A week home, joy and sadness

Home a week and there has been a great deal of excitement. We returned and had our baby shower the next day. Abigail had a birthday party to attend, Joe had the art crawl, and Nate just went along like he had always been here. He has grieved a little. Had to adjust to the time difference but seems happy. He likes to moan and sing. No words yet. He scoots around on his belly going after Abigail or myself. He loves to eat. He can never get enough. He did arrive teething (no teeth yet though) and a wax impacted ear (we have to give softning drops for 2 weeks and then have it removed). He hates changing clothes and really only like Joe to change his diaper!!! Yea!! I have loved being a stay at home mom. It is amazing. Abigail has also been amazing. She has been a huge help and a very caring daughter and sister. As a result I have suprised her by letting her get her ears pierced today (she has been begging for months). On a sad not our dog Aussie (Joe had her before we even met) has been limping. We took her back because it was getting worse, meds were not working. It appears she has cancer. If we amputate she may live 4 more months. I am letting Joe decide. It is a tough decision. She is 12. He was so supportive when my dog Molly had cancer that I plan on supporting him in any way. This weekend we are making her comfortable. Abigail and Joe both cried over the news. It brings up old wounds for me but I know we will find the right answer. We plan on getting a second opinion. So quickly a week has went by. You wait forever and then you close your eyes and it is gone. So we must live every moment. Off to live them.

Thurs. in Seoul

Once again I am updating from my journal: So for Thurs. June 11th written early the 12th: It is early Friday 5am. The sun is rising. I have prayed this morning about our son, family, changes and this whole journey. 2 hrs and 4months and our journey ends and another begins. I pray for the foster family as they will hurt, the birth family that they will find peace, for Seewoo, that he will not suffer terribly and will find comfort in us, Abigail, that she will cherish this journey and most of all great thanks for my best friend Joe. I could never have dreamed of a more caring and comforting friend. I pray for peace and acceptance of us and Seewoo. That I will find the way to comfort him. Thanks to all who have and continue to pray for us. Thursday's events: We took the subway to Suwon. It is out of Seoul (23 stops and 1 hr). It was a long ride. As we ventured out of Seoul the signs in English disappeared. Finally we arrived. From there we took a bus to the Korean Folk Village. There were several school groups and I found when they are around we tend to be more exciting to them than the displays. They all take my photo, point and say hello. They are thrilled when I say hello back. It is cute. But it reminds me that I stand out. I only hope that in the US, as my children stand out, that people are as kind. We had many people say welcome and thank us. The village reminded me of across between Williamsburg, Disney Animal Kingdom, and the Zoo in Guatemala. Basically it looked like a primitive reanactment village on a budget. We saw weaving, a traditional wedding ceremony, equestrian trick show, paper making, blacksmith, etc. It is a beautiful setting where you can cross the river by waling on rocks or sit in a temple type shelters (remove shoes) and meditate. Joe loved the photography. We returned back to Seoul and walked the river park, a park along the river below the busul of the crazy streets. I love how the women walk arm and arm. It is so peaceful here. We walked back through Insandong, shopped looked at the street food like peanut butter roasted squid and prepared for meeting our son.

Wednesday in Seoul

Updating my blog with my journal entries: So from June 10th.
I thought I would try to soak up as much culture as possible today and keep myself awake. We woke again in the middle of the night and got ready at 5am. Tried to type notes into my blog but the heat and the office did not open til 9am and closed at 6pm. Had breakfast, got directions to where to catch the city tour bus and set out. We passed the beautiful temple and shops. At one point we were lost and a non english speaking man tried to help. He was right. We made our way down to Cheonggyecheon River. They had flags of countries, a sign saying, "We thank those countries who supported South Korea during the war." They also had a great photo display. After we passed a nice man approached Joe, his english was amazing. He wanted to thank us for supporting South Korea during the war. He was a previous general. I am amazed by his gratitude and wish those that had served could have been there with us. We then boarded the city tour bus. It is an easy way to travel, listen to the headset in your language and get off where you want. We ended up going to the Korean Folk Village (we saw weaving, played games, and walked onto a Kimchi press event). Then to the Seoul tower, didn't pay to go into the tower, instead hiked the mountain. Finally we went to Gyeongbokgung Palace. There we walked onto the changing of the guard. It was so beautiful. Joe went photo crazy. School children sought me out, testing their english and taking my photo. Did I mention I stick out. I almost passed out at 1:30pm, but after a coke I pressed on. We dressed in royal dress and saw the royal family march. The place is huge. By 2:30pm I was starving so I decided to try Korean Food. I ordered a cool chicken salad dish. But arrived as part soup with salad, noodles, chicken and a chunk of cold ice on top. It also came with dill pickles and very spicy kimchi (remember no drink is offered, except a small cup of water). I dove in eating much to Joe's suprise. He order rice cake. But got a rice dumpling stew. He was not as brave. We then headed back to our room. I tried to type the blog, but no air or window made me sick. We then headed ton Insandong Market. Filled with artists, tourist vendors, traditional wares and street food, it was alive with excitement. My Korean speaking returned a little and I enjoyed talking to those I could, and figuring it out with those that I couldn't. Some how translation was not a problem. We bought gifts for family, fiends and Nate. Joe sampled street food and we got the photos the foster mother took developed. We returned to our room. My stomach could not handle Korean food, so Joe went in search of McDonalds (at home I wouldn't touch it)fries. On his way back he watched a monk paint a scroll, who asked Joe for fries and he gave Joe the scroll. This was the highlight of Joe's day. I am falling in love with the people and the peace here. today was an amazing day.

Home

Just got home. Exhausted, awake over 24hrs, hungry for local food but love watching my two kids play together. Sorry I did not write much but I did keep a journal that I plan to add to this blog (getting to the computer was difficult (it cost, was hot and we stayed busy so we did not fall asleep). It is like a dream. I expect Joe to wake me saying, "Julie you are talking in your sleep." But it is true, I have a son. He is kind and loving, a great smile, teething and loves Abigail and she dotes over him. My parents and Abigail met us at the airport and I saw them before they saw me. Abigail ran over, hugging me and her brother (he hugged back) and a flood of tears came out. I had missed her, started bonding with him and dreamt of this day. I will update, I have so much to share about the trip but I want to go play too. Thank you for all the prayers. Any tips on how to stop feeling like you are moving still?

Meeting my son

Still not right with the time zone, I look over the night sky. The day started with us waking at 5 am. We could no longer sleep (time zone and excitement). We quickly dressed and went to breakfast in our hotel. We were greeted with bows which we reciprocated. It was raining today. Not good for my hair, it grows. We allowed two hours to get there. Walked to Anguk Station subway. 1st we had to figure out where we were going. After much confusion and a ton of Koreans rushing by as we bought our tickets and set out. There must be a hundred or more people. We transferred to the 2nd subway line. We tried to follow directions to SWS but there were some missing parts and I never saw the Subway Restruant. Now I was sweaty, red faced. We saw a sign for SWS as we were about to give up. But it was the guesthouse, the man inside walked us to the agency. Up we went in the smallest elevator ever. We were 30 minutes early. We waited. Then Ms. Park said let's go. I asked if we could ask some questions on the way, she said yes, but never talked in the van. We passed the olypic park and the river. 30 minutes later we were there. Ms. Park called to find the way in. As we got off the elevator, there he was. Our baby boy. The foster mother handed him over. We went inside, taking off our shoes at the door. We sat on the floor and she provided us with grape juice, grapes and cherry tomatoes. We exchanged gifts. She got him a habok to wear on his first birthday and a photo album filled with photos ahe had taken. We then asked questions, Ms. Park translated, some was lost in translation. His foster mother is very loving. She had him playing with the gifts we sent. He loves looking at photos of Abigail. He likes to be held and jump. He can't sit up yet (looks drunk), can't crawl, flails on his belly and is teething, expecting a tooth any day. He is happy and curious. We decided to keep in touch. We also decided that we will get him Friday at 2pm (subtract 13hrs your time). I would write more but the computer room is hot. So more in the future. Thank you to all. See him, melted my heart.

Travel

I am updating these a few days late but they are accurate as I wrote it out. So the date should be Sun. Mon.
Exhausted from but I can't sleep. I slept 3 hrs but now at midnight I am tirefully awake. The flight was not bad. The US take off and arrival in NY caused me to about crush Joe's hand out of fear, But the Korean flight was pretty smooth (landing was amazing). It was tight though. I hate that we had to walk past first class (their seats lay down into a bed). Minutes after we started flying the few Korean words I had learned escaped me, or I was intimidated. But the staff was kind and patient. I stood out. We had video monitors that usually worked. About 7 hrs in my legs were killing me and sleep was impossible. I got 2, Joe got 1. We were offered lunch and had our first meal of bimbap. They gave us instructions how to mix it. I avoided the brown stuff which we later read was beef with egg. Joe ate it. The sauce made me sweat, but it was good. Very fragrent. I also tried pickled cucumber. Not for me. Did I mention no drink until after you eat? I could not eat the seaweed soup provided. It reaked of fish, so we passed. You forget everything after being awake 24hrs. We arrived at Icheon Airport. Had our temp. taken (fear of swine flu), went through customs, imigration, got luggage, calling card, exchanged money and got our bus. Many thanks to forum members and nice Koreans who helped. Getting off we were so tired driving in, it takes an hr. We were afraid we missed our stop. But lucky no. The country side reminded me of NC, mountains, ocean, trees, even red clay. The city though was wild with night. Restraunts, 711 everywhere and everyone out. Monks, couples, families. Lights, sounds and smells as you step off the bus. We walked two blocks to our hotel. Check in was confusing (I don't know if it is translation or I am just shakey and tired.) Our room is nice. The boy taking our luggage reminded me where we were. He took off his shoes to place the luggage in the room. Everytime he went to get luggage put them back on again. Joe went and got soda while I packed gifts to meet the adoption agency. I will let him share his own accounts. I hope we can easily navigate the Subway and find our way in the morning. It seems like a dream.

Goodbyes and New Beginnings

Today I said goodbye to my little girl Abigail (she is staying with my parents while we are away). We have never been away this long. I tried to smile and talk about the fun she will have but it kills me to leave her. I broke down crying after they left (I never do this but expect a lot of tears this week). We had tried to make the last 2 days special, science center, swimming, Rita's. It is our last time as a family of 3. I pray that I have made the right choice. That she will be happy, that our baby boy will be happy. Many of you know I am fearful of flying and I pray I get there and home safely. I wonder am I be responsible. Will Nate like me. Will I find my way to the agency. So much unknown and so much fear. Please keep us in your prayers (my whole family). This is my last post til we get there and settled. Thank you to all who have joined us on this journey and wish us well. It makes this so important. Next time I write, I will be in Korea.

Travel Call

We got the call about 10am. We get to pick up our son!!! I am so nervous. We leave Sun. at 9:27am arrive in Seoul 5:35pm Mon. Seoul time (about 13 hrs ahead of us). We will return on the 13th. We arrive in Charlotte at 3:09 pm. We plan on staying at Somerset Palace. Abigail was great while I anxiously made plans. Our baby shower on Sunday the 14th will now be a welcome home party! So much to do, pack, make Dr. appointment, pick up last minute items, bank, etc. But most of all I want to spend some quality time with the new big sister Abigail. She can't wait to meet us at the airport when we return (no she is not going, she is staying with my parents). We will try to update our blog there.

Well, it has been a crazy and amazing few days. Thanks to our agency we are back on track and the mistake by NVC was corrected (it was sent correctly via email). I thought though I would loose my mind Monday. Tuesday Abigail stayed with my parents and my house got a complete cleaning. And today, I officially got to be a stay at home mom. We went strawberry picking, washed the porch and my car although I think we both got wetter than the porch or the car. It was great!! I did not feel rushed and it was fun. It makes waiting for that call easier. Which I expect this week or next. I think being a stay at home mom is amazing and I must thank my husband for allowing me to take on this adventure and also thank him for 7 amazing years of marriage as of this past Mon. I love you Joe.