Our Amazing Race

Fred and I did indeed submit and try out for The Amazing Race about 3 years ago and sadly we were not chosen.  It was a bit hard for me to watch that season thinking that we could have been going to all of those places, completing the challenges as part of the cast. Guess we didn't have a good enough angle, interest, or intrigue in our lives.  So we decided to start our own amazing race January 2011 with the grand prize being a trip to Seoul and a son. Ended up being two trips which so far have been amazing indeed!

After 3 years, our amazing race is finally hitting the last leg. We made it through all the roadblocks, detours, speed bumps, u-turns, and surprisingly once in a while a fast forward!! So here we sit in Seoul, 9 hours until our custody meeting. This last roadblock may be our toughest challenge yet. We will once again have a few minutes to meet and play with Benjamin as we also work to secure details from the pre-trip report as we talk with the Social Worker and family.  Yep we're hoping since the meeting is at 4:30 his Foster Father and Big Brother will also be accompanying his Foster Mother. 

Not fully sure what to expect during custody meeting or as we part ways, but know it will involve tears, hugs, and screaming out. My heart is so very sad thinking this will be the last time Benjamin will see/feel the comfort of his Foster Mother (Father, Brother) after 2 years together.  I only hope he will find some comfort in us at some point during our stay in Seoul. Other families have shared their experiences of kiddos screaming and crying all the way to the hotel, kiddos shutting down and sleeping during the ride, and others have had what can be considered a peaceful ride. Guess I'm expecting the worse and hoping for the best. Whatever he needs to do to get through these first few hours we'll follow his lead.

As we start the day not sure where it'll take us but probably breakfast, hit the hot tub and sauna, lunch and then get ready for the big moment.  Fred of course is pretty laid back right now and working through jet lag, he's been up since 2:30 am.  I too was awake for about an hour and a half but able to fall back asleep for a couple more hours. So a nap may even be in store for us later this morning. 

Until next time...

The calm before the storm.

All stocked up and ready to go.