It is hard to believe Austin has been in our lives for only two months. Each day he learns so many new things. I went back to work on the 31st and he went to Preschool on the 2nd. He did fantastic! Mom and Dad, on the other hand, were a wreck. He is so proud of his accomplishments. He points to his art work and himself and grins from ear-to-ear. When asked who made this "Austin" he answers as proud as a peacock. It is a joy to see his pride. He has mastered many things in a short amount of time and always, always wants to do things himself. He really only needs supervision at bath time and just a little extra brushing of his teeth.
Christmas brought all kinds of new adventure. He traveled to KC to meet his "Gammy" and stole her heart completely. They had tons of fun taking pictures and taking turns wearing Austin's bright yellow sunglasses. He had another big Christmas at his Aunt Ginny and Uncle Bill's. His cousin Marcus gave him toys and books he had so much fun playing with when he was younger. He had another big Christmas at his Grannys and PaPa Tom's where he met many more Aunts and Uncles and cousins and of course many more presents. Remote control was the theme this year and needless to say Austin LOVED the idea!
BILL, did I say BILL, bought him a 4-wheeler and is teaching him to ride. I must say it gives me heart palpatations from fear and butterflies from the joy I see all over father and son's faces...hey I am just gratefull it is not blood.
We are teaching him all kinds of phrases, some of which we shouldn't have. "Austin tooted" is one of his favorites and he uses it in context..trust us! He has learned major body parts and is picking up favorite foods quickly, banana, milk, juice, cookies and I think his all time favorite "yoger" (yogurt).
He is so funny getting ready. He likes his hair gelled like his daddy's and loves wearing cologne..."Austin is a handsome boy"...we are also teaching him to be humble (ha!ha!).
Will sign off for now as it is his bed time...forever blessed B & K
Monday, January 7, 2008
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
ONE MONTH - Wow!
It is hard to believe it has only been one month since our son came into our lives. So much he has learned and experienced in such a short time. He has completely stolen our hearts.
He had his first 'American' haircut today. He did so well. They put some gel in his hair and I think he thought he looked pretty cute...of course we did! They gave him a sucker that turned his lips and tongue blue, which he thought was the coolest.
What can I say, in the country less than two weeks and already in love with McDonalds. He loves the apple dippers and the milk jug. I think he thought the milk jug was his own slice of heaven on earth!
He was playing with his cars today, making all sorts of pretend noises and talking to himself and I started thinking about how much change he has been through and how well he is adjusting.
He has ridden his first bike, been pulled in his first wagon, probably been kissed for the first time by a dog, ate his first taco, tasted his first Oreo and drank about 10 gallons of milk and a ton of bananas and apples. He's played with toys of his own and we mustn't forget his CARS cell phone. Has his own Mr. Bear to cuddle with and shoes that he picked out himself. And he learned to dance...okay he learned from us so his 'moves' may not be the hippest (did I just say hippest...enough said!)
Tomorrow, we are going to celebrate Thanksgiving and give thanks to the Lord for all our Blessing and there are many! Then we are on to Christmas!!!We plan to have our tree up this weekend. I can't wait to see his face light up when he wakes up to the tree. This Christmas will hold a special place in our heart as we watch the magic in a little boy's eyes. I am so blessed to be home with him during this very special time of year.
As I laid down with him this evening and he fell asleep with his arms wrapped around my neck, I looked down at his beautiful face and could feel the beat of his heart and the rhythm of his breathing and thought there is no place I'd rather be right now.
May God continue to Bless our Journey and each of you.
He had his first 'American' haircut today. He did so well. They put some gel in his hair and I think he thought he looked pretty cute...of course we did! They gave him a sucker that turned his lips and tongue blue, which he thought was the coolest.
What can I say, in the country less than two weeks and already in love with McDonalds. He loves the apple dippers and the milk jug. I think he thought the milk jug was his own slice of heaven on earth!
He was playing with his cars today, making all sorts of pretend noises and talking to himself and I started thinking about how much change he has been through and how well he is adjusting.
He has ridden his first bike, been pulled in his first wagon, probably been kissed for the first time by a dog, ate his first taco, tasted his first Oreo and drank about 10 gallons of milk and a ton of bananas and apples. He's played with toys of his own and we mustn't forget his CARS cell phone. Has his own Mr. Bear to cuddle with and shoes that he picked out himself. And he learned to dance...okay he learned from us so his 'moves' may not be the hippest (did I just say hippest...enough said!)
Tomorrow, we are going to celebrate Thanksgiving and give thanks to the Lord for all our Blessing and there are many! Then we are on to Christmas!!!We plan to have our tree up this weekend. I can't wait to see his face light up when he wakes up to the tree. This Christmas will hold a special place in our heart as we watch the magic in a little boy's eyes. I am so blessed to be home with him during this very special time of year.
As I laid down with him this evening and he fell asleep with his arms wrapped around my neck, I looked down at his beautiful face and could feel the beat of his heart and the rhythm of his breathing and thought there is no place I'd rather be right now.
May God continue to Bless our Journey and each of you.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
There is no place like HOME!
Now the trip was a different story. I don't think I've ever been awake for 42 hours before and don't recommend it! We got up around 5:30 am Vietnam time and didn't fly to Korea until 12:30 p.m. already a long day. Once we got to Korea, we had a six hour lay over then back on the plane to Dallas..12 hours on a plane with a 3 1/2 year old..need I say more. Then a 3 hour drive from Dallas to HOME!! Actually, Austin did very well all things considered. He hated the car seat, but once he got the idea that it was the way it was going to be, he settled in with his water and good old american french fries!
Can't say how good it feels to be home surrounded by our Stuff. We've been trying to get our internal clocks readjusted, but it has been difficult especially with Austin still taking naps. We think today will be the day. Bill and I were up since about 3 am and Austin woke up about 5. Thank God for the 24 hour Walmart...we got our grocery shopping done and picked-up a few items for Austin (hat and gloves...we went from 80's to 30's burrrr!) all before 6:30 am. Wonder of wonders, there wasn't hardly anyone there...in and out in a jiffy!.
All you Moms and Dads that did NOT tell us that a 3 and 1/2 year old boy just HAS to push every button, pull every lever are in big trouble. Maybe you did and I didn't hear it clearly. I have experienced it full force. Austin seems to be a cause and effect kinda guy...every light switch has been used more in the last 3 days than in the 4 years we have lived here.
What is truly amazing is realizing the things that seem important to him that we all take for granted. He is absolutely fasinated by the toilet, washing his hands at the sink and taking baths. The total look of joy and wonderment when he gets more food...like it is Christmas morning. We've tried to limit his toys so he doesn't become overwhelmed. He went for the large lightening McQueen car first, then Mac the truck. He loves the foam bath tub letters and floating boats, he uses the rinse cup over and over and over. He is learning how to manipulate the pieces to the leapfrog animal farm, 'coloring' in the coloring books, the lunch box tins are going to be worn out. He loves his Cars towels too...he likes to be wrapped up in them real tight. Bill was trying to get him to help with making his bed and he was very possessive of his comforter. We wheel him around the house in his stroller and he thinks he is pretty big stuff. He went outside and pulled his wagon up and down the drive way...he even got in it for about 60 seconds. He received his very first Bible and an adoption life book, which he opened all by himself. All this to say thanks again to everybody for helping us give him such a warm welcome. Truly a blessing that is so much appreciated. Your selections were perfect and many things that I would not have thought of. I read the Chicken Soup for the Mother's Soul on the way over and it was a blessing to take my mind off of the many hours on the plane. Thanks for the thoughtfullness of the care package...it really helped.
Can't say how good it feels to be home surrounded by our Stuff. We've been trying to get our internal clocks readjusted, but it has been difficult especially with Austin still taking naps. We think today will be the day. Bill and I were up since about 3 am and Austin woke up about 5. Thank God for the 24 hour Walmart...we got our grocery shopping done and picked-up a few items for Austin (hat and gloves...we went from 80's to 30's burrrr!) all before 6:30 am. Wonder of wonders, there wasn't hardly anyone there...in and out in a jiffy!.
All you Moms and Dads that did NOT tell us that a 3 and 1/2 year old boy just HAS to push every button, pull every lever are in big trouble. Maybe you did and I didn't hear it clearly. I have experienced it full force. Austin seems to be a cause and effect kinda guy...every light switch has been used more in the last 3 days than in the 4 years we have lived here.
What is truly amazing is realizing the things that seem important to him that we all take for granted. He is absolutely fasinated by the toilet, washing his hands at the sink and taking baths. The total look of joy and wonderment when he gets more food...like it is Christmas morning. We've tried to limit his toys so he doesn't become overwhelmed. He went for the large lightening McQueen car first, then Mac the truck. He loves the foam bath tub letters and floating boats, he uses the rinse cup over and over and over. He is learning how to manipulate the pieces to the leapfrog animal farm, 'coloring' in the coloring books, the lunch box tins are going to be worn out. He loves his Cars towels too...he likes to be wrapped up in them real tight. Bill was trying to get him to help with making his bed and he was very possessive of his comforter. We wheel him around the house in his stroller and he thinks he is pretty big stuff. He went outside and pulled his wagon up and down the drive way...he even got in it for about 60 seconds. He received his very first Bible and an adoption life book, which he opened all by himself. All this to say thanks again to everybody for helping us give him such a warm welcome. Truly a blessing that is so much appreciated. Your selections were perfect and many things that I would not have thought of. I read the Chicken Soup for the Mother's Soul on the way over and it was a blessing to take my mind off of the many hours on the plane. Thanks for the thoughtfullness of the care package...it really helped.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Two more things about the pictures
Austin knows how to use chop sticks, his first swim and notice in the lunch picture how he likes to wear his sun glasses!
This is our last day at Hanoi and can I ask you all to take a moment right now and pray for our safety and sanity during the long trip home.
Now to the fun stuff. Pictures are worth a thousand words so I included more. We loved Hanoi. One of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. Take a close look at the lunch picture with Rachel and Austin...yes heads are on the shrimp.
There is another picture of lunch with our tour group of Hanoi and I think Austin ate a whole octopus!....okay, the best I'll be able to cook for him is fish sticks!
Gotta go finish packing. Hope to see you soon and hope you all had a great Thanksgiving....
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Two more days until we are home!!!
Rachel and Tommy made it in safely. We went to Hay Long Bay yesterday - beautiful. We'll need to post a picture or two. They have 1969 Limestone Islands around the bay. We toured two caves that were awesome. We had lunch on the boat - shrimp with the heads on, squid and octopus and a whole fried fish....okay...I ate peanut butter crackers and a JD Powers power bar (thanks Steph and Boomer!) We were on the top deck of this boat and had terrific views...unforgettable experience and hard to describe.
We are going to go on a tour of Hanoi tomorrow and the water puppet show on Friday so staying pretty busy.
We will miss Thanksgiving at home with family and friends, but will be thinking of you. We are planning to eat a Jaspas, which is Bill and I's favorite. I won't be eating the turkey, but the pasta is terrific. Hope everybody has a wonderful Thanksgiving. This year is a very, very special year that will hold a special meaning for us for the rest of our days. Thank to each of you for sharing this journey and giving us an unbelievable amount of support. May God continue to blessings to our families, friends,and Farmers family.
Bill and Kim
We are going to go on a tour of Hanoi tomorrow and the water puppet show on Friday so staying pretty busy.
We will miss Thanksgiving at home with family and friends, but will be thinking of you. We are planning to eat a Jaspas, which is Bill and I's favorite. I won't be eating the turkey, but the pasta is terrific. Hope everybody has a wonderful Thanksgiving. This year is a very, very special year that will hold a special meaning for us for the rest of our days. Thank to each of you for sharing this journey and giving us an unbelievable amount of support. May God continue to blessings to our families, friends,and Farmers family.
Bill and Kim
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