TRAVEL CALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

At 1:14pm we received the call we've been waiting for!!!! Travel Call!!!! I ended work today so I went in for half a day and was home by lunch time and we were worried because we couldn't find out about Jae-min's visa. So, I emailed our agency and got a message right back. She asked if I was home because she needed to talk. My heart hit my toes and the next thing I knew the phone was ringing. She said you're approved go get that beautiful baby!!!!!!!!!!!!! I of course started crying and then the afternoon turned into a whirlwind. We have a tentative plan to leave next Thurs and return on Thurs the 12th. We have to get approval first before we can book any tickets. Oh my by this time next week we could be flying to meet our son!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I still am in total shock!!!! Is all this really happening? We've waited so long and the timing is absolutely perfect. All my tears shed have been so worth this feeling on this day. We have dreamed of the day our travel call would come and this is it. It was truly meant to be!!!!! There is a song by Rascal Flatts that I have relied on throughout our wait and its a fun day to share some of the lyrics. I think it sums up how we're feeling today. Its entitled Here:

And I wouldn't change a thing
I'd walk right back through the rain
Back to every broken heart
On the day that it was broken

And I'd relive all the years
And be thankful for the tears
I've cried with every stumble step
That led to you and got me here

It's amazin' what I let my heart go through
To get me where it got me
In this moment here with you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I would relive this entire journey all over again for this feeling on this day!! And I wouldn't change a thing. Every tear, every worry, every hope, every joy was supposed to happen to be right here today. To feel this amazing feeling and know we are days away from Jae-min!!! It has all been worth it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

VISA INTERVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We found out today that Jae-min has his visa interview scheduled for tomorrow at 1pm!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If no glitches happen he should be issued a visa sometime in the middle of the night here and then all we'll be waiting for is travel call!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh. I have had a very difficult few days and I just started crying (again) when Joe called me today after finding out this news. I stare at Jae-min's picture a thousand times a day and know every inch of his sweet little face. When will travel call come? We still don't have a clue but we think (and hope) very very very soooooon. I can't stop shaking. All of our dreams are finally coming true.

It Must Be The Adoption Hormones

First we would like to thank those that called or emailed to offer words of encouragement after my mini meltdown on Friday. This wait suddenly became so hard and it really didn't get any better over the weekend. We tried to keep ourselves busy shopping for gifts for Jae-min's foster family and for all those that have loved and cared for him in Korea. We had fun and we even found a few outfits for little Jae-min. I've been knitting Jae-min's blanket like crazy this weekend as it has made me feel close to him. Amidst all this business something strange kept happening. When I least expected I would realize that I had tears streaming down my face and I could not stop. They would come without warning at the most inconvenient times. Joe has begun to call me waterworks and laughs now when he looks over and my face is covered in fresh tears. They only last a moment and then I'm ok again. I guess it's the adoption hormones talking!!! They're saying enough already, bring that baby home.
I would like to say a special thank you to all my adoption blogger friends who completely understand how incrediably difficult this wait is. I find strength in knowing that you get it. You get how we carry these children in our hearts and love them already even though we have never met. So to you I say thanks and looking forward to the day when we all have our babies home!!!!!!!!!!!

I Want Off This Roller Coaster...................

Now!!!!!! I have been riding this roller coaster for 2 years now and I want off. I am done. Someone please stop this ride, please put on the brakes, and let me off!!!! I think I'm finally at the end of my rope. It's been a very emotional few days here. Happiness mixed with sadness. We have become very friendly with two other families from our agency who received referrals the same time as us. We've been traveling the last leg of this journey together until now. They both got their VI's yesterday and their travel calls came in today. I'm beyond excited for them. When they called with news I started to cry with happiness and sadness. Their wait is finally over!!!! Yet I can't stop crying because our little Jae-min is still in Korea waiting for his silly visa to be issued. I know I shouldn't complain as the wait so far has been so short, its just I need my baby home now. Like yesterday.
You may ask how can you come so far and lose it now? I don't know. I think deep down I know we're nearing the end and it can't get here fast enough. So get me off this roller coaster and let our phone ring. We so wanted to be in Korea at the same time as these families. Our patience is starting to wear alittle thin.

I Wish For You A Beautiful Life....

As each day brings us closer to our sweet Jae-min I have found myself thinking of his birthmom (and dad) alot lately. I keep thinking of the courage and strength it took for them to make such a difficult decision and create an adoption plan for Jae-min. I keep thinking of the heartbreak they felt and probably still feel. I feel almost guilty that in my purest joy was someone else's biggest hearbreak. Adoption is funny that way. There has to be immense sadness to give another immense joy. As adoptive parents, we think it's important to always remember this and to feel some of the birth families pain. We need to convey this message on to Jae-min, that he was so loved and wanted by everyone. It bothers us when people say that Jae-min's birthfamily "gave him up". On the contrary, they choose life and sought out a beautiful life for him. Never did they give up. They worked hard and probably wonder and worry everyday about him.
If we could say anything to them we would want them to know how very much we longed for this child and thank you. Thank you for being brave and loving OUR son so much. That's right, Jae-min will forever belong to his birthfamily just as much as he belongs to us, his adoptive family. Without them, there would be no us.
I just finished reading a book entitled I wish for you a beautiful life. It's a compilation of letters from birthmoms to their children after making an adoption plan. It was so moving and insightful to hear these woman's perspective. The decision was never easy and they feel heartbroken for always.
I also wish for Jae-min to have a beautiful life. I wish for him to know how much his birthmom loved him and how much I loved him too before we all even knew him. I wish I could tell her he'll be so loved from Korea and the USA. She will always hold a special place in my heart. Because without her, my dreams could not come true!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We've Been Having Lots Of Fun.....

Waiting for our travel call!!!!!! This weekend we celebrated our last childless vacation by taking a short weekend trip to a Bed and Breakfast. We had a relaxing time and really enjoyed the atmosphere of quiet and romantic. Happy Valentines Day!!!! It was perfect as I got to spend it with the one I love and stare at the pictures of my other love.
We've been busy around here preparing for Jae-min's arrival. We've done a few loads of little itty bitty laundry and of course lost our first itty bitty little sock. Have no fear, Joe retrieved it and came upstairs with both socks affixed to his ears. Never a dull moment!!!
We've done alittle shopping here and there and Joe found this baseball hat which he just had to buy for Jae-min. I think we're going to have a mini me on our hands!!!

We also tried our hand at making Bulgogi last week in the crockpot. It is marinated beef which we served with rice and veggies. It was very good and very easy. Yummo!!!

So, we'll continue to enjoy our time together as we prepare for our little bundle of joy. Who knew folding little laundry could be so much fun? Every little piece I had to hold up to Joe and squeal over. We can't wait to enjoy all these mundane activities with little Jae-min!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh, soon, very very soon.

8 Months Old!!!!

Today Jae-min turns 8 months old!!!! We found ourselves thinking of him often today (as we do most everyday). 8 months isn't a long time in the grand scheme of things but it's a long time when you're talking about your baby and all of the new things he's doing. I actually see twins on my caseload who are the same age as Jae-min and were also preemies so it's so fun to visit and work with them. It's fun to get the practice Haha
Tonight we made silly heart cookies to celebrate Jae-min. The faces on the cookies made us smile!!!! We'll go to bed tonight thinking of our little one half a world away and know he's safe, happy, and getting ready to join his forever family. Happy 8 months little buddy. We'll see you soon.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Elusive No More!!!!!

Yesterday we had said we received P3 but were still waiting for the EP which can take awhile to get. Guess what????? We got an email tonight and EP was issued on 1/30/09!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh, we are so happy. Ask, wish, and you shall receive!!!! Now Jae-min will get a passport, a visa medical exam, and an entrance visa will be issued so that we can bring that little bundle into the good old USA. These are referred to as VI. Our agency will not be notified when this is happening so the next news they'll receive is TRAVEL CALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How close do you think we are? We really still have no idea, but boy do we feel it's pretty close. It still can take awhile but I feel so much better about the news of EP.
We're really going to be his parents? We're really going to fly to Korea and have the experience of a lifetime? We're really going to welcome this adorable boy home as OUR SON? Oh, I'm crying here. One more tiny step thats between us and sweet Jae-min!!! After all this time, heartbreak, and worry it boils down to one tiny step. Truly amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Inching Our Way Closer.....

to our sweet Jae-min!!!!! Today I called a number in DC to check on our adoption case status. It appears that the embassy sent our packet 3 (P3) to Holt (our adoption agency in Korea). This is another step needed to happen before Jae-min is ready to travel. Now our agency in Korea will get all his necessary documents together and send them back to the embassy. They will then schedule a visa interview (VI) and make sure Jae-min is healthy to travel and then issue his visa.
We are still waiting for the elusive EP (emmigration permit) which we don't think we have yet. These are issued in Korea in batches every few weeks to a month. We're hoping this one little step doesn't hold anything up as everything is moving along so nicely so far. It's all planned out and we know we have no control. It's just nice to see movement and it feels encouraging when we know things are getting done. Oh, and it feels good to know that someone in Korea knows about our paperwork and is working on it.
So, good thoughts that the last two steps VI and EP come quickly, because we're waiting for the best one of all TC (TRAVEL CALL)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We're coming Jae-min.

Progress Report

When we got home from work today we had an email from our agency with a progress report for Jae-min. This is similar to a well baby check, just alittle more in depth. Let me just tell you, everything we read made us so so excited. He's doing so wonderfully!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It gave us info on his sleep schedule, his feeding schedule, and more on his development.
I'll admit to something that had me alittle worried before. As I'm sure you've noticed Jae-min was never smiling in his pictures. With my background I pick every picture apart as well as every well baby check. I was secretly worried about his serious face for awhile now. But, no more. Numerous times throughout his progress report it says "HUGE SMILE, LOOKS HAPPY, GIVES HUGE BEAUTIFUL SMILES" Yahoo. It goes on to say he is very interactive with his foster family, likes to play with them as well as plays independently. They also say he is EASYGOING Yes, yes, yes. I always thought we would have to put a little silly into him, but I guess he's just waiting to show us that toothless grin until we meet him!!!!!!
This report was so awesome. He is certainly perfect and my fears and worries are melted away. Oh and it says he's shy around strangers and stares at them. Uh oh
Please pray that Jae-min continues to do well. Pray that his heart is preparing to leave his foster mom (which he vocalizes omma it says) and pray that his heart will know us when we arrive. Please pray that our paperwork continues to move along without a hitch. Lastly please pray that we are the best mom and dad to this little guy. He sure sounds pretty special. We are completely and totally in love.

Keeping It Warm.....

until Jae-min comes home!!! This weekend Joe and I put Jae-min's crib together and put all the rest of the furniture in his room. Yikes, so at our house we have a room dedicated to a baby!!!! It was so surreal as we put the crib in place, then the dresser, the chair and ottoman, and lastly the rug. On Friday night we put up the border.....dogs. The room looks absolutely adorable and peaceful. I have found myself in there often just looking around and soaking it all in. We have registered for all the other stuff like bedding, curtains, decorations, and everything else baby so we'll wait and finish the room then. This room has been empty for so long and it's truly unbelievable that a little person will soon be living in it. We added the finishing touch to the picture.... a framed picture of Jae-min and his Omma. Fitting, don't you think?
Of course we had to try Martin out in the crib. We have found him in there laying on the rug and keeping it warm. We can't wait for our little one to come home and begin the new chapter of our lives together. Crib up, room together, check check. Baby.......well we're still waiting!!!!! Hope you like it Jae-min......

Martin will keep it warm until you come home!!!!!!!!!!!!