Hi all! Time for a give away! :)
We have not been told 100% that we've been submitted for EP so this is all based on assumption and hope, but I'm ready to be excited! So, we are fairly sure that we will get our travel call sometime in May. Our best guess is sometime the first two weeks of May (just to narrow it down a bit for those of you who are not familiar with Korean Adoption timelines).
I'm giving away a bracelet from Twirling Trees - the "family" bracelet. Amazing story, read all about it on her site! :)
Thanks for playing!!! :)
Friday, April 13, 2012
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
15 months
My son is 15 months old today. Each month he gets older it's hard to think of him as older. The most recent pictures I have of him are from his 1st birthday - for 1 year olds, that 3 months makes a difference. The most recent developmental update is from 10 months old - that 5 months is huge. But hoping that the 16 month mark brings EP approvals.
News on the street is that SWS EPs will be submitted today. There was rumor last week that SWS submitted, but then today we heard they are about to. Hoping to hear some good news soon! The exciting thing a friend helped me realize is that with SWS it looks like (though I could be wrong) that they tried to get all of those who sent their acceptance to Korea in 2011 to travel. Ours was sent the first week of January since we got our referral less than a week before Christmas, so that means we would be one of the top of the list for EP submission/approval and TC - can't believe those letters are even a possibility in a few short weeks!!!
I pray that you all have a blessed Easter. Praise God for New Life in Christ!
News on the street is that SWS EPs will be submitted today. There was rumor last week that SWS submitted, but then today we heard they are about to. Hoping to hear some good news soon! The exciting thing a friend helped me realize is that with SWS it looks like (though I could be wrong) that they tried to get all of those who sent their acceptance to Korea in 2011 to travel. Ours was sent the first week of January since we got our referral less than a week before Christmas, so that means we would be one of the top of the list for EP submission/approval and TC - can't believe those letters are even a possibility in a few short weeks!!!
I pray that you all have a blessed Easter. Praise God for New Life in Christ!
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Kindergarten Screening
My baby girl is going to be starting Kindergarten this fall! I can't believe it. I am having separation anxiety already! She is the one comforting me, she keeps telling me that it will be OK because I'll have Suhbin home with me. :) Sweet girl!
So this morning we went in to B's school (and she waved crazily into B's class as we walked by, sure his teacher loved that) and went in where things were already set up. She "played games" one on one with the person who did the screening and she loved it. I sat and watched and was trying not to laugh so much of the time. She was a little shy walking in but once they started she was telling stories and having fun. She kept telling the woman about her brother (B) and finally she said to E "you must have a nice brother" and E agreed! Love it! E also told her about Suhbin, but it was glossed over, it's so cute to hear that it's a natural part of her life now that she has 2 brothers (even though the second isn't home).
She did an amazing job! They were supposed to pick out specific shapes (ie: find the big blue circle), but E didn't just pick them out, she then created a picture with them as she grabbed each one. It was so cute to watch! She was very proud of herself. She had to write her name and then write certain letters, D was the first letter and E asked if she should write the one with the big hump or the little hump. The part she had the hardest part with is that she had to draw 3 of something and she really wanted to draw her family but there are 5 of us. She couldn't quite decide who to draw. LOL! Her favorite part was that she got a lollipop on the way out the door. :)
So my girl is almost set for Kindergarten, now for Mommy to be set. That's another story.
So this morning we went in to B's school (and she waved crazily into B's class as we walked by, sure his teacher loved that) and went in where things were already set up. She "played games" one on one with the person who did the screening and she loved it. I sat and watched and was trying not to laugh so much of the time. She was a little shy walking in but once they started she was telling stories and having fun. She kept telling the woman about her brother (B) and finally she said to E "you must have a nice brother" and E agreed! Love it! E also told her about Suhbin, but it was glossed over, it's so cute to hear that it's a natural part of her life now that she has 2 brothers (even though the second isn't home).
She did an amazing job! They were supposed to pick out specific shapes (ie: find the big blue circle), but E didn't just pick them out, she then created a picture with them as she grabbed each one. It was so cute to watch! She was very proud of herself. She had to write her name and then write certain letters, D was the first letter and E asked if she should write the one with the big hump or the little hump. The part she had the hardest part with is that she had to draw 3 of something and she really wanted to draw her family but there are 5 of us. She couldn't quite decide who to draw. LOL! Her favorite part was that she got a lollipop on the way out the door. :)
So my girl is almost set for Kindergarten, now for Mommy to be set. That's another story.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Movement!
On Monday (my birthday) we woke up to hear that EPs had all been approved! Hurray! Then on Wednesday some people decided to call DC and found out that they could "see his/her picture" which means that the child already had their Embassy Appearance (EA) and that their Visa Interview (VI) was scheduled for the next day. EA and VI are usually VERY closely followed by the best letters of all: TC!!! (travel call for those who are not daily immersed in Korean Adoption)
We were all predicting the first TCs to be on Friday but Thursday brought the best news - TC for a few! A few more Friday, and we're hoping for more VERY soon! :)
Another thing happened on Thursday - ESWS EPs were submitted - the second batch! Unfortunately Holt has not been submitted and we're still up in the air about SWS (the agency that we're working with). At the end of Friday we heard a rumor (I call it that not because I don't trust the source, but because we only heard it from one place and I am trying to keep my expectations low) that SWS EPs have been submitted!!! IF this is true and assuming that Suhbin is part of that (we have been told most likely and they can't imagine he's not, but there are no guarantees) - that means we're looking at 4 weeks until approval! And then hoping for TC about a week later!!! :) So we could be getting that amazing call in 5 weeks! Hard to believe after almost 2 1/2 years of this being a "process", that it's going to be real! :)
Please pray that all of this positive movement continues and that Holt and SWS hear awesome news of submission this week!!! :) And that Suhbin really is submitted! Thanks!!!
We were all predicting the first TCs to be on Friday but Thursday brought the best news - TC for a few! A few more Friday, and we're hoping for more VERY soon! :)
Another thing happened on Thursday - ESWS EPs were submitted - the second batch! Unfortunately Holt has not been submitted and we're still up in the air about SWS (the agency that we're working with). At the end of Friday we heard a rumor (I call it that not because I don't trust the source, but because we only heard it from one place and I am trying to keep my expectations low) that SWS EPs have been submitted!!! IF this is true and assuming that Suhbin is part of that (we have been told most likely and they can't imagine he's not, but there are no guarantees) - that means we're looking at 4 weeks until approval! And then hoping for TC about a week later!!! :) So we could be getting that amazing call in 5 weeks! Hard to believe after almost 2 1/2 years of this being a "process", that it's going to be real! :)
Please pray that all of this positive movement continues and that Holt and SWS hear awesome news of submission this week!!! :) And that Suhbin really is submitted! Thanks!!!
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Adoption Friends
OK, I know I've said it a lot, but I am truly blessed through this adoption process to have made such amazing friends. Tonight I had a wonderful opportunity to get together with 3 other families who are also in the process of adopting from South Korea. My friend, Becky, whom I've mentioned before, and absolutely adore, put this evening together. Becky is a HUGE blessing in my life that has come out of this long excruciating wait! :)
She invited all of us to meet at a Korean restaurant and it was a lot of fun. We're all thankful to Christe who recommended the restaurant and was willing to order for us. We were able to all try a bit of everything. It was delicious! Great to meet all of you! Praying for your adorable little ones in Korea and that they are home soon!
She invited all of us to meet at a Korean restaurant and it was a lot of fun. We're all thankful to Christe who recommended the restaurant and was willing to order for us. We were able to all try a bit of everything. It was delicious! Great to meet all of you! Praying for your adorable little ones in Korea and that they are home soon!
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Showered with love
We are so blessed. My wonderful Grammy organized a long distance shower to celebrate S. We've gotten several cards, gift cards, and the most adorable SU outfit in the past few days and it has been such an encouragement. Waiting is tough and this support pouring in has lifted our spirits so much.
Thank you Grammy and Grandpa and the whole M clan, and S (it may be coincidental that yours was at the same time, but I still loved the card! It made me cry - miss you!). You've all made me have "happy tears" as E likes to notice. :) We love you!
We can't begin to say how much it means to have our extended family on all sides being so supportive and loving. We are so blessed to have such amazing family. We can't say how thankful we are for our family! Love you all!!!
*Please continue to pray for EP approvals and the next submission to happen. We're hoping to be in the next batch of EP submissions and to have our boy home in a couple of months!
Thank you Grammy and Grandpa and the whole M clan, and S (it may be coincidental that yours was at the same time, but I still loved the card! It made me cry - miss you!). You've all made me have "happy tears" as E likes to notice. :) We love you!
We can't begin to say how much it means to have our extended family on all sides being so supportive and loving. We are so blessed to have such amazing family. We can't say how thankful we are for our family! Love you all!!!
*Please continue to pray for EP approvals and the next submission to happen. We're hoping to be in the next batch of EP submissions and to have our boy home in a couple of months!
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Our family is growing....
I'm going to be an aunt! :) I am so incredibly excited! My brother and sister-in-law are expecting and her due date is mid-August. I can't wait to meet their little one and see my brother as a dad! :)
On another note I was talking to my kids and I said "Do you know you have the silliest Daddy in the world"
Ben answered "Yes! Until I become a Daddy."
Me: Then you'll be the silliest Daddy?
Ben: Yes, and Daddy will be the silliest Grandpa. But that's hard because Grandpa and Paika are really silly!
I just thought this was adorable so I'm sharing. :) Ben can not wait to have Suhbin home! He is aching to have his brother under the same roof as him! It is amazing to see my big boy in this light and I'm loving it. He wants to talk about names all the time. We finally have middle names figured out and I think we have narrowed down 1st names, but we believe in meeting our child first, so we won't officially name him until we meet him. We'll announce his name from Seoul. :)
No real news on the adoption front, please keep praying for movement in Korea!!! We're hoping the EPs that were submitted will be approved quite soon and those first travel calls will be coming in! Can't wait to celebrate with those people...and can't wait to actually have that happen for us too. I'm almost getting to the point where I believe it will happen sometime. I can't wait to meet our boy and bring him home forever.
On another note I was talking to my kids and I said "Do you know you have the silliest Daddy in the world"
Ben answered "Yes! Until I become a Daddy."
Me: Then you'll be the silliest Daddy?
Ben: Yes, and Daddy will be the silliest Grandpa. But that's hard because Grandpa and Paika are really silly!
I just thought this was adorable so I'm sharing. :) Ben can not wait to have Suhbin home! He is aching to have his brother under the same roof as him! It is amazing to see my big boy in this light and I'm loving it. He wants to talk about names all the time. We finally have middle names figured out and I think we have narrowed down 1st names, but we believe in meeting our child first, so we won't officially name him until we meet him. We'll announce his name from Seoul. :)
No real news on the adoption front, please keep praying for movement in Korea!!! We're hoping the EPs that were submitted will be approved quite soon and those first travel calls will be coming in! Can't wait to celebrate with those people...and can't wait to actually have that happen for us too. I'm almost getting to the point where I believe it will happen sometime. I can't wait to meet our boy and bring him home forever.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Advocating for a beautiful boy in China
Sweet, sweet boy who needs a home. Here is the link: http://cheaperbythehalfdozens.blogspot.com/
Please pray for him, and pray that God will lay it on the right family's heart to go bring him home and love him.
Please pray for him, and pray that God will lay it on the right family's heart to go bring him home and love him.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
NVC Out and SWS confirmations! :)
OK - first of all we are NVC out! As of February 29 we have been all set on the US side and officially just waiting for Korea! Hurray!
Also we heard today about a couple of agencies with SWS that confirmed EP submissions. I know of 21 submissions, but there is one other agency that I assume had submissions but they haven't received any specific confirmation. Two agencies specifically requested to be told who was submitted in each EP batch. Traditionally SWS hasn't shared this info but due to the backlog that happened this year they were willing to but I get the feeling it's only being shared if specifically requested.
We are hopeful that we'll be in the second batch which should be submitted in 2-3 weeks (just a guess) and approved about 2 weeks later. Then there are just a few quick steps to TC (Travel Call) so we're thinking as early as 6 weeks we may be hearing that Suhbin is ready for us! But that may be optimistic, we'll see. Trying to keep my expectations in check. I still have a good amount of getting ready to do that I sort of stopped doing when everything stalled. I lost motivation for a while and now I'm motivated again. :)
Praising God for the good news and praying that things continue to move forward!
Also we heard today about a couple of agencies with SWS that confirmed EP submissions. I know of 21 submissions, but there is one other agency that I assume had submissions but they haven't received any specific confirmation. Two agencies specifically requested to be told who was submitted in each EP batch. Traditionally SWS hasn't shared this info but due to the backlog that happened this year they were willing to but I get the feeling it's only being shared if specifically requested.
We are hopeful that we'll be in the second batch which should be submitted in 2-3 weeks (just a guess) and approved about 2 weeks later. Then there are just a few quick steps to TC (Travel Call) so we're thinking as early as 6 weeks we may be hearing that Suhbin is ready for us! But that may be optimistic, we'll see. Trying to keep my expectations in check. I still have a good amount of getting ready to do that I sort of stopped doing when everything stalled. I lost motivation for a while and now I'm motivated again. :)
Praising God for the good news and praying that things continue to move forward!
Monday, March 5, 2012
14 months and...
EP Submissions!!!
OK, to start - yesterday Suhbin hit 14 months old. I'm hoping we only have to miss one or two more month milestones (only 1 would be awesome!!!) before TC. No updates, no idea what my boy is doing or how big he is, but we thinking about him and talk to his picture all the time. Hoping to hold him in my arms SOON!
Which brings me to EP SUBMISSIONS! I have friends who have been waiting AGES to bring their children home - some have waited since December 2o10 and they found out today that they have been submitted for EP! This is the big step that holds things up in Korea. We have all been waiting with baited breath since January 1st for this to happen and I am beyond excited that it finally has! Many of us have been praying nightly (at 9 am Seoul time) to see movement in Korea and it has happened!!! Praise God! So excited! I have no expectations of being in the first batch of referrals, but since SWS stopped giving out referrals for a while in order to avoid a backlog we should be in the 2nd or 3rd batch and the expectation is 1-2 weeks for processing! Very fast! :) Can't wait to hear about those first TCs!!!
OK, to start - yesterday Suhbin hit 14 months old. I'm hoping we only have to miss one or two more month milestones (only 1 would be awesome!!!) before TC. No updates, no idea what my boy is doing or how big he is, but we thinking about him and talk to his picture all the time. Hoping to hold him in my arms SOON!
Which brings me to EP SUBMISSIONS! I have friends who have been waiting AGES to bring their children home - some have waited since December 2o10 and they found out today that they have been submitted for EP! This is the big step that holds things up in Korea. We have all been waiting with baited breath since January 1st for this to happen and I am beyond excited that it finally has! Many of us have been praying nightly (at 9 am Seoul time) to see movement in Korea and it has happened!!! Praise God! So excited! I have no expectations of being in the first batch of referrals, but since SWS stopped giving out referrals for a while in order to avoid a backlog we should be in the 2nd or 3rd batch and the expectation is 1-2 weeks for processing! Very fast! :) Can't wait to hear about those first TCs!!!
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