Our first full day home!

Our first morning in Korea, started at 3 am. Everyone was wide awake. The time change had us all messed up! Carly was hungry for dinner at 3 am! 

Dad had to go take care of our travel vouchers and work just a little bit, so we were home when our unaccompanied baggage arrived. This was almost 500 pounds of household items we were allowed to ship to Korea quickly. Items like clothing, kitchen items, small toys. 

This was exciting. Like Christmas! The kids each took turns choosing which box or package was opened next. 

Carly was very happy to see her kitchen chair seat so she didn't have to stand on her knees to eat and reach the table or sit on the floor anymore! 

And of course, the empty boxes were more fun than anything else.

Arrived!

After a very long 20 hour trip which consisted of a 2 hour flight, 2 hour layover, 12 hour flight, a nerve wracking passport/visa wait, and then over an hour bus ride from Seoul airport to home,

We made it! 

We were exhausted, hungry and in need of showers. 

It was dad's and our first day in our new home. He had just moved in during the morning while we were on our way to Korea. 

The shuttle bus pulled up, Dad unloaded suitcases and car seats, and in we went to explore for just a few minutes. 

Our patio.

Korean style entry. Front door with keypad code lock, enters into room where shoes are removed. Koreans do not what so ever wear shoes in homes. This room is not heated or air conditioned so there's a sliding door that separates it from the inside of the house. I actually love this Korean style feature. 

Caden's room was first. There are 2 bedrooms on the first floor and 2 on the second. Right now we are just using government borrowed furniture until our items arrive. I had sent through the mail the kids big blankets so they would have familiar items waiting for them. Caden found a Lego set dad got him in his room. 

Kayla found a new Barbie from dad in her room.

Carly found a doc McStuffins toy phone from dad in her own room.

After just a few minutes we had to head out to base to the Bx for a blanket for mom and dad's room, before they closed. Mom was starving at this point with not eating much during the trip from upset belly. So we had dinner at the Bx. Subway. Soup and half a sand which. Then back home to settle for the night which was difficult. The time change had our bodies way off. I was wide swak at 2 am followed by Carly at 3 am saying she was I get which was right on cue for dinner time in Las Vegas. This adjustment took a week. The kids sturuggled daily at 2 pm Korea time which was bed time in Las Vegas. A couple days they even had to have naps and then waking them was near impossible! More on that coming soon. 

Our front door.

1 of 3 awesome flowers waiting on the patio for me. 

Fire place in living room looking into the hall/front door.

Coming up stairs looking into loft.

View from 2nd floor patio. 

We do live off base but our entire group of 8 houses is all Americans. Both army and Air Force. Great for the kids. They have made friends so easy. A few Korean kids do come every now and then trying to make friends. I hope they do so our kids can learn Korean.

Rooster we hear every single morning. 

Kids love the outdoor area here.

Korean fridge and microwave and stove/oven.

Bye bye Las Vegas

On the day we got our flight tickets, we hung out at Mr Chucks house to do everyone's laundry. The kids played with the fish and got kisses from them. Something fun Andi used to do with them all the time. After laundry was complete we loaded up the excursion with all our bags.

We went to one last dinner with our neighbors Mr Bill and Ms Geri.

We said our farewell's to Andi through Viber before bedtime. 

After dinner didn't go well. I think because I was so stressed and nervous my belly didn't take well to it. I was up ALL night hovering over the toilet. We were due to wake up at 3:20 am and my last vomit session was at 2:45 am. I was SICK. And about to start a 20 hour journey with 3 little kids. 

At 3:50 am we headed out and hit Walmart so I could get some tums and pepto bismal hoping it would help. It didn't. 

We arrived to the airport a little after 4:30.

We unloaded the truck and I got in line with all kids and luggage in two while Mr Chuck parked te excursion. Here is where it started to fall apart. A crying baby, a helpful 6 year old thank goodness and a shy 5 year old who didn't want to help. All my luggage tumbled off the cart and a car seat hit the guy in front of me. He seemed irritated even though anyone could clearly see I was struggling. I didn't feel well. Exhausted. Only 2 hands to push 1 stroller and 1 luggage cart with all my stuff all over the floor while Carly was crying. I couldn't move up in line. Things were scattered everywhere. People watched me and didn't help. After about 5 minutes of this, a lady who said she was in my position before and had 4 little ones who were now all teenagers. 2 of her teens came to help. One pulled a suitcase and a car seat. The other pulled a suitcase and pushed the cart, I had 2 heavy carry on bags and Carly crying in the stroller. After about 30 minutes in line chuck came back. The excursion was too big for the garage so he had to park far. At the check in machine I was not feeling good. Heat flash, shaking legs, no energy to stand. My sickness had made me weak and dehydrated I assume. No food or liquids in me for over 12 hours now and zero sleep. I had to sit. Chuck got a guest pass to help us through security (where I sat, and he did all the work) and walked us all the way to our gate (where I layed down on the floor) and he took the kids potty and came back. 

I suggested fruit and orange juice to give me some sugar so he scoped that out and came back. I actually slowly started to feel better but not quite. He even carried my bags and walked us into the plane. There we said goodbye. He told the kids he will see us in a year. We hugged and off he went. So sad. 

Our first flight was not fun. I was still sick. Caden was SO exhausted that he misbehaved a lot more than usual. It was only a 2 hour flight but man it felt so long. 

It was hard to believe we were actually on way to Korea, finally. 

We stopped in Seattle for a fast 2 hour layover. I felt much better and felt like I could try to handle some actual food. Bagels it was and yogurt for the girls. 

I was so dreading this next 11.5 hour flight. 2 was tourture. How would I make almost 12? The kids slept the first hour until dinner service. We had our first Korean food! It was great. Good on my tummy too since it was mostly veggies. 

The next 5 hours we spent entertained with in dash seat entertainment. Kids had headphones, and tons of great movies and games and music to chose from. They were able to use the bathroom by themselves, and ask for drinks and snacks. Ice cream was served. The last 3-4 hours of the flight all 3 kids and even myself slept. An hour before landing breakfast was served and they all slept through that. I tried to eat it but tummy didn't handle the crossiant well. 

And before I knew it, time to land!

First stop was the bathroom after the subway ride. 

We headed to the passport line where we had to go into an office to get them stamped because we did not have our visa's but were traveling on military orders. This was the longest 10 minutes of my life. I just wanted to see my husband and new home and get a shower and real food! 

After that we went to the carousel to get our luggage and because we were the very last ones all our luggage was already being loaded onto cart. Just being in this country for minutes I noticed how friendly Koreaans were. They love children. I didn't touch a single piece of luggage in the Seoul airport. I didn't even need to ask for help. It was just given. 

After going through customs, which was only seconds in line, we saw Dad right away. The kids were so excited. We hopped on the shuttle bus Dad rented for a little over an hour ride to our new home. Koreans drive crazy. The roads are not built for this. Carly puked on this ride and I had a headache from the bumping around. 

But soon enough, we arrived to our new home!! 

Leaving on a jet plane

Finally!!!

Caden's passport arrived at 10 am this morning via FedEx. As soon as I saw the truck roll up, I grabbed my purse, pile of paperwork, and a sippy cup. I signed for the package, the kids lined up at the car, and off we went!

We went to base and picked up my passport, then walked across the road to book flights. Easy peasy, it was done in 2 minutes. 

I first requested a late night direct flight as early as tomorrow so the kids would sleep the majority of the way but she told me Vegas doesn't have direct flights to Korea and none are late night. All are early morning flights. When it comes down to it, I really didn't care as long as we were booked on a plane.

We fly out of Vegas tomorrow morning at 7:30 am. Check in is 3 hours early, so 4 am check in which means getting up at 3 am and leaving about 3:15 am. Yikes! I'm certain the kids will sleep from here to Seattle where we have a 2 hour layover. 

Happy dance. Although, leaving Vegas will be hard. 

Hubby has a house all picked out for us to arrive to! I can't flipping wait!  

After we booked flights, on the way back we stopped for lunch at farmer brothers. 

Kids shared a meal and an ice cream and I had a blt. 

Also, hubby just told me today our cat was in quarantine there for a few days because his health certificate was printed wrong. I'm so glad he kept the information from me. Glad I didn't have that worry on me! He is out and hubby says he's quite happy and is himself. This cat is nothing short of amazing. What ca travels all over the world, and is HAPPY? Mine!

I LOVE this picture. 

More goodbyes

We had to say some sad goodbyes today. This morning was our last day with this little lady who is now a teenager. 

She did not want to let go of Carly. Tears flowing and all. It's funny because I tease her that I used to wipe her poopy butt and she wipes my child's poopy butt. 

I was good until she broke down. Then I just couldn't control it anymore. 

I took the kids to lunch and to see the movie Home. It was a great distracttion from life away from Dad for a few hours. The movie was as good as I expected. Super adorable, and funny. All 3 kids did amazing. Carly slept from 10 minutes in until the credits. 

She was awake for the most important part...the snoopy trailer! 

Tracking for Caden's passport has it located in Alaska right now. It's due to arrive here Monday morning. So, hopeful for a late Monday flight or late Tuesday flight. I am planning a bedtime flight direct from here to Soeul, so they sleep the majority of it. 

I'm sad we will miss Easter together as a family but keeping in mind this will be 2 years of no missed birthdays or holidays together, no deployments. 

Latest update on our move, eventually.

I called this afternoon to get disappointing news. They will not issue Caden a passport because he already has one. He does have a passport that nick took with him to Korea because he was thinking it was a civilian passport and not a government passport. Turns out he was wrong, and Caden's passport is in fact a government passport. Now we wait until nick mails it to me and it arrives. Assuming it arrives Monday with the fastest possible shipping, I hope it arrives early so I can book a late Monday flight or late Tuesday flight. I'm so upset they couldn't tell us this sooner upon processing his passport instead of us waiting all this time to hear back 2 months later through the mail. It was dumb on nick part to take the passport with him...it should have stayed wherever Caden is. But...he/we had no idea. I'm so upset! We will now miss Easter together.

In the mean time, I'm trying to enjoy our last days here but it's so difficult. Took the kids to the park yesterday for picnic, kites.