This thankfulness post is to the kindness of two strangers. I got stuck on about 2 inches of ice this morning in, thankfully, a fairly empty parking lot. I knew after I pulled in I should have backed in, but it was already too late. When I couldn't get out a guy across the lot came over and asked to get in the driver seat. I trusted him and he tried to get my van out. It wouldn't budge, with or without traction control. It's just no match for solid ice. Then a guy with a big ole diesel pickup came over with a chain and pulled my van out. Between the two of them I got to leave. Poor Jaemin was totally freaked out by having a stranger in the driver seat of his van, but I didn't want to get him out because it was so bitterly cold. The guy in the driver seat had a good sense of humor about it.
Thank you to two kind strangers today.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Camo Cookies
Here's our package for a military unit in Afghanistan. I hope they enjoy the home made sugar cookies, packets of hot chocolate and marshmallows for their drinks. Stay safe boys.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Thankfulness Post #14
I'm SO thankful Brian cleaned the house last night while Chelsi and Kaelin and I had girls night. I would have been even more exhausted tonight if he hadn't! Now I just have to finish the cookies, make bulgogi and finish laundry tomorrow.
Tonight I rest
and I am SO tired!
We sold Brian's 93 Escort this morning (YAY!) because this week we upgraded him to a 2006 Focus; complete with air bags and anchors for the carseats. So happy to be in the same decade. It only took one day to sell his car...not even really.
I worked all day making supper for tonight. We had a turkey in the freezer that I got on sale last year, so it was time to get it out. I made turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, stuffing, rolls and cranberry sauce. The kids and Brian were so full when they left the table they were all moaning. Everyone said there was not one thing that wasn't good. You see, Brian likes to joke and tell people I can't cook, but it's just not true. I never had time to want to until I started working part time. Now I have more time and actually want to spend part of my time making these meals. Tomorrow is bulgogi!
Tonight I mixed up the sugar cookie dough and colored it. Tomorrow we'll be rolling out and cutting camouflage sugar cookies. Then we'll send them along with some hot chocolate packs to Afghanistan. After making the cookies a couple of weeks ago that ended up looking camo colored we decided this would be fun. So, someone I know has a son overseas and she said he and his unit loves packages. I thought the kids would enjoy doing something nice for someone else. His mother also said to send a note from the kids, so he knows who to thank. The kids would think that's awesome getting mail from someone in the US military.
But, now I'm exhausted.
We sold Brian's 93 Escort this morning (YAY!) because this week we upgraded him to a 2006 Focus; complete with air bags and anchors for the carseats. So happy to be in the same decade. It only took one day to sell his car...not even really.
I worked all day making supper for tonight. We had a turkey in the freezer that I got on sale last year, so it was time to get it out. I made turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, stuffing, rolls and cranberry sauce. The kids and Brian were so full when they left the table they were all moaning. Everyone said there was not one thing that wasn't good. You see, Brian likes to joke and tell people I can't cook, but it's just not true. I never had time to want to until I started working part time. Now I have more time and actually want to spend part of my time making these meals. Tomorrow is bulgogi!
Tonight I mixed up the sugar cookie dough and colored it. Tomorrow we'll be rolling out and cutting camouflage sugar cookies. Then we'll send them along with some hot chocolate packs to Afghanistan. After making the cookies a couple of weeks ago that ended up looking camo colored we decided this would be fun. So, someone I know has a son overseas and she said he and his unit loves packages. I thought the kids would enjoy doing something nice for someone else. His mother also said to send a note from the kids, so he knows who to thank. The kids would think that's awesome getting mail from someone in the US military.
But, now I'm exhausted.
6 Years of Christmas Greetings
We must have skipped 2005 when we were waiting for Chelsi's referral, but the kids LOVE wearing pjs with Santa hats for Christmas pictures, so we have 2004, forward. They have changed so much. And as Chase says, the tree is shrinking. He just could not believe after we put it together how short it keeps getting.
2004
2006
2007
2008
2009
And then 2010
2004
2006
2007
2008
2009
And then 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
What a pair of women!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_tv_kate_meets_sarah_palin
The two women of reality tv (and no I do not watch because they bug me so much) that a despise the most. They're both just women that constantly want their 15 minutes. I think that's the only reason Palin may run for Presidency, Lord help us. And Kate....well...I still think in the end she kept doing her show and putting her kids in the spotlight for herself. I mean really. Did anyone any longer believe it was so hard for a mom of 8 kids to make it when she really didn't have to do anything. It's kind of easy with nannies, cooks, clothes at your disposal and income from the show to-boot. Palin I just can't stand. She's fake and uses her family the same way. I still think her show is just a way to get even more notoriaty before running for 2012.
ICK!!! I'd probably vomit if I did watch it.
The two women of reality tv (and no I do not watch because they bug me so much) that a despise the most. They're both just women that constantly want their 15 minutes. I think that's the only reason Palin may run for Presidency, Lord help us. And Kate....well...I still think in the end she kept doing her show and putting her kids in the spotlight for herself. I mean really. Did anyone any longer believe it was so hard for a mom of 8 kids to make it when she really didn't have to do anything. It's kind of easy with nannies, cooks, clothes at your disposal and income from the show to-boot. Palin I just can't stand. She's fake and uses her family the same way. I still think her show is just a way to get even more notoriaty before running for 2012.
ICK!!! I'd probably vomit if I did watch it.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Just live
I'm a Type A, obssessive compulsive person. That's not easy to have them together. One can feed the other. For a very long time I've had to control everything. I live for structure and schedule. I'm trying very hard to change.
Not that all of those traits are bad, but they can be hard to live with. Afterall, does anyone really have control of their life? In reality I never have. I know that. Everything since we've been married has taught me that there is no real control. There's only God's control and how we react to his actions and the actions of others' free will. I have decided that I'm going to try to just live. When my work schedule changed from fulltime to parttime I was terrified. I wanted it so badly for over 10 years, but I wasn't sure how we were really going to do it. But, now that I've been doing it for 3 months, I realize how much I love it. As much as I'd hoped; since I was scared that I may end up disliking it. I always have fears with any big changes in life. That's just me.
Things aren't easy, but we're making it. It will be a little tougher next month when my insurance premiums go up and my paycheck goes down $200/month. But, I'm still very thankful for my time to spend with my babies before they grow up and my time to do grocery shopping and the little things I need to get done without the insanity. I know it will end, but I'm living in today and what I have now. Until my parttime job ends and I have to return to fulltime next year I will continue to enjoy every second of it. I will continue to make cookies, pies and cinnamon rolls with my kids helping. I will continue to snuggle that many more moments. I will continue to be the one home when the get off school; to help with homework and start supper. And the little kids, for a little longer, will have special grandparent time on the days I work.
Another thing I've realized is that when it comes to having kids you never have to say you're having more or you're done. You can make your choices as God or life leads you. I can honestly say I don't know where our family stands. I'm happy with our 5. Very busy and happy with our 5. But, we have 6 years until we age out of Korea; withstanding the Korean government discontinuing adoptions in 2012 as planned. We never know if we will decide to go into foster care one day either. Now, before friends and family freak out when they read this, this does not mean we're having more children. It just means we don't know. I do know I do not want to parent more babies. If the right situation came along, maybe, but I sincerely doubt we would. I still have the dream of adopting an older child one day. But, again, things change as life goes on and I'm trying very hard not to plan my life away. I'm trying very hard just to live. Live and wait for God's signs. If they never come then maybe we're never meant to expand our family. And, honestly, I'm happy either way.
It feels so good to make a decision like this. I've been grappling with it for a bit now. My love for my kids is SO immense. That love spreads to other children with no families to call their own, but I now know after much thought that that doesn't mean we are their family. It just means I need to pray for them to find families and maybe find other avenues to help.
Not that all of those traits are bad, but they can be hard to live with. Afterall, does anyone really have control of their life? In reality I never have. I know that. Everything since we've been married has taught me that there is no real control. There's only God's control and how we react to his actions and the actions of others' free will. I have decided that I'm going to try to just live. When my work schedule changed from fulltime to parttime I was terrified. I wanted it so badly for over 10 years, but I wasn't sure how we were really going to do it. But, now that I've been doing it for 3 months, I realize how much I love it. As much as I'd hoped; since I was scared that I may end up disliking it. I always have fears with any big changes in life. That's just me.
Things aren't easy, but we're making it. It will be a little tougher next month when my insurance premiums go up and my paycheck goes down $200/month. But, I'm still very thankful for my time to spend with my babies before they grow up and my time to do grocery shopping and the little things I need to get done without the insanity. I know it will end, but I'm living in today and what I have now. Until my parttime job ends and I have to return to fulltime next year I will continue to enjoy every second of it. I will continue to make cookies, pies and cinnamon rolls with my kids helping. I will continue to snuggle that many more moments. I will continue to be the one home when the get off school; to help with homework and start supper. And the little kids, for a little longer, will have special grandparent time on the days I work.
Another thing I've realized is that when it comes to having kids you never have to say you're having more or you're done. You can make your choices as God or life leads you. I can honestly say I don't know where our family stands. I'm happy with our 5. Very busy and happy with our 5. But, we have 6 years until we age out of Korea; withstanding the Korean government discontinuing adoptions in 2012 as planned. We never know if we will decide to go into foster care one day either. Now, before friends and family freak out when they read this, this does not mean we're having more children. It just means we don't know. I do know I do not want to parent more babies. If the right situation came along, maybe, but I sincerely doubt we would. I still have the dream of adopting an older child one day. But, again, things change as life goes on and I'm trying very hard not to plan my life away. I'm trying very hard just to live. Live and wait for God's signs. If they never come then maybe we're never meant to expand our family. And, honestly, I'm happy either way.
It feels so good to make a decision like this. I've been grappling with it for a bit now. My love for my kids is SO immense. That love spreads to other children with no families to call their own, but I now know after much thought that that doesn't mean we are their family. It just means I need to pray for them to find families and maybe find other avenues to help.
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