Journey to Reese

children's museum

2010-03-08T15:34:00.000-08:00

the year continues to drag on - life in kindergarten....this weekend we attended an AGCI get together at the children's museum. Reese enjoyed herself and found some other kids from China to chum up with.

No Teeth!!

2010-02-14T11:54:00.000-08:00

January 21, 2010

2010-01-21T14:00:00.000-08:00

No more bandages and dressings!! Reese can use her frankensteins next week!!

2nd stage of surgery

2010-01-14T15:15:00.000-08:00

January 4, Reese had her next surgery for her bone anchored hearing aids. The surgery took about 2 1/2 hours but she did well again. She was quite annoyed with the bandages this time but we managed to keep them on for 48 hours. After 3 days she was more than ready to go back to school. She had her dressing changed a week later and in the next few weeks she will be able to use the "frankensteins" for her aids - no more headband!!

Christmas 2009

2010-01-05T07:16:00.001-08:00

Reese, as always, enjoyed Christmas this year. She had another surgery, her 2nd for her bone anchored bone conduction hearing aid, on January 4. It wasn't as invasive as the last one but she seemed more painful. But the following day she was just fine. The doctor said she can go back to school in a week but I think that mama will lose her mind before then. Maybe after 3 days....

post surgery

2009-09-02T12:26:00.000-07:00

Reese had me take pictures of her stitches - before and after - since she couldn't see them herself. She is now back to her normal naughty self with the next surgery scheduled for December 17.

surgery

2009-08-21T14:32:00.000-07:00

On August 20, Reese had surgery to place bone anchored hearing aids. The doctor was originally going to do the surgery in one stage but changed his mind and decided to be conservative and do it in two. Titanium screws were placed behind both ears, into her skull and the skin was pulled back over the screws. After 4 months, the skin will be pulled back again and a sort of snap will be put on the screws so that she can attach her hearing aids to them and will no longer need a headband. The surgery lasted about 2 1/2 hours and she was not a happy camper coming out of the anesthesia. They had originally said that she should not have much pain, but apparantly it was more complex than the doctor expected due to her malformations. He actually had to drill 2 holes in her left side because the first screw popped right thru the skull, it was in a place that was not dense enough. The first hole should heal up though. So, yesterday was not a good day for Reese and she had more pain than we had expected. Today is better as long as we stay on top of the pain meds.
When this process is all done, she should have improved hearing which is so important at her age. She is learning so much at school and this should help with her speech and pronunciation.

May 23, 2009

2009-05-23T13:16:00.001-07:00

Just thought I would throw in an entry with Reese and Ellie playing in the sprinkler - too funny !

May 7, 2009

2009-05-07T18:43:00.000-07:00

Well, Reese is now 5! and she is so...proud of it. although she was convinced that her ears would open up when she was 5 - didn't happen. Poor baby - we just tell her that God made her ears very special and we like them that way. She has finally hit the 50th percentile in height - GO Reese! She also lost her 1st tooth a few weeks before her birthday. Why do they grow up so fast? She told me today that at school they had a fire alarm and a tomato drill. I never go a day without a little giggle courtesy of Reese.

December 31, 2008

2008-12-31T07:04:00.000-08:00

Reese had a good Christmas this year. She has been very "Americanized". She told us exactly what she wanted and all about Santa coming. As she opened her presents she kept saying, "mommy, I am very happy!" Reese has only been with us a year and a half but it feels like forever.

November 26, 2008

2008-11-26T12:55:00.000-08:00

Reese came home from school last Thursday with a fever of 103 and coughing up a storm. I called the doctor and she said that it was a virus that is going around. Well, after a weekend of fever and coughing until she threw up, Jeff took her in to the doctor and lo and behold, she had pneumonia!! She has been on antibiotics for 3 days now and has got her energy back. I imagine she will have no problem eating her Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow.

November 13, 2008

2008-11-13T06:11:00.000-08:00

Reese is still loving school. She finally got her headband so that she can wear two hearing aids. The grin that spread across her face when she realized that she could hear better was priceless! She is still talking non stop and daily talks about "baby africa". What will she do when she is actually here?

August 22, 2008

2008-08-22T11:18:00.002-07:00

Reese just loves the beach! We spent the day at Grand Haven yesterday and the girls had a riot. I think she would spend every day there if we let her.

August 22, 2008

2008-08-22T11:18:00.001-07:00

July 21, 2008

2008-07-21T17:22:00.000-07:00

Last week Poppy decided to teach Reese how to swim. We didn't know how she would do with the chaos of a real swim class with the noise. So her lesson started with a dive with no life vest and off she went. No more life vest for her!! The girl has no fear!!!

July 6, 2008

2008-07-06T09:58:00.000-07:00

Reese had a great 4th with swimming, parade, carnival and fireworks. She kept holding her ears saying it was too loud - what good did that do? We just turned off her hearing aid instead.

GOTCHA DAY X ONE YEAR!!

2008-06-11T16:07:00.000-07:00

It has officially been one year since we brought Reese into our family. She has grown physically and in maturity. It's hard to believe she is the same little girl we brought home from China. But she has not stopped talking or eating since she got here! We were going to celebrate gotcha day by going out for Chinese dinner but Reese got to celebrate by getting her tonsils and adenoids out! Lucky kid. We figured we would have a few days of silence - no such luck. She was talking an hour and a half after surgery. The next day she was running around and yelling. So much for the 2 week recovery time.
We have been deeply blessed by this little girl and she makes us laugh daily. The Lord gave her a strong personality that will carry her through life. God is good!!

Tarzan Soundtrack - You'll be in my heart by Phil Collins

2008-05-12T16:48:00.001-07:00

We're one month from our gotcha day anniversary...how time has flown and how Reese has grown. This song has always reminded us of Reese. She has really soared...

2008-05-04T10:16:00.000-07:00

REESE IS 4!!!!! I can't believe my baby is growing up before my eyes. She is definitely not the same little girl we brought home 10 months ago! We had a fun little party with her cousins, aunts and uncles, and Ama and Poppy. She celebrated with a birthday cookie. She also had a party at school the day before with a "birthday melon". She's not a cake fan. She graduated to the 4-5 year old class at church too. Too much for me to take in! Only 5 weeks left in the school year and then summer school for Reese and camp and softball for Kendall. Just when you think you can relax....

2008-04-03T13:04:00.000-07:00

Easter has come and gone and spring is finally starting to arrive. The daffodils are popping up and the girls are able to play outside now and then. Reese has received her Baja hearing aids and is really liking it. She can do so much more with the Baja without it falling off like her other one did. She is wearing it on a sort of headband until she has her titanium screws placed. She yells "don't toucha my hearing aid!" if anyone tries to adjust it. The ENT looked at her CT scan and noted that she has huge hollow spaces behind her ear. If he were to try to open the ear canal she would have a gaping hole inside her head. So all the more reason for us to just do the Baja and not worry about the cosmetic part of her ears. She is a fiesty little boogger - she will deal well with anyone that decides to "comment" on her ears. The office is in the process of setting up her surgery and getting the ok from the insurances. They are able to do the two - tonsils and Baja screws - together. The surgery will last about 3.5 hours. Hopefully it is before summer so that it doesn't interfere with her love of swimming!
Enjoy the Easter pictures!

2008-02-10T07:54:00.000-08:00

Here is the latest medical update....We saw Dr. Daniels a few weeks ago - ENT - and he gave us 3 options. #1 - we can leave Reese's ears as they are. #2 - we can have prosthetic ears made for her which would look fairly real but would have to be redone every couple years because of fading, etc. and would be screwed into her head. #3 - we can have cosmetic surgery done in which cartilage would be taken from her ribs and skin grafts from her inner arm with a minimum of 10 surgeries to remake her ears. With all three of these options she would still most likely need a hearing aid. The aid that they would use would be a Baja. It has small titanium screws that go into her head right behind her ears. The hearing aid then just snaps on to the screws. This is far better than the one she has because it is bilateral. After much consideration and wisdom from Kendall - "Dear Jesus, help us to remember that you made Reese's ears like they are for a reason" - we have decided to leave her ears as they are, since she is a girl and can wear her hair down, and get the Baja. Reese had a CT scan done this past Thursday to determine the thickness of her skull and to check out her inner ears. Our next step is to have the screws put in. The doctor also wants to remove her tonsils and adenoids. she is a very restless sleeper and has a very narrow throat. He thinks she will breathe much better if we do the surgery. So, hopefully they can do the 2 surgeries together!
On a different note, we were able able to go to a Chinese New Year Gala last night. It brought back a lot of memories of China. There was singing, dancing, martial arts and acting. The girls loved it. Here are some pictures of the girls all dressed up for the Gala.

2007-12-25T10:07:00.000-08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
Reese now knows what presents are all about. When she was given her first present she set it down next to her, still wrapped, and said thank you.( with out opening it) she had no clue what to do with it. That is no longer the case. But she gets just as much pleasure out of watching others open their gifts as she does her own.
Her teacher and the parents of the others in her class are a little surprised at how smart she is. she is always asking what letters are and wants to know how to write everyone's name. She can identify the letters in her name and mom's and tell you what they say!! Smart little kid!
God bless this little girl and we thank Him so much for putting her into our world. I cannot believe she has been here for 6 months already - even though it feels like she has been here forever!

2007-12-17T13:20:00.000-08:00

LET IT SNOW!!
Now mommy may not be too fond of snow but the girls sure don't mind it. Reese didn't know quite what to expect at first. Every step she took to the bus she would shake the snow off of her boots. Now she thinks it is great. She played outside yesterday with Kendall and came in saying "ow, face hurts!" It was bright red and wet - it was about 20 degrees outside. Then she turned around and went right back out!
Enjoy the pictures!!

2007-11-01T10:32:00.000-07:00

Ok, I had to throw a little Halloween diddy on here. Reese loved trick or treating with her sister, dad, grandpa and cousins. It rained but they didn't care. They had a riot.

2007-10-18T23:23:00.001-07:00

Reese has finally gotten her hearing aid!!! She actually got it and we had to have it refitted and were without it for another week. Hopefully it is here to stay now. She is still getting used to it but wants to wear it most of the time. She just loves the fact that she can hear! She is trying hard to pronounce her words better but it will take time I think. I don't think that people that are not around her much would be able to understand her yet.
She is loving school and riding the bus. She stands outside every morning and says "where's the bus?" Her school has a support group for the families of the hearing impaired kids. Jeff and I kind of giggle at that....Reese is a normal 3 year old. We don't even think of her as having any sort of special needs. We don't require a support group for our other kids and they have their own issues too - so why Reese? I guess some parents are very disillusioned when they don't get a "perfect" child. We just love our kids for who they are.
Reese is finally becoming a daddy's girl. With mom being on crutches, daddy has taken over and she is loving it. He feeds her off of his plate, taught her how to chew gum, wrestles,puts her on the bus...and he can't kiss mom without giving Reese a kiss too. She is always asking where he is when he is working. She is even letting him put her to bed...BONUS!
More medical updates will come as they arise....

2007-09-28T13:01:00.000-07:00

As I pull up our blogspot, I see that the last post was August 15 - what a slacker I am. Things are much busier with 2 rugrats! Reese was supposed to get her hearing aid on Wednesday but they called me the night before and said that it was backordered. big bummer for us all. hopefully it won't take too long. But on the bright side, Reese started school this week. We enrolled her in an oral deaf program nearby and she goes weekday mornings. There are 4 other little girls in her class and her teacher says that she fits right in. She can stay in this program as long as necessary - until we feel she is ready to mainstream into a regular classroom - hopefully by kindergarten. It is very nice because she can even take the bus and we don't have to travel as much.
There is my quick update - now off to work and the girls to Ama's.

2007-08-15T13:16:00.000-07:00

We have now seen the plastic surgeon and as long as Reese's hearing aid gives her adequate hearing he wants to wait until she is at least 10 to do surgery. He said that the surgery all rides on how compliant she is - at 3 she will not be. There are a lot of tubes and suction involved and if she pulled one out, the surgery is history. There is no second chance. So, she should have her hearing aid in the next couple of weeks and we shall see. There is a possibility of her getting involved in some special stuff right now to help with her language development - since it is delayed for a few reasons. I have been told by the specialists in town that there are tons of options - from oral to sign. She will be evaluated for that in the next couple of weeks too.
In the meantime, the child has become a waterbug. In the last couple of weeks, she loves to be thrown in the pool or jumps in on her own off of the side. She has given up on the swimmies and just likes her 1/2 life vest. It is amazing. My dad said the other day, " is that the same girl we brought back from China?"
Reese loves to torture her sister - typical 3 year old - and is doing great with her sign language. We never have to question what she wants. Show her once and she's got it.
Reese started day care last week and loves it. She goes while I sleep after work and really enjoys playing with the other kids. I am so thankful that we found a good, Christian provider. She is a friend of a friend and is great and very close by - 2 minutes.
We shall see how often the updates happen now - I will do my best.
Blessings!!

2007-07-18T14:32:00.000-07:00

I apologize that I have not updated in a little while. Having two kids now is keeping me on the run. (especially when one is 3). Reese saw the ENT last week and had a hearing test. She hears everything we say, it is just muffled to her. That is why we can't understand some of her English! She doesn't hear us clearly - but she will repeat everything. We will be getting her a bone conduction hearing aid and she will see the plastic surgeon in August. The ENT said they may not want to do surgery for a few more years - depending on what plastics thinks. Meanwhile the hearing aid will serve the same purpose as opening the ear canal.
Reese has adjusted remarkably well. It is hard to believe it has been almost a month since we have been home. I worked one day last week and one this week, then back to full time next week. She stayed with Kendall at mom and dad's and did great. They both slept until 10 am both times. She is a good sleeper and usually wakes up with a dry pull up. When she goes to bed, I turn on some music for her - kind of loud - and lay next to her for 5 minutes at the most. I then leave the room and she goes right to sleep.
She is a true drama queen. Everything is a big deal for a very long time. She scraped her knee 2 days ago and it was no biggie then. But 2 days later when the scab formed she whined about it for an hour. Some things we have to ignore because she is so melodramatic. Hopefully when she gets her hearing aid the drama at least won't be so loud!! She does make us giggle often though.
I will try to keep at least the medical part of our continuing saga updated...

2007-07-08T11:35:00.000-07:00

2007-06-25T10:08:00.000-07:00

We have been home a few days now and I think that we may have finally recovered from jetlag. It was pretty wicked the first couple days. We felt dizzy all the time. Kendall was waking up at 2:30 am and I would have to make her stay up all day. By Saturday she said she thought she felt like an American again. but then today we all slept until 11...even Reese. I am used to being tired but that was the extreme. Reese seems to be adjusting well. At times I can walk away for a minute or two and she doesn't panic. And she will let Ama hold her as long as she knows where I am. yesterday she took right to my niece, Lexi, and wanted to be held by her a lot. No complaints here. She has been taking naps which is nice for me - gives me a little break. Last night she slept in her own bed instead of on Kendall's floor. She has been sleeping quite well since she got on an antibiotic. She still has a cough and runny nose but no fever since Saturday. She loves to take walks thru the neighborhood in her jogger stroller which we call her cadillac! She just doesn't want to get out of it. We need to break her of the fact that no one can push it but me. Kendall and Reese played in the sprinkler in their clothes last night and had a riot after we convinced her that it was ok to get her clothes wet with mom's permission. She is doing well with Ellie - just yells "no" when she gets too close.
Our next feat is to get her to fall asleep without me in the room at night and for naps. she won't let Jeff hold her yet unless they are playing but she does follow him around. In good time I am sure.

2007-06-19T05:10:00.000-07:00

Well, this will be my last addition to the blog before we depart from China. We did a little shopping this morning - trying to spend the last of our yuans. Then we went to the pool and soaked up a little of the last of the China sun. It was a hot but not so humid day. At 3 we boarded a bus to go to the US embassy just to change buses because we had a flat tire. It was pretty melodramatic. We all - the adoptive families - had to stand, raise our right hand, swear all our paperwork was true and well, that's all. We received Reese's official paperwork and her visa and were told that she would be a US citizen as soon as we touch down at Detroit and go thru immigration. YEAH!!
I guess she is stuck with us now!!
there will be a lot of adoptive families on our flight so I am sure everyone will sympathize with each family as their child takes their turn screaming.
Hopefully the adjustment period doesn't take too long once we get home. Thursday morning my sister is having a c-section and I am going to be able to be back to be her nurse!! We are all excited about that. Reese will, I am sure, freak out when I leave but my family will bring her to the hospital as soon as they can. This is so important to myself and my sister - someday Reese will understand.
Pray for safe and fast travel and that the kids sleep a lot!

2007-06-18T05:01:00.001-07:00

Today I was stuck in the room until 1200 because our coordinator took all our paperwork to the US Embassy and I needed to be available in case she had questions. At quarter to 12 the phone rang. Reese's visa picture wasn't acceptable - they couldn't see her ears (or lack of). So we had to trudge down to the "photo" place to have another one taken. Oh well. We took it easy all day and hung out at the pool to soak up a little sun..of course it started raining after a while. Reese played with Kendall and let her take her under the waterfall. Brave girl. She wanted to do it over and over. At least she is finally leaving my side. She will run down the hall in front of me and doesn't always have to hold my hand. Very nice for me!! We still have our daily temper tantrums but we just ignore them.
Only one day left to kill. We will go the embassy for the oath ceremony at 4. Then time to pack up. We are trying to figure out how much after transportation and food we need to spend on gifts since we can't trade our money back from yuans. Nothing like having to spend money!!
The island that we are staying on is so much better than Zhengzhou. We don't have to pray for our lives when we cross the street and we dare eat the food. But I can't say that I will miss any of it. I love America more and more and feel so bad for the children that have no hope. The poverty here is unbelievable. Maybe that is why the kids wear split pants?? I hope that someday Reese understands how lucky she is. God is looking out for her.

2007-06-17T10:29:00.001-07:00

Today was a free day so we did some shopping after breakfast - in the rain. It was fun though. At one point we got caught in a torrential downpour and a store owner came out with her umbrella to save us. I am sure it was partly to get us in her store but that was ok. She gave us some good deals on some silk outfits for the girls. 5 dollars each in US money. We then ate a late lunch - early dinner and went on the Pearl River Cruise. It was a neat way to see more of the city and the lights.
I cursed myself and said that Reese hadn't had a temper tantrum all day - then one started 5 minutes later. I am sure she was tired but she was testing me and of course, didn't get her way and whoa...here we go. At least they don't last as long now. ( I should knock on wood) I think that she is finally starting to get that mama doesn't give in. I always win!!! (ask Kendall) She is actually laying down right now without me trying to fall asleep. Every day is a little better. She is blowing kisses to us, loves zerberts, tells everyone bye bye when anyone leaves - even the elevator woman, understands no and usually listens, and says thank you, please and help in english and sign language. She even let mom pick her up to look out the window. I think my arms are finally recovering from the first few days of carrying her everywhere. I am dreading the plane ride still - but she takes benedryl like a champ so hopefully that will save us. Also I know that she is going to lose it when she has to go in the carseat at home. The cars and vans here don't even have seatbelts and the kids just walk around. Many people have the kids on the mopeds and bikes with them just hanging on to their waists. Crazy!! so we are planning some good bribes for awhile. Feel free to offer suggestions.
Reese is asleep now - all on her own!!
Blessings to all. Happy Fathers Day

2007-06-16T07:47:00.000-07:00

so, today we got Reese's picture taken for the visa - she was the only one that smiled. Then we went for her physical exam. they herd the adopted kids in like cattle, station to station. Two doctors came and listened to her heart. That made me a little nervous but I guess everything is ok. I don't have my stethescope with me. Then at the ENT check the doctor checked her hearing and it was excellent - yeah. then they looked in her mouth and said "oh"! My heart kind of dropped until she said "good teeth!" that must be unusual here. All this was followed by a ton of paperwork.
this afternoon we went to the pearl and jade market. It was 2 floors of lots of different stones and jewelry. We may have purchased a few things??
Reese is starting to venture off without me. We have joining rooms with mom and dad and she will go in there and play without me. But she still has to come back and jabber to me about all that is going on. She did nap today which she needed but it is now 930 and she won't sleep. What to do tomorrow??
Only 4 more days until we head home.
one of the pictures shown is outside our hotel window...

2007-06-15T12:36:00.000-07:00

We are now in Guangzhou and I am a new woman. The flight went well, Reese ate the airline food most of the time and that kept her busy. Our hotel is gorgeous with a water fall in the middle and 2 outdoor swimming pools. Maybe I can catch up on my tan? We have nicknamed Reese Fozzie bear because all I can understand is "wacka, wacka". The girl talks non stop - and we thought Kendall was bad!! It is so nice to be around some American people. There are several adoptive families here and it is great conversation. I really thought I was going to lose it in Zhengzhou. We took a tour of the island when we got here and saw lots of shops to go to. We then walked along the Pearl river and ate at Lucy's. Great food finally. Actually the girls had peanut butter and jelly and fries and I had grilled cheese - but it was so good. It was nice to feel full. I think I have lost a few pounds. I put on some shorts the other day and they fell to my knees! Anyhow, Reese gave us the thumbs up to Lucy's as you can see in one of the pictures.
I forgot to mention the other day that when we were at the orphanage the accountant tried to get us to pay more money for REese than the original donation fee. Our travel coordinator Helen really advocated for us and argued for over 30 minutes with them. We didn't understand a word of it but new there was trouble. We only ended up paying a few more yuan.
Tomorrow we go to get her visa and have her medical appt. At least it is something to do... then we shop til we drop and eat and swim in the sun. It might be almost like a vacation. We miss you all at home and are ready to return to the states though.

2007-06-14T05:19:00.000-07:00

Today was pretty uneventful. It rained last night so it was a little cooler today - but still nothing much to do. We went for a little walk this morning and Reese still won't let anyone push her but me. She screams until she can scream no more. It gets a little old. she is testing me a lot but she has yet to win. She has quite a temper - maybe we should change her name to Angel and she would calm down.
Helen got Reese's passport today. Now we can head out tomorrow.
One last day of swimming at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Reese was floating on her back today. She tried to put her head under while on her back but quickly found out that water would go up her nose. Ouch!!
I have no idea how the plane ride will go tomorrow. It is about a 2 hour flight. Kendall does great. Hopefully Reese is like her sister in that too. She always seems like she needs a nap, but we are just in too crammed of a place to enforce it.
speaking of being like her sister. Reese wanted me to fix her hair before she was even out of bed today. Ridiculous.
Pray for a safe trip tomorrow!!

2007-06-13T05:40:00.001-07:00

Another free day and it has been long. We went to the park after breakfast hoping it wouldn't be so hot - wrong! Reese would not walk so I had to carry her everywhere. I am sure that is part of the bonding process but I thought that I would have a heat stroke. My face was so red. So later we went to Mcdonalds - in China - and I broke down and bought an umbrella stroller. My arms hurt so much, even though she is a little thing - I just couldn't do it anymore. Thank the Lord that she was willing to ride in it. But of course, only mama could push it!! Kendall has been taking some great pictures of our trip, from her eyes. They will be neat to develop. Kendall did mention that yesterday Reese had 4 crying spells, and only 2 (so far) today. Maybe we will not have any tomorrow? She is very strong willed and living up to her name (Reese means fiery). Maybe we should change it?
I forgot to mention yesterday, when we went to the notary office, it was like you could never imagine. We stopped in front of a building that looked like it was ready to fall down. climbed some stairs that had never been cleaned - ever! There were no lights and it was rather creepy. And the weird part, there was a school in that building! Wild stuff - that I care not to experience again. God bless America!!!
2 days ago, Reese would only sit on the side of the pool and panicked if her suit got wet. yesterday she jumped in and was putting her face in. Today she walked off from me and figured out how to float in a tube. she has no fear of water. She falls in, goes under and comes up laughing.
We don't have anything to do until Friday when we fly out to Guangzhou. Helen will pick up Reese's passport tomorrow. We are getting a little stir crazy here.
( Reese just helped me answer the door. It was housekeeping and as they handed her some cookies she said "thank you" in English and sign language. )

2007-06-12T05:10:00.001-07:00

what an eventful day. Reese slept good last night,only waking to use the bathroom. we left the hotel at 8 am to go to the city where the orphanage is. it was about an hour and a half drive in, of course, crazy traffic. As we got close to the orphanage, Reese said that she was close to home - how heart breaking. The accountant wasn't there so we had to go to the notary office first. Reese was so confused and threw multiple temper tantrums. I think that the grief is setting in. She would just sit on my lap and scream and cry unconsolubly whenever I would tell her no about hitting or kicking. It is hard to tolerate when I am so tired but at least she is expressing her grief. How tramatic for her. Wondering if this mom will leave her too? We were told that she was taken from her foster family 10 days ago and has been at the orphanage until yesterday. Then we go back there today??? Poor baby. please keep us all in your prayers as we practice patience. She did play a little with dad today and when I really just needed a few minutes to myself mom and dad took her to the park. After the initial cry, she was fine. Thank goodness because my arms are killing me from carrying her.
The child can eat like a horse. Obviously her portions have been small because we are at the table waiting for her long after we are all done. Her skin and hair are not real healthy looking from, I am sure, lack of proper nutrition.
Yesterday we went down to the pool and she would only stick her feet in the whirlpool and freaked out when her suit got wet! she cannot stand it if her clothes are dirty or wet. The Terpstra came out in her today because she jumped in the whirlpool, played in the bubbles and even put her face in. What will tomorrow bring? Freestyle across the pool with Kendall?
Speaking of Kendall, Reese is just like her. She is picky about her clothes, talks in her sleep and even made me stop on the sidewalk to fix her hair! Help us all!!The one picture is of the orphanage.
No big plans tomorrow - but I will send some pictures.

2007-06-11T05:25:00.001-07:00

GOTCHA DAY!!!!!
Reese is now with us and after the initial trauma of the separation she is doing well. We found out that she has been back at the orphanage for 10 days. She kicked and screamed when they gave her to me and was temporarily won over by a sucker. Once we left the building she was fine but would not let me put her down. We had to get a picture taken of her and I down the street and it was quite stinky on the way with sewage in the puddles. her first English word that she caught on to was "yuck". after they took our picture and were developing it on the screen she saw us and said "mama". Oh how my heart soared!! We went to the park afterward and bought water and sprite for the girls. she finally let me put her down than. the smog has lifted today and it is hot!! Too hot to carry a little one. She loves to take walks and hold Kendall and my hand. There is no doubt that she can hear just fine and is very smart. When we passed the building from our first meeting she recognized it. she is eating non stop and everything she sees she wants to eat. We have to hide the food in the room. she must not have gotten a lot of food at the orphanage. We have another meeting at 330 so back out in the heat. she is good about telling us she has to use the bathroom and was intrigued with the pool. Maybe we will try it later. tomorrow we will travel to see the orphanage and have more meetings. pray that we all sleep well because I am exhausted.

2007-06-10T07:27:00.001-07:00

It is Sunday and pretty laid back here. We decided to stay at the hotel today for a few reasons. The city is insane with cars, mopeds and pedestrians and the food at the hotel seems to better than outside restaurants. The place we went last night had chicken that was mostly bones and skin. It is also so smoggy outside it burns your eyes to be out for more than a few seconds. We get Reese tomorrow morning at 10:30 just down the road. (if we don't get squished on the way) Kendall was talking in her sleep last night about her! Our lives are about to drastically change for the better. I got an email from the director of Hope Foster Home that she has a scrapbook of Reese's that she wants to send to us. what a cool thing. I am sure not everyone adopting from China gets something that special.
We are planning on swimming at the hotel in a little bit and than having dinner at Mamma Mia's in the hotel also. Maybe Kendall will find something to eat that she likes. She is doing so awesome and I am so proud of her.
Stay tuned for gotcha day tomorrow!!
Here are some pictures of our hotel, outside the hotel and the smog!

2007-06-09T01:39:00.000-07:00

Well, we finally made it to Zhengzhou!! After being on the plane for way!! too long - 19 hours total - we are ready to collapse. Kendall did absolutely awesome - what a trooper. I woke up on the plane at one point and she was passed out in my lap - I didn't even know she was there. We found out that we won't get Reese until Monday but maybe God knows that we should rest a bit - or at least I should! The hotel said they will bring a crib to our room because most Chinese families have kids her age in one. We will see what she thinks. She won't have one at home. Pictures of our 5 star hotel will follow later - I have to see if I can figure that out next! Keep praying!

2007-06-05T07:23:00.000-07:00

Is she not the cutest thing!! Hope Foster Home had this picture in their May news stating that she has been adopted and will be missed. I cannot believe that I will finally see and hold her in less than a week. Please pray for an easy transition for all!

2007-06-03T10:59:00.000-07:00

Kendall is patiently waiting to go get her sister!!I sure hope it is slow at work this week because my mind certainly won't be there!!

2007-06-02T06:30:00.000-07:00

Well, I have always said that I felt like Moses at the beginning of our adoption process. Telling God to send someone else, someone that was more prepared.... I wouldn't trade this experience for anything now! But now I feel like Job. I think that God is testing my faith. I found out this week that I will not get 70% of my pay while taking time off for Reese to bond. I thought, "ok God, I was hoping to pay the adoption off with my grants but maybe we will have to survive off that money for awhile." Then, the child support that we were receiving (that I never expected to get in the first place) stopped, as suddenly as it started, this week. That was putting an extra $800 dollars a month in our pockets. I know that God has gotten us this far and He won't let us down now - but I surely don't understand it. I praise Him for all He has done and trust that He will continue to lead us to Reese - no matter what our finances look like. Please keep us in your prayers!

2007-05-24T11:47:00.000-07:00

We have our plane reservations!! We fly out on June 7, 2 weeks from today. The time (I hope) is going to whoosh by! Kendall keeps telling me that there is no way that I am more excited than her - this is her 1st sister and my 2nd daughter! Still, I cannot wait - but packing, working, and swimming in Poppy's pool should help pass the time. Speaking of packing...where to start?
Here are our flights.....

6/07 NW1516 (1200N/1259P) Grand Rapids/Detroit
6/07 NW25 (230P/425P) Detroit/Tokyo (arrive Tokyo on 6/08)
6/08 NW9 (650P1035P) Tokyo/Guangzhou
Takes the airport shuttle to check-in New Airport Hotel - Pearl Hotel CSN in Guangzhou
6/09 CZ3157 (1150A/150P) Guangzhou/Zhengzhou
6/20 NW10 (820A/200P) Guangzhou/Tokyo
6/20 NW12 (355P/240P) Tokyo/Detroit
6/20 NW292 (518P/604P) Detroit/Grand Rapids
NW = Northwest Airline, CZ = China Southern Airline

2007-05-21T11:21:00.000-07:00

We got our travel approval!! Now I know that God did not want us to travel on June 1. If our approval would have come one day earlier we would have...to me, that's saying that He has a specific plan.
AGCI is setting up our exit interview in China and then we can make our reservations. It is hard to believe this is really happening. I will keep this site updated with our exact travel dates as soon as I have them. We can leave on June 8 but it may be sooner if the prices are better. Don't stop the prayers!!

2007-05-18T13:39:00.000-07:00

These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. Hebrews 11:39-40.

I found these verses highlighted in my Bible today as I was dealing with the frustration of not getting our travel approval this week. I don't remember ever reading these before let alone highlighting them - God is speaking to me. I deeply want to be at Lindy's delivery, which is still not totally out. It all depends on what her amniocentesis shows on the day before the c-section is scheduled. But God knows....maybe we are not supposed to be on a plane on June 1...or maybe Reese needs one more week with her foster family. As I fight the tears, I do truly have faith that He has had this planned since time began. It is just tough. Trust, right? So, I pray for a good nights sleep and blessings on all the little ones without families waiting for them.

For you have been my hope, O Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth. From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother's womb. I will ever praise you. I have become like a portent to many, but you are my strong refuge. My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long. Do not cast me away when I am old: do not forsake me when my strength is gone......
But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure. I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, O Sovereign Lord; I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone. Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come. Your righteousness reaches to the skies, O God, you who have done great things. Who, O God, is like you? Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once again.
Psalm 71

2007-05-16T13:06:00.000-07:00

Doesn't Kendall look like she will make a great big sister. She is so excited to go get Reese (we call her Reesey Peesey). We are, I admit, impatiently waiting to get that wonderful phone call that we have our travel approval. If we hear something this week we will travel on June 1 and if we hear next week, we will leave on June 8. Please, keep us in your prayers that it is this week. My sister has a scheduled C-section on June 19. Since she had such a tramatic loss last year, I really want to be her nurse and support her through it all. (hard to do from China). I know God is in control and has a plan for all of us, but maybe it matters a little what we desire?????

2007-05-11T16:30:00.000-07:00

I have been tagged by my friend Keisha!!! She says that I have to reveal 7 things about myself - and since we are traveling the same adoption journey AND she helped lead us to Reese - I suppose I have to oblige!!! :) So, here we go...

1. I hate being the center of attention. It is all about blending in for me...although I may be throwing that out the window with a blond hair, blue eyed child that is my clone, Miss Reese and the draw to adopt from Ethiopia next!

2. The people that I work with say that I am too calm in stressful situations. Ok, so a life is slipping away and I am supposed to scream and run out of the room? Don't worry, I am truly freaking out inside!!

3. I am a sucker for guns. No, not the kind that kill, the kind on a man's upper arms!! My legs just quiver! (don't tell Jeff)

4. I would love to totally renovate a run down house, that is of course if I had unlimited funds - HA!

5. My dream is to be married on a beach. And I am not even a romantic!

6. I am starting to like pink. I know this is a shock to you all - especially Kendall who lives in pink!

7. Finally, I am not so fond of traveling - then why am I going to be on a plane for 20+ hours in less than a month and than away from home for 2 weeks? God is calling me and I will answer....

2007-04-27T10:11:00.000-07:00

GREAT NEWS!!!!! AGCI called and they have received our Letter of Confirmation! They are overnighting it to me today. We now wait for our Travel Approval. Tiffany at AGCI thinks we will travel around the first of June - possibly the end of May. Kendall will miss the last weeks of 2nd grade but that's ok. I don't think much learning goes on then anyway! God, I'm sure, knew that would be best for her with her ongoing struggle with dyslexia. (Although with all the extra help she is getting she is doing so much better!)
This is all becoming so real. I cannot wait to meet my daughter. If all goes well financially, I am hoping to be able to take off most of the summer to help her adjust. Kendall is very excited about that. Even though I work nights, she hates it when I go to work...unless of course she is going to get spoiled by Ama and Poppy!

Praise God, and never underestimate His power!!

2007-04-25T12:28:00.000-07:00

Now we are in week 16 of our wait for our Letter of Confirmation (LOC). We were to be the next on the list to receive this document which then leads to our travel approval. Last week 5 other families that were behind me on the list got their LOC's. Frustrating!! We have heard word that China may be scrutinizing singles more - not fair! Last Thursday night AGCI was going to call their contact in China who will then go to the CCAA to find out what is going on. I am hoping to hear something this week. Anything would be good! The not knowing is so difficult. Please keep us all in your prayers as patience is not one of my strong points at this time!

2007-03-18T15:59:00.000-07:00

We are now heading into week 11 of our wait. God sure knows how to teach us patience! We have been continuously assured that Reese is being blessed in a wonderful foster home and is well taken care of. I suppose that helps a little. But I pray that the transition into our family isn't too tramatic.
I don't think that we will be traveling until at least May due to the Trade Show and holiday in China the last 2 weeks of April and the 1st week in May. Kendall is taking it all in stride. She never asks me when we are going but she does put things in perspective for me. Every night we pray that God will bring Reese home safe and soon. She looked at me the other night and said, " mom, maybe God just has a plan ". Why does it always take one of His little children to bring us to our knees? And so....the patience continues!

January 26,2007

2007-01-26T13:08:00.000-08:00

Well, we are still waiting. We got news from our agency that China is now requiring a Letter of Seeking Confirmation. This used to be only used for healthy referrals but just started being used for special needs too. China will send this letter to the families 2-3 weeks before the Travel Approval. It must be signed and sent back to China. This will apparantly tack on some extra time to our wait to get Reese. I must continually tell myself that it is all in God's timing. HE IS IN CONTROL! But we continue to pray for the shortest wait possible. We are so anxious to have our family complete in the USA.

Be joyful always; pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
John 14:18

December 29, 2006

2006-12-29T11:36:00.000-08:00

Our precious little Reese.

Reese and her foster sister Libby enjoying the presents we sent.

Becky and Reese. Becky is part of Hope Foster Home.

All my life I have felt the desire to adopt. In August of 2006, after much prayer and deliberation, I started the process with All God's Children International Adoption Agency. We are so excited to say that we (Kendall and I) are adopting a 2 year old hearing impaired little girl from China. God continues to bless us with prayers and funds necessary to travel to pick up this precious child of His. Our Saviour truly does look out for the orphans of this world!

Now the real waiting has begun....

On December 20 we received our preapproval for Reese's adoption. After we hear about our submission date, which should be this week, the next thing we will hear about will be our travel date! We are told that will be 12-16 weeks from our submission date. How the prayers are rising!
God does work in mysterious ways. After Kendall's swim practice last night she was in the community pool and I saw a family with a precious little China girl. The strange thing was that she looked so familiar. Turns out that I recognized her from a blog site that I had received from Trish, our social worker, months ago. That little smile was unforgettable! I approached the family (I hope I didn't offend them) and it was so great hearing their story and getting some advice.
I really praise God for the opportunity that He has given us and Reese. I cannot wait to get her home. Kendall is very excited and wants to share her room with her. (we'll see how long that lasts!) It becomes more obvious as each day passes that Reese was meant to be in our family. I pray that she will someday feel the same.
It is amazing how much love you can feel for a little girl that you have never met!