Here's a tour around our apartment...... :)
Have a great week!
K.K.M.D
Prov. 15:23
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Five Years of Bella
Five years ago, the Lord blessed us with a precious gift--Isabella Jayla Marie. We celebrated her fifth birthday on Tuesday. Bella Boo is a witty, intelligent, spirited little lady. She asks the most interesting questions and is very observant. Isabella is very protective and motherly to her little brother. She is a loving, sweet girl. She adores her big siblings. Bella has brought much joy to our home. I am so thankful the Lord chose us to be her family.
October 18 at the hospital. We had about 12 hours notice that we were going to be Bella's parents. It was a mad flurry of paperwork, shopping and phone calls.....lots and lots of phone calls.
Isabella's first birthday by the Colorado River.
Second birthday in Georgia. That sneaky little impish grin is quite characteristic of Bella Boo.
Three.
Four in Florida.
Quite the world traveler at five....in Seoul, Korea.
I am so grateful that the Lord called us to adopt and blessed us with this darling girl. I can't imagine life without her...without her giggles and squeals...without her screams and shrieks...without her smiles and hugs.
Happy birthday to my precious baby girl. We love you.
October 18 at the hospital. We had about 12 hours notice that we were going to be Bella's parents. It was a mad flurry of paperwork, shopping and phone calls.....lots and lots of phone calls.
Isabella's first birthday by the Colorado River.
Second birthday in Georgia. That sneaky little impish grin is quite characteristic of Bella Boo.
Three.
Four in Florida.
Quite the world traveler at five....in Seoul, Korea.
I am so grateful that the Lord called us to adopt and blessed us with this darling girl. I can't imagine life without her...without her giggles and squeals...without her screams and shrieks...without her smiles and hugs.
Happy birthday to my precious baby girl. We love you.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Birthday in Asia...
Happy Birthday Dakota! Dakota just turned 19 this past Saturday. We had plans of going to Ipark mall and walking around the city a bit. But, the weather didn't let us. :) We didn't make it very far before the thunder and lightning started. So, we just ran into the rec center on base to play some pool and wait out the rain. :) After a few games of pool and a trip to the library we decided that the rain was here to stay. So, we got some movies and popcorn and headed back to the house. For his meal we tried for the first time making Korean food. We made Bulgogi, rice, and veggies. If we were authentic we would've had kimchi with it. ;) We'll do it again sometime...the right way. :) Dakota is such a diligent young man. He's an awesome brother! We love him so much. :)
Take careful aim...
We thought about putting all 19 candles on 1 cupcake....but...that was a bit much. :)
Make a wish...
Aahhh...yes...wrapping gifts is my specialty. Hey...you have to use what you got. :)
Posing with his goodies. :)
Happy birthday again big bro!! Love ya!
K.K.M.D
Psalms 19:14
Take careful aim...
We thought about putting all 19 candles on 1 cupcake....but...that was a bit much. :)
Make a wish...
Aahhh...yes...wrapping gifts is my specialty. Hey...you have to use what you got. :)
Posing with his goodies. :)Happy birthday again big bro!! Love ya!
K.K.M.D
Psalms 19:14
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Venturing out.....
Some people call us brave and adventurous, others call us crazy for getting out from behind the safe wall and out into the big city so soon after getting here. The first thing we did was go to a firework festival which was three days after we got here. We had fun exploring the subway lines, the city in general, and the people. :) The people here are really nice and sweet. It's so funny how they are just taken aback by Bella and Kade's hair. They just want to touch it and feel it. :) We are enjoying ourselves so far.
First taste of Korean food. I like it. It's really spicy!!
This is a fraction of the people at the firework festival. It was a bit crazy on the subway coming back. We left a little early so we could beat some of the crowd.
The fireworks were really good!
Skyscrapers.....everywhere.... :)
Mom: " I don't eat anything that's looking at me..." :)
When we were at the festival there was a guy stir-frying grubs and wormy looking things in these big woks. It was totally gross looking. I'll have to get a picture next time we see some. :)
And our faithful video-taker, Dakota, provides us with yet another...video!! :)
We get to move in to our house tomorrow!!!! :) We are so excited about that. Well, I hope all of our readers are doing well.
Until next time....ta-ta!! :)
K.K.M.D
Prov. 19:20-21
First taste of Korean food. I like it. It's really spicy!!
This is a fraction of the people at the firework festival. It was a bit crazy on the subway coming back. We left a little early so we could beat some of the crowd.
The fireworks were really good!
Skyscrapers.....everywhere.... :)
Mom: " I don't eat anything that's looking at me..." :)When we were at the festival there was a guy stir-frying grubs and wormy looking things in these big woks. It was totally gross looking. I'll have to get a picture next time we see some. :)
And our faithful video-taker, Dakota, provides us with yet another...video!! :)
We get to move in to our house tomorrow!!!! :) We are so excited about that. Well, I hope all of our readers are doing well.
Until next time....ta-ta!! :)
K.K.M.D
Prov. 19:20-21
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Upon arrival in Seoul....
It's kind of crazy to be overseas again. Tomorrow we are actually going to go out and explore the city a bit. We haven't been outside the base yet...so that will be fun! :) Here are some pictures...
First glimpse of Korea
At the airport....such a goofy grin! :)
They're just the right size!
Korean architecture
My new found friend!
A view of Seoul...from the window.
A video of us getting to Korea...and some sights along the way and our hotel room... :)
We looked at our apartment the other day and are quite satisfied with it. We get to move in on Thursday. We are really looking forward to it. And yes...More pictures to come...Once we get some taken. :)
Have a great week!!
K.K.M.D
Psalms 63:1
First glimpse of Korea
At the airport....such a goofy grin! :)
They're just the right size!
Korean architecture
My new found friend!
A view of Seoul...from the window.A video of us getting to Korea...and some sights along the way and our hotel room... :)
We looked at our apartment the other day and are quite satisfied with it. We get to move in on Thursday. We are really looking forward to it. And yes...More pictures to come...Once we get some taken. :)
Have a great week!!
K.K.M.D
Psalms 63:1
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
We made it!
After what was the longest day of our lives, we finally made it to Korea. We arrived at 9pm, Wednesday, local time......so we were able to see the lights of Seoul as we drove in.
We were asked to be at the airport at 2:30 am. UGH! Our primary concerns were security and being up all night. I didn't think the littles would adapt very well. I shouldn't have worried......
We stayed up until 2 am, packing, talking to friends, watching TV, just waiting until we needed to be at the airport. After loading up a few tons of suitcases, we took the shuttle to the airport. Because it was so late (or early??), the shuttle driver was able to drop us off within eyeshot of the ticketing agent. (Prayer #1 answered, as usually the shuttles aren't allowed in that area. We didn't have far to walk.) We walk inside the terminal only to see the queue crammed full of soldiers waiting to be checked in. As we mosey our way over to the end of the line, we were told that was not the end of the line.......the end of line winded its way down the hall and around the terminal. Weary travelers we are, we trudge towards the end of the mile long line. An agent saw us poor pathetic creatures with 356 suitcases and a car seat. Do you have children? she asks. Yep, 4 of them. "Oh, please go to the front of the line" she tells us. What would have taken us a couple hours of waiting in a line, moving tons of suitcases inches at a time, turned into a 10 minute process. Prayer answered. Now it is TSA time. Ugh! We had been dreading this process, but had a strategy. We knew we would not walk through the new scanners, so chose a line where the scanner was not in use. To make a long story short, we moved through the TSA security checkpoint with no problems. Prayer answered. Every person we came in contact with was helpful and kind. Prayer answered.
Due to some weight issues on the plane (probably our suitcases), we had to wait until 10 to board the plane. Ten hours in the air. Two hours on ground in Japan. Two more hours in the air, two shuttle buses, a visit to customs and immigration, and a van ride later, we pull in to our hotel at 9pm on Wednesday. We lost a day somewhere.
We were so blessed to have a couple of guys from Joel's office show up at the terminal to pick us up. As we arrived at our hotel, Joel's commander and his wife were here to welcome us. She blessed us with a gift basket full of fruit, Korean cookies, homemade cookies and snacks along with a bag of water. We have never had such a sweet welcome!
Everyone feels so much better after a full nights sleep in a real bed. We were pretty ragged last night. Poor littles would lay down on the floor and fall fast asleep each time we stopped in one place more than a few seconds. Bella slept on the floor as we pulled her through the immigration line!
I am sitting here typing this post in our hotel room that is on the ninth floor of the building. We have an awesome view of Seoul from this window. I am thrilled to see some trees! The military base we are on has planted lots of trees along the roads. I was worried I would never see foliage the entire two years we are here.
Thank you for your prayers! I would love to ramble on a bit, but jet lag has all of the sudden hit me and I can't quite form a coherent thought :)
Please pray for Joel's mom. As we were waiting to board the plane, we heard that she had a stroke. Joel spoke with her a bit. She remembered who he was and that he was leaving, but she couldn't remember where. She has trouble speaking and putting her thoughts together, her right side isn't working properly, her leg is dragging. She is forgetting things....such as people, names and different words. When we were at the airport, we were told it was minor, they were doing tests and she would be released the next day. However, once we got to Korea, we found out she had started having seizures and was admitted to ICU. She has a blood clot in her neck. They are considering transferring her to a bigger hospital with more neurosurgeons. They are not sure what is causing the issues so are unsure as to how to treat her. We just hate it that we are so far away and can't be there to help her. We would just appreciate you remembering her in your prayers.
We love you all!
Jessica
We were asked to be at the airport at 2:30 am. UGH! Our primary concerns were security and being up all night. I didn't think the littles would adapt very well. I shouldn't have worried......
We stayed up until 2 am, packing, talking to friends, watching TV, just waiting until we needed to be at the airport. After loading up a few tons of suitcases, we took the shuttle to the airport. Because it was so late (or early??), the shuttle driver was able to drop us off within eyeshot of the ticketing agent. (Prayer #1 answered, as usually the shuttles aren't allowed in that area. We didn't have far to walk.) We walk inside the terminal only to see the queue crammed full of soldiers waiting to be checked in. As we mosey our way over to the end of the line, we were told that was not the end of the line.......the end of line winded its way down the hall and around the terminal. Weary travelers we are, we trudge towards the end of the mile long line. An agent saw us poor pathetic creatures with 356 suitcases and a car seat. Do you have children? she asks. Yep, 4 of them. "Oh, please go to the front of the line" she tells us. What would have taken us a couple hours of waiting in a line, moving tons of suitcases inches at a time, turned into a 10 minute process. Prayer answered. Now it is TSA time. Ugh! We had been dreading this process, but had a strategy. We knew we would not walk through the new scanners, so chose a line where the scanner was not in use. To make a long story short, we moved through the TSA security checkpoint with no problems. Prayer answered. Every person we came in contact with was helpful and kind. Prayer answered.
Due to some weight issues on the plane (probably our suitcases), we had to wait until 10 to board the plane. Ten hours in the air. Two hours on ground in Japan. Two more hours in the air, two shuttle buses, a visit to customs and immigration, and a van ride later, we pull in to our hotel at 9pm on Wednesday. We lost a day somewhere.
We were so blessed to have a couple of guys from Joel's office show up at the terminal to pick us up. As we arrived at our hotel, Joel's commander and his wife were here to welcome us. She blessed us with a gift basket full of fruit, Korean cookies, homemade cookies and snacks along with a bag of water. We have never had such a sweet welcome!
Everyone feels so much better after a full nights sleep in a real bed. We were pretty ragged last night. Poor littles would lay down on the floor and fall fast asleep each time we stopped in one place more than a few seconds. Bella slept on the floor as we pulled her through the immigration line!
I am sitting here typing this post in our hotel room that is on the ninth floor of the building. We have an awesome view of Seoul from this window. I am thrilled to see some trees! The military base we are on has planted lots of trees along the roads. I was worried I would never see foliage the entire two years we are here.
Thank you for your prayers! I would love to ramble on a bit, but jet lag has all of the sudden hit me and I can't quite form a coherent thought :)
Please pray for Joel's mom. As we were waiting to board the plane, we heard that she had a stroke. Joel spoke with her a bit. She remembered who he was and that he was leaving, but she couldn't remember where. She has trouble speaking and putting her thoughts together, her right side isn't working properly, her leg is dragging. She is forgetting things....such as people, names and different words. When we were at the airport, we were told it was minor, they were doing tests and she would be released the next day. However, once we got to Korea, we found out she had started having seizures and was admitted to ICU. She has a blood clot in her neck. They are considering transferring her to a bigger hospital with more neurosurgeons. They are not sure what is causing the issues so are unsure as to how to treat her. We just hate it that we are so far away and can't be there to help her. We would just appreciate you remembering her in your prayers.
We love you all!
Jessica
Monday, October 3, 2011
The end of the journey out west.....
"Hello Seattle...."
We are in Seattle getting ready to leave. The first day we were here we went to the Issaquah River to watch the salmon run. The Second day we went to the Pike's Place Market, which was really neat. The market has been there since the early 1920s. The third day we went to see the Pacific Ocean and did some hiking around the Kennedy Salmon Creek Trail. Yah, really that's the name....I'm not making that up. I guess they named it after me. :) We didn't see any salmon there though. Just a pretty walk. The weather hasn't been the best for us...kinda cloudy and drizzly. :(
Bunch of hams... :)
That clock has been keeping time since the 1920s! "They don't make things like they used to." :)
They had stands and stands of flowers. They were a very good deal too.....but, we can't take flowers on the plane. :( Too bad.....They were gorgeous!!
"Oh my....look at that!!"
It was really crowded. But, it was a lot of fun to walk around and sample all the food!
"Tilapia!!" Caution: low flying fish!
This was my favorite. These guys were great! It was really cool they way they threw fish around. I wonder if they've ever hit someone before. :)
fish...fish...fish
Posing by the original Starbucks....
The beach was just littered in sand dollars....
Mother and father
Bella-boo...
A video of us at Pike's Place Market and downtown Seattle....
(I didn't care for the salmon jerky...too fishy! :) )
We are leaving for the airport tomorrow morning at like 2-3 in the morning. It's going to feel like tonight though because we are planning to take a nap and just stay up tonight. Our plane leaves at 8:30 (pacific time) on Tuesday.
Have a great week!!
K.K.M.D
1 Peter 1:3
We are in Seattle getting ready to leave. The first day we were here we went to the Issaquah River to watch the salmon run. The Second day we went to the Pike's Place Market, which was really neat. The market has been there since the early 1920s. The third day we went to see the Pacific Ocean and did some hiking around the Kennedy Salmon Creek Trail. Yah, really that's the name....I'm not making that up. I guess they named it after me. :) We didn't see any salmon there though. Just a pretty walk. The weather hasn't been the best for us...kinda cloudy and drizzly. :(
Bunch of hams... :)
That clock has been keeping time since the 1920s! "They don't make things like they used to." :)
They had stands and stands of flowers. They were a very good deal too.....but, we can't take flowers on the plane. :( Too bad.....They were gorgeous!!
"Oh my....look at that!!"
It was really crowded. But, it was a lot of fun to walk around and sample all the food!
"Tilapia!!" Caution: low flying fish!This was my favorite. These guys were great! It was really cool they way they threw fish around. I wonder if they've ever hit someone before. :)
fish...fish...fish
Posing by the original Starbucks....
The beach was just littered in sand dollars....
Mother and father
Bella-boo...A video of us at Pike's Place Market and downtown Seattle....
(I didn't care for the salmon jerky...too fishy! :) )
- Day 1-Drive to KY
- Day 2-Mammoth cave
- Day 3-Drive to CO
- Day 4-Arrive in CO
- Day 5-Hang out in CO
- Day 6-Leave CO head to Thermopolis, WY
- Day 7-Thermopolis to Yellowstone
- Day 8-Yellowstone
- Day 9-Yellowstone
- Day 10-Yellowstone
- Day 11-Yellowstone to Spokane
- Day 12-Spokane to Seattle
- Day 13-Seattle
- Day 14-Seattle
- Day 15-Seattle getting ready to leave
We are leaving for the airport tomorrow morning at like 2-3 in the morning. It's going to feel like tonight though because we are planning to take a nap and just stay up tonight. Our plane leaves at 8:30 (pacific time) on Tuesday.
Have a great week!!
K.K.M.D
1 Peter 1:3
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