Picture Blog: Home Life

I don't have the energy or time to sit down and write a blog so this week we have a picture blog. Just a quick update: All of Gabe's blood work, genetic testing, and stool samples came back normal. Praise Jesus!

Prayer request: We've been trying to et Gabe's insurance started but we received a denial letter in the mail this week. It was denied due to a mistake on their part, but apparently that doesn't matter and we still had to file an appeal which can take 90 days. I had to cancel his important appointments, the ones that take months to get into. We can't start therapy or do anything until we get this figured out.  Meanwhile, we have doctor bills rolling in from the appointments we already had that we thought would be covered. Please pray that the appeal will not take 90 days and that  Gabe will have insurance soon. Thank you, friends. We love you!

 Gabe has recently found his eyes and has been pressing on them. I blame the eye drops.

                                         Gabe loves you!

                                            His thumbs pretty much stay soggy all the time!

                                           Big sister love.

                                           Cooper Dog Sloan

                           Gabe is touching and feeling the grass on  purpose. This is huge!

                                          These are blurry but so good! Daddy is the best!

                                               Don't worry, it's not as hight as it looks.

                                            Another day, another window to climb.

 I think this face is so funny. I was trying to get a good pic of his t-shirt but this is the best I could do.

Bethel Part 2

Well, Abby let me know that I need to write another blog. There is just no time! I am busy with Gabe all day long and during his nap time I try do do all the housework that needs to be done. It is very much like having a baby. He needs to be entertained, I can't turn on a cartoon for him to watch while I get stuff done,  he doesn't really care for toys, and he won't walk around on his own much at all.  Whew! Toddlers are exhausting, but I wouldn't change a thing!

So, this is Part 2 of our Bethel visit. Enjoy these pictures, and don't miss the special little guy at the end.

                                 
                                         Play time

                                         Gabe wasn't into it.

The Bethel mamas. they were so sweet, you can see the love.

This is Yong Qiao (Charlie), there is just something about him. I LOVE him! I have always loved him from the very first time I saw him. How adorable is he!? We got to see him briefly while we were visiting Bethel and he was just giggling away and so happy.....and he needs a family! If you or someone you know might be interested in adopting an adorable 5 year old boy,  just ask me for details on who you can contact for more information. Blindness isn't scary,  these special kids just need a chance to thrive! Check out Bethel China's website to see all the kids that have adoption paperwork ready are waiting for families.

                                 

                                 
                         

Our Day at Bethel

This post will be mostly pictures from our Bethel visit.  This day was the one thing I was most looking forward to on our China trip. I was super nervous just thinking about meeting Gabe in the months leading up to travel, but when the day came I was completely at peace and not at all nervous. This is something I prayed for specifically, God answered that prayer and gave us the most perfect meeting. The entire day was just wonderful. I'm even grateful that we got to see his over tired, over stimulated, just over it, meltdown. That helped us prepare us for what was to come. I'm happy to report that we hardly ever see those now, although he did have one last night, but it was a hard day yesterday.  We've only been home for 20 days, and I think he's doing fantastic!
 And what everybody wants to see.....pictures!

                                           Gabe's crib

                                           The inside of his house

                                         The house Gabe lived in.

When he didn't get his cake fast enough

Thats all for now, There will probably be a part 2 and maybe 3 because I have so may pictures!

Home!

Well, we made it home. The China trip and the overall experience has been the hardest thing we've ever done, but we're making it, and things seem to be getting better. We arrived home on March 31st, that super long day of travel just about did us in. Three flights, four airports, layovers, customs, immigration, security, baggage claims and rechecks,  all with a miserable toddler that refused to ride in a stroller. EXHAUSTING! Mike and I agree that we never want to travel again!

When we arrived in China on March 17th we were so tired we went to sleep at 7:00 pm, and then slept terribly due to jet lag. The next day we went to visit Bethel and see Gabe in his comfortable environment. That day was by far the highlight of our trip! Just one day did not seem like enough time. I loved getting to see all the kids in person and they were all so precious. We were so thankful to have that time to see our "real" child. Gabe was so happy all day until he missed his nap and then he cried until he fell asleep. I know that happy little guy is in there and we've started to see glimpses of his true personality more the last couple days. He's started to sleep better the last two nights which helps make everybody happier. So much change for our little guy and on top of all the change, he's blind and nonverbal. It definitely makes the situation more traumatic for him, and tricky for us to figure out his needs.

I have so many pictures from our visit at Bethel! I'll have to do a post of just pictures. For now here is a few from gotcha day and after.

Thank you all again for loving and sporting us. The real journey is just beginning!