tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21666920296781686632024-02-07T01:33:04.615-05:00digging to china…and stops along the waythe tale of our adoption journeys to 2 countries far, far awayKatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250950777484557914noreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166692029678168663.post-36313867589408342092012-09-09T00:20:00.000-04:002012-09-09T00:20:43.280-04:00flashback to Korea: part 1<div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
I had grand plans of keeping up with my blog during our trip to Korea. Clearly, that didn't work out. I've waited to write a post this long because frankly if I had done it any sooner, I feel it would have been abysmal at best.</div>
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So here's how it all went down…</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">• our last photo as a family of 3 •</span></i></td></tr>
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We left on Thursday afternoon and didn't arrive in Seoul until 4 AM SATURDAY! </div>
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The worst part about that flight - the 8 hour layover in Atlanta. The best part - getting "upgraded" seats because our original tickets were not together. We aren't talking first class or anything, but being in the front row of the exit isle with no seats in front of us for a 14.5 hour flight was pretty grand.</div>
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We landed in Seoul, navigated customs and found our luggage and driver with no problem, but when we arrived at the hotel, we couldn't find our room. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #444444;">lost in DMC Ville <br />(the digital media center of Seoul, whatever that means - <br />I didn't see any K pop stars when we were out)</span></i></td></tr>
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Something about S. Korea - they conserve energy by not air conditioning "unnecessary spaces" - this includes hallways. Kudos to them but really annoying at 5 am during the ultra humid monsoon season. So Brad leaves me in the stairwell with all our luggage to go find help when I discover another energy saving strategy…lights are motion censored which required me to wildly wave my arms every 30 seconds so I wasn't left standing in the dark. Not a great start to our hotel experience but at least now I can see the humor. I wonder if the security footage caught my wild flailing or if a guard was mocking this insane foreigner.</div>
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S. Korea is 13 stinking time zones away. I was famished at 5 am with nothing but a 7-Eleven open for business, so we browsed the Korean food products and bought something to snack on...Special K cereal and milk, if I remember correctly. Then we crashed for a few hours on the hardest mattress I've ever laid on. No lie. I think the ceramic tile floor and a blanket may have been softer. *only slight exaggeration*</div>
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<br />We decided to venture out later for dinner and found a Paris Baguette bakery and a pizza joint, so we decided to try both. </div>
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We learned something else about Korean dining after ordering the salad bar…they only give you one bowl per table and everyone is supposed to share. This was a difficult concept for Brad the "I don't share my food man" to grasp, so I think I was the only one to eat the salad bar that night. Also, take your used bowl BACK to the bar if you want seconds. Grody! I'm sure we butchered the etiquette and insulted many Koreans that night. *apologies all around*<br />
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And that was Saturday.<br />
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Sunday was our city tour compliments of our agency who provides a tour guide for their adopting families. Our guide was the cutest, sweetest college girl and her boyfriend. They were great showing us around Seoul. We toured the Gyeongbok Palace and a museum, ate at an amazing hole in the wall we never would have found on our own, and shopped for gifts to give Zoe every year on her birthday as she grows up.<br />
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And that was Sunday.<br />
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It was pretty hard to sleep that night knowing our gotcha day was just one nights sleep away…<br />
<br />Gotcha day deserves a separate post of its own…coming soon. I promise.<br />
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Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250950777484557914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166692029678168663.post-51639965618883681372012-08-13T13:01:00.001-04:002012-08-13T13:01:53.525-04:00TRAVEL CALL and other divine appointments…<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Brad and I were eating lunch at home on Friday and not even expecting a travel call since we had been disappointed for three days waiting and wondering if the call would ever come. We assumed we would have another long weekend to get through without any news…but then at exactly 12:42, the crazy ring tone I had assigned to our agency started blaring from its spot on the kitchen table. We both froze and kind of looked at each other almost not believing this could really be it. The girl from our agency told me she had good news for us and I probably broke her ear drum with my pig squeals of emotion…sorry, Stephanie. Then it was down to business and we started making our flight arrangements which literally took the next several hours. <b>But we are happy to announce that a week from today, we will become a family of four.</b> This still seems surreal and we have tons to get ready before we leave for Seoul but we have never been more excited for a 13 hour plane ride!</div>
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I was contacted out of the blue a couple weeks ago by a fellow adoptive mama who said she had found my blog and a post I had made when we started our adoption process. It was about the little boy in China that we were sponsoring through Bethany Christian Services. She believed that the boy they adopted was the same boy that we had sponsored for months. After I sent her all the reports we had received on him, it was clear that he was indeed the same little boy. How awesome is that!? I love that God connected us and that we were able to play a small role in his development while this sweet family waited to bring him home!<b> </b></div>
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<b>Consider sponsoring a child through an adoption agency - it really does make a difference!</b></div>
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Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250950777484557914noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166692029678168663.post-52120942356614654502012-08-07T22:24:00.001-04:002012-08-07T22:24:33.249-04:00the "adoption cocoon" and what it means for our family<div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
This is probably the toughest post I've had to write so far because I don't want to come across as crazy but I realize our desires need to be expressed…</div>
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<i>*sucking air*</i></div>
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Attachment is a critical concept in parenting any child successfully. But attachment is THE critical concept in successfully parenting an adopted child. Attachment is
TRUST building. Thanks to Max, I understand how this happens in the infant/parent relationship. Baby cries, his needs are met and he learns trust through this cycle. However, Zoe is coming to us after almost two years of life experience and multiple losses - first with her birth mother, then her first foster family after 5 months, and soon to be second foster family after almost 19 months. This is a pattern that she will likely expect to repeat itself. But this is where we will help her rebuild trust and accept us as her "forever family".</div>
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and this brings me to the point of this post…</div>
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When we arrive home from Korea, we welcome our friends and family to meet us at the airport for Zoe's homecoming. <i>(Details will be available to anyone who would like to come.)</i></div>
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When we get back to our home sweet home, Brad and I will be the only two to meet Zoe's needs for at least her first month home or
longer if necessary. This includes showing affection, comforting her, feeding, bathing, dressing, etc…</div>
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Why? </div>
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Zoe needs to learn <i>(across a huge language barrier)</i> that we are her parents and she can trust us. We will attempt to earn her trust by quickly, lovingly and repeatedly meeting
her needs. <br />
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When we finally venture out of our "cocoon" we welcome your kind words to Zoe. Waving, blowing kisses or high fives are perfectly appropriate and
welcomed! Zoe needs to know that the people with whom she interacts are
our trusted friends. If she is running around and comes to you for
holding or comfort, please, direct her back to us. Maybe say, "Let's go find your
mama. She's happy to hold you." A child who is struggling with attachment may exhibit indiscriminate
affection with people outside of their family unit. It may appear
harmless as if they are “very friendly” but this is actually quite
dangerous for the child.</div>
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As soon as we are comfortable that Zoe understands we are her parents and we will be here for her no matter what,
then we will welcome you holding and hugging and loving on her. We want to share her with you and
know you love her, too. And we are so thankful for your love and support through this process. <br />
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Does this plan seem odd? </div>
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It would to me, if we hadn't read what feels like a million books on adoption and attachment. There are plenty of
stories of families who did NOT cocoon or guard the basic care giving
duties of their newly adopted child and sadly, they regretted it. But I have yet to know of any families who DID cocoon
and guard the basic care giving duties who regretted it. No one we know was sorry they guarded and protected and kept their new child's
world small. This is often hard for the parents. But it is GREAT for
the new child. <br /> </div>
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Finally, I don't want to make sweeping generalities here. Not all adopted
kids and/or their new families are alike. I am not an expert on any
of this and readily admit it. I only know what I learned from other adoptive parents who shared
their experiences as well as through personal study, classes, books, and articles. </div>
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Truly, the real education is about to begin and though crazy
nervous, we are excited and ready for this adventure to begin…</div>
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<br /></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250950777484557914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166692029678168663.post-22281375506257911892012-08-06T23:45:00.000-04:002012-08-06T23:45:11.855-04:00happiness mixed with heartache…a hard "adoption pill" to swallow<div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
As I type this Zoe is on her way to the embassy for her big visa interview. It is the LAST step needed before we receive our travel call! And as excited as this makes me, I am also aware of the sadness that her foster family must be experiencing now that their days with Zoe are coming to an end. Imagine loving and caring for a child 16+ months of her life and knowing that she will be going to live on the other side of the world with a family you have never met. </div>
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The reality is that one of the happiest days of my life - meeting Zoe and bringing her into our little family - will be one of the saddest, confusing and potentially terrifying days of her little life. </div>
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All caused by me. </div>
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It's a hard pill to swallow but I realize it is part of the adoption process - a stage we will get through with a lot of prayer and patience.</div>
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So, as you share in our extreme happiness and these amazing turn of events today, please pray for Zoe and her wonderful foster family - all five of them - for emotional strength and healing for their soon-to-be-breaking hearts. </div>
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We are hoping for/expecting our travel call tomorrow and I can see now the timing could not be more perfect.</div>
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<br /></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250950777484557914noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166692029678168663.post-68610967512273632442012-08-02T00:40:00.000-04:002012-08-02T00:40:06.874-04:00calling all donations…and some Zoe love<div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
We have received some donations to take to Korea and wanted to post their current top needs. We still have room for additional items, so if anyone would like to donate something, we would be happy to haul them overseas!</div>
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<b>1. SPECIAL NEED - Ergo Baby Carries (or similar)</b> - new or gently used</div>
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<b>2. Gerber Rice Cereal</b> (single grain) - <i>Single gain rice cereal is an urgent, important and ongoing need for Holt Korea.</i></div>
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<b>3. Finger food snacks</b> such as Gerber puffs <i>(sweet potato is a good flavor)</i>
or Gerber Lil' Crunchies <i>(mild cheddar is a popular flavor)</i>.</div>
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<b>4. Baby & toddler Clothing</b> - They need preemie (new born) until 2T, 3T.
There is a greater need for boys clothes than girls clothing. As
children are staying in care longer, the need for older baby and toddler
clothing has grown. Please send new clothes.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span></span></div>
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What a week this has been - full of disappointing phone calls to DC. <i>(sometimes twice a day because that's how crazed I am at this point)</i> And then today, it came to our attention that we had missed an email from our agency in April that contained 8 of the most amazing photos of Zoe! My heart…it is hard watching her grow up in photos. She needs to be home. now. I showed Max her pictures on my larger than life monitor and he smiled hugely and acted crazy excited. I think he's ready for his big sister. I can't wait to see these two together. soon. and now the bragging can begin…</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRqag5dj7qlnUm1X6y9iJJUc2kVkZ3zQS3dO0W-x07nHfnh6R2fF4pEgQJ_b_8zT59p_SqV20B5wGF0PyEdUV3d64bI0mVxH2H2MWcCRi9TZ4CfCJdrL01WsNiNw6g0NhhlEDcRtQQuw/s1600/K2010-0928+%284%29+04.06.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3J1LAR2i-K_6hUudIdiBSmmBy-6oEHlRAdZdwJ8lwaRuMYvhjdmoQlFCOXu23CEPqF8kpdvlFopiq19DMoGV2xQ34TtXeSuU0AzzXhVWKtfLBFDpmjwEsu3Rvcf14i5aXIliOWjArg/s1600/K2010-0928+%285%29+04.06.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3J1LAR2i-K_6hUudIdiBSmmBy-6oEHlRAdZdwJ8lwaRuMYvhjdmoQlFCOXu23CEPqF8kpdvlFopiq19DMoGV2xQ34TtXeSuU0AzzXhVWKtfLBFDpmjwEsu3Rvcf14i5aXIliOWjArg/s1600/K2010-0928+%285%29+04.06.12.jpg" /></a><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRqag5dj7qlnUm1X6y9iJJUc2kVkZ3zQS3dO0W-x07nHfnh6R2fF4pEgQJ_b_8zT59p_SqV20B5wGF0PyEdUV3d64bI0mVxH2H2MWcCRi9TZ4CfCJdrL01WsNiNw6g0NhhlEDcRtQQuw/s1600/K2010-0928+%284%29+04.06.12.jpg" /> <br />
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<br /></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250950777484557914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166692029678168663.post-18832246725109761402012-08-01T00:46:00.000-04:002012-08-01T00:46:42.824-04:00"labor" pains<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #444444; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This part of Zoe's adoption is worse than being 41 weeks pregnant and waiting for labor to start. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The symptoms, however, are freakishly similar…lack of sleep, irritability, hot flashes…at least I'm not physically huge and uncomfortable this time around, but the emotions and mental unrest is 100 times more challenging.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The only thing we are waiting on is for </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Zoe's visa interview and our travel call. That's it. We are so close but still seem so far away.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So, what am I doing to pass the time these days…</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">enjoying my one-on-one time with the sweet but spoiled baby Max, </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">making lists - A LOT of lists, working on re-branding <a href="http://creativenightowls.com/" style="color: #666666;">creativenightowls.com</a> and brain storming some new fund raising ideas for Zoe and our future adoptions, and of course, trying to stay calm. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But mostly, I'm on board the crazy train, people. That travel call could happen any day now. Maybe tomorrow!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It's been two months since an update from Korea and I need some new photos of our girl. This still doesn't seem real. Maybe it will sink in once Zoe is home and I see her and Max playing together and causing ruckus. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But through it all, God is good and continues to provide. I am blessed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250950777484557914noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166692029678168663.post-79008679609941780042012-07-26T00:59:00.001-04:002012-07-26T00:59:22.063-04:00more groundhog days…<div style="color: #444444;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">with the exception of our time advocating for our daughter's adoption, this is definitely the hardest point in our journey to Zoe.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">we are so stinking close but still separated from her by half a world! she is growing up in pictures. and we don't get enough updates to ease the pain of that reality.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">the only thing we are waiting on </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">to travel is </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">a visa interview and a phone call.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I call D.C. almost every day politely </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">asking</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> "can you tell me if my daughter's visa interview has been scheduled yet?". and still…nothing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">in the meantime, these crazy parents <i>(i.e. myself)</i> have decided to revert back to our original spelling of "Zoe". yay! I love it - seems more modern and elegant to me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> don't you just love that I brand my children?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">wouldn't you love for me to brand yours?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">just ask :) </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">(more on THAT in a following post)</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250950777484557914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166692029678168663.post-63320739467346130202012-07-11T00:08:00.003-04:002012-07-11T00:08:43.600-04:001 week down…<div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
It's been 1 WEEK since Zoey's EP was approved by the government. Only 3-12 weeks until we travel. WHOA…</div>
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My list is a mile long. </div>
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Actually, I haven't even started my list. I'm just trying to get through this work week. I'm thankful for the work and so thankful I can do it from home while I take care of Max. The business name "Creative Night Owls" seems even more appropriate these days.</div>
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It's 1 pm in Korea…I bet Zoey is eating lunch. I bet she eats A LOT.</div>
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God is so good it blows my mind. Talking with our metabolic specialist yesterday, it's possible that she will not need to continue the medication she is currently on to manage the disorder. We will have to run test and experiment with diet once she is home but the possibility of her being able to lead a fairly normal life without drugs is so unbelievable! </div>
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I don't know where the time has gone, but Max is 5 months old today. Flipping unbelievable. He is super and we're getting used to taking care of one kid, so it's time to add another. Come home soon, Zoey!</div>
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<b>I HAVE A PREMONITION!</b> Quite frequently these come true and it tends to scare me a little. </div>
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So, here it is - on August 15th last year, our agency made an exception for us to continue with Zoey's adoption. *hallelujah chorus* I think we will be in Korea this year on August 15th…it may even be the day we meet Zoey. Time will tell, but you heard it here first.</div>
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<br /></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250950777484557914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166692029678168663.post-86757012188895825672012-07-06T22:31:00.000-04:002012-07-06T22:31:05.301-04:00pretty much the best birthday present EVER!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvxSSjwqVgxetrSywDIVRrmYSKagE5wU3ffXCwGD67-bOn_0FvDbn8PYKvuthCr36g2HBKzCn27MNLlEGcEEGHgPNWn10VlXQGnxCd0emAJnc0E5YkMfkcjJJSyngT2W0HN2ciOXYIQ/s1600/photo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvxSSjwqVgxetrSywDIVRrmYSKagE5wU3ffXCwGD67-bOn_0FvDbn8PYKvuthCr36g2HBKzCn27MNLlEGcEEGHgPNWn10VlXQGnxCd0emAJnc0E5YkMfkcjJJSyngT2W0HN2ciOXYIQ/s400/photo1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Imagine my surprise when I received this email in the changing room at ROSS. I'm not positive but I may have scared anyone around me within listening distance…talk about a totally unexpected and awesome birthday present.</div>
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Zoey's EP was approved by the Korean government on July 3rd. THREE weeks ahead of the "expected due date". Only 13 days after her EP was submitted. *huh?* All of us AP's were blown away by this exciting change of events. </div>
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<b>What's next?</b> WHO KNOWS! They are estimating 4-13 weeks for all travel calls to be received. It feels like when I went into labor 2.5 weeks early with Max. It could happen any time. *duhn-duhn-duhn* This is starting to feel more real.<br />
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Thank you, God, for good news! <i>"Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation."</i><br />
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So…</div>
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I need to pray.<br />
I need to make lists.</div>
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I need to get organized. </div>
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I need to learn more Korean.</div>
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I need to… <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZkyxid63iwbg0cDavrWeC85XXEAvwcYZweLVqhrLvO9bf3HVCOzgYd8zkkgYgCZdIHvgfIM4YDfOnJwutTU2cYi8E1DAcxBHd2eIL2fcaopt3AQc8RSbUl4PCjYxL4nRd-LkspjYNRQ/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZkyxid63iwbg0cDavrWeC85XXEAvwcYZweLVqhrLvO9bf3HVCOzgYd8zkkgYgCZdIHvgfIM4YDfOnJwutTU2cYi8E1DAcxBHd2eIL2fcaopt3AQc8RSbUl4PCjYxL4nRd-LkspjYNRQ/s1600/photo.JPG" /></a> </div>
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<br /></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250950777484557914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166692029678168663.post-53407106492173239662012-06-24T15:55:00.002-04:002012-06-24T15:55:55.684-04:00EP, BABY! (and some more waiting)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBT7kyA6t-Yb5smg3Q_G1HMCWnvtQ5rZJR9n5ZJaMxRhGhkVYJaZuwT3sXe_NGr_q5ntrzqTHHl8PmUNlZQwvkQdWKpnydabAcdxZzpLkS_Ss0csTD6sxPdxenNYKTDolbrA21WXUFmg/s1600/EPZOEY.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBT7kyA6t-Yb5smg3Q_G1HMCWnvtQ5rZJR9n5ZJaMxRhGhkVYJaZuwT3sXe_NGr_q5ntrzqTHHl8PmUNlZQwvkQdWKpnydabAcdxZzpLkS_Ss0csTD6sxPdxenNYKTDolbrA21WXUFmg/s400/EPZOEY.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Zoey and her foster mother - </span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">checking out PJ from our latest photo album!</span></span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>It's official - Zoey FINALLY received her long-awaited EP on Wednesday! We are feeling the excitement from our friends and family and many have asked what this means and how soon we will get to bring Zoey home, so here's a quick overview of what happens next…</b></div>
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An "EP" is an emigration permit. It is the first step in the paperwork process for Zoey to get her travel visa. It will take about 4-5 weeks for the EP to be approved by the Korean government. And unfortunately, this is the ONLY time frame we can be certain of…but we WILL be notified when this happens, thankfully.</div>
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<b>What happens next?</b></div>
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Holt Korea will apply to the Ministry of Foreign affairs for a travel certificate. This can take another week, but we won't be notified when it happens. *blah*</div>
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<b>Then what…?</b></div>
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Since Zoey has already had her Visa Physical performed, we can thankfully cross this step off the list. We also have received the paperwork to fill out for her "Class B waiver" - related to her PKU special need - so, the ball is already rolling on this step!</div>
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<b>Also…</b></div>
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We already have our I600 approval from the government. *check!*</div>
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<b>but we aren't done yet…</b></div>
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Holt-Korea will submit a P3 packet to the Embassy for Zoey's one-way travel visa. It contains a slew of legal documents and other papers which takes 5-8 business days to be approved. Unfortunately, we won't know when this happens either…</div>
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<b>getting closer…</b></div>
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Zoey's foster family will then take her to the Embassy for a "visa interview". I have no idea what happens during this interview, but hopefully Zoey will say "yes" to becoming our daughter. (ha) Will she have to put one hand on the Bible and swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth? hmmm…</div>
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<b>last and most importantly…</b></div>
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After Zoey's visa has been issued, we will get a phone call from our agency telling us to buy our plane tickets and get to Korea ASAP. <i>(we are required to be in Korea within a week or sooner of this call!)</i> WHOA - I'll totally freak out when I get this call! <i>(in a good way)</i></div>
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So, this is a run down of everything that still has to happen. Since this last batch of EPs was so huge <i>(I've heard is was 80 this time)</i>, it is going to take longer than the typical 6-8 weeks that we were expecting for all of these EP families to travel. SO, we could travel as early as August or as late as October. That's a pretty big time frame. I wish we knew exactly when we were going, but one thing I know for sure…I'm not going to put off packing until we get our travel call. </div>
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<b>Get ready, we're coming for you, Zoey!</b></div>
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<br /></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250950777484557914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166692029678168663.post-24947514696708962732012-06-04T01:19:00.000-04:002012-06-04T01:19:25.337-04:00MEANT TO BE!<div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<i>Photoshop d</i><i>reaming about the day I meet my little girl…</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPBD13ZTHZJZ9M22jjkAW_PTGh4U6AhOl87CzBqYvccAbIJl3-SqaFjg8Yh2VFRUW8hEU5R5U7BND0siLXSFunKhSaX32PoIR85_2p2rFhrAir8YXWQNwSf5P0wvH8RFl5fHLQqRevTw/s1600/ZoeyMommy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPBD13ZTHZJZ9M22jjkAW_PTGh4U6AhOl87CzBqYvccAbIJl3-SqaFjg8Yh2VFRUW8hEU5R5U7BND0siLXSFunKhSaX32PoIR85_2p2rFhrAir8YXWQNwSf5P0wvH8RFl5fHLQqRevTw/s400/ZoeyMommy.jpg" width="331" /></a></div>
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And as if I needed any more confirmation that Zoey was MEANT to be my daughter, listen to this one…this story just gets better every day!</div>
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I "met" another AP online<i> (whose name is also Katie) </i>who is waiting to bring her daughter home from Korea. They are one of the other few families with a May referral who are STILL waiting for that crazy EP we keep talking about. </div>
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So, we are just two girls with the same name in the same boat waiting for over a year to bring our babies home. We emailed back and forth a few times and then we discovered that we shared an even <b>BIGGER CONNECTION</b>… <i> </i></div>
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<i>(I'm copying directly from her email…hope you don't mind being quoted, Katie!)</i></div>
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<b><i>"…it seems we share
more in common than just our names! </i></b></div>
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<b><i>Your daughter was truly meant to be
with you. </i></b></div>
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<b><i>I realized by reading your blog that your daughter was the
first child profile that Holt had sent to me when we submitted our
application. I never got to see her photo, just the medical info. We
also had a second little girl's profile given to us and in the end we
choose our daughter and it seems 2 days later you got Zoeys! </i></b></div>
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<b><i>It seems
all works out as it is suppose to!…"</i></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444;">Is that not unbelievable? </span></b><span style="color: #444444;">WOW! I needed this encouragement because some days it seems like Zoey is never going to be with us…</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">So, I'm hoping and praying that both of these Katie's get their long-awaited EP's ASAP and end up traveling together because I want to meet this "other Katie" and give her a hug!</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444;">How's that for MEANT TO BE!?</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250950777484557914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166692029678168663.post-38139073295155166112012-05-23T13:43:00.000-04:002012-05-23T13:43:41.845-04:00common adoption misconceptions - part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>"She's still young...she won't remember</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>anything from before you adopted her."</b></i></span></div>
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While this may be true to an extent when a child is older, what this statement fails to take into account is how influential a child's first days, months and years are to their development.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>This brings me to the topic of </b><b>grief…</b></span> </div>
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When we bring Zoey home, she will be grieving the loss of the foster family she has known for more than a year – the majority of her life. To Zoey, we are strangers taking her away from everything familiar and the people she loves. This will not be easy and it makes me sad to think about causing her grief…</div>
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I'm glad I came across this descriptive scenario for the "grief" that adopted children naturally experience during the adoption transition. It's an eye opener and really made me understand better what children deal with during their transitions from birth mother to various foster families or institutions and finally to their forever families. Its long but worth reading…</div>
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<i><em><strong>Imagine for a moment</strong></em> you have met the person you've dreamed about all your life. He has
every quality that you desire in a spouse. You plan for the wedding,
enjoying every free moment with your fiancée. You love his touch, his
smell, the way he looks into your eyes. For the first time in your life,
you understand what is meant by soul mate, for this person understands
you in a way that no one else does. Your heart beats in rhythm with his.
Your emotions are intimately tied to his every joy, his every sorrow. </i></div>
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<i> The wedding comes. It is a happy celebration, but the best part is
that you are finally the wife of this wonderful man. You fall asleep
that night, exhausted from the day's events, but relaxed and joyful in
the knowledge that you are next to the person who loves you more than
anyone in the world the person who will be with you for the rest of your
life. The next morning you wake up, nestled in your partner's arms. You
open your eyes and immediately look for his face. But it's not him! You
are in the arms of another man. You recoil in horror. Who is this man? </i></div>
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<i><strong>Where is your beloved? </strong>You ask questions of the new man, but it quickly becomes apparent that
he doesn't understand you. You search every room in the house, calling
and calling for your husband. The new guy follows you around, trying to
hug you, pat you on the back…even trying to stroke your arm, acting
like everything is okay. But you know that nothing is okay. Your beloved
is gone. Where is he? Will he return? When? What has happened to him?
Weeks pass. You cry and cry over the loss of your beloved. Sometimes you
ache silently, in shock over what has happened. The new guy tries to
comfort you. You appreciate his attempts, but he doesn't speak your
language - either verbally or emotionally. He doesn't seem to realize the
terrible thing that has happened…that your sweetheart is gone. <br /><br />
You
find it difficult to sleep. The new guy tries to comfort you at bedtime
with soft words and gentle touches, but you avoid him, preferring to
sleep alone, away from him and any intimate words or contact. Months
later, you still ache for your beloved, but gradually you are learning
to trust this new guy. He's finally learned that you like your coffee
black, not doctored up with cream and sugar. Although you still don't
understand his bedtime songs, you like the lilt of his voice and take
some comfort in it. More time passes. One morning, you wake up to find a
full suitcase sitting next to the front door. You try to ask him about
it, but he just takes you by the hand and leads you to the car. You
drive and drive and drive. Nothing is familiar. Where are you? Where is
he taking you? </i>
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<i>You pull up to a large building. He leads you to an elevator and up
to a room filled with people. Many are crying. Some are ecstatic with
joy. You are confused. And worried. The man leads you over to the
corner. Another man opens his arms and sweeps you up in an embrace. He
rubs your back and kisses your cheeks, obviously thrilled to see you.
You are anything but thrilled to see him. Who in the world is he? Where
is your beloved? You reach for the man who brought you, but he just
smiles (although he seems to be tearing up, which concerns you), pats
you on the back, and puts your hand in the hands of the new guy. The new
guy picks up your suitcase and leads you to the door. The familiar face
starts openly crying, waving and waving as the elevator doors close on
you and the new guy. The new guy drives you to an airport and you follow
him, not knowing what else to do. Sometimes you cry, but then the new
guy tries to make you smile, so you grin back, wanting to get along. You
board a plane. The flight is long. You sleep a lot, wanting to mentally
escape from the situation. </i></div>
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<br /></div>
<i style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Hours later, the plane touches down. The new guy is very excited and
leads you into the airport where dozens of people are there to greet
you. Light bulbs flash as your photo is taken again and again. The new
guy takes you to another guy who hugs you. Who is this one? You smile at
him. Then you are taken to another man who pats your back and kisses
your cheek. Then yet another fellow gives you a big hug and messes your
hair. Finally, someone (which guy is this?) pulls you into his arms with
the biggest hug you've ever had. He kisses you all over your cheeks and
croons to you in some language you've never heard before. </span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
He leads you to a car and drives you to another location. Everything
here looks different. The climate is not what you're used to. The smells
are strange. Nothing tastes familiar, except for the black coffee. You
wonder if someone told him that you like your coffee black. You find it
nearly impossible to sleep. Sometimes you lie in bed for hours, staring
into the blackness, furious with your husband for leaving you, yet
aching from the loss. The new guy checks on you. He seems concerned and
tries to comfort you with soft words and a mug of warm milk. You turn
away, pretending to go to asleep. </span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
People come to the house. You can feel the anxiety start to bubble
over as you look into the faces of all the new people. You tightly grasp
the new guy's hand. He pulls you closer. People smile and nudge one
other, marveling at how quickly you've fallen in love. Strangers reach
for you, wanting to be a part of the happiness. Each time a man hugs
you, you wonder if he will be the one to take you away. Just in case,
you keep your suitcase packed and ready. Although the man at this house
is nice and you're hanging on for dear life, you've learned from
experience that men come and go, so you just wait in expectation for the
next one to come along. </span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
Each morning, the new guy hands you a cup of coffee and looks at you
expectantly. A couple of times the pain and anger for your husband is so
great that you lash out, sending hot coffee across the room, causing
the new guy to yelp in pain. He just looks at you, bewildered. But most
of the time you calmly take the cup. You give him a smile. And wait. And
wait. And wait. </span></i>
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<br /></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250950777484557914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166692029678168663.post-57888780790900245302012-05-22T13:06:00.000-04:002012-05-22T13:06:07.682-04:00donations for Holt<h3 style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;">As we wait to travel to Korea, we would love to begin accepting donations for Holt Children’s Services. If anyone feels led to donate items for us to deliver, the following is a list of
their current needs based on priority.</span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>TOP NEEDS</b></span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: small;">1. <b>Finger food snacks</b> such as Gerber puffs <i>(sweet potato is a good
flavor)</i> or Gerber Lil’ Crunchies <i>(mild cheddar is a popular
flavor)</i>….<i>Note: It does not specifically have to be Gerber brand. – This
request is from the Holt clinic (WBC).</i> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">2. <b>Baby & toddler Clothing</b> – They need preemie <i>(new born)</i> until
2T, 3T. There is a greater need for boys clothes than girls clothing. As
children are staying in care longer, the need for older baby and
toddler clothing has grown. Please send new clothes. <i>“We would love to
receive these as a donation.”</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">3. <b>Moisturizing Baby Lotion or Cream</b> for dry skin is a high priority.
This is particularly important in the winter. Examples include:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">* <b>Aveeno baby lotion</b> – Many of the babies get very dry skin
<i>(dermatitis)</i>, especially in the winter and this lotion is extremely
expensive in Korea.<br />
* <b>Cetaphil</b> moisturizing lotion<br />
* J<b>ohnson & Johnson</b> baby lotion<br />
* <b>Vaseline</b> will be also good.<b> </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>ADDITIONAL NEEDS</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">* <b>Gerber Rice Cereal</b><i> (single grain)</i> – Single gain rice cereal is an
urgent, important and ongoing need for Holt Korea. There are a lot of
premature babies in care as well as children with other medical
concerns. Single gain rice cereal is a critical part of meeting the
nutritional needs of these kids as many cannot tolerate the multigrain
cereal that is available in Korea, and single grain rice cereal that is
available is less easily digestible than that which is made in the U.S.
Supplies of the Gerber rice cereal routinely run low, so families who
would like to donate items either when they travel or via mail are
encouraged to bring/give rice cereal.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">* <b>Diaper rash cream</b> as like Desitin and aloe gel. This need is particularly high in the summer months.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;">Note re diaper cream: …diaper cream in Korea is $33.00 a tube, thus it is asked for in donations. It is still a relatively new
imported item (within the last two years I am assuming based on my
fruitless efforts to find it in past trips to Korea) within Korea. No
Korean brand is available – French brand is available only. In March, my
Korean SIL showed me her tube of diaper cream that she uses on my niece
in Korea (they live there with my BIL), and I was SHOCKED to see how
expensive it was.</span></i><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">* Sometimes they have older children over 3 or 4. Coloring books, crayons, toys, etc are very helpful.</span></div>
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<div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>BIRTH MOTHER NEEDS</b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">* <b>Stretch mark lotion/cocoa butter</b> - used for relieving the itchy skin
of expecting mothers due to their skin stretching to accommodate the
baby. This is the top priority for the birth mothers. <i>“Recently one adoptive family brought this but they were only able to
give it to one maternity shelter in Seoul though they have 5 maternity
shelters. Young teenager moms need these.”</i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">* <b>Maternity clothes</b> - Assume XS, S, or M size. <i>(maternity clothes are
expensive in Korea)</i>. New maternity clothing only please <i>(i.e. no
hand-me-downs)</i>. </span></div>
<h3 style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;">* <b>Aloe Vera</b></span></h3>
<div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<h3>
<strong> </strong></h3>
<h3>
<strong>SPECIAL NEED – Ergo (or similar) Baby Carriers</strong></h3>
<i>"If you are considering gifts or donations to your agency that would
help out the foster mothers, when we were in the Holt Korea office
meeting with the Seoul foster families in May 2012, they asked me to
pass along that they would really appreciate new or gently-used Ergos
(or similar baby carriers) that work well for older babies and young
toddler."</i><a href="http://store.ergobaby.com/" title="Ergo Baby Carriers"> http://store.ergobaby.com/</a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS NEEDED</b></span></div>
<div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">* Multi-vitamin with iron – polyvisol <i>(for babies)</i><br />
* Baby toys <i>(rattles and teething toys)</i><br />
* Preemie baby clothes <i>(unavailable in Korea)</i><br />
* Hand sanitizer – This is needed in the Reception Center as they go
through a lot of it with the visitors. During the cold/flu season, it is
also used by the foster families, etc.</span></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250950777484557914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166692029678168663.post-1528241083334337292012-05-21T01:18:00.000-04:002012-05-21T01:18:16.986-04:00thoughts while waiting…<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOiTzZ4SqWg9qFjwZjLnkS7fx5vTQ6zqYioLdqhPulijcpTl8sd0UV-YFWAW0peoKbBuWh23bXMlKLEsp_C1vTGIFrtXMY0b21iB0z5G9DekxbJ9KkLNzklGBaBN9U6X0DLy5GVu-NDg/s1600/warn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOiTzZ4SqWg9qFjwZjLnkS7fx5vTQ6zqYioLdqhPulijcpTl8sd0UV-YFWAW0peoKbBuWh23bXMlKLEsp_C1vTGIFrtXMY0b21iB0z5G9DekxbJ9KkLNzklGBaBN9U6X0DLy5GVu-NDg/s320/warn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">it has been 1 year and counting for Zoey Bin to come home which has given us A LOT of time to research </span></span><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">adoption </span></span><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">issues and learn from others experiences.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">what have we learned in this time? mostly how to prepare for the worst. yes, I'm a realist/pessimist…prepare for the worst and hope for the best.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">over the last year, I've encountered various comments from well-meaning friends (and strangers). what I've learned from these interactions? issues faced by adoptive families are mostly lost on those who haven't been through it. this was frustrating until I realized - <i>how can we expect others to understand these issues when WE ourselves were so naive at the start of this process?</i></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">one past encounter involved a "curious george" who wanted to know details about Zoey's birth parents. why should people feel it is their business to know personal details about a child's life? this type of curiosity will not be rewarded. personal information is…well, personal…to anyone but especially to an adopted child which is why we are choosing to respect Zoey's privacy and allow her to share information about her background if and when SHE decides she is ready.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">in
an effort to "gently educate" friends and family<i> (and anyone else for that matter)</i> I have decided to write a series of posts highlighting some of the issues that we will be
working through when we bring our darling Zoey home.</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><b><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">stay tuned for more educational and hopefully thought-provoking posts NOT intended to offend…</span></span></b></i></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">we are asking for lots of prayer because we realize we can't successfully parent without God's help. we are convinced He specifically chose us to be Zoey's forever family and this knowledge alone will help us through any difficult times to come.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250950777484557914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166692029678168663.post-56293863384632627362012-05-11T01:14:00.000-04:002012-05-11T01:14:27.778-04:00one year later…<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUnrEQRBU1JE-9NgLYDkI4LL0F_hAyhLRWdGZ_bUmrWA_ruxXmLLsVEoyOQphDuYVdEC1MmJ3WeHfLPkUAaUu7Q01LMQUp6UpklyCaptvzOQ8g1EIUdJLX4oFlKjVIu9lQMh27zXtVVg/s1600/YeBin_pics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUnrEQRBU1JE-9NgLYDkI4LL0F_hAyhLRWdGZ_bUmrWA_ruxXmLLsVEoyOQphDuYVdEC1MmJ3WeHfLPkUAaUu7Q01LMQUp6UpklyCaptvzOQ8g1EIUdJLX4oFlKjVIu9lQMh27zXtVVg/s1600/YeBin_pics.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<b>I can't believe it has been ONE YEAR since I first saw this precious little face staring at me from an email. </b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
And soon after, finding out we were pregnant…overcoming one of the biggest adoption obstacles ever…buying and selling a house…moving…giving birth to Max…right, never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined all that. And it's hard to believe after all of this we are still waiting to bring Zoey home. But, God's timing is perfect. Looking at the bright side, it has given us more time to research adoption issues and learn what is best for her when she comes home. I just hope we can celebrate her second birthday together as a family! </div>
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<div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250950777484557914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166692029678168663.post-2391442791458022302012-03-31T23:49:00.002-04:002012-03-31T23:49:46.726-04:00room to grow and other news<div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
Our journey to Zoey has been an exciting event-filled one and it feels like it has been forever since we first saw her sweet face in our referral package. Our "fight" to adopt her after we became pregnant was very stressful and time consuming but it was worth it in the end - not only because Zoey will officially be our daughter soon but because we were able to offer insite to another adoptive family who ended up in the same situation! We offered our personal experience to help them petition for the continued adoption of their child - and they succeeded! It made me so thrilled to know our trial helped another couple and their future child - another double miracle! </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
And today I shipped off what are hopefully the last two care packages for Zoey before she comes home - one to Korea and the other to a friend who is traveling for her son very soon and offered to deliver a package for us. Thanks a ton, Jen!</div>
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<div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
Zoey's room is almost complete except for a few finishing touches, so I thought I'd share what she has waiting for her. It's my favorite room in the house! And yes, I applied those vinyl wall decals when I was 7 months pregnant…while balancing on a ladder. #motherlybrag <i>(btw, I'm instigating the use of hash tags in blog posts - starting NOW) </i>#Idon'tevenusetwitteranddon'treallygiveatwit </div>
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I hope she likes it as much as I do…</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKjS0XCP3Iog1TQeu-G2PWEyjvc3YGLjLeFOGcYYrI_7znDq19tgbBLPcVC9doaPQiByTQv6f8lcCHi-Z2issREay_2t6tTkPWUP6g-OhXDcb-qcplNkI4tIySeY0g2kbaazj8_SforQ/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKjS0XCP3Iog1TQeu-G2PWEyjvc3YGLjLeFOGcYYrI_7znDq19tgbBLPcVC9doaPQiByTQv6f8lcCHi-Z2issREay_2t6tTkPWUP6g-OhXDcb-qcplNkI4tIySeY0g2kbaazj8_SforQ/s1600/2.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;">thank you, Craigslist</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpVL1heDUIBgOAPWyXf3DKQvGfBtxsW5DZsvbgTbV-10YRsWw5Qdt_me387fuV-7c4OESUtOT7bL71OWoVdZQuySQI01P_eR_rplgaohl3jNiiUGnfvPb6g9CjKPk72yUY-cQSBK7IrA/s1600/9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpVL1heDUIBgOAPWyXf3DKQvGfBtxsW5DZsvbgTbV-10YRsWw5Qdt_me387fuV-7c4OESUtOT7bL71OWoVdZQuySQI01P_eR_rplgaohl3jNiiUGnfvPb6g9CjKPk72yUY-cQSBK7IrA/s1600/9.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;">Max's Moses basket now doubles as a toy box</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5yg3AgfO8qbrpbODandjTEH5_xRBp_Us545e_N1YNtH4ZJLpyQmldPuCFbg5-vRlTyzLyHh8Ne6cE6jY0hiKV1tJKVLOAhIIXHJyDmfI6va_gL0IUA7clW4-7x9bPwPAfi0vsuYL3-w/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5yg3AgfO8qbrpbODandjTEH5_xRBp_Us545e_N1YNtH4ZJLpyQmldPuCFbg5-vRlTyzLyHh8Ne6cE6jY0hiKV1tJKVLOAhIIXHJyDmfI6va_gL0IUA7clW4-7x9bPwPAfi0vsuYL3-w/s320/3.JPG" width="241" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-L4O7n7xOGz3YU4gYnAnrIzlDV1uGpj3aZmiO1WnH2V4kUcE-UGUV3_cLOP0neZHGm9j7_1nMUfsKrTV9BUPCrbC9AYmsXt6WmtKsVmL6gjDOTQJpVE6cc9zfSLTk8r0JDpqJ15NT2g/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-L4O7n7xOGz3YU4gYnAnrIzlDV1uGpj3aZmiO1WnH2V4kUcE-UGUV3_cLOP0neZHGm9j7_1nMUfsKrTV9BUPCrbC9AYmsXt6WmtKsVmL6gjDOTQJpVE6cc9zfSLTk8r0JDpqJ15NT2g/s320/4.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250950777484557914noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166692029678168663.post-52486256303218516932012-03-17T21:24:00.002-04:002012-03-17T22:01:27.821-04:00get the ball rolling<div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Something (or someone) has been butting into my blogging time these days. *enter Max* </div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Our little package, big surprise entered our lives 2.5 weeks before "schedule". I guess he ran out of room in there. Thankfully. Or maybe he wanted to hurry up and meet his big sister Zoey. But don't we all feel that way...</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Thankfully Korea has started issuing EPs for these sweet babies who are now "toddlers" so they can be united with their forever families. We are hopeful that we will be able to travel for Zoey by early summer. She continues to do well on her PKU medication and is growing like a weed according to her latest well baby check report. Unfortunately we haven't received any updated photos of her in months and it's driving me nuts. I may be overcompensating by taking ridiculous amounts of photos of Max. </div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The timing is ultimately in God's hands. But please continue to pray for the many families who are still waiting to bring their children home and for the transition time after that. It will be challenging but so rewarding in the end. </div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2aJAds9ZQtIXk1cgGFvnXnlqNXrltzGLZLK0zqR62jghkRAIQbwWRem5uMvooU86twh7bzpY8uM730HDqIrjMI7w0Cm8FRfMtqBHmjdF973ub7TS6iygWk2EtqPDjY_Bvyb37NCMgmQ/s640/blogger-image-1462858499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2aJAds9ZQtIXk1cgGFvnXnlqNXrltzGLZLK0zqR62jghkRAIQbwWRem5uMvooU86twh7bzpY8uM730HDqIrjMI7w0Cm8FRfMtqBHmjdF973ub7TS6iygWk2EtqPDjY_Bvyb37NCMgmQ/s640/blogger-image-1462858499.jpg" /></a></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250950777484557914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166692029678168663.post-85910201970605372832012-01-24T16:28:00.000-05:002012-01-24T16:28:51.436-05:00our 15 minutes of fame…<div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">This past September we were photographed and interviewed for an article in Business Black Box magazine. Each issue they feature a "What Matters" human interest story about someone in the community. </span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">It all started when Geoff Wasserman, <span class="fbProfileBylineFragment"><span class="fbProfileBylineLabel">CEO at <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=111124775580159" href="http://www.createlaunchlead.com/" target="_blank">Showcase Marketing</a></span></span><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=111124775580159" href="http://www.createlaunchlead.com/" target="_blank"><span class="fbProfileBylineFragment"><span class="fbProfileBylineLabel"></span></span></a></span><span style="font-size: small;">, along with his son, came to support us during our adoption fundraiser back in August. We shared our adoption stories with each other and as he was leaving, asked us if we would be interested in sharing our story with the community. Needless to say, it was one of the highlights of my day. <i>*understatement*</i> </span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">I am so geared up about it and hopefully it will be a great tool to encourage other families to adopt!</span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://issuu.com/businessblackbox/docs/bbb-q1-2012?mode=window&backgroundColor=%23222222" target="_blank">Click here to view the full magazine content including our article <i>(scroll to pg 96)</i>.</a></b></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_g7-2lcgrBUcFRLv2YJUlXkmE9wrllqDlOP7mn1zwR_F29re4ruvvlNkNsC6X7evdIVzkaj4khHAhSVQA5CDG-mTqTqSKfhPUVuhUVDeGnuzIJFiiiCw5ZIiDDNE3wzjZ5HD2QLL7A/s1600/BlackBox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_g7-2lcgrBUcFRLv2YJUlXkmE9wrllqDlOP7mn1zwR_F29re4ruvvlNkNsC6X7evdIVzkaj4khHAhSVQA5CDG-mTqTqSKfhPUVuhUVDeGnuzIJFiiiCw5ZIiDDNE3wzjZ5HD2QLL7A/s640/BlackBox.jpg" width="497" /></a></span></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250950777484557914noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166692029678168663.post-42441340540834882452012-01-23T10:57:00.000-05:002012-01-23T10:57:42.612-05:00happy Korean Lunar New Year!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6edB6UgVKe9koknUIx2Jc0Xn7KqZPnO4ZDAWtFV8iE1TMpeQQtgFnGIE3nn1LcZh1lafTNsOI5E8-70ZJUXn9k9QTLim_Ji34bLY1vjX0mfoIUF0ZBmADjCQg45_dELeczzitCS76w/s1600/LNY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6edB6UgVKe9koknUIx2Jc0Xn7KqZPnO4ZDAWtFV8iE1TMpeQQtgFnGIE3nn1LcZh1lafTNsOI5E8-70ZJUXn9k9QTLim_Ji34bLY1vjX0mfoIUF0ZBmADjCQg45_dELeczzitCS76w/s1600/LNY.jpg" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Today officially marks the year of the dragon! </b>Although I'm not much of a superstitious person, after doing a little research of my own and finding that "Dragons seem to be a change year, and usually from bad to good," I can only feel optimistic about Zoey's homecoming - THIS YEAR! I definitely wouldn't say that last year was a "bad" year though – after all, it was the year we started our adoption process, Zoey became our baby girl and we also received the unexpected gift of her baby bro.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So, in celebration of the lunar new year, we sent a care package to Zoey and the foster family. Hopefully we will get another group of pictures with her and the gifts! I think it was a pretty awesome package…new PJ's for Zoey, cute cat hat and mittens, an adorable Asian ballerina doll, a lullaby CD, a recordable story book that Brad and I were able to "read" to Zoey (hopefully she'll listen to it A LOT and get to know our voices), and a hard cardboard toddler book I customized with our photos, family pictures and Zoey's photos showing how she will become part of our family (my favorite part)!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fLL7FttXrEebhi6zPlBYi7kGp4RDcps_XFbvP-_LBULAEI-5id2mMZp4naMh4TIGIkAkeodFeyRwNijLwX-_kne4LSe7pMDrkLc2CenIGbsAOdMLamZcpS1mlfafH6L_5p2SceCXtA/s1600/book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fLL7FttXrEebhi6zPlBYi7kGp4RDcps_XFbvP-_LBULAEI-5id2mMZp4naMh4TIGIkAkeodFeyRwNijLwX-_kne4LSe7pMDrkLc2CenIGbsAOdMLamZcpS1mlfafH6L_5p2SceCXtA/s400/book.jpg" width="400" /></a> And as a suggestion from a friend who lives in Seoul, we sent the foster family a Yankee Candle - apparently they are hot ticket items over there and very pricey. Yay for after-Christmas sales. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDAwPnbYKTZ88O7iHXZ8pev2kwwjFsz2e1grZDog69BClZBL79OtNgz4VjOSyZxNMBcPjiOlrQ0hHDTREO9f5mk4NZIxVurL1remvP2KArI6e5Pg9-OKbb1R69H9Qexg8_63THECkkcQ/s1600/package.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDAwPnbYKTZ88O7iHXZ8pev2kwwjFsz2e1grZDog69BClZBL79OtNgz4VjOSyZxNMBcPjiOlrQ0hHDTREO9f5mk4NZIxVurL1remvP2KArI6e5Pg9-OKbb1R69H9Qexg8_63THECkkcQ/s1600/package.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDAwPnbYKTZ88O7iHXZ8pev2kwwjFsz2e1grZDog69BClZBL79OtNgz4VjOSyZxNMBcPjiOlrQ0hHDTREO9f5mk4NZIxVurL1remvP2KArI6e5Pg9-OKbb1R69H9Qexg8_63THECkkcQ/s1600/package.jpg" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
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</div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250950777484557914noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166692029678168663.post-17098981403932575902012-01-13T15:49:00.000-05:002012-01-13T15:49:38.702-05:00Zoey's progress!<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This week we unexpectedly received a "progress report" on Zoey from our agency! It included an entire page of info describing her development and personality, living environment and foster family and some encouraging <i>(but also confusing)</i> details regarding her diet and PKU diagnosis. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg91SjEbyAi2iZjmVVc10h0-mle5ieohry6x1SALWDKPpZwfOtP4QDuMCzjRNtKcE9VRCckcZ13Ptse_F37TliZ9UJxlmiTf1NbZpR1FUb_7JYyIZWaIw5hSf4inu26G2eSx-fQw-6KEA/s1600/Zoey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg91SjEbyAi2iZjmVVc10h0-mle5ieohry6x1SALWDKPpZwfOtP4QDuMCzjRNtKcE9VRCckcZ13Ptse_F37TliZ9UJxlmiTf1NbZpR1FUb_7JYyIZWaIw5hSf4inu26G2eSx-fQw-6KEA/s200/Zoey.jpg" width="198" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I already knew it, but it sounds like Zoey is going to be the PERFECT FIT for our family. She likes watching commercials and cartoons and shows interest in computers by sneaking into the foster brother's room to turn his on. She loves toys with sound and "insists" on being handed the phone when it rings. <i>*smile*</i> It is clear her foster family is doing a GREAT job with her and they all LOVE her very much. It is going to be bittersweet when the day comes for us to actually travel to Korea and bring her home. WE will be the strangers/bad guys who are taking Zoey away from the family she has come to love and attach herself to over the last year of her life. Unfortunately the longer we wait and the older she becomes, the harder this transition will be. So until then, we are doing our research to prepare for this transition and learning the best ways to bond and attach with her as her FOREVER family. It's not going to be an easy process but it will all be worth it. We're up for the challenge of becoming a family of 4 with God's help!</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We set up an appointment with our metabolic specialists in February to review her medical records and set up a plan for when Zoey is home with us. The confusing yet optimistic part of her "progress report" described her diet which is NO LONGER low protein as a toddler with PKU would be expected to eat. We know she was put on a medication for PKU that has the ability to allow <i>some</i> <i>patients</i> to breakdown protein more efficiently. It will be interesting to see what our specialists here have to say about putting a young toddler on this drug…even though it may make our life easier, I'm definitely not a drug pusher and realize that every drug has the potential for adverse side effects, etc. <i>*and now stepping off my soap box*</i> So again, time will tell…we are waiting on some clarification from Korea on her medical records and current PKU diagnosis. We are just thanking God that she is happy, above average developmentally and healthy.<b> We love you, Zoey!</b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;">To me, this Bible verse reads more like a fortune cookie, but I love it… </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvh6ZG6D8-FQMvCr8jT_AaGMk0A2JxfUpC8NN0PxI3m-gqi-6FnGNwgnlAYS0qQkX2oq6s9bVORKyRTxA5EfqGQsbgJNN2YGR9-S2Ni24Fe2vErHrBV6FueulKEkj6iE-TP8oAMXR-Kg/s1600/Fortune.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvh6ZG6D8-FQMvCr8jT_AaGMk0A2JxfUpC8NN0PxI3m-gqi-6FnGNwgnlAYS0qQkX2oq6s9bVORKyRTxA5EfqGQsbgJNN2YGR9-S2Ni24Fe2vErHrBV6FueulKEkj6iE-TP8oAMXR-Kg/s320/Fortune.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><b><i>As cold water </i></b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><b><i>to a weary soul, </i></b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><b><i>so is good news </i></b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><b><i>from a far country.</i></b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><b><i>Proverbs 25:25 </i></b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;">ok, who's up for dim sum? :)<b><i><br />
</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250950777484557914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166692029678168663.post-43071142694486121632012-01-03T22:02:00.000-05:002012-01-03T22:02:40.683-05:00one year closer to Zoey!<div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Hard to believe it was a year ago that we started out on our adoption journey.<b> </b></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>December 25, 2011</b>…</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Hard to believe it was almost 8 months ago that we saw </div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">our Zoey's face for the first time. <b> </b></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>May 10, 2011…</b></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Hard to believe only 7 weeks later we found out I was pregnant. <b><br />
</b></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>June 30, 2011…</b></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b> </b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMYt-GNnLVJzecsow3X6buFdxhAlcJSOqOWjuv7EYiY6ZZtZmgYs2JavGJWDzrLNY-oDqJJJzkbc1OkQ0sviSg2X2NrdKSNshCTWLb_qo_D3Vp7P5Ci5R1igV_sHksqIuM9bxlxNzwPQ/s1600/reaction.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMYt-GNnLVJzecsow3X6buFdxhAlcJSOqOWjuv7EYiY6ZZtZmgYs2JavGJWDzrLNY-oDqJJJzkbc1OkQ0sviSg2X2NrdKSNshCTWLb_qo_D3Vp7P5Ci5R1igV_sHksqIuM9bxlxNzwPQ/s1600/reaction.jpg" /></a><b> </b></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Hard to believe we had to petition and wait 7 more weeks to find out we would be allowed to continue with Zoey's adoption!</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>August 15, 2011 </b></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdVPV7uo7zPxGoJlxfPkXn_c0OohVEP3Gw80c8phT5xUGwBPLMjV3solh75a4eV-1zufTLkZFv3r_AuoLOl06gQUtB5mVy1T54VwrbrgFTsX4qMZKzhrROEnazA1nFMY9l0VxyQrVag/s1600/ZoeyII.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdVPV7uo7zPxGoJlxfPkXn_c0OohVEP3Gw80c8phT5xUGwBPLMjV3solh75a4eV-1zufTLkZFv3r_AuoLOl06gQUtB5mVy1T54VwrbrgFTsX4qMZKzhrROEnazA1nFMY9l0VxyQrVag/s1600/ZoeyII.jpg" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>Here's to a NEW YEAR and hopefully more good news soon while we</b></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>(im)patiently wait to bring Zoey and her baby brother home.</b></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>And I thought last year was busy…</b></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>that's the way we keep things exciting around here.</b></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><br />
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</div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250950777484557914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166692029678168663.post-57885590118709276792011-12-08T23:44:00.000-05:002011-12-08T23:44:49.313-05:00Zoey, Zoey, Zoey!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I was so ecstatic this week when we received NEW pictures with Zoey's well baby check report from our agency. Seriously, I can't even explain how much I love this girl! Adoption is such an amazing ride. I know I keep saying this, but I wish everyone could experience it first hand.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When we received Zoey's referral almost 7 months ago, I never would have believed all of the amazing changes and turn of events that ahead for us. <strike>First off, I never would have thought we'd still be waiting to bring our daughter home from Korea.</strike> ok, I never would have believed we would be <i>pregnant</i> and<i> still waiting</i> to bring Zoey home from Korea. I never would have believed we would sell our adorable little home in 12 days and move into a family home "fixer-upper" 3 weeks later. What can I say, God has a sense of humor…and is way better to me than I deserve.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The latest on Zoey's homecoming…don't ask, we don't know! What we DO know is that S. Korea will begin issuing EP's again in January and they will be processing families who submitted their acceptance paperwork last March. We submitted our paperwork towards the end of May, so assuming the submissions are chronological, we COULD receive Zoey's EP in March! There are a few steps that have to happen even after that, so I'm really praying the timing works out for me to get through this pregnancy, bring the li'l bro home, recover and be able to fly to Seoul with Brad to bring her home. That's my prayer and I'm sticking to it!<i> "For nothing is impossible with God." - Luke 1:37</i></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifCldKp_j4zA0lQ3x91bQJbtAoPTTWSQgcvTCdkiBXNWVKgKYNa2qCT_0di5ya_rFHzjmUhxCRAJeGG_VCihQT9w-N84e3ma98-PUeVnFJfxWng_YOjgBMwIsvPlxkD36tEu4NHynJPA/s1600/ZoeyDec.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifCldKp_j4zA0lQ3x91bQJbtAoPTTWSQgcvTCdkiBXNWVKgKYNa2qCT_0di5ya_rFHzjmUhxCRAJeGG_VCihQT9w-N84e3ma98-PUeVnFJfxWng_YOjgBMwIsvPlxkD36tEu4NHynJPA/s1600/ZoeyDec.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This face - I can't stop staring at her new pictures! But it's time to get back to Zoey's Lunar New Year/late Christmas</span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">care package. This is going to be a GOOD ONE – if I could just figure out a gift to include for her foster family. Any suggestions…? </span></span>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250950777484557914noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166692029678168663.post-65332777148948079092011-11-10T09:33:00.001-05:002011-11-10T10:03:43.991-05:00t-shirts and coffee for the cause of adoption!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://justlovecoffee.com/about/beneficiary/bradandkatie/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijXxsIL945ualJDui3RxRtiRMI4xUDC3VNWPToTuUkIg-G3j2RqQ_7qSRno7XQvb4Ayj4AM-olwWIQCC28pD2S9FbHUuFO8j-q67qbGw63tQW_JfdjIUzotoz91O4ehVQ7kUG4TyxuDA/s1600/CoffeeShop540.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;">Get a head start on your Christmas shopping and visit </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://justlovecoffee.com/about/beneficiary/bradandkatie/" style="color: #660000;">Zoey's Just Love Coffee fund raising site</a></b><span style="color: #660000;">.</span></span></div></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A portion of every sale through our site will be directly applied to BRINGING ZOEY HOME as well as supporting clean water projects in developing countries through the organization charity: water.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We are now saving for our travel funds to S. Korea - we can't wait to bring our Zoey girl home! (Hopefully by next spring)<b><i> Thank you for helping us!</i></b></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTKYJNxI78QDvljTUDeb8MK2rm72NauSElLQkrgvK8S5IE-5NBjbG8mxNYSDeNHfrPhGNee6IQP8OJRud2L5_ydvS-DmmwhyOVnUk3o2C_AZqm6t6ZWcbdViUShpGHivHRHowJoVG6sA/s1600/Seoul-t-shirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTKYJNxI78QDvljTUDeb8MK2rm72NauSElLQkrgvK8S5IE-5NBjbG8mxNYSDeNHfrPhGNee6IQP8OJRud2L5_ydvS-DmmwhyOVnUk3o2C_AZqm6t6ZWcbdViUShpGHivHRHowJoVG6sA/s320/Seoul-t-shirt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>And as a side note<i>, </i>we are considering starting a t-shirt fundraiser…If anyone would be interested in purchasing one of our "Seoul" t-shirts,</b><b> (or possibly other adoption-related t-shirts) please <a href="mailto:katie@creativenightowls.com" style="color: #660000;">email me</a>!</b></div></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b> </b><div style="text-align: center;"><b></b></div><br />
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</i></b></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250950777484557914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166692029678168663.post-21147481840202452122011-11-01T12:54:00.000-04:002011-11-01T12:54:30.317-04:00Celebrate National Adoption Month!<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We never could have anticipated the huge changes coming for our family last year this time. I feel very blessed that God has chosen us to be the parents of our dear Zoey, her baby brother, and another sibling from China in the future! It's an amazing ride and I wish everyone could experience the miracle of adoption. Please consider making a difference in the life of a child!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250950777484557914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166692029678168663.post-16243860417753987532011-10-04T14:22:00.000-04:002011-10-04T14:22:10.937-04:00keeping things interesting…<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I can't believe Zoey is a year old and we've been waiting for her to come home for almost 5 months! We had a fun little party with a few friends and family on the 23rd <i>(since it was actually her birthday in Korea at that time). </i>We thought it would be fun to find out the sex of baby Searls <i>(early)</i> the day before the party and have a cake reveal the surprise, so thankfully, he cooperated and we were able to see the goods. Brad and I found out at the ultrasound but kept it a surprise for our party guests until we cut into the cake Friday night. But not before I doctored it up as the layers had shifted on the drive home from Strossner's and the BLUE cake was very obviously showing. Hello? That's not a surprise!</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPR3QOQbUTAeTYvTF6iW2-G7GU7a67awfH3ag-jshF3PGg1jDUPbfjn5CBhAm1AZ339-NT9nv1WTzIL3NO-Dnvpkt-9lM02UsE_ptKYLtIOGzMVL63iizNxHyBteYTuYDCVEOsAnOeRw/s1600/photo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPR3QOQbUTAeTYvTF6iW2-G7GU7a67awfH3ag-jshF3PGg1jDUPbfjn5CBhAm1AZ339-NT9nv1WTzIL3NO-Dnvpkt-9lM02UsE_ptKYLtIOGzMVL63iizNxHyBteYTuYDCVEOsAnOeRw/s1600/photo1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm so glad we got this updated picture of Zoey with her birthday gifts we sent to her along with her foster mother <i>(sorry we aren't allowed to show her face).</i> Come home soon, Zoey! There is going to be one more EP submission batch before the end of this year, so there is a slight chance that she could be home by Christmas. And that would be another miracle. Time is really flying by with all the changes going on in our family…</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeeSK-37-oMd4SuISFs_NLS8BiyFcmOJPotybeNFH8wYkhp98M7Evxq1uJXBSO7QDCTv5FBEiLkqhKqoQWpuzC2HFGnoEkMoN5hdRGIHeHgmYgyEzxz2ixa4uC_e8giBsceWFqs0lY4g/s1600/Zoey_BdayPic_Cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeeSK-37-oMd4SuISFs_NLS8BiyFcmOJPotybeNFH8wYkhp98M7Evxq1uJXBSO7QDCTv5FBEiLkqhKqoQWpuzC2HFGnoEkMoN5hdRGIHeHgmYgyEzxz2ixa4uC_e8giBsceWFqs0lY4g/s1600/Zoey_BdayPic_Cropped.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When we found out about baby brother Searls and Zoey's adoption moving forward <i>(not to mention China baby's arrival down the road)</i>, it was obvious that we needed to do something about our living arrangements. We had enjoyed the "downtown living" for a couple years and loved it, but realistically, we needed a long-term housing situation that could accommodate a growing family. Anyone who knows us, knows that we are notorious for buying/selling houses and moving every couple of years...for the past 9 years. We think it's fun. Call us weird, but we enjoy it. Because of our good success with the flat fee MLS listing <i>(which also saves you 3% commission, by the way) </i>we decided to go that route again with our current house. Praise God we had a signed sales agreement in under two weeks! Incredible - especially since I didn't know how much longer I could stand the 1 hour notice for showings and getting the house all put together, cleaned up and dogs cleared out. I think we had 8 showings total before we finalized our sales agreement with the couple in France who found our house online! <i><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjatcBS9MC8wx6zII2MJh-P2NXG6Q9G7bhJowxcDwpfV_vh2QT1d697ljt84QGZwQCCfzouq1wQzlF096o9nwtrRSyJ_xETKITK_mjW5FgmO0amMh-9gzmmlRgltUhP56zdS5ZL7D5ekw/s1600/photo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjatcBS9MC8wx6zII2MJh-P2NXG6Q9G7bhJowxcDwpfV_vh2QT1d697ljt84QGZwQCCfzouq1wQzlF096o9nwtrRSyJ_xETKITK_mjW5FgmO0amMh-9gzmmlRgltUhP56zdS5ZL7D5ekw/s1600/photo2.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Obviously, moving is a lot easier without children which is why we are looking for a house that can grow with our family. As much as I love house hunting, I think we found one already! My sister, mom and niece were in town last week and we went house hunting one day - it was actually the very first house we went through with our Realtor. We made an offer yesterday and are waiting to hear back about that…we apparently have some competition and other offers that we are up against. But either way, we will be moving <i>somewhere</i> in a few short weeks. Just keeping things interesting! We are really hoping this is the house for us, after all, we walked into one of the bedrooms and saw this…</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH07_7-clMdl6gzBlWtYLrOHuvjKQSI2nW8HdJKefTGPWdGXqwWbTn8eJiNDkoOtZQZtu0ZlgPyVMl-FXWdtsVPy812QOlBoxHhO3lMjIyR20zAJebheRM6AKrqL6FcpOMLeAnoRdwMw/s1600/photo3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH07_7-clMdl6gzBlWtYLrOHuvjKQSI2nW8HdJKefTGPWdGXqwWbTn8eJiNDkoOtZQZtu0ZlgPyVMl-FXWdtsVPy812QOlBoxHhO3lMjIyR20zAJebheRM6AKrqL6FcpOMLeAnoRdwMw/s1600/photo3.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">…remember the plaque I bought for Zoey's room? I think it's a SIGN! literally…</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXyyc6zSmlPZ3cWxgBc2Finog6ABbLnUbej7nTmzhuiy8t07HH541dZbxpp83C_1k4DaN5DdvVp295CgIS8lqVCFsqUUv6JMrzhBgsX-_iXwvS0JsZluc90D0z8hfQQoTAsyGXDBabQ/s1600/photo4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXyyc6zSmlPZ3cWxgBc2Finog6ABbLnUbej7nTmzhuiy8t07HH541dZbxpp83C_1k4DaN5DdvVp295CgIS8lqVCFsqUUv6JMrzhBgsX-_iXwvS0JsZluc90D0z8hfQQoTAsyGXDBabQ/s1600/photo4.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250950777484557914noreply@blogger.com0