Lordy be, what a 2003!

Well, 2003 turned out to be one incredible year of changes, blessings and adventures. Heavens knows we never expected all that happened to happen in one year. In looking back we realized that we were sideswiped!

Dave and I left on Dave’s fortieth birthday (which meant cancelling his surprise party-sorry again to those who didn’t get the message that it was off -yewww!). We stopped first in Narita, Japan where we spent several days exploring the city and traveling into Tokyo in an limited sort of way. It really was an incredible trip and we especially loved the peacefulness and solitude of the Narita Temple and the rituals involved in the Kabuki theater. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see as much as we wanted because we both got the flu on the airplane ride over so we were fairly immobile. UGH! What a nightmare for people who love to travel...spending the majority of the time in a hotel unable to eat the native food but all in all we did get to experience a small amount of Japanese culture and school children who wanted us to stop so they could practice their English with us. It was just too cute!

From Narita we traveled to Seoul where we stayed at the guesthouse of the adoption agency we were using. We had a great time there and were fortunate to be surrounded by some wonderful Aussies who were in the country to get their children too. They just made our trip so memorable and fun and we will never forget seeing them leave one by one excited as only new families can be.

Kullen...the first time I saw Kullen I think my heart literally stopped, grew and opened up to the love that was radiating from this beautiful baby. He stole my heart immediately. He was so chubby, with curly black hair and wide brown eyes. He was also as strong as an ox. His foster mother was the sweetest lady and it was obvious why Kullen had such a mellow disposition. Several days later we felt honored to be invited into the home of Kullen’s foster parents where we really got to see the love that surrounded him and what made him tick. It had to be our best day there. Of course, while there we had to go to Namdaemon market and delve into the smells and the people that only an outside market of this type can provide. From ginseng to live eels, the pungent smell of kim-chee and the vendors calling out in their sing-song; the market makes you feel alive as it comes alive. It is just an incredible place. Another favorite was taking the subway. They say that the subway is one of the best in the world and we believe it. You feel totally safe and it is easy to find your way around the city. It really is a world all its own.

After spending several days in Seoul it was time to return home. Leaving really is the worst time as you watch the foster mothers hug their babies for the last time, adoptive parents and foster parents crying together both sad to see such a beautiful child leave those he loves, losing everything he knows and leaving his birth country knowing that life will never be the same for him. Such conflicting feelings. Our trip was doubly so as we had the privilege of escorting another baby home to her family in Chicago. I just can’t describe the feeling of placing a baby into the arms of her forever family except to say it is nothing short of a miracle.

Fast forward to arriving home where Kylee could not wait to meet her new brother who had fallen fast asleep. She laughed so hard when she first lifted him up and saw what a chunk he was. On the other hand Karson was a little less than thrilled especially when Kullen threw him to the floor and sat on him. Wish I could say that the sibling rivalry has abated somewhat but I can’t what with shark-man Karson biting Kullen and the Kully boy whacking his brother over the head with anything that is handy. We keep hoping in the next year that they will become good buddies.

On April Fools Day, Dave arrived at work only to find that he had been laid off due to the massive corporate downsizing that had been occurring over the past several months. He had some amazing friends that really helped him in his job search but ultimately we ended up in the Council Bluffs/Omaha area. Luckily we sold the winery right away on of all places...E-BAY. Also sold the Wever house.We feel lucky. Dave LOVES his new job as General Manager of American Concrete Products. He also enjoys the travel to Dallas to work with that plant. He also loves being the King of Monopoly as we continued to buy a couple of rental houses this year.

In July we moved to a wonderful house in Council Bluffs. We absolutely love it here. While we live in the city and are only 2 minutes to the mall, we also have woods around us with deer, racoons, wild turkeys and woodchuck. It is nice living in a more metropolitan area again and we are taking advantage of all the shopping, the restaurants and the various performers who come through.

Needless to say, at age 12, Kylee, was not happy at all about having to move again. However, she has adapted extremely well. She likes her new school and has made a lot of friends. She is swimming on the swim team and bringing home some blue and red ribbons. She is also taking honors science in school, has almost a 4.0 GPA (except for that B in Band of all things!) and was a member of the volleyball team. She is also involved in Confirmation classes at the Methodist church and participates in youth group there.

Ross is also busy. He is living on his own now and working two jobs. He is beginning to appreciate the advantages that a college education will provide for his future.

This summer we also brought foreign exchange students into our home and were fortunate to spend a week with them in Estes Park, Colorado (now we only have one). We had fun there with Dad and Mary except for the hayride we took in the middle of a thunderstorm. This lightening scared me to death after just getting struck by lightening while I sat in the car a few months prior!

Me...well not much is happening except that I seem to be losing the majority of my brain power (wish I could chalk it up to the lightening strike...hey, maybe I can!) The boys keep me busy esp. when we finalized Kullen’s adoption ourselves on November 10^th, a wonderful and joyous day for our family. I am also looking forward to the trip that Dave and I are taking to Buenos Aires in February. That will be another continent for us which means we only have Australia and Antarctica to conquer!

May all of you have a wonderful new year and a joyous holiday season.