We Have Our Legal Paperwork!!!

This morning the FedEx driver dropped off our legal documents!!! YIPPEE!!! Now we just need to wait and see how long it is going to take the USCIS to process our form.

This week Micah has off for Spring Break. Today we went to the zoo with some friends and yesterday we went and did some shopping. I took Micah to Build-A-Bear so he could make his little sister a bear. He had so much fun picking out the bear and dressing it up in a little outfit. As you can see it the pictures below he's a minimalist and really didn't accessories the bear all that much. =) Lets hope Amanda can walk into Build-A-Bear and not want to spend a small fortune like her big brother. LOL!!! Micah named the bear he made for Amanda, Angel Baby. Cute, huh?

BABY SHOWER!!!! (and an update too)

This past Saturday I had my first Baby Shower!!! It was given by the wonderful, sweet, godly women I'm so proud to work with in the children's choir at my church. These women are so precious to me, and have been praying for our family throughout this entire process. My friend Linda was the hostess, and her husband through me off when I received an e-vite from him stating he was throwing Linda a 'Surprise Birthday Party' 2 hours after my shower was to end. How the confusion came about is that my shower was going to originally be this upcoming weekend, and Linda never told her husband she had changed the date. Linda had called me one morning and was all excited because she had just mailed out the invitations. Two hours later I get the e-vite from her husband. I had to frantically try and find his cell number to let him know about the scheduled conflict!

What we came up with was to try and have my shower end as early as possible. I had to send out an email to all the guests and let them in on the secret. It was really funny because I was basically telling everyone, "If you plan on coming to my shower, you need to leave by or earlier than 4:30 PM."

On the day of the shower, Linda was so confused because we were orchestrating the shower, instead of her! Everyone had an excuse why they had to leave around 4:00 PM, so we needed to speed things up. I felt so bad because I didn't want her to think that I was not appreciative of her planning such a beautiful shower.

Her surprise party was AWESOME!!! She had no idea! My friends and I all begged her for forgiveness if we had offended her in any way, shape or form. She did mention that we were all kind of in a hurry, and she thought that the shower ended rather early. Linda had called her mom after everyone left and told her, "I think I should of had more games because the shower was over really quick."

Here is a little slide show of pictures from the shower, and Soowan painting Amanda's room. (Yes, we've finally started on her room).



Now for an update......

Let me tell you that this whole process is an absolute roller coaster ride, and it has really taken its toll on me emotionally. Please keep me in your prayers because I feel like I can lose it at any second if we have any more major delays at this point. What has occurred is that our legal documents came back from Korea with errors, a little over three weeks ago. Our agency said they would expedite new documents and hoped they would be back in a timely manner. Apparently our opinion on expediting documents, and Korea's idea on this matter cannot be any more polar opposite then they already are. We were thinking a week maybe two tops! Nope, we're still waiting. Our agency did get an email from Korea today saying they did send the documents to the US on 2/28/07, but I'm holding my breath at this point. I want to have our documents in my hands and know that they have no errors before I start doing the 'happy dance' at this point. We need these legal documents to apply for Amanda to enter into the US. So basically we've been sitting at a stand still as far as getting our little girl home for the last 8 weeks.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE PRAY that these documents that are being sent will have no errors and will be in our hands sometime next week!!! Also, the I-600 form we need to submit to the USCIS can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 8 weeks to be processed. Please pray that it will be approved in a timely manner. Honestly, I don't think I could emotionally handle waiting another 8 weeks for documents to be processed. All we want is to hold our precious little girl, and start a life togehter as a family. It seems so close, yet still so far away. We were hoping she would be home this month, but now reality is sinking in and she will most likely be home in April. Truly adopting is like being pregnant with no due date. I heard someone say this, and it is the best way to describe exactly how I feel at this point!

Thank you all for your prayers!

Update On Us

I thought I would give everyone an update on where we are at in bringing Amanda home. We are currently waiting for our "legals." This is three pieces of information: record of Amanda's birth, a statement that the agency in Korea is the her guardian, and the transfer of that guardianship to our agency, Holt International, here in the US. Once this is all complete then we are required to send in a form called an I-600 to the USCIS. This form is to get approval from our government that we are allowed to adopt Amanda. Then we also need to wait for Amanda's Emigration Permit, which is permission from the Korean government that she is allowed to leave Korea. We can receive the EP at anytime during this process. Our prayer is that Amanda will be home by the end of March.

A little over a week ago we did receive a WBR (well baby report) from our agency. This was a report of Amanda's 2 month check up. Our little girl has already grown so much. The report says she was 10 pounds even, and 21 1/2 inches long on 1/11/07. She is eating 100 cc (about 4 oz.) of formula every 2 1/2 hours. Yikes!!! I feel like she's going to weigh a lot more for her next check up if she continues to eat at that pace. The report also states that her general appearance is 'cute and alert', she smiles spontaneously and is cooing. Her assessment says she is right on target developmentally for a two month old as well. The only thing we did not receive is updated pictures. We are hoping that we will get some new pictures in the mail, or by email soon.

Currently we are busy trying to get the nursery put together. I finally have Amanda's room all cleaned out! This room use to be our guest/catch-all room, and now ready to become a nursery. Amanda's crib and dresser came in last week, but we had to return the dresser because they sent the wrong one. That was a bit frustrating, because it will take another 6-8 weeks for the right dresser to come in. It took Soowan 2 1/2 hours to put the crib together! =) The directions that came with crib were very poorly written, and were rather confusing. The paint finish on the crib came out even better than we expected!!! We have finally agreed on a paint color for the walls (one would think picking out a neutral beige tone would be easy, but it's not). So now we just need to pull out the old base boards, paint the walls, install the new baseboards, crown molding and chair rail, and paint all the trim and closet doors. You would think that we would of had this all done a long time ago, but considering how much the two of us are procrastinators, I'm sure we'll get it all finished the day before Amanda comes home. =)

Here is a new picture of Micah that I just completely adore. It was taken while we were in Houston, on the day our agency called our house and left a message that we have a little GIRL!!! Micah is growing up so fast and is becoming such a wonderful young man. He is very excited to get his little sister home and I'm praying his excitement and zeal will remain once she does come home!!! :0)

FAIQ (Frequently Asked Ignorant Questions) about Adoption

I'm not trying to be mean spirited by posting this, but honestly we have already been asked some of these questions, and they are very offensive. I would never have the nerve to respond this way, but possibly if someone catches me on a 'off' day I just might. Please think before asking an adoptive parent, or even a friend who is adopted any questions such as these.



"Where is his real mother?"
-------------------------
"His what? His 'real' mother ? Oh, yes. So you know. (hushed tone) Most
people aren't aware that I'm made of polyester and other non-natural fibers.
How did you find out?"


"Do you have any children of your own?"
------------------------------------
"No, we just hire this little girl here to act as our daughter on weekends.
You would not believe the contract her agent negotiated."


"Oh, come on, you know what I mean."
-------------------------------------
"I'm sorry, what did you say? Did you say that I know you're mean? Well, I
suppose I do. I must say, I didn't believe it when the other mothers told
me - I prefer to make up my own mind about people - but yes, I guess now I
do know that you are, in fact, mean. Pity."


"Why couldn't you have children of your own?"
--------------------------------------------
"For the same reason you couldn't believe it when your mother told you that
someday, if you kept on asking offensive questions, someone would put their
boot so far up your butt you'd be flossing with shoelaces. It's just one of
life's great mysteries."


"Are you going to tell him that he's adopted?"
--------------------------------------------
"Oh, no. No way. And if he ever asks why he doesn't look like us, we'll tell
him that God gave him the ugly genes. Or we'll tell him that I slept around
with every guy in town and we have no idea who the sperm donor is. Or we'll
tell him to shut up and quit asking so many questions and if he doesn't like
the rules, well, it's off to the orphanage with him. But we'll never say
that he's adopted. No. Not that. Anything but that."


"You two had to adopt? Which one of you is the problem?"
------------------------------------------------------
"You. You're the problem. You and all the other meddlesomeness idiots like you."


"Well, you know what they say - as soon as you adopt, you'll get pregnant!"
------------------------------------------------------------------
"True, they do say that. On the other hand, they also say that people should
think before they speak, and that doesn't always happen either."


"Can you imagine anyone giving up their child?"
--------------------------------------------
"Oh, she didn't give him up - we kidnapped him. And let me tell you, we
thank our lucky stars every single day that we managed to elude the
worldwide man hunt."


"Where is she from?"
-------------------
"Here."
"No, really. Where is she from?"
"No, really. Did you think I didn't understand you the first time?"
"Well, she looks - you know - foreign."
"And you look slower than molasses in January, but you don't see me asking
you where you're from, do you?"


"Does he speak English?"
------------------------
"Yes, but unfortunately for you, he doesn't speak moron."


"Was it just too hard to adopt a Caucasian baby?"
-------------------------------------------
"Oh, we didn't want a Caucasian baby."
"Really? Why not?"
"Because our life's dream was to be asked an endless series of >lobotomy-worthy questions by strangers so cross-eyed with racism that they
could stand in the middle of the week and see both Sundays. And look! Our
dream came true!"


"Do you know his medical history? I've heard lots of horrible stories about
that sort of thing."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Yes, we do. We're particularly thankful that he's not a carrier for the rude gene. That would have been horrible! Can you imagine! Walking up to
people he doesn't even know and asking them intrusive questions about their
personal life! (shudder)."


"Why didn't you adopt an American baby?"
---------------------------------------
"She is an American baby."
"That's not what I mean. With all the children in this country who need good
homes, why would you go overseas to adopt?"
"How many adopted children do you have?"
"None."
"None? Really? Why not?"
"We had children of our own."
"You mean to tell me that with all the children in this country who need
good homes, you selfishly chose to reproduce yourselves and lower the
collective I.Q. of this country seventeen points? How do you live with
yourself?"


"I think it's wonderful that some women can adopt, but I could never love
anyone who wasn't my blood."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Oh, so you married a blood relative? Is that why your kids' eyes are spaced
so close together?"


"How much did she cost?"
------------------------------
"How much did yours cost?"
"Well, I gave birth to my child."
"And how much did that cost?"
"I had medical insurance."
"Did you have a co-pay?"
"Why on earth would you ask such a thing?"
"Good question, you nosy lady."

AMANDA DARLENE

Not flesh of my
flesh,
Not bone of my
bone.
But still
miraculiously my
own.
Never forget
for a single
minute,
You din't grow
under my heart
But in it.
-Fleur Conkling Heylinger


Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.
I will say to the north, `Give them up!' and to the south, `Do not hold them back.'
Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth
Isaiah 43: 5-6

I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him.
1 Samuel 1:27

REFERRAL!!!

FIRST OFF..... HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF YOU!!!!

We received a referral of a beautiful baby girl on Friday, December 29, 2006. Amanda Darlene was born on November 10, 2006, and I must say we are so in love with this little girl. Her name means "worthy of love" or "beloved". We found out the wonderful news while we were driving from Houston to San Antonio. This is a copy of a post that I wrote on an adoption forum that tells the story of how we got the call.


We were in Houston visiting Soowan's brother, wife and daughter from Wednesday - Friday. Well my sister-in-law had her dad's laptop out and I asked if I could use it to check my email, and to also check up on all of you!!! After 3 days I begin to go through withdrawal!!!! When I checked the BB I noticed there had been several referrals and I noticed one family who had a HSTK after us received a referral. So this got me itching wondering if we possibly got a call as well. I talked to Soowan about it and he told me that if we did get our referral, then they would of called us. So I just settled down and closed the lap top and started to pack up our things because we were going to head out to San Antonio. We were going there to ring in the New Year and to celebrate my birthday as well.

So as we were on the road to San Antonio, I just couldn't stay calm. I just knew we had gotten our referral. Then it dawned on me that the only person who had our cell numbers was our social worker not Holt, or LSSS. I didn't call either one to give them our contact # while we were out of town. It did cross my mind before we left, but I thought there was no way we would get our call.

So after trying to call my neighbor to try and get her to go over to our house to check our phone messages, I decided to call 411 and get LSSS number. So when I called I spoke with Konnie and she told me, "Good thing you called, because yes you did get your referral!!!!!" I lost it at that point and began to sob. She said that everything was being FED EX'd to our house. So then I asked her if she knew if we had a girl or a boy and she said "GIRL!!!!" So I sobbed some more and she cried with me. It was so awesome. Soowan almost drove off the highway when I told him we had a baby girl. Micah was just as happy, because he has prayed just about every single night for a sister.

We decided not to return home because our social worker was on vacation as well. Our official referral was on Thursday, that's when the agency left a message for us, but I'm going to consider Friday, December 29th our official referral date!

I'm so happy that we were all 3 together when we received the good news!!! It was also wonderful that we all got to see her pictures at the same time as well. Let me tell you we drove as fast as we could to San Antonio to see her beautiful face.

I am not able to post her picture on a public forum until we have all our legal papers processed. I have emailed out Amanda's picture to everyone that I have a email address to. If I do not have your address, please send it to me if you would like to see her picture.

Amanda is now living outside of Seoul, Korea with a foster family until
she is ready to come home. We pray she will be in our arms in about 2-4
months. There are still many steps that we need to complete to bring
Amanda home. Right now we are filling out all of the legal acceptance
papers, and then we will need to apply for her visa so she can enter the
US. There are several other steps that need to occur as well, so we ask
that you will please keep us in your prayers as we wait for our
daughters homecoming.

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds;
and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
--- Matthew 7:7-8

Thank you all for your continued prayers and support.

Soowan, Nancy and new big brother Micah

Tidings Of Comfort And Joy!

Take a look at this picture!!! To our family it is more than just Christmas cards and Holiday greeting, it represents 'Tidings of Comfort and Joy!' You see, all these sweet cards were sent from families who are either in the process of adopting a child from Korea or have adopted from Korea. I've met all of these wonderful people on an adoption forum I frequent to get information and support. Every family's journey is different and uniquely their own. The majority of the families live in the USA, a few from Canada, one family from Norway and another family from 'down under' Australia. There are even several families who live in Texas. Last February Micah and I were honored to witness one family son's homecoming. It was such an overwhelming experience to watch this family come together. Also when we were vacationing in Hilton Head, SC this past October, by chance we ran into another family from the forum (who were vacationing there as well).

We've enjoyed receiving these cards in the past couple of weeks. Seeing the smiling faces of all these beautiful children gives us HOPE that although our journey may be long, the end results are well worth the wait!!!

Merry Christmas all of my BB friends!!!

'TIS THE SEASON

I haven't posted in a while so I thought I would share what we've been up to. Thanksgiving Day was also my Mom's Birthday!!! We did something a little different this year, we went out to eat for Thanksgiving. Soowan and I didn't want to prepare a feast for just the four of us, it's hard to cook a Thanksgiving meal for such a small amount of people. We knew tons of food would go to waist and we didn't want that to happen. We ended up going to a restaurant downtown called Avanti. They had a nice buffet set up, and the views were gorgeous. Outside of the restaurant there are tons of fountains to view. So we sat there for about 2 hours and stuffed ourselves and returned back home to watch some football and to celebrate my Mom's 65th Birthday!

On "black Friday" we didn't venture out too much. We went to Mardels and got a new Bible, The Message and some CD's they had on sale for only $5 each. Then we went and bought ourselves a Christmas Tree. We went 'fake' this year. There are only two things that cost more out here in Texas than is California, that is Private School and Christmas trees. And for some reason the trees do not last very long at all. So far we are enjoying our 'fake' tree because our pets are not trying to drink out of the water bowl and the dog has not tried to lift his leg on it. I do miss the smell of evergreen so we are going to pick up some live, potted trees to bring inside then plant them after the New Year.

Other than that we've been busy with other activities such as Micah's choir rehearsals, basketball practices, and preparing for his Y-Guides group that are going to be in a local parade tomorrow. BRRRRRRR.... It is going to be freezing Saturday morning. It will be in the high 20's when we get to the parade and it may warm up to the mid 30's by the time the parade ends.

Speaking of it being cold, IT SNOWED YESTERDAY!!! Not a whole lot, but enough to go out and play in. Micah had a blast after school running around, making and throwing snowballs, and playing with the Davis' girls next door. The snow is still on the ground this morning, but will most likely melt this afternoon.

Oh well it was fun while it lasted!