Today was a chilly day day here in Seoul. One thing left on our agenda (and when I say our I really mean, Chad!) was to visit the Korea War Museum. Don't get me wrong, I believe history is important, but visiting a museum does not captivate me in the same way conversing with an actual veteran would. Once we left the museum we decided to head to Itaewon for a quick bite to eat when we actually came face to face with veterans that served in the Korean war on a street corner in an effort to avoid the rain.
These men were dressed in sport coats donning many war medals. Chad struck up a conversation with one gentleman from New Zealand that served in Korea in 1951. This was his first trip back along with a dozen or more veterans from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and the United States. These men were in Seoul to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the beginning of the Korean War. It was a blessing to be able to shake their hands and thank them for their service. To be in Korea and have this opportunity left us dumbstruck...so much so that we forgot to ask them for a picture! We feel so indebted to these men and women who sacrificed so much so that Korea could be free. This was our highlight this weekend. We want to encourage everyone to thank a vet this week...what would we do without these courageous men and women? Here are a few of our pictures!
This is a picture of a traditional wedding ceremony in Korea. They were setting up outside next to the Korean war museum.
You can't tell in this picture, but these ladies in their hanboks were GORGEOUS!
Here we are winding down at the Starbucks in our hotel lobby...BLISS!
Malia and her Appa....Malia took to calling us by our Korean names this week...we loved it!
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Day 4 Winding down...
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Day 3 Shop til you drop!
Saturday morning after our buffet breakfast here at our hotel, we decided to head to Itaewon for a little shopping. Itaewon is very americanized and quite honestly, not the "prettiest" part of Seoul, but they have some great finds for souvenirs. Once we finished up or shopping we decided to head back over to Insadong and see the Gyeongbokgung palace. The trees there this time of the year are amazing! We also enjoyed some live entertainment at the national folk museum so...overall, a great day!!
Here are some of the sights we took in today...(Lana & Sunny, if you are reading...you would have loved the palace for it's amazing fall foliage, I thought about you guys....).
Here we are out front of the Hamilton Hotel by the "Scroll Guy"
Now, We have one more day of site seeing and then Monday we will be at Eastern for the majority of the day with foster mom's. I tell you I am enjoying our adventures this weekend, but I am missing Drew like crazy and think it's total agony to have to wait to see him again. Ok, yes, I had to the same thing when we traveled to bring Malia and Cole home, so yes, this is just some whiney momma thoughts, but....I just want to see our baby...like, NOW!
Friday, November 7, 2008
Day 2 Insadong-gil
Today was a great low key kind of day. We had no meetings scheduled so we decided to do some shopping in Insadong. I know pictures are worth more than words, so here ya go!
This is the main street (gil) where we did our shopping, this is before all the vendors opened up shop.
Malia and Cole had to get one with the robot! 
Is this not gorgeous?!
This was a hoot! This guy was so fun!! He was playing keep away with the green tea ice cream...we were cracking up!
Malia and Cole enjoying said ice cream...
Cutie Boy
Korea is so beautiful!
Leave it to me to find a Italian restaurant in Korea! So fun!!
Buddhist Temple near our hotel
Garden right outside our hotel...gorgeous!
This is right outside the Kyobo Building
Inside the Kyobo bookstore...this place is NUTS!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
WARNING....precious pictures below!!!
I cannot wait another moment...here is our first family photo:
Drew is a little LOVE! Oh my.
He is so incredibly attached to his amazing foster mother that our departure is sure to be filled with many tears. We have been warned that he has severe stranger anxiety and cries when he cannot see his foster mother. He allowed me to hold him for about 3 minutes until he started to strain and arch around for his foster mom. Please lift him up in your prayers. His little world is about to be turned upside down, and tho we will be tickled to death to have and hold him, he will grieve.
It was so amazing to see our little guy and oh so hard to say goodbye. We will get to see him again on Monday for an hour and then we will receive him forever on Tuesday morning. Below are some of my favorites from our meeting...ENJOY!!!
This one cracks me up...we all look plum worn out...except for Ms. Thumbs up...hysterical!
