SWS Baby Reception Home

Recently I've made some good friends through FaceBook that are adopting from Korea or have already adopted. It's such a comfort to go through this with others who are experiencing the same things. In one group we all shared photos of the Korean foster moms and some of the children share foster moms. It's been fun connecting with these moms in this way. This week some shared pictures of the Baby Reception home at SWS. When we stayed at the SWS guest house I knew the babies were being taken care of a few floors below but I didn't know I could peek in. I just kept seeing the sweet ladies go in and out in their pink robes. Here is a peek inside. Timmy stayed here for a few weeks when his birth parents relinquished their rights. (I wasn't sure how to word that but please know I love and respect his birth mother and father. They loved him so much and were selfless enough to know they could not provide the best life and health care for him. Selflessly they gave him up in hopes that he would have a brighter future). It amazing how little bits of his story have been pieced together through others pictures and stories. I'm hoping to pull something special together for him on "Gotcha Day" April 6th. Here is where Timmy and many of the Korean babies start their adoption journey.

Favorite Photo Friday-Finger Prints

Finger Prints at the USCIS. DONE! Here are some pics of the kids outside the office. Not very pretty back ground but I want Ji to see how the kids looked when we were planning to bring her home. They don't allow cameras inside and it's certainly not a place to break the rules ;) Afterwards we went to eat at the Dream Cafe in Addison. I had a very yummy Greek salad with hummus. Greek salad is so tasty!

Whitney

The #1 reason I keep up with a blog is to keep track of my own memories. #2 For the family to see what the kids are up to. With that said I want to note that Whitney Houston's death has sadden me deeply. When I was a child I loved her and growing up Uncle Larry took us to see her in concert a few times. It seems that so many of her songs are tied to my "life memories". How Will I Know? was my very favorite song in the fifth grade. I had a little crush on someone with red hair and freckles and that song always takes me back to when I was 10. I Will Always Love You is another favorite and it reminds me of friends and loved ones that I've lost and will always love. Step By Step is an amazing stretch song that is played at Barnabas. I can still remember my friend Laurie dancing to it 7 years ago. Queen of the Night is awesome to hear in concert. WOW! My all time favorite Whitney song is My Love is Your Love. I think it speaks for itself. I've copied the lyrics below.

The other part of Whitney's death that hurts my heart is that she died in great pain. Maybe she wasn't in physical pain but obviously emotional. She struggled with addictions, divorce, loss, and the pressures of stardom. My Dad's issues weren't the same and Whitney's death has not been ruled a suicide. Any time a younger person dies needlessly due to depression or related issues it hits me at the core. It's a part of me that will most likely always be there.

I'll always love Whitney and am grateful for her special music and talent. I just know she's up there singing in Heaven. RIP Miss Whitney. You are missed.

If tomorrow is judgment day (Sing Mommy)

And I'm standing on the front line

And the Lord asks me what I did with my life

I will say I spent it with you

If I wake up in World War III

I see destruction and poverty

And I feel like I want to go home

It's okay if you're coming with me

'Cause your love is my love

And my love is your love

It would take an eternity to break us

And the chains of Amistad couln't hold us

'Cause your love is my love

And my love is your love

It would take an eternity to break us

And the chains of Amistad couln't hold us

If I lose my fame and fortune

And I'm homeless on the street

And I'm sleeping in Grand Central Station

It's okay if you're sleeping with me

As the years they pass us by

We stay young through each other's eyes

And no matter how old we get

It's okay as long as I got you baby

'Cause your love is my love

And my love is your love

It would take an eternity to break us

And the chains of Amistad couldn't hold us

'Cause your love is my love

And my love is your love

It would take an eternity to break us

And the chains of Amistad couldn't hold us

If I should die this very day

Don't cry, 'cause on Earth we weren't meant to stay

And no matter what the people say

I'll be waiting for you after the judgment day

'Cause your love is my love

And my love is your love

It would take an eternity to break us

And the chains of Amistad couldn't hold us

'Cause your love is my love

And my love is your love

It would take an eternity to break us

And the chains of Amistad couldn't hold us

Missing 2 Lindsays

Thinking of Lindsay on Valentine's Eve. Hearts day. I can't help but think that Valentines means more to heart kiddos. Regretfully, I never met Miss Lindsay. Although I do think of her every day and miss her. Happy Valentines Day in Heaven sweet girl.

We are naming our Ji after Linsday Raye Dean our heart hero!

Lindsay Haun Ji Meeker

Sunday Snapshot-Valentines

Molly had a little Valentines party today at our house with Lola and Reese. 3 sweet friends, some crafts, hamburgers, heart shaped cookies, and lots of play time! Timmy was allowed to come too :)

KATE

Oh my goodness! I just found out that sweet Kate (listed in the post below) is being adopted. I'm way to excited. You see Kate has a blood disorder and if she aged out she would no longer get the monthly transfusions that she needs. Without these transfusions her future in China looked very bleak. HOWEVER her story has changed....

She is coming HOME to a mommy and daddy!

Operation Rescue

Adeye from No Greater Joy Mom has asked her blog followers to share in her desperate plea for specific children. Please check out these sweet babies and share where you can. www.nogreaterjoymom.com This is sweet Kate #67 on Adeye's list. She ages out in China soon. Please pray for her!

Proverbs 24:12 "Once our eyes are opened, we can't pretend we don't know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows that we know and holds us responsible to act."

Finger Prints!

Last week Molls and I bought Ji a stuffed giraffe at Target. So cute! Then I started thinking that I'd put the cart before the horse and somehow we wouldn't get approval. All because of a stuffed animal. LOL! We receieved our second extension from the CCCWA yesterday which was needed to accomodate the USCIS approval. We also received our finger print appointments which are on February 16th. USCIS approval should follow a few weeks after. I guess the giraffe wasn't so powerful after all :)

Sunday Snapshot-Licking His Toes

We made brownies and he spilled some brownie mix on his toes. Cleaning it up his own way!

Favorite Photo Friday-Growing Up

She is growing up right in front of my eyes. SIGH. This kid, she loves life. She never meets a stranger and can turn a boring night at home into an all out party. She has the most fun playing dress up.

Coloring and cutting are favorite activities as well. As you can see we have some photos taken from Birds in Bloom pasted right on our kitchen walls, under Rocky's portrait. She informed us that she was cutting out a boobie bird and she was. Thanks to Little Einsteins she already knows more than I do.

She loves make up and basically anything girly. Every day when I get up at 6 am she pops out of bed and watches me get ready while applying her own make up as well.

She can have fun with anyone. Here she is goofing off with our sweet friend Katrina.

And let me tell you about her Daddy. She has this guy wrapped around her little finger. They are both foodies so all she has to do is make a request and he will either cook or buy whatever her palate desires. Today he was grilling hamburgers at 7 am. With or without cheese, princess?

In January she noticed a construction site near our house. I explained to her that it was a new bank and after our talks she decided she would open a saving account. We took Piggy to Chase during opening week and Molly now has $59.13 which she is saving for her next trip to Disney.

I know I am partial but Molly is more fun than most 4 year olds. Enough growing up for now sweet girl. I love you!

Xiaoyun Speaks

So many people ask. If you can have your own children, why adopt? I could talk all day about it. 147 million orphans in the world. God opened my eyes to adoption and now I can't pretend I don't know what he wants me to do. The list could go on and I could run out of breath trying to explain myself. So instead of going on and on, here is a precious video of Xiaoyun. She says it all.

http://elliourgiftfromgod.blogspot.com/p/xiaoyun-speaks.html

This is precious Xiaoyun. She almost aged out of the system in China. Currently she is undergoing 6 surgeries in a short amount of time to repair her back.

Favorite Photo Friday-Something Special

Today I received an email from Tammy at AIAA. SWS (agency in Korea) found newborn pictures of Timmy and sent them for us. I can't explain how excited I was to open the attachment and see what he looked like as a newborn. Since he went into foster care at 3 months old we did not have earlier photos of him. It's awesome that he will have these to look back on. Bob showed him the pictures and asked him who they were of. His reply, Me....Timmy!

Sunday Snapshot-Lunar New Year

Frog Legs and Lamb Chop

Sunday Snapshot-Buddies

They love each other more than I ever expected. When we are home they will spend hours at a time reading, dressing up and pretending. They are truly best buddies!

Ji JOY

Over Christmas I was running to Chris Tomlin's version of Joy to the World. IT IS SO GOOD! While running I felt like his Unspeakable Joy song was Ji's song. Or should I say, my song to make it through Ji's adoption. That song actually motivates me to run fast as well. A few days later I asked Bob if we could give Ji 4 names by adding Joy somewhere in there. 1. for the song 2. because I am sure my heart may burst with Joy when I meet her. He said sure, we'll do whatever you want. He's so easy like that. Probably because he knows when I get something in my mind it doesn't go away. LOL! This week when I was getting a few papers notarized AGAIN because they were not accepted at the state level for the dossier, I looked at Ji's referral paper work. Her full Chinese name is Huan Qiu Ji. The agency always calls her Ji so that's how we have referred to her as well. Just for kicks I googled Huan (her given first name) and guess what it means in Chinese! Yep, you guessed it JOY! I'm not sure how all those names will fit one tiny little girl and if you have suggestions please leave a comment.

Linsday (after Lindsay Dean our little heart angel hero), Joy or Huan, Ji (for sure), and Meeker.

HUAN 欢 f & m Chinese
Means "happy, joyous" in Chinese.

Emergency Room

Well.......on Wednesday Timmy's school called and said his mouth was blue and is O2 sats were at 75%. I rushed out and took him to the Medical City ER. After 2 EKGs and some chest xrays, nothing is wrong. His heart is functioning perfectly and the cardiologist says there is no way his sats went to 75% and then back up to 100% so quickly. Maybe the school nurse panicked because his mouth turned blue. Not sure! So now Timmy has a heart monitor for social reasons at school :) We (the cardiologist and the people who understand his condition) do not feel worried or scared around him but the school is careful and protective. They see a little boy with a heart condition and very big surgery repair. I guess I should look on the bright side, at least they care. BUT it was a lot of drama and money for nothing. Here is Timmy looking like a pro on the EKG machine.

Monday :)

Sunday Snapshot-HOME STUDY!!!!

Came home from a walk yesterday and a little surprise was waiting on the door step. Our home study is finished, finalized, verified, officialezed and on it's way to the USCIS for our i800 approval. USCIS wait time 60 days.........