All I really want for Christmas by Steven Curtis Chapman

Even Brian is picking out clothes for her!

We both agreed on this cute coat!  We bought pink snow pants to go with it!

Things that keep us busy while we wait for Ava...

We've started planning out Ava's bedroom. 

Here's the quilt we picked out for her.   The quilt is even more pretty in person!  You can't see this in the picture, but in the peach and flowered blocks, there are bright pink flamingos too!

Overdue updates and lots of news

Hi again!   We have been so busy here!  It's been hard to find the energy and time to sit down and write.   In the last few days, weeks and months, lots of news and things have been going on.  First of all, we FINALLY received new pictures of our little Ava and an update with answers to questions we've asked from the orphanage the other day. She is described as a "quite and genteel little girl".  We are worried because we have been told she has Hydrocephalus {commonly known as water on the brain} that has not been treated yet, because they feel it is stable since her head growth has remained stable.  Well, all the update said about that was again, that she is stable.  I guess we will just have to keep praying about that and just have her hydrocephalus checked once we get her home.  For those of you who don't know, I have hydrocephalus and so we are very aware of complications that can arise from this. 

Adoption Process Progress:  Ok, since my last post, our homestudy was finalized and approved.  Our next step is for US Immigration to approve Brian and I to adopt a child.  Our application is in their office, but has not been assigned an officer.  Once that happens, things will hopefully move along quickly.  Once we are approved to adopt we will be able to send our dossier to China.  Once our dossier is approved, then we can file an application with US Immigration again, to approve Ava to be brought into the US.  So, we are getting closer but still, it feels like we have a long way to go.

Other news:  while waiting, we have been busy with other projects in preparation for Ava's arrival and our trip to China.  To make room for Ava, we are adding a bedroom.  Collin will move into that room and Miss Ava will get Collin's old room.  Collin's new room is almost finished...the walls are up, dry-walled, primed and ready for paint.  The doors and woodwork will be delivered by this weekend.  We want to say a HUGE THANK YOU to our wonderful friend who is helping with those, you're AWESOME!  Once we get the carpet in, Collin can move in.  Then it's on to Ava's room.  We are still trying to figure out what colors to paint the walls in her room, but we have found a really cute quilt that sets the decorating theme, it's the Zoe quilt (for little girls) from JCPenny.  It's pink, green, white and peach with FROGS, BUTTERFLIES and Flamingos on it.  Stay tuned for further bedroom details.

In preparation for our trip, our attention has turned to Brian's back.  For those who may not know, he's had issues with his back for several years now.  Finally, we seem to be on the right track, thanks to Dr. Pauli, a wonderful Genetic Specialist out of Madison, WI who is the go-to-doctor for all things related to Achondroplasia Dwarfism.  After thoroughly examining Brian, he reassured us that Brian's back isn't as bad as we thought, but did help us to understand, that there are issues that need to be addressed.  He gave us the name of an Orthopedic Surgeon in the Twin Cities that has had lots of experience with dwarfs.  Next on our agenda is to get a consult set up with that doc.  Again, stay tuned...

Other news:  This year just seems to be flying by.  We are already into the 2nd quarter of the semester at Hartford Union High School for Collin and Shannon.  Collin is a JUNIOR this year...Oh myGosh.... as I TYPED that, I kinda freaked out!  I can't believe my Collin is a Junior this year........AND my Shannon is a FRESHMAN!!!  WOW!  Time, certainly has flown!  Both kids are doing great this year and both are working very hard to get good grades!  Brian and I are soooooooooo proud of both of them!  For those of you who don't know, Col and Shan are really close and I am so thankful for that!  Collin has been so kind hearted to Shan this year.  He's been driving her to school and has introduced her to many of his friends.  This is HUGE to me and means SOOO MUCH TO Me too!  And what I think is so great about this is that Collin has done this without even being told to do so, he just did this because he cares about his sister... WOW!

Soon, Collin begins his HS Swim season.  Stay tuned for those updates as well.  Unfortunately, we are a bit uncertain how things will go this year.  Again, for those who don't know about Achondroplasia Dwarfism, another issue we sometimes have to deal with is bowed legs.  Well, we also found out from the wonderful Dr. Pauli, that its time to have both of Collin's legs straightened.   We've always known he'd need to have the straightening surgery, but were just waiting for the time.  Well, it's time.   I knew Col's legs were bothering him when he asked me to make an appointment to talk to a doc about the surgery.  Col's been very apprehensive about the surgery, but he now has daily leg pain.  He's decided he wants to wait until after swim season, so we will see how things go.  Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

Again, for those who don't know, Collin began swimming competitively during his freshman year.  Last year, Collin AMAZED us all...he made amazing strides in his abilities.  In his freshman year, he could barely finish warm ups.  Midway through his Sophmore swim season, he was closing in on breaking several US Paralympic Swim records and by the way, he know has done that!  More about that in future posts.


SHANNON... our animal, lover, fanatic and expert had the wonderful opportunity to shadow a veterinarian at our local animal hospital a few weeks back.  Originally, they had it planned for her to shadow from 8 am to Noon.  Things went so well, that they asked her to stay till 6:30 that night.  She had an AMAZING time!  While there, she got to observe a spay, a de-claw, a dental procedure and she got to sit in on several appointments.  Before this experience, she wasn't sure what she wanted to do after high school, but she knew she wanted to do something with animals.  Now, she's seriously thinking of going into veterinary medicine, our marine biology.    Next on Shannon's agenda, to hopefully start volunteering at a local horse stable!

Gotta go for now... Will be back again soon!

A little love from China will be going private soon....

Hi there!  Long time no post...sorry about that, I've been a bit distracted, I'll share about that soon.   I've got several things to share, 1st being, In a day or so, I will be making this blog private. I think the way that works, is...you will be emailed a link and a password to access the blog as a registered user.  Those who are regular viewers, I believe will be able to continue reading with out a password and if you choose not to register, you can continue reading as an anonymous reader. I'm not sure exactly how all this works, but please bear with me while I figure this out.  The reason I'm choosing to go private is because China's CCAA (the organization that handles adoption of their orphans) asks that pictures of their orphans are not posted publicly.  I hope you all understand... I'll keep you posted on this...