Da Havs

WOW! One whole year has went by since we brought you home! You were so scared and held onto my neck so tight for the 8 hours of our flights home. You were SO mad that I had to let you go to put you in the car seat. You wouldn’t go to sleep at all that first night, afraid we’d disappear. We both finally passed out in exhaustion on the floor pallet I’d made and then Ryan came in at 7 (thank God!) to greet you for the first time. You were (and still are) enthralled by your big brother. The Sun rises and sets on him for you. He thought you were the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. He got over that quickly and decided for months that you needed to go back to Korea NOW. But eventually he decided you were ours and that God really knew what he was doing when he made us a family.

I agree with that. God really did know 15 years ago that I would have 2 beautiful Korean born babies and that I would feel love unlike any I have ever felt. Thank you Lord, for blessing me beyond measure.

Those first 3 months were the most exhausting in my whole life! Once we got into a groove, and we felt normal again, we really began to enjoy you.  Your personality really came through and we knew we were in trouble!  You have brought so much joy to our lives.  Again, we can’t believe how blessed we are!

Things are going great in the Hav household. We all had a cold/stomach flu thingy, but now seem to be on the mend. The kids are growing up so fast and both will have their birthdays in March. I can’t believe my babies will be 5 and 2!!!  These are pictures from our trip to the Sam Noble Museum in OKC with our friends the W’s and the W’s.   If you haven’t been and you are close, you really need to see it. Especially if your kids love dinosaurs like ours do!

It’s been so long I am sure alot of you have plain given up on us! We’ve been a very busy household since I went back to work in August.  I am loving being at my home library again and wish I was working a little more but part-time works for us and so does the money

Here’s a couple of pictures for ya’ll. Hopefully, I get better (someday!) at posting.

These were taken at Livesay Orchards Pumpkin Patch. We got to pick our pumpkin from the vine this year.

Aunt Kim came to visit. She and Ryan played and played.  Thanks for coming Kim!

Nonna Vicki turned 60!

Is it Rudolph??

My gorgeous babies! Smiling at the same time!

Blessings to all this wonderful holiday season!

Hey, Mike here. Just wanting to let everyone know about my participation in this year’s Project Valour-IT fundraiser. It is used by Soldiers’ Angels to raise money for electronics that help in the rehabilitation of severely injured servicemen. All proceeds go directly toward purchase of this equipment, which is provided to servicemen and to military hospitals/facilities. The main item is a voice-activated laptop, used to help soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines who have lost (or lost the use of) their hands.

I will be posting several times per week from now through the end of the fundraiser on Nov 11th, over on my Jirel.com website. Please check it out, and you can also hit the donation link over there. I am supporting the Marine team in a little inter-service rivalry they have going on, although the goal of all teams is to raise $35,000 each.

Thanks!

We finalized Caroline’s adoption yesterday October 12. Judge Condren was wonderful and we had a nice private ceremony in her chambers. My parents were able to attend and it was perfect. Here’s a great photo after we were official!

Today, on our then 11th anniversary,  we picked up our handsome man at Eastern. He didn’t cry, in fact, he smiled like crazy. I cried of course, because I cry at everything. I can’t believe he’s been home so long. It seems like just yesterday I became a Mom for the first time. I was SO scared and exhausted those first few weeks. I remember thinking what was I thinking?? Then we got into a groove and it got easier and he started getting cuter. I love you so much Ryan, I can’t imagine my life without you. You are a blessing from God and I thank Him every day that he chose us to be your parents! Also, Happy 15 Anniversary honey! It’s been a great journey with you and I look forward to 50 more!

.

If you’re feeling froggy you can read about our journey to Ryan on our old blog

http://jirel.globulous.com/havblog/?m=200508

Scroll down to the bottom to the beginning.

We had a great first day of Preschool! Ryan went right in, no tears, big hugs and kisses to Mommy and Caroline.  Caroline was lost all day without him and kept pounding on his door, RY RY! BUBBA!  She cried alot too, but I think she was bored. Mondays  I do laundry and housecleaning so I am sure she just needed more attention.  Here’s some pics of the big day!

Here’s one of Caroline from the week before.  I took some pictures of her the day Ryan was gone but they didn’t turn out so hot. This one is much better.

We had such a busy week during Korea Camp. We were SO blessed this year by friends. We got to meet and play with Tracy’s (Lower Camp Coordinator) boys for Monday and Tuesday.  They are 6 and 8.  They were really great boys and Ryan enjoyed playing with them. They are really smart and cute and I had to be on my toes all the time. Whew! They wore me out   It reminded me I am glad I have 2 kids close in age. The gap between 4 and 6 isn’t so bad, but 4 and 8 is huge.

Then we had Kathryn P come to visit. She stayed with us last year for the first time. We were so lucky to have her again. She is an awesome teenager (yes, I said that hehe) and we all love having her. I told her she could visit any time she wanted too. Ryan thinks the sun rises and sets on her.

We also had Lian G come from Arkansas to stay for KC.  We had her last year as well and it is so cool to have her come to camp and lend her expertise (teaching). hehe  Both ladies are Korean Adoptees and it’s just awesome having so many Korean faces in the house.  Caroline didn’t like either of them too much at first, but by the time they left, she allowed them to hold her.  She’s such a Momma’s girl.

Korea Camp was an incredible experience this year.  Ryan being a camper for the first time was just amazing.  The teachers were so great this year and the kids had so much fun. Ryan was so happy to have his friend Andrew in his class and he met alot of other new friends.  Ryan’s favorite part of Korea Camp was eating bulgogi. (Which is funny because I DO make it about 1 a month, so it isn’t like he never eats it)

Caroline made some new friends as well. Angie O’s little brother Adam was a VERY big hit. She wanted him to hold her every time we were near him. It was very funny because everyone know’s that she isn’t big on going to people.  Well I guess she just makes exceptions for cute boys

Here are some pics: