Good doctors can be wrong

She took two steps without assistance... he said, "she'll never walk"

Hoot's BEST buddie left this morning. He prayed for new friends to come today. We are so blessed a new group came and they brought BIG brothers (geges)

Yes they went swimming. It was freezing, but they begged. what could we say. it's been all about the babies so we gave in. They are the Polar Bear club of Guangzhou.

Yes... those are chopsticks and she IS feeding herself. I can't even use chopsticks and my hands work great. she is one determined little ball of fire.

I know some of these photos are so blurry,but they're just so great, I can't help but share.

brother and sister The "best" orthopedic surgeon in China told us Libbie would never walk or feed herself. She is a very determined little STRONG willed child. She is completely opposite of her brother... not afraid of anything and very independant. She shows us another layer of herself each day, but she is very cautious. She shuts down in public and won't make a sound. She studies everything and watches others carefully. I think she forgot that she doesn't smile at me, becuase this morning she flashed a big smile and then gave me the worst frown...like oh I forgot I don't care for you!!! I have made an effort today to stay back and give her space today. She is more relaxed, but still has meltdowns. When she goes into a fit, nothig will console her. We just sit back and (cover our ears) pray for this hurting child. There is such depth in her eyes.

We had dinner with a couple that is here adopting their 11th child!! They are from Michigan. I would guess they are in their late 50's and they have 5 grandchildren... you know me, I asked "how do you do it?" The daddy answered, "One word...PRAYER" He is s truck driver... He told us to read Psalm 34 when we got home. I brought my bible with me and read it as soon as we got back to our room. I had read it a couple days before we left for China, but it spoke to me in a new way last night. (i didn't remember what it said to be honest) BUT ITS GOOD STUFF... I'm reading everyday for strength. All things are possible through Christ and with him we are mighty in power and limitless in what we can accomplish. Read it today.

Much love from Guangzhou,

The Lamberts PS sorry about the spelling...

Day Four... No Love

the physical therapist gave us great news! The therapist said she has arthrogryposis.. you can read about it here (no hands but ours) google it. The photos look just like our girl.... very encouraging

Owen made a friend from Boston here adopting a younger brother. This boys name is Bowen. they are buddies! they want to swim today. Its too cold, but they are insistant.

We are having a dress made for her at Susans. We had tea... it was NASTEA!! we prefer sweet texas tea!

She and Hoot must be siblings. They LOVE the popcorn. It was Hoots, but she took over and would not share with him. She would turn in a circle to avoid him. She's got her eye on him here.

Daddy is applying lip gloss. If the parts business fails he can work for MAC as a makeup artist.

I offered her chocolate.... so daddy had to comfort her. He is worn out. She won't let him relax. I told him he better get ready for the plane ride home :)

I'm pulling every trick out of my bag and nothing works. I've wooed her with chocolate which I was told she loves... i've given her lip gloss, coloring books, bubbles, food, stickers, playdough, cell phone, movies, games.... my bag is almost empty and she's not budging. I've almost given into the fact that it may not happen here, and that's okay. I don't want to force it and I don't want to try too hard. She will talk if I'm not in the room. Last night she was sitting in Lambert's lap looking in the mirror. I was in the bathroom and he said, Libbie, you are amazing" and she said, "amazing" just as clear as a bell. She has said Baba (daddy) and Gugu (brother)... no mama (me)...

We have met some amazing families here at our hotel and in the park. Last night we met a physical therapist in the playroom and she said Libbie has a tendon issue (I can't think of the name) but that she should have no problems once she has therapy. Is that God or what???

We also met a couple that is good friends with the Chapmans... yes Stephen and Mary Beth!!! The Chapmans are actully their daughters God parents... Amazing family. We met a couple from Sikeston Missouri. We stop in Sikeston every time we go to Indiana. They have a heard of kiddos (i think 6) and we can't wait to meet them at Lamberts next time we go to the farm. Everyone has been so supportive and encouraging. We are loving our stay in Guangzhou and have met some life long friends.

Back to Libbie... AMAZING

We were able to read the commets tonight. thank you for the kind words and prayers. We feel them.. Lambert has come to tears over the comments everyone has posted. I think he's gearing up for a guest post later tonight... he keeps telling me what to post so I told him I would help him later if he wanted to post his thoughts..

So funny... when we were preparing he said these words... I'm not changing her diaper, that would be too weird.. guess who changes ALL her diapers.... that's right. LAMBERT

Were headed to SUBWAY for lunch and were having dinner with a few friends tonight at The Cow and Bridge... We are SOOOO ready for El Toro and plan to have it as soon as we come home. I've never been so hungry for it. However, the KFC and Papa Johns here on the island... ROCKS!

PS please forgive the spelling errors. I am too tired (lazy)to spell check. Not used to using a small laptop.

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. Can't wait to see everyone

Pslm 89:1-2 I will sing of the Lord's great love forever with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. I will declare that your love stands firm forever!

Praising Him in Guangzhou, Love the Lamberts

The hardest decision ever

These photos are terrible... but they're all we have

this is not a smile... it just looks like it could be... trust me it's not.

this is a smile, notice who she's sitting with...

She is very serious

This was the medical office... it's so crowded and smelly... really smelly

i have dreamed about meeting my daughter for over a decade. It has been a journey to say the least. I dealt with RHS (reluctant husband syndrome) switching country programs, changing to the Waiting Child Program delays and then meeting her... When we met Libbie we knew immediately something was terribly wrong. Libbie had multiple special needs on her referral. One was very clear and two others were vague descriptions. We requested additional information, but the answers just never came. Our fears we realized when we looked her little body. I have been crippled by fear these last few days as we have searched for answers. We did not sign the adoption papers. We requested an evaluation by an independent western physician. The following day we went into the city to meet with a reputable orthopedic surgeon. She had x-rays in the morning, then we waited six hours to meet with the doctor. After a two minute exam and review of the x-rays, he diagnosed her. He said her condition was very rare and serious and not correctable. In the next thirty seconds he told us that she will probably never walk without assistance. We have not slept in two days. We have been on the phone at all hours of the night with our agency, Texas Children's International adoption center etc. We have cried until we are numb. we have questioned God as to why we are in this situation and what good could possibly come from this. We don't know have no idea what the future holds or how we will meet her needs. We made our decision together after two excruciating days of grief.

I can talk a big talk about faith, but honestly I have never had to step out in faith. I've never really had to trust in Him. Life has always been pretty easy for me. I've never truly sacrificed. Thoughts raced through my mind about how life will change for us. All the what if's crept in and clouded my vision. Lambert and I kept asking each other, Why us? Why is this happening to us, this isn't fair... at 3:00am one morning, we both said, why not us? It came down to a true matter of faith. we both knew God called us to this child and we knew that we that we were at a cross road. Its funny that recently we have heard several messages at church regarding cross roads. They're in front of us daily... my way or God's way... it's a choice and usually I choose my way... it's the truth. I have to admit I was pretty mad at God. But, when we made the decision a complete peace came over me. A weight was lifted and I knew we could move forward no matter what. He is with us and will be with us. It's amazing the peace that can come in the storm. I have chosen my will instead of His at one other major cross road in my life and it haunts me to this day. He is Abba and delivers the peace.

Now, moving forward... she can't stand the sight of me... She is smitten with her daddy and gives me the look of death. She will go to strangers (men) but will not come to me. She screams like she is being tortured if Lambert leaves the room. She is strong willed and determined . She is brave and fearful all at the same time. I just wonder what runs through her little mind. She eats more than two grown men and will take food out of Hoots hands if she can get away with it. Her medical exam was this morning and she weighed in at a wopping 19lbs! nothing I brought fits her. 18 monts pants fall to her knees and 2t shirts hang past her wrists. She is a fast little mover with her walker, it's hilarious. She loves to do things herself, but she loves to cuddle up with her daddy too. We are in love and totally taken by this pint sized fire cracker. She has great lungs. I think the people in the room next to us moved and now it's vacant. I am certain everyone on the 9th floor has heard her sweet voice!!!

Guangzhou

These are homes that families live in. Our guide told us that there are no kitchens or restrooms in these homes. they will have a main kitchen and restroom located somewhere on the property that over 100 families will share... one bathroom!!! I just have a facination of all the bicylcles. they're everywhere

Laundry hangs from every window and balcony

I know this photo is blurry, but it captures the sights all over the island. all of the elderly exercise and dance. there are beautiful gardens and areas for the people to get their exercise.

just a sight from the van. this is a shopping area in the city

These houses can be seen as far as the eye can see in every dicrection

the island we are on is just amazing. we spent the morning walking around and exploring. at 2:00PM our guide, becky met us to take us to the Chen Academy. The drive there was just incredible. we have never seen so many people. It made NYC look like Mayberry. Lambert said there is no way to even describe all the sights. I've really tried to capture the city and not just the tourist attractions. The living conditions are so different from the US. I want Libbie to know where she came from and what daily living looked like. We didn't get out of the van in the city so most of the photos were taking from the van. I did get some shots of housing while we toured the academy. I hope to capture more of the city later on this week. These photos will be all that Libbie has to recall where she is from. We've bought a couple souvenirs to bring home and a few keepsakes for Libbie's future birthdays. As we prepare to meet Libbie my prayer is that her little heart will receive us. I've been overwhelmed with emotion today. i can't believe were actually here. I can't believe that we will meet our daughter tomorrow and our lives will be forever changed. She has no idea what is about to happen to her little life. she has been through more in her short three years than I have experienced in all my life. Now she will have a family that will forever be there for her through all her pains and joys.

"The Lord God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with his love, He will rejoice over you with singing!" Zephaniah 3:17

Goodnight from Guangzhou,

Love The Lamberts

TEST WE ARE HERE

We are here and all is well. We love Guangzhou. We explored the island this morning and Hoot is officially The Karate Kid. The people here are lovely. everyone has been so helpful and kind. we feel very safe and are amazed at the beauty. there are tons of adopted little ones with their new american families. Hoot did great on the two flights but we crashed as soon as we hit the pillow. we woke up at 3:30AM ready to go. I'm hoping this post works so please leave a commet so I know my friends back home are following. love everyone!!

Here We Go!

It's hard to believe that in a few short hours we will board a plane and travel across the globe to meet our daughter. I have been so busy this past week, that I've failed to take it all in. We're leaving in the morning!!! The wait has been an eternity, yet I feel like I haven't had time to prepare. I ran around like a chicken with my head cut off doing errands and chores I could have done weeks/months ago. We have been surrounded by friends and family that have encouraged us, prayed with us and showered us with love and affection and we will carry that love with us to China. We are hoping to post when we arrive in China. We leave Houston Friday at 10:50AM and we will arrive in Guangzhou, Saturday at 9:15PM. We're loaded with snacks, games, movies, books and distractions so hopefully that will help pass the time. It's late, I have one load of laundry left to fold and then I'm headed to bed. I think I'm numb!

I have to share this photo. Hoots class made this for him and I cried. I love it! He has the best teacher ever. We are so blessed!


The last 3 years of our life is crammed into this folder. Every document we need to produce in China is in this little packet.


Our bags are packed and waiting by the door!! Lambert's bag is not in the photo. I have to make certain no one thinks he is carrying the pink bag. I would hear about it if I didn't disclose this.


PS.. someone will be house sitting for us while were gone. My mom thinks I should let everyone know so our house doesn't get robbed...

Officially in Freakout Mode

We leave in 6 days! Between now and next Friday morning, I need to wash all the windows in my house (they haven't been washed in a year and there are 48 total) clean all the wood floors by hand, baseboards, toilets tubs sinks (we have 4 bathrooms) and if I have time, I'd love to paint the master bedroom... Okay I've lost it. I don't know why I do this, but anytime something major is happening in our life... I go into extreme home makeover the physco edition. I woke up this morning at the crack of dawn, dragged Hoot with me outdoors and we started washing windows... I know I violated some child labor law today. I looked up and it was 1:30PM... I had not fed my kid... not even a snack. He is such a trooper he just hung out with me, ran in and outdoors got water for us, rinsed the cleaning brushes... He is the most amazing little boy. He had lunch, while I continued to labor... and I do mean labor. The garage is clean, 8 windows are done, there are no leaves in our yard and I mowed. I don't know how to edge or weed eat, but if I did, that would be done too. I blew off all the porches and bagged 9 bags of leaves. I can barely stand up straight, Hoot wants to know what he gets for being such an awesome helper today and Lambert is ready to go to Target for more last minutes necessities....

By the way doesn't the headboard Lambert made me look great?!?!? It will look even better when I paint the snot green walls a creamy white later this week... (JK that will have to wait) The bed skirt will come... a friend of mine is making it for me.








This is the sweetest little book ever, especially if you have a son and your adopting from China. We checked it out from the library yesterday. We will definitly purchase this book. It's a keeper.