It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

It looks like Santa has visited the Sloan home this week.  It is my favorite time of year and I have had a wonderful vacation decorating our home and getting a Christmas box ready for Scout.  Carson and I spent hours in Toy's R Us playing with all the toys trying to decide what toy to buy for Scout for Christmas.  We couldn't decide so we left the store empty handed.  We talked about the different toys that we thought looked fun and based on the videos we have received and seeing Scout always playing  with a big car, we decided we would get a big truck that makes a fun engine roaring noise.  We also decided on a train that makes noise, plays songs and says the alphabet.  I was lucky enough to find them on sale the next week at Target.  I had quite a time getting everything into the box, but finally managed to use vacuum storage bags for the clothing and got everything to fit...

Scout's Christmas Box

Toy Dump Truck

Monkey Backpack

Big Bird coloring book and crayons

Toy Train

Penguin sippy cup

Thomas the Train toothpaste/toothbrush

Baby Soap

Goldfish crackers

Frosty the Snowman recordable book

Gerber fruit snacks

Werthers candy (for foster family)

Vera Bradley lipstick case (for foster mom)

Watch (for foster mom)

Manicure set (for foster mom)

Brown fleece lined Coat

Hat/Gloves

Brown Sweat Pants

Blue and Brown stripped shirt

Plaid footed PJ's

Blue Fleece Hooded one piece

Gift Bags
Photos of his new room
Photos of Momma and Daddy holding gifts

18 months old and growing

Summer has come and gone and now the changing leaves and cooler weather are upon us.  It has been a while since I have blogged about Scout.  It is hard to blog when there isn't much good news to report...We were notified in October that the quota for 2011 has been met.  So what does that mean for us, more waiting.  We are hopeful that we will get to travel in February or March 2012 since we submitted all our paperwork to Korea on January 7, 2011. 
We have been coping very well.  We know that our calm carefree lives are fixing to be turned upside down as soon as a toddler joins our family.  I keep reminding myself that we are in the home stretch now, there is light at the end of the tunnel and whatever holiday or occasion Scout may be missing today, he will never miss again.

He is growing and thriving very well in his foster home.  We received our bi-monthly update last week.  He weighs 25.96lbs, is 33.5 inches tall and has four bottom and four top teeth. 

Tol Birthday Celebration

The Korean Tol celebration is a very important tradition.  Traditionally, it symbolized the baby reaching 100 days old and has surpassed the early mortality.  In modern times it is the celebration of the first birthtday.   The tradition has four major components: 1.) Prayer and giving thanks, 2.) Wearing the Honbok birhtday clothing. 3.) Preparing a table and performing the Toljabee and 4.) Sharing food with guests and neighbors. 


The Honbok is a colorful silk outfit, as you can see in the photo Scout looks very handsome in his fancy clothes!  He is sitting on the Toljabee table.  He was placed at the table facing the guests, a traditional Korean screen is used for the backdrop.  In the Toljabee event, Scout was able to grab one of items on his left.  From what I have read on different web sites, the tradition is as follows:  If he chooses a bow and arrow he will become a warrior.  A needle and thread he will have a long life.  A pencil, book or related item he will become a successful scholar.  Rice or rice cake he will become rich.  Ruler, needle or  scissor he will be talented with his hands. Knife, he will be a good cook.   Unfortunately when we got the tol pictures we did not get any information as to what he picked :-(


Tol food was shared with all the guests.  Traditionally there are 5 different types of rice cakes.  Paekselogi - white steamed rice cakes- symbolize a pure and divine clean spirit and longevity.  Susu-kyongdan - rice cakes coated with rough red bean powder - are used to ward off evil spirits so the child can grow without any disease.  Injulmi and chal-ddeok - sticky rice cakes- are prepared to wish the child to be tenacious and strong due to the stickiness of the rice cakes. Songyp'yeon   - rice cakes, one stuffed, one empty- The empty cake means the child will grow with a big heart, the filled one means he will grow to be wise.  Jujubes and fruit are for the child's descendants to multiply and prosper.  Noodles are served to represent a long life.



 



 

The best kind of sleep beneath Heaven above

 Is under a quilt, handmade with love!

Teddy Bear Rag Quilt

I am a very sentimental person.  I love to scrapbook and keep memories of all the places and things we have seen.  I also love all my family heirlooms that have been passed onto me.  Granted none of the things I have very much monetary value, they are worth more than all the riches of earth because they once belonged to people I dearly love.  I never met my Grandma Rose because she passed away long before I was even born, but I have many things that were hers; a pearl ring, dishes, hand crocheted doilies and a quilt that she handmade.  I also have a quilt from my Grandma Crawford and one from each of Carson's Grandmothers.  I proudly display these and love them very much. 

When we got the referral for Scout, I decided I was going to make a quilt for him, something he could pass on to his children someday.  I found a really cute pattern that looked pretty simple and did not require a lot of precision.  I got a gift card for Christmas to Hobby Lobby, so I waited till material went on sale and then I spent what seemed like hours trying to find 12 different materials that coordinated.  I spent a day off from work cutting out the pattern and material before sewing it all together.   It took a couple days to complete and I think the finished product is pretty cute.  It is also much larger than I anticipated.  In the photo above the quilt is hanging on my french doors and covers them both.

Pattern and Material

Susie thinks it is for her :) lol

May/June Update





We have received two updates in the past month!!  One update is wonderful, two updates is indescribable.  Granted they both said basically the same thing, but it was still welcomed information.  We received a total of 6 pictures.  He is adorable!  Here is a little info...  At twelve months of age he weighs 22.6lbs, is 31 inches tall and has two bottom teeth.  He is taking 8oz of formula twice a day and is eating solid food.  He likes rice, bread, fruit, whole milk, it says he eats "everything".  He goes to sleep between  8-9pm and sleeps till 6am.  He is walking and running!!  He uses single word sentences.  He likes to scribble with a pen and dance to music.  He can hold a cup.  He has a bit of a temper. 

His 13 month update did not list his weight and height, but talked more about his nature.  It stated again he loves to dance to music on TV.  He is very animated but has a bit of a temper and doesn't like to share his toys.  Carson will be very disappointed if Scout won't share his toys with daddy :) 

Love them dimples!

Modeling the bib and flip flops we sent him.

Looking at the AquaDoodle we sent him.

 "Family ties are precious threads, no matter where we roam, they draw us close to those we love, and pull our hearts toward home."  - anonymous

 Over the past several weeks Carson and I have attended several family reunions.  It has been great seeing our families.   Over Memorial Day weekend we had the Crawford and Blackwood reunions and the second weekend in June we had the Carson reunion.  We had a wonderful time at all three visiting and showing off new pictures of Scout.


Jill and Shawna

 The Crawford reunion was at the home of my cousin's Johnny and Joyce James in Formosa.  The Crawford's are well known for putting on a spread!  There was enough food there to feed a small country.  I love this time we have together because it reminds me of my childhood and the summers that my cousin (Shawna) and I spent together.

The Blackwood reunion was at Morning Star at the home of my great-aunt Maggie.  We enjoyed an afternoon of sitting outside, eating, visiting and admiring her beautiful flowers.

Mom and Jill

The Carson reunion was at the Dayton Community Center.  Again, more food there than necessary.  We had a fun game of Carson family trivia.  After 5 years of being married into this family I am finally remembering how all these people fit together.



 We are looking forward to next years reunion's, we will be getting to show off our little man in person!  I can't wait for that.  We are so thankful for all the love and support all our families have shown during our wait.

Special Deleveries

Recently we were able to send some packages to Scout.  The first package we sent at the end of April was his 1st birthday gifts.  Carson and I had a blast shopping one Sunday after church.  We ran into our friend Kevin at the mall and he decided to tag along and help up pick out some outfits at Old Navy.  We shipped a flat rate box through USPS and we jammed packed toys, clothes and gifts for the foster family into a 12" x 12" x 5 1/2 " box. 

He got a puppy dog lovey, Little People Zoo and animals, Munchkin teething ball, jungle Wheel-Pals, crab jon jon, dinosaur jon jon, 3 onsies, tiger shirt and pant set, 2 pair of shoes, 3 pair of socks, After Bite ointment, and for the foster family Merci chocolates, lotion, iced latte mix, and instant coffee packets. 

The second package we sent was this past week.  We were able to send a gallon zip lock baggie to our agency and some of their staff will deliver it next week.  It is amazing what one can fit in a zip lock baggie.  We decided to send clothes with an Patriotic theme.  The red onsie is the annual Old Navy summer design.  Carson is a huge fan of Captain America so we went to two different Targets till we found the right size.  I also included some forks and spoons and some Gerber fruit snacks.  I was also able to fit in a couple of toys, key ring that makes noise, a truck,  a soft bath book, a children's CD with songs about Arkansas and America and an Aquadoodle coloring book.  We had just got our update on Thursday that said he likes to write so I search high and low for an Aquadoodle coloring book.  We made a video, but Carson wasn't able to get our computer to save it onto a disc.  The FM is also getting a Vera Bradley scarf and some M&M's.  I wish I would have taken a picutre of it, but forgot, but I did weigh it 2 3/4 lbs. :)

The Junk Drawer

How do two people accumulate so much stuff!??!?  I am the world's worse about sticking stuff in a drawer just to get it out of the way or off the counter.  I am so bad, infact, I have not just one junk drawer but 6 (yes SIX) junk drawers.  I have one in the kitchen, one in the bathroom and my Butlers Pantry has four drawers that have ended up full of junk!  Granted all the stuff in there really isn't junk, just a dis-organized, disheveled mess. 
So, I am also a procrastonater! (stick around folks, you might just catch me confessing all my flaws :))  For months I have said I was going to organize these spaces.  In December, before our homestudy, I was going to clean them out.  After all, I couldn't have our social worker here looking in them and seeing how awful they are, why she might think I was normal and have junk drawers!  When I was infomed that cleaning out everyting was not necessary for the homestudy, I quickly decided that the drawers could wait for a later date...
Five months later, I tackled the Butlers Pantry.  I spent ALL Friday evening cleaning out all four drawers and re-organizing.  I found some great things in there I had forgotten about. 
My top 3 finds:  1.)Abeautiful cross that Marvin's mom sent us from Germany.  2.)  An American themed garden flag, and 3.)  A Johnny Mahis chirstmas cd.  I had forgotten about all three of these things.  Makes me a little more motivated to clean out the kitchen and bathroom junk drawers...maybe in October.

Finally!

Yes I am FINALLY blogging.  Looks like it has been about 2 1/2 years since my last post, and boy has life changed for the Sloan's.  As you can see the title of our Blog has changed!  We are so excited to be adopting a beautiful baby boy!  He turned one a few days ago and we cannot wait for him to come home!

Let's see if I can sum up our adoption story in a few short paragraphs...

Carson and I have been married since August 2006 and soon after we were married we wanted to start a family.  In August 2008 we had a 16 yr old German exchange student for a year, that kind of put a damper on baby making.  After he left in June 2009, we had a little more privacy, but that didn't seem to help either.  After 6 more months with no success, we decided to have fertility testing.  That only took one test to find our problem and we knew immediately that fertility treatments were not for us and we wanted to adopt. 

We began in February 2010 looking for an agency.  We did a lot of Internet research and talked to friends and found out about Dillon International.  They are based out of Tulsa and have an office in North Little Rock.  They were having an informational meeting, so we went, listened, prayed and decided that Dillon was the agency for us.  The next steps were deciding what country and coming up with the money.

We stuck to our budget and did lots of research about different countries.  By August we had enough money to start the process.  We decided that India was the country that best suited us.  So on August 16, 2010 we sent in our first application to Dillon stating our intent to use that agency and that India was the country.  The day our application was received, we got a phone call from Dillon letting us know that there was a "glitch" with India.  Because of  the Indian government was making changes in the way that children were being relinquished there was going to be in increased delay in referrals, up to 3-4 years!!
What? 3-4 years?  I'm 36 yrs old, I can't wait that long!!  We could still go with India, but now we would have a long wait.

God had a plan for us.  Korea had not been an option for us, Dillon had implemented a policy that stated adoptive parents had to either be of Korean dissent of have already adopted internationally.  We were neither, so Korea was not an option.  Like I said God had a plan for us... On September 1, 2010, Dillon lifted that policy and it made us qualified for the Korea program!  So that made the decision for us as to which country we would apply.  On the day of our home study, December 15, 2010 we got the referral for Scout!

Now all the paperwork is complete and we are just waiting on the Korean government to issue his passport and allow him to travel out of the country.  We are praying this will happen in August or September.  Till then we are getting ready to welcome home our beautiful baby boy, Canaan Scout!