I'm making a move.

Good afternoon. I wanted to let you all know that I'm making a move for Eliana's post over to her blog. It is password protected and if you have not gotten an invite feel free to write me and I will send you one. I am working on a new post right now titled "A girl with her puppy, or is it a puppy with her girl?"

If you have been invited already just click the picture to be taken over to "God Has Answered...Our Daughter Eliana."

I will still be using this blog, but I'm not sure yet what it will be used for. I have an idea, but can't share right now. :-)

Update and some pictures.

Hello y'all,
I know you have been wondering what in the world is going on around here. Well, last Friday we took Eliana back to the doctor and we got most of her ear wax out of one ear and a lot out of the other ear. He could only see a tiny amount of her right eardrum, but she has double ear infections. Thankfully by Sunday they were not bothering her. The blood draw and the ear washing were horrible for her. Also, she didn't like the urinalysis collection thing that was taped to her. We have not heard yet about the results from that. I am curious now that eggs have been tainted. That was her main food source in the orphanage besides formula.

Since Friday's appointment we have been dealing with major rages that have lasted for hours at a time. We are exhausted and frustrated for her. Monday was the worst day we have ever had with her and then on Tuesday she did a 360* and was totally fine and only threw a couple of toddler tantrums. Today has been another story though. Yesterday, I had a lady from our church visit and have tea with me (which was wonderful) and then two young ladies had offered to help me clean (which was also wonderful), but I don't know if that was too much for her to handle. She seemed to do great with them being here, but today we have been back to her rages. Oh if we could only know what was going through her little brain and make it better. We are just taking life one minute at a time around here and praying for better days on a regular basis with only toddler issues not this other demon that is plaguing our daughter.

Our church as been so wonderful and supportive of everything that has been going on and has extended our meals out another week and a half. Two ladies picked up Patrick's dress shirts and ironed them and like I said two of the young ladies at church cleaned bathrooms, floors and folded clothes for me. I really don't know what I would do without our church family.

I want to thank you all for your prayers and support through this very tough transition. From what I have heard from others, I think a lot of her transition and behavior has to do with the Beijing CWI. They were very difficult to work with and made our gotcha day very bad and very hard on Eliana and then the paperwork day they were still fighting us and causing even more problems for Eliana. And I wonder why she fights. lol She has learned the behaviour well for those who have raised her. Poor baby girl.

So I will leave you with a few pictures. Oh yeah, thanks for the schedule information. Although she has fought a schedule (imagine that) we are on one for the most part and it helps her and me so much. She wakes between 7:30 and 8 am we come upstairs and have a bottle. I won't let her down until the bottle is gone and we have our reading time. Then it is play time and around 9 am she has breakfast. On to more playtime and working on sign language. Oh yes, she knows lots of signs and I just realized it about a week ago and that has helped learning what she has been signing. We are working on getting more signs so she can communicate with us. Once we get her palate fixed we will be going to speech and that should make her happier to be able to talk. We then have snack and lunch is at 11:45 or Noon and nap by 1 pm and on and on...but you really probably don't care...so on to the pictures.

Tomorrow is Eliana's 2nd birthday and I have no cake or wraping paper and I'm here at home with her not able to leave. She shares her birthday with her Papa James! Sorry Papa, but I had all the best intentions to get you a card in the mail this year. I guess I will have to walk in my Mom's footsteps and make up a different birthday for you. :-) Happy Birthday and we love you!

Nana and Papa James after the double rocker broke.

Our walk in the woods on Saturday.

Last week sometime after Eliana got her first shiner and when she was much happier. I tell you this girl LOVES hats and big bows in her hair. She is so much happier if she has something on her head. :-)

This is a typical look from our girl. Thankfully this look has been replaced by more smiles as the week wore on. Notice ALL the pictures she has had something on her head. This picture shows yet another bruise. She is ruff and tough and the shiner and the cheek bruise is all from playing not from the rages surprisingly.


This is Eliana's favorite book. She does the most endearing thing when we get to the page below. As many of you know I have a great love for Alaska and dream about sea kayaking and living in Alaska.

Now before you say that I told her it was Mama let me say she came up with that on her own. After we have been reading this book everyday for a week she the other day got so excited and started pointing to the girl saying Mama and then pointing to me. She then leaned over and kissed the book and then kissed me and said Mama. Well, needless to say that page is very sticky and messy from all the kisses Mama has gotten in the book. :-) Does my girl know me or what. I also think she was born to live in Alaska. She loves cool to cold weather and LOVES the great outdoors. I do know God has answered and given us the perfect little girl. She need spunk and spirit to live in Alaska so I think she will be ready.
Look at this...I found a picture without something on her head. She loves her baby dolls. Isn't this sweet. She has such a wonderful loving sweet spirit about her if only she would allow herself to trust and not fight. In time I know she will get there. Pray for our little warrior.

Two quick things.

If you love tea please visit Making a House a Home and enter to win some fabulous tea. If you haven't followed Mrs. U's blog you are sure to love it. She is such a wonderful and encouraging sister in Christ. Thanks for all your support. :-)

Also, the young girl in the previous post is Annie and her blog is Hope Now. Please visit her.

That's it for now. We have a doctor appointment in the morning for all those test for Eliana. Hopefully we will get something done for her ears. She is about to pull her right ear off I think in pain.

Calling all mom's of 2 year olds.

I need your help. We are tying to figure out a routine. I'm horrible at routines and always have been. I'm more of a free spirit that does things when I can fit it in or when the thought crosses my mind, but I am very organized in this whole thing to be sure. But this sort of mentality doesn't work with a child so that is where all you experienced moms fit into this. Can you all please leave me a comment, email or call with your typical day? I know that is a lot to ask, but it can be laid out very simply and I don't mind. Also, I'm wondering how much a 2 year old should be sleeping. Infants I know, toddlers I am clueless so any advice would be much appreciated.

Yesterday, we took Eliana to the doctor for the cough that still persists and he wasn't concerned. However she has lots of wax in both ears and from what he can tell from the pressure machine she has fluid in both. We go back on Friday for our appointment to get all her blood work done and we will be talking more about her ears. He has advised us to get a baby sign language book and start working with her so she can communicate with us. She only says Mama and that is for everything and doesn't speak any Chinese. We have noticed her doing some sort of sign language so we think the orphanage has taught her some. As far as her hearing we have had concerns since we got her as to whether or not she can hear very well. We know she can hear, but she doesn't seem to hear anything, but loud talking or noises. Time will tell. I will say we have the best pediatrician ever. Eliana really liked him and had no problems in the office or letting him examine her.

So you all might be wondering how I am posting. Well, Mummy has gotten smart. :-) Eliana is in her high chair right next to me looking at her books and seems content to look at those while I'm typing. YEA!

Let's see, what else. Oh we got our first meal on Monday and I will tell you it was amazing, and so much food. What a blessing to get enough food to keep us well fed since Monday night. Thank you Melanie if you read this blog. I will get your dishes back to you soon. I did take a picture of what she brought and will try to find it to post it.

I also had a comment from a young lady that goes to our church. I decided to check out her blog and she blew me away. You have to go see for yourself. To have a heart for orphans from such a young age.

Okay, Eliana is bored. Love to all.

Our first family outing...the pumpkin patch.

Trying our hand at farming. Mummy and Daddy love it!

Sleeping on her extra special pillow from Robin and Red Thread Stitches.

This was Eliana's first time (with us that is) on a tricycle and she loved it. :-) Daddy had to help because of those cute short legs.

I'm thinking Eliana thinks she is a dog...or does Sierra think she is a little girl. Begging for approved treats for both, boiled chicken. Poor Sierra is going to be going to the vet. I'm not sure what is wrong, but when we walked in the door from China I noticed her rear feet where so blistered, red and swollen. She spends a ton of time crying and licking her feet. Poor baby girl. She is doing really well with Eliana and Eliana with her. :-)

Our girls sleeping like good little princesses.

Okay, I will try to post more pictures and stories soon.

Update about my Dad

I wanted to let you all know about my Dad. Quoted from my Mom, "We got the results from the PET scan, every thing was clear except for the spot on the neck. The cancer is NOT in the lymph nodes, PTL nor is there any Melanoma any where. Squamous cell only."

This is such great news. PTL is right. He will be having surgery on the 13th and hopefully will be able to come for Eliana's 2nd birthday. I really want to plan a party for her, but for the life of me don't know how to pull that off.

Thank you for praying.

Please come with us!

Come with US!

We are ready and the bags are in the car! We are watching the debate, then we will rest a little and at 1:45 am we will be on our way to the shuttle.

After talking with our agency we are opening up our travel blog "Letters from China" so everyone is welcome to follow along. Thank you all for your support and prayers. Please continue to pray for our travel and getting Eliana. Also, please pray about bonding and for health for all of us. Keep Dennis and Sierra in your prayers also.

As far as my Dad, please continue to pray for him and my Mom. He DOES have cancer, but we don't know if it has spread or how bad it is. He has another appointment tomorrow and will be getting a PET scan and hopefully will get a clear picture soon. Lord willing, my Dad will be well soon and we don't have to go through an ugly journey with cancer. Please pray!!

See you soon in Beijing at 'Letters from China'!

The big leap into Gramps arms. She is really getting more comfortable.

This picture does our hearts good. After she jumped into his arms she settled in to cuddle. Sierra has made a huge turn around with Dennis and Lord willing this will be an okay time for Sierra. Dennis seems to have made a good connection with her. Praise God.

Travel Blog

Good Morning everyone. Well, we only have one more sleep until we leave! We are getting really nervous about leaving Sierra, but other than that we are getting really excited.

I have a new travel blog, but due to being cautious I am doing it private for now. If you would like an invite please email me (baymoose @ comcast . net) and I will get you added. It is kind of fuzzy right now as to what I can and can't say openly due to the Hague. I have linked the header above once you have an invite so you can easily get there. I might post over here once in a while while we are gone.

Open to tips and suggestions.

I thought I would put it out there and ask if anyone has any great tips regarding our trip here's your big chance. hehee I know that is pretty broad, but I thought it would be fun. I know we are going with a ton of prayer and with Chinese acrobat flexibility. :-) We will be in Eliana's province for 9 days, then we fly to Guangzhou for 2 days, back to Beijing and then home. So if you have anything we absolutely should do in Beijing or Guangzhou or tips for first time parents of a 23 month old leave a comment.

Our church has been such a blessing to us. Last week we got several calls asking if there was anything they could do and to offer encouragement. We have only asked for prayer. I feel so much comfort that people all over are lifting us up in prayer (they are also praying for you Dad). One of the phone calls I got was to ask me if I would mind if the church included us in the monthly baby shower that is held. Oh what a special treat and kindness! I'm not sure when it will be other than some time near the end of the month after we get home. This morning we sat next to some people we have seen and never met. When I introduced myself she knew instantly who we were and said she was going to get a hold of me because they would like to provide meals when we get home. I am just blown away by the kindness and warmth of this congregation.

We are getting those last minute details finished up and plan on having everything taken care of by Tuesday after when Dennis will be arriving. I will be putting our prayer list on here soon...that is on the to do list. Have a great Sunday afternoon.

Midnight ramblings.

Well, it is 12:51am and it must be getting close because for the life of me I can't sleep. Sorry I have been so quiet once again.

First thing first, Please continue to keep Susannah lifted up in prayer. I just left from reading the most recent post and they have a long road to travel yet. To visit their blog click here.

In just 7 days from now we will be headed to Seattle to catch a plane headed to Eliana!

We still don't know anything about what kind of cancer my dad has.

Sierra is getting a little tired of waiting for Eliana. I know she is going to warm up to Eliana very quickly and be such a great protector of her. Already, she is under her high chair waiting. In the end it is taking far too long for Eliana to come home and Sierra fell asleep waiting. :-)

I will trying to post more soon. I'm starting to get tired. Maybe I will sleep soon.

Prayer for a family in China now.

I just found this blog this morning and I'm hoping they will not mind me sharing their story seeing that I don't know them. But I'm taking a leap because we need to lift this family up in prayer. Their Metcha Day was yesterday and it didn't go as planned. The short of the long is their daughter is in the hospital dying. Their blog is Room for at Least One More. The letter about their daughter is here. I'm sure glad I started looking for those who are in China right now because we need to pray. Thank you for always praying.

I decided to add their prayer list here:

OK, here are the prayer requests flat out:

1. We need to get her to the US ASAP. (this is going to require God-sized mountain moving) We need to get her out of China.

2. We need the local police to expedite her Chinese Visa. Normally we would be required to go there with her to take photos and they take one of her. (The orphanage director is there now "negotiating" with them to allow a photo of us in the hospital and one of her in the hospital to suffice. MAJOR BIG DEAL. Never been done accd. to orphanage director and our guide. Again, only God moving in the hearts of these people.) This normally takes about 5-6 days

3. We need her to be stable enough to move.

4. We need the quack of a doctor at the hospital to let us take her. (She was the only chinese person who was mean, inconsiderate and rude. She has to sign off on her release. Her teeth are black, she smokes and knows nothing about Susannah's heart though she tried to say she is an "expert." She didn't even use her stethoscope.)

5. We need God to literally carry Susannah on the wings of angels home, for her pulse ox to stay in the 70s or above. Her pulse ox was varying between 60 % and 90 % while we were there. Thankfully we brought a pulse-oximeter with us thanks to some friends from church. They did not even have one on her when we got there. It should be in the 70 % range accd. to Dr. L in order for us to bring her home on the plane.

6. That we can have a supernatural peace; it is very hard to leave her in that hospital but right now we have no other options. We desperately want to just close our eyes and be at Vanderbilt.

Happy Birthday Paula!

So I'm really behind in things. Two huge things have happened for my friend Paula in the last week. She has become a mom again to such a beautiful little girl Bella and today is her birthday. If you would like to be invited to her blog The Baby Journals she would love to invite you. You can email her at 1mob@sbcglobal.net.

Happy Birthday Paula and Congratulations on Bella!

PS. I'm still keeping your age a secret! :-)

Still waiting...and an answered prayer.

First, I want to thank you all for your emails, comments, support, prayers and covering of love. We are so thankful and blessed to have each and everyone of you in our lives. Thank you!

What we do know...not much. My dad goes to the dermatologist next Friday and if they decide to cut the spot off his face they will do it the following Tuesday (the 23rd). There is a big discrepancy about what the doctor thinks and what the pathology report shows. Needless to say we have no idea what is going on and more than likely won't until right before we travel. My parents think it looks like the Basal Cell Carcinoma. In light of this, I'm sad for us and sad for my parents that they will not be here when we get home, but hopefully they will have all this behind them soon and will be able to be here for her second birthday. Please continue to pray for a happy outcome for my dad's medical issue and for strength and wisdom for them and the doctors.

Patrick called his Dad and asked if he could/would want to come watch Sierra. He is thankful for the oportunity to help and is so excited for the adventure of a road trip and also for the adventures he and his grandpuppy will have around here. After so much being up in the air for the last week, it is so comforting to know that Dennis will be able to come. Now we can concentrate on getting the last things done before travel and it relieves my parent of the stress of trying to accommodate us during this difficult time. It also frees up my Aunt Angel, who offered to come here, to care for my parents dog in case their situation is more serious and they need to travel somewhere for treatment. The Lord is so good and faithful to provide ALL our needs. Patrick and I sat down the other night and spent quite a bit of time reading the Word and praying and asking the Lord to show us the correct path. After considering a few options, this was the best one all the way around. We are so thankful that we sought the Lord and He will see us all through.

Obviously, our weekend camping trip has been canceled, and it is a good thing (seeing that I think due to the stress of this last week and crying for days, I now have a cold. lol).

I want to quote my friend who wrote me this week. It made me laugh and I love her sense of humor. "You can't go to China with big puffy eyes, you will get charged for the extra bags by the airlines!" Oh, I'm through with the crying now. I'm very dehydrated and I hear that isn't good for jet lag. :-) So no more tears until I get on the plane. Let's hope they don't charge for flooding the plane. lol Those will be tears of relief, and then we will be hours from meeting Eliana...with many more tears of joy to follow. (If anyone knows a good remedy for puffy eyes while travelling that's readily available, let me know. I'll need it! : )

Still waiting on what is really wrong.

Thank you all for your prayers. My dad did go to the doctor today and they don't think it is cancer. The results stated Paget's Disease which is a bone disease and not life threatening and they are waiting on an appointment to have whatever it is on his face removed. We are still up in the air about Sierra and hope to have that settled very soon so we can have peace about leaving in just three weeks from today. Please continue to pray for our family. There is a lot of stress right now and it should be such an exciting and happy time.

Sierra has decided she thinks it is best just to come along! We have been talking about Eliana so much and preparing her and when you say "Let's go get Eliana" she twists her head and looks at both of us so curiously. Even though the transition might be a little overwhelming for Sierra I think in the long run she is going to love having someone else to follow around and she will have a job!

Obviously, I have been busy and other than formula for Eliana (if she is still on it...we are waiting for the update) we are all packed. I have been doing my fall cleaning so that will all be taken care of before we leave and seeing that it has been a whole summer of no camping we are going to take off for the weekend and hopefully find a little bit of peace and solitude!

Oh yeah, I wanted to tell you about these wonderful envelopes that a co-worker told Patrick about. The are made by Eagle Creek and I LOVE them. The top one is mine and the bottom one is Patrick's. In my envelope there are two skirts, two pair of capri's, 8 tops, a pair of jeans, a pair of shorts and pajamas. Patrick's is a little taller than mine and it has a pair of jeans, two pair of shorts, 8 shirts and his pajamas. As you can see all those clothes and it takes up just about 11"x 20". What a wonderful item for travel. We have used these before and you get to your destination with very little wrinkles and everything in one little package.

Have a wonderful weekend! If I hear anything before we leave I will update you.

A Day We Will Never Forget!

Asking for urgent prayer.

A request for prayer. I know I haven't told you all about our travel yet...sorry. We leave Oct. 3rd and return the 16th. This has been over shadowed by news that my parents will no longer be able to come and watch Sierra and be here when we get home. Please pray for my dad. We will not know anything for sure until Thursday, but he might have cancer and the nurse told him a little bit today, but really said nothing other than he can't come here. The report doesn't look good according to her. Please pray for healing and that we will know what to do with Sierra. She is such a sensitive dog that can't be boarded and needs to be told to do everything such as "go potty". She will not do it on her own and will hold it until she gets permission to go. So obviously we need someone special to watch her.

I love you dad and want very much for you to be around for a very long time. I'm sorry it has taken 11 years for you to become a Popsi. I hope and pray that we will be blessed with you being a part of Eliana's life for a long time to come.

Look what Robin is doing, travel update and news!

As many of you know we have been on a journey to Mia Hope stitch by stitch.

With a little help from my friends I have come up with a new idea!

Creations for a Year!

What does this mean?

This means that I will be the highest bidder's personal seamstress during 2009!

How you ask?

Just leave your bid in the comment section and on September 15th at noon the highest bidder wins!

What does this include?

• One custom made outfit every month for a total of 12 outfits during the year!
• Creations are available January thru December 2009.
• Creations must be chosen from my product and fabric selections which will continue to grow.
• Free personalization or embroidery on your custom made creation. (subject to availability of patterns)
• I will work closely with you to keep current on measurements for that custom fit. Toddler size 1 thru 6 only.
• Your daughter will love having a custom dress for every occasion!
• If you find your own fabric I would be happy to work with your selection.
• Free shipping on your 12 creations delivered to your door!
• Payment by the highest bidder is due by 10/10/08 or offer will go to the next bidder.
• Split the bid with a friend and divide up your 12 creations as you choose.

Click below to see many creations available as part of this offer!

FASHION SHOW

CREATIONS

For questions please email me at: REDTHREADSTITCH@AOL.COM

Blessings,

Robin

"The Seamstress in Waiting"

Robin and her hubby are about 40 something days away from LOA and Robin is doing everything she can to get the money.

*** For those who didn't see we got our TA on September 2nd...sorry Karen. :-) On the travel front I'm not sure we will ever get to China. Dramatization I know, but we thought just a couple of days ago we would be leaving on the 3rd of October. Now we have no idea when it will work out. For some reason others got a confirmed CA, but we did not. It is hard to see people who got their referrals up to three months after us already have traveled or will be leaving in a week or two to get their daughters. I guess me busting my backside to get a dossier pulled together in 1 1/2 weeks was not necessary. We have been 5 months 1 day from our referral. When we got the referral they said 3-5 months and we should be home. Haha...6 months isn't even looking good. Sometimes it is hard to see that God really is in control of the timing when we keep getting put off. I know He will give us the patience and the strength to get through this I just had hoped after everything that has happened we would not have another road block and wait. Thanks for listening. I will keep you posted on travel.

Exciting news my friend Paula is on her way to the hospital because big Hannah is in labor. Please pray for safe travel they have a 2hr. drive to get there. We should see new pictures of Miss Bella by tomorrow or Saturday. Push Hannah push. This is Hannah's first delivery... Also, please pray for it to go smoothly and that all will go well after the birth and handing Bella over to Jon and Paula. Congratulations Jon and Paula on your new bundle of love that is about to make her way into the world!

Come on TA and ramblings!

UPDATE: We just got the second call...our TA is here. YEAH! Now we just have to wait for China to wake up and see if we can get our consulate appointment for the 14th. If we can we should be leaving here Oct. 3 or so.

I have been fairly calm up to this point about our TA, but now I'm getting antsy. I know that NSN TAs arrived last week and now we want ours. Hurray for those families, they get to travel in September... Boo hoo, we don't get to travel until October and that might become iffy if we don't hurry up and get our TA. UGH!

I'm pretty much packed I only have compression socks and earplugs left to purchase. I have Eliana all packed minus some socks and a some PJ's that we got her that need to be washed. Our washer died late last week so we have not been able to do laundry. Due to the fact that Mayt@g is no longer Mayt@g and that the whole reason why they are not longer (they are now Whirlp**L, but still have their name) is because of our model of washer. We didn't get anything from the big law suit..we just learned about it and therefore get nothing, but get to buy a new washer...Yippee Skippy (that was sarcasm). We have been told it will be better if we get a new washer due to the high cost to repair it. So tomorrow afternoon we will be back in business and get those clothes washed with the new washer.

It is most assuredly fall here. We never did get summer (just a handful of days in the 80's and that was it), but fall is here and there is nothing that can be done. Fall is typically my favorite time of year, but I can't say that I'm all too happy about it right now. You drive around and the leaves are just starting to change and the light is so different. Even though it has been cool all summer now there is that crispness to the air. I guess next weekend we better try to do one backpacking trip or camping trip this year. The trails we have been wanting to do as of a week ago still was saying snow on a lot of them.

There is a couple that are traveling in a couple of weeks to get their daughter that is at the CWI as Eliana and they have offered to take a small care package to Eliana. Yeah! I just finished the photo album and will be getting it out by tomorrow.

Well, I guess I will go clean the laundry room really well so that new washer will have a clean place to live. I hope I will be writing very soon with the announcement that the TA is here. I hope by the time we get to travel I will not have lost you all and that there will still be readers that follow our travel. :-)