Yes!

One of the last places we went in Seoul together before flying out was to this gazebo on Namsan Mountain.  This is where we got engaged in May 2007.  At that time, Jarrod read through Proverbs 31 and shared with me all sorts of nice things about myself. :)  And then he asked if I would marry him and I said yes. (that is the simplified version of what happened. you get the picture :)   So.. when we went back there 7  years later.. he had an updated version of his engagement speech.. now after 6.5 years of marriage and 3 kids later.  It was really sweet.  And this time we took pictures (we were too "in love" last time to even think about it!)

engagement reinactment... we are in Korea.. no shoes on in the gazebo!

So glad he asked all those years ago.  So glad I said yes!

A special day for Mommy

Jarrod really, really went out of his way this year to make Mother's Day special.  FIRST, he finished his last big paper for seminary EARLY so that it wouldn't be hanging over us to work on that day.   Then, he let me sleep in, surprising me with a huge bouquet of flowers and hand-print cards from the kids.. made breakfast AND cleaned the kitchen afterward.. and then continued to have surprises for me throughout the day.  

It was extra-special because the kids are getting old enough to realize that the day was different from other days.. and Jarrod helped them by giving them little things to give me with throughout the day as well.  

Chocolate! Yum!

 Hugs and kisses... just what I wanted! ;)

Thanks, honey, for making it such a special day!

I love you

There is something so special about the parent child relationship that is captured in this poem. I am blessed to be called Mommy.

6 years!

Happy Anniversary, Honey!

No Regrets

I recently read an article about the top five things that people regret at the end of their lives.  I started thinking about what I will regret - not at the end of my life, but at the end of "my time" with my kids. They are at home with me now, and before I know it they will be going to kindergarten, then prom, college, and off into the world!  I have five foundational years to really invest in my kids' lives. At the end of these years, I would regret it if I hadn't taught them these truths:

1. God is real and in every part of our lives.  I hope that my children now God, and His Son Jesus, and have learned how He is in everything.
2. You are important, special, and loved.  There are so many distractions that take me away from my kids - are they needed?  I want this to be quality time that teaches them they are worth the investment. 
3. It is not about success; it is about effort.  I hope to teach my kids the value of working hard, and not being afraid of failure.
4. Obedience must be immediate.  The phrase "listen and obey" is repeated often in our home. My children need to recognize and submit to appropriate authority.
5. People are more important than things.  When they fight over toys or when I yell because they broke an objet, it can send the message that the toy or object is more important than the relationship.. which is not the message I want the kids to take away. They are always more important.

What is on your list? What things do you want to teach your children before they leave your home? How can you work now to ensure that you are left with no regrets??

Out to dinner!

Mom and I went out to dinner tonight, taking Alaina along for her first car seat ride while Daddy had special time with the older two kids. We definitely had it easier than Jarrod (who was busy with dinner, playing and bedtime routines) - as Alaina fell asleep as we were leaving for dinner, and is still sleeping!

 Thanks, Jarrod! :) We had a great time!

Strength in Gentleness

One of the Fruits of the Spirit that we are learning about and teaching this year at our International Playgroup is gentleness, also translated as meekness.  Often these words are equated with weakness. However, the original term found in the Bible referred to a horse that was tamed, still having it’s full strength but now acted tempered and controlled.  It is not the weak who need to act with gentleness, but the strong. 

Sometimes it is so easy to be gentle with our sweet children.  But how easy it when dealing with a strong-willed toddler or a defiant teenager who knows how to “push our buttons”?  It is our challenge to model gentleness in our words and actions, and is especially important for us to be mindful of it when we are frustrated, tired, or just trying to get the laundry hung and dinner made!  Gentleness in a parent is not about letting a child get his or her way, it is about remaining the authority without being harsh.

Home is the training ground for all other relationships in life.  What we model and teach our children when they are young will stay with them throughout their lives.  A parent has strength and authority over their child to provide discipline and guidance, but only when it is tempered with compassion and tenderness will the instruction be well received.  

Gentleness starts in our home with our family. Our strength expressed in gentleness with our spouse and our children will make a positive impact both now and in the future.  May we be strong enough practice gentleness.

Photo Shoot #4: Mother Daughter photos

Tribe Pride!

 Representin' the TRIBE in Seoul.

Busy Bag Exchange

 Last Spring, a friend emailed a bunch of mothers with toddlers asking if they wanted to be a part of a Busy Bag exchange over the summer.  She assigned us all different reusable craft projects to put together that would occupy and teach our toddlers. A lot of the busy bag ideas came from here.  I enthusiastically signed up to be a part of the exchange - and, of course, I waited until the last minute to complete the project. (I don't recommend this - it takes longer than you think it will!)
 I was assigned a cupcake busy bag and instructed to make enough for the 20 moms that signed up (myself included).

We used the guidelines from Money Saving Mom and got to work tracing and cutting out felt.  

It was a lot of cutting! I definitely enlisted help for this part!

We finally got all the bags put together and ready for the exchange.

Wouldn't YOU want to make one of these cupcakes?!

We got together this past weekend to swap busy bags - what fun!  Everyone gave plenty of "ooohhs and awwws" for each of the crafts, excited about the fun projects to do with their kids!  It turned into a great social event for me, and I came home bearing a huge bag full of "presents" for Marc.  We are definitely looking forward to getting to all of them. Below are a couple of the other projects we got from other Moms (matching color pom-pom balls with color dots on the left and making a shape - or whatever we want - on sandpaper with yarn on the right).  I have pictures of my son playing with them, but they would be inappropriate to post since we are potty training this week. :) It has actually been perfect timing for this busy bag exchange - giving me lots to do with Marc while keeping a close eye on him and the potty.  Fighting!

Happy Mother's Day!

To my mothers and grandmothers - you have been a source of love, strength, and encouragement, and I am so thankful for you!  To my mommy friends - thank-you for laughing and crying with me, and inspiring me to love my children well. Happy Mother's Day to you!

 Now, if I may... I really need to give my husband a bit of affirmation.

Jarrod and Marc went on a walk on Saturday night, and when they returned, Marc was carrying the little basket of flowers.  He was so cute running in the door to give them to me.  I expected that this was my Mother's day gift - and was pleased and touched at my son's enthusiasm and my husband's facilitation. :)

That night was particularly rough (I couldn't sleep well), so Jarrod got up this morning and let me sleep in.  I didn't have much hope for sleeping longer.. but the next thing I knew, Jarrod walked in with breakfast on a tray (eggs, roll and jam, yogurt, banana, juice..) AND this home-made flower!  I was so surprised and delighted.  I got to have breakfast in bed... and found out that it was 9:30AM (that is late in Mommy-world)!

TIME to get up for church... I mean it was a big day, Emmalyn's dedication, friends coming over.. gotta get going!!
So, I walked out of the bedroom and found the HUGE bouquet of flowers waiting for me.  I was shocked. delighted. amazed. impressed. shocked. ;) wow.

Every time I walk by it, I have to do a double take. That is mine? In my house?  Look how pretty! Look at the flower bunch back here - I didn't notice that one before!

I love flowers.  And I REALLY love flowers that were given to me by my family because they love me and want me to feel loved.  I do. feel so loved.  I will thoroughly enjoy my two bouquets of flowers from my two special guys - and then have my homemade flower to enjoy long afterwards.

So glad someone invented Mother's Day.
They knew we needed it.
Now who do I talk to about making it bi-annual? ;)

Thank-you, Jarrod, for making this Mother's Day so special for me! I love you!

Happy 4th Anniversary!

Yesterday Jarrod and I celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary.  These 4 years have gone by quickly, and  each year gets better and better.  So glad I get to spend the rest of my life with this man!

Jarrod surprised me coming home with roses and the urge to "go get ready" because we had reservations at a very nice traditional Korean restaurant, the Samwon Gardens.  This place is special to us because Mr. Lee (Jarrod's former employer in Seoul) took us to this same restaurant 5 years ago, during my first visit to Seoul.  He arranged a babysitter to come and take care of Marc (the first person other than Mom and Dad to put Marc to bed at night... tear! ;)

 So, with that we left on what will possibly be our LAST (for a while) pre-baby date night, - a night complete with tasty food, great atmosphere, and wonderful company. :)

The garden area was decorated with Christmas lights, making the evening magical...

 ...despite the COLD. ;)

AND then... Dessert! YUM.

 Over the course of the evening we were able to reflect on our marriage and together decide on goals for this coming year,  highlighting both a Fruit of the Spirit and one of the Five Love Languages to focus on for the year.  I am excited about the direction we are heading and the journey we are on together.
Thank-you, Sweetheart, for a wonderful evening!