Mr. Bingley

Our trip to Korea to welcome...

Mr. Bingley Sir Charlie Jae-min 

to our family...

August 1

At the Chicago airport,

getting ready to go.

(I am married to such a handsome man.  Ah!)

August 4

Meeting him for the first time.

He was wearing a little bow tie.

Getting to know each other

at the adoption office.

Remember this picture with the bunny?

I got to meet the bunny...

Most of the children have their picture taken with him.

Continuing to get comfortable with Paul.

Pre-travel physical.

We remembered this nurse from Reuben's adoption.

Healthy guy.

Almost time to say goodbye to his foster parents.

Back at our hotel the same day.

(Oh, the humidity and my curly hair!)

Playing in our room.

We all shared a bed.

It's the Korean way.

Children sleep with their parents until they are two.

August 6

In the Seoul airport,

heading home.

Waiting to board our plane.

First time in a car seat.

He slept 8.5 of the 12.5 hours on the plane

and had no problems the other 4 hours.

Hallelujah and Praise the Lord.

On our drive home

we stopped at F.O. Dairy

for Paul's favorite grilled cheese with

Havarti Pepper cheese and roast beef.

I think we also got some coffee to keep the driver awake

for a few more hours.

August 7

Meeting his brothers for the first time.

Peter and Reuben were so excited to meet him and give him gifts they had picked out with Nana.

Feeling shy and staying close to me.

Reuben asked that we get him a Korean soccer shirt.

Peter wanted a Korean Gatorade

and Reuben wanted a Korean Coke.

Different cans than in the US.

Meeting his Nana.

In the toy basket.

A Reuben sandwich.

Proving his big brother skills.

He loves being a big brother.

But, in distress one day this week he sadly said,

"I'm a big brother but I still can't zip my jacket!"

Meeting Winnie.

She has been so full of grace as he checks her out.

 

First family photo.

We mostly call him Charlie.

Sometimes Jae-min still comes out.

Mr. Bingley on Sundays.

And often we catch ourselves starting to call him Reuben.

His legal name will be

Charlie Jae-min,

named after my dad.

We are rejoicing that he's home with us.

He is fitting right in

and accepting us as his caregivers.

We love him

and think he is so so cute.

I don't have much time for blogging,

as you've noticed.

My days are long and full

and I love it.

 I won't be in this space as often as before.

Remember that one time when I was a knitter?

Ha.

Charlie.

I love him.