[kmarsh]

Hello everyone,

Just wanted to introduce myself because we just sent in our application to adopt!

My name is Kim (25y/o) and my DH is Jordan (27y/o). I am also an adoptee from South Korea, came to the US when I was almost 3 years old...and I was a little terror! I got the chance to visit Korea back in 2003 and visited my mother and her family.

After TTC for 2 years now and doing everything except IVF, we have decided to adopt for now and try IVF later. It was initially a very difficult decision because I've wanted to have a biological child all my life. Now, I'm much more comfortable and quite excited. Of course I still get a little jealous and when I see or hear pregnant women. I really hope much of that goes away.

We are using Holt Intl. for adopting and we are in the very beginning stages...the 1st application.

You all sound so wonderful and I can't wait to experience all that you have been through.

Kim

[hopeful2adopt]

Just wanted to welcome you to the board and I hope your adoption journey is wonderful!

[Carlee1boy]

Welcome Kim!
I think we will all look forward to hearing you share some of your experiences as as adoptee from South Korea. You can be a wealth of information for us, as we try to figure out the best way to raise our children.
I wish you a smooth adoption process. We are here for support!
Carolyn

[Denvernurse]

Kim, Welcome to the boards! I would love to know more about your experience as an adoptee from Korea. Take care, Amanda

[hscvt95]

Just wanted to welcome you to the boards! Looking forward to hearing more about your journey and your experience as an adoptee!

[kmarsh]

Thankyou so much for the wonderful support. I feel quite excited now that I know I have people who have been on this road before me.

I was adopted in 1984. In Korea, it is common to not discipline your children until they are 3 years old because of the harsh conditions they may have to live under for the rest of their lives. So, I was 2 years and 11 months when I came ) My parents decided to adopt after having 2 boys. Unfortunately, my parents divorced when I was 6. However, I lived in an area where there were many children that were adopted from Korea so I had no problems with comments or problems.

My parents kept in touch with my birth mother's family throughout my life. So I had a big advantage at finding them. I found out my father died as a police officer in an accident and he was helping out financially. After his death, my mother abandoned me with my grandmother and met another man. Korea's culture does not allow women to have a relationship with another man if she was not married prior. To this day, her DH does not know about me.

Anyway, there's a little bit more about me!

Kim

[hscvt95]

Thank you for sharing a bit about yourself. It's always interesting to hear from an adoptee's prospective.

I was adopted as well (domestic) and have met my birthmother. Not my birthfather as she won't talk much about him. I only know that they used to work together and that he was married.

Anyhow, I hope your adoption journey is quick and smooth! It's full of ups and downs but definatley worth it in the end.....we are so blessed to have our son, Cole, home with us!

[mmcool]

Hi Kim!

Glad to have you here. As others have said, it will be great to have your perspective as a Korean adoptee.

My name is Melissa, and DH and I are in the tail-end of the process. We are praying that our little girl comes home this month after the long wait since her referral.

Best wishes on your adoption journey!

Melissa

[teachamy]

Hi Kim,
I wanted to share with you that my husband and I lost our daughter (born to us) prior to our adoption, and I know how you feel when you see others who can conceive and give birth to healthy children. (Some deserving, and some decidedly not so.) I have a good friend that is currently trying to conceive and is experiencing the anguish of infertility. As an adoptee, I can imagine your desire to have a biological link to your child. Personally, I feel such a strong tie to my child, I know OUR SOULS are linked, and that's far more important than I could have ever imagined prior to adopting him. I think you will find your envy will subside once you get to be the parent you so desperately want to be. My very best to you!

[adoptkoreablog]

It's nice to see another Korean adoptee on the board. There aren't a whole lot of us who choose to adopt. I can't wait to hear how things go.

[Julia in CO]

Welcome Kim!

So glad to have you on board. Hope your adoption path is smooth...and look forward to your input, particularly as a Korean adoptee yourself.

Best regards,
Julia

[kaoly16]

Hi Kim,

Yes, I am so glad that you have decided to adopt. Don't worry, I was just like you not too long ago. My DH and I have been married for 13 years and tried different fertility treatments, but decided to adopt before doing the IVF. Let me tell you I always wanted to have biological children and always thought that I will adopt only when I have exhausted all my resources. However, when I finally decided to adopt, I was so thrilled and could not wait to hold my son in my arms.

Seven months after we started the adoption paperwork, here I was in Seoul, on September 4th, 2006, in my child's foster parents home, holding my son for the first time. I was overjoyed and was so proud to be the mom of a chunky and cute baby. I just feel so blessed today to have my son in my life even though he was born in Korea and I did not give birth to him. He was meant to be mine from the beginning of time. I am sure that you will feel the same way. I am already planning to adopt again from Korea.

Good luck to you!

Caroline

[kmarsh]

Thankyou all so much for the kind words and the encouragement. It's definately been a struggle for me. But everything seems to have clicked in my head and I'm very accepting of the idea now and can't wait for the paperwork to get done!

We received our initial packet yesterday and we're already almost done with it!

Take care,
Kim