I have been very touched the last few weeks with the number of other "in the process" adoptive parents that have started following my blog. Love that I am getting questions about the process and how we have handled certain situations. I like to believe there is some consistency in this crazy (and wonderful) process too.
One question we got was: what are you bringing on your trip? Thought I would list a few things to think about outside of the standard clean socks and underwear. :)
Gifts for foster family - nice set of bath towels, Coach wallet and a Pandora bracelet that has a little girl charm, a letter charm and a red, white and blue charm that symbolizes both Korea and the US. We also buy a nice bouquet of flowers for custody day when we are there. So foster mom has something to carry away with her.
Gifts for Violet: puzzle with our pictures, stickers, cars, balloons (the best toy that takes up the least amount of suitcase space), bubbles, snacks, and a copy of our favorite book Guess how Much I Love You which is in English and Korean.
Travel stuff like an electronic adapter, Korean travel books, battery alarm clock (as our room at the agency did not have a clock), and small pocket bag that becomes a paperboy bag for purchases we make while out in the city.
And a whole bunch of stuff to keep our almost 5 year old busy on the plane and in court. One really good idea that didn't make the picture is masking tape. Instant race track for all of Jae's matchbox cars.
Some other things to think about is ordering Korean Won from your local bank. The exchange rate is usually better there than those at an airport. Plan ahead though because most banks do not have it on hand and need to order it. Also check with your agency on things offered if you stay there. Eastern has a community kitchen with bread, eggs, coffee, juice, etc.available as well as all the pots and pans for cooking. They also have a washer and dryer and as water cooler for filling water bottles.
Besides small errands here and there and the big last minute packing, I think we are ready. Two weeks from today we will be in the air!
Love,
Jae and Violet's Mom
Thanks for Sharing. Our EP was approved as of yesterday. Now we started counting days just like you guys did :-)
ReplyDeleteHi! I was thrilled to find your blog! My husband and I are adopting from Korea as well, and we live near Byron, just down the road from you! Our court packet has been requested by the Korean agency, so we're waiting for that to be translated and then for news of EP approval! We would love to get together with your family sometime to learn more about what the whole travel process and transition at home might look like. Congratulations on Violet's homecoming! Your children are so adorable.
ReplyDeleteBetsy