Dogs

Before kids life was all about the dogs. Second place doesn't seem so bad!

Sunday Snapshot-Spring Pics

Here is my attempt at some Spring Pictures. How did I get them out into the tall weeds and mud? Good old fashioned bribery. All it took was two cherry slushes from Sonic!

Favorite Photo Friday-Update

We received and updated report and two photos of Ji yesterday. Same crib, same shaved head, same over sized clothes. It's always a little sad to watch your child that is a world away grow up in pictures. It's even sadder to see new pictures and no growth. I'm so ready to GO!

Here is precious Ji last week. She weighs 17 pounds and is 26 inches long. Sweet girl! I think her lips make Angelina's look puny :)

Waiting, Waiting, and More Waiting

Adoption is all about waiting. Some days I wait well and others, not so much! There have been a few small updates with the "process". The USCIS sent a RFE (request for evidence) regarding two small pieces of our home study. We sent the RFE last week and should be hearing about our approval soon. That would make us DTC (dossier to China) except 3 of our documents expired while at the State Consulate's office. Two days before Spring Break we ran around like chickens with our heads cut off gathering, notarizing, requesting, and sending. Those documents are now at the Consulate's office again. When they come back we will be DTC. I would say I'd be calm then but there are several more waiting periods which could total 6-7 more months until travel.

I had lunch with a friend yesterday and she said the sweetest thing to me. She said she prayed every day that Jesus would be sitting in the crib with our Ji. I know everyone prays for her but comment came at just the right time, when the wait seemed almost unbearable.

Recently I was invited to a DTC Winter Group on Facebook. I LOVE IT! There are 96 members and we are all in the same phases of adoption. We even decided to have secret pals and send little gifts and encouraging notes a few times a month. I've already sent and received some special treats. We also post pictures of our babies. You should see them all. Talk about CUTE! I posted this picture the other day and one member noticed how sweet it was that Ji was holding Rain's hand in this photo. I hadn't noticed before. What I wouldn't do to hold that little hand. Waiting......

American Girl

Our cousins came for Spring Break. The BIG treat was eating with our dolls at the American Girl Bistro. SO. MUCH. FUN. More on the cousins later.....

Thursday

My blog has been neglected due to massive amounts of school work. My two week observation window was open and I was evaluated yesterday. Not to mention we have paper work problems with the USCIS regarding Ji's adoption. For the LOVE! I'm ready for Spring Break and some good sleep.

Molly has been playing recently with our next door neighbor Sarah. We've been waiting for the day when they could go back and forth between the houses. So fun!

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!