brood

brood
the only time these feet are still

Monday, March 19, 2012

Roller coasters, the end of a pity party and Voice of Love

For starters let me just say, I have always had a love hate relationship with roller coasters.  I get motion sick, so you can see the hate part.  BUT, the thrill, I love the thrill of the hills, and anticipation of the climbs, the wind whipping.  That being said, adoption is much like a roller coaster.  Only one with only slow, annoying, endless uphills.  Not so much of a fan of that type.
BUT...
That whether it seems all uphill right now or not, this pity party I keep attending isn't helping and it.must.stop!  The end.  So that is the last negative thing I will say (I hope)

Now onto more productive and happy things.  EP's (emigration paperwork) did start flowing and many of the many more families in front of us got word that their paper has made it into the hands it needs to.  That is AWESOME, especially for those that have been waiting since 2010!!!!

There is a group, I guess a ministry, right now that is trying to shed light on the positive side of adoption.  To share with the powers that be in S. Korea the amazing families that are built and the love that is shared.  Their website is www.voiceoflove.org.   They are looking for short video clips from adult Korean adoptees or families that have adopted to share how their adoption has impacted them.  Are you an adoptee or an adoptive parent?  Do you know a Korean adoptee?  Maybe they would like to share.   The hope is that this will help those "powers that be" make decisions in the best interest of the thousands of Korean orphans that are waiting now. 

That being said, have you ever thought about adoption?  I always have.  However, until I started looking I was oblivious to the children that exist all over the world without the basic need of family love.  Without a mom and/or a dad to care for them.  Now...I can never unknow the things I have learned, and I don't want to.  Some of it is so sad, so hard to imagine, it makes me cry.  (those that know me, know I am not a big crier.)  But I know it and I will forever do what I can to be part of the solution.  Not sure how that will look, but I will.  Wanna join me?  There are many things one can do to help with orphaned children, not just adopt one (although that is one way).

Please share the Voice of Love mission.  You never know if one more video is what it takes.  I only know one Korean adoptee, and I hope her mom is reading this now (hint, hint S.S).  I had the most amazing opportunity today as a co-worker brought her adult daughter, from Korea, to meet me.  It was a surreal moment where I wanted to ask a million questions, yet wanted to look normal.  Mostly, I just smiled and shared my pictures of M.  And when she said "Congratulation!"  it was one of the best I have ever gotten.

So...goodbye pity party, Hello productive wait.  Soon M will be home, soon.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Renewed

Yesterday marked 1 year since we first saw M's face.  In some ways it seems like a million years have past since then.  Other times, like all of my kids, it seems like yesterday. 
We have missed a lot being thousands of miles away, but I know that is temporary.  Last week I didn't feel so sure, but now I feel renewed.
The word from our agency is tomorrow, TOMORROW, paperwork will begin being processed by the Ministry.  I have renewed hope, renewed joy, renewed excitement.  I even started looking at hotels and airfare...not as exciting to see those prices !!!
I am putting all my faith in M being home before August, his 2nd birthday. 
I have been thinking a lot about him coming home and how that will be.  It will be much different than bringing my others home, brand new from the hospital, somewhat oblivious to the world around them.  M will not have that luxury.  He was be sad and confused, exposed to sights, sounds and smells unfamiliar to him.  He will not understand us nor be able to tell us how he feels.  It breaks my heart to think about what he will go through and I hope and pray we will do a good job supporting him during his transition.  And our other kids will have the same experience.  They are so excited for M to come home, we will have to really prepare them for the first couple weeks.
Regardless of the scariness that comes with the unknowns and adjustment we will all experience, I cannot wait for it all.  I cannot wait to see things begin to move, to make our travel plans and to set off to get our boy.
Not much longer!