To say that alot has happened this week would be an understatement. Two days after we learn that Lily's medical needs do not require emergency treatment, we got a full medical update. She spent two weeks in the hospital with an acute upper respiratory infection, and we learned that there ARE several more medical issues than we knew of. Ugh!
I won't get into details here, but we are praying for good news when we get her home. She will be seeing several pediatric specialists as soon as she gets home: urologists, geneticists, endocrinologists, cardiologists, and a neurologist (this is just a routine check-up. Her MRI's and CT scans show normal brain development.) But her condition looks more complicated than we originally knew.
We are about one week away from our Article 5--and 2-4 weeks from TA. Please stand with us in prayer as we await more news, money, and our TA.!
You know, it's funny that with all the medical updates we've received we've never gotten another picture of her.
Our Journey to LilyBeth
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Medical Update
Praise God! We learned yesterday that LilyBeth's medical issues do not require immediate surgery. In fact, she can wait until she comes home to have the surgery! The best part is that our agency will request an expedited TA so she can be seen in the US this summer for medical appointments! We don't know if the TA will be granted, but we are prayerful that it will be. We are so happy!
Now our continued prayer request is pretty serious. I spoke with the IRS last week and it appears we will not have the money we need to travel in time. We know God is in control of everything and we wait expectantly that He will provide what we need in time to travel.
So.....here's the timeline now: If we get an expedited TA, we could travel in June--if not, July. I know this child is the one God meant for us. He has met EVERY need and every prayer so far. I cannot doubt that He is preparing everything. P.S. I can't wait to meet this little girl!
Now our continued prayer request is pretty serious. I spoke with the IRS last week and it appears we will not have the money we need to travel in time. We know God is in control of everything and we wait expectantly that He will provide what we need in time to travel.
So.....here's the timeline now: If we get an expedited TA, we could travel in June--if not, July. I know this child is the one God meant for us. He has met EVERY need and every prayer so far. I cannot doubt that He is preparing everything. P.S. I can't wait to meet this little girl!
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Medical Issues
Just a day after rejoicing over our GUZ letter and we get an email telling us that LilyBeth has a medical issue that could require immediate surgery. What?! The orphanage wants to know whether we still want her even though she may have this issue. Ummmm.....she's been our daughter since November, OF COURSE we still want her. God made her just the way she is and we accepted her just the way she is.
Now we need to find out what the circumstances are and whether or not she will require immediate surgery--or could it wait until she comes home? Of course not being able to talk to the doctor and get the exact concerns makes it tough to make a decision. All my instincts say to get her home ASAP and have any medical procedures done here so she can recuperate with family (even though we will be complete strangers to her). But if it can't wait, any surgery in China could mean a delay in getting her home.
To top it off, the IRS STILL has not released our income tax refund! They requested receipts from our prior adoptions, as they did many adoptive families this year, and we provided it, but they still haven't reviewed our file or made a determination. We need this money to complete Lily's adoption. Talk about testing my faith! But I know God will finish this work He started, and His timing is perfect, AND he called us to adopt--so, I trust that the money will be there when we need it. Not a moment before, but right on time.
Keep Lily in your prayers please as we await updated medical info.
Now we need to find out what the circumstances are and whether or not she will require immediate surgery--or could it wait until she comes home? Of course not being able to talk to the doctor and get the exact concerns makes it tough to make a decision. All my instincts say to get her home ASAP and have any medical procedures done here so she can recuperate with family (even though we will be complete strangers to her). But if it can't wait, any surgery in China could mean a delay in getting her home.
To top it off, the IRS STILL has not released our income tax refund! They requested receipts from our prior adoptions, as they did many adoptive families this year, and we provided it, but they still haven't reviewed our file or made a determination. We need this money to complete Lily's adoption. Talk about testing my faith! But I know God will finish this work He started, and His timing is perfect, AND he called us to adopt--so, I trust that the money will be there when we need it. Not a moment before, but right on time.
Keep Lily in your prayers please as we await updated medical info.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
GUZ!!
Yes! We got it today! I'm so excited!
Now ASIA will apply our DS230, and in two weeks our Article 5 will be sent to CCCWA. Hopefully, we will then receive our TA in 2-4 weeks later.
It's very unlikely--although there is a TINY possibility--that we will travel in June. More likely it will be in July. Unfortunately we can only travel at the end of the month. I'm not sure why that is, but ASIA sends its travel groups at the end of the month. So if we don't make the June list, we will have to wait until the end of July.
LilyBeth will be 2 on July 10th.
Our adoption party is August 21. Wahoo!
Now ASIA will apply our DS230, and in two weeks our Article 5 will be sent to CCCWA. Hopefully, we will then receive our TA in 2-4 weeks later.
It's very unlikely--although there is a TINY possibility--that we will travel in June. More likely it will be in July. Unfortunately we can only travel at the end of the month. I'm not sure why that is, but ASIA sends its travel groups at the end of the month. So if we don't make the June list, we will have to wait until the end of July.
LilyBeth will be 2 on July 10th.
Our adoption party is August 21. Wahoo!
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Next up: GUZ
After receiving our I800 approval last week, I am expecting the GUZ number this week. I'm not really sure what that means, but I know I need it to get a TA!
Now that we are only about 10 weeks away from a travel date, I'm starting to think about packing and leaving my kids for 2 weeks--ugh! I hate being away from them for even one night, much less two weeks. But I am blessed to know that they will be in good hands while I am away, and so many people will be helping out.
My sister, Jen, and a friend from church, Jenny, will be traveling with me. It will be so much fun! Exhausting, but fun. I can't wait to have miss LilyBeth home.
We got an update on her health last week. She is doing well, and growing, but I haven't gotten an updated picture yet. That part is killing me! What does she look like? Is the orphanage growing her hair or still shaving her head? Is she potty trained? Can she talk? Has she seen our pictures? I have so many questions. But they will all be answered soon enough.
I pray every day that God will prepare her for our family and help her to bond quickly and trust us.
Now that we are only about 10 weeks away from a travel date, I'm starting to think about packing and leaving my kids for 2 weeks--ugh! I hate being away from them for even one night, much less two weeks. But I am blessed to know that they will be in good hands while I am away, and so many people will be helping out.
My sister, Jen, and a friend from church, Jenny, will be traveling with me. It will be so much fun! Exhausting, but fun. I can't wait to have miss LilyBeth home.
We got an update on her health last week. She is doing well, and growing, but I haven't gotten an updated picture yet. That part is killing me! What does she look like? Is the orphanage growing her hair or still shaving her head? Is she potty trained? Can she talk? Has she seen our pictures? I have so many questions. But they will all be answered soon enough.
I pray every day that God will prepare her for our family and help her to bond quickly and trust us.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Monday, April 4, 2011
LOA!
It's finally here: Our LOA! Next, we send in our I800 and our visa application. Then we sit and wait for our travel approval (TA). This is a wonderful anniversary present! Mike and I have been married 7 years today.
Last week I was longing to see LilyBeth and to bring her home, so I did the only thing we are allowed to do at this point; I sent her a care package. I picked an over-the-top package with 7 outfits, lots of toys, blankets, shoes, hair clips, and treats for the staff. I hope that LilyBeth will get the package this week and HOPEFULLY we will get some photo updates soon. It's so hard to be on the waiting end, but at least I know she will be home in God's time. This time around it's a bit easier to wait. Of course I have a bunch of kids to keep me busy during the days.
On a sad note, we found out today that Bo, our gorgeous English Cream Golden Retriever has hip dysplasia. I am so bummed--he is only a year old. Bo is truly the sweetest dog I have ever met. The kids climb all over him and all he wants to do is make us happy. He never misbehaves--he's afraid of disappointing us. So, we've decided that we will try some different medications until it's too hard for him.
These pics aren't Bo, but darn they look just like him.
Last week I was longing to see LilyBeth and to bring her home, so I did the only thing we are allowed to do at this point; I sent her a care package. I picked an over-the-top package with 7 outfits, lots of toys, blankets, shoes, hair clips, and treats for the staff. I hope that LilyBeth will get the package this week and HOPEFULLY we will get some photo updates soon. It's so hard to be on the waiting end, but at least I know she will be home in God's time. This time around it's a bit easier to wait. Of course I have a bunch of kids to keep me busy during the days.
On a sad note, we found out today that Bo, our gorgeous English Cream Golden Retriever has hip dysplasia. I am so bummed--he is only a year old. Bo is truly the sweetest dog I have ever met. The kids climb all over him and all he wants to do is make us happy. He never misbehaves--he's afraid of disappointing us. So, we've decided that we will try some different medications until it's too hard for him.
These pics aren't Bo, but darn they look just like him.
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