Happy Gotcha Day Anniversary, Hannah!

A year ago, (okay, yes I am a little late once again) our dear Hannah came to us from Korea. Oh what a year we have had! Hannah is such a ball of energy. I thank God Daily for blessing me with Hannah, although I didn't know God made little girls that were so ornery and full of energy. Hannah makes us laugh daily and has such a gentle caring heart.

On Friday, April 18, 2008 we celebrated her Gotcha Day Anniversary with a trip to Toledo Zoo. It was a beautiful, sunny, spring day. Here are some pictures of our wonderful weekend.

Hannah's Finalization Day

I can't believe it has already been six and a half months since our daughter arrived in our arms from Korea. The time has flown and she has truly amazed me how she has fit right in to our family. Today at 2:30 p.m. in the Summit County Courthouse in Akron, Ohio it was officially that Hannah Soo Min Cook is our daughter! What a wonderful blessing for her mom and dad that dreamed and beleived that God had two children for our family in Korea just three years ago. What a truly amazing journey we have been on to get our two children. They have brought so much joy to our lives and today was a wonderful day spent with family to celebrate Hannah's Adoption Day (as Noah calls it). We were so glad to get to see Josie and her family. Josie and Hannah were born a day apart and spent the first 6 months of their lives in the orphange together. Hannah and Josie also came home to their forever families on the same day, so it was wonderful they could share the same finalization day together. Hannah, you are a beautiful blessing from God, we love you dearly and are so overjoyed you are officially our daughter!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Noah!!!!

Happy 3rd Birthday to Noah. It seems just like yesterday when I got the call from Ryan that our Social Worker had called and said she had the perfect little boy for us. Boy, was she was right, he is just perfect for us! Birthdays are always bittersweet when they come around for my children. Our family in the United States are not the only ones I am sure that hold these important dates as very special days. There are two people today that I am sure are wondering where that little boy is now and how he looks, and what he is doing. If I could tell them I would share all about this special child they gave to us in love. He is growing so big and loves to talk! He has a very special stuffed dog, he takes very good care of and takes wherever he goes. He loves trucks, tractors, and trains. His imagination is starting to soar! He gives the best hugs, kisses, and back rubs. There are days I want to keep him just this size, but there are days I am eager to see what God has planned for his future. One thing is constant, I love this little boy so much! Noah is such a blessing in our lives and today we thank God for our son and we thank Noah's birth parents for giving us such a wonderful gift. Happy Birthday, Noah!

Summer Fun Pictures

I can't beleive how fast the summer has gone by. I know lots of people sad to see the days slip by, and I am too to some extent. For me, I am getting ready for a new journey! A new set of 4th graders that I am eager to get to know and to teach, Ryan gets to go back to working days so we can stil have family time at night, and my mom becomes Noah and Hannah's new babysitter during the daytime. I have been working hard at getting our summer pictures uploaded so I can get them printed. While I still have lots to go I thougth I better post some pictures to show just how much fun we have had this summer and how fast my babies are growing!

Happy Birthday, Papa Tom

Happy Birthday, Papa Tom!

Maybe this will teach you to be careful what pictures you take on my camera!

Today Papa Tom is 57 years old. We enjoyed a wonderful breakfast at Perkins this morning. Papa Tom loves breakfast! Does he look a year older? If not this morning, maybe after having his two wonderful grandchildren with him for a few hours he may appear and feel differently.

On a very sincere note, Dad, Happy Birthday! You are a wonderful dad and papa! Wishing you a wonderful day and many more happy years to come!

Love,

Tabitha, Ryan, Noah, and Hannah

Happy 1st Birthday Hannah!

Our sweet baby girl is 1 today! I can't believe she is one already! Hannah is such a happy girl. She is very easy going, but can show her temper once in awhile. This week she has had fun looking at the animals at the fair, seeing fireworks, and helping mom put the house back together after a paint job and putting laminate floors.

As I type this my heart is breaking for three different families that have lost their babies, all with different situations. I can't imagine losing my children, but I do know they are a gift from God and that God will see us through any circumstances. The feelings the above families are feeling have to be some of the same feelings Hannah's and Noah's birth parents have felt. I always get so weepy when it is holidays, I feel sad that I am the one that gets to see all the joy and excitement in the kids' eyes. Hannah's birth parents are very special people, even though I have never met them, I am so proud of them for taking her home and for 10 days got to know their daughter. They have given our family a true blessing, a gift that I could never thank them enough for. I remember this day last year for me, I had shingles, I was told I needed to get glasses, and it was just an up and down down day. Wow, little did I know over halfway around the world, our daughter was being born. I have a feeling Hannah's birth parents will have thoughts of what a year ago was like for them. I lift them up in prayer for peace and that they may feel comfort while they reflect back on the year.

Happy Birthday dear Hannah! Your family loves you dearly and you are a true gift from God!

One Month Ago and 5 Years Ago

I can't believe how the time is flying by! A month ago at this time my baby girl was in the air flying to meet her mom and dad and big brother. I have had my baby girl a whole month, but it seems just like yesterday she was placed in my arms. Hannah is a wonderful baby and so easy going. I think she has slept through more nights in this past month than Noah has his entire life! Hannah has a very easy going personality. She lets you know when it is time to eat or when it is time to be changed. Hannah has a smile and laugh that is so beautiful. Her big brother Noah has had a rough month realizing mom can't always hold him all the time, learning to share, and not always having mommy get his sippy cups as fast as he would like them. Mom too has had some adjustments to deal with along the way. The one thing that has made my heart melt is watching Noah and Hannah play together. This past week they have started really playing sweetly together and it is so beautiful. That brings me to 5 years ago.... was the day my brother, Torrey, left to go to his heavenly home. I can't believe five years ago was the last time I talked to him or saw him. I wish I knew if he could see my kids. I truly feel when God created these two beautiful children He put some Torreyisms in their bodies. Noah's deep passion for the farm, tractors, and animals remind me of my brother a lot. Hannah is already showing some ornery behaviors that make me wonderful what other Torreyisms will show through as she gets older. I can see already how Noah loves his sister and although I don't remember how I felt at 2 and a half years of age, I do know five years ago I loved my brother. I still love him today. I love him for all the lessons he taught me prior to his death and I love him for the lessons he still teaches me. I hope I continue to learn from him in the next five years. Time sure flies!

More Pictures

Noah loves his sister. When Hannah is not in sight he always asks, "Where Hannah?" Of course, there has been times he has asked, "When Hannah go home?" as well.

They do seem to love talking their baths together. I wonder how long that will last?

Nighttime seems to be the hardest for Noah. When I am giving Hannah her bottle, Noah asks, "When it my turn?" "Baby done yet?"

Today we are off to see the Dr. Noah came down with a
yucky cold or something. He has been miserable and yes, it seems that Miss Hannah has gotten what her brother seems to have. So, hopefully Dr. C. can help us out.

Thank the Lord for the wonderful weather we have been having. It has been wonderful to be able to get outside with the kids to take some walks and to play outside.

We are open to company anytime, please just give us a call to see if we are home!

Pictures Finally

http://thecookfamily.smugmug.com/Children

I am so sorry it has taken me so long to post the pictures of Hannah's Gotcha Day. What a special day it was! We are so blessed all of our parents were able to come and spend the day with us. We truly feel God has blessed us with two special children that I can't imagine not having. God is so Good!

Hannah's adjustment has went so well. I feel our prayers have been heard and answered for an easy adjustment and I know she has felt love because she is such a happy, happy baby!

I will try better to keep my blog updated with pictures! Thanks for everyone's support and prayers!