Updates

I realized I have not updated in quite a while.  Not much is happening right now for us.  To catch you up I have been dealing with a MESS with our I-600.  Our paperwork was approved and we were notified but the paperwork was not sent on like it should have been.  I spend about 2 weeks trying to figure out where our paperwork was to find out it was still in someones desk and just hadn't been sent on.  After being promised the paperwork would go out that day but the officer and a supervisor I waited the 3 days and checked on it again - STILL NOTHING!!!  I was beyond frustrated so ended up calling our senator and finally the problem was resolved.   The next governmental agency actually process the paperwork the same day they got it to help expedite so that was very nice.

So right now we are all approved on the US side and it is all up to Korea now.  We are just waiting on his exit permit to be approved as the next step.  I am hoping this happens sometime this month but am not holding my breath.  I am still holding on hope for summer travel but things really need to start moving for that to be the case.

Friday we completed out psychological testing which is a new requirement.  What a day!!!  We left the house at 6:30 a.m. to travel an hour and a half for our appointment.  I gave us 30 extra minutes but we were still almost an hour late due to traffic.  The testing went ok.  Better than I expected it to be.  It took about 3 hours.  We wrapped up there and grabbed so lunch and headed off to our travel meeting which I was very fortunate that our agency scheduled on the same day as our Psych. test.  I was able to take one day off and kill two birds with one stone.  That went smoothing then we hit traffic :(  It took us about 5 hours to get home so we didn't roll into the house until almost 8:30 at night.

The good news is it is done.  One more step done and finished towards our little boy.  I have been doing ok with the wait lately, but what I wouldn't give for a new picture.  I bet he has changed so much.  He is almost 11 months old now and my last picture was at 8 months.

I-600 Approved

Today we got notification that our I-600 was approved.  Our I-600 classifies our new little guy as an immediate relative to us to allow him to enter the United Sates become a citizen once his visa is approved in Korea.  Very exciting to get the American side of the paperwork all done and complete.  

Next step this document is sent to Korea and we will hopefully get his exit permit approved in the next month or two then will be submitted to court.

The Roller coaster ride

Our process has been nothing short of a roller coaster ride lately. 

Good news, bad news, good news, bad news! One day we would end the day on a high of good news just to find out bad by morning.

So here is what has happened.  About a month or so ago the news of a tragedy broke (news article).  I was worried right away that there would be a delay or freeze of our adoption but it seemed some people were still getting court dates so we were all hopeful that things were still moving.  Come to find out the Ministry of Health and Welfare in fact did put exit permits on hold.

We were fortunate enough that we got submitted for our exit permit just days before the news of the tragedy broke (otherwise we would be even farther backed up).  It is hard knowing that things are on hold with no idea when things would begin to move again.  

This past Monday the agencies met with the Ministry and we were told things would start moving again.  Court dates followed and so we were hopeful that EPs would begin again to.  Finally today we saw the first EP approved in a very long time.  The people today who were approved were submitted in mid December.  

We are still waiting on news if the courts will require us to get a series of 5 psychological test before we travel or if they will pair it down to just one or two.  I do have an appointment but am hopeful that we will be able to have less test.  I have been told by multiple psychologist when calling around for the test that several of the test they are asking for are very outdated and not used anymore.  It will also be significantly less money if the test are narrowed down.  

So what does this mean for process?  Well it is still hard to know.  The average EP is approved about 2 months after being submitted so we were originally hopeful for around April 20th but we will see what happens after this hold.  I am at least glad things are moving again. 

Once we get EP approval we get submitted to court and then the next step is notification of our court date and we leave for Korea.....It is getting close and we can't wait for our little man to join our family. 

Submitted for Exit Permit

Our week has been a crazy one.  At the end of last week some families were told they would need full battery psychological testing done.  The Korean courts were going to require this before approvals.  We hoped it would not be true as it seemed the list of test they were asking us to have were not easy to find and were very costly but alas early this week we got the email from our agency and ask we get the test done ASAP.

It has been a stressful week.  More money shelled out having trying to find a psychologist and get an appointment and make arrangements for my daycare etc, but it ended AWESOME.

Yesterday I was luck enough to have all the daycare kids head home a little early so I rushed off to the YMCA so I could meet Jeff and Carrot at her swim lessons.  I miss this every week because I am still working.   I got home and checked my e-mail to see if we had gotten an appointment for the test and low and behold there was an e-mail from our agency.

We had been submitted for EP......A MONTH AGO on February 20th.  I couldn't believe it.  We were submitted only 1 month after referral and I had already been waiting for a month for EP approval and we didn't even know it.

This is pretty awesome news.  Generally EP approvals come in about 2 months but things have been a little slow lately.

So what is next for us.  Well we get EP approval and then are submitted to court and then our court date.  It all seems too good to be true.

If things stay on course (which they never do) we should for sure be there in the summer.  Hoping and praying this happens.

Legals Arrived!!!!

Our Legals arrived from Korea today and are being sent off to USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services)

Legals are documents that come from Korea to our U.S. agency that transfer guardianship of our little guy to our U.S. agency.  

We waited about 7 weeks for legals.   The timing seems to vary quite a bit from just a week or two to a few months.  I am glad I can stop stalking my e-mail for a while.

Next we have to wait for our USCIS officer to process our I-600 form.  This form is for non-Hague countries and classifies an orphan that will be adopted by a U.S. citizen as an immediate relative to the petitioner so the child is allowed to enter the United States.

Celebrating first step complete and one step closer to our little guy!

Snow Day!

Yesterday we had a snow day but I ended up with no daycare kids so we had a fun day off and went sledding.  Might be our last time this season....I SURE HOPE SO.

Carrot and daddy in their camo

 John preparing for a snowy ride.

A Jeff and John run

Fun times!!!!  Have to enjoy our big kids activities before our little guys comes.

Yay an updated picture

So happy!!!!!!  We got some update pictures of our little guy yesterday.

Right at 5:00 I got the e-mail.  It was the last thing I was expecting.  There was a note that said the following:

The second care package you sent to XXXX has been received at the XXX and his case worker, Ms K. has passed it on to him and his foster family. According to Ms. K., he enjoyed the lovely photo album you sent and played with it for a long time. She also said that XXXX is doing very well under his foster family’s love and affection. She wanted to thank you for sending the care package and she sent some photos as well (attached).

He is so cute!!!

I feel so very blessed.  He looks so happy and healthy and is getting big so quick.  I can't believe I am missing all this.  His hair has grown so much.

I'm not sure why I got an update.  It is not really the norm for our agency.  I think it just might have happened that a camera was at the right place at the right time but I'll take it.  John on the other hand told me it is probably because they saw our picture with him and they are happy we host a Korean student.....LOL he just might be right.

Modest Size Care Package????

When we received our referral there were instructions on sending a care package to the baby.  The sad part is we were only allowed to send him one package.  How can one possibly fit all the love they want to send for the next several months into one modest size box....you can but I did my best.

Here is the picture of the contents together.

The book below I made a long time ago so it was ready to send when his referral came.  I will post the link to the post I did on the book if interested board book

A few weeks ago Carrot and Banana went to build-a-bear and made a teddy bear to send.  Carrot recorded the words "I love you" in Korean in her voice.

His information said he was getting teeth so we send along a little Elmo toothbrush as well.

I also sent along a buffet of my crochet projects :)

A soft cuddly blanket I finished over the summer for the baby, an infinity scarf and another scarf for both foster mother and her 20 year old daughter.

A box of chocolates for Foster Dad and adult son, a USB port that ask if they take any pictures of our little guy if they would mind saving for us, and some Burt's bees for foster mother.

I had really not intended on putting any clothes with the package since I"m not sure of his size but it was too hard not to pick up a few.  He is 7 months now so I got 9 month onsies and 6-9 month outfits.  Hope he can wear them.

The instructions said we should send a letter to the foster mom so it was AWESOME to have John here to translate my letter for me.  I'm guess the Korean agency would have translated the letter I send but this felt more personal.    The letter is a little long but how do you send a letter to a woman who is loving and caring for your baby without it being long...IMPOSSIBLE.

....and off it went.  

I probably should have waited longer to send the package since we just were able to send that small gallon size ziplock package with a traveling mama but since the scarves and blankets went in the package I figured I needed to send ASAP.

It is hard that this is the last of the stuff I can send....but praying out wait to travel isn't terribly long.

The reality behind my happiness

I walk by our picture of our new little guy several times a day.  I smile and thank God for the beautiful boy He has blessed us with, but for some reason today I walked by an stopped in my tracks.

I grabbed his file to remind myself of some dates and the day this picture was taken was also the same day he was transferred from the baby reception center to his foster mother.

I grab his picture again and stared at him and realize, at that moment this picture was captured he does not know what LOVE feels like.   This is the first day he met his foster mother and until this day he had not known the love of a mother.  He has been cared for and cared for well but the feeling of love is not among his life experiences yet....and my heart began to hurt.

Our referral day was wonderful.   You see the face of your child that you have waited for so long.  There is so much paperwork to do and so many people to share the wonderful news of your new child and show them his beautiful picture the joy over shadows reality.

It hurts to look at the picture and imagine him not knowing love.  He is just sitting there clueless. How blessed those of us are that have never had to point to a period in our lives where we did NOT know the love a family.

I am thankful that my baby now knows the love of a family.  He has had the love of a foster mother for a little over a month now.  I am thankful that he will one day soon know my love FOREVER but wish it didn't have to be this way.

I am so glad God set the lonely in families and that so many who were once labeled an orphan find families and know that love..... but there so so many that never get this chance.

If you have ever been on the fence about growing your family through adoption please consider.  No child should ever have to be sitting in a room and not know the feeling of love....not when there are so many of us who can give it.

.....whatever you did for one of the least of these....you did for me.

First Care Package

On Sunday I received a surprise e-mail from a fellow adoptive mamma who was about to leave for Korea to meet her son.  She new we had just gotten a referral and offered to deliver a package for us.  We are only allowed to send one package but I heard the make exceptions with "mama mail" so Carrot and I quickly made a dash to the stores on Sunday to buy some funeral clothes but also pick up some things for our little guy (I guess I'm going to have to put Carrot on getting a fruit or vegetable name for him for the blog)  :)

If was super fun and has already been sent thanks to a friend who took it to the post office on yet another schools out day so I had no chance of getting there.

We needed to fit it into a gallon size ziplock so this is what we ended up with.  A recordable book from Hallmark that we each took turns reading pages.  We even had John read the opening in Korean that said to the baby it was a gift for him read by Appa, Umma, hyeongie, and Nuna 

(Father, Mother, Brother, and Sister).  We are so super blessed to have John here.  I am not sure if his size so we just got some socks and a hat, teething toys (since he is getting teeth) and some lotion for foster mother.

This weekend the kids are going to build him a bear and record their voices on it and I will send his special blanket and book we made.

Special gift: Part 2

..... Part 2

It was less than 5 minutes from discovering my friend (from our US agency) had pictures when I got a FB instant message from another adoptive mama from in our Korean agency FB group.   

Earlier that evening I had edited a document that listed foster mothers (FM) by name so I added who we had as a foster mother to the list.   She had saw I edited the document and noticed I had the same FM as someone we knew who was in Korea right now meeting her son.   

I was in awe as she was telling me that this other mama had gone to visit my FM during her trip. Our FM was her older daughters former FM.  She was telling me they had gone for a visit and she had met the FM's new baby.  Oh my goodness....THAT IS MY BABY.   Someone else had pictures of my baby and had seen him too....WHAT A DAY!

 Within minutes I connected with this mama and she send me pictures and told me about her visit.  She told me he was such and easy going baby, he sucked his thumb, and the foster family adored him.   

She had the most precious picture where FM and her daughter were hugging  but beside them was our little guy's foster dad and he was kissing his hands.....be still my heart!     In other pictures FM was busy taking pictures with the family and she had our little strapped to her back.  I can't tell you how that made me feel that our little guy is getting this kind of love.   He spent almost the first 6 months of life in the reception center (which is a nice facility) but it is not the love of a family and now he has that.   

In a few months we will take him from this family he has grown to love and it will break his heart.  It breaks my heart to think about that day but I can't even begin to express my gratitude to this family for the love they are giving my boy this very day.....it makes such a difference.

Special gift: Part 1

Sunday we received such a special gift.  I was chatting on-line with a friend of mine from our adoption agency who had just picked up her own sweet girl from Korea.

 I ask her if she had any pictures of the baby reception center while she was there because our little guy was at the reception center from birth until almost the end of December (the baby reception center is where the babies are cared for until a foster mother is available).

She said she did have some and she would look.  They next thing I knew she messaged that she had HIM....oh my goodness....my heart stopped I think.

Within seconds I was looking at his sweet little face at probably around 5 months old in the picture.  It was such a special gift I never thought I would have.  

It is just so amazing how God allows these special little things to work out.  Out of all the nannies in the room our little guys nanny brought him to the window so my friend could snap a picture of a baby who was not even matched with a family yet....and here he was ours and now I have this special gift.

to be continued because the blessing kept on coming........

One of the best days ever!!!!!

We awoke to the sound of the phone ringing and I new it would be the dreaded sound of K. K. voice saying something about a school closing.....Sure enough....FOG.

My heart instantly sunk and I said poor Sarah but still feeling so thankful because it God had not provided her I would not been able to continue with our plans.

Daycare opened at normal time and we rushed out the door as the last kids were coming in for breakfast.

After our two hour drive to our agency I made a quick call to Sarah and everything was fine - Wheew!!!!!

We walked into our agency and in no time were being give a file to look over.  Our director walked out of the room so we could view it in private.  As soon as I saw his sweet face my tears of joy were overflowing.  He was BEAUTIFUL!

We read his file and new instantly he was perfect for our family.  We had been given the blessing of a healthy baby boy!!!

We verbally accepted the referral and made some arrangements to have his file looked over by a adoption pediatric specialist and were on our way to make that 2 hour drive again.

Jeff had the brilliant plan to make the kids and John wait to see his picture until dinner time.

Since we had the blessing of Sarah there already we stopped to have like a bazillion documents notarized so that was done and out of the way then we got home and I had an hour before bus so started the mountain of acceptance paperwork.

Daycare kids came home, little boys got up, we made special ice-cream sundaes (because I was not above bribery that morning for Sarah's sake) and managed to get all the paperwork done but one document before we were off to celebrate with dinner at the Korean BBQ.  Uncle Chuck needed to pick Sarah up that night so he met us there to celebrate with us.

After we ordered we let the kid see his picture.

Carrot and her Man Doo Kook

John and Banana (who had some sort of squid - ewww)

One last picture before Sarah embarks on her voyage to the Mediterranean

Thanks goodness for Staple to make some last minutes copies

home to celebrate with our cake that John bought for us on his way home from school 

(how thoughtful was that)

Truly and AMAZING DAY!!!!

Referral!!!!!!!

WE GOT OUR REFERRAL!!!!

My day was already wonderful!!!!  Sarah was back from the Disney cruise and had come to spend the day with me.  I decided to make it special for the daycare boys and we all went out to
Chick-fil-a so the boys could have some fun on the play area and Sarah and I could chat.

We were about 40 minutes into their play and we were going to go grab out food soon and after eating grab something special to take to Carrot at school for her lunch and a surprise visit.

At 10:40 our chat was interrupted but the sound of my phone quacking.....I held my breath.  All in the matter of seconds my mind was thinking......could this be it..... No probably not I did e-mail a question yesterday.....but she wouldn't call to respond to my email....and I picked up!

After the formalities she said the most beautiful words, "We have good news for you, we a have a baby for you".  I was almost giggling with tears in my eyes at the same time.

I learned we had a boy and he was 6 months old......BE STILL MY HEART!

The call was quick since I needed to call Jeff ASAP to see if he could get home within 30 minutes.  We had over a 2 hour drive and our adoption director needed to go into a meeting at 2:00 so we needed to be there by 1:30.

We rush out of the play area and ordered our food to go and rushed home, but Jeff didn't make it home.  He called at 11:25 that his meeting just go over.  Yes, disappointing but it was hard to be disappointed for long.  I quickly assured myself that this was better since we would have to rush if we went that day.

Sarah who is also one of my daycare substitutes and also works in children was able to spend the night and stay the next morning with my daycare so we could make the 6 hour round trip.

Our adoption has been nothing short of a picture of God's faithfulness in every single detail.  It is always hard to wait but God truly had the timing in his hands.  My other 3 daycare substitutes all have jobs now....and on top of that at 5:30 a.m. we got a call that school was delayed by 2 hours.  God gave us this call when I can hold in my heart for the rest of my life having that awesome moment to share with one of the sweetest people I know and providing a way to keep my daycare open...STRESS FREE.

One of my subs had family with the stomach bug and the other two not only had their jobs but now their children would have been home from school and it would have just not worked out.

TO BE CONTINUED...........

18 months

It has been 18 months and here we are still waiting.  Hoping we are getting close.  I do plan to call our agency today and ask for an update on expected wait times.  I am kind of guessing I already know the answer that they just don't know but hoping they may know something.  

So close yet so far away.

I have been hopeful this week!  The holiday's are over, people are back to a regular work weeks, and we are in fact the family that has been waiting the longest at this point with out agency.  All of these reason have lead me to feel hopeful that maybe this is THE week.   However, January and February are traditionally slow months for referrals and our agency does not go in order for referring families which are all reason to keep my excitement in check that we could in fact still wait another few months and it wouldn't be unheard of for us to wait until almost summer for our referral.  Recently most have waited 18 months for less but there have been those cases in the past where some have waited up to 23 months for a boy referral.  

It's a tough place to be.  Tough and lonely.  Not many understand emotions of this wait unless they have been there.  I am thankful for those around me who have adopted in the past and those I am connected with on-line who have experienced a wait like who truly understand.  

I want to be hopeful and at the same time am scared to let myself get too excited.  4 months will be hard thinking everyday my phone should ring any day now.

I actually think I am handling this wait pretty good.  I have only had one or two moments when tears have come.  I do not walk around sad or feel depressed.  I am blessed beyond measure and am happy and busy throughout the day.  It is just those little moments when the house is quiet or the busy schedule has a break here and there when it gets hard and I get hopeful.

I know I'm on the countdown!  Several have said well only 4 more months that should be easy.  I guess it should really when you think about it but it is an indescribable feeling and even knowing that does not help.  

I have spent 10 years in my heart feeling like this adoption was something I was meant to do and 2 years ago we filled out that application and I have been preparing my heart and mind to love this little child God deemed fit to bless us with.   My heart is ready to be done with waiting.  

I know I'm going to see his sweet face and the wait is just going to get harder and I will have to find room in my heart to deal with that wait.  I know I can do!  

Christmas Day 2

The day after Christmas we headed to my sisters for dinner with my side of the family.  Thankful Sarah has a new camera and snapped tons of pictures or I wouldn't have any from here either. 

Pretty funny

Nice to see most of the nieces and nephews

Carrot opening presents on her HiHi's lap

What could it be????

Aunt Suzannah even had some extra stuff in a box so we could wrap something up for a last minute dinner add on

Uncle Chuck says he doesn't like the little dogs....heee heee

Good pick Carrot....Aunt Suzannah liked the earrings