Hello! I wanted to share with my readers a new blog and group I started, Adult Adoptee Connecticut. I am very excited to offer a group and resources for adult adoptees living in CT. I came from a very active adult adoptee in NJ and was disappointed to find there was no group or resources in place in CT. I finally settled in to our new home and town and felt ready to embark on this venture. I  know the majority of my readers are here for the crafts, but for the handful came to 4 Crazy Kings because their lives have been touched by adoption and represent one facet of the adoption triad, please pass the word on. Right now I am the sole member! So, if you know of any international adult adoptees in CT looking to meet other adult adoptees let them know about AACT. You also do not have to be a CT Adult Adoptee to become a follower of the AACT blog. I will be posting the majority of my adoption related material on the AACT blog. Be sure to LIKE the Adult Adoptee Connecticut page on Facebook!

I have some other exciting adoption related news...



Gulp! My artwork made the cover and a short essay are included in the new publication, More Voices: A Collection of Works from Asian Adoptees, Edited by Susan Soonkeum Cox. More Voices is followup to Voices From Another Place: A Collection of Works from A Generation Born in Korea and Adopted to Other Countries.

Finding Community

NJAAC, New Jersey Adult Adoptee Community

Some members met up in Cherry Hill, NJ for a great night of food, drinks, stories and laughter. If you are an international adult adoptee and live in NJ check out our website, www.njaac.org or join our facebook group, New Jersey Adult Adoptee Community.

The Battle Over the Hanbok or Sharing Our Korean Culture

I had a great time talking about Korea and the New Year to the kids in Lu's Preschool Class, last week. I brought a Hanbok and a boys Jeogori (jacket) for the kids to try on. I read to the class,  New Clothes for New Year's Day by Hyun-joo Bae and  The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi. I also taught the kids how to say hello and friend in Korean.

Last year Lu wore her Hanbok to school and was very proud of "looking different." This year she did not want to wear her Hanbok. I respected her wishes, only after trying to talk her into it unsuccessfully. I did recognized her desire to blend in having been there myself. I just wasn't expecting it to come so quickly.

I brought the Hanbok with me to the talk. When I pulled it out of the bag, all the kids oohed and ahhed over it. I asked who wanted to try it on. By the time every hand shot up Lu had officially changed her mind. 

It is ironic that it took the classes unanimous acceptance for Lu to be free to be different.

She left school feeling very proud of her Korean roots. 

Somehow, I felt that I had accomplished much more than I intended.

I'm Legit: Adoption Video

I had the unique opportunity to meet Zara H. Phillips and Daryl "DMC" McDaniels and to be an extra in their video, I'm Legit. Both Zara and DMC are adoptees. Zara is a singer, songwriter, author and director of a short documentary called, Roots Unknown. Daryl is well known for being in the rap group Run DMC. He is also extremely active in the adoption community. The documentary, DMC: An Adoption Story tells his adoption story. To find out more information you can goto www.zarahphillips.com or www.me-dmc.com.

"I'm starting my life on chapter two..."

The song addresses the fact that in many states adoptees have no legal right to their birth records.  Many states have groups working to pass legislation to allow adoptees this right. To find out more information regarding the legislation visit NJCARE.

BEING AN EXTRA

It was a freezing day in Newark, NJ and a group of adoptees and those touched by adoption, ranging in age and race, huddled together to keep warm as we waited for our part as extras. We passed the time by sharing our stories and trying to stay warm.

Mama King with Linnea (the daughter of an adoptee) and Ann (an adoptee)

Although I am in the background for two seconds and am blurry (I'm wearing a pink scarf near the end as Daryl walks by me) I had a wonderful experience that day, despite the freezing tempuratures. My soul was warmed by the wonderful men and women I met and their stories. There is something so intimate about meeting another adoptee. You may not know the names of their children or the town they grew up in but you do know their loss, you feel their unspoken heartache. I left feeling inspired by Zara and DMC and the work they do. Enjoy the video! Don't blink or you'll miss me :-)

I'm Legit

A Mother for Choco by Keiko Kasza

(From the left) Emme's Choco, Lulu's Choco

A Mother for Choco is a wonderful children's book (regardless if your child is adopted or not) about a little bird looking for a mother that looks like him. In the end he discovers a mama bear who does not look like him but is the perfect mother. My girls LOVE this book. Even though my girls are not old enough to understand the concept of adoption they just think Choco is so cute and are happy for him when he finds mama bear. They were thrilled to make their very own Choco. I will be reading this book and doing this craft with Lulu's class to celebrate National Adoption Month. For all you Adoptive Mommies out there: Just ask your child's teacher if you can do something because most teachers will not think of doing anything unless they know someone who is adopted. Lu's teachers were more than happy to have me come in and do something.




















A Mother for Choco (Paperstar) by Keiko Kasza (Paperback - Mar 19, 1996)

Buy new: $5.99

Adoption Carnival III: Photos of Adoption

Adoption Carnival III: Photos of Adoption
What is your most treasured adoption photo?
Read more or link up at Grown In My Heart.

There are so many favorite pictures of Em, from the very first ones that we saw of her to the photo of me holding her for the first time. But I think the one that sums up all the emotions, love, anticipation, anxiety, and hope I felt at that time is this picture of Em asleep in the bassinet that was attached to the bulk head of the airplane. As many of you know that the flight from Korea to NY is thirteen plus hours. Em was awake for three of those hours and crying on and off for the first hour. Luckily for us sleep is something Em loves. She is like clock work, 12 - 13 hours at night, three hours during the day! She slept about 10 hours on the flight home. I of course could not and did not sleep a wink that flight. I just kept peeking at Em's angelic face. I could not take my eyes off of her. My mind was racing with questions and imagined scenarios... As hard as I tried I could not sleep. We arrived home around one in the morning and guess who was well rested and ready to party like it was 1999?

My other favorite picture of Em is of her first bath.
Mind you it was at 4 am in the morning, her first night home, after a HUGE blowout!
You mamas know what I mean!
I think her way of letting us know she was happy to be home. Don't you?
:-)
Welcome home!

Grown In my Heart Adoption Carnival: Names

What's in a name?

Grown In My Heart is hosting its second Adoption Carnival. The topic is names and how they relate to the adoption triad. To read more entries or link up your post visit Grown In My Heart.



Lost & Found

When I was born I was presumable given a name. I was called that name for 15 months of my life and then one cold January day I was abandoned on a street corner in Seoul. I was found sitting on the street corner crying and referred to the police. I was found but my name was lost forever.

As a young woman I often day dreamed of returning to that street corner hoping to hear my name whispered to me by the ghosts of my ancestors. And when they whispered my name to me I would somehow begin to remember who I was and understand everything that had happened to me.

After that January day, I was given a Korean Name and identification number and yet another name when I was adopted several months later. Since then I have had so many names and have not been particularly attached to any of them. When people ask if they can give me a nickname I usually shrug my shoulders and say call me whatever you'd like. I know several people that are very specific about their names or their children's names. There are no nicknames and the correct pronunciation is always stressed. I never could relate to that. I guess that is why in our family everyone has about five nicknames.

I heard a snippet on NPR the other day, in between the singing and bickering in the back seat of the car, about how when we pass we die three times. First is when your body dies, the second is when you are buried and the third is when your name is spoken for the last time. I don't know what they were referring to and who the quote is attributed to but for a moment in time all I heard was silence and my heart grieved again for that little girl sitting on the street crying. I wondered if her name, my name, had been spoken for the last time or if there was someone still keeping my memory alive.

Luckily the name I cherish the most - no matter how over used it is - sent me crashing back to reality. "Mooooooooommmmmmmy! Emme won't let me sing!" I wiped my eyes and looked up into the rear view mirror and smiled. I smiled because I know in my heart that the only names that matter are the names our loved ones call us. Whether it be a Hey Honey from my hubby or a Mommy from my girls, it doesn't matter how mundane or frequently used it is... nothing sounds sweeter.

Every Child Deserves A Home by NewSong

The song is called "Every Child Deserves a Home". The title comes from the quote from Holt International Children's Services founder, Harry Holt when he said, "Every child deserves a home of his own."

I found the song and video very moving and wanted to share it with you. Some of the images are very sad so if you are particularly sensitive you may not want to click on the link.

NewSong is a Contemporary Christian Music Group. I had never heard of them before this video was forwarded onto me. They are apparently very popular and have many number one hits. According to Wikapedia, "NewSong has always had a heart for abandoned and underprivileged children. They worked with World Vision (www.worldvision.org - a humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their community to rid them of poverty and injustice - for years before getting involved with Holt International (www.holtintl.org) in 2006. Holt International is a world leader in child adoption and child welfare."

I think my music knowledge froze in time 4 years ago when my daughter was born!

Grown In My Heart: Blog Carnival

Grown in My Heart’s is hosting its first ever blog carnival. The topic is:

What I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Was Touched By Adoption (or What I Wish My Parents Knew.)

As many of my readers know I am an Adult Adoptee (adopted in 1973 at 18 months old from South Korea) and an Adoptive Parent (our youngest is adopted from South Korea.)

I speak several times a year to adoptive parents looking for answers and insights from someone who has been through the trenches and came out the other side relatively unscathed. I share my story but make a point to stress that there are no simple answers and definitely no "right" answers. The best you can do is to continue asking questions and seeking answers in order to make informed decisions specific to your child.

The saying is true, you know your child best. Your child's challenges, gifts and heart are uniquely theirs. My experiences are not their experiences. Because I wish I went to culture camp doesn't mean your child will. At the end of the day no one can fault you for not signing your child up for native language lessons or for making your child do an oral report on their country of origin every year in front of their class or not celebrating their arrival day or for naming them after your great aunt. No matter how hard we try our children our going to love us, resent us, be embarrassed by us and love us again, and that is in just one day! When my parents worry if they did everything right or lament about the "should of's", I tell them -- You loved me and did the best you knew how at the time. That was enough.

My being adopted doesn't make me any better of a adoptive parent than any one else. I struggle and question with whether I am making the right decisions for my children. Don't most parents? I have met a tremendous number of adoptive parents through the years and I can tell you I have met some truly amazing parents.

Many people who know my story tell me how wonderful for my daughter, that we share being adopted. On one hand it is helpful that I can understand what my daughter will being feeling and anticipate what may be coming down the road. Yet, as I said every child is different, and I do not know how my daughter will process her being adopted or how she will grieve. Being an adoptee, I know I can not take a way the sense of loss and abandonment that my daughter will inevitably feel. As an adoptive parent, it saddens me to think she will feel a deep rift in her soul, yet I have to allow her to lay claim to those emotions. I don't want her to feel like my ability to empathize with her diminishes or negates anything she is feeling. I know my role is not to make her journey mine.

To read more about our adoption journeys click here.

Freezer Paper T-Shirt Stencils

Hello! My post is up for real this time! Today I am one of the Craft Contributers at Grown In My Heart. Come on by and visit me there! I give you step by step instructions on how to make a cute Birthplace or Home State Freezer Paper Stencil T-Shirt. Be sure to leave a comment and let me know you stopped by! I loved all of your comments last week! Thanks! Below is a sneak peak!



The shirt I made for Emme, a silhouette of South Korea. The Red sequin shows where Emme was born.

Freezer Paper Stencils are great for any design. I also made this Tinkerbell for Lulu. Using an old party decoration.

4th of July Craft over at Grown In My Heart

Exciting News! I am a new Craft Contributer at Grown In My Heart, a new adoption website. Grown In My Heart is an incredible resource for adoptive parents and for perspective adoptive parents. The crafts I will be posting are great for all children not just for adopted children. I hope you will come over and visit me every other Wednesday! I will always link on my blog on the days I post so you know where to find me! Please leave me lots of comments over there so my new boss is impressed! :-) Just click here for directions to these great projects!

Patriotic Mobile using a cereal box.

























Star Hair Clip or Shirt Clip

It's Official!

Thank you for all your kind wishes! It was a wonderful day!

We arrived super early for our 8:30am court appearance. This is picture outside of the courtroom. We meant another wonderful family adopting a little boy the same age as Em.

Mommy & Em

Em & Lu

Emme walked around during the whole proceeding. Curious as usual! The Judge was so nice! He was quite taken with Em. Em on the other hand wasn't to sure about him!

In front of the Court House.

It is hard to believe we first contacted the adoption agency in October of 2006 to start up the adoption process. It has been an amazing journey and we feel so blessed to have Miss Emme in our lives. Being adopted myself, I know it is truly hard to know if your parents love you the "same" as if you were biologically theirs. I can say 110% YES! Emme was ours from the moment I held her in my arms.

I always find it funny when people say to me, "Oh I could never adopt...God Bless you for doing it! You never know what your going to get." First of all, that statement is wrong on so many levels. Do you ever know what your going to get? Ask any parent! Adopting a child doesn't make me a saint. I am not taking on a charity case or burden I am taking in a CHILD! A human! I get the privilege of raising another human being. Emme has brought so much joy into our lives! Finally and more importantly that statement implies -- I don't think I could love a child that wasn't biologically mine! That just blows my mind. The human heart is capable of so much love and does not have limits! Do not underestimate your capacity to love.

I know and understand adoption isn't for everyone. I apologize for standing on my soap box. But I feel it is important to say because someone might read this and consider adopting who never had before. Thank you for following us on our adoption journey! Mama King

IKAA Mini Gathering: Mama King is Speaking

I will be participating today (Friday, April 17th) on a panel discussion, Generations After Adoption: Experiences of Korean Adoptee Mothers and Fathers, at the IKAA's Mini-Gathering of Korean Adoptees in NYC. I am so pleased to be sitting on the same panel as Hollee McGinnes, the founder of Also Known As. Hollee is an amazing speaker and an amazing woman!

I hope I don't let my nerves and emotions get the better of me! I'll be missing my support system of Leah and Leah who usually speak with me. Although with each speaking engagement I get more and more comfortable sharing my story and perspective. It makes it bearable knowing I might be helping others by sharing. This is my first time speaking to other Korean Adult Adoptees. In past engagements I have spoken to perspective parents, parents and social workers.

The topic is described: What are the experiences of Korean Adoptee Parents? This session will provide an opportunity for Korean Adoptees to discuss their thoughts and experiences around becoming or contemplating becoming parents either through birth or adoption. Several Korean Adoptees Parents will share their stories of becoming parents and how the experience relates back to their own adoptions, relationship and thoughts of birth family, and racial and cultural identity.

Wish me luck! I'll let you know how it goes! By the way, the picture is of me in Korea (I am somewhere around 16 months.) Don't you just love those pants?! I am standing in front of the Holt Adoption Agency. When we adopted Emme I took a picture in front of those same doors.

March 26th, Gotcha Day!

This year has been filled with laughter, tears, drama, tenderness, quiet happiness and laugh out loud joy! Our family has been profoundly changed by a little chun-sa (angel) named Emme. Emme's spirit fills a room. Her smile is sheer sunshine. She is sassy, adventurous, outgoing, curious, smart and playful. Her will and determination will serve her well as an adult and test her parents in the mean time! We will never be as we were and we wouldn't change that for the world. It is hard to even remember what life was like without our two little princesses. Each girl is a true gift, unique in her own way and has added so much love, life and joy to our lives. My husband's and my patience and sanity are continually tested but all we can do is at the end of the day put our exhausted arms around each other and laugh wistfully knowing some day we will miss this time in our lives. We truly feel blessed and thank God every day for both our angels.

I love this picture not only because the calender in the top left corner captures the date of Emme's Fly Day / Gotcha Day but I LOVE the sign for the The Internal Organs Thang! We were not brave enough to order that for lunch...seeing as how we were about to board an airplane for a 13 hour flight!

The crazy Kings (minus one) at the airport in Seoul. Our family is now complete!
You never would have guessed that this little angel and her cohort SP (the other little girl who traveled back to the States with her new family) were panicking the passengers in our section with their non stop crying. One would start crying and the other would follow. Luckily that only lasted for the first hour or so (I blocked the exact details of this out of my memory) of our 13 hour flight! Finally both girls settled in and Emme fell asleep in the little bassinet attached to the bulk head. I couldn't sleep and kept opening my eyes to check on her. She slept the rest of the flight home. We had to wake her to land. Needless to say when we arrived at midnight back in the states she didn't want to sleep.

(Not Just) Gotcha Day Craft Ideas: For Families!

An adult adoptee shared a beautiful story about how her mother explained adoption by using the analogy of grafting a branch to a tree. I loved the idea of a tree and a branch growing together as one over time. A family tree seems like a natural craft project.



There are all types of ways you can assemble your family tree (it actually doesn't even need to be a tree.) A paper collage is easy for smaller children. The adult cuts out the pieces. Have the child tell you the family memebers names as you write them on the leaves. You can get creative and use other materials besides construction paper. Cut leaves out of an old painting your child did. You can also cut leaves out of paper made from melting crayon between wax paper, leaf rubbing, fabric backed with iron interfacing or glued to card stock to stiffen, colored foam sheets or felt.

You can hang your leaves on a small tree outside your house with colorful ribbon. Remember to laminate your leaves. (You can use clear packing tape or contact paper)

You can also bring in and decorate a small branch with your family leaves. You also do not have to make leaves! You can make flowers or make Aunt So-and-So a squirrel and Great Grandpa an owl. Have fun and be creative!

You can have older children create a family collage on a small poster board using photos, glitter, markers, magazine cut outs...

You can plant a tree together as a family.

Older children may be interested in volunteering, educating, raising money or even sponsoring a child... There are some wonderful organizations that your older child can get involved with helping other children. I know a lot of schools, churches and community organizations run events like providing backpacks filled with supplies for foster kids. Or even holding a bake sale or lemonade stand to raise money for an organization of their choosing.


Another photo from our journey! Emme's last well visit appointment.
Don't you love the hat! Korea 2008

What is Gotcha Day?

What is Gotcha Day?
Gotcha Day, Fly Day, Homecoming or Forever Family Day is a day to celebrate the arrival of your child into his or her family. Some families celebrate the actual day their child was put into their arms, others celebrate the day they legally became theirs.


Emme's Gotcha Day 2008 / Could I look any happier?

Why don't some families celebrate?
"I think that my mom thought it would make me feel different from others so she didn't have a celebration." LG

When I was adopted in the 1970's the prevailing school of thought was to assimilate your adopted child and not to make them feel different. It is also important to understand many families existed isolated from other adopted families. They simply didn't think of celebrating the day. Therefore, Gotcha Day, was not widely celebrated.

Today some families don't celebrate because they are concerned about upsetting their adopted children while others feel that it is unnecessary, for many of the same reasons as my parent's generation.

Gotcha Day really only applies to families who adopt older babies and children. Families who are present at their adopted child's birth or receive custody very soon after their birth just celebrate their birthdays.

Ultimately, the choice to celebrate is up to each family. Each family knows what is best for their family and children.

Why is it popular today for families to celebrate?
"...I feel like the day she was placed in our arms was a day we will never forget! We normally celebrate with family and close friends nothing too formal but just a day that she will know that it is HER day!" Allyson

Adult Adoptees frequently comment when asked about their experiences growing up that they wished they could speak openly about their adoptions but felt like they could not for fear of upsetting their parents or seeming ungrateful. Based on generations of adoptees who grew up feeling isolated, ashamed or unable to share their feelings with those they trusted and loved most, todays families are advised to seek out other families with adopted children, they are educated and offered support, they are told to celebrate their child's culture and heritage and most importantly to have an open dialog with their children.

Because of this, many of todays families are much more open with their children. Attitudes regarding adoption have changed for the positive. Gotcha Day is one way families can celebrate their child and help them to understand what being adopted means. What better way to provide a safe and loving opportunity for a child to ask questions or to hear the story of their arrival into their forever family.

What are some ways we can celebrate our child's special day?
[Gotcha Day]"...is about celebrating and be thankful for [each other.]" Leah

I asked several families how they celebrate their child's Gotcha Day. Here are some ideas:

• Family only dinner (Older children get to pick what they want or where they would like to go. Eating traditional food of the country of their child's birth is also popular.)
• Special outing (trip to the park, zoo, museum, aquarium...)
• Watching videos, looking at albums, and/or recounting the story of their journey home.
• Small gift (This was divided, some families stressed that it wasn't about gift giving but spending the day as a family others felt that a small meaningful gift added to the day. For children from other countries, a gift from their birth country is an opportunity to share in and learn more about their cultural heritage.)
• A special cake or treat is popular.
• Family photo to mark the day
• For all you scrap bookers out there -- make a scrapbook page to memorialize your day spent together as a family. Add to it every year.
• The first Gotcha Day: Have family and friends contribute a picture and write a few words to the child about what they love about them or how they have touched their lives. Compile into a special album or photo book to be looked at every year.
  
• For families with biological and adopted children -- make the focus of the day about celebrating family -- so no one feels left out.

The overall consensus was - it doesn't matter what you do. Flying a kite together and checking in with your child is what it is all about. Let them feel special and provide the opportunity for them to ask questions if they have any.

I am afraid by celebrating this day I may upset my child.
I can only speak from my personal experience. If you feel your child is not emotionally capable of handling the acknowledgment of their Gotcha Day then trust your instincts. Just remember that is OK for them to express sorrow. As parents it is difficult to know that you can't take away your child's sorrow. Don't read their sadness as rejection. It is not about YOU! It is a difficult concept for a child to process. You may not be able to take away their sorrow but you can provide an opportunity for them to express themselves without judgment.

What if my child show no interest in celebrating their Gotcha Day?
All children go through phases! There could be many reasons why they may say that they don't want to celebrate. This is may be an opportunity to sit down and talk to your child. My thought would be that you stick to your guns, especially if it has become a family tradition. Tell them it is their day and they can choose what they want to do (within reason and as a family.) If they don't want to make a big deal of it -- tone it down -- but still make it about family. You may find the next year they are interested in it again.

Some Links:
Suite101.com
Adoptive Families
3 boys and a Princess

Adoption is no easy topic to discuss with your child. There is certainly no one way to go about it! You know your child best. Your Adoption Agency and Social Worker are also a great resource if you need information and support. Please let me know if you feel differently or have anything to add to or share. I welcome your comments.

Gotcha Day! 1 Year Anniversary

This week marks the one year anniversary (March 26) of the arrival (Gotcha Day) of our little Emme. This week we will celebrate Emme! We also acknowledge and celebrate the two beautiful little girls and their families who we met in Korea and share Emme's Gotcha Day. SP and MM this week is in your honor too!

What I have planned:

• Gotcha Day or Fly Day Craft
• Gotcha Day Traditions & Ideas
  
• Photos from our Journey
• Adoption Links
• Personal Essay

If you have adopted and / or are an adoptee and you have traditions, ideas and stories you'd like to contribute and share please email me at: hello4crazykings@yahoo.com
The first post will be Monday. Even if adoption hasn't touched your lives I hope you will check in anyway! Enjoy the weekend, Mama King

Sol-Nal / Happy Lunar New Year

Happy New Year! Here is my offering to you...a free kids coloring page in honor of the Lunar New Year. Download the picture and print!

There is very little offered on the web currently in terms of children's activities and crafts for the Korean New Year. There is a tremendous amount of fun ideas and activities for kids to celebrate the Chinese New Year. I am a Korean adoptee and have very little knowledge of many Korean traditions and customs. I grew up thinking anything Chinese was interchangeable with Korean. I don't want my daughters to make the same mistake! My youngest daughter is also a Korean adoptee and my eldest daughter (biological) is part Korean and Scottish. As they grow up, I plan on exposing them to the beautiful and unique Korean culture and traditions. I am happy that we will be learning much of it together. You can imagine how frustrated and disappointed I was when I could only find some really bad clip art and a few paragraphs about the Korean New Year. I suspect there are a lot of adoptive parents like myself in a similar situation. I decided that It is my mission to use this blog as a resource for adoptive parents as well as crafty folks. I will try to pull together the best of the web and some of my own ideas, crafts and artwork especially for kids. So check back occasionally for recommendations and ideas!

Back to Sol-nal

Lulu will be wearing her Han-bok to school to celebrate the New Year. She is bringing sweet rice cakes for snack. (These are yummy and fun to eat as they are about the size of your head!) I bought a children's book about the Korean New Year for her to share with the class (New Clothes for New Year's Day by Hyun-joo Bae). She will also be bringing in copies of this drawing (which I did very quickly because I couldn't find anything halfway decent on line!) for the children to color.



Here are just a few sites I found.

http://www.rainbowkids.com/HTMLFiles.aspx?page=KoreaAct
http://www.teachers.ash.org.au/jmresources/countries3/Korea.html
http://www.theholidayzone.com/chuseok/art.html
http://www.crayola.com/crafts/detail/korean-paper-fan-craft/
http://www.activitytv.com/314-korean-kite
http://www.thecolor.com/Coloring/Korea.aspx
http://www.crayola.com/free-coloring-pages/print/south-korea-coloring-page/

Leaving for Korea

March 22, 2008
Saturday Night

Drew & I left for JFK at 9pm for a red eye flight to Seoul. We had had time to (sort of) recover emotionally from dropping Lulu off at Drew's sister's house. As you all know, this was particularly difficult for me since I had never been away from my Lulu Bean for more than 6 hours at most.

Up until this point it had been easy to compartmentalize what needed to be done and ignore any and all anxiety. There was nothing else for me to organize or obsess about. We were on the way to the airport to go back to the country I was born in (adopted from) to pick up our new daughter. Hmm.... anyone freaking out? Strangely not me. Although I was running the full spectrum of emotions (as I am sure Drew was too) I had a strange sense of inner calm anchoring me. I knew it was right -- everything -- returning to Korea and most importantly getting Emme. We had waited what seemed like ages. We were ready!

The 4 Kings are now complete

March 26th, 2008

Emme landed safely at JFK airport. After a rocky (read: crying on an off for almost an hour) start to the flight Emme settled in for the 13 hour flight home. Exhausted she fell asleep in the bassinet (see photo) and had to be woken for landing. Her sweet, happy and easy going nature shone as we made our way through customs and baggage. She fell asleep again on the car ride home. So needless to say wasn't at all tired when we got home. She slept about a total of 5 hours that first night home (asleep for 3, awake for two, asleep for two).

Approximately at 5 am Emme had an explosion beyond all explosions and found herself in the bathtub for her first bath stateside. She seemed happy as a clam!