The Roller Coaster Ride

Happy 1st Birthday to my baby girl on the other side of the world! It is so difficult to be away from her on her birthday. I knew this was going to happen, but it doesn't make it any easier. I did partake in some Happy Joes pizza and some ice cream in remembrance of the day. So, that was a plus!
We got some bad news from Korea yesterday. They are not giving out any Emigration Permits this month and are not allowing any new submissions. That was our next step. They will be giving EPs out at the end of July and we hope to be submitted for one then. No one knows what is going to happen. It is very possible that we won't get one this year. The Korean government has started to limit that amount of international adoptions that take place. I am praying that we get an EP. I did not anticipate having to wait nearly a year to get our daughter. When we signed up with Korea, we were told that we would travel four to eight months from the time of referral. Our agency, of course, did not anticipate this...no one did. They always advocate for the parents and the children, so I know they will work hard to get the kids home. I planned on the full eight months, but was hoping for six. Now, it could be more. Our agency does not know too many of the details, but they do know this has not happened before. Why is it that every country we choose has some sort of hold up? I just want my baby girl home. This is so hard. Please pray for us and for her.

The Big White Envelope

I opened our mailbox on Thursday to find one of the forms I have been waiting for.....our I600 approval! I don't know that I have been so excited to see a piece of paperwork in the mail. I suppose that's not true because I get super excited with every step that gets done in this process. I went into work that day just to fax it to Lisa at Holt. They are two hours behind us, so I was hoping she would get it. I called on Friday to make sure the fax made it to her desk, and alas, it hadn't. I was glad that I called. Who knows how long it would have sat there. From what I understand, she was going to enter that into the computer. I don't know why, but I will take it as a good thing. If I am correct, that information will be sent over to the embassy in Korea. I believe her Visa may be filed for upon receiving that form, but that is a complete guess. When talking to Lisa, I asked if Emme would have precidence for her EP over other cases simply because she is a waiting child. From what I understand, it doesn't make much of a difference. It is all about when the acceptance paperwork was sent in. Had I known this in March, I wouldn't have sat on it for that extra day...as if that makes a difference. Not that I want to be placed ahead of other families that have been waiting for their kids because that wouldn't be fair (although I could accept it ;-) ). However, if they would just add one more EP to the day, I would, of course, prefer that it be Emme's.
I am hoping to have good news regarding her EP next month, but we shall see. I continue to pray to God that He bring my baby girl home to me as fast as He can. That's all I can do...this is and always has been, in His hands.

Patience is a Virtue

I have written consistently on what it is like to wait. This, unfortunately, isn't like waiting in line at the grocery store where the end is actually in sight. Although I can scarcely see the light at the end of the tunnel, it is there and I have to have faith that it will get brighter and brighter as time passes. But, what to do with all of this time? I decided to call Holt this past Monday to see where Emme is in obtaining her EP (emigration permit). Lisa tells me that my wait could still be a long one...they have just started with the children whose acceptance papers were submitted in March. We didn't submit until the middle of April. Sigh. I then contacted immigration to see where in tarnation my I-600 is hiding. She was actually nice enough to get it done that day. So, that should be in my hot little hands next week. Not to mention that I thought I only had to wait a week and half to two weeks to get that and it has been over a month. Sigh again. The good news is that most of the paperwork on our end is done, at least for now. Although, the nerd in me wants more busywork to do. I know, very sad.
I sent over our first care package on Monday also. It took about one week for me to compile all the things I wanted to send over. Thanks to a great new friend that I met in our Parents in Process meeting (thanks Heather), I was able to send over some neat stuff. I purchased a recordable book with Daddy, Mommy and Owen reading it, a Sesame Street book with little CDs, little snacks, a dolly holding a soft blankie, three or four onesies, chocolate for the foster family, a toy camera, disposable cameras and a few other small things. I actually got to wrap some of the gifts in princess paper. Weird. The only paper around here is monster trucks, Spiderman or Mario. This will taking a little getting used to, but I am up to the task! Emmeline's birthday is on the 23rd, so I am hoping it makes it there in time.
I have also been purchasing things for Emme's room. I have decided on a pink and green (although mainly pink of course) motif. When Troy takes the boys to the races in a couple of weeks, I have to get some work done in there. Drew is going into Tate's room with him and I think they are going to love bunking together. Drew is not too thrilled about being alone in his room now, so the timing should be good. Hopefully, all goes well.
On that note, that is all the news for now. I am hoping for nothing but good news and eagerly anticipate that travel call!