Sticking it Out

Last spring, my youngest daughter had to tryout for a team for competitive cheerleading. This occurs every spring and this coming year, this will be our sixth year being involved with competitive cheerleading, will be our youngest daughter's fourth year. The usual wait time to find out what team she made was excruciating, as usual. When the teams were finally posted, the air went completely out of our balloon. Talk about disappoint for my daughter. She was placed on a team we felt she was beyond the skill level of some of the girls listed. Now don't get me wrong, I am in no way a stage mom and think my daughter is the best, I am far from that stereotype. I was trying to be realistic. The hardest part was seeing the disappointment in my daughter's face.

I did voice my concern to the coaches and I also had my daughter communicate her feelings to the coaches. It all came down to the fact that yes, she had the higher tumbling skills, but she was too small to be on the higher level team when she was not a flyer, the girl that is tossed in the air. I talked about it with my daughter, as she wanted to quit she was that disappointed. Maybe she just take tumbling classes for the year and tryout again for a team when the year was over. I thought about it more and told her that her level of stamina would not be up to par with just tumbling when it takes so much to compete and perform routines.

Now came my parenting skills and I told my daughter that with life, came disappointments, but we all have to learn to adapt and accept some situations and make the best of it. I told her it was a good idea to stay on the team she was placed on, be a role model and a leader as shew would be one of the oldest girls on the team. Continue to work hard, strive for the best, and make the most of it. She agreed and had a wonderful attitude thru/out the year and continued to improve on her skills.

As in most cases, the beginning of the competitive season got off to a rocky start, but we all continued to keep our positive attitudes and continue on. As the year went on, the team did improve and my daughter was having fun, that is the most important part!

The last national competition paid off, my daughter's team got first place. What a way to end the year, BUT they weren't done yet. The coaches decided that the teams would go to the U.S. Finals in April. A new competition for everyone. Since my daughter's team was a youth team, they got half the fee paid for from a previous competition whereas the other teams won full paid bids.

So what are the U.S. Finals? I had no clue, but we went anyway as we always support our kids in whatever they love doing. My daughter's team placed first! Now that was the way to end the year, right? All the hard work and positive attitude paid off...but it wasn't done yet. The U.S. Finals, there are six Regional competitions across the country and after these are done, the judges then look at every team in each level and rank them to decide on what team will be named U.S. Champion. The competition was in April and the rankings would come out in May, yeah a long time to wait, but hey, there were 1300 teams to look at!

Last night, we found out that my daughter's team was ranked number one! They are U.S. Champion in the nation in their division and level!! There were fourteen teams and they were number one! Now THAT is the way to end the year! So lessons learned, you stick it out, make the most of it and you get rewarded! Way to go team ICE!! So now onto this coming year, my daughter was placed on a very high level team, will be challenging for her, but we know she can do it.

Creating a Virtual Book Club

I do not profess to be a high tech person, but I learn from trial and error, more errors than I care for.

I have always loved reading and I can devour a book in a day, two days if I just have to pay attention to my family(ha,ha).

The past few years, I have not been reading. Life got busy, as do most people's lives. I put off reading because that for me was a luxury. I also had trouble purchasing an actual book, really. I would wait for friends to give me their used books and so my reading became more sporadic.

Now with the new technology of computers, Kindle, Nook, iPad, and even Blackberry, you can download the kindle. So with my newest gift of the iPad from my family, for some reason, I can purchase a book with no problem...I know, weird.

I read my first book on my iPad and I am hooked. So then I needed someone to talk to about the book I read so I posted on facebook. Now for my second book, I asked people on FB that I would like someone else to read it with me so I could have someone to talk to about it. A few responses and today, I created the virtual FB book club. Maybe I will be the only member, but that's ok. I can post my opinions of the book and if others want to post their opinions, then there ya go, great sharing. And to get book recommendations from others, bingo, home run.

Why not join a 'real' book club then in my area? I really don't have the time committment neccesary and with the virtual club, there are no time limits, no schedules, one can post when they have the time from anywhere. I'm feeling so high tech now. Anyone intersted, let me know, you can contact me thru here or on FB under Kim Anderson Hanson. Now let's get reading!

Laptop vs. iPad

I was the only person in my family that didn't own an iPod. I really don't listen to music all that much anyway so I didn't need one. Then came the iPad. I was intrigued, just because it looked like a cool toy and that is how I looked it, as a toy. The laptop I have is the size of the iPad so I'm used to the small size.

My family gave me the iPad for my birthday, which really was a great gift, because they have a hard time thinking of things to get me. Usually I tell them not to get me anything so this was a nice surprise. Now that I've had the iPad for two weeks and have been able to play around with it daily, I use it ALL the time! It isn't a replacement for a computer, but really, it has replaced my laptop. I can check email, surf the web, keep a calendar, post on my blog, all the things I did on my laptop, not mention all the apps available. I read a book on this too and that was pretty cool.

I've had to really teach myself how to use this toy, but I'm figuring it out by trial and error, like I do most things that deal with techie things. I am not a computer person so I have to teach myself. I am looking forward to taking the iPad with me when I travel but I'm still waiting for the specific iPad case, very hard to find in the store so I ordered it online, of course. I wish I could transfer everything from my laptop to this, especially all my documents, but I can't all at once. I can email them to myself so maybe by the time I have to travel, I will have that completed.

So it looks like the iPad has won over my laptop. For my needs, the iPad works. For those in the business world, maybe better stick with the laptop. Good timing for this change since the letter "i" is still sticking on my laptop. I have joined the Apple world and I like it!

Fell off the Wagon..For Women Only

Seems like a pattern with me. I get all excited about exercising and do great...for two days, then I stop. My excuses range from pure laziness to no motivation to not feeling well. I am not sure how to get over the two day hump. When I'm not feeling well, I give myself a break, because trust me, I seriously can't move(darn cramps). I've had horrible cramps since I was 11 years old. There were plenty of times I would have to call my mom at work and be excused from school, then I would have to walk home.

I've had people say to me they think those that experience cramps, it's all in their heads...really? Do they want to trade one month with me and see if I am making it up? Since I have experienced child birth, I can now say my monthly cramps feel like labor pains. I have a very high tolerance for pain so I can still function like nothing is wrong, but only when I have to. Just like when I have migraines, I do the tasks and no one would know.

My cycles are very unpredictable, I am never on a set cycle. Being around other females, the weather, my stress level, all affect me. I try to estimate the times the best I can so I can be prepared, but sometimes...surprise! Like yesterday morning, I was about to get ready to meet a friend for lunch and all of a sudden, I got a severe pain. I thought it was gas since it came on so suddenly, but the sharp pain continued. I started to think I was having an appendicitis attack. I began thinking of who I could call if this didn't go away, my husband was out of town, my oldest daughter was in training for work, my mom was working. I thought I would have to call 911. The pain was very sharp and I continued to debate about calling an ambulance for about 30 minutes. I even looked up appendicitis online to see what the symptoms were, nope, wasn't it since the pain was on my left side and not the right side. So now what? Um, yeah surprise!

I am thankful I hadn't called 911, that would have been embarrassing! This was the first time ever that the cramps came on so suddenly and so sharply. I'm also thankful I was still home when this happened. I missed out on a great lunch with a great friend, but thank goodness I was home. I'm dreaming of the day I hit menopause, I know, I know, menopause can be just as challenging, but I will put up with those discomforts over cramps anyday. I am 43 years old, I've put up with this long enough!

When I travel, I pack everything no matter the time of the month, I've had to learn the hard way. Oh where, oh where is men-o-pause, oh where, oh where can it be?

Does the Punishment Fit the Crime?

My youngest daughter has been frustrating me lately. She seems to be in a fog, probably due to the end of the school year so close, but come on! Focus! When we got each of our kids cell phones, the expectations were that they would be in constant communication with us if they were away from home. If I text them about anything, my expectation is that they respond back to me. Nowadays with the hectic schedules, it's crazy and being able to text everyone is a faster means of communication when everyone is scattered here and there.

Last night I had texted my youngest daughter letting her know her sister would be picking her up from practice. No response back. You may think I am being too critical, but my youngest is done with practice at 9:30 at night. We now live 20 minutes away so it's not like it's a quick jaunt to get her.

I called her on her sister's phone, she had turned her's off because she cannot use her phone past 9:00pm with the exception of communicating with us. I had just told her prior to practice to make sure to always look for messages from me, well she didn't, therefore, no response from her. She told me she got the message from her sister and turned off her phone.

I asked her to think of a punishment and let me know when she got home. Her idea of a punishment, "I will wipe down the counters and sweep the floor everyday". Really? Is that really a punishment? I told her everyone should do that regardless and clean up after themselves every time they are finished in the kitchen. I do both of things on a daily basis. If I had to wait for her to do this task when she got home from school, I would be the one being punished because I would have to look at the mess the entire day.

I thought about canceling her texting privileges on her phone, but that comes with the monthly service when I looked on our online bill. Then I stumbled upon some extra charges on her phone....oh brother, not minor charges either, $84.00 to be exact! What the heck? The charges stated they came from the Get it Now service, which she has been begging for but we have told her she doesn't need that service. She told me she never okayed the service, but apparently she had. She said she was buying ring tones, really $84.00 worth?? Every time I am around her, her phone is on vibrate and obviously, she can't have her phone on during school so why the need for so many ring tones?

She told me she would write me a check for the amount. Funny, because any money she has in her account technically, it's still our money since we give her an allowance monthly. We don't ask much of our kids daily, just the basics of keeping their grades up and keeping their rooms clean and so on. Very basic at our house.

I am frustrated with her, she seems to be in a fog when it comes to thinking things thru. Taking her cell phone away really doesn't seem to affect her either, not like it did with our oldest daughter. The only threat that seems to really make her upset is if we took away her cheerleading or changing schools. Doing either one of those is even too drastic for me, but the aspect of either one really upsets her.

So why can't she get it thru her head to think things thru? Yes, I am realistic, I know part of it is her age, give me some credit. But punishments do not work with her. I have told her over and over again that she has everything possible in the palm of her hands and she is the one that determines if she gets herself in hot water, not me or her dad. She knows the rules and our expectations. Just makes me want to scream! How long until we are empty nesters??

My Get Up and Go...

Has gone up and went. I am talking about exercising. I've talked about this before and how I am not in the mood to exercise. I've tried, really I have, but my enthusiasm only lasts at the most, two days in a row. I have exercise equipment available to me in an actual exercise room with a great view too. I can also watch tv while I exercise. My other option is to walk outside and enjoy the beautiful scenery, but even that isn't working for me.

Back in 1993, I started working out at a health club and I got hooked. I would work out three hours a day, five days a week, even if I felt sick I would work out. The club had excellent child care so that really helped me stay focused. Every month, I would get my body fat tested, yeah I was that hard core. The lowest I got to was 16% body fat. I could have gotten lower, but I was eating like a horse and did not cut out any foods(I'm still that way today, I love food). I did this routine for 4 1/2 years, even while I was pregnant with my son. Don't worry, i was careful not to over do it. No wonder the delivery went so quickly.

When we moved back to Omaha in 1996, my enthusiasm began to lessen. I think it was partly due to a change in clubs, you know how you get comfortable in a certain setting. Plus the search for a new club was disappointing and kind of discouraging. I finally found a club I liked. I worked out five days a week, but not as hard core as in previous years. Having three kids also changed the dynamics. I guess I burned out tho from being so hard core. I lasted at the club til around 2001, then I stopped going daily and cut down to three days a week, then eventually, I stopped altogether.

I figured I could exercise in the spring and summer in the pool. Well, that didn't happen either. So I continued on without exercising, but I think the key to my success was not beating myself up for not exercising. I really did change the way I was thinking about myself and that really made a difference.

Now it is time to get back on the wagon. I do have about ten pounds to lose. Last summer was a whirlwind of events with selling our old house, buying a new house, and traveling to Korea all within two months, then moving two months later. I have to get into a routine in order to function well so now that my kids are almost done with school, I am hoping I can get into the swing of things. I will keep everyone posted, exciting huh.

Bike to Work Week

In Omaha, really? I guess I am really not into biking but out where I live, we see a lot of people that are. As we drive on the two lane roads, it's not uncommon to see a group of bikers along the side of the road. The roads are narrow and have soft shoulders so for those of us driving, we have to be careful even passing them.

So in honor of Ride Your Bike to Work Week, I will hop back onto my exercise bike and actually try to ride it for the week, at least Monday thru Friday. I have been very incosistent about exercising. Summer is right around the corner so I really should try to get in shape.

Did I Really...

Need another appliance for my kitchen? Ever since we moved into our new house, I have loved everything about it BUT there are a few things I would change to fit our family better. Our old house, we built it the way we wanted it so buying an existing house was a change, but about 99% of this house we love so that's a great percentage!

In our old house we had a free standing stove/oven, my 'dream' stove at the time. It was a Maytag with the smaller oven at the top and regular sized oven below it, the luxury of two ovens at a cheaper price. My entire family loved this feature, especially when preheating for a pizza or other snack. The wait time for preheating was about five minutes.

We now have the built in double ovens. They look awesome, love em for mass cooking needs BUT for the frozen pizza cravings, the preheating times take FOR-EV-EEER! So I finally broke down yesterday and bought a toaster oven. I was fighting it all the way, first because that would entail spending money and second, because it would take up counter space and I like to have counters free of everything, and third, the cost of heating up a full sized oven bothers me(can you tell I have money issues?). But I also had a 20% off coupon for Bed Bath and Beyond, that made spending the money a little easier.

I had to laugh at myself at the store, it took me a good 20 minutes to decide on a toaster oven. I haven't used one since I was a very young child and I wanted just the right one. Of course I found one online that I really liked, found it at the store, but it was bigger than I had thought. I looked at all the other choices, I wanted one that looked a little more up to date than the kind from the 70's. I went back to the one I found online, but the clincher? Yeah, something as simple as the crumb tray. This one was located in the back and the other ones were accessible directly from the front.

I did end up buying a toaster oven, I was determined to buy one because I had my mind set on it and plus, I was already at the store just for that purpose! I hope it brings me all that I'd hoped for.

Money for a Change

Awhile back, I had blogged about being frustrated with my kids and not appreciating what they have and so on. Some of the frustration was with myself and allowing this to continue. I had decided that both my older kids would get jobs this summer because all allowance would stop come June 1st.

You would have thought we had asked our oldest to pay us rent too by her reaction! She doesn't handle change well, she gets that from her father. Her idea of being home for the summer was being able to have fun....but for four months she wasn't going to work? Not in my book! She can have more fun if she has spending money, right? The very next day after the knock out drag out fight, she went job hunting.

My son had applied at several places, this being harder for him since he has no work experience. How does one get work experience if places want experience?

A few days of waiting was really getting to us, all of us! We were getting impatient. Our son got an interview and was offered a job right then and there, wow! But that store was going to be moving to a new location and would be even further from our house. He had another interview with the same store chain, closer location but the interview was six days away. I said to wait, my hubby wasn't so sure, my son was kind of disappointed, but we needed to be patient again and wait for the second interview.

Yesterday was the best day with both kids receiving job offers! And yes, my son will be working at the store that is closer to us. See what patience can do? He even starts training today after school! I'm so glad both will be working this summer and I know they will love having earned their own money! I am one happy Mama!

Migraines are a Pain in the...

Obviously the head, but really they are a pain in the patooty! I have had migraines for years and having a high pain tolerance, I am able to 'fake it til I make' and go on with my day like any other day. But seriously, when they last more than two days, it really gets me down. Trying to do just the normal things, keeping your eyes open, walking, talking, cooking, cleaning, laundry, driving, paying bills...I think you get the point.

Back in 1999, I was very sick of my migraines and demanded a CT scan since I have no medical history. Something was found, that I actually had a brain! Ha, ha, really, there was something but had no relation to the migraines, your brain itself doesn't feel pain, it's the outside nerves surrounding the brain that feels the pain.

Long story short, I had seven hours of brain surgery, I've written about this before on here. And so the migraines continue, lucky me. I have meds, but sometimes these things just want to keep me company for a few days, again, lucky me. I want to scream, but that would make it worse.

Birthday Gift

So I had mentioned I could barely contain myself regarding what my family got me for my birthday. And in my usual persuasive way, I was able to sweet talk my family into giving me my present a day early! They didn't have it wrapped, I didn't care, that's a waste of paper anyway! I closed my eyes and I had to guess what it was.

OK!!! I have to come clean! I knew what it was already!!!! Tuesday night, as I drove my youngest daughter home, she burst out with how excited she was for my birthday. Then she continued to talk about her phone upgrade and what she was going to pick. Trust me, I was just listening. She went on about the the iPod and iPad....BINGO!! That was it! I know she felt bad immediately, so I let it go. To tell you the truth, I was a little deflated that I had guessed it.

Sure enough, my present was the iPad. I acted very surprised and I was truly excited about it. I had been talking about it ever since they came out, but my usual self, I could not bring myself to buy it. I am typing on my iPad right now. I am getting used to the touch keys and all the apps, my youngest loaded them on here. I only play the bubble wrap game, the rest she plays. She loves this thing!

This is a pretty amazing toy, I can check my emails and everything so I really don't need my tiny laptop, do I? Especially since the letter i is still sticking The Apple store was out of the iPad case so I ordered it online, of course! There were other cases available, but not the original one.

My family is the best, they spoil me rotten and know me so well. Now if I can just purchase the online books I'd be in heaven. It's hard for me to buy regular books in the store, I feel like it's a big waste of money when I don't read the books again. I know, I know, I talk about
enjoying life and doing things for yourself, I'm trying! And I am getting better.

Always a busy weekend around my birthday with Mother's Day too. I have an entire weekend of being spoiled. Life is good and my family is AWESOME!!

Leftovers and the Same Old Same Old

I am stuck in a rut. Been a stay at mom now for over 19 years, wow! Don't get me wrong, I love being a stay at home mom. It's the dinners that are in a rut. I try to be creative, make a variety each week, but now that it's been over 19 years of doing this, it is getting really hard. I know what my family likes and dislikes. They each have their favorites, they like the same old same old. But for me, I like variety and love trying new things. So do I go crazy and really go for the gusto and start trying new recipes?

I guess making the same old same old is also because of my kids' schedules. I know how to make the dishes, my family loves them, so it doesn't take me long to make them. Three kids and their activities, especially during dinner time takes it's toll. Guess I really got in a rut of fast food and take out, but secretly, I love that! It's my family, they love when I cook! I guess I should take that as a compliment. But like I said, 19 years of it, *heavy sigh*...

I need meals that don't take forever to make, that is key for me. I guess it's time for me to make a menu for the week again? I used to do that when we were living pay check to pay check and would be very frugal at the grocery store. But even when I have a plan in my head of meals, schedules change and there goes my idea out the door.

I am also very aware of the quantity of food I make because I do not eat leftovers. It's very rare if I do. And of course, my family has followed in my footsteps. But now my son has been growing, even moreso, and the portions I was used to making isn't enough. And now my daughter is home from college and we are back to a family of five.

I have even tried hiring specialty chefs that come into your home and cook a week's worth of food and freeze it for you. The guilt got to me and that only lasted about two weeks. That was a wasteful way of trying to be creative.

How many more years of home cooking do I have left? Yep, a lot, my youngest is only 11 years old. I have no clue what to make for dinner tonight...

Being a Little Kid

And I am talking about myself. A week ago, my hubby told me that he finally thought of an awesome birthday present for me...well that did it! I wanted to know right then and there what it was! "Tell me! Tell me! I will let you know if it is awesome or not!" Hee! Hee! Didn't work. He wouldn't tell me but continued to tell me that it was awesome...ugh!

So then we were at Costco last Saturday and of course, I stop by the jewelry and look at the shiny objects and say to my hubby, "Is my awesome gift this shiny and sparkly?" He just rolled his eyes at me and then went on a rant about how difficult I am when it comes to gifts and how I tell him NOT to get me anything yet I talk about jewelry every time I see it. (Though, we don't buy our jewelry at Costco, we know a wholesaler for this sort of thing). Okay, so I LOVE jewelry, REALLY love jewelry. Did I say I love jewelry? I wear all of my jewelry too, why keep it in the box? That is why I am so picky about it.

But really, how many rings can I wear on a daily basis? Right now, I only wear rings on both my ring fingers so it's not like I have every finger used up already. That's NOT the look I am going for.

What is it that I'm looking for then? A big ole rock like you see on the big movie stars' fingers? Cha, that would be nice, but have you seen the price tag for those? And yes, you probably guessed it, I demand quality diamonds and jewelry, no fauxs, no man made, the real thing honey. No wonder I drive my hubby crazy. I am very picky. I even have a wish list at our jeweler, how easy is that?!

When it comes right down to it, I can't push the 'enter' button and make the purchase or have my hubby make the purchase because trust me, he would buy me whatever I wanted in a heartbeat.

I am really bad too, my youngest daughter, she is more excited about my birthday than I am and she can't wait. So I try to get it out of her what the awesome gift is. She's better at keeping a secret now that she is older, but when she was five years old, she spilled the beans about every gift the family had gotten me before my birthday. I know, I know, I was mean for 'workin' her and taking advantage of a little girl. But that's me, I'm a little kid still and I WANT TO KNOW NOW!!

I promise, I won't try to get it out of my daughter...I can wait until Saturday...I think...

Children's Day in Korea

Mother's Day is coming up this Sunday, but I never knew there was an actual Children's Day in Korea. Now it makes sense that Sunday's service at the Korean Church was dedicated to children.

Here is a very interesting article from Korea:

Orphans on Children’s Day

By Hannah Kim

In a perfect world, there would be no orphans. Every single one of the world's 2.2 billion children would be doted upon by their parents. And every day would be like May 5 in South Korea when nearly 8 million kids are sure to be spoiled on the national holiday set aside as Children's Day.

But obviously we do not live in a perfect world. There are currently 143-210 million displaced children worldwide, and nearly 15 million who will ``age out" of the adoption system and consequently lose their chances of finding a home. And the excruciating reality is that these kids are innocent victims of social ills induced by adults, which is why we have a communal responsibility to care about it.

In Korea alone, there are nearly 10,000 new-born babies every year who are abandoned for various reasons, and only 3,900 of them are adopted into new homes. One may naively assume there would be very few neglected children in the prosperous modern Korea, or at least none being sent abroad. Inarguably, there has been a declining rate in overseas adoptions in the recent years, but this is only due to a precipitous drop in the Korean birth rate. Still, roughly one of 250 Korean children is adopted into an American family.

As commonly known, the Korean War (1950-53) orphaned thousands of lost children and ``G.I. babies" found themselves out on the streets. Hence since 1955, the Holt International Children's Services and other groups have placed about 150,000 (out of 200,000) Korean children into American homes. It started when Harry and Bertha Holt, a devout Christian couple from Oregon, became concerned for their fate ― after watching a documentary about their plight ― and lobbied Congress for the passage of the Holt bill. As a result they adopted eight Korean children in 1955 when international adoptions were virtually unheard of. The children's arrival garnered media attention, and prompted American families nationwide to seek Korean children.

But what trended as a result of war and poverty morphed into a system that remained even after economic conditions ameliorated. Social norms of Korea's traditional society emphasized paternal family ties, bloodlines, and homogeneity; therefore biracial or fatherless children were not easily accepted, and the stigma associated with single motherhood forced many women to abandon their offspring. Most families (who secretly adopted) chose babies under a month old to pass them off as their own. The concept of ``open adoption'' with sharing information between birth and adoptive families is still an unconventional practice in Korea.

Nonetheless ― and perhaps inspired by to the likes of Madonna and Angelina Jolie who have 'flaunted' their adopted children from Africa and South Asia on the front cover of national tabloid magazines ― Korean society is warming up to the idea of adoption. Each year when the charity photo exhibition titled ``Letters from Angels'' features stars posing with babies available for adoption, almost all of them are adopted. More than 80 celebrities and 150 babies have been photographed since 2003 to promote awareness.

The US Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System approximates there are 510,000 children in foster care (who are temporarily placed in foster homes, group homes, emergency shelters, residential facilities, pre-adoptive homes and with relatives). The good news is that 70 percent of the children leave the system to be reunited with their families or permanently placed with relatives, mostly in less than one year.

The foster care system is not a silver bullet: there are still 114,000 children in the U.S. waiting to be adopted from foster care, with 20,000 children turning 18 annually and no longer eligible. Nevertheless, I agree ``a family within the country, preferably a relative, should be sought before international families'' as dictated by the UNICEF-inspired Hague Convention on Inter-country Adoption, and the Korean government should concurrently adopt a better foster care system to prop up its efforts to cease international adoption from Korea in addition to enforcing the domestic Adoption Promotion Law (2009) and other effective means.

Clearly, it is easy to respond numbly and view these figures as mere statistics. But the silent tears of the orphans and grief of the parents who cannot indulge, or let alone care for, their beloved offspring on Children's Day should compel us to coalesce in tackling the roots of the problems that cause the vicious cycles that make orphans out of innocent children.

In a perfect world, children would stay with their biological parents, and remain connected to their roots. Neither adoption nor foster care will solve the underlying issues of war, poverty, disease, famine, and neglect. But each of the 2.2 billion children is precious and deserves a place where they can call home.

Hannah Kim is a 2009 master's graduate at the George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management, specializing in legislative affairs. She spearheaded the passage of the ``Korean War Veterans Recognition Act, U.S. Public Law 111-41," which was signed by President Obama on July 27, 2009. She can be reached at hkim@remember727.org.

A Silent Legacy Among Us

This weekend, I had the wonderful opportunity to host a reception in my home for adoptees and adoptive families to meet Dr. David Kim. Ever since I met David in 2006, I have been hoping that I would be able to have him speak in Omaha. I can't believe this happened yesterday. So many people helped me to make it happen, especially my husband with his support. I get these ideas in my head, tell him my plans and he just nods his head and asks me what he needs to do to help.

We had at least 70 people or more in our house, I didn't get a chance to do a head count, it was that crowded. Having my home filled with adoptees of all ages and their parents, it touched me greatly knowing I was able to give them this once in a lifetime opportunity. Parents and adoptees thanked us for this special event, some were very emotional and I can understand where they are coming from.

I am a very emotional person and getting involved in Holt was a roller coaster of emotions. Everything I was able to experience was an amazing event for me. When I began volunteering for Holt back in 1999, I never knew where that would lead to. I would have never thought I would be where I am today, things happened for me very quickly within a five year period after my first trip to Korea in 2005. It really has been a whirlwind of involvement, but I know this is my purpose. I feel so blessed being able to see Holt from the inside. I want to be able to give people the opportunity of just a taste of what I get to be involved in.

I am getting so much better at controlling my emotions because I feel very passionate about our mission at Holt. To have witnessed the emotions and picture opportunities yesterday with David Kim truly touched me. I know the impact of this opportunity won't hit people until years later.

David Kim has been so instrumental in Holt, his involvement and contribution to the beginnings and now the legacy of Holt, this truly amazes me. His stories are incredible, his memories of the past 55 years is truly awe inspiring. Every person that meets him can feel his true heart and passion. I hope more people in the near future will have the opportunity to meet him. I have truly been blessed in this life!