Two Amazing Ladies

Today I am thankful for Leila's doctor.

Leila is beginning to speak words that were not possible to say with her previous scars.

Dr. Singh has helped our cause in giving Leila a fresh start in life.

She is honest, respectful and has true compassion for the children she helps.

I am thankful to Kristi for leading us to her.

Leila still has a long road ahead paved with future surgeries and laser treatments, but with the amazing doctors, friends and family that surround and support us, we will coast straight through.

Today has been a difficult day.

Grandma is going for a triple bypass Friday morning.

I received my date for back surgery, March 19th. I hate surgery (and I don't use this word loosely). Being "under" always scares me. I think of Leila and all she has been through and I feel her strength. I also try to remember how blessed we are in this country to have access to the medical care that we do. If Leila had been left to live her life in Kyrgyzstan with her scars, she would have been an outcast. She would never have married nor had family or friends to support her. Even though stares and ignorant comments that fly our way sting, I know that this is nothing compared to what she would have gone through if she had not been given the gift of adoption.

She has got to be the most loved child on the planet.

Southern Girl at Heart

If you search deep into the center of my very soul you will find a southern girl.

My family roots are embedded in Georgia soil.

When Jalyn began speaking we noticed his "southern twang".

He has rarely been around family with a southern accent, so where he picked this up from is beyond us.

The other day Jalyn came home from school and said.........

"Mom, our next doggie is going to be a girl and I'm going to name her Georgia."

This is when I realized that not just my soul, but my son's as well, has a craving for the south.

Jalyn dreams of having a simple barn complete with cows and chickens (not to eat them but to eat their bounty, we are animal lovers!) He craves the simple life. His favorite book is about a young boy that lives on a farm and has to visit his cow for milk, the chicken for eggs and churn his own butter to make homemade pancakes with his mom.

I long for the day where I can provide this simple life for my children. Back to the basics. Reduce the stressful lifestyle that a big city imposes on you.

When Grandma recovers from her bypass surgery, I am going to take Jalyn for a long weekend to Georgia. He can ride the tractors with Great Papa, sip Great Mimi's sweet tea, take a stroll down to Aunt Ruth's old farm house, fish and create memories that will last a lifetime. Oh and it would be awesome to visit The Southern Tree.

"Down South everybody cherishes dreams. In dreams this world and the next mix like sugar and grits."
----Grandmother Ernestine, to novelist Jewell Parker Rhodes

Here She Is.......

This is Miss Leila going to get her first pair of "big girl shoes" yesterday.

The graft is still healing, we have to keep it gooped with ointment.

We have our follow-up appointment Wednesday with the surgeon.

I can't believe what an angel she has been throughout this whole process.

I think the "No-No's" (arm splints) were harder on us than on her.

I am awaiting word today on Grandma. She was transferred to a great heart hospital in Atlanta. Today they will do a test to determine if a bypass is even worth it. If the answer is yes, than I plan to hop on plane to go and see her before the surgery (if there is time). We were actually able to sneak a phone call to her in the ICU. Grandpa had his cell phone:) It was great to talk to grandma and send her our love. Jalyn even got to speak to her. What a blessing.........

Now you know the scoop.

Thank you for your book recommendations!!!

Suggestions Please.........

I just finished reading an amazing book called The Shack.... I'm itching to start another book. If you've read a great book that you loved, please share!
Leave me a comment.

Thanks!!!

Airing Out My Dirty Laundry

Apparently "us bloggers" do nothing more than "air out our dirty laundry" to others........

Why would you want others to know these things about you?!

Kind of like.........don't tell someone what it's really like to breast feed, give birth, raise children and keep a happy marriage.

If we smile and wave, to outsiders we look like we've got our stuff together.

If your happy going this way through life than have at it.

I however believe in the power of honesty.

I can be open and honest and still be positive.

I am not perfect.

My life is not perfect.

Breastfeeding didn't work for me.

But as a friend, wife, mother and sister I am as real as they get.

It means so much to me when someone opens up and tells me what's really going on inside.

I will always be honest about my life on this blog, love it or leave it.

I believe that honesty ='s positivity.

If you read my blog and say at any point "gosh, I can really relate to that.....I'm not the only one that has felt that way or went through that"..........then I've done what I intended to do.

Now I've made room for the next load............





***I know your all waiting for pictures of miss Leila, and I promise to post some soon!***

Hungry Anyone?!?!

***Consider Yourself Warned***

There I was sitting on the pot, sicker than a dog.

My husband gently rubbing my back.

"Awgh Kel, I'm so sorry your sick".

"Your throwing up again?" He asks.

How do I say this without being too graphic.....

It wasn't pretty, let's leave it at that (your welcome).

As I'm throwing up for about the tenth time in 30 minutes he gets up and walks

out.

I'm thinking it must be too much for him.......

He'll never look at me the same.

Our marriage is over.

But wait........I hear something.........

Is that the microwave???

Are you freakin kiddin me?

I guess a woman can never get in between a man and his food.

Hallelujah!!!

A Miracle Has Occurred:


We are all healthy, happy and we survived.


Leila had her "sponge" removed from her face today. Doctor says this week is very critical for the healing of the skin graft. If we can make it through this week, were all good! Leila's blow-outs (all the mama's out there and some Dada's know exactly what I'm talking about here) are down to two or three a day.





That was a NASTY, NASTY flu!





On a positive note.....Our friend Laura started helping us out today on a regular basis. I am no longer allowed to lift and will soon undergo back surgery.....Laura to the rescue. Jalyn loves Miss Laura and was so thrilled to have her in our home. Leila took to her immediately, LOVED her!





I'm going use this time waiting for surgery and having Laura to help to get healthy myself. If nothing else came from this flu, I learned that I not only need to gain a few pounds (and yes I did say gain) that I lost during all the stress of Leila's adoption/transition etc.....I need to take better care of myself to be a better mommy to her. I plan to get my butt back in the gym and take some "me" time to boost myself up for the inevitable surgery. I want to come out of that surgery fighting to get back to my normal life with the kiddos and my amazing hubby...