tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40995977900189318892024-03-13T04:57:30.527-05:002 filets, 3 nuggets, and counting...Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03800998086474511169noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099597790018931889.post-32400292031257387182013-05-19T21:37:00.000-05:002013-05-19T22:11:35.865-05:00A year later<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is hard to believe that last Friday marked a year since Addie arrived home. May 6th we celebrated her "Gotcha Day". We have made many great memories as a family. We have also faced many hard days. Addie has come so far this past year. When we got home she was sitting up, but that was it. She quickly learned to roll and scoot around. She soon began to crawl and then she began to pull up on the furniture. In January she took her first steps. Then on Easter weekend something must have clicked because she began walking all over. She is getting better all the time. She is talking extremely well, and she talks all of the time.<br /><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">She has progressed extremely well, but she has seen her share of adversity. Last summer and fall seemed to be one doctors appointment after another. We are still making the visits, but they have slowed down tremendously. In November she had surgery to repair her tethered spine. That had her on her back for about 2 weeks, but she has made a great recovery and continues to progress. She is still dealing with a few medical issues, but overall she is doing great. <br />
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During the past few days and weeks we've had many conversations about what things were like or what we were doing at this time last year. I remember as we were at the airport and waiting to board our first flight. We were so excited about finally going to bring our little girl home. Lyndsay and Landon were excited to see their baby sister. Even in the excitement for me there was also some fear and nervousness. In some ways it was similar to when we were on our way to the hospital for Lyndsay and Landon. There was excitement of seeing our baby and looking forward to the days ahead, but there was fear because I knew nothing about raising kids. Before Lyndsay, I had never changed a diaper. Each time I felt there was so much I didn't know and that in so many ways I was unprepared. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So in some ways it was similar, but it was very different. We were traveling half way around the world to a place I had never been. It was also different because before it was my own flesh and blood, but not this time. I was so excited to finally hold my little girl. To see her for the first time and tell her I love you. I had no doubt that I loved her and that she was my daughter, but, What if? What if she doesn't like me, what if we never connect, what if she won't let me hold her? What if? What if? And the list goes on and on. I knew that I loved her regardless of whatever would take place, but I was scared of all the things that might go wrong. As we travelled that day, Psalm 139 came to mind. Verse 13 says, "<i>For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.</i>" And I began to think of how before Addie was ever born God was knitting her together in the womb. Verse 14-16 says , <i>" I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. 15. My frame was hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them.</i>" So even before Addie was formed God knew what her future entailed. In fact before I was formed God had numbered my days and knew that Addie was a part of them. I was reminded that while she was not created in Ann's womb, God had created her for us. Just as He had created us for her. <span style="background-color: black;">On the one hand this is mind blowing to try to </span></span><span style="text-indent: 2em;"><span style="background-color: black; font-size: large;">comprehend, but on the other what great joy there is in knowing that God made her to be our daughter. Just as he created Lyndsay and Landon to be our children, he had also created Addie to be our child. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; text-indent: 2em;"><span style="font-size: large;">After seeing God work out so many details to bring us to this point why would I worry. I'm not sure, but I could feel relieved knowing that God was faithful to finish what he started. Does that mean that everything is perfect and we never have problems? Far from it. We are just broken messed up people. I'm still trying to figure out being a good father. But we can rest in the fact that God has numbered our days and knows what the future holds. There is a peace knowing that He is working for our good and for His glor</span><span style="font-size: large;">y. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Meeting Addie</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Addie was not very sure about us.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A few minutes later and she was fast asleep in the arms of her mommy.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I love this picture of them!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Can you see the resemblance? I think we look a lot alike.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sisters</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">She loved the bath.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjevdNO31MjbL7OZJHdYY5gQkXck0vT34PefMgap-l_A-bEo4bRwCrfBM35BndnFO_rWmkUEoVFJPoqT8o8n6IZu-F3FLi76w1L52OUxLPBd_p7Q2F6hgQqPZxQw5sEOaWDaNZNduFQCNR8/s1600/IMG_9101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjevdNO31MjbL7OZJHdYY5gQkXck0vT34PefMgap-l_A-bEo4bRwCrfBM35BndnFO_rWmkUEoVFJPoqT8o8n6IZu-F3FLi76w1L52OUxLPBd_p7Q2F6hgQqPZxQw5sEOaWDaNZNduFQCNR8/s400/IMG_9101.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Landon was excited to hold Mei Mei!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_38gLcWgmnv5a6BUf7CR4YH35I0PtV4BXjcrZlX9cvZ4Twndza3r34lxoGvNpNgU0tttj3vZ0VO5evJNxKyys-Lkmd8eNocvQ3l9_lnH0rTQIpZMwta_ZVP5YkfR6vdqXk0Jur8c1YkE4/s1600/IMG_9103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_38gLcWgmnv5a6BUf7CR4YH35I0PtV4BXjcrZlX9cvZ4Twndza3r34lxoGvNpNgU0tttj3vZ0VO5evJNxKyys-Lkmd8eNocvQ3l9_lnH0rTQIpZMwta_ZVP5YkfR6vdqXk0Jur8c1YkE4/s640/IMG_9103.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of my favorite pictures of them. Right before bedtime on our first night together.</span></td></tr>
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</span>Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03800998086474511169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099597790018931889.post-35187598553321023852012-11-29T23:08:00.002-06:002012-11-29T23:08:28.796-06:00Addie follow up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">This past Tuesday marked three weeks since Addie's surgery. Last week we returned to the doctor for a follow up visit. They were pleased with the way her back had healed so far. We are glad to have no more doctor visits until January.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9kKrrWgOrr-yssxko8OmXlPueDan9y45zd52RqKBtO-G9BepHNOvvdH_Hz_xf49vzZsB8c5KLjP1W4L2PL0Ig6xZAg_TCj31oilt6zUXsnf6eDVjoHLioBFBuILQe6wpaOrBJnoPkbblR/s640/blogger-image-1477419462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9kKrrWgOrr-yssxko8OmXlPueDan9y45zd52RqKBtO-G9BepHNOvvdH_Hz_xf49vzZsB8c5KLjP1W4L2PL0Ig6xZAg_TCj31oilt6zUXsnf6eDVjoHLioBFBuILQe6wpaOrBJnoPkbblR/s320/blogger-image-1477419462.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pre-surgery artwork</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">We had a slight scare about a week after surgery. When we checked out to leave the hospital the doctor said to call if she was vomiting or running a fever over 101. We had gone a week and she was doing really well. Wednesday she began to vomit and at first we thought maybe she had eaten something that did not settle well. After about the third time we decided to call the doctor. They sent us to the pediatrician to have her checked for a bladder infection. By that night she had quit vomiting and seemed to be feeling better. They put her on a different antibiotic to clear it up. Thankfully that was the only issue we had.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWRcH9I-uEufKmKisZeYgwGMrrydnfBGqK8jJa9FTguHZz9LWxx7s8faoGRbsTlUOGJ8egM4IVMlJhOONkntYxi870hukWs_Yt-M4Xuy9prvGOc3jaY_UywvL0RkHroyfgvzEnjnOnMgqw/s640/blogger-image--2047559974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWRcH9I-uEufKmKisZeYgwGMrrydnfBGqK8jJa9FTguHZz9LWxx7s8faoGRbsTlUOGJ8egM4IVMlJhOONkntYxi870hukWs_Yt-M4Xuy9prvGOc3jaY_UywvL0RkHroyfgvzEnjnOnMgqw/s320/blogger-image--2047559974.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few hours after surgery</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrE0NkouaNBAxsA0XQAA0Q7Ui6h-fYuygkB-rsIrSM7vyg_NuFG3op2H1ccUnCgxLLmTPFmq-_OCtSlP7mCZ-Rjx8FKLws1pr1t7RJ2QjQzLfMReaU66cBjpkHcZP_zYWfTEdtg7wtUUL6/s640/blogger-image--1742765561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrE0NkouaNBAxsA0XQAA0Q7Ui6h-fYuygkB-rsIrSM7vyg_NuFG3op2H1ccUnCgxLLmTPFmq-_OCtSlP7mCZ-Rjx8FKLws1pr1t7RJ2QjQzLfMReaU66cBjpkHcZP_zYWfTEdtg7wtUUL6/s320/blogger-image--1742765561.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks Lyndsay for my new dog.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">We were concerned about how we would keep her laying down for 10 days, but it actually went better than we thought. The first week she felt bad enough that she did not really want to move too much. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">The last few days of laying flat were harder as she began to feel better. We had put her in a wagon so that we could move her from room to room without picking her up. This turned out to help keep her still also since there was very little room to move. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQPQzKMoJH81-P0nWHfSW7otgRRpJCBsWjaW3Bp8t8OwaCvBSBxS3kV9sBZCEvVXRnKRUd9I13_W9oEQamlXOZBBFQ3_BFmWhwdC7rWWo1drZ_zadhZZpUVBOOaDqN780CG0cE9zPIUpu/s1600/blogger-image--1165899826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQPQzKMoJH81-P0nWHfSW7otgRRpJCBsWjaW3Bp8t8OwaCvBSBxS3kV9sBZCEvVXRnKRUd9I13_W9oEQamlXOZBBFQ3_BFmWhwdC7rWWo1drZ_zadhZZpUVBOOaDqN780CG0cE9zPIUpu/s1600/blogger-image--1165899826.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Worn out from a long day.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWRcH9I-uEufKmKisZeYgwGMrrydnfBGqK8jJa9FTguHZz9LWxx7s8faoGRbsTlUOGJ8egM4IVMlJhOONkntYxi870hukWs_Yt-M4Xuy9prvGOc3jaY_UywvL0RkHroyfgvzEnjnOnMgqw/s640/blogger-image--2047559974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWRcH9I-uEufKmKisZeYgwGMrrydnfBGqK8jJa9FTguHZz9LWxx7s8faoGRbsTlUOGJ8egM4IVMlJhOONkntYxi870hukWs_Yt-M4Xuy9prvGOc3jaY_UywvL0RkHroyfgvzEnjnOnMgqw/s640/blogger-image--2047559974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">After her 10 days of laying flat she was glad to be moving about again. It did take her a few days to fully regain her strength though. The first few days crawling was tough for her. She would crawl a few feet and then lay down. I would say at this point though she is back to where she was before surgery. She is crawling and getting around well. The last few days she has even been attempting to stand without holding on to anything. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1uqUvxOGEoXAdtjmRaTJ4znZjX_R1dFXC3TOWvnQBNFZSPKHrQBiI_pw1Ij1J8Lq1RHOrAZLKRW_FlAhtEiCE_okMzqi6b_dPQHAF4E3945S8HULxKQ6n-Ur1ELTJ8nHA6Lh3NEIR49mo/s640/blogger-image-526750829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1uqUvxOGEoXAdtjmRaTJ4znZjX_R1dFXC3TOWvnQBNFZSPKHrQBiI_pw1Ij1J8Lq1RHOrAZLKRW_FlAhtEiCE_okMzqi6b_dPQHAF4E3945S8HULxKQ6n-Ur1ELTJ8nHA6Lh3NEIR49mo/s1600/blogger-image-526750829.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Excited to be going home!</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQPQzKMoJH81-P0nWHfSW7otgRRpJCBsWjaW3Bp8t8OwaCvBSBxS3kV9sBZCEvVXRnKRUd9I13_W9oEQamlXOZBBFQ3_BFmWhwdC7rWWo1drZ_zadhZZpUVBOOaDqN780CG0cE9zPIUpu/s640/blogger-image--1165899826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMttt6LkUfeUbSpLatKcjSJKzfAIORTalJhus9gYY7VVuh3AN-O2plpPF-rob0nZ2ePZrjJwMAJQDxEx5nY8QZZfrsH-tZMSzZ9sqiIGFC8dEiQygx4kTebrEvz14BiRLMxzV30N9J2TpK/s640/blogger-image--602703658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMttt6LkUfeUbSpLatKcjSJKzfAIORTalJhus9gYY7VVuh3AN-O2plpPF-rob0nZ2ePZrjJwMAJQDxEx5nY8QZZfrsH-tZMSzZ9sqiIGFC8dEiQygx4kTebrEvz14BiRLMxzV30N9J2TpK/s400/blogger-image--602703658.jpg" width="299" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wagon she spent most of the week in after she came home.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">As we think about the last few weeks we are thankful for what God has done. We praise Him for Addie. That even before she was formed in the womb He knew she would be a part of our family. We are thankful that the surgery was a success and that she has healed well. We continue to pray for her bladder to function properly. And that through it all He receives the glory and honor for what he has done in our lives. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">This video is brief glimpse into our journey to bring Addie home. The song is called "This Love" by Mandi Mapes. You can find her album on iTunes. </span><br />
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Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03800998086474511169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099597790018931889.post-90528564340668198572012-11-08T00:29:00.000-06:002012-11-08T08:36:21.537-06:00Update on Addie<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWc1G58NmvcdqoByyDjwUfXnNqe9as-adKBhu8DmhbFm_OpDT-7GeTD2pCw_2kV9NihhLM2xsGgU3xew6GJ9V8B_njfRFSlTRWCujDJagZVrW8tYaVDJ2lkmOEEgNrm2s6RvmvdBjWu9mW/s1600/IMG_0927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWc1G58NmvcdqoByyDjwUfXnNqe9as-adKBhu8DmhbFm_OpDT-7GeTD2pCw_2kV9NihhLM2xsGgU3xew6GJ9V8B_njfRFSlTRWCujDJagZVrW8tYaVDJ2lkmOEEgNrm2s6RvmvdBjWu9mW/s320/IMG_0927.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWc1G58NmvcdqoByyDjwUfXnNqe9as-adKBhu8DmhbFm_OpDT-7GeTD2pCw_2kV9NihhLM2xsGgU3xew6GJ9V8B_njfRFSlTRWCujDJagZVrW8tYaVDJ2lkmOEEgNrm2s6RvmvdBjWu9mW/s1600/IMG_0927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWc1G58NmvcdqoByyDjwUfXnNqe9as-adKBhu8DmhbFm_OpDT-7GeTD2pCw_2kV9NihhLM2xsGgU3xew6GJ9V8B_njfRFSlTRWCujDJagZVrW8tYaVDJ2lkmOEEgNrm2s6RvmvdBjWu9mW/s1600/IMG_0927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWc1G58NmvcdqoByyDjwUfXnNqe9as-adKBhu8DmhbFm_OpDT-7GeTD2pCw_2kV9NihhLM2xsGgU3xew6GJ9V8B_njfRFSlTRWCujDJagZVrW8tYaVDJ2lkmOEEgNrm2s6RvmvdBjWu9mW/s1600/IMG_0927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I thought this would be the best way to let everyone know how Addie is doing. We had a very long day Tuesday. It began about 4:00 am as we got up and got ready to head to the hospital so we could check in by 5:30 am. Lyndsay and Landon were out of school Tuesday so we came to Birmingham Monday night and spent the night so we would not have to make the drive yesterday morning. After we arrived at the hospital and got checked in we waited to be put in a room to prepare Addie for surgery. About 6:00 am we went back and they took all of her vitals and asked 1,000 questions. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Just before 8:00 am someone came and took her back for surgery and we went to the waiting room where our other family members were waiting on us.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSRIZarhKyx22yRCSnr6FwA4psjQf0by0aRNC-5k0Z29RmnaNU4TyBQav3HoANs5ujE2Nghk2shRE1S3EN7KhJ3mGBL9cPTgWFEQaeEhsAMSt2AEQmIoqslbXtSXAWNgx1uDUnxNUBlKN4/s1600/IMG_0922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSRIZarhKyx22yRCSnr6FwA4psjQf0by0aRNC-5k0Z29RmnaNU4TyBQav3HoANs5ujE2Nghk2shRE1S3EN7KhJ3mGBL9cPTgWFEQaeEhsAMSt2AEQmIoqslbXtSXAWNgx1uDUnxNUBlKN4/s320/IMG_0922.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The actual surgery did not start until about 8:45 am. Shortly after they started the anesthesiologist came out and said she did great and everything went well in getting her to sleep. Throughout the process we got several calls giving us updates on how things were going. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">About 12:15 pm her neurosurgeon came out to let us know that the surgery was finished. He said he thought the surgery went great. He said they had also done some test on her nerves during surgery and all of the results looked positive. He said Addie would be in recovery for about an hour. This seemed like such a long hour.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Shortly after 1:00pm a nurse told us we could come back and see Addie. We gathered our things and met her in the hallway on the way to her room. It was heartbreaking to see our baby laying there with tears rolling down her face and crying out for her Mama. They said she had been asking and looking for her since she came to. It only took a few moments with one of us on each side holding her hand and she began to calm down. She was still pretty out of it as we made our way to the room. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_ToZzlGm6Hc_vEWSyTyg89AMMpWyeOZCS_JRTDrCYV3NibVwDhviRp7c9vGUl0himsHE-VLbXoqFK2qY3hLOUeZg8qr1gAqpuNs8TxQnVYvDGCiwVcdZxB2-MXs9A3sNiyEA15Jcf7h1/s1600/IMG_0936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_ToZzlGm6Hc_vEWSyTyg89AMMpWyeOZCS_JRTDrCYV3NibVwDhviRp7c9vGUl0himsHE-VLbXoqFK2qY3hLOUeZg8qr1gAqpuNs8TxQnVYvDGCiwVcdZxB2-MXs9A3sNiyEA15Jcf7h1/s320/IMG_0936.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhse2-jZJeEP1NN5B6iXabNjjnL9DDgJNB3y0XK96m3aopVVGDJIivq9GlgiiGQD4-5acXbELIKB-vPAd4edfbBY9VMcpiUemjY7yqcNZgNQ0GRyCj9ekZJcRCweVecaZbR9wgr7gYwT3QH/s1600/IMG_0938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhse2-jZJeEP1NN5B6iXabNjjnL9DDgJNB3y0XK96m3aopVVGDJIivq9GlgiiGQD4-5acXbELIKB-vPAd4edfbBY9VMcpiUemjY7yqcNZgNQ0GRyCj9ekZJcRCweVecaZbR9wgr7gYwT3QH/s1600/IMG_0938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhse2-jZJeEP1NN5B6iXabNjjnL9DDgJNB3y0XK96m3aopVVGDJIivq9GlgiiGQD4-5acXbELIKB-vPAd4edfbBY9VMcpiUemjY7yqcNZgNQ0GRyCj9ekZJcRCweVecaZbR9wgr7gYwT3QH/s320/IMG_0938.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When we got to her room it took a little while for the nurses to get her situated. It was hard to watch as they moved her from one bed to the other and her little face winced with pain and tears began to roll down her cheeks again. Once they got her </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">settled they let the rest of the family come in and see her. Addie was still groggy, but you could see she was trying to take it all in. She did really well for awhile, but I think they waited too long to give her some pain medicine. Her whole little body tightened and she began to cry out from the pain. It was not just cry of discomfort or whining, but a cry of extreme pain. It was so hard to watch my little girl in pain and be able to do nothing about it. Thankfully the nurse was near and quickly got some medicine to bring her pain under control.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUaq55c7RmqwZ5vevK3PIO8kxD8LDEBmgk2AglAbkzkGJhVDCduKJWFLmlbzcRmeyd2mdKXPW4M5T6pBlGYcvVzvEA-O-1GaXybGADMNPGYNuwkDO4Q_a1WoBsQa2n5EhefEaPte805UUP/s1600/IMG_0934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUaq55c7RmqwZ5vevK3PIO8kxD8LDEBmgk2AglAbkzkGJhVDCduKJWFLmlbzcRmeyd2mdKXPW4M5T6pBlGYcvVzvEA-O-1GaXybGADMNPGYNuwkDO4Q_a1WoBsQa2n5EhefEaPte805UUP/s320/IMG_0934.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thankfully the medicine kicked in quickly. She watched everything around for awhile and then she took a well deserved nap. She slept for a couple of hours and then woke up. The rest of the day went pretty well. She would sleep a couple of hours and then wake up to eat and drink something. She would be up for a couple of hours and then be back to napping again.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisGh8q2YYkDFkN7SIKMlyLpmsxhTbiZ6eDrPc7W0nli3gBFB3aoUHvA3w5Ur2vB9SNeT3_3dvhcCwJbRu7o3FIkvMy8eWCVJwBoAyBlw4XgdBQMbDYXFn8hqE0OYmzd-y79S022pi72asb/s1600/IMG_0935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisGh8q2YYkDFkN7SIKMlyLpmsxhTbiZ6eDrPc7W0nli3gBFB3aoUHvA3w5Ur2vB9SNeT3_3dvhcCwJbRu7o3FIkvMy8eWCVJwBoAyBlw4XgdBQMbDYXFn8hqE0OYmzd-y79S022pi72asb/s1600/IMG_0935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisGh8q2YYkDFkN7SIKMlyLpmsxhTbiZ6eDrPc7W0nli3gBFB3aoUHvA3w5Ur2vB9SNeT3_3dvhcCwJbRu7o3FIkvMy8eWCVJwBoAyBlw4XgdBQMbDYXFn8hqE0OYmzd-y79S022pi72asb/s400/IMG_0935.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Overall she was doing really well by the end of the day. After her first round of pain medicine we even saw a few smiles from her. She was able to sleep pretty well through the night except for the occasional interruption to check her vitals and get more pain medicine.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Today was definitely a better day, but it had a few challenges as well. The neurologist came by this morning and seemed to be encouraged by Addie's progress. He thought her incision was looking good so far. He said he wanted to take her off the morphine and just give her Tylenol and Motrin at alternate times. This way they could see how she handled the pain and be able to know when she was ready to go home. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We were glad to have some friends, Norm and Danielle, come by to visit. We also appreciated them bringing us lunch. Just before they arrived Addie's was beginning to act more like herself. She was smiling and laughing and acting a lot better. She had a great time playing with them while they were here. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">During surgery they had inserted a catheter and left it overnight. This afternoon they decided to remove it and go back to inserting and removing a catheter several times a day. Ann has been doing this for about 2 weeks at home, but we were very nervous about it now after the surgery. We called the nurse to help because we were not sure how much or how to move Addie. I felt terrible when we lifted her legs and in the sweetest little voice Addie said "Owww." Big tears and crying quickly followed. It hurts me to watch her cringe in pain as we lifted her lower body to remove the diaper and put on a new one. I'm amazed though at how quickly she returns to laughing and playing after it was over. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This afternoon the neurologist came by and said that everything looked really good and we should be able to leave earlier than expected. This is encouraging, but also a little scary. It will be nice to be home and in our own environment. It will also be difficult because Addie is supposed to lay flat for 10 days and that is almost impossible for a 2 year old. The next couple of days will be fine, but soon she will feel better and want to move around. If you have suggestions on how to keep a 2 year old still, feel free to share those with us. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm amazed at what a fighter our baby girl is. She is so strong. She still has a long road ahead of her, but she is making great progress. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We are thankful for everyone who has been praying for Addie and for us. We also appreciate everyone that has called, texted, emailed, facebook, and everything else to offer encouragement and let us know you are praying. Also pray for Lyndsay and Landon at home with Pops. They are doing well, but I think they are missing little Addie and Ann pretty bad. At this point there is still a lot of uncertainty about what the future holds for Addie, but we know that our God who brought us together is faithful to sustain us through whatever the future holds. He never promised us it would be easy, only that He would be there. And He is more than enough. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Please forgive any typos or bad grammar, after 2 long days at the hospital I'm sure there are some mistakes. I'll proof read it again later and fix it.</span>Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03800998086474511169noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099597790018931889.post-6785698279957319412012-11-07T14:39:00.000-06:002012-11-07T14:39:56.760-06:00October 17th 2011<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">. </span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I was leaving work to pick Lyndsay up from dance when Ann called, she was very excited and asked if I had seen the email. When I told her no, she said hang up and look at the email I think she is ours. Words are not adequate to express the feeling I had when I saw this picture.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkaavlBAYvzGmhYByMbCvJdG2CnRjqw44LZGu8JUPtmOkBsUcarvv6CgaqitFmBUF6K3-TIr0D-dklSWvEFpZrVo9gEP27OKvlqbiVjV5QraZzKjDwgIA4k9gjohw-WPmu24xu0X_gqNEA/s1600/photo.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkaavlBAYvzGmhYByMbCvJdG2CnRjqw44LZGu8JUPtmOkBsUcarvv6CgaqitFmBUF6K3-TIr0D-dklSWvEFpZrVo9gEP27OKvlqbiVjV5QraZzKjDwgIA4k9gjohw-WPmu24xu0X_gqNEA/s1600/photo.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkaavlBAYvzGmhYByMbCvJdG2CnRjqw44LZGu8JUPtmOkBsUcarvv6CgaqitFmBUF6K3-TIr0D-dklSWvEFpZrVo9gEP27OKvlqbiVjV5QraZzKjDwgIA4k9gjohw-WPmu24xu0X_gqNEA/s1600/photo.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkaavlBAYvzGmhYByMbCvJdG2CnRjqw44LZGu8JUPtmOkBsUcarvv6CgaqitFmBUF6K3-TIr0D-dklSWvEFpZrVo9gEP27OKvlqbiVjV5QraZzKjDwgIA4k9gjohw-WPmu24xu0X_gqNEA/s1600/photo.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkaavlBAYvzGmhYByMbCvJdG2CnRjqw44LZGu8JUPtmOkBsUcarvv6CgaqitFmBUF6K3-TIr0D-dklSWvEFpZrVo9gEP27OKvlqbiVjV5QraZzKjDwgIA4k9gjohw-WPmu24xu0X_gqNEA/s1600/photo.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkaavlBAYvzGmhYByMbCvJdG2CnRjqw44LZGu8JUPtmOkBsUcarvv6CgaqitFmBUF6K3-TIr0D-dklSWvEFpZrVo9gEP27OKvlqbiVjV5QraZzKjDwgIA4k9gjohw-WPmu24xu0X_gqNEA/s1600/photo.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkaavlBAYvzGmhYByMbCvJdG2CnRjqw44LZGu8JUPtmOkBsUcarvv6CgaqitFmBUF6K3-TIr0D-dklSWvEFpZrVo9gEP27OKvlqbiVjV5QraZzKjDwgIA4k9gjohw-WPmu24xu0X_gqNEA/s320/photo.PNG" width="228" /></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I read her brief profile and felt this was our little girl. Unlike most, Addie was not matched to us, the email we got was sent to everyone else using our agency that was adopting from China. Ann and I decided to pray about it and call the next day if we still felt like she was ours. We both felt really strongly the next morning, but I was reluctant to get too excited. I did not want to get my hopes up about this beautiful girl only to find out she was not coming home with us. After we told them of our interest they sent us her file and a handful of pictures. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Much of the information was in Mandarin, some was translated. It is funny now to look at the different pictures and we can see her little personality being expressed. We were told that other families were interested and each had until Friday to let them know they wanted to continue pursuing her. Friday we heard from them and only two others were still interested. They said they would let us know Wednesday what the committee decided. It seemed like the longest 5 days. Wednesday came and went and we never heard. We knew God was in control, he would bring us the daughter he had created for our family. But at the same time we were anxious to hear something. The next day they called to tell us that if we wanted to continue Addie was ours. It was so exciting telling the kids that we would be bringing Addie home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The next few months were filled with a lot of what the last 9 months had been. We prayed and waited for things to happen. Each step bringing us closer to the day we could bring our baby girl home. Today, a year later, we are brought joy each day by the angel they described as "a girl with a small face." I think back to the months before we saw her beautiful face and prayed for God to work things out to bring our daughter home and can see how along the way God was working things for our good and to His glory. The process of bringing Addie home has given me a greater faith, and also a better realization of the relationship God desires with us. It has been a realization that the moment He adopts us is not the end, but just the beginning of our relationship. He does not just desire to make us His, He desires to have a relationship with us. I longed and waited for the day to bring Addie into our family. Now that she is here we share the love and joy of a family each day growing closer in our relationship. I'm thankful for this wonderful gift that God brought our family. I'm also thankful for a heavenly Father who desires not only to save us, but to have a relationship with us.</span>Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03800998086474511169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099597790018931889.post-43966328763973907682012-10-04T20:16:00.001-05:002012-10-04T20:16:59.917-05:00Update<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It is hard to believe that it has been over four months since we arrived home with Addie. Several times Ann and I have talked about how quickly and easily Addie has transitioned into our family. It is fills my heart with joy to see all three kids together playing. We are thankful to God for the way he has brought our family together. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We realize it has been a while since we updated the blog so we thought we would try to briefly tell about the last three months. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZJxvYJl1i9gImeqAnPeyWky8y4gmI2ErahccJ2pbLVegTTe8RzT71724RTManRRopbEzfYJN6DXJGH2hurPJrwDMGA1mbci3GKNQQ38ewMZ7Z24496Es55Gj39GaFWhSFOuFFrPmA4wRE/s1600/IMG_9809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZJxvYJl1i9gImeqAnPeyWky8y4gmI2ErahccJ2pbLVegTTe8RzT71724RTManRRopbEzfYJN6DXJGH2hurPJrwDMGA1mbci3GKNQQ38ewMZ7Z24496Es55Gj39GaFWhSFOuFFrPmA4wRE/s320/IMG_9809.jpg" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lyndsay and Addie at Landon's awards day</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">After we got home it took several weeks for all of us to get back sleeping and functioning on a normal schedule. We got back just in time for Lyndsay and Landon to finish their last week of school. Both enjoyed seeing their friends and telling them about our trip. And they were both very excited to show off their new sister. When the week was over though I think they were glad to be able to sleep in. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Landon showing his class the things he got in China</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lyndsay's backbend</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We thought with school being out things would slow down, but it didn't. A couple of weeks after school was out Lyndsay had her dance recital. Lyndsay loves dance and she continues to get better all the time. She did a fantastic job at her recital. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ballet</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> A week later she had a minor surgery on her knee. The doctor said it would be sore, but she could dance the same afternoon. There was no way she could have danced that night. She was in a lot of pain for a couple of days, and it took about a week or so for her to really get up and going. I think the best thing for her was the two weeks she spent at camp. It really forced her to be more active and to exercise her leg. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Lyndsay and Landon spent the first two weeks of July at Winshape Camp at Berry College. They both had a blast. Lyndsay loved the rock climbing and horseback riding. She also learned to cook and how to make pottery. Landon enjoyed the soccer and flag football. Landon also learned to cook and won the golden spoon in his group. Both enjoyed the swimming and of course the sock war. </span><span style="font-size: large;">It is an all around great camp experience. The best part is that as they are making new friends and enjoying the camp experience they are also helping them to deepen their faith and have a closer relationship with Christ.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lyndsay's cabin mates at camp</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sock War</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Now both have started back to school. So far they are both off to a good start. Landon was disappointed to find out he did not have the same teacher as last year. It only took one day to decide he liked his new teacher. Lyndsay is enjoying school and her new teachers also. This is the first year Lyndsay will have exams and she is working hard to have straight A's and not miss any days so that she can exempt them.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Addie has made amazing progress since we have been home. She was able to sit up, but was not very mobile. If she fell over she could not sit back up. She quickly learned to roll and would roll from one side of the room to the other. She then learned to scoot around on her belly. She then began to scoot around while sitting up on her bottom. It is pretty funny to watch this, and she has gotten very quick. She has also learned to crawl, but usually prefers to scoot on her bottom. On Father's Day she pulled herself up for the first time. She has started taking a few steps while holding on to something, but still has not walked on her own. She still has a ways to go, but she has come so far in a very short time. She has picked up a couple of dozen words that she uses pretty regular and she will often try to repeat whatever is said. She loves music. Her two favorite songs for a while were Jesus Loves Me and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. Lately her favorite has been Happy Birthday. It is so precious to hear her just begin singing.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Addie has had her own busy summer. In about two months she made over a dozen trips to the doctor. She has been to her pediatrician, the adoption clinic in Birmingham, a cardiologist, neurologist, an eye doctor, and had an MRI that resulted in a trip to the ER that about scared us to death. They had found what they thought was blood and water on her brain. After a couple of hours they sent us home and said the doctor would call tomorrow. The doctor did not call the next day or the next. He called about a week later to say they had overreacted at the MRI and while she did have some blood and water on her brain it was only minimal and not enough to worry about. Thanks for letting us know so quickly and for scaring us to death. We have also learned she is on the lower end of height and weight for her age, which was not a </span><span style="font-size: large;">surprise. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The reason for so many of Addie's appointments is that she has a form of spina bifida. Recently we were back in Birmingham for a couple of tests and a follow up with the neurologist. She was scheduled for a renal ultrasound and then a urodynamics test. The ultrasound showed that she had abnormal kidneys which could cause a few problems. They would be able to confirm that with the urodynamics test, but Addie has a bladder infection so they could not do the test. That has been rescheduled for late October. One of the things we will learn from this test is whether or not she will be able to potty train. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After the test we left Children's Hospital and drove across town to Children's South for our neuro appointment. The doctor was hoping to have the results of the test today before we moved forward. The main purpose of the visit was to schedule surgery for her tethered cord. The doctor says this is fairly common in children with spina bifida. Since we had the test rescheduled we went ahead and planned surgery for the beginning of November. We expect her to be in the hospital for 4 days or so after the surgery. Then several weeks of recovery here at home. So on one hand Addie is doing extremely well and has made tremendous progress since being home, but on the other she has a long road ahead of her. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So as we move ahead we continue to trust God who has brought us to this point. We have been amazed as we watched Him work at various times along the way of this process and now as we look ahead we want to continue to focus on Him. Thanks for reading and following our story. We will try to keep you up to date on how things are progressing. Most of all thanks for your prayers.</span>Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03800998086474511169noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099597790018931889.post-91090965715817860232012-05-20T21:11:00.000-05:002012-05-21T16:23:43.507-05:00Sweet Home Alabama"Sweet home Alabama where the skies are so blue, Sweet Home Alabama I'm coming home to you..."<br />
In the last 2 weeks Addie has travelled to 6 cities on 3 flights and a train covering over 10,000 miles and is finally home. It's hard to believe we have been together for 2 weeks now. It has been an amazing journey for all of us. We are all trying to adjust to the long flights and the time change. Addie continues to do well. The 23 hours in airports and airplanes on top of the 13 hour time difference has taken its toll on her though. She is waking up about 2:30 am and is ready to go, then she wants to sleep during the day. I think it will just take a little time for her to adjust. The time change has been hard on all of us. Last night when she woke up Ann and I were already awake. Since we were all up we thought it was a good time to have some apple pie, thats what you are supposed to do when your baby wakes up, right. My mom would be glad to know Addie loved her pie. After we were done Addie and I moved to the couch where we fell asleep about 3:30 and then woke up about 5:30 when Lyndsay and Landon came down. Both said they had already been up for a while. Landon said he had come down, but went back to his room when he saw me and Addie asleep.<br />
We are thankful to all of are friends who prayed for us as we travelled to bring Addie home. We have seen the hand of God at work each step of the way. Even though this is the end of this chapter of bringing Addie home. It is only the beginning of another as we begin our life together as a family. Thanks to my sister Amanda who updated the blog for us while we were gone. We emailed the pictures and information back to her and she posted it for us. Here are a few more pictures and the video of Addie's gotcha day.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dragon Boat Cruise</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJM8b0YJSlV5br6HJuzfVUzX0oPNzm1kAwgzcOlFyzRAWPjF9TB3yTwgGggMNtFIOHfR2_C24ozSQ1jXQqh7qaklTC_03JjYxZJ3HTMGO2dVk3TpvZlSzvM4bkax7_QBX4bKW0c4XENiP/s1600/IMG_9452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJM8b0YJSlV5br6HJuzfVUzX0oPNzm1kAwgzcOlFyzRAWPjF9TB3yTwgGggMNtFIOHfR2_C24ozSQ1jXQqh7qaklTC_03JjYxZJ3HTMGO2dVk3TpvZlSzvM4bkax7_QBX4bKW0c4XENiP/s400/IMG_9452.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lyndsay and Mckenna</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5vFqYqU7CpjX7j0Tsil9r-qRrkzPDjn6k1ylviiDAnXkph9gU_uYlJGQbdpMH5ftVX00GM1UXOr23kdnSTr6P0Gtvmvtu1r7clxBfMgVLuYQcJa8r0fzKvz0dEUqMCpxFPCzRbbBLdd3y/s1600/IMG_9473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5vFqYqU7CpjX7j0Tsil9r-qRrkzPDjn6k1ylviiDAnXkph9gU_uYlJGQbdpMH5ftVX00GM1UXOr23kdnSTr6P0Gtvmvtu1r7clxBfMgVLuYQcJa8r0fzKvz0dEUqMCpxFPCzRbbBLdd3y/s400/IMG_9473.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Addie and JoJo</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1S1Pi9D8i8XICrGWfkbpt_kvPTBEcuLZnjLQwUvRJj3JKwiXfPTTWg4THbv3tM1wcgI8W7X2brC4LqL3t-8EyjZ4Kp01Gjs0VA2X7PfUoJx8mB_eOFrcxpujzoyDNgQb3TWgb70muJzg7/s1600/IMG_9642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1S1Pi9D8i8XICrGWfkbpt_kvPTBEcuLZnjLQwUvRJj3JKwiXfPTTWg4THbv3tM1wcgI8W7X2brC4LqL3t-8EyjZ4Kp01Gjs0VA2X7PfUoJx8mB_eOFrcxpujzoyDNgQb3TWgb70muJzg7/s400/IMG_9642.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">JoJo fixing Lyndsay's hair</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKelQAzqyGrSQILjxpGU2i5tKsm3BhRw8EuNA7xfyqeLWtY6MxhLnE2pVUBGMpF9YX-83pNHZXWresJX7_2PnBnuNrqcQBJ_Lr8WprLewP1i7Y-kSMxtr1qhpsRbLywY-QTb94wj5PVweY/s1600/IMG_9644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKelQAzqyGrSQILjxpGU2i5tKsm3BhRw8EuNA7xfyqeLWtY6MxhLnE2pVUBGMpF9YX-83pNHZXWresJX7_2PnBnuNrqcQBJ_Lr8WprLewP1i7Y-kSMxtr1qhpsRbLywY-QTb94wj5PVweY/s400/IMG_9644.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">JoJo quickly had an audience</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Addie's first swim</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzEsKbXnorTpsZ22pJL_ttj7Bt980tb7LT28rVCu01x0d8xIcSa65yhquAoKmca2sEVGY7OLc0ZPHXsrtAn7TFhG2RTNQDT7WxVXRkB5TEeSMBGBih9JxsCCFRjVBVpIW-HIacBDOfgZgu/s1600/IMG_9578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzEsKbXnorTpsZ22pJL_ttj7Bt980tb7LT28rVCu01x0d8xIcSa65yhquAoKmca2sEVGY7OLc0ZPHXsrtAn7TFhG2RTNQDT7WxVXRkB5TEeSMBGBih9JxsCCFRjVBVpIW-HIacBDOfgZgu/s400/IMG_9578.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our crazy ride down the mountain on a golf cart!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGiSktvRRBNBYE7fx3z3e_8QaHy7GdCbvKHIxrOqeTXqD8Fi9I2cMX00ZDvvPuD8K_2mKlnelLDgQq8NRRanHr5Q9PG4p2HyJS10KgQast2Ab_Qs9Bf_IV9EsU_MSk5x_m311T2TzP61y/s1600/IMG_9440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGiSktvRRBNBYE7fx3z3e_8QaHy7GdCbvKHIxrOqeTXqD8Fi9I2cMX00ZDvvPuD8K_2mKlnelLDgQq8NRRanHr5Q9PG4p2HyJS10KgQast2Ab_Qs9Bf_IV9EsU_MSk5x_m311T2TzP61y/s400/IMG_9440.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are even Alabama fans in China.</td></tr>
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<br />Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03800998086474511169noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099597790018931889.post-21066131183865105862012-05-13T17:53:00.000-05:002012-05-13T17:53:01.526-05:00The Doctor<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">We have finally arrived in Guangzhou, the last leg of our trip. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">Yesterday we did not have a lot on the agenda, just to get Addie's passport and fly out. Seemed like an easy enough day. I was able to take my first and only run here in Nanchang. It was pretty good, the streets were a little crazier here though. Our guide was supposed to pick up Addie's passport and bring it to the hotel when she picked us up to head to the airport. She got there at 3pm and said her passport was not ready so we needed to go to the passport office and pick it up. Our flight was at 5:30 so we had a little time. We ended up waiting about 45 minutes at the office, while there we found out our flight had been delayed an hour because of the weather where it was coming from. This was good since we were going to be cutting it close. The flight ended up being almost 3 hours late. The flight went very well though. Addie was restless at first, but did well. She fell asleep right before we landed. Hopefully she will do this well on our flight home. We found our guide and she took us to the hotel. It was around 11:30pm by the time we got to our room and got the kids in bed. Maybe we can catch on some of the sleep tonight.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">Today was our visit to the doctor. We really were not sure what to expect. It was definitely different than a doctors visit at home. When we got there our guides filled out our paperwork. The place was packed with people. We had three different doctors to see. Here they don't call you back one at a time, you just go to the door and wait in line. It was definitely interesting. While we were there we saw another couple, the Woodall's, who are also from Athens. We didn't really get a chance to speak besides saying hello. Addie fell asleep right before we got started. She slept through most of the first check as they listened to her heart and took some basic measurements. She woke up when we laid her down so they could check her flexibility, she was not happy. She was fine when they were done, but we had to lay her down to weigh and measure her at the next room and she screamed some more. I thought the last one was going to be okay until they put the tongue depressor in her mouth. All together she did well, but she was ready for it to be done.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"> </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">We went downstairs to wait on one of the other family's in our group and she was quickly smiling again. Thankfully we had no shots or blood work today. I was a little worried about how that would go. I'm sure we will have plenty of that when we get home. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">This afternoon our agency helped all of the families get our paperwork ready for our consulate appointments. Our appointment is Tuesday morning at 8am. A little sad that we are not able to take pictures at Addie's oath taking. The consulate does not allow cameras in their office. I understand the purpose, but it would be nice to have a picture of that.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"> </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">We are looking forward celebrating Mother's Day tomorrow. Always exciting when there is a new addition for Mother's Day.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span></div>Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03800998086474511169noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099597790018931889.post-91175390488231281412012-05-11T12:54:00.000-05:002012-05-11T12:54:40.076-05:00A Day at the Park<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">Today we visited a local park here in Nanchang. It was a beautiful day for the park. The rain was gone and it was a nice sunny day. It was actually a little cooler than the past few days. The weather here is similar to home, hot and humid. I guess that is one thing that will not be an adjustment for Addie. It was a very large park and there was lots to do and see. The park was pretty busy with people doing various things. We saw people practicing Tai Chi, ballroom dancing, and some type of martial arts. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">They had a small obstacle course/playground that Lyndsay and Landon loved. I think their favorite was the zip line. Addie smiled and laughed as she watched them play. I'm sure she will be joining them on the playground at home soon. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">As we were walking through the park the kids got attention from lots of people. As they were playing several people were taking their photograph. At home that would worry me, but here they are so curious and many have never seen blonde hair and fair skin. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">We also get some attention because Addie doesn't look like us. Many are curious as to why she looks different. Our guide usually explains she is ours and we adopted her. Today Ann had someone ask for her picture for the first time. We were walking through the park and a couple of women wanted a picture with her.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">After the park we visited a few porcelain shops. This area is know for its porcelain. We learned a little about the differences and the quality of porcelain. Addie was given a porcelain tea set from her orphanage and a large cup at the civil affairs office. We picked up a couple of things for us today. We wanted to have something that was original to her area. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">Addie fell asleep at the end of the shopping and we had our first melt down. She woke up on our way to the hotel. We got back and had a little lunch, then Ann was going to put her down for a nap. I took Lyndsay and Landon for a walk. We went next door and had ice cream and wandered around. We came back an hour and a half later and Ann said she had cried the entire time. She has fussed and cried some, but usually just to get attention(not that she is lacking for any) or to get what she wants and usually with no tears. Today we saw her first tears. We're not really sure what the problem was, maybe she was just really tired. She also seems to be teething so that could be part of it. She is asleep now, so hopefully we will be good tomorrow.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">While here in Jiangxi we have mostly eaten at the hotel, a couple of times we had pizza or McDonald's. Mostly because it has been easier to just eat here after going wherever. The food at the hotel is pretty good. It is a mix of western and Asian. I never thought I would have noodles or pork dumplings for breakfast and a few things I'm not really sure what they were. We have been wanting to get out and try some local food so tonight our guide took us to a local restaurant. I'm always a little unsure when you walk in and can pick out your dinner from an aquarium. They had turtles, eels, stingray, a couple of dozen fish and various animals. They didn't have menus, they had dishes prepared and you chose what you wanted. I wish I had gotten a picture of it, it would make more sense to see it. We went with sweet and sour pork, rice, fried noodles, shrimp, bean sprouts, and fried eggplant(not breaded like we at home). The meal was so good. Our guide said Jiangxi is known for being hot, they have hot weather and hot food. The noodles and shrimp were pretty spicy. The rest was a bit milder. The eggplant was great, not what I'm used to, but it was delicious. We finished with this coconut milk cream puff. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">I think we all had a lot of fun today, but we are all ready for bed. After a bath Addie fell asleep quickly. Our guide will pick up Addie's passport in the morning. We then travel to Guangzhou tomorrow(Friday) at about 5pm, about 4am at home. This is our last stop and where Addie will become a citizen of the U.S.A. The flight is only an hour and a half so hopefully Addie will do well. Saturday will be a visit to the medical clinic for Addie. I'm not sure what all they will do, but I'm not really looking forward to that. It's a little sad to leave her province, but we look forward to Guangzhou. Thanks to all who continue to pray for us.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span>Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03800998086474511169noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099597790018931889.post-28775916999321606562012-05-10T13:32:00.001-05:002012-05-10T13:32:58.929-05:00Jiangxi<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yesterday we just took it easy. In the morning our guide took us to a local shopping center to get a few items we needed. We really just needed shoes and a few things for Addie. We also just wanted to pick up some snacks and things for Lyndsay and Landon. It is always interesting to see markets or stores in other places. This place was pretty modern, but there were still some differences. In the meat section they had many live animals; turtles, fish, eel, and a few things I wasn't sure what they were. The bakery was really nice. We picked up some fresh bread and some type of doughnut like things. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After shopping it was getting close to lunch time and there happened to be a McDonald's next door. We decided to stop there for lunch. The menu was not quite as big as it is at home. With your meals you could choose fries or corn for your side. We got fries, I wish had gotten the corn just to see what it tasted like. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After lunch we headed back to the hotel. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shortly after we got back it began to rain. Ann stayed in the room and put Addie down for a nap, and I took Lyndsay and Landon to the pool for a while. At the pool we were informed that you had to have a swim cap to get in the pool. Thankfully they had some we could borrow. Neither of the kids were really fond of that idea, but I think we still had a great time at the pool. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Today it is still raining. The rain was not too bad this morning so we went to a local pavilion or pagoda. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was pretty interesting to see. It was nice because we could be inside and out of the rain for the most part. Inside it had scenes painted from different time periods. It also had some tools, art, sculptures and miscellaneous artifacts. It was a nice outing for a rainy day. Hopefully it will stop raining tonight and we can make it to the park tomorrow. It is supposed to be a small replica of Tienanmen Square.<br />The last couple of days we have had some great time bonding as a family. It is so amazing the way God brought Addie into our family and almost instantly she seems to feel at home. She already calls Ann Mama(which actually translates the same into Mandarin). She usually wants Ann when she gets tired. So far she is sleeping really well. She sleeps 9 hours or so at night, and usually has about a 2 hour nap in the day. We are still trying to figure out what she likes to eat. She takes a bottle, and we know she likes Cheerios. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are praising God for his goodness and mercy! We are thankful that he brought Addie into our family. We are continuing to pray about the next week, as we finish out our time here and then fly to Guangzhou. In Guangzhou we have the consulate visit and doctors visits for Addie. We are also praying about the long flight home and then the transition into new foods, a new time zone, and pretty much everything. We praise God for what he has done and continue to trust that he will take care of things. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03800998086474511169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099597790018931889.post-63894700009571918552012-05-07T19:26:00.000-05:002012-05-07T19:26:40.902-05:00It's Official!!!!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well today we are no longer a family of 4, we are officially a family of 5!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We started the morning with a walk to the Civil Affairs office, where they photographed Addie. The traffic and the roads here seem a little crazier than Beijing. We were with our guide and we would just walk out into the street in front of cars. When we got there we had to sit Addie in a chair for her picture and she was not happy. She has been so good for the camera, but not this morning. We finally got her calm so they could take her picture. Next, they had to take a picture of Addie, Ann, and me for the official adoption certificate. We then waited a few minutes and we had an interview with someone. While waiting we noticed they had posted "The Foreign Adoption Process for Jiangxi", I thought it was funny they translated the title, but they did not translate the actual steps in the process. Hopefully we got it right. In the interview they asked a handful of questions and we had to sign paperwork and then we were done. It took just a little over an hour for this part of the process. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We walked back to the hotel. We had a few hours so we put Addie down for her nap. She was able to get in a good 2 hour nap. Later in the afternoon we had to go out to finish all of our paperwork. The first stop was at the notary office. There it was similar to the morning, he asked a few questions we signed some papers and were on our way. Next we headed to apply for her passport. This was pretty quick because we had already filled out this paperwork the night before. They took her picture and our guide gave them some paperwork and we were done. When we walked out it was official, we are now a family 5!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our paperwork here in her province is now done. We just have to wait for her passport and we are on our way. If the weather is nice the next couple of days we will have some time to sight see in her province. The weather does not look promising at this point. Tomorrow they are forecasting heavy rain that will continue through Wednesday. Hopefully it will only rain for part of the day.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are all doing well so far. Addie slept through the night and is doing great. I think we are finally adjusting to the time change. Lyndsay and Landon both are great with Addie. It has been a great couple of days together. Thanks for praying for us.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span>Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03800998086474511169noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099597790018931889.post-68276806895267721132012-05-06T19:17:00.002-05:002012-05-06T19:17:47.051-05:00Gotcha Day<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today has been an extremely amazing day! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We arrived in her province about 1:30pm local time. We were supposed to meet Addie at our hotel at 4:30pm. On our way to the hotel from the airport the orphanage staff called our guide to say they would be there about 3:30 instead of 4:30. We were so excited and a little panicked because we felt a little rushed. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We got to the hotel and got checked in to our room. We took a few minutes to get some things situated and unpacked in the room. We then headed down stairs about 3:20. Our guide from our agency was there and she took us to a smaller lobby in the back of the hotel. After about 15 minutes the 2 ladies from the orphanage came around the corner with Addie in their arms. My heart about leaped out of my chest when we saw her. After saying hello they gave Addie to Ann. Almost immediately Addie began to scream and cry. She cried for a couple of minutes and I think one of the ladies reached for her, but our guide told her not to do that. In just another minute or so Ann had her quiet and then she was asleep in her arms. It was beautiful and I don't think the picture I took does it justice. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We talked for a few minutes with ladies from the orphanage and then we headed upstairs to put Addie down for a nap. They had left this morning about 9am and she had missed her nap at noon. She was exhausted. However, shortly after we got to the room she needed a diaper change and after that she woke up and didn't go back to sleep until tonight about 9pm.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Other than when we first got her she really has not cried or fussed much. She has smiled and laughed a lot today. Her personality is great. Lyndsay and Landon have showered her with love since we got her back to the room. They are both really enjoying having a baby sister.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have so much more to write, but it will have to wait. We are all exhausted and have an early morning tomorrow as we go to sign papers and finalize her adoption. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks for praying for Addie and for us. I look forward to sharing more details soon.</span>Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03800998086474511169noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099597790018931889.post-23269470465588217752012-05-05T17:36:00.001-05:002012-05-05T17:36:56.956-05:00The day we have longed for...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today is the day. The day we have been longing for since early January 2011. With every paper we have filled out, typed, notarized, had authenticated by the probate judge, secretary of state of Alabama, the US, and at the consulate, we were longing for today. With every class we attended, every home study visit, with each step along the way we were looking forward to this day. As we waited on various people and government agencies to do their part, we were longing for this day to arrive. Even before we saw her face, and knew her name we longed for today.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This journey has been a learning and growing experience from the beginning. We have had many good days; encouraging words from friends, conversations with others who have been in a similar place, emails with just what we needed to hear. There have been some hard days as well; the "kind" lady at the US Secretary of State office(she wasn't hired for her people skills). Finding out we need to have one more test and then finding out after we have it that we didn't need it, taking a few more weeks. Then there was the waiting and waiting and more waiting. There were times when we questioned why and wondered should we be doing this, but we knew that this day would be more than worth it. Whatever we had to do, any test we needed, any hoop to jump through it was more than worth it. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have looked forward to seeing her face to face, holding her in our arms, telling her we love her. The day is finally here and we can't wait to see her! May 6th about 4:30 pm local time, 3:30am central time, we will hold Addie Mei for the very first time. Earlier today we had a meeting with our agency and we received updated information and pictures. Our hearts were overwhelmed as we looked at her beautiful face. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know tomorrow and the weeks to come will be a shock to her, but I hope she will know she is loved. We will be hers for as long as we are on this earth. She has a family and someone to call her own. In less than 12 hours Addie's life will change forever. I'm sure that our lives will never be the same either.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As much as I hope Addie realizes our love for her, I hope that she realizes that she has a heavenly father who has done so much more so that she could be adopted into His family. He sacrificed His only son, so that through the shed blood of Jesus Christ she could have a new inheritance and a new family. In many ways this adoption mirrors that one, but in all honesty it doesn't really compare. I hope just as we have longed for this day, one day she will long for the day when she will see her Savior face to face.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the first picture we got of Addie. We will try to post some pictures and possibly a video tonight. Thanks for praying and continuing to follow our journey.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ7-bdBzXH-mBGckf7XQEyedR-_JN-eIh_n4EfO-joD_Xf6YbA0SlH3pHThGBwRQIai-PA6q9dUCON94rLeCr8cGFS29bluHBals5hAbc__AmsEZ5Xwiu2lFwUgLBAlraD-jOCULbO5dcC/s640/blogger-image-1868529925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ7-bdBzXH-mBGckf7XQEyedR-_JN-eIh_n4EfO-joD_Xf6YbA0SlH3pHThGBwRQIai-PA6q9dUCON94rLeCr8cGFS29bluHBals5hAbc__AmsEZ5Xwiu2lFwUgLBAlraD-jOCULbO5dcC/s640/blogger-image-1868529925.jpg" /></a></div>Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03800998086474511169noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099597790018931889.post-8461263219647047382012-05-05T10:42:00.001-05:002012-05-05T10:42:05.800-05:00The Great Wall<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">Today was another exciting day here in Beijing. I started the day with another run up to Tienanmen Square. The weather was great for a run at about 5:30am this morning. By the afternoon though it was really hot. We had packed for cool weather here in Beijing, but it has been pretty hot. The last 2 days the temp has been around 91 for the high. It is also very dry here, very different from the hot and humid south we normally enjoy.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">The highlight of today was the Great Wall. Landon has been looking forward to this for some time. It was a pretty amazing sight to see the wall snake along the top of the mountain.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">We were at the Badaling portion of the wall and decided to hike up to the highest point of this section. It was steeper and more difficult to climb than we imagined. The kids wanted to climb to the top. I was very impressed when they reached the top. It was probably about 2 miles, but the fact that it was all incline and some parts were very steep made it extremely difficult. It was also a challenge that each step was a different size. One might be about 6 inches and the other about a foot. It is quite an impressive structure, especially when you consider it was done without modern tools, not to mention being on the side of a mountain.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">After the Great Wall we had an authentic Chinese meal at a place called the Jade Palace. Below the restaurant was a market where they sold everything you could imagine that was carved out of jade. The food was really good. They served it family style on a super large lazy susan.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"> </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">After lunch we went to Hutong Lane where we took a tour in a rickshaw. It was pretty neat to ride down the narrow street. At one time this was how most of Beijing looked. The houses and shops were extremely small. It is hard to imagine a family living in such a small area. We visited one home and my guess is that between two floors it was 75-100 square feet. Most do not have their own bathroom. They share a community bathroom with many other families.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">I think Landon's favorite part of the day was when Mr. Liu, the persons home we visited, gave us a little Kung Fu demonstration. He had a lot of pictures of his two sons who also know Kung Fu. Landon really liked it when he gave him the sword and showed him how to swing it.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">Another great day in Beijing. We are looking forward to Tienanmen Square tomorrow. Then Sunday morning we will fly to meet Addie for the first time. It will probably be Sunday afternoon for us, but very early Sunday morning for most of you when we get her. We have enjoyed our time here so far, but can not wait to hold her for the first time. We appreciate you praying for her and us.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span>Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03800998086474511169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099597790018931889.post-71209622558936091542012-05-04T14:17:00.000-05:002012-05-04T14:17:29.199-05:00Beijing Zoo<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">We are still trying to get adjusted to the time change. We are normally ready to go to bed around 7:30-8pm, the bad part is we wake up at 3 or 4 am. We had a great day here Thursday. For me it started with a short run. I can add a new city, country and continent to my running list now. Hopefully I'll add 2 more cities before we leave. It was about 6am when I ran and the weather was great. Not much traffic when I started, before I finished the roads were extremely busy. I ran a loop to Tiananmen Square. It was pretty amazing to see. I look forward to going back on Saturday and spending a little time there. </span><br />
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After my run I came back and we had breakfast and headed to the zoo. We eat breakfast at the hotel, and they have a mix of Asian and Western foods. Landon has become more of an adventurous eater, for breakfast today he had some sushi. I wasn't sure if he should eat it, but so far I guess we are good. Landon has also enjoyed the variety of hot tea for breakfast each morning. Lyndsay loves hot tea, but this is the first time Landon has seemed to like it. </div>
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We took a taxi to the zoo. It was the first time the kids had ridden in a taxi. It was a little wild, but I've ridden in a lot crazier. The zoo here was was extremely large. We felt like we walked a mile before getting to see the first animals. Both kids had a great time.</div>
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Lyndsay was excited to see her favorite animal, the giraffe. It was eating and then it walked over towards us.</div>
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Landon enjoyed seeing the Panda bears. </div>
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He also likes the reptiles. He wanted to see a king cobra, but there wasn't one here.</div>
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I think my kids were as much of an exhibit as any of the animals yesterday. They are both a little shy and introverted around people they don't know, but they both did great with the attention. They got lots of stairs and points. It was kind of funny. Sometimes as we were watching the animals we would look beside us to find a group people watching us. A few people walked up and grabbed them by the hand and would begin talking to them. We have no idea what they were saying, not sure if they thought we understood them or not. They also had many people want pictures with them. They were great sports about it all. </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">We had hoped to make to the Olympic sites, but decided everyone was too tired after the zoo. We came back to the hotel and rested for a little while before taking the kids to the pool. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">We are excited about tomorrow. We have Great Wall tour scheduled, and we are also supposed to go to the Hutong lanes and ride a rickshaw. Saturday is orientation with our agency and then Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City with our group.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">We are enjoying our time, but are anxiously looking forward to Sunday and meeting Addie. We appreciate your prayers for us and for Addie as we have a lot of change to look forward to in the coming days.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03800998086474511169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099597790018931889.post-78862596214878747942012-05-03T13:02:00.001-05:002012-05-03T13:02:12.213-05:00Update<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is a brief update of our last few days. Our flights on Monday and Tuesday went pretty well. We only had a slight delay leaving Detroit when the person towing the plane away from the gate turned too sharp and messed up the tow hook. It only took about 45 minutes to fix and then we were on our way. On the way to Beijing we were able to see the sun rise and set, that is always one of my favorite parts of an early or late flight. However, I have never seen the sun rise and set on the same flight until now. The kids are still asking why we never had breakfast on the plane. We had two dinners and a sandwich. They were both a little upset they didn't get breakfast on Tuesday. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We arrived in Beijing on Tuesday at about 11:30 pm local time, about 10:30 am Central time. We found our guide, who took us from the airport to our hotel.
Wednesday we just took it easy and tried to let our bodies adjust to the drastic time change. We had breakfast and then wandered around the streets near the hotel for a little while. After that we came back to the room for a little rest. The kids wanted to swim, so we headed to the hotel pool for a little while. After coming back to the room we cleaned up and headed out for an early dinner. We ate at a little restaurant near the hotel that served a mix of European food. Ann and Lyndsay both enjoyed some pasta, and Landon and I split a pizza. After dinner we wandered around a little more.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As we have walked the streets people notice Ann and I, but many of them just look at the kids in amazement. As we walked last night someone walked by and touched Landon's head. It was kind of funny because it was so nonchalant and the guy just kept walking. We walked through this 6 story mall. There were some local shops in the mall, but many that you would find back home; Gap, Nike, Columbia, Birkenstock, Vans and a few others. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We finished the day with a little treat from one of our favorite places from home.
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We'll plan to do a little sight seeing tomorrow. Maybe the zoo and the Olympic sites. </span>Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03800998086474511169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099597790018931889.post-19527027768574035012012-04-30T16:32:00.001-05:002012-04-30T20:25:27.074-05:00We're off!We are on our way to getting our baby girl! It's so hard to believe this day is here. The last week as we have prepared to leave has been a mix of emotions. It has been exciting as we have counted down the days. As the last couple of days have come and gone it has been hectic and stressful at times as we have made last minute preparations. As we gathered the paperwork we needed it has also filled us with great emotion and excitement of seeing our baby girl. As we looked over the dozen or so pictures and remember how our hearts felt when we saw her face the very first time. <br />
As we prepare to leave we are looking forward to so many things. Of course we are all looking forward to seeing her. We look forward to seeing some of the history and the sites; The Great Wall, Hutong Lanes, the Forbidden City. Landon is stilling looking forward to a moon cake. For me, I look forward to adding a new continent, a new country, and 3 new cities to the places I've ran. <br />
Watch the blog over the next few days as we hope to post pictures and updates of whats happening.<br />
This post was typed on my phone so please forgive and misspelled words or grammatical errors. It's almost impossible to proof read on here. <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCG8vRJERTj0MB0zcjo_ZYaNyRW3P0ca25YMjsxZHB6aB4KfZd8FSEIxxgRIJOtorktoiedP2eSEijzPVow9Mc4idWAaO3_XPymH2_JlDTdMumNzgcAFfsGjOxXeYhkx_LQVkb7tZ63-7i/s640/blogger-image--1059834285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCG8vRJERTj0MB0zcjo_ZYaNyRW3P0ca25YMjsxZHB6aB4KfZd8FSEIxxgRIJOtorktoiedP2eSEijzPVow9Mc4idWAaO3_XPymH2_JlDTdMumNzgcAFfsGjOxXeYhkx_LQVkb7tZ63-7i/s640/blogger-image--1059834285.jpg" /></a></div>Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03800998086474511169noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099597790018931889.post-27639823447445231672012-04-19T10:07:00.001-05:002012-04-19T10:08:40.153-05:00Adoption<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We are counting down the days until we see Addie for the first time. We are so excited. Adoption is a topic we have talked about a lot lately. Most people have questions of how it works? Why Adopt? Why there? Why not here? Others ask about the progress, how much longer? Any new pictures? And a host of other questions, and we usually try to answer to the best of our ability. We love to talk about adoption. We love to tell our story and how everything has happened, and how God brought Addie into our lives. As we have walked through the last 16 months I have seen and experienced God in ways I never imagined. We have watched as details were worked out at just the right time. It has not all fit into my plan, and some of it I'm still unsure why it happened the way it did. But we have seen so clearly that God has been in control of each detail, even when we felt like things were out of control. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love when we talk to people and they ask why we are adopting? Why spend the money? Why travel so far? There are a few questions I really don't like, but these are my favorite. I can tell them because this is what has been done for us. Galatians 4:4-7 says, "<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>4</b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>5</b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>6</b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>7</b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God” </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">To adopt Addie we could not just show up and say we want her. There is a process, things have to happen in order. When all the steps of the process are complete and the right time has come we can bring her home. In much the same way when the time was right God sent his only Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem us. He has given us the right to be sons and daughters of God. This changes everything. We are given a new a heritage and a new inheritance.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"> As beautiful as the picture of adoption is don't miss the fact that life did not start well for Addie. At about three weeks old someone left her in a box with a change of clothes on the doorstep of an orphanage. She was left alone and abandoned. She had little hope and no future. There was no one who would call her there own. Statistics tell us she would have aged out of state care and become involved in drugs, crime, prostitution, or trafficked. Her life was not looking good. But all of that is about to change. We will go and make her apart of our family. When no one else wanted her, we said we do. I will love her and care for her for as long as I am on this earth. In that moment that she legally becomes ours there will be a huge change. She will have a new family, she will have a new heritage, and a new inheritance. Its more than just a change in citizenship, she is a part of our family. We are anxiously waiting this day.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In this I hope you see this is exactly what God has done for us through Jesus. Just as there are cost involved in earthly adoption, there was a price to be paid for our redemption by God. The cost was extremely high, it cost God his only son. There needed to be a perfect sacrifice. He lived the sinless life we could not. He came into the world as fully God, yet in the form of a baby and he was fully human. No other person that has ever walked the earth met the qualifications needed to redeem mankind. When we are adopted into his family everything changes. We are given a new heritage and a new inheritance. We can call on God as Father. Romans 8:15-17 tells us we are children of God. And since we are his children we are his heirs and joint heirs with Christ. Salvation is not the end of God pursuing us, but the beginning of a relationship that will last for eternity. What we want people to see is the reason we adopt is because we have been adopted by God. Its not that there is anything about us, it is all about the God we serve. In 1 John 4:19 it says, "We love because he first loved us."</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The question I would ask everyone is have you been adopted by God? Not have you signed a card, walked an aisle, or said a prayer. Do you know God as your Father? Of all the questions in life this one is of great importance, because the impact of it is not just here and now, it's for eternity.</span>Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03800998086474511169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099597790018931889.post-1791971045252478232012-03-24T23:03:00.003-05:002012-03-24T23:03:54.501-05:00We have a date!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">This week we have gotten the news we have been waiting to hear for some time now. On Thursday we received a call from our agency saying we had been given travel approval. The actual documents should arrive here the middle of next week. The next step was for our agency to apply for our appointments at the US consulate. Friday afternoon they sent us an email confirming our appointments with the consulate. We are excited to know that May 6th we will hold our daughter for the first time. We still have some details to work out with travel, but we have a good idea of how the trip should go. I have been amazed as we have journeyed down this road and watched the hand of God at work. We are thankful and praising God that we have a date. We are also thankful for truths like these, "A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling place. God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land." Psalm 68:5-6</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">We are excited and eagerly anticipating the day our family will be together. We are thankful for the prayers and encouragement of many of our family and friends. We hope that you will continue to pray for Addie and us as we make final preparations to bring her home. We have a few more weeks to wait, but as we wait we will continue to worship and praise God, who is the father to the fatherless.</span><div>
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</div>Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03800998086474511169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099597790018931889.post-78944195796921882072012-03-20T22:28:00.002-05:002012-03-23T09:04:40.253-05:00And we wait...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Waiting is something we have done a lot over the last 14 months. Yesterday was the day we hoped to be able to meet Addie for the first time. We hoped to give her the first of many hugs. We hoped to hold her and to kiss her beautiful face for the first time. We wanted it to be the first of a lifetime of telling her I love you. However, we are still here separated by 7,000 plus miles from our beautiful little girl. Still waiting on the last couple of steps to take place so we can travel.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's easy to look at it and ask why the process is so slow. Why didn't our government move quicker? We're waiting, she's waiting why prolong it, right. Many people ask why is it such a difficult process? And I honestly don't have that answer. We can however rest in the fact that God is in control of the government. Romans 13 says, " Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God and those that exist have been instituted by God." God has given them the power and the authority to regulate and administer the process as they see fit. Sometimes, I may think the process does not make sense or that things are moving slower than they should, but I can be assured that ultimately God is in control of the process and the timing.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">From that perspective we may begin to wonder why, if God controls this and we prayed about it why didn't it happen. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In my planning last week would have been the best time for us to travel. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> Why didn't he allow us to travel this past week? Maybe there was something he protected us from. Maybe there is someone we are supposed to see or meet later. Maybe it's because they had snow this weekend and I'm not a big fan of the extreme cold. Maybe there is something we need to be here for. Honestly, I'm not sure at this point why we are here, and I may never know. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> are walking in faith through this as God reveals one step at a time. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We have learned through all of this is that we serve a sovereign God. He controls the timing and will have us there on the day He planned, even before the world was formed. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> It may not be what I planned, but God knows what is best. Maybe its like when Landon is thirsty at bedtime and he thinks he needs a Coke. He may not understand why I tell him no he needs water, in the same way I don't have to understand why God would want us to wait. I just need to be faithful and believe. Romans 8 says, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those called according to his purpose." </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This verse doesn't say that life will be easy or that we will get whatever we want, it says all things work together for good. Sometimes things are working to our good even when we do not realize it. It may not fit the plan I designed, but that does not mean it's not good. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">We are continuing to pray that our paperwork will come soon. We are waiting on travel approval and then we will need to book an appointment at the US consulate office. When that is done we will be ready to book our travel. While we wait we will worship the Father who has shown us what true love is, "not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." 1 John 4:10. We hope that through our journey you will see a God who deserves all the glory and praise for what He is doing.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Heard this song yesterday and thought it was appropriate for where we are at. I know it comes from the movie Fireproof, but I think the song applies. While we wait, we will worship.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03800998086474511169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099597790018931889.post-83626635069083965952012-03-07T08:21:00.001-06:002012-03-07T08:21:38.863-06:00When did our journey begin?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Our journey of adoption officially began January 13, 2011. That is the day we sent our application in to Holt International. Holt has been a great agency to work with by the way. However God planted the seed for this in our hearts over 10 years ago when we lived in Birmingham. Ann and I were at a Steven Curtis Chapman concert and he talked about the adoption of their daughter and the charity Show Hope they created to help others adopt. After the concert we both felt like we needed to look into adoption. We looked and researched and prayed and talked about it for several weeks. We decided it was not the right time for us for several reasons. One, we just never had peace about it. Also, we knew we were moving soon and that would throw some kinks into the process. We have also felt a pull towards international adoption and at the time we were in our mid 20's and in most countries we were too young to adopt. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The idea of adoption never really went away. Every so often one of us would bring it up. We would then spend weeks praying, talking, and doing a little research. For some reason it just never felt like the right time. Sometime in the summer of 2010 we began talking about it again. I'm not sure exactly what brought up the conversation this time, I think it was actually the result of several things. It seemed like every book I read talked about adoption. Each time I read about it I felt we needed to be doing something. A friend of ours (also named Steve, but no relation to the previous Steve mentioned) and his wife had adopted a few years earlier and on several occasions he had shared with me about their journey. We had also become increasingly aware of the number of orphans. The estimates vary, but a good estimate is somewhere around 140 million worldwide. The reality of what happens to many of these orphans when they age out of the system is heartbreaking to us. Many become involved in crime, drugs, prostitution, or are trafficked for either slavery or sexual exploitation. We wrestled for a while about how to be involved. There are some good organizations that are dealing with these problems, and we thought maybe what we should do was support them. But we continued to feel more and more that God was calling us to adopt. It seemed like everywhere we turned adoption was there. In the fall I had the opportunity to go to Haiti with my brother and a group from his church in Gardendale. It was truly a great trip for many reasons; we helped finish a church, we had the opportunity to share the gospel, but for me it was good to see a group of people truly living out the gospel in various ways. Of course we were on a missions trip, but to see people that lived out the gospel each day. Some living it out in their job or community, one couple who were literally selling all they had to follow Jesus, others who were in the process of adopting and fostering. At this point no one knew we were considering adoption and had no idea how encouraging it was for me. It was great to hear these guys tell how God directed them to follow Him in various ways. One was in the process of adopting a son from Uganda, which before they finished ended up being two sons. As we were there one got a call from his wife that they would be foster parents before he got back. Another one of the guys is fostering two kids and in the process of trying to adopt one of them. As I look back at how all the pieces have come together and the people that God used to bring us to this point it is truly amazing. We</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> understand that we can't adopt every child, but we know that we can adopt this one and see where that leads. Hopefully just as we have been inspired and encouraged by others, we can encourage others to do the same. We also understand earthly adoption is not the end. More than a loving home, clothes, food, and a warm bed we want to point them to a heavenly Father who has much more to offer. What we are doing only mirrors what He has done for us. In a later post I'll talk more about that, but it is summed up in 1 John 4:19 "We love because he first loved us."</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A quick update on where we are in the process. Not much has changed in the last couple of weeks. We have received our visas to enter the country. The kids were excited to see the page inserted into their passport. We are still waiting on the US Consulate to issue our Article 5. Hopefully that will be issued soon and we will receive travel approval and be able to book travel. It is looking like the possibility of traveling next week is quickly dwindling. If we do not travel next week the next possible travel date is the first week of April.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Many have asked what to pray about specifically, here are a few things. The Article 5 and travel approval and of course the actual date that we travel. We are anxious to travel as soon as possible, but know that God has a plan. Pray for us as we wait, these last couple of weeks the waiting has seemed the hardest. Pray that upon meeting Addie she will bond quickly with us. Pray for her transition. Although we know this is for her good she has no idea what is about to happen. It has the potential to be a very traumatic experience for her. If you can only imagine that all of a sudden she is pulled away from everything she has ever known. We look different, we smell different,our food tastes different, and we sound different.(Even in my most fluent mandarin I'm sure it still has a southern twang to it. So far I've mastered Ni hao which is hello) Then we will fly her half way around the world and she's awake when she used to be asleep and sleeping when she used to be awake. Her world has literally been turned upside down, and there is nothing familiar to her. Thanks for your continued prayers as we walk down this road.</span></span>Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03800998086474511169noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099597790018931889.post-9098507628231082332012-02-23T09:10:00.000-06:002012-02-23T09:10:10.810-06:00Faith of a Child<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Believe and have faith. Faith is often easy to talk about, but hard to actually put into practice. I think my problem is that I usually think logical or practical. I need to see the cause and effect. It needs to make sense to me. In many ways this can be a good quality, however when it comes to faith I don't think God wants me to be practical. He just wants me to have faith and believe in Him.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As we have journeyed down this path of adoption I have learned so much. I have seen God in ways that I probably never would have otherwise. Faith is one of the areas that God has grown me the most this past year. I honestly feel I have a come a long way, but apparently I still have a ways to go. As I mentioned in the last post we had talked to our kids this past weekend about everything that needs to happen so that we can travel in March. We talked about how at this point it is all out of our hands, God will have to make it happen. I asked the kids if they believed God could do this and without hesitation both said they believed He could. I asked why they thought that. They said because Ann and I said He could. Just like that I say it and they believe it to be true. I realize that I need faith like that, when God says something to just have faith. When I ask God for something just believe and wait for Him to work. We put them to bed Saturday and Landon prayed for our letter to come soon. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I thought I had really learned something until the next morning and I realized there was more. As we sat down together as a family to eat breakfast Sunday Landon began to pray just like many other times. He thanked God for his food, family, his friends, Addie and then he said something I wasn't expecting, "God help our letter to come today so that we can get Addie on March 16th." My first thought was it's Sunday and he does not realize the government offices are closed and our letter is not coming today. And almost in an instant my heart was broken, my faith is shallow and my logic tells me it's Sunday and the letter is not coming today. Whether he realized it was Sunday or not he believed God could do anything. I'm thinking it's not possible and he believes that anything is possible with God. Most days I'm trying to teach my kids how to live their life. How to follow God, praying that they love God with all of their heart, soul, and mind. That they love their neighbor as themselves. However on days like Sunday they're teaching and I'm learning. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The letter we have been waiting on from the NVC came on Tuesday. We forwarded it to our agency who then sent it to the US Consulate in Guangzhou. Next the US Consulate will issue an Article 5 which asks the CCCWA to issue us travel approval. Then our agency will help us arrange travel and our appointments at the US Consulate's office and then we are off to China. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Today we also received our visas from China that allow us to travel. We are thankful that God continues to move things along in this process. We are continuing to pray that these next few steps happen quickly so that we can travel in March. I realize this puts our travel only three weeks away, but we are praying and believing in a God that can do anything. We would be grateful for anyone else who would like to pray with us.</span>Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03800998086474511169noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099597790018931889.post-58993310568195519222012-02-18T19:37:00.000-06:002012-02-23T09:11:43.066-06:00"I wouldn't say it's impossible, it's just not probable."<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We hope this blog will be a good way to keep everyone that is interested in our adoption process updated on what's going on. I'm sure we will write about other things as well, but right now it will mostly be about our adoption. Over the next few weeks I will probably account for everything that has brought us to this point, but wanted to write today about where we are now. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Monday we received our I-800 form, this gives pre-aproval for Addie's citizenship. Right now we are waiting on a letter from the National Visa Center saying our clearance has been forwarded to the US consulate. We will then get travel approval from China and be able to schedule our travel to go and bring Addie home. It sounds simple enough, a few more steps and the process we have been in for the last 13 months is nearing an end. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In January when we received our Letter of Acceptance(LOA) allowing us to adopt Addie our agency gave us three possible dates of travel: March 16th, April 6th, or April 13th. Right away we knew we wanted to travel on March 16th for several reasons. Obviously it is the earliest date and would bring our family together the soonest. Another reason is the kids are on spring break the last week of March and that would be less school they would have to miss. At the end of October when we found out we were going to be able to adopt Addie our agency said it would be about 6 months before we traveled, so about the end of April. Landon began asking if we could go to China and celebrate his birthday which is the end of March. We told him if everything processed quickly there was a chance that could happen. He told us he didn't want presents; Addie could be his present and we could celebrate with a moon cake. </span><br />
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<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/98/Mooncake.jpg/200px-Mooncake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/98/Mooncake.jpg/200px-Mooncake.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6a/Lotus_seed_paste.jpg/220px-Lotus_seed_paste.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6a/Lotus_seed_paste.jpg/220px-Lotus_seed_paste.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6a/Lotus_seed_paste.jpg/220px-Lotus_seed_paste.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> the end of October Landon has been praying for us to spend his birthday in China. He has prayed specifically to travel on March 16th since we found out that was a possible date. As we have looked at the possibilities of traveling these three different dates we have found airline tickets to be a lot less expensive for the March date. We really thought things were looking good to travel the middle of March. Wednesday as we were waiting in the airport to return home from Chick-fil-A seminar I called our agency to ask a few questions and mainly see what they thought about us still being able to travel in March. When I asked about travel he replied, " I wouldn't say it's impossible, it's just not probable." We talked a few more minutes and I hung up the phone a little disappointed that we probably will not travel in March. He explained the time frame things usually take to happen and he just didn't see that it could happen quickly enough for us to travel. As I thought for the next several hours as we waited in the airport and flew home I realized I worship God that makes the improbable things happen. I have a Dad who cares for his children and likes to give them good things.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As we got home and were putting the kids to bed we told them about the call and reminded them the only thing we can do is what we've been doing all along: Pray. We prayed that God would work out the details, speed the process up and allow us to be in China March 16th. We know that God is more than capable of doing the improbable; He is more than capable of doing the impossible also. God spoke and created the world in Genesis 1. In Genesis 2 he created man from the dust of the earth. In Joshua 6 God's people shouted and blew trumpets and the walls of Jericho fell. A few chapters later in Joshua 10, Joshua ask God to make the sun stand still and He does. We are not asking for the sun to stand still, just that God do the improbable and work it out so that we can travel the middle of next month. We would greatly appreciate any that would like to join us in praying.</span></div>Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03800998086474511169noreply@blogger.com0