A box full of Korea!

As much as Daniel and I wanted to, it was not the best decision for our family to travel to Korea to bring John McRae home.  We knew how much we would miss out on, but it just wasn't in the cards at the time.  True, escorting went wonderfully for our family and John McRae has been a happy child since the moment he layed eyes on us, but we missed out on meeting his precious foster family, experiencing his birth country with him, learning first hand about Seoul, meeting the Holt staff that worked so hard to get our baby boy home to us and so, so many other things we missed out on. The saddest part to me is that I wasn't the one to comfort him first when he was taken from his foster mother's arms before getting on that big plane and flying to his forever home.  That is the one thing we can't make up for when we travel in the future.  That said,  I can't wait to take John McRae to his birth country in a few years to explore and learn with him...and hopefully meet his foster family.

 I hear the shopping is great in Korea, too.  Luckily, my amazing friend, Mary Leigh, shopped til she dropped while in Korea to bring home her precious Brodie. 

Take a look at some of the goodies ML picked out for us!  We are so proud to have all of these treasures from Korea.  Thank you, thank you, thank you, Mary Leigh!!!  Until we make it to there to experience it for ourselves, these special items will fill our home with a little slice of Korea.

Full of excitement as I've finally gotten through all of that tape to get the box open. :)

Lots of goodies!



Miniature Kimchi Pot from Ilsan.



Also from Ilsan.

 

Name Chop.

The cutest little wedding ducks that I've ever seen!

Aren't these awesome? They are homemade.

This is from the largest church in the world.  It's a bible verse.

Traditional Korean mask.

Korean Pottery.

Wedding Ducks.

A set for John McRae.

& a set for me.



XOXO,

Stacy

At 27 months.

John McRae is changing so much these days. He learns something new daily and I know it is hard to believe, but he is actually getting more and more adorable! 

John McRae went to the zoo over the weekend and he was most excited to see an elephant.  Too bad the Gulf Shores Zoo doesn't have an elephant.  After we left, we found this elephant for him.  He's kept it with him every since.

John McRae loves playing in the water!

He loves playing in the sand.

He got to see his Grannies and have a ball with them!



Is a total beach bum (and we couldn't be prouder!)

Loves fried okra.

JMc is becoming so vocal and can say many, many new words.  It's truly amazing to watch him learn new things daily.

He went to a urologist who thought he was the cutest 2 year old ever.

He moved up to the next class at his daycare and is loving it!

He loves to snack.

He is so incredibly cute when he motions at us and says, "Come on."

He thinks poots are funny.

He will burst out into a fit and then quit all of a sudden and say, "Mooooommmaa.  Mooooma.  Moommmy.  Mama." I then look at him, he give me a smirk and goes back to his fit.  Gosh, he knows how to play his parents to get just what he wants.  We can't hold a straight face!

Speaking of radios, he loves to dance.

He had a great time at the beach with his Gran & Papa.

He makes these two folks so incredibly happy!



He's a clown.

He gets it honest.

When he is upset, he rests best is Mama's lap.

He is our world and makes life so wonderful.



The past 10 months have been the best months of our lives.

MOTHER AND SON

My son

I am here

I cannot protect you

From the world.

My son

I am here

I can only love you

No matter what

My son

I am here

My love unconditional

On this you can rely

My son

I am here

To guide and to teach you

And now you must fly

My son

I am here

Life can be difficult

I hear your cry

My son

I am here

Changes are painful

Never forget who you are

My son

I am here

Maintain the faith

In yourself and in God

My son

I am here

Self acceptance is yours

Do not fear

My son

I am here

XOXO,

Stacy



family filled weekend

We had a great weekend filled with lots of good times!  As busy as it was, it was still refreshing.  Daniel judged Bulls & Barrells Friday and Saturday night.  He really enjoyed it, and he is now the wild cow milking champion. Ha Ha, Fun times for D!  John McRae isn't quite ready for such fun and especially being still for that long.  He would have been wilder than any bull that stepped into the area.  So while Daniel was busy with that, John McRae and I found a little fun of our own.  On Friday night, he and I went with Gran to eat at Chili's and done a little shopping. John McRae was the only one to get anything.  Shocking, I'm sure.  On Saturday, JMc and I went to Kyndall's birthday party.  It was nice to see everyone, and we really enjoyed it.  Too bad JMc would not get near the water slide that the other kids were playing on.  He really enjoyed the cake and TWO plates of ice cream, though.  We thank Ashlea for the invite. :)  I got to spend some time with his Aunt Jen Jen.  We don't see each other a whole lot, but it is so nice when we get the chance.  John McRae was so happy to see Phillip, ReeRee and Uncle Mike.  I forgot to bring my camera in, but I wish I'd have taken a photo of all of Kyndall's presents, her beautiful Dora cake and all of the cuties having such a good time!  After we left the party, JMc and I went to visit my dad (PawPaw) and Grandma Johnson.  We rode the golf cart, watched Elmo, played with Play-doh and had a yummy supper.  Again, I didn't have my camera.  When Daddy emails me some photos, I'll post them.  I remembered to bring John McRae's pj's so I gave him a bathe before we left Daddy's. It's a good thing because this is JMc just seconds after we started home.

My sweet baby was so tired, he didn't even wake up when I got him out of the car to take him to bed.  He woke up crying for about an hour that night, but woke up ready to GO!

On Sunday, all three of us went to my Grandma's house in Mobile. (After sleeping late because poor JMc had a rough night, causing Mama and Daddy to have a sleepless night, too.)  My mom was there also. We had a lot of fun playing with our two Grannies.  Yes, Mama and my Grandma both go by Granny so it is a little confusing. My mom had Play-doh, markers and a coloring book waiting for JMc.  I made a very impressive rose out of Play-doh.  The neighbor sent over a plastic pool for JMc to play in and we all had such a great time playing with him and watching him play.  We didn't come prepared to swim, so you'll notice that he's nude.  I joked at my Grandma and said, "If you got out here swimming in the kiddie pool naked, I bet it would stir up more of a stink in the neighborhood. :)  Here are a few pics of our fun in Mobile.

You can see that we had a great day in Mobile.  John McRae was worn out and asleep by the time we left the driveway.

John McRae slept the entire two hours home. Gran and Papa picked JMc up in the parking lot of Long's Fishcamp and Daniel and I went in to eat a little supper.  Such a nice weekend and just four more sleeps until we are headed back down south, but this time we'll be headed to Gulf Shores for a little R&R and delicious food!

Oh, yeah..John McRae slept all night last night with no wakups or any crying! Whoo Hoo!

XOXO,

Stacy