Esther and Ruthie for the Fristoe family — MO
Dewey and Suzanne met in Lexington, MO in 1995 while taking care of a terminally ill patient and his family. With much encouragement, by the family, Dewey asked Suzanne out. After 3 short months they married and have now been together over 17 years. When they married Dewey had 3 children, living with him, and Suzanne had none. She had been told, by Doctors, that she never would have any. Dewey knew Suzanne had a desire to go to China and adopt and that she had been saving money for that reason. But, God is kind and gracious and two months later, Suzanne found herself pregnant. They now have 7 living children (ages 29-3), one in heaven, and 5 grandchildren and twin grand daughters due in June 2013. They still have 5 children living in their home, but know there is room for more. Daniel and Abby are both home schooled and in the 10th and 9th grades. Aaron currently attends early childhood education at the local school, to receive speech therapy, to correct a speech deficit, caused by frequent ear infections and hearing loss. Hannah (who has down syndrome) started attending early childhood education this year, where she gets speech, physical and occupational therapies.
Clara joined our family in May of 2012, through the Special Needs Adoption Program from China. Clara, like Hannah, has down syndrome. She also came to them with many other medical needs. Since her arrival in the US she has had her cleft lip and palate repaired, tear ducts enlarged, tubes in her ears, which returned hearing to her right ear, had her tonsils removed and major dental work done. In January of 2013 she had open heart surgery to repair her ASD, VSD and PDA. For the most part her surgery was a success. After surgery it was discovered that her PDA had partially burst open, due to high pulmonary pressures, and at her post-op visit it was noted that her pressures were decreasing and they are hoping that in 6 months she will be able to have her PDA ligated during a cardiac cath. Clara and Aaron will both start kindergarten (home schooled) in the fall.
Shortly after returning home, they were approached about a little girl they had met while in China. After much prayer and discussion they agreed that they should return and bring this sweet girl home. She too has down syndrome and a heart defect called ASVSD. They are in a race against time to get her to the USA for surgery. They kept getting updates and pictures wand there was always a second little girl in them. They prayed more and decided they should bring home both girls. The second little girl has down syndrome and a repaired TOF.
They are waiting for the girl’s files to be finished and working on their home study and dossier. They are hoping that once the girl’s files are finished they will be able to lock them and expedite the remaining parts of the adoption.
3/5/2013–HOMESTUDY in PROCESS
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at bringinghomeourchinesebutterfly.blogspot.com
