Saturday, December 27, 2008

Transitioning

"Santa" brought me a new computer for Christmas, and I'm in the process of "moving" from my PC to my new MacBook. I have a few photos here and a few there from the past week. We're still in the middle of our Christmas celebrations... tonight we're getting together with Emmett's Godfather Gregg, his girlfriend Lindsay, and Gregg's family. And tomorrow we're making the trip north to have Christmas with my family... my parents, my siblings and their significant others, all of my nieces and nephews. We can't wait.



We received a holiday package in the mail from Hong Kong. Theo and Emmett got these adorable little hats from the Nolasco clan. In all honesty, Norbyah, capturing a picture of Emmett wearing his new headpiece was a bit of a challenge (in other words, he hates it.) But Theo was thrilled to wear both of them and is proud to show them off (and tell about who and where they came from) to anyone who will listen.

Dan and Jessica headed out early last week for some quiet time together, a date night, and I had a house full of S and M family kids. I'm not sure if who had a better time... the kids or me! After being cooped up in the house for 2 days straight thanks to the subzero temps and the mounds of snow, we all needed the visitors. Theo and Emmett were getting kind of sick of one another, and I was getting kind of sick of the "bickering" that resulted. We played and played and played, and when it was time to rest we shared a movie (Polar Express) and some popcorn. I think I vaccuumed the last of it from between the couch cushions just this morning.

I enjoyed my alone time each night this week, after the kids were asleep. I listened to Christmas music, drank hot chocolate, wrapped presents, and thought about Christmases past and those to come for my growing family. Of course, I couldn't help but think about our baby. Certainly not alone, certainly being loved and cared for by someone in Korea... his birth mom, or his foster mom, or someone at his orphanage.


I want him to know that I am thinking of him. Waiting in wonder. Hopeful, and joyful, knowing that next year I will hang his stocking here, too.


7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Interesting that you said "his". Love reading your blogs, Emily, keep them coming!

Norbyah said...

Very sweet. Love all the pictures...especially the ones of the boys in their hats. I thought they'd be cute for dressing up....probably not for keeping their heads warm in your cold weather...and I imagined the same things for our family next Christmas. We have a stocking waiting for our little one too - we just need a letter to sew on it. Exciting times for us both. Love you.

Anonymous said...

I'm sure you will have your little one for next Christmas! Sounds like a very nice holiday - especially with a new Mac Book! Jealous!

janiece said...

A camera and a new computer??? You must have been a "very" good girl this year! I'm jealous again! Those hats are adorable. And, I agree--you keep saying him, his, etc. Hummmmm

Christine @ 12,450miles said...

Welcome to the "good side" - aka the land of the Macs! ;-)

I know exactly how you feel about thinking of the next Christmas. As much as I tried to stay "in the moment" I found myself thinking about next Christmas...

And "him"?! Freudian Slip?! Or something else???

Anonymous said...

wow...great pictures.

Shelley said...

Thanks for visiting my blog! Your kids are adorable!

Here's to hoping we will both have our babies home before next Christmas!

Our Adoption Timeline

  • December 23, 2009- Adoption Finalized.
  • May 7th, 2009- Family circle complete in Madison.
  • May 6th, 2009- Mama's got Rubin in Seoul.
  • May 4th, 2009- meet Rubin
  • April 23rd, 2009- Visa Interview
  • April 22nd, 2009- TRAVEL CALL!!
  • April 14th, 2009- Packet 3
  • April 7th, 2009- NVC out
  • April 1st 2009 (no foolin')- I171 received
  • March 9th, 2009- I171H received
  • February 27th, 2009- progress report from SWS
  • February 24th, 2009- Fingerprinted at USIS
  • February 19, 2009-Rubin's legals arrive in state.
  • February 16, 2009- mailed referral acceptance.
  • February 12, 2009- received referral paperwork.
  • January 29, 2009- verbally accepted referral
  • January 27, 2009- received unofficial referral.
  • January 20, 2009- I600A received and filed with the Dept. of Homeland Security
  • January 16, 2009- submitted I600A
  • January 12, 2009- homestudy document complete.
  • January 12, 2009-received Foster Home Licensing
  • December 22, 2008- A.I.A.A. director approves application, establishes our file, and requests our homestudy documents from J.D.
  • December 5, 2008- submitted Foster Licensing application.
  • November 25, 2008- A.I.A.A. accepted official application.
  • November 15, 2008- submitted formal application to A.I.A.A.
  • November 13, 2008- final homestudy meeting.
  • November 12, 2008- autobiographies completed.
  • October 30, 2008- second homestudy meeting.
  • October 22, 2008- received formal application from A.I.A.A.
  • October 14, 2008- first homestudy meeting.
  • October 1, 2008- submitted pre-application to Americans for International Adoption and Aid
  • September 25, 2008- submitted application packet to Adoption Advocates, Inc.
  • September 18, 2008- first meeting with social worker (J.D.)
  • August 2008- decided to adopt

Followers