real baby bottles for doll babies..."really dad??"

what a mess!!

Im thinking she was not thrilled with the Max Lucado movies...lol

Christmas morning

stockings in mom and dads bed

barbie's

cheesecake:)

thanks Lily for the Barbie coloring book

thanks Lily for the purse

boots!!

luke painted this for Paul

no YOU open one!!

a coloring book and some 2nd hand clothes and shoes. 

not sure why i got all those other presents:)

part of me hates Christmas morning...please don't missunderstand!! I LOVE Christmas, its just that I plan and wrap and shop and bake and look forward to it so much that when it's over I feel such a let down:( We had a wonderful morning and a great time with my parents and sister's family, im just not ready for it to be over yet.
I pray that you all had a wonderful day, but more then that, I pray that you will have a year that is filled with hope, love, peace, growth, service to others and lots of unplanned moments of joy!

Luke's graduation info

Luke is graduating from TSA in the spring. please save the date 6/11/11 He is going to UT for education and wants to be a teacher in the inner city. He won a FOCUS jurors award for his graphic design and has really enjoyed glass blowing this year. he also has loved being a Jr. high sponsor, tutoring, leading worship and teaching sunday school.

Our Christmas Card

WOW this has been a year of growth and change for our family. Luke is graduating from high school this June and Lily became a part of our family in Aug. Paul and I spend every waking moment trying to keep up with this clan of ours. we wouldn't change a thing!! China was so HOT. we look miserable in all the pictures because we are. over 100 and humid every day and most days over 110. We were very glad that our air had been out all of July and I had gotten used to the heat. I had no health struggles while we were there. Cant say the same for Emma, she had a very high fever and gave us a very big scare while we where there, she was fine after 24 hours but they were the longest 24 hours of my life, even longer then the 24 hours spent on an airplane! Ellie fell head first down the great wall of China (im not kidding!) by Gods grace she was able to catch herself with her left arm on the railing to her right, she spent the entire time in china in a sling (ended up being a hyper-extended nerve that has healed fine) We are humbled by and so very grateful for the love and support of everyone who was involved in our journey. if i started naming all of you I would run out of room! We missed our big kids like crazy but they did just fine without us.. I'm still pretty sure they were glad to have us back:)


the girls are all growing up too fast! Abby is 15, majoring in Ballet at TSA and loving it. She played volleyball this year and her team won the last game of the season (their only win) she is obsesed with Barbie (don't ask) and anything pink. Her and Ellie stay busy leading worship, tutoring, going to youth group, shopping and hanging out with friends.
Ellie (12) is also going to TSA and loving dance. this year has been a huge adjustment with all the big kids in school but they are all enjoying it.
Lily (10) is learning english and how to be a part of a family. All things considered she is doing wonderfully. she loves having a family and is learning how to share and be compassionate. Her arms do not stop her from doing much. see our blog ferrellchinajourney.blogspot.com if you want to see her in action:)
Emma (7) is adjusting to Lily being the center of attention. She has had the hardest time with the adjustment. it's been hard but a wonderful character building experience and she is loving having a sister to play with now that Lily has more english.
Paul is doing well at work and we are so grateful for his job in these hard economic times. He was nominated for a leadership award, 5 of 13,000 were nominated. it was a huge honor. I am trying to keep up with everyone-it's my full time job:) homeschooling the little girls, taking the big ones to and from school, feeding them, praying for them and cleaning up after them....well if your a mom you know:)
LOVE YOU ALL

May the miracle of GOD WITH US fill your heart with hope! wishing you Love,Joy, Peace, adventure, grace and just enough craziness to make 2011 fun.

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE FERRELLS!!

hide the vegi's/ feed lots of people recipes

croc pot chicken
3-6 pounds of boneless/skinless chicken thighs
one family size can of cream of chicken soup
one jar ragu cheese sauce, or 4 cups chedder cheese sauce from the gallon size at Sams
4 cups frozen corn
2 cups shredded cheese of your choice
mix first 3 ingredients in crock pot on med. for 6 hours
add corn for last hour
turn to low and add cheese
serve over rice

potato cheddar soup
all amounts are guesses, i don't cook with a recipe
8 potatoes
12 cups water
6 cups california vegi's
saute one onoin and 2 cloves garlic
add all together and bring to boil, turn down to a simmer/quiet boil for 4-6 hours
add 4 cups of chedder cheese sauce, simmer for an hour add milk to desired consistency
garnish with chives, shredded cheese and sour cream

things are settling down....

what a hard, wonderful, awesome, heart rending few months. having a very smart, emotional child who can not comunicate with you is a hard thing. I have felt God put his arms around me and comfort me when I did not know what to do next. Lily is adjusting so well, but it has been just that, an adjustment!! I was reminded that adjustments can be very painful when Ellie got braces a couple months ago. When she goes in for an "adjustment" she is in a lot of pain for a few days....but boy do her teeth look better. Change is hard but its good. God has been so real and wonderful to me and our entire family. Lily who had never hear of God 4 months ago is now telling me that its better to be in America because we can love Jesus!!! How amazing!
Christmas has been so fun, she has never had a Christmas before so everything is new and wonderful, from lights in the neighborhood, to parties, decorating a Christmas tree to buying gifts for her family...its all new! I am reminded of how we SHOULD view the gift of the manger when I see things through her eyes.
It was a very bitter sweet day when we put up the tree. all the other kids were hanging up their ornaments and talking about who got them for them and when...I had made sure that Lily had 6 of her own but she knew and felt that it was different... I looked over and she had big crocodile tears streaming down her cheeks. I asked it it was because she didn't have as many ornaments to hang and she shook her head no, and then in the saddest little wisper she said "I want to be in America... Christmas...longer" translated, i wish i could have been a part of this family as long as everyone else has been.....my momma heart broke, i held her and we just cried together...me too sweet pea....me too!!

Emma talking to santa:)

Lily's party that our sundayschool class gave us.

we felt so loved and cared for by our sunday school class!! they have brought us dinner for 3 weeks and threw us this wonderful party including hand made quilts for both Emma and Lily! We are so blessed. Thanks to all those from GP and westgate that have prayed for and  cared for us during this journey.

been home a month

Lily has had a birthday, Abby has had a birthday, the big kids have started school, the first volleyball game is tonight, homeschooling is in its 3rd week and my head is spinning....We have had a lot of ups and downs. Lily has a very strong will and is very prideful. she gets very upset if she feels like any of the other kids are getting more of anything then she is. Well, as you all know, you  can not treat all 5 kids equally all the time. with out the language to really teach character right now it has been a challenge. The temptation for the older kids and even for Emma is to just give her whatever she wants. This would not be good for anyone in the long run so we are struggling through the temper tantrums and praying a lot!!
she is also so very sweet, loving, always sorry when she has been bad (after a couple of hours)always ready for kisses and hugs. she is a Ferrell through and through:)

we have been in contact with the foster sister and she told us thank you for adopting her. this made me feel so much better. It was what they wanted and that makes it so much easier for me. Lily is so frustrated right now because she is very smart and does not understand much english. if she understood more things could be explained and she would be able to handle things better. we are searching for many ways for her to learn and i am teaching her all day long. please pray for her as she goes through this very confusing time. she also knows how to push every ones buttons and plays the dumb card a lot. she can be very manipulative and im  trying to balance love with boundaries. She is doing so well considering but it is still a challenge every day:) I pray im up to the task!!!

pictures of Lily's first bike ride.

we are going to have to come up with some adaptations for the handle bars, not sure now what is going to work. her wrists rest on the padded bar in the middle and they hurt her after a short time. I have my dad on the problem:) im sure he will be able to come up with something clever.

Lily's first visit to the zoo!

the day started out rough with a lot of tears. but after a 30 min. melt down about Ellie saying somthing she didn't like she was able to calm down and we all had a good  time at the zoo.

home a week

this has been a roller coaster week. The kind that has those times on it that are not fun at all and really hurt at times but then you hit a hill that is really fun. We found out on Wed. that Lily had her foster moms phone number memorized and really wanted to call her. we have a woman from church that has been very very kind and let Lily use her cell phone to call China (she is a chinese native and calls family there with a calling card) Dana, the woman's name, helped to translate a little and we found out that she lived with them full time for 5 years and part time for the last 3. The foster mom was told that if she was put back into the orphanage that she would be sent to school, she never was but was never placed back into full time foster care either. There are many missing pieces that we will be filling in for years Im sure  but just knowing that she really loves and misses someone breaks my heart.
I am trying to find a good ESL curriculum for school in the fall. Amy, Dana's nine year old daughter, will be coming to our house and helping her with English a couple times a week until school starts. Dana let Amy come with us to the Dr. on Thur. and she was a great help. don't know how we could have done it without her, God has provided, and will continue to, Im sure. My sister is going to have a field day with my grammar:)
I want to thank everyone for all your prayers. I have felt lifted up in so many ways and Lily is truly doing miraculously well considering all the changes she has been through. Paul and I could not be doing this without all your prayers....THANK YOU.. THANK YOU.. THANK YOU

lily going up the ladder and down the pool slide.....amazing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIiIRM_wSWk

Made it Home!

We made it home safely to Toledo!  So glad to see great friends at the airport to meet us.  And friends who even cleaned our house and put food in our fridge!  Thank you!  What a wonderful blessing after the long flight and immigration forms.  Lily is getting to know Luke and Abby and friends, and getting comfy in her new home.  Hitting the sack early, thanks everyone for your thoughts and prayers.

UPDATE!

Friday Aug 6

WE ARE COMING HOME TODAY

Today we start our long journey home! 4 hour bus ride to Hong Kong, short night in the airport hotel, and then 14+hour flight to Detroit. Not looking forward to the flight but will be happy to be home!


Yesterday we went to the consulate for paperwork and ceremonial oath. Lots of other adoptive parents there too. Everyone is feeling OK now. Emma's fever hasn't returned. Lily appears more and more comfortable and is having fun swimming and listening to music. The earphones we have are too small so every 2 minutes they fall out, and I'm sticking them back in her ears (she can't quite do it herself).


Love to all - see you in a couple days. 


 Paul

Lily swimming for first time

Ellie's arm is doing better today and Emma's fever is better (yes she had a fever of 103-104 through the night). Paul went out in search of a battery for his blood sugar monitor and found one using all his Chinese language and ninja skills! Keep praying because we are not sure what might happen next!!

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST!

URGENT - FOR PRAYER

Ellies arm is really bad tonight, she can not sleep and she is in so much pain. Her arm is burning and swollen. She is worse then she has been since she fell. Please pray for her healing and comfort!

Also pray that we can find a battery for Paul's blood sugar monitor! His battery died and we cant find one to fit it, so we are unable to check his sugars, this is very dangerous.

please also pray for Emma. she woke up at midnight with high fever and crying her head hurts. worried about what she might have caught. THANK YOU

Thanks for all of your prayers!

Cyndi

We have had a wonderful day. Lily loves to swim and seems more comfortable every day. she does not say many english words but she seems to get her point accross just fine. The girls are eating noodles together right now. They have these noodles very much like our ramen noodles but with different flavors, fish, seaweed, shrimp, kelp, hot beef - you get the picture. This is what we eat for one meal a day because they are very cheap. There is a comfortableness starting to settle over us and we are all a lot more relaxed.

No big plans for today, just a group picture and maybe shop for souvenirs.

We went to a outside art museum and shopping this morning. It seemed weird to not be in church! We will post pictures of the museum later today. I wanted to update you on how Anan/Lily is doing. She is slowly learning that she may not push and hit when she is not getting her own way. I am sure it is very hard to not be able to understand why she can or can not do things. She does understand enough to know that she is not allowed but does it anyway:) the first day here in Guangou was hard for me. Seeing all the baby's and toddlers. it was hard on the girls too. baby's are just easier to bond with, you can hold them and snuggle and they are cute. We know that we are in Gods will and we think Anan belongs in our family, its just hard to see all the cute babies, for all of us. not easy but good. it has drawn me closer to our saviour and forced me to trust in him in a deeper way then ever before, not by site but by faith.

There is nothing that Anan can't do if she wants to. I am continually amazed at how she can do things, she uses her knee to bend her elbow so that she can reach her mouth. She is doing so well considering that she has left a lot of people that loved her. It would have almost been easier if we knew she had not been loved, then we would have felt like we were giving her something she would never have...Love... but we know that she will be better off in America in the long run.

I am missing my Abby and Luke very much. We could use some of Lukes comic relief now and again:) I am feeling better, fighting off a cold but today has been way better. we are enjoying the pool and Lily can not wait to get all the way in. she can not get her TB test wet until tomorrow after it gets checked. right now the girls are resting and watching a cartoon in Chinese for a bit before we go once again to McDonald's for supper, i will not go to McDonald's for a year when i get back!!! its really the only place we can afford thats walking distance. Staying at a 5 star hotel is great unless you want to eat at one of the restaurants! it would be over $100 for our family to eat here. we can get McDonalds for all of us for around 8...so mdDs here we come:)I love and miss you all. we covet your prayers and are feeling them with every passing day...we can not wait to get home!!

July 31

Got in late last night to Guangzhou. Plane delayed. Up early today for An-an's medical check. Mass chaos in the International clinic. Standing room only and lots of crying babies. An-an got 3 immunizations and a TB test. She was a trooper. It also ended up being a good time of bonding with her momma. Seems like Ellie's arm is doing better - keeping an eye on it (in case I haven't shared, she fell coming down steps at the Great Wall and twisted her arm). Cyndi and Emma are fighting off some illness - doing OK for now. Took An-an to McDonald's. She enjoyed the fries and loved the ketchup. Went swimming - hotel has a very nice pool atop the 4th floor. An-an couldn't get her arm wet because of her TB test. And we thought she was afraid of the water, but she was splashing and wanting in by the time we left. Emma and Ellie had a great time swimming. Met with other adopters in a hotel room and finished some paperwork. Tomorrow we go to a folk museum and the store.

Thanks for the prayers. Paul

Yesterday we went to the Wuhan Museum and learned about the local heritage and Ming's tomb. I think it was a little boring for Anan so we had to work on some boundaries with her - still working through conveying to her that we love her tons but she has to follow the rules:) - normal 9yr old stuff. It seems An-an is enjoying herself though - we did puzzles and ice cream and painting nails and disney princesses on the internet (in chinese). She loves yellow and pink and fashion and Wuhan noodles.

She is smart as a whip - picking up several English words already and helping us navigate the Chinese culture. Today we fly to Guangzhou, sort of the Wash DC of China. The local paperwork is done, now on to the "federal". Medical exam for her tomorrow. While in Guangzhou, we will meet back up with other adoptive parents who have been in other provinces picking up their children.

She loves Ellie, is warming up to Emma. Still trying to figure out what she thinks about Cyndi and me. I think she loves having a mommy (except when in trouble). It's taking her a while to warm up to me. Letting her paint my nails and letting her play with my iPod helps:). Probably normal for Ba-ba's (dad's).

Will attempt to send more pictures. ===paul

Yesterday we visited the famous Yellow Crane Tower in Wuhan City. An-an had not been there (although you could see her orphanage in the distance from atop the tower). I think it will be a great memory for her. The afternoon was laid back. We went shopping to Carrifore (French walmart).

We were ecstatic to find some Chin/Engl flash cards with pictures, etc. They will be great for teaching English and helping us communicate. Also had some comedy moments - trying to ask for directions, trying to ask for a to-go container, etc. But we figured it out. An is getting more comfortable, sometimes starting to act like a normal 10yr old and jump on the bed, push the limits. Today, we go to a museum and more paperwork. Some amazing moments - An giving me a hug for the first time, etc. Also really neat and made us want to cry - at the store counter there was a collection box for An's orphanage. she recognized the words and got excited. I lifted her up and let her put some $ in the box. tomorrow we head for Guangzhou and more "federal" paperwork. we also re-unite with other adoptive parents there.

Later, love to all.,

Paul

today was the day that we went to the government office and sign a lot of papers. now we are back to the hotel resting. the kids were up at 5am so we are all a little weary. Anan is doing very well. she has learned to say ellie, emma, mama, daddy, luke, abby and thank-you and camera already!! she is so smart and is amazing to watch. we will try to upload video of her doing things, it is unbelievable. Emma is really struggling. Anan is very attached to Ellie and Emma's feelings are hurt. we are trying to explain to her that Anan likes Ellie better then us too, but she does not care:) Ellie's arm is getting better every day. we think the sling helped Anan feel close to her first. Ellie is amazing with her, i am so proud of her, she has really done a fabulous job. Anan took us to a noodle place last night, she had to order for us! thanks for all your prayers.
Cyndi

Gotcha Day update.
Met An-an (Lily) today at 2:30. She is quite the little girl. At first, she was staring off into space and crying some and you could tell she did not want to be with us. We could totally understand - she is leaving everything familiar to her. It was a few hours before she smiled and started interacting with us - She will fit in well - has the Ferrell strong-willed temperament (aka stubborn). She is extremely sharp and she was worried about going with strangers and missing her teacher and others at the orphanage. Our guide was amazing - she interpreted, helped us with paperwork and, most importantly, got right at An-an's level and kept reassuring her in her familiar home dialect. The orphanage director and helper also kept reassuring her in Chinese. Apparently she is also close to a foster family she lived with over a year ago and you could tell she will miss them. In the last few hours, she has become especially attached to Ellie and is opening up to us slowly. We took her shopping and found ice cream and a few of her favorite things. She is now smiling alot and laughing at the girls. No surprises yet on her physical issues. Her hands are very turned in but she amazingly finds a way to do everything so far. The language barrier is tough, using lots of hand gestures, etc. :) Well, gotta get this uploaded. More to follow.

we will be spending the next 2 days traveling, we will get the Beijing around 1:00pm ohio time on friday, this will be 1am on friday there. so don't expect to hear anything from us until saturday some time:)

Luke has a sprained tendon in his knee. He just needs to wrap it, not play sports for a week and ice and elevate it 3 times a day.....on a work/missions trip to the inner city with a bunch of elementary age kids! that should be interesting:) He did it playing ultimate Frisbee, not running:) they play barefoot. Its no wonder Im not at the ER twenty times a year:)!!

these are the Puma's that God provided for Luke today! He had no good running shoes and really wanted Puma's but knew we could not afford them. He said he was going to try to save up his money and buy them himself. As a mom I really wanted to buy him shoes! He needs them, all of his shoes were falling apart but he really wanted Puma's and that was just not in the budget right now. So this Mama got on her knees and prayed for God to provide Luke with the pair of shoes that he WANTED not just the ones he needed. God layed on my heart to go to a Savers store that I never go to. I walked in and Im sure you have guessed by now, these were on the rack. I stood and cried in the middle of Savers. I am so grateful that God cares about the little things as well as the big ones.

Luke did something to his knee so I am off to the Dr.

We only had 3 days to get ready last time so I have been packed for the most part since saturday because it just felt like I should be in a hurry:) Now I can enjoy my Bible study and the big serve today and the kids tomorrow. there are still little last min. things that need done and paperwork needs double checked but Im feeling good about things.
thank you for all your prayers, they mean the world to us, only in His strength are we able to do any of this. I will try to post big serve photos later, now off to PT. Im praying my back will behave on this trip, i never sit for more then an hour because it hurts, standing is way easier.

just some of the ways God has "shown up" in the last year!

last june I asked Paul to pray for my that i would no longer have the desire to adopt another child because he did not feel that was in the plans for our family and i was being annoying bringing it up every 3 months or so.
He went and prayed, 3 hours later he came to me and said that God changed HIS heart instead of mine!!
I showed Paul a picture of lily a year ago, last July, to show him what a limb deformity was. I never intended to consider her as she was much older then i had pictured and her disability more severe then I thought I could handle. WE looked at her file while we were still doing our homestudy and placed it back on the waiting child list until all our paperwork was finished so that if another family wanted her they would have a chance to look at her.
I was very scared of on older child. AWAA gave me a list of other people who have adopted older children and Kelly came into my life. She was able to share her story about adopting an almost 10 year old, she sent me a video and calmed my fears. without her Im not sure I could have come to a peace about an older child.
4 months later Lily was still on the list and no one had looked at her file. Paul came to me and said that he really felt that she was the one, and if not us then who. sooo in November Lily became a Ferrell in our hearts
My grandfather died in Dec. this was really hard on our entire family. We had been dealing with a prolonged illness since July. We had a very important fingerprint apt. that takes 2 months the schedule, with out this the adoption can not move forward. It ended up that his funeral and the apt. were at the EXACT same time, 3 hours apart. of course we couldn't miss his funeral so we missed our apt. we were told we could try the next wed. as a walk in but they wouldn't promise anything. We walked in that wed. and walked out 30min. later with our fingerprints done!
I went to work a home school convention in April. my friend was talking to a woman and mentioned my adoption. This woman had just come home 2 weeks ago with a 9 year old from China! we got to talking, as I told her of Lily's condition her eyes opened wide, she had a friend who has adopted a child with AMC as well. we have been in contact ever since via Face Book and they both have been a HUGE source of information and reassurance.
A young woman was on Face Book a month or so ago and some how my security settings had been changed and she was able to see pictures of Lily. she messaged me and said she also had AMC. she lives 10 min. from my mom and dad. she had been able to connect me with Dr. in Toledo because that is where much of her treatment was. She has also connected me with a family who has adopted a 4 year old with AMC in toledo. My security settings had never change before and have never changed since.
I went to a play group last week for family's with chinese children. no one from the group was there (no big deal I had 6 kids so I was a group of my own:)) as I watched the kids play I saw a little boy sitting on a blanket. as i watched him I was pretty sure he also had AMC. I asked his mom and sure enough he does. yet another amazing connection with someone who knows the disorder and how to parent someone who has it.
Our travel has been WAY more expensive then we had expected. I was really panicking because we did not have enough room on credit cards to pay for it. The day that we were told how much it was going to be two dear friends who have very little came over with a gift, I was so humbled that they gave out of what little they had, and then 2 hours later a large check came in the mail. Gods timing is always so wonderful. It was as if he winked at me and said "trust me!!!" we will still be $15,000 in debt when we get back but the little notes that he has sent to say that HE has it all under control are such beautiful gifts. and yes, our credit limit was raised!
NEVER DOUBT THAT GOD WANTS TO MEET YOU RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE!

this adoption is ALL HIM! and we want all the glory to go to HIM

we have 3 days until we leave. my list for tomorrow is a mile long and includes a trip to the pharmacy, a visit to the hospital to see a friends child, finish laundry, finish packing, walmart for therma patches and other odds and ends, printing passport photos and much much more:) we had a wonderful day today and God has seen fit to fix our air conditioner:), through a wonderful friend.
i had enough done today that i was able to visit my friend at the hospital and have lunch with some great people!

I'm afraid until we get to china this blog is going to be boring. we packed and shopped for last min. stuff yesterday, a friend who works on air conditioners is going to come look at our air conditioner today as a favor!! Wow thank-you God for all the little ways you take care of us. I am really getting used to the heat, which will be a huge blessing in China. I have had to learn to trust God to provide more in the last few months then I am comfortable with, God loves taking us out of our comfort zone so that we can allow HIM to comfort us. Its not until we are totally unable to do things on our own that we really see HIM providing.

As I relax, calm down, trust, and look to HIM to provide all I need I am reminded that He loves me, wants to take care of me and is just waiting for me to fall into his waiting arms. so....today when i fear that I don't have the strength to do everything that needs to be done I will simply tell myself "you right, you don't and that's OK because your heavenly father will fill in all the gaps for you"

I pray that we will have a day filled with the little joys and small wonders that our heavenly Father has prepared for us, and that we will have the eyes to see who has given them to us.

Here is a picture of our Lily, she is almost 10. her smile made us fall in love with her. she is holding a purse and posing, she should fit right in:)

6 days and counting

We leave in 6 days!!! we are very hot here, our air conditioner died 2 weeks ago and looks like it is not fixable, replacing it is not on option at the moment so our bodies are getting used to the heat. we have a pool and a basement so we will live! Its amazing how spoiled we get, isn't it? how much of the world is hotter then us and lives w/out air, or even clean water?!?!

I am discouraged at myself that I could let such a little thing take away my joy. When am i ever going to learn to "find it Joy when I face trials of many kinds, or learn to be content in plenty and in want"

Please pray for Lily, that she would feel safe in our family and be healthy when we get her. Also that she would be comforted in her grief. Also pray for safe travel.

today the plan is to get the meds we need to take with us, finish the laundry (like that EVER happens), write thank-you notes, finalize travel plans, finish the big kid schedules, cook up some noodles for the freezer, take books back to the library and hopefully enjoy my kids a little!