Some of my favorite days

Last night I was watching "Sleepless in Seattle".  There was very little on and I hadn't seen it in years (like a decade), so I sat there watching it in the living room.  Chase was sitting next to me playing on his iPod.  I was getting so tired, early, but I didn't want to leave.  Because every now and again, when they're sitting next to you, even when they don't seem to be paying attention to you, they say things here and there.  I love and live for those moments.  Especially, with the 2  teenagers; they're to that point conversation is at a minimum.  I waited until he went to bed before I finally went.

Today I found a breaking point in my work (more like a brick wall on a report) and really needed a haircut and she happened to have an afternoon opening.  My boss said I could go ahead and leave (I rarely take of for haircuts), so I took it.  I was thinking 'yay, no football practice tonight, just cut Chase's hair and easy night'.  Wasn't quite that easy, but pleasant enough.  We had decided last night to make egg rolls, so now I was going to be home in time to help.  The wrappers we bought were awful and kept breaking through, so supper wasn't a big hit.  While I was making supper I noticed Chase getting frustrated with everyone in the house while he was doing his Algebra homework.  After supper he said he got it all done and checked the one that were in the back of the book.  I asked him if he wanted me to check them and after I finally convinced him I'm actually pretty smart and could reteach myself Algebra enough to check it he let me.  Soon enough I was reteaching him.  Figured out that he understood algebra itself, but not the negatives and positives and groupings.  I went over different ways to explain how to do what for about an hour, then by his choice he redid his whole assignment and seemed much more confident.  I think he really was surprised I knew it.  He said his teacher just got up and did a problem real quick without really explaining what gets added, subtracted and when signs get changed.  It felt good that I was really useful to him; that I could help.  I hope he'll come to us more now, knowing it's something we can sit and discuss and make things a whole lot easier.  Then, I cut his hair and he had the rest of the night off; football free.  He seemed so relieved and I think he was struggling, but couldn't explain why until tonight.  His grades are great.  I think he was just afraid they could go down and he tries really hard to maintain straight As and it is harder to do that with Algebra 1 your 8th grade year in addition.  I'm very proud of him and his wanting to work hard.

Now if only Cole would try as hard and do as much as I'm positive he's capable of.  I see signs of it from time-to-time, but he doesn't believe in himself enough to put it all out there.  I hope one day he does.

Hotteok! Finally

I finally looked up the recipe for hotteok.  We had them on a nice rainy day in Seoul.  And they were so good I've been craving them every since.  We have snack day at work, so I'm bringing a few, but Kaelin and I made plenty for us.  Brian got to have his first.  He was too full after the meal Yunjin fed us in Insadong that he didn't want to try one then, so Kaelin gave him one today.  They were just as good as Insadong!  So YUMMY!

Party Time for Jaemin

Jaemin has been SO excited about his party for the last week.  It's not really a big party, but it was just right for him. Luckily, his Godparents' daughter is his friend, so he got to have his friend over and his Godparents in one.  They got along well, for the most part, trying to share the jeep.  He liked having the fire in the firepit later when it got cooler.  He loved his dinosaur cupcakes and Ninja Turtle plates and napkins.  Thank goodness, he's easy to make happy. It was all outside and super easy for clean up and the weather was perfect.

Money is Jaemin's favorite gift.  He always likes to announce he got 'monies'.

Growing and preparing

Jaemin is preparing for Kindergarten next year.   He's in his 3rd year of speech.  Today, I chatted with Miss Ashley and she said he was very engaged today.  She said he started to flap briefly and caught himself, but still runs his hands on the concrete block wall.  He likes the texture.  She still thinks putting some velcro under his desk will help take care of his sensory seeking needs when he goes to school.  I hope so.  But, she said he was participating well and asking questions.  He's been participating much better for the last year, but is just now starting to really ask questions back and being part of a conversation.  AND he LOOKS at us more often when he talks!  This is HUGE!  I couldn't get him to do this just a year ago.  It was like it was painful to look you in the eyes while talking.  He'd do everything to look away....even for a camera.  Now he looks at you and you can really see him.  His questions are getting bigger and longer.  He no longer hates going to speech.  He walks down the hallway at school, beside his teacher, like he owns the place.  He's so sure of himself.  He said he's ready to go to school.  I'm so proud of his hard work.

At home, lately, I've noticed Cole holes himself up in his room or is working or is with friends....usually in that order.  I finally decided that the reason teenagers keep themselves in their room in solitude is to prepare their parents for the day they leave.  This way they're still here and you can get used to really not seeing them.  Then, one day they'll be gone, but they will not have been around much right before anyways.  God has a funny way of getting you ready for the next step in life.  Or at least that's how I see it. Gotta find the bright side.

my collages

I finally got all of the pictures I wanted printed from our trip and hung on the wall.  Love my Korea art.

 This is my collage from our trip in 2009.

Some.....of the birthday pictures

I will have more of Jaemin after his party this weekend, but I finally got Chelsi's off the camera and Jaemin opening his gift from us.  You can see his look at the blanket....less than thrilled.  But, he likes it now and sleeps on it.....yes, not under it.

Cheerleader in the Making

Even one of the cheerleading coaches' husbands said Chelsi is a born cheerleader.  I agree.  She loves cheerfair time of year and she did great.  I had to video tape it this year.  Hope her foster mom is reading.