Fun at the Beach!

One Saturday afternoon, we decided to take a drive up to the beach.  It was the first sunny day in a long time and we figured we may as well take advantage of it before it started pouring again..  Seems like that is all it has done this summer, is rain and RAIN some more.  Ugh.  By far this summer has been the worst yet.  First we had a month straight of rain, then a Tropical Storm.  So as you can imagine, there isn't a whole lot to do during weather like this.  On my previous blog update, we were able to go to an indoor amusement park, thanks to the lovely rain.  There was also an outdoor part to it, however, the pouring rain didn't want us to see it.  That was fine, it was fun indoors too.  But, back to my talk about the beach.  We drove to Daechon Beach, which is where the Mud Festival is held every year here.  It's an awesome city to visit and the beach is beautiful.  It's about an hour and some change from Osan Base, and for us, that's a pretty easy drive.  It's about the length the kids are able to deal with, as well as Tim and I, before wanting to jump out the windows from driving in a small area that long with each other.=)  Just kidding, it's a fairly easy trip and one we definitely like making.  ;)

The kids had a blast.  I took a ton of pics of them in the ocean, just because it's not that often where I can get them playing so nicely together.  Tim and I swam too.  Mason didn't want to come out, and Madison--well, she didn't have a good "sand in the bathing suit" experience.  Poor thing.  But we were able to get the sand out and survive.  Sandcastles, seashells, and sun burns, we were done after a few hours and on our way back to post.  Ah, it was fun while it lasted, but now we are back to our tiny airbase, and waiting on the day when school starts.  That is the day that I am looking forward to.  It's been a LONG summer.  Here are the pics from the trip.  Enjoy!

Lotte World Trip

Lotte World, Amusement Park/Mall

 July 28th, 2011

Well, we finally took a family trip with the four of us.  Tim was on leave and was able to come with us this time.  Lotte World is an amusement park/mall.  There is an indoor park as well as an outdoor park;  however, it poured all day, and we were only able to visit the indoor park.  There were tons of rides for everyone, and Mason even got to FINALLY go on a rollercoaster that went upside down!  He is so brave.  And yes, Tim took him-not me.  I would have never  took him on there yet but apparently he is just the right size.  =/  Me and Madison hung out and went on a few rides there were appropriate for her.  She wasn't too interested in anything that was loud, upside down, or out of the norm.  I use to love rides like roller coasters and upside down things, but now my stomach doesn't permit things like this...  Ha, I would literally get sick.  Well, I guess that means I am definitely getting OLD.  Just wanted to share some of our trip with you all.  Hope this blog update brings a smile to your face.  We miss you all and can't wait to be stateside with  everyone.  Yay, only 10 more months!!!  Whohoo!

SUMMER IS HERE!!!!

Summer is finally here, and school is out for 2 months, and some change. =)   Kids are so excited.  No early wake-ups.  No homework.  Just fun, fun, fun.  Lots of  Swimming, playing, staying up late, sightseeing, and whatever else they want to do.  Mason has finished all 4 quarters, Honor Roll twice, and Principle's List twice!  He is moving on up and is now going to be in FIFTH GRADE!!  We couldn't be more proud of this lil guy.  He has become such a little man this year.  He has played a sport each term: soccer, basketball, and finishing up with baseball.  He was so proud of he baseball team, The Redsox, (go figure).  The team came in third place, and they took home a trophy and medals.  He is looking forward to playing again.  So are we.  It's such a joy to watch your child excel in sports, and sit back and "dream" about how much money he is going to make you...  Hehe.  I'm thinking MLB, NFL...  $$$$$

Madison is on to the THIRD grade.  She has had such a wonderful year in the second grade.  Going from first grade fun, to lots of homework, a few projects, and a lot of frustration (she hates doing her homework), she has overcome the second grade with all passing scores.  They still aren't doing letter grades in second grade, I believe they start with grades next year?  I tell her she's got all A's in my book! She has blossomed this year too.  I sent my little 'hermit crab' to school and got back a Shark!  Her reading level is top of the class, and she is so artistic and so 'hands-on".  We see so much potential here for a writer or artist.  Its funny because the two kids are so opposite.  Mason is all about sports, and Maddie is all about books.  =)  How did that happen?

Well, Makayla has done it!  She has graduated high school and is on to becoming an adult!  Makayla  is either following in Tim's footsteps and going into the military, or she still may choose college.  We aren't sure yet, neither is she.  But no matter what Mak does, she will succeed and accomplish whatever she puts her mind too.  This was a hard year for her, buckling down and getting things done, but she has survived and got that diploma!  WE TOLD YOU THAT YOU COULD DO IT MAK!!!!  WE ARE SO PROUD~

Other than this, Tim and I are good.  We are so proud of all three kids and are so truly blessed for what God had given us as a family!  We couldn't ask for more.  Hope everyone is well and getting ready to enjoy the summer.  REMEMBER~wear sunblock this summer. ..  Stay hydrated!  And Smile, it takes too much wasted time to frown and complain about things.  =)  Happy Summer everyone <3

May, May, and more May

Wow, I can't believe it's May already!  Where has the time gone?  Pretty soon the kids will be out of school, and actually one totally out-Makayla!  She will be graduating on June 9th here at the newly built community center right off base.  We are so excited for her and what is to come in her future.  Right now, she is serious about the military, but we shall see.  No matter what, I know she will stride for her best and she will succeed at anything she puts her mind to.  "Go Makayla!  Run with your dreams and achieve them. We have so much faith in you and we couldn't be prouder!"

Mason and Madison are good.  I think they are both feeling the summer break itch come on.  I, for one, think it's coming WAY too fast, but at least we will all be able to sleep in.  Yeah, lets hope for that with my two early risers. =)  I am a little bummed that summer is almost here.  That means no work, substituting for me.  But, I know next school year, I will be subbing.  Might even start at the middle and high school as well.  I hear this is how you get more hours, lol.  I have a friend and she bounces between middle, high, and elementary all week long.  So, this will be on my list for the 2012 school year.

We are dealing with some stressors currently.  Our movers have decided to buy, a DIFFERENT house, and have moved out.  So, as of May 1st, we have an empty house.  And, we are paying out of pocket for our mortgage.  If we aren't able to get renters by the end of June, then there is a good possibility that the kids and I will have to go back.  (This will be the only way for us to afford our mortgage.)  If this is the case, then so be it.  I have a good strong sense that no matter what, the Lord will provide either way.  If we aren't able to find anyone for the home, then so be it.  The only problem that I have with this is leaving Tim here for the last remaining 12 months by himself.  Also, enrolling the kids at another school, only to have to prepare to move to NC in 2012 summer.  This kind of military style I can do without.  But, once again, whatever it shall be, will.  All I ask is that you can pray for this.  Pray that we find a decent renter by the end of June.  And if that doesn't happen, then pray for Tim and I, and the family during this time.  It will be difficult but we will overcome any challenge that comes our way.  We always do.

Love to all.!  Will post again soon.

Happy Easter!!!

What a glorious day.  Let's celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus.  "Father, I owe it all to you.  You have blessed me with an amazing life, family, and so much more.  I am so blessed and so grateful.  I could never thank you enough!"

Have to start this off by thanking my one and only, God.  Without Him, all this would not be possible.  For it is because of Him that we are all here.  Just a little reminder.  =)  Anyhow, Happy Easter, friends and family!  And what a beautiful sunny day here in Osan, Korea.  The weather held out nicely and let us have an awesome Easter day.  Our morning started early, around 0730-Tim and I made breakfast, and all 3 kids and us ate as a family.  This was so nice because during the weekly hustle and bustle, we tend to lose sight or hope for a family dinner.  So, having breakfast this morning, all of us, was nice.  Then, around noontime, we had the 2 little one's do an egg hunt.  We filled 72 eggs, some with candy, the rest with money.  Then we set the kids free, and the chaos began!  It's so fun watching them search for eggs.  They both made out extremely well, and afterwards, we took them to the store so they could buy something with their money.  All and all, it was a great day.  Followed by a delicious ham dinner.  No, it's a far cry from the way I use to celebrate Easter, with the Polish tradition of borcht, kielbasi, horseradish, rye bread, etc.  (Thanks Uncle Gene for reminding me...)  I'd give a kidney for that dinner.  Lol.  But, we made due with what we had and it was wonderful.

I was able to get some great photos too.  I am uploading them to my blog.  Enjoy!

I can only hope that everyone back home had an amazing Easter.  Let us not forget the real meaning behind this day.  Give thanks to where it's deserved!

It's Official...

As of the 15th of April, I was officially accepted as a Substitute at the kids' elementary school.  I was both ecstatic and nervous at the same time I received the email saying this.  At first, I thought "how hard could it possibly be?  I have kids here all day long sometimes at my house.  All the kids in the tower are practically over our house.  So, why not get paid for it? "  Well, time came for me to put on my "Big girl panties" (as my friend would say... and get going.  I got a call about subbing for a Kindergarten class 1/2 day.  Whohoo.  Yeah right.  I went and got a new outfit, and then got ready.  As soon as I got there, I was like a lost puppy.  Didn't know which way to turn, or really what to do.  When I made my way to the class where I was subbing for, I was pretty much thrown in there to the sharks.  Lol.  The teacher wrote down a few notes and then left.  I was like, hmmm.  Thankfully, the Kinder-aid was there to help me.  She pretty much ran the show.  I did get a good feel for what I was doing, however, I wanted to hug all the kids and not reprimand them.  I was told that that was not a good idea, ha.  I grasped what that meant quickly.  Can I just say that these kids have the cutest imaginations.  It wasn't that long ago, where Maddie was that young. Now, it's like she's 16.  Amazing how fast time flies.  Back to subbing, I was honestly scared.  Intimidated by these kids.  I was sweating.  It was weird.  I know they are kids, just like my own, but when you are there, in front of them, and they are all looking at you like "what's next", I was clueless.  Brain fart?  I don't know.  But, I swore that I wasn't going to let that ruin my day.  I made it through day one, with much needed help, but I survived.

The next day, I was asked to sub for a 3rd grade class.  I was like, sure.  This class is located on the same floor as Mason and Maddie, and actually it is right across from Maddie's class.  Plus, there are two kids in this class, that are ALWAYS at my home on a daily basis.  How bad could it be?  Sure.  I had NO IDEA what I was in for.  Nineteen kids.  Between the ages of 8-10.  It was non-stop chaos.  There was boys just waiting to launch spitballs my way, I knew it.  There was all eyes on me, and they KNEW I was scared.  It's amazing how some kids will feed off that and use it to their advantage.  I tried to remain calm, and ask nicely for them to quiet down, more then once, and it wasn't getting me anywhere.  Then, I was informed by a student, that one of the boys in the classroom was the class president, and he was in charge of the bell.  He would ring the bell if it got loud in there.  On a normal day with his original teacher, he maybe had to ring it 6 times at the most.  But, today, guess how many times we rang that bell?  Can you guess?  16 times.   Is that bad?  Lol.  So, in those 16 times, I had kids all over the place, out of seats, one kid half asleep at his desk, a young lady smearing glue all over her face, (future class clown maybe?), kids everywhere asking me for the restroom, and water, just pure chaos.  I had to sit down once and think what should I do.  Then, out of no where, I began talking to them, asking them things that were pertaining to the assignments that were left for them, and it was like they wanted me to do that.  They lit up.  And, it was at that moment, that I realized that all these kids wanted were to be acknowledged and they wanted to participate.  I was able to regain structure, and my sanity.  I ended up having a pretty good day.  So, day two is done.  And once again, I lived to tell.  Ha.

The other day, the weather was great.  We took the kids out to the park, and of course Stormy too.  The flowers are all blooming and I wanted to get some pics.  I was able to get a few, and so I am posting them. Hope you can enjoy them.  I will write more again soon. ~

Spring has Sprung...

Spring has Sprung.  Thankfully.  The weather here is finally warming up too, and the grass is greener.  There is a problem though, with allergies and the "Yellow Sand" that is coming over from China.  It's a mixture of pollution, and dirt, that carries over in the jet stream and dumps itself on other countries.  With this, it causes health issues, such as sinus infections, ear infections, and really gross and annoying allergies. The kids have been sneezing, coughing, complaining of ear pain, and sore throats.  And one child in particular, is having issues with staying in her own bed at night.  Making "three's a crowd" in my bed.  Really.  I thought at a certain age, this stops??  Ha.  Not in my house.

Other then this, the kids are all on Spring Break this week coming up.  We are making plans to do some sightseeing or something while we are all together.  There are some places that are being offered from the Youth Center for transportation to certain tourist places.  This we did last Spring too.  We were able to ride the YC bus and hang out with other families.  This time, I will be able to blog about it and you all will be able to see what we did.

It's so hard to believe that it's April already.  Before you know it, it will be summer.  That I can wait for.  Supposedly, next week, Tim is finding out whether or not if he made a brigade position or not.  We are praying that he did, and that we can leave here sooner, rather then summer of 2012.  But, only God knows if we are headed anywhere soon.  I guess we can only leave it all up to Him.  I would like to leave here though, and be back in the states.  I am missing family and just the normal way of things.  I hate being confined to a small base, with limited things to do.  How I would love to get in the car, and drive to the mall-and window shop.  Or, just drive anywhere, and NOT get lost.  Oh the things I miss about the US.