Driver's Ed.

Charlie is on the road...well, around our yard and cul-de-sac, anyway. He got a new jeep for his birthday and he's learning fast!

Jacob had to throw it in reverse to keep from Charlie from driving them into the woods!

Happy Halloween!

The kids had a full day of trick or treating. Laura had therapy earlier in the day, and the therapists took their patients around the facility to get treats. Jacob & Charlie got to go, too. Later, we joined friends and ran from house to house for two hours. The weather was perfect, and we all had a great time!

Gotcha Day!

Hard to believe that we held Charlie for the first time 2 years ago in Taiwan. What excitement and laughs he has brought to our family! We love you, buddy!

Happy Birthday, Charlie!

This year, Charlie definitely "got it." I sang Happy Birthday when he woke up this AM, and all day long, it was HIS day. He kept singing, "Abba doo doo, me" or "Abba doo doo, Charlie"...translation..."Happy Birthday to me" and "Happy Birthday to Charlie." And he's serious...."No Jacob, Wawa (Laura), Mommy's Abba doo doo." Nope...this day is all yours, buddy. Laura's therapists came out and sang Happy Birthday to him, too. They were in costume for Halloween and Charlie must have thought it was just for his birthday! He wanted to go to Kalloways for dinner, so off we went. He got his icecream dessert, balloons, and another serenade. Jamie brought the kids home and I went to the store to buy the cakes (the boxes filled with powder). As soon as I walked through the door, Charlie came running out, grabbed the 2 boxes of cake powder and ran off squealing with excitement to show Jacob his birthday cakes. Doesn't take much to please this little guy. And to top it off, he got a guitar. He was so excited...even wanted to take it to bed. Can you imagine waking to that in the middle of the night? I just love this age when the little things make them so happy!

The Bob t-shirt looks more like a nightgown!

Look at that rock-star pose!

Now we're rockin'.

Who's guitar is it again?

WHEN, not IF

Two nights ago I lifted Laura out of her booster seat after dinner. I placed her standing up on the floor and she proceeded to walk about 3 feet...no help from me, and with perfect balance. Then she just stood there and looked around as if this was no big deal. Jacob and I looked at one another with our mouths hanging open, and then Jacob literally fell off of his chair. (He has a flare for the dramatics). I tried it again, but she wouldn't walk. I think she realized finally what she had done, and that we had "caught" her in the act. So, the question isn't IF she can walk, it's WHEN she's good and ready to do it! You're busted, Princess!

Fingerprints...check!

This morning, Jamie and I had to be in Detroit at 9 A.M. to be fingerprinted...again. I thought homeland security always kept fingerprints on record. So, if we've done this twice before, couldn't they just run them again? But I have to say, this was the most efficient I've seen immigration here in Detroit. We were on the road again by 9:20 A.M. And prints are taken electronically now...no more messy ink. Oh, yeah. As the worker was scanning my left pinky...a red "match warning" popped up on the screen. Hmmmmm...

Know the Facts

OK. I will not be using this regularly as my politcal platform...but just this once. I have never felt so passionate about an election as I do this year. Vote how you will...but be sure you know for what you're voting! I know, without a doubt, that US citizens are concerned about the war in Iraq, as well as the economy. I am, too, but there's so much more at stake that people are not really contemplating. If you belong to the body of Christ, you have a responsibility to follow the Bible's teaching. If you don't know what the Bible says about the issues...then do a little research. Here are my passions:

1. DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) signed by former Pres. Clinton on 9-21-96 determines marriage to be between one man and one woman. Obama was quoted as saying that's one of the first things he will overturn. I certainly think that the economy and war should be first on his agenda. However, if this is overturned, you will see the gay agenda strengthened and stretched across the board. More and more children will not know what it's like to have a mommy or a daddy...think we have challengs now in society? Just wait. Not to mention, do you agree that the soldiers' moral will be strenthened by having gays in the military?

2. Roe vs. Wade will remain under Obama: In 1997, Obama voted against SB230 to ban partial birth abortions. On 7-25-06, Bill S403, he voted to allow teens to be taken across state lines for an abortion without informing parents. Not only is this violating a parent's right to "be a parent," but also shows that Obama has no regard for unborn life. Do you know what happens during an abortion to a child? Do you realize that an unborn child can feel pain at 8 weeks? That's before most know they're even pregnant! Go to abortionfacts.com...you can watch a video of this poor child during an abortion...still ready to support the pro-choice agenda?

3. The War. I wish war never happened. Thank God for the brave men and women who have fought so diligently for our country in every war, and God bless those families who have lost loved ones. But we also are fighting an enemy...radical Islam. Understand, I am not saying that all Muslims are radical...but only remember those who caused 9-11, and that's who we're fighting against. And don't forget who launched his campaign in the livingroom of domestic terrorist William Ayers.

So, depending upon how you vote, be ready for your children to be taught about homosexuality in schools, watch the homosexual agenda become stronger, see the abortion rate rise, be prepared for more terrorist attacks on our soil, and watch this country's values turn into a cess pool. Know your facts before you go to the polls this November!

GOD Bless America!

Discharged!

The cardiologist cleared Laura of any heart problems yesterday. She does have a slight murmur, but he said most preschoolers do, and they're mostly harmless, as is Laura's. He wrote "discharged" on her report, and said that he doesn't get to write that very often, and that made it a great day for him. I was pretty emotional on the way home...not very often Laura gets a clean bill of health from a dr. Thanks for your prayers.

Temptation 101

This is what's left of Charlie's candy bar. He chose it as his prize at church after working hard in his quiet time book. He so badly wanted to hold it in the van, so I let him under strict direction that he NOT eat it in the van. I'm very type A about having no chocolate finger smudges in my van! Less than 1/2 way home, it dawned on me that Charlie was uncharacteristicly quiet. I asked him to give me the candy bar and the photo you see is what was left. I didn't even hear a wrapper crinkle! I told him that he disobeyed mommy and we would have to "chat" about this at home. I don't think he quite understood the implications of direct disobedience, because he joyfully ran into the house to tell daddy that he was "a bad boy and mommy says no, no eat the chocolate." (BTW, we have never called him a "bad boy!" That's his own terminology). But this is Charlie...he's either all in, or nothing. Actually, I couldn't stop snickering (without him hearing) all the way home. And quite frankly, I doubt that I could have made it home without eating the candy bar, either. He is such a character!

History Alive!

I readily admit...I detested history in school. It was a bunch of dates, people and facts that meant nothing to me, and had, I thought, nothing to do with me. The only time I really enjoyed history was in 11th grade when we studied the Depression, and simultaneously I was in our HS drama production of ANNIE. That unit made sense to me. Once we moved to Europe, history started coming alive. I remember thinking...so that's the place where Hitler marched his troops through Paris...and that's where the battle of Waterloo took place...

Then I started teaching history to Jacob using The Story of the World, by Susan Wise Bauer. Jacob has become a history buff just like his Papa Miller. I remember one time in kindergarten, he had a buddy over and the two of them were discussing the Revolutionary War in my kitchen...and they knew what they were talking about! So, after 3 years of this program, we've finally made it to the Pilgrims, and tonight Jacob cooked dinner using some recipes that would have been common back then. He made 16th Century Succotash, Traditional Wampanoag Cornbread, Stewed Pompion (squash) and Traditional "Indian" pudding. He decided that cooking is fun, but a lot of work!

Biker girl

Laura has been receiving intensive PT at Europeds here in Michigan. She goes everyday for 2 hours, and she's starting her third week. She is tired, but these therapists are wonderful and are so sweet with the kids that enter the program. Here she is on one of the therapy bikes.

FIREPROOF

Jamie and I went on a date...with about 20 other couples...to see the new movie, Fireproof. Anyone from our generation remember the TV show Growing Pains? Well, one of the show's stars, Kirk Cameron, has moved on from the TV screen to the movie screen, but in movies that are not the norm for today's culture. You can actually sit next to your grandma and not squirm out of embarrassment. Fireproof is an awesome movie...full of drama, action, comedy and you will need tissues. But believe me (and per the guys that all went), this is not a chick-flick. It challenges all of us to be the husbands and wives we are supposed to be! Go see Fireproof...it's great! Here's the link: http://www.fireproofthemovie.com/

All in a day's work

Our days are filled with activity. Here's a sample...

Too early in the AM...

I didn't realize my icemaker was dusty.

"Helping" mommy sweep.
The boys are jammin' to Steven Curtis Chapman's "Something Crazy."

Love cuisinaire rods.

Giddy-up

What was the math problem again?

Sharing Bible stories.

Sick monkey

Communication

I can't tell you how many times I've been asked...so how do you communicate with Laura? How do you know what she wants? Well, after living with a person for over 3 years...you just get to know them...like any relationship, right? Last night, Laura was a little more obvious with her request. I was at church with the kids, signing them up for our Wednesday night Kid's Life Program...great program...thanks, Mr. Dave. Anyway, as with any good church function, there must be food, and last night it was icecream. All the kids were filling their bowls with this treat and adding as much topping as they had icecream. I was walking around talking to parents while holding Laura. I put her down so she could "chat" with some of her little friends, and she made a beeline for the icecream table. She crawled across that room, pulled up on the table and grabbed the handle of the icecream bucket in record time! No communication problem there, wouldn't ya say?

Immigration...check!

One more thing to check off the to-do list: immigration paperwork. We mailed our application today to the immigration office in Detroit. They have to process this application, and then mail us a letter stating that the government has approved us to adopt a child from Thailand, and to allow that child to later become a U.S. citizen (after filing more paperwork and paying them more money!). I have to admit, this is not a quick or easy process...and Detroit is not known for its speedy turn-around time. Previously, we've had Senator Levin's office help move our application along, and later, a lawyer helped us get ahold of Charlie's citizenship paper. Here's hoping that this app. will come through without all the song and dance!

Back to School

We are officially back to school today. Jacob is in 3rd grade, and Laura & Charlie are doing preschool. They were excited to start...so excited that Jacob was up at 3AM and couldn't get back to sleep. Charlie couldn't wait to "do school with Jacob." So, we took this photo, and proceeded to walk to our kitchen tables to start school.

We're ready!

Math...not the favorite subject!

A new box with crayons and scissors!

Arizona

We just returned from 8 days in Arizona, and all we can say is "wow!" What a beautiful state, with so much contrast between the north and south...100 degrees vs. 70 degrees, desert cactus vs. green forests, brown hills vs. the Grand Canyon. And who knew that AZ had monsoon rains? We experienced those, and found a few stray cockroaches that sought our condo for a dry escape! Also glad to say that we didn't encounter any diamond backs, gila monsters or huge spiders. Phew! We enjoyed the pool (a must when it's 100 degrees!), great southwest/Mexican cuisine and the guys loved the golf course at The Legacy.

Charlie, the fish...think he's prepared?

Photos will never do the Grand Canyon justice.

Our dare devil was not allowed out of the stroller at the GC. :)

This was as close as Jacob was allowed to the edge of the GC...can ya tell we're not into heights?

I love this place, mama!

A game of chess at the beginning of a monsoon rainstorm!

Laura in Sedona

Arizona desert and cactus

What a bunch of bull!

A new favorite pastime for Jacob.

Homestudy approved!

Our homestudy has been approved! One more step toward our new little one waiting in Thailand...we're coming, baby!
I found this poem on a friend's blog...a beautiful vision of what's about to happen again in our lives.

Every call has a beginning
A quiet moment when God whispers a promise to a mother’s heart
A holy place where a father bows and faithfully accepts the journey set before him.
A miraculous morning that unexpectedly dawns…
Casting its first light on a chosen threshold.
A gentle knock..a closed door opens.
A sacred invitation sent by the Father..
Leads to the other side of the world.
Where lonely hearts stare out orphanage windows
Praying for someone to care..
And then one morning,
On an ordinary day
An orphan’s life changes...
God sends them a second chance...
Through you..

--author unknown

LIFE

LIFE: L=Learning, I=Intercession, F=Friendship, E=Evangelism

Almost every Friday morning since January, I have met with a group of ladies to study God's Word. We studied the book of Ecclesiastes, and recently finished a study on motherhood. I am so blessed to have been part of this group. These ladies have motivated me to read the Bible more, study verses, and apply what the Bible says to everyday life. And by the time Friday rolled around, I was ready for another dose of LIFE. Our group met last weekend for a BBQ, along with our husbands and children. We had a great time talking, laughing, playing bocce ball and, of course, eating.

We're innocent!

Yes, the State of Michigan finally determined that Jamie and I are free of any criminal record. Since it took them 5 times as long as it should have...I started to wonder if I'd done something I forgot about! So, now the homestudy just has to be approved by our adoption agency, and once it's approved...hopefully next week...we can ask to "hold" a child. We think we know which child it will be, but we'll have to wait until our agency gives us the final OK. We'll keep you posted.

Dog Days of Summer

Literally! Our friend's lab had 11 puppies! And we moms think we have it rough...although, the dog only has to have her pups around for 6 weeks! But the pups were adorable, and the kids just loved playing with them. No...we are not getting a puppy!