Just wanted to let you all know that we had Josie's yearly cardiology check up today....it was good news!

Here's the low down:
-she still has a hole(VSD) and a very loud murmur, and it hasn't changed since last year.
-in 90% of cases with kids born with this, the hole will close on its own by age one.
-since her's hasn't yet, it probably won't.
-the left side of her heart is still bigger than the right, but hasn't grown any larger since last year.
-there isn't any damage to her aortic valve, which they've been watching
-since she's growing well and doesn't have any symptoms, we just need to recheck in 2 years.
-will she ever need surgery? hopefully not.

So for now, we're grateful that she's healthy and that such a small hole put her on a list where we could find her.
Plus, I really think Jesus filled that hole for her already:)

Mommy's 40....

What??? ok, i'm really NOT into numbers, really, it's just a number...but i have to admit it stung, a little. and the kids thought they were hilarious buying me reading glasses, gas-x, metamucil...it was worth it just too see how much they laughed as i opened my presents:)...little stinkers!

First Day of School

All 4 of my kids started school...Camdyn in 5th, Charlie in 3rd, Jacob in 7th and little Josie is going to preschool 2 days a week. So far, so good:)

Happy 3rd Birthday!!

I remember a year ago, we all sang to Josie as she blankly stared at us.

Well, this year she celebrated not only with her brother and sisters, but with all of her grandparents and 10 cousins. She opened presents with all the 'ahhh-oooohs' and sang 'Happy Birthday to me' along with us, blew out her candles on her Dora cake...then took a trip to BuildaBear. It was a great day!!!!

Happy One Year, Josie!!

One year ago today we walked into an office building on the other side of the world and met a very overwhelmed, scared little girl....

so tiny, so quiet

but so brave

looking back, this year has been nothing short of a miracle.

Josie is a smart, loving, very typical almost 3 year old.....

you would think that she has been the one that has been blessed and changed,

but in reality, we know who the lucky ones really are!

Josie, Happy one Year in our family!

We can't imagine our lives without you!

Jacob's Confirmation

our life in pictures

our first Chinese New Year

the zoo, where when seeing most animals she said 'i don't like it'

jacob turned 12!

camdyn turned 10!

easter...

spring break...

guess who finally got a big girl bed?

we've been busy and loving life with Josie! she continues to crack us up and is a very typical 2 year old, which we love:)

a few favorite pics

lazy days are my favorite!

i seem to always put my kids on our stairs to take pictures...i think because everyone has less room to escape:)




the girls helping with Thanksgiving cooking!Camdyn and Charlie convinced Josie to wear some boots.....


but her favorite choice is always flip flops....usually without the socks....




my kids are all about 'forts' in fact over Thanksgiving week they built one in the playroom and slept there all week. Grandma just gave Josie a tent, but it's already been taken over by the older girls:)