Wow. We just got the news that Vietnam has stopped ALL US adoptions in response to a report the US government filed which alleged widespread baby-selling, corruption, and fraud in their adoption practices. We had, at one point, considered dropping China and switching to Vietnam. Thank God we stayed put. It's a long road to Beijing, but we will get there. Our hearts go out to those folks who are in the Vietnamese adoption process who must now be wondering, "now what?"

http://news.yahoo.com:80/s/ap/20080428/ap_on_re_as/vietnam_us_adoption

Nope, no new news... just pictures of every day life here at Casa de' Miller! ;)

Sierra fell asleep in Daddy's lap this afternoon
~ all her glory was showing~
Buddha Belly included!

Here is a picture that The Melting Pot staff took of us during Julia's Birthday Dinner. As usual, the food was DELICIOUS!

Adoption update:

This month The current status for dossiers registered with the China Center of Adoption Affairs - - CCAA has completed the matching process for families with dossiers registered through January 9, 2006. Also, it has been confirmed that the CCAA has completed the review of dossiers registered through December 31, 2006.

We've been FORKED!!
We woke up to 306 plastic forks in the front lawn! Our first inclination was we were vandalized by teenagers... Matt grudgingly went out side to begin the clean up...

..Quickly he came back in and said,"There's another element to this forking! Your "friends" left a sign for you"...

Thanks to Connie, Tracey, Crystal R., Amy & Crystal H. Julia was Birthday FORKED last night!!!

Girls, do you know what they say about payback??!
OH, IT'S ON!!!

Nothing new to share on the adoption. But, I would like to share a story that seems quite appropriate. I hope you will take the time to read a little story about an Ant and the Contact Lens: a true story

Brenda was almost halfway to the top of the tremendous granite cliff. She was standing on a ledge where she was taking a breather during this, her first rock climb. As she rested there, the safety rope snapped against her eye and knocked out her contact lens . "Great", she thought. "Here I am on a rock ledge, hundreds of feet from the bottom and hundreds of feet to the top of this cliff, and now my sight is blurry."
She looked and looked, hoping that somehow it had landed on the ledge. But it just wasn't there.

She felt the panic rising in her, so she began praying. She prayed for calm, and she prayed that she may find her contact lens.

When she got to the top, a friend examined her eye and her clothing for the lens, but it was not to be found. Although she was calm now that she was at the top, she was saddened because she could not clearly see across the range of mountains. She thought of the bible verse "The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth."

She thought, "Lord, You can see all these mountains. You know every stone and leaf, and You know exactly where my contact lens is. Please help me."

Later, when they had hiked down the trail to the bottom of the cliff they met another party of climbers just starting up the face of the cliff. One of them shouted out, "Hey, you guys! Anybody lose a contact lens?"

Well, that would be startling enough, but you know why the climber saw it? An ant was moving slowly across a twig on the face of the rock, carrying it!

The story doesn't end there. Brenda's father is a cartoonist. When she told him the incredible story of the ant, the prayer, and the contact lens, he drew a cartoon of an ant lugging that contact lens with the caption, "Lord, I don't know why You want me to carry this thing. I can't eat it, and it's awfully heavy. But if this is what You want me to do, I'll carry it for You."

I think it would do all of us some good to say, "God, I don't know why You want me to carry this load. I can see no good in it and it's awfully heavy. But, if You want me to carry it, I will."

God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

Yes, I do love GOD. He is my source of existence and my Savior. He keeps me functioning each and every day Without Him, I am nothing, but with Him....I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. (Phil. 4:13)

http://www.youtube.com:80/watch?v=4PcL6-mjRNk
Nacho wants one of these for Christmas this year~! Check it out!

I received this today from my Father-in-Law and thought I should share it. The message certainly gives us peace in our adoption journey.

Malachi 3:3 says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.

One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest so as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver." She asked the silversmith if it was true that He had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.

The man answered that He not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?"
He smiled at her and answered,
"Oh, that's easy," "When I see my image in it."

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.

This is Matt. I came home from work today and had a large package waiting for me from Lucasfilm. They sent me a resin statue of Darth Maul, my favorite new character from the Star Wars prequel trilogy. I had mentioned in the interview that I loved the look and presence of Maul and they sent me this beautiful work of art in the pictures here. Very cool. This whole experience the last few weeks has been pretty amazing!

Referral Update:

We recently received news that CCAA (Chinese Center Adoption Affairs) referral cutoff date for this month is January 4, 2006. (Finally in OUR LID year!!)

of the referrals our agency received, they were all girls and one set of twins! The children ranged in age from 6 1/2 month to 8 1/2 months. Also, the children in this referral group are from the following Provinces: Jiangxi and Hunan. Congratulations to these families!

http://www.starwars.com/community/news/family/f20080303/index.html

The official fan site interview is up... check M out!

March First
============

march v. To proceed directly and purposefully. To progress steadily onward;
advance. To be arranged in an orderly fashion that suggests steady,
rhythmical progression.


Giving advice is easy. Giving really good advice is harder.
Providing an example is hardest but is usually the most effective way of
influencing both youth and adults. After all, adults are simply older
youths who were influenced by someone's example early in life.

Our walk or march through life is the greatest teacher that we will provide
for others. Even Paul in the Bible said, "Follow my example, as I follow
the example of Christ."
(1 Cor 11:1 NIV)

Today is the beginning of the month of March.

Perhaps today should also be the beginning of a new walk.
A walk of direction and purpose. A walk worthy to follow.

March first.

Then advise.

Check out Matt's profile on this blog regarding his book:

http://blogs.amctv.com/scifi-scanner/2008/02/jedimasterquizb.php

Matt has been in high demand recently for the fans of the movie series! He has been interviewed by several fan sites. Check back with us and we will link his interviews on our blog.

May The Force by we you!!

Set your TIVO...
TLC show - a must see

Connie recently watched this show on TLC and so I did a little digging to find out when it would be on again. Sounds like an interesting show about a family who "Brings home baby" from China. Set your TIVO!! :)

Feb 27, 10:00 am Eastern Time (check the time in your area), The Learning Channel (ch 183 on Dish Network)
(30 minutes)
Bringing Home Baby
Sara Comes Home
TV-G, CC
Pamela and Alan have waited a long time to become parents and finally get their wish when they adopt a toddler from China. Bringing home Sara is filled with much anticipation and excitement, but also has its challenges.

I hope you all get to watch it.

http://akapayton.blogspot.com/2008/02/in-search-of-rusty-miller.html

'Yall check out this link! Apparently I am married to a "Missing" man! :) Too cool!!!!

"M.I.A"

I just got the giggles because Matt is being "hunted"! There is another HUGE star wars fan at CDC who knows of his past with Star Wars and follows the message boards at starwars.com This person ran across a thread where people are searching for my husband... How KEWEL!!!

1. Homie Bear Says:I’ve often wondered what became of him, too. Also I wonder what became of my copy of Jedi Master’s Quizbook.
2. Somepetow Says:That would be interesting to find out what he’s doing now
3. Nate Says:…I think I have this book.
   
4. Pabawan Says:

   There’s a couple that stick out in my mind — one about Snaggletooth and one about the number of engines on the back of the blockade runner. Yes, I remember that from childhood because of the discussion it sparked.

5. Lee Thomas Says: I know where Rusty is; he is a co-worker. But I won’t give him up for anything less than a firkin of good juma. Or a wax job for my leeku.
6. Rusty Says:
   Lee let me know that I am being hunted. Hello!
7. Mark Says: Hooray! Rusty has been found! Good to see you here mate, that book is on many a fans bookshelf.Hey, once you’ve been interviewed by the official site, how do you fancy an interview with www.lightsabre.co.uk? Ahhh, how cool is this!

Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey Circus

The GREATEST Show on earth!

http://www.ringling.com/

It has been YEARS since either of us went to the circus! We couldn't pass up the opportunity to feel like kids again ~ we suggest everyone give it a try as often as possible! :)

We made the trip down to Phillips Arena with our good friends Connie and Daniel (otherwise known as Figgy & D). Check out our group photo with the lion statue. The photographer said she has been able to get as many as 11 people in one photo! Matt and I got a kick out of straddling the lions back. Our seats during the show were pretty high up so most of our show pictures didn't turn out so well. The show was full of acrobatics, lion tamers, dog trainers, elephant maneuvering, horse demonstrations, etc... and of course CLOWNS a plenty! To our dismay cotton candy was $12! So, our only souvenir was our cute group photo.

After the circus we went to check out the CNN center. During our short jaunt Matt and I ran into our favorite CNN personalities. Matt was glowing as he stood next to Glenn Beck and...

...Julia couldn't keep herself from blowing kisses (and whispering sweet nothings) into Anderson Coopers ear. ;P

RUN THE REAGAN
Race Date: Saturday, February 16th
http://www.runthereagan.com/home.php

"Runners can choose between the half-marathon, 10k, 5k or 1-mile fun run. All of the races start at the corner of Ronald Reagan Parkway and Presidential Circle in Snellville, GA. "

Julia ran her first 1 mile fun run and Matt ran his first 10K!! Also, this was the first group event for "Team 3M". Who is "Team 3M", you ask?? Matt and I make up 2/3 of The Magnificent Miller Milers! Our other 1/3 is Matt's father Ed.

The race was run on the Ronald Reagan Parkway which connects Snellville to the Gwinnett Place Mall Area. The entire Parkway is 6.5 miles long- the 1/2 marathon runners ran from one end to the other and back.

Matt's portion of the course was at times rolling and a bit hilly. Matt paced himself for awhile by trying to stay ahead of two little older ladies. They played cat and mouse until Matt grew embarrassed and moved on.

Ed and Julia's course was relatively flat and Ed set a blistering pace with his long stride. Quite literally, Julia is nursing a blister on the back of her heel! Julia spoke to a pro runner after the race and received guidance on tying her shoe! Yes, everyone, there is a proper way to tie your shoe to avoid blisters! Who knew?! If you need directions, just let me know! :)

Having energy left Matt & Julia headed to the gym where Julia ran three more miles, Matt worked on strength training and Ed returned home to walk another mile and a half at his local community park with his beloved bitch- Border Collie Charlie. Also, Team 3M has plans to participate in the Memorial Day 5K and fun run in Dacula! Watch this space for announcements of appearances by Team 3M in a city near you... BE THERE! ;P

Team "3M"
The Magnificent Miller Milers

Before Race Picture of Matt and his father Ed.
Race numbers 1-500 ran the 1/2 Marathon
Race numbers 500-1300 ran the 10K
Race numbers above 1300 ran the 5K or 1 mile fun run

Before the race picture of the "milers" Julia and Ed.
2 hours to go before the fun run would start.

The 10K race has begun, "GO MATT, GO!!"
"I eat lightning and cr*p thunder"

Matt sees the finish line and pushes forward. Time: 1:05

Julia and Ed Walking towards the finish line, completing their first 1 mile fun run.
Time 15:10