The adoption process

Part 1 Mom and Dad

After much thought and prayer, JungJa and Doug made the decision to adopt a child.

JungJa and Doug filled out many forms and bought a house to prepare for the baby. The rest of the Haynes family also joined in the preparation for the arrival of a child.

Grandma and Aunt Cathy and Betty did much to help including helping to outfit the baby's room. Grandpa retired so he could spend more time with the baby

Many friends also volunteered to bring baby stuff when they heard the news.

Part 2 HyunJi

HyunJi was born on May 1, 2000 in Seoul Korea. She stayed for a short while at the nursery at the Social Welfare Society in Seoul Korea. Then she went on to stay with two foster families who gave her lots of love. The Social Welfare Society matched HyunJi with JungJa and Doug and passed on the referral to AIAA in Michigan. AIAA in turn passed on the information to Adoption Advocates in Madison, WI. Doug and JungJa were excited to hear the news.

Part 3 the meeting

The photo at right shows the very first meeting between Beth and JungJa on 11/6/00 in the home of her foster family. From the moment we met our daughter we could see that she had been very well cared for by her foster family.

HyunJi spent a few days at the home of JungJa's Mother before leaving for the United States. HyunJi immediately fell in love with JungJa's mother. She also had the opportunity to meet many of her Korean Aunts and Uncles and cousins. Aunt JeongSoon came to the Social Welfare office to help drive HyunJi to her new home. Aunt JungShim helped to carry HyunJi on her back.

There was a party on the night before she left for America. Many aunts, uncles and cousins came including aunt JeongSoon, aunt JungShim, aunt JungHee, aunt JungMi, uncle Inku, Uncle InYoung and cousins EuiRyung, WonHo and BoyEun. Everyone was very glad to meet meet her

Doug JungJa and HyunJi departed from Seoul on 11/11/00. The plane went via Tokyo and Minneapolis to Madison. It was a long trip, but everyone did well especially HyunJi.

Part 4 Beth's new home

Beth has quickly adapted to her new surroundings. She loves to play with mom and dad in her new home. She has met many new people and has made many new friends. Her arrival in Wisconsin was even mentioned on Jean Ferraca's radio show. Since she has arrived she crawls around here and there exploring. She has also tried many new kinds of solid food.

Part 5,6,7... The future

HyunJi is a beautiful, strong and happy girl. She has all kinds of potential and who knows where it will lead her. She was born in the year of the dragon, so she will be a force to be reckoned with.

Doug and JungJa hope that she will learn the language and culture of both America and Korea.

The rest of the story is for HyunJi to write....