Goodbyes :-(

The start of a week of goodbyes... Dae Sick was the first to go home, 6-7 days before the other five. We had him over for his final dinner in America and he chose tacos. He was so funny the first time he had tacos here. He put so many ingredients in that it didn't come close to rolling up!

After dinner, we all went in the backyard to play ball, take photos, and just hang out one last time. You are missed, Dae Sick! I am so thankful that you have been active on Facebook and calling us. <3

Won Kun's and Lena's last day here, Lena went to Mass with us as always. She never missed and it was a blessing to be able to share a common faith and learn about Catholic traditions in Brazil.


Lena had to work so hard to get her belongings home! Three big suitcases with 70 lbs. each (the generous Brazilian limit, thank God!)- one was even a little over but they let her get away with it. All the guys just left a lot of things behind, but Lena was determined to take most everything.




Won Kun and Parker say goodbye. Parker handled it the best of all of us. She kept reminding us, "Don't be sad that it's over, be happy that it happened." She did shed a few tears in the airport and she loves the kids dearly, but she doesn't seem to have the same gift of tears that most of the family does! (Good for her!)

I took Won Kun and Immo to the airport and friends tagged along for another round of goodbyes. Such wonderful friendships were formed over the year. We are thankful that we got to know so many great kids!

Wow, 10 whole months have flown by! It was such a pleasure to learn new things and grow together. WLHS football sure won't be the same without you, Won Kun. Neither is our house- we miss hearing the video games, the sports, and the alarm clock (NOT!).

Jalen decided to say goodbye to Won Kun and Lena the night before so he could sleep in and not participate in the cry-fest at the airport. I took one trip to the airport at 5am, then a second trip around 11am...

Lena was only with us for 5 months, but she became one of the family very quickly. It was a difficult time at the airport, but I wouldn't change a thing. That much emotion only goes to show how much love she brought to our home.

To the six "rock stars" of Whitmore Lake... Thanks for all that you brought to our lives this year. We will miss you, but are so thankful that we got to know you so well and that you've *all* made the effort of emailing, calling, chatting on facebook, etc. We can't wait to see where life takes you.

Now, YFU has 5 students left in our area who still need homes. Trying hard to "Just say no!" and take a break this year. Anyone want to try hosting? ... boys from Finland, Japan, and China, and girls from Brazil and Germany are waiting for you!!!

God bless,
Kelli, for the whole family

A Brief Family Vacation

We went camping two weekends ago near the Silver Lake sand dunes. This was the last chance to get the whole family together before our exchange kids go home. We banned electronics, which was hysterical because, while Won Kun and Lena are always texting, it was ME who discovered that I could take Won Kun's ipod to the camp store to check my email!! I had to allow a little texting to bribe him to let me use it. :-)

Kids goofing off with Mom's camera...

Pool time for two bathing beauties...

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that newly-toothless smile!!

Lena's never played putt-putt golf before! Here they are, getting psyched up for the intense competition...

The Dunes- a favorite destination for the Sparrow family.

My boys crossed the dunes with a water bottle and a pirate flag. The received much attention for doing this! It's a long trip across the dunes and then down the shore of Lake Michigan to the lighthouse. Lots of people stopped to take photos and video... wonder what they'd think if they knew our last name is SPARROW!?! My guys definately have a little "Captain Jack" in them!

Family photo at our favorite lighthouse...

Won Kun and Lena, just after she smacked him upside the head like a true big sister!

Stiff competition for the "Exchange Student Cup"... John wins it, but only because Won Kun had technical difficulties with his go-kart and Lena DIDN'T KNOW SHE WAS ALLOWED TO PASS!!!

Won Kun, Lena... we will miss you and will forever cherish the memories and the photos of our year together! Love, Mom

Pyrotechnics, Piercings, and Plants

An update on Sparrow family fun, starting with the Hamburg Family Fun Fest. My guys were at a manly, sword-wielding, tough-guy church retreat so I took the ladies for a little surprise. When the girls all saw the carnival come into view Lena starting yelling something like, "It's so AMERICAN!!" And Morgan and Parker just screamed like little girls. :-)

Parker wasn't ready for the very-tall, somewhat-fast ferris wheel so Lena and Mo went without us. While the fireworks were going on, it stopped with the girls right on top! What a spectacular view!!! What's a carnival without wasting some cash on a dart-throwing game and fresh cotton candy (this is the ONLY place to get *good* CC!!)? It was a magical night with the loud music, fireworks, yummy smells, etc. One of my favorite childhood memories is the fouth of July carnival in Whitmore Lake so this was SO much fun for me. :-)

Next up...

I've wanted to try sqare-foot gardening for a couple of years and finally got started yesterday! John and I built the frame and then the girls got in on the fun.

The girls stole my industrial string from the garage, so I stole my daughter's yarn for my garden. Fair trade, right?

Lena won't get to stay long enough to eat the cucumbers, but we were thrilled she wanted to help plant them.

And finally...

Parker's been begging to get her ears pierced for a while (oh, and she's growing out her bangs, but keeps forgetting her barettes!). Before...

And after! (Oh that toothless grin never gets old for me!)
Morgan also got her ears pierced today, but hers was a re-piercing after letting her holes close up a few years ago. My sweet girls...

There's a little update for you. Vacation photos are coming soon!

God bless,

Kelli

WLHS Prom 2009

I am posting these mainly for Lena's family to see her going to her American senior prom, but maybe everyone will enjoy them! They all clean up so beautifully! :-)

Won Kun and his date, Abby...


Back row- Dae Sick, Won Kun, Caleb, and Immo
Front row- Lena, Abby, Lauren, and Melissa

I thought this was such a cute photo... :-)
A pose we've been using for all of the formal dances this school year. I love the addition of Lena into what has been a guy-only pose up til now!

The new desktop photo on our computer... kind of a backwards Charlie's Angels?! This foursome has been such a wonderful additon to our family this year. While only two of them live with us, Dae Sick and Immo are over quite often and we will miss them just as much as our own when they all go home in June... waaaaaaaah. :-(

I get annoyed too many days when one or more of my six kids don't get a chore done promptly and I have to remind them, but today reminded me gently of what really matters. I really love these teens and will miss them so much when they are gone- thanks for making my day, kiddos! I love you all. <3

A day at the zoo with our animals... err, children!

Won Kun already went to the Binder Park zoo with us last summer so he skipped out on us this time. It was a gorgeous day, except for the rainstorm on the way and then some sprinkles while we were there. In any case, it was a wonderful time together!

Loving our camera! We got many cool animal photos but this is one of our faves... the Mexican wolves.

Heading for Africa on the tram...

Morgan Ami entertaining us in Africa (with an Asian hat... typical.)

We thought we would never get the giraffes over to the feeding area. Something spooked them and they wouldn't come near us for a long time. I was *not* leaving until Lena got to feed a giraffe!

We found a couple of gorillas in the African outpost and took a photo. They didn't seem happy about it though.

"NO MORE PHOTOS, LADY!" (recognize that hat on that monkey's head?)
He started following us! A gorilla with a goofy old-man hat and red Converse... he got a LOT of attention from passers-by for the rest of the day. :-)

We are looking forward to many more zoo trips this summer and hope for many more beautiful days like this one!

Disney on Ice

Friday we went to the Disney on Ice, Worlds of Fantasy show at the Palace. When we asked Lena if she would want to come with us, she nearly cried she was so excited! Won Kun had a basketball game so he chose to stay in school... what is WRONG with that boy?!?

At the Princess pre-show, we were able to meet Cinderella and Belle. Parker (Snow White) was a little shy about it even though she has played princesses just about every day since coming home from Disney World in May!

Sweet sisters in front of Jasmine's costume. I must be influenced a little too much by my sons' love of weaponry... the first thing I notice in the photo is the glint of the sword!

No, we weren't the ONLY people there... just the first. :-)

The show covered four movies... Cars,

The Little Mermaid,

The Lion King,

and Tinkerbell.

It was a wonderful show and we look forward to Disney returning in October. We've definately become Disney Geeks over the last year. Of all the times we've been to Disney with one or more of the kids, 2008 was the most MAGICAL and one of my most treasured memories with my family.

Blessings,
Kelli