Sound of Music Sing-a -Long 2012

Every year in September you can find our family at the Hollywood Bowl's Sound of Music Sing a Long. What began as a date night, quickly became a yearly tradition for us, and since then has grown into a tradition we share every year with our family and friends. This was the eighth year for Sam and I, and we still enjoy every minute of it.

As usual, all 18,000 seats were sold out, and as usual, you could expect to bump into someone you know. We saw my college roommate, another friend from college, Austin's 5th grade teacher, our opthamologist, Sam's co-worker and another one of his doctors.

The show always begins with a pre-show costume contest, and we entered our kids again (this is our third time!). This year was extra special as we had even more friends join us for the costume contest. There were ten kids total that dressed up as....

all the items from the yellow goody bag.

If you're familiar with the event, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about. Every year the bowl hands out a yellow bag filled with props to each guest, and the host goes through the contents of the bag one by one explaining how we are to use them during the show. The yellow bag is part and parcel to the sing a long, and basically, you cannot have the sing a long without the yellow bag. 

And that my friends, is why having our kids dress up as the props was such a great idea (thanks eunice)!  Oh, and let's not forget the fact that the costumes were way less labor intensive this year, so no late nights and way less glue gun burns and needle pricks on my end. :)

After much anticipation, the winners were announced, and our kids got second place. It was a great win, and all the kids (and parents) were so happy. But guess what? I found out later on that we were supposed to win first, but the staffers recognized Austin as having won in previous years, so they wouldn't (or couldn't) give us first place again. With that said, I am officially retiring Austin from the costume contest (you hear that Sam?). I think three for three is enough, or maybe as one friend mentioned, we could just put Austin in a disguise next year. :)

Several people have asked me to post pictures from our previous costume contests, so here's a quick recap.

Our first year Sohpie and Austin won second place dressed as "sew, a needle pulling thread". They won a blue ray player and some movies which we still use to this day.

(here's my xanga entry from that night - http://mrssjlee.xanga.com/675347051/item/)

Our second year, Ella, Sophie and Austin won first place as "tea with jam and bread", and the prize was a 7 day Mexican Riviera cruise.

(unfortunately no blog entry here as i stopped blogging after being introduced to the world of facebook)

Two more pictures just because I LOVE Austin's reaction when he found out they won first place. :)

Referral Day! Year 3

Three years ago, our family received a phone call that I had painstakingly waited years to receive. It was a call from our social worker notifying us that we had a referral for a baby girl. It's a day I will never forget, and I hope one day, I can accurately share this story and many others from her adoption journey with Bethany.

It was the day before Austin's first day of second grade, and I had planned to do a few last minute errands. Austin and I were dressed and ready to leave, but as I was printing out my final Michael's coupon, the phone rang. I was hesitant to answer because it said "private caller", but I decided to anyway.

I am so glad I did!

Within minutes of our phone call, my social worker sent me an email with these two pictures, and some documents with more detailed information about our little girl.

That one phone call set in motion what can only be described as God's great handiwork. He took a child with no mother or father to speak of, and set her on a path to our family of three. In turn, God gave our family one of the greatest gifts we could have ever received; a daughter for Sam and I to love and care for, and a little sister for big brother to dote on (which he totally does!). Of all the babies that were waiting for homes in Korea, God chose this particular baby for our family, and I can't express in words how meaningful that is to me.

It was five more months before she was placed in our arms, but all of that seems like a blur now that she's been home for two and a half years. Today that little girl is happy, healthy, and thriving.

She is my sweet and mischievous girl who would rather play with swords and balls, than tea sets and dolls. She fearlessly follows after her big brother, jumping from heights no three year old should be anywhere near, but she's deathly afraid of loud noises and people dressed in costume. She is a chatterbox who loves to sing and dance at home, but I can barely get her to say "hi" to someone out in public. She is a girl after my own heart, and it is a joy and privilege to be her mom. We love her dearly, and by the looks of it, she already has mom, dad and brother wrapped around her cute pudgy little finger.

As I give thanks to God today for choosing our family for Bethany, I can't help but think of all the other children who have been left behind. There are so many children in this world who do not have families, and my prayer is for each one of them to first of all, know and experience the precious love of God, and second, for them to know and experience the love of a family. Please take some time to consider what you can do to help a fatherless/motherless child. It may be through prayer, financial assistance, mentoring, donations or sponsorship. Who knows, you might be just the person a child has been waiting for.

Our family has been blessed by the beauty of adoption, and maybe, just maybe, your family could be next.

First Day of School!

On August 14th, both of my kiddos had their first day of school. Austin started the 5th grade, and my baby girl officially entered the public school system as a Preschooler.

It was an exciting morning, and an exhausting one, as we had just returned home from vacation the night before (that's another post for another day).

 

Since they both started school on the same day at two different schools, we decided that I should go with Bethany, and Sam would go with Austin. I realized then that this is what it's like for other moms with more than one school aged child.... you can't be in two places at once. :-(

I had never missed any of Austin's first days of school, so I'll admit I was disappointed. On the other hand, I was pretty excited (and nervous) to take Bethany to school. She recognized the teacher from last year's afterschool speech class, so she walked right in and turned to me, and said "bye." I didn't want to mess with a good thing, so I gave her a hug and kiss and went home.

She was only gone for two and a half hours, but I spent most of that morning looking at my watch. At pick up time, I was so relieved to find a happy preschooler waiting for me.

A few hours later, we went to pick up Austin. He was a bit sad about not being in the same class with most of his close friends (i was too), but much to his credit, he made good of what could have been a bad situation, and has been enjoying school (minus the homework). ☺

Happy first day of school to my precious babies!

Preschool Co-op Graduation 2012

This past year, Bethany and I have had the privilege of being part of an amazing little co-op made up of an equally amazing group of moms and little girls. We met with the simple goal of preparing our little ones for school by teaching them the basics of the classroom, like raising your hand, taking turns, and standing in line. We also went through the ABC's, practiced fine motor skills, and did a lot of arts and crafts.

Most importantly, our goal throughout the year was to teach our girls about the precious love of God, and how He is a part of their everyday lives. We taught them Bible songs and stories, along with character lessons which they had many opportunities to put into practice during our weekly meetings.

I am so thankful to each of the moms and little girls who made Bethany's first school experience one we will always remember.

 July 13, 2012

Each of the girls received an award certificate highlighting their area of strength and a very official looking diploma, all made by mommy Judy.

Happy 11 Years!

20/20

A few months ago, we went to get Austin's eyes examined because he thought he had trouble seeing things at a distance. Our opthamologist confirmed that he did in fact need glasses, but that the loss in vision was minimal. He told us there was no need to rush, but recommended we wait no longer than six months before getting Austin fitted for glasses.

Well, tonight was the night we decided to get Austin's glasses. He has been dreading this day ever since his eye exam, and let out a sigh during dinner saying, "This will be my last meal without glasses.". He can be so dramatic at times. :)

Checking out the selection.

Checking himself out.

With his glasses picked out, Austin was finally feeling a little bit better.

I know he is not looking forward to it, but I really hope he will get accustomed to them quickly, and realize they're not so bad after all.

Besides, all the cool people wear them, right? ;)

Not to be outdone by her brother, little sister decided to get in on the fun.

If only I could look this cute with glasses.

Seriously.

So cute right?

Mother's Day! 2012

To those who are expecting
To those who have given birth
To those who struggle with infertility
To those who are foster moms
To those who are spiritual mothers
To those who have experienced the miracle of adoption
To those who have suffered the incomprehensible loss of a child
To those who have lost their own mothers

Happy Mother's Day to all!

Thank you to my mother-in-law who helped shape my husband into the man he is today, and for loving me and our children.

Thank you to two very special women who I have yet to meet (but hope to one day); Bethany's birth mom, who selflessly chose life for my precious girl, and Bethany's foster mom, who lovingly cared for her when I was half a world away.

Thank you to my mom for showing me what it means to be a mother. My mom is an amazing woman and I have always admired her strength, loyalty, courage, wisdom, creativity and sense of humor. She has lived a life of continued sacrifice for those she loves, and has unconditionally given of herself without ever asking for anything in return. Not only is she an amazing mom, but she is also just as amazing a mother-in-law and grandmother. Just ask my husband and kids! I am so fortunate to have her be a regular part of my family's life, and I can only hope to follow in her footsteps as I strive to be a better mom to my children.

I love you mom!

Oxnard - July 4, 1979

Mother's Day is not only a time to give thanks and recognize all the different moms, but it is also a day that reminds me of what a great privilege it is to be a mom, and the great responsibility that goes along with it. I thank God for entrusting me with my children, and for using them to stretch me and humble me in ways that would not otherwise be possible. Thank you God for drawing me closer to You as I seek to grow and mature as a mom.

And finally, thank you to my two precious kiddos for being patient with me, and for forgiving me when the flesh gets the better of me. Thank you Austin and Bethany for giving me the most treasured, exciting, fun, and blessed gift I could ask for, the gift of being your mom. It is my pure joy to be your mom, and my heart overflows with love and thankfulness for you both.

Thank you to my family for a very special Mother's Day weekend!