About our Journey

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Lee and Tami have been married for 22 years. We have two daughters the old fashion way, Savannah is our oldest daughter, she is 23. Alyx, our second daughter is 17. And we have five children via God's gift of adoption, Graci, who came home from China to join our family in 2007, is 7, and Dax, who came home from Guatemala in 2007 to join our family, is 6. Thad and Kamby joined our family in Dec. 2009 from Ethiopia. They are both 4 years old. Susi, our latest addition, came home from China(Aug. 2011) is 6 years old.Now we are on our way back to China to bring home our precious 3 year old son, JJ.

Friday, January 27, 2012

My God Reigns!

Today started at full speed, I hit the ground running. I had what I thought was a full day ahead of me and timing was close, to say the least. On the list of running was Susi's doctor's appt. She was having her heart murmur listened to and getting a referral to a cardiologist. While we were there I mentioned stomach pain she had this morning and my thoughts that she might have a UTI. After cathing and checking the urine the doctor found high levels of glucose in her urine. Not normal or good. So, next came the blood test which also revealed high levels of glucose. After calling the endo doc at the children's hospital the pediatrician assessed Susi to be critical and in need of hospitalization immediately. She said it is pretty certain that Susi has diabetes and the endo said that she could become critical within hours. So, completely blindsided, I quickly got the other kids together who were waiting in the lobby for us and we made a game plan. Knowing that God does not interrupt but rather has purpose for everything that comes my way, I set out in faith to take the next step. Thanks to my Awesome Alyx and my Awesome Amber (my neighbor and dear friend) all my kiddos were going to be cared for and Graci and Dax would even get to drama class. The hardest thing I had to do was tell Susi that insead of going to drama class she had to go to the hospital. She was devastated! She has been counting the days then hours then minutes to get to start drama today. I had to reassure her that God has a plan and that when she is sad she needs to cry out and tell him. We prayed through her tears and continued on. I ran home, packed our bags, since the pediatrician said we would more than likely be in the hospital for up to a week. I also wanted to know if there was any other way than going through the ER, maybe we could just be admitted but the doctor said no. Due to the urgency of her situation they had to assess quickly whether they should admit her directly to the ICU. Are you kidding me? I was in shell shock! Well, I have been in similiar situations before so I was able to think through everything I wanted to pack and what would be a good idea to have with me for Susi. Off we went to the hospital. I prayed, made some phone calls, asked for prayer, and heard from several people that they were praying. I stood in faith that whatever God had ahead he would  take care of it. As I thought into the future of what Susi's life would look like with having diabetes in addition to her other disabilities, I was deeply grieved. So I quit looking into or thinking about the future and asked God to give me wisdom for the next five minutes and lead my way. We get to the hospital and start the process where her chart is marked urgent. I send out for more prayer! We go back to do another blood check and her glucose level is down considerably. What?! The nurse isn't sure what is happening but says, well that has to be a positive. Then she gets back to see the doctor and they start the IV, take blood and more blood, test-test-test and more tests. The nurse keeps coming back in and says that looks normal, that is normal, that is normal. Then she says let me do another finger prick and check her level right here. Comes back low/almost perfect! She tells Susi, you are baffling us, what is happening with you? So I question but what about the glucose in the urine. They cathe her again, test-test-test, and come back to say she still has high levels of glucose in her urine. Completely baffled, the nurse tells us they are looking at it and the doctor will be in shortly to talk about it with us. Oh, so at this point, she said there is no way she has diabetes and I said answered prayer and the nurse said, well there you go! The doc comes in and tells us there is no way that she could have that much glucose in her urine unless she has extremely high glucose levels in her blood (which she doesn't) or if she had high levels of glucose in her blood (which he insists, according to the tests, she didn't). So perplexed and without any explanation he tells us that she is perfectly healthy and functioning. Kidneys are fine and functioning and there is nothing wrong with this child. What about the glucose in the urine? He can't explain it, it shouldn't be there, so his final statement is "it is a fluke".

MY GOD REIGNS! HE ANSWERS PRAYERS AND HONORS THOSE WHO ARE FAITHFUL! SOME MIGHT BELIEVE IN FLUKES BUT I BELIEVE IN THE LIVING GOD WHO LOVES AND CARES FOR ME AND MY PRECIOUS CHILD IN EVERY DETAIL AND EVERY ASPECT OF OUR LIVES. I BELIEVE THAT GOD HEALS! I BELIEVE THAT GOD IS WITH ME IN EVERY SITUATION AND NO MATTER THE OUTCOME THAT HE DESERVES THE GLORY. I AM GRATEFUL TO GOD FOR THIS OUTCOME AND I WOULD HAVE BEEN GRATEFUL TO GOD FOR ANY OTHER OUTCOME AS WELL. GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME AND ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD!

2 Corinthians 4:7-18


New International Version (NIV)

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Happy 2012

Happy New Year a few weeks late. This 2012 is off to a racing start. This pic is the kids watching a movie and having a slumber party on New Year's Eve. Since then we have been running with many appointments, school, and starting back to Awana and all the kids starting drama class. In addition, we had our 6 month post placement report for Susi and several other interviews and visits to assess her future care. And we are in full swing of celebrating Chinese New Year. Today was Susi's first clinic appointment day. We have been waiting for approval and then an appointment for her to start treatment for her Spina Bifida and clubfeet. Well after a very smooth visit and collecting lots of information we are off and running. She will now be referred to an orthopedic surgeon to see what can be done to fix her feet, a neurologist for her SB, a urologist also for the effects of the SB, and the equipment specialist to see if we can get her a chair that actually fits her. And upon examination the doctor detected a heart murmur and a lazy eye. Not too concerning on either but necessary to get them checked. So we add the pediatric cardiologist and the ped. opthamologist to the list. I am so excited to start getting some things taken care of and I hope for her sake that they all benefit her. Oh, how she would love to walk! She was a trooper today and I anticipate she will be a great patient. I stopped and got a bag of M&Ms for her and told her if she can be brave and go the whole time without crying (I knew there was no pain involoved today) then she would get her candy when we were done. She not only did not cry but was helping the doc do the exam without being prompted or asked. When she was done I and the doctor praised her and told her proud we are of her. Then Susi said, "I wanted my M&Ms!"
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Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Christmas Cookie Time

Susi chose a star for her first cookie.


Thad chose a donkey and Graci is still deciding.


Dax and Graci ready. for cookie cutting.


It didn't take long for Thad to get all the way into the cookie mess.


Dax made some great cookies and ran a close second to Thad in the messy dept.


Susi loved cutting cookies, she made lots.


Graci making her bell cookies.


My angel Kamby making an angel cookie.


Thad showing off his flour face.


Look mom, I got the most dirty!


Kisses and hugs for mommy, partly because they were happy about making cookies and partly because they thought is was funny to get me dirty. Love my boys!!!!!

Today was baking, that was enough. We will decorate tomorrow!
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Sunday, December 11, 2011

2 years ago today...........

Mommy and babies at one of our last visits at the orphanage.


Daddy and Thad bonding.


My sweet Kamby girl!


At Le Toukul in Ethiopia.


Thad and Kamby with Mommy and Daddy just a few days before leaving the orphanage for good.


Kamby and Thad with friends Amara and Addie.


Thad and Kamby today, wearing their Ethiopian clothes, and celebrating their 2nd Gotcha day!


All the littles in Ethiopian clothes to honor Thad and Kamby's Gotcha Day!


Mommy with my sweet babies!


So precious are my virtual twins!


Our 7!


Brady 9!


Celebrating Gotcha Day with Ethiopian food (homemade by the way) -injeera and sauteed beef. Yum-Yum! Everyone loved it!!!


Eating Ethiopian style!

Yep, two years ago today, our precious Thad and Kamby said goodbye to their orphanage. It was such a special day! They have brought so much joy and laughter to our family, it is incomprehensible to think of them ever not being with us. Kamby was absolutely thrilled to celebrate Gotcha day and all day she went around telling everyone, "Happy My Gothca Day!" Thad on the other hand got something confused about today and he was very concerned that we were going to Ethiopia. LOL! So he enjoyed the day but did not want anyone wish him Happy Gotcha day. He just said, "No Gotcha day, go to play." The children's Christmas musical was performed at church this morning and he was so looking forward to it. So I think he got confused that somehow Gotcha day would interfere with him going to the musical.
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Friday, November 11, 2011

Who knew 50 would look like this?

Every year we go to the state fair on or around Lee's birthday. Not on purpose, it just always worked out that way. We go on a home school fieldtrip and the dates land on his birthday. So, this has been the tradition since Savannah was a preschooler. Now, here we were heading to the fair on Lee's 50th birthday with Savannah, her house mate and caregiver - Brittany and Valerie, Alyx, and all our littles. Well, Daddy does not like all the high fast rides like he used to but he always has fun having fun with the kids.
Alyx under the chocolate covered bacon sign, her two favorite things! Praise God, she did not eat any!


Savannah and Brittany


Thad loved the animals at the fair


Savannah and Susi, Brittany, Graci, Thad,Serenity,Kamby,Dax, and Alyx. It is always tought to get a group pic but at lease most everyone is looking forward.


Graci opted to ride on the bench with Susi instead of a horse on the merry go round. Susi is a little scared of high things and it is hard for her to hold on with her legs. She was totally happy to ride on the bench and her sister always chooses to be with her over anything else. It is so endearing! Graci loves Susi so much! And when you ask Susi what makes her happy, she say "Graci". Isn't that so precious!


My boys on the airplanes.


A favorite at the fair was the butterfly pavillion. Some were actually terrified of the butterflies but most of them loved it!






Susi spent an hour or more on the wiggle riders. This is the first thing she has been able to ride by herself and boy was she happy. Guess what she is getting for Christmas!


Kamby dug the wiggle riders too!


Alyx made a cheesecake for Daddy's 50th and insisted on 50 candles, even though she had to borrow some from the neighbors.




Daddy loving 50!
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Fabuous Fall Part 2 1/2

Graci after a night in curlers


Graci getting ready for Aunt R's wedding


She loves her curly hair


Susi wants curly hair


My sweet girls!


Princess Graci Jia, I heart my princess!


I heart my handsome boy!


Love these guys!


This is the beautiful place that my sis got married.


Love these guys too. My love and my sweet nephew Peyton.




Happy Kamby!


Susi wants to wear flip flops like the other kids so she just wears them on her hands, ha-ha!
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