I am very excited to introduce our bracelet adoption fundraiser! I have been working on making these cute beaded bracelets to sell, and hopefully help us raise funds that are required to bring our child home from Korea! With the Korea program, the fees are due very early on in the process, so we are hoping to do a little fundraising to help with these costs.
I will be selling the bracelets through Etsy, so you can click on the link on the right side bar of the blog that says "SeoulJourney Etsy Shop". You can view the bracelets there. I have been wearing mine every day...and I love to double them up and wear a couple at a time! I hope and pray that you will consider purchasing a bracelet (or three! haha) to help us in raising some of our international fees required to bring our child home!
We would be honored if you would share this page on your blog or feed to share about our fundraiser!
www.etsy.com/shop/SeoulJourney
Friday, July 20, 2012
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Overwhelmed and Questions Answered
Wow. First of all, we are so overwhelmed and thankful for all of the sweet, encouraging, and supportive comments and messages we received after announcing our adoption news. Thank you, thank you! It's such a blessing to have so many people in our lives who love us and are truly excited and supportive of this!
I also wanted to take a few minutes to answer some questions that we have been asked the last several days. I don't always have a great answer for all of the questions that come my way...I'm still learning so much about it myself...but I'll do my best to answer what I can.
Why adopt from South Korea and not the US? ~My answer is simply, Why not Korea? There is no fiber of my being that feels that any one child is more important that another. It doesn't matter what country they were born in. Brent and I feel led to adopt internationally, just as some people feel led to adopt domestically.
How did you choose Korea over all of the other countries? ~ We simply went through the requirements list for each country that our agency works with and found the country that best worked for us. China was out because you must be 30 to adopt from there, and I'm still a couple years away from there. Many of the European countries, such as Russia, require you to travel to their country for two or three separate trips, each trip several weeks in length. With three small children at home and with Brent's job, this just wasn't the best option for us. Some countries don't want you to have more than 2 bio children already in your home. Ethiopia is only accepting families who are adopting a child over the age of 5. So after going through all of the lists, we just narrowed it down...and South Korea was the best fit.
Why do we think that our child will be a boy? ~ Most of the children (about 85%) that are available for adoption from Korea are boys. Although in-country adoption in Korea is not popular, when it does occur, girls are adopted more readily than boys. So, that leaves many many little boys available for international adoption. And we say, why mess up our routine any? ;)
Why does the process take so long? ~ I really wish I knew exactly. Between them making sure we are fit parents, wait lists, legal procedures, immigration and citizenship procedures, government regulations, etc, it's just a really long process. I'm
sure we will learn so much about this aspect of it as we go through the process, so hopefully I'll have a better answer later!
Have we lost our minds?! ~ Haha. Actually, I won't deny this. With the three little monkeys I have at home, my mind is probably mush a lot of times anyway. But all joking aside, people can't believe we are starting this while Levi is still so young. But if you take into consideration all of the time frames, Levi will most likely be between 2 1/2 and 3 when our little one comes home...that's actually the biggest gap we've had! :)
Those are the main questions that come to mind right now. I'll answer more as they come along!
I also wanted to take a few minutes to answer some questions that we have been asked the last several days. I don't always have a great answer for all of the questions that come my way...I'm still learning so much about it myself...but I'll do my best to answer what I can.
Why adopt from South Korea and not the US? ~My answer is simply, Why not Korea? There is no fiber of my being that feels that any one child is more important that another. It doesn't matter what country they were born in. Brent and I feel led to adopt internationally, just as some people feel led to adopt domestically.
How did you choose Korea over all of the other countries? ~ We simply went through the requirements list for each country that our agency works with and found the country that best worked for us. China was out because you must be 30 to adopt from there, and I'm still a couple years away from there. Many of the European countries, such as Russia, require you to travel to their country for two or three separate trips, each trip several weeks in length. With three small children at home and with Brent's job, this just wasn't the best option for us. Some countries don't want you to have more than 2 bio children already in your home. Ethiopia is only accepting families who are adopting a child over the age of 5. So after going through all of the lists, we just narrowed it down...and South Korea was the best fit.
Why do we think that our child will be a boy? ~ Most of the children (about 85%) that are available for adoption from Korea are boys. Although in-country adoption in Korea is not popular, when it does occur, girls are adopted more readily than boys. So, that leaves many many little boys available for international adoption. And we say, why mess up our routine any? ;)
Why does the process take so long? ~ I really wish I knew exactly. Between them making sure we are fit parents, wait lists, legal procedures, immigration and citizenship procedures, government regulations, etc, it's just a really long process. I'm
sure we will learn so much about this aspect of it as we go through the process, so hopefully I'll have a better answer later!
Have we lost our minds?! ~ Haha. Actually, I won't deny this. With the three little monkeys I have at home, my mind is probably mush a lot of times anyway. But all joking aside, people can't believe we are starting this while Levi is still so young. But if you take into consideration all of the time frames, Levi will most likely be between 2 1/2 and 3 when our little one comes home...that's actually the biggest gap we've had! :)
Those are the main questions that come to mind right now. I'll answer more as they come along!
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Application 2 Approval!!
(ETA: This post was orginally written on July 3, 2012.)
Things are moving right along! We are making baby steps in our adoption journey, and I still have to pinch myself some days to convince myself that this is really happening. We really truly are doing this...something I've dreamed about for so long. We are adopting a child. We will travel halfway around the world to bring him home. We will have four children (FOUR?!). It helps me to see these things written down, because sometimes I really can't believe it's true!
When I left off in the last adoption update, we had sent in our Application 1 and were awaiting approval. I received our approval email on May 30, and our App 2 packet was sent to us on June 5!
This application was much more in depth than the first and honestly, was a bit overwhelming at first. It includes a checklist a mile long of forms to collect, forms to complete, letters to have notarized, physical appointments to complete, autobiographies to write, reference letters to request, items to copy, and on and on and on. As daunting of a task as it was, it was very exciting to be "doing something"! Checking things off to move another step closer to our little one! I hear that once you finish this stage and move on to the waiting stage, it gets really hard, and you wish you could just be "doing something" again to move the process along. So, I put on my running shoes and went at it full speed. Finally, step by step, we got it all completed! What a relief it was to check the last item on this list!
We mailed in our completed Application 2 on June 22!!! We actually could have had it finished the week before, but we had to wait on doctors appointments for the kids' physicals. That's okay though. It gave me a little more time to go through everything with a fine tooth comb a bazillion times to make sure I had it all just right. I mailed it off the morning we left for our trip to Florida, and it was SO wonderful to be able to relax and enjoy our trip knowing I had our paperwork finished and that it was on it's way to Dillon! I was seriously like a crazy person those last couple days before we left, trying to pack for our family of 5 for 8 days along with working like crazy to finish completing forms and getting it all copied and organized. That beach trip was so very much needed.
Here's our stack of forms we had to collect!
And off it went!!! I was so nervous to send all of these important documents off in this big envelope. I checked my tracking number everyday (okay, okay, ten times a day) until I saw confirmation that it had been delivered!
Dillon received our App 2 on June 26! Our case worker "M" had been out of town for over a week and wasn't due back until the next day. I knew she would be behind on work and would take some time getting caught back up. Our agency requests that we allow them 30 days to completely go through and process our App 2. So, I wasn't expecting to hear any news for a couple weeks at least. You can imagine my surprise when Brent checked his email tonight while we were waiting for the fire works to start, and there it was. Our App 2 approval!!!!! Our case worker had gone through our entire application this afternoon, and everything looked great!!
Our next step on the list is our home study. Eek. This makes me nervous. I know we will be fine...there is nothing specific I am worried about. I guess the whole idea of someone coming into our home to evaluate and interview us is a little nervewracking. I know it will probably much easier than I am expecting, and honestly, I am just ready to get it overwith! I am not sure when this will take place yet...I am guessing by the end of the month. And once our homestudy is approved, we are officially on the waitlist for a baby!!!!! So, hopefully by the end of August? That's my goal, anyway. We will see. If there's one thing I've learned about the adoption process already, it's that the whole timing thing is out of my hands. Right now, the current wait time once you are placed on the waitlist is 4-6 months. I am going to bank on the longer time frame there, just to prepare myself. At that point, you receive the information on a child that you have been matched with. If you accept that referral, then you begin the long process of getting things approved to bring your child home. Unfortunately, this is usually the hardest part. This can take up to a year or longer. So, you have this picture in your hand of your child and all of his information, a child being raised by a foster family halfway around the world. And you have to wait that long to go get them and bring them home. Wow. I can only imagine how trying that will be. But we will choose to trust in God's perfect timing in all of this! He is in control, and His ways are so much higher than my own.
I ran across this quote a few days ago, and I thought it was beautiful. I'll close with this...
Things are moving right along! We are making baby steps in our adoption journey, and I still have to pinch myself some days to convince myself that this is really happening. We really truly are doing this...something I've dreamed about for so long. We are adopting a child. We will travel halfway around the world to bring him home. We will have four children (FOUR?!). It helps me to see these things written down, because sometimes I really can't believe it's true!
When I left off in the last adoption update, we had sent in our Application 1 and were awaiting approval. I received our approval email on May 30, and our App 2 packet was sent to us on June 5!
This application was much more in depth than the first and honestly, was a bit overwhelming at first. It includes a checklist a mile long of forms to collect, forms to complete, letters to have notarized, physical appointments to complete, autobiographies to write, reference letters to request, items to copy, and on and on and on. As daunting of a task as it was, it was very exciting to be "doing something"! Checking things off to move another step closer to our little one! I hear that once you finish this stage and move on to the waiting stage, it gets really hard, and you wish you could just be "doing something" again to move the process along. So, I put on my running shoes and went at it full speed. Finally, step by step, we got it all completed! What a relief it was to check the last item on this list!
We mailed in our completed Application 2 on June 22!!! We actually could have had it finished the week before, but we had to wait on doctors appointments for the kids' physicals. That's okay though. It gave me a little more time to go through everything with a fine tooth comb a bazillion times to make sure I had it all just right. I mailed it off the morning we left for our trip to Florida, and it was SO wonderful to be able to relax and enjoy our trip knowing I had our paperwork finished and that it was on it's way to Dillon! I was seriously like a crazy person those last couple days before we left, trying to pack for our family of 5 for 8 days along with working like crazy to finish completing forms and getting it all copied and organized. That beach trip was so very much needed.
Here's our stack of forms we had to collect!
And off it went!!! I was so nervous to send all of these important documents off in this big envelope. I checked my tracking number everyday (okay, okay, ten times a day) until I saw confirmation that it had been delivered!
Dillon received our App 2 on June 26! Our case worker "M" had been out of town for over a week and wasn't due back until the next day. I knew she would be behind on work and would take some time getting caught back up. Our agency requests that we allow them 30 days to completely go through and process our App 2. So, I wasn't expecting to hear any news for a couple weeks at least. You can imagine my surprise when Brent checked his email tonight while we were waiting for the fire works to start, and there it was. Our App 2 approval!!!!! Our case worker had gone through our entire application this afternoon, and everything looked great!!
Our next step on the list is our home study. Eek. This makes me nervous. I know we will be fine...there is nothing specific I am worried about. I guess the whole idea of someone coming into our home to evaluate and interview us is a little nervewracking. I know it will probably much easier than I am expecting, and honestly, I am just ready to get it overwith! I am not sure when this will take place yet...I am guessing by the end of the month. And once our homestudy is approved, we are officially on the waitlist for a baby!!!!! So, hopefully by the end of August? That's my goal, anyway. We will see. If there's one thing I've learned about the adoption process already, it's that the whole timing thing is out of my hands. Right now, the current wait time once you are placed on the waitlist is 4-6 months. I am going to bank on the longer time frame there, just to prepare myself. At that point, you receive the information on a child that you have been matched with. If you accept that referral, then you begin the long process of getting things approved to bring your child home. Unfortunately, this is usually the hardest part. This can take up to a year or longer. So, you have this picture in your hand of your child and all of his information, a child being raised by a foster family halfway around the world. And you have to wait that long to go get them and bring them home. Wow. I can only imagine how trying that will be. But we will choose to trust in God's perfect timing in all of this! He is in control, and His ways are so much higher than my own.
I ran across this quote a few days ago, and I thought it was beautiful. I'll close with this...
Adoption Updates
(ETA: This post was originally written on May 27, 2012.)
And so it begins!!! We have taken the first few steps to begin the adoption process!
On Friday, May 11, we made our first trip to Little Rock to meet with the adoption agency for a private informational meeting. The director of the Little Rock office is who met with us, and I can already tell that she is going to be wonderful to work with.
She talked with us in detail about the agency, their South Korea program, and the entire aoption process. And most importantly, we got so many of our questions answered. We left there feeling very excited, overwhelmed with information, and so very anxious to get started! One thing she did tell us was that they were holding an adoption seminar at their office the very next Friday. This seminar is something that all adoptive parents are required to attend before their homestudy can be approved. This would be the last one they would be hosting until September, so she thought it would be a good idea for us to attend if at all possible.
So, we made plans for the boys to stay with grandparents and friends, and a week later we excitedly (and a bit nervously) drove back to Little Rock for this seminar! There were three other adoptive families there, all adopting from South Korea. It was so great to get to visit with them and meet others who are walking the same road we are. The seminar covered so many topics, but they mostly focused on attachment and bonding once they child comes home. Our child will most likely be between 12-24 months old when he or she comes home, so the attachment period is so very important, to help them learn that we are Mommy and Daddy and that they are a part of our family forever. We learned so many great things!!
That very weekend, we completed our Application 1 and on Monday, May 21, we put it in the mail headed to Tulsa, OK to the Dillon, Itnl. main office!!!!!!
It made it feel so official to have our application in the FedEx envelope with Dillon, Intl's address on the front. This is really happening!
We had to include a recent photo of our family, and we hadn't had family pictures made since Levi was 6 weeks old. So, I just had a friend take this picture when we were at their house for small group a few weeks ago. Everyone is actually looking at the camera and somewhat smiling, so I'll take it!!
I received a phone call from Dillon on Thursday - they had received our application! Our case manager went over a few things, and she requested that we get a Physician's letter for Brent's 2 recent surgeries just stating that he had no complications from either procedure, etc. I am so thankful for a dr's office that is on top of things, because I had the letter completed and in the mail by Saturday! Once they receive the letter at Dillon, they will finish processing our App 1, then they will send us App 2 in the mail!! Yay! This ball is rolling!!!
And so it begins!!! We have taken the first few steps to begin the adoption process!
On Friday, May 11, we made our first trip to Little Rock to meet with the adoption agency for a private informational meeting. The director of the Little Rock office is who met with us, and I can already tell that she is going to be wonderful to work with.
She talked with us in detail about the agency, their South Korea program, and the entire aoption process. And most importantly, we got so many of our questions answered. We left there feeling very excited, overwhelmed with information, and so very anxious to get started! One thing she did tell us was that they were holding an adoption seminar at their office the very next Friday. This seminar is something that all adoptive parents are required to attend before their homestudy can be approved. This would be the last one they would be hosting until September, so she thought it would be a good idea for us to attend if at all possible.
So, we made plans for the boys to stay with grandparents and friends, and a week later we excitedly (and a bit nervously) drove back to Little Rock for this seminar! There were three other adoptive families there, all adopting from South Korea. It was so great to get to visit with them and meet others who are walking the same road we are. The seminar covered so many topics, but they mostly focused on attachment and bonding once they child comes home. Our child will most likely be between 12-24 months old when he or she comes home, so the attachment period is so very important, to help them learn that we are Mommy and Daddy and that they are a part of our family forever. We learned so many great things!!
That very weekend, we completed our Application 1 and on Monday, May 21, we put it in the mail headed to Tulsa, OK to the Dillon, Itnl. main office!!!!!!
 |
| At the Fed Ex office with our completed App 1! |
It made it feel so official to have our application in the FedEx envelope with Dillon, Intl's address on the front. This is really happening!
We had to include a recent photo of our family, and we hadn't had family pictures made since Levi was 6 weeks old. So, I just had a friend take this picture when we were at their house for small group a few weeks ago. Everyone is actually looking at the camera and somewhat smiling, so I'll take it!!
Mom's Day 2012
(ETA: This post was written on Mother's Day this year.)
I can't believe that I celebrated my 6th Mother's Day this year! I am so thankful for these three little blessings whom which God has entrusted in my care. I love each little thing about them.
We went to our church for Sunday School, then drove to Knowles for regular church so we could both be with our moms. Brent and I have both been so blessed to have such wonderful mothers!
My mom was taking my grandmother out for lunch, so Brent and I took his mom to eat, then went to her house to visit for a bit.
My two sweet big boys :) Little Bit was taking a nap, so I didn't dare wake him for a picture. If there's one thing I've learned as a mom...you don't wake a sleeping baby ;)
I also can't post this without a big thank you to my mother-in-law. She loves my boys, loves me, and raised her son to be the devoted, hard working man that he is today, my husband :)
While we visited outside for a bit, Brody shot grasshoppers with his BB gun...
And Beckett worked so hard to figure out his bow and arrow...
Such is life in the south... :)
And this is what little dude was up to.
This Mother's Day was very special indeed. I had my three little Little's along side me all day. During the invitation at church I prayed for each of them. I prayed for their futures, and I thanked God for each day that He has blessed me with them.
But I also prayed for another little soul. The soul of a baby who may not even born yet. A baby who will live the first year of more of his or her life in South Korea without a family of their very own. A baby who will prayerfully join our family, and one day call me Mommy. I prayed for this baby's birthmother, who may very well be struggling this very moment with the biggest decision of her life. The decision to place her child, a child she cannot care for, up for adoption. I just prayed that God would wrap his arms around us and guide us on this journey. And that He would get the glory for all of this. He has been so faithful to continue to confirm to us that this is His will for us. Through stories we read, people we talk to, and most of all, through his Word. God's faithfullness remains perfect and never failing. He is forming and molding our hearts to prepare us to walk this long journey to bring home our fourth child from halfway around the world.
Happy Mother's Day, indeed.
I can't believe that I celebrated my 6th Mother's Day this year! I am so thankful for these three little blessings whom which God has entrusted in my care. I love each little thing about them.
We went to our church for Sunday School, then drove to Knowles for regular church so we could both be with our moms. Brent and I have both been so blessed to have such wonderful mothers!
My mom was taking my grandmother out for lunch, so Brent and I took his mom to eat, then went to her house to visit for a bit.
My two sweet big boys :) Little Bit was taking a nap, so I didn't dare wake him for a picture. If there's one thing I've learned as a mom...you don't wake a sleeping baby ;)
I also can't post this without a big thank you to my mother-in-law. She loves my boys, loves me, and raised her son to be the devoted, hard working man that he is today, my husband :)
While we visited outside for a bit, Brody shot grasshoppers with his BB gun...
Such is life in the south... :)
And this is what little dude was up to.
But I also prayed for another little soul. The soul of a baby who may not even born yet. A baby who will live the first year of more of his or her life in South Korea without a family of their very own. A baby who will prayerfully join our family, and one day call me Mommy. I prayed for this baby's birthmother, who may very well be struggling this very moment with the biggest decision of her life. The decision to place her child, a child she cannot care for, up for adoption. I just prayed that God would wrap his arms around us and guide us on this journey. And that He would get the glory for all of this. He has been so faithful to continue to confirm to us that this is His will for us. Through stories we read, people we talk to, and most of all, through his Word. God's faithfullness remains perfect and never failing. He is forming and molding our hearts to prepare us to walk this long journey to bring home our fourth child from halfway around the world.
We are saying Yes!! (Big News to Share!)
(ETA: This post was orginally written on May 7, 2012. We weren't ready to share our news at the time, so I kept it saved in my bog archives. There are several more posts to share to get everyone up to date on where we are now...I will be posting them all soon!)
Brent and I have had a huge opportunity placed in front of us. It came straight from the hand of God. At first, we weren't sure what to do with it. Afterall, it's hard to step out on faith, with so many unknowns surrounding you. But there are times where you know that, really, that's all we've got. Faith that God has His arms wrapped around us in every situation that we face in life. And faith that God will use all things for His glory!
So, we are saying Yes, Lord! We are going to adopt a baby from South Korea!
International adoption is something that Brent and I have always talked about. I think we even brought it up before we were married! We have known for a while that we both have a huge heart for these children, and we knew that God was working in our hearts. Since then, I have gone to Ukraine to work with the children there, and Brent has done the same in Nicaragua. And we both came home from those trips saying that we wish we could have just brought those kids home with us! It wasn't just a figure of speech...we really truly did. Since Brent has returned from Nicaragua, we have begun to talk more seriously about it. We just know there are so many children out there who need a home. And more than that, they need a family. It just breaks our heart to think of any child not knowing the love of a family. Not having a mom or dad to tuck them in bed each night. Not knowing what it's like to have grandparents who adore them. And we know that through God's abundant blessings, we can give a child these things.
A few Sundays ago, on April 22, Brother Scott preached a sermon that completely validated in our hearts what we knew we wanted and needed and were being called to do. He was preaching from Genesis...on the faith of Abram. And he closed with a powerful challenge about decision making. We all have decisions to make in life. Some bigger than others. Some easier to make than others. He said that sometimes there's not necesarrily a right or wrong answer...no one will look down on you for either decision you make...and those are the hardest. He challenged us to look at our options. And ask ourselves two questions. Which option will make God my reward and my rewarder? And which option will best stretch and exercise my faith in God, so that He gets the glory for the decision we make? We talked after church that day, and we both knew our answer. We would put our faith in God, and we would walk this journey. A long journey full of challenges and unknowns. But a journey also full of blessings from God.
We did our research and found an agency in Little Rock, and from there we researched programs. Due to age restrictions in some countries, extremely lengthy travel requirements in others, and for various other reasons, we feel that South Korea is the best fit for us. We didn't necesarrily feel "called" to choose S. Korea as our country. There are orphans in every country that need families. None are more important than any other. South Korea just seems to be a good choice for our family. It's a long process...approximately 1 1/2 to 2 years, and our child, most likely a boy, will be around 18 months old when we bring him home.
We haven't begun any paperwork as of yet. We have our first meeting with the adoption agency this Friday afternoon, just to talk and discuss some details and financial things. And we pray that we will be able to begin soon after that.
We are so excited (and a bit nervous!) to begin this chapter of our lives. I don't know who this child will be that will one day be our son or daughter. I don't know if they are even conceived yet. I don't know their story. But God knows. And I do know that I love him or her already. I know that he or she has a family waiting for them to love them. And we can't to see where God leads us on this walk of faith!
Most of all, we covet your prayers as our family grows from a family of five to a family of six! It will be a long journey, but we know God is faithful to walk alongside us every step of the way.
So, we are saying Yes, Lord! We are going to adopt a baby from South Korea!
International adoption is something that Brent and I have always talked about. I think we even brought it up before we were married! We have known for a while that we both have a huge heart for these children, and we knew that God was working in our hearts. Since then, I have gone to Ukraine to work with the children there, and Brent has done the same in Nicaragua. And we both came home from those trips saying that we wish we could have just brought those kids home with us! It wasn't just a figure of speech...we really truly did. Since Brent has returned from Nicaragua, we have begun to talk more seriously about it. We just know there are so many children out there who need a home. And more than that, they need a family. It just breaks our heart to think of any child not knowing the love of a family. Not having a mom or dad to tuck them in bed each night. Not knowing what it's like to have grandparents who adore them. And we know that through God's abundant blessings, we can give a child these things.
A few Sundays ago, on April 22, Brother Scott preached a sermon that completely validated in our hearts what we knew we wanted and needed and were being called to do. He was preaching from Genesis...on the faith of Abram. And he closed with a powerful challenge about decision making. We all have decisions to make in life. Some bigger than others. Some easier to make than others. He said that sometimes there's not necesarrily a right or wrong answer...no one will look down on you for either decision you make...and those are the hardest. He challenged us to look at our options. And ask ourselves two questions. Which option will make God my reward and my rewarder? And which option will best stretch and exercise my faith in God, so that He gets the glory for the decision we make? We talked after church that day, and we both knew our answer. We would put our faith in God, and we would walk this journey. A long journey full of challenges and unknowns. But a journey also full of blessings from God.
We did our research and found an agency in Little Rock, and from there we researched programs. Due to age restrictions in some countries, extremely lengthy travel requirements in others, and for various other reasons, we feel that South Korea is the best fit for us. We didn't necesarrily feel "called" to choose S. Korea as our country. There are orphans in every country that need families. None are more important than any other. South Korea just seems to be a good choice for our family. It's a long process...approximately 1 1/2 to 2 years, and our child, most likely a boy, will be around 18 months old when we bring him home.
We haven't begun any paperwork as of yet. We have our first meeting with the adoption agency this Friday afternoon, just to talk and discuss some details and financial things. And we pray that we will be able to begin soon after that.
We are so excited (and a bit nervous!) to begin this chapter of our lives. I don't know who this child will be that will one day be our son or daughter. I don't know if they are even conceived yet. I don't know their story. But God knows. And I do know that I love him or her already. I know that he or she has a family waiting for them to love them. And we can't to see where God leads us on this walk of faith!
Most of all, we covet your prayers as our family grows from a family of five to a family of six! It will be a long journey, but we know God is faithful to walk alongside us every step of the way.
Monday, July 9, 2012
Levi Hudson {Twelve Months}
Levi, you are officially a big ONE year old!! I absolutely cannot believe it. My baby is one. It seems like only yesterday you came rushing into this world and stole our hearts with your beautiful little face. You have been the sweetest little angel from the very beginning, and we love every. single. little. thing. about you. God blessed us immensely the day He gave us you. You are a perfect little gift straight from heaven. No matter how big you get, you will always be Mommy's baby. I love you to the moon and back. And everywhere in between.
At twelve months, you weigh about 21 pounds. You wear 12-18 month clothes, size 3 diapers, and size 3 shoe.
You eat all table food...and you love practically anything we eat. I honestly can't think of much you don't like! You went through that little stage where you wouldn't eat any baby food, so I'm so happy that you are a good eater now! You still take 2-3 formula bottles a day. One between 5-6 am when you first wake up and I bring you to our bed, one at nap time, and one at bedtime. The rest of your bottles are whole milk. I'm in no hurry to get rid of your bottle...I know it'll happen soon enough.
You go to sleep in your crib between 8 and 9 and usually sleep until sometime between 5 and 6. I bring you to our bed, give you a bottle, and you go back to sleep until around 7 usually.
You are still doing your funny little hop-along crawl, and I can't imagine that you will walk anytime soon. You do pull up on everything though and cruise around furniture with ease. I feel like you will walk even later than your brothers...they both walked between 13 and 14 months. But you aren't even interested in standing alone yet. I'm sure not rushing you though my sweet boy- you'll get there when you are good and ready!
You are a pretty vocal little guy. You say Mama, Dada, Bubba, Pawpaw, Na-Na (for Noni), bye bye, uh-oh, night-night, Boo-tie (Brookie), nana (banana), no no, and have repeated several other things we've asked you. But the ones I listed were the ones you say pretty regularly. You have the sweetest softest little voice.
You are still pretty easy going, but have developed a bad case of separation anxiety from your mommy. I know it's because I stay home with you all day every day, but boy oh boy do you flip out when I leave you somewhere like the church nursery. And it's not just a brief moment of unhappiness either. You really don't get over it until I return to get you. I certainly love being loved, but it breaks this mama's heart to leave you anywhere crying like that. I hope this phase is short lived!!
You love to dance to music, play with balls, play on your ride-on cars, go for walks, and watch your "songs" on tv (Cedarmont Kids). You also love playing peek-a-boo! And you LOVE to laugh at your silly brothers and your Brookie!
Happy first birthday, Levi Hudson!! I love you more, SO much more, than you'll ever know!!!
At twelve months, you weigh about 21 pounds. You wear 12-18 month clothes, size 3 diapers, and size 3 shoe.
You eat all table food...and you love practically anything we eat. I honestly can't think of much you don't like! You went through that little stage where you wouldn't eat any baby food, so I'm so happy that you are a good eater now! You still take 2-3 formula bottles a day. One between 5-6 am when you first wake up and I bring you to our bed, one at nap time, and one at bedtime. The rest of your bottles are whole milk. I'm in no hurry to get rid of your bottle...I know it'll happen soon enough.
You go to sleep in your crib between 8 and 9 and usually sleep until sometime between 5 and 6. I bring you to our bed, give you a bottle, and you go back to sleep until around 7 usually.
You are still doing your funny little hop-along crawl, and I can't imagine that you will walk anytime soon. You do pull up on everything though and cruise around furniture with ease. I feel like you will walk even later than your brothers...they both walked between 13 and 14 months. But you aren't even interested in standing alone yet. I'm sure not rushing you though my sweet boy- you'll get there when you are good and ready!
You are a pretty vocal little guy. You say Mama, Dada, Bubba, Pawpaw, Na-Na (for Noni), bye bye, uh-oh, night-night, Boo-tie (Brookie), nana (banana), no no, and have repeated several other things we've asked you. But the ones I listed were the ones you say pretty regularly. You have the sweetest softest little voice.
You are still pretty easy going, but have developed a bad case of separation anxiety from your mommy. I know it's because I stay home with you all day every day, but boy oh boy do you flip out when I leave you somewhere like the church nursery. And it's not just a brief moment of unhappiness either. You really don't get over it until I return to get you. I certainly love being loved, but it breaks this mama's heart to leave you anywhere crying like that. I hope this phase is short lived!!
You love to dance to music, play with balls, play on your ride-on cars, go for walks, and watch your "songs" on tv (Cedarmont Kids). You also love playing peek-a-boo! And you LOVE to laugh at your silly brothers and your Brookie!
Happy first birthday, Levi Hudson!! I love you more, SO much more, than you'll ever know!!!
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