First Day of School

Zoie started school today.

She was excited to have her backpack on. The bus was 45 minutes later than they told us so we were waiting for a long time. The boys left before she did and she wanted to follow them to their bus stop. She played with rocks and dirt before the bus came.
The bus finally came and she got right on and waved goodbye. I'm not sure if she knew what was going on but she got right on and buckled up and was smiling.

When she got home she didn't want to get off the bus. I had to drag her off. They said she did really well at preschool and on the bus. I'm glad she had a great day. She will go to the early intervention preschool for 4 days a week and I'm sure it will be great for her.

Busy Summer

Sorry I kindof dropped off the face of bloggy land this summer.  I'm still here and we've been just a little busy.

Zoie playing in the pool at Grandma's.  She loves the water and we couldn't get her out.

Checking out all the pools at the condos we stayed in. (Thanks Aunt Suzie)

Playing on the tramp with the sprinkler getting them wet.

Coming over to say hi after Grandma has given her some water to drink it was so hot

Just posing for some pictures

Zoie didn't want to be in the stroller she wasn't too happy about it but we were taking a walk up a little hill and she gets a little heavy carrying her.

As you can see we've been staying busy and cool in the water.  Zoie had an ultra sound done on her heart and a visit (that took over 3 months to get into) to the cardiologist.  She still has a little hole in her heart that goes along with her designer genes but for now she is fine.  She will just need to be checked  every year to make sure nothing has changed.  She had her second bout of Staph infection on her stomach this time so we just got over that. The doctor isn't sure why she keeps getting it.  She is healthy and happy otherwise and we are she happy to have her with us.  She keeps us laughing and smiling all the time which is good. 

Cow Branding Time

(Yes, I am posting 2 days in a row!! ;)   Its that time of year when we get in the car and head up to Grandpa and Grandma's house to brand cows.  The kids love it.  They like throwing rocks and sticks in the ditch and playing around outside, setting fire to the haystack (that's another story) and luckily the weather was nice.  Last year it was freezing but this year it was 60 degrees. I brought my trusty camera again and got in the corrals to take some pics.

Zoie and Paislee checking out the cows.

Dad came over to play with Zoie for a minute and give her a hug.

Zoie loved putting straw in through the fence for the cows.

The gang taking a water break. (Notice the haystack. The boys thought it would be fun to try to burn the twine off the hay bales.)

After we were done we went in the house for lunch and some tunes with the ukuleles.  Zoie loves music she was dancing up a storm.

2 Mischief Makers

These two are quite the pair.  The are always getting into something.  They love to play dress up with their clothes and usually empty out the dresser doing so (all over the floor)

 Last week they got into my mascara and had it all over them I cleaned them up and put my makeup all the way back to back of the counter.  They got into it again and I had to throw away my mascara.  So I put my makeup up in the closet.  Well the next day it was my moisturizer...

 Yes its all over Zoie's hair, clothes, the floor...

So now the bathroom door is locked all the time.  If they suddenly disappear and there is no noise I know they are up to something like spitting chocolate milk all over their room, (after they dumped out their clothes from their dresser so luckily it was only clothes and the dresser I had to clean up)

Chocolate chips strewed all over the room, wipes dumped out and all over their room, you name it lately they are into it. I feel like all I do is clean up....but I wouldn't trade it for anything. Zoie is so fun and usually always smiling even with moisturizer and mascara all over her.

No School this year

 Zoie getting loves from her big brother.

Sorry I'm too lazy to turn the picture.  Zoie getting ready for bed.

Ok the pictures are really bad.  I have some other ones I need to put on the computer so I promise to get some better ones on here soon ;)

I'm so bad at blogging lately.  There has been so much going on and not good either.  It seems trial after trial just keeps coming our way. Everything from our fridge going out to you name it and some other stuff I would rather not publish on here.  Not all with Zoie but its there also.  The school district has really ticked me off.  We went for testing for the early intervention preschool program back at the end of March finished the first of April.  I didn't receive anything back from them so I called them.  The main guy over it didn't get back to me for 2 weeks said he was sorry he missed me.  He was supposed to talk to me the same day I had an appointment.  He said he would send over the information to the teacher to get me set up well again I didn't hear anything so I called and the teacher called back a week ago to set up an appointment for 3 weeks out.  I said you don't have anything sooner she said no so it doesn't look like Zoie will be going to school this year.  I know I could raise some "ruckus" (not sure if that's a word) but I've chosen not too.  We'll just get her set up for next year.  They are changing things for next year so I don't know if its good or bad. 

She needs speech therapy really bad and the doctor has suggested a few other therapies as well.  She is starting to say a few words which is good and we still have some medical tests to do.  I chose to do them at the hospital closer to my house than the other one which is almost an hour away and I'm not sure my way around there so it has taken a lot longer to get me in since the specialist for the EEG test only comes up here once a month and it takes 3 months to get an appointment with her.
Zoie really is doing well she is always smiling and happy and starting to fight back, which is good since my little 2 year old likes to rule over her.  Zoie does have a stubborn streak.  A few weeks after we got home she would say Momma, Dada, and all the boys names and a few others she would repeat, she quit saying them for over a month now she's beginning to say them again.  Same with sign language she will do it sometimes and other not and she gets this look where she will look up and down so I know she knows what I'm saying but she's stubborn.  I wouldn't trade her for anything.   She truly has been a blessing and has made everything we are going through right now easier.

Easter Fun

The kids had a blast decorating the Easter eggs this year.  I found a cute Monster Egg kit at Walmart.  This is some of their creations.

 Zoie wasn't sure about what we were doing.  She was excited for the eggs. She loves hard boiled eggs but didn't quite get it.  She started peeling them to eat it and I stopped her so she wasn't too happy.

 I gave her the egg back and we got a smile out of her.

 Here she is with one of the monster eggs and she still didn't know what to think about it.  I think its "this doesn't look too good to eat".  I missed getting the picture of her actually eating one.  She was really happy about that.

We are still here....

Sorry I'm so behind in blogging. We have all been sick from pink eye to strep to colds and flu you name it... Ty even had an emergency trip to the hospital being extremely dehydrated from the flu. We are all doing well now. Paislee is getting over strep with a rash with it and Zoie has a cold and cough but I think we are on the tail end of it all and warmer weather is looking ahead of us. Its been rainy and cold and rainy, snowing and cold so some nice warmer weather would be wonderful. Looking like it this weekend so I can air out the house do some spring cleaning and get those germs out of here. Can you tell I really want and am looking forward to some warm or even warmer weather. Low 60's would be really nice right now.

The girls have been having fun and getting into trouble being all couped up since its been so cold.  They got into the markers...

Luckily they were washable markers :)

Doctor Visit

We had Zoie's doctors visit and this is what's going on:

•She is being referred to a pediatric cardiologist for a heart echo cardiogram to make sure her heart condition is fixed.  3 doctors (2 in China, one here) said they can't hear anything but want to have it checked out.  On her medical papers it said she had an enlarged RV so that needs to be checked out.  Scheduled.

•She is being referred to speech, occupational and physical therapists.
•She is having a cervical and spine xray to rule out a common vertebrae deformity in kids with Down Syndrome. (I only knew about this from Gracie having hers done.) This one is a little scary if she has this vertebrae deformity, she has a higher likelihood of fracturing this vertebrae.  So no more jumping on the trampoline until it is checked.  Scheduled
•She is being tested for leukemia that is common in kids with Down Syndrome. This will also give them a baseline of her blood counts so they can monitor her more closely.

•She is being tested for every parasite, lead and all the other international adoption fun stuff.
•She is being tested for thyroid conditions that are common with Down Syndrome.  She will need to be checked every 6 months for this routinely.
•She is going to be tested to determine whether she has Mosaic Down Syndrome or just Down Syndrome.
•She had her ear wax cleaned out of both ears.  That was a fun treat,  she kept trying to pull out the cotton ball they put in to hold in the solution to soften up the wax.  She did so well didn't even cry and only fussed a little after being draped in two towels and warm water being sprayed in her ears.  After they got most of the wax out they tested her hearing and it passed!
•She received three shots in her leg that have left her with a little fever, a little miserable and redness on one leg.

•She is in the 37% for weight and 3% for height and her BMI is 93% which I don't count any of it since its compared to average girls and not girls with down syndrome.  I'll have to ask next time if they can do it compared to average for down syndrome children.  Also she loves to eat so we have to watch what she eats and how much. 

• She needs to see the dentist.  Which is scheduled.
• She has been referred to the opthamalogist to have her eyes checked.  Sometimes I think she can see and other times not sure.  She does put her head really close to her food but she can see far away things too so we will be getting this checked out.  She also has blocked tear ducts that will be checked to see if she needs surgery.

She did so well after being in the doctors office for about 2 hours. We head back to get labs done tomorrow.  We could have had them done but I thought she had enough for one day and especially after the shots and the 3 special bags that they sent home with me to get samples for. So now I can turn them in at the same time.

Warmer Weather

The weather has been so nice the past couple of days so we headed outside to play.   I kept telling her to smile and tried to show her with my hand so she has to copy me.  So cute!! 

Moving right along on her little bike with trailer.

Gotta love that face!

Zoie kept trying to put her hood up and she didn't have one so I grabbed the closest hat which happened to be one of the boys old ones.  She loved it more than hers and actually kept it on.  She shouldn't be jumping on the trampoline yet til her spine is checked but we let her bounce just a little with no one else on it and she loved it.  She's trying to jump like her brothers were.

Making cupcakes

So I think we are nearing the end of the jetlag.  Zoie has been doing well with sleeping at night.  We are all trying to get rested and enjoying her so much.  She is so full of laughter and love.  She still has her moments but what kid doesn't. 

Zoie has been following Paislee all over wanting to do what she does so Paislee got out the cupcake papers and wanted cupcakes so she helped me mix it up and add the eggs. She even tried to get Zoie to help with the electric beaters which Zoie wasn't having it but at least she was sharing momma. Paislee had a very hard time with me being gone and she's been stuck to me like glue since I've been home which has been a little hard for Zoie but she has bonded well with Dad so that's been great.

Zoie is cheesin' it up after eating her first chocolate cupcake (wish I knew how to turn the picture)

Blue Rose

I love this story so I had to post while I'm downloading some pictures to update the blog.
Blue Rose


Having four visiting family members, the wife was very busy, so I offered to go to the store for her to get some needed items, which included light bulbs, paper towels, trash bags, detergent, and Clorox. So off I went.

I scurried around the store, gathered up my goodies, and headed for the checkout counter, only to be blocked in the narrow aisle by a young man who appeared to be about sixteen-years- old. I wasn't in a hurry, so I patiently waited for the boy to realize that I was there. This was when he waved his hands excitedly in the air and declared in a loud voice, "Mommy, I'm over here."

It was obvious now, he was mentally challenged, and also startled as he turned and saw me standing so close to him, waiting to squeeze by. His eyes widened and surprise exploded on his face as I said, "Hey Buddy, what's your name?"

"My name is Denny and I'm shopping with my mother," he responded proudly. "Wow," I said, "that's a cool name; I wish my name was Denny, but my name is Steve."

"Steve, like Stevarino?" he asked.
"Yes," I answered. "How old are you Denny?"
"How old am I now, Mommy?" he asked his mother as she slowly came over from the next aisle.. "You're fifteen-years- old Denny; now be a good boy and let the man pass by."

I acknowledged her and continued to talk to Denny for several more minutes about summer, bicycles, and school. I watched his brown eyes dance with excitement because he was the center of someone's attention. He then abruptly turned and headed toward the toy section.

Denny's mom had a puzzled look on her face and thanked me for taking the time to talk with her son. She told me that most people wouldn't even look at him, much less talk to him. I told her that it was my pleasure and then I said something I have no idea where it came from, other than by the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

I told her that there are plenty of red, yellow, and pink roses in God's Garden; however, "Blue Roses" are very rare and should be appreciated for their beauty and distinctiveness. You see, Denny is a Blue Rose and if someone doesn't stop and smell that rose with their heart and touch that rose with their kindness, then they've missed a blessing from God.

She was silent for a second, then with a tear in her eye she asked, "Who are you?"
Without thinking I said, "Oh, I'm probably just a dandelion but I sure love living in God's garden."
She reached out, squeezed my hand, and said, "God bless you!" and then I had tears in my eyes.

May I suggest that the next time you see a BLUE ROSE, don't turn your head and walk off. Take the time to smile and say Hello. Why? Because, by the grace of GOD, this mother or father could be you. This could be your child, grandchild, niece, or nephew. What a difference a moment can mean to that person or their family.
From an old dandelion!
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.

"People will forget what you said, People will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

Jet Lag

Sorry for the delay in posting.  The jetlag has hit.  Its taken a few days to get Zoie onto our time and schedule.  The first few nights she would wake up about 12:30 a.m. and start playing.  It would have been 3:30 p.m. in China and she would just be waking up from a nap.  We would just get her back to sleep and about 3:30 a.m.- 4:30 a.m. she would start crying in her sleep.  So needless to say we haven't got much sleep.  After some late naps and playing outside we've pretty much gotten her onto our time.  Now if I could only sleep through the night.....besides making sure I hear if she wakes up and me just not being able to sleep I'm exhausted.  Some days are better than others but today I could crawl back into bed and sleep for hours and the day has just began.

On another note Zoie is fitting in well with the kids she is smothered with love and hugs from them all.  She is curious about everything.  She helps me with the laundry and unloading the dishwasher even if I'm filling it up again :)  she is a big help.  She's always happy and laughing loves to eat but is having a little trouble liking some American food.  She doesn't like pizza but loves pasta salad.   She loves dolls and especially the ones that talk to you when you push a button on them.

We Are Home!!

We finally made it home after 4 flights.  We flew from Guangzhou to Hong Kong.  Got to the hotel and checked in and to bed at 1 a.m. Woke up at 4:30 a.m. and left Hong Kong for Japan.  Flew out of Narito to Seattle back to the good ol' USA .  Lots of planes and transfers.  Zoie did amazing on the plane.  She was really good for the flight from Hong Kong to Japan which was under 4 hours and then slept 6 1/2 of the 9 hours from Japan to Seattle.  She was so good.  I was worried how it would be for her.
She wore her squeaky shoes home and a lot of people knew her as "squeakers" she would make everyone smile and laugh around her.

We are so glad to be home. Zoie was smothered with love from a reception of family at the airport.  The kids loved her and Paislee kept giving her lots of hugs.  Its so good to be home with my family.

I told her to smile she didn't know what I meant so I said smile and put my hand up to my mouth so she did the same.

Zoie ready for the plane ride home with her blanket, menu and ear buds.

Just waking up as the flight is about over.  She got pretty comfie.

We were greated by Baba at the gate, he pulled some strings since Uncle Zach works there and security got him thru.

 She loves her balloons.

 Brothers and sister greeting her and giving her hug and balloons.

Big brother Kota

 Cousin Brooke

Paislee keeps smothering her with hugs

Red Couch Day..

We did the traditional Red Couch Photo. While I was fixing Zoie's dress to get it straightened for pictures a Chinese man came up and started taking pictures of us when I looked up at him he smiled and gave me thumbs up.

Today is our last day here. We leave for the airport in a few hours. Its so warm and finally the sun came out. (Its definetly t-shirt weather. I love it) Its like China is smiling on us telling us goodbye as we take a daughter home. Home to family, home to friends, HOME.... what could be better.
I can't wait to start our new journey at home with Zoie as apart of our family. She has opened up so much from when we first got her. She hated the bath tub and was scared of it and wouldn't sit down. Now she loves it and can't wait to get in it and is sitting before I even get her in. She loves the bubbles, the water and to wash herself. She is always laughing and smiling. Looking at every new thing. Can't wait for the new adventures and journey to start. I better run now she's unpacking her suitcase. See you in Hong Kong if I can get thru....