Some pictures from Summer

Yes, we are still alive over here- thank you to those who have been checking up on us! :-)


It seems that life does not stand still and the routines of Fall have unfortunately begun. Which means I have less time to spend blogging about everything that's happening and even less for catching up on all of my bloggy friends. I can't believe it has been 3 weeks since I last posted here. Most have probably given up checking in by now!



Not sure where to start, as a lot has been happening over the past few weeks...



I think I'll backtrack a little bit first: (mostly because I wanted to share a few pictures!)

So here are a few snippets from the end of our summer.

As I already posted a few weeks ago, our Elliana turned one year old on the 16th of August. Because we had only been home a few short weeks we decided to not have a big party or anything that day. We actually made it to church for the first time in quite awhile, came home to take naps and then gave her the toy that we had picked out for her at the store. It was pretty un-eventful, but she was happy.





Checking out her new toy that sings and makes music





She loves this little baby we got her at Target for only a few bucks!






We had a few of our close family over for dessert the next night and she opened a few presents.

She thought Grandma was pretty funny!

We plan to celebrate her birthday in a little more traditional Korean style when she is dedicated at the end of November. We are so excited she will be dedicated on the day our church celebrates Adoption Sunday!

A few more fun pictures are from a swimming day we had out at Grandma's house with the cousins. Everyone was anxious for Elliana to try the pool and when we finally got in- she loved it and splashed all around. What a cutie she is in her little swimsuit...

The girls are so cute with her and love having a new baby girl cousin to play with!

Actually I think EVERYONE is excited to play with her!

Cousin Noah is totally in love...

Enjoying her food outside!

Just hanging out with daddy

This was the sweetest thing- to find them in her room like this snuggled in the rocking chair with Nathan reading her stories. He is such a good big brother! (they didn't even know I was taking the picture!)

What a Summer this has been for our family- definitely one we will NEVER forget!

One month ago...

We held the most beautiful baby girl we had ever seen.


One month ago since all of the waiting became a reality and we were finally face to face (or should I say cheek to cheek) with our daughter.



What an amazing day it was. One we will never forget.



And today one month later, we are still completely in love with our little Korean princess and are still pinching ourselves that she is home and a part of our family.

Little miss Elliana has already brought such joy to our lives and such a tenderness to our boys that I have never seen before. They adore their little sister and each have their own way of wanting to help with her every day. She was so happy when they came home from the beach last week and is loving the constant attention she is getting from them! She is doing better with each day that goes by and is beginning to know and even want me as her mommy! She wakes up in the morning so happy and smiles and laughs when she sees me. She still loves Daddy and gets very excited to see him at any time of the day! I feel so blessed!

I have had those moments lately where I am just in awe of God's timing and perfect plan to work all things together for His good. I remember clearly years ago when He first stirred the desire to adopt in me, and how I thought I had it all planned out. He certainly had other plans and oh how I am so grateful that we answered the call and did things in His timing.
I know this sounds so cliche' especially when we have only had her a month, but honestly I can't imagine any other child but this precious girl in our family right now. God truly places the lonely in families- I believe that with all my heart.

What about you? Do you believe that? Will you open your heart to what James 1:27 says? Though the command in James to care for orphans is clear, it is not limited to a select few. No one can do it all, but all can do something with God’s help. All it takes is one decision, one step of faith, to make a lasting difference for a child. Will you be that person to make a difference? Take that step of faith and help the over 143 million orphans in the world through prayer, sponsoring, giving, going on mission trips to care for the least of these, adoption or all of the above!

We know that this is only the beginning and that the Lord is not through with us yet. We want to be used for the Kingdom in any and all ways possible, but don't know what that looks like for the future.
For this moment though, it looks a little something like this:


She is no longer an orphan! Praise God!



"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
James 1:27

Birthday Girl

Happy Happy 1st Birthday to our beautiful Elliana Sa-rang!





So silly!






And just in case you were wondering if I ever put clothes on her...


I do.



And they are adorable (thanks to many friends and family!)


But of course she loves just playing in her diaper and gets pretty giddy about it!


Well, the balloons may have helped.



A little.




And just in case you were wondering if she smiles that gorgeous smile everytime I bring out the camera...



She doesn't.



Not even when she's all dressed up in her beautiful Korean hanbok given to her by her foster mother. Nope.


And especially not when her mommy tries putting the headpiece on to "complete the look."


Please please please look at mommy??!! (as I jump up and down acting like a monkey!)
Um No.



Oh well.

I'll take what I can get! Even if it's only the ones with no clothes on!





We prayed that Elliana would be home before her first birthday and God answered that prayer... We have now been home 3 weeks already with our precious daughter! We praise Him for entrusting us with this beautiful gift to raise, love and disciple.

Saengil Chukha Hamnida Elliana! Sarang hae yo!

(Happy Birthday Elliana! I love you!)

Reflections

Guess who discovered herself in the mirror last night?


#1

Taken with a Canon 50D
Lens: Canon 50mm f/1.4
Mode: Manual
Focal length: 50mm
Aperture: f/1.8
Exposure: 1/320
ISO: 1000



#2

Settings: same as above

These may not be the most creative or artistic, but they are so precious to me. After almost 3 weeks of being home, our baby girl is coming out of her shell a little more each day. After her bath we walked by the mirror and she caught a glimpse of herself and just started cracking up. I grabbed the camera and set her in front of the mirror to see what she would do. As you can see, she was quite taken with herself! And I must say that I was pleased with how well they came out despite the terrible bathroom lighting!

{ Just for fun I thought I'd participate in a little photography challenge at one of my favorite sites: We Picture This. The challenge this month was reflections. I still have so much to learn about photography and at the moment not much time to pursue it further. The contributors on this site are all moms who have a passion for the beauty and art of photography and I am inspired by each one of their posts! I have quite a long ways to go to be up to par, but the learning is really the fun part anyway! Click on the button to go to the site and see some of the amazing talent... }

The JOY of discovery