Hiking with the Hockenberry's

Today we decided to take a hike.  Literally.  Just got in the car, and drove to a place that Tim and his soldiers know all too well--Madison Hill, or Madison Mountain.  This is no ordinary mountain or hill, whatever you wanna call it.  This is ONLY an uphill trek.  And might I add, a trazillion steps.  Wow.  Tim usually takes his soldiers up there for PT, with all their gear on.  Today, we only had our clothes on, and cameras in hand.  Now, from beginning where we parked, it doesn't seem that bad at all.   We were talking the whole way and Tim kept saying that one of the kids was going to "tap out" because they were going to be too tired or blah blah.  Well, Mason did his fair share of complaining.  He was ready to stop before we even hit the middle marker.  Tim and Maddie were walking pretty much in step to one another, side by side.  Me, well, I didn't complain once, and I tried to keep Mason motivated, while taking lots of pics. It was a struggle there for a while, but he gained some spark and was able to carry on.  We made it to the top of this thing, and what a great feeling this was.  I was worried that we weren't going to finish it, but we did and what an accomplishment it was for me and the kids.  Like I said, Tim has done this several times, so he knew what to expect already.  We had no idea how uphill he had meant, and the stairs was a nice touch too!

The beginning up Madison Hill

Stairs, stairs, and MORE stairs...

WE MADE IT!!!!!

While up there, there were Koreans paragliding off one of the edges.  Now, for me, that was crazy.   For the kids and Tim, they thought it was the coolest thing.  Tim loves being able to jump out of C130's and Chinooks, with a parachute of course.  So, how much of a difference is off a cliff?  Ugh.  I was a nervous wreck the whole time, but the kids liked watching.  (None of us para glided, it was just the Koreans.)  It was a nice little surprise to see something like that, close up and personal.  It was like watching one of those "crazy" shows live...

When we made it back down, we had to run most the way, that's how steep it was...  But making it a family affair was the best thing about it.  The kids were so proud of themselves and we all had fun just being with each other in the nature of this beautiful country.  Time is slowly creeping up on our getting out of here, so we are going to try our HARDEST to do things like this on the weekends.  We are under 197 days left here on the peninsula now, so better late then never.  Hope you all enjoyed this lil piece of us and the pics too.  Love and miss you all!

6-52 Turkey Bowl, 2011

Well, another Turkey Bowl has come and gone.  This year it was so much warmer.  Last year, we had brought blankets and coats and hats, gloves:  this time, it was warm, probably in the 60's?  Weather here has been weird lately, so it's hard to tell what is going on. 

Tim's unit took home the trophy for the Senior Enlisted team, as well as the Powder Puff girls.  This is a  big thing with the Army, when they compete verses other Army units.  I am not sure if the AF does this, but every year, during November, we all head over to the football field, and enjoy watching the game.  It's about the ONLY football game I can stand, that is, until Mason decided to play.  Osan doesn't offer football here so he hasn't had a chance to play, but Basketball is starting up in January again, and he will be there.  =)

Well, this is just a quick note to get some recent pics up and let everyone know that we are all doing fine here and counting down the days to come back to the US.  Oh, what a beautiful day that will be!!  Love and Hugs to All~

It's been a while.....

I know, I know...  It's been almost 2 months since my last blog update, but things here have been busy busy.  Which, I am not complaining because it's only making our time here fly by so much faster!!!!  We are under the 7 month mark, and I am so excited to start our next journey.  In case many do not know, we are getting stationed over at Fort Bragg, North Carolina again, and we couldn't be happier about this move!  Being there a few times before, we are pretty familiar with the surroundings and we absolutely love it there.  Ugh, only 6+ months to go.....  hehe.

Fall is here.  And the leaves are full of beautiful colors.  Of course I have no pics of them yet, but just wanted to share that.  And it's colder.  In the mornings it's probably in the 30's and nights too.  During the day 50's and 60's.  LOVING this weather.   

Ok, so since my last blog about Mason's 10th birthday, things have been moving steadily.  School for the kids has been great!  I probably shouldn't say this because I may jinx it but there hasn't been any absences either..  They have been in school constant this first quarter.  Yay.  Usually when school begins, and all the kids get together, sicknesses cling to mine like magnets.  Last year, I do recall that they missed quite a few days in the beginning of the year.  I am just so thrilled that are healthy and in class everyday.  =)

Tim had to go home on ER leave from October 2nd till the 20th.  His grandmother had to have an emergency surgery and there were some complications.  So, off to Massachusetts he went, and the kids and I stayed behind, (due to school).  So, things were hectic here while he was away, but we survived.  Thank God that Nan grew stronger and was able to make it back to her home where she now is happier rather then in that rehab center she had to be in..  Lol.  Prayers work wonders!

I had subbed several days at the elementary and middle school during that time Tim was back in Mass.  I even had to sub for Mason's 5th grade class, and it was so funny!  He kept begging me NOT to embarrass him and then he tried to be the teacher in front of all his classmates.. Yeah, right.  Then, I subbed several days for my favorite Kindergarten teacher, and loved every minute of it.  Kindergarten is my favorite to sub for.  However, after spending that one week with them, and 90% of the class had snots and coughs, I ended up really sick.  Yes, sick and without a husband to take care of me.  It was a mess too.  I had NO voice for three whole days, and the coughing just wouldn't stop.  I swore a lung was going to come up one of those times.  Luckily it didn't.  After many, many packs of Theraflu, and about a week total or illness, I was better.  Just in time for Tim to arrive back home.  Go figure.  Isn't it amazing how when the spouses are gone, things at home go haywire?  Joy!

The kids recently had a Halloween festival at the school and well, even though it was a BUST, they got dressed up and we all went.  I took a few pics of them that night, and so I am posting below.  I hope everyone is enjoying the Fall season no matter where you are in this world.  This Halloween, we are all splitting up doing things a lil different this year.  Mason, now 10 and Mr. Coolness, wants to go to a Halloween party at the Youth Center, and possibly TOT with his buddies...  Maddie and I will be going to the Fall Festivities at the chapel.  I am really looking forward to this because my faith has grown so much, and even though I don't have an issue with TOT and costumes, I enjoy being around other families with stronger faith then mine.  I have come a long way since 2006, when I came to Christ, and my walk with Him here in Korea has been a struggle at times, but He brought me here for a reason and I am finally understanding what I am supposed to be doing as a wife, mother, and believer.  So, yay for me!

Tim will be the lucky one handing out candy at our house =)

Hope this blog finds all well.  Us Hockenberry's are doing great!

Mason's 10!!!

Well we survived another year, another birthday, and another birthday party!  Whew, boys boys boys..  Mason turned 10 on September 14th, but since it was a weekday, we didn't have anything big--just dinner and presents, oh and a cookie cake made by yours truly!  He is one strange boy, he doesn't like cake, cupcakes, or anything of this sort-but I KNOW he LOVES homemade cookies.  What better way to make a 'cake' then a HUGE cookie!  Turned out to be a huge hit in my household.  I needed something to put ten candles on, and this one was definitely a winner.  Prior to cookie cake eating, we had dinner at Mason's favorite restaurant here, called Rio's.  It's a Brazilian steakhouse, where they come to your table with tons and tons of freshly cooked steaks and such.  However, this time, Mason didn't eat as much as normal?  Maybe he is finally getting sick of this overpriced place?  Ya think?

Then on Sunday, we did a bowling party.  I usually do them here at the house, but I thought I wouldn't want to clean up after 10 boys again like last year.  So, we did it at the bowling alley here on base.  And it's actually a decent place to host parties for kids.  They supply decorations, food, and 2 hours bowling.  I thought I was throwing another party here at the house a few months ago, so I purchased our own decorations, Red Sox theme.  I just used them at the alley and made it sort of a Red Sox Bowling party. =)  Got to improvise.   A few boys showed up this time, not as many as expected, and they seemed to have a good time.  Guess that is all that matters.  We also had a friend who makes cakes, make Mason his.  Yes, a Red Sox one.  Lol.  It came out pretty good.  Although Mason didn't eat any.  Go figure.  Everyone else did.  Hehe.  Tim and I even played some "Hoops" and it became sort of a competition between Mason, Tim and I.  I beat them once...  Go Mama!

Well, here are some pics that I took from his party.

 Just a heads up...  If you are going to play ten rounds of Hoops, be prepared for a very sore shoulder and arm. =(

On My Way Home, Seventh Day Slumber

Missing You like crazy

I feel a million miles away

A part of me is empty

That no one could replace

So I’ll run to You despite the shame

And leave it all behind

On my way home

On my way home

I’m running back to You

How could You ever love me

When I didn’t love myself?

When my brokenness consumed me

And everyone just walked away

You took me by the hand

I’m nothing without You

All those years without You here

A life with so much pain

And on my own, I’ve tried to change

I’m simply lost without You

I’m tearing down the walls

The walls that kept me here so long

I’m tearing down the walls

It's beginning to feel like Fall~

Can I just say how beautiful the morning and evening are here in Korea lately?   It's been in the 60's and the it's starting to finally feel like Old Man Winter is not that far away anymore...  Thank God, I can't stand the heat with this horrible humidity!  Anyways, everything here has been peachy.  The kids are really enjoying school, and they both have been busy with homework and friends.  Always such a lovely time of year for them and me =)  We spend Labor Day weekend, hanging out and taking a last trip to the beach with some friends of ours.  It was too cold for me to get in the ocean, but the kids didn't seem to care.  Madison and I found some starfish and we attempted to bring them home alive, however, they began to stink and out to the trash they went...  Ugh, dying starfish smell horrible.  What were we thinking?  We did get some great pics of them though.  It was lowtide so there was lots of neat lil creatures to see this time.  

It's Chusok here right now, which is the traditional Korean form of our Thanksgiving.  Traffic is horrible this time of year, so the kids have another 4 day, but this time, we aren't leaving base.  If you seen the traffic, you wouldn't leave either.  Just for Tim to get home from work today, took over an hour and half, which it normally is like 20 minutes.  

Mason's TENTH birthday is the 14th, and he decided he want's a bowling party this year. I can't believe he will be double digits already...  Where has the time gone? He has become the avid little bowler and as a matter a fact, this may be the only sport he will get to do this year.  It turns out the Air Force is cutting the Youth Center sports due to the budget cuts and not enough volunteers.  He is not happy and neither are we about this outcome.  Another reason we much rather be on an Army base..

Madison has decided that she wants to take part in K-3rd grade Drama club?  This to me, is so surprising.  She is so shy, wait till she has to act out a part in front of the whole school.  I am hoping that she will enjoy it and find something she enjoys.  She isn't big into sports or dance, cheer, or anything.  So, it would be a dream come true if she found something that she takes part in.  They don't offer much so we will take whatever we can get. Right?

Our good friend took this family pic of us =)

As for Tim and I, we are great.  Still counting down the time of leaving here...  Not soon enough.  But, it could always be worse so we are grateful with what we have.  I can't wait till he is done with 6-52, (his unit) and has some sort of normalcy as far as work goes.  The unit here is killing him, I swear.  Although we know what we are going to be a part of in NC, deployments and such.  We are just happy that the kids are happy and healthy, as well as us.  Thank God for that.  Well, I will be in touch again soon, maybe after Mason's party, I will have pics I am sure..  

The School year has begun=)

Wow, was it just me, or was this summer the longest?  School FINALLY started this morning, and what a blessing it truly was.  I was dreading the alarm clock this morning at 0630 to be honest, as I am NOT a morning person till like after at least 2 cups of coffee.  I swore that the kids were both going to give me a hard time... But, they were up and out of bed with no issues.  Can we say EXCITED???  Mason complained all month about school starting soon and how much he was hating the idea of going back; he even begged me to homeschool him.  Lol.  Yet, a few nights before, he already had his outfit picked out..  Isn't it funny how even though they complain about school, you know they are looking forward to seeing their friends and actually having some schedule to go along with.  Madison always loves school and unfortunately she has begun the school year with Swimmer's Ear..  Ugh, if it's not one thing, it's another.  I felt reluctant to keep her home, being the first day of her Third grade year, so she got a dose of Motrin and some ear drops, and she was good to go.  However, after school, we headed for the clinic to have a professional look at it, and sure enough, she has Swimmer's ear again..  I think she is done swimming for sure now.  I distinctively remember getting the same thing as a kid, after the numerous times I swam in my parents pool in Arizona.  So, the kids may not look much like me, but they sure get all my problems...  Wow, isn't that special? 

A few weeks ago, I was invited to a "Pinup Photo Party", where several military wives got dressed up, made up, and had some pretty neat photos done.  I was at first, not going to do it because I felt embarrassed for some reason.  I actually had to get dolled up and all that.  Ha, for everyone who truly knows me, that is just not something I do on a regular basis.  But, I did go through with it, and I felt so beautiful.  Inside and out..  I posted a few pics on Facebook and had so many wonderful comments. I think I found something I would love to be a part of when I get to Fort Bragg.  I have begun a fantasy of mine, with becoming a more serious photographer, and I think when our husband's deploy (@Bragg), I want to shoot pinups for the wives and make calendars for them =).  I am contemplating the idea, it's not in the works.  It is just something I am interested in as a hobby.     

I also think Tim and I are finally getting the 'itch' to leave Korea.  We are so excited to be headed back to North Carolina come summer of 2012.  We have even began to look into whether we want to purchase a home, and call it quits with moving anymore; like RETIRING time...  That is so exciting to think of, yet kind of scary as well.  Especially in today's society with the economic issues and all.  At least, being in the military, you have security with a paycheck, medical bills, and always a home..  Even though, it might not be a "forever" home, it's still a roof over our heads.  So, this has been something we are looking into.  We still have plenty of time though to play around with that idea, so we will be sure to keep everyone updated.  

Other then the excitement of the school year kicking off and then the countdown to leave Korea being under a year FINALLY, we are all doing good.  The weather is finally clearing up and cooling off, so the Fall is slowly creeping in on us. Can't wait for all the leaves to change colors and be able to be outside more often without melting..  The humidity here is a killer.  Ugh.  Well, I hope everyone enjoyed my update.  Love and miss you all~