You're Never Too Old...

for a little friendly competition!

Who can swing the highest?

Is it Charlie?

Or Daddy?


Or Amarin?



Or...nevermind. Jacob, you don't have a chance in that baby swing!

Ok...who can jump the farthest?

Amarin flies off the swing with ease!

There goes Daddy!

Charlie wasn't giving up his swing for anything! He's pumping by himself...too much work to jump off in some silly competition!

Jacob...er...buddy...

Umm...

Are you really stuck?

Seems to me, I recall that expression when you were a baby...

Aha! Empty swings! I think I'll hike it over there before they see me!

Oops. Did you really catch me walking by myself across the grass? Without the braces

on my feet? 'Cause this is something I had you thinkin' I couldn't do even with my braces on...

OK. Not to be outdone...mom fires up a game of monkey-in-the-middle.

We certainly have enough monkeys around here for this game!

I beat ya to it, big brother!

Careful, Char. You'll end up the monkey!

Ah, fun times. We ended the day on another fun note. The kids got to spend time watching movies with their babysitter, and Jamie took me to see Steven Curtis Chapman and Third Day. Caleb opened for them, and his dad joined him on the last song...very cool. And, I was able to chat a bit with Caleb's wife, Julia, about Show Hope. I was hopin' maybe she'd offer to take us backstage since we're adopting. Guess I was too subtle...or too obvious!

One Step Closer

We received an email from Homeland Security that they have issued our next approval...the I800! That means within a couple weeks, that approval will be sitting in the US office in Guangzhou for yet another approval, and then off to the Chinese officials to give us our travel approval!! It can't be long now...you'll definitely be home with your family before Christmas, sweet girl! I just can't wait to kiss those sweet, chubby cheeks!

Back to School

UPDATE: Laura got off the bus with a smile, so her day went well! Phew!

Charlie didn't stop talking for 1/2 hour about his day...I think they'll have a great year!

It was back to school today! I have to say...I was ready for a routine, and I think the kids were, too.

My babies took off first this AM. Their buses picked them up at 7:15, so we were up before daybreak...hence the dark outdoor photos!

Charlie was so excited. Laura...well, I'll let the photos speak for themselves.

Charlie decided to sit in this chair to wait for his bus. I don't think he realized he wasn't getting curbside service like Laura did over the summer! Notice Laura's still not crackin' a smile.

Char's bus was early, but we were ready! He let me take his photo and then got right up on the bus...no hug or anything. Huh! Guess he was ready!
Then I turned around to see two other moms crying...they said they were crying for me since this was Char's first day of kindergarten. Thanks, but I was actually doing just fine!

We met his bus at the school and Daddy took some photos of our big boy.

Walking into school with confidence.

Char gets to ride with a buddy (red sweatshirt) on his bus, but they're not in the same classroom.

Here we go. My there were a lot of parents here today and the parking lot was FULL! There were even cars parked on the road.

Charlie with his teacher. Goodness, am I getting old or does she look REALLY young??

Actually, she is a recent graduate, and this is her first classroom of her own.

She is just full of energy and enthusiasm. Perfect!

Then we came home and the big boys got to work.

Here they are writing and drawing...

and, well...being boys.

Almost 6,000

So, I have almost 6,000 "hits" on my blog. I have a feeling it's reached that number by more than those 30 people that have declared themselves "followers" of this blog, especially since I know some of you visit from the other side of the world. So, before the counter shows 6,000, how about introducing yourself and adding yourself to the list of followers! Thanks...'cause I know you're out there, and I can't wait to meet you!

More Words from our Children

Still lovin' that I can record things our kids say and do so we won't forget these sweet moments. Yesterday, there were two in particular that I wanted to remember.

First, we were in the van talking about weather, and Char said he wanted to move to FL (primarily, Disney World). I told him I would miss a lot here, including our house! Amarin suggested that we move our house, then, too, and then I wouldn't miss it. Being a practical parent, I shared that we couldn't move a house! Then he said with assurance, "Just pray and ask God to move it!" I'm thinking this is the faith Jesus talked about that we should all have, right? Asking God to do what we think is impossible and watch Him work!

Next, Amarin and Charlie were playing with a load of toy cars in the livingroom...cars EVERYWHERE! Specifically, they were playing Lightening McQ**n. I heard Charlie say, "OK. I'm hungry (speaking for his car) and it's time to eat. Let's ask God to bless this food."

Really? So Amarin says, "Don't pray yet. We're not ready." A moment later, Char's car "prayed" for the food and then they continued playing. Reminds me of Deuteronomy when we're told to talk about God when we're sitting, walking, lying down, or standing.

3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.

A Special Project

Would you like to read some positive news about what kids are up to these days?

Check out this blog link:

http://jacobsjourneyhome.blogspot.com/2010/09/yet-another-update-on-fundraiser.html

These sisters have been working on making blankets and pillows, baby doll size, so they

can help pay for expenses for baby Joy, who lives in a Chinese orphanage, that needs

some extra care.

With the money that their daddy's employer will match, they've already raised

almost $800.00! Yes...$800.00!

Wouldn't it be downright awesome if enough people purchased their blankets and pillows

so they could raise the full $5,000. needed for baby Joy's heart surgery?

Do you know a little girl that would like a set?

(We already bought two for Jenna...don't tell!).