Tests and a Day well spent !

What does one do when in Cincy after being knocked out for an hour for an MRI ???

Why. . . go to the Zoo of course!!

Big Thank You's to this blog momma who gave us the low down on FREE tickets!!

Here are a few of our favorite pictures from the day.

Speechless Sunday

Happy 4th of July

Our local fireworks had a live band, carnival rides and fair foods while we waited for the event to begin. Maddy (and Sarah) decided to have face painting done. While riding the boats, the news sun photographer thought Maddy's red, white and blue face was most appropriate and asked if he could include her photo in our local paper. She has been so proud and has showed her newspaper debut to just about anyone who would look at it. :0)

Happy Birthday Daddy

2 Years Ago - A Very Special Day!!

I just had to interrupt my bloggy break for this. :0)

Two years ago today, we got the call. We had been logged in exactly one year. We were NOT expecting a phone call at all. We'd been in the special needs waiting program with our agency for 11 months and had never once been called with a possible referral even though our agency received approx 30 -40 SN referrals every couple of months. Can you imagine how surprised I was when our coordinator called and said she had a referral for us to review.! I didn't have any paper, no camera to document the occasion.. nothing. :0(

I remember being so excited I could hardly breathe. I also remember the torment of hearing back from our adoption clinic that we should refuse the referral. I was sick for days. I didn't want to refuse and yet the doctor told us Maddy would never be right.

I'm hear to tell you that I'm so glad we didn't listen. Thanks to a woman I've never met in person who called me on a whim because a friend of mine told her I was torn about the referral and conflicting information. She spoke to me for over 2 hours and confirmed everything I felt in my heart. I hung up the phone and took the plunge. A plunge I will never forget and am truly thankful I took.

Madison is an amazing child! She is a true light in our life. She is caring, loving, kind, considerate of others, smart, and a true blessing to all our lives everyday!

I've copied an idea from this friend for our referral anniversary. I wish I had done it last year too but I guess it's never to late. Thank you Sandra for sharing your neat idea on your blog!

Graduation Photos

Interesting Tidbit: Todays 2009 OSU graduating class was 8159 strong. This is the largest class in OSU history to ever graduate. It was also the largest graduating class across the nation.

We are so proud of you Sarah. I know I mentioned that this morning but today was very surreal. Your Maddy was so proud. She kept saying - "My Sarah is a gralation!"

Our family photo prior to entering the stadium. Don't we all look all sunshiney at 10 am in the morning.

Sarah walking in with the school of Biological Sciences.  Can you guess which one is her?? :0)

Sarah's decorated cap.  There were MANY decorated caps in the sea of 8000+ students.  Sarahs was the only Cinderella one I saw.  Sarah has loved Cinderella since she was very small.  Her cap says - "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes"

Of course, her dream is to someday become a dentist.  She still has a long way to go but she is determined.

Flag ceremony following the entrance of students

I just love this photo of the flag against the sea of graduating students

Sarah accepting her diploma.  They actually received the real thing with their names etc.

Oh yeah!  She did it!

She can't believe it.  There were some "iffy" moments

And here we are again 6 hours later after sitting in the sun all morning/afternoon

Congratulatory Break Interruption and a Visit from Blog Friends

Congratulations Sarah for graduating today from The Ohio State University with a BS in Microbiology.  We are so proud of you!  

We had  a little party for Sarah last night and a few bloggy friends stopped by.   

Thanks Special K and Mare for coming to visit!  I really enjoyed your company yesterday.

Miss Sophie swimming.  She is such a hoot.  I think perhaps her favorite part of the evening was after swimming when she was going down the slide at lightening fast speed. :0)

Sweet Maddy in the pool.  She has been in rare form lately and not wanting to be very social or have her pictures taken. (as you can see below)  I had to tell her she wouldn't get to see herself on the big tv to get her to smile but she still wouldn't look up.

Peeking over the edge of the hot tub is my grand-daughter Tessa and on the right is our oldest grand-daughter Laila.  

Taking a Break

Funny title don't you think since I take quite a few breaks already.  I haven't posted anything since 5/31.  I've been reading blogs and keeping up with a few bloggy friends who are either in china now or have just arrived home. My thoughts and prayers are with them.    I on the other hand just don't have it in me to write/post. By the time I get time to post, I can't remember what I wanted to post about anyway.  I've been feeling kind of down lately so again, can't remember why or what I wanted to post when I actually think of something.

As a final note for awhile.. Maddy is doing really well.  She is talking up a storm.  She saw a pediatric eye surgeon for her eyes on Friday who basically spent 2 minutes with us and said.. Ptosis.. no biggie.. atleast she can see.  ??  I'm totally happy her vision is good, really I am but I was trying to help her with her droopy eye lid and her inability to focus both eyes together when she looks at things up close. He was not impressed or concerned. I should have known better.. I've not heard great things about this pediatric eye doc but he is the only one within a hour range.  Maddy is scheduled in July for MRI to r/o tethered cord and most likely for injections again on her scar.  We do daily massage and it does seem to be feeling softer. :0)

Here are a few sweet pictures of Maddy before we exit for awhile . . .

Painting out on the deck on a beautiful day

Maddy decided she wanted to finger paint rather than use the brush.  She even decided to put her hand prints on my outside table.  Thank goodness for water soluble paint :0)