God is bigger than the boogie man

We do watch a good bit of the Veggie Tales around here...

But seriously, at the end of our first surgery follow up today, this song ran through my mind.  "God is bigger than the boogie man.  He's bigger than Godzilla or the monsters on TV.  Ohhh God is bigger than the boogie man and watches out for you and me!"  (Click here if you want to watch the video.  Go ahead, you know you want to!)

Now we haven't been having any Boogie man sightings around here, but we have had Sturge Weber Syndrome and glaucoma trying to rear their ugly heads.  Type I (the most serious form) Sturge Weber was stopped dead in its tracks at our first ~ and to this point, only ~ visit to neurology back in April when the neurologist observed Darcy, gave a quick exam and then asked, "So why exactly are you here?"

And while glaucoma keeps trying to have the victory, today I heard news that delivered her glaucoma a real blow.

Oh, I totally forgot to mention that since her surgery in April that Darcy has grown over an inch in height. (Admittedly that has nothing to do with glaucoma, but I still thought it was pretty cool).

First of all, today, within minutes of having the gauze removed from her eye, Darcy had a vision test.  With her good eye patched, she was seeing pictures at 20/100 vision.  Dr. F. was amazed that she was so close to her best vision test (20/80) the day after surgery when things were expected to be cloudy.  And I also must say that she was able to verbally identify all the pictures ~ meaning that her vocabulary has improved ~ instead of pointing to a "match sheet" as she had to the first few visits.  

But the really cool part was when Dr. F. and I were discussing a few non-surgery related things today at the end of our visit.  I asked about prescription sunglasses for my little one (transition lenses will be our solution to that with her next frames) and then about eye drops in the future.  (Darcy will have daily drops for life ~ not a concern for us, more a curiosity question).  After we chatted about drops and Dr. F's hopes that this surgery will be the last, Dr. F. started heading for the door.  And as she began to step out she stopped and sorta hesitated before she said, "You know, this little girl is amazing.  When I saw her for the first time, I think I told you that we were simply trying to allow her to have light recognition in that eye.  Now, four months later, we are working to preserve real vision.  I never would have thought..."  Then her voice trailed off as she smiled and walked out the door.

(Think about it for a minute.  These words coming from a doctor who treats pediatric glaucoma patients not just from all over NC and across this country, but also internationally.  She has seen many, many children with advanced glaucoma.  She's an expert, and yet she has no words for how well Darcy's eye has responded to treatment thus far ).

That my friends is God showing up in my baby girl's life.  I don't know why He has chosen to reveal Himself in such a big way regarding her vision, but it does make me look forward to His plan for her.  I just couldn't let this day pass without giving my creator a huge shout out.

Sing it with me now, "God is bigger than glau-co-ooh-ma..."

Home again

We're home.

Peanut butter sandwiches have been consumed.

Oh, and a handful of cherries and a bowl of watermelon too.

Now it's nap time.  In fact I think I'll head there myself in a few minutes.  The day started early!

Everything today was smooth.  Darcy clearly wasn't overjoyed about being back at the surgery center, but she wasn't worried.  She never asked for anything to eat or drink ~ until she woke up.  Ian and I chatted for a while and then read a good deal in our books (his is one for work, mine is bringing up Boys by  Dr. James Dobson ~ another post all on its own...).  My sweet girl woke up quietly from anesthesia, asked for both Mommy and Daddy and then was a total sweetheart as she "came out of it."  She complied with everything so well that it was decided she could skip the "no-no's" that she had to wear the first several days following surgery back in April.  Dr. F was pleased with how surgery went.  She remains hopeful that Darcy will be able to avoid having the drain implanted in her eye.  Time will tell.

For today and the days following, my biggest worries appear to be how to keep a three year old girl with a three and a half year old brother and a four year old sister calm and quiet...

Surgery tomorrow

Just got off the phone with the schedulers at Duke Eye Center.  My baby will have her second eye surgery around 8:45 in the morning.

She's a trooper.  We've been talking about what's coming up this week for a few days now.  She's not thrilled to be going back again, but sighed and gave an "Okay" when we explained how it will help her continue to see.  Her glasses and patch have helped so much already that I think it makes it easier to understand.

As for me, I've done this once before.  (I wrote about it here).  I know I can do it again.  The surgery is minor and routine.  Still I must admit that I'm not looking forward to my time back in the waiting chair because anesthesia is anesthesia and I'm not going to pretend to like it.

This time though, I know that there are many out there ~ dear friends, loving family, and even folks who come by Fireworks and Fireflies on a regular basis to check what's going on with our little family ~ that are praying.  If you are one of those, THANK YOU!  Your prayers got us through last time and we covet them again this time.
Here are a few things on our hearts as we wait for surgery to be complete:
Darcy will not be anxious or afraid as this time she knows what the surgery center is.
Darcy will not be hungry before surgery.
Peace of mind for Ian and I as we wait.
Dr. F's hand to again be skilled.
Darcy will wake up gently from anesthesia.
Darcy will not experience nausea following surgery.
Quick recovery.
This half of the goiniotomy will get pressure numbers down to where they need to be and Darcy can avoid another eye surgery.

I'll post when we get home tomorrow...

Newly proclaimed water baby

Here in NC it has been mind meltingly hot.  Today is the first day in weeks that the temperature has been only 90.  That explains why we've been spending a lot of time at the pool recently.  

Did I mention A LOT of time?  (Like on average three days a week)

Because it is HOT? (Real temps in the upper 90s, heat index in the mid 100s)

Anyway, I've been amazed at the transformation in my big girl.

Just last summer we celebrated this moment.

Miss the monumental moment?  There were water droplets on her face.  All over her face in fact.  And she didn't run for a towel.  Last summer (her THIRD summer home) was the first time she'd leave water on her face.  By the time the summer ended she progressed, voluntarily I may add, to submerging her face under water in a pool.  Mind you it only happened once, but it did happen!  And then just as she was getting comfortable getting her face wet, the public pools closed.

This summer began with her being a bit timid, but she carefully watched her friends that swim.  So I went out on a limb and bought goggles and little fish dive toys.  Turns out that was $10 well spent!

Little by little I watched her gain more and more confidence until one day last week she suddenly said, "Hey Mommy, count and see how long I can stay under water."  I agreed, figuring she'd just put her face in.  Wasn't I surprised when instead she did this:

(pictures from today when I finally remembered to take the camera)

 

The first time last week she stayed under for two seconds.  Today's high was ten ~ most of the attempts without holding her nose.

But even more exciting than totally submerging her body is what else she's decided she can do.

Yes, we've got a way to go on stroke technique, but she is, on her own free will, going underwater.  Completely.  Usually without holding her nose.  And kicking her legs while making movement with her arms!  That's a lot of accomplishment in a few short weeks!  Her daddy and I couldn't be prouder!

You've come a long way big girl!

Sunday Snapshot {Are they twins?}

There's a question that we get on nearly every public outing.

It's one that I suppose we could avoid a little more if they changed the way they dressed.

But right now they typically insist that they wear something alike.  And I realize that won't last forever, so into the closet I dig.  Thankfully we have a wardrobe with abundant "matchy-matchies" from the generosity of friends and family.  Each girl chooses to accessorize in her own way, be it hairstyle or "jewelry" or sometimes shoes; but overall they want to be the same.

I suspect though, that it's not just the way they are dressed, or the fact that they are both beautiful Asian girls that makes people stop to ask.

Rather I think it is the way that God has knit their hearts together as if they were sisters from birth.  Hard to believe that they met just five months ago.  Only God...

They look out for one another, these two.  Kylie jumps in with a "That's just the way God made her and she's perfect!" when she notices anyone checking out her little sister's glasses, eye patches, or birthmark.  Darcy will seldom accept a treat unless she is sure there is something for her big sister.  You can frequently find them hand in hand, sharing secrets, giggling, or rolling their eyes at the antics of their brother.  I pray they are always this close.

I'm their mom.  I know that there are 364 days between their births AND some 1000 miles separating their birth cities.  But sometimes I almost find even myself wondering if that question could possibly be true...

"Are they twins?"

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To play along or see snapshots of life highlighted around the country, head on over to Ni Hao Y'all.  I can almost guarantee it will make you smile!

Wordless Wednesday {For the love of bubble gum}

Sunday Snapshot {together ever after}

Eleven years and one day ago, two starry-eyed kids stood in a small country church in front of a gathering of family and friends.  That day they made a covenant before God to walk the road of life together.

The solemn promise they made included phrases like, in good times AND in bad, for richer AND for poorer, in sickness AND in health. 

The years have included all of the above.

There were adventurous months lived in southwest France that included skiing in the Alps nearly every other weekend

AND there was the unexpected death of her father.

There were camping trips to admire the beauty of God's creation

AND there was facing the stress of sudden unemployment ~ three times.

There were years of good health when they almost believed they were invincible

AND there was his brush with death following a misdiagnosed ruptured appendix.

There was the several year time period of earnestly seeking God's will as it related to them becoming parents.
AND the abundant blessings they received when they followed that will and stepped into the role of parenthood once,

twice,

three times over.

Eleven years and one day later, they are no longer "kids."  And they no longer have stars in their eyes.  That's okay though because those stars have long since been replaced by a more mature look of deeper love.

Somewhere along the journey they've found that, partnered with God, they can endure the toughest of storms and savor the sweetest of times, "together ever after"...

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Now get on over to Stefanie's blog to see what others chose to focus on this week.  Sunday Snapshots are some of my favorite times to "blog hop."

Fun, fun, fun

My mom, sister, niece and nephew are here.

With nine people in our "cozy" house, it looks like a bomb went off.

Literally.  (I'd post pictures, but then I'd have to admit it's really that, um, messy).

But you know what?

We can clean up in a few days.  Right now we are having fun,

Fun,

FUN!

I'll be back when the party is over and I have time to catch my breath...

Sunday Snapshot {A surprise gift}

**I published this same post as my monthly contribution to No Hands but Ours.  I decided to re-publish it here in hopes that it would open one more person to ask themself the question, "Can/should I adopt a child ~ a boy even ~ from the waiting child program?"**

I have a son.



Every now and then that statement still surprises me.

When my husband and I began the road to building a family through adoption from China, we simply assumed that we'd have daughters. (At the time we were oblivious to the fact that there were boys who were waiting for the love of a forever family).  Initially I was disappointed that there would be no little guy to toss a baseball in the backyard or take camping trips with his daddy.

However I quickly got over the letdown and began to build my vision of a houseful of little girls.  After all, I grew up with a sister.  My boy cousins lived three states away.   A few of my mom's closest friends had boys, but I spent, at most, a few hours a week with any of them.  Based on my limited experience, boys were a totally different species.  They were loud, wild and unpredictable.  I asked myself why I would want to raise one and focused instead on all things pink and hair bows.

The path that brought my little man into my life didn't happen all at once.  Slowly my eyes were opened to the waiting child program when we were paper chasing for our second child.  At that same time I became newly aware of friends who had raised kids with special needs.  And then I realized that there were indeed boys waiting to be placed in homes.

So we took a leap of faith and checked that we'd be open to a boy or a girl with various special needs in our second set of paperwork.  Less than two months after our second dossier had been submitted we were matched with a little boy from the shared list, and six months to the day from our LID we were stepping off the plane in Beijing, three days away from meeting our son.

Before he walked into my life I thought the phrase "Mama's boy" had a negative connotation.  Now I fully understand how much love and affection can be behind it.

He has added a "rough and tumble type" of joy and exuberance for life to our formerly "pink and hair bows" existence.

He loves Lightning McQueen, potato chips, God, and his family ~ though not necessarily in that order.  He is amazingly strong, and quite clever.  What he lacks in size he MORE than makes up for in enthusiasm and determination.  What he does, he does with all his heart and might.  He is fast and impulsive, not always a great combination, but an accurate description.

I've found that many of my earlier ideas about boys are true.  He is usually loud.  There are times that I'd use the world wild to describe his mood.  And he is predictable only in that you can count on him to be somewhat unpredictable. He is "all boy."

And yet, even though sometimes I question if I have what it takes to help mold this bundle of raw energy into a respectful young man, he's stolen my heart and is an integral part of our family.  If I had stuck to my plans or preconceived notions, I would have missed him.  I'm so thankful for the things which opened my heart to possibilities I hadn't seen and people, blogs, events, and God's nudgings which overcame both our uncertainty of raising boys and our fears of "special needs" and allowed us to see each child as a unique gift from God.

Oh yes, I received a surprise gift.

I have a son. From China.

images courtesy of Tricia Roller Photography

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   It's been a while since I've participated in Stefanie's Sunday Snapshot.  But it is always a fun way to focus on just one of my kids, or a topic that's on my mind.  To read others, or play along yourself, check out

What's better than a day at the beach?

A day at the beach with a forever friend of course!  

 Could it already have been 15 years since we left our roomie days at Elon?

Last week my college roommate and her family were vacationing at the beach.  And since we live within a reasonable, okay, somewhat reasonable distance from the coast, my kids and I made a day trip to spend some time with them.

Kylie quickly got down to business getting a sand castle area started.  

While perfecting her movie star look of course. 

I'm pretty sure the sunglasses never came off.  Of course, why would they need to when you only get sea water up to your mid-calves.  That's my cautious Kylie.  Not real interested in the waves, but a lover of the sand.

Darcy quickly got down to business checking out the (to our knowledge) largest sandbox she had ever seen.

(I hesitated taking Beth up on her offer to feed us for the day because I hated for Ian to miss Darcy's first beach day.  He said that I'd be crazy not to go, and insisted that as long as there were pictures he'd be fine.  Darcy insisted that she had seen the ocean before, and she did live very near the sea, so possibly her foster mom had already introduced her to the beach anyway...)
Then my daring Darcy showed that she wanted a piece of the action in the waves.  I had to quickly head back to deposit my camera as the shallow water wasn't enough to entertain her long.

And then of course, there was my "let's embrace life and live it to the fullest!" son.

Kamakazi Caleb.  He had Anah and Sera in the water as much as he could.  I'm pretty sure he would have jumped the waves all day if they would have helped him. 
But of course there were holes to be dug and castles to be built.

Not to mention the "pre-shower" time in the pool beside their condo.  My three ran, jumped, dug, swam, and played their hearts out while Beth and I got to sit in sand chairs and catch up on the happenings of our lives.  I was so busy enjoying myself that I only took about 15 pictures.  (Thankfully Beth was much more dilligent and took many more and even made a fun smilebox presentation of our day together).

Caleb apparently gave it all he had.  Because after his shower, even a fresh, hot donut from Britt's (they really were as good as all the hype) that Tim went to pick up for us was hardly enough to rouse him from his slumber. I'm pretty sure he ate the whole thing with his eyes closed...

The only thing that could have made it better would have been if Ian had enough vacation to take the day off and go with us.  Thanks again Beth, Tim, Anah and Sera, we had a blast!

So long Diego

Dear Diego (of Pampers Easy Ups fame),

Just a note to let you know that I'll no longer be watching for you to be on sale.  We currently have no use for you in our home.  I know this may be hard news to take, but we've been spotting a few new faces in town.  Looks like Thomas, Elmo, and Lightning McQueen are here to stay! 

Please let your pals Clifford (of the Food Lion pull ups acclaim) and Blue (of Luvs diaper notoriety) know and after a few last nighttime sleepovers, you guys can ride out of town together on the monster truck (from  White Cloud pull ups recognition).

Thanks for the memories,
Caleb's family

**I guess what they say is indeed true ~ "when they're ready, they will train!"  I've tried all sorts of bribes over the past year to get my son to "make water" in the potty.  But last week one day he just looked at me and said, "If I need make water, I do it on potty and I den I wear my Light-nin' Queen un-wear. Kay?"  So I let him try.  We're at a week accident free...**

The casual observer

To the casual observer it would appear this picture is simply of a child taking a nap on the couch.

But that casual observer may miss the little love notes from adoring siblings.

Darcy Q is running an annoying 102.3 fever.  Not high enough to be alarmed, but enough to make her feel "puny."  Also high enough to postpone her eye surgery that was scheduled tomorrow.  Ugh.  (Funny how you can be disappointed about delaying something you were dreading ~ more on that later if I get a chance to compose my thoughts).

We were out when her fever came out of nowhere.  By the time we got home she was whimpering and just wanted to lay down without me even holding her.  Kylie and Caleb were hungry and needed lunch, so I laid her down on the couch while I got something together for them to eat.  By the time I was done, Darcy was sound asleep.

Yesterday all three kids missed their naps due to a weird schedule, so I asked my two big kids to go get ready to rest while I was putting their lunch dishes in the dishwasher.  What I didn't realize was that "getting ready" today would involve bringing things for Darcy in case she woke up from her rest before they did.

Kylie sweetly brought Darcy's baby in her carrier and put it where Darcy would see it easily when she woke up.  There's a little bag full of accessories on the floor beside her.  She also selected a treasured "Little Critter" book, this one "This is my Family" to remind Darcy that she is part of our family, forever.

And the truck?  Well, that is the one truck of Caleb's that has a name.  Even though he is blue, Caleb has named him Mac (after Lightning McQueen's carrier of course).  And Mac goes EVERYWHERE with us.  But my sweet boy brought him out to his little sister to play with because she is sick.  And of course one of his Tonka minis so that Mac would have a car to carry.

Someone who spends more time around Darcy than they do my other kids asked me the other day if all of my kids were as sweet as Darcy.  If I wasn't sure before, I think my answer is a resounding "Yes!"

Bare feet and "French Onion soup?"

Darcy attended her very first wedding on Saturday (along with the rest of our family of course.  I just didn't mention my other two kids as Kylie could be classified "an expert wedding attender" with six ceremonies under her belt, and Caleb attended his first wedding less than a month after coming home).  "Mr. Mickey" (my sister's husband's father) and "Ms. Cware" (Claire) tied the knot in an elegantly simple ceremony Saturday evening up in the mountains. 

There were five kids in attendance, and with 60% of that group being mine, the pressure to keep them under control was on!  There were a few wiggles, but overall the group behaved smashingly well.  With one minor exception...

When the exchange of the rings started, I thought I was home free.  Letting that thought run through my mind was probably my first mistake.  I think my middle child sensed my smugness, because suddenly my squirmy, but until that moment, quiet child pops his head off of my arm partnered with an, "Ouch!"  For a split second I considered scooping him and making a hasty exit, but I opted instead to see if I could find the source of pain.  A quick check of the ankle he was grabbing ~ oh, did I mention with his face winced up and now a louder steady voicing of "Owie, Ow, Ow!" ~ found some of his stupid silly bandz digging into his ankle.  Who knew that some of them were waaayyy to small to be worn on a three year old child's ankle? 

As his complaints of his discomfort began to get a little louder, I opted to take the least visible course of action and simply remove his shoe, sock, and silly bandz.  The deep marks left in his ankle and smile on his face as I gently rubbed it gave me the hope that I had solved the problem.  Second mistake.

I got distracted for a second, watching Claire give Mickey his ring and somehow missed my precious son removing his other shoe and sock.  This was brought to my attention just as Uncle Adam was starting the communion music and Caleb decided to head up to him, likely to assist in guitar playing.  So I did what I should have done at the first sign of trouble, scoop the offender and head out. 

As soon as we were safely out of earshot, my boy became remorseful and really wanted to go back to finish watching Mr. Mickey get married.  As we reentered, I realized that we could sneak into the communion line and then get back to our seats without being overly obvious.  Besides, he had been saying he was hungry, and we had rushed too much getting ready to give the kids a snack before the 6:00 service, so a piece of bread may help pacify him.  Sorta a goodwill gesture.  So I put my adorable little guy on my left hip and started down.  What I forgot was that my well dressed little guy, wearing Herringbone pants, a white dress shirt, red clip-on tie, and a black velvet sport coat was sporting "surfer dude" feet.  As in they were still bare.  And I was carrying him down the center aisle.  The quiet giggles as I neared the halfway point reminded me. 

Oh well, at that point there was not much to do but smile and keep going.  Third mistake.  Claire gave Caleb a pretty sizable chunk of bread.  I didn't think much about the fact that we have communion with the little tiny cups at our church and not the one goblet to dip your bread into.  So while I was focused on getting my bread from Claire, I hear a loud, "Uh-oh!" from Caleb, some sort of comment about French Onion soup from Mickey, and several more giggles from those in the first few rows.  When I went to dip my bread into the cup, there it was, a hunk of bread the size of Manhattan floating on the top.  Somehow I managed to suppress my own giggles...

Luckily Mickey and Claire love my kids and pretty much consider them their grandchildren as well.  The reception was lovely and our entire family had a wonderful time. 

 Before dinner we took lots of pictures.  Because it isn't that often that my three are "all gussied up."  And we all knew that white tops and meals weren't going to be too great of a combination...

I must have taken about fifty shots in this series.  Some with the mountains and trees in the background, some close ups of the kids.  I love this one.  Kylie was asking if I had gotten a good one yet.  Luckily for her I thought there had to be something worthwhile.  Of my three. 

But the cousins were there too.  Which of course meant that another fifty shots needed to be fired off.  Some were better than others.  Some were funnier than others. 

This was one of the "betters."  They were focused on the wedding photographer who decided to piggy-back our photo shoot and get a shot of all five kids while they were standing still.  Cheater.  Not perfect, but still a great looking group of kids!

Don't remember what made them start laughing, a real giggle session started here.  And then things went pretty south.  Fast.  Like my son making bunny ears on his cousin.  Who was not amused.  So then of course he just made them on himself...

Dinner time arrived and the kids were served a huge platter of chicken strips and fries.   They ate to their hearts content, and we snacked off their plates as we waited for the grown up meal.  And wisely, before the cutting of the cake, my husband decided to let my son ~ who was angelic during dinner ~ burn off some steam.

Well of course the girls had to go too...

As we waited for the cake, we were treated to a spectacular mountain sunset.  I got to savor the moment with my little man.

Thank you Mickey and Claire for letting us be a part of your special day.  And for taking my son's antics in stride.  And please send me a digital image of you two on your wedding day when you get a chance, 'kay?