Following Cory's Story

Thank you again for all of the prayers for Cory and the rest of our family! He has begun treatment for the cancer. It's nice to know they are starting to kick it's butt! If you would like to follow his journey, his grandpa has started a CaringBridge site that he updates nearly daily! He obviously knows much better what is going on than I do! Click on the link below and it will take you to his story...

Cory's CaringBridge website

I know they appreciate the prayers being said around the world on Cory's behalf!

More trimming the tree!

Cooper was invited to his dear friend Isaiah's house this past Sunday to help decorate their Christmas tree. We did this last year and we both really enjoyed ourselves, so we were very much looking forward to spending time at his house again this year!! Cooper started talking about it last week and couldn't stop! I was a bit nervous when Eens came down with strep throat on Saturday, fearing that Coop would have it the next day! Thankfully he woke up fine (mommy woke up with strep, but assumed it was the dry air because mommy's don't get sick!!).

We both had a wonderful time socializing and helping decorate the Christmas tree! Cooper's eyes just light up when he is with Isaiah. They can fight and argue, just like brothers, but they truly care about one another!

A Night at the Raffles

Last Wednesday night, the Raffles hotel invited our elementary choir to perform at their tree lighting ceremony. Ellie has joined the choir this year and was very excited to perform. I was excited to watch El and let the kids enjoy the holiday spirit which is not always easy to find here in China! The Raffles did not disappoint, there was a lovely buffet of food, beautiful decorations, and even Santa! The choir did a wonderful job on stage! They have a new director this year and he definitely has a gift of music and he keeps the kids singing all day long!! He does a fabulous job!!

We are counting down the days until the kids and I arrive in the US - one week to go!!! We're just hoping for snow, which I've heard is a pretty sure thing this year!!

It's still not perfect!

We have been in our house for one year now, and even though we consider it a huge upgrade from our previous accommodations, it is still not perfect!! We have had off and on trouble with hot water since we moved in. The owners honestly try very hard to keep everything up and running at high standards, but they have to hire local workmen to do the jobs and unfortunately they love tape!!

This is our solar panel for the hot water. We have it programmed so it will fill and heat electrically if it does not meet certain requirements. For the most part this works, but last Tuesday we had no hot water. The landlords called in the workmen and this is what they did...split some wires, taped up an electrical strip!!We now have hot water, but I'm not sure how long the tape will hold!!!

Cheap or a Real Steal??

The other day I was shopping in exciting E-Mart where I happened to stumble upon the Christmas decoration section. When we first came to China, I was only able to find about 10 Christmas items for sale. This year, I was very excited to see almost a whole aisle dedicated to Christmas!! Of course, most of the decorations weren't really my style, but they were still there! I remember our first Christmas here, my ayi had to keep going to the local market to try and find lights for the tree (they kept going out), but this year I can find many different kinds right in E-Mart! I, of course got a bit excited and decided to buy a tree for the kids' rooms! I got a good giggle out of my girlfriends because they could not believe I was buying these trees. I explained that in the US we usually had a tree in almost every room, except for the bathrooms!!

I bought the trees for a mere $2 apiece(ornaments and garland included!!)! The children could not have been happier!! Now every night they fall asleep to the colorful lights blinking off and on! I'm pretty sure these trees will be in the shipment going back to the US and they may just be the little ones favorite things to pull out every year!! That is of course, if they survive!!!

9 Fabulous Years!!

Our sweet Ellie officially turned nine years old on November 27!! I find it so hard to believe that I have had the joy of being her mommy for the past nine years - I am very blessed!! She turned our lives upside down when she entered this world - a few tears from both mommy and Ellie, along with loads of smiles and tons of laughs!! When she smiles my world lights up! She is such a caring, kind, loving daughter with a very big spirit!! I love watching her grow and become her own person!! Happy Birthday Ellie!!El decided on a cookie cake for school - an easy option for mommy, so I was very happy!!Smile El - it's your birthday!! Ellie has wanted a "big" girl camera for about a year now!!More gifts from our dear friends when they came to celebrate Thanksgiving with us in the evening!! She was quite spoiled!!Zhu ni shang ri kuai le!!

The Waiting Game...

Thank you for all of the prayers being said for our family. As I told my cousin, I'm sure the gates of Heaven are being stormed right now with prayers for little Cory!! After their visit to the hospital in St. Louis last week, Cory has been diagnosed with a "muscle tumor" which is most likely cancerous. Chris and Michelle are still waiting for the full report, which may come this week as they are back in St. Louis doing more tests. Cory also will have a port put in which will alleviate many needle pricks and allow for them to give him chemo.

Not a day has gone by since I received the email from my mom about Cory, that I have not stopped doing something because my eyes are filled with tears. If I feel like this, I cannot begin to imagine, nor do I want to, how Chris and Michelle must be feeling. The good news is, I know they are both strong individuals and they are ready to battle this nasty disease. They have a huge army behind them, willing and ready to help in anyway we can!

Please continue to pray for Chris, Michelle, Cory, and little sister Mallory as they begin to find a "new normal". Please also pray that the doctors are able to decide on the best treatment plan and that Cory has minimal side effects. It is the season of miracles and we believe that we are about to witness one!!