Chelsea, Ellie-Kate, and Emmy enjoy dinner at Texas Roadhouse one last time before Chelsea leaves for her junior year at Baylor. She's going back early to work Welcome Week for incoming freshmen.
Friday, January 2, 2015
Emmy's first JV soccer game-- August 12, 2014
Emmy started at right midfielder during her first JV soccer game on our home field. Go Bulldogs!
Record breaking year!! August 12, 2014
Emmy had an incredible year in 4-H, including winning State Champion in her Food and Nutrition project at the Ohio State Fair and winning 2nd in Drill team, 3rd in You and Your Dog, 4th in Freestyle, 14th in Showmanship, and a Gold Medal in Pet Pals with her dog, Coco, at the Ohio State Fair Dog Show. She also earned Outstanding Intermediate Exhibitor at the Athens County Junior Fair in both Dog and Rabbit as well as Grand Champion Best of Breed Show with her rabbit, Perky. Just absolutely incredible!! What an amazing year :)
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Good-bye to 2014...
Hi everyone--
Well, this year has not been the best one for keeping up on our family blog... I'm going to be catching up on entries over the coming days, but I wanted to pause for a moment as we say good-bye to 2014 and reflect on one of the most hectic years ever for our family...
The beginning of a new year always seems so fresh, new, exciting. In contrast, bringing a year to a close invites reflection and a chance for taking stock.
2014 was a good year. How could I label it otherwise? During this year, Emmy and I got to do both Disneyland and Disney World. Britti got married in a beautiful ceremony in May. Trixie joined our family in April. Emmy had a record-shattering year in 4-H, including one state championship and several awards at the state and county levels. Chelsea studied abroad in the summer and then returned to pursue her degree in accounting at Baylor. Ellie-Kate continued to grow as an athlete, a reader, and a person. Roger and I both finished authoring books. Yes, 2014 was a very, very good year.
Perhaps it was too much of a good year. By November, I was just exhausted. Helping to plan the wedding, finishing the book, leading two Girl Scout troops, advising the 4-Hers, teaching classes, working on NCA--2015, coaching Ellie-Kate's soccer team, attending Emmy's sports events, serving as PTO co-treasurer, keeping up with our animals and schedules and the house... Just a lot...
Unexpected developments added to our stress. In August, I made the difficult decision to change churches. Even though we truly love our new church, leaving our church home of 20 years was heartbreaking and gut-wrenching. In September, we learned that Izzy had cancer, and, after a valiant fight, he passed away in November. I battled a recurrent sinus infection, likely because I allowed myself to get run down... Just a lot...
As I look forward to 2015, I'm resolved to take care of myself better... to scale back... to permit myself to get enough sleep and exercise... to keep my eyes squarely and firmly on God, for guidance and provision. To seek Him first always and to reaffirm my walk with Him as the priority. Professional accomplishments will fade away... People come and go, but He remains constant, and I need to remember that He will light my path (and that I should have eyes for seeking those rays of light).
In 2015, I'm looking forward to a year filled with more rest, relaxation, joy with family, fellowship with friends, and focus on God. And now, as we spend 30 more minutes in 2014, I praise God for Brittany Nicole, Chelsea Meagan, Emmy Grace, and Ellie-Kate. I praise God for Roger. I praise God for Brookfield Church and for the opportunity to live in Athens and to teach at OU. I praise God for our home, our pets, and the many rich blessings of friends and family. I praise God for providing us with a way to be with Him, even when we inevitably make mistakes that could otherwise keep us from being with our perfect, holy Heavenly Father. I praise God for moments of reflection that remind us that our time here is so temporary-- just a blip, really, compared to the vastness of eternity--so we need to check our priorities, egos, and distractions as we steer our eyes and hearts to what matters in the long run.
Thanks for caring about our family! We look forward to more time on the blog in 2015, and we wish you a wonderful and blessed New Year!
Christie
Well, this year has not been the best one for keeping up on our family blog... I'm going to be catching up on entries over the coming days, but I wanted to pause for a moment as we say good-bye to 2014 and reflect on one of the most hectic years ever for our family...
The beginning of a new year always seems so fresh, new, exciting. In contrast, bringing a year to a close invites reflection and a chance for taking stock.
2014 was a good year. How could I label it otherwise? During this year, Emmy and I got to do both Disneyland and Disney World. Britti got married in a beautiful ceremony in May. Trixie joined our family in April. Emmy had a record-shattering year in 4-H, including one state championship and several awards at the state and county levels. Chelsea studied abroad in the summer and then returned to pursue her degree in accounting at Baylor. Ellie-Kate continued to grow as an athlete, a reader, and a person. Roger and I both finished authoring books. Yes, 2014 was a very, very good year.
Perhaps it was too much of a good year. By November, I was just exhausted. Helping to plan the wedding, finishing the book, leading two Girl Scout troops, advising the 4-Hers, teaching classes, working on NCA--2015, coaching Ellie-Kate's soccer team, attending Emmy's sports events, serving as PTO co-treasurer, keeping up with our animals and schedules and the house... Just a lot...
Unexpected developments added to our stress. In August, I made the difficult decision to change churches. Even though we truly love our new church, leaving our church home of 20 years was heartbreaking and gut-wrenching. In September, we learned that Izzy had cancer, and, after a valiant fight, he passed away in November. I battled a recurrent sinus infection, likely because I allowed myself to get run down... Just a lot...
As I look forward to 2015, I'm resolved to take care of myself better... to scale back... to permit myself to get enough sleep and exercise... to keep my eyes squarely and firmly on God, for guidance and provision. To seek Him first always and to reaffirm my walk with Him as the priority. Professional accomplishments will fade away... People come and go, but He remains constant, and I need to remember that He will light my path (and that I should have eyes for seeking those rays of light).
In 2015, I'm looking forward to a year filled with more rest, relaxation, joy with family, fellowship with friends, and focus on God. And now, as we spend 30 more minutes in 2014, I praise God for Brittany Nicole, Chelsea Meagan, Emmy Grace, and Ellie-Kate. I praise God for Roger. I praise God for Brookfield Church and for the opportunity to live in Athens and to teach at OU. I praise God for our home, our pets, and the many rich blessings of friends and family. I praise God for providing us with a way to be with Him, even when we inevitably make mistakes that could otherwise keep us from being with our perfect, holy Heavenly Father. I praise God for moments of reflection that remind us that our time here is so temporary-- just a blip, really, compared to the vastness of eternity--so we need to check our priorities, egos, and distractions as we steer our eyes and hearts to what matters in the long run.
Thanks for caring about our family! We look forward to more time on the blog in 2015, and we wish you a wonderful and blessed New Year!
Christie
Monday, November 10, 2014
Izzy-- July, 1999--November 10, 2014
With incredible sadness, I must share that our cat, Izzy, passed away just before 9 a.m. this morning. In his 15 1/2 years, he overcame partial amputation of his tail, battled back from a stroke, and fought valiantly against lymphoma. From the moment that Chelsea found him in a bush as she was going in for kindergarten shots at Dr. Gaskell's office, Izzy displayed his resilience, tenacity, and sense of humor on a daily basis. He loved his family and had a special fondness for... seafood. We will miss him so much, and we said good-bye late this afternoon with many tears yet incredible joy that we have so many precious memories, several because he made one miraculous recovery after another. We thank MedVet - Columbus and Kroner Animal Care for all of their help over the years, and we hope that Izzy enjoys reconnecting over the rainbow bridge with his older brothers, Pookie and Gizmo, and tolerates his often irritating older sister, Nellie, for eternity. Izzy, you will always be one of a kind, and we are so grateful that you will forever be part of our family and our hearts.
Izzy worked hard during rehab at Medvet, and his therapists were so impressed with his determination... February, 2013
February, 2013: We didn't know if Izzy was going to make it. He couldn't move when we got up to Medvet. Yet, he not only managed to move but also was ultimately able to jump on the couch, climb the stairs, and do nearly everything that he could before the stroke.
Coming home from the hospital... February, 2013...
After surviving the stroke and living well for several months, Izzy went off of his food for 15 days. Blessedly, Dr. Wallace at Medvet prescribed a steroid that shrunk the tumor, inspired him to eat, and ultimately gave us nearly two months more with him... September, 2014
Saturday, November 1, 2014
State and County Fair competitions... August 12, 2014
Emmy had an AMAZING year!! County results included: Racing the Clock for Awesome Meals (1st), Pet Pals (1st), You and Your Dog (1st), Novice B (2nd), Pre-Novice (2nd), Intermediate Dog Showmanship (1st), Pro Showmanship (1st), Rally (2nd), Rabbit Senior Showmanship (3rd), Senior New Zealand Doe (1st), Grand Champion New Zealand, Grand Champion Class 6, Overall Grand Champion Best of Show Rabbit Show!!! State results included: Racing the Clock for Awesome Meals (Outstanding of Day AND Clock Trophy Award!!), You and Your Dog (3rd), Drill Team (2nd), Showmanship (14th), Freestyle A (4th), and Pet Pals (Gold Medal). She also won Outstanding Exhibitor (Intermediate Dog and Intermediate Rabbit) and Skillathon winner (Intermediate Dog and Intermediate Rabbit) as well as the County Achievement medal winner for Food and Nutrition.
Six years ago today... November 1, 2014
Hi everyone--
Just wanted to take a moment and celebrate precious memories from six years ago... Six years ago today, Roger and I drove up to Columbus and met with a doctor in the International Adoption Clinic. We had received a file on an adorable baby girl with beautiful brown eyes. The computer referred to her as "Kristin;" the file referred to her as "An Yu Fang."
Holding our breath, we asked about the heart condition. The doctor assured us that most children have a hole in their hearts until they are six months old. To be sure, he quickly consulted with a pediatric cardiologist. He returned quickly and assured us that it wouldn't be a problem.
We exhaled a bit but then asked about spinal bifida occulta. The doctor told us that she actually had the "good kind" of spinal bifida. We might have a few problems with potty training, and she might be self-conscious in a low-cut bikini, but, otherwise, no problem.
We barely dared to take a breath. We pressed on. What about her hip displacia in both legs? The doctor replied that we might be able to fix it with physical therapy but that it could require surgery in one or both legs. Okay, we asked. What was the likelihood that she would be able to walk? The doctor looked surprise as he answered, "Oh, 100%!"
We finally were able to breathe. At that moment, I realized just how much that I had fallen in love with that amazing little girl. I was so relieved. Roger and I looked at each other, and we hurriedly thanked the good doctor and pretty much ran to a pay phone to call the adoption agency.
Our hearts sank when the answering machine took our call. Anyone, anywhere in the entire world, could lock in on "our baby" before we could claim her as our own in the morning. I prayed so hard that our adoption agency would file the paperwork before anyone else, anywhere in the entire world.
Six years later, I cannot even imagine if that interaction had gone differently. Ellie-Kate is such a miracle. In so many ways-- physically, socially, spiritually, relationally. She is absolutely, completely OUR daughter. At times, I don't even remember the whole biology thing. She's just our's. I am absolutely convinced that God ordained her to be in our family as our child... the talented, sometimes sassy, always loving little sister. I have trouble even thinking back to our emotions as we drove back to Athens, not knowing for sure that we could ever refer to Ellie-Kate as "our child."
Praise God for allowing everything to work out exactly as it did... For our friends to encourage us to visit with the doctor... for the doctor to give such an amazing and comforting report... for the agency to claim her for us... and for Ellie-Kate to defy all odds by actually being (arguably) our most athletic child, to boot!
As always, thanks for caring about our family!
Christie
Just wanted to take a moment and celebrate precious memories from six years ago... Six years ago today, Roger and I drove up to Columbus and met with a doctor in the International Adoption Clinic. We had received a file on an adorable baby girl with beautiful brown eyes. The computer referred to her as "Kristin;" the file referred to her as "An Yu Fang."
Holding our breath, we asked about the heart condition. The doctor assured us that most children have a hole in their hearts until they are six months old. To be sure, he quickly consulted with a pediatric cardiologist. He returned quickly and assured us that it wouldn't be a problem.
We exhaled a bit but then asked about spinal bifida occulta. The doctor told us that she actually had the "good kind" of spinal bifida. We might have a few problems with potty training, and she might be self-conscious in a low-cut bikini, but, otherwise, no problem.
We barely dared to take a breath. We pressed on. What about her hip displacia in both legs? The doctor replied that we might be able to fix it with physical therapy but that it could require surgery in one or both legs. Okay, we asked. What was the likelihood that she would be able to walk? The doctor looked surprise as he answered, "Oh, 100%!"
We finally were able to breathe. At that moment, I realized just how much that I had fallen in love with that amazing little girl. I was so relieved. Roger and I looked at each other, and we hurriedly thanked the good doctor and pretty much ran to a pay phone to call the adoption agency.
Our hearts sank when the answering machine took our call. Anyone, anywhere in the entire world, could lock in on "our baby" before we could claim her as our own in the morning. I prayed so hard that our adoption agency would file the paperwork before anyone else, anywhere in the entire world.
Six years later, I cannot even imagine if that interaction had gone differently. Ellie-Kate is such a miracle. In so many ways-- physically, socially, spiritually, relationally. She is absolutely, completely OUR daughter. At times, I don't even remember the whole biology thing. She's just our's. I am absolutely convinced that God ordained her to be in our family as our child... the talented, sometimes sassy, always loving little sister. I have trouble even thinking back to our emotions as we drove back to Athens, not knowing for sure that we could ever refer to Ellie-Kate as "our child."
Praise God for allowing everything to work out exactly as it did... For our friends to encourage us to visit with the doctor... for the doctor to give such an amazing and comforting report... for the agency to claim her for us... and for Ellie-Kate to defy all odds by actually being (arguably) our most athletic child, to boot!
As always, thanks for caring about our family!
Christie
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