Jace goes to kindergarten and some extra prayers needed

It's hard to believe but Jace started kindergarten on the 16th. He loves school and not sure if he was more excited about going or taking his Mickey Mouse backpack. The boy is obsessed with Mickey Mouse.
It has been 3 months since his surgery. His vocal cords have improved. Left nearly back to normal and right still paralyzed. We are eating and drinking without trouble. Overall Jace has had more energy and has been so happy to spend time with his sweet friends Jabin and Lucy Kate. So amazing how God worked out for these 3 special children to stay close!!
Over the last week Jace has developed a bad cough, is a little more short of breath and his oxygen level is low again. Our pediatrician is unsure what is going on so we are headed back to St Louis this week for his heart specialists to look at him. So happy for the expertise of the drs there even if it is a 3 1/2 hour drive.
So pray for Jace and the dr's. Last night he asked me to read a book before bed. I was exhausted and my first reaction was, "tomorrow, mommy is tired.". Then I realized each day with Jace is a blessing and I was honored to read him a story. Jace has been granted a wish from the "Make a wish foundation" and of course he told them he wanted to go to Mickey's house. Praying that things improve for him and he gets his wish!! Jace coming to our family has had lots of ups and downs. I daily am reminded that God doesn't give us more than we can handle and that God is in control. Thanks for everyone's prayers for Jace.

Update after surgery

Just a quick update on Jace before I try to get some rest. Surgery got moved up last week and took place on Wednesday and lasted from 9-530. The day was long but Jace made it through the surgery. The surgeon said the first 24 hours would be the most critical. And boy were those some stressful, rocky hours. We dealt with bleeding, weird heart rhythms, fever, breathing difficulties and extreme fear and pain!! This is Jaces third heart surgery. Most kids have this 3rd surgery by age 3. Jace didn't get the 2nd surgery in China til he was 3. So unfortunately I think he remembers that and has had lots of anxiety and fear! However each day has gotten a little better with an occasional bump along the way. But today he could set in my lap which he had been asking for nonstop so he was happy. Also his best friend from China, Vincent stopped by to visit!!
The prayers have worked and we are so appreciative. The surgeon told me that of all his complex hearts and surgeries Jace ranks at the top!! Thinking we shouldn't be proud of that! But overall he is very pleased. This is the first time Jace has ever had pink lips, fingernails, and toenails. Amazing!! God is definitely in control of Jace's destiny.
We hope we are out of here soon!! The doctors and nurses have been amazing. And all our friends, especially Ryan and Courtney who spent the long surgery day with us and Jodi who brought Justin up and visited several times and grandma and grandpa for putting up with our other 3 kids we can't thank you enough!! And for all the prayers thank you. We are very blessed!!

Top pic is before surgery.
Pics below are Jace during a sterile dressing change. We all wore hat and mask. He thought it was fun. The other is 2 China brothers reunited!!! :)

Big day coming for Jace

It's been awhile since we posted. Things have been crazy busy!! Just wanted to update you on Jace and ask for lots of prayers. Jace has had lots of procedures since the first of the year. And he has been such a trooper through it all. He had dental work at the hospital in March and ended up getting his front two teeth pulled after he fell out of the bus on a field trip at daycare and messed them up. The next week he underwent a heart cath and had ballooning of stents he had had put in and blocking off of extra blood vessels all in preparation for his open heart surgery. Then mid April he had an angiogram of his head to further evaluate his previous stroke. We were told he has Moya Moya syndrome which is a vascular condition that affects the blood vessels to his head. And this week he got glasses because we found out he couldn't see very well!!
Amidst all that, we have moved to a new house, Makenna played volleyball, Madison basketball and Jaxson had pneumonia twice.
On a positive note the kids have done great in school this year and the girls have perfect attendance. We got to eat lunch with a special family and friend from New Day, Lucy Kate.
And our good friend Emily leaves next week to get her son Jabin from China who is also a New Day friend!! And next Sunday the 20th Jace will graduate from preschool with plans to start kindergarten this fall. Jace loves life and following me around!!
We are asking for lots of prayer on Friday May 25th. Jace will have his big open heart surgery procedure. The surgeon told me has has done over 200 and he would consider Jace's high risk! The procedure is going to take longer than usual because Jace has some blood vessels they don't usually encounter that they have to move. He is also higher risk for a stroke with the vascular syndrome he has and higher risk for infection because he has no spleen.
We know things are never straight forward with Jace! It's obvious God has had his hand on him with all he's been through. Our surgeon is amazing and I know he will do his best. The rest is in God's hands. This is Jace's shot to be better and not turn blue and be short of breath after walking across the room. We ask our family and friends to join us in prayer on the 25th to be with Jace and the doctors!! It will be a long day for all. We have been told to plan on being in the hospital at least 2 weeks. I will try my best to update this regularly.
Thanks to everyone who joins us in prayer!! God is good and in control.
Enjoy the pics of Jace!!

A New Year!!!

Wow 2011 was quite a year. Jan of 2011 Darren showed me Jace's picture and said God wanted us to add to our family! Of course he didn't have to mention it twice to me. So we were consumed with loads of paperwork and in October Jace was placed with us. Since we got home with Jace I have been at home enjoying taking the kids to school, preparing good evening meals, and of course taking Jace to multiple appts! The time has flown by. Tomorrow I return to work and Jace starts preschool/daycare. It is bittersweet for me but reality returns! Jace is excited about "school" and he will love being around all the kids since that is what he is used to.
It will be interesting to see what 2012 holds for us. Jace has lots of big things to face medically but he is strong and God is in control! Thanks to everyone who continues to pray for Jace. He will need them over the next several months and we will keep you updated.
Blessing to all our family and friends for 2012.
Enjoy the pics of the kids at Christmas and what 2 big sisters do to their little brothers!!!

I want to win

Everybody check out adoption bug. They have amazing t shirts celebrating adoption and orphans!! We used them as a fundraiser for our recent adoption and loved them. The shirts are great quality and if you are looking for a fundraiser for your adoption they make it easy and fun.
I would love to win the hoodie that says, "I will not leave you as orphans!". It's about the only thing I haven't ordered from there!!! Good luck to everyone!

Quick Update on Jace

First let me say thanks so much for all the prayers for Jace!! They definitely worked!!!
Jace had a very long day yesterday. He was in the cath lab from 815 until 130. They got lots of very good information on his heart. They also placed a stent in his pulmonary artery and ballooned another blood vessel. The dr was very pleased with all the results and the pressures within his heart. As I learn more about Jace's heart it becomes very clear that God definitely has a plan for him because with the way his heart is, it is a miracle he's alive!!!!
We then had the 6 hours of bed rest but Jace was such a good boy. I only had to remind him not to cross his legs and he even learned to use a urinal while lying in bed!! Ha
Jace faces another cath lab procedure and 1 maybe 2 open heart procedures over the next several months. We will keep you updated and appreciate the prayers sooooo much!!!!
God is good and will see Jace through all of this!! Going home today!! Jace can't wait to see his brothers and sisters!!!
Attached is a pic of Jace after he got off bed rest eating a yummy cookie that a dear friend brought him!!!
Thanks agin to everyone!!!!!!

Prayers for Jace and the doctors

Today we traveled to St Louis for 3 different doctors appointments. Jace is scheduled for a cardiac cath tomorrow am at 8 am to fully evaluate his heart. Today when they did his echo ( heart ultrasound) they said his heart valve is leaking pretty bad and may have to be fixed before they can do the original surgery we came to be evaluated for. When God led us to provide Jace a family we knew we would be facing some serious issues with him medically!!
We just have to trust God as he knows the plan for him!!
We ask for prayers tomorrow during Jace's procedure which will take 3-4 hours. Pray for Jace and the doctors as they care for him!!
Will try to update this tomorrow after his procedure. However he has 6 hours of bed rest after his procedure. May have to break out some WWF moves to keep a 5 year old boy in bed that long!!
Tonight we took him to Cheesecake Factory and Disney store. He got a Santa Mickey and was so excited!!! Pic attached
A big thanks to our son Justin for staying with the other 3 kids and my BFF Ryan, and Courtney and Emily for helping too!!! You're all amazing!!!!