Christmas in May!

That's right, it only took the agency 5 months to get Jaemin's Christmas presents from his foster family to the US.  I won't complain thought because a) we're lucky to correspond with his foster family and b) if they put getting those kiddos home first, that's okay too.

So, we got a Christmas card (and translation) written by Youn Su, Jaemin's foster sister.  The letters and emails from Youn Su are always so sweet.  They sent him a Jenga game (written in Hangul), a Hangul learning poster and a Pororo airplane toy.  They actually sent two Hangul learning posters, so the girls now have one hung in their bedroom and I wrote the letter sounds so they can start learning a little.

For those that aren't fluent in any Korean culture, Pororo, the penguin, is HUGE!  He's kind of like our Mickey Mouse, etc.  Jaemin loved his Pororo toy.  We turned it on and he started getting so excited and waving his hands.  He's almost worn the batteries out already. 

Youn Su, if you and your family are reading I truly hope you know how much your correspondence means to us and Jaemin.

To be 10 again.

UPDATE:  We did have a party, so here is Chase and his cake.

Maybe little brother's going to be an artist too?

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First, happy 10th birthday to my 2nd born.  He turned 10 at the top of the St. Louis Arch.  Seriously, the time of birth was while we were there.  Happy Birthday Chasie!

Second...I'm stinkin' tired.  I don't think these 4th graders were half as worn out as the parents probably were.  Thank goodness I was only in charge of my kid...he always behaves when we're out, so no worries.   But, I'm tired after roaming all day.  Whew!  Kaelin's already figuring out which field trip she wants me to take with her.

Here's a picture one of the moms took of us today.  Don't mind my hair...it was windy and we had no power this morning after my shower, so no dryer.

From the top of the arch.

I so admire Warren Buffett.

How can you not with the way he raised his family?  He built himself and managed to raise them all without spoiling.  That's a feat for a lot of parents of means...and sometimes no means.  I a big advocate for unspoiled children who learn the meaning and real value of money and that it really can't buy happiness.  While mostly we are frugal out of necessity, it's great tool to have and a great philosophy to live by.  Read the article on one of Warren's children here.  http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100510/lf_nm_life/us_books_buffett

Lisa

Korea mail coming!

Okay, I think I posted this a couple of months ago, but can't remember and am too tired and lazy to look.

I got an email from J's foster sister asking if we received the Christmas present they mailed us from Korea.  I have been so sad and completely worried because it's, well, May and we never got it.  Today, we got an email from the US agency.  They have it!  His foster family sent it to us through the Korean agency who finally sent it to our US agency and it's on it's way to my man right now.  I can't wait to see what's in it for him.  How exciting when my babies get Korea mail.  I LOVE it!

Lisa

Pictures from this weekend and connections

or disconnections?

I'll finish with some of the pictures from this weekend. We went to a Korean Children's Day celebration which was as awesome as usual and then spent the rest of the day at the zoo with friends. We always hang out with Jane and Jared when we're in town. Gotta love the energy of Mr. Jared.

So, today I took Ms. C to the pediatric nephrologist. While we were waiting we were writing on the chalk board in the room. She wanted to write everything in Korean. So I wrote all of our names in Korean and then she wrote them all. By the time the doctor walked in she had it all done. As soon as he walked in he says "well, she knows English and Korean". I was a little surprised that he recognized it. To most it probably looks like a lot of other languages' characters. He took to Chelsi and she to him right away. For now he said we're doing everything we can, but he took some blood just in case and is doing another u/s. He doesn't want to repeat the VCUG done in 2006, which is fine. So, we'll do a couple of other things he asked us to do and then f/u in a couple of months. He also gave us some info on how to help out with her eczema.

BTW, we also found out they found their replacement pediatric cardiologists...yes two. YAY! Looks like Cole will have a doctor and not have to do major travel to one.

Little Miss did so well when they took blood (she's never had to do that before) that we went out to eat afterward. It was past suppertime at home anyways. We just stopped at Wendy's real quick and a lady walked up to us and said how cute she was and that she could have another about her age. I didn't quite follow her and then she asked what province she was from. That's when it dawned on me. She thought she was Chinese. In her defense most of the Asian adopted children in this area are. Our kids are 3 out of probably 10 in a 40 mile radius. And what I mean by in her defense is that I don't just assume kids are Korean, usually assume Chinese, but never define it when asking because I really don't know. I told her she was Korean born and she just told me that she had a Chinese daughter and left. Oh well.

Okay, here are the pics from the weekend.  We so enjoy this every year.  We are treated so wonderful by this Korean church and we get to see so many other Korean adoptive families and well, the food....is AWESOME!

One room.....7 people.

Done with swimming, getting ready for bed.

Swimming at the hotel (our free night be the way...how great is that?).

Learning taekwondo at Children's Day.

Korean cooking.

 Mommy and Jae.

And our wonderful Korean church hosts.  I'd love to post the pics of the three little girls who sang a beautiful Mother's Day song, but since they're young I won't.

 Zoo time.

The extra little boy is Jared.

My budding photojournalist...National Geographic maybe.

 Don't they all have to try picking the gorilla's nose?

See