In one word: Paperwork!

Dave and I had our first home study meeting with J.D. on Tuesday morning. We met at her office, and spent the better portion of almost 2 hours going over all of the necessary paperwork that we will have to complete, and ask others to fill in on our behalf, in order to bring our baby home from Korea. There is a form for listing personal references, their names and addresses so that J.D. can contact them through the mail. There are medical reports that we have to have completed for both Dave and I, and one for Theo and Emmett, too (Emmett had his 15 month check up today, so we already have the boys' forms completed, much thanks to Dr. L.) There are employment verification forms, financial forms, insurance (health, home, and life...) forms, and a visa application. Paperwork, paperwork, paperwork!

I already feel incredibly confident about our choice to work with Adoption Advocates for this adoption. Dave and I both like J.D. very much and feel very comfortable with her. She appeals to the historian in Dave, with stories about her visits to Korea and historical landmarks there from the Korean War. I'm in awe of her passion for her work, work that she's been involved in for over 20 years.

I'd been struggling, a little bit, during the week prior to our meeting as I'd heard outside sources ask both Dave and I, "Are you worried at all about bonding with this baby?" and, "You know, those adopted children can have a lot of problems!" I guess I forget, sometimes, that adoption isn't what comes naturally to everyone. I need to be reminded, as well, that while Dave and I are in this process together, because both of us wholly want to be, we didn't get where we are as individuals because we travelled similar paths. In fact, my road to our decision to adopt has been a much smoother path, parelleled and supported by my family and my friends. The fact of the matter is that there are some people in our lives, some people who we love and can not live without, who aren't so sure about what we are doing. J.D. had a beautiful way of putting some of these things into perspective for me, with words that brought tears to both of our eyes.

The only HUGE development that I want to share is that Dave and I decided, with almost complete certainty, that I will travel to Korea to get our son or daughter when the time comes. I am going to add links to the left of some incredible Korean adoption blogs that I've been reading. Some of these amazing stories (brace yourself!), along with some other reading that I've been doing and our conversation with J.D. on making the trip overseas really solidified our decision.

Our next homestudy is scheduled for October 30th. In the meantime, we have lots of reading to do, and even more paperwork to complete! I love having something to do!!