tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29992186330858083792024-03-12T19:34:34.930-07:00Blessed TreasuresA verse made clear to us as we found out about our daughter's health:
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy.
Matthew 6:19-20
Our promise to God: We will show God's love to orphans for as long as we live on this earth. Thank you for this calling.Marci Whitfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770972077880206252noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999218633085808379.post-76575528750557082092015-06-08T08:10:00.000-07:002015-06-08T08:11:08.576-07:00Amazing Adoption Stories<div>
This is a must watch for all adoptive families and anyone and everyone wanting to think about adoption.</div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7Ikv0QIZG4&feature=youtu.be">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7Ikv0QIZG4&feature=youtu.be</a><br />
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<br />Marci Whitfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770972077880206252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999218633085808379.post-9362113052687742262014-09-05T17:37:00.002-07:002014-09-05T17:37:53.380-07:00Some Lulu highlights from our summer!I am so very sorry it has been so long! Summer seemed to fly by. I blinked and it was school time again! Here are some highlights of Lulu from our summer. She continues to grow so much. Her heart is doing great! At her 6 month check up they continued to give us awesome reports! She goes back in January. Her oxygen level was actually at 100% on the first read. We are so grateful to God for such a great report and that her heart is doing so well. I know that there are many children that have just as complicated of conditions as her's and have undergone so much. We continue to pray for heart children. Later I will post a fundraiser I heard about specifically for orphans in China that need heart surgeries. If Lulu would not have gotten her first surgery in China she would not have survived. People realized her need and stepped up to provide the funds for her surgery and care until she was matched with us. I will be forever grateful to those people. They saved my little girl, my daughter that I could not imagine life without.<br />
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4th of July! It sure was a chilly night!<br />
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Farm park! This girl would play all day long on a playground if she could! Nothing stops her, she is a CLIMBER!</div>
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Another chilly summer day! It took her a VERY long time to finally feed an animal!</div>
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With Keri at my sister, Taylor's, wedding. Lulu was a flower girl.</div>
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Loving life after the wedding while pictures were taken. This girl was a TROOPER! She was on her feet all day long and kept a great attitude all day. She loved running around the fountains, I was sure she was going to get drenched!</div>
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I have to remember her at this age... I know she won't be this little for very long! And, if she happens to be my last little one I sure must treasure every single moment and event.</div>
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Mamma and monkey kitten. This is her new nickname because she constantly sings Monkeys jumping on the bed and acts like a kitty cat...all at the same time!</div>
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Some day it will be her wedding, dancing with Baba.</div>
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First time for Lulu tubing! SHE LOVED IT!!!!</div>
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When they aren't frustrating each other they are loving on each other. Kaden tried to manage her all. the. time, but she just won't have it. Truly two strong willed souls finding ways to come together to be great siblings. God knew what he was doing. Yes, he sure did.</div>
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What a great personality the Lord picked out to blend with our family. I'm so proud of how all of my children accept and love one another. This family has been sewn together from many different walks of life and backgrounds. Our household is messy. When I say this I mean we have our problems. I am so glad we can come together and love one another and have a good time too.</div>
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Our first annual lemonade stand to collect crafts and money for The Children's Hospital of Illinois! We raised $52.00 in 2 hours to buy crafts for the children as they stay in the hospital and collected a few supplies as well. I look forward to growing this event a little more each year! Our favorite moment was when 2 young guys drove over from the golf course across the street in their golf cart to buy some lemonade. It was so neat for my children to see that. They had to cross 4 lanes of busy traffic!</div>
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What can I say. Her first day of preschool! This girl LOVES to learn. She was a bit apprehensive to get on the bus the first day, but now she loves it all. I know she is going to be a life long learner! She is always wanting to learn something new around the house, especially the kitchen! I thank her early preschool teachers at Maria's Big House of Hope and her orphanage! They obviously fostered her desire to learn. </div>
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Trying to stay occupied and cool at Cameron's first football game of the season. She gets hot rosy cheeks QUICKLY when she's outside. I do worry about her in the heat, unless she's swimming, but she's a trooper and she knows when she is too hot and needs to cool off.</div>
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Always exploring! She found a treasure in Grandma's purse during the game.</div>
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Marci Whitfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770972077880206252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999218633085808379.post-7591572375055692312014-01-20T16:38:00.001-08:002014-01-20T16:43:32.278-08:00Chopsticks!She is so good at using them and we never realized until 10 months home! LOL!<br />
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If you are wondering what's on her face, she has had little warts that she has had since before we got her. They go away and then pop up somewhere else. The doctor told us they could take a year for the virus to go away. She doesn't have them anywhere else, only her face. She has two near her eye that are now healing. She sometimes picks at them. The ones near her lip are getting ready to move on, but another little one is starting right under it. I keep putting aquafore on them and that seems to make them go through their process faster. If anyone out there has any advice on how to get rid of them please let me know! Thanks!</div>
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Now most of us are practicing with them again too!</div>
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<br />Marci Whitfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770972077880206252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999218633085808379.post-6618612305545220332014-01-20T12:46:00.002-08:002014-01-20T16:51:06.250-08:00Turning FourWow, it has been so long! I am truly sorry. I have probably provided most updates and information through facebook, but I am looking forward to sharing through our blog again. It may take some time to get caught up! I will start with the most recent events first and little by little work backwards!<br />
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Today Lulu (often called Lu), turned 4 years old! (we joke she could have been 4 already! LOL!) She has been waiting patiently for this day to come for several months now. She has gone through 6 birthdays within our family since she arrived home, so she could not wait until her's came!<br />
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She also could not wait to eat her big iced brownie! She kept picking at the icing and I had to constantly try to cover up her picking!</div>
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Same with the cupcakes! There are some that have huge pot holes on them where she dug her finger nails in time after time! She just could not wait!</div>
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We celebrated with a few friends and family members. What a special time it was finally getting to celebrate with her home! We have sang happy birthday to her picture for 2 years!!! Ty always thought it was weird! But, I insisted on doing it! I am so glad that I did. It made this year that much more heartwarming and special.</div>
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We began the night with Chinese food and brought out the chop sticks. I wish I had pictures of that! I guess I can do that when we eat the left overs! I wish I would have offered her chop sticks all of these months! She wanted them right away and used them to eat her low mien. We could not believe it! Did she use them at the orphanage and Maria's? I guess I just thought she used those little ceramic spoons she still uses here at home. If you are still going to China to pick up your precious child, my advice is to bring home some of the training chop sticks they have there. I wish we would have gotten some. I'm sure I can find them on the internet...just have not looked yet. She seems to use them well regardless.</div>
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Lulu is absolutely in love with minnie and mickey mouse! She received so many wonderful gifts!</div>
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One year ago Lulu would look at the pictures of our dog and cat and cry. Then, when she got home and met them she warmed up to them. Today, she acts like she is a cat often and meows to me and wants me to pet her. This electronic cat is so fitting! It purred and meowed at me in the isle of the store, continued to embarrass me as I walked around the store, and then kept me company all the way home! I had to take it out of the box just to shut it off. I knew she would just love this cat! It has not left her arms since!</div>
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She seemed to shy away from the singing, but hung in there. I think she was worried about the candles...</div>
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But daddy saved the day and showed her how to get big breaths to blow them all out.</div>
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Happy Birthday, my precious girl!</div>
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With her birthday I also spend time praying for the woman that had to give her up. I am sure it was not easy. I cannot imagine the grief. I hope and pray she is finding healing. I thank her for making the decision to help her baby girl by giving her away. The differences among countries in the world amaze me. To think Lulu could not get the health care she needed without the help of such great individuals and organizations. Then, to ultimately be placed with us to continue her surgeries and care. It is so sad that there must be so many orphans due to health care expenses. If you cannot adopt, I encourage you to find an organization to support that makes it a priority to help children get the health care and surgeries they need. By doing that, you are helping children prepare for their forever families. China does not allow every child to be adopted. If they think the children are too sick, their mind set is that there is no one that will adopt them. They are finding out that is not the case! Many Americans and others all over the world are willing to love and support children with health needs and other special needs. And, for that I am grateful!</div>
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Happy Birthday Kynleigh Lulu Love Whitford!</div>
Marci Whitfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770972077880206252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999218633085808379.post-20177094580154895112013-06-11T21:03:00.000-07:002013-06-11T21:07:52.015-07:00Surgery DayWednesday is the big day! We are packed and ready to go. I know that God has gone before us and He will guide us all (surgeon and everyone involved) through this surgery. I know this has been His plan all along. I am in awe and still soaking in our adoption journey as well as daily life with this little sassy gem.<br />
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Loving her purple sand! We also have pink, blue, and green! Only breaking open one bag at a time though!</div>
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(Remember, you are not judging me on the the blue carpet! Prior owners... Oh well, new flooring someday....when the kids are out of college!)</div>
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I will be sending updates out through Instagram and Facebook. I am not sure I will have access to my blog to post pictures at the hospital, so it is just easier to follow Insta or fb. I thank you so very much for your prayers! Lulu is such a precious gift. She has adjusted so well to our family and her new life. She sleeps so well, she is growing, she is happy, very very lively, and emotionally very stable. I credit the care she received at Maria's Big House of Hope for over two years as well as her orphanage for the last 5 months before placed with us. She is just a doll and we feel so blessed, and completely unworthy of such a gift. Thank you so much for the encouraging words and prayers. It means so much to have prayer warriors lifting her up.<br />
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So grateful,<br />
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MarciMarci Whitfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770972077880206252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999218633085808379.post-53494739297959141202013-05-06T13:26:00.000-07:002013-05-06T13:26:01.867-07:00What a Miracle She IsWe met with the heart surgeon today. The more I find out about her little ole heart, the more I just feel she's a complete miracle. I know all children are a blessing from the Lord. She's just a little rejuvenation into my life though, and I just adore her. I have spent too many years striving for the next thing....paycheck, house, fun, kids, more kids, stuff, cars, boats, degrees, you name it, it's on the list somewhere. When Kaden was born he slowed me down and made me relax. (For only a year, then he turned into a toddler!) <div>
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Then, life got busy again and striving for the next thing became more intense. I don't know if this touches home with you or not, but life isn't all that fun when you're striving for the next thing, even if it's just to get the daily to-do list done. I'm always in the mode to get the next task done. Our church counselor even helped me to finally see that. I didn't realize I was always in that state. I've always known that I've needed to enjoy the here and now, and I have never wanted to regret these years with my children because I know I won't get them back. I know God wants the best for us and I also know that He chooses to bless us, that he enjoys blessing us in this life. Lulu is a blessing. I feel settled. I feel joy. I have always had a happy life overall, and all of my children are blessings to me, and my husband is great. Sometimes though something felt like it was missing. TRUE JOY. I'm living with joy now, and a new kind of love I've never known on this earth. My other girls were older when I became their mamma. We love each other, but we missed out on a lot of things. My mother was too sick and I was too young to remember her affection. I am just completely humbled God would think so much of me to bless me like this. You know, He wants to bless us all in some way we need and sometimes don't even know we need it. All it takes is saying "yes" to him. That can be hard and scary, but the other side of your "yes" just may be pure bliss!</div>
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Jeremiah 31:13 tells us He will give us joy.</div>
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(Now don't get me wrong, I've felt content before, and I know that we are to be content with our life and find joy in the Lord. I've been there, and have learned those things the last several years, and God has blessed us greatly because of our finally submitting and saying "whatever you want Lord, we give it all to you". I guess I'm talking about a different kind of joy. I believe it's a joy that maybe many mothers feel, and I'm sure I've felt it before, but maybe it had been a long time. And, I'm talking about a joy that I personally have been missing because I grew up without my mother.)</div>
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Lulu's heart surgery will be June 15th. We will be in the hospital for 1-2 weeks as long as she adjusts well to the new pressures and oxygenated blood that will now go to places in her body she has never had it. With how great her circulation is now though, he feels she will do really well and her body will handle everything well. She will need to be on a restricted activity level for about 6 weeks. I told Ty I sure need a swing set in the back yard so I can push her on the swing and she won't have to exert any energy at all! She LOVES to swing! Plus it'll give Kaden and possibly the big kids something to do since we will not be able to swim as much this summer as usual.</div>
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Here are some recent pictures!</div>
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When she woke up from having her heart cath and needed to eat, we found out she liked Jello! </div>
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It's not something she'll eat regularly though.</div>
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First ice cream cone since she would never try one before now. She liked it, but couldn't eat it fast enough. It was melting, but at least she tried it and seemed to like it! We then had to teach her that she could eat the cone! She did not like that part and Kaden ate it for her!</div>
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I mean, have you ever seen a kid have such a face eating an ice cream cone? I've never had to make a kid try ice cream before! She's a cookie girl! LOVES COOKIES!</div>
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Loves being in the kitchen, and in fact is my little shadow while cooking dinner each night! I had to find her something to do while I was preparing meals, so I made her a bean container she can play in all she wants! She loves it! Why do we buy all of these toys and even kitchen toys????? It's the simple things they love!</div>
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I heard she "ruled the roost" at Maria's Big House of Hope. Yeah, I'll say she tries that around here. I'm sure she'll have her nurses wrapped around her finger! She already does when we visit them at her appointments!</div>
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God is so GOOD. My heart is full of joy and has found a place to settle.</div>
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~Marci<br /><div>
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Marci Whitfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770972077880206252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999218633085808379.post-17458126305659380042013-04-09T12:32:00.001-07:002013-04-09T12:32:08.222-07:00Heart UpdateLulu continues to be more and more apart of the family each day. So much so that you'd think she's been here forever!<br />
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Monday was a long day at the doctor appt. We arrived around 12:30 and didn't get out of there until after 4pm. It was a great visit though and Lulu was wonderful and content the whole time! The only time she cried was when the sono tech needed to put the sono tool right under her neck.<br />
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She ATE the WHOLE time! We went from almonds to fruit snacks to graham crackers to more graham crackers. The doctors bring the crackers in with them so that they are able to listen to her heart and also make friends! They also gave her a really nice teddy bear! She loves it.<br />
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We met with nurses, she had an ekg, then a heart echo, then met with a nurse practitioner that explained everything to us and answered our questions then her heart dr, Dr. Patel.<br />
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They confirmed everything that China had reported. She does have Tricuspid Atresia, which basically means her tricuspid valve did not form very well. Her heart did compensate though and had holes in other places that allowed the blood to flow somewhat to where it needed to go, enough to keep her alive until her first surgery in China when she was 4 months old. They said that from what they can see the surgery in China was done well.<br />
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The left side of her heart does most of the work and functions the most while the right side is not as developed since those valves didn't develop much and not much blood flow took place there. She also has atrial septal defect and pulmonary stenosis. Honestly, I am still trying to understand it all, but of course Ty gets the whole thing! He said he's studied some things about the heart before....I guess I need to stare at the diagram a little longer! :)<br />
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She goes in next Tuesday into St. Francis, will be admitted, and put under for a heart cath. This procedure will allow the doctor to see how her heart works, how the blood flows and her whole anatomy of how everything is working...if she (the doctor) sees other things that she can do while in there with the cath she will do it too, like get rid of blood vessels she does not need and lengthen and expand some that she thinks need it.<br />
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Her blood pressure was good and her oxygen level was 87 which is decent, but of course normal is 100. She has gained weight, now at 28.4 pounds and 3 feet tall.<br />
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She will have her next surgery, the Fontan, this summer. This is where they run a tube from the bottom of her heart (the inferior vena cava) to the upper part (superior vena cava) so that even more blood can make it to her lungs. This surgery will allow her to get 50% more blood to her lungs than what she is getting now, at least that is what we think, but as we continue to talk to them and get more educated we will be more accurate with what we believe we learned yesterday! LOL!<br />
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All I know is that as long as her fingers and toes aren't blue I think we are good! HAHA<br />
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Here are some pictures of her visit, she was a trooper and behaved well and sometimes was having fun! They do a great job at the heart center!<br />
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EKG</div>
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Heart Echo; taking lots of pictures of different angles of her heart and listening to her heart beat, rhythm.</div>
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Doing such a great job and being such a big girl!</div>
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Learning to help mom around the house! Vacuuming her own mess!</div>
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Watching dad pop some wheelies.</div>
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She would laugh when he would pop the wheelies right in front of her.</div>
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After nap time enjoying some yummy oreos. </div>
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They take her a long time to eat because she slowly scrapes out the middle. </div>
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At least she vacuums up her own crumb mess!</div>
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<br />Marci Whitfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770972077880206252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999218633085808379.post-87652255698988152222013-04-06T15:41:00.002-07:002013-04-06T15:41:40.475-07:00One Week HomeWow, I cannot even believe it's done. We started the process, 2 years went by, now it's done! Now life has started with our new little precious jewel. Let me tell you, she has spunk! She has made many great leaps this week!<br />
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When we got her she was scared to death of animals and would cry every time she saw a picture of our dog and cat. 2 days home and she was following our cat everywhere, getting as close as she could, finally petting him. She loves him! And, Ty's daughter Amanda is here with her guide dog so Lulu has also gotten use to dogs which has helped her accept our big wild dog, Navy. She now pets Durwood, Amanda's dog.<br />
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Saturday night through Tuesday was rough from jet lag. We would get up around 4 am and crash around 7pm. By Wednesday we kept with a strict nap schedule for her and she began sleeping in until 7 am or later! I also got her meds switched to our time so that it does not interfere with sleeping. Friday I finally began feeling normal and not tired throughout the day. I thought it was going to take longer to get her on our schedule, but so far so good.<br />
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Lulu loves all the kids in the house! Of course she uses them to carry her around, up and down the stairs constantly, to go to her room and play, basically do whatever she wants to do! We have to tell the kids they can say no and let her be. They could not believe the first fit they ever saw. It lasted 30 minutes and she fell asleep right there on the floor. It was the second night home and we believe it was a combination of jet lag, new adjustments, tired, and of course a little strong will in there as well as grieving. Overall she has adjusted very well. She cried only the first few nights and nap times we put her in the pack n play, but she's doing pretty well with that too. She continues to sleep in our room in her pack n play.<br />
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As far as bonding with me, we are doing pretty well. I have been the one getting up with her first thing in the morning and her fear of the cat the first few mornings really caused her to cling to me. As the week progressed she even gave me kisses. We are doing great!<br />
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Concerning food, she has eaten pretty much everything I have cooked. Fish, fries, quasedillas, steak, and Friday night I made my first Asian dinner of broccoli and beef with white rice from Thialand. It was great! I can't wait to make more! Catherine Cambra from WCIC is going to give me some recipes she gathered while at Maria's Big House of Hope. I can't wait to make some of them! Lulu also loves blueberry muffins! So much healthier than Oreos! HAHA<br />
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By the way, check out WCIC on April 23rd at 3pm. Lulu and I are going to be guests on their show that day! Scott and Catherine met Lulu back in Sept. while there on a missions trip. How neat to get to see them again! They confirmed her strong spirit after I asked what she was like when they visited her. I wanted to find out if what I was experiencing with her was what she was like there. Yep, pretty much the same!<br />
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Now that the first part of the journey is over.....I can say that it was nothing like I expected. If you are adopting my advice to you would be to go in with no expectations and just let it be the way it's going to be. I envisioned her personality to be like what I made up in my head. Am I fine with her personality and who she has turned out to be in reality, ABSOLUTELY! Just like birth, no one knows how their kids are going to turn out! God creates their personality! We will mold her and teach her, but she is who God intended her to be. I also wasn't aware of all that goes into finishing the adoption while in China. It wasn't a bad thing, it was just neat to see how it all gets done. I cannot say enough AWESOME things about our agency CCAI and all that our guides do. They work so hard! All we had to do was show up and sign here and there. They do all the leg work! They are amazing! Plus they plan all of our tours and take care of our needs while there too! Truly GREAT people! Was it worth it? YES! Just like birth labor, it has it's challenges while it's happening, then you forget it all because you have such a wonderful gift in the end.<br />
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Thank you to EVERYONE! I know we had many people praying for us! Thanks for all of the funny and encouraging words while we were gone! Our kids were VERY well taken care of too! Thanks to my wonderful, irreplaceable mother-in-law! I could not have asked for my kids to be in better hands! We adore you and thank you for taking over our family while we were gone! The kids love you so much! I am humbled by the way you love our kids and the fact that you think they are great says a lot to me too. They sure loved your cooking! And, thanks for having my house in such great shape when we returned! It was nice to be able to collapse into clean sheets and a nice clean shower the next morning!<br />
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Thanks to our Almighty Sovereign Savior that orchestrated this whole thing, hand picked our baby girl, and provided every bit of energy and cent it took to complete the journey! Our faith has grown in ways we cannot verbalize! If you want to adopt, take the first step. He will complete the process, and it is never in a way you can comprehend.<br />
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Coming up this week: we visit Lulu's pediatric cardiologist on Monday the 8th. I will update after the appt. to fill you all in on what we learn about her heart condition.<br />
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Here are some pictures of our first week home:<br />
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At this point she is trying to tell me she's gonna rule this household! Oh what she will soon find out! Mama is in charge around here! LOL!<br />
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First tantrum. All because I wanted to take her from Keri and put her pjs on! She never did stop and after 30 minutes she fell asleep for the night. We believe she was just so tired, grieving, and plane old mad I took her away from Keri, all combined. The kids just could not believe she could do that and they sat there dumbfounded until we turned our movie back on, ignored her, and told them she was fine and not to worry.<br />
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As you can see, Kaden even went and put rolled up toilet paper in his ears to see if it would help with the loudness of her screaming.</div>
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Loves the trampoline at the neighbors house! But, we won't let her jump until we find out what is safe for her to do and not do from the cardiologist.</div>
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Listening to the Easter Trivia the kids had to endure from dad so that they could get a clue to find their baskets. Each question led to a new clue until they finally got their baskets.</div>
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Listening to big sister Amanda play the piano and checking out her guide dog Durwood. At this point she is still pretty scared, but warming up to the idea of possibly liking him.</div>
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Finding Cheddar, our cat, under the couch.</div>
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This lasted for about an hour! Loved it! I needed a break! I have forgotten what it's like to play with a 3 year old all day long!!!!</div>
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The closest she had ever gotten to him. Now she kisses him and pets him!</div>
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Washing down the oreos with her favorite beverage, water. I can't get her to drink anything else.</div>
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Learning to be gentle with her doll. She would just always hit it and get rough. Now she plays gentle with it.</div>
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Our Flight Home</div>
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She was having too much fun and would fight the sleep! In all she only slept about 3 hours of the 12 hour flight to Detroit. Did not sleep at all on the other 2 flights. She's a great traveler though!<br />
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We could not have asked for a more pleasant travel experience with her! She was GREAT! Just less carry ons for me! Haha, next time we travel by plane I have decided what I need and don't need so I don't carry so much!<br />
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2 hours into our flight...we weren't all that enthusiastic being so close to No*th Kor*a!<br />
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She would sort of watch Disney movies while she snacked and played, but I could not get her to listen to them with the ear phones at all. No matter what she would not let me put them in her ears.</div>
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Most of the time I looked out the window of our 12 hour flight this is what I saw! It was amazing! Sure puts our large world in perspective. I saw a lot of snow, mountains, and glaciers.</div>
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<br />Marci Whitfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770972077880206252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999218633085808379.post-56006935207457188542013-03-15T01:47:00.001-07:002013-03-15T01:47:02.068-07:00New Update Address<div>For updates please go to the site below. I had to create something new since my gmail would not allow me to post pictures without sending one at a time which I don't have time to do! They are too large to send through email! Plus this one I can access myself and will not have to use email to update.</div> <div><br></div><a href="http://marciwhitford.simplesite.com/">http://marciwhitford.simplesite.com/</a> Marci Whitfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770972077880206252noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999218633085808379.post-91670890146283616342013-03-14T05:53:00.001-07:002013-03-14T05:53:25.225-07:00We Made ItWe made it to Beijing while you were all sleeping! Basically we chased the sun west. We never once saw darkness. From Detroit we actually went up through Canada, flew over Alaska, as well as part of Russia and down into Beijing, China. Not a lot of scenery, but it was neat to see things I usually only get to talk about or see on a map, including glaciers!<div> <br></div><div>Just some odds and ends about our flight:</div><div><br></div><div>* We flew over 6,500 miles!</div><div>* It was a looooooooooonnnnnnng 13 hour flight!!!!</div><div>* The temperature we were flying in above the clouds was -85 degrees F (WOW! Talk about cold!)</div> <div>* We flew at over 80,000 feet altitude</div><div><br></div><div>We did try to sleep on and off. I can't say we ever got a really good sleep, but we did get a little on and off.</div><div><br></div><div>We met 3 more families tonight that will be with us on our tours and most likely "gotcha day". There are 7 families total for our group.</div> <div><br></div><div>It took another 2 1/2 hours to get to our hotel once we left the airport because the traffic is so bad, but only certain times of the day. I guess they are only allowed to drive certain times of the day and by their license place they can only drive on certain days. We wonder how they get to work on those other days??? There are over 20 million people in Beijing alone, and over 10 million vehicles! Our guide, David, told us that there are 3 million dogs and cats in the city as well. We did see some just wondering around. :(</div> <div><br></div><div>I don't even have the words yet to describe what I'm seeing. There are new buildings mixed with the old and then nice mixed with the not-so-nice...TOMORROW I will have pictures for you because we will be touring ALL DAY LONG! Our tour starts at 8am and we'll be gone until bed time probably! We will be going to the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Hutong Tour, and an acrobatic show.</div> <div><br></div><div>Tonight Ty is not feeling good. Please pray he will feel better tomorrow. He has a respiratory thing going on and I think what he had flared back up because we've been traveling for 24 hours.</div> <div><br></div><div>So, since he was resting I went out to dinner with one family and our guide to a small Chinese restaurant, and boy was the food good! WOW! It was FABULOUS!  NOTHING like the real thing! I will miss it when we leave. I also ate my whole meal with chopsticks! I had no other choice so I had to, and I did it! :)  They also serve the food family style so each person takes a little of everything on the table.</div> <div><br></div><div>Sorry I do not have pictures yet, but tomorrow I will!</div><div><br></div><div>Cam, Keri, Coleton, Keke, Kaden: Miss you kiddos! Hopefully we can figure out a time to skype over the weekend! Love you guys! Hi Diann! Hope all is going well there!</div> <div><br></div><div>Good night! I'm looking forward to being in a bed! Airplane seats just don't do it!</div><div><br></div><div>~Marci</div> Marci Whitfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770972077880206252noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999218633085808379.post-68871882181033830982013-03-12T15:16:00.003-07:002013-03-12T15:16:30.061-07:00Just 14 Hours AwayWell, it's finally here! Lulu here we come! Tomorrow morning we fly from Peoria to Detroit and then leave Detroit around noon to fly to Beijing. We will get to Beijing around 1:30 AM your time, but there it will be 2:30 PM. We will try our best to get on their time as fast as possible...I will update as we can. From other blogs I have read we should be able to update regularly, but there will be times when the internet connection will not be great. Thanks for all of the encouraging words and for all the hugs today at work! Thanks to our family for helping out with the kids!<br />
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For many of you, this will be the first you have seen Lulu if you don't follow us on Facebook...thanks for following our journey! Our hope is that God will use us to encourage you in some way.<br />
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We love you Kynleigh Lulu Love Whitford! Only 6 more sleeps and we get to meet you for the very first time! I have been dying to find out what her little voice sounds like! Can't wait!</div>
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For anyone who questions adoption please read this blog. This mom shares the perspective of her children about living in an orphanage. It is just heartbreaking but inspiring at the same time! And, no, we don't plan on being a "mega" family! But this family is amazing. </div>
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http://theresnoplacelikehome-family.blogspot.com/</div>
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(she wrote it in a 2 part response to someone's question, so you may have to </div>
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scroll down her page to find the first response to start with.)</div>
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Today a co-worker said "ok, so this is your half a dozen! Are you done?" I never thought of it that way! HALF A DOZEN! Love it!</div>
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Hey, isn't everything CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN?????</div>
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God Bless you all and THANKS for all of the encouraging words and prayers!!!!</div>
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~Whitfords</div>
Marci Whitfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770972077880206252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999218633085808379.post-3766341182977283282013-02-28T19:20:00.001-08:002013-02-28T19:20:42.595-08:00We Have Dates!We received our travel dates today! I was praying we would not have to wait long! Yay!  Here is our basic itinerary:<div><br></div><div>Wednesday, March 13: Depart from Peoria (6:52 AM)</div><div>Thursday, March 14: Arrive in Beijing</div> <div>Tour Beijing Thursday, Friday, and Saturday (15th and 16th mostly)</div><div>Sunday, March 17: Fly to <span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1362091629398_26737" style="color:rgb(69,69,69);font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:15px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"> Zhengzhou</span><i style="color:rgb(69,69,69);font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:15px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"> </i></div> <div>Monday, March 18: Gotcha Day: We get Lulu!</div><div>March 18-?: Hang out in Lulu's Province sight seeing and taking care of paper work and getting her passport</div><div><br></div><div>Not sure of date, but eventually we fly to Guangzhou</div> <div><br></div><div>March 27: We take the oath for being Lulu's parents at the US Consulate in Guangzhou</div><div>March 28: Get Lulu's visa</div><div>March 29: Fly to Beijing then back to Detroit and Peoria! Should arrive back in Peoria shortly after 8PM! Come see us at the airport!</div> <div><br></div><div>March 30: Get ready for Easter!</div><div><br></div><div>Once we receive our more detailed itinerary I will post it.</div><div><br></div><div>Feel free to send us prayers and comments through email while we are gone! They will be very encouraging to us!</div> <div><br></div><div>This morning my devotional verse was:</div><div><br></div><div><b>The Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you. Deuteronomy 31:6</b></div><div><br></div><div> This verse is so fitting for today as well as through this whole journey. He has been before us and has gone ahead of us through this whole process, every step of the way! From walking down town Chicago to get paper work authenticated to setting up the timing of this trip. Financially, emotionally, and in just every single way. It has been amazing! I have learned that I need to just keep abandoning myself and let Him lead! What an amazing little girl I know He has picked out for us and us for her! We can't wait to meet her! I have been watching her grow through pictures for 2 years! What a blessing that has been.</div> <div><br></div><div>~Marci</div><div><br></div><div><br></div> Marci Whitfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770972077880206252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999218633085808379.post-70197701344890754252013-02-27T15:20:00.001-08:002013-02-27T15:20:25.632-08:00Got our TA!!!<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif;font-size:12pt"><div>We are so happy today....we got our travel approval! Now our agency has requested a US consulate appointment so once we have that they will give us our travel dates. They are predicting we will possibly travel between March 13-15, so that would put us arriving back home right before Easter hopefully. The consulate appt. takes place at the end of the trip because it is what allows Lulu to become a US citizen. She will be a citizen of the United States of America as soon as we land back in the US. So, whatever appt. they give us we will get Lulu about 10 days or so before our appt. I will keep you posted! Thanks for the prayers!!!! Keep praying all the way through our trip! I pray everything goes SUPER smoothly....everything from customs at the airports to attaching for Lulu. Please pray for her so that she will adjust and her fears will not last past the first night! :) I sure hope she has seen our pictures so we look familiar to her! I created a photo book for her last night that I will take with us for her to look through so that many family members look familiar to her already when we get back home.</div><div><br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;">Blessings to you all too!</div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;">~Marci</div></div>Marci Whitfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770972077880206252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999218633085808379.post-50990206277966162742013-02-24T13:50:00.001-08:002013-02-24T13:55:27.518-08:00Making Progress<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We have been making progress Saturday and Sunday! Friday night I made lists....and it was useless to sleep because I was either dreaming of packing or awake thinking of packing. Saturday we shopped for way too much traveling stuff. It cost so much just getting what is needed to travel! Oh well, ALL worth it! Thanks to friends that have done this before I found out many reasons why we should take duck tape, and I was a Ziplock bag queen for an hour! I also learned how to update our blog through email because we will not have access to many websites while in China. They block most sites including blog sites, Facebook, and You Tube.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sunday after church we ventured out to Build-a-Bear and the kids had so much fun creating a bunny named Sunshine (for Sun Lu, Lulu's Chinese name). Sunshine will also be styling in the new clothes they picked out for her once Lulu has a chance to dress her! We will give the bunny to Lulu when we meet her. Hopefully this will break the awkwardness she may be feeling. Victoria Secret also became my best friend for about an hour as I picked out enough underwear to last the whole trip! So thankful they let me use coupons that don't start until Tuesday! So, it has been a productive weekend and tonight I will hit Costco and put all my grades into Skyward. I graded papers last night while watching a movie with the family! And, sub plans will begin tomorrow night....so, we ARE making progress! Below are some pictures of the packing progress and of Sunshine!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thanks for your continued prayers!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">~Marci</span>Marci Whitfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770972077880206252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999218633085808379.post-80174958318428743112013-02-24T13:42:00.000-08:002013-02-24T13:47:33.910-08:00Making Progress Pics<div class="mobile-photo">
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Marci Whitfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770972077880206252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999218633085808379.post-72683395969994851332013-02-24T13:41:00.001-08:002013-02-24T13:47:47.295-08:00Making Progress Pics<div class="mobile-photo">
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Marci Whitfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770972077880206252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999218633085808379.post-18027766818946287402013-02-23T18:38:00.001-08:002013-02-23T18:38:01.710-08:00Pray for Monday!Our agency sent us an email Friday telling us that they possibly expect our TA on Monday and that we could travel March 6th or March 11th as long as they can get certain US consulate appointments. If our TA comes Tuesday or later then our travel date will be a little later in the month. So, we will see! We are hoping for the March 6th travel date since that would put us back home in the early twenties rather than the very end of the month. That really puts me in high gear! I have so much to do! Today I spent way too much at Wal-Mart getting travel type things...I went back through Lulu's suitcase and downgraded what I had. I am trying to refine refine refine and travel as light as possible. You may see Ty and I wearing the same stuff all the time while there! lol! I still have grades to input, report cards to organize, and possible parent conferences to set up. I also need to prepare somewhat for my sub, but I don't think that will be too terrible. I have a lot of help around me! That makes life much easier!<br> <div class="gmail_quote"><div> <br></div><div>Please pray for our TA Monday! We will get an update regardless, so I will let ya'll know!</div><div><br></div><div>~Marci</div><div><br></div><div>#END</div> </div><br> Marci Whitfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770972077880206252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999218633085808379.post-49336138147699514382013-02-21T14:12:00.002-08:002013-02-21T14:15:18.726-08:00Update2 weeks ago I had asked if our agency could ask the orphanage for an update on Lulu. Today I received her new measurements and 2 pictures. Now you have to understand that the Chinese custom is to put as many clothes on children as possible and that it gets very cold there. So, Lulu looks like she has about 10 layers of clothes on and then a huge orange coat! When we get her we will be careful not to take her layers off too quick. She has probably gotten use to wearing them 24/7. Also, if we are out in public and I do not have enough clothing on her we will either get negative looks from others or they will try to put more layers on her themselves! Lol!<br />
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Please pray that we get our travel approval in the next few days! I am hoping tomorrow! Thanks for your encouragement and prayers! If you want to watch other families' adoptions currently happening visit the website I have pasted below. I love watching them daily! I learn so much! <a href="http://www.myadoptionwebsite.com/">http://www.myadoptionwebsite.com/</a><br />
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Lulu: 2/21/2013<br />
Height: 36 inches<br />
Weight: 30 lbs<br />
Feet: 5.9 inches<br />
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Marci Whitfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770972077880206252noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999218633085808379.post-70246875520066914962013-02-17T21:42:00.004-08:002013-02-17T21:42:37.043-08:00Say a Prayer!Chinese government went back to work this past weekend. We are waiting for them to give us our travel approval. Once we have that we will leave in approximately 2 weeks. I am sure hoping to get our TA this week and be off to China first week of March. We ultimately want God's plan, and hoping that plan is to get us to our daughter very soon. Thanks for your prayers!Marci Whitfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770972077880206252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999218633085808379.post-37759172901042710572013-01-31T08:53:00.002-08:002013-01-31T08:53:43.239-08:00TA about a month away...I predict we will leave the second weekend of March. Yesterday our Article 5 was picked up in China and is now being sent to the CCWA (the agency that processes all adoptions in China). They will issue us a travel approval (TA) in 2-4 weeks. Well, we know it will not be 2 weeks because that is the Chinese New Year. The government is shutting down from the 9-15th then will re-open for a working weekend...so we may get our TA at the end of Feb. or beginning of March (then the US consulate schedules our appointment) and will travel 10-20 days after our TA. I am hoping the earlier! That would put us gone for Coleton's birthday, but we will celebrate before we go! Getting closer! Can't wait! But, on the positive side I will be here to get my class through their state testing and I know they will be happy about that.<br />
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Thanks for the continued prayers!<br />
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~MarciMarci Whitfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770972077880206252noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999218633085808379.post-11826197992450685482013-01-31T06:25:00.000-08:002013-01-31T06:25:05.810-08:00New Blog NameAs you can see I have changed the name of our blog. There are a few reasons why, but mostly for security reasons to protect the life and privacy of our adopted children. Have you ever done a google search of your own name? If not, try it. It's scary!!!! I could not believe the information that popped up! Then do a search of your kids' names....even scarier! So anyway, I know I've been called to share our story, but I also want to do it in a way that protects my children and our family. (thus the removal of our last name) If you know anyone that follows our blog and does not know our new blog name please feel free to pass it on!<br />
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Why Blessed Treasures? Because we feel completely blessed in our lives with the treasures God has given to us during our time on Earth, and ultimately knowing they will be treasures we continue to have in Heaven, our children, no matter where they come from on this Earth.<br />
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~MarciMarci Whitfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770972077880206252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999218633085808379.post-63678981477924190642013-01-24T15:24:00.000-08:002013-03-12T16:10:57.648-07:00Three Years Old...<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Lulu turned 3 years old this weekend. I sure hope she received our care package. I'm hoping the package also triggers them to send us some updated pics soon...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Even though she isn't here yet I wanted to do something to honor her. So, Saturday I decided to finally wash her clothes and to coordinate her outfits for China. I have been reading a lot of blogs lately of families currently in China, so I know the typical schedule of events. Each adoption follows the same routine/schedule, the only thing that is different is the province in which the adopted child is from. Most families fly into Bejing or Hong Kong, travel to their child's province for Gotcha Day, paper work, and possible orphanage visit, then they pretty much ALL end in Guangzhou. (where the US consulate is) I also looked up what the average temperatures would be in those places in March. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We are in the last stages. Last week we received our "cable letter" from the National Visa center (NBC). This is a letter sent to the US consulate in Guangzhou. The letter was sent to Bejing so that they will issue us an "article 5" which then allows China to issue our travel approval (TA). Once we get our TA our appointments and travel dates are scheduled! We are about a month away from that I believe. I am still praying we get TA before the Chinese New Year which starts Feb. 10th. If we don't get it before I know we'll get it right after which should put us traveling end of Feb./beginning of March. So, still about 6 weeks away from traveling. UGH! I just want time to move fast!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Anyway, I coordinated her outfits, mostly 3T, but some 2T as well since I just don't know for sure. She was almost 3 feet tall in November and 28 lbs. I hardly doubt she has gained weight since then since she is now in the orphanage. I could be wrong, but that is just my prediction from things I know... in fact I wouldn't be surprised if she lost some. With her chest measurement I am leaning toward 3t, but taking 2t as well. I will take 1 pair of shoes and 1 pair of slippers, and then we can buy some shoes there or just wait until we get home...I am taking some warm outfits and then some springy outfits since Guangzhou will be warmer, and temperatures everywhere will be getting more spring like. Why do I take so much? Well, honestly, I don't want to spend my time shopping for clothes while we are there. We are going to be too busy and our focus is going to be on attaching and bonding. From the information I get from people that have met her though, I really believe she has been so loved on and will attach to us pretty quickly and easily. I would appreciate prayers for that though!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So, basically she's all packed! Pull-ups (taking underwear too...I have a feeling she is close to being potty trained and if not she's probably about ready) and sippy cups and all! I just need to grab some wipes and then a car seat for when we return! I also would like to take the kids to Build a Bear to create a bear for her. I am also taking some toys and books...things that will help us bond and spend quality time together. I am glad it will be nice enough outside to play and sight see. I guess if we would have traveled in Jan. we would not have been able to do much of that until the end when in Guangzhou.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Here are some pics of a few outfits I'm looking forward to dressing her in...not the greatest pics, but I'm sure you'll see plenty of pics of her wearing them!!!! SOOOOON! (Thank you to my dear friend Amy for a lot of clothes! And, of course Kohl's, Old Navy, and Zulily!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Also to honor her birthday we made brownies, sang happy birthday, and blew out 3 candles. Ty and the kids always feel a little weird singing to someone who isn't here (had to do it last year too) but we said a prayer for her and I think knowing we are bringing her home for sure soon, that helped!</span><br />
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One of my favorites because Show Hope runs Maria's Big House of Hope where she lived for almost 3 years!</div>
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I know everything you are seeing is pink and black! But, there are many other colors I am taking, I just didn't take pics of them! I promise not to dress her </div>
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This is her red, white, and blue outfit for the day we visit the US embassy in <span style="font-family: Georgia;">Guangzhou. This will allow her to </span>become a United States citizen as soon as we touch ground in the US!!!</div>
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Her adorable valentine present waiting for her when she arrives. Isn't he cute?</div>
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I could not resist!</div>
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The best gift of all this week though was a wonderful email I received from someone we don't even know, but knows Lulu. Let's just say that what I hear about her personality....she will fit in just fine! Especially with Kaden!!!! I can't wait! I am completely humbled that God would choose us to be her family and me to be her mamma! We count all of our children blessings. The orchestrating of this gift though, has left me in complete awe. God is. so. good.</div>
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~Marci</div>
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<br />Marci Whitfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770972077880206252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999218633085808379.post-20689127019264689832013-01-04T09:27:00.002-08:002013-01-04T09:27:38.421-08:00Are we really getting closer?So just a little update since I see I have not added anything since the beginning of December, actually a full one month. Where is the time going? Yes, it's going fast, but just not fast enough to get Lulu, but I continue to believe in God's ultimate, perfect timing. The extra time has given me a chance to get more things done. So, here's where we are:<br />
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On December 17th we finally got the IL state approval for our homestudy. There are 4 individuals I thank for helping that process get done. First of all I thank the Lord for having His hand in that. On a Sunday afternoon I got a call from my co-worker's sister urging me to get people involved to help. That was a phone call out of the blue I did not expect and it's what I needed to convince me that I needed to get things rolling since I had decided I'd just wait around and be patient and leave my caseworker alone! Thank you God for using this person (and my coworker to tell her about us!) to facilitate what was not going anywhere anytime soon. Not sure I updated the blog, but our homestudy got lost in the mail??? I still have to investigate that. Then, a big thanks goes out to Mike Unes' office again because they are the ones that initiated and made the calls to get things going and prompt others to figure out what was going on. All in all though, for whatever reason, we were not to be in China in Jan. So, I am predicting right after the Chinese New Year which is from Feb. 10-25.<br />
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So, as of right now everything is done on our end as far as paper work and getting our extension (our finger prints were about to expire already!) and we are just waiting for all of our approvals from USCIS (our country's homeland security). Lulu will soon be approved to enter the US and we will soon be approved, again, to adopt her. Then, appointments will be made for us in China to complete everything there once we get our Travel Approval from China. I believe/predict that is about one month from now to get then we will be given our dates for travel.<br />
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In the meantime, we moved the "office" down to the basement and set up Lulu's room upstairs. I went shopping to get some organizational things and toys. It took me 3 hours just to put her little kitchen play station together! What a deal at Targ*t! Clearance for half the original price! Still things to do to her room and closet, but I will decorate more when she gets here because I want to learn more about her personality and also take her out and see what kind of things/colors she likes. This is special because she's never had anything of her own before, having lived in institutions, so I want her to really feel like she has her own things and a say in her things. (To a point! HAHA!)<br />
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While I was putting her room together (last night) someone else I didn't even know until now was writing me a special email telling me about her trips to Maria's Big House of Hope and explaining that she has gotten to spend time with Lulu on her two trips there over the last 2 years. WOW! What an amazing email it was to get, another blessing from the Lord! She started praying for Lulu's forever family a year and a half ago! That is when we saw her picture and started praying about/for her too!!!!! I mean, can you SEE God's divine hand in this???<br />
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Here's Lulu's room so far:<br />
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I bought the chairs over 7/8 years ago on e-bay knowing someday I'd have a little girl(s). Keri and Keliyah were too big really, but I held onto them. Then, I found the table one day while walking into Hobby Lobby, on clearance. WOW! They've all been through several moves and years in storage, </div>
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just waiting for their purpose. :)</div>
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Lulu and Kaden will share a closet for now since his room is the "bonus" room and does not have a closet yet. All of Lulu's clothes are in the girls' closet for now until we get this more organized. Hoping this weekend!<br />
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I'm leaving some things in packages until she gets home so she can open things too. I obviously have some wall decorating to do, but that will come as I get out and get ideas and also get to know her personality. All the stuff you see sitting around on her dresser and bed are some things that are going with us to China. And, yes they do all fit in a suit case! That is where they use to be until we got her room done. Thanks Jeff for selling me the great furniture and matching linens! It was all meant to be! You'll have to show your daughter and let her know that her old furniture will be a part of a very special story and little one's life!<br />
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Not sure if I am going to paint her room yet. I feel like just dressing it up with wall art and curtains for now. I really owe my "big" girls a room make over, so I feel that needs to come first, plus it'll give me a chance to figure out what we truly want to do to Lulu's room. She may hate pink and I don't even know it! I doubt it though! I do know I want to search for a red rug though!<br />
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Thanks for your prayers! Keep praying all will continue to move along, and that all the paper work and dates will be set before the CNY! Everything shuts down for 15 days so if we don't get dates before then, we will have to wait through all of Feb. probably and not travel until March.<br />
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We are feeling so very blessed, and I just can't believe I will have another little daughter in my arms soon. This is a very different adoption than our first one when we adopted our sibling group. They were much older (except Kaden) and we shared them with their parents through visits for years before we knew they'd be ours forever. So, I was not able to fully decorate and shop for them like this, and fully bond with them on a certain level knowing they were to go back home. It's hard to explain, but for me this time is different. And, I've been able to "know" Lulu through pictures from the time she was a baby which has been a huge blessing and not something that normally happens. By the way, did you know that adoptions are HUGELY decreasing every year yet we have more orphans than ever? Is this something you could pray about? I am reading a book by Mother Teresa and she says that<b> abandonment and loneliness is the worst kind of poverty known to mankind.</b> THAT breaks my heart and confirms even more to me that ALL children need and deserve a loving family. I know why I'm here. I fail a lot as a mother, but at least with that vision I can continually get myself back on track, daily. (Sometimes hourly!)<br />
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Blessings!<br />
MarciMarci Whitfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770972077880206252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999218633085808379.post-26865329621013011322012-12-04T14:41:00.001-08:002012-12-04T14:41:14.179-08:00Just a Quick Update...We still do not have our Illinois state approval for our updated home study. This is frustrating because basically we were on track to travel end of January or early February before the Chinese New Year. We will now travel sometime after the CNY which takes place from Feb. 10th through the 25th. They shut down completely for 15 days. I am hoping we will travel the day after the new year or even before that if they'll at least take flights in! It's all in God's hands which is the best place for this all to be. I did call Mike Unes' office to help get our home study approval done. Our caseworker sent it in October 31st and we still don't have it. I know things take time, but we have always gotten our approval in 1-2 weeks. This is the time we needed it quickly. I have gotten use to the fact that we won't travel until late February though. I'm looking at the bright side and here are the advantages:<br />
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<li>It will be warmer out by then so we will be able to take Lulu out to play and sight see.</li>
<li>I will be able to have more time to prepare my students for the "big" ISAT testing. Not that we spend all of our time doing that, but I do begin to teach them how to take such a test.</li>
<li>My maternity leave will start closer to spring break time which means I'll have 7 consecutive weeks with Lulu rather than 6.</li>
<li>By the time my maternity leave ends we will only have about 6-7 weeks left of school before summer break, so Lulu will only have to go to daycare for that amount of time.</li>
<li>We will have longer to come up with the last $5,000 that we need while in China and some spending money since I want to get her something from China for each birthday for years to come. </li>
<li>I have more time to do some things around the house to prepare for her...room, toys, ...</li>
<li>The weather will be nice over maternity leave so she and I can spend a lot of time outside playing and bonding!</li>
<li>Lulu will hopefully miss out on the flu season here....I heard it is already pretty bad this year. Since she needs surgery soon after we get back I am sure her health cannot be compromised in any way for her surgery.</li>
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<b><u>Prayer Requests:</u></b></div>
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<li>Please pray that our paper work continues to move along so that we can travel as soon as the Chinese New Year is over.</li>
<li>Please pray that Lulu's health will continue to be ok because <b>she was placed in an orphanage and removed from Maria's Big House of Hope already.</b> We believe they did this in order to begin preparing her for us and breaking her away from her nannies at Maria's. We pray she is being treated well there. Please pray for her emotional well being.</li>
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Thanks so much for your prayers!</div>
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Marci</div>
Marci Whitfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770972077880206252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999218633085808379.post-81256598134501597452012-11-21T19:11:00.002-08:002012-11-21T19:11:48.415-08:00Answering the CallPlease visit our very good friends' blog. They have just started the journey to adopt from Africa. God has been laying this on their heart for a long time. As a campus minister and teacher, this is something that is very difficult to complete without the help of others. God calls us all to get involved in different ways. I know you will be blessed. Thanks for taking a look! <a href="http://dantefamilyjourney.blogspot.com/2012/11/a-long-way-to-africa.html?spref=fb">http://dantefamilyjourney.blogspot.com/2012/11/a-long-way-to-africa.html?spref=fb</a>Marci Whitfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770972077880206252noreply@blogger.com0