Merry, Blessed Christmas!

The Stinker and the Angel

Santa surprises Natalie at Lunch

Jake doesn't seem to like Santa

A few small steps!

As we were all either enjoying a full blown bout of the flu, or beginning to feel ill, Jake decided that he was not too sick to surprise us all. 

Jake has been stubborn about trying to walk.  He didn't really see a need to move for himself when he could get someone else to do it, so why bother.  But with Daddy and Grandma coaching him on, Jake decided to give it a try.  I think he really likes it.

And then there was the a Helmet

Our trips to the doctors with Jake are starting to wind down.  Praise God!  One of Jake's issues is that he has tortocollis, stiffening of the neck.  The therapist stretches Jake's neck and shoulders.....which he HATES!  The last of our concerns with Jake is that his head was misshapen from birth.  We did not think that it was a very big deal, but Jake's pediatrician thought that it was bad enough to have the orthopedic doctor do cranial manipulation on his head.  The doctor would take Jake's head between his hands and he would apply gentle pressure, trying to move the plates of Jake's scull.  Gross, I know!  And it did improve things a good deal.  After weeks of that, we were referred to a different PT office for more regular therapy for the tortocollis.  While there, the therapist asked if we had considered putting a helmet on Jake to correct his head more.  After weighing the pros and cons, we decided to go ahead and try the helmet.  Jake doesn't mind wearing it at all, in fact - he thinks he's something special in it.  It's only been 2 weeks and we are already seeing a big difference in his head shape.  So far, so good. 

Did someone say "HOCKEY"?  Go, Penguins!!!!!

More Halloween Pics.....

Getting ready to go out.

Poor, Sick Puppy - Nothing would stop her from Trick or Treating.

Hey, I get a ride AND candy!?!

Halloween, Kindergarten Style!

This picture slideshow made with Smilebox

Cruising at the Autumn Moon Festival

Today we went to our local FCC chapter's Autumn Moon Festival.  Natalie was a little apprehensive at first.  We think that this was the first time she really got that she was "Chinese".  She was adamant about NOT wearing her beautiful red princess dress, she did not want to wear her Chinese dress!  Jake, on the other hand, looked so adorable in his dark blue mandarin shirt.  He didn't care what he looked like.  lol  Once we got to the party, Natalie kept nudging Daddy saying "Daddy, that girl is Chinese" over and over as she noticed all the beautiful dark-haired sweeties.  She also noticed that a lot of the girls were dressed "Chinese".  I really think that this was a monumental revelation for Natalie.  She was a little sad that she had not worn her pretty dress.  But she had great fun making lanterns for her and for Jakey.

Not to be outdone, Jake decided to take Daddy's hand and toddle around.  Here is a short video of him walking with Mommy.  Sorry for the jerkiness, we're new at this.

Jake thought that he was "So Cool" walking around.  But it sure tuckered him out.

We have a 'Cruiser'!

Heaven help us - Jake is now cruisin' all over the place.  He holds on and moves where ever he wants.  Usually this entails mischief of some sort. 

And so it begins.......we are no longer safe!

First Day of Kindergarten

Natalie was SO Excited to finally be starting back to school after the long summer.  Kids!  She will eat those words later in life.  lol   She was a little sad that she would not be with her friends from preschool, but was eager to meet the new kids!  Here are some pics.......

Breakfast of Kindergarteners

I'm not nervous! I'm not nervous!

Through this door, a new chapter begins.......

OK, mom!  No more pictures - PLEASE!

The little student

Finger Puppets

Hey! A Science Room......C O O L!

After a day of school, Natalie was upset when I came to pick her up.  She wanted to ride the bus home.  Jon and I were a little leary about having her ride the bus.  But, putting on a stiff upper-lip, I contacted the transportation supervisor and arranged for Natalie to ride the bus home from class.  Wednesday was her first ride.  She did great - she loved it!  I was a bundle of nerves until I saw the bus round the corner.  They dropped her off at our driveway.  How's that for service!!!!!

She's Home!!

Pouting.......Then and Now!

Sept. 1, 2009 -  "The Scrunchy Face"

January 5, 2010 -  "The Lip"

August 30, 2010 -  "The Whine"

Our Little Ravioli Man

In the blink of an eye, Jake went from only eating baby food (stage 2 because the chunky stuff made him gag) to eating people food. We were having lunch the other day and Natalie was eating Ramen noodles. I thought ""What the heck, he'll play with them, and be kept busy so I can eat lunch in peace." Jake was sitting quietly in his highchair next to me, when I looked over at him, he was eating the noodles all by himself. This is a little boy that refuses to hold him own bottle. AND he has never put anything in his mouth. Now all of a sudden the idea has kicked in and he is putting everything in his mouth. "Must Vacuum, Must Vacuum" - my new mantra.

Here are a couple of pics of lunch today with Jake eating baby ravioli. He loved it. Other new favorites are: cookie dough, oatmeal, toast, mac-n-cheese, french toast, Orange Chicken (YES, Orange Chicken) and fried rice. That is in addition to any noodle he can get his hands on.

What is this called again?

 Mmmm, Not too bad!

This ravioli stuff is pretty good - can I get some more?

Our Little Man's Surgery

Well, the day finally came for Jake to have his surgery.  He was born with cryptorchidism (look it up).  After seeing a specialist, the dr. said that he would have Jake come in as an out-patient and they would perform a laproscopy to try and locate the missing gonad.  They were able to find it and, surprisingly, it was in great condition and looked fully functional.  The dr. tacked it in place, so now our little guy looks complete.  While they were working in that area, they snipped Jake, too. 

It was a L-O-N-G for Daddy, Mommy and Natalie.  Jake was loopy, so he didn't care.....at the time.  Natalie was so mature while she waited with Mommy.  Daddy went to be with Jake in Pre-Op.  Jake was great about taking the pre-op medication....in fact he was mad because he wanted more!  Daddy stayed with him until Jake fell asleep, then Daddy join Natalie and I in the waiting area.  The staff there was fantastic, they kept us informed every step of the way.  When surgery was over, the dr. came out and talked with us.  He told us that surgery was the 'best case scenerio'........everything went perfect!  Daddy joined Jake and waited for him to wake up, then Natalie and I were allowed to 'sneak back' to join them in Post-Op Recovery. 

Jake slept a lot and didn't seem in too much pain.  It's been a week now and all the tape and gauze has fallen off.  The bruising is almost completely faded and he is no worse for the experience.  We are so glad that we were able to have this done now.  It would have been a nightmare if we had waited until he was older.  But that is not a bridge that we need to think about.  It's over and done with.

At home, feeling no pain

Oh these meds are GOOD......

Every call has a beginning.........

A quiet moment when God
Whispers a promise to a mother’s heart
A holy place where a father bows and faithfully accepts
the journey set before him.

A miraculous morning that unexpectedly dawns…
Casting its first light on a chosen threshold.
A gentle knock..a closed door opens.

A sacred invitation sent by the Father..
Leads to the other side of the world.
Where lonely hearts stare out orphanage windows
Praying for someone to care.

And then one morning,
On an ordinary day
An orphan’s life changes...
God sends them a second chance...Through you.

Thought for the Day ~

I will say to the north: Give them up! and to the south: Do not hold them back! Bring My sons from far away, and My daughters from the ends of the earth - everyone called by My name and created for My glory. I have formed him; indeed, I have made him.  Isaiah 43:6-7

Bring Owen Smith HOME!

When Jake was in Taiwan, he had a playmate and bestest friend, Owen.  This little boy found his forever family not long after we found Jake.  Unfortunately, because of US government red tape, Owen is still in Taiwan.  His adoption has been finalized by the Taiwanese government!  But the US side refused to recognize it - even though all the hoops have been jumped through!  I am very emotional about this because.....there but for the grace of GOD go I.  The pain that Owen's family must be going through today, of all days, as Owen celebrates his 1st birthday, must be unbearable.  Please read his story.  If there is anyone you know, please contact them.  We MUST bring Owen home!

Bring Owen Home

Jake and tiny Owen - late August, 2009

The boys! Early March, 2010

One Year Later.......

In early August last year, there was a baby boy just getting released from the NICU of a hospital in Kaoshsiung, Taiwan.  He was very tiny, with his legs in a harness.  God put him into the hands of the wonderful ladies at the House of Hope for safe-keeping until his forever family came to get him.  The moment I saw this little face, I knew he was to be our son.

Fast forward to late July, 2010.......that teeny-tiny little boy has come home to our family, where God planned for him to be.  He is no longer wearing a harness on his legs - legs that now scramble all over the place, crawling at the speed of sound.  Today, those once weak little legs held him as he stood up all by himself. 

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words, so I will let these pictures speak for themselves.

God is Awesome!

Happy 1st Birthday, Jake!

I can not believe that Jake is already one year old.  He is our special little man.  Although he didn't want to feed himself, Jake really enjoyed his 1st piece of cake - the sugar high that followed can attest to that.  Ha-ha. 

Since coming home, he has grown so much!  He is sitting up all by himself and can get around to where ever he takes a fancy.  Note following picture. 

Jake's Dust Bunny Removal Service

Jake is constantly trying to imitate Natalie, wanting to do what she does, which sometimes drives her crazy.  Too cute!  I think that he is saying "Da-Da" because he only says it when he is looking at Jon. 

Jadon Mark JinCheng's Baptism

We found out that Jon's cousin Christopher was going to be home on leave for 10 days at the end of May.  So, since we wanted him to be Jake's Godfather, we had to do a 'hurry-up and plan this' Baptism ceremony.  Thank the Lord that our parish priest was on-board with our plans.  Within a couple of weeks, we had arranged a beautiful, intimate christening for our son.  Jake wore Jon's hand-made Christening gown and shawl.  I can honestly say that he looked quite handsome in it, as did his father - I'm sure.  Here are some pictures of Jake's big day.

Jon's 24 hr Endurance Bike Race in Grand Rapids

For last three years on Father's Day weekend, Jon has taken part in a 24 hour bicycle endurance race. While I questioned his sanity the first year, each time he rode, he did progressively better. This year, he rode 255 miles in just under 24 hours. Jon place in the top 10 for his age group and 65th overall out of over 350 cyclists! We are very proud of him.

Miss Natalie turns 5!

After surviving oral surgery 3 days before, Natalie got to celebrate her much-awaited 5th birthday!  Not knowing how she would be feeling after surgery, we decided to have a small, family party.  Natalie, still in her puppy mode, wanted a puppy themed party and that's what she got!  With puppy ears for everyone, we had a great time and Natalie really loved being a full fledged puppy-for-a-day.