Latest on Brenna

EMAIL FROM RUSS' DAD:

Brenna ran a high fever last night. She is not out of the woods yet. She is playing but Amy and Chris did not get to visit the orphanage yesterday. She continues to take her food, but she is on a rocky road to recovery.

Please pray for Brenna's continued recovery and healing from whatever malady she suffers. Pray for her little body to intake the nutrients she requires to overcome her malnutrition - she continues to take food well. Pray for wisdom and guidiance for Amy and Chris - that they receive the right counsel and can bring Brenna to Birmingham with them permanently. Pray for Micah that he can learn to share his parents with his new "sister."

Thanks to each of you for your prayers and for your support during these times.

The Same Kind of Different as Me

I recently read the book 'The Same Kind of Different as Me'. I received it free through www.booksneeze.com with the only deal being that I would write a review about it on my blog. Let me tell you... deal or no deal, that book was amazing. It is a true story and fiction could not be written any more addictive. This book shook me to the core. I received it yesterday afternoon and used every free moment to read until I was finished today! I laughed, I sobbed... I learned!

First of all, the sadness and oppression of blacks in America at times in our history was eye opening. I am not ignorant that slavery existed, however, it was long before my time and nothing that I have seen personally. Out of sight, out of mind so to speak. I have never read about it in a first person perspective, until now. It disgusted me! In God's eyes, we are all the same, sadly that is not how it has been on Earth.

The story of Ron and Debbie was such a blessing to read. Debbie truly was a woman seeking to serve God. What a beautiful example of the virtuous wife! Her blindness to those "unlike" herself was so admirable and I only wish that more of us had that same compassion, myself included!

Without giving the whole story away, I would just say that this book is such a testimony of God having a plan for every one of us! He uses ALL things for His glory and though we may not understand the "why's", it is all part of His plan. This book is powerful... filled with the power of compassion, overwhelming with the example of faithfulness, and powerfully motivating to make a difference.

Update

Hey,

Wanted to let you knnow about today. Amy, Chris, and Brenna were at the dr. most of the day. They were able to go to an international clinic and see an Eng. speaking dr. We're all very hopeful of his info. He examined Brenna throughly which was not done yesterday. She is normal in length and he does not think she has any lasting developmental problems. She has great eye contact. He says says she does not have a twisted stomaach. He belives she has an underlying condition that has not b een diagnosed. Her picture that we got today from when she was about 3 weeks old showed a fat little girl. She is running a fever and the dr. believes she has a colon infection. We have med. for both. She is eating and drinking like crazy. He said feed her on demand. She is turning over, and we say her first smile this evening. Amy is so good with her and she watches her Mama's every move. The dr. mentioned maybe Chron's or colitis. We'll get the tests at home. We would like to come home early but we think we need the time here to buid her up. Amy and Chris signed the adoption papers today and paid the orphanage. She said they were counceled by so many today and many more people were involved. One of the adoption agents said Amy and Chris were approved for a healthy baby, and might not be given the right to keep Brenna. Please continue to lift us all up in your prayers. We're all tired and concerned, but so much better today. Micah is super. He is having a little trouble sharing Amy. Brenda and I kept him today while they were gone. Please pray that Brenna gets to stay with us. She would not have lived long if we hadn't gotten her. I have lots more to tell, but I know I'm rambling,. Gotta get somoe sleep.

Love,
Jana

Update from Amy

Dear Family and Friends,
I know that you have been eagerly awaiting news on our first meeting with our daughter yesterday. Believe me, no one could have been more shocked than me over how differently yesterday went than we'd imagined. Let me just say that our trip over here could not have gone more smoothly--Micah is a champion traveler! Yesterday we went to meet our daughter at the local provisional adoption agency office. When she was given to us, we knew that something was wrong. She is very, very sick. She's 18 months but the size of a 6 month old--we knew this but it's impossible to be prepared for that. Then, just 10 minutes after having held her, they (her nurse and caregiver at her orphanage) gave us some medical paperwork; she had just gotten out of a week's stay at a hospital on Friday. She was admitted for terrible diarrhea (sp?) and we got a strange translated hard to understand diagnosis of a twisted stomach. So, we demanded that we be taken with her to a foreign clinic in the city for medical attention. Micah, by the way, was so excited to meet her and kissed her spontaneously!! so sweet!
So, we spent 4 hours at this clinic and didn't get much info; they did an ultrasound and said that her connection b/tn her stomach and duodenum is normal, but said they couldn't tell about her stomach even t hough our american pediatrician at the int'l adop clinic told us an american doc could diagnos this by ultrasound...So then they said a GI would be needed to tell. Well, we kept asking how she got this diagnosis from the other hospital--the nurse finally called and sure enough shed' gotten one there. We were trying so hard not to put her through anything she didnt' need--she was SOOOO scared at the clinic--she knew wher she was... Anyway, the pics from that GI should arrive by mail today and we'll go from there. We've asked for an extension on our adoptio paperwork b/c our guide said basically the only card we have in getting info on her is our money and we still have it in OUR pockets for now...
So, she came home with us last night and she's definitely a fighter. She seemed very attached to her nurse and was upset when she left...so she wasn't happy with us until we gave her food...she can suck down a bottel like you've never seen!! She also loves rice porridge and ate some last night. She sucks on her ring finger of her right hand to go to sleep and slept with us last night.

I don't think it's possible to explain how bad she looks--so malnourished...it's overwhelming. We feel at this point that ther is some underlying problem causing chronic diarreha or something...we just don't know!!

PLEASE pray for us: 1. For information--we want ALL of her records from the hospital and orphanage. They are NOT forthcoming with any of this. we don't know if someone is trying to save her life and so are scard to give it or what... but we need that info 3) for complete unity b/tn Chris and I as we confirm our decision. 4) for wisdom on whether or not to push for an expidited leave from the country or if she needs the time here to recoup befor our trip. (5) for Micah's and all of our health from being in a clinic yesterday (6) for Brenna not to be afraid (6) for our guide, Becky, to be able to communicate with us and the doctors and orphanage (7) for peace and clarity adn rest. (8) most of all, for complete healing for our daughter.

Please get people praying for us. We believe that satan does not want her redeemed. pray we are not acting on fear. Pray for rest and calm We are all having trouble sleeping except for Micah. Yesterday was the most surreal and overwhelming day of my entire life. Once again the Holy spirit reminded me of a dream when i asked Him to remind me of what I needed to know--God is faithful. Pray we can deal with our emotions as we have them or need to...

Love to all...
Amy

Pulling the Wool?

We heard from China this morning... apparently, the adoption agency failed to mention that Brenna has been in the hospital for the past week. They discovered that she has an inverted stomach. This can be repaired with surgery...however, there are some other concerns. She is 18 months old, and she is only drinking milk and eating rice puffs. Her weight is about 12-14 pounds. This child was not listed as special needs, as this was something that Amy and Chris carefully considered being that Amy suffers from Crohn's Disease and they thought it would be very difficult to provide the necessary care to a special needs child. So the question remains...how could this agency be aware of her hospitalization and medical needs and not inform Amy and Chris. Understandably, they are torn apart right now, as they watch other families along their journey who are adopting their children and going home to start their bonding lives as a new family. They wonder what the future holds for their sick little Brenna.

As they are in China, they are consulting with doctors from Birmingham for recommendations and information. Please join us in praying with them!

Adding On

We are waiting to hear from Amy and Chris regarding meeting their precious daughter, Brenna, for the first time. It is 8:53 p.m., on July 4th, in Fort Oglethorpe, GA, where we are hanging out with Russ' dad. Jana, Russ' mom, is with Amy and Chris (and their 2 year old son, Micah, in China, and it is 8:53 a.m. on July 5th there. Today is the day. We are praying with them, and so excited for them. Please pray with us for a smooth adoption and blessed union between them all. We are looking forward to meeting our sweet little neice very soon!

Pictures from Holly

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Ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on!...

We had a great week in South Florida, staying at the beach and visiting friends and "family"... yet, it is a bitter reminder that life goes on without us. Russ and I had many conversations over the course of the week... could we move back, would we want to move back, what would we do if we moved back, and how different our lives would be if we did. Yet, since we have not "found our niche" so to speak in Charleston, it makes it even more difficult to experience the loss. Where DO we go from here?

Russ asked me this week, if I could live anywhere, where would that be... honestly, I have NO IDEA! There is no perfect place this side of Heaven. The fact of the matter is, we have to move AT LEAST once more before retirement from the Coast Guard. I am getting too old for this. The starting over, planting temporary roots... ugh! I feel as if our life is being measured in time... how many years is this tour, how many years is the next tour and where on earth will it be, how many years left until we can make our own decisions about where we live... yet at the end of all of the day, I know it is the best decision for our family to finish the ride.

It just reminds me of the song... Ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on!...

A Walk to Remember...though I wish I could forget it!

Two nights ago, we went on a family walk/bike ride after dinner. Gavin just learned to ride his bike without training wheels and so he LOVES LOVES LOVES to ride his bike now. He was the one who begged to do our nightly trip around the block, Gavin's second time on his bike. Russ was pulling Holden in the wagon, I was walking Bella, and the Landon and Gavin were riding their bikes. (Blake stayed home doing his new favorite thing... baking cookies.)

Generally, I keep Bella on a very short tight leash because she is CRAZY! She could pull a covered wagon with her freakish strength... but I digress. We have lots of dogs in our neighborhood and they either have no fences containing them, or they have invisible fences... either way... we have no idea whether they can come out of their yards or not. However, Bella has been doing much better on our walks so I had given her a little freedom on the leash to roam more. We got partially around the neighborhood when a little white dog came barrelling from his house after our little Bella. Bella freaked out and took off across the street toward the dog, and at this same time, Gavin was pedalling his heart out back toward us. Russ and I start screaming for Gavin to stop, but being a bike riding novice, using his breaks was out of the question. I let go of the leash, thinking that if it was tight he would run into the rope, possibly with his neck and be yanked backward off of the bike landing on his back... option number 1... yikes, no thank you. SO...I went with option number 2, I let go of the leash thinking it would just fall the ground, or at worst, hit his chest, and fall to the ground. Unfortunately, neither of these options occurred. We were petrified to witness the leash boomerang itself around Gavin's neck and yank him off of his bike throwing him to the ground. Praise God, he had his helmet on! He still received two head abraisions. His face and neck suffered so much rope burn, it is so pitiful!

What a frightening night for us. Knowing what could have happened just freaks me out! We made him sleep in our bed so that we could keep an eye on him and make sure he did not get a concussion from the head injuries. I am so thankful that God protected him and he is ok, minus some burns. No more loose leashes for Bella and we had a crash course on break usage for Gavin... no pun intended!

Olympic Bound?

While waiting on the World Cup Us/England game to come on we were watching some college decathletes competing. He is how the conversation went:

Blake: I would like to try out for the Olympics!

Russ/Me: Oh, Really... doing what?

Blake: Hmmmm, I don't know, how about SNOWBOARDING?

Me (Trying desperately not to laugh and knowing the answer already as the most snow he has seen in his life thus far is 1 inch): Have you ever BEEN on a snowboard?

Blake: Uhhmmm, no!


Do you think we are failing at our job of keeping him "grounded in reality"? I mean... I guess he could move somewhere, at some point in his future, be surrounded by snow most of the year, and have a natural talent for snowboarding, and end up at the Olympic games of 2025 or thereafter... Though, likely not... hee hee hee

Kids Bowl Free... ?

We used our Kids Bowl Free tickets today to get out of the house for a while! The kids got to bowl free... you just have to pay for shoe rental. Apparently, shoes are golden! $3 per shoe..., seriously? How much do they cost to BUY? Well, anywho... we paid the $16 fee for all of us to have shoes, and then the games began. I must say, that was $16 well spent. The clapping, whooping, whew hews, brotherly encouragement, and fun... Priceless! Thanks Kids Bowl Free or (aka $16)!

Making God Laugh...

Gavin's preschool teacher used to say, "If you want to make God laugh, make plans!" I do not think that my boys find the "humor" in that! Nursing some broken hearts today... ;-(

Waiting....

Amy and Chris, (Russ' sister and Bro-In-Law), received the wonderful news about a month ago that they have been matched with their daughter Brenna. They are waiting for their appointment at the Chinese consulate (or wherever they go) to officially adopt their daughter and bring her home. Their were some initial concerns over her extremely low weight for her age, but they truly felt like God His divine hand in matching them with their daughter.

We are so excited to meet Brenna! I contemplated going with them to China to get Brenna, and I would have loved to have gone with them, but I also know that my heart would have probably broken to not bring home a daughter of my own. However, it was a very expensive trip, and others will be going with them. For now, I know that we will be welcoming a beautiful little girl into our family in the next month or so... for now I will be Aunt Holly. I am thankful!

Friends Forever

Last weekend the boys and I went to Wilmington for a couple of while Russ was away. We had a nice time, and on Sunday we went to my friend Trisha's house so the boys could visit with her two boys while I visited with her. We all had a nice time, though the visit was too short.

On our way out of town, the boys were asking me about Trisha and I was explaining to them how we became friends. You see, the first week of Jr. High School, I was "the girl with the bow in her hair"... (Madonna was very much a trendsetter then). The nickname was not one of fondness...as Trisha did not like me initially, and I did not even know it. But seeing as to how it was the beginning of the school year, Trisha decided to have a slumber party to meet new people, and what do you know... I was invited. I was a little scared that I was going to be the target of some slumber party prank, but much to my joy, that was not the case and Trisha and I became best friends from that night on!

Trisha and I were inseparable for so many years and I am so thankful that I still call her friend! We have been friends for 24 years! Since I have been gone from Wilmington for many years, it was so great to visit her beautiful home and see what a wonderful mom and wife she has become. I am certainly thankful that God allowed her to be a part of my life and that she is still a part of my life!

This whole thought process entered my mind, because as we were leaving Wilmington, I realized that I had lived in that town for 24 years of my life... my boys will not have that same fate... we have already moved 4 times, and growing up with the same best friends is not an option for our boys. Sadly! God will comfort and provide, I know, but it is still a little sad. With technology and the internet, they will be able to stay in better contact with the friends they do make, but it is different. I will just chose to be thankful for whatever friends God will provide for us all!

Summertime Blues... not for me!

The boys got out of school last Thursday and we have been enjoying every moment of summer so far. We started a little early with our summer celebration by going to South Georgia to Russ' Aunt Priscilla's / Uncle Durwood's to enjoy family time and tubing on the lake. The boys had a blast! Then, as soon as school was out we went to see my mom and Tim in Wilmington for a couple of days. I am so thankful for the freedom to be able to get in the car and GO! It is a little crazy transporting myself and the four boys, but it was an adventure.

I am looking forward to a fun-filled summer with my precious boys and Russ (precious too)! Lookout, we may be coming to see YOU!