9.28.2010

Day Nine: Someone You Wish You Could Meet

Day Nine of the 30 Day Blogging Challenge: Someone I Wish I Could Meet.

Hm.

That's a hard one.
Does that include the dead?

Top Five, maybe?

1.) Birth Mother
2.) Birth Father
3.) Mother Teresa
4.) My Dad as a young man
5.) My Mother as a young woman

I think that those would be the most interesting to me anyhow and I suppose not in any specific order either.

1. & 2.) Birth Mother; Birth Father
I feel as though, maybe this doesn't need explaining? I have a lot of questions that I would like answered. (?) Maybe? I don't know.

3.) Mother Teresa
I've always admired her life. Her life was her work and her work was Christ's love. Things I strive for and continually am learning to achieve.

4.) My Dad as a young man
I think Dad and I would've been friends if we had been the same age--which for obvious reasons cannot happen. Plaid pants, an afro and a bow tie? What's not to like?

5.) My Mother as a young woman
Depending upon when I would encounter her in her youth, I think she would've been an interesting person to know as an individual characterized other than as "Mom" for me. She is certainly an interesting character now... :) (And yes, Mom, I think we would've been friends too...)

9.27.2010

Day Eight: Your Favorite Internet Friend that You've Never Met






Day Eight of the 30 Day Blogging Challenge does seem quite a bit more difficult than the others so far...simply because...I don't really have any friends that I've never met in person. I guess I have blogs that I like to read, does that count?

Well, if that counts, there are four in particular that I like to check and read as they're updated:

A lady blogger who lives out on a ranch and chronicles her life through film, cooking and baking. She's funny, down-to-earth and has some stellar recipes.
I don't know where I stumbled across this one, but I loved her blog tagline of "Marianne Dashwood in an Elinor Dashwood life." She also cooks, sews, knits, photogs, and what not throughout her blog--plus she's got awful

ly cute hapa nieces. Wait...is that creepy that would comment on her family?
I don't really build things. That's not really my forte. BUT. I want this ADORABLE bed for Ada and Nellie when she grows out of her crib. I've already warned Dylan. And now that you mention it, I wouldn't mind if he made a few other things on this site either...
A humorous and sometimes poignant look on parenting from a fellow Asian-American but of the male variety. This blog also covers other things that some of my readers may find a bit uncomfortable--so just a fore-warning. But this article specifically is definitely worth reading.

Take a peek, they're certainly worth looking at and perusing their back logs...well...at least from my point of view.

9.24.2010

A Girly Dinner

Pancakes, strawberries AND Nutella?!?...Daddy must be gone for the weekend!

Ada's Halloween Costume Part 1

An integral part to Ada's Halloween costume this year...bet you can't guess what she's going to be!!

Day Seven: Your Job

Oh. What to say.

My job, officially it's the Youth & Special Events Coordinator of the Salvation Army-Grand Forks.

I create and over-see that weekday youth programs that our Corps offers and lead the Teen Night kids. I create/choose and over-see the summer day camp and VBS in the summers and assist with summer camping applications. I create, plan, and over-see special event fundraisers such as Christmas bell ringing, yearly counter kettles, and private donation dinners. I also handle volunteers and the finding, applying and presenting of grants pertinent to the financial wellness of our Corps. Aside from that, I work where I am needed, as most nonprofit career workers would say.

There's oh so much more to say--so much I've learned about the "adult" job world and nonprofits...but that's a subject for another place and certainly another time.

Ada on TV

October 22nd, 2010 @ 7 pm:
National Geographic Channel

Ada's big TV debut--all pixelated, four seconds of it. :) But I am one proud and excited Mama nonetheless!

9.23.2010

Day Six: Someone that Inspires Me

Day Six: Someone that Inspires Me

Mother Teresa is my standby-look-up-to-emulate-strive-to-be-human-hero. She always has been, she always will be.

"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other."
Mother Teresa

How could you not love her? We certainly didn't always agree on views/politics, but that doesn't mean she's someone unworthy of emulating. Obviously Jesus trumps Teresa (I think she would only agree), but I wholeheartedly think He supported and applauded her commitment to life, love and Christianity.

But back to the subject, pick someone that inspires me... I am cheesy enough to say that my daughter inspires me. She is the most beautiful thing I have ever created (with a little help). She is one of the greatest blessings I have ever received and continue to receive. She stokes the passion behind what I do and want to accomplish. She is my precociously haphazard teacher, my exasperation and my joy. Besides the peace that I have found in Christ, besides the godly example I strive after in his perfect life and my amazing husband, she is simply the best that I have experienced.

I want to be better in everything--to be more educated, to be more polished, wise, confidant, in love, communicate freely...all because I want her to have the best opportunities and experiences possible. I want for her everything that I had, didn't have and want to have. If that's not an inspiration for life, I don't know what is.

It's hard to imagine that Dylan and I will soon be welcoming another little girl as perfect as Ada into the world (we're T-minus 69 days today). All of our fears, hopes and joys bundled into a perfect, tiny little Nellie and this process will begin again; this process of inspiration and fierce love. I know it will and yet, it's so hard to imagine that it will be the same, an equal amount to what we feel for Ada. How is that possible? Thank God I don't need all the answers, just the capacity and willingness to accept God's gifts in my life.

So thank you Ada for loving me unconditionally and childishly; for inspiring me to continue to try living out Mother Teresa's legacy and most importantly, to strive for a deeper Christ-like life.

9.22.2010

Day Five: Your Dreams

"Delight yourself in the LORD;
and He will give you the desires of your heart."

Psalm 37:4

9.21.2010

Blog Face Lift

Inspired by my crazy husband's reemergence into the blogosphere, I decided Kimchi Sauerkraut needed a face lift in order to compete.

Enjoy! :)

Day Four: Siblings

Today's topic is Siblings.

I have one.
Brock.
I have two if you count the child my parents' miscarried prior to me.

I have three more.
Terrah. Logan. Caleb.

I don't know how many siblings I have.
I was adopted when I was three months old.

That's a lot of people to mold and shape you throughout your life--for good and bad.

I remember reading the "Birth Order" book when I was in high school--I probably was trying to self-diagnose my teenage self. And I remember taking offense to the "bossy, perfectionist" that was described--funny how it's the things that ring truest that are the hardest to hear sometimes.

The first born box is certainly true of Ada, so far anyway. We'll see how Nellie impacts her and her personality. It's been such an experience watching her grow into her own little self, the laid-back, sleep-all-the-time baby now is a go-getter, still go-with-the-flow for the most part, with a will stronger than an ox and more stubborn than an ass. (I don't know where she would've gotten that from?) I'm excited to see where she will walk in life and what adventures she and Nellie are sure to share.

9.20.2010

Day Three: Your Parents

Main Entry: par·ent \ˈper-É™nt\

Function: noun

Definition of a PARENT

1 a. : one that begets or brings forth offspring

b. : a person who brings up and cares for another

2 a. : an animal or plant that is regarded in relation to its offspring

b. : the material or source from which something is derived.

www.merriam-webster.com.dictionary

Today’s topic is Parents—specifically parents in my life and I have a lot. There’s Mom and Dad, otherwise known as Pete and Jill, there’s Terry and Sheila, otherwise known as my in-laws/husband’s parents and now-through our harnessed life-mine as well, there’s my birthparents who are the phantom shadow in making me who I am, and then there are Dylan and I. We are parents to a beautiful girl named Ada and a soon-to-be-born-Nellie So. Not to mention all the other people in our/my life, those have affected us in a way that I most certainly would consider them parental figures.

LOTS of parents.

And that’s certainly not a bad thing (although I didn’t necessarily always think that way).

It’s hard to put into words everything that I think of on such a topic as parents. For the adoptee it’s a source of unanswered questions and frustration. For the child it’s a complex, ever-evolving relationship that I am cultivating with my Mom and Dad as we go through each new maturation phase. For the daughter-in-law it’s a new and surprising adventure to become a part of an already functioning family. And for the parent, it’s something that I could’ve never hoped would be better, never imagined would be harder and surely never would’ve guessed at the complexity of fierce love immediately felt at the discovery of two pink lines on a pee stick.

One of the best things in the world has been raising Ada with Dylan as my partner, and I expect no less with Nellie So’s debut.

27 I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. 28 So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD." And he worshiped the LORD there.

1 Samuel 1:27-28

9.17.2010

French Fry Feed

Ben, Terrah, Lael and Lucy dropped in unexpectedly the other day and we took the opportunity to attend the annual French Fry Feed at University Park. The girls had fun on all the free blow up jumping/sliding toys.
Just a few pictures before we left--I am so excited that Fall is here! My favorite time of year. :)

Mayo Clinic Weekend in Pictures




Pictures from our long weekend at Mayo Clinic/Twin Cities.

Thank GOD again for such good news for Ada and her asthma!!







Banana Bread is DELISH.




Mmmmm...banana bread makes me very happy. Especially the crispy, crusty ends slathered in butter straight out of the oven and burning my mouth. YUM.

This nesting stuff isn't always so bad.

Goodbye Changing Table!

Goodbye old changing table! Make room for the newer, smaller, older and free (thanks Kelly!) dresser/changing table. :) Fitting all those things into one room has been quite the challenge that I feel has just now been accomplished well enough.
I sold it on the UNDerground and wanted to take pictures of it. She refused to get out of the frame until I took one of her with it...what a weird kid.

9.16.2010

Day Two: Your Vices


My vices. Hm....

Well this pregnancy has certainly brought on a sweet tooth like no other...but then again, I've always loved sweet. Now I just have (or feel) a better excuse to indulge it more often than not.

Procrastination probably merits high on the list as well. Because um, well, I'll tell you later.

Rumination and the need for control are probably the biggest, realest and most debilitating vices in my life. Thankfully they rarely ever get to the point of stopping the ongoings of the day to day, but they certainly don't make it any simpler. I think it's a personality thing--I'm moody--I'll admit it and artsy (I've been told that these tend to go hand in hand) and a bit impulsive. I'm learning to trim and tame these aspects of my personality. And that's certainly not to discredit the fact that I view them as gifts (well, maybe not the moodiness). God gave me this personality for a reason and I intend to use it to live a fulfilling and purposeful life.

I'm learning. If anything, that'll probably be a theme throughout this 30 day challenge. Learning to let go.

9.15.2010

Day One: Best Friend

Knowing my husband for six years and being married five of them has taught me a lot more than I could ever try and put down in words. But one of the biggest lessons that I continue to learn from him is about friendship. No, I'm not going to make this into an ode about my husband being my best friend (although I dare say there's truth to that), but I would be remiss if I didn't mention him when it comes to a topic such as "Best Friends."

Dylan has incredible history in his friendships--he's got best friends, genuine, absolute best friends from kindergarten. I know it happens, but surely it's rare. (?) In my experience, friends are transitional--mostly based on where you are physically, mentally and emotionally in life at that time. Few transition with you throughout the years--I'd say I have very few that have moved seamlessly with me throughout my life. I'm not complaining, I don't have a lack of friendships, it just seems to me that the more comfortable you are with yourself, the less "best" friends you need. I realized that I really only need a few that get me and the rest of the world can come along for the ride or not. Either way, I still have my nearest and dearest, and God willing, that won't change for a very long time.

I am blessed to know the people that I know and to have known the ones that I did. I wouldn't change any of the friendships throughout the years that I have experienced because they've helped mold me into who I am today. (Which yes, I realize is quite cliché .)

And with that said, I miss you all!!

9.14.2010

I Am a Klepto.

I stole the following from Britney's blog:
Day 1- Your Best Friend
Day 2 — Your vices
Day 3 — Your parents
Day 4 —Your siblings
Day 5 — Your dreams
Day 6 — Someone that inspires you
Day 7 — Your job
Day 8 — Your favorite internet friend that you’ve never met
Day 9 — Someone you wish you could meet
Day 10 — Someone you don’t talk to as much as you’d like to
Day 11 — A deceased person you wish you could talk to
Day 12 — Your dream vacation
Day 13 — Something you’re looking forward to
Day 14 — Someone you’ve drifted away from
Day 15 — The person you miss the most
Day 16 — Someone that’s not in your state/country
Day 17 — The place you wish you were from
Day 18 — The person that you wish you could be
Day 19 — Something that makes you different
Day 20 — Your favorite television shows
Day 21 — Someone you judged by their first impression
Day 22 — Your pet peeves
Day 23 — The last person you kissed
Day 24 — The person that gave you your favorite memory
Day 25 — A life changing moment
Day 26 — The last person you made a pinky promise to
Day 27 — The thing you most enjoy doing
Day 28 — Someone that changed your life
Day 29 — Your talent
Day 30 — Your reflection in the mirror
If you're wondering what this list is...it's a blogging challenge. I am intrigued as I've never participated or attempted one before and now seems like an interesting time to try it. Why, I'm not sure.

Day 1 will have to wait until a little bit later...but I did just want to make you aware of my plans (and I suppose I should preface this announcement with the fact that I will probably not blog everyday--cuz, come on people, I'm not that good. And two, they'll probably be some random posts interjected along this 30 day challenge as life is just like that.)

9.10.2010

Pho Tonight with Pictures to Follow

Mmmm...I have been on a cooking spree lately...well, baking, cooking, cleaning, decorating...all around nesting has taken over my brain.

Which isn't so bad because I did find this new website and I am in Steamy Kitchen love!! This particular article was the inspiration for dinner tonight. Let's hope it tastes good--it sure smells delicious!

9.09.2010

Amtrak Interview

Dylan has an interview at Amtrak at 10:00 am today...pray that it goes well! We could really benefit from this job. :)

9.06.2010

Mayo Clinic Take 2 Part II

Psalm 66
Shout with joy to God, all the earth!
Sing the glory of his name;
make his praise glorious!
Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds!
So great is your power
that your enemies cringe before you.
All the earth bows down to you;
they sing praise to you,
they sing praise to your name."
Selah

Come and see what God has done,
how awesome his works in man's behalf!
He turned the sea into dry land,
they passed through the waters on foot--
come, let us rejoice in him.
He rules forever by his power,
his eyes watch the nations--
let not the rebellious rise up against him.
Selah

Praise our God, O peoples,
let the sound of his praise be heard;
he has preserved our lives
and kept our feet from slipping.
For you, O God, tested us;
you refined us like silver.
You brought us into prison
and laid burdens on our backs.
You let men ride over our heads;
we went through fire and water,
but you brought us to a place of abundance.
I will come to your temple with burnt offerings
and fulfill my vows to you--
vows my lips promised and my mouth spoke
when I was in trouble.
I will sacrifice fat animals to you
and an offering of rams;
I will offer bulls and goats.
Selah

Come and listen, all you who fear God;
let me tell you what he has done for me.
I cried out to him with my mouth;
his praise was on my tongue.
If I had cherished sin in my heart,
the Lord would not have listened;
but God has surely listened
and heard my voice in prayer.
Praise be to God,
who has not rejected my prayer
or withheld his love from me!

Thank you Lord.

Ada's Mayo appointment was a continued answer to our prayers--to heal our daughter so that she may thrive and enjoy this life she's been given. I cannot even begin to describe to you the weight that was lifted from our shoulders the minute that Dr. Pianosi explained her x-ray results to us.

It was like a giant hug from God that lifted off the sleepless nights, the constant worrying and vigilance that we've felt necessary in the past year. It's something that I don't wish for anyone to experience and yet, if there's something burdens your life so much, certainly, I hope that you would experience the same peace and relief as what I felt.

Ada's x-ray showed normal looking lungs and bronchial clusters--whereas in March they still looked pneumonia-like. Her diaphragm, which had been flat and deflated in March, now is rounded and healthy. She hasn't experienced any hospital visits or overly scary asthma attacks (she's gotten two colds/allergies) and takes her medicine extremely well. We were in and out like nobody's business. And it was glorious.

So, again, thank you for the prayers and thoughts while we were down there this weekend--they're always appreciated.

And most importantly, thank you Lord for continuing to answer prayers.

A Perfect Peanut

My mom did a 3D/4D scan on September 2, 2010 for a 3D/4D seminar she had for her work. Nellie is 25 weeks and 6 days in the following pictures...

9.01.2010

Mayo Clinic Take 2

Our house has once again been taken over by pestilence...or allergies in some people's cases. Either way, it's been pretty miserable for all of our sinuses and tempers. So those who dare to enter La Case de Dachtler, BEWARE.

Anyhow,

We're getting ready to go to Ada's 6 month checkup at Mayo in Rochester. We're not expecting any surprises as the last few months of her new medicine routine have worked extremely well. She's battled through one legitimate cold and a few bouts of allergies (that she tested negative for?...who knows).

So. We're hoping that that's good and to hear that everything seems under control and that we just need to continue on going about the way we have been. That would be awesome news.

In other news--Dylan has started school. I think it'll be tough for him to get back into the swing of things again--it's been 2 years, but I know that in the end he'll do great. Ada, Nellie and I are very proud of him for pursuing his teaching degree. Now if Calculus and Chemistry would just cooperate...

And in Katie news--I'm presenting two grants tonight in front of city council and I am MAD nervous. Not only do I have a whisper of a voice (thank you chronic cough, heartburn and runny nasal passages) but I am the FIRST presenter. Which, in itself is a blessing since I can get both presentations done in one night, but absolutely terrifying in the fact that I've never done this before or have even gotten a chance to see someone else present! Oh well, trial by fire I guess.

And of course, baby news--Nellie is due to arrive in 92 days. I scheduled all my appointments til then...so...she's coming! AHHHHH!! And tomorrow afternoon we'll get to see her again as I am helping my mom out by being a volunteer for teaching 3D/4D techniques at MeritCare. She's grown so much since the last time we've seen her...well...I'm hoping most of this belly is her anyway.