Country kids in Seoul

Our day would start at Eastern Cafe. We would meet another great couple that is adopting. It doesn't matter how long I am in this adoption circle I continue to be amazed by people's stories, faith, and amazing hearts. This was the case again this morning.

Then another trip on the subway.  These country kids just can not get enough of discussing who hits what button first and who gets what color card!

We ended up in a part of Seoul that had a new atmosphere with the old feel to it.  

I don't believe we have let kids get drinks out of a machine at home so here it has been the biggest treat ever. Oh the decisions they must make:)

We ended up in a market that took the word commerce to a whole new level.  You could buy any toy of your choice, or it you needed to pick up a chicken you could do that too.  I am not sure what these men were measuring, but the many times I walked by they were still at it.

How does a boy of nine decide what he really wants with his allotted money?

A typical scene in Korea.  These motor bikes where everywhere on the streets and on the sidewalks.  We were instructed by Brian we must really walk with our heads up!

It amazes me that amongst the commerce you actually find tranquil beauty.

A whole isle at the market dedicated to toys and office supplies.  Stall after stall looked like this.  Looked like an inventory nightmare but you could see each store owner had their own way to deal with their merchandise.

This is kind of what I felt like today. So did Andy. I don't think it is jet lag just a lot of stimulation on every turn and path in our day.

These flowers were filled with LED lights. I can just imagine the way they look at night.

Finally dinner or was it lunch?  Curry dishes how yummy.  Brian has gone back out with the big two. He is going to show them what a little bit of Seoul looks like when it becomes dark.  The rest of us are just fine.  We saw and did a lot today!

Tomorrow it is time for Mr. Luke again as well as some very special time at the adoption agency.  A special lunch and time with fellow adoption families.  We will say good bye to Luke after tomorrow.  That will be hard but we know patience has to be part of our life.  For now I am tired...is it 8 yet?

Meeting Prichard number seven

What a day it has been.  Today was a day like no other.  Not only were we blessed with meeting Katie's foster Mother but in the next breath Luke was right in front of us. 

This is Katie's Omma's photo book but Luke's Mom also has one.

I  wish with all my heart that I could post photos of him but it is not to be right now.  There is still more of a process left until he is officially ours.  At that time our blog will be filled with photos of Luke!

In one breathe our meeting with Omma ended and as I was trying to take it all in our little man popped off the elevator in what felt like a whirlwind of energy.  Truthfully, I was a little slow in catching up.  He was jabbering a mile a minute and next we found ourselves in a play room moving at a very fast pace.  He was playing and playing.  The kids jumped right in with him and pretty soon balls were flying, slides getting ridden, and blocks being stacked.  He was not at all shy. We all got kisses and hugs, Riley being the first to receive them.  If he truly has that much energy Andy will have meet his match.  He is adorable in all the ways I imagined.  He is perfect and we are all in love!  We will meet him again on Wednesday and Brianna said she must get some sleep before then to keep up!  He is definitely happy and seems to be doing very well.  We are all excited for getting him home, but understand there are more steps in this process but it felt so good to meet him. It seemed like a fast meeting and then it was time to say goodbye. He packed up his backpack and was gone with a wave.  Oh my little love I will see you soon!  

Time for some quiet activities

I needed to add some photos to the post.  Here is where we are staying.  It is hard to keep it nice and clean and apparently last night I didn't do it.  

We have brought some meals in to eat here

The kitchen

Kind of feels like I am back in college with my family?

Two Amazing Korean Women

There are women in this world that make it a better place and today we meet two of them.  Our first meeting this afternoon was with Katie Eun Sol's foster Mom.  I have keep up with her through the years and today a dream was meet by meeting her.  

You can just feel the love that she has for Katie.  There is a connection there.  It runs deep. She still has Katie's photos up and was just as excited as us for this day.  

Omma brought along her daughter with her.  We had meet up on line years ago now and have kept in touch.  She is just as amazing as her Mom.  I was touched with her stories and the beautiful woman she is. This is a story that is not done but only continuing.  There will be many more photos and letters sent.  

There were gifts from the heart exchanged.  I love this Asain tradition as I too love to give gifts.  

My heart was so happy for this daughter of mine.  She was very loved in Korea and is still loved by this amazing women. She took care of so many babies in her life.  I know God has a special place in his heart for her.  I am so thankful for this meeting. It was too fast but the time doesn't matter it is the hugs given and stories exchanged.  

Korean Adventures

The day would start very early at three am for this little guy. The rest would join him at four.  We decided to take a tour of the city today.  We pushed the kids really hard with hopes that tonight we will at least sleep until six tomorrow.  One of the places we stopped was a children's museum.  Andy found a leaf that he would carry around with him the rest of the day.

I think when you go to a new country it is always best to take a buddy!

Lots of subway and bus time today.  I think we now have the subway system figured out!  The sweetest of moments happened on the subway today.  There was a man on there who you could tell was a hard worker and life had not always been easy for him.  Andy was right next to him and when this man finally had a seat to sit down in he pulled Andy on his lap and they rode the rest of the way together.  It was the sweetest moment of the day.  I don't have a photo of it, but Andy has a way with people and this dear man had a connection with him.

Here we are almost parents of FIVE children.  If we look tired we are, but we love it.  It has been a challenge keeping everyone together.  We just tell ourselves one step at a time!

A stop on our journey to see how life used to be in Korea.  I told Katie her biological Grandparents could very much have lived the way we saw today.  She is too young to digest that but one day she will remember me telling her that.

I love that Katie is among her culture.  She is an American girl, that is for sure, but I hope this trip leaves an impression on her and the beauty of its people.  

Color, texture, lines, a photographer's dream!

A peak through beautiful fall leaves at the Children's museum.  It had a park that we walked through.  So beautiful and peaceful!

We toured the city from 9 am until 6 pm.  We shopped, ate, explored, rode bus after bus, listened to a live band, watch an amazing violin player,  and climbed the steepest hill I have ever been on.  At the top was this city that seems to span into the sunset. All around us you would see city. It truly was amazing.

It is eight o'clock here. I am the only one awake.  Tomorrow is the day I have thought about for two years.  We will first be blessed with the opportunity to meet Katie's foster Mom, and then we will have our play date with Mr Luke.  It will be an emotional day that is for sure.  It doesn't seem real but soon it will.  His photos that I have grown to love will come to life.  My prayer is that he will play with us and we will see a little bit of his personality.   I would have never dreamt my life would hold these adventures. I know so very well adoption is not easy path and there are so many parts to it that break a person's heart, but I always hope and pray that for all my children their lives will be filled with love from so many that love them near and far!

Adventures in Korea Day2

Today was about figuring out where we are and making sure we can get to the places that this trip is all about.  

The kids did great on this day of a lot of walking, riding a subway,  and working in time for snacks and meals.

A building that literally changed our lives.  A place that we will meet our little boy as well as where Katie's life started.  

Chips for a snack today.  They may never miss home at this rate.

Shoes anyone?  Loved the market even though it was a little like a school field trip where I kept counting heads to make sure everyone was there.

Dinner on a stick anyone?

Time to go back, take a shower, and get ready for sleep!!!

Until tomorrow.....

Korea bound

Almost two years of waiting and we found all six of us on a plane bound for Korea.  That in itself was an experience and at times a test of patience.  I don't know how many movies these kids watched, but I know none of them slept until the last hour of traveling.  That is after almost fifteen hours of flying.  

I didn't take a lot of photos yesterday as I was busy trying to keep it all together. If I had to choose a photo of the day this would be it.  After much confusion we finally made it to where we are staying and crashed many in their clothes.  

I am grateful to be here and for all friends and family that have been there for us.  I know we are going to have a lot of adventures, but the first job is to get some rest.  

A couple more days and we will meet our little boy!

I had some thoughts today as we traveled:

1.  I am amazed at Brianna and her very deep in site of our family.        How many times today was I stunned at how in tune she really        is with all that is going on and so thankful for her.
2.  I saw Brian more stressed today than I can ever remember.  He        is my rock so when it became that way I saw Riley step up and        help in his usual calm fashion.
3.  I asked Katie how it felt to be on a plane with the majority of 
     people that looked like her and she said no they don't.
4.  What a beautiful group of people South Koreans are. I love how       beautiful they are especially the women all dressed up.                     

More adventures to come from Korea!

365 Day project-September

Another month of daily photos complete! Three short months of 2015 to capture and write our story!
-Our own little creative minon
-This young runner of mine has made it look easy
-Andy's first hunting trip made his year
-A weekend just the two of us
-Grateful for a garden that is still producing

-A son we are so close to meeting turned three this month
-Another scrapbooker on my hands writing her own story

- Lots of time at the cross country meets
-Fall beauty in my flower garden
-September 11th a day to never forget
- I was pregnant with this boy on that day
-Book reports for two nine year olds

-A volunteer day at school-adorable friendships
-More zucchini calls for some bread to be made
-Volunteering at a meet
-Saturday a day for soccer
-15 pumpkin harvest
-A whirlwind of a day