He ALWAYS makes all things work together for my good

First of all, I've learned I'm a terrible blogger!  It's been forever since I've even posted in here!!

Harli is doing great!  She is talking more and more everyday.  It's been a long road to being able to actually have a conversation with her, but we are starting to really turn a corner.  She is now five and will be headed to Kindergarten in the Fall.  It's so awesome to hear her putting words together to make small sentences. She is such a smart cookie! She had Dental surgery last December which included 8 crowns, several fillings and it eventually leaded to her two front teeth being extracted in February.  After the Dental surgery she really took off talking and we can only imagine how much those teeth had been bothering her.  She is such a happy girl!  She is full of sass (a real Chinese "spicy girl" for sure) and loves to sing.

We have continued her appointments with her Cardiologist.  The VSD we were watching continues to close.  During our most recent visit, the Dr. repeated the echocardiogram - her last one was over a year ago.  She feel alseep for the first time during this echo, due to that she was perfectly still and the Dr. was able to see a much clearer view of her heart.  He was able to confirm that her ASD, that we thought had closed because it didn't appear on prior echo's, was still there.  Due to her age, she will need to have a Cath procedure to close that hole.  We are hoping and praying that this will be all she needs.  However, there is a small chance that the VSD is still open and that she will need open heart surgery after all because the VSD is right next to the valve.  We will schedule her Cath sometime soon, within the next few months.  This was really a lot to take in at this visit as everything had been so positive with prior visits.  We took this news pretty hard at first.  We were prepared originally for her to have open heart surgery but, it was hard to hear that news after things seemed to be so amazingly well for so long.

Also, we had news that many people didn't/still don't know....

In January, we were not in process to adopt, but we found ourselves reviewing the file of a little girl.  It all came about quickly and we felt compelled to ask Dr.'s to review her file, but we weren't sure about her Special Needs as we weren't familiar with them.  After consulting Dr. after Dr. - I think 7, we felt confident that we could manage those needs.  We kept expecting doors to close.  After the medical, we started questioning how we would afford it, we are still paying the remaining balance of Harli's adoption & Dental expenses.  Even though we were open to adopting again, the reality of actually being faced with doing it was a little intimidating.  Not that we weren't going to remain open to it, but all the stress of the process and what others would think came flooding into our minds. However, every reason we came up with to not adopt her sounded so selfish.  The Holy Spirit has guided us before and we recognized that still, small voice.  Both of us prayed and prayed for God's will, for Him to lead us.  Doors kept opening; we were presented a way to pay for our Home Study out of the blue.  At that point we both knew that she was supposed to be our daughter.

Our study at church with our Small Group during this time and the messages during service were about taking up your cross to follow Him.  For us we felt like this is was our cross.  We knew what we needed to do deep down.  We knew we would be criticized for this choice and that people would challenge our decision and some have already.  We know there are people reading this and shaking their heads and thinking "what are they thinking".  What we are thinking is that God has called us to do this and we will honor Him at all costs.  We will not be ashamed when people ask us if we are crazy, we will not be made to feel like we're doing something wrong.  Ultimately we had to make the choice; will we please God or will we please others.  That's the bottom line; that's how we made our decision.  (and....just a side note that we will be fundraising like crazy so if you don't want to see it then please un-friend us now!!)

I must also say that we have also had so many people show us support and love as we've started to share this news.  To be able to share this with people who haven't judged us has been so amazing.  Some of these people I didn't expect a positive response from and I'm overwhelmed with the wonderful family and friends we have surrounding us!

So, having said all of that....we are overjoyed to introduce our daughter to you!!  She will be 2 in June and we cannot wait until we are all one, big happy family...together.

My post title is He ALWAYS makes all things work together for my good.  It's true.  Even though Harli's heart hasn't healed  itself like we thought, we know God's timing is perfect and this was reviled to us at just the right time.  Had we known this about her heart, we probably would not be adopting right now.  Even if she had surgery upon returning home, we probably wouldn't have adopted again.  Her VSD is hopefully closed and if it is then she will only need a Cath vs open heart.  There are always reasons to praise Him.  He is always in charge and aligning our lives according to His plan.  Sometimes, it's so difficult to understand, but we will remain steadfast in His goodness and faithfulness.

If you would please...pray for Harli over the next several weeks as we schedule her appointments and eventually travel to the Children's hospital where she will have the Cath.  Please pray for our adoption process. Please pray for our other children as we experience all of this as a family; that it will only draw us closer to each other and strengthen our faith.

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!!

One month & 4th birthday

Yesterday was Harli's 4th birthday and one month since she joined our family!  She is doing great.  She loved all the excitement of a birthday party, the presents, cake and ice cream.

When we first met Harli she didn't even know how to play with toys.  She had no clue what to do with a doll or play pots and pans.  Today she takes care of her babies and cooks a huge meal.  LOL        It's so amazing to see her transform into a child.  I know that sounds strange, but I'm guessing that my adoptive friends can relate to that.  We  could tell that she was expected to really take care of herself quite a bit or just had to entertain herself - looking at her hands, etc.  She is now getting to enjoy all of the new things in her world and just worry about having fun.

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