Happy Anniversary

Six years ago we said "I do". We have shared six years together now living in 3 different countries, adding children to our family and so many memories. This past year has been difficult in other ways but I could not have gone through what we did if it were not for you at my side. I love you and can't wait for you to get home.

First Day of School

Today was Miss K's first day of preschool. The school has an ease the kids into it schedule. Today was an hour with the parents in the class and then on Friday it is an hour with the parents downstairs having coffee. Next week starts the 2 1/2 hours.

Here she is in the car. She is wearing the name tag that the teacher sent for her.

She was having fun and I loved the cute smile that I got.
Doesn't she look so studious coloring her picture.
She was adding some red paper to the big apple and just looked at me with the biggest smile. It was a bit goofy but I did get a cute one.
I am excited about her year. I think she will do good once she gets the routine down. She has a great teacher who has been praying for her all summer and has experience with Extra blessing kids.

Homeschool

I am homeschooling Master J this year. In the spring he asked if he could be homeschooled again. As we talked, we felt that it would be best. He has brought home all the bad attitudes, words, and money that we just can't understand why his friend is giving him money. We lost the last 8 years of instilling God's truth and good character development so now is the time to work on that.

He was in 2nd grade last year. I decided to go with Sonlight because I like the structure. I am one of those people who likes to check off things on a list. I went with Core 1 because I didn't want to miss anything, I had half the books for Core 1 and even though his English is good I felt that we could benefit from that level.

For Math we are using Saxon Math 2. I had it and want to give him a good foundation. I am hoping that we will finish early and start Saxon Math 3.

Then I have a number of other things around that I am throwing into the mix -- Health from Rod & Staff, Spelling from Rod & Staff, Explode the Code, and Character First.

We started about 2 weeks ago and I am proud of the way he is sticking with it.

We finished reading Peoples of the World. I know we are an international family when we can read 2 of the 6 languages that they give as examples of foreign languages.

Now we are reading Houses and Homes. We made a mud hut, a jungle house, and a tent. It has been fun to do some hands on projects with him.

I did some school things with Miss K the other day. I sat her at the table after one thing she looked at me and said, "may I be excused." She will be going to preschool two mornings a week and I am still waiting to hear what will be given through the IU.

Nothing to Bring

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Ephesians 2:8-9.

Last year as we were going through the adoption process we realized so many similarities between adopting the children and God adopting us. Children do not work to be adopted. They did not bring gifts. We chose them and adopt them making them part of our family.

Well, Master J got a pair of shoes in November and he wore and wore those shoes. They were sneakers and he loved them. They got too small and worn and so we bought new ones but he continued to wear and love the old shoes. He said he would get rid of them when he went to the dentist but they were still around. We did have a ceremony to say good-bye. I think those shoes are gone.

Looking at the Heart

Sunday marked 5 years since Miss K had heart surgery. Five years ago we were sitting on aqua, plastic chairs in the waiting room at a hospital in Taiwan, watching Taiwanese TV. Thankfully, my parents and Nai-nai were there with us. Just four days prior to surgery she had heart catheterization and at that time had serious complications that we did not think she would live through the night. We left the hospital that night trusting God to work.

Even though she had complications the doctor was willing to perform the operation. At two weeks of age she was headed for her second surgery. She was diagnosed with coarctation of the aorta and a few other things which have corrected themselves.

Today she had a follow-up appointment this time with a doctor at CHOP. The first time that she has been to a specialized in the USA. CHOP has offices throughout the area. I called last Monday thinking it would take weeks to get an appointment but was surprised to get one today at an office 10 minutes away. Miss K wanted to go to the park and not the doctor. She told me to turn left as that is the way to the park. She was good and held her fingers for the doctor to check the oxygen saturation, then we were able to check the blood pressure on her arm and leg (that was one of the indications when she was born of a problem as they would get different readings on her arms than her legs) and then allowed him to listen to her heart. The doctor said it sounded good and we will wait until she is older for an Echo. In talking with the doctor he told me that coarctation of the aorta is not common in Down Syndrome children. Fifty percent of the children have heart problems but very few have coarctation of the aorta.

I am thankful that her heart continues to be fine. She is not on any medications. I am thankful for the doctor who did surgery. God has spared Miss K's life and he has a purpose and plan.

Jesus Loves the Khaki Children

We were singing Jesus loves the little children. J asked who are the white people. I told him to look at his skin, what color is it? He replied, "khaki". So now we sing -- Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world, red, and yellow, black, and khaki they are precious in his sight, Jesus loves the little children of the world.

Turning 5

Once upon a time, 5 years ago, in another country, Taiwan, a little girl, Miss K, was born. It is hard to believe that it was 5 years ago that she was born. Yesterday we were together with grandparents and cousins cause Uncle J and Aunt J and cousin R were in town. Miss K loves the sandbox or a dirt pile she will dig and dig for hours. We decided she wants to dig her way back to China. Her cake was a sandbox and her gift was a sandbox.

Reading a card with grandma. She would try to get them out and say "help, help"

Here she is 5 years ago. She was so tiny. We didn't know her the way we do today. The way she makes us laugh as she asks, "have fun" when she sees you. The way she can spot a Starbucks a mile away and say "coffee". Yes, we are having fun.

This was about the best picture we have. Maybe, hopefully, Aunt C, got a good one but she is speeding her way out west and so it will be some time until we get those pictures.

Miss K and grandma both had pink tops on so we had to get a picture together.

Happy Birthday, Miss K.

Nothing says summer like

an ice cream cone at the ice cream stand on the farm. He got vanilla. 

Nothing says summer like

like eating watermelon while wearing your swimsuit. Miss K loved the watermelon. 

As He Leads is Joy

That was the title of my Great Aunt's book which was her story of being a missionary nurse/midwife in Central America. I have been reading her book again and have been struck again and again how she chose joy. 

I was born on her birthday 55 years after she was born. She was the eldest of my grandfather's sisters and never married. She called me her birthday girl. She died in March at the age of 98. Her life was full of serving others. Some of my early memories of her where of how she cared for my great grandmother. She was also there to care for my grandfather when he had cancer. Even after she stroke she did not stop but learned to use a typewriter and even managed to sew a dress with her left hand for a baby. 

Life is a journey and as I go through this journey I want to have joy and I know that joy will come as I follow God's leading. Come along this journey with me.