Three things.

1. The book is called "Weekend Sewing" by Heather Ross. It's delightful. And so is sewing on the weekend. Which is exactly what I'm doing, thanks to the Major taking the children away, even just for a moment. I love him so!



2. You know you're an Earnest when...you are four years old and want your mother to teach you how to iron. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I'm nothing if not obliging. Ironing lessons complete.




3. It's monsoon season. Do you have monsoon season? I didn't think so. It means you randomly have three days in a row of solid rain. Followed by a few days of solid sunshine, humidity and heat. It's charming.

When you are at the end of your summer vacation rope, and it's monsoon season, there is only one thing to do. Take the children on an outing, in the rain. Everyone grabbed an umbrella and marched over to Dr. Fish for a little dead skin removal. They were delighted. I even smiled during the ordeal.









Back to sewing. Four pair of pajama bottoms or bust!


P.S. On our date last night, we stopped in front of the magazine stand. I can't remember which magazine it was, but it had compiled a list of the Top 20 US cities to live in. Are you guessing already which city was rated number 1?! COLORADO SPRINGS, of course.

The Things We Choose

I have long believed that happiness is a choice. I try to choose it 100% of the time. Believe it or not, I've found life to be happier that way. I don't always succeed, but at least I know what I'm aiming for. Somehow by Thursday of last week, I was nearly crying myself to sleep. I say nearly, because I didn't actually cry myself to sleep. I recovered, but I came close. And as I lay there feeling so, not happy, I was wondering what I had done wrong? Where had my formula failed me? I know how to be happy, I try to do all the things that make me happy, and yet there I was ready to let the tears fall heavy on my pillow. So, I had to review.

On Monday I took all the children to the Korean equivalent of Target. "Pick anything you want", I said. I was choosing happiness for everyone! Of course there were parameters, but ice cream was going to sweeten the deal at the exit, so all sadness would be swallowed away. Henry and George found some new Lego guys they didn't already own. Plus, Henry added a piggy bank that he would share with George. They are working to pay me back right now, but once the debt is done, they are already making plans for what is next. Big, BIG plans, that require a giant plastic piggy bank. Right now they are charging their sisters just to play with them. They only charge pennies, but I'm worried about the practice none the less.

Jane picked out a Barbie paper pop-up room, full of accessories. I should have known better before I let her pick it. She's a perfectionist. Paper pop-ups are riddled with imperfections. It was a dicey match for her all afternoon long. And when her face was tear stained and red from crying, she didn't care anymore that I had gotten her a scoop of ice cream on the way out. Why hadn't I protected her from her own choice, was the question she was really asking me.

Ruby picked a pink bridal veil. She came home and instantly transformed herself into a pink bride. She was happy! As soon as Darin walked through the front door, she told him she had been waiting all day long for him. Could he please be her prince?

He said, "Sure, what do you want me to do?"

"First," she told him, "...change your clothes. And then dance with me!"

He just danced with her immediately.



I was so grateful.

On Tuesday the boys had to get sports physicals. Henry chose to participate in basketball camp, and George is going to play soccer. Basketball camp had already started. It was so hard he came home achy and foul smelling each afternoon. Would I please come and watch one time, so I could see for myself what he was going through? I slipped in during the last fifteen minutes one day, just in time to see them get assigned 5 suicides across the gym floor. I watched his achy and sore body run those suicides with precision and dedications, and tremendously weary. I smiled despite his misery (and mine). When it was over I said, "Yeah, you are right, that basketball camp is really hard. But do you know what? I don't feel sorry for you. It's the kind of hard that is good for you. Just make sure you get a good night sleep so you can go back ready for more tomorrow."



But inside I was worried if it really was too hard.

At the sports physical the parent-doctor discussion was about puberty. I sat there remorseful, but listening. I know it's information that I'm going to be glad to have. But how had I gotten here? How about just measure their head circumference, beam about their chubby cheeks, and watch how that they can sit up all on their own. Remember?

On Wednesday after the girls went to their afternoon of summer camp, I stopped by to inquire about the upcoming preschool year. Would it be possible to sign them up for the three day a week class, as opposed to just two? I found out it would be, but the decision had to be made quickly. I didn't have time to think about it, or else we would lose the spots.

And the reality set in, this is their last year at home. I want it to be, and I'm ready for it to be, but it hurt all the same.

I still remember the email I wrote to one of my best friends a few years ago when things were REALLY hard, and babies surrounded me. I said something like, "someone telling me that time will go by quickly, and that they will be starting kindergarten before I know it, is like telling me to just wait one million years, and then life is going to be easier." I was bitter that things were so hard, with no end in sight.

How have one millions years nearly passed?

To find some joy I took everyone to Happy Quilt. I announced that everyone should search the tables and bring back one single packet of fabric. I was going to make pajama bottoms for the whole family. That was going to make me happy!

How is it possible at the very place where I find nothing but beautiful fabric, I was looking at four of the ugliest fabrics I'd ever seen?! Hadn't I raised more aesthetically aware children? But I was determined not to stand in the way of their choices. Each child defended their choice vehemently. But poor Ruby presented her choice last of all, when I was tired of looking at ugly fabric. I actually told her her choice was ugly. She walked back over to me a few minutes later and asked me one more time what I thought. I said, "Well Ruby, you like it, so it's going to be great." And she said, "It's too late. I heard you say you didn't like it. Why did you have to say that? It's too late to say it's pretty now."

I was so sorry.

It's okay that by Thursday night I was ready to cry. None of it was huge, or life altering. None of it was terrible or tragic, but it was not happy either. Life is a mixture. The goal is happiness. But sometimes we have to wade through a few small sorrows to know and appreciate the joy. I want every year to be better than the previous. I don't ever want to wish we were standing still and not forward looking. But it's okay sometimes to realize where we are and let the magnitude of the moment settle upon us and mourn, even if just for a moment the innocence that we necessarily lose along the way.

On Friday night as I was dropping off our angel of a babysitter Rebecca, we were talking about her upcoming birthday.

"Don't worry" she said, "I'm going to come babysit on my birthday."

"Oh no you are not." I said. "This is a big birthday. You need to celebrate." (She's turning 20!)

And she said to me, "It's okay. I realized this year, just being here is the gift. Just having another year of healthy life ahead of me is really all I need. So I'll come and babysit that night."

And in that moment, I knew she really meant what she was saying.

So I said to her, "Well, thanks for saying that Rebecca. I think I really needed to hear that. See you next Friday."

On my run the next morning the lyrics of the songs were reminding me that beauty and pain often go hand and hand. And that's the point. Take a moment, feel the pain, and let it hurt. Then, open your eyes, look around and appreciate the new view of beauty.

Adapt. It can still be happy.

Love the header.

It makes me feel like there is a party here all the time! Sister-in-law Alyssa has set up a blog header shop, The Tip Top Shop. They are super cute and reasonably priced. There is no reason why everyone shouldn't enjoy a delightful blog header. Don't you think? Click on the button and shop away. I hear sister-in-law Chelsea will soon be in the shop as well, with headbands?! I'm just saying, the excitement is palpable at this point in time.

The Major and I went on a date on Friday night. We took the subway, just to get out of Songtan and have a change of scenery. We ate at a place called Puffin which was kind of hilarious because it's a Korean restaurant that is trying to mimic an American pub. But the food was outstanding. Darin got fajitas and I got snapper and it was the best American food we've ever had in Korea.

Sitting next to a crazy old Korean lady on the way home was memorable. No matter how many times I told her, "English, English?", she just kept rattling away in Korean, asking me questions! I started laughing really hard when the Major started talking back to her as if he could understand, making up answers to unknown questions. Imagine it with me, the old Korean lady would ask a question, Darin would say something totally unrelated back. Oh boy, I was laughing.

When we were getting ready to leave (on the date), Jane came in my room. I was ready to be off- duty, so I was kind of trying to shoo her out of the room. I asked her if she needed something, and she stood staring at my closet and said:

"I just wanted to see what clothes you were going to pick out mom."

With that answer she was instantly indeared to me and allowed to watch me get dressed. And that is exactly what I dreamed it would feel like to have a daughter.

Favorite image of the day...

Suddenly around 4pm when my boys were sliding into their favorite positions on the couch, right at the same moment that I was wondering how I was going to vacuum, do the dishes, and fold the laundry, all before 5pm, the thought occurred to me that they should be put to work.

While they will never be able to share the stories of vacuuming and scrubbing in their childhood the way the Original Earnests can (their stories of cleaning as children are akin to the, 'i walked five miles to school in the snow' type of stories. I have no way to verify their reality, nor will I ever be able to be the task force organizer that my amazing mother-in-law Lark was). But I have to say, as I walked out of the laundry room and caught sight of my sons busy with domestic duties, I had to snap a picture. After all, someday when they want to tell a tale about the hard labor they had to endure as children, I thought a little pictorial evidence would surely help their cause.


When I'm not busy with my boring domestic duties, the sewing room is getting slightly less dusty as I tried at long last a crazy nine patch quilt. It's nearly done and was thoroughly invigorating. I think there will be more crazy nine patches in my future. If you want to try one, go here, and here.

Here's an idea.

Put a picture of Michael Jackson at the top of your blog, and you are guaranteed to updated 100% sooner than you would, without a picture of Michael Jackson at the top of your blog.

Blogging advice is free of charge.

Here's another good idea, have a day where your kids aren't allowed to play video games, in the middle of summer vacation. I'm just saying, desperate situations sometimes call for desperate measures. The video gaming hours were reaching an all time high.

In the midst of their boredom, George planned us a summer evening picnic, and Henry accomplished several requirements out of his Cub Scout handbook.

One of the requirements was to go grocery shopping with your mom. As if we don't do this three times a week, this time it was with a purpose. We were comparing prices, and I was sending the boys all over the store, with their own list and a basket. I'm not saying it was fun, but it did mean they were not playing video games.

And I got to pick up all the ingredients for a delicious and fresh Salade Nicoise, that I've been craving ever since Bastille Day.



Eating al fresco only made it all the more delicious. The evening ended with freeze tag, and meeting some new neighbors who had just moved into our building. Oh yeah, and eating brownies that Henry made, also part of his Scouting marathon day. I'll tell you what, with five more weeks of summer vacation looming, Henry is going to be a Bear before you know it!

(never mind the grumpy faces, I didn't say it was the most awesome day ever, I just said, we did a few good things)

P.S. Aunt Sarah, how are you doing? All day long yesterday Jane kept talking about you. One time she said, "Mom, is Jesus done making Sarah's baby yet? Is it ready to POP out of her?"

It got me thinking, maybe it is about to pop out of you...

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.