Hope you can all make it. Please comment me or contact me and let me know if you plan on making it so we can make adequate accomodations! 

It's been a crazy few days in the Mills' house! Last Friday, Drew had is graduation from Safety Town. It was so fun! They sang a few songs, and got their diplomas! He's all ready for Kindergarten. The really fun part was that a lot of kids that are going to be in his class, were in Safety Town with him. Here are a few pictures.(Kim, if you're checking in... a photo of Brandon as well!)

On Saturday, Nate had to work in the morning, then Taylor had her last Ohio Light Opera performance. It was so exciting, yet so sad. She has REALLY enjoyed her summer with the Ohio Light Opera. She made such a cute Gretl. I only wish we could have video taped it, bummer! No pictures, either, we were not allowed, but I should be getting some that the photographer took soon. I will be sure to post.

Yesterday we had a couple of picnics after church. A neighborhood picnic and our church picnic. Toby slept through the first one (Nate was home with him!), but he had a blast at the church picnic. There was swimming in the pond. They also had baptism, and my girlfriend Jen's son was baptized. That was exciting. Again, I forgot the camera!!

But to make up for forgetting the camera, I have other pictures... the first are from last week, when Aunt Mel and Uncle Tommy came to meet Toby for the first time with the kids. They got out on the trampoline and Toby LOVED it! Here are some great shots from that.

Also, took the kids swimming at the pool today. I think Toby is going to be a little fish. He has no fear of the water. I literally had to have hold of his arm pretty much the entire time. He loved going face first in the water. FREAKED ME OUT!! I think swimming lessons are in his future. Here are some photos from today of the kids.

Thanks for checking in! Details to come about our Labor Day weekend hog roast! I hope you all can come out and meet Toby! 

God is Good! 

Well, Toby got to meet Dr. Strong! We had our first appointment yesterday and it went pretty well! Praise God... Dr. Strong said he did not hear any sign of a heart murmur (what he could hear over Toby's screaming), and he said that his Kidney Reflux, which is at a Grade 2, is NOTHING to worry about. He said that a Grade 2, is barely evident.

Other good news, the testing that they need to do to determine the status of the Kidney reflux is not an easy/enjoyable procedure. Originally, Dr. Strong had told us it is something that needs to be done once a year. Well, Toby had this procedure done in Korea in June, and because it is such a low grade, we do not need to have it repeated for two years. Dr. Strong suspects that it will be gone by that time!

Dr. Strong also believes by exam, that he is perfect developmentally. He feels that he will be talking in no time (I agree, for sure!!) 

So... our handsome prince, the one they said would have special needs, would be delayed, would possibly have kidney problems the rest of his life... He is perfect!!! He's a gift from God that I promise never to take for granted!

On another note, Taylor is down to her last Ohio Light Opera performance. I think I'm just as sad as she is! I went to the show last night, and was pretty much in tears the entire time. I am so proud of her. One of the professional cast members pulled me aside and told me that Taylor is a natural, and if she is having fun, we should continue to persue this for her. We will be praying for God's leading in this area!

And Drew has been at Safety Town this week! I can't believe in less than two weeks, he will be getting on the bus for Kindergarten!!! Where has the time gone! He is so excited, and I am just as excited for him. This is a big step for him, and he is ready to take on the world, I think!

God is Good! 

Well, we got the opportunity to head to Putt N Stuff as a family. Nate's company picnic was Monday evening. Toby did WONDERFUL! He is such a Mills! He just goes with the flow, which is a blessing with our family!

He loved the bumper boats with Daddy. Not sure who enjoyed this time more, Toby or Daddy? You be the judge...

I also thought I'd throw in a few photos from our time in West Virginia. While we traveled down and back the same day, we did spend some time at my aunts house, which was nice. Here are some photos.

And finally, Sunday night, I asked Drew if he wanted to get a bath with Toby and he replied "No mom, I'm a big boy, I take showers!" Okay, I said and I started getting Toby in the tub... guess who jumped in...

And just a few other photos for your viewing pleasure!

 If you want more, you can always check out our PhotoBucket account at http://s175.photobucket.com/albums/w141/bsktlvr97/

Well, Nate and the kids came home last night! It was awesome to see them! I missed them all so very  much. I can't believe how BIG Taylor and Drew are! I remember thinking how BIG Taylor was after Drew was born, and now, having little Toby makes Taylor and Drew look HUGE!

When they got in last night, Toby wasn't asleep yet, so he got to play with Taylor and Drew a little. They really enjoyed seeing him when they got home. He and Drew shared their first night together in their room. Toby had a hard time falling asleep, knowing Drew was above him, but he finally did. Then, Toby got startled and started crying at around 5 AM, but Drew was a trooper, he woke up, said "It's okay Toby, Bubby's here" and went back to sleep. I eventually took Toby into our bed so Drew could sleep. Not sure if this is going to be a regular occurence or not. We will take it as it comes.

Also went to church today. We just went for the final service, and Toby and I actually just walked around the church so he could get a feel for the place. We went into the service as they were wrapping up worship, which I think was a little much for him. Too loud! but he settled down, and we stayed in there for about 10 - 15 minutes. Then he spent some time in classroom. I stayed there with him. He really liked all the toys and kids! Each week, we'll try a little more. That place can be overwhelming, but we are there so much, he has got to get used to it!

Well, it's bedtime, so I'm off to ready my favorite book "In Case you Ever Wondered" by Max Lucado. I bought it for Drew when he was born, and he loved it, but it has an even deeper meaning now, for Toby. A must read if you have little ones at home! 

God is Good 

Mood:  happy

Have been wonderful. Toby and I are really connecting. Though he still isn't talking much (momma, Tay Tay, Drew, Dog etc.) he is definately communicating with me. I can say "Bath Time" and he runs for the bathroom. Or if I say "Let's brush our teeth" He takes off and gets on his stool. He knows what I am saying, for sure! It's amazing.

On Wednesday, my sister came home and we took Toby to the OARDC to the Arboretum. Here are some photos from that.

Then on Thursday, it was time to head down to West Virginia for my Grandmother's funeral. She passed away late Monday evening. While she was 82, and had been ill for some time, going down there just brings back so many wonderful childhood memories. Sadly, I don't travel down there enough, and my children will not be able to experience the wonderful things I did when I would visit my grandparents, but I promise to tell them all the wonderful stories. While my heart was saddened at the passing of Grandma Bonnie, I was overjoyed at the knowledge that she had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and that I will be with her again one day. And to know she is holding my heavenly babies is also a comfort!

Anyway, back to Toby, he did wonderful on the trip. He really enjoyed meeting all the family, he did pretty good in the car, considering he was strapped in for over 8 hours. He did get a little car sick once we were off the interstate and on the back country West Virginia roads, but who can blame him.

Nate and the kids come home hopefully tomorrow evening. I miss them terribly, and I am looking forward to seeing Toby and the kids connect on a deeper level over the next few weeks and months.

God is Good! 

Well, Nate took off today for North Carolina. The kids have been there since Saturday with Grandma and Grandpa, and all Nate's siblinsg and nieces and nephews! I have been in tears, because I miss Taylor and Drew, but I know it will be special time with Toby that I can never get back. I tried very hard to get the Social Worker to say we could go, but she insisted that we not go. I just think Toby would have loved the ocean!

Things have been going so well. Toby is sleeping well (12 hours last night, in his own bed), eating well (pretty much anything we put in front of him) loves to play and cuddle.

I just praise God for the answer to prayer. We have been asking you all to pray for Toby and the transition. I know you all have been praying, and God answered! He is doing so well. He is a neat freak, which is new for us, as Taylor and Drew are not at all like that! He wipes up the table when he is done eating. It's just so funny. He doesn't like things left out! He LOVES to brush his teeth, and has fun in the bathtub splashing in the water.

We've had a few visitors, and he's done very well. He likes to wave at them from a distance, but clings to mommy mostly. He's a lot easier going with the guys than the ladies, that's for sure. A friend from church stopped this morning and he went right to him and hugged him, but then he wanted mommy, too!

I have lots of pictures, but haven't downloaded them. Maybe next time I'll have a few more for ya!

God is good! 

It's hard to believe that two days have gone by! Toby is a blessing in our home beyond words! Taylor and Drew love him to pieces! Here are a few photos from our first two days. The kids dressed him on Friday. He's wearing his Toby Mac shirt! Kinda cute! He's a rocker already!

Toby loves his sissy, and we have found he loves to play with people's hair. Here he is brushing Taylor's hair.

He also likes bags! Here is our "bag boy"

Taylor and Drew left on Friday at noon for vacation. It was hard to say good bye, but I know they are having fun. Here is Toby taking his first nap in his bed.

Here he is getting his first bath! He did well, and really enjoyed it!

Getting a bedtime story from mommy! I try to read to him a lot to build his vocabulary

The piano is a fan of many kids, here he is pounding out a tune!

Today we spent some time outside between the rain showers. He loved the Cozy Coupe.

He also wanted to help daddy mow... or was he taking his teddy for a stroll? (This is the Teddy we sent for his birthday in April! It looks well loved!)

Tonight, he got to wear his Superman pajama's, the same ones his big sister and brother wore!

And lastly, he fell asleep cuddled up to the kitty. I can't believe that our cat is as big as our two year old!! A big cat and a little boy!

Toby is doing wonderfully. He has moments, where he doesn't want us around. He's also woke up from naps in a fearful fit. He is settling in though, playing and getting the lay of the land. He's a blessing, no doubt! He is a big boy and likes to brush his teeth, he's a neat freak that puts his things away, including dirty clothes in the hamper and wiping the table when he is done eating. He likes to blow kisses, and he started bowing to us today, as is custom in Korea. It's really cute. I could go on, but I'm sure you're amazed already at how much I can talk about someone I've only known for two days!

God is good! 

Okay, so I posted earlier with the brief overview, so if you aren't into details, check out the previous post!

So we left the hotel for the airport at 4:30 AM. We had checked the status of Toby's flight, and he was in the air!

We got to the airport, and through security, and at our gate with an hour to spare! Everything went smoothly! Our flight to Chicago was a little bumpy, and we had to circle the airport for about 20 minutes because of storms. Once on the ground, we were off! We met up with Katy and got some breakfast at McDonalds. Then we headed off to the international terminal. It was only about 8:30 AM, still several hours until Toby's arrival.

We met with the lady that would be helping the babies and escorts through customs and immigration. She said that they would be landing soon, and it would be another 45 minutes to hour and a half til they came through the "A" arrival gates. We watched the monitors, and found that his plane had landed at around 10:50 and we began to wait by the doors.

Once he was through, he was waiving, and came right to us. After a while of holding him, and cuddling him, we had to get down to business. We spoke with his escort about his medications

We spoke with the director of Family Adoption Consultants for a few moments.

We got a picture with his Escort!

Then we went off to spend some quiet time with him. We ran around, played peek-a-boo, played in the drinking fountain, etc.

We then had to take the train to our terminal. Toby loved the train. It was really exciting!

We got to the terminal, and I got him changed, into his Ohio State clothes and a fresh diaper. He didn't like that much, but was fine once it was over. I tried to give him a bottle, he took a little of it.

Then we waitied for our return flight home. Once on the plane, Toby started SCREAMING!! I thought we were in for a long flight. Turns out, he was ready to crash, and HE WANTED DADDY! Nate took him in his arms, Toby laid his head on his shoulder, and he was out! It was precious. He slept the entire flight. Any time I tried to take him to give Nate a rest, he let out a scream that I'm sure woke the entire flight. It was special for daddy, I think!

Once in Cleveland, Taylor, Drew, my parents, and Nate's parents were waiting for us! It was nice to see the kids.  

We loaded up in the car to ride to our car, which was still at the Hotel in Strongsville. Toby did okay with the car seat, seeing as he hadn't been in one before. We got to the car, went to grab some grub at Wendy's and got home around 9:30. Once we were home, we opened his gifts from his Foster Mother. She sent his Hanbok (Authentic Korean Outfit he wore on his 1st Birthday) some clothes, a letter, a necklace engraved with his name and birthday, lots of pictures, a picture frame, a bag, some socks and squeeky shoes!

Once we were done, I tried another bottle. After about 15 minutes of crying, he settled down, and I carried him to our bed, turned out the lights and he was asleep in no time. He reached over and laid his hand on me, and was fast asleep by 10:30. He was restless a little through the night, but didn't really wake until about 5:30. At around 6:30, we got up and had breakfast. Which for him was yogurt and a bottle!

He attached to the kids pretty quickly. He keeps waving good bye to me. I think he wants to leave. I don't blame him. I can't imagine what is going through his head. All I can do is keep loving on him, and letting him know I'm not going anywhere!

More updates later! I'm working on posting all the pictures on a Photobucket account and will post that link once I'm done!

God is Good! I am in love with my boy! (and I  think he likes me, too) 

What an amazing day! I'll write more later, but wanted to get a photo out and a quick update...

Toby arrived at around 10:50 Central time. We got our first look a little before noon, I believe. This photo is him coming through the customs door (in stroller on left). He came right to us, and just wrapped his arms around us. We went to a quiet part of the airport, and played and let him run around for a while. Then we got on the train to go to our terminal. He liked that! We got on our plane for Cleveland, and he slept in daddy's arms the entire time. He would NOT let mommy hold him.

We got to Cleveland where Taylor and Drew waited, along with the grandparents. We arrived home around 9:30 or so. The kids played, he got his pajamas on, opened his gifts from his Foster Mother, and we went to bed at 10:30. I turned the lights out, and he slept for the most part, until 5:30. We got up, had some breakfast (bottle and yogurt) and have been going strong since.

Taylor and Drew leave for vacation around noon today, so I will post more details later. It was a wonderful day. And our prayers have been answered! God is SOOO GOOD! I will post more pictures later as well!