Another year goes by...

Can't believe that we have let another year go by, especially without a post! It's been a crazy year with, as many of you know, a lot of sickness, but we've been pretty healthy for a few weeks now so I think we're on a roll!!

In April, Gannon received his Certificate of Citizenship which doesn't expire and is irrefutable evidence of his U.S. Citizenship. This piece of paper was the culmination of a LOT of paperwork and I am happy to say we are done with everything concerning the adoption! He's ours, he's a U.S. Citizen and we don't have to do anything else to prove it!!

It's been a rough year for Gannon. He was sick in 201o more than he was healthy, but now with tubes and the removal of his tonsils and adenoids, he's doing great! His speech is a bit delayed due to the many ear infections he struggled against, but he's improving constantly. Sometimes he just chooses to be the strong, silent type (a good skill to have as he grows older I suppose), but the timing is bad when he's having his speech therapy sessions!

Gannon is a happy and very sharp little guy! He loves Lightening McQueen and all things Cars. He also loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. He loves his big brothers and they love him. He had his first snow experience a few weeks ago and LOVED it! He also really enjoys his Kindermusik classes - the boys is a GREAT dancer...he can move those hips!

All in all, the 2nd year was as good and even better than the first. The health setbacks were minor in the scheme of things! We love this little guy and are blessed by his presence in our family. It's a humbling thing to know God chose us to be his forever family and we are SO thankful for our little Gannon!!

Thanks to all of you for your presence in his life, your prayers for him and concerning our family, and for your unfailing friendships!

Blessings, Melinda

Now...and then...One Year Ago!

Happy Gotcha Day Sweet Gannon!!

We can't believe a year has passed since we first met this little guy. We walked into that room at Eastern in Seoul the parents of 2 little boys and when we left we had one more little guy in our care - it's unbelievable really! Since then he has learned to drink from a sippy cup, eat by himself, walk, run, climb, talk (finally!!)...all milestones we were so thankful to enjoy with him! He became a Samberson on August 28, 2009 and we've filed (what I hope to be) our last document request - his Certificate of Citizenship. This is irrefutable evidence of his U.S. Citizenship. He is ours through and through and we are so thankful to celebrate this special day in our family history! It's overwhelming how God has blessed us!

Lions, Tigers, and Bears...Oh, My!

These were the stuffed animals that the boys picked out at the finalization hearing on Friday...

Well, it's official! Gannon is Gannon Josiah Taeyang Samberson! He's legally ours and has had his name legally changed. We are thrilled! We have one more thing to file with Imigration to receive his Certificate of Citzenship, but this was the biggest thing to be done and he's OURS!

Thank you all for your prayers and friendship through the last year and a half. We are thrilled to be this little guys parents and family...what a huge blessing this is.

This whole process reminds me of the verse,

"For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves." Ephesians 1:4-6

God adopted us as His beloved, His children...how awesome to be able to do this for Gannon and imitate our Savior's example! Gannon is truly ours, our son, complete in his inheritance as a Samberson, and hopefully one day soon, in Christ!

Much love, Melinda

It's been a while...

Well, I know some of you have probably given up on checking our blog...it has been a while!! I can't believe I last posted in April. Where did the summer go?? I will try to add a little picture show with all the great pics, but here's one of our 3 beautiful and wonderful boys!

Since April, Gannon has made so many improvements and great strides...including the literal strides of finally walking. Well, it was more recent than not that he acutally started walking, but the little guy has had a ton of changes in the last 6+ months of his life. He's finally attached to Gary and I both, understands most of what we say (to him), and ignores that which he doesn't like (or find important at that moment)!! Hmmm...fits right in with his brothers! He's is a great little boy and so sweet. He blows kisses and shakes his head 'yes' to everything, but especially when he really enjoys something he's eating - a literal 'nod' of approval. He loves his brothers and loves all things food! Finally we have a non-picky eater!.

He will become truly our's on Friday. We will go to court and swear before God and a judge that we will love him and take care of him forever. He will become a Samberson...what a legacy he has...strong Godly men that love him and gave him his name!

God is so good! We are truly blessed to be this little boy's parents (and to have Gavin and Gareth too!). It blows me away that God has entrusted their little lives and well being to us...praise Jesus that He goes before us and leads us...without Him we could do NOTHING!

I'll post more soon. Thanks for your patience!

He is Risen...He is Risen Indeed!!

We hope you all had a wonderful Easter celebrating our victory in our Risen Savior!!

Finally - the long awaited Hanbok pics...

After much torture and a small amount of smiles, here are the long awaited pictures of the birthday boy and his proud brothers!

Happy Birthday Sweet Gannon!!

Sweet little Gannon is One today and now we are the parents of 3 little boys - a 6 year old, a 4 year old, and a 1 year old - crazy, but what a blessing!

Gannon is adjusting well. After he had been home for about 6 weeks, we moved him to his room for nighttime. He had been napping well in his crib and we felt ALL of us needed the move! He's been sleeping in his room, in his crib, all night!! He takes 2 naps a day and is just a great little guy. He LOVES his brothers - they make him laugh like no other! They just have to bobble their heads in the funny way that they do and he belly laughs - very sweet. Last night he treated us to a little dance or a little groovin' listening to his musical valentine's dancing dog from Gram and Papa - very cute!! He's been struggling lately with his eye teeth coming in - apparently VERY painful - he's a mess when they are bothering him, but a little Orajel or Motrin fixes them right up!

We are so glad he's home and so excited that he's with us to celebrate his 1st birthday.

Happy Birthday Sweet Boy!! We love you!

For those of you waiting, we will update with pictures very soon of Gannon (and Gavin and Gareth too) in their Hanboks!!