Annyong!!! Sarang hyo, Korea!!

Well, this will likely be my last post from Korea. I was so exhausted yesterday that I couldn't post. I had slept well until 4:15 a.m. when I was wide awake. I finally came down to check email and found another dad I hadn't met (though I had met his wife on an adoption forum), a mom and her 8 year old son who was doing homework. We decided to go get some Dunkin' Donuts and we could all meet for breakfst in the kitchen. THat didn't work so well since Dunkin' Donuts didn't open until sometime after 8. I guess they don't eat donuts for breakfast here. Me and another couple went to the National Korean War Museum, which was truly amazing. The exhibits were simply incredible, and they had a huge area of trucks, tanks, airplanes, and helicopters. The boys would have loved it. We then went on to Itaewon for some shopping. I didn't particularly care for that shopping area since they tried to hawk their products on you. It was alot like being at a fair, except they weren't trying to get you to play games. When we got back, I was exhausted....I had been up since 4 a.m. after all. I had eggs and toast for supper, visited with a couple other famlies, showered and went to bed. I had a really great night sleep last night, however. Thank goodness!!! I feel pretty good today. My husband and family would have never approved, but I felt brave and ventured into Seoul on my own today. I did great!!! I made it to Doeksugang Palace for the Changing of the Guard ceremony. This was particularly special for me because both Henry adn CHarles had been there and their pictures taken with the guard. I had my picture taken too!!! Then I went to Insa-dong which is another shopping area but much more traditional, artistic, and antiquey than the others. I found some fun gifts there. I made it back to my subway station with no trouble at all. I was so proud of myself that I got an ice cream cone at Baskin-Robbins. Now, I"m back at Eastern and am going to spend the rest of the day packing and finish washing clothes. Most of the families are going to go to dinner tonight before we leave. There are 3 of us leaving tomorrow morning, and then another couple who is leaving on TUesday. We've gotten to be such good friends while we've been here. It will be sad to say good-bye.

This trip has been simply amazing. I can't put into words how much it has meant to see where my childrens lives began. Meeting their foster moms has been so special. They feel like my family. And, truly, they are. They were the boys foster family and always will be, and it gives us a special bond. They knew and loved my children and were, in a sense, their second. Thank goodness I will be the last mom they have. I can see that they have been loved by so many people while they were here. It's amazing to think that my kids are loved all over the world. Because Korea is my boys' homeland, it feel a little like my home too. I had that feeling when we flew over Seoul and I was able to look down at the city, and it has never left. It will be sad to leave tomorrow, but so exciting to get home. I miss my boys a lot. Tomorrow, at 7:45 I report to the 1st floor for the going-away ceremony where Dr. Kim prays for the babies. I'm sure there will be many tears shed. Then, we will travel to the airport. My flight leaves at 11:05 a.m. from Seoul to Tokyo. I have a short lay-0ver, and then on to Minneapolis. I am relieved to see that the first flight is an hour shorter than coming into Seoul, and the flight to Minneapolis is 2 1/2 hours shorter. Thank goodness!!

My next post will be from home. Please pray for a good flight for Andrew. I'm sure he will be sad and confused without his foster mom, and then having to fly for the first time, too.
Thank you all for the prayers!! See you in the USA!!