Our day has been incredible and as I write this, it isn’t even 1pm yet. The meeting with our social worker was scheduled for 9:50am. Of course, we got there 10 minutes early and had to wait for the longest 10 minutes of our lives! We were then taken into a room where we were given all of Halle’s paperwork (passport, immigration papers, etc). Then our social worker (didn’t catch her name because it wasn’t thrown) took us to meet Halle. We were in instant shock! She was cuter than we could have imagined. Tears were rolling on cue. We all took a deep breath and went into the playroom with her.
We took our shoes off (very important here) and sat on the soft playmate with the foster mother, the social worker and Halle. She kept starting at me and wouldn’t stop although she clinged to foster mom like crazy. She was wearing a hat with what we found out to be little fake pony tails sticking out of the side. We thought that was her hair and were in a bit of shock when the hat came off, but she still does have lots of hair. As we played with her, she got more comfortable with us and would let us hold her for short periods of time I’m guessing the plane ride back home will be pretty stressful as she will be wanting her foster mom.
We were able to ask the foster mom questions through a translator. We then exchanged gifts. I think Jake made out with 3 or 4 gifts! One of the gifts was 5 full photo albums of Halle in her first year! INCREDIBLE and just what we wanted.
The hour we spent with her flew by. We were told we will be meeting with her again on Monday and then we will be leaving early on Tuesday. After our meeting we were taken to Dr. Kim’s office for a meeting with her and 2 other couples. We were all from Minneapolis. Dr. Kim told us the history of Eastern Social Welfare Society and the history of Korea as well. We were then invited to have lunch with 3 other couples. It was a traditional Korean meal and very tasty. Dr. Kim then left us and we all chatted for a bit about our new kids and what we were all planning on doing next in Seoul.
We will be heading out in the next hour to go to the lantern festival at Namdaemun Market. I will take lots of photos and post them, but first the moment you have been waiting for Halle Rose Johnston.
Halle Touches Jen for the first time - Click To Zoom
Clay with Halle - Click to Zoom
Jake offers Halle a new bunny - Click to Zoom
Another Bunny offering - Click to Zoom
Halle trying to figure Jake out - Click To Zoom
She is going to have an amazing life with you and your family! Congratulations! She’s sooooo adorable!
I’m so amazed. What an awesome experience. She is so cute and I love the way she was looking at Jake in these pictures…her new big brother. So happy for you guys.
Hi Baby Halle! You and Grace have the same dress! The expressions on your faces are making us misty. Seeing your baby for the first time is amazing, isn’t it?
To the Johnston Family and extended family,
Immediate love and compassion was emited
the moment the thought entered your hearts and
minds to adopt a child, let that same love and
compassion be returned to you by little Miss Halle.
Best wishes,
Mel
okay now that I am done balling my eyes out I just want to say there are no words that I can find to describe how I admire your courage and strength through the past 3 1/2 years. God has blessed you guys in so many ways. And Halle is such a beautiful little girl. I am so happy for you and love u guys so much! All My Love, Your sister Kristen
Lucy barked and wagged her tail in approval. Halle is a cutie. Jake took on the big brother role beautifully.
My heart is overflowing and my eyes are full of tears – she is adorable and seems to be so in awe of all of you. It must have been hard to only have one hour with her. I know that it will be difficult on Tuesday when she leaves her foster mom but she will fall in love with you very quickly. She has such long fingers!! Kristen said that she is starting to walk? and that she danced. Hope you have a wonderful afternoon sight seeing. I am going to bed – am exhausted from all the waiting. Can’t wait to get more pictures tomorrow! Love and more love to all of you.
Man, so awesome! Wow. Thanks for sharing.
Awesome Clay! Congrats to you and your family!!
Amazing…ok…being a big softy I too balled my eyes out had to pause after the first paragraph…must be the brilliant writing. You all look very happy in the pictures….hugs and kisses to all. Tell Jenny to go buy a new leather purse to carry around all the baby wipes. Great deals….
Thanks everyone for your comments. It has been an unbelievable day and we truly feel so in touch with everyone with the comments you have left. We are pretty beat (and it’s only 6:45pm) so we are going to get some rest and do some sight seeing for the next 3 days. More to come! Thanks everyone…we love you.
Seeing you all with Halle is amazing. I know you have waited for so long…and she is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!! The Sauer family can’t wait to meet her!
I’m done crying long enough to tell you guys how excited we are this day has finally come. What a gift and what a blessing that you are bringing home Halle. Love the photos. Tell Jake that Ben is very excited for him!
Love you guys!
You are a beautiful family. I love the way Halle looks up at Jake….she’s going to be the happiest little sister. Congratulations Johnstons!
What an incredible day for you! FINALLY! Tears were streaming down my face too. Safe travels as you continue the rest of this unbelievable journey!
After I spoke to you Clay via e-mail last night my thoughts have been racing. I worked 13 hours yesterday and couldn’t sleep at all last night. I wonder how Mom is doing? lol Probably the same as me. You know how our family works emotions are soooo great! Have a great 3 days sightseeing and know that we love you guys soooo much!
Much love to the four of you….Kristen
Congratulations! Halle is so beautiful and we are looking forward to meeting her. Have a safe trip home! Love – Seth,Carla,Emily,Maddy,Miles & Audrey
The joy in your faces is so wonderful! You have a beautiful family of four. Halle is amazing, and to see pictures of all of you together is so great.
Congratulations!
Crocodile tears! Sooo cute. Thanks for posting pics, great to see the new Johnston family.
I have been through something very similiar, however I was on the giving end. And nothing can describe all the emotions you and your family are going through. This beautiful little girl is truely a blessing from God. I know Jen, Jake, and yourself will cherish and love her like no other….God Bless.
I’m totally crying at work. Words can’t describe how happy I am for you guys.
She is breath-taking.
Congratulations to ALL of you!
How absolutely beautiful your family is. She is in love with her older brother. Look at the way she is looking at him. It brings back so many great memories for me. Cherish every single minute.
I’m getting tears in my eyes seeing your family’s dream come true. She is so darn cute! I love the little cap (with the curls) and the scarf with the dress.
Congratulations to you all! Halle is beautiful, and she seems to have adopted all of you. In the photos she looks so happy! Enjoy your time in Seoul–what a fantastic opportunity.
Teresa
Wow… what a very beautiful little addition for your family. I hope and pray that the many years ahead bring you all the love, joy and happiness that I see in these pictures!
Congratulations!
What a moment, she is adorable and you can tell she is already enthralled with Jake her big bro!! Congrats!!
Congrats Johnstons! Thanks for sharing the experience. Can’t wait to meet her!
I can feel your smiles from here. What a distant memory this will be for you in a couple days when she won’t leave your arms for anything. I’m so excited to meet her and see all of you next week.
I forgot- Can you please post her size?!!!
Wow, what an awesome, life-changing experience this will be for all of you. Congratulations and thanks for allowing us to share it with you…albeit from half a world away.
I have a tear in my eye and a smile on my face. What an amazing gift you are giving to this beautiful baby girl. Jen, to touch her hands for the first time, wow!
we miss you,
ann
I feel like we are intruding on some of the most wonderful family moments–but it is incredible to be able to share your journey! Thanks for letting us peak in…we can’t wait to welcome Halle!!
How so very, very wonderful and special. Thanks for sharing!!
So happy for you! I love the picture of you and Halle, Clay. You look SO happy.
SHE IS SO BEAUTIFUL! WE CAN’T WAIT TO HOLD HER IN OUR ARMS AND HUG HER
AND JAKE. I COULDN’T WAIT TO GET MY HANDS ON THESE PICTURES. I CHECKED AT 1;oo a.m. and 6;oo a.m.
Jake, you are such a great big brother!
And Jenny and Clay. I haven’t seen you so
happy since Jake was born! We are just so
ecstatic for all of you. Can’t wait until Tuesday. We will be there EXTRA,EXTRA EARLY. love to you 4!!
LOVE, MOM AND JACK
Oh my word…she is completely adorable…perfect in every way! I have such a feeling of happiness in my heart…and could not help but smile EAR-TO-EAR as I read your excited, emotion-filled words and saw the love-filled photos. I’m so glad your first visit went well. Simply incredible. Her foster mother is beautiful as well…inside & out, I’m sure. Enjoy your time to sightsee…even though your minds will be on Halle. Looking forward to seeing your “tourist” photos (we have TONS…and I always love seeing more & more of Seoul) and looking forward to your next visit with your precious baby girl, of course. Hugs to all of you! Congrats!
Hi
Well all I can express is total joy for all of you! Halle seems to admire all of you. Sitting here with tears in my eyes and love in my heart for all of you.
Much Love
Uncle David
Hi there.
Sending much love from Berlin. Halle is so beautiful and obviously adores all of you.
Love and family are a gift.
Love to you all.
Uncle David
Hope you are having fun out there! She is adorable! See you guys when you get back!
It was so wonderful to talk to you tonight – I loved the pictures you e-mailed – can’t get away from the computer – you must know that the excitement and love I feel for Halle’s arrival into our family as well as the love I feel in my heart is none less than that very first grandchild! THe loave just gets bigger and bigger!
I love you guys and you on my mind and in my heart every minute! Love, Mom
Greetings from Tucson. The pictures ook great and it is good to see how everything has worked out. Halle seems very cute and will be smothered with love from everyone.
I’m so happy for you! Congratulations!
we are so excited not only for you but for your whole family . she is so pretey and we are so proud tobe grand parenhts aging!Ican imagin the trip back home is going to be leap but you guys can do it. tell jake he look way to cool in the pics love papa meam
I have tears running down my face. So happy to see Halle Rose Johnston with her amazing family!!! What a blessing to all of you…this precious time together. We can’t wait to meet your beautiful girl in person. God bless you all!
wow Clay you look amazing…I guess this is the first time i have seen pictures since you lost you weight. And Jen you look stunning as always. And my little nephew Jake…could you just stop getting so big so fast! I envy all the ones that get to meet Halle first. I am kind of jeaulous I guess!
But know that I am thinking of you and loving you no matter how many miles are between us!
Hi guys, just a quick note to say how happy and excited I am for all of you!!She is so adorable and I can not wait to meet her some day, maybe around Christmas time if you are back in Chicago with Paula and Jeff. Have fun bringing her home and creating special memories for her 1st Christmas in your family!!! GOd bless you ALL!!!!
Congratulations guys! It is so cool to be able to experience some of the magic you felt when you meet Halle! We look forward to meeting her soon.
Doogie
Tom & I have been racing to our computers every morning to get the lastest updates, it doesn’t get much better than this!!! Halle, you are so beautiful and we can hardly wait to meet you. Jake….we are taking good care of Gil and the girls will be sad when he has to go home. Enjoy the rest of your time in Korea. The Kendall’s
you are going to tell us about Korea right? my cousin nicole (dont think alec and lily) says she is a doll and adorable. see you tuesday!
Super cute…what a sweetie! Jake is going to be an awesome big brother. Looking forward to seeing the four of you.