Ellie Update

Thank you all for your prayers! Ellie was such a trooper yesterday, endured 2 tests with catheters, an ultrasound, 2 more x-rays, 2 doctor's visits, and a visit with orthotics. She charmed everyone!
We had "wierd" news, good news, bad news, iffy news....
First, we learned that she has only 1 kidney! Big News Flash!The good news is....her only kidney looks good.
The bad news is that her bladder is only holding about an ounce of liquid before she urinates. It seemed, too, that she didn't "feel" the cather being inserted, so her sensation is not good.
The iffy news...is that during the summer we will start medication to calm down her bladder so it does not continue to overwork. It is possible after retraining her bladder that she could potty train. Possible.....still gives mes hope. It will be some time before the doctor can help me make that decision.
Again, thank you for your prayers....I felt the sweet peace of Jesus throughout the day.
Blessings,
Robbie

Busy, Busy, February

I hope you enjoy this picture of Ellie and her future husband. :)

The month of February has included Ellie's birthday party, Josie-Tatum's Gotcha Day, the girls ahd the flu, Valentine's Day, Chinese New Year, 2 friends' birthday parties, and don't forget Caleb and Brandon are playing tennis and soccer. Oh my! No wonder I'm tired.

Before I share pictures, please let me ask for prayers: Ellie will have extensive tests on Wednesday, February 27th. She will have several diagnostic procedures followed by an appointment with the urologist. Children with spina bifida often have urological problems. We will learn many things on Tuesday, if she is incontinent, if we will need to catheter one or more times a day. This is weighing heavy on my heart. We knew these were possibilities when we committed to Ellie. We know God is walking with us. We ask for perfect healing, but, if God chooses another path, we pray his added grace and strenght for Ellie and for us as we teach her that she is fearfully and wonderfully made, in the image of Almighty God.

Happenings:

The day after Ellie's birthday was Josie-Tatum's 4th Gotcha Day! It is so hard to believe we've been home 4 years! Check out that picture in the side bar of our first sight of her. Her smile brightens my day. She is a joy, and so compassionate, loving to her baby sister...well, most of the time. I took her with me to one of Ellie's appts in Jacksonville, so I could spend more time with her. When we got home, the family went out to eat Chinese food. That was Josie-Tatum's choice. We gave her a ring that says "Princess" because she is indeed our little princess.

Both of the girls had the flu, Ellie first, then Josie-Tatum. I stayed home from work one day, the other days they stayed with Grandma. (Praise the LORD for Grandma.) When Josie-Tatum's fever broke some, (she had been so sick), we made Chinese lanterns. It was the week of Chinese New Year. The girls had a good time, and I admit I did, too.

All of the lanterns decorated the dining room table, and some hung from the chandelier. And, yes, the girls ARE standing on the table. Do they look sick with the flu? Yes, Josie-Tatum's temperature was well over 100.

Does God answer the prayers of a faith-filled 5 year old?
Josie-Tatum and Ellie had the flu, and Josie-Tatum's fever was never under 100.4, even with medication all day on Friday. She wanted so desperately to attend a Chinese New Year celebration in Jacksonville ,Florida on Saturday. The doctor said, "No Chinese New Year celebration unless the fever is under 100." Well, Josie-Tatum asked me that night, "Who can we ask to pray for me, so I can go to Chinese New Year?" We called Grandma, Grandpa, and Aunt Bobbie. Then she said, "Mama, you keep praying until you fall asleep asking Jesus to take away my fever."
When she woke up Saturday morning, she walked into my bedroom and said, "When can you take my temperature?" And, it was 97.7! Here we are celebrating!

Josie-Tatum asked for a fan in China. We bought one and haven't seen it since. I know it was in our hotel room at the White Swan, but...and could you help me pray I find our DVD's of our China trip??? Please....I can't find them anywhere.

But, here is JT with the fan we bought from a vendor at CNY.

What Ellie thinks of Chinese drums. Note the fingers in the ears.

So, maybe, if I hide behind the back of this chair, I can be brave enough to peak at the Lion Dance with that loud drum banging in the background.

Josie-Tatum and Ellie's buddies went with us to Jacksonville to celebrate Chinese New Year. It's become a family tradition for our families to celebrate together. As a matter of fact, the first year we went, we left the next day for China to bring Josie-Tatum home. All of the others have followed in the last 4 years. Aren't those beautiful kids? (Please note the future husband in green.)

And, lastly we enjoyed the birthday party of a friend this weekend, another beautiful "winter" day in south Georgia. (The weather will be much colder the middle of this week.) God has blessed us in our little town with several friends who have also adopted from China. This birthday just happened to be at the home of Ellie's future husband, also adopted this year, and only 2 1/2 months older than Ellie. His brother turned 4!

Josie-Tatum enjoying the birthday party of Ellie's future brother-in-law. She is such a gymnast and was quite proud of the tricks she could do on the bar.

More Soccer Pics

The girls are better! We didn't make it to the soccer game, but we did make it to a CHinese New Year celebration in Jacksonville. Praise the LORD! Here are pictures taken by a friend. I"ll post pictures from CNY later. Today is a dentist appt in the afternoon, followed by baths, supper, and then a soccer game where the girls will wear their PJ's under their warm up suits. Oh, the things a Mom will do.

Judges, Doctors, Bombs, and the Flu

What a day!

First, Ellie woke up with a high fever, took her to the doctor, it's the flu.

The doctor's appt was previously scheduled. I had plans to talk with Ellie's primary care physician about the mixed messages I had received from her pediatric orthopedist. We made plans for a change. We now plan to take Ellie to Shriner's Hospital in Tampa, Fl. We hope to develop a more specific plan for repairing her hip. Please keep praying.

Then, Brandon called. He was in Savannah, 2 hours away from home. They were supposed to be playing soccer. There was a bomb threat. I made him promise to call back soon. He did, and the game had resumed.

Then I had a phone call from the Clerk of Court. We have turned in documents for the domestication of Ellie's and Josie-Tatum's adoptions. (This would be like readopting them here in the US. The primary purpose is to have US records of their adoption and obtain a GA birth certificate.) Anyway, long story short, there was a failure to communciate, error somewhere. Our date for court is March 6, but the judge's secretary had today's date. According to them, we were to show up in court today, we didn't, so the case was dismissed. Now what???? The clerk of court said call the judge's office tomorrow.

So, after all of that, I'm going to try to get some sleep!

Soccer and Stuff

Check out my blonde-headed son! What an awesome photo taken by a friend. The weather was beautiful for the starting game of the season. I told Brandon that when Caleb took up tennis 5 years ago, I bought the book Tennis for Dummies, so I would know what was going on. Now that we've added Brandon to our family, I'll have to buy The Complete Idiot's Guide to Soccer. :)
Okay, I don't think this second action shot is a play that will go in the record books, but, as you can see, Brandon takes his soccer seriously.

THE GIRLS

Sometimes the girls are so sweet! We had such a busy week last week. Monday, many errands after school, Tuesday was Josie-Tatum's Gotcha Day, which I'd like to reflect more on, maybe later. Tuesday we drove to Jacksonville for a dr's appt for Ellie, then back home and out to eat to celebrate Gotcha. Wednesday was church. Thursday was a birthday party in the evening.

I was so tired on Thursday at the party, but Josie-Tatum blessed me more than she will ever know. She spent much of her time with her sister at the party. She played with her friends, but she kept coming back to Ellie. She helped her climb, slide, and bounce. She was protective if somebody bumped into her sister or pushed past her. It was a precious sight that brought tears to the eyes of a tired Mama.

On Saturday, we sat on blankets as we watched Brandon's 3 scrimmage soccer games. The girls enjoyed the sunshine, rolling around each other on the blanket. They sang Chinese songs from Mei Mei videos and became quite the entertainment for our neighbors. Unknown to me, the same friend photographing the boys playing the game had begun to photograph the girls. When Josie-Tatum realized what was going on, she started posing and setting up the poses

Please continue to pray for us and Ellie was we visit doctors and sort through all the medical information. We need wisdom from above for proceeding with her orthapedic care.

Birthday Girl

Ellie knew for days her birthday was coming. You could ask, "Who's having a birthday?" And she would shout, "Me!" while patting her chest. Somehow, Josie-Tatum had a birthday hat, and she wore it 2 different nights at the supper table. This night was her actual birthday, and she's wearing the pajamas from Aunt Melanie.

We had her birthday party at the city park. The weather at the park was beautiful. We had a spectacular "winter" day in south Georgia. It was perfect for a birthday party. All the little kids played, and I had all 5 of my kids in one place so I could try to take a picture.

Turn your head!

Okay, turn your head again, sideways. ;) I should have rotated the pictures, and I forgot. Brandon was looking forward to capturing an interesting look on Josie-Tatum's face for the camera. How 'bout that look on his face? Who's having more fun?

Between college full time and working part time, Whitney's not home much. I finally had the camera nearby to catch a photo of Whit and E playing together.

This is my mom. One of Ellie's favorite sentences, "I want go see Bama (Grandma.) Thank you, LORD, she lives next door!

They're so cute when they're playing well together!

Language

Ellie is blowing me out of the water!

She's been with us now, just 3 1/2 months. She will be 3 years old on Monday, and we're having her birthday party on Saturday, so I promise pictures are coming.

But, let me tell you what this girl is saying.

Of course, she can name Mama, Daddy, Whitney, Caleb, Brandon, and Josie-Tatum. She can name Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Bobbie, Uncle Shannon, Joshua, Preacher, Mrs. Edie, Julianna at Day Care, and other friends, Kati, Eli, Elisabeth, Noah, Daniel....and many more.

She uses 3 and 4 word sentences regularly....
I want milk.
I want candy.
I want eat.
I want quarter.
I want go see Grandma.
I want go church.
I go see Glenda Ayi.
I turn off light.
Mama, Ellie open it.
I want watch Wonder Pets.
Mama, what you doing?
Look, Daddy changed light. (He changed a light bulb she mentions at every meal.)



Yesterday, I wish my video camera had been with me when I stopped at Rite Aide. Josie-Tatum was at gymnastics, so I could humor Ellie a little more than usual. I almost stopped before I picked her up from daycare, but I thought, You know, she might brighten somebodys' day. Since I was only going in for 2 items, I let her use her walker. She drew quite the attention.

She would say, "Mama, wait for me."
I would stop.
She would say, "Stand right there," while pointing beside her walker.
I would stand right there as commanded.
She would say, "One, two, three, go!"
And then we would race.
Until, something in the store caught her eye.
Then she would stop, while I continued walking.
And, the cycle would begin again....
"MAma, wait for me."
"Stand right there."
"One, two, three, go!"
She did this no less than 10 times, and she is NOT a quiet girl. Heads were turning on every aisle.

She is such a booger, but you gotta love her!
Robbie

We Are So Blessed

I promise to try to post pictures this weekend, this lovely 3 day weekend, where it will rain hard and keep us indoors. :)

I simply need to express my gratitude to my Jesus for our blessed family--all the laughter. Here's a little play by play of our evening yesterday.

There was Brandon swinging Josie-Tatum around and around and around. Of course, he intended to make her dizzy, but what fun to see them both stumbling toward the couch.

There was Ellie refusing to get out of the bathtub. She wanted Brandon to get her out. What a blessed sight to see Brandon bring Ellie to me wrapped in a towel.

There were all 3 of my teenagers sharing incidents from school yesterday, laughing over things I couldn't quite understand, things they knew about the students and the teachers, musings from biology lab. The boys have biology together, with the same teacher Whitney had in high school. I'm not quite sure that the lab is safe with Caleb and Brandon in there together.

There was Josie-Tatum knocking on the bathroom door while Brandon was getting ready for his shower. She had to have a kiss, though he had kissed her already, and he had to oblige.

There was Ellie. She has developed her own little ritual. She and Josie-Tatum walk/crawl into the boys' room each night to give Caleb a kiss. Caleb comes toward them and Ellie speed crawls away. Caleb chases her, Ellie squeals, and then he swings her into the air before "stealing" his kiss.

"I will bless the LORD at allt imes: his praise shall continually be in my mouth." Psalm 34:1

Mattox Family Update

Merry Christmas!

I hope you all enjoyed the holidays and felt the love of our Saviour, the newborn King, like we did at our house.


I should change my user name to Blessed Mom of 5. Since October, we've added Ellie and Brandon to our home. We are always busy, one 19 year old, two 16 year olds, one 5 year old, and one 2 year old!


Ellie has been to the doctor several times, with many more visits to come. The pediatric orthopedist said, "She will walk." We'll try a hip brace at night for several months. If that doesn't train the hip to stay in place, then she'll have surgery sometime late next year. We have many tests of the bladder and an appt with a urologist scheduled for late in February. I'm also waiting for a call from the neurologist.


In the meantime, Ellie is using a walker to increase mobility. She loves it! It's the first time she could really be independent in public. She also attracts much attention. On Christmas Eve, my parents took her to visit a local nursing home. The residents who used walkers were impressed!


She amazes us everyday at her ability to adapt and make her own way to do the things she wants to do.

Ellie was so proud of her new Christmas dress. She had to show off to every member of the family and say, "Piao le," (Beautiful!). She went into church with her walker and stopped for anyone who would tell her how pretty she was.

My Photogenic Girl

Josie-Tatum knows how to turn on a smile for the camera!

The girls behave like typical siblings, only 2 years apart in age. Ellie always wants to hold the toy Josie-Tatum is playing with. Josie-Tatum loves to tell on her baby sister. But, they are also the best of friends, playing together, laughing together. Josie-Tatum loves to help her sister do the things Ellie can't do because of her disability. Josie-Tatum jumps rope, then hands the rope to Ellie. Ellie swings the rope back and forth while JT stand behind her and helps her jump. She thinks she's jumping rope, and that's all that matters.

Forget the house full of toys, we'll play in the laundry basket!

Hmmm, not sure about the look on JT's face, but here's Caleb, Josie-Tatum, and Ellie.

Since we've come home from China, Josie-Tatum turned 5 years old--on Thanksgiving Day. What a blessed Thanksgiving, five children in the house, so hard to believe Josie-Tatum is 5!

The boys are always trying to make people laugh, and they love to pose for the camera.

Caleb and Ellie

Making cookies is an annual Christmas tradition at our house. You wonder what teenagers think of such things, but when they ask what day you're baking cookies, you realize they expect it. These pictures are from our all day cookie factory day on Saturday.

I never know what to expect with 2 teenagers in the house, but when Brandon grabbed the camera to take a picture of Caleb and me, I knew something was "up."

Ellie made the biggest mess, flour from the top of head to her feet, literally. She got into this cookie making. I'm not sure how much dough she ate. :)

I think Josie-Tatum had the most fun, not just making cookies, but having everybody home all day.

All of the teenagers were involved, including my nephew Joshua. I must take a good picture of Whitney. Here you'll only see the back of her head.

The boys are always good for a laugh, even decorating Christmas cookies.

Life is never dull at our house!!

Quick Update

Ellie, who still answers to Chun Chun, is adjusting marvelously to her new life in America. We've only been home 11 days, and she sleeps most of the night. She takes naps well if I lie down with her for a few mintues. She loves her brother, sisters, and Brandon. She plays with all of them at any opportunity. She likes to yell for Brandon at PCHS football games. She likes for Caleb to throw her in the air. She likes for Whitney for blow on her belly. She likes to do anything Josie-Tatum is doing.

She is eating well and learning new words. She says "Zhe shi ma?" (What is this?) throughout this day. Today, she kepting asking about the foods we were eating. She knows milk and decided to call everything milk. One of the pictures is of Ellie laughing at herself when she called grapes, milk.

We hope to have a walker for her in a few days, so she can be more independent. And, we go to Nemours on Nov 28th. Please keep praying!

Crazy Intersection

These are all pictures from ONE crazy intersection in China. There are many others, but this one was just blocks from our hotel, and we had to pass through several times. Click on the picture to make it larger. You'll be surprised at the details. There is no light. Bicycles, scooters, cars, buses, pedestrians all take their chances and go. It's crazy.