Seoul!!!

This city is ginormous!!!! A few things we have noticed are even though we are in the heart of party central there is no loud screaming from college students and we have not heard one siren. I do not feel scared here and we were out last night just walking around and there were elderly folks, young children, business men and college students all out like it was the middle of the day. We ate at a KMC chicken joint last night and the employees spoke NO english. They were very kind and we managed to order some very tasty honey type of chicken. They served it with little white cubes of what tasted similar to cole slaw. It was a very tiny little place that seated maybe 15 people. It was good and they brought like a platter for us to share. Diet pop is kind of hard to find so we found a little convenience store that sold it by the liters so I was able to get some coke zero. They drink lots of tea and beer here. Also several coffee houses. The streets are very narrow and curvy. Tons of mopeds and bicycles. You definately have to pay attention where you are going. Tomorrow rather today we are going on the subway to a traditional type open market and on a bus tour. We want to continue to eat authentic type of food while we are here and step out of our comfort zone. This is how Miles HaeWon will feel when he gets home and I think it is good for everyone to step out of their comfort zone at some point. If time, we are also going on a palace tour.

Drum Roll Please!!

And now what you've all been waiting for-Introducing Mr. Miles HaeWon!!!

Pictures From the Trip Over

Made in the USA

We took gifts made in the U.S.A. to give HaeWons's social worker and foster family. I was curious what I could find and actually found more than I expected with some help from my friend Tracy also. Silly Putty/Pez dispensers/Crayola crayons/Cherry Mash Bars/Bodycology lotions and sprays just to name a few. We of course had to include some Mizzou stuff even though it was made in Honduras.

Give Me Some Heart And Seoul!!

Our journey started at 4:00 A.M. Sunday morning. Our flight left KCI at 7:00 so we wanted to be there by 5:30. My "Wonderful" sister got up at the crack of dawn to drive us from my brothers house in Platte City. Thank you sissy!! We had a layover in Atlanta and from there we had a direct flight to Seoul. It was a long flight- about 14 hours!!! I realized at the Atlanta airport we forgot BOTH of our pocket translators!! I went to the bookstore to get one and she said we are "Fresh Out" of Korean but we have Spanish and Japanese!! I said somehow I don't think that will help soooooo we are just winging it!!! Our hotel is very nice and about 10 minutes from Eastern Childrens Home. It is kind or like being in the heart of Westport. There are several universities around us and typically the action lasts until about 5:00 A.M. Korean Air was fabulous!! They gave everyone little slippers to wear and two meal and 2 snacks and several glasses of water and juice. I ate the western meal but there was a eastern meal offered as well. The flight atendants were beautiful (about 15 of them) and they all had cute little chignon hairdos and their scarves were starched and stood out like little wings. They were very hospitable. We sat next to a lovely little couple heading to Vietnam. They had another 4 HOURS after there stop in Seoul. They had not been home since 2005 and there daughter and other family lived there. I love to people watch so I was in Hog Heaven in the airports!! Stay Tuned...

We're Leaving On a Jet Plane!!!

After months of paperwork and preparation we received the call that was music to our ears, "You have Travel Clearance!" Since August 11th we have been on a bit of a roller coaster waiting for emails and this phone call. HaeWon (Miles) received emmigration permission on August 11th and his passport on August 16th and this morning he got the final clearance. Thanks to all our friends and family for ALL the prayers and many well wishes. Mike and I were both at work today and I know my co-workers were celebrating right along with me. We are so excited and have a lot of packing to do. We will be busy getting things crossed of our To Do List in the next few days. Better get the cobwebs dusted off our big ole suitcase cause Korea here we come!!!!

In My Room

We wanted Miles to have a bedroom he would not outgrow for a few years that was bright and cheery. Our friend Kellie Vanderslice has such a God-given talent for art and she did the murals on his walls. We LOVE the finished product!!

What Have We Been Up To This Summer???

This summer we have stayed pretty close to home and saved money and vacation time for our trip to Korea. We did go to a Royals game and they beat the Cardinals the night we went and we got to see fireworks. I LOVE The "K". It is an awesome ballpark with so many fun things to do!! We have gone swimming on a few of my Fridays off and Mike and I have done house projects off and on. All in all it has been a good summer. We have relaxed and enjoyed just being home. Now school has started and it is time for "Coach Trussell" to get back on schedule and not stay up so late watching T.V. Besides, I think Winston needs his house back and some peace and quiet. Hope you all have had a good summer as well. Stay tuned for more updates!!