Our Princess is 6!

I feel like I was just posting this not that long ago. Wow, a year has flown by with so many wonderful things happening.

Grace had a very fun, "magical" birthday party with her friends and family to celebrate turning 6 years old......or, as her and Neena put it....joining the "great big 6 year old club". The party ended up being quite large but, I think we pulled it off well. We had a magician come to the house, played games, and enjoyed cake.

In these 6 years, my sweet Gracie has grown into an amazing little person. She is smart, very strong-willed :), inquisitive and sensitive. She has a wonderful, bubbly personality that radiates through her laugh and smile. She gets her quick wit and goofiness from her Daddy and I like to think her sensitivity and curiosity from me. ....5 and 6 year olds have MANY questions about everything. I think they are really started to understand how things and other people "work". I love talking to her, watching her, and still holding her (when she lets me). Some of our favorite times together are when we just chat in the car before or after school.

Happy Happy Birthday Sweet Princess!!! We love you! XOXOXO

I-600 Approval

We received our I-600 (petition to classify orphan as an immediate relative) Approval in the mail today. Wahoo!
It took 14 weeks for approval.....seemed like a very long time. I think this was because we had heard that the process was so much faster than it used to be. I guess hearing that, we were expecting a quicker turn around time.
But, that's neither here nor there...........we have approval now :)

For those of you who are still unsure of the process.... no, that does not mean we can travel or bring Jackson home any sooner. But, it does mean that all the necessary approvals on this side of the ocean are complete. Yeah!

Thankful in 2010

This past week has been so wonderful.....lots of time with family and good friends. Tuesday night I went out with some of my besties. We chatted for hours about what we call "grown up" things ( I guess we have to admit we are those grown ups now) like marriage, raising kids and how important it is to surround ourselves with good people. I used to be a person who didn't sweat the small stuff. But, I think I've gotten away from that a bit lately. That talk really opened my eyes to some things I'd like to change.


I am so thankful this year for the referral of our SON, my FAMILY (immediate, extended, and inlaws), my good FRIENDS, our HEALTH, and our HAPPINESS. I've seen many more smiles this year than I have sadness. For that, I am so incredibly thankful.


Tonight will be the first night in almost a week that our guest room is not occupied. I'm a little sad about that. It was fun having a slightly fuller house for a few days. I'm really looking forward to all the fun that comes with the month of December including my princess's 6th Bday and of course, Christmas and New Years.


I was so busy on Thanksgiving that I forgot to pull out the camera. We took some video but, no photos. I may have to steal from my uncle Gregg.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Siesta Key Florida

Our annual trip with KJs family is always a good time. This year the weather was perfect and we spent many hours playing and relaxing on the beach or at the pool. Grace swam in the pool without her floaties this year, a big milestone for her. She was so proud and couldn't get enough of the water after that. We really enjoyed the family time together and were so lucky to come home to new pictures of sweet Jackson.... a perfect ending to a wonderful week (last post).



playing on the beach at sunset







manning the grill...don't you love the twinkie pose?






the amazing sunset...




dinner one night..

I also caught this photo of Gracie in her Dai*y Tunic when I was uploading the Florida pictures. I wanted to throw it in this post so we remember this was the year we started Dais*es. I signed on as leader for her group. There are 15 girls in the troop. There were times in the beginning when I was asking myself...."what was I thinking?". There was much work involved to get the troop up and running than I expected. But now that the initial stuff is taken care of, I know for sure why I did it. It is so incredibly rewarding to see how excited the girls get and to get to spend that time with Gracie. Their faces light up when we teach them a new ceremony, a new craft or game, and especially when we hand out those badges. It doesn't hurt that I work with a great co-leader either.

10 Month Progress Report and New pictures!!

We just got home from a wonderful week long vacation in Florida. It was so much more perfect than I could have asked for (a post on that soon) . I walked into the house all smiles, not thinking the week could get any better. But, oh was I wrong. I found waiting for us the most amazing surprise ending to this week....a 10 month progress report on Jackson that includes pictures!!

He is doing really well and measuring right on track for his age. His fav foods are rice, fruit, cheese and yogurt...so cute :) He is already walking 1 to 2 steps and says "umma" (mamma).

In these pictures are the photo album, rob*ez and singing star we sent over in our first care package. I'm guessing all the clothes were still a little too big.

Isn't he just the cutest?!? I love his little lips and how soft his skin looks. I so can't wait until the day I get to hold this sweet little man.

Halloween and Fall

Well Halloween has come and gone. For those of you that know Gracie, you know this is not her favorite time of year. Last year's post. I've always kind of pushed the fun parts about it on her....the candy, the celebrations with friends, the fun of seeing everyone dressed up, getting dressed up in pretty outfits (give the kid something sparkly and pretty and she's all over it), the pumpkin patches, cider donuts, delicious apples, etc. I mostly push because I want her to enjoy the fun of it and not miss out. We also like to encourage her to face what she's afraid or cautious of. Usually we talk her into giving it a try....she's sees it's okay...and is glad she gave it a try when it's all over.

But, this year I felt like every time I got her excited about it we'd see something that made her turn and give me that "see, that's gross or there's another scary mask, why am I supposed to like this holiday?" look. For some reason, more so than other year's, it seemed like everywhere I turned there was some "dead type thing" staring at me. .... the large headless man with blood dripping out of his neck at the craft store, or the countless vampires, mummies and body parts strewn through out the stores, or the skeleton holding a large hatchet in one hand and the head of another skeleton in the other. I guess if you really think about it...why would I ever want her saying ..."that is so cool, I love it". But, I don't think we're really meant to think that deep into Halloween. You're just supposed to get what you can out of it and think of it as the fun fall, dress up holiday where you get candy.


Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying the gory stuff shouldn't be around and we shouldn't get the enjoyment out of it (that would be pretty hypocritical considering I love an excellent get your adrenaline pumping scary movie or a good screamfest at a Haunted House) but, I'm pretty okay with Gracie not liking masks and Halloween. I'm proud of her for trying to enjoy it, as her fear is real, and hope each year she gets better with it and realizes more and more that it's just silly fake stuff that some people really enjoy.


Here are some fun fall pictures.....

After much coaxing, we got her out to Trick or Treat. I'm so glad we did. As you can see she loved it once she was out there!



Grace and her auntie Rach.

Second Care Package to Korea

A few weeks ago we put together our second care package for Jackson. A fellow adoptive mom is so graciously taking over our package when she travels to pick up her little girl sometime in the next few weeks. We are all hoping and praying she gets the call sooner, rather than later. Her family has waited long enough!

Included in the package.....

A Bears outfit, A Striped Jersey type outfit, 2 pairs of sockies, a plush Zebra rattle, an apple chew toy, Ave*no Baby Lotion, and a recordable Dr. Seu*s card. I sent my voice this time; recording a portion of One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish... My hopes are that if he listens to the card enough, when I read this book (one Gracie has just started to love) at home he will recognize it.

We were also lucky enough to have a dear friend translate a letter for us. So, this time the package includes a longer letter to the foster family, along with some Jelly Beans and Tea packets.

As with the last package, I hope this package finds our little Jackson happy and well and brings some smiles to his face.

As for any other adoption update, I really really really wish we had more to share but, at this point we don't. Things seem to be inching along right now. Every day I think, this is the day we are going to get some pictures or an update......anything. But, nothing up to this point. It's crazy to think Jackson is going to be 10 months old shortly and we know very little about him. :(

We know things at our agencies on both sides of the Ocean are very busy. So, we're trying to be patient and keep ourselves busy while we wait and wait.

We are also still waiting for our I-600 approval. Again, something that is completely out of our control. This is a long, exhausting story that I won't get into. But, I'll just say my last conversation ended with the officer that has been assigned to our case telling me...."I do have your file but, I'm swamped and have no idea when I will get a chance to review it. Sorry, I can not give you any information at this time." Frustrating ...but, this is far better than all my last calls. At least I now know our file has been found and we now have been assigned to an officer. But..... more waiting.

Happy Anniversary! -- #8

10 things I love about KJ and our relationship together...

1. KJ is an amazing husband and father. I always knew I loved him but, never really knew how much until I saw him as a Daddy. He is wonderful! Gracie and Jackson are very lucky.

2. Our personalities compliment each other well. KJ is a very outgoing, personable person. I am always amazed at the way he can walk into any social situation and instantly feel comfortable and make others around him feel comfortable......most importantly,me. I, on other hand, have more of a reserved, shy personality. It takes me some time to warm up. So,together = perfect combination.

3. He works so hard everyday to provide for us and take care of our family. His commute is very long 3 days out of the week. I tend to really feel for him but, he is quick to remind me that he doesn't mind and wouldn't have it any other way.

4. He can find the humor in anything, and when I say anything, I really mean anything.

5. He always makes me feel special and is very good at keeping things in perspective when it comes to our family.

6. We usually know exactly what the other is thinking especially, when we are out with other people. I can just glance at him and he gives me a quick wink or small smile and I just know.

7. We have very different tastes when it comes to food, clothing, decorating, restaurants. But, with time, we have learned each other's likes and dislikes and compromise well when making decisions.....usually, meeting in the middle. This keeps things interesting. What fun would it be if we agreed on everything?

8. I love how most of our best family times are spent together at home.

9. I love how KJ looks at Grace. He tells me all the time that one of his most favorite things to do is watch her fall asleep.

10. I love how far we've come .....(some would call it "growing up" together)....since we first started dating. I look back at those college days and know we never imagined life we lead us here in such a short time.

So to you, my sweet husband, I wish a very Happy Anniversary! Can you believe where God and circumstance have led us? I can't imagine it any other way or with anyone else. This past year has brought us many surprises, ups, downs, twists and turns but, we take it all with a grain of salt and are sure to remember all the wonderful things we are thankful for. I can't wait until next year when we will celebrate this day as a family of four. XOXOXOXO!

First Day of Kindergarten!!!!

Today was Gracie's first day of Kindergarten!
Of course, it was a little bittersweet. I was sad to see her big enough to go to Kindergarten but, so excited for her. She has developed into such a little person. She is smart, beautiful and very strong-willed. When she began preschool in the fall of 2008, she was quite shy and timid. That is pretty much gone now, she is much more confident in herself (that gives us trouble sometimes ;) ), out-spoken and opinionated. She has also has a very tender,caring heart. I see this a lot lately when we are taken care of my 9 month old nephew. I can't wait to see how she uses this attribute as a big sister.

Kindergarten Breakfast of Champions


Posing on her first day. These were all her poses. I actually had to request a "non-pose" photo. Such a goofball!

All ready to head into class... ....and after that summer growth sport, she's pretty close to the tallest in her class.

Sitting at her Table spot.

Running out happy as can be when the day was over.

Summer, Summer, Summertime.....coming to an end

For the very last weekend before the start of school, we decided to take an impromptu trip up to the WI Del*s. We stayed at the Wilderne*s and had The. Best. Time. It was so fun to just go away, the three of us. We played, played, and played some more. Since we were mostly in the water, I took very few pictures. But, here are a few...

This was my second time up to the Del*s this summer. I didn't ever get around to posting about my last trip but, it was definitely a highlight of the summer. A few of my girlfriends and I spent an all inclusive weekend up there at the end of July. We had a great time, eating, drinking, laying by the pool and laughing lots.

Here are a few more pictures of Gracie enjoying the summer. This time was with her cousin, whom she just adores. The summer was filled with lots of overnights with all of her wonderful grandparents and plenty of family time.

Bye Bye Summer of 2010....You were very good to us.

Now to get excited for all the fun activities that beautiful Fall weather will bring.

Summer, Summer, Summertime ...some more

We now know how much I love summer and the freedom it gives us to come and go as we please. We are trying to squeeze in as much as we can before school starts.....the start of school is only 14 days away. I can't believe how fast these 3 months have flown by.



Last Thursday we took the train downtown to meet KJ at his office. Grace was so excited to ride the train until ,we got on. I think we hyped it up a little too much. After we hopped on she seemed a little unsure of why there wasn't much going on....ha! She did look at the window the whole time and took everything in. But, asked many questions "Why can't we go faster?" , "Is he going to blow the horn some more?", "Do you think Jackson will love trains?", "Can we walk around?". But I guess I kind of agree with her, the trek downtown can be a little boring if you are anxious to get somewhere. I took the M*tra downtown everyday for 6 years and actually kind of miss it. I got a lot of reading and alone time in that 45 min trek.



Once we made it downtown we walked across the street to KJ's office and met him in his lobby. He took us up and "officially" checked Grace in as a visitor. She got a name badge and everything....pretty cute. We took some time to say hi, wave, smile, see where daddy sits and then she was ready to move on to Americ*n Girl Pla*ce.

Oh my goodness, she was so excited for this night. I will say I'm pretty sure KJ and I were just as excited because we knew how much she was looking forward to this night. We spent lots of time talking about how great the day was and what it was going to be like next summer when we could do fun things with Jackson. We are so looking forward to being able to share special days like this with him.


Here are some pics of our day/night. (notice the huge smile that never left her face)

Summer, Summer, Summertime ...Part 1

Oh, how I love summer! We've been keeping ourselves pretty busy and enjoying every minute of this hot summer.
Couple of things I Love about summer.....

No school schedules!.....so we can come and go as we please.

One of our recent outings was to the She*d Aquarium.

Long weekends away with family!.....

This is my nephew's baptism over the 4th of July weekend in Iowa.

These are from one of Gracie's trips to Michigan....Magaritaville Party.

Lots of outdoor playtime and swimming!...

Grilling out and lots of fresh fruits and vegetables!...

This is my first homemade cherry pie. I've never had the motivation to pit cherries but, really enjoyed it this year. Michigan cherries are great in the summer.