Christmas has come and gone....

(I know it's been some time since my last blog, but things here were hectic, and with the holidays coming--there was a lot to be done.  House to get decorated, dinners to attend, all three kids on winter break; enough said there...  =/  There were a few moments of free time, to myself, and that was for a shower, or a grocery store run, last minute gifts, etc.  But, with all the craziness aside, I am dedicating some time to updating this blog and getting some of the latest news out.)

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!!  Kids all started their winter break on the 18th of December.  What a JOY it is having them home!  Well, Makayla made her way back to California to see her mom and grandparents.  She will be returning on the New Year.  I bet it's nice being back 'home' for the holidays.  I would love to be there too.  Ha.  Anyways, those of us that stayed behind, have been having fun too.  Mason and Madison have been enjoying their time off from school.  There are extra kids in my house all day long, and they have all been playing so nice together.  The kids have been enjoying all their new things from 'Santa', and so have Tim and I.  I got some good things this year as well, one being my Kodak Digital frame.  I love that thing.  I just can't stay away from pictures, and what better way than uploading them all onto a frame, and it randomly going through them all.  Hey, I don't have to print them out!!!  Awesome.  Madison's been locked in her room playing with her Barbies and Petshops and Mason, well, he got some new video games and that's where he is..  I can't say that they been locked inside this whole vacation.  We have had some days of snow, and they both enjoy getting out and playing in it.  As long as there are no snowballs flying near faces, I am good.  Don't need another lip accident, right Mason???  So, the winter is turning out to be a great one.  Cold, but great!

Mason, can u smile once?

One of the soldiers's made this..

This is that 'rice' stuff!!!!

The unit had a Christmas party at the Suwon Dining Facility.  The kids were pumped up on candy, which was laid out nicely on all the tables, free for whomever wanted them.  Mason had shoved loads of chocolate into his pockets, and well, Madison just sat there and ate the pile on our table.  Geesh, what a mess.  We had some of the Foreign neighbors over, and they shared their Korean tradition of the 'rice' pounding.  Ok, can we just say that was so fun pounding it, but I do not recommend eating it.  I was helping make it, and then all of a sudden, one of the Korean guys thought it would be fun to shove it into my mouth.  Oh no, no no..  Never again.  This rice cake, or whatever they called it, comes in a square shape, and they pound it out to make it flat.  Then they cut them into lil squares and roll them in bean powder.  (Not good either).  After rolling them in this powder, they serve them as is.  So the only way I can describe it is, a squishy-gummy thing, with a powdery film around it.  They eat this stuff.  I do not like it, and didn't want to eat, but out of respect, I had is shoved in my mouth, then quietly made my way through the crowd and spit it back out.  I just couldn't do it.  =)

Needless to say, it was an enjoyable time.  I love spending time with the culture, but I don't like eating the food.  That's all.  My only complaint.

Christmas Eve was just the family.  We didn't do dinner this time, just had a normal evening.  We all opened a gift, which is always the same every year-Pajamas.  It's so funny to me, because a few nights before, the kids were like, "do we get to open up a gift this year on Christmas Eve, and can it not be jammies!"  Cracks me up, because that's the tradition.  New jammies for bed the night before Christmas. We hoped that this would make the kids want to be in bed early, but Madison was way too excited and could fall asleep till around 2am.  Did not make for a good morning after for us parents, yet we survived.  After only about 4 hours of sleep, in came the kids telling us to hurry up and get out of bed.  Out into the livingroom we went, and the look on the kids' faces was priceless.  I know we get away from the REAL reason we celebrate Christmas, and we are trying to get better about that, but seeing their faces glow that morning, is truly priceless.  I was able to catch some on camera, but the rest are locked in my memory bank.

Tim cooked Christmas dinner this year.  Prime Rib, little turkey breast for me, and all the trimmings that go along with it.  I would have LOVED a traditional Polish dinner, which is what I did for years before getting married.  I haven't even tempted making the Borsht and the Pierogies, along with Kapusta and Kielbasi, but I have never attempted this yet.  Maybe this next coming Christmas?  We'll see.  =)

Stormy and Izzy are doing great too.  As you can see from some of the photos, the dogs love to play in the snow too.  Especially Stormy, she loves to run and prance around in it.  Too cute.  Well, hope this update finds everyone doing well and for those in the North East, be safe and send some snow this way. We would love to take it from you all!  ~Happy Holidays and Happy 2011~

Really?

How does one injure themselves while grocery shopping?  Just ask me...  You would think that I were lifting some serious pounds to have hurt my back, turns out I was putting the pack of TP (toilet paper) under the cart.  Paper product, really?  I don't know what I did, but can we say OUCH!  I went to the doc Monday morning, and he says he's suspecting a herniated disk.  Suspecting.  Won't run tests of course, or send me for an MRI, instead sent me on my way with 3 different narcotics.  You would think that now days, the health care workers would much rather spend a lil more time on referring patients out, then supplying with drugs.  At least, I would like to think they would.  So many people are becoming hooked on these things, and I would rather spend the extra 5 minutes writing/calling in referrals, rather then helping someone's drug habit...

I don't too much about herniated disks, but I know it's now painful, and certain drugs aren't helpful.  I have some crazy pains that shoot down my left leg, stemming from my lower spine.  I kind of sound like I have Tourette's because when I move a certain way, I blurt out the craziest sounds, not that I am making fun of someone who really has this disease.  Just stating what I remind myself of..  Yes, I am sitting with heating pads.  Yes, even cool compresses.  Hot baths, Motrin, Naprocyn, Tylenol 3 with Codeine,  (which havent' taken yet) and Flexeril... you name it.  This is what I got sent home with.  Make sense?

Anyhow, wow, can we also say FREEZING?  The temps here have taken a dip.  It's currently 12 degrees, and with the WC, it's 0 degrees.  The weather here is crazy lately, I remember last week, or maybe 2 weeks ago, it was in the 60's.  That is a 50-something degree difference..  As you can see, things here are cool.  It was funny this morning walking Madi to school and from my body heat, hitting the air, there was frost forming.  How funny is that?

Ok, off to make dinner.  Sandwiches tonight, nothing special.  Love to all.

Well, once again I am behind in blogging.  I guess things been too busy here for me to sit and type up a few things each day to say, but bare with me.  On Friday, Mason had an accident.  He was outside playing with some friends, in what ever snow was left, and I guess he and another boy got into an argument.  Well, Mason tried to punch the kids in the face, and the other kid decided to pick up an 'ice' chunk, (the snow turned into ice) and threw it at Mason's face...  This was the outcome.  We ran to the ER in hopes that it wasn't as bad as we thought, and thankfully there was NO stitches.  He was such a happier boy after hearing those words.  After handing us a bottle of Lidocaine, and Motrin, we were on our way back home. What a mess this was.  Not to mention, that the following day, it was worse.  I felt so bad, but all I could do was numb it...  I can't wait to see him as a teenager!  Help!

Tim was in the field all last week.  It was just the kids and I, oh yeah and the dogs too.  But we survived.  This week, is an action-packed week too.  Tonight, I am going to my PWOC Christmas Party, with a "white elephant" verse exchange.  This is neat, being I never was interested in going before.  All we have to do is find the verse we like most in the bible, and do something with it.  I chose to put my favorite verse, on a scrap-booking background, and frame it.  I would think that someone will have to like it, right.  If not, I can take it home for myself?  I thought it was cute.  I seem to be in the scrapping mood lately, because some of the last Christmas cards I am doing are scrapped too.  I wish I were close to a Michael's or Hobby Lobby, because I really need to stock up on several items.  But, oh well.  Gotta make do with what's here in Korea. Lol.  Although I have heard there are several places where you can get paper from, just not all the supplies.  Will have to check it out someday. 

It snowed again, and the kids all got to play in it.  (Dogs too).  The one day that it came down, they were huge snowflakes.  I tried getting a shot of them on my camera, but not sure how well it came out.  The kids played for hours in it, at night.  I couldn't help but bundle them up and let them go out and play.  There is something about kids playing with snow, it's just so innocent.  (Of course, that's until you throw snowballs at faces...)  

Makayla goes to the states on the 19th, (lucky), for Christmas with her mom and family there.  Let's all pray for a safe flight and a good time back there.  Then, before you know it, she'll be back and then graduating, if all goes as planned.  Her senior prom is coming up, and she is making all these big plans.  I hope I can help her in any way that I can.  She is truly excited and I can't wait to see her dressed up.  She has grown into such a beautiful woman over the years.  

Madison, oh my lil Madison.  She is such a little girl..  Feisty as ever, and witty too.  She finally lost her other front tooth, so now her two front teeth can match.  All she want's for Christmas is her one front tooth, yeah-I wish!!!  She too, has blossomed into an amazingly smart lil one.  Tim and I sometimes are in awe with how much our baby has grown and what such a personality she has.  Never a dull moment with that one.  She constantly has us in tears, laughing.  This one is our lil comedian.  All three are doing well in school and are psyched about their Christmas break...  Unlike me.  Well, it's always fun having all three home at once, for long periods of time.  At least I will get a break from the teenager.  Sometimes I wish I could send the other two with her. Lol.  


Alright, it's that time.  I have got to get off here.  I promise to try again soon.  xoxox

Time to vent...

Ok, so I am realizing that this isn't going to be an 'everyday' thing, as far as blogging goes.  There have been some days when I just can't muster up enough to talk about on here.  But for some reason, this morning, I am feeling numerous things that I need to share, get off my chest, something..  

I was talking this morning, to my best friend, and we somehow got on the discussion of parenting, and discipline.  She and I always have the greatest conversations, and this morning, she asked me if I thought things would have been different if I were raised differently?  (Something along these lines)  I really didn't have to do much soul searching here to find this answer.  I wasn't raised well.  I came from a broken home, where my mother had more interest in her bottle and men, then her kids.  I spent most of my years under 5, with a babysitter, and my brother.  We were pretty much raised by her.  Around the age of 9, my brother opted out of this lifestyle with our mother, and chose the road to my dad, which was the best decision he ever made.  Me, I couldn't do it.  I was stuck to her like glue.  I couldn't leave her and give up on her.  I spent several years later, still begging for her to get help, stop drinking, and be a mother to me.  That didn't work.  She still chose the other.  I realized that in order for me to grow up, I was going to have to do it on my own, and so that's what I did.  Did I make mistakes, sure.  Did I hang with a bad crowd, maybe a few times too many.  Did I break any laws, more then I like to remember.  Did I survive, I sure did.  And am here, 32 years later to talk about it.  

Unfortunately, my mother's drinking caught up to her, and she passed away in February of 1996.  Note, that was also my senior year, 1st prom, graduation...  When my mother left this Earth, I thought I was done.  I sincerely wanted to go with her.  I didn't know any other way.  It was always me and her, even if she really wasn't "all here". After she died, there was a period of a downward spiral.  Underage drinking, partying, staying out late.  I probably gave my grandmother several strokes during this period.  (Babci was my 'mother' when my own mother wasn't.  Sad part-it was Babci's daughter too, not just My mother). But, after a period of figuring out life for myself, I realized that that wasn't all life was about.  I still graduated with A's and B's, went to prom, and danced, tried college, (but it wasn't the right time then), and ofter about a year and a half of doing this,  I packed my things, and moved out to Arizona, which is where the rest of my family lived; my dad, stepmom, brother, and sister.  By this time, my brother was married with a family.  But, I shacked up with him for several months to get on my own feet.  I had a job working for this home security place, kind of like telemarketing.  It paid good.  So, i did it.  I was good at it too.  Surprisingly.  Right around the same area of the little shopping mall that my job was located, there was Recruiting stations.  I have no inkling as to what made me go over there, but one afternoon, during lunch break, I did.  I opened those doors to the Army recruiting office, and my life changed.  

Now sure, every story has a turn somewhere, and here is mine.  That day, I kid you not, I started my next journey.  I went home to my dad and stepmom, and told them that I was joining.  I remember my stepmom freaking out, and demanding she come with me to the recruiters, to make sure I wasn't getting myself into anything dreadful.  Even thought I had NO CLUE what was about to happen to me, I knew I would always come out fine.  Sure, I didn't think that way while in Basic, but hey--I graduated that too, as PVT. Baker.  Pretty funny too.  My parents can tell you about that first phone call home, from Basic Training.  I swore to them that they were going to kill me.  =)  

After medic training at Fort Sam in San Antonio, I was off to El Paso Texas.  Fort Bliss to be exact.  It was great to go there, because Phoenix was only a 5.5 hour drive, and I was able to see my family.  Times weren't always easy, there were some pretty rough days.  Hours.  etc.  My Army years were pretty sham compared to others, so I couldn't complain..  I had structure.  Routine.  I supported myself.  I enrolled again in college.  I took care of ME.  It was a nice change, coming from raising yourself and mothering your OWN mother.  It was all about me then.  And it felt great.

In 2000, I met someone.  Things were crazy at first, but absolutely perfect.  I, later found out that I was expecting.  WOW!  I was going to be a mother now.  Talk about a turn of cards.  I will say that finding out that I was going to be a mother, was by far, the scariest thing.  I threw up as soon as the test came out positive.  I just was in shock I think.  And then all these questions came to mind, "will I be good at it?,  will I know what to do?,  etc."  THis went on all the way till I delivered Mason.  Once he entered the world, it all came to me.  I knew that this little man was now my life, and it wasn't ME anymore, it was US.  

So, after going from dating, to a family of three, 16 months later-FOUR, life seemed more then perfect.  I was sad that here I was now, a mother, and my OWN mother wasn't able to witness what I went through, nor was she able to become a grandmother.  There was a lot of anger then too, towards that subject.  My Babci even got to meet Mason, and later--Madison.  It was amazing to see your own grandmother, hold her great-grand children...  It's a blessing.  

Do I still wonder what life would be like today, if my mother were here?  Sure, who wouldn't.  I wonder all the time, how life would be if she never left.  But with these thoughts, life could have always took a different turn.  I wouldn't have left NJ.  My relationship between my dad and stepmom, and me-wouldn't have blossomed the way it did.  I wouldn't have joined the military.  Wouldn't have met the man of my dreams.  Wouldn't have become a mother to the two most fantastic children.  Wouldn't have "grown" myself, both emotionally and mentally.  (Is that a word? lol)  And because of all these, "wouldn'ts", I therefor am glad that life went this way instead.  Am I perfect?  Hell no.  Am I the best mom in the world?  My kids think so, and their thoughts are what I care about.  Do I still make mistakes, yep.  Am I only human?  You betcha.  Am I blessed?  Beyond blessed...  

I love you mom.  My intention of this blog is to only express some much needed emotion. You made mistakes in life, we all have.   You were taken from me, way too soon.  I still miss you like crazy, your hugs, your laughter, your smile.  I miss it all.  Do I ever wonder how life would be if you were still here today, I do.  But, I also thank you.  Because if all that in the past wouldn't have happened the way it did, if the cards were dealt different, I wouldn't be where I am today.  And I am right where I want to be!  I have an amazing husband, mom.  Two precious children with him, plus two stepchildren.  I have come so far from where we left off.  I have accomplished things I never dreamed of.  I only could say now that I hope I made you proud.  I will forever love you.  Your little toots, xoxoxoxo

Today is the first day of December, already...

Time sure flies when you aren't in the states, that is for sure.  It's December here already, and I am hoping for a peaceful month.  While things are still sitting uneasy here on the peninsula, everyone seems to be moving on with their everyday lives.  I have a routine throughout most days, and today was one of them.  I dropped the kids off at school, and returned home for my morning coffee.  Then, I began the errands.  I had to drop things off at the post office so they get to people on time.  Checked out the PX, (this is my daily thing I do;  checking for new things that weren't there prior), went out the main gate to walk around the ville--found some lil goodies for stockings, and got to witness two Korean cab drivers nearly beat one another.  By this time, I was done and made my way back onto post.  Everyday now when you come onto base, there is a sign up that states that the USFK is under General Order 1, which means there is absolutely no alcohol intake on base, or off for military members.  Actually, I heard today that it is for all of South Korea bases.  Well, Tim and I were suppose to go to the St. Barbara's Day Ball this Thursday, but now it's officially cancelled till January 28th.  This is a good and bad thing.  The bad thing is, I was looking forward to getting prettied up and feeling like a princess for the night.  The good thing is, that gives us plenty of time to get our butts back into shape, and work off all the holiday calories that definitely were engulfed this past Thanksgiving, (Thanks Christina!).  Before I knew it, it was that time.  Time to get the kids from school.  Man, I swore I just dropped them off, lol.  Days are flying by here.  I am trying to enjoy everyday that comes.  I thank God everyday, for giving me another one.

Things at the office with Tim are super busy.  He is trying to prepare for his NCO Induction Ceremony that is Thursday.  I will be attending so there will be pictures later to follow.  He is also swamped with mounds of paperwork.  Poor guy.  Since we have been here in Korea, he has done and accomplished so much with this unit.  I witnessed it several times, by the way people have spoken of him; people meaning his soldiers, and his leaders.  Pretty impressive.  The kids and I are so proud of him.  =)

I'm pretty much done for this one, it's late here, and I'm off to bed.  Sending Love your way! xoxo

It's Starting to Feel like December!!!

First Snow of the Year, 2010-2011

Well, well.  Look what we found outside this
morning.  SNOW!  First snow of the winter, and
soon to be one of many.  It snowed just enough last
night to make a mess of things.  Lol.  The kids were excited because they thought there would be no school, but haha, there was.  I think Korea looks beautiful during the winter months, especially when it snows.  The scenery of not only on base, but off base too-covered in a snowy white blanket, somehow makes you feel cheerful this time of year, considering where we are...  There seems to be some turmoil going on between the two Koreas, but I keep praying that everything will run smoothly and not cause anymore problems.   It's hard to imagine war in a place like this, or anywhere for that matter.  This really is an amazing

place to see.  Sure, at first, I didn't want to even think about coming here.   My kids are getting to  experience different cultures in real life, rather then just in a classroom, like they would in the states.  We also get to travel and see so many neat and interesting things.  And it truly is so much safer and peaceful here.  Weird sometimes, but nice.  I keep watching the news or reading the papers, and hearing of all the horrible things going on right now in the US and it makes me sad, because you hear a lot more of it when you aren't there.  Now, either it's truly 'quieter' here, or maybe the 'noise' is in Korean, therefor I will never know honestly what is going on.  Lol.  Maybe I need to take a
language class.  Yeah, ok Lauren.  I can't even
think of how difficult that must be to learn another language, especially Hongul.  I couldn't even pass my Spanish classes in high school.  Well, it's a nice thought.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas too.  Honestly, it has since like 2 weeks before Thanksgiving.  Tim was kind enough to let me decorate early this year, although he doesn't agree.  =)  Love you babe.  I feel decorating sooner makes the holidays come and go sooner.  This way, we can get over the fact that we: 1) spend too much on gifts every year, 2) eat way too many fattening foods during this time, and 3) we can hurry up and send the kids back to school after them having 2+ weeks off for winter break.  Once the holiday season is behind us, we can pick up where we left off, before the chaos and extra 5 pounds, and work on another wonderful year of enjoying Korea. 

 Happy Holidays everyone!   

Happy Thanksgiving, I think?

Ok. adding to our happening lifestyle, lol.  We attempted to start making some of the things for today, last night.  Well, Tim did.  And, somehow while he was doing this, he broke the darn oven.  I am serious too.  First of all, bless his heart, not sure what he was thinking, but he put two sticks of butter, still in their original packages, onto the oven rack.  He said he was trying to warm the butter sticks, and well-somehow he forgot that they were in there, and turned the oven on 400 degrees.  Few seconds later, he realized what he did, and there was melted butter all over the bottom of the oven.  What a mess.  Anyways, he then tried to clean out the bottom, dangerously, by lifting the heater thing, with a fork, and using a towel to soak up the melted mess.  Madison and I were so nervous that we had to leave the room.  I could just envision having to run him to the ER with a 3rd degree burn!  So I didn't watch.  I guess somehow, while lifting the heater thing in the oven, he broke it.  ?  It would not go on at all.  It kept tripping the circuit too.  Ughhhh.  So, what he was attempting to make, his Pecan-Pumpkin Pie, went in the fridge.  Uncooked.  Thankfully, the man who repairs ovens, came bright and early this morning, and fixed our problem.  Hallelujah.  So, here is the finished product!  Better be some darn good pie =)
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!!