Love Without Boundaries

Ever heard of this organization? Volunteers from around the world donate their own time, talents and treasures to provide humanitarian aid to orphans and impoverished children in China. LWB actually helped our friends' daughter before she came home to America, and today she is a happy, healthy little girl!

LWB is working now to keep children with their families in China. You see...many families are not able to afford the much needed medical care for their child who may have serious health issues. Therefore, the parents are faced with the decision of keeping their child, knowing that medical treatment is not likely, or abandoning them so that once in an orphanage or foster home, they more likely will receive the medical treatment needed. These parents love their children, but are faced with having to make a heart-wrenching decision. LWB is working to provide these families with that medical care in order to keep parents and children together. This new endeavor is known as the Unity Fund, and LWB is having a Kickoff Contest.

You can read more about LWB and their new project at http://www.lovewithoutboundaries.com/, and click on Unity Fund in the bottom, left hand corner.

Matthew 25:40 "The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.' "

Happy Birthday, Laura!

We celebrated Laura's birthday with family and friends yesterday. The weather was warm and breezy, the BBQ was tasty and everyone had a great time. I can't believe she's 4 already!

The Birthday Princess

Charlie & Laura getting ready for the party. Swinging with Great Uncle Jim, Amy & Gabriel.

The men's bocce ball tournament. Red team was undefeated!

Mountain Climbing

OK...not really. But for Laura, our stairs must seem like a mountain, and for her to climb them without help is such an accomplishment for her! Yeah, Laura!! Now, where's the gate?

I can see clearly now...

We picked up Laura's first pair of glasses this morning. She does NOT like anything near or on her face, so this should be fun keeping them on! I bought the extra scratch protection just in case! And we weren't in the car 5 minutes, and she had them off...banging them on her car seat buckle. Her way of saying...she's not impressed!

I'm not sure about these!

I want them off!!

OK...I'll try it, but I'm not smiling!

The irony of it all...

DTE Energy...had no energy last night for the concert. Steven Curtis Chapman was part way through his third song, when the TV screens went blank, I saw him tug at his ear piece and exchange puzzled looks with his son Caleb (one of the guitarists). Then...POOF! No more energy. SCC tried 3 more times, but to no avail. By 10:00 P.M., he and MWS came out together and apologized for having to cancel the rest of the show. They could have been upset, but they showed such graciousness and thankfulness for what was able to occur, knowing full well that God was in control. SCC commented on how God has all the power...we obviously don't!

So, Laura's birthday present wasn't all that. But she didn't mind...she enjoyed watching the waterfalls, clapping when everyone else clapped, and eating her chocolate dippin' dots. How cool to be around others that find the joy in any situation!

MWS & SCC

I'm am soooo excited...crazy excited!! Jamie came home with tickets last night for the Michael W. Smith and Steven Curtis Chapman concert at DTE Thursday night. I've see MWS twice before and he is awesome in concert. I haven't see SCC, but ever since his little Maria's death, I've been watching his website closely and feeling so drawn to his music...maybe because of the China connection. And best of all, we're taking Laura for her 4th birthday. She loves music!

Fruits of the Spirit

You're familiar with the fruits of the spirit in Galations 5:22? Well, patience is one of those fruits, and we're being tested in this as we wait for the State of Michigan to say we're not criminals. Our state background check should only take one week, and it's been a month. How hard can it actually be to punch in a couple of SS numbers, print out an "all clear" and mail it to our social worker?? We can't do anything for our adoption until this is done. So, we are "eating" fruit right now!

As we wait, we're enjoying our summer. Jacob has taken up golf this year. He started by driving Papa's cart in Hilton Head (with only one near miss of a stop sign), went to the driving range with Jamie a few days ago, and played his first nine holes yesterday. He's even getting the lingo down...irons, woods, etc. He thought it was hilarious that I thought the woods were actually made of wood. Isn't that why they're called woods??? Charlie is potty training, and it has been so easy! I thought for sure that his personality would cause this to be a challenge, but as it turns out, an independent personality is just right! Laura has started her OT again, and loves being there. Her therapist is great with her and makes it fun.

Our future paleontologist.

He found a T-Rex!!

Bath buddies.

Using the potty is cool, Charlie!

Loves blowing bubbles.

Strike a pose, princess!

Hilton Head Island, SC

Our first summer vacation of 2008 was on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. We took 10 days (4 were driving) with relatives to enjoy the pool, ocean, shopping, biking and, of course...hushpuppies! The Crazy Crab restaurant has by far the best hushpuppies on the island, and you just can't find them up north in Michigan! My niece and nephew were great with the kids...like having built in entertainment!

I half wonder if next year we should stay home, though. Every year we go, Charlie gives me a startle...and it gets bigger each year. Last year he jumped into the deep end of the pool with no swimmies. I fished him out....he laughed. This year we had to take him to the hospital because of a febrile seizure. Little pumpkin was just fine after a nap, some tylenol and a red popsicle. I, however, needed a little more time to gather my wits. The docs and medics were all great. The Marriott staff even sent him a little stuffed bear named "Doc."

Laura & Charlie always appear to others as twins. And I can't guess as to how many times we were asked that question on HHI. And I can't tell you how many people came up to me to tell me about their "daughter from Vietnam" or their "granddaughter from Korea." It's amazing how many families have experienced adoption in one way or another. How cool to think of the thousands of lives that are joined together from oceans away.

So, we're all home now and back to a "normal" routine. As much as we dislike leaving such a fun place, it's always good to climb into our own beds at night. Just wish we had that pool or ocean in our backyard!

Laura & Charlie playing in the water fountains by the pool.

Jacob's catchin' a wave.

A little down time before dinner. FYI, Charlie...your newspaper is upside down!