10 inches gone

There are so many reasons why I love my husband, but today I'm especially proud of him. Shortly before Jeong Hui came home in December of 2006, Stacy decided to grow his hair out so that he could donate it to Locks of Love. It is a wonderful organization that makes wigs for under privileged children who suffer from hair loss. In May of 2010 he was able to chop off his first donation. Today, we all made the trek to my salon so that my stylist could chop off another 10 inches of hair!!! It was rather amusing because she let the boys "help" cut Daddy's hair!!!! Jeong Hui had a LOT of fun telling his teacher that he helped cut Daddy's hair!!!!! 

I know I  may be a bit biased, but I just think those are some of the cutest little helping hands I've ever met!!! 
Stacy wanted to make sure his hair was donated before we went to Korea, so this was another item checked off the list!!!!! We leave SEVEN weeks from today!!!!!

Christmas Card Photo

I realize that this is a little late, but this is one photo from our Christmas card. We had a LOT of fun taking it and hope you enjoy!!

Adoption agency donations

For all intents and purposes, South Korea might as well be an island. They are obviously connected to land via North Korea, but there is nothing being transported over those borders. I have found it very interesting to find out things that are SO much more expensive because of needing to be imported. Take for instance a simple little thing like diaper rash cream. In the US, we can buy it from $5 a tube. The same cream in Korea could cost upwards of $33!!!!!

Single grain rice baby cereal is the same way. A 16 ounce box here in the states cost about $3 but in Korea can cost more than $10.  This is from Holt Korea: Gerber Rice Cereal - Single gain rice cereal is an urgent, important and ongoing need for Holt Korea. There are a lot of premature babies in care as well as children with other medical concerns. Single gain rice cereal is a critical part of meeting the nutritional needs of these kids as many cannot tolerate the multigrain cereal that is available in Korea, and single grain rice cereal that is available is less easily digestible than that which is made in the U.S. Supplies of the Gerber rice cereal routinely run low.

I'm planning on some seriously creative packing for this trip. Our hotel has a washer/dryer so we can take fewer clothes. We acquired some totes today and plan on FILLING them with donations to take with us!!! I'm SO excited to be able to give back to the agency that took care of both boys while they were babies. We would LOVE it if you would be willing to donate Rice Cereal or Desitin diaper rash cream.

I realize that you may like to donate, but don't live close. If you'd like to send money I would gladly purchase items to take with us.  You could send a check or we could take Paypal. Any donations are GREATLY appreciated!!!!!! 

Last week we were able to secure a hotel room for our stay in Korea. Hotel wouldn't really be entirely accurate. It is actually a serviced residence. Business people often stay there for extended periods of time. It is like a fully furnished apartment. You can check it out here if you'd like: Frasers
We stayed in the same place when we went 4 years ago because it has plenty of room for the kiddos to RUN. The 7-11 across the street was a major bonus too. We could buy drinks and snacks there and then just stash them in the fridge for when everybody wakes at 4am. I'm so excited because there is also a washer/dryer in the room so we can pack LESS clothes which means we can take MORE items to donate to the Korean adoption agency. 
I do really wish I was adventurous enough to stay in a Hanok Traditional House. More info here.  At this point, I'm not feeling overly adventurous though while taking two 5 year olds and a 15 year old. I'm going to have to go with a place I'm familiar with and that I know has a comfortable Western style BED!!