Korea or Bust!

Okay, here's the scoop. But we need to start four years ago, just for fun....

Four years ago we decided that we wanted to get out of the military. We started making plans to move back to Utah, and Joe started putting in applications everywhere. We even made a very quick trip to Utah for an interview one weekend. Buuuuuut, when we actually got around to fasting and praying about the decision, we felt like we were supposed to put in for an instructor slot and re-enlist. Well, Joe tried and tried for that instructor slot, but even though the training group really needed him, the people making the decision said NO - he either had to go back to Korea, or get out of the military. We didn't feel like we were supposed to go back to Korea at that time, so we called their bluff, and Joe started filling out the paperwork to get out. We were frustrated and confused, because we had felt so good about the instructor thing. Well, Joe turned in his separation papers in the morning (this was back in April '06) and that very afternoon when he went back to the office, the decision makers (in all their wisdom and glory) called Joe and said that if he went and took back his separation papers, then they'd give him the instructor slot - and we've been here ever since. Lessons we learned: Heavenly Father answers our prayers; Heavenly Father is in charge; Heavenly Father has his own time table.

Fast forward to present day....So we had decided to get out of the military...again. We were going to move back to Utah...again, and Joe was going to go back to school. However, when we finally got around to actually fasting and praying about it (there really is something to the fasting thing), we didn't feel right about it (does this sound familiar?), so we decided to re-enlist. We always said that if we stayed in past 10 years, then we'd stay in 'till 20 and retire, so that's what we're doing. Anyway, since we decided to stay in, it's really important to Joe that he learn Korean the very best he can, so he started looking into different language training programs in California and Maryland. Then about 2 months ago, Joe heard about this opportunity to do a one year language program in Seoul, Korea at Yonsae University (I think that's what it's called). It's the best Korean program that he could possibly get into. We prayed about it, and really felt like this was what we were supposed to do, so we applied. About a month passed, and we figured we hadn't got it. Then we heard that Joe had come in second, but they only give one spot to the Air Force. We were a little discouraged, but we figured we'd try for something else. Then, last week we heard that they might be giving a second spot to the Air Force, because they had offered one spot to the Marines that hadn't been filled. Friday morning we got the official word that Joe got the second spot. We're going to Korea! Lessons we learned: Heavenly Father answers our prayers; Heavenly Father is in charge; Heavenly Father has his own time table.

Here's the plan: The program is one year, with a follow-up assignment in Korea for three years. The school starts September 15th, and we want a month of leave (to spend in Utah) before we go, so that really doesn't give us a lot of time to get out of here. We have decided to sell our house, and it's got a lot of work that needs to be done. We are running around like crazy people trying to clean and fix things. At the same time, I am taking two classes online that I have to finish this summer, and Joe has a class that he has to finish up teaching, graduate, and paper work up the wazoo. Plus we both have callings at church that keep us pretty busy. We will miss our families and friends terribly, we will be sad to leave our friends in Texas, and to sell our first house. The next three months might possibly bring us to the brink of insanity, but it'll all work out in the end....it has to, right?:) Even though we're stressed, we are excited about going to Korea again, and starting this new adventure. We are grateful that Heavenly Father is mindful of us, and continues to give us direction in our decisions. Here are a few old pictures of things to come (get it?)

Outtie or Innie, La Continuación

Thank you Amy W. for reminding me that I have extravert friends too, whom I failed to give recognition to in my last post. This is for you.


Are you the life of the party? Do you make friends easily? Do you not enjoy being alone? Can you say Gregarious (look it up)? Then you might be an extrovert. Extroverts are enthusiastic, talkative, assertive. They tend to wear more colorful or decorative clothing. They put dishes of candy out to lure people in. I'm serious:)


I love my extrovert friends, and I am grateful for them because they inspire (lure) me to get out of my comfort zone. I know that I learn and grow more as a person when I get out of my comfort zone. When we moved to California there was a couple who invited us over for dinner the first week we were there. They were ALWAYS inviting people over for dinner. She was very extroverted, she was very friendly, and she knew everyone. I tried to follow her example and started occassionally inviting other couples over for dinner. It was very hard for me to do that (still is - so much pressure!), but I got to know a lot more people that way.


As with most things in life, I think it's good to try and have a balance.....always balancing....always easier said then done.

Innie or Outtie? - Thoughts on Amy M.'s post:)

First of all, you guys ar soooooo smart. It was, in fact, a banana peel. But it couldn't have been there for more than a couple of hours, so it's weird that it so quickly reached it's turd-like state. Good times.

Okay, on with my thoughts. Yesterday I chaperoned JT's fieldtrip, because as you all should know by now, I just have to chaperone them all. We went bowling, and then to the local pizza buffet that has video games and other token-related entertainment. As I was watching the children play (mine inparticularly), I couldn't help but notice that the majority of the mothers were congregated together, while I was off in a corner by myself. I felt no urge whatsoever to join them/talk to them/get to know them. I was pefectly fine being alone, with my own thoughts, and watching JT. This made me think about a post my friend Amy just put on her blog about being an introvert.

A lot of people think of being introverted or extraverted as an either/or thing, but most contemporary theories see it as part of a single, continuous dimension of personality, with some near one end, and others near the half-way mark (big words, stay with me). An ambivert is someone who falls in the middle, who is comfortable with groups and enjoys social interaction, but also relishes time alone and away from the crowd. I would say that I'm probaby somewhere on the introvert side of an ambivert.

How am I semi-introverted? Let me count the ways. I'd much rather be at home with my family then out in public. When I am out, I prefer smaller, more intimate groups. I ocassionally enjoy a girls' night out or an enrichment activity, but sometimes I even have to force mysef to go to those (unless it's a continuous, scheduled thing - then I can find comfort in the continuity of it). I can't stand shopping, and this is mostly due to crowds. I have a VERY hard time shopping around the holidays, and I usually just stick to the internet (but I did go out on Black Friday last year with my sister-in-law, and I was very proud of myself). I feel like it takes me a long time to make a friendship that I really want to last, and to get to that point sometimes feels like too much emotional effort. I've had several friends tell me that, before they got to know me, they thought I hated them. Geesh, I'm sorry:)

This is my favorite quote about introverts: "In many ways introverts have advantages over extroverts. By directing their energies inwards they are closer to their Spiritual essence. Introverts can more easily open themselves to inspiration and creativity. They are less distracted by worthless, deleterious "noise"." That's totally me, right?:)

Ironically enough, most of my good friends range from mid to extreme introverts. So I'm thinking, how in the heck did we become friends? On the one hand, it makes since that we're such good friends because we have so much in common (i.e. introvertedness). On the other hand, if we're both introverted, how did we ever get to know each other well enough to become friends. Thank goodness for church programs and assignments, work experiences, school classes, and random dorm room placement, that "force" us to get to know each other better!

I remember when we first moved to Texas, I firmly believed that I did not need to make any new friends here - casual acquaintences yes, but nobody that I'd stay in touch with. I was perfectly happy with the close friends I had in Utah and around the country, and was committed to stay in contact with them via my computer, so why did I need to go through the harrowing (is that the right word?) experience of making new friends? - It's not like I was going to be here forever! Low and behold, 5 years later and I have several very close friends that I've made here (that are still here or have moved), that I am extremely thankful for, and that I will stay in touch with until the day I die. And you guessed it, most of them are introverts!:) Go figure.

Name that....huh?

You might be wondering what the heck this is. Well that's the whole point. I found this on my kitchen floor, and before I figured out what it actually was, I was pretty scared. So, send in your guesses as to what this might be, and there could be a prize if you guess right.....okay, there probably won't be a prize, but try to guess what it is anyway.

Two Years Too Fast

Alex turned two years old on Monday. Crazy.......crazy. We are so grateful to have Alex in our family. He gets into EVERYTHING these days - much more than a handful, he is a truck full. He knows what he wants, and he goes after it, no matter what he has to climb, or what mess he has to make, or how sneaky he has to be to get it. But he is SOOOOOOO much fun too! He loves to dance, he loves to be silly, and he gives the best hugs. He brings us so much JOY, sometimes it overflows. Her is a look at our last two years with him (going backwards), starting with the picture of his birthday present. We love you Alex!

At Cora's baptism

Mmmmmm, chocolate.

Sunday Afternoon

"Helping" Dad

"Helping" Mom?

American Fork canyon

Swimming at Goodfellow

Swimming in the Toilet

Halloween Pooh

Happy Baby:)

Mmmmm, milk.

Oooooh so cute!

The first time ever I saw your face...

Sorry, were you expecting an ultrasound picture?

I AM

I am: a daughter of God, a wife and mother, a Woman.
I think: that Utah is the greatest place to live.
I know: that I could be happy living anywhere in the world, as long as I'm with my family.
I want: to learn Spanish well enough to have a conversation with Joe, and not be totally and completely lost in a spanish-speaking country.
I dislike: rude drivers - You're not the only one on the road, ya know?!
I miss: the mountains. They make the air smell better, and they sure are nice to look at. I could say the same thing about the ocean.
I fear: that I'm just not doing good enough.
I feel: grateful for each day that I get to start anew and try harder.
I hear: "Hey there Delilah" by The Plain White T's, and I'm wishing I could play the guitar.
I smell: nothing - I have allergies and I'm all stuffed up.
I crave: Rocky Road icecream with toffee bits in it. Doesn't that sound good?
I cry: at the same sad movies EVERY time I see them.
I usually: take too long to make new friends, but I am loyal to the ones I have forever and ever.
I search: for healthy recipes that actually taste as good as the fattening ones, and don't use weird ingredients that I've never heard of.
I wonder: what this world would be like if everyone actually took responsibility for their choices.
I regret: that I'm not more patient with my kids, and that I am often too "busy" when they want to do something with me.
I love: the way that Joe makes me feel loved every minute he's with me, and the new hair styling cream gel that I found (in that order).
I care: about this country and what is happening to it. I try very hard to educate myself politically (and historically), and I want to be a better voice.
I always: take a very long time to brush my teeth, floss and rinse. I figure if I'm going to do it, then I'm going to do it right. I still get a lot of cavities.
I worry: that we will miss important events in our families' lives because we live so far away - we already have.
I am not: going to do the PTA newsletter next year. That's the plan.
I remember: a time when everyone was quiet in a library. What the heck happened?
I believe: that Clorox wipes are a great invention, and I used them like they're going out of style.
I dance: At the end of a movie to the music playing during the credits - if it's good dancing music. Not in a theatre though, just at home.
I sing: everywhere but the shower. I think it's weird to sing in the shower.
I don't always: write thank you notes.....okay, I Never write thank you notes, not even for my wedding gifts. THANK YOU, okay?!
I argue: with radical left (and right) wing nuts on TV, but they can't hear me.
I write: poems. Usually late at night when I'm about to fall asleep, and if I don't write them down, then I forget them by morning.
I won: a whole basket of Mary Kay products, probably worth $300. I've used Mary Kay on and off for almost 15 years.
I lose: my chapstick all the time, and have to buy more. I am sure that there must be 50 tubes of chapstick hiding around my house. Maybe I'll find them when we move.
I wish: that I could live anywhere in Europe for a year.
I listen: to commericals and analyse them. In another life I must have been in advertising.
I don't understand: how I was able to watch only MSNBC through the entire election process and still not vote for Obama:) I am grateful to have FOX news now.
I can usually be found: at home. I like the people there:)
I am scared: that anything bad will happen to my kids. But I try not to think about that.
I need: a better mattress. The one we have is okay, but I want a great one - one that would be great if I was sleeping beauty, and when I was finally kissed awake, my back wouldn't hurt even though I'd been in bed all that time.
I forget: people's names, appointments, activities, and other such things
I am happy: because I choose to be, and because that's the whole point of life.

It's Not a One Wipe Job

Well, it's been a few days since it happened, and I have time to come to terms with it. What happened, you ask? I will tell you. We decided to treat ourselves, and we went to eat at a restaurant as a family. The restaurant will go un-named, so as to prevent them from kicking me out the next time we go there. We had a good time, and as dinner came to an end, we realized that Alex was stinky. I volunteered to changed him. I went into the bathroom, put him up on the changing table, and then realized that the "stinky" was oozing out the bottom of his pants, and onto his shoes. Diarrhea had reared it's ugly head. Of course, I am a mother of four, and this was not my first time, and I confidently rummaged through my purse for the diaper and wipes. Heaven help me, I only had one wipe left. ONE!!!It wouldn't put a dent in this job! A quick look around the bathroom told me that they didn't have paper towels, only the hand dryers. First, I panicked, but then I switched it into survival mode. Just then, someone came into the bathroom. I just stood there, mentally preparing my plan of attack. I did not need an audience for this. The second she left the bathroom, and I rocketed into motion. There were two large garbage cans in the bathroom, one of which was nearly empty. I grabbed the garbage sack out of that one, and dumped the contents into the other can. This garbage sack was huge, like 40 gallons or something. As quick as I could, I stripped Alex of his pants and shoes and threw them in the sack. Then I picked Alex up, and put him in the sink, took his diaper off, and threw it in the garbage can. I then proceeded to give Alex a "bath" in the sink. At this point Alex started screaming, and I started praying silently that nobody would walk into the bathroom. Can you imagine!? When he was all clean, I used the one wipe I had to "dry" him off, because, as I mentioned before, no paper towels. I pumped a whole bunch of soap into my hands and "scrubbed" down the sink to sanitize it the best I could. Then I took the huge sack with the offending materials in it, and ripped off the top two-thirds of the sack, so that it would actually semi-fit inside my purse. I did all of this in a matter of a couple of minutes, and when all was done, I grabbed Alex, now only in a T-shirt and diaper, went out to the family, and stated firmly that it was definitely time to go. Oh the joys of parenthood!:) Perhaps you would have handled this differently. Maybe you would have just left him in his stink, strapped him in his carseat, and taken care of the mess at home. Perhaps you thought you would have used wads and wads of wetted down toilet paper. Or maybe you would have taken it a step further and gave him a "bath" in the toilet (for privacy purposes - toilets water's clean, right?) Who knows what you would have done. Joe said I was a warrior, and commended me for doing what had to be done in the heat of the moment. In any case, we survived, and came away with a funny story. As a finale, when we got home Alex "helped" me unload the dishwasher (which is one of his favorite things to do). Only this time I wasn't with him, and he got all the silverware that was still dirty in the dishwasher and put it away in the drawer with the clean silverware. He finished off the night by falling asleep UNDER his crib. It was a full day, and his mission to search and destroy continues.