Friday, January 27, 2012
Oh my goodness.....
Oh my goodness, oh my goodness! I can not contain my joy right now! Head over to my friend, Becky's blog to see her fantastic news!!! :)
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Care Package to Korea!
Since S's birthday January 4th we've been putting together a care package to go to Korea. It surprised me how long it took for me to put this together. I hemmed and hawed over every decision. Like my 1 year old will care what his new shirt looks like or what we send at all. But I did keep two things in mind - I wanted to send things that would be either helpful to the foster family (below you'll see 2 outfits, winter hat/mittens, and baby soap and lotion) and bonding.
The bonding aspect came into play with the recordable book. I'm sure he'll love the 4 of us trying to say 안녕하세요 (hello in Korean) into the book at the same time. I'm actually very sure they won't understand what we were saying! :) We were able to record a greeting to S at the beginning (all 4 of us) and then Brian and I alternated reading every other page. We also have a stuffed Tiger than was washed in our detergent at home and then we carried it around with us for a couple of days. The kids thought this was pretty hysterical so we had fun with it. And there's the Fridge Farm - awesome toddler toy that both of my kids loved when they were little. Figured if he played with it there and then came home to find it on our fridge that would be pretty cool. Also it could be a good toy for other foster children in the future. Oh, and I just realized that the photo album isn't in the picture - we sent pictures of the 4 of us so S can (maybe) think we look vaguely familiar.
We also have this adorable blanket all wrapped in a ziplock with the air squeezed out so it will fit in the box (I did a lot more squishing after the picture). :)
And here is what we sent for the FF to enjoy:
The re-useable bag is used often in Korea from what I've heard and it can be helpful to bring the goodies from SWS back to the Foster Family's home.
All of that went into a box along with (what I will forever kick myself for not taking pictures of) the kids' homemade Valentine Cards. So cute! B even wrote "I love you S" in hangul by himself (I wrote it for him and he copied it). He did a great job (although I wrote it elsewhere so that they can read it a little easier)! B and E spent a couple of hours creating their valentine! It was important to make it so special. :) I also wrote a note to the Foster Family. That was hard. How do you thank someone for loving and caring for your son for the past 7 months? I plan to bring a letter to his first FF to Korea with us and hope that SWS will send it to them.
So the good news is we mailed it out yesterday afternoon (after spending about 45 minutes at the post office with 2 kids - lots of fun) and we're hoping he gets it by Valentine's Day. :)
I wish I could send myself via USPS and be with my boy, but I know he'll be home in God's perfect timing (not mine, b/c mine puts me on a plane tomorrow!).
The bonding aspect came into play with the recordable book. I'm sure he'll love the 4 of us trying to say 안녕하세요 (hello in Korean) into the book at the same time. I'm actually very sure they won't understand what we were saying! :) We were able to record a greeting to S at the beginning (all 4 of us) and then Brian and I alternated reading every other page. We also have a stuffed Tiger than was washed in our detergent at home and then we carried it around with us for a couple of days. The kids thought this was pretty hysterical so we had fun with it. And there's the Fridge Farm - awesome toddler toy that both of my kids loved when they were little. Figured if he played with it there and then came home to find it on our fridge that would be pretty cool. Also it could be a good toy for other foster children in the future. Oh, and I just realized that the photo album isn't in the picture - we sent pictures of the 4 of us so S can (maybe) think we look vaguely familiar.
We also have this adorable blanket all wrapped in a ziplock with the air squeezed out so it will fit in the box (I did a lot more squishing after the picture). :)
And here is what we sent for the FF to enjoy:
The re-useable bag is used often in Korea from what I've heard and it can be helpful to bring the goodies from SWS back to the Foster Family's home.All of that went into a box along with (what I will forever kick myself for not taking pictures of) the kids' homemade Valentine Cards. So cute! B even wrote "I love you S" in hangul by himself (I wrote it for him and he copied it). He did a great job (although I wrote it elsewhere so that they can read it a little easier)! B and E spent a couple of hours creating their valentine! It was important to make it so special. :) I also wrote a note to the Foster Family. That was hard. How do you thank someone for loving and caring for your son for the past 7 months? I plan to bring a letter to his first FF to Korea with us and hope that SWS will send it to them.
So the good news is we mailed it out yesterday afternoon (after spending about 45 minutes at the post office with 2 kids - lots of fun) and we're hoping he gets it by Valentine's Day. :)
I wish I could send myself via USPS and be with my boy, but I know he'll be home in God's perfect timing (not mine, b/c mine puts me on a plane tomorrow!).
Friday, January 13, 2012
Running for Sanity
I started running again this week. One huge blessing is that I now have a running partner twice a week! :) Our daughters are in preschool together and we're going to have a standing running date Wed and Fri right after we drop our girls off. I am so excited about this!
I've found that my emotions tend to be a little more in check when I'm running. I have to tell you that I don't want to know what this week would have been like without it then! Rumors abound out of Korea (not good ones) and it's sinking in that I have a son half way around the world who doesn't know us at all. I have a million questions about him that I can't get answered. It's hitting me this week and it's HARD! I have been near tears quite frequently. So running and prayer, that's what's going to get me through this next part of the wait. And I have to give a shout out to Debra - who is always reminding me to run whenever I start to get overwhelmed and upset! :) And to all of my friends who are currently chocolate free waiting for things to start moving in Korea again (yikes! there's a way to deal with stress - give up chocolate!). Here's to happy news soon!
I've found that my emotions tend to be a little more in check when I'm running. I have to tell you that I don't want to know what this week would have been like without it then! Rumors abound out of Korea (not good ones) and it's sinking in that I have a son half way around the world who doesn't know us at all. I have a million questions about him that I can't get answered. It's hitting me this week and it's HARD! I have been near tears quite frequently. So running and prayer, that's what's going to get me through this next part of the wait. And I have to give a shout out to Debra - who is always reminding me to run whenever I start to get overwhelmed and upset! :) And to all of my friends who are currently chocolate free waiting for things to start moving in Korea again (yikes! there's a way to deal with stress - give up chocolate!). Here's to happy news soon!
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
A Little about Our Boy!
OK, for some reason I've been putting this off, I have this desire to almost horde all of his information for myself! I think it may be that I want Brian and I to be the ones who know the most about him (in the US anyway) which won't change as I share some tidbits so I'm finally doing it. :)
Suhbin was born in Busan which is the second largest metropolitan area in South Korea after Seoul and is located along the southeastern coast of South Korea. I've seen some beautiful pictures from Busan and hope to find more. One day I'd like to visit though I doubt it will happen this trip.
He was a teeny baby at birth. Just over 6 lbs at birth which for me is a tiny one! :) But at 10 months he was 22 lbs and 30.6 inches so he's growing up strong and quite tall! I'm sure I'm looking at a bit of a shock to my back and arms since B and E don't get carried often anymore! Going from zero to (just a guess) close to 30 lbs. will be a bit of a change! But one that I can't wait for!
Our little guy loves books, there are pictures of him examining books, turning the pages, he just seems fascinated by them which is great! Our house is overflowing with books so hopefully he'll enjoy that! He also has a stuffed puppy and his foster mom reported that he will not go to sleep without it, he'll cry. But if he has it he'll go to sleep pretty easily. We're praying that puppy comes home with us!
Our sweet boy is a good sleeper! I have no idea how this happened because for the most part I have not heard good reports about sleeping habits - but he sleeps well through the night from 8 or 9 pm - 7 am. :) I know that he will not sleep through the night when he comes home and that there will be a huge adjustment, but it's nice to know that his foster mom has him on a good routine. I wonder if it helps that she has kids at home still? He has 3 foster siblings (meaning the foster parents' kids). They are all older than B but it's still good that he's not the only child in the house, I think.
The biggest blessing though is looking through the pictures. I was surprised at how much peace it brought me to see how well he is doing and really getting the feeling that his foster family is taking such good care of him. I absolutely can not wait to meet his FF, of course I can't wait to meet him even more!
We are so happy to know that SWS has received our acceptance paperwork so things can start moving!
What we need prayers for right now:
1. That legals come quickly and that things on the US side are processed without any trouble.
2. Most importantly - that things start moving in Korea! So far we are over a week into the New Year and there is no news of Exit Permits being submitted, etc. We are truly hoping that children start coming home again soon and that travel calls come quickly and close together after that! We're praying for all the children to come home to their families faster than anticipated now! :) Thanks!
Suhbin was born in Busan which is the second largest metropolitan area in South Korea after Seoul and is located along the southeastern coast of South Korea. I've seen some beautiful pictures from Busan and hope to find more. One day I'd like to visit though I doubt it will happen this trip.
He was a teeny baby at birth. Just over 6 lbs at birth which for me is a tiny one! :) But at 10 months he was 22 lbs and 30.6 inches so he's growing up strong and quite tall! I'm sure I'm looking at a bit of a shock to my back and arms since B and E don't get carried often anymore! Going from zero to (just a guess) close to 30 lbs. will be a bit of a change! But one that I can't wait for!
Our little guy loves books, there are pictures of him examining books, turning the pages, he just seems fascinated by them which is great! Our house is overflowing with books so hopefully he'll enjoy that! He also has a stuffed puppy and his foster mom reported that he will not go to sleep without it, he'll cry. But if he has it he'll go to sleep pretty easily. We're praying that puppy comes home with us!
Our sweet boy is a good sleeper! I have no idea how this happened because for the most part I have not heard good reports about sleeping habits - but he sleeps well through the night from 8 or 9 pm - 7 am. :) I know that he will not sleep through the night when he comes home and that there will be a huge adjustment, but it's nice to know that his foster mom has him on a good routine. I wonder if it helps that she has kids at home still? He has 3 foster siblings (meaning the foster parents' kids). They are all older than B but it's still good that he's not the only child in the house, I think.
The biggest blessing though is looking through the pictures. I was surprised at how much peace it brought me to see how well he is doing and really getting the feeling that his foster family is taking such good care of him. I absolutely can not wait to meet his FF, of course I can't wait to meet him even more!
We are so happy to know that SWS has received our acceptance paperwork so things can start moving!
What we need prayers for right now:
1. That legals come quickly and that things on the US side are processed without any trouble.
2. Most importantly - that things start moving in Korea! So far we are over a week into the New Year and there is no news of Exit Permits being submitted, etc. We are truly hoping that children start coming home again soon and that travel calls come quickly and close together after that! We're praying for all the children to come home to their families faster than anticipated now! :) Thanks!
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Happy 1st Birthday Baby Boy!
Suhbin turns 1 today. Kind of silly, but it makes me happy that he was born at night so that he really didn't turn 1 until today. I was wondering how we would celebrate if he was actually born on the 3rd in the US, but he wasn't so I don't have to worry about it.
I have so much to share about my baby boy, but today I just want to share that I am so thankful! I have prayed and prayed for our little one, and here he is. And he is amazing. He is our SON. He is B and E's BROTHER. We waited on the Lord, and He answered our prayers! Thank you, God! I am so thankful for friends and family that have been so supportive! I would love to name you all, but I also know you know who you are. You have waited with us, been impatient for us, cried with me (Brian doesn't feel the need for that to be an us), and are now celebrating with us so joyfully and I know that we are so blessed! Thank you!!!
Happy Birthday Baby Boy. Mommy, Daddy, Big Brother, and Big Sister can not wait to have you home! We also know you are celebrating with a foster family who is loving you while we wait for governments to agree that we can bring you home forever. We are so thankful for that foster family as well. We can't wait to meet them.
I have so much to share about my baby boy, but today I just want to share that I am so thankful! I have prayed and prayed for our little one, and here he is. And he is amazing. He is our SON. He is B and E's BROTHER. We waited on the Lord, and He answered our prayers! Thank you, God! I am so thankful for friends and family that have been so supportive! I would love to name you all, but I also know you know who you are. You have waited with us, been impatient for us, cried with me (Brian doesn't feel the need for that to be an us), and are now celebrating with us so joyfully and I know that we are so blessed! Thank you!!!
Happy Birthday Baby Boy. Mommy, Daddy, Big Brother, and Big Sister can not wait to have you home! We also know you are celebrating with a foster family who is loving you while we wait for governments to agree that we can bring you home forever. We are so thankful for that foster family as well. We can't wait to meet them.
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