New Years and Red Threads on Red Threads

Exactly two years ago, we celebrated our New Years with what we still affectionately call our "press release." (You can read that here, if you're feeling nostalgic.) We announced to our friends and family our intentions to adopt our first child from China, and although we had no idea of an exact timeline we had hoped and prayed that we would be home with our son or daughter by the end of 2016. Lo and behold, that proved to be true by more than six months!

This post isn't a recap of our adoption process, or a rehash of our 2016--I think we can all agree there are a lot of those floating around and I have no desire to add to that list. However, one thing that I was remiss in showing in its completion was the puzzle piece fundraiser you all so generously donated to in our effort to bring Jordan home. If you want to see it in person, hanging in Jordan's room--and in color--to see where your name is, come on over! Otherwise, here is a photo I took in black and white before we get it framed. (We're very pleased with how it turned out by the way; I was very concerned that the majority of your names or words would be upside down, but they weren't!) I realize it's a little hard to read in the gray scale, but I've never been one to appreciate having my name splashed all over a donation or the internet without forewarning so we kind of made that the rule here too. Plus, again, this gives you a reason to stop on by the house to find your name(s) (and maybe a reason for me to clean it before you come).

You may be wondering though...this looks like the back of the puzzle? You'd be correct. The front of the puzzle looks like this--originally we had an orange one but due to some (ahem) technical difficulties we had to change to the other one we had--which is gray. All 252 pieces were "sold" and have a name, bible verse, or specific wording on the back. The frame will be double sided, so while we will probably display with all the names for Jordan to read some day, he will also be able to choose to view the true meaning of everyone's contribution. Family.
Jiātíng. You helped us build ours, and we're forever grateful, but you also helped a little boy connect with his forever family, which he will also be able to remember for the rest of his life. 

An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstance. The thread may stretch of tangle, but will never break. --Chinese proverb

So where does that bring us for 2017? Well, we aren't sure. But maybe you noticed the new little Jordan at the top of the blog holding up a red heart balloon. He's pretty cute, don't you think? I have an awesome sister who does all sorts of graphic stuff for me...but especially when it comes to her future niece/nephew. We know that this next year will be different and some parts harder than others--but can't you say that about any year? What we do know is this: we have hope. We have hope that we'll have answers to a lot of health questions in the next few months. We have hope that Jordan will continue his good health. And maybe most of all, we are hoping that there is another red thread out there, connecting us with a little sister or brother for Jordan. We've been on the waiting child list since about a month or so after we got home (so almost seven months now), and specifically for another heart baby. We are hoping for a match yet within 2017, with possible travel in 2018. That may sound incredibly far away, but remember, it was only two years ago that we announced our intentions for adopting a child who was not yet even born. 

So right now, please join us in our hope for 2017. And pray with us that God will provide as he sees fit. Health, timing, and finances--and especially financially since we will be starting at basically ground zero. As we've been reminded though, throughout the past two years, God's providence is unwavering. He has provided and will provide, as He sees fit for our needs. And join us in praying for our future daughter or son--Jordan's sister or brother (and let's be honest, this kid NEEDS a sibling), who may already be born yet and facing medical needs we have no way of helping at this time.

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3: 20-21

Peace on Earth, Good Will to Men

Merry Christmas from the Tanii! Christmas cards may or may not be coming. It's been a hectic month or three. Can you believe that two years ago we told our families at Christmas that we were beginning the adoption process? Maybe it seemed like it dragged at times, but Jordan is definitely here now, even if sometimes we still can't believe it.

i heard the bells on christmas day 
their old familiar carols play 
and wild and sweet 
the words repeat 
of peace on earth goodwill to men

I've always loved learning the history to some of the more popular hymns. This year especially, I can't help but think of the song I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day. It's a popular story, and so you can tune out the next few sentences if you want. Based on a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, it was written after the death of his wife and a serious injury to his son during the height of the Civil War and later revised and set to music in the 1870s, which was the traditional lyrics and tune that is still sung in most churches today. I personally happen to like both of these versions (below) a tad better, each for a different reason. The melody we are familiar with in our hymnals always seems too bright and cheery, especially considering the words to the second verse.

and in despair I bowed my head 

"there is no peace on earth" I said 

for hate is strong 

and mocks the song 

of peace on earth goodwill to men 

There have been hospital stays, tests, unexpected health issues, job concerns, deaths in the family, etc. But I can't limit it to just our own family of three, or even our extended family. Even this Thanksgiving and Christmas have been different as we have spent the majority of the two holidays with just the three of us home, keeping Jet as healthy as possible. However, it would be unfair to consider that the world revolves around our little family. The world gets smaller every day I've heard--truer words have never been spoken. There's been political divisiveness, racial tension, terrorist attacks. There's the refugee situation in Europe, the ongoing crisis in Aleppo. There's the persecution of Christians by ISIS. I think our friend Henry would probably come up with the same words in 2016 as he did in the 1860s.

When we first brought Jordan home, his pediatrician wanted us to check his hearing because sometimes heart defects and hearing loss go hand-in-hand. Actually, we never followed through with the referral because it soon became clear to us there was absolutely no problem with his ears. We live within walking distance to four different churches, so depending on the distance from our home, we are able to hear them every hour, half hour, or quarter hour every day, and usually Jordan is the one to point them out whether we are inside or out (although you ask him to pick up his toys and he can't hear you at all...). We hear them in the hospital chapel, or from the storefront bell ringers. Jordan has an obsession with them...but nothing was quite as exciting as our first snow this year and hearing the bells. You have to admit there is something magical about snow falling and church bells ringing.

then pealed the bells more loud and deep 

"God is not dead nor does He sleep" 

the wrong shall fail 

the right prevail 

with peace on earth goodwill to men

Like I mentioned in in our last post, it's all about perspective. In the grand scheme of things, we have no reason to complain and every reason to be thankful. And so I'll share some of the things that have brought us peace, joy, and hope this year and Christmas season. Many of Jordan's doctors and nurses have asked to pray for or with us before or after a procedure or test. I don't know about you, but that's not something I expect anymore. Friends and family coming around us during a crisis--hospital visits, meals, etc. Having Jordan open presents and saying "thank you" (or his equivalent of a Chinese/English Xie Xie/Thank You) without being prompted--parenting win although that should really be credited to his Morning Star Family. Having family understand that things are different for us right now, and with no questions asked dropping everything to drive down to help or rearranging their schedules to accommodate us. Knowing that Jordan's a healthy boy who just needs a little "maintenance" (and really, don't we all?) Maybe most of all--having our son, who has only known us for six months, give big hugs and I love yous when one of us comes home. I'll take that Christmas gift. 

Recently, I purchased this as a reminder to us. It reads If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.--Mother Theresa. This is not my house by the way--not even close; when I say I recently purchased this I mean two days ago and it just shipped yesterday. You can buy this (along with many other fun items) here. But I think the lyrics "the wrong shall fail, the right prevail" can only start at home. So hopefully, we will pass on goodwill and peace toward men as we go along at this crazy thing called parenting, and maybe you can join us in our endeavors. Looking forward to this New Year coming soon and everything it brings! 

Merry Christmas again from the Tanii. Love to you all! 

-Derek, Mary, and Jet/Jordan/Jo

Perspective

In case you've missed it, Jordan's been in the hospital. (Newsflash!)  Hopefully and most likely he will be coming home tomorrow, provided he can maintain his current oxygen levels on his own without any supplemental. I'm not going to sugarcoat it...this is the fourth time we've dealt with this since August, but by far probably the scariest and the first time he's had to be admitted for it. (To be fair, one other time they wanted to admit him but we said it was unnecessary because we knew what prescriptions he needed and what they were giving. Since we're experts and all.)  And to continue this honesty train, we are growing quite tired of it.

Do you know his typical diagnosis for these breathing issues is the common cold? Something that for you and I is just an annoyance or aggravation is quite serious for Jordan. It's not something that we take lightly or that we joke about (much--we do call him a Special Snowflake, but it's all in love--and he's our special snowflake). We're to the point though that if he gets a runny nose, we immediately start our albuterol and have a game plan in place for the next day (or that day, since it is usually 3am).

Typically, the conversation is something like this:

Me: What meetings do you have tomorrow?

Derek: I am free between x and y, and would like to try to be at meeting at z.

Me: Ok. I have an appt at qrs but that can be rescheduled. I'll call triage if it gets worse or I'll wait 'til the peds office opens to see if they'll let us bypass ER this time. I'll text you with what I find out. 

And scene. Back to bed. 

This time, we did get the appointment with the pediatrician, and when we woke up I gave him his prescribed treatment of Pulmicort (twice daily to coat those special lungs). Unfortunately, it didn't help and he got significantly worse--enough that I decided 911 would be wisest thing to do as I can't drive and monitor the backseat no matter how close we live to the hospital (less than five minutes). To summarize, we were admitted within forty five minutes of arriving at the ER and Jordan was given oxygen support as well as his normal breathing treatments (plus albuterol). AND still his oxygen hovered high 80s with 40-60 breaths per minute, while dropping into the 70s when he was upset (and by upset, I actually just mean plain angry). 

Now, I know to some of you that seems super serious. And it could be, or could have been. After all, if this is what the common cold does, what would pneumonia or viral bronchitis or any number of more serious lung issues do to him? We know with 99% certainty that his pulmonary hypertension is the cause of this and we could see a significant decrease in these episodes once the required surgery is done. However, at this time, there are other contributing factors as to why that surgery has not been scheduled. (For example, the mitral valve repair will be more in depth than originally planned, and an unrelated issue regarding placing leads for a pacemaker needs to be solved first.) 

And yes, this was serious, and scary, and as previously stated, getting old fast. But this past week has put some perspective on that. I mentioned somewhere (facebook? Insta? It all runs together...) that this week has been full of ups and downs. For example, a precious little girl, one of J's "sisters" in China, that we very seriously considered submitting for earlier this week but did not, passed away just a few days ago--the very day another family submitted their letter of intent to adopt her--due to her own heart issues, only one week after her file made it to the USA. Other siblings of Jordan's from his foster home are no longer with us, with their hearts healed and whole with Jesus. 

So in reality, what do we have to complain about? Oh goodness, how terrible to live five minutes from the best children's hospital outside Chicago? And an ambulance makes it just that much faster. Oh stars, Jordan's oxygen is in the 80s! Listen, there are heart moms out there that would love for their kids to hit sats of 50. Or even 40. What? We have to wait indefinitely for Jordan's surgery? How inconvenient. We can't schedule our vacation until we know that. There are families who go to sleep every night, wondering if their child will ever qualify for surgery, or if surgery will be able to be done "in time"...or even wake up the next morning. This is not for dramatics, friends. This is real. 

We are blessed. We don't always act like it or show it. I will be the first to admit my frustrations over the past few days haven't been a Christ-like reflection. Our son is healthy and happy. His lungs just work a little harder sometimes, and we have to be extra careful with colds and teething and other aggravations to them, but they are fixable. This is not to say we won't be having a conversation with Jordan's doctor to see what or if something can be done sooner. But we can be patient. (I've been told it's a Fruit of the Spirit...as is self-control...which I did not point out. This is called irony, my friends.) We can be understanding. We can accept answers we may not want to hear...because we all want what's best for Jordan. 

Tonight, before I left the hospital, we snapped a picture of one of our favorite books we read to Jordan. He knows it well enough to "read" it himself by now as it's part of our bedtime routine. It's called The Story I'll Tell, and I'm sure I've talked about it before. It tells the story of a family adopting a little boy from China, and the different, adventurous ways they explain how he came home...ending with the truth, because--as the book says--that's a beautiful story too. It also doesn't gloss over the trauma of adoption, and since Jordan can't actually read we improvise some of the ending about his homecoming (see here). I cannot recommend this book highly enough, especially because there are so few books written about boys' adoptions from China. But we know that it's not enough to tell him his history. And right now, there are three verses that come to mind. I know some people claim a life verse, but I tend to go with situational. Life changes too frequently. Right now, it's these:

I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 

*This is why we read, study, and memorize God's word. 

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

*God is God. I am not. Plain and simple. 

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one....And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. Deut. 6: 4, 6-7

*This. This is our task. It is our responsibility to teach Jordan his heritage, to tell him the story of his birth and adoption. But ultimately it's our responsibility to pass on our faith, his heavenly heritage: the story of God's adoption of us with the hope that someday Jordan will embrace that as his own--doubly adopted.  Jordan is little, and doesn't always understand, but he is watching us and our reactions. That's something to keep in our peripheral as we proceed in the future. To remember that, in our earthly perspective, in the scheme of things? These little blips? To check our reactions. People are watching us. And we are thankful for our healthy son, who just needs some extra help sometimes.