december-some favorites

After 5 years in Arizona, it is so very wonderful to have snow for Christmas.

Cozy can't begin to describe the wonderfulness of moments like these.

They did sell real trees on base. They went really fast. They came from Aurora, Oregon, which made me smile and feel very nostalgic. That is right next to where we lived in Oregon. We really miss going to the tree farms and picking out our own tree for them to chop and wrap for us. I was really kicking myself that I didn't take the time to go through our christmas boxes and get out a few of our favorite christmas decorations to ship. I really just didn't have time. I found some fun stuff at the thrift store, flower market, and bx.

The view out my kitchen sliding doors. Look at all the trees we lost in that typhoon.

I got this sweet vintage leather coat at the thrift store for $2!!!

Merry Christmas to me!

I try to read a fun little christmas book every christmas. I found this one at the thrift store for a quarter. It is really really good. It became an answer to prayer as well. There is a single young military girl in my branch. (she loads bombs on planes. How is that for romantic. smile) With her work schedule she hasn't been able to come to church and I think it really is affecting her. She works with a pretty rough group of guys as you can imagine. Come christmas time, I absolutely could not get her off my mind night and day. I finally got a hold of her and picked her up to go and get the best hot chocolate on earth from Puffins (it deserves it own post). I told her that her mom must really be praying for her because I couldn't sleep until I made contact with her. She told me that her mom has really been worried about her, praying for her, and put her name on the temple prayer rolls. What a testimony (again) about how much Heavenly Father loves each one of us. How mindful he is of us. How powerful a mother's prayers are. Anyway, about the book. I felt the next day to go and bring it to her. She later told me that she was really having a hard time getting into the Christmas spirit and this book really did the trick. She passed it on to kim, and it has just kept circulating through out the branch still. It's a good one.

TA DA!!!!!!! Look at what my dear darling husband gave me for Christmas early!!!!

Christmas is not Christmas without Christmas songs being played on the piano! It was played every single day, and brings me so much joy and happiness. I love it so much.

I found out from Megan (my kids new piano teacher) that you can get a used, really good sounding piano here for really cheap! Needless to say the next morning Jihyun went with me to four used piano stores that are all within a mile of my house. It was love at first sight (and sound) when I saw this piano. It looks and sounds new, guess how much?? If you are like dave you said $50. He loves to burst my bubble by saying ridiculous prices like that when I am excited about a really great deal. (It was $1200 which is the same price for the clavinova that i had my eye on in the bx, this is way way better. yeah me)

Here is Megan and I practicing for our church Christmas program. (me in my jamies. smile)

Dave just laughs at how much I love this. It is made in Germany, and was a definite splurge, even at 1/2 off. It brings out a child like excitement in me. I told him it is an heirloom, to which dave laughed even more. See, I am bringing him the joy of laughter for Christmas (and all year long really). ha ha.

The kids really lamented that they didn't have their stockings for Christmas. That and not having our pickle ornament to hide on the tree for them to find Christmas morning. Thanks to my sister gloria for sending us one. She saved the day. But there is no getting our stockings out of storage. So, I had to come up with something fun. They loved them!

glor also sent me these. They are one of the best things I have ever tasted. They absolutely melt in your mouth. I hid them from the kids for as long as possible. Then we fought over them. smile. Where did you get these glor? I couldn't find them on the hickory farms website. I wanted to order a year supply. smile.

Isn't this little tin plate so vintage and cute?! Thrift store baby!

I kept a couple for myself, and made up teacher gifts with the rest. and yes, those are truffles from Costco. Shhhhh. don't tell, everyone assumes i made them. That is until my kids immediately spill the beans and say where I got them. ha.

in my entryway.

by the front door.

Remember how I told you that I found something at costco that i have been looking for for a long time? Here it is. The coolest outdoor nativity. I love it.

( i am beginning to see my wisdom in not bringing my christmas stuff. An excuse to find new treasures. smile)

Look at my ammon so sweet holding Jesus's hand.

Speaking of Jesus. Every Tuesday night dave and I meet with Jackie to discuss the scriptures in serious depth. I don't understand much since it is french, but I put in my two cents at the end. Jackie is from Camaroon, and is here by herself working so that her children can go to school. She is an amazing woman of incredible strength and faith. In fact she prayed us here to Korea, there is no doubt in my mind. After hearing her story and how she was so struggling here and needing to feel God's presence and how she met the missionaries and joined the church here in Korea. She comes to our english speaking branch but it is very hard for her to understand everything. She wants to go to the temple, but was needing more help in understanding. Because she is not the casual learner. She has an incredible thirst for gospel knowledge. What could be better than a french speaking dave to the rescue. Plus, she has health issues. I have been giving her essential oils to use, and they have seriously helped her. She was having a hard time with asthma especially and the oils have really helped. She thinks I am a miracle worker with my oils, and said to me, "You have to tell everyone about these!" I forget how cool they are sometimes.

Spending time with Jackie reminds me of how easy it is to take for granted all of the many blessings that we enjoy in the United States. To be able to have an education, food, housing, the gospel to be with our children etc. are blessings that we should tuly be grateful for every day. She has to struggle for all of these things. How grateful I am to be an answer to her prayers in some small way. If she is the only reason we came to Korea, it would be worth it.

WE went to my favorite, EVERLAND, one night. It was so fun with all of the lights, decoration, christmas music playing, hot cocoa, parades, fireworks, and of course rollercoasters. oh yah.

little miss mary, so cute.

is this where all the Caucasians come if they can't get a job at Disneyland? ha ha

this is what santa's elves look like in Korea. smile.

I hope all of your Christmas fantasies came true. I know mine did. hee hee.

The fam minus ammon, and plus rachel's friend Erin being silly copying some korean poses.

Our traditional sleep by the tree and watching movies night. Look at the bottom half of the tree pretty much completely destroyed by Ammon.

We did have one santa sighting when we were in Seoul at Yongsan army garrison. He was riding a Harley. (I bet he smelled like meat and cheese)Here are all of his elves. They were smoking cigars. I would think Santa would have taught them better. Leah is always asking me to take her picture by everything. She always wants to send them to her friends in AZ. So here you go Paige and Devon. Leah is alive and well, and hanging out with cigar smoking elves. ha ha.christmas morning finally arrived after a week of endless activities like ice-skating, caroling, gingerbread house making, baking etc. All of which I wished I had pictures of. Especially since I actually made my first real gingerbread house instead of with graham crackers. It was beautiful. The funniest thing we did was for christmas eve, the branch met outside the BX at the food court for dinner. It's tradition. The story goes that one year one of the men from the branch that was here without his family (we have so many, it is hard) had a tradition of going out get tacos with his family on christmas eve. So they surprised him on christmas eve and were all there at the food court when he came to get a taco. It seems weird, but it was so fun. We put all of the tables together and had a huge party. No cooking, no large expense, plus, you are right there next to all of the shopping to take care of last minute needs.

the saddest christmas moment was my dropping my camera on my hard kitchen floor on christmas eve day. Hence blurry not great pictures, or no pictures at all currently. I need to send it in, and I am so sad to be camera less for awhile. I cracked only the lens cover on my one lens, but it dented the side and I can't take it off. Also, the autofocus won't work on any lens.

By the time all the Christmas festivities were done I was exhausted, and not feeling well. It wasn't a good thing. I couldn't even get out of bed christmas morning. It took a really good cup of hot chocolate. I will definitely rethink my activities for next year. Hence, my mantra of "in wisdom and order"

No that isn't me at the top of the stairs. That is Kirra. She is a single girl here teaching english. She lives about a 1/2 drive from my house (1 1/2 hr. by bus, train, and taxi). She teaches in a public school. No one else speaks english in the school, there aren't other young american or english speaking teachers living close by. I can't believe how brave she is. She lives completely alone, and away from everyone. Anyway, Kirra from Idaho Falls also joined us. She may rethink next Christmas too. ha

look at the priceless look of excitement and anticipation on ammon's face.(his pajamas, thrift store. I am sorry to mention it again, but I am obsessed. Half of the kids presents were from there. We're talking cashmere sweaters etc. love it)

Dave digging out presents from behind our now totally dead and prickly christmas tree (it came down that night).

Lizzie reading her letter from santa answering all her questions for him.

happy faces.

nothing better than the hugs and love given that day for gifts received not just from christmas but all year long.

watching other people open their gifts is just as fun as opening your own.

Well, the holidays are over. I really missed my mom a lot this christmas. Being here with the snow and pine trees around my house reminded me of tahoe and so many memories. It brings me comfort to know that I am to my children what my mom is to me; comfort, unconditional love, fun to talk to and do things with, a counselor, teacher, friend, and the list goes on and on. I love thinking that my children love me the way that I love my mom, and that they will have a warm feeling in their heart when the see or hear something that reminds them of me

(like my wood nutcracker santa. ha ha). So, whenever I am sad, I try to shift my focus to the loving mom/child relationships that i have. It works every time.

and yes, my sisters, i wish every day that i could be at each of your houses hanging out and doing fun stuff. I can't wait to be together this summer. Although, our kids and husbands always get mad when we get together so it isn't as fun. (i don't know why. ha ha. is it because they are ignored?). I would say a sister's trip but emotions and hormones tend to run high on those. My biggest wish would be to get on a plane and fly from house to house. That would be so awesome and so fun, but unfortunately so expensive. Duh, why didn't i do that for my 40th?!!!!

a delicious moment

The kids went back to school this morning. Need I say more.

I did my morning routine, tucked ammon in for a nap,

and had myself a delicious moment of perfection.

All cozied up on the couch with the new Monson biography

and the last piece of apple pie.

The perfect ending to the holiday season.

1/1/11

(the 2010 me, definitely not the 1/1/11 me. smile)

I have to blog. How could I not when it is 1/1/11. How cool is that? Well, that and I haven't blogged in so long. I am ashamed (said like the crab in "Finding Nemo"). It is very unlike me, but like I told Dave tonight, "my brain feels like scrambled eggs." and that isn't a good thing. This might be what the start of a psychotic break feels like. I'm not sure, but I know that something must be done. Luckily it is 1/1/11, and anything is possible, right?

What has been running through my head over and over is the phrase "wisdom and order", "wisdom and order", "wisdom and order". "Unfailingly kind" has been with replaced with "wisdom and order." Are you starting to feel it? Say it with me, "wisdom and order." Obviously God is trying to tell me something. Luckily, I was asked yesterday to teach this Sunday in church (see, I have a good attitude. I'm just a panic attack waiting to happen. ha ha). So what do you think came to me to speak on? You guessed it....."wisdom and order." I need to use a talk from conference and President Uchtdorf's talk entitled "Of Things That Matter Most" was just perfect. In fact it uses the phrases "wisdom and order" quite frequently. So, if no one else is there tomorrow, it won't matter, because selfishly this lesson is for me. Although, if an apostle of the Lord spoke about it at conference, I am guessing that there is a few others that might be feeling what I am feeling. smile.

The summary at the beginning of his talk is this...

If life and its rushed pace and many stresses have made it difficult for you

to feel like rejoicing, then perhaps now is a good time to refocus

on what matters most.

(i can just hear him saying this with his cute German accent, can't you?)

This talk made making my my new year's resolutions so very easy. I just outlined what he said were the most important things in the order of importance that he gave, and than scheduled them on my planner. There, I am proceeding with wisdom and order. Putting the things that matter most first. I highly recommend this. Now it is just having the discipline to implement it.

On Friday night as Dave and I sat at the kitchen table (me with my head and arms draped all over the table and crying), I vented all of my frustrations at my inability to live my life the way that i want. aka, do everything that i need and want to do without anxiety, stress, irritability, pms etc. I know what I need to do to not feel crazy. I have to eat well (not too much sugar), exercise, and get adequate rest. which with the holidays was not really happening. I was just mad that I have to live so regimented to feel good. "That is no fun!!!!", i lamented. To which my dear husband replied in all of his wisdom and order, "and this is fun?" Drat that man. He had me again.

So, do you want to see my list? If you don't just skip this. It is for my posterity's sake. My posterity needs to know that at least I tried. That I was goal oriented, but more importantly, I want them to know what matters most.

1.personal prayer, scripture study, and keeping the commandments everyday (work on one that you want to improve)

2.family dinner, family home evenings on Monday night, family prayer and scripture every night. Attend church every Sunday, and temple monthly. Have a planning mtg. with Dave every Sunday, weekly date night, and give each other ideas of special things that we could do for each other that week.

3. Schedule the time to do all of my callings at church, including visiting teaching. Pray to have the Holy Ghost every day, and to listen for the impressions that will come of who to help and how. etc.

4. exercise, take my oils and vitamins everyday, and then a list of things I would like to do that aren't essential but the highest priority for me on the extra list, like actually printing up my pictures and getting them in an album (it has been at least five years! yikes.) Continuing to blog is on there too. It is my way to keep in contact with family, and voice what i think to whoever cares to listen. It's very therapeutic. (thanks for listening. smile)

5. oh yah, and I have to do the whole early to bed early to rise thing to make this all happen. You know the saying, it will make me healthy, wealthy, and wise. and who doesn't want to be those three things. ha. In fact, if I can just do this one, the rest will be easy. This is the killer for me!!!

So that is it. I scheduled all of these first. I was feeling overwhelmed at my morning routine, so I assigned each child to be in charge of breakfast and making lunches one day. Then, I am Saturday and Dave is Sunday breakfast. So the most important things are scheduled and if that is all that gets done then fine. Of course there are the kids things and appts., laundry, groceries, blah, blah, blah, but the things that I need to get done to feel peace and joy in this life are done first. I think doing these things are the best traditions that I can give my kids. When we put more emphasis on other activities and let these slide, we are teaching our children that they are more important.

For instance, all of the kids were doing their toe touches, kicks, split leaps, in turn. We all comment on everyone's. When it comes to Leah, we all can't help but laugh out loud. Bless her heart, these things just don't come naturally to her. She was getting all upset. I just flat out told her, "Leah, this isn't your talent. Who cares!" She lamented that if she can't do this how is she going to provide for her family if her husband dies. Which brought on another roar of laughter from us all. I told her that Heavenly Father isn't really looking for more people that can do a great toe touch. That isn't what He cares about the most. He cares about whether she has a testimony and faith. He needs more people who have faith, and will help him to help others, and she is great at that. That is the best talent to have.

I think what we place the emphasis on with our time, money, praise, etc. is what our kids will think is most important. In fact, I don't just think that, I know that.

O.K. I'm done. I feel better. I feel more disciplined already just having it all scheduled out. I didn't appreciate Jacob's knowing smile when I excitedly explained it all. I know what that smile meant. It's January......how long will this last. I'll show him! ha. If not there is always 1/1/12. smile.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!

warm feet

Did you know that Koreans heat their houses by heating the floor?

Do you know how delightful it is to have your toes touch a warm heated floor when you get out of bed in the morning?

I really miss my carpet, but I am trying to be positive.

And really, are these not the cutest little feet you have ever seen?

WHAT?????!!!

When I saw the cover of this issue, I was very upset (and I turned it over as I do all magazine covers that upset me). Maybe, I should read the article first, but I am pretty sure the answer won't be what it should be, which is......EVERYONE NEEDS MARRIAGE!

Yes, marriage is hard. I know, I am married. But God made marriage for a reason. I wasn't married long before I realized that all I needed to do in this life to become more like Jesus Christ is to be a wife and a mother. Nothing will humble,challenge, and push you harder to improve yourself and draw closer to God then these two roles. And that is truer than any statement I am sure was written in that article.

At church last Sunday, the branch president said that being married is like having a mirror that looks back at you and shows you as you really are. With all of your weaknesses and flaws (he said it in a funny nice way). It is a humbling experience. Would you agree? That's what makes marriage at times uncomfortable (more like painful). If we are by ourselves, we can do whatever we want without judgement. Isn't it great! If we ever want to know something that we need to work on we don't even need to go to Heavenly Father in prayer, we can just go to our spouse. ha ha. When you start to see it in that way, that it is a built in humility safety net, it doesn't seem so bad to have a critical spouse. Not that i do, I mean i meant that in the most positive of ways. ha ha.

excuse me i need to interrupt this post to tell you that rebecca mary just came in at almost 10pm to show me that she had just made an angel out of noodles. Great. You are getting 1 F, a D, etc. you missed the bus this morning because you didn't have a paper typed this morning and you are up making noodle angels? AHHHH. (in rebecca's defense she has since brought up those grades from her progress report, but still, how do you ever get an F in band?

See what I mean. Do you know how patient I am now after 17 years of this child rearing, wife thing.

OK, so the point i want to make is this.......The more we are like our Heavenly Father, the happier we will be. Not the easier our life will be. But it will definitely be more rewarding in every way. I am thankful for marriage. It has pushed me to learn and grow more than i thought possible. I am thankful for a husband who most definitely knows my weaknesses but loves me despite them and chooses to stay faithful and committed to our relationship because it is the most valuable thing that we have. The most enduring thing that we have.

Marriage is a sacred institution given to us by God.

Don't underestimate it's worth.

That's what the cover of TIME should read.

let's start at the very beginning (maria singing)

OK, so here are some of the first pictures that I took here back in august, but the computer wasn't up and running yet. These are pictures that I took from the car as I drove to the base and home.

#1 -here we are driving onto the base. Pretty much everything is off of this main street here.
#2-First stop, dropping jacob off at the high school for his first football practice. He was so nervous and had a headache and sick stomach from the worry. He made me stop the car way back. He has never asked me to do something like that before. Of course we were a tad late, which made him all the more nervous. I don't recall the details, but it wasn't my fault. smile.
This is him saying mom, get away. I couldn't help it, he looked so cute.

Nervously, asking the coach where to go and what to do. They didn't know what to do with him. What do you say when you have never really played before? I knew all would be well after he had one practice. He worked so hard that the coach pointed him out the first day as some one who works hard and isn't afraid to get hit. Yesterday was an awards assembly at school, and jacob was given the award of "most improved player", and "most valuable player." You don't see that every day. I just couldn't be prouder of this kid.

This is where I thought Rachel's second home would be. Enter high school. She doesn't even have TIME TO READ! Could it be true???? Seminary, harder classes, and cheerleading = no extra time. Jacob is the same. On the weekends they crash, sleep, do homework, and hang with the fam. It is a good way for a high schooler to live. Keeps them out of trouble.
The hospital where Dave works.
Across the street from the library is this!!! Really, how could I miss America too much with this on base. SWEET! Next to chilis is the movie theatre and across from that the BX (Base Exchange, and food court, bank, beauty shop, post office, bowling alley, etc. etc.
Driving back out we pass the high school again. Right next to it is the middle school. Across the street is the commissary (grocery store), the elementary school, and indoor pool. Oh, also the youth center is right after the high school. Everything is so close and walkable. It is really nice.
Driving off the base out the main gate. To the left of this is the thrift store which sadly has been closed because it needs a new manager (it is all volunteer). On the right of this is the gas station, a pizza place, atm etc.
coming out and heading right.
There are little alley ways of shopping everywhere.Turning left at the "triangle of death" as it is affectionately named. This main road out leads to our house.

Over the bridge we go. The train tracks are below. You can of course take the train everywhere. This is Asia you know.
Every day when we would pass this store the girls would oohh and awwhhh, and say that this is the dress that they want when they get married.
cAlmost to our neighborhood. On the right, they paint the wall there. Now it is a field of flowers. McDonalds is a big landmark. Turn left here and you are on your way to the expressway to seoul etc. Everything is off of this main road (the 1). Once we get across this street we are in our neighborhood.
the local favorite ice-cream parlor. It has swings hanging from the ceiling inside.

Paris baguette on the right and the park and dunkin donuts on the left. Nice.


Ill bike down here with Ammon, and stop for a little treat. Wait until you see my sweet ride. smile.
They are always selling things on this corner of the park. All kinds of food, fundraiser stands from the school across the street, even clothes.
We turn left off the main road into construction land. They are building these huge apt. buildings off the main road. We finally have a paved road now.
The entrance to our neighborhood.
Up the steep hill.

All of corners are so sharp we need these mirrors.

Our street. We are the last house on the left up there.My delicious dinner I made that night thanks to Martha and everyday food.
These beans were to die for. You really can't go wrong when bacon is one of the ingredients.

I really focused on having really good food, and all the time when we first moved here. There is nothing like the comfort of a good meal when you are so nervous about life. The kids were nervous, anxious, but also excited. This made all the difference.

Have you missed the quotes from Marge? Me too. So here you go.

"I like the smell of dinner baking in the oven. Maybe it's the closest I will ever come to experiencing the fulfillment of the scripture: "If ye are prepared ye shall not fear"

(D&C 38:30)

"Food is so pleasurable and powerful that it plays an essential role in creating a home that works. for your home to feel solid, meaningful, dignified, and warm, you must have the means and skills to produce good, nutritious food, to dream up pleasant menus, and to set the table and serve the food in an attractive manner that is familiar and comfortable to guests."

Cheryl Mendelson