Grace's First Week Home!

Grace's Forever Family!! April 16th at 4:20pm A day we will never Forget! You can see our Gotcha Day Video from the airport in a past post below! Grab kleenex!
Grace loves, loves, loves her bath time!!

She loves to crawl all over the house, and walk with us assisting her holding her hands. She rules the house, and we all love it so much. I keep looking at her and can't believe she is really ours and is really home with us!

mama and Gracie! This was our first day out and about. Mommy, daddy, and Grace all went to Daddys office to visit, and then first trip to ---mart. Not my favorite place in the world, but we needed some more baby things. I carried Gracie on my front pack and she slept through the shopping. Then we picked up Bay and Amanda from school. She was excited to see her brother and sissy! We had no idea she was doing so much. I think it is alot for only 8 months old.

This is one of her favorite toys, she can walk with it and as she walks with it the toy sings "walk along walk along" and on and on. She loves it so much!

First Day at Home & Doing Great!

Today was our First Full Day at home we are all doing great! Mommy and Daddy are a little tired, but for the most part we are running on excitement still! Grace is a very happy baby girl, she is loving playing with her brother and sister! All Our Prayers Answered! She is precious!
Grace totally bonded to mama right from her first glance. She won't let her out of her sight. It is absolutly wonderful! We all love her so very much! She is our Gift From God!

Home at Last!!

Gracie is home at last!! Our drive home went on forever so it seemed. After getting Grace we headed home....soon down the road we were surprised by a blizzard and the interstate traffic came to a complete stop. Cars did not move for one hour. As we sat there trying to make the best of a hard situation...we looked up on a snowy dark hill and there was a cross lit up on the Hill. We were amazed! And we were quickly reminded that God is with us and we should not worry. Soon after that traffic began moving again but interstate was being closed, we had to pull over at the next town, and took the last two rooms available! The next morning we were able to keep heading for home. ...
When we pulled up at home we were surprised to see that some of our friends had been to the house and decorated the outside and the inside, made fresh cinnamon rolls and made everything so very special for us when we got home. Thanks Vicki, Dawn, Stacey, Andrea, and Barb! We loved everything you did to pamper us and make comming home special with Grace!

Welcome Home My Baby!

Gotcha Day Moment on Video

Oh my goodness, where do I start! Our hearts were racing with anticipation of finally meeting our little girl for the first time. Over two years of waiting for God to bring us the baby he designed to be in our family has finally arrived! Walking into the airport we all realized this is going to happen TODAY!! YIPPY!! The photo of our little girl we have stared at since January is going to be in our arms in just minutes. What is all so amazing to me is how God really answered all of our prayers we prayed for over a two year period. Here are some of the things that were prayed about and answered in a big way....and many blessings along the way.

We prayed that God would place our baby in a great foster home. God answered....She was in the best foster home ever! This foster family deeply loved and cared for her as they have their own child. They sent thousands of photos of Grace from the time she was just one month old. The oldest daughter made Grace a photo album full of memories with their family. They also included a video DVD. This was so amazing to see how they played with her, and to see such love that they have for her. Foster mommy even sent a beautiful gift for me. All of these things just made us cry many many happy tears. We are forever grateful to the Foster Family for the great start that they gave our little Grace Gyeong-eun. This is why she is such a happy baby! We hope that one day we will get to meet them all.

Prayed that she would be healthy...God answered..she is absolulty adorable , loving , happy, and perfect for our family!

Prayed that she would bond to us quickly after we meet, that He would give her dreams of us in our sleep, that when our eyes meet for the first time..that she would have a peace that can only come from HIM and know that she is finally Home with her Forever Family that loves her! God answered.......When our eyes met for the first time, she greeted us with a smile! She did not cry at all like we had thought she would. She is very much bonded to mommy first. In fact at the moment mommy can not be out of her sight at all, mommy had to brush her teeth with Grace in her arms...definetly a special bond right from the start! Thank you Lord!

Gotcha Day!

Oh No the flight 770 is running about a half and hour later!

The morning to go get little sister! What an exciting and unforgettable Day!

We went and did some shopping to get time to go faster, then to the airport...as we sat and sat and waited and waited for that airplain to land!!

waiting more and more......

Holt's wonderful Greeters Ellain, and Debbie. They were so great, and seemed like family! Ladies if you happen to see this. Thank you a million for your support and encouragment, and also for taking tons of video for our family. You did a great job Debbie..even without your glasses..heehee!

Here is me about to jump out of my skin waiting for Grace to come up the escalator with her escort! I think dad and Bailey thought I was nuts!!

Gotcha Day!!

"I like mommies necklace"
Waiting at the airport

Here she is ...our little Gracie

17 hours to Gracie!!

My Sweet Littlte Angel!!

Traveling to meet Gracie!!

Love of my Life!

Today was a great day, We made it to beautiful Colorado and had a really awesome family day! As I post this blog we know Gracie is just getting onto her plain with her escort. Oh my goodness!!! She will be in our arms in 17 hours. "Lord Protect her and surround her flight with your angels, and give her comfort beyond all understanding." It is truely amazing that after over 2 years of waiting the day is finally going to be here. She is coming Home and is on her way right now! WOW! God's love is so amazing. I am overwhelmed with feelings right now! Im grateful also for the fun family day we had. We planned on just playing today and that is just what we did! Think of us on Thursday at 4pm MST. We will have Grace in our arms! Praise GOD!

Eating out at Benihannas. Our first experience. ..and it was fabulous!!

Mr. Chef man was cool!

Time to SWIM!!

How high can you jump??!!

What a great day of fun.....The Kids had a blast! I love them to pieces!

2 More days to Gracie!!!

Oh wow, What a day today has been. I think I went around with my head half way into my daily routine. My mind was so into getting ready to leave town I could hardly think about anything els! Many times I found myself a little "spaced out". Many many emotions have overcome me today off and on. Today in Korea is Wednesday. I know that today in Korea is Gracies last day she will spend in her country of birth and the last day she will spend with the foster family who is the only family she has known since she was born. My heart aches for her today and tonight as I write this knowing that tomarrow in Korea she will be saying good bye to the wonderful foster family that gave my daughter the best possible start to her life. I will be forever grateful! They have loved her and taken care of her as their own, and now I know they will have hurt in their hearts to say goodbye to her tomarrow. I just keep praying for them and for Gracie that Gods comfort will flow over them!! I will go to bed tonight and talk to God until I fall asleep, I will dream of the moment Grace will meet her Forever Family and seeing Gracies little sweet eyes stare into mine! God Bless!

3 More Days to Gracie

Ohhhh my goodness!! Only 3 more days until we meet our sweet little Grace face to face. I always pray that the moment our eyes meet that there will be a huge connection, that God will give her the feeling that she is HOME! I have stared at her pictures for almost 3 months now, and I have everything about her memorized! To see her come off the plane with the escort I know my feelings will be overflowing with excitement! We have tons to do to prepare for leaving, so this will make the time go very fast for us. The kids are jumping with excitement today. Terry is getting things lined up at work. He plans on taking two weeks off. Since I run our dance studio business, and we are getting ready for our big spring production, I have made plans for some friends that will fill in for me and cover dance classes, so they will continue on. We still have some loose ends to tie up with more details for the show, but will get them done in the next two days. It will be great to have some great family time. One of my dreams was to bring our Gracie out on stage with our family at the end of the show. I'm so Thankful to God that this now will happen! After May 2nd (after our spring show), I will have the next 4 months off. What PERFECT timing GOD has!!

Happy Easter!!

Happy Easter to you all!! Church was awesome this morning!! We feel so blessed for all that God has done for each of us! We are getting soooooo excited to see Gracie this week...only 4 more days! Bailey and Amanda are soo excited, they keep talking about it all the time.

My Beautiful little girl!!

Goofing around and being weird!

Amanda did a great job on her bunny cake!!

Saturday, Woungbi took us to our First Korean Restaurant. It was umm umm Good!

Many fun memories to cherish and this is one of them!

She's Coming Home!!!!!

Today we got the call we have been waiting for....Your little Gracie Gyeong-eun will be home on April 16th. She will leave Seoul Korea on Wednesday night at 11:10pm, and arrive here at 3:51pm on Thursday (our times) Oh my gosh!!!! I can't believe after all this time, we will finally see her face to face. We will be able to kiss those little cheeks and cuddle her and love her forever! She is coming home! Thank you Jesus for this beautiful gift you have given to us. I thank you Lord for molding us to be what you want us to be. Isn't it amazing how when I let go ...really let go and new I could do nothing to make her come home faster...it is then that God can do His work!!! Please continue to pray for all of us to stay healthy, and that all flights are on schedule!! Praise God! What a great Easter! April 16th is also my father-inlaws Birthday! Pretty Special!!

Egg Coloring Pics

Feeling True Peace!!

Lately I think I have been trying so hard to just set the date myself as to when our daughter will finally come home that it has consumed me somewhat. Doing this does not get me anywhere. I can't even tell you how many times I have talked with God today. I think all day off and on. I am happy to tell you that tonight as I go to bed, I finally have that inner peaceful feeling that you can only get from God. Grace may not be home for her first Easter with us. But like B said tonight, she will have many many Easters with us after she is home. I am at peace with it all, and I know that God must want me to learn more of something before He will bring her home. So until then I am going to rest in Him and totally Trust Him . AFter all He is GOd....Im pretty sure He knows what He is doing. He hears my heart and He knows the time and day she will arrive. We had a great night with B, spending time with him, learning more and more about him and his family, and about Korea has been such a special time. We love him as a part of our family. I only wish we would have met sooner. He will go back home to Korea in May. Let me tell you, that will be a very sad day for me and my whole family. We have all gotten very close to him. But for now we just have to focus on making our time special and enjoying each time that we are together. Someday we will see him again...maybe in Korea next time. It is amazing how God brought us together. Out of 9 exchange students from Korea God placed B in our family. What a perfect match. He is a great guy, and very strong Christian. We all can pray together, and really feel like family. What a special blessing.

Come on Travel Call......

My phone is charged and ready for that special Call.......It never seems to change color, it just looks the same every day. I know the call will come when we are least expecting it. Today is a busy day...so hopefully it will keep my mind busy too. It is hard when Im here, with many things to get done...but my heart is in Korea! Wondering...hoping ....and dreaming of the day we will get that special call that says "your daughter is coming home on...."

Thank you Lord for all your blessings you have given to us....for B who has become a part of our family, for Bailey and Amanda who bless us everyday with special surprises, for my sweet husband....and for the friends and family who constantly are giving there support of encouragement and prayers. Thank you Lord for Everything!!

Hope

Psalm 56:13 vs 8 "You have seen me tossing and turning through the night. You have collected all my tears and preserved them in your bottle! You have recorded every one in your book."

It has been 2 yrs and one week since we began the adoption process. It has been almost 90 days since we were shown our daughters sweet precious face. ..and every day after that WE dream of the day to finally hold her. She just turned 8 months old this week. Think of all that we have missed out on! But yes we will have a life time with her....that I am grateful!! But to be truthful I do have my moments with this long wait. Last Friday was especially one of those days, it was a hard day when I realized the travel call was not going to come. Last week I was also told that we still may need to wait longer. ...but no answer as to why!! Those of us in the adoption world know how exciting it is to check off your list of the things that need to happen. On our list the last thing that had to happen was Grace needed to be issued her final VI (visa). That happened on 3/30. This was the last step I had to check off. "So I thought". So needless to say to hear we may need to wait longer has been a huge set back for me emotionally....basically we are up in the air....we know nothing and have no information as to why there may be more time. We hurried to get everything done, God moved mountains and I believe He still can, but now we again wait, and no idea as to how much longer!!! Tears now are not easily held back with me. They seem to flow pretty easily, and at strange times. No one understands this feeling unless you are going through it. I do know many families who are...they are waiting for something to get done.....something to happen...and answers to be said....This is not easy...It is hard! My heart was so set on having her home for Easter...now will she be home with us or not? Is it possible that she will miss her First Easter with her forever family? Do I even hope anymore to only get my heart broken.? I do believe God is in control. I do believe He has perfect timing!! I do believe He loves us more than we can imagine....and I believe He holds my every single tear I cry.......

Generous Giving!

I read my mail yesterday and found that someone left us a donation to go towards our adoption for Gracie. I had to look twice to make sure I was seeing things right. You see this donation came from someone that we do not even know. They happened to come across our blog site and felt it in their hearts to give towards our adoption. They too are adopting from S. Korea. This was absolutly amazing to me and brought me to tears to think that someone so far away...and someone that does not know us in person would be touched in such a way to give. I have been in contact with this family since this day, and have found out that she too loves and has a passion for dance. We both love Korea, and I think the more we get to know eachother we will discover we have many more things in common. Our families love for the Lord is most important. What a blessing this was to our adoption! May God bless you Greatly for your generous giving !!

Thank you in Korean!

Go to the bottom of the page and turn off the music before listening to this fun video!

Totally funny!!

Part of our Family!

Woungbi Choi is now part of our family. We are so happy that God has placed us together. Tonight was such very fun night. We had "B" over for dinner and hung out. The kids love him and adore him too. He is officially their older brother! We can't wait to go see Korea and he will show us everything to see. He has traveled more than anyone we have ever met! Now he has a little brother and little sister. He is so excited to see our little baby Gyeong eun.

Bailey and B playing "Guitar Hero". He was really good. I think he plays in a band!! haha!

and more playing......

We even had a few lessons in Korean Language! We are really going to work hard with him to learn how to speek Korean. I know this will be a comfort to our little baby as she will be use to the Korean language. When we see it in our book, it sure sound different when you acually have someone from South Korea tell you how to exactly pronounce it. Amanda caught on just so fast. It must be that young mind. She will be speaking the language very soon. We are so grateful for B in our lives. He is a gift from God! Thank you Lord for this special young man that you have placed in our lives. Let us be a blessing to him just as he is to us. Thank you Lord!

Renew My Strength Lord!

"They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength...they shall mount up with wings as eagles." Isaiah 40:31

Today I need renewed! I feel extremely tired, week, no more energy at all. We have so many things going on at the same time. Preparing for our Spring Production with my dancers, and preparing for the excitement of bringing our daughter home! Today I fall into God's arms as Im very tired, and very ready to bring our baby home. ...and this verse is my reminder He is here with us!! I was talking to my husband earlier today and I was explaining to him how Im feeling...there were no holding back tears today. Grace is so far away and we are so ready to welcome her into her new family!! Terry pointed out to me that through each big step and phase of the adoption process lately, just before the good news comes, I go into this kind of lull or where I feel I can't be strong anymore. Funny thing is that He is right! Where we are week , God is Strong!! Today I know I have fallen into Gods arms and he will renew my strength!! He will renew my strength today, and He will bring good news very soon! Let's hope good news comes today!

Just "waiting"

Yes we are still just waiting for the Travel Call to come. It is so exciting to know our baby girl is finally going to be home with us very soon. At the same time it is hard to not know when? From what I understand once the call comes ..it is within a few days that you need to be at your airport that they have scheduled. I have woke up every morning thinking...Is today the day we will get the call?, then that day passes, and the next day again I ask...Is today the day?. Well Im really praying hard that today is the day!! It is morning now in Korea, and they hopefully will get all the arrangements done, so we can hear something tonight yet. Yeah I may be dreaming, but with adoption you have to do alot of that. For now,...Im going to go clean my house like never before, get the laundry done, get kids from school, and then I will teach 5 classes tonight. Hopefully somewhere in the business of the day we will be surprised with "the call"....I can't wait to hear the words "you daughter is flying home on....." Trust me you'll hear me scream with excitement from the roof tops when we do get the call!!

Visa Issued!

Today we called DC. It is official Grace has been granted her official Visa. She is now Free to come home to her Forever Family who is so ready to meet her. Please pray that all stay healthy, that escorts are available, that holt will get flights set this week, that flights run smoothly with none cancelled, that weather is nice, that our travel on the road will also be safe, and most of all pray for the hearts of the Foster Family. I know they love our daughter with their whole heart and it will be extremly difficult to say goodbye to her, just as it will be hard for Grace, and she will miss them terribly. Pray that Grace will adjust smoothly! Pray that God's peace and comfort is around us all! We will keep you informed and hopefully soon will have that travel call.