July 9th - Adoption Day!

It was just 2 years ago that Matthew was lovingly placed in our arms at the orphanage in Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan! Some adoptive families call this "gotcha day," but the name that has stuck in our house is "adoption day." No matter what you call it, it is a day to celebrate! We always want Matthew to know how special adoption is and how blessed we are to have him as our son.

This was our first family photo - July of 2007. Just looking at it brings back so much emotion. We praise God for uniting our family and for all the growth we've seen in Matthew since that day.

Adoption Day, July 2008

Adoption Day, July 2009. This year we decided to take outdoor photos, since July is such a nice time of year.

Our precious little guy is growing up so fast! It's so hard to believe that he's 3 years old already! We've been so blessed to share 2 of those years together as a family!

We always celebrate with some simple gifts... He got a special package from Nana and Pop-pop that contained a fun travel activity book (perfect for long rides to visit Nana & Pop-pop!). Nana and Grandpa "Uh-oh" gave Matthew a Thomas backback (which he has enjoyed pulling all around the house ever since!). And from Mommy and Daddy, he received a Kyrgyz Snow Leopard stuffed animal.

We took a few minutes to read about the Snow Leopard - now an endangered species, native to Kyrzystan and a few other central asian countries.

In the last two years we have seen Matthew make a great deal of progress. He came home a very delayed 14 month old in terms of his physical development, but we have been blessed to see him become a very normal 3 year old boy. He's talking all the time, asking lots of questions, potty trained (finally - yippee!!), wanting to wrestle and climb more, developing more of a will and showing displeasure when things don't go his way. His feet finally reach the peddles on his tricycle and he has become quite good at pedaling around. He has good hand-eye coordination as demonstrated by his ability to hit a tossed baseball with a bat, catch and throw. I'm so happy each time he does something new because I can see how hard he works to make it happen. It is such a blessing to watch him learn and grow!

He continues to be fascinated with trains. He loves books about trains, videos about trains, seeing model train displays, and playing with his own trains. He is more imaginative as he plays now - acting out stories or singing songs as he puts his trains to work hauling cargo. His interest in trains has brought out another fascination - he loves connecting things in long lines. I'll be out watering flowers only to come back in the garage and find that he has used all of Tim's bungee cords to connect the wagon, to the tricycle, to the toy 4-wheeler, to the dog leash, etc. It cracks me up! Or if he's helping me unpack groceries, he may take soup cans and line them all up in a row exclaiming, "Look mommy! I made a choo-choo train!"

And when he's not playing with trains, he's studying advertisements to see which trains and accessories he "needs" next. Actually, the trains were the key element in his finally becoming potty trained... We were quite sure he was physically capable, but it was becoming a control issue for him. To that point, he went on the potty just fine but he NEVER told us (or gave any indication of) when he had to go. So the burden was entirely on US to get him there at the right times, and it was getting very old. Tim decided it was time to pull out all the stops so we put all his trains in a box on top of the fridge. For every time he told us he had to go potty (and went), he earned back one of his trains. When he had an accident, they all went back in the box. He stayed completely dry for 3 straight days without even a drop or accident! He apparently just needed the proper motivation... bringing new meaning to the term potty TRAINing.

We thank God for our precious Kyrgyz cutie and all the joy he brings to our life! We named him Matthew because it means "gift of God," and he is definitely that! We love you, Matthew Marat!! Happy Adoption Day 2009!!

Tim's Week at Camp

Tim spent a week in the middle of July at Camp Patmos as camp counselor, trip leader, and network administrator all at the same time. He was taking part in a trip for Junior Highers at our church called "SERVE" while also working remotely for his employer.

He sent me an email entitled "A View from My Office" mid-way throught the week with the above picture attached. While the kids were off doing some of the usual camp activities, Tim was able to log on and "go to work" for several hours each day.

We had 3 teens from our church attend the trip. They spent part of the time as campers and part of their time doing service projects for both the camp and the community of Kelley's Island. Here they are washing some camp vehicles.

... and Tim too, apparently!


Tim came home with great stories of some good 'ole camp fun! This was an activity that they called, "the tunnel of terror." The kids had to crawl through while getting sprayed, sprinkled, and pummeled with large beach balls.

Another service project ... shoveling shells off of the beach to make "sandbags" for use as barriers.

One of Tim's campers had an amazing way of solving the Rubik's Cube. He did a demonstration on "talent show" night near the end of the week. He had two volunteers from the audience mix it up; he then solved it with amazing speed. He also solved it behind his back!

Tim came home with so many great stories from his week at camp that he talked almost the entire 5 hour trip north (on our way to family vacation) the next day! I'm so glad he had a wonderful week serving the Lord and the community with the kids!!

Swimming Lessons

I was so excited to find a local swim class for Matthew! It was held at one of the pools in the neighborhood that I grew up in and I was able to get my parents "members" discount - even better! Matthew had classes 4 days a week from June 29th through July 9th, and I was truly AMAZED at his progress after 8 little sessions. Up to that point, he was hesitant in the water and a bit nervous. He would go to my mom or dad briefly, but preferred only to be held by me in the water. When it came to jumping in, he wouldn't leave the edge without holding on to at least one finger on each of my hands, and he wasn't too thrilled about blowing bubbles and going under the water.

His teacher was Kelly (who actually lives on the same street as my parents!), and she was wonderful with him. He cried at first that I wasn't getting in with him, but Kelly found a ring for him to throw. Soon he forgot that he wasn't with mommy in the pool and started having fun throwing it and kicking ("swimming") over to get it. She was patient and never pushed him too far past his comfort zone. Matthew really liked her, and I'm so glad she was his teacher.



Learning how to do a sit dive - with lots of help from Kelly.

Jumping in to someone besides mommy was quite an accomplishment!

He became so comfortable putting his head in the water and blowing bubbles that he's been doing it in the bathtub at home too. He sticks his head so far under that his forehead thumps the bottom of the tub and he comes up laughing.

He was in class with the 5 year old son of my brother's best friend from childhood. (The first day of class was like a neighborhood reunion b/c my brother was in the area and stopped by too - fun!) Matthew and Brodie enjoyed seeing how the rope connects to the side of the pool and then looking for beetles after class was over. The kids actually knicknamed Brodie "the beetle guy" by the end of the week. Matthew has enjoyed playing with Brodie since then during visits to the pool; he's such a nice boy!

Each day at the end of class, they let kids from all levels of swimming lessons jump off the diving board if they wanted to. Brodie's confidence level in the water just exploded throughout the class and midway through the second week he took his first jump off of the diving board.

Brodie was fearless! He got up on the board and ran right off without a second's delay!

Maybe next year Matthew will want to give it a try. Even without the diving board, I am just so thrilled with Matthew's progress in the water. We've been having camera trouble, so I took these pictures with a (borrowed) camera that has a broken display -making it so I can't select any special modes, etc. I also couldn't seem to take any video with it either. My mom shot a great video on my phone though that shows how confident Matthew is now with me. Unfortunately, I can't figure out how to format it to upload here on the blog - wish I could show it to you! Mom and I took him to the pool after just four days of lessons and he was a totally different kiddo! He was jumping to me (without any hand holding), going under, blowing bubbles, using his hands to "walk" along the edge of the pool, and practicing sit dives with such confidence. Tim and I are so happy that he's learning to love the water!

Our 9th Anniversary!

Well, the saying must be true about how "time flies when you're having fun" because neither Tim nor I could hardly believe that (as of July 1, 2009) it's been 9 years since we were married! I count it a wonderful privilege to be married to my best friend and the love of my life.


After a busy week, we celebrated our anniversary rather simply on July 3rd. "Nana" and Grandpa "Uh-oh" watched Matthew for the afternoon and evening while we went to dinner and a movie. We enjoyed great conversation and a rare treat - a lobster dinner! We were able to pick up Matthew in time to go enjoy the local fireworks display. It was a great evening

I thank God for Tim every day. Some days I just can't help but look at him with a sense of wonder and think how blessed I am to be his wife. I pray that God will continue to lead us down the path He has planned for us. The journey has been exciting so far!

Conversations with Matthew about the Baby

May 12, 2009 – I returned home from a doctor’s appointment with a recording of the baby’s heartbeat (GA=18wks). I played the recording for Tim while Matthew stood by curiously. He had such a puzzled look on his face. Placing my hands on my growing belly I said…
Me: So Matthew, mommy’s tummy is getting BIG! What do you think is going on in there?
Matthew (eyes wide and serious as can be): A Choo choo train.
Me: Oh, so you think there’s a choo choo train inside my tummy?
Matthew: yeah
Me (laughing): We’ll that would be something!
Me: Matthew, there’s a baby in my tummy. That noise is the sound of the baby’s heart beating.
Matthew: (puzzled look, no answer, goes back to playing trains)

May 14, 2009 – A few days later, Matthew was most likely still thinking of the earlier conversation…
Matthew: Mommy’s tummy get BIG!
Me: Yep! There’s a baby in there. Isn’t that amazing?
Matthew (running over and lifting the bottom of my shirt): I wanna see it!

June ?, 2009 –
Matthew (pulling up his shirt to point at his tummy): Mommy! I got a baby in there!
Me: Oh yeah? YOU have a baby in your tummy?
Matthew: Yes. My baby is hungry!
Me: Your baby is hungry?
Matthew: Yes.

Me: (laughter and then explanations…)

Many times since these dates, we’ve talked about the baby. He likes to come and touch my tummy, saying, “There’s a baby in there!” And sometimes he even puts his hand on my belly and says, “Hi baby!” Of course, we are excited to welcome this child to our family, no matter the gender, but Matthew goes back and forth between wanting a baby brother or a baby sister. Currently, he’s stuck on the idea of a little brother, but he seems to want a sister slightly more often. He sometimes asks me for one while we’re driving around in the car. (I think he figures he won’t have to share his trains as much with a girl, since the girls in his Sunday School class never play trains.) I’m sure it will take some time to adjust to the idea that he has to share his mommy and daddy with this new little one. I know Matthew will be a great big brother and a great helper to mommy. One thing is for sure, we all look forward to meeting this precious little one – Lordwilling, in October!

Ultrasound Pictures!

We have been blessed to have 3 ultrasounds of our little one. On March 18th, we were able to see the baby at a GA (gestational age) of 10 weeks. Even at this very young age, we could see 2 little arms waving and 2 little legs kicking! The heart rate was good, and the ultrasound technician commented that the baby is active.
Ok, so if I'm being totally honest I'd have to say that these pictures look a little alien-like, (but still loveable to a mother & father!). This was an ultrasound at GA 15 weeks, on April 23rd. (15 weeks is not a normal ultrasound time, but I had called my doctor with some questions. She is very thorough and wanted an ultrasound to check everything out.) This time there was more than waving and kicking going on as the ultrasound technician was litterally chasing that baby around my abdomen trying to get pictures and measurements. ...More comments about an active baby followed! Amazingly, she was able to tell the gender at this time. (We want to find out at the birth so she did not tell us.) They studied the heart, examining all four chambers. They also looked closely at the brain,the kidneys, and a bunch of other stuff, I'm sure! Then we had what will most likely be our final ultrasound on June 11th, GA 22 weeks. The above image is a 4D ultrasound picture showing the face with hands behind the head. Matthew went with us to this doctor visit. Referring to my stomach, he told the u/s technician, "There's a baby in there." Later she played the heartbeat out loud for all of us to hear. She asked Matthew, "What do you think that noise is?" Without hesitance, he confidently replied, "A choo-choo train!"
(6/11, GA 22 wks) It was so amazing to see the live images on the screen. More than just arms and legs moving, we could see the face clearly enough to see the baby opening and closing his/her mouth (most likely drinking in the amniotic fluid). The ultrasound technician kept "ooo-ing" and "ahhh-ing" over what a cute baby this is. Of course, she didn't need to convince us! There is just something about seeing that little face.... we are already smitten with this little one!

(6/11, GA 22 wks) This is a normal ultrasound image of the baby's profile - head and chest. Here again they were able to look at the heart and other organs carefully. They estimated that the baby's weight was already 1 lb. 4 oz!

(6/11, GA 22 wks) This one cracks me up... (again it's the regular type of ultrasound image) Being one of the last pictures they took for us, you can see the baby's hand up on the forehead as if to say, "Ok, ok enough of the paparazzi today!"

And last but not least... the "baby bump" is getting bigger! (5 fingers showing the end of the 5th month of pregnancy) Tim has been taking a profile shot of me at the end of each month and there is quite a difference between the 4 month photo and this one. I've always had trouble gaining weight, but am thanking God that it has not been a problem so far! I've gained about 16 lbs which is actually above what some books say by this time. I began feeling the baby's movements during the 16th week. Back then, it felt very "fluttery," and now (since about week 21 or 22) it definitely feels more like kicks and punches. How exciting! Overall, I'm feeling great so far too. We're really enjoying this blessing and we thank God for this precious little one daily. At this time there are no health concerns about baby or mom. We are SO excited! We praise God for the miracle of life!

May God knit this baby together in the way that will best glorify Him and may we ever grow in our trust and faith in Him no matter what He has in store for us. Thanks for all of your prayers for this precious little one!

Thanking God for Good Friends

Last Saturday, we were blessed to spend the day with my good friend (and "matron of honor") Andrea and her family. Tim, Matthew, & I enjoyed ourselver tremendously! We didn't take nearly enough pictures, but here are a few to remember the day by... Andrea and I met in college, and we have been friends ever since. I am so thankful for Andrea because her friendship has always drawn me closer to God. After we met in those summer classes, she asked if I wanted to do a Bible study with her. That Bible study and our weekly times of prayer together were not only foundational to our friendship but also tremendously impactful in my relationship with the Lord. Through those times, I began, perhaps for the first time, to take ownership of the faith my parents had raised me in. Even though I'm never the best at keeping in touch, Andrea has been there for me through the years. I am SO grateful that God made our paths cross in college, and I'm thankful that our frienship has lasted through the years.
It was a joy to meet her two adorable daughters, Emma & Kayla, for the first time in person! (The last time we got together her handsome little son, Noah, was just a baby. Wow! time flies!!) Three really sweet cuties! It was great to spend time catching up with Brian and Andrea. Great food! Great company! Great memories!!