Baby Showers!

Everyone is invited to attend Savannah-Hope's baby shower on Saturday, May 31st at 10am. The shower will be held at the World Cup Cafe at Smyrna First Baptist Church in Smyrna, TN. Please leave me a comment if you are able to attend.

For my blogger buddies there will be a blog shower on Saturday June 14th hosted by Laura. More details to follow soon.

Savannah-Hope is registered at Target.

Savannah-Hope's Medical Tests

Savannah-Hope has had several medical tests since she has been home including blood work. Everything has come back normal! She even tested negative for TB which was the disease that took her birth mother's life. Please join us in praising the Lord today for Savannah-Hope's health. We are truly blessed.

3 Weeks ago today.......

Savannah-Hope and I stepped of the airplane into the arms of our waiting family. We are so blessed! It has been a wonderful three weeks. Here are the long awaited airport pictures:
Finally in the arms of daddy!

Meeting Aunt Yoni

Hi Savannah-Hope, I'm your big sister Bella.

Group prayer. Thank you God for bring our family together!



Meeting her brothers, sisters and cousins

Aunt Shalon

Meeting Poppy

Big brother Zander

Big brother Zach

Big sister Amelia

Big sister Bella

I got my baby sister, we can go home now!

Renaissance Fair 5/4/08

Zach in the King's hat

Bella is the Queen's crown

Zander in the Wizard's hat

Ameila in the tunnel with Savannah-Hope

Izabella likes to dress in matching clothes with Savannah-Hope

Sleeping on daddy's shoulder



Izabella likes being carried on her mama's back just like Savannah













Savannah-Hope and Zander













Savannah-Hope and Amelia













Super Star Savannah-Hope















Safe in Daddy's arms















Zach









Izabella

We aren't really the Johnson’s

Anytime we decide to go out of town, we are reminded of our true identity, there is no way around it…we are the Griswolds.

In the summer of 2004 we were scheduled to go California to finalize Amelia’s adoption. The weekend before we were scheduled to leave was my 10 Year High School Reunion. Not only did I plan to attend all three events for FRI/SAT/SUN I also planned the entire reunion. Not a minor task I might add. I had 3 three-year olds and an infant. One of whom had severe attachment issues. A day before the reunion, Amelia and Izabella broke out in chicken pox. We were stranded in the house, but I had to get to the bank to deposit a check so we head out to the van. I open the van door and a bird flies out. How the bird got in there in the first place is a mystery. Do you have any idea what a bird trapped all night long in a van would do? Well let me tell you……he used my entire van as a potty! The entire van was covered in bird doo doo. All four carseats! This was one of those days where you cry tears of frustration and every time you tell someone what happened they cry tears of pure laughter. Nice huh!

So tonight at 9pm Shane, Amelia, Izabella and some of my friends from 5th grade will begin the 10 hour drive to Florida. In true Griswold fashion……

Savannah-Hope was up all night long last night coughing, wheezing and choking. The only trouble she has had with the adoption transition has been adjusting to the climate and temperature in TN. I have been giving her breathing treatments, but today they didn’t seem to be giving her any relief. She stopped eating and just looked miserable. I make an appointment to be seen first thing this morning. I get into the van and the tire pressure light comes on (thank God I have a tire pressure light). So I do the carseat shuffle (not as fun as it sounds) and load the three girls into Shane’s car. I arrange to have the tire examined at WalMart and then arrange for a ride to speech for Shane and the boys. Did I mention it is POURING down rain. I must mail a package of pictures/cds to Mrs. Miller’s husband for Clifford and Thandie. He is leaving for Malawi in 4 days. Of course I leave the house without the package. I drive all the way to the doctors office just to find out that everything I am doing for Savannah-Hope is right-on and it just needs to run its course. But what are a few gallons of gas and a co-pay in comparison to peace of mind that my little girl is going to be okay.

Nana is still in the hospital. Her pace-maker is fine but she has still been dizzy and having seizures. The doctor thinks she is having “middle ear trouble”. I am uneasy about going all the way to Florida when Nana is still in the hospital. Not to mention that my mom will have my three bigger kids for part of the time which will make her less accessible to Nana. I also have a cousin and a couple of nieces that have been weighing heavy on my heart the last few days. Did I mention that I am not packed yet? Arg! The packing list in my mind is forever growing. I am now adding Savannah-Hope’s breathing treatment supplies to the stack. We need special supplies for Izabella to be exposed the sun due to her burn. Not to mention my bag of tricks for a 10 hour car ride with two little ones twice in 4 days. My heart is so torn about having to leave the three big kids again so soon after such a long separation. I refer to them as the “big kids” so often…but they are still little.

Well, we may be the Griswolds….but no matter the trials…we are pressing forward and looking for the blessings along the way.

What have we been up to?

Well I noticed it has been a complete week since the last update. Sorry about that. We have been keeping pretty busy at the Johnson house. But I wanted to check in with our blogger friends. Here is an update of our last week:

Thursday May 7th:

Izabella had the stomach flu so she stayed home from mother's day out. Her daddy and I enrolled her in the pre-K/Kindergarten readiness program at our local school. I cried! It was so hard. My heart has been so torn with homeschool vs. public school. There are so many pros and cons and complicating factors. My finishing nursing school plays heavily into the process. Nothing is locked into stone at this point, but we are leaning towards public school next year. If we go this route, Shane and I will be a very active members of each child's class.

Friday May 8th:

Spent most of the day doing school work and then rented a movie. Made a quick stop at the shoe store to redeem a coupon for new shoes for Shane and I for mother's day. I was in desperate need for new tennis shoes and got a great deal!

Sat May 9th:

We went to a garage sale looking for a jumperoo for Miss Savannah-Hope. We didn't find one, but the kids got a new blow up pool. We blew it up for them and they played in it most of the day. It was a bit on the cold side for Savannah-Hope.

Sunday May 10th:

Today was Mother's Day, my first as a mother of five. Our church does baby dedications two times a year. One time in December and the other on Mother's Day. Shane and I decided to have all 5 children dedicated together. We thought that wearing our Malawian outfits would be a nice tribute to Savannah-Hope's culture. I got up early and got everybody dressed in their Malawian clothes. I saved myself for last. I put my shirt on and the zipper broke. It was wide open. I quickly ran around looking for safety pins, but couldn't locate the box. Made a quick phone call to my mom and then loaded us all in the van. My mom met me outside the church and pinned my shirt together. I wasn't going to let a little wardrobe malfunction ruin our special day. The children did great on stage. Izabella spotted herself in the monitor and was quite the little entertainer. Overall it went well.

My brother and sister-in-law dedicated my precious niece Maggie in the same service. The kids enjoyed celebrating with their cousins. My mom had nine of her 12 grandkids on stage asking for God's blessings and promising to raise the children to serve and please God. It was a special morning. After church we all went to MacDonald's. Originally we were going to the park, but it was much too cold. Savannah-Hope met her cousins Brandi, Eric, Noah and Cooper. Noah asked if he could pet Savannah. I thought that was so cute! That night we watched Dr. Doolittle 3 as a family. It was wonderful to have our family all together. I am so grateful! My heart aches for those Mommy's waiting on their children coming home and for those children who don't have anyone to call mommy. My heart especially aches daily for Tamandani and Sidala.

Monday May 11th:

We had homeschool in the morning and then Nana stopped by for a visit. ah-Hope was adorable. Later Izabella had dance class. We are getting closer to recital time. Izabella has been having a bit of a power struggle since my return from Africa. Some of it is just typical four year old behavior, but it has definitely intensified since my 40 day absence. She has decided to use dance as her power play. Its been difficult on her, me, the dance teacher and the whole class. I am hoping she is able to pull it together and finish her course on a positive note.

Tuesday May 12th:

Nana was at the doctor's this morning for a follow-up appointment on her heart. While waiting she had a seizure and then a couple more. She was taken by ambulance to the hospital where she immediately had surgery to insert a pace maker. She did great during the surgery and came out looking wonderful. Savannah-Hope needs routine blood work done. We tried to get it done at her doctor's office but because her skin is so dark and so loose (effect from severe malnutrition), she is difficult to draw blood from. Her doctor ordered that the blood work be completed at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. It was the same hospital where Nana had her surgery. After the surgery I headed to the other side of the hospital to have Savannah-Hope's blood drawn. It was awful! It took them three sticks in three different places before they were finally able to get her vein. She doesn't have the firm fat pads under her skin like most children have. Her veins are like spaghetti floating around in sauce, its just nearly impossible to get the vein. It was very traumatic for both of us. I am praying that they got enough blood and that all of the blood work comes back healthy and normal.

UPCOMING TRIP:

My friend Michelle who I have known for 22 years is getting married in St. Augustine Florida Memorial Day weekend. Several of my friends from 5th grade were planning a couples only weekend for the wedding. That was before my trip to Africa came later in the year than I was hoping and took twice as long as I was planning. So now we have had to rethink the trip. Shane and I are still going, but it wont be "kid free" as originally planned. Amelia, Zach and Zander are going to stay home. I think that Savannah-Hope would probably do fine with the separation, but Izabella just isn't ready to be away from her mommy. So Shane and I have decided to take the two younger girls with us. I am not looking forward to the 10 hour drive in the van both directions, but am hoping that it will go okay.

Tribute to Malawi

Amelia

Zander

Zach

Izabella

Savannah-Hope




These outfits were made in Malawi. I couldn't wait to put them on all of us and take a new family picture. These pictures were a gift from a friend and truly appreciated. I can't tell you how it touches my heart to have our family together. Those 40 days apart has made the days we are now together even sweeter.

I can't even describe how wonderful Savannah-Hope is or how smooth her transition has been into our family. She truly is a miracle from God. There is no doubt in my mind that she was chosen by our Heavenly Father to be our daughter. She is such a happy, peaceful and content baby. She very rarely cries. She is full of smiles and laughter. She adores her siblings and has already attached to Shane. She eats anything and everything you give her. She goes down for bed at 7pm and sleeps soundly until 7am. She is babbling, crawling, pulling up, and beginning to cruise around the coffee table. She has had no trouble riding in the car-seat. She has already been to dance class, karate, small group, church, two birthday parties, doctor twice, portrait studio and swimming at the YMCA. She loved the pool! She is such a snugly baby too! Loves to be held and kissed. Lays her sweet head on your chest and pats your back with her little hand. God has been so good to our family! I am truly blessed!

I want to thank my family, friends and fellow bloggers again for all of your prayers. So many of you have specifically prayed for Savannah-Hope's attachment and transition. God has been faithful to answer your prayers. We are truly blessed! Thank You!

Amelia's Special Gift

Amelia has been asking to get her ears pierced for as long as I can remember. We have been waiting till she was old enough to be sure about her decision and mature enough to take proper care of them. We were in no hurry for her to grow-up. It's so hard to keep little ones little these days. When my trip got delayed, and it became clear I would miss her birthday, I began thinking about an extra special gift. Amelia joined our family as a three year old, so I missed her first three birthdays. I never thought I would miss another one. My heart was so heavy to miss her special day. I began to think about the ear piercing and how much she has matured over this past year and the timing seemed right. Her daddy agreed and on Wed April 30th the whole family went to Claire's for the big event.


She looks like she is about to be tortured. I think this was when she was told it would feel like a shot. She is learning early that beauty comes with a price :)