We spent yesterday and overnight in Vail. It is truly beautiful. Rowland is in Heaven since he can look out our condo’s bedroom window and see the mountains as well as a fly-fishing stream below. We walked around and shopped some yesterday after we got here. We can’t buy much here since the prices are so inflated. It’s fun to look, though. After our $82 lunch (yes, the kids actually had kids’ meals, and Rowland and I had sandwiches), we walked some more. We did find some cute T-shirts for the kids, and Jia got a precious little stuffed unicorn. William is ready to bring his Rattlesnake Eggs envelope home to try out on his friends. Watch out!! KeKe started writing in her new Hello Kitty journal, and Carson was satisfied with a keychain to add to his ever-growing collection.

The Aspen trees are absolutely gorgeous right now. They’re the brightest yellow and are in big groves on the side of the mountain, stuck right in the middle of all of the pine trees. Rowland gave us a science lesson on the way here. He explained that trees’ leaves are only green because of the chlorophyl in them. When they go dormant, they lose their chlorophyl and turn their natural colors. We also learned how many roots an Aspen tree has. One! All of those Aspens in big groves are connected by one root. I won a quarter for knowing the word chlorophyl (even though I don’t remember how to spell it), and KeKe won a quarter for knowing that the leaves turn yellow when the c-word goes out. Carson lobbied for a quarter for knowing that Aspens only have one root, but that wasn’t a money-winning question according to Rowland.

Obviously, we’re just enjoying hanging out as a family and enjoying lots of laughter. This morning while Rowland is out fishing, we’re hanging out watching cartoons and sitting on the deck freezing our boodies off!! Today, it’s the outlet mall! Can you say REALLY HAPPY!!!!!! That’s Mommy!!!!

Here’s the update on Jia’s test being scheduled. Guess who never called on Thursday? Rowland went to the hospital and hung out until he found a supervisor and was able to talk on the phone with the person who actually does the testing at the clinic (in another town). Of course, the girl who schedules was already gone for the day. He must have turned the heat up a little, though, because two schedulers called him yesterday and left messages on his voice mail. One left her phone number in case he doesn’t get results from the original one. The original one left a message that the insurance company didn’t have a record of Jia’s being on our insurance. She was going to continue working on it on Monday but was leaving at 3:00 yesterday. Rowland’s going to follow up again Monday. Funny thing is that the hospital has already filed charges on Jia! Did I say that I hate bureaucracy? It’s always something! Good thing we’re not dealing with a life-threatening situation! I’ll keep you updated……..

I am so freakin’ frustrated! I have left messages for the lady scheduling Jia’s test; I have “caught” her by calling repeatedly. The hospital is in the process of moving. She told me she would call me last Friday. She didn’t and said she would call on Monday. Today is Wednesday, and I still have heard nothing. I got in touch with her this afternoon, and she explained that she hadn’t had a chance to call my insurance company yet. A new procedure has been put in place that has her scheduling only on Thursdays when she’s at the clinic. She assured me once again that she would call in the morning and schedule her tomorrow. She also let me know that she has eight tests to schedule. I’m sure that was her way of letting me know that my daughter is not the only child in the world. I just want her to do what she says she’s going to do. If she wasn’t able to schedule the test, she should’ve left me a message letting me know that. I’m pessimistic about her calling me tomorrow, although I really hope she does.

I also tried to call the doctor and was connected to the wrong Children’s Hospital and held for 30 minutes before hanging up. I finally got the right office, and the “secretary” asked me all of the information about Jia as well as finding out who my doctor is and getting my phone numbers. Then, she asked me if my call was an emergency. I told her that it was not, and she said that she is only allowed to take messages if it is an emergency. Could I please call back tomorrow? Why in the heck didn’t she say that on the front end?

I know that I’m being overly emotional! BUT I AM FRUSTRATED!!!!!!!! I hate bureaucracy! It even exists in the small town of Parker. Amazing!

Saturday was the third anniversary of Jia’s Gotcha Day, the day when we first held her in our arms in China. It’s hard to believe that we’ve only had her for three years. It seems so much longer than that. I remember that day so well. We flew from Guangzhou into Nanning and took our bus to the hotel. After checking into our rooms, we met in the lobby and took the bus to the hotel where we would get to meet our babies for the first time. I remember sitting in that room, hearing that Jiang Xiao Shen would be the first baby to be brought into the room. I’m sure that the tears were in my eyes before I ever saw her as she walked into the room (like a small den) holding the hands of two of the orphanage workers. I remember busting out with “I love you” in Chinese as they placed her in my lap. She cried and cried, and her daddy held her as he handed her the little pink bear that she still loves.

That was the first of 20 long days in China. Each day, I continued to bribe her with Diet Coke and Skittles so that she would let me touch her for just a little while. She hated me and screamed for her foster mom. She would cling to Rowland, sleep on top of him, follow him everywhere. She wouldn’t eat for anyone but Rowland and even refused water from me when I knew that she was dying from the heat. Gradually, she began to warm up to me.

On the plane headed home to Little Rock, she and I were the only ones awake. I walked her up and down the aisle singing “Jesus Loves Me” softly in her ear. “Yes, Jesus loves Jia. Yes, Jesus loves Jia.” When we finally made it to the Little Rock airport, I was overjoyed that she allowed me to carry her down the terminal to our waiting friends and family. She’ll never know what those steps meant to this momma until she has a baby of her own.

As the tears come down my cheeks, I thank God for giving me a child who was born so far away and yet born from inside of my heart. Happy Gotcha Day, my precious angel! And many, many more!!!! Mommy loves you!!!!

Cydney Jia Xiaoshen on her 3rd Gotcha Day

Jia with her best friend Cayden

I know that I said that I was going to write this blog last Thursday, but to be honest, I was a bit overwhelmed and too emotional to do so. It’s the middle of the night, and I can’t sleep so here I am.

Jia and I went to Children’s Hospital to meet with the Pediatric Endocrinologist on Thursday morning. After charting Jia’s growth, she determined that there is indeed a “fall off” in it. Basically, that means that she started off on an arc that she is no longer maintaining. Best case scenario, she is just really short, but even then, her arc should continue at the same degree. If she continues on the arc she is on now, she would grow to be about 4 foot 9 or 4 foot 10 inches tall. Intervention is an option if that is the case. She can be given growth hormones that will add a couple of inches or so to her height.

At this time, worst case scenario seems to be Turner’s Syndrome. My understanding of Turner’s Syndrome is that an X chromosome is missing or is only partially there, causing a girl to not mature physically. She would not go through puberty, likely would not develop breasts or have menstrual cycles since the ovaries would not produce eggs. Women with Turner’s are unable to get pregnant, although there have been cases of in vitro being successful. The doctor didn’t see any symptoms of this condition except for Jia’s height; however, many girls are not diagnosed until they are trying to have children. She did send us over to the hospital to have her blood drawn to check for this, but it will take 4 - 6 weeks to get the results.

The most likely scenario, at this time, is that she has a growth hormone deficiency. While her wrist x-ray doesn’t seem to indicate bone growth retardation, and her blood work indicated that her growth hormones seemed fine, neither of these tests are reliable for an accurate diagnosis. Instead, Jia will have a test at the hospital in which they will give her an I.V. with a blood-pressure lowering medication (not at dangerous levels) and draw her blood every thirty minutes for 1 1/2 hours (through her I.V.). They will then give her a different medication and repeat the process. In just a couple of days, the doctor will have results of that test. If she is indeed deficient, the doctor will give her growth hormones.

At the end of the morning, Jia was very upset as was her mommy. The blood draw had to be done in her hand, and she cried for a good 20 - 30 minutes afterwards. My heart broke for her, especially knowing that it wasn’t the last “stick.” I’m not looking forward to the hospital visit as we will be there from 8:30 - 2:30, and it will be a painful day for her as well as a long, emotional day. Now that I’ve had a few days to process and pray, my heart still hurts, but I don’t feel as overwhelmed as I did. Please don’t comment that God is in control. I am completely aware of His hand in our lives, but I am also acutely aware of the fact that bad things do happen. I know that we are not alone and that God knows the outcome already. I know that He loves Jia more than I ever could, although that seems unimaginable. I know that He will carry us every step of the way, and I do believe that ultimately, the doctors will be able to help Jia. This situation is not one without solutions.

My pain is that of a mother who desperately wants only the very best for each of her children. I want them to have no worries, no pain, no hardships, etc., etc. I want them to live perfect and happy lives. Even as I type those sentences, though, I know that what I really want is for them to know God in a unique and personal way. I want them to love Him and live for Him. I also know that God has told us in His Word that we absolutely WILL go through trials. How we walk through those trials is the key to truly loving Him and knowing Him in that unique way.

Please pray for my Jia, my beautiful Chinese princess with the most contagious belly laugh ever. Pray that the doctors will have an accurate diagnosis with these tests, and that further testing won’t be needed. Pray, too, that Dr. Travers will have the wisdom to know exactly what needs to be done in her situation and that whatever that is will be successful. Pray also for Jia’s mommy who loves her too much and is keenly aware that her heart is walking around inside of this Chinese princess!!

I’ve never been one to be short on words, but the reason I haven’t blogged lately is that I haven’t had much to blog about. We’re doing the typical kid thing right now. Jia’s taking Chinese class and dance; KeKe’s taking gymnastics and working on being the best fashionista around; William’s playing baseball and wanting to play tennis (don’t ask me where that came from); and Carson’s being a middle schooler playing guitar and playing on his 360. Rowland and I are just trying to keep up with everyone.

Last night, Rowland and I had a date night with Amy and Grant and went to McCabe’s for an awesome filet. Then, we walked almost 20 miles (well, it seemed like it in Amy and my 3 1/2 ” heels) to get some Coldstone ice cream. Of course, no night with Grant and Rowland would be complete without Barnes and Noble. It was a beautiful night, and we had a really good time.

In a little while, I’m going up to the school to help KeKe’s class in their reading groups. I hope I get to be in her group. It kind of ruins the fun when I’m not in the same group as my kids. Last Friday, I helped in William’s class during their math groups. William, three of his classmates, and I played a fun game with dice. (No, Danea and Graham, we were not in Vegas!) The cool part is that William won!!! I had a blast playing the game, too.

Tomorrow, I will definitely blog because I’m taking Jia to Children’s Hospital to see a pediatric endocrinologist concerning her being so short. She’s -4% on the Asian charts for height. She’s had blood drawn and a wrist x-ray which showed some bony growth retardation. I’m praying that all is well with her and that they don’t poke and prod her too much.

I do have some news that I haven’t posted yet. We have a new pet, a Japanese Chin named Natacha. She’s the cutest little thing, and she’s 6 months old. (BTW, Mom, she is doing AWESOME on her house training!!) Chin actually means “cat” in Japanese. Our cat’s name is Valentino, and thanks to google, I learned that Rudolf Valentino’s wife was named Natacha. Now, we have Valentino and his wife Natacha. I must say that she isn’t very good at playing hard-to-get! At first, Valentino just stalked her; now, he watches her curiously or ignores her altogether. Hmmmm……sounds a lot like my marriage. Here’s a picture of Natacha dressed up by Kitty and Camber. Poor puppy!

Natacha weighing in at her full-grown weight of 5 lbs. 8 oz.

Saturday, a Girl Scout dropped by our house and left a big brown bag with a sheet of paper stapled to the outside. The paper listed non-perishable items that the Girl Scouts are collecting for the homeless. Rowland filled the bag and set it next to the front door to be picked up on Wednesday.

This morning as I was getting ready, I heard little Kitty ask Rowland what the bag was for. He explained that the Girl Scouts were collecting canned goods, pasta, etc. for the homeless and that we were participating in their drive. The next thing I heard was Kitty asking, “Do the homeless people know how to cook the stuff?” William responded without missing a beat, “KeKe, their homeless, not stupid!”

A lot of insight for a little guy!

Aren’t they the cutest little girls on the planet?

Sometimes I wish that I were still little and could curl up with my girlfriends and have sleepovers. (Don’t anybody make any crude comments!) The innocence and honesty in sweet, young friendships is so special. Kitty and Jia don’t know that they should be ashamed to tell their best friends everything. They haven’t gotten to the place where they’re afraid that they’ll lose their friends if they’re really honest or that their best friends might not always forgive them. I’m thankful that I have a few girls in my life that are those kinds of friends. I’m not sure that they’d cuddle up with me to watch a movie, but I know they’d walk through fire with me - because they have!!! What special, special gifts! There’s nothing better than a sweet, sweet friend!!

Why didn’t anyone send me an e-mail or call me to let me know that it was National Estrogen Week? With two girls at home, and me with PMS, I think someone should have let me know. Jia cried and whined all day one day for several reasons. She was very upset because she can’t wear “big girl clothes” like “Camela and Melissa,” Carrie’s 16 and 18 year old daughters. Then, she literally cried herself to sleep because her arms were too short. Arms that are too short? What? I told her that she was beautiful and that God had made her perfect, but she still felt like her arms were too short! As soon as she awakened from her nap, she asked (first words out of her mouth) if we could go to the mall. I told her that I would take her on Thursday, but that we couldn’t go that day. She cried for a good solid hour off and on. I finally got her settled, and Kitty came home from school.

Kitty had asked me the night before how old she would have to be to wear a bra. I told her probably fifth or sixth grade. She pushed it down to third, and to get her to go away and think about something else, I told her that I would discuss it with her dad. Dumb move! She then asked if I would ask her dad if she could do it now, in second grade. What? I do think that my mom had an excellent idea. She suggested that I get her a bra and make her wear it everyday until she begs not to. I mentioned it to Rowland, and he responded quickly with a resounding “NO!” The next morning, Kitty cried and cried because I had laid out her clothes, and she wanted to wear something different. I really didn’t care except that she had begged for the outfit just a few weeks before. She told me that she had already worn it to school once, though, so she needed to pick out something different. What? I didn’t know we only wore clothes once around here!

I’d like to say that these were just random happenings, but they’re really only small examples of the strange estrogen flying around our house this week. I did give in to Jia’s pleas, though, and we went to the mall yesterday for a few hours after her Chinese class. She picked out a couple of outfits at Children’s Place after we got into a discussion about what she likes and doesn’t like in clothing. I picked up the coolest washed-out pink corduroy jacket with fur on the collar, and she DID NOT like it. She said that she really liked more “Rock and Roll” clothes. What? After shopping, (my favorite activity, too), we were headed home. Proving that she is truly connected to me genetically, she said, “Momma, when we get home, can we lay down together and take a short nap?” Oh, yes, my princess! You are my child! Shopping and a nap in the same day! HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY ESTROGEN WEEK!!!

Jia has begged for three years to take ballet. Well, her day finally came! Last Thursday, she officially started her road to being a ballerina. She couldn’t contain her excitement. All day long, she asked me how many more seconds until she could put on her leotard. Doesn’t she look adorable? She even has a real ponytail!!

Rowland and little Kitty took her, and Rowland said that the whole time, she just kept looking out of the window at him and smiling the biggest smile!! She kept giving him our “family pointer finger” wave. I can’t wait to see her this week - my little ballerina!!