Hope the next year is he best one EVER! We love you very much!
Christie and Johnny
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Don't Forget!!!
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Aside from skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer diagnosed in women. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), an estimated 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed among women in the United States last year. Approximately 1,910 new cases are expected in men. The ACS also reports that an estimated 40,610 breast cancer deaths are expected in 2009 (40,170 women, 440 men).
The most effective weapon against breast cancer is early diagnosis and treatment. Do your part -- get tested!
Monday, October 05, 2009
A Must-Read for Every Parent, Educator and Education Stakeholder
I am excited to announce the release of a book written by a friend and colleague, Dr. William Dodson. Dr. Dodson was the Superintendent of the Pearl Public School District on the day on which Luke Woodham entered Pearl High School and shot nine students -- two of whom died.
The book chronicles Dr. Dodson's quest for two things -- understanding ("Why did it happen?") and reconcilation ("What, if anything could I have done to prevent it?"). The book provides valuable insight into why such tragedies occur, what kinds of people commit them, and strategies that have been successfully employed to prevent them.
When Luke Woodham was tried for the two murders and seven aggravated assaults he committed on that fateful day, I was chosen to serve on the jury that ultimately sent him to prison for life. Chapter 13, "The Unlikely Juror" is my account of the ways in which the experience forever changed my life.
If you are an educator, an administrator, a member of a board of education, a school resource officer, a parent or any other stakeholder in any of our nation's schools, this book is a "must-read".
I have attached a link to the book's page on Amazon.com. If you would like more information about the book or wish to order a copy, simply click on the book jacket at the top of the post and you will be linked to its page on Amazon.
The book chronicles Dr. Dodson's quest for two things -- understanding ("Why did it happen?") and reconcilation ("What, if anything could I have done to prevent it?"). The book provides valuable insight into why such tragedies occur, what kinds of people commit them, and strategies that have been successfully employed to prevent them.
When Luke Woodham was tried for the two murders and seven aggravated assaults he committed on that fateful day, I was chosen to serve on the jury that ultimately sent him to prison for life. Chapter 13, "The Unlikely Juror" is my account of the ways in which the experience forever changed my life.
If you are an educator, an administrator, a member of a board of education, a school resource officer, a parent or any other stakeholder in any of our nation's schools, this book is a "must-read".
I have attached a link to the book's page on Amazon.com. If you would like more information about the book or wish to order a copy, simply click on the book jacket at the top of the post and you will be linked to its page on Amazon.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Walk With Me
This afternoon it rained...again...and again...as it has done almost EVERY day this month. I believe that this is the most rain we've ever had during the month of September.
When the rain stopped, Eddie, Mama and I decided to sit on the front porch and enjoy the cool air. Eddie walked down to our satsuma tree to sample the fruit. Mom got up and walked out to him and I heard her say, "Walk with me."
For the first 100 feet or so she held onto his arm. He spent the rest of the walk trying to keep up with her.
I looked at this picture and laughed because I noticed that they were dressed very much alike. They finally made it back to the satsuma tree and they got to taste the fruit for the first time this season. Several satsumas were ripe enough to pick (and delicious!), but we have a couple of weeks of waiting before most of them are ready.
I have been so happy with the progress I've seen this weekend. She looked at me Friday night and said, "How was your day at school?" She called Eddie and Johnny by name (firsts since the fall) and has spoken to me with many, MANY complete sentences. We are beyond joyful over the progress she has made. Please continue to pray for her as she continues to recover.
When the rain stopped, Eddie, Mama and I decided to sit on the front porch and enjoy the cool air. Eddie walked down to our satsuma tree to sample the fruit. Mom got up and walked out to him and I heard her say, "Walk with me."
For the first 100 feet or so she held onto his arm. He spent the rest of the walk trying to keep up with her.
I looked at this picture and laughed because I noticed that they were dressed very much alike. They finally made it back to the satsuma tree and they got to taste the fruit for the first time this season. Several satsumas were ripe enough to pick (and delicious!), but we have a couple of weeks of waiting before most of them are ready.
I have been so happy with the progress I've seen this weekend. She looked at me Friday night and said, "How was your day at school?" She called Eddie and Johnny by name (firsts since the fall) and has spoken to me with many, MANY complete sentences. We are beyond joyful over the progress she has made. Please continue to pray for her as she continues to recover.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Happy LID Anniversary to Us!
Yesterday I had my first ladybug sighting in a long, long time. Shelly and I took Alyiah and Johnny to the New Yokel Market in downtown Hattiesburg after work. When we we returned to our car Johnny spotted a ladybug on the left rear passenger window. It was the BIGGEST, brightest ladybug I have ever seen.
I have been watching the Rumor Queen website to find out if there are any referral rumors floating around out there. At this point, it looks like families logged in through March 29, 2006 will be seeing their babies for the first time in the next week. This is good news!
March was HUGE month for the CCAA. An unusually high number of families logged in in March. Presumably these families logged in in great numbers due to the impending changes in China's adoption eligibility requirements. It is my understanding that fewer families have April login dates. Hopefully, this will mean that the CCAA will match April families more quickly than they did those logged in in March.
If this is true, we could POSSIBLY receive our referral before the end of 2009. If not, we will almost certainly receive our referral early in 2010. We have been waiting for our referral for 41 months TODAY!
We are going to apply for Johnny's passport next week. We have to begin our travel shots next month. Thanks to my ADD, it would probably be best if I started packing soon so I do not overlook anything important.
Please pray for safe travels for the families who will be going to meet their children soon and for those who are still waiting. Spending 41 months waiting on a child has been torture for Eddie and me. Most excited parents only have to wait for 9...
An Update on Mom
It's been almost six weeks since mom's fall. She had a follow-up CT scan a couple of weeks ago and here's what we know so far:
Her doctor is pleased with her progress so far. Her physical strength is returning and she is able to walk without assistance (which is great progress).
She still has a hairline skull fracture, but the blood from the three hemorrhages in her brain has reabsorbed and is no longer an issue.
There is still an area of spinal fluid that has not been reabsorbed. We are monitoring it and watching her for any changes that indicate she could be regressing. So far, so good.
She fractured the temporal bone in her ear. This is common in falls among older people. The fracture will heal eventually, but, as a result, she is experiencing vertigo when she tries to stand upright from a bending or reclining position. As a result, we have to monitor her movements.
So far, the slowest healing and improvement has been with her speech and communication. She has good days and not-so-good days. She stayed with us last weekend and I noticed that she seemed to understand things much better than before. Communicating her wants/needs is still difficult.
We have been blessed with a wonderful sitter for mom. She visits with her each day from early in the morning until late afternoon. Mom seems to really enjoy her company and responds well to her. We are hoping that, even when mom improves to the point at which she is no longer on "fall alert" , Miss Rita will be able to stay and be a companion to mom. Mom has never liked to be alone and my brother and I both think that Rita's company will be a good thing for her.
I appreciate the concern everyone has expressed for my mom's well-being. We are celebrating her improvements but she still has a long way to go. Please continue to pray for our family in the coming months as mom continues her journey to recovery.
Her doctor is pleased with her progress so far. Her physical strength is returning and she is able to walk without assistance (which is great progress).
She still has a hairline skull fracture, but the blood from the three hemorrhages in her brain has reabsorbed and is no longer an issue.
There is still an area of spinal fluid that has not been reabsorbed. We are monitoring it and watching her for any changes that indicate she could be regressing. So far, so good.
She fractured the temporal bone in her ear. This is common in falls among older people. The fracture will heal eventually, but, as a result, she is experiencing vertigo when she tries to stand upright from a bending or reclining position. As a result, we have to monitor her movements.
So far, the slowest healing and improvement has been with her speech and communication. She has good days and not-so-good days. She stayed with us last weekend and I noticed that she seemed to understand things much better than before. Communicating her wants/needs is still difficult.
We have been blessed with a wonderful sitter for mom. She visits with her each day from early in the morning until late afternoon. Mom seems to really enjoy her company and responds well to her. We are hoping that, even when mom improves to the point at which she is no longer on "fall alert" , Miss Rita will be able to stay and be a companion to mom. Mom has never liked to be alone and my brother and I both think that Rita's company will be a good thing for her.
I appreciate the concern everyone has expressed for my mom's well-being. We are celebrating her improvements but she still has a long way to go. Please continue to pray for our family in the coming months as mom continues her journey to recovery.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Why I Haven't Been Blogging...
As many of you know, I had carpal tunnel release surgery on my right hand this summer. I have had a difficult recovery (compared to that following the surgery on my left hand in 2007), so I haven't spent as much time in Blogland as I did earlier in the year.
Last Saturday my mom fell in her home. She suffered a skull fracture and three hemorrhages around her brain. To say the least, our family has been on an emotional roller coaster for the past seven days. At first, we were told that she might require surgery (which was extremly risky at her age). We were then told that she would be admitted into the neuro unit for follow-up CT scans and observation for a few days in hopes that the bleeding would stop.
Day two's CT scan did not bring good news. One of the areas of bleeding had increased in size. This was definitely not the news we wanted to hear. Finally, on the third day after her fall, we received the news we had been praying for. The bleeding had finally stopped.
She has been greatly affected by her injuries. Her balance and coordination are significantly impaired. She has difficulty communicating her needs and wants and cannot walk without assistance. Prior to her fall she was very independent so this whole experience has been frustrating and confusing for her.
The doctor released her from the hospital yesterday afternoon. When we got to my house, she enjoyed her first cup of "good" coffee with Eddie and spent the day relaxing on the couch with her dachshund, Trinket. Last night, she slept in our bed with me because I was afraid to leave her alone. The doctor said another fall could be catastrophic and I was not going to risk it.
After FINALLY getting her to understand that I needed her to move to the MIDDLE of the bed, I was able to get a little bit of sleep in the bed next to her. Fortunately, she slept through the entire night without getting up. I think she was quite glad to be away from the hospital and enjoyed sleeping on a regular mattress for a change.
We have a follow-up appointment with her doctor in three weeks. She has to have an additional CT scan to make sure that fluid is not collecting at the site of the bleed on her brain. If it does, the doctor could have to drill a hole in her skull that will allow the fluid and pressure to be released. This procedure is far less risky than what we were facing earlier in the week, but it is something that we are hoping does not have to be done.
We have been amazed by the prayers that have been offered and the concerns that have been expressed by our friends and family. We would appreciate your continued prayers as mom's journey of healing continues.
Last Saturday my mom fell in her home. She suffered a skull fracture and three hemorrhages around her brain. To say the least, our family has been on an emotional roller coaster for the past seven days. At first, we were told that she might require surgery (which was extremly risky at her age). We were then told that she would be admitted into the neuro unit for follow-up CT scans and observation for a few days in hopes that the bleeding would stop.
Day two's CT scan did not bring good news. One of the areas of bleeding had increased in size. This was definitely not the news we wanted to hear. Finally, on the third day after her fall, we received the news we had been praying for. The bleeding had finally stopped.
She has been greatly affected by her injuries. Her balance and coordination are significantly impaired. She has difficulty communicating her needs and wants and cannot walk without assistance. Prior to her fall she was very independent so this whole experience has been frustrating and confusing for her.
The doctor released her from the hospital yesterday afternoon. When we got to my house, she enjoyed her first cup of "good" coffee with Eddie and spent the day relaxing on the couch with her dachshund, Trinket. Last night, she slept in our bed with me because I was afraid to leave her alone. The doctor said another fall could be catastrophic and I was not going to risk it.
After FINALLY getting her to understand that I needed her to move to the MIDDLE of the bed, I was able to get a little bit of sleep in the bed next to her. Fortunately, she slept through the entire night without getting up. I think she was quite glad to be away from the hospital and enjoyed sleeping on a regular mattress for a change.
We have a follow-up appointment with her doctor in three weeks. She has to have an additional CT scan to make sure that fluid is not collecting at the site of the bleed on her brain. If it does, the doctor could have to drill a hole in her skull that will allow the fluid and pressure to be released. This procedure is far less risky than what we were facing earlier in the week, but it is something that we are hoping does not have to be done.
We have been amazed by the prayers that have been offered and the concerns that have been expressed by our friends and family. We would appreciate your continued prayers as mom's journey of healing continues.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
First Nursery Photos!
I have been working on the nursery off an on for the past several months. It has been so hard to get motivated to finish it because the wait has been so long and unpredictable.
The home we bought last year is very rustic. The interior walls are cypress and the fireplace is made of stone that was harvested in quarries in the Smokey Mountains. We decided to convert our sun porch into a nursery after considering all of our other available options. We have two bedrooms and a media room upstairs; but, we didn't want the baby's room to be on a different floor than ours. The sun room was our next best option.
Even though freshly-painted nursery walls with pastel feminine colors would have been nice, Eddie and I didn't have the heart to change the beautiful wooden walls in the sun room. We instead opted to preserve the natural feeling of the room and create a nursery that will be very natural and rustic.
We will be using a Jenny Lind crib that was given to me by my daddy's brother. His grandchildren used it and we were very happy to have a crib for our daughter that has a sense of history. The bedding we will be using is called "Ladybug Parade". Eddie bought it for me right after we submitted our dossier to China.
I have taken a few snapshots of what we have done so far. It is definitely a work in progress. I will post new pics as we progress.
Sentiments Plaques - A Christmas gift from Eddie
I have been collecting children's books for years. The books on this shelf are by some of my favorite authors (Laura Numeroff, Shel Silverstein, Eric Carle and Dr. Seuss). I have also managed to find the entire Dick and Jane series. When I was in the first grade, I learned to read using the Fun With Dick and Jane series. These books are enhanced reprints of originals. They are BEAUTIFUL!
These are a few of the nursery rhyme and pop-up books I have collected. Pop-up books have come a long way since I was a child. These are very intricate and detailed.
This is a photo of the curtains that line the entire back wall of the nursery. The rear wall is covered with windows and it overlooks our pond and pier. The curtains were hand-made in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. They are gorgeous! The votive holders are also hand-made and give off the most beautiful light at night when lit. We are debating whether to leave them up or to replace them with some Chinese lanterns we bought last year.
The home we bought last year is very rustic. The interior walls are cypress and the fireplace is made of stone that was harvested in quarries in the Smokey Mountains. We decided to convert our sun porch into a nursery after considering all of our other available options. We have two bedrooms and a media room upstairs; but, we didn't want the baby's room to be on a different floor than ours. The sun room was our next best option.
Even though freshly-painted nursery walls with pastel feminine colors would have been nice, Eddie and I didn't have the heart to change the beautiful wooden walls in the sun room. We instead opted to preserve the natural feeling of the room and create a nursery that will be very natural and rustic.
We will be using a Jenny Lind crib that was given to me by my daddy's brother. His grandchildren used it and we were very happy to have a crib for our daughter that has a sense of history. The bedding we will be using is called "Ladybug Parade". Eddie bought it for me right after we submitted our dossier to China.
I have taken a few snapshots of what we have done so far. It is definitely a work in progress. I will post new pics as we progress.
Sentiments Plaques - A Christmas gift from Eddie
I have been collecting children's books for years. The books on this shelf are by some of my favorite authors (Laura Numeroff, Shel Silverstein, Eric Carle and Dr. Seuss). I have also managed to find the entire Dick and Jane series. When I was in the first grade, I learned to read using the Fun With Dick and Jane series. These books are enhanced reprints of originals. They are BEAUTIFUL!
These are a few of the nursery rhyme and pop-up books I have collected. Pop-up books have come a long way since I was a child. These are very intricate and detailed. 
This is a photo of the curtains that line the entire back wall of the nursery. The rear wall is covered with windows and it overlooks our pond and pier. The curtains were hand-made in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. They are gorgeous! The votive holders are also hand-made and give off the most beautiful light at night when lit. We are debating whether to leave them up or to replace them with some Chinese lanterns we bought last year.
This is a hand-signed limited edition panda print by Mississippi artist Sandra Eisler. Sandra is the mother-in-law of my friend Margie. She is also the grandmother of two beautiful little girls from China. Eddie purchased this print for me as a part of a fund-raiser for Love Without Boundaries. He also purchased a beautiful tiger print (also by Sandra Eisler). I will post photos of it soon.
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