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!