I blinked...

That is all I did, I swear! I just blinked, and already, you are almost 3.5. Harrison Dooley, you slay me! I cannot even put into words how much I love you.

I'll try not to blink again...I have savored every minute with you.

7 years

This past Sunday, Brett & I celebrated 7 years of marriage...We had a fun little outing to Le Sud, a cute little French restaurant. It was our first time out just by ourselves since the baby was born and a tad overdue. We have a tradition of talking through our year and filling it into an anniversary book that Brett's mom gave us when we first got married. I love this book. It is truly something that I would want to take with me if our house was burning down. I hope it is something that our kids can look through and see snippets of our lives, the good and bad.

It is truly such a privilege to be married to Brett. I still cannot believe that we met here in China and now we are back here. We laughed at memories from this past year, while some brought tears. This last year was a hard one for us, but it also brought so much joy in the birth of our sweet girl. Last year on September 18th, our hope was that on our next anniversary that we would be on our way to having a bigger family after waiting for (in our minds) a long time. So, we rejoiced in our longings that were met, laughed, talked, and talked about what we hope for this next year, which, overall, is to be more thankful.

As I was looking through pictures, I realize that we don't have a ton of just us by ourselves since the little loves have joined the scene. I came across a few from the past couple of years. I'll try to take more of just us as time goes on!

September 18, 2010--our 6th anniversary

September, 2009--Anniversary # 5 in Maine

June, 2009--H's first trip to China

November, 2008 (I think)...cheesy portrait

October, 2008

March, 2010

August, 2011

August, 2011

Happy Anniversary, Brett! I love you and I will always follow you anywhere!

We made it!

1 week ago we set sail for our Asian home...

Actually, I am so glad that we did not "set sail"....that's how the missionaries did it years ago and it took months...I think about how tough the 24 hours of travel is on us, and I can't imagine 3 months!

Anyhow, we left a week ago, and here we are! I must say that the morning of our flight, Brett and I were both unsure if we should actually even board the plane. The doubts were flooding in...'how can we go back?', 'Last year was SO hard', 'What are we supposed to do?' We were SO tired and coming off such a wonderful summer with SO much help, great time with family and friends, delicious food, and easier ways of doing things, so it was easy to question whether we should get on the plane.

However, we did. My parents drove us to the airport. My mom rode with Brett and the kiddos, and I rode with my dad and the suitcases. I was crying in the car, and Dad told me, "This is what you do....you need to go finish what you've started....this is right." And he prayed for me. It was so sweet and I will never forget that. My dad does not love that we live overseas, but I so appreciate that, in spite of what he thinks, he supports our work. He then escorted us up to security and gave us a double thumbs up until I couldn't see him anymore. 9 years ago when I first left to live overseas, his reaction was very different. I am thankful God can change hearts. I am also thankful that 9 years later, I get to live in parts of the world where the Lord is working speedily on changing lives. I am so unworthy to be used by Him, but I get to be used by Him. So thankful.

When I hugged my mom goodbye, as I was crying, she said, "Why are you crying? You're going home!" Again, so thankful to have SUCH a supportive Mom. I know it rips their hearts out to have their grandkids so far away, but I feel spurred on by her love and prayers and how much God has changed HER over the years as well.

Onto the flight....we were generously given buddy passes by a dear friend and got on the flight no problem. This is the first direct flight from Atlanta to China I have taken. It is SO nice to cut out a flight in between...we were given 5 seats to ourselves, so Brett sat with H and I sat across the aisle...We were in bulkhead, (which is key when flying internationally with children, by the way, so we were able to get a bassinet for Blythe....when we walked on the plane, we got "the look" from nearby passengers...no one wants to sit near a toddler or a baby. However, the kids did GREAT...we did get one look from a passenger when Harrison got whiny about getting a snack. We were sitting right behind first class and the guy actually got up and looked through the doorway and gave me a "what is his deal" look? Sheesh...he obviously does not have a child! But, I'm sure he felt a little entitled to a quiet flight since he was in Business Class. Thankfully, that was H's worst moment. He was SO big and kept himself busy coloring and watching TV and doing flash cards with Brett. He slept for about 7 hours and since we were in bulkhead, we could spread him out on the floor. Ahhh.

Blythey Bell did wonderfully as well. She let me watch 2 movies and I even got a couple hours of zzz's. There was a lady next to me with one seat in between us and we got to chatting. It always seemed I was feeding B when our food came, to which she proceeded to cut up my food for me! And she brought me tea, and gave Brett a coupon for a free drink. She was truly an angel and I was so grateful for her thoughtfulness in serving me! I hope I can do that for a young mom one day. It was the easiest flight for me since we took H to China at 13 months old. In my opinion, babies are SO easy to fly with up to about age 1-ish to 2.5ish. I think Harrison turned the corner at right around 3, so this was such an easy flight (except for the length of it!)

We made it to Shanghai and that's where he had a tough time...he was tired and dragging. We met a chinese woman on the flight originally from our city that lives in Athens, GA! Go Dawgs! Her husband is a chemistry professor there! Anyhow, the local flight was easy, but we were exhausted. We made it to our apartment about 9 pm Wednesday night after about 26 hours since we left our door in Atlanta...we walked into a welcome home sign, some baked goods, a gift for Blythe, and some milk, eggs & yogurt in our fridge....SUCH a difference from last year. It was so nice to come home as opposed to having to find a home. I already notice such a difference in how we feel a part of things...it took a long time, but I really do feel at home here and I'm glad we're back. Who knows how this year will be? Maybe it will be another hard year, but I hope to be more thankful this time around.

I LOVE it here, but it is so very difficult at the same time. But, if home is where the heart is, then for now, China is my home on this Earth.

So grateful, and so jet-lagged, and so excited to have more time here.

2 months (and 2 days)

Little Blythe was 2 months old on Sunday...what a precious girl! This blog was not in existence during Harrison's month-birthdays, but I'm sure I would not have been very good at documenting at that time anyway! I am trying my darndest to remember every moment of this sweet girl. So, here are some things I can remember from Month 2...

::August 12: Took your first bottle...Mommy was super thankful that you sucked it down. Brother did not take a bottle easily, so this is quite freeing to me!

::August 12: You rolled over for the first time! WHAT? The doctor thinks it was a fluke...you rolled from tummy to back...turns out it may be a fluke because you did it about 5 times that day and the next and have not done it since.

::Took your first real bath ( I think that was on the 12th too). You shared the occasion with your big bro!

::You attended your first 2 weddings! On August 20th, you hit the road with Mom & Dad to Greenville for Mommy's cousins wedding. Ben & Courtney loved having you there! The next weekend we hit Nashville for Mommy's dear friend, Blair's wedding! You did awesome in the car both times and we felt like we were on vacation!

::You met 2 new boys...Baby James Toy, and Baby Riley Burton. I'm sure you made quite the impression!

::You got your first cold. And, you don't love the aspirator...which is a bummer, because I actually like to clean out baby noses! (I know, it's weird!)

::You are wearing 3 month clothes

::Right before you turned 8 weeks, you slept 9 HOURS! But, then....

::You flew for the first time....your first flight was from Atlanta to Shanghai the day after you turned 8 weeks...it was 16 hours, and you did awesome.

....but, so much for sleeping through the night, right?

::You have been a gem with jet lag....you are already back down to only waking up once a night, and you have stretched to 7 hours....the light is at the end of the tunnel.

::you eat well.

::you sleep well, although, you're not completely consistent yet on your naps. That's okay.

::at 6 weeks you REALLY started smiling...your eyes get all squinty when you smile and you're just adorable!

::You have gotten easier to burp and you are still a spitter, but not AS much as in month one.

::You love your brother, and he adores you.

::You have really started cooing and can focus on objects.

::You are sleeping 12-13 hours at night with one dreamfeed and one wake-up in the night.

::You have graduated from the infant carseat to no carseat. The Baby Ergo is my best friend!

::Size 1-2 diapers

::I think you are probably around 13 pounds

::You also attended your first Bridesmaid's Luncheon, Rehearsal Dinner and Lingerie Shower (oooh la la!)

::Your wake time is roughly 1 hour to 1 hour, 15 minutes before I notice a yawn....so far, you fall asleep when I put you down...Thankful for that.

::We didn't do a paci with you, and you don't seem to need one. You do like to suck on the base of your hand though!

::I am a terrible swaddler, but you kick out of it anyway. I'm thinking the swaddle won't last much longer. Your arms always get out, so I don't even try to keep them in. You sleep with your arms out like a "Y". It is so cute, and throughout the night, you eventually kick your feet out too.

And that's all I can do from memory...Overall, we just continue to be so thankful for you. I am SO tired, but I just really don't care, because I wanted you and everything that came with you...the weariness, the extra work, the less free time...Right now, I am just thankful for YOU. Sometimes I look down at you and just can't believe God gave you to us. You are perfect, and I love you with my whole heart. Happy 2 months, Baby Girl!

Harrison's 3rd Birthday

Harrison turned 3 back in May....I'm only a smidge behind! However, here are some pictures in backwards order from his day!

Harrison ended the day by playing cars on the windowsill with Daddy.

Before that, we went to celebrate his special life with ice cream sundaes at our favorite restaurant, Peters. I promise these pictures were not posed! They were total live action shots...they reminded me so much of Forrest Gump!

the day started with birthday calls and skype calls....our favorite call was from Uncle Chris and Aunt Lindsey in NC! They got all their old stuffed animals and wore hats and were having a safari party for Hare Bear!

After that, we had his party at the Sand Pit, which is just a really big playground filled with sand at a local apartment complex....it's really neat for China, but in America it would be absolutely nothing to write home about!

Below Harrison is with his older friend Canyon playing with his new cars.

And you can see the sand box in the background behind the bushes. I made some pretty pitiful cupcakes for the occasion, and our little man had a blast! We are so thankful for him and are having SO much fun with our precious boy!

Blythie's 2 month check-up

Blythe is 7.5 weeks old, but since we are heading back over the pond in just 5 short days, the pediatrician agreed to see her early to give her the rest of her shots. I feel much better getting on a triple-7 with tons of people on it and then taking her into a city with 13 million people now that she is vaccinated. Here are the stats for my memory:

Weight: 12 lbs, 8.4 oz 75%

Lenght: 23.5 inches 95%

HC: 15.5 inches

Good grief, we have a chunky monkey on our hands! I am loving the rolls that are making an appearance on her little bod! I also love that she is gaining a new chin or 2. She is so precious! I'll get some more pictures up soon!

She looks so much like Harrison did, except with a little less hair and a little more pudge. He continues to adore her and EVERY morning asks if he can hold her and smothers her with kisses and hugs. I love it.

We are leaving Tuesday morning to head back East. It is so bittersweet....we have had a blast living in Atlanta these past 3 months. We are so looking forward to going back, and this little reprieve was exactly what our tired souls needed. I will HATE saying goodbye to family and friends, but thankfully, I am so excited about the friends that we get to say hello to next week upon our return. We truly live a privileged life serving God overseas and I hope to be more thankful this next year than I was last year.

But, I will surely be a mess saying my goodbyes.