We're here!

We are here, safe and unharmed.  Our flight was crazy.  16 hours from Atlanta to Seoul, South Korea.  We had great seats back by the bathroom and there was a walkway behind our seats for us to walk around and get circulation into our legs.  The last 20 minutes of our flight, a lady came and took us to first class.  We were a bit confused and were excited in hopes of us getting to fly from Seoul to Bangkok in first class.  NOT!  We got off the plane and a lady that could be no more than 90 pounds soaking wet was holding a sign that read BANGKOK.  When all 10 of us who were going to Bangkok got there, she took off running through the airport and we took off after her.  We were chasing her through the airport while she was screaming and waving her arms, Bangkok, Bangkok!  We were nervous about going through customs but she ran through there screaming and moving people out of the way.  We got on the plane just in time.  They were holding our flight and all 10 of us were the only foreigners.  No first class for us.  When we got off the plane in Bangkok after 5 hours, we had two guys waiting for us.  The Headmaster of the entire school and Hailley's middle school principle.  We got our luggage with no problem-it was actually already off the belt and waiting for us.  We then went to our first meal in Bangkok, McDonald's!  My first impressions were of all the hot pink taxis and the mopeds that fly around the cars.  There is no speed limit, three cars to one lane, and four people on a moped at a time.  I held my breath all the way to the school.  They put us in an on school appartment for three days then took us to look at a house.  Right away I knew I had to have it.  It is so cute!  Then, we found out the dogs had been delayed and would not be coming for another week.  They eventually arrived safe and sound and we were very relieved to have them with us.  That was the only snaffu in the whole trip.
As we sold everything we owned, I had forgotten how stressful it is to set up house.  I wanted to buy only specific things and purchase only expensive things we would take with us, but that soon flew out the window.  I will never take silverware and pots and pans to wherever we go next, if we ever leave.  So I decided it's cheapy cheap for everything except art, pottery and rugs.  And trips.  So many places we want to go here.  I would say the some of the most frustrating things are, #1 the transportation.  We have yet to get all of us bikes and we have to walk, take a taxi, or get a crazy moped taxi.  It is very limiting to not be able to get in my car and just go where I want.  The positive about that is I get plenty of excersize and the school is only a 20 minute walk from our house.  There are also lots of food venders and little open air shops on the way, what they call Market Street.  #2 not knowing what some of the food is.  What we've been able to figure out has been great, but I just can't make myself eat things I don't know.  #3 not being able to communicate with people.  The first day we moved in our house, the guy pulled up on a moped with a gas tank to hook up.  He installed it and wanted to get paid his 300 baht and I only had 120 baht.  I ran next door to the maid and held out my money and she paid the bill for me.  We immediately went to the bank and paid her back, but I tell you, that was a tense moment.  The good in that is the maid was super sweet and our landlord is also.  Very kind and helpful. 
The craziest thing that's happened is on the night we were waiting for Mango and Sophia to arrive.  We were sitting there playing cards when a man jumped over our fence(which has sharp spikes), ran through the yard and jumped over our front fence too(which also has sharp spikes).  When Chris ran out there he started yelling in Thai and ran off.  I am pretty sure Chris startled him.  All the neighbors were running around yelling and pointing and upset.  Our landlords came home from work, came over and appologized profusly like it was their fault.  They had the fence raised with sharper spikes the next day.  Apparently, they found out the police had busted a gambling ring and he was an escapee.  Just crazy! 
This week, we have been getting to know all the new teachers and doing fun things with them.  It's so cool how a family of 4 can eat for 4-6 dollars here.  There are some strange things, like how all the facial creams have whitning cream like toothpaste.  Also, all the girls wear 5 inch heels!  Crazy!  The mall has 7 floors with an amusement park on top and a movie theater.  There are street venders everywhere, and Chris makes fun of me because I call them vending machines.  Everyone has been so nice, supportive(especially when I had a meltdown over buying wire hangers) and it just seems like a dream to be living here and working with wonderful people and their families.  It is all new to us, and I am sure there will be some frustrations along the way, but so far, I have already formed a love for this place.  Please continue to pray for us as we all adjust-especially the kids.  It is the first time in three years we have not had a therapist, a psychologist and our beloved behavior specialist.  They have done great so far and I have had just as many meltdowns as they have so we shall continue to put our faith in God and know that He has a plan.  We miss you all and love you dearly.