I-600 at last!

Finally! We recieved permission from the US Government to adopt Parker (or Sang Tae, as he is currently called) This form will be sent by way of DC to the US Embassy in Seoul. The final process involves Parker having a "Visa Interview" at the embassy. I am not exactly sure how a 9 month old has an interview but that is the term...

Then we get "the call" basically you have 5 days to arrange your travel to Seoul!!! I am trying to gauge our current time line and my best guess is TC could come at the end of next week or in 4 weeks. I would say this is by far the most agonizing part of the process. Jim and I were commenting how quickly we were able to adopt, which unusual. We joked that the first had to go smooth or we would never do it again.

The Christmas Holiday was wonderful! We were able to make it to my parents for dinner Christmas eve. I will spare the pictures from Christmas morning, but they involved me threatening Jim with an Uggs shoe box (he got the slippers I wanted!) The Christmas dinner was at my parents home. In true Persic fashion, the dinner involved more food than imaginable.

Also, Parker's bugaboo bee arrived, that is the picture of the stroller :)

Holiday Dinner Party

Jim and I are fortunate to have some wonderful friends! Bill and Paul got a group of us together for cocktails and Japanese food. It is nice to spend time with friends as we have let most people know we will have some serious bonding to do when Parker arrives. I have two more days of work until we travel!

No Parker news...I just want a new picture for Christmas!

Jim and Bestie Bill

Kara, Chris, and Bill

Billie and Paulie :)

More Holiday Fun

Many, Many Children...

More and More Moet!

We were fortunate to host the Howell Christmas this weekend. We had NINE children at the party...include Parker next year and wow! I told Jim that I do love a crazy, big party. I put up a few pictures. Even though Parker was not there, he got presents from everyone. Which made it somewhat hard to take his presents up to his room. Hopefully news about the I-600 soon!

Getting ready for one more week of work and then off to Munster for Christmas.

Holiday Fun

Cousin Colleen, Clay, Steve

Mom and Dad

Pretty Megan

Steve, Nicole, Chevy and Bailey....

This weekend we were thrilled to have my parents and Steve and Nicole visit. We celebrated my Mom's birthday (Steve and Jim reluctantly made a trip to buy gourmet cupcakes...) and had dinner at one of our favorite breweries, Brugge. We also celebrated the holiday with the Persic family in Fishers. In the gift exchange I acquired some new Crate and Barrel glassware...thanks Colleen! I truly enjoyed visiting with family and spending time with cousin's, many who have children close in age to Parker.



Back to work today, Sunday always arrives too quickly!

Work Shower

Lucky Parker! Today at work I had a wonderful shower, my co-workers were so generous and thoughtful. Not only did he get some amazing presents, they went out of their way to decorate and got a cake from Taylors Bakery! My boss even blocked out my schedule so I had the afternoon free.

Tomorrow is the Fairbanks Hospital party and then my family will be in town. Getting ready for a fun weekend.

EP

Today we received great news that on 12/7/2009 Parker's emigration permit (EP) was submitted. This gives him the permission to leave South Korea, and not return. This will allow his passport to be generated. This is a HUGE step, as there are only so many EP's given out per year. We were slightly worried that a quota had been met and we may be waiting until the new year.

If you look on the time line there are a few more steps but we are getting there. I keep checking the mail for I-600!

Not much to say...

No I-600, No EP news...this journey is really tough on a Type-A with control issues.


On a positive note..it is Monday in Korea!

November News

I feel like there is lots to catch up on, the flu set me back in November! On November 14th I had my first shower for Parker! It was thrown my my Mom and Sister in Law, Nicole. Parker is so lucky, he received some wonderful gifts. let's just say we would be ready for him to arrive now! I have to take some pictures of his room, besides the glider, his room is ready.

Both of my Aunt Kathy's gave me gifts that were particularly special. Aunt Kathy Stemnock gave me a Korean zen bracelet with a prayer written in Hangul. It means so much to me when people address his Korean culture, in addition, I can use all of the zen I can get!

Aunt Kathy Persic gave me a Wedgewood baby set, that compliments the same pattern my Grandmother (Dad's mom) gave me. She passed away when I was three years old. My parents had just gotten the set out for me that weekend!

The shower was so memorable. I have a few pictures below, one that details the sweets table. Many of you know about my candy obsession.....

We had a great Thanksgiving with Jim's family! His parents had just gotten new hardwood floors, so there was a lack of furniture...but we had our Stella's, what more do you need. The beer and pie was well deserved, as Jim and I ran the Drumstick dash that morning. The race was 4.5 miles, through broadripple. I beat my time from last year by 10 mins! Our friends Jen and Brad ran with us and we all finished around the same time.

We got both Christmas trees put together so the house is almost ready! We have the Persic family Christmas the following weekend. Which means we will have a full house with my parents and Steve and Nicole, cannot wait! I will get some pictures of the trees and Parker's room.

Tomorrow ends my seven day work week (I was not thinking)...Jim and I have a date to Scholars Inn :) This may be one of our last evenings out for some time....I'll eat Thai food at home if we can have our guy! No news on the paperwork front...I run for the mail after work looking for our immigration approval.

Sweets Table

Mom and I at the shower

Jen and I at the Dash

Jim and I on Thanksgiving

Waiting

I spent some time comparing recent time lines of referral to travel (based on those waiting from our agency) and it is 4 months to 4.5 months....that would mean early to mid February!

This gives me nothing to do but stress about money, being off work, not staying home from work, Parker, etc.

I know there are things Jim and I can do as we wait and we fully intend to go places that we will not be able to when Parker gets home.

I just want to hear some progress...the letter from USCIS made me think our I-600 had arrived!

Hopefully news soon.

FLU :(

So after a wonderful weekend, that included an amazing baby shower, I woke up with the flu. Apparently, my brother and his wife are affected as well. I sat at the doctor for two hours waiting to be seen. i just wanted to make sure I did not have the H1N1, but nope just the stomach flu.

I will be off tomorrow too and possibly Wednesday. Jim went to inspect our new car, so we may get it tomorrow or Wednesday. How exciting!

I will post pictures from the shower soon, we are ready for Parker! he got all kinds of great things at his shower.

Still waiting....

I keep looking at the ticker when I open the blog, yes, I know it has only been a month! We are waiting for news from the US on our I-600 and news from Korea on our EP. I think this journey will teach me some patience....

Also...our SAAB was supposed to arrive last week and it is still not here. I guess there is no hurry.

Last week my parents visited and bought Parker's bedroom furniture, so generous! So once that arrives, I would say we are ready! Well, still waiting on the bugaboo :)

Many of you know about my love of shopping, so I have cut myself off from Parker shopping. Who know if the clothes will even fit, and I have a family shower this weekend so he may get a few things. He has his first pair of Uggs, and some darling outfits to wear!

Last night, got to have dinner with Amy and Brian. Met Amy in my second master's program, and miss her! Also, got to talk to another grad school friend tonight. She sent Parker his first "laptop", since he may not be ready for an APA style manual :)

Excited to go to my home town this weekend, my Mom and Nicole have put so much effort into planning a great shower. Parker's picture was included in the invite, so cute.

New Picture

When I checked my email this morning our social worker had sent on this new picture of Parker! He is with his foster mother and they had opened the care package we sent him.

Doesn't he have lots of hair for a 7 month old?

Legals have arrived!

We have received the first step in the process of Parker's paperwork. This still means a few more months of waiting but it is nice to make progress. We have registered and are planning on painting his room this weekend.

We also have big plans to purchase our SAAB SUV tomorrow, we have been looking at this car for over a year and are really excited!

My First Marathon

I did it, I joined the 26.2 club at the Indianapolis Marathon! I originally signed up for it as an activity to fill my time as we waited for our referral. In addition, it has always been one of those things I wanted to accomplish. It was great to run it already having our referral

Jim was at the finish line with a sign that read "Pain is temporary, Pride is forever". When we ran our first half marathon together I told him I used that as my mantra...and he laughed at me! I have to say, a marathon made a half seem much less daunting! I have already signed up for two 13.1's in May, can't wait!

Next steps

Now that we have officially signed all of the referral paperwork, (which included Jim and I printing out numerous copies of some immigration forms...) we wait for our legals to arrive. This starts the process for Parker to receive his emigration permit. Korea differs from the US, as citizens must receive permission to leave the country and not return.

Since the referral has started to sink in, I have started planning. I registered at Babies R Us today and will head to Target tomorrow. I keep thinking that Parker will not be a baby, so he will not need as much. I picked out the decor for his room today, it is Nautical sail boats. Jim and I are going to get paint tomorrow and I am going to order Nautical flags that will cross the ceiling. It is going to be adorable! I also went to baby Gap today, it is difficult not to go crazy buying him clothes! I controlled myself and got him a fleece with a hood that looks like a bear to wear home with his baby uggs...too cute!

Jim and I are thrilled to have a night together tomorrow, and are meeting friends out for his birthday. I have one week until the Marathon :)

Referral

Jim and I are thrilled to announce that we received our referral for a son! We officially accepted the referral today, which begins our wait for travel. We anticipate making the trip to Seoul, South Korea in 3-5 months. He was born on March 19, 2009, which means he is currently 6 months old. He is currently living with a loving foster family in Seoul. We are so impressed with the care that the babies get as the wait for the forever families.

In the next few days I will share a few more pictures and explain the referral to travel process so all are aware what must happen in order for him to come home. Keep in mind, we did not think we would get a referral for 7 more months, so this is a surprise, but it is wonderful.

Let the shopping begin, I have already begun to scope out the baby Uggs....


Introducing Parker Sang Tae Howell!!

The Zoo and other fun dates

The 1859 Balloon Launch

According to Jim, I have asked about going to the Indianapolis Zoo for the past seven years..So we finally went! We got the opportunity to pet a shark, and got some pictures that I posted. After, we stopped by the Easley Winery for a tasting and a Broad ripple Pub for dinner. What a great date.

Today I worked an early shift at the Weekend to End Breast Cancer, the amazing participants raised $2,000 each and will walk 38 miles in the next two days! We also visited Conner Prairie, the Smithsonian affiliate museum in our town. We had so much fun as we rode the hot air balloon, pet the baby animals, and walked through the settlers town. I kept saying "I am getting a membership!"

Next week is the Junior League American Girl Fashion Show! Since I will be working the event both days, Jim's Mom is going to bring the nieces down to watch the show.

Exciting Week....

Excited for the upcoming week, I get to see my family (have not since Easter!), go to a Cubs game at Wrigley Field (Jim's first time there!), and go to Steve's birthday party at the lake! oh, and Sunday off work. Nothing but fun.

Jim and i stained the fence this weekend and met some friends for Thai food, pretty low key. We reviewed some file for COP (waiting children) I am aware that in REALITY we have no chance of these being our referrals. However, it is so much fun to read about the children and see their sweet faces. My Mom made a comment that we would not be ready and I thought...we could get ready, that would not be a problem. We are fortunate to be in a good position entering this adoption. However, we have NOTHING for children...and will not buy anything until referral. I was in Target and saw myself drawn to the children's items, which, for those of you that know me is very out of the ordinary. and second...we have no clue what we will need based on age and gender.

I applied for a PRN job at another hospital this evening, just trying to open up options for more hours and potential part time opportunities. I cannot believe that I have had thoughts of staying home (well realistically working part time) If you talked to me even one year ago I would make comments about not obtaining an advanced degree to stay home. That was before I knew about daycare and even considered only spending one to two hours with my child who has just been removed from the ONLY family and culture they have know. It is lots to think about and often I think i worry about being judged, or mostly me judging myself. However, working part time will keep me engaged in my career. I do want to advance in my counseling career and part time would be temporary. Those of you that know Jim and I we like having two incomes (ie. shopping, vacation) I need to remember to make the decision for my family not my perceptions of society. Even if I stay home for a year or two I will still have my education.

Back to work...

Another long week, I am working Friday. Not complaining, love that I can make extra money! However, sad that Jim will be going to the lake house to spend time with my family and I will be at home...

I ran tonight, I had a three mile training run. I did not feel like I exerted myself or did anything productive. I am getting anxious for the marathon, and when that comes it will be October. I hate that I want to fast forward time (especially in the summer). I am just looking forward.

Attempting to finish The Ex-Debutante this evening, it is due back at the library in two days. Somehow I got the new Jen Lancaster book: Pretty In Plaid already! I also checked out a few books recommended by Adoptive Families magazine, excited for those.

Weekend!

This is my first 2 day weekend at home in over a month! That illustrates how often I am working extra! I spent today catching up on laundry and got a quote on a deep cleaning for the house. That seems a bit counter productive...work extra to pay someone to clean the house!

Last weekend was great, we had dinner with a local family who adopted from South Korea. It was our first time trying Korean food and we really enjoyed it. There are little side dishes that come with every meal...marinated vegetables Kim chi etc., they are called Banchan. Jim and I tend to like all Asian food...It is reassuring to know that another couple has gone through the wait and had a positive outcome. I think Jim meeting an adoptive child made it real, I saw his face light up when he met the child :)

We have a busy day tomorrow, a birthday party, a wedding reception and then meeting friends at the Blue Martini....I am constantly kept busy but the wait is still getting to me. There are days I do not give it much thought but others that I think time is standing still. I realize that it is important for us to continue to live our lives. I feel that I am doing this but I have never been the best with situations that are out of my control.

Back Home

Back from vacation, and back to work! However, KD Convention was wonderful! It was a nice time catching up with NLT members from across the country, especially my roommate! The convention was held at the Swan and Dolphin in Disney. After convention Jim joined me for three days at the parks. we had so much fun. We kept talking about bringing our child back and what age would be appropriate. We decided that Epcot was our favorite park and sampled food and drinks from the "countries" A few pictures are posted above.

I am back to work, which is good. I am picking back up on marathon training....15 weeks to go. I am working extra friday...savings for the adoption. I have Indy KD Alum meeting this Thursday in Broadripple, which should be fun. We have a Bethany eduction session this weekend and dinner plans.

Although we are busy, the wait continues to get more difficult. The Bethany blog said the current is 12 months, which sounds better, but I do not want to get my hopes up!

Vacation...soon

This is the last weekend at home before my trip to Orlando. I will be there for a few days for Kappa Delta Convention! Jim will join me on Tuesday and we are going to tour Disney World as a childless couple, and hopefully have lots of fun. We have not been there in over 14 years! That makes sounds old..we are really into the educational aspects at Epcot...yes we are dorky. However, we plan to enjoy the countries and sample adult beverages! This will be a great time to decide when we will take our child back. Jim is looking forward to putting down the blackberry for a few days (however, I think he will still bring it...) and I will be off work for 9 whole days.

I worked today and will work tomorrow. I am working a number of extra shifts to prepare financially (see my list of things to do in the next year!) I need to be careful as I can feel myself burning out, which is easy to do in my profession. I want to be able to treat each client with compassion and empathy. I have decided not to exceed 2 extra shift each month.

I have lots to do this week, spray tan, mani/pedi, take some clothes back (a moment of weakness at Nordstroms), pack, prepare all of my convention items, keep training for the marathon! I am excited it is going to be a great trip!

Friday...well Thursday

I am up late since it is my Friday, I work Sunday through Thursday. Jim and I met Kara for dinner on the patio of Scotty's Brewhouse. Kara had just studied attachment in her course work and was curious about the babies from South Korea. Jim and I are glad how well cared for these children are! We explained that they are with wonderful foster mothers and receive loving care.

This year I plan to start waking up earlier, at the moment Jim and I get up in just enough time to get ready for work and grab some coffee. I realize that in just over a year we will need to get our child ready and off to daycare (most likely). Since I am training for the marathon I decided to do some of the training in the morning. I was able to get up 45 mins. earlier and run 4 miles.

On that note I should get to sleep. I have a hair appointment, am meeting Bill for lunch, shopping, and then seeing "The Hangover" with Jim!

Home Study to Korea

Jim created this blog for me as an outlet to journal about our adoption process. Our hope is that we will save this as a memory for our child. As of Friday June 12 we have home study approval. Meaning after submitting numerous documents, three interviews, and, adoption education, our agency has officially placed us on the waiting list for a baby from South Korea! Our social worker is predicting a 12-16 month wait for referral. Since we have some time I decided to come up with a list of things I wanted to accomplish before our referral. I am going to post them so I can be accountable!

1. Read: Still Life with Rice
2. Run a Marathon: I am currently training for the Indianapolis Marathon at Ft. Harrison on Oct. 17, 2009.
3. Sign up for the Indianapolis 500 Mini-Marathon
4. Run the Geist Mini and beat my 2009 time of 2:25
5. Organize the office: this requires getting a large file cabinet!
6. Write a will/power of attorney
7. Make sure Jim and I have all of the vaccinations we need for Korea
8. Childproof the house
9. Find out where the nearest emergency clinic and ER are, as well as their numbers
10. Research car seats
11. Buy a new car, the dogs and a baby will not fit in the current cars we own
12. Clean out any unused junk in the house
13. Clean, clean, clean
14. Refinish the dresser in the guestroom, complete with new hardware
15. Finish the basement...this is a Jim project
16. Find hardware for the kitchen cabinets
X17. Eat Korean food
18. Learn about South Korean culture
19. Purchase child books on adoption
20. Pick birth announcements
21. Attend at least 2 education sessions through our agency
22. Wainscot the living room and dining room...also need help from Jim on this one
23. Stain the deck and fence
24. Visit the Indy Zoo
25. Ride the hot air balloon at Conner Prairie
26. Take as many photos as possible for the care package
27. Interview Pediatricians
28. File I-600A
29. Start looking for childcare in February
30. Continue to workout, we need to lift weights to prepare for a Korean baby
31. Find gifts for the Holt staff, Korean foster family
32. Prepare for travel to Korea
33. June: Sign up for the new mom clubs
34. Ask Holy Spirit about the baptism process
35. Select godparents
36. Think about registry items..what are we going to need?
37. Purchase a white Christmas tree
38. Save money...work extra
39. Start a college savings fund 529...or whatever they are called
40. Make meals to freeze
X41. Subscribe to a parenting magazine
X42. Pick out new everyday dishes: done Create and Barrel Aspen
43. Visit the Asia Mart
44. Go apple picking this fall
45. Visit the Easley winery
X46. See the Harry Potter movie...July 15th
47. Buy birthday and Christmas presents
48. Play a round of golf
49. Finish my CEUs for the year...one class per month
50. Eat at the following restaurants: XBarking dog cafe, Kona Grill, Kona Jacks, Ma Mas house, Sandra's Rice and Noodles, Three Floyd's Brewery
51. Try Korean beer
52. Host a cookie exchange
53. Buy a bottle of Dom for referral!
54. See the nutcracker
55. Host a Christmas Cookie exchange
X56. Find a calendar for the office and use it
57. Join Korean Focus Indiana

These are all before the referral....we decided not to buy any baby things or prepare the room so there will be lots to do before travel!