We Made It

Since last Tuesday we have had 13 doctor/dentist appointments. Seven of them were Grace's appointments and none of them were for Dallas.

Grace is officially set for dental surgery August 12 at 6:30 in the morning. Talk about an early morning for Dalls and I. UNC hospital is at least an hour away. It should take 2-3 hours in the operating room. Grace will be put completely under. They will remove some teeth, cap some teeth, take xrays, fill some teeth and do whatever else is needed.

And if you are wondering Kristopher still has not called.

Off to Band Camp

Kristopher left bright and early this morning for band camp. He promised he would call tonight. Do you think he did? Nope. He was so excited to get away from our crazy gang he didn't look back.

This will be Kristopher's first year in the marching band. He has always played the trombone in the band but didn't want to try marching band until this year. In the last week they have been working pretty hard.

They are staying at Campbell University(about 45 minutes from here). We are hoping this will be good for Kristopher. He is a very introverted kid. Even his band teacher said maybe this would bring Kristopher out of his shell.

Unfortunately, Kristopher gets back Sunday afternoon and I leave for Florida Sunday morning. I won't get to see him for a week and a couple of days. Maybe that will make him happier to see me when I get back.

Gross!

We forgot to take a picture before applying the lotion,therefore it is shiny.

This was the day after going to the doctor. Does it really look better?

Zachary has Impetigo.

Are You Watching?

At this very moment, The Hannah Montana 3D concert is on a Tv near you. Julia has been talking about it for days. Here's the gang enjoying the show.

The Not So Good News

Today, Grace her audiology appointment with Wake County Schools. We knew that Grace had high frequency loss in one ear. Her ENT told us it was nothing to worry about at this time. The audiologist, today, said the loss was in both ears. The problem is it is in the inner ear. Her hearing in the middle ear and outer ear are fine. In cases like this it is more difficult for a hearing aide to help. She is going to contact our ENT at UNC hospital and determine if they think a hearing aide would help her. If not she said if Grace qualifies for a preschool class(probably not, she is pretty bright)she would request amplified sound. If she just qualifies for speech it will be more difficult. There are lots of sounds Grace can't hear...s,th,n, etc. Let's hope this won't take too long. Grace as at a crucial age for language development.

Golf Camp

Nicholas and Zachary started golf camp today. They go for 3 1/2 hours a day for 3 days. It is right across the street so it is very convenient. The boys love going and learn so much.

Here is a picture of what happened to Zachary the first time he went to golf camp 2 years ago. They had to change the rules due to Zachary getting hit in the head with a golf club. At the golf course he is the kid who got hit in the head with the golf club and had to get 5 stitches. Nicholas is known as the brother of the kid who got hit in the head with the golf club. There are some things people never forget.

Dallas Getting in Touch With His Feminine Side Happy Birthday, Leigh-Anne

Maybe he did it in honor of Leigh-Anne's birthday or maybe Grace was having a litte fun. Today, my neice had her 18th birthday. She is growing up. In less than a month she will be starting college at University of Central Florida. Happy Birthday, Leighh-Anne!

A Girl and Her Football

Some girls sleep with dolls or stuffed animals but not our girl. The last few nights Grace has insisted on sleeping with a football. It is a small red football that we got at church last spring. We have no idea why she has this sudden attachment to it. When she comes in my room in the morning she is still clutching her football.

Here We Go Again

Today, we had our first appointment with Wake County Schools for Grace. We want her tested for cognitive skills and speech. She definitely needs speech. We don't think she is developmentally behind but our peditrician reccommends that we have her tested. Our tax dollars are paying for it and we definitely want her to get it if she needs it. Unfortunately, the case worker decided she didn't like Grace's previous hearing test and wants another one done. We can't move on with the testing until this is completed.

To say we don't have much faith in the Wake County Schools special needs program is putting it mildly. We know that Julia needs many more services than they were willing to give her. Hopefully, when school starts Julia will have a great teacher that will be willing to help us fight for what she needs. We are still trying to get her tested through UNC, too, for any cognitive delays. That would definitely help our case if we could get the process moving.

Summer Days

Playhouse

Playground

Fun in a bucket

Water Balloons

More Water Balloons

Home Again

I feel as if I am torn between two states. It gets harder to leave Florida everytime we go. Often I wonder why we had to move back to NC. Why did things happen they way they did and why did we make the decisions we made? Were they the right ones? I look at Grace and wonder if we hadn't moved would we have found her. I seriously doubt it but we will never know. I like to think that God led us to make the decisions we did. We prayed about it constantly and there were no job offers for Dallas at all in Florida. Did we follow God's Will or did we make a mistake? Once again, I believe Grace may be our answer. I don't think living in Florida we would have had the opportunity to adopt Grace. One, I wouldn't have been looking and Two, Dallas wouldn't have had a job so the adoption wouldn't have been able to happen. So why does it have to be so hard?

One more Why... Why do bad things happen to good people? I know only God knows the answers but I wish sometimes he would let us in on them.

Introducing Alivia

Steven Curtis Chapman

Tonight Steven Curtis Chapman will have his first concert since Maria passed away on May 21. Will and Caleb(their sons) are both in the band so it will be difficult for everyone involved. Marybeth and the 3 girls will be hurting, too.

We like so many others have been truly touched by Steven Curtis Chapman. We don't know him or his family but feel like we do. I follow Steven Curtis Chapman's manager's blog very closely. It breaks my heart how the Chapmans have had to suffer. I can't even imagine. I really think some good is going to come out of Maria's death. Steven is going to reach people that otherwise would not have the opportunity to know God. The first week of August the family is going to be on Good Morning, America, Larry King and be in an issue of People.

Spare a moment today, and pray for all the Chapmans.

Happy Birthday, Alivia!

Today, Alivia Kaitlin Gantt Williams is going to enter the world. My good friend, Alexa, is in labor as I write. Hopefully it won't be too much longer. I will add all the details later and post a picture.

Welcome to the world, Alivia! You have a great Mom, big brother, and Pepaw.


Update: Alivia was born at 4:14 p.m. She weighs 7lbs 3 ounces and is 21 inches long. We can't wait to meet her tonight.

More Pictures

Beach Photos

Last night, Maribeth took some pictures of us on the beach. Even though it is hard to get my crazy bunch to smile and cooperate at the same time, I think she captured some good pictures. The goal was to capture a couple that we could send with our post placement report to China.

My dream is one day to have professional ones done on the beach. Of course, I would like to lose 100 lbs before doing that.

Happy Birthday, Renee!

My very first friend is turning the same age as me today. We were destined to be friends before she was even born. My Mom met her Mom in the grocery store after I was born but before she was born. We lived in the same neighborhood until I was in
5th grade. At times many miles seperated us but we have always remained friends. The last couple of months have been really tough for her. Her grandmother passed away on May 21 and her grandfather joined her last month. She was very close to both of them. My heart goes out to her and her family. I hope she can find some way to enjoy the day.

It seems like just yesterday that Renee and I were running around the neighborhood following our brothers. Oh,the fun we had... Neighborhood kickball,riding in the canoe after lots of rain, spotlight,playing in the sandbox,catching ladybugs and lightning bugs, and so much more. I wish my children had a childhood like I did. Neighborhoods aren't like they used to be. Great memories with a great friend!

Happy Birthday, Renee!

Happy Birthday to Julia!

My oldest daughter turned 6, today. This is her 4th birthday in the U.S. I don't like to even think about what her life would have been like if God hadn't led us to her. She is such a funny little girl.

Last night we celebrated with my family. I have never seen such a large princess cake. When I ordered it by phone I had no idea what I was ordering. Needless to say Julia loved it.

While I am visiting my parents today, Dallas took the kids to putt-putt.

Tonight we are going to Burger King for dinner. Julia's choice not ours. She loves the playground there. My friend Alexa and Nijel are meeting us there. Julia doesn't know it but when we go back to our condo we are going to have a Hannah Montana cake. She loves Hanana Montana and all she wants for her birthday is a Hannah Montana doll. I wonder if she will get it.

Happy 4th!

Post Placement Report

When you adopt internationally , a social worker comes and writes a report after you are home. How many and when depends on the country. With Julia we had to do one at 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years. China only requires two, one at 6 months and one at 12 months. Our wonderful social worker came last week to complete our final requirements for Grace. They have to be done a little early so they can reach China by the anniversary date. So we are done with social workers unless we decide to adopt again. The report is no big deal it is just great to be done. All I have to do is prepare a couple of picture pages, attach it to the report and send it to our adoption agency. We are officially done at that point.