Thoughts

Here are some topics running through my head...

I'm really, REALLY sad that Kinley isn't going to be an only child anymore.  This really doesn't make sense considering how badly we want to add to our family and how excited we are to bring Griffin home.  But I think most moms get what I'm dealing with emotionally right now.  For over two and a half years we have lived and breathed Kinley and only Kinley.  I always tell her she's my best friend, and we do almost everything together.  Those of you that personally know our family and Kinley, you know that Kinley has, from the beginning, been an extremely easy baby/toddler.  I didn't deal with colic or any spit up.  She only cried when she was hungry and that was only when she was a newborn.  She has always listened really well and likes to please.  She has been a dream child.  I always say I deserved an easy child given how difficult it was for us to conceive.  Honestly, I believe every mother deserves an easy baby but some of us just get lucky.  This leads us to my second topic...

I DON'T THINK I CAN DO THIS WITH TWO!  We were getting ready for church yesterday morning, and as I was chasing a half dressed Kinley all I could think was "How am I going to get us to church on time with two kids?"  That's all I really have to say about this topic.  I'm basically numb with fear.

Third topic!  And most frustrating.  When is Griffin going to be scheduled for his VP?!  This one is driving me batty.  Seriously, what's the hold up?  EP was approved 2 1/2 weeks ago and he's had his VI, so what's the dealy-o?  Again, not much to say on this topic.  I'm just ready to go get my son.

Random, unimportant topic.  I'm felling really good about our packing situation.  I was very concerned for a while that we were not going to have enough room for everything, but we purchased two BIG suitcases and I've packed gifts and donations and we're looking good!  I'm feeling quite confident now!  =)

News!

I called DC this morning and the man on the phone said Griffin had his personal appearance (embassy appearance) today!  But his visa interview is not scheduled yet.  The visa interview is always the last thing that happens before travel call so I wasn't surprised.  He does, however, still need his visa physical.  We are supposed to be notified when it's scheduled and we've heard nothing. 

I have been waiting so long to hear DC say "I see his picture!"  And when I heard those words today I just about jumped out of my skin with excitement.  We are SO close.  Some of my adoption mom friends think travel call will come next week!  NEXT WEEK!!!  Please, please let it be NEXT WEEK!

Progress Report

We received a new, very detailed progress report on little man today.  I was so excited to see that it was more than the average well baby check.  The report we got today allowed us to get a small glimpse of Griffin's precious personality.

The report is dated 2-11-2011 so this info is a couple months old.  He is crawling and standing alone for more than 10 seconds.  He opens drawers, takes things out, and "messes around."  LOL!  Bangs toys together or on the floor.  Plays peek-a-boo and pat-a-cake.  When he's happy he giggles and when he's playing he laughs loudly.  I can't wait to hear his laugh.  Babbles a lot.  When he hears music or the foster mom sings songs, he moves his body back and forth, dances, and claps.  He's eating vegetables (carrots, potatoes, and onions) mixed with rice gruel.  He likes apples and pears pressed out in a juicer.  For snacks, he eats cookies, sponge cake, baby food, cheese, steamed sweet potatoes, potatoes, and yogurt.  He sounds like a great eater, possibly better than his big sister.  And just in case you're wondering, he has one well digested bowl movement a day.  Hahahahaha!

He goes to bed late and gets up late, 11ish pm to 9ish am.  He's napping 2-3 times a day and will sleep longer if the foster mom is holding him.  He doesn't sound spoiled at all!!!  Griffin sleeps well only if the room is quiet and dark and wakes up at soft noises.  "During sleep, checks if he is with the foster mother."  This is going to be tough when he gets home.  Looks like we'll be doing some co-sleeping on the mattress in his room. 

Here's the best part:  "If the foster mother says 'Hyeon-wu!  Do something cute!' he purses his lips and winks."  Oh my goodness!!!  I NEED to see this for myself.  What a little charmer!  =)

What I loved most about this report is getting a sense of how well he's being taken care of and how much he is loved.  He's in such caring, loving hands....I'm not worried about him at all.  I want him home because he's my son and I love him, but I know he's just fine where he is right now.

It Has Begun...

Yup.  It's for real.  I've started packing.  And let me tell you, the floor of Griffin's room is completely covered with luggage, gifts, donations, clothes, toys, and anything else I think may need to accompany us to Seoul.  I think our travel call is still a few weeks away, but this is my way of getting organized.  I need to see what else I need and what's actually going to fit.  Ha! 

I'm excited.  We're packing!

Calling All Bloggy Friends

I need help! 

See my adoption timeline on the right side of this page? 

 Why is it a jumbled mess? 

I have spaced it out. 

 Retyped it. 

 Deleted the gadget and put a new one in it's place.

  It keeps jumbling up and taking out the spacing!  Who can help

 me with this? 

 I'm kind of an orderly person

and that mess over there is driving me NUTS!

If you can help me, I would greatly appreciate it!

Hallelujah {EP Approval!}

We were notified this morning that Griffin's EP was approved last Friday, March 25!  Fabulous!  Five weeks was a long time to wait for one little approval.  Ok, it's a BIG approval but still a tough wait.  Anyway, we're approved so now what's next?  Here we go...

• Travel Certificate - Holt Korea applies to the Ministry of Foreign affairs for the travel certificate after the EP has been approved.  Typically takes about a week to gain the approval.
• Visa Physical - After the EP and travel certificate have been issued, a doctor appointed by the US Embassy will examine Griffin and make sure he's good to go.  I should be notified when this appointment is scheduled.
• P3 - The P3 is the packet that Holt Korea submits into the Embassy for the one way travel visa.  This packet contains a bunch of important documents and takes 5-8 business days to be approved.
• Visa Interview - Griffin's foster mom will physically take him to the Embassy for a visa interview.  Here's what I imagine him saying..."Listen, can we just hurry this thing up.  Seoul is groovy and all, but I really just want to see my mama."  This happens after the paperwork has been submitted into the embassy.
• TRAVEL CALL!!!!

I'm think 4-6 weeks, but WHO THE HECK KNOWS!?!  Really, it's any one's guess.  I'm just hoping sooner rather than later.

Let's Be Real

조화

Let's be honest about something.  This is a blog about my REAL life.  This isn't a motivational blog that is intended to deceive everyone by holding back my true feelings and emotions.  Waiting for any child is no fun.  Waiting for a child that is half way around the world is really difficult.  Waiting for my child while the Korean government twiddles it's thumbs sucks!  I don't really know WHAT the Korean government is doing, but I don't understand why it has taken five weeks (and counting) to approve an emigration permit.  These children are not pieces of paper or numbers.  They are little humans that, although they don't know it, are waiting to be united with their family.  I understand the process is basically the same for everyone, but it doesn't make it OK.  Or efficient! 

So, as you can tell, I'm struggling.  I knew this would be the most difficult part of the wait, but EP's were being approved anywhere from 10 days to 2 or 3 weeks earlier in the year so I know it can be done.  Anyway....last week the wait started to get to me and this week I'm in full blown on edge, can't sleep, eat everything in sight, sad, depressed, angry, cranky mode.  I know this and I'm trying to deal. 

Last night I knew I just needed some Bible time.  I got ready for bed, grabbed my bible, and started thumbing through the concordance looking for a word I was feeling (bad) or a word that I wanted to feel (good). 

PEACE(FUL)

calm repose; eternal rest (after death); free of strife or discord; harmony

in personal relationship, especially with God

Uh, yeah.  I could definitely use some peace in my life.  Now, which verse should I look up?  There were probably 30 or 40 listed but I decided to check out

"May grace and p be yours. . . Rom 1:7"

Love the word grace.  Add it to peace.  Perfect.  So, I turned over to Romans 1:7 and this is what it said

"......May grace and peace be yours from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."

Wonderful!  But I decided to read on and this is where it got good.  The title to the next few verses was "God's Good News."

"Let me say first of all that your faith in God is becoming known throughout the world.  How I thank God through Jesus Christ for each one of you.  God knows how often I pray for you.  Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart by telling others the Good News about his Son."

WOW!  I keep reading.

"One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you.  For I long to visit you so I can share a spiritual blessing with you that will help you grow strong in the Lord.  I'm eager to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.  In this way, each of us will be a blessing to the other."

I have TWO children now that I must share the Lord with.  It's my responsibility to help them grow strong in the Lord and to encourage them in their faith.  I have to quit being angry and whiny and prepare myself for this added responsibility that is my son.

Waiting still sucks, but at least now I know why I'm waiting.