Beautiful Dream - Our Kaelynn Rose

Today is our first day in Corporate Housing in Irvine, Ca. We have just moved from San Francisco for Daddy to go to work at his "Dream Job" working for Blizzard - the game company that makes his favorite obsession!

It is a bittersweet move for us. We have left the home that Kaelynn first came home to, here in America, her first home with us as her Mom & Dad. Not to mention all of the amazing friends we have had to say goodbye (at least temporarily) to. We will still make trips a few times a year to the Bay Area for kids birthdays, to see friends, and to enjoy San Francisco.

On the other hand - we will now have my sister and brother in law only an hour away in San Diego. We are less than 30 minutes from Disneyland and Paul will be less stressed (we hope) have better work hours, and be VERY happy with his job!

So far, Kaelynn seems to be going with the flow - the boxes surrounding her in SF didn't phase her too much, and she was a real trooper on the drive down yesterday.

We'll see how the next few weeks go as we settle in here in Corporate Housing - which, by the way, is pretty fancy!!! And then finding an apartment and getting moved in and permanently settled.

Off to play with the little one!

Today is Kaelynn's 2nd birthday. It has been an extra special day for us. My family is all here in AZ. celebrating with us. My brother Eric, my sister in law - Jenn and their children, Eirene & Tor & my sister, Haidee & brother in law, Marek and of course my Mom & Dad (Jen & Dick)

It started out kind of rough for her as she is teething and was running a high temp last night and had a tough time sleeping.

This morning around 8am she was just all excited, , climbing on us in bed, and laughing and giggly. After a tough late morning her nap seemed to help.

She got up from her nap this afternoon, though, and pretty much jumped right into the celebration!

We had a very traditional Korean celebration - both Kaelynn & Eirene wore Hanbok - the traditional Korean celebratory dress. Kaelynn's was the one Paul and I purchased for her in Korea, and Eirene's was the one that my Mom & I ordered for Kaelynn before she came home from Korea.

We had Bulgogi (Korean BBQ) and rice for dinner, and toasted Kaelynn - she even joined in with a "Cheers" herself.

Then for dessert we had traditional Korean Sweet Rice Cake - with a Tinker Bell candle. It tastes a little like a gritty, sticky, sugar cookie.

After dessert we opened presents - with LOTS of help from the cousins - anxious 5 & 2 year olds after all! Then off to bath and bed.

It was a wonderful day overall - many things to be thankful for.

I can't help but think of her birthmom today, and hope that she has come to peace with her decision. That her life is full of other blessings, and that she is happy, healthy, and knows deep in her heart that her baby girl is with a family who loves her beyond words, and who can never thank her birthmom enough for the gift of Soo Jin (Kaelynn).

Happy Birthday Sweet Baby Girl!!!!