Hmm...
What do you think??
Horrible? Right??
Yep! You guessed it! She's doing great!
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
A difference for that one...
While at the beach watching Abby have a great time searching for the "perfect" shell I was reminded of the poem, "The Starfish".
The Starfish
One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a little girl picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.
Approaching the little girl, he asked, "What are you doing?"
The girl replied, "Throwing starfish back into the ocean.
The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them back, they'll die."
The man said, "don't you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can't make a difference!"
After listening politely, the little girl bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf.
Then, smiling at the man, she said...
"I made a difference for that one."
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Did we make a difference for Abby? Yes, she was one of the 147 million orphans in the world now she is part of our family. But, did she make a difference to us? Absolutely! We are a better family with Abby in it.
Today marks six months since Abby became, Abigail Huang Fu Harcum! Wow, it's hard to believe six months have passed! In a way it seems like just yesterday we were in China meeting her but, for the most part it seems like I have known her for years. Oh, how I love that sweet girl! Only God can knit hearts together in the way in which we love her. My heart soars when she wraps her arms around mine and looks at me and says, I love you!
All children are truly a blessing from the Lord!
Monday, April 16, 2012
HOME! ~ Reflecting On God's Goodness
On February 23rd our family left home for a day of skiing. Abby and I did not return home until April 6th, 43 days later. As I reflect on the past two months I am amazed and humbled at God's goodness to us.
There are many experiences I hope I never forget. My absolute favorite memory was from a late night in February. Abby was in pain, she was still in traction. She was lying in bed with tears running down the side of her face. It BROKE my heart. The nurses had told me to try to not let Abby see me cry it would make it harder for her ( I tried but was not always successful). Abby only knew three English songs: the ABC song, Happy Birthday and Jesus Loves Me. As she cried I stroked the side of her face and began humming "Jesus Loves Me", she stopped crying, opened her eyes, looked up at me and said, "Mommy, Jesus loves me???" "Yes, sweetheart He does", a small smile came across her face, she closed her eyes and drifted to sleep. How special! This is a little girl who three months before had never heard of Jesus, didn't know of His love, but yet she was experiencing His love for her in the miracles He was performing in her life.
God has allowed us to have amazing bonding time. I have experienced many life stages with Abby in a short amount of time. She was completely dependent upon me for her needs. I was allowed to dress and feed her and many other needs that an adoptive mother of a ten year old misses out on when you miss those baby stages. Carrie Anne stayed with us for many days in a row during the last couple of weeks at the rehab center. She and Abby have formed a bond that I did not expect. They are very close, MUCH closer than they were before Abby's hospitalization. What a sweet sister bond they now have. I love watching them together. God is so good!
We are glad to have our family together again! Life is BUSY! We are trying to adjust to a new normal, getting into full swing on homeschooling and juggling LOTS of doctors and therapy appointments. But, at the end of the day our family gathers around the dinner table together and we all sleep under the same roof and that makes this mommy, one happy momma!
We thank everyone who has prayed for us. We have felt God's amazing love. We know He has not held our hand through this experience, He has carried us through it in His loving arms. Abby's life is a miracle! I say that as her mommy, but we have had numerous doctors, nurses and surgeons say the same. I am amazed God chose us to be a part of this sweet girls life and watch as the pages are turned on her life. A new chapter is beginning for Abby. I know God has great things planned for Abby, as she will be a living testimony of His goodness.
I leave you with some pictures of our time at the rehab. center in the springtime. God's creation is beautiful. If we had to be in a rehab center during springtime, it certainly was a beautiful place to be!
There are many experiences I hope I never forget. My absolute favorite memory was from a late night in February. Abby was in pain, she was still in traction. She was lying in bed with tears running down the side of her face. It BROKE my heart. The nurses had told me to try to not let Abby see me cry it would make it harder for her ( I tried but was not always successful). Abby only knew three English songs: the ABC song, Happy Birthday and Jesus Loves Me. As she cried I stroked the side of her face and began humming "Jesus Loves Me", she stopped crying, opened her eyes, looked up at me and said, "Mommy, Jesus loves me???" "Yes, sweetheart He does", a small smile came across her face, she closed her eyes and drifted to sleep. How special! This is a little girl who three months before had never heard of Jesus, didn't know of His love, but yet she was experiencing His love for her in the miracles He was performing in her life.
God has allowed us to have amazing bonding time. I have experienced many life stages with Abby in a short amount of time. She was completely dependent upon me for her needs. I was allowed to dress and feed her and many other needs that an adoptive mother of a ten year old misses out on when you miss those baby stages. Carrie Anne stayed with us for many days in a row during the last couple of weeks at the rehab center. She and Abby have formed a bond that I did not expect. They are very close, MUCH closer than they were before Abby's hospitalization. What a sweet sister bond they now have. I love watching them together. God is so good!
We are glad to have our family together again! Life is BUSY! We are trying to adjust to a new normal, getting into full swing on homeschooling and juggling LOTS of doctors and therapy appointments. But, at the end of the day our family gathers around the dinner table together and we all sleep under the same roof and that makes this mommy, one happy momma!
We thank everyone who has prayed for us. We have felt God's amazing love. We know He has not held our hand through this experience, He has carried us through it in His loving arms. Abby's life is a miracle! I say that as her mommy, but we have had numerous doctors, nurses and surgeons say the same. I am amazed God chose us to be a part of this sweet girls life and watch as the pages are turned on her life. A new chapter is beginning for Abby. I know God has great things planned for Abby, as she will be a living testimony of His goodness.
I leave you with some pictures of our time at the rehab. center in the springtime. God's creation is beautiful. If we had to be in a rehab center during springtime, it certainly was a beautiful place to be!
Carrie Anne has been the worlds best sister!! She has been a true blessing to me!
Abby with some of her wonderful therapist and nurses! They treated her with such love!
Abby loved the therapy bike!
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Rehabilitation
Last Tuesday marked three weeks that we have been at the Children's Rehabilitation Center. While at the hospital we could see Abby's progress was slow, as well as, she had extreme muscle spasms. Our surgeon recommended we get transferred to this children's rehabilitation center 2 miles down the street from the hospital, which is still part of the hospital. His guess was that we would be here for 5-7 days. After two days of review the doctor's and therapists here said her length of stay would probably be 4-6 weeks! Wow! I was shocked! I was not prepared to hear that. But, God has continued to supply. He has supplied strength to Abby and us. He has supplied great doctor's and therapist. He has supplied wonderful families and nurses that we have met. We have felt His love through many people in our lives. Abby has received many prayers, cards and gifts. Our family has been loved with food for the children at home. God is good!
It took the first week and a half to get Abby's muscle spasms under control with medication. They tweaked her medication until they found the correct combination for her. In the last week and a half with the correct medication she has made good progress! She is beginning to stand and sit unassisted. She is walking with assistance and has taken some steps by herself. Each day you can see her getting stronger, which is so exciting! As we see her getting stronger we know we are getting closer to going home, which is even more exciting! We will be glad to have our whole family together again. H.O. will be so excited not to make the two hour drive each day to see us. All in God's time, we know He will continue to provide!
We thank everyone for their continued prayers for our family during this time, God is hearing and answering "yes" in His perfect timing. We hope to be headed home soon.
It took the first week and a half to get Abby's muscle spasms under control with medication. They tweaked her medication until they found the correct combination for her. In the last week and a half with the correct medication she has made good progress! She is beginning to stand and sit unassisted. She is walking with assistance and has taken some steps by herself. Each day you can see her getting stronger, which is so exciting! As we see her getting stronger we know we are getting closer to going home, which is even more exciting! We will be glad to have our whole family together again. H.O. will be so excited not to make the two hour drive each day to see us. All in God's time, we know He will continue to provide!
We thank everyone for their continued prayers for our family during this time, God is hearing and answering "yes" in His perfect timing. We hope to be headed home soon.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Our Journey With Abby
God brought us to Abby and Abby to us, now we get to journey through life with Abby.
The journey this past week is a journey I could of never imagined. God has been so incredibly good. He has blessed beyond measure. Each morning when we wake, we can plan our day but only God truly knows what it holds.
Last Thursday our family was travelling for a day of skiing, we were about 2 1/2 hours from home when Carrie Anne noticed Abby looked as if she was going to get sick. We stopped the car on the side of the road, Abby proceeded to get sick and then pass out, she was coming in and out of consciousness, her lips were white. We called 911, they arrived quickly, assessed that her vitals were weak and suggested they should take her to the hospital. God had gone before us and planned our day, this had taken place only 30 minutes from the exact hospital Abby needed.
When we arrived at the hospital Abby had perked up somewhat, they began running tests. They thought possibly because of her cerebral palsy she could of had a seizure. They sent her for a CAT scan of her brain. The scan only showed a small portion of her top vertebrae but God allowed the radiologist to see some compression in the part of the vertebrae he could see. They immediately put a neck collar on her and ordered another CAT scan this time of her neck. This scan showed her C1 and C2 vertebrae were severely compressed, squeezing her brain stem and spinal cord. She then went for an MRI, which precisely showed her compression. The compression was not squeezing from top to bottom but the bones squeezing inward on her brain stem and cord. This part of the brain stem controls breathing, eating, swallowing, motion and so much more. When our family awoke on February 23rd we thought we were going to enjoy a day on the mountain however, our day ended with us checking into the hospital with our dear Abby as we awaited the doctors plan on how best to help Abby, which they prepared us would include surgery.
The week that followed was overwhelming to us at times as parents and very painful for Abby however, through it all we as parents had a complete peace knowing our daughter was in the hands of the Great Physician. God had placed us at a hospital that had a team of surgeons that specialized in the surgery Abby needed, one of the surgeons is one of the best in our country. The plan that the surgeons came up with wasn't easy for Abby, they put her in spinal traction for six days, this was extremely painful, the surgeons were very pleased with how the traction had stretched her spine. If the traction had not been successful she would of been facing a much more risky surgery through her mouth. Since it had been successful they could operate through the back of her neck. The surgeons prepared us for many possibilities. The risks of death or paralysis, which were lower percentages. And also higher chances that she would still need the surgery through her mouth if this first surgery did not accomplish all that they needed. Also, a risk that she would come out of surgery with a halo on, a helmet screwed into her skull that connected to a vest with rods to keep her head immobile. Also, a chance she would need a bone graft of bone from her hip to help fuse her spine.
As I sit typing this in the hospital watching Abby sleep I am overwhelmed by God's love for us. Abby came through the surgery beautifully, she did not need a halo, or a bone graft and we found out today after a CAT scan she will not need a second surgery.
Abby had been diagnosed with cerebral palsy in China, we found out she does NOT have cerebral palsy all of her symptoms were coming from the compressed brain stem and cord! The doctor's are amazed she survived 10 years without becoming paralysed or dying from not being able to breathe. God sustained Abby until in His perfect timing He could give her the perfect help she needed.
I can not imagine how this will possibly change her life, she has the chance at a complete healing. I also can not imagine what would of happened to Abby had this of happened in China while she was in the orphanage.
Not only did God bless us with the big things of bringing Abby through her surgery as perfectly as He did, He blessed us in so many little ways. We have felt the love of so many people, people have prayed on Abby's behalf all across our country. I have received cards, emails, and phone calls assuring us of prayers.
We also received two other gifts from our Saviour. The night of Abby's surgery she was so confused and in pain. She was in the PICU and a doctor came around making his rounds and he had medical students with him, this is a University Hospital. As he was looking at Abby, one of his students spoke up and said I know fluent Mandarin! What? Wow! Right when we needed a translator the most to help explain to Abby why she was feeling this way, God provided!
The next morning we were still in the PICU and a lady came in and introduced herself. She said I know you do not know me but I have been praying for your daughter. She explained a neighbor friend of mine that I grew up with from the time I was small until I married had found out about Abby through a prayer chain my sister started. This lady was a good friend of my friend, when my friend found out about Abby and which hospital we were at she called her friend, the lady that was now standing in the room with me because this sweet lady works at the hospital we were at. God had placed a sweet christian in our midst praying for us and reaching out to us. She told us to please call on her if we needed anything. She offered to pick up anything I needed and bring it to me at the hospital. She also offered us the use of her guest bedrooms if any of our family wanted to stay the night instead of making the two hour trip home. A sweet fellow christian reaching out in love. A stranger on earth, but a sister in heaven. God is good!
When you sit in a quiet hospital room watching your daughter sleep or experience pain you have much time to meditate on God's goodness. I get so busy in the busyness of life I often take little things for granted. God has given me this time to remember His goodness. He has protected our Abby and given her a chance for a full healing. We hope to leave the hospital in a few days.
Once again I stand amazed at God's love for me! Again we thank everyone for their prayers for our family, we have certainly felt God's love in amazing ways.
The journey this past week is a journey I could of never imagined. God has been so incredibly good. He has blessed beyond measure. Each morning when we wake, we can plan our day but only God truly knows what it holds.
Last Thursday our family was travelling for a day of skiing, we were about 2 1/2 hours from home when Carrie Anne noticed Abby looked as if she was going to get sick. We stopped the car on the side of the road, Abby proceeded to get sick and then pass out, she was coming in and out of consciousness, her lips were white. We called 911, they arrived quickly, assessed that her vitals were weak and suggested they should take her to the hospital. God had gone before us and planned our day, this had taken place only 30 minutes from the exact hospital Abby needed.
When we arrived at the hospital Abby had perked up somewhat, they began running tests. They thought possibly because of her cerebral palsy she could of had a seizure. They sent her for a CAT scan of her brain. The scan only showed a small portion of her top vertebrae but God allowed the radiologist to see some compression in the part of the vertebrae he could see. They immediately put a neck collar on her and ordered another CAT scan this time of her neck. This scan showed her C1 and C2 vertebrae were severely compressed, squeezing her brain stem and spinal cord. She then went for an MRI, which precisely showed her compression. The compression was not squeezing from top to bottom but the bones squeezing inward on her brain stem and cord. This part of the brain stem controls breathing, eating, swallowing, motion and so much more. When our family awoke on February 23rd we thought we were going to enjoy a day on the mountain however, our day ended with us checking into the hospital with our dear Abby as we awaited the doctors plan on how best to help Abby, which they prepared us would include surgery.
The week that followed was overwhelming to us at times as parents and very painful for Abby however, through it all we as parents had a complete peace knowing our daughter was in the hands of the Great Physician. God had placed us at a hospital that had a team of surgeons that specialized in the surgery Abby needed, one of the surgeons is one of the best in our country. The plan that the surgeons came up with wasn't easy for Abby, they put her in spinal traction for six days, this was extremely painful, the surgeons were very pleased with how the traction had stretched her spine. If the traction had not been successful she would of been facing a much more risky surgery through her mouth. Since it had been successful they could operate through the back of her neck. The surgeons prepared us for many possibilities. The risks of death or paralysis, which were lower percentages. And also higher chances that she would still need the surgery through her mouth if this first surgery did not accomplish all that they needed. Also, a risk that she would come out of surgery with a halo on, a helmet screwed into her skull that connected to a vest with rods to keep her head immobile. Also, a chance she would need a bone graft of bone from her hip to help fuse her spine.
As I sit typing this in the hospital watching Abby sleep I am overwhelmed by God's love for us. Abby came through the surgery beautifully, she did not need a halo, or a bone graft and we found out today after a CAT scan she will not need a second surgery.
Abby had been diagnosed with cerebral palsy in China, we found out she does NOT have cerebral palsy all of her symptoms were coming from the compressed brain stem and cord! The doctor's are amazed she survived 10 years without becoming paralysed or dying from not being able to breathe. God sustained Abby until in His perfect timing He could give her the perfect help she needed.
I can not imagine how this will possibly change her life, she has the chance at a complete healing. I also can not imagine what would of happened to Abby had this of happened in China while she was in the orphanage.
Not only did God bless us with the big things of bringing Abby through her surgery as perfectly as He did, He blessed us in so many little ways. We have felt the love of so many people, people have prayed on Abby's behalf all across our country. I have received cards, emails, and phone calls assuring us of prayers.
We also received two other gifts from our Saviour. The night of Abby's surgery she was so confused and in pain. She was in the PICU and a doctor came around making his rounds and he had medical students with him, this is a University Hospital. As he was looking at Abby, one of his students spoke up and said I know fluent Mandarin! What? Wow! Right when we needed a translator the most to help explain to Abby why she was feeling this way, God provided!
The next morning we were still in the PICU and a lady came in and introduced herself. She said I know you do not know me but I have been praying for your daughter. She explained a neighbor friend of mine that I grew up with from the time I was small until I married had found out about Abby through a prayer chain my sister started. This lady was a good friend of my friend, when my friend found out about Abby and which hospital we were at she called her friend, the lady that was now standing in the room with me because this sweet lady works at the hospital we were at. God had placed a sweet christian in our midst praying for us and reaching out to us. She told us to please call on her if we needed anything. She offered to pick up anything I needed and bring it to me at the hospital. She also offered us the use of her guest bedrooms if any of our family wanted to stay the night instead of making the two hour trip home. A sweet fellow christian reaching out in love. A stranger on earth, but a sister in heaven. God is good!
When you sit in a quiet hospital room watching your daughter sleep or experience pain you have much time to meditate on God's goodness. I get so busy in the busyness of life I often take little things for granted. God has given me this time to remember His goodness. He has protected our Abby and given her a chance for a full healing. We hope to leave the hospital in a few days.
Once again I stand amazed at God's love for me! Again we thank everyone for their prayers for our family, we have certainly felt God's love in amazing ways.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Abby's 1st Snow!!
Abby's 1st snow!! Today we had a quick snow shower. Abby was SO EXCITED! She told us she had never seen snow before, she could not wait to get outside and touch it and try to catch it on her tongue.
It's hard to believe only a week or so ago we had temperatures near 70. It was great to get outside and run and play!
It's hard to believe only a week or so ago we had temperatures near 70. It was great to get outside and run and play!
Fun Times!
Abby continues to be full of smiles and fun. Her English improves daily, it is amazing to hear her progress. I'm amazed at how far she has come in two months!
She loves our dogs! It is a good thing they endure whatever she dishes out.
Abby gets so excited each evening when she hears daddy pull in from work. She is waiting excitedly at the door to greet him.
Fun times equal messes! And that's okay with me. When I walk in and see a mess in the girls room floor I know they have been having fun. The girls had fun one night making a "tent" in their bedroom floor.
As Taylor was performing a Chemistry experiment one day Abby thought his goggles were pretty cool and wanted to try them on. She had a great time watching his experiment!
Abby wanted mommy to join in on the goggle fun! Our homeschooling day can get pretty silly!
Thank you Aunt Ronda!!! My sister got both girls an American Girl doll for Christmas. They have had so much fun dressing them up. Carrie Anne had a matching girl and doll gown set from when she was Abby's size, we were able to pull that out and Abby loves dressing for bed like her doll. Sweet dreams sweet girls!
She loves our dogs! It is a good thing they endure whatever she dishes out.
Abby gets so excited each evening when she hears daddy pull in from work. She is waiting excitedly at the door to greet him.
Fun times equal messes! And that's okay with me. When I walk in and see a mess in the girls room floor I know they have been having fun. The girls had fun one night making a "tent" in their bedroom floor.
As Taylor was performing a Chemistry experiment one day Abby thought his goggles were pretty cool and wanted to try them on. She had a great time watching his experiment!
Abby wanted mommy to join in on the goggle fun! Our homeschooling day can get pretty silly!
I am one blessed mommy!
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