3 weeks...

ago that Sydney got the halo off! And what a blessing it's been. Praise The Lord!!!! She's doing just fabulous. The neck brace is such an improvement over the halo that it really isn't a big deal at all. That's about it....

In Christ,
Sandy

Praising the Lord for this......

Sydney.....

Sydney.....

Prayerfully she'll get out of the halo today and into a minerva! Please pray for her......

In Christ,
Sandy

Praise God!

Rejoicing with a sweet family at the birth of their sweet baby! Congratulations John and Jennifer!

Minerva...

This seems to be what Sydney's doctors have in mind for her transitional brace. It's called a Minerva brace. Not sure if  this can be fitted the same day or if she will need measurements before having the halo removed. But we are all excited to start preparing for the "transition"! I know that Sydney is, she's been amazing during her "halo" period. Please pray that her back will begin to heal and that her transition out of the halo will  be yet another blessing!

In Christ,
Sandy

Happy Birthday Sydney!

Happy Birthday Haley!

I have finally taken the time to get the pictures from camera to computer! Here are a few from my Haley girl's 10th birthday!

Someone to remember...

As we prepare to celebrate Sydney's 8th birthday, I'm reminded of her birth mother and the sacrifice she made for Sydney. Some people are so quick to jump to conclusions regarding birth mothers..."how could they abandon their child?". Yes, indeed Sydney was "abandoned". Her "finding" date was February 19th, 2004.She was found in the early morning hours of a small, very rural village in Duyun, China. We don't really know Sydney's date of birth, only God and her 1st mother know. I'm sure that she thinks of her often especially on her birthday. It was estimated by "authorities" that she was about 10 days old, thus assigning her a "birth date" of February 9th. Lest you think that her mother was some uncaring soul that just left her baby, think again....Long before I became Sydney's mother, long before any of you who have come to know and love her, long before we loved her, her 1st mother loved her. She sacrificed, she risked everything in "leaving" Sydney. In leaving Sydney she risked her very life so that Sydney would at least have a chance.

Sydney also has a 2nd mother, Mama. Mama was Sydney's foster mother for much of her young life. Sydney was in an orphanage for a few months and was then placed in Mama's loving care until she came home with us. Mama loved Sydney, that was apparent to anyone.  I'm sure that she thinks of her everyday and especially today.

Join me today in not only celebrating Sydney's birthday but in praying for her 1st  and 2nd mothers, wherever they are. Pray that the Lord will reveal Himself to them and that they would come to know Christ as Lord and Savior.

God has had His gracious and Sovereign hand on Sydney all along, give Him praise for that.


In Christ,
Sandy

Birds in the Wilderness: The halo.....

 is still on, but overall Sydney's Drs were very pleased with her recovery but there just isn't enough bone regrowth to safely remove the halo...She'll go back in march for a CT scan and follow up - maybe then?

In Christ,
Sandy

Please keep Sydney in your prayers today.  We go back to Cincinnati Children's for her check-up.  Hopefully they will give us an idea about getting the halo off.  She is doing great and has not complained one time about her condition.  I think we could all learn something from her , "Do all things without grumbling or disputing" (Philippians 2:14).  We praise the Lord for her continued improvements and pray He will keep His hand on her.  It's in your hands Lord. "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." (Ps 20:7)

Thank you for all of your prayers and support!

In Christ,

Chad

"...while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

Happy Birthday Cole!

Hope you had a Merry Christmas!

Christmas 2011

1st day home

 

Coming home! December 23rd 2006

"Gotcha" Day 2006

December 10th 2006 ( a look back)

We had a great day today sightseeing in Beijing. Here is a picture of our group from our adoption agency (AHH) on the Great Wall. It is hard to believe that we were able to not only see, but climb one of the wonders of the world. It was definitely a steep climb. Willie, Neil, Cole and I went up to the first guard station and it was a challenge.

These pictures don't even capture how steep these steps actually are. I was very proud of Cole and Neil for climbing as high as we did.
Earlier in the day we went to a jade factory and learned how to choose the different grades of jade. There was some beautiful pieces in the shop, but most were out of our price range, plus we didn't want to lug around a bunch of heavy jade for the next two weeks.
After we left the jade factory we went to eat at an authentic Chinese restaurant. The food was very good. As you can see from the picture, it was served family style, which is fine, but they gave us plates the size of small saucers. So I had about 20 servings.
Fish heads anyone??
We had some interesting bus trips through the City. You would not believe the way traffic is here in Beijing. Cars, bikes, pedestrians, mopeds, scooters, buses, trucks--all serving in and out of traffic at their will. Suprisingly not too much road rage, just a few horn honks here and there. There were several times when I saw two cars side by side in the same lane!!
Beijing is a bustling and growing city. There is construction everywhere, especially with the Olympics coming in 2008. That should be very interesting. The people of China are very hospitable to foreigners . They are very fascinated by the kids, because they look so different than the children here.

Praise God!

PT has been placed on hold until the halo comes off! No brace, no heel lift, no walker, no e-stim. The wheelchair has been parked! Here are a few pictures from the Christmas Play. With love and prayers.

In Christ,

Sandy

Another praise!

The leg brace is off! Real shoes again! Pretty exciting stuff....Praise God!

In Christ,
Sandy

2 down...

for now Syd's down to 1 therapy per week, starting next week. OT is officially on hold until the halo comes off. PT has decreased to 1 time per week at least until January when she has her reevaluation. Praise the Lord!


In Christ,
Sandy

Weekly therapy update...

Therapy is going well...Syd continues to improve. She's only using the wheelchair for school work and mealtimes, otherwise she uses the walker. Her therapists are both VERY happy about this! OT will probably put her therapy on hold until the halo comes off (whenever that is), as she has met all of her goals for OT. Praise the Lord!

Love and prayers.


In Christ,
Sandy

Still too soon....

Syd's appt. went well. Xrays "look good". But still too early to give any estimates. I think they were very pleased with her progress especially considering that last time she could barely move her toes on the right. So - not much to talk about - she'll go back in six weeks for another follow up. Thanks for your prayers today!

In Christ,
Sandy

Therapy went very well this week! Praise the Lord! Both PT and OT are very pleased with Syd's progress up to this point. As of today Syd can remove her brace during the day, she'll only need it when walking (for now). A few therapies have been increased. One in particular is very hard but she's able to do it! Again - praise the Lord. So now we're waiting for the follow up appt. with Neuro and Ortho next week. Hopefully they can give us a better estimate as to when the halo can come off. In the meantime please continue to keep Sydney and our family in your prayers.


With love and prayers.

In Christ,
Sandy

Your Weekly Update.....

After a few days of regression on the right side....we seem to be back on track. The therapist said there would be fluctuations but after days of continued improvement it was hard to see the loss of function again. She was still able to wiggle her toes however which is always a good thing. So like I said before - it seems that we are back on track. Therapy has been good this week. Both PT and OT have  increased some therapies and added extra resistance as they were becoming too easy. As always your prayers are so appreciated. And  thank you for the cards and gifts that keep coming Sydney's way:)

With love and prayers that you know Christ....

In Him,
Sandy

A little velcro and a whole lot of love.....

thank you :)

The 1st tooth!

Sydney lost her 1st tooth today! I really hope this doesn't turn into a competition to lose as many teeth as JC.....

Per request....

Sydney is doing fine! Very well as a matter of fact. Not really anything new to report. She is still at Cardinal Hill on Mondays and Thursdays and doing therapy at home the remainder of the week. She doesn't have another appt. at CCH until November, she'll see Neuro and Ortho that day. She'll  have spinal xrays as well. Maybe this time they can give us an estimate as to when she can have the halo removed. I really think she'd be walking on her own if she didn't have the halo...but she NEEDS the halo right now. We don't want it off too soon.

Love and prayers...

In Christ,
Sandy

Grace abounds!

Sydney has had some MAJOR improvements today! She can do heel/knee lifts on her own. This is huge! Praise God!

In Christ,
Sandy

More......

praises to God! Sydney has been doing GREAT! Moving her toes, feet, and legs! She continues to improve everyday! We are so very grateful for all of the healing that God has provided! Thank you all so very much for your prayers.....

In Christ,
Sandy

It's official......

JC has given up (LOST) his title as UNO professional. I think that Sydney won every single game today. I even found some cards under the table - apparently he can't even win by cheating......

A Praise!

Sydney has progressed by leaps and bounds in the last few days! Her PT was VERY excited! She can wiggle her toes (most of the time) and is taking actual steps. She has also gained a lot of upper body strength. Thank you so much for your continued prayers, love, and support. Thank the Lord for everything that He is doing!

In Christ,
Sandy

Day one

Sydney's 1st official day of outpatient rehab went very well! Today she worked on getting out of her chair and standing. She also brought home a walker. So later this afternoon we'll work on that. We'll also continue to do therapy here at home in between visits. Her PT gave her much of the same advice that I have been giving her - prayerfully she'll be more motivated to work hard. Please continue to keep us in your prayers.

To our wonderful "meal ministry" - thank you! It's been a blessing!

Love and prayers......


In Christ,
Sandy

Schedule....

PT 2x/week (Mondays and Thursdays)
OT 1x/week (Mondays) OT will increase therapy after the halo is removed

1st appointment.....

went well! Syd had xrays then met with her neuro and ortho surgeons. They said the xrays "looked good". Sydney was able to wiggle her toes on the right side (very slightly) but something - Praise God! They won't need to see her again until November. They said it was too early to give any estimates on the halo time. Prayerfully she'll be scheduled for rehab next week. Her next follow up appt is with her Rehab docs at  Cincinnati (in October). Quite a change of pace from the last several weeks! I'll take it!Thank you for your continued love and prayers. The care we've received has been amazing. New blessings everyday! For all of you that have brought food,or money, or a kind word this week - thank you so much! Love and prayers to everyone. Please continue to keep Sydney in your prayers, pray that she will be motivated to work hard. Most importantly thank God for everything that He has already done - to Him be the glory!

In Christ,
Sandy