July 24 2004
We made it to Indianapolis yesterday and our hotel is very nice. We are in a Suite and it has a pull out couch, so all the boys are happy. Lili was happy in her bed until 3:00am and then decided she wanted to sleep in a big person's bed. We are in Indy to attend the reunion picnic of our adoption agency. I imagine our hotel has 200 families with children from FTIA. I am amazed how easily everyone gets along, and how accommodating the hotel staff has been. (All those diapers) I will take lots of pictures today and post them later tonight if I can. I am used to DSL, and am on a dial-up connection here in Indy. Yesterday we went to the Zoo in Indy and were treated to a backstage tour on the Dolphin aquarium. Jodie was in our travel group to China, and her staff treated us like the important dignitaries we all wish we were! They were wonderful and we got very close to the dolphins. We stayed for the show and were treated to a truly amazing demonstration of the dolphins abilities. They are very smart. Please say a prayer for all the families who will be returning home to different parts of the midwest today and tomorrow. There are 1300 plus people going to be at the picnic! -ScottJuly 19 2004
I woke up this morning to Lili walking over to me and giving me a kiss on the cheek. She then climbed up into bed and snuggled up under my chin. She had her thumb, her towel (her security blanket) and her daddy, so she seemed awfully content. Unfortunately the alarm went off and I had to go back to work. She was the star of the day in the store. It seemed like everyone who came in the store had not seen her yet. -ScottJuly 18 2004
I made it home safely and am too tired to type much. Got home after Lili was asleep and considered waking her up to say hello, but didn't. I did manage to get hugs from the boys. -Scott
July 16 2004
Used the air-nailer for the first time this morning. Yoooowseeh It has been nearly 20 years since I fired an M-16 in basic training and the sensation was similar. I never knew it was possible to drive three nails into the same hole in the blink of an eye. I then learned about adjusting the compressor pressure. 90 pounds means 90 pounds, NOT 80-110 ;-) We are making progress on the roof, but I think they spent less time building the Big Mac bridge. I will definitely be glad when this project is over. I am sore in places I did not even know God put muscles. -ScottJuly 15 2004
I made it to the cabin A-OK on Wednesday evening/night. I got up this morning and a local man (Bill) and I started again on the roof. It sure goes faster with two men working on it. He is not afraid of heights like I am, so that is a big plus. I also designated him the chief roofer as promised! I had a pizza for dinner and we worked another three hours after dinner. We had to tarp the whole roof because we are expecting rain tomorrow. Tomorrow should be another ten hour day. I bought Lili some CHinese music on eBay, so we are excited to receive it. I will sign off for now, because I have many sore muscles and an early start tomorrow. -ScottJuly 13 2004
We made it home in good time and got Michael off to Boy Scout Camp Sunday morning. Lili is still scratching the Skeeter bites and we all are thrilled to be home. To say it was our worst vacation ever, well . . it was! This week we got back to work, but I am headed back up to the cabin Wednesday after work, because the roof on the Cabin calls for me to fix it. I still have had no takers on the assistant roofer position, so I am thinking of promoting any volunteers to Chief roofer. Maybe the bold letters will help. The job pays poorly, but you can built up your West Nile immunities. You see, I am much better at fixing computers than roofs. Not that it will leak or anything, but I am afraid I am a bit slow. I will let you know how the first day goes Thursday night. I am afraid by Friday, my fingers will be too sore and bandaged to type in the journal. -ScottJuly 8 2004
This week has not gone quite as we had planned. Yes we knew we had some roof issues with the cabin, BUT I did not know the extent of the repairs needed! Not only had the ice over the past years pulled at the shingles, but those who repaired it before me, did not do such a good job. So, the sheeting under the shingles was rotten in many places. Before I can do any roof repairs, I have to rip off the old sheeting. Bye the way, I am terrified of heights! Oh, it has also rained every day but one since we have arrived, and two days were constant downpours. . . So, if one were to ask how our vacation has gone, well you might not like the answer. I am sore in every muscle, especially my hands and arms.The boys and I have enjoyed visiting the Beaver Dam about a mile from our property. We have let some water out of one section, so the water over the road will go down, but at night the little guys come back out and repair our hole in the dam. You know the saying "Busy as a Beaver" right? It has been fun measuring the outflow and predicting what effect it will have on our water level.
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On the way to Camp 33 to eat dinner (Scott's Birthday - 43) we saw a moose along the road feeding on some leaves. A large Cow within 100 feet will make your heart pitter-patter. (and camera shake) I only had the Sony Clie with me so the pictures are not too clear. I didn't have a zoom and running up to her to fill the frame with moose head, didn't seem like such a good idea to Tracy. She must love me, because she told me not to wade chest deep into the swamp for that special picture. I am sure glad she told me not to. It was just what I was wanting to do ;-) The boys were excited too, It is our second Moose sighting up here in as many years. It was a large cow moose.
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Lili is not liking the Skeeters too well. She scratches and scratches at her toe where they got a bite. We all do our best to protect her. She also likes to dance in circles and get dizzy, and then act "drunk" and sit down. We all get a good laugh out of her antics and that just causes her to repeat the performance.
If any of you are feeling generous and want to help in a roofing project, just call me any time ;-) -Scott
July 4 2004
This year the 4th has a special meaning to me. My little girl is living in a country that is free. Enjoy today, because millions of american men and woman have sacrificed their lives to give us this privilege. If you get a few extra moments today, say a prayer for the families of the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. It started in the 1700's and continues yet to this day.Today it is 58F and raining a slow and steady rain. The sort that makes the woods up here take on a different look. Yesterday Nicholas, Christopher and I took a Ranger Ride to see Kal and Robin. We saw a large Doe on the trail. She walked to the woods and just stared at us. We are hoping to see a bear or moose this trip. If the rain holds off tomorrow, we will get busy on the roof of the cabin.
The bugs are not bad at the cabin. A little bug dope and using common sense, and you can enjoy the outdoors. I think Lili is enjoying playing with her brothers. She is all smiles, all the time. Keeping her occupied is a full time occupation for her siblings though. Thank goodness she was not our first child. Enjoy your 4th! -Scott
July 1 2004
Tonight I am asking for you to pray for a family who is going through a rough time with their pregnancy. We pray the baby will be ok, even though the Doctors gave them some difficult news. It is not my place to give any more details, but I believe in prayer and ask for your help in letting God know we need his help in this. God will know who this little one is. This couple was especially helpful to Tracy and I when we needed it most after Gracie Jo's Loss.We made it through Lili's recovery period (tonsils) with very few problems. I am amazed at how resilient our little girl is. She fussed very little, and her brothers were especially kind to her. I worked 80 hours in the last 4 days trying to get my repair bench clear before vacation. My dear friend Bruce was such a huge help, I will never be able to thank him properly. (I will bring home some whitefish for him though ;-)
Friday after work we will be headed north to the cabin. Michael and I loaded the trailer tonight while Nicholas and Christopher entertained Lilian. Tracy got everything (Clothes, food, Kid's stuff) packed, and is such a good sport even though she would probably rather go somewhere with room service, instead of having to clean the cabin up after four kids after we leave. Oh, and don't forget the skitters, they will eat you alive sometimes!
I will be updating the web page from the cabin as long as our ISP gives me a decent connection. I often wonder if anyone reads this, and If you feel like reassuring me, just click on the email button below. ;-) -Scott
