Are you ready? I'm back.

After seven weeks back in the states surrounded by family and friends, it was sadly time to come back home to Korea. People are asking me now, "How was your trip?". Or when they really want to know, they say, "Are you glad you went?".

It's impossible to put into words just how glad I am that we went. We got to see all 49 members of our immediate family. Plus 3 great-grandparents. I got to have sleepovers with 3 of my oldest and dearest friends. One in Northern California, one in Las Vegas, and one in La Canada.

We drove approximately 4691 miles in order to accomplish it all (but really, who was counting?!). Passing through seven states, Japan, and Guam. Slept in 8 different hotels. Stayed in 9 different houses. Had 3 different rental cars. In short, it was a logistical nightmare. It was not a trip for the squeamish, nor for those who need things mapped out or planned ahead.

But I wouldn't take back any single part of it. Yes, the trek was arduous. Sometimes the distances seemed insurmountable. But to go and do and see, so much and so many. To feel so loved, and blessed, and grateful. To witness an honest to goodness miracle when we got back to Travis Air Force base in California where people notoriously get stuck waiting for a flight back to Korea, just ONE day before a flight was actually going back to Korea. On top of that, being back there in time for Darin to fly with us. And then having our names be the FIRST name on the list to get called, so that even though we stopped in Hawaii and Guam, staying over night both places, the plane never broke down, nor got diverted. And that we landed all together back at Osan Air Base on Saturday evening, July 11th, at 5pm just as though it was exactly what we had planned to do.

It's almost too much to even believe.

But then, remembering just how many of the prayers offered during those seven weeks and 4600 miles by me, and on our behalf by all 49 members of our immediate family (and probably many of our friends), perhaps it isn't miraculous at all. Perhaps I should have known it all along.

Anyway, am I glad we went? ABSOLUTELY.

It it hard to come back. TOTALLY.

Are the 25 loads of laundry waiting for me worth it? YOU BETCHA.

Am I glad I don't have to do it again? YOU HAVE NO IDEA!

Have I ever felt so lucky in all my life? NEVER.


Our first two stops were Liz's house in Atherton, and Sarah's house in Provo, that's when I was still blogging. After we hit the beaches, that's when I quit. I was absolutely too busy living at the beach to blog. Not to mention that Darin had arrived, and he had been a lot of my motivation in keeping the trip documented. But once he was with me, my motivation to stay on top of it wavered. So here are some of my favorites from the Zackrison Family Beach week 2009:





















I think that's all I can do tonight. This is now our third night back in this time zone. We don't take naps. We power through all day long, and operate with the cycle of the sun. But the sun has long since gone down, and now it's time for me to go down as well. But I'm back. I'm determined that right along side of the laundry, the blog will get back up to date. I have a lot to say after being gone for so long, so stay tuned.

Blogging from the beach...

Any morning that starts with a run along the Pacific Ocean, while watching dolphins dive in the surf means that you are most definately still living the good life.

One family beach week over with, another one just beginning. I am still not sure that I have found any "cons" on my list of reasons that I should permanently live at the beach.

Westward Ho!

After spending an amazingly fun week-plus at The Wiley House (honestly, I don't know how they put up with us for so long! But sisters are a gift from God, there is no denying that fact.), it was time to start venturing West again as we begin to zero in on Zackrison Family Beach Week 2009. Sarah took over after Rachel on posting a picture a day in June. Our final days at The Wiley House are therefore nicely documented. As our time was nearing an end, I knew that the next major stop was going to be at the Zack Zackrison house of San Diego. But I also got the brilliant idea that a National Park might be a fine addition to this our ultimate summer vacation. When my little sisters heard of the scheme, they were ready, packed and awaiting adventure. That's true devotion in my opinion! Zion National Park was the park decided upon, and let me just say that I sure have some good ideas sometimes!



Do not let me be misunderstood. The children complained and whined just as much as you would imagine your young children might at the mention of a detour to a National Park. But never mind that. It is my firm opinion that all young children under my care will visit National Parks in their childhood, and have that be a integral part of their childhood memories. After all, what is a good, old-fashioned American upbringing if there is no hot National Park vacation to be remembered?!

(But just so you know, it wasn't even hot at Zion's in June. Something is seriously going on with the weather in our world. But you know, I'm not worried. I say if it's 80 degrees at Zion's in June, you call that a blessing from on High!)

On top of everything else, Jane got bite by an aggressive squirrel who did not appreciate her pretending she had food in her hand, when she had none. Now I know for a fact the Earnest children will remember our visit to Zion's. Oh boy, nature has never been so exciting, and so "in your face", as it was to them in that moment. The first thought I had was that we were going to spend the rest of our time at the hospital in Springdale Utah, being tested for rabies. So imagine my relief when there was no blood on the wound. That squirrel was really just trying to tell Jane, "please don't tease me with your empty hand." And Aunt Rachel tried to convince her that the squirrel was merely trying to kiss her. (Aunt Christine, I believe you have an awesome picture that should be inserted here, of the moment right before the little nip.)




Never, and I do mean never, do I recognize the hand of God in the world around me as I do when observing nature. For me, walking through Zion was nearly like the most sacred moments I have in the temple. Sure, it was slightly distracting that I had to listen to people telling me about how tired their feet were, or how they wondered when we were going to go home, but putting all of that aside, I had a few very key moments while there. It was most precisely what my spirit needed.



From Zion we ventured on to a night in Henderson, NV to visit old high school friend Nancy Andruk Olson. (Where sadly the only picture I took was of the kids in her backyard pool! Why no cute picture of me and Nancy, or the adorable Baby Bear?!)



And then we drove one final five hour leg to reach San Diego!! We are most impressed with Zack and Ana's beautiful home and their genuine hospitality. Really, how is it that I am related to so many impressively kind and wonderful people?! It's almost too much.

Pictures of San Diego to follow soon. Good night.

P.S. Major Earnest is set to join us on Monday. Do you have any idea how exciting that is? I've been trying to forget about how long it has been, or would be before I would see him again, but now that it is on the horizon, I feel the need to talk to him every five minutes. Darn the 16 hour time difference that makes having a crush on someone very inconvenient.

The grandest sort of day.

Today marks the 11th anniversary that Darin and I tied the knot. I mailed him a little gift back to the Republic of Korea, I hope it brightens his day when it arrives. He had flowers delivered to my new residence here at the Wiley House in Provo. I thought of him throughout my day as a tourist in Provo.

To start the day off right, Rachel and I arranged for an early morning hike up to the "Y". Liz, now of the Bay Area, and I tried hiking it once in college. Believe it or not, we got lost and never found the "Y", if I'm remembering correctly. I figured 15 years later it was time to try that again. Rachel knew exactly how to find the "Y", and I declared it my anniversary present to myself to reach that peak. It was a beautiful morning. I would have invited Darin to come with me were he in town.



Now that we live at the Wiley House, there are seven children residing under one roof. Some people call that a proper sized family, we call that a full house. With a long Saturday ahead of us, we needed to find ways to entertain the children. First stop:



Provo's proud Farmer's Market. It was hot, but the Cub Scout fundraiser snow cones were delicious. And after seeing the cute Farmer's Market bag, and declaring to my sister Sarah that I wanted one, she told me all I had to do was find a sign in beautiful downtown Provo, photograph myself with the sign, and post it to my blog. Then a Provo Farmer's Market bag can be mine for free! I hope she's not lying to me. There's hardly anything I won't do for a free bag.




As if the Farmer's Market wasn't fun enough, we ventured over to the BYU Botany duck pond to feed the fat ducks, and try a bit of letter boxing. Unfortunately, the box was missing. But a good old fashion treasure hunt with seven kids is always a great idea. Especially if the alternate ending location is the BYU bookstore candy counter. (To my Earnest SILs, I may or may not now have in my possession one pound of chocolate covered cinnamon gummie bears...)






After frolicking sufficiently about the spectacular BYU campus, and instilling ever so subtly a burning desire in the children to later attend BYU(do you know how cheap the tuition is?!), if the appropriately high GPA is achieved and dedication to the Gospel is exemplified, it was time to move on. I think after our fun in the Carl Eyring science building (and of course the candy counter), the burning desire was ignited and straight A's are the new rhetoric for all school aged boys under my care!



An anniversary dinner at California Pizza Kitchen at 4pm was perfectly planned. Followed up with a little princess dress trying on for the little ladies. And some late evening water slide riding for the big boys. We had all seven children of the Wiley House mostly sound asleep by 8:30pm.







Now if that isn't the grandest sort of a day, I really don't know what is. Happy Anniversary Darin. 11 years is something to celebrate. You keep it fun for all of us. Thanks for letting us spend our summer in America!! Short of being together in San Diego, it is the next best way to celebrate the triumph of it all.

I feel just like her.

Never do I feel more like my mother than when I embark upon an adventure. I feel the strength of her spirit, the legacy of her lessons pulsing through my with every midnight mile that I drive.

As a kid, I always felt like my mother was fearless. I remember watching her and wondering how one became so brave. But as a mother, there is hardly anything I want more for my children than for them to feel brave and bold. And if it means that I have to perform with more bravado than I would under normal circumstances, I'll do it, for them.

Like when we reached Elko late and travel weary and ready for a rest, but couldn't find any hotel available and the kids turned to me with a touch of panic in their voices and said, "What will we do mom?!". I was proud to be able to harness her memory and say firmly to them, "We will go on guys. It will be fine." And maybe, just maybe, when they look back and reflect upon their childhoods I will stand as the same sort of strong and fearless character that my mother was to me. I feel grateful that frequently the most profound lessons are learned and taught without much effort. Someday they will understand the metaphor of our moments, and hopefully push on when they least think they can.

A SWEET day.

A morning run through posh Atherton was indulgent.

The Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo was just right for our afternoon.

Finding the famous Sprinkles Cupcake store was delicious

(and totally lived up to its reputation).

Dealing with jetlag is unpredictable.

Today we're getting ready to say good bye to our first stop on the grand Western State Tour, and move on to Utah where sisters and cousins await us.

Thank you Balenas, your hospitality has been second to none!

This trip gets better everyday!!

Liz scored us a rescue from Fairfield, California and Travis AFB. Thanks to a larger car loaned to her by a friend we are now enjoying the abundant beauty of the Bay Area. And I have to say that it is really fun to be a tourist again, when I look at things through the eyes of my kids. So far on this trip, the boys have been so excited about all the places we've been, the Golden Gate Bridge being the latest highlight.

Thanks to Liz and John for being our excellent tour guides today, they drove us to the city and straight to parking garages without a single wrong turn. That my friends, is worth a million dollars in my opinion!

Before we drove to the Golden Gate bridge, George begged me to stop and pick him up a disposable camera. I can't tell you how fun it is to watch him finding his shots, think about what he's looking at, and how he wants to remember our time in San Fransisco. Henry has one too, and together they talk about not wasting pictures, or taking turns handing each other the camera so they can have pictures of themselves. It's all very fascinating and entertaining. I am determined to help them craft photo albums before our trip is over.

Every now and again I make them pose for a shot on my camera. Here they stand in front of Alcatraz. This is the first time our kids have been to San Fransisco, I am sure it won't be the last. This is a great trip to give them a flavor, and then I promise next time we'll dig a bit more deeply (as in I'll take them on the boat ride out there to Alcatraz, but maybe I'll wait to do that when I have Darin with me too). Other highlights have been the Sea Lions at The Wharf, driving on Lombard street, passing the Giants stadium while a game was being played and getting to hear the crowds cheering.

The girls watching the famous California Sea Lions at Fisherman's Wharf

And of course, ending the quintessential California Tourist day with dinner at In-n-Out. Delicious! And in case you are wondering how it feels to walk into a Target for the first time in a year, there really aren't any words to describe the visual entertainment that Target offers to the deprived eye. It was simply lovely! Our time at Target was equally enjoyed by all five of us. Thank you Darin for letting us come HOME!! We are so happy to be here.

Mission Accomplished.

I always find it fascinating when people say they don't believe in miracles,

How could I not?

We are in California

By way of Japan,

By way of Hawaii

Where it was sunny and warm. We showered, swam, laid out, ate, changed clothes (some of us went through four outfits during that brief layover.)

Went for a walk around Ford Island

Saw MANY battle ships. And then where we waited around for exactly 8 hours before our flight FINALLY took off bound for California.

Here's what we did on that flight:

Happy to report that we slept through the entire 6 hour flight, and only woke up when they announced it was time to prepare to land. That is my favorite kind of flight!

So, we are now in America. Now we are just working on finding a rental car and moving on to the next and much more enjoyable part of our trip, visiting our friends and family!

I spoke too soon...

Of course we aren't heading straight to California. That would have been entirely too easy. We are now going to "over night" in Hawaii. Aren't we the fancy jet-setters. We're having lunch in Japan, and now we're going to sleep in Hawaii. Don't you wish you were here too?!

Here's how we know we're in Japan, there are Japanese artifacts decorating the walls, with informative plaques.

The girls have found a fun phone booth to keep them busy.

The boys say "Thumbs up to Japan", while they build a Lego Star Wars ship.

Homeward bound.

I am proud to announce that we are sitting in an airport terminal in Japan. We caught a flight out of Osan EARLY this morning. We have made our first stop in Japan, where we each had to have our temperature taken (in search of Swin Flu), and where we are now letting the kids run all around while they refuel the enormous C5 before we get back on board headed to CALIFORNIA!!

Other than the two hours of sleep that I'm traveling on, everything else is going smooth. Surely the drama is saving itself up for some later point along the way.

California or bust!!

To help you catch a glimps,

(and to stay at the top of the blog roll on my sister-in-law Chelsea's site), I will share with you a few picture from our day...



Ruby wearing the "Brown bear, brown bear, what do you see?" dress. Out of all the fabric I came home with on Saturday, of course it was that one that Ruby thought a dress should be made out of. I only got that fabric because it was free, and thought it could be used at some point in time for baby gifts.

But you know, I've never been one to stand in the way of a creative vision. So I worked it out for her, and I think she's pulling it of quite nicely.


Now Jane wants a matching skirt and shirt, so I am trying to offer her a few other options. But the paper crowns printed off from www.pbskids.org, those I had nothing to do with. Not even the part where they typed in their names. (I just lied, I guess I cut them out for them once they had them printed off.)

A little baseball at dusk for the boys.

And then finishing the day up with a quick round of Aerosmith Guitar Hero in their underwear before bed.

(Of course when they heard the camera flash, George threatened to bash in the computer if this photo made it on the blog. Then I promptly told Major Earnest that maybe George was too young to be exposed to heavy metal music.)

George ran a race on Friday.

The boys came home from school and I told them that I had signed them up for the "America's Kids Run" race at the High School track.  Henry informed me he would not be participating in the above mentioned race.  He had an assortment of bad reasons why, and I let it go.  But George, he was on board.

 

 

 

 

He took third place in his age group, and the boost of confidence that it infused him with was worth every bit of effort it took to get him there.  Unfortunately we were late, so they were out of the kids size t-shirt, but even that he took in stride.  It's hard to tell sometimes if he was loving it so much just because he knew that I did.  But you know, even if that is part of the reason, that's sweet of him, so I guess I won't worry too much about that.  

The part I was most proud of... he paced himself!  When other kids had to drop out on the second lap, he was still running strong!  He had listened to me at the start line, and as hard as it was, he let the other kids speed past him in the beginning, because I told him if he would hold back in the beginning, he would be able to beat them at the end.  I was right, but it's so rare that kids are able to believe that bit of running advice.  

Later on that night he told me the following story, 

"Mom, there is this girl in my class who told me that she thinks if she's really, really nice to me, I'll want to marry her.  So today, she gave me her snack.  It was gummy bears.  So I guess that was nice of her."  

Good to know the girls are already lining up for our man George.