Mikki Makes 6!

Helping a Family bring home a child from Ethiopia

2010-09-26T13:43:00.000-07:00

A family needs our help raising funds for their adoption. They get 100% of the proceeds through Sept.30th for these awesome t-shirts and they are having a drawing for a cool key-fob. Go to
www.goseeklove.com

Kingspiont Waves

2010-07-08T09:52:00.001-07:00

Reagan joined the neighborhood swim team. She was awesome. What a natural!

Family Dunk!

2010-07-08T09:44:00.001-07:00

Tricia,Adam, Reagan and PawPaw Jay were baptized at Second Baptist In June. Family from New Braunfels, Beaumont, Fannett, Houston,and Mississippi came to witness.It was a special day.

Redthreadstitches.com

2010-06-02T06:40:00.000-07:00

My blogfriend, Robin, is trying to fund their third adoption. She sews beautiful children's clothes and is having an auction for a neat quilt. Check out her site. www.redthreadstitches.com

"Gotcha Day"2010

2010-03-23T18:38:00.000-07:00

It's been 2 years since this angel was placed in our arms. We thank God every day for this blessing.

She had a great day with all her friends.

Rabeliechtliumzug!

2009-11-12T13:02:00.000-08:00

Haircut by Granny and a little lovin' too!

2009-11-12T12:55:00.001-08:00

Take your daughther to work day!

2009-11-12T12:43:00.000-08:00

Reagan and Kennedy spent the day with Adam at work. They were able to explore the lab, place orders, and see Dad in action. Take a look at the iteniary he made up for them to go by and left chocolates out for the girls.

Check out what we've been up to!!!

2009-11-12T12:23:00.000-08:00

http://6bonds.blogspot.com/2009/11/lucern-glass-factory-and-black-madonna.html

The 1st Anniversary of Tricia's 39th Birthday

2009-11-11T12:51:00.001-08:00

Kelly High School C/O 88-89 Reunion

2009-11-11T11:07:00.001-08:00

Italy Vacation

2009-07-25T01:42:00.000-07:00

Happy 8th Birthday Carter and Kennedy!

2009-07-25T01:10:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Trinity!

2009-06-12T00:50:00.000-07:00

Our baby Trinity blessed us on this day 8 years ago. Though we only had her for four hours, she forever changed our lives. We love and miss her every day. If it were not for her, we would have never adopted Carter and Kennedy. Thank you baby girl for the many blessings you gave us by being our child.

My cousin came to nurse me back to health.

2009-05-14T08:32:00.000-07:00

I had foot (feet) surgery and my cousin came to help with the kids. She brought her friend, Emily, to join us. It has been SOOOOO wonderful having them here. We all go back to Texas together Saturday for a holiday visit.

On the boat with the kids and Linda

Trying to get "Family Photos"with a blue eyed boy.....Imposible!

Loves Her Limbalade! Ahhhh, so sleepy!

With my good friend Margaret, what a God-send!

At the winery in Staefa with Emily and Linda Mae

The Maas Family

2009-04-09T04:52:00.000-07:00

A family that adopted a little girl from China, the same time we did, also adopted two little boys from Ethiopia 2 months later( making them a family of 7). Now they are adopting 2 more girls from Ethiopia. She had this video on her blog. It touched me, so I am adding it to mine hoping to make a difference in these orphans lives.

Yeah Mikki!!!!

2009-04-09T00:29:00.001-07:00

Mikki went on the potty for the first time. Yeah!!!!!

Pictures from the Grand-Parent's visits in February and March

2009-04-04T11:13:00.001-07:00

Mikki's New Potty

2009-04-04T11:10:00.001-07:00

She just likes to sit on it and say,"Mitti's potty". She doesn't really use it yet. But she sure is cute!

Reagan's Swiss Birthday party

2009-04-04T09:55:00.000-07:00

Reagan's friends sang "Happy Birthday" in Schweizer-Deutsch.

"Gotcha Day" Celebration

2009-03-23T12:04:00.000-07:00

Can you believe she has been with us a year already? Time flies!

Carter and Kennedy meet Chloe

2009-02-28T01:49:00.000-08:00

The day after Christmas, we stopped near Houston to formally introduce the twins to their biological mother (Raine), half-sister(Chloe), and great-grandmother(Dale). We took tons of pictures, but only these came out. It was a wonderful reunion.
Carter and Chloe warmed up on the carosel.

Carter and Chloe

Carter,Chloe,and Kennedy

Climbing the rock wall

Finally...... New Pictures

2009-02-27T23:31:00.000-08:00

Leaving the Alps

1st Fondue

Friends Welcome Us Back In Chicago

What A Wonderful Lay-Over!

We Love Our Chicago Friends

Ahhhh! Lake Placid!

Mikki Celebrating New Years!

Mikki Loved Her Great Grandpa Laubach

Kids At Grandparents House In New Braunfels

Uncle Jon and Aunt Geargia Enjoying the Lake and Mikki

Grandma Hutnyak Bowling on the Wii......Strike!

Great-Grandma and Grandpa Laubach with the Kiddos

Jungle-Nic!

Mikki, Mia and Adam

Rub The Head For Luck!

Christmas in New Braunfels

Mikki And MiMi

PaPaw Davis and the Kids

Cousins

Grandma Davis and the kiddos!

Nieces and Nephews

Christmas Super Heroes!

The Hula Hut in Austin- The day Mikki bacame a Texas Citizen

The Cork In New Braunfels with Rich, Julie, Tricia, Adam, and Chip

New year's Eve at MiTieras in San Antonio

The Riverwalk in San Antonio- New Year's Eve

Nic, you've been replaced by Uncle Bill.

Reagan on the Riverwalk Boat Tour

Up,Up,and Away- On the Lift with Opa

Oma and Tricia stay planted on the ground.

Ice Skating in San Antonio with Auntie Cara and Uncle Clint

Yes, Reagan did shoot this buck!

Uncle Clint and Victoria (his woman)

Adam jumped in on New Year's Day. Carter chickened out.

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-16T04:52:00.000-08:00

Decorating the tree.

Mikki's First Christmas Tree!!!!!!

Hungry calf at the tree farm.

I think he would have sucked my hand off!

Samichlaus!

We're off to hunt for a tree!

Weinachtsmarkt with our first guests, Rob and Astrid!

Carter is Home Sick Today

2008-11-25T02:59:00.001-08:00

Carter said "Wow,mom, this is my first time to throw-up in Switzerland!". What a milestone. Then he got his first nosebleed in Switzerland.

Mikki in Her New Shirt.

2008-11-25T02:57:00.000-08:00

Sunrise Over Lake Zurich

2008-11-25T02:55:00.001-08:00

This is from our dining room.

Feeding the Birds and Ducks (and Seagulls)

2008-11-25T02:24:00.001-08:00

This is a park next to our house. Mikki loved seeing all the birds flying around. I think she liked the stale bread as much as the birds did.

Reagan Misses Her Friends

2008-11-25T02:22:00.000-08:00

I found this on my camera. Reagan has been very brave going to a new school, but she sure does miss her old one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpx9sp1d-ZE

St Martin's Day Celebration:Nov.11th-17th

2008-11-25T01:12:00.000-08:00

The kids carved these lanterns from turnips. It was really awesome. They marched from this winery to a park where there was a campfire, singing with music played by a local group, and pretzels with warm cider. Kim and John (our USA friends)are back from vacationing in the US and brought their twins, Will and Clair.

What Helpers They Are

2008-11-10T02:29:00.001-08:00

Mikki and Carter help dad build the twin's new bunkbed.

Fishing in Lake Zurich

2008-11-10T02:24:00.000-08:00

This is in our backyard. They couldn't catch the fish, but it was fun trying.

Staefa Expo...Fun!

2008-11-10T00:59:00.000-08:00

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!

2008-10-31T06:33:00.001-07:00

Yes, Jacob was a Power Ranger Witch!

Doesn't She Really Look Chinese?

We went trick-or-treating on October 16th to beat the crowd. LOL! They don't celebrate it here, but Carter dressed up as a Power Ranger anyways. He said everyone was feeling his muscles.

Pictures from our "Last Supper" in Lockport

2008-10-31T03:24:00.001-07:00

This is us leaving for the airport. Dottie (the dog) is in a bag under the stroller and Reagan's hamster is in the backpack.

God Provides.....Again.

2008-10-31T03:15:00.000-07:00

Wow! What a beautiful house. We found a house on Lake Zurich with wonderful neighbors. They have helped us move in and get the kids settled in school. Frau Ursula worked for the schools here for 30+ years and helped us find spots for the children with good teachers. Here are a few pictures.

So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Good-Bye!!!!

2008-10-31T03:04:00.000-07:00

We left Chicago on October 18th. And we just got internet today. Our friends had a "last supper" in Lockport for us on the 17th. What great friends we have there. We miss you ALL!!!!

Sold!

2008-09-29T18:31:00.000-07:00

Sunrise in our back yard. Awesome!

Tuesday was Mikki's 6 month "gotcha day" anniversary and we sold our house. Wow! What a week. Adam has been working himself to death on this house, his new job, his old job, traveling back and forth to Switzerland, and trying to find a place for us to live there. We ALL leave October 17th. The plan for now is to live out of a rental van in the parking lot at his work. Ha! Ha! I know God has a perfect plan. Look at what He has already done for us. The housing market here is less than stagnant and our house sold. I just leave it all to Him.

Daddy's Home!

2008-09-21T10:07:00.000-07:00

Adam came home Saturday. We went to church and our friend took these pictures. The girls outfits were made by my friend Lynn at LiviLu Creations.

Raine Passed Her Exam! She is an RN now.

2008-08-29T15:51:00.000-07:00

It is so exciting when good things happen to good people. She changed our lives forever when she blessed us with our twins.It is great to see God's blessings being given to her. Some day our twins will get to meet this wonderful lady. I only wish Mikki's birthmother could know how much our lives have been blessed by having her.

Carter Pulls His Tooth!

2008-08-22T17:00:00.000-07:00

He is not so brave, but he did it.

Pray for Raine

2008-08-21T20:53:00.000-07:00

The twins birth-mom takes her state boards for nursing next Wednesday. Please keep her in your prayers. It has been a long, hard journey for her; and we are soooo proud of her. She is working at the hospital where our babies were born. I miss working there. They were like family to me.

First Day Of School-Yay!!!!

2008-08-21T20:51:00.000-07:00

Blue-bonnets in Illinois

2008-08-19T07:06:00.000-07:00

Reagan planted these seeds on her birthday in April. We finally have a bloom.

Carter and Eleanor

2008-08-19T07:04:00.000-07:00

Dancin in the Aisles. Who said the grocery store is boring?

I added pictures to an older post with Mikki's Baptism

2008-08-12T10:14:00.000-07:00

Cool Site

2008-08-11T06:38:00.000-07:00

I want to see if you can click on this to pull up Steven Curtis Chapman's site for adoption.

http://www.myspace.com/show hope

www.myspace.com/showhope

The 100 Good Wishes Quilt

2008-08-08T17:58:00.000-07:00

Can you find your square?

Nic Flew the Coop!

2008-08-08T17:54:00.000-07:00

We miss you Nic! Come back soon!

Grandma and Papaw Went Home

2008-08-08T17:40:00.001-07:00

Lots of Love from Grandma and PaPaw!

Mikki Walks to Grandma

2008-08-08T17:39:00.000-07:00

Banana Left, We Miss Them Already!

2008-08-06T18:45:00.001-07:00

While they were here, Banana took them to Lego Discovery's Grand Opening. This is a model of the Navy Pier in Chicago.

The Chicken Basket on Rt 66

2008-08-06T18:36:00.000-07:00

PaPaw can still cut-a-rug!

Astros At Wrigley Field

2008-08-06T18:34:00.000-07:00

We took Grandma and PaPaw to Wrigley to see the Astros play the Cubs. It was a blast.

Pottery With Pierce and Coleman

2008-08-05T15:28:00.001-07:00

We painted pottery with the Staudacher's

Grandma and PaPaw Davis are here!

2008-08-05T15:23:00.002-07:00

Where's PaPaw?

2008-08-05T15:23:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday Grandma!

2008-08-05T15:20:00.000-07:00

Adam's Going Away Party

2008-08-05T12:44:00.000-07:00

Adam took a job in Switzerland and the GSI group said "Good-bye".

No Bikes On The Golf Course!!!!!!

2008-08-05T12:37:00.000-07:00

The kids were having a blast until the course manager caught them. Yikes!!!

Kennedy Finally Lost A Tooth!!!

2008-08-05T12:05:00.000-07:00

They Grow Up So Fast!

2008-08-02T07:29:00.000-07:00

One minute he is playing swords with Kennedy, the next he is making his own lunch and going to work all by himself. What a big boy!
We have had so much fun with Nic here.

What A Party!!!!!

2008-07-28T06:39:00.000-07:00

The twins turned seven! There were over 30 kids in our back yard. It was a GREAT party. I consider the party a success if no one cries, bleeds, or breaks anything (like body parts).Thanks to all the moms and dads who stayed to help. Can you tell they are having fun?

Boston- Styx in Chicago

2008-07-24T19:02:00.000-07:00

Adam and I went to hear our favorite band last night on Lake Michigan It was great. Nic babysat. Yeh Nic! The twins turn 7 tomorrow. Wish me luck with two 7 year olds.

July- Mikki's Baptism and Texas Visit

2008-07-23T08:37:00.000-07:00

July has been quite a month. Mikki was baptised on July 6th in New Braunfels, Tx at our family church by our cousin who is a priest. It was very special having all of our family there. We played at Oma and Opa's lakehouse and saw lots of friends. We headed to Beaumont to visit more people and finally came home after a 3 week stay. Mikki is learning to stand and walk on her own. Wow! What a difference a month makes. Can you believe we have had her in our lives FOUR months today? Here are some pictures from our visit.

I Finally Found My Camera!

2008-06-22T19:11:00.000-07:00

My camera was lost for over 2 weeks. I finally found it and can add pictures from our month of June. My friend "Banana" and her son, Pierce came for a visit the first week of June. Banana, Laura and I went out for a girls SATC night. We had a blast.We went to the Zoo with Laura and her 2 youngest. We went to the Lego store and swimming. Also, Mikki had her neurosurgery consult and the doctor says he doesn't want to do anything about her cyst at this time. If it changes or bothers her later, we can look at removing it then. He said her brain looks perfect and why do surgery on a perfect head? I agree, she is perfect (to us).

Playing in Mississippi

2008-06-13T07:11:00.000-07:00

Mikki and Reagan Playing

2008-06-13T07:09:00.000-07:00

More Cousins

2008-06-13T07:00:00.000-07:00

playing with our cousins

2008-06-13T06:54:00.000-07:00

We had a "Wicked" Time

2008-06-13T06:53:00.000-07:00

Mississippi, Here we Come

2008-06-13T06:50:00.000-07:00

Nic Came Back!!!!! Yeh!

2008-06-13T06:41:00.001-07:00

Nic stopped by on his way down to Texas.

Memorial Day Weekend

2008-05-26T09:32:00.000-07:00

CHINATOWN-CHICAGO

IRISH FEST

A glimps into the future.....Scary!

These are too Messy!!!!!
+152.jpg">a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_QxkWTAwJyPs/SDro6Gj3QsI/AAAAAAAAAWI/f_-2RWm_G_w/s1600-h/May2008+156.jpg">

HEY MIKKI!!!!

Guy From New Braunfels Doing Work For Orphans

2008-05-23T19:42:00.000-07:00

This was sent to me by a great friend. Neal knows Adam from school.

Neal's Newsletter May 2008 from China

The newest addition to the New Day Foster Home is our new Healing Home. Read more about it on the second page of this letter or visit the New Day Healing Home Site.

On the Internet go to: http://www.newdaycreations.com/foster/healinghome/index.html

Hello. I hope you’re doing well. I pray that you are enjoying God’s blessings in your life and I hope that you are able to see the fulfillment of His promises this spring and summer. I’m doing well although I’m rather tired right now. I do feel an increase in energy and excitement for some reason this spring and I’ve enjoyed being in China and doing what I’m doing more than I have in a long time. Thank you for your prayers. I believe they have given me great strength through these months

New Day Healing Home

The New Day Healing Home is envisioned to be an extension of the New Day Foster Home, and thus would share the same mission statement: “To alleviate the pain and suffering of Chinese orphans born with physical handicaps; providing for their every physical, mental and spiritual need; to give them a future and a hope and their very own loving family.”

The distinctive of the New Day Healing Home will be to facilitate medical/surgical intervention and provide a temporary home for special needs orphans coming to Beijing from regions of China where quality medical care is not available.

Last year, we were asked to consider providing temporary care for orphans from Qinghai province in need of heart surgery. Because of the altitude in Qinghai, these children will require an extended recovery time in Beijing before returning to their home orphanage. Since that time, we have received other requests to provide temporary care for orphaned children requiring heart or other surgery in Beijing, many of which we have had to turn away due to our limited capacity.

Van Palace apartment building with the CCTV building in the background. The living room is quite large. The dark walls will all need to be repainted.

Two apartments in the Van Palace Apartment Complex, located in downtown Beijing, have been donated for our use for the next ten years. These two apartments will give us additional bed space we need to house children requiring surgery and temporary care in Beijing. Each apartment will enable us to house eight to ten children for post-op recovery. The proximity to the Beijing hospitals will be a significant benefit since our current facility is located below the 6th ring road and over a one-hour drive from the hospitals.

An existing member of the New Day Foster Home management staff will manage both the start-up and daily operation. We also envision using our existing and most experienced nannies on a rotating basis as primary caregivers since they are already trained in caring for special needs children.

We are very excited about this concept and the ability this gives us to help more children. To read more about the Healing Home please click here.

Please send ministry & personal support to: Legacy Charities, Inc, P.O. Box 311671, New Braunfels, TX 78131-1671

Make checks payable to: Legacy Charities

For personal support write: “Donop Fund” on the memo line For ministry support write: Name of project on the memo line, if applicable

Credit Card Donations available through Paypal: Contact Neal for more information

Go Mikki, Go!

2008-05-23T15:37:00.000-07:00

Poor Nic

2008-05-23T08:09:00.000-07:00

I think Kennedy spends more time on Nic's shoulders than on the ground.

Earthquake Update

2008-05-23T08:08:00.001-07:00

Half the Sky Earthquake Update - May 23‏
From: Jenny Bowen (jenny@halfthesky.org)

Dear Friends, Today we were starting the process of wrapping up the major portion of ourorphanage relief efforts. With your help, we have purchased and deliveredor are in the process of delivering huge amounts of medicines and medicalsupplies, tents, cribs, cots, bedding, baby formula, diapers, kidsclothing and shoes, rice, noodles, cooking oil, water, powdered milk,bowls, cups, towels, mosquito repellent and much, much more. As wefinalized plans to ship, then bring in engineers to erect two giant tentsto house hundreds of newly orphaned children, we got an emergency callfrom Aba Civil Affairs Bureau. They are caring for approximately 1,000 orphaned and displaced children,most of whom are 7-12 years old. There are over 100 infants. They’d beenplacing the children in local shelters but had just received news that 70more children are on the way. There are no more tents and no more bedsfor them. Further, they urgently need powdered milk and diapers. Andthey need foods that don’t require cooking as most of their cooking stovesand supplies have been destroyed. They need so much they can’t even giveus an estimate. The roads to Aba are dangerous but the need is tremendous. We haveobtained the necessary road pass and organized a convoy of three trucks. Our senior preschool field supervisor, Yang Lei, will be leading theeffort along with Aba drivers who are familiar with the dangers. It’s a 3day round-trip and they leave at dawn. I am so thankful our Half the Skystaff are as tough as they are! Stop presses! -- Just as I finished writing the above, I received thefollowing email. The situation continues to be ever-changing: “While everyone has done an absolutely incredible job pulling this urgentshipment together, it simply cannot leave tomorrow morning as we've allbeen pushing for. The road between Chengdu and Aba is simply too dangerousto travel, based on all the information we are able to gather. While ithasn't registered on the news, nearly 200 people have died in the last fewdays along these roads due to mudslides caused by the early summer rains. Communications are, of course, sketchy, and we know Yang Lei has herpermit to travel the roads, but all reports are now that it's just toodangerous and too unsure to risk take such a risk. The Director of theAba Institution agrees and the Director of the Chengdu Institution agrees. “The efforts you've all put in today on behalf of the babies at Aba willnot be in vain. We will monitor the road situation very, very closely. Civil Affairs wants us to get in, we want to go in, and the moment we feelit is safe, we will go in. The good news is we've managed to amasseverything on Aba's "needs list" in one day and it's staged at Chengdu SWIand ready to load on trucks. The items that were scheduled to load on theAba trucks will stay at Chengdu, ready to travel to Aba when conditionsallow. THESE ITEMS ARE NOT TO BE USED FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE IN THE COMINGDAYS, THEY ARE TO BE KEPT TOGETHER, AND SEPARATE FROM ALL OTHER INVENTORY,AND WILL TRAVEL TO ABA AS SOON AS CONDITIONS ALLOW. This is a verydifficult decision for us to make, but we simply can't risk life to savelife.” You can see that the relief effort is not quite over. I will keep you allposted. Meanwhile, we have spent almost exactly the amount we have raised indonations (just over US$300,000. And we have not yet really begun thesecond critical phase of our operation in Sichuan: training caregivers andvolunteers to care for and address the non-material needs of displaced andnewly-orphaned children. There are billions being donated for rebuilding.But we need help putting young lives back together. Here’s a note from Ma Lang, who was at a “model” relief shelter todaytalking to newly-orphaned children:I talked to a junior high school girl. Here is part of our conversation:Lang: Do you know there are psychologists and counselors there to helppeople?Girl: Yes.Lang: Would you be willing to talk to a psychologist?Girl: Yes.Lang: What would you like to talk about with the psychologist?Girl: Things that make me happy. Like happy stories and movies.Lang: What do not you want the psychologist to ask?Girl: [pause] Do not ask me where my families are!P.S. There is little coordination among the 10 plus counselor groups atthe shelter. One main method they chose their “clients” was to look forsad faces. If a child or adult looked sad, the likelihood was that shewould be “counseled” by more than one group of counselors. One concernthat I had was that the children (and adults) might be traumatized againby the “counseling” process. And then…. “I met Lei in the “inner circle” at Jiuzhou Stadium. He was a cute andcurious second grader who’d lost his parents in the quake. He approachedme and asked me what I was doing when I was organizing the pictures Itook. We looked at the pictures together, and chatted a little bit. Hetold me that after the earthquake, there come aftershocks, and then comesthe epidemic. He said epidemic means you die if you do not wash handsbefore and after meal. When I asked him what earthquake is, he said ifyou talk loud, earthquake happens. I lowered my voice and asked him ifour voices were loud. He said, I do not know.” Half the Sky is finalizing plans to work in consultation with an importantinternational resource for children traumatized by crisis. I want tothank all of you who have worked to help us locate Mandarin-speaking childtrauma specialists. I think we are assembling an outstanding team. I willshare more details in the next few days. What I hope I can communicate toyou all is that our work is really just beginning. We need more help! If you would like to donate to Half the Sky’s Children’s Earthquake Fundyou can do so through Global Giving:http://www.globalgiving.com/pr/2100/proj2086a.html Or directly to Half the Sky. You can donate by calling Half the Sky(+1-510-525-3377) or on our website:http://give.halfthesky.org/prostores/servlet/Categories?category=Children's+Earthquake+Fund Many companies have announced they will match employee gifts forearthquake relief. Please check to see if your company will double yourgift

The Chapman's Blog

2008-05-22T08:24:00.000-07:00

In memory of maria, the Chapman's have set up a blog. Check it out.

www.http://chapmanchannel.typepad.com/inmemoryofmaria/

also chek out www.stevencurtischapman.com

Oma Biermann

2008-05-21T20:47:00.000-07:00

Our Great-Great Oma died yesterday at the age of 108 (and a-half).

Please Pray for Steven Curtis Chapman and His Family

2008-05-21T20:42:00.001-07:00

We were just at his concert last week. He is such an amazing man. He told many stories of his children and how they have inspired his music.His song "Cinderella" was written after an experience he had with his two youngest girls, Maria and Stevie Joy. His two sons were both playing in his band. One of them was the one driving the SUV. I can't imagine the grief he is suffering. Please pray for him and all of his family. They have done so much to help others, especially orphans.

This is the article from the newspaper:

Steven Curtis Chapman’s youngest child died Wednesday afternoon after being struck by a car driven by her teenage brother in the driveway of the family’s Williamson County home.

Maria, one of the Christian singer’s six children, was taken by LifeFlight to Vanderbilt Hospital, which confirmed the death, according to Laura McPherson, a spokeswoman for the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

The 5-year-old was hit by an SUV driven by her teenage brother, she said. Police did not give the driver’s name.

The teen was driving a Toyota Land Cruiser down the driveway of the rural home at about 5:30 p.m. and several children were playing in the area, McPherson said. He did not see Maria in the driveway before the vehicle struck her, she said.

“It appears to be a terrible accident,’’ McPherson said.

No charges are expected, she said. The accident was witnessed by two other children; the entire family was home at the time, McPherson said.

Singer/songwriter Chapman, who recently was inducted into Music City Walk of Fame, is one of contemporary Christian music’s most recognizable and most awarded names.

He and his wife Mary Beth have long been supporters of international adoption, having brought three girls from China into their family. Maria was the youngest.
The couple is so active in the cause that they formed an organization, Shaohannah’s Hope, to aid families wanting to adopt.

With his latest music tour, which came through Nashville in November, Chapman started a campaign called “Change for Orphans”. He asked audience members at each stop to bring spare change to the concert, where it was counted and given to a local family to aid in their adoption process.

“I don’t know of anybody who loves his children more than he does and is so committed to the adoption concept, and to lose one, no matter what the circumstances, is heartbreaking beyond all comprehension,” said John Styll, president of the Nashville-based Gospel Music Association.

“He talks about his kids all the time. That’s his life. His kids are more important to him than music, that’s for sure.”

The tragedy was announced during Wednesday-night services at Harpeth Hills Church of Christ, which the family attends. Maria had just graduated from the church preschool.

And word spread throughout the tight-knit Christian music community on Wednesday evening.

Styll got the news not long after Maria’s death.

“I’m confident I can speak for everyone in the community to say we will do everything we can to support this family, as we would do at any time, but especially at a time like this,” he said.

Most of the Chapman family was at Vanderbilt children’s hospital after the accident and could not be contacted. The long, gravel driveway leading to the home west of Franklin was blocked off by Williamson County sheriff’s deputies.

Kindergarten Graduation!

2008-05-21T20:08:00.000-07:00

Three sets of twins in one class! Funnnnnn!

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Play Date

2008-05-20T11:39:00.001-07:00

Eleanor Came to Play!

Uncle Jon, Aunt Georgia, And Nic Visit

2008-05-20T11:33:00.001-07:00

The Maker of the Quilt

2008-05-20T11:25:00.001-07:00

Miss Jesse

Before I Was A Mom

2008-05-20T09:46:00.000-07:00

Before I was a Mom

I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.
Before I was a Mom -
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom

I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.
Before I was a Mom
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put him down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom -

I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom -

I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache,
the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom

I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom

Sun and Fun!

2008-05-17T17:34:00.000-07:00

Reagan and Kennedy had fun with the fire hydrant flushing today!

Carter was a natural on the roller-blades!

Blog Comments

2008-05-17T09:19:00.000-07:00

This is a public blog and can and is seen by alot of people. It is meant to be a way for my friends and family to keep up with everything going on here. It will not be used as a personal email between girls. If you have a comment for us that you don't want everyone to read, email us. Comments that are mean and name-calling will not be posted. If you don't want your mom to read it, don't write it.

Earthquake Update

2008-05-16T06:47:00.000-07:00

Half the Sky Earthquake Update - May 16‏
From: Jenny Bowen (jenny@halfthesky.org)
You may not know this sender.Mark as safe|Mark as unsafe
Sent: Fri 5/16/08 7:15 AM
Reply-to: Jenny Bowen (jenny@halfthesky.org)
To: tricialaubach@hotmail.com (tricialaubach@hotmail.com)

Dear Friends, I dearly wish I had more good news to report. The very best thing I cantell you is that we have not had a single report of injuries from thewelfare institutions. As of this morning (Friday) there were 19,509 people confirmed dead. TheState Council today said there will likely be more than 50,000. Today’sgovernment report describes one terrible scene after another: thousandshomeless, thousands missing, thousands injured, thousands trapped orburied alive. Hope for survivors is dimming. There is an urgent call forbody bags to prevent the spread of disease. There have been over 4,400aftershocks. HTS Director, Child Development, Ma Lang has arrived in Chengdu and sendsthis note:I am deeply touched by your moral and emotional support. I only slept twoof the past thirty hours. The first thing I did after landing was todonate some medicine to the Chengdu Red Cross. It was very muchappreciated – exactly what was needed. They gave me a wish list forfurther donations: antibiotics for children and adults, medicine fordiarrhea, cold capsules (not instant medicines that must be mixed inwater), bandages, gauze, tape, iodine, cotton swabs, herbal medicine tostop bleeding and some for pain relief. Other much-needed donationsinclude tents, tarpaulins, warm clothes and shoes. People in Chengdu aredoing everything they can to help with the earthquake rescue. I saw allsorts of vehicles carrying things to the donation centers. I registeredfor blood donation and was put on the waiting list – the blood center wasoverloaded with donated blood and it’s difficult to transport the blood tothe hardest-hit areas. More to come… Lang Here is the confirmed information we have regarding welfare institutions: The following institutions not mentioned in yesterday’s note suffered noserious damage:Chengdu 2nd SWI, Chengdu 3rd SWI, Ziyang SWI, Neijing CWI, Chengdu SOSchildren’s village, Leshan SWI, Ganzi CWI, Guang’an SWI, Suining SWI The following report damage, but, again, no injuries. Your generousdonations will help meet all of these requests for assistance: Bazhon CWI – Severe damage to building; children are fine. Meishan SWI – Cracks in buildings, have evacuated all children (50+) totents. They have adequate food, water and clothes but request 20 cribsand bedding. Guangyuan SWI – Damaged buildings, all children have been in tents for 4-5days, often in the blazing sun. They request food, baby formula water,diapers, bedding and other daily necessities. They urgently need drugsand food supplements to protect against disease and heatstroke. Nanchong SWI – There was substantial damage to buildings, all children(100+, more than half under 6 years-old) are living in tents. They needmore tents, disposable diapers, children’s clothing, wagons, cribs andbedding. Deyang CWI – Dormitory for school-age children was severely damaged. Although the other buildings seem fine, pending inspection, all childrenand staff have been moved to tents. There has been constant rain and muchthat was pulled from the buildings has been ruined. They request beddingand children’s clothing. They still have disposable diapers left from ourassistance during the winter storms but will be running out of those aswell as infant formula in the coming days. Mianyang Zitong CWI (update) – Children have been moved back from themilitary base to a safe building in the institution. There is adequatefood and water but they request clothes, bedding, infant formula, diapersand medicine for colds. They are now caring for 66 children, 23 of themunder 2 years. Sadly, 24 new orphans – earthquake survivors - arrived at the institutionyesterday. We are still unable to reach these orphanages: Abazhou CWI (52 children)and Mianzhu SWI Please give what you can to help the children who survive go on with theirlives. If you would like to donate to Half the Sky’s Children’s Earthquake Fund,it would be great if you would do so at Global Giving. My apologies forgiving incorrect information yesterday; the Ford Motor Company isgenerously matching EMPLOYEE gifts to Global Giving, not ALL! Still, itis an easy and convenient way to make a donation and helps HTS by handlingprocessing of your gifts. Now maybe some other corporation would like tostep up and match ALL donations?!http://www.globalgiving.com/pr/2100/proj2086a.html If you prefer to donate directly to Half the Sky, of course that’s fine.Here are the various ways: You can donate by calling Half the Sky (+1 510525 3377) or on our website:http://give.halfthesky.org/prostores/servlet/Categories?category=Children's+Earthquake+Fund If you would like a Canadian tax receipt, please donate athttp://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?CharityID=s86248 If you would like a Hong Kong tax receipt, please call us at +852 25205266 or online athttps://www.paydollar.com/b2c2/eng/charity/payInfo.jsp?charityId=4947 Thank you for your tremendous support. Although it is heartbreaking towrite these reports, we are so honored to be in a position to help duringthis terrible time. with love,Jenny Jenny BowenExecutive DirectorHalf the Sky Foundationwww.halfthesky.org Half the Sky was created in order to enrich the lives and enhance the prospects for orphaned children in China. We establish and operate infant nurture and preschool programs, provide personalized learning for older children and establish loving permanent family care and guidance for children with disabilities. It is our goal to ensure that every orphaned child has a caring adult in her life and a chance at a bright future. Want to receive our free Half the Sky newsletter, full of stories and photos, via regular mail? Just go to our website www.halfthesky.org and click on "Join our Mailing List."

A Few New Pics

2008-05-13T20:13:00.001-07:00

My friend Tina found the perfect Ladybug set for Mikki

My mother-in-law made this top for my sister-in-law 30 years ago. CUTE!!!!

Kennedy and Carter sacked out! Aren't they sweet when they are asleep?

Happy Mother's Day

2008-05-12T19:34:00.000-07:00

I copied this poem from another blog. It was so fitting for our adopted babies and all of us who prayed to be their mothers.

Once there were two women who never knew each other.
One you do not remember, the other you call Mother.
Two different lives shaped to make you one.
One became your guiding star, the other became your sun.
The first one gave you life, and the second taught you to live it.
The first gave you a need for love. The second was there to give it.
One gave you a nationality. The other gave you a name.
One gave you a talent. The other gave you aim.
One gave you emotions. The other calmed your fears.
One saw your first sweet smile. The other dried your tears.
One sought for you a home that she could not provide.
The other prayed for a child and her hope was not denied.
And now you ask me, through your tears,
the age-old question unanswered through the years.
Heredity or environment, which are you a product of?
Neither, my darling. Neither. Just two different kinds of Love.

© Author Unknown

Mikki is 16 Months Old Today!

2008-05-10T18:47:00.000-07:00

Two Zhangshu Girls Back Together

2008-05-09T17:57:00.000-07:00

Mikki and Amy were once roommates at the orphanage. Now they are playmates in Chicago-land. Amy's big sister, Jillian, loved helping with the little ones. Amy is in the picture of "Mikki and Friends" at the top left of the blog. It was sent from the orphanage back in November.

Ladybug Quilt

2008-05-08T11:47:00.001-07:00

This quilt was made by a very special lady in Texas. The ladybugs are made from fabric sent by us and all of the Grandparents and Great Grandparents. It is soooo precious. Mikki will treasure it forever! Thank You Ms. Jesse!

Please Help me find Michelle

2008-05-07T10:02:00.000-07:00

This is our wonderful friend Michelle. I am despirately trying to find her contact info. If anyone is traveling to China soon, please get her info for me. She works in a store across from Sherry's Place called Arts and Crafts. She has a Shih-tzu named Bobbie. I hope someone will help us find her.
Thanks in advance.

Too Cute!

2008-05-06T19:29:00.001-07:00

It was finally warm enough to wear one of the many cute outfits Auntie Cara bought me.

Yay! It's time to pick up the kids!

2008-05-06T19:27:00.001-07:00

Mikki loves to pick up the other kids from school.

Here Daddy, Let me Help!

2008-05-06T19:25:00.001-07:00

Mikki loves helping Daddy work.

Enjoying the Sun!

2008-05-06T19:22:00.001-07:00

Beautiful Rainbow!

2008-05-02T18:38:00.001-07:00