Things to Not Do Before a 10 Mile Run

Going to the zoo is always a fun time!

Yesterday Matthew and I headed to the zoo

for the first time this season

and we both spent the day smiling.

What I didn't think about:

the fact that I had a 10 mile run planned for today!

Spending the day walking

(in brand new shoes that gave me blisters)

the day before my long run

was not the best idea I've ever had.

Still, we had a great time!

We met up with Brad, who was helping out at the zoo for the day

(it was Arbor Day and he is a forester)

and we had so much fun watching Matthew enjoy the animals.

He loved the tiger so much!

Today was my last long run before the half marathon!

Even with the blisters, it went very well.

My friend Hayley is running it with me,

and I don't think I could have done it without her.

We finished 10 miles in 1 hour 51 minutes.

That is 20 minutes faster than the last time I ran 10 miles!

(I've only done that twice).

I think we are ready for the race next Sunday :)

Half marathon, here I come!

Trying to Stay Sane!

I can't believe I forgot. Somehow in all the excitement of Matthew coming home and of, you know, being a mom, I forgot all about those last few months before he was here.

I forgot about how crazy with excitement I was.

I forgot how I would lay awake at night for hours thinking about him and about what it would be like to have him in my arms.

I forgot how I would stalk the mailman...and my email...and the adoption forums, always hoping for a glimpse of good news.

I forgot how I would check my phone a million times a day just to make sure it was on, and that I hadn't missed a call.

I forgot about the nesting, the cleaning, the list-making.

Today, it all came back to me in a rush. Because I am so there again. Keeping my mind on other things is such a challenge these days. Tonight I organized Matthew and Nathan's room in preparation for putting up the crib again. And then since that wasn't enough, I cleaned out the cupboard in the bathroom. And went through all our kids books weeding out ones we don't read.

I'm feeling desperate to meet my boy! I just can't wait! I can't wait to have him in my arms!!!

This morning, totally out of the blue, Matthew said to me, "Nathan home right now!!!"

I know, buddy. I feel the same way!!!

I'm Loving

I'm loving this new little hat

on this precious little boy

I'm loving the silly grins

and giggles that just melt my heart

I'm loving that he'll keep hats and sunglasses on at last!

well...sometimes :)

I'm loving the thought of two little boys

running around the yard together

driving their mama crazy :)

And I'm loving these shirts I found tonight!

I'm loving these special times with Matthew

and I'm loving the excitement that comes

as we wait to bring baby brother home.

This really is a lot of fun!!!!!

Sleepy Boy

Yesterday afternoon, in our kitchen, while eating lunch...

Fast asleep!

You Were Always On My Mind

It's true. These days, my mind is elsewhere. To be specific, it's in Korea. Yes, our special little boy is filling our minds, hearts, and conversations these days! I am so eager to see our new video and pictures, and every day I run (literally) to the mail box as soon as the mailman drives away. He probably thinks I have too much time on my hands if I am sitting watching for him :) The mail just becomes so much more fun when you're in the middle of an adoption!

This afternoon Matthew and I did some fun shopping. We only ended up with one thing for Nathan - a monkey blanket. We have been talking to Matthew about how he's going to have to share things with Nathan, and he was most relieved to hear that he will get to keep Stinky (his blankie) all to himself!

I've also been doing some online shopping :) I want to make sure I have all of the gifts we are going to take for both Nathan and Matthew's foster families, because knowing myself as I do, there will be a total freak out once travel call comes!

I have struggled a lot with what to get their foster mothers. How do you say a big enough thank you to someone who cared for, protected and loved your child for months and months? I wanted to show them how much they mean to us, but it was hard to find something that showed our gratitude. I finally settled on this necklace (one for each foster mother). It is called a "mother and child" necklace.

I also got them each a wallet, and we plan to get the foster fathers fancy pens and some locally made chocolates. I still have foster siblings to buy for but I'm not sure what to get yet. It's hard not knowing how old they are!

It has been wonderful doing some things to get ready for Nathan coming home. It is starting to feel like we are on the downward slope towards him coming home, and the worst part of the wait is over. I am beyond thrilled that we are going to be able to travel to Korea and see the place where my sons were born. And I love the look that comes over everyone when we tell them we are taking Matthew with us :) What an adventure this will be!

Speaking of Matthew, no post is complete without a few pictures of Little Man. And Little Dog.


I find myself saying all the time that this must be the most fun age ever. He is cracking me up with all the things he is saying these days. My new favorite is "double trouble!" - no idea where he heard this but I think I may be saying that to myself a lot once Nathan arrives!

These Days

Where to start?

We've been busy! Life suddenly got filled up with all sorts of things and I have found myself falling into bed exhausted every night without even a thought of blogging.

The last week has been almost completely filled with good things. I spent the weekend away with our youth group at a nearby camp and had a wonderful time getting to know our students better. God has been doing some big things in my life, and one of them is helping me to conquer some big fears. It's taken a long time, but I'm learning to get over myself.

I'm also learning how to pray boldly. In the past week, God has answered some of the biggest prayers I have ever prayed. To see Him answer prayers so clearly has literally taken my breath away. To see Him at work has been humbling and has changed me profoundly.

Some other good things this week - we are starting to get more things together for when Nathan arrives, including a new car seat for Matthew (so that Nathan can use his old one), ordering presents to take to Korea for Matthew and Nathan's foster families, and deciding what to do with the boys' bedroom. Our social worker was returning from Korea today and I hope that we will soon have a new video, pictures, and an update on our sweet boy!!!! I can hardly wait!!!

The only rough thing this week is Matthew's all out itchiness :( It seems like that wouldn't be a big deal, but when you itch all over, all the time, it is really not fun. He is having trouble sleeping, and I hear the phrase, "Itchy, Mama, Itchy!" so many times in the day and I just feel so bad. His skin/eczema is not flaring up, but we are wondering if seasonal allergies are the problem. He started another new medication this week but he's still having a rough time. I hope we can get him some relief soon!

In running news...I'm still running! I have done an 8 mile long run, and this Saturday 9 miles is on the schedule. I can't believe the half marathon is in less than 3 weeks!!! I feel like I will be ready and I hope it will be a good experience :)

So that's the update!

Thinking About "Baby Nafun"

Today before naptime, Matthew and I were reading some stories.

We read a new book called, "What Will You Be, Sara Mee?"

by Kate Aver Avraham.

It's a story about a little Korean girl who is turning one

and her brother who is wondering what she will choose

at her tol (traditional Korean celebration held on the first birthday).

As we opened the book to the first page,

we saw this picture:

Matthew looked at the picture,

pointed to the baby and said,

"Baby Nafun" (Baby Nathan).

He pointed to the older brother and said,

"Mashoo" (Matthew).

My heart is full

and my stomach is feeling all funny

thinking about the day

when my two boys will be together!

Heat Wave!

Today was the hottest and most beautiful day

we have had yet this spring,

so we loaded up the dogs and headed

out to the woods for a walk.

Sounds simple enough, right?

Enjoyable, even.

I pictured Brad and I strolling hand in hand

smiling as we watched Matthew exploring

and enjoying nature.

Well, there was some of that...

But I laughed out loud when I saw this next picture,

because it really sums up the trip.

Please notice that Little Dog is in the stroller,

Matthew is yelling that he wants in the stroller,

and Daisie is lying half dead on the ground.

It was so hot!

We did a 1.6 mile loop

and by the end of it, Daisie was not the only one

who needed a nap!

We are loving this great weather, though.

Yesterday there was lots of time spent

outside playing with bubbles

and swinging

and we are just so happy that the sun is shining!

So What?

So what if it's a dreary, rainy day.

So what if we've been stuck in the house for the last four days...

except to visit the doctor. Three times.

So what if Matthew has pneumonia and an ear infection.

That can't stop the smiles around here!

There has been fun in the tub...

Fun in the rocking chair...

Fun doing puzzles...

Of course lots of fun with trains...

Fun with books (about trains)...

(Do you see a trend?)

I'm so thankful my boy has been happy and smiley

even though he obviously isn't feeling well.

I'm thankful for medicine and a fabulous doctor,

and I keep thinking of how so many mothers

around the world do not have these things.

That must be so hard.

I'm thankful for television and Thomas the Tank Engine movies

that entertain this two year old

at two in the morning

while he is being nebulized.

And I'm hopeful that this will be the last sickness

for quite a while!

Wishy Washy

It's true: I'm wishy washy. I have been since I was a little girl. I remember the stress of choosing a candy bar - what if I choose the wrong one??? I have always struggled with making decisions because I just didn't want to regret it later.

Last night my friend emailed me asking if I had signed up for the half marathon yet because yesterday was the last day to sign up before the price went up.

I wrote her back telling her about how badly training was going and that I didn't think I could do it.

Then I sat and stewed about it for a few minutes, chatted with my sisters, and filled out the online registration.

It turns out that the cheap part of my personality won out over the wishy washy part this time.

I knew if I was going to do it, I had to start running again. So this morning I got myself ready for my first run in almost a week.

It was a perfect day, I wore the perfect outfit for the temperature, and I managed my 5 mile run without much difficulty. I was amazed! I even finished my last mile in 8 minutes and 39 seconds...that is so fast for me!!!

My goal is just to complete the training, finish the half marathon, and not worry about my time at all. I really will be happy even if I run 12 or 13 minute miles. I just want to finish what I started. I hope that Matthew will cooperate and keep sleeping through the night for the next five weeks!

‎"You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through"

~ Rosalynn Carter