Before I Depart, Are There Any Questions?

Well, that last post seems like the "right" ending to our adoption and infertility saga.

And suddenly, I feel a lot less inspired to blog. We are no longer In a Holding Pattern. We have Finally Arrived. Across the world, we have all found each other, and we are together at last. We are now a family.

And it was worth it. I'd do it all again if I had to.

There is more paperwork and process to go, of course.  Unlike adoptions from China, Korean adoptions do not finalize overseas.  Our adoption of Munchkin will not be finalized until we 1) c0mplete 3-4 post-placement visits and reports that are filed with our agency and the Korean government, and 2) file another slew of paperwork (batch #6, I believe) with our county court in the California.  I updated my blog to-do list on the right with all the new items.  And then, once the adoption is finalized, there is the beaurocratic joy of obttaining Munchkin's US passport, certificate of citizenship, etc...  Fortunately, I am good at paperwork.

And then in a few years, we will start dealing with the aspect of "adoptive parenting" that is different than just plain old parenting.  But for now, it is just generic parenting: feeding, playing, changing diapers, hugging, and  loving. 

But for the most part, our struggle is over.  The story is done. I have little desire to write anymore. I can't see myself becoming a Mommy blogger.  I write when I'm in turmoil.  And right now, I'm just too darn happy.  And incredibly busy.

So, I'm going to put this blog on permanent hiatus.  I'm going to leave it up for a year or so as a resource for anyone who is interested in the adoption process, or who finds support in my infertility-related archives.

I will, however, do one or two more posts to answer any questions you might have about our story.  But no more after that.

So... let me have 'em. What questions do you have for me? (Keep them adoption / infertility related, as this blog is solely devoted to these topics... ).  I will answer them in a final post or two.

...And then my Munchkin, T, and I shall ride off into the sunset... A family, at last.

Comments

[Jenn]

No questions, just I'm so happy for you and sorry to see you stop blogging. I'll miss you.

[Jennifer]

Ditto to what Jenn said. We will miss you, but are so happy to see your happy ending.

[Lisa]

I'm sorry to see you quit blogging. Any chance you can update once in a while when you feel like writing?

I'm glad to hear you are happy now. Good luck to you and your new son!

[Amyadoptee]

Holy crap, I notice the link to my blog from yours. I visit and you are quitting. Oh no no no no. Where did you hear about first moms being holy rollers? Sorry that one had me rolling. Believe me you won't quit writing. Now it will be about adoption. Come back Please

[Summer]

I second the request for occasional posts. Since you're leaving the blog up for at least a year, could you write about how you and Munchkin are doing somewhere down the line?

I hate to see you go, but I am glad you are so happy and hope things stay that way for a long, long time.

[Lut C.]

Riding off into the sunset - excellent!
Of course I'll miss you, but I can understand the lack of drive to write.

[Tonya]

I was hoping to get to follow your journey forward, but I totally get how the motivation has evaporated. It is really reassuring so see that happy endings do still exist! If you ever feel the need to write again, we'll be here.

My only (nosy) question-- is your family complete now? (Do you/have you considered adopting another?)

And... I wish your blog could hang around longer. Your collection of info (and especially your adoption checklist) is pretty freaking awesome. You are detail oriented in a way that totally rocks my world.

[Janice]

First of all, congrats! I've been a lurker for a while. My husband and I adopted from Taiwan this past October. So has this whole experience restored your faith in God? How has it affected your spirituality?

[Bonnie]

I'm sorry you are going to stop blogging. Are you sure you won't do the occassional update? I was looking forward to hearing about munchkin's first year. If I'm counting correctly he is close to Braeden in age.

[Sarah Abrahams]

I'm looking into adopting cross culturally soon and I was wondering what you have done/plan to do to expose Munchkin to his culture of origin and other cultures in general? I wondering about this for myself and looking for good ideas.

[Ali]

Oh, I am sorry to see you go. I completely understand losing the desire to keep posting--but I hold hope that even though happy, you will find joy in posting about how great everything is, etc.

[Patience]

Wow - I left a comment here and it totally disappeared!!

The basic gist was I'm so sorry to see you stop blogging, but glad it's for only the happiest of reasons.

[isabel]

Thanks for blogging: so glad you have 'finally arrived'. So, so glad, so happy for you guys! Waving you off into the sunset...

[labia lady]

Well, you will be missed... Thanks for your frank and heartfelt posts. I have gained much from reading your blog. Good luck to you and yours. I will check in every now and again to see if there's any updates...

[Sarah V.]

Yes, damn right! You promised ages and ages back to tell us why there were so many more boys than girls available for adoption in Korea, and I really want to know!

Also, I recall you saying something about you hoping to stay in touch with Munchkin's birth mother and asking whether anyone had any questions about that - but that was a hypothetical at the time. If you are able to let us know how this worked out in practice, I would love to hear it - but I do understand that this is personal, maybe too much so for a blog once it comes to the point.

And finally, just wanted to say how delighted I am that you got your much-deserved happy ending. I've been fascinated by your detailed descriptions of exactly what's involved in adoption and how you arrived there, and I really hope you do post updates now and again in the future, because I would love to hear more about how you get on with motherhood. Best wishes!

[thalia]

It's been so fantastic, over the last few posts, to hear the absolute delight in your writing, to experience through this awkward medium, the happiness of a fantastically positive step in your family journey. Thank you for sharing it. I'm so very sorry to see you go, but do understand why. I'm glad you'll be leaving the blog up. The material you wrote about ectopics, your adoption to do list, among other things, I'm sure are fantastic resources for others.

Questions: I guess I worry about the very angry korean adult adoptees and the way they feel about their adoptions. Have you read any of that? How do you feel about it? Has it made any changes in how you expect to parent your son? (perhaps that's unanswerable, feel free to ignore).

[lucky#2]

Wow. I am so sorry that you are signing off, but so very thrilled that you have reached happiness! You've been through a lot and I know I have learned so much from your journey.

Hopefully, you'll be surprised by your need to blog! Otherwise, enjoy your life. Good bye, blogging friend.

Good bye.

[Tracy]

No questions from me...just wanted to say I'm sooo happy that you are happy!!! Congrats on finally arriving. I love your blog and have found strength and a lot of info. here, so I think it is great you are keeping it up for a while to continue to help others. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and wisdom as you have walked this path. Now enjoy your little one!!
xo, Tracy

[Louise]

Thank you for leaving your archives up as a resource- invaluable!

Would love to hear your answers to some of the questions above.

Take care,

[Kimmer]

No questions either, just wanted to tell you congratulations!!!

[Amyesq]

I don't blame you. I plan to do the same thing. Congratulations again!