A Little Touch of God

In a little cocoon, a miracle awaits....
There she is!!
Karlee's on the left, Kalie's bottom right. See how wet and wrinkly their wings are?
Karlee and Kate watch and wait for Baby Sam (that's what Karlee named her butterfly)
Karlee singing (read story below)
Karlee is such a good mommy to her Baby Sam Butterfly. Kalie's butterfly was Ashley. Kalie also got to see it hatch this morning.Kalie holding Ashley before letting her go

Karlee and Kalie hold their butterflies and watch them fly away.My dad had ordered some chrysallie (however you spell that word- plural for the stage of caterpillars in a cocoon) and let us have 3. The girls named them Ashley (Kalie), Baby Sam (Karlee) and Kate (Kate). We had been watching them for several days as they were hanging from my bookshelf in my study. Yesterday, Kalie realized one was empty and that we had a butterfly on the loose! Kate's emerged first and was desparately wanting out by the time we got her. So, I failed to get any pictures and Kate wouldn't hold it anyway, but she did enjoy watching it fly away. This morning, Kalie noticed that the other two looked different so we spent the morning eating breakfast in the study, getting ready in the study- Kalie was not going to miss the moment. All of a sudden, that cocoon broke loose and out came a wrinkly but beautiful butterfly. We got her a stick from a tree limb so she could hang on it while her wings dried. It was absolutely amazing. Then, after Drew and Kalie left for school, Karlee wanted to see hers. I was so afraid that we were going to miss it hatching. Well, we had the most precious morning I think I can ever remember. Karlee, Kate and I sat down in the study watching that butterfly. They ate breakfast and watched it the whole time. We raced upstairs to get their clothes on and came right back down so they could keep watching it. While Karlee sat there, she sang little songs that she made up as she sang and then sang Jesus Loves Me. She talked to Baby Sam saying in the sweetest little voice, "It's okay Sam. Mommy's here. You're okay. We are all a family. You're okay." And then she would just watch. I ran upstairs to throw on some makeup as it was getting closer to needing to walk out the door and I heard Karlee say, "MOMMY... OOOHHH OOOOOOOOOHHHHHH!!!!" As I ran back into the room, she was BEAMING and her eyes were the size of saucers and there was Baby Sam! She was so proud! She kept talking about how beautiful HER butterfly was. This evening after lots of holding them carefully, we let them go. Karlee said, Mommy, I want to keep Sam here. And I had to explain how God made butterflies to fly. When we went outside, she held out her hand and wiggled her finger and Sam flew away. Karlee smiled and said, I helped her fly!! A few minutes later, Kalie's took off and "soared" up in the air as well. This was such a precious memory to me today. I realized I was sitting in the presence of miracles this morning in more ways than one and that I had truly received a gentle touch from God.

What's Going on at the Jamieson's

There are no pictures today, just a lengthy post. Its 5 am and I can't sleep, so I decided that today would be the day that I would catch up everyone on the happenings in our lives. There's alot! ha!
Let me start with Kate. About a month ago, we took her to get scheduled for ear surgery- she was supposed to have her inner ear repaired this summer. Now let me back up. She had 80% of her eardrum missing with mild/moderate hearing loss due to an injury last year. We were told a hole that size would not heal on its own and would require surgery. The doctor had wanted to wait through the winter season to avoid ear infections, etc. So, we get in the office and he looks and he looks and he checks her chart as to the correct ear and looks again. Then he says, "I don't see a hole." Drew and I looked at him and said, "Excuse me??" He said, "I want to send her down to the hearing center and get a test done. But I don't see a hole." So we go downstairs where they placed these electrode kind of things in Kate's ears and they give a reading of the physical makeup of the ear. The tech said, "There is no hole. Her ear is perfect." Then we checked her hearing and guess what- her hearing is completely normal in both ears!! Oh yes, God is still in the miracle working business.
Now let me explain why that miracle meant even more to me that day. Earlier in the day, we had Kate evaluated. Her speech continued to be non-existant essentially and basically we were not seeing developmental progress with her since we got her. She has learned her family members and comprehends English beautifully, but she still acts like a 12-13 month old child. She did everything out of imitating someone else, initiated no affection on her own- there were lots of things that I just couldn't let rest. Many times when children endure multiple traumas, they simply stop developing. They survive and that's where they believe Kate is. She is happy, she knows her family, but she isn't growing as a three year old should be. They said that the fibers between the two lobes of her brain have thinned out and the neurons or whatever they are called cannot go back and forth as they should. She is at risk for disorders such as Asbergers, high functioning altism, etc. So, we now have Kate in therapy as well. We get to use the same woman. With the implementation of some things we hope to be able to reverse where she is headed and we believe we can do that (well God can). She will continue to go to preschool, she is in speech therapy twice a week and does mommy/child gymnastics in addition to what we do at home. So, that day, God just reminded me that if He can heal ears, He can heal hearts and minds too. We are so thankful for the fabulous support team we have in place right now. Here's the coolest thing- Kate has actually been in speech since May but in the last week, since we began therapy, the speech therapist has noticed improvement for the first time. We have seen it as well. She can say Ha ha ha and hee hee hee using both the h and vowel sound. That's big at our house. Also, we have started receiving spontaneous hugs and kisses from her a few times- again, also huge. And we are wondering if we are starting to see her come out of her little world that she tends to stay. So, we are excited and thankful.
Now for Karlee. She has just completed her second week at preschool. She is still getting adjusted but what we have experienced at home is so minor compared to where she was last year. She takes her little album of pictures with her every day and goes through the questions that mommy will be back and we are always a family and no one is going to take her away. She is identifying more and more emotions and handling things quite well. We are so proud of her. She has asked questions about her birthmom, foster family and we have looked at pictures. The weekends are a little rough, but I fully believe that they will improve as she learns how the weeks are going to be.
And finally, I have an answered prayer and request as well. As of this past Friday, I am an adjunct instructor at UNA. I teach two classes working with the international students at the Center for English Language Learners. To teach at the college level has been a dream of mine for over 11 years and Language/Reading has always been my favorite- my strongsuit if you will. And then to add that its working with students from all over the world, including Taiwan and China- well let's just say it is a dream come true. I am there 3 hours each day and its during the time the girls are in preschool/school. However, they are usually at home on Tuesdays and Thursdays so we are going to try to add those mornings and I will take them in late just on my way to teach. I have not done anything like this since before Kalie was born and a part of me starts to feel guilty for being away from them every day, but I feel such a peace and excitement about this. I will be teaching Reading and then a class on Listening Skills. When the girls are in school all day and if this works out, I can move up and teach full time if I want. So, there are many possibilities with this. Please pray that as my family makes the adjustments that hearts will be calm, minds will be at peace and God will provide me with the wisdom of balancing being a wife, mom, teacher, therapist :) and everything else mommies do! I will let you know how it goes! I start tomorrow! I know many of you do this and so much more every day!
And finally a word on Drew- he completed two more classes this summer and fulfilled more requirements for his specializations in sex addiction therapy. He will complete all course work in a year from now! So, next fall, he begins working on his dissertation. His practice continues to grow- it has really started growing little by little the past two months and we are thankful for that. He absolutely loves what he is doing.
So, that about wraps it up for the J-Crew.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DREW!

We have celebrated Drew's birthday all weekend! Saturday, we went on the lake.....

Drew is such a great skierBut he always loves an audience- it gives him a chance to be goofy... what better of an audience than his girls???
Back to being serious. (And by the way, I AM driving the boat and his arms are still attached!)

Kalie becoming the little daredevil on the kneeboard- she learned how to make it go side to side which is not easy and did it over and over!
I just love this shot of Karlee. She had a great run on the tube!
Kate gives a thumbs up to being on the lake!

These next few shots are of Amy being on skis for the very first time. I truly wish I could have gotten this on video and posted that because the pictures do not do the whole event justice. We went out on the main channel because it was actually very calm and the water was smooth at first. But the wind picked up and it got really choppy which allows for some pretty severe sinus enemas!

WHAT am I about to get myself into????
WHY did I let them talk me into this????
Amy takes a rest after getting the skis on! I have never seen anyone get rest with the skis in this position.
She went into the splits every time!!!! It was hilarious!
We may not have gotten her up on skis yet but she is awesome on the kneeboard!
Doing her 360* turn! I was quite impressed!Drew's brother Dave came up for the weekend and joined us for a little while out on the water. He skied too.Amy and I took a tube ride and I can honestly say that I never have been on one so rough. We were flying off the tube constantly. The river had gotten so rough by this point and it was all we could do to simply hang on. Needless to say, my arms are so sore tonight....

Saturday evening, we went to CC and Papa's house for more birthday celebration. Grandpa Ray joined us. (Grandmother came too and I failed to catch her in time to get their picture.)
CC with two of her boys- Dave's birthday is a few days before Drew's so she had them both a cake/cookie cake to celebrate.
Then today, was Drew's actual birthday and here he is with my dad. Dad made Drew a knife. Dad had taken a course recently on how to make them with a famous knife maker (Sorry, I don't remember his name) and anyway, he made this for Drew. It is beautiful.
Opening presents (Mimi, I am loving the green bow in your hair ha!)
Drew and his girls

Our family
We decided to keep with our Sunday tradition of doughnuts and put candles in one for his birthday! The girls thought that was pretty funny.

Hayy birthday Drew! On August 19, (many years ago ha ha) the world became a WHOLE lot better! I love you and am so glad we get to celebrate your life together!

Just Some Funny Moments....

Eloise's family is having some remodeling and an addition added to their home. When the workers started the framing, they stopped with just the flooring in place so Eloise decided it made the perfect stage. Kalie spent the night with her recently and here they are playing Hannah Montana. They had the music going, walked down the plank to "shake hands with fans" and waved to the crowd while they sang. Apparently they did this for hours and then when it got darker, David put on the backyard light which created a spotlight for the two stars! We drove by and watched them and were fortunate enough to be given autographs! David and Leslie are trying to decide if they should just end the construction work here so they can keep the stage site! ha! ha!
Okay, when it gets late, I get a little goofy. Mollie and I are showing our trick. This dog is so gentle, she always takes things very easy. So, we shared a piece of bread.
We made cookies again the night before Karlee and Kate started school.
And yes, we will never grow up- we fight for the batter too!

First Day of School for Karlee and Kate

Monday was the first day of preschool for Karlee and Kate. Yes, I took tons of pictures and even videoed! ha! So far, it has been a pretty positive experience. Thanks for the thoughts and prayers.Karlee is ready and excited (but pretty scared too she will quickly tell you)When we went on our date, she had told me she wanted a backpack with frogs. I told her I didn't think we would find one with frogs, so she settled for a pink one but it looked like Kalie's so it was okay. Well, Friday of last week, I went into this little shop and there on the back of the hanger was THIS BACKPACK!!! I about died! She was so excited!And yes, another funny face- Karlee has the best facial expressions!And here is Kate ready too. Her backpack is actually still being monogrammed.

And she has to make silly faces too.This picture is truly one of my favorites!
Oh, had to get a lunchbag picture too.
Drew had to speak at a seminar Monday morning, so we went by there on our way to school so he could see them.
Karlee and Kate with me
Karlee's teacher Mrs. Carolyn (you can see Karlee's expression has changed- there was a screaming child in the room and it was a little much for her. But, she walked over to her backpack and got her family pictures and did okay!) She also has Mrs. Donna but she was busy with other children, so we will get pictures with her later.Kate has Mrs. Doris this year. Kate also has Mrs. Lorraine and Mrs. Rhonda. They are in for one more year! ha!

Back to School Date with Kate

This evening, Kate and I had a back to school date. As of right now, she will be going two mornings per week. That may change. But, we had a date anyway. Now this girl is a shopper to the core! She picked out the clothes we bought, the colors and sat right down in the middle of the store and tried them on! We marched through Target, walked backwards, had an icee and got a few things for school. I enjoy the one on one time with them so very much.

Back to School Date with Karlee

While Kalie went to school, Karlee and I had our annual back to school date! I knew she would have a hard time when Kalie went back, so we planned our date for the same day. We had a fun time. She got all her school supplies and some clothes. Now, Karlee is not our shopper- she will tell you that its just ok to her to shop- I think our dates will end up being watching sporting events or doing something athletic- which is great- but for now she is more interested in milkshakes and french fries. So, we ended up at Sonic sitting outside eating french fries, frito pie and shakes! She begins school Monday, so please say a little prayer for her!