Dancin' in the Streets

well, not really.
I don't allow him to dance in the streets...but The Bruiser is a mighty happy soul since Wednesday brought freedom from his leg cast!  The trooper has worn a cast all summer (10 weeks) and on Wednesday when the tech cut off the cast The Bruiser commanded that he "throw that in the TRASH!"

We're amazed at the healing in his leg!

He now will use an orthotic brace for the next several months with the goal of weaning off of it after 3-6 months.  We're praying now that the tendons in his feet will strengthen and help his foot remain flat to the ground (instead of rolled up onto the side and his tippy toes) thus avoiding more surgery next summer.

As the reason we remained stateside while all the other family is back home in the Middle Kingdom is now removed...we are profoundly homesick at this point.  The boys are as friable as I've ever seen them.  The slightest issue dissolves them into tears (or violence against their brother-man.)  And I am, well, I am a jumble of nervous energy, emotion, and angst.  (Note to all of you...if you see us coming down the road...best to just avoid us and let us pass on by!)

We're excited for a huge happening coming this Sunday morning as we'll celebrate one from our "local family" in the Middle Kingdom as he participates in the symbolic rite of dying to his past and being raised anew.  (I'll be the one hollering with joy!)  Sunday evening will bring a chance to visit with friends at a potluck to share some crazy stories of life in the Middle Kingdom.  (If you're reading this and you'd like to come, EMAIL ME, all are welcome.)

Monday will bring some shots for Bub (that ought to go really smoothly after the week we're having)...cramming suitcases full of things we've been accumulating...and praying for a "good weigh-in" at that airport counter on Tuesday (glad their not weighing ME in after 11 weeks in the States)!

We know that there might be a major slight problem when we get to Beijing with the transfer of our baggage from the International flight (and international baggage allowance) to the domestic flight (and domestic baggage allowance)...please be lifting us up that we will find favor with the ticket counter gods service staff!  In 6 years I've never had an issue with this...but apparently things do change (surprise, surprise) and I may have a run for my money (or at least people trying to demand that I pay for my luggage to fly the rest of the way home!)  Never hoped before that I would appear overwhelmed and desperate enough with only 3 children in tow that someone would have pity on me!

Going to post a few cherished photos from our summer visit with ALL our kids!  We had 2 days with all 9+1 (our dear daughter-in-law) and got a few photos that we'll cherish forever!  The visit brought even more phenomenal news to us...that the Rockstar and his Princess will soon be making us GRANDPARENTS!  In January we expect to behold the beautiful sight of Malachi!  Wow!  Now that is joyful anticipation!

Must run and try to cross some more t's and dot some more i's...

The H Family, July 2011