10 Months Home!!!!!

Can you believe it? Gosh, 10 months!!!! What was life like 10 months ago? The change is amazing. He and I had a playdate today and then we just hung out when Daddy got home from work. We were talking the other day about how we finally belong to "the club". You know the club I'm talking about, if you've ever experienced this joy called parenthood. To be a member of "the club" you must.....
*Put all the nonbreakable ornaments at the bottom of the Christmas tree.
*Put up with all the stuffed animals that sing those annoying songs over and over as your sweetie presses the button 50 million times a day.
*Find strange toys in the bathroom, like musical instruments, cars, and even Elmo.
*Call your significant other mamma or dadda. No more sweet sentiments like honey or sweetie and definately never call them by their name.
*Be super okay with missing your favorite tv shows because now you have more important things to do like rocking and snuggling your baby.
*Have a house full of toys rather than beautiful breakables and potpourri.
*Enjoy going to kid friendly places on a Saturday afternoon or night just to watch your little one light up with excitement.
*Be able to all fit on the big bed on a Saturday morning watching cartoons and drinking milk, snuggling.
*Be able to sing all the words to the newest kids shows and know the characters.
*Finally, you must have the most adorable little boy that made you part of this "club".Thanks for helping us join the club Jae-min. We looked on the outside for far too long and now are enjoying every minute of it!!!

Happy 10 months home baby boy!!!!

Here Kitty, Kitty, Kitty......

If you know us at all, you know that no we do not have a cat. Well, until now!!!! Let me explain. Our nice elderly neighbors called last week to tell us that they had a gift for Jae-min. We invited them over, thinking it was probably puzzles, books, trucks, or some lovely toy that we could all share. When they arrived they handed Jae-min a bag and this is what he pulled out.......
A scary (oh I mean adorable) robotic cat. Jae-min was slightly taken aback and alittle afraid of it. Oh, it gets better. This scary little cat actually walks, meows, hisses, purrs, and scares me to death!!!! He lays in waiting for me, hiding under things and when I walk by he begins walking and hissing. Yikes!!! Please stay away from me!!!!

Jae-min has developed a slight fondness for it, but as you can see we won't be getting a real cat anytime soon as this is how Jae-min carries the scary creature...by its tail. So, next time the nice elderly couple across the street calls to say they have a gift, we may just not answer the phone!!

This picture is just too funny. Our darling little one allowed us to put that cereal box on his head and his great sense of humor thought it was the funniest thing ever. He belly laughed as we belly laughed and every time it fell off he said "again". Gosh, he is such the perfect fit for our sick (oh I mean silly) sense of humor. Thanks for rolling with the punches little man. We love you for it!!!

Goodbye 2009

We said goodbye to 2009 quietly at home last night. Honestly, we were all asleep well before midnight!!!
We were alittle sad to see 2009 end. For us 2009 was a HUGE year. I think it was the most amazing and challenging year of our lives!!! 2009 definately took us out of our comfort zone from flying internationally, to navigating a different country, to experiencing all the emotions we have felt during this year, we have truly changed as people. Never in a million years would I have thought I could accomplish some of the things we've been through this year, but we now realize that as long as we stick together we can do anything. We have never had such a big year before, a year that totally changed our entire lives!!!
So, with a little bit of a heavy heart we say goodbye to 2009 and welcome 2010!!! We can't wait to see what you have in store for us!!!!

Happy healthy and safe new year!!!!

A Christmas To Remember!!!

Today was a magical day. From watching Jae-min (and Martin) walk down the hall to see what Santa brought them, to the frequent giggles and smiles, this day was one to always remember. I realized today what has been missing from Christmas' in the past. He's little, adorable, and oh so fun. Jae-min is what this holiday is all about. I have always had wonderful Christmas', but never one like this. This will be one I'll always remember!!!Jae-min's shirt says Mom's favorite Gift. I think that about sums it up!!!

We just love this little guy!!

Jae-min loved all his presents he got this season. Look out everyone, I think we have a crazy shopper on our hands!!

Thank you Santa!!! I love my diggers and trucks!!!

A very Merry Christmas to you all. Joe and I have waited for a Christmas like this one for a long time and it surely didn't disappoint. We loved every minute of it!!!

He's Officially Ours!!!

Today was a joyous day, a day to celebrate!! Today Jae-min Francis officially became our son in the eyes of the law. Today we finalized Jae-min's adoption. I guess that happy little face describes just how we were feeling today too.This adoption journey has come to an end. It's hard to believe that after 2.5 years of hopes, dreams, disappointments, worries, and even a slight path change, the roller coaster has ended. As I rocked Jae-min before bed tonight I thought alot about the last 2.5 years. How there were so many times we wanted to give up. How the disappointment felt when we realized how slowly referrals from China were going. How we then listened to our hearts being led in a different direction, Korea. How we "took a chance" on our little man because of his prematurity. How it felt to get that travel call. How it felt to hold our son for the first time, and to see his sweet face. Yes, all that we have been through was all rolled into one today when we watched Jae-min walk around the courtroom interacting with all of our family (and now his too) as well as his friend from Korea. Each step we took culminated today when that judge said his name Jae-min Francis and then signed that final paper. That's it. We stepped off the ride today and are so happy with how it ended. Jae-min is ours now and forever.

I would never have imagined the path our lives would have taken. Yet, this is the path we were meant to be on.

Forever, officially our son. Jae-min Francis!!!!!

Snow Much Fun!!!

Our area had a big snowstorm overnight, and when we woke up this morning it was like a winter wonderland. Lots and lots of snow. So, what do two new parents do with a huge snowstorm? We dress our little man like a marshmellow so he can't even move and then we throw him into a snowbank of course!!!!We then buckle him into his sled and slide him down the driveway!!!!

He had so much fun trying to walk in all his gear, sledding, and being pulled in the sled around the neighborhood. He's always such a trooper, never complaining and always enjoying new experiences. When he first touched the snow he giggled and said "COO" (cold). Then pretty much giggled until his cheeks were pink and freezing!!!

I realized I had never put a post up about decorating our tree so here he is hanging his new Elmo ornament up. The trees been up for a few weeks and Jae-min's done so well with it. He just mostly looks at it but doesn't really touch it or get into any mischief with it. He's such a good little boy. We got so lucky with that one!!!!

9 Months Home!!!!!

Today marks 9 months since we met Jae-min. I have thought alot today about this pivotal number...9 months. The same amount of time that Jae-min spent in his birth country. The same amount of time a typical pregnancy lasts, yet in Jae-min's case he was with his birth mother for a shorter amount of time due to his early arrival. It saddens me slightly to think that from this day forward Jae-min will know his new life longer. He will always have those previous 9 months with his birth mother as well as with his birth country, but will never move past that number....9 months. I continue to thank God every day for these last nine months, but never want to forget the nine months before. They made Jae-min into who he is today and I am grateful for those 9 months.
Today we celebrated by picking out our Christmas tree as a family of 3 and then meeting Elmo. Yup, Jae-min met Elmo!!! He was in complete awe and loved loved loved him.

Just look at those eyes staring up at ELMO. I think he was thinking wow, is that really you?

Jae-min gave a big cheer when Elmo walked in the door. I think Elmo found his number 1 fan.

Which tree are we picking mom because its cold out here?

Happy 9 months sweet baby boy. We will always remember where you came from and the people who loved you for the first 9 months!!!!