Leaping forward...

Just wanted to let everyone know that we received an e-mail from our adoption agency yesterday stating that our application part 2 was approved! Again, this process seems to be going very quickly...almost too quickly! Next is our homestudy - we'll let you know when our social worker gives us the call.

Also, I just have to say that it is a wonderful benefit to adoptive families that the U.S. government gives an amazing tax credit in the year of adoption finalization. It is the ONLY way we can consider doing this again so soon after Sophie's adoption. Granted, it doesn't cover the full cost of adoption, but it sure does take the sting out of all the big checks we'll be writing once again!

Happy Leap Day - we hope to have more news for you soon!

Lunar New Year Party

We had a wonderful time yesterday at our Kansas City Adoptive Families Group's celebration of the Lunar New Year! This is such an valuable group to us as it provides us support and understanding as everyone involved has been touched by international adoption. It's also a great support for Sophie to be able to see families just like ours! It's our hope that she will grow up and become great friends with the kids of the group and look up to the older adoptees as mentors. This year's party included a demonstration by the Korean American TaeKwonDo group - Steve's already wondering when Sophie could sign up for classes!

Our lives are so rich!

It's in the mail!

We finally, finally mailed off the large application part 2 this morning! It is a huge weight off of our shoulders to have that paperwork done and to know that we are another step closer to our next child. Note Sophie's stunned expression in the picture. Yeah, she's not going to like sharing our attention with another baby, that's for sure!

Next step: we await our agency's approval of this application, then we can schedule the first of two homestudy visits with our social worker.

I've also added an adoption timeline on the right of this blog, so you can keep up with our progress...and we are finally making some!

We *heart* you!

Hope everyone had a Happy Valentine's Day! Our little sweetheart had all sorts of fun opening all of her presents and candy. Since when did Valentine's Day become like Christmas?! The McFarrens are filled with love!

He is the champion

Finally, the McFarren Fantasy Football Championship trophy has made its way to Kansas City! Steve is the winner! It's a truly magical thing.

Sad morning for our friends in Seoul

We woke up this morning to the news that South Korea's number one national treasure, the Namdaemun Gate, was destroyed by fire. They suspect it was arson. A quote from the Asian media; "With this fire, our national pride was burned down as well," said Lee Kyung Sook, top aide to the president-elect, Lee Myung Bak, who rushed to the scene of the blaze Monday.

On a personal note, we had the opportunity to see this great gate while we were in Seoul to bring Sophie home. It was right outside bustling Namdaemun market...we actually just stumbled upon it as it just lies right in the center of traffic and metropolitan buildings. We also got to see the changing of the guards while visiting. The first photo on this post was one we took on that bright, beautiful November day in 2006...our very first day spent in Seoul. What a shame that we won't get to see it again when we go back for number 2. What a shame that Sophie will never see such a treasured national landmark of her birthcountry.

Happy Lunar New Year

It's the year of the rat, people! I wonder if our future child will be born in this lunar new year?! Peace and love to you all!

For more info...cut and paste the link below OR simply click on the title of this post!

http://www.lifeinkorea.com/culture/newyear/newyear.cfm

Happy Mardis Gras Everybody!