Hearing Test and ENT

Good news!

Lily's ears are working fine! The fluid has resolved in its own in the right ear where her ear tube fell out in February. The tube in the left ear has extruded as
well, we found out today. The ENT physicians assistant that we see told us that she will see Lily in 3 months, and if all is well then - she will be released from her care :-).

Lily's hearing test went well. She scored normal/borderline normal on most items. Praise the Lord!!!

Man Shall Not Live By Bread (Donuts) Alone

This week we had a trip to Krispy Kreme.  All the kids had a blast picking out their donut, and watching the conveyor belt carry the donuts under the glaze waterfall and onto the racks to set.  Even though Lily undoubtedly never had a donut in China - she loves them!  Matthew loves them, too.  They are probably his most favorite treat.  Last year for his birthday, that was his request - and we actually found a mom and pop donut shop that makes a giant donut that can be served as a cake.  It was about 1 foot in diameter, and we put candles on it and served it up as his birthday cake when he turned 10.

We usually do our morning devotions together over breakfast, so we brought our stuff to Krispy Kreme to do it there.  You can see how Lily has scribbled all over  decorated our record of Bible readings.  We are going through the Psalms now - one a day.  We are also reading Egermeier's Bible Story Book.  Do you have any resources or routines you have used for devotions for family or kids?  Another one we absolutely LOVED and have gone through many, many, many times is The Jesus Storybook Bible.  It is wonderful!  I would love to know how you do family devotions.  Always looking for more inspiration!  We have done other things in the past, too, like Keys For Kids, Discovering Jesus in Genesis, Leading Little Ones to God, The Picture Bible, Read-n-Grow Picture Bible through the years.  

To keep it real, it is a struggle to get through our devotions most days.  Lest you think that my kids sit quietly while I read to them - a typical morning involves me corralling them back to the kitchen table (my kids love to eat and run, even when they are eating, they are only sitting on their chairs halfway), and then we are interrupted by Lily flipping the pages of the Bible or book to another place, or Aaron asking me if he can have another egg, and then finally by me giving them a lecture about how we should only interrupt if it is an emergency and defining what constitutes an emergency (blood or fire).  But we get through it - and they are improving.  Every time we have added a new baby though - things definitely are very hairy for a while.  Anyway, I would LOVE to hear any tips, resources, books, etc. that have worked for your family!  Have a blessed day :-).

Psalm 17:8 (another video)

"Keep me as the apple* of the eye;  Hide me in the shadow of Thy wings."

* - or, the daughter

Lily's Voice Part II

I took a couple of quick videos of Lily's speech therapy session yesterday at Lucile Packard.  You can watch the video to get a better idea of how Lily speaks :-).  Her speech pathologist is April, and she rocks!  We all like her very much, including the boys who come along almost every time. 

And one last one - a video I took this morning of Nene and Lily jumping around on the bed.  You can see what a loving brother Nathan is, and how Lily loves to imitate him and play with him.

Summer is In Full Swing

Lots of sun and swimming, time with family and dear friends.

Lots of yumminess, too :-).

We are enjoying our summer. Hope you are, too!

And a cute story:
These past few days we have been staying with my in-laws in Los Angeles. Last night, after a long day of swimming and fun with my side of the family, we came back and were trying to get my older two boys into the shower. Aaron and Lily had already had a bath earlier. I was talking to my mother-in-law in the dining room and snacking. At the same time, I was telling Matthew and Nathan to hop in the shower. When I went to our room to gather towels and toiletries for the big kids, five year old Aaron came up to me and said, "Mama, you can talk to NaiNai (grandma). I will take care of everybody." Sweet little love.

My 4th of July sparkler

Happy Independence Day to all of you!

This dress that Lily Is wearing was given to me last spring before I had even met her. A dear friend gave it to her and I have been saving it for this day.

When I received the dress, I hung it up in the closet thinking - next year.

Next year Lily will be home and will wear it on the 4th of July.

And she is here. Home. Wearing the gifted dress. With us. Part of our family. Celebrating American Independence Day as an American citizen.

God is good :-).