Our First Family Day!

Wow! I've been talking about this day for quite some time...as it arrives my thoughts bring back so many memories!

But the two that stick out most in my mind is what I write about today...

First, saying goodbye. To Omma. To Korea.


This is such a bittersweet memory as one chapter of Seon-Mi's life ends and another begins. What she had already experienced in her short life was sometimes more than I could bear to think of. But what was to come made it all worth it...

Finding her forever family.


And second, her transition to life with us. What comprehension a nine month old could have of such a change, we may never know. But her face said plenty.

Clinging to everything unfamiliar and longing for her life before.

Though time heals most of that hurt, our Family Day will always bring these memories back so that we never forget the love and sacrifice of the people who brought Zoey Seon-Mi to us.

And of the brave little girl we love with all our hearts.

Here she is today on her first Family Day wearing the exact outfit she wore on this day last year!

Family Day Photo Shoot!

Happy Birthday Braedan!

Five years ago today,

at 8:40pm,

our 7 lb 3 oz baby boy was born!

But he wasn't small for long!

He loves being outdoors,

has TONS of personality,

and the cutest little face!

He is definetly our little prince,

but loves all things boyish!

He is so creative,

and is such a goofball!

He can fix just about anything,

and loves to have fun!

He can still be my baby,

and loves going to preschool and learning!

He can make just about anything funny,

and he is so talented and so sweet!

Despite what he may tell you, he really does love his baby sister,

and he is just about the best five year old we could possibly ask for!

Wordless Wednesday {Ni Hao Kai-lan!}

Meeting my girl.

This day last year, I was meeting my baby girl for the first time! You can read all about it here.

I just remember the whole day feeling so surreal...after staring at her picture for months and months and finally making it to the day I was able to see her in person. I remember thinking she was much smaller than I had expected and carefully watching her with her oh so loving foster mother. What a day, what a day!

First Swim of the Season!

That's right! Good 'ole Texas was warm enough last Saturday for Braedan to enjoy his first swim! And as you can see by these pictures, he did indeed enjoy himself! And his infamous "Crab" floaty is still hangin' out. Braedan loves the water, but hates getting his face wet! Even at bath time! He clings onto this crab like nothing else. We're hoping by the end of this summer, we will be over that fear...I taught swim lessons for years to kids who were so afraid of the water, they wouldn't get near it and by the end of our four week daily classes, they were jumping into the deep end on their own! I haven't had much luck with my own kiddo though! He just doesn't enjoy the water in his face! Zoey was napping but she too loves the water and we're looking forward to another summer out by the pool in this Texas heat!








Enjoying some swim time with Papa!

Puppy trying to get some shade!

Ring Ring!!

April 23, 2009

Today will be remembered forever! This morning, I woke up at 7:40am and went downstairs to make the dreaded phone call to DC. I was half asleep and went through the normal steps...press 1 for the main menu, press 0 to speak to a representative. I got "Hans" on the phone and promptly gave him Zoey's SEO number and name. He responded with, "The interview is scheduled for tomorrow at 1pm." To which I responded, "What?!?!? Are you serious?!?!?!" He laughed and assured me it was true. I thanked him as I hung up the phone and burst into tears! I called my husband right away and told him the news! I was in such shock I wasn't so sure I had heard the operator correctly! I hung up with my husband...I needed to call DC again to really verify what had been said! I got a woman this time and explained to her that I needed to hear it again! She was so sweet and confirmed what we had hoped - VI was indeed scheduled! She then commented how cute Seon-Mi is as her picture was now in the system.

I was now glued to my phone! I was preparing myself that the call could still take a few days. I dropped my son off at school and ran some errands, then went to pick up my husband for lunch. About two minutes from his work, the phone rang. I checked the caller ID. 541 area code. That was Oregon. At 11:55am, I pressed the answer key. "Hello?" I said excitedly. "Is this Kimberly ______?" she said. "Yes, is this Holt?!?!??"

"Yes, this is Sue with Holt and this is the call you've been waiting for. You're baby is ready for travel!"

A huge sigh of relief for me and a little more tears! I told her how excited I was that my husband and I got the call together and she asked me if I was driving. I told her yes and she promptly asked me to pull over! We finished the conversation with all the details and I was to get back in touch with her upon making all my travel plans.

On the way home, I called everyone! My dad was in a very important meeting, but still got teary eyed as I told him, my brother was at work and immediately called his wife, my oldest sister was picking up her son and started crying at school as people walked by and asked her if everything was okay! And my mom knew the minute the secretary at her school called down to her classroom to tell her I needed to speak with her and she picked up the phone already in tears! As soon as the words "Travel call!" came out of my mouth, she started screaming!

We told Braedan as soon as we picked him up from school. I asked him, "Who's in Korea?" and he said, "Zoey!" As soon as he knew I was going, he changed the subject and started talking about a prize he had won at school! That was about the attention span I had expected from a three year old!

What a day this has been so far. What a wonderful end to a long wait and what a beautiful start we have to look forward to as our family will be together! I am coming Seon-Mi! I am finally coming for you!


Happy Travel Call Day Zoey!

Viva Fiesta!

New Orleans has Mardi Gras. Rio de Janeiro has Carnival. And San Antonio has Fiesta — 11 days of partying, Texas-style.

Fiesta began in 1891 with a single parade honoring the heroes from the battles of San Jacinto and the Alamo. Women in decorated horse-drawn carriages gathered in front of the Alamo to toss flowers at each other.

Today there are more than 100 events around the city celebrating the unique spirit of San Antonio with live music, food, dancing, fairs and art.

Not to mention all kinds of parades, including the floating Texas Cavaliers' River Parade, the nighttime Fiesta Flambeau Parade and the Battle of Flowers Parade — inspired by those bloom-tossing ladies.

And this afternoon, Braedan celebrated Fiesta with his own parade...preschool parking lot style!




We think this girl takes the cake!

Viva Fiesta!