Almost Heaven

One of the Christmas presents I got for Lindy was the book Take Me Home, Country Roads. Don doesn't know this, but it really was more for him than Lindy. Don is a BIG John Denver fan and I thought he'd enjoy reading and singing this with his sweet little girl.

It definitely has been a hit for both of them and I reap the wonderful benefits, too. Because I am technically challenged, I cannot share a video clip of these special father/daughter moments; however, trust me when I say it is, as the song says, "almost Heaven."

What music to my ears to hear the two of them singing this fun song and then hearing Lindy through the baby monitor singing it (FULL VOICE) from her crib.

Couldn't resist posting these pictures, even though you really have to hear her to get the full sweetness of it.

An award for me???

To my surprise, this morning I discovered Linette had bestowed a blog award to me. If you're not a blogger, you might not know from time to time "awards" are created and given to other bloggers. There isn't cash or any fabulous gifts involved; instead, it is just an affirmation that someone out there appreciates the time and energy you spend on your blog. Thank you, Linette, for recognizing mine. I am so glad we've become friends and I look forward to watching our friendship grow.

Xandra from Heart of Service created this award to honor those blogs that are "must reads." In her own words: "So here's to all the blogs that you've discovered that you can't possibly live without. They make you laugh, cry, think and feel connected every time you read a post. They give you a thrill as you see them loading into your browser and you get an equally satisfying thrill when you see that they have commented on your blog."

About two years Don created this blog for us to journal our trip to China to bring home Lindy. It was also for friends and family to follow our journey. I barely knew what a blog was and there weren't too many of them around at the time. Since then, the blog world has exploded and I admit it has become a regular part of my life. Not all the blogs I read have to do with adoption but most of them do. I realize looking in on the lives of "strangers" and having them look in on mine is kind of weird to some people. However, I can honestly say I've "met" some of the kindest, sweetest, most encouraging women through the blogging world and our common thread of adoption.

I want to pass this along to three women whom I admire and am blessed to call friend:

Heather at Our Little Ladybugs. Heather has such an amazing heart. She is passionate about being a mom and gives so much of herself to serving others. She and I became fast friends in the fall of 2007. It feels like we've always known each other and we frequently joke about how we "miss" one another, although we've never met. I can't say enough great things about Heather and she wouldn't want me to brag on her too much, either. I just know I am glad God has brought this incredible friend into my life.

Diana at First a Pearl...Then a Ruby. I first got to know Di in late 2005 when she joined a prayer group I was part of. We've prayed together, laughed, cried, and cheered one another on. One of the best things for me in 2007 was meeting her and her hubby, getting the call from her about their referral of Ruby Mei, and then watching them bring home their sweet girl. Diana is a loving friend, encourager, and sweet big sister. I am so grateful knowing Diana is faithfully praying for us as we wait to bring home our next daughter. She is my cheerleader!

Jennifer at Our Karleigh Mei. I recently stumbled across Jenn's blog and through a little detective work figured out we live close by. We've met one time and I can't wait for us to get together again so we can get to know each other better. (Lindy was a bit of a stinker during our first meeting.) It didn't take me long to figure out I was going to like Jenn! She is so kind, patient, and has such a sweet spirit. Jennifer has four biological children and they are waiting to bring home Karleigh Mei. I look forward to sharing the journey to our daughters together.

There are many other blogs I read and love but for obvious reasons I can't cite them all here. I want you to know, though, I am grateful for the encouragement and support I receive from all my special blog buddies.

Many blessings!!!
Lisa

Goodbye 2007

It is hard to believe today is the last day of 2007. We have had a very good year and so much of that goodness is because of our sweet girl--Lindy. Lindy continues to teach us, stretch us, and make us better people. She is such an amazing gift from God and we can't thank Him enough for choosing us to be her parents. I hate that I am already forgetting things about her or that I was negligent in capturing various milestones on paper. While I want to freeze time and hold these moments just a bit longer, I know we must turn the calendar to a new year. Before that happens, I wanted to take a final look at 2007 and share some of those moments with you...

Happy New Year with love,
The Osborns

A special first

I am trying to catch up on so many things I haven't had a chance to blog about our trip. However, one of the exciting things about our trip to California was that Lindy got to see, touch, experience, and eat snow for the first time. I remember Lindy seemed interested in snow last "winter" (I use quotes because it really doesn't seem like winter often here south Texas). Several times during the Christmas season she started talking a lot about snow. She had pretty much decided she'd like it, even though she didn't know a thing about it.

My brother and sister-in-law live about 90 minutes from Lake Tahoe. So on Christmas Eve day we all took a quick (BEAUTIFUL) drive up to the mountains to a fun little snow park with a big hill for sledding. The day couldn't have been more perfect. There wasn't any wind, it was sunny, the cloudless sky was a beautiful sparkling blue, it was about 32 or 33 degrees, and the snow was pristine. Thankfully, Danielle hooked all of us up with snow gear, so we were good to go. I did insist Lindy wear her pink mittens, though, since she was in blue from head to toe.

Normally exuberant Lindy seemed somewhat reserved in the snow. She liked it and didn't whine one bit. She went sledding once and was fine with that but mainly she just wanted to eat the snow. She wouldn't stop. It was kind of comical. (Probably more to us because we were watching her experience it for the first time.) Don was worried she'd get hypothermia that way and I kept worrying about whether the snow she was picking up was clean. As you'll see in the pictures, we had to "let it go" and just let her enjoy herself.

Here are some pictures from our snow day. Enjoy!

Let the sugar rush continue...

Today I got to go to Sydnie's house for a Christmas party.I got there just as my friends were putting on the finishing touches to some gingerbread houses. I tried to help but succumbed to eating the beautiful marshmallow trees. After the party, Sydnie's mommy was going to take the houses to a local nursing home to spread some Christmas cheer. Syd's mom is always helping people.

We also got to decorate cookies and make Christmas cards with stamps and ink.I had lots of fun trying my hand at that (literally). I made a Christmas card for Great Grandma & Great Grandpa. I hope they'll like it!!! I get to deliver it to them in person--TOMORROW--in California. I can't wait.

This was a fun week of Christmas festivities for me. I am thankful for all my special friends.

Wishing you a merry Christmas.

Love,

Lindy Li

Decorating cookies

Today Mommy took me to my friend Karleigh's house to decorate cookies. I had really been looking forward to it because I love cookies, so I figured decorating them would be lots of fun.

Mommy gave me a cute gingerbread man to start with. When it came time to decorate it, I pretty much just wanted to eat it. Mommy tried to "help" me but I kept grabbing it away from her. I didn't need my gingerbread man to have buttons, or eyes, or a mouth. I just wanted it in my mouth. Then I tasted the frosting. That was some good stuff. I decided Mommy and I could be a team. She could "dress" my gingerbread man and I would "undress" him.

After we decorated cookies, I played with Karleigh, Beck, & baby Briggs. Then we had some yummy mac and cheese, apples, and carrots for lunch. Even though I got into trouble a few times, I had a very fun time playing with my friends.

I am thankful Karleigh's mommy was so sweet to have us over to play and celebrate Christmas together. Do me a favor...As you read this post, please keep Karleigh and her family in your prayers. Karleigh's daddy is in Afghanistan and won't be home for Christmas. I know they miss him a lot. We want him home safe and sound soon!

Enjoy the pictures!

Love,

Lindy Li

The Book Fairy

Once a month Lindy and I try to make it to the Mommy & Me playgroup at church. Miss Tamra always has something fun planned for the kids--including arts and crafts. Yesterday I was at the dentist, so my friend, Denisa, took her in my place. The special guest, the Book Fairy, came to read to the kids. Lindy had lots of fun and was quite interested in her pink and purple fairy costume. Here are some pictures...

Elf Lindy Li

I found this on my cousin's blog and a couple others and also got one from my sister-in-law. I thought I'd try it with Lindy...

Enjoy our little elf.

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1119533162

Thanksgiving photos

We were blessed to spend Thanksgiving with our dear friends, the Babcocks, and their family. It has been our privilege to spend many holidays with them throughout the years. The food is always fantastic and the fellowship is fun. Here are some pictures from this year's gathering:



Lindy and Mrs. Babcock

Lovin' on Daddy

Fabulous dinner!

Lindy and Jaxon enjoying cranberry torte

Who does Lindy look like?

On more than one occasion people have told us Lindy looks like us--more often me. I found this on my cousin's blog and decided to try it for kicks. Well the verdict is in...

What we did this weekend...

It was a busy weekend around here. On Friday night we took Lindy to her first high school football game. Silly me...I let Don talk me into NOT bringing the camera. Lindy had fun cheering, listening to the band, sitting with her "Aunties" Carolyn, Trina, and Randa (and "Uncles" John & Kevin, too), and eating popcorn, nachos, and other junk food. Yikes!

On Saturday night we went to another sporting event. One might think that is all we do. I'm beginning to think that's all we do. This time we were watching college basketball--Navy vs. UTSA. Daddy lured me into going by telling me my favorite celeb and second favorite Naval Academy alum, David Robinson, would be there and that I'd meet him for sure. Navy lost and we didn't even get to meet David Robinson. I was pretty disappointed about that. :o(

We also celebrated Don's 40th VERY quietly and simply. Lindy enjoyed singing to him, helping him with his gifts, and eating his cakes!

Hope you all had a great weekend.

Hey did you hear...

...Navy beat Notre Dame 46-44 on November 3rd to break a 43 year losing streak???

Yep, it's true!!! When the game was over, this little Navy fan declared (unprompted), "Yea!!! We did it!!!"

P.S. Dear Paula, John, cousin Paul, and other Notre Dame fans/alum, I know you can't be mad at me for talking a little smack.

Halloween 2007

We left our neighborhood on Halloween to go visit friends. Our first stop was to visit Cliff and Denisa. While there, Lindy got to play with Hershey, the bunny, and Star, the dog. She had lots of fun sneaking extra treats and love from her pals.

Our second stop was to visit Kim, Phil, & Emily. Lindy made herself right at home and mysteriously walked out with a lot of loot including a new flashlight, candy, Cheerios, and a cool Halloween pen. For just going to two stops her pumpkin was quite heavy. While we were there we all enjoyed coffee (well not Lindy) and chocolate pie. Yummy!

It was a fun evening! Here are some pictures to prove it...

Hershey the Halloween Bunny

Last Wednesday our special friend Denisa came over to play with us for the day. She surprised Lindy by bringing along her bunny, Hershey. I don't know much about rabbits but this little bunny is sooo calm and sweet. Lindy had a ball playing with her, feeding her carrots, and taking her for walks around the yard. Here are some pictures of them...

Thanks for bringing Hershey over, Denisa!!!

Fifi the French Poodle goes to the Fall Festival

A couple weekends ago we took Lindy to the Fall Festival at our church. It was an insane 90 degrees outside, so it was torture dressing her in such a heavy costume.

Last year she was completely overwhelmed. This year she was mildly overwhelmed. She may have been dressed up as a prissy French Poodle but a monster emerged when she realized she was receiving CANDY for playing the games. Since then, "I want a lollipop" has been a common phrase around the house...

Here are some pictures of the evening.

Enjoy!

Make your own slide shows and scrapbooks

Happy Fall

Hope you're having a happy weekend.

Last October the three of us went to Market Days in Wimberley and while we were there we bought Lindy this little dress. I was happy to see it fit her "just right" this year.

Here she is posing with the little scarecrows in our yard. She had more fun pulling them out of the ground than posing. She's ornery, that one.

Enjoy!

Gig 'em Ashley

or

If you live in Texas, you know the BIGGEST state college rivalry is between the University of Texas Longhorns & the Aggies of Texas A&M. Even if you didn't attend either school, somehow you gravitate to cheering for one of the teams (unless you went to Texas Tech who reportedly hates them both equally). Both schools are steeped in tradition, have super sports teams, and superior academic programs.

Well, truth be told, we are UT people. Lindy proudly displays her Hook 'em Horns sign and loves pointing out all the Longhorns she sees. However, she is getting some coaching from the outside to become an Aggie fan because look what she received in the mail last week from her favorite Aggie, Ashley--a senior at A&M...

Oh no, what will all my Longhorn friends think??? Please don't tell them...

Well, this pink shirt really is so much prettier than burnt orange...

This gig 'em is for you Ashley. I love you, love the shirt, and can't wait for the next time you come home because I miss you.

Thank you for sending the shirt, Ashley. We will think of you, your entire family, and all our other Aggie friends when she wears it.

A first and hopefully a last

Last night we were in the emergency room from 7:00-12:15 with Lindy. We finally got her tucked in at about 12:30.


In my previous post, I mentioned that it seemed as if Lindy had an allergic reaction to the hay or something at the pumpkin patch. Well, yesterday morning when I woke her at 8:00 to get ready for church she was burning up and her eyes and face were swollen. She was blotchy and itchy elsewhere but with a dose of Tylenol and Benadryl, things seemed to get better. I felt certain that I'd be paying a visit to her pediatrician on Monday.

When she got up at 4:30 from her nap she was on fire and she looked like Will Smith in the scene from Hitch when he has an allergic reaction to shellfish. Her temp was 104.8 and she was COVERED with welts/hives. Her eyes were nearly swollen shut and her hands and fingers nearly doubled in size. I was scared because her temp was so high and she was so itchy and miserable. If you've had hives or an allergic reaction of some sort you know how it can make you a stark raving lunatic. It is terribly uncomfortable. I gave her Motrin, Benadryl, and called the Ask-a-Nurse. It took quite a while to get a return call but after her questions she recommended we "not delay until tomorrow" and head to the ER.

Blotchy but a bit better...

It was really amazing how quickly the Benadryl worked to clear things up. (None of these pictures were taken at her worst.) When the doctor finally saw Lindy she thought it was most likely a virus or an allergic reaction to something. However, to be on the safe side she wanted to check to ensure she didn't have an infection. That meant testing her urine. That meant inserting a catheter. My heart sunk...

Waiting to see the doctor...

Lindy was such a trooper. She HATES going to the doctor and has total white coat syndrome. However, in the scheme of things she did so well and was quite brave. She doesn't have an infection and will be on steroids for a few days as well as Benadryl and Motrin as needed.

Waiting for test results...

Our prayer is that this will pass quickly and that whatever it is will go away and never come back. At this time I am so thankful for the little bit of "momtuition" and "dadtuition" that kicked in. I will admit I have fear I'll be too easy going and that I won't know what to do if something is wrong or when to escalate the issue. That's a total pride issue. As I think about it, I guess it is never wrong to call for help, even if it means sometimes I may look like a nervous, over-cautious first-time mom. Please pray for Lindy's healing. Thank you.

Trip to the pumpkin patch

It would be really easy to fill each weekend with chores and errands and not make the time to do fun family things and create special memories. Recently it dawned on me that we have to make a conscious decision and effort to plan special outings or we'll easily get into the trap of just trying to conquer our never ending to-do list.

Today we went to a local pumpkin patch to try to get into the fall spirit. I'll admit that's a challenge when it is 90 degrees outside and extremely humid. Lindy enjoyed looking at the pumpkins, riding on a little "train," and being outside. I think we discovered she may be allergic to hay. Later in the day her eyes were completely red and swollen, her mouth was swollen, and she was quite itchy. A little dose of Benadryl seemed to cure her, though.

Here are some pictures of our morning at the pumpkin patch.

Enjoy!

Click to play Make your own Smilebox

Crazy girl

First of all, does this look like this matches? Daddy dressed Lindy in this combo after bath a couple of weeks ago. It was the one night I didn't lay out Lindy's pajamas for him...Maybe she clashed so much she couldn't sleep and that's why she looked angry the next morning.

Today I am convinced Lindy's mind is ALL over the place like mine based on the following dialogue in Bed, Bath & Beyond:

"Dear God, Thank you for foooood, family, A, B, C, D, E, F, G (singing), Cheerios, please mommy..."

Wow, and I thought my mine wandered when I pray. I definitely have never busted out into singing my ABCs.