6 Months Later. . .

SO proud of her pretty blue suit!

Not sure who that poor unsuspecting lady is in the background.

Completely unafraid of the water!! :)

Happy as she could be in the water! :)

It is hard to believe what has transpired in the last 6 months of our lives. . . and, to be honest, for the 4 years leading up to it. The face of our family has changed permanently. . . and we couldn't be more thankful!

We have just marked our 6 month anniversary, on March 19th, of meeting our Mei Li in the sterile room of the Civil Affairs Building in Shanghai on Monday, Septemer 19th, 2011. Within that 6 months, Mei Li has come to love and adore her family. We fell in love with her the very moment she entered that Civil Affairs room with her big brown eyes, her eyebrows raised in joyful little rainbow arches and a smile that, if we could figure out how to bottle, would bring fortune untold! But, we are, indeed, rich beyond measure as a result of this little ray of sunshine we call Mei Li!

So, besides acclimating to her new family in a brand new country with a brand new language (which she understands perfectly well and is speaking remarkably well), Mei Li has conquered even more hurdles in the past 6 months. She went through 5 weeks of serial casting on her club foot, surgery on her Achilles tendon to lengthen and stretch and correct her foot so that she now walks on the bottom of her foot instead of the top. After her cast was removed from her foot and the 5 inch pin removed from her heel, she began alternating two types of night braces to keep her foot properly positioned and a day brace for support. She has undergone therapy to strengthen her quads and build her legs to give her a more normal gait.

On January 29th, Mei Li underwent a more critical surgery on her spinal cord to detach a fatty tumor that had adhered and wrapped itself around her spinal cord. It already had caused scarring; and, in time, would have caused paralysis and incontinence. She, then had to lie on her back for 10 days to allow the surgery site to heal.

In all of these traumatic firsts that have come one after another within a 6 month time-frame since coming home to her new country and family, Mei Li has met each one with a resilience and strength and positive attitude that I can't explain adequately with words. To say she is tough is a huge understatement. She just rolls with it, whatever comes her way . . . smiles her happy smile and moves on! Now, we are on the other side of "acclimating to her new family" and "surgeries". So, the next 6 months. . . and from this point onward, we look forward to soaking up every day and enjoy watching her relish her new life.

A couple of weekends ago, Anna Grace, Mei Li and I went to Atlanta for a little overnight fun trip. Mei Li's BIGGEST wish since coming home has been to swim in a pool---something she had NEVER done before. Well, we stayed in a hotel in Atlanta that had an indoor pool, so she got her wish!! I have included a picture of her enjoying her swimming fun. Enjoy!

Tomorrow, I plan to get some flowers and get her to help me plant them. She's never planted flowers before. She is still learning her colors, so tomorrow, I'm going to work with her on her colors while we plant pretty flowers! Anna Grace is busy at the theatre every day rehearsing for her big role in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

Amazing how much our lives have changed in 6 months. . . But oh, so good!

Thanks so much for following along our journey with Mei Li!

Funny Story!! "Who Works for #1???"

So, let me see if I can capture this story adequately in words. I'm not sure it is possible. It may just be one of those "you had to be there" moments. . .

Last night, we went to eat at a little Mexican restaurant for dinner. Of course, like clockwork, Mei Li tells me halfway through the meal that she needs to make a potty run. Is it just me? Or, do all of my other mommy and daddy comrades experience the same thing? Every time we are in a public place. . . restaurant, store or otherwise. . . someone ALWAYS needs to visit the potty. I just LOVE public restrooms!! I enjoy them so much, I can't even think of going to out to dinner without spending at least a quarter of my dining experience in the public facilities. . . Of course, my tongue is firmly jabbing the inside of my cheek! Haha! :-)

So, last night was no different. Thankfully, I had finished most of my meal. But, about that time, Mei Li informs me that her tummy hurts. So, we head to the throne room. Of course, Anna Grace comes along too. It's a family party! Mei Li sits for a while and becomes frustrated that things are not moving as quickly as she would prefer. The next thing I know, in Mei Li style, she huffs in exasperation and slaps her knee and yells out, "Come on!!! Come on, poo poo!!! Come on!!!!" I laugh out loud at her spontaneous outburst and try to get her to quiet down in the event any other patrons happen to walk in to her "poo-poo calling ritual". I tell her to just relax and playfully tell her to find her "zen place". I began to hum "OHMMMMM. . . " She looks up at me and rolls her eyes and says, "Mama. . . stop it. " The next thing I know, Mei Li does her own version. She looks up to the ceiling of that Mexican restaurant potty and goes, " Meoooooooooooooooow".

Oh my!!!! It's a good thing no one else walked in to the restroom during our little potty experience!! Normally, I get frustrated when I have to leave a perfectly good meal on my table to go hang out in a dirty public toilet. But, last night. . . I was thoroughly entertained!!! Ha!!! This just goes to show. . . there is NEVER a dull moment at the White house!!!

Of course, we got back to the table and shared the story with Daddy, and he laughed out loud and said it reminded him of the Austin Powers "who works for #1?" scene!!

Sorry to start your Saturday with potty humor, but this one was just too funny "not" to share!

Patching our lives together. . . The new normal. . .

It's been a few weeks since I've blogged, and I apologize for keeping people hanging. Since Mei Li's spinal surgery on January 30th, she is doing absolutely beautifully! We couldn't have hoped for a better outcome. And, Mei Li, as is always Mei Li's style, took the surgery and recovery period on her back in great stride and with an amazingly positive and cooperative attitude. As a result of her cooperation and lying still for those 10 days, her back healed beautifully. And, a couple of weeks ago, we visited Dr. Blount with our follow-up. He was thrilled with her progress and gave Mei Li the "all clear" for normal activity. Now, I'm a bit overly-protective. And, honestly the very thought of Dr. Blount having to remove a piece of her spine during that surgery is all I need to closely monitor every activity Mei Li does. . . at least for a little while. I cringe at the thought of her hurting her spine. So, her "normal activities" have been closely guarded at least for a little longer. Ha!! Until mom is feeling more confident that Mei Li is not fragile.

In the meantime, we have been getting outside a little every day. The recovery period was hard on everyone. . . cooped-up inside the house. The walls begin to close-in around you after a few days. So, as soon as we got the "all clear" from Dr. Blount, we get outside and take walks, we've visited the zoo. . . just about anything to get out and see the sunshine. That feels mighty good!

And, it feels great to know that there are no more surgeries on the near horizon (and hopefully none down the road)!!! We've spent the last 5 months in the medical/surgery phase, and settling in with our new daughter as a family of 4. Now, we are moving into a therapy phase to get her legs and ankles strengthened to improve her gait.

Now that we are leaving the surgeries behind, we are evolving into a little more "normal" phase of our new family. How much fun will it be to take Mei Li swimming this summer and maybe even to the beach for her first time ever? It will be incredible to step into a new time of living and embracing our lives together. . . experiencing new things.

Another exciting piece that is being added into our lives is my writing. I am currently writing a book of our adoption and journey of faith to Mei Li and the miracles that came about as a result. I hope to have it completed in the next few months. And, then, to find an agent. . . I will keep you posted on the book developments.

The one thing I've missed the most during the last 5 months is singing. I've done very little of that, and although every moment with my girls has been precious and well-spent, I am so very happy to have some opportunities to sing again! It feels like "coming home" after being away for a long time. So, I have some gigs coming up in the months of April and May, and I couldn't be more thrilled to get back in the saddle! I'll keep you posted on my music as well!

The past month, Anna Grace has been working hard memorizing her Alice in Wonderland script. She has 2/3 of the script learned and is doing an amazing job! I can't wait to see her blossom in the role of Alice once she begins rehearsing later in March. If you live in the Birmingham area, I hope you will make a point to come out to see her at Birmingham Children's Theatre in April! And that's not all Anna Grace has been "up to"! She has also joined with her cousin Ramsey (age 7) and friend, Cheslee (age 8), and they have created a singing trio called the Chicklets! They have performed a couple of times already and won 1st place in Talladega's Relay for Life Fundraiser talent show this past weekend. So proud of her!

So, life is settling in and we are moving forward as a family with two wonderful daughters! And, Mei Li can move forward and embrace the rest of her life with a corrected foot and an untethered spine!! She is not facing paralysis or incontinence! Just a happy healthy future with her family who loves her.

So thankful for this next stage of our family's journey! Embracing every moment. . .

Just One Miracle. . . Of Many Miracles

Our journey to Mei Li has brought along with it so many instances of seeing God's hand work in miraculous ways. These instances began over four years ago and have come in a steady stream ever since. It always takes my breath away when God shows up and does something at the perfect time and in the perfect way. And, because these miracles have been so numerous and so incredible, I've actually begun writing a book of our journey to China and God's call on our family. I hope to finish writing it this year!

But, I thought I'd share "one" of these miracles with you. It just happened a few weeks ago, and it's pretty incredible.

Most people don't have a concept of what the financial cost of an adoption is unless they are going through the process or have a friend going through the process. At least, I know I didn't have any concept before we began our own journey. But, the cost of the adoption process, including travel to your child's country, is substantial. And, unfortunately, it is a barrier for many "would-be" parents and keeps them from being able to adopt at all. That truly breaks my heart because there are SO many children who desperately need families. And, cost of the process should "not" be a deal-breaker for these children or for the men and women who wish to become parents to these children.

We have successfully made it through "the process", and we are so thankful to be home with our precious little girl. . . she is such a gift to our family! But, we will be chipping away at the debt for many years to come. It's just the fact of the matter. But, since we have come home, we have had many medical visits, and two major surgeries. And, thankfully, Geoff has insurance through his job, so the bulk of the medical fees are covered. But, even so, those co-pays and deductibles have been adding up fast! A few weeks ago, I stopped by Children's Hospital to find out what we owed, what was still outstanding and what was pending insurance approval. . . and the figures added up to $1000 give or take. And, I know when compared to what it would have cost without insurance, $1000 is not so bad. . . but, when you add that on top of what already exists. . . we just breathed deeply and said, "Okay, Lord. . . we're going to just add it to the mountain and pay as we can. Just keep chipping away at it. A little bit at a time." I mean, that "is" how you eat an elephant, isn't it? One bite at a time?? But, there is this uneasy pit that sits in the stomach when you know that the mountain is growing and not shrinking. I remember the verse in Matthew that tells us "to be anxious in nothing. . . but in everything, through prayer and supplication, let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ, Jesus." I keep reminding myself. . . "Be anxious in nothing. . . "

Within a couple of days of finding out the news that we owed $1000 in medical bills. . . and that was before the spinal cord surgery just last week....Geoff and I were at church that next Sunday morning. Geoff ran into a good friend of ours who also has just recently completed their adoption. And, this friend told Geoff that he and his wife had been so blessed to have their entire adoption paid off. The funds came through for them and that they even found themselves having "more" than they needed. So, they were feeling led to use that "excess" to help some other families who were going through the adoption process. One of the families they felt led to help was our family. Mind you, they knew nothing of our bill "update" from Children's last week, and they had no idea of the amount we owed. We had told no one. So. . . he told Geoff, "My wife and I would like to give your family $1000 to help you in whatever way you see most fit to cover costs of your adoption process.". . . .

I know the world is full of critics who would chalk that up to coincidence. But, not me. . . I know where it came from. It was exactly the amount we needed at that very moment to cover the medical bills Mei Li's visits had incurred since coming home.. . up to that very moment, not to mention it was within a couple of days of our learning the balance of our outstanding debt. God's timing is perfect! And, He always shows up "in the nick of time" and cares for His children. To us, this is an inarguable and reaffirming fact.

Yet another beautiful example of God's faithfulness. . . delivered through a wonderful couple who listened to God's voice and became His instruments to bless someone else.

Thank you, Lord, for your providence and blessing. Thank you, for the beautiful people you have placed in our lives whom you have used as your instruments to answer the prayers and meet the needs of others. Thank you for speaking to your children who may hear your voice, if we will only listen. And, thank you for equipping us to do everything you call us to do because if we have your vision, you make provision. Thank you, Heavenly Father, for your faithfulness.

I am thrilled to share this story with you and I hope it offers you encouragement. As always, thank you for following along! Have a wonderful rest of your week.

Home with our Mei Li

Mei Li. . . 5 days after surgery on her spinal cord

We have been home from the hospital for 2 days, and we are 5 days out from Mei Li's surgery on her spinal cord. We went into this week having no idea what to expect. All of the "what ifs" with the risks of surgery. . . and even if all went well with the surgery, what to expect "pain-wise" in the days following. I can tell you that in true "Mei Li style", she has handled the last 5 days with smiles, little to no complaint, silliness, sauciness, and a sense of humor. I have to ask her if she is hurting, and then I give her Ibuprofen and Tylenol. She had an allergic reaction to the plastic and adhesive placed on her back during the surgery, and we have had to treat the rash on her back. But, it is truly amazing the grace and positive spirit this little girl has maintained throughout the entire experience. She is an inspiration to us all. . . and she continues to challenge me every day to look at the world and my own circumstances with a more thankful and joyful heart. Amazing what we can learn from a little child!

I can't say enough about the phenomenal surgical team that took care of Mei Li. Dr. Blount is nothing short of amazing! Such a wonderful man in addition to a brilliant surgeon. And, his nurse, the anesthesiologist and nurse anesthetist. . . the Lord prepared the perfect team to love and care for our little girl! And, His presence was so obvious in that hospital through each and every person sent our way. Even beyond the nurses and doctors. . . the friends and even complete strangers who made their way to our room to touch the lives of our family and both of our girls. . . they shone such a light! It was a humbling and overwhelming experience. We were completely in a position of having "no" control. . . being dependent on the excellence and precision of the surgeon and nurses, being dependent on the love and support of friends and family, and wholly dependent on the mercy and grace of our Heavenly Father. And, to experience the floodgates open and pour out blessing on us in every one of these areas. . . it is indescribable!

Right now, our days are spent at the house keeping Mei Li confined to the couch or the bed on her back or side. She does have permission to walk to the restroom, but then straight back to lying down. We have 5 more days of lying flat. Then, we will see what Dr. Blount tells us. Mei Li is such an active and spirited little girl; but, amazingly, she is doing exactly what Dr. Blount has asked of her. It seems she understands that we are trying to help her. And, she is responding with a willingness that surprises us all. And, she is doing it with such an incredibly positive attitude.

We are truly blessed, and we are incredibly thankful!!! Thank you to every person who has followed along and offered up prayers and good wishes for our little girl!! You have made such a difference to our family and to the life of one little girl. . . named Mei Li. :)

Prayers are answered

Mei Li's spinal surgery was Monday. I asked all of you to pray for her, and those prayers have been answered in a mighty way. She had a laminectomy where the surgeon removed a small portion of her vertebrae in order to get to the lipoma that was attached to her spinal cord. It was a long surgery. They took her back to begin prepping her around 7:15 a.m. Then, the actual surgery began at 8:40. They updated us every 90 minutes, and that was welcome relief. Dr. Blount finally came out to speak with us at 2:00 in the afternoon. His assistant was still sewing Mei Li up, but he had finished the major internal work. Once they removed the portion of bone, he was able to begin removing and detaching the fatty tumor. That was a long and tedious process. He worked under a microscope and removed it millimeter by millimeter. He removed a good portion of the tumor, but the closer he got to healthy tissue, the risks rose substantially. So, he left some of it. Although, he detached all of it. And, the fatty tumor poses no risk in and of itself. It is the fibers that bind the tumor that are dangerous b/c they can tether to the spinal cord (which hers did). And, the tumor can actually "help" keep spinal fluid from leaking. Dr. Blount told us that there was already a good amount of scarring of the spinal cord from the tether, so it is great that we went ahead and opted to do this surgery. She would have experienced neurological problems down the road causing paralysis and bowel issues.

Since then, we have been watching to see that no spinal fluid has leaked. None has!!! We have watched to see if she can move her arms and legs and flex the good foot. She is moving everything!! Of course, the foot that had the surgery on it does not have feeling or movement, but none was expected in that foot. We have also been watching to see if she could go potty, and she has wet diapers consistently. So, no problems with being able to go tinkle. All of these are HUGE answers to prayer. No apparent neurological problems resulting from the surgery.

Mei Li did experience some intense headaches yesterday and some nausea along with them. It is the result of new spinal fluid being created and released in her brain from what was lost during surgery. That spinal fluid being released causes pressure differences in the brain and intense headaches. He told me that the morphine is important to use for these headaches for the first 48 hours. Ibuprofen and Tylenol is not strong enough to handle that pain. Once we went back on morphine at regular intervals, the intense headaches with nausea went away. And, the good news, it is 9:36 in the morning as I type this, and Mei Li has not needed morphine or complained of a headache since 1:00 a.m.!!!

We are thrilled with Mei Li's daily progress. Your prayers have been heard and answered, and I thank you all and the good Lord above for taking care of our precious girl!

We had a humorous moment this morning when Mei Li smelled Mama's coffee. This little girlie loves her coffee. I caught it on video. . . enjoy!!!! It is proof positive that our Mei Li is getting better by the minute! :)

Thank you SO much for your prayers and your good wishes. . . and for following along. We hope to go home, possibly, tomorrow. I'll keep you posted!

A Mommy's Prayer. . .

Dear Heavenly Father,

I pray for Dr. Blount and his entire surgical team and their families this weekend. I pray that each one of them is healthy, well-rested and is filled with your peace and joy. I pray that your presence will be in that operating room, Monday morning, and that your angels will be in attendance to watch over our Mei Li and hold her hand during surgery since Mommy will not be able to. You know, Dear Lord, how much it means to Mei Li to hold her Mommy's hand every night while she falls asleep. I pray that you will give Dr. Blount a supernatural wisdom and precision and that your Holy Spirit will guide his hands during the procedure. I pray that Mei Li will have a peace in her heart and that You will calm her fears.

I pray that this procedure will be successful! I pray that the tumor will be successfully detached. I pray that you will keep spinal fluid from leaking. I pray that Mei Li will be healthy and have NO infection. I pray for "no" paralysis. And, I pray that Mei Li will remain continent. And, while I'm asking You for so much, I'm going to go ahead and ask You to please allow movement and feeling to return to Mei Li's lifeless little foot. I know that we have been told that that "will not" happen. And, we are at peace if You choose to leave it as it is. But, I also know that nothing is impossible for You. So, while we are "praying BIG prayers", I'm going to go ahead and claim that too!

I love you, Lord! You have blessed our family in so many beautiful ways. And You have blessed us mightily with our sweet Anna Grace and our newest angel, Mei Li. Please hold her in the palm of Your hand on Monday. And, I pray that You will use the miracle of her precious life and radiant spirit in mighty ways.

I pray for your peace and calm to rest on Geoff, Anna Grace, me and the whole family as we wait. We place Mei Li in your hands, and we will confidently "believe", and hold on to the faith and hope we have in You and the incredible people You have given us to care for our little girl.

Father, we remain "available" for You. Come, Holy Spirit. . .

Amen