in all thy ways acknowlege Him

"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

Matthew 21:22

And that's exactly what we did. All of us. His body on earth.

We believed. We received.

First, the ENT's office. Kai and I arrived about 45 minutes early. I hadn't sat down to fill out paperwork before they were already calling us in. I love this doctor! What a kind man. He asked about my drive up, whether or not I had gotten lost and of course, the reason why we were there, about how Kai was doing. He looked in his mouth, played with him a bit, looked in his ears, and allowed Kai to examine his mouth and ears. After Kai's examination the doctor turned to me and said, "Mom, I think he's doing great! Everything looks exactly as it should. His breathing sounds perfect. How about coming back in six months?" I quietly whispered to my God, "Thank you, Jesus!" "In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:6

Oh yea, my God rocks and he his setting our paths straight. Straight to Dr. Hero's office where we found ourselves sitting 15 minutes later.

Kai made himself at home as he leaned back in the little recliner provided for kids, with his feet propped up watching Handy Manny on the flat screen TV in front of him. Life is good being four, you know.

A few minutes later we were called in. As I walked past Dr. Hero's office to the examining room, I noticed right next to his desk, the plaque we had given him hanging on the wall. That warmed my heart.

Kai was weighed in the room and again, a huge praise to our King....he now weighs a whopping 32 pounds!!! He's gained four pounds since he was first admitted on March 10. That's huge for a little boy that's taken a year to gain two pounds. We still see some ribs and bones, but there's no doubt, we're getting there!

Kai and I sat in the examining room reading The Little Mermaid while we waited for Dr. Hero to make his entrance. Just as we finished the book, he entered the room. Of course, as always, he greeted us with an exuberant welcome.

Then we got down to business.

I told him about Kai still de-sat'ing one or two times a night, mostly 88 - 90. He said he thought that was pretty insignificant (another praise to the King!) but that he still recommended we take Kai in for a complete sleep study in about 4-6 weeks.

During our talk, Kai had been on the floor playing with his Spiderman figure. Dr. Hero scooped him up and put him on the examining table. Dr. Hero asked Kai to open wide, which Kai eagerly complied with. "His stitches are healed and he looks great!", was the response from Dr. Hero.

We chit-chatted for a little bit afterwards about what future procedures Kai will be needing in regards to his cleft palate; i.e. bone graft, possible orthognathic (corrective jaw) surgery, long-term speech therapy, etc. We are by no means done, but we are well on our way to that straight path. And we know it's because God allowed this to happen and because of the many, many people praying for our boy. After agreeing to return in four months for a follow-up and another round of hugs and kisses, we were on our way.

Prior to leaving to Orlando, I had arranged a very special meeting with a very special little boy, Isaac. I 'met' Isaac's Mommy, Gretchen, when I received an email from her over two years ago as we prepared to bring home Anna Grace. She was using the same agency we used to bring home Kai and was in the DTC group prior to my sister's, August 2006.

While waiting for their NSN baby to come home, God moved their hearts to special needs. One day, I received a phone call from Gretchen telling me they were reviewing the file of a little boy with cleft lip and palate. She wanted to know about my experience with Kai and also about cleft doctors. She just happened to live in Orlando. Of course, I raved about Dr. Hero.

Six months ago, this absolutely, scrumptious little man came home to his forever family. I was honored and blessed to meet him and his Mama yesterday.

I don't have to tell you guys how my heart just shrivels up and melts into a puddle over cleft babies. Meeting sweet Isaac yesterday was absolutely no exception. He's 20 months old and has a humongous personality. Just cute as a button.! Kai greeted him by saying, "Look Mama! He's Chinese. Just like me!" heh.

I admit, it's a good thing his Mama was keeping a good eye on him, because I may have just snagged that little man and stuffed him in my bag, only to come home and say to Scott, "Hey! Look what Kai was a given as a gift at the doctor's office!" Ahem. Do you think he'd believe me? Probably not, huh?

And the best part? This little man has an auntie that lives the next town over from us. About a 15 minute drive. So, I know it won't be the last time we see him!

Gretchen, again, thank you for taking the time to meet up with us. We were completely blessed. FYI. I did give Scott a heads up that we'll be seeing you soon and he better guard his heart cause otherwise it will be stolen.

Thank you all for your prayers. I believe we've reached the end of this chapter. Please take a moment to acknowledge our God for His perfect will being the answer to our prayers. He is so worthy of praise!

Here are some pictures from yesterday's trip and from our little play date. Please excuse the terrible quality of the pictures. Not only was the lighting bad, but I didn't take my all incredible and amazing Canon, but instead took my old, not-worthy-of carrying, simple HP point and shoot.

I took this while driving up. The sun rising over the fog. Only God could create such beauty!

"But Mama, why don't you take just one bite!!!"

Is that an adorable little face or what? I love the hair, too!

Working hard on figuring out how to take the screws out of the bench.

Finally meeting another online buddy! I love these moments!



"Mama, pleeeeeease, can we keep him?"

P.S. DON'T FORGET TO CHECK BACK ABOUT THE DETAILS FOR THE UPCOMING GIVEAWAY!!!!