goal

It has been over ten days since my last post...but it has been a very busy ten days!

I had set a goal earlier this month for Damon and Drew to get their passport applications in the mail by the end of the month. The goal was met yesterday...we processed Drew's at the Rogers post office with the crazy lady (those that live around here know exactly who I am talking about) and pray she gets the application to the right place quickly; and Damon's passport renewal went in the mail via our very friendly and considerate mail route lady. I am so thankful that this goal was met...because we are going to need those passports A LOT sooner than we ever imagined or expected!

WE HAVE ACCEPTED A REFERRAL OF A LITTLE BOY!

We are so shocked, amazed, happy and so very, very excited...details coming soon!!!

white

Good guesses on the crib color!

We went to the store with dark brown/espresso top on the list and white right down at the bottom (red was a good guess too, I had forgotten about the cool red crib from when we were looking for "Special K"). But, both Damon and I really liked the style of the crib we ended up with PLUS, as a special deal, it came with a free matching changing table! [not that we need a new changing table, we already have one...just not a matching one...if you know someone that needs a changing table, send them my way] The style came in both a nice dark brown and white. We asked Drew which color he thought his baby brother or baby sister would like. He picked white. I pondered this decision while perusing the bedding section of the store. As soon as I saw this one particular striped knit blanket, I was sold on the white crib. Funny how one little blanket and the wisdom of a little dude could instantly help me mentally picture a wonderful new bedroom for K2.

Not that Drew didn't have a fine nursery to come home to after he was born, he did. But, due to the fact that we moved into our house less than three months before Drew was born, the walls in his were still all builders-beige and looked like the rest of the house. If there is one thing I am super anxious to do during this waiting period, it's to make sure K2 has a painted and decorated room. Which room that will be is still TBD. But whether it's the current guest bedroom (aka, "the cold room") or Drew's current room, the white crib and striped blanket are going to look awesome. And even more so when K2 is snuggled up in that blanket sleeping in that cool white crib. I can't wait!

Until next time...stay warm & stay healthy

crib

We have a new crib!!

Any guesses as to what color?

somebody is missing

Throughout our adoption journey so far, one of my biggest concerns has been for how having an adopted sibling will affect Drew. It’s been a little hard for me to dissect how much of my concern can be contributed to the “normal” worries that go along with adding another child to a family (he’s been an only child for so long used to all our attention, what if they have nothing in common and don’t get along, the costs associated with another child could limit the things we can do with and provide Drew, etc.) as opposed to the added responsibilities Drew will have being a big brother to an adopted sibling (the stares and comments our family will encounter – whether based on curiosity or racism, the added pressure he will feel to protect his brother or sister when Damon and I aren’t around, the lack of understanding and support he might have for us exploring and incorporating some Korean culture into our family, etc.). This is not to say that I do not understand all the positives. I do. I really do. That’s why we are adopting.

I have been trying to prepare myself in order to help prepare Drew – both now at the age of three and for all the years to come. There isn’t much information out there. There is limited research, articles, and books out there about that discuss the impacts of raising both a biological and adopted child. And there definitely are very few children’s books aimed at the “family-with-a-biological-child-adopting-internationally” demographic. In some ways this lack of information makes me more nervous…I just want to know what we are getting ourselves into and some reassurance that everything will be OK. But, in other ways, it just might be better not having any preconceived ideas or expectations.

I am slowly beginning to realize that I really am not really in control of how Drew will react, adapt, accept, or thrive once K2 becomes a permanent part of the Krekelberg family – just like we (any of us) aren’t really in control of how we grow a family. Lately, I have been seeing and embracing some good doses of faith. And, surprise-surprise, it’s been Drew doing a lot of the showing. I am really starting to think and believe that Drew is getting an awesome little “sibling via adoption” prep-course from the big guy upstairs. I honestly believe God made Drew’s wonderful personality, temperament and abilities knowing exactly who his little sibling was going to be. And, I think He continues to guide Drew each and everyday preparing him to be the best big brother to our K2. The things he’s been doing and saying lately about what’s going on seem way beyond the simple innocence of a three year old. My faith is definitely growing. God has this under control. Drew and K2 are going to be just fine.

Drew that has been telling us for well over a year that “someone is missing” from our family hugs. Drew has told us that God is making his baby brother or baby sister. Drew knows that his baby brother or sister is inside someone else’s belly in Korea (even asks to see where Korea is on a map). Drew has told me – out of the blue in a restaurant bathroom – “I’m going to yell at the person who has my baby brother or sister in their belly”…I asked why…he said, “so she knows that it’s our baby brother or sister!”. [while I explained to him that we don’t want to yell at that woman because she loves his baby brother or sister very much too, I also have to admit how proud I was of him that day already sticking-up for and protecting his brother or sister (and how proud I was of myself on how I handled the situation)] Drew continues to let us know where K2 will sit at the table, in the car, and how he will help K2 (for instance, by lifting him up – demonstrating with a stuffed teddy bear – to see the pictures in the picture frames in the family room).

So…someone is missing…but not for long…and we already know right where K2 fits in our family hugs - thanks to Drew showing us.

Until next time…grab an extra family hug tonight and keep faith!

one down

Today marks one month of “officially waiting”!
We received our “Welcome to the Korea Program” letter and information packet from the agency today which confirmed that we were approved, accepted and “officially waiting” as of the day of our last Home Study visit (12/11/09). [But, technically, we confirmed this with our Country Specialist on Friday – Granny Dixon’s 86th birthday - yet another incidence of an important adoption milestone aligning with an already significant date] The wait times are still what we have been anticipating: six months to referral for a boy and twelve months to referral for a girl. Since we did not indicate a gender preference, it’s looking like it could be just five short months until we are introduced to our little K2! (yes, that means the odds are significantly in favor of having another son…so much for that “raspberry jam” paint chip.)

This news also could very well mean that our little K2 is about to be born or has already been born. Think about how wonderful that is!!! I would not be surprised if K2 is another gift from December 2009…a big, huge, lovely gift that for the next six to twelve months we patiently wait to open, hold, hug and kiss. In the meantime, we pray daily for love, courage, strength, compassion, good health and grace for K2’s birth mom, foster parents…and, of course, for K2 as well.

Today we also received a nice, thick, mostly blank, official-looking sheet of paper from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that our I-600A was received. Phew. The letter also told us what we already knew - that they would send us information on when and where to get fingerprinted for the next step in the i-600A approval process. While there was definitely was a feeling of reassurance that we sent the application to the right address on Christmas Eve, couldn't the government been a little more efficient and put all that information in one letter?!? Oh well...gives us more milestones to meet this way I guess.

To help keep the months moving, there are definitely things we can and should be doing that will help us feel like we are being productive. Damon and Drew are still in need of passports…passport photos need to be taken and their applications need to be submitted. It feels like January 2009 all over again actually – a year ago I was urging Damon to renew his passport! He even has an application completed, signed and dated (1/23/09)! If I could do it for them, I definitely would. I am giving them to the end of the month. Seriously, we need to be ready at a moments notice to go get K2, right?! And, I would really prefer not to go by myself.

We also need to get a new crib. Will a child about 12 months old need a crib?! Probably not for long – but the crib Drew used was recalled and we have a voucher for a new one to use by the 23rd of this month. So, K2 will have a nice new crib (and bed conversion kit). It feels good to be buying something new for K2. It helps make this process more tangible and real…and even more exciting, if that’s possible!

And now for the much anticipated japchae update:
Damon and I thoroughly enjoyed chopping, marinating, mixing, cooking and eating the meal yesterday. Damon tackled the julienne cutting of the carrots and peppers. I took care of the spinach, onions, garlic and steak. Together we marinated it all and later threw it all in the wok with the sweet potato noodles, soy sauce, sesame oil and sesame seeds. Yum Yum Yum ~ all three of us enjoyed it a lot!

Until next time…love and laughter!

Gifts

As the January cold, snow and long rush-hour commutes really settle in, I’ve been reflecting on what a wonderful and amazing December and holiday season we had. Busy, but wonderful! We were able to celebrate Christmas with both Krekelbergs and Bonas throughout the month. And, we continued to establish our own family Christmas traditions with a new advent calendar, once again cutting down our own Christmas tree (and saving the “fresh cut”); attending Christmas Eve Mass; watching a Christmas movie Christmas Eve (‘Elf’ this year – ironically yet unintentionally adoption themed), and enjoying the excitement, joy and spirit of Christmas relaxed and in the comfort of our home (and out in the snow).

We were blessed with some pretty amazing gifts this December. I have to say that ‘family’ was the theme for many of the gifts we received or got for ourselves. We upgraded to a seven-passenger family vehicle; we received a new compact video camera which will definitely be accompanying us to Korea to capture those special first family-of-four moments (with much practice footage between now and then); ice skates and golf clubs for me (guess my boys do want me to join them on their outings!) and got board games, video games, books, movies and music for all of us to enjoy together.

I also received our first Korean meal for my birthday!! Arriving in the mail was a recipe kit for Japchae (mixed vegetables with sweet potato noodles) ~ a Korean dish from Jeju Island, Korea along with a bamboo platter. I cannot thank the Melville family enough for such a thoughtful and unique gift!! It’s on the menu for this weekend and I’ll be sure to post an update to let you know how good our cooking skills are and how delicious the meal is. [These recipe kits are totally cool and I highly recommend checking them out at www.destinationdinners.com]

Entering this “world of international adoption” is already turning out to be a huge gift to us – way beyond the gift of another child to our family. We once again feel so blessed to be surrounded by so much love and support, gifts often and easily taken for granted. We feel blessed to be able explore and embrace a new culture. We feel blessed and encouraged by the ease, eagerness and comprehension Drew has demonstrated toward his “baby brother or baby sister”. We are blessed with new friendships with those also going through the adoption process and waiting for their child. And, we appreciate the gifts that continue to grow in us ~ patience, compassion, and understanding.

I am constantly wondering what other gifts K2 will bring to our family over the next months and years…as well as what special gifts and talents our son or daughter will possess. I am so excited to find out!