Happy Birthday!!!

Not flesh of my flesh, Nor bone of my bone, But still miraculously my own, Never forget for a single minute, You didn't grow under my heart, But in it...

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you Happy Birthday dear....

Happy Birthday to you!

It's hard to believe that our sweet baby boy turned one today.

Gavin Min-Seo Parker was born on September 24, 2010 at 6:29 p.m. weighing 7.7 pounds.

When we received our referral we tried to backtrack through the year to figure out what we were doing when he was born. 6:29 p.m. in Korea is 4:29 a.m. here, so...we were sleeping at a Hyatt Place in Oklahoma City. However, when we were trying to pinpoint what we were doing at 6:29 p.m. last year on September 24th (USA time), we realized we were driving in a rain storm outside of Lincoln, NE heading for my aunt and uncle's house in Iowa.

*We did go to a Nebraska game that weekend.*

Every month there is a birthday celebration for all of the babies/children who are waiting to unite with their forever families. For babies who are turning one, they have a traditional Korean 1st Birthday Celebration, Tol, where the babies are wearing their hanboks, and the Toljabee ceremony. Many families have received pictures from their baby's first birthday after they travel, so hopefully we'll get to see pics from this very special occasion.

We wish we could have been with Gavin to celebrate his first birthday but we think it is special that he was able to celebrate with all of the other babies who are waiting to come home, as well as the foster families who love these precious children as if they were their own. In fact, a baby boy who will be coming home to Texas, turns 1 on September 28th. I'd love it if there is a picture of them together in Korea since we know they will be life long friends.

Today, we had lunch at our favorite Korean restaurant in honor of Gavin's first birthday and as you can see from the first picture, we bought him a t-shirt so he will be ready for the 2012 football season. Gavin also received a special serenade from his cousins and aunt. If I only knew how to convert voice mail to an mp3! The message was greatly appreciated and will be saved until Gavin can hear it himself!

Our wish for you Gavin is that you continue to grow and flourish under the loving care of your foster family. We think about you every single day. We cannot wait until our special forever family day!

Today we also think about your birth mother. We hope that she has found peace.

As always, we are so thankful to his foster mother and father who provide Gavin with love, care, happiness and treat him as their own son. We cannot wait until we meet so we can thank you in person!

Thanks ARG for making the cute name banners and taking pics!