The weather.com report for Saturday says: AM showers, with a high of 43 degrees. I think I will disregard the AM showers part of that report, and just be grateful that it will not be 23 degrees as it was that one time when I was running on a Saturday.
Saturday is the big day! Where has the time gone? Saturday is already December 13th?! And while my sister and brother are probably preparing right now to travel to LA, I simply strapped on my running shoes for a small sprint around Osan Air Base this morning. I didn't want to run too long, but wanted to make sure I am staying loose. So I decided to do a short three mile run around town before it was time to pick the girls up from school. I had my run end at their school and thought they would enjoy walking home with me. Especially if I let them take the short cut which involves stairs, since we wouldn't have the stroller with us.
Sometimes I'm just really wrong about what will get my ladies all excited. Ruby cried the entire walk home, and kept asking me why we couldn't just take a taxi. I'll have you know that it's maybe a third of a mile to get from their school to our house. That's how wimpy Ruby was today.
But for the three miles before I picked up the girls, I felt happy and carefree. And as I ran along I kept thinking of all my friends who said they would run with me on Saturday. (I hope you are all still planning on it. You are propelling me along!) And sometimes while I've been on my long runs, I've tried to remember every single person who said they would be running too, and visualize the last time I saw them and what we said to each other or what we did. And then I tried to imagine what life would be like if all of those friends were my neighbors.
And man, that would be dreamy.
So then I realize that is definitely asking for too much, but a World Race Day, that's definitely not asking too much of anyone. My friends Kim and Lori, they aren't even runners, but they are actually going to run with my on Saturday! So miles 1-3 are dedicated to you girls, and for your friendship and support!!
I hope Saturday proves to be a lovely day for our inaugural World Race Day event. I can't wait to wake up on Sunday morning to an inbox full of pictures of all my friends, (but of course not from brother-in-law Taylor, who said, and I quote, "count me--OUT") out there running for the cause of friendship. Love to you all already.
In other news, all of our Christmas packages got mailed. And for the sake of a family record, that was an event worth recording. And then the day AFTER all our packages got mailed, I remembered that I was going to sew some contributions for our silent auction at MOPS, so I kept the sewing machine out for one.more.night and sewed these little lovelies up:
Jane came home from school today and wanted a new hairdo. She went to the hair accessory drawer and came back with a handful of items. Rather than tell her how crazy she was, I just decided to place them all in her hair for her.
Looks like I made her day...
Which prompted Ruby to want to take a picture of me and Jane together.
But I was still just feeling happy that we even made it to school today! We were running VERY late this morning. So late that when my alarm went off at 7am, our house was as quiet as it is in the middle of the night. I couldn't understand it. I thought perhaps Darin and I had missed daylight savings or something, because it was really dark too. So I hit snooze (I know that this is very hard for you to believe Liz!), and thought I'd figure out the time mystery after 7 more minutes of sleep.
When my alarm went of 7 minutes later and still the house was so quiet, I was completely intrigued, so I climbed out of bed to investigate. I found all four of my children sweetly slumbering in their warm beds. Apparently it was not daylight savings day. It was simply a cold and dark, rainy morning.
You know how I hate the morning?! Do you remember how I think waking up is almost the worst part of the whole day?
When I saw everyone asleep, I simply couldn't stir a single one of them. I quietly as a mouse sat down at my computer and thought I'd check my email and that surely at any moment they would all come and find me in the dark office.
But minutes passed by. And I kept checking my clock wondering what I should do. It was 8am before any of them stumbled out of bed. School starts at 8am. And the girls are supposed to be at school at 8:30.
As I was putting the boys to bed tonight Darin over heard me telling them that I wouldn't let them sleep in again. And he said something like "Oh, did your alarm not go off again this morning?" And I said, "Oh no, it went off, but the children didn't wake up." And he said something like, "But you were awake?" And I said, "Yes, of course I woke up in time." And he said, "Well then, why didn't you wake them up?!"
He simply couldn't understand why I didn't wake them up. I tried to explain that it had been a late night for them and that if they were ALL sleeping in that long, it really must have meant that they were tired. And if there is anything in this life that I am sympathetic to, it is a tired soul. He totally laughed at me. He thought I was joking. But the funniest thing is, I wasn't joking at all, and until we had this conversation I thought I had mothered excellently this morning by letting all of my tired children sleep in just a little bit longer. Apparently I am wrong.
I'm really going to suck at waking kids up. I can see this now. It's never been a problem yet. Up until this point we have lived a life with kids who act as our alarm clock. We are going to be in serious trouble if I'm the one who is supposed to get us all going in the dark, cold, early mornings of winter!
But after I got everyone off to school LATE, I came back home to get things sorted out. Somewhere around Halloween time I thought it would be terribly quaint to hand make an enormous amount of Christmas presents this year. And so me and my sewing machine have been having some late nights together. When I got back home I decided that I should shake the schedule up and rather than sew late at night, try it early in the morning. I had my projects still out from the night before and I was in a quiet house all alone. I blasted my "Mary's Lullaby Christmas" CD (thanks Wiley's for my new favorite Christmas music!!), and for some reason every song sounded like the most beautiful song I had ever heard. I was sewing and crying simultaneously. And they were not tears of sorrow at all. Only tears of overwhelming joy and love. I think I was overflowing love for the peace and quiet in my house at 9am. That is a rare moment. And then I was overflowing love for all the people for whom I have been sewing. And then all the words of the songs about the birth and life of our Savior were simply overwhelming.
And it was ironic because just yesterday I was kind of feeling sorry for myself that I wasn't living in America (I know, it's a shocking confession for me to make on the blog. I know I had you all fooled into thinking I had adopted Korea as my homeland...). But I had been, feeling sorry for myself that is. There is just something about Christmas that while we get a lot of it wrong in the consumerism, at least we know how to celebrate it, and I was feeling like we're missing out.
But then this morning, in my house with my music, I got to realize again that the joy and magic are produced in the most simple ways. Music, a warm house, a beautiful fresh Christmas tree scent, being together, and my children and Darin who make it all worth it.
Good night.
(Is it okay that we don't require pants while decorating for Christmas?!) 
But the children needed an outing and it was a day ending in 9 (as in Nov. 29th), which meant right outside of the gates it was a "Market Day". The girls and I have gone several times, but the boys had never come with us. We ventured out into the cold to see what kind of Korean delights we might stumble across.
George scored this hat. Major Earnest is not entirely convinced that it was a good purchase. He is our ever vigilant fashion police, and this one barely scraped by.
But the girls' strawberry hats and scarves were completely endorsed and even bargained for by their loving father. When I walked up to the table and saw them, I knew I really wanted to buy them, but I said to Major Earnest I just wasn't sure I had enough fight in me to get them for a reasonable price. He just said to me, "How much do you want them for? I'm in the mood for a fight." And he totally got us a bargain indeed. (At which point I totally got a crush on him all over again.)
Of course, I think we are much stronger bargainers when we have our token blondes with us.
The next set of pictures we like to call: "Where Did Baby Jesus Go?"
Until I get to eat lunch of chocolate chip cookies, or peanut butter cup cookies. Whichever! I can hardly wait. And I can see that it has served as an added training incentive. Each run is dedicated to getting myself one day closer to a treat. I don't know if that's the right attitude or not, but I'm totally excited nonetheless.
It's just Henry is really loving the fact that he can have treats, and I can't. Like tonight, it was $1 scoop night at Baskin Robbins. We let everyone get their favorite flav, then we all sat around chatting at the food court. Henry casually says, "Hey mom, isn't this your favorite flavor? " And I said, "yeah, it's one of my favorite." And then he says, "I'll let you have a bite.... Oh yeah, just kidding, you can't eat any treats!"
And he thinks he's totally funny.
Today's run was less than inspiring except for the fact that it was tropical by comparison to Thursday's run. Thursday's run was during a snow storm, but I didn't let it stop me from completing 8.1 miles. The snow didn't stick to anything except my body, so I was pretty cold and wet by the end. And yet, it was still an inspiring run.
I have learned that sometimes adversity makes me bring out my A-game.
One thing I believe is universal about dedicated runners, and that is, we are all expert running- injury-diagnosers. My run today was mostly spent confirming a diagnosis I gave to myself about two weeks ago.
Two weeks ago I diagnosed myself with Plantar Fasciitis. It has something to do with nerve damage in the heel of your foot. Darin has been suffering from it for about 3 years, so I had him to validate my suspicions. I think I said something like, "I would rather turn into a cow than have Plantar Fasciitis." At which point I may, or may not have been guilty of being a drama queen.
So I scaled back my running over a few days, and had Darin teach me some physical therapy tricks, and I really thought I had been healed.
But today was a bit of a set back. So that's mostly what I have to say about today's run. But, I did it, and that's all that counts right now. And I will be running 10 miles on Saturday. So my foot better get better.
And while it was winter last Thursday, today was a glorious fall day. One that reminded me of the lovely pumpkin soup terrine that Darin carried back in his luggage from Florida (if that isn't true love, I don't know what is!):
And the delicious dinner of pumpkin soup and spinach salad that it prompted me to make last week.
And the lovely fall weather reminded me that I never mentioned our Veteran's Day trip to Nami Island where our friend Travis captured some beautiful snippets of fall:
(Henry and George with best friend Cole and Jack getting their first race experience back in 2006)
Finish line, LA Marathon March 2006
Christine Z., Annee, Zack Z., Rachel Z.
Just how a finish line should be.
So, I will be having a satellite race here in Korea on December 13th. Perhaps an event switches from unofficial to official once there are more than three participants?! In that case, I'm happy to report that I have racer #2 looking to pre-register here in Korea (consider yourself registered Sariah. There is no backing out now!). My friend Liz will be racing in Northern California. Sara B., will you be running with us still?
My friend Diana, in support of the event, has already mailed me my finish line mylar blanket to be wrapped up in when the 1/2 is over. And there is even some speculation about a t-shirt. So things are really shaping up.
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays are my biggest training days. Those are the days that I hit the pavement outside. The rest of the time I hit the treadmill with Jane and Ruby bubbling in and out of the room as I run. But you do what you got to do when there is a race to prepare for.
The treats remain off limits until then. But let me tell you, the after race lunch is going to consist of: Peanut M&M, homemade chocolate chip cookies, and hot fudge sundaes for dessert. So if that interests you locally, you better start your training as well.
Three things about Tuesday's training run:
1. It was 32 degrees and windy. So that counts as my official first winter run. It's hard to get used to, but invigorating once you thaw out.
The always freezing Pueblo 1/2 Marathon
St. George Marathon Finish Line
October 2007
Mom, Annee, Rachel, and Dad.
So the question is, will anyone else join me?
I had to steel this photo from my sister's blog. (I left all of our vintage family photos in storage.) Please enjoy this glimpse of Halloween circa 1989. 
Halloween and the whole month of October are officially over! And I personally couldn't be any happier about it. We did it all! But George casually said to me tonight as we were wearily walking to the car, "Halloween will probably be better next year, right mom? Because dad will be here." And I totally agreed with him on that one.
Many things just didn't happen the way that they should have (like we did not attend our church Trunk-or-treat party, nor did we manage to carve any pumpkins, or hand out any candy!). But we did manage to knock on every single door of one whole tower. And while George had enough drive to knock on every single door of all three towers, we finally convince him to call it quits after one, and join us for dinner at Taco Bell!
We also managed to fit in a full day of Halloween fun at the elementary school on Thursday.
A school wide costume parade.
Complete with our Principal dressed up as an Arab (is that even politically correct?!)
And our friend dressed up as the evil Step-Mother, which caused Jane to think she was at Disneyland again.
And a 3rd grade class party that somehow I was in charge of.
Followed by a "Family Fun Night" at the elementary school had us heading into Friday already pretty worn out.
And I have also realized that Halloween is only fun if you get to express your creativity through the costumes. But when you have kids who simply desire to be a character, you don't even get to have any sewing fun. When Ruby said she wanted to be Ariel from the Little Mermaid, and Jane said she wanted to be Dora when she turns into a true Princess, I simply picked up the phone to Florida and said, "Send me ballet tutus ASAP. I'm bailing out of Halloween!"
So I guess I've kind of had a bad attitude all along. The one thing that has kept it a little bit intersting for me has been my personal quest to not eat one. single. piece. of. candy. (or orange frosted cupcake, or pumpkin shaped sugar cookie, or pumpkin chocolate chip cookie with cream cheese frosting, etc., etc.)
So far, I have acheived my goal!
Sometimes if you find life to be getting slightly dull (yes, I'm being sarcastic), it's good to add a challenge, as though you are in the bonus round. Get your kids on board and turn it into a game. So as Henry offered me my 26th piece of candy tonight, just to see if maybe this time I might fold, I am none too sad to say a big huge ADIEU to Halloween!
Bonus round won!
Major Earnest, can you come home yet please?!! We need you now.
With pizza, ice cream, presents, and about an hour and a half of swimming, Henry actually voluntarily told me he thought it was his funnest birthday party ever. And honestly, that was all I needed to hear to make it all worth it. 
Followed up by mine:
Hand made pajamas complete with a skull and cross bone t-shirt and his name embroidered on the back! I was totally excited to give them to him.
All made for a fun Saturday for a very excited new 9-year-old. Lunch at Chili's and hours of fun ripping it up on a new Ripstick completed his birthday. And as always at the end of the day, Henry said, "the worst part about birthdays is that the next day, they're just over." Funny how different our perspectives were. Where I wanted his day to be totally fun and special, what a relief it was when it was over, and I had mostly succeeded!
Completing Henry's birthday pushed us through the weekend, but this week has been one thing after another. Today were the big Halloween celebrations at the elementary school, since tomorrow (the 31st) is a day off! Under normal circumstances I might complain about such a fact, but for now, we are all dying for one very long time out!
I promise, more updates to follow shortly!
1. While on my run today, I got stopped. He told me it might just be for a minute, but if I could just wait, they were moving explosives. That never happened while on a run in Colorado Springs. It was slightly shocking. And yet I was grateful for the warning I suppose.
2. I ran longer than I normally do on a Thursday morning, because I was "in the zone". Running speak for; the miles were coming easily today. Anyway, I was gleefully anticipating the recovery shower to kick start the rest of the day. Only to return home to find the water in the entire building was shut off. And it would remain shut off until 6pm! It was maybe 10am?! That was a long, stinky, dried up sweaty kind of a day, if you know what I mean.
3. Darin's been gone for 20 days and 20 nights. And he will STILL be gone for another 20 days and 20 nights. I think it was better before I looked on the calendar and did that computation. That was some very bad news to be given today.
4. Henry's math homework took what felt like 3 days to complete. It was all things like this:
7634-4239=
I wanted to slit my wrist all along the way. For some reason watching your child laborioulsy work through subtraction is in fact, NOT EVEN A LITTLE BIT FUN.
5. George came out of his bed at 8:37pm to inform me with tears pouring out of his eyes that he would be having a test in Spanish class tomorrow. He stammered out the words, "I will have to WRITE all the words out. I don't even know how to!" At that very moment I wanted to crumple up into a little tiny ball and roll away down a grassy hill. What Spanish words will he have to write out? And why, oh why did he only mention it at 8:37pm the night before?! I unconvincingly said, I would wake him up early tomorrow morning so that we could study. He said, "how early?" I said, "I have no idea, just go to bed. Crying about it is not going to help us right now. Good night."
I think I better FINALLY go take the shower that I should have taken at 10 o'clock this morning. Perhaps at that point in time I will have better solutions for the obstacles of tomorrow.
P.S. Oh yeah, and Henry told me at 7:30pm that I could bring him two dozen cupcakes for the snack tomorrow for his class, since his birthday is on Saturday. I guess I should have thought of that, but I've been so busy worrying about his birhtday party tomorrow night, and making Saturday a very special day, that I simply forgot that cupcakes should go to school with him in the morning.
I definitely need to get in the shower now.
