Omma

I'm going to attempt to make this a sensible post, but I make no promises. When you adopt a child who has lived with another family for months, and then you take that child away from them, it is really the most bittersweet thing you can imagine. I'm still kind of crying as I type this, so please forgive me. 

We had the supreme blessing of seeing BOTH boys' foster mothers today. We were ushered up to the 4th floor...but you had to push #5 in the elevator. I still don't understand, but whatever it takes, I suppose. We met in a small room with both women and to our surprise, they had a volunteer translator who came for our visit!! It was an amazing and wonderful surprise. Hannah (the translator) helped us to communicate with both women.

Jeong hui's foster mom asked us what religion we were. I found it kind of interesting, but when we told her that we were Christian and learned that she was too. Then she actually prayed over my son. The same son that she had fed, bathed and loved. To say that I was impressed with myself for not turning into a blubbering idiot would be an understatement!! Jeong hui's foster mom has been fostering babies for 25 or 26 years...she thought. She currently has a little girl living with her now. She is one of the most humble and amazing women I have ever met. He wanted to show her the pictures in the album we brought her.

Hyeon su - always the flirt was in great form today! (THANKFULLY) At 5am this morning, I was a little concerned!! He was telling his Omma who were in the pictures and she would talk to him in Korean and he would just smile and yes. He was the center of attention and played it up as much as possible!!


We met at 11am with the HOPES of being able to take both ladies out to lunch. They both were free!!!  AND Hannah was able to go with us!! When they asked if we liked Galbi, I think I heard Stacy giggle like a little girl. YES, we LOVE Galbi!!! It is a very thinly sliced cut of meat that is cooked over a bed of hot coals. The waitress cuts it up with kitchen shears, which REALLY worried Hyeon su!

Does life get any sweeter than this?

And then we had a FEAST!!!

Korean food is always served with several different side dishes that are called banchan. Kimchi is always one (or more) of the side dishes. We were given the choice of noodles or rice (bap). I thought it was amusing that every person at the table picked bap!

I'm not sure if you noticed, but both boys were only in shirts and sweaters when we walked to the restaurant. It is really rather nice here with temps in the upper 40s to low 50s. The breeze can get a little chilly, but if you do get chilled, all you have to do is step inside a building because I'm pretty sure they must keep their thermostats set about 80 degrees. I'm NOT joking. Well, in true Korean fashion, both ommas ended up giving our boys their scarves because they were convinced they were both too cold. I could feel the love!

And then as quickly as it began, our time was over. But nobody really wanted to leave. It brought back so many memories of taking my sweet boy home 4 years ago. And we all kind of stood there and cried.

But we couldn't linger because we had more "work" to do!! Hannah helped us find our way over to the agency offices. All the donations had arrived safely and we were able to retrieve the 2 suitcases we had used. To say that they were happy would be an understatement! Mrs Shin wanted to make sure that we THANKED everyone who helped make this possible. She said it would help a LOT of babies!!

Then we FINALLY get to ride the subway "train" which made Jeong hui VERY happy!!! The boys wanted to show you were to stand while you are waiting for the subway.

Once we were inside, a woman GOT up so my cuties could have her seat. I'm telling you, Koreans LOVE kids!  That would be her rubbing his head. :)

Elizabeth's first experience with the Seoul subway!!!  But of course, I had forgotten how many stinking stairs there were at the City Hall exit...and a quick reminder as to why Koreans are so skinny! Thanks for reading if you've actually made it this far! We're going to eat our food from Paris Baguette and then head to Namdaemun Market!!!