ANOTHER DAY TO REMEMBER. IT'S FINAL!

Today was our final adoption hearing. All my fretting about what might go wrong was all for naught. It was a piece of cake and I had nothing to worry about! We all met at the "Q" (everyones favorite Chinese restaurant in town) for lunch at about 12:30. After a spectacular meal, we headed over to the courthouse. I don't think I have ever been in a courtroom before so it was definitely a new experience for me!

We were ushered into the courtroom and waited for the judge to enter. We all had to stand when he came in (just like in the movies!). We asked a few questions like... "When did the children enter the country?", "Do you promise to provide for the children...?", "Do you love them?" and (to the children)..."Do you think this is a good idea?" Short, sweet and official.

After the formalities, Judge Dehn invited the children to come up to the bench. He gave the boys a gavel and put his robe on Roselyn. She then made the pronouncement... "Adoption granted!" and (after some coaching by the judge) made a decree that the parents would be required take the children to Disneyworld..." It was very fun.

After a few pictures, things got even more silly. The judge invited my dad up, put the robe on him and plopped him in his chair...with the giant gavel. (This is one of the benefits of living in a small town. We have known Judge Dehn for many years and my dad sees him every Saturday morning at Herman's Bakery. :) My dad will get a lot of mileage out of this one!

Anyway, it all took about 15 minutes. We have finally jumped through all the hoops. After the hearing, we came home and had cake and ice cream. A very simple and private celebration. It was a good day for our family. It meant a lot to me that ALL of our children could be there. It was special to have my parents be there as well. Thanks, Bjork for being the camera guy today! I am sorry that Allen's parents could not be there. We missed them. Anyway...it was a day to remember. God has blessed our family!

ONE MORE DAY

Friday is our final adoption hearing. As the day draws closer, I find myself being a little nervous. What if I forget something? What if it doesn't happen? Do I have all the right papers? Please pray for our family as we finalize the adoption and move on to the next chapter. It has certainly been a wild ride thus far... I am excited to see how the story of our family continues as we go around this next bend. Maybe there's baseball star in our future? Another driver in the family? Maybe a new puppy? Perhaps another wedding?? Maybe grandchildren?? OK, OK, I'll stop. In the meantime... stay tuned. Friday will be a day to remember!

A FEW DAYS IN THE SUN

I just got back from a get-away to Arizona with Steph, my friend Cherie and her daughter, Jamey. We visited Allen's parents in Sun City and despite the 50 degree weather, it was indeed...sunny. I am not complaining one bit about the weather though. To us, it felt glorious! To walk outside without a coat felt rather...NICE. Allen kept telling me how horrible the weather was in Cambridge and that I better enjoy it, cause I sure wasn't missin' much! I did just that!

It was a few days of walking, talking, shopping, eating and solving a computer version of a Nancy Drew mystery. There are fresh oranges, grapefruit and lemons on the trees in the backyard. You can't beat that!! It reminded me of my old life...QUIET!... and less complicated. It was great to spend some uninterrupted time with my friends, my in-laws and most of all, my daughter! In the craziness of life, I find that I am more appreciative of things, special people and special times. Thanks John, Joan, Cherie, Jamey and Steph for a great weekend. Thanks to my dear husband for orchestrating the mayhem at home and encouraging me to go.

ON OUR WAY TO CHURCH...

On the way to church tonight out of the blue...

Rigo: Oh Mom, in the Philippines...I remember once that they took these big things out of my ears!!!
Mom: What big things, Rigo?
Rigo: These big things. They put something in my ear and pulled these...these...things...
Mom: Did it hurt?
Rigo: Not really...It was these...these...these big things...
Mom: Can you try to describe it to me?
Rigo: Yeah! It was...you know...these...these big...these big booger things!
(Of course everyone else in the car was in hysterics at this point.)
Mom: Oh, Rigo...was it ear wax??
Rigo: Oh yeah, it was ear wax!!! I remember that they took them out of my ears and they were so big!!!

End of story. :)
That's my boy.

Yesterday's Quote-

Rigo: Dad, I had a crazy hair when I came home today.
Dad: (trying to correct our son) Rigo, you had a crazy hair?? I think you mean... you had crazy hair when you came home today.
Rigo: Oh yeah, I had crazy hair today when I came home today. IT STICKED IT UP!!! :)

Really, little Rigo is doing so well with his English. As a matter of fact, he is quickly losing the ability to use his Cebuano. He doesn't have much opportunity to use it and when asked how to say certain words in Cebuano, he can't remember. We have had a rule that at the dinner table that we must only speak English. The other night, I suggested that we speak only Cebuano. Of course, it was a struggle for Allen and I to be very engaged in this exercise, but it was even a bit challenging for Roselyn, Romeo and Rodrigo. Roselyn has opportunity to speak Cebuano quite often with a few of her FIlipino friends here in Cambridge. Romeo and Rodrigo...not so much. It will be interesting to see how much Rodrigo remembers as time goes on. It is hard to FORCE him to speak Cebuano when no one else at school or church speaks it. Hopefully, his brother and sister will keep talking to him enough to retain some of it. In the meantime, he makes us all smile with his cute conversation.

IT WAS A BAD DAY

Today was a bad day. I received an invitation in the mail to register for my AARP membership!!! I mean REALLY! This can't be! I am not even 50 yet!!!!!!!!!!! I have a 1st grader in my home! Time marches on and this is only the first of many unwelcome reminders that I am soon to be in the ranks of...senior citizens??!! I am now going to bed. Hope you had a good day!

IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION...

In the Matter of the Petition of: Allen John Mork and Mary Jane Mork, his wife, to adopt: Roselyn Christine Mork, Romeo John Mork and Rodrigo Paul Mork....

We received notice of our adoption hearing today. Our adoption will become final on January 29, 2010. It will take place here in Isanti County! The kids are pretty excited about it and maybe a little nervous. There have been lots of questions... Mostly, all three kids are VERY excited to have new names. We have chosen new middle names for each of them and they will officially become Morks in a few weeks. It is hard to believe that our adoption journey is almost over...or well.. actually, it is just beginning. God has truly blessed us. Our family is complete.

SAY WHAT??

Over the last several months, I have written a few of the funny sayings that have come up with our Filipino kids. Their mastery of the English language is remarkable to me as they have transitioned into American life. It has made me realize how complicated English is!!! It is shameful to think that as they have learned hundreds of words and phrases in our language, my Cebuano vocabulary has stayed the same. I (maybe) know 10 - 20 words! Shameful. Having said that, THREE CHEERS for Roselyn, Romeo and Rodrigo for a good job of learning the second language of English! These guys are troopers and very bright, I might add!

And now...a few cute things that have been said...most of which are Rigos! :)

Since coming to the US, Rigo has been obsessed with coupons. He loves the idea of using coupons and we think he believes a coupon means - FREE! He believes that a credit card can be used to buy ANYTHING and ANY TIME for ANY PRICE. Not unusual for kids his age, but he continues to believe that...to own a credit card (or coupon!) is to own the world!!

Rigo: Dad, we can go to Disneyland for my birthday???
Dad: No, Rigo...that would be too expensive.
Rigo: We can use a coupon though!!!!

Later....
Rigo: Mom, we can go to the Philippines?
Mom: Yes Rigo...someday. But it is very expensive.
Rigo: Oh Mom, we can use a coupon!

After all the talk about H1N1...
Rigo: Mom, I am feeling really achee.
Mom: Really? Where does it hurt??
Rigo: I don't know, but I feel really achee.
Mom: Rigo, do you know what "achee" means???
Rigo: No

Mom: Rigo, maybe today we should go to Target to get Dad a Christmas present!
Rigo: Oh Mom!!! Dad REALLY likes toys!!!! He really wants a light saber!

Mom: Rigo, why don't you go get a book so we can read.
Rigo: (Looking for an excuse...) I don't know where my book is.
Mom: We have lots of books! :) Just go find one and we will read...
Rigo: Oh Mom, I can't. I don't have a reading chart. I don't have to read because I don't have a chart.

"Walmark!" = Walmart
"oatmilk" = Oatmeal
"Dad, my arms are getting taller!"
"I don't know where is it!!"
"Feels me good!!!" - Rigo while laying on the heating vent.
"Pinny Roll" = Rolling pin

Rigo: Mom, if Mayo died, would you cry??
Mom: Of course. Would you?
Rigo: Just a little bit!

MORE CHRISTMAS PICS

Every year, the Robertsons try to get together for a family Christmas celebration. It has become more and more challenging as our family has grown, but we have managed to keep that tradition going. This year, everyone came to our house. Well... not everyone. Actually, there were 29 of us and we were missing two entire families. As hard as it was, we tried to have a good time without them. Our day consisted of eating, silly gifts, stockings, singing, games, sledding and pie tag. The house was bustling with little folks to... more mature folks. Here are a few pics for those of you who couldn't be here. Family is a gift. It is a blessing. We should never forget it. Thanks to all my "rellies" for a great day! Happy New Year!