He makes all things work together for my good

After some very trying weeks of sick children and being sick ourselves...it was time to return for Harli's second echo and visit to her Cardiologist.  It seems like we just keep getting hit with sickness lately and can't shake it.   I was hopeful today that things have remained the same or gotten better, but I have to say I was feeling a little anxious.  Maybe it was because I was going to this appointment solo as Troy came down sick, again, last night.

I pulled in the parking ramp about 20 minutes early and thought I'll just sit here for a minute to let my phone charge more as I wanted to get a picture of her getting her echo this time.  The other kids don't understand what they are 'doing' to her heart.  As I sat there, the song below came on and it was just what I needed to hear.  I was reminded that no matter what our wonderful Father makes ALL things work together for my good.  I just closed my eyes and prayed over my sweetheart for a minute.  I felt calm, encouraged and ready to hear whatever the Lord had in store for us.

I'll refresh your memory from our last visit.....our re feral paperwork and an updated echo at the end of March 2012 showed two pretty big holes in Harli's heart.  One in the upper chambers (ASD) and one in the lower chambers (VSD).  Due to the location of the VSD along with her age both Cardiologists that reviewed her file told me that she would most likely need open heart surgery when we returned home to repair the holes.  They said it was not at all likely that they would close on their own at her age and at their size.  Despite that info we knew God had chosen her to be our daughter and we could handle it.  When we returned home and went for her first echo we weren't sure what to expect.  She could have had issues with the pressure in her lungs due to the blood flow from the heart.  We also had received reports that sometimes she turns blue, etc.  She seemed better than we expected, but we've never had a child with a heart defect and so we didn't really know what to think.  In September we found out that the ASD had totally closed and there was no hole.  Now, some could argue that China had the reports wrong.....but, the right side of her heart was enlarged.  The Dr said it was either the hole had recently closed or it could have been Pulmonary Hypertension starting.   Almost six months to the date of her last echo and the hole had repaired itself.  Miracle!  Then, he said the VSD had tissue growing over it and he thought we wouldn't need surgery - definitely we didn't need surgery right then.  Miracle!  Overall great news!!  Although the right side of her heart was enlarged we we knew God had this.

Today he said the VSD was pretty large when we first came in, but the tissue has continued to grow over the hole and now it is very small. He also went on to say that it looks like it will close on it's own and even if it doesn't fully close that she should never need surgery.  The right side of her heart is totally normal and no longer enlarged!  He was also pleased with her weight/height gain!

Our baby girl has no idea the miracle that God has performed by allowing her body to heal itself, but she will someday.  I strongly believe that we could have come home, had to have the surgery and that God would have been just as faithful and led us pretty much to the same result as today.  BUT - here's what I also believe.  I believe He is a show off and we have a lot of friends and family that aren't paying attention to Him.  I think He is seeking their attention and faith.  If He had allowed a human hand to repair her heart it wouldn't be the same in these people's eyes.  Today they now sit in awe, again,  of the miracles that God has bestowed on our family and we're just smiling!

Upset because the bus wouldn't move!

Showing the nurse how it's done!

4 months

On one hand it's hard to believe that Harli has been part of our family for four months and on the other hand it seems like she has always been with us.

She has had so many firsts already; several family birthday's (including her own), Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and the New Year.  She loves going to preschool!

She has also started working with a speech therapist as her speaking is coming slow.  We still don't know why she wasn't speaking Chinese, we suspect that it's just that no one ever encouraged her to talk or maybe she was confused since many languages are spoke in the area she is from.  Regardless, she can say about 20 words and is starting to use them on her own without us prompting her.

We have had fun watching Harli's personality blossom......she's become quite sassy and she is SO silly!  She holds her own with all of our boys!  She is so full of love and life.  She is usually very happy, although the  lack of communication still causes some meltdowns.

You can tell for sure when an adopted child feels comfortable.  She will come wake us up at night if she needs to go potty, she has started to get into and investigate everything.  We've had not one, but TWO times now that she has cut her hair with kid scissors....someday she will have a cute little bob!  : )  We've had many episodes where she has used markers to color ALL over herself - thank goodness I only allow washable markers!  She loves to watch her big sister put on make up and even decided to give herself a makeover one day and her big sisters comforter (yikes!).  Now, I know what you might be thinking - WHEN does she do all of this - I assure you that she is with us pretty much at all times.  She can be playing with a toy and 2-3 minutes later one of these events has taken place.  She is super sneaky and fast!!!

As for her medically, we did make another trip back to see the International Adoption Dr.  Although Harli had gained 3 pounds and 2 inches in height since we had been home - the Dr. was still worried about her height and why she is so small.  So, we had some x-rays and blood work.  They showed that she has had some periods where she stopped growing due to malnutrition.  Her blood work was good and shows that she is on the right track now.  We'll just have to wait and see, hopefully she will continue to catch up over the next six months or so.  In February we will go back to see her Cardiologist and have a new echo.  She will also go for another follow up with the International Adoption Dr.

I was just thinking the other day how true it is that you grow an adopted child in your heart instead of your tummy.  I can honestly say that I don't feel like I missed out at all.  During the process you really do grow your child in your heart and when they hand you your child it's just like a delivery.  Trust me, the flight to China is about as bad as labor!!!  Ha, ha!  Seriously though, I know I am blessed to have been able to carry my biological children, but adoption is not second best - I can truly say that any way a child comes into your life is an amazing gift from God.

Her bib says it all

First tree she saw at the hospital for a test 

"I'm not touching the ornaments"

Waiting to get her blood taken at the Adoption Dr. 

Silly girl, one of many faces she did when I was trying get a picture of her smiling!!