Hey there...

OK... Now that the excitement of our travel call has worn off. Yeah, right.... let's say the excitement factor is growing rapidly as each day passes. I will say the confusion and madcap scramble for details has improved which now allows me to shed more light.

So we have decided to leave out of JFK 12:50 Sunday morning (yeah, that's right... just after Saturday midnight). Following a 'lovely' 15 hour flight, we should be getting in to Incheon Airport about 4:35 AM Monday morning (Korea time). We will check in to the Holt Korea Guest Residence after a private van ride from the airport (approx 60-70 minutes). I know I indicated we were looking at some deluxe/ luxurious hotels, but the Guest house became availalable to us at a significantly reduced rate (~55,000 korean won = ~$58), which we could not pass up. And it will be a nice way to start bonding with Cooper. OK, I digress... we are then planned to meet with Cooper and his foster family at 2 PM on Monday. We will probably spend quite a bit of time with them and be able to ask lots of questions. Unfortunately after that we will be by ourselves for the rest of Monday, all of Tuesday, and Wed morning. But at 3 PM Wed, we are able to accept him into our family forever. We are going to try to hit a few sites around the city with Cooper for some pictures to set up a nice scrapbook. We then leave Korea 11 AM Thursday, 14 hour flight and get in at 11:55 Thursday AM (our time). Yeah, I know trying to figure out how that whole leave and arrive at basically the same time thing works out leaves you boggled... do what I do, just accept it and figure it is what it is!!!! Then it's bonding time... lots of bonding time. We will have access to a computer while over there and will try to update the Blog as we go along... keep your fingers crossed and just a little more of that positive energy for a nice, safe trip to and back... thanks!

Anyway, the other news of recent history around here was Olivia's Arbor Day celebration presentation. Like I had mentioned earlier, she took first place in the Kindergarten level of the poster presentation for Arbor Day. And when I mentioned all of Kindergarten, I was actually mistaken thinking it was only her school. It included the kindergarten classes at the other Stafford school, and at the local Catholic school. I must say we were so proud of her. The celebration was on April 27th at the town hall. Kira and I were able to attend with Grammy, Mimi and PopPop, and Aunt Marsha. She got a nice medal, along with a savings bond, gift certificate, Blue Ribbon, and some other small items. It was nice to be able to spend some time with the girls. The picture itself was really nice, at least I think so.. especially compared to some of the other pictures. Anyway, she was very happy and proud of herself. And she absolutely should be because this was a project they did all by themselves in school without any input from home... Susan and I were blown away when the letter came home with he from school indicating she won.

And of course while I was enjoying the celebration, Susan was down in Baltimore preparing for a friend's wedding on Sat. She went down early in the day for the rehearsal and dinner. And I bolted from the Arbor Day celebration, caught a NJ transit train from Absecon to Phila, Amtrak from Phila to Baltimore, then hopped the light rail to the northern Baltimore suburbs... long journey, but kind of fun in a hobo sort of way. Anyway, the wedding was nice... Congratulations to Sandee and Andy.. we're very happy for you. Just by way of information, Sandee was Susan's roommate while they were in Ithaca, and had stayed friends with me while we were in Ithaca after Susan transferred to Trenton State. Anyway, not too many picture, sorry, but this was a really nice one of the wedding party. Of course, I will be biased but who prettier than Susan can make brown bright and beautiful? Damned cute, isn't she? Again, just want to wish Sandee and Any well!!!

OK.. getting late now and have to get my sleep so I can be fresh for the Joint Commission survey going on at work this week... perfect timing before I go away, huh? Will try to update one more time before we head out.....

Be well...
S