Journi's wish to have a princess ball

She wakes up smiling, she goes to bed smiling, she wants to do nothing but play & play & play some more!

Rachel

wish mom

Eight-year-old Journi has a smile that lights up a room and warms your heart. At first meeting, you would never know the extensive health challenges she has faced, but what you would see is a beautiful young lady ready to share her smile and laughter with the world.

Adopted at the age of 11 months from her homeland China, Journi was diagnosed with a severe cardiac condition and quickly began seeing specialists. Her mother Rachel says "It's a complicated medical condition that required numerous surgeries and hospital stays, modified activity and diet, and a lot of faith in God, in our medical team, and in her ability to fight through."

Journi at her tiara fitting at Bailey's Fine Jewelry

Journi getting into her horse drawn carriage at her princess ball

Journi at Bailey's Fine Jewelry for her tiara fitting; Journi dressed as a princess at her ball.

"At one point I remember hearing all the things that were wrong with her and asking the doctor "How is she still alive?" She's like "she's just, she's a fighter" and that has been her every day since." says father Brian.

Rachel and Brian have adopted 3 children from China and feel like they have been called to open their hearts in this way. The family embraces every moment to be grateful and share the love they feel widely. Journi has experienced so much in her short life but with the support of her loving family and caring community she is learning to let go of some of her fears.

"She wakes up smiling, she goes to bed smiling, she wants to do nothing but play and play and play some more! There was a point in time in her life where she probably would not have had a normal life like we all take for granted. I look at her and I look at my other daughters and I'm like one day she's going to get married and have children and that was never going to be a possibility for her in China."

As her wish day approached, Journi, along with her sister Jenna-Grace and her parents, visited Jewelers For Children partner Bailey's Fine Jewelry in Raleigh for a special princess preparation event. The family was treated to an exclusive celebration where Journi was given her very first Bailey's Box, a beautiful tiara for her special day, and a gold star necklace with a diamond for wishing.

Take a look at this special day with Journi and her family: