Stateside for the Holidays: Week Three

Amanda and Rebecca hosted the G4G girls (friends and former co-workers from our time with the Granholm Administration) at a shower for Baby C and me. Great gifts, great food, great friends--thanks, ladies! Sophie and Sage went to Rebecca's with my Mom and me, while Kyle stayed home and babysat for Sami—even he was impressed with his babysitting!

Sami, Sage & Sophie

Kyle was offered a promotion! As of January 1, he is the Contoller and Managing Director of GM-Daewoo. We are excited about the opportunities the position brings (yay for our household shipment!) and are determined to put a positive spin on our commitment to stay in Seoul for two additional years (the wise words of Denis Miller come to mind, “Life is Tough. Wear a Cup.”)  No, seriously, it wasn’t an easy decision, don’t get me wrong. It is the longest and most complicated pro-and-con list either Kyle or I have ever compiled. I miss things more and am more determined to make our time here worthwhile.  We’ll make it work and I believe it will all be just fine. Different, but good. Congrats, Kyle!

Christmas Eve was wonderful. Sophie, Sage, Kyle and I went to church early to save seats. While I reserved an entire pew, Kyle snuck over to Biggby with the girls for some holiday hot chocolate. No wonder they love him so. 

Sage

Sophie

Yum!

I cried at “O Come All Ye Faithful,” and went ahead and cried again during Silent Night. I tried not to look at my mother, but that didn’t help. It’s just going to go ahead and happen. Every year.

All in a row

We all loved the much-anticipated-annual-Bupp-calendar from Beepa, and my sisters and mom enjoyed their handmade napkin rings (a little project that Dorie and I worked on in our maedup class). The girls even got all dressed up in their Hanbok on Christmas morning!

Sami, Sage & Sophie

After a great dinner at Carlos and Kim’s, we opened gift after gift from “Sandra Claus.” Later, over dessert, we expanded the party to include aunts, uncles and cousins. I lost at pool, but the padded butt panties were a hit!

Lexi & Kim preparing dinner

"Sandra Claus" with Claire

Sandy

Kendall with Claire

Carlos & Kim entertaining at their bar

Megan was a good sport

Butt panties!

Sophie

The morning before we left, Kyle and I said our goodbyes to Sophie, Sage and Sami. Even Kyle thought we might get out of there with “dry eyes” until Sophie said, “Wait!” 

She ran upstairs and came back with a book. “Will you read this to your baby since I won’t be there?” I nodded, already unable to speak. I silently cried as she flipped through the book and looked up to see Hadi and Jess also crying. We were a mess. Good times. Sophie, Sophie, Sophie—you are something else.

We reluctantly packed and had a farewell dinner that evening with our parents. Goodbyes are no fun, but dinner was really enjoyable.

Phil, Kyle & "Sandra Claus"

Beepa, Shelby & Gram

The flight back was without upgrade, but at least it wasn’t delayed (our flight originates at LGA which was recovering from a storm and shutdown). Pete and his “camp counselor” were waiting for us at home complete with an updated disc of Pete’s “vacation photos.”

Our holiday visit was needed, wonderful, busy and too short. I didn’t get to see all the people I miss so much as much as I wanted to, but I have to remind myself it was better than not being able to visit at all. I find myself looking forward very much to the summer when we’ll visit again, but try to temper that excitement by focusing on Seoul. I am continuing with a list of all the things there are to discover here (January: Korean War Museum and Picasso exhibit at the National Museum), especially before the arrival of Baby C in May.

Happy new year!

:)sbc