All of these travels were wonderful adventures that fueled my soul for more time in South Korea. I learned so much about friendship, buying houses, caring for family, loving on nieces and nephews, missing my wonderful husband and knowing that wherever he is, is where I should be. Oh yea! We made it to our one year anniversary! Whoo hoo!
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| Can anyone else believe this on only one year ago?!?! We've come so far since this wonderful day! |
It would take you quite some time to read about the learning I did during the past few months, but suffice to say, I've learned a lot and have come out the other side better for it! I'll just hit the highlights!
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So, I made it to Texas around the 23rd of February. My first priority was seeing my family and friends and adjusting to the time difference. All of those things took quite some time. My Mom, Sister, dear friend, Carol Voss and I went to see Wicked in Austin the first week I was home, as planned. Everyone loved the show and enjoyed the special girly night together!
Of course, you know I had to also see my pet family. As you can see, Chedder is doing very well at Ellen's house. He is loving life and his new friends. Maddie and Cooper are happily homed with my dear friends, Janice and Louis, who have decided that Coop is just too sweet to give up when we return. (Who can argue with that?!?!) My Maddie-girl is doing well, still won't walk on her bum leg, but is happy as a clam and I even got to have her stay with my at my parents for a while. Chance has found a lot of love at the Linklater house. In fact, he is so happy and loved that his picture has made it to the dressers of a few of their children! (We have also come to the conclusion, that after all this time away, we likely will not get Chancers back when we return to the States.) Miss Lily (A.K.A. "Dad's Little Baby") is also living the good-life up in McKinney with my sister and family. She is so healthy and happy and has even put on about 10 pounds! Good for her! T.G. debates as to whether Isabella, our niece, will let him have his dog back...stay tuned! Just wait until Carmichael and Colby meet all of their siblings!
Who in their right mind would have thought that we would buy a house during this well-planned out trip home?!?! It fell right into our laps and all the pieces just fell into place with very little effort. Our dear friends, Dr. Bill Bass and his wife, Rebecca McKamy happened to be selling a house they owned out on Belton lake. One that T.G. and I were aware they owned, but were surprised to learn that it was up for sale. Needless to say, I jumped on the opportunity to see the house and instantly fell in love with the beautiful lake view, built in garden and awesome Texas feel of the house and property. Sweet T.G. trusted me throughout the process of inspections, lawyers and endless reviewing of photos over the phone. We ended up making the tough decision to for-go my time in Chicago with him, so that he could take his boards and come to see the house and eventually, sign our lives away on this amazing house that we hope to call home for a very long time to come!
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| Proof that is was fate to buy this house: 5667 is our new house number! (This was our flight number the day after the closing!)
The closing for our house was on April 7th, we flew to Indiana to visit T.G.'s eldest sister, Sarah (Jason, J.J. and Theo) on the 8th and had an awesome time!! We even got to attend 'Science Night' and J.J. and Theo's school!
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J.J. pushing Theo in his car and T.G. trying to get J.J. to take a picture in the bucket truck with him...he wasn't having any of it!
After all the fun with friends and family in the States, it was time to return to life in South Korea. Which also meant hosting T.G.'s Mom and Dad (Ginnie and Tom)!
Our 10 days were filled with tours around Seoul, a trip to the DMZ, a three day trip to Busan, the annual Lotus Lantern Festival and a lot of fun time eating a lot of yummy food!
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| T.G., Ginnie and Tom at the Busan Museum |
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| T.G. and me outside the Busan Museum |
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| Lunch at 678 Chicken in Myeong-dong! YUMMY! |
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| We even made it to a baseball game: LG vs Kia! |
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| A view of the Cheonggyecheon river in Seoul where the Lotus Lantern Festival took place. It was really beautiful at night, once the lanterns were lit, but they did not photograph well for us. |
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Can you name who made which Lantern??
A. Ginnie
B. T.G.
C. Autumn
D. Tom
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| Millions of lanterns hung at the Jogyesan Buddhist Temple as well. Pictures do not do the view justice. It was a work of art! |
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| Lanterns in the river that lit up at night...again very beautiful, but did not photograph very well for us. |
Are you tired of reading yet??
Check back again soon for our future adventures!
