journey of a blessed family

Juggling a family of six and a full time job leaves one lacking in time to do the very important things in life like blogging!!! We're all still alive....G's still doing awesome--as are all the other kiddos....we're crazy busy as always...life is good. (GOD IS GREAT) One quick medical update - G continues to get his transfusions on a 4 1/2 week cycle and is doing very well with that....he was also evaluated by the cardiologist in the last couple weeks and will be having a catheter procedure in January to patch an Atrial Septal Defect (praise God it won't require open heart surgery) He will be getting a port about a month or two later to make his monthly blood draws and transfusions go a bit easier rather than having to insert iv's each time. I've only got a few minutes to post some pictures right now, but wanted you to see some of the stuff we've been up to....blessings to you all ~ d

Me and 3 young ones; My sister & husband & son & his fiance = glow in the dark bowling fun!

Chinese Moon Festival

E's first day of 1st grade

A's first day of 4th grade

J's first day of HIGH SCHOOL (don't you love the look...."Mom, I'm in high school now, I don't need you to take my picture")

G's first day of preschool

End of the summer family camping trip

Fall Break trip to visit our China travelmates (we met them in China...they were adopting their daughter when we were getting G) All 12 of us spent a few days together....Awesome friends...awesome family...LOVE EM

G's sweet friend, M! Aren't they adorable...a match made in...well...China to be specific!

Pumpkin carving....G's first time...he liked poking his pumpkin with the pattern tool and eating the toasted pumpkin seeds, but other than that wasn't all that thrilled with it

Yeah, so, it's been like 6 weeks since I posted anything....I don't even have a good excuse! (other than it's summer, so somehow schedules got even crazier than they were during school...and...I'm lazy and just haven't been on the blog lately....I guess that's excuse enough!)

The big kids start back to school in just 2 WEEKS, so maybe being back in a formal routine will help (although, I thought being OUT of that routine a couple months ago was going to help life not be so crazy....:-) I guess life with 4 kids is just crazy whether in or out of a routine!! (can I get an 'Amen' ?) J starts HIGH SCHOOL this year and, boy does that make me feel OLD. A will be in 4th grade, E will be in 1st grade and G is SUPER-EXCITED about starting preschool in just 3 weeks. He can't wait to ride the school bus with his brother and sister!!

The kids have had a good summer...nothing too out-of-the-ordinary...a little swimming, a little camping, a few trips to the amusement park, chasing lightning bugs, bike riding (and crashing), Vacation Bible School, basketball camp for J & A, drama camp for E, CSI camp for A, band camp for J, and general summertime fun.

I need to brag on my excellent little patient, G....since I updated you last he's had another transfusion and while he's done really great with all his medical stuff since he's been home, this month he made it through the IV without even a whimper--what a big, brave boy he is!! He actually was interested in helping the nurse with the iv and i think that was part of the reason he didn't seem to care that it might hurt. She let him help with taping the tube down and with attaching the blood line and when he was all finished he even got to take the needle out of his arm himself. (he WANTED to do it!) I was so proud of him for not only being a trooper and tolerating the treatment, but for wanting to take ownership of it and help with the process. He's amazing...I just love the way he faces everything head on. It's really been fun to watch him over these past 4 months and see the way he jumps into everything...he's curious and brave and loves to learn new things and figure out how things work--he's not afraid of anything!

A few pics of the past few months.....Enjoy!

Home from the hospital...made it through the sedation and MRI with flying colors (won't have the test results for a couple days); didn't have to have the transfusion today because his hemoglobin was still good (rescheduled for Tuesday). G's a little loopy today and can't walk on his own, so we're just hanging out watching tv and he's finishing up a nap right now. Just wanted to let you know.

Just wanted to take a minute to celebrate the sweet gift my baby gave me yesterday....While we were just casually hanging out together watching a little tv, I heard those sweet, sweet words....

"I LUH YOU, MOMMY"

sniff, sniff....he's told me that before but it's always been in response to me saying I loved him; usually at bedtime...."good night, G, I love you"..."I luh you, too"...which, of course is special in and of itself, but the first completely unexpected, random declaration of love has completely melted my heart :-) Yay, G!!

On a side note, G's scheduled for his regular transfusion on Friday in the afternoon, but will also be having an MRI under sedation that morning. The MRI is to determine if his liver has absorbed too much iron over the last few years from having regular transfusions. We expect it to be somewhat high, but pray that the results are not shockingly high. The test itself does not worry me, but the sedation is a little scary since I don't know how he'll respond. We would appreciate your prayers (as always!) for no negative reactions to the sedation, good test results, an uneventful transfusion and for good spirits as we'll be spending 12+ hours at the hospital. [that's not too much to ask is it?? maybe I should throw in world peace, too]

blessings ~ d

J and G sharing some delicious McDonald's fries...
G's pretty happy about running in the preschool fun run


E and A, got ribbons, too!!

Soapy G having fun in the tub

J's first parade with the High School Marching Band (black trumpet)

Mother's Day with all my kiddos--finally!

E got brave and finally got her ears pierced (after 45 minutes of getting up in the chair then changing her mind and getting back out...and quite a few tears...) WAY TO GO E!!

Things are going really well as we continue to transition into our new life. G is happy and healthy and was clearly chosen by God to be a part of our family because he fits just like a puzzle piece--perfectly! J and A and E have also adjusted well to their new little brother--they love him dearly and fight with him just like siblings are supposed to. I think the latest shock for me has been the exponential increase in our grocery bill--G's a PIG!! He's first to the table and last to finish and it's not because he eats slow...He's gained at least 3 or 4 pounds in 2 months. As I was going through several dozen pictures his orphanage gave us of his last few years with his foster family, I realized that in at least 1/3 of the pics, he has food in his hands. The kid can eat!! I'm thankful to know he didn't go hungry in China and I don't think he's going to here, either.

School's almost out for the big kids and while that brings the promise of some relaxed schedules for the summer, it also means we have to get through end of the year school projects, testing, awards programs, concerts and other busy stuff. We've nearly made it...add in a 4 week transfusion schedule and other evaluations we're still getting from various doctors and life's been a bit hectic to say the least. I'm not complaining...just trying to remember to take a moment to breath...

On that note, I think I'll call it a night...Trying to keep you a little bit posted on what's going on...hopefully the smiling faces tell the best story. blessings ~ d

Lots of 'firsts' lately....G continues to amaze us and to be such a perfect fit into our family.

First trip to the zoo...he LOVED it...Maaaa! look...Maaaa! look


First transfusion (with us, anyway)...he did FABULOUSLY...


First rainbow....(first and second, I guess)...pretty....(that's what G said)

First haircut...I did it; kinda scalped him on the sides, but it'll grow back :-)

Cheesin it up for the camera (that's NOT a first!)

Is this the most beautiful boy you've seen in a while, or what?? Such a cutie!

First Easter picture for the whole blessed family! God is soooo good! We are soooo blessed!

"Wait a minute!" (used most frequently by us at the dinner table as he is a very IMPATIENT eater and now he's repeating it mostly to his siblings) and "Let me see it!" (popular when we have the camera in our hands)

The most common question I've been getting has been some form of "Does he speak English" or "How are you communicating with him?" Well, short answer, he spoke not a single word of English on March 2. Since then, he's probably added a word to his vocabulary each day...So 20-40 words might be a generous estimate although he understands MANY more words and phrases than he is saying.

Some of the words he says without prompting: mama (that's Chinese and English, so it counts), his name (sounds like three distinct sylables without the R...very cute), his siblings' names, potty, eat, more, doggie, get away and go away (spoken to the doggies--technically, I guess those were his first sentences), backpack, grapes, train, airplane, car (although all vehicles first get a very loud and excited announcement in Chinese...followed up in English), thank you, sorry, amen (he LOVES to pray over our meals...amen is the only word we understand, but he usually has ALOT to say...God's multi-lingual, I guess actually omni-lingual, so it's ok!), jump (he loves the trampoline), coffee...

I promised pictures last post and I did actually download some to the laptop yesterday, but, alas, I'm not on the laptop, so I'll add them soon....I promise! :-) Just wanted to give you that language update while I was thinking about it.

Much love, d

I'm a few hours late on making this post, but we were busy coloring Easter Eggs last night so I forgot....and I know you really want to see pictures, but I don't have any on this computer! (I'm at work, so I'll have to make this short and sweet)

It's been a month since that precious day we finally got to meet our son...in some ways it seems like it was just yesterday and in other ways it seems he's always been with us...We love him soooo much! He is truly a blessing

Things are going very smoothly--unbelievably smoothly....I credit the MANY prayers that have been lifted up by so many, the care packages and pictures that we sent over an entire year and especially the efforts of his foster family and orphanage staff to help prepare him for his forever family. Of course, ultimately, GOD is GREAT and He has worked diligently on our behalf to make this such a smooth transition. I've been laughing about the fact that really the most difficult part of the transition has been for us parents to remember what it's like to have a 3 year old boy in the house!! (VERY BUSY...VERY ACTIVE...VERY TIRING for us old folks!)

The other kids LOVE their brother dearly...I'd say E is having the hardest time (although she's doing great); she's been the baby for more than 6 years and is having to adjust to G taking up some of her spotlight. I think the hardest part for her is that she wants to be his 'little mommy' and as an independent 3 1/2 year old, he really doesn't want a 'little mommy'! They're working it out...Really, at some point in the past month, all three kids have said, "he's getting all the attention!" but that response is totally normal and it is passing. We've of course explained the need to spend so much time on G and we're trying to also make a special effort to protect some of that time for J & A & E...it will be just fine...just one of those growing pains.

G's been to the doctor 5 times already since we've been home (and has two more visits next week and at least 3 more evaluations to schedule)...things are pretty good; his primary condition is Beta Thalassemia (a genetic blood condition requiring regular transfusions) and he also has an atrial septal heart defect (doctor says typical and relatively minor...lots of people live with them their entire lives without even knowing) I hadn't said too much about the heart condition during our waiting time because I was wholly hoping and praying that it would have healed since 06 when China found it. While the Thalassemia is chronic and will be lifelong, both conditions are quite manageable. He's due for a transfusion next week (and will probably be on a 6 week schedule for those) and will have an echocardiogram and catheter patch for the hole in his heart within the year. (there's only a 5% chance of needing more extensive surgery) Aside from that, he's VERY healthy; his two conditions have not interfered with his growth or development and they certainly haven't slowed hime down! Poor thing's had more tests run in 3 weeks than I've had in my entire life. But he's quite a trooper...even though he cries when he sees them coming with the needle for a blood draw, he willingly sticks his arm right out for them to find a vein. (the nurses found this quite endearing and as cute as he is, he's made lots of girlfriends at the hospital already)

We're truly blessed to be a family of 6! (I keep counting them when we get in the car to make sure I haven't forgotten anyone) I'll try to get some pictures on here SOON and to do a better job of posting...We're getting a bit more comfortable in our routines, so I should be able to manage soon.

Much love....d

Sorry to leave you hangin'...we arrived home safely, though exhausted, on Friday and have been adjusting to each other and to new schedules and to being a family of 6 and all the joy that comes with jet-lag!

All is well... G did remarkably well on the trip home, he was a super traveler! Only a few yells and cries when I took the remote from him to start a movie in the screen in his seat (that was nice, but we were only on that plane for 4 hours...the 12 hour stretch didn't have in-seat movie selections...boohoo) Other than those few initial tears, he was great. Played with toys, ate, played with more toys, ate, slept only about 3 or 4 hours of the whole 20 hour trip...it was really much better than I could have ever imagined it to be (thanks for your prayers, I'm sure they went a long way in the successful journey)

We were greeted by many family and friends at the airport and were so thankful to see each and every one that could be there. G was a bit overwhelmed by the many new faces, but he eventually came around. We spent the evening with a delicious dinner (and stocked refrigerator) provided by our dear friends and had a good night of sleep.

The weekend was pretty calm just hanging around the house getting used to each other (and washing lots of laundry) We were very glad to get to go to church on Sunday and see many friends (again, G was overwhelmed with so many new faces and spent much of the morning looking the other direction when people spoke to him...but he did very well and started to warm up a bit before the end of the morning...he'll do fine)

We spent a few hours at the park near our house yesterday and he had a GRAND time...i think we'll see much of that park in the days to come!

I'll try to keep you posted on how things are going although I'm finding out that adding a 3 year old to your family is about 3 times harder than adding a newborn....yeah, we missed out on the diaper and bottle stage, but with a newborn you can feed and diaper and dress them and then lay them down for a nap while you get some stuff done...in this scenario we're running around after him and are afraid to let him out of our sight because we're not exactly sure what he's going to do. He screamed in terror the first time he saw our dogs, but they made up with each other (mostly) in the hours that followed. He likes them best when he's standing and they're not...when they're up and walking around, he's not so sure!

We're getting ready to head out for our first trip to W@l-Mart since we got home....that should be fun! We went to the Asian market yesterday and G went crazy wanting everything he saw...I have a feeling we'll be visiting there quite a bit. Til next time....love, d

Quick Greetings from Hong Kong...we left Guangzhou yesterday after our Oath at the Consulate...G LOVED the train ride to Hong Kong...It was much more fun for him to watch out the window than on the plane (I highly recommend it if you want to try something different...very easy, very comfortable and MUCH cheaper than flying out of Guangzhou! about $30 each) What little we had time to see of Hong Kong was beautiful...hope to make it back here for more than 3 waking hours next time! The Harbor Light show was fantastic and finally an indoor swimming pool...G thought it was fun, but has no concept of fear of water; uh oh! We're headed to the airport in about 5 minutes, so we're signing off from China (Hong Kong)....See you back in the states with the WHOLE blessed family :-) love, d