Blessings, Boo Boo's and Ladybugs All in a Day

Last night we landed in Oklahoma City, OK to drive to Lawton, OK to celebrate the graduation of Gabriella's oldest brother, Kai. Kai will graduate from Army Boot Camp on Friday. Today, we got the chance to see Kai for Family Day.

After the Family Day presentation, we hopped in our rental vehicle and headed out to treat Kai to a yummy meal. As we all hopped into our vehicle, Veronica (Kai's girlfriend) noticed that there was a ladybug on Kai's badge... she mentioned something to me because she knows that there is something about ladybugs and our family. 

I reminded her that I believe that God shares a ladybug with us when some sort of good news is about to happen within the next 7 days concerning our adoption. So far, God has always done something amazing within seven days. With every ladybug He has sent, the bug has been within 3-4 feet of us (ie. definitely for us... a God Wink... not a coincidence) and arrives within 7 days. Today's bug, landed on "Fouts"... Kai's badge. I now fondly call this our "Fouts Ladybug." And, another God Wink... this time, for someone new!

Last Thursday, April 26, I had sent Jason to work with his very own ladybug catcher. I took his photo, but he wouldn't let me post it on Facebook... probably because he really didn't think a ladybug would ever come. So, I just posted the comment: I sent Jason to work with his very own ladybug catcher today! 

I sent him with the ladybug catcher because he was losing sleep about one of our daughters still waiting for us in China. He couldn't figure out how she would get in to our arms, much like our other two. I told him that when he told me about her, I fasted and prayed, and God specifically showed me that she was indeed our daughter, through multiple Bible verses. Though God is going to have to prepare MY heart for this little surprise gift, I KNOW that if God has ordained her to be in our family, that HE, will cause a way to make the IMPOSSIBLE happen. I told Jason to take this bug container to work. God wouldn't have shown me all that He did if she wasn't ours. And, if she is ours, which I believe now that she is, she will come. I handed him our ladybug catcher... and this note:  "If God sends you a ladybug in the next 7 days, then you need to completely trust that God will finish what He has started and that Giavanna will come home." 

SEVEN DAYS LATER, God sent Giavanna's ladybug to the name "FOUTS"... In my mind, this is clear, that Giavanna Fouts is coming home. The ladybug didn't come to Jason's work, but she came on the 7th day, half way across our nation, to the vehicle he was driving and to his last name... HOW MUCH MORE CLEAR can it be? God can fly His ladybugs ANYWHERE!

While we were in Lawton, these 3 other blessings were in the our mail back home: Gabriella's Chinese documents, her LONG awaited for passport and our I-800 with Tyanna's fingerprints confirmed as well... all arrived on the same day as our FIRST ladybug today. 

While snapping photos of our FIRST ladybug, we arrived at our yummy meal with Kai. This was his first non-Base meal since February 21st. Grandma and Grandpa Fouts joined Jason and I with Kai's beloved girlfriend Veronica and baby sister Gabriella. 

After our meal, we went back to the hotel to rest before deciding to go to Starbucks. 

When we woke up from our nap, Gabriella and I were delighted to see our SECOND ladybug on the wall above our bathroom sink. 

We brought our second ladybug to Baba and Grandma and Grandpa Fouts while 

they were sitting in the hotel lobby talking (the ladybug is crawling on the left corner of the box).

The blessings today were already abundant. We decided to go for a walk to Starbucks and grab a drink. 

While these were just a few blessings, there was yet another blessing given to our princess Gabriella just minutes later. She is a lively and friendly little spit fire and gains the attention of almost everyone she walks by. And, if she doesn't get your attention, she WILL make sure she does. She will look you in the eyes and say "Hi", "Good Morning" or whatever she says until you respond. Because of her personality, she gets favorable treatment wherever she goes. Today, the barista at Starbucks gave her a free pink cake pop to go along with her requested "coffee mocha please." 

But today didn't end with just ladybugs and cake pops. Our very independent. "I do it myself" little princess decided to follow family out the door without waiting for Mama or Baba. Within less than a minute, we heard screaming... our little one was dripping in blood. She had split her chin open and had busted a back molar tooth (which she spit out as we were driving to the local ER). While this photo doesn't make it look that big of a deal, when she cried, I could see all the way in to her bone. ICKY! So, I got to spend a couple hours in a hicksville ER... OH MY WORD... can I just tell you that I was COMPLETELY confident that within 2-3 minutes of observation that I could have run that whole ER myself.  Maybe I can't move to a third world country and care for orphans. 

 We arrrived home late... Gabriella slept well. 

I slept an hour that night. 

The next morning, we woke up and went to Kai's graduation from Boot Camp. 

Our Army graduate... wishing he was a civilian and thinking college wasn't a bad idea after all. 

Kai with his sweetheart Veronica. 

Grandpa and Grandma Fouts

Mom, Dad and Gabriella

Gabriella's boo boo fixed!

Four days of adventure... while we were grateful to be at Family Day, see Kai graduate, hear some of his stories, watch him share some precious moments with family and Veronica,  and send then him off the next day to his AIT school (Advanced Individual Training in Houston),we are glad to be home once again. 

Baba and Me

I love my baba!

Gabriella's SECOND Easter!

Home for 20 months now, Gabriella understands a little bit more about Easter... at least the Easter Bunny part of it. We are still working on the real meaning of Easter, but she just turned 5, so I think we are doing pretty good and by next Easter she should know the story of Jesus too!

She calls the Easter Bunny, "rabbit." 

This morning she woke up and asked, 

"Mama, rabbit come? Mama, Eggs here?"

We walked downstairs and her jie jie Tyanna had a special surprise for Mama and Mei Mei...

Kai is at Army Boot Camp, so we sent him his Easter card. Jordan, Tyanna, Corban, and Gabriella each got an Easter card as well. The princess wands are for the the Fouts girls... didn't think the boys would want one. 

Gabriella was delighted to find that the rabbit did come. She discovered this when she found out that the rabbit had eaten one of the carrots we left her.  Gabriella ate most of the carrots thereafter, even though she really HATES carrots. 

It was fun to watch her carry the carrots around for a while. They were quite tasty. 

I think Jie Jie Tyanna and the Easter Bunny brought Gabriella another ladybug... 

Watching Gabriella find the eggs this year was fun because she was just so excited. She couldn't find the egg in this photo below though. So, I took several photos of this scene and eventually, when she looked through the camera lense she saw it. 

Princess Mei Mei enjoying her SECOND Easter in America. Still waiting for her sisters in China to join her...

Corban, Tyanna, Gabriella, and Jordan

Gabriella's CHINESE Sister Came to Visit!

This week has been FULL of laughter... Jason and I just had to smile when they left... so, is this what it's gonna be like when Amaris comes? Oh, we can't wait! It is definitely more fun with two little ones!

Mulan and Gabriella

Gabriella and Mulan

Gabriella and Mulan looking at the scrapbook for China Mama and China Baba

Gabriella and Mulan have been blessed to be in Chinese foster care prior to their adoption. 

The relationship that Gabriella made with Mulan is definitely forever! They love each other!

We are so grateful for Grace and Hope for Children for choosing our girls to be in their program. Gabriella joined Mulan after Mulan's other foster sister, Ming was adopted. We are still looking for Mike and Nancy. Hey if you are reading this and know Mike and Nancy, would you please help unite us?

China Jie Jie, Ming Ming (Ming), China Jie Jie, China Mama, You Mu Lan (Mulan)

Mike, Ming, and Nancy

Do you know them? 

If so, please help unite us all! 

China Mama and China Baba generally open their home to two children at a time. Their care made a profound difference in Gabriella's life based on her referral papers and when she was put in our arms.

This week we took Mulan, her big sister Erica and mom Kelly and showed them our city. We had such a wonderful time together. The girls played with the little kitchen set, some Fisher Price Little People toys and toy sets, colored, read books, and chased each other with the car and motorcycle. Oh how I wish we could have kept Mulan longer.

This was our girls day at the zoo!

Patty, Tyanna, Erica, Gabriella, Mulan, Kelly

This was the ladybug on our tree 

crawling next to Tyanna. 

Ladybugs ALWAYS show up in our space 

when something special IS happening 

or is about to. 

This guy doesn't look too happy, 

but it was entertaining to watch him 

put on some "chalk" lipstick and color. 

This is our second adventure with Mulan and her family. Last year, in March 2011, we met up in Las Vegas. We are planning to take a "holiday" with them each year. Next year, it sounds like we will head to Manitoba, Canada for a few days. We had so much fun though that Jason wants us to fly there this summer so that we can spend some more time with them.

This is the blue hairbrush that will now come to every "holiday" we take with Mulan... Erica accidentally forgot about it in Las Vegas, but I told her if she forgot it this time, she would see it every "holiday" that we go on. I am thinking that she was thinking... "alright then Patty Fouts... if you want to haul that along... be my guest!" Well... it has now become our official tourist guide. 

With just 4 1/2 days together, the time went fast, but we are excited for the relationship that God has give us and look forward to the girls knowing each other forever and ever.

Mulan and her mommy Kelly

Gabriella and her mama (me) Patty 

Need Some Help PRINCESS-izing!

I have 3 very white chairs that need some personalized PRINCESS-izing.

I have thought and thought about this, but nothing is jumping out at me.

I would like to put the girls names on their chairs, and was thinking of putting the words "Princess" on the top back wood slat and the girls name on the bottom wood slat... but, how and with what? Or, are there other great ideas out there?

Each girl has their own princess and "princess stuff":

• Gabriella is Cinderella
• Annabella is Belle
• Amaris is Aurora (Sleeping Beauty)

Please post your comments on the identical photo on my Facebook page.

New AFO's... Better "Times"!

Gabriella has had her new AFO's to help align her ankles since February, 24, 2012. In the last four days, I haven't had her stand to "time" her; but today, I decided I would see how she is doing.

In her second or third attempt, she stood for 3 minutes and 30 seconds. This is her second best time ever. Her longest time standing unassisted was for 6 minutes and 13 seconds. If I could find the chord to our video camera, I would share the video of that miracle. These photos are not actually of her standing with these times, but just standing with her first AFO's.

  

 I think our camera must have been on the wrong setting. Ugh! 

Either that or I was attempting to take photos and catch her at the same time. 

Most of her attempts at standing last zero seconds to 15 seconds, but, in the course of 20 minutes, she will now stand, 30 seconds to a minute several times... which is SO MUCH better than her "times" a year ago... when she might have been able to stand a couple times a day for a maximum of 4-6 seconds.

These miracles have come through fasting, believing and praying for her total healing... it is so exciting to watch God's miracles unfold and her healing to be manifested.

And, now with the appropriate custom AFO's, we may even see more improvements as I did today. Praising Jesus!

New AFO's... What would YOU expect to pay?

Gabriella has been complaining for the last couple months of her AFO's (orthotics that she wears on her feet to help stabilize her ankles). They have caused horrible dime-sized callouses on her inner ankles over the last year. But, her physical therapist never seemed to have any concerns when I asked her about them, and I didn't know if this was normal or not.

But, there came a day that I thought... maybe a doctor that deals in pediatric orthotics might know. So, I made an appointment... Gabriella saw him a few days later. He told me that because she is hyper-mobile (basically her ankles, feet and legs can do things most of us didn't even know were possible), that the only type of orthotic she should ever have is a custom-made orthotic that goes just below her knees.

He asked me if I wanted a quote. I told him I didn't need one right now, that if she has to get them, she has to get them. I am thinking to myself though, these are going to be ridiculous... I bet they will cost $600-$800 because they are "custom." Just great!

Well, a couple days later, I got the phone call. The gal on the other end of the phone said, the total (not including the $500 doctor and facility charges) would be $3,816.20. I asked if she could repeat what she just said because I wasn't sure I had heard her correctly. Then, I repeated it back to make sure I had heard her.

Well, at the fitting appointment, I learned that, that price didn't include the socks. I told the gal I would give her $8 or $10 for the socks... and, I would like several pair. Then, I asked if that was about how much they were. She smiled and said, I think they are a bit more. She told me she thought they were more like $30 for a pair of socks. But, she ran to get the price sheet. She came back to tell me they were $64 for the pair of socks.

I smiled and told her that I would like the socks she just put on my daughter to be free. I thanked her in advance for figuring out how she could do this for our now $4,316.20 adventure.

Next time I guess I will find out the total price before anything is done first. OR, I will get her fitted somewhere else.

Happy Valentines Day 2012

This week we took some family photos at our local park... we are still missing our littlest princesses Amaris and Annabella, but the big kiddos are all here.

Mama and Amaris will share a birthday this week.

Kai will start his journey with the Army at Boot Camp.

And, we pray diligently that we will hear some news about Annabella.

Gabriella's MIRACLE Happened Tonight!

This afternoon I was going to post on Facebook my total excitement that Gabriella stood all by herself for over 2 minutes for the first time ever!

But, later tonight, God wanted to show me more.

I pray BOLD prayers, but He wants them to be BOLDER.

Gabriella stood for SIX MINUTES and 13 SECONDS TIMED and VIDEOED, but it was actually 30 seconds longer than that but I wasn't ready with the video camera and stopwatch when she stood up.

Jeremiah 30:17 (The Message Bible)

"As for you, I'll come with healing, curing the incurable."

Psalm 138:3 (The Message Bible)

"As soon as I pray, you answer me."

I pray diligently and daily that God will cause Gabriella to walk and talk, run and jump, hop and skip and play basketball. The Lord even gave me a song with these words to sing with her each day.

I KNOW that Gabriella will walk someday. Not only because the Lord gave me a vision of her 18 years ago walking, but because I believe that He will cause her to walk. So, I pray that her brain will speak to her feet. That the synapsis will connect and her miracle will unfold.

Mark 11:24 says, "Therefore I say to you, WHATEVER things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you WILL have them." (Capitalized words are mine of course)

Gabriella turns "5"

Today is FINALLY here... I think Gabriella talked about her birthday EVERY day since September and upwards of 30-40 times a day since November.

Well, it has arrived.

We are grateful to God for our princess. She is truly the joy of our life.

Home for 16 months...What has God been up to?

Gabriella came home from Guangxi, China on July 31, 2010.

Over these last 16 months, we have been to multiple doctors and therapists to help her some day walk and talk like a normally-developing child.

Her SN (Special Need) was diagnosed as "Severe Cerebellar Atrophy." In simple terms, this means her cerebellum is atrophying. This of course, is not the case.

Her cerebellum is under-developed. It affects her ability for her eyes to align, her communication (both hearing and speaking), and her ability to balance/walk.

When we got her at 3 1/2 years old, she could say "Mama, Baba, Jie Jie, Gu Gu, Now Now (pee pee), Boula (full), and xie xie (thank you)". She seemed to understand what people said.

Her movements were very shaky, she would fall as she attempted to crawl on the ground, she could only stand for short periods of time while holding on to the table (a couple seconds), and could not stand unassisted nor walk.

After seeing the pediatric neurologist, I went on a quest to help Gabriella. She saw a physical therapist once a week in school and out of school, she had speech therapy at school for 30 min./week by herself and 45 min./week with a group of kids, she is on Pro EFA and Pro EPA fish oils twice a day, she takes Univera's 3oz. Essentials once a day, ZRII's Nutriveda once a day (I wish she could drink more), eats organic food, with little wheat, no corn, and dairy only in her daily cheese stick and yogurt.

She saw an accupuncturist 5 days/week for 1 1/2 months, but there wasn't enough change to warrant continuing. She saw a chiropractor for a couple months twice a week. We were grateful for that. She then went to see a NUCCA chiropractor in which we saw substantial immediate changes. She has seen a naturopath, neurologist, and a bunch of specialists (bio-chemist and geneticist types)looking at her genes via the multiple blood draws, to help rule things out or see if there is anything they can do to help her improve.

Honestly, in all of this, her greatest improvement was when I made a decision in February 2010 to fast and pray for her for 21 days. Within days, she went from having ZERO balance to standing 4-6 seconds. Over the course of the fast, she stood a handful of times for 12-15 seconds and one time for 18 seconds. God was giving me a glimpse of what would come.

Fast forward to the end of the year. Gabriella can stand for 12-15 seconds many times during the day. There are still times, if she isn't ready, that I will ask her to stand and she will still immediately fall over. But, I know God is healing her.

She use to need to wear a helmet because she would crawl and fall or sit and fall, multiple times a day... and, that just broke my heart when I couldn't catch her and protect her. She no longer wears her helmet.

She use to bathe in a bathing chair that she was fastened to, to protect her from water injuiries. She no longer needs this.

She use to sit on a toddler toilet seat on top of the regular seat but this week we have even graduated from that to help her build her muscles even more.

She went from not being able to get on her little ride on toy, and falling off once she did get on after multiple tries... to riding a 16" bike with training wheels a mile per SUNNY day.

She went from not speaking English, to knowing her letters and sounds just 3 weeks home from China. Within 3 months home from China, she was blending two and three letter sounds.

She now can read simple Bob books with three or four words per page.

I use to help her drink from a sippee cup. Now she can drink out of any cup.

There is so much more, but I at least wanted to blog what she has been up to until now.

We got an update on my baby Amaris!

To learn more about baby Amaris, you will have to visit her very own in-depth, full of her own photos...blog:

SweetPrincessAmaris.blogspot.com

Amaris is anticipated coming home in June 2012.

Christmas 2011

We are excited to share this Christmas 2011 photo... but, we are still missing Amaris (1) and Annabella (2)... we hope they will be in our arms before the end of June 2012.