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!!!!

Getting settled at Home

We've been home for a couple days. Darren and I are trying to recover from the jet lag. Wow I'm feeling old. Jace has been sleeping great at night. Actually had to wake him up at 745 this am. He loves his brothers and sisters. Jaxson is always telling me that he wants to play with Jace but his sisters keep hogging him. Am sure the newness will wear off and the fighting will eventually come. Yesterday Jace and Jaxson got haircuts. Super cute!!! Love my boys!!!
Will try to keep the blog updated especially as we begin all Jace's medical evaluations. Prayers will definitely be needed. He has some tough things ahead of him. Think I need to rename the blog " Jace's Amazing Race". Enjoy the pics. Our family at the airport and new haircuts!!!

2 Days til we are US Bound!!!

Yep!! 2 days til we head home but who's counting. Not like we can't wait to see all our kids, family, and friends!!! Or have ice in our drinks or brush our teeth with water from the faucet or maybe have a greasy hamburger!!!

We went to the US Consulate today to finalize our adoption!! Yea!!! Then we walked around in this really pretty park!! Guangzhou is very pretty even if it is home to 16 million people!! Jace got to eat popcorn at the park.

Tomorrow we are taking a van to Hong Kong and will spend the night. Then Thursday our flight leaves at 1130 am, arriving Chicago 12 pm the same day!! Guess it's kind of like being stuck in time for 12 hours!!

Have enjoyed our time but ready to be back!! Jace seems to be adjusting well. Pray for safe travels home for us. Also pray for 2 other special families who are heading to China to get their sweeties!! Vincent and Lucy Kate will soon be with their forever families!!! So happy for them!!

Even though the Race for Jace seems to be closing for us, it is really just beginning for Jace.
He has lots of changes and adjustments as he comes to America. Also he has many medical issues that need addressed which won't always be pleasant for him. Please pray for him and us to help him through this as he starts his own race with his forever family!!

Loving Guangzhou

Yesterday we left Jace's province (Shanxi) and flew to Guangzhou. Jace was very excited about his first flight! As he talked on his phone before take off. I love it here. It is warm.
80-85 degrees. And we have Starbucks in our hotel!!! Added bonus. Today we went for Jace's physical required by the consulate. Jace managed to sweet talk the lady dr out of a stuffed monkey she had on her desk. He also had to get a TB skin test which he didn't enjoy. Today we met some people from our agency. And Jace was so excited because Isaac from New Day is here with his family!! From the attached pics you can see where we ate dinner tonight. The French fries taste like fish!!! Yuk!!!!! At our hotel tonight they are having an adult Halloween party. Looks pretty crazy. Live eels and frogs in glass bowls!!
Tomorrow doing some site seeing.
Oh yea and have to say for Darren way to go Cardinals!!!

Day#2 with Jace

Quick update. So far so good. Jace seems very comfortable with us. Minds good. Likes to be held and eats alot. Think our grocery bill will go up! He loves taking a bath and washing his hair every night. He spends alot of time packing up his toys and occasionally left over food and hiding it. Guess he has never had his own stuff. He's a super sweet boy. Tells all the Chinese people on the elevator at our hotel we are his mama and baba. Pretty cute to see him carrying on a conversation in Chinese with people.
Enjoy the pics