You've learned a lot about a lot of things since you've been home. It's been amazing to watch you take in your surroundings and process things - it's like we can SEE your brain making sense of what's going on. You're SO SMART and it's a thrill to see you figure things out. We continued on with Powell traditions and a full calendar as we stepped into 2019, and you continued to learn what it meant to have a Mama and a Daddy, a family, and a home. WHAT MARVELOUS THINGS TO LEARN.
JANUARY:
The new year started quietly right up until Mom had to get her GALLBLADDER taken out. You did NOT understand why I couldn't pick you up and carry you on my hip, so those days were not a favorite for any of us around here. Dad and the boys were there for you every minute - even when a FEVER virus hit YOU just as they rolled ME out of surgery. Dad scooped you up from school while poor ole Mudger and NightNight got to deal with a groggy Mama. Good times.
While the two of us recovered, the boys had a fun weekend in Boston watching some NBA basketball. Santa had brought the tickets on Christmas morning, so no fever or gallbladder was going to stand in the way.
Fever virus - but still CUTE.
At one point, we just HAD to get out of the house.
Who doesn't love a little ride around town?
Aunt Paige came for a visit during the recovery.
She brought crafts and jewelry.
You are still trying to figure her out.
FEBRUARY:
Early in February, we celebrated Chinese New Year with our traditional dinner at home (homemade by Mr. Chen's authentic Chinese cooking) and then got together with other adoptive families here in Tuscaloosa for our annual CNY feast! We dressed you in your silks from China (your belly in these silks is my FAVORITE), read the books about Chinese New Year traditions, and ate lots of good food. SOME DAY, we will make our own dumplings, but Mama wasn't quite up for that this year. SO MUCH to look forward to! SO MANY PLANS!
Long noodles = Long life!
Just like your sister, you are an EXPERT noodle eater!
This is truly one of my favorite nights of the whole year.
Because the DATE of Chinese New Year changes every year (based on LUNAR calendar), I always make sure that everyone knows when it is and that we are ALL home.
This is a reservation on our calendars FOR SURE!
Cause for now, celebrating the Chinese culture is important to us.
As you and Mary get older, we'll let you decide how much we celebrate the traditions of your home country, but for now, you LOVE it, so we celebrate on as a family!
We even put together special Chinese New Year treat bags and sent them to your schools along with a cute little picture book about CNY. I want you to be SO VERY PROUD of who you are and where you come from..... so I'll always help you celebrate and learn!
Every year, we get together with other families in the area who have adopted from China. It's so neat to be surrounded by others who have stories like yours!
Being in that room full of miracles takes my breath away.
Have I told you lately what a MIRACLE you are?
Do you understand that your life, your story, is a MIRACLE?
OH.MY.
I pray that you and Mary will allow the Lord to use your stories as testimonies of His love!
LOOK AT YOU HOLDING MARY'S HAND!
It was a bit loud and crazy as we tried to get a picture of all the kids at once. You were a bit overwhelmed, so you reached up and grabbed hold of Mary's finger. Then, you were fine.
I mean..... GRACIOUS, how I adore you.
Your hands are PRECIOUS to me.
Because of ichthyosis, they are different, but they are OH SO PRECIOUS.
Use those hands, sweet girl, to make a difference..... to someone, somewhere.....
Cause I have NO DOUBT that the Lord has incredible plans for you!
Sweet Jacker had a concert at the University at some point in the middle of this month, and Mama was excited to go! I love you dearly, but sitting in that concert by myself listening to that music was like a VACATION. You'll understand someday.
And, of course, there was VALENTINE'S DAY.
Lots of LOVE here!
Random cute February pictures......
You helped Mom pack up her classroom while the building was being renovated. This was move #1. You LOVED helping. Mostly, you would crawl inside the empty boxes and LAUGH until I stopped what I was doing and came to "FIND" you.
Mom didn't get much done with your help.
But thanks.
Poor Max looked like THIS at one point. Foot infected, fever.... just a MESS.
But you just kept on smiling!
Cute pictures make February more fun, don't you think?
I'm saving this one below for your wedding video someday.
You're welcome.
MARCH:
Hello, March! Hello, Spring! Hello, Spring Break! Hello DISNEY! HELLO SICKNESS AND MISERY AND NOTGOODTHINGS.
Oh, sweet Lottie - your first trip to Disney was a mess. But, as per usual, you rose above the swirl of crazy and chaos and smiled and laughed. You truly BROUGHT THE MAGIC on this trip and allowed those of us who were DEATHLY ILL a glimpse of happiness and fun. Just a glimpse, but a glimpse nonetheless.
We are already planning a redo where I will take ALL the pictures and ride ALL the rides and do ALL the things...... cause this was NOT a typical Disney week. Except for Jack. Jack didn't get sick at all and had a GREAT time with Mudger and NightNight while the rest of us suffered. Whatever, Jack.
Just prior to leaving for Disney we were busy, busy, busy! Mary was the mouse from If You Give a Mouse a Cookie in the book character parade at school . Don't worry, I totally saved the costume for you some day!
Then, Mom had to move classrooms AGAIN.
Mom did NOT invite you to help this time.
And then it was time for some FUN AT DISNEY WORLD!
Only there was mostly sickness.
Mom, Dad, and Mary had a wicked stomach virus followed by fevers and total horribleness. Max also ran fever throughout the week and didn't feel well. In ALL of these pictures, if you see any of the above-mentioned people smiling, WE ARE FAKING IT. You know, trying to DISNEY-ON.
Sweet Lottie, Lesson #1 about going to Disney - PUSH THROUGH IT. Whatever is happening, FACE FORWARD and PUSH THROUGH IT.
Whatever. It was awful.
But there are pictures, cause OF COURSE THERE ARE PICTURES.
This is Disney Lesson #2: TAKE THE PICTURES. Teach your family that no matter what else happens, THERE WILL BE PICTURES.
Luckily, you felt really good all week and since this was your first trip to Disney, you had nothing to compare it to, so you thought it was all just fine and dandy.
You have SUCH wonderful things ahead, dear one.
These are in no particular order because I have worked hard to block all memory of this trip.
This next picture is when we realized that you did NOT like the characters.
This was about the time Mary started feeling sick.
See? Mary is PUSHING THROUGH.
Lesson #1.
Next picture is AFTER the stomach virus but BEFORE the horrible fevers and such.
Good grief.
After she recovered from the stomach virus, Mary had herself a FINE TIME.
She rode ALL THE THINGS. Said as long as she had Jack, she was fine.
I told her Max would also protect her and help her be brave, but she said that he MESSES WITH HER, so NO, she'd take Jack.
She also rode a whole bunch of stuff at Hollywood Studios, but you and Dad had to take Mom to the doctor that day, so there are no pictures of that.
They did not follow Rule #2 in my absence.
Precious girl. This was you while Mom was at the doctor for an ETERNITY.
Look at your little hand in that chip bag.
I love you.
Your first time to "eat eggs" after Soarin.
It's a Powell thing.
Oh, Disney.
We'll see you again real soon.
Sigh.....
APRIL:
So, April came and brought more fun and traditions! We taught you about Jesus and how he died for our sins, but then ROSE FROM THE GRAVE! There were Easter egg hunts and pretty dresses. Once again, in all the activity, you just did whatever Mary did. She's always your helper and guide when you don't know quite what to do. We've told Mary what a HUGE responsibility that is, and so far, she's doing GREAT being a good example for you! The brothers are sure to make over both of you and tell you how pretty and sweet you are...... GOSH, I love my kids!
Easter Sunday morning preciousness.....
Later that month, the Maxer went to the PROM. Someday, you'll get all dressed up for prom! We will have SO MUCH FUN shopping for your dress!
And you are NOT going to believe this, but after that, DAD had to get HIS GALLBLADDER out. This was the ONLY time I've spent the night away from you since they put you in my arms on September 10, 2018. Thankfully, Nana swooped in and put you to bed that night and said you did JUST GREAT. Once we got home, you TOTALLY did not understand why Daddy was just sitting around. HOLD ME, DADDY!
MAY:
By the time we'd reached MAY, Mom felt like she should receive some kind of award. Like, the YOU MADE IT THROUGH A ROUGH TIME award. She thought it should be some type of necklace with spa gift cards hanging off of it with a button that you could push to MUTE all the noise around her and a second button that would PAUSE TIME so that she could take a nap or get things marked off her to-do list while the rest of the world is paused.
THAT WOULD BE AN AWESOME AWARD.
In fact, ALL MOTHERS should receive that award EVERY MAY.
CAUSE MAY IS HARD.
Trike-a-thons happen in May.
Look at you in that HELMET. Presh.
Muffins with Mom happens in May.
I'm the LUCKIEST Mom EVER.
Piano recitals happen in May.
Way to go, Mary.
And Jack, the help.
Honors ceremonies happen in May.
Good on ya, Max.
Gymnastics recitals happen in May.
Body glitter. OHMYGOSH.
Dances happen in May.
Only Max doesn't dance??
Spring football games happen in May.
Go Jags!
The End-of-Year goodbyes to the BEST TEACHERS EVER happen in May.
SO thankful for these two.
And then, right when you think you've made it,
TAKING YOUR KID TO ATLANTA FOR TWO MONTHS SO HE CAN TRAVEL ALL OVER THE SOUTHEAST WITH MISSION SERVE happens in May.
Proud, happy, and sad all at the same time.
He's the happy one.
So, Lottie, what do you do when you've JUST ABOUT HAD IT and don't think you can handle ONE MORE THING IN MAY? You go to the FARM where your own Mama will cook and play with the littles and LET YOU TAKE A NAP. I will do this for you one day. Bring your babies (and yourself) to me and I will cook and play while you REST.
Please note: In the picture below, Night Night is giving Max the "garden test" to see if he knows what plants are growing in the garden.
And Lottie, just so you know, your Mama got 7 out of 7 correct.
Just saying.
Max? NOTSOMUCH.
Sweet Lottie Gene, we made it to Summer! There are swimming pools, sprinklers, snow cones, ice cream, popsicles, bubbles, movies, sand castles, forts, fans, naps, lemonade stands, and lazy days just ahead.
Where is our AWARD???
A Year with Lottie - Part 3 - coming at some point
Only since today is Labor Day and tomorrow I have to go back to school, it'll prolly be a while.
