Formalize

In the State of Michigan, it can take up to 6 months to finalize an adoption. If the birth parents are physically present in the state, they can sign away parental rights and an adoption can proceed quickly. That is obviously not the situation our family faced so we have been waiting for six months to pass from the time Jim and I brought Ty Ji-tae home. It has.


February 11th is the day we took Ty in a taxi cab across the city of Seoul from the Holt offices to our room at the Holiday Inn. It was a 25 minute taxi ride and all I remember was tears of joy, a little fear and a lot of anguish at taking him from his loving foster mother. We spent an anxious and excited last night together in Seoul and left the next morning for the long journey home as a family.

That journey makes another milestone tomorrow as we go to Family Court to finalize Ty's adoption on National Adoption Day. Marie graciously decided to forgo her class's "Harvest Feast" so we can go to court together as a family. She understands that this is the last step to make Ty and her forever siblings; Momma and Daddy have to get some papers signed. While she was going to join us anyways, the decision came first from her and we are thrilled beyond belief that at age 3-almost-4, she chooses a family day over a fun-event-at-school day.

Ty, of course, doesn't understand what is going on. He will be thrilled tomorrow morning that Momma isn't out the door at 7am and he isn't bundled up in the car by 8:15 for daycare. He will be even more thrilled that his adored Sissy won't be gone to school. But, of course, he doesn't understand that at 11:25 am his parents are to appear in court to say, "Yes, he is OUR SON and always will be." But he will delight in the extra attention, hugs and loving he will experience all day tomorrow.

Here are our first moments together, the beginning of this journey...



We love you, Ty Ji-tae! Just as much as we did in those first few moments. In fact, much much more. We are so blessed to be your family!