the wait continues

The week has passed without us receiving a call about preliminary approval!  While there were never any guarantees that we would receive prelim. this week, we were hoping, and really, expecting it based on the families' timelines who were ahead of us.

I should look at the bright side of this...like this just gives more time for us to prepare and all that jazz, but I don't want to do all that.  I want to get on a plane and go get our boy!!

Instead, I'll try to wait patiently as we look toward next week and pray for good news to come soon.

(With all the practice we've had, I should be a pro at this "waiting patiently" thing, but I'm not.  I stink at it.)

Thank you for your continued prayers!  They are very much appreciated (and needed ;)!

back to normal (for now)

Just so you know:  a 15 hour plane ride combined with a 15 hour time difference makes for some serious jet lag!  Regardless of jet lag, things around here are back to normal--I'm back at school, and Jeremy went back out on the road this weekend.  We're definitely going about our routine with one ear turned toward the phone though!  Hopefully, this week we'll receive preliminary approval from the judge; once preliminary approval is received, we'll start the countdown toward final approval.  And, we all know what happens once final approval is given....Jeremy and I high-tail it to SK!!!!!!!!!!  (I'm just a little bit excited ;).

Thank you for the all the warm welcomes we received since getting home!

another hurdle cleared

After much worrying and nervous anticipation, we had our court date yesterday.  It was, surprisingly, a completely painless experience.  The judge we had was new at hearing adoption cases, and he seemed to care about the children.  His smile and demeanor put us at ease right away.  We weren't asked any questions that were crazy hard or off the wall, and Jeremy did an AWESOME job of answering them.

The very last question we were asked:  Do you promise to love him forever, no matter what?  Absolutely!

For all the prayers, thank you, thank you, thank you.....to God be the glory; great things He has done!!

together again

I didn't know what to expect going into our second visit with Sam yesterday.  There have been some families who have had great second visits while others have had not so good second visits.  Being the worrier that I am, I was afraid we'd fall into that second group.  Thankfully, though, we had a wonderful visit---full of smiles and laughter!!

His foster mother told us that after the first visit she asked him what he did with his mama and daddy, and he remembered playing with the car and kicking the ball.  During this whole process, I've been praying that God would prepare his heart for what's coming.  And, I do believe that He is.

The next time we see him will be the day we take custody!

May that day come quickly.

soaking up Seoul: Namsangol Hanok Village

This morning we went to a traditional Korean folk village that contained hanoks, which are traditional Korean houses.  It was neat to see how people here lived long ago, and the snow added to the simplistic beauty of our surroundings.  Plus, it was a great way to keep the nerves at bay ahead of our second visit with Sam.

(I suffered an unprovoked snowball attack.)

soaking up Seoul: Korean War Museum

I'm sure we sound like nerds when I say that yesterday we went to a museum, but it was the Korean War museum!  We walked out of there smarter than we were when we walked in and with a deeper appreciation for those who defend freedom all over the world at the risk of their lives.

"Our nation honors her sons and daughters who answered the call to defend a country they never knew and a people they never met."

soaking up Seoul: Gyeongbokgung Palace

In our effort to see as much of Seoul as possible, we visited the Gyeongbokgung Palace today.  It was built in 1392 and is a definite trip back in time.  When visiting, you can't help but be struck by the beauty of the painting and architecture of the palace.  There are guards stationed outside the palace, and they appear to take their jobs very seriously--standing as still as the stone statues inside the palace.

Jeremy and me outside the palace w/ one of the guards.

our tour guide & our sight-seeing/adopting friends from Tx

the palace guesthouse

one of the king's offices--wonder what these walls would say if they could talk??

the throne

the view from the palace's courtyard