Merry Christmas!!!

We were very pleased to see a new photo in our email today. It looks like someone may have just woken up from a nap. :-)

I love the longer hair. I suppose that this is his winter doo.

I really wish we could show you his foster mother's face. She's a very sweet lady and always seems to have a smile on her face.

We know that Gavin is so loved and cared for by this wonderful lady and her family. We can't wait to meet them and thank them in person for all that they have done for our sweet boy. Knowing he is with a family that loves him so much, makes the wait easier.

Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas!!!

1st "family pic"

Wonderful Weekend + Nov. WBC and Pics= Bliss!

What can I say, we love weekends!

...and this one was lovely. On Saturday one of my besties from a previous campus that I worked at, threw me a baby shower. I appreciate the time and effort that she put in to making it so special. Loved all of the games that we played and the cupcakes were to die for!

One thing that made it extra special were the people who were there. My mom was able to travel to this shower too and the friends that were there were mainly friends who I rarely get to see, since we seem to be spread out around the district...sigh! (btw my district has 70 elementary schools in it, YIKES!)

It was a special day and I am so grateful to have a special friend like EFG!

...and then later that afternoon when I picked up the mail, I saw an envelope with National Visa Center on it. Inside it explained that our paperwork was on it's way to the Embassy in Seoul, Korea! I have to say that knowing we weren't traveling until 2012 has made us sluggish in getting some things prepped for Gavin, but I have to admit...this letter has started making us feel a tad excited for the coming year.

...and finally...today when I was checking my email, what did I see, but an email with a Well Baby Check and pics of our sweet boy! It really was a treat. He seems to be getting taller each month. He's almost 33 inches and his weight hasn't changed much, still at 25 pounds...but that's probably due to the fact that he's beginning to finally walk!

Sigh...can I say with each new pic that we get, the excitement is starting to build. Of course when the New Year hits and people start to travel I'm sure that we will be on a roller coaster of a ride!

We can't wait...and we can't wait for you to follow us to Korea and back!

Showered with Love

Yesterday two of my besties from work, ARG and MSS, hosted a beautiful baby shower for me.

As guests approached the front door, this is the message they were greeted with when they entered the house. Super cute, right?

It was a wonderful celebration filled with family and friends. My mom, as well as Matt's mom and sister were able to join in, which was a special treat.

Every detail was perfect! Fabulous food, decorations, etc... I love that they incorporated Korea into the shower, too! Trivia included facts about Korea and our little man. Guests were given favor bags with Korean tea and candy, and Pororo even made an appearance on gift bags.

One very special activity was each guest wrote "wishes" for Gavin. Beautiful. It makes me teary thinking about the wishes that were written for him.

The hostesses went above and beyond!

Thank you ARG and MSS! I couldn't ask for better friends and I definitely know I couldn't make it through the school year without you!

We are Unofficially Paper Ready!

Yes indeedy, we are unofficially paper ready!

On Tuesday I happened to have some extra time on my hands, so I decided to call and see if our I600 had been approved.

This is the first time I've called to check on paperwork, and I can see how I could become totally addicted to calling, except for the fact that teaching 22 second graders prevents me, LOL!

(I know you may be wondering how I did it on Tuesday...and I was at home with strep, blech!)

When I was transferred to our case officer, she said that we are approved and she would send out the official approval paperwork by Friday!

This is the last piece of paperwork that we needed from the U.S.

...and now we wait.

Friends keep reminding us that the new year is not far away. January is literally only, wow, it's only 7 weeks away! I can't believe it!!!

So, during Thanksgiving Vacation this household will start doing some prep work for a toddler, in hopes that he will be coming home soon!

Surprise, surprise an October WBC!

I have to say I LOVE Fridays!

What made this Friday even better than most was opening my email and seeing that we had a Well Baby Check. It's a really wonderful surprise since I thought we wouldn't get an update until November. I know, I know it's November now, but the WBC is dated from October. Looking around at other friends posts, it looks like today was the day to get an update.

Gavin is now 32.4 inches and weighs 25.3 lbs.

He can say a few words and is becoming more active each month. I can only imagine what he will have in store for us when he finally comes home!!!

Happy Weekend Everyone!

November is National Adoption Month

Did you know that November is National Adoption Month?

Here is a beautiful video that kimbapumma made to celebrate adoption.
(You might see a familiar face or 2)

Autumn

A few weekends ago, I traveled to Wisconsin for my grandfather's funeral. Although he will be missed, we are happy that he had a long and healthy life. When we arrived at the wake I was touched to see a satin heart shaped pillow with a rose from each of the great-grandchildren, including Gavin. Although I am saddened my grandfather will not have the opportunity to meet Gavin, I know that he, like our many other relatives who have passed before him, are looking down and watching over all of us as we wait to become a forever family.

If there is a "best part" about funerals, it's the fact that you get to see family. With our family spread around the country it was a blessing that we were able to join together to say goodbye. In addition, we were able to spend the next day at the Elegant Farmer. Can I say, that I love Autumn in Wisconsin? I love the weather change and that you can actually wear sweaters without overheating once you step into a building...and of course the beautiful fall colors.

Here are a few pics from our family day that weekend. I hope you are enjoying a beautiful autumn weekend, wherever you may be!