A Blessed Thanksgiving

We have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving & have truly been blessed this year. We got to attend the "feast" for the K-1 classes. This was Anna's first Thanksgiving meal, and what a great meal it was. The classes sang songs for us as they were dressed like little Indians. Anna's Indian name was, "Little Star", and OH! how fitting that name is. (Since the whole school practically knows her)

We hosted the Rector family for Thanksgiving and had a great time as usual!!!  The girls were a big help in trying to get the table ready for everyone.

Tyler REALLY enjoyed his Thanksgiving meal.

Jared & Anna at Thanksgiving lunch!

Korey, Mary, Ruby and Kristin Mobbs.

Halloween & Hoops

Anna's FIRST Halloween!! We went costume shopping on several different occasions, and Anna would always pick out the princess or fairie costumes. So she picked this dress and it even lit up. She enjoyed dressing up, but most of all going up and getting candy from the houses.
Here was her first stop~

And so PROUD of her treats she got.

Here was the Stonewall crew all dressed up and ready to go. (Jared, Anna, Savannah, and Olivia)

And we got to dress up again for Trunk or Treat at our church. Anna was amazed at this blow-up witch that moved up and down, she kept hugging it. Here she is with Kayleigh holding hands with the witch.

Most of our October and November has been tied up with Middle School Basketball. One more game to go, and then a break. Zachary's JV team will finish with a winning record- HOORAY!!!

First game starting at Hixson with the 7th graders, he was excited.

A much needed Fall Break

Since Zachary started Kindergarten, we have made fall break our "family vacation time". Rates are cheaper, better weather and less crowds. We headed out for Gulf Shores for a fun filled week with family and friends (5 other families). This would be Anna's first glimpse of the beach. We videoed her first reactions looking over the balcony of our 9th floor condo, and all she could keep saying is "wow, beautiful!" It was priceless. We then headed out to get our toes in the sand. And this is Anna's first steps in the sand.

On Friday night, we attended the free Concerts for the Coast concerts for Bon Jovi and then on Sunday night saw Little Big Town and Brad Paisley. There is nothing like watching a free concert, on the beach, in beautiful fall weather!!!

Anna truly loved the sand and beach. She NEVER once complained or wanted to go in. She could sit and scoop sand up and put in a bucket for hours. She loved getting in the hot tub at the pool. She also loved hunting for shells in the sand.

Anna also got to ride on her first ferris wheel ride at the Wharf. She was all smiles! No fear.

The boys enjoyed playing anything that involved a ball-

For months now, Anna has seen several of our beach pictures throughout the house and would ask, " Where is Anna?" We would tell her she would be in this years picture and she would always say she wanted to be by Daddy. So we made it a priority (as dreaded as the kids & Mickey hate this) to do family beach pics.

Our Family

School Days & More

It's so hard being a kindergartner.....can't you tell?

And yes, this is at school during reading time. Anna has fallen asleep several times during the reading time in the afternoon. Her teacher captured this photo one afternoon, as she took her a little 45 minute nap. I guess she must have been really tired!!  There is no NAPTIME in kindergarten, but just to let you know, the naps have become fewer as the year goes on.

And, Anna got to ride the school bus home for the first time this week!!! Mickey has been going to pick her up due to her hip, so she hasn't gotten to ride the bus yet. So Friday she got to ride home and as soon as she turned the corner to our house, she was all grins and waving. We heard about the bus the whole weekend and she kept asking to ride it again, so she is an afternoon bus rider nowadays and loves every minute of it.

We were so excited to also have the privilege to volunteer for the Stephen Curtis Chapman concert. He was in town and we got to help pass out packets and assist at the table for "Show Hope". Anna is a "Shop Hope" kid. If you want to learn more about Show Hope or becoming a sponsor, please visit http://showhope.org/.
It is an amazing adoption aid organization that helps give waiting children from around the world loving families by sponsoring adoption and orphan care! And while you are there, check out Marias Big House!

Afternoon Naps & Pierced

We have gotten into our school routine, and I must say- it is nice! Everyone is adjusting to their classes well and it has been smooth so far. A week into school, I told the girls to go out on the porch and swing while I finished cooking supper. When I went out to get them, here they were- passed out, asleep in the swing. They were exhausted.

Anna thinks she is in preschool still I guess, because occasionally during the afternoon reading time in Kindergarten, she falls asleep on the reading rug. No matter what time she goes to bed, which is normally before 9, she is one of the first ones up! Hopefully her little body will adjust to going to school all day- without a nap.
We have also been talking about getting ears pierced for the girls, so this past Saturday- WE DID IT.We selected birthstone earrings for their first pair. Olivia wanted to go first and did great- no tears and smiles all the way through! Then it was Anna's turn and I am thinking, as much as she has been through, this will be a breeze. She sits up in the big chair and the tears begin to well up and stream down her face in silence- even before the lady started doing anything with her ears!! She didn't say anything, just tears. But, after some convincing how quick it is over, she nodded her head to go ahead. After it was over, she just wanted a sucker. She is so proud of her ears now, and of course shows them off to everyone!

Summer fun is over, it's time for Kindergarten!!!

The summer has passed by so fast!! Anna has enjoyed our new swing on the porch and the lazy days of summer. (especially since she has been side lined from her hip fracture)

But, it's time to embark on a new journey- Kindergarten. While Anna has been missing her preschool, (especially her teachers there) we have been talking up starting school and getting to go to school with her brother and sister. She is so blessed to be going to an amazing school, and will have one of the MOST amazing teachers, and we couldn't be any happier. Looking forward to this new school year and what it beholds.

Zachary- the new Middle Schooler

Jared (4th), Olivia (2nd) & Anna (Kindergarten)

So proud of her new backpack and matching lunchbox. Even thought it's almost as big as she is.

4 More Weeks?

Dr Bruce said today, " Four more weeks not bearing any weight on the right leg". WHATTT? Oh my goodness!! I was shocked, but he said the break is still very visible and is just going to take some time to heal. We FINALLY got her wheelchair yesterday, which has helped. And I think she might have been in one before, because it's like the Daytona 500 in our living room. She has been doing laps around the furniture, turning 360's and racing. Here is a picture of her new wheels. We covet prayers for continued bone healing and growth, and hoping the blood supply was not interrupted when the break occured. If so, that could mean further surgeries.

And yes, that is Justin Bieber playing on the ipod touch! She loves the song "baby" and was the first pop song she learned.

"Anna broken"

Last Saturday night, after a long day which included a swim meet and Zachary's baseball game in the World Series, Anna fell in her room. She said she hit the door and was complaining about her knee hurting. We didn't notice any deformity or anything abnormal, so we put her back to bed and the next morning, she was still complaining. I took her to the ER on Sunday morning (while Mickey had to preach) and she was diagnosed with a right hip fracture (the OTHER hip). She went to surgery within 3 hours to repair and now has another plate and 4 screws. She has done really well, but will not be able to put ANY weight on for a couple of weeks. So we are waiting on our wheelchair to get here so she can get around. The doctor estimates a recovery period of 4-6 weeks. Hopefully she will be well enough to go to school sometime in August.
When anyone asks Anna, what happened? She says, " Anna broken" and she puts her 2 hands together and acts like she is breaking something. And she says, "Anna can't walk"..... Thanks for your continued prayers, she actually had been showing some improvement in the strength of this leg, and now this....

Summer fun!!

Anna is loving the swimming this summer. Between her grandparents pool and swim practice, she goes very often. She was a little skiddish at first, but after about a week, she asks everyday to go swimming.  The swimming is also good therapy for her legs.

Which last Friday she went back for another procedure- an MRI of her full spine, under anesthesia AGAIN! So tired of that, cause she gets so sick and then runs a fever. Good news is- NO spinal abnormality. They were ruling out spina bifida or tethered cord. But, they did find a small anomaly with the lower part of her brain, that normally goes undetected in most people, but since they did the MRI, they saw hers. It is called a Chiari Malformation I. It is considered the least severe of the 4 kinds, and normally does not require any surgery or anything, just monitoring. So we will continue to do physical therapy and try building up those toothpicks for legs she has.

We have spent the past couple of months at the ballfield, several nights a week and also on the weekends for Zachary's baseball. Anna has learned what the concession stand is and wants to go often, and here is Papaw taking her. She says, "Give me money".

Anna and her pal Adam sharing Skittles and Popcorn together.

Chillin!

Anna and Dad fixing to get ready for July 4th fireworks.

Anna had a great time with the sparklers and loved waving them around. After all, pretty much all the fireworks are made in China. :)

Preschool Graduation

Anna has been attending Abba's Academy since the first of March. She has made great strides in her language development, with alot of thanks to Mrs. Samantha and Miss Alyssa. They have taken her under their wings and have worked with her one on one when needed and we SO appreciate them. Anna loves school, her classmates and mostly of all~ her teachers. They have been so amazing to her. On May 17th, she "graduated" from preschool, even though she will be attending all summer, until she starts Kindergarten. They did a phenomenal job with the songs and program. Anna was hesitant at first to do anything, but once she found us in the audience, she participated very well.

Anna with Mrs Samantha

Anna with Miss Alyssa

Daddy with Anna & her cool shades and diploma.

Very Special Mothers Day

On Mothers Day at our church, we had Anna's dedication. Since it was Mothers Day, I wanted to bring special attention to those mothers who have chosen to give their children up for adoption. As we have seen through Anna's birthmother's abandonment letter, I cannot imagine the pain she felt. We had Pastor Greg read part of the 3 page letter that her birthmother left with her at the police station when she was abandoned. As a mother of 3 biological children, I cannot imagine how hard it must have been for her to leave Anna. My hope and prayer for Anna's biological mother, is that she will have a peace in her that only God can give, knowing that Anna is safe, well cared for, and loved very much. Again, we are so honored that God chose us to raise her and care of her.

School pics & pottery

Anna has been going to preschool 2 1/2 months and loves it. Most days she wakes up and says, "Anna go to school?". She has 2 fabulous teachers (Ms Alyssa and Ms Samantha) who she dearly loves, and they love her. They take very special care of Anna. We appreciate all they do and for working with Anna one on one!!These were 2 of the school pics she had made.

Also, when I was off with Anna, we took a field trip to my Medical Directors home that I work with at my job. He is a fabulous potter and I look forward to every Christmas, as he sends all of his nurses a special hand made piece of pottery. This is what he designed and made for Anna, to signify her adoption day with us. Also, there is a Chinese characture for LOVE he placed inside the footprint. Thank you Dr Vetne, we love ya and love this! It is magnificent!!!

AnnaMei Grace Rector, Adoption Day January 18,2010

Hip surgery done, doing well

Tuesday 04/27, Anna had the plate and 4 screws removed from her left hip. Her recovery time is expected to be about a week, and 2 days post op we are still with fevers and not able to walk a whole lot.
This hardware has stunted the growth of her left leg and has caused the limp and some of the instability she has. Although it was necessary to be in place due to her congenital hip dislocation/dysplasia. We are hoping in the next couple of years the left leg catches up with the right one. If not, when she is 9 or 10 years old or if not before, she will have to have another surgery. We are hoping also we can start learning to jump and run once everything is healed. And YES, she got the hardware as a souvenir.

Sunshine always helps a speedy recovery!!