Sad, sad, sad

So I haven't blogged since July! What has the world come to? September is right around the corner and I never posted anything about the beach, preparing for leaving NC, pictures with the family, selling our house last minute, moving back to Korea, our plane ride with lots of Zacharyisms that I will soon forget if I don't write them down, our first week back that included a sprained ankle, and just life in general again. I guess it goes to show how busy we have been over the past few months. We thought life in Korea would be a little more relaxing. Ha! At least we have a constant routine but relaxing it's not so far. Ok so yes I fall asleep in the recliner almost every night after Zachary goes to bed but the sleep must be pretty important for this pregnant body. I guess life is never supposed to slow down. I will post more soon and probably add some pictures again. But for now the bed is calling my name as it is 12:30am (ok so I slept from 8:15- 10:45 but still its late!).
I promise I will do better!

Visit from Grandma Laurie and Grandpa Jim

Though it was a short visit, we enjoyed having Patrick's mom and stepfather in Raleigh. Zachary enjoyed having both sets of grandparents around. Of course, he loved that they had a house on wheels. They have been traveling cross country this summer in Jim's RV. We were so excited that they could visit us since we missed them in Hawaii.

We're cousins!

This summer we are staying in my parents house along with my my sister's family. It's a pretty hectic place but I wouldn't trade it for anything. Getting to watch Zachary play with Dawson and Kenan as been so special. It's amazing how much cousins can love each other. It is quite a cultural experience bringing Zachary from Korea and Dawson and Kenan from Mali and then throw in normal 2/3 year old behavior but they are doing quite well. Mrs. Heather, I promise that Zachary will be back to using the potty inside when we get back to Korea. :)

Our first night back together. I think they eventually went to bed.
Zachary and Kenan enjoying singing songs together. They are a lot alike. They both enjoy music and balls. It's fun to watch them interact.
Breakfast with my cousin.
With Dawson, Zachary enjoys playing with cars. They have also been pretty brave together and tackled the big slides at the park.
Trying to catch Grandma's fish. Oh the adventures the summer will bring!

Together Again!

Besides seeing family again this summer, one of the most special reunions we have had this summer is with the Hixson family. Zachary and Chase spent every day together before we left for Korea and now a year older and a bit taller, they still have as much fun as ever. I knew they remembered each other as we Skype often, but to watch them reunite was so special. They couldn't stop hugging each other and didn't want to separate. Zachary still asks to go back to Chase's house. I hope this friendship is life long one. Their first meeting- Zachary brought Chase a Korean airplane.
The first of many hugs.
Aren't they handsome? We didn't even plan to dress alike. :)
We also celebrated the Fourth of July with them but on the 3rd. Last year we had a cookout with yummy chicken roll-ups and then went to the fireworks in Garner. The chicken roll-ups were a good tradition to keep but we decided to forgo the fireworks this year and just do our own with sparklers. The kids enjoyed it so much more and still got to bed at a reasonable hour. Sparklers are great fireworks for Zachary, they make no noise. :)

Yummmmm!

Everyone knows about my addiction to Chick-fil-a so this post is a must. After greeting my family in the airport, my first stop on the way home was Chick-fil-a for a biscuit. As of today, I have been to Chick-fil-a 14 times in 4 weeks and I am sure there are many more to come in the last two weeks.

My first taste in 10 months!

Not only did I stop for breakfast that morning but it was our first dinner in NC as well.
Zachary even enjoys Chick-fil-a. He actually prefers the chicken soup but I really think he is there for the chocolate milk and the playground. He knows this is mommy's favorite place to eat and can recognize it now. It is good to know that I am "training up my child in the way he should go." :)

Way behind

I'm way behind in blogging for the summer. We have been so busy and done so much it is hard to keep up with it all. Since we left Korea on June 8th we have spent 10 days in Honolulu, HI with Patrick's family, traveled to Raleigh, Patrick's parents came to visit, the MacLean's came home, Amy and Matt got married and we spent a week at Holden Beach. Hard to believe we only have 2 more weeks and we are back in Korea. Guess we go back to relax :).

Here are a few of our pictures from Hawaii.

After 4 visits to Hawaii, I finally made it to the Arizona Memorial. It's not the best place to take a 2 year old to truly reflect on the impact of that day on our country's history but it was still a pretty powerful place to visit. Zachary understood about the boat under water and was very respectful during our visit. One day we'll go back and get the full effect.

Zachary enjoyed playing at the beaches. If his cousins Samantha and Shane were around, the beach was even more fun.
Uncle Stu reading books to the kids on Father's day.

Aren't they precious?

Stuart and Susie treated us to Sesame Street Live while we were there. Zachary was so excited to see Elmo on stage but I don't think his excitement truly compared the excitement of his mother. This was a dream come true for this Sesame Street fanatic. Maybe it's pregnancy hormones or just this little kid at heart, but I even teared up when the show started. Sad I know but what a great night!

Chats with Zach~ Episode 4

We are in North Carolina now where everyday is a new adventure for Zachary as he relearns what America is like. He is always asking where we are going or where are we. Separation issues are a part of daily life as well as fears of the unknown and new noises.

Zachary has a new bed here at Grandma's house and when we first arrived, would be sleeping in Aunt Sheri's room until they would get here. Apparently there are many sights and sounds in that room that scare him. Patrick and Zachary had a conversation with Zachary about Jesus helping us to be brave.

Zachary- It's scary Daddy
Patrick- But Jesus gives us the power to be what?
Zachary- brave. Is Jesus in here with me?
Patrick- Yes he is all around us and he will help you not to be scared.
Zachary- Is Jesus in my tummy like baby sister?
Patrick- No. But Jesus can be in your heart like he is in Mommy and Daddy's heart.

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Our new toy since arriving in NC has been the Nintendo Wii. Zachary has always loved 'pretend play' of tennis and bowling on Uncle John's Wii. Now Zachary seems to be an expert and can play pretty well on his own. Sometimes he will even beat us. He asks to play almost every day. The other day Grandma and Zachary were playing golf. Grandma was having a little trouble as she was learning which buttons to push and how to play. Apparently to Zachary she was taking too long and not on the right screen. He looked up at Grandma and said "Grandma, you have to push the A button."

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While anticipating the arrival of family Zachary and Grandma were having a discussion in the car on the way to church.

Grandma- Do you know who comes in 3 days?
Zachary- Grandma Laurie and Grandpa Jim!
Grandma- Do you know who comes in 4 days?
Zachary- Dawson and Kenan and Aunt Sheri and Uncle Brett!
Grandma- Yeah!
Zachary- But who comes in 5 days?
Grandma- I don't know. Who do you want to come in 5 days?
Zachary- Jesus.

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Now that Aunt Sheri, Uncle Brett, Dawson and Kenan are here the conversations have become much more enjoyable between Zachary and cousin Dawson (3 years old). At our first evening meal together, Dawson and Zachary were sitting at the head of the table together. Randomly Zachary leans over to Dawson, "Hey Dawson! Dawson! I like ABC's" and then goes back to eating his dinner.

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For the Fourth of July we had a a lot of family over and since the boys are still adjusting to time changes we didn't feel like keeping them up late for fireworks that we definitely knew Zachary would not enjoy- he's too scared of loud noises. Aunt Patricia and Uncle John brought 'magic snakes' that grow when burned out of a little pellet and Grandma had sparklers. She also had canisters that were supposed to pop and send confetti shooting in the air. The first can didn't work to well and Uncle John had to pretty much pour out the confetti. Cousin Ben was able to get the second one to pop very well and the confetti shot high in the sky and fluttered to the ground. Everyone was surprised and oohed and aahed. Zachary did for a moment then said "I don't want that no more."

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Sheri and I took the boys to the park one morning in Grandma's car with three car seats lined in the back. With a 3-year old, a 2- year old and a 1- year old emotions fluctuate from loving each other to worst enemies if they want the same toy. Today they were best friends. The three boys were chatting and making noise in the back seat when we heard.

Dawson- Zacky (pause) I love you. I love you Kenan.

Zachary- I love you too Dawson.

Doesn't that just make your heart melt?

Chats with Zach- Episode 3

Zachary has said many things over the past couple weeks that have just made us laugh.

We left Korea almost 2 weeks ago and have ridden on lots of planes. When we got off of the first plane in Tokyo and walked up the tunnel he said "That was a great plane."

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Zachary enjoys watching golf on TV. He can now recognize Tiger Woods. He cheers for anyone who gets the ball in the hole. We were teaching Zachary golf terms during the US Open when Tiger got a birdie. He started running around the house flapping his arms and saying "Tiger got a birdie!" At the beginning, he even said "Mommy, Tiger got a bird."

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During the US Open we were also looking at pictures of a teacher friend who is traveling around the world this summer and was currently in Thailand. She had a picture of herself on her blog laying next to a real tiger and with the tiger's head in her lap. I was showing Zachary her neat pictures. He asked me what the animal was and I told him a tiger. He looked at me and said "That's not Tiger Woods."

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Jet lag from Hawaii to NC has been very hard on Zachary. He has been waking up around 10:30 at night and staying up until about 1:30 or so. Last night he was in his bedroom wide awake and singing songs like "There's Power in the Blood" and "Mary Had Had a Little Lamb." Around 12:00 I stood outside his door and the following conversation occured.

Mommy- Zachary, you need to go to bed. Get back in your bed and close your eyes.

Zachary- But I don't want to Mommy.

Mommy- I'm sorry but it is night night time and you need to go to sleep.

Zachary- But Mommy I love you.

Mommy- (trying to withhold the giggles and very glad the door is closed) I love you too Zachary but you need to go to bed.

Zachary- Mommy, I want it to be sunny.

Mommy- I'm sorry Zachary but I can't make it sunny. The sun is asleep and Zachary should be too. Good night Zachary, Mommy is going to bed.

Once I laid back down he started calling out again.

Zachary- Daddy, I want some more water. ( repeated about 4 times)

Mommy-(from my bedroom) Zachary, you can't have anymore water go to sleep.

Zachary- But it's my favorite. I want water. It's my favorite. (repeating over and over and crying)

Daddy finally had to intervene and he eventually went to bed. We're ready for jet lag to be over.

Things have changed

Sometimes I forget what Zachary was like when we first moved to Korea. He can do so much these days that forget how little he could do just 10 months ago. He has grown up so much and learned more things than I could ever have imagined. He was 21 1/2 months old when we arrived and is 2 1/2 years old when we left. I can't believe how much he has grown.

10 months ago he spoke about 50-75 words in 2-3 word sentences NOW he can hold a full conversation with you, quote Bible verses and full nursery rhymes.


10 months ago he barely fit in the airplane seat and pushed the buttons just for entertainment NOW he can listen to his own music with earphones in his ears and change the channels all by himself.


10 months ago he wore 18 month clothes NOW he is so tall he has almost grown out of his 2T clothes

10 months ago he was still pretty wobbly when walking and walked at a snail's pace to school NOW
he runs faster than we can catch him, jumps, skips gallops, spins, and still walks

at a snail's pace to school (some things don't change) :).

10 months ago blueberries and hot dogs were his staple foods NOW his staples are kim and mandu. He can even roll his own kim and rice.

10 months ago he could barely sit for a story NOW he chooses his own books and reads on his own. He even asks what the words are and tries to read them himself and points while he reads.

10 months ago he hated to color and his crafts at school consisted of one line on a paper and finished by his teacher NOW he asks to color and can draw lines, circles, and almost a letter Z.

10 months ago he rode in a car seat with mommy driving everywhere NOW he rides in a taxi without a car seat and can tell the taxi driver hello, where we live, and thank you in Korean.

10 months ago he wore diapers NOW he is completely potty trained and wears big boy underwear.

10 months ago he could barley count to 10 NOW he can count to 29 and can recognize most of the numbers between 0 and 10.

10 months ago he slept in a crib NOW he sleeps in a big boy bed.

10 months ago he was an only child NOW he is preparing for a little sister.

Zachary is so independent now and is so much fun to watch grow up and learn. We are about to start all over with this process with our little girl and can't wait to see how she will grow and learn. I know Zachary will be a great big brother and will teach her everything he has learned.

My New Glasses

Most things in Korea are more expensive than in America except for prescription glasses. Our last week in Korea I bought a pair of prescription sunglasses and two other pairs for about $160 dollars. I have bought a total of 4 pairs this year for $200. That would be one pair in the US! I don't think we will be buying glasses in America again. Here is my model showing off one of my new pair of glasses.

My new sunglasses and Zachary's Thomas sunglasses.

Our Last Day of School

Ten months have gone by and it is our last day of school. It is hard to believe that we have been here that long and that it is time for the year to be over. When we first arrived, we had to get used to walking everywhere and now it is a habit. Zachary even knows the difference between the way we walk to school and the way we go to get a taxi. There are so many thoughts going through our minds of where this year has taken us but all that is on my mind today is the amount of work that still needs to be done before we leave in 2 days. We have enjoyed our first year in Korea but can't wait to get home. Our last walk to school
We met up with our friend Ellen on our way to school. We've been so blessed to have her as a friend here in Korea.
Walking down the hill onto campus
We have been so lucky this year that we have not had to deal with many sicknesses. Besides the common cold and cough, Zachary has only been really sick one time. Of course, he had to finish out the year with a cough and a slight fever and had to leave school early on the last day. We had way too much to do so neither one of us could take him home. He got to sleep under mommy's desk in his 'cave.' He enjoyed it. Of course, if you talk to him, he will call it a 'cage.' I promise we didn't keep him in a cage :). Overall our year was a success. We are excited about next year and coming back knowing what to do and where to go. It should be a great year.

My First Fire Station Field Trip

I am so excited! I get to go on my first field trip today. We are going to the fire station. I've got my fire hat and I'm ready to go! Daddy got to go with me on the field trip. Daddy, Nina and I are waiting for the bus to take us to the fire station.
This is my class. We are waiting for the bus. I love to ride the bus!
At the fire station, I listened very carefully to the firemen telling us what the firemen do to keep us safe. He spoke in Korean but Aunty Esther explained it to us in English.
My teacher Mrs. Heather dressed up in a fire suit. A fireman is not that scary with Mrs. Heather inside.
I learned how to put out a fire with a fire extenguisher. It shot out water. This was my favorite part!

Look! I'm in a real fire truck and wearing a real fire hat! I'm on my way to the fire!
I took a picture of Daddy next to the fire truck.

The firemen taught us how to get out of the house if it is filled with smoke. Keep your hand on the wall and cover your mouth until you get outside.
We had a great day on our field trip. I can't wait to go again!