Update

Sorry.  I have left everyone hanging . . . you all so kindly followed our journey to China and back.  You prayed and supported us and I just kinda stopped blogging.  So here I go, hopefully not to negative or positive just honesty.  

Here she is still smiling.  Her smile has relaxed a bit, although I think it is becoming more authentic.  She is weaning away from the "I.ll plaster a smile on my face and everything will be all good"

We have been to the IA pediatrician twice.  The first time there was lots of tears and fighting to get out of there and let me tell you this girl is STRONG.  The second time was today and she was a much calmer girl.  Few!  All her blood work looks pretty good.  She does have giardia and h pylori, we are treating those lovely things.

We went to the orthopedist twice and neurologist once.  We are scheduled for PT and rehab medicine where we will hopefully get her an AFO and whatever other leg brace that will help her walk.  This girl can walk but anything more than a block or so she needs help.  Praying bracing will do wonders for her.  If not, we  may need to get a wheel chair cuz this momma's back won't be able to carry her forever.  She is scheduled for an MRI in a couple of weeks and are really hoping for some answers as to what is up with her little leg.  Still not ruling out polio but not confirming it either.

She is itty bitty, not on the American Charts.  Her growth hormones look normal so we are hoping and watching to see if once her Giardia and h pylori are all cleared up this girl might just GROW.

Last week was hard.  We have been letting our little one get away with way to much.  She was pushing buttons hard and we had no consequences.  Bad idea.  A few time outs the other day and I have my sweet girl back.  FEW!!!  

Seems so simple but disciplining a newly adopted older child is HARD!  You got the language barrier, the need to feel safe and loved and all the attachment stuff going on.  Somehow I thought I was prepared,  HA HA!  Nope!  

Yesterday and today were WAY better.  She is listening to rules and following them. 

A few things about our girl:  

she loves music, shares incredibly well, super funny, she is truly a sweet compassionate person, gives big ol hugs and kisses, says I love you to her family, is fearless (scares the crap out of me often), works hard on school work (most of the time), is learning to play, loves legos, loves her blue car and NEEDS to be busy.  

These two are working on being sisters . . . it ain't easy but we are moving in the right direction most of the time.  

Thanking God everyday for introducing us to our Dong Jiao.  Praying daily that we raise her and all of our kids to be just as he intended them to be.  Needing patience, compassion, confidence, love and lots of prayer all along the way.

Few!!!