Don't Blink

Could it really be that a year has gone by?? Wow time really does fly!! A year ago tomorrow we boarded a plane headed for South Korea. Actually it feels like today because it was a Sunday that we left. We were nervous and excited all at the same time. We had waited so long for that day to arrive. It was a beautiful morning when we left and I felt as though God were smiling down on us!!

We were going to meet our son-the little boy who had consumed our lives and stolen our hearts. We had no idea what an awesome adventure was awaiting us. We were starting a new chapter in our lives.

This will be an emotional week for us. Our little man has changed so much and is talking up a storm now. He is very funny and is losing his "baby" look. I think about what we did before him and cannot hardly remember what it was like. I think about his birth mom and his foster mom and the country of his birth. Korea will always hold a very special place in our heart.

First Family Vacation

This year we went to Springfield and Branson over July 4th weekend. We visited Bass Pro/Branson Landing/Went Swimming and basically just hung out. It was sooooo hot and we also had Winston, our elderly dog with us and since he is on heart medicine and a water pill we had to keep a close eye on him. We also stayed with our niece Paige at her new apartment in Springfield so it was quite an adventure. Can't wait to see what our next family vacation will be although it will be a ways off since school starts back this week. Today was awesome with the high being 83. We went swimming and it was actually chilly when the breeze hit us!!

How Much Do I Love You???

I love Korea this much!!!!! So sorry we have been terrible on the blogging this summer. Miles accidentally cracked our laptop screen while waving his Fourth of July beads from the parade. He didn't hit it that hard but just enough in one area to cause the problem so we have been without our computer until last night.

Also my mother is still in the hospital recovering from open heart surgery. She had an aortic valve replaced and triple bypass so I have been spending time with her as much as possible. I will update more this weekend and add more pictures!!

We have an eventful weekend planned. A wedding tomorrow and Mike's parents 50th wedding anniversary Sunday. Stay cool and enjoy the last days before school starts!!

And More...

More Pics

Keeping Our Heads Above Water

These last three weeks have been an emotional roller-coaster. My Mom had an emergency appendectomy on May 16th which in normal circumstances she would have been home in probably a couple of days. Once she was in there they found an abscess that had been leaking so she was filled with gangrene in her abdomen. They also found a serious heart condition which is going to need intervention. She spent 17 days in the ICU and now she is finally in a regular room. I have cried many times and then a ray of hope will shine through and I have strength again. I also know The Lord is the great physician and everything happens through him. She is acutally doing better and we hope to have her home possibly this week. She will then have to be home a few weeks to make absolutely sure she is over the infection and has enough strength to withstand the cardiac cath she needs done because we are probably looking at a pacemaker/stent or valve replacement which can be risky with a weak pumping heart. Please pray for her and also my dad because he has been on a roller-coaster also. I am helping out as much as I can with laundy/shopping/mail etc.. and so are my brother and sister and her family. It is hard to manage two households and work ten hour days with a toddler but we are managing and this too shall pass. We are just thankful she is alive.

On a brighter note-Miles had an awesome birthday. He actually just got to open another package last weekend from his foster family in Korea. He loved his gifts. Porroro The Penguin is a popular cartoon character in Korea and we had bought him a car that moves all over the floor and plays music when we were there and gave it to him for Christmas. He now has been sleeping with his Porroro doll and looking at his Porroro book. THANKS to our Korean family for the nice surprise. It was so thoughful. We are enjoying all the pictures of the family and all their activities. We always show Miles the blog when new pics are added. He got his first taste of sprinkler activity for the season and let me say he went nuts. He and his cousin Brody had a ball and it was hard to tear them away. Looking forward to much more water fun this summer. Hope everyone has a great week.

Happy 2nd Birthday Miles!!!!

Today is actually Miles' birthday but his Elmo's World Party was yesterday. We had lots of fun and excitement. Two very important people were missing due to illnesses. Mike's dad with the shingles and my mom who had an emergency appendectomy earlier in the week. We had a fun time but it was bittersweet because we wished they could have been here for our first birthday together.

We had elmo cupcakes and a large walking Elmo balloon bouquet along with party hats and horns. We chose Elmo because Miles LOVES him and loves all things Sesame Street. He is always humming the elmo song. We also had pizza and pop along with Elmo juice boxes for all the kids. The cousins were here and also close family friends. It was warm and muggy so we went back and forth between the deck and inside the house. Miles got a bubble mower,a camping chair and Curious George ball and bat from us. He got lots of other awesome stuff also. It was a special day.

I have had his birth-mother on my mind today as well as his foster mother. He has no idea just how much he is loved by so many people. He is such a special little boy and is full of life. He is hilarious and cracks us up with the things he says. He always says "OH!!" after we tell him something like it was the greatest story ever. He is saying lots of words and gives many unsolicited kisses. When he knows he has done something that will probably get him in trouble, he will grab my hand and pat and kiss it. Little manipulator huh??? HAHA!! Happy Birthday Miles. You are so precious to us and we can't wait to experience all the adventures life holds for us!! Love you always!!