Blessing

The morning that we left Korea to fly home, the President of our Korean agency (ESWS) prayed for Henry during a Blessing Ceremony. Dr. Kim Duk Whang, the founder of ESWS, started this tradition. The child, foster family, adoptive parents and social worker are all present for the Blessing Ceremony. Dr. Kim and his daughter, Dr. Kim Jin Sook (the current president of ESWS), have prayed for every child as they left ESWS!

Dr. Kim (the daughter) prayed for Henry at his ceremony. Of course, we didn't know what was being said because we don't speak Korean. Last week, our US agency sent us a copy of the blessing that is said at each ceremony. It was beautiful and very moving. Once again, it made me so thankful for Henry's first family and his foster family. We are very blessed. Here is part of the prayer:

Precious Life,

We send this child for care, so please protect his life.

And make it so that he can lead a happy life in his new home.

Please provide him always with grace and intelligence and lead him to live by the ways of Jesus Christ, To have all good fortunes, to help benefit others, and to return the glory to our Lord.

It is our sincere wish that this life will not forget his home country and the love of the people who took care of him.

Father, please remember all the foster families who work hard, whether in favorable or unfavorable conditions, to protect these lives. And bless them for the benefits they are provided with.

By Your blessings, this adoptive family will be full of love and under Your protection.

Now this child leaves.

Please make his way as easy as possible and lead him to the most pleasant of lives.

In Jesus' name,

Amen

Thanksgiving

Since Nate's parents were in Arkansas for Thanksgiving, we spent the weekend with my family. My Grandma Berg came, which made it even better!


One evening, Henry came up to Grandma Berg, took her by the hand, and had her read a few books to him. Grandma ("Mama Bakkel" because she makes Sandbakkels for him) read Babar and Clifford.


He was very interested in Grandma's earrings.


Bring back any memories? We broke out the Adventure People, Little People, building blocks, and puzzles that we played with as kids. It was fun to see him enjoy playing with the Adventure People and Little People as much as we did. I do have to say, my knees are pretty sore from crawling around the whole weekend!

Relaxing in the Lazy Boy.

He Keeps Me Laughing

Just a few pictures from moments last week that made me laugh.


Daddy's binoculars have been a source of great fun for Henry...and he always looks through the wrong end. Here he's looking out the living room window.


I won't say how, but he caught a few seconds of a sword fight on t.v. and now he's constantly stealing my butter knives! We tried to swap the butter knives for spatulas (which didn't make him very happy at first). This isn't the best picture, but if you look carefully you can see he carried the spatula around in his pant leg.


All I can say is, "What have I done?" I used to put candy in this drawer because Henry couldn't reach it. Then he grew and also figured out how to use his chair to get around. Last week he discovered there was some old (and I mean old) candy in this drawer...way at the back. He cleaned it out and then came back later to check for just one last piece of candy!

Friends and Fun

Last week our friends, Mary and Addie, came to spend a few days with us. The days went so fast while they were here! Henry loved having Addie to play with but wasn't so sure about all that sharing stuff...


We had chili for supper last week and all Henry ate was Saltines and lots of broccoli! He made this face when his broccoli and Saltine sandwich fell apart!


A Basket Hat

Shhh. Henry pretends that everything is a baby. Here is Junior, the stuffed gorilla (Henry's baby). He wrapped Junior up in the blanket and put him to bed in the crib (the slide turned upside down).

Playing with Addie on the slide.

Two cute kiddos who had just woken up from naps (notice the bedhead?)

Miss Addie reading...I think the book is upside down - she's an over achiever!

Waking up.

Mimi's Birthday

The three of us spent the day at Grandma and Grandpa's house a few weekends ago to celebrate Erin's (Aunt Mimi) birthday.


Erin enjoys opening presents but she was the ever-loving auntie and let Henry "help" her open her presents. I think the presents were opened in record time! Here, Henry is saying, "Wow!" and fawning over the tool set Erin opened.


Don't bother with a spoon - dig in! Doesn't ice cream dessert do this to all of us?


He quickly realized it was much easier to eat it with a spoon.

Sticking a marshmallow on Boppa's TV (pretty sure this wouldn't have gone over as well when I was a kid...those grandkids!)

You can see that the marshmallow passed the sticky test. Can you see it? It's where "Papa" should be.

Playing in the Leaves

Henry loved playing in the leaves at Grandma and Grandpa L's house.


"Cheese!" Lately, whenever the camera comes out Henry automatically poses like this and says, "Cheese."


Running through leaf piles - he was squealing.


Taking a rest.

Exploring

Halloween

Henry and I spent a few days at my parents last week while Nate was duck hunting in ND.


Grandma bought Henry a little pumpkin for Henry to carve.


Henry as a farmer.

Our friends Patrick and Mary stopped by with their daughter Addie (who was a chicken for Halloween). Addie and Henry enjoyed playing the pumpkin Henry carved.

Addie as a chicken.

Addie had fun playing with the handkerchief in Henry's back pocket.

Night off from making dinner?

One of the couples we met while in Korea received a call a few months ago, letting them know their son had a sibling who had been born in Korea...and would they be able to adopt him? They are hoping to travel sometime this winter to bring their little guy home.

Since they just completed one adoption, their financial resources were tight so their family and friends are hosting a fundraiser dinner in order to help them with their current adoption costs. If you'd like a night off from making dinner, and would like to help support this family's adoption journey, head over to their supper on Thurs, November 5th at the Fridley VFW from 4:30-7:00! Here is their website with more information: http://seewootrabant.weebly.com/

Bathtub Family

This isn't the highest quality picture, but I love this one for kind of a silly reason. When we read stories, people watch, watch movies or shows, etc. I try to point out other families who are like us and don't look alike, because I want Henry to know that it is ok for kids, parents, and siblings to look different. So anyway, I know I am reading into this but last week as Henry played in the tub he created a family. He has 2 big ducks and 1 baby duck so I was happily surprised when chose the yellow duck (the mommy), the little duck (baby) and the pelican (daddy) for his family. Even sweeter was listening to their conversations: "Hi, Daddy." "Hi, Baby" "Mommy." "Wee (when the went down the slide)." Just made me happy...