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!

She's getting so old, in a good way...

My little baby sister is 22 today, and that requires me to pause and reflect for a moment. Not only do I have to marvel at the passing of time with my own little offspring, now I am forced to confront the passage of time with my youngest sister...


..who in my minds eye is mostly still two and living at home, with mom and dad.



But in reality, she's all grown up, and is as completely beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. Who I love with a unique mixture of motherly love, and sibling love. Because when she was born, I was nearly 10 and certainly all grown up in my opinion. I've barely forgiven my mother for the fact that on the first Sunday we got to bring her to church, she let my sister Sarah walk around holding her, before she let me, because I was quite certain she belonged to me. I was quite certain that no ones heart loved her quite as much as I did. And I would have stayed home from school holding her all day long, if my mom would have let me.


But she has grown up. And now she is my little sister who will do anything for me. And be anywhere that I need her to be. She was the first one to sign up for the detour trip through Zion this summer. Just to help me with the kids, was her reasoning.



And who was likewise there for our second day at Disneyland last summer, just because she could be, and wanted to be.

I usually miss her birthdays. But we'll always remember her 8th birthday, when my parents surprised her by flying me and Sarah home from college so that we could be at her baptism. We had only been gone a month, but you only turn 8 once, and get baptized once, and we were all going to be there for her then.

Lucky for me, I have another version of her that walks around my house now. Ruby gets called Christine half of the time. There is something about her that reminds me so much of my little sister Christine. The blond unruly hair, her love of animals, and the melt-your-heart smile are only a few of the resemblances.

And you know what? I'm grateful. I love having a constant reminder of the little girl that I once was, and of the last little sister I ever got.




We're all grown up indeed. Happy Birthday Christine. Make it special.

Love,
Annee

We're just here.

Everyday I think of my blog, mostly because I want to see what my sisters (sister-in-laws are interchangeable, so are best friends) are doing, so I check their blogs. Sadly, more often than not, all is silent on the blog front. Then I look at my own blog, just as silent, and I think, "yeah, but I've got nothing", and think that is a good enough excuse. But you know what sisters, it is not a good enough excuse. Because even your nothing, I wish I could see it. So here is a bit of our nothing...

First of all, in response to Rachel's discovery of the one roof top pool in Boston, I just wanted to let her know that we have a rooftop pool here in Korea too. Perhaps with that bit of knowledge, you want to come for a visit?



We did not venture a swim on the rooftop, but we endured the stares of every Korean who was doing just such an activity, admired the view, and glowed in the glowing light of dusk.





Apparently I have quit cooking. So tonight's dinner was at Happy Teriyaki. On our way, we passed our favorite realty office here in Osan. As you can see, it's a fairly new operation. I hope it is weathering the economic downturn well. They sure have great signage. That ought to help get them through for a bit...


Onto dinner...

The boys LOVE this place.

Ruby hates it, but smiled anyway.

Jane did not think a smile was necessary during dinner.

And George was practicing his chop stick skills, working on the two-handed method for tonight.

Everyday is a better day if there is sewing involved, is what I like to say. These orange pillows have been on the to-do list for a while. They were to practice two skills that I wanted to learn. One was the art of hand sewing. I do not call my attempt "art", but you have to start somewhere.


Secondly, I wanted to learn how to put zippers in my pillows. While my hand sewing skills are beginner-ish, accomplishing zipper insertion has me declaring the project as a whole, "magnifique"!

Here's a link to the tutorial I used, in case you feel putting a zipper in a pillow is a skill you desire as well.

Everyday Ruby wants to make a book. I love to see her being creative, I believe in it almost as much as I believe in exercise. And when I paused for a moment today to evaluate where everyone was, I was tickled to see Ruby's position at the table working on her book. She proceeded to read it to me about 100 times. That's okay. 99 would have been sufficient, but 100 is good.


And now onto, my final observation of the day. Both ladies requested an outline of a castle to be colored in at their will. I obliged with the outline, and these pictures are my ladies in a nutshell. I could barely put it into words better.



Jane's picture is on the left, Ruby's on the right (complete with a flying squirrel and a quotation cloud). The thing is, if Jane ever finished hers it would be spectacular. But she rarely gets that far. Her standards are set so high that she almost never lives up to her own expectations. These girls are so different. So very, very, different. And sometimes I worry about this.

But then it occurred to me, if you asked Darin and I to color in pictures of castles, it is very likely that ours would be quite similar to this. His would be perfect (and take him forever to finish), and mine would be whimsical and "good enough". And while I have an opinion about which way is "better", the point is, there is no one else in this world with whom I am so compatible.

So in fact, while on the surface I would feel at ease if their pictures were identical because I would think it would mean they were going to be BFFs for life. Perhaps it is the fact that they are so very different that will actually ensure their eternal bond of friendship.

What do you think? Please tell me you agree with me....

And there you go, that's the nothing that we've been up to. How about you?