Check us out at our other Blog....

Many of you know that I've begun posting more regularly on our newer blog:   A Crazy Kind of Faith .    I'll still continue to post here occasionally, but for a more up-to-date rendition of the Fab Four, pop on over!

Happy Thanksgiving!

 From Our Family to Yours!!!

Happy Birthday Lao Lao!

Yesterday we celebrated my mother's 66th birthday (that's right....sixty six big ones!)    We couldn't fit that many candles on the cake.     Happy Birthday Lao Lao!

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!

 Spent the day at Basse's Pumpkin Farm and had a wonderful time.   The weather was FANTASTIC!   

Now we have to think about our halloween costumes....hmmm, what shall we be?

Autumn begins!

We have begun to see the leaves fall here in Southeast Wisconsin... and are embarking upon the season of apples and pumpkins! 

A fun day was had at Harvest Fest.... we even found a new friend!

Worth watching!

Many of you know that we were helped to bring Kai home by a grant from an organization called the Gift of Adoption.   They have a new video out that is worth watching!   You may even notice a few familiar faces in it  :) .  Just click on the link below:

http://www.giftofadoption.org/success/deargiftofadoption.html

Last trip of the summer

Over the weekend we went to Long Lake on a short camping adventure with Jade's friend Leah and her parents. We all had a wonderful time....and it was so much fun watching the girls play together. Jade and Leah have been friends since they were 2 1/2, and their friendship continues to be really special. They both even earned their Outdoor Explorer badges!

Serenity

The other day I was on the phone with our care manager at our insurance company. We've been lucky enough to develop a somewhat personal relationship.....something that most folks aren't able to have with "insurance folks". She seems to have developed a good understanding of our kiddos and their issues (a Godsend!) Anyhoo, we both commented on how some days are just "Serenity Prayer" days. Thought I'd post it below, just as a reminder :)

God, Grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
...the Courage to Change the things I can,
...and the Wisdom to know the difference.

...a day at the beach

What amazing fun can be had without spending a single cent! Today we spent the afternoon at North beach in Sheboygan, which included a leisurely saunter on the pier out to the lighthouse. Much to my surprise, in all our years of marriage, I hadn't even taken Scott for a walkabout on the pier...so this was a long overdue "first" for us as a family.

The lighthouse and the pier have a nostalgic significance for me, having grown up in the same town for 20-something years... it is something that I realize how much I miss while no longer living near the lake. Ah, but we're lucky that it is a short drive to Lake Michigan....where fresh water abides, along with the shimmering, sun-reflecting roar of the waves to welcome us.

Of course, the kids enjoyed the perfect temps and playing in the sand. These are days I like to savor....as the weather will change before you know it. Carpe Diem!

Milestones...

This has been a summer of two milestones for our kiddos..... Kai learned how to swim underwater (and how to REALLY enjoy the water!); and Jade learned how to ride her two-wheeler bike, although she is still a little timid. Both are practicing their newly learned skills all the time, and are thoroughly enjoying the outdoors this summer. Wisconsin summers are too short to NOT enjoy!

our little biker chick...

Good summer memories...

...hangin' with Uncle Matt

...playing in the sand at Regner Park

...swimmin' with Gukka

Jade's Pint-Sized Soccer team.... The "Red Rangers"

...not bad for the first soccer team experience!

Can't believe that the 4th of July has come and gone already! Boy, is the summer moving fast. Just thought I'd post a few snapshots of what we've been up to this summer.

What a Week!

Our little Jade..."Branching out" from 4K! Goodbye Willow Springs (we'll miss you...), Hello Woodside!

Seeing 100+ 4-5 year olds sign and sing What a Wonderful World was quite impressive!

Hopalong Oscar :(. Don't let the cast fool you...he's still a trouble maker!

Spending a wonderful time with Aunt Marty and Uncle Marv (visiting from Colorado) and family!

Wow, this week has been so full of activity! Jade had her Branching Out ceremony (4K graduation from Willow Springs) on Wednesday. The ceremony was really precious...especially when the kids Sang and signed What a Wonderful World.... How really neat to see 100+ 4 and 5 year olds signing the whole song amidst a colorful background of colorful hand-made butterflies, flowers and trees.

After coming home and having a little lunch celebration, our 7-month old kitten Oscar ended up getting his front leg broken when our heavy storm door blew shut. Poor Oscar! $408 later after a visit to the Pet ER, our kitty is sporting a red cast and enduring a two-week restriction from play and activity. (Yeah right...how can you keep a kitten from playing?). We'll return for another x-ray in two weeks to see if the bone has healed. Unfortunately it is on his growth plate...but fortunately he did not require surgery because it was a simple fracture.

On Thursday evening and Saturday we had the pleasure of spending time with Aunt Marty and Uncle Marv, who travelled all the way from Colorado for a visit. We had great fun reminiscing and laughing over mojitos! The kids enjoyed being silly and meeting new family. We feel very blessed to have family to spend time with, that everyone is healthy, and that the weather is finally warm enough to enjoy the outdoors.

Summer weather!

Our two bathing beauties...

Lovin' the new pool...

Jumpin' Jade :)

Jade says "It's cold Kai...you go first!" What a good big sister ;)

...finishing up the day with a watermelon treat. Here in Wisconsin, we LOVE our premature summer weather!

Persistence pays off....

Good news.....our three month insurance battle with WEA Trust (our health insurance company) has resulted in a phone call from the WEA Human Resources Director, and letter from the Assistant General Counsel sent to the WI commissioner of Insurance (cc'd to me, of course) stating that WEA is approving coverage for the remainder of Jade's lip steroiod injections. This is good news, particularly because we are hoping that now we have set the stage for future reconstructive surgeries, hopefully receiving approval without hesitation to correct issues relating to Jade's congenital cleft lip and palate.

I faxed a 32 page document entitled "Parameters for Evaluation of and Treatment for Patients with Craniofacial Anomolies" to both WEA and the WI State Insurance Commissioner, in addition to quoting the state statute indicating that congenital birth defects require treatment "as an illness or injury" under all health insurance policies. I believe that our good ol' State of WI went to bat for us! (Yes, I think that flooding a fax machine with a 32 page document probably sent quite a message! Hopefully their reading of it will help pave the way for other cleft-affected kiddos as well. )

Thanks to all of you who signed the Reconstructive Surgery Act Petition....every signature counts!

On a slightly different note, we have begun a new blog to share our experiences with Kai...given recent developments in diagnosing his special needs. It will be an ongoing journey, and I felt that Kai's journey deserved a blog of it's own. Please visit us at http://www.acrazykindoffaith.blogspot.com/.

Time spent with Crazy Grandparents!

Bedtime for two little bonzos.....

"Oh, I wish I were an Oscar Meyer weiner..." The official Weinermobile!



.....Lao Lao, Gukka and the kids compete in the "Morgan cup" :). Jade did not get the sportsmanship trophy, however.

Happy 5th Birthday Jade

"Gotcha Day", July 1st, 2007 in Fuzhou, China. The day we first became a family :)

Little Jade at 18 months, sporting a little attitude already! ;) Loved those chunky little arms and legs!

Happy 5th Birthday to our little Girl....Today we celebrate YOU Jade Mei! We love you!

Happy Easter!

Budding picassos I think!

...just sharing a couple Easter photos...

Jade did the egg hunt this morning by herself, as Kai was in his bedroom having a major meltdown. (This was pre-empted by the arduous task of having to actually look for his Easter basket...too much effort apparently.) Jade did not mind the extra attention and had a lot of fun, as you can see by the video below!

Spring is in the air!

...eating outside, one of the pleasures of warmer weather!

One of our "tenants." Yeah....cheap rental property we own!

....dental work anyone? ;)

It has been a busy March thus far. Scott's forensics season is winding down, the kids are both well into their school routines, medical appointments have slowed down, and the snow is finally starting to melt. I've continued to do what moms do....wipe little noses, wipe little hands, wipe floors, wipe little tushies, etc. etc. While parenting has always had an element of advocacy for us, it has been tuned up a notch or two as of recent.

A couple new developments:

We will be traveling to Virginia on May 5-6 to see a specialist for Kai's developmental concerns. Dr. Ron Federici is well-known for his pioneering research in post institutional /orphanage trauma and is also an adoptive father. He will be conducting a two-day neuropsych workup to help point us in the right direction to meet Kai's unique developmental needs.

We have begun a battle with our insurance company (WEA), as they have denied services to provide minor surgery to correct Jade's lip scarring. In addition, we have been "forewarned" that we should anticipate future denials and appeals in this process, understanding that several surgeries are required for corrections at various points in Jade's development (Kai's too!). It appears that WEA would like to deem these surgeries cosmetic in nature, even though they are performed for restorative reasons. Of course, we are livid.....and are in the process of appealing this decision. Please consider signing the petition below to help provide legislation which will stop insurance denials to children born with craniofacial anomolies:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/craniofacial

We will keep ya'll updated of our progress in this area. Keep your fingers crossed.... we're rolling up our sleeves and ready to do what we need to do!

Winter kid pics...

Kai playing in the snow. (Fast forward 20 years....imagine beer in hand? Hope not!)

Yes, they did take turns (although guess who did most of the pulling ;)

Just plain cute...

...thought I'd post another pic of our new little trouble-maker Oscar. He's just hanging out in the doll stroller for now.

Introducing......

OSCAR!!! Our newest family member.


Yes, Oscar is our 14 week old bundle of fur. He's quite the purr-meister, and is quite a dickens!

Hmmmm....do I dare try and snuggle up?

Ahhh.....okay. I guess at least she'll let me share the bed.

After about one week of mourning our wonderful kitty Dylan, we realized that we needed another little furry critter to keep Stella company. It was suggested that a kitten would be the best fit for a "current resident adult female", as there would be less territory issues and it would bring out Stella's nurturing side. So far things have gone okay between the two. Stella does her hissing and swatting, but then she'll chase Oscar around and play. Today they actually napped together on the same bed.

The kiddos are finding Oscar to be a wonderful pet! He is very tolerant of them and the kids have been very gentle. Jade loves to hold our new little guy and scratch him under the chin. Kai loves giving him kisses. Oscar just takes it all in, purring to beat the band!

Sick kiddos...

It has been "quarantine" at our house this week, with both hoodlums struggling with bouts of the flu. It started on Sunday evening with Kai sprouting a low-grade temp and diarrhea, along with a croupy-sounding cough. Then Jade came home from school Tuesday with a hacking cough and complaining of a sore throat, fever and body aches. We haven't left the house for several days, and the kids haven't minded staying in their jammies all day. Today they seem to be on the upswing, thank goodness!

A little update on Kai: We received a phone call from Children's Hospital earlier in the week informing us that his MRI showed a "clinically non-significant cyst" of some kind, which I guess is common and nothing to worry about. His genetic bloodwork also came back as "normal." The PA and psychologist seem to believe that Kai is something of an enigma, and they're giving him a diagnosis of Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), which is on the autism spectrum. I did mention that I had done some research about a concept called "institutional autism," which they were familiar with. We all feel that Kai's significant developmental delays very likely ARE due to the neglect and deprivation he suffered while at his orphanage, and that it is hopeful he will make gains with early intervention services and possibly medication. More information about Institutional Autism is available on the following link: http://www.rainbowkids.com/expertarticledetails.aspx?id=59.

Goodbye Dylan...

Well, our little feline fella Dylan has finally come to the point where abdominal cancer has taken everything out of him. Today we are saying our goodbyes.

Dylan, we are going to miss you SO much. You have given all of us so much joy and we are sad to say goodbye. I'll miss your loud, loud purr and your soft belly rubs; your impeccable patience with Stella and the kiddos; your silly vacuous stare and finding you sitting in front of the stove staring at your own reflection! I'll miss you sleeping on my legs at night, and romping on Stella to remind her that you're the boss sometimes too. I'm going to miss your little "Dylan chirp," your handsome "soul patch," your tickly whiskers, kneading like a kitten with your big paws........and yes, I'll even miss your shedding. You've been an awesome family member, Big D..... you've been so loved and will remain in our hearts always.

Farewell Dylan..... may you be at peace. You will be missed.