Happy Gotcha Day!

Cy at 8:24am on December 9, 2010 we received word that you would be our son. Paperwork stated that you had some medical issues, Atriel Septal Defect to be precise. Our agency advised us to speak with Pediatric Cardiologist to decide if we wanted to proceed.  I remember that day we spoke with two pediatric cardiologist at Children's in Denver, Co and by the afternoon you were ours! First, I want you to know...we spoke with them to learn about ASD but never had a doubt to accept you. I remember seeing your first pictures, in your track suit and soccer outfit...you were a total chunk! Who knew the journey that would ensue afterwards. We were suppose to bring you home August of 2011 and do to political issues within Korea we didn't welcome you home until Friday, April 13th, 2012.  I have to say it has been a journey of a lifetime and has changed your father and I forever.

The wait was the worst. I don't think anyone can truly understand, unless going through it how hard it is was to wait for you. Especially as bringing you home kept getting postponed. August came and went, then Christmas came and went, another New Year...no Cy. Our hearts broke as we struggled and just wanted you home so bad. I remember New Years 2012 your father turning to me saying, "I can't believe he isn't home." To see the pain in your father broke my heart even more. We wanted you in our arms so bad. Mommy struggled a lot. Finally around the end of March 2012 we got the call, your travel had been approved! Your Dad and I left 4 days later for Korea. We laid eyes on you for the first time in Korea at Eastern on April 4th, 2012. Your father and I decided to travel your country to learn about your culture and where you come from so when you ask we can answer. A goal of ours is to be able to take you back to visit if you so wish. On April 13th we hoped a plane to bring you home, back to Colorado.

I know your Foster family loved you very much, and I know it was hard to see them go. They knew that giving you a forever family was what was best for you. But how hard that must have been to understand at such a young age. You and I bonded, You made me cry, and we cried together many times. You made me laugh…a lot, and I realized you’re as goofy as I am, maybe more. You brought out a part of me that I never knew existed. I loved you beyond words, and you began to love and trust me in return. I was learning to be a Mommy, and you, you were learning to be my baby. What was amazing was how alike in the year you have become like your father and I! You have your fathers sense of adventure, climbing up on everything around you. You are VERY dramatic...kind of like your mother. You have are very smart too...that is all your father!

I feel so lucky and thankful EVERY day that you are our son. I can't tell you enough how much I love you! It took me a lot to learn to be your mom. I definitely struggled the first six months, not because I didn't love you...because it was a change. I had to learn to be your mom and the best mom. A lot changed in our lives, so much for the better since you are here. Why was it so hard when you first came home? You grieved so horribly and I couldn't fix it. I have never seen anything like that in my life and all I could do was sit next to you...but I never left your side. You should know by now I like to be in control and fix everything, so it broke my heart that I couldn't fix your pain. You spoke Korean...we spoke English. I am so thankful to Christy and Leslie as without them and their connections to individuals who spoke Korean...I would of had no clue what you needed. You were use to your Foster family; how they lived, sleeping arrangements, etc...we tried to make you change so dramatically to ours way of life. Cy, you are an amazing little boy. You had been through so much and I look at how our family is now and just so happy with how everything is in our life. Every day Boo (Cy's nickname) you grew more and more accepting and trusting of us as your parents. I can't believe it has been a whole year! It is so amazing to see how far you have come from where we started.

HAPPY GOTCHA DAY CYRUS!  We will always celebrate this day as it is the day you came into our lives forever. Your father and I love you so much! You are loved by so many family and friends that we just couldn't be more thankful. I want you to know...you were worth the wait!

Being Mindful

1. Drink green tea.  I can do this.  My goal is one cup/day.
2. Start Reading Labels Lots of our food has chemicals, GMO's, etc. Be mindful, read labels. Educate yourself. My family has been living WHOLE for 5 years now. We are not 100%, but we are conscious and aware every day.
3. Forgive Someone  "studies show that forgiveness can lower blood pressure and heart rate and reduce depression, anxiety, and anger."  I'll buy that.  
4. Have More Sex Okay!
5. Join a CSA What better way to each more vegetables then having them delivered every week. If you don't have room or time for a garden, help you local farmer.
6. 20 Minutes of exercise or more at least 4x a week.
7. Get More Sleep  Following Gwyneth on Dr. Oz I am going to try Magnesium. Let's see.
8. Meditate  My family is looking at Buddhism again. I dable on and off.
9. Portion Size  Be mindful about the portion on your plate.  I could totally be better about this one.  We bought smaller dinner plates!
10. Pack a Smarter Lunch  For me this means, thinking ahead.  This is where I am horrible! Need to be way better!
11. Call an Old Friend  Talking to old friends makes me so happy! The relationships from my past are some of my strongest.
12. Floss!  Enough said. I have a bag on my desk at work. Right in front of me!
13. Practice Saying No  This is hard. I had to do it a lot when I first came home with my son. I had to do it for me. If people get mad at you...they weren't really close to you. Your close friends will always respect.
14. Stretch  Dogs stretch every time they get up! I am bad but will try and be more mindful.
15. Keep Healthy Snacks on Hand I should do much better then I am. It takes planning and thinking.