Ready set go....

Here it is...post number one. Never in a million years would l ever have thought I would have a blog! But, as our journey to expand our family continues to unfold, it really does make sense...especially with friends and family all over the country. This will be a great place for us to chronicle the process and share all the excitement with family and friends. As well as, provide a glimpse into the daily joys of the Krekelberg household!

We are so happy to announce that we are adopting from Korea!

Patience, love and faith have led us to this decision...and we couldn't be more excited! You could say we started the official process in August. We've accomplished a lot in three months (decided on an agency, submitted a registration form, completed a long two-part application, sought three references, partook in fingerprinting take-one, attended a two-day Pre-Adoption Class, and wrote and submitted our very detailed self-studies). Over the next three weeks we will be meeting with our social worker, who will in turn write up a nice report for us called a Home Study, so we can get fingerprinted again (for the USCIS) and finally be "Officially Waiting" (by the New Year would be awesome!). So right now, we are technically just in a "waiting to wait" period. We are finding this is a period where you are so happy, anxious, and excited...but it's also a period where you don't really know what you should be doing to prepare or who you should be telling the exciting news to. Much like those first months of pregnancy...only without the morning sickness to remind you daily that "you're expecting".

We have learned, and are continuing to learn, a lot about both adoption and Korea. We hope that our friends and family will share in the excitement of our journey and learn with us along the way. If there is anything you want to know or are curious about - please let us know and we can discover together.

Some "fun" facts:

• Once we are "officially waiting", we are prepared to wait up to nine months to be introduced (via pictures and records) to our son or daughter...and up to another six months before we travel to Korea to bring him/her home.
• Our child will be around 12 months when he/she joins our family.
• Minnesota is home to the largest population of Korean adoptees.
• Drew is going to be a great big brother!!!

Until next time...lots of love!