Can It Be?

Can it really be 4 years ago this week we were in Korea? Look at how she's grown... Can it really be 4 years since we were first introduced to a culture that would change our lives forever? Can it really be 4 years already that we have been celebrating both a Birthday and a Family Day? Can it be that we have had a swirling, twirling bright little dancer in our house for 4 years? Is it possible...we've watched this strong girl blossom for the last 4 years? Making friends, writing her name, growing her hair... Have we really been a family now for 4 years? Yes, it is possible...every crazy and breathtaking second of it. Happy Family Day Lily Claire. Love you forever!

Got Us By the Hearts!

Yup,  March is here and it's hard to believe it's been 3 years since our life changing trip to Korea.  It has become tradition now,  for our Family Day we go for Korean BBQ at our favorite spot,  followed by a stop at the Korean bakery next door.  The servers, who dress in traditional Korean style always greet Lily like she is royalty. "Can't believe how big she is," they say and "so HAPPY too!"  This makes me smile of course since it really is soooo true.
We are greatful for such happy memories of our time in Seoul,  such happy tears shed when we arrived home to see our family and friends at the airport, and that infectious smile of Lily's that makes everyone...well just plain happy!
I was thinking once again about this day, whatever you may call it... Family Day, Gotcha Day, Meant to be Day, we didn't simply just get Lily...she's got us. She's got us by the hearts. She pretty much had us long before we even met her...

When people say to us how great it was that we adopted her...I just think to myself...  "Wow you have no idea."  We are the ones who were given a gift, we are the ones who are so grateful.  We are the ones who think of her birth parents every day and are forever in their debt, her foster parents who took such great care of her for 10 months...  So on this 3rd anniversary of our Family Day,  thank-you once again Korea and thank you to our precious Lily who really does have us all by the heart!

We've Got You Babe!

Because of you Lily, we have embraced a culture...










Because of you Lily, we have seen beauty...







Because of you Lily, we have shed tears for strangers and have memories burned in our hearts...





Because of you Lily, we play with dolls and call Dora the Explorer...



Now because of you Lily, we get hugs, kisses and this bright smile...



It's because of you Lily, we have become an Italian, Korean American family! We are so thankful for you. Happy Forever Family Day!

All Things Korean

OK, so I am a week late on this post but my laptop is suffering from injuries sustained by a 1 year old. For Lily's Gotcha Day we began with Korean bbq with Grandma and Grandpa. This was their first experience with Korean food. After that we headed to Le Matin de Paris. Yes the name is French but the desserts are primarily Korean?? Wonderful breads, cakes and doughnuts too. We came across a place just like this in Seoul last year. We are pretty fortunate to have a whole bunch of Korean restaurants, bakeries and businesses all around 20 minutes away. They actually call it Koreatown!
We tried the bingsoo. First of all...it's huge. There is crushed ice topped with fruit, followed by frozen yogurt and covered with frosted flakes! That's right, frosted flakes. Interesting right?? We also went to town on the red bean doughnuts which are delicious. It was late and the kids were melting down and probably disturbing the others trying to enjoy their tea, but it just had to be done. It was our family's first gotcha day. Oh yea, of course the gotcha day balloons I ordered arrived the next day.

After Her Nap

So my little girl woke up a bit out of sorts......as to be expected but I am happy to say it was short lived and she has been a cutie pie. I am sure in the morning it will be the same but I am being optamistic about the flight home. We want to thank all of our friends and family who have shared this experience wtih us and look forward to seeing everyone at the airport ( We arrive home with her on Tues March 10th at 10:50am Dulles Airport Korean Air. Please come and share in the moment if you can!!! We would love to see you. Or stop by the house later if you like) Lance and Luca we miss you so much and can not wait to bring Lily home to TEAM ROSA!!!