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
Shining happy faces.....
The mountains were really pretty.
Check out the amazing detail of the ceiling. Wouldn't that have been crazy to paint all that. :)
Posing by the King's quarters. You had to take your shoes off. :) Glad I had clean socks! lol!
The doors were pretty short. They were just my size!
The King's throne.
Pretty pots :)
detail....detail...detail!
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.
Four in Florida.
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. :)
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..." :)
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.