Updates and BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!

When she crashes, she crashes hard.  We don't typically put her down for naps anymore because she won't go to bed until 11 pm then.  Although I am thankful she listens to her body and rests when needed.  This day she made a little fortress, under the pool table, for the princess to rejuvenate her precious self.    Medically we are still working to bring her oxygen levels up.  The new medication is having some unwanted side effects.  Initially seemed to raise her oxygen, but long term now we have not seen the results as expected.  We have a little room to increase the medication, and will reevaluate just before Thanksgiving with an ECHO and cardio appt.    The other option is to close her fenestration value, which gave her really good reading while under sedation.  Long term though there are possible complications with that route as well.   She saw the general surgeon today regarding her mal rotation of the intestines.  Final result is we will only monitor her symptoms, as the surgery is too risky for a child with her type of heart condition. (30% mortality are not good odds going into surgery)   She is finally healthy enough to start some vaccinations again tomorrow.  Although not our favorite thing to do, I am glad we can finally get back on track.  Another testament to the miracle she truly is..... When she came to us she had already lived 2 1/2 years in China, in a massive orphanage without a spleen to fight infection, not immunized!  Praise God for the protection over her life!

We love to play outside and Huahua loves the fresh air like most children.  Fall has been exceptionally beautiful this year with the leaves staying on the trees a little longer.  Simple experiences of walking through the crunchy leaves, finding catapillars, even when they pee on her, have been so incredible.  She sees things for the first time and can verbally express her new found passions and dreams and shares with us her little heart.  How did we get to be so lucky?

She is also an entertainer and an orchestrator of the show.   She can be bossy, sassy and manipulative too.   But how do you survive life in an orphanage without these basic skills.  Mature beyond her 3 years in some respects and still an infant needing swaddling in other moments.  We pray for time to heal her wounds and for her to allow us to walk beside her as she heals.

Did we mention she does like to ride the pony, but when he's not available, the dog works too!  Good boy Bubba Gump.

With a smile like that, why wouldn't she get away with everything?















Snuggling with Daddy after the races at Pecatoncia.  The boys had their award banquet and she cheered real loud for them.  Go gaga's!

First Trick o Treat--  Was not sure why these people kept giving her candy.  She was happy after the first three bags of M & M's.  But then realized more houses= more candy and said I like this, This is fun!  As a mother I thought she would be afraid of the decorations, but NOT so much!  She walked up to the guy who was hiding under the table with his head sticking out of the bowl (and had a scary mask on)  plainly patted him on the head and ask him, "why do you have your head in the bowl? " Never mind the mask!   She commented the skeletons were broken.  Maybe with a stomach like that girl you're headed to medical school to be a surgeon.

                                                                Halloween 2014

So you might have wondered why have we been so short on updates.  Well extra busy, with some extra paperwork, for someone extra special.  You see when you say, "Yes Lord I will follow you, I will go where you send me", your submit your life and will to Him.  And in the same time there is something so freeing because you know your are doing what you are intended to do, there is a peace that transcends all understanding.  Is it easy, without struggle?  No, but peace is found.  Here is our littlest Oehlhof.....

He just turned three in August and also has a congenital heart condition.  Medical details to be figured out as we get more information from his orphanage.  But really it doesn't matter because he is our son, chosen to be ours by the one who knows it ALL.

How do we bring these two boys home from China?  With your help.  First prayers to prepare them to be a part of our family and then major financial support.   We estimate this adoption will run around $60,000 and we need to raise about $30,000.  We are approved through "Lifesong For Orphans" to receive donations upon our behalf as a non profit entity.  100% of donations given to Lifesong will go directly to our adoption and are tax deductable.

There are a couple ways to give a tax deductable donation.

  1. Donation Checks payable to “Lifesong for Orphans”.  In the memo, note Oehlhof  #4819 to assure it goes to the correct account. Please mail to Lifesong for Orphans, PO Box 40, Gridley, IL 61744. Lifesong has been blessed with a partner that underwrites all U.S. administrative and fund-raising costs (TMG Foundation and other partners). That means 100% of your donation will go directly to the OEHLHOF adoption. (Note: In Following IRS guidelines, your donation is to the named non-profit organization. They retain full discretion over its use, but intend to honor the donor’s suggested use.  Individual Donations over $50 or more will receive a tax-deductable receipt. Donations receipts under $50 will be sent upon request. Lifesong is a 501 (c) 3 tax exempt organization.)

 2.  To donate online go to www.lifesongfororphans.org/give/donate .  Select “Give to an Adoptive Family.” Complete the online form and fill in “Family Account Number” and “Family Name” fields.   OEHLHOF  #4819   Note PayPal charges an administrative fee (2.9% + $.30 USD per transaction).

3.  Click on the donate tab on the home page of this website.  Donations go through paypal and are accepted through "Lifesong for Orphans".  Note PayPal charges an administrative fee (2.9% + $.30 USD per transaction).

Thank you for your continued support in our journey to follow where the Lord has called us to go.  We are blessed immeasurably and cannot wait to meet our sons and bring them home!