ready!

phew....this past week flew by...and we are just about completely packed and ready to hit the road at 5am tomorrow for the airport. it really won't be long now before we are on the plane...in the air...and in the same city with Leo!

we are not completely ready...since we JUST found out when we will see Leo for the first time...and JUST found out that our best laid plans to go to Busan on Friday the 3rd have been completely turned upside down...but we're working the new plan...and here's some details!!

Wednesday, September 1:

arrive in Seoul (by the way, that's our engagement anniversary - if there is just a thing - 9 years ago Damon proposed and I am so glad he did...and so proud to call him my husband)

Thursday, September 2:

MEET LEO @ 9am!! (i cannot even tell you how excited i am to finally, finally meet my little boy...excited and nervous, of course)

HEAD TO BUSAN on the 11:15 train - visit 'Mo Sung Won' and tour where Leo's birth mom stayed (we also plan to hit the beach and maybe the fish market before heading back on the fast train that evening)

Friday, September 3:

Sit by pool (the pool Drew is going to be so excited about - but we won't disclose until the 3rd or he might want to postpone the visit with Leo and cancel the trip to Busan)

That's what we know so far...my head is spinning just thinking about the hours and hours and hours we have coming up in cars, planes, taxis, and trains in the next 3 to 4 days. Oh please let all this traveling work out ok...especially with the Drew-man.

Before I go shower, paint my toenails, empty the dishwasher, pick up clumps of cat hair from the carpet because I didn't have time to vacuum, and carry the last of the way too many suitcases downstairs...I'd like to leave you with some of the thoughts swirling in my head - some random and some just from the very deepest part of my heart.

1. I have the best and most amazing friends!! Thank you to all of you who helped me this past week...be it supportive words when I found out I did not qualify for FMLA due to my part-time employment (it all worked out - I get my 12 weeks); the help packing; the kind words and hugs of congratulations and good luck; the thoughtful gifts; the offers to help out while we are away...it's all been so thoughtful and so appreciated. Thank you!

2. A huge thank you to my parents. Even though hundreds of miles away, they helped us prepare for this trip so much. Thanks mom for all gathering all kinds of good sightseeing info and instilling me with strength and confidence that everything will work out (and for pointing out that our Travel Call did indeed fall on a special day - the anniversary of my Grandma's death 14 years ago - thanks Granny for giving your blessing of Leo from above). And, thanks dad for the awesome "what time is it where" spreadsheet, the research on train tickets, and for the lesson in adapters, converters, and not blowing up our electronics while in Korea. I love you both.

3. I tried really hard to learn some Korean for this trip. I failed miserably. Drew on the other hand just might be translating for us by the end of the trip. He's got hello, thank you, goodbye, and his numbers down. Maybe he can teach me something during all those hours on the plane.

4. I have visited the doctor more in the last week than I have in the past year. Once to get my Hepatitis A vaccination (thanks Kelly C.) and again today to get a prescription for a nasty case of Poison Ivy/Oak/Something. Needless to say, I will be wearing dress pants to meet Leo - no one needs to see that mess of a rash.

5. Batman, Robin, two bad guys, Batman's motorcycle, a Lego Jeep, two Lego guys, a Lego house, six matchbox cars, four "Jack & Annie" books, go fish, war, a Leapster, crayons, coloring books, magnetic play boards, the blue blanket, small monkey max, and snacks are just some of the lucky toys that get to travel to Korea with Drew.

6. There are some amazing families in Seoul right now waiting to bring their child home - they've provided valuable insight into our own trip and I wish them all the best in their journeys home and really hope to meet them in person someday soon.

7. I love my husband more than ever. His patience. His sense of humor. His love of life. I am so blessed.

8. I cannot wait to hear Leo's voice and the sound of his laugh. And look into those beautiful brown eyes.

Thursday...9am in Seoul (that's Wednesday 8pm Detroit...7pm Minneapolis)

Until next time....we'll be trying to get a good night sleep. LEO...we're coming!!!

TRAVEL CALL

"Are you ready?"
That's the question that I heard from our agency Specialist when I picked up the phone at 7:03am this morning. I was in a dead sleep when the phone rang...totally confused as I awoke...almost didn't even answer it thinking "who the hell would call this early!?". Then I quickly realized what was happening and picked up the phone.

Are we ready? Yes!! We are so happy and so excited to FINALLY meet our little boy! I cannot wait to meet him and hold him. To hear his little voice. To see how many steps he can take these days. To begin getting to know him...and introducing ourselves to him. It's a very exciting time!

Are we ready? A little bit no of course. I tried so darn hard to figure out and book airfare today - which isn't overly easy with a four-year old who's as excited as I am about the good news and can only stand occupying himself for so long with out his mom's attention. Understandably so. But, it grew very frustrating as I was spinning my wheels and not making decisions or booking flights. I tried so hard and so many times that at one point when I told Drew that he needed to be quiet because I needed to get our plane tickets he said "NO! You already did that this morning!!!"

And, I really wish I had booked in the morning...because I had found an INCREDIBLE fare from San Fransisco on Korean Air (incredible like less than half of what Delta/Korean Air code-share wanted and cheaper than I've ever seen Korean Air) but didn't book it due to indecision and by 3pm the fare had disappeared! They disappeared, and I cried. I really cried. Why on earth didn't I book??!! Because I needed a flight to San Fransisco and was getting no help from anyone on how to connect the two flights (Delta, you get a big fat F for Customer Service today). If I had just booked it, I'd have only stressed half the day...but no, there is something inside me that demands that I get all stressed out and over analyze big decisions and I hate that part of me. Hate it. And hated it even more today after getting info from travel agents that were $1400+ more than what I could have booked our entire trip for.

Then in walked Damon...and saved the day. He contacted an old friend who is a travel agent and she and her agency worked some major magic. We got those fares I found this morning! (the last two available...and through some negotiating with Korean Air - that I couldn't have done - the low fare on the 3rd ticket too). It all worked out...ahhhh! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. No more tears.

So, for all those waiting for the details (your questions are about to be answered Anna - thanks for asking!!!)
Damon, Drew and I will be in Korea for a week - we leave for Seoul next Tuesday (8/31) and will return with Leo on Tuesday (9/7). We anticipate our first visit with Leo on Thursday (9/2), a second visit the following Monday (9/6) and will bring Leo home the next day (9/7). In between our visits with Leo we plan on exploring Seoul and also plan on heading to Busan (Leo's birth city) on Friday (9/2)...and are still working on the details of that little trip with our agency here.

A week seems a long time away, but we know it will actually go quite fast. We still have loose ends to tie up at work, hotel reservations to make, lots of packing, and finally touches to prepare the house for Leo's arrival...all things that will help us pass the time. We will be with Leo soon...very soon...and we will be more than ready by the time Tuesday rolls around.

Until next time...we are so excited...so happy...and LEO, WE'RE COMING TO GET YOU!!!

four

My Drew-man is officially FOUR!

We spent the last couple days celebrating Drew and all the joy he has brought into our lives over the past four years (which is an enormous amount - he astonishes me everyday with his smarts, humor, and cuteness). Saturday - Drew's birthday - started quite unexpectedly. Drew slept in until 9:38! That was crazy late...he is normally up between 6:30 and 7:30. What an incredible gift Drew gave us on his birthday! Drew picked french toast for breakfast...and while it was cooking, a very nice delivery man dressed in brown delivered a package for Drew. Drew's Michigan Granny & Pop sent some very cool gifts...many of which will be just perfect for a long plane trip to Korea - including a cool new blue kid's camera! Damon and I really look forward to helping Drew use it and seeing our trip to Korea through his eyes once we get back and put all his pictures in a book.

After breakfast we were off to Underwater World and had a great time marveling at all the fish, turtles, sharks, seahorses, starfish and jellyfish. I think my most favorite part of your time there was when Drew told me to look up because there was a sawfish. A what?! Yep, there is an underwater creature called a sawfish and my four year old knew what one looked like (as was confirmed by the knowledgeable staff working that day). Way to go Drew!

Drew was more than pleased with his Red Lobster dinner choice as well. We were a tad nervous since he'd never been there before...but we should have known it would be just fine since Drew eats those spicy Korean shrimp Cheeto-like things. One bite of his popcorn shrimp and he said "You have to try this. It's the best ever!". And, after his yummy birthday dessert he not only declared the popcorn shrimp the best ever, but also Red Lobster itself. (Where he developed his love for seafood I will never know...it most certainly did not come from me!)

We got home pretty late, but there were still gifts t0 be opened. We got Drew some new hockey skates and a guitar. And before going to bed, Drew had to put on a 'show" for us. Damon and I had front row seats to a wonderful little acoustic "show" which included pulling anything and everything out of his closet to get his "set" ready. Funny stuff. And, I am sure there are going to be many more little shows in our future (like this morning's awesome one at 7am - sorry you all missed it)...wonder what he'll make Leo do?!?

heading into Underwater World

that is a big Sting Ray!

they have no idea there's a shark above them

all smiles under six and a half feet of water

Drew telling me that he was right..."it really is a Sawfish! I learned that at school!!" (it's the one in the back in the above picture)

Jellyfish...which really aren't fish at all...and jellyfish are older than dinosaurs!

After many attempts, Drew FINALLY touched the starfish

Will he like it?

"You HAVE to try this! It's the best ever."

Make a wish!

New skates and a new basketball

It was a great show - best ever!

Drew also had a great bug-themed birthday party yesterday with his neighborhood friends. The kids had fun doing a bug craft project, going on a bug hunt, playing bug bingo and eating a delicious ice cream cake.

Until next time...still waiting for the big call

close...so close

I said I wasn’t going to do it.  I told myself I was not going to call Washington, DC to check on Visa Interview Status.  I just did not want to add to my stress and anxiety of knowing all the detailed steps.  I really have enough anxiety just waiting for the Travel Call.

I've stuck to my guns and have not called to check on any Embassy progress.  Not once.  Instead, I delegated the task to Damon.  He graciously accepted the task and first called Monday morning.  After being on hold for over 10 minutes, Damon learned that our paperwork has not been returned to the Embassy from the agency…and that once the paperwork is returned, Visa Interviews are typically scheduled out one to two weeks.

I thought...OK, I can handle this indirect stress.  Plus, the timeline seems to be in tune with the "up to four weeks for a travel call" that the agency told us.  Plenty of time to figure out our travel and packing game plan.  No worries.  Stress held in check.

And then Damon called to check on visa status again today.  This time he was told that Leo had his Embassy Appearance today (8/19) - which is already yesterday in Korea.  If you follow current trend...that means Leo will have his Visa Interview either Friday or Monday...and a Travel Call possibly Monday or Tuesday.  wow.  WOW! (what do those people in DC really know?!  one to two weeks until the Visa Interview?!?! that was exactly why i didn't want to call in the first place)

Somehow knowing the details of when the Visa Interview might be...for me...is so darn stressful.  I feel like there's a million things I should be doing...and I am trying to multi-task all the time and doing a terrible job at it.  I need to slow down...make some lists...and ask for help - even if that help is just someone to come sit with me and watch me pack and keep me calm or to sit jot down my To Do items onto one sheet of paper as they spew out of my brain at random times.  Beware friends...your phone just might ring soon.

But, what really has me stressed...to the point of tears swelling in my eyes...is that Drew turns four on Saturday.  FOUR.  Four years ago today (and tomorrow) I was waiting for my first child to arrive - Drew was already "overdue" and we were so ready to meet "him".  And here I am again counting down the days in August, patiently waiting for my second child to "arrive".  We are so ready to meet Leo.  And, personally I just love that Leo's anticipated "arrival" is aligning perfectly with Drew's "story".  For me it's just another instance of fate and how there is no doubt in my mind that this journey we are on to grow our family is totally 100% on the right path at the right time.

So, Drew’s birthday is on Saturday and for the next three days we be directing our focus on him and that celebration.  Saturday Drew has requested a family trip to Underwater World at the Mall of America and dinner at Red Lobster (he's never been there before, but when we passed it a few months ago he asked what kind of restaurant it was.  we told him it was a place you'd go to celebrate...he asked "like birthdays?"  we said yes...and here it time for his birthday and he remembered that conversation months ago...so that's where we are headed.  thank goodness he loves shrimp!).  And to continue his birthday celebration, on Sunday we're having a bug themed birthday party (though, i still need to get decorations, a cake, and plan all the activities.  i see some all-nighters in my future. i hope things go off without a hitch.)

But have no worries...I took Monday off to rest...stress...shop...pack...and put Leo and Korea back in focus.

Until next time...buckle up - I think we're getting close to the best part of the roller coaster ride!

and the winner is...

All the entries...

Drew's pick...

Hmm...wonder who's it is

KRIS!!

The winner of the FACES: South Korea magazine is Kris!!

I think that it is both ironic and fitting that Kris won ~ congrats to my first bloggy friend turned real life friend. Thank you Kris for all your wisdom...and for spreading the word about our upcoming journey to Seoul.

And, thank you to everyone for your wonderful advice...it was all so very helpful!

It sounds like the Seoul bus tour, the National Folk Museum, Seoul Tower and Insadong are definite musts; we are still pondering the guest house - but leaning towards one of the suggested hotels (our trip to Busan complicates things a bit); I loved Dina's suggestion of asking Leo's Foster Mom what her favorite memories of him are; and could not thank you all enough for your gift ideas ~ I will be sure to share what we final decide on.

It was fun to "meet" some new friends out there in blog-land...those that are home with their child and with Seoul experience; as well as those that are waiting to travel just like we are. I look forward to getting to know you better as I follow your journeys.

Until next time...the wait continues!!

EP Approval!!

We received word today that we have EP Approval.  It has been hard to focus on anything but Leo, Seoul, and finally becoming a family of four since we got the call this morning.  Really hard.  We are just so excited!  Way beyond giddy.  More like outright ecstatic!!

We really should have known that this news was coming today...this significant event in our adoption journey happened to land on yet another special family occasion - Damon't mom's birthday.  In case you've lost track...we mailed our initial agency registration on Damon's birthday last year; took our required Pre-Adoption Class on our wedding anniversary; completed our homestudy and were officially waiting on my birthday; verbally accepted our referral on Damon's dad's birthday; officially accepted our referral on Leo's half-birthday...and now this.

Only one birthday remains in August...Drew's...on Saturday the 21st.

Hmmmm.....

Until next time...where the heck have the majority of the pictures on my blog gone?!? I am a bit concern and a bit more freaked out - who's taken them and will they ever come back?!?

giddy:faces

Damon and I are suddenly a little giddy. Last night it hit us…like a brick wall...our EP paperwork was submitted to the Ministry over three weeks ago. Which means it is totally possible that we could get a call this week (week #4) informing us the Korean government has granted Leo Emigration Permission. With EP approval, that would put the big Travel Call just days away. Not months. Not Weeks. Just days away!

We try really hard around here to keep things cool and in perspective. Our agency told us it could take up to six weeks to get EP approval. That means, in our household we operate under the assumption that it will take the full six weeks. Six weeks, then the time needed at the US Embassy to process Leo’s Visa equaled a pretty long time to us back then.  A long time still to go kept us pretty calm and realistic (except for my craziness in getting Leo’s room ready by his birthday). But last night, for the first time ever, we played the “what if” game. “What if” an EP approval call comes this week?! That would mean we could potentially be leaving for Seoul by the end of the month. What?! Yep, it's possible.  And even if that EP approval call doesn't come this week - still suddenly realized that three weeks have gone by and we are approaching having a month of waiting fly by in the flash of an eye.

Needless to say, my “crazies” have returned.

Will airfare be reasonable? Do we know what we are going to do in Seoul? In Busan, if we go? What on earth will we pack? What gifts do we still need to buy? What will Leo need for the trip home? Does any of this really matter?! No! It is just time to go get Leo and bring him home – who cares about all that stuff, we just want to see him, hold him, and bring him home!!

While I really do want to ignore all those questions and say they don't matter…I am who I am, so they do matter.  It would be very difficult for me to get on a plane without being prepared. So, despite it often being difficult for me to ask for help, I am going to do it.  I need your advice and expertise on all things Seoul.  As well as your best guess as to when we will get that BIG HUGE TRAVEL CALL.  We’ll let you all play the “what if” game for a bit so we don’t have to.

In gratitude for all the support, wisdom, and friendship I have been blessed with through my postings of our adoption journey so far, I have a tiny little give away.

One day while at the library this summer, Drew and I were pleased to find numerous children’s books about Korea (hooray!). But, my most pleasant surprise find in the children’s area that day was a magazine all about South Korea (FACES: a World Culture magazine for kids, focusing on a different culture each month). I checked the magazine out of the library...loved reading it & learning about Korea from a kid’s perspective with Drew…and thought about not returning it, paying the fine, and just keeping it.  But, quickly realized others would then be deprived of learning all about South Korea, and came to my senses.  Instead, I went online and ordered two copies.  One for us to keep; and, one for a lucky reader.

Here is how you can get your very own copy of FACES: South Korea

ENTRY #1

Just let me know when you think we’ll get our Travel Call

ENTRY #2

What is a “must see” or a “must do” in Seoul…with a 4 year old in tow? (if you’ve never been to Seoul, what looks good to you); or

What was the most favorite gift you gave, will give, to foster parents and/or staff? (or, if not adopting, what’s the best gift you ever got from a friend)

ENTRY #3

If you stayed at the Eastern Guesthouse – how was your experience? If you didn’t, what hotel would you recommend?; or

What are some of the questions you had for the foster mom? (or, questions you wish you would have asked)

ENTRY #4

Let me know that you spread the word about my blog and our upcoming trip to bring Leo home (the more advice and Travel Call guesses, the more informative & fun for all)

Enter one, two, three, or four times…and get that many entries into the drawing for this really very cool magazine. Please have all entries in by 9pm Eastern next Monday, August 16^th (Drew’s original due date by the way…& the date I am guessing we get EP approval notice) A random drawing will occur that evening and a winner posted on the 17^th.

Until next time…thank you again for your support, friendship, and words of wisdom!!

open for business

No matter if you are in Korea or the U.S. at this very moment, the 5th of August 2010 has come and gone and Leo is without a doubt officially a year old. We hope you had a wonderful birthday celebration Leo! (oh, how we cannot wait for pictures...we will get pictures soon, right?!)

We had our own little celebration here for Leo. After an evening of soccer and a free outdoor concert on the banks of the Mississippi River, we headed home for some birthday cake and the ribbon cutting "ceremony" for Leo's room before calling it a night and having our little family sleep-over in Leo's room. Leo's room has been a work in progress for quite a few months...some crib assembly here...some painting there...a little table assembly here...and some decoration making there...you get the idea. But, we have been reluctant to "put the whole thing together" and make the room "complete". Probably because we know that the room really won't be complete until Leo is home and in it. So, for Leo's birthday I stressed quite a bit and pushed myself (and my handsome and extremely patient husband) to finish Leo's room as best as we could in time for Leo's first birthday. I really thought having his room ready for his arrival would be the absolute best gift we could give him at this point.

And, we did it! The shelves were put up, the decorations placed on the walls, the mobile hung from the ceiling, the sheet placed on the mattress, and the clothes inventoried and organized in the closet. The room is ready! And what better way to make it official than to have a ribbon cutting ceremony...thank you Drew for doing the honors. :)

Welcome to Leo's room!!

THE ribbon

Drew leading the way into Leo's room

The crib that's waiting for a little boy

Seagulls -the official bird of Busan, Leo's city of birth
(which we discovered AFTER we had already painted the room 'gull grey')

More seagulls, some funky circle art, books, and boxes of toys, blankets & other goodies

Leo's table - with Easter gifts still waiting for him (Honestly, I am amazed the Reese's Peanut Butter Egg hasn't been devoured yet - oh, the willpower); Leo's baby picture; and a Korean fan from Passport to Korea

Drew sleeping tight with "Leo bear" - our resident Leo stand-in for the time being

Like I said earlier...this room is not really complete until we are back from Seoul with Leo. We've left plenty of room on shelves and walls to add things from Korea as well as of things that we discover Leo loves - be it planes, trains or trucks, dinos, sports, or more seagulls.

I have never posted a video before....and this doesn't look like the time either since I have spent more than an hour trying to get it on here (no joke). Aughh!! So, in case I never figure how to post videos, all you are missing in this one of the grand opening of Leo's room is a 360 view of the room, a little 3-year old Brett Favre commentary, and my obvious uncomfortableness with being on film. :)

Until next time...we're three weeks into our EP approval wait and starting to wonder when our phone is going to ring. (and, if you know how to post videos in Blogger, do share!)