My Little Pumpkin/Happy Harvest

My little pumpkin isn't so little anymore. 

Look how he has grown!!

2012

2013

2014

So glad he is mine to watch grow. 
Happy Harvest!

Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven. The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest.

Psalm 85:11-13

Surgery Update

Well...the simple, preventative tonsillectomy ended up not being such a simple process. Many have received text & Facebook updates while we were in the hospital for NINE (freaking) days. For those extended family members who thought we just fell off the face of the earth for a week & a half, here is a recap of our adventure in post-op recovery with a dip in the pool of uncontrolled pain & oral aversion:

Monday Oct 20:

Sneaking in some extra screen time before surgery

Headed into the OR

5:50pm · 

Rough afternoon post op.Poor guy looks like he has been beat up. Pain has been somewhat difficult to control. Narcotics make him agitated and fearful. Refusing orals. Will be on IV fluids through the night and we'll try again tomorrow. Praying for some good sleep tonight

Tuesday Oct 21:

7:55am 

Rough evening but several good chunks of sleep through the night on different medication regimen. Content this morning with Elmo and took a swig of milk. A step in the right direction!

Putting an "iv" in Momma

Dr. Isaac checking his patient

Face plant into his patient...too much overtime, apparently.

9:02pm 

FINALLY doing better. All snuggled in for the night. Hope to go home tomorrow.

Wednesday Oct 22:
7:38am
He decided drinking was so cool at 8pm last night so no iv through the night:)  Good night sleep for us both. Will push fluids through the morning & hopefully go home after lunch. Thanks for praying!

9:36am 

Cleared to go home! See ya later hospital bed!!

6:20pm
We are home & pushing fluids. Looking forward to sleeping in our own beds :)

Thursday Oct 23:
7:06pm
Isaac has gotten worse. Headed to the ER. Prayer coverage appreciated. Will update as able.


Friday Oct 24:

1:23am · 

Isaac was readmitted to the hospital last night. Seems we needed a few more days of fluids & meds. Praying for a quick recovery.

Saturday Oct 25:

Not feeling so good

8:24am ·

Hospital Day 6 (-27 hours): Isaac was admitted to Mary Bridge late Thursday night after being home from Children's just 27 hours, dehydrated and poor pain control from his tonsil removal on Monday. He continues to refuse anything my mouth and is on round the clock pain medications. In short he is a pretty sad sack. We finally got some sleep last night and are being well taken care of by pediatricians that I know & trust well. Given his previous hospitalizations, they've encouraged me to hunker down as we may be here a while. Praying for peace over Isaac's little heart and mine. Thankful we serve The Great Physician !

10:11am
Got some sleep which helps. Still refusing liquids. His breath = sour brussel sprouts + jock rock + honey bucket. It. Is. Impressive.


Sunday Oct 26:

10:21am · 

Hospital Day 7: Isaac's pain was well controlled so we were able to venture out of the room yesterday. It was good to see him "driving" the IV pole race car through the hospital. He decided late in the evening that maybe drinking from the cool train cup from Auntie Jessie wouldn't be so bad. (Finally!) It's only sips but it is a start. Hoping today we can get some much needed sleep and maybe turn down the IV fluids. Will still be here for several more days. Appreciate all the prayer coverage!

Monday Oct 27:

9:59am · 

HOSPITAL DAY 8: FINALLY got some sleep last night. Praise the Lord! No progress yesterday. You can see Isaac is feeling defeated. Hoping a speech therapist can help us with oral aversion strategies today (if you can call it that, he'll eat pirates booty and crackers but ZERO liquids). Praying against discouragement.

Tuesday Oct 28:

2:43pm ·

Hospital Day 9: Frustration abounds, including among Isaac's medical team. Speech therapist, nutritionists, nurses, social workers, doctors...me. No one can figure out why he won't drink. Only 2oz in the last 24 hours. The consensus is that the hospital environment is causing more stress than good for my little boy. We are going going to go home & believe that thirst will reenter the equation once he is in his own surroundings. Praying that this is the case. Appreciate the continued prayer coverage. I do NOT want to be here again in 2 days.

6:00pm

HOME & exhausted

Wednesday Oct 29:
Hallelujah!!!

So we are home now and taking recovery slowly. I've delayed the start of my new job for a few weeks to make sure that my boy is back to full speed before our regular routine starts again. I've asked the Lord why we get to go through these horrible hospital experiences. Two L-O-N-G hospitalizations in two years is nine too many, in my mind. You would think being medical myself that somehow it would be easier...but it is not. It's really hard and turns out I have ZERO objective thoughts about this little boy that I love so much. I can't think medical with him and certainly not with only 2 hours of sleep in 6 days. I have yet to have an answer other than with each illness & hospitalization I am forced to run to the Lord with the burden I cannot carry for my son and his chromosomes. Yesterday, as I rocked my boy and cried (epic meltdown really) I HAD to believe that "He holds our every moment & calms our raging seas; He walks with us through fire and heals every one of our diseases. I will trust in Him. I do trust in Him"

Thankful to be home and in the shadow of His wing.  To all that were praying for us...THANK YOU.

Bamboo Project Update: Another Gotchya!

While two of the three families** arrived home yesterday with their sweethearts, another family in Virginia is boarding their flight today to get their Bamboo lovie. They didn't quite pass each other in the air, but I know their hearts are smiling at each other. Each family knows the special passion, heartache & determination it takes to bring their child HOME through special needs adoption. This particular family knows exactly what this process is, as this is their second time to China in the last year. In welcoming home their son, the Lord spoke to them quickly to bring home their Bamboo daughter. What a welcome home celebration it will be! Please continue to pray:

• For travel mercies, coverage over luggage, and personal health
• Peace over this little one's precious heart as her world is about to be turned up side down
• Physical & emotional health as this family attaches to one another
• Grace over the hearts of the foster parents & nannies who have cared for this sweet girl
• Favor over the final paperwork
• The Lord's hand over the remaining two Bamboo children waiting for their new Forever

**For those that have been interceding for these families during their Wait & travel, I believe you were probably awakened to pray for one family in particular while in China last week. There were several anxiety producing days on whether they'd be granted their daughter's visa and allowed to return HOME in a timely manner, but God opened the doors! THANK YOU FOR PRAYING THIS SWEET CHILD HOME! You can read about the miracles that took place HERE.  

Headed to Surgery

     Isaac is headed in for surgery tomorrow morning. The results of his sleep study showed some obstructive sleep apnea, meaning he has not been getting all the oxygen his little noggin needs while he is sleeping. This is not uncommon in those with Down syndrome and ultimately explains why he sleeps with his head thrown back and sometimes even sitting straight up in bed.  Removing his tonsils & adenoids will remove the known obstructions and hopefully give him a better night's sleep.

Just look at that sweet face sleeping

      Please keep us in prayer in the next week as we expect to be in the hospital for at least a few days. Isaac has a higher risk of bleeding (thus the longer stay), and the poor guy tends to refuse liquids when he is stressed, which is the exact opposite of what we'll need to have happen for a quick recovery. Some specific prayer requests are below:

• Wisdom for the medical & nursing team taking care of Isaac
• Peace over Isaac's heart & mind; that fear & confusion would be far from him
• Excellent pain management
• Protection against infection and bleeding
• An uneventful & quick recovery
• Peace for this momma's heart & strength for my own body as I'll be staying in the hospital with my boy (A few winks of sleep would be nice!)
• Overall logistics while we are at the large children's hospital 45 min North of home

Thank you for covering us in prayer! We'll keep you updated as we recover.  :)

A Little Trip Overseas

It was time for a little get away, so we hoped on board the Victoria Clipper and headed 'overseas' to Vancouver Island, British Columbia. (Being on a boat for 3 hours totally qualifies this trip as an overseas adventure). It took a little bit of planning as Isaac needed his American passport. Clearly, he gave his best "I'm as innocent as they come, Mr Customs Officer, Sir" face. 

I CANNOT wait to see his drivers license!

On the boat & ready to go!

It was our first overnight trip alone. I'm not going to lie, the i-entertainment got used a bit more than when at home. After watching our not finest moment in a public restaurant, a sweet Canadian Jesuit Priest came over, put his hand on my shoulder and said, "I think moms need to be told more they are doing a good job".  HAHAHA. Thank you sir. Ketchup doesn't normally end up on the ceiling AND in our armpits. 

We wandered the streets of historic Victoria, shopped in Chinatown and ate gelato. 

Parliament buildings

The Empress Hotel

Chinatown. One of the largest outside of...China.

Learning a little Canadian history

Isaac wasn't in the mood for photos at Buchart Gardens, so I got to play with my camera a bit and enjoy the BEEE-U-T-FUL flowers & trees in their fall finest.

Cheeky boy

Finally, got one photo of me & my boy.

With a big storm approaching and no guarantee of a way home if the ships couldn't sail (other than a bus ride from Canada!) we were ushered onto the last boat off the island a few days early. I'm thankful we left when we did, I understand the island is getting pounded right now!

Getting settled on the boat for the ride home

It was a whirlwind trip and a good way to introduce international travel to my international boy. I want to build in him a desire to travel & explore; to see the beautiful world that God created; to have a heart for people & cultures different than his; to have the skills to 'go into all the world' safely, and with wisdom & passion. Two little stamps in that American passport & "the Canadian ketchup event" is a good way to start. ;)

Bamboo Project Update: Third Round of Gotchyas

THREE more families leave today to pick up their sweet beauties in China. I can't tell you how AWESOME it has been to walk along side these families from all over the nation as they prepare their hearts, homes & lives for their precious child. Each is a walking testimony to God's faithfulness and heart for adoption. After a year of virtual updates, Isaac and I got to meet one family face to face during their layover home from China. It was like meeting up with old friends, definite kindred spirits. While we chatted, our boys sized each other up and were instant friends. I'm sure their jet lagged new son was pretty overwhelmed with my crazy boy, but a well timed photo of them kissing (not shown) will forever cement our Bamboo family-ship!

Our Bamboo Family friends from California & their new son!
(One son is being a show off, the other isn't quite sure what to do with all that energy over there)

Please lift these three families up as they travel & bring their children home. Each family has had major life events as they entered into the final stretch of preparations and each has had to make focused step of faith to follow the Lord in His perfect timing to bring their little one home now. They are also each leaving behind small children in the care of extended family & friends. You can imagine the bitter sweet ache in leaving one child behind to embrace another, but we know the Heavenly Father is guarding their hearts too. Here are some specific prayer requests:

• Travel mercies over flights, luggage & seating (one family doesn't have seats together)
• Spirit-led family-hood as these three Bamboo families meet & spend the next two weeks together
• Comfort for the children left behind and wisdom for the extended families caring for them
• Peace over the hearts of the Bamboo children joining their new forever families
• God ordained attachment of these families & their new little ones
• Physical & emotional health & protection over the Bamboo children as they transitioning into their new normal
• Blessings over the nannies & foster families that have cared for these beautiful children; peace over their hearts as they separate from them
• Wisdom for the administrators of this specific orphanage as they have been inundated with great numbers of newly abandoned children in their baby hatch, many with Down syndrome
• For the Lord's hand over the remaining four Bamboo boys and the Forever Families waiting to step forward
• Grace over jet lag and reentry into their new larger families in Virginia, New York, & Minnesota. 

We continue to believe for miraculous doors to open in China in the care of children with Down syndrome. Isaac was apparently the first, now look how the Holy Spirit is moving!  I am SO VERY thankful that He is allowing us to not only see but be a part of His work in others' lives with chromosomally enhanced adoptions. It is so much more than I could have ever thought or imagined! God works mightily when you obey His word!

Isaac's Team: Buddy Walk 2014!

     We did it!  Our first Buddy Walk with the Down Syndrome Community of Puget Sound. The weather was amazing...75 & sunny and we raised $640!  That's $170 over our goal!! A special thank you to all those gave so generously. Every dollar goes to promoting community resources and mainstream inclusion for those sporting an extra gene in the 21st position right here in the Puget Sound. So THANK YOU. 

     I wasn't entirely sure what to expect out of the day, having not previously been apart of fundraising walks or DS events. It was a treat to see so many families excited for their children and volunteers excited to support the walkers. It probably won't be an event that we do every year, but I did find myself relaxing in the environment of NOT having to be conscientious of my sweet boy's clapping solos or his occasional TSA checks of strangers' behinds (you can never be too safe people), because everyone else's kids were doing the exact same thing. For two hours, we were in the same super cool club as 500 of our closest new friends. 

     Despite not having a nap, Isaac did AWESOME. He seemed to get a kick out of our matching Buddy Walk shirts and I think he waved to everyone under 42 inches tall. He's a friendly one, my boy.  His biggest highlight was getting a medal for finishing the walk (even though technically he participated in the Buddy Carry); he got a serious case of the sillies when sporting that fancy medallion. And the fishing station! He didn't even bother to check what he "caught" but was VERY careful to carry his winnings to the car by himself. Overall, it was a nice afternoon. It's nice to be in a community that is so supportive of amazing kids like my Isaac. I continue to be so very thankful to the Lord for His provision for us!

Aren't we cute in our head to toe matching outfits?!

Here we go!

Walking with Uncle Thad

Walking the sillies off after getting his medal.

Taking a rest after all that walking!

Isaac's Team: Buddy Walk 2014!

Down Syndrome Awareness Month 2014

     October is Down syndrome Awareness Month. An entire month to celebrate those who were gifted with an extra gene. Which is kinda cool, if you think about it...like a national birthday party for your DNA. It's hard to get better than that! 

     I frequently describe Down syndrome as an 'extra chromosome of love'. It is the most perfect explanation I have for how God lovingly knit my boy and his chromosome buddies together. I imagine Our Heavenly Father sat down with the angles and said:

"Now, I'm going to create a TRUE masterpiece. I will mold these special humans together perfectly with an extra chromosome of My love. The world will say these wonderful children are broken & disabled, but they will reflect My image purely. They will move a little slower, taking time to enjoy My creation and the people I have placed in it. They will live & move & BE in My presence effortlessly. Despite physical difficulties like hearing loss and speech delays, they will hear My voice easily and learn to speak gently and with grace. Their understanding of Me will not be limited by man's theology or legalism, it will be doubtless as it should be. Man will labeled them simple, but they will love deeply and unconditionally....like Me. When the world says my splendid creation shouldn't be born, I will declare My perfect peace, My complete joy, My total love over them again, and again, and again".

     Now THAT is something to be aware of!  My child isn't perfect, he is still human and a toddler at that, which makes him a tad bipolar. But when I glimpse of how the Lord works through my little boy's extra genes, I am acutely aware of the damage of sin genetically inborn in me. Man's pride has created a world that celebrates physical and intellectual "perfection", absolutely setting aside God's defining perfection---love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness, faithfulness. If you add serious dance moves to that list, you have a near perfect description of those with Down syndrome!

     So happy Down syndrome Awareness Month. I hope you get to love on those around you rocking an extra chromosome. (I REALLY hope they get to love on you too! My boy gives the best hugs!!)Take a moment to see the Lord's heart at work. Ask yourself how you can be more like the One who perfectly created us all. And then ask the Lord how you can help bless those with an extra chromosome of love and their families. I betchya they'd LOVE to welcome you in!  Here are a few organizations and ministries you can consider supporting:

Reece's Rainbow

National Down Syndrome Society

Bethany Christian Services's Bamboo Project

National Down Syndrome Adoption Network

GiGi's Playhouse

Down Syndrome Community