Our 1st Fundraiser

In order to start the ball rolling on the adoption fund raising, we had a yard sale. The weather was great (up until 1pm when the bottom dropped out). We had quite a few people come by and we made some pretty good money.

Dylan wanted to help too. We set up his little picnic table so that he could sell water, kool-aid, and candy. He was so cute. When people came, he would ask them if he could make them some kool-aid (we had those little packets that you add to water bottles). He told anyone that would listen that he was trying to raise money so he can bring home his new sister. It was so sweet.

Anyone who knows my son knows how important money is to him. He never wants to spend his own money -he has no such qualms about spending our money-. I just knew that when the sale was over, he'd want to keep a least some of the money if not all of it. However, he once again surprized me. He didn't ask to keep any of it and he gave up a $1 that someone gave to him for him to keep.

Dylan's New Library Card

Dylan and I decided to visit the local library to find some books on Ukraine. We both wanted to learn more about where our adopted girl was coming from. We didn't find a whole lot (we were at the Bartlett branch which isn't nearly as big as the main branch in Memphis).

We did find out that Dylan is now old enough for a library card of his very own. He was super excited! He got his own card and even got to sign his own name on the back! He was able to check out two books about Ukraine and one about Alaska (he liked the pictures in it).

He is such a big boy!

It started out as a feeling. Chris and I felt our family of 3 just could not be complete. We had a taste of being a family of 4 for such a short period of time. It just felt right, two adults + two kids. Dylan knew the gift of having and loving a sibling and we had two wonderful children to give our love.

We realize we could never replace our Cedie. She will always be our first daughter and Dylan's first sister. However, we could let another child into our lives and into our hearts without betraying her memory.

So, we then started discussing our options. Medically speaking, I can not have anymore children. Fostering a child is out because we could not go through the pain of getting attached and then losing a child again (not that it would be as final as it was with Cedie-but it would still be devastating to us and unfair to Dylan). That leaves us with the idea of adopting. Before we knew what sex Cedie was, we had said that if she were a boy, we would adopt a little girl, so this wasn't exactly an original idea to us.

We started thinking more about the possibility of adoption over the past month or so. Watching Dylan has really solidified this need to expand our family to 4 again in our minds. When he is alone with just us, the house is so quiet and he seems so lonely. But when he is around other children, he just lights up, regardless of whether they are a boy or a girl or whether they are 3 months old or 8 years old.

Chris and I started researching the different kinds of adopting. We know that our ideal would be a little girl between the ages of 2 to 4. We want Dylan to be the big brother and we don't want their age gap to be too vast. We first looked into domestic adoptions but were told by two different types of agencies that it was a long shot to get our "ideal" child. They both said that that age range was just not common in the available children of our area. This led us to the idea of international adoption. We were specifically drawn to the Russian and Ukraine programs. However, the cost factor nearly had us rethinking if this idea was even obtainable for a family like us.

And then Sunday came. It was like God put the thoughts in our head that morning before church. As soon as I saw my mom-in-law, we both simultaneously said "we do mission work in the Ukraine!" After the service we talked to one of the church members who had returned from there. He gave me the name of another man who does the missionary work over there and knows the country well.

Chris and I have both had discussions with him and we now have a clear (and much more affordable) plan! If all goes well, we may have a new member in our family by the end of the year!

There is a lot of paper work and legalities involved. We will also have to start some serious fundraising to make this happen. However, to have our family complete again, as we really believe it was meant to be, would be so worth it! We have talked to Dylan and he is super pumped. He said "then I could have two sisters, one here with me and one watching above me."

So, now you know our new direction. Please pray for our family as we begin this new journey. God knows the plan and will most certainly guide us in the right direction, as we believe He is doing now. Also, if you have any fundraising ideas, we could definitely use your help there as well.

Easter Flowers for our Angel, Cedie Lynn

Today we replaced Cedie's March flowers with some Easter Calla Lilies. We even found some with a pink edge (Dylan says there always has to be some pink for his sister). I decided she needed some Easter eggs as well. We topped it all off with a "Hello Kitty" ribbon and a Easter Bunny pinwheel.

*In one of the pictures, you can see Dylan "cutting" the grass around her stone with my scissors. Such a silly boy!

We went to church this morning. It was a great sermon, tackling the question "Are you a friend of Jesus?" After church we went to lunch with Memaw and Pepaw. We went and got the flowers at Walmart. Memaw got flowers for her son Andy's grave (he is Chris older brother who died at 21 and is buried near Cedie).

When we were leaving Walmart, I got into a little accident in the parking lot. A lady parked across from me backed out at the same time I did. Thankfully she just got a scratch on her car and my bumper got a little cut and a dent. Neither was worth involving police or insurance. Dylan told the lady she was making us late- "we had to get to Cedie and give her her new flowers at the grave." I then had to explain to the lady what he was talking about. I wonder if that will never be easy to do, even when I tell the abbreviated version.

Elite Eight!

GO TIGERS GO!

My Tigers WON tonight and are advancing to the Elite EIGHT! YEA!

*For those of you who don't know, I "go" to the University of Memphis. I have 3 semesters to go. I last attended the Spring 05 semester. Cedie was born a month after exams. Obviously, I had to take a break for a while to be with Cedie. I still intend to return and finish those last bit of classes. Probably this fall.

Cool Coincidence

Turns out, "Dylan's tree" is also a flowering cherry tree! Now both of my children will each have one of their own beautiful flowering cherry tree in our yard!

Also, we have a Bradford Pear tree in our yard (just like the one we planted at the school):

PTA Board and more

I have joined the PTA board at Dylan's school for the 2007-2008 school year. I joined the PTA this year but I wasn't on the board. Next year I will hold the "Parental Involvement" Chair! I am definitely new to this kind of thing so it should be interesting. I am excited though!

Go Pathers!

On another note:

Can you believe that Sanjaya was NOT in the bottom 3 again this week on American Idol? He has got to go! I am pulling for Blake! I really like him!

Also, GO U of M TIGERS! We play in the Sweet 16 tomorrow night!

Thank You CHARGE Family!

Some of my CHARGE family have bought us a flowering cherry tree that will be delivered AND PLANTED in our yard as soon as it rains! Dylan, Chris, and I found the perfect spot in our front yard to the left of our drive (directly across from "Dylan's tree" on the right side of the drive way). We have also made plans to plant flowers around it and Dylan and I are going to make stepping stones with her name on them! It will be a great family project! I am so excited and so incredibly grateful to these wonderfully thoughtful and loving friends!

Thank you: Sarah, Jeremy, and Evan Storrs; Amy and Max McKinley; Rebecca, Linden, Nathan, and Cameron Anderson; Marty, Dean, Maya, and Addie Kelly; Crystal, Eva, and the rest of the Masionis family; and Amy, Mike, and Ben Russo!

We love you all!

Now Cedie will have a tree at her brother's school and at her house!

Cedie's New Tree At School

We planted her new tree this afternoon. Thank you again Mr. Giaroli!

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A Sunday Afternoon in the Park

Sunday, Dylan and I were both kind of down. None of his friends were home so he had no one to play with. He kept saying he wished his sister was here because then he wouldn't be lonely.

So, I decided some time at the park might pull us both up.

At first, he was shy and he just sat near the pond and watched the other kids play. He said again that he wished his sister was here to play with him. So, in order to distract him, I started trying to sneak up on the geese. It worked! He soon was laughing and chasing the geese and ducks. Then a little boy and his sister came over to join the fun. Mommy quickly became forgotten- which was just fine because I got to take some pictures and watch him play.

Any way, enjoy the short montage of our afternoon.

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Cedie's Tree (Update)

We are getting a new tree today!

The company that donated the tree before (Giaroli's Nursery & Landscaping) is giving us another tree!

I called them this morning to see what another tree would cost us. I explained who I was and what the tree was for and how much it meant to me and my family. They said just come pick out another one! I am so amazed at their generosity!

If you are one of our local readers and you ever need anything for your residential or commercial garden, please visit:

Giaroli's Nursery & Landscaping
6000 Summer Ave.
Memphis, TN
901-382-5402

Happy St. Patrick's Day

To my angel in Heaven and all my family and friends here:

Happy St. Patrick's Day

I hope everyone has a fun and safe day!

* This morning I told Dylan "today is the day you wear green." And guess what... He didn't want to! He said he had green on his shoes and he had already picked out the BLUE shirt that he wanted to wear today! Go figure!

Update on the Tree

I called the guidance counselor who arranged the tree planting and told her what had happened. She was very sorry to hear that and was so sorry our family was so hurt by it. I asked when we could plant a new one (I wasn't sure if I could plant another one on the property while school is out for spring break). She said she would try to get a hold of the principal and get permission.

I never heard back from her so I guess we will just have to wait until Monday when school is back in session.

Thank you all for your kind words and support. Believe me, even if I have to replace trees over and over again, there will be a tree for Cedie there for years to come.

Busy Week

Its been a real busy week. Dylan has been on Spring Break and hanging out with Meemaw and Pepaw. I have been taking advantage and working extra hours to make some much needed extra funds.

Wednesday afternoon, Dylan and I went to visit "Aunt Rachel" (Dylan's Godmother) and her two children. Dylan and Grant had fun playing and I got to spend time with the adorable Ms. Tatum Heather (born on 1/4/07).

Wednesday night, we had Granny and Grandpa over for dinner to celebrate Granny's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANNY! We had a nice dinner and a great visit.

Tonight I am going to bed early! I am going to have to work for a little while tomorrow. Tomorrow is St. Pat's Day- Dylan has been talking about it all week and asking me each morning "is today the day I wear green" :-)

Cedie's Tree Destroyed

Yesterday, on our way home, Dylan and I noticed that Cedie's tree was gone. It was there when we drove past it Sunday night. When we pulled up next to it, we saw that someone had broken it near the bottom and it was leaning almost to the ground. It was not windy here yesterday so it had to have been done by someone. Her picture was still tied to the fallen tree with her pink ribbon.

Dylan and I were both very upset. Dylan cried and demanded I fix it. I told him I could not. He searched the car for some string and was adamant that I tie it so that it can stand tall. He was so upset so I had to do something. All I had in the car was baby wipes so I tied one around the base. It helped enough to comfort him a little. I told him mommy would find a way to get his sister a new tree.

I didn't realize the extent of how much the tree meant to him (or me). I was so depressed the rest of the evening.

My Dominic

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Meet my little Dominic James. He is the son of my cousin Kori from St. Louis. Dominic was born November 13, 2006, just in time to meet his cousin Cedie at Thanksgiving. Cedie was fascinated by him because he was the first (and only) newborn that she had ever got to come in contact with.

Kori and I are close to the same age and she is an awesome friend as well as a cousin. I can't wait to see Kori and Dominic in April! I love and miss you guys!

Went to Church Today

This morning we all went back to our church. I have not been there in a few weeks (when I did that last post about it). After that last time, I realized I needed to give myself a little more time so we have visited a friend's church.

I did much better this time. Being there still brings back the memories of her funeral but at least the vivid pictures in my mind weren't there. I think it brings memories to Dylan too because he talked about Cedie all day. (he always mentions her at least once a day, but today it was more than that)

We have a new interim preacher. Our old preacher, unfortunately, got called to another church out of TN. The interim preacher was very good though and that certainly helped keep me focused on why we were there- to worship God.

We all went to lunch with Memaw and Pepaw (Chris' mom and step dad). That was fun. Dylan got a new set of hand cuffs (now he wants to be a police man) and he kept "arresting" us during the meal.

We all went to Nana's and G-daddy's for dinner. Since the weather was unbelievably nice, we cooked out steaks. While the men were cooking, Dylan and I played croquet! Of course, we played by Dylan's rules :-)

All in all, it was a very nice family day!

My CHARGE Family

I just wanted to brag on my CHARGE family for a minute.

I am still getting emails, calls, and cards from the mom's of Max, Eva, Ben, Evan and Tate. They are all so very sweet! I got Valentine's Day cards, a St. Pat's Day card, and "thinking of you" cards from these wonderful people who I know have their hands more than full with their own children! Chris, Dylan, and I love getting the pictures in the mail. Our fridge door is getting full and it makes me smile each time I go to it!

I also wanted to say how proud I am of each of these kiddos! If you haven't looked at their sites in awhile, you should. Max and Evan are walking with walkers! Eva is standing with help and she got rid of her mic-key button! Ben is lifting his head! Tate is doing great and preparing for another surgery.

Thank you CHARGE family for everything- you all mean so much to us!

Mickey Mouse Day at School

Today was Mickey Mouse at Dylan's school (it was their treat for the letter "M" week). Since we went to Disney World back in January, Dylan was definitely prepared! He wore his Disney T-shirt, his light up Mickey ears, and even his Disney World back pack. They always have show-n-tell on Fridays, so he brought his talking Mickey Mouse stuffed animal too! He was so excited this morning and he insisted I take his pic :-)

Dylan's Hair Cut

Dylan got a hair cut on Tuesday. The before picture is on the left, the after on the right.

He is so funny about getting his hair cut. Watching him, one would think he had a traumatic incident with clippers at one time in his life! He has always squirmed, shrugged, jumped, and laughed when ever the clippers come out. He has not grown out of it. I am really not sure what the deal is. Maybe its another one of those boy things that mom's just can't "get". Unfortunately for him, his hair grows super fast and I have to get it cut at least every 4 weeks.

Cedie's Book

I have been working on Cedie's book. I really think it is coming along well. I am adding some pages to the beginning about her first 9 months so it will be a complete book of her whole life. The max # of pages I can have is 440 and believe me, that's how long it will be. Its going to cost approx. $60 per copy but it will be hard cover and it looks really nice.

Week of 2/28-3/4

Chris and I were sick all last week. Chris couldn't work Tuesday-Thursday and although I dragged myself in every day, I hit the bed as soon as I got home with Dylan.

Friday afternoon Dylan and I went to Hobby Lobby and picked out some green flowers and some white flowers for Cedie's March arrangement. We ended up with a large, bright green flower that looks like a daisy. We also got several white daisies. Dylan picked out a pretty butterfly and some green ribbon to tie it to the vase. We took them to the grave site afterwards.

Saturday, we went to Aunt Mel Mel's new apartment. I helped her make some decorating decisions while Dylan had fun playing with her cats.

Sunday, Chris and Dylan went on a four wheeler ride. Dylan rode with Chris. I went to see "Because I Said So" with my mom-in-law. The boys had a blast! Dylan was so excited to tell me about the dead fox he saw (gross, I know). The movie us girls saw was hilarious! It is definitely a chick flick but I recommend it to all you girls out there! You will enjoy it, I promise!