December 29

SOO Cute!!! 

December 28

Yay for Christmas!  We had a wonderful three day celebration of the birth of Jesus.  Here are some pictures.

 Christmas Eve 

Christmas Dinner

Kaitlyn with her stocking. =)

Kaitlyn with her new pink boots - actually bought at Cavanders in Texas. 

December 19

Dave is back!  You can check out more pictures on his blog.  Check out the Dave  link on the left under Good Reads to see them. 

December 18

 

 There are really no words to express the cuteness...I am speechless.

 December 13

News from the front lines, and pictures too!  I got an email from the lady who is playing Dave's wife in the docu-drama they are filming.  She is done with her part of the filming and is back home in Kunming so she sent me pictures and a newsletter/blog that she has been keeping during filming.  I will include a few excerpts from what she sent. 

Here's what she wrote about Dave: " The man playing Samuel is 20 years younger than me… he’s getting extensive makeup to make him look older – what’s amazing is he really resembles the pictures we’ve seen of the real Samuel!"

And here's some of what she wrote about the background of the project. "Now of course we all wondered how on earth CCTV could do a show about a missionary with such a clear gospel presentation.  Then we heard the oddest thing – years ago, Hu Jin Tao (current president of China) had been the governor of Guizhou.  During his term it came to his attention that from one area of Guizhou there were 4 PhD’s, 10 people with masters degrees and countless college graduates.  His curiosity piqued, he sent people to research the area.  At the root of this he found…. Samuel Pollard’s influence on a whole county.  He authorized research and a book was written.  Hu Jin Tao has since held up Pollard and his work as an example of successful rural development which is now a theme of his presidency."

Here's some info about the conditions they've been working in: "This is indeed not an easy situation.  Winter has come, there is no indoor heating, (this a.m. when I awoke my room was 51 degrees) our “hotel” is very spartan – there is water only at night – because we are so remote, the food is pretty basic and not very good.  The director has, however,  bent over backwards for us  – they bought everyone a sleeping bag, someone drives each day to distant towns to find fruit, bread, coffee, chocolate and other necessities.  We are getting a salary but it’s very low – but we all agree this isn’t about money, it’s an incredible opportunity to push forward the Gospel in China.  And, in fact, we’re not living any differently than the people all around us.  Today, (Thursday) we were without any water for 24 hours.  So I bought a plastic bucket and lined up at the pump across the way to fill it up so I could have water to bathe, wash things, flush the toilet, etc.  Art becomes life.  By the grace of God we push on. "

 And now some pictures!!

Here is some of what she wrote about some of the final scenes she did: "That Sunday, we also shot several scenes showing the typhoid epidemic coming to the village, and Sam and I dealing with it.  We even did the scene where there is one vaccine left and instead of giving it to himself, he gives it to one of his students.  Several of our film crew were also doubling as the local Miao so there was a lot of fun involved in them taking part in the acting. But for me, these scenes got quite serious as the gravity of what the real Sam Pollard did, came home to me.  It was not hard at all to summon the tears – sitting on a hard wooden bench in a small, dirty and very cold house; while Sam signs his own death warrant to save the Miao people.  He left behind his wife Emma, who was in the village, and his four children who were in England."

If you want to read all of what she wrote just email me and I will forward it on.  It is amazing!  and there are more pictures too.  I am so excited for Dave.  Continue to pray for him as he is the last foreigner filming right now and he has about a week left in remote areas and difficult living conditions.  Pray for encouragement, good health, and protection!

December 10

I put Kaitlyns hair up in her first ponytail today!  She is so cute. =)

 

December 7

Dave has been able to email a few times and him and the film crew have had a pretty rough time.  The director and Dave are both sick and throwing up as well as several other people on the crew.  At one village they stopped at the crew had cell phones stolen and batteries from their buses stolen.  The weather has also been damp and cold and Dave is dressed in traditional Chinese clothing which is not very warm.  He filmed the part where he gives the gospel message.  He said he thinks it went ok but it was really noisy with ducks squawking in the background and lots of villagers staring and not acting correctly for the scene.   So there were a lot of distractions and he wasn't too confident in his Chinese language ability for it.  He worked really hard and did his best so now pray that God will make it clear to those who watch it.  Also pray that it doesn't get edited out or changed!!

Pray for health for Dave and the entire crew and that they will be able to get on schedule.   Also, Dave is now the only foreigner on the project as the others are done filming and have gone home so pray for encouragement for Dave  (although this is a GREAT opportunity for his Chinese language skills!)

Here's a bit of an email I got this morning:

"the crazy thing about this is i have no idea what
tommrow brings. i thought we would go somewhere close
by but we went on some torn up road to a ok road to a
really bad country road by a huge lake then right up
to the lake where small flat bottom boats were waiting
with smalls chairs in them. guys with poles took us
out to the lake and we kept going. the total travel
was about an hour. surronded by mountains it was nice,
sunny and warm even though this e place saw snow two
days ago. we found the cameraman, AD and others on a
bank and they filmed me walking up this rather steep
hill in my silly chinese shoes. then walking back,
then by the water. it was a nice loaction and the
boats were fun but there had to be a better way to get
there than those roads. crazy.

the director asked me what time i wanted to start
today but i said whenever.  as long as i sleep well
tonight ill be fine.

well thats the update. pray that i can get some
clothes clean. we stay here three nights then go to a
place for three days that sound like the real deal. no
water etc. im excited. "

December 4

Sunday was Father Daughter Mohawk day...for those of you who didn't know.  Tim and Kaitlyn participated and were So cute!!

 December 2

I got an email from my brother that I want to share with you guys.  He has been given an awesome opportunity.  He is currently playing the role of Sam Pollard in a documentary being produced by CCTV - the public Chinese TV network.  Sam Pollard was a Christian missionary from England who served in China in the late 1800's with the Miao people group.  You can go to my brothers blog for more details.  The following is part of an email that I received from him this morning.  

"the big news is I have to memorize a speech in chinese 
but the speech is"the message".. clean and clear 
on the main channel that goes out all over china. 
This probably will be
the most important thing I do in my life. so be
thinking about that for me and get others doing so to.
It's a crowd scene as well and will be in a few days.
I've started to memorize the pinyin now." 
 

So please pray for my brother Dave as he has basically been handed an opportunity to give the Gospel to all of China.  Thank you!!

December 1

Here is a video clip of Kaitlyn crawling and pulling up. She is actually a lot faster than this I just haven't gotten it on video yet.

November 24

Here are a few pictures from our trip. We had a great time in Portland/Vancouver. Kaitlyn did great on the flights and being in a new environment. It is nice to be home though. It was funny when I brought Kaitlyn inside, she was checking everything out. It was like she was thinking, "Hey, I remember that. Is everything still here?" So cute. Pray she gets back on schedule. It's after 11pm and she is wide awake playing in her crib.

Anyway, here are the pictures...I will write more about them later. Dan & Debbie - I need copies of the pictures you guys took too!

This is my brother-in-law Chris holding Kaitlyn so I can eat some turkey.

Tim, Kaitlyn, and our niece Breanna.

Breanna & I on Thanksgiving.

Kaitlyn with her Aunt Misty.

(Mom & Dad take a deep breath and make sure you are sitting before you look at this next picture!)

This is Kaitlyn Jane and Kali Jane! =)

I will certainly write more about the two KJ's later but right now it's closing in on midnight and I am ready for bed. Kali, I hope you are in bed!! =)

November 22

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

By the President of the United States of America.
A Proclamation.
The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.
By the President: Abraham Lincoln

November 19

I apologize to everyone for not getting more updates out! Right now we are in Oregon visiting Tim's family. Kaitlyn has had a great time; especially getting to know her cousins - Breanna (9) and Kaylee (2). Kaylee and Kaitlyn really interacted well, it was like they had their own little language.

Here's a picture to tide you over until we get back. I love this little sweater; and of course her boots! She's totally trendy - helsinki style! =)

November 6

November 5

Ok, so the crib situation is fixed! We thought there were just two levels for the side of the crib but at each level the little lever also flips - so there are actually four different height levels. So we are all good and Kaits is safe in her crib again. Although...she gets her little feet and arms in between the bars of the crib despite the bumper being there. Moms - any remedy to this? I'm thinking about weaving some fabric between the bars of the crib above the bumper...any other ideas?

Ps.

Check out this link. Marilyn dressed herself and Reuben up as pirates for halloween and they are SO cute!

November 2

Here's a video clip of Kaitlyn and her first time pulling up! Actually it doesn't show her pulling up but once she got there. So this video portrays the result of Kaitlyn's time pulling up! Since this video she has pulled up on her knees several times and onto her feet once. She pulled up on her feet in her crib so she is no longer sleeping in her crib. Thankfully she isn't able to crawl out of the pack n play yet! So we are going to have to go crib hunting. Does anyone have any recommendations?

November 1

It's a new month and apparently a new milestone day for Kaitlyn. Two new things, well actually three I guess, happened today. She started scooting on her tummy, instead of just rolling. 2. She pulled herself up on a table and also in her crib (Help! This crib doesn't raise up higher on the side so we need a new crib ~ if anyone happens to have one sitting around!) 3. She wore a clip in her hair. The clip didn't last too long. Not because she pulled it out but because her hair is still so baby fine and short. =) Brace yourselves for cuteness beyond comprehension.


October 26

Baby gets a kiss...

Mommy gets a kiss!!

Talking to Daddy on speaker phone.

October 22

We went to the pumpkin patch today! So here are some fun fall pictures of our little punkin in the pumpkins!

October 18

Kaitlyn is 9 months old today! Happy Birthday Kaitlyn! So in honor of her birthday Lex and Grace are coming over to eat spaghetti and watch Pride and Prejudice! Kaitlyn probably won't get to enjoy either but she will love seeing Auntie Lex *L* and Auntie Grace *heart*. =) That was sign language in case you didn't get it. Speaking of sign language my mom has told me about cued speech. Last week we went and met with two people who cue and it was awesome! I am a huge fan and can't wait to learn. Google it and you'll find some good info about it. I think we're going to go to a workshop when my parents come back in December/January. You guys all need to learn it so we can practice together.

Look at this big girl!

I love these hot pink tights!

October 11

So...I weighed Kaitlyn and myself today. I weigh exactly 100 pounds more than Kaitlyn does! It's weird to think about. Also exciting, 'cause I haven't weighed this since...what, maybe 10th grade?! My new weight-loss plan: have a baby! Crazy thing is that I am eating so many sweets (thanks Mom and Dad) and still not gaining weight. It's a beautiful thing. I know it will catch up with me but I think I'll not worry about it until after the holidays...

October 10

Kaitlyn *hearts* carrots. Not only do they feel good on new teeth but they taste good too!

October 6

First of all I apologize to all the loyal readers and KJFCM's (Kaitlyn Jane Fan Club Members) for the long wait between posts. So here is a really cute picture of Kaitlyn. This was one that I took during a photo shoot to start her modeling career. I haven't heard back from the agency yet. But I only sent an email with attachments. I need to print the photo's out and mail in a packet.

Kaitlyn is working as hard as she can at learning to crawl. It is so cute! She'll go up on her knees or her toes and then rock back and forth trying to propel forward. Although she isn't crawling she has made herself very mobile with rolling all over the place! This morning she rolled over to our little foot stool and then picked it up! She is so strong!

Her 8th tooth is also trying to push it's way through. She has four on the bottom, three on top and the fourth trying to work its way in on top too. You can see her bottom teeth in the picture below.

I can't believe how fast she is growing. Every time I get her up from a nap she looks like she has turned even more into a little girl and less of a baby. =( I'm excited but sad too. I love watching her learn and grow. She knows who mom and dad are and yesterday it totally sounded like she said "ok, bye" when I told her to tell Daddy bye. She is such a good girl, always smiling and brightening people's day. Her laugh is gorgeous!

September 26

Here's a really cute picture of Mom reading to Kaitlyn.

September 23

I LOVE this picture! I think it's so cute how they both squint the same way! =)

September 19

Yesterday Kaitlyn turned 8 months old! AND a top tooth broke through the surface!

September 15

I edited the laughing video so everyone should be able to see that one now. I know the other two still won't work. If you really want to see them email me and I will put your info in YouTube and then I can send you the link and you can watch it.

September 14

We're having a good time with my parents being here. Kaitlyn is certainly enjoying the undivided of four adults oohing and aahing over her all the time. Here are a few pictures.

Kaitlyn loves finger puppets; here is a video of her laughing!

September 11

Yeah! I figured out how to put videos on here! So I added two below...let me know if you can see and they work okay. Enjoy!

September 11

Kaitlyn trying to crawl. Mainly she just looks cute rolling all over the place now but she really was trying to pull her knees up under her when I took this picture.

September 7

Grandma & Grandpa arrive!

September 6

Two posts in a row...you guys are blessed! =) Here's a picture of Kaitlyn playing on the floor today. We were having fun. She was sitting up but then decided she liked stretching out over the back of the bobby and then doing crunches, you know, she's gotta keep her abs in shape!

By the way, for those who may not know yet, Marilyn had her baby! Reuben was born September 17th. Click here to see pictures of him.

September 5

Wow, time is flying...and it's going even faster now that I realized my parents are arriving on FRIDAY, not Saturday!! It's okay though, just have to clean and rearrange some today and postpone the garage sale I was going to do Friday.

Kaitlyn's fourth tooth finally made it through after about a month of pushing it's way up. Now she has four teeth along the bottom and no signs of any coming in on top. She is settling back into a better schedule too. She is sleeping through the night again! That is VERY exciting for me.

I have switched from pureeing baby food to just giving her pieces of food. It works great and so much easier too. I don't know why we are all brainwashed to think that you have to puree food for babies. Maybe if they're three or four months...I don't know. But she likes the pieces although banana is hard for her to pick up 'cause it's so squishy. She still loves the sweet potato. Anyway, I got an article about teaching babies to eat (Thanks Betsy!) and it walks you through the process so if any other new mom's out there are interested let me know and I will get it to you.

Last Friday night we had an awesome time at youth when Switch hosted the Back to School BBQ! So of course Kaitlyn and I took a picture together. To see the rest of the pictures go to www.facebook.com and find the Switch group. I loaded some on there today but I am sure they will be up on the Switch website next week.