tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79044632383955569552024-03-19T06:58:29.302-04:00The Tales of TwoFollow the tale of us on our next adventure to China to bring home Harper Lily a little sister. This blog we showcase our fundraising efforts as well how we grow from a family of one little 2 yr. old to 2 two yr olds!
Psalm: 90:09- We spend our years as a tale that is toldMary Jane Postiglionehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04999003468493104934noreply@blogger.comBlogger186125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7904463238395556955.post-7595573926872727082013-06-12T21:08:00.002-04:002013-06-13T15:23:14.339-04:00Carrying along<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">88% rate of not being able to carry a child to term. 90% rate of multiple miscarriages. God saved us from a lot of heartache and pain. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">He prepared my heart when I was a very young girl for adoption. He knew all along. When we thought we were making decisions, He really was. When we thought we picked adoption to start our family, he decided that. When we thought we would a biological child after we brought Harper home, He dropped another file in my hands and told us to go to China. When we came home with Talia and we thought we would want to get pregnant, He left us feeling indifferent. I take huge comfort in knowing He is sovereign over every aspect in our lives. Every detail planned out "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you". I take solace that He is the creator of all things and knit each of us uniquely and wonderfully. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Recently, without going too much into detail I was having some female issues and just kept brushing it off. I mean with our schedule the past few months this mama had no time for her own doctor appointments! They did a pelvic ultrasound and I just assumed it was a cyst or something of the sort. In my head I was thinking, well, we will just watch and wait but I will do the ultrasound as a precaution. I never expected the news I would hear. My gynecologist and me have this running joke. I see him once a year and literally I am there for 10 minutes..in and out! He says you don't need me to have kids. You are my easiest patient ever! Today I wasn't so easy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">He came into the room and announced I had a septate uterus. What in the world is that?, I inquired. He proceeded to tell me that it is a uterus that is abnormally formed and then he hit me with the statistics of late term and recurrent miscarriages. Apparently they never saw it before because this was my first 3D ultrasound. The doctor knew I have two adopted children and having biological children was never in my short term list of "things to do". However, long term plans it was still in the picture (although if you ask Todd it was never in his picture. Once we adopted Harper he was quite content to continue to build our family via adoption). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">As I sat in the doctor's office listening to my</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> new diagnosis with my fearfully made body I thought back on the past few weeks. This is how good our God is and this is why I am constantly in prayer and seeking His face. Ten nights ago on June 1st I had a dream of me miscarrying. I never had a dream like that before. It was an early morning dream where you wake up and don't go back to sleep. I was pretty shaken up and as we got ready for church that morning I told Todd. He said "Oh you just must be nervous about something." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It was our first time back to church as a whole family since Harper's surgery. We attended our small group class where the topic was "God Speaks." Our amazing small group leader talked about difficult times and hearing God speak through circumstance. God speaks through the church and through the bible. It was a great class and in my head I could not shake that dream I had. As our bible study leader was talking I was in full agreement because my best decisions were always where I let God direct my path. I was so thankful for Him and His word. Todd and I then proceeded to worship. Our pastor began to talk about people just like us who see God and what happens to them. Halfway through the sermon Pastor Alex told us to open up to Exodus Chapter 3. As I listened to the bible verse my eyes focused on the heading of my bible study bible. The title read, 'Miscarriage". I love my bible study bible because it breaks down a lot of verses I don't understand or can comprehend but this was not the heading I wanted to see and it scared me. I hit Todd in the arm and showed him the heading. We both thought it was odd. For the rest of the week I just kept praying and in my head I had been wrestling with the thought of having biological children. I began to think well maybe God is trying to tell me something or was it the enemy playing tricks with me. But you see our God is not a God of confusion. He is not indecisive. He doesn't alter plans. I promise you when you pray to Him with an open heart He will answer you. This time he left no margin of error or misinterpretation. When He answered my prayer it was crystal clear. As I sat in the doctor's office today I remember how great and awesome He is!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Todd and I chose to adopt as a way to start and build our family when we were dating. I actually told him on our 2nd date that I wanted to adopt from China! Through the years a lot of people have assumed that we have infertility issues since we were so young when we started adopting. We always thought we had the option to have biological children. I can't tell you how many times we would hear, 'Well once you adopt watch how fast you get pregnant"! I know they had good intentions but we were not trying to get pregnant. We didn't want to be pregnant. We wanted to adopt. I always thought those remarks were kind of sharp. As if adoption was 2nd best and having a biological child must be everyone's first choice. Well it was not ours. But we also thought we had a choice and who doesn't love options? Even though it was not our first choice, there is grieving for something that could have been. There is a sense of discontentment for not having a choice. There is pain for not being able to have a body that should be able to carry a child to term. I will never know what it is like to feel a little kick in my belly or to have midnight cravings. I will never get to see my belly grow and rock some cute maternity gear:) My daydreams of having a child that looks identical to Todd and I are vanishing and that is okay. It really is. I shed tears tonight for something that will never be because it was not in His will ever. I also shed tears tonight of joy for knowing that His beautiful will is the best and I heard Him once again loud and clear. I am overjoyed in sorrowful moments and circumstances. The best legacy I can leave my children is to see a woman whose hope causes her to walk steady with the Lord. I choose to walk in the grace He bestows and not in what He has not given me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I am sure my friends that have walked through infertility have heard of this condition and can tell me all about it. I am sure I could get 2nd and 3rd opinions. I know I could have a surgery to increase our odds of carrying a baby greatly. However, we are not going to do the surgery. We decided many years ago should we ever decide to have biological children and there are complications we would not do surgical intervention.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">As a dear friend recently told me "God doesn't shut a door, without opening another." When people ask us, "Do you think you will adopt again?" My answer remains the same as it did yesterday before we knew this news, "We are always open but right now we are just enjoying our two treasures He has already gifted us with". For we have seen we do not make the decisions. We just answer His call. When He tells us to go, we go. When He tells us to stay, we stay. It really is that simple. We will keep carrying along day by day living a very blessed life where every decision we make relies on his Hand at work in our lives. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him".</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Psalm 28:7</span></div>
<br />Mary Jane Postiglionehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04999003468493104934noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7904463238395556955.post-1029320267386054472013-05-12T20:22:00.000-04:002013-05-12T20:22:18.132-04:00Happy Mother's Day<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
No better gift I will ever receive from the Lord then the opportunity to be a mother. <br />
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And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed." Luke 1:46-48<br />
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My most treasured pictures of what becoming a mother looked like in my life. <br />
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<span style="color: red;">August 8, 2010- Galactic Peace Hotel in Nanchang, China</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">June 21, 2012-Charlotte International Airport in North Carolina</span></div>
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Do you think my girls know how much I love and adore them? Do you think they know that I would give my life and happiness away for them? Probably not. <br />
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In the same way do you know how much the Lord loves and adores you? He is pursing you and gave His life for you. Stop for a moment and thank Him. Sit in His precense and adore Him for blessing you and loving you right where you are this very minute. He loves you unconditionally just like the nature of a mother's tender and merciful heart. <br />
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Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers in my life and my daughters! <br />
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Mary Jane Postiglionehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04999003468493104934noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7904463238395556955.post-68908803702492090742013-04-22T16:24:00.001-04:002013-04-22T16:24:29.186-04:00Harper's Happy Heart Surgery <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Well we have been in recovery mode all week! Harper has been bouncing off the walls for the most part so we have to force her to rest in her "retreat" room.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> We only had one scare that brought us back to the ER last Sunday night. Her private area was enlarged but after 2 hours and an ultrasound they said it was probably just extra fluid. She was not happy to be back at the hospital! She kept saying, "but I want to sleep in my bed Mommy" and "I like my old hospital bed better"! I promised her we would not be spending the night again at the hospital. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Luckily, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is only 25 minutes from my parents house. Her next follow-up appointment is bright and early this Tuesday morning at 7:00 am! They will do an echo and remove her chest tube stitches and the stitches in her wrist. I am certain there will be more good news! I feel like we are on a roll! I never wrote about exactly what the open heart surgery entails or what Harper would be going through. I didn't want to scare the grandparents (or Todd even more)! So for those that asked, here is the basics of her surgery. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Harper was born with a congenital heart defect. He file read Atrial Septal Defect or ASD with an enlarged heart. Luckily her pressures never got so bad that it affected her lung function. When we did her first ultrasound after she came home from China, they realized she also had Pulmonary Stenosis but the issue was still out on how to repair it. We knew Dr. Spray would know what to do once he got in there! The only way to fix her heart was via open heart surgery. Stenosis refers to narrowing of the valve. In Harper's case it was due to a malformed valve when she was in utero. Typical symptoms of these types of heart defects are tiring easily and being short of breath. Here is a little diagram I found just in case you have no clue what I am talking about :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Open-heart
surgery refers to operations performed on the heart that require a patient
being placed on the heart-lung bypass machine. The heart-lung bypass
machine takes over the function of the heart and lungs to provide oxygenated
blood to the body. The heart itself can then be opened and repair can be
accomplished in a bloodless, still environment. They lower the body's
temperature to 64 degrees by pouring ice into the open chest cavity In addition;
a cardioplegic solution (which is a fluid with high concentrations of potassium
and magnesium) is introduced to stop the heart completely. Cool temperatures
avoid damage to the heart tissue by reducing the heart's need for oxygen. It
only takes about 30 seconds for the heart rate to drop from 120 to 0. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> To get access to the heart, the surgeon has
to open the chest. To do so, he or she has to cut through the breast bone
(sternum). The heart sits in a thin, leather like sac called the pericardium.
To get access to the heart, the pericardial sac has to be opened. The surgeon
often removes a small portion of the pericardium. He then fixes the repairs
that need to made. The machine is then removed, the body is warmed and
the heart is started again. Steel wires are used to
close the edges of the breastbone (we should see them on her next scoliosis
x-ray) and the incision is closed in Harper’s case with surgical glue. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The concerning risks to us were inadequate
perfusion of organs or tissues, activation of a systemic inflammatory response,
and embolization of air or particles. Especially concerning is the potential of
embolization to the brain. Basically some organs and tissues get a little less
blood flow then they normally would when you are on bypass. In addition to the
risks of bypass, the heart itself can be affected. First, the heart undergoes a
period of no blood flow during most open-heart operations. Myocardial function may
be compromised. Second, the heart’s function may be decreased or “depressed”
after surgery. The heart needs time to adapt to new anatomy and physiology
after repair. Last, the heart rhythm may also be affected by open-heart
procedures. Some patients require temporary or even a permanent pacemaker. They
actually had the wires hooked up to her during her surgery should they not be
able to start up her heart right away. I
have read about many children having these complications after surgery so we
tried to prepare ourselves that she would likely have a complication. We were
beyond elated when we realized how well she really was doing! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>During heart surgery, a highly trained group works as a team. </b></span><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Harper’s surgical team included:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The cardiovascular surgeon, Dr.
Spray, who heads up the surgery team and performs the key parts of the surgery.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The assisting surgeons, who follow
the direction of the cardiovascular surgeon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The cardiovascular anesthesiologist.
The anesthesiologist made sure that she got the right amount of medicines
throughout the surgery and monitors the ventilator.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The perfusion technologist, who
runs the heart-lung machine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The cardiovascular nurses, who are
specially trained to assist in heart surgery<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As well as fellows and an attending
physician. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Harper had the following inserted (most only lasted during surgery or
the first 24 hours):<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A tube in the airway (endotracheal
tube) and a respirator to help with her breathing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One small tube in a vein in her
foot (IV line) to give fluids and medicines.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A small tube in an artery (arterial
line) on her wrist.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One chest tubes to drain air,
blood, and fluid from the chest cavity<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A tube through the nose into the
stomach (nasogastric tube) to empty the stomach and deliver medicines and
feedings. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A tube in the bladder to drain and
measure the urine for several days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many electrical lines and tubes
used to monitor the child.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> On Wednesday the day before her surgery (pre-op) the cardiology team reviewed these details of her surgery. I did shed a few tears at this visit of course but I have to say Todd and I were so confident with the surgeon and we also felt the Lord's presence. There really is no other way to describe</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> it! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> After we finished all the pre-op procedures (x-rays, blood work, etc.), we ate lunch together as a family and just prayed that next 24 hours would go super smooth. I have to say it was a bit odd to be sitting at CHOP's cafeteria praying with her. We had waited for this day for three years and someone else around the world has to wonder for the rest of her life if her child ever had surgery. We were more than ready to get the surgery over with but I also soaked up every minute with my precious peanut! Throughout the day Todd and I had to keep reminding each other that she needed this surgery -- it wasn't an option. We tried to keep Harper calm as much as we could that day but overall she was tired and scared. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> After lunch we went back to my parents where I packed a huge suitcase for all of us and then one for Talia. We all said our good byes to Nanny and Poppy and then we dropped Talia off to my best friend's house. Aunt Deanna and Uncle Mark would be watching Talia for as long as she would stay! They have three boys and we all know Talia can be very active so this was going to be a great stay for her! Amazingly enough, as soon as we got Talia out of the car seat and she saw Aunt Deanna's big back yard, she screamed, "playground!" then she was off and running. So we left while we could! We tried to build excitement for Harper by telling her that we would be staying in the big city! There was no room at the Ronald McDonald House so they set us up at the Doubletree Hotel in center city. Upon checking in they give you warm chocolate cookies so this place really was already on our good side! Little Miss Harper loved our "hotel house" as she called it and just soaked up our view which overlooked my first place of employment out of college at the historic Bellevue Hotel across the street. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Mommy everyone looks so busy!"</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This child has the whole world in the palm of her hand! </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> We decided to make the most of our Philly visit and headed out to take a walk down memory lane. Ten years ago I never would have imagined I would be walking past my favorite shops now holding my child that was having a major operation the next day! For those not familiar with Philadelphia this hotel sits in a very posh area of town with the best restaurants and shops. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Daddy is this the big city?"</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> My sweet parents gave us some financial freedom that week which allowed us to pick the restaurant of our choice. Of course the restaurant across the street looked fabulous but maybe not the best for a four year old. Todd thought we were going to get turned away but I figured it's Wednesday night I am sure they want any business! As Todd says God put him in his place when the maitre d' welcomed us in with a huge smile and guess what? He was wearing a southern bow tie! They seated us near the window and for the next hour I kept telling Harper that this is just like a princess that gets to eat in a fancy restaurant. Of course there were lots of spills, screams and even her head on the table but overall she was good and mommy and daddy got a great meal! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> After dinner we just tried to relax and before we knew it was 11:00 pm and we all knew we had to go to sleep and turn off the lights. Harper loves sleeping next to her daddy and I like to sleep by myself! It was the sweetest thing to hear a little voice in the dark say, "Goodnight Mommy. I love you!" All I could think of is please Jesus let this not be the last time I hear those words. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Mommy I will just think of doctors kits tomorrow when I am scared."</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We woke up at 6:00 am -- a big "shout out" to my dear friend Elizabeth who was up before us praying and starting the prayer chain! You are one of a kind and mean so much to us! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Harper, for about the past year, would wake up </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">weekly </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and look at us and ask, "Is today my heart surgery?" So when she asked that morning we finally got to say, "Yes it is!" And of course I mustered up a fun cheer saying, "Go Harper, Go Harper!", which then resulted in her dancing and jumping on the bed while daddy was in a panic to get us out the door in 15 minutes</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">! We packed a big bag assuming Todd and I would both be in the hospital for at least a week keeping an eye on her! Harper was thrilled to be in a taxi and with nervous stomachs our car made the way throughout the city. It was eerie to just see a few joggers in the streets even more eerie to be the only people pulling up to </span>CHOP's<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> front entrance. We were there and ready to get her heart healed!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They never gave us a surgery time. It was just arrive at 6:45 am. Once we got checked in Harper ran to Nanny and Poppy who had been waiting for us already for 30 minutes. You could tell they were more nervous then all three of us combined. I always joke with them that they were not cut out for special needs adoptions and although this is the path Todd and I took we realize it can be hard for others. They just love Harper with every ounce of themselves and although we had "peace" with this operation it was still is a <i>very</i> big deal. The receptionist told me that there was a "big crunch" because the ER was busy the night before so Harper's surgery may be delayed or even postponed. I was like it is happening today! </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Harper just played with the toys like it was an ordinary doctors visit. Todd and I mustered to have a cup of coffee. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I messaged my "power rangers" and they prayed hard that we would be called back soon. It sure did work as we were called back only an hour later!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> My stomach did sink once we were in the room prepping her for surgery. They gave us hospital cleansing cloths to wash her down with. Of course she was more upset about taking off her new outfit then she was to get an IV in her wrist! You could hear her screaming down the hall as Todd washed her off. She was not too thrilled with the feel of the sticky wipes but at least we knew she had no microscopic germs on her now! The nurses ask you a million questions that you have already been asked the day before and really you don't feel like answering anything. You just want to hug your child, pick her up and take her home! They gave us all wristbands so that we would have access to the hospital. Harper was getting very antsy so they started her with a drug which was suppose to relax her. Harper has been under general anesthesia five times before and the last time they gave her a drug called Versa which made her seem a bit drunk! This time they gave her Pentobarbital which is now on my list to never give her again! She ended up having a paradoxical reaction to the drug and at first the nurses were like this is normal -- they are aggressive then they calm down. Well we never hit the calm down stage! A child life specialist came in to explain to Harper all the different wires and tubes she would wake up with and Harper just threw the doll baby to the floor. We could not contain her and she was screaming, kicking and crying for her "presents"! She had seen the big gift bags of presents that we had for her and that is all she wanted but her eyes were half open and there was no way we could bring the presents back to this room where five other toddlers were getting prepped for surgery as well. We had the crazy child ! This was definitely not the way I wanted to leave her and it made it very difficult for us to separate. The head anesthesiologist and his assistant came in to explain the drugs she would be getting and I asked if he would be in the room. Of course I meant are you in the room throughout the whole surgery or is your assistant who looks like she is in her 20's going to be taking over! He said, "Oh no there is an app on my iphone and that is how I control everything!" Of course my hubby thought this was hilarious and well I was not in the mood for any humor. This is my baby!!!! If I could have been in that room I would have! Anyways, back to the kicking and screaming. Harper decided she wanted to play with some of the medical toys including a big purple toy syringe so as we wheeled her down the hall in daddy's arms she had her monkey, her American Girl doctor's thermometer and now a toy syringe! Mommy snapped one more picture and we placed our flailing child into the hands of the anesthesiologist nurse whose last words were, "Don't worry we will give her more medicine to put her to sleep and she won't remember any of this!" (f you scroll down to previous posts you can see the infamous picture of her being carried down the hall!)</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See that pink syringe she was up at 3 am that night begging the nurses to find it and they did! </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Everything is calculated at CHOP. After you leave your child of course you are upset so instead of sending you right to the waiting room they have you meet with the surgeon in a private room. As we waited for him to come in two surgical nurses stayed with us to keep us sane! I really wasn't in the mood for small talk. I just wanted to get back to the waiting room, get my bible out and pray and of course update Facebook! We never had the opportunity to talk with the surgeon before so we weren't sure what to expect. I had my little book of notes -- Thank You Shannon for my notebook. I thought of you every time I used it! Dr. Spray is a very tall man and he is so calm. The nurses even commented that in the worst case scenarios he is super relaxed and never misses a beat. They have never seen him nervous. Isn't that amazing? I guess that is why he is a world renowned surgeon. God clearly blessed him with this craft. He came in and sat down with a small-so cool, calm and collected. I am sure we looked like sleep deprived nervous parents. He already had done one open heart surgery that morning and had two more on the schedule after Harper's! In some ways that relaxed me because I figured he thinks this is going to be a great outcome! He briefly went over the surgery with us and how he would repair the ASD then gave us three scenarios on how he thought he would repair the pulmonary valve. He told us not to worry. I don't know if he was a Christian but I could not leave him without telling him that he has to be the most prayed for man today! He blushed and said, "Thank you!" Todd asked him a few questions and I really did not have much else to ask. At this point I knew that we were in the best hands possible. I only had one other comment and when I started to say it I knew Todd was going to put his head down but I did forewarn him I was going to say it! Harper is a child now but someday she will be a young woman who will care about her scar. I felt if there is anything that could be done to make the incision minimal then I wanted to mention it. Dr. Spray told me that he that he tries to start low then expands and then I said, "Well she does model so if we can keep it low that would be great!" Yes I could feel Todd's eyes on me now and the nurses but I didn't care at this point. Then Todd said, "Please do whatever is right for the child" and Dr. Spray smiled and said "of course!" Alright let me tell you that I am so glad I spoke up. Harper should have had a 6 inch incision and it is only about 3 inches on top of that it is so even and only one chest tube was placed in her that sits right below her incision. When we saw Dr. Spray after her surgery he said, "The model looks great"! Haha! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The surgery was suppose to be four hours including an hour of prepping her. She ended up being in surgery for only 2 hours -- half the time her dental surgery took last April! We decided to sit on the "bridge" on the 6th floor -- </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the same floor Harper was having her surgery on.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The bridge is an enclosed heated walkway with floor to ceiling windows that connects the ICU with the main hospital. You can see center city Philly and the other medical campus buildings across the street. It made us feel close to her and in some way I hoped she knew we were there. Also the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit was on the same floor. After we left Dr. Spray I got to meet one of my online adoptive moms, Diane from<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_339902100"> </a></span><a href="http://mylifeingodsgarden.com/">http://mylifeingodsgarden.com</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">! Her daughter adopted</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> from China has been at CHOP for awhile now and Diane was so kind to take time of out of her day to meet us! It really helped to talk with her before we got settled! I spent the surgery time as most of you know updating the blog, Facebook and praying. I also would receive hourly calls on my cell phone. It was not how I pictured surgery time taking place. I thought I would have a face to face nurse updating us and we would be nervous as could be but generally speaking, and considering the circumstances,</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> we were all relatively calm! Of course when the phone rang I would jump from my seat. During our first phone call there was a code blue blaring over the intercom so it was hard to hear the nurse on the phone giving her first update!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> As we waited, your messages all came in and each one brought us to a deep state of gratitude for the friends and acquaintances the Lord has given to us. You are all so special and beyond sweet to pray for us. We heard about offices stopping to pray for Harper. We heard about classrooms pausing when she went on bypass. We heard about little toddlers praying for Harper's heart as they started their day and we heard about prayer chains taking place. I can not express to you how much that helped us and clearly helped Harper and the surgeon. You took our greatest fears away and even if it had gone to the worst case scenario we know it would have been God's plan. There is something comforting to know that our creator knows everything before we do and that no plans or extreme worrying can change the course of our lives but prayer can carry out His plan and can help those that desperately need to feel His prescence. We discover God's plan for our lives through prayer life and we also learn what it means in these harder times to rely on Him. He heard our cries and He answered loud and clear. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I am so glad the Lord clearly lead us to CHOP! It was always our first choice and so was Dr. Spray for our surgeon.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Harper's total time on bypass was a mere 22 minutes! Other hospitals told us it would be 1-2 hours on bypass! When I got the call that she was off the bypass they also told me they were getting ready to close her up. I looked to my family like you are not going to believe this! Everyone cheered to hear she was going to be just fine! The nurse came out and directed us to another private room where we could meet with Dr. Spray once again! I was so elated when I saw him come through that door. Of course I gushed and gushed about how amazing he was! He explained that she did beautifully and that he was able to just stitch the ASD closed. He then went on to describe the pulmonary valve was a little more involved. It was slightly narrowed at the top but not major enough for a valve replacement. He felt it was in her best interest to do this just one time so he sliced the valve lengthwise and then used her own tissue from Harper's pericardial sac to close that valve (this is the sac that surrounds and protects the heart and can be used in heart repairs. When they pierced the sword through Jesus's heart that is the area of his heart they went right through. John 19:34 reads, After Jesus died on the cross, John notes that “one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water.") Dr. Spray was able to use Harper's own heart tissue for everything and said that her outcome is very good and she has no restrictions!!! We were so overjoyed with the news and I think in shock mode that it is still sinking in a week later. She should never need heart surgery or any other repairs again. Can you believe?! Not only were they able to fix her heart with her heart tissue but they also were able to do the whole repair without transfusing any blood! That is huge!!! They said the most Harper would need is three units of blood and Todd donated his blood for her ahead of her surgery date. He is our super hero! Thank you to those that offered to donate. As a former Red Cross employee I highly recommend you donate regularly to the blood supply if you are eligible. It truly makes a difference in the lives of others. Todd did not end up being a match for Harper but the coolest thing is we found out her blood type which is B positive. I know my adoptive friends reading this know how exciting it is to learn something new about your child. It might seem like a minor thing to learn about your child's blood type but when you know nothing about your child's biological parents and you get a new tidbit of information on your child it is like hitting the lottery or hearing your daughter's heart is healed! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> We were able to see Harper about 45 minutes after she was moved in to the CICU. I had prepared Todd on what it was going to look like in that room and the number of tubes that would be coming out of her body. I had seen a ton of pictures and followed countless other adoptive friends stories on their heart babies. However when I walked in her room I was shocked. It was so streamlined and it looked like she was just resting with a beautiful blue blanket that someone had sent to us -- Thank You! Instead of being scared or nervous I just felt at peace. They had already removed her respiratory tube in the operating room so the big breathing machine I was expecting to see was not hooked up to her anymore. Our CICU nurse, Heilea, was so on top of things and explained every tube and wire. She also stayed in the room with us all day answering any questions we had as well as explaining what the big blue button was and that if she hits that button we were to stand back because 80 people would be in the room within seconds! I just remember thinking I hope she never hits that button! My prayer warriors will appreciate this. Hiley said that she was suppose to be off the day of Harper's surgery but she decided to pick up overtime and my dad overheard and said, "No you really didn't have a choice. Mary Jane's power rangers aka "prayer warriors" prayed for you to be here!" And we are so glad you did! There was a few times where her pressures dropped (that was not fun) but they quickly adjusted her medications and there was always a round of doctors double checking everything. The only reasons her pressures was dropping was due to the sedation medicine ("dex" for short) they had to give her. It was called the dex game! We needed her to be sedated because she was a wild woman trying to stand up and rip all the tubes out of her body just a half hour after surgery! However, when you are on the dex, it lowers your blood pressure and your breathing rate but her heart was functioning great even with the new anatomy! When the attending surgeon first visited her room an hour after surgery he said we need her to sit up before she moves to the step down floor. That should happen in about two days. Yeah our girl sat up right after he left the room! First milestone checked off our list! During her crocodile crawl she got up she managed to tangle every wire and tube in her. The gave her more dex while Todd, myself and the nurse spent the next twenty minutes untangling all the cords. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazing Dr. Spray. Did you notice it is similar to "pray"?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The Director of Harper's preschool gave us the coolest gift -- a signature picture frame so all the nurses and doctors signed in. What a keepsake it will be for Harper and for us to always remember her "A" team! Harper did great that first day and I really thought she would be in "sleep" mode for next two days. But as Todd and my dad went down to the cafeteria to eat, I got out my bible and read to Harper Psalm 121 the one that the Lord led me to while she was on bypass. As I read it out loud to her she began to move and looked at me with those big eyes and asked for "presents"! Yes not prayers or water for her dry mouth but presents! I was like you have got be kidding me she totally remembered everything before she left us before her surgery and after all she had been through all she cared about was presents. What a girl! </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mommy's sweet angel</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monkey made it into the Big book of boo boos</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> We were only in the hospital for 48 hours but in that time Harper made quite the name for herself. Nurses on other floors heard about our feisty wild child! She was called the animal more then once...ha! Harper loves medical supplies so as someone else said on my Facebook page this is a homeschooling field trip of a lifetime:) She said so many funny things during her stay but through it all she was so brave. Yesterday she said to me, "The kids were not brave like me mommy. I didn't fight the doctors. The other kids screamed and shouted but not me. I was so brave!" She truly was courageous and deserved her heart hero cape! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She was also totally Princess Harper. Todd spent the night with her the first night and she was up until 4:30 am talking with him. The next morning the doctors were during their rounds in the hallway and she told the main doctor to come in her room with the medical team instead of being in the hall talking about her. So the doctor was sweet as could be and gave in to Harper's requests. Todd said it was the funniest thing to hear the doctor go into the hall and say, "Okay princess Harper has a request." The team of about six doctors and all their equipment followed the doctor back into the room. Princess Harper was quite pleased! Harper is a sweet, caring child but so many people don't see the other side of Harper unless you have witnessed her diva behavior in person! It was that well spirited nature though that got her discharged in record breaking time! Every time a nurse came into the room she was just look them right in the eyes and say, 'What are you going to do to me now?" What a charmer! She definitely knows how to win people over!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uhm are you sure that is right?!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes I rule this hospital!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What do you think Doc?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> God was in all of the details. Here were just a few of the many examples: The room next to Harper was another adoptive family that had just adopted a 2 year old from China two weeks prior. She needed emergency heart surgery for her TOF. We soon realized we had mutual friends (quite common in the adoption world)! She also had another daughter adopted from China that was Harper's first official visitor! It was so neat to meet this sweet child when just a few weeks ago she was blue in China hanging on for dear life. It was such a relief to meet these parents who had already raised four biological children and now in their 60's decided to adopt to expand their family! So amazing and inspiring! On another God coincidence, another online adoptive friend, Kelly from <a href="http://www.myoverthinking.com/">http://www.myoverthinking.com</a></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, was in the area with her adorable four year old daughter and was so kind to stop by and pray over me while Harper was recovering. Prayer warriors wasn't this one of your prayers?!!! So cool, right?! Harper was also up and walking and laughing 24 hours after her surgery. Now that is a miracle! </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes Minnie has to go everywhere I go</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah they said I can leave today! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happily Ever After Starts Right Now</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hip Hip Hooray I am leaving today!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Well we just flew through recovery and next thing I knew we were all back at the "Hotel house" and Harper was enjoying her room service! It was like nothing had happened and she of course was loving all the one on one attention from her Mommy and Daddy! What an amazing experience to witness God's faithfulness and once again see how He provides all the support we need to get through challenges in our pathway. Thank you everyone for your love and concern. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So Blessed indeed!</td></tr>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">On April 21, 2009 this sweet baby girl with a weak heart and no name was left on a busy intersection in Fengcheng, China. </span></b></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Four years later her heart was healed all because two people had sustaining faith that her life could be saved.</b></span></i> </div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes you just have to go through the storm to </span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">get to the rainbow.</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;"><b>“Hardship often prepares an ordinary person for an extraordinary destiny.” C.S. Lewis</b></span></div>
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<br />Mary Jane Postiglionehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04999003468493104934noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7904463238395556955.post-46856266932344252032013-04-13T18:30:00.001-04:002013-04-13T18:30:21.426-04:00Say, what?! Discharged!<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: small;"> Oh my it has been a whirlwind the past 48 hours!!!! I am so sorry I have not updated my blog more frequently. I definitely did better with Facebook - updating it every half hour! My little heart warrior princess just flew through recovery! I will explain in better detail the surgery and outcomes and just God's amazing hand in all the details in another blog post this week but for now we are celebrating and rejoicing! Our baby's heart had a full repair and she is up walking, talking, eating and giggling! She did so good that we never even made it to the step down floor. We got discharged from the Cardiac Intenstive Care Unit today! She was ready to go home this morning! This is unheard of and the doctors and nurses were amazed. My prayer warriors or "power rangers" as my father likes to call you well you outdid yourselves and so did our creator! Harper was basically running the floor by the time we left! She is one controlling girl and I know God has BIG plans for her! She still wants to be a doctor and I think I may know where her first internship will be! We even passed Penn Universtiy School of Medicine today in our taxi and she said, "Mommy I want to go to this school!" On a side note she was even upset that we were not in the same taxi as we were in when we went to the hospital. She asked, "Mommy where is my other taxi car? This is not the right one! I hope he knows where our hotel house is"! She is truly one of a kind!</span></span> <br />
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<span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: x-large;"><strong>"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine." </strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: x-large;"><strong>Ephesians 3:20</strong></span> </div>
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Mary Jane Postiglionehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04999003468493104934noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7904463238395556955.post-74678887172554349192013-04-11T21:49:00.000-04:002013-04-11T21:49:15.104-04:00Praising God! Post surgery update...<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">Dear friends and faithful prayer warriors! I'm a friend of Mary Janes, posting for her as she gets settled in for the evening. We are filled with joy and praises to our Heavenly Father for orchestrating this day! Harper's surgery went very well today...right down to the smallest detail. (I'll save the details for MJ to share at a later date :). Harper is stable and waking up every few hours and they are giving her morphine for pain. Please remember sweet Harper in your prayers as she begins the healing process....that she would remain comfortable and out of pain, encouraged and peaceful. Please also remember her sweet sister, Talia who is missing her sister, mom and dad...may The Lord minister to her tender heart in ways that only He can. Prayers for MJ and Todd...that they get a very good nights rest, remain healthy, encouraged and at peace in the coming days. Thank you Lord Jesus for your beautiful miracle that you allowed us to witness as you touched precious Harpers heart with your healing hands!!</span><br />
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Thank you so very much for your faithful prayers!! </div>
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Mary Jane Postiglionehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04999003468493104934noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7904463238395556955.post-8755620192120305022013-04-11T11:44:00.000-04:002013-04-11T12:06:19.205-04:00She is in the ORThank you for storming the gates of heaven today for Harper's happy heart day!<br />
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We ended up being on a little delayed for surgery. Harper was getting anxious and just when I thought she would ask for something to eat they called us back. She was not too happy to change out of her pretty clothes into a hospital gown! I told you this baby girl is a princess! Ha! She has really been wanting her daddy so when it came time to wipe her down with the big antibacterial wipes daddy did the honors. The nurses could hear her down the whole yelling that she didn't like the smell or feel of the wipes! She is so funny!<br />
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The room quickly became filled with nurses, anesthesiologists, life specialists...you name it they came it to talk to us. They ask if you have questions but seriously all I could think of was wishing I was taking my daughter to preschool today instead of sending her off to open heart surgery. They gave Harper some meds and well they didn't do much. She was not going down without a fight and that is what happened next! The nurses were like, "Hmm usually this doesn't happen!" Harper wanted her daddy to hold her but she was throwing a fit and out of it from the meds. Finally they let my parents come in to kiss her and then we got to say our goodbye's. Todd held her while she screamed and kicked! We gave her sweet kisses on her head and I begged with Jesus to bring her back to me. The anesthesiologist nurse then took her and carried her sweetly away.<br />
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We then met with the surgeon. This whole experience the past 48 hrs. has just been surreal. All this planning, praying and prepping. It is hard to believe this is it. This is what we have been preparing our minds and hearts for. I just know she is excellent hands. We told the surgeon that He is the most prayed for person in the world today! He told us how he will fix the ASD and repair it with Harper's own heart tissue. It seems her pulmonary valve is misformed so he will do one of three things. The most invasive will be cutting it in half then taking donor tissue and patching it over that valve. They are going to give her a pacemaker wire should she need a pacemaker temporarily but I am praying she does not.<br />
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On a great note...It seems Harper's feistiness paid off they told us that she needed a private room! Amen. They reserve them in the intensive care for the children that might disturb others! I am so blessed to have one well spirited child!<br />
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We just got an update that Harper is deeply under and going on the heart and lung bypass machine. This is the part that scares me terribly. Please storm the gates of heaven that her heart starts back up without missing one beat! The great physician is in charge! I know God is holding her in the palm of His hand right now.<br />
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<b>Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”</b>Mary Jane Postiglionehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04999003468493104934noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7904463238395556955.post-19965096187753329672013-04-10T22:20:00.001-04:002013-04-10T22:20:24.254-04:00New ChapterJust a quick update. Your prayers are being answered even down to the tiniest details! We are all checked into the hotel in Philadelphia. There was no room available at the Ronald McDonald House but we made the most of this adventure and had a great night in the city with Harper. Talia left us easily and is enjoying playing with three precious boys right now at my best friend's house. Harper's pre op appointment went super smooth and she is cleared for surgery.<br />
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I am updating Facebook a little more frequently should you want to follow along via pictures:) Most of time my updates will be short on here because I want to spend time with my girl!<br />
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Right now are are just relaxing and enjoying our little girl. She is such a delight and the bravest, most courageous human being I know! The nurses and doctors are amazed by her as we are too! Thank you for your prayers. We are completely blown away!!!! It brought this mama to tears to hear about the prayer sheets and continuous prayers from around the country! Even though I can not write back to every one of you right now know that your messages and e-mails are not going unnoticed I read everyone of them to Harper and Todd!<br />
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I am still at peace and we know she needs this and God has amazing plans for our daughter! Again your prayers the past months have kept me so calm!<br />
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A few weeks back while sitting in a doctors office. Harper grabbed my hand and put it over her heart. I thought she was going to talk about her surgery (since we have been prepping her for almost a year!). Instead she said, "Mommy does Jesus live inside my heart?" Of course my ears perked up as I realized that was significant. I said to her in return, "Do you want Him to be Harper?" and with that beautiful big smile she nodded and said, "I do. Can we pray Mommy for Him to be?"<br />
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God's timing and love is so perfect. He has provided all the reassurance we need to arrive at 6:45 am tomorrow to get her heart healed!<br />
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<br />Mary Jane Postiglionehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04999003468493104934noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7904463238395556955.post-7184496299700484032013-04-09T17:24:00.000-04:002013-04-09T17:24:14.772-04:00Prayer Requests I have an amazing group of prayer warriors praying my family through this time period in our lives. I thank God every time I think of all of you. I am unremarkably calm and at peace and I know it is due to all your prayers. I will do my best to update this blog or Facebook regularly. I also will have my dear friend Robin updating when I am unable to. Thank you, thank you to all our friends near and far. Your support is amazing and my little girl surely can feel the love and one day will be an amazing servant to the Lord by witnessing all that others have done through His name.<br />
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It is so hard to believe we are only two days away from Harper's open heart surgery. We have waited for three years for this date and we know the Lord picked the most perfect date and the most amazing surgeon to fix her heart. For three years I have hovered over her wondering if that extra sniffle would effect her heart or when she didn't wake up right away from nap -- was she breathing? Sometimes the nights would be so long as I lay awake looking at the baby monitor screen. The cardiologist had told us we could wait a few years until the surgery was necessary but there was no guarantee that at any moment she could have a heart attack. Most people don't have these worries or thoughts about their two or three year old. I never would have guessed that my life would be on this path of adopting children with heart conditions but God had other plans and I am so glad He did. I am so thankful for the life He has given us with Harper. We feel so blessed that she is our daughter and every moment we will continue to have with her is like heaven on earth.<br />
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When we got Harper's file there was something in that face that told us she was a fighter, a survivor and a sweet well spirited child that needed a home. Those first weeks in China when she was a hot sweaty mess we knew her heart was probably pumping and beating faster normal. You did not even need a stethoscope to hear it! When we went to the medical exam appointment in China they asked us if we knew that she had a heart condition and if we still wanted her. The nurse had listened to her heart and then ran to get the doctor and was trying to explain to us that her heart was loud and basically sounded like a washing machine. I will never forget those first few cardiology appointments when we brought her home from China. The doctors would just look at us and almost didn't have the heart to tell us that she would need open heart surgery. They worked hard presenting her case to all the top catheterization doctors but after all their reviews the consensus was that her heart could only be fixed via an open heart procedure. As first time parents, although a bit nervous, we knew God's hand was all over Harper and that when the time was right He would tell us. He gave Harper until she was four. Four awesome years to get to know Him and for us to love and care for her. He gave us time for her to bond with us and to gain some much needed weight! He gave us time to give her a sister to love and play with. He gave us time to take her to Disney World and the beach. He gave her time to go to preschool and to learn her ABC's. He gave her time to take dance and to learn how to run and jump. He gave her time to just be a little girl that loves to live in a world of make believe princesses. He gave her time to learn about Him and to love Him. He gave her time to sleep through the night without pain in her spine. He gave her time to know what it means to be part of a forever family. You see he gave us the gift of time when He really did not have to do anything. We are so blessed with the gift of time and so often many of us take it for granted. I was once asked why would I adopt a child with a heart condition when they felt it was one of the most severe needs to have because basically you need a heart to live. Honestly we never really thought about it that way. We just knew that God determines the number of our days and who am I to deny His power and one of His children? If He called us to her (as He clearly did) then He would clearly be there for us in our darkest and hardest times of caring for a child with Congenital Heart Disease. I also look at it this way: Isn't it better to have loved then never to have loved at all? If we didn't step out of our comfort zone then we would have missed out on the biggest blessings in our life. Life isn't suppose to be easy and comfortable and planned out. It is messy, very messy and hard but God's promises are great and He does immeasurably more then we can ask.<br />
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We know The Lord could heal her heart at any moment just like He did Talia's, but He chose to have her go through this procedure and I know He will use it for His glory. Harper is fearfully and wonderfully made or as she says, "Mama I was wonderfully and carefully, carefully made!" My reply is always "Yes indeed you were!" She knows Him and she knows that there are no mistakes or surprises that He knitted her in her mother's womb and knows her name. He will be with her now and in eternity and He loves her even more then I do. Hard to imagine sometimes, right? That someone else could love our children more then us? That is how big and powerful His love is for us. It makes a mama bear's love and concern seem small. I think of Harper's biological mother frequently and I am sure she still wonders if her child is alive. She gave her up because she could not give her this life saving surgery and she made the excruciating decision to let her go and let someone else take care of her for her child's sake. So I am going to let go and give up control and let the one that loves her most and who created her to take over.<br />
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<b>Dear Lord I am surrendering to you because you know how each moment of the surgery will play out. You know every breathe Harper has and you know the number of heartbeats she has on this earth. You are not the God of worry and fear. You are the giver of life. You tell us in your word to not be anxious in anything but to give it to you with prayer and petition and thanksgiving. I present the following requests to you Lord. </b><br />
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-We pray that you plant a hedge of protection around Harper to be illness free and that her surgery is not postponed.<br />
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-For Mary Jane and Talia to be completely well and symptom free from their recent virus.<br />
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-For a safe journey for our family to Philadelphia and on our return to Charlotte.<br />
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-We pray for Harper’s pre op appointments to run smoothly as well as her genetic testing to come back negative for the syndromes they are testing her for.<br />
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-For Mary Jane & Todd to have extra energy, stamina and strength to endure the long nights and days at the hospital as well as a strong immune system so that they can care for Harper after her surgery.<br />
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-For Harper’s spirit to stay positive before and after her surgery.<br />
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-We pray Lord for our family to find rest in your word during the surgery hours and the days leading up to the surgery. Put our minds at ease and deliver them from any anxiety. Please let the Holy Spirit guide our thoughts and provide them with peace.<br />
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-For Harper’s heart to be easily fixed and completely healed.<br />
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-For the blood donations to be a match for her and for the new blood entering her system to not cause any harm to her fragile body.<br />
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-For her pulmonary valve stenosis to be corrected during this surgery and the pressures to be alleviated.<br />
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-For her heart rhythms and oxygen rates to be stay consistent and normal.<br />
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-For her to go on and off the bypass machine smoothly. We also pray for her to be on the bypass machine for an hour or less. We pray that her heart starts up quickly again without missing one precious heartbeat.<br />
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-We pray Lord for you to beat her heart for her and breathe into her when she can not.<br />
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-We pray for no brain damage or learning disabilities that are normally associated with being on the bypass machine.<br />
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-We pray for her to wake up easily from the anesthesia.<br />
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-We pray the medicines keep her from feeling pain and that during the first few days of healing we see glimpses of our Harper bug and her smile.<br />
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-We pray for the most critical hours (24-48 hrs.) following surgery and that she does not develop any infections.<br />
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-We pray for a room to be ready for us at the Ronald McDonald house in Philadelphia starting on the evening of April 10th.<br />
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-We pray for Talia’s mind that she can understand that she will just be separated from us for a week and not permanently. We pray for minimal tantrums and that she enjoys her time at our friend’s house.<br />
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-We pray for you to guide the hand of the surgeon and that His wisdom comes from you to perform her open heart surgery flawlessly. <br />
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-We pray for all of her caregivers including nurses, grandparents, and friends and pray you give them comfort and hope.<br />
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-We pray Lord that your fix her heart completely so that she can live a long and healthy life.<br />
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-We pray for a quick recovery with no complications and that sweet Harper is running around again with in a months’ time.<br />
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-Continue to provide us with patience and trust in you and your plan for Harper. They know she was yours first but feel that deep ache as earthly parents to just keep their daughter here with them safe and sound in their arms.<br />
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-We pray Lord for Harper to know you and love you and sing your praises all the days of her life. Let her story be a testament always of your faithfulness and let it draw others closer to you. Lord we ask you to do immeasurably more with Harper’s life then we can imagine. We pray you continue to use her for your purpose.<br />
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<br />Mary Jane Postiglionehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04999003468493104934noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7904463238395556955.post-69573684555599990912013-04-05T14:36:00.002-04:002013-04-05T14:36:11.114-04:00Harper's Story<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">I posted this on the 28 days of Heart blog and thought I should post it here as a reminder of God's faithfulness. He promises to never leave us in our distress and I firmly believe that. May Harper's story always be a testament to His love and sovereign hand over the tiny details and the big ones! Her surgery date is still scheduled for this Thursday, April 11th. Let us be glad and rejoice for the day the Lord has made to heal her heart. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13px; text-align: justify;">Our Harper Lily came into our world on January, 21, 2010. The same day as her 1</span><sup style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: inherit; line-height: 11px; text-align: justify;">st</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"> birthday! On the other side of the world as she turned one we celebrated the gift of family. Harper was described as clever, spirited, sensible and quite the observer. She also loved to be held all day long and we could not wait to hold her forever! For 8 long months we just had these pictures to “ooh and aah” over.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19.1875px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19.1875px; text-align: justify;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19.1875px; text-align: justify;" /><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19.1875px; text-align: center;">
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<span style="line-height: 13px;">Harper was found on a busy intersection in Fengcheng, Jiangxi on April 21, 2009. A police officer brought her to the orphanage and they determined her to be around 3-4 months old. My best educated guess would be that her parents wanted to keep her but then found out she had a hole in heart and realized that the expense was too great to help her. I can hardly imagine the anguish they felt when they found out the news about their baby girl's health. In fact, I really cannot fathom that sort of pain but my empathy for them runs deep. Every night when we lay Harper down to sleep and she looks up at us with those big super dark brown eyes I wonder if she stared at them the same way when they laid her down one last final time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 13px;">Luckily due to Harper’s condition they placed her in foster care the day after she was brought to the orphanage. She stayed there for a year and a half until August 8, 2010 when she was placed in our arms kicking and screaming. </span><span style="line-height: 13px;">I rocked and hugged and cried with her that day. She so desperately missed her foster mother. It was hard to comfort an 18 month old who just lost her whole world for the 2<sup>nd</sup> time in her life.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 13px;">In China as first time parents we were so nervous and we were not sure how her heart was doing. She was also covered in hives and we were scared to give her any medicine. We also realized in country that she had scoliosis --something not mentioned in her file. This was the beginning of Harper’s unknowns. She was 18 lbs. and she looked perfectly healthy as she does now but there was so much going on in that little body. We were blessed beyond measure to bring her home when we did to begin treatments for all her medical needs.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwhwUmCIJXgXUIqXzD-fvl8uSm_e_GiiyMkJLm2STjHNMY_bD4t8ZWyJ_F-J6f1QG5j-elRELsluEI5xR1FKZjyReaPtRmt390g_3bjkNHN_6EC6tE6RlGdz2D5-9-guPmbTK_ar7SCCVw/s1600/Harper8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #a12120; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwhwUmCIJXgXUIqXzD-fvl8uSm_e_GiiyMkJLm2STjHNMY_bD4t8ZWyJ_F-J6f1QG5j-elRELsluEI5xR1FKZjyReaPtRmt390g_3bjkNHN_6EC6tE6RlGdz2D5-9-guPmbTK_ar7SCCVw/s640/Harper8.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(32, 32, 32); padding: 4px;" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 13px;">In China, we had the privilege of meeting Harper’s foster mother. I will never forget that day -- the love and concern in the foster mother’s eyes that filled with tears when she asked us in Chinese if we were going to fix Harper’s heart. Our guide translated back to her that Xia Xia (“Harper”) would receive surgery for her heart and be just fine. The foster mother then grabbed my hands in hers and repeatedly said, “Xie Xie” which meant “Thank you” in Chinese. She was so overcome with Thank you’s to us, as we are to our heavenly Father for bringing Harper into our lives.<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fffefd; line-height: 13px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him”. 1 Samuel 1:27</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fffefd; line-height: 13px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Once home, Harper went through a series of medical tests like every newly adopted child. We learned the devastating news at the time that Harper would need open heart surgery in the coming years for not only her ASD but multiple holes in her heart and a valve issue. She also had severe scoliosis, a lower brain malformation, a severe allergic reaction to milk products and a benign tumor on her head. Harper’s undisclosed or unknown medical needs during our very sleep deprived state those first 8 months were very tough. She also went through an array of genetic testing. We spend days and weeks and eventually months living at the doctors’ offices and putting her under for one test after another. We thought we knew what we could handle. We were very specific on our little medical needs checklist, yet here was this child who could not be more perfect for Todd and me and yet her needs seemed at the time too much for me to handle but not too great for our Lord.</span></span><br /><span style="background-color: #fffefd; line-height: 13px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: #fffefd; line-height: 13px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I remember reading so many blogs during our wait to Harper. International adoption is full of unknowns but nothing is unknown to the Lord. There are no surprises, no coincidences; no oops I didn’t see that coming! He knew all along what her file had to say in order for us to say “Yes” at the time. I am not lessening the fact that when you hear that your child needs open heart surgery or multiple surgeries for things you were not prepared for you almost feel like you are having an out of body experience. The doctor talks, your mind goes numb and your stomach sinks. You cannot imagine the feeling when they tell you that your child would not have made it past age four if they stayed in their birth country. However when you offer up your prayer petitions to the Lord he answers them softly and sweetly and He knows what will bring you to your knees and closer to Him. Harper was God’s best plan in our lives and eventually led us to adopt a 2<sup>nd</sup> child with a heart condition, as well as, commit our lives to Him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fffefd; line-height: 13px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Harper has now been home 2 ½ years and every 4-6 months she sees a cardiologist and undergoes an Echo. She also wears a hard brace 23/7 for her scoliosis and everything else we monitor with yearly CT scans to make sure things are not worsening. She has outgrown her milk allergy…whew! Of all needs that was the hardest one to live with daily! She is such a blessing in our lives and I cannot imagine one day without her and I hope I never have to! She is spunky, smart, caring, well spirited and has a huge heart for the Lord. She is one tough cookie but I always say there are no mistakes with God. He had to make her tough and strong willed because she has to endure not only physical pain in her life but a life of great loss at such a young age. We are so thankful that she is our child and are filled with thankful praises that her surgery date is set for April 11<sup>th</sup> and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. We expect to spend the week in the hospital minus no complications. This should be her only open heart surgery but she may need a valve transplant further down the road. Harper knows she is having heart surgery and the Lord has prepared her little mind so well. She has seen Ms. Lily and Ivy (both on this blog) and always talks about how she will get balloons and have a badge of honor and courage on her chest like they do! It amazes me how God continues to put people in our path to help us and I know Harper also inspires others. Just look at this sweet face and into those eyes so full of life and laughter! She has been given the opportunity to know her creator and to know His love for her is unconditional. I cannot ask for anything greater for my children then to know the Lord with all their heart and mind. She was chosen by Him to have a broken heart and now he will use His powers and His will to heal her via the surgeon’s hands at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. We have clearly seen the Lord’s hand work miracles in Harper’s life. We know He will be in that operating room with her holding her hand and her heart in His hands.<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fffefd; line-height: 13px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“We love because he first loved us” 1 John 4:19</span></span></div>
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Mary Jane Postiglionehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04999003468493104934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7904463238395556955.post-34462973178250787642013-02-15T20:55:00.001-05:002013-02-15T20:55:45.053-05:00Be Mine<br />
Happy Valentine's Day everyone!<br />
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Earlier in the month I mentioned the blog address<u><span style="color: blue;"> <a href="http://28daysofhearts.blogspot.com/">http://28daysofhearts.blogspot.com</a></span></u> on Facebook. Harper and Talia will be featured on February 19th.<br />
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Please take a peek at this short video and share with anyone you know that might be interested in adopting a child with a heart condition. All of these precious children are heart warriors and once had no one to take care of them. Please continue to pray for the ones left behind and for families that are considering taking the plunge to adopt!<br />
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Harper at the end of the video says, "Dear God thank you for my heart surgery soon". It was a completely unprompted prayer. It just melted my heart to know she knows who is in control and sovereign. As we prepare for her heart surgery we remember that this surgery is a HUGE blessing and not something to be anxious over. Thank you all for your overflowing love and support. We do have a surgery date of April 11th at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.<br />
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Congenital heart defects are the top killer of newborn babies in China due to high incidence and inadequate treatment. It is estimated that there are 300,000 babies born each year with a Congenital Heart Defect. Due to their one child policy there are likely thousands more births that are not reported. Out of the 300,000 births, only about 70,000 of those babies will ever receive medical attention for their congenital heart defects due to low awareness, limited medical resources and financial reasons. Thousands more are born still or will die shortly after birth due to lack of medical attention. While a simple scan to diagnosis CHD would cost roughly 100RMB the cost of a surgery to repair their child's defect could cost them more then 10 years of their household income. Many families do not have the financial resources to afford such surgeries. Families often make the difficult decision to abandon their baby in hopes that the orphanage will find the baby and help repair that child's heart defects. Unfortunately, that is not the story for many children. They will often be taken to the orphanage and will be scanned to confirm the congenital heart defect, but many still will not receive their life saving surgeries. Many will continue on palliative and hospice care while at the orphanage. Some of these children will be deemed inoperable or terminal. Without immediate medical treatment for the heart defects the child's lungs will be severely and irreparably damaged. These children will then become "paper ready" in hopes that a family will come forward to care for these medically fragile children. Here are the faces of the survivors, who against all odds continue to fight and win the battle of living with a Congenital Heart Defect.<br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Here are a few pictures from Valentine's Day! </span></div>
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<br />Mary Jane Postiglionehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04999003468493104934noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7904463238395556955.post-48774871654283996952012-12-25T20:58:00.002-05:002012-12-25T20:58:20.977-05:00Merry Christmas<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Talia's first view of Christmas morning! Thank you to everyone that made her adoption possible through prayers and support...thanks to you this once orphan now gets to celebrate the wonder and joy of Christmas morning!</span></div>
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<b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">"For unto us a child is born" Isaiah 9:6-7</span></b><br />
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<b style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">"All Good things come from Above" James 1:17</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>WISHING YOU ALL A JOYOUS CHRISTMAS</b></span></div>
Mary Jane Postiglionehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04999003468493104934noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7904463238395556955.post-63528795106499315922012-11-09T21:04:00.000-05:002012-11-10T11:52:43.936-05:00Helping Orphans-My OpportunityWell a lot has happened since my last post. Here are a few of the main points rather quickly:<br />
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<li>We did not end up being the family God had created for Candice. I am so amazed at His faithfulness and the wonderful and most perfect family He hand picked for her though! More on that story in a couple weeks! </li>
<li>Talia is adjusting so well and is doing fantastic in preschool. Her language is just exploding! She is still a tiny peanut with no body fat but I think eventually she will want to eat more then just vegetables!</li>
<li>Harper likes having a sister when she feels she is the "Big sister" and Talia is the baby! Otherwise, she doesn't want to share her toys, food or her mommy and daddy. </li>
<li>We have had every cold illness possible the past month and a half and I am starting to wonder what impact this has placed on Harper's little heart. We have an appointment at CHOP soon so please pray for her. We were hoping her heart would heal but since that is not happening we think we will need medical intervention by the summer, if not sooner. </li>
<li>Todd and I are so blessed to have found and be a part of an amazing church community. The Lord clearly guided us to a new church and the friendships we have made with others while worshiping and attending small groups has been life changing. I was a small group bible leader for the first time this fall. What a wonderful experience! Our bible study group of Eighty women covered Kelly Minter's book "No Other Gods". I need to do a whole post on that bible study to even begin to tell you the impact it had on my life. </li>
<li>Personally, I have struggled to find the time to blog, help fundraising families, prospective adoptive parents and to work on my daily mission of saving children's lives! I know I demand a lot from myself but my heart aches for any child that has to do without food, shelter and a loving family. It seems many of us in the adoptive community have found a niche and I think mine clearly is to help fundraising families. I have lived through the stigma of "fundraising" or "raising funds". I have cried thinking my sweet child would have to wait another month if the funds would not come in and I have witnessed the beauty of human kindness and generosity. I don't think I can ever explain how wonderful last year was for us to witness the hand of God work through His people. So with that said I felt I had to hone in on my skill set and help inspire others. My biggest quote to my Talia girl was "I never want to have a child die with blood on my hands due to finances" and I don't want to ever hear any family say I can't due to finances. It may be hard, uncomfortable and scary but when God has laid it on your heart to adopt one of His children I promise you He will provide. I prayed and prayed on how I could best help others while doing something I love and something that was flexible with my current mommy schedule. I also tried to find something that would appeal to everyone and you all know I am a big proponent of "shopping for a cause"!!! In fact quite honestly Todd and I buy the majority of our items and gifts via fundraisers. I can not tell you the countless times someone will comment on something my girls have on or something in my house and I can proudly say, "Oh yes that was from a fundraiser!" After we fund raised I began to think about everything so differently. Now I need to find someone who sells gas for my car!</li>
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So the company that I picked was Stella & Dot and I am already helping families. If you never heard of Stella & Dot well get ready to fall in love! Stella & Dot has given me the opportunity to donate my commission to help other families and children in need! With every purchase from my online boutique throughout the year you can feel good knowing that a proceeds of every order goes to orphans around the world or families fundraising to bring home a child. I am currently running a fundraiser now that Harper picked with Love without Boundaries. You can shop for this cause here...<a href="http://www.stelladot.com/ts/817l5"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.stelladot.com/ts/817l5</span></a><br />
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LWB has been asked to do a very special project for a rural, mountainous village in southwest Guizhou Province. ChaYing village, home to a Buyi ethnic minority group, is one of the poorest villages in Guizhou. We have been asked if it would be possible for us to provide a new coat and warm thermal underwear to every child in the village. There are 105 children who currently live in Chaying. For every order placed for this online show we will be donating a set of thermal underwear and a coat for an orphan. No matter the amount you spend Harper and I will match it and make sure every child gets this set.<br />
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I know my fashionista friends will just love Stella's stylish scarves, wallets, jewels and more. You will help us warm up a child's life while shopping for some fun celebrity-coveted jewelry! You may have seen the line featured in InStyle, Lucky, People and Glamour. From delicate necklaces to statement pieces Stella & Dot has something everyone will love! Christmas is just around the corner and with 50% of our line under $50 you will find some fantastic gifts and how sweet it would be to include a note card letting the recipient know that this gift helped keep a child in China stay warm this winter.<br />
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I am so excited for this opportunity as I was deeply saddened that I could not help every family that needs monetary help but now I can! It is such a perfect fit! With that said I will be doing local Charlotte events for ladies that want to earn and reward themselves with some fabulous free jewelry. From these parties and orders on my online boutique we will start saving for Harper's heart surgery. I plan on featuring 1-2 fundraising families every month where the majority of the proceeds and all the jewelry goes to them. I also look forward to venturing out into other community fundraisers or causes that mean so much to my hostess. I want every fundraiser to be a success. So if you are interested in a fundraiser or yearn for some girl time with your friends please e-mail me at <a href="mailto:mjpost32@gmail.com"><u><span style="color: blue;">mjpost32@gmail.com</span></u></a> and we can talk about getting you on the schedule! Our exclusive styling events are so much fun, super easy and laid back....you will be hooked! Plus hey you all can help this mommy get out of the house!<br />
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So this is not only my opportunity to help people but it gives me a focus to shine the light of Christ and spread His call to all of us to care and love one another. Someone kindly asked me, "Well what do you get out of this?" and I kindly answered, "More then you can ever imagine"! In this season of life this is how I can use my past experiences, my hopes for children around the world and my admiration of fashion to build families. I am starting slow and steady and then after Harper's surgery and depending on the type of care she needs we will go from there but for right now my cause is right in front of me and I won't ever stop fighting for the fatherless.<br />
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<b>During National Adoption Awareness Month and time and time again I go back to the Starfish Story to remind myself that we all can make a difference in the life of a child. </b></div>
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<b>A young girl was walking along a beach upon which thousands of starfish had been washed up during a terrible storm. When she came to each starfish, she would pick it up, and throw it back into the ocean. People watched her with amusement.</b></div>
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<b>She had been doing this for some time when a man approached her and said, “Little girl, why are you doing this? Look at this beach! You can’t save all these starfish. You can’t begin to make a difference!”</b></div>
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<b>The girl seemed crushed, suddenly deflated. But after a few moments, she bent down, picked up another starfish, and hurled it as far as she could into the ocean. Then she looked up at the man and replied,</b></div>
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<b>“Well, I made a difference to that one!”</b></div>
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<b>The old man looked at the girl inquisitively and thought about what she had done and said. Inspired, he joined the little girl in throwing starfish back into the sea. Soon others joined, and all the starfish were saved.</b></div>
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Doesn't that story just make you melt? We really can make a difference. Find what your niche is and do it...help others, love one another, build people up-don't tear them down and most importantly ask the Lord what you can do and how you can use your life to help His causes, not yours. I promise you when you pray to Him, He will answer and clearly direct you to what you need to be doing. </div>
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Lastly, I have to share with you all too a picture of my precious Harper taken last Saturday! She is so full of life and I can not imagine any other plans God has for her then being here with us and taking in the suns rays but I know I also have to trust His relationship with her first and foremost. For she was His before she became ours and His.<br />
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<br />Mary Jane Postiglionehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04999003468493104934noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7904463238395556955.post-27439461018534171022012-08-31T14:46:00.001-04:002012-08-31T14:56:07.635-04:00Torn in Two<span style="font-size: large;"> I have not had much time to blog this past summer but the long and short of it is we have had an overall blessed transition. As we set boundaries we are dealing with some expected behavioral issues with Talia as well as some sibling rivalry issues with Harper. Even when the days are long I feel really blessed that God has entrusted us to care for these two precious little girls. Talia's adjustment into our lives has almost been too easy and with that well I go back to the verse that first brought us to Talia. "For those that have been given much, much is required in return" (Luke:12:48). I had that as my Facebook status the day we received Talia's file a little over a year ago. You would not believe how many sweet and concerned friends messaged me or to see if I was okay. Little did everyone know we were given Talia's file and that our lives were about to be blown apart in a very big and amazing way that only God himself could have orchestrated. I know many people, like myself not so long ago, thought of the words "given much" in terms of financial security, properties, cars, 401K's, stocks, loaded emergency funds, etc. The verse has more to do with being good stewards with all the blessings bestowed upon us then financial security in today's society. That is something we created, not God. We all have been given much, whether God has blessed you with a bigger portion of His money or with many gifts from the Holy Spirit it is just how we decide to use it and are we doing it in a cheerful manner set forth by the Lord. We are accountable for our resources, knowledge, abilities that He has given us so in return He asks us to follow Him and do everything through Him (notice I didn't say through us!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> In Talia's adoption we were clearly called to be her parents and He clearly chose to heal her heart to bring Him glory. He literally shined through our daughter in such a miraculous way! Sometimes what God is asking us to do is not so clear. In fact, we may think that we are walking the right path with Him and then all of a sudden the carpet is pulled out underneath of us and we say, "What Lord? What was that for?" As my dear friend told me sometimes events in our lives or circumstances presented to us are tests. Yes, tests! Something that is so good can actually be bad and the closer you get to Jesus the more He will ask you to walk a little faster and keep up with His ways. Now I hope I am not losing all of you already! I was right where many of you were a few years ago. Sure I believed in God and yes I believed Jesus died for us but I was nowhere living the life of a follower...nothing in my life pointed to, "Yes I am a child of God" and "Yes He is living through me daily in every decision" and "Yes I will follow Him no matter the cost". So my personal relationship with Christ grew by leaps in bounds when we took Talia's file and we let Him ride the course of our lives and boy did His provision come through! I don't think I will ever experience a year like that again! As we became more open and shared our story the clearer it became why He chose us to be her parents.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Anyone that is friends with me knows I live for adoption stories. I advocate for aging out or hard to place children. I am huge proponent for adoption and helping the children that are left behind and where ever I go I talk about the plight of orphans around the world and the care they are receiving in orphanages. The poor mailman has literally left with an adoption packet! It is just my way of educating others about orphans because as David Platt says it is easy for forget about them! So you would think I would tell everyone that they need to adopt (okay sometimes I try! ha!) However I have become increasingly aware that not everyone is called to actually bring home a child not born from their belly. I use to think wouldn't it be wonderful if everyone adopted? Well honestly although a wonderful thought that would not really solve the root of the orphan crisis. </span><span style="font-size: large;">We live in a fallen world where there will always be orphans. There will always be someone needing our help. Some people are called to adopt, some people are called to financially support children coming home and some people are called to sponsor children. No matter the act I believe we are all called to pray and help orphans. At first that was a hard pill to swallow why would someone not want to adopt a child that needs life saving surgery? I guess because I always wanted to adopt it seemed like everyone else would want to help a child in need, right? Well what I have come to realize in my little world is that even when we have the best interests at heart it may just not be right even though that child needs a warm bed at night and a blanket to sleep with. But I know my blog followers will say " But Mary Jane you jumped out when the timing was not right, you jumped out when you had no money to adopt and you jumped out when nothing made sense medically in her file, in fact it sounded horrific"! And my answer is "Yes" to everything it didn't seem right at all but there was such a strong conviction that this was my daughter and God left no margin of error on our decision. He really made the decision for us. So it was more then just jumping out in faith and it was more then saving a child's life. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> We get asked a lot of questions...there is probably a top ten list of questions we get over and over again so I plan on tackling them one by one in a separate post. Here is the main one from adoptive parents: "How do I know if this child is mine or if I am being called to adopt?" It just so happens this past week we were face to face with a picture of a child that we thought could be ours ( I know take a deep breath Talia has only been here 2 months!) Let's just say in the past I have seen what it looks like when a person is suppose to leap out in faith and when a person is not. It looks very different and the outcomes are very different. In fact, they can be devastating, That is why if you are believer you need to ask the Lord to help guide you in your decisions. He wants to be a part of them just let Him in. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> A few weeks ago I heard about China's new living relative program. Before this program children were not able to be adopted if they had a living relative but now if the parents relinquish their rights the child gets placed in a social welfare institute and can get placed on an adoption list. My Facebook friends will attest that I do post many pictures and profiles of children that need their forever families to come forward. I pray over each one and never have I ever been attached to a picture as I was of this one beautiful young lady named Candice. Candice's father can no longer care for her as he is disabled due to a traffic accident and her mother is no longer present in her life so he placed her for adoption this year. She is 12 1/2 years old and will age out of the system at age 14. I knew there would be a lot of inquiries about her and when I heard she was matched with a family I was delighted! And then last Friday I was told that the family adopting her backed out and she was available again. For some reason my heart sunk for her and Todd and I prayed and kept her in our intentions throughout the weekend. It was like I could picture her in every errand I ran last weekend. It was all I was consumed thinking about. So many things were running through my mind. Was God calling us again? And why does He keep calling us so soon after every adoption? And how in the world did He think I could handle parenting a 12 year old? I know nothing about that age group except for what I went through in middle school! I went from one extreme to the next she wouldn't like it here, our house is too small, she will want privacy, she will dislike being the only older child around, our girls won't like her, etc. I spun it around and around and around and then I saw the video of her and heard her voice and I cried. So angelic and the course of our lives was about to change once again. We were actually considering her! My 10% chance of her being ours quickly jumped to 60%! I should preface this and tell you that Talia's baptism was this past weekend and as I wrestled over this decision my parents were in town, my brother and my best friends. All people that I could have talked this over with and confessed our big secret but I didn't want anyone else's voice. I wanted to hear the Lord's voice because at the end of this life it doesn't matter what others thought of our decisions. I am more concerned with what He thinks of how I answered his calling for me. I woke up the day of Talia's Baptism and as I got ready I think I had my revelation in the shower. You see this was all starting to look very much like how we got Talia's file. Things just fell into place, I could picture her here, I could see my future with her. We were open and willing to bring her home. Another older child from the same orphanage in the same video was being adopted by our new friends right down the road. What are the chances of that? Everything pointed to having her here! I felt like I could not go on another day without her but something in my told me to stop and just let Him speak to me. That is always everyone's advice and I never understood what firm Christian believers meant when they would say, "Chat with God. Listen to His voice. Find Him in your decision". First off, how can I chat with God? Is he really going to answer me? With Talia's file it was crystal clear with a date this time there was no date so that didn't help matters. I have to tell you it is SO VERY HARD to find God's voice in the constant chatter of this world. Nothing points to Him. It all points to us and what we want. It was at that moment I begin to think how selfish I was. This child needed a home and I could be a wonderful mother to her but I didn't like how it looked. I wanted her to have her own place to hang out with friends, a bigger house to give her privacy, a Suburban so that I could fit her and all her friends, a bank account that would allow us to give her anything she wanted and so deserved right? (side note here no offense to those that drive Suburbans-you know what I mean it could be any car). I didn't like how it looked because that is not how I pictured my life. It didn't add up to what I wanted and I felt she deserved so much more then what I could provide her with. I was weeping, weeping from the despair of wanting her so bad like I had wanted so many external things in this life. I spent my first 34 years being selfish is that how I really wanted to spend the next 34 years? Even if this adoption through off the course of what I had planned for our lives? I wanted to break free from it all! EVERYTHING! The torment and the anguish and the remorse I felt as the water streamed down my face. I was ripped apart and the layers peeled off of me like an onion...and God was rocking me to my core! So in the shower I made the decision okay Todd and I need to sit down and fill out that Letter of Intent it doesn't look right but this is the right thing to do and she is ours! <b>Amen! </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Wrong!!! Totally wrong!</b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A minute after that revelation it hit me like a ton of bricks literally my head hurt and the Holy Spirit was just moving inside me. I realized I wanted her. I wanted her to be my daughter in the worst way. I loved her and did not want anyone else to submit that Letter of Intent until I did. I was weeping, weeping from the despair of wanting her so bad to be my daughter and for it to look different. I wanted, what I wanted and I wanted it now! I was always a firm believer in you want something then go out after it. The world is yours...well did that sure slap me in the face! When I laid out my intentions to the Lord I asked for discernment and clarity and for Him to be clear. It seems the decision was never clear until that moment when I realized I wanted her and I once again was being selfish. He knew how bad I would want her and He asked me to follow and trust His plan for her not mine. My way although seemingly good as I would be bringing home a child that so deserves a home is bad because it was me, not Him. I think this is so important to realize especially for people that have adopted. We long to help the children that are waiting. But to those that have not adopted this pertains to you as well. I pray for you all in your daily lives to try to clear the chatter and clutter and try to find Him. There are so many things society says we need or must have because we work hard and deserve it right? We fool ourselves into to thinking this instead get lost in what He has in store for you and your life. It will be so much more fulfilling then you ever imagined. It will no doubt be a harder walk but in eternity is where your soul will lie with Him and that is better then anything that this world has created. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> My heart ripped was torn in two that day and as I celebrated Talia's baptism in my mind I wondered if Candice will ever come to know the Lord and surrender her life to Him? Will show know the real love of a family? A family that sticks together no matter how tough things get. A family that does not break apart due to a fallen world and its lies. A family that can love on her and handle all the grief and loneliness that she will no doubt experience. Will you pray for her and for her family to come forward soon. </span><span style="font-size: large;">At this point I do not believe it is us so I am letting her go even though every ounce of me wants to hang on to her. She has already made her mark on our lives and for whatever reason she took my heart and maybe God is preparing us for something else or maybe He was testing me to see if I was going to be </span><span style="font-size: large;">obedient or only follow Him so far. </span><span style="font-size: large;">In the meantime I pray for the desires of His heart to be in my heart because His ways are not my ways and I long for them to be. We do not have a dime to start the adoption for Candice but we have one room left in our house and for us that was enough. It wasn't the finances that stopped us for Candice or the crazy looks or concerns that our family and friends would give us when we said we were adopting a 12 year old it was the fact that God has asked me quite clearly to be one of His sheep and to listen to His voice, not mine. <b>"</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." (John 10:27)</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I know this post was pretty personal but I live my life openly. I think that is one of my gifts and so I want to share what I have experienced in hopes it answers the question: "How do I know when God is calling me to do something vs. me wanting to do something?" Seek His voice. I bought a new bible the other day and guess what verse I read as soon as I opened it up. <b>"All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:6).</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I am going to do my very best to advocate for her and see if she comes back to us or goes to the family that God intended to be hers. Here is her sweet and beautiful face and she is with Living Hope on their individual list. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I do not want to ever see her on an aging out list. She has a year and a half before she ages out and Living Hope has promised a fast </span><span style="font-size: large;">time frame</span><span style="font-size: large;"> to her even if you are starting from scratch on a dossier. Are you her forever family? Please strongly consider praying with your spouse about lovely Candice. </span><br />
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<br />Mary Jane Postiglionehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04999003468493104934noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7904463238395556955.post-82861978279178361612012-08-30T09:28:00.002-04:002012-08-30T09:32:19.142-04:00The 8 Week Miracle! I think I blasted this story everywhere now but I had to pop it up quickly on this blog as well. What a way to start my morning! This is a prime example how God moves people in today's times to help other people, His children who need help!<br />
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This was the family that I hosted a Matilda Jane fundraiser for last month. The family had leaped out in faith to adopt two girls that are clearly theirs...the only problem was money! Just days ago they were $30,000 short and only had a few weeks before their child would age out of China's adoption system. Well today they are almost fully funded thanks to an amazing selfless couple.<br />
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Well my friend has some amazing news! Over the weekend she received an email from an anonymous young couple who had decided to give their entire proceeds of the sale of their house to bring home Diane's two aging out girls! They described in their letter how God had called them to orphan ministry, how they had come to read her blog, and how God made it clear to them through scripture that they were called to give to bring her girls home. Can you imagine that type of reckless abandonment (as David Platt would say!) to help someone else? Brings me to my knees!<br />
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This was the verse in their bible study class last Sunday!<br />
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<b>"With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need" Acts 4:33-34</b><br />
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Yes God could not have made that any clearer to them. If you seek for Him you will find Him, I promise!<br />
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Can you just take a moment today and Thank God for moving mountains to bring home two children whose lives will now be saved and they will come to know Him. Can we just be thankful today for His abundant love and His provision for this family. After reading this story nothing should bring you down today...no sorrow or regretful thoughts, no worries, no anxiety...just happy, loving thoughts and prayers of Thanksgiving for the McCaslin's. Thank you Lord for your provision and being where we seek you, always!<br />
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Here is their blog link to keep up with the family and their two daughters who are about to become a part of an amazing loving family in America! <a href="http://mylifeingodsgarden.com/"><span style="color: blue;">http://mylifeingodsgarden.com/</span></a>Mary Jane Postiglionehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04999003468493104934noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7904463238395556955.post-5606382633110164282012-08-25T15:13:00.001-04:002012-08-25T15:13:09.574-04:00Georgia Grace trunk show<span style="font-size: large;">Okay time for a little back to school fun! I am hosting a virtual Georgia Grace trunk show. This release is pretty small but there will be another release soon! In order to prevent sell out's and to get everything on your wish list we are asking to have all orders in by Monday.The colors of this line are gorgeous and match a lot of lines out this season. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We’re so very excited to introduce Alouette, our Georgia Grace Fall 2012 collection! Alouette will be available for purchase starting August 25th. This collection has been almost a year in the making and led us on a journey larger than we imagined. It’s a collection of sweet girly details, adorable color, and funky styles. Before placing an order, please visit </span><a href="http://georgiagracedesigns.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><strong>http://georgiagracedesigns.com/</strong></span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> for more information on our ordering policies. If you have any additional questions or concerns please contact me the hostess Mary Jane (</span><a href="mailto:mjpost32@gmail.com"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">mjpost32@gmail.com</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">), or the Georgia Grace Trunk Representative, Mary Sammons, at (</span><a href="mailto:waiting4lexi@yahoo.com"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><strong>waiting4lexi@yahoo.com</strong></span></a><span style="font-size: large;">) or (602-576-8006). You will need to provide your Trunk Representative and Email with the items you are interested in purchasing. Please include your phone number. Once the items are in uploaded your Representative will call your for payment information. Once your order is placed you will receive an order confirmation email. Please review the order and contact (Mary Sammons) if you need additional help (please reference your order number found in the confirmation email). Thanks so much and enjoy the show!<br /><br />Mary Sammons will be posting pictures on her blog tomorrow late afternoon of her beautiful girls decked out in the new Georgia Grace line. Her blog can be found here! As always please keep her dear Ivy in your prayers! </span><a href="http://sammonsfamily7.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">http://sammonsfamily7.blogspot.com/</span></a><br /><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you all and have some fun! Back to school is right around the corner and I know the little girls in your new life will just love something special!</span> <br />
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Mary Jane Postiglionehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04999003468493104934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7904463238395556955.post-28201633901571068932012-08-08T16:01:00.004-04:002012-08-08T16:01:48.006-04:00Sister fun!Sorry I have been MIA if you don't already know me on Facebook- come find me-"Mary Jane Postiglione"!<br />
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I post pictures daily and all my updates are on there. I plan to keep blogging but most days I am breaking up toy temper tantrums between my "virtual twins:!<br />
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I just had to share some of the pictures from the girl's first photo shoot! Our dear friend who sang in our wedding gifted us a session and it was so much fun for the girls to get all dolled up! <br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">"Sugar and spice<br /> and everything nice<br /> that's what little girls are made of<br /><br />Sunshine and rainbows<br /> and ribbons for hair bows<br /> that's what little girls are made of<br /><br />Tea parties, laces<br /> and baby doll faces<br /> that's what little girls are made of"</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She did these poses all by herself! Such a ham!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't let this sweet face fool you...ha!</td></tr>
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<br />Mary Jane Postiglionehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04999003468493104934noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7904463238395556955.post-26251712004618627522012-07-23T15:22:00.001-04:002012-08-08T16:03:42.282-04:00Fundraiser for the McCaslin Family<span style="color: red;">Thank you everyone this fundraiser is now closed but you can continue to donate on their blog the next couple of months!!! Let's bring these girls home! This was so fun for me to give back even if it was in a little way! </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">Calling all moms that love Matilda Jane clothing! A friend in the adoption community needs help and I have a way to combine fashion, fun and donations all in one!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"> If you have not heard about the McCaslin's story now is the time to take a few minutes out of your day to read about their amazing calling to adopt not one, but two, aging out girls. My friend's blog did a wonderful post on the family and it was her post that got me stirring to stop what I was doing (yes very busy with my new "virtual twins") and do something! Instead of my insight to the story read this blog post about how their story is inspiring everyone in the adoption world to do something! You might need to get your tissues:)</span><br />
<a href="http://www.nogreaterjoymom.com/2012/07/faith-in-fire.html"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.nogreaterjoymom.com/2012/07/faith-in-fire.html</span></a><br />
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Do you want to be a part of the 8 week miracle? They need $34,000 in 8 weeks in order to prevent these beautiful girls, their daughters, from being put out on the streets of China. If they wait one day past their 14th birthday they are no longer eligible to be adopted. Evangeline and Eliza are waiting in China for the Mama and Baba and the only thing standing in the way is money!<br />
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I have two ways you can help be a part of the 8 week miracle. You can donate directly on their blog via their chip in button here: <a href="http://mylifeingodsgarden.com/"><span style="color: blue;">http://mylifeingodsgarden.com/</span></a><br />
or you can shop for your daughters on the online McCaslin's Matilda Jane trunk show until August 3rd. 10% of all orders will go directly to the McCaslin's adoption fund and they will also receive the hostess benefits so let's get this party total high so they can get some new cute clothes for their beautiful girls! <br />
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Thank you to Katie Faucher for hosting and offering to do an online trunk show benefiting the McClasin family! View all of the beautiful clothes on the MJ site <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.matildajaneclothing.com/">http://www.matildajaneclothing.com/</a> </span></span><br />
and then email your wish list to <a href="mailto:katief@matildajaneclothing.com"><span style="color: blue;">katief@matildajaneclothing.com</span></a> who will give you further instructions on how to purchase and can also answer any questions about the product and sizing! How fun and lets remember what we are shopping for!<br />
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Let's do everything we can to help save these two girls lives! This is their last chance for a family and instead of sitting back you can pray for them, donate and help spread the word about this fundraiser.<br />
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Thank you everyone! Eliza and Evangeline are so grateful to know that their family is coming soon!<br />
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<br />Mary Jane Postiglionehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04999003468493104934noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7904463238395556955.post-49891204359681171892012-07-06T20:45:00.002-04:002012-07-07T14:51:43.169-04:00Miracle Girl-Part Deux<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span>Are you ready for this? We just received Talia's hematology blood work results and she does not have a blood disorder! So my beautiful Talia girl not only does not have a tumor in her heart, she also does not have a blood disorder that will require transfusions! As your may remember, her file said she had a G6PD blood disorder. Talia has not been able to have soy products, legumes or berries for two years. Today you better believe I am going out and buying her some strawberries! We were told she would have a severe reaction and if she had any of these items and would need to be hospitalized. Todd carried a note with him in China for this and was so careful (as were her foster parents) the past few years. <strong>Through God's grace and the power of prayer Talia is a healthy three year old little girl with no medical needs! Isn't that unbelievable?</strong> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> China has a few different adoption programs that children fall under. There is a traditional program for children with no special needs or conditions. Unfortunately, these people have been waiting close to seven years for referrals! I don't advise signing up for that program unless you're comfortable with a child with special needs because many people are still coming home with children that have medical needs -- and really seven years?! The next program is the special needs program which Harper was a part of. You fill out a medical needs list with things you feel comfortable with or have medical teams nearby that excel in those special needs you have listed. They can very from very minor to severe needs and you can also list the age you would like to adopt as well as the sex. The next program is called the Special Focus (SF) program. This is for people like us who were reusing their dossier. Typically, this is the more severe needs list as well as older children or children with more then one special need. Talia automatically received the "SF" label due to her G6PD and the severity of her heart condition plus a number of other SNs listed on her file which were minor including speech delays. Low and behold she should have never been on that list! We are still in shock that all her major special needs (her G6PD and her heart condition) have either healed spontaneously or have been proven to not exist! This means her file was inaccurate and she really could have been on the traditional list as a healthy child! The only medical needs Talia has is a scar on her buttock from her surgery she did not need and eczema which is cleaning up thanks to Aveeno moisturizing cream! She is such a joyous, girly, happy little being and we are so blessed to be her parents. We are so in love with her and amazed at how well her adjustment has been. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Now I know what you all are thinking -- those that are waiting in line for a referral -- man I hope that happens to us! Let me tell you our first daughter is our biggest blessing and she has a long road ahead, medically! The expenses are great, the time at doctors (she alone has nine appointments just this month!), the energy it takes to parent a special needs child (especially a physical need), the ups and downs emotionally for both the child and the parents as you hear good news then disappointing news, etc. You see it doesn't matter what special need your child has; It just matters how you handle their uniqueness. When you sign up for a special/medical needs adoption you should not be asking yourself, "Can I handle this need or is that one too hard to manage?" What you should be asking yourself is, "Can I love a child unconditionally?" I can honestly say now that this has now happened to us twice, where we received referrals that were way off base. I don't care what you put on your special needs checklist when filling out that form. I also don't care how many doctors and specialists you talk to before you "feel comfortable" accepting a file. <strong>The child that is meant to be yours, will be yours...it really is just that simple.</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Case in point -- when we filled out our first medical checklist we were so exact and it had only two medical needs listed (we were nervous first time parents!) We accepted Harper's file knowing that she had a 6.6 mm hole in the upper chambers of her heart. We knew open heart surgery was an option should the ASD too large and it is indeed large (the most recent measurements from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia had it at 10mm)! The team of specialists as well as the updates on Harper all sounded fantastic and that she just had a simple ASD. I am going to be very honest here: I know we would not have taken Harper's file if her other needs were listed or even known! We also would not have taken her file if we thought open heart surgery was a necessity! I can not imagine a day without my smiling, spunky Harper girl and if all those things were listed we would have missed out on her. You see when you get your child's file you aren't in love with them yet -- at least we weren't. We knew Harper was our daughter, but we really grew to love her when she was placed in our arms and we did what we had to do to take care of our child. It is only when you're home and spending time together do you begin to realize this child is with you forever and she is yours to love and keep safe. I guess I safeguard my feelings or at least try to while I am waiting to bring them home! It is really a unique way to come into parenthood for first time parents! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> We took Harper's file based on a date that was meaningful to us. We also took her file because there was just something about her that seemed a good fit for us when we looked at her picture. There was a certain sparkle in her eyes that we couldn't ignore. <strong>Her file had to say what it had to say in order for us to take it. Remember, with God there are no coincidences. This was His best laid plan in our lives</strong>. It didn't make sense at the time why our child had so many needs and she looked so healthy! Little did we know how her life and list of medical needs would change the course of so many other orphans' lives. She opened up prospective adoptive parents hearts and minds! Harper came home and we spent a solid 8 months, sleep deprived and living at hospitals and doctors offices. Harper has scoliosis (wears a hard brace 23/7), chiari brain malformation, a benign tumor on her forehead, ASD, pulmonary stenosis (may need a valve replacement) and has severe milk allergies. If that was all listed out on her file she definitely would have been on the Special Focus list. I can tell you many of us reading this would not have accepted her file. Let's be honest -- scoliosis alone is a scary medical need and there are hundreds of kids with scoliosis sitting on the China lists for years until they age out of the adoption system. When you look at Harper and you meet her everyone wants to gobble her up (yes we are biased here) so I urge you all to look past those "scary" medical terms and just accept a child into your home that needs a home. I promise you that you will never look back and that child will bless your life over and over again as both Harper and Talia have done for us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Our Harper bug led us to Talia. She taught us what we can really handle which is nothing by ourselves, but everything through God who strengthens us. It took a 18 month old child for us to learn to fully rely on God's plan for our lives, not our own plan for our lives. Talia's file, in turn, had to say what it had to say in order for us to accept it. It really did! That night I got her file I was totally stunned and then reading it and seeing her face I just knew God was asking her us leap but I can tell you that if I read her file and everything was perfect I would have thought to myself well another family will adopt her. What a beautiful baby girl with no medical needs! She will definitely not wait long. However, her file was not picture perfect. It was the hardest file our cardiologist said he has ever seen! I, too, see a lot of files and try to help others when I can that are waiting to hear back from doctors and Talia's file was really rough. Her medical needs sounded incredibly scary and it was definitely incomplete and lacking blood work as well as a heart ultrasound. She waited on the SF list for a family to love her but no one came so we stepped up to the plate! It was again the date that made me think she is meant to be ours (even if it meant that we only had her for a few years). It is so ironic to me that Harper and Talia's files were so opposite. One file only had one need listed and we came home to find out much more and the other file had so many big needs listed only to come home to find out that she has no medical needs. It breaks my heart to think about Talia getting lost on the shared list and not being adopted because her medical needs seemed scary. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Through this journey to Talia we had no clue how it would all work out from her health to our financials to bring her home but it did work out and it turned out better then we ever could have imagined. <strong>But that is what God does! He shines through the darkness and He does the impossible.</strong> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Talia, in turn, showed us everything we knew to be true. God surely loves us and God loves us even more when we rely on Him and leap out on faith. Our journey to Talia and back demonstrates His goodness and Talia demonstrates that miracles do happen everyday and He used her to bring people closer to Him. How awesome is that? Just think of how many people reading and following our story from almost every country around the world. I look at my blog stats sometimes in amazement...close to 80,000 hits in 6 months! I mean, really? God is shining through the weak and humble. His grace has been plentiful in our lives and I pray that you too can feel it and if you ever have a single doubt in your mind about what He can do just sit for a moment and contemplate Talia's story! She has been through hell and back and almost died on a table in hospital in China only to now be in America with a wonderful life ahead of her! I do not know a better testimony then hers and to be able to witness God's powerful ways first hand is even more amazing! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Both girls were clearly meant to be our daughters and He knew exactly how to have those files read in order for us to say "Yes"!</span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><strong>"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" </strong></span><br />
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><strong>Hebrews 11:1</strong></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv3HJQQWze4n4hR2AM85wTxvXpkNOkQIMyAtpPvTN0fBLrnRt_tieCQh1knCNgjAXQdUEEWJFQVedaaptOClBO_HglYpxLxbE5rmbuq74e4nbzaA5uP9tDpYdnNvY4N7QtalyUPJNGMVo/s1600/294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv3HJQQWze4n4hR2AM85wTxvXpkNOkQIMyAtpPvTN0fBLrnRt_tieCQh1knCNgjAXQdUEEWJFQVedaaptOClBO_HglYpxLxbE5rmbuq74e4nbzaA5uP9tDpYdnNvY4N7QtalyUPJNGMVo/s640/294.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>Mary Jane Postiglionehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04999003468493104934noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7904463238395556955.post-21626087114581844152012-07-05T14:49:00.001-04:002012-07-05T14:55:54.234-04:00Talia's First Holiday-July 4th!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">What a day! Our little firecrackers spent the day mostly outside playing with the water table and enjoying the Carolina sunshine! We also attended a Forever Family Day Anniversary party. How fitting for Talia's first party! A sweet little girl, Alana Grace, has now been home a whole year and yesterday she celebrated with her close family, friends and families that have adopted or are in the process of adopting. It was a wonderful celebration of our blessings-independence and family!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">And I'm proud to be and American,<br /> where at least I know I'm free.<br /> And I wont forget the men who died,<br /> who gave that right to me. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">And I gladly stand up,<br /> next to you and defend her still today.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"> ‘Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land,<br /> God bless the USA.</span></div>Mary Jane Postiglionehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04999003468493104934noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7904463238395556955.post-11878622335663570822012-06-27T22:55:00.000-04:002012-06-27T22:55:08.146-04:00Moments from God<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Daddy and Talia's Journey to Charlotte-3 flights, 2 layovers, 30 hrs.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGFhsIQdQy9qwqSgAdKiJ-ofx6hh8jp4alO2G2TTQZvOvGSzEOVwu-7q7VXVpWliRjsdQWR-4-j84WLya29JlTlyvjZvOfxL-zT43AMhTLS9I95dG_walKwop28nOR0GycfKYaqXpcQB8/s1600/950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGFhsIQdQy9qwqSgAdKiJ-ofx6hh8jp4alO2G2TTQZvOvGSzEOVwu-7q7VXVpWliRjsdQWR-4-j84WLya29JlTlyvjZvOfxL-zT43AMhTLS9I95dG_walKwop28nOR0GycfKYaqXpcQB8/s640/950.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hmm...everything sounds and looks so different!</span> </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hello America!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Mommy and Harper's journey to the airport: Up all night with anticipation, a 45 min. car ride (that felt like 30 hrs.) and a one hour wait at the airport!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first book I get to read to my daughter!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harper trying out her bed to make sure it feels "okay" for Talia!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSX6pjeSyNjJ70D5sAnzAF2Wbr3YTnmeKoo8gwKS0mkawdLoktGc8X4oVyGSpqvhHnlPRMJ3nxfyL0ry_8PhnQGkssAB6VG_WRJw1QTZEKzoMrkH8y7C8SlAcwAoDDlHvirtFHZkqoCZE/s1600/pj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSX6pjeSyNjJ70D5sAnzAF2Wbr3YTnmeKoo8gwKS0mkawdLoktGc8X4oVyGSpqvhHnlPRMJ3nxfyL0ry_8PhnQGkssAB6VG_WRJw1QTZEKzoMrkH8y7C8SlAcwAoDDlHvirtFHZkqoCZE/s640/pj.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We are ready for you, Talia! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Okay Mama is completely ready 4 hrs. ahead of time...Let's bring this baby home!<br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"></span> <span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">A full year leading up to this very moment orchestrated by God, Our Father.</span> </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This picture was taken by a wonderful friend who is also a photographer, Emily Lapish. I will upload them in the coming weeks! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">But here was her sneak peak and the wording she chose to caption it:<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong> "I witnessed a miracle tonight. There are no words. This is the look on the face of the mother, as the wait is over and she sees her child for the first time. I wish you could have heard her cry of joy."</strong></span></span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Quite honestly I do not have any other words then to say "Thank you"! Thank you to God for His provision, thank you to each person reading this-your support brought Talia home and Thank you to the Holy Spirit for prompting us to say "Yes" to Talia! My cries of Joy was seeing this little girl, our daughter, finally home where she belongs. In that moment and every moment since she has been in my arms I feel like the most blessed Mama in the world! I am so thankful for listening and obeying God's calling for us. If we had not we would have missed out on a wonderful miracle in our lives and hers. This journey from start to finish was nothing short of a miracle!</span> </span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>As for the exact moment I saw her it was love at first sight! I don't remember much but seeing her face look a little scared when she came down the escalator so I backed off and let Harper hug her first then I went in for some love! There were a lot of family huddles!</strong></span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">For all my Facebook friends, entire adoption community and friends that could not make it to the airport I felt you all there with me as I stood and waited to see my daughter for the first time! </span></strong></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Talia finally in her Mommy's arms-3 years and one month! </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Thankful to our Lord-for eternity! </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">(Put my music player on pause and grab some tissues!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"And not only for that nation, but to bring together and unite all the children of God scattered around the world"</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">John 11:52</span></div>Mary Jane Postiglionehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04999003468493104934noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7904463238395556955.post-87856927904225240422012-06-25T17:19:00.001-04:002012-06-25T22:26:48.184-04:00Miracle of Miracles<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Throughout my blog you can read the tiny miracles surrounding Talia's file, the dates on her file and how they were meaningful in our lives, how we received her file, how quickly we said "Yes" when everything was against us to be doing a 2nd adoption so soon, how we raised $20,000 in 6 months, how another $15,000 just came to us in order to complete the adoption, how she survived a heart attack at age 1 in an orphanage, how she lived past the first few days of life with the umbilical cord still attached on a factory doorstep. Everything pointed to this child being a miracle! Moreover, everything pointed to a higher authority watching over her every second. The Lord was clearly working through us for His almighty purpose and all the glory goes to Him. We jumped out in faith and took her file clearly knowing that she may not live a long healthy life. We jumped out in faith knowing we might only have her in our arms for a few years. We jumped out in faith not knowing how we would come up with $35,000. We jumped out in faith to honor and obey and this is what He did for us for being faithful. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Talia's heart is completely healed!!! She apparently was born with a very large VSD (8 mm), a hole in the lower chambers of her heart. She was blue, had breathing difficulties, was limp in a hospital but she survived. They revived her on the table and she survived! She still lived with the symptoms of a large VSD and since her file sounded really scary she waited and waited on the China children waiting lists. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Are you ready for this????? Do you want to see how awesome our God is? Do you want to see what He can do? How powerful He is? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We received Talia's file last June with no heart updates for the past year other then the information we received which said a tumor or mass in her heart. I did not even ask the question but the the doctor at the end of the visit today said "If I had to guess when the hole closed and the tissue covered her hole.... I would say 12 months ago"! I nearly fell on the floor! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">We leaped.....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">and He healed her on the spot! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Amazing, right? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Now we have been on the other side. When Harper first came home she was on the severe side with some surprise medical needs but Harper is our miracle girl too! She will have open heart surgery next summer to heal her ASD and her scoliosis is being corrected via her pretty pink brace. But we learned through Harper what life is really about and nothing in life is perfect. It is not suppose to be! Instead it is about relinquishing our control and relishing in the moments that have been created by God. He knows what is best for us! We need to let go and believe...believe that miracles happen everyday. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Just in case you missed it here was my first post! It is incredible how it all worked out! Talk about the power of prayer. You made this all possible! God worked through every one of you reading this is some way or another to bring home our girl and now she gets to live a long and healthy life with her Mama, Baba and Jei Jei! May the Lord bless you for your kindness!</span><br />
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<a href="http://thetalesoftwo.blogspot.com/2011/11/introducing-talia-mei-youngerman-born.html"><span style="color: blue;">http://thetalesoftwo.blogspot.com/2011/11/introducing-talia-mei-youngerman-born.html</span></a>Mary Jane Postiglionehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04999003468493104934noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7904463238395556955.post-36522616681808323122012-06-25T12:35:00.000-04:002012-06-25T12:35:23.639-04:00Our Heart Baby<span style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">Say a prayer for my doll baby! Many of you may remember we accepted her file without a heart echo and her referral information said she suffered from Myocardial damage due to a heart attack at age one. When we asked for more information the translation came back to us saying she had a mass or tumor in her heart. We know God has great plans for her and today we find out what is going on in that little heart of hers. It is either really good news or unsettling news. With the way this journey has been it would not surprise me one bit if her heart has miraculously healed itself.</span>
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<span style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">On a side note-Pictures and video of our homecoming will be up soon!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">Can you tell she likes the attention and loves to pose?!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px;">She has captured our hearts! Such a little doll baby!</span></span></div>Mary Jane Postiglionehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04999003468493104934noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7904463238395556955.post-41230607707245826362012-06-24T14:18:00.000-04:002012-06-24T14:20:22.710-04:00Todd's Final Thoughts on his Journey<strong><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It Takes a Village to Raise a Child</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It also takes a village to lead a Dad through China to get his daughter. When we realized only one of us could travel to China for Talia (the main reason being Harper's cardiologist barring her from getting on a plane and the other main reason being the cost -- plus the fact that Harper wouldn't do so well being away from Mommy that long), I quickly knew I had to step up to the plate and finish this journey for our family. As much as I wish both Harper and Mary Jane could have experienced this trip, I knew she was coming home no matter what -- and nothing was going to stop us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">While in China, I felt like the child in the village. I've done this before with Mary Jane, but never by myself. I have to admit, I was nervous. But somehow I was relaxed at the same time -- a strange feeling before embarking on a trek half-way across the world to meet my second daughter and keep her safe for two weeks! Well, that's where the village comes in. Everyone during my trip pitched in and gently nudged me and Talia back onto the path closer to home. </span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">From the stewardesses on the plane ride out to Hong Kong that made sure I was well fed and hydrated to the hotel staff that made sure I got on the right shuttle to the airport(and not Disneyland in Hong Kong!) </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Then there was my incredible guide in Nanning who taught me how to communicate to my daughter; helped feed, bathe, toilet train, and clothe her in the midst of my foggy jet lag (and my handicap of having only two hands instead of four)! The same guide, David, who reminded me of my backpack I left in the Notary's office, lent me money when I didn't exchange any from American dollars to Chinese yuan and ordered our food when the restaurants didn't speak English. And finally when David watched over me in the airport and shouted out my gate number while I was in line for security to make sure I was headed to Guangzhou.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Then there was the nice Chinese man at the airport gate who offered his seat to me when he noticed me and Talia standing with our backpacks. His friend did the same so we could both have place to rest before the flight. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Once on the plane, there were the two teenage girls who played with Talia when her Daddy was running out of tricks -- thank goodness those girls came to the rescue! </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">To the Guangzhou airport staff who corrected me to the other hallway and not the immigration line! </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Then there was my other incredible guide, Richard, who picked up where my previous guide in Nanning left off. He too lent me money when I forgot to exchange more American dollars. He helped me continue my Mandarin/Cantonese lessons for Talia, wrote a small disclosure in Chinese about Talia's inability to ingest soy because of her blood disorder (I used this when I wasn't sure of the ingredients at some restaurants). He kept us safe from the hustle and bustle of the old Guangzhou streets -- telling us who to stay away from, ignore or approach. He always made sure Talia was safe when Daddy was digging through his backpack. Richard is the only guide I will use in Guangzhou – he is simply amazing.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">There were the families that I met in both Nanning and Guangzhou who gave Talia books to play with while we ate, got my attention when my name was being called at the US Consulate appointment and the countless tips I received from their past experiences in the area surrounding the hotel. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">There were the restaurant managers at both hotels who knew Talia's diet restrictions and automatically brought Talia's breakfast to the table without me asking each morning. That was a huge help! It saved me an extra trip through the buffet line!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">There was the pool staff that brought Talia some ice when she bumped herself by accident and talked to her in Chinese to make sure she was alright.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Then there were all the bell boys who held the door and kept Talia off the curb while Daddy wrestled his backpack and other items out of the car. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">On the way home, there was the incredible flight staff on our plane. They helped me with Talia’s diet restrictions by letting me fix special meals I brought on board and gave me hot water when I needed to feed Talia her milk. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">There was the nice lady on the other side of Talia who was traveling from the Philippines to Chicago to see her grandchildren. She watched Talia for me while Daddy stepped away from his seat to fix Talia her special meals and helped keep her feet and legs warm when Talia felt the need to stretch out on the plane while she was sleeping. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">There was our weekly Wee Connect Bible class at Harper's school who supported our mission and prayed around us before we embarked on our journey (we still feel those prayers to this day!) </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> My great friends in Charlotte who took time out to help rearrange the girls’ beds while I was in China so Talia could have a place to sleep in Mommy and Daddy’s room while she made the transition in her new home. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Finally, we couldn't have started this journey without our incredible family. My wife Mary Jane, my beautiful bride, who is the heart and soul of our clan. She is my guiding light and my best friend who I can always count on to help me weather any storm and be there during the good times and the bad. Her qualities are too many to list and her heart is bigger than any person I know -- that's why I married her! She started this dream and I couldn't imagine building our family any other way. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">My little Miss Harper -- love bug of a daughter (and what we consider the lost Empress of China!) -- that we found two years ago that started it all. During the trip, she kept Talia's attention while we </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">‘Skyped” and helped start the bonding process with her little sister. Her fondness of the mentoring role will help Talia (and hopefully Mom and Dad) with life in our crazy circle! And she'll be the best big sister any girl could wish for. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">There were Mary Jane’s parents whose selfless generosity exceeds most people's kind gestures throughout their entire lifetime. To her mother for staying a whole month with her daughter to help while I was away to Mary Jane’s father who made multiple trips back and forth from Philadelphia to Charlotte to make sure things on the home front were ready for two little ones!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">To the rest of our family who helped support us through this previous year to bring home Talia. To our friends (both who we know and don't know), who opened their hearts to Talia’s story on our blog and whose contributions have been simply overwhelming. We witnessed enough miracles through this entire adoption process by all the acts of kindness and generosity from you all and individual organizations to fill a book (Mary Jane – if you’re reading this, hint, hint!) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I felt all your love and prayers half-way across the world while I made my way through China and back to Charlotte.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">WE ARE FOREVER INDEBTED TO YOU ALL</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">These amazing people in all the chapters of this journey kept us both safe and were there to shepherd me and Talia home without harm. I feel as if I've grown through this experience. I certainly will never forget it and hopefully with all the pictures we took and keepsakes we collected along the way, Talia won't forget it either. Looking back, it sure did take a lot of people to get us through this trip -- enough to fill a village.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Of course the gold lining in my village is God and I am so grateful for his guidance in forming our family and creating our girls. My faith has grown in leaps and bounds this past year and I am so thankful for the people He has put in our path. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I think this picture best represents God's love for me.</span> <br />
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<br />Mary Jane Postiglionehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04999003468493104934noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7904463238395556955.post-74772210661271805652012-06-23T12:19:00.001-04:002012-06-23T14:20:43.716-04:00Todd's Last Day in China via PicsWe spent the day packing, walking around the hotel's beautiful gardens and did some last minute shopping. I am so excited to be leaving China and can't wait to see Mary Jane & Harper at the airport. I am use to my little sidekick Talia and have enjoyed every moment here with her. She catches on quick and I know she will adjust great to her new life in America. Home sweet home can't come soon enough now!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last breakfast with daddy in China</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking through the gardens</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivqGp9UbIpvjs2df2RigLPbFU4jSujMNN_cJg7azMs4GroZ9xsNtwkFKAu09jfIyn8deLWp2OBs7MMow63pn2w3zKIHbRJ973RWgRqsT5iyEOUCxJSbLTbDW_ZJjHesFA0awDEsAlTTHk/s1600/853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivqGp9UbIpvjs2df2RigLPbFU4jSujMNN_cJg7azMs4GroZ9xsNtwkFKAu09jfIyn8deLWp2OBs7MMow63pn2w3zKIHbRJ973RWgRqsT5iyEOUCxJSbLTbDW_ZJjHesFA0awDEsAlTTHk/s400/853.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She loves to reach her hand out to the fish</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHlfeAc9lTEoGqqisZSqlmreVbUD3b7Z4EUvw7CsXzgggIjfM0OdTSApT6jtvKyzbg72tsA2kkmz6zd2h70Vqi81IhqkGO-Ckf9g9no2F7H30OE2sOTquMa4rFBAm4frUet7omRBbLEu4/s1600/855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHlfeAc9lTEoGqqisZSqlmreVbUD3b7Z4EUvw7CsXzgggIjfM0OdTSApT6jtvKyzbg72tsA2kkmz6zd2h70Vqi81IhqkGO-Ckf9g9no2F7H30OE2sOTquMa4rFBAm4frUet7omRBbLEu4/s400/855.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More statues to pose with!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjrTMdiVpYE4heqjL4QlVbnPFbb7mhgM4CmdmJqPFxYDneGUEbnRKZ6rVSA0pMfKTCEYDH4F1liPHKv_a2meWX9Ve1rZu3bQ-wRy1kwB6qOTSVkAhObzW4yNHEcTKdPHTOFmZR_JORn58/s1600/858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjrTMdiVpYE4heqjL4QlVbnPFbb7mhgM4CmdmJqPFxYDneGUEbnRKZ6rVSA0pMfKTCEYDH4F1liPHKv_a2meWX9Ve1rZu3bQ-wRy1kwB6qOTSVkAhObzW4yNHEcTKdPHTOFmZR_JORn58/s640/858.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No mountain is too high for this girl!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl-iVYPcgG5JCpWsAckgb_nyQw9VjRLTzNfXZE3Yd6j4QdqQ_jrsRvc2ZktOzmVq5A96Wi-IpaUfnQ4Z0GRxeGk3lw8lXcg1JJtXw_m7EWzWWCa-IPe-7ZczEG2EarcdNBrs1fpOOy3-E/s1600/877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl-iVYPcgG5JCpWsAckgb_nyQw9VjRLTzNfXZE3Yd6j4QdqQ_jrsRvc2ZktOzmVq5A96Wi-IpaUfnQ4Z0GRxeGk3lw8lXcg1JJtXw_m7EWzWWCa-IPe-7ZczEG2EarcdNBrs1fpOOy3-E/s400/877.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my daddy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY92mMHLNK5QfTbcU-HpsSktjDHcY4q0CN632SHsRvlm1q7j1CSHju4yl25ng8zP6wagD3w1r-NkrJKrrixq3Z-N73BnRg8ocZKpmdZ8vznc7eup2Boxd7wWBX52as7KY2oyxJaUVSYC4/s1600/882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY92mMHLNK5QfTbcU-HpsSktjDHcY4q0CN632SHsRvlm1q7j1CSHju4yl25ng8zP6wagD3w1r-NkrJKrrixq3Z-N73BnRg8ocZKpmdZ8vznc7eup2Boxd7wWBX52as7KY2oyxJaUVSYC4/s640/882.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All Smiles!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilnrES2YTH0NrpW8s6RemB-skUbZPwC-StSaObV-EPsi9jgO22yEbQStmlux6a3BROTLQ3L521MT8BxRbsdlIlwbAIcU7FVTpm5avhHasUALs8ZxoGNEKzOhmAfJuUSgpga4qnPDZR4_I/s1600/891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilnrES2YTH0NrpW8s6RemB-skUbZPwC-StSaObV-EPsi9jgO22yEbQStmlux6a3BROTLQ3L521MT8BxRbsdlIlwbAIcU7FVTpm5avhHasUALs8ZxoGNEKzOhmAfJuUSgpga4qnPDZR4_I/s400/891.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I knew Mary Jane would enjoy this view!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicA-tr0VplRNZbrThg8GPdLusUSGDXs2cUo7W0Z39jvqtedeR2WUwr_T4Bv908wScwFyWlkNd0OPqOZtiowEEzRpa3YguNLyiplgK51MK9smKRlrg-NqrKExtlsQIWqwdGtlE3itudOAo/s1600/899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicA-tr0VplRNZbrThg8GPdLusUSGDXs2cUo7W0Z39jvqtedeR2WUwr_T4Bv908wScwFyWlkNd0OPqOZtiowEEzRpa3YguNLyiplgK51MK9smKRlrg-NqrKExtlsQIWqwdGtlE3itudOAo/s400/899.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What do you mean we have to leave this hotel? </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRGw1Gnoqz-1PEmhrzeVSOCsUYOZaEVQqm4xAToUmzd9BOQfqNTGXLXbUJV6BXIsoIenCUQDuFkNlS2HAK6cvKt_LOs0iSsQDkfXQbrPM7AqcaLiKL3udVx6Mtw7GIy2NipD-t6GzmqoQ/s1600/903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRGw1Gnoqz-1PEmhrzeVSOCsUYOZaEVQqm4xAToUmzd9BOQfqNTGXLXbUJV6BXIsoIenCUQDuFkNlS2HAK6cvKt_LOs0iSsQDkfXQbrPM7AqcaLiKL3udVx6Mtw7GIy2NipD-t6GzmqoQ/s400/903.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One more shopping trip</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlStvuiYrjqjMvapek7VnvG45E7L1pwtdlU-AhJylJTn0SHXz7k7f3umeMHRs_B8cNP2axFJgPZj4uxukXzoIhXI3J7Q_kcaAEKKaTRZ5CRhmnBY0UAJhkBJRDT85ZmhIjJaz3l4b0N9g/s1600/904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlStvuiYrjqjMvapek7VnvG45E7L1pwtdlU-AhJylJTn0SHXz7k7f3umeMHRs_B8cNP2axFJgPZj4uxukXzoIhXI3J7Q_kcaAEKKaTRZ5CRhmnBY0UAJhkBJRDT85ZmhIjJaz3l4b0N9g/s640/904.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last day here in China!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOFROXlVkumhyprpn1kahcWnKBNLBuu1rZB-EG-YlgyEPETN-aeSQq89utKMqJajenvItMW3SU8eyfdoehJBFc4AMFwbakj4YypTpjP8QUEZxa3H_2zyNQaeYwWttbrdaLyUOzJrxJmVI/s1600/906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOFROXlVkumhyprpn1kahcWnKBNLBuu1rZB-EG-YlgyEPETN-aeSQq89utKMqJajenvItMW3SU8eyfdoehJBFc4AMFwbakj4YypTpjP8QUEZxa3H_2zyNQaeYwWttbrdaLyUOzJrxJmVI/s400/906.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A surprise gift for Mama!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbJ_2xbb8swXVdPnVm4kV1xx8HGPkxCn4hEMkKvhvNIxqdHNeNmlrtLWZxahl776Gf2KUvpCX7p8FH_wfnCIfm8YD0jG-e-JhyphenhyphenhnUURJvCFpJZFUB5AudFJUkoeAsst17QSZM61gchDo/s1600/910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbJ_2xbb8swXVdPnVm4kV1xx8HGPkxCn4hEMkKvhvNIxqdHNeNmlrtLWZxahl776Gf2KUvpCX7p8FH_wfnCIfm8YD0jG-e-JhyphenhyphenhnUURJvCFpJZFUB5AudFJUkoeAsst17QSZM61gchDo/s400/910.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back to the Pearl Market</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw2J6n52yTyfy29aJS_bhLPu2gggrLrb2oWjawcv_utojb-gCsj5wy_kTwLXwuC1PRn_ABXBoDloAQR5oBOpoxJrecXWejv9qTJwdZwO7rlAd1CydnWN-WfoKth8QeTbsHY7DAiUhjL_4/s1600/921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw2J6n52yTyfy29aJS_bhLPu2gggrLrb2oWjawcv_utojb-gCsj5wy_kTwLXwuC1PRn_ABXBoDloAQR5oBOpoxJrecXWejv9qTJwdZwO7rlAd1CydnWN-WfoKth8QeTbsHY7DAiUhjL_4/s640/921.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bye Bye "China Sisters"<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh86qCw5FwAQ9peT5N4WBH4hiFmzhMAjI-3qMQGH4niBsZizLVdLbpAU1uDfkhzaS8MGRQUth2JLdkScyDO1hytxYmhI7uxcLFRXcoFxBi5X1be0bZsDELfpsQLoPG6SPtpEyphSvwo9lU/s1600/764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh86qCw5FwAQ9peT5N4WBH4hiFmzhMAjI-3qMQGH4niBsZizLVdLbpAU1uDfkhzaS8MGRQUth2JLdkScyDO1hytxYmhI7uxcLFRXcoFxBi5X1be0bZsDELfpsQLoPG6SPtpEyphSvwo9lU/s640/764.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
Time to get packing Daddy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Mary Jane Postiglionehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04999003468493104934noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7904463238395556955.post-6889034730813721242012-06-21T14:45:00.000-04:002012-06-21T14:45:52.440-04:00Talia is a United States Citizen!<span style="font-size: large;">She just landed on US soil in Chicago! We are busy preparing for their arrival back at home. So excited to meet my daughter at 8:00 tonight! Please continue to pray for their safe arrival to Charlotte and for Talia to be just as excited to see Harper and me as she was her Baba! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Goodbye China Daily! Hello USA Today! Look at that precious face!!! After seeing her pictures for a year I finally get to kiss and hold her! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzUfKyRLlkYLCpKZLVo8msabaG0CwWJqvXUGB1eUc_7OI29CqmGNSbAPpprQx0DlxI0pdoeIIlV82R6tEsahyoB8OO4b6aba3hECeyrzTaJLvTXTjrkMI00Dg1kJ9XN6_9Knn9GDUj37M/s1600/Taliapaper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzUfKyRLlkYLCpKZLVo8msabaG0CwWJqvXUGB1eUc_7OI29CqmGNSbAPpprQx0DlxI0pdoeIIlV82R6tEsahyoB8OO4b6aba3hECeyrzTaJLvTXTjrkMI00Dg1kJ9XN6_9Knn9GDUj37M/s640/Taliapaper.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<br />Mary Jane Postiglionehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04999003468493104934noreply@blogger.com19