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.

Fun Concert and New Friends!

Tonight we saw Lincoln Brewster live! His concert was amazing and his message was inspirational to hear! "The everlasting God"!! This was a fund raiser for the Christian School that both our children attend. Below is Amanda getting Lincoln's autograph! Oh so cool!!

Terry was a proud Security guy....see Lincoln signing in the background! Terry's smile is worth a million dollars!!

Here is our new wonderful friend "B". Our family has been looking forward to meeting him in person, and so tonight we invited him to the concert and we met for the first time. It is amazing how God works and how he brings people into our lives, and makes our paths cross. He is such a wonderful and nice guy, we look forward to spending time with him and getting to know him more. Bailey and Amanda can't wait to have him over to our house. We will make plans this week and treat him to dinner. We are really looking forward to our new life long friendship with him, and learning more about the country of our daughters birth place. In the future when we visit South Korea, we know we will call "B" and he will be a great host and show us all the beautiful sites to see!

Baby Shower!

My daughter and I were so excited to wake up this morning and go to the baby shower that my friend Vicki and Laura put on for baby Gracie. What a great time to have one, since she may be home in less than one week now. We were blessed by many special moments at the party. I especially like the song that was sung to us by Ericka, and Ashley. That about set me to tears right away. I was so touched by all the special little details that made this party extra special. It also makes me think that as girlfriends we need to take more time out just to get together, sip tea and really visit with eachother. Thank you all so much for blessing us with such a special day and such special gifts for baby Grace. We love you all, and we can not wait for Grace to meet each one of you very soon! Look at the photo above...This was a 3 tier diaper cake that Laura made. Is that soooo cute or what? Below are friends who came to the party this morning. I think 4 of you left early, and a few could not make it....bumber you missed the photo opp.

Thank you Vicki (she is in front in Pink, and Laura (second row in peach/brown) for planning such a special day. This is one day I will always remember!!! You are the best!!

This is my Friend Vicki's little daughter Alyssa. She is from China and can not wait for "baby Korea" to come home and be able to play with her. Here she is singing a song for me. She even wore her little China dress for the party!! How cute!

Amanda and her friends Ashley (Laura's Daughter) and Jenna (Lisa's Daughter). Very fun Girly day!!

This pic is my lovely daughter Amanda, Me, My Mom, and My sister Mandi!!

VISA Interview SCHEDULED!

Last night I knew I just needed a moment to myself...and a moment to just let my tears flow out. So I slipped away quietly into Gracies room, I sat on her floor and held her picture in my lap. My tears rolled down onto her photo. I needed time ...a time to just spend with God...a time to just have silence and pray!! Being a mom, I knew I would not be able to be away long before soemone would notice! After a little bit .... Amanda found me, and said "oh mommy what are you doing"? Then she sat with my quietly and we hugged. It was ok for her to see my cry! Soon after here came Bailey .....Then a little later Terry found us all sitting on her floor! Next thing you know we are all on her bedroom floor. I asked my family to lay hands on Gracies picture and pray for her as a family. So we did. It was an awesome time of prayer. We asked God to please bring us good news Friday! We prayed He would move mountains to bring her home.

When Terry came home for lunch today...He called DC. Great news!! Gracies Visa Interview Is Scheduled for March 30th, Monday at 1:00pm. !!!! Korea is one day ahead of us. So we will be praying for this to go smoothly. Sunday our time is MOnday there time. Please join us in prayer.

This means that typically after the VI they will call us within 24-48 hours for travel!!!! OH MY GOODNESS! We are so Grateful!!! God does move mountains!! We just have to ask! When we get the travel call we will let you all know!!

On Thur morning I recieved a sweet email from my great friend Vicki. It really meant alot to me and was a great reminder. "Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths” Proverbs 3:5

It means so much to know so many people are praying for us! Thank you!!

No news Yet!

Today I called DC and still our P3. is still at Holt Korea (our agency).

The steps that needs to happen are....

1 Holt Korea Agency will send P3 packet back to US Embassy in Korea. (usually this is a one week turnaround...for some reason ours is taking longer). There should be no hold up as we have everything done. Her EP is also done. humm, I am confused.

2 ONce P3 arrives at Embassy, Then our VI can be scheduled (Visa Interview)

3 On the day of the VI, they will issue her a permanant Visa to leave come to the US

Then we will get the travel call! This will be a glorious day. No one will be able to pull me down from the clouds!!



Terry seems to think we will get a travel call by next friday. I on the other hand am not so positive. Maybe it is because I don't want to be let down. After all the VI has not even been scheduled yet. Yes I know God can move mountains! I am however very thankful at how much detail Holt puts into the protection of their children while under foster care. It truely is impressive! All the monthly doctor visits they have, and the information we have about Grace is something to treasure. The fact of knowing our little girl is in such great care right now, is so comforting. Although at the same time....we are so ready to be her parents! Please pray that Friday we hear good news..that the packet is sent to the embassy. My friends are holding a baby shower for us on Saturday. IT would be great to have good news to share!!

Day 3 Snow bound!

My little sweetie pie!
Climbing all the snow hills and drifts and making snow tunnels are right up my boys alley!

I think he would have dug one through the whole town if he could have!

This was day 3 of being snow bound! No school , and no work!! Even though we start to get cabin fever I wouldn't trade it for the world. It has been great time with the kids and with my hubby. So much fun for them to really play outside. After the wind stopped it really was quite comfortable being outside. Lots of tunnel digging going on. It will still take a while for the plows to clear out snow. I hope this is our last snow for the season, we are ready for tulips! This weekend is the baby shower my friends are doing for us. I am so excited and can't wait to spend some time with all of them. I sure wish Grace was here. But she will be very very soon I can feel it!

Waiting is never easy!

Today has been a day of mixed emotions and frustration! Maybe it is being stuck inside with no way out of our drive way from the blizzard. Maybe IM just being too sesitive. Maybe Im just a mother who is longing to hold her little baby!! I called our agency today because I "heard" hear-say that it will take longer when you have your babies escorted here. THis definetly gave us some concern. Our agency said they have that planned way in advance, and it does not take longer. I told them if it does take longer we will make it work to fly there. They assured me it does not. No one really understands unless you are going through this same thing really how difficult this wait really is especially after you have your child's photo. From day one when your paper work goes into your agency to adopt your heart is longing to meet and be with your child. You pray for Him/Her every single day even though you don't know who your child is! ONce your child's photo is in front of you ...you are totally completly in love...and each day that you have to wait to hold, and nurture your child seems like a complete eternity. I hope this puts light on this subject and that people can be very gentle with this, that they will know and try to understand that this part of the process is a very difficult one indeed! Prayer and support is what we need!

Spring? Winter?....Blizzard!!

Once upon a time we enjoyed a wonderul 78 degree day!

Hanging our Easter eggs on the Tree!
24 hours later....we are in a blizzard! What? Poor Tree!

Where are the boys? Who's having more fun here? Dad, or Bailey?

This weekend was beautiful spring weather. Almost 80 degrees out side. We enjoyed putting eggs on the outside tree. A tradition we picked up this year from one of my blog buddies. Thanks Kristi! My daughter even got a little sunburn on her shoulders. Just as we were enjoying the fun in the sun.... the next morning we woke to Thunder, Lightning, Hail and Yes a BLIZZARD! They called school off Monday and Tuesday, and now we can not get out anywhere! Just amazing weather!

Baby Bottle Fundraiser Kick off!!

Our "Baby Bottle Fundraiser" Kick off!! We have been thinking for a while about doing some kind of fundraiser to help offset some of the costs for our international adoption to bring Gracie home. We decided to go for it today with a "baby bottle fundraiser". We got a cute bucket from a local store, and I decorated it all cute with ribbon, stickers and bows. We printed out small pictures of Grace and put them on the bottles with a little curley ribbon.

Those that want to help out will put their pocket change in the bottle, when the bottle is full get it back to us to turn in for cash to go towards our adoption expenses. "Pocket change" may seem like something little...but with many participants it all will add up!! We pray God moves mountains and that this will be a huge success! We will start this week!!

A Mothers Love is Forever!

(above) My Sweet Amanda and I, The first day of spring was great!

Me and My Mom !

It amazes me that no matter how old you get that your mothers love is always important. I visit with my mom every day on the phone. This morning I really wanted to talk...I needed her support, listening ear, and encouragement, and that is just what I got! It made my day much better just to be able to talk to her. I pray that my own kids will always feel they too can come to me, no matter what ...I will be there for them! I have always felt it is important to build that relationship with our kids NOW! The realtionship between both parents and their kids is so important and very much something to treasure!! Today Bailey was at a science Fair, and So it was Amanda and I at home! We spent the morning together and had some really great time together just the two of us! We are going to begin a bible study together called the Secret Girl Keeper. Later in the day, She asked me to help her prepare a Tea party out on the deck for her and her friend. So Amanda and I walked to the store and got tea and muffins for the tea party on the deck, set up a cute table and got out the china. The best part was spending time together, walking in the warm sunshine, and the great conversations we had. It was about 65' outside today. The first day of Spring was beautiful!!! ...What a fun day!

P3 (packet 3 papers)

Yeah good news this week. I called on Wednesday and DC said that our P3 has reached Holt Korea. We now just wait for the VI to be scheduled. Once that is scheduled, we will know about when Gracie will be coming home. I pray so hard she is home before Easter! Today I was cleaning up the house getting ready for care group tonight and I went into her room, and kinda had a little melt down moment. I have not cried like that for a while. It is good tears! Tears that say...."Lord bring my baby home"! We hope that next week we will have good news to share and that the VI has been scheduled for her.

The Face Of Grace...upcoming baby shower...

Each morning I start the day praying for my family and for little Grace to come home soon. Her little face mesmerizes me. I think I spend hours just staring into her beautiful little eyes. I am always wondering how she is doing, and what she will be doing throughout the day. I have enjoyed reading over and over again the report that we recieved from Holt. It tells us something of what her personality is like. I believe the foster family is really enjoying her alot. I anticipate her being separated from them and coming to America to her forever family that loves her so much already. I know this will be an adjustment for her, but she will feel our love immediatly! I can't wait to kiss her little cheeks and hear her giggle!! I have many people through the week ask me when she will be home. I just smile and say very soon we hope. My students in our dance studio are just as excited too. The little ones are always asking "Miss Tina is your baby home yet". In the beginning I had a little one ask why my tummy was not big. So it has been a blessing for me to be able to explain to them how special adoption is. They area really amazed by it, and I know it will touch them all in a very special way to be a part of it all!! Next week ...Some wonderful friends of mine are planning a baby shower for us before Grace comes home. I am sooo thrilled and excited about this. Im really looking forward to it and it is sooooo special to my heart. AFter Grace is home and a bit settled in, we plan on having a welcome home party for her so everyone can meet her.

Kids Projects

Thought I would share some photos of the kids. They have both has quite the projects in school lately. Bailey had to get ready for Science Fair, and Amanda did a report on Greenland! It always amazes me what kids are taught now! They were both pretty proud!

Lots to do...

My Awesome Daughter!

While we are in "waiting"..for baby Grace to come home... I have alot to do and focus on to prepare for our Spring production with my business! FOr those of you who do not know this I own a dance business...and each year we have a large production we do in the spring. So to say the least his is my busy month. I still have some dances to finish choreographing, and many of the small details to do to make the show a hit. It is truely sometimes overwhelming with all the details...but when the curtain opens it is all worth it! With my family behind me and my husband who works on his long list of making stage props...it all amazingly gets done! I love teaching my students, they become like family to me and mean the world to me. Their smiles can very much brighten my day, and they always come in and ask "Miss Tina, Do you have your baby yet?". They are very anxious to meet her too! I Thought today I would share a few of my adorable students to you! I will try to post more later. This is just one of my groups of nearly 200 students!



My love of my life and the best son ever.. who always help work the shows! They really enjoy all the details..That is good for me!!

My heart Pours out....

Tonight we had an amazing care group night ..this is our bible study group. What an amazing night and powerful prayers. Im so grateful for these special friends that we have grown so close to. When we got home tonight there was an email with amazing information about our Grace Gyeonge-eun. How very special to get this information about her. Things like..."she has a huge smile when the foster family kisses her on the cheek", "Cute little girl with shining eyes", "Easy going baby", "babbles alot", "Enjoys bath time and splashin in the water", "Foster family takes care of her with their whole heart", "Likes it very much when she is held", "Falls asleep at night with a lullaby". There was so much more in the email about her, I won't go into it all, but this really meant alot to me to see. I feel that I know her much more now. I know what she likes, and her sleeping patterns, some of what she likes and does not like...most of all I know that she is being so loved with her foster family and that they are bonded with her as much as she is bonded with them. AFter all this is the only family she has ever known since she was one day old. I am FOREVER grateful to this family that God placed in her life. For Grace this family is just for a season, and soon she will be joining her FOREVER family with us. We are all so excited to have her home with us...the wait has been so hard...and at the same time I grieve for what I can only imagine she will feel and the foster family will feel as they soon say goodbye to her. This transistion brings joy for our family, but also breaks my heart for the ones who have to say goodbye to her! My prayer is for the foster family and that God will bless them for this special gift they have given to our daughter, for taking her in and loving her completly as their own. That He will comfort them as they say goodbye to her very soon. I think fostering is a special calling in life. And the familys that do it are amazing and strong people, because they know it is only for a time! My prayer for our little Gracie is that the moment she is in our arms that she will be able to feel our LOVE that we have for her! That she will bond quickly with us. I pray The Lord will give her visions of us and dreams about us to prepare her heart for her forever family that is so anxiously awaiting her arrival. We have so much love to give to her!