Ally...My Sweet, Sweet Ally

What a tender heart this little one has..her little sweet, soft voice really describes her. She seems to ask the really "deep" questions about life when I tuck her in at night. One night she wanted to know about what Heaven was like. I explained to her that noone is sad in Heaven, noone cries, everyone is singing and praising God. She asked how that could be...difficult for all of us to imagine such a beautiful place.
She plays with Ashley so well. She always is ready to help Ashley and in a sweet, girlie voice says, "here ya go, baby." It's soooo cute! She does not like to go to bed when everyone else does. Loves to suck her thumb, snuggle with her fuzzy blanket, and gives the best kisses in the world. Crafts are her thing...school, not so much. LOVES MAKEUP and ALL girlie things! She is definately sure of herself and is very prissy!
Nammy loves you Ally!

Things I've Learned about Each of My Babies..

FIRST...ASHLEY... She loves her Mei-Mei dolls and her pink bankie. She is just about the EASIEST kid to ever put down for a nap. She LOVES my kitty and is very gentle with him. She DOES NOT want me to stay in the bathroom while she is "taking care of business!" The first time she told me she needed to poop, I went to help her, she politely asked me to "get out, Nammy!" She loves white powdered donuts (like her momma) and milk. Her speech/language is INCREDIBLE! She is well above her developmental level in language. She says the funniest things, like: "Nammy, I can't talk" (me) "Why Ashley?" "Cuz I have the hiccups!" She is quiet around strangers, but warms up quickly. She is very obediant! She will do what you tell her to do...She loves music, but does not like to perform ...Things "scare me" easily..
What a story she has to tell...about her humble beginnings and travel and adoption to America..hold on for the ride!

MAKIN' MEMORIES1

We had an EARLY morning date to see our sweet, adorable Asher by Skype!!! I got the girlies up at 6 and we got to see him for the first time!!! OMG is he CUTE! The girls could NOT stop talking about him...except for Ashley..I think she was a little confused about all of this! She just really didn't want to talk about it! But, we talked about Asher alllll day...we even went to Savers and found him some really cute clothes! The girls found lots of stuff they "needed", and of course Nammy said, "sure!" They played with everything they bought..so it was well worth it.
In the A.M. we had school. I really think Avery thought she was nor REALLY going to have to do school, because she kept asking me the answer...wrong!! We did the lesson and she had to do a few answers on her own...really did NOT enjoy math! Next was Ally's turn for school. We breezed thru that, then got dressed to go run errands.
It was more of a "normal" day than any we have had. It was still too cold to play outside much, but they did ride their scooters and trike for a little bit.
Late afternoon we went to the bank and then drove out to the garden. They picked lettuce..Ashley really did not like the garden..she immediately wanted back in that car and wanted to go home! Avery loved the scenic area, and Ally picked lettuce!
We had a great crock pot dinner..chicken with gravy..kids loved it..
Stephen had dinner with us and of course we had a fire. Avery said (which I LOVED).."I love your house Nammy, it's so warm" ahhhhh...Stephen and the kids roasted marshmellows! They had soooo much fun! They just giggled alot!
Another day down :(..we still have so much to do. Think tomorrow we will make the Gingerbread house!...

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Sunday..we all get ready for church..I'm gettin' the hang of this "get ready" thing now with 3 little ones in tow. Like ridin' a bike..ya never REALLY forget how to juggle 10 requests for help...all coming at you at the same time!..Ally and Avery went to Children's church and Ashley opted to stay with me. We began the worship service with the children's handbell choir..they were soooo awesome..right on que. How sweet they were all standing up there, playing their bells. Ashley really loved it.
Next we began singing and as the words rolled out "all ye nations rise"..I couldn't help but hold Ashley tighter and tighter...If she were raised in China, she would NEVER hear the gospel. What a moment to reflect upon the enormaty of her adoption...and Asher's to come. When Emily and Jay were in Beijing when they went to get Ashley, they attended a church service. In order for you to walk in, you had to have a passport. All Chineese guides had to wait outside...it's a Communist country..there is NO FREEDOM OF WORSHIP there.
I know many people have thought that Em and Jay were not "doing the right" thing by adopting Ashley and Asher, but BECAUSE they have them, there will be two more souls in Heaven one day.....I know it's expensive, I know kids cost a fortune, I know there are 5 kids...all 8 years and younger,,,BUT...if NOT FOR THE ADOPTION...Eternity would not have been within their reach..
We had a really fun day today...I'll post about today with pics...another post..
Love to all.............

A Very Bussssyyy Morning!

We all woke up this morning very early...about 6:00! But everyone slept like a rock last night...especially Nammy! This morning was chilly, so we started the day with some hot chocolate...yuuuummm. Then we made a grocery list and off to WalMart we went. Breakfast was with Mickey D...then thru the store we went. "Nammy, can we get______?" "Sure"..."Nammy, can we get ______?".."Yea, why not." "Boy, Nammy, we have ALOT of stuff in our basket!" We have enough variations of yogurt to open our own store! Oh, well, they seem to be eating everything we bought...
I think we spent roughly 2 hours in Wally-World..then home quickly to unpack the groceries and get to Michaeal's for a craft session. They made Rudolph ornaments! They are soooo cute! Home again, home again...jiggedy, jig. Came home, ate lunch, and Ashley took a nap. The warm day called Avery and Ashley outside to ride scooters and play with the hoola-hoop we bought. Ms. Cheryl came over this afternoon to play!! Wooohoo! The kids kept calling her and beeegggging her to come over. She relented and came over to watch (some) of the Auburn game..then Avery and I went to get Chineese take-out..
Tomorrow is church, then get ready for a small Christmas get together ... the girls are doing a "performance" of "happy birthday, Jesus" ...they have practiced on and off all day!!
And...Nammy let them fabric paint a pair of jeans...sorry, Em! If you're really upset about it, I'll replace the jeans!! It's sooo hard to say "No"...so, I just don't!!!! :)
Will post tomorrow of our fuuuuunnn days!!! THEY ARE ADORABLE!!! I LOVE HAVING THEM HERE!!!
Funny things that happened today..we were sitting at MacDonald's this morning, when Avery looked at me and told me, "Nammy, your shirt is on backwards!!!" Yep, it was!! I FORGOT to feed the cat until about 2 this afternoon!
Wellllll..............ANOTHER DAY...Makin' memories!

They Are Here!!

My little girlies are here! We had a terrific day! Pop met us at the Cracker Barrell in West Memphis and got there before I did. When they saw me, they screamed, "Nammy, Nammy, Nammy!!" LOVE TO HEAR THAT!! Everybody stopped to watch and some started cheering!
Had the usual question on the way home...."how much longer till we get to your house?" We had only been 20 minutes of a 2 hour drive...uh,oh! My friend, Cheryl went with me to help with drinks, entertainment, etc...and BOY WAS SHE GREAT! The kids had a GREAT time playing and teasing her.
We were closing in on Little Rock, when Cheryl quietly suggested to me that we detour and cut our own Christmas tree down. She knew of a place just off the Interstate that was right on the way...Well, THAT was a hit! Cheryl knew the guys working there and they gave us all a ride in the wagon all around the farm. They let us off and whoooosh! the girls went to search for the perfect tree. Didn't take us long for all of us to agree on a particular one. Then the cutting began..I really don't remember it being that hard to cut...mmmm could it be that it's been 20 years since I cut my own????!
Well, we hauled it home, Stephen came over with pizza, and we all had a great time singing songs and decorating the tree. Ashley really got into it!
It is a great start to two wonderful weeks with my sweeties...they have been soooo good..no fighting, just playing and having fun.
End of day one...super, super fun day.........

"Annndddd Their Off!"

December 2, 2010
Emily, Jay, and Lysse are off to China! They will first have to fly to S. Korea, then on to Gz China where Asher awaits them (unbeknowst to him)..only 3..THREE more nights in the orphanage, Asher! You will soon be with your mommy, daddy, and one of four sisters VERY SOON!
Meanwhile, back at the ranch...I will be picking up Avery, Ally, and Ashley from Pop around 11:00 in W. Memphis. We have soooo many things planned...don't know if we will get to all of them or not, but we'll just see. Tomorrow when we get back to LR we are going to get a REAL Christmas tree from Home Depot. Stephen is coming over and we'll sing Christmas songs and decorate the tree. Probably pizza for dinner and then story time and snuggle time...
My motto...."do whatever makes them happy!" I know it will be hard for them to be away from momma and daddy for so long, but I'm bound and determined to just be there for them and do lots of fun things..we will have our snuggle time, story time, play time and whatever else time they need. I can't wait to get started!
Stay tuned for pics of our days..and nights. Many memories to make...I know that God will provide them with peace and contentment until they are reunited with the rest of the family again............
Thank you Lord for the gift of these children...what a blessing they are to me.
Night all...............zzzzzzzzzzzz

December 6th. .a VERY SPECIAL DAY

Rewind the clock back to December 6, 1954. On this day, a baby boy was born, Shay O'Donnell Wester, my little brother. He was born a "blue" baby as they used to call them because he obviously had a heart defect and he was not getting enough oxygen. I don't remember much about his birth, but I do remember snipits of time. I remember that he was in the hospital and we all gathered on the lawn outside his window so we could see him. At that time, unless you were 12 years old, you were not allowed past the first floor of the hospital, so we could not go to Shay's room. I also have memories of mom wrapping his legs. This helped his circulation. I also remember getting a spanking because we were in the bathtub together and I splashed him...which made him cry. If he cried, it put stress on his heart...so everything was done to minimize his crying.
Shay went into surgery in Mineapolis, MN on Sept 16, 1958. He died Sept. 29..just 13
days later.
He would have been 56 on Dec 6, 2010....

Fast Forward to Dec 6, 2010...for this is the day chosen for our family to meet Asher Stephen Flynt. What A GREAT DAY OF CELEBRATION. The Lord giveth and taketh away......December 6th is GOTCHA DAY! It will be a day of celebration for Asher's life, as well as "Shay-boy's" life...It's ironic that Shay was almost two when he went to Heaven and Asher will be two January 2nd in his forever home.

I wonder what Shay's life would have been like...that little blonde haired baby..I also wonder what Asher's life will be like...that little black haired baby....God has a plan...will enjoy watching Asher's life unfold...........................

WOOOOOPIGSOOOOIIEEEEEEE!

November 27th, 2010..War Memorial Stadium..Hogs vs. LSU...THE BEST GAME I'VE EVER WITNESSED!!! My voice is slooooowly coming back..the calls, the turnovers, the hear-stopping plays!!! ohhhh myyyyyyyy! HOGS WIN!!!

I'm Baaaaaaack!

I haven't posted in almost a year!!! Buuuutttt..it's time to return. In just a few days, I will get to have 3 of the cutest, sweetest, most wonderful beauties I know..Ally, Avery, and Ashley! Lysee pop is going to China..that WILL be interesting to say the least!
To play catch up...Asher Stephen Flynt will be officially a member of our family in 8 days!
Stephen has a new job starting Monday will an office sollutions company. He is thrilled.
I have had thumb surgery to remove a SPINTER!!! Yep, a SPLINTER! Of course, the splinter was about 1/2 inch long and very close to a main nerve..therefore the surgery. It has be a real inconvience.
Mom turned 93 in June. Still living independently..she is quite a lady. In so many ways she has iron man strength, and in so many ways she is as weak as a newborn baby.
Well, I'll be posting during my wonderful 2 weeks with the grands! We have sooo much planned, I just don't know how we will get it all in..but, we will sure try!
Stay tuned...