Savoring

(Did you know you could look that excited when you were 32?!)

My birthday was lovely. Thanks so much for asking. The highlight of course was that it was celebrated with Major Earnest. If you will recall, this time last year, he was out of the country! He is ever so thoughtful, especially about birthdays. On the night before my birthday I walked past the boys room and saw a father-son pow-wow taking place, I was certain it meant things would be happy the next day. When I asked the Major what all the whispering was about, he told me the boys were genuinely worried that he had forgotten that the next day was my birthday! He had to assure them that he had taken care of everything! What a great example he is giving them as they go out into the world as fathers and husbands. Because, when I walked out into my kitchen on my birthday, the dishes from the night before were magically GONE, and the house was decorated with my favorite birthday streamers and other decorations.

My morning started at 7am with breakfast in bed delivered by my very own George. It was a low-key sort of a day for most of the time, since school and work were in session. But at 4pm since it was my birthday, I climbed back into bed to watch myself the Oprah show. On any other day, I would never indulge in such a treat. But your birthday only rolls around once a year. It was a fine episode to catch. All about Stephanie Nielson, of the famous NieNie Dialogues. It was a wonderful reminder to myself on my birthday to cherish everyday, and be grateful that my hands can do so much and serve so very many. After my short sojourn in bed, I climbed out only because my family was taking me out to dinner!

Dinner was followed by our to-die-for chocolate cake that Darin had baked the night before and the girls and I had frosted during the afternoon.



And cake was preceded by the opening of presents:

(Modeling my new birthday sweater from Anthropologie, and the Garmin that is delayed en route, but to be sure is, en route!)

The day after my birthday I sent all the children off to school as I normally do, and then laced on my running shoes, as I normally do. And I wondered, would I feel as I normally do? After all, I am a year older now. So, I was thoroughly relieved to learn on my run, that in fact, I do not feel a minute past 31, thank you very much! And I think I've decided that I'll be 31 forever. Whether the birth record declares it so or not. 31 is so very close to 30, which is even closer to 29, which is after all still being in your twenties, and so it goes.

And the next best thing about my birthday this year is the fact that the to-die-for-chocolate cake has lasted all the way until Sunday night. Each day since my birthday more forks full of chocolate cake have found their way to my mouth. Helping me declare once and for all, that it is one of the BEST chocolate cakes I've ever eaten, and I think it will ever after be my birthday cake of choice.

To another great year, ever looking forward, not backwards. Ever embracing the moments that we are given. Ever loving the children that surround me and define me. Ever thanking the Major for his devotion and kindness and generosity, etc., etc. He is one of a kind.

And now a long weekend spent all together thanks to Columbus discovering America! Darin and I stayed in bed until 10am today. You might want to re-read that sentence. Did I mention how grateful I am right now?! We are savoring the fall, enjoying the beautiful weather that Korea is offering in repentance for the temperament of the summer. Putting nothing on the agenda, other than a dose of fresh air at some point during the day.












Oh yeah, and eating forks full of chocolate cake with reckless abandon. After all, a birthday only comes once a year. Thanks to all for the many birthday wishes sent my way. I received them all with gratitude.

And it wouldn't be a long birthday weekend if there hadn't been some unplanned sewing taking place. A package arrived on my birthday with some Heather Bailey fat quarters. And the "Stitch" magazine had a patchwork skirt that I wanted to try, and voila...

(Thanks for the modeling poses Ruby!)

My Week in Sewing.

Last Sunday:

A "give thanks" banner, to get us all into the season.


Started on Wednesday: My second attempt at a Village Frock.

When it was finished, it was very blue. The word "fly" came to mind. I want these ladies to reach for the stars their whole lives. Then I settled upon balloons and "soar". Hoping to achieve the teaching of moral lessons, through high fashion. Yes? No?


Of course a companion outfit was needed. The dress was done by Friday, and thus began construction of the tulle skirt on Saturday.

At first it was hated. Didn't I know black is NOT a girl color?! But after discussions over cups of hot chocolate, it was decided that no one would hate it without wearing it first.

Jane wore it to church, Ruby wore it after church. It will be loved in the end.

Inspired by this skirt here, and this skirt here.

Come Sunday night, I thought I had sewn enough for one week. But Ruby lovingly came to inform me that we hadn't made anything to match her pink hair flower, which can also double as a shirt adornment. And don't know you, she was right. We certainly hadn't paid enough attention to the fact that the pink flower needed an outfit to go with. I told her I could probably pull together a skirt after she went to bed on Sunday night.

She picked the fabric from the stash, I used this tutorial, and she smiled and jumped her way out the door to school this morning.


But what I'm most excited about is the intermittent progress and attention the Epic Korean Quilt has received this week. I'm now twelve rows into it. I think I only have four left, and then to decide how to piece together the backing, and if there should be a border. So far, I'm loving it. Really, really loving it.

Well, that's it. That's all I could sew this week.

Love,
Annee

My favorite picture from Saturday:


My favorite three pictures from Monday:

(Thanks Aunt Rachel!)

And I don't really know what more I have to say about that. Except that we're in the business of making childhoods happen right now.

I watch these kids all day long, everyday, thinking about childhood. I think I've decided it matters so much. You have no idea what they will remember. You have no idea how they see you, and what they think you're doing. But everyday I watch them evolve and interact and simultaneously grow away from me ever so slightly, while growing closer to one another, ever so slightly. And through it all I find myself remembering my own childhood moments, in an attempt to try to understand them better. I'm trying to remember what it felt like. What I felt like when I was 7 almost 8, or when I was almost 10. So that I can honor and respect them for where they are in their lives.

I'm just trying to remember.

And to be here. I'm trying to be here. I'm here for the boys when they walk in the door after school. They walk in and instantly call out my name and want to find me. They want me to sit down and help them do their homework, and they want to ask me questions. But at the same time, they don't really want to have to listen to the answer, because they want to know it already. And so they get frustrated, and they take it out on me. And that's okay, I think I remember doing the same thing to my mother.

In the middle of it yesterday, the after school dance that we were doing, George said to me,

"Mom, were you always this confident?"

And I had no idea what he was talking about. So I asked him what he meant. And he said,

"I just wonder, were you always like this? Did you always know the answers to everything? And have you always thought you could handle everything all at the same time?"

The answer is,

No George. I don't always have the answers to everything. I don't always think I can handle everything all at the same time. Often times I think I'm not qualified for my current job position. But I am trying my very best. Day after day. Day after day. Because when it's all said and done, I mostly just want you to remember that I was always here. Always here when you called out my name. Always here when you wanted (but acted like you didn't want) my help. I Just want you to know, I'm right here.

That's all. For right now, that's all I've got.

And the fact that I spent a goodly portion of my afternoon trying to explain to the girls that 4 1/2 is bigger than 4. And it doesn't mean that you missed your 5th birthday, or that your 4th birthday was a fraud. One of their little friends seems to have told them that she is better than them because she's 4 1/2. And I tried to tell them that they were 4 1/2 too, so there is nothing for them to worry about. They told me they didn't turn 4 1/2 on their last birthday, because the birthday crowns had the number 4 on them!

What's the story morning glory?

Not much I tell you, but come on, the blog MUST be updated. Seriously, if I'm not going to clean the bathrooms, then I'd better have something to show for my day. You know what I'm saying...


Just a minute ago it was September first. But now, two weeks from today it's my birthday, which means October will be well on it's way. And once October starts, it's nearly over, with the anticipation of the birthdays, and Halloween. And I tell you what, I feel like I'm going to blink my eyes and we'll be setting up the Christmas tree. Do you follow? I'm a bit frantic. But on a daily basis it's rather slow and steady, s l o w, a n d, s t e a d y.

Back when Kim and Lori left, our favorite babysitter Rebecca left too. We miss her every Friday night at 5:30pm. The weekends just don't hold the same kind of magic like they used to when Rebecca was here. She would show up, make dinner, play, read, put everyone to bed, all with a smile on her face. And best of all, the kids watched the clock anticipating 5:30 on Friday, just as much as I did. Rebecca is off to college now, but we'll never forget our summer with her!



Jane and Ruby started preschool. Monday, Wednesday, Friday really come around with great regularity. Truth be told, it takes some getting used to. I love the dedicated time to run and putter around the house in silence. But I still wonder sometimes if it was the right choice.



When they are not at school, they are at home creating. Often after I sew something, I lay it out to take a picture for my sewing archives. Ruby must have picked up on it. Her latest mermaid creations she wanted to lay out and photograph. Jane naturally needed to photograph something as well. Then when that fun was over, Ruby needed a tutu so that she could ballet about. They've turned the word ballet into a verb. "Mom, did you get a picture of me balleting?", etc. I fully support inventing new words.

Unrelatedly (see, not a word, but it should be, right?), at lunch today, we ran into the Major. It's kind of rad when you live in such a small town, when the ladies and I decide to lunch outside the home, if it just so happens that the Major decides to leave the office, the odds of running into each other are extremely favorable. It's charming. Jane sat across the table from him. Suddenly and out of no where, she looked up and said, "Daddy, you are so, so handsome." Every Major loves himself an unsolicited compliment mid-day. I think we're invited to lunch again tomorrow.







Darin tested his will power this weekend as AFN (Armed Forces Network) was going to show a delayed broadcast of the BYU game. He wasn't sure what he was going to do all Sunday long to avoid looking at the score or checking in on the post game reports. He thought I would agree the only way to avoid the temptations would be if he came home from church and slept until 4pm. Church gets out at noon. Unfortunately for him, I had a few things to say about that plan. Instead he made himself a rack of baby back ribs, and tried to keep himself entertained with that side project. When the house was sufficiently dark, the boys geared up for the game. It was a disappointment to say the least. And I felt for him, I really did. So much anticipation and preparation. Come on Cougars, think of your fans in Korea next time! But I'm pretty certain the ribs were delicious.





On Friday night to make me feel less sad about the lack of a date night, I finally made my pieced tote bag that I've been eying for some time now. It came together very quickly and I have to say I am quite pleased with it. I thought at first I should give it away. Then I decided to call it the prototype. No one gives away the prototype. Think of how much better the second one will be. That's the one to give away! Somehow I still feel guilty about keeping this one. Why is that? I have some thoughts brewing on that topic to share in the future.



And for some reason I'm just feeling antsy. Is it the changing season? Is it the forth coming marker of my age? Is it the race that is right around the corner? Is it the fact that time is moving faster than a speeding bullet? I know not the reason, but it's got me twitching. And fiddling. And starting things and not finishing them. And getting an idea and in the next thought forgetting what it was. It's maddening, or is it energizing?

Good luck to my sister-in-law Ie Li who is running the Ragnar Relay race this weekend. You'll do awesome! I'm thinking of Rachel who is living out her final days of ULTIMATE freedom. And I'm thinking of my sister Sarah who is living out her days with this guy:


at her side. And wish, oh how I wish, I could be everywhere for everyone. But I can't be.

Instead I think I'll go start this project. I feel the need for some fall decor. (Or should I just finish the squares for my epic Korea quilt? Or cut out the dress who's fabric is also ready and waiting. Or finish the pajamas I started? You get what I'm saying?!) Or just stare at pictures of baby Huck...

Kim and Lori came, and some other stuff.

Just like that, I have woken up and it is September 15th, 2009. You know what this means? I will live in Korea for nine more months. Not 24, or 23 like it was when I first got here. I am now down to single digits.

(Oh yes, that's right my friends, the single digits!!)

And of course, as would be predicted, Korea has won over a soft spot in my heart. It's not the hugest soft spot you've ever heard of, but it's something.

That is one reason I was so thrilled to have Lori and Kim come and see it with me. It's something to behold this place. Unbelievable and charming all wrapped up in one. And did you know my friend Lori had never left the country before?! She was like a travel virgin, and touring about with someone like that really only adds to the experience. I think before I picked her up from the airport in Seoul, she had already taken about 50 photos. Think back to your first international trip, you know you were that girl one time too. And by the way, it was refreshing to see it all through that lens.

Of course, given that track record of photo taking, it should be no surprise that she was instantly dubbed the trip photographer, and I admittedly have only 13 photos to show for our six days together (Lori, please send along the photos!). Darin took a big chunk of days off and let me be on a vacation with the girls as well. Each day was packed full of Korean excitement, and embellished with the kind of laughing and talking that only girlfriends can sustain.

I swear that it was not even five minutes after I had set them off on the bus to the airport at the end of the week, that I thought, "Oh darn, I forgot to ask about...". How could I have forgotten to ask anything?! I felt like my mouth was moving for six days straight!

Good times ladies. Thanks so much for coming!!

For giving me an excuse to hang the "welcome" banner.

For giving me an excuse to update the throw pillows!

For giving me an excuse to take five days off and tour Korea, like a tourist.

Seoul Tower

Martial arts demonstration at the Seoul Tower

The locks all around Seoul Tower where couples go to "lock their love".

I thought the Brundages would appreciate the Cold Stone Creamery I found at the base of Seoul Tower.

Ruby crashed out on the subway, after spending only ONE of the six days touring about with us.

And for giving me an excuse to NOT step foot into a grocery store for five days straight! That might be the biggest gift of all (I owe Major Earnest a big thanks on that account).

Anyway, it was a grand time. A time that won't soon be forgotten. See you girls in nine months, okay?!

In other news. Monday morning was day ONE of the Preschool School Year! That required a late night of sewing to commemorate it properly. Matching twirly skirts suitable for impressive twirling. And an "r" and "j" shirt to help all at preschool identify who they were talking to. Hair rolled up in sponge curlers the night before, etc, etc. As we walked up to the door of the school, I told the ladies, "you guys look smashing." And Jane said, "What is smashing?", And I said, "Oh, it just means bigger than beautiful!"

And then she knew exactly what I was talking about:

Nine hours a week all to myself. It's almost too much. It's been ten years since I've had that kind of devoted "free" time. I feel a revolution coming about.

And that's the update.

It's all about the celebration...

No tears were shed this year about the two finest boys I know entering the very distinguished grades of 2nd and 4th. Never have two boys had such a long and full summer vacation. Never have two boys gotten to play so many video games, watch so much TV, and lull about in a general summer vacation stopper, as these two gentlemen have, for the past 14 weeks, uninterrupted! So when the school bell rang at 7:50AM, Monday, August 30th, 2009, this is what these boys were wearing, and I was the mom with the party hat on!!



So far, so wonderful. They got great teachers. They go to school everyday without incident. And the house has never felt so wonderfully empty and quiet. It's okay, they come home at 2:45pm, so we still have plenty of waking hours to spend all snuggled up together.



In celebration of the first week of school and the quiet house, a back to school pillow was made. It's been on the dream list all summer long. Ever since I purchased the "Stitch" magazine back in June, during family beach week number 1.



That's a long time to dream of a project. Other than the ugly couch it has to rest upon, I am quite satisfied with the new infusion of color into my life in Korea. As we have now fully rounded the corner on lap two of "life in Korea", we are all about the infusions of color. It's nearly time to celebrate. We have less than ten months to go!!



Before I get ahead of myself, Lori and Kim are nearly on their way! It's a celebratory year in Lori's life, and it was time she had an international experience all of her own. Lucky for me she chose Korea, and the two of them are landing on Sunday evening, right here in KOREA.

See you at the airport ladies! Travel safely. I'll be the semi-blond girl still wearing the back-to-school party hat. I don't think you'll be able to miss me.

Korea or Bust!