A kiss goodnight

Every night since J came home we've pretty much had the same routine.  We ask if he wants to go to bed, he says "ni ni" and I take him to bed.  We turn on Mozart and I hold him for awhile.  If I walk to close to his crib he'll reach for it, so I usually stay on the other side of his room for as long as I can so I can hold him for a bit longer.  Then when he reaches for his crib I take his paci and ask for a kiss and hug.  He always gives me a kiss, but he's not as good about the hugs.  Hugs are for arriving home.  After kiss and hug I lay him in bed and he turns on the water music player attached to his crib, cuddles his puppy and lays on his side.  I usually lean over the crib and stroke his cheek and kiss my fingers to his cheek for a little bit.

Tonight I was doing that and he put his hand to his mouth and blew me a kiss.  It was so sweet!  He just kept doing it.  I picked him back up and game him one more kiss goodnight and told him thank you.

I love these moments!

My favorite

new picture.

We're calling it OFFICIAL!

Since, I accidentally caught J taking more than 2 steps on camera we're pronouncing this the day J first walked!  He took several steps towards C after he pulled himself up onto the couch!

Go J!!

Enjoying Nature

since we're probably near the last decent day of the year.  We took a little drive and went to the nature center.  The kids enjoy it, but we don't get to go too often.  J got to see all the big fish, snakes, etc.; alive and dead.  He was a little stunned at the big deer!  You'll see a picture of the kids on the trail in here.  It's a picture of Cole pushing the stroller, with Chelsi in it.  They began to argue over who got to push and at one point they both had their hand on a handle and it looked like they were holding hands.  I snapped the picture and then told them how it looked.  I've never seen two boys split so fast!

Football Wednesday

Football's almost over, but I finally managed to get a couple of pics.  Chase has done great for his first year.  He's pretty natural and very relaxed.

Here are some pictures of the actual game.

He did manage to get the ball 3 times!

Here is J, daddy and C watching the game.

I'm completely Korea sick!

I miss it so much some days.  It was such a wonderful trip and while J was the highlight it would have been awesome even if it were just a visit.  I was reading this adoptee blog http://www.michellesherwood.blogspot.com/ the other day and she video'd her hotel room.  It's the same hotel we stayed in.  I could tell by the room and the view.  I remember walking that street everyday!  I felt so Korea sick after seeing that video.

If only we could go to Korea more often or spend a longer time there.  There's so much more to explore and experience.  If there were an opportunity to spend an entire year there I'd do it in a second, if our whole family could go.  But, I'll pray for visits there and gladly accept them.

I live vicariously through others' visits to Korea, but sometimes just feel too sad to read about their adventures because I miss it so much.  I miss the people, the smells (some anyways), the subways, the culture, everything!

Can't wait to go back and praying we actually save enough to go.......sooner the better!

Lisa

What would I want them to know?

What would I want my kids to read if they read this blog years from now?

I would want Cole to know that he was special because when we lost our first daughter he gave us new hope.  Without her loss he wouldn't be here and we know he was special because of that.  Though, he has a tough time with some things, I enjoy watching how he changes as he gets older and more mature.  I enjoy watching him become a caring tween and someday the very caring man I see him becoming.  I also know how strong this boy is to make it through open-heart surgery with flying colors as a baby and never look back.  He gives people strength and hope in God.  He gives people reason to see that kids can change.

I would want Chase to know he was my little angel baby.  He let me know babies can be calm and laid back and just enjoy momma holding them.  He let me know that little boys are never too old to hug their mother.  I think he's going to have great friends as he is a great friend and person himself.  This boy exudes personality and it's a great one!  I look at him and feel proud for how hard he tries to be good in life.

I would want Kaelin to know that I have every faith that she will become the teacher she wants to be; and a great one too.  I see her teaching in Korea one day and see her fitting in anywhere she goes.  She's just that type of girl.  She is not meant to be a follower, but a leader/teacher.  She will always find her own way and people will watch her in awe because she's just that great.

I would want Chelsi to know she's my teeny tiny sweetheart baby...."my Chelsi" as she lovingly says to us.  She can go anywhere and do anything and no matter what we will remain close at heart.  She is beaming and bright.  She is a strong girl that came from a 3 lb baby and while still small is always going to be mighty and be heard.  She will do something great one day and somehow find a spotlight.  That's her.

I would want Jaemin to know that while he's still too small and young to figure out totally, I know he's an awesome boy.  He made me realize that there's always room for more love in my heart.  He took a pretty large chunk of my heartt and continues to hold onto it.  He is my love and a great athlete.  We can see his coordination and energy already.  He may never slow down, but he will always love those around him with his big heart.  We will always love him, as much, back!

I thought of this as I went to their rooms and kissed them goodnight tonight.  I had just finished rocking J to sleep and laid him in his bed.  I had already hugged and kissed the big boys goodnight and was going into kiss the girls.  I was thinking to myself, "when do I stop doing this?"  When will they make me?  That's when I stop.  For now, they all let me from 1-12 years old.  I will take it as long as I get it and enjoy it until the day they are no longer here for a hug at bedtime or just refuse to give into the requests of their mother.

Thank God for blessings.  I love watching my kids.  Especially, when they're not fighting, just interacting with one another or others.  They are so beautiful, inside and out!