Little Shot big tears

Hannah had to get her Hepatitis A booster today and Wow what a production she put on. This girl went from giggling and telling her nurse Thank you for a shot the previous three years of her life to I am going to cry and be as stiff as a board before you stick that neetle into my leg. The very patient nurse was finally able to get the job done and Hannah just sobbed saying"I just want my daddy"...I hate that I have to by the bad guy that takes her to get shots. Although this has been the first bad experience. We headed directly over to Daddy's office just across the street still tears in her eyes and she didn't want much to do with him but just clung to me...that made me feel a little better.

Reason for the shot is if we decide to take her with us to ET. We had pretty much made the desicion not to take her when we thought we would just be traveling for an infant. The trip would have been too much for her and us both. God has been really working in our hearts as far as adopting an older child and that is what we are pursuing at this time. I can't really give out too many details at this time but am very excited about adding a 10 yr. old ET girl to our family. If everything works out we would want Hannah to join us on our trip.

Happy New Year (Chinese that is)

They started the Chinese New Year celebration today. Since we have a daughter from China I feel I need to keep up with the culture in her country. So I found this web site that really explains how the Chinese celebrate Spring Festival (New Year). Click on the link here to learn about the Chinese culture. This year celebrates the year of the OX. I don't believe in any zodiac calendar at all but it was fun reading about our different signs. Ron (Snake) Bliss (Sheep) Hannah (Monkey). The descriptions were almost spot on for the most part...especially Hannah.
Blessings,
Bliss

Powerful Video

Please Friends and family click on the link below. It will give you some idea why we are so moved to adopt from Africa. As a Christian I feel I need to do even more than adopt. Please keep this organization in your prayers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3v7ZQUzr0yo

Blessings,
Bliss

Someone is missing at our table

Since my husband's brother retired and moved back home we have all taken turns hosting a family dinner on Saturday evening (us, Ron's parents and Ron's brother). Ron's mother has had to miss a few dinners this past year because of her illness, but this is the first one she won't be attending because she is dining in heaven. Oh the feast she must be enjoying. She will be missed at our table each Saturday night but we will think of her and try to imagine the great dinner table she is sharing with our Savior.

The photo is a beautiful rose arangement sent in honor of Charlotte (I took this photo this morning...these flowers are a week old and still look great).

We had not had a chance to do Christmas with my father so he made the trip up for Charlotte's funeral and we finally exchanged gifts. OK is this pay back. One of Hannah's gifts was a lollipop bigger than her face. Thanks dad. I swear it will take months to get rid of this sugar monster. I like to refer to it as a sugar discus on a stick.

Blessings,

Bliss

Final Goodbye

I was holding Hannah as she watched Grandma's coffin being put into the hearse and she said "Mommy are they going to drop Grandma off at Heaven?"

We had Charlotte's funeral yesterday. It was a beautiful service. Hannah did really well during the service I was very proud of her. She has really handled the situation in such a mature way. She finally broke down in tears on Sunday evening and got all her sadness out.

Last evening Ron's whole family gathered at our home for a delicious meal provided by my awesome bible study pals.

This morning all the family we hosted for nearly a week left and the house was so quiet. We really enjoyed having the whole family from all over the country gathered together these past few days. I am so blessed to have married into such a great family that has so much fun and love to share.

Hannah had her second session of swimming lessons tonight. She is having so much fun but she is a little more advanced in her swimming skills than what she is being taught. I was on swim team growing up and Hannah has loved being in the water since we met her. So I have worked with her in the water before she was even one. She could probably pass a couple of levels and move up but honestly she just loves being in the water so what the heck...I'll just let her have fun.

OK I know there is probably more than I want to share but am a bit exhuasted from this past week.

Blessings,

Bliss

Another Loss

Goodbye, Ariel, Flounder and Flounder's cousin (Hannah's fishes names)

As if Hannah hasn't had enough to deal with with losing her grandma her daddy killed her fish today.  He accidentally used water with chlorine in it to change the water...and within minutes they were dead.  Hannah put her little hands on her hips and yelled at daddy "You killed my fish!"  This poor child.  Daddy apologized and reminded her that she is one step closer to getting a dog.  Her plan was when these fish died we would get some more fish and when those fish died we would get one more batch of fish and when the died we would get a dog.  I'm upset because I think those fish would have lived forever (and now we are one step closer to having a dog again).  Don't get me wrong I love dogs but am allergic and it has been nice to be dog free for nearly two years.  They were the craziest fish I have ever seen.  I will miss them.  

Hannah and I went over to grandpa's house after the accidental death of her fish.  The house was full of Ron's relatives and Hannah entered the house and said "I have an announcement...Daddy killed my fish".  Her uncle who gave them to her for birthday kind of laughed when he heard what his brother the doctor did...isn't he supposed to be in the business of saving lives.Most of Ron's family arrived yesterday and they went to the funeral home to plan their mother's funeral.  Afterward they all came to our house for a fantastic meal provided by my husband's office staff.  It was very kind of them.

More family arrived today so we have three houses full of family.  Charlotte's funeral will be on Tuesday and visitation Monday evening.  I'm really torn if I want Hannah (age 4) see grandma in her casket.  I don't know what that will do to her.  She saw my mother at her funeral (2 yrs. old).  When we walked out the door she cried I just want to see grandma.  But she was OK.  She wasn't nearly as close with my mother as she was with Ron's.  I do think I will chose to let her see grandma.  I think it will be good for her to say goodbye and open a door for us to discuss heaven and what happens when you die.

Blessings,

Bliss

Sad day

It is a sad day for our family. My husband lost his mother and my daughter lost her dear grandmother today. We knew it was coming as she as been fighting cancer for nearly 4 years. When she was first diagnosed I thought Oh know she won't get to meet Hannah. But God had plans to get her well and that is what happened. She was able to meet her granddaughter and over the last couple years they have created such a beautiful relationship. Grandma Charlotte loved Hannah more than anything on earth... that was her words from her hospital bed a few weeks ago. I was so happy to see my daughter sing and dance for her grandmother just before she went to be with Jesus.
Blessings,
Bliss