Praise Him

We went to see Harli's Cardiologist today.  She had an Echo & EKG to see exactly what we were dealing with.

When we accepted her referral we had two Echo reports that showed two holes in her heart - a ASD & VSD.  They had just completed the most recent Echo at the end of March, 2012.   We had two Cardiologists review the paperwork and they both said that she would most likely need open heart surgery due to one of the holes being next to the valve.  And, at her age it wasn't likely that the holes would close. One of our updates mentioned that she turns blue sometimes.  So, we were fully prepared to come home and possibly go straight to an open heart surgery.  I know this sounds scary, but we trusted our great and faithful God and knew that she was meant to be our daughter.  And, honestly Troy and I never really worried about this through the rest of the process, we felt at peace with whatever would come our way.

Here's what we found out today:

The ASD has completely closed!  Praise Him!  The VSD is in the process of closing, the Dr. can see the tissue growing to close the hole. Praise Him!  Even if it never completely closes the Dr. said that she shouldn't ever need surgery for it. Praise Him! We will go back in four months to have another Echo just to follow up.

We are elated and knew that this child was such a miracle!!!  Harli is doing amazing!  She seems to really enjoy her big family and is bonding well with all of us.

We know not all adoption stories are as great as ours, but people need to know that this really does happen.  Many families bring home children that end up healthy with no surgery.  Many families bring home children that need a minor surgery and then they are healthy.  If you are considering adoption, or want more information, please talk to us.  We are happy to share our story.  There is no reason that these children should be abandoned, live in an orphanage, etc.  We can do something to change the lives of these children.

Thank you to everyone who has prayed us through this journey.  We have felt your prayers!!

Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.

1 Chronicles 29:13 

Guangzhou Day 5 & 6

Day 5

We really didn't do much on this day.  We packed our suitcases to get ready to head home.  We went across town to a store that someone told us about.  The store was okay, but trying to get a taxi back to the hotel was crazy!!  We had to stand on the road for about an hour trying to flag one down.  We would think we had one and other people would jump in it and it was scary.  That was the first time I actually was worried.  It was getting dark and fear started to take over a little.  Just then, a taxi pulled up and all was well.  Praise the Lord!!!

Day 6

We hauled all our luggage down to the lobby to meet our guide and off to the airport we went. The first flight was great.  We almost missed our second flight to Chicago.  I felt like we were in a movie, we had to run through the whole airport to make the second flight.  Somewhere at the first airport we lost our boarding passes for the second flight.  So, we had to go through security twice after our first flight AND get our boarding passes reprinted AND go across the whole airport (or that's what it felt like anyway).  We had the sweetest girl take us where we needed to go and she called ahead so they new we were on our way.  Cathay Pacific rocks!!  As we approached the gate it was flashing FINAL CALL!!!  Yikes, that was way too close.  There was 50 minutes between flights, but really only 25 from landing to final call to board flight #2.  But, we made it!!

More pictures?

Our China Doll

Bye Bye China!

Guangzhou Day 4

We went for our Consulate Appointment this morning.  Harli's Visa will be ready tomorrow afternoon and then we can fly home.  As soon as she touches the ground in Chicago she will be a US citizian!!  Yay!

We also went back to the island for some more shopping.  Found the squeaky shoes and stocked up on several pairs in different sizes for her to grow into!

Otherwise, we have just been hanging out in our room taking it easy...

At the Consulate

On the island

Guangzhou Day 2 & 3

Day 2

We went to the Pearl & Jade Market to buy a few pieces.  After that we went to the Shamin Island to do a little shopping.  I think I paid too much for the items I purchased, but I found it difficult to negotiate the prices too much with the shops.  I couldn't find some of the items that I really wanted and we ran out of time.  So, we are going back on Tuesday.  Hopefully that will be a better experience!!

Day 3

We went back to the medical clinic to have Harli's TB test checked.  She did just find and we knew there would be no issues because her arm didn't swell at all.

After that we went to the Safari Park.  It was awesome!!  Just wish that it was much cooler.
Here are some pics, I will post a video on FB.

Tomorrow (Tuesday) will be our Consulate Appointment.  That is where we will take the oath.  After that back to the island for shopping and some pictures of Harli with the statues, etc.

Miss you boys!!  Miss everyone - can't wait to get home with our best souvenir ever! Love you, XOXOXO.  : )

Guangzhou Day 1

We went for Harli's medical exam in the morning.  All went well, it wasn't as crazy as I expected.

After that we went to the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall.  To read more about it, you can go here -   http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/guangdong/guangzhou/sun.htm

Then we came back to the hotel.  Hunter and Brooke went for a swim.  The hotel wanted to charge about $50 US dollars per extra person to swim so Troy and I just took Harli back to the room to play.

Later that night we went out and walked around the city.  We tried the Irish Pub for dinner, but most of us didn't like it very much.  So, back to Pizza Hut maybe.  LOL

Medical Exam

Love you boys!!  XOXOXO  

Nanning Day 6

We spend some time exploring the lake/park area next to our hotel.  But, the humidity was so bad that we couldn't stay out too long.

After that we went to pick up Harli's passport.

Today was bittersweet as we left Guangxi, the province where Harli has spent all her life so far.  On the way to the airport we talked with our guide about how many people adopt from China, domestic Chinese adoptions and about how it was a really difficult descion for us to adopt from another country.  It had been weighing on me that we are taking Harli from the country she was born in and changing almost everything about her life.  He told me that I shouldn't worry that the Chinese people appreciate anyone who will adopt their children from any county.  They believe that we are giving them a new life - a second chance at the life they should have had.  Giving them something that they never would have had if they stayed where they were.  He said that it's very difficult for children to receive heart surgery in her province and even if they try the surgery many of the children will die - even minor heart surgeries.  We are so thankful that God has allowed us to help this special little girl.

Off to the airport we went, we said goodbye to our guide David and headed to Guangzhou.  She did well on her first (well first that we know of) airplane ride.  She fell asleep and woke up with her ears hurting when we were landing.

Outdoor exercise area - she did this all on her own.  

Wanting to be lifted up to the bars

Leaving our hotel in Nanning

At the airport with our guide

First plane ride!!

Ready to go!

Tyler, Gavin & Will - love you!!!  XOXOXO

Nanning Day 5

Today we went to Harli's orphanage.  She recognized it immediately and was excited when we pulled in.  She didn't get upset at all.  We didn't get to see the children as they said there's only about 30 there right now and they have very special needs and cannot be adopted.  Then they have about 70 other children that are in foster care.  The orphanage is also a care center for elderly people.  The director told us that they are building a new children's only orphanage and they are getting ready to move soon - that is why so many kids are in foster care.

Harli continues to do great.  She is bonding well with all of us.  She is so sweet.  I thought a lot about her birth parents while we were in her city yesterday and standing in her finding spot.  I cannot imagine what they went through making the decision to leave her there.  We are so blessed to be able to raise this amazing child.  I wish there was a way for us to tell them that we will love and care for her, that she is safe with us.

The orphanage staff is so amazing, they are all very nice and you can tell that they care so much about each child.  They work with the very special needs children (that are unadoptable) to make all kinds of crafts.  They are so grateful to each family that has adopted a child from their orphanage and are thankful that people are willing to give these children a 'second chance at life'.

I'm so grateful that we were able to go to her orphanage and see Qinzhou City and Old Qinzhou.  Our guide told us that if we came back even in five years that it would all be different so he wanted us to see it now.  We also went to a great pottery shop where we watched them make pottery - that is what her city is known for.  The white dolphin is also very big in her city because you can see them in the early morning near the coast.  I wish we had been able to see that!!

Orphanage pictures

This is  the orphanage, her finding spot was right in the middle

Old Qinzhou Markets

Pottery

Sleepy girl!

Love you boys!!!  XOXOXO