Daria turns 2

Just a few pictures from Daria's Party. I will put more up soon and blog about her special day!

A little behind!!!

I'm so far behind on blogging I thought I would do one blog to try and catch up.  Daria is doing so good.  We had a lot of doctor appointments to go to when we got home so it felt like her first month home was spent in the doctor's office.  She has been cleared and is off of all medicines that she was on.  Such a huge blessing to us all.   She has really adjusted well into our family and everyone loves her so much.  Her brothers are totally in love with her and she loves them too.  When we pick them up from school she is so happy!! She breaks into a huge grin and starts squealing with delight. Here are some pictures of when we got home with her and what we have been doing!

Aunt Polly giving Daria her bottle while I get a bath.

Uncle Shawn, Daria and Cross giving her bunny ears LOL!

Uncle Shawn getting some Daira love!

My cousin Anna and Tony Ray holding the princess for the first time.

I just woke up and I have bed head

I'm going gangster!

Daria with her sweet cousin Maggie.

Daria and her brother Mason.

Happy!!

Daddy, Daria and brother Brantley at her church dedication.

Our Family

Daria carving her pumpkin for Halloween

Our sweet little lamb

First trip to the zoo on Brody's field trip

Riding the train at the zoo with mommy and daddy

Happy girl!!

Hope you enjoyed the pictures until next time.

Sonia

Finally Home

We are finally home.  It was a long trip with little sleep but Daria did great!! We had a very long lay over in Chicago.  We made it to Birmingham around 9:20 last night.  We were greeted at the airport by a huge group of family and friends.  It was so wonderful to introduce them to Daria.  We felt like celebrities with all of the camera's flashing and the signs.  Some friends from my church Mandy and Amy made a huge sign that said Welcome home Daria.  She had all of my 2 year olds from church hand's stamped on there along with friends and teachers it was so sweet of them.  We LOVED IT!  I'm still really tired and the jet lag has hit us hard.  Brandon is still asleep and it's 1:09pm.  We did come home to some very sad news, Brandon's grandfather passed away Saturday morning.  So we have a funeral Wednesday to go to.  Please keep our family in your prayers!! Thanks so much Sonia.  Here is one picture from our homecoming last night.

Headed Home

We are finally headed home.  It is around 4:30 a.m. here in Seoul and everyone is still sleeping except for me.  We have had a wonderful time here in Korea but I'm so ready to get home to see my boys and family. Daria's personality is really coming out.  She is already spoilt.  Yesterday she should us she could throw a good little fit if she didn't get her way.  Wow what am I in for...only time will tell and I'm sure this flight home should be interesting.  I hope that she does well.

My heart is still so full from all of our experiences here and how much of God's grace we have seen along the way.  Brandon and I knew that we were doing what God wanted us to do but the evidence has just been so overwhelming it still brings tears to my eyes as I write this.  Brandon told me yesterday...Sonia we are doing something pretty big here aren't we. I said yes, I think we are.  You just don't realize how big until you are in the middle of it.  We are changing a child's life forever.  Daria is no longer an orphan.  She is our daughter and we will make sure that she knows that she is a child of God.  I will share more about some of our stories when I get back home and can process more.  All my emotions are still very raw and I can't think without bawling.  Then I can't see to type but I will get to them soon.  Thank you all for your prayers and words of encouragement along the way.  We love each and everyone of you!!  Sonia

Headed Home

We are finally headed home.  It is around 4:30 a.m. here in Seoul and everyone is still sleeping except for me.  We have had a wonderful time here in Korea but I'm so ready to get home to see my boys and family. Daria's personality is really coming out.  She is already spoilt.  Yesterday she should us she could throw a good little fit if she didn't get her way.  Wow what am I in for...only time will tell and I'm sure this flight home should be interesting.  I hope that she does well.
My heart is still so full from all of our experiences here and how much of God's grace we have seen along the way.  Brandon and I knew that we were doing what God wanted us to do but the evidence has just been so overwhelming it still brings tears to my eyes as I write this.  Brandon told me yesterday...Sonia we are doing something pretty big here aren't we. I said yes, I think we are.  You just don't realize how big until you are in the middle of it.  We are changing a child's life forever.  Daria is no longer an orphan.  She is our daughter and we will make sure that she knows that she is a child of God.  I will share more about some of our stories when I get back home and can process more.  All my emotions are still very raw and I can't think without bawling.  Then I can't see to type but I will get to them soon.  Thank you all for your prayers and words of encouragement along the way.  We love each and everyone of you!!  Sonia

Gotcha Day Pictures

The past two days

So sorry that I have not blogged about our adventures here with Daria in a few days!!  She has been doing really well. For the first 2 nights she slept in the crib beside our bed but last night she seemed very restless and ended up in the bed with us.  I'm not sure if it was grieving or if she just didn't feel well.  On Wednesday we went to Time Square.  Yes, Korea has a Time Square...We went to the Times Square Mall and it was huge.  There were so many levels and everything in there was so expensive.  I was trying to find Daria a pair of shoes since I didn't bring her any because I did not know what size she might be wearing.  I found her one pair but they were $75.00.  I think she will just wear socks until we get back to the states.  I'm amazed at how much Mason is already so much in love with his baby sister.  He has been such a big help and keeps her totally entertained.  She is a very serious baby but we have been getting some smiles and laughs from her.  She has her daddy already wrapped around her finger but I think the feeling is mutual because I see this little glimmer in her eye when she is playing with her daddy.  She still wants me though when she gets upset, so I'm still number 1 right now we will see how long that lasts.  But I'm going to enjoy it while it last!!
Thursday we stayed in out apartment for most of the morning.  Daria laid down for her nap earlier that normal so we just relaxed for a little while.  When she woke up we grabbed a cab and went back to one of the markets.  The markets here are so busy and bustling with excitement.  You see all kinds of things here.  There is everything from designer knock offs, scarfs, PJ's, Korea souvenirs to fruit on a stick.  Ohh the fresh pineapple on a stick is so good.  Yesterday at the market Daria was loving the pineapple she kept grabbing mine.  I couldn't give it to her fast enough.  After the market we came back to the apartment and Brandon and Mason went to order our food downstairs.  The guy in the lobby ordered food for us from a restaurant that delivers food to this area.  When the delivery guy got here he was carrying a little metal warmer opened it up and started taking out all this food.  All the food was on glass plates, metal utensils, and even a table cloth.  We didn't know what to do with the plates and utensils.  We were sure that somehow that got them back so Brandon went downstairs to ask.  The man in the lobby said to just put everything back outside your door and they would come back and pick it all up.  I thought this was so neat.  I guess that is one way to cut down on waste of styrofoam and plastic.  We had a really good dinner of fried rice and sesame chicken.
Our friends the Weigner's are leaving today so last night we went to their room and spent a little time with and to say our goodbyes.  We are so glad that we met this family...I know that they will be lifetime friends of ours.  I will blog tonight about our adventures we have today.  Until then Sonia