Our Application is Turned In!

Now the wait begins! Yesterday as we were in Akron, OH finalizing Noah's adoption we turned in our two and a half pound application for our daughter, Hannah. Turning over the application to Karen at FAC brought a great feeling of relief. Don't get me wrong, I know this is going to be a long hard wait, but I would rather me the one waiting than, someone waiting on me to get something in.

Over the weekend couples with completed homestudies were given the option of getting a referral now and their travel would be in December, or they could wait until August to get their referral and travel would be early in 2007. So, while we are waiting we are going to enjoy our little boy, Noah and keep in our prayers and thoughts of our little girl in South Korea. Please join us in praying for her health and that she feels our love surrounding her.

Tabitha

Happy Adoption Day

What a wonderful day! Noah Han Cook is officially the son of Ryan and Tabitha Cook. He is also an official U.S. Citizen. Our court hearing was at the Summit County Courthouse in Akron, OH. We were happy to share the day with Grandpa and Grandma Fetter and Grandpa and Grandma Knapp. We were happy to see Noah's foster buddy, Wes and his family at the adoption finalization hearing. After the hearing we went out to eat at the Crowne Plaza at Quaker Square to eat in a train car. What a great day, full of memories. Noah, we are so happy you are finalized! Congratulations, baby!

8 Months Ago

It is hard to believe 8 months and a day ago we were in Detroit, Michigan for the arrival of our son, Noah Han Cook. What an incredible 8 months. He brings so much joy to our lives. He has learned so many things in such a short time! In 18 days Noah will be officially by the terms of the government our son!
I can't believe how the time has flown by. It seems just like yesterday I was packing up my classroom and packing up the diaper bag. The summer was a flash in my mind. Noah began learning right away, sitting up, holding his own bottle, and learning who his mom and dad were. School started and Dad was now the main guy and boy, Noah loves his dad. They play so hard everyday! Now look at our little Noah, he is not only walking, but running! Loves to play with his tractor and truck! No more baby food for Noah, he loves mommy and daddy real food and sometimes I think he eats more than his mommy and daddy (okay, just his mommy). Noah, you are a very special boy and mommy and daddy love you as well of lots of family and friends!
Where has the time gone? I have a feeling the next eight months will fly by as well!

Korean Adoption Changes

As we are in the middle of of our paperwork stack we are hearing things have changed a bit since we began the process with Noah. Korea is a very proud country and having children being born to unwed mothers is a total disgrace to their country. They have been trying for years to promote intercountry adoptions, but there is so many kids! We were blessed that Noah's process was smooth and took 6 months from start to finish. Last year there were 30 babies that had US families identified, but stuck in the visa quota. I feel for the families that are still waiting today to hear when their baby will come home. Some families have been waiting 7 months!

Yesterday waiting families received a letter from our adoption agency saying the Korean government is still limited the number of passports given out each month. Until the agency can get all the waiting babies home they are not giving out any more referrals. This is such sad news, there are so many babies waiting and many families waiting to receive their babies first pictures and information.

We now know we will be waiting much longer for our daughter's process from start to finish and she will more than likely be at least a year old. We feel very led by God that Noah needs a sister to complete our family and she needs to be from Korea. Our agency is the only Ohio agency for a healthy child. Korea has strict rules and only allow Korean adoptions in certain countries.

Last night it was hard to sleep knowing that my plan of getting our baby girl late this summer or even early fall would not be a reality. I was rocking Noah early, early this morning and tears came to my eyes, letting go of "my" plan. As I was thinking silently how sad it was for those babies to be getting older and older everyday without their forever families, Noah reaches up and grabs my hand. At that moment, I realize that God brought us the perfect Noah into our lives in His perfect timing. Noah holding my hand will be a great reminder that God is in control and He has a perfect plan for our daughter as well.

Tabitha