The little things

Caleb's new interest!

Elijah eating his

favorite food-"Cobby"

This past week Gary and I lost two of our friends in an

auto accident. It was truly a tragedy. Their names were

Gary & Tracey Smith. We attended Hawthorn Nazarene

Church with them. They were big supporters of our

ministry in so many ways. They will truly be missed.

Their 8 year old little boy survived the accident, however he is

in Children's Hospital fighting for his life. Please keep Sammy in

your prayers. When you loose friends it is never easy. We know

that Gary & Tracey are in Heaven rejoicing with our Savior.

When things like this happen it makes you realize just how

precious life is. Even the little things like watching Elijah eat corn on the cob or "cobby" as

he calls it. Watching Caleb learn to play the guitar.

These are the little things that matter. We will forever remember Gary & Tracey and count

ourselves blessed because we were a part of their lives.

Summers end

A Day at the Pittsburgh Zoo!

Since summer has quickly come to an end

at the Keith home we decided to take one last day

and go on a day trip to the zoo.

Caleb has always liked the zoo. Elijah is just begining to show an

interest in animals. "moo's" as he calls them are his favorite.

Well, we didn't see any "moo's" at the zoo however he

enjoyed the penguins, the turtles, and the elephants.

He watched the animals in awe. And for some reason everything

was a "neigh" which is his word for horse. We bought him a stuffed

black bear which for some reason he named "boo boo"

Yes, it does sleep with him along with his large stuffed Nemo from

Disney, his large stuffed "babbit" and his "meme" which is his

large stuffed mickey. I often tell him something has got to go or

there will be no room in the bed for him. He just giggles.

He is definately a kid who knows how he likes things.

Usually he has all these large stuffed things arranged just so

when he goes to bed. It is quite amusing watching the process.

Elijah's First day of School!

8/14/09

Well, Summer has come to an end and Elijah has begun daycare again. Friday was his first day and he seemed to do okay. He is in the toddler room now. I took him that morning and stayed for an hour or so. My, it was hard to leave him. But he has become such a big boy. There are many more rules in the toddler room. Elijah had a hard time the first day getting that, but I have no doubt in time he will do fine. At least he is allowed to have his "dee dee" which is his blankie. I think sending him off to school is harder on Mommy than it is on him. He really seems to enjoy being with the other kids.

Elijah enjoying a cupcake

at the Nazarene Camp Ground

picnic!

It never ceases to amaze me the effect a child

can have on someone. We spent last weekend

at our chuch campground in Butler, PA. Oh my we sure did have fun! Caleb attended the youth activities. I can't believe we are headed for the teen years, but just like his childhood I know

God's hand will be upon his life. Infact there are many days that if I didn't have that

promise, I would fall apart. Please continue to keep Caleb in your prayers- It's going to take

a mighty work to reach this kid.

Elijah went to the

nursery and just loved the BeeBees (as he calls them) He adores babies. It doesn't matter

where we are as soon as he hears them, or sees them he gets so excited. I love it!

Gary says he's just like his mommy when it comes to the baby bug. I wouldn't mind it a

bit if he is.

A couple of weeks ago Gary preached a sermon on carrying each other burdens.

It was a powerful sermon that really made me think.

You know carrying each others burdens doesn't come naturally.

Infact I put this in to the basket that holds compassion.

Compassion doesn't come naturally either.

We must ask for this character trait. We must ask God to

give us this- Remember when we ask for this He will give it.

So be careful what you ask for.

From a young age I saw compassion played out in my parents' lives.

So I know what compassion is.

I have prayed for my boys to be filled with compassion

so that they too may grow up and touch lives.

The other day we were in Target and Elijah heard a

child crying. This little girl had gotten herself into trouble and

the parents were scolding her. Oh, how she cried.

Upon hearing this, Elijah began to whine and cry.

As if he was hurt.

He grabbed my shirt and hung on tight! Pulling himself out of the

shopping cart and into my arms.

I tried to comfort and reassure him by saying "It's okay

the little girl got herself into trouble and

she is upset."

Well, it wasn't until the little girl stopped crying that

Elijah stopped crying. He kept watching her.

Now, if you ask me he was showing compassion.

But more importantly he was carrying her burden.

Now that is LOVE played out in a BIG way!

As I told Gary this story he asked "is it normal for a 2 year

old to have this quality?"

Well, I have worked with many children and no,

this is not a normal trait.

Infact this is a trait that not

many adults have.

So today I challenge you -

Carry someone's burden!

Caleb smiling pretty for the camera!

(I can't believe how BIG he is getting!)

Family Vacation

Caleb & Elijah getting ready for breakfast with Mickey Mouse at Disney!

Well, we began our trip on June 14 right after morning services. We arrived at Orman beach (near Daytona, FL)

on June 15 where we spent 2 days. Oh, how we loved the beach. This was Caleb's second time

at a beach and Elijah's first time. Elijah loved the sand. However, he wasn't so fond of the water.

Which came to a surprise to us. He loves to be in the pool and swim. I think he was afraid

the noise the water makes. He has very sensitive hearing and often loud noises startle him.

The beach was not busy at all which made it easier on everyone. Even Gary with his limited sight went out into the water and really enjoyed the waves. It was neat to see him and Caleb

as they went out together to swim. I enjoyed the early mornings watching the sun rise and

enjoying the smell of the ocean. It makes me want to be back at the beach. We visited Ponce Inlet Marine Science Center. Where the boys learned about ocean life. It was neat to see the work they do with whales, turtles, birds and other wild life. My favorite was the gift shop. They

truly had some unique items. Elijah must have seen dozens of birds. And every time he would do the sign language for bird. Which in his sign language is his pointer finger going up and down.

We also visited the Ponce Light house. The tallest light house in Fl. It was beautiful!

Gary & Caleb enjoying a visit with tigger!



After our time at the beach we headed for a week at Disney World.

We really did enjoy ourselves even though the lines were long, the

temperture was HOT(110 in the shade) and often the kids were crabby due to the heat and waiting. The boys got to see Nemo a wonderful under the sea performance that was just amazing. Elijah really enjoyed the bubbles. We ate breakfast with Mickey Mouse. Elijah was

afraid of most of the characters except Mickey Mouse and Pooh. He did wonderful traveling and during our time at disney. Actually I must say Caleb complained more than Elijah.

We finished up our trip with attending our Church's General Convention where

we visited many friends we made in college, and also Gary's sister and her

family. Caleb quizzed and got a bronze medal. He also sang in the children's

choir with over 800 kids in the choir. It was beautiful! The convention wasn't

so fun for Mommy & Elijah. Often we were at the back of the convention

trying to find something to keep Elijah busy. This is a challenge with hundrends

of people and Eljah always running. However we met many other children and parents.

Some from foreign countries. One particular little boy who did not speak any

english and neither did his Dad. There were many boxes and Elijah

and this little boy had so much fun getting in/out of the boxes. It was neat

watching Elijah and this little spanish speaking boy communicate. They totally

understood each other even though the adults around them didn't.

It is true- Love can be spoken in any language!

Well, It's great to be home and we had a blast! Thanks to all who

lifted us up in prayer and gave their support so that Caleb could

go to his second World Quiz!

Look Who's Two

Today I'm Two!

Now Caleb & Elijah

Look even more

alike. Isn't God

amazing?

It just amazes me how my two boys look so much alike.

You never would have guessed they are both adopted.

My niece (Vanessa) recently said it best when she was talking about my little nephew(Issac) who is also adopted & my boys. She said "Isn't it funny how much they fit into our families?"

"They all look like they belong" I believe they do. God clearly has a plan for all of their lives and yes, we as family play a big important part of His plan.

Well, Friday Elijah got his first pair of glasses. This was harder for me than it is for Elijah. Every parent looks at their child as perfect. Yes, Mine are in many ways. As the eye doctor told me how severe Elijah's eye issues are I almost cried. You see, when Elijah first came we knew this little guy could have issues. He had so many health issues. Many of them have resolved themselves. Some have not. The ones that have not are his issues with his eyes, night tremmors (which we still deal with), digestive issues, and they fact that he is delayed in many areas. When Elijah first came his left eye would work independently. This is not good. So we went through months of vision therapy. This seemed to strengthen his eye. We were told that Elijah's left eye was just underdeveloped. The vision therapy helped so much. I thought when he was about 8 months old we were done with eye problems. Well, as parents often you have to face things about your child you don't want to face. And a few months ago I noticed Elijah falling alot, getting really close to his story books and rubbing his eyes. So I made him an appointment with a pediatric eye doctor.

Elijah was such a trooper for the doctor. He didn't even cry when they put really strong drops in his eyes. As it turns out, the vision in Elijah's left eye is very poor. His right eye isn't where it should be either, but not near as bad as the left. Friday, we went to pick up his glasses. It was just Elijah and I. When they put the glasses on him oh, how he smiled and I'm sure if he could have talked he would have told me all the things he can see now. It was like a whole new world opened up to him. He noticed things from across the room. One thing in particular was this huge cardboard Mickey. I put him down and he ran over and hugged the Mickey saying "MMMKEY!" over and over. That's how he says it. He has done great at leaving his glasses on.

In the morning all I have to do is say "Elijah, come here we need to put on your glasses" And he comes right over to get them on. One thing Gary and I have discussed is that when you take children into your home they all come with an array of issues. When you adopt children, they to come with issues. Some like Caleb are emotional issues, and some like Elijah are physical issues, but as any parent knows, however they come you just love and accept them as they are.

It's kinda interesting to me how our family has had it's challenges this past year with eyes.

Gary is so compassionate toward Elijah. I think this is because Gary can relate to Elijah. The blind school has done for Gary what the glasses have done for Elijah. Life is just always changing and always moving and yes, it is hard. But we rest in our faith knowing that God is a part of it all!

Fun in the woods

Caleb with a Crayfish that he caught

in the river.

Elijah having fun in the woods with his

cousins Clint and Issac. Yes, he is still dragging around his

blankie. What can I say, it's his favorite!

We spent Memorial Day having fun in the woods at my brother's (Phil's) cabin. The boys enjoyed playing with their cousins and also spending time in the woods. A few weeks ago I went to a training on science. The whole thing was about how children are not exposed to the world around them and ways to bring nature to the classroom. Yes, as a teacher I do believe this is very true, many children do not get out and experience the "world". As a parent I want so much for my children to have the experiences I had like playing in a river, climbing rocks, finding bugs and yes, having fun with my cousins. On Memorial Day, as I sat back and watched my boys in the dirt, mud, and yuck I had to praise God because these are the things that Gary and I prayed for before we had childen. Now we get the priviledge of watching our dreams come true.

Fun times!

Here are some pictures of the boys. Elijah still loves his hats and the other day he found his winter cap and was wearing it around the house. He just loves to be laughed at. Caleb and Elijah are often found looking at books together. Elijah and Caleb truly have fun together.

Elijah is all about tractors and trains. Infact there is an awesome train restaurant in Kansas City, MO that some day we hope to take Elijah to. He can hear a train whistle from miles away. And every time we cross the tracks he says "Chu, Chu?" Although often a bus gets called Chu, Chu. He is talking more and more daily. One of his favorite songs is Can I get a Witness by Nicole C. Mullins. He just chimes in with the yea, yea, yea! He also loves the song that starts Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen. That's because he can sing along. He loves the Gaither Homecoming Group. The other night Gary was watching them on T.V. Elijah just giggled, sang and danced along. Gary said to Elijah "your Grandpa would be so proud that you love his kind of music" Almost made me want to cry. I know often Gary misses his Dad.