Wednesday, December 15, 2010

the day we met our son.

here is the post we have ALL been waiting for.

after almost 10 months of waiting to meet choi boy, it is surreal to think that our first meeting with him has actually come and gone.

and what a meeting it was!

we walked into the agency and waited in the reception area while our social worker finished up a meeting. as we were waiting, in walked a familiar face. a face we had known since the end of february. a face we would recognize anywhere.

it was choi boy's foster mom. and on her back, choi boy himself!
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we chatted for a few minutes and then choi boy and his foster mom went upstairs while we met with our social worker. i was so jittery and nervous that i had to ask the social worker to repeat herself several times. it didn't help that she insisted on speaking to us only in korean, so i was quickly translating in my head as we went along and i *think* i got everything. i hope!

finally, we got to go upstairs to spend some time with our boy. the playroom was occupied so we went to a small meeting room instead. it was a little awkward being in a tiny room that had very little toys, but as it turns out, all we needed to engage choi boy was some food. he was *SO* meant to be our son! ;)

the FM handed me some yogurt to feed choi boy and he was so excited to get some:
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he checked in with his FM every once in a while, calling out, "umma!" just to make sure she was there, but for the most part, he hung out with us, checking us out and coming to us to ask for some yogurt. so cute -- he'd walk over, mouth open and leaning in and he'd smile every time he got some yogurt in his mouth!
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we brought out some sweet potato puffs for him to try, and true to form, he happily ate those, too.
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how do you think he felt about them?
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we also brought out a new pal for choi boy to meet and choi boy was so sweet, hugging the little monkey and passing him around.
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since there weren't very many toys in the room, choi boy decided that he wanted to climb on the table. there he showed us some of his many faces and was quite a little ham for the camera!
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where have i seen that look before??

oh, that's right! here:
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they're going to be BFFs, i know it. :)

apparently, this next one is choi boy's "winking" face:
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so cute!

we found some toy instruments and had an impromptu jam session, with some yogurt breaks in between, natch:
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our meeting lasted for only about 40 minutes or so, but, all in all, we thought it went wonderfully. choi boy even willingly came into our arms for some family pictures (although, he was more interested in looking at other things instead of the camera)! and the best part was, in the end, he reached out to me and snuggled for a bit. so sweet!
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our first thoughts? choi boy is SO cute! he seems really curious and playful with a bit of a independent/slightly stubborn streak -- the FM said he insists on doing everything by himself first! he also seems to have a generally cheery and happy personality, smiling a lot and laughing and engaging others in his play. oh, and he has weird hair. kind of a mullet. nice!

and you wanna know something surprising? there were no tears at this meeting! from anyone -- including ME! i know, crazy!

it was amazing and we are so grateful that this first meeting went so well.

the next time we see choi boy will be friday afternoon, and because of our flight time on monday morning, we will actually get to take him with us after the second meeting. we are so excited to have extended time with choi boy, but at the same time, the idea of spending 3 days in a foreign city with a toddler that doesn't really know us and vice versa is a rather daunting! we would so appreciate prayers and positive energy coming our way for the weekend! :)

i can't believe our time is here! what a wild ride it has been...and i'm sure it will be even wilder still. ready or not, here we come!

we wouldn't have gotten here without all your love and care for us -- thank you for rejoicing and celebrating with us! love to you!

86 comments:

  1. You all look so happy together! I am so glad the first meeting went so well! I love his tracksuit, so cute - did you buy that?

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  2. what a beautiful family!!!!! he is adorable!

    tears in my eyes, friend. happy tears!!! praying for you!

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  3. It's hard to put into words how I felt seeing the pictures and reading your minute-to-minute thoughts & feelings ... just in complete awe and total delight. I am sooooooooo happy for the three of you! We are praying for & thinking of you guys constantly!

    Pete - I'm so happy for you, bro. I haven't ever seen you smile like that after a loooong plan ride. Love you, man.

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  4. I am so happy you finally met your son. I love the family pictures!!! He is a cutie for sure, fits right in! Great that the meeting went so well. It's wonderful that you have him for a few days in Korea, it really helps to have some bonding time before that grueling flight home.

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  5. well i probably cried enough tears for you and peter!!! evan kept saying... babe are you ok? i just kept nodding. :)
    thanks for sharing your precious day with us! i can't wait to hear more! we are praying!! love you guys!!

    p.s. we prayed for you all last night when we wrapped presents. missed you guys!

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  6. I had to check your blog right away this morning to see if you posted about meeting your son...what an exciting time for you, and one that stirs lots of happy memories in your fellow APs!! Choi boy is adorable and it sounds like he is going to be a lot of fun. We got D on a Friday and didn't leave Korea till Monday. It was good time spent with him when he was struggling only with adjusting to us not the time change yet. Enjoy a weekend chilling with him :)

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  7. What a beautiful family. He is adorable. I am so happy for you. Praying for the weekend to come!

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  8. OH my goodness... you all look so wonderful. What a happy day. And how nice you get him for the weekend! Enjoy all of it!!!

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  9. beautiful family! You are in our thoughts and prayers every day (more like every minute!). love you guys -- have the best weekend and a safe trip home. we're only a phone call away.

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  10. AHHH Grace! He's SO cute!! What a beautiful family! So glad the first meeting was full of smiles. :D Prayers for you for another great extended one full of laughter and joy! :) Congratulations!!!!

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  11. I gasped when I saw the post in my reader! He is so cute and sweet..I love him! That family photo brings me tears.
    Sounds like it was a great first meeting. I can't wait to hear more.

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  12. YAY! i love this post. i love his scarf of flames. i love the tracksuit. i love your boots! bringing out the fab for the choiboy i see ..
    but seriously, it brings tears to my eyes to read this post and to see the 3 of you together. we will continue to keep you guys in our prayers! sending you lots and lots of love from boston ...

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  13. Oh YES! This IS what we've all been waiting for. I got goosebumps to see Choi boy...with YOU & Peter! He is adorable! I love his track suit and little neck gator. I'm so glad you first visit went so well. Thank you for sharing the details...and PHOTOS! (When I woke up today, my DH said, "I've already seen Choi Boy today!" I said, "WHAT?!" Yep...I got him hooked on your blog & journey too. Wink!

    I sooooo remember the feelings & emotions you describe. When it is time it is hard to believe it is FINALLY time.

    Enjoy the rest of your week in Seoul...and your weekend in Seoul with Choi Boy!! :-)

    HUGS to you!

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  14. It's so wonderful to finally see that handsome little man in your arms! I'm so happy for you!!!

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  15. OH, what a wonderful post to read. I got teary eyed reading about your amazing meeting with Choi boy. He is so cute! I am so glad your meeting with him went well. Thanks for sharing the photos and this precious moment with us.

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  16. So very happy for you. He is adorable. I love seeing you all together. You'll do great over the weekend. Enjoy!

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  17. so~ glad that the meeting went well. he IS cute! more beautiful in your arms. no tears there but some over here on the state-side.
    thanks for the pics!

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  18. Yes! What a beautiful family! Congratulations Grace!

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  19. Okay...first off, I could not be happier for you guys! Second, I love. love. love. Choi Boy's outift! I wonder what it says about his personality?? Love his little dimples too! He is absolutely adorable!

    So happy your first meeting went well! Enjoy Seoul and I look forward to your journey ahead!

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  20. What a handsome little guy!! So glad your first meeting went well.

    (btw, I keep meaning to say that I found your blog through Amy - A Quiet Heart. We were in college together, and I have 2 Korean kiddos of my own.)

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  21. Yay, so happy for you guys! The three of you look like you have been a family forever--glad the first meeting went so well.

    Enjoy the rest of the journey!

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  22. He is so beautiful!!! In that "winking" picture, he is showing off cheekbones that are so similar to yours, Grace :) I can only wonder all of the emotions you must have gone through when you were first in the same room with him. It doesn't surprise me much that you didn't cry..! I've teared up at so many of your entries, but reading this entry I didn't... but reading it a second time did make me a little teary. Don't be apprehensive about your weekend with him in Korea-- it will be an adventure and you guys will have so much fun. And it really helps that he loves food so much-- you can relate to that, and you have a surefire way of keeping him happy!! Hehe. RJ is the same way with his Cheerios :)

    Have fun with your son this weekend!!!

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  23. Congratulations Grace! I love seeing all three of you together :). God is very good!

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  25. I had to come check out the blog first thing this morning. This is the picture I've been waiting to see!!! He is beautiful. His personality shines through in the pictures. The family pics made me tear up! Those three days will be a challenge but what a gift to be able to spend those days with choi boy in his birth country!!

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  26. Well, it doesn't look like the meeting could have gone ANY better! What a beautiful family you all make! Keep us posted and prayers for an easy weekend in Seoul!

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  27. love, love, love this!!!!!!!!!!!!! he is absolutely adorable, looks so sweet and such a charmer, too!!! the family picture of the three of you made me cry.

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  28. What a cute boy! I woke up thinking about you this morning. So glad things went well! Can't wait to hear more.

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  29. It is so amazing to see you all together!!! This brought tears to my eyes. He looks like such a sweetheart and is so cute!!! I'm so happy that the day you all have been waiting for went so well. What a happy day!!

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  30. He is simply adorable!!! I love seeing you all together as a family!!! I am so happy for you guys and can not wait to see more pictures!

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  31. This is so great!!!!!!!!!!

    :) Can't wait to hear more updates!! Sending happy thoughts your way.

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  32. This post makes me teary! I am sooo overwhelmed with joy for you!

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  33. {{{SQQQQUUUUUEEEEAAAAALLLLL!!!!}}}

    Finally!!! We're so THRILLED for you!!! Want to know a secret?! We peeked this morning while trying to wake up. It was one of the first thoughts we had. So I think our first peek of Choi Boy was at 5:00ish!? Spencer kinda hogged the i*pad though, so I decided to come back with my coffee this morning so I could savor the photos without someone yelling "SEE!" at me. ;-) I'm pretty sure we all cheered when we saw that last photo. YIPPPPEEEE!!!

    PS - I think Piper and C are going to be up to all sorts of no good once they team up. I can see it in their faces... I . can't . wait. :-)

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  34. I am so excited for you guys!!!!!!

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  35. Congratulations on finally meeting your son! He is BEAUTIFUL!!!

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  36. Wow. This is amazing!!
    Can't wait to meet him in person!

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  37. How amazing! I love your family photo - especially with him looking at you 2 instead of the camera. :)

    Also love that he's such a great eater! :) When he's home for a bit we'll all have to go out for some yummy food! :)

    I noticed the mullet too - but his hair looks so cute in front. So happy for you. Enjoy the next couple of days just the two of you before taking custody. Prayers for Carson's transition!

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  38. Yay!!! What a great post. I can't believe the day is finally here. Again, I'm crying reading your blog. I'm so excited and happy for you all. I'll be thinking of you all weekend long!

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  39. Hooray! I actually like the mullet! It's almost Bieber-esque. lol!

    So, so happy for you and your family. AMAZING.

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  40. I was so looking forward to this post! What a happy beautiful little boy! Looks like you all got along wonderfuly. Don't worry about the weekend - it will give you lots of time to get to know one another. We had 3 days with Alex before our flight too. Take some walks, explore the city and just have FUN!

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  41. YIPPEEEEEE! My heart fluttered with joy seeing the first family photos of you three! YOU THREE!!! So unbelievably excited for you guys.
    And don't worry about the weekend in Seoul with a young-un. Use the time between now and Friday to scope out easy places to eat and entertain him that are close to the hotel, and you'll be fine.
    You guys look so perfect together, and you're just glowing, Grace.
    Absolutely LOVE this!

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  42. my goodness...it'd be great if I could stop crying for a sec. jeez. miss you guys! Many thoughts and prayers for Friday. Love YOU!

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  43. my heart is so full of happiness for you and your family!! Congratulations to the start of two becoming three!!

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  44. it's been killing me...my internet wouldn't work this morning of all mornings! oh and i knew you had to have posted about your meeting!! AHHHH!!! YOU MET CARSON!!! HE IS SO STINKING ADORABLE!! i so love the "stink eye" look! lol!! what a sweet and perfect first meeting. oh my gosh..my eyes are not dry! tears of joy for you girl! what a beautiful family you have!! i'm sooo very happy for you guys!! i will continue to pray for all three of you and a smooth and easy transition! love the hair comment..ha! i'm thinking he has more of a feathered mullet look. i just love him....what a cutie he is!!

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  45. What gorgeous family! I'm so, so happy your big day has finally arrived. CB seems very expressive, just like his mama. And, back to more serious matters, he has so much hair. The styling possibilities are limitless! But, I suppose you should let him get adjusted before attending to such matters :).

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  46. This is so awesome! Sending happiness to you guys from NY.

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  47. OMG Grace! So very thrilled for you all! The meeting sounds wonderful and he couldn't be any cuter! You guys are glowing! Can't wait until Friday and you get that baby home. Travel safe Choi Family!

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  48. OK, he is sooooo cute, handsome, adorable....I could go on and on! He looks so grown up in his little track suit. Not gonna lie, I'm going to LOVE seeing pictures of him on your blog ALL. THE. TIME! So, so happy for you guys! And I will definitely have you in my thoughts & prayers this weekend. P.S. You might shed a tear at the Friday meeting/handover... I know I sure did!

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  49. Wow, he is perfect and beautiful, congratulations to the Chois:)

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  50. Grace,

    Wow!!!! He is beautiful! And it looks like he has a great personality! I'm so happy for you guys. I'm sure the weekend will be a big blur, but it will be good for Choi boy to get to know you before the plane ride. Enjoy your last few days days in Seoul! I'll be saying prayers for you all!

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  51. yay!!!!!!!!!! can there BE enough exclamation points for this? for God putting this sweet boy into a family? for you receiving him into your family?? precious!!!!

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  52. Why does the family picture look so normal? Meant to be. Loving how God is loving on all of you!

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  53. You three look perfect together! So glad the first meeting went so well, he is adorable!!!

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  54. BEST BLOG ENTRY EVER!!!!! I've been checking and checking so hoping you would post while you were there. We are sooo excited for all of you. Enjoy the weekend together and safe travels home.

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  55. jim and i were so thrilled to see your family photo! carson is so adorable, and we are so happy for you!

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  56. Oh Grace!!! He is just the cutest!!! My heart just melted as I read your post. I am sooooo happy for you guys! What a wonderful Christmas you will have. I finally got around to becoming a "follower" of your blog. I will be keeping track of you from Missouri! We leave DC on Saturday... :( I will miss getting to see you and wish our boys could have met. So glad we can keep up through fb, etc. Take care and travel safe!

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  57. Thrilled to death for you guys! What a beautiful family!

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  58. I've been so anxious to see this post!! And it did not disappoint. Your first meeting looks wonderful! And Choi Boy is just adorable! I love his expressions, and the stink eye like Piper is too cute. The pictures of the three of you brought a big smile to my face. So happy for you!! And at least you'll be able to get to know each other a little more before the flight home. That will be a good thing! Enjoy the rest of your trip. :)

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  59. Yay! What a huge day and so great to see all three of you together in one picture. So happy that you had a great first meeting. And while three days in Seoul with CB sounds daunting, having time to get to know each other before getting on a plane is awesome. I think it made a huge difference with our kids. Enjoy your next few days exploring!

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  60. Wow!!! God is great!!! You may not have shed tears, but I certainly did!!! What a wonderful update to read!!!!

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  61. Oh my gosh - how adorable is your son?????

    I'm so glad your first meeting went well.

    I'm sure it is a bit overwhelming to find out you will have Choi Boy for a few days in a strange hotel room in a foreign city. The good thing is that this will give Choi Boy more time to get to know you before you have to survive the long plane ride home.

    Enjoy every moment of your trip! Can't wait to read more of your adventures!

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  62. love all the photos!!!! can't believe it is all happening. ahhhhh. (you are hilarious with the choiboy vs piper photo too.) super exciting! praying it continues to go well.

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  63. Congratulations! What a handsome little boy! Your family looks just beautiful together. Good luck over the weekend. I'm very excited to follow your journey over the next few days! So happy for you all...

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  64. i finally had a chance to come back and comment....but you bet your butt that this is the first place i looked when i got up this morning! i squealed with glee when i saw these photos!!! it makes me so truly happy to see your beautiful family of three together at last! enjoy every second of your trip and i'm sure you will do wonderfully those few days you have to spend with your baby boy before you come home!!! xoxo

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  65. Finally!!!! He is beautiful Grace. What a wonderful first meeting after all this time. What a lovely family you are. Enjoy the time there, enjoy your extended time together in Seoul. I can't wait to read more. Thinking of you all. :)

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  66. Grace!!!!! I can't tell you how darn excited I was to see this post! Oh boy is he the cutest! And I, too, love the track suit look :) He fits in perfectly with you guys. Love the family shot!! I'm so happy the first meeting went this well - you just never know about those, but it sounds like he warmed up to you and Peter right away. That is such a blessing. Plus you'll have the weekend to get more acquainted. That can only be a good thing! Oh the stink eye like Piper totally cracked me up! Now enjoy Seoul and your last few remaining days being a couple cuz then it's a family of three come Friday!!!!

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  67. oh my goodness grace you look ecstatic!!! he is absolutely the cutest thing!!! i am so glad the meeting went well and i can't wait for you to bring him home (and cut his hair!)

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  68. ohgoodness... he is sooooooo cute and I def. see that stubborn, independent side of him on his facial expressions. You guys look PERFECT together. A beautiful, beautiful family.

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  69. i can't believe you didn't cry!!! he is absolutely perfect!! i loved reading the day you met your son!! i am beyond excited and happy for you guys and am praying for you all!

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  70. Oh my goodness - Choi boy is so ADORABLE!!! Love the family photos:-) This post made my day!!!

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  71. I'm so glad your first meeting went well and he seemed to bond with you guys very quickly. What a blessing! I can understand how you were running on adrenaline and didn't cry, but it seems like there were enough of us crying for you over here in the States. I can't wait to get your next update!

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  72. I love love your family pictures. :) I got chills reading your post! We will be praying for a smooth trip home! Can't wait to meet him! :)

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  73. oh grace!!! so cute. so happy. so absolutely WONDERFUL!!!! so glad to hear that everything went so well...even if you weren't in the big play room (we met in that same room you were in for our second visit with leo - limited toy options indeed. glad you had the snacks)
    enjoy seoul as a couple over the next day or so...and then explore and chill as an adorable FAMILY OF THREE!!

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  74. Sounds like a great awesome meeting! He is so cute! I love his little nose and cool scarf he's wearing! It is such a blessing to see your family photo with all 3 of you there!

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  75. What a wonderful post! I cannot imagine the emotions after waiting for so long to finally be together! So happy for you guys!

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  76. Praise God. I am so so so happy for you! I love love love all the pictures. (repeating myself is the only way I can express my excitement!) We will be praying that Choi boy transitions well to the changes. Sending you a big hug!

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  77. Awwwww. I couldn't open this fast enough, Grace!! Your boy is just perfect. His eyes are so sweet and that face - adorable! I got teary-eyed seeing you 3 together! Finally! I also got teary-eyed remembering moments with my Si in that same room.
    More more more! Can't wait to read more!

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  78. BEEEE-autiful, beautiful!
    thinking of you and the fam...
    hugs

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  79. Oh this makes me smile from ear to ear!!!!!!

    He is beautiful!

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  80. he's beautiful!!!! congratulations to your family. thinking of you tomorrow and sending prayers. . .

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  81. congratulations! you have a beautiful family. :)

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  82. no tears for you, but i totally just teared up reading your post. so glad that your introduction went well. he looks like a delightful little boy! SO rejoicing with you and Peter!

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  83. This is so touching and AMAZING. I can't wait to hear about your growing family.

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  84. Choi boy is adorable and totally meant to be your son.

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  85. I am in tears, seeing the three of you together is amazing! and he is so handsome!!!!! Congrats so glad the day has finally come!

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  86. This post totally makes me tear up! I love the photos and I'm so happy for your family. How beautiful!

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