Happy 1st Birthday M!!!

Well, yesterday marked M's first birthday.  Of course, he is 13 hours ahead of us, so by the time we were celebrating his birthday was over in Korea.  We received an email update, the 1st one yet to tell us about M's development.  He isn't walking yet, and is a pretty small guy at just over 19lbs and 28 inches, seems he is already fitting into the ways of the C family.  He did receive at least one of our packages and it sounded like he was at somewhat amused by the car we sent.  Now, we have sent a car in both packages, so I wonder which one he got....the noisy dump truck or the noisier Lightning McQueen.  Either way I am glad that he has something that we have also put our hands on.  It helps me feel a little closer to him.  We had some cake and talked a lot about M this weekend.  I cannot wait until next year when we can celebrate together.  Our dear friend came to visit for S's birthday which was Thursday and brought her son, C, along. C is 9 days older than M, so I enjoyed some 1 year old life with C, constantly thinking that he & M are so close in age.  I look forward to the days when those two can play together.
We enjoyed a great day with some old friends and some neighbors and I did a pretty good job of not feeling sad that M wasn't with us.  I know he is being loved and well cared for, and while I wish he could be here with us, it is comforting to know where he is safe, loving and for him home.  Certainly, we will have many a birthday to celebrate with him, and well he is barely aware we exist.

Tomorrow is a big day here.  P & D head off to preschool/daycare and Tuesday T starts the 1st grade.  Summer is coming to an end which is OK, because now comes fall and football, things we love here!

Back from Texas!

I spent last week in Texas at a conference.  Before I talk about the insane heat of Texas, I would just like to reference my last post.  That day I had a really bad migraine and took something "stronger" to help my pain.  Then I wrote that.  I have gone back and read it and realized I had no recollection of writing that.  It seems I can be quite philosophical when I am not thinking.

Moving on...

So, I went to a training conference in Texas.  The temperature was between 106-109 all week.  Needless to say, I was grateful for the skywalk between my hotel and the conference.  That was ridiculous heat!  I got the kids some shirts at my conference.  I won't say cute is the best description, but I did want to support this mission, and I feel strongly about the message.  P was kind enough to model for me.

So glad to back home after my trip.  I am off work this week to enjoy the last week of summer before T heads off to first grade.  It is hard to believe that I have a 1st grader, let alone that P is in pre-school starting Monday and Baby MR (as he is affectionately called about here) is going to be 1 on Saturday!!  We mailed off our second package and it sounds like our first package has just arrived at ESWS last week.  Baby MR is going to feel very spoiled with 2 packages!!

Today we went to visit the new preschool/daycare P & D will be attending.  But before we went, I took the kiddos out to a local park to try to get some new pictures.  I have a GREAT photographer (who also designed my blog) but she is a busy, busy lady.  I will be guilting begging her to schedule some fall pics for the C clan, to include the adults and my adorable 3 legged dog, but for now I think I did a pretty good job!  Here are a couple of shots.  I must say it helps to have such beautiful subjects.  I believe today I photographed 3 of the 4 most adorable children on the planet.  I am looking forward to this time next year when I will have all 4 together for pictures.

 

Still here....and a soapbox chat

Shame on me, I disappeared for a bit.  Things have been busy.  S was out of town at training this week, work has been busy and overwhelming.  The big kids, T & P, went to visit GG and are on their way home now.  I am leaving Saturday for a training in Dallas. Whew, I feel tired typing it.
In other news though, we sent another package to M in hopes that it will make it in time for his birthday, August 20th.  I tried my hand at a bit of Hangul in a card included in the package.  It made me happy to step a little further into his culture, his world.
Time is moving and I am grateful for that, and at the same time sad.  I know that with each passing day we are closer to meeting him.  It also means another day and maybe a milestone we are missing.  I try to not rush the time, because it is time in the lives of all of our children, and I want to cherish it.  I am excited to hear another update when his birthday comes. I am still obsessively checking my email everyday hoping for any word and love to see the names of the social worker in my inbox.
I have been following some info about EP's currently and feeling so sad for families that are caught in that.  I keep reading and following and send my prayers that their wait ends soon.

OK, now a little off topic soapbox...
The work I do is intense and important.  I work with a very specific population of crime victims.  I unfortunately see some of the worst of humankind and it is hard.  It has made me realize that you never know the path someone has walked, where they have come from and where they wish they could be.  It also made me realize how lucky I am to have been chosen to be a parent.  The gift of parenthood is precious, and some people take it for granted.  I wish I could shout from the mountain tops to "be kind, love those around you.  Appreciate and respect the beautiful gifts in your lives that are other people."
I am working hard to have no doubt in myself and just give all I can give and do the best I can.  I want to do big things and leave a good imprint on the world around me.  I feel good about the journey I am taking and where I think it is leading.
I hope you are too.