One Year Ago Today

I was sitting in my (former) office and my cell phone rang. It was the number for our social worker, we had just finished our home study two months ago, so I figured there was some paper needed. I had a few minutes before my next scheduled client, so I answered. She said, "If you are interested there is a little boy you have been matched with" WHAT? My co-workers heard me scream and rushed to the door. She told me she would send me the official referral and all of the documents she had on him.

I called Jim and asked him to call her back, there were so many thing I did not ask. Jim was in just as much shock (we thought we would wait 10 more months). I just assumed on the day I got a referral I would leave work early to go get the referral papers, look at pictures etc. But no, I headed in with the client and told myself-nothing just happened, get it together.

We waited another month for Parker to have a hearing test, when we got the good news we accepted his referral.

Look at this baby picture, I get tear in my eyes just thinking about it. Where did he go that day?, Did his birth mother hold him? Will she ever have any idea of what a darling, sweet, handsome boy he is? For whatever reason we were matched so early it turned out perfect. Adoptive parents always talk about the right fit, this was no exception. Parker we love you!

Weekend According to Parker

So if he could talk (in addition to the 8-10 words he has mastered) this is how it would go.

I had so much fun with Grandma Persic, we went to the park and the pool. She even took care of me when Mom was at work, since Dad and Grandpa were busy painting the basement. Saturday we went to a party called Rib Fest, I have no idea what ribs are but Dad left with with two slabs and a big smile. There were family members there that I had not met yet. they all wanted to hold me, which was fine- if they had fruit.

For some reason no one would let me have this drink, or the ones in the glass bottles!

I had so much fun with these girls, we played horse, but then I got tired. We stayed at the party until after 9:00pm-which is past my bedtime.

There was a dog at the party, I kept chasing him and I learned how to open the door to the gazebo. Thanks to Uncle Dave and Aunt Deb for a fun night!

Tonight we met AJ and Eric for a Korean meal, since I am the expert I told them what to order. (Translation dumped panchan on the table) I think they liked it!

Look at Dad cooking meat on the grill, why does he like that stuff so much? Mom never eats it!

Mom and I have a big week, she is looking for a special Halloween costume to dress me up as some animal, next year I will be able to ask for my own costume...thank goodness.

We are Finalized!

As you may recall, our agency was Parker's legal guardian...until today! Sang-tae is now legally Parker Sang-tae and a legal member of our family. I must be honest, the day was not that eventful for Jim or I, Parker has always been our son, this was a formality. Finalization allows us to start paperwork to obtain his social security number, passport, etc. In addition, it makes us eligible for a tax credit, which will be helpful with another adoption. Actually, I feel a bit of sadness that he is no longer a Korean citizen, however there may be an opportunity in the future for him to gain dual citizenship.

Thursdays, there are only adoptions on the docket, so there were suckers to calm Parker, and cartoon characters on the bench! The hearing took about 15 minutes and we were on our way. We had plans to eat at a Spanish tapas restaurant but got done too soon(seriously it was breakfast time)! So we celebrated later...I am starting to understand why there may be more "counter restaurants" or kid friendly places in our future. He still did great, but no longer the little boy who will sit for 7 courses. We were excited that my family was in town to join in, my Dad held Parker during the hearing, since he wanted to run through the court room.

New Week

One hectic week behind us, we had our washer break, and I spilled water on the laptop (yes, I take full responsibility for this expense). I had some friends over and Parker was a great helper, as detailed below.

Checking out new washer and dryer....hmm can I get in?

He helped frost cupcakes (Ok, observed and asked

for frosting...

He vacuums....

He is so interested in everything I do, and every time I vacuum, he goes to get his!I got him a step stool, because he likes to see when I cook, but he is a little too "grabby" for now...maybe by holiday cookie time he can be a helper.

The week wrapped up with a trip to the symphony (tribute to Michael Jackson! amazing). We attended a wine and cheese event, hosted by our alama mater...which was a blast, but extremely hot-even at night.

Sunday we meet up with an adoptive family, who brought home their little buy from Korea in April. They were in town and we were able to have dinner. Their little guy eats just like Parker..very well! They have three children and when I went to hold their little girl, Parker lost it...he was in Jim's lap and SCREAMED and attempted to cross the table. Good attachment sign right???

We had a great start to the week..our last post placement visit with our social worker. Meaning after our court date (later this week) we are done! I know I have mentioned this before but, technically, our agency is his legal guardian. So, then comes the fun part...legally changing his name and obtaining a pass port.

As our social worker left, she and I talked about adopting again. Jim and I sat down to readjust the budget, back to saving. Although, it won't be anytime this year we want to be financially prepared. Parker's adoption was very fast, 16 months from pre-application-to finalization. That is unrealistic, we may wait 15 months for a referral next time. Looking forward to our finalization this week!

State Fair

Parker and I visited the State Fair twice this week, which makes it a grand total of three times in my life I have been to the Fair. When I went Tuesday I was fortunate to be with my friend Jen, who we joked, is an ambassador to the Fair. She knew exactly where the worlds largest pig was, the large cheese sculpture, and what fried item to order. Jen and I split a fried Reese's cup and a fried cookie dough ball...seriously!

Jim and I took Parker this weekend, our adventures are detailed below. Due to my previous fried trip, I stayed away from the food.

Little hands on the farm exhibit, Parker thought the point was to fill his bucket with everything he could find
How do you tell a child...just one vegetable in the bucket?

Picked a cucumber

He was not happy about moving on he wanted to dig in the garden

Stop and milk a cow..in order to get a prize you had to give the bucket back. He thought the bucket and fake food was the prize and was not happy about giving it up!

Purdue University had some calves to pet. My smart boy said MOOO (well BOOO) when he saw them..then said MOOO to the pigs....

Jim, who can afford the calories, ate a burger, which had a bun of Krispy Kreme* doughnuts...

Wordless Wednesday: Gimbob

Found

A huge thank you to the staff of the Indianapolis Museum of Art for finding my camera and sunglasses. Here is the proof...

Andrea's children playing on one of the sculptures

Parker at his picnic...notice how he has a pepper but is digging in for another. He insists on holding everything at the meal.

Another exhibit

More Mommy Brain

So today we met up with Andrea and her two children (she has one more and he is in Korea, waiting for his family!!!) We had a great time chatting and walking through the outdoor sculptures at the IMA. As I am driving home I wonder where my camera is and my favorite pair of Kate Spade* sunglasses...hmmm I will never know.

I suppose we need to prioritize the camera. We finalize the adoption in less than two weeks' and would love to capture it in pictures.

I was never like this before-promise.

Symphony and the School Year

We had a hectic but fun week filled with multiple play dates, dinners, work, and a broken washing machine. I do not have a school age child, nor am I a teacher but with the school year upon us I feel just as busy. Junior League is starting up (and I accepted a leadership position, I know...I do it to myself), so is MOPS, and I feel the pressure to get in a few more summer activities. Oh yeah, and then there is my employment too.

As for those last summer activities, We took Jim's parents to the Symphony on the Prairie Saturday night. This was a surprise to celebrate him Mom's birthday. So we packed dinner and brew and hoped Parker will fall asleep in his stroller. He had too much fun running up and down the hills. Seriously, people must have seen the small Asian boy running up and down the hill for 2 hours...He did not want to sleep but was in a great mood, clapping for the show and blowing kisses. He saw the hot air balloon that goes up during the show and would yell...deee (translation= see) every time it went up!

Sunday we met some Mom friends and there husbands for brunch, which was great! We went to Mendards to get back on track with some home projects (finishing the basement, wainscotting the living room and dining room, and a few other things).

This week Parker and I are going to the Indianapolis Art Museum (we are meeting a Mom who is getting ready to bring her third child home from Korea!), hitting the fair twice, and hosting a Mom's night at our house. Then Saturday we have a wine and cheese night at the Symphony...it is the music of Michael Jackson. Should be a great week!

Waiting for Grandparents

Taking off...again

Why must I stay here?

Jim and I

The amphitheatre

See....

Wordless Wednesday: 6 Months Ago-Forever Family Day

Sunday in the Park

Parker woke up in full tornado mode, pulling things out of the dishwasher, destroying everything in his path...

So we decided to try a new park, where there is an old carousel. We go there and had a hour to play, so I headed out run a few miles while they played on the equipment. Jim said Parker kept pointing at the carousel and ran over to it.

After nap, Parker was in the silliest mood and he was ready to play again!

Korea Camp

We are so fortunate to have multiple Korean Church's in our area, and one that host a Korea camp each year for adoptee's and their families. We realize that Parker is too young to understand most of camp but it was great for Jim and I. Also, it normalizes this event for Parker, as well as future events with other Korean adoptees. At first I thought...I know how to say hello in Korean, I know most of this...then it hit me and moved me to tears...our children know none of this, it is their country, their culture but they have no memories of it. Thank you KPC church members for allowing my son to have this experience.

I cannot say enough about the Church community, not only did they plan a day of fun and education for the families, but they were so welcoming of us and our children. The theme was modern Korea, so learning about typical meals, how holidays are celebrated, making Gimbop, and a Korean lunch catered by the women of the church. Complete with walnut cakes..if you have been to Seoul, you know the amazing smell that comes from the street/subway vendors that sell these cakes. I enjoyed a bag in Seoul and cannot wait for more!

Parker was so excited to see the rice cakes that are eaten on holidays and asked for more. The church has babysitting, by church teens, for the younger children. Parker went with the girls and let them hold him, he was sweet.

Sadly, I have no pictures of the event because I forgot my camera. There will be next year!