Water is funny, just ask Micah...

...especially from a fridge. (Maybe it's his way of telling grandpa Sovilla "Happy Birthday"). :-)

Head Nodder

Aside from signing "please" and "more," Micah also knows how to get a good laugh out of us - nodding his head and raising his eyebrows. We have quite the character on our hands...

"Who you vote for?"

Though the elections were almost 3 weeks ago, I wanted to share my voting experience as a sequel to my voting story for the primaries back in February...

Scott and I decided to walk over to our polling place together and cast our vote before he headed off to work. So at just a few minutes to 8:00 a.m., my little family of 3 strolled over to our polling place. Memories came back to my mind as I recalled what took place last time I voted here on February 5th. I had learned my lesson that day - ask to vote electronically from the get-go, so as not to draw unwanted attention to myself in case I am handed the wrong party's ballot and have to return it, ask for my party's ballot, discover they don't have any, then opt to vote electronically...wow, that was quite a February 5th.

We arrived in a matter of minutes, and were thankful to find that the line wasn't too long. We inched our way up to the front and one of the first things I said was "We'd like to vote electronically. Thank you." We stepped in line for the electronic machine (one off in the corner), while a man took an incredibly long time reading through every single name on the ballot (there were about a gazillion judges or something, I later found out, that I just skipped over)...

It was my turn to vote, and the first thing I did was incorrect. I didn't put my card in all the way and they had to re-boot the machine. Oh please, oh please work, machine! I am so sorry for offending you. Please work. I don't want to have to ask for my party's ballot in front of all these people who I know are voting differently than me and make for another embarrassing situation!

Phew, it was a very forgive machine and booted up again nicely.

Unfortunately, there was a gentlemen in between me and Scott, so Micah and I had to chill out while Scott waited his turn to vote. My fear that this voting experience may be as awkward as my first began to depart, as I realized this process was almost over and I could leave soon, unembarrassed.

I was mistaken...

While we waited for Scott's turn to vote, I saw two familiar neighborhood kids walk into the building, being no more than 7 years old. I knew them by name, so I thought I'd say hello. Oh, I didn't have too. They came right up to us and, in front of everyone there, asked,

Boy:
Who you vote for?

Me:
[I'm taken aback and scramble for words]
Well, hi there! How's your grandma doing?

Boy:
[blatant disregard for my question]
Who you vote for?

Me:
[trying to turn the table]
Who would you vote for if you could vote?

Boy:
[quick reply, then]
Who you vote for?

Me:
[trying to change the subject]
Hey, are you still involved in the Breakthrough program, how's that going?

Boy:
[head nod, then]
Who you vote for?

Me:
[really uncomfortable as I feel all eyes on us, and ears listening, knowing that everyone around is catching on to the fact that I didn't vote the way they did]
It's a secret.

Boy:
[being obnoxious]
Who you vote for?

This went on for awhile, and boy was it awful. He was being so persistent! He knew what he was doing - making me squirm! Eventually Scott got through the electronic voting system, and we high-tailed it out of there. Boy, was that boy the cause for voter intimidation, or what?!

What's the count for embarrassing, uncomfortable, awkward voting experiences at my polling place? 2 for 2. Maybe next time I'll vote from home on an absentee ballot...

Blue Toboggan

Grandpa Ruth ran some errands today. When he came home, he had a surprise for Micah - a shiny, new toboggan to ride in when the snow comes...Micah loved being dragged around on it in the living room, so I bet he'll like it in a couple months outside in the snow!

"In my own little corner, in my own little chair..."

Though Micah is not living the life of Lesley Ann Warren as Cinderella singing this famous song, he can appreciate her words...Upon arriving in Michigan last week, we discovered a belated birthday gift for Micah from grandpa and grandma Ruth - a little Lightning McQueen chair. He loves it. Couple the new chair with his bookshelf of toys, and he does indeed have his "own little corner" and his "own little chair."

Walking!

I have much to write about our first week in MI, but for now, I wanted to post a video of Micah walking in his new home. He is so proud of himself, and we are too. :-)

A somber, wonderful evening.

Last night was Breakthrough's Annual Benefit Dinner. This is the fourth one I've attended during Scott's 3 1/2 years of working for Breakthrough. And every year, the Benefit is wonderful. Great people, lots of energy, testimonies of changed lives, a great speaker, and the cute Breakthrough youth choir.

This year's Benefit started like any other - wonderful, full of life, and just plain fun (how could you not have fun sitting with a table of family and friends while eating incredibly delicious raspberry cheesecake for dessert)?

As the program started, each word lodged itself deep into my heart as I began to recall years of memories while being around Breakthrough. My heart also felt a slight ache as I heard Arloa (Breakthrough's Executive Director) speak of the future of Breakthrough as I realized I will not be around to see these future dreams become reality because Scott and I are leaving the Breakthrough family.

That's really what it has been at Scott's place of employment - a family. I can run into the office on any given day to say hi to Scott, and there will be a handful of people who stop and talk with me as well, and give Micah hugs and kisses. Though I'm not an employee at Breakthrough, I am part of the family there. And I am going to sorely miss them...the staff at the women's overnight shelter whom I got to know when Scott was volunteer coordinator and I, his then girlfriend, would tag along and chat with them...the admin staff whom I got to know through office visits to Scott...the youth staff whom I got to know through various volunteering opportunities...

Last night was a sweet reminder of God's goodness to us in being part of the supportive Breakthrough family. They saw Scott and I through dating, engagement, marriage, a baby, and now a move out of state. Last night was also a reminder that God is going to keep using the Breakthrough family to bless people, and Scott and I will not be around to be apart of that anymore.

So last night was a wonderful even, but with a somber overtone. I gave a received many a hug from my Breakthrough family members, and couldn't hold back tears as my heart hurt for the forthcoming separation from them.

Lord, please bless and keep them all in Your care. And please, Lord, continue to guide Scott and I in the way You'd have us go, though it may be hard.