Top 12 of 2012

Hard to believe 2012 will be over in just 2 days.

So, to ring in the New Year ... My top 12 of 2012.

(in no special order)

 Number 1

Traveling half way around the world on a moments notice ( well 5 days notice) so I could finally

be in the same city as my son. 

I was blessed to have a great friend who is just like a sister accompany me on the trip.

While I would have loved to have been with Anthony when I met our son for the first time, I can't think of a better travel partner and friend to have shared it with. 

What an amazing trip.

Number 2

The first day I arrived at Holt Korea and met my sweet boy.

Almost a year after being matched, almost two years from the start of the process the moment finally came.

In a little room inside of the Holt building I met the baby boy that I watched grow in pictures for the very first time. The moment was nothing short of amazing.

Meeting him for the very short time was better then I could have ever imagined. After all the waiting, hoping, and praying my arms were no longer empty. I still dont know how I had the strength to say goodbye to him and get back on the plane to America.

So happy that I had the chance to travel to Korea and see James in his birth country.

I was able to see that he was a busy boy that wrecked havoc in Seoul just like he does here. :)

That its not an attachment thing - its a James thing.

Number 3

Saying goodbye to my sweet boy as I left to come back home was one of the single hardest

things that I have ever had to do. However, it was a defining moment in 2012 because it meant that

my little boy was real.. the journey was real... and the emotions were real.  This sweet boy slept peacefully in my arms after a day we spent together. It meant that for the first time I would be able to tell my family and friends what James was really like - that I met him and got a glimpse of this sweet boys personality.

Number 4

Meeting a great group of new friends.

Several years ago, I joined a moms group when Zoey was just a few months old. We all always said how lucky we were to meet so many good friends so late in life. Lets face it, the older we get the harder it is to balance life, family, and old friends let alone make new ones. I was very fortunate to meet so many friends and in turn so was Zoey. 

This past year, again, I was very blessed in meeting new friends.

Adoption is a hard process, but an amazing online adoption community exists.

I had the blessing of turning some of those online friendships into real life ones.

(don't worry - adoptive parents have quite the background check)

And get this, many of these new friends not only have children the same

age as James but older siblings the same age as Zoey - JACKPOT!

I cant say enough for these friends who supported me as I navigated my way to Korea and back again, as I brought James home and worried over and over again about his attachment.... friends that picked up the phone while I was jet lagged and awake on the other side of the world and just really got it.. the feelings and emotions... the highs and lows of this journey... these girls who  turned from waiting buddies that I would have dinner with occasionaly while waiting to friendships that will be here to stay. 

Number 5

Family Day!!!

 

After all the prayers, the waiting, the delays...

After traveling 1/2 way around the world to meet him and coming home without him...

The best day of 2012 for sure... and one of the top 3 best days 

of my entire life....

My baby boy was placed in my arms.

That moment, in a terminal at Philadelphia airport , was magical.

God was surely there - seeing his perfect plan through.

The child I prayed for before I knew of him...

the little boy I loved from the moment I saw his sweet face on my computer screen....

he was home. 

Forever.

Number 6

My baby girl became a big sister.

It didnt happen all at once and we definitely had struggles in the begining.

But slowly,

my baby girl grew into an amazing big sister.

She looks after him...teaches him..and is learning to be patient with him more and more each day.



These two have my ♥

Number 7

James was baptized.

With family and friends present we celebrated his special day.

For many, this was the very first time meeting him.

We were honored to have our good friends,  Kim and Steve ,

accept the responsibility of being his godparents.

It was a day to celebrate such a huge blessing in our lives.

James cut the rug on the dancefloor.

and the kids had a blast with face painting, ballon art, and games. 

Number 8

Somehow, my princess turned 5.

Ummm, how did that happen?!?!

We always celebrate birthdays big - what better way to celebrate a big blessing - right?!?

This girl amazes me. She has grown and matured so much this year.

My beautiful baby girl..

You have blessed us more then you will ever know.



You light up our lives.

Number 9

Happy 1st Birthday home little man.

I think its safe to say that James had a blast celebrating his 2nd Birthday

and we had a blast celebrating it with him for the very first time.

Little man partied, partied, and partied some more.

He loved the animals and petting zoo...

and of course the bounce house too.



Sweet baby James...

You make everyday interesting.

Your smile lights up every room.

So blessed that we were brought together - forever.

Number 10

First family vacation with James home.

Disney of course!!

What an amazing (and exhausting) 12 days.

But the first trip together as a new family is down in the books.

Cant wait for more to come!!!!



Number 11

Yun, Jun-ha forever becomes a Wong.

The judge put on paper what our hearts already knew.

James is forever our son.

27 months after we started the process



We are finally a family of four.

FOREVER. 

NUMBER 12

Christmas

2 years ago on Christmas we told our extended family that we were in the process to adopt.

1 year ago our hearts hurt because our son wasn't home for the holidays.

This year .....

was a month of holiday cheer with both my babies.

This year my home was filled ....

...and so was my heart. ♥

We had many special visits with the man in the big red suit....

and somehow Santa knew just how special this Christmas was.

He came to our home on Christmas Eve.

This year my greatest gift was definitely not under the tree.

but in my heart.

Having both my babies here on Christmas morning.

Happy New Year!!!!!