Bringing Jake Home

Hello, everyone! Yes, I am posting a week after the event, but I am now the mother of 4 small children and beg your understanding. We left Eastern Social Welfare Services at 1:30pm, after a short meeting and prayer by the director, Dr. Kim. This is the moment we all look forward to yet fear just a bit. The word that comes to mind is simply "Bittersweet". Yes, we are bringing him home and he will be our son. On the other hand, his mother of the past year is the one who places him in our arms. Jake's foster Mom handled it with a dignity that I will never forget. She is a better person than I am, I think. Her last words were of his nap schedule for the day, when to use the pacifier, and when his next bottle should be. Words of advice that we used to the letter. She even packed a pair of socks for the trip, in case his feet were cold. Words are hard enough to find in these situations, even without the language barrier. "Thank you" falls so very short.

Jake did very well, smiling and laughing for most of the 15 hour trip. He did cry a little before his nap on Daniel's shoulder, but that was it until he was tired again. He played in the Children's Play Room at the airport before the flight. I think this tired him out, since he slept a great deal of the first half of the flight. Of course, there is plenty of activity to distract a 1 year old on a large aircraft. I am including a few pictures. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't all smiles. However, just like any child, when Jake is tired he will cry.

These pictures and videos show Jake during the van ride to the airport, playing in the airport and having a snack at the airport. Finally, you will see him on the airplane. We could not have asked for a happier child on this trip. Jake is obviously a content and fun-loving boy.