Ch- Ch- Ch- Ch- Changes!

A lot has happened in the past week. Most exciting is Stephanie's new promotion. She's been working hard looking for a new job the past few months, and was interviewing sometimes three times a week, but still no new offers. We've been waiting for the new position to kick in before trying for our third baby, so she was really feeling the pressure. However, we're proud to say she's received a surprise promotion with her current company to Corporate Office Manager, the third highest position among the active staff! It's a huge vote of confidence in her abilities, and a significant pay increase. Plus, we've now begun "work" on the kids' new sibling. We're very encouraged by this turn of events. What's more, Brandon receives his 6-month review next week, which marks his own promotion, also along with a sizable raise. It looks as though our 13 year-long stretch of poverty may be over.

To that end, we have started a new effort. Brandon has been researching charitable organizations that help kids in Iraq. The politics of the war aside, he wanted to do something that could directly enhance the lives of these children who have been so affected. Surprisingly, after days of digging through countless charities, only one was able to offer the service he was looking for. The vast majority of relief groups want only monetary donations, which is understandable given the logisitcal nightmare of sending anything physically to Iraq. However, Operation Iraqi Children, an organization founded by actor Gary Sinise, accepts school supplies and other items for delivery to Iraqi schoolkids. The donated kits are mailed to their warehouse in Kansas City, then shipped every month via Fed Ex to Kuwait. They arrive in Iraq by truck, and are finally handed out at schools throughout the country by volunteer U.S. military personnel.

Whatever your take on the war (and many of you know how liberal our politics are), we ask you to take a look at OIC's website. Many of you already support various charities, and we don't mean to push our views on anyone. But the simple act of providing school supplies for these children of war strikes us as profound and necessary. Malcolm and Chloe really got into putting the backpacks together (even drawing pictures for the kids), which we chose to use instead of the clear zipper plastic bags most of the kids receive. With some frugal shopping at Wal-Mart, each filled backpack cost about $15. Prices down south are likely lower. And of course, it's completely tax deductible.

Brandon corresponded with OIC's Managing Director, who assured him their program is not a function of the U.S. military, but an independent charity which allows soldiers to volunteer their spare time to help these kids. It is part of People to People International, a well known organization founded by Dwight Eisenhower. We look forward to putting together three backpacks every two weeks. We'll update you on our experiences with OIC, and we'd be happy to answer any of your questions. Take a look at their website, and see if you're interested. It's an inexpensive way to make a potentially life-changing difference.

Okay, enough preaching. Sorry about that, but it seemed important enough. Now back to the fun stuff. We just got back from the reindeer farm. The weather today is overcast and cool; very subdued and beautiful. The reindeer were thrilled to see us, till we ran out of feed pellets. We also said hi to the buffalo, horses, moose and elk, including Eddie, the elk king (as we're now calling him). Other updates include Malcolm practicing without his training wheels for the first time, his upcoming ushering into the wide world of kindergarten, and Chloe's approaching third birthday. Otherwise, we're just grateful for Stephanie and Brandon's promotions, and are eager to have another baby. And of course, there's always the Alaska State Fair!

Thanks in advance for considering Operation Iraqi Children. It must be annoying to have someone nag about their pet cause, so please don't take offense. We're just trying to help out these kids, whose lives have been turned upside down.

We love you all. Take care!

-The Tuckers