Graci's Gotcha Day and Dax's First Trip to the Emergency Room

The beginning of the dumplings and the only picture we were able to take.
Dax after waiting about two hours to be registered and vitals taken, he had only a 102.5 temp at this point. Compared to the 105 he was feeling good.

Daddy and Dax watching tv waiting to see a doctor, we had been in the ER for about 4 hours at this point.

After finally seeing a doctor and being in the hospital for about 6 hours. It is about 12:30 am and he has had a non stop high fever for the past 12 hours. Yet he is not really asleep just closing his eyes and he stayed awake until we got home until after 2:30 am.

Here we were, our house thoroughly decorated in honor of the Lunar New Year and getting ready to celebrate "Gotcha Day". I had just returned from the store where I stocked up on everything needed to make jiao zi (chinese dumplings). We have never made them before and thought since this is Graci's 4 th Gday we would give it a go. Earlier that afternoon Dax came home from the park and had a fever, this was a hurdle but we were still going through with our celebration. We had the kitchen covered with flour, dough balls, meat filling, and pots of water while Alyx was also making longevity noodles to go with our dumplings. In walked our little Dax and he did not look good, red-droopy eyes, hunched over shoulders, and a groan when he walked. Lee took his temp and the poor guy was burning up at 105.1. Called the doctor and hurried directions to Graci and her cousin who were helping with the dumplings. Well, I knew what the doctor was going to say. We don't have a four year old, during RSV season, who is running over a 105 temp and not make a visit to the ER. So, with sadness over not finishing Graci's celebration, I gave directions to Alyx to finish the dumplings, Grandma came over to take care of Graci and the babies and off we went. We arrived at the hospital a little after 6:30 pm. and left around 1 am. Dax was a trooper, he smiled and laughed, even danced a little. He was completely cooperative and extremely well mannered. We had to laugh at his awesome attitude because he was so sick and yet I was more disgruntled than he. He watched a lot of tv while waiting (because we wouldn't let him down or touch anything in the waiting areas) and during one commercial for a toy he said "we should get that for Graci Jia for her Gotcha day, she would love that!" So sweet! After being checked out it turns out Dax just has a virus, no ear infections, no RSV, no flu just what we refer to as the $600/6 hour virus. So now today it has spread to Graci and Thad. I have three little ones, with high fevers, coughing, and congestion. Poor babies! Graci did get to celebrate her day after all with something super special. Her cousins from North Carolina (one whom has never met her) came to visit yesterday and we had a big party to celebrate our Graci Jia. She passed out traditional red envelopes to everyone and had a great time playing and being loved on. Oh, and the dumplings did indeed turn out, none of the kids liked them but Alyx, Lee and I loved them!

Happy Chinese New Year

I don't know if we would remember to celebrate the Chinese new year except that it falls so close to Graci's Gotcha Day. So our house is decked out with dragons, pavilions, fans, rabbits, and many other Chinese symbols and characters. Graci asked today if she has to go to school since it is Chinese new year. I told her she did have to go and she said, " but I am Chinese."
"I know", I answered, "but you don't live in China".
"Oh good! but can I stay home from school?"

We will celebrate Gotcha Day on Saturday and remember that beautiful day four years ago when we first held Graci Jia!

Yard Sale Fund Raiser -Bring Susi Home!

Please help us bring Susi home!

My wonderful neighbor/dear friend will be hosting a yard sale in order to help us raise funds for Susi's adoption. This same, beautiful friend took over our yard sale/fundraiser in April, 2009 when Savannah was in the car accident and we could no longer work on fund raising. She made over $900 at that sale. We are so grateful and touched that God provides people to come along side of us and equips them to do such incredible work. Thank you Amber for all you have done and all your are stepping up to do! We love you and could not be more appreciative of your support! So, the sale will be on March 26, 2011 and we need donations. If you having anything big or small that you would like to donate it can be dropped off at our house (Reems Rd. and Cholla in Surprise). Please e-mail LSTLBRADY@Cox.net for address and directions OR we can arrange to have your stuff picked up at your house or a location convenient for you.

First Haircuts

Pretty Girl!

Kamby's new hairdo!

I could only get 'after' pictures of Thad because he was sitting on my lap during the hair cut and I forgot the camera.


Handsome boy!
Kamby, after her haircut was done and her hair was styled into little ringlets.
Just starting her trim and not too sure about it.

Kamby and Graci waiting patiently for their hair cuts.

Well, I finally did it, I got Thad and Kamby's haircut. This was quite an accomplishment because I emotionally wrestled with it for a very long time. I didn't mind getting Kamby's hair cut because she has so much of it and it is wild! But, I really did not want to cut Thad's beautiful, soft curls. Everything about that little boy melts my heart with his gorgeous smile, cute dimples and his precious curls. The time came and it was necessary since he was bordering being called a girl more often than a boy. I was very nervous on how Kamby would respond to getting her hair cut and I didn't quite know what to do with it. So she got to go to a salon and have her hair done by a lady who has the same curly hair as Kamby. Thanks Maritza you did a great job! Kamby just had a little trimmed and mommy learned a little trick on styling Kamby's wild hair. My little girl was quite the wiggle worm but overall she enjoyed getting her hair cut and styled. Thad did great! He was calm and just stared through the whole thing. I did not think it was possible for him to be more handsome but he sure was after his hair cut. Although, it does make him look older (which I don't care for - ha-ha!).

James 1:27 Project

Our first project was a great success! Dorothy has the entire exterior of her house painted and we have over $5000 for Susi's adoption expenses. We are so grateful to all the people that helped work on the house, donated money, donated supplies, and did fund raising. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Our next project will be February 19, 2011. If you would like to be a part of what God is doing to help orphans and widows, please comment or e-mail us at LSTLBRADY@cox.net. There are several ways you can come along side of us to aid orphans and widows and be a part of a James 1:27 Project. You can simply donate money via the chip in on this website using paypal or via a tax deductible donation through The Church at Arrowhead, you can volunteer to work one day on a widow's home and raise sponsors who will sponsor you to do so, you can raise funds for others working on the widow's home, or you can just come volunteer for the day to work.

To donate through The Church at Arrowhead, send a check made out to TCAA/Adoption Ministry and mail it to 7902 W. Union Hills Dr., Glendale, AZ 85308. In the memo line put "Brady Adoption". You will receive a receipt for tax purposes.

Susannah-Yue Noellyn Brady

Susi holding her family's picture while wearing the stuff we sent her for Christmas and her birthday.

Our precious Susi, I hope she knows that she is holding a picture of the people that love her more than anyone else in this world!

After celebrating Susi's birthday this year without her (which was a very sad day for me) I had an impression from God for her name. Her birthday is the day after Christmas and I thought Noel would be a beautiful middle name. In researching names I found Noellyn meaning "Christmas Beauty". Lyn is my middle name and of course then end of Gracelyn. What could be more precious than our sweet girl to be named Susannah(graceful lily)-Yue(moon) Noellyn(Christmas Beauty) Brady! I love it!