Today is the Day!

Today is the day we meet our daughter. I am so nervous and excited! Her flight is running about 10 minutes early. There are so many things running through my head. I am sure I forgotten something for Noah or Hannah. I wonder if I will recognize her. I just have so many questions and to think in just a few hours I will know everything. I feel so blessed that all our parents are getting to share this special day with us. My greatest fear when we began Noah's adoption process was that he wouldn't be loved as if he was a biological child. Wow, I am amazed everyday how our family, friends, and community have loved and taken Noah in. We are a truly blessed family to be so loved. The next post I make the Cook family will officially be a family of four! Please pray for the remainder of Hannah's flight, our trip to Detroit, and the adjustment stages we are all going to be going through.

God is an Awesome God!

I am not sure if I could say that yesterday morning, but as I was laying Noah down to sleep last night I suddenly realized God had answered a long prayer request of ours. He gave Uncle Jerry eternal peace. What a wonderful feeling to know Jerry doesn't have to suffer any longer. I received the call from my mom a little after I posted yesterday's blog "A Bittersweet Day" how I didn't know what a true bittersweet day it would be. Jerry had a very peaceful passing and even though I wanted to have Hannah home to share with him, God's timing is perfect and he needed Jerry home. I never want to forget the fighter that Jerry was. There are many lessons to learn from this brace man. When he was first diagnosed with the colon cancer in August of 2002 I never dreamed that we would be blessed with his life for five more years. He has touched so many people's lives and is truly an inspiration to me. Now, he is in his eternal home and I know he is rooting us all on.

A Bittersweet Day

Even though I haven't set my alarm for the past few days and I have been going to bed much lately, I have been waking up right around 5:30 a.m. Is God preparing my body for not much sleep in the next coming day? I love my quiet time in the house in the morning. I have this feeling that in the next few days there may not be much quiet time or who knows at what hours in the day our quiet times will come?

I should be ecstatic that my countdown reads 0 days and 18 hours, but I am feeling something quite different. Today if it hasn't happened already will be dropped back off at KSS and she will say goodbye to her foster family. I can't imagine what she is thinking? How can you explain a nine month old that everything will be okay and all this going on will result in a very good thing. We are so thankful for the love and care Hannah's foster family provided while she was in their care. The foster family will always hold a special place in our hearts. Then, the escort will come to complete the last of the paperwork and take Hannah to the airport. Tonight at 10:00 p.m. our time they will leave Seoul and fly to Tokyo. From Tokyo they will fly into Detroit on Northwest Flight #26. They are scheduled to land at 1:40 p.m. What a long flight!

So, today, I do not feel much excitement, I feel concern, sadness, and worry that Hannah will handle the transition with ease. I pray that Hannah finds peace and comfort as she is out in the arms of her escort to be brought to her mom and dad who have been waiting for so long to hold her.

Now at 10:00 p.m. I will probably feel excitement. She will be in the air making her journey to us. I remember almost two year ago watching on the computer, tracking the same flight, only on June 7/8, 2005. What a feeling to see this little dot representing the flight that is carrying some very special cargo! Yes, tonight at 10:00 p.m. I will feel excitement for so many things.

In Memory...

Our family lost a dear mom, grandma, great-grandma, and great-great-grandma a week ago. Grandma was 103 years old and up to a month ago she was doing so well. I will never forget our last real visit how she asked if we had gotten our little girl yet. That means she knew me and she knew that we were anticipating the arrival of our Hannah. Noah and I had prayed nightly for Grandma's time to go be with her heavenly Father. Grandma was ready, but selfishly I just wanted her to hold on to Hannah's arrival. I didn't get my selfish wish, but Grandma gave me a gift for Hannah that is priceless. The day after Grandma passed, my mom brought over an Easter gift that means so much to me. Not only did she get me a pink outfit I will be wearing to Hannah's arrival, but in the bag was a beautiful pink, white, and green baby blanket Grandma had made for Hannah at 102 years old. Hannah will never meet Grandma in person, but her mom will tell her all about her and she will know from her blanket that she held a special place in Grandma's heart.

Hannah is Coming Home!!!!

We received our call today! Hannah is coming home on Wednesday, April 18th at 1:40 p.m. to Detroit. We are all so excited for her to finally be coming home! There are four other babies coming home on that flight! We are praying we hear soon that one of the babies traveling with Hannah is Josie, a little girl that was born a day apart from Hannah. They both spent the first six months of their lives together at Korean Social Services. Stay tuned for Gotcha Day pictures! It won't be long now!
We ask that join us in praying for her continued health and safety and for her foster family as they prepare Hannah to come home to her forever family!

Spring Break

Spring Break has arrived! I really thought we might have heard by this time when our daughter would be arriving home, but as you have probably guessed, yes we are still waiting to hear any news of travel. We do know our agency has escorts lined up for April, but no word when or if Hannah is one that will travel in April. It has been getting hard this waiting!

This week we are on Spring Break. We will be going over to the Amish for the first part of the week and then we will come back and then for the remainder part of the week, Noah and I will go up to the Lakes. I am looking forward to spending some time with Noah. He is such a joy to be around (most of the time)!

Please join us in praying for news soon of Hannah's travel date!

It's March--Signs of Spring???

Well, here we are in the month of March. I know we are so close to getting our travel call, the days are going by quickly, yet in my heart time is standing still. Looking at her pictures are so hard, I just want to hold her. I feel bad about wanting her home so bad, I have Noah to hold and love, but there is still this little hole in my heart. I know that God's timing is absolutely perfect, and I trust that God has a wonderful plan for the time Hannah arrives.

On a happy note, I am seeing, smelling, and hearing signs of spring! Noah is helping me notice these signs. Yesterday, I told him we could go outside and he went running to his playset! He loves to swing! While he was swinging, he starts yelling, "birdie, birdie!" There was a robin! I am looking so forward to having spring off with Noah and Hannah! What a great time of the year to bring home a baby.

I appreciate all the prayers and thoughts people are giving our family as we wait for Hannah to come home!

Our Daughter, Hannah Soo Min

We received an update in the mail today. What a beautiful surprise! The update was completed on January 31st, so we was almost 7 months when this update was done. She was weighinh 16.28 pounds and is 25.75 inches long. She was placed in foster care on 1-29-07. Everything sounds great from the update. She sleeps on the floor with her foster mom (I don't care how she sleeps as long as she sleeps! Not like her big brother!) She is eating soft cookies with no teeth. She must take after her mother with sweet tooth!

We are still praying that God's timing for her arrival is coming soon! Enjoy the pictures!

It's February!!!

January did fly by! 20 little ones came home to their forever families. Now we sit and wait to see if we are one of the families in February to get their travel call. I feel as if there is a slight chance, but in my heart know that it will probably be March instead. I am so anxious for the February calls to be made.

Hannah turned 7 months old yesterday. It was nice that mom got to celebrate the day with a snow day. It has been fun this week to have two days in a row where I could be at home with Noah. He is such a joy to us. I am a little concerned that when Hannah comes, his adjustment may be hard for him. I am praying that he loves his sister dearly and wants her to stay.

I need to remember God's timing is perfect and I truly know that. Please continue to join us in praying for Hannah's health and her safety. I also pray that she somehow can feel our love that we have for her clear across the world!

20 Passports Issued in January!!!

Friday, January 12th turned out to be an exciting day for our adoption group. Many waiting parents received news of their child's travel date. 20 passports were issued to babies waiting to come home. Last January (06) 15 passports were issued. We have emailed our social worker to see if she can find out any information on where Hannah stands on coming home. Within our adoption group, there are only 6 families ahead of her. The thing with Korea's program, you never know how many passports are going to be issued each month until the director of KSS goes to the government and ask for the visas.

I know the rest of January will fly by, with being busy with school, listening to the babies arrival stories, and waiting for snow!!!! It is so hard for me to believe we are getting closer to having Hannah in our arms!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to everyone! Last night reminded me or my childhood days, not being able to go to asleep, full of anticipation and excitement. Last night's sleeplessness wasn't for me, but for Noah and probably a little for Hannah. I wish she was here to share this beautiful day with us. Next year will surely be a whirlwind of excitement with both Noah and Hannah.

Since Noah has been in hearts, I feel a strong connection to Mary the mother of Jesus. God chose Mary to be the Mother of Jesus and I feel God has chosen me to be Noah and Hannah's mom. I just can't comprehend the joy Mary must have felt Christmas morning. I know the minute Noah was placed on my arms at Detroit Airport my life changed. I thank Mary for being so obediant and be so willing to be the Mother of Jesus.

In just a couple of hours our home will be filled with family. With the hustle and bustle of opening gifts and preparing food it will be difficult to focus on what the first Christmas morning was like. But, for a moment in my quite home, I can feel the wonder and awe that Mary must have been feeling. So much joy to be blessed with a son and yet a little anxiousness of what was to come.

I pray for today that God fills our home with joyous conversation and we all remember the true meaning of the season. As we are teachign Noah, "Today is a great birthday party, it is Jesus's birthday."

Happy Birthday dear Jesus!

Visa Approval!

On December 19, 2006, Ryan and I received our Visa Approval for in the UNCIS. Now Hannah is ready to legally enter the United States. Our paperwork is now on the way to the consulate to South Korea. It is still going to be a few months before Hannah arrives, but this is another important step in the process that is completed. We are so blessed that we have another step completed in bringing our baby girl home.

An Update!!!!

We received an update today of pictures and an update report on Hannah Soo Min Cook. the update and pictures are from November 10, 2006. At that time she weighed 14.74 pounds and was 24.49 inches long. We got a great report and she seems to be happy and healthy! Enjoy the pictures!

So Thankful

Last Sunday as our Pastor gave the sermon he encouraged us to have some time alone during the week to write down all the things we were thankful for. As I thought about that, I silently prayed I would be thankful for one moment alone to just start my list. Here it is, early Wednesday morning, everyone still in bed, but me and I do have a quiet moment. I am so thankful for so many things. I could sit and make a list a mile long. I first and foremost so thankful for my loving and patient God. God has blessed me with so much and continues to do so. Many people ask how I do it with my baby girl on the other side of the world just waiting. I am not sure myself other than I know it is God giving me the peace and strength I need to get through each day.

I am so thankful for my husband, Ryan, he amazes me everyday. I am so blessed with his business and financial mind. He is an awesome daddy who adores Noah as much as I do. Words cannot describe the gratitude I have for Ryan for staying at home during the days to watch and care for Noah.

Next is Noah. I can't believe how one little boy can change your life. For once I am not talking about the sleepless night we are still enduring. Noah is the light of my life. He is such a wonderful little boy that I feel so blessed to call my son. I will never forget the day he was put in my arms on June 8, 2005. Everyday since, he has touched my heart in such a special way. I love that he now gives hugs and kisses and is really is starting to communicate with us through his new words he learns everyday. He is going to be such fun this holiday season.

My daughter, Hannah Soo Min, is miles away, but I am thankful God has blessed us with a healthy little girl that we can call ours while we wait for her arrival. I am thankful she is at KSS receiving great care. I have so many questions about little Hannah. How much has she grown, what is her personality going to be like, and ohh so many more. I have to be honest, I pray for Hannah daily, but I don't dwell on Hannah being in Korea. It hurts too too much. I have to be thankful what I have at the present and I am thankful for each day that passes because that is one day closer for Hannah to be put in my arms. And that will be a another day in my life that I will never forget.

I am so blessed to have my family and Ryan's family close to us. They have always been there for love and support. They have loved Noah from day one and they are just as eager as I am for Hannah's arrival.

The birthmother's of Noah and Hannah also hod a very special place within me. They have each given a gift of life to our family that I will be forever grateful. I think of them often and how there most me a part of them that is so sad. I pray they feel peace and realize their babies are so loved and are growing up in a safe and caring environment.

My job as a teacher is one I love. I am so thankful God directed me tot he path of becoming a teacher and have blessed me with a teaching job for the past 10 years. I love what I do and I can honestly say I have enjoyed everyone of my students in some capacity or another. I am so thankful for this year's class. Two years ago as we were going through our adoption process for Noah I was teaching second grade. Everyday the class would ask, did you get the pictures, did you get the call? They were so excited for Noah to come home! This year I teach 4th grade and have many of the same students. They were so excited when I came in with Hannah's referral pictures and now they are patiently waiting for her to come home. My students bring me such joy and there is never a dull moment during my school day.

My post could go on and on and I am so thankful I have had this quiet time this morning to be thankful for so many things. I here Noah stirring and we need to get ready to sing Happy Birthday to Daddy!

I wish all a Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow!
Tabitha

Noah, our little boy is growing up.....

I finally got around to taking Noah in to get his 2 year old pictures. I was only two months late! Everyday he amazes me. I can't believe God has given me such a wonderful and precious gift. Last night as we were starting to put up the Christmas tree and directions, he was so excited to see the lights and he loved watching mom put up the nativity. I can't wait for the holiday season this year just to sit back and watch Noah. I wanted to share a couple of his pictures.

It's a Girl, Hannah Soo Min

Ryan and I first met Hannah Soo Min, Saturday, September 9, 2006. Our social worker called earlier that Saturday morning and said she had a referral for us. My heart felt as if it was going on overload. I was so overwhelmed that the day was here I was going to meet my daughter. The moment I opened the envelope and caught a glance at my daughter I was immediately overtaken with emotion, whenever I think about the day, tears till come to my eyes. The first thing I said was, "She is so beautiful." I remember feeling that I didn't deserve such a beautiful and perfect daughter after being blessed with Noah.

Hannah Soo Min was born on July 6, 2007. She is currently staying at Korea Social Services. She will be going out to a foster family as soon as there is room. At the present time our Social Worker won't speculate when Hannah will be arriving home. We are praying that she will arrive home before Easter. Please join us in praying for her health, safety, and that she fills our love across the world.

Her big brother, Noah, is getting very good at recognizing his sister's picture. He know her name and says she is in Korea. I can't wait for the day to meet our dear Hannah in person and for Noah to meet his baby sister.

Homestudy Approved

It has been over a month since I have last updated our blog, time has been flying by this summer. There is a side of me that is partly sad that the summer is half over, but another part happy that the days are going fast. Our homestudy was approved the end of June and we received our official letter that our homestudy has been approved from our adoption agency. This means we are officially waiting to receive a referral. We have been told my the agency we could be receiving a referral call in the next couple of months. There are no little girls waiting to be placed at the moment. That is a great thing, due to our baby is going to be younger than we first anticipated. Our agency is bringing home January and a couple of March referral babies this July. Things are just month from month regarding the number of visas that are given to our agency. Please pray these visas continue throughout the rest of the year. Last year around this time, the visas stopped.

We are so blessed to have Noah in our lives to keep us busy. He is the love and joy of our lives! He is learning so many new things everyday. He has been enjoying the summer by playing outside, swimming, and reading books. It is so hard to believe that is less than two months our baby boy is going to be two years old!

So as the days of summer go by, the Cook family is waiting to hear the phone ring with news that we have been matched with a baby. We can't wait to see our daughter's first pictures and to learn when she was born.

A Cook Family Weekend

What a great weekend! We left Friday afternoon to head to the hills of Southern Ohio. It wasn't long until the entire family had arrived. Noah loved playing "tractors" with Matt and Jake! Despite the rain Saturday morning we all went out hiking around Old Man's Cave. Grandpa and Grandma fixed wonderful meals! Saturday afternoon we had a great time Putt-Putting. Let it be on record that Tabitha and Chantress beat Ryan and Aaron. Chantress made me excellent smores as I was inside rocking Noah to sleep. Sunday we awoke to sunshine and a beautiful day! We all pitched in and cleaned the cabins and packed our bags. Soon it was time to head back to Marion! Thanks to Grandpa and Grandma Cook for an awesome getaway weekend!

One Year Ago

I can't believe one year ago we were in Detroit, Michigan picking up our son, Noah from the airport! The year we have had with him has brought us such tremendous love and joy. He is a true gift from God! Yesterday, we had a beautiful day at the Columbus Zoo. Noah seemed to love all the animals, but his favorite was the elephants! Ryan and I are very proud to be called Noah's Mama and Dada, and we thank Go daily for the son he has given us!

May Update

It has been awhile since I have posted any sort of update. We had our last homestudy visit on Monday, May 15th. So, now we are waiting for our Social Worker to type up the report and get everything turned in for approval. After this happens we will be waiting for our referral. When we get the referral we will get all her information adn pictures. I am getting excited to be able to see my little girl for the first time. In the meantime, the Cook's have been very busy with Ryan playing softball, Tabitha finishing up the end of the year at school, and Noah learning new words everyday. His lastest and greatest word is "Hannah". I can't wait to show him the pictures of his dear little sister!
I continue to ask for prayers for us while we go through this long waiitng process adn for Hannah in Korea. We pray that she is healthy and feels our love surrounding her. Hopefully, I will have new news to share in the next couple of months!