Wednesday, September 8, 2010
A Quick Visit to San Diego (July 4-5, 2010)
We went down to San Diego to spend some more time together with the Lee side of the family. It was a quick trip though. While we were down there, Elijah got to meet his new baby cousin, Evan, reconnect with cousin Christian, Uncle Jin, Auntie Grace, Uncle Daniel, and his wife, Auntie Grace. (Yes, Elijah has two aunties named Grace--grace overflows!) We went to the beach, played at the playground, and just spent time doing nothing but enjoying each other's company.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Meeting the Lech Clan (June 30-July 3)
A few days before the fourth of July, yee-mo, Uncle Aaron, Jesh, Seth, and Mila came to visit and spend a few days with us. Elijah loved being with his yee mo, uncle, and cousins. He loved saying Mila's name. He even would call out her name while sleeping. ;)
The last time he saw them was when he was five months old when the Lee clan took a vacation in Hawaii. But, he was too young to remember them. But, this time, they are embedded in his long term memory. We had a skype session a few days ago, and it was sweet to see the huge smile on his face in seeing his cousins. It's amazing how even at this young age, he knows family. Whenever we play "airport" (which by the way is his favorite word these days), I ask him, where he is going. He answers, "Yee-mo's house, or Jesh, Seth, and Mila's house." I am so glad that he got to spend some good quality time with them.
One of the highlights was going to Griffith Park together, riding on the ponies, and the train. It was a blast!
The last time he saw them was when he was five months old when the Lee clan took a vacation in Hawaii. But, he was too young to remember them. But, this time, they are embedded in his long term memory. We had a skype session a few days ago, and it was sweet to see the huge smile on his face in seeing his cousins. It's amazing how even at this young age, he knows family. Whenever we play "airport" (which by the way is his favorite word these days), I ask him, where he is going. He answers, "Yee-mo's house, or Jesh, Seth, and Mila's house." I am so glad that he got to spend some good quality time with them.
One of the highlights was going to Griffith Park together, riding on the ponies, and the train. It was a blast!
(Pict. 1: What a big boy! Riding the pony all on his own.)
(Pict. 2: Signing "More" after the train ride)
(Pict. 2: Signing "More" after the train ride)
Monday, September 6, 2010
Visiting America - Park, Park, and Park!
It's time to capture Elijah's trip back to the States! I am so glad that we went back to the States when we did because Elijah was really able to enjoy what America has to offer--family, parks, lots of fun toys, music class, friends, variety of food, etc.
We arrived in America on June 23, 2010 on China Eastern Airline in Los Angeles Airport. Grandma and Papa came to pick us up from the airport. Our next stop before arriving at Uncle Marshall and Auntie Mei's place was Ichiban to get sushi for lunch!
Elijah's first question (in sign language) after arriving in America was, "Where are the chickens?" I think he was struck by the fact that there were no animals roaming around the streets and no chickens to chase. But, his question soon got replaced with his new favorite words, "park," and "outside!" There was a nice park near where we were staying and Elijah loved going to the park.
Interestingly, we've been back in India now a little over two weeks and he has yet to mention the park, but while we were in the States, he couldn't get enough of it! Right now, he still mentions the names of his cousins, uncles, aunts, grandma, papa, halbiya (hal-ah-buji), hal-miya (hal-mu-ni), and some friends he made. He also mentions the ocean. But, surprisingly, no parks. Interesting....
The first friend Elijah got to see was Justin Lee. Justin was born a month ahead of Elijah. Elijah had a blast with Justin. It was kind of interesting to see how similar they were in their interests and in the ways they played with each other. We hope to see more of you Justin in a couple of months!
We arrived in America on June 23, 2010 on China Eastern Airline in Los Angeles Airport. Grandma and Papa came to pick us up from the airport. Our next stop before arriving at Uncle Marshall and Auntie Mei's place was Ichiban to get sushi for lunch!
Elijah's first question (in sign language) after arriving in America was, "Where are the chickens?" I think he was struck by the fact that there were no animals roaming around the streets and no chickens to chase. But, his question soon got replaced with his new favorite words, "park," and "outside!" There was a nice park near where we were staying and Elijah loved going to the park.
Interestingly, we've been back in India now a little over two weeks and he has yet to mention the park, but while we were in the States, he couldn't get enough of it! Right now, he still mentions the names of his cousins, uncles, aunts, grandma, papa, halbiya (hal-ah-buji), hal-miya (hal-mu-ni), and some friends he made. He also mentions the ocean. But, surprisingly, no parks. Interesting....
The first friend Elijah got to see was Justin Lee. Justin was born a month ahead of Elijah. Elijah had a blast with Justin. It was kind of interesting to see how similar they were in their interests and in the ways they played with each other. We hope to see more of you Justin in a couple of months!
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Spiritual Development
I have a lot to catch up on in terms of blogging. Slowly, I hope to catch up. But, meanwhile, so that I don't fall further behind, I thought I should blog now even though I should be napping! ;)
It has been very interesting to watch Elijah grow in his experience of spirituality. The other day, I was reading to him some sections from children's Bible. I pointed to a picture and I asked him, "Who is that?" Not expecting a clear answer. He answers back, "God." I was so surprised. I think somehow he has learned that the Bible tells stories about God and he made the connection. There is a page of Jesus with lots of children hanging around him. When I asked him, "Who is this?" He responded, "Jesus," in Korean. The concept of Jesus and God is in his vocabulary. Now, I am praying and thinking about how to help him begin cultivating a relationship with God and Jesus.
Prayer--his first experience with prayer is over meals. He is great at saying, "Amen!" However, he has come to understand it beyond meals. Yesterday, we spent some time singing praise songs, and after each song, we would spend the time to pray for someone. We asked Elijah who he wanted to pray for after the first song. "Nol-gan for Nolan." So we prayed for Nolan. Then, it was "Christian" his cousin. Then, it was grandma and papa. So, we prayed for them. It is so precious to watch him put his two hands together, bow his head, and say, "Amen." Today, we expanded to praying for someone with an "ah-ya" (or an ouchie). May God hear his prayers and answer.
His favorite Bible story--Noah and the ark. The Good Samaritan. Daniel in the Lion's Den. He listens so intently and I can see in his eyes and expressions that he is processing everything he is hearing.
On a different note--Elijah knows how to play Jenga! It is pretty amazing to watch this one and a half year old take out a piece, put it on the top, and wait for mommy to take her turn before he takes his!
Oh yes, he loves to say the word, "CUTE." But, the funny thing is, he only uses the word for his stuffed animal, Babar, and to refer to babies. Funny!
Being a mom is really rewarding and God has given us an opportunity to care for two additional kids. Thank you, Lord!
It has been very interesting to watch Elijah grow in his experience of spirituality. The other day, I was reading to him some sections from children's Bible. I pointed to a picture and I asked him, "Who is that?" Not expecting a clear answer. He answers back, "God." I was so surprised. I think somehow he has learned that the Bible tells stories about God and he made the connection. There is a page of Jesus with lots of children hanging around him. When I asked him, "Who is this?" He responded, "Jesus," in Korean. The concept of Jesus and God is in his vocabulary. Now, I am praying and thinking about how to help him begin cultivating a relationship with God and Jesus.
Prayer--his first experience with prayer is over meals. He is great at saying, "Amen!" However, he has come to understand it beyond meals. Yesterday, we spent some time singing praise songs, and after each song, we would spend the time to pray for someone. We asked Elijah who he wanted to pray for after the first song. "Nol-gan for Nolan." So we prayed for Nolan. Then, it was "Christian" his cousin. Then, it was grandma and papa. So, we prayed for them. It is so precious to watch him put his two hands together, bow his head, and say, "Amen." Today, we expanded to praying for someone with an "ah-ya" (or an ouchie). May God hear his prayers and answer.
His favorite Bible story--Noah and the ark. The Good Samaritan. Daniel in the Lion's Den. He listens so intently and I can see in his eyes and expressions that he is processing everything he is hearing.
On a different note--Elijah knows how to play Jenga! It is pretty amazing to watch this one and a half year old take out a piece, put it on the top, and wait for mommy to take her turn before he takes his!
Oh yes, he loves to say the word, "CUTE." But, the funny thing is, he only uses the word for his stuffed animal, Babar, and to refer to babies. Funny!
Being a mom is really rewarding and God has given us an opportunity to care for two additional kids. Thank you, Lord!
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Visiting Hal-ah-buh-ji and Hal-muh-ni (August 2010)
Elijah got to visit his hal-bi and hal-mi (that's what he calls the Lee grandparents because he can't fully pronounce the Korean words for grandmother and grandfather) in China on our way back to India. It was a nice break for us. Our schedule in the States was pretty busy so when we left, we were feeling pretty tired. Visiting "hal-bi" and "hal-mi" was just what we needed....we ate, slept, hung out, and just relaxed a lot. Mommy and Ah-pa were not very interested in being tourists there so we ended up spending a lot of time relaxing together and taking walks. We also got to visit the international school that "hal-bi" runs and we were impressed by what God has accomplished and is doing through their work.
On our way back to India, we had to catch our flight in Shanghai. So, we got to see our good friends the Wyman's there. It was a great treat to be able to see them before heading back.
On our way back to India, we had to catch our flight in Shanghai. So, we got to see our good friends the Wyman's there. It was a great treat to be able to see them before heading back.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
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