Our Family Day Anniversary

Today

One year ago


One year ago

A whole year ago today Andrew and Kathlena became Shiflet's. It seems a lifetime ago. They have changed so much that I hardly recognize them from their pictures only a year ago.
Andrew is so bright, inquisitive and helpful. He has a generous heart and is very protective of his sisters...especially Kathlena. They still have their squabbles like all siblings, but he always thinks of her when he gets a treat and is ready to share. Andrew can count to 100 and is on the verge of reading...quite amazing considering he has had to learn so much with one eye patched mostly and a whole new language. He loves to see how things work and to build his ideas in the wood shop with his daddy. He is also quite the little theologian as he has memorized over 50 questions in the Catechism For Young Children. He has an incredible capacity to memorize songs also. Some of his favorites are In Christ Alone, Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent, Psalm 1, and Jesus Thank You to name a few. He also has a real aptitude for music particularly the piano. He has learned to play by ear. He can play parts of Beethoven's 5th symphony and the songs he hears Emily and J.Michael practice. Despite a challenging year with his vision he has coped and excelled in all areas. We are so glad to have his surgery soon and he is too. We have so many more experiences and opportunities to grow together in the upcoming year. We love you our sweet son.

Kathlena is a completely different child from the frail little girl we brought home a year ago. She is beyond blossoming. I could never have imagined in those early months that we would be where we are now. She is so smart, happy, beautiful, strong, confident, and just a joy to be around. I look at her early pictures now and really see her sadness. I didn't see it then, but after seeing her now it is so apparent how her former life had robbed her of her joy and being the vibrant little girl that she is. Praise the Lord for freeing her and giving her to us. She is mommy's little helper and loves to play with her brothers. She can keep up with them whether it is on bikes, running and playing in the yard or playing nerf or cap guns. She is quite the rough and tumble and loves every minute of being outside. She has even gotten a little tan, but then living in Houston how could she avoid it! Her growth has been phenomenal as she has gained over 10 pounds and grown 2 1/2 inches in a year. Her hair is long, thicker and curly...just beautiful! I have to say that her smile and that laugh can make the sourest attitude melt away. She is our sweet little cutie whom we love so much and we are so blessed to be her mommy and daddy.

Cleared for Surgery

We are ready for surgery and most of all Andrew is ready and excited to have this surgery. We completed our pre-op evaluations with the pediatrician and with the ophthalmologist. Andrew is still at a strong 20/50 and will have surgery on only his left eye. The surgery is outpatient so we will arrive early on the morning of June 3rd at Gramercy Outpatient Clinic in Downtown Houston. This clinic is actually right across the street from where we go to see Dr. Mazow so it is familiar territory for us. Little Andrew will have to have nothing to eat after midnight the night before until after his surgery, so we are hoping for an early surgery time slot. At this point we will not know the exact time of the surgery until the day before.

We start giving Andrew antibiotic eye drops at 3 days prior to surgery (pray for him on this it is not fun for him!) After surgery we will have to give him the same drops plus an anti-inflammatory eye drop several times a day. He will have no bandages after surgery, but we have been told that it is possible to have bruising although not likely. He will however likely have red, bloodshot eyes for a day or two and his eye will feel like he has sand in it. The most difficult of the post op time is that for 2 weeks he cannot swim, even get bath/shower water in his eye nor any dirt. So, basically he can't be a BOY for two weeks! Well, we will catch up on a few movies and learn some new board games to play. Any suggestions for fun games is greatly appreciated.

It is strange I am finding myself grieving this change a little. Andrew's eye has just been part of who Andrew is so the thought of how different he will look has taken me by surprise. I know it will be better in every way, but that cute little eye turn is part of my first memory of seeing my sweet little boy. I will miss it. Just as one day the little boy diminishes and the young man emerges, life is about changes...we never stay the same.

Thank you to the many who have encouraged us throughout this year as we have journeyed through this process that has led us to surgery at this appointed time with this specific doctor. We are so thankful for the many prayers and notes of encouragement over the past year.

Emily-Sr. Speech Presentation

This year Emily and J.Michael participated in a new speech class through our church. Throughout the year they prepared and presented a series of speeches and then chose one to present at the final Homeschool Support Group meeting through our Church. Here is Emily's speech. We are very proud of Emily's hard work to present this speech. You may notice the video is a little shaky at times...well let's just say I had a little helper. :)

*remember to turn off the blog background music in the sidebar

J.Michael's B-Day Part 2

Instead of wraping J.Michael's present we decided to do a treasure hunt. Emily our master riddler got to work on clues from the Star Spangled Banner that lead J.Michael to his gift. It was a fun adventure for all of us. Here is our hunt by video.

J.Michael's 11th Birthday

J.Michael has grown up to be a bright, handsome, brave, strong, witty young man. I am in awe of how my little boy is becoming a man right before my eyes. He has grown what seems a foot in the last year and is quickly approaching my eye level which I am sure will only be fleeting as he surpasses me by his next birthday. J.Michael and I got to spend the afternoon together, just the two of us running errands and completing preparations for his birthday. He requested an ice cream cake from Coldstone (a family favorite I would add). He also got to make the dinner menu which consisted of Fried Crawfish tails, Mom's kefir cornbread and Emily's famous tossed caesar salad.
After our delicious dinner that J.Michael and I cooked together (he is also a great helper in the kitchen-one day his wife will really appreciate that he knows his way around a kitchen) J.Michael opened his presents. He previously opened his gifts from grandparents last weekend since they were in town for Kathlena's birthday. His gift from Dad and Mom came with a twist--instead of unwrapping his gift he had to follow clues for a scavenger hunt that led to his gift. The clues Emily, our riddler, made them up from the lines of the star spangled banner. It was quite clever and fun.
The surprises continued as he opened another surprise which was a borrowed copy of the third installment of The Lord of the Rings movie. J.Michael had been looking for this movie all week and we kept him in suspense thinking we could not find a copy to watch and that we would have to do something else. He was a great sport about it all and many thanks to the Beach family who let us borrow the movie and was in on the surprise!
In the words of J.Michael "It was one of the best birthdays yet!"
J.Michael we love you and will always love you. We pray that the Lord would accomplish much for His kingdom through you in your devotion to Christ.

J.Michael-Jr. Speech Presentation

J.Michael is in his 3rd year of speech presentations and this year he chose a topic close to his mother's heart...the Benefits of Chocolate. J.Michael you did a great job researching, writing, memorizing, and presenting this very important topic. Your Father and I are so proud of you. You are growing into a young man so quickly and we are so thankful you are developing your talents to use for the glory of God.
Andrew was always ready to listen to big brother's speech. Especially since J.Michael would give out chocolate to his audience each time he presented it. Andrew memorized almost half of J.Michael's speech from listening and encouraging his brother. Only Andrew would say it was the Benefits of Shoc-o-lot. Also, a topic close to Andrew's heart!
Great Job! J.Michael keep up the good work.

We love you, Mom and Dad

First Tummy pics

Today is our 4 month check up with the midwife. All is going well, I am growing, growing which is good. Most of my clothes are t-i-g-h-t so, I am wearing the last of my regular clothes for a while. We were playing in the kitchen and I guess the kids noticed my belly more than usual so, Emily grabbed the camera and took some pictures. Here are a few. All of us are so excited about our newest Shiflet and anxiously await his/her arrival.



My baby bump is starting to show and we
are all getting excited






Andrew asks almost every day if he can feel
the baby kick him yet. Not yet, but it won't
be long.



Kathlena likes to pat my tummy and say, " baby Shiflet get out,
I want to see you!"

Kathlena's Birthday Party

We celebrated Kathlena's first birthday party with both sets of grandparents and Uncle Todd at our home. Kathlena being 4 years old seems like such a big jump from 3. I am not sure why that is, but it has seemed an even bigger leap considering Kathlena has gone from looking/talking like an infant to being this vibrant, energetic, confident little girl. She is a rough and tumble and keeps up with her big brothers, but also is very prissy and loves pretty dresses and babies. She is such a little mommy. Having a little brother or sister soon will suit her very well.

Her Uncles keep her outfitted in pink camo and J.Michael topped the day with a pink cap gun that she had to wear right away as you will see in the slide show below.

*be sure to pause the music in the sidebar to hear the video.

Happy 4th Birthday Kathlena!

Hard to believe that our little Kathlena is already 4yrs old. All week we have been working with her to hold up 4 fingers and say "I am 4" when someone asks her how old she is. It is also hard to believe she has only been with us for almost a year now. This 4th birthday being our first together. We missed it last year by 20 days, although we were sad then it has been a sweet first celebration as we are finishing our first year together. We had so much fun going to Party city to pick out her birthday theme--1st Birthday Girl with pink butterflies in patchwork.

A funny story--when we were checking out at the store the clerk asked whose birthday it was to which I replied, "Kathlena" while pointing to her. The clerk then proceeded to ask her how old she was and Kathlena responded with "4" while holding her little fingers up. The clerk continues to check out our party favors, cups, napkins etc. that all state "1st Birthday Girl". At one point I think that she is going to make mention of this, but apparently decides not to. I would have gladly explained as I am always willing to share our story of adoption.

Kathlena's grandparents are also coming this weekend for her party on Saturday. Her Uncle Todd also. She received birthday cards from her great Aunt Susie and great Uncle Nolan as well as her great grandmother--Mema. Here are some pictures of her opening them

Card from Mema


Card from the Mackey's
*don't forget to pause the music in the sidebar when listening to videos