Nash vs. the Soup (Hint: the soup declared the winner)

I should know by now, when our social worker calls us to tell us she has an unexpected update on Nash it's never good news.  Just in case you all forgot, about six months ago we were informed Nash had fallen and received a few stitches above his eye. Well this time, he managed to run into a pot of soup that was cooking on a hot plate on the floor, it dumped over and he fell on top of it and got second degree burns on his hand, for-arm and foot.  Foster mom went directly to the hospital, where he was admitted so they could treat aggressively.  All is well now and his burns are healing well.  The initial report stated that foster mom felt awful.  I don't blame her, rather I'm not having to read too far in between the lines to know that Nash will be an active boy.  Add this story to my long list of questions I have prepared to ask foster mom about when we meet her.  I'll have to dedicate a section of Nash's baby book just to his accidents! 

It's now been about 2.5 weeks and still no news of emigration permission approval.  The countdown is still on...but I'm finding myself more anxious than ever.  I think we are just so close to the end, to having Nash in our arms forever, that everyday seems like a week.  Until then, I'll continue to: prepare for my leave from work (and yes I'm returning in case anyone from my co. is reading this), continue the baby proofing (note to self-  must.move.knife.drawer), as well as getting everything organized for our travel.  I'm sure I'll dedicate an entry about all the stuff we are taking over.

The ball is rolling...EP Submitted~

Today, at approximately 9:27 a.m., we received a phone call from our agency that Nash's emigration paperwork was submitted for approval to the Korean Ministry!  This is the phone call we have been waiting for.  This signals that everything is moving....and starts the countdown clock to when we might travel. Also begins the speculation on when that might be.  Here are the next steps and projected time lines (really, its super confusing to keep straight so I will outline in a bullet point approach.)

• Now we have to wait for EP approval.  Our agency is stating anywhere from 3-8 weeks for approval.  I don't think it will take 8 weeks.  I really think they feel so awful that we all had to wait so long that I'm hopeful 4 weeks top.
• After EP approval, his paperwork is submitted to the American Embassy in D.C., where he will have his visa interview.  Agency timeline for this step is 1-3 weeks.
• After his paperwork is complete, visa issued, we should get the travel call w/in days! 

So, I will receive 2 more phone calls. One to signal his paperwork is out of the Ministry and onto the U.S. embassy, and the final call, the best call I will ever receive in my life will be the T.C.- travel call. Then, 48 hrs. later we on a plane to bring home our boy and I'll be blogging my updates from Korea! 

Eeeeeeekkkkkkkkkkkkk!  This mama is bananas excited too BECAUSE Nash's soon to be bestie Simon (Desirae's and Steve's adorable son) ALSO was submitted for EP!  If the stars align, we could be traveling on the same timeline.

Leap Day- I'm alive.....

Hello. Boy, it's been a while. As you can guess, I have not been posting because, well frankly, I don't have any news to report on Nash. February came and went with no concrete info to share. You ask yourself "how can she deal with it". Well, I'm dealing with it by not talking about it. I think about it all day everyday but ranting on about my unstable mental health will not make things happen faster.

I'm hopeful for news to share soon. In the meantime, here are some random thoughts.
Super excited for two new family members who are getting hitched (omg not to each other, gross). Bret's sister Kara and Paul and my first cousin Melissa and Ryan! Congratulations!!! I heart weddings.
Looking forward to supplementing my spring fashion wardrobe with: bright colors, more stripes, a pair of wellies, rockin blond hair and back to getting pedicures.
I also joined the rest if the female population on Pintrest.

Dang, I tried to be fancy with my "Polaroid function on Blogger...it cut off my captions.  This one read: "Weekend get away at Lake Vermilion, Lots of Laughs and inside jokes, Just what the Dr. Ordered"

The boys spent quality time in the hot tub

This picture cracked me up.  Butch the pug is obsessed with sitting on Bret's lap and it looks like he is totally being smushed, but he is happy as a clam and could sit there all day.  The last part was a rant about how I have to cover my couch with sheets because of all the dog hair. Ugh. 

We now bring you this regularly scheduled update

We received Nash's 19 month update today. Not only did we receive new pics, we also received a written report. He is currently 26lbs and 33 inches tall. I'm praying this will be our last need for a virtual update! Bitter sweet as always.

Looking for a treat...

Finished the treat....now I'm thirsty!

Happy boy!

Rumor has it...

Adele said it best but I can't help but get caught up in all the rumors about when the EP process might start!  Daily, I weed through the rumor mill, and let me tell you, it can be a full time job.  I check multiple forums, blogs and the latest update from our agency.  I'm sure your thinking, why waste your time?  Because for this mama, any information is better than no information, even if its just people speculating (by people speculating I mean Des and I e-mailing daily on our thoughts).

The latest news I can report is the the EP process is set to start in mid-February (confirmed by two sources so I'll take that as credible).  Mind you, when I last reported the process was suppose to start Jan. 2nd.  So, I've now adjustment my expectations, plans, hypothetical situations to re-align with the process starting in mid-February.  Hopefully I'll be reporting back to you that this rumor is true.  Based on this, I think that traveling in mid-March could still happen.

The Gang

So my wonderful group of high school friends thew an awesome shower this past weekend to celebrate Nash. First, many of these girls have been in my life for over 28 years.  (OMG I just had to take out a calculator to do the math on that...).  We've been through it all together.  They all have been Nash's biggest fan and wouldn't be here today without their love and support (well I might be here but you would have to visit me in a loony-house).  Thanks for the amazing day.  I can only hope that someday Nash will find a group of friends that are as special to him.   xoxox Alli

Liza, Betsy, Liz Stacey, Tina
Katie, Nash's Mommy, Bjorna and Jackie

18 month update

Well, God knew I really needed this pick me up! Today we received 3 new photos of Nash taken at his 18 month appointment. He weighs 25 lbs and I can tell is getting excited to meet his mom and dad! Hold on baby, we will be there soon (sniff, sniff).

On a lighter note, I did this update from my phone! So proud.

Update: No Update (Seriously, right?)

Ugh.  How in the world did I manage to get through 1 entire year of waiting.  Everyday, I keep my phone glued to my side hoping it will ring with some good news.  This is so hard, I'm not going to lie.  Knowing that we are so close and yet still feeling like we are a ways off.  I promise to post any news we receive. 

What is the hold up?  We are waiting to hear news from our adoption agency that Nash's emigration permissions paperwork have been submitted to the Korean Ministry for approval.  This starts the ball rolling....so until we hear this news, we are in a holding pattern.  So we still are hoping to travel in February, but with everyday that passes and no information, the timeline gets pushed out.