Poor Sick Little guy & other Miscellaneous Photos

Our usually smiley little guy has been fighting croup this week. I've finally experienced the "joy" of being up with a sick child most of the night ... letting him sleep on me in the reliner, steam baths, and sitting outside in the middle of winter to help the cough. Even though it's pretty exhausting to have a sick little one clinging to you nearly every second of the day and night - it truly is a privilege to be here for him and to love him. (I can say that with real enthusiasm now especially since wonderful Tim took the night shift last night and I finally got more rest! Seriously though...) We love this little guy SO MUCH, we're just doing whatever we can to help him feel better.

Not long after he arrived home he was introduced to the good ole' nebulizer (picked up a virus on the plane ride home, we think.) He had one other cold in November that seemed to go straight to the lungs and another one over Christmas which required the nebulizer again. Now he's so familiar with it, he'll even hold it himself if I let him (although I'm usually glad to sit with him). His favorite part, of course, is watching a video while he takes his medicine.

A special book... I made up a little rhyming storybook to share with Matthew how he came to be part of our family. The printed version arrived just before Christmas and we were so exicted to see the finished project. Matthew really enjoys all the pictures now (he loves to point out Beau and family members - especially his cousin Jagger!). When he's older I hope he'll appreicate the words that tell his story.Such fun to play with Daddy's winter gear!

Cheese!!

Marat meets Turat - a new Kyrgyz friend!!

About a year ago, I met my first online friend on the webboard that our adoption agency had set up (which has unfortuntatly been discontinued due to international adoption regulations). I truly belive that God arranged this opportunity to "meet" Kim who not only lives near by but also was in the program to adopt a little boy from Kyrgyzstan. It has been a HUGE blessing to not only know someone to share this adoption experience with, but also to become friends with such wonderful people! We were able to get together and share stories twice before Tim and I went to bring Matthew home. And I think we got together at least 2 more times before they brought their son home. We have so much fun whenever we're with Cain, Kim, Alisha, and Megan!! This photo was taken in October of 2007 - just 2 1/2 months before they travelled to pick up their son. Last Sunday morning (1/13/08) we were SO EXCITED to be at the airport to welcome Kim and Cain home - and especially to meet their precious son Turat Andrew.
Andrew's big sisters couldn't wait to love on their new little brother!
Their first family photo all together!
Most of you know that Matthew's given name was Marat... well, we couldn't help but laugh when we found out that their son's given name was Turat! Matthew is 11 months older than Andrew, but I hope that won't make a difference in their friendship. How special to have a friend from his birthland! Here is a picture of the four of us with our little "Kyrgyz Wonders!" We thank God for bringing them all home safely and for the opportunity to share the joys of adoption with friends who live so close!!

Lehr Christmas

Phew! Still catching up on some Christmas photos that I wanted to share with you.

For Matthew's first Christmas, we decided to start a new tradition. Everyone receives one present on Christmas eve and each year it will be the same thing...

New Pajamas!! It was fun to include Mom and Dad Lehr in our pj party!

Lehr Christmas' are all day affairs full of grattitude for our Savior's birth, eating, gifts, playing, photos and fun. I don't think we'd have it any other way.
A break from the action inside ... Matthew's first sled ride!
All bundled up and ready for some fun!! (Matthew and 3 of his cousins)
Special gifts from Aunt Nancy & Uncle Dave!
A full quiver of grandchildren!
Well, that's it (finally) for my Christmas posts. We will treasure the memories of this first Christmas with our son forever, I'm sure. I hope you had a wonderful time celebrating Jesus' birth with family and friends. May you grow to know Him more and may God bless each of you in 2008!

Our First Christmas as a Family of Three!

Never seen anything like this before!! Matthew enjoyed not only the gifts that he received, but also the ribbons and paper!

Is this stocking for me? Hmmm and how did Santa manage to come down the bookcase?

The head tilt is a little overboard, but an otherwise nice family photo by the tree.

It's ok, Beau. Maybe you'll get a new bone next year.

Matthew got a tunnel to crawl through. He was a little spooked by it at first.

Tunnel of fun... We do realize the toys are supposed to be for Matthew, but it's so enjoyable to play with them too! New dump truck and barrels.

Are you thinking what I'm thinking?
Let's go play in the tunnel!!
That's all folks!

McKenzie Christmas

Happy New Year! I don't know about you, but I am still trying to get life back together & to some some sense of "normalcy" after all of the excitement of Christmas! I am behind on a number of things, including blog posts! Here are a few photos from celbrating Christmas with family. Time with great-grandparents
Grandma & Grandpa "Uh-oh" - as Matthew calls them
Opening a gift with Daddy
Uncle Dave assists Jagger in opening a gift
Happy Birthday ... another year has passed already??
A favorite gift that Matthew received was his first backback!
Jagger got a shopping cart for Christmas & Matthew says let's go!
Aunt Callie & Uncle Dave
Why load the cart with groceries when I can push my cousin around? That's so much better!!
Matthew's turn to push!

First Christmas Party

Tim's place of employment offers a wonderful Christmas party for all of the employee's kids. They had crafts, games, food, jumpolines, and a kids DJ (I had such fun doing the "hokey pokey" and other silly kid dances ... all while holding Matthew, of course - y'know, so I had an excuse) Santa was there too. Tim took Matthew down the two slides at work. (Yes, he has slides at work ... why take the stairs when you can sit and let gravity do the work?)
We spent a good portion of the day with our friends Steve, Ally, & Ben. (Here's a photo of just the guys.)
Ben's such a big boy he goes down the slide all by himself and he lands with a big smile for his mom.
Tim may need to see a chiropractor after this trip down the slide.
More friends ... Steve, Michelle, & their adorable little guy, Stephen
Tis' the season to be jolly!!!! What could be more fun than making silly hats and putting them on your son?? One day, I'm sure he'll thank us for taking this photo ... especially in his teen years.
At home later that day, Ben shows Matthew how to put the farm animals together to make matches using refrigerator magnets.
Good times had by all!

Hello Snow!

Back on the second day of December we awoke to our first snowy morning this winter (and hopefully not our last!!). Matthew was very interested in this white stuff that had covered up our back yard.

It looks fun! When can we go out and play?

No, sweetie, Mommy said "SNOW," not "nose." Since this lovely bit of snow at the beginning of the month we've had no other snow. Sadly, we've had nothing but cold rain -ug. We're praying for a white Christmas though!