Matthew's shots

Matthew has begun receiving injections to help him grow and to help with his low muscle tone. (Matthew's extremities have stopped growing, with his hands and feet being the size of a 12-month old. But, Matthew is 5 years old....)

After taking the shots for about three days, I took this video of him....

No longer tongue-tied

Matthew was doing the "fake cough" again this morning and asking to "go to the doctor". I told him we would go. He was so excited!!!! He forgot to eat and drink before jumping in the car 😉.... When we drove up to the "new doctor's office", Matthew squealed with delight and kept chanting, "my new doctor office!" In the surgical waiting room, Matthew was the ONLY one singing and doing his "happy dance"! He was SO EXCITED! He even fake coughed and told the administration ladies that he had to see the doctor right away!

Matthew did amazingly well, and he charmed all the nurses with hugs and love 😍! I am SO THANKFUL for his easy-going attitude!

Now for the recovery: He had his tongue-tie lasered, and I have to work diligently multiple times a day for several weeks to keep the tongue-tie from resealing. The surgeon suggested putting a spoon under his tongue and pushing backwards against the lasered area to keep the top and bottom from trying to adhere. Ugh. I do not think I am capable.... My queasy stomach!!!!

The easy part: liquid diet for several days with Motrin and Tylenol. I can do that!

Matthew's pre-op appointment

Matthew LOVES going to the doctor's office! He daily begs to go to the doctor's office. Today, his "dream" came true, and his joy was overflowing!

Matthew's official height as a 5-year-old is 2 feet 11 inches. What an awesome little guy!!!!!

Matthew's touch from God

On February 1st, Derek got sick. He ended up with a fever and congestion, which quickly spread to all the children. For two weeks, they all remained sick.

During this time, I kept Cherish, Andrew, and Matthew on the couch, as they were the sickest, and I needed to be able to administer their medicines multiple times during the night.

On Saturday night, February 9th, after Matthew's fever had gone away, I began doing my rounds, checking on the children before bed. It was around 11:30 p.m. and Matthew had woken up and was vomiting. Without noise. Andrew--who was awake from being ill--called for me.

Matthew's eyes were open, but without noise or jerking, he was throwing up. He was on his back, so I turned him to his side.

I ran for towels.

I came back to see him staring at me, and I tried to scoop up some of the vomit with the towels. He began throwing up again, without any flinching. He was eerily still and staring at me. I stood up--trying not to vomit myself--and ran to begin filling the tub with soapy water.

I ran back while hoping he had finished vomiting, so I could scoop him up and take him to the tub.

He was still looking at me. I began to scoop him up, and he began throwing up again. My stomach was too queasy.

I called for Derek to scoop him up and bring him to the tub. Derek had a hard time holding him without getting sick himself, so together, we carried him to the tub. I stood him up in the tub, since he was covered in vomit, and began taking off his clothes (while Derek began cleaning up his bedding).

When I took off Matthew's diaper, he was having diarrhea as well. He collapsed in the tub, and I could hardly hold his head up as I was also trying to clean him up.

I began draining the tub to clean it out and to get fresh water for Matthew.

Matthew indicated he wanted to lie down in the tub, and since there was hardly any water in the tub, I let him lie down on his back.

His eyes rolled backward.

I put a hand towel over his body, and turned on the shower head of the tub. I had to rinse out the tub, even though I knew Matthew HATES the shower-head hose being turned on. (He is scared of it.)

Fully expecting him to start screaming from the shower hose being turned on, I turned to look at him. The only part of his eyes I could see was the white of his eyes.

I began asking him if he was okay. He did not respond. I began rubbing his skin and spraying his hair and body to get the vomit off--expecting Matthew to scream. He neither screamed nor flinched.

I kept asking: "Matthew, are you OK? Matthew! Can you hear me?" He would not respond.

I yelled: "Matthew can you hear you me?" His eyes would roll back to normal position, he would grunt in response, and then his eyes would roll right back again.

This happened several times as I watched his body drain of all color.

He looked as if he was dead.

My first thought was: "I need to call rescue!" While the answer within me was instantaneous: "Not until you call on the Great Physician."

I did just that. I began praying over him in the name of Jesus Christ, asking Him to heal Matthew.

Color began coming back into his body.

As I continued to pray, I finished cleaning him up and scooped him up out of the tub.

I dressed him while he remained asleep, and I stayed with him though the night.

This picture was taken of Matthew. this morning.

Thank You, Jesus, for healing Matthew of whatever was ailing him!!!!!!

Cherish and Matthew's sweet love

All 6 of my children have come down with fevers, chest congestion, sore throats...but you will always find these two together. For a full week already, they have been inseparable!

Daniel

This boy LOVES this bike. Not just any bike.

The red Radio Flyer bike.

Riding this bike is his favorite thing to do!

Here he is after recovering from his second head injury. The injury has the same healing properties as the first one--which is indicative of a simple linear skull fracture. Poor kid's head needs a break!

Play time in the sand:

 Trying to come off naps:

Playing with daddy:

 This kid!
His smile lights up a room!

And his laugh? Ya just can't help laughing when you hear it!

It's contagious!

Love ya, Sweet Boy!
You amaze us continually!!!

HSP

Since the end of December, sickness has plagued our family. Everyone was sick at some point. Cherish and Andrew had strep.

On day eight of Cherish's antibiotic (amoxicillin), she broke out in hives. She was covered in hives and was immediately put on Benadryl every 6 hours until she could see the doctor. Then, her pediatrician put her on Zyrtec for 12 days.

The following night (January 30th), I noticed Sammy had swollen glands. Really swollen!

I called the pediatrician the next morning, and he was seen right away.

Since he has been constantly sick for as long as we have record, he was never vaccinated in Ch*na nor here. So, the doctor got a senior doctor to look at Sammy to ensure he did not have mumps.

Both agreed it was probably not mumps but instead was probably mono.

We were sent home to wait it out.

The doctor's office called us the next day, but since there was no change, we stayed home.

The following day, the doctor's office called again. Since Sammy's glands had hardened, we went back in. By the time we got there, Sammy's feet had begun to bruise and swell a bit, and he had developed a fever.

The doctor immediately sent us to the ER. By the time we got to the ER, Sammy had a rash of red dots that showed up on his toes.

While waiting to see the ER doctor, the swelling in his feet got worse, and the rash spread up to his ankles.

He was tested for strep and found to be positive--though he had been tested two days prior with a negative result.

Normally, the doctor said she would have sent him home with a prescription, but since he is always sick, she gave him an IV antibiotic and sent him home,

When we got home, Sammy's rash had spread up to his knees, and he could not walk.

The next day the doctor called us, asking why Sammy had not been admitted.

I had no idea.

So, the doctor's office of eight doctors took Sammy under their care. We were receiving daily calls and going in every day or every other day--so they could monitor him.

Sammy began swelling, and in three days had gained three pounds of weight from his swelling.

He was constantly sleeping or screaming in pain.

He could not walk unless his Motrin did not lapse.

One of his tests showed he had blood and protein in his urine, so we headed to Nemours to the infectious disease specialist.

The specialist diagnosed him with Henoch-Schonlein Purpura (HSP), which is a disease that affects the blood vessels in the body.

Many people had been praying for Sammy, and the disease did not attack his heart. We are so thankful!

His recovery has been remarkably quick, and we are hopeful it will not relapse in the next 4 weeks.

Next week he will have some blood work done to see what immune deficiency he may have that prevents him from getting and staying well.

In the meantime, we are enjoying seeing Sammy feel better. He has 3 more doses of his antibiotic, and we are hopeful he will come off it with ease.

Thanks for caring, Friends!! You bless us immensely!!

Daniel's head injury update

So, amongst the flu and strep throat we have been struggling to fight, Daniel had an appointment with his doctor. The doctor said that the way his head is healing is indicative that he did indeed fracture his skull. My little guy! ☹ How sad!

However, we praise the LORD he did not have a more serious head and brain injury!

Daniel has already had so much radiation following the stroke/brain hemorrhage he endured as a baby, that the doctor at Crucial Care had not wanted him to undergo even one x-ray. We were just to "wait and see".

Daniel is healing, and we are so thankful that God's hand of protection was on his brain!

Thank You, Jesus!

My favorite picture of Daniel so far was from this summer:

God bless sweet boy!

Walking by Faith

Before I begin, I want to say that Derek and I do not normally share our children's "special needs" with everyone, because we feel each child deserves dignity and privacy. However, we are sharing Daniel's story, because we believe God will be glorified in each and every detail. Here is the story God is writing over Daniel:

December 2014

With an estimated 153,000,000 orphans in the world, our hearts were burdened to make another orphan a son or daughter—eventually.

We had been thinking through the finances. It had been a little over a year since we had last adopted from China, so we still had to save additional money for another adoption. Plus, we didn’t have a vehicle to hold a fourth child.

However, our hearts were continually driven to the Internet to look at the orphans available for adoption and to pray for them.

Shortly before Christmas Derek found a little orphan boy on our agency's website, and Derek’s heart was touched. Really touched.

We contacted our adoption agency to see if the boy’s file was available to view. It was. We received the file and went to our pediatrician, Dr. Lazoff, to have him review the file and talk with us about his conclusions. Little guy was diagnosed with “brain damage, malnourishment, and possible heart disease”.

After hearing about the video we had received and viewing all the boy’s documents—including the paper copies of the CT Scans of Daniel’s brain, the doctor said little guy had had severe trauma to his brain from what looked like a neonatal stroke. The diagnosis of "brain damage" was confirmed by the brain scans. The doctor told us with consistent, long-term physical and occupational therapy, little guy would be able to gain full usage of his arms and hands over time, and he would be able to possibly walk by the age of 8 or 9.

We began praying about what God wanted us to do. We felt our hearts telling us to adopt the little boy, but we felt we were not ready financially.

However, last year when Derek was on a short-term trip to China with Show Hope, one of the guys kept saying: “What God orders, He pays for.” Derek knew if it was God’s plan for us to adopt the little boy, the finances would come together.

So, he began thinking of new ways we could cut expenses. He mentioned that if we went forward with the adoption, we would have to let piano and dance lessons go for a while to pay for little guy’s medical needs. At the same time, he was concerned that if we adopted the little boy, the children might over time end up resenting adoption—since they would “lose out” on what they enjoyed.

We went out-of-state that week for Christmas, driving for two days to get to our destination. We kept praying and praying for clear direction.

We ate most of our meals in the car (sandwiches that I made while Derek drove) in order to save money for our next adoption. However, we decided to pull over at a “random” Chick-fil-A on the second day of travel to get lunch. Derek went up to the counter to order and pay for the meals, while the children and I went to find a table. As Derek was pulling out his wallet to pay, a woman popped around to his side and handed the cashier a credit card. She insisted she was going to pay for the meals. In return she invited us to her church for a Christmas Eve service. Derek told her we were just passing through the state on our way to visit family, and we wouldn’t be able to attend the service. She still insisted she was paying for our meals. (A few people from the church were there paying for meals for a short period of time and inviting people to their church.)

Out of all the states we traveled through, out of all the restaurants we passed on our two-day journey, out of all the times we could have stopped for a meal, we “happened” to arrive when a few people were at this particular restaurant paying for meals and inviting people to a worship service!

We sat at the table wondering if this was God showing us in a very simple way that He would indeed provide for us if we chose to adopt the little boy.

We arrived at our destination Saturday night and got up the next morning to attend worship services with my brother. During the music, Derek and I wept—especially when the congregation sang, “Jesus Loves Me”! All we could think about were the orphans left lonely in orphanages and how much Jesus loved/loves them.

After the service, the congregation broke up into small groups to discuss the sermon. The discussion was on “Emmanuel: God with us”. My brother asked: “What would life look like if we really believed in ‘Emmanuel: God with us’? How would we live differently if we truly believed that ‘Emmanuel: God with us’ was true every day of the year, not just at Christmas time?”

The only answer Derek and I could think of was: we would live a life walking in complete obedience to the leading of the Savior without calculating the costs. For us, it meant saying “yes” to adopting an orphan—no matter how sick the child was and no matter how the finances looked.

The next day, Derek told me that God kept impressing on him through the night that we were to adopt the little boy as our own; we were only to trust the LORD to take care of all the details. So, we immediately wrote our agency and told them that we would like to make Qiu Lin our son.

Our hearts were overflowing with joy at the fact that we were going to be able to call precious Qiu Lin (Daniel) our son and walk forward leaving the details to our Savior. We could hardly breathe we were so excited!

When we returned home from Christmas vacation, things began to happen—things only God could orchestrate.

On the day of Cherish’s first piano lesson for January, Cherish’s piano teacher refused our check for the month’s lessons. She told us that God had told her to give Cherish lessons for free. She was giving Cherish a full scholarship!

Then, people began initiating help to bring Daniel home!

Families gave beautiful donations for our yard sale, gave of their time to help price, and helped the day of the sale!

Others came up with additional fund-raising ideas—like an online auction and an online Jamberry party—completely initiating and independently running their sales! Many people donated items, purchased the gifts, and then helped with shipping the items!

Also, a little boy—whom we had never met but who had heard that we were adopting—told his parents that he wanted to give his money to bring home an orphan! He gave all of his $15.00! It might as well have been $15,000.00 for a child!

In addition, a great-grandmother—who didn’t know us but heard of our adoption—also gave funds to put toward the purchase a van! Likewise, many others gave so graciously and so generously toward a van!

And, a family offered to cover the cost of Cherish and Hope’s dance classes for the upcoming year! We had told no one about our past concern. We were amazed!

People who knew us and people who didn’t know us began to offer time, energy, donations, and gifts to help an orphan become a son—all without knowing the story behind the adoption! We felt confirmed, surrounded by love, and uplifted with encouragement.

With the help of a huge community, we were able to have enough funds to begin looking for a van.

On an evening when Derek was out looking at vans—just a week before travel approval—his boss called his cell phone to talk with him. She told Derek that his job would be abolished within a week.

Derek was speechless.

Although he knew he was guaranteed a position at the company, to lose the position that he held for so long would result in a pay-cut and would jeopardize the adoption. (At best, it would delay the process of adopting Daniel.)

Again, we prayed and sought wisdom from the LORD. Derek chose to speak with the Assistant Vice-President over his department and to explain to him the importance of his job. He explained that to lose his position now would cause an orphan to remain an orphan longer.

The boss told Derek he would think it over.

Derek was later granted the time he needed to complete the adoption. He was told that the first day he came back to work after returning from China, his position would be abolished at the end of his day, and then he would need to find a new position.

We were so grateful for the additional time to work and to have the opportunity to adopt Daniel!

We purchased a van and prepared to leave for China.

While chatting with a lady about our upcoming trip, she asked specific questions about our travel plans. We explained our plans to take the children—depending on the final costs, because we wanted the children to have a world-view of the desperate need of orphans and to have their hearts touched by the importance of caring for others before themselves.

We purchased our airline tickets and began to pack. Prior to leaving the States, that same lady sent us a surprise check in the mail to cover the entire cost of our adoption travel expenses. We about passed out from shock upon opening the envelope!

We boarded the plane and headed for China. When we arrived in Daniel’s province to pick him up, we were informed that he had earlier been hospitalized with severe jaundice and a brain hemorrhage. We left all the details to the LORD.

We received Daniel, finalized his adoption, and visited his orphanage. While we were at the orphanage, we were able to retrieve the actual CT Scans of his brain to bring home to the States.

Little guy was amazing! Not only was he able to use his arms and hands, he was able to stand! In addition, he could walk with assistance!!!! We were blown away!

We brought Daniel home to the States, and he was assigned to a doctor whose name is Dr. Emanuel! How ironic! Daniel’s story—which begins with “Emmanuel: God with us”—continues with a doctor who will constantly remind us of God’s leading, guidance, and provision.

We gave Dr. Emanuel Daniel’s brain scans, and he noted the severe trauma that had occurred to Daniel’s brain. However, as he looked at Daniel move his hands and legs, he mentioned that it appeared Daniel’s brain may be “healing itself—as baby brains are plastic”.

But, Derek and I know a God Who heals and is willing to heal if He chooses.

If God has chosen to heal Daniel’s brain completely—to Him be the glory! If God has chosen to heal Daniel’s brain partially—to Him be the glory!

Regardless, we love Daniel, and he was meant to be our son! The condition of his health does not make him more or less desirable.

We desire him!

We love him!

He is our beloved son!

We share Daniel’s story because it begins with “Emmanuel: God with us”, is threaded with the hand of God, and continues with “Emmanuel: God is DEFINITELY with us!”

God led us down a path that required complete dependence on Him, and as we walked in obedience to His leading, He repeatedly revealed more and more of His beautiful plan for Daniel and our family. We have been in awe, been filled with happy tears, and been in shock as we have watched His hand at work.

If we had walked away from His tender leading, we would have missed out on such AMAZING blessings, and we would have missed out on such a precious, loving boy.

To Him be the glory!

Pictures we received from the orphanage after we adopted Daniel:

Found after abandonment

At a special orphanage to gain health after his severe illnesses:

Getting well:

"Look! I can use my hands!"

"I can make eye-contact and show emotion!"

"I am full of life!"

"I can stand!"

"I'm learning to walk while pushing a bucket!"

We, as Believers, can always trust that our Savior is:

Emmanuel: God with us!

He is living and active!
TODAY!

Daniel update

Poor guy! It was a rough day! I honestly didn't know the diarrhea could get any worse. It was a day of soaking through diapers, clothes (his and mine), and onto anything he sat on. "It" came so fast throughout the day, that the diapers couldn't absorb it fast enough.

Daniel cried most of the day. I could tell he was in pain, and nothing I did or could do for him comforted him.

Thus began about 6 calls between the doctor's office and me, and additional calls between the nurse/doctor and the GI specialist at Nemours.

The great concern: dehydration.

I am doing everything I can to tempt the boy with liquids.

The doctor told me to take him off the Children's Pepto Bismol Tablet (I only gave him one a day), and to just hold on. There's nothing more that any of us can do to comfort him or make him well.

So, I ended up joining little guy in tears. Then the children and I left the house (yikes!) to restock on diapers, diaper cream, wipes, sanitizing wipes, and bananas, as well as onesies and pants from a thrift shop to catch the mess.

And tonight, after going back to strictly the B.R.A.T. diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, and gluten, egg, soy, and dairy-free toast) and some chicken and chicken broth for protein, he finally had only a wet diaper right before bed. And, he was comforted. He went to bed snuggling and without tears.

I know we will repeat this day for many more days to come, so if you think of us, please pray for Daniel. His GI appointment is set for Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 20th.

His second parasite test came back negative as well. I'm not sure how I feel about it. I'm glad not to have to deal with parasites--though I've been handling the clean-up as if it is parasites--yet, it may be good to have parasites, because then the pests can be rid of with proper medication.

The doctors are clueless. And so am I.

So, I will leave the updates here for now...with the One Who knows. He's got Daniel.

Morning update

This morning Daniel woke up at 6:30 a.m., and I changed his wet diaper and put him back to bed. At 6:50 a.m. he woke me up with his usual. I was able to clean him up and get his stool sample ready for Quest. Thirty minutes later, all was clean and ready for the morning routine.

I emptied the dish washer (we let the dishes air-dry overnight), made breakfast, served everyone, cleaned up the pot and dishes, did some general cleaning, put the children in front of their science video and put Daniel in the playpen for safety. Then, I took a super fast shower.

I was feeling quite confident with the day, and so I decided to "dress up"--i.e. after all, I was going to Quest today ;). While I was dressing, Daniel started to cry. I went to the living room to find him in a horrible mess. His diarrhea had not stayed contained, it had run down his legs, on his feet, on the sheet in the playpen, soaked through the sheet, was on his hands, and on the sides on the playpen where he was standing, holding on, and crying.

I thought it was throw-up everywhere, until I smelled it.

I lifted Daniel out of the playpen, and went to clean him up. After he was cleaned up, I went to change into my "every-day-cleaning-clothes". Then, I went to work on washing Daniel's clothes and the sheet in the sink before putting them in the washer. (Trust me, it's needed. 'nough said.) Then, I got out the bleach and cleaned the sink. Afterwards, I cleaned and sanitized the entire playpen.

And, I "rewarded" Daniel with Children's Chewable Pepto Bismol and dry toast.

My heart goes out to all the single parents out there. You are heros!

Back to schooling the kiddos....

Evening update

So, we had a crazy busy day. Thus, we only got to Nemours and not to Quest.

The allergy testing showed no allergies to soy, egg, dairy, wheat, gluten...!!!! I know he had blood work up in China, and we received the results of his allergy testing. But, for some reason, he is showing no signs of allergies! Crazy sweet news!!!!

Thus, the allergist said we can slowly reintroduce the foods (minus dairy) until we see the GI doctor. She said he still needs to be checked for Celiac disease, but that he must have an intestinal infection--not related to food. His GI appointment isn't for a couple of weeks, and the diarrhea is persistent.

For now, we are flying high on the news that he is not allergic to the foods we were told he was allergic to. (At the same time, we were warned he could be "intolerant" instead of "allergic". One day at a time.) For now, he is fever-free and can eat standard foods again!

Thus, tomorrow we will finish off the stool samples and blood work at Quest.

With homeschooling and other sicknesses in the family, we are struggling during this transition time.

But, I'm going to focus on the awesome news and call it a "night" with a smile on my face! J

Good night, everyone!

Morning update

Thank you for praying! Daniel's fever is gone and instead of so much crying, I've seen LOTS of smiles already this morning!!! I.am.so.thankful!!!!!!!

He woke up at 6:15 a.m., I changed his wet diaper, and put him back to bed. I woke him up at 7:45 a.m., with diarrhea that was all through his clothes and his sheet. I changed him and cleaned him up. Since then, he's had another diarrhea bout--and it's only 8:10 in the morning.

At least he's constantly drinking!

He will be going to Quest Diagnostic and to Nemours today. Needles. We hate the pain. Poor guy!

Daniel update

We have had Daniel for 38 days, and he's been sick 36 of those days.

After 26 days of diarrhea, we took Daniel off gluten. He was already soy, egg, and dairy-free due to his previously known allergies, so taking him off gluten seemed overwhelming.

We had no idea what we were doing, but with the help of two precious ladies, we were able to get the information and food we needed to begin his new diet immediately.

After 72-hours of being soy, egg, dairy, and gluten-free, Daniel was well for two days--finding relief from his diarrhea.

Then, the diarrhea started again, but just once a day. I thought perhaps it was due to stress--as one of those days he joined his siblings at the dentist for his first visit--or perhaps due to finding and eating crumbs of food around the house (though I made it my ambition to keep all food at the table and to vacuum and sweep continually).

Then Friday afternoon, things got worse. His diarrhea became more frequent, and he seemed sick. He had a horrible weekend, and then Monday morning spiked a fever.

Off we went to the doctor again, and though his first round of testing for parasites came out negative, the doctor decided to retest him. In addition, he will be tested for Celiac disease.

Daniel was transferred to a GI specialist and an allergist. He will be going through a lot more testing beginning tomorrow.

There has been a lot of crying. We know little guy is not well. We hope to find relief for him soon. ♥

If you think of him, please pray for the doctors to have wisdom, and that the tests go smoothly with accurate results. THANKS!

EEG Update

We received the update on Andrew from his EEG: "There was no seizure activity."

And, there you have it.
Simple.
Precise.
Wonderful.

We are thankful.

So, now we await his MRI. We are still wondering what is causing his multiple-times-a-day tremors.

We are glad to have one test behind us....

Andrew Update

Andrew has been having tremors multiple times daily. Some tremors are gentle--involving just his head, and others are forceful and abrupt--involving his head, shoulders, and arms. These tremors began July 2012 and have been progressively getting worse.

It has taken a long time to finally begin the diagnosis process. Andrew was to have this 8-hour EEG done, but illness had caused it to be rescheduled  He was also to have an MRI done of his brain, but that too had to be rescheduled due to illness. (He must be healthy for two weeks in order to be sedated for the MRI.) Thus, his new date for the MRI is March 18th.

Since he doesn't seem to be staying well for very long, beginning in March, we may have to quarantine him--no visiting stores, the library...until his appointment is over. (When the MRI is rescheduled, it takes 2-4 months to get a new appointment, and this needs to be done, as they will be looking for a tumor.)

But for now, we have one test completed. On Friday morning, Derek woke Andrew up at 1:30 a.m. and played with him until 6 a.m. when I woke up. Andrew then spent the rest of the day with me.

Since only one parent could be in the room, Derek went to bed at 6 a.m., and Andrew and I had a "date day" at the hospital.

Several people were praying for Andrew, and he was able to stay on the bed for 8 hours (a real concern of the nurses). He and I watched movies, cuddled, read books, played with trains and cars, played peek-a-boo with toys, etc.

I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that we were being prayed for, because Andrew didn't complain about the situation. His "hat" was itchy, but he endured it. It helped that he had worn his winter hat to the hospital, so I wore his hat the whole day. (His hat looks like his new "hat" with sides that go down the side of his face and attach underneath his neck.) So, momma wore Andrew's hat and Andrew got to wear a "new hat". =)

I watched him throughout the day. I kept marveling over the fact that he is our son. What a gift!

My love for him just kept growing and growing. We snuggled. We kissed. We hugged. We played. And then, we snuggled and kissed some more. It was so precious! May the memory of that special time remain for a long time!

Here's Andrew with his "hat" and the "sock" behind his head to keep all the electrodes and wires from coming loose:

Trying to keep busy: 

We are so blessed to call this little guy our son! We are so thankful we are able to walk through this time with him.

Thank you IMMENSELY for all who prayed for us! Andrew was so peaceful. I know people were praying.

Now, we await the results....

On the Other Side

We are on the other side of this sickness. We are praising God!

Thursday began the wash-everything day, which included: favorite stuffed animals, blankets, sheets, pillow cases, clothes, and anything and everything related to sick children.

Friday was back-to-school and back-to-fun day. And, of course, more laundry—blankets, robes, clothing….

It’s so wonderful (!!!) to see the children well and playing again.

In the midst of the very hard time we’ve just passed through, there were moments/hours of amazing blessedness. Here are some examples:

1. The night Andrew could not breathe when lying down and propping his head up on two pillows didn’t work could have been a truly horrible night. (This was Andrew’s second night sick, and Cherish was still well—so I was able to give him my complete attention.) That night I spent the night sitting up on the couch holding Andrew in a vertical position. He really enjoyed being with me. He hugged and hugged and hugged me! He loved to tuck his head into the spot between by shoulder and my neck. He hung on to me. The hours passed by with a glow of preciousness about them. It’s hard to explain, but I wouldn’t trade that night for anything! Such closeness! Such love! And, it was mutual. What a blessed memory!

2. When Andrew was so immensely sick, Cherish kept kissing him and cradling him—without a care that she would probably get sick. All she cared about was comforting him.

3. When Cherish and Andrew were both sick, they each wanted to spend long amounts of time simply cuddling with me. The bonding was immensely precious!

4. When Cherish was crying from pain, Andrew would go to her, sit with her, and “pretend cry” along with her—his way of showing her he cared.

5. They both gave each other the gift of laughter. When one was crying and couldn’t stop crying from the pain, the other would begin to “fake laugh” until they both ended up in true laughter. It helped momma’s stress level quite a bit!

The sickness and lack of sleep were very hard, but the precious bonding that came out of the time was priceless. Thank You, Lord, for the gift of two dear children!

Sickness Hits Hard

Last Wednesday, October 17, Andrew woke up acting quite differently. Since July, he has been having periodic shaking and eye-rolling episodes. The “episodes” were on and off. Usually they occurred when he was really tired. They were completely unpredictable.

However, this particular morning was different. Andrew woke up having the shaking and eye-rolling episodes. Within the first hour I was with him, he had six such “episodes”. I called the doctor to report that something was very different and wrong with Andrew. The nurse asked, “Does he have a temperature?” No. “Does he have an appetite?” Yes. “Is he playing?” Yes. But I insisted there was something really wrong and different than the last few months. After consulting with Andrew’s doctor, the nurse called me back. She asked me to catch an episode on video and to make an appointment for a couple of days out.

I called her back about five minutes later. Andrew had crawled into my lap and was warm—with a 102° F temperature. It was strange! He had been fine minutes prior. The nurse consulted with the doctor, and since the doctor was headed out the door for lunch, she encouraged me to give him Tylenol and allow him to take his nap.

By then it was noon. So, I sat Andrew down at the table for Tylenol and some food. He began having his shaking and eye-rolling episodes. 3 minutes apart! I grabbed my camera and began to film. Within the first 20 seconds of filming, I had the episode on film.

I put Andrew to bed for his nap, and the nurse called me back around 2:30 p.m. Andrew was still sleeping, so she told me to simply “check him” when he woke up.

He had heard the phone ring and emerged from his room as I was hanging up the phone. Strangely enough, his fever was still at the same level. (I expected it to be gone after 2½ hours with Tylenol.)

I called the office back. (Yep, I’m one of those moms.) The nurse said, “Do you think he really needs to be seen today?” Yep! “Then, could you be here between 4:15 and 4:30?” YEP!

I called Derek and he was getting off work at 4 p.m. that day. He met us at the pediatrician’s office. After checking Andrew in, we sat in the waiting room and talked about what I thought Andrew might possibly have.

While we were talking, Andrew began screaming like he was looking at something immensely terrifying! The screaming grew louder as if horror was overcoming him. He was sitting in a chair, so I bent down in front of him to ask him what was wrong. His eyes rolled back and his body began shaking violently. I immediately knew he was having a seizure (his first).

I picked him up and was yelling for help. I’ll admit: I. was. terrified!!!!!!!!!

About seven nurses and office personnel came to usher us into a room—by that time Andrew was unconscious and blue. One of the nurses grabbed an oxygen tank at the same time Derek was yelling that Andrew was blue. Andrew’s doctor and the oxygen tank arrived at the same time.

One of the nurses took Andrew’s temperature and said it was 98.6° F. I was puzzled, as I had checked him before heading out to the doctor’s and it was still in the 102° area.

It took a while for Andrew to pull through from the seizure. He ended up with a 104° F temperature while in the office. Thus, the doctor thought it may have been a febrile seizure.

The doctor, however, requested to see my video—which I assumed was not necessary as we had all just witnessed what I had feared. After watching the 30 second video, the doctor said Andrew would have to undergo a sleep-deprived EEG to check for seizure disorders. He would be scheduled as soon as his fever was gone. (He still has a slight fever.)

She sent us home with the caution to keep an eye on him as he could seizure again in the night. She said to sleep close by or in his room.

That night Andrew’s fever went up to 106° F. Derek and I had to put him into the tepid bath. It was a long and nerve-wracking night.

Andrew continued to run very high fevers, and then he began to refuse food. All kinds. He can’t talk yet, so I couldn’t understand what was going on.

On Saturday, Cherish joined the “sick club”. Her fever went up to 105.3° that night, but it refused to come down. The same nurse from Wednesday was on call that night. She upped Cherish’s dosage of Tylenol and Motrin by ½ teaspoon—as Cherish’s weight was border-line.

Once again, we were on seizure-watch from the high temperatures. The night was only slightly rough. I was praising God!

By Sunday morning, Cherish was complaining of a sore throat. Then, I understood why Andrew was crying so much and refusing food.

By Monday morning, Cherish was refusing food and drink. I took her to the doctor’s. The poor girl has a mouth FULL of ulcers and a throat FULL of another kind of ulcers. Ulcers everywhere!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Andrew’s was the same.)

I spent Monday fighting dehydration knowing Cherish would be heading to the hospital if her current path continued. I learned about enemas (the only way to hydrate a person who cannot handle anything by mouth—which includes water, ice pops, etc. AIR ever hurts the ulcers!!!!!!!!)

So here I sit. Wednesday, 1 a.m. My daughter still cannot take anything in by mouth. Sadly, I have to be a bit forceful to get the Motrin in. It took us about an hour to get the last dose in. Thankfully, she washes down the Motrin with water (to wash the “sting” off the ulcers). That is all the liquids she is getting—other than a drip here and there when she needs to suppress a cough (both options are torturous for her).

Six nights now of barely any sleep. Often feeling like “zombie mommy”.

I pray continually for wisdom. I pray continually that my mouth would speak kindly. I pray that my mind would think thoughts that Jesus would think—especially when the crying goes on and on. I pray that my will would be yielded to the Spirit’s leading. I pray that my heart would only feel love, compassion, and understanding.

All this, moment by moment. Day and night. It’s all I can do. Without the Holy Spirit, this sleep deprived momma would be making this terrible illness (which the doctor thinks may be Roseola) worse.

I have to pray continually. In the middle of the night when all my aching body wants to do is to stay lying on the couch as another child cries out for my attention.

There are times I fail. But, I have seen time and time again when I didn’t have the energy to move, that as my heart prayed for Christ-likeness, my body moved in the direction Jesus would have moved. My mouth spoke words of comfort and kindness when I had nothing left to give. My heart felt compassion and pity when seconds prior I felt angry that the crying was unrelenting.

My prayer has been that through these long days and nights, my children would be experiencing Jesus with skin on. That in their torture, they would find comfort, understanding, and love.

So, I pray now as I lie down on the couch with my daughter tucked in next to me. May Jesus be on display if in five minutes my daughter once again awakens shaking with unbelievable pain.

May I be like Jesus to these precious children. And, may He heal them quickly if He so chooses.

Julie, the flawed one

God of Wonders

Due to a lack of Internet connection for part of last week, this post is a little late. However, now that I am writing this morning, I realize it's actually right on time. Why? Because I get to add another miracle that our miracle-working God has performed.

In case you are just joining our blog or have forgotten, I was very sick a couple of months ago and I had posted about it. (You can click HERE to read about the liver disease I had developed on our trip to pick up Andrew.)

I was healed on Palm Sunday by our gracious Saviour and was overwhelmed by His love and care for me—a nobody. (Missed that post? Click HERE.)

Well, I wasn’t planning on going back in to the center for abdominal disease—due to knowing all my symptoms had completely disappeared.

With no medication.

With no intervention.

Just gone!

Healed!

Well, the center for disease would not hear of it. They required that I come back in, so I went back and submitted to some testing. I received a phone call last week from the center stating my tests all came back normal.

Yep, normal.

The doctor was confused.

Not me.

Healed I tell ya!

Healed.

By my Saviour, Jesus.

Goodbye liver disease.

So long all the terrible symptoms that accompany liver disease.

Healed in Jesus’ name!

Now, the other fantastic part: I was informed that Alea received her liver transplant yesterday. Praise the LORD! There are miracles surrounding the situation that I am unable to write, but trust me when I say: God worked wonders! Now we need to pray!

Please pray for the family that lost their 2-year-old child to a brain injury and graciously donated the liver to save Alea’s life. Please pray for Alea, that her body would not reject the liver. God’s hand is certainly on this precious little girl!

God is the Helper and Defender of the fatherless (Psalm 10:14-18), and He is love (I John 4:8).

What an AMAZING God!

In addition: I was notified this morning by the director of the center that is looking after Alea that all the funds needed for Alea have been reached—due to the liver being donated and the hospital costs being a lot less than expected!

THANK YOU to each one who prayed and/or gave! THANK YOU IMMENSELY! Jesus said, “[I]f anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones…he will certainly not lose his reward.” Matt. 10:42

You can find continuing updates on Alea HERE.

Glory to God!
The God of Wonders!

The seemingly simple things...

...in life can bring such joy.

As can be seen in the little feverish boy's face above as he enjoys the rain.

This night, Andrew's fever spiked to 106° F, and for the next approximately 20 hours it wanted to remain in the 105°-106° F range. It. was. awful.

The doctor said he has chicken pox! He had them in Ch*na, but apparently he was less than 12 months old when he got them, so, he got them again.

Poor, precious little guy!