Tuesday, July 26, 2011

10 Weeks Ago

Ten weeks ago we were told we were 4 to 6 weeks away from traveling.  I guess that means I am overdue and then some.  Everyday we are hopeful and everyday we are disappointed.  Time to face reality and the reality is that the Korean Ministry is in a shutdown; I liken it to the Minnesota state shutdown...politics.  They will continue with the EP process, but we just don't know when.  Our Korean specialist is hopeful for movement to begin the first week in August. 

I will post here as soon as we hear anything.  Prayers in the meantime...

Love,
Jae's Mom

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Another Care Package

Since it looks like Jae Miles will not be home for at least another 2 or 3 weeks, we are going to gamble and send another care package.  We hope we are in Korea before it is; in which case I don't know what they would do with the items we are sending, but oh well.  Here's hoping Jae never sees any of these items!

This care package is filled mostly with clothes.  We have a few summer items and we think he might be too big for by the time he comes home.  But a perfect fit for his current height so it made sense to send them.  A couple of shirts, a onsie with Mickey Mouse, and a very cute overall set with monkey on them (thanks Great Aunt Janet).  The few toys we are shoving into our one gallon ziplock bag include a couple of little animal statues/shakers, a Curious George book (thanks Aunt Holly), a teether toy, a Korean/English ABC board book (thanks fellow forever family Hanson), a little toy car and of course a photo book filled with pictures of Paul, me and the pets. 





We love you, Jae.  And we really miss you.

Love,
Jae's Mom

Friday, July 15, 2011

Maybe August?

Sounds like there will not be any EP approvals in the month of July.  Which moves us out to August.  Bye bye summer.

If I can ask a favor...please check here for updates as opposed to directly asking Paul or myself questions.  I am really struggling with the all the questions.  Yes, I know it is only out of love and concern that individuals ask, but it makes it hard for us.  Constant reminders of what we are missing.  Thanks, it is appreciated.

Love,
Jae's Mom

Sunday, July 10, 2011

No News, Still No News

I feel like my weekdays are consumed with checking my cell phone and checking the Korean adoption discussion forum.  Any news at this point would be good.  Our US agency is really good about passing information as it comes, but it has been a slow couple of weeks.  Very slow.  Going insane slow. 

Tuesday makes 8 weeks since Jae's paperwork was submitted to the Korean Ministry.  They say this process can take anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks, but 4 to 6 weeks is more the average.  I hate to say it, but if Jae's paperwork doesn't leave the Ministry this week...we will not be traveling until August which would make all the rumors true.  It is tough.  I feel like I am wasting my summer away waiting for Jae to come home. 

Because I really don't have anything else to talk about, I thought I would talk about some commonly used words and terms regarding adoption...always good to educate:

Forever Family (one of my personal favorites) - an adoptive family
Gotcha Day - The day Jae comes home with us; albeit this will happen in Seoul.  It is the day Jae's foster mom says goodbye and Paul and I become the full time caretakers.  Jae will get to celebrate 2 days every year...his birthday and his gotcha day.
Finalization - takes place about 5 to 6 months after Jae comes home.  The day a local Steele County judge declares Jae a Herzog forever.
"Placed for adoption" - The preferred phrase over "given up"
Domestic adoption - US citizens adopting US children.  Korean citizens adopting Korean children.
EP - Emigration permission.  Permission to leave the country (what Jae is waiting for)

Love,
Jae's Mom