We are so happy to announce that today, March 26th, 2010, Joshua officially became our legally adopted son!! God is so good, isn’t He? We had been praying that the adoption would be legalized before Joshua’s 1st birthday, and, as usual, God answered our prayer in His way and in His timing…not a moment too soon.
At around 11am this morning the postman rang the doorbell with a letter for which Kendra had to sign. It was the adoption certfication document, which was the last outstanding legal document that we needed to register the adoption at our city ward office. Right after lunch I went with my admin assistant to the office with all the documents and spent the next two hours filling out all the final paperwork.
What a joy and relief to have this done…but more importantly, what a blessing to know that Joshua is now legally our son and to see the Lord provide again, in a way that only He can do. As it says in Ephesians….”exceedingly, abundantly more than we can ask or imagine…” Isn’t our God soooo good!!
We have lots of celebrations planned for this weekend, already…namely Joshua’s birthday party tomorrow and his dedication on Sunday at church. We are so excited that we can celebrate these events, knowing that he is officially, legally, part of our family. So while we have known he is our son for many months now, we are thankful that the law finally caught up with us. =)
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Joshua at Play (Some of Joshua's Antics)
I have to say, there are many more heartfelt sighs of relief and thanksgiving being lifted from Kobe these days...as Joshua's guardian angels are working overtime! Now that he's walking, I can't tell you how many times he falls or takes nose dives JUST SHY of something - be it the china cabinet, the floor to ceiling windows, the dining room table, you name it! He's doing a great job walking and sometimes he's practically running. However, he tends to walk around carrying things - often much bigger items than I would suggest a little guy his size would carry. Often he trips because the item he's carrying (and usually simultaneously chewing on) obstructs his view. Also, when he gets sleepy before a nap or bedtime, he falls frequently. I guess that's why they call this a "toddler" stage! Any other mothers out there looking for fully padded rooms for their little boys to run freely in?!
On top of that, he keeps initiating a game of "catch me!" and he'll run around the dining room table, as if I'm chasing him. Usually, however, I just joined him on the floor to read a book with him or dig a toy out from under the couch, etc. (I think his Daddy started this game while Joshua was just crawling when they'd race to a toy or Jonathan would essentially catch Joshua.) Anyway, Joshua often gets wound up and starts this game when he's really tired, so I try to sit in a safe spot - away from the wooden furniture - with my arms open to "catch him." (As a mom, I wish I could get him to play this game that makes him laugh so heartily around the SOFT couch, big cushy chair or ottoman!) Anyway, just this afternoon, he was playing the game and I had more than a few, "Oh, thank you, Lord, that he didn't nose dive into the window and china cabinets!"
At the end of February, he fell onto his first plastic/rubbery toy dump truck - twice - on Monday and Thursday nights. Both times he hit his mouth where his top teeth were coming in and drew blood. Thankfully, Jonathan and I were both home and could help each other not panic, and assess the situations. Thankfully, the bleeding stopped quickly both times and Joshua seemed just fine. However, we did contact Mom Kohl, who did her share of "nursing" on Waldemar & Jonathan with butterfly stitches while they were growing up. We asked her, "When you come next time, would you mind bringing us some butterfly stitches - just to have on hand?!" Finally, I understand and, yet again, see God's sense of humor. When I was little and asked what I wanted to be "when I grew up," my usual response was, "A teacher or a nurse." Eventually, I gave up the nurse idea because I don't like blood. However, now I see as a mother, I will likely be practicing BOTH professions, albeit as a lay person! :-)
A pot for Gigi to plant something in :-)
One of his favorite "forts." And, that would be pieces of a (clean) tissue at the corner of his mouth. Unfortunately, I'm pretty certain some other parts didn't make it to the garbage, but rather into Joshua's tummy.
On January 29th, as a 10-month old, Joshua found a way to "break out" of his GC (Gated Community)! I was in the kitchen, with my back to him part of the time as I spent about 10 minutes or so preparing his breakfast. I was happy how contentedly he let me put him into the GC and how quietly he was playing, without crying for me to take him out. At one point, I turned around to the picture you see here. I think he did it inadvertently, as the panels separate when you flatten them. However, Jonathan constructed the GC and Joshua successfully broke through the wall in considerably LESS time than it took me to repair the wall ;-) Mom Kohl reminded me of a former Joshua whom God used to miraculously bring down some other walls....
More "fort" pictures. He loves climbing through and around and over anything he can. "It's always more fun with an extra challenge!" is one of his mottos, I think.
Joshua used to use this table to help give himself support while learning to walk. (He started pushing it around the living room early in December.) Now that he can walk, he likes to turn it upside down and push it around or climb on top of it. It seems each day he either gets a little taller or he's getting better at his stretching and reaching!
Yes, this on is blurry. I included it, as so many of our pictures turn out this way. This little guy is ON THE GO and he's hard to capture on film! More than once, Jonathan & I have talked about how we should plant a hidden camera to catch him in action, as it's so hard for us to do!
This is Joshua's Lawn Mower (formerly the Music Man that Jonathan converted into this when Joshua started walking.) Anyway, it's so funny as rather than "mowing" the carpet (maybe he knows what a silly idea that is!?), Joshua prefers to tip over the mower and adjust the parent dial that controls the tension on the wheels. The first evening he did this, he seemed soooo frustrated that he couldn't do more (did he want to remove the wheels?). I just told him, "I'm sorry, Honey. I don't even know what that piece is for. You'll have to ask Daddy when he gets home." Jonathan thinks it's the Caputo automotive influence coming out....a Grandpa who worked with Ford, a Papa who worked with GM, and Mommy who worked at Honda. I think he gets it from BOTH sides, as his Daddy is a Mechanical Engineer by training :-)
Welcome home, Daddy! What did you bring me? What's in your suitcase for me?! Of course, his baby food was of little interest during this unpacking stage, and he was most interested in the child safety locks that will secure cabinet doors closed. With all of his toys, the "adult" things around the house really capture his interest most!
Joshua eating lunch. He's still doing the "baby food," but gradually getting more & more interested in what he can "do himself." Here he is eating toast & "edamame" (soy beans). So far, he dumps any dish that makes it onto his tray, and often chooses to chew on his spoon handles, letting the food drop from the "spoon" part. However, recently, (with some slightly "sticky" food), he's had some success putting a bite or two INTO his own mouth with the spoon. Occasionally, he'll put his mini fork into his mouth with food on it too - otherwise, he just pulls the food off the tines and puts it into his mouth with his fingers.
I have to give this little guy credit though....he usually chews very politely with his mouth closed! It's terribly cute to watch him. Even when he takes too big of a bite of toast, he somehow manages to keep his mouth closed, which is so funny!
Monkeying around with Daddy :-) Joshua just LOVES being upside down and will even try to scoot himself so that he can tilt his head back when we're holding him in our arms.
I can't believe I'm letting my son "play" with the garbage (well, recycling) can! I guess it's just the things I'm resorting to to "buy time" to prep a meal or clean up a little bit in the kitchen. I will say he seems to have the makings of a passionate drummer someday ;-) Maybe his Uncle Waldemar (also a drummer) will give him some inspiration!
And, as you might expect...this little "Cabbage head (Kohl)" enjoys reading too :-)
I had to include this as he blinks in some of his best smiling photos
On top of that, he keeps initiating a game of "catch me!" and he'll run around the dining room table, as if I'm chasing him. Usually, however, I just joined him on the floor to read a book with him or dig a toy out from under the couch, etc. (I think his Daddy started this game while Joshua was just crawling when they'd race to a toy or Jonathan would essentially catch Joshua.) Anyway, Joshua often gets wound up and starts this game when he's really tired, so I try to sit in a safe spot - away from the wooden furniture - with my arms open to "catch him." (As a mom, I wish I could get him to play this game that makes him laugh so heartily around the SOFT couch, big cushy chair or ottoman!) Anyway, just this afternoon, he was playing the game and I had more than a few, "Oh, thank you, Lord, that he didn't nose dive into the window and china cabinets!"
At the end of February, he fell onto his first plastic/rubbery toy dump truck - twice - on Monday and Thursday nights. Both times he hit his mouth where his top teeth were coming in and drew blood. Thankfully, Jonathan and I were both home and could help each other not panic, and assess the situations. Thankfully, the bleeding stopped quickly both times and Joshua seemed just fine. However, we did contact Mom Kohl, who did her share of "nursing" on Waldemar & Jonathan with butterfly stitches while they were growing up. We asked her, "When you come next time, would you mind bringing us some butterfly stitches - just to have on hand?!" Finally, I understand and, yet again, see God's sense of humor. When I was little and asked what I wanted to be "when I grew up," my usual response was, "A teacher or a nurse." Eventually, I gave up the nurse idea because I don't like blood. However, now I see as a mother, I will likely be practicing BOTH professions, albeit as a lay person! :-)
A pot for Gigi to plant something in :-)
One of his favorite "forts." And, that would be pieces of a (clean) tissue at the corner of his mouth. Unfortunately, I'm pretty certain some other parts didn't make it to the garbage, but rather into Joshua's tummy.
On January 29th, as a 10-month old, Joshua found a way to "break out" of his GC (Gated Community)! I was in the kitchen, with my back to him part of the time as I spent about 10 minutes or so preparing his breakfast. I was happy how contentedly he let me put him into the GC and how quietly he was playing, without crying for me to take him out. At one point, I turned around to the picture you see here. I think he did it inadvertently, as the panels separate when you flatten them. However, Jonathan constructed the GC and Joshua successfully broke through the wall in considerably LESS time than it took me to repair the wall ;-) Mom Kohl reminded me of a former Joshua whom God used to miraculously bring down some other walls....
More "fort" pictures. He loves climbing through and around and over anything he can. "It's always more fun with an extra challenge!" is one of his mottos, I think.
Joshua used to use this table to help give himself support while learning to walk. (He started pushing it around the living room early in December.) Now that he can walk, he likes to turn it upside down and push it around or climb on top of it. It seems each day he either gets a little taller or he's getting better at his stretching and reaching!
Yes, this on is blurry. I included it, as so many of our pictures turn out this way. This little guy is ON THE GO and he's hard to capture on film! More than once, Jonathan & I have talked about how we should plant a hidden camera to catch him in action, as it's so hard for us to do!
This is Joshua's Lawn Mower (formerly the Music Man that Jonathan converted into this when Joshua started walking.) Anyway, it's so funny as rather than "mowing" the carpet (maybe he knows what a silly idea that is!?), Joshua prefers to tip over the mower and adjust the parent dial that controls the tension on the wheels. The first evening he did this, he seemed soooo frustrated that he couldn't do more (did he want to remove the wheels?). I just told him, "I'm sorry, Honey. I don't even know what that piece is for. You'll have to ask Daddy when he gets home." Jonathan thinks it's the Caputo automotive influence coming out....a Grandpa who worked with Ford, a Papa who worked with GM, and Mommy who worked at Honda. I think he gets it from BOTH sides, as his Daddy is a Mechanical Engineer by training :-)
Welcome home, Daddy! What did you bring me? What's in your suitcase for me?! Of course, his baby food was of little interest during this unpacking stage, and he was most interested in the child safety locks that will secure cabinet doors closed. With all of his toys, the "adult" things around the house really capture his interest most!
Joshua eating lunch. He's still doing the "baby food," but gradually getting more & more interested in what he can "do himself." Here he is eating toast & "edamame" (soy beans). So far, he dumps any dish that makes it onto his tray, and often chooses to chew on his spoon handles, letting the food drop from the "spoon" part. However, recently, (with some slightly "sticky" food), he's had some success putting a bite or two INTO his own mouth with the spoon. Occasionally, he'll put his mini fork into his mouth with food on it too - otherwise, he just pulls the food off the tines and puts it into his mouth with his fingers.
I have to give this little guy credit though....he usually chews very politely with his mouth closed! It's terribly cute to watch him. Even when he takes too big of a bite of toast, he somehow manages to keep his mouth closed, which is so funny!
Monkeying around with Daddy :-) Joshua just LOVES being upside down and will even try to scoot himself so that he can tilt his head back when we're holding him in our arms.
I can't believe I'm letting my son "play" with the garbage (well, recycling) can! I guess it's just the things I'm resorting to to "buy time" to prep a meal or clean up a little bit in the kitchen. I will say he seems to have the makings of a passionate drummer someday ;-) Maybe his Uncle Waldemar (also a drummer) will give him some inspiration!
And, as you might expect...this little "Cabbage head (Kohl)" enjoys reading too :-)
I had to include this as he blinks in some of his best smiling photos
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
It came in the mail!
Yesterday, Tuesday, March 9th, the Court Decree granting our request for Joshua's special adoption came in the mail! It was issued on March 2nd, only the second business day after the earliest date it could be issued by law. Praise the Lord for His amazing speed & timing!
So what does all this mean?! Well, as best as we understand it...the biggest official hurdle has been cleared with the court granting permission for us to adopt Joshua. From here, we will go to the Family Court and sign our agreement to adopt. Then, we should receive the next official letter that we can take to our local "Ward Office" and register Joshua, this time as our SON! (Currently, he's registered as living at our address, but we are just his caregivers.) Somewhere in this process (hopefully simultaneously to some of the other paperwork), we will legally change his name to Joshua Kento Kohl. So, there's more paperwork and lots of registering to do, but there should be much more "spring" in our step as we do these :-)
I'll keep this brief, as all this legal and technical stuff is not my forte.
Thank you for all your love and prayers and celebrating with us!!!
So what does all this mean?! Well, as best as we understand it...the biggest official hurdle has been cleared with the court granting permission for us to adopt Joshua. From here, we will go to the Family Court and sign our agreement to adopt. Then, we should receive the next official letter that we can take to our local "Ward Office" and register Joshua, this time as our SON! (Currently, he's registered as living at our address, but we are just his caregivers.) Somewhere in this process (hopefully simultaneously to some of the other paperwork), we will legally change his name to Joshua Kento Kohl. So, there's more paperwork and lots of registering to do, but there should be much more "spring" in our step as we do these :-)
I'll keep this brief, as all this legal and technical stuff is not my forte.
Thank you for all your love and prayers and celebrating with us!!!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Bidding Farewell
On January 2nd we had dinner at Satoko and Hide's lovely new home. It was also kind of a "send-off" for our dear friends, Taku & Mari and their little girl, Micah. Mari is the one we had the baby shower for two years ago this May. She and Satoko also coordinated my "Welcome Joshua, Luncheon" the day before he arrived. Anyway, we have been sooooo blessed to have this time in Kobe together! We are especially sad to see their family leave us, but very excited how God has called them to Okinawa, where Mari is originally from. We're excited to see what God has in store for them and look forward to keeping in touch and opportunities to visit in the future.
On January 3rd, we said good-bye to another family from work that has essentially lived our same neighborhood. Yui & Yuki and their son Yuuga (one month older than Joshua) are now living in Indy, very close to where we lived when we were first married! We're very happy for them, but again, sad to see them leave. Yuki was a great help to me (Kendra), giving me some of the scoop about navigating life with a baby here in town. I'm confident they'll do well and have lots of wonderful adventures in the States. We'll miss them, but also look forward to seeing them again and letting the boys "pick up where they left off!"
Joshua trying to explain to Yuuga why the Boston Red Sox are so cool (thus, why he picked a Red Sox baseball to give Yuuga.)
January 4th: Happy Birthday, Jonathan! Good-bye to an eventful year!
Joshua couldn't keep himself awake for the birthday cake festivities, but he gave his Daddy a "present" of sorts, by taking his first steps on this day! He took several steps with his right foot, while his left foot remained planted on the ground. He did this at least twice, once that Mommy saw and once that Daddy saw :-) We were very excited, and made sure to tell Uncle Dan, as it was his birthday too!
On January 3rd, we said good-bye to another family from work that has essentially lived our same neighborhood. Yui & Yuki and their son Yuuga (one month older than Joshua) are now living in Indy, very close to where we lived when we were first married! We're very happy for them, but again, sad to see them leave. Yuki was a great help to me (Kendra), giving me some of the scoop about navigating life with a baby here in town. I'm confident they'll do well and have lots of wonderful adventures in the States. We'll miss them, but also look forward to seeing them again and letting the boys "pick up where they left off!"
Joshua trying to explain to Yuuga why the Boston Red Sox are so cool (thus, why he picked a Red Sox baseball to give Yuuga.)
January 4th: Happy Birthday, Jonathan! Good-bye to an eventful year!
Joshua couldn't keep himself awake for the birthday cake festivities, but he gave his Daddy a "present" of sorts, by taking his first steps on this day! He took several steps with his right foot, while his left foot remained planted on the ground. He did this at least twice, once that Mommy saw and once that Daddy saw :-) We were very excited, and made sure to tell Uncle Dan, as it was his birthday too!
Five Days of Christmas into the New Year
DAY ONE: December 23rd - Christmas with Kansai Asian Access Friends
Picture taking with nursing home staff in Kobe suburb, where we went caroling.
I wish we could've taken pictures of the warm reception we received. The residents were all very eager to shake/hold our hands too, which is not at all common in Japan. They sang along a little bit and just loved watching the kids in our group (9 kids in all - including Joshua)! It was a very, special and memorable time. We hope we can go back again and spend time with these dear folks!
Here we are with our friends Sue, Ian and his big sister Annie
Here we are with "Aunt Mary"
Relaxing prior to our wonderful Christmas dinner potluck
DAY TWO: December 24th - Christmas Eve at home
Here's Joshua, all dressed up (already having eaten in the kitchen earlier) and wondering what the "excitement" is all about
Joshua joined us with his drink while we enjoyed our Christmas Eve platters
Stockings ready, waiting for Santa to come....
DAY THREE: December 25th - Christmas Day at home
Is it time to open my presents from Gigi & Papa?
All this and my very own Diraffe....I mean G-iraffe! Thanks, Papa & Gigi!
After presents, Joshua went down for a nap and Jonathan & I enjoyed the famous Coffee Cake eaten only on such special occasions
For Christmas Dinner, we invited friends from church that we'd wanted to invite over last year, but couldn't due to Jonathan's pneumonia. We had an informal buffet dinner with Sushi, Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff, Hearty Chilli, Corn Bread Muffins, Salad & a Japanese Christmas tradition with an American twist...Baskin Robbins' Christmas Ice Cream Cake for dessert
Sayaka & Nabe-san
Kota, Masumi & Nari
Joshua w/ Megu & Hitomi. In his little Santa suit, Joshua didn't mind at all being the "Gent of the ball" so to speak...what is the masculine of "belle of the ball" anyway?
Masami, Joshua, Megu, Hitomi & Kaz
Kaori, Miko, Kumiko & Yumiko
Kendra, Masami & Akim
DAY FOUR: December 26th - Presents from Santa
DAY FIVE: December 27th - Opening Presents from Caputo Aunts & Uncles
Ooooh! Cozy fleece and my own Cell Phone! Thanks Uncle Dan & Aunt Leigh-leigh!
Wow! Cool clothes and a Book that TALKS to me! Thanks Uncle Andy & Aunt Allison!
December 31st - a Quiet New Year's Eve for the two of us
Well, Joshua had worn himself out playing and went to bed early. So, Jonathan & I were able to enjoy a leisurely New Year's Eve dinner of Japanese Hot Pot ("Nabe"), which is a favorite of ours and may be becoming a New Year's tradition, as this is the second year running :-)
Picture taking with nursing home staff in Kobe suburb, where we went caroling.
I wish we could've taken pictures of the warm reception we received. The residents were all very eager to shake/hold our hands too, which is not at all common in Japan. They sang along a little bit and just loved watching the kids in our group (9 kids in all - including Joshua)! It was a very, special and memorable time. We hope we can go back again and spend time with these dear folks!
Here we are with our friends Sue, Ian and his big sister Annie
Here we are with "Aunt Mary"
Relaxing prior to our wonderful Christmas dinner potluckDAY TWO: December 24th - Christmas Eve at home
Here's Joshua, all dressed up (already having eaten in the kitchen earlier) and wondering what the "excitement" is all about
Joshua joined us with his drink while we enjoyed our Christmas Eve platters
Stockings ready, waiting for Santa to come....
DAY THREE: December 25th - Christmas Day at home
Is it time to open my presents from Gigi & Papa?
All this and my very own Diraffe....I mean G-iraffe! Thanks, Papa & Gigi!
After presents, Joshua went down for a nap and Jonathan & I enjoyed the famous Coffee Cake eaten only on such special occasions
For Christmas Dinner, we invited friends from church that we'd wanted to invite over last year, but couldn't due to Jonathan's pneumonia. We had an informal buffet dinner with Sushi, Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff, Hearty Chilli, Corn Bread Muffins, Salad & a Japanese Christmas tradition with an American twist...Baskin Robbins' Christmas Ice Cream Cake for dessert
Sayaka & Nabe-san
Kota, Masumi & Nari
Joshua w/ Megu & Hitomi. In his little Santa suit, Joshua didn't mind at all being the "Gent of the ball" so to speak...what is the masculine of "belle of the ball" anyway?
Masami, Joshua, Megu, Hitomi & Kaz
Kaori, Miko, Kumiko & Yumiko
Kendra, Masami & AkimDAY FOUR: December 26th - Presents from Santa
DAY FIVE: December 27th - Opening Presents from Caputo Aunts & Uncles
Ooooh! Cozy fleece and my own Cell Phone! Thanks Uncle Dan & Aunt Leigh-leigh!
Wow! Cool clothes and a Book that TALKS to me! Thanks Uncle Andy & Aunt Allison!
December 31st - a Quiet New Year's Eve for the two of us
Well, Joshua had worn himself out playing and went to bed early. So, Jonathan & I were able to enjoy a leisurely New Year's Eve dinner of Japanese Hot Pot ("Nabe"), which is a favorite of ours and may be becoming a New Year's tradition, as this is the second year running :-)
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