tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5881331608748970932024-02-06T23:43:02.921-08:00heather ives photographyphoenix wedding and family photographerUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger425125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588133160874897093.post-63381600038164749482013-10-25T15:00:00.001-07:002013-10-25T15:00:28.644-07:00One year exactly.....time to post.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5TCb99jTsZvymN3siNrVRiuc25xFxsjf-F3mHwUvRUFy8dxtyYtolomRhjsL-5KFwZxKRQG13g8esxopvpgNmQ1vAiCQBc6rYFpHfnvpGHIqHJeWrVsoRHjx_01vG5bey5bdeYdxzl6A/s1600/IvesFamily026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5TCb99jTsZvymN3siNrVRiuc25xFxsjf-F3mHwUvRUFy8dxtyYtolomRhjsL-5KFwZxKRQG13g8esxopvpgNmQ1vAiCQBc6rYFpHfnvpGHIqHJeWrVsoRHjx_01vG5bey5bdeYdxzl6A/s640/IvesFamily026.jpg" width="640" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> "The home is the first and most effective place for children to learn the lessons of life: truth, honor, virtue, self-control; the value of education, honest work, and the purpose and privilege of life. Nothing can take the place of home in rearing and teaching children, and no other success can compensate for failure in the home."</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 22px;"> -David O. McKay</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">A lot of things in my life have been pushed over to make room for these 7 amazing people. They are my work. They are my joy. They are my legacy. They are my everything. My home is a sacred place to me. Look at all that is happening in it (quote above). Being a mother is the most sacred of callings and such a great honor and privilege. I take it very seriously. As is being a wife. It takes work, discipline, love, patience, kindness, forgiveness and so much more. Characteristics and wisdom that can only be gained through a close relationship with my Heavenly Father. Now I know why my Mom was always in her closet praying. ha.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">I readily admit that I am not a perfect mother or wife. I often find myself saying, "Mommy hours are over for the day!" and I never iron my husband's shirts (ok, maybe I have twice). And the list goes on and on. But I know that there is nothing more important than family relationships. In the end, it is all we have, it is all that matters. If we want a better world, we need to focus on our families. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">In the bigger scheme of things we are all family. Children of our Heavenly Father. Each dear and precious to Him. Living here together on Earth. What a marvelous opportunity to learn these life lessons together. The importance of truth, honor, virtue, self control, education, honest work. Realizing that our life has a purpose and is a privilege given to us by our loving Heavenly Father for our learning and growth.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">So tonight, on my birthday eve, I am grateful for one more year of learning. One more year of giving and growing. I am hoping for many more years to work on these relationships I have been blessed with. Both in my immediate family and in my extended family that includes all of you! I learned so much this year! Nothing stretches us like family relationships, right?! As always, love is always the answer to any problem. Christ like love. You know the love that suffereth long, and is kind, envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, and endureth all things. That's a lot of ething to do. ha</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">We are all imperfect. That's ok. It's ok that life is hard, that relationships are hard, that parenting is hard. It's ok to feel regret, remorse, disappointment in ourselves. No problem. those feelings are built in to make us reach for better. To want to grow. Not to give in and just say I can't change. I just can't do better. That's what all this time we have been given is for. Discouragement doesn't come from God. Just remember that. He wants us all to be happy and that comes from implementing all these important life lessons. If you're not happy, take a look at the list above, and work on where you are falling short. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"> I am grateful for my parents who did their best to teach me these life lessons despite being imperfect. One of my favorite things that my Mom ever said to me that I share often with others is, "My parents did the best they could and I had to forgive them for their shortcomings. You have to learn to do the same thing too." (when would she have needed to say that to me you ask. ha ha)</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">So there is your pep talk. (my sister is thinking Lecture you mean. ha)</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">So what exciting learning opportunities will my 43th year bring?</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 22px;">! We shall see. I may just have to blog about it!</span><br />
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If you've wondered where I been. I've been instagramming. It is so easy! Even I can do it! ha!<br />
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After a long fun summer we finally arrived in Italy, and may never leave. (you think I'm kidding? )<br />
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We are still not settled in our house completely. Things take time here in Italy. Ci vuole pazienza.<br />
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My Italian is slowly coming back and I feel more and more comfortable every day. I absolutely love it<br />
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here. It is surreal being here. There is so much to see and do it is overwhelming. Every day I can't<br />
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believe it is true that I am here. The pictures above are from August when we first moved here. We<br />
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took a trip up to Austria. It was breathtakingly beautiful. I already have a million pictures as you can<br />
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imagine. Get on instagram. My user name is hlives. I will eventually get it together and blog. My<br />
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birthday is tomorrow and my gift to myself is having my sister Gloria come out and help me get<br />
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organized, and of course party and sight see. smile. I don't think I can do this moving thing anymore.<br />
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It about does me in. That and having a kidney stone right after I got here. fun fun. <br />
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Hey! It's 12:03a.m. I am officially 42. My heart is full of such gratitude. Every night I fall asleep<br />
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thanking Heavenly Father for everything I have been blessed with. Just to all be healthy, all home<br />
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safe together at the end of the day, in a comfortable home, with full stomachs, and hearts at peace<br />
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knowing of God's love and care for us. And all those little things every day that add up to treasured<br />
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memories of a happy family life. My goal-to share that love and gratitude with others. To smile at<br />
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everyone. To have a kind word for everyone. To share the joy that I have. Or as jacob says my<br />
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mantra should be "Keep calm, and mother on." Now to bed, so I can be a nice mother tomorrow. smile<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588133160874897093.post-91453768261455199792012-07-02T08:43:00.004-07:002012-07-02T08:43:33.866-07:00We love korea!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here you go Cheri! Here are our matchy matchy outfits!</div>
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We are going to wear them traveling tomorrow, korean style!</div>
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Tonight was our last night out on the main drag right outside the base in Songtan.</div>
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Kids choice, Brazilian meat house. Their favorite! </div>
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Whenever we go, we bring along kids from families where the mom is a vegetarian. ha ha.</div>
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I think they are only friends with us because we feed them meat. ha ha.</div>
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in a meat coma. Rachel just barely can move her fingers to text. </div>
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I love these ladies so much. </div>
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I am a better person for knowing them.</div>
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I will miss you Jane, jackie, and kristi!!!</div>
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When you live overseas, your friends become your family.</div>
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Jane, you are my sister forever.</div>
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Jackie watched ammon when we went to thailand, and she was telling me tonight</div>
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that she showed him off to all the african families and they just loved him,</div>
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and couldn't get over how well he could talk.</div>
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Can't wait to show him off to my family when we get to Utah. smile.</div>
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His favorite expressions right now are "jiminy crackett" (not sure why)</div>
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and "oh yahhhhhhh, lightening mcqueen"</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588133160874897093.post-61538041636910930702012-07-02T00:07:00.005-07:002012-07-02T00:07:56.003-07:00sad day.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I finally have to face reality. I am moving tomorrow, and all of these bags need to be packed. The playing must stop. It's a sad day. I really would rather blog about all the fun stuff we have been doing. All the lasts. All the goodbyes. Maybe if I am a good girl and get all my work done, I can blog all night. It's not looking good though. Everyone has been barely eating all day so they can eat a sickening amount at the brazilian restaurant tonight. All the meat you can eat! It's the kids favorite and their one last request before we leave our beloved korea.</div>
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The kids are out of their mind excited to go to the states and see family.</div>
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Tomorrow morning the new adventure begins. The saddest and happiest day of our lives.</div>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588133160874897093.post-33118827599621694392012-06-21T09:36:00.002-07:002012-06-21T09:36:55.651-07:00book club tonight & making sense of despair<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I didn't like this book. at all. </div>
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That is until I went to book club tonight.....</div>
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and heard jane read her favorite part. It was enchanting.</div>
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I think I would have loved the book if she had read the whole thing to me.</div>
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Then to be cozy all together discussing the book, and life, with some</div>
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of the most amazing women, and friends. well, it is just something</div>
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i am really going to miss.</div>
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a lot.</div>
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especially while sipping limeade, and </div>
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eating Jane's homemade peach cobbler.</div>
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The book was kind of a tragedy of sorts, and then we started discussing </div>
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the tragedies that we see around us. Sad things happen in this life.</div>
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It seems almost daily that i learn of another heartbreaking situation</div>
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in the life of a friend. </div>
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Let alone so many atrocities that happen all over the world every day.</div>
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I can understand how one might feel</div>
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overwhelmed, fearful, and overcome with it all.</div>
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One of the characters in the book felt this way. But in her moment of</div>
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despair she was able to recognize a moment of pure peace and beauty.</div>
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Here are her thoughts on the matter.</div>
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<i><b>"Thinking back on it (her moment), this evening, with my heart and my stomach</b></i></div>
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<i><b>all like jelly. I have finally concluded, maybe that's what life is about:</b></i></div>
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<i><b>there's a lot of despair, but also the odd moment of beauty, where time is no</b></i></div>
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<i><b>longer the same. It's as if those strains of music </b></i></div>
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<i><b>created a sort of interlude in time, something suspended, an elsewhere </b></i></div>
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<i><b>that had come to us, an always within never.</b></i></div>
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<i><b>From now on, I'll be searching for those moments of always within never.</b></i></div>
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<i><b>Beauty in this world"</b></i></div>
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I edited the quote slightly and didn't give all the details to not give away the book's</div>
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secrets, in case you want to read it. Warning, it takes half way through the book to start</div>
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to really enjoy it. At least that's what they tell me. ha.</div>
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But isn't that the truth? Amid the despair, there are moments of pure peace, understanding,</div>
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and beauty. And we appreciate them all the more knowing that they don't last.</div>
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Like youth, like flowers, like sunsets. etc. They are special moments</div>
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in time where the world seems to stand still and our spirit is renewed.</div>
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We are strengthened by the good and beautiful.</div>
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A couple of days ago I had one of those moments as I enjoyed the </div>
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beauty of these roses. I actually felt my Heavenly Father's great love for me</div>
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as I thought of the enjoyment that looking at beautiful flowers truly brings me.</div>
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A lot of thought was put into creating</div>
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such a wide variety of flowers with all their amazing colors and details. </div>
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Really, everything detail of beauty on this earth. </div>
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I am so grateful. Grateful for the beauty of this earth, and for that moment </div>
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in time when I really felt that gratitude.</div>
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Today's moment came when I was rushing around, moving </div>
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laundry, cleaning up, making dinner, so I could get to book club.</div>
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I was also very distracted thinking about some sad news I received today.</div>
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And constantly praying for them. </div>
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I asked ammon to get in his seat to eat his dinner. </div>
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His reply was, </div>
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"Mommy, I just want to cozy you on the couch,"</div>
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in his little sweet voice.</div>
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He didn't want to eat, he just wanted my undivided attention for a moment.</div>
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No distractions, no racing around, just hugging and being together.</div>
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It was one of those beautiful moments that you stop and savor.</div>
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Like book club tonight.</div>
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It was one of those long wonderful moments of warm goodness.</div>
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Something I will remember always, and be grateful for</div>
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when the moments of despair come.</div>
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And they come all right.</div>
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But oh those precious moments. They are there for the taking.</div>
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That is the taking notice of. Look for them.</div>
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I would love to hear one of your latest favorites.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588133160874897093.post-1011624530034151142012-06-19T08:31:00.003-07:002012-06-19T08:31:55.514-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Found this thrown out, and was super excited. It is real wood and in great working condition. Just needs some love. Glor and Kelly....ideas for refinishing it? Anyone?</div>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588133160874897093.post-38687966298748941312012-06-14T16:10:00.001-07:002012-06-14T16:11:05.573-07:00last day of school!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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whoop whoop!</div>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588133160874897093.post-87339864632852962122012-06-14T04:01:00.003-07:002012-06-14T04:01:52.263-07:00We're so korean. smile.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When my sister and I lived in Japan she had their family picture taken in japanese traditional clothing. They were so beautiful, and I wanted to do the same thing but never got around to it. So I was bound and determined to make it happen when we were here in korea. To have a family picture in hambuk, the traditional korean clothing. I have talked about it the whole two years we have been here. Here we are down to the last month and no picture. So I enlisted my friend Jihyun to help me make it happen. She has helped me make a lot of things happen in the past two years. I told her last night that she is going to realize when I leave what a burden my friendship was. She will be so carefree without my constant pleas for help. I will really miss her. But lets not talk about that. It is too sad.<br />
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So here is a small sampling. I bought the disc of all the images from the photographer and edited these myself. I also took pictures myself while we were there. We had these taken at the Korean folk village in Suwon. It was so incredibly beautiful. I wanted to take both my sister and the Hardings when they came to visit, but there wasn't time. So here is a little peak. Yes, Korea is beautiful my friends. Talk to Nicole and the Hardings, they will tell you how amazing it is and how glad that they came. I have so many pictures to post from both of their trips here. I am seriously backlogged. Time for another blog cleanse! smile.<br />
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So grandparents and family, you will finally get a family picture from us!! It's a miracle. <br />
I'll bring them this summer! Can't wait!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588133160874897093.post-58874054214683136962012-05-31T22:25:00.004-07:002012-05-31T22:42:03.735-07:00the celestial me?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7nJFY1PXfGjpa61Xb9D66qB6ZaqZcADDc5dSdIm9EzOrwtGj2ba7hFoQvCD19psBhyphenhyphenWdUcpF6eTkOvgZVqZscc5Rq0FlAAnmMGd3c2yK6mdRY7ZXIzpyteQgJMinWAl6R6IodRC3zu4/s1600/218143175670720611_JhZC2kKd_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7nJFY1PXfGjpa61Xb9D66qB6ZaqZcADDc5dSdIm9EzOrwtGj2ba7hFoQvCD19psBhyphenhyphenWdUcpF6eTkOvgZVqZscc5Rq0FlAAnmMGd3c2yK6mdRY7ZXIzpyteQgJMinWAl6R6IodRC3zu4/s320/218143175670720611_JhZC2kKd_f.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
I think if i could look like anyone, i wouldn't mind looking like this girl. It would be a problem though because I think I would just look at myself in the mirror all day long. ha ha. I know the scriptures say that when we are resurrected that not a hair of our head will be missing. I wonder if I could add that it will be well styled like this as well. I mean do we get an upgrade in this perfect body we will have? Does my perfect self possibly resemble this girl. ha ha.<br />
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I joke. I mean I love beautiful things. Who doesn't. But I am not really that concerned if I don't look like this. I am content to just enjoy her beauty. Because seriously, the most beautiful thing to me is a woman who is filled with that glow that comes naturally when you are aligning your life with God's will. When you are developing charity, the pure love of Christ. You know, the kind of woman that you just love to be in their presence because they make you feel so good about yourself and about life. One who has the spirit and you feel so at peace and comfortable with and can trust completely. Now that is priceless, and enduring beauty. It is the beauty I am striving towards attaining. <br />
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I think sometimes we get distracted by the world's definition of beauty and can get caught up in spending all of our time and money trying to attain it (and get attention that way) that we forget to work on true and lasting beauty. It takes way more work and has nothing to do with our shape, size, skin etc. Not that I think we shouldn't try to look our very best. I am a big believer in that. It is important to take care of yourself, and be attractive for yourself and your spouse. It's keeping that balance and perspective that can be tricky. Like everything in life, right?<br />
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So while I'm super content, even ecstatic to be 41 year old me..... is it wrong to hope for a little somethin somethin in the next life? I mean, dang, look at those lips. smile.</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588133160874897093.post-74616318779741254382012-04-25T03:41:00.001-07:002012-04-25T03:43:22.857-07:00love is a good thing (and it inspires such fashion)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We love how the Korean couples wear matching outfits for special trips or occasions.</div>
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When you go to an amusement park you see all the young couples matching.</div>
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Jacob told his girlfriend that he wanted to get matching outfits before he</div>
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moved and go to Everland together (think Disney/ magic mountain/zoo).</div>
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She died laughing because she is half Korean and has lived here her whole life.</div>
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You know how you think it is so normal until you see an outside perspective.</div>
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But the end all be all was when Dave and I went to Thailand last May.</div>
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We were on a midnight flight on a Sunday night, so you got there in the morning.</div>
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So, let's just say that every couple that got married that weekend was there.</div>
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I seriously have never seen anything like this. </div>
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We walked on the plane and the entire plane was couples with matching outfits.</div>
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A big plane. The ones with three rows across.</div>
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I always wait until last to board so I don't have to stand and wait in line forever,</div>
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and then sit on the plane longer (I'm a princess like that. ha).</div>
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So when we walked on the plane, it was full. It was like a "Sadie Hawkins" dance</div>
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from my high school days all taking a trip to Thailand together. </div>
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Do you know what that is? A girl ask guy dance that is western themed. </div>
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The girl buys matching shirts for both of them to wear. Is that just a So. Cal. thing?</div>
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But this went way beyond Sadie Hawkins. </div>
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Everyone had different themes and styles. I wish I could have taken pictures of each</div>
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couple. (be the dance photographer. ha).</div>
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They were all so fun and clever. Some were so amazingly elaborate.</div>
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Hats, shoes, socks, sweatshirts, whatever....all matching.</div>
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With everything from sport team themes to Ralph Lauren linen looks that</div>
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weren't perfectly matching, but color coordinated. You could see</div>
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each girls personality in their ensembles. Because you know it isn't the </div>
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guy who planned this all out. ha. Although, you never know with Korea.</div>
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The men are really into looks and dress here. A little too feminine for my taste at times.</div>
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I wanted so bad to take a picture when we walked on the plane, but it was full like</div>
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I said and everyone was staring at us.</div>
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I had to content myself with the few I took of some of the last couples boarding.</div>
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I just pretended I was playing with the ISO on my camera. ha.</div>
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</div>
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There was one other older Caucasian couple already seated </div>
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on the plane as we got on. </div>
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When we walked by them I said, "Oh, you didn't get the memo either?"</div>
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(in reference to the matching outfits).</div>
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They laughed and knew exactly what I meant.</div>
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so here are just a few.</div>
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Dave and I swore that next trip we would get some outlandish matching outfit.</div>
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We laughed for a long time thinking of different ideas.</div>
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Any ideas????? We need them quick. You know why? Remember how I said that</div>
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I was going to work on getting back to Thailand? smile.</div>
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Well, I am a good worker. </div>
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My sister flys in tomorrow night and then we all leave Friday night for Thailand.</div>
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We are going to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket.</div>
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We are super excited. We like to give reasons why we need to travel (smile)</div>
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So our excuse for this trip is.......</div>
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Jacob's last hurrah with our family! His graduation party trip!</div>
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Good idea right? </div>
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I would be sad if he were really leaving right away for school. But it</div>
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is like I qualified for bonus time on a video game-extended play time!</div>
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and I couldn't be happier.</div>
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I get my Jakie for one more year. Both of my boys will be home.</div>
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Oh so cozy, and in Italy. I just don't think it can get any better than that.</div>
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I say that a lot don't I? What can I say? I truly love and value every day of my life.</div>
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My sister asked me today if I am excited for the trip. I replied that I hadn't </div>
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even thought of it yet because I just live for the excitement of the next day.</div>
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Every day there is so much to look forward to.</div>
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So much enjoyment to be had.</div>
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Don't waste a day.</div>
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This was especially driven home to me this past month.</div>
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Our friend, husband to wonderful woman, and dad to three of the greatest </div>
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kids that are best friends with my kids, went in on a Monday April 2nd to the ER </div>
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with stomach pains.</div>
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Dave had to read his CT scan where he found that there were masses</div>
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all over his body. From the time he was in the ER he wasn't coherent.</div>
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He was immediately transferred to the hospital where things got worse.</div>
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Hemorrhaging in the brain before they even had a firm diagnosis.</div>
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We were helping out with the kids while his wife had to be at the </div>
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hospital 24/7 to care for him. You have to do that in Korean hospitals.</div>
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They miraculously were able to get him stable enough to medevac</div>
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him to the states to be closer to family.</div>
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I just found out that he passed away today, only three weeks later.</div>
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Never having even known he had cancer, or being able to say goodbye to his beautiful family.</div>
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My heart is aching for them. He just turned 35 last week.</div>
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I didn't mean to write all that. I wasn't planning on it.</div>
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It just weighs so heavy on my heart.</div>
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So I repeat, enjoy every single day, every moment of this life with the ones you love.</div>
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Every day is so very precious. Such a gift.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I know that this life isn't the end. I know that. and that gives me great comfort and peace.</div>
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But it doesn't stop you from wondering why now, and grieving such a loss.</div>
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Only that can you receive from God and the Holy Ghost, and it takes time.</div>
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I've prayed a lot this month for just that for them.</div>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588133160874897093.post-91720272441518383742012-04-24T09:17:00.002-07:002012-04-24T09:17:57.874-07:00DMZ- stands for demilitarized zone<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here we are! On a cold November day. minus Ammon, who is too young for the tour.</div>
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This was pretty amazing to see. A must if you come to Korea.</div>
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You see, they have found four tunnels built by the North Koreans all leading to Seoul. Crazy.</div>
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Who knows how many more there are. That's a scary thought.</div>
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Isn't it crazy how close Seoul the biggest South Korean city is to the DMZ? </div>
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It is hard to believe we live, work, play in such comfort while just a few miles away </div>
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these poor people live such a different life of suffering and oppression.</div>
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You can walk down the tunnel, but our tour included the tram down.</div>
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I am not so sure that was a bonus.</div>
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If you are claustrophobic you will definitely want to skip this one.</div>
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I am a little, but I fought through it. ha.</div>
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These tunnels are so deep down it is amazing and small.</div>
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We had to bend over to not hit our heads most of the time.</div>
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Only the older ajimas could walk upright. ha.</div>
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Do you like the hats we had to wear? You needed them.</div>
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Look at the entrance to the tunnel. This was the widest opening. You should have seen all</div>
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the big and tall Americans in there. You are rubbing the side walls and having to duck it is so low in places. Only in Asia. I love how things don't have to be to American codes. ha.</div>
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(more on that later. smile)</div>
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Anyway, it was quite the trip down. Then you walk down the tunnel to where they barricaded the walk to the North Korean side of the country.</div>
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This picture was in the information center. There was a lot of cool information, history, and relics to see. For more amazing pictures inside the tunnel and explanations about each one go<a href="http://www.f-106deltadart.com/Korea-DMZ/tunnels.htm" target="_blank"> here</a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/2011-12-08154940web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/2011-12-08154940web.jpg" /></a><br />close by is Dorasan station. There is this brand new huge subway stop, that goes </div>
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quite a few stops into North Korea. It operated for a very short time. Steps</div>
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were made toward reunification, but North Korea is well........crazy.</div>
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I bought a train ticket. You know, for when they are up and running again.</div>
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Freedom bridge at sunset. It was amazing.</div>
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and emotional.</div>
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These pictures that were hanging on the wall by the bridge were some of the most </div>
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heartbreaking that i have ever seen.</div>
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You really have to read those books I suggested. They are so good!</div>
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(Taken from the bus window on our ride home.) </div>
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They still man and patrol the entire boundary and all along the river. Not a fun job. </div>
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Especially in the cold. BRRR. Seoul has that wet go right through you kind of cold.</div>
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Seoul looked so melancholy on the way home, just like I was feeling.</div>
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While I am sad for North Korea's hunger and oppression. They still do </div>
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have families. Which equals love. They enjoy a much simpler life. Life is a struggle, </div>
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but it is simple. Most of the North Koreans who have defected to South Korea say they </div>
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would not leave N. Korea if they could go back in time. They struggle with the guilt of </div>
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leaving family (and what probably happened to their family. death or concentration camps).</div>
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They are overwhelmed by the complexity of this modern world that is</div>
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so foreign to them. They have an extremely difficult transition.</div>
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They go through a 6 month program provided by the government here to </div>
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be able to function and to undo all the brain washing.</div>
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Plus their educations aren't to the modern standards, and they struggle for jobs.</div>
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They also are smaller due to malnutrition.</div>
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So many things. So hard. But if anyone can make a reunification work, </div>
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it is the Koreans.</div>
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<br /></div>
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this is a satellite picture of Korea at night. The south is all lit up with a large concentration</div>
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in Seoul. Then look at the North. Nothing. It is almost completely dark</div>
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except for the capitol city. No electricity.</div>
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I really hope the light of freedom comes to them soon.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Until then, I think Jacob might just have to take his turn on border control. ha.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Ok, so it is 1:10am, and there have been loud planes, bugle calls, sirens, and artillery fire all night.</div>
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Yes, it is an exercise. I don't think Ammon should ever join the army. If he were </div>
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ever in a real battle, he might just sleep through it.</div>
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It seems like we should feel unsafe here, but I have never felt safer in my life. </div>
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Seriously. </div>
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Bedtime. Tomorrow bright and early we are going to the Italian embassy</div>
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to get our visas! I hope dave is driving. ha.</div>
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Buona notte cari amici!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588133160874897093.post-10100771509588149982012-04-23T07:17:00.001-07:002012-04-23T07:19:46.106-07:00my precious blondies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/JCIkids2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/JCIkids2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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this picture puts a <b>big</b> smile on my face.<br />
and makes me really happy.</div>
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Taken at the portland zoo circa 2002.</div>
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look at my babies, and their sweet sweet faces!!!</div>
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and all that white hair!</div>
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How did i ever get so mad with them? ha ha.</div>
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(i start having panic attacks when i read my journal from that time period. seriously. smile)</div>
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How did i handle so many littles all at once?</div>
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It looks easy when I see this picture, but I know it WAS NOT!</div>
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But joyful all the same. Look at their bright spirits shining!</div>
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Makes me want to color coordinate all my girls outfits again.</div>
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Sigh.......</div>
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<br /></div>
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PS-DMZ tomorrow, i promise (kinda). It is too heavy to get into at 11:17pm.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
until tomorrow.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com58tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588133160874897093.post-5046947356848120602012-04-22T22:25:00.000-07:002012-04-22T22:25:07.924-07:00must reads about korea.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120418_1356web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120418_1356web.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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This is one of the most amazing true life stories I have ever read.</div>
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You will come to truly love and appreciate Korean culture, and</div>
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their amazing strength as a people. They are a very special people.</div>
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You absolutely have to read this book.</div>
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<a href="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120418_1357web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120418_1357web.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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This is the sequel to "Still Life with Rice"</div>
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not as good (well written), but you will want to know what happens to this family.</div>
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<br /></div>
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But read this one first, before the sequel.</div>
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This book had me so worked up.</div>
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You will not be able to believe that a place like North Korea exists</div>
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in this modern world of ours.</div>
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It is absolutely ridiculous!</div>
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If I could take down their leader by myself today, i would. With no regrets.</div>
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It is so very wrong what is happening.</div>
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I feel like the time is getting close when this nonsense will end.</div>
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North Korea is doing more and more to instigate trouble, </div>
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and at the same time, South Korean is getting stronger and stronger</div>
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economically to be able to take on the HUGE task it will</div>
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be to be united again.</div>
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<br /></div>
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After you read these books, (please do, you won't regret it. and then</div>
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you will be so sad that you didn't come and visit me in Korea. ha ha) </div>
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then</div>
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you will absolutely love going on the DMZ tour here.</div>
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<br /></div>
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guess what my next post will be about? </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588133160874897093.post-91430218521067027472012-04-22T06:35:00.001-07:002012-04-22T06:36:08.370-07:00blonds have more fun.....in korea<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20110412_1027web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20110412_1027web.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">That is, if your definition of fun is having being spotted there is a stampede down the beach to see you</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">and photograph you. It's like the paparazzi are following you around.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Again, this is so funny and I am so glad that i had my camera in hand at the time.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Our friend who speaks Korean said that as they walked up they could hear everyone talking</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">about the foreigners out on the beach (my family). Isn't that so weird?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">But really down in the south there aren't as many foreigners as in Seoul.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">America is just so diverse, it seems so odd to make such a fuss over a blond.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Well, enjoy the pictures of the stampede in action. </span></td></tr>
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Then they saw Jacob......forget ammon!</div>
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Even teenage boys will come up to him to practice their english</div>
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and say, "you are handsome boy." We die laughing.</div>
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Jacob is going to have a hard time going back to the states where</div>
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he is nothing special. Seriously, people stop and stare like you are a celebrity.</div>
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(don't you love the pose of the girl right behind jacob? hand on the cheek! love it!)</div>
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But it is more than being blond, it is being an American and Caucasian.</div>
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It is very common for both men and women here to have surgery to look</div>
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more Caucasian. Creating wider eyes, eyelids, and chiseling cheek bones and jaw lines.</div>
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I mean really common. A bunch of the high school girls who are half Korean did</div>
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it over spring break. and PS, plastic surgery is wayyyyyy cheaper over here.</div>
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tempting...........but no. </div>
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Dave said he would never have me go under general anesthetic unnecessarily.</div>
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That made me feel really good when he said that.</div>
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(and scared to ever go under general anesthetic. yikes!)</div>
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Is it because he would feel guilty, or would really miss me? ha ha.</div>
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So two more reasons to miss Korea. </div>
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1) Being adored wherever you go, and everyone so nice to you.</div>
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and </div>
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2) way cheaper services of every kind. Braces, glasses, any kind of surgery etc.</div>
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and most are trained in the states. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588133160874897093.post-27968652356566582072012-04-21T09:39:00.001-07:002012-04-21T09:40:17.866-07:00more korean ajima love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Every where we go Ajimas come up to ammon to love on him,</div>
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but this is our favorite "ajima moment" that I actually captured on film.</div>
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Last spring break we were down in Busan sitting on the beach.</div>
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Ammon was doing his own thing.</div>
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Up comes Ajima to Ammon and tucks in his shirt, pulls his pants up really high, </div>
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and is just really fussing over him.</div>
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(i love facial expression of the ajima to the right who is barely in the picture also. )</div>
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(When jacob just saw this picture over my shoulder just now</div>
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he said, "I love chilsung cider." which is the drink she is holding. ha ha)</div>
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Then she starts to brush the sand out of his hair.</div>
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Next, she notices that he has a runny nose.</div>
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So she searches around our belongings until she finds something to wipe his nose with. </div>
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It happens to be Ammon's sock, so I rush to give her a wet wipe instead.</div>
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She proceeds to wipe his nose with it, pinning him down.</div>
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We are dying laughing.</div>
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Ammon on the other hand did not find it so funny, and she was saying ohhhhh, ooh,ohhh</div>
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imitating his howling in mock sympathy.</div>
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then she's laying on top of him trying to play with him and give him loves, and he wanted nothing to do with this crazy woman by then. He was done. <br />
What is even funnier, is that she wasn't the only person that came up to him and was<br />
doing the same thing, and then they would photograph him and play with him.<br />
Perfect! I could just sit and enjoy the sun. ha ha.<br />
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more korean love to come in my next post.<br />
"You know, like Ron Bergundy, we are kinda a big deal around here."</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588133160874897093.post-29341264561066040192012-04-19T00:49:00.003-07:002012-04-19T02:08:19.431-07:00He's at it again!<a href="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120416_1397web.jpg" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" onblur="try {parent.<span class="><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 678px; height: 450px;" src="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120416_1397web.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Dave went to a medical conference in san francisco. </div><div style="text-align: center;">What did he bring back for us you ask? </div><div style="text-align: center;">(besides more knowledge about breast imaging. ha) </div><div style="text-align: center;">......Rye flour.</div><div style="text-align: center;">With that he made homemade rye bread, and then this fabulous dinner</div><div style="text-align: center;">of Reuben sandwiches. He had a homemade sauce as well.</div><div style="text-align: center;">They were seriously unbelieveable.</div><a href="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120416_1395web.jpg" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" onblur="try {parent.<span class="><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 678px; height: 450px;" src="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120416_1395web.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">need a closer view? </div><div style="text-align: center;"> Grilled to delicious perfection. </div><a href="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120416_1402web.jpg" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" onblur="try {parent.<span class="><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 678px;" src="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120416_1402web.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">and if that wasn't enough, he made one of my favorite desserts to </div><div style="text-align: center;">order at restaurants, a chocolate lava cake. He is trying to perfect</div><div style="text-align: center;">it before Roger and Teresa Harding come to visit next month. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We went on a cruise with them for dave's 40th birthday, and we ate</div><div style="text-align: center;">so many of these every night at dinner that our waitress would just bring</div><div style="text-align: center;">out a whole pan of 12 of them as soon as she saw us coming.</div><div style="text-align: center;">She was a good waitress. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">and if that isn't enough.</div><div style="text-align: center;">DAVE IS GOING WITH ME TO YOGA TONIGHT!</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am starting to think he was abducted by aliens.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm not complaining. ha.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I guess dave is like a good cheese, gets better with age.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Although a little stinky. ha ha. (I couldn't resist that one dave.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">PS- I love a man in a star wars shirt.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588133160874897093.post-66486687980880983972012-04-16T06:06:00.004-07:002012-04-16T06:21:39.464-07:00Look how gorgeous my mom is!<a href="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/6a00d8341bfe0e53ef0167652e588b970b-400wiweb.jpg" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" onblur="try {parent.<span class="><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 721px;" src="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/6a00d8341bfe0e53ef0167652e588b970b-400wiweb.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I think she looks like a movie star.</div><div style="text-align: center;">She is 34 here and pregnant with my sister kelly (her 5th baby).</div><div style="text-align: center;">My Mom passed away when I was 34, it was hard.</div><div style="text-align: center;">When I went to my Dad's family reunion this past summer everyone </div><div style="text-align: center;">kept saying how much I look like her. I really don't. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I just have her coloring (dark hair and light blue eyes), and probably</div><div style="text-align: center;"> mannerisms. I think my eyes are the only things that are kind of like hers.</div><div style="text-align: center;">but mine are more round like my dads.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I really see my sisters kelly and nicole in her way more.</div><div style="text-align: center;">But hey, after seeing this picture. I'll take the compliment!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">PS -and now I know why she tortured me starting at a young age to tweeze</div><div style="text-align: center;">my eyebrows. Hers are perfection and I have my dad's eyebrows. ha</div><div style="text-align: center;">(sorry dad, but it is true)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">PPS- Leah has <i>he</i>r dad's eyebrows and I admit it, I held her arms down on the floor with my</div><div style="text-align: center;">knees and forced eyebrow plucking upon her.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Yep, I'm my mother's daughter. ha ha.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588133160874897093.post-9784258226116219382012-04-15T21:58:00.002-07:002012-04-16T06:37:23.426-07:00I am sad to leave korea.<a href="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120403_1321web.jpg" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" onblur="try {parent.<span class="><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 678px;" src="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120403_1321web.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I cannot believe that we are moving in just a few months! Where has the time gone? I haven't shared nearly enough all of the things that I love here in Korea. Plus there are so many places we have gone that I haven't shown you! How could I have done that to you? You see, I love Korea, and I love the Korean people and I want you to love them too. So, I must focus, and in these last few months share with you all of the things that I will miss about korea. So...........</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Number 1)</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Ajimas in Korea. A married woman here is called Ajima. It is not a derrogatory name. It is a respectful name. but every grandma aged woman for sure is an Ajima. It is a term of endearment really. I love how the older women here are so respected and loved. Ajimas can say and do whatever they want. They love children and will come up and just start caring for your baby. I mean really caring for them. Like wiping their nose, tucking in their shirt etc. </div><div style="text-align: center;">when we were down in Busan last spring break Ammon could not get a moment to himself. Luckily he is a pretty social kid, but after awhile enough is enough. I'll post the pictures tomorrow. Because right now I want to focus on.... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">my <i>favorite </i>Ajima! </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here she is above doing a kimchi squat on the kids bathroom countertop cleaning the mirror. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> I LOVE HER! She is so sweet, so kind, and I love her being in my home. Not to mention that she leaves it spotless. I feel guilty for how little I pay her, but it is what she asks for. $30 to clean my whole house. It is the best day of the week when she comes. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">She talks to Ammon the whole time in Korean and is so cute with him. Ammon gets so excited when she comes. He runs to the door screaming AJIMA! AJIMA! He is always wanting her to come and play with him, but she doesn't know what he is saying. The other day it was raining and I took a taxi home from the store with ammon. On the radio in the taxi was an older Korean woman speaking. Ammon says so tenderly, "I love Ajima." I couldn't believe he just said that out of the blue and than i realized that it was the voice on the radio that reminded him of her. I asked him if Ajima was talking on the radio and he said, "yesh." so cute. </div><div style="text-align: center;">We will definitely miss Ajima, and all of the Korean ajimas. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588133160874897093.post-72355606395093694912012-04-13T06:25:00.005-07:002012-04-13T18:13:14.379-07:00Why can't I blog?<a href="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120407_1237-3web.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 678px; height: 452px;" src="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120407_1237-3web.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">(easter morning)</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">To answer my question, I think because my life is just so intense right now. Intense in a good way. It is brimming and full. Even my dreams are intense. Have you ever had a long night of vivid crazy dreams? (It runs in my family, and is not fun. ha) Well, I feel like blogging right now would be like trying to document a night of vivid dreams. I just wouldn't be able to do it justice. How could I get across all that amazing detail of color, emotion, and activity that makes it so.....well......INTENSE! It is too overwhelming to even think of it. I just wish you could be here and on my couch one night (my couch is really cozy). We could curl up with blankets and hot cocoa and talk about it in all it's intense detail.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am always wondering why I am so tired all the time. Am I just old, or lazy or what? I thought to myself, I don't really do much. I lead a simple life. I just do my little routine and am a mom. Then I started really thinking about it. Starting looking at all of things I have been involved in and how emotionally, spiritually, and physically draining they all are. From organizing a large women's conference for church, to helping my friend deal with cancer, missionary lessons at my house, to every in and out of and drama of my kids lives, and on and on. It was a lot. It was not as simple at all. In fact, the word intense came to mind. No wonder I am <i>intensely</i> tired. ha.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Satan is just so sneaky. He can make me feel discouraged that I don't do much or make a difference. Or that I am not good enough, or do things poorly and someone else could do better (and should). Why does he do this? Because he is acutely aware of just how powerful one woman can be. Just how much good she can do. I talk about this a lot on my blog don't I?</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am just such a huge believer in the power of women and their goodness!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>My favorite lately is something that my friend Mary Montes De Oca said at church recently.</div><div style="text-align: center; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center; "><b>"I want Satan to say when I wake up, "oh no, she's awake again!"</b></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">The world describes success in terms of wealth, power, formal education, and career success.</div><div style="text-align: center; ">While all of those things are well and good and can serve great purposes. They are not my (or God's) definition of success.</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">Here is one of my favorite definitions that is displayed in my house</div><div style="text-align: center; ">(i've shared it before)....</div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">To laugh often, to win the affection of children, to earn the </span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal</span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">of false friends, to appreciate beauty, to find the </span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">best in others, to leave the world a bit better, whether by a </span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">healthy child, a garden patch......to know even one life has breathed easier</span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">because you have lived. <b> This is to have succeeded!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"> -Emerson</span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a href="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120407_1205web.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 678px;" src="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120407_1205web.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 678px;" src="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120407_1239web.jpg" border="0" alt="" />I stayed up until 3am getting the house all ready for easter morning. I was so proud of all of my floral arrangements. I don't have vases and I realized that I have all of these cool pottery pieces that jacob made in ceramics. Seriously like 50 pieces that are so awesome that i can't part with any of them. <a href="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120407_1238webcopy.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 678px;" src="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120407_1238webcopy.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">(that's the emerson quote in the right hand side of the picture. love it!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is Sister Beck's definition.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <!--StartFragment--><span style="font-size:40.0pt;font-family:"Baskerville Old Face"; mso-ascii-font-family:"Baskerville Old Face";mso-fareast-font-family:+mn-ea; mso-bidi-font-family:+mn-cs;color:#874396;mso-color-index:5;mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;language:en-US;vertical-align:baseline;mso-text-raise:0%">“We know we are successful if we live so that we qualify for, receive, and know how to follow the Spirit.”</span><!--EndFragment--> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><b>one last awesome quote.</b></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:40.0pt;font-family:"Baskerville Old Face"; mso-ascii-font-family:"Baskerville Old Face";mso-fareast-font-family:+mn-ea; mso-bidi-font-family:+mn-cs;color:#874396;mso-color-index:5;mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;language:en-US;vertical-align:baseline;mso-text-raise:0%"> <!--StartFragment--> <p style="margin-top:6.0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:.3in;text-indent:-.3in; text-align:left;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;mso-line-break-override:none; word-break:normal;punctuation-wrap:hanging"><span style="font-size:24.0pt; font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ascii-font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea;mso-bidi-font-family:+mn-cs;color:black;mso-color-index:1;mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;language:en-US;vertical-align:baseline;mso-text-raise:0%"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>Sister Margaret </span><span style="font-size:24.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ascii-font-family:"Trebuchet MS"; mso-fareast-font-family:+mn-ea;mso-bidi-font-family:+mn-cs;color:black; mso-color-index:1;mso-font-kerning:12.0pt;language:en-US;vertical-align:baseline; mso-text-raise:0%">Nadauld</span><span style="font-size:24.0pt;font-family: "Trebuchet MS";mso-ascii-font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea;mso-bidi-font-family:+mn-cs;color:black;mso-color-index:1;mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;language:en-US;vertical-align:baseline;mso-text-raise:0%">: </span></p> <p style="margin-top:6.0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:.3in;text-indent:-.3in; text-align:left;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;mso-line-break-override:none; word-break:normal;punctuation-wrap:hanging"><span style="font-size:24.0pt; font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ascii-font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea;mso-bidi-font-family:+mn-cs;color:black;mso-color-index:1;mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;language:en-US;vertical-align:baseline;mso-text-raise:0%"><span style="mso-tab-count:2"> </span></span><span style="font-size:24.0pt; font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ascii-font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea;mso-bidi-font-family:+mn-cs;color:#8A2E4E;mso-color-index:4;mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;language:en-US;vertical-align:baseline;mso-text-raise:0%">“Women of God can never be like women of the world. The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity.</span></p> <p style="margin-top:6.0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-left:.3in;text-indent:-.3in; text-align:left;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;mso-line-break-override:none; word-break:normal;punctuation-wrap:hanging"><span style="font-size:24.0pt; font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ascii-font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea;mso-bidi-font-family:+mn-cs;color:#8A2E4E;mso-color-index:4;mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;language:en-US;vertical-align:baseline;mso-text-raise:0%"><span style="mso-tab-count:2"> </span>“Oh, how we pray that every. . . woman will. . . be all the wonderful things she is meant to be. . . . May daughters of God honor the priesthood and sustain worthy priesthood holders. May they understand their own great capacity for strength in the timeless virtues that some would scoff at in a modern, liberated world for women.”</span></p> <!--EndFragment--></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">AMEN! Right?</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588133160874897093.post-45031570927941896312012-04-02T07:30:00.002-07:002012-04-02T07:45:33.878-07:00random.<a href="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120401_0856web.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 678px;" src="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120401_0856web.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Ammon insisted I take a picture of him. This is the only pose he would do. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> I have no idea why. Cracks me up.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588133160874897093.post-81007921533448579692012-04-01T23:11:00.004-07:002012-04-01T23:16:38.464-07:00so excited!!<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 542px; height: 362px;" src="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/_____HungerGames_PRweb.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><div style="text-align: center;">Can't wait to see this tonight!!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;">(and eat buttered popcorn with hot tamales in it, and a big sprite)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">and this in December!</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 637px; height: 450px;" src="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/TheHobbitMovieweb.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">i love you peter jackson.</div><div style="text-align: center;">(i'm serious)</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588133160874897093.post-41311991136288241432012-04-01T22:36:00.003-07:002012-04-01T22:49:25.656-07:00Sunday morning.<a href="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120331_0861web.jpg" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" onblur="try {parent.<span class="><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 678px; height: 450px;" src="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120331_0861web.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">this is my favorite thing in life. </div><div style="text-align: center;">All the kids gathered in one room cozy and talking about life.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Specifically about how good it is, and the exciting things coming up in our lives.</div><a href="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120331_0865webcopy.jpg" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" onblur="try {parent.<span class="><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 678px; height: 450px;" src="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120331_0865webcopy.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">But first we have to call dad in to make the party complete!</div><a href="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120331_0872web.jpg" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" onblur="try {parent.<span class="><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 678px;" src="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120331_0872web.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Everything is better when dad is there.</div><a href="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120331_0868web.jpg" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" onblur="try {parent.<span class="><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 678px; height: 450px;" src="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120331_0868web.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">We got out the ipad and looked at the map of where we will be living in Italy,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and talked and talked about all the cool things we want to see and do.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We are really starting to get excited!</div><a href="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120331_0873web.jpg" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" onblur="try {parent.<span class="><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 678px;" src="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120331_0873web.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">"ring around the rosies"</div><a href="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120331_0877web.jpg" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" onblur="try {parent.<span class="><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 678px; height: 450px;" src="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120331_0877web.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">the twinners.</div><div style="text-align: center;">When Rebecca was born my sister gloria looked at her and said, "hello dave."</div><div style="text-align: center;">Dave's reply when told how much Rebecca looks like him, "I know, isn't she beautiful?"</div><div style="text-align: center;">It was love at first sight for dave.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Rebecca secretly tells dave and I separately, "you are my favorite."</div><div style="text-align: center;">She is one of those cozy sweet "grills" (as ammon calls girls).</div><div style="text-align: center;">Except when she is hungry and tired.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We tell her she is not allowed to talk on fast sunday. ha ha.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588133160874897093.post-34804000913442762272012-03-27T23:03:00.007-07:002012-03-29T18:57:34.903-07:00teenagers need love.<a href="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120321_0789copyweb.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 678px;" src="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120321_0789copyweb.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">(Jacob and Ammon cozying watching star wars)</div><div style="text-align: center;">When kids grow up they still need a lot of touch and affection. But </div><div style="text-align: center;">snuggling like this with your mom and dad just isn't.....well, it's weird.</div><div style="text-align: center;">So what is a kid to do? Often they find a boyfriend or girlfriend to love on.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Want a better solution?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Simply have a baby. (yah, real simple. ha)</div><div style="text-align: center;">It solves many a teenage problem.</div><div style="text-align: center;">But seriously, a baby softens a teenager when they are often a bit prickly.</div><div style="text-align: center;">They have someone who gives them unconditional love, and to whom</div><div style="text-align: center;">they can freely love and cuddle and still be cool.</div><div style="text-align: center;">They start to see the strength and joy of parental love, and </div><div style="text-align: center;">learn great parenting skills.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It makes them less self centered.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It is a win win situation.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120321_0791webcopy.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 678px;" src="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120321_0791webcopy.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Plus, Jacob finally has someone to pass all of his skills on to. </div><div style="text-align: center;">He talked about that all the time when he was young. That he didn't have a </div><div style="text-align: center;">brother to pass on important skills like sword fighting and basketball drills.</div><div style="text-align: center;">You know, important stuff like that.</div><div style="text-align: center;">He is busy teaching him to be a boy.... i mean man. You should see ammon </div><div style="text-align: center;">sitting next to him doing the same thing, walking and acting just like him.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Jacob has big plans for ammon. Says he will have him lifting weights at 12. ha ha.</div><a href="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120324_0838web.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 678px; height: 450px;" src="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120324_0838web.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Plus, it brings my heart the greatest joy. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Rachel is busy passing on her own skills, and learning to nurture.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Ammon is her boyfriend. He gives her endless kisses without getting in trouble. ha.</div><div style="text-align: center;">He sits right next to her while she does everything.</div><div style="text-align: center;">This can be bad at times, because Rachel can be naughty.</div><div style="text-align: center;">But like this morning, she realized that she needed to set the example for him of how </div><div style="text-align: center;">to be kind and obedient as he watched her intently.</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 678px;" src="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120324_0840web.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><div style="text-align: center;">Rachel wagging her finger at ammon telling him not to lick the spoon.</div><div style="text-align: center;">But one may ask why she gave him the spoon in the first place. hmm.</div><a href="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120324_0841web.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 678px;" src="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120324_0841web.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120324_0842web.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 678px; height: 450px;" src="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120324_0842web.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Yes, this warms my heart like nothing else.</div><a href="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120324_0843web.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 678px; height: 450px;" src="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120324_0843web.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">(ammon is probably saying here, "you want some mine licker jacob?")</div><div style="text-align: center;">So if you think you are too old to have another.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Think again.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Ammon is one of the most wonderful blessings our family has ever received.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It is totally worth it!!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588133160874897093.post-75926965999271700242012-03-27T16:46:00.003-07:002012-03-27T16:51:57.820-07:00Look who came to visit!<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 678px; height: 452px;" src="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120324_0834web.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><div style="text-align: center;">Air force one and his little buddy .</div><a href="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120324_0835web.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 678px;" src="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120324_0835web.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Kind of cool to look out my bedroom window and see the President's </div><div style="text-align: center;">plane. He left last night. I saw them getting it all ready and all the helicopters patrolling</div><div style="text-align: center;">around it. Ammon thought it was cool too.</div><div style="text-align: center;">and PS-the planes arrived early sat, and the new said he wasn't coming until sunday, which would be monday here. hmmm.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588133160874897093.post-76632426247604486952012-03-24T04:43:00.002-07:002012-03-24T05:00:34.008-07:00an apple butterfly.<a href="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120321_0767web.jpg" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" onblur="try {parent.<span class="><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 678px;" src="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120321_0767web.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I always cut ammon's sandwiches into two or four triangles and angle them</div><div style="text-align: center;">so they make butterflies. So when I gave ammon cut up apples the other day he</div><div style="text-align: center;">said, "Mom, look! a butterfly." </div><div style="text-align: center;">I am so glad that I am with this precious little boy all day long, and</div><div style="text-align: center;">can soak up all of his sweet goodness.</div><div style="text-align: center;">(look at his sweet little hands. I could just eat him up!)</div><a href="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120321_0772web.jpg" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" onblur="try {parent.<span class="><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 678px;" src="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120321_0772web.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">sweet face too.</div><a href="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120321_0780web.jpg" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" onblur="try {parent.<span class="><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 678px;" src="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120321_0780web.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Then he ate that butterfly.</div><a href="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120321_0784web.jpg" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" onblur="try {parent.<span class="><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 678px;" src="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/dcivesmd/20120321_0784web.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Only one wing left. ha.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ammon is talking so much you wouldn't believe it, and every word out of his </div><div style="text-align: center;">mouth is so sweet. He is a good natured soul, like his brother.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy all the time.</div><div style="text-align: center;">For a long time he said to everything, "Why not?" in the sweetest way, and then I would </div><div style="text-align: center;">explain why not, and he would reply, "ok, fine" in a teenage intonation but with the </div><div style="text-align: center;">sweetness of a child. You really can just explain things to him and he gets it.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Jacob was like that too.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You can't see it, but the shirt he is wearing says, </div><div style="text-align: center;">"Mom like me best." I got it for him to tease the other kids.</div><div style="text-align: center;">They don't even care because we all like him best!</div><div style="text-align: center;">If he is asleep when an older kid gets home they want to wake him up because</div><div style="text-align: center;">they miss him. He is that kind of kid. </div><div style="text-align: center;">We are so blessed.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0