Danes consult

Well, Dane had his consultation appointment today for his syndactyly. It did not go as planned, well at least how I planned. I was really hoping to get definite answers and a possible surgery date. We were referred to another orthopedic surgeon. The tips of his fingers are fused and it sounds like he will need a bit of reconstructive surgery done on the tips of his finger, including his fingernails. I am happy we got at least some answers. The doctor did say that we might be able to do both hands at once. I of course want to do what is best for Dane, but having one surgery and one recovery, not to mention less doctor visits, sounds really good to me. Dane did not like being at the doctors office(he never does), nor did he like them examining his hands. Poor guy, he cried so hard. I felt so bad, but I know it is for his own good. He did capture the the attention of all the office ladies with his good looks. I, of course, could not agree more - he is quite the cutie! He is exhausted from the days events and is sacked out in the chair with daddy. I can't help but fall more and more in love with him every day.

Laina and David will be home soon and I am looking forward to a relaxing Friday evening at home. It's been a long time since we have just stayed home and I can't wait! I am one blessed mamma!

Happy 6th birthday David!!

Yesterday was David's 6th birthday! Wow! Where does the time go?? We had a great night celebrating his special day! We had dinner at McDonalds (his choice), opened presents, ate cake and ice cream, put together his new skateboard and put his new reading lamp in his room. Of course we ended the night with a great family movie all snuggled on the couch.
Love you David! You are the coolest 6 year old ever!

November is adoption awareness month

There is a song that I have heard a few times, I do not know the name of it or who sings it, but there is a line in that song that I just love....

"worlds collide and colors fade..."

Dane

Getting ready to carve pumpkins

I remember a couple months ago, Joel and I and were riding in the car. I do not remember where we were going or what we were exactly talking about, but Joel look at me and said, "he doesn't look Asian to me anymore" -referring to Dane. I laughed. I think at that moment we had felt like we had kind of turned a corner. We no longer saw Dane as just being Asian but also as our son (Please don't take that statement wrong - it is really hard to explain). We love all of our kids equally and we will NEVER deny the fact that Dane came from Korea or his right to learn about his birth place, etc. But at that moment he was just our son and that was it. Having kids is hard. Being a mom is hard. Adoption is hard- there are so many emotions. And for me, when Dane was finally home my emotions were rushing all over the place. And if I am honest there where moments that I was not so sure we had made the right choice. It was hard to see Dane as 100% my son when all I felt was emotionally exhausted. In the car we had finally came to a point where the emotions were not quite so raw and we were able to enjoy our family as it was without emotions clouding everything. And for us it was a great thing!

For our family adoption has been an amazing, life changing experience. And we did make the right choice! Several people have told us how lucky Dane is (which bothers me but that's another post). I could not disagree more! We are the lucky ones!! We are the ones who have been blessed by him being home and a part of our family!! Dane is an amazing little guy, as are all of our kids. Although there have been some really rough days since Dane has been home and even though we have struggled (sometimes) with adjusting, I would do it all 100 times over. I know Joel still has a hard time looking back at our pictures of Korea, re-living those moments is still emotionally hard for him, he would say the same - it was the right choice for us and our family. God has blessed us beyond words through our experience adopting Dane.

I can swim in the dog's water bowl, right?!

Picture perfect Sunday

Random thoughts

• Well, sorry that it has been so long, life has been really busy now that school is in full swing.

• School seems to be going well, both kids have amazing teachers!

• We have been very busy this fall and have been loving most of the busyness!

• We are STILL vehicle shopping- most of you know Joel, he has to find that good deal!!

• Joel is still working 50-60 hour weeks, it makes for one tired daddy, but he is still managing to get time in with the kids, nothing else though. I'm so thankful that he chooses the kids over other things.

• Joel got Dane's "D" tattooed on his back last week, now he has all the kid's initials.

• Sadly, Joel's grandpa past away a couple weeks ago. He died of a broken heart. He was Joel's hero and the best grandpa ever- he is truly missed.

• We had an AMAZING summer!

• We received an email from Danes foster mom 2 days ago. I became very emotional as I read the words that she wrote. It left me feeling forever grateful for this wonderful woman (and family) who cares so deeply for our son and our family. I am so happy to have her words on paper to share with Dane someday. I am so happy to have contact with her. She even wrote that she prays for us...I can not even begin to describe what that email meant to me.

• Joel and I have finally had a chance to process our trip to Korea, we miss Korea so much already-we are forever changed for the better.

• Dane is walking in public!!! He started walking about a month ago, but only at home, 2 weeks ago he started walking in public! He has also cut 8 teeth since we have been home.

• I will try to post new pictures soon, for some reason I am having trouble tonight.

• I think that's it. Good night!

• Oh, I love my family and my life. It is busy, messy, and really hard sometimes, but I love it and I am blessed!!

Wordless Wednesday

My 2 girls and the neighbor girls selling "snow globes" -sand and water in empty water bottles. I love their creativity!


Duck Lake Channel- beach fun!

Camping in the backyard

David jumping

Alivia

Alaina and Dane

One of Dane's favorite things - getting to drive the jeep!