FUN WITH FRIENDS

Last week Miduk was invited by Austen and Peggy Fritz to go to Founders Plaza in Grapevine and watch the planes take off and land from DFW Int'l Airport. This week, Austen came over to play video games and to go fishing with Miduk.  Austen is a great kid, easy going and laid back, and I know that is what Miduk likes about him.  :)

This is the Hammonds family, aka Best Neighbors Ever!  They live across the street and have spent a great deal of time with Miduk the past six months.  In fact, Pamela, Brian, Ben and Mia came over the first night Miduk arrived to welcome him to the neighborhood.   When I can't find Miduk (ok I really do keep pretty close tabs on him!), he is always at the Hammonds house, playing basketball or hanging out with Ben, or climbing trees with Mia, or playing with their new dog Kermit.  Brian and Pamela have taken Miduk to a lot of soccer games, and Miduk has enjoyed eating lots of Pamela's yummy homemade cupcakes!  I know Miduk is going to have a hard time saying goodbye to the Hammonds, especially to Ben. 

PROM NIGHT

Tonight was Kasey's prom night, which made for a very special night for Miduk as well!  He got his photo made lots of times with "his ladies",

Kasey, Kaitlyn and Sam.  You couldn't wipe the smile off his face if you tried!

FAVORITE THINGS

I told Miduk that I would take him to another movie before he goes back home, and he picked The Three Stooges.  Woop woop woop!  I personally am not a big fan of Curly, Mo and Larry, and was anticipating a great nap in the dark movie theater.....but Miduk, on the other hand, LOVES the three Stooges and laughed hysterically.  He told me I might have to take him to the hospital because his stomach hurt so much from laughing!  :)

Got one last haircut at SuperCuts with his favorite stylist Ashley.  She is so nice and has been great to Miduk.  His hair was getting long and he was wanting a mohawk, but I told him not on my watch!  He can do the mohawk thing when he gets back home if his mother allows it.....

We went to a concert with Aunt Kelly at her church in Coppell on Saturday night.  Check out http://www.emilyelbert.com/; she is amazing!

Another one of Miduk's favorite places, Blockbuster Video!  We go here on a weekly basis (sometimes more often) to rent games and movies.

Our last Sunday morning church service at Creekwood Christian Church.  Everyone at our church has been so friendly to Miduk and really really made him feel at home.  That's one of the things that makes our church so special.  There's no doubt in my mind that Miduk will remember Sunday mornings at Creekwood when he returns home.  Today we lifted Miduk up in prayer as he returns home this week, which was bittersweet.

Trying out his new rod and reel that he will be taking back to Indonesia.  Shelby surprised him with two rods/reels, saying it's always more fun when you have a friend to fish with.  Can you see Sugar in the water swimming after the lure?  haha

OK well our intentions were good but our follow-through not so good..... remember the fleece blankets we made this winter?  Well we finished almost a dozen of them and put them in a closet and forgot about them.  Now that summer is almost here, I remembered that we never gave them away!  My bad, as the teenagers always say.  But it's never too late, so Miduk and I drove to Garland and delivered our blankets to the children at Jonathans Place.  I know they will love a warm blanket when the weather turns cold again!

Miduk is holding the crucifix that he received from Orbie

You are looking at a Catholic crucifix that was given to Miduk by my friend Orbie.  This particular crucifix has been in her family for over 100 years!  Orbie and Miduk have a special bond, and Orbie generously gave her crucifix to Miduk to take back with him to Indonesia.  He will hang it on his wall at home, and it will go wherever he goes and be passed down to his children and grandchildren in the future.  What a neat story that will be, for him to tell his children and grandchildren someday about his trip to America and the special lady in his bible study class who felt compelled to give him one of her family treasures.  I am in awe of Orbie's generous and thoughtful gift, and have never met anyone with a heart as big as hers. 

Miduk and Orbie

Miduk has had a busy week.  We are trying to do all the things he likes to do, and eat all his favorite foods.  This week he has requested lasagna and chili and a double meat/double cheeseburger at Whataburger!  He is fishing every chance he gets and we have even driven to some different ponds so that he can fish. 

This week in bible study we had some new ladies join our group, so we all went around the circle to introduce ourselves and tell a little about ourselves - name, children/grandchildren, etc.  I wasn't sure Miduk was going to do it by himself, but once again he surprised me!  When it was his turn, he said "Hi I'm Miduk and I'm from Indonesia.  I stay with Mom Tracy and Dad Shelby and go to  doctor.  I don't have any kids yet because I am not married yet!" hahaha

YEEHAW! FT. WORTH RODEO

Last night we took Miduk to the rodeo in Ft. Worth.  I wasn't so sure he would like it, but I was wrong!  When we arrived, there was a longhorn that you could sit on and have your picture made, but he refused to have any part of that!  He liked the bull riding the best.  And the barbecue before the rodeo!  And of course, hanging out with "his ladies", as he calls Kasey and her friends Sam and Kaitlyn.  This past week he was busy making necklaces to give to the girls to remember him by.  :)

STAYING BUSY!

Miduk and I went bowling with Tim again!  This time I was able to redeem myself, ha!  Miduk is able to throw an 8 lb ball pretty easily and scored a 91 today using the bumpers.  :)

Every Wednesday morning we stop by the donut shop before bible study.  Miduk loves sausage rolls!  This is our friend who owns the donut shop and is always so sweet and encouraging to Miduk.

Miduk with our dentist, Dr. McClellan.  He is actually all smiles today, as this was the last of three appointments to fill a mouthful of cavities.

Miduk has been fishing every single day.  Several times a day in fact!  On Friday afternoon Miduk and Ben went to a couple of ponds in our neighborhood and caught some bass and sunfish.  Shelby and Miduk love to go to Bass Pro Shop together!  They have put together a tackle box for Miduk to take back to Indonesia, along with a fishing pole that we hope will fit into his suitcase!

This is Justin and Sam, two very sweet and thoughtful boys who came over to wish Miduk well.  They brought him some car magazines to read on his return flight home, and some beef jerky to enjoy along the way.  My friend Lori is their nanny and is an amazing person!  Justin and Sam are so lucky to have her.  :) 

Miduk getting (or giving?) his daily love from Sugar.  Sugar is sure going to miss Miduk, and Miduk has grown so attached to Sugar too.

Long time no write!  Just keeping busy keeping busy!  We went to Mooyahs for burgers and bowling again with Tim, which is always fun.  Miduk enjoys the friendly competition with Tim.  He doesn't even mind wearing the attractive bowling shoes!  This time Miduk kissed the bowling ball for good luck (he sometimes kisses things he likes). 

There was an 8.6 earthquake off the island of Sumatra in Indonesia, which is Miduk's island.  It struck off the west coast, and Miduk's village of Aek Popo is north central. This is the same place where the tragic tsunami occured in December 2004. Fortunately it was not a disaster this time!

Miduk talked with his mother and brother on the phone again.  He gets so excited talking with his brother and all I could understand was "Lamborghini, Ferrari", and many other car names.

Lately Miduk has been wanting to change the gears for me when I drive!  He asks if he can put it in Reverse or Drive.  Then he "drives" with his imaginary steering wheel.  :)

Miduk is anticipating his return to Indonesia with mixed emotions, as we are too.  He told me his heart hurts to think about leaving.  We talk A LOT, all day, every day, about going home and about his future.  My heart hurts too.

Miduk was telling us one night about playing football with some boys down at the pond.  He said he made a touchdown and Shelby said "That's my boy!", to which Miduk replied, "Dad you making me cry".  He has been very close to Shelby these days, mostly fishing together and also going to Shelby's church softball games.  They do their secret handshake which looks something like a fish flopping out of water.  :)

EASTER WEEKEND

Fishing at Lake Lewisville with Darin

Wes and Miduk at the car show checking out a Lamborghini.

(uh yes, Wes broke his arm last week)

Easter Weekend with the whole family at home!!!

Don't get that cast wet, Wes!  :)

Catch of the day!  A catfish!

Shelby and Miduk with the hybrid that Miduk caught

Checking out a Porsche

Miduk with his favorite - a black Lamborghini!

(lambor-genie says Miduk)

Last Thursday Shelby took the day off, and he and Miduk went fishing with Darin on Lake Lewisville.  Miduk loves to fish and caught a big catfish and a hybrid.  He also discovered that he loves beef jerky ("jerky beef") and pistachios!  He has been fishing down at the neighborhood pond nearly every day, sometimes going down there 4 or 5 times a day.  Luckily he doesn't throw the fish into my swimming pool anymore!  Wes came home Friday for the Easter holiday and it was so great having him home.  Miduk and Wes spent some time at the pond, watching TV (Wes can't play XBOX since he dislocated his elbow), went to a car show.  On Friday night Miduk got a real treat, as he was invited by Ben to go to the Manchester United/Everton soccer exhibition match that was in town.  He was SO excited about seeing a professional team play on a BIG field!  And he enjoyed hanging out with Ben's soccer teammates that he has come to know - Mitchell, Alex, and Jackson.  Thanks, guys, for making Miduk's day!  Week!  Month!  

Miduk weighed 87 lbs on Easter Sunday.  When he arrived, he weighed in at 75 lbs.  He is definitely bigger and stronger!  He has been doing pushups and situps.  He can even do "handstand" pushups against the bedroom wall! I'm impressed!

Kasey has been helping Miduk to set up an email account so that we can all email him when he returns home.  He doesn't have a computer, but can use one at the internet cafe occasionally.  His email address is:  thenankman@gmail.com.  Please feel free to email him!  He could use the practice opening and responding to emails!  :)

Got some Axe Body Spray (deodorant) for Miduk to use.  All this time I just assumed he knew how to use it.  But then I saw him spraying his armpit AFTER he put on his shirt!  :)

We got a ball pumper (that sounds weird but I don't know what else to call it) for Miduk to take home with him, to keep his soccer ball inflated.  In Indonesia he does not have a soccer ball, but someone in the village does.  He said that when their ball gets deflated and needs more air, they take it to some kid who charges them $2 for air!  So Shelby told Miduk, now YOU can charge that kid $2 when he needs air!  And Miduk said no, Dad, not $2 - I charge him $5!  :)

Miduk told me that at mealtime in his home, they fill their plates in a certain order:  first Dad, then Mom, then the boys in the family by age, then last his little sister.  You do not go out of order!

When we went to Tulsa last weekend we stayed at my in-laws house.  Marlene had a pot of shamrocks setting on her back porch for St. Patrick's Day.  It was evening when we arrived, so the shamrocks were closed up for the night.  I saw Miduk lean over and I thought he was smelling them, but next thing I knew, he was eating them!  Yep he just took a bite and started chewing!  I questioned did he even know what that plant was, and he assured me they have those in his village (really?) and just to prove his point, he ate another mouthful.  You should have seen the look on mine and Marlene's face!  I promise we do feed him!  Just check the scales!!!

Miduk told us that when he was sick, his hair fell out.  In order to get his hair to grow, his mother made him some worm soup which he drank (says it tastes like coffee!) and then his hair grew back. 

Last week Miduk had a very exhausting trip to the dentist to fill four cavities on the left side of his mouth, one of which was very deep and we are praying will not give him any more trouble. 

Lately Miduk has been saying "I am American now!" when he sleeps in (8:00 to 8:30ish), and when he takes long showers.

FISHING AT UNCLE BRENT'S





Went to Tulsa again this weekend and did some fishing at Uncle Brent and Aunt Sue's.  Also spent some time with Meme and Papaw, then made a stop in Stillwater on the way home to take Wes and cousin Alex to lunch, and to let Miduk see Oklahoma State University!