We never had this happen before!!

We were inside our apartment this afternoon doing the regular late afternoon routine. I was tired of the girls being on the computer, so when I heard voices outside at the playground, I tried to encouraged them to go play with their friends. Sure, I noticed there was a firetruck parked in front of the playground, but I didn't think anything of it.

But suddenly, the Fire Chief saw me standing on my balcony (because I was watching to make sure Ruby got down to the playground safely) and he says:

"Don't worry ma'am this is just an exercise. We're practicing."

And I yell back to him from my balcony:

"Okay, that's great."

And then I gave him a friendly wave. Mostly I was so happy because Ruby had run outside to play in the real world, instead of on the computer.

But then, I see him talk to his partner for a moment and suddenly he's yelling at me again saying,:

"Actually ma'am, can we land the bucket on your balcony?"

And I yell back without even a moments pause,

"Oh sure!"

Like we do this every afternoon at 4:25pm.

So before I could even realize what was happening, the firetruck bucket was swinging up in the air coming over to our balcony. And George even quicker, ran inside to put his shoes on. The idea had already occurred to him that he might be going for a ride in that bucket!



Because he's George, so OF COURSE he was about to go for a ride in the firetruck bucket off of our third story balcony!









And then when he landed, he was the biggest playground celebrity you have ever seen, at 4:35pm on a Thursday.

It was actually really awesome. I'm not sure who was smiling more, me or him! It was by far the funniest thing that has happened to us while living in an apartment in Korea.

Double digits at last.

While I am into celebrating single digits of time left in Korea, Henry has been anticipating his first double digit birthday with an anticipation that was great. Nerve wracking to be quite honest. Since Henry had a grand birthday party last year, this was his "off" year to just celebrate with the family. And his birthday was going to fall on a Sunday, so the big question was, were we going to be able to make it fun enough? I am happy to report that due to Henry's tremendous personality he turned 10 on a Sunday like a pro.



We went bowling and out to dinner to Chili's on Saturday night. We made him endure the entire waitressing staff coming over to the table to sing to him "happy birthday". An event which we all got a good laugh out of, but which Henry might have wished never happened.

Then he got a traditional Earnest Family 7am birthday party to open Part 1 of his presents. And then a less traditional, "cake is for lunch" birthday party at noon, where he opened Part 2 of his presents. Then to solidify how truly mature Henry really is now that he's 10, his feelings weren't even a little bit hurt when BOTH of his parents fell asleep shortly after the party at noon. It was after all, still a Sunday afternoon, and these parents don't frequently stay awake all the Sunday long. It's how we honor the Sabbath around here!





But never fear for Henry's personal pleasure and well being while we slumbered. He was TOO busy with his various new video game options to even know how long our nap actually was.





Then on Monday, came the event he had been anticipating the most of all, the issuing of his very first military ID card!! We were told when we arrived in Korea that the kids wouldn't get cards until they turned 10. It didn't take Henry very long to realize that that meant he would get his card while we were here. And while I seem to be not fully comprehending what it means to a young boy to receive his very first bona fide ID card, I was sensitive enough to understand that it was very exciting, so I pulled him out of school on Monday, where he met up with our favorite Major who helped make him ID card official. The biggest concern on the young lads mind while he waited in line... "...should I smile or not. Most of the time when I smile it turned out really bad. I think I shouldn't smile. Do you think I should smile?" And so the conversation went, around and around, with the Major and I weighing in with our varying opinions about the age old dilemma that our man had to face at the tender age of 10.

He settled upon smiling. Oh how he loves his mother! What a sweetheart. I am honored to be his mother. He makes me proud on so many levels. I simply don't know what our lives would be like without him. He sets a tone among his siblings and his peers alike that is one of measured and quiet kindness. When he was a baby people sometimes told me that he looked like an old man. And I think it was my Grandma Z. who told me he looked like he arrived on earth wise from the beginning. I think my Grandma was onto something. I am nothing but optimistic when I look at him and think of the future for all of us. My Henry makes me know that goodness is a virtue, and I thank God everyday that he is mine.

Happy Birthday to my 10 year old "little man." We love you.





P.S. It wouldn't be a birthday report without a tiny shout out to the sewing that the occasion inspired:

New fabric streamers in more "boyish" colors. Jane wanted to take photos all day long on Sunday. I like her angle. And oh how I love fabric streamers. I'm about to make enough to stream through the whole house!

Pajama bottoms. I can't seem to make them long enough for Henry! He grows seemingly, every other week. He told me these ones were a bit too long. And I said, "just wait a week, they'll be just right."

With love, from Ruby.

Hi everyone,


I was having such a busy morning, running around in my pajamas, watching TV, playing with Jane. It was really exhausting, so I got in my swimsuit to lay out for a while under my new Asian umbrella. I asked my mom 57 times to take my picture. I knew I looked good, but I have to admit, I didn't know I looked this good!




Then Jane needed to have her picture taken since I was getting mine taken, but she wasn't even in her swimming suit, so I thought it was kind of lame. But whatever, she's still my BFF.


Don't forget to take time in your day to lay out for a bit. It's really refreshing. And don't forget to have a "party drink" close by. You never know when you're going to get thirsty, just laying around and stuff.

Have a great day.

Love,
Ruby.

some good times.

We've had some good times recently. And with the exception of one, the best part of all of them is that they've been unplanned. They have been moments that just evolved and ended up being really good. I'm happy to report upon such event, and document them. Good times happen all around us, and frequently we don't fully appreciate them, until we are not having a good time anymore!

(red eyes included for a more spooky effect!)

One night this week, the boys were off doing something right before dinner. Which left me and the girls home getting things ready for dinner. I had already started cooking dinner, but then somehow the girls got the big idea that they wanted to decorate for dinner. With a few little suggestions on my part, they pulled it all together and called it a "spooky feast". Although, Ruby did no appreciate the spooky music that Darin found to accompany the meal. She said the music made it entirely too spooky, and made him turn it off! None of it had been a plan, even fifteen minutes before it happened. But when the boys walked in to a dark house and a candle on the dining room table, it instantly meant dinner was going to be "fun". And it was!

Then one day after school this week, I noticed the house was so totally peaceful. Everyone was quietly engaged in something and no one was arguing or complaining. I grabbed my camera right there and then and caught a glimpse of what each one of them was doing. I wanted to remember that moment forever. The word "bliss" came to mind as I approached each kid and photographed.

Henry curled up with the sun and a good book on the couch. I personally think he nailed the blissful moment perfectly. What more could someone ask for?!

Ruby on the computer, happily and quietly playing some game, and smiling to the camera!

George likewise on the computer. And Jane making a book.

Notice there is stuff scattered about. The house was not in perfect order. Things surely were supposed to be happening. But to have all four kids in the exact same moment having such satisfaction in what they were doing, just made me feel so happy.

Then came Saturday with the Saber Run 2009 Half Marathon that had my stomach tossing and turning for days leading up to it. I was going for a PR and it was about to do me in. To push yourself and stretch yourself, and set expectation for yourself. I almost wanted to call in sick! But I couldn't have done that to myself either. You have to show up to your event and see what you're made of.
And thankfully, I didn't disappoint myself. I repeated the mantra over and over again in my head, "leave it all on the course". That's what I wanted to do on Saturday. I wanted to run as if that was the only thing I was going to do, therefore saving NOTHING for afterward. And I came pretty close!

My friend and new running partner Kim took first in the women's field with a 1:40 finish. I came in second in 1:42!!

The airplane trophy really made it all worth it in the end. And still today as I am hobbling about, painfully sitting and standing, I just look at that airplane on a stick and KNOW it was all totally worth it!!

Well, you know I'm kidding about that. But it's always worth it to show up for yourself when you've challenged yourself to a duel. The mind is our most powerful athletic tool. I find it somewhat shocking that as I've been planning for this race the number 1:42 was in my head all along. As if my mind was just waiting for my body to catch up. Powerful lesson indeed. PR achieved most gratefully.

And since we were going to be sticking around for the awards ceremony we were happy that there were all kinds of fun things for the kids to do too. I told George that there was going to be a kids race, so starting on Tuesday, he would come home from school, do his homework, practice the piano, and then watch Pokemon on the TV while running on the treadmill! He completely shocked me the first day when he walked out at the end of Pokemon having just run two miles! That's impressive, in case you were wondering. Then he came home and did that again on Wednesday and Thursday. Then he rested after that in order to be ready to run for Saturday. It was a neck and neck race between him and a little Korean kid, and in the end, I think he took second, just like his mother! Way to go George!!!



Henry didn't feel like racing was his cup of tea. But sumo wrestling appealed to him indeed. We all got a good laugh out of Henry in his sumo suit! That was totally a good time!

Henry fighting the good fight.

The ladies? Well, you know they can never be upstaged. They jumped into the 4 and under race, Halloween skirts and all. No matter that they didn't have tennis shoes on, there was a race to be run, and they were going to do it!

Love Jane's starting line pose. She thinks every moment of her life is an opportunity for a photo shoot. But is she wrong?!

So anyway, I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day. As any mother well knows, no victory is ever hers alone. Wherever I go, my crew follows. And to be running around a corner during the race, to catch a glimpse of Darin with the kids parked 1/2 mile up the road always made me get a bit choked up. I couldn't do it without their support. They encourage me, and love me, and show up for me when I need them. And most of all, they always think I'm the winner! I love them all.

Yep, we've totally had some good times.

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