Just like Jacob...

Charlie watches Jacob "like a hawk." He imitates everything and just loves it when he can do what Jacob does.

Taking a picture of Jacob's domino design...

So, we need take a photo of Charlie's domino design.

Jacob is wearing headphones to listen to his DS...

So, Charlie needs headphones. We won't tell him that they're just earmuffs!

First we watch how Jacob drinks hot cocoa...

Then we use our spoon...

Then we sip...just like my big brother!

Thai Board Date!

We have a board date...Jan. 28th! This means that our file and our son's file will be reviewed by the adoption officials on that day. If they approve the adoption, they will give us a travel date. That travel date is usually one month after the board date...the end of February!!!!! The only hold-up right now is U.S. immigration. They want proof that we weren't criminals while living in Germany and Belgium...ugh!!

Taiwan

I recently ran across these photos. They are from 2005 when we were in Taiwan to bring Charlie home...certainly, not recent news, but interesting photos, and they bring back sweet memories of our Charlie. I wonder what was going through his mind at that time? We looked different, smelled different, gave him different food, sounded different, took him to strange, new places like airplanes, trains, cars, parks, markets, museums...

I remember that Charlie was afraid to touch grass or flowers. He had never experienced them during his first year of life. I also remember how much he loved sticky rice. He insisted on feeding himself the rice ("my job!") and it was stuck to every part of his body that he could reach! That was so funny!

Gardens in Taipei

Streets of Taipei

Chaing Kai-shek Memorial Hall, changing of the guard

Our new baby boy...Kao, Fu Lu...

aka. Charlie Lu Kao Miller

Christmas Day

Well, I guess I'd better catch up on my blog. We've been busy to say the least. The holidays, of course, are busy in themselves. Jamie started his new job, has traveled a bit, and is loving the option of working from home...we like it, too! I found myself immersed in Facebook...had to give that one up...too much time chatting online with good friends! And we are back to school, piano lessons, dr. appts., Wed. night church, and art and swimming start soon, too. Jacob also started a 12 week Michigan History class every Tuesday evening. He loves it and talks non-stop...literally...the entire 40 minute drive home. Here are a few photos from Christmas Day.

MP3 = quiet ride in the car for mom and dad! :)

Grandma found more beautiful girly clothes!

Laura had fun with her new robot.

Charlie loved his "light up" cowboy boots.

Merry Christmas!

Jacob's growing up so fast!

Yes, she is THE princess.

Charlie with his typical attitude!

A cold winter's day

Friday was one of those "perfect" holiday moments...the snow was piling up outside, cookies were baking, presents were being wrapped and Christmas carols sounded throughout the house. We have so much for which to be thankful, don't we?

Look, mom, cookie dough!

Decorating cookies

Laura helped wrap some gifts...she's clapping so fast you can barely see her little hands!

Helping Daddy move that snow!

Molecules

A new science concept...molecules. Jacob learned that molecules are made of atoms, not "Adams" as he originally wrote in his notes. And molecules are even more fun when you can eat them! Mom learned that Charlie can sit for long periods of time when given lots of toothpicks and sticky marshmallows!

Great Wolf Lodge

Jamie surprised us with a trip to the Great Wolf Lodge in Traverse City. What an awesome place. They have an indoor water park, Magi quest, cookie decorating, story time by the fireplace, and a snowfall two times a day in the lobby. We all had a great time!

Three great kiddos!

Laura on the move.

Jacob tackled the lily pads.

Charlie being sweet with his big sister.

The Magi Quest was awesome!

Cookie decorating for the kids, with chocolate milk.

A New Bed

Laura finally got her new bed. We decided to forgo a twin size since she's starting to crawl out and we don't want her to get hurt. So, we got a toddler bed with 3.5 sides. She's sleeping well, yet still can crawl out of it, and bounce when she prefers not to nap!

Very happy with her new bed.

Nap? Who needs to nap?

Christmas tree lighting

Our little village had a Christmas tree lighting tonight, complete with cookies, hot cocoa and carols. Santa was waiting inside a warm building close by, so we walked over to meet him. Jacob and Laura sat on his lap, but I wouldn't be surprised if this was Jacob's last encounter. And I think the only reason he went up to Santa is because he could get a candy cane! And Charlie...well, he stood on the other side of the room gripping my hand, just staring in the direction of "Ho-ho." Our friend was blocking the view of Santa from Charlie, and boy did Charlie freak out if our friend moved and he got a glimpse of "Ho-ho." Needless to say, Charlie is scared to death of Santa, and left without a candy cane.

Amy, Laura, Angie & Charlie waiting for the tree to light.

I believe the list included an I-Pod, WII, metal detector, PS2 games and anything Star Wars.

Laura almost pulled his beard off again this year!

Tattling...

...on oneself. Little Charlie hasn't yet learned the art of not tattling on himself. He knows he is not allowed in Jacob's bedroom by himself...just too many temptations. So, today he came downstairs and said to me, "No, no play in Jacob's bedroom." I asked him if had been playing in Jacob's bedroom and he shook his head no. I told him that I wanted the truth, and he nodded. So, now I'm in a catch-22. I want him to tell the truth, but I also can't allow him to get away with the crime. So, he got a verbal scolding and a time-out. I have to say, he wasn't terribly upset by the whole thing.

Can I clean the toilets?

HUH? Yes, this is a direct quote from Jacob. I was getting ready to leave the house, and Jacob yelled this question from downstairs. Normally, I would get after him for yelling through the house...but this question was worth it. So, off we went for a quick lesson in cleaning toilets. After cleaning one toilet, he was done, and back playing Star Wars. Sure wish that excitement lasted past one cleaning!

New Adoption Trend

Well, this blog was originally set up to share adoption information, and I think it's taken a turn toward a family blog. But that's OK...it's fun to share the photos and anecdotes, especially with friends who live so far away. But during my daily visit to one of my favorite websites, Rainbowkids.com, (where God led us to Charlie), I found this article about the new popular trend of families adopting children, domestically and internationally, with Down's Syndrome. Here's a quote from their website:

"The Bedfords are part of a growing trend of families that turn to intercountry adoption to find a child with Down Syndrome. In prior generations, mothers were told when they had a baby with Down syndrome or another disability, 'Put the child in an institution and forget about them,' today there are long waiting lists in the USA to domestically adopt children with Down Syndrome. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for many developing countries, where Down Syndrome is still looked upon with embarrassment." quote taken from Rainbowkids.com

What a witness to others that ALL children are created by our Heavenly Father, and that ALL of them need to be loved and nurtured. It doesn't matter where they were born, the color of their skin, or if they struggle with health issues. If God created them, then there is nothing "wrong" with them...God just made them different from others. We're all different from one another, true? If you look at the fruits of the spirit, there's not one of us that meet the mark. We all struggle with something...tempers, selfishness, idolatry, grudges, anger, health, etc. It's a good thing that our families never set us aside because we weren't perfect, or because we might have been just a little too much stress on everyday life. And I'm thankful that God will never set us aside, either...we're His children forever.

Santa's elves

The kids could not contain their excitement any longer...we had to pull out the gazillion boxes of Christmas decorations today. There were decorations all over the place...definitely not designer style, but I think kid style is even better. They think the more decorations, the better, and I say "Go for it!" We're not done yet, and we still have to put up the tree. I can't wait to see what it looks like this year!

Don't ya just love Charlie's hat? It's crazy just like he is!

Charlie the Helper

Charlie loves to "help." Sometimes he's a little over the top, but he tries. The other day he even emptied my dryer, and took his and Laura's sheets and jammies up to their rooms. Now if he could just make the beds.."Helping" Laura out of the laundry room.

"Helping Laura walk with her walker."

"Helping" us turn on lights in the middle of the day.

Winter Wonderland

Welcome, December! This is our second round of snow...about 6 inches again. If this is any indication, I think we're in for a very white winter! I really prefer summer, but I have to admit it is beautiful. The snow is just hanging on every branch.

Jamie has some extra time on his hands this month, so he's making the most of it. I have a honey-do list somewhere...After taking this photo with no coat or boots, I had to dash into the house before my sweeties bombed me with snowballs. Thanks, guys!

A Robot, please!

Since our little boy in Thailand is 7 years old now, he obviously has his likes and dislikes. So, we sent over a list of questions with our agency rep. and we received the translated answers yesterday. He likes to eat noodles, soup and apples...I can handle that. He likes to draw and play soccer...great match for Jacob! He likes learning Thai at school...hmmmm. And when asked if he had any special requests from us...he said he would like a robot. Sounds like a typical little boy to me!

Adoption News

Our contact person at our adoption agency visited our little boy last week in Thailand. She said he has the nicest smile and was beaming when he looked through the photo album we sent for him...photos of us and our home. We also sent him a Uof M t-shirt and he was wearing it. Our agent is mailing us new photos of him as well as a picture he drew for us. I can't wait to see them! We also sent over a list of questions, and the answers to them are being translated for us. Our dossier is also being translated in Thailand and we are waiting for our immigration approval which should arrive by Christmas. So....maybe we can travel by March?

The First Snow

It's impossible to keep one's attention on school work when there's a first snowfall right outside the window! So...off we went into the white outdoors. The fresh, cold air was good for all of us to get rid of some of those cough germs that have been hanging out lately.

Hang on, kids!

A ride down our little hill.

Not to be outdone by his big brother...Charlie will give his sister a ride.

Boy, she's heavier than she looks!

It's not fun until someone's beamed with a snowball!

Charlie trying to not get beamed by Jacob's snowballs.