journey of a blessed family

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