Wednesday, March 24, 2010

We Are a Forever Family!

The day has finally come when we can finally look our sweet little boy in the eyes and know that he is ours forever. He is so precious. We met the foster family at 10:30am at the SWS office. We were both so nervous. I was actually shaking. When we walked into the office we saw his foster family sitting there. The foster father was holding Ryan in his arms. I already wanted to cry at this point. It just made me so sad knowing what they must of been feeling. They handed Ryan over to my husband and took a few pictures of us holding him. He then got a little fussy and his foster mom took him and calmed him down. He then was handed to his foster dad and the foster dad comforted him and got him to smile. Ryan truly loves his foster family and they truly love him. I kept trying not to cry. Our social worker showed us all of the gifts they had for Ryan...clothes, socks, bibs, Hanbok, a Korean flag, Korean tapes, Korean Cd's, and a card to him with a message they wrote. We then gave them the gifts we brought for them and they were really appreciative. Our caseworker then went over all of the documents and his schedule. She also showed me how to prepare his bottles. The director of SWS came in the room and handed us a gift as well. It was a little keepsake box. She was so nice and I'm glad we had the chance to meet her as well. Ryan began to cry so the director escorted us all out to the elevator. This is the point where I couldn't hold back the tears any longer. His foster family started to say their final good-byes and when the little brother kissed him on his foot I lost it. Then I looked up and the foster mother handed him to me and she and the foster father were both crying, so was the son. I couldn't stop crying. Joey and I got on the elevator with Ryan in our arms and as the doors closed his foster family was crying and so was I. I gave Ryan a big hug and kissed him on the forehead. It was so emotional and still brings tears to my eyes.

Ryan is being such a good boy so far. We got back to the room and I laid a blanket on the floors with some toys. We sat and played for a while and skyped with my sister and my mom. He started to get a little fussy being that it was past his nap time. I grabbed this blanket I brought for him and he grabbed it out of my hands and put his head on it, stuck his thumb in his mouth, and within two minutes fell asleep. I held him for a while and just watched him sleep. I just kept thinking about this whole experience and I couldn't stop crying. I am so happy right now and so sad for his foster family and for what Ryan will go through as well. It's so over-whelming and emotionally draining. Once he was in a deep sleep I laid him on the bed next to me. He has been sleeping for over an hour. So far so good!

Once he wakes up we are going to have lunch and Ryan will get his bottle. Joey just ran out and grabbed some sandwiches. After that we will go outside to take a few pictures of Ryan in front of the agency and guesthouse. After that, not sure what we will do. All that matters now is that we have our son and we are finally a family. There aren't enough words in any language to describe our happiness. He is so beautiful and precious. Joey is laying next to him on the bed right now just watching him sleep. It's so cute. What a day.

Next time I update my blog we will finally be back home starting our new life together. We're coming home Cooper!!!







8 comments:

  1. Man lady...you make me cry so hard reading these. Its almost 5 am here so I guess 6pm there right now...wonder what you are doing and how its going. I hope things are great and I can't wait to see you guys :) Take care and have a safe trip home! Love, Jenny

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  2. Yep I waited to put my make-up again...good thing. I'm glad everything is going so well. We can't wait to see you.:) Prayers are with all of you as you make the journey home! Yea!

    Love, T

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  3. I shouldn't have read this at work! I have to fix my make-up.

    So glad things are going well. You have some beautiful pictures... especially the one of all of you.

    Congratulations to you all!

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  4. Aww... its so amazing you guys are finally together :) It never fails to amaze me at the selflessness of these foster families. Giving so much of themselves so that these children will always know love. We could all do well to learn from their example. God Bless them! And God Bless the beautiful new family

    Love,
    Carrie and Brian and the Walker Army

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  5. This brings back so many memories. You're so happy to finally get your child, yet you feel sadness for the foster family. It sounds like Ryan was very loved.

    Congratulations on becoming a family of 3 and happy forever family day!

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  6. Congrats on becoming a forever family. The pic of Joey and Ryan is precious. Have a safe trip. Can't wait to meet Ryan!

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  7. Its Beautiful Kari. Everything you have been through, your heart for his foster family, and the amount of love you have for Ryan. It is simply a blessing. I am so happy for the three of you. Congratulations on a beautiful family. You two will make fine parents.

    Love
    Charissa

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  8. Congratulations on your Forever Family Day. I totally know what you mean about that day being so incredibly emotional: total highs & lows. I cried a LOT too...even after we got home...I was still so sad for his foster & birth families, but also so happy all at the same time. It is so good to let yourself feel all those emotions...very important. I love all the photos of you together with the foster family. You will cherish those forever.

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