Lily has a surprise from Santa!

Santa was giving out gifts from under Nonna's tree and found Lily's first gift from Nonna! We were truly moved by my family s out pouring of support. During this journey to Lily I am reminded of my own journey in life and could not have asked for a better family to be with. I want to thank my big brothers (Even when I am 100 they will still be my big brothers) who made this moment so special for us. I can not tell you how much my brothers have done for me in my life and have always felt that they would be there to protect me as a young boy and help guide me when I was a young adult and now as two friends I could not live without. In my heart I know Lance and Luca will do the same for their little sister Lily. Lastly, I am so very proud of my son Lance who's big heart has been open to the idea of adoption from the very first moment we told him.


Rick

Called to Rise

I have always loved this Emily Dickinson quote. It speaks volumes about stepping up to the plate when life throws a challenge at you. To me, it's about digging deep to find a strength you never thought you had and discovering that what matters most is how you come through the darkness and become the person you were meant to be.
So much over the last 8 years has led up to this adoption. On this Christmas day, I look around and think how in just a couple of weeks, life as we know it will change drastically. We will become an Italian, Korean, American family. We will have some dolls among the trains and dragons and some pink thrown in there with the blue and brown. So many have asked us, "Why did you choose Korea?" and I have come to realize that life has just led us down this path and ultimately... it chose us.
I am so thankful for our family and friends who have embraced this decision of ours and already love Lily. I am proud of my little boys who are so anxiously waiting for her to join her forever family. I am most grateful, however, to have been given a second chance at raising a daughter. Please Lily come home soon so we can start this journey together. I promise you, it's going to be a great one!

Daddy's Korean Adoption Thought's

Well now that my daughters blog has been posted by my wife Dina I sat down fully expecting to have to help edit it on the technical side, but to my surprise she had it all worked out already. I then started to look at her music play list and all the thoughts I have had about this adoption came flooding into my mind. So i figured I would post some of it. I think many people may think that I got my two boys and how nice for Dina to have a little girl. Well I never had a sister and grew up with a lot of testosterone in my home and now have two testosterone machines Lance & Luca running me in circles which don't get me wrong, I love more then I could have ever imagined but the idea that I will have a little girl in my life....to bring me warm smiles and tea parties is going to be a fantastic balance to my life. I know, I know what all you negative Nellie's out there are saying about having a girl and I am not listening so don't send those vibes to me I am all about the positive. Life is complex and difficult but that's what makes it so rich and fulfilling besides who wants easy journey's in life....no one I want to hang out with. So I hope this little blog of ours keeps the family and friends informed when we are in Korea with pics and movies but may also be a resource for those couples that come after us and stumble onto this blog like we did when we first started scouring the internet for all things korean and adoption. Thanks to our families and friends for their love and support up to this point.

Lily Claire Bear just give daddy a call and daddy will soon be on a plane.........

Rick

Come Home Soon!!!!!