This afternoon William and I went to see “Mummy - something about the Emperor’s Tomb.” It was basically the same story as the other one only different location. We enjoyed our Mommy/Son time regardless.

On the way home, we ran into Target to grab Carson a gray T-shirt for school and William some socks. We weren’t in the store but just a few minutes, but I got irritated when checking out because I had to wait FOREVER. There weren’t any Express lanes open. Little did I know at the time that God was protecting us!

As we walked out of the store, we noticed a few ladies standing outside with their children, looking at the storm clouds that had rolled in. Being from Arkansas and used to storms, I laughed in my head at their trepidation to walk to their cars and head home. As I began walking past them, I noticed a funnel cloud on the ground just to the southwest of us. I’ve heard tornado sirens go off a gazillion times, seen terrible thunderstorms, been near tornadoes that touched down my whole life. Arkansas is right there in Tornado Alley. I have NEVER actually seen a funnel cloud on the ground, though. It was an amazing site.

Rowland and the men in the neighborhood in Arkansas used to stand in the street and discuss the approaching tornado, and I always told him how ridiculous that was. He’d have the kids and me huddled in a tub or in the basement while he was standing out in the middle of the street! So what did I do with my child when I saw the tornado? I stood in the parking lot, watched it, and talked about it! Eventually, the Target employees told us to go back into the building and sent us into the employee area to sit in the hallway and wait out the storm.

Thankfully, we weren’t swept away. In fact, for some reason, we weren’t even nervous or afraid (See how good my new meds are?). We made it home safely, and the storm passed rather quickly (unlike in Arkansas when they can linger for entire days and nights). My friend sent me a picture so I thought I’d share. It’s taken from her house.

It’s a great picture, but the sky was actually pitch black, and the tornado looked like dark dust swirling around. Amazing!!

My precious, loving, adoring, helpful, Godly, sensitive, hard-working, sexy, even-keeled, romantic, outdoorsy, pretty damned perfect husband turns 46 years old today! Happy Birthday to the Love of My Life!!! And you know the coolest part of the whole thing? Unlike me, he wasn’t looking for a big party or a lot of hoopla, an expensive dinner or surprise gift. He just wanted to go away with me (okay, and his dog that has major gas problems!) to the cabin in Breckenridge for five nights! No plans. Just the two (okay, sort of three) of us hanging together, working around the cabin, walking around downtown, shopping a little in Silverthorne, watching movies, and anything else that might cross his mind (if you know what I mean - I know, TMI!).

Thank You, God, for giving me the man of my little girl dreams - not the kind of man that I thought I would have to settle for as I got older, but the man who put the silver slipper on my foot (and rarely steps on it!). And thank you, Rowland, for wanting to be with just me (and the farting dog) as you celebrate another year!!!

What a great day of celebration!! He is ALIVE!!!

As we left for church at 7:00 this morning, there was a new dusting of snow on the ground, a first for any of our Easters! We still wore our sandals and short sleeves, though. We just put our wool coats on over them. Strange!

We had a wonderful day just hanging out as a family. It was great to see and visit with some of the new families at church. It’s neat to watch a church grow and begin to see people “plug in” with each other. Our Life Group is so awesome, too. The energy at Pinecrest Church is contagious, and it truly feels like home. Thank you, Jesus, not only for Your death and resurrection, but also for the new life you give us here on Earth.

We did our Easter baskets after church and our traditional Easter egg hunt after a LOOOONNNGGG afternoon nap. It was a great family day and the perfect end to a wonderful Spring Break spent together. God has been so good to us, and my heart is full of gratitude tonight.

Here’s a picture of the family after church in our “Easter clothes” -

Before Seeing Their Baskets

And After….

After a wonderful dinner last night in the San Diego Gas Lamp district, we are ready for the ship. I’ll let you know how it all works out as the day comes to a close. It’s been great to see Dave and Carrie - lots of laughter!!

Bon voyage!!

Going into the SuperBowl last night, I could not have even told you who was playing. I decided rather quickly that New England would win because they were undefeated, and really couldn’t have cared less. As we sat with friends and visited, I watched a few plays here and there but mostly watched the clock to see when the Halftime show would be. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were great!

Everyone left when the second half started since no one was a big football fan. Once we had the kids in bed, and the kitchen was cleaned up, there were only a few minutes left in the game. It was so close that I actually watched the end of the game while I was working out. Believe it or not, I found myself VERY excited about the Giants. They were the underdogs, and I REALLY wanted them to win. I was watching closely, rooting on Eli Manning and loving watching his brother watch from the stands. Of course, I was into the “human interest” side of the game. Payton Manning won last year, and now his brother could win this year. Cool! The Giants were the wildcard; the Patriots were undefeated all year. I wanted the unexpected ones to get the victory. I could feel their excitement, their hope….

Once the last touchdown was made, I held my breath (didn’t help my working out any) while the last few minutes S-L-O-W-L-Y ticked away. I was so afraid that Brady was going to throw an amazing last minute touchdown pass and ruin it for MY Giants, the same ones I didn’t even know were playing a few hours earlier! I watched the entire celebration after the game, falling more and more in love with MY new team.

When all was said and done, I felt a great sense of satisfaction. The Underdog had pulled it out and beat the almighty ones, blown their undefeated season. Isn’t it funny how we root for the underdog? There’s just something about an unexpected win that makes my heart swell with pride! (Of course, by this time next year, I’ll have forgotten who won and who played, but it was fun while it lasted!!)

We had such a blast last week with the Schneiders from Brazil staying with us over the Thanksgiving holiday. “King” Thomas is a blast, always quick with a smart-aleck comment! Agnes is a wonderful friend, easy to talk to, encouraging, and full of laughter as well. Their two daughters are knock-outs with legs as long as I am tall. (I know, not saying much!) Then there’s Mark, or Markie as we all called him. He’s four, speaks no English, and is all boy. Melissa, the oldest daughter, is definitely related to me as she LOVES to shop! Camila is precious and is wonderful with the younger children. Too bad she doesn’t live here to babysit! Markie and Jia had a great time playing together. You’d never know that they couldn’t communicate very well from all the time that they spent playing together. I did notice that he caught on to, “It’s mine!” See, we’ll turn him into a spoiled American yet!

We also spent a lot of time with the Englishes while the Schneiders were here. What a blast! On Thanksgiving, Grant fried a turkey, without blowing up or burning down our house, and Rowland baked a turkey. Amy and I took care of all of the sides and desserts, and I think we outdid ourselves! Agnes jumped right in and was a huge help, and Thomas made the “kid noise” bearable for me by making me a couple of caipirinhas!! If you haven’t had one before, you’re missing out!

We also drove to Winter Park to meet the Englishes for lunch on the slopes one day. It was beautiful! Thomas was a true tourist as he and his family got under the snow-making machines and took pictures of themselves. Brazilians!! What can you say?! On the way home, we stopped at the mall again (thank you, Agnes and Melissa), then ate a late dinner at California Pizza Kitchen. In fact, we ate and shopped a lot while they were here!! Two of my favorite things!

KeKe, Camila, Me, William, Carson, Jia, Rowland, Melissa, Agnes, and Mark (Thomas took the picture)

What a fun time we had just hanging with good friends! Those are the times memories are made!

Grant, Amy, Me, Rowland, Thomas, and Agnes Saying Goodbye!

The Whole Clan!

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!!