Siblings

Fabian 5 1/2 mo, Lucy 4 and Javier 3

Some of Anita's siblings were over to visit today.  She enjoyed having some fun with them but was obsessed with her little brother.  She gave him many kisses and wanted to constantly sit on him or poke at him.  She also wanted to sit in his car seat and mess with the seatbelt.  It was one year ago that Anita started to come home for weekends and Fabian is that exact same age now that she was.  Seems strange how much life has changed and also how much Anita has grown.  It used to be that the older kids were in her face constantly poking at her, wanting to kiss her and pick her up.  Now she is the older kid.  Anita continues to not feel well and we are contributing it all to post surgery pain as she is holding her head, ears and neck a lot.  She did not sleep as much today but was whiney and fussy throughout the day.  She didn't even want to shop which is one of her favorite things to do.  Instead she walked about 20 feet at Shopko and wanted back in the cart.  Poor girl.  Hoping the pain is over soon and she can get back to enjoying the Spring.  Anita is the new owner of a potty chair and has been enjoying sitting on it and getting used to it.  Yesterday she opened it, sat down for a few seconds and then wiped herself with a chip.  She's getting the hang of things even before her body is ready.  Today before the kids came over, I told her who was coming and she pointed at their picture in her room to look at.  We went through everyone's names and then she was able to point them all out as I stated their names.  She's a smart one for sure.  Going to have to work extra hard to stay a step ahead of her.

More pictures

day after surgery watching gabba friends on you tube

afternoon of surgery enjoying the backyard

couple days after surgery visiting Kristina

enjoying soft foods and wanting more

miss independence wanting to feed herself

March Madness

Adoption is final

zebra outfit

eating an apple and looking out the window

Jim, his sister Sue in the middle and Aunt Shirley

eating DQ for Jim's b'day

Happy to be outside enjoying the weather

March has been a busy, difficult and joyful month.  I'm still working on processing all the feelings as it has been so busy and I am home with a little girl who is not feeling well.  On March 7th we lost our friend Denny and still can't believe he is gone.  I can see him clear as can be in my dreams and also in my awake hours.  The same day Denny went home to our Savior, Anita's adoption was final and we were to celebrate.  One loss and one gain is under the same circumstances Anita came too us orginally as we lost grandma Kaufman and Anita came home a few weeks later.  That is the kind of year this has been as we have been blessed with joy and sorrow.  It was nice to have a couple days home with Anita and relax as the court told us what we already knew in our hearts that Anita is our daughter.  On the 10th, Jim celebrated his 41st b'day.  On the 11th our friend Denny was layed to rest and there was also a massive earthquake in Japan that led to the destructive Tsunami.  What a horrible tragedy to witness the suffering of all of those people who lost entire families, homes and everything that was their lives.  I was glued to the tv and praying non stop for our brothers and sisters around the world who grieve.  The next week was busy with preparation for, and then surgery for Kristina and Anita.  Kristina was first on the 16th and had tubes put into her ears and her adenoids removed.  Anita was the 17th and had her adenoids removed.  Both did well but have continued to have pain and today I stayed home with Anita who is holding her ears and neck in pain.  We are praying the surgeries will help both of the girls have a better summer w/o all of the allergy/ear/nose problems.  Over the weekend they both had times of feeling well and we went to the park on Sun. when it was nice.  Kristina was happy to be back running around and Anita was happy to try and chase her.  She also went on the swing and slide.  We also joined gma for breakfast with her Bible Study group and had fun eating/visiting at the Golden Corral.  Yesterday, Pa, Brenda, Kristina and Anita went to Bomgaars to look at chicks, and ducks.  Then they also went to PetCo to look at animals.  Anita is quite fond of the guinea pigs and squeled when they went running around the cage.  Good thing there are stores she can visit them because she will not be owning one before her 18th b'day.  This weekend we are hoping to go to Omaha and help cousin Kallie celebrate her 13th b'day.  Depends on Anita and also the weather as right now it is snowing and supposed to continue tomorrow as well.  Hoping that April will slow down a little at home and at work so we can enjoy the Spring beauty that is beginning to appear.  Also, forgot to mention that Jim's sister did make it back from Mexico and that night her father passed away.  Her Aunt Shirley came to town and came over to visit Anita.

The Schmink Family

Filled with sadness tonight as I think of my friend in Illinois losing his battle with cancer.  My heart aches as I remember this man so full of pride, strength and love now suffering.  My heart also aches for his dear family that is still in shock from learning he is ill less than two weeks ago and now they are preparing for his death.  Life is not fair and there is never enough time to say what we need to say to those we love.  It was the busy week I had hoped for in preparing for the adoption hearing and at the same time I wish it would have lasted forever so we could all have time with Denny.  He has yet to meet Anita and I'm sure it would have been love at first sight for both of them.  Keeping them all in my prayers for comfort and more time.