Quick Update

Once again, we had a wonderful Thanksgiving here at our house with family. K cooked a yummy turkey to go along with all the usual sides. We had 13 at our table this year and we really enjoyed ourselves. The star of the day was our new nephew little S. G was so intrigued by him. She followed M and A around and wanted to watch his every move. After dinner, a few of us played Yahtzee while the others watched a movie. It was a great day. So much to be thankful for!!!

Some goings on with the adoption..... Our referral letters were sent out right after our last meeting with our SW. We've heard from all our friends that we choose to be referrals. We are so grateful and thankful to them for filling out the questionnaire and being a part of this journey with us! Thank you!

When we last met with our SW, she mentioned that LL was expecting a few more referrals before the end of the year. I am happy to say, she was correct. Since our last meeting, I know (through emails posted on a LL message board) that a few families have been matched with their children.

It brings such a feeling of joy when I read that another family has a received a referral. I can't help but smile and even tear up thinking about the excitement they must feel....such a blessing for each family.

Homestudy Meeting

We had our final combined interview for our Homestudy with our SW today. We started out the meeting with some questions we had.
Most specifically, we asked her what she thought about the number of EPs (travel documents) that are issued each year and how this will effect future waiting families. EPs or Emigration Permits are issued by the Korean Gov't and gives a child permission to leave the country. Once a family receives a referral they must complete a few other documents and wait for EP before bringing their child home. There are some LL families who received referrals in the first part of 2009 but, will not be able to bring their children home until after the new year. This is because the allotted number of EPs for this year have been given out. I asked her how she thought this "catch up" next year will effect other waiting families. She told me, although, this is unusual, she does think (of course, she can't be certain) that this will work itself out and not significantly increase wait times. I asked her if she thought this would push our time frame out; if it would be more realistic to expect to travel in 2011, rather than late 2010? She told us they are expecting more referrals this year and we shouldn't jump the gun and change our waiting expectations. She asked that we try and be patient and see how the "catch up" works out at the beginning of the year. I did like that answer, it made me feel a little more at ease ;-)....let the process just progress and work itself out.

After we got our questions answered, the meeting seemed to go really well. I think we are more comfortable with our SW and the whole process. The questions and answers seemed to flow easily. She asked about our marriage, our parenting style, our thoughts on birth parent searches, our feelings toward the birth mother, how we do/will discuss adoption in our home.

We also did a quick paperwork review and she thinks we have ALL of our paperwork complete and turned in. Yeah! Next, our SW will come to our home for the final step in the Homestudy process. At this time, she will talk with G and take a look at our home. We are looking forward to completing this final step.
G seems to be doing a great job of understanding adoption (as much as a 4 year old can). The hardest thing for her to understand is the WHEN. WHEN is my little brother coming home? Will it be when I'm in Kindergarten? How come you don't know? It's so interesting to watch a 4 year old try to conceptualize how he is going to get here and where he is coming from. She doesn't seem the least bit concerned with this. She just wants to have her baby brother here to play with, now! I do think she understands more than most people would expect.....and her excitement is just PRICELESS.

Some Answers

Why did we decide to Adopt?

It's where we were lead and it just feels right. Long before we were certain we had IF issues, we researched International programs and countries, and the option of going this route to expand our family. I was always fascinated with the process and loved to hear from families we knew or were acquainted with to see how the process went, how they were adjusting, etc.

Why did we choose Korea?
Like I said, before we made the decision that International adoption was the route we would go; we did a great deal of research on countries and their programs. The Korean program was appealing to us for a number of reasons. In comparison to many other country's programs, the waiting time is quite short. Babies are expected to come home before their first birthday. Babies are cared for in foster homes until they are placed with their forever families. Korea's Health care is excellent and similar to that of the US. Babies are usually referred with good background information and well documented medical records. Korea does not require a lengthy stay in country. Many families make the trip in about 1 week. Families may choose to travel to pick up their child or choose an escort.

More on the questions later. This post might get too long and wordy if I answer them all at once.

Since my last post, we've been quite busy. My first nephew was born on November 4th. Congrats to my brother and his wife! He is so beautiful and precious!
We took our annual, week long, trip to Siesta Key, FL with K's family. We had a wonderful time, as always. Tropical Storm, Ida, got in the way of our sun on a few of the days but, we were still in warm FL and enjoyed spending time with the family.
On Saturday, November 14th, we attended a Parent Education Training at LL. As part of our Homestudy and to be licensed by DCFS to bring an adopted child into our home, we must complete a certain number of training hours. Saturday's training, along with 5 online courses, will complete our hours. During the first part of the training on Saturday, a Pediatric Psychologist gave a presentation. It addressed a wide variety of topics including, child development and behavior management. It was very informative. Our SW gave a brief presentation on how to discuss adoption, the word adoption, and the meaning of adoption with your child as he grows up. My favorite part of the day was hearing from two families who have already brought their children home. K and I loved to watch the two little guys run around and hear about the families' journeys and experiences.

Happy Halloween

What a wonderful Weekend! The constant rain we have been having finally let up a bit on Saturday so the kiddies could get out and trick and treat. You may recall from my post last year that G was anti-"trick or treating". She's a little cautious of masks. Last year she would have nothing do with them. This year she is not so much scared but, likes to keep her distance. She dressed up for school on Friday and had a good time at the classroom party. I was lucky to be a room mom again this year. I just love seeing all the kids dressed up with those big happy smiles on their faces. This year G told us she doesn't like masks but was going to just go with it and "be brave". As you can tell from the pictures, she thoroughly enjoyed filling up that little bucket with candy.

LL Korean Reception

We were invited by LL (our agency) to attend a Korean Reception this past weekend. It was a great experience for all of us. . They had Korean food, a Tae Kwon Do performance, Arts and Crafts that G loved, and games for the kids. The best part of the reception for us was meeting other families. There were families there who have already brought their children home and waiting families, like us, who are in the midst of the process. We were lucky to be introduced by our SW to a family who is at the same point in the process as us. We are looking forward to staying in touch with them and following their journey.

We finished off that great day for our family with the annual bonfire at Mom and E's. I think every year gets better and better. What could be more fun than eating, drinking and spending time with family?
Many of you asked me that night, what the timelines are looking like. I recently asked our SW if 18 months is still the general timeline and she continues to give me the same answer..."We are hoping to get a few more referrals this year". The reason she gives me this answer is there is a "waiting list" and once other families are given their referrals, we move up in the list.

Questions

We have been asked many questions after passing on the exciting news that we are adopting a little boy from Korea ... "Why did you decide to adopt?";"Why did you choose Korea?"; "How does the process work?"; "Why does it take so long?" ; "How could you possibly get a boy, aren't more girls available?"; "How old are the babies?"; "Can you really afford to do something like that?"

For all the other above questions, I'm going to start by posting two links.

These links will help answer some of those questions for now.

New York Times Article
Korean Adoption

I do also intend to get all these questions answered myself in my own words, over time. I am far from a "good blogger" but, I will do my best to get this all out there and explained as times goes on. Thanks to all of you who have been so wonderful to us through all our of experiences in trying to add to our family. It is very comforting to now feel at ease and certain of what the next steps are. Although, there are never true "certainties" with adoption. We know the process is in place and we are slowly moving along. Yes, the wait is going to be long but, if you take a look at the big picture and the blessing at the end; the wait is really okay.

Fall 2009

G started school this year right after labor day. She is in the pre-k academy at her school. The class meets 5 half days a week. So, she is gone M-F from noon until 2:45 (believe me those few hours go very fast). She LOVES Loves Loves school and is disappointed when Saturday rolls around. I am so happy for her but at the same time miss my little little girl.
G's first day of Pre-K.


Back to school also means back to activities. G is taking dance again....which is good cuz the little thing LOVES to dance, just about as much as she loves school. It's a great way to burn off some of that extra energy when the cold sets in and she can't be running around outside. We switched studios this year but, love our choice. It's much closer to home and there are quite a few of Gracie's friends from school there with her.


First day of ballet/tap for the 09-10 year....such a sweet little princess.

This past weekend my cousin D got married. We had the best time at the wedding and reception. We love hanging out with family. D was a beautiful bride and her new hubby is such a sweetheart. We are very happy for them and wish them the best!!!