Archives for March 2017

I haven’t done this in a while, but lately I’ve been noticing some new favorite things showing out in my life so I started a list and wanted to share them with you guys today.  The only affiliate links are the Amazon ones and I only recommend things I really and truthfully love and think are legit.  Oh, by the way, first off, Happy Friday.  I should have led with that 🙂  So excited for the weekend.  I’m currently trying not to wish time away so we can get to Everett’s heart cath quicker and I might be lining up fun things between now and then hoping the time will past faster.  Okay, I digress, so onto some favorites.

Fashionable’s Earring Bar:  I LOVE small, different earrings and usually have a hard time finding ones I really like.  Fashionable is an amazing company here in Nashville…a purchase with great purpose business.  I purchased several pairs of their earrings as gifts and finally broke down and got myself a pair when they we’re having a Thanksgiving sale.  Oh my!!!!  You guys, I love these earrings.  They are my favorite.  And now they have an earring bar where you can purchase single earring studs that are handmade, unique and have great purpose.  Totally check them out.

Missoula Silicone 4 Sizes Icing Bag Set:  A long time ago I had an amazing Wilson icing tube contraption thing and one sad sad day it broke.  For the longest time I’ve just been working with ziplock baggies which inevitably bust on me so I finally decided to order some reusable piping bags. I snagged a silicone set on Amazon and haven’t regretted it for a moment.  They are easy to use, store and wash.  I am sold!

Lovishly Miniature China Necklace:  Lovishly is another amazing purposeful company I have become quite smitten with.  I actually saw this necklace in person first on my SIL Becky when my niece Nia was born.  I was instantly in love.  It’s small and dainty and gorgeous.  Then I bought the same necklace for a dear friend to commemorate the unimaginable goodness God was doing in their family.  I now have a list of things I’ve got my eye on from this awesome company.

Listen and Learn First Chinese Words Book:  I received this book free from our Usborne Book fundraiser we did for Everett’s adoption.  The kids all really liked it already…hearing the Chinese words for everyday things, but then Everett got a hold of it and he LOVES it.  Right now I’m noticing how hearing mandarin is really comforting and soothing to him.  He loves to sit with this book, push the pictures and hear his native language.  I like this book so much I’ve already purchased it for a friend.

Garmin Forerunner 15:  I’ve had this watch for a while now and it is the best “sporty” watch I’ve owned.  When I started training for a 1/2 marathon last January I wanted to get a watch that was easy to use and wasn’t crazy expensive, but also had GPS to track runs, milage, times, etc.  It also has a timer, keeps up with your history and even your steps and is waterproof.  I pretty much never took it off over the past 15 months.  Bonus:  It was perfect for our “live at the wave pool” days of summer.  The other day my band broke and I have been like a lost sheep 🙂  I definitely need my watch to help me keep up.  I already ordered a replacement band because I need this watch back in my life asap.

Simple Seize the Day Planner:  In December I started looking for a new planner.  I’ve been an Erin Condren advocate for years now…like years!!!!!! but in December I started to feel the need for something simpler.  Something smaller and easier to throw in my purse.  I searched and searched and finally landed on MochiThings and found THE PLANNER I had been looking for.  It was smaller, simpler, thinner and had grid paper.  I love a good grid paper.  I will say you do have to fill the calendar out for yourself, but I actually loved doing that…it’s right up my brain’s alley.  I have really really really enjoyed this planner and already decided I will be purchasing it again for next year.

And last, but certainly not least Pillsbury Funfetti Cake Mix + Betty Crocker Rainbow Chip Can Icing:  I pride myself on homemade baked goodies, love them in every sense of the word and truly believe baked goods can change the world.  Typically my kids ask for homemade things I love to make, but then Harper inevitably breaks the mold.  Every.Single.Time.  Any time she gets to pick the dessert choice 9 times out of 10 it’s going to be Pillsbury Funfetti Cupcakes topped with Betty Crocker Rainbow Chip Icing.

Her birthday was Wednesday and of course this was her choice of celebratory dessert.  When she picks this I do 2 things: 1.  I’m elated because a box cake and a can of icing is my kind of time saver love.  2.  My mouth waters because this is absolutely the most amazing combination of box cake and canned icing that could possibly exist.  I mean, if you really think you can rival it, please lay it on me because I’ve yet to eat anything which comes close.  And let’s be real, the rainbow chip icing is what really sends this combo over the incredibly tasty edge.  I don’t know what those little chips actually are…I honestly don’t even care what those little chips actually are because all I know is they are heavenly in my mouth.  Harper picked the cupcake variety because she said they would last longer.  I ate 3 yesterday.  Your birthday cupcakes do not last longer when your mother is hiding behind the refrigerator every hour or so eating another one of your cupcakes.

Alright.  That’s it for some of my current favorite things.  If you have something you think I need to hear about please share!!!!!  I’d love to read about what you’re loving right now too.

Happy Friday.

Amon turned the massive 5 on Saturday and I’ve just decided to be in complete denial.  I mean, this kid will start kindergarten in the fall.  How can this even be happening?!?!?!  He is supposed to be tiny and the baby and I just don’t know how we’re all going to cope with our first heart warrior growing up.  He’s the kid who broke onto the scene out of no where with his broken little heart and God used him to restore our joy and help mend up our hearts as well.  I’ve never been sadder than when Mom died and 5 months later we met Amon.  God renewed our joy through this heart warrior and his amazing little story.  If only I could tell you the whole shebang…it’s simply unreal…maybe one day Amon will write a book.  Makes me want to cry buckets just thinking about it.

He is the funniest, quirkiest and most joyful kid.  He makes us cackle with laughter all the time and he loves bears and ninja fighting.  He’s been through the ringer for sure health wise, but this dude just keeps getting better and better.  God has done amazing work in his life with his hearing and his speech and his heart and his little mind.  He couldn’t hear…he couldn’t speak…his heart needed much repair and God met us at each fork in the road and made the way.  We we’re sure Amon had learning disabilities, but turns out he’s on track, colors just aren’t his strength and he isn’t one to want to be in the spotlight out in public.  I cannot cannot cannot wait to see what God has planned for him.

He loves all things related to music and listening to him sing his heart out in church melts me into a puddle.  He digs sweets and treats, will be any grown man’s best friend, loves baseball or ANY sport for that matter and has so many cat like tendencies it’s not even funny…but really it is.  One of our all time favorite Amon moments was after Josh Kelley installed a fan in our bedroom finding him swatting at the fan and light pulls exactly like a cat.  He’s pretty much the perfect cat ever.

He is the best snuggler around.  If you need some loven Amon is your man…added bonus he can fall asleep anywhere and has amazing hair.  His best friend is hands down his Big Daddy.  Early on when Amon didn’t speak and Big Daddy had yet to get his hearing aids they forged quite the bond and it just gets stronger and stronger as time goes on.  They make the perfect duo.  He is currently working hard on learning how to fish so he can fish with Big Daddy all the time.  Amon also has insatiable dance moves, still sleeps with the rattiest, smelliest blanket in town and loves a good, long, toy filled bath.

For his big day he slept in our back yard in a tent with Hudson and Solomon.  Instead of decorating his door we filled his tent with balloons.  He LOVES balloons…always has.  He paraded through our bedroom in the morning with his balloons in tow and announced, “Mom, it’s like my 100th birthday.”  He asked for donuts for breakfast and Chickfila for lunch.  Each time a birthday card arrived in the mail for him it was pretty much like he’d won the lottery.

Amon wanted to go to Monkey Joes for our family activity even though the majority of us new what a bad idea that was 🙂 but hey, on your birthday we let you make poor choices like Monkey Joes on a Saturday.  He asked for chocolate LionGuard cupcakes and Oreo ice-cream for dessert.  Thank you Amazon prime for having plastic LionGuard rings because my mind has been in a 112 other places.  He thought they we’re awesome.  And for dinner he requested pigs-in-a-blanket, strawberries, cheese, carrots, queso and chips.

Josh Kelley and myself still look at each other in shock and wonder because we get to be his parents.  He is simply wild, fantastic joy.  God knew just the son and brother our family needed.  God knew how much wonder and loveliness Amon would bring.  All the tears.  What a good, gracious and loving Father we serve.

Amon Kelley you are joy and it’s such an honor to be your mama.  You make everyday that much better and boy do you shine.  Happy 5th birthday!!!

Just stopping in to say hi!  Spring break is officially over and the big kids headed back to school this morning.  Our weekend was semi-madness celebrating Amon’s 5th birthday…more on that later…and Everett heading back to the doctor Sunday and then onto the ER for about a 7 hour stay.  We had to go to the cardiologist yesterday morning and then last night they actually called and pushed back his procedure he was suppose to have tomorrow.  We are all bummed, but understand it is for his safety.  Dude has a funky cough and had everyone alarmed and anesthesia does not want to put him to sleep when he’s not at his best.  Now we just have to get rid of this funk so we can finally get down to business.

Right now I simply struggle with the unknown.  I am not a worrier, but I am a planner.  It is killing me to not know what is going to happen and how we are going to go about repairing his heart.  We knew his heart was special.  We knew his heart was complicated.  We knew his heart was in major need of repair.  I honestly thought it would be a hard road, but at least there would be some sort of path to follow.  Amon’s heart had a clear path, Everett’s does not.  What we’re learning is that sometimes there’s just not a path yet.

We’re all working on our patience and trusting God to make a way when a path is not clear.  We’re trying to move through each day with intentionality.  When I lay my head next to Shuai’s in his bed I look into those almond eyes and breath him in deep.  I cry a lot, but so much of those tears are of gratitude to our God who writes the most beautiful and mind blowing stories.  We’re taking it day-by-day and trying to just do the next right thing.  We’re comforting a grieving little boy who doesn’t feel his best.  He has started reverting back to some of his coping/grieving ways we saw when we first met him…not eating…we’re wondering if man can live on yogurt and chips alone 🙂 … running his hands under the water, sleeping a lot and attachment to his sippy cup.  This time around though he wants to be held all the time.  He is learning we are here for him and he’s coming to us for comfort instead of moving through his sadness solo and for that we are incredibly grateful.

So now we wait and trust and try and let go and look for all the joy.  God remains His good self and we’re tying to rest right there.  Thank you again for all the prayers and encouragement.  I’ve said it a 1000 times and I’ll probably say it a 1000 more, but we are so crazy grateful!!!!

Happy Tuesday.

Things are super wonky in my head currently which makes me think through and question just about everything I think about posting in this space.  Life is a bit weird right now for lots and lots of reasons, but mainly the big ones consuming our minds are of course Everett’s heart, adjustment & bonding and our littlest.  I can feel the weight of all these big feelings every day and have found myself having to fight for joy…having to choose to see the light all around because it is very much there.  Our life isn’t desolate…it’s full of beauty and joy…sometimes I just have to be really deliberate in choosing to look for it and see it when circumstances weigh heavy on us.

I feel very out of whack on so many levels.  I don’t feel totally like my normal self.  I don’t do well with uncertainty and waiting and right now they both swirl wildly around Everett and our littlest.  I keep being reminded that God’s goodness is not circumstantial.  So in the darkness…in those moments that make you question everything…in those moments of complete uncertainty…in those moments when the miracle doesn’t happen…in those moments of desolation…He is still good.  When our troubles ebb and flow God’s goodness does not.  He is steady and dependable.  He does not waiver not for a moment.

We’re still waiting to hear and know and decide about Everett’s heart.  He’s having a procedure on Wednesday that will give the team more information they need before making big decisions.  Then Josh and I will be making big decisions from there.  I don’t like how I feel right now, but we are ready to get this ball rolling wherever it may roll.

It was funny being in China because I sort of forgot about our role as foster parents.  I let my MIL take it over and honestly didn’t think too much about it.  We Facetimed almost everyday with Amon and our littlest, but we were far removed from all the paperwork and scheduling and emails and visits and drop-ins and court dates and so on and so on.  We were flung back into our roles upon arriving home and our littlest is just struggling hard to figure out her place especially with Everett now home and him requiring so much of our attention.  Things are just hard for her right now and the emotions that come with a struggling, confused 3-year-old…well, you can imagine 🙂

Even when things are weird and wonky and hard God never ceases to amaze us.  Since arriving home just a mere 14 days ago I have been absolutely astounded by Jesus every single day…meeting us in the most creative, sweet, gracious and loving ways.  He seriously never ceases.  Even when the joy feels hard to choose there is always so much to choose from.  Always.

For us joy has looked like big kids who are embracing Everett like he’s always been here and with such compassion and empathy.  When Harper learned Everett’s procedure would be on her birthday the tears just streamed.  She was so looking forward to introducing him to all her friends at school when I brought treats for her birthday.  She was devastated to not be celebrating with Everett.  She decided to bump all celebrating until he’s home and he gave her some sweet loven’ when he saw how upset she was.  Nothing is quite like his little arms beckoning you to him.

The sky always speaks God’s goodness straight to my eyeballs and down into my soul.  One morning this week I didn’t even need groceries, but after our workout I made a beeline for Kroger to watch the sky.  I could see it from afar and it was just what my heart needed.  I sat there and prayed over Everett’s best friend we met in China…this little boy who has been with Everett for a long time and who stole our hearts while there.  I prayed over him and his forever family.  What an honor to love these children.  What a honor to serve a God who just blows us away with all the crazy stuff He does just so we can be apart of and experience His goodness…to feel His love through tiny little arms.  I’ll never understand it.  Truly I won’t.  It takes my breath away every single time.

His goodness has looked like a fun movie and popsicles from Aunt Jen when we have to cancel all plans and stay home because Everett simply cannot get sick before next Wednesday.  It’s been dinner delivered to our door on hard days when Everett is struggling and wants snuggles all the live long day.  It’s friends and family completely overlooking how long it’s been since I’ve showered and how filthy our house is.

It’s being able to text friends for the 10,000th time to ask for prayer again and it being met with encouraging replies and not one ounce of annoyance or contempt.  I don’t like that I am the person who currently always needs prayer.  It has taken my pride down a few notches to say the least which I ask God to do every day.  Why am I surprised when He agrees that my pride is a problem too 🙂

I found joy in a quick run to Target when I discovered our littlest and Harper had out grown ALL THEIR CLOTHES.  What a luxury it is to casually walk through a store and pick up some clothes for our kids.  And don’t even get me started on the luxury of grocery shopping.

I’ve found it in His word.  I really love Jesus, but while in this funk I have not wanted to read my Bible…especially since I’m currently in Exodus.  No offense Exodus, but, ummmmmm, we’ve just been together too long…it’s not you, it’s me.

I knew I had to do something to combat the darkness I was feeling so I pulled out my alphabet of who I am in Christ my friend Amber had shared.  I chose the first name from the Old Testament and found myself in Isaiah 61.  I’ve been on this Bible journaling journey for 2 1/2 years and for the first time I journaled a random chapter and it was exactly what I needed.

So I decided to stay in Isaiah a bit.  Here’s what I love about Bible journaling…it is so personal…it’s a relationship between me and God and doing what works for my heart at the time is a-okay.  There are no rules to this.  Isaiah is proving to be my water in the desert.  It’s giving life and speaking words I need to hear right this very moment.  Every day.  I haven’t abandoned Exodus…I’ll still come back to it, but I’m going to hang in Isaiah a little longer.

And we’ve seen God’s goodness and joy mostly in Everett.  With every child who joins our family God just humbles us before Him again.  We cannot get over them and why, oh why, God would think we’re good enough to be their mom and dad.  They’ve each come from different places and in all kinds of ways and with all kinds of stories, but each one so uniquely designed by their Father.

Everett is smart and sweet and cuddly and kind.  He understands so much and his favorite new saying is, “Mama, I need to tell you something.” which Amon says 5,000 times a day.  He is really adjusting so well.  I feel like we prepared for the absolute worst and this kid has just blown us away.  He is amazing…God is amazing.  Please continue to pray with us for his heart…it is crazy beautiful, but very broken.  We’re asking God for miracles and soaking up every moment with our boy.  His goodness is so evident in our son and joy spills out of this kid.  What a gem.  What a gift we’ve been given.

Our kids got out for spring break last Wednesday.  We had zero plans considering we’ve been home from China for 11 days.  Right now our main goal is attachment and bonding and hanging close to home and eating Rice Krispy treats and fun cereals and ice-cream.  Hahahaha.  All the important things.

We’ve survived 5 days of spring break so far by playing all the things.  Harper and her cousin Meiya have made approximately 32 dirt bricks.  Basketball is a hot sport amongst our crew right now too.  They play at their Big Daddy and Nene’s and also take their basketball to the park when we go so they can shoot hoops there too.  We recently won a desktop Chrome computer thing…I’m cleary very into technology…anyways, Harper cut the box sides into wings and made Amon and Everett an airplane.  They have colored and played in it like there’s no tomorrow.

We’ve  also been going to the doctor like it’s our job.  All.The.Doctors.  We seriously have the best doctor’s around + the best family so I’m kind of madly in love with this picture.  My SIL Becky not only speaks mandarin, but is also a nurse so needless to say she’s invaluable.

And seriously, look at that smile and those cheekies.

I busted one kid spying on our neighbors…cough cough…we’ve played blocks and cars and snuggled and watched movies and even did a fun volcano experiment.

We’ve walked to the park twice, Dairy Queen once and discovered Everett has the coolest grape trick. He puts the whole grape in his mouth, chews and chews and chews and then voila…the grape skin appears in my hand.  This kid and his funny fun quirks…it’s like he’s always been here.

And today actually feels like spring.  It has been the nicest day out and we have certainly soaked up some sun.  We’ve got 7 more days of spring break, 2 birthdays, more doctor’s appointments and more nothing planned.  Here’s to partying hard Spring Break 2017.

We have been home almost one week and Everett is adjusting so well.  Josh, Harper, Hudson, Solomon and myself are still recovering from jet lag, but today is the kids’ last day of school before spring break so I’m hoping we can catch up on sleep soon.

Everyone did finally sleep through the night the last 2 nights so that has been glorious.  And Shuai has been sleeping in his own bed upstairs with all the boys.  Currently we bounce between calling him Everett and Shuai…he actually responds to both now.  You guys, he really is amazing.  He’s been trying new foods and eating some of his familiar favorites.  My BIL & SIL brought him a bunch of yummy Chinese snacks he loves and the kid ate 3 pieces of pizza last night for dinner.  He is devouring grapes and oranges and bananas and blueberries.  He loves yogurt and nuts and noodles and chews gum like a teenager.  He is just ridiculous.

Amon loves him.  He loves Amon.  Our littlest is still figuring it all out and trying to understand her place in our family.  She has big emotions already so throw in a new kid who is smaller than her and she’s struggling.  There are lots of fits and crying and verbal processing and lots of frustrating feelings and down moments and hugs.  We’re working on it together.

All the kids went back to school on Monday so that left me and Everett solo for a few hours.  We went to Target and the bank and he was fantastic.  He doesn’t like when the family separates so he was sad when Josh and the big kids left in the morning and was sad again when I dropped Amon and our littlest off at MDO, but we recouped and had the best day together.  Yesterday me and the three littles even conquered a doctors appointment together.  It totally reminded me of my little Harper, Hudson and Solomon days.

Today we’re solo again and there were only tears when Josh and the bigs headed out this morning.  He’s currently chewing his gum and pulling everything out of my purse like he’s looking for something in particular.  And I’ve drawn multiple hearts on his hands already today.  He loves when we draw little things on his hands.

Tomorrow we head to another doctor’s visit.  My SIL so graciously offered to go with us this time so she could tell him what was going on and what will be happening.  She is an absolute God send and such a sweet comfort to Everett.  It’s really great having an entire small Kelley family (Josh’s brother even teaches Chinese at a local school) who all speak Chinese and can talk back and forth with him. We’re really hoping he can hang onto his Mandarin and not lose it.

It’s incredible to watch him.  He has just kind of jumped in and is just doing his thing.  It’s funny to see him already playing and shooting play guns and watching shows and eating snacks and laughing just like he’s been here for forever.  He’s picking up on some words already and understands SO MUCH.  My two current favorite things he says is “Lub you” for love you and every time I give him a kiss he says “Thank you” which he totally picked up from me because every time he gave me a kiss in the beginning I was so elated I would thank him over and over again.

He is so patient with us while communicating.  We are shocked at how not frustrated he gets with us. Such a patient guy.  He points and leads and is really good at figuring out how to let us know what he wants or needs.  He loves hugs which is a far cry from the little boy who just 2 weeks ago hated to be touched.  He lifts those hands high and loves to be swooped up into our arms.

He is funny as all get out too.  He cracks himself up and us.  I cannot wait until I can understand everything he is saying.  He loves to make silly faces and noises and he has impeccable timing on all his little jokes.  Totally a little clown and fits right in…we love to laugh around here…keeps us all a little more sane.

Do I think we’re out of the woods already?  Nope, not by a long shot, but  I do think Everett is insanely amazing, brave and strong.  He is really doing so well.  We fully know he will likely ebb and flow and things will slowly come out the more time passes and the more he gets use to us, but man oh man, this kid is just blowing us all away.  Once more I sit in awe and wonder at why on Earth God would think we were good enough for this boy.  What an honor.  What a gift.  I am absolutely humbled by God’s goodness yet again.

We left our hotel at 8am on Thursday morning and arrived in Nashville at 9:30 Thursday night.  We gained about 14 hours coming home so it was actually a crazy long travel time.  We first flew from Guangzhou back to Beijing.  Security was a little troublesome, but we got through and Everett had his first flight.  He was insanely cute.  He kept saying airplane in Chinese over and over again and ate about 1000 M&Ms.

Once in Beijing we had about 3 hours until our long flight to Detroit.  Security was hell.  It ate up every bit of time we had in between flights.  At one point Delta was holding Everett’s passport and paperwork and wouldn’t print his boarding passes.  Harper and Hudson cried.  Solomon was spent.  Josh was pissed.  I just sat there baffled.  Everett was still adorable 🙂  Delta was the worst.  I hate to say that, but we had nothing but problems all from them and because of the oxygen machine and batteries they made us get through a certain Delta related O2 company.  It was absolutely baffling and such a mess, but we finally made it to our gate, grabbed a few snacks and boarded our flight to the US.

We could not believe how great Everett did on our long flight.  He was amazing.  He cried very little, slept a lot and did not need his 02 machine not once.  A total dreamboat.  We were all so crazy excited to get off the plane in Detroit knowing we just had one little short flight left before home.

On our flight from Detroit to Nashville it took longer than expected due to weather and they almost had to land us in Chattanooga instead of Nashville.  I cried.  I mean we were so close to home, but thankfully they we’re able to land in Nashville.  It was quite the hilarious strand of traveling escapades and my emotions we’re every which way.

Family and friends we’re waiting for us in Nashville along with our beloved friend and photographer Cheyenne.  Cheyenne has captured countless family moments for us and even though she just had a baby she was at the airport waiting on us ready to capture yet another special moment for our family.  I sobbed looking through these.  Such sweet emotions.  What a gift she has and shares with others.  And gosh, we have the best family and friends.

Amon made me cry so much.  He really missed us and when he saw us coming he broke down into the hardest little sob.  We could tell every time we facetimed with him and our littlest that he was processing more inwardly and quietly and that she was proceeding more outwardly and vocally.  Amon had lots of little emotions bottled up in that adorable little body and it was like they all came pouring out when he saw us coming.

When we we’re walking to our car that night he grabbed my hand and said, “Mama, I didn’t think you we’re coming back.”  Oh my, how we missed him and our littlest something fierce.

Everett can still get easily overwhelmed so we weren’t sure how he was going to do, but he was so sweet and amazing.  My SIL started introducing him to everyone in Chinese and he just started giving out hugs.  It was the cutest thing ever, ever, ever.

It was so good to be back in Tennessee and with our people.  We hugged everyone what seemed like multiple times.  We missed home so much…China was gorgeous and amazing, but man, nothing beats home.  I chatted with my Aunt Martha today who stopped by to meet Everett.  She asked me if we thought we could move to China…not unless all our people move with us.

We seriously know and are loved by the best people around and it makes me cry a giant river to know such amazing people.

We went to bed so late that night and the next morning hit the ground running with Everett’s first cardiologist appointment.  The news was not good and very discouraging.  Our cardiologist is not sure exactly how or if his little heart can be repaired…it’s just very broken and very complicated.  This week she is going to share his case with a team of surgeons and transplant team to see what they can come up with.  Obviously not the news we we’re hoping to hear.

Over the last 3 days we’ve been trying to process this the best we can, but honestly right now I’m just asking God for 2 things:

1. Miracles

and 2. To please help me not to dig myself a hole too deep

Jet lag is wildly legit in our house…everyone is exhausted…our littlest is struggling with the new addition of Everett…we’re still foster parents and are back in that role as well…everyone feels wonky…and truthfully I am a massive combo of gratefulness because Everett is a freakin’ dream and I’m the luckiest mama on the planet + deep sadness.  I just feel like I’m in a bit of a hole and I really really don’t want it to get too deep that I can’t see out.

I told some friends today when I asked them to pray for Everett “I feel like a broken record to keep asking for prayers over Everett…” but here I am again.  Would you please please please pray with us for his little heart and for discernment and wisdom for the team who will hear his case and for miracles.  All the miracles.

I want to trust God with him.  Miracles are His thing.  He pulls off the greatest stories.  He’s an expert at making jaws drop.  He is supernatural and wondrous.  I am waiting nervously & anxiously, but expectantly too to see what exactly is up His sleeve.

Thank you guys so much for all the love and prayers and kind words.  They have been so life giving and we are forever grateful.

Today was our last full day in China and it was the perfect end to such a special trip.  We meet in the lobby of our hotel at 8am to head for the airport and we are beyond thrilled.

Before heading home we spent one more full day enjoying the Chimelong Safari.  It was incredible and the weather was just perfect.  We saw tons and tons of different animals.  Giraffes, lions, cheetahs, elephants, camels, wolves, brown and black bears, caribou, ant eaters, peacocks, parrots, hippos, rhinos, pandas, zebras, flamingos, toucans, orangoutangs, chimpanzees, koala bears, kangaroos, wallabies, rams, horses, mini horses, goats and the list goes on and on.  SO MANY ANIMALS.

We spent about 5 hours at the park and just had so much fun.  We started first with a train ride that took us through tons of animal exhibits.  All the animals we’re just walking around and it was so crazy fun.  There were too many different animals to even count and we couldn’t understand the Chinese guide so we weren’t even sure what all the different animals we’re even called.

I love this picture because you can see how close the giraffes were.  I laughed so hard because one stared Hudson Kelley down and I was sure he was going to swoop his giant neck in for a smooch.

You could feed the giraffes and elephants.  Shuai LOVED the giraffes so much he even cried when we left the exhibit.  He just couldn’t quit them.  Thinking we need to pick this boy up a giraffe toy when we get home 🙂

There was also a large area about dinosaurs and reptiles.  The dinosaur part was really neat, but then it became a tad too real and we thought Everett might be too scared, so we turned back.  All the parts we did see though we’re really cool.

There we’re lots of shows and interactice exhibits which was really fun.  The park in general was gorgeous.  Really lush and green.  Chimelong is the only park in the world to have panda triplets so there we’re panda statues everywhere painted all completely different.  Everything was in Chinese, but from what I gathered each panda statue was painted by a different artist.  They we’re so pretty and really neat.

There were several kid areas that had little rides and mascots walking around.  Everett walked right up to the panda.  He was super into him.  He also got really tickled when we would wave to him from the swing ride.  Harper, Hudson, Solomon and I all waved and yelled like total fools because he would giggle so hard.

  It was a really great day.  Added bonus, there was popcorn and it was yummy.  And the kids had emoji popsicles 🙂

When we got back to our hotel we headed out for our last delicious Chinese dinner.  We devoured pan fried pork dumplings, noodle beef soup, the most amazing spicy cauliflower EVER!!!!! and rice.  About that cauliflower…we’ve eaten it three times and I am absolutely going to try and figure out how to make some.  We know the dish has cauliflower, lots of garlic, whole red peppers annnnddd that’s all we’ve got.  Hahahahaha.  It might take me a long time, but I will track down this recipe.  It was so so good.

So we’re all packed and all the kids are asleep.  We meet in the lobby bright and early to head towards the airport.  Everett has tried on his O2 machine several times and we’re hopeful if he needs it he will be okay with it on his little face.  We’re basically praying we won’t even have to touch the machine, but if we do that he won’t panic.  We are so ready to be home.  We miss Amon and our littlest something awful.  I cannot wait to squeeze their little bodies.

We land Thursday night and hit the ground running first thing Friday morning with his cardiologist appointment.  We are absolutely praying big prayers over his amazing little heart and for guidance and wisdom from our beloved and trusted cardiologist and pediatrician.  What a journey we’re about to begin.  What a gift and honor it is to walk this road with our boy.  I keep telling myself to keep my eyes open…watching and waiting expectantly…anticipating what all God has is store.  Cannot wait to watch Him work yet again.  Praying He will heal Everett’s heart like only He can.