We recently had pictures taken (in honor of Jadon’s 15 month milestone). To view them, follow this link:
http://207.45.176.154/~ou812/album/main.php?cmd=album&var1=Jadon/
Jadon wasn’t the most cooperative during the session and we had trouble with squinting due to the sun, but I think we got some good shots.
What are your favorites? Help me choose!!
Side note: The Giants’ uniform is honor of B.J.’s Dad. For those of you who don’t know, Pops passed away two weeks before we traveled to bring Jadon Min-su home. Pops was extremely supportive of our adoption and couldn’t wait to meet Jadon. We think it’s fitting that the Giants won the Superbowl, and we know Pops must be smiling and proud to see his grandson wearing Giants gear. Pops must be making some smart comment, too. :) Like why didn’t he wear that in all of his pictures. Or smart kid. Typical Pops.
Fourth of July swim
Yes, there are no fireworks pics in this batch. Why? Because we didn’t stay up late enough to watch them. Jadon had a fever all weekend due to teething (molars and canines…why didn’t anyone tell us it could be this bad?), and his sleep (ours too) was essential. Maybe when Jadon’s two he’ll catch his first show. 
I’ve neglected our blog. If we still have readers out there, I apologize. But, really. Sometimes, the day-to-day stuff isn’t all that interesting, and when you wait over a month to write, you have too much to say. So, what’s the balance here?
In any case, I have failed to write about some very important happenings.
Jadon’s first birthday
We kept the day low profile since he was still having tummy issues (transitional mostly), but all-in-all, it was a great day. He LOVED his cake, which you’ll notice when I’m able to post pics (it’s not cooperating today). He didn’t care for strawberry ice cream, though. I know, it’s sad. 
(Dad’s happy about that one–he wants our boy to be healthy).
Shaohannah’s Hope
We received notification yesterday that we are the recipients of a $3,000 adoption assistance grant. Praise the Lord! While we rejoice in this news, we are also mindful of the grant’s founders’ recent loss (for those of you who don’t know, one of Steven Curtis Chapman’s daughters, adopted from China, was killed in a tragic accident involving her teenage brother.) Please pray for this family! http://members.shaohannahshope.org/site/PageServer
Upcoming events:
5th annual lawnmower race(we’re using this block party to also give Jadon a welcome home party)
2nd post placement report(once we complete our third, Jadon will officially be ours and a U.S. citizen…well, after some legal stuff)
I’ll post pics when I’m able!
As a fundraiser, our church helped us to create and publish a cookbook through Cookbook Publishers (there are nearly 250 yummy recipes!), and, yesterday, the UPS man delivered six hefty boxes to our house.
If interested, you may order as many copies of our cookbook as you wish for $15, plus $2 postage and packing per book ordered. Mail to:
Cookbook Committee
Shiner Church of Christ
PO Box 459
Williamsburg, KY 40769
All proceeds from the cookbooks go to the Temple Adoption Fund, which is based at Shiner Church of Christ. Any donations to this fund are tax deductible.
Since I’m supposed to be at Wal-Mart now, this will be the fast food version until I can give a “real” update.
The plane ride was HARD. He cried for 13 HOURS and sat with an extremely generous Korean woman and the flight attendants. We were also sick during the flights home but are now recovering thanks to antibiotics.
But, we’re home. Just the three of us now.
Each day has gotten better. As of last night, he slept throughout the night (in our bed…yes, we co-sleep and will continue to do so until we feel it’s okay for him to sleep in his own bed). He’s eating solids. In Korea (with us), he only took bottles. He giggles, smiles, and plays. He reaches for us when he’s upset. He still, however, cries when I leave the room, and he reaches for me when he needs something. We are making progress, so we thank you for the prayers.
By the way, he LOVES going outside and stroller rides (B.J. takes him on these rides…this is their bonding time).
Like I said, we’ll post more (with pictures) when we’re able. We just wanted everyone to know that we’re okay and to say thank you for the thoughts and prayers.
Everyone this is B.J. we just wanted to let you know that we picked Jadon up at 4:30 today. He is definitely struggling with stanger anxiety as we rode in the taxi to the hotel he cried so much he actually threw-up (driver handled it well). After about 2 hours of crying he finally stoped for about an hour and is currenly working on his vocals again as I’m typing.
This will be our last post in Korea since we leave early in the morning to head home. Please continue to pray for us specifically Jadon’s transition to America and his new parents.
Love
B.J. Jamey and Jadon
Our day began with a 1/2 day tour (led by Holt staff), and we were grouped with other adopting couples. We visited Deok Su Gung Palace, where the King died slowly due topoisoned coffee. Interesting, huh? We also visited two markets: Insadong (antique and art district) and South Gate Market. We bought a scroll that says love in Korean, a porcelain Korean family (the little boy is praying), a plate signed by the artist, and coasters that took the artisans 20 days to make. You’ll have to visit our home to check these out! No pics of these, yet. Anyway, while touring, we forged a relationship with one of the three other couples, the Scotts, who are from the Northeast. We ate dinner at the Lotte and have made plans to see another palace with them today.
Between times….
At 2:30 p.m. we had our second meeting with Jadon Min-su. There won’t be pictures of this meeting, partly because we didn’t take any, and partly because it was a difficult meeting. Though adoption is joyful, the union is made through losses. He was relinquised by his birth mother, given to his first foster mother, and is now with his loving second foster mother, who has had him since he was 4 1/2 months old. Little Jadon Min-su is confused, scared. We are strangers to him, and he senses that something is going on. He is about to go through another transition, another loss. Daily, he hears the soothing rhythms of his Korean language–something we can’t offer. Again, another loss. Though we know that his strong attachment is indicative of a future healthy attachment to us, it’s still hard now. When God called us to adoption, He never promised this would be easy, nor did he promise that this would happen quickly or when we wanted. We know God handpicked Jadon Min-su for our family. We know this through his personality, his favorites, his busyness. We know, in time, we will be a bonded family, but for now, there is grieving.
Please pray for us today. Today will be especially difficult for Jadon Min-su, and we’re worried about him on the flight back home. Pray for us that we will be emotionally strong and be able to give lots of smiles and positive reinforcements in our outward emotions.
