11 Months Old...

Happy 11 months, our lovely Emerson!

You are always in our hearts and thoughts, but this past month I especially felt like you were almost physically right there alongside with me.

You were there with me during the late nights I stayed up making your special first birthday card or writing a heartfelt letter to foster mom. I would often look up and see your cute little face right in front of me.

You were there with me as I went out shopping for clothes to send to you as you outgrow your baby clothes.

You were there with me as I picked out your first walking shoes. I saw you so clearly taking those cute baby waddle steps.

You were there with me as I wandered through the toy store aisles for hours imagining what toys you would love playing with.

You were there with me as I shopped for books that I hope you'll enjoy looking through as you sit on foster mom's lap. I flashed forward to a year from now and saw what kind of books you and I would enjoy together.

Now that both the care and birthday packages have been wrapped and shipped off to you, I hope and pray that as you receive and play with what we sent, that we become more alive and real to you. That you feel our love radiating from the care packages. That somehow you can feel that you are being missed so much halfway around the world. That, my dearest Emerson, is our wish for you on your 11 month birthday.

We love you.

It's the little things...

...that can make your day.

Here's my little thing:

To anyone else, it's just a ziploc bag, so what, right? Well, for us it feels like we hit the jackpot because these are the EXPANDABLE BOTTOM ziploc bags... meaning we can send even that much more in our care packages to Emerson! WOOT WOOT!!

These were quite hard to find, by the way. I searched high and low for months at every local Target, grocery store, CVS, etc.. I finally found them online at Costco. Of course, now I have about a hundred of them, but it's all good. I'm just so happy to have found them! :)

Korean Hanbok

"Hanbok" refers to a traditional Korean dress. I've been doing quite a bit of online research on hanboks for a card I'm making to send to baby Emerson. This is what a traditional hanbok looks like:



Pretty, right?

Here's a picture of a child's hanbok:



Can we say CUTE?!

But then I came across a website called Wedding Inspirasi that had pictures of modern hanboks that simply took my breath away.

I love the look and feel of these photos as much as the updated hanboks. I kept going back to the site to look at the pictures over and over again. I was thinking of getting Emerson a hanbok soon after she comes home. And now that I've seen these pictures, I'm thinking mommy might have to get one as well! :)

Care Package #2

Emerson, look what's on its way to Korea for you!

I was reminded yet again of how small a gallon size ziploc is when trying to send a care package. I must have either forgot or just really impressed myself with my squeezing abilities last time, because I bought way too much stuff to send this time around.

This care package is special because a representative from our agency is going to Korea and will be hand-delivering it to Emerson and foster mom. The best part is that she is going to take pictures and even a VIDEO of them! I can't wait!!!!!!!!!

Here's what I was able to push and shove while gritting my teeth fit into the ziploc:

Cotton tees, beanie, toddler spoons, socks

More pictures of her waiting family

Shoes now that she's started walking!
So proud of my little baby!

So here's how disillusioned I was... The following is what I could NOT include in the package: a little blankie, lotion, a toy phone, a summer dress, and a pair of tights. I'm not Houdini after all. But luckily I get to send a birthday package soon so those will surely be in the next package. Yay!!

Getting Ready. . . 11 Years Ago

Dear Emerson,

Mommy and Daddy got married 11 years ago today. We didn't know it back then, but God was already preparing OUR family. Our wedding day was one of the happiest days of my life, but God knew then that even more joy was headed our way - YOU!

We are so blessed.

faith

"Faith is not the belief that God will do what you want. It is the belief that God will do what is right."

"Feed your fears and your faith will starve. Feed your faith, and your fears will."

- Max Lucado

I am trying.

Photo Friday ;)

That was the subject header in the email sent from our case worker today. Winking face included. And sure enough... here was the picture that was attached!

What a sweet, sweet surprise to get an updated photo of our baby! She has grown so much in just the two months since we last got a picture. Her hair's gotten longer. The email also mentioned that she gained two lbs. and two upper teeth since March! This now brings her to two teeth on top and two on bottom.

Her outfit is so colorful and adorable. Our case manager pointed out that she's wearing her signature polka dots, lol. And lOOk! She's holding on to the Sophie giraffe we sent her last month! That is so endearing. I can't believe she's actually touching and holding the same toy we sent. Her little hands are so cute. I love the way her fingers are holding onto Sophie. I hope she's enjoying it and gnawing on it to her heart's content!

We had a rough start to the week but like I posted then, I just need to look out for the rainbows. And what do you know, God sent an amazing one our way today! Thank you, Lord! Seeing her picture renewed and refreshed my soul. My heart still deeply aches to be with her and that won't change until the day we are with her. But it's just amazing how an update or her picture can put a HUGE smile on my face and simply make my day.

I wish we could have "Photo Friday" every week! :)

10 Months!

Another mini birthday is upon us already!

As you turn 10 months old today, we are celebrating the day with joy in our hearts for you!!