Pictures and exciting updates

      There have been multiple times over the past few months when thoughts have flooded my mind and I have wanted to share. Time has not been on my long list of extras lately.  Where to start.... 

Huahua celebrated four years home in December.   The day we received her file (almost 5 years ago), the day we said "Yes", the moment we received travel approval, the moment she was carried around the corner in a stale civil affairs building in Chongqing, China (12/16/13) and was placed in my arms and became my daughter is forever.--these are etched as if it was just yesterday.      

Christmas celebrations among the sneezes, coughs.  vomit & diarrhea. Thankful we live in a country we have access  medicine, vaccinations, exceptional health care all at the tip of our fingertips.  Next time you wait in a Drs waiting room start to get a little annoyed with the wait, remember there are mamas who walk miles, even days for their children to get a medicine so their child does not die of diarrhea.   Remember health care in some countries is a privilege, not a right.  And parents are left only to abandon their children out of helplessness.   AN ABSOLUTE TRAGEDY.*

Perspective and thankfulness. 
I am humbled and will never take for granted these smiles.  I know there is a pile of tears behind them.  Adoption is always born out of loss, and we are only part of the solution.  We turn to our savior for the ultimate HOPE as we walk this path in healing the broken hearts.

Thankful for the Specialty & Clinics that serve our children
Cardiology, Pulmonology, Orthopedics, ENT, Psychology, OT/PT, Speech Therapy, , Plastic surgery,  General surgery, Urology, Ophthalmology, Nutrition, Neurology, Genetics, Orthodontist & the primary Dr who has the unfortunate job of keeping tabs on all of these!

We had special visitors over Christmas from Florida and the kids enjoyed the snow before James headed into surgery January 2 for his tibia rotations and a little finger work.  He was a real trooper with three casts on.  The final casts will come off March 15.  RESILIENCY! 

Some of our most amazing work is being done with some new therapists weekly.

We are so excited with the understanding of how their little bodies are processing information, through senses, emotionally, socially and how this all is affecting behavior academically and relationally within our family.  Most importantly, Ryan and I are also being equipped with skills to better parent their complex needs.  

Smiles may look like smiles at first glance, but sometimes they are something else to a child with  history of trauma.   We want to uncover who these children truly are and let them live in freedom and without fear.   Thankful for the resources in our community.

.

                                                 Joseph giving me his proud smile!

                                 Placing the angel on the tree.  It took a few attempts for this guy!

He might be the cutest little man in uniform ever!

Jackson takes pleasure in giving me the most  goofy pictures right now.....hoping this phase passes soon.

Roller skating with the Adoption Resource Group.  FUN FOR ALL.  Wen xiang decided he could push James around.  One of these two was a bit worried...I'll let you decide.....

Some exciting news....sorry no new Oehlhofs arriving soon......but we have been given some great opportunities to share our story

The kids thought the cameras & equipment was the most fascinating.......

Thursday, March 8, NBC will be airing a special during the 10 pm news about Joseph's special heart and how AFCH used a 3D model to prepare for his surgery (Sept 29, 2015).  Joseph's heart and anatomy (situs inversus) is so unique that having this incredible technology gave Dr A the proper tools for a successful surgery.  It seems like years ago, but essentially it was a surgical decision that changed his life forever.   HEART WARRIOR!

  Jordan & Huahua faithfully watching over Joseph (Sept 2015)

 And then this week, we had a second opportunity to share our story!!!  WOW! A documentary film crew (FreeThink) came from Washington DC to profile the maker of this 3D technology here at the UW.  They spent the day with our family filming and interviewing around the house. So cool to be part of an ever changing world that may save so many children with CHD.  What an opportunity to share the reasons why we do what we do.....  our family plays only a small part of this, but such an experience to share...

           1. Every child deserves a home.
           2. Every child deserves to be loved by a family.
           3. Every child deserves a fighting chance with medical care.

Ultimately we are serving where God called us to be.  Is it easy? NOPE!  I am asked again and again, am I tired....YEP! Exhausted!   But I am also humbled to me knees and know there are children going to sleep without a hug, without a mama, and dying without a mama beside them.  No, I will never save the world.  God sent his Son, Jesus, to do that, and in that he instructs us to serve HIM and care for those who need a mama to bravely carry them into surgery, hold their hand and smile when they wake up, tell them it will be okay, and wipe their tears when it hurts too much. 
                     

FOR ALL THE CHD WARRIORS THAT LOST THEIR BATTLES TOO EARLY, WE FIGHT FOR YOU!  AND WE STAND WITH HOPE, LOVE, FAITH AND COURAGE!


*Go to Love Without Boundaries unity initiative program where they assist birth families with medical care to preserve the family unit.  In 2017 they provided help to 41 families in rural China, so that those children would remain with their birth parents!  39 of those surgeries were life saving heart surgeries (see LWB website)   https://www.lovewithoutboundaries.com
Click on Medical