Birthday Party

Today we had Marley's birthday party at Little Bear.  She had such a wonderful time playing with all of her friends.  I know she is really going to miss every body when we finally leave here this summer.  Two of my friends took pics at the party and I will post them as soon as I get copies.

Exam week

It has been a while since I blogged because I have been bogged down with school.  I am taking finals this week and then I start my next semester on Monday.  It has been a whirlwind of classes and tests and homework and papers, but it will be worth it in the end.  After this semester I will only have 9 more classes to go and I should be in my last semester as we are leaving here this summer!! 

Right now we are supposed to be out of here no later than the 4th of July.  I am sure we will be home a little bit before that.  All of us are ready to get back to good ole American conveniences.  I cannot wait for 24 hour shopping, businesses that open before noon, parking lots, drive thru anything, normal bathrooms with normal toilets (no more squatty potties), my own car, Mexican food, freedom, and choices!!!!  I swear the first night I get home I am heading to Walmart at 3 am and I am going to take pictures of all the choices and send them back to my friends still in Korea and say nah nah nah nah nah!!!

Halloween 2010

Marley and her best friend Alex

At the PX getting ready for trick or treating!

 Getting ready to head out trick or treating.  We stopped to meet up with all of our friends first.  Some people went to the haunted house that some of the soldiers built, but Jackson and I both said NO THANK YOU!!!  Last time we tried to go into a haunted house someone banged too hard on the safety glass and it shattered all over us and cut me.  Not to mention, my imagination does not need any help in the scare department.

Here are the kids before we headed out for the evening.  I spent 45 minutes painting Jacksons face!  Once Marley saw me painting on her brother, she had to have her face painted too.  She told me she wanted to be a "scary witch" so I painted some crazy eyebrows on her forehead, a spider, and a spiderweb.  I really should have gotten a close up of Jackson's face, cause it really did turn out well.

We had a great time trick or treating this year.  A lot more of the houses on the base were giving out candy and so it felt more like home.  Marley had a hard time understanding why we could not stop and sit down and eat the candy as we went, but she got the hang of it. 

On Sunday we went to a Halloween party that my friends and I had organized for the base that we live on.  We told anyone and everyone to bring baked goods, drinks, and candy to pass out.  There was such a great turn out and all of us ended up with major sugar hangovers the next day!  I sure hope that the women here will continue to do this kind of thing for the community after we all leave.

Mimi and Pops Go Korean

Marley loved showing off her new tutus for her Mimi and Pops.

The kids had quite the captive audience this week.  Mimi played board games with Jackson and playdough with Marley. 

Here is Marley on her first bike.  I cannot believe she is old enough to be learning how to ride a bicycle.

Mom got a real kick out of Dr. Fish (the place where you put your feet into the water and little fish are supposed to eat off the dead skin).

Just thought this was a cute picture of Marley and Mimi eating breakfast.

We had such a wonderful time with my parents and they were real troopers the whole time they were here.  They were so exhausted from all of their sightseeing in Japan, but they made sure that we all got the love and attention that we had been craving.  I am pretty sure that they had seen all of the temples they wanted to see and did all of the walking around that they could handle while in Japan, so we mostly spent our time hanging out.  On the first night they arrived in Korea, we took them to eat at our favorite restaurant to have what the Americans call "beef n leaf."  I was very proud of how open they were to trying all of the strange and wonderful dishes.  The next day we pretty much stayed around the house and just went out to the park so that they could rest up a little.  On Thursday we decided to take them to Seomun Market (the largest traditional Korean market).  They got to see all of the crazy vendors selling all kinds of random things.  Friday we ventured downtown and introduced them to "food on a stick" and yackimandu.  They were not all that crazy about the food, but they were good sports about it.  Next we walked over to Dr. Fish to let them see what we had been talking about.  The minute we all put our feet in the fish seemed to swarm to Pops.  As soon as we got Mimi to put her feet in the water she started to giggle.  The little fish must really have been tickling her.  Saturday was the day that Mimi and I had decided that we would head to Osan to do some purse shopping.  We headed out for the 2 1/2 hour drive with my wonderful friend Jen at 8 am that morning excited about the adventure ahead.  After we stuffed our faces at Chili's we were off to haggle for some purses.  Mimi got such a kick out of having to crawl through tunnels and walk behind hidden walls to get to "the good stuff."  I ended up leaving with 6 purses and two mink blankets.  Jen was the good one and only walked away with 5 purses.  Mimi, on the other hand, walked away with 10 purses (3 as gifts) and 1 mink blanket.  We had such a nice day and it would have been perfect if the drive home had not taken us 4 1/2 hours.  While Mimi and I were in Osan, Jason and Pops took the kids to the zoo here in Korea.  They all seemed to have a good time, but we were all exhausted.  The last few days we have spent our time playing, talking, and enjoying each other’s company.  I have had such a wonderful time having them here that I really hate to see them leave tomorrow.  I just want to say thank you so much Mom and Dad for coming completely across the world to see us.  We love you more than words can ever say!  Our time together over the last ten days has been such a wonderful gift that I will treasure forever.  Thank you.  Thank you. Thank you.

Ballet

Marley started ballet the other day and I cannot tell you how excited I am.  This is what I have been looking forward to ever since I found out that I was having a girl.  She loves her new tutus and she did so good listening to the teacher.  I cannot believe that my baby girl is getting so big!

Jason's Birthday

For Jason's birthday he decided to spend the day golfing.  One of my wonderful friends watched the kids for us so that I could go with him and drive the golf cart.  I had such a good time driving the cart that I told him I would go back with him once a month.

First Haircut

Marley got her very first haircut!!  The wonderful lady took 3 inches off her hair.  Marley sat perfectly still and was awesome the whole time.

Korean War Museum

These are pictures from our trip to the Korean War Museum in Seoul. 

Bad Haircut

Well once again the language barrier here has proven to be a problem.  I took our sweet little Gabby to the groomer today to get her haircut.  I showed them a picture of what I wanted and I sat there for 20 minutes giving instructions.  I told them to do a traditional spaniel cut, but not to mess with her face.  I told them to only trim around the eyes and not too short on her back.  I guess my charades and limited Korean left something to be desired, because when I picked her up she looked like a chemo patient.  They shaved her back down to almost skin and they shaved her face to the length I wanted her back.  Poor dog......I almost didn't recognize her.  I will have to take her picture and post it for you.

Gabby

Just thought that I would introduce you to the newest member of our family, Gabby!  She is the sweetest little cocker spaniel I have ever seen.  She is one year old and we just love her to death. 

Too Funny

I know the picture is hard to see, but look closely.  My friend and I decided to step outside and watch the typhoon we are having here (nothing more than wind and rain) when we saw this old Korean man.  He is asleep at the children's park right outside my home.  He has a lit cigarette in his hand and his wet weather pants around his ankles.  He did not even seem to notice to two American women on the balcony above him laughing and taking pictures.  I swear this stuff only happens in Korea.  Most of the time when this crap happens you are never lucky enough to get a picture.  This time we got the picture, but it is blurry from the storm.  Just found this too funny not to share.

July 4th

The 4th of July was different this year.  The base had a small little carnival with games for the kids to play, but Marley spent most of her time in the bouncy house.  Jackson decided to try his luck on the mechanical bull.  He did pretty good until Jason told the guys to give him a "real" ride.  That evening we watched the fireworks from our patio.  This was awesome because Marley was able to watch the "pretties in the sky" instead of being so scared of the loud noises.  We had a great day together as a family, but we are all ready to get back to 4th of July in Texas!

Sand Festival

This weekend we headed down to the beach in Busan for the sand festival.  The kids really enjoyed getting to put their feet in the ocean and collecting shells.  All along one stretch of the beach they were having a sand castle contest where the most elaborate sand carvings were on display.  After about an hour on the beach we were all starting to turn red so we headed to the Aquarium to cool off.  We had a great time but we were sooooooo tired when we got on the bus to head back home.

Field Day

Friday was Field Day at Jackson's school.  We all had a great time, but I swear it felt like I was back in the Texas heat! 

Next

Jason is finally home and we hope that it will be a while before he has to leave again.  The whole point of coming to Korea was so that we could all be together and him leaving for a month and a half kind of defeats that purpose.  Oh well, what are you gonna do.  That is life in the Army.  The kids are getting eager for summer to start.  School is almost out and the pools are open.  We have not had the best weather here lately and we are all getting cabin fever from too much time indoors.  I think Bridget and I may take Marley and Alex swimming at the indoor pool today.  I do not envy the lifeguard who has to see me in a bathing suit.  I have been working out, but I still have a LONG way to go.  That is why we are taking the kids to the pool while everyone else is at work! 

Adventure

For the last three weeks Jason has been up closer to the DMZ doing training and is scheduled to be there for a little while longer. The other day he called me and said that he was getting a 24 hour break and asked if I would travel up there, without the children, to spend that time with him. Of course I said yes, but in the back of my mind I was freaking out. I have never left the kids over night with anyone other than family and certainly not when I would be so far away. I quickly hoisted up my big girl panties and got to working out the details for my trip. Thanks to some very wonderful friends here (this is why I love military wives!) I knew that my children were in good hands. I took the train from Daegu to Seoul, which only took two hours. Then I got to wonder around the Seoul Train station until I found the Metro line (which I finally found outside and down two long flights of stairs). How exciting, my very first subway ride!!!! After another hour or so, and a quick cab ride, I was finally at my destination. Jason met me at the gate and took me to the hotel to drop off my heavy backpack before we went shopping. As soon as I opened the door to the room it was very clear that there was something wrong with the air conditioning. Being my mother’s daughter, I dropped my backpack and marched back to the front desk to deal with this situation. Apparently my visit happened to fall one week before they turn on the a.c. to the building, but she was happy to give me a box fan for the evening. Oh joy.  I took a deep breath, and the box fan, and headed back to the room determined to not let this ruin my evening (once I put the fan in front of the open window the room cooled off). Next Jason took me out to show me around the post that he was stationed at the first time he was in Korea and then we were off to shop. Jason ended up getting a beautiful suede jacket for $100 and the guy altered it on the spot! After dinner I told Jason that I wanted him to take me into one of the "juicy bars" so that I could see for myself what they are like. Sure enough, as soon as we walked in the scantily clad girls came running over asking us to buy them drinks. We did not stay for long and headed to get drinks in a normal bar, but I was glad for the experience of the "juicy bar" just so that I could say that I have been to one. After lunch, and one last time around the PX, I was back on the train for my long trip back home. Jason and I had a great time spending quality time just the two of us and we are determined to do things like this more often.

Philly Cheesesteak

They opened a new restaurant here in Daegu right near the base and I think I am in love!  It is the perfect location.  It is in walking distance and it is right across the street from the DVD store.  I have never had a Philly cheesesteak before and I am completely hooked.  There are so few places to get American food over here and they are all kind of far away.  I am so happy to have something so close.

Rainy Day

I cannot stand rainy days.  I am sitting here in the house trying to do homework, but I think I better give it up until the kids go to bed.  Right now Jackson has two friends over and they are all playing Rock Band and Tony Hawk Ride on the wii.  They are all having a good time, but holy cow they are loud!  Poor Marley desperately wants to play with them, but she just seems to be in the way.  I am so ready for some nice weather so that the kids can get outside and run off all this energy.

Baseball

YEAH!!!!!!  Baseball season has finally started!!!

Family Fun Day

Today was Family Fun Day on the main post here in Daegu, South Korea.  The kids had a wonderful time jumping in the bouncy houses and winning prizes.  MWR (morale, welfare & recreation) did a pretty darn good job of making sure that everyone had a good time.  It was finally a nice, sunny day.  The only thing missing was Daddy, who is in the field for a while. 

Good Times

We had a pretty nice week this week. Jason and I took the kids to fly kites on Thursday before baseball practice. Jackson had a blast, but Marley HATED it. She screamed the whole time out of fear that the kite was going to get away. She told me to take it down and that it needed to go home and be safe. We just laughed, called her Grandma, and kept flying the kite. She spent the rest of the time with her back turned so that she would not have to witness the torture we were putting this poor SpongeBob kite through. That night Jackson went to spend the night with a friend, so Jason and I took Marley downtown to eat at Bennegan's. It was so nice to have some American food that tastes like it does back home.



On Friday the whole family went out to Jason's work for an Organizational Day. Sometimes, this is called Family Day, but where we are the single soldiers far outweigh the families so they make sure to gear it a little bit more toward them. They had a bouncy house for the kids, water balloons, treat bags, and they all got to make their own t-shirts. We all had a really good time and enjoyed each other’s company. That evening, Jackson went to another sleepover so I called my friend Leslie and send Marley over to her house. Jason and I went out and got to spend some time alone for a change.

Jump

I finished all of my exams and ended up with a B in both of my classes.  I am extremely happy with myself right now since it has been a while since I have taken classes at a University. 

Easter weekend was wonderful.  4 of my really good friends and their families all got together and for a cookout yesterday.  We rented a HUGE bouncy house and spent the entire day outside in the sunshine.  All of the children got to hunt easter eggs at the park and eat candy for every meal.  If we could not be at home with our families, this was such a wonderful way to spend the Easter holiday.

For anyone considering renting a bouncy house I have a few words of advice:  This was the best money I ever spent on a babysitter.  My 3 year old only came out of that thing to go to the bathroom and eat all day long.  I think she and I both had a wonderful day.  Our evening, however, was quite the opposite.  Apparently 7 hours of bouncy house fun can make your children overly tired.  Marley woke up crying every hour on the hour.  When I talked to some of the other mothers they all seemed to have similar evenings.  In the future we will be limiting the bouncy fun and the adult fun to a few hours.

Poor Jackson

I am sitting here in the living room watching a movie with Marley listening to Jackson and his best friend Jayden laughing and playing in his room.  I am so sad right now.  Jayden and his family just found out that they are leaving on Friday to go back to the U.S. for good.  Jackson is going to be so heartbroken when he is gone.  These boys walk together every day to and from school.  They get along so well and he will surely be missed.

One Down One To Go

Today I went and took my final exam for my Government class.  It seemed fairly easy, but we will see what my grade ends up being.  Now to study really hard for my next one. 

Finals

Sorry that is has been a while since I have posted anything.  I have been studying for my finals next week.  I am almost finished with Goverment and Sociology.  Next semester I am taking Statistics and Contemporary Social Problems.  It has been really nice to use my brain again, but this is harder than I remember.  Maybe it is just the fact that I am trying to balance school and 3 children (yes I am counting Jason as one of my children because sometimes men act that way). 

Retreat

This weekend our family went back to Seoul to the Dragonhill Lodge for a retreat.  We have had a great time.  We all went shopping and the boys even went to the War Museum (Marley and I had to take a nap).  Jason and I listen to a great conference and learned a lot.  The children had a great time playing with new friends.  Tonight was the last night and we got a babysitter to come to the room so we could have a little time alone.  Of course we headed to the casino.  Here is a picture of the results!

What has two thumbs and just won $1000?????

THIS GUY

Recent Snow Day

Funding is back

I am so excited!  My funding for my school is back and I do not have to pay for it out of my pocket!  Now I have a few more semesters before I need to worry about paying for my classes.  I am registered and I should be able to go onto the website and have them send the money on monday.  This really is a wonderful program.  MyCAA offers military spouses $6000 to pay for education in portable careers that they will be able to do as they move from place to place with their soldier.

Bye Bye Hair

Today was day one of my laser hair removal treatments. I have to say I was prepared for it to hurt REALLY badly, but not so much. First you go in and see the dr who checks out all your unwanted hair. Next they put numbing cream on and leave you in the reception area for 20 minutes. This was fun. Apparently Korean women do not have a problem with upper lip hair, because we were definitely talked about and stared at. I could care less. I looked into having this done in the states and it was a couple thousand dollars. Gotta love Korea because it was only $200 for 5 treatments!

Preschool

Monday was Marley's first day of preschool and she LOVED it.  She walked away from me and immediately started to play with her "peoples" as she calls them.  When I picked her up after lunch she told me she had a wonderful time and that she was excited to go back.  She said she did not cry but some of the others did.  I cannot tell you how shocked this all made me.  This is my child who will not let me go to the bathroom by myself!  We walked in the door, she threw her coat at me, and told me that she would see me later.  WOW.  This morning she tells me that she wants to go to school every day and was mad at me that this was an off day.  I had originally signed her up for only three days a week of part day preschool, but I guess I am going to have to call them back and tell them that she wants to go everyday.  My baby is growing up and she needs to slow down!

Bad Daughter

I just thought I would make a public apology to my Daddy.  I forgot his birthday this year.  Not only did I not call on his actual birthday, but I had to be reminded that I forgot it.  No excuse!  I am sorry and I love you Daddy!

New Furniture

We went to the store the other day to buy a recliner, and instead we came home with the leather furniture that I have been wanting forever!  I love it.  It is a beautiful caramel color and it is so soft.  Thank you so much Jason, I love you !!!!!!! 

Goodbye

So sad to say goodbye to one of my very good friends here, Jennifer (middle).  She and her family have PCSed to Hawaii for the next three years.  I have to say I am so sorry to see her go, but I am so jealous that she is headed to paradise.  Before Jennifer left Leslie and I decided we had to take her out to party one last time.  We had such a great night (the next morning sucked)!

Bad Day

Today has not been a very good day.  First I went to sign Marley up for preschool and they tell me that there are no slots left and that I will have to go on the waiting list.  Next, when i go to pay for Jackson's baseball I realize that I have left my wallet at home.  Then the icing on the cake:  A friend calls to tell me that the program that was funding my school tuition has been canceled.  I had not planned on having to deal with paying for school for atleast another 3 semesters.  Now I get to spend the next few weeks hunting down scholarships and what not.  I think I need to just go back to bed and start the day over tomorrow.

Freedom

I just learned tonight that freedom smells like poop.  I have never been so excited!  Marley pooped in the potty 3 times today.  We have finally gotten this potty training thing down.  I will be headed to sign her up for preschool on Monday.  She will be starting on March 1st.  I will soon be the proud recipient of 3 hours a day, 3 days a week, of FREE TIME.  I have been coveting this prize for three years now.   WOOOOOOHOOOOOO

PX and a new purse

Not much has been going on here lately. I have been studying my butt off! Monday my friend Leslie and I decided to take off for Osan. The PX we have here is so small and there really is just not that much to choose from, but the one is Osan is HUGE. We filled up an entire cart full of stuff that they will have sent back here for us (for free). Then we headed over to Chili’s (yes it is all the same food and atmosphere as back home) to stuff our faces. I nearly wet my pants when Leslie asked me if I had ever tried getting chips and salsa as an appetizer! I informed her that in Texas they give that to you before they even take your drink order. We both ordered lunch and only ate half so that we could take some home to the husbands. Then we told the waitress that we wanted the Chocolate Chip Paradise dessert (like a chocolate chip cookie brownie with coconut, topped with ice cream, drizzled with caramel and chocolate, and then sprinkled with pecans). Ahhhhh......this was what we had driven 3 hours for!! The poor Korean waitress looks at us and says "one?" to which we laugh and reply "TWO!!" Both of us devoured these desserts without a second thought. Eventually we rolled ourselves out of Chili’s and made our way to the shopping district to get some purses. In less than ten minutes we were out of money and on our way home to check out our loot. Leslie left Osan with a cute little Dooney & Burke and a Coach, and I got the Chanel I have had my eye on. I can’t wait for next time!

Tea Party

Today Marley went to her friend Emma's 5th birthday party. I have to say that Emma's mom (Misti) really outdid herself! She had her son dress up really nice and he was the doorman that greeted us. He took the little girls shoes and gave them all princess heels and a bright pink feather boa. Then the girls were seated to tea where Emma's daddy, dressed in a tux, waited on them and poured their tea. Misti had spent all day making petit fours and princess cupcakes and she even let the girls dip strawberries in chocolate fondue. It was so neat and Marley and the other little girls had such a wonderful time.

Korean for bangs

Yesterday my friend Leslie and I took the kids to Little Bear (indoor play place) since it has been too cold for them to play outside. This place it heaven for 3-4 year old, but I swear to you Jackson and his best friend Jayden have more fun than Marley and Logan. Once all of the children were sufficiently worn out, the mommies dropped them off at home and we headed out to get our hair cut. The girl that normally cuts our hair is on maternity leave until April (Koreans take a LONG maternity leave) so we decided to try one of the places that other moms go to. In the states they wash your hair and then cut it, but here they cut your hair dry and then wash and style it. Of course the girls there do not speak a word of English so I brought in a picture of what I was going for. I had no intentions of making a drastic change, I just wanted her to reshape my style. Apparently I must have given her the impression that I wanted bangs at some point in my pantomime, or she decided that I needed them. I have never had bangs before, but once she started cutting there was no turning back. I decided to wait until my hair was styled to make my decision on whether I was happy or not. First they wash my hair, which is usually my favorite part, but this time the water was a little cold and there was not that much head massaging going on. Next they move me to the chair where two women dry and style my hair. This was the most amazing part of my day. I cannot believe how wonderful this felt and that it only cost me $6 and a set of bangs that I did not want. I think that I will be going back to this place every week to get a wash and style and a little me time! In the end, I am still undecided about the bangs. I like them, but I think I am going to have to wash and style them myself to see whether I love them.

Back to school

I registered for my classes forever ago and today is finally the first day of the semester. It has been a little while since I took any classes, but I am really excited. I have been on the websites and downloaded/printed the syllabus and materials for each of the classes. I took a trip to the store and thoroughly enjoyed getting all my new school supplies. I am totally ready to finish my degree, completely overwhelmed, but ready. I have a feeling that Marley is not going to make this easy on me, but that is what I get for taking forever to finish. My time here in Korea could not be better spent!

Hey Goat!

After dragging the entire family on a tour earlier in Scott's visit; this time we opted to go by ourselves. Scott and I were both exhausted, but we got on that tour bus anyway. In the end we had a wonderful day. We laughed ourselves silly and absorbed as much of the history and culture as we could. We even ate at a traditional Korean-style restaurant where we had no idea what we were ordering until our tour guide made goat noises at us. Given the choices, Scott and I stuck with the goat and ended up rather enjoying it.


This first picture is of an ancient ice cave. This is apparently where they would store the ice for royalty. It was pretty cool. From the outside it just looked like a huge hill of dirt, but there was a hidden entrance that led to this cool little cave.

One of the stops on the tour was an ice forest. In the winter time they spray water up into the trees to make this beautiful backdrop for all the ice sculptures. It was really a very majestic sight. Scott and I even got to walk through this cave made entirely of ice.

This is one of the ancient Confucian Academies in the Daegu vicinity. The colors and the details were absolutely breathtaking. Scott and I got really excited when we found out that we were going to be able to go inside and look around the grounds.

This is one of the many shrines in the Daegu area. One of the ones we saw on our tour was over 1000 years old.