Perfect Weekend!

This weekend, amid the business of dossier paperwork, we took a break for a family trip.  We went to Chain O Lakes on Saturday afternoon to hike, play, and enjoy the beautiful fall colors.  The weather was a little crisp, but we still had a great time.  Liam loved exploring nature and found many treasures.  Daisy walked all the way around the lake.  She is such a good dog.  She found many new scents.  Dave and I enjoyed reminiscing about the time we came when we were just dating - (we hiked, ate hot dogs from the grill, and danced in the headlights of the car).  We have decided to make this an annual event.
After going to Chain O Lakes, we came home and ate hot dogs and beans (Liam's request) and then made a fire in the fire pit.  We roasted marshmallows and Liam ate his very first s'more.  We then all took baths/showers (even Daisy), threw our clothes straight into the wash, and snuggled on the couch before going to bed.  It was a perfect fall day!

Liam playing at the park with Dad.

It's a good thing we didn't touch this... poison ivy

We wore Daisy out - it was long hike for a little dog

Adoption Update & Other Family News

Dave and I have not been looking at timelines for this adoption.  We just do what we're told to do next and then wait.  We decided that we'll go to China when we're meant to and we will enjoy the process.  When people ask me when we are going, I answer, "Sometime next spring or summer."  We have yet to receive a referral, but our dossier will be sent to our social worker on Monday.  Those of you who have been through the process may know where we are based on that.  I'm guessing we still have between six to nine months left.  We have been in the program for 26 weeks now.  Here's our status thus far.  Some things happen simultaneously, so we just cross things off the list as they get done.

Status	Date	My Adoption Event
	4/10/12	APPLICATION RECEIVED
	7/17/12	APPLICATION COMPLETED
	8/6/12	ADOPTION STUDY APPROVED
		I-600A CIS APPROVAL
		I-600A CIS EXPIRATION DATE
		I-600A CIS FINGERPRINT EXPIRATION DATE
	8/24/12	I-800A NOTICE REC’D BY NBC
		I-800A APPROVAL
		I-800A + F-PRINT EXPIRATION
		I-800 PROVISIONAL APPROVAL REC’D
		COUNTRY PRE-APPROVAL RECEIVED
		DOSSIER I TO COUNTRY
		CHILD REFERRAL RECEIVED
		CHILD REFERRAL ACCEPTANCE COMPLETED
		ADOPTIVE PLACEMENT

Last Friday we went to Indianapolis to get fingerprints as part of our I-800A.  Since we were going down for the day, we decided to make a family trip out of it.  We had lunch with family friends, went the Indianapolis Children's Museum with Liam, and then had dinner with my dad.  It was a fun day!  Our actual appointment at USCIS was only ten minutes long.  That included security.  Here are some of the highlights...

digging for dinosaurs

 

riding the train (Ellen Milligan and her grandson Grant joined us at the museum).

Ellen with both boys

Dave posing with Payton Manning

future Indy car driver

hotwheels exhibit

playing with Thomas the tank engine and making new friends

Liam, "Well, I want to use bue dad."

Liam making a masterpiece

"Wook at that!"

stinker face!

Liam, dad, and the yion on the carousel

the boys were fascinated by the ball ramps

Liam loved the water exhibit

checking out frogs and fish

Liam enjoyed the plane ride to Egypt

catching a crocodile

Liam had fun playing with Papa Hart

Adoption Grant Update

I am overwhelmed with the generosity people have shown us!  It is humbling to ask for money, but in asking for help, we have seen the work of Christ in action.  Many people have expressed that they are grateful to help in our process to bring home our daughter.  Those who have not been able to help financially have helped with their time and talents.  They have been Christ's hands.  We are so very grateful.  THANK YOU to everyone who has supported us through prayer, made a financial donation, or has helped with one of our fundraisers.  We appreciate your help more than we can adequately say in words.  
Here's the update on our matching grant thus far.  We have one more week to raise money, and are about 2/3 to our goal.
Monetary Donations - $1,650
Lasagna Dinner Fundraiser - $1,668
Matching Grant - $3,318
Total Funds Raised - $6,636

Update on Liam's Heart

Today, Liam had his 6 month checkup on his heart.  Overall, things are stable and no surgical or medical intervention is needed.  Praise the Lord!  There are four areas of concern in Liam's heart.  Here are the results from today's checkup...

fluid around his heart - The fluid around Liam's heart, which was a concern the last two times we went to the doctor, is now minimal.  It has decreased on its own without intervention. Now we know that his heart should heal itself when fluid develops due to viral infections. It's just a long process.  Liam had the stomach flu in January, which created the fluid.  His body took until now to heal it.  It is impossible to keep him away from all viral infections, but sometimes I wish I could. 

fused left Ventricle Valve - (two of the three parts of the valve are fused together, creating leakage and a murmur).  There is no change in his valve.  I was able to listen to the sound his murmur makes.  Liam's heart has an extra swooshing sound between beats.  It almost sounds like air whistling through his chest between beats.  The leakage is minor enough that nothing should need to be done for a while, if ever.

hole between upper two chambers- We're still hoping that the hole heals itself by the time Liam is 4.  It is still measuring the same size.

coarctation of the aorta - The main aorta that leads to the heart is narrowed.  Last time we went in it was at a count of 13.  The narrowing has increased and is now at 20.  This number is likely to fluctuate due to growth spurts.  Should the number reach 40, then we have reason to be concerned.  If the number rises past 50, surgical intervention will be needed.  So, our hope is that his number decreases or stays the same at the next checkup.  This narrowing can also cause poor circulation.  Liam's limbs seem to be getting enough blood flow.

Liam is such a brave little boy!  I am always so proud of him at our doctor's visits.  I know God will use these experiences to shape him into a man of character and strength.