February already....

I just can't keep up with these months that seem to fly by.  This month especially.  February has been a pretty exciting month for me.  First of all, it's been 15 years this month that my dear mother passed away.  Not a day goes by that I don't think about her and reminisce a little.  (Not too much though because then I would get sad, and I don't need that.)  "February 6th will be a day that I never forget.  Love you mommy, and I miss you dearly!  I know you are smiling down on me from heaven, and I can only hope that you are proud of me and all that I have accomplished."

Taylor Swift tickets, in Hongul

Her new "Speak Now Tour" t-shirt

Her Birthday guitar pick

On a lighter note, the week of February 12th was nerve wracking.  February 12th, our lil Madison turned 8!  But on the 11th, we took her secretly to see Taylor Swift.  Who would have ever thought that we would see Taylor Swift here in Seoul Korea?  Not me, but as soon as I found out that she was coming in concert, Tim and I talked it over and bought tickets.  What a blast that was!  Unfortunately only Madison and I went, while Tim and Mason hung out at the Dragon Hill up in Yongsan.  They had 'guy-time' and Madison and I enjoyed the time away,singing along with our favorite singer.  YOU ROCK TAYLOR!!!!  It never gets old listening to Madison sing her songs.  I swear she will be the next Taylor Swift someday.  I look forward to seeing what the future holds for her.  So, not only did Madison get to see Taylor Swift, but she also got to stay the night in the hotel, and the following day, she had a pool party at the Mustang Indoor pool here on base.  Twelve kids came to celebrate with her, and after about 3 hours of swimming, she and Mason were pooped.  Made for an easy end to the night, that's for sure!  Thank you chlorine. =)

All this week now, Tim has been in the field up in Suwon.  It's never the same when he isn't home with us, but he's gotta do what he's gotta do right?  As long as I hold the fort down here at home, we are good.  All three kids are good.  Makayla is preparing for only 3.5 months of school left, till she graduates and moves onto bigger and better things.  It will be weird when she graduates and leaves this house, but I know that she will do great things and she will succeed in anything she chooses to do with her future.  Whether she goes to college, or the military like her dad, we will support and be proud no matter what.  Mason, on the other hand, was having a rough patch there for a while.  He was experiencing anxiety and even was having some anxiety attacks with it.  At nine, no child should have stress!  At least I think so.  But, we were able to get him in with the school child psychologist and she has been working with him on a once a week basis.  He is struggling with Separation Anxiety, (towards me), and even took time off from his friends and video games.  That is how I knew something wasn't right, "Mason-no video games?"  I guess his good friend was showing him a rated "M" game, something along the lines of a zombie game, and it really freaked Mason out.  He hasn't been the same since, as far as being carefree and independent.  Now not so much.  The good news it, he isn't all in his room, in front of the TV playing his games.  And, in the last 2 weeks, there has been much improvement.  The bad news is, he hasn't been clinically diagnosed as having anxiety, but I can tell he does.  Just like me.  It's sad to see this happen to your child, especially at the age of 9!  I honestly didn't think it was possible, but I guess it can affect even kids as young as three.  Or so I have been told by the Dr.  I just keep praying that this is just a bump in his road and that it's not going to be lifelong.  He is however, getting his 'attitude' back.  I was enjoying him not having one, but it's definitely back.  Ugh!  Oh well, I rather have that anyday over him having anxiety attacks.

Thank goodness the weather is getting warmer slowly too.  I am so ready for Spring.  This winter here was brutal!  Not so much snow here as last winter, but the windchill and temps were below zero more then I can count.  It's still cold here, in the 20 and 30's, but the sun is out more, and you can feel Spring about to come upon this peninsula.  Let's hope for sooner rather than later.,

Well, hope this blog entry finds everyone well back in the states.  I love and miss everyone there and can't wait to come back there myself.  Could be sooner then we thought, if Tim makes a certain brigade position, but I'm not holding my breath this time. Lol.  Keep your fingers crossed.  xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Yes, I'm back!! =)

Geez, where do I begin?  The last time I was on here was what, Christmas time?  Or New Year?  So much has gone on since then.  Umm, well kids went back after winter break, and were at full speed with school work and sports.  Mason is on basketball, and for this being his first 'official' time on a basketball team, he is rocking it!  Our lil man made an awesome shot this past weekend, scoring half the teams points.  It's such a joy to watch him do the things that God made him to do, and that I believe is all sports.  (Well, and to be our awesome son). Mason-your the BOMB!  Love ya buddy. xoxoxo

Tim's and my bowling league for the Ironhorse Battalion has begun.  Yep, it's that time again, and after bowling for 5 weeks now, we are in 1st place.  Let's just hope we stay that way.  I went to my first bowling tournament up in Seoul a few weekends back, and surprisingly I didn't come in last.  It was something I have wanted to do now for years, and so I can smile and cross that off my 'bucket list' now. =)  Not sure if I will go to more, being that everyone bowled 300's, where I was more of a 200-kind of gal.  Oh well, at least I can say that I did it.  We are in the process of getting team shirts made, and this is the highlight of having team spirit, and everyone getting involved.  Even if we are the ONLY team with shirts, we will look great!  I will have to get a pic once we all got them, and I will post on here for all to see.

Makayla will be starting softball soon, and this is always a fun thing to see.  She has become quite an athlete too, with Cross Country and softball, her team has been going to Far East now for two years, and sad-but Makayla has seen more of Korea, and Japan then we might ever get that chance to do.  Her whole team goes and competes for banners of Far East Champs.  We are proud to call her our Mak.  She is also currently getting her things in order for college, doing apps, etc.  This can be a stress but she is determined. What a smart and beautiful woman she has become.  Can't wait to see her walk across that stage!  "Go Mak!  You can achieve all the things that you put your heart and mind into, you are just that awesome!  Don't let anyone ever tell you that you can't!  Prove them all wrong!  We love you!!"

Awe down to Maddie.  Our lil author, artist, mess maker!  Ha, no in all seriousness, this has got to be the messiest child ever!  She hasn't found a sport to get into here, although we have looked into some things for her to do.  She wants to be a writer, right now, so we are supporting that.  She has begun writing short stories, and it seems to be her gift.  Same with her drawings.  We got a lil artist on our hands.  How is it that she can tell me about Picasso, but not 2nd grade Math?  Ah, following after my footsteps it seems.  We are so proud of her too, and all the accomplishments she has strived for as well.  She FiNALLy came out of her shell too, and has become such a "Ms. Personality".  She is quite the queen too, if you know what I mean. =)  Love ya lil momma. xoxox

As for Tim and I, things couldn't be better.  We had to attend another St. Barbara's Day ball on the 28th of January.  We had a pretty good time, but the day after wasn't so hot.  I think we both have decided to become permanent DD (designated drivers) for all those that wish to drink.  We are so done with military hangovers.  And it's so funny too, because these are the only times we drink alcohol, is at these functions.  So, from now on, I'm done.  He might change his mind, but not me.  I hate the morning after. Ugh.. Weather is getting slowly warmer day by day, and before you know it, it's going to be Spring here.  Oooh, and sometime during the spring, we should have word on WHERE we go next!!!  Keep your fingers crossed and prayers coming, Lord knows we could use them right now.  Love and miss ya all bunches!!  Peace out~