Adoption story of our son Jo

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

As promised on a previous thread (on Indra's birthday), here is the story( and pics) of Jo's adoption.

Today he is turning 20!! So this is a perfect occation to do a little flashback.

We got married in 1979. We tired to have kids from day one, but it didn't work out. From '83 to '85 we lived in the USA. Our best friends there had 2 Korean kids. This is how we decided to try and adopt a Korean kid too.
This was the first pic we received of him. His name was then Joo Hyun Park
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y144/berlut/jo3.jpg
He was a healthy 6 month old boy, staying with a foster family.

3 months later, he arived in Brussels Airport. First pics with mom and dad!
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y144/berlut/jo2.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y144/berlut/jo1.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y144/berlut/jo4.jpg

2 pics of his first day with us. On the 2nd pic it is visible that he had been crying
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y144/berlut/jo5.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y144/berlut/jo6.jpg

more pics...
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y144/berlut/jo7.jpg

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y144/berlut/jo8.jpg

I found the keys, mommy!
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y144/berlut/jo9.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y144/berlut/jo10.jpg

Pic taking during his baptism! The priest said he never met such an active "newborn" ;)
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y144/berlut/jo11.jpg
yup, playing with my keys again!!

Jo phone home!
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y144/berlut/jo13.jpg

On his first birthday! Only 2 seconds later, he walked his first steps!!
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y144/berlut/jo12.jpg

In Bruges: I LOVE this pic!! he looked so happy here!!
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y144/berlut/jo14.jpg

[jenluckenbach]

How adorable.

Happy birthday, Jo.

[LKPike]

aww what a happy looking baby! :):):)

Happy Birthday Jo!

[prechrswife]

Wonderful! I hope he has a very happy birthday. (Right now, I am living vicariously through other people's adoption stories as we are officially into the "long wait" part of our process.:) )

[catnapper]

Happy 20th Birthday Jo! Looks like you had a wonderful happy childhood! I know you made your parents happy too!

[ramanth]

Happy birthday to Jo! What a lovely story. :)

[moosmom]

Happy 20th Birthday, Jo!! You are a very handsome boy and I know you've made your parents proud.

Thanks for the wonderful story, Lut.

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

Thanks!

This is how he looks now
http://users.pandora.be/bernardgabriels/images/buiten2.jpg

[kittycats_delight]

Lovely story. Jo seems quite content in yours arms from day one. And what a sweet and handsome little man he was. And here he is on his 20th birthday. Still looking very happy and he still has that same sweet and handsome face.

Happy 20th Birthday Jo. Have a great day and know how blessed you are to have found such an amazing and caring family to be yours.

[lizbud]

Wonderful story. Jo's baby pictures are precious .:) And now
he's grown into a handsome young man. You & your husband
can be very proud of him.:)

[elizabethann]

This is such a beautiufl story. I have tears in my eyes. Jo is such a sweetheart as a baby and has grown into such a handsome young man. I have to laugh though, because I was wondering what he would say if he knew you were bragging about him and putting his pictures on this website. I can hear him now, "oh, Mom!"

Thanks for sharing such a beautiful and heartwarming story.

[gini]

Lut, what a joy it is to follow your threads about your children.

Not just one happy story - but two!

Happy Birthday, Jo....................what a fine young man you have become. And handsome........WOW! Do you have to fight off the girls?

[sirrahbed]

oh Lut I read all of this you share and have to cry a little! Happy 20th birthday to your Jo!! I remember seeing pix of him holding kitties in the garden and thought what a handsome and sweet looking young who loves cats!!

You are a wonderful mom - so easy to see that! I am happy you have your two children just as your friends did before you!! I have enjoyed "meeting" Indra and Jo.

Thank you for sharing what is precious and special to you - in your posts - your pets, your Bernard and your kids, even your gardens... - love abounds I can tell!

[finn's mom]

What a wonderful expressive face! I'm curious to see what he looks like now, are there photos elsewhere in Pet Talk? What a nice tribute to Jo! :) Edited: duh, I just saw the photo in this thread, he's great looking! and, you know he's a great guy if he's cuddling with a kitty! :)

[catlover4ever]

What an absolutely beautiful story. Happy 20th Jo!

[sandragonfly]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JO!!!
hope you had a good one! :)

postscriptly...
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y144/berlut/jo2.jpg

maybe you wouldn't believe this but since I speak in american sign language and Jo in this picture is signing something...... "father"! :eek: :) ..fits the picture perfectly...will never forget that picture. :)

hugs,
..gina

[Ginger's Mom]

It is a wonderful story. And a wonderful young man. Happy Birthday Jo!

[QueenScoopalot]

What a heartwarming adoption story Lut! Happy 20th to a fine young man who has obviously had a wonderful upbringing. ;) Gina...that's spooky that baby Jo was signing "father"! :eek: God was looking down on you and Bernard, when you were blessed with your two children. :)

[wolflady]

Thanks for sharing Jo with us! I think it's so neat to read stories like this. Jo and Indra are blessed, as are you to have them:)

Happy Birthday Jo!


**hugs**

[KYS]

Happy 20th Birthday Jo! :D

[Oggyflute]

Happy 20th Birthday Jo.:)

[krazyaboutkatz]

Lut, Thanks for sharing Jo's story with us.:)
HAPPY 20th BIRTHDAY JO!!! I hope you had a great day.:D