Mike and Tim for Obama

Unlike my conservative wife, my progressive son Tim and myself are fully supporting Barack Obama for President. Obama has the ideas, vision, intelligence and tenacity to propel our country to prosperity in the new global economy. In addition, Obama will restore our respect and integrity worldwide. Unfortunately, our standing internationally was severely eroded by the lack of planning and forethought by George Bush and Dick Cheney. (Just as our son Nick who spent six weeks in Europe this summer. Our leadership is not respected at all overseas.)

Please be aware that I am not some left wing liberal. I voted twice for George Bush (I plead insanity for voting to re-elect him). As my wise brother-in-law Tom Tomala states, "it is understandable that we voted Bush in for one term, but it is inconceivable that we re-elected him for a second term." I'm an independent who votes based on the qualifications, integrity and intelligence of the candidates. I deplore the partisan politics that have resulted in gridlock in our nation. I'm sick of both die-hard democrats and republicans who blindly follow their party and think that each person in their party is correct and that the other party is always wrong. Let's not listen to idiots like Al Franken and Rush Limbaugh who wear blinders. Let's have a brain and think independently rather than toeing the party line. That's when we'll really move our country forward TOGETHER.

I'm hoping and praying for an Obama victory in November and the beginning of new, progressive and enlighted leadership in America.

Mike

I lost sleep

I woke up this morning and knew I wanted to blog about this topic. I know I am opening myself up to criticism, but I wanted to know if anyone else is feeling this way or set me straight if I need to re-think this thing.

Why is John McCain's VP pick Sarah Palin?

John McCain is old and does Sarah have the experience to lead our country? I hate to say this, but it's a very real possibility. I just don't think she does.

But aside from that, something else is really bothering me. This is what I lost sleep over. Since most of you know, I lean more to the conservative side. I watched Sarah's family on stage yesterday at the announcement. I can't get two images out of my head. The baby with downs syndrome being held by his oldest sister and the young 7 year old who wanted to be by her Mommy's side every step of the way. It's the 7 year old that I lost sleep over. This campaign is hard on even the toughest families. Being governor of Alaska and Vice President are very different roles. OK, I will just say it.... shouldn't Sarah's first responsibility be to mother her young children? Piper, the 7 year old, wanted to be with her Mommy. Trip, her four month old special needs son will need her to be available to him. I really liked Sarah. She seems like a very nice woman. She is about my age. I admire her accomplishments in her life. But being VP or even President will make her first priority our country, not her family.

As a conservative, I just feel like John McCain made the wrong choice for his VP.

Now, I don't know who to vote for.

this and that

Here is an update of this past week:

- Tim and Julia started school today. Tim left the house at 6:42am and won't be home until after football practice at 6:00pm. Julia had a great first day and says she has no homework.

- I enjoyed my first day of the kids back to school. Caught up on stuff around the house, but have a lot more to do.

- Mike is doing well. He enjoyed having Kait home last week and was sad when she left.

- Kaitlyn had a job interview this morning. She left Saturday morning and is back in Ann Arbor. I had a great two weeks with her and I miss her very much. She is living with her pastor and his family.

- Nick began classes today at MSU. He sounded tired, but happy.

- Tim finished his acting classes this past weekend. He had a modelling show yesterday.

- Julia is now playing soccer and she is loving it.

- I miss Haiti.

Welcome Home Kaitlyn!

Kaitlyn and I had a great "Welcome Home" greeting at Cincinnati's airport on Sunday.

Mainly this was for Kaitlyn.

Tim, Julia and Mike were waiting with signs!
We are all so happy to have Kaitlyn back in the USA!
But wait.....there was someone else who wanted to greet Kaitlyn...

Michael!

He was sitting in this row of chairs and walked up.

Kaitlyn was SOO surprised!

Hurray...I could keep a secret!

(except I did tell Colleen.....shhhh)

Yea, Kaitlyn and Karen are Home

After surviving a five hour delay due to Tropical Storm Fay and missing their connecting flight in Miami, Karen and Kaitlyn arrived in Cincinnati at 12:30pm today. It was a great reunion as we had signs for the two of them (but mostly for Kaitlyn. Hey, I've been away for a week before and I never got a sign. ha, ha.). We immediately went to Panera Bread for lunch because Kaitlyn had been craving it for three months.

We had a special surprise for Kaitlyn. Michael, her boyfriend, had come all the way from Michigan to surprise her and see her. Kaitlyn was very surprised and happy.

We are all so proud of Kaitlyn and Karen. They both have a special passion for the children of Haiti and they have followed the passion that God set in their hearts and took action to serve these children.

"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)

Praise God that he has brought Karen and Kaitlyn home to us safely.

Mike

Update on Fay

Thanks so much for your prayers. I just went to Weather.com and it looks like the storm is now just getting past Haiti. From the following news report, it appears the hurricane is heading into the ocean today and it was not a very powerful hurricane (praise God!!):

The center of Tropical Storm Fay appears close to emerging off the west coast of Haiti. Maximum sustained winds are estimated at 45 mph, mainly near coastal areas. Late last night, a sustained wind of 40 mph was measured on the southeast coast of the Dominican Republic.
Fay continues moving west at about 14 mph. The center of the storm has been over land since Friday afternoon, and little change in strength has occurred. However, as the storm emerges back over open waters today, the opportunity for additional strengthening will increase as environmental conditions remain favorable.

Please keep Karen and Kaitlyn in your prayers. Their flight arrives into Cininnati at 11:30am tonight. We are all excited and will be there to welcome our missionaries home.

Love,

Mike

Stay Away Fay

I have an urgent prayer request. Hurricane Fay is currently over the Dominican Republic and bearing down on Haiti. It's suppossed to hit Haiti in the morning. This would prevent Karen and Kaitlyn's flight from leaving. Karen called today and said that Kaitlyn wants to come home so bad. Please pray that Fay slows down enough to allow Karen and Kaitlyn's flight to get out. Also pray that this hurricane is a mild one and does not cause any damage, pain or suffering to anyone.

Thanks for your prayers,

Blessings and love to all,

Mike

Haiti Update

Karen called me tonight and let me know she is doing well in Haiti. This was the first time we have heard from her so we were starting to get a little worried (although Karla had told me that the lack of communication is not unusual for Haiti). Karen says the internet has been very spotty and is only up for 5 minute periods at a time.

She says things are going very well. She is enjoying her time with Kaitlyn and the group. We got cut off on our phone call so I don't know a whole lot more. I'll keep you posted if I hear anything more.

Please keep Karen and Kaitlyn in your prayers. That would be very much appreciated.

Julia, Tim and I are doing fine and we can hardly wait until Karen and Kaitlyn get home on Saturday!!! Nick left on Saturday for MSU so we are in Nick withdrawals around here.

Love to all,

Mike

You say goodbye.....

This has been a great summer for Nick. He spent his first six weeks in Germany. Then, he was unable to get a job (no one wanted to hire him for six weeks) so he was able to do a lot of cool things. At the beginning of July, his friend, Tigi, and his cousin, Emma, came to visit. He had a blast with them. Then, we went on a family camping trip. That was such a good time and we made many memories. Next came Florida. He was disappointed he did not make it to Illinois this summer to visit his IL relatives. It has been so great having Nick home and I will miss him so much when he returns to East Lansing tomorrow. I love you, Nick, and will miss you very much!

Update from Phoenix: Last night there was a modelling show. This is Tim's least favorite part of this whole stuff...Runway modelling. Well, he was chosen to be in the "big" event on Saturday night. (you can laugh now, Uncle Rod.....I can hear you now) Mike said the girls "screamed" when he walked by. He has two auditions today with call backs being tomorrow. They said not many kids get called back

Back to Haiti

On Saturday, I will be leaving for Haiti. This is a special trip for me on so many levels. First, I will get to be with Kaitlyn. She has been in Haiti since mid-May. This is the longest I have ever gone without seeing my daughter. I miss her very much. Second, I will be in a country that I love. I feel so "comfortable" there. The people are full of joy although they have so little. I can't wait to see the children at Three Angels. To hear their laughter and see their rambunctious spirits.
I will also be traveling with a friend who has also fallen in love with Haiti. Her family has been very supportive of Kaitlyn and her desire to serve in Haiti. They are also adopting two adorable boys.

This photo was from the mountains in Haiti where there is greenery and trees. I find this so beautiful.

Kaitlyn has met many families and has loved getting closer to the children.

Kaitlyn, I am so proud of you and your desire to follow God's calling on your life.

You have sacrificed your summer to be with the children.

I love you and will see you very soon.

Phoenix, here we come!

Mike and Tim are on their way to Phoenix tomorrow. Tim is participating in an event called The (TAY). Tim has been interested in acting and this event brings in agents, managers and talent scouts from across the country. It will be interesting to see IF this goes anywhere...at the least, it will be a great experience for Tim.

Good luck, Tim! I'll be praying foryou. "Break a leg" as they say.

New Smyrna Beach Photos

Julia enjoying Gramma Mary's famous pancakes on our first morning!Alex John and Nick
Julia, Tim and Nick on the Dingy behind Uncle John's sailboat.

Gramma Mary, John, Alex and Steve hanging out on the sailboat.

Gramma Mary with five of her grandchildren. Tim learned how to surf on this trip. Here he is at the Jetty's. (no shark bites this day)

Gramma and Nick hanging out watching the kids surf.

Watching the storm move over the ocean near the Jetty's.

Tim after his successful day of surfing. See the storm in the background.

As you can see.....I didn't make it in any pictures. We had a great time! Thank you, Gramma Mary for the wonderful hospitality. We had a great time with Steve, Debbie, Alex, Becca and Julie. It was fun with John and Nancy and Haley and her cousin, Claire.

we're home

We made it home late last night.....by late, I mean 8:30pm. It was a LONG drive (15+ hours), but we all had so much fun with our extended family! I'll post more photos later.