It's time for a change

Hello blog, it's been a while.  Yet, so much has gone on since my last entry.  It is March 9th here in South Korea, and what an amazing morning it is outside.  The sun is shining, it's warming up, and it's Ash Wednesday--also the start of Lent.  Now, coming from a new Christian life that I am now practicing, I still don't know a whole lot about these sort of things.  So, after googling everything I could about Lent, and what it stands for, I have decided to give up a few things to strengthen my walk.  Lent is a season of soul-searching and repentance. ( "There are traditionally forty days in Lent which are marked by fasting, both from foods and festivities, and by other acts of penance. The three traditional practices to be taken up with renewed vigour during Lent are prayer (justice towards God), fasting (justice towards self), and almsgiving (justice towards neighbor). Today, some people give up a vice of theirs, add something that will bring them closer to God.") This is just something I looked up on the web and got a good perception of the whole Lent thing.  So, for the season of Lent, I am giving up Facebook for starters.  Facebook is a big time consumer in my life.  I can just sit there and stare at it and play silly games all day long.  So, I am not doing it anymore, and hopefully-after these 40 days, I will be free of the Facebook curse! Lol.  One of the other things I am giving up is sweets, (cookies, candy, etc).  I have a ginormous sweet tooth that I have had since I was a rugrat, but this is something else that needs to be handed over to the Lord.  Here ya go, you can have that too!  Goodbye bad calories, hello bikini body.  (At least that is what I will be striving for too!)


Enough about Lent, everything else is coming along.  We still have no idea where we will be headed to next.  Tim heard a rumor the other day, which is just that--a RUMOR!!  Something about him being in the running for a Brigade at Bragg.  How awesome would that be?  Too awesome if you ask me.  I am really done here.  These last several months, I have watched people that I have become close with, leave to there next assignments, and I still have a few more to watch leave.  As a Army wife, this has got to be one of the many hardships that we must face.  Making friends and leaving friends.  Sure, the reality is that if you make a good friendship, you will stay in touch, only hoping that they will too.  But, there is that uncertainty of that when they leave.  I just pray that the friends that I made here in Korea, (you know who you are) stay with me for this lifetime.  Via emails, letters, whatever.  I don't want to lose anymore good people in my life due to this military lifestyle.  We never know where we are headed when it's time to leave again, and we never know what lies ahead of us.  But we know that family and friends are what keeps us somewhat sane through it all!  Ha.  

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~

Here's to a Blessed~2011!!!!

Um, Tim says I look like Freddy Kruger...  Ha.

Happy New Year everyone!  Hope your 2011 will be everything you need and more.  Our New Year's Eve was a good one.  We decided to lay low and go enjoy some bowling with our buddies, Ronee and Jerry.  Their kids and our kids all went too, and it was one big family event this time, which was a nice change from the usual being in bed by midnight.  Each year, I can tell just how old I am getting, when I can't even stay up past 11pm anymore, oh well.  Think my body is catching up on all those years of late night partying...  What do you think?

This New Year finds us all well, except for this awful cold that keeps getting passed between everyone in our house.  Tim's been the worst this time, and now Makayla is under the weather too.  She is returning from holidays with her family, sick.  Let's pray everyone gets better soon, as school starts tomorrow!  Please, it's been a long 14 days, and I need the kids to go to school, so I can stick with my NY Eve resolutions...  ha.  No seriously, this time, my main goal is to be able to run with my stepmom when we return to Arizona.  Tina has made some life changes herself, and has inspired me to do the same.  She is now running half marathons, or something like that, and well-I can't even run a block, so I better get to work.  (Tina, if you are reading this, know that I am going to run with you...  One way or another...) This is why I need our children out of the house and in school.  Wish me luck.  I am also seeking for a better relationship with God and my Bible.  I know that through Him, all things are possible, and one day, when I am standing in front of Him, I want to know that I will be with Him and my family that has passed before me for eternity.  =)

Peace to Everyone!!   Happy New Year!

Other than this, I am thrilled for the year to roll.  I am counting down the days, months we have left here, which Tim tells me it's still like 17 months.  I could've sworn that he told me the same thing, several months ago?  Can this time go by any slower?  I just pray that it's a good year for us all, and that the Lord sends us somewhere we want to go next time.  (Only He knows where we will be heading next.) I know I will go wherever we are meant to go.  Here's to 2011, and may it Rock for everyone!!!

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