November Already

The kids were busy dancing at Jeff's brothers wedding.
Trick or Treat


I just wanted to update our blog. It has been so long since I've had a chance. I have been so busy the last few months that my free time I have been spending with the kids. We had our last visit from our Social Worker last night. It was sad that she won't come visit, but we are so excited that we finalize next month. Josie is growing up so fast. Just this months she seems to have gone from infant to toddler. Riley is busy in Preschool, and boy does he love it. I will try to post more often in the next few months.

JOSIE 지현 1ST BIRTHDAY

지현

We can't believe she is already a year old. The past 3 months have gone by so fast. Unfortunately, we didn't get to go the the Korean restaurant or the Children's Museum today, but we are planning to do it next weekend. We celebrated Josie's Tol today. Here are a few pictures of Josie in her Hanbok. The top photo is Josie's Toljabee. We had all of the traditional items ( thread, scissors, sword, rice, money, etc.) and a couple of extra we added. I added a whale and Jeff added a history book for our own personal hopes. Josie picked the thread and then grabbed for the rice. I guess this will mean she will have a long life and be rich.

Riley helped me chose Josie's gifts. She seems to really like the car keys and cell phone that make noise. After all the excitement Jeff and I decided it was a good thing we didn't have a big party. We are pretty sure it would have been to overwhelming for her. I love that messy face. She didn't blow out the candle at all. Before we could stop her she pinched it between her two fingers to put out the flame. No mark on her fingers and no tears. It was kind of funny because that is the same thing I did when I turned one.

Today we had family stop by to wish Josie a happy birthday. My sister had an enormous bag of clothes from her youngest daughter Eva for Josie. Love those hammy downs. They look like new! I can't wait to try them on her. She got some very needed pj's, a few toys, and Josie's Godmother Theresa had taken the time to find out what is traditionally given in Korea for their Tol and gave her an extra special gift along with the many others they already gave her. We thought that was pretty special that she took the time to learn something else about Korea on her own. Josie is modeling one of her great new pairs of pj's.




If you haven't already noticed Josie stated walking! She took her first steps about two weeks ago and now it is nonstop.

The 4th of July

Okay I didn't have much to write I had to just post these pictures of our beautiful baby. I took these photos last night on our front porch. She is such our little princess!!

Summer Fun

Josie is growing up so fast. We are busy getting ready for her 1st birthday. Her Tol Birthday. I just finished her invitations and are ready to be mailed. We have her 1st birthday pictures scheduled and her Korean Hanbok is on its way here. I can't wait till it comes. I ordered it from EBay and I'm very excited that it is coming from Seoul, South Korea. I'm trying to figure out the list of Korean ingredients that we will need. We have a lot of cooking ahead. We are going to try to do all the Korean traditions for her big day. Since we don't live in a big city some of the food will have to be omitted. I wish we could have had Rice cakes, but I hear that they are very hard to make. Josie is getting so big. She started to take her first steps this week and is beginning to say Dada, which Jeff just loves. Riley has become her best friend. Riley can always get a smile out of her. She is a sassy little one that loves to play in the dirt. I will be sure to post her Tol party. Well on to the pictures!

A Wonderful Life

Brother and Sister already playing so well together. I can't believe that she is home. I say that I have " A Wonderful Life". We have been blessed with the two most precious children. Even with all of the ups and downs we have gone through with our adoptions I would not trade it for anything. All of those heartache were worth it for these two angels. God has really giving us a world of blessings.
Of course who is missing from the photo. One night both kids ended up in our bed and squeezed me out. I thought it was to cute so I had to take a quick photo.
Josie was all ready for our first post placement visit with our social worker.

After a couple of weeks Josie is now feeling comfortable to eat solid food. She hates baby food though. Her favorite so far is mashed up mac and cheese.
Look at her go! She always crawls around with something in her hand or is dragging it behind her.

I had to try on her new bows she got from our friend Alison. She ordered this adorable bows to help a little girl from China. That just makes them extra special! Too cute. Of course Riley was feeling a bit left out and had to try one on too. Jeff was not to happy with those photos, but I said that you need those kind of photos for his Graduation and Wedding.
I was so loving last night. Josie finally went to Jeff. Of course it helped that he let her hold the cell phone. I'm just loving these photos of the two of them.
It is amazing that she has been home for a 3 weeks now. We are all starting to get into a nice routine and just enjoy the last couple of weeks of my maternity leave. I have been looking on the Internet to buy her first hanbok (traditional Korean dress). There is too many to decide on. I can't wait to have her photos taken in it and some with Riley. Being a mom is just the greatest gift ever!

Josie's Home

She is finally home and in our arms. Her flight came in at about 1:40p.m. From that moment the rest of the time is a bit foggy to me. I think I was beside myself with excitement. We waiting for about an hour and 40 minutes for the 4 beautiful babies to clear Customs. A baby boy and girl came through the doors first to meet their new families. The frosted glass doors shut again, but it wasn't a minute longer and the doors opened up. Baby Hannah came through first to her family and then there was our beautiful baby girl! The escort came over and handed her to me. She is perfect!!!! Josie didn't cry at all when I took her. The escort said that she was surprised because Josie would not go to anyone else on the plane. Riley came over to give her a big kiss and hug right away. He loves his new baby sister. She would touch Jeff's face, but she cried when he held her. Now he is starting to make her giggle. It was a perfect day. My Parents, sister, and two of her boys came and Jeff's Parents came. The last couple of days have been wonderful. She is finally starting to feel more secure and explore a little more. Mommy does not have to hold her all day. Riley thanked us yesterday morning for bringing his baby sister home. We could not be happier as a family of 4. Sorry for the lack of photos my sister took 99% and I don't have them yet.

Travel Call!!!!!

We can't believe it! Yesterday after work we got the call. Josie is coming home on April 18th. The phone was ringing and I told Jeff let the machine get it. He said no go get it. The lady on the other end asked for me. I thought it was someone trying to sell something. I found out it was our Social Worker. She said that we are going to want to take this call!!!! She is flying home on NorthWest with 2 other girls and 1 boy. I can't believe it only 12 more days!! Her friend Hannah that is only one day older will be flying in with her. I am so excited about that. They spend most of their first 7 months together. We have so much to do and not much time. Did I say only 12 more days!!!!!!!