CUT EM OFF AND FROW UM AWAY!

Miss Kitty removing Bree's casts

That was the mantra that Bree has been saying all week in preparation for her cast removal that finally occurred yesterday (thursday the 26th). What a great moment in our lives!! Of course that was after the cast saw was turned off! Dr. Buerk felt that her feet looked awesome. So now onto the next phase. They took her casts and conformed them into two pieces each and she now will wear them at night with an ace bandage around them to keep them in place. During the day she will wear AFO's (ankle foot orthotics) which are strong plastic support pieces that will line the bottom of her foot and ankle going up to her midcalf area. These will be put into her shoes and will likely wear these for many years. All of this is done to prevent her feet from returning to the prior state. Her AFO's won't be ready for about two weeks so Bree will wear her two piece casts during the day until then. As parents, we felt bad that she still had to wear these casts, although removable. But Bree on the other hand is more than happy to put them back on-her feet are so sensitive she won't even let us touch them without fussing.

Are these not the cutest little feet you have ever seen?!? Of course we needed to get rid of the old dry skin so into the bath we went....aahhh heaven in Bree's eyes-first bath since November 19th!

It truly is a miracle what modern medicine can accomplish, especially in the hands of a talented surgeons like our Dr's Buerk and Munk. We are forever indebited to their incredible care of Bree. So, next week Bree has her first PT evaluation. Considering she is already walking behind toys with her casts on, we are hoping and praying for steady progress without casts. Of course we also realize Bree's feet feel vulnerable being in casts for 4 months.

ANOTHER STEPPING STONE!

This past Thursday we had our official court date to formally "readopt" Bree in the United States. While this isn't mandatory, it is highly suggested as it creates American papers stating her adoption and allows her to have an Ohio birth certificate. All helpful to us and her if something were to ever happen to her original Chinese documents. Our judge (Honorable Judge Puffenberger) was so great and made the process so memorable-we took the girls out of school for this and they really enjoyed being a part of this experience.

On another happy note...Myah and Rina flew home today to Florida! Bree, Myah and Emily have now all successfully endured surgeries and procedures and we are ready to forge ahead full steam as we prepare for their first birthdays celebrated in the United States as our daughters! Myah will turn 3 on March 7th, Emily will turn 8 on March 16th and Bree turns 3 on April 4th. Amazing to us that these three "sisters" not only left the same orphanage within three weeks of one another, but that they celebrate birthdays so close together. And as Vicki (Emily's mom) so lovingly wrote......"though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken" Ecc. 4:12 What an amazing and powerful verse that encompasses our three daughters lives together in the orphanage and will continue to hold true as they hang onto their red thread.

MYAH GIRL

An update on Myah and Rina. After 9 hours of surgery Monday and some unexpected complications, Myah is recovering. It has been a stressful 10 days for them in Cincinnatti. Please pray for strength and courage for the two of them as they plug on for the next 10 days-though we know the Lord is cradling them in His hands. Rina, as usual, has kept her blog on the humerous side and I would encourage all of you to check it out again: http://www.shpiruk.blogspot.com.
We are in the final stretch for Bree and her casts (we hope and pray!). She is pulling to a stand and beginning to cruise around in these casts. She will even walk behind a push toy with assist. We have her OT appt. next week and will begin splinting her right wrist as she tends to hold it in a flexed position. Brynn and Brooke continue to be Bree's biggest cheerleaders. Their love for Bree is so awesome and enduring.
Since my workplace has blocked all social networking sites, my blogging opportunities have been cut back! I will try and get pics loaded soon.