Pictures!

I think it is about time we share pictures of Jae!  He turned 9 months old on the 29th.

To help us celebrate the new year, we requested a "Jae update" from our social worker.  So we should be getting more pictures and a little write up on Jae within a couple of weeks. 

Love,

Jae's Mom

Good days while waiting (and a few bad ones)

I have bad days.  This waiting thing sucks and gets very hard some days; but Paul and I choose to focus on the good.  I know I haven't blogged in a few days so here is a quick summary of some of the great people and moments from the last week:

Wednesday night Paul and I ate at a Korean restaurant on the U of M campus prior to a Gopher game.  All the tables were full, but one Korean man had a table of 4 all to himself.  He stood up and asked us to join him.  He then took the time to explain all of the Korean dishes in front of us and their health benefits.  I will be more thoughtful like this gentleman.

At the immigration and customs office on Thursday, there was a gentleman from Egypt that was in the final stages of becoming a US Citizen.  He was on the verge of having a very big moment in his life and all he wanted to hear about was ours.  "So you have a son.  That is wonderful news."  I will help celebrate others' joys like this gentleman did.

The below are the result of one of our agency's worker's husband.  I will share my gifts (although not artistic ones) as this gentleman did.

Herzog in Korean



Jae's new wall art



Jae in Korean

The girls of Owatonna Shoe make us feel like celebrities every time we walk in the door and it is not because of all the shoes I purchase.  I absolutely love that they are part of our adoption story. I will never forget walking out of their back storage room (after hearing about Jae for the very first time) and seeing all their smiling yet tear filled faces.  Thanks for sharing such an important moment in our lives.  I will make others feel like a celebrity as do the lovely ladies of O-town Shoe.

A friend at work that knows how to distract me from the fact that Jae isn't home.  I will always be there for her as she was for me.

And finally, my husband.  I have had some rough days the last few.  But he always helps remind me how wonderful our lives are.  We have a son.  One that is being cared for, loved, and well...spoiled.  Yes, we wish he was home, but we also know he is in great hands.  And when he does come home, it will be better than we ever imagined.  I will always make Paul feel as special and loved as he does me.

There are a lot of good, caring people out there...you just need to know where to look.

Love,
Jae's Mom

Slow day for news

Thursday we will report to the Department of Homeland Security for our biometrics testing (AKA - fingerprinting) but other than that, we probably won't have anything to report in 2010.  Our agency told us a few weeks ago that there will be no more travel notifications this year.  Not surprising. 

But, as I bake my little heart out today...nothing else to do while snowed in...I think a lot about Jae.  Paul and I do a good job decorating Christmas cookies, but I am sure Jae will show us how it is done.  :)

Love,
Jae's Mom

A good day

I had a good day today.  No government mail, no social worker phone calls, nor visa approval notices.  But it was one of those days where you realize how cool and wonderful all your friends are.

-One of my co-workers, whom I talk with maybe 2 times a year called and asked how things were going.  She wanted to know how Jae was and make sure he way safe with all this crap going on over there. 
-Another co-worker in my department gave me probably the nicest compliment I have ever received.  Being the mush that I am these days, I teared up right there in the company gym.
-My friend / neighbor / co-worker called and said she wants to take me for a spa day before Jae comes home.
-At spin class one of the members of the Owatonna Bike Club was overjoyed at our news about Jae!  This is the first time I have seen this individual since Jae's referral and I was very touched at how happy she was for us.  Added to her list of daily prayers is Jae's speedy arrival.
-I just received a text from a family member (but also a very close friend) as follows:  "We are watching the Amazing Race tonight and Maya is so excited.  'This is where baby Jae comes from.'  She is very taken with him. =)."
-My boss recommended a bunch of childrens' books I need to buy before Jae comes home.

WOW!  We are blessed. 

Love,
Jae's Mom

Any good mail?

Wishing Jae was home so we could make snow angels and snowmen!

This is what I have amounted to, "Paul, any good mail today?  Like from the US Government?"  Since when is mail from the US Government good?  I guess when you are waiting to bring your son home it is.

Love,
Jae's Mom

Waiting Families Meeting

Tuesday night we had a meeting at our agency for all the waiting Korean families.  They talked about the Korean culture, bonding/attachment ideas, and even the recent events with North Korea.  The good news is all the babies and foster parents are safe.  At this time the bombing does not change our wait time to go get Jae.  But again, the sooner things calm down over there the better. 

Going back to the Korean culture piece, one of my favorite parts of the meeting was when the Korean specialist and one of the agency's social workers talked about how spoiled Korean babies are.  :)  They are used to having their every little cry attended to.  Basically, Jae only needs to whimper and his foster mom is giving him a bottle or cuddling him or playing with him or giving him cake (apparently one of the major food groups in Korea).  I love it.  Spoil the heck out of my kiddo.  And if Jae likes cake, he will fit in just fine in the Herzog house.  Another interesting tid bit is how Korean mother's sooth their babies - -by whapping them on the back.  No, not tapping them on the back.  But with a few good solid whaps.  I envision it to be much like burping a baby.  I think it is funny and oh so cute at the same time.

Love,
Jae's Mom