Spring Break

Well, it is Spring again or so the calendar says. I don't think anyone has mentioned it to mother nature yet. Here we are on March 28th and it is 42 degrees outside. I am sure it is worse where some of you are. Well we took a little trip to the lake this week and pretty much just hid from everyone. It was well needed to recharge the batteries after the last 9 weeks of sensory overload! The trip to China and all that entailed and then the readjustments to life and the newest member of our family have left us with a need to dump the files and reboot. So that is what we did.

We found a nice little condo next to one of the many lakes here in our fine state and then we sat back and did little. Luckily mother nature let us have a nice storm every evening and sunshine every morning. The cable was knocked out twice by the storms and the power once so watching T.V. during the storms was not always a choice. The rains left most things too muddy to go to when the sun was out so we did allot of driving around the country side looking at the mountains and the lakes and then a little bit of other things as the intermittent sunshine or overcast would allow.

I personally haven't slept as much as I did this week in years. It was very nice and well needed, I actually felt lethargic by the end of the week, which was my goal. Baelin and the girls had a blast. We let them wade around in the lake a few times after they broke us down with the constant barrage of telling us that they wanted to go to the lake. What they really wanted to do was to go swimming but the lake was still way too cold! Once we arrived at the lake and Baelin got her feet in the water it was all I could do to get her out of it again. She actually kept trying to go deeper and deeper but I would pull her back and she would get mad at me for not letting her try to swim.

One day we set off to the one and only sport I have ever been really good at....mini golf, or as the unprofessionals like to call it....Putt Putt. I love to play and my girls love the idea of playing but they never finish a game so therefore neither can I. What we do play is really comical to watch. Blaise likes to drop the ball next to the hole and bump it in while declaring real loud "I win, you loose!". Baxley actually starts where you are suppose to and gives it the great try, but she soon becomes frustrated, kicks the ball in and moves on to the next hole. I however take it a lot more seriously.

I always start by placing my ball on one of the three designated pre drilled tee holes where every great mini golfer has started from. Then I strategically line my ball up based upon the various trajectory paths the ball will take once I apply the appropriate amount of pressure and swing. A nice tap of the ball sends it on its way across the artificial turf into the rail that will change the angle of the next path as planned out prior to the initial swing in my ever calculating mind. Then over, in or under one of the many obstacles that have been placed on the set course to deter those not up to the skill level and to remind them of why their name will not be remembered in the annuls of mini golf. It is a thing of beauty to see the ball evade the dangers of the course and then roll ever so slightly toward the cup that has been placed in the ground. As it gets closer and closer you get that feeling of pride that sweeps over you because you know how totally awesome you truely are. The moment then arrives, just when all the stars have aligned and the angels are starting to sing your praises to the mini golf gods and you look onward just hoping that all the people there that day are awe struck and watching this thing of perfection....There! Right as the ball has finished it's treacherous journey, the hole in sight, you know nothing could change this destiny set before you!.....Wham!! a putter hits it the other way and a foot stomps it into oblivion, and that little familiar voice screams out once again..."I win, you loose!! Told ya!!" That is why I love the game.

We found some riding stables one day so we took the girls thinking we would all get to have some fun, but unfortunately they only had two horses left and were booked the rest of the day so I sent Mrs. Incredible and Blaise on one horse and Baxley on a horse by herself for an hour ride into the valley and back. Baelin and I went a kicked it in the car where I thought we would play and get to have some daughter and daddy bonding time. As soon as she sat down she fell asleep. So I sat quietly and waited for the girls to return , and low and behold as soon as they rode in, Baelin woke up.I think she did that on purpose, just to avoid my many lame and awkward attempts at making her laugh. She was probably sparing us both actually. We then headed back to have many more wondrous adventures and play time at the parks between storms and then headed back home.

Coming back home after a nice week of rest was actually the best part. As much as I like to travel and to see things, I like being home the best. My girls of course were not ready to be back and they talked me into taking them to see a movie that same evening. Me being the authority figure told them absolutely not! .........(Yeah, you all believed that right?).......I actually said "Which one?" and "Get in the truck." Because what I say, goes around here!

Baelin did great, she did not seem to even notice the great big screen, moving pictures, and loud noise behind her the entire time. All she cared about was the big tub of popcorn we were all holding and the large drink I had in my hand. She ended up eating her weight in popcorn and then dancing to the credits at the end, no fussing, and no running around. What more can you ask for from a 2 year old. Then off to the house (again) and to bed.

SO here I am at work (working hard by the way, can't you tell) writing to you all of the adventures in the life and times of the Incredibles. You all be safe out there! God Bless!

Baelin strikes again.....

Mrs. Incredible decided that it was time for her to go back to work for a few days this week. So Wednesday was my first day with Baelin on my own. This of course is no problem for someone of my many talents and skills. What I found out later was that I was out of practice for what all a 2 year old can throw at you.
My day began like normal. I arose from my slumber to find the two littlest ones still sleeping away in thier beds. Ahhhh...some quite time. Mom had run the oldest to school on her way to work so I had nothing to do but prepare for my day. A bit later the middle child awoke to find that she got to be home with Daddy today. She actually prefers it this way beacuse she knows I will take her to the church with me to work and she can play. Then shortly later the youngest daughter awoke. She did not seem to mind that it was just me so I was relieved. She let me hold her for just a little bit and then she was ready for some breakfast. So off the the kitchen I went to accomodate the little ladies in some fine dinning cuisine.
A glass of chocolate milk and a couple of powdered doughnuts for the middle one, and some granola and apple juice for the youngest one. Now Baelin has not been drinking as much as we think she should be at times, but she is getting better everyday. On this day however I decided to try some apple juice on herfor the first time. (I should have diluted it...I know that now.) The apple juice of course was a hit! She drank a whole glass really fast and then followed it up with another one. With breakfast being done it was off to the next item for the day.
Scurry around the house and get the gals dressed up to go get tags renewed on the vehicles, and then off to get Baelin's Social Security Card. This venture proved a bit harder than I thought it would. The people at the social security office had evidently never gave a social security card to a child adopted oversees, but was a U.S. Citizen. They were very perplexed and they really started to aggrevate me after an hour and a half. Did I cave in? No, I pushed on. I entertained both girls the entire time we were there and no one got fussy or upset. "I can handle this....it is like Bax and Blaise all over again right?" I thought.
The next venture was off to Lowe's to get a few items for the church. We have buggies in so I sat them both in there and I played with Baelin as I pushed them around. There is also many cool things to let your kids play with while you shop in Lowe's. All was good for a while and then the first real challenge of the day. Blaise had to go to the bathroom really bad. So off to the men's room in a giant hardware store. You can imagine how well the bathrooms are cleaned. It is not as bad as the squatty potties in China...but it runs a close second. I did however manage to find that it was empty and there was a handicap stall that was actually clean. So there we go. Set Baelin down and assist Blaise. I managed to keep Baelin from sticking her hands in the comode and get Blasie's buisness done without a hitch. Point for Daddy!
Then off to Wal-mart for a few items for us and a few things for the church. I forgot my wallet in the truck but remembered it before I got started good and ran back to the truck to retrieve it. Small glich, but no one was injured and we were back inside carrying on with our shopping in no time. I asked my daughter what she wanted for lunch on the way home and we agreed to some Mexican food. So off to the register with my items to check out and then to luch.
I was feeling really good about myself at this point. I had this 2 year old care down pat. I thought I had picked right up where I had left off when Blaise was still 2. Well, It was at that time the Lord thought I was getting to cocky and decided to bless me with the gift of humility.
I looked down at Blaise and her face made that half smile while her cheeks got real red. You know when they are making you a gift in thier diaper for you to tend to shortly after they are done making faces. Yeah....you all know that look.
At first I was like, "Aww..you making daddy a present aren't you?" while I was unloading the basket on to the conveyor. The cashier oblivious to the creation being performed before her kept right on ringing up my items. Then Blaise made the coment that the baby was stinky. I had not really noticed until then that the odor was quite rank and the plume of the baby aroma was increasing by the second. I looked down at Baelin and noticed her pants were a bit wet around her inner thighs. That is when it hit me! This is not going to be a pretty diaper to change!!
I picked her up a little and things went down hill fast. The aromatic liquid like substance, that had come from the inner areas of who knows where, were not content with being contained to the area of origin. They wanted out and they chose every avenue of escape at once. Up the back over the pants and dripping onto the floor! Now most people would loose it at this point, but I am a trained professional and Hero's do not loose thier cool.
I did the most rational thing I could thing of. I pulled her shirt down as far as it would go down her back and put it under her butt to contain the seepage from going anywhwer else. I reached for the diaper bag to grab some wipes, just to realize it was still in the truck. Did I panic here? No, I simply used a reciept I had in my pocket to clean the little drop of dribble off the floor and then stood up real quick, swiped my card, and grabbed my bags. I was sweating like crazy and getting flush from embarresment....but absolutely was not panicing!
Blaise is pinned to the corner of the buggy now holding her nose and making all kinds of stinky gestures with her hands and the lady behind the registered had just got a nice sense of the essence of the moment as I was walking away. I did not look back! I bolted for the door as if I had stolen something and made it to the truck.
I quickly unloaded everything but the contaminated child and then strategically opened the doors so that no one would see the operation that was about to begin. I reached into my Man Bag. (Defined as: The smaller version of a fully operational diaper bag that is less girly and I don't mind carrying.) And ripped out the wipes and layed them side by side for the operation........I only had three!!! This was a deffinate 15 sheeter but I had to make do like all good soldiers do. Then I pulled out her extra clothes....all I brought was a onesee. Not enough to wear to a mexican resturant of course, so that was for sure off. I then stood my precious child up and carefully removed the contaminated clothing without further spreading of the extremely loose items at hand, being extremly careful not to touch the diaper until I was ready to go all the way. She of course is screaming now and people are looking my way, but I am sure they would have understood if they had come near because the wind was blowing toward the front door. This is the part where I began to panic a little. Several thoughts went through my head...the main one being I am about to ruin my truck seats, and the latter one being I am going to be carrying a soiled child back in to Wal-Mart to finish the cleanup my three wipes are not going to do. Then I sucked it up, regained my compoure, and went to work.
I place her head and upper back precariously on the seat of my truck and held her by the feet dangling the rest of her body in mid air and becan removing all the "stuff" with my three wipes, making sure to get the maximum use out of the first to so that the last one would be left for the fine tunning cleaning. Eureka! I did it...dispite how uncomfortable Baelin might have been those couple of minutes.
I threw everything I stripped off of her straight down on the ground in front of me so that I did not loose my grip or let her touch my seats. Once I had her re-dressed I carried her around to her seat made her smile and buckled her in. Then it was back to my side to collect the dicarded contamination for disposal or washing. I did happen to have enough sense to bring some diaper disposal bags with me, which are sented and came in real handy on the ride home. I retrieved everything with a pencil instead of my hands and then bagged the pencil as well. In to the truck we all go and crank the air on for a second just to find out that it stirs the aroma more. Windows down, McDonalds lunch and then home as fast as I could go before she let me have the rest of the apple juice that I should have diluted that morning when all was well. The rest of the day went fine, I guess I had learned all I needed to that day. The Man Bag is now better stocked and will go with me into the store the next time.
Why do I share this with you? Because that is the kind of guy I am. It is nice to know that you are not the only ones in this crazy world who has had a day like this. You can say you never had but I know you would be lying! Till next time...be prepared.

It has been over a month already!

Well the 2nd of March was the offical one month mark of our new journey with Baelin. It has been miraculous to see her change so much right before our very eyes. Since we have been home she has seemed to take this shell of uncertainty and lay it aside for a more founded realization of family. I had my moments during the past month and a half where I wondered if we did the right thing by her. Then I would catch a smile on that beautiful face of hers and at that moment you could see it in her eyes that she knew she was in a better place.
Baelin would hardly leave mommy's side for the first few weeks and if I picked her up to hold her she would come unglued. That was hard to get use to over time. Then when I least expected it she walked across the room held her hands up and wanted me to pick her up. She layed back against me and fell asleep in my arms. That sealed the deal....... My daughter was with me. Know I can hardly remember a time without her. It is wierd and hard to explain but it feels like she has been with us her entire life. She loves to play with her sisters, and she doesn't mind me loving on her anymore. Now, looking back on the transgormation she went through I would say it happened overnight, but I know it did not. Each day brought a new milestone and then there were those days where we seemed to take a step back, but she has pushed on and made our family what we knew it would be.

Baxley and Blaise love thier new baby sister and love getting in to see her every morning. If we did not pull them back Baelin would never get any sleep. They can not stand her not being up when they are. They have been absolutely wonderful with her and are not jealous or anything. I am very proud of them. They waited as long as we did for her to get here and they have been just as nervous, excited, exhausted, and enlightened as we have.

Although we feel like we are getting a good grip on a lot of Baelin's habits and attitudes there are a few things that we still don't know about her. She makes hand jesters when she wants something or when she gets aggrevated and it could be the same hand jesters for both or different ones, she has about 3 distinct jesters in all. It is almost like she is signing but how would she know how to do that? Then there are her few word like sounds that she makes for everything that we have come to conclude is just her way of cussing us in chinese! She has started blowing kisses, playing peeka boo, saying thank you, and just recently pointing at nose when we say it. I did get her to say Dadda the other day several times but she has not put the connection on me yet. Hearing her say Dadda though was enough, I promise you. Oh, the other strange thing is she only poops at night. Sometime during the night she will fill that diaper to the breaking point! You don't need the morning coffee any longer I assure you. This wakes you up just fine! I am talking break out the fire hose and get to cleaning. LOL

I will have to tell on myself though. Tonight I was getting her ready for bed and had went to change her into her jammies. She had so much fun getting her clothes off and playing I decieded to let her run around for a little bit in her Hiney Suit. She took off across the house just babbling and laughing and it was amusing for a while, that is until she got tired, looked up at mommy while rubbing her eyes and the poop hit the tile floor. Yep, I was in trouble....my idea....my mess to clean. ......Yeah! So I did what any loving parent would do....I rubbed her nose in it and then told her bad girl and put her outside. Just kidding...I ran her to the bathroom for a little bit earlier than planned on bath. Then back to the clean up on isle 5. So needless to say that eveyday is an adventure, and I look forward to the next one.

On another thought while I am babbling. I have already been asked if we regret taking her from her home and making her adjust to our lives. As if? I told them that she was being forced to live a life that wasn't hers before we got to her. We went and brought her back to the home God intended for her to be in. People who don't understand the reasons behind adoption, or international adoption are missing out on the bigger picture of what giving a life to a child is. The absolute difference you can make in the life of a child and consequently the life of you and your family is far worth the small sacrifices you may face in the process. If you are conseidering adoption in the future my advice is to jump in head first and offer your family to a child who does not have one.

Incredibles

Welcome to the first blog.

Hello to all friends and family who have begged us to create a blog so that they could keep up with the many adventures of the "Incredibles". Now do not mistake the title of our blog as if we are saying we are better than everyone else, it is actually just the opposite. If you have seen the movie the Incredibles then you would know that it is an average family with everyday problems trying to blend into the norm. The only problem is that you have a man who knows he could be more and his loving wife who tries her best to keep his head level and grounded. A daunting task it can be at times. When the movie came out we identified with many of the inuendos of the film and I just kinda attached myself to the title. It may be because I am big and fat and still serve people like crazy, or that my wife is a red head, or even because we have three children? It surely isn't because I have any kind of super powers.....at least any that I can reveal anyway.
Just a quick intro of the family. There is me of course, refered to here only as Mr. Incredible and then there is Mrs. Incredible and our three wonderful daughters. The youngest one we just adopted from China about a month ago and that was a challenge and adventure in its self. We really have a wonderful family full of daily challenges and whatever life can throw at us. In the forefront of us all is our God and Savior, without who none of the above would have been possible. We are servants of the Lord and go through daunting task to help all who need us. We are the Incredibles.
I hope you enjoy checking up on us from time to time and as always we would love to hear from you whenever you get a chance to drop in.