Overalls and a Scarf

Today I found some overalls in one of the many boxes of clothing that we have in the attic. She looks soooooo cute in them. Of course, both of the straps never seem to stay up. One of the two is always falling off her shoulder! The scarf she is wearing was made by Miss Tabitha. She had fun running behind the couch with her scarf!

Malnutrition caused Brea's heart to fail!

Some of you might remember little Brea from a year ago. Her heart started failing about a year ago after being home from China for a few short months. Her transplant took place while we were in the air flying to China to get Lily. Here is an update from her mom:

I've held onto this information for a couple of weeks now and didn't know if it was something I wanted to share or not because I didn't want to scare anyone or prevent someone from taking the leap of faith that adoption requires. I have finally decided that I MUST share this with other adoptive families because it could POSSIBLY save a life. When Brea was admitted to the hospital it was thought that she was in congestive heart failure due to a virus that attacked her heart.

Well, all of the results are in now and they have tested her old heart for over 60 viruses and no virus was found! It is totally possible that there was a virus and by the time she was admitted to the hospital it was gone but the damage was already done. One other cause of dilated cardiomyopathy is MALNUTRITION! It is not seen here in this country because even the poorest of poor have access to infant formula through government programs BUT Brea was not on infant formula. She was on powdered milk (only 2 bottles a day). It IS often seen in third world countries. Brea was tested for the specific vitamin leval (Sorry, I cannot recall the name) and her levels were low.

It is thought that her malnutrition was the main cause of her dilated cardiomyopathy! Her body was simply too weak to fight any type of illness and IF there was a virus, the virus simply took over and caused her little heart to fail. PLEASE, PLEASE discuss with your pediatrician giving vitamin supplements to your newly adopted children if you think they are malnourished. This is rare but if this information can save another family from going through what we have been through then it will be worth the effort. Don't get me wrong. I KNOW without a doubt that this was ALL in God's plan for our lives.

God has big plans for Brea and someday she will share her testimony with others and hopefully lead others to Christ. I have learned so much about myself, God's grace, the kindness of strangers, the love of family and friends and my daughter and I have been forever changed by all that we have been through. I am not bitter or angry but I am filled with a passion to share Brea's story and educate others about malnutrition, organ donation, the power of prayer and a host of other things. It is my prayer that another child's heart can be spared by me sharing this information. Thank you for listening and please encourage any international adoptive family that you know to discuss malnutrition with their doctor.

It might just save a life!

Blessings, Mary W.

Presents

I wrapped a few presents this morning. Lily really was into helping at first. She would sit on the paper as I tried to measure it out. She REALLY wanted to use the scissors. Yikes! She helped put tape on a few things. After I got a small present wrapped for a friend of mine, she proceeded to climb on the couch, sit down with it, and try to open it. I also caught her with the scissors after I was finished. She had them open, ready to use, and was trying to cut a present that was already wrapped!

Snow Boots and 20 mths!

Tonight we had Lily try on a pair of snow boots that were given to us as we are heading to the Great White North in less than a week. They really are too big, but will work! Steve snapped a few pics. BTW, Lily is now 20 mths old! I can't hardly believe it. She is growing up tooooo fast!

Gotcha!

Well, today I finally had some time to work on editing the video from China. We've ONLY been home 8 months! Where has all the time gone?

Hallelujah!

I know I haven't posted in awhile. I have been busy working on my final project for the class I am taking. I only needed 50 of 100 points on the project to get an A in the class. I just say that because I did the best I could. I would've spent two more nights editing and trying to make it better, but I decided to be DONE! I spellchecked and briefly read through it. Now I should be licensed to teach for another five years.

Haven't decided, but . . . I am toying with the idea of whether I should just let my certification lapse. In order to keep my license, I have to take 6 college credits every 5 years. The last time I let my Indiana license lapse (I was living in Ohio at the time), I just had to submit the 6 credits to get in reinstated. The license that they sent me was valid for 5 years from the date of submission of the credits not 5 years from when it had lapsed. Anyway . . . I am going to have a bowl of ice cream!

Record High

I know there is always somewhere that is hotter or colder than where you live, but . . . Today we reached our record high in L-burg of 69F by 10 AM. It is now 75F at 12:30 PM. It will start to cool down this afternoon, but the temperature is forecasted to not drop below 60F until 8 PM. We'll probably go to the park this afternoon.