I don't even know where to start...
I didn't sleep well because Allie was wide awake from 1-3. I was wide awake too! We finally fell asleep again, and then I woke right back up, going through my mind about this morning. For months, I've imagined today. I've wondered if he'd look at us and start crying. I've wondered if he would be terrified. Not knowing his personality except through snippets of updates, I and many many many friends and family have prayed that he would not be an anxious child by nature. He will be anxious in the weeks to come because of his circumstances, and for that we STILL need lots and lots of prayer.
However, what I learned today was that, by nature, he is not at all an anxious child. He's quite the opposite of anxious. In fact, he reminds me a lot of Garrett and Allie...oh goodness...poor poor Mary.
This incredible organization facilitates adoptions from all the agencies in the U.S. The director shared the history of ESWS, and I'm so impressed and thankful for this mission. They have homes all over Korea to support special needs children and adults. They over see the care of countless babies who are waiting for their forever families. That care is outstanding. These babies are so loved and taken care of during their "wait" and I'll never have the words to express my gratitude for that.
The taxi dropped us off here, and we decided to go to Dunkin' Donuts....the best cure for an anxious stomach.
Upon arrival, we were taken to a small room, to finish the FINAL paperwork...well for now. The reason the chair is empty is that our case worker jumped up because she heard CC walk in the room behind us. She ran out and very informally invited him to come see us as we waited to finish our documents.
I didn't even have my camera ready because I wasn't expecting it! He had on those squeaky shoes, so he bounced right over to us. He looked at us very curiously, and then just stared at the ground. He wasn't afraid. He just didn't like the attention. I was just stunned that I was sitting there looking at him because it happened so fast. I wanted to tackle him, and I knew that would not be good, so I just sat there with tears in my eyes...Tears of disbelief that God had given us this boy.
As soon as he appeared in the door way, he was whisked away for us to finish, and hubs and I just grinned at each other! What a relief..he didn't run away!
We walked upstairs to the room where we had seen him in his videos. It was so surreal to have watched him play in this room on video, and now to be walking in there to see him.
He LOVES that room. He immediately sat in the little tykes car and began honking the car like we'd seen him do 6 months ago...on video. He laughed and grinned. There was no reservation in his face. He obviously doesn't mind meeting new people.
THERE HE IS!!!
His foster parents were INCREDIBLE! I so wanted to take their pics, but it's not ok to post their pics. She had brought videos of him when he was little, 2 photo albums, a zip drive full of pics, his hanbok, presents for our kids, and a handwritten letter to him to read some day. I forgot to have the translator read it, and I've got to have that done before we leave!
They've done such an excellent job with him. He obeyed their requests readily. He bowed when we walked in; when he was asked to put his shoes back on at the end, he ran right over and sat down for them to dress his feet. I was able to ask several questions about his routine, and the foster mom repeated several times..."He's a good boy."
About the hat! Apparently, he's been wearing it for months. They took it off of him to show us his beautiful hair, and he grabbed it and put it back on!
He was reaching for balls and toys and throwing them at Allie. He really took to Allie. He would go down the slide, counting the steps as he went, and then ask her to come slide too with his gesturing. She can't wait to see him again.
Finally...a couple of videos!
I caught this as he was leaving. It's blurry because it was quick. He didn't really want to leave, and he had a fall on the ground fit when he walked out. He wanted to play some more!
We won't see him again until Friday, and on that day, we will leave Eastern with him in our family forever.
I almost forgot! It's Pappy's birthday!!!
Happy birthday Pappy. WE LOVE YOU:)
