“Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength.”
Author Unknown
Tonight I am finally excited. I am finally feeling the joy and anticipation of meeting our daughter for the first time, for hearing our phone ring with our travel call, and for getting on that big blue plane heading east. For the most part, the anxiety of the steps of the process are gone. The worries over when this or that will happen or be approved are no more. There is one thing left, and that is for the US Embassy to get a hardcopy of her visa, paste THE picture (that was taken Friday) on it, and call us to come get her. And I know that any time after tomorrow night is fair game for a travel call. It could be as early as Monday morning, or it could be another 7-10 days, but it's coming.
I will get to return to Korea, my daughter's birth country, and revisit the place I fell in love with last year. And even better, we get to become a family of three in the process. I will l be able to finally post her picture here on the blog once we have her in our arms....which I know will be the one thing you all want to see! I will post as soon as I can on our Family Day!!
I hope and pray that the next blog Post is to announce our travel call.....prayers for us for this last portion of the wait!!! It is coming soon!!
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
Embassy Appearance!!!
GREAT news today!!! Emma made her "Embassy Appearance" on 8/27 (technically today, but it was last night while we slept due to the time difference between here and Korea). When the EA, or Embassy Appearance, happens, the Visa Status Hotline operators are able to see a picture of the child on their computers when they search for her case number. I am not 100% sure what the picture is used for, but I do know that the EA is the last step before the child's visa is issued to the agency and the family gets their Travel Call!! The operator told me to call back Monday to see if a date has been set for her Visa to be issued (VI date) and that sometimes it is as soon as 1-2 business days after EA. The Travel Call usually comes somewhere between the day before VI to the day after VI, and sometimes on the day of VI. Oh man....we are hoping and praying this means our call could come next week!!!! We might be in Seoul for Labor Day!!!!!!!
Thank you for the prayers....keep them coming because we are so so so close to our girl. Please pray for her, for her Foster Family, and for her Birth Mother...they are always on my mind and my heart.
AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!! (Can you tell I'm a little happy??)
Thank you for the prayers....keep them coming because we are so so so close to our girl. Please pray for her, for her Foster Family, and for her Birth Mother...they are always on my mind and my heart.
AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!! (Can you tell I'm a little happy??)
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Now on to Emma's suitcase......
There are not enough words to describe the amount of stuff we are trying to fit into these suitcases. Enough said.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Let The Packing Begin!!
Oh boy. Now that we have the "green light" from our social worker to PACK...the fun begins! Having never packed for, or traveled with, a baby...I might be overdoing it but I want to be sure we don't get stuck without anything! We are trying to get away with one check-in each and one carry-on to share between the two of us on the way to Korea. We have a second carry-on packed in our check-in luggage to use on the way back as Emma's diaper bag. Gifts for her Foster Family and the Holt Korea agency staff along with donation items for the agency and children in it's care are filling one suitcase.....which, when emptied and all gifts and donations are given out....will serve to hold our shopping treasures on the way home!!! Space is most definitely at a premium here. Things are shoved in every pocket of every compartment and we are not done yet!!! More pictures will follow as I document packing for our most important trip ever!!! The next couple of weeks are going to be busy for us.....but oh so worth it!
Waiting for that phone to ring....one last time!!
Friday, August 13, 2010
EP approval!!!!
Well, we have answers finally!!!! Our social worker let us know that Emma's EP was approved this week...so, looks like we are 2-4 weeks away from our travel call!!!!! Praise God...knowing is always better than wondering, and although I would have LOVED a travel call this week, I am so joyful that this EP madness is behind us. I have definitely learned to appreciate and celebrate the small things during this adoption process...I hope that continues to be refined, along with my patience, which has grown exponentially. Hang on Emma.....Mommy and Daddy are coming soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Teach Me Something Tuesday...
....is being replaced this week. I can't wrap my brain around anything remotely educational or anything unrelated to our baby girl and what we are waiting on.
After talking to our social worker and letting her know that the EP group that Emma was submitted with had already received approval, I get an email saying that as far as they know, we have NOT been approved. ??? Yet, in the same email, is an explanation that babies are submitted and approved as groups, and they all go in and come out together. Yep, explain that one to me please. She isn't approved, but they approve groups, and the group she was with is approved, but she isn't? Something is not adding up here...and my brain is overloaded and tired trying to figure this out.
All I know is that we are truly getting close. We may be closer than everyone thinks depending on what comes of this EP situation. If we really were approved with the rest of the group, like I am PRAYING we were....we are possibly days away from our call. If we were not approved, but perhaps get approval this week, we are only 2-4 weeks away from our call. Either way, praise God we are almost there. It is always the last few feet of the race that are the hardest. Out of breath, with aching legs and that nagging "side stitch" cramp, you can see the finish line but can't imagine getting there. You wonder what it will feel like to cross it and actually get to the other side. To sit down. To get water to drink. That is where I am right now. I am staring at a half-packed suitcase and a silent phone, willing it to ring and bring me the news. I am staring at a picture of a baby girl who is on the "other side" of our finish line. I am out of patience with an aching heart and a nagging feeling of desperation. I can't imagine my phone will ever ring, that I will ever zip that suitcase and roll it out the front door, or that I will ever be preparing to board a plane bound for South Korea. I can't imagine the feeling of leaving our house for the last time as two....and coming home as three.
As I truly do head for the final stretch...please pray that I find grace and strength to wait just a little bit longer and do so with some (small) shred of dignity. Pray that our EP approval is found, and that it is more like days instead of weeks. Pray that Emma stays healthy and happy while with her Foster Family for the last few weeks of their time together.
Most of all, pray that I hold it together and don't board a plane for Seoul and sleep in a box on the street outside of the agency until they call and tell me she is ready. I wouldn't put it past me at this point. :)
After talking to our social worker and letting her know that the EP group that Emma was submitted with had already received approval, I get an email saying that as far as they know, we have NOT been approved. ??? Yet, in the same email, is an explanation that babies are submitted and approved as groups, and they all go in and come out together. Yep, explain that one to me please. She isn't approved, but they approve groups, and the group she was with is approved, but she isn't? Something is not adding up here...and my brain is overloaded and tired trying to figure this out.
All I know is that we are truly getting close. We may be closer than everyone thinks depending on what comes of this EP situation. If we really were approved with the rest of the group, like I am PRAYING we were....we are possibly days away from our call. If we were not approved, but perhaps get approval this week, we are only 2-4 weeks away from our call. Either way, praise God we are almost there. It is always the last few feet of the race that are the hardest. Out of breath, with aching legs and that nagging "side stitch" cramp, you can see the finish line but can't imagine getting there. You wonder what it will feel like to cross it and actually get to the other side. To sit down. To get water to drink. That is where I am right now. I am staring at a half-packed suitcase and a silent phone, willing it to ring and bring me the news. I am staring at a picture of a baby girl who is on the "other side" of our finish line. I am out of patience with an aching heart and a nagging feeling of desperation. I can't imagine my phone will ever ring, that I will ever zip that suitcase and roll it out the front door, or that I will ever be preparing to board a plane bound for South Korea. I can't imagine the feeling of leaving our house for the last time as two....and coming home as three.
As I truly do head for the final stretch...please pray that I find grace and strength to wait just a little bit longer and do so with some (small) shred of dignity. Pray that our EP approval is found, and that it is more like days instead of weeks. Pray that Emma stays healthy and happy while with her Foster Family for the last few weeks of their time together.
Most of all, pray that I hold it together and don't board a plane for Seoul and sleep in a box on the street outside of the agency until they call and tell me she is ready. I wouldn't put it past me at this point. :)
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Say It With Me Saturday!
Okay!! Here we go with another Korean lesson! There are a few common phrases and greetings essential to the Korean language. They are how to say hello/how are you, thank you, excuse me, and goodbye.
"Hello/How Are You" in Korean is 안녕하세요
It is pronounced "ahn-neeyong-ha-say-oh" and is used to say hello, how are you, good morning, good afternoon, and is the typical greeting you will hear.
"Thank you" in Korean is 감사합니다
It is pronounced "kam-sa-ham-ni-da" and is the most popular way of thanking someone for something.
"Excuse Me" or "I'm sorry" in Korean is 미안합니다
It is pronounced "mee-ahn-ham-ni-da" and is used to apologize for things like interrupting someone, bumping into someone, or trying to pass someone-like in a crowded store.
"Goodbye" in Korean is usually 안녕히 가세요
It is pronounced "ahn-neeyong-hee ka-seh-yo" and is a common way to say goodbye or see you later.
Thanks for tuning in!!! Praying for an update on our progress to come next week...
"Hello/How Are You" in Korean is 안녕하세요
It is pronounced "ahn-neeyong-ha-say-oh" and is used to say hello, how are you, good morning, good afternoon, and is the typical greeting you will hear.
"Thank you" in Korean is 감사합니다
It is pronounced "kam-sa-ham-ni-da" and is the most popular way of thanking someone for something.
"Excuse Me" or "I'm sorry" in Korean is 미안합니다
It is pronounced "mee-ahn-ham-ni-da" and is used to apologize for things like interrupting someone, bumping into someone, or trying to pass someone-like in a crowded store.
"Goodbye" in Korean is usually 안녕히 가세요
It is pronounced "ahn-neeyong-hee ka-seh-yo" and is a common way to say goodbye or see you later.
Thanks for tuning in!!! Praying for an update on our progress to come next week...
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Teach Me Something Tuesday...Sort Of
Last week, Teach Me Something Tuesday was about adoption in South Korea. Today it has come to light that there is progress being made towards adoption of North Korean orphans and child refugees that have made their way into neighboring countries. These children look so much like Emma and all of the beautiful children born in South Korea, that it breaks my heart to see them in such need. I do have to say I am proud that our own Mary Landrieu of Louisiana is a co-sponsor of a new government bill that would allow for the adoption of these children.
It hurts so much to know that there are so many babies and children in need in North Korea, but no current way to help them or reach out and adopt them. The US government has proposed a bill to allow adoption of these child refugees into our homes in the United States. Take a few minutes to watch the video, sign the petition and forward the letter on to your US Senator and US Representative. These children need us so badly....
Start a Petition »
It hurts so much to know that there are so many babies and children in need in North Korea, but no current way to help them or reach out and adopt them. The US government has proposed a bill to allow adoption of these child refugees into our homes in the United States. Take a few minutes to watch the video, sign the petition and forward the letter on to your US Senator and US Representative. These children need us so badly....
Start a Petition »
Monday, August 2, 2010
Where I am right now...
I am in a good place right now. I am at peace, more than ever, knowing that we are moving forward and will likely see our beautiful daughter's face by the end of August. I am happy and excited at the thought of seeing her and holding her for the first time. I am happy and a little bit proud of myself at how I have (mostly) handled the ups and downs of this process. I had hard days, bad days, and rough days, and that is not to say there are not more ahead. I cried a few times out of frustration and disappointment. I let out a few rants on my blog, on facebook, and on the internet forums that I frequent to find support. And support was always there. I prayed daily, sometimes what felt like all day, for God to sustain me and sometimes for Him to carry me. And He did. And He does still.
I will be able to tell my daughter that I fought for her, and fought a good fight. I will be able to tell her that I grew as a person and as her mother during the journey to her. She will never, ever doubt that she is loved and that she was and is wanted. I have been so caught up in what we are gaining as a family and what I have gained personally during this process....we are gaining a daughter, a family, a new life. I have gained a new relationship with God. I have gained a new and deeper relationship with my husband as we bond over our growing family and our joys, anxieties, and plans. I have gained a new, special relationship with my parents as they prepare to meet their first grandchild. How special that is to watch my Mom and Dad be so joyful over this baby!!
What I haven't considered until now is what my daughter will be losing. I do not talk about this often, because the standard reply from most people is "how is she losing anything, she is getting a family". Adoption is born out of loss. The loss of a birth child by a birth mother who carried her for 9 months, only to leave the hospital alone. My daughter will have lost so much by her first birthday. She is losing her first two mothers, first her birth mother and now her foster mother. She does not know I am coming for her. She does not know I am her "real mother" yet. In her world, her foster mother is who she seeks out for comfort and security. She is losing her birth culture and language. Though I plan to teach her about Korea, take her back to visit, and incorporate Korean traditions in to her life, I cannot produce a life identical to what she would have lived had she stayed in Korea. Nor do I wish to, as she begins a new life here, but I do want to honor her culture and identity. She is losing a country, her birth country. We are all so "proud to be an American" but sometimes lose sight of the fact that other countries are proud to be Korean, or Chinese, or Ethiopian. She is losing the country whose people are so proud of their heritage. I hope to instill a sense of pride in her, not only as an American but as a Korean.
Yes she is gaining a new life and a family. But she is not the lucky one....we are the lucky ones. :) Please pray for our transition to a family of three, as our daughter experiences the grief that will inevitably come from being separated from her foster mother. It will pass in time, but until then pray for our peace and strength as she learns to love us.
I will be able to tell my daughter that I fought for her, and fought a good fight. I will be able to tell her that I grew as a person and as her mother during the journey to her. She will never, ever doubt that she is loved and that she was and is wanted. I have been so caught up in what we are gaining as a family and what I have gained personally during this process....we are gaining a daughter, a family, a new life. I have gained a new relationship with God. I have gained a new and deeper relationship with my husband as we bond over our growing family and our joys, anxieties, and plans. I have gained a new, special relationship with my parents as they prepare to meet their first grandchild. How special that is to watch my Mom and Dad be so joyful over this baby!!
What I haven't considered until now is what my daughter will be losing. I do not talk about this often, because the standard reply from most people is "how is she losing anything, she is getting a family". Adoption is born out of loss. The loss of a birth child by a birth mother who carried her for 9 months, only to leave the hospital alone. My daughter will have lost so much by her first birthday. She is losing her first two mothers, first her birth mother and now her foster mother. She does not know I am coming for her. She does not know I am her "real mother" yet. In her world, her foster mother is who she seeks out for comfort and security. She is losing her birth culture and language. Though I plan to teach her about Korea, take her back to visit, and incorporate Korean traditions in to her life, I cannot produce a life identical to what she would have lived had she stayed in Korea. Nor do I wish to, as she begins a new life here, but I do want to honor her culture and identity. She is losing a country, her birth country. We are all so "proud to be an American" but sometimes lose sight of the fact that other countries are proud to be Korean, or Chinese, or Ethiopian. She is losing the country whose people are so proud of their heritage. I hope to instill a sense of pride in her, not only as an American but as a Korean.
Yes she is gaining a new life and a family. But she is not the lucky one....we are the lucky ones. :) Please pray for our transition to a family of three, as our daughter experiences the grief that will inevitably come from being separated from her foster mother. It will pass in time, but until then pray for our peace and strength as she learns to love us.
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