Orphanage Fundraiser

This year I am once again helping out with the Friends of Adoptive Families fundraiser. We are a non-profit organization made up of adoptive parents who raise funds for the orphanages that took care of our children. This includes Andrew's in South Korea, and 3 others in China, Guatemala & Philippines.

Last year, we raised over $23,000! This year we have a variety of projects that desperately need of support. Priorities include increased funding to help medically fragile children receive much-needed surgeries and specialized medical care. Friends of Adoptive Families Fund is also used to place grants on waiting “special needs” children to help subsidize their adoption expenses in hopes that it will reduce their wait time for a forever family. We also want to continue funding in-country service projects, as well as purchasing basic need items such as: diapers, formula, educational materials and playground equipment.

I encourage you all to come out to our event. Its October 20th at the Cleveland Metroplex. We will have video horse racing & casino gaming tables. Come try your hand at Blackjack or Texas HoldEm or maybe learn something new like craps or roulette. Don’t know how to play? Don’t worry; the casino staff will be happy to teach you!

A buffet dinner catered by Alesci’s Italian Restaurant with beer, wine and soft drinks and $1000 in casino money are also included in your ticket.

After dinner stop by the fantastic in-house raffle. Raffle prizes include everything from cultural items to restaurant gift certificates to a condo vacation which as graciously donated by my friends Jen & Tom Stancil. Thanks guys!!

Tickets are $25 each. Send your check payable to Friends of Adoptive Families, 8478 Deacon Ave. North Canton Ohio 44720.

If you cannot attend, maybe you could send a donation or purchase a horse or program ad. Every little bit helps.

Little League

Well, another season of little league came to a close. This year Sydney played on the North Canton YMCA 5 & 6 year old league, which offers the option of hitting off the tee or coach pitch. In the field she once again played short stop & tried her hand at catching too.

Summit Co Fair

I took the kids out to the Summit County Fair today. Our friend, Alyssa Greening is showing her horse, Cheroni as part of the 4H.

Sydney was totally in her element! We want to send a big thank you to the Greening's for invite and goodluck, we hope you bring home lots of ribbons.

Two Wheeler

Yesterday, Sydney made her first solo ride down the sidewalk without her training wheels.

Thrill of the Hill

Yesterday, Matt represented Chase Bank in the All American Soap Box Derby corporate race called Thrill of the Hill. Unfortunatly, he lost his first heat to Time Warner Cable. Nevertheless, Sydney cheered and told daddy that she was still proud of him. How sweeet!

Road Trip III

The last stop on our suprise road trip was Atlanta to visit family. As always the Jackson's showed us a good time. We visited Stone Mountain for the laser show & Yellow Creek Game Ranch where the kids got to feed all the animals.

Sydnee & Sydney

Road Trip II

After Disney we packed up the car and headed over to the gulf coast to surprise Pam & The Browning's. Jim (Pam's Husband), was in on it and arranged for them all to be together for a BBQ. We quietly assembled at the front door. Before Pam even opened the door we heard "Oh My God, Oh My God" as she recognized our figures. As planned she was totally surprised, unfortunately The Brownings had grown tired and left the party early. Jim said he tried his best to convince them to stay without blowing our cover. Later that evening we drove down to Bradenton Beach to visit them.

Road Trip

Matt & I decided to take the kids on a surprise road trip. We would drive down to Florida; hit Disney World, Matt's Mom's house near Tampa, his grandparents in Bradenton Beach then head north to visit my cousin's in Atlanta. In all a 10 day trip and the kids knew nothing about it and neither did Matt's Mom or Grandparents. Although we did strategize with Pam's husband, Jim so he could arrange for them all to be together when we knocked on the door.

We packed up & hide the suitcases. Next hurdle would be dropping off the dogs at Angie's. But, we covered that one by telling her they were having a doggie slumber party. Although she was jealous she accepted that answer.

After Safety Town Graduation we dressed the kids in their pajamas and told them we were going to watch movies in the car.

After several hours of driving Sydney began to ask where we were going. We told her the pool. Which was true, just not the pool she was thinking of. It wasn't long before the kids were sound asleep. We continued through the night and by the time the kids awoke we were in Florida. To our surprise Sydney never questioned why we were still driving or where we were going. We even tried to point out the palm trees but no one paid attention.

But that soon changed as we entered Disney property. The multi colored street signs & Disney buses whizzing by definitely caught her attention. Matt told her we must have taken a wrong turn somewhere. Before Cinderella's Castle even came into view she had already figured it out. Andrew happily shouted "Choo Choo" as the monorail passed by.


The magic that is Disney continued through out the week. We hit all of our favorite attractions and tried out all the new ones too. Andrew loved the show "Nemo The Musical". Sydney's favorites were the pony ride at Disney's Tri Circle Ranch & the Peter Pan's Flight ride.

We really love the Disney Dining Plan so I think Matt's favorite part was the food. As for me I love watching the kids (big & little).

Safety Town

Ah! Safety Town. That is one of my earliest school memories. I remember driving a peddle car around a mock roadway set up on the school playground.

Sydney graduated last week along with our friend Ben & neighbor Trent. The week of activities included bike safety, healthy eating, 911 and guest speakers from the police & fire departments, poison control, and pediatric nurse.
SYDNEY & TRENT

Searching for Jessie

It looks like no matter where in the country you live you have heard the recent story of missing pregnant woman Jessie Davis. Jessie lives about a mile from our new home here in Lake Township. For the past week our little town has been consumed by this story. From what I understand, by Friday it was the nations largest volunteer search & rescue effort ever.

On Saturday, I got to witness our towns incredible compassion first hand as part of the American Red Cross Disaster Services Team. When searchers reached into the thousands the sheriff's department called us in to handle mass feeding and first aid. I arrived at the Greentown Fire Department at 7:00 AM and the line was already forming. The entire operation was amazingly organized. Searchers lined up wrapping around the exterior of the firehouse and entered into a rear bay doors. First stop was registration, each searcher presented their drivers license, and filled out all the necessary forms. Next stop was us, the American Red Cross Chow Line. We had just about every quick breakfast food under the sun. My mom & I worked the line handing out fruit and granola bars. After us they head down the 5 foot tall tunnel of bottled water, donated by Walmart & the Cleveland Indians. Once they were all loaded up they were assigned to teams and packed onto city buses. The most touching part of my experience happened when I watched Jessie's Dad brief the groups. I wasn't close enough to catch everything said but found it incredible that he could compose himself enough to express his gratitude to each volunteer. What motivation that must have given them as they headed off to their assigned section of the search grid.

Once the morning teams had all been dispersed and the fire station fell quiet again the Red Cross switched into lunch mode. There were ladies busy assembling hundreds of lunch meat sandwiches but most would not be needed as delivery after delivery arrived at the fire station door. TGI Fridays, Ponderosa, Bob Evans, and every pizza parlor in the county delivered their donations. Dillard's even donated boxes of Godiva Chocolate Bars. Wow! If the TV stations even hinted at a needed item within the hour we had a hundred of them. The outpouring of support was unreal.

I left around 2:00 PM just shy of the sad announcement that Jessie had been found. I wish it could have been a joyful announcement but I think all of us knew from the beginning that we were working to bring closure for this family.

Please keep Jessie & Chloe's family in your thoughts & prayers.

Happy Father's Day

Ballet Recital

Our little ballerina took the stage today. She was all decked out in her gold tutu and heavy stage makeup. I not sure which she loved more. From the moment she woke up this morning she was asking when she could put her costume on. I held her off until noon then we started working the hair. The studio provided written instructions on how to make a proper ballet bun. Amazingly Sydney sat there for 20 minutes while I pulled, twisted and greased her hair. Most days she screams before I even touch her with a brush. Grandma Fran arrived with flowers, she was out of town for the last recital and teared up at the sight of her little ballerina. After a few pictures we were off to the Palace Theater.



The remixed version of "If That Mockingbird Don't Sing" began to play and out came the six smallest ballerinas in the show. The crowd ahhhhed and giggled at their awkwardly adorable moves. They were all smiling even though they had their faces turned towards off stage where their teachers were coaching them along.

Madalynn, Hannah, Kristi, GiGi, Sydney, Anna

FAC Picnic

Our morning started with a mini rescue mission. My dad was outside last night when he smelled smoke and then noticed his neighbors house was on fire. Apparently it was struck by lightning in the storm. They are out of town so he ran in to see what he could do but it was too involved so he called for my mom to dial 911. Soon the Jackson Fire Dept was busting out windows and tearing down walls. Poor Alexandra lost her bed & bathroom all its contents. My dad called their cell and delivered the bad news. With all the fire, water & smoke damage they will be out for several weeks. This morning all of us went over to rescue what we could from their refrigerators since they will not have power for at least three days.


Now smelling of smoke we headed off to the Family Adoption Consultants annual international picnic. Its a chance for all of the families who have used their services to bring children home from Korea, China, Guatemala & Philippines to get together. Andrew met up with his foster sister Rachel while Sydney enjoyed the Chinese Ribbon Dance demonstration.



I had the opportunity to see Kate & Aaron which are two of the four babies we brought home in April. They are both adjusting nicely to their new families. It is amazing how resilient children are. You would never know they had been through so much only a month earlier.


After our full day we headed home and enjoyed a bonfire smores roast at our new neighbors house. Everyone has been so friendly and the kids are having a great time with all their new friends.

Deck

The boys worked hard this week putting on a new deck. The existing stairs to the patio were steep and appeared to be only temporary. So, my dad drew up plans for a platform step down deck. Matt & Dad along with help from the kids made the drawing a reality this week. THANKS AGAIN DAD!!!!

Happy Graduation

After two years at Rivertree Sydney earned her preschool diploma. Her teachers Ms. Jodi & Ms. Marsha invited all the families to an ice cream social & graduation ceremony.
Mom, Andrew & I watched as the names were read and they marched up to the front of the class with the traditional Pop & Circumstance playing in the background. Each received their diploma & told what they wanted to be when they grew up. Most girls said a princess, and I was quite surprised Sydney didn't follow suit, instead she whispered in the teachers ear, veterinarian. I guess she has mommy's love for animals. :)

All Moved In

After 5 days of hauling our every possession across town we are exhausted. We got a last minute call saying the previous owners were moving out 2 days earlier than expected, so everything shifted into high gear. We decided to paint Syd's room prior to moving in so we hurried out to Home Depot for some purple paint.
Our favorite electrician Jeff stopped over for some gas to electric conversions. What a great guy! The kids were fascinated by his tool belt and hovered over him watching. When I checked back in he had them screwing in all the switch plates. An hour later they were all sitting in a circle playing Duck Duck Goose!


I cannot thank our friends & family enough for all their blood, sweat & tears. Literally! My dad threw out his back but still managed to paint Syd's room & unload truck load after truck load. Mom, fell off the trailer while carrying a dresser & has a huge black eye. The rest of us managed to say injury free except for some rose bush scratches. Our new house had tons of landscaping; floral & fauna galore, but there are some wicked rose bushes that we all managed to back into while carrying some huge piece of furniture.


As for the sweat. For the first time all season Ohio pulled out an 82 degree super muggy weekend. So we were all dripping. Until the rains came! I don't know which was worse?

BIG THANKS TO:
Kevin & Jackie Hofmeister
Bob Horger
Scott Frase
Tim Pester
Alliance Baseball: Alex, Alden, Kamrin, Regan
Greg & Liz Earley
Mom & Dad


Today we took a break from unpacking boxes and headed outside to clean up the garage & yard. Andrew & Sydney were instantly consumed by neighborhood kids. Within the hour they were one of the pack traveling from house to house; riding bikes, on the playset, slip in slide, and in the sandbox. By lunch time Andrew was exhausted. I fed him and while I changed his pants he fell asleep on the changing table. He took a short hour nap and was back out there. We are so thrilled with our neighborhood. Everyone is friendly, we even got 2 welcome baskets. We lived in our old house for over 5 years and do not even know the names of most of the people around us.

Thomas The Train

We took Andrew to the Day Out With Thomas event at Cuyahoga Valley Railroad. As soon as he spotted Thomas chugging into the station he squealed "Choo Choo". Then burst into tears has he rolled past the platform to drop off the passengers. I guess he thought Thomas was leaving. All Aboard! Our friends the Hofmeister's saved us window seats. Thanks again! It was a short 25 minute trip but Andrew really enjoyed watching and waving out the window to all the cars who had stopped along the road to see Thomas.

Busy Packing

We are moving in 7 days! I feel like I have been packing boxes constantly but there is still a ton of stuff. The hard part is packing up but still keeping the house clean & ready for showings.

Matt has been busy playing softball & coaching little leauge. He is working with a team of 13 & 14 year olds out in Louisville. The kids love him & he is having a ball!

Mothers Day 2007

We celebrated Mothers Day a day early. Sydney & Andrew proudly presented me with cookie jars with their handprints painted on them.

Korea Pictures

I am working on a photo slideshow of all the Korea pictures. I will post it as soon as its ready. Here are a couple good ones in the mean time.....

Me & Mrs Lee, Andrew's Foster Mom

Me & Linus. I was looking tired already!