Now we wait....

Now we're waiting on all those documents to get approved.  The first document we need is our I600 approved, like I said that could take 6 to 8 weeks, depending on if there aren't any bumps in the road.  And from what I've heard, anything can happen at this point.  I've heard stories of  AP's  (adoptive parents) finding out their child's Korean name, which has to be on all paperwork correctly because it is their legal Korean name until they are adopted here in the US, was spelled incorrectly!  Then you have to call that specific office and try to get it corrected in their system  before other paperwork is submitted with the wrong spelling, yes that makes it void! NOT GOOD when you're on a timeline~!  We are pretty much at these peoples mercy.  One parent was told they didn't send a much needed updated Home Study with their documents and the worker said it would sit on a shelf till they received their updated Home Study!   To my understanding, we are at these workers mercy.  Some parents have had their paperwork submitted rather quickly, others have had struggles and delays.

So, how do I make it through all these "wait" times?  I've become a "stalker!"   Holt International has a  great web site: http://www.holtinternational.org/.  On this web site is literally tons of information!  I go to  the "Holt Forum" everyday.  There, they have this Bulletin Board  which is a Web Community.  This is for all families in the being of the adoption process as well as those that are seeking support prior to the adoption process. They have a Forum for every country people are adopting from and it is a world of information!  It has literally been a life saver for me.  I do not know how people can go through this process and not have this much information or help!  I go to the Korean forum (you would've guessed that huh?!).  The community of women and sometimes men are a life saver when it comes to help and support!  If I'm having trouble understanding something, I can post a question or even just a comment and they respond with "everything they have!"  I've had to get a small notebook and write things down that I want to remember, so much great info! Thanks ladies! ; )


So, lots have asked why Korea?  Why adopt from there?  Well first and foremost, the children are adorable!!  (Have you seen the picture of Aiden on the page there? Need I say more about that!? )  As Julie from Catholic Charities first told me,  "these children are well taken care of  and have excellent medical records!" And yes she said it with the (!).  She sounded  really excited when she said that.  She also said we didn't have to travel to Korea to get him, that he could be escorted to us in the US.  I thought WOW, that's great.  But now, after reading so much about Korea and all the other moms stories and their travels to Korea,  I talked to Mike and we've changed our minds and we're going to travel and go get him!  I'm really excited about this!  We have to be there, in Korea,  a required 3 - 4 days, and factor in 2 whole days for traveling.  I'd say it'll take a week.  All the moms have posted on the Forum about the history, sites, landmarks, and of course the souvenirs!!!  Taylor has already put in a request for a souvenir!   I wish she could go with us, but it would be too nerve-racking for me!  You that know me, I'm already a spaz when I'm nervous!  ; )  I just feel this was our choice to be.  It feels comfy and I think we made the right decision!  It fits!

Now, about the children, have I mentioned they are adorable!?  Another great thing Julie at Catholic Charities told me is that most of the children are in foster homes with whole families!  There's usually a foster father, foster mother, foster children, even inlaws sometimes.  This is the same with Aiden.  He has lived with the same foster family since he was given up for adoption at birth.   Holt took custody of him and he's been with this family ever since.

Every month these children are seen by a doctor for a Well Baby Check (WBC).  We received all of Aiden's medical check ups since birth with his file, and we will receive any check ups from now on till it's time to go get him.   I'm stalking my email because it's almost time to receive another WBC soon.  I'm dying to get another picture, but may not get one : (.  But I'm also dying to know his progress!  Dr. Plemmons  at Vanderbilt said each time we get updates to send them in and he'll review them and if there's anything significant, he'll let us know.

Another thing about the wait is AP's can send "care packages".  We send them directly to the Holt office in Korea. So when it's time for the children's check up, the Foster Mother brings the child in and Holt will give the care package to them when they arrive each month.  I've gotten Aiden's care package all together and waiting to send it!  It's complimentary to send little things for the Foster Family, so this time I picked hand lotion for the Foster Mother  and sweet smelling peach hand sanitizers for the Foster Siblings (both girls). For the Foster Father, I picked some Chow Chow relish.  It's made here in a neighboring town to where we live.  I have no idea if he'll like it but it's kind of traditional to give things that were made here in the USA.  Since it was made near us, I thought it was appropriate.  (Really have no idea what to get him!)  I'm waiting on a WBC for August before I send it.  Most times when a child receives his/her care package Holt will send a picture of our child with their care package.  I'll post that picture as soon as I (hopefully) get Septembers WBC!