tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66431281962968973652024-03-05T09:34:42.413-08:00Impossible~Difficult~DoneEvery great work of God, first is impossible, then it is difficult, and then it is done~H. TaylorKBamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05306419756348426873noreply@blogger.comBlogger204125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643128196296897365.post-11146751510984407282015-10-14T19:17:00.000-07:002015-10-14T19:17:04.348-07:00Praying & BelievingOver 2 years ago, I sat on the beach and read about a clinical trial for Congenital Muscular Dystrophy. The new drug, Omigapil, was described in the news release: <i>Nonclinical studies in a disease-relevant model showed that omigapil
inhibits cell death and reduces body weight loss and skeletal
deformation, while increasing locomotive activity and protecting from
early mortality</i>.<br />
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As I read, I was filled with hope. The only thing that mattered to me were the last 4 words PROTECTING FROM EARLY MORTALITY. Please Lord, let it work and be available within my Lily's lifetime. I sat on that beach and prayed and begged that Lily could be a part of this study. I called several prayer warriors to begin praying that Lily would be chosen for this study. Over a year ago, as we sat at lunch with several friends from Sunday School, I got THE call...Lily was a candidate for the study and we were asked to let her participate!! Answered prayers!!<br />
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Over the past several months, Lily has been screened and we have completed several phone interviews. She was placed in Cohort 2 of the drug trial and we have eagerly waited for her phase of the trial to begin. The first group of patients have already received doses of Omigapil. As I watched the girls play outside yesterday, I got an email. Scheduling has started for Lily's cohort!<br />
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Beginning in February 2016, Trent and I will take turns flying with Lily to Maryland to spend 2 days every month at The National Institute of Health so that Lily can be assessed while she is taking the Omigapil. We'll travel each month through July 2016.<br />
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We know that this drug is in the very beginning stages of study. This is a dosing trial, so Lily will be receiving the actual treatment. We have also been told that if she shows any improvement during the drug trial, we can petition the FDA for her to continue Omigapil after the study is completed. <br />
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I share this to ask for your prayers. <i>Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours (Mark 11:24). </i>God has been so faithful to us over the years. He has blessed us with so much more than we deserve. We are praying daily for a miracle for our sweet Lily. Please pray without ceasing with us, believing and claiming that God can do ANYTHING.<br />
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As I got Lily ready for bed, we sang this little song that I've sang to her since she first came home. I picked her up and she struggled to wrap his tiny arms around my neck. I whispered, "don't ever leave me, Lily". She promised she'd stay with me until she was 60, but was quick to add that I would be way old :) <br />
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Every great work of God first is impossible, then it is difficult, and then it is DONE!! Thanks for praying with us as we gear up for the fight of our lives. Can't wait to see how God will be glorified through this process!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For this Child I prayed, and the Lord granted me what I ask of Him!</td></tr>
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<br />KBamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05306419756348426873noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643128196296897365.post-3730018490842775032015-07-29T22:23:00.003-07:002015-07-29T22:26:17.859-07:0016 Years!!!Way back in 1998, I had to try to put into words why I wanted to be a mother for our first adoption home study. It was so hard to explain that I just didn't want those sweet baby moments. I longed for every single moment...first step, first day of school, first boyfriend, first prom dress, first heart break, first job. Everything!!! 16 years ago, I met my absolute dream come true, my Mary Ashtyn. <br />
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I will never forget climbing into the van with her as we left the orphanage. Our driver honking the horn as the three sets of new parents cheered. As she snuggled against me, my cheers turned to tears. The hardest journey of our lives was over, we were parents. Answered prayers, dreams come true.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Gotcha Day, Mary Ashtyn!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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So thankful for all the firsts we've shared over the last 16 years. I'm amazed at what God has done in her life and how she allows Him to lead her each and every day. <br />
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KBamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05306419756348426873noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643128196296897365.post-37636216807752707892015-06-09T22:07:00.000-07:002015-06-09T22:09:10.994-07:00God Knew<br />
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This beach wheelchair in the making has me thinking about God's plans. When I was in Junior High, I needed a date to a last minute cheerleader party. I called my best friend in a panic (it's Junior High...this is MAJOR) because I had no date and it's the day of the party. My friend's brother happens to know that his best friend would be more than willing to go to this party with me. So, they call him and ta-da!!! I have a date.<br />
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My date meets me at the cheerleader sponsor's house (neither of us is old enough to drive). We watch the original Karate Kid...I'm not sure Will Smith is born at this point, much less his son who starred in the re-make several years ago. Anyway, within a few weeks, I have an official boyfriend!! We are really serious...talking on the phone (it was connected by a plug in the wall, we didn't have cordless yet and we had NEVER heard of cell phones) and writing letters, real letters with paper and pens!! We even folded them in that special 80's way:<br />
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<img alt="Image result for folding notes in the 90s" class="rg_i" data-sz="f" height="266" name="OjpMx3DIP744iM:" 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" style="height: 165px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; width: 248px;" width="400" /><br />
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As I looked at the beginnings of this beach wheelchair, it amazed me to think how God knew even wwwwaaaayyyy back in Junior High where my life would go. That boy who I took to the Jr. High Cheerleader party and wrote 10 page letters to everyday...he was Trent!!!<br />
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As we dated through high school and college and made plans for our life, God knew where we were headed. He knew that when crazy college Trent insisted that we have a son named Reece, after Kyle Reese in The Terminator (I swear this is true), that little boy would wait for us across the world in Kazahkstan. God knew that it would take years and years before our dreams came true and that a tiny little girl in Russia would finally make us parents.<br />
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He absolutely knew that the boy I asked to that party a million years ago was meant for me. God always intended for him to be the one to literally pick me up off the floor every month as we struggled through infertility. Through the ups and downs of 20 years of marriage, God knew that we'd make it through the rough times. He knew that as we raised Mary Ashtyn and Reece, His plans were nowhere near finished. I think God probably laughed through the years as Trent and I said over and over that our family was finished. As we marveled at parents raising children with special needs or adopting older children and agreed that we could never do that. God knew!<br />
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Only God would know that a first date watching The Karate Kid in 1987 would lead to a beach wheelchair built for 2 in 2015. As I watched Trent measure and cut and make trips to the store to get more supplies for Lily and Ava's chair, it reminded me how meticulous God's plans are. I watch my first date plan and build this wheelchair and my heart is full. I am so very thankful that God knew who I needed right beside me through all the stops and starts in our crazy adventure.<br />
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Now, I've got to wake up my lazy husband who is sleeping in the chair as I type! We have four kids going in 4 different directions tomorrow...there could be some screaming going on before we make it through the day, but God knows that too!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKlCdq1tewUXa-PWNGJbO5-Wud8f6QVTJwAekdX-hB3s78YNlGnjjYwzqMDG14Uhs4JWxDWfV8H18o7adDH2Fdb0ZjtKlhcAEgXGSHICiKC7Xjdzg3ilZFWdKjRrAvwIqbd5t5X5tegrU/s1600/photo%252829%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKlCdq1tewUXa-PWNGJbO5-Wud8f6QVTJwAekdX-hB3s78YNlGnjjYwzqMDG14Uhs4JWxDWfV8H18o7adDH2Fdb0ZjtKlhcAEgXGSHICiKC7Xjdzg3ilZFWdKjRrAvwIqbd5t5X5tegrU/s400/photo%252829%2529.JPG" width="397" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">God knows nobody else could put up with him!!! LOL</td></tr>
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<br />KBamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05306419756348426873noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643128196296897365.post-72567308753115243182015-06-02T20:07:00.000-07:002015-06-02T20:07:43.285-07:00Remembering ChinaThis time last year, we spent our last few days as BamFam5. We spent the weekend in Hangzhou site seeing and waiting to meet Ava. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-cvTXViPj63ZAyPVCYBZAJuk52tMyuLTQYI-ytHgeWeB91bTCkAnPDbEfo4OKyi3XAXpU-Cnath2yjQ7H1xBPQkuusvr2NPYzqOACUVhvl6yCv3rQcEushk0KBqIM0ykhUY9-d5-O2k/s1600/Kristie%2527s+iphone+download+to+computer+july+2014+055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-cvTXViPj63ZAyPVCYBZAJuk52tMyuLTQYI-ytHgeWeB91bTCkAnPDbEfo4OKyi3XAXpU-Cnath2yjQ7H1xBPQkuusvr2NPYzqOACUVhvl6yCv3rQcEushk0KBqIM0ykhUY9-d5-O2k/s640/Kristie%2527s+iphone+download+to+computer+july+2014+055.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hangzhou Museum</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9uuioXoaGAFuYnciQASRpPy61sNbRm3BNymyafztjMLKz6rnLYBCcybfbBT6iecb3zNC9GVe3IicLx3fGq1If6rJiI3tB1dmtGROdGGnDb6KVBlWdlmpT-QwzqL-ASWnreQniVsHiI8/s1600/Kristie%2527s+iphone+download+to+computer+july+2014+061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9uuioXoaGAFuYnciQASRpPy61sNbRm3BNymyafztjMLKz6rnLYBCcybfbBT6iecb3zNC9GVe3IicLx3fGq1If6rJiI3tB1dmtGROdGGnDb6KVBlWdlmpT-QwzqL-ASWnreQniVsHiI8/s640/Kristie%2527s+iphone+download+to+computer+july+2014+061.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So blessed we were able to take Lily back to China!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPtnCkjZ6HqaUIc7UwI0C-rHon1Uc6hsewU0S0XjYrpMpa9UsGWboYNnx1Lr_1zT0YpLziICHbkMB7GSUVaTVRA1czEpOoRv2OBZSvbH-FpQQSIi49fXpQvdLm4gh2AhkGzmxArHgikqU/s1600/Kristie%2527s+iphone+download+to+computer+july+2014+067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPtnCkjZ6HqaUIc7UwI0C-rHon1Uc6hsewU0S0XjYrpMpa9UsGWboYNnx1Lr_1zT0YpLziICHbkMB7GSUVaTVRA1czEpOoRv2OBZSvbH-FpQQSIi49fXpQvdLm4gh2AhkGzmxArHgikqU/s640/Kristie%2527s+iphone+download+to+computer+july+2014+067.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbi6oaRYr3g3k-M_hiy4C2T4c0U5IPRVMJoHwCnruyVMvE2W_G0UdAbqIUwDmfkISkzgaEQARQkRXorx-M4BbyP2mCb0Um9I3Tr2wKXQ16PtjdQcHmvoPP_Zh-LpMeQMaXcmM3JVoXJQE/s1600/Kristie%2527s+iphone+download+to+computer+july+2014+076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbi6oaRYr3g3k-M_hiy4C2T4c0U5IPRVMJoHwCnruyVMvE2W_G0UdAbqIUwDmfkISkzgaEQARQkRXorx-M4BbyP2mCb0Um9I3Tr2wKXQ16PtjdQcHmvoPP_Zh-LpMeQMaXcmM3JVoXJQE/s640/Kristie%2527s+iphone+download+to+computer+july+2014+076.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shopping</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIN6_8EST3kEpYFRVC2glveQrUyyJnxhvHcC7ylW1Z2CwJJOL7O7IIxD66Y2k3kYZeOi-2sop5oEsfXdLzpCCshtevpPOHAIQvcLVhIwKrkjQNpprb3rc5U-yqgE5G9yoYaxUQwHWbEN4/s1600/Kristie%2527s+iphone+download+to+computer+july+2014+078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIN6_8EST3kEpYFRVC2glveQrUyyJnxhvHcC7ylW1Z2CwJJOL7O7IIxD66Y2k3kYZeOi-2sop5oEsfXdLzpCCshtevpPOHAIQvcLVhIwKrkjQNpprb3rc5U-yqgE5G9yoYaxUQwHWbEN4/s640/Kristie%2527s+iphone+download+to+computer+july+2014+078.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Authentic Chinese Buffet...we skipped the fish :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Mall</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weiss Lake</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hotel breakfast buffet is always a favorite!</td></tr>
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It's hard to describe our feelings as we toured Hangzhou waiting to get Ava. We really tried to enjoy every minute, but we were also hoping the days would go quickly. We were so anxious to meet our new daughter and sister. God moved lots of mountains to get us to China and add this sweet girl to our family. It was almost time to meet her!! <br />
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June 3, 2014...Gotcha Day!!!</div>
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The child that we fell in love with through pictures and videos was almost in our arms!! </div>
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Tomorrow, we celebrate a year that Ava Frances Fang has been ours. What a year it has been! God has proven over and over that His plans are perfect. It is amazing that this little girl who is so much a part of us has only been with us for a year.</div>
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KBamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05306419756348426873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643128196296897365.post-90191827973097922102015-05-29T20:03:00.000-07:002015-05-29T20:03:12.292-07:00One Year!!One year ago, our family of five flew out of the Birmingham Airport on our way to China! Five became six!! It still amazes me a year later how God led us to Ava and completed her adoption. Many of you who follow our blog prayed for us and donated to our adoption fund. YOU were a part of God's plan and we are forever grateful.<br />
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May 29, 2014...Airport Memories</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So ready for our adventure to Ava!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Excited sisters!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As we took off, Reece grabbed my hand. The unknown was scary!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beijing!! </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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There is no way to describe how it feels to finally be in the same country as the child you've waited almost a year to meet. Sweet memories tonight of our journey to Ningbo, China. Amazed to see how far God has brought us in just one year!<br />
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<br />KBamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05306419756348426873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643128196296897365.post-5674034408389622262014-11-30T11:02:00.000-08:002014-11-30T11:02:17.504-08:00Birthday Girl!!Last year, we sent Ava a birthday cake and gift. My heart ached when we got the pictures of her on her birthday. Her little lips were chapped and she was serving the cake to her friends. I wanted to put chapstick on those lips and cut her cake for her. I wanted to so badly for her to be HOME.<br />
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What a difference a year makes!! Six months of love and family. It is such a blessing to watch Ava become just what God intended...a cherished daughter, His and ours!!<br />
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Happy Birthday, sweet Ava!!!</div>
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KBamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05306419756348426873noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643128196296897365.post-39445351633646519612014-11-27T21:03:00.000-08:002014-11-27T21:04:42.492-08:00Three YearsNovember 28, 2011...three years ago, the four of us sat in a hotel lobby in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia anxiously watching for our first glimpse of our little Lily.<br />
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The little girl that we had loved since that first video we saw in March was finally ours!!</div>
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If you've never read about Lily's Gotcha Day, <a href="http://bamfam5.blogspot.com/2011/11/lily-day.html" target="_blank">CLICK HERE </a>. </div>
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God's plan for our family always included Lily. Three years of loving her have been an absolute joy. Lily has taught us to savor every minute of life and take nothing for granted. God used this tiny girl and her weak little muscles to change our lives in the most extraordinary ways. Three years of learning to live with a progressive muscle disease,contractures, wheelchairs, surgeries and tears...three years of love, laughter, faith, hope, joy, and peace. The only thing that I would change would be finding her sooner and loving her longer. </div>
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Happy Gotcha Day, to the strongest little girl I will ever know...we are so glad that you are ours!!</div>
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Three years on November 28, 2011, as Lily joined our family, another sweet little girl turned 7 years old in an orphanage in Ningbo, China. Three years ago, we had no idea that God would send us back to China to bring our Ava HOME. Tomorrow, Ava will turn 10 years old and will have her first birthday celebration. We'll spend the day celebrating our littles and praising God for making them ours.</div>
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<br />KBamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05306419756348426873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643128196296897365.post-62338045747271263752014-10-23T20:16:00.000-07:002014-10-23T20:16:26.131-07:00StrengthSometimes, I'm so tired I can't see straight. Four kids is a full time job and I HAVE a full time job outside of our home, too. Days like today, I am stretched so many ways... I'm not sure I can get it all done. The bigs are on different ends of the county at majorette and football practice. The littles get home and need to change clothes, snack, potty, and do homework. For Lily and Ava, all of these things require a lot of assistance. By the time we finish, it's time to go pick up Mary Ashtyn from practice while Trent waits for Reece to finish. When the boys get home, it's time to eat, get baths, and go to bed. Oh, yeah...there are grocery store trips and cooking somewhere in this hectic schedule. <br />
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Tonight, we had pizza rolls and I just started the first load of laundry. I. am. so. tired! I am not complaining, just stating a fact. As busy as we are, I am thankful beyond words for my little (well, big) family. As I drove home from church last night, I listened to all four of the kids laugh and joke with each other. There is no doubt that these are the best times of my life. My body is dragging, but my heart is so full.<br />
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After the littles finished homework this afternoon, Lily asked to snuggle in my lap and watch TV. Ava quickly noticed and asked me to "holda" her too. After we got situated, I wrapped an arm around each of them and they laid their heads against mine. We sat that way for about an hour. For this weary Mama, it was just what I needed to recharge and refocus.<br />
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(Sorry for the pitiful selfie...just one of those moments I want to remember)</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>He gives strength to the weary...</b></i></span> (Isaiah 40:29)</div>
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My strength definitely comes from the Lord! My sweet miracles wear me out, but I know God gave us the four of them for specific purposes and I wouldn't change one second of our life. <br />
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<br />KBamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05306419756348426873noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643128196296897365.post-40970422642955385832014-09-04T20:16:00.000-07:002014-09-04T20:16:24.857-07:00A Great Day!!The blog is way behind, but with four kids...I'm barely finding time to do laundry! Blogging has been on the back burner. Ava has been home for 3 months and we are finding our new normal. It's been an adjustment, but she is thriving and amazes us every day with how she is embracing family life. Tonight, I have to share quickly about our day.<br />
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On July 24, we went to our first orthopedic appointment. After x-rays of Ava's hips and an examination, we got some surprising news. Ava's doctor did not want her to use her walker due to some issues with her hips that were caused by the difference in her leg length and the way she favored one leg and hip to balance. It was explained to us that her best option would be a manual wheelchair that she could propel herself. We left a little shocked since we have watched Ava zoom around using the walker so well. We were not devastated, just surprised...still trusting God's plan.<br />
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Trent and I decided to look at more options and made an appointment at Shriner's in South Carolina. That appointment was today. After reviewing all of Ava's medical tests, another doctor shocked us once again...wheelchair?? NO! Braces, shoe lifts, and forearm crutches. He agreed that she is much too strong to not try to give her more mobility. Ava went from no independence, to this...<br />
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Ava did great using the walker and we are all thrilled! The rehab department also loaned us a wheelchair that is just Ava's size that she can roll herself. She was backing up and turning like a pro in just a few minutes. In the next few weeks, we will begin casting her smaller leg to help with the contracture at her knee level. Then, she'll be fitted for KAFOs (knee ankle foot orthotics) and will start some physical therapy to use the forearm crutches. She will also be fitted for a manual wheelchair for long distances.</div>
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It was a really great day!! I love giving God control and letting Him lead us right where we need to be!</div>
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<i><b>Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and
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<b><i>(Philippians 4:6)</i></b></div>
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<br />KBamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05306419756348426873noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643128196296897365.post-35597640799709810262014-07-29T21:42:00.002-07:002014-07-29T21:44:49.079-07:0015 YearsFifteen years ago, a young couple sat in a hot, airless room waiting. Waiting after 5 years of hopelessness, wanting, and praying...waiting on a dream to come true. That dream was a seven month old, 12 pound baby girl. As the curtain hanging in front of the orphanage door parted and that tiny baby was brought into the room, everything was right in the world. That sweet baby was held by a brand new Mama who was scared to death. I was that Mama and my Mary Ashtyn was that tiny baby. As I took her from her nanny, her little lip started to quiver and I locked eyes with her and told her not to cry because I had waited on her for so long. She put her tiny hand it in my mouth and gave me the sweetest little smirk I've ever seen. I sobbed as I held my sweet daughter...finally a Mama!!!<br />
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Prayers were answered and our dreams came true in that Russian orphanage!!</div>
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I still remember sharing with our social worker all the reasons I wanted to be a mother to a little girl. Not just the cute baby clothes and toddler years but shopping together, first boyfriends, first dances, tryouts, watching her grow up loving Jesus. Oh, my Mary Ashtyn...you really did make all my dreams come true!! I am blessed by the miracle that you are! God answered my prayers when He gave us you. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Granny, Mary Frances Baker Scott, with her name sake.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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You made us parents, you made our dreams come true, you made us want more...</div>
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<i><b>For this child I prayed and the Lord has granted me the desires of my heart! (1 Samuel 1:27)</b></i></div>
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Happy Gotcha Day, Mary Ashtyn!!! </div>
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KBamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05306419756348426873noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643128196296897365.post-85805889865873618422014-07-14T20:54:00.001-07:002014-07-14T20:58:41.996-07:00Beach MemoriesWe are spending this week at our favorite beach in St. George Island, Florida. Last year, we came to SGI in June. Since we were camping then, Trent and Reece drove the truck and pulled the camper. The girls and I followed in the van. It was during this drive that I first mentioned adopting again to Mary Ashtyn. Trent and I had been praying and talking about "Frannie" for about a month, but we had not mentioned her to the kids. Mary Ashtyn quickly said that she didn't think we could handle another little girl who couldn't walk. I passed my phone over and she watched Frannie's videos and looked at her pictures. That was the first time I heard, "can we get her, Mom?" My sweet girl is so much like her Daddy and me, once she saw her...Mash wanted her. Throughout the next 2 weeks, all three of the kids asked us over and over if we were getting her.<br />
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We spent that trip talking about that sweet little girl with the huge smile and dreamed about what it be like to have another little girl on the beach with us. Could we really do this? Two littles who didn't walk...could we REALLY do this??? Mary Ashtyn, Reece, and Lily were positive we could. They begged and made promises about helping with her and they made lists of names for their new Mei Mei. Piper was our favorite at first, but it didn't take too long for us to agree on Ava.<br />
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A year later, we're back at the beach with that little girl that we
talked about the entire trip last time!! It's been an emotional trip.
Watching Ava see the beach for the first time, play in the sand, ride
the waves, and eat in our favorite restaurant has almost brought us to
tears. Who am I kidding, I cried!!! As we watch the kids, Trent
catches my eye and gives me this look, the "I can't believe this is real"
look. Last year, it seemed impossible, but we made it through the
difficult and it is done! As we drove the golf cart down to the beach on our first night, Ava put her hand on Trent's face and whispered, "xie xie, Baba". Thank you, Daddy. Oh sweet Ava, we thank our Heavenly Father for you each and every day!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMvOcf4Jl-avYT34qte68SoHV4b48UNGE94aM8BVsYO-Fkhrb4RR7fIYBVCf42TXJQ8pRz8p4S1kSdGR23v14vJdJxVcurJxwo82OPnN0lEu4dmbZW70BFwWIp6qnr0fbhY5ZO_QxRts/s1600/avabeach.jpg" height="300" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our sweet girl on the beach for the first time!!</td></tr>
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Almost every year since we've been coming to SGI, we've had a mini photo shoot... </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2010</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWpLLLa0Qh4hu422vOqqwjOGcJQd63Bez7N1fGMEO63Y-5MVcU2mn8SPKphI2A6QUXBD-6_7RSWkNkuZoQZYsSsY6VnCrjJLQ6c2zZCeE_pknDX51NWAkI7dlQKHmlJ451UiJMkoHehiE/s1600/mashsgi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWpLLLa0Qh4hu422vOqqwjOGcJQd63Bez7N1fGMEO63Y-5MVcU2mn8SPKphI2A6QUXBD-6_7RSWkNkuZoQZYsSsY6VnCrjJLQ6c2zZCeE_pknDX51NWAkI7dlQKHmlJ451UiJMkoHehiE/s1600/mashsgi.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mash posing</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BamFam4...no clue that we were missing 2!!! (and Trent had hair!!!)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2011...waiting on Lily</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJNVeWFmaOXFVswGtQ25EboxC0yDJuXilK2wF5yFp-qN4teENl93a4aX9esSXRUf_YvKrMyVqxUzNrEo6T3WWN8Rz-_oZ3mAvXOWwULsuaqqprjxFmXP6W_JYBgV6nMXzuSyVPau8JQs/s1600/mashsgi2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJNVeWFmaOXFVswGtQ25EboxC0yDJuXilK2wF5yFp-qN4teENl93a4aX9esSXRUf_YvKrMyVqxUzNrEo6T3WWN8Rz-_oZ3mAvXOWwULsuaqqprjxFmXP6W_JYBgV6nMXzuSyVPau8JQs/s1600/mashsgi2.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mash still posing :)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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We skipped a few years at the fountain, we didn't go to SGI the year that Lily came home...a body cast and Muscular Dystrophy slowed us down a little that summer. For some reason, we skipped fountain photos in 2013???<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2013 Lily's first trip to SGI, dreaming of Ava the entire trip :)</td></tr>
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For 2014, the fountain photos have returned!!!</div>
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This...</div>
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Sometimes this...</div>
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She's still posing...</div>
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But now, so is she...</div>
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And her, too...</div>
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He still won't, but what a cutie...</div>
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All four of them take my breath away...</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me!</b></i></span></div>
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<span class="p"><i><b>Psalm 66:16</b></i></span></div>
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KBamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05306419756348426873noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643128196296897365.post-47495949368350646442014-07-10T21:24:00.001-07:002014-07-10T21:27:51.729-07:00Ava Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Adopting an older child is one of the biggest blessings! Sure, there are challenges...but watching this sweet little girl experience LIFE outweighs the language barriers and the habits that have been established over the last 9 years. Over the past month, Ava has changed so much. With four kids, it's been a little busy and I've had no time to blog. So, here is my attempt to answer some of the questions about the newest Bamberg:<br />
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Ava is doing well learning English! She is following simple commands and answering basic "wh" questions. She is combining 2 words to make phrases (my shoe, Ava eat, my clothes) and several 3 and 4 word sentences (Ava no sleepy, turn light off/on, charge my iPod) She brought one of her baby dolls into the den for me to babysit while she rough housed with the boys and asked, "Mama, you keepa my baby?" As I picked up her baby, she reminded me, "be easy my baby, Mama". We still get LOTS of Chinese, but somehow we are communicating pretty easily. She realized after a few days that we tell each other I love you often, so she tells us "I lub you" a bunch. <br />
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Ava and Lily are the best of friends. They spend hours playing in their room...play dough, barbies, babies, library, arts and crafts. We tried to put Ava to bed early one night because she had an early morning appointment. She couldn't/wouldn't go to sleep without Lily. Trent and I both tried to get her to sleep...NOPE. She kept asking for Lily. As soon as Lily was in bed, Ava was snoring in less than 5 minutes. They eat with their chairs touching at the kitchen table and watch Barbie movies on the iPad sharing a set of headphones. It is so sweet to watch!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet Sisters</td></tr>
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Bonding and attachment are going OK. Ava LOVES her Daddy, she kinda idolizes him. She adores her JieJie and GuGu. Mary Ashtyn and Reece have been so good with her. Ava likes me, but mainly sees me as her caregiver at this point. She calls for me when it's time to eat or go to the bathroom. She gives me hugs and kisses, but will choose her Daddy any day of the week if we're both in the same room. I'm praying a lot and trying not to get my feelings hurt. Some days, it's hard! Some days, it's funny and we laugh at how she is smothering Trent. I know this is all part of adoption and that it will get better. I'm also happy to say that the other three liked me most from the very beginning :) I couldn't have handled this more than once!!<br />
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Ava gets very quiet and withdrawn when we are out in public. The few times we've gotten out of the house, she smiles and greets people, but gets clingy to us. She is so much more comfortable at home with just us, so we aren't getting out much. If you're local and see us out, please understand that you are not truly seeing the real Ava. She is in NO way quiet and withdrawn when she is safe and secure at home. Also understand when we don't stop to talk much, it's easier on Ava. <br />
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From the two doctors we've seen so far, Ava seems to have nerve damage that affects both of her legs. Neither doctor thinks she has Muscular Dystrophy!!!! She'll be having an MRI in the next few weeks to determine more. Both doctors have mentioned hip dislocation and possible surgery...which would mean a body cast. Since we've been there, done that with Lily, I think Trent and I dreading this even more than last time. The nerve damage can not be reversed, but she'll start physical therapy to make the most of the function that she does have. She is a speed demon in her walker and her upper body is so strong, she is not missing out on anything. Just like Lily, Ava is a determined and sassy little girl that won't be defined by how she ambulates.<br />
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Life with two littles who don't walk has not been much different so far. It takes us longer to get dressed and out of the house, of course. Getting loaded in and out of the van takes longer, but we're establishing our new routine. No one warned me that 2 littles so close in age would turn me into the Potty Queen!!! LOL If one goes to the restroom, the other is sure to follow. Most days, I'm running back and forth between both bathrooms checking on them. It's hilarious, but very tiring! <br />
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Overall, I think we're doing great. Many want to know if Ava smiles all the time...yep, pretty much! She has not grieved much since we've been home. She's cried a few times at night, but who wouldn't when you leave everything you know?<br />
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As I typed, Ava got off the couch and made her way over to me and climbed in my lap for a quick hug and kiss. I'm reminded again that she's right where she's supposed to be. God always knew she belonged in my arms, in our family.<br />
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<br />KBamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05306419756348426873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643128196296897365.post-68263441343159513892014-07-01T19:07:00.000-07:002014-07-01T19:07:08.947-07:00One MonthOne month ago, Ava leapt into our lives. As we watched one door, she was brought up the back stairs. We heard someone furiously trying to get into the locked door. About the time we realized it was Ava, the door was opened, she was screaming "MaMa" and jumping into my arms. It was an amazing Gotcha Day...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ava's first doll</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU4xU9VFwXe96mtjnlWJR9dqLkCNkpaQ-LMv_E-efJM06H5wxgthuyY51Y__HbLYhJsuxZTlczwy8mDBkc0hGVOpIsKjVqnSFryZ3cB0FhsX_deI05leBrkrVIJCeI1ghilG322ZoTbQc/s1600/IMG_5045%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU4xU9VFwXe96mtjnlWJR9dqLkCNkpaQ-LMv_E-efJM06H5wxgthuyY51Y__HbLYhJsuxZTlczwy8mDBkc0hGVOpIsKjVqnSFryZ3cB0FhsX_deI05leBrkrVIJCeI1ghilG322ZoTbQc/s1600/IMG_5045%5B1%5D.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet girl was terrified</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix2MOn5aCVgygV4-OV_ZDf3pSy1snIT1_dhMYd0URJcQB6_pLIPA7XKks-oW6Ob_1SKXGQoFmpV1S_6vkMeWtFTVKkFQAi-wrGu_SrYLkabsRm7pf8xBOkM9KbbFUrNHaMJDdXFonq9y4/s1600/IMG_5047%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix2MOn5aCVgygV4-OV_ZDf3pSy1snIT1_dhMYd0URJcQB6_pLIPA7XKks-oW6Ob_1SKXGQoFmpV1S_6vkMeWtFTVKkFQAi-wrGu_SrYLkabsRm7pf8xBOkM9KbbFUrNHaMJDdXFonq9y4/s1600/IMG_5047%5B1%5D.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making it official</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We just sat and stared at our beautiful girl</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally together!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On our way to the hotel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxfU9fbJYzVzckNIJfdvP2SQ8_JWhQOyC87Tezx3ur8IUkWh5r2yVJ74NwZW2iLZB9tutNkpk18ugAlbhjEPQyAIOjIdghC2L-wKhAkwg7En6fQG9poimgE1HvXQ5DdGcPJ6I9dobZu-Q/s1600/IMG_5119%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxfU9fbJYzVzckNIJfdvP2SQ8_JWhQOyC87Tezx3ur8IUkWh5r2yVJ74NwZW2iLZB9tutNkpk18ugAlbhjEPQyAIOjIdghC2L-wKhAkwg7En6fQG9poimgE1HvXQ5DdGcPJ6I9dobZu-Q/s1600/IMG_5119%5B1%5D.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So very blessed!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxN9ypwuvBqFPB1KKOFgN4njw_Ics1EuQCLPbDP9RDoQMmYLfQ_NMOidIRYv1LFmu1jIu9vTKtr53uqEYNZl7_bqre7hosAadNdUkBDYAJBm5TY3J2ssJ0q66VHVn_Edr4fEIkVzV9IQ/s1600/IMG_5189%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxN9ypwuvBqFPB1KKOFgN4njw_Ics1EuQCLPbDP9RDoQMmYLfQ_NMOidIRYv1LFmu1jIu9vTKtr53uqEYNZl7_bqre7hosAadNdUkBDYAJBm5TY3J2ssJ0q66VHVn_Edr4fEIkVzV9IQ/s1600/IMG_5189%5B1%5D.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family...FOREVER!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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It's so hard to believe that a month ago we didn't know Ava. Today, she is a part of us and we can't imagine life without her. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGaNL7EA420-cL6QGxBa9YcNPsdzxtFjlagL0QEVIYmVkmJJbOZgVzt0wW8TUFrTvc49NpNVGIy4cjb-VmAo2MPz37El80ng5PN79aqGwsiMrQ0UKpn9R6V90kVMBtb_24UFqe4HZGOA8/s1600/291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGaNL7EA420-cL6QGxBa9YcNPsdzxtFjlagL0QEVIYmVkmJJbOZgVzt0wW8TUFrTvc49NpNVGIy4cjb-VmAo2MPz37El80ng5PN79aqGwsiMrQ0UKpn9R6V90kVMBtb_24UFqe4HZGOA8/s1600/291.JPG" height="640" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy One Month, Ava...looking forward to a lifetime of love and laughter!!!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />KBamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05306419756348426873noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643128196296897365.post-34715514938450478272014-06-30T21:46:00.000-07:002014-06-30T21:46:36.675-07:00His PlansFriday, Lily and Ava played outside. As I pulled into the garage later in the afternoon, this made me smile...<br />
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I've thought about this picture a lot over the last few days. Four short years ago, I had no idea that walkers and wheelchairs would be a part of our everyday life...that they would be lined up outside my kitchen door after an afternoon of playing outside. It blows my mind that I pull up and am happy to see my girls' wheels. There is no sadness or regret, just excitement that Lily and Ava are ours. <br />
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It honestly doesn't bother us that Lily and Ava don't walk. If there is a cure for Muscular Dystrophy in my girls' lifetime that will restore muscle function, I will be praising Jesus the loudest of anyone. If that cure doesn't come, I'll still be the one praising Jesus the loudest! God has given complete peace about our girls. We didn't bring them home to fix them, just to love them.<br />
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Never in a million years did we think our life would lead us to where we are today. Never in a million years could we imagine our life any differently than it is today! God knew!! Never in a million years can I praise Him enough for bringing the six of us together.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to
prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11) </b></i></span></div>
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KBamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05306419756348426873noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643128196296897365.post-65626373736757176082014-06-25T09:29:00.000-07:002014-06-25T09:29:47.336-07:00A Brother's LoveI don't blog about my bigs much, mainly because they are teenagers and I'm forbidden. Today, I'm sneaking in a post about my Reece. I've said many times that he has a servant's heart. He is the first one willing to stop what he's doing and help someone. He is super aware of other people's feelings and needs. There is no way to even begin to describe his devotion to his sisters, especially Lily. He realizes what she misses out on because of her MD, and it breaks his heart.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiNGbqxueJzVWfHlcri6o277VQKyfl338eUqHFXugNp3gdY3huk61F1yhAcZ5XnE9VXx8Zw-wfcfZ1RR_RZknnCsRAd1r2fHJuR46L0XVqAJMjkHsNMf0UrFnt0PEJPVOoETHlF4h8mMg/s1600/DSC09678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiNGbqxueJzVWfHlcri6o277VQKyfl338eUqHFXugNp3gdY3huk61F1yhAcZ5XnE9VXx8Zw-wfcfZ1RR_RZknnCsRAd1r2fHJuR46L0XVqAJMjkHsNMf0UrFnt0PEJPVOoETHlF4h8mMg/s1600/DSC09678.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First time Reece held Lily in China (2011)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Last year at the beach, her little body just couldn't handle much time in the ocean. Every afternoon, a tide pool would form and he spent hours
playing with her. No one asked him to, his sweet servant's heart chose
to spend time helping Lily enjoy her beach time. These are some of my
favorite pictures ever... </div>
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I'm so proud of my son and the man that he is too quickly becoming. As I watch him with his sisters, there is no doubt that he will one day be the most caring husband and Daddy (if I ever let him leave me). Reece would do anything for Lily and I'm sure Ava is realizing he will do the same for her. She already worships her GuGu and calls out for his help often.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4SWyKBn2yeCU7-ZRCSgDFvNk2I5ji-j-4txkQy4J9A1cMu723oNt-PAYp6lh4tmx6xjDpCVgRNaP0dmogih1A3z8BOea6_Pbz4gJm_4dShoUdEJW9pcyGBR-To3990GIxge5Ro2Sz-EI/s1600/IMG_0929%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4SWyKBn2yeCU7-ZRCSgDFvNk2I5ji-j-4txkQy4J9A1cMu723oNt-PAYp6lh4tmx6xjDpCVgRNaP0dmogih1A3z8BOea6_Pbz4gJm_4dShoUdEJW9pcyGBR-To3990GIxge5Ro2Sz-EI/s1600/IMG_0929%5B1%5D.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GuGu and Ava on the Pearl River Cruise in Guangzhou...their smiles say it all!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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This morning, Reece woke up with a headache. As I doted on him and gave
his some medicine, Ava and Lily noticed. Lily understood the GuGu was
feeling bad and through our gestures and broken English, I helped Ava
understand that his head hurt. As he fixed his breakfast plate and sat
down with the littles, the servant became the served. Watching the
girls baby their big brother was one of the sweetest thing I've ever
seen. I'm so glad my camera just happened to be on the kitchen
counter, I promise none of these photos were staged...<br />
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<b><i>Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. (Romans 12:10) </i></b></div>
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Flight delays, delayed homecomings, illness, and surgery just can't steal our joy! When scenes like this play out at our kitchen table, there is no doubt that God knew exactly what He was doing when He brought us all together!! </div>
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KBamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05306419756348426873noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643128196296897365.post-21149587582177023802014-06-21T13:11:00.000-07:002014-06-21T13:11:01.162-07:00What a Week!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My last post seems like years ago. Our last day in China ended up not being our last day in China. We sat on the runway in Beijing waiting for 6 hours for our plane to take off. Fuel pump problems and the pilot being on duty for too long before takeoff ended up canceling our flight. Our real last night in China was spent at an airport hotel. Missed planes and cancelled flights left us sleeping on the floor in the Detroit airport and spending another night away from home in an Atlanta airport. Almost 68 hours after leaving the Garden hotel, we finally walked through our front door...20 days after leaving and finally with our sweet Ava in our arms!! <br />
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I planned on posting hilarious pictures of us sleeping on airport floors and other odd places during our crazy journey to get home. I was going to blow the whistle on Delta for the poor treatment of our littles and their total lack of empathy for their special needs. I wanted to post about how God used our sweet Sunday School class to renew our spirits and remind us that He would not fail us. I wanted to post pictures of my FOUR miracles finally home and tell all about the perfect day that God gave us on Tuesday. It was a glimpse of His perfect plan for BamFam6...it was so good!!<br />
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That post won't happen for awhile...because Wednesday happened and my Lily, our joy, got so very sick. There were hours during that day that I thought we would lose her. Trent says that this blog is my release, and this early Friday morning as I sit at Children's Hospital...I need the release. I really want to lay in the floor and scream and scream and scream, but I'll type instead. Warning up front, it's a crappy story but God wins in the end. He picked us up and carried us through once again.<br />
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Wednesday morning, Ava (still only answering to Yu Fang, but Ava's easier to type) and I woke up earlier than everybody else. She was so happy and gave me lots of hugs and kisses. I made her some noodles and she ate and we played. Huge step for us because by the end of our trip, she was a total Daddy's girl. That's so common in adoption, but it's the first time our new child hasn't bonded with us both equally. Kinda broke my heart, but I could see improvement since we were finally home.<br />
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Lily woke up asking for water. As Ava played Barbies, I snuggled with Lily and helped her drink her water. Around 8:00 am, she complained with her stomach. Thinking she was hungry, I made her some toast with hot sauce...gross, but it's her favorite! We sat on the couch and she started to writhe from the stomach pain. I rubbed her little belly and thought she might need some Miralax...very common for her because of the MD. Reece had gotten up and got everything ready for me since Liky was in my lap whining from her tummy ache. The whining and writhing are very unusual for Lily, who NEVER complains. By this time, she is very pale and her lips are white. We make a dash for the bathroom and she gets sick. I'm thinking our sweet girl has her first stomach virus. After her second vomiting episode, Trent calls the pediatrician and the nurse says they want to see her. They usually always want her to come in because of her MD. She gets extremely sick one more time before I'm out the door on our way to Hoover. I kissed Ava, hating to leave her but Lily was so sick. I knew Ava would be more satisfied at home with Trent and the bigs. <br />
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Lily slept all the way to the pediatrician. She dehydrates so easily, so I'm certain at this point that she's already dehydrated. By the time I carried her into the pediatrician's office, she was lethargic and barely talking. I'm hoping to get something to stop the vomiting and get some fluids in her. I packed a bag before we left home thinking we may end up at Children's Hospital for fluids. I'm cool with that, I can handle it...seriously, I really thought I could :)<br />
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By the time they had done a blood draw and gotten a urine sample, Lily was even more lethargic. As I laid her back on the exam table from taking her to the bathroom, she was barely responding to me or the nurse. I watched her heart racing and could see it pulsing in her neck...way too fast and she was almost panting to get her breath. I opened the door and the doctor was in the hallway and came in quickly when he saw my face. My friends know I don't have a poker face, no doubt he could see the terror and panic. As we shook her and tried to get a response, he raised up her arm and jabbed her armpit several times. She didn't even flinch. He quickly says it's time to get it the ER, silly me says...ok, tell me the fastest way to get there. Nope! The ambulance is called and I'm trying not to panic. I call Trent who is an hour away and my Daddy who works nearby. By the time I'm on the phone with Daddy, I can't talk I'm sobbing so hard. They both head for the ER.<br />
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As I watched Lily sleep the scariest sleep I've ever seen (heart racing, panting, and one arm twitching), I hear the siren. As long as I live, I won't ever forget the feeling of knowing that wailing was for MY child. I followed the stretcher out praying and crying. There is no way to describe how I felt...but I know any parent understands. It's your worst nightmare.<br />
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Lily woke up a little during the ambulance ride (by the way...the sirens and lights mean get out of the way, when did people stop moving for emergency vehicles??) and asked the EMT questions. I was so relieved. They took her straight back to a room in the ER and by the time a nurse came in, she was unresponsive again. The doctors suspected her appendix because of the high white blood cell count...36!!! Normal is around 10. They told us there had to be infection somewhere based on those numbers and her symptoms lined up with appendicitis. <br />
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Trent carried Lily with the nurse for an ultrasound. As they returned, the doctors and nurses started working in a frenzy. Somewhere along the way, they checked Lily's blood sugar which was horribly low...31. The ultrasound didn't show any problems with the appendix. They started IVs in both Lily's hands and they are hanging maintenance fluids, dextrose, and a strong antibiotic. I worked part time doing speech therapy in a hospital when the bigs were babies, so I'm following what's happening. Then I hear the doctor say sepsis and my heart almost stopped. I followed her into the hallway and asked if she thought Lily was septic. As she shook her head, I fell against her in tears, begging her to save my baby. Sepsis is a toxic response to infection, it can be fatal. For a tiny little girl with a progressive muscle disease...it is really, really, really bad.<br />
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The doctor called Trent out into the hall and explained what was going on and then we told my Daddy. My bigs and Ava knew something was wrong as they sat in Lily's room. As Trent and I sat on either side of Lily with my Daddy standing vigil in the corner, Reece started to sob. Mary Ashtyn was red faced and trying to hold it together. Ava just sat and took it all in. What must she think about family at this point? Bless her heart.<br />
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I looked and Trent and whispered, "I'm not ready yet". I have known since Lily's MD diagnosis that she could have a shorter life expectancy. She's taught me to enjoy every minute God gives us with her...but I wasn't ready to let her go. My sweet little girl that has made us so much better and stronger than we've ever been was so sick. It was the most desperate and helpless feeling. I prayed over and over for God to let me keep her. <br />
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The doctors did chest x-rays that were clear and sent Lily for a neck and stomach CT...they had to find where the infection was coming from. One doctor came in and said that Lily was a puzzle, and they were doing everything they could to figure her out. After hours of her not responding, she finally woke up a little after 3 bags of fluids. She talked to us a little and kept her eyes open for awhile. The CT scan did show that her appendix didn't look normal. Appendicitis?? Sepsis?? We really didn't know anything and were transferred to the Special Care Unit with very few answers. <br />
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Around 11:30 pm, we found out that Ava couldn't stay in the room with us since we weren't on a regular floor. Another thing to worry about as Trent and Ava left at midnight to find a hotel. My newest daughter really didn't know what a mother was and now I've spent a whole day away from her. My heart was torn, but I couldn't leave my Lily. At this point, I'm realizing it's a very good thing that Ava was such a Daddy's girl since they were forced to spend so much time together. I just sat and sobbed after they left...both of my sweet littles were facing so much. <br />
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Around 3:00 am, Lily really woke up!! I'm not sure how many bags of fluids she was given, but it was a lot and the nurse said she was on strong antibiotics. I do know how amazing it was to hear that sweet little voice waking me up to go to the bathroom. We laid in her bed snuggling and talking about her surgery. Sweet girl was nervous!! Would it hurt? Would she have to wear hard pants again?? (She had hip surgery in 2012 and wore a body cast for 6 weeks). Would her belly button be an outie after surgery? <br />
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Fast forward to after surgery, Lily's appendix was removed and didn't look that bad. The doctor didn't think it would account for her extremely high white blood cell count. The plan was to take Lily off all IV fluids and antibiotics and recheck her numbers the next morning. Lily came out of recovery wide awake and ready to eat. She did away with a popsicle and drank some Sprite. We spent the day worrying about what the lab work would show. What if her white blood cell count was still high...what next??<br />
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Our sweet night nurse, the same one who had braided Lily's hair in the early morning before surgery knew how stressed I was. As Trent and Ava left for the night, she cried with me. I will be forever grateful to her and how she took care of us. Bless her, she did the blood draw around 12:30 am, knowing I wouldn't sleep until I had some idea of what we were facing. When she flew into Lily's room around 1:00, I couldn't believe it when she said 9.5. 9.5...NORMAL white blood cell count!!! <br />
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By the time the sun came up, Lily was eating breakfast and we were waiting to come home!! </div>
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I can honestly say that my faith and trust in God has never been tested more than over the past week. As I sit in my den with my kids scattered around me, I can honestly say that we would not have made it through this week without God! He proves over and over again that He is enough to carry us through anything. Even if there comes a time that He doesn't answer our prayers the way we want, He will still be enough. <br />
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<i><b>"For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." Isaiah 41:13</b></i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These miracles will always remind me of what God can do, even on the hardest days!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<i><b><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">"Count it all joy, my <span class="text_exposed_show">brothers,
when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of
your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have it's
full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing"
James 1:2-4</span></span></span></b></i><br />
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KBamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05306419756348426873noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643128196296897365.post-54103200898162100452014-06-13T22:45:00.001-07:002014-06-13T22:48:46.966-07:00Last day in China<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We enjoyed our last big Garden breakfast this morning. As we sat together this last full day in China, I couldn't help but think of our last breakfast before Ava torpedoed into our lives...</div>
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Nervous, anxious, and excited doesn't even begin to cover the emotions from the morning of Ava's Gotcha Day. In less than 2 weeks time, our tiny tornado has moved effortlessly into our family. Her smiles and giggles melt our hearts and her mischievousness keeps us on our toes. We wondered how she would fit into our family and it's been amazing to watch her find her place with us. It will take months before the attachment and bonding is complete, but it is already so easy to love Ava. </div>
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As I packed our clothes, my tears started. I have been ready to go home since early in the week, but it's still difficult. We take another treasure from China, so a part of our hearts will always be here. Russia, Kazakstan, and China gave us our greatest blessings. God's plan for our family brought us through so much loss and sadness. Each of our children let go of a homeland, a culture, and most tragically, a birth family to create our family. Only God can take this brokenness and make us complete. </div>
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This is my last post from China. It's been an awesome journey to our daughter! Now, our new normal begins. Don't stop praying as we come home. We'll begin doctor's appointments and testing to figure out why sweet Ava's legs don't work. We've been there, done that with Lily and don't look forward to it again. Our impossible~difficult~done cycle begins again. No matter how impossible Ava's diagnosis may seem and how difficult it will be to get through...it will be DONE!! No matter how God chooses to get it done, our faith in Him will be more than enough to get us through. </div>
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KBamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05306419756348426873noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643128196296897365.post-74393880715640405382014-06-10T09:14:00.002-07:002014-06-10T09:23:35.069-07:00Loving Life<div style="text-align: center;">
Tonight, we got to go back to our favorite thing in China from Lily's trip....</div>
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We love the circus in Guangzhou!!!</div>
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As I carried Lily to our seats, it was amazing it think how far we've come since 2011. Our Lily has opened our lives and hearts to so many things. Because of her, we completely trusted God when He nudged us toward Ava. I could barely watch the circus for looking at my sweet miracles. FOUR of them!! Trent and I spent several years thinking we would never be parents. Oh, what God has done for us!!</div>
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Lily kept screaming "this is AWESOME"</div>
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Ava kept saying "look Mama"...her mouth hung open most of the night :)</div>
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At one point, I looked up at Trent and he said, "this is what life's all about". We are so blessed by the life God has given us!! It won't always be easy, but we look forward to every day. </div>
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<br />KBamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05306419756348426873noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643128196296897365.post-54758557694596769082014-06-08T23:09:00.003-07:002014-06-08T23:30:20.572-07:00Pool DayOur travel group went to the zoo today. We decided to stay at the hotel and swim! It's so hot in Guangzhou and it really wears Lily out. Ava is not a big fan of the heat either. We had a great morning together.<br />
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Rooftop pool at The Garden</div>
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Ava liked the water, she can't balance as well as Lily yet...but she wasn't scared!</div>
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We are so very busy keeping up with these four :) Loving every minute of it!!</div>
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<span class="text 1Sam-1-27" id="en-KJV-7240" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i> For this child I prayed; and the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> hath given me which I asked of him. </i></span></div>
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KBamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05306419756348426873noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643128196296897365.post-75242042431135626202014-06-08T06:22:00.001-07:002014-06-08T06:31:01.724-07:00The Littles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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God has blessed us with the most beautiful Chinese treasures. We are so amazed by our littles!! Each day, Ava is getting more settled. As we get to know her, we are realizing that although our girls share the same birth country...they are as different as night and day. Neither is better or worse, just different. Lily is our prim and proper princess. Ava is our rough and rowdy girl. While Lily refused to try to learn English for at least a month, Ava is already trying out several English words...my shoes, where are you, open, mine, picture. Lily was very quiet and didn't speak Mandarin to us. Ava chatters away and we just smile and try our best to figure out what she wants. It took Lily several months before she would sleep with us, Ava hopped in between us the very first night. Lily has a tiny, quiet laugh while Ava has a big, loud one. </div>
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Through all the differences, they are already developing a strong bond. Ava looks out for Lily and puts her arm out to brace her in the van. Today, they wanted to ride together in Lily's chair. </div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">As they giggled together in the bathtub, I imagined the years they will spend together laughing, fighting, and sharing secrets. </span></div>
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They will share so many things. Mainly, parents and their bigs who are absolutely head over heels in love with them. They'll understand the frustration of weak legs that don't allow them to do what others do. From this weakness, they already share a determined spirit to never be left behind. I'm most thankful that they will live a life loving Jesus and an eternity with their Savior!</div>
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KBamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05306419756348426873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643128196296897365.post-46080855049451643152014-06-07T04:12:00.001-07:002014-06-07T04:53:39.145-07:00Guangzhou: Medical<div>
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Today was our first full day in Guangzhou. We were excited to be back at the Garden Hotel where we stayed with Lily. It was great to meet other adopting families and spend time sharing our experiences.<br />
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We had Ava's medical appointment this morning. Everything went great...no tears and very little drama. </div>
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Sweet girl waiting her turn, YAY for iPads!</div>
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Not impressed with the vision test</div>
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BaBa is very entertaining during the exam...Ava loved his pink hair :)</div>
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Only a little drama after the blood draw, Ava's arm stopped working for quite some time :) We enjoyed babying her. </div>
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So blessed with our four miracles!!! Our arms and hearts are full!</div>
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KBamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05306419756348426873noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643128196296897365.post-47311101038628241212014-06-05T08:54:00.000-07:002014-06-05T08:54:01.872-07:00All About AvaAdoption is tough and my posts have been emotional the last few days. We don't cry all day, there were actually NO tears today. We had a great morning at the Botanical Gardens and shopping!! Our littles got new sunglasses, purses, and shoes. It is so much fun buying for them. <br />
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We are watching Ava's personality unfold and I have to share....<br />
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She is VERY dramatic. Trent and I are laying here laughing just thinking about her reactions. She came to us with a pair of crocs that will not stay on her feet. When we carry her, they fall off. As soon as she feels them slipping, she panics and starts screaming, "my shoe, my shoe"!! Rides in the stroller are just as dramatic. If we hit a bump, she throws her hands out and screams like she's falling off a roof, then gives us her big grin. Think Fred Sanford when he's sure it's the big one and he's on his way to join Elizabeth (anybody else grow up watching Sanford & Son??)...that's our Ava!!<br />
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She is so sweet. She is quick to share anything she is eating. A beggar approached us on the street today and it made her so sad. She asked our guide many questions about her and was so upset about it. She will stop whatever she's doing to climb in my lap to cuddle. She melts my heart when she wraps her arms around me and kisses my cheek.<br />
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She loves making pictures. The bigs have taught her to make selfies. She is so stinking cute....<br />
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She loves jewelry. She wears the necklace and bracelet that we sent her plus a bracelet her teacher gave her along with another red thread bracelet. She also wears the ponytail holder that she was wearing on Gotcha Day around her wrist. She's added a strawberry shaped blinking watch that she got in a Happy Meal. She takes everything off for her bath and it all goes back on as soon as she is dressed. <br />
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Ava adores Reece. She will repeat anything that he says. Today, he had her saying, "oh no, baby". Now, she looks at him and just starts shouting it over and over. We've threatened Reece within an inch of his life if he teaches her anything else :)<br />
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She can write her name, Ava, and the word Spring. Lily taught her to write spring and helped her turn her s around the correct way. I taught her to write her name. After I wrote it, I underlined it...now she underlines both words every time she writes them.<br />
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Ava has already won an award. All the children in several different orphanages draw pictures and they are submitted to the Civil Affairs office to be judged. Her picture won third place. We were given her certificate and they are supposed to email us a picture of her drawing.<br />
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She snores and flips and flops all over the bed ALL night long. She wakes me up by patting my cheek and grinning at me. <br />
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Ava is a little ball of energy who is keeping us on our toes. We are so very glad that she is forever ours!!<br />
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<br />KBamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05306419756348426873noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643128196296897365.post-23090625351614504762014-06-04T23:52:00.000-07:002014-06-05T00:10:10.552-07:00Day 5: Last GoodbyeAva, who only answers to Yu Fang, woke me up before sunrise to use the bathroom. She happily crawled back in bed and gave me a big hug. I rubbed her hair as she drifted off...my sleep was finished, time to pray and think about our trip to the SWI/orphanage.<br />
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After finishing more paperwork this morning, Yu Fang is officially Ava Frances Fang Bamberg....our daughter. I'd like to say it was an emotional, tender moment, but Reece and Lily were arguing and we had to interrupt the notary's proclamation to shut them up!! LOL The life of a big family, never boring or quiet...I love it!!<br />
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We left the Civil Affairs building and began the 2 hour drive to Ningbo. We worried how our tiny tornado would handle the long drive, but she was still and very entertained by the IPad. </div>
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We pulled into the gates of the SWI and Ava happily waved to the guard. I half jokingly asked Nancy if she thought Ava would cry to stay at the SWI, I was so nervous!!<br />
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The front of Ava's SWI</div>
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We got out Ava's walker and she hurried inside. I could hear her excitement as she greeted the<br />
orphanage staff. They were as happy to see her as she was to see them. It was so obvious that our sweet girl was loved. We took an elevator to the second floor to meet the orphanage director and her assistant. They presented us with a beautiful glass figurine and we did our best to convey how thankful we were to them for taking such good care of Yu Fang.<br />
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As we talked, Ava's friends were brought into the office. Beautiful, sweet babies so excited to see their friend. Ava grabbed the IPad and gave them a demonstration. She was sweet to give them each a turn to play. We took suckers for her to pass out..she was careful to give them two each. The rest she kept a tight grip on :)<br />
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Two of these children have families, the others need one so badly!!</div>
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Ava was doing so well, but around this time my tears started. This precious little boy introduced himself, told us he was 11 and really wanted a family. I reached out and touched his face and thought about stuffing him in our backpack. Seriously, he had the cutest personality and the director kept telling us how smart he was.</div>
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Pleading for his family</div>
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They are blurry but I couldn't tell through my tears. Look at that huge smile!</div>
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I took pictures of all the children on my good camera and will share those when the connection is better and they will download. It breaks my heart to see these normal children, giggling and laughing...just needing a family. </div>
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As we walked to the building with Ava's classroom, she started to whine. I thought she was upset about leaving...no, our little princess told the director that she didn't like to use her walker anymore!! She said her BaBa would carry her...oops, we've spoiled her already :)</div>
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Ava's teacher was so happy to see her. She grabbed her and gave her the biggest hug. </div>
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Walking to the van, the last goodbye</div>
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Both of Ava's teachers. They quietly told her goodbye, reminding her to study hard and believe in herself. </div>
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BamFam6 with the Director(in turquoise) & the Assistant Director</div>
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As we loaded in the van, Trent turned to face the entrance to the SWI. The last look at the place our daughter had lived for her entire life. Realizing that this was the last look, I know he was memorizing every detail. Through our tears, we climbed into the van to wave goodbye to the teachers. Yu Fang started to sob. As I scooped her up she fell against me and we cried together. I locked eyes with the teacher who loved her so and shook my head...my silent promise to always love and care for her. The teacher's tears absolutely shattered my heart. As we pulled away, I rocked Ava and let her cry. Praising God that she was so loved, but the final goodbye was so very hard. </div>
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As Ava quieted, she slipped off my lap and sat beside Lily. Still somber and hurting, sweet Lily put her arm around Ava. I cried again, both of my little girls know the pain of letting go of a life, the fear of starting a new one. </div>
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My tiny girls are so strong!</div>
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I can't write a post to do justice to this day. It's hard and it hurt us all. We all ached to watch those beautiful children leave the office where we played with them. I looked at Mary Ashtyn's face and knew that she was barely holding it together. Lily was so quiet, her memories probably too much to handle. Reece is just like his Daddy, hanging out with each child and making them feel special. Love my kids everyday, but I am so proud of the way they handle themselves when life really matters. Today, they lived in the moment and were His hands and feet.</div>
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The last goodbye was so very difficult, but it is done. Our sweet girl will not forget those who loved and cared for her for 9 years. She has more grieving to do, but she is realizing that we will be here to comfort her. Slowly, she will see that family is forever. </div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: start;">"A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families." Psalm 68:5-6</span></div>
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KBamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05306419756348426873noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643128196296897365.post-7688923412010162372014-06-03T13:34:00.002-07:002014-06-03T13:45:57.635-07:00Broken BeautyOur first day with Ava was so good. If you think that smile is contagious, you should hear the laugh that goes with it!! Pure joy. She holds her arms up to be carried and squeals when we pick her up. We've adopted a tiny tornado...always moving and into something. She's wearing us all out, but we're loving it (we know that she will probably settle down once she adjusts).<br />
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It is amazing to watch her get around. She is up and down off the bed in a flash. She holds onto things in the room and goes EVERYWHERE. She stands independently, but can't take steps without support. Her arms and upper body are so strong!<br />
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After we got back to the hotel yesterday, Ava was giddy, opening her toys and playing with us. She looked at all her pink clothes and held them up to her to admire. We all walked around the corner and got Popsicles. All was well, but it was loud and busy. We were literally standing on our heads to keep her happy. Trent and Mary Ashtyn walked to KFC & McDonalds to get our supper. Ava was one happy girl as she ate her fried chicken and French fries. We were all settled and quiet. As she got full, her face started to changed. I moved to sit beside and rub her back as she cried, prepared for the grief. I wasn't ready for the brokenness that came next.<br />
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Ava got out of her chair and started searching in the bag of things her orphanage gave her. Tears rolling down that sweet face, she pulls out a thin little notepad. Inside, a picture of her little friends at the SWI (orphanage). She stares at the picture and rubs each face. She's wailing and I'm sobbing. This was her family, the ones she laughed with, talked to, grew up with...loved. The loss and fear that she is experiencing is beyond heartbreaking. Pray hard for our Ava.<br />
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She turned the page in her notebook and my heart dropped when I saw the list of telephone numbers. There was no doubt this baby was loved and cared for. Her SWI left her several ways to get in touch with them. They even wrote letters to her in the notebook. What a gift of love. You know what happens next....<br />
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Ava gets up and makes it to the room phone. She starts trying to call the SWI. Trent sits with her and tries to help her dial. We can't get the call to work. Ava is calling the numbers out to Trent through her sobs and he is trying so hard to figure out what number to hit to call outside of the hotel. As he tries 9 and 0, she cries harder because she sees him dial numbers that aren't written in her notebook.<br />
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I glance at my other kids and they are frozen. Mary Ashtyn understands and is upset. Lily is scared and I know Reece is upset. We send them to the other room as we try to comfort Ava. Mash takes charge and puts Lily in the tub to play. It was so much extra financially to bring our entire family on this trip, but God knew we needed everyone to get through. My kids are rock stars and they make me so proud.<br />
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So...Ava finally gives Trent control of the phone and we call the guide. Nancy talks to Ava and gets her settled. As Trent is getting directions to make the call, Ava asks for her sisters and brother. We walk next door where Silly Lily is kicked back relaxing in the tub. Ava can't help but laugh! Within minutes, she is in the other bathtub next door happily bathing and smiling again. I wasn't going to attempt to wash her hair, but I turned to get the soap and she stuck her head right under the faucet. I was so relieved to see her smile...I know the grieving isn't over, but my heart needed it to stop for now.<br />
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We never got the call to work, but Ava did not mention it again once she settled.<br />
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Please understand, we share this very emotional time because we feel that's it's the right thing to do. We want to paint the true picture of adoption and the way that our family is knit together by God. We don't join hands and skip into the sunset. Adoption is beautiful, but it comes from brokenness. We<br />
share the brokenness to give God the glory. Only He can mend us and make us better, stronger,<br />
complete.<br />
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A few hours after her tears, our tiny tornado was holding onto the headboard and jumping on the bed!!!! She loved getting pampered by sisters and chose the perfect headband to match her new gown :). She climbed up between us in the bed, tucked in her new doll and fell asleep. </div>
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Only God can make beauty from the ashes. We're still burning right now, but we are eager to see the beautiful life that He has in store for the newest Bamberg. </div>
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Our friends and family have been so faithful to pray. We need you more than ever over the next few hours. Today, we will travel to Ningbo and Ava will see her friends and favorite teachers and nannies again. This is the final goodbye, needed for closure but so very hard. She will look at the faces that she knows and loves for the very last time. We will look at the faces that will be burned in our memory along with others from the previous 3 adoption trips. The faces of the orphans that we can't and won't forget. The ones who don't get to grieve because they are never chosen. Pray for us today....a lot. </div>
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KBamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05306419756348426873noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643128196296897365.post-68330536369437602342014-06-03T06:17:00.000-07:002014-06-03T06:24:06.724-07:00Day 5: AVA!!!!It's really here...Gotcha Day!! I was awake every few hours checking the clock. Finally, I gave up on sleep around 3 am. I blogged, cried, talked to my parents, straightened my hair, prayed, cried, and here I am blogging again at 5:15. It's almost time to wake up my little family to get dressed and try to eat before we leave at 8:40 to meet Ava. MEET AVA!!!!!<br />
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Reece and Lily slept well...I don't know how with all my moving around. The only bad thing about the trip is that we are in separate rooms, so Trent and Mash are next door. I'm sure Trent didn't sleep we'll either. I missed waking up and whispering with him about what today will hold.<br />
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Everyone up and chanting, "Ava,Ava,Ava" by 6 am. We are going to terrify this baby!!!! LOL<br />
We'll go eat breakfast around 7:00 to be sure we're on time to meet our guide in the lobby.<br />
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8:15...the clock has stopped!!! We had breakfast and came back to our room to get Ava's things. My heart is running away in my chest and butterflies don't even begin to describe the feeling in my stomach. Think highest roller coaster you've ever been on and suspended at the highest point right before you know you're dropping. Triple it and it's still not close to how I feel.<br />
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It's so hard to believe we are less than an hour away from our girl!!! It's 8:23 and we are leaving for the lobby......<br />
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We were waiting in the Civil Affairs office by 9:00. We waited until after 10:00. All 5 of us were so anxious to see our Mei Mei.<br />
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Watching for our girl</div>
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The official photographers</div>
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She's here!!</div>
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Ava saw me, shouted Mama and leapt into my arms</div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: start;">She shouted Baba and lunged for her Daddy!</span></div>
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Sweet Sisters</div>
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Reality hits hard, she was so scared</div>
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She watched her Daddy take Lily to the restroom and decided he needed to take her too. Love Trent's face as Nancy translates the message. He danced her down the hall and handled it like the pro he is. This man can drive me crazy sometimes, but he is the best Daddy to our kids!</div>
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Three years ago, Lily glided quietly into our lives. Today, Ava barged right in :) Laughing and<br />
smiling most of the time. Her initial tears dried when the iPad appeared. She waved goodbye to the Assistant Orphanage Director and her favorite teacher, wrapped her arms around me and kissed me on the cheek for the first time as we walked out of the building together...forever.<br />
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The grieving wasn't over and it wore us out physically and emotionally. If you followed our blog with Lily's adoption, you know that we'll be honest about every step of this adoption, including the messy stuff. Not tonight though, Trent and I have two tiny girls in matching pink gowns sleeping between us. I'm going to lay here and marvel at what God has done.<br />
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Ice cream!!</div>
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Sweet Dreams</div>
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<br />KBamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05306419756348426873noreply@blogger.com1