Breanna Pictures

Starfish Foster Home
Finally: Some Breanna Pictures!
Life, Love and Laughter, Amanda

Prayer needed.

My dear friend, who is more like sister to me and have known since we were babies, has found a lump (the size of an acorn according to her DH) in her breast. She goes in tomorrow morning to have it examined. Please pray that the lump isn't anything serious.

Baby Showers

I have to say there is such a wonderful community of women in bloggerville. It seems like there is always an unexpected kindness that pops up. With that said I have two announcements and all the thanks goes to Kimberley at The Seventh Diamond for arranging it all.

The first announcement is my friend Kelly at Living My Dream (private) leaves in a little less than 3 weeks to go to China and bring home their daughter Elizabeth. To celebrate the arrival of Elizabeth, Kimberley from The Seventh Diamond is throwing her a cyber shower. Because Kelly already has a toddler in the house she doesn't need anything so it will be a 100 Good Wishes Quilt shower.

Kelly's request: "Find a fabric that you love, and cut at least a 9" x 9" square of it (it would be very helpful if you washed it before cutting, to minimize shrinkage), and then take a smaller piece of the same fabric, attach it to a note or a letter or a card with a good wish for my beautiful daughter (or daughters). The square of fabric will be made into the quilt/s, and the wishes will be saved in a scrapbook so that when the girls are older, they can find the wishes that correspond with every square on the quilt."

The second announcement is Kimberley is also giving me a cyber shower for Eliana. There is always a Saturday Morning Chat over at The Seventh Diamond and I am usually in bed and never make it in time. Well, I will be going to bed extra early the 20th so I don't miss the shower that will be held at The Seventh Diamond on the 21st of June. I don't know exact details yet, but I know that the chat is usually between 8am and Noon EST so at this point I'm assuming that is what time it will be. For those of us in PST set your clocks really early. You can contact Kimberley via The Seventh Diamond or leave a message and I will send you her email address for more details. Thank you so much Kimberley for being so sweet and giving. Also, thank you Daleea for the beautiful invitation. You always know what will bring a smile to my face.

I would be honored if you would like to celebrate our Eliana with us.

This is a shameless plug for my dear friend Daleea...If you are in need of a blog makeover please visit For Isabella Blog Design. Daleea will do a wonderful job on your blog. She did not ask me to do this I just think she is so wonderful and loves to make your blog special for you.

Oh yes, one more thing. Kimberley in all her spare time (she truly is an amazing woman) has created a new blog called No Place Like Home. It truly is a very special blog dedicated to international adoption! I love No Place Like Home and I know you will too.

Little bit more about Breanna from Amanda

It is now Monday evening China time. I spoke with Dr Li and we could be going home as soon as Wednesday or Thursday. It is amazing how quickly kids can heal. Breanna has been such as easy baby to take care of. She has hardly cried. She does not even cry at the nurses!!! She is so happy to be picked up by anyone. June and her sons Daniel and Matthew continue to visit and Breanna falls asleep on them often. So cute to see how much love this family is laying on her. I have been waiting to add some pictures, but a few days have gone by and I have not been able to do that. So the pictures will come next time.

Letter from Amanda about Breanna and the Sichuan kids.

I am sure you want to know about Breanna. Her VSD (simple explanation: A whole in her heart) was closed on Thursday by Dr Li. She was his first of three patients, all with VSD. Dr Li was telling me that about 60% of the surgeries he does is closing holes some place in the heart.

Breanna came out of surgery at about 11:15am and she went straight into the SICU. I put on some special clothes on and Dr Tan allowed me to see for a few minutes. I am so grateful that they are so kind to me. Both Dr Li and Tan always make sure I know what is going on. I really enjoy learning from both of them. I think one of the reasons is that I am so curious and asking a lot of questions. Thursday night they extubated her and Dr Tan said she was calm and doing well.

I have been talking to Dr Li about the Sichuan kids. He thinks the best donation that can be made at the moment is to help the children get prosthetics. There are some kids who have their legs amputated and when everything heals they will need some help. He knows of a factory who makes the artificial limbs and he thought it might be a very useful donation to make. If you would like to help, make a donation to Starfish. Let us know that it is for the Sichuan children. I will make sure that the money gets to the right place.

It is now Sunday morning in China, a few days since I write the part above. I have been waiting to add some pictures, but a few days have gone by and I have not been able to do that. So the pictures will come next time. Breanna will be out of the SICU this afternoon at about 2:30pm and then she will be in the general ward until Dr Li says it is time to go home. I can't wait to see her.

Life, Love and Laughter,
Amanda

LID

It is finally official. We now have a new LID of 5/29. Now we wait and pray that the LOA and TA come really fast. It has been known to happen it is just hit and miss with how fast or slow they are coming.

No word yet on how Breanna is doing. I will hopefully hear this afternoon.

Breanna Update

As you can see Breanna has the biggest smile. She is smiling so large because her heart is going to be healed. I am a little confused at the timing of everything but I think she had her surgery several hours ago. If I'm wrong she will have it in about 8 hours. I wanted to thank everyone who has given financially and prayed for Breanna and all the children at Starfish. These children get such a better start in life being in Amanda's care. Very soon Breanna will be matched with her forever family. I am so happy about that.

Here is a little bit from Amanda: "Getting to Hangzhou, I was a little heavy laden. All the stuff I have to take to be prepared for any eventuality! I decided to take Breanna in a front pack so that she was facing me. I have also decided that there has to be a new Olympic sport. I had Breanna in front in a pack (8kg or about 18 pounds), my backpack on the back which I am sure weighed even more Breanna, and then the diaper bag hanging. As soon as I got off the plane I needed to go to the bathroom. I was just dreading it. I could not take anything off. There was nowhere to put Breanna and there were no hooks to hang any bags on. I kid you not!!!! I went to the bathroom with all of it hanging off my body. My jeans were around my ankles, and I hated to think what was on the floor and thank heavens it was not a squatter because I would not have been able to get up. I had to reach for my pants very carefully because the space was so small that had I fallen over someone would have been in the toilet bowl and the toilet was an automatic flushing one. Trying to maneuver everything out of there without taking the door with me took special skill. I could only wash one hand and then slowly drudged my way over to the red suitcase that was spinning all by its lonesome self in a circle on the conveyor belt. Now for that you deserve a platinum medal.....forget the gold."

Amanda wrote: "Breanna for her part is just charming all the people she meets. Dr Li whistled at her this morning and she just beamed at him. He likes a her a lot. I have had so many comment about how cute she is."

"Breanna is too cute for words. Last night I gave her hair a little trim. She has got the thickest hair I have ever seen on a baby!!! Not only is is thick but it is pitch black. Her skin is like porcelain and so the combination of the two is startling."

"I hope you will keep Breanna in your prayers for the next two weeks as she goes through her surgery and that you will also pray for my favorite man Dr Li, that he will do the surgery to the best of his ability and Dr Tan who is in charge of the SICU."

PS. As soon as I get an update I will post how she is doing.

Please continue to pray for the earthquake victims. Also from Amanda: "The hospital I am at accepted 10 children from Sichuan the night I got here. Dr Li was here and he personally carried one of the children into the hospital. The children range from 1 to 13 years old and most of them have had limbs amputated. As if that is not enough the wounds are severely infected. They have set up a special place for them in the hospital. Last night another 15 were flown in. I think they are going to take about 50 patients from Sichuan. The slogan here in Hangzhou is right now we are all Sichuan residents."

My heart goes out to all those in China please do not forget them in your prayer life. Thank you.

Pay it Forward

You are seeing right...four post in one day. Make sure to read the previous posts.

I have used this text with permission from Paula at The Baby Journals.

The concept of pay it forward is simple: you do something nice for someone and then they do something nice for someone else. If everyone implemented this concept I think the world would be a whole lot nicer place to live.

Do you like to get presents? Do you like giving presents better? Most likely your answer to both of these questions is YES! If you feel like getting a gift from me (hint, hint, I give them out regularly on my blog) and you want to brighten someone elses day by giving them a gift then I would love for you to join the pay it forward bandwagon. Here's the specifics:

How does it work? Here are the rules: I will send a gift (of my choosing) to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this "PIF" exchange, and who make the same pledge on their own blog. The only thing you have to do in return is PAY IT FORWARD - on your own blog. So, if you want to get a goodies from me, and are willing to do the same via your blog, let me know! (Note that you'll need to give me your real (snail mail) address... which you can do by private email.) Just leave a comment and I will get with you. So, who's up for it? Don't be shy!!

Secret Pal

I just got the mail and there was a gift for Eliana and her Mummy. Thank you Secret Pal. It is so fun having a secret pal.

Mukluks and Nesting

Are these not the cutest Mukluks you have ever seen. A co-worker of my Mom's, many years ago went to Alaska and my Mom asked her to get these Mukluks for her grand baby. Of course my Mom never thought she would have to hold on to them for 9-10 years before she would be able to give them to me. Thank you Mom for planning so long ago for this moment. They are so cute and such a wonderful gift. I will keep them for her in her memory box after she wears them this winter.

I have developed the need to nest. I have been so occupied with cleaning the garage and now I am working on our closet. This weekend I hope to have Eliana's room as close to finished as possible, have a list of items we still need before we travel, clean and seal the decks and clean the office. And then on Tuesday we have to go back to Tukwila for a fingerprint appointment that isn't needed. Long story, but when we started over for this adoption we submitted a new I-600A that was not needed, but we can't get our money back so we will go ahead and get a new I-171H and Lord willing we will get to use that on a second adoption before it expires.

Regarding travel: We are still hoping to travel in July even though our agency seems to think we are being optimistic. Their hope it for September travel. I guess if we have to wait until September it will bring us full circle in this journey. We started trying to have a baby September 1997. I am just praying that the Lord will grant us quick travel in July, but if not I am still so blessed that He has given us our daughter. You might like to glance on my sidebar and see if you see anything new. Oh and when you think you have found it keep looking...there just might be more.

I have one more post that I'm actually going to copy from Paula at The Baby Journals, but I will do it in a little while. After that I will not be posting until next week sometime. I hope to have a lot of my nesting done and maybe I will be able to share more with all of you about our daughter. This new Hag ue Convention is killing me. I have been told I can't say much.

Have a wonderful weekend and remember those who have lost their lives for our freedom. Thank you to those of you who have served our country so bravely.

Dream vs. Reality

Okay, so if anyone knows who this gorgeous VW Bus belongs to I really need to get into contact with them. I LOVE this bus. It was a dream of mine in high school to have a 21 Window VW Bus. I never thought that it could be this cool.

For the reality:



This is our new vehicle. It is really nice even if it isn't a 21 Window PINK VW Bus. It will keep our family much safer and room for us, Eliana, Grandparents, dogs and all the gear you can think of and we will be very comfy. The gas mileage is actually better than the Volvo wagon we trade-in so that is a very big positive. I am just amazed that it gets a tad bit better than the wagon. I hope I can find this bus and I think it will be my old lady car. I might see if they can convert it to a Hybrid for me by then.

Breanna's Heart Surgery

I just heard from Amanda this morning that her and Breanna leave Monday to go to Hangzhou to have Breanna's surgery. Dr. Li should be doing the surgery on Thursday or Friday and she will probably spend 2-3 days in SICU after that. I hopefully will be getting updates on Breanna and will post any new information I get. Please join me in praying that the surgery goes well and for traveling mercies once again as Amanda give so much of herself traveling with the babies.

If you have not visited One Child At A Time please pray about helping the children at Starfish get their surgeries by bidding on some great items.

Please pray for Steven Curtis Chapman and family. Their youngest daughter was killed today in a horrible accident at their home in Tennessee. Her older brother accidentally hit her with the family car. How hard it must be on their son. You can read the full story HERE. Update: I just saw that there has been a blog set up for Maria called In Memory of Maria.

I have been very quiet about what happened in China, but I have not had the words to share the depth of what I have felt. My friend Daleea has put into words what I would like to say. Please do me a favor and click HERE to read her post if you have not already done so. Please if you don't know the Lord as your personal Lord and Savior I would love to talk with you and share the good new about Jesus.

I saw this video on my friend Cheri's private blog and thought you all would like to watch it.

There was a beautiful sunset tonight. The pictures were taken through the window from the top floor of our home so the quality is not very good, but you get the idea.

PS. We were DTC again on May 16th.

P.S. I Love You

We just finished watching the movie P.S. I Love You for the first time and I will say that I spent a lot of the movie in tears. I wanted to share with you about my hubby of almost 13 years. We had been married about 9 months when things went horribly wrong. It took a few weeks before we figured out he in fact he didn't have a migraine which an insta-care place said he had -- he had a brain tumor and should have died a couple weeks before. His life was hanging in the balance. I am so thankful that the Lord gave us a special gift that Easter...he gave us Patrick's life. I could have been just like Holly in the movie had it not been for the grace of God. Our lives are so fragile and you never know when someone will be taken away. The movie just made me want to shout out to be thankful for every day we have with the ones we love, and tell them often I Love You. It should be one of the most important things you say in a day. I love you Patrick and I am so blessed that you are my husband and that God gave you a second chance at life. You are my walking miracle who by the doctors' standards should have died...Thank you Jesus for letting him stay here on Earth with me!

Our daughter's Eyes

So what can you tell from eyes?

One Child At A Time

I thought I should take a pause from the euphoric stupor and do what I have been meaning to do for weeks. My friend Daleea has started a new blog that is dedicated to helping raise the money for surgeries for the babies at Starfish, One Child At A Time. If you have not already made it over to the new blog, please go visit now and help these precious children. There are some really great items up for auction and all the money goes directly to Starfish. As of today when I checked there has been a total of $480 raised. Thank you Daleea for giving of yourself and to everyone who is participating in raising the money. As you all know Starfish is very near and dear to my heart. Click here to read a beautiful story and it will explain why I feel so strongly about what Amanda does at Starfish Foster Home. She is truly dedicated to the children whether or not they are in her care. Thank you Amanda for helping the children.

Also, while I have two feet firmly on the ground I have a question. Has anyone read the book Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp? I have read mixed reviews and was wondering if anyone has an opinion on the book.

Patrick and I did Growing Kids God's Way several years ago and now that the time is getting closer we are realizing we have forgotten so much of what we learned. I don't agree with everything the Ezzos teach, but I did find a lot of the information very good. We can't decide if we should get the CD's and go through it again or if there might be something better out there. If you have any Godly counsel on parenting we would love your input.

Shopping and Gifts

Even now, one month after our referral, I am walking around in a euphoric stupor. I keep saying I can't believe it is finally happening. I have had two major dreams for most of my life. The first was to become a wife, which I am proud to say I am (I love you DH and am so thankful we are in this together.), and the second was to be a mom. I really like mum instead of mom, but who knows what she will call me. I am just so happy she will call me something. I am so happy my dreams are coming true. Don't worry I have more dreams -- those were just the two largest dreams I had.

While my parents were here I told you we did some shopping. Well, here are some more pictures of items we purchased.

We found a cute little baby boutique and my mom bought Eliana her first rice bowl, cup and the cutest little chopsticks. I had to take the picture of them on her high chair.

Some clothes we found on clearance. The bathing suit was the only item that was full price. Love clearance racks!

Sleepers and such.

Isn't this warm up suit so cute. It was another gift from my parents along with this cute swimsuit.

My friend, who also is adopting from China sent this package last week. As you can see there is one more quilt square. I have been really bad and have lost count...not because I have so many...just because I am being a very poor manager. I better get it together very soon. Thank you Lori for the gift.

Thank you all for your kind words and excitement over our news. According to the new guidelines I have been told I can add one picture to my blog of Eliana, but I am being overly cautious. Please bear with me...I will post one picture just not yet.

Have I mentioned how HAPPY I am and that I'm going to be a Mum?

What you all have been waiting for.

It's my Birthday today!

I knew you all were waiting for that announcement. No, really I decided that today (yes, it really is my birthday) was the prefect day to spill the beans. I can't say much but I am so excited to tell you we get our PA for a little girl that is waiting for us in China. Oh, it feels so good to say that. I have waited 10 years 8 months to finally say "I'M EXPECTING"! The Lord has been so good and faithful. The story about her adoption is one for the memory book and I will share it with you when I'm allowed. You all have been so patient in waiting to hear what I had to say...thank you for bearing with me. She is such a beautiful little girl and we are so excited to bring her home. All glory and honor belongs to God! We have chose the name Eliana SiJi and her name that was given to her by her birth parents, which I will divulge upon our return from China . It is a lovely name with the most special meaning. Eliana means "God has Answered me" and He truly has. The Lord heard the cry of our hearts.

"For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition
which I asked of Him." 1 Samuel 1:27

This picture was taken last week at Washington Park in Anacortes.

**Update: This is my gift from DH. It might not be All Clad but I love it just as much. Now I can feed my family knowing I'm not poisoning them with the nonstick coating that was chipping off. Thank you my love. It is the prefect gift. I love you. To see the old cookware that is about to go bye bye click here.**