Gus Tae Ho

Today I got to meet the adorable Tae Ho. He is the son of my friend Vanessa and his foster mother was kind enough to let me meet him. He is a doll!! Evidently he's usually quite friendly and happy, but today he was pretty serious and too much looking at me made him cry. I couldn't resist taking some pictures of him crying because he's so adorable when he does. Vanessa, I have more pictures from my camera that I'll get to you when I get home and your foster mother gave me a CD to give you. It has many pictures on it including pics of Gus Tae Ho's 100 day celebration. I also took some video footage of him that I hope my computer whiz husband can put on a DVD for you. Enjoy!!

Exploring Seoul

After Beth's meeting with Jee Min, which went amazingly well, by the way, we went exploring! We mastered the subway and went to Namdaemun market (even though it was raining). We were surprised at all the neon lights and how lit up everything was. We ate in a little Korean restauran for lunch and had lettuce wraps and a potato pancake that was delicious, but I have no idea what it was called. After dark we noticed that food vendors brought their carts out and lots of people were walking around. We then took the subway to Dongdaemun where we went in the high rise "Doota" mall. It was crowded and had upbeat music playing -- it was a happening place. We went to another Korean restaurant where food is cooked right at your table. We had the sirloin steak for 44,ooo won -- that's just under 44.00!! It wasn't even a big piece. Luckily we split it and with all the extra food they bring you we had more than enough food. Outside there were more food vendors and even a couple stages with people singing on them and we even saw a carnival ride. Who knew things would be so hopping on a Wednesday night! What a fun city. Tomorrow I get to meet with Dr. (Mrs.?) Kim, meet Vanessa's son Gus, and my last meeting with Henry -- can't wait!

Meeting Henry!!

I landed in Seoul at 1:00 today and met Henry at 4:00 today! The foster parents are wonderful. The father made a special effort to be there and he gave me 3 disks filled with pictures and video of Henry's life so far. Mrs. Shin, the social worker, said that Henry is a daddy's boy. Henry must be teething because everything he touched went straight to his mouth -- even the big rattle you see above. Henry has 4 teeth and whenever he is teething he bites on his father's shoulder -- which he was doing some today. I got to be alone with Henry some. I expected that he would cry the whole time, but he didn't!! He played quietly beside me for a long time and then I even got him to smile!! He kept sticking his tongue out (evidently that's his new habit that he does all the time right now) and I stuck my tongue back out at him. After several times of me sticking my tongue out Henry smiled!! Of course, when he started looking at me too much he cried. I did, however, get a kiss from him when I held him one last time. Don't be too excited -- the foster mother and I forced him to do it. :)

Tokyo

These are pictures from my night in Tokyo. I arrived at my hotel around 5:30 p.m. Although I was tired I had to do a little exploring and eat a Japanese meal. Since I didn't get any Japanese money I found a restaurant that took my credit card. It seemed to be the Japanese equivalent of our American diners. No one spoke any English, but I was able to point to a picture of chicken on a stick (I don't know how to use chopsticks) and said the word coca
cola and I was set. After a short walk back to my hotel I was in

bed by 7 p.m.

Henry's Quilt

For Christmas my mother in law, Pat, wrapped a package and addressed the tag to Henry. When I opened the package I found a gorgeous quilt inside!! In all honesty , I had wanted to ask Pat to make a blanket for Henry because she had made some beautiful blankets when Lydia and Trixie were born

and I didn't want Henry to be left out. I couldn't ask, though, because Pat has had such health problems lately that I couldn't burden her with that pressure.

Pat included a card with the quilt and wrote the sweetest message to Henry -- it is going to be the first thing I put in his memory box. She said in the card that she had looked through a quilting book and saw this quilt and didn't think much of it. Then right after Brent & I got on the adoption list she happened across the quilt again and immediately thought of it as Henry's quilt and knew she had to make it for him. The name of the quilt is "Welcome to the Family" -- how perfect! In each heart of the quilt is the name of every single member of the family on Brent's and my side of the family. She included the 2 men that my 2 nieces married this summer all the way down to my newest little cousin -- 5 mos. old Emily. This is a special, beautiful quilt and I love it (and the love behind it) beyond words. Thank you, Pat!

Happy Henry Christmas

We got a huge, happy suprise in the mail today -- 9 mos. pictures of Henry!! I don't know why we got them (maybe because I'm visiting?) but we're so thrilled to have them. There was no written information included, but Henry's happy face says a lot! Just like in his 7 mos. pictures that sweet Foster Mom dressed Henry in an outfit that I sent over in a care package. This is the first time we've seen his smile. I just can't wait to get my hands on that boy. :)

Christmas Package

I found out that an online friend, Sandy, was travelling to pick up her son (finally!!) over Christmas. She had an extra long wait and I'm so glad she finally got her travel call. Anyway, I of course wanted to send a package to Henry and his foster family. It's hard to pick gifts for people you don't know. I settled on a ladies watch and ladies pair of leather dress gloves. I thought the foster mom and daughter could choose what they wanted. For the foster dad and son I chose black leather gloves and a black scarf. Since Seoul is so cold in the winter I hope that the warm things will get used. For Henry I send a teddy bear with a rattle inside that used to be Lydia and Trixie's. I also sent a Christmas card that makes me laugh every time I look at it. I took a picture of Lydia and Trixie kissing a doll and then their picture was photoshopped onto Henry's picture so that it looks like they're kissing him. I hope Henry's foster family has a sense of humor because I think that picture is the cutest thing! Thanks fo my friend Caroline's dad I was also able to send a couple letters translated to Korean. He was so nice to do this in a hurry for me. This is my third care package that I have sent over. I love making the connection with the foster family. The next time I'll be taking things in person and it'll be my turn to take care packages for others. I can't wait!! Hurry up and get here, Jan. 17!