While I slept last night...

I dreamt I was married to Michael Jackson.


It was a very awkward marriage if you can imagine. He kept trying to tell me how much he loved me , and to emphasize his point he would kiss me vehemently. And all the while in our dreamt marriage, I felt so bad for him because I knew it was going to crush him when he found out that I just couldn't return the same kind of love for him. All those declarations of love in one dream had me nearly bored.


Imagine how relieved I was to be awoken by the Major himself at 5:30am, asking for a ride to work, to realized that in fact I was not married to the King of Pop at all. It had only been a dream.




After I took the Major to work dressed in complete chemical warfare gear, I fell back asleep for another little dream. This time my sister Christine had a job at The Children's Place. I remember thinking, in the dream of course, how odd that out of all her choices she had settled with The Children's Place. But since they were having a "monster" sale, and things were marked down to prices like $1.99, I started stocking up. Putting things behind the counter, for her to use her employee discount on to make them only $1.00. And then, when I went up to make my final purchases, in my dream, my mother had sneaked into the store and bought all the clothes that I had been stacking up. And then just like the Good Witch in the Wizard of Oz, she disappeared for the duration of the dream.

You know what? When I woke up, I had an email from The Children's Place announcing their "monster sale". All day long I've been stocking up my virtual shopping bag, half expecting Christine to call me and tell me about her new job that she has just started...

Which brings me to another thing that I've been dreaming about ever since I moved to Korea and discovered that it was a land of fabric. That is for some Heather Bailey fabric to show up at the Happy Quilt store.

You know, it doesn't take much to make a trip to the Happy Quilt a jubilation. So imagine my glee today, after dragging the children there simply for a single yard of white quilting fabric, that there was a ginormous bolt of beautiful fabric that I had never seen before. I probably ran over to that bolt of fabric (the details have all become a blur), and searched for a brand on the selvage edge. I kid you not when I announce that it was in fact a bolt of beautiful Heather Bailey fabric, sitting right there at the Happy Quilt in Korea.

(my camera is hardly doing it justice. I'm quite confident if you saw it in person, it would have made your day gleeful as well.)

It's gotten me thinking that nearly anything is possible if only you dream it to be first.

At least I know these ladies believe that. I have no doubt that in their dream world, the line between what is real and what is make believe is a very blurry designation. They twirled and discussed all afternoon long about life as a cheerleader, and life as Snow White.

I'm just saying, sometimes dreams really do come true.

P.S. but thank goodness I will never be married to the King of Pop. Seriously.

P.P.S. Seriously, what should I dream of making with that fabric? Any suggestions?

Why does it have to be hard?!

Avila Beach Earnest Family Reunion

Lark and Steve Earnest with all 24 of their grandchildren. Number 25 will be born before the end of the year. Talk about multiplying and replenishing!

I'm having a hard time getting motivated around here. Hard time getting motivated to sew, to clean, to do laundry, to make beds, to make kids do productive things. It all just seems so hard. Needless to say the blog seems impossible. But my sister-in-law Chelsea just sent along some photos from our smashingly fun family reunion in Avila Beach, CA. It got me reminiscing. That was some great family fun. I hope we'll do it again. It's so unique to have so many cousins so close in age. My kids are so lucky to be part of such an awesome family. The memories formed with cousins during childhood are the kind of memories that last a lifetime.

Ruby and Jane are only 1 of 4 sets of twins!

The official purpose of our family reunion was to celebrate Lark and Steve's 40th wedding anniversary. Of course we had to attempt family pictures to commemorate such a gathering.

Brooke's kids look like they should be Darin's kids.

Here's how Henry and George entertained themselves during any given moment on our entire vacation...

On Thursday night, June 25th, we went into San Luis Obispo for dinner at the Farmer's Market. The girls were entertained by the street musician in front of Cold Stone for a very long time. He even let them join his band by playing the maracas (how do you spell that?!) at one point in time.

Henry and George got to try rock climbing.

And all the kids got an awesome "back alley" tour of San Luis by their ultra cool aunt Brooke, who also owns the Cold Stone (with husband Joe, of course) where everyone enjoyed free ice cream!

On another day we took the kids to a picturesque farm and petting zoo.

We did actually attempt going out to the beach a few times. But with the water temps being a good 15 degrees cooler than down in San Juan Capistrano (where it is already cold), it was sometimes a hard sell.




Thanks for supplying the abundance of boogie board, Todd and Amber! George sure had a blast with all the boy cousins.


Since one had to first walk right past the beautiful pool and hot tub before getting to the sandy beach, I have to admit that even I was hard pressed to find a reason why I should move past the beautifully inviting yellow lounge chairs.


We loved the cute little beach streets that were right down from the hotel. A late afternoon shaved ice treat became a daily ritual. I'm telling you, life at the beach is really hard to beat. Especially when surrounded by family every where you turn.

Thanks for a great reunion Earnests. We miss you all. I hate feeling so far away...

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.