Birthdays

Before I start the birthday post...

I wanted to give an update on my cousin Maggie.

Maggie had surgery to get a trach for her vent. She was able to breathe on her own for three hours but her breathing is very labored. She is having a hard time coughing so she needs to be suctioned a lot. It is very good news and a huge answer to prayer that she was able to breathe for three hours off the vent. Please continue to pray that her level of paralysis is lower than they think and that she will be able to breathe on her own. She isn't able to fully talk yet but is doing a good job communicating what she needs.

Maggie has really enjoyed getting special messages of people thinking and praying for her. It would mean the world to her (even if she doesn't know you) to know you care and know you are thinking of her. If you want to leave a comment and let her know your praying I can forward those messages along to her. She is having my Aunts read her all the messages and prayers several times a day and it means so much to her to know that she has people all over the world praying. Thank you!!

 I was reminded by my children earlier this week that I have missed several birthday posts! So I wanted to be sure to update the blog with the pictures from the missed birthdays. Isaac is now SIX years old. He will be having a big birthday bash with friends soon that is going to be a Pirate and Princess themed party. But on his actual birthday we did celebrate with pressies and a special requested "donut cake" for Isaac. (On your birthday you get to choose not only what everyone will eat from dinner- either home made or take out- or eating out... and the dessert!)

 As you can see Isaac chose Pizza!

 Here is Isaac making his wish. I wonder what he wished for?

 Happy 6th Birthday Isaac!

Grace turned 15 right before Christmas.

Grace took her boyfriend (as seen above)

and a few friends with her sibs up to the

mountain for the day. They spent the day

"tubing" and playing in the snow.

Then came back home for dinner and cake/ice cream.

(Not sure why Jude is without clothing?)

 Micah then spent the rest of evening reading

stories to Graces younger siblings.

(with all the voices!)

Micah is a HUGE hit at our house.

 (love Dominick's face in this picture, so silly)

Happy Birthday Grace!!

Last week Sophie turned 14.

She was able to come home for her birthday because she continues to

work really hard at therapy and with mending the broken relationships.

We were thrilled that we could all be together on her birthday.



Sophie got some new soft socks and a special candy dish that says

"As far as everyone knows we are a normal family!"

We all got a kick out of that.



Leishan rushed home from college classes to be here for the party.

Then she had to leave again for another birthday party.

We were thankful she made the effort to be here for Sophie.

 Sophie got a new sewing machine that she had been hoping for since joining quilting club in the fall. The sewing machine had become a real "bone of contention" for us because after she made allegations against her brothers she kept asking if she was still going to get her sewing machine for Christmas. (She knew that we were getting it for her for a combined birthday/Christmas gift.) We decided that since she had been working so hard that it was time to go ahead and give her the sewing machine for her birthday. We do admit that there was a real concern that maybe she was just working hard FOR the sewing machine. I know that seems silly but really after all we have been through I wouldn't put it past her to not be genuine in her efforts but be doing it for "something" as we have seen in the past.

We continue to just take things one day at a time and appreciate the good days with her.Things have been REALLY good. Really normal. Really like the Sophie that we haven't seen in a long long long time. She has been able to be honest about her lies and manipulations and please God, just let this time it all be for real!
(A silly side note is that the Moms from my adoption support group said that they would go repossess the sewing machine if things ended up blowing up after we gave it to her. I love my Mom friends!!)

 Jude sat right with her favorite person... Lauren. We were so happy that Lauren came over to be with Sophie too. They even hugged and made some progress on their relationship.Lauren and Grace had definitely taken the brunt of the nastiness from Sophie for many years.Progress is good!

Since Sophie picked ice cream sundaes

we gave her a birthday candle to

wish on and blow out.

Sophie then made her wish.

And cried.

Next year she hopes to be home

FULL TIME

for her birthday.

Praise God for my beautiful children.

We love birthdays.