Finalization Day Today!!!!

On December 14,2009 At 11:30 a.m. Grace was finally declared legally ours forever!

In our hearts she has been ours since we first saw a photo of her, but now today it is legal in the court.

Those of you in the adoption world know that this is a familiar photo...signing paper work!

We have all done it a million times haven't we?

Many people thought that when we went to get Gracie that it was all finalized then. But with South Korea you must have your child for 6 months before you can finalize the adoption. Each country is a little bit different when it comes to this.

Chit chatting with the Judge. I acually taught his daughter in my dance classes.

Isn't she getting sooo big!!

Korean University Magazine Publishes our family...and more...

To top off the great night we had, we were surprised to see that Soobeum published our family in the Kyung Hee University Magazine called "The university Life". We are the little picture on the right side and article about our family and the exchange program here. My heart is very touched by him doing this. It is something special to our family and something we will always remember. As Gracie grows up I think she will also think it is pretty cool!

Soobeum and JK "trying" to play the piano together! These two are totally funny guys!!

Bailey being dorky and walking on big foam from the tv box...Grace thought he was a giant!

Really seriously all kids need are a box. With in about 5 minutes these two were cutting little windows and doors in this box...way cute..

In case your wondering why we are all wearing the same thing in the last three posts ..it is because it is all from the one same night. :-)

The exchange program for the students from South Korea are only for one semester, which you all know what that means, they will all be heading back home before Christmas. I just hate goodbyes, they will be hard to do. We have of course gotten to know them really well and they will always be special to our family! Till then we will cherish more fun times with them before they have to go back home. Im excited to be building a community of friends in Korea. When we go back we will have much family and friends to visit. Next semester more students will be coming so we will be excited to mee them as well, and see who God will bring into our lives!

Mrs. Claus came early this year...

"what could it be?"

My lucky hubby got his gift early this year! There was no place to hide this thing..

A 50 inch t.v.!!

And for those of you wondering...This steel of a deal happend at 4:30 a.m.!!! No where , no where would I have found this kind of a deal. Im so proud of myself, and so glad my son woke me up that morning!! This is Christmas and anniversary all in one! :-)

 

The girls just needed to play in the big box!! Oh what fun they had!

Christmas Popcorn balls...

Very fun night of eating Chili and making popcorn balls with family and some of our Korean Friends...tomarrow I will also post pics of the special surprise my hubby had...

For some it was a first time experience...it was soo funny!

45 popcorn balls coming soon...

Amanda enjoying the end of the batter..

Tonight Terry's Parents arrived from many many long miles away! We were so happy to see them. We also invited some of our Korean friends over too to eat chili and make popcorn balls with us. It was so fun to see them experience something like that for the first time. The college semester is almost over and our special friends will be heading home back to South Korea again. We have so many great memories with them and I know it will be sad to say goodbye. We had so much fun with everyone tonight. Thank you Lord for all the special people in our lives!

Wordless Wednesday

More from the weekend...

Working on Thanksgiving day at my mom's store was fun...after our big dinner, my mom needed our help re-doing displays in her store, so some of us girls went to work with her..Turned out to be a fun afternoon. In the photo from left to right is: My Grandma Hope, Me, Chungjee (our exchange student), My Mother, Lindsey (my sister in law). 

Later we went to my Grandma Hopes house to have Christmas with her since we would not be back home again for a while. It is always special to spend time with my Grandma! This is our kids Great Grandma!!! This will be our second year without my Grandpa here with us, so that was a little sad being there when you are use to Gramps sitting in his chair and all the things we would get to talk to him about. But the day was still special, and as usual Grandma made all kinds of goodies and spoiled the kids with gifts and most of all her love!!  They all adore her!

What does the duck say? "duck , duck"

Before we left from visiting family ..we could not wait to go show Gracie the ducks (geese)...She loves animals and never sees them in person. You ask her what the duck says...and she will say "duck duck".  In this photo she kept saying duck duck and repeating it over and over again...she was so excited she was seriously doing the "happy dance" with her feet in the same place....It was totally sooo funny!

The kids all got a kick out of her excitement! As you can see we were excited too! Amanda, Chungjee (our exchange student) , Gracie, Bailey

Thanksgiving weekend fun...

The day after Thanksgiving we went to view the Christmas Trees, and were surprised by seeing horses..they were giving carrage rides and we were just in time to take the last ride around! Gracie loved the Horseys!!

We traveled to see family this year for Thanksgiving and  also had Chungjee our college exchange student with us which was really fun! The kids all adore her. The two other little cuties are my little nephew and niece.

The Trees where all beautiful!

Me and my sweetie pie...being goffy as usual!!

Hope your all enjoying the beginning of the Holiday season. We love traditions and Im excited for starting them through the month of December! What are some of your traditions with your families for Christmas??

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thank you Lord For all your blessings you have given our family this year, and especially our 3 amazing kids!  It is amazing to me that as we experience all of our firsts with Gracie it makes us remember where we were one year ago. One year ago we were waiting anxiously for our referral....I remember praying we would get to know who our baby was by thanksgiving, then by christmas...then finally we got our referral in January. That is a day I will always and forever remember. Such a special day! Nothing happend on "my" time of course, but did happen on Gods time. Looking back it was all perfect! We are so thankful this year to experience all the firsts with our baby girl.  Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

Another  huge blessing is how much her big sister and brother love her so much!

It truely is amazing to see and makes my heart beat faster with such joy!

We love you sweet baby and are so thankful you are home forever!!

Heart Test Results...

This week I finally had the final tests done to check my heart.  They did a test called a stress echocardiogram. For an hour and a half I was able to see my own heart...which was amazing to see! I could not help not to be amazed at God once again. The detail of our bodies is amazing and how each part of our body is important. Of course I wanted to hear that my heart was completly perfect. But today my doctor called to let me know that  I have something called Mitro Valve Prolaps. You may ask what is this? ......So here are just some of the details...
Your mitral valve controls blood flow on the left side of your heart. The valve opens and closes with each heartbeat. It works like a one-way gate, letting blood flow from your upper heart chamber to your lower chamber. When you have mitral valve prolapse, the valve closes after blood flows through. But the valve bulges backward a little. It looks like a tiny parachute or balloon as it bulges. This condition is not life threatening, and I can keep doing all the things I have been doing. Later in life a person may need to have the valve repaired. They will watch it every 3 years.  It explains to us why I have had the chest pressure, tiredness at times and migraines can also be associated with this. Interesting how one little thing can affect your body or in this case the central nervous system. I won't post all the details on this blog....because there is alot of information out there on it, so if you want to learn more about this you can visit this site or google mitro valve prolaps (MVP).  http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/tc/mitral-valve-prolapse-overview  
You may ask...How is Tina doing.....Well I can say that right now I'm reading and learning more information about it. I believe being fully educated about it will answer some of my questions and lessen my worry or fears. I am thankful that this is really nothing too serious, but just something to watch and be aware of. ...No it is not the answer that I wanted, but I know as with everything God already has his hands all over my life and He will watch over me. He IS my strength when I am week....and lately..boy have I felt week at times!!!   I have been through alot in my life, and the one thing I know for sure is that God walks with us, and sometimes He carries us!  In everything I praise Him !!
Thank you for your prayers, I have felt them all!

Happy Birthday Sweet Amanda

It is hard to believe that 11 years ago today I gave birth to my second little miracle. I remember it like it was yesterday....Her first look into my eyes was amazing! My how time sure goes fast. It really is true that our kids are only little for a short time! This year for her birthday we had a fun pool party!

I treasure the relationship I have with Amanda so much! Since she is 11, I will give 11 great qualities that I love about her.

1. She loves and respects her mommy and daddy......2. She loves the Lord

3. She is a awesome big sissy to Gracie, and adores her with all her heart......4. She always give 100%

5. She always thinks of others first and herself last

6. She is talented...7. Fabulous...8. Beautiful inside and out..9. She still thinks her mommy is cool.

10. She loves quality time with her family ...11. She is our miracle and blessing from God!

We love you sweetie...Happy Birthday To You!!

Her friends "caked her"....totally unexpected! Very funny!

Even little sissy Gracie got to join in with all the big kids. She never goes with out attention. They all love and adore her and want to hold her.

Gracie even enjoyed eating some Pizza..and cake!

Happy Birthday Amanda! You are truely the BEST!!!!

Look Development Project for Ethiopia....

"A father to the fatherless... is God in His holy habitation. God setteth the solitary in families."
Ps. 68: 5&6

Matt & Amanda DeSarro http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imN5pY4SkEQ have began a huge project in Ethiopia called Look Development. We had the privelege to spend the afternoon with them, and hearing there story is absolutly amazing. God literally has opened the doors for this project to happen! Do you ever sit in awh at times when hearing someones story? Well today that was me. The passion that the two of them have is amazing to me. Even though sometimes they don't know how all the details will work out, they obey God and go forward. God has worked out all the details and continues to work out all the details for this project to open a Christian Orphanage, to provide health care, housing for families, education, love, a well for fresh water, and agriculture supplies to many in so much need.   Today I was so inspired in so many ways to listen to the two of them tell their story, I feel I can not sit still.  My heart is being stirred up in so many ways!!

Tonight as we got the kids down for bed and my husband and I had some time to talk a little, and as many of you know we both have been really searching for God's direction in our lives. After hearing such amazing stories today your mind can go in a million different directions. What can I do to help....or you may ask yourself.. what am I doing in life that is making a difference...having a impact!  We all want to make a difference in the world right?  After hearing a story from Amanda about a father and his legacy that lives on....I was surprised tonight when my husband said "what is my legacy teaching my children".  "What am I doing to make a difference in life".  He wants to be a part of something other than the every day grind!  We both have already been having some of these similar thoughts, but after today they are much more prominent now.  This is a good thing!! I will continue to pray for Gods guidance and direction....and I have said Im waiting on God to show us, but now Im beginning to wonder if God is really waiting on us...to be in the place he wants us to be!  Either way...it will be interesting to see what He does. We wantn to be involved in this project...and I can definetly see myself one day taking a trip to Ethiopia.... I also know Terry can see himself doing something with children and ministry.....When and Where...and How is all up to GOD!!


Please check out more about what Matt and Amanda are doing. This is a great project to be a part of in some way if possible. Here is there web site http://www.lookdevelopment.org/ Most of all please cover this wonderful family with your prayers as they will also be bringing two more children home from Ethiopia.

Here we gathered around Matt and Amanda to cover them in Prayer...

It is a blessing to know this family and to have spent the afternoon with them. What passion this great woman of God has!! Thank you Lord for this Angel!!

 And...I am thankful that my heart has been stirred up....sometimes that is what we all need to go out and make a difference....to seek God...and to open our eyes!

He will lead you along the road of life.....

Sometimes when we are on the "road of life"..... we may experience many ups and many downs...some rocky roads....and some very smooth roads.......we may find ourselves wondering ...are we on the right path.... did we take a wrong turn......or we may find our selves wondering where will this road lead us to. Will it lead to a field of beautiful flowers, or a valley.  Most the time we don't know where the road leads until we find ourselves in the middle of it!  Sometimes we may choose to keep everything inside and no one really knows our struggles along our road in life...sometimes we are traveling it alone, or so it may feel that way sometimes. But it is during these times that I have to remind myself I am not really alone..and that God is with me where ever I go. On each turn in life I will grow, and I will learn, and I will be formed into the woman He wants me to be.  I have to stop thinking that I can do it my self, because when I do, He will remind me that I can't! Tonight I need God , Tomarrow I need God, forever I need God to be my partner, my guide, my teacher, my father, my friend! In Him is where my peace will come from! He will lead us all along the road of life...if we let Him!

Heart Doctor apt.

Today my appointment went good with the Heart specialist. He will schedule just one more test for me to have in a couple of weeks. I will get a Eco Gram with a stress test. This will give them a better look at my heart, and also see how it does under hard excersise. He was a great doctor and Im just glad to have his guidance and input. I am trusting that all is going to come out great, and that is the attitude I choose..I am going to try to not let worry set in. I have been feeling much better also with less chest pain so this is some reasureance to me as well. Please pray all goes well for me..I appreciate it alot. My next apt will be Nov 24th. Have a blessed weekend!

Do you ever feel...

Just a little burned out.....Or wonder.....Where you are suppose to be....what your suppose to be doing?  Lately I will have to admit I have been struggeling with wondering and seeking what God wants for my life and where he wants me to be......I guess you could say I have hit a little burn out with work and home and not getting that break once in a while to refresh.  Terry and I have been married for almost 16 years now..and with so many great memories and building our family.  But, we also have never taken time for just us. Partly because we never have had anyone to help with our kids and stay with them. We have no grandparents around which make any kind of date night or get away impossible sometimes!  We have recently talked about taking a trip together, and we both desire to do that so much, but honestly sad to say Grace would not know her grandparents if they did come and stay...I think she has just seen them maybe twice,...so for now...once again, we will have to wait! Seems that is the theme of our lives the last few years. Just hang on and wait...

Really over the past year in all the business of life, I have managed to neglect myself and I have found myself just taking care of everyone els, and not taking anytime out for myself.  I think this is the story for many moms and wives! It gets easy to get caught up in. I know I seem to be good at it. Im either taking care of kids or working...trying to run my business.... ..only to wake up and do the same thing again the next day..I love my family more than anything in the world, I have and will do anything for them all....so I am not complaining about my family, but somewhere in there, I have realized more than ever that I need to take time for myself! If we neglect ourselves then we are seriously not good to anyone. So after a huge burn out hit me, and I had a mini melt down..... I planned a day for myself!  Saturday, I left the house at 8am and did not return until 9pm.  It was a great day....I took a fun photography class, went shopping for the afternoon, then to a chocolate and candle party at night that a friend was having. Im telling you just that little bit of getting away was so refreshing for me. I thought ..wow why do I not take time for myself more often.  I have a husband who definetly encourages me to go take a break when i need one.  As Im talking to my husband about my feelings and struggles, I come to find he has been having some of the same similar feelings too, of course in a different way though. He is also seeking where God wants him, or what he is suppose to be doing in life.  We both know how important good friends are as well, and we are really needing that support!  We don't know what God is doing. But the one thing I know for sure is that God is in control, God will guide us, and God will grow us during this time of wonder, and seeking....He is forever and that never changes and is always constant!