Birthday Girl

I'm sitting in the waiting room while Kate has her MRI and then later she will go to the Cath lab for her heart cath. It was Zoey's birthday yesterday, so I wanted to post the photos from her celebration.

She was so matter-of-fact about it all. She has been asking daily for weeks when it would be her birthday, but when the big day came, she seemed very non-plussed by it. Whenever one of the kids would say, "It's your birthday today, Zoey!" she would get annoyed and say, "I know." I guess she just doesn't like people stating the obvious.

She chose spaghetti and meatballs for her birthday dinner, which was met with groans by several of the other kids who were hoping for a different choice.

{I think I've somewhat burned them out on spaghetti with my stellar cooking skills.}

Cooking is not my thing. I don't like it...never will...and it's God sense of humor for giving a cooking-hater a huge family to cook for. I get the job done but lets just say, I won't be winning any awards.

"Oh yeah....that's what I'm talkin' about. Chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate."

She blew the candles out so fast I missed it.

Very proud of getting them out all in one pouf.

The coveted Zou Zou pet.

I so don't get the appeal of these {dumb} toys.

That's right.

Zoey has been wanting to wear flip flops forever. Last year, she tried to make them work but it's pretty hard to walk in them when your foot is totally sideways. She got these flip flops for her birthday and quickly put them on. I wasn't sure they would stay on since she can't curl her toes. But of course, Zoey being Zoey, she kept them on and was soon running around the house in them.

Speaking of shoes, now that the weather is nicer, we need to get her some shoes that go with dresses. She did try to wear a dress a few weeks ago, but her prosthesis shredded her tights within hours. ugh.

Anyhoo...the three youngest girls decided to wear their Chinese silk dresses to church last Sunday. We had no fancy shoes for Zoey but she REALLY wanted to wear that dress. I couldn't deny her just because she had no dress shoes.

{Clothing police please hide your eyes. It's really that bad.}

I'm pretty sure that no one in China would wear a silk dress with sneakers but oh well... That's the fun of being a kid, right?

Katie-bug's Heart

This post is a request for prayer. Two years ago this week, our little Katie-bug had just endured open-heart surgery. The surgeon had hoped to do a full repair of her very defective heart. It is on the wrong side of her body, turned around backwards, has a huge hole in one ventricle, and some other defects that I can't even remember.

When she went into surgery, the surgeon wasn't sure if he could do a full repair or a 'fontan.' The fontan is a procedure that leaves the heart with only one working ventricle. The heart is no longer a pump for the body. The blood actually flows through it by reaction to the squeezing muscle. So it is actually pulled through the heart rather than pumped through the heart.

Crazy, huh?

Well...after we came to Boston, the cardiologist here has been looking over her records. When SaraGrace was there in Feb. for her appendicitis, the cardiologist came to talk to me about Kate. He said that he and one of the surgeons had been going over her test results and felt that they would have made a different decision about repairing her heart. The surgeon is pioneering a surgery to fix hearts like Kate's. He wants to explore the possibility of doing a full repair of her heart.

This is good news but also very scary news.

Good because, of course, a full repair is AMAZING news for Katie! Scary for several reasons... One, any open heart surgery is risky and this surgery would be even more so. Our memories of Kate looking like this, are still fresh.

{Kate on April 15, 2009}

Two, because the recovery is very, very long. As in 3-5 months IN the hospital. Yes, months.

I have no idea how we would manage that, nor do I have any idea how it would get paid for.

On the other hand, how could we not allow Kate to have the surgery if she is a candidate? A patient with a fontan is quite likely to need a heart transplant by age 20-30, or, best case, be on a host of medications to keep the heart functioning.

It is not a surgery that can be put off. If she is a candidate, it would have to be done this year. The older she gets, the less likely she would be a candidate.

So....

Tuesday morning, Kate is going to have a heart catheterization and some other tests. Our prayer request is that God would show the doctors clearly what recommendation they should make to us. We are sooo hoping that we will not have to make a difficult decision about whether or not to try the surgery. We know that no doctor can give us any guarantees on outcome, but we are hoping that the direction will be obvious.

She will be in the hospital overnight. Fun spring break for her. Not.

{Although spending the time alone with Mommy IS a treat for her.}

Two Spunky Little Girls

Oh my goodness....it was so fun meeting Sophie today! We spotted her leg before we spotted her. I guess because it was like looking in a mirror.

The girls were a bit shy with each other at first but after a quick lunch we headed out to the playground (at Shriners). From then on, you would have thought they were best friends!

They had a blast! Unfortunately, we only had about 20 minutes to play before their appointment but we had time to make some happy memories.

Earlier, we were told it was "Clinic" day--meaning that families who were considering an amputation for their child had arrived to see and talk to families who had already been through it. We attended one last fall to help us prepare for Zoey's surgery. It was a privilege to be there to encourage and help other families who were just starting the journey. Zoey happily took her leg off, sock off, everything...to show how her leg looks now. Then she showed the doctor her new favorite trick--putting her leg on backwards. He asked her if she could walk like that and she grinned and walked across the room. Haha He told us a story about a boy who had two prosthetic legs and he had asked if the boy had ever put both legs on backwards and walked into school that way. Well...the boy tried it and his teacher freaked out and sent him to the principal's office. The doctor got a call to verify if he had actually suggested it because the principal wanted to give the boy a detention. {Insert me rolling my eyes and saying, "Oh for Pete's Sake people...lighten up!}

The doctor thought Zoey was going to need another leg already but the prosthetist thought she could wait a few more months if she wears two socks. As her leg muscles atrophy, they get thinner and eventually her prosthetic leg will start falling off. She needed a length adjustment because she had already grown enough to be limping a bit. Probably sometime this summer we will start working on the new leg.

OK--I know you really only want to see the pictures, so here you go. :)

A little shy at first. Aren't they just the cutest?!

Heading down the slide {with Jake lurking in the background}

Are you ready? Get set...

GO!!!

Whee! That was fun, let's go again!

What a blessing it is to see these two girls running!

Another photo that speaks for itself. {Sniff, sniff}

Nothing is going to hold these girls back!

Then they found a ball to play with.

Then back to the slide because that seemed to be the most favorite activity.

One last photo before they had to say goodbye.

I tried to get some shots of them running back inside holding hands. It was so amazingly cute but they were gone in a flash and I missed it.

Thank you, God, for sweet moments like this.

Zoey and Sophie

Tomorrow we are going to Shriners and are going to meet the little girl who has the same leg as Zoey.

Months ago, we had to decide what type of leg we wanted, skin color or funky fabric. We chose a fabric but after we went home to think about it, I started to have second thoughts. I asked an online parent group for photos of their children's legs. Much to my surprise, one mom sent her blog link and there was her daughter with a leg that had same fabric that we had just chosen for Zoey!

It took awhile to figure it all out, but we finally realized that this same little girl, Sophie, is treated at the same Shriners that we go to. And it was her leftover fabric that we had chosen from the bin! Not only that, but at our first visit to Shriners there was a photo of a girl on a surfboard that had made a deep impression on me and had given me such hope. That little girl and Sophie were one and the same!

Her mom and I managed to get appointments for the same day and that big day is tomorrow! We can't wait!

And yes, I'll be taking my camera. Hopefully the girls won't be too shy to pose.

A Little Sparrow Needs a Family

Bill and Corrie...

As I was getting ready to type this post, I thought of naming it "A Little Sparrow Needs a Family," and I went to retrieve her photo from her "mama's" blog and guess what song was playing on that blog? "His Eye is on the Sparrow."

I love when God does stuff like that.

When we went to China in Jan. '09 to adopt Zoey and Kate, we spent a day with my precious friends, Bill and Lynsay, who had just started a home for orphans with special needs. They only had one baby then.

Her name is Corrie.

At a year old, she looked like a two month old. When I held her I just could not wrap my mind around the fact that she was a year old.

I watched Lynsay try to coax a few drops of milk into her. Some would seem like it was going down and then it would all come right back up. It was a miracle she had survived so long in an orphanage where caregivers probably didn't have time to sit with her and painstakingly feed her minuscule drops of milk. Lynsay shared with me that she feared Corrie would not make it.

Corrie has always been one of the family!

Oh my goodness...she is thriving now!

And she needs a family!!

God has written a miraculous story for her and now He needs a wonderful family to step forward and help her reach her next milestones. Please go to Lynsay's blog to read more.

The bottom line is that Corrie's orphanage has agreed to send Corrie's adoption paperwork to the Chinese officials despite everyone knowing that finding a family will not be easy. She needs a special family who sees her potential. She is an incredible little girl.

My parents recently visited Bill and Lynsay and spent a week there. My mom said that Corrie totally stole her heart. She is so sweet and loving. She loved playing with my mom's jewelry and touching my mom's face.

Please ask God if you might be that special family who has been chosen to receive the very special blessing of little Corrie.

His Eye is on the Sparrow

My dad told me the most amazing story yesterday and I just have to share it with you.

Unemployment has been a problem at my parents' church for the past few years. One particular family has adopted seven children and the father lost his job two months ago. (I'll call them the J family.) My dad decided to pray boldly on their behalf, reminding the Lord that He promises to be a Father to the fatherless. He reminded God that His honor was at stake due to that promise and that He needed to provide for this family who had taken in seven orphaned children.

And God kept that promise.

In spite of a tough economy, the father of the J family found a job and started last week!

Last Friday, my parents went to the mall where they go to walk in bad weather. In front of one particular store, my dad noticed a $20 bill lying on the ground. No one else seemed to see it. He leaned down and picked it up, looking around to see if anyone had lost it.

No one seemed to have any idea it was even there. It was as if the money was only visible to my dad.

He and my mom continued to walk the mall and my dad began to feel very bad about the $20, thinking that, 'Maybe some poor kid had dropped it and would be so upset when he/she realized it was gone." About a half hour later, they were still walking when suddenly a young boy called out to them by name. My parents didn't recognize him but went over to talk to him. He said that he had been to their church in the past and was currently visiting the J family for the weekend.

Just then, three of the girls from the J family came walking out of a store nearby! They talked for a few moments and then my dad suddenly found himself saying,
"I know this is a strange question, but did any of you girls lose a twenty dollar bill?"

The girls told him that their dad had given them each twenty dollars in celebration of his new job and they had come to the mall to spend it. Each girl looked through her purse and one suddenly said,
"My money is gone!"

Instantly, my dad knew why he had found the $20. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the money, handed it to the young girl and said, "Here is your $20!"

Only God.

What are the statistical odds that my parents would be at the mall at the same time as the J kids, that he would be the only one to see the money lying on the ground in a busy mall, that the young boy would recognize them and call them over to talk so that they would eventually see the J girls? And what would make my dad even connect the two incidents in his mind?

Only God.

As my parents walked away, my dad said to my mom, "His eye is on the sparrow."

Because you know what?

Jesus said,

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid, you are worth more than many sparrows." Matthew 10:29-31

There was a song written based on these verses called, "His Eye is on the Sparrow."

"Why do I feel discouraged?
Why do the shadows come?

Why should my heart feel lonely

And long for heaven and home?

When Jesus is my portion

My constant Friend is he

His eye is on the the sparrow

and I know He watches me

His eye is on the sparrow

and I know He watches me.

How comforting to know that He knows every detail of our lives and He is watching over us. No detail goes unnoticed, no stressful circumstance unattended. We have nothing to fear because He is always ahead of every situation and taking care of us. He only asks us to trust Him--even when things don't make sense--just to trust that He has a plan unfolding.

Which Way is Which?

When Zoey got her new leg, I joked with her about how funny it would be to freak people out by putting it on backwards. She smiled at me but never tried it.

Until yesterday.

She came downstairs with a mischievous grin on her face and said, "Look, Mama! I put my weg on backwards. Take my picture!"

She was so proud of her little joke.

She's a hoot!

And the winner is...

The winner of a copy of the newly published book, "Praying Through Your Adoption," by Michele C. Scott, is....

Caitlin Frost!!

Congratulations, Caitlin! A copy of "Praying Through Your Adoption" will be heading your way very soon!

Treasured Friends

I am still savoring the wonderful weekend I had. Jeff handled all the household duties and the kids quite well and everyone was doing fine when I returned home.

Danielle's shower was wonderful and she looked beautiful! Shortly after arriving, my friends showed up as 'shower crashers.' They did get a verbal invite, but they thought it was quite funny to be crashers. We had so much fun! Dani received some great gifts and the food...yum...it was wonderful. It has been many years since I attended a bridal shower and seeing my future daughter as the guest of honor made it extra special.

Dani looked so beautiful.

I thought these chocolate covered strawberries were the cutest.

Mom and new daughter! :)

Family "Girl" shot

I heart my friends!!

We went to Barnes and Noble afterwards and just sat and talked for about five hours. So fun!! All too soon they had to drive home.

The next day, I was able to see three sweet friends who had been in our small group Bible study in Michigan when we lived there. It was so great to see them again and catch up on each other's lives. God is good!!

Dani came over that day, too, and we had fun making more wedding plans.

Monday afternoon, it was time to head to the airport. I was flying Southwest and due to a little mishap (a plane lost a section of its roof) Southwest had grounded hundreds of planes. Needless to say, mine was delayed. I missed my connection and was delayed a few hours. I still made it home at a decent hour, though so it was all good.

I am so thankful for the opportunity to see my parents, siblings, and friends. It is hard to live so far away from them, but I know God has us here for a reason. Maybe someday we will live closer, but for now I will treasure the moments we get here and there. Now if I could just figure out how to see our family in Iowa...

A Walk in the Woods

Today we woke up to snow on the ground. Blech.

(But it's my mother-in-law's birthday and it's the kind of snow she likes...only on the grass but not on the pavement!)

A few days ago, it was around 50 degrees and the kids wanted to go for a walk. Since the neighbor behind us was burning leaves and making us choke and gasp in our own home, we decided to drive over to the pond near our old house.

The swans must be nesting because there was only one who came for bread. The kids had lots of fun feeding him.

Then they had to swing on the old rusty gate just like old times.

Afterwards, they ran down the old familiar trail.

We found some budding plants--a sure sign that spring is coming.

Kate posed at my favorite photo op location...an old abandoned factory.

Then it was back to the trail... Jake wouldn't be chasing his sister with a stick, would he?

Or about to hit her with it? Surely not.

{He didn't. Apparently he does listen to his mother now and then.}

They threw some sticks into the water.

And collected acorns--which were plentiful.

Then it was time to head for the school to pick up the big kids. I have photographed this part of the trail many times and I never get tired of looking it. So beautiful.

On the way to school, there are several church steeples like this. They are so beautiful (even with obnoxious power lines in the way).

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I'm off later today to Ohio to attend Dani's first bridal shower! So excited! As an added bonus, two of my dearest friends are driving over from IL and IN to spend the day with me on Saturday! Woot, woot! And on Sunday some more dear friends are coming from where we used to live in MI, to spend some time in the afternoon. So it's definitely going to be a FUN, FRIEND, weekend! {But I will miss my family--and so thankful that my sweet hubby is letting me go!}

I am blessed.

To Whom It May Concern...

To the folks at AARP.

I have some news for you.

My name is not Kenneth.

I am not old enough to be receiving your email spam.

I am not happy that you gave my email address to other organizations that are now spamming me.

I'm not happy about all of this but I must say that it is quite entertaining getting email that states that 'a hot senior single wants to spend the holidays with me.'

Really?

Ewww....

Urgent Prayer Request for a little boy

Please go over to my friend, Adeye's blog, and read about a little boy whose life hangs in the balance. His adoptive parents have been told by the judge overseeing their case, that he is not worth adopting. They are trying to appeal the decision and need us to storm the gates of heaven with our prayers for their little boy's release.

Please stand with this family in prayer and help bring this little boy home!

Every life has value. Every life is precious.

Oh Happy Day!

The three amigos were eating lunch yesterday when a very deep discussion took place. They have recently been asking questions about Jesus dying on the cross and I had been explaining that He did that for us...to take away our sins, so that someday when we die, we could live with Him in heaven. And that while we live here on earth, He will help us live our lives with His strength, courage and love.

They brought it up again at lunch and this time, it all seemed to click for them. I saw the light dawn in Jake's eyes and he said, "Let's PRAY!"

I asked him a few more questions to see if he really understood. He did. As did Zoey, who also wanted to pray. Kate was characteristically more reserved, but also repeated after me as I led them through a prayer asking Jesus to come into their hearts and wash away their sins.

They were so cute and eager.

Oh, Happy Day...when Jesus washed my sins away!

Chloe's New Shoes

We went back to Shriners hospital today to pick up Chloe's new lift and shoe insert. She was so excited about being able to wear a pair of shoes that were the same size.

And sure enough....they pulled it off!

Now her feet look like this!

Instead of like this.

All because of this cool thing she can slip into her shoe. It's removable and she can put it in other shoes, too.

She has a little over a one inch leg length difference, so she decided she wanted that addressed as well. The lift that goes into the shoe has a 1/2 inch lift and they added 1/2 inch to her shoe. So, it looks like this:

It's more noticeable from a side view like this but not too noticeable when she's running around.

We took her wedding shoes for them to make an insert for her, but the shoes just didn't work. They were a ballet style slip-on and her smaller foot just wouldn't stay in. We need to find one with a strap over the top. When we find one, they said they will make an insert for it.

It's so cool to watch her run around and be so excited to have legs and feet the same size. We are so grateful for Shriners Hospital!

Adoption Book Review and Drawing

Awhile back, I answered a post requesting adoption stories for an upcoming book. I submitted one of our kids' adoption stories. Many months later, I received an email saying that my story had been accepted! The book is now available and I recently had an opportunity to read it.

The book is written by Michele Cervone Scott, herself an adoptive parent. It is a walk-through-the-process type of book with Biblical principals to help you along the way. Her story is woven throughout, with the addition of other adoptive family stories.

If you or a friend is just beginning the process, it is a wonderful resource, not only for 'how-to' information, but for emotional and spiritual support during the journey.

There are two give-away's associated with this book. One is a $50 Amazon gift card and the other is a free book. One entry gives you a chance to win the gift card and/or a book. You do not have to enter twice. You have until 11:59 PM EST on April 1st to enter. But don't wait because if you're like me, you'll forget! :) Michele Cervone Scott will chose the winners and they will be announced and notified the week of April 4th. To enter, go to: http://tinyurl.com/4asjxrs.

"With your entry, you agree to accept email correspondence from Michele Cervone Scott and the referring blog as it pertains to this contest. The host author and bloggers promise not to misuse or share your email address. All entries must be received by 11:59 PM EST on Friday April 1, 2011. Winners will be announced and notified during the week of April 4, 2011."

The author has a website where you may learn more about her and/or purchase the book directly at www.MicheleCScott.com .