Flashback to January 2009

That's one handsome warrior!

Dominic, Amelia and Djuna

Our trip to medical. What fun!

Vicki and Mike. We were in China with them in 2005.

Lynn playing with the monkey's. Frank thinks she 's crazy! :)

Hi guys, its been a while since I posted but I hope that everyone is well. I went back to work full-time on March 16th after 8 years as a SAHM. Wow, I can hardly believe it. But God's peace and strength has covered me.

Since coming home from China as you know, Amelia had her cleft lip/nose revision and palate repair surgery. She is doing well considering she has fallen 3 times on her face. It was hard going to work just 2 weeks after but God really helped prepare me and Dominic and Hunter have really stepped up with helping out; getting Gabrielle and Hope off to school each day. We couldn't do this withou them. All the while, they are still homeschooled.

We really miss so many of you that we travelled with and hope our paths cross again. Amelia has really blossomed over the last few months. She really fits in well with our family too. Believe it or not, Frank talked about adopting again after being home only 2 weeks. Let's just say, the look I gave him was not one of excitement after having done this trip and facing surgery with Amelia that was the last thing that I wanted to hear. Who knows what God has in store.

For those of you who have been checking in with us lately, please forgive me the last 3 weeks have been crazy. My goal is to update weekly if not daily on life at the Brizzi home. Please keep checking in. I hope to learn how to upload more pics because we have a lot of great ones of the kids.

Dominic and Hunter start flag football this week. Frank will coach Dominic's team. Gabrielle has her first spring soccer game so hopefully those will be the first pictures that we upload on my journey to keeping this blog current LOL.

Well, gotta run, talk with you later!

Pictures - Amelia after surgery, snow the day of surgery and more

Music to her ears....PART II - See video

We played a cd of Chinese nursery ryhmes and Amelia recognized the songs and danced and Mommy cried.....

(Hint: mute or pause the music at the bottom of page to listen)

Amelia is home...

Amelia came home Wednesday, she is doing well. She is not able to eat anything except jello and liquids. She is constantly asking for food. Poor thing.

We have a follow-up appointment next Wednesday at which time stitches will be removed from lip. I am so hoping that they give her the go ahead to eat soft foods.

Here's something funny that happened the first night we were home. Amelia has to wear these restraints (No-No's) on her arms so that she won't put her fingers in her mouth. Well, we put her to bed Wednesday night and when we went to bed, she had taken them off, through them out of the crib and took her legs out of her pajamas. She has never liked having her feet or legs covered. Now, everytime we put her to bed, she has taken the restrains off.

Most of the kids signed the No-No's but not Dominic. Amelia took one of them off and handed it to him to sign. The girl is a trip. We are amazed at how well she is doing since surgery. I must say that I am happy that this part of the journey is over.

Not feeling well myself today but wanted to give an update.

Amelia's Surgery

Amelia's surgery went great, Praise the Lord! She was in for about 2.5 hours. She was moved to ICU (normal procedure) and will probably come home tommorow. Mom stayed at the hospital with her last night and told me Amelia slept through the night.
She was sitting on Mom's lap from 7am to about 11. She wants her Mommy all the time and Mommy hasn't eaten or had coffee yet...

Me and the other kids will go for a visit this afternoon.
Thanks for your prayers.