Our Part

I heard a crazy statistic the other day that really bothered me. It went a little something like this: There are approximately 140 million orphans in the world. If you stood them shoulder to shoulder on the equator, they would wrap around the earth 3 times. If you drove your car at 60 mi/hr it would take you a month to drive past all of the orphans. Then the speaker asked a really good question, "Will you stop the car to help one orphan?" This challenge comes shortly after hearing another statistic that went something like this: If just 3 families from every church in California would adopt a foster child, every child in California would have a family. There would be no more need for the foster care system. What amazed me about that was how easy it seemed to me. Just 3 families!!! What if Churches in every state got on board. We could effectively wipe out the need for foster care and orphanages in the United States. Then it dawned on me that there are somewhere in the ballpark of 2 billion people in the world who "claim" to be Christian. Then I asked myself the question, "Why are there still orphans in the world."
My friend, I would like to encourage you to think about what part you can play in changing the life of an orphan. If you have never considered adoption, would you think about it? If adoption is not an option, would you at least consider sponsoring a child through Compassion International or World Vision. Together we can make a difference, one child at a time.

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. --James 1:27

First Bath Mishap

Kaiden received his first bath yesterday. He did really well with it. He sat there quietly while we got him all cleaned up. When he was finished, we wrapped him in his hooded towel to dry him off and warm him up. Being new parents and all, we were enjoying the moments, taking it all in. We were so enamored by his cuteness that we lingered in getting him to where he needed to be...in his diaper. As soon as he was dry and laying quietly in Jewelly's arms, we heard a noise that caused the proverbial "uh-oh!" Sure enough...big yellow stain on the white towel. Being the smart parents we are, we rushed him over to the diaper caddy to get him set up. The towel was removed, legs were lifted, diaper put under him and...you guessed it. He peed all over himself. Kaiden did not seem to enjoy round two in the bath so much. But, Jewelly and I got some valuable training and learned the art of quick change.

Kaiden Thomas Hart

Our little guy has arrived!
7.30.09 - 7:17 p.m.
8 lbs 12 oz - 21 in

Happy Monday!

My last week of work has finally come! It's hard to believe that starting next week I won't sit at my desk Monday mornings wishing for just one more day of weekend. I'm trying to picture what it will be like to trade scheduling and meetings for housework and playdates. Not too hard to imagine...I've longed for this for years! I can't wait to have time to make breakfast for Brian and pack him a lunch - what a reverse, he's usually the one doing this for me now! I'm overjoyed with the anticipation of sitting on the couch nursing Kaiden, taking him and Macchiatio for walks around the neighborhood, meeting up with Chelle for mommy time, or showing up at Brian's school just to have a surprise lunch. Just one more week of corporate life, then bliss!

Class of Three

I am sitting at the computer while my students are working on homework. A third of my class is missing today. Lest you think that is a lot, it is only one student. I have been blessed with only three students to work with for three weeks of summer school. I must say it is the quietest, hardest working class I have ever had. What a blessing. I will be back to a normal summer school class with about seventeen students for the second semester, but for now, I am enjoying the laid back atmosphere in my class of three :)

Michigan 2009

These are for you Mom. It has been way too long, but I finally got some pictures together from the trip to Michigan. We had a great time hanging out, laughing, taking a walk, and opening shower gifts. Jewelly and I want to give a huge thanks to you and to Ann for putting the shower together for us. Also a big thanks to Tara for making the cake and thanks to everyone else who came to spend the day with us and to shower us with baby gifts. We look forward to Kaiden's arrival. He should be here in a little under 8 weeks. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

The craziness of life has slowed up for about a week so I had a little time to finally update the blog. Over Memorial weekend the family went up the the mountains for a great time of camping. It was beautiful. We sang around the campfire, cooked smores, relaxed, hiked around Lake Gregory, and just had a great time. The following are a few pics. Enjoy!