I did today. I was hesitant to post about it, but thought I had to share. One of my dearest friends is very into this type of "thing." Years ago we called a psychic together to see what she had to say. I never listened again to the tape because its sort of embarrassing. However, it is and has remaining in the top drawer of my desk this whole time.

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Well, the local coupon mailer came out with a coupon for a psychic palm reader in the area. I have seen her "office" many times but have never seen anyone there. It was only $20 so I picked up two coupons and went to tell Heather. She was immediately thrilled and called to schedule our appointments.

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I tried to warn Heather what a shack this place was, but she was still a tad horrified when we pulled up. I told Heather that since I went first with the psychic years ago that she had to go first this time.

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In we went. The walls were prefab, the carpet purple, the molding didn't meet, and there was odd decor all around the place. Candles were burning - not my favorite thing as I am super sensitive because of migraines to anything perfumie. Crystal - the psychic palm reader - came of of her room and apologized that the overhead lights were broken, which was the reason for the candles. We said no problem and Heather went in the room.

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I was trying to breath through my mouth so I wouldn't smell the scented candles and get a migraine. As I sat there and looked around, I literally said to myself..."How did I get here. How did my life get to the point that at 35 I am waiting for a palm reading in this place. Why I am sitting in a tiny shack on the side of the roadway with a glowing neon light and what the heck is going on with me." I then said, "Mom, if I need to be paying attention and this is the real thing can you send me a sign. I know that signs are a big deal and you couldn't do it all the time, but one would be nice now."

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I turned back to the tv and I started feeling better. Not sure why, I just did. About 3 minutes later all of the overhead lights turned themselves on. Uuuummmm, did you catch that? The broken lights all turned on. My initial reaction....oh crap. Then a few minutes later Heather walked out all smiles and I reluctantly got up. I knew it....it was going to be bad.

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Ladies, she pegged me dead on. I was a bit freaked and starting to get a little panicky at this point and I lied. I know I shouldn't have, but the first thing out of her mouth was about my family member that I took care of last year and who am I caring for now...and wait, who was sick when I was younger that I cared for. My response: "Not sure who you are talking about." She continues to make statements, I continue to refute them.

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At this point I know I am doomed and she continues. She continues to hit everything on the head. I continue to act like she has no idea what she is talking about. In my head, I am screaming get me the heck out of here now.

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Now here is the kicker, she brought up things that I have probably only told a handful of people in my life. My response - continued denial. It then became obvious that she knew I was lying and obvious that I was lying and we ended the session. I know I should not have denied these issues and I should have continued to see what she had to so, but I panicked - I mean really panicked.

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So, out I go to the lobby where Heather is sitting. I shoot her dagger eyes and we walk out. She said just keep walking and pretend everything is normal. We get in the car and she said, "Ashley, you start first because it is fresh in your mind." I started with the light story and then about how she started out about how I have been a caregiver for my family and Heather interrupted with the following...

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"Dude, she was dead on with everything she said about me. I mean everything. She knew it all."

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Yes, we still call each other Dude - even in the office (we went to college together). I am probably the only person whose assistant calls down the call "Hey Dude, can this letter go out?"

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Anyway, we compared notes and went back to work in a haze. I would say a bit depressed, a bit scared, and a bunch of reality in the face.

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Should I go back for more? Its not like I have to admit I was lying...she is psychic and she knows...plus she called me out on it!

Tonight's Prayer

Tonight's prayer was not appropriate. Lets just say it started out like this:

Dear God,

Thank you for my armpits......It went South and I mean very South from there.

I explained to Harrison that while we were thankful for our "privates" that it really is not appropriate to be going into such detail with God since he knows exactly what Harrison has. Harrison wasn't so sure and decided to give God every name (PG style) in the book for those places. Finally, I got him back on track and he started over with a regular prayer.

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Then, we got an email that Baby Sissy had a little fever. Talk about pulling at my heartstrings. Harrison was extremely concerned and flew to the computer to see if she was on it. I asked Harrison to say another prayer for Piper and he said, "Nope, God is tired of hearing from me."