Good Day

This is a picture of Arie taken by a friend of mine while he was at Eastern. I know you can't see him well, but a little peak is fine by me :)
Lots of little positive things happened today. I found the receipt for the candles. Good. I spent the day shopping for more gifts. The mall is having HUGE sales, so I got lots of good things at like 75% off! YEAH! The acceptance documents were received by the agency today. She said unless there is a problem, they will be sent to Korea by DHL tomorrow. I should hear from the SW once they are sent. It's good to know that things are moving along. I also sent out a box of gifts to the foster-mom and some things for Arie. It cost $26 shipping the SLOW way, $50 the fast way. We opted to save the money, so hopefully the box will make it to Korea before we do! It was so fun shopping for him, but it doesn't really feel like I'm shopping for my own child... yet. My favorite thing that I sent him was this SUPER soft (like chenille) blanket with a "silkie" edge. I just love it! I hope he comes home with it. Obviously I'm not going to ask for it back while we're there, but hopefully we will get it back. I started working on the packing list last night. I have no idea how we are going to make it through the airport with our luggage... in fact we need to buy more luggage. We SOOO don't have enough!

All this shopping has worn me out. If you know me, you know I have hip problems, and they are killing me. I know I sound like an old woman right now, but really I'm only 20-10... (if your confused, 20-10 is the number that comes after 29.) Good night! Oh, forgot to mention, Micah has surgery on Monday (July 3rd)for his ears. I can't wait for him to be my happy boy again!!!

We're Pleased to Introduce Arie

Here is a picture of our beautiful boy! We think he's adorable with his big brown eyes! We decided on the name Arie (pronounced r-ee) after I was driving to meet Ben and saw a sign for a place called Arleigh. That made me think of a family friend named Arie. My parents and I met Arie, and his family (Adri and Adri his parents, Arietta his wife, and Tim their son) while living in Germany years ago. They are from Holland, and they are wonderful people. They have stayed very close to my family throughout the years. The name "Arie" is Scandinavian and means "Lion".On June 26th we were FINALLY able to send our acceptance paperwork back to the adoption agency. Once they receive it, they will forward it on to Eastern Social Welfare Society (the Korean agency that our baby is with). Once Eastern receives it, they will start processing the paperwork for Arie, and start on his exit visa papers, etc. Hopefully everything will go smoothly from here on out.I'm sure many of you are wondering what happens if the birth-mom changes her mind. Well, she is allowed to change her mind and re-claim Arie up to when we board the airplane! It doesn't happen often, and we don't anticipate it happening, but obviously it's something we have to think about. We know that whatever happens, it is God's plan. We would be heart broken, but at the same time, happy to know that Arie would grow up in the country of his birth surrounded by Korean people and their wonderful culture.Another question that we have been asked a lot is "Why did his birth-mother choose adoption for him?". We have decided to tell only Arie that information when he is old enough to understand it. It's his story to know and to share when he's ready. Generally speaking, however, most children are placed for adoption because their birth parents are not able to care for them for either financial/emotional/social issues. In Korea, it's not acceptable to have a child out of wed-lock. The families of these children are shunned as are the children. They are still very "old-fashioned" in there way of thinking when it comes to this subject.We will keep you updated with news! WE'RE IN LOVE!!!

ARGH...

Well, "Blogger" wont let me post pictures! I am FINALLY allowed (per our agency)to post pictures of our boy and now this stupid site wont let me! Hopefully tomorrow will bring a *fixed* system!

We're pleased to introduce "Arie"!!!

Here is a picture of our beautiful boy! We think he's adorable with his big brown eyes! We decided on the name Arie (pronounced r-ee) after I was driving to meet Ben and saw a sign for a place called Arleigh. That made me think of a family friend named Arie. My parents and I met Arie, and his family (Adri, Adri, Arietta, and Tim) while living in Germany years ago. They are from Holland, and they are wonderful people. They have stayed very close to my family throughout the years. The name "Arie" is Scandinavian and means "Lion".

Today we were FINALLY able to send our acceptance paperwork back to the adoption agency. Once they receive it, they will forward it on to Eastern Social Welfare Society (the Korean agency that our baby is with). Once Eastern receives it, they will start processing the paperwork for Arie, and start on his exit visa papers, etc. Hopefully everything will go smoothly from here on out.

I'm sure many of you are wondering what happens if the birth-mom changes her mind. Well, she is allowed to change her mind and re-claim Arie up to when we board the airplane! It doesn't happen often, and we don't anticipate it happening, but obviously it's something we have to think about. We know that whatever happens, it is God's plan. We would be heart broken, but at the same time, happy to know that Arie would grow up in the country of his birth surrounded by Korean people and their wonderful culture.

Another question that we have been asked a lot is "Why did his birth-mother choose adoption for him?". We have decided to tell only Arie that information when he is old enough to understand it. It's his story to know and to share when he's ready. Generally speaking, however, most children are placed for adoption because their birth parents are not able to care for them for either financial/emotional/social issues. In Korea, it's not acceptable to have a child out of wed-lock. The families of these children are shunned as are the children.
They are still very "old-fashioned" in there way of thinking when it comes to this subject.

We will keep you updated with news! WE'RE IN LOVE!!!

Funny Comment From Elaine

While driving in the car today I was telling Elaine that when we go to Korea she isn't coming because she is so young. I went on to tell her that when she is older, we will take her and her brothers back to Korea so Seong-Jin can see where he came from. She looked at me (worried) and said very seriously... "Are we going to return him???"

Paperwork

I'm sorry that I haven't written on here since last Thursday... I just found my way out of the gigantic mind-blowing stack of paperwork we have to do! Wow. Let's just put it this way, thank GOD my bank notarizes for free, because we need then to notarize 24 different documents! I finally framed the baby's picture and put it NEXT to the mind-blowing stack from hell just to remind me what I'm working toward. Of course Ben is getting off easy. He's gone until Monday, so I'm doing EVERYTHING so that when he comes home he will only need to autograph all of the 'already filled out' pages. It's all worth it though.

Tonight I told Elaine the story of how our new baby has made his way into our family. She was sad for the birth-mother, but happy that "we" would "be his mom" as she put it.

I promise I will post his picture on here as soon as I can. We aren't allowed to until all the papers are sent to the agency. We also haven't OFFICIALLY picked his name... we have about 95% agreed upon it, but I just want to glance over the baby name books a few more times.

WE GOT OUR REFERRAL!!!!!!!

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! YIPEE!!! Today at 5:23 pm the agency called with our referral!!! It's a BOY! He was born in May (not posting his actual birthday because im on the 'net), and weighed 5 lbs 6 oz at birth. He is healthy and strong! I just saw his picture... he has HUGE cheeks and long feet and is SUPER CUTE!!! The FEDEX man will be bringing all of his information about his birth family, foster family, medical history, and most important... MORE PICTURES!!! Unfortunately I can't post his picture until we have "officially accepted" his referral. If you'll remember, Ben is away for 2 weeks playing Army, so we're in a bit of a bind. We can't get all of this paperwork notarized while he's away, and we can't "accept" the referral until we send in all the notarized paperwork....UGH! You should see how much paperwork there is. I went through almost a whole ink cartirage and a small tree printing it all out. Poor tree.

If you know me personally, however, I will be sending an e-mail out with his pictures. We have so much work to do now... so much for sitting back and waiting. LOOK OUT KOREA HERE WE COME!!!

An Update from our Agency

We received a newsletter from A.S.I.A. (our agency). In the newsletter, it stated that there are 8 families waiting for Korean referrals. I know for a fact that there are AT LEAST 2 families behind us, so that means we are #6 or higher! Here's the better part... last month they gave out 7 referrals. Our agency typically gets "batches" of referrals at a time, so hopefully, we will get our referral when A.S.I.A. gets their next batch!!! YEAH YEAH YEAH! Plus, the Magic 8 Ball has said that June's the month 10 times in a row! I'm scared to ask again. OH... AND my birthday is on Sunday/ Fathers Day (my 30th... ugh), so HOPEFULLY I will get a gift in the form of a phone call from A.S.I.A.! That would be fabulous.

Well, Micah woke up this morning with a 103 degree fever. I'm praying that it's not his ears again. I guess we'll wait and see what the next day or two bring. Ben is gone with the Army for 2 weeks, so I'm going to have LOTS of fun with my sick boy :(

Now... RING PHONE RING!!!!

Our Second Opinion

Today was Micah's second opinion appointment. The doctor said that, yes, Micah needs tubes. No need to wait any longer. As was stated by his primary doctor, the fluid is trapped in his ear new since his eustacian tubes are closed. Tubes are the only way to get it out. We should find out when his surgery is going to be on Monday.

In the corner are pictures of my new carrier. It's called a Mei-Tai. It's GREAT! Micah is actually easier to carry on the fron tthan the back, but we were giving the back a try. With this carrier you can carry the baby on the front, back or side. We got it because most babies in Korea are carried on their mothers (or foster mothers in our cas) backs in a "podaegi". It makes for a smoother transition when we are bringing the baby home. Of course... we don't actually have a baby to bring home yet, but the magic 8 ball DID say June!!!

Micah's ears... what a nightmare. So we went to the doctor on Monday. We didn't get a doctor however, we got a "P.A." (physicians assistant). I was in the bathroom when she went in to see Micah, but Ben was with Micah. When I got back... there was the PA. She was a HOT BLONDE with a dress so short that I actually saw her underwear when she sat down. Ben's eyes were bugging out of his head. I was trying SOOO hard not to laugh. Anyway,at first glance she said that "yes, Micah needs tubes". She sent us over to have his hearing tested and his eardrum functions tested. His hearing was fine, and although his eardrum function was lower than normal, it wasn't awful. She decides to "wait another month and re-evaluate" since the tests weren't bad. Now I'm pissed. Are you telling me that after 4 months of no change you want to wait ANOTHER MONTH??? Micah is LITERALLY banging on his head during the day! Ben was fine with her answer (of course he would have been fine if she had told us Micah had gone deaf after staring at that woman for an hour!) I'm going for a second opinion. After all, you know what they say about blondes.

Flap-jacks anyone?

Holy Crap... I know this blog is supposed to be about our adoption, but I had my mamogram today. See those pancakes??? That's all I've got to say about it. Use your imagination.

Still no news about a referral. I got a 3 line note from our SW, and I've read it like 6 times looking for "clues". Pathetic! I'm sure she has told me everything she knows. Although Ben guessed the sex of both of our kids, he's not willing to guess with this one. He said he hasn't had a "vision" yet. (eyes roll). I have to give it to him though, I was the one CARRYING both kids inside of my body and I guessed WRONG both times! Oh well. So much for a mothers instinct.

My New Friend

I have a new friend. I ask it questions everyday... specifically "Will we get a referral in June?" Four out of four times it has given me a positive answer... I think I'll stop asking while I'm ahead. Ben asked it some twisted questions today while he laughed hysterically at himself... of course the answers just made him laugh harder. GO check out my new friend here. Directions:
1. Ask a "yes or no" question
2. Concentrate
3. Hit "ASK"... it takes a few seconds for your answer to appear.

In other news, Ben came up with a new baby name during dinner tonight... "Bobert"... yes, that's right "Bobert". Once again he laughed HYSTERICALLY at himself. He practically had corn coming out his nose. Not to worry, "Bobert" isn't actually in the running.