I ran out of gas today. I was alone with my autistic daughter Jessica. She likes to shop at Wal-Mart, so about once a week I drive to Wal-Mart (about 20miles from my house). About half way there I realized the car was on empty. I was driving my husband’s company car. I thought, "There is a gas station next to Wal-Mart, I'll get gas there". Well, the tank was emptier then I thought. We stopped at a busy light only 500 yards away from Wal-Mart, but the car would not start. I had to put my emergency lights on. I felt like kicking myself! I'm driving a company car, I get free gas, but I'm out of gas! There has to be a spiritual lesson there for someone! Anyway, God provided me with an angle. A man named George and his wife (I didn't get her name) pull up next to me and ask to help. He helped me push the car to the side of the road, and even went to get me my gas while I waited with Jessica in the car. A good on line friend of mine has had trouble being hurt by someone she thought was her friend. She wrote me saying "can you trust anyone anymore"? It seems descent people are getting fewer and far between. I am so grateful God provided me with the help Jessica and I needed today. They went out of their way to help me (an unorganized stranger who made the mistake of not looking at her gas light). With their help I was back on the road...some times a little help is all some of us need!

I saw these two really cute pictures in the paper this morning. They don't have anything to do with adoption or China...or maybe they do? The first picture is of Laurel & Hardy. I feel like the one who didn't get the girl! Yesterday I contacted my agency to see if our Documents had been sent to China. We sent them to our agency 4 weeks ago. It seems the German government is still giving our agency a hard time about translating the German police records. I am pretty sure they must do the work because I am an American, but I know they don’t like it! So last night I felt like Laurel...no girl! The second picture is a happy face made out of toast. Germans love their bread! Let’s pray God can bring a smile to my life! We want our girl home and all these delays are getting me down!

Coming in October...
Discovery Atlas!

Get a fresh perspective on China, one of the world's richest cultures, as you hear individual life stories told through the eyes of the locals. Insightful storytelling and spectacular photographic techniques brings to life the fascinating and complex, contemporary world of one of the greatest nations on earth.Here. We don't get the Discovery channel, but you can order the DVD (out in November). The preview gives me the chills! I can not wait to see it!

The slideshow is of Thomas. He was adopted from Thailand in 2004. I'm not done with the slideshow, but this is what I've got so far. As you can see, He is a great kid! I hope some of you will consider adopting an older child, and or a boy. Too many boys wait in children’s homes all over the world.

Here is a story on CNN about families that sell their daughters as house slaves for $25-$50 per year. It is very common all over the world. Often families do it not just for the money, but so they don't need to feed and educate their girls. It cost so little to change a life! I know I'm starting to get preachy, but don't think you haven't got any power! I think I'll make a list of agency’s you can give to. For a donation of $25-$100, you can transform the life of a child! Maybe you can not adopt, but you can still help make life easier for a child!

I love the words of this song by casting crowns, it's called Who am I. It makes me think of Thomas, but also myself. I am working on a slideshow for Thomas and I think I'll use this song.


Who Am I Written by Mark Hall Music by Casting Crowns Song based on Psalms 52 and 139 and Ephesians 2
Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart
Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You're

Chorus: I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours

Who Am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love
and watch me rise again
Who Am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me
I am Yours
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear'Cause
I am Yours I am Yours

Today was Philip's first day of school. He said it didn't go so well! The other kids made fun of him because he has long hair. I could have guessed that would happen. When Nicole began the first grade she wore her cowboy boots. They were major in style in the USA, but not in Germany. The girls that gave her a hard time about her boots have always been called the shoe police! I love Philips hair. I think he looks great! I made a picture for him to take to school tomorrow. Maybe the teacher can tell the whole class Philips Thai-Chinese. He has long hair because he is a taekwondo warrior! There are other famous men, many soccer players who also have long hair. I hope the kids will accept his hair, and not bully him into cutting it! I wish people would teach their children to accept differences. Germans in general all look alike and act alike! They do not like what is not white and German! That is a general statement...I of course knows many acceptations!
When I was in the first grade I lived in Phoenix, Arizona. We had a thing called western days at our school. Everyone came to
school dressed up as cowboys and Indians’. I was creative and came as a cactus. My face was painted green; I had a green hat, and green cloths. The kids all laughed at me, and I hide in the bathroom and cried. Then I got called to the principles’ office. I thought I was in trouble! Instead I had won a special prize for best costume. I got $5.00, a chocolate bar, and my picture in the paper. All the kids stopped teasing me, and I was the class hero! Uniformity kills creativity! I love people who can think out side of the box!

PS. I talked to Philip's teacher and gave her the above picture. She showed the picture to the whole class and now everyone seems cool with Philips long hair. One boy even said he knows Jackie Chan.

cube humor

Sorry, more farting!

Philip had his first hour of the first grade today. He was so afraid, he was crying this morning. That didn't last. He quickly realized he was one of the "big kids". He now has some confidence he can handle the work. He left the first grade so defeated and sure he just could not learn. Now he has learned...and the journey begins!

Hi, if you happen to read this blog, and see other peoples kids on the top of the page, I'm working on a new look. I found this new blog template.I looked at allot of them. Anyway, I need Juergens help changing the photos and colors.It is a work in progress!

This morning Philip was eating a cinnamon raisin bagel. I told him he could eat it with butter or peanut butter. He insisted on eating it with a fine French cream cheese that had herbs in it, and boloney. I said "behold the new iron chief". Nicole said "he has gone where no taste buds have gone before". What do you know, he liked it! He added a warm hot chocolate as a desert. Voila'! An almost 8 year old boy’s dream breakfast. Philip said "taste like chicken"!

cute security

funny kick

For Philip my Jackie Chan!

Hi, I put the funny videos on my site for my kids. I don't really want them watching U-tube because there is allot of junk on it. We don't have any adoption news right now. Our papers are still in Washington DC being processed for China. Maybe they will go to China tomorrow or next week? My best guess for a travel date is around Christmas. Maybe sooner, maybe later! There is also another family I know of traveling to Nanjing soon. Maybe we will get new photos of Sarah soon. For now, we are just settling in to the school work routine. Philip has his first day of school on Saturday. They have a big ceremony. I'll post some pictures of it. Philip actually began the first grade last fall. He had trouble learning the symbols. He could count to 20, and say his ABC's in English and German, but if you pointed to a letter or number he could not say what it was. We pulled him out of school in March. I home schooled him. Now he has caught up. I'm sure he will do just fine now! Next week I will have my mornings to myself. I hope to reorganize my house and clean up my yard. I think I will keep Sarah home until next fall. She needs to go to kindergarten to learn German. I hope you enjoy the videos.

Pat e Stanley (7)

Pat e Stanley (2)

PAT & STANLEY_GUITAR

Funny

Nike_Run

Funny kid

Great,Great, Great!!!

jurrasic fart!!

Please be warned that this is farting. My boys think that this is the highest level of humor! Remember they are 9 & 8 year old boys!

Stupid Birds

Hi, I have jet lag still! I think Thomas has it too. Philip put a piece of Lego away in the toy box, and Thomas fell apart. He cried uncontrollably for 5 mins about this Lego. I think he is just tired. I know I am!
Before we went to Thailand, Thomas could not separate the memory of being an orphan, and Thailand as a place. The visit to the baby’s home in Bangkok really shook him up. He basically wants to forget he ever lived there! I'm actually ok with that! He isn't an orphan any more! What we didn't want him to forget is Thailand. When he looks in the mirror everyday, he is going to see a Thai face looking back at him. Thomas learned to love Thailand! He began to be proud of his homeland. He wore his Thai yellow shirt with pride. He even started to speak a few words of Thai again. On our first night home he brought me a piece of paper. On it he had written his name in Thai. I actually held it upside down (what do I know). Thomas laughed at me, and showed me the correct way to hold the paper. The trip was a great success!
โธมัส

Thailand’s military are trying to stage a coup, and there are tanks on the streets of Bangkok! I have no idea how this is going to play out? There was supposed to be an election next month. Thailand has had democracy for 15 years. Because it was somewhat stable politically, its economy has grown. I feel really sorry for the people. They were hit by the the bird flu, a tsunami, then terrorism in the south of the country. All these things affect the economy. Any political instability is also bound to affect the economy. When people don't have money they abandon their children (more orphans). I think this will not lead to a lasting instability. Still, it is really strange to think we just missed the action! We were just racing through the over crowded streets of Bangkok Friday night. Our driver was a bit crazy! He must have had a great deal of faith in his breaks, because he was right on the tail of the cars in front of us driving at an uncomfortable speed! I'm sure it is more dangerous to get into a taxi in Bangkok then this military coup. I don't expect any violence. I pray they will have an election next month, and Thailand will continue as a democracy!

fUnNy dOgGy n HiPpO

For Philip and Thomas. I'm sure they will love this!

Funny cartoon =)

Tomorrow is my Dad's birthday. I thought he would basically love this...so dad this is for you! Happy Birthday!!!Try not to die laughing!

Hi, I slept well. I can actually think a bit. The kids are off to school! Jessica handed me her cloths this morning (an hour and a half to early). She was very excited to return to school. I can't wait to hear what she writes about her trip. I wanted to write down a few last thoughts about the trip before I forget them. First I want to say something about our last full day in Thailand. Jessica was so amazingly healthy and "with us". She went swimming with us even though it rained. When we returned to the apartment, she ran over the uneven ground with out tripping, and she was giggling. It was the cutes thing! Later, we took a bus into town. A Thai bus is really an open truck with benches on either side. Jessica sat on one side of the bus, and Juergen and I sat on the other side. She was so calm, and held on to the rail so well that we didn't need to worry she would fall out. This was a wonder! We eat lunch at Burger King, and she sat well in the restaurant. She didn't need to watch a DVD. She was just calm. Later in the evening we went out to dinner at PomPoms. This is an Italian restaurant that serves the best frozen lemonade in HuaHin. We walked about 6 blocks to the restaurant on very uneven sidewalks. The side walks are also built very high from the street. This is because when it rains there it often floods the street. Any way, she stepped up and down these uneven walkways with amazing grace. She was walking with Juergen, and I walked behind her with Nicole. I was almost in tears as I saw her move so well over these uneven surfaces. Jessica seems so hidden at home, but she was really with us in Thailand. This was the best thing for me! I have some other thoughts, I will get to later! I can not thank you enough for your prayers! It brings me so much joy to see Jessica doing so well.

Tafeltennis

I have jet lag! I'll try to write in a day or so! The kids start school in the morning. Here is a cute video. My kids love to watch these things. I guess I put them here mainly for them, but I hope you like the videos too!

There is a saying, "Everything in Thailand has its own time. On Thursday night at 11pm Thai time, we realized our airplane had left with out us. We (Juergen and I both) had convinced our selves we were leaving on Friday, and returning on Saturday! Our airline tickets were of a different opinion! Once we realized we had made this incredible mistake, we got on the phone to
Germany to see what we could do. The good news was the airline had plenty of seats left for the Friday night flight. The painful news was it cost us an extra 720Euros to change the tickets. Ouch! Anyway, we made it home. It was clear to both of us we needed a vacation! We took our vacation very serious, and forgot the time! Jessica did pretty well on the flight. She slept most of the way. Juergen and I are both wiped out. We took turns holding Jessica so that she would stay calm. I'll write tomorrow about the expensive but wonderful last day we spent in Thailand! It was a very special day! The kids return to school next week. Juergen will return to work. My thoughts will return to Sarah...and the Lord willing our trip to China in the next few months! Thank you for your prayers!

Day 12: Today is our last full day. We are all trying to pack as much as we can into this day. We could easily use another week (or month) of vacation. This place is WONDERFUL!!! Here are a few pictures from the day. I had Thai silk shirts made for the boys. They are so good looking!!!The shirts are nice too! Nicole and Juergen rode a jet ski again. We went shopping and swimming. I guess our Thai cooking class is tomorrow morning. We leave at 5pm for Bangkok. Our flight leaves at 11pm. Jessica managed to break her portable DVD player. Juergen and I both have laptop computers with DVD players. Juergen thought it was crazy for us to bring two computers, but it looks like we will need them. I will post when we get home. Until then, thank you for following our trip, and thank you very much for your prayers. Please remember Jessica. Please pray for her, that she sleeps well on the flight! Thank you very much!

Day 11: Today we are taking it easy. We slept in, and then spent some time at the pool. Nicole rode a horse on the beach. Juergen took the kids to eat lunch at the mall. Then they went toy shopping. Jessica took a long nap. I read. It is suppose to rain this afternoon. Nicole and I have a reservation for a Thai cooking class tomorrow. We are preparing ourselves to return home on Friday. Thomas is beginning to act up again. I thought about this all night. I finally realized the “why”. Yesterday I began to talk to the kids about our return home. I wanted them to get ready for the trip home. This thought of change was (I think) the button that triggered Thomas’s insecurity. He does not handle change well! He begins to act like a circus performer who does a stunt, then says “Ta Da”!!! Every time Thomas does something, he strikes a pose and even says “Ta Da”!!! He wants us to watch him, so he even acts badly to shock us, anything for attention. He doesn’t often act like this at home. He stopped acting like this a few days after we were here in HuaHin. I am thinking it is transition that triggers this acting up! Maybe some of you who have adopted older kids might be able to give me some insight? I can imagine change is scary for someone who has never had safety or security. He has never done well without clear boundaries. Again we need grace and wisdom to help us through the coming days! You can not imagine what a great kid Thomas can be, and how bad he can also be. Security seems to be the difference, Security is everything! He has to be feeling really mixed up inside. He has had such a great time, but it’s almost time to go home! I remember when Nicole was 3 years old. When the party was over, she would cry uncontrollably. Sometimes I think Thomas is only 3 years old emotionally. He just turned 9 years old, so his behavior doesn’t come across so well! Still, a person needs the chance to grow up. There are gaps in his development. I’m not really sure there is anything we can do to speed up the process…we just need to be here to help.

Day 10:
Our next stop was a cave (Dao cave). It was Juergens turn to stay with Jessica. I hiked up the wet and uneven steps to this very stinky cave (it smelled like mold and bat droppings). They had a few Buddha’s in the cave. If I was Buddha, I wouldn’t want to live in that dark and moldy place. I got a few pictures of the cave. It was pretty cool to look at! The boys liked to flash the light on the bats.
Finally we were taken to a resturant in the middle of knowhere for some pretty good Thai food. The chicken soup was extra tasty. Nicole and I would love to return to this place for a cooking class (they offer a class). We only have a few days here, so I’m not sure if it will work out. We will see! Today was our first rainy day. We had booked a trip to the jungle, South West of Hua Hin, only 10 miles from the border of Burma/Miramar. The van ride was very interesting. We past the Dole pineapple fields, and sugarcane fields, and bananas. We stopped at a new Buddhist temple, opened only two years ago. It had a giant statue of a famous monk from Thailand (don’t ask me his name). This statue was the size of a mountain. Then we went to Huay Yang waterfall in the Khao Sam Roi Yot national park. This is the largest national park in Thailand. It has wild elephants and monkeys (the animals hide during the day so we didn’t see any wild elephants). It was still raining when we arrived. Jessica had no interest in going for a wet jungle hike. I had the wrong shoes, so I waited with her while the others went for the hike. They got pretty wet, but came back with great pictures, and great stories of the jungle adventure! While I waited with Jessica in a hut next to the rushing river, I saw dozens of different trees, and flowers. There were strange looking birds, and large blue black butterflies. The crickets were louder then the river. Nicole told me later that the crickets in the jungle were as loud as an approaching train. I wondered what beautiful flowers where hidden in this thick jungle never see by people. It made me think of the millions of orphans hidden away in children’s homes all over the world. They will never know the love of a family. Their gifts and talents will go undeveloped .Their beauty will remain hidden.