Happy 10th Birthday

Thanking God for this little Chinese Girl!  

So blessed to have her in my life. 

 Looking forward to learning about those first ten years and spending the next 10Xforever with my Evie.

TEN?!

We are going with 10 years old.  At least for now.  Who knows . . . we never really will know?

I am going to guess that my daughter has never had a birthday party or present or cake.  Probably never in her life.

I always ponder my boys births on the eve of their birthday.  Such precious memories.  I love thinking about those sweet baby boys.  Their smell and little feet, soft skin and tiny hands.  LOVE!

The girls it is different because I was not there.  I have NO idea how it all went.  Were they born in a hospital?  Probably not, but I don't know.  Who was at the birth?  Was it hidden?  Was the decision made to give them up before or after their birth . . . so many questions.  So on this eve of Evelyn's birth I imagine . . .

Tonight I think of Evelyns birth mom.  I bet she thinks of her around her birthday (probably everyday)  but I can't imagine not knowing where my baby was and if she was O.K.  I would give so much to let her know that our daughter is loved and cherished and being cared for.  Our daughter . . . what a crazy thing to say.

Yep look at OUR beautiful daughter.

Thank you!  Thank you! Thank you!  a thousand times more for giving this girl life.  I bet she gets her big ol'  smile from you. 

Spring Do

Before pick - post braid

My friend and hair lady (we met when we were 2)

My darling girl with her super cute hair cut

Missing China

Tonight we called China mom.  I so wish I had the slightest clue as to what was said.  They talked for about a half hour then she wanted to call China mom #2.  They talked for about a half hour.  Thank God for calling cards.  

Things seemed to have gone well.

"mom . . . tomorrow take Naomi and Than  school and go car go China"  So sorry sweet girl but we must take a airplane to China.  

Bless her sweet little heart.  I can only imagine how homesick she must feel.  

Probably time for some good Chinese food.  

How in the heck did I end up with one of these hanging in my car????  Who woulda thunk??  Not I!  

Evelyn's interpretation "mommy car red go potty  then  blue go potty (pointing outside) "  Seriously with her cute little Chinese accent  . . . this girl makes me smile BIG!

I begged and bribed and got my first born and most recent babies to go for a walk with me today.

We stopped at the park along the way.

We are almost home.

Notice the little sister intently asking big brother for a little favor or maybe a big favor depending on who your asking.

Yep! she got his music and rocked the headphones.

and would not give em back.

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!!!

14

Not sure how this happened?  But this boy is mine and he his f.o.u.r.t.e.e.n

Happy Birthday!  So blessed to watch my boy grow and live life.