tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4845807635080313042024-03-12T19:27:07.247-05:00My blessings...living4him5http://www.blogger.com/profile/06409446148184863139noreply@blogger.comBlogger308125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484580763508031304.post-90407465274079405962013-07-04T00:43:00.001-05:002013-07-04T02:28:43.468-05:00Gracie Faith <br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today, I write about our Gracie Faith. We are 7 days away from open heart #2. Gracie will have the Fontan procedure, valve repair and possible Maze procedure to help with her artial fibrillation. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last year, we were weeks home from China with a seriously ill child-surgery was unavoidable and somewhat of a relief as we knew she desperately needed it. This time, it's still necessary, but harder. Harder because we have a little girl running around this house full of life and laughter- running, playing, swimming, dancing. And from time to time, I forget. I forget about her heart and that it's functioning with two chambers, a common valve that mixes her blood, pulse ox of 87, a leaky regurgitating valve and a heart beat that misbehaves more than I like. Then it hits me. I see her purple/blue lips, I can feel her heart pumping hard against my chest as I rock her and I see her sweating as she sits to watch her favorite Max and Ruby. It's hard. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This week has been especially difficult. Monday, a sweet little China girl went home to Jesus. Her heart is healed and she is home. I ache her for family. I followed her story for a few years-praying with her family in hopes of her getting her new heart- She got her heart but it wasn't the will of God to heal her here. He wanted her home with him. The reality hits too close to home. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jesus said " I will never leave you-never forsake you". It's truth. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Stepping out onto the water to meet him-to be where He needs you to be- to serve Him and others, is not always the most easy. Yet, I find myself not wanting to be anywhere else. Broken for the burdens He places on my heart-showing me He is enough for each day as they come, promising never to leave, walking through the valley of the shadow of death with us- Telling to fear NO evil because He is with us-leading us to quiet waters to restore our weary souls. My cup overflows. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No, this is not an easy time but this too shall pass. We will be on the other side of this Goliath, it's God's promise and we trust and believe. Miracles happen-broken hearts become new- that's our hope for Grace. She is a miracle. We are reminded every time we see our friends at Hope Children's hospital. Oh, how they love our girl! We know she is in excellent hands because God picked each and every one of her amazing doctors- they understand her perfect design and enjoy seeing her defeat all the odds. How Awesome is our God! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know I have dear-faithful prayer warriors. If you think of us- here are a few specific prayers.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gracie has a clean pre-op check up on Monday, July 8th. </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That we will get a room at the Ronald McDonald House. Gracie needs her family close!!</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That we have strength and courage as a family. </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For our church family, family and friends as they are standing with us and stepping in to fill the gaps to care for our children. </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Most importantly- Gracie gets through her surgery with no complications WHATSOEVER! </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please check my blog or Facebook for daily updates! </span></b><br />
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<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank you, dear ones <3 br=""><br />Amy <br /></3></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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living4him5http://www.blogger.com/profile/06409446148184863139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484580763508031304.post-41173779998311483042012-11-19T01:21:00.000-06:002012-11-19T01:21:05.293-06:005 years ago...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Five years ago today...<br />
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The Lord blessed us with a tiny, scared little girl named Feng Xiao
Li. She was too precious for words and I just had to stare at her
because I could not believe she was actually mine and I still find myself feeling the same today about her. <br />
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We thank Jesus everyday for the awesome gift he gave us in Nanjing, China on November 19th, 2007. <br />
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living4him5http://www.blogger.com/profile/06409446148184863139noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484580763508031304.post-2317776850741136202012-08-27T00:03:00.000-05:002012-08-27T00:26:31.019-05:00Trevor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is my sweet boy. I found out he was coming into my life when I was 18 years old. I was told I had "options". I<b> ignored </b>all the voices and opinions coming out to me as I knew this child was a blessing from God. When I became a mother on January 12th, 1993 that was the first time in my life I felt loved. Growing up, I didn't feel loved or wanted much of the time so when that big baby boy was placed in my arms, everything changed. I made a promise to him the night before his birth that I would tell him everyday how much I loved him and how much he mattered to me. And now, almost 20 years later, I still hold my promise.<br />
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I am pro-life. I faced hardships as a young, single mother but I knew it was not up to me to choose if my unborn child lived or died. He has a plan for his life written by his heavenly father and I am so grateful to be an instrument in the works of God for the life of this sweet soul.<br />
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Yesterday, CJ and I moved him into his apartment at his new school in Chicago. Unfortunately, I couldn't spare Trevor certain hardships that I had hoped to but God was faithful and blessed Trevor with CJ when he was 9 years old. CJ always loved and provided for Trevor as if he was his own. So you can imagine my delight as I witnessed yesterday how proud and excited CJ was (and is) for our boy. It blessed my soul. <br />
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Now I'm learning the new normal around the house, I've had a<strike> few</strike> several moments of the ugly cry but I'm getting through it. Thankfully, some other mama's have offered encouragement to me today which has helped so much. I'm a big baby when it comes to the five treasures I call my kids and if you've read my blog over the last 4 years you know that's a true statement! <br />
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So Tonight, even though not all my birds are in the nest, I am Grateful beyond measure, my cup overflows. <br />
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Thank you Jesus for Trevor. living4him5http://www.blogger.com/profile/06409446148184863139noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484580763508031304.post-79969601952555318892012-08-05T20:23:00.000-05:002012-08-05T20:26:13.291-05:00We have names!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This little peanut girl, Miss Gracie Faith is loved so much by all of us and in return, she loves us too. However, she's been with her forever family for almost 4 months (hard to believe) and she has yet to refer to either CJ or me as daddy/mama. Of course, this is not a big deal at all, we have learned bonding and attachment takes time and we're so stinkin grateful our baby is healing that calling us daddy/mama, well, it doesn't matter. There have been a handful of times she has called me mama and then would put her hand over her mouth as if she scolded herself and I have a feeling she's so afraid to call me mama as it would mean (to her) that her China mama isn't her mama anymore. This breaks my heart as we never want her to feel she has to choose. So I asked Madelyn if she would mind telling her (in mandarin) not to worry about calling me mama that we would figure something else out. So she did and that was that...Until Thursday! We were all out in the pool and little miss needed to show me her latest and greatest trick in the pool. Well, as you can imagine with four girls swimming my eyes are all over the place watching every one's latest and greatest moves so little miss had to wait a minute (which tends to be hard for a 6 1/2 year old), well, she got impatient and said "Hey Mimi"! EVERYONE stopped! I found myself tearing up and laughing at the same time. It truly never bothered me that when she needed me she would usually just say "um, I need..." But to actually hear her call me by name did something to my mother's heart. I was something to her.<br />
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By now, she had walked out of the pool to come near me as we were all laughing. I picked up my teeny baby girl, hugged her and told her how much I loved her and how much I loved being her Mimi. So there is it! I'm mama, mom or mommy to Trevor, Madelyn, Rachel and Linzhi Rose and I'm Mimi to little Gracie Faith and that's perfect for this Mama/mimi. So what a about CJ? Well, Little miss was so excited she finally figured out what to call me that I asked her what in the world should we call dada? (because she has a China baba too so she will not call CJ baba, daddy or dada)... SO, CJ is Papa and we laugh about it because it seems as if we're grandparents! I had a friend that called her grandparents Mimi and Papa. And little miss? Well, she loves finally having names for us and she will call out to us many times as she can and we answer as if it's always been this way. And the other kiddos? Well, Linzhi Rose thought it would be funny to call me Mimi and I looked at her and asked...Do you really want to call me by that name? She replied...Maybe once in awhile. :)<br />
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<>< God is Good! <><<br />
<br />living4him5http://www.blogger.com/profile/06409446148184863139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484580763508031304.post-64508790300525752942012-07-24T18:42:00.000-05:002012-07-25T17:12:43.605-05:00Madelyn GraceJuly 19th marked two wonderful years with our Madelyn Grace. Grateful to be her mama is such an understatement! We LOVE you so very much!<br />
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As I watch Madelyn grow up, it's sometimes bittersweet as we missed so much her "little" years. We have lots of pictures but boy, I would have LOVED to cuddle that little girl. We're so blessed to have her for this part of her life and look forward to watching her grow into a young women. Thank you Jesus for Madelyn!<br />
<br />living4him5http://www.blogger.com/profile/06409446148184863139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484580763508031304.post-17809205682277976342012-07-08T09:01:00.000-05:002012-07-08T11:01:29.385-05:00life (post at the bottom)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLhJCLO3ayuRug3CJiRYi4i4pQsMlesSPhOzeDdiWiaiyABuMiAZepkyiytzoU6aS9F8EWIxNOll3UbwGkcQcMdE5DBXv4dfBk1GcIyCM1bCg5gWWwgbhhFa32b_BoSlf2vXPw9wbnksYd/s1600/all+270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLhJCLO3ayuRug3CJiRYi4i4pQsMlesSPhOzeDdiWiaiyABuMiAZepkyiytzoU6aS9F8EWIxNOll3UbwGkcQcMdE5DBXv4dfBk1GcIyCM1bCg5gWWwgbhhFa32b_BoSlf2vXPw9wbnksYd/s320/all+270.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rachel loving her baby after surgery, the staff was so sweet to let them come in even though they were not of the permitted age. They knew Gracie needed them more that anything else.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally, Apple juice!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pillow says...My heart was touched by HOPE PSHU (pediatric surgical heart unit-ICU)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally home, playing babies!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpvchAYGN4abUJOP_Ebu8jkbr5OKE7LVfNMfiNN7utwJcV9aU6l8LSd5V6OjWjOSotWrIsX9T8mNR-g5iO4h9PMzQc3YOf85-F3Ul10ZM_JfxbwL7fYK3MoYScFJ1DzbEN4UV5YEAdCVav/s1600/all+373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpvchAYGN4abUJOP_Ebu8jkbr5OKE7LVfNMfiNN7utwJcV9aU6l8LSd5V6OjWjOSotWrIsX9T8mNR-g5iO4h9PMzQc3YOf85-F3Ul10ZM_JfxbwL7fYK3MoYScFJ1DzbEN4UV5YEAdCVav/s320/all+373.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No, it's not halloween and Yes, Rachel is dressed like a witch. Madelyn, the budding make-up artist dressed Rachel up for play. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZEk690OPCse93_wVf2SiV1W1kcU1kqf4ob65rY__HkcDIV24HDN0A-z0zvQdPVGYV-zvgJfcMBcaVH9lBNshg7KSvR_nHdrE74MaoQbUMzRsg25z_Q9bWZQ6zwIG1aFeZORZluvAHLkr/s1600/all+359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZEk690OPCse93_wVf2SiV1W1kcU1kqf4ob65rY__HkcDIV24HDN0A-z0zvQdPVGYV-zvgJfcMBcaVH9lBNshg7KSvR_nHdrE74MaoQbUMzRsg25z_Q9bWZQ6zwIG1aFeZORZluvAHLkr/s320/all+359.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeding their babies in the toy room.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFmTzYy5tbKYprW7o1cihywRFJLlMk3m9pwL9zq3hgc6KYp9He-ilndgugavvLVjMPUbOcXMLWDGnzo0VTJA3q3Ck8EupIfNyh8he1rcB4makieMLDFfzlPAc2KLUcZtXtBxZgViUmmCy/s1600/all+406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFmTzYy5tbKYprW7o1cihywRFJLlMk3m9pwL9zq3hgc6KYp9He-ilndgugavvLVjMPUbOcXMLWDGnzo0VTJA3q3Ck8EupIfNyh8he1rcB4makieMLDFfzlPAc2KLUcZtXtBxZgViUmmCy/s320/all+406.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for the parade to start.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMaRFW7Si9uEO7mAhlvNY_elDoh8An2rKPQg9f1ELlWIe4t8CBsJb_V3ZeH9N5iaRKY_FzWqqOn9M0O8B6tGOzpJ3j26t8BbDb48W5ZGNagqa8a_rTpZZfYYAxrYAZ-Dd_mKMbnVxi7_K/s1600/all+302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMaRFW7Si9uEO7mAhlvNY_elDoh8An2rKPQg9f1ELlWIe4t8CBsJb_V3ZeH9N5iaRKY_FzWqqOn9M0O8B6tGOzpJ3j26t8BbDb48W5ZGNagqa8a_rTpZZfYYAxrYAZ-Dd_mKMbnVxi7_K/s320/all+302.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These pics are out of order... The big girls trying to keep Gracie busy with sticker books. All the girls were with us during Gracie's 17 days in the hospital...GOD bless the Ronald McDonald House!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9YJSvkDd7K4ghkZV3sF4qIFY7w63313nFjuJWCaAEkzgXWSKUQyudM3laVll8cOww38E_Cf0AKyCDa9vz7pbywHAz95bkZeH646Rke3NW9RiacXPNc0HZw1WAUAMc6SWQhQIadbyb0SVT/s1600/all+223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9YJSvkDd7K4ghkZV3sF4qIFY7w63313nFjuJWCaAEkzgXWSKUQyudM3laVll8cOww38E_Cf0AKyCDa9vz7pbywHAz95bkZeH646Rke3NW9RiacXPNc0HZw1WAUAMc6SWQhQIadbyb0SVT/s320/all+223.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My boy at work...Yes, his eyes are closed. :(</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6IqpZlvbT6bHJsDTaDrQLdgAJ-ViaM_eQTW8Mj4Yt9_TWuaaa-vOXlgK6Bin29rfdOBQ_z-0Y8K0mgprx2be2RGGWhwoGSZKvDAut_fDKbUv_MfmL3wKFbfEV1UCeIvRUil1yULBA2VXu/s1600/all+331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6IqpZlvbT6bHJsDTaDrQLdgAJ-ViaM_eQTW8Mj4Yt9_TWuaaa-vOXlgK6Bin29rfdOBQ_z-0Y8K0mgprx2be2RGGWhwoGSZKvDAut_fDKbUv_MfmL3wKFbfEV1UCeIvRUil1yULBA2VXu/s320/all+331.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing cards in our room at the Ronald McDonald house. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi53JoVaJDu00_seAOBNk30r6-0zdqHErHHnKZCSKQL1hIIbEp4pGlfU6C0AVlHmKljiEhYYqidPQ-FODvnhRSC_ZW_RBqTundXQA7vR2CKg4n2pLxzHH6bbCdLXWYmx9G5vduCqJfuv8Lp/s1600/all+332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi53JoVaJDu00_seAOBNk30r6-0zdqHErHHnKZCSKQL1hIIbEp4pGlfU6C0AVlHmKljiEhYYqidPQ-FODvnhRSC_ZW_RBqTundXQA7vR2CKg4n2pLxzHH6bbCdLXWYmx9G5vduCqJfuv8Lp/s320/all+332.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Linzhi catching a movie at the RMH</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqJkDxvl5w_otR0PfCFIM5Zu0A8OzVCoE_dOpWFJNs9qngbKpXwfymRWzCFuqaAhorx_0Gy36CMSxExIinPKkN520fIVx2524xcG8qtihNdJpM8SlG_DtrbdCO1j7C76Ml0bweLoMa0ho/s1600/all+385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqJkDxvl5w_otR0PfCFIM5Zu0A8OzVCoE_dOpWFJNs9qngbKpXwfymRWzCFuqaAhorx_0Gy36CMSxExIinPKkN520fIVx2524xcG8qtihNdJpM8SlG_DtrbdCO1j7C76Ml0bweLoMa0ho/s320/all+385.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ok, back to home and swimming!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRK9-6BujHYfcpe9kaQBi94-cCsLL2X4cSq0fGMcWJRXd5Tv-2GSYVS9q2Vrk-P1lgoJPQuA5cPuqRcIsZjlIQOIhzMabsMK-Qtew0n7BMEkAMvLBagHwYE_ct8ED9-h1mmi2fB8JOekQd/s1600/all+404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRK9-6BujHYfcpe9kaQBi94-cCsLL2X4cSq0fGMcWJRXd5Tv-2GSYVS9q2Vrk-P1lgoJPQuA5cPuqRcIsZjlIQOIhzMabsMK-Qtew0n7BMEkAMvLBagHwYE_ct8ED9-h1mmi2fB8JOekQd/s320/all+404.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the fair on the ferris wheel. Linzhi and I are across from them freaking out! I hate heights! CJ, Rachel and a couple of our church friends were in another cart. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-E2D6U0Z1Vy2kK5iaAEPANan72N-TFXxmgJeu-1w98dQU3ZCnh0DLdhU6HdFCiO18y3U-FIG-xxxlI9y5bSg25Ruh9nRR3_jJJZqQxTdfJqA-wLOabGhmm-HgOERkF7Ra-VEW0MTwTXtC/s1600/all+280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-E2D6U0Z1Vy2kK5iaAEPANan72N-TFXxmgJeu-1w98dQU3ZCnh0DLdhU6HdFCiO18y3U-FIG-xxxlI9y5bSg25Ruh9nRR3_jJJZqQxTdfJqA-wLOabGhmm-HgOERkF7Ra-VEW0MTwTXtC/s320/all+280.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Right after her scary tachycardia episode. Precious baby, trying to smile.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHbJ5gKh5pk2k4bfW1oWljP6x5TM-DGGOjG644zBEwW2G77ahvvLrk8svvWUNr-06-TbwKdVwkhLwRxOoAbT_Lm-vqKSg966u-155psUSkXuTeMfPSdYtQTM2VdivEpK9EaBuHai6ukrVv/s1600/all+333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHbJ5gKh5pk2k4bfW1oWljP6x5TM-DGGOjG644zBEwW2G77ahvvLrk8svvWUNr-06-TbwKdVwkhLwRxOoAbT_Lm-vqKSg966u-155psUSkXuTeMfPSdYtQTM2VdivEpK9EaBuHai6ukrVv/s320/all+333.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rachel and Madelyn going stir crazy at the RMH</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEHpJ6Fn8Lf4QFSxgDIv1_ySVMQF-bzxkkLFBQk7BKx9LN6XhlaSKXUEYD4xiRXrD30x5SbMnsxHFDRUgY-WKKL48KmhG5KK0YlmYiEvrJ747MUUrNPNHHtE_oJTKiBaKXl9lAMhG3I1qE/s1600/all+394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEHpJ6Fn8Lf4QFSxgDIv1_ySVMQF-bzxkkLFBQk7BKx9LN6XhlaSKXUEYD4xiRXrD30x5SbMnsxHFDRUgY-WKKL48KmhG5KK0YlmYiEvrJ747MUUrNPNHHtE_oJTKiBaKXl9lAMhG3I1qE/s320/all+394.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miss M swimming.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFgbnfHGcIhNmipaWfhjhu2Kcs3KH0laqB6sLPA6gC_vG9UcSvt_olxBIeQ8CRkJ0-U7qREUq6pWavgKg8T_vJ-HGXhJ79kFwXGTPOkpcNhFfGR8698sJwyz-UAFPw1pfOUd9onHe0HI9_/s1600/all+308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFgbnfHGcIhNmipaWfhjhu2Kcs3KH0laqB6sLPA6gC_vG9UcSvt_olxBIeQ8CRkJ0-U7qREUq6pWavgKg8T_vJ-HGXhJ79kFwXGTPOkpcNhFfGR8698sJwyz-UAFPw1pfOUd9onHe0HI9_/s320/all+308.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rachel Cate</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoyYVcx1XAFjKj6wrzg5Gg4b-yoq01lB5ZcHVkpPmnNaL_zncVirBWTiZZEOo4SgZomLQJSlmVAnpuKwXJKitYEustGd3w2690fZWltgrFqXW4bAtC0ZzFXgNGF2LSK4eTLktqkZi09xki/s1600/all+364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoyYVcx1XAFjKj6wrzg5Gg4b-yoq01lB5ZcHVkpPmnNaL_zncVirBWTiZZEOo4SgZomLQJSlmVAnpuKwXJKitYEustGd3w2690fZWltgrFqXW4bAtC0ZzFXgNGF2LSK4eTLktqkZi09xki/s320/all+364.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Madelyn Grace</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcF-Ynf7xMOLEGFUaz-7212mVDpsuz-3TvQf4XJopyGULFEerR-0WZGuMTNlFt9UT1g2WKP9EH5tVNNuI5t33Max7UHq35x2mpRi4xABZYSLQRN5_nhdUHq22gfJLFQ3-c57XQu0RJf_Mh/s1600/all+363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcF-Ynf7xMOLEGFUaz-7212mVDpsuz-3TvQf4XJopyGULFEerR-0WZGuMTNlFt9UT1g2WKP9EH5tVNNuI5t33Max7UHq35x2mpRi4xABZYSLQRN5_nhdUHq22gfJLFQ3-c57XQu0RJf_Mh/s320/all+363.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Linzhi Rose</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiox6lHFeIGpoZDJcpwjMAfUw_yfvFeyo5YkB3TMg8oAIgB2AV65s0y6gD5nmTeVgX8ZbH6Fwgr5_6mfeKiYnZ4A5wqeRVlhmoHwq9AY97wEL9gF96YW-A2HBCzcX-ahaNN67iA-lJDT8x2/s1600/all+403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiox6lHFeIGpoZDJcpwjMAfUw_yfvFeyo5YkB3TMg8oAIgB2AV65s0y6gD5nmTeVgX8ZbH6Fwgr5_6mfeKiYnZ4A5wqeRVlhmoHwq9AY97wEL9gF96YW-A2HBCzcX-ahaNN67iA-lJDT8x2/s320/all+403.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the fair...best friends!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMV7LYju7FrzHDoVe09IBhRAlTRJJScaWuz4HAi8K7YMEPTQqlQDv8EFXoHa0-Dua7pvRlxkZPBR6bJw7lteRim2naemCNjxVULkCsBD1CIfrSUNBJAQRwzf-ohR3TMxOgHGIwj9q4MA6t/s1600/all+443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMV7LYju7FrzHDoVe09IBhRAlTRJJScaWuz4HAi8K7YMEPTQqlQDv8EFXoHa0-Dua7pvRlxkZPBR6bJw7lteRim2naemCNjxVULkCsBD1CIfrSUNBJAQRwzf-ohR3TMxOgHGIwj9q4MA6t/s320/all+443.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The other night, the girls were eating dilly bars from the DQ, we have to help Linzhi eat as she cannot hold the stick. Then I got an idea of cutting a slit in the top of an empty coffee can, I then filled the can with a zip lock bag of sugar to keep it steady... WALLAH! We're always thinking up new ways of doing things around here! She can also eat a corn dog this way...well, anything that's on a stick for that matter. :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1WCGmAz4gy8b61vidEV0hLw2xCbMkrqFbaUxx_-TPlaYZVMiEb_zl8Tb6XHwou6IoX2RwhzdEiSBcPgl0Gv50IUAGpYBG4hlqjZJfI5Qjfe-0Qb16L7I_DLzBd_RC2FUvgEckDxfoIIoz/s1600/all+436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1WCGmAz4gy8b61vidEV0hLw2xCbMkrqFbaUxx_-TPlaYZVMiEb_zl8Tb6XHwou6IoX2RwhzdEiSBcPgl0Gv50IUAGpYBG4hlqjZJfI5Qjfe-0Qb16L7I_DLzBd_RC2FUvgEckDxfoIIoz/s320/all+436.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Madelyn and Gracie Faith</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQikgeeuYi87ZKrBjD7k1qkkLyIXtb-WdPPl2sTcT9bi-slT4xQCNYWq7MFqUwRg3M9bny_zmbq2WuwPUOUFh6HtqdOz-B_I5BqTfG8lmnc7A5LfA1EVSRSugSb8kGFtAtDvbKzqoJDsi/s1600/all+352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQikgeeuYi87ZKrBjD7k1qkkLyIXtb-WdPPl2sTcT9bi-slT4xQCNYWq7MFqUwRg3M9bny_zmbq2WuwPUOUFh6HtqdOz-B_I5BqTfG8lmnc7A5LfA1EVSRSugSb8kGFtAtDvbKzqoJDsi/s320/all+352.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was a sweet day, all my babies in the hospital room. Trevor took care of things at home (an hour away) but twice he was able to come up and help me with the girls at the RMH and visit Grace.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzYsCEn4JtdL-fxGj1mmPvBW47EB7sCjcbvyY_jiU__WcqnCo4kcCUCFtQgZnBTBrTY10-EnNsoNzwFO4sNfBqRbt6wuKb0SWrFIH8s-mSibpcxxVVFcB_0Er-nQZvKWeqPptuO5iI2PNU/s1600/all+349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzYsCEn4JtdL-fxGj1mmPvBW47EB7sCjcbvyY_jiU__WcqnCo4kcCUCFtQgZnBTBrTY10-EnNsoNzwFO4sNfBqRbt6wuKb0SWrFIH8s-mSibpcxxVVFcB_0Er-nQZvKWeqPptuO5iI2PNU/s320/all+349.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going to pet therapy at the hospital and not happy about it. This was her look the entire time we were there. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihWgMfWLy1gpLjEIfOmEMvEwHRhaA5rtDUlrELqKjVm4trfQQ3i8BhiCkc8qpl6Q1sFN2h67BiEDQURu9ubZcqDvH6RT0ZyxYyaKWtqLuQtm9bkYcL3Vsp0TlIdTUtdASnANXMnoRP98Q_/s1600/all+324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihWgMfWLy1gpLjEIfOmEMvEwHRhaA5rtDUlrELqKjVm4trfQQ3i8BhiCkc8qpl6Q1sFN2h67BiEDQURu9ubZcqDvH6RT0ZyxYyaKWtqLuQtm9bkYcL3Vsp0TlIdTUtdASnANXMnoRP98Q_/s320/all+324.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sisters holding hands, Gracie on the left, Linzhi in the middle and Rachel on the right, holding Linzhi's hand steady. I love how they love each other. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibd7pW4jHOvuk62Bah1-OLOeGm-eEeg9HYG4t5L1eqikUEI4UhJ7dwim0ZQ9AlyP_Cy8WZ97L3UehkOCiQj8pFwBYNHFnQuoZzCYmGgGvoHqgh3-ADS14FfrbxK-lS3dYtxL1aFHwZEI1P/s1600/all+347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibd7pW4jHOvuk62Bah1-OLOeGm-eEeg9HYG4t5L1eqikUEI4UhJ7dwim0ZQ9AlyP_Cy8WZ97L3UehkOCiQj8pFwBYNHFnQuoZzCYmGgGvoHqgh3-ADS14FfrbxK-lS3dYtxL1aFHwZEI1P/s320/all+347.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Praying over Gracie, my heart was full.</td></tr>
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I have tried to blog over the last month and the words just didn't come to my mind. Since our plane landed from China on April 18th, life for our family has been in fast motion and as grateful as we are that the we are now behind the first surgery, we as a family are so happy for to have some "normal" life this summer. As life is, in a few weeks we'll be going through another adjustment as my first bird will be leaving the nest. Trevor is off to Columbia College mid-August. As happy and excited as I am for him, my heart aches when I think of him not being here everyday, not seeing his big (size 13) shoes at the front door, the sound of his voice in the house or finding he has eaten my leftovers that I had planned to eat for lunch the next day, you know...little things that make him special to our family. *sigh* I cannot believe we're here, it's time now for him to spread his wings and start his life. I am so grateful he's a Godly young man that loves the Lord, it gives CJ and me much peace in knowing that about Trevor...So I will pray for him to keep close to Jesus as I know Jesus will stay close to him. <3<br />
<br />
Gracie had her bilateral/bi-directional glen operation done on May 24th. The surgery was a beautiful success! As she was healing she hit a few bumps in the road as she experienced two episodes of tachycardia, one being severe. Poor baby, had a panic attack as her heart rate went to 230 for 1.5 hours. CJ was with her for the first mild episode and I was with her for the biggie. CJ was across the street with the girls at the Ronald McDonald house as he waited for my sister to arrive, as soon as she got there, he ran over to us. By the time he met us, she was back is PSHU (Pediatric surgical heart unit-ICU), before CJ arrived, I laid my hands on her head and went straight to the throne of God, begging to snap her out of this. I had been praying all the while but all of a sudden, I found strength bursting out of me calling to our heavenly father to save my baby and just like He snapped His mighty fingers, she was out of it and back to a better heart rate. The attending heart physician looked right at me and said "I think mom just flipped a switch", my reply...I must have through my prayers"... I had kept my cool, until that moment and then everything hit me and tears flooded my eyes as I looked at my angel laying there, exhausted, scared, depressed, most likely needing her China mama, sweaty and shivering from all her little body had just gone through. I felt total peace knowing Jesus came to the rescue. After a few days, we were able to move her back down to the telemetry unit, within a day of being there, Gracie's arm swelled three times her normal size, she had an IV in that arm which was not being used so CJ and I asked the nurse to take it out and page the attending to come look at it, which she did. After an ultrasound, it was discovered miss Grace has a blood clot in a superficial vein. *sigh* They immediately started her on heparin (blood thinner) through her other IV, she would remain on this drug for 3 days, then they switched her to an oral drug called cumodin but once we met with the hematologist, he suggested injections of a drug called lovenox which she remains on to this day. So mama and daddy, give our little one a shot twice a day for the next 2 months after which, she will have another ultrasound to check on the blood clot. With all of this, the glen operation was a success, she will have her second surgery (fontan) in the spring of 2013. Basically, before her surgery, Gracie has one common valve (no tricuspid or mitral), so her blood mixed, so the lungs which needs blue blood got a mix of both and her body which needs red blood got a mix which of course is not a good thing. So the Glen operation that took place in May, Dr. Ilbawi, disconnected her Superior vena cava (she had 2-normal anatomy has 1) from her right atrium, then connected to her pulmonary artery, so now the head and neck flow drains directly to both lungs giving it the blue blood it desperately needs....Clear as mud? The Fontan, next spring will plug in her lower body in to get the red blood it needs, as of now, it is still getting the mixed blood. There are a couple of other things that will need to be repaired, like the whole that is present in the center of her heart. To meet her, you would never know what she has gone through or what still needs to take place. She is a mighty little warrior and fears NOTHING except a thunderstorm, she's tough as nails! She is learning about Jesus daily, she loves to play babies with Linzhi, LOVES to swim, ride her bike and new scooter that Grandma and Grandpa bought her and Linzhi from a garage sale, she is loving life, loving her sisters and brother, opening up to her mama and daddy. She won't call us mama or daddy, she doesn't call us anything yet, although I hear her talking to the girls and she refers to us as mama and daddy behind our backs...too cute! We'll get there, that is the least of our concern for our baby. She's so loving to all of us, hugs and kisses and telling all of us she loves us...that's totally enough! We put her China family pictures in frames which adore her shelves in her bedroom. She will look at them and kiss the frame and then off to play some more. Her grieving has been minimal, but she's does experience it here and there, she is not afraid to ask Madelyn about her experience leaving her China family, in fact, Madelyn said to me one morning "Gracie came in my room and we talked for hours about China and being adopted". Madelyn needed it just as much as Gracie. See how Jesus works? He always knows what we need and placing these two together was all His design. All my girls are doing wonderful, Rachel and Madelyn are the leaders of the pack. They tend to do their own thing together, as much as they pick at each other at times, they are very tight. Linzhi and Grace as we loving refer to as "the littles" are two peas in a pod! They love everything baby and play for hours with their baby alive dolls. it's so precious for us to see Linzhi finally having a partner in life. Rachel and Madelyn, of course played with Linzhi but the age and maturity differences posed challenges in finding common interests but again, God had a perfect plan for Linzhi and Gracie and now, I have two sets of girls...the bigs and the littles and I love every<strike> exhausting</strike>, minute of it! I kid, It's not exhausting but at times, I will sit there and look at them and think to myself...I am totally out numbered! With adding Grace, CJ and I both decided it's time to start giving the girls more responsibility and they all stepped up to the plate, not everyday they are happy to help but they do it anyway which teaches them, we all have to work together for our family. <br />
I Can't believe we are already starting the second week of July! Linzhi, my sister and I are leaving for Delaware on July 22. On the 23rd, Linzhi Rose is getting fitted for her WREX (robotic arm devices), our prayer and hope is for this to give Linzhi what she needs most, assistance in eating, grooming and day to day help for all the things people with one or two normal working arms take for granted. She never complains, she even tells us she loves her hands, Rachel, in fact, ADORES Linzhi's hands/arms and tells her all the time. We are all so excited to see how this will help our precious girl! I will be posting from Delaware with videos and pics! <br />
This coming week, Trevor, his friend and I are heading to Chicago for his orientation at Columbia. We'll see his apartment and possibly meet his roommates. It will be a fun day for sure but Please keep me in your prayers...I AM NOT READY FOR THIS!!!! :(<br />
<br />
Have a blessed week!<br />
Amy<br />
<br />living4him5http://www.blogger.com/profile/06409446148184863139noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484580763508031304.post-76423166579814353022012-05-24T00:27:00.001-05:002012-05-24T00:27:30.063-05:00Gracie's surgeryDear friends and family, <br />
<br />
Please keep our baby girl in your
prayers. Tomorrow, May 24th at Hope Children's Hospital in Oak Lawn,
Gracie will have her first of two open heart surgeries. This first
surgery is considered the "bigger" of the two as Dr. Ilbawi will repair
much of her defect. At one point of the five hour surgery, Gracie will
be put on a heart/lung machine as he repairs her leaky valve. Being on
the heart machine means Gracie heart and lungs will be stopped for about
an hour. I'm going to be truthful, those words make me shutter. This
is much harder than I ever thought it could be. We knew before we
brought her home, this day would come. Now that she is here, in our
arms and home, I cannot imagine our lives without her. For 10 months,
she was a picture on our mantel but now she is flesh and blood here with
us which makes this even more difficult as my heart now belongs to her
as if she was always mine. So you can imagine, we are not holding on to
Jesus, we are CLINGING to Him for dear life and trust without a doubt
that He is in total control. <br />
<br />
<br />
As I ran to my bible this
morning, this sweet message spoke right to my heart and brought peace to
my mind. I would like to share this and I pray that it brings you
peace as well. <br />
<br />
<i><b>Therefore, since we are surrounded by such
a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders
and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us RUN with perseverance
the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on JESUS, the pioneer and
perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross,
scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of
God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you
will not grow weary and lose heart. <br />~Hebrews 12 1-3</b></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Thank you for praying, we can surely feel it. <br />
<br />
In Christ, <br />
CJ and Amyliving4him5http://www.blogger.com/profile/06409446148184863139noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484580763508031304.post-30085210093655586512012-05-14T23:19:00.002-05:002012-05-14T23:19:57.815-05:00My mama's day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgddKRaJ_pjQCo4tnqSWTEXnZZDRl_9raqE2IsXcGjvF2PVWlhtHVlnJj_CiKQeD8HC0ZVr9ECuTUVeaKpE1iacfIufzrjGBUXrdIjbO0IHXokzvViMxc_c94WCmRM9-XbUVhgMsekG92cA/s1600/550879_10150886231989539_857069538_9597370_1231795612_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgddKRaJ_pjQCo4tnqSWTEXnZZDRl_9raqE2IsXcGjvF2PVWlhtHVlnJj_CiKQeD8HC0ZVr9ECuTUVeaKpE1iacfIufzrjGBUXrdIjbO0IHXokzvViMxc_c94WCmRM9-XbUVhgMsekG92cA/s400/550879_10150886231989539_857069538_9597370_1231795612_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
What a blessing to have all these kids wrapped around me, I am so blessed! I was spoiled for the entire weekend with special treats, a nice lunch out and lots of precious gifts made by my baby girls. Thank you Jesus for Trevor, Madelyn, Rachel Cate, Linzhi Rose and Gracie Faith. My cup over flows.living4him5http://www.blogger.com/profile/06409446148184863139noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484580763508031304.post-32482210608052725712012-05-09T16:49:00.001-05:002012-05-09T17:08:07.362-05:00<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Coming up for air...beware, it's a long post! </b></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for the doctor to tell us what to do after she consulted the Cardiologist. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU5A7UUHDGXtpDQpnSFh-1hp-53PtLd4gR-0XoMZOEue_2LjIa0lUbjHya5bBQSfMD0GMlSJzZh0HYmsBXfeRR7WD3GSn6b76_bWl8Oa-KCHnevpzbgass_u-BFyuOQr3QwNzGu1OnJbL2/s1600/IMG_0063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU5A7UUHDGXtpDQpnSFh-1hp-53PtLd4gR-0XoMZOEue_2LjIa0lUbjHya5bBQSfMD0GMlSJzZh0HYmsBXfeRR7WD3GSn6b76_bWl8Oa-KCHnevpzbgass_u-BFyuOQr3QwNzGu1OnJbL2/s320/IMG_0063.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the doctor before everything came to a head. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I have started this post a few times in my head but for the life of
me I have been to exhausted to type. I'm going to way back to
Guangzhou... <br />
<br />
We had an absolute wonderful time in
China. I loved almost every minute of it! CJ and I both got a little
under the weather the last couple of days which kept us from having a
good-bye dinner with our new friends Ken, Gina and Naomi. What a
blessing to us to meet this precious family!<br />
<br />
The
evening before we left, we ordered room service and took our time
packing. It was an early evening as we had to be in the lobby at 6:15am
to meet our guide so we could head to the airport. If you've ever
stayed at The Garden Hotel in Guangzhou, China you will understand our
desire to have one last breakfast in the cafe. Thank goodness, they
opened at 6am so we had a few minutes to enjoy some hot tea and a little
breakfast. Once we got in the van and started heading to the airport, I
got a little teary thinking about Grace leaving her homeland. I have
felt this way every time I have traveled home with one of my China
girls, Rachel felt the same way too as she enjoyed her time discovering
where her sisters once lived. Overall, it was a precious time and we
are so grateful to God for allowing us to bring another treasure home. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5xzkTnlIm_5W1XNg317sfNx5t_wVV8af6vcuRbPCLKg1AhF2QsKs5v1retpR8DK6sB4c0Gy0vaW9kb7YpHwfHFfQjZg45wYf1VV_zfBR3tR4tZV6Mu7Jr7cc346S5mbUAzT3pzPdLqfP/s1600/IMG_0083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5xzkTnlIm_5W1XNg317sfNx5t_wVV8af6vcuRbPCLKg1AhF2QsKs5v1retpR8DK6sB4c0Gy0vaW9kb7YpHwfHFfQjZg45wYf1VV_zfBR3tR4tZV6Mu7Jr7cc346S5mbUAzT3pzPdLqfP/s320/IMG_0083.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoHQvC5ZdCIJ1_0Wty3oT4bGBLEIeLNcvAsAEbvPc5rde_OZv0E28ndD_KySpSAAvgqVIlpre6GU_sYTtlQTmDjZrmaWzdzOxJJWbyoFoScmyfW_J_TdMTY_oBs0Wfu55jCRaeNQP3R8q8/s1600/IMG_0079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoHQvC5ZdCIJ1_0Wty3oT4bGBLEIeLNcvAsAEbvPc5rde_OZv0E28ndD_KySpSAAvgqVIlpre6GU_sYTtlQTmDjZrmaWzdzOxJJWbyoFoScmyfW_J_TdMTY_oBs0Wfu55jCRaeNQP3R8q8/s320/IMG_0079.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">being goofy. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The travel home was long and uneventful (thank you Jesus). We did
have a bit of a lay over in Beijing but nothing too bad. The flights
were pretty much smooth and both girls did great! Arriving in the USA
was a wonderful thing, we made it through immigration with no issues and
our baby girl became a US citizen on April 18th, 2012. God is good!<br />
<br />
We
came home to lots of family, food and presents!! Both Linzhi Rose and
Madelyn did some garage sales with Grandma and Grandpa and spoiled all
of us rotten! Once everyone went home, it was time to get everyone down
to sleep so mama and dad could fall into our beds. Like tradition, we
pulled their mattresses into our room so everyone could be together and
thanks to Trevor, they were all set up for us. Trevor being 19 now, opt
to sleep in his own room! :)<br />
<br />
Our first night was short
as both CJ, Madelyn, Rachel and Gracie were all up at 1:30am...Yes,
Madelyn was up too! It was funny some of our kids that didn't go to
China experienced some jet lag too! They all finally went to bed around
3am as I was walking down stairs because I was wide awake. I kind of
enjoyed this time alone, I was able to read my bible, sip my tea and
completely organize my downstairs. When I finally got tired around 8am,
my house was clean!<br />
<br />
Our first full day home (Thurs)
was sweet as little miss looked around and explored her new home. Of
course, all the mother hens in the family were right next to her every
minute of the day. I made myself get up at noon so I could get to the
grocery store and get stuff going for dinner. Everyone hit the hay at
8pm and we were all mostly up at 4am. Good times!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhanOErPx0or2CmX7MFuNUcWF0db4p8t6ypY24PEo17Z9ZWshHCa_59YkOIBMrzCjjMS8bheqLDvIlKTR2Rw1s2kUs-z6aMDmkIouH1YgrjM4meOo-m4WnO4RCsyfco6qkQ6EQzHl6cioJS/s1600/IMG_0099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhanOErPx0or2CmX7MFuNUcWF0db4p8t6ypY24PEo17Z9ZWshHCa_59YkOIBMrzCjjMS8bheqLDvIlKTR2Rw1s2kUs-z6aMDmkIouH1YgrjM4meOo-m4WnO4RCsyfco6qkQ6EQzHl6cioJS/s320/IMG_0099.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting discharged from her cardiac cath. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCjrlqwqvIWogmgH1qHDKqvfgJr9P8uT1rtmdwv9SLbg4y9zJL68Y2Qq59dWdHJygcfyPoG1wV_H0UwbioHUv_E-YoDD3uYTkxR8bWIUZi6BvxbNSoaAACdhHrmohfg3mou85DTaxnWIU/s1600/IMG_0102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCjrlqwqvIWogmgH1qHDKqvfgJr9P8uT1rtmdwv9SLbg4y9zJL68Y2Qq59dWdHJygcfyPoG1wV_H0UwbioHUv_E-YoDD3uYTkxR8bWIUZi6BvxbNSoaAACdhHrmohfg3mou85DTaxnWIU/s320/IMG_0102.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Comfort food for my baby at Panda Express. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Friday proved to be a different kind of day. Gracie had her
appointment with the pediatrician at 1:30pm. I was still not feeling
100% but I knew she needed to get her check up for China regulations.
If I had it my way, I would have rescheduled for Monday but I pulled
myself together and brought her in with Linzhi. Things started to move
very fast from this point on. Little miss gave us all a scare as her
pulse/oxygen levels were dangerously low at 76, normal and healthy is
100. Our pediatrician knew we had an appointment with a cardiologist
referred to us by Linzhi's surgeon the following week but told me, she
could not let her leave the office with her pulse/ox that low. I said
to her "do whatever you need to do, I will follow your lead" and are we
ever grateful for Dr. Z and Jesus! Within minutes, she had a pediatric
cardiologist on the phone and he quickly started ordering test...Echo,
EKG, blood work and chest x-ray. Once things started, Dr.Z grabbed by
hand and said to me very seriously, "you need to pray she's treatable".
I reassured her, we have been praying for her health for over a year. I
stayed calm, got my phone, called CJ and within a few minutes he was at
the office, Trevor was able to stay home from work with the other girls
and someone from church was bringing us a planned meal. God had
everything under control. We were able to do the blood work and EKG at
the doctors office but for the Echo and and chest x-ray we went to the
local hospital as directed. Gracie's new cardiologist, Dr. G, wanted up
to the minute images sent to him (bless his heart), by this time it was
well into late afternoon on a Friday and both doctors stayed in touch
with us the entire time. We felt God's hands holding us the entire
evening. Poor little miss held it together until the time the tech
began the Echo of her neck. She was in an awkward position and the poor
thing couldn't take it anymore, she let herself go and this was the
first time we saw our baby girl cry. Mama couldn't hold it in either so
I held her tight and both CJ and I prayed for our little brave flower.
In the back of our minds, we knew there was a great chance she would
not be treatable, not even healthy enough to discuss transplant, we had
to wait for our doctor to call us back the next day after she and Dr. G
had a chance to discuss her diagnosis. Once all the tests were finished
it was around 8pm. Gracie was starving and CJ and I both needed to sit
for a minute without too many interruptions to just process all that
took place within a matter of 6 hours. As we sat at the table waiting
for our pizza we were both amazed at how quickly God moved. We knew He
was in total control and we needed to feed our baby, go home to all our
kids, get them to bed and pray we could sleep too. I knew it was going
to be a long night with jet lag, praying and maybe <strike>some</strike>
lots tears. But the Lord had other plans for His weary children. He
gave us rest in some beautiful words that came from a call on my cell as
we waited for our pizza. Dr. Z. called and I could tell in her voice
it was diagnosis. She talked a lot and very fast, please don't ask me
what she said because I can only remember one word. *treatable* Yes,
Praise JESUS! Our baby is treatable! TREATABLE!!!!!!!! I will never
get tired of that precious word!!! PRAISE THE LORD, GRACIE FAITH IS
TREATABLE!!!<br />
<br />
A lot took place as we were waiting for
that pizza! What a blessing to be able to bring Amazing-God news to our
worried children at home. Thank you Jesus!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmD1vTwNSxWsjIoc_ijfeVLFbAl-Aa-kZEMJanDPMDbsd78f_xsakWr1qK58k9rdsa_0auxsNC-yEkmqtMY1bpcNAzrfK25vN3N_6MPzTnqDU6lXyeBurgzXbb96HGQXCvQxmA2SP2y6A3/s1600/IMG_0154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmD1vTwNSxWsjIoc_ijfeVLFbAl-Aa-kZEMJanDPMDbsd78f_xsakWr1qK58k9rdsa_0auxsNC-yEkmqtMY1bpcNAzrfK25vN3N_6MPzTnqDU6lXyeBurgzXbb96HGQXCvQxmA2SP2y6A3/s320/IMG_0154.JPG" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">true love. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6RFEIfOXS9TJPFVNxstPH4dNVq97hi8ZJeBzP6bDxmdzwAgd4qrt_r_rw8f7cnHdh9IZdzwECTt6mdt4XUXRPWgF3L7VKHal2aXGI9OMFcIeH05C_jxccPLpsrgb6OMQ7Eu-M7UFLBRy8/s1600/IMG_0146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6RFEIfOXS9TJPFVNxstPH4dNVq97hi8ZJeBzP6bDxmdzwAgd4qrt_r_rw8f7cnHdh9IZdzwECTt6mdt4XUXRPWgF3L7VKHal2aXGI9OMFcIeH05C_jxccPLpsrgb6OMQ7Eu-M7UFLBRy8/s320/IMG_0146.JPG" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crazy Hair girl! Rachel designed this picture from my iphone. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We were quickly scheduled to meet with Dr. G the following Monday at
his office an hour away. During the weekend we all needed to to just
decompress and just process all that took place. We had a visit from
Grandpa and Grandma and my sister Sage and her friend Lindy. They
brought a big bag of sweet little outfits for Gracie and some sweets for
all. Sunday, we went to church and then our dear friends, the Blair's
cooked us dinner at their house. We had a wonderful visit with them and
their daughter and son-in-love. And before we knew it, we were sitting
in Dr. G's office going over details of our little one's heart. CJ and
I are so very grateful we were directed to this particular doctor. He
is amazing. Sweet and tender with our baby girl. He has worked with
orphans from China before so he was not surprised at certain things.
While we were on the flight home, I was able to have a lot of time in
prayer and the one thing I kept asking the Lord was where? Where do we
bring her? Where is the right hospital? Where is the right Dr.?<br />
Well, that Friday afternoon on April 20th. He showed us exacted WHERE HE wanted Gracie to be. No doubt in either of our minds.<br />
<br />
So... here it is...<br />
<br />
Here is little peanuts diagnosis... and it's a biggie!<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Heterotaxia.</li>
<li>double outlet right ventricle.</li>
<li>pulmonary stenosis (this is the reason she is treatable-THANK YOU JESUS!) </li>
<li>Common AV valve (she has no tricuspid or mitral valve, just one common) </li>
<li>Unbalanced AV canal.</li>
<li>The right side of her heart is enlarged but Dr. G is not concerned at all. </li>
<li>In the center of her heart is a hole, we were assured it can be closed.</li>
</ol>
And we discovered through an abdominal ultrasound, Grace has no
SPLEEN! (this was not a surprise to Dr. G, that's why he ordered the
ultrasound).<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_qOFshVGmxobh3gfcN9Gda5w7m3EI1jmLP3gmNoQfYR9EASexDv-cmhNn7fu4zJNSAzHvSPS6ZyruVDs-GiEbytBp920KAVIZpuMeDyv-1EyFkf4wlYCJOY89Kt8_EsCflknG8X4S-xh/s1600/IMG_0103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_qOFshVGmxobh3gfcN9Gda5w7m3EI1jmLP3gmNoQfYR9EASexDv-cmhNn7fu4zJNSAzHvSPS6ZyruVDs-GiEbytBp920KAVIZpuMeDyv-1EyFkf4wlYCJOY89Kt8_EsCflknG8X4S-xh/s320/IMG_0103.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My baby Grace. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutQ0NkvOhl3hzPqCkrQ5sVLzwAV6MEBeTpGp_s-WBAJENlhIsl_A39sHyR80R00D2Ua-YIKNA-KrXdTVwRqC1sYgkEvbDYqnyCOKYc2OzxjClFDXs0GJaIKvQj0v16fdmtWTBaTGTzYwh/s1600/IMG_0112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutQ0NkvOhl3hzPqCkrQ5sVLzwAV6MEBeTpGp_s-WBAJENlhIsl_A39sHyR80R00D2Ua-YIKNA-KrXdTVwRqC1sYgkEvbDYqnyCOKYc2OzxjClFDXs0GJaIKvQj0v16fdmtWTBaTGTzYwh/s320/IMG_0112.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gracie's first bike ride, yes she's wearing her heart monitor and NO, I did not let her over do it. :) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
May 9th, 2012<br />
<br />
Last week, Gracie had a cardiac cath
done and it required her to stay overnight in the hospital. As much as I
wanted her to be home but the Lord wanted us to stay and I am so
grateful to have been able to stay with her and meet so many of the
doctors and nurses that will be taking care of our flower post-op. I
was also able to give our testimony and share our burden for orphan care
with 2 doctors and 3 nurses, all of which have the heart to adopt! How
Great is our GOD!!! One doctor even gave me the biggest hug for
bringing little miss home. I couldn't express to her enough how
blessed WE are for the blessing of this child. (all of our Children).
It was so cute to watch as I explained how our family was knitted
together, by my womb and through our hearts. And they were all shocked
to find out my eldest child is 19!! That made my day. :) <br />
<br />
Once
home, we spoke to nurses Katie and Julie, they went over what is going
to take place during surgery and gave us her surgery date. <br />
<br />
Gracie
is now scheduled for her first open heart surgery on May 24th. She
will then have her second open heart 4-6 months after that date. CJ and
I both feel completely in awe of how quickly the Lord has moved for His
little girl. Exactly one month ago today, Gracie was placed in our
arms and to think now, one month later we know exactly what her heart
condition is and a plan in place to repair her precious heart! Knowing
how the Lord is working on behalf of little one sure puts me in my place
once and for all about fear and doubt. I cannot even think to
disrespect Jesus by questioning or doubting anything about this
situation. We have complete trust and faith in our Heavenly Father. As a
mama, I do carry a very deep pain in my heart and that is for my
children. The girls are so in love with their baby sister and of course
Trevor too. We're doing our best to comfort and prepare them for
what's to come as far as recovery but there have been moments of tears
and expression of worry, so all we can do is hold on to each other and
pray. I know by witnessing how the Lord is working will strengthen our
children's faith in Jesus even more. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhfYz09qBXrZe-KYHV1KN3b7Qf0Syi9MFChyPzwPXxPMRisEjvrgvbrN_9vPdvefJQXG1HcQVZ4hAofan49yF1UMo4CD8iauyraqn4IYvRDXZpfIRn4-MoIIh_uVwEpvJm2MaWwPPRQciC/s1600/IMG_0111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhfYz09qBXrZe-KYHV1KN3b7Qf0Syi9MFChyPzwPXxPMRisEjvrgvbrN_9vPdvefJQXG1HcQVZ4hAofan49yF1UMo4CD8iauyraqn4IYvRDXZpfIRn4-MoIIh_uVwEpvJm2MaWwPPRQciC/s320/IMG_0111.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready to play outside in the beautiful weather. Love the background of Trevor's old car and the neighbor's trash cans. sigh...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB0S0TrBuMP_NaOMn8M8A3UvGEhFv5hgXyza6GJMEcIZn_pRDt_UjB-NyxRHhlvy14tUnKhl12l1Tt0IH0rPAuIIbJ1rTs8mqL9d8miQd1kgJDb4dhnIOV3uet5LdP40KClM0PFvMOoxQw/s1600/IMG_0136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB0S0TrBuMP_NaOMn8M8A3UvGEhFv5hgXyza6GJMEcIZn_pRDt_UjB-NyxRHhlvy14tUnKhl12l1Tt0IH0rPAuIIbJ1rTs8mqL9d8miQd1kgJDb4dhnIOV3uet5LdP40KClM0PFvMOoxQw/s320/IMG_0136.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Linzhi, too cool for school with her shades. Gracie has crazy, hard to tame hair! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This Friday, May 11th. We are meeting with Dr.I. He is the artist
that will repair our baby's heart. We were told, Gracie needs an artist
to repair her heart and Dr. I is that indeed! Every person I have
spoken to, whether it be a CNA, Nurse, Doctor or the gal that scheduled
our blood donation appointment had nothing but WONDERFUL things to say
about Dr. I. I cannot wait to meet with him on Friday. He likes to
meet all his kids before surgery and meet their families. We decided to
bring the girls, unfortunately, Trevor has to work otherwise he would
be coming too. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-rURPZxnii84UgsEsBDE7CBmRQ7-gV1ILfLAH13XAMn0jnf4C74Pf1ZwKCcXSLG0lLD8DDVMw09YKagEo_SKUoY0cJr_vPld8TrX3aOHDC7HdC46L4GMe3B5TYUfjJ4O4DQ1jO2OAeocP/s1600/js_041312-02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
Do
you ever scratch your heart in bewilderment at how the Lord works so
personally in your life, like to the very last little detail? Well, the
day of Gracie's cath. My mother and father in law came down to babysit
and before we left grandpa prayed over little Gracie (as she cried) and
we all prayed for an opportunity for a mandarin speaking nurse or
doctor that would be able to explain to Gracie what is going on. This
is a little too advanced for Madelyn as they are both from different
parts of China, the dialect is different so there are times when Madelyn
has no idea what Gracie is saying and vice versa. So, the day of the
cath, we did not meet anyone that spoke mandarin however, a couple days
later, Dr. I's nurse Katie called me and wanted to know exactly where in
China little miss was born. She stated to me that Dr. G. does not want
Gracie to be under any added stress pre or post op so they are going to
locate a mandarin speaking translator that knows Taiyuan dialect. This
translator will be at our disposal when Gracie is in the hospital. Ok,
really!?!?!? <br />
WOW! Thank you Jesus for your attention to all the little details that help us so. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsgNdFn0pXm057sYkD40XDs853D9SXLxWsWXcnC3Rela4vFDcZDZz6BuCmLwb_XXTPdb1v0tTkPipuj4tp77945hlzxX-bC15qdqxNpaGUHa1GUGS349aomD4hZn8_od-WzaN0Di1YycY/s1600/IMG_0133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsgNdFn0pXm057sYkD40XDs853D9SXLxWsWXcnC3Rela4vFDcZDZz6BuCmLwb_XXTPdb1v0tTkPipuj4tp77945hlzxX-bC15qdqxNpaGUHa1GUGS349aomD4hZn8_od-WzaN0Di1YycY/s320/IMG_0133.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gracie proud of her school work. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVhlSvbwLOjrFxQfOrtrIuCSRL3A_m7oQmEGINRDPIevu-8LDy_t1Vla9CKct09gvowvuTOtdmRz6Hb-a0hdqRw2VxDKlltnMY4URV96qrhxt9NRkhRLeNckX1pvFLCjynqALIEF_DCly/s1600/IMG_0105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVhlSvbwLOjrFxQfOrtrIuCSRL3A_m7oQmEGINRDPIevu-8LDy_t1Vla9CKct09gvowvuTOtdmRz6Hb-a0hdqRw2VxDKlltnMY4URV96qrhxt9NRkhRLeNckX1pvFLCjynqALIEF_DCly/s320/IMG_0105.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gracie and Rachel playing "listen to my heart" Gracie knows exactly where to listen. </td></tr>
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<br />
So now, we wait for May 24th. It's nice to be able to come up for air. We're wrapping up our school year, playing outside, doing crafts and just being still together before our world changes for a little while. Gracie is such a little doll! She fits in so well at our home. We all love her to pieces, she definitely fits the bill as far as being the youngest in the family. We are so grateful to have followed Jesus into the unknown of Gracie Faith. I spent several months agonizing over how Gracie would be healed and Jesus had it all figured out and WAY BEYOND what we expected. Growing in our faith, loving the children sent to us from above, bonding our marriage even more in Christ, well, it brings me to my knees praising the Lord for all He has given me. When I think about where I came from and where I am today. I find myself in awe of God's never failing forgiveness and love. <br />
<br />
Please pray for our family, especially Gracie Faith and the little girls that love her so very much. I will be updating on Facebook and my blog post surgery so please check in with us. <br />
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Thank you all for the prayers.<br />
<br />
Stay strong in Christ,<br />
Amy <br />
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<br />living4him5http://www.blogger.com/profile/06409446148184863139noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484580763508031304.post-70764464709761869582012-04-02T12:12:00.000-05:002012-04-02T12:12:09.874-05:00Gracie Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Lord always knows what we need and he knew this mama needed to see her baby girl. Last night, I could not sleep so I read my bible, prayed, cried a little too. My phone alerted me to a email and to my sweet surprise it was little miss. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thank you Sweet Jesus! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">7 days until this angel is with her mama and daddy and sister too!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">16 days until she is home, safe and sound under our roof. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">God is so very good all the time. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGXcnSXCBIRTKmV6WQOd9sMa9FA5Ie8zg3zytMPm7p75ptqlYrl5A6iFTfBu5rknmCVgaJI8VFF1YgUzDxlh4y3WnbuL_wkXa2ao3uzxmcS4I94U_ZAftEKgBMCPF3ODWeoJwnD42MlzI/s1600/Gracie+baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGXcnSXCBIRTKmV6WQOd9sMa9FA5Ie8zg3zytMPm7p75ptqlYrl5A6iFTfBu5rknmCVgaJI8VFF1YgUzDxlh4y3WnbuL_wkXa2ao3uzxmcS4I94U_ZAftEKgBMCPF3ODWeoJwnD42MlzI/s400/Gracie+baby.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We sent her this fruit basket to share with her foster family. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXfMBTp0h0EYhdjHiZwgpqHH33ikOBKj7JfwLRphk0ExH7I5LBI6zhQdMZ_Q1oxYIMys08oXco8KyvtimHh2RVf1l63THalyHOKLNNjV6GTESDClbyRfvhTXz-q26nuGCbfUbfU-8RQnzJ/s1600/gracie2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXfMBTp0h0EYhdjHiZwgpqHH33ikOBKj7JfwLRphk0ExH7I5LBI6zhQdMZ_Q1oxYIMys08oXco8KyvtimHh2RVf1l63THalyHOKLNNjV6GTESDClbyRfvhTXz-q26nuGCbfUbfU-8RQnzJ/s400/gracie2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>living4him5http://www.blogger.com/profile/06409446148184863139noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484580763508031304.post-42919059829357263552012-03-27T00:16:00.000-05:002012-03-27T00:16:07.098-05:00Travel dates!I've been so bad about updating my blog. I have a long post that I composed but I'm not too happy with the ending and I'm having a little writers block so, I've been praying for words...<br />
<br />
Anyway, I do know our travel dates!!!<br />
<br />
April 6th- Good Friday, we will be leaving on a jet plane!<br />
April 7th-Arrive in Taiyuan, China!<br />
April 8th-Easter Sunday... Rest from travels & last minute shopping for Gracie Faith!<br />
April 9th- Forever family day!!!<br />
April 10th-Adoption day!<br />
April 11th-Leave for Guangzhou<br />
April 12-15th- Medical, shopping, sight seeing<br />
April 16th- CA- Consulate appointment<br />
April 17th- Pack & rest for the long travel home<br />
April 18th- Leave China and travel back in time 13 hours to arrive home on the 18th too!<br />
<br />
We'll be gone 12 days much less than previous trips. We were in China 16 days for Linzhi and 15 for Madelyn. I am just thrilled to shave off 3 additional days!<br />
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We are also using "My adoption website" to host our travel journal. Here's the link if you would like to "travel" with us to China again (Madelyn and Linzhi's sites are attached as well). <br />
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<a href="http://myadoptionwebsite.com/graciefaith">http://myadoptionwebsite.com/graciefaith</a><br />
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I'm hoping to get some new pics of Gracie. I couldn't help myself, I sent her a bouquet of flowers, a fruit basket and a heart felt letter from her soon- to- be forever mama. living4him5http://www.blogger.com/profile/06409446148184863139noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484580763508031304.post-15272109598571496612012-03-21T20:33:00.002-05:002012-03-22T12:02:27.494-05:00Travel Approval!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWkEwZeVKZ6CYnOUKEYT1dZpyhSubQi2YLP_iLhgIBo9wYiiiVDqxY15uEJwZHY_25ehfubn58lXiDBtmI1Q8BleWINDnBL_EZbpIu0WoJVdsBOExIByyVCVaDZNiVkQJBdoRicdCY99j/s1600/anm810a3276c74fd41f.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWkEwZeVKZ6CYnOUKEYT1dZpyhSubQi2YLP_iLhgIBo9wYiiiVDqxY15uEJwZHY_25ehfubn58lXiDBtmI1Q8BleWINDnBL_EZbpIu0WoJVdsBOExIByyVCVaDZNiVkQJBdoRicdCY99j/s320/anm810a3276c74fd41f.gif" width="320" /></a></div>living4him5http://www.blogger.com/profile/06409446148184863139noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484580763508031304.post-51974010124100918352012-03-19T14:24:00.000-05:002012-03-19T14:24:39.333-05:00Taking her big step into a life long journey with Jesus.To say CJ and I are so happy and proud of our little one would be an understatement. Madelyn was baptized on Sunday and it was an emotional moment for her parents, pastor, family and our dear friend Rod Franklin who Madelyn shared her testimony with. As we were watching our baby drip with water as she was being baptized, I could see in her beautiful chocolate chip eyes little droplets of tears. I asked her later how she felt being baptized and she stated "very emotionally" ...Oh my heart. We thank Jesus everyday for the blessing of Madelyn Grace. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJVgEynA0XsSo5LwBua-vPvSaphI2axQXE4W5-aBlU2OweGpPoiZSsxff0JZPQ92J2V6rwOj-vKY5xtdgwalQIY72hCw4EYJmpVPk4M8_Rkhc76aWbNkg8ktDOQ92fiN5_oRG7fhJcNKEn/s1600/105_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJVgEynA0XsSo5LwBua-vPvSaphI2axQXE4W5-aBlU2OweGpPoiZSsxff0JZPQ92J2V6rwOj-vKY5xtdgwalQIY72hCw4EYJmpVPk4M8_Rkhc76aWbNkg8ktDOQ92fiN5_oRG7fhJcNKEn/s320/105_0011.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a little candid shot with the girls..Madelyn was about to blink, I think?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirlXUy1TFDp1XucHeMXdHZnSMmqrGl9q1wG0OF-6sIobmXFXUFisSmcZSZyDBDNf1QZyzg57h2CcSD_0FFciwVRJTilECkNz18g6Gjuxix1CW-DXV90ONNr1L_T1nYbTp9gYurDFzXgqBx/s1600/105_0019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirlXUy1TFDp1XucHeMXdHZnSMmqrGl9q1wG0OF-6sIobmXFXUFisSmcZSZyDBDNf1QZyzg57h2CcSD_0FFciwVRJTilECkNz18g6Gjuxix1CW-DXV90ONNr1L_T1nYbTp9gYurDFzXgqBx/s320/105_0019.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pastor Bob, Madelyn and Daddy...I'm behind Pastor Bob.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSgrMUnWmcSV-rrMdODCF8qPdYspjbifOuxs10cpMpfZGDPY22VxvyFvrQ2yN_Wz1bbyrRVSZbTjIjs85aHUa186IsVKo4gwFi6O7jipFlfBDA0kiW3eGMVOTPPMcKskkn57Tic3-klOE/s1600/105_0022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSgrMUnWmcSV-rrMdODCF8qPdYspjbifOuxs10cpMpfZGDPY22VxvyFvrQ2yN_Wz1bbyrRVSZbTjIjs85aHUa186IsVKo4gwFi6O7jipFlfBDA0kiW3eGMVOTPPMcKskkn57Tic3-klOE/s320/105_0022.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Talking a bit about our girl. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCte5px4Mfbn-LMSFoJXNS4CU9sHWcb1XrbLQMjBCmKra-x7lSZaFSZvm1soXYTW6qgJwtt4keO615JAO4sWWBmMOHDp6RC1mRLjkkFVreTwdEKuKzTNXwVOZbPOHxRqZqPmN4BMcUKg_R/s1600/105_0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCte5px4Mfbn-LMSFoJXNS4CU9sHWcb1XrbLQMjBCmKra-x7lSZaFSZvm1soXYTW6qgJwtt4keO615JAO4sWWBmMOHDp6RC1mRLjkkFVreTwdEKuKzTNXwVOZbPOHxRqZqPmN4BMcUKg_R/s320/105_0020.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at her face, so sweet. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXX7WM6ZLVjc_tfnXb6t9ju4t2dphCHZRDouCjJxhoNK28W1F-6648QMYF1sEdHsKYntmPtO3ZvHgoAjEwljPMLYg0TzFYm6LyTe81lc1wbJOU_guLNqCeZM36JMEf_XfEMJuW5c2EjeN/s1600/105_0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXX7WM6ZLVjc_tfnXb6t9ju4t2dphCHZRDouCjJxhoNK28W1F-6648QMYF1sEdHsKYntmPtO3ZvHgoAjEwljPMLYg0TzFYm6LyTe81lc1wbJOU_guLNqCeZM36JMEf_XfEMJuW5c2EjeN/s320/105_0024.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chinese exchange students that live with our friends. The girl in the black sweatshirt, just came to Christ!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVsMuVh7UK-yXTF076j15_DCY7T1q2Cq0eJjIWn4bV9h4M2qrXLKq98ym9ENEQ4pW0NyY_aqBPX0L0KsU3XxfUllBaNgl_VGVHHpjlCbHBrPkSEIZwuVxfn6aaocvp4FX_ZWtag-OCpM8/s1600/105_0028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVsMuVh7UK-yXTF076j15_DCY7T1q2Cq0eJjIWn4bV9h4M2qrXLKq98ym9ENEQ4pW0NyY_aqBPX0L0KsU3XxfUllBaNgl_VGVHHpjlCbHBrPkSEIZwuVxfn6aaocvp4FX_ZWtag-OCpM8/s320/105_0028.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls with our dear friend Rod. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR3gBNwaZczlegvsmJxrWdssg8lYpDPfldobCvFXdZ04xH-rmSR93uRFBwNKsUy5sBY8rtlpQqLu5Ck6PSV2BF6CNHh6cWwgfC9lC7A8C-wzHvLrMjXRcGlyHL_osT136Ana52RfsCnbnq/s1600/105_0027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR3gBNwaZczlegvsmJxrWdssg8lYpDPfldobCvFXdZ04xH-rmSR93uRFBwNKsUy5sBY8rtlpQqLu5Ck6PSV2BF6CNHh6cWwgfC9lC7A8C-wzHvLrMjXRcGlyHL_osT136Ana52RfsCnbnq/s320/105_0027.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Pastor Bob.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dad, Cathy, Allison and Sage</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJpRvRlTeLgKubhD2fCAT_tLAhBvLFv5GlH_CDjYXIJT-CUn1VnI8YxtKcj0294WlkwewpSqEPEvJDxPy-ZaiHA99wqc-u7eAgvUadGGA8eyGpbTbevojGdzosw2dH7eE46eFpZ5Gcfcm/s1600/105_0035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJpRvRlTeLgKubhD2fCAT_tLAhBvLFv5GlH_CDjYXIJT-CUn1VnI8YxtKcj0294WlkwewpSqEPEvJDxPy-ZaiHA99wqc-u7eAgvUadGGA8eyGpbTbevojGdzosw2dH7eE46eFpZ5Gcfcm/s320/105_0035.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CJ, Grandma Sharon, Uncle Sean, Terry and Trevor.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNA_UAniO7PoUmLylkcnjDB32x0XYiCEK5y1BMRu_8t6un7QKFio4f62BdusJHfUmKj_HN7Ngpcj4NEaGgXfmccx_RT4abLgCqdqrNvV3l0AxqgBMlbzdU6MP85xIGODPZAqeIMd4Hmys5/s1600/105_0033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNA_UAniO7PoUmLylkcnjDB32x0XYiCEK5y1BMRu_8t6un7QKFio4f62BdusJHfUmKj_HN7Ngpcj4NEaGgXfmccx_RT4abLgCqdqrNvV3l0AxqgBMlbzdU6MP85xIGODPZAqeIMd4Hmys5/s320/105_0033.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Linzhi, Michael, Rachel, Grandma Vanessa, Jon, Madelyn and Chris. </td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>living4him5http://www.blogger.com/profile/06409446148184863139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484580763508031304.post-11622669364373559862012-03-13T19:50:00.000-05:002012-03-13T19:50:50.570-05:00Madelyn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Several months ago, Madelyn asked if she could speak to me alone. We went into the office and shut the door. My sweet little one told me that she has accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior and that she would like to be baptized. Madelyn has been on FIRE for Jesus almost since upon arrival from China in July 2010. She loves her bible, both Chinese and NIV and has a deep concern for her foster parents in China and feels she needs to stand in the gap for them and pray for them to come to know Jesus. This precious soul feels so strongly about the importance of her baptism that she had NO reservations sharing her testimony with leadership in our church. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So on this Sunday, March 18th, Madelyn will have her special day and her family is so very proud of her for making this decision for herself. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My cup overflows...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcxp-tJ5hSVCx5nHB7MfiLPcQZFWq1UP7ERntjf4MIq36YDh_qZIDIjaOmQglF0VlyyrYeSOgt6NZ2X-4vtqNf_4dTOJJ7LQ2xDLLsrfAMnsh7WesP7z-mNa4ZBBGpptZjy9XaLhvD6i8B/s1600/madelyns+birthday+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcxp-tJ5hSVCx5nHB7MfiLPcQZFWq1UP7ERntjf4MIq36YDh_qZIDIjaOmQglF0VlyyrYeSOgt6NZ2X-4vtqNf_4dTOJJ7LQ2xDLLsrfAMnsh7WesP7z-mNa4ZBBGpptZjy9XaLhvD6i8B/s320/madelyns+birthday+016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>living4him5http://www.blogger.com/profile/06409446148184863139noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484580763508031304.post-19009370270926392282012-03-09T00:25:00.000-06:002012-03-09T00:25:29.991-06:00Gracie's room.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ok, these are not in correct order...so the<em> before</em> pics are at the bottom. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I had all kinds of plans for Gracie's room, my ideas for my youngest...the color, the bedding, all the little extra details mama's do for their babies that are coming home...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">However, I live with three daughters and<em> they</em> had their own ideas for <em>their</em> baby sister. And I have to say, I LOVE their way so much more! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I chose the bedding and the pink cross on the wall and that's it. EVERYTHING else has been donated from my daughters. Rachel generously donated a bookcase, the stackable bins, lots of toys and the pink curtains, ballet shoes for next fall and her old (to her) Care Bears. Madelyn donated lots of little trinkets for her book case, Belle doll,Mulan Barbie doll and a Chinese Children's bible. Linzhi Rose donated all kinds of hair bows, headbands, books, princess shoes, sunglasses, necklaces and a Christmas snow globe. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh and the bunk bed...Well that was a sweet blessing from our dear friends and we are SO grateful!!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Watching them give away their treasures so freely and with much JOY has put a lump in my throat many times over the last few weeks. Everyday, I see new things stuck in her bins and it just melts our hearts. They are so proud of that room and CJ and I are so proud of them! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtZdkpQVUA8gv3JSYyWiyV3xnar_yqzd5ssl0CxzEPDAhCYnplIoDaIC8PEvNrsd4gDTp96xU_4OV7bmnua0YBuSQTpXp5zREVCZhbhLpBvs5j3zEz0aXM2Sday11dn74cMVuNAmd80sYt/s1600/lots+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtZdkpQVUA8gv3JSYyWiyV3xnar_yqzd5ssl0CxzEPDAhCYnplIoDaIC8PEvNrsd4gDTp96xU_4OV7bmnua0YBuSQTpXp5zREVCZhbhLpBvs5j3zEz0aXM2Sday11dn74cMVuNAmd80sYt/s320/lots+037.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Each child has a cross above their light switch, hand picked by mama and hung by dad. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtmckyAA5WHFqixk_yJRPO2Ia4IYImPVQ7ZqbVGy1B3YtBNpuEuxKr453C8UzBK7jOgnPVL5ktHNQBzJtJMIAqit59KAg6Kp8SoufMNdO9wlJrP8a_LhmzgBD9lZgxMtisPDm6eR-tQeGA/s1600/lots+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtmckyAA5WHFqixk_yJRPO2Ia4IYImPVQ7ZqbVGy1B3YtBNpuEuxKr453C8UzBK7jOgnPVL5ktHNQBzJtJMIAqit59KAg6Kp8SoufMNdO9wlJrP8a_LhmzgBD9lZgxMtisPDm6eR-tQeGA/s320/lots+038.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The door leads to a large toy closet that is "neutral" territory for all the girls. Gracie is just lucky to have it in her room. :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy5stll6eywuRKH5WaPLWuPONWJrUc6DQqOyxzrdHHmx37tOCiQL1aLhOvHhL15Pr3Kjjqvp5JGCKc_4t7aUWi3qcRXXsj5WKK9VNVuNTg8Aj2q4jzloCIG0sMloQ3B4ik0Ve4NssMM3iW/s1600/lots+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy5stll6eywuRKH5WaPLWuPONWJrUc6DQqOyxzrdHHmx37tOCiQL1aLhOvHhL15Pr3Kjjqvp5JGCKc_4t7aUWi3qcRXXsj5WKK9VNVuNTg8Aj2q4jzloCIG0sMloQ3B4ik0Ve4NssMM3iW/s320/lots+039.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hand painted Chinese parasols. I bought these in China with Madelyn. I forgot to add that these were given to Gracie from Madelyn and Rachel. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCuviGa1PN22Zr-jsLFTcr9MePRms6DEqGeoCGsPjx1epXwP0LjE4wfRXAMRTTTYyNU8tEiGUoucpY7gqCkK8lXLJQwmcP3Mi0g3MNzqHzfV6jzNWN7QB9QP6yozzjKG8rqh0OPSGLVmgB/s1600/lots+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCuviGa1PN22Zr-jsLFTcr9MePRms6DEqGeoCGsPjx1epXwP0LjE4wfRXAMRTTTYyNU8tEiGUoucpY7gqCkK8lXLJQwmcP3Mi0g3MNzqHzfV6jzNWN7QB9QP6yozzjKG8rqh0OPSGLVmgB/s320/lots+040.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miss Gracie's bed and her backpack that will be heading to China very soon!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaVL8SEdwugwzzkcQGwV12BKk59E-uzJmPGUvhUZal0oRw_vu2gYdhcGvR7dRiveqEa6EbfzDaE2AuRK5W8ox9K-tm3L8iTfDANsjacFsryrID2mj_XLBN17XQPwa0ALtEYc8xSriA0BZ/s1600/lots+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaVL8SEdwugwzzkcQGwV12BKk59E-uzJmPGUvhUZal0oRw_vu2gYdhcGvR7dRiveqEa6EbfzDaE2AuRK5W8ox9K-tm3L8iTfDANsjacFsryrID2mj_XLBN17XQPwa0ALtEYc8xSriA0BZ/s320/lots+041.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little treasures from her sisters. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUnmpzzPLge7hvWCNAGS3G3usESsobutgboCXQI3kctAo0lG6jU8zJctHiLx7GkjyNo0xdq2NqhVuF2xW9VfA38aqb_OUZbTxrf6k-UTLmdJNgGhbsNNHgBBAnm38yLnnm6vr_Fo-y1bJI/s1600/lots+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUnmpzzPLge7hvWCNAGS3G3usESsobutgboCXQI3kctAo0lG6jU8zJctHiLx7GkjyNo0xdq2NqhVuF2xW9VfA38aqb_OUZbTxrf6k-UTLmdJNgGhbsNNHgBBAnm38yLnnm6vr_Fo-y1bJI/s320/lots+042.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This backpack was Rachel's. I am so glad I hang on to certain things, like bags. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwUymF4HDbeQTcZHKXqXsDMQm8wsywcp7mMZi-neJWcalGRNbX1_4oB5gAwS9fTMlo8Ui_g_GDGbn36-LBNJSvKwjOIAmeppKbL46D_czKKcMucpKgJVwQa_SI_41bMH85rfpBhmDFJHak/s1600/lots+044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwUymF4HDbeQTcZHKXqXsDMQm8wsywcp7mMZi-neJWcalGRNbX1_4oB5gAwS9fTMlo8Ui_g_GDGbn36-LBNJSvKwjOIAmeppKbL46D_czKKcMucpKgJVwQa_SI_41bMH85rfpBhmDFJHak/s320/lots+044.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top bunk with friends. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuKIYPHcjDC8VomlrlumB9grk8AFvWoN2RikzwHfxeOt-19SHYNMgxfeCAv_vhElqjbMLlDBS_0Yf7mJRXTGLE0U-EExsVRrmy3DIJLa_n9r5OacUCblqLaqnvR-jydJ1jD0PfRpWyxsN8/s1600/lots+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuKIYPHcjDC8VomlrlumB9grk8AFvWoN2RikzwHfxeOt-19SHYNMgxfeCAv_vhElqjbMLlDBS_0Yf7mJRXTGLE0U-EExsVRrmy3DIJLa_n9r5OacUCblqLaqnvR-jydJ1jD0PfRpWyxsN8/s320/lots+045.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bins...something new enters everyday!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq4Lew9oj-We7INbDnlsvtFhv5Q0Ps9EDPwOTyH-pUih3PtxzdEZN_4o_JTGqRJAtbYJibLKjElif3cTAgN9UNfdF2lnN6IL25doe-AGTIM5BQpROHBoLu6RUty_yiDxC8kcnA0lHGLgoc/s1600/lots+047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq4Lew9oj-We7INbDnlsvtFhv5Q0Ps9EDPwOTyH-pUih3PtxzdEZN_4o_JTGqRJAtbYJibLKjElif3cTAgN9UNfdF2lnN6IL25doe-AGTIM5BQpROHBoLu6RUty_yiDxC8kcnA0lHGLgoc/s320/lots+047.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Minnie welcomed Madelyn 1 1/2 years ago!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8P8-WM914Gq6B6KiBUIuyqNYdxORQ0i7Kk4O8dEnXKJRUi6LlhahlzIl1CkO6XUfGSkNG-EhetgbwJ4aYMMFDiMwfBYnbc-y7Gi6Opyk73ZDbIhWNcSwbiw7HlUoF3It8zy0KwPagRo2c/s1600/lots+048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8P8-WM914Gq6B6KiBUIuyqNYdxORQ0i7Kk4O8dEnXKJRUi6LlhahlzIl1CkO6XUfGSkNG-EhetgbwJ4aYMMFDiMwfBYnbc-y7Gi6Opyk73ZDbIhWNcSwbiw7HlUoF3It8zy0KwPagRo2c/s320/lots+048.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the color of the wall. CJ picked this shade for little miss. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2vXW1JnO05xuTg-C7FlsXBFqAmpAo_Ert-4XK2oDUOupBHO4n5ZM2pGl50uAnAW7ZctiXXyI6NzbNJxuwZjHu9DY6gE9j6Lg3ersaHpdP5LIJv24F-ub8sKgwb57w24ClD7eW39fjJz0y/s1600/lots+050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2vXW1JnO05xuTg-C7FlsXBFqAmpAo_Ert-4XK2oDUOupBHO4n5ZM2pGl50uAnAW7ZctiXXyI6NzbNJxuwZjHu9DY6gE9j6Lg3ersaHpdP5LIJv24F-ub8sKgwb57w24ClD7eW39fjJz0y/s320/lots+050.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Gracie doll. She will be traveling to China too. Mama or Rachel will be delivering it to Gracie on Forever family day.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdvPzHhfJ96ivyBcCDHI9rtj-9UkukGmfQVjBV-aG9AJab34gjsztxQHOfRdd4LlFoGMFJTDGLmAiVaYuaHt4bIIJSYD8UUBbVNS9fTFgQu1sWjg0c-1ei-h5wlwsEiG_f21gfCVufzGQ-/s1600/lots+053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdvPzHhfJ96ivyBcCDHI9rtj-9UkukGmfQVjBV-aG9AJab34gjsztxQHOfRdd4LlFoGMFJTDGLmAiVaYuaHt4bIIJSYD8UUBbVNS9fTFgQu1sWjg0c-1ei-h5wlwsEiG_f21gfCVufzGQ-/s320/lots+053.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Linzhi's little snow globe. Melts my heart.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQk81XNC0dj1QrMH9aj8tR11LQAxR91RqALN9q3gi0bOj_AmzdTKH6mmAjCb3FKwm7T3774978AsqCTCFZkZZooD5-SzFKcnYhLFlMRBqCTNYUtv7SSqJxOOB6DMPd1ANso746YOXll0d_/s1600/lots+054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQk81XNC0dj1QrMH9aj8tR11LQAxR91RqALN9q3gi0bOj_AmzdTKH6mmAjCb3FKwm7T3774978AsqCTCFZkZZooD5-SzFKcnYhLFlMRBqCTNYUtv7SSqJxOOB6DMPd1ANso746YOXll0d_/s320/lots+054.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I just noticed this snow globe from Madelyn. So sweet!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZn6HCzlY1xY8UcLggROCjETC9wr3njT9K5j_hYcxnzJFsrrHIPbw2tw2W2Q1u27K9Pqt4Rnhyphenhyphen5Sjx-lY5utFaHWWrlzSrQlc6qekm1xnqtdcfO6a-1EaXFzn6hlbGT2vWzYQmzUBnCv7L/s1600/lots+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZn6HCzlY1xY8UcLggROCjETC9wr3njT9K5j_hYcxnzJFsrrHIPbw2tw2W2Q1u27K9Pqt4Rnhyphenhyphen5Sjx-lY5utFaHWWrlzSrQlc6qekm1xnqtdcfO6a-1EaXFzn6hlbGT2vWzYQmzUBnCv7L/s320/lots+056.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The purple Care Bear went to China with us for Linzhi Rose. Rachel sent it with me for her baby sister. <br />
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<div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">THE BEFORE"S</div></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqSZ46dlDIOmMBDzMe6aONpST49Bsp_MjFI-LKlkRw0g-3APQEe7hfka_scOp4yUoDDljRRZxjN6-iUvYDHZGLo0NgodoXPJJBbWIke1CqRZd5rPYheohXtlM3ONoLOK4VARAJ6gSfbHg/s1600/lots+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqSZ46dlDIOmMBDzMe6aONpST49Bsp_MjFI-LKlkRw0g-3APQEe7hfka_scOp4yUoDDljRRZxjN6-iUvYDHZGLo0NgodoXPJJBbWIke1CqRZd5rPYheohXtlM3ONoLOK4VARAJ6gSfbHg/s320/lots+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Madelyn and Rachel helping daddy paint. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUKMSh1FDCazh1jOoXePyNc9mx1BNJysMfpc4hjrRuoDFagyAd1O3G30yGjbLyAnxt7Pd5v609j7rnnTDPf4MHqKS4x2D1ckXnJrB8nPZyObT3zB2lQ-HmMgeFWiVy5xJEnp9xzoX3bdee/s1600/lots+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUKMSh1FDCazh1jOoXePyNc9mx1BNJysMfpc4hjrRuoDFagyAd1O3G30yGjbLyAnxt7Pd5v609j7rnnTDPf4MHqKS4x2D1ckXnJrB8nPZyObT3zB2lQ-HmMgeFWiVy5xJEnp9xzoX3bdee/s320/lots+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Linzhi too!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVlYnB_tg0p5IIHyPKnhAbbCYW3gf3wFqKCoEDhsYm4EaqYGv7BJ0yBr8uGtwPi5DULQfnWXvx2NO3hqbyjLvNmjLZw7EDzAGYSq3L6W9hCZxxB9j55aFTR1kJy2SpsBSZu6Su2HwFuzMC/s1600/lots+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVlYnB_tg0p5IIHyPKnhAbbCYW3gf3wFqKCoEDhsYm4EaqYGv7BJ0yBr8uGtwPi5DULQfnWXvx2NO3hqbyjLvNmjLZw7EDzAGYSq3L6W9hCZxxB9j55aFTR1kJy2SpsBSZu6Su2HwFuzMC/s320/lots+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love this guy. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdqirqnxHWuxLMIUc7Ed2oQjnVV5S-V9U6WJArjRsrvfto_5wpx0ZD8euG14BqFuAnQf46ybGyaOEF3UtLhvEaUI9SKmNUEY6XKxxfr83Bfh6TRY52ePmOdeyY9sWxsoWCIiIBXrRO8EB/s1600/lots+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdqirqnxHWuxLMIUc7Ed2oQjnVV5S-V9U6WJArjRsrvfto_5wpx0ZD8euG14BqFuAnQf46ybGyaOEF3UtLhvEaUI9SKmNUEY6XKxxfr83Bfh6TRY52ePmOdeyY9sWxsoWCIiIBXrRO8EB/s320/lots+006.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They worked very hard.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Z2b54LE1o436zAD_sZUL_dCjCM4_GSldDLbh-y2rlDaiAGPkDjl6Xs8wZQkYHWf_LTevlF8OmkA5hA4zMFGH_lUE7edHDUw9tiXp2Dm22kq0S-gqVKGBN6oHEvZhlyxD4DISU1jTr7qV/s1600/lots+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Z2b54LE1o436zAD_sZUL_dCjCM4_GSldDLbh-y2rlDaiAGPkDjl6Xs8wZQkYHWf_LTevlF8OmkA5hA4zMFGH_lUE7edHDUw9tiXp2Dm22kq0S-gqVKGBN6oHEvZhlyxD4DISU1jTr7qV/s320/lots+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think Linzhi just posed for pictures... :):)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>living4him5http://www.blogger.com/profile/06409446148184863139noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484580763508031304.post-64500748540325438252012-03-02T12:32:00.000-06:002012-03-02T12:32:00.232-06:00<span style="background-color: lime; font-size: large;">ARTICLE 5 PICKED UP TODAY!!!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: lime; font-size: large;">Now the count down to TRAVEL APPROVAL!!!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: lime; font-size: large;">We *should* be in China within 5-6 weeks...Lord willing!</span>living4him5http://www.blogger.com/profile/06409446148184863139noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484580763508031304.post-50494941274032113392012-02-29T14:56:00.000-06:002012-02-29T14:56:30.382-06:00My badMy poor blog...so neglected! SO MANY THINGS HAPPENING AROUND HERE...<br />
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Pictures and post coming soon...<br />
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Little Miss Gracie's room is finished!<br />
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We had a special girl day out with Grandma Sharon.<br />
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Visiting Columbia College with Trevor...PRAYING he gets the dorm room/apartment he's been trying to get into....<br />
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Soon Linzhi and I will be heading to Delaware to get her custom made WREX!!!<br />
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Homeschooling, karate, shopping and planning... <br />
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Oh and did I mention CHINA???? Yeah, like 5 or 6 weeks from now....Article 5 should be coming tomorrow... then 2-3 weeks until TA (travel approval- we got Madelyn's in 12 days...just sayin...) and THEN... two weeks until we leave! <br />
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GOD IS GREAT!!! living4him5http://www.blogger.com/profile/06409446148184863139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484580763508031304.post-82615989905612435932012-02-13T22:42:00.000-06:002012-02-13T22:42:36.493-06:00Our valentineOn Valentine's day in 2005, God blessed us with a precious gift we didn't even know existed. In a little box was a darling newborn baby girl named Xiao Li. She was tightly wrapped in a yellow blanket and safety placed in the stairwell of a local hospital. That was the last day her birth family held her...On Valentine's day, 2005. I always think of them on this day and how hard it was to leave their baby girl. I cannot imagine their loss, how they will grieve her the rest of their lives. I pray the orphanage some how got word to them that their baby girl no longer lays in a crib 18 hours a day that her forever family came for her, to love forever, as they do... I hope they know.<br />
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That baby girl is Linzhi Rose. I haven't shared with Linzhi this part of her life in China, we know she's too little to understand and she breaks SO easy...So in time, her time, we will tell her the story of Valentine's day, 2005 when she made an incredible journey from daughter to orphan until November, 2007 when she made yet another incredible journey from orphan to daughter-FOREVER! Oh how we LOVE that girl!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzRKt0_ZMSFUhmB8XRcKaRADrHENL7NqIzN_FvtPjmXBDSvy8lBcBuoZ8wgC7b4cYmo8pL2hskbY3GBPAnVyuvd1GEjMUJ__IrWO8iCOjOGvJGrYlhL_8a4P8XT32B-Ss0BlJcsuP-SONh/s1600/almost+everything+091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzRKt0_ZMSFUhmB8XRcKaRADrHENL7NqIzN_FvtPjmXBDSvy8lBcBuoZ8wgC7b4cYmo8pL2hskbY3GBPAnVyuvd1GEjMUJ__IrWO8iCOjOGvJGrYlhL_8a4P8XT32B-Ss0BlJcsuP-SONh/s320/almost+everything+091.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>So tomorrow morning, she will wake to a red heart shaped basket full of her favorite treats, lip gloss, a pencil and a little frog and Linzhi will be thrilled as she LOVES Valentine's day and that is enough for now. living4him5http://www.blogger.com/profile/06409446148184863139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484580763508031304.post-37326203183585008432012-02-11T12:35:00.001-06:002012-02-11T12:37:07.493-06:00Father-Daughter dinnerOur church hosted an evening for fathers and daughters. My girls (and CJ) were SO excited to attend. Before they left, I curled hair and applied a little make-up. Linzhi, my little romantic, squealed "I feel like I'm going on a date". I answered, you are! With your daddy. :) So sweet!<br />
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I dropped them off and promptly picked them up with the van nice and warm (we're finally getting some winter weather) and as we drove home, I listened to all the exciting news. It's so fun to have all these daughters as I get all the details and feel the excitement with them. Linzhi Rose was thrilled to the max as she was the winner of a $20 gift card to the movies. What a blessing for my girls to have a special night with their daddy. And CJ, well, he was so very proud of his young ladies. <br />
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What was I doing while they were gone?... SHOPPING! and loving every stinkin minute of it! <br />
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Have a blessed weekend! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfDvdOslPL40BNvYqRtsnRiGoYyumksAJdzaoQCd-Eu1GuOaragdHMT0YZGhyo7e8Qmlb2Oa1q7FtuUtz36vmPUhd1rL-ATXiDRxhzJXSqBzDLRq3sQObypQqZJLmfABuWD4iIHTrYjwz/s1600/father+daughter+dinner+089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfDvdOslPL40BNvYqRtsnRiGoYyumksAJdzaoQCd-Eu1GuOaragdHMT0YZGhyo7e8Qmlb2Oa1q7FtuUtz36vmPUhd1rL-ATXiDRxhzJXSqBzDLRq3sQObypQqZJLmfABuWD4iIHTrYjwz/s320/father+daughter+dinner+089.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQ_Ty6V4a0w3Hs0iujaWSywdMuF48GFR-vSRQcQX9eezRpduzzfb_rAcn4v-0DKTpV1sFpMTccHUdLZSfquNBoi0jm1QfruuwSKlAOpglHxm6XHnPn7Y-B15qugDibY909ehP91yT6ZgJ/s1600/father+daughter+dinner+090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQ_Ty6V4a0w3Hs0iujaWSywdMuF48GFR-vSRQcQX9eezRpduzzfb_rAcn4v-0DKTpV1sFpMTccHUdLZSfquNBoi0jm1QfruuwSKlAOpglHxm6XHnPn7Y-B15qugDibY909ehP91yT6ZgJ/s320/father+daughter+dinner+090.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>living4him5http://www.blogger.com/profile/06409446148184863139noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484580763508031304.post-7346862695785976542012-02-06T21:46:00.000-06:002012-02-06T21:46:47.253-06:00Gus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Help friends.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This little guy needs a forever family very soon!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He is one year old, lives in China and his special need is Dwarfism. PLEASE contact <a href="http://www.lifelineadoption.org/">http://www.lifelineadoption.org/</a> if you are interested in learning more about Gus. Be still my heart! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. ~ John 14:18</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvBW43WAFWyCDLVzW6RxFIAAUsnuAUbaPcsNYcoLjwV_iqbzkoUxE74rOLkHA2g6uXIjdHu3VYW_rKm6ts0p0azAwP4cu02AhFlfgia1wUK6Nn183OtdarS4e7ziFWcdcfmGbkS-8o9h0/s1600/gus-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvBW43WAFWyCDLVzW6RxFIAAUsnuAUbaPcsNYcoLjwV_iqbzkoUxE74rOLkHA2g6uXIjdHu3VYW_rKm6ts0p0azAwP4cu02AhFlfgia1wUK6Nn183OtdarS4e7ziFWcdcfmGbkS-8o9h0/s320/gus-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>living4him5http://www.blogger.com/profile/06409446148184863139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484580763508031304.post-91150942204684914952012-01-31T21:17:00.001-06:002012-01-31T21:20:23.493-06:00Nemours WREX Robotic Device Helps Children Reach Higher<div align="center">This is a video of WREX. Linzhi will be getting her WREX very soon. If you have a child that could benefit from this miracle, at the end of the video is contact information. That's all I did to get Linzhi in the study. </div><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/f3WX4fBVqkE?fs=1" width="459"></iframe>living4him5http://www.blogger.com/profile/06409446148184863139noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484580763508031304.post-26286633524991616262012-01-31T12:34:00.001-06:002012-01-31T12:35:22.930-06:00Sweet Pea turns 7 and WREX!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh this child has captured my heart! Linzhi exudes happiness and joy. She is never ever one to complain and like I have mentioned before, works SO HARD for everything! Although, her mama and dad and siblings are always there to feed her and assist her...However, Linzhi is growing up and she desires to do things on her own and she usually figures it out and does it her way. :) Linzhi has had a challenging year in 2011. Her surgery was brutal but she has come out of it so much stronger and her little arm is finally on the mend. We have had a recent blessing as Linzhi will be given a new device called WREX. WREX is basically robotic arms that she will be able to put on when needed for feeding, dressing, combing her hair, etc... She is joining a study out of AI Dupont Children's Hospital in Wilmington, Delaware. As I type, they are working on making her a set to fit her measurements, when they are finished, we are headed to Delaware to have a custom back brace made to attach the arms to so she can be mobile with WREX. To say this is a miracle, a HUGE answered prayer for CJ and I would be an understatement. This is by the mighty hand of the Lord and no other! Since Linzhi is in the study we pay NOTHING for WREX...NOTHING! And since we are in the middle of our third adoption in the last four years, you cannot imagine how awesome this is for our family! I cannot tell you how many nights I have laid in bed talking with the Lord asking Him to reveal to us how to help her when she is older and wants to live independent of her parents... My thoughts would terrify me as I wondered, who will feed, clothe, prepare her food, brush her hair, help her bathe, use a spoon, drive a car...you name it, I worried about it and I know the Lord heard my pleas and I know He loves her more than I but I still needed to know how Lord? And to have WREX come along at a time when Linzhi would appreciate it and she is old enough to see the benefits of it...Well...It's just God's perfect timing again! I am looking forward to posting more about WREX, our trip to Delaware and the opportunities that lie ahead for our Linzhi. I am still just simply amazed at the works of our Lord! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLClFoMPKZ_5sRQ9wl32sTvRQ_xv-yQjYY7ISXp1DKArpI29baOsUAqYTOZQQXZqrkm8w-YpXzS4cFTZcya3TU10Ikn0hxPPbbPiAUuo9bF67l2zCMw5ERWXczsrEIgwCB6u2mYTh3z08L/s1600/latest+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLClFoMPKZ_5sRQ9wl32sTvRQ_xv-yQjYY7ISXp1DKArpI29baOsUAqYTOZQQXZqrkm8w-YpXzS4cFTZcya3TU10Ikn0hxPPbbPiAUuo9bF67l2zCMw5ERWXczsrEIgwCB6u2mYTh3z08L/s320/latest+034.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>living4him5http://www.blogger.com/profile/06409446148184863139noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484580763508031304.post-13144890562547642142012-01-24T22:35:00.001-06:002012-01-24T22:54:06.265-06:00Little surprises in my inbox<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So I sent one final cake and teddy bear to little miss and what a surprise to get these sweet pictures of our girl. To think the next picture I post of Gracie will be from MY camera!!! The quality of these are not that good but we'll take 'em.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">God bless and please keep our little one in your prayers. <><</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDgdnAcCqLWoSuINL1GQEpLJQDDzagfzorwZpWva4Sj00Ok6CdGhfOHzEYE4fnDio58nlsD8ozEEqaMkcwd0urpwNTtQKtk2SKjfa-5kMZUCcqxSJIBjc1rJVLTF6fSlVk-qhGFTz3IB9x/s1600/201201211167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDgdnAcCqLWoSuINL1GQEpLJQDDzagfzorwZpWva4Sj00Ok6CdGhfOHzEYE4fnDio58nlsD8ozEEqaMkcwd0urpwNTtQKtk2SKjfa-5kMZUCcqxSJIBjc1rJVLTF6fSlVk-qhGFTz3IB9x/s320/201201211167.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>living4him5http://www.blogger.com/profile/06409446148184863139noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484580763508031304.post-65311642121403909312012-01-18T00:43:00.001-06:002012-01-18T10:01:56.900-06:00This child of mine.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjtIPSlarzoI-BatjK4jvWXJO7q-nMSZcRpz6-xMCbwcEuwhyphenhyphenftaWDRMNY9ahiy0bBcaz2L2hMN5izohSnybPArynYaF-uukmUYwxgEumY2hJPAOe6Kc7eJrleDgAWL9_eX4B0NsxQRgq/s1600/almost+everything+089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjtIPSlarzoI-BatjK4jvWXJO7q-nMSZcRpz6-xMCbwcEuwhyphenhyphenftaWDRMNY9ahiy0bBcaz2L2hMN5izohSnybPArynYaF-uukmUYwxgEumY2hJPAOe6Kc7eJrleDgAWL9_eX4B0NsxQRgq/s320/almost+everything+089.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I was scrolling through recent pictures and I came across this picture of my Linzhi Rose. Linzhi is my shadow. As I do my "stuff" during the day, she is never far from me...We talk and talk and laugh and at times shed tears. Linzhi is very sensitive, honest, hard working and loves to help. I always tell her "the Lord blessed you with a servants heart". I know she will she will do wonderful things in her life. She LOVES Jesus and praises Him throughout the day. When I look at her, I see how she is blossoming into a young lady and I often think back to November 19th, 2007 when this little angel baby was placed in my arms. The room was dark and damp but the minute she entered the room, I forgot where I was. I still remember the scent of her little black head and how curious she was with CJ and me. I sometimes wish I could go back for just a minute. Linzhi Rose has always been the baby for the family which has fit her in so many ways. She is TEENY TINY for one!!! I imagine her birth mother to be very petite and beautiful. Linzhi is stunning! But you see, my baby girl is going to be a big sister very soon and as happy as I am for Linzhi that she will finally be able to have a little sister, part of me just can't make the transition. In time....right? :) <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixEujUcY3J7EnKeKDBC7ZMLDx7d7yfs6_X46wmtVrcpUlgdF8ubGuQ2kgpoM8ydPgh8HP7RTAUydbLkD4MBcZYTBAlWOeWGSmraSKmqXKC8lL-OqvcNwlweFBEcnnSQ8pdpe1d_Z5q0FKM/s1600/almost+everything+087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixEujUcY3J7EnKeKDBC7ZMLDx7d7yfs6_X46wmtVrcpUlgdF8ubGuQ2kgpoM8ydPgh8HP7RTAUydbLkD4MBcZYTBAlWOeWGSmraSKmqXKC8lL-OqvcNwlweFBEcnnSQ8pdpe1d_Z5q0FKM/s400/almost+everything+087.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Enjoy these lovely pictures of my baby girl.living4him5http://www.blogger.com/profile/06409446148184863139noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484580763508031304.post-57904948844417380292012-01-11T09:49:00.000-06:002012-01-11T09:49:53.190-06:00LOA!!!!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">PRAISE JESUS!!!!!!!!!!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We got our email today...Day 55!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">China bound in 8 to 12 weeks!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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