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!

BOYS IN THE HOT TUB

My friend, Barb is in Cancun this week. She has been sending glorious pictures of her two daughters and herself relaxing and basking in the sun. Two of her boys came over this afternoon for some sledding and hot tubbing. Cancun sounds great, but it's hard to beat the fun one can have rolling in the snow on a frosty day in Minnesota! These pictures are for you, Barb!! Correction. THREE of your boys were at our house today... there was a big one too! It was fun to have them all!

CHRISTMAS PICS

How can I even begin to tell about my Christmas?! Well, first of all...it was wonderful! The weird thing is that there was so much going on and so many people around, and yet, we were also missing a big chunk of family...on both sides. The big news of the weekend was the weather. There is nothing quite like a Christmas Eve when the snow is falling. My favorite event of the weekend happened on Christmas Eve. After the church service, the meal, the dishes, the sharing and giving of gifts and the games...we went outside! It was about 12:30 a.m. and everything was (in my mind) perfect. I took a walk around the neighborhood with Lindsay while Allen and the other girls went sledding behind our house. (Bjork, Romeo and Rodrigo had retired for the night.) To me, it was magical. It was peaceful. It was memorable. There are very few times in a person's life when you get to enjoy your family in Minnesota on Christmas Eve during a snowstorm. It maybe didn't phase anyone else, but I will never forget it. Some of the other highlights from the weekend?

*Rigo's gift to Romeo - a light saber, Romeo's gift to Rigo - a light saber, Rigo and Romeo's gift to Allen - a light saber! Everybody is happy!

*Stunning American Idol Performances

*Matchy, matchy pajama shorts for the girls - compliments of Kristin! Wonder why she didn't get one for me?

*Turbo Jam - (I know that I will get into trouble for this one!)

*A collective effort to create a gingerbread house - which soon became a leaning
gingerbread house.

*Lots of smiles. Lots of laughs.

*A quiet cup of coffee with Allen before anyone else was up.

*Our second Christmas as a family of eight...or maybe I should say our first Christmas as a family of nine welcoming Bjork to the mix.

*Enjoy the pics. It's fun for me to share them!

CHRISTMAS MUSIC

For me, Christmas music is one of the very, very best things about the season. I have been to several concerts already this month and have enjoyed every one. Rigo was in a kid's choir musical early in December. There is something so sweet about children singing. I was very proud of my boy. He often sings in the car and along with the radio, but I wasn't sure how this choir thing would go. He loved it and sang his little heart out.

Tomorrow is Romeo's band and choir concert and next week the girls will present concerts at the Performing Art Center. I thank God for thinking up music. It touches the soul like nothing else. Hope you are HEARING the sounds of Christmas!

DEAR SANTA

Dear Santa

Hi hao are you

Im beeing gud

I want a toy ples

can i have star wars vidyo game

and a litessavr.

Have a gud Christmas (He had a little help with this word!)

frao: Rodrigo Mork

Oh, I wish you could have seen the look on his face when he was writing this!