Thursday, May 13, 2010
Thankful Thursday!
I have not spent much time here talking about Sienna's health. At some point I will be more specific. Thalassemia is complicated, and I want to make sure I have the time to give it the respect it deserves...But today I want to focus on how WELL Sienna Grace is doing. When we received her file from China along with updated information we were told that she was getting blood transfusions consistently on a quarterly basis. Her last transfusion was January 13, 2010. That is exactly FOUR months ago.... So, today I am thankful that Sienna has not needed to be transfused since coming home. We have seen her wonderful Hematologist monthly since her return and her Hemoglobin levels have remained constant! (Her next appointment is on the 21st.) This is truly answered prayer. We do know at some point she will be transfused, but the longer we can wait between treatments the better for her long term health!
Sienna will be having dental surgery on July 22nd. Since she runs on an overall lower Hb level than most children her age, she will need to be transfused for this procedure. I am praying we can hold out until then! It's possible!!
I am so thankful that Sienna came to us with a love for protein, and green vegetables!!!! I have been filling this girl with folic acid!!!! Yes, she loves spinach, broccoli, asparagus, etc... I think her body craves it!! Thank you Lord!
Sienna's diagnosis is Alpha Thalassemia, Hemoglobin H Disease. For any of you out there that may review files of children with this chronic illness, I want to encourage you! This disorder is manageable! If I didn't know it to be true, I would never think Sienna is ill. She is as active as her little sister in every way!
Lastly, I have a prayer request for Sienna. Her spleen is very large. When she came to us it was almost 10cm from end to end... Our prayer is for this to shrink on it's own.. Most likely she will be facing having her spleen removed. Perhaps even in the next year. But, if we can shrink the size of it, her surgery will be less invasive, and recovery so much easier.
One other miracle about Sienna to share.. We found out when her first blood was analyzed that she was NEVER vaccinated for Hep A nor Hep B. This child has survived 4 years of quarterly blood transfusions IN China without getting a serious disease from tainted blood! We know God has protected her since she was born, and we are so very thankful.
So for now, we will continue to pray for Sienna's Hb levels to remain steady or for them to miraculously increase... And, for her spleen to shrink on it's own... The only answer then, will be God.. Because these two things will not happen on their own and no medication exists to make it happen.
We are so thankful that we felt the nudge to seriously review the file of a little girl with Alpha Thalassemia! She was born to be here!
Blessings,
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
The Pearl's First Speech!!
Ainsley had her first Public Speech last week. The assignment was to to speak for 3-5 minutes on someone famous. Ainsley chose Princess Diana. Jeff and I were even invited to come and listen to her talk about the "People's Princess!" She new her subject, and she did a great job! She practiced so much with Sienna and Ruby as her audience that even Ruby can tell you where Lady Di is from, and what her sister's names are!!!Today she received her grade... 21/21! = A+ in my grade book!!! Way to go Ainsley! Your hard work paid off and we are so proud of you! We look forward to more public speaking appearances in your future.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Mothers Day Tea!
Last week I received two formal invitations to a very special tea party. It was at pre-school with my two youngest daughters... I am not sure who was more excited for 2:15... me or them! As I peeked in their room I saw all the work they had put into this precious day. Tablecloths, special gifts, cupcakes... Sienna greeted me first, and escorted me by the hand to my seat.. Ruby joined her and they told me exactly where to sit. Smack dab in the middle of my two little gems.. At that point it hit me... I was completely overwhelmed by my tiny blessings... As they closed their eyes and prayed before we could have our treats, I heard their sweet voices giving thanks for their many blessings.... Need I say more... It was a very special day for this Mom!
I hope that all of you Mom's that inspire me so, had a very special Mother's Day! And, a very special thank you to my beautiful Mother for teaching me how important it is to teach, love and train my girls in the way they should go... The most important job in the world!
Blessings,
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Happy Mother's Day!
Once upon a time, there was a child ready to be born.
The child asked God,
"They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow,
but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?"
God replied, "Among the many angels, I chose one for you.
She will be waiting for you and will take care of you."
"But tell me, here in heaven, I don't do anything but sing."
He said, "Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you
every day,
and you will feel your angel's love and be happy."
"And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me, if I don't know the language that men talk?"
"Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear,
and with much patience your angel will teach you to speak."
"And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you, " the little child asked.
God said, "Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray."
"I've heard on earth there are bad people. Who will protect me?"
"Your angel will defend you even if it means risking it's life," God promised.
"But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore," the child said.
"Your angel will always talk to you about me,
and will teach you the way to come back to me,
even though I will always be next to you."
At that moment, there was so much peace in heaven,
but voices from earth could be heard, and the child, in a hurry, asked softly,
"Oh God, if I am about to leave now, please tell me my angel's name."
God silenced all fear when He said, "Your angel's name is of no importance.
You will simply call her...
Mommy."
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Celebrating The Gift of Her Rubiness!
There has been a great deal of conversation lately amongst the adoption community about celebrating what some refer to as "Gotcha Day." It is true, not all of these much anticipated days are happy. Those of you who followed our journey to Sienna know they can be a mix of joy and heartbreak. So, as we were looking at this day, the third anniversary of Ruby Tuesday I decided to ask Ruby if she would like to celebrate... Her response was "yes!" Can I have a balloon and a special dessert?
So today we will celebrate our special little girl with balloons and strawberry shortcake! We will celebrate the plan that God had for Ruby Mei. And, we will continue to pray that one day she will understand why this is her story... Her Rubiness has brought more joy and energy to one house than you could ever dream of. She is smart, funny, dramatic, passionate, competitive, happy and deeply loved. To me there is no difference in the way she came into my arms. She has made me love deeper, and she has taught me definitely more than I will ever teach her.
But, perhaps one of the greatest gifts we have been blessed to give Ruby this year is the gift of a sister who shares a piece of her story.. And, God blessed me with this last night as I was tucking Sienna in... Sienna crawled across her bed to Ruby.. She gently kissed her on the cheek while Ruby was sleeping and softly told her, "I love you Mei Mei..." As I choked back the tears of this precious moment, it came to me that these girls were born to be sisters. You see, Ruby may have more questions than I can answer one day. But, without a doubt I do believe that her destiny was to be in our family. This was not a random match. God new from the beginning, that Yue Meng Ru was going to be Ruby Mei R. and that she would change our hearts forever! So, that is what I choose to celebrate today! It will always be one of the most special days of my life. And, if one day Ruby does not want to celebrate this anniversary, we will respect that. But, I will always quietly give thanks for one of the most God ordained moments Jeff and I have ever shared.
"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
Blessings,
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