This morning I received the tragic news that a fellow adoptive mother and Holt BB member is in critical condition after a 2-car accident that took her 7-year old son's life. I am at a loss for words. Our thoughts and prayer go out to the family.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32978777
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Back from Pioneer Reunion & Best Birthday Present Ever!
Pioneer Reunion
We had such a great time this weekend!
On Thursday, we arrived in time for Rai to attend his first rodeo. I got Rai and Aaron to wear nearly matching shirts, and they stayed close together the entire time. :-) Rai seemed to enjoy wearing his boots that night, but they're still a bit too big.
On Friday, Rai, Aaron, and Amy rode on the float with Patty (crowned Queen of the Clay County Pioneer Reunion) during the parade, and although they thought it was amusing to watch me run alongside the float, I got several great pictures! That afternoon, Rai played with his cousins Kelly & Kamryn and charmed family & friends who were in town to support Patty this weekend. That night, Rai was super busy bouncing between my lap and Grammalyn's lap at the rodeo until he decided to call it a day (fussy boy = leaving early).
Giving kisses (Wow, look at those grey hairs!)
All 3 great-grandkids worn their "MY Grand-Patty is the Queen!" shirts
Rai gave Grammalyn kisses, too
On Saturday, Rai watched the parade from the stroller (first moment of rest since Thursday) and surprised us all at lunch by eating brisket for the first time! After lunch, I got a few last minute pictures while Grammalyn kept up with Rai (who enjoyed the freedom to run around the courthouse lawn) before we left for Wichita Falls to visit Great-Grandma (who is having a birthday next week) and Great-Grandpa among other great-aunts/uncles.
Pictures on the float before the parade
After the parade
Aaron and his dad finish a project at Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa's house
Rai had a great time playing in the water, with chalk, and blowing bubbles with his great-aunts!
Best Birthday Present Ever!
Today, we made our way home and enjoyed a peaceful afternoon and evening to wind down the weekend. Aaron and I took turns playing with Rai who had much more energy after the long weekend than we did. During my break from uploading pictures and videos, Rai and I played for a bit. Rai has recently become fascinated with hair and reach around my head to pat my hair and say "mama." Up until now, "mama" has meant "hungry" (in Korean among children). We had worked all weekend to say "mommy," so I gave it one last try "Mommy!" I said. "MomME" Rai replied. Yay! I gave him big hugs and kisses and we practiced some more. I know this may be short lived, but it's the best birthday present I could ask for!
We had such a great time this weekend!
On Thursday, we arrived in time for Rai to attend his first rodeo. I got Rai and Aaron to wear nearly matching shirts, and they stayed close together the entire time. :-) Rai seemed to enjoy wearing his boots that night, but they're still a bit too big.
On Friday, Rai, Aaron, and Amy rode on the float with Patty (crowned Queen of the Clay County Pioneer Reunion) during the parade, and although they thought it was amusing to watch me run alongside the float, I got several great pictures! That afternoon, Rai played with his cousins Kelly & Kamryn and charmed family & friends who were in town to support Patty this weekend. That night, Rai was super busy bouncing between my lap and Grammalyn's lap at the rodeo until he decided to call it a day (fussy boy = leaving early).
Giving kisses (Wow, look at those grey hairs!)
All 3 great-grandkids worn their "MY Grand-Patty is the Queen!" shirts
Rai gave Grammalyn kisses, too
On Saturday, Rai watched the parade from the stroller (first moment of rest since Thursday) and surprised us all at lunch by eating brisket for the first time! After lunch, I got a few last minute pictures while Grammalyn kept up with Rai (who enjoyed the freedom to run around the courthouse lawn) before we left for Wichita Falls to visit Great-Grandma (who is having a birthday next week) and Great-Grandpa among other great-aunts/uncles.
Pictures on the float before the parade
After the parade
Aaron and his dad finish a project at Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa's house
Rai had a great time playing in the water, with chalk, and blowing bubbles with his great-aunts!
Best Birthday Present Ever!
Today, we made our way home and enjoyed a peaceful afternoon and evening to wind down the weekend. Aaron and I took turns playing with Rai who had much more energy after the long weekend than we did. During my break from uploading pictures and videos, Rai and I played for a bit. Rai has recently become fascinated with hair and reach around my head to pat my hair and say "mama." Up until now, "mama" has meant "hungry" (in Korean among children). We had worked all weekend to say "mommy," so I gave it one last try "Mommy!" I said. "MomME" Rai replied. Yay! I gave him big hugs and kisses and we practiced some more. I know this may be short lived, but it's the best birthday present I could ask for!
Friday, September 11, 2009
Howdy!
We are headed out of town tomorrow for the big Clay County Pioneer Reunion. I am honored to announce that Aaron's grandmother, Patty, is being crowned Queen of the Pioneer Reunion. For someone who had dedicated so many years to this event, especially in care of the Queen and Duchesses each year, she certainly deserves this weekend in the spotlight!
What is the Clay Count Pioneer Reunion you ask? Imagine 3 days of rodeos, parades, music/dance, and a craft fair spread out on the court house lawn. This will be my sixth year attending this now (wow, 6 years already), and it will be so much fun to see Rai experience this this year. Rai will get to ride on the float in the parade on Saturday morning and will look so handsome in his new black dress pants, white button-up shirt, black cowboy hat, and black boots! I can't tell you how much fun it is to shop for a 23-pound boy!
Needless to say, there will be plenty of pictures here this weekend!
In other matters, this big boy has been talking up a storm! Most of the words are still encrypted in Rai-anese, but a few words are starting to come through ("tizu" for "tissue" and "moah" for "more"). Aaron jokes that he said "teo" (Korean for "more") perfectly. We have been told by our developmental specialist that pairing words in Korean/English and Japanese/English is a great idea at this stage. To help sort out the languages, I'm using Japanese/English, and Aaron is in charge of Korean/English.
We have been amazed at Rai's English comprehension! Less than 5 months ago, Rai arrived in the US just hearing English and tonight, after saying "moah" over and over for the excellent fried rice at the hibachi grill, Aaron joked and said "Less!" Rai immediately said "Noooo" and we were nearly in tears with laughter. He certainly understands!
NOTE TO OMMA (foster mother):
In the last few days, Rai has been learning how to say "Mommy." He doesn't say "m" very often, but now that he's working on "Mommy," he has started to say "Omma" again. This morning, we walked by one of your pictures and Rai pointed and said "Omma." To Rai, you will always be his "Omma." No words can express how much we think of you and his "Appa" each and every day. Thank you both for being a part of Rai's (Yun-Taek's) life and ours.
And now for more pictures...
As we drove down a small road near our house, a falcon or hawk nearly hit our car as it swooped in front of the windshield. I had to slam on the breaks and worried that Rai might have been scared. Instead, he pointed off to the side and kept saying "Ah! Burrr! Burrr!" He was so fascinated that I took a picture before we drove off again. (This is probably the largest falcon/hawk I've ever seen! I can see why Rai was so impressed!
The boys have been keeping busy on weekends. Rai is such a great helper!
Howdy Ma'am!
Rai is apparently a great bareback rider! You could hear the giggles nextdoor though!
With all the rain we've had, I got tired of being couped up in the house and dragged the boys out to the Natural Science Museum. Rai had a blast...and I think Aaron had a good time, too. :-)
On the way home, we stopped at the lakeside pier in Rockwall so that Rai could see the fountains. We had been before but never while the fountains were running. He was so excited to be outside, we let him run around in the water. Finally, Aaron (of all people) decided he needed to stop before he caught a cold. :-)
Tonight, we celebrated my birthday with my parents at one of our favorite hibachi grills (where they cook the food in front of you). Rai was FASCINATED with our entertaining dining experience and LOVED the fried rice. I have a feeling we'll be going back for his birthday treat (separate from his birthday party, of course).
And now to pack the rest of our things for this weekend! (Rai is keeping me company by reading his Korean language book aloud.)
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