Two years ago today...

We all waited in anticipation

I saw my tiny little sister for the first time.

On my knees and crying

The first time Julia met Piggy. I gave Piggy to her and she said quietly, "Spasebo"

Cousins

Sister

Our family became complete.

I love these pictures from March 31, 2006, the day Julia arrived in the United States. Kelly, I think you took them and I saved them to my computer - thank you. That day was one of the most special days of my life and for me, the pictures capture it in a way that I cannot with words. I remember those moments of seeing my sister for the first time. I heard Grandma, Karla, and Kelly saying, "Awww" as we saw Julia walk in the doors with my parents. She was so tiny! I was just overcome with emotion as soon as I saw her and started bawling - I was not expecting that at all. She looked so scared and overwhelmed -- I can't even imagine how scary that day must have been for her -- and I just went down on my knees to her level and stayed there for a long time. We were sisters right away.

I am so amazed at how God brought her into our family. She is a wonderful gift from Him.

Julia, I love you so much!

--Kaitlyn--

free credit report dot com

My nieces kaylee and kylee are the best singers and dancers! They had us laughing all weekend!

more cinci pix

Yesterday we went to downtown Cincinnati. My mom had never been to Cincinnati.

BUT, Mom, how did we not get a picture of you???

How did you arrange that? The cousins with the "Big Mac" bridge in the background.
Karla and Kaylee on top of Carew Tower. A pix on top of Carew Tower. Where is Kylee???
(Oh, yeah, she was scared of a lady bug and was with Grandma who doesn't like heights!)

At the Montgomery Inn Boathouse enjoying an awesome lunch.

Kelsey, Tim and Haley.

What a fun day. They left about an hour ago. The house is so quiet. We laughed so hard and just had a great time. I wish they could have stayed longer, but am thankful they could stay for four nights. I love you, Family!

Celebrating "Gotcha Day"

Julia has been in our family for two years on March 31. Last year we started a tradition of taking her to Chuch E Cheese's. This year we celebrated early with her cousins. They are visiting from Illinois. We are having a great time just being together. Back: Kelsey, Tim and Haley

Front: Julia, Kaylee and Kylee

Mike enjoying himself. Go Spartans!

Karla, Kelly and Karen
The Three Girls

Kelsey and Julia ~ Twins

Kaylee Ann Brown

Kylee Marie Brown

Happy Gotcha Day, Julia. We are very blessed to have you in our family! I love you.

quick update

OK, OK, Karla! Here is your post already!!! ;-)

Seriously, things have been relatively quiet around the Combes house. Praise God! When I was going through my cancer treatments and the big move, a neighbor/friend in Michigan who had gone through quite a lot (losing a full term infant, husband in bike accident) she said her family has a motto...."boring is good." I agree with that sentiment.

Our church has been on a journey talking about being consumed with everything but God. It has been a very good series. Tonight is my last ladies bible study. We are having a meal together. Tomorrow night, Mike's men's group is coming to our house for a cookout for their last meeting.

I am really looking forward to next week, or rather, this Sunday. Mom, Karla, Kaylee, Kylee, Kelly, Haley and Kelsey will be coming for a visit. My mom has never been to Cincinnati. We will have fun showing her around. Tim and Julia are very excited about the visit.

Through the consumed journey, I have realized how consumed I am with going on the computer and especially looking at blogs! My nature has always been "people" oriented. I am interested in what people do and just reading about them. Newspapers can be boring unless it is a human interest story. I think that is why I like blogs so much. BUT, and a big BUT, I do waste quite a bit of time with this activity. It is "weird" how you get friends in the "blog land." It is how I feel about the people when I read their blogs. Some I've met and others I haven't met. I learn about their struggles with life. Some are fellow adopting parents and I try to be an encouragement to them. But, I need a balance.

Speaking of balance, I do need to finish cleaning and get off the computer!
Karen

Nick Blogs Again

HELLO ALL! It is Nick blogging again. I just got back from Cincinnati a little bit ago. I had a great Spring Break there. It was awesome relaxing and spending time with family. Last night we went to the Hofbraeuhaus in Newport...that was great. Loved the German atmosphere and German food. On the way home today I stopped in Ann Arbor and had dinner with Kaitlyn at Paneera Breads (my fav. way of spelling it). Or as Emma calls it... Pantera. haha...yeah...we like to screw up words purposefully. We had a great meal and chat. I had a LOT of coffee throughout the day...I am WIRED. I guess thats better than being wiped out. Well....I got about two months left of school. I can do it.

more snow pictures, 3/8/08

Blizzard of 3/8/08

Here are some pictures from our "Blizzard." The first two were taken yesterday. It stopped snowing for awhile then started again over night. The bottom two are from our deck. Julia took a ruler outside and measured what was on our chair. As you can tell, you cannot see the ruler. We have over a foot of snow ....the most Cincinnati has seen since 1978.

Mike took T&J sledding this morning. He is wiped out on his chair sleeping. Nick shoveled the driveway....which took him over one hour. What did I do, you ask???? Laundry and made some chili. Cincinnati is under a "level 3" emergency, which means that you are only to be on the roads if you are a plow, going to work or have an emergency. We are hanging out at home and enjoying ourselves.

nick's friends came for a visit

Back: Nick and Blane

Front: Sarah and Mike

Earlier this week, we were blessed when Nick's friends from MSU visited him down here in Cincinnati. These are friends that Nick has just met. They are all Resident Mentors together in his dorm. It was a lot of fun having them visit us.

It's been so much fun having Nick home this week. He has experienced all kinds of weather since he's been home. Last weekend, it was Spring with temperatures in the 60's and 70's. On Tuesday, it was raining horizontal and it was very chilly! Now, we have a blizzard warning and could get over 12" of snow....the most this area has seen since the mid-70's. Luckily, by Sunday it will be done so Nick can travel back to Michigan. And for us, it will be in the 50's by Wednesday.

thankful

Yesterday, Mike and I went to the Cleveland Clinic. Cleveland is a 4+ hour drive from Cincinnati. The reason we drove that far is that there is a Plasic Surgeon who specializes in the type of Breast Reconstruction surgery I desire to have. It is called DIEP Flap Surgery.

I met with a plastic surgeon in the Cincinnati area in September. She would do a Tram Flap surgery on me....but that means that the abdominal muscle gets cut and there is a risk of hernia. I do not want that. She told me that with my body type, she would recommend DIEP for me. She doesn't do that type of surgery and stated that she didn't feel anyone in the Cincinnati area has that type of expertise. She recommended either the hospital affiliated with Ohio State in Columbus or the Cleveland Clinic.

I was very impressed with Dr. Djohan (Yohan). He examined me and told us about the procedure. I even had photos taken (not fun). I am so glad that I embarked on the weight loss plan at the beginning of the year. Otherwise, I would not be a candidate for this type of surgery. As it is now, I am near the top of the BMI chart for where he likes to do surgery. He wants me to lose 15-20lbs before he performs this surgery.

BUT, that is okay with me...I was planning on it anyway. We are looking at either the third or fourth week in June, due to his vacation schedule in June. It is a micro-surgery and takes about 8 hours to perform. I will be in the hospital for around six days.

In the meantime, they will write a letter to get pre-authorization for insurance to okay this, which they should "okay" since it is a national law. My prayer would be that it would be covered by more than I imagine. I am praying that our "out of pocket" costs will be at a minimum.

Some people who have had mastectomies do not do reconstruction. They don't want to go through yet another surgery. I have thought a lot about this and tried to evaluate how it is now with the prothesis. I guess I feel I'm still young and I want to be able to wear "V" neck shirts without worrying about bending over and having my chest exposed. I want to feel "whole" again. Ever since the first day I found out I was having a mastectomy, I knew I desired a reconstruction. I am thankful that this is an option for me.

I am also thankful for family who have offered to come and stay with Tim and Julia. There are many details that will need to be worked out, but I am hopeful it will. Unfortunately, Nick will be in Germany and Kait in Haiti. But, I know they are where God wants them to be.

Love,
Karen

happy birthday kaitlyn!!!

Today is Kait's 22nd birthday! I can't believe that it has been 22 years since I held that beautiful girl in my arms! People used to tell me how fast time would "fly." I did believe them, I thought, but now that I'm living it, I just can't get over that it seems like yesterday she was a brand new baby!

I love you so much, Kait! I am so proud of the woman you are! I am so thankful to call you friend, too. Happy Birthday, Kaitlyn!

Love,

Mom