Important April Update

 There are peak and valleys in life and the Lord has sustained us through a tumultuous winter.  And we are coming up on the other side enjoying the warm spring days together as a family.  These two heart heros have been cleared by their Dr. for six months until their next appointment.  That seems like a lifetime for us and we rejoice in their energy (most of the time)!   Our daily medication routine has dropped to only a few medications.  After insurance stopped paying for the liquid form of their heart medication, they started to swallow it--no problem--like champs!

His favorite Doc!

 James has been the strongest most resilient trooper through his recovery.  Yes, he has days asking to get his cast off.  And days asking when he could do this or that but he has grown so much in the past year.  Adoption is hard....real hard....for a child who knows nothing but orphanage life...they only know how to survive on fight for themselves.  James came to us and has given us the chance to love him and has been willing to let down his guard to trust us.  He has allowed us to shape and mold him through loving guidance.  I look back at his file and they labeled him with words I will not repeat, for they are not him.  He is our son, capable of anything.  James has learned to read and write this year, a language he never spoke, or heard just over a year ago.  He tries his hardest and wins over the heart of just about everyone he meets.  He smile is always big and his heart even bigger!

                                     Three extremities in a cast does not slow James down!

 Everything turns into a race at our house.  It's in the blood.....or maybe the milk, or water.  Okay, I       don't know why???

                          These two are well known at the AFCH.  They think they rule the roost there!

 About once a year we go the a REAL movie!  This time we hit the theatre with recliners....wow what a treat and with free refillable large popcorn and drink.....score!!!  We saw "Miracles from Heaven"

                  Wrestling is a popular sport at our house too.  It's mostly just pile on each other till someone starts crying.

Over spring break we took a little trip to the Madison zoo.  It's a wonderful free activity!  Despite the hail, we dashed between raindrops and had a great time.  Since the zoo was not very crowded,  (maybe the hail scared people away) the zoo keeper allowed the kids to pet the tortoise.  Joseph (not pictured) ran in touched him and dashed out.  Not impressed!

           Our faithful Bubba Gump, he puts up with a lot and always up for whatever the kids want.

                     James won tickets to the UW band concert from AFCH.  What a great treat!

 What happens when you have a sister.....she dresses you up like a girl, over and over and over!  Joseph is so easy going!

                                Bike rides for some, scooter ride for those with casts.  This radio flyer works great and was designed for children who don't have movement/strong use of their legs.  He still has mobility and can get around everywhere.  Love it!

                                                     Two little cubbie bears at AWANA.

Superhero in my book (and hers).  Ryan overheard her asking Justin.... "How Do you get that web thing to fly out of your hand?"  One day....Huahua...One day!

                                        Oh that Smile, sweetness in a superhero body!!!

                                                                 Jordan and Teddy Bear.

                                                            -- SISTERS FOREVER--

 Jackson has sustained a long winter of surgeries, casts, and rehab therapy.  He is back at what he loves the most, racing his dirt bike and qualified at the local races to move onto regional races in two different classes.   Despite this tough break, I pray he sees how God can use this for the good.

                         Can't keep this guy down! When he really wants to get going he holds his cast up and                                  pedals really hard with one foot.  Determination from within.

        Joseph taking a few spins on the dirt bike with Dad.  He usually comes back and is saying more.

                                                                       Sweet bonding.

                                              Jordan riding at grandpa's house.

                                         

                Someone has a funny sense of humor--- James was "fixing" the tricycle.

                                                               Two peas in a pod.

The Little Red Merry-Go-Round

On October 28, 2015, in the midst of our hospital stay with Joseph, and as our tumultuous winter was beginning, I first saw this little boy, Dallas.  The red little merry-go-round-caught my eye.  This was the little merry-go-round Joseph played upon in the orphanage in Guilin, China.   I saw Joseph play upon this with his foster parents.  Upon further probing, We learned this little boy was only 11 months old and had a single ventricle ( like Huahua) and we believed at the time had not had his Glenn procedure.  The Glenn is the second of three surgeries single ventricle children need in order to survive.  He was not vaccinated and his heart was growing more vulnerable and weak by the day.  He needed a family and needed one immediately.  As our plate became more and more full, complicated with broken arms, surgeries, ailing parents, and cancer, we decided there was no way we could adopt another child.  So I did the next best thing and advocated for him.   I advocated as if he was mine and put his face and profile out there for as many people to see.  Orphans are alone in the world, they have no one fighting for them!  I would fight for him and find him a family!  Many people think they can't make a difference in the overwhelming needs of orphans.  But One person can make the difference in their life, advocate, make their faces known, share their stories, make their needs and life real to others.  I spoke with a few families, encouraged about single ventricle children and thought  he might have a chance to be adopted.  To have his life saving surgery!  He needed a massive expedite within a few months to make it home!   To my agonizing disappointment....family after family said no.  I cried for him.  Knowing his time on earth was short.  In late December, an update came through that he had actually received his Glenn surgery. (why it was never put in his file???  We will never know!)   I cried tears of HOPE for him......this bought him time to find a family to find him and get him home before his next surgery is needed.

Fast forward a two months.... Dallas' file was lost for few weeks, then moved agencies.   Now he is named "Jaxen" with the new agency.  I was hopeful he might have a chance to be seen by a new prospect of adoptive parents.  In reality, I think most adoptive parents might all "know each other"  through social media.  But I continued to advocate and keep tabs on him and search for his parents, all the while my heart ached.... because I knew the truth God whispered into my ear in that hospital room back on October 28.  

 

Why do we advocate?  Why do allow ourselves to be vulnerable and hurt for these children?  Orphans....are they really our responsibility?  Wouldn't life be so much easier to move on and live comfortably and enjoy what we have....the problem is...... our hearts and lives have been changed....

1 Peter 1:22NIV

22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.

James 1:27 (NIV)

27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Understanding, believing and living out the gospel is fully reflected in Adoption.  Not everyone is called to adopt...but everyone is called to care for orphans and widows.  So we'd like to introduce our youngest son.....

         Cao Wen Xiang--  He is 15 months old and has the one of the most severe forms of Congenital Heart Disease.  (Hypoplastic left heart syndrome.)  We are working very fast to bring him home.  You may ask how to help....Pray...pray for his health to sustain him until we get there.  He is not vaccinated against anything and China runs rampant with Hep A, B and C among any other common childhood diseases that a baby would normally be vaccinated against.  Sadly, (and very frustrating) they will not vaccinate children like him, when they need it the most!  He has a single ventricle heart and running between 75-80 % oxygen.  His fingers show clubbing, which is how his body is deteriorating from lack of o2.  Pray for our adoption process to move smoothly and quickly. Lastly, financially, pray about how you may be led to walk beside us through this process. This will be our fourth adoption in three years and adoption is expensive, but a life is invaluable to our Lord. We serve Him, knowing we serve the God of the universe,  and we do not flinch that this is where God calls us to be.....

    THAT TRUTH that was Whispered in my ear 5 months ago,......THIS IS MY SON  and I WILL FIGHT for him, TILL THE DAY HE IS HOME SAFE IN MY ARMS.  We love you!

Long over due update!

 If you enter our house on any given day, you might find this!  These two attached at the hip laughing and playing, dressed in each others clothes (poor Joseph!) But he never complains, and just goes with the flow.  He has found his voice and sometimes puts in his preference and then wears whatever!  They adore one another.  I was informed the other day they got married, and he was wearing the princess dress and she had his clothes on!  And now he said they were just kidding :)  He has really transformed over the last year.  He has always been accepting of our love but as I have watched him grow to a point where he enjoys freely giving it too.  He says good morning and is the first to say I Love you!  Little things that we might take for granted, but little seeds that show he is feeling secure in his comfort and place in our family.

                                                                      Our heart Duo :)

Even though the snow was sparse this winter, fun was had by all when it was here!

 Many of you know our winter has been filled with event after event. Hence, our blog hiatus. The trials never seems to let up.  Jordan snuggles with Ryan's Dad here at the nursing home, as he has struggled with failing a heart this winter.  We cling to our faith the God is our provider and that he will see us through the trials of this life.

 Our Christmas was filled with family visiting from Florida and fun memories.  The kids got lots of time with the cousins and James and Huahua enjoyed the chicken feet at the Chinese restaurant.

 Some were venturous and tried the Chicken feet....Others watched... enjoyment was not had by ALL!

 James has taking a strong liking to Basketball.  Justin and Jackson's teammates include him so kindly.  We are thankful for a school district that teaches love and respect for those with differences.  He feels proud of himself, even though he doesn't get it just right, he feels a great sense of accomplishment when people treat him with respect for who he is.

 Justin making a pass around the big guy.   Very proud of the boys and their seasons.  During this game the officials were confused on who should have possession of the ball and gave it to Justin's team.  He spoke up  to correct to call and said "I made the foul and it's the other team's ball."  Despite "losing" this game by one at the buzzer, he recognized that the honesty and sportsmanship is most important part of the game.  Jackson's season was cut short, almost as it began, with his broken arm.  He continued to attend practices and games with his team, dribbling around with the other hand.  Quite frustrated with being on the sidelines, he finally has been granted permission by Noonan to start full participation again!  He broke out the dirt bike this weekend.  Strength and stretching are still the focus, as we keep an eye on the lump left on his wrist from a few chips of titanium left in his arm.  We pray his body will adjust to them and no further surgery needed.

  Jordan and her friend Sydney cheering on the boys!  And Joseph wondering
 if this was ever going to be done????????

Jordan took this picture at the school---I don't know if she even understood the significance.  In February, my mother
was diagnosed with breast cancer.  I think children are more keen to what's going on than we give them credit!
We pray and fight with her, as we know the one that Heals will provide what we need.

Ryan and I were able to get away together for a week for his work trip.  This is the shores of Maui.  As I stood on the shores and the waves crashing against the rocks, that's how we feel this winter.  Our family after this week will have endured 11 surgeries in 6 months.  We have rolled three of our children back 9 times and handed them over to a surgical team praying we would see them again; just holding onto to the faith that only can come from knowing the Lord.

But in the fierce waves, there is beauty and rage  The rocks are battered, broken, shaped and there comes dependence, restoration and healing in our lives.  Power and Peace that only comes from an almighty healer.  In the past few months, I have watched too many adoptive families lose their children to CHD and there is always a fear..... if the Lord will
take our child next?    

 As we were leaving the shore on our last day in Maui these two fisherman came up to rough shores to find a perfect place to drop their lines.  I thought how in the world could they possibly find anything in this massive ocean with waves slamming the shore line.  After speaking with them briefly, I glanced down and noticed a small space between the rocks, snuggled  next to the shoreline where the fish took their solace from the relentless waves.  A refuge. Yes, there was peace in the midst of this rough, relentless powerful ocean.  We are in a season of relentless waves. Our peace and refuge can be found in the Faith in the one who created the majestic ocean.

                                Some of God's beautiful creations!  These are the seven pools, which can become raging floods when it storms in the mountains.  People have been swept out into the ocean.  There are many signs saying DO NOT swim in the pools!  As you can see not everyone follows directions well.

 This is after the road to Hana.   The most beautiful drive, and it includes 617 turns for 52 miles along the mountain side.  Lots of blind turns and 56 one way bridges.  Not for the faint at heart!

Jordan and Justin growing up way to fast!!!!  Celebrating Huahua's fifth birthday at the waterpark!

 Believe it or not.....Our decision to adopt a child with severe congenital heart disease was easier before she was home;  Before we fell so in love with her! Our hearts could not live without her now!  She is joy, pure joy!  She is smart, beautiful, intelligent and so creative and we are beyond privileged to be her parents.  For now we live in the joy,  celebrate the miracle of each birthday and life she exuberates in every jump off pool and kiss she liberally gives!

                                            The comedian!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                The little man.................doing BIG THINGS!!!

 Feng yu can be found within a few feet of his girl!

                 Yes.....we have minions.....Three of them!!!!!  And they love it!!!!!!!, But they are not evil!

Live in the joy!!!

James will be having his orthopedic/ plastic surgery tomorrow at 7:30 am.  He will have an achilles lengthening on the right leg and a tendon moved to help his club foot.  On the left foot he will have a toe removed and some reconstructive work to narrow the foot.  His right hand will also be worked on by a second surgeon who will work on either separating his two thumbs or releasing the skin between his thumbs and fingers.  They will reuse the skin graft area from his stomach.  The surgery is scheduled for five hours, which is his longest procedure with us.  Pray for his ability to wake up smoothly and without fear.  Please pray for this long road of recovery he faces.  Although he enters surgery tomorrow with a great attitude, three of his limbs will be casted, and even to those best prepared, it will be testing on patience.  He will be unable to bear weight for the first six weeks and rely on all of to maneuver him around in the wheelchair.  Pray as our household works out a new normal during this time.  I will post updates on Facebook.

 This little blue bag holds a special token.  More to come on that.....