Remembering...

I came across this old post from 3 years ago...look at that lifeless babe.

3 years ago, as I waited full of excitement, anticipation and hope, honestly, most days were filled with incredible fear.

Reading the words I typed in this post I remember just longing to see a glimpse of "normal" in Libi. I was longing for God to do miracles in her to heal her from her disabilities. Little did I know that her disabilities would heal me!

Isaiah 44

1 “But now, listen to me, Jacob my servant, Israel my chosen one. 2 The Lord who made you and helps you says: Do not be afraid, O Jacob, my servant, O dear Israel, my chosen one. 3 For I will pour out water to quench your thirst and to irrigate your parched fields. And I will pour out my Spirit on your descendants, and my blessing on your children. 4 They will thrive like watered grass, like willows on a riverbank. 5 Some will proudly claim, ‘I belong to the Lord.’ Others will say, ‘I am a descendant of Jacob.’ Some will write the Lord’s name on their hands and will take the name of Israel as their own.” 6“I am the First and the Last; there is no other God. 7 Who is like me? Let him step forward and prove to you his power. Let him do as I have done since ancient times when I established a people and explained its future. 8 Do not tremble; do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim my purposes for you long ago? You are my witnesses—is there any other God? No! There is no other Rock—not one!”

My heart rejoices that this is my God and the God of my children!

The updates...She is gaining weight!

She is weighing in at 21pounds and 11 ounces (a 3 pound gain in 5 months)

She is 30 inches.

She is rolling from her stomach to back and back to stomach.

She is putting weight on her feet when in the walker.

She is still struggling with sitting up for very long.

She is in 10% for weight and not on the chart for her height.

We had the privilege of meeting with a doctor and discussing Libi's medical records. It was an encouraging visit. It was great to have a better understanding of her medically. We loved the fact that this doctor refused to but her in a box or label her. He expressed that only God can know her full well. We feel so blessed to have a doctor on board with us and more importantly one that knows our All Knowing and powerful God! He is an international adoption specialist and his insight was amazing! We are questioning her actual birth date. It appears she may be younger than what is indicated by her birth date. Again, something that God knows and we pray that He will fill us with knowledge and depth of insight to be just what she needs. We have been blown away by how He has set a path before us to care for her. I look at these pictures and the ache in my heart grows greater!! I long to see her, moving breathing. I long to hold her and smell her. I long to see that countenance change to JOY!

And once again...most concerning...THE HAIR!! I had to put this picture in so you can see that even it is growing...How we love this sweet, crazy haired baby!!

LOVE

SO excited....

Are you going to tickle me?

I LOVE IT!

More????

A Night Out For the Grown-Ups

Yes...Brad and I got out of the house tonight! This really is a rare occurrence and we were looking forward to it. This wasn't a late night run to grab a gallon of milk, or pull ups....this was a legitimate date. We even had the privilege to dress up for it. Good-bye 147million t-shirt and yoga pants, I'm leaving you behind for purple taffeta tonight!

Libi was angry that I had on a pretty dress and she did not.

Haddie wondered where my pants were.
Joel thought I should have gotten a spray tan.
When Brad walked through the door and saw me all dressed and beautiesque Jack thought he should have asked me if I was going to get ready....
Jacob was speechless when I told him this was the dress I was wearing for his prom!

Fat Tuesday

Okay...I really don"t know a lot about Fat Tuesday, or Mardi Gras, but today my sweet Libi celebrated at school. Libi goes to the absolute, best school! We are so blessed to send her into such a fun, loving place each day. She receives the opportunity to explore her world in a way I could never offer at home. This is just another gift that God has given to Libi and to us!

I cracked up when I pulled Libi's shirt off tonight...I think things got a little crazy at the party today...look what I found!

Temple Grandin

We watched an amazing movie tonight. It was the story of Temple Grandin, a brilliant young woman coping with the stigma of autism at a time when it was misunderstood. Early in the movie Temple's mother is told that Temple I'll never speak, or improve and recommends institutionalizing her. Her mother, refusing to accept the doctor's prognosis for her precious child, pushes her to be and achieve more than anyone felt she could do. With the support of her loving family, Temple dedicates herself to learning and becoming a famed animal behaviorist, receiving a masters and PHD. This movie is a must see for all families.

Favorite line from the movie: "Different does not mean less!"

As I write this, my little girl, who we were told would never sit up is walking around in her walker having the time of her life! No limits with Jesus!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

8 months seizure free

Libi's seizure free run came to an end this morning at 4AM. It wasn't pretty, it never is. This was her 2nd grand maul seizure. Her last one like this was back on June 4th. Libi has been adjusting since January to a change in medication. This change has caused her to have some mild catatonic seizure activity. Basicly, if you blink you could miss it. At the onset of these episodes I became quite discouraged and fearful because she had been doing so well. The Lord reminded me that it was Him that we trust in and not medications! So, here we are today, not discouraged that she had a seizure, but rejoicing that the Lord has been victorious and allowed for her sweet body to be free of this reign of seizures for 8 months! All glory to God! hallelujah!!!!!!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

The HOPE of Haddie

For the last few weeks I have been reading a book that has been hard to read. This book forces me to face the harsh realities of a Chinese orphanage. It tells, what is likely, the story of many orphaned children. It is a story that is dark, bleak and void of HOPE. Silent Tears by Kay Bratt is taking me on a journey that is uncomfortable. I don't enjoy thinking about the first seven years of my daughters life. Those years hold a lot of question marks for us. I fear,as I read this book, it answers some of those questions; answers that no mother wants to hear.

In a Chinese orphanage, children with disabilities can encounter great rejection. Cleft babies especially have difficulties. Not only will a cleft baby not receive the same attention as the healthy babies, but the chance to receive proper nourishment is next to impossible. As bottles are transferred from crib to crib, a cleft baby receives the same amount of time to feed on the bottle as a healthy baby does. With a bottle propped in their mouth and the lack of ability to suck, they may not even receive a drop of milk. The reality is that many die due to the lack of nourishment.

What would save that cleft baby's life? A surgery? Yes...but even simpler, someone to hold them, squeeze the milk into their mouth, and patiently feed them enough. Or simply, specially made bottles to aid a cleft baby in feeding. Unfortunately, resources are limited in most Chinese orphanages. Resources of both funds and arms.

Was my daughter in one of those? What were those days like for her?
"To be born with a facial deformity in China means that the child will never have the love of a family or be accepted by society. These girls may never have a chance to fulfill some of their dreams." - Kay Bratt, Silent Tears

Haddie HOPE...yes, God gave her what she needed, when she needed it. He sustained her, physically and emotionally. She may have encountered dark and bleak days, but there was always HOPE, because there was always God.

Are you the hope for a child? Are you the one to fund, hold, feed?
I am so thankful that for 7 years God raised others up to provide for the needs of my daughter, to give her a future and a HOPE!

This HOPE that she had is what motivated her to bound up to a worker from our adoption agency and eagerly ask her if she could find her a fa

mily...we all know that a family had already been found!