tea

Sitting on the porch when I got home from work yesterday was a brown box. Drew is all into getting mail these days…so I told him it was for him (and, actually, part of it really was!). He was very excited to get the box opened to find out what was inside. I was totally unprepared for the screams, cries and tantrum that came next when he discovered it was just shirts. And, when I told him that two of the shirts were for him and the other two were for Leo…the screams and cries just got louder. Why?? Because according to Drew, TOYS are supposed to come in boxes that are left on the porch. He and Leo need more toys. FUNNY! In retrospect, he is kinda right…many toys have been in brown boxes left one the porch by the delivery man - football guys, Legos and Christmas, Easter & birthday presents sent from my parents and my brother & sister-in-law. But, they’ve also sent clothes before too. Hence why I was so justifiably unprepared for the tantrum I witnessed. [mark one in the “Drew’s NOT Going to Korea With Us” column]

But back to this particular brown box full of shirts. Even though Drew was disappointed with the contents, I could not have been happier! I had ordered four Korean inspired t-shirts from Tea C*llecti*n – two for Drew and two for Leo. [and just let me tell you how hard it is to buy clothes for a kid when you have no idea when you’ll finally be holding him in your arms and therefore really have no clue what size is the right size…I went with the 18-24 mo] Check out their website for the collection and see exactly how they were inspired!!

Here are the shirts…I look forward to the day when I can put Leo’s on him, snap a picture, and show you all! (and, I tried, I really did try to get Drew to model them...but i just wasn't up for another tantrum)

consistent

Yesterday I completed the Get In Gear half marathon...in cold rain, up and down hills, with a pulled hamstring and a bruised ankle (thanks to Drew's mighty slap shot the day before)...in a time of 2 hours 4 minutes and 31 seconds. "Not too shabby", as my running partner said. But it was still 7 seconds slower than my finish time in Vegas this past December. I was so hoping to break that 2 hour mark!! Does this really mean I have to run ANOTHER one?!

Despite the cold, rain, hills, and aches...in many ways this race was much better than the one I ran four months ago. For one, I have been able to train with and race with a wonderful friend and neighbor. Having someone to run with on those long training runs and then each step of the 13.1 mile race makes a world of difference. No matter how silly we might look running next to each other (Hollie is 5'11'' and I am 5').

I also had the absolute best fans! Damon and Drew braved the weather to cheer me on...and I do not exaggerate - during the morning before the race there was thunder; there was lightening; and there was hail. They patiently waited at the 7mile/11mile mark for Hollie and I to show up and the high fives and hugs I got most certainly helped me keep the oh so consistent pace of 9:30. And, in all that time waiting for us to come by, Drew cheered on and inspired plenty of other (faster) runners. Drew says he gave "90 high fives and thumbs up". I would not doubt it!

And, believe it or not, but the Big Guy Upstairs certainly helped Damon, Drew and I know that Leo was just as much with us that day. On the race route was St. Andrew Kim Catholic Church...who knew that there was a Korean Catholic Church in the Twin Cities? Not me until I hit about mile 8 of the race (good thing I didn't just sign up for the 10K - which is what I was wishing I had done right about at that mile 8 marker - or I still would not know it exists). I have a feeling we will be checking out the inside of that church in the future.

But that wasn't the only church reminding us of Leo. As Damon and Drew waited and waited for us...a bathroom was needed. They struck out twice. But, the two most convenient places they tried:

Church of St. Leo

and

Temple of Aaron

And finally, a little insight into my thoughts and cravings while I run. When I trained for the Vegas half marathon, most training days all I could think about was drinking a nice cold mojito. So, I told myself that when I finished the race...I would celebrate by having one in Vegas. It took until literary the very last moment of the trip for me to get my crappy $14 mojito from the casino bar. But, I got it.

So, this time around training, most training runs had me craving a nice cold Vernors. Vernors is a "Deliciously Different" ginger ale soda from Michigan - my home state. Extremely easy to find and enjoy back in Detroit...not so easy here in the Twin Cities. But guess what...we tried a new awesome & delicious little cafe in South Mpls after the race and you will never guess what was on the menu:

CHEERS!!!

HERE

Yesterday we attended a book release event for HERE: A Visual History of Koreans Adopted in Minnesota. Believe it or not, but Minnesota has one of the highest number of adopted Koreans, per capita, in the world. As one of the collaborators likes to say "Minnesota is the land of 10,000 lakes and Korean adoptees." This book celebrates the thousands of Koreans who have immigrated to Minnesota through adoption by sharing stories - both visual and written. We definitely picked up a book and had it signed by the collaborators - my favorite being "dear leo, may you continue your journey in MN with your new family. love, Heewon".

The event included a Korean drumming performance by Shinparam, a speaking and signing reception, and delicious food catered by King’s. It was a great opportunity for us to embrace the Korean culture and better understand how Leo might feel fitting into our community. Valuable information indeed for us. And, eventually a life-link for Leo to know that he is by far not alone.

I would like to thank my neighbor, Kelly, for passing along the info about (& encouraging us to attend) this event - her co-worker is one of the brainchildren and photographer of the book. It was a pleasure to meet Kim and we are so glad we attended!

Whether Minnesotan or not, I highly recommend the book. It is available to order at Yeong & Yeong Books:http://www.yeongandyeong.com/here_visual_history.php

Traditional Korean Drums

The four wonderful women responsible for the book

Drew digging into his kimchi

The event

Waiting to get the book signed

cargo hold

I am definitely not surprised…but I am disappointed. Our care package for Leo is still sitting at the agency…in a large heap with a ton of other packages…waiting to get stuffed into some stranger’s luggage as they get their travel call, rush to the airport and meet their child face-to-face for the first time. Supposedly, the agency has difficultly getting people to take these care packages with them due to people being concerned about airline luggage weight restrictions. Leo’s little gallon-sized care package barely weighs anything! I really find this hard to believe…I think this excuse for our care package not being there already is pretty darn weak. Seriously, people aren’t packing with room to spare on the way to Seoul so they can bring back items they buy in Korea?! Plus, if flying on a Delta or Korea Air international flight, each passenger is allowed to check two bags, each weighing up to 50 pounds. I would think a gallon-sized care package or two or three could make it in baggage without too much trouble. [now, if we were told it wasn’t there because there have not been that many travel calls during the past few months…I would have found that reasoning much more acceptable and probably would not be as annoyed right now]

Regardless, the disposable cameras, water toys, wooden toy, picture book, and cuddly & cozy lion blanket are not currently being enjoyed by Leo (I know he personally won’t really enjoy the disposable cameras, but you get my point). The agency has set a goal to have all the care packages they currently have sent off by the end of the month. I wonder how many that is…and how they know they can get them all off to their destination without knowing how many travel calls they are going to get in the next week or two. Hmm…interesting! Anyhow, within fifteen days our package should finally be traveling half way around the world. That’s still a lot of time – wonder if I should go swap out some items or put in more recent photos of us?! Will a nine month old really want to play with a cool wooden rattle/toy thing?!

When it is our turn to travel…I whole-heartedly pledge to stuff as many care packages as humanly possible into our luggage. I might even take that second allowed piece of free luggage solely for that purpose! And, even though we are adopting through Eastern in Korea, I will offer to take packages to the other agency as well. It would be the absolute least we could do for those families waiting to be united with their child.

Until next time…I will be wishing on a star (instead of crossing my fingers) for the care package to make the trip to Seoul sooner rather than later.

two

Today marks two months of waiting to travel to get Leo and bring him home. And, from the sounds of things, we are not even close to receiving a travel call. According to our agency's weekly update, "there was another group of children’s applications submitted to the Ministry at the end of last week. This group included, but was not limited to, children accepted by CHSFS families in September and October of last year." We officially accepted Leo in early February - so, we still have a long way to go!

Leo turned the big EIGHT months on Monday. I hope that the care package has made the big journey and those disposable cameras are capturing some wonderful moments.

Here is a picture of Drew at eight months...goofy kid!

Until next time...enjoy all that's good (I'll be enjoying every bite of the Blizzard my husband just went at got me!)

testing...testing

Just taking some time to try out a new blog layout...actually more time than I had anticipated.

But, I am totally loving the background since it looks A LOT like the fabric we got for Leo's room.

Now if only I could figure out how to make the font easier to read over there on the side. Give me some time...I know I can do it!

Speaking of Leo's room...it's painted! Drapes and rods are ready to go. I had better get in there and do some more work while Drew is still napping.

Until next time...let me know what you think: thumbs up or thumbs down?!

eggs and baskets

Drew...so very excited the Easter Bunny left a note for him outside his door! (all 14 eggs were found in no time...filled with coins, jelly beans, peanut butter cups and the very sneaky Bunny put dollar bills in a few - Drew shook 'em and thought they were duds! Funny!)

Drew's Easter Basket - what could be better than Bumblebee, Ricky Ricotta, Cars, markers and candy? If you are Drew, absolutely nothing!

Leo's Easter Basket - a book, a car, a baby chick, and some snacks. Currently waiting for him in his room. Hopefully by the time he gets it everything will all still be cool for a one year old!

Damon, Drew and the "Leo Stand In"!!

We had a wonderful Easter full of egg hunts...church...and quality time spent with family and friends. We hope that you had a wonderful Easter too!!!!