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!

Special Friend: Kimbap Umma

One of the things that I value most as an adult adoptee is having friends that are also adult adoptees. I have to say that I really lucked out when I found a group of friends who are not only adult adoptees from Korea, but they are also in the process to bring sweet babies home from Korea through the adoption process.

Today, one of my friends shared a video on her blog, from when she and her family revisited the orphanage where she had been left. I always enjoy what she posts in regards to her adoption story and with her permission, I believe you will too! Please click on the link below.

kimbap umma

Update x 3

This past week was the week of updates.

Our first update was from the agency saying that the last batch of EPs were submitted. I wish I could say that we were in that batch, but 2012 is going to be our year! (I always tell Matt that years that end in an even number are better, he just laughs) Realistically, we knew we would not be traveling this year, but you never know what could have happened, right? So, my prediction is if everything runs smoothly on both sides of the ocean, we will be traveling to bring Gavin home sometime in the first half of the year. 

The second update was a progress report which included the new pics!

A tidbit is that he enjoys food...and already eats soup, bananas, baby food, cheese, and apple juice. As a first time mama, I'm not sure if this is the norm or not for this age, but it sounds like he has a healthy appetite and by the time he comes home will probably be able to eat what we're eating or we'll eat what he eats, lol!

We can definitely tell our baby boy is loved and cared for and for that we will be eternally grateful. I can't wait until we meet his foster family so we can thank them in person for everything that they have provided for our sweet boy.

Our third update was a well baby check!

Gavin is  about 32 inches and weighs 25 pounds. He has 4 teeth on the top and 4 teeth on the bottom. It looks like he's progressing right along. When we finally meet him he'll probably keep us running in circles, which we will LOVE!

While we wait we are relaxing...and our dogs have it down perfectly!!! Little do they know how much their lives are going to change in 2012!!!

Smile!!!

This email made our Monday!!!

Sweet boy! How we wish you were home with us right now! We promise we are waiting for you as patiently as we can.

Looking back at the first care package post, that top is 18 months so it looks like Gavin is growing like a weed!

I have to tell you, the last time we got an update was back in July, so this was exactly what we needed! A picture, a monthly update, they mean soooo much!!! It definitely makes waiting more bearable!

Happy Monday everyone!

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!

Goodies

We had a very short, but sweet visit from my parents on Wednesday. They were returning from the refreshing summer weather of northern Wisconsin.

A nice surprise was my mother painted a picture of the Byodo-in Temple, located on the beautiful island of Oahu. When we traveled to Hawaii this was one of our favorite stops. If you were/are a fan of the TV series Lost, this is where they filmed Sun's parents home in Season 1.

We also are the benefactors of some goodies from my sister. It's mighty nice that Baby Parker has some older cousins. Now, we have some toys, books, etc... In the "clothing department" it is especially helpful that one of Baby P's cousins happens to be a boy. We thank you Galbraiths for all of the goodies that were sent down to Texas!

No news from the agency. We should hear something soon whether it's a Well Baby Check or some new pics, especially since his first birthday is only a week away. Of course we would love to get his legal documents, too! We can say that we are waiting as patiently as we can. :-)

Have a great weekend!

추석 Chuseok – Harvest festival-Korean Thanksgiving)

Happy Chuseok!

Chuseok is a 3 day holiday which is being celebrated from September 11-13 this year. It is one of Korea's biggest national holidays. Please check out Talk to Me in Korean's blog article about Chuseok/Korean Thanksgiving!