I Am Second

Came across this website the other day.  Click on "Films" to see all the list of people who have a testimony to share.  Perhaps what they have to share may speak to your heart and give you a renewed understanding of work of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Merry Christmas!

I am enjoying this special day with my dear family!  Hope you are making memories with your loved ones too!

Picture taken at a friend's house last week. Gotta love Nate's expression. Disclaimer: dog is not ours. : )

It's a GIRL!!

I was surprised, but should not have been.  After I gave birth to Nate and while we were early in the process of adopting, God spoke to my heart that I would have one more child by birth and it would be a girl.  Yes, He was that specific. : )  Well, at our age and with Jim and I being sure we were done, I wondered if I heard Him right.  Then in early September (1 1/2 years later), I received the wonderful news that I was expecting.  When it came time for the ultrasound, I wavered.  I thought that it must be a boy.  I doubted.  But God kept his word (as always).  He is faithful and good and right.  After I found out that our new baby is a girl, I repented for my lack of faith, and then as a good friend said, I rejoiced that He increased my faith through this experience!

The older girls are thrilled!  This was their reaction when they found out that they are having a sister.

I am so happy for Isabel too.  She LOVES babies and I am so happy that she will have a baby sister to play with and care for.  She will be a great big sister!

We are blessed!!

Where Are You From?

I want to instill in my daughter a love of her birth country.  I want her to understand early on that she is from China; a country with a beautiful heritage.  So, we are starting simple.

Where are you from?

Cardiology Appt - Good News!

Isabel had her cardiology follow-up yesterday.  Just as background, her medical paperwork from China mentioned nothing of a heart condition, just her missing radius bones.  The only reason we found out about her VSD was a routine cardiology screening prior to her centralization surgery for her bilateral radial club hands in April of this year.

We were surprised to find out that she had a VSD and another issue with her heart.  The VSD is rather minor and both heart issues do not seem to be affecting her activity or general health.  Since this was the first time that her heart condition had been identified, it was a baseline for future screenings.  Today, we saw her cardiologist to see exactly what is going on with the VSD... is it getting bigger, smaller, staying the same size??  Well, the hole was the same size, but as the doctor pointed out, she is bigger.  Therefore, relative to her heart now, the hole is smaller.  Praise God!!

She was a bit nervous waiting for the EKG and ultrasound tests, but did great.  A lollipop always helps. ;-)

Rejoicing over this good news today!

Tomorrow I have an ultrasound to check on baby's progress.  I am 18 weeks today, so hoping to also find out if it's a boy or girl!  Can't wait!!

Chopstick War

I found this video on my phone that I took in Guangzhou.  Isabel had been with us only a week and thoroughly enjoying the love and attention from her parents and siblings... especially playing chopstick war with her eldest brother! Makes me smile every time I watch it!

Nate the Comedian

Nate just started this pretend sneezing lately.  Makes me laugh every time!