Monday, February 4, 2008

blog frustrations, but at least the day was dry!

Ok, so it is Monday, but does the blog page have to act up too?? My side bar won't stay put, my links are somewhere on the page...sheeze oh pete!

On a Brighter note- today was 73 degrees, fiercely windy, but warm and DRY!!! The sun was playing hide-and-seek behind a "gazillion" gray and black clouds and of course the wind just helped ol' Sun Ajumma out! lol Kaitlyn calls the moon "Moon Ajushi" and says he is cold and the sun is hot like fire, so it is called "Sun Ajumma" Is she trying to say something about men and women here? Ya never know with her.
Around 1030 AM Kaitlyn asked "can we go out for lunch". I tried to explain that we were going to make sandwiches and go eat with daddy at work. "but mama, can we go out to eat". "Kaitlyn McIntyre! I just said we were gonna eat with daddy" "I know mama, but can we eat OUT?" It finally dawned on me, she meant to eat outside! lol
We took a plastic Starbucks' mat (compliments of our Korean Starbucks beauties in 2005!), a sandwich for each of us, apple juice for Kaitlyn, some chips and of course- some cookies. "Mama, can we have a banana too?" so one lonely banana came along for the ride.
We met daddy and "ate out". Kaitlyn has this strange LOVE for the wind- so she ate with the wind blowing INTO her face, smiling and laughing the entire time. She only ate part of her sandwich, but she fought dad for the banana. The poor ol' mini choco-chip cookies had to ride back home in the lunch bag...
After lunch we went to the fish pond and she tried to feed dried berries to the fish. "mama, I don't think they have very good teeth to eat dried berries, do you think they have soft teeth?" "No Katie, they don't have teeth"
"Mama, why did you not put bread or cereal in the car for the poor fish? Now they are saying "Katie, your mama is gonna make me hungry! Tell her to bring us some cereal tomorrow" so it looks like tomorrow will be spent feeding the cereals "Miss Katie" refuses to eat to the fish (poor fish! the cereal is soooo stale!).
We went shopping for me a few blouses or shirts (oh yeah! Wamart here we come again!). Instead, we found some really cute sweaters and shirts marked down to $3.99 to mail to the orphanage in Koera...we are excited to get them in the mail tomorrow afternoon.
Then, mysteriously- it was 1530 (3 PM for some of ya!) and we just HAD to go to sonic for a "half price drink". Did you know that sonic charges 0.10 cents for each "add" to a drink? My usual $1.79 lemon-berry slush ended up, at half price, costing $1.80!!! Ok, so I added extra lemon (30 cents), 2 shots of cranberry (20 cents), some pineapple (another 20 cents), plus they charged for the strawberries that normally come in the "lemon-berry" slush! So much for "half price drinks"! Not to mention, with all the fruit, I had to eat it with a spoon...guess I will think of something else next time :-). Kaitlyn had her usual, a "vanilla dish" and a small rootbeer.
We got home and it was still warm so we played in the front yard (still flooded, but we can use the sidewalk). The wind had blown twigs out of the tree and Kaitlyn decided she was a "moose or a deer with antlers"...she held up two large , branched twigs and yelled "mama! Look! I have the best antlers in Lewzanna!" lol
Well- time to make a bed time snack, do some school work, and fold the last load of laundry...hope you have a great nite's sleep and many sweet dreams!

Friday, February 1, 2008

We had a good day!

Oh what a day! The sun was shinning brightly, we had NO rain, and after spending the day yesterday wondering if we would drown or be blown away by a tornado-I would say THIS WAS AN IMPROVEMENT! :-)
Kaitlyn was happy that daddy had to go to a work luncheon as that left her and I to go out to lunch. I had planned on sandwiches, but she said we have had enough "of those things" for this week. I happened to agree a little to readily! We had heard that one little "cafe" in town was a decent place to get Korean food and so I figured we would try it.
We walked in and Kaitlyn does her obligatory bow and "an young ha sae yo" as do I. We are greeted by a Korean woman about 50 years old and one about 65 that look at me like I must have found a lost child; "oh, who is this baby?". I ignore the comment and begin reading the menu board. I see NO other Koreans in the small room, so I begin to wonder if we will get "real" Korean food or a poor imitation as we had a month ago at the "Kalbee House" (oh my goodness- THAT one is a whole other story!). I don't see her favored "Daen Jeong Chigae and state as much-and the ajumma (Korean for "woman" or "auntie") does not say otherwise. She insists we want the "special" and so Kaitlyn and I both ask "what is the special". In typical Korean fashion they answer: "it is fie dollah niney fie cent and tax".
"No, I mean what is served on the special?"
"it only from 11 to 2"
"aguessumnida" (meaning I understand) and of course they look at me just a tad bit different..."how you speakie Korean langagee?"
"Well, my daughter is Korean, I spent a few years in Korea, and I try to keep up the little bit I know". so here we go again...."what food items are served on the daily special?"
"AH! you want to know what you can eat on special?" "yes, ajumma"
Big smiles and then "fied wice, bulgogi, thwee yaki mandu". "OK, we will take that and some Kimchi". Then I realize the menu board has some American type items so I ask "do you have Korean or American Kimchi".
"Oh, Korean kimchi opso" (there is none). We have American cucumber kimchi for baby" looking at Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn of course joyously yells out "mama, mama, we can eat that! I love Kimchi, but I want cabbage kimchi too". I explain there is none today and we will eat cucumber kimchi and some "kong namul" or bean sprouts - of course they ask "you want Korean or American?" Kaitlyn says "ajumma, we only eat Korean, we no want American here!" lol (she is picking up her Konglish again!)
after having to run down the street to get some cash to pay for the upcoming lunch-we sit down to TWO plates of lunch special with "we fix it on two pate so aeggi can have own pate". Kaitlyn says "kam sa hamnida" and she DIGS in! We had some tolerable American style Cucumber Kimchi (yes, Shi, we ate enough for you too!), and the absolute BEST bean sprouts we have had since leaving Korea!! The rest of the meal was ok, better than what I have been cooking-lol. I watched as others got their meals- we had at least double their portions and we were only charged for "one portion". Kaitlyn stopped eating just before her "tummy popped" and we were able to get some "kong namul" to bring home.
We made a run to the next town over so we could go to a better walmart (lol, the ONLY shopping available for 45+ miles) and stopped at Sonic for a fast drink -one small rootbeer for Kaitlyn to go with her "vanilla dish" (she likes the two separate!) and one lemon slush with pineapple and double cranberry...not too bad I guess but I think I will find a different combo next time!
Our story tonight was "Cold Paws, Warm Heart" a story about a polar bear who is cold on the outside and inside due to not having any friends or any contact with anyone other than himself. A little girl befriends him and he soon warms up (also thanks to Hannah's scarf, a cup of hot chocolate, and hugs!). Kaitlyn says "mama, you keep me warm with hugs and I will never , NEVER stop loving you!" As I kiss her goodnight, she says "mama we had a good day, you know that?!" I had to agree. :-)

Monday, January 28, 2008

Kaitlyn's Sighs

Well, today was a balmy 58 degrees and partly sunny-hence the YELLOW color; so we celebrated by going to the fish pond and trying to feed the fish -which wojuld not come eat popcorn. Kaitlyn and I decided they were telling us in their own way that they were "not going to eat anything to make us get fat and then end up in a frying pan to end up in your tummy!" lol To make up for the fish not eating popcorn, we HAD to spend some time at the park-swinging, climbing on the jungle gym and Kailtyn decided to try her hand at sliding without using her hands or feet to "slow her down"-I wish I had taken the camera! She was oh so successful! I turned to see her sliding down the slide (of which she has been afraid until 3 weeks ago) with her hands in the air and yelling "mama, will you be just WAAAY to shocked???!" I nearly fell off the step I was sitting on!
A friend with a heart of GOLD sent me the following, and it sounds sooo much like my Kaitlyn-so I hope you enjoy it:

Puppy Size...
This is one of the neatest stories you will ever hear. You will know precisely what this little girl is talking about at the end (you'll want to share this one with your loved ones and special friends)!
"Danielle keeps repeating it over and over again. We've been back to this animal shelter at least five times. It has been weeks now since we started all of this," the mother told the volunteer. "What is it she keeps asking for?" the volunteer asked.
"Puppy size!'"replied the mother.
"Well, we have plenty of puppies, if that's what she's looking for."
"I know...we have seen most of them,"the mom said in frustration...
Just then Danielle came walking into the office "Well, did you find one?" asked her mom.
"'No, not this time,'"Danielle said with sadness in her voice. "Can we come back on the weekend?"
The two women looked at each other, shook their heads and laughed. "You never know when we will get more dogs. Unfortunately, there's always a supply," the volunteer said.
Danielle took her mother by the hand and headed to the door. "Don't worry, I'll find one this weekend," she said.
Over the next few days both mom and dad had long conversations with her. They both felt she was being too particular. "It's this weekend or we're not looking any more," Dad finally said in frustration. 'We don't want to hear anything more about puppy size either," Mom added.

Sure enough, they were the first ones in the shelter on Saturday morning. By now Danielle knew her way around, so she ran right for the section that housed the smaller dogs. Tired of the routine, mom sat in the small waiting room at the end of the first row of cages. There was an observation window so you could see the animals during times when visitors weren't permitted. Danielle walked slowly from cage to cage, kneeling periodically to take a closer look. One by one, the dogs were brought out and she held each one. One by one she said, "Sorry, you're not the one."
It was the last cage on this last day in search of the perfect pup. The volunteer opened the cage door and the child carefully picked up the dog and held it closely. This time she took a little longer.
"Mom, that's it! I found the right puppy! He's the one! I know it!" she screamed with joy. 'It's the puppy size!" "
But it's the same size as all the other puppies you held over the last few weeks,' Mom said. "No not size... the sighs. When I held him in my arms, he sighed," she said. "Don't you remember? When I asked you one day what love is, you told me love depends on the sighs of your heart. The more you love, the bigger the sigh!"
The two women looked at each other for a moment. Mom didn't know whether to laugh or cry. As she stooped down to hug the child, she did a little of both.
"Mom, every time you hold me, I sigh. When you and Daddy come home from work and hug each other, you both sigh. I knew I would find the right puppy if it sighed when I held it in my arms," she said.
Then holding the puppy up close to her face she said, "Mom, he loves me. I heard the sighs of his heart!"
Close your eyes for a moment and think about the love that makes you sigh. I not only find it in the arms of my loved ones, but in the caress of a sunset, the kiss of the moonlight and the gentle brush of cool air on a hot day. They are the sighs of God! Take the time to stop and listen; you will be surprised at what you hear. "Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. " May each of you feel and hear the sighs of God...

Sunday, January 27, 2008

wonder if this translation stuff works...


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Well, today is Sunday-one of Kaitlyn's favorite days. She loves to go to church and to Sunday school. I wish I had a picture of her from this morning. She had on one of her favorite dresses- it is probably the last time she will wear it; it has a black velvet bodice with white pearls on the neckline, the skirt is black and red taffeta with a black satin bow, it has short puffy sleeves that match the skirt. She wore black "stockings" with black patten leather shoes- she looked so tiny for some reason, and yet so big!
The weather is warmer today- nearing 50, the sun is coming out-and we have NO rain!
Kaitlyn loved the sermon-it was from Matthew 14:22-33; where Jesus told the disciples to go head in a boat while He went to pray, then he walked out on the water to meet them in the storm. Kaitlyn is always thinking of fishing and "what did the fish think", "What would Jesus say if..."
Funny, I had never imagined how the disciples may have felt, but it says they were scared of the "ghost" approaching on the water. I guess I would have been afraid of a figure walking on a stormy sea also! lol But Peter, in order to make sure it was Jesus said "Lord, if it is you, tell me to come out to you". I have often wondered why; then it dawned on me- anyone (ok, a "ghost") would have kept coming, but Jesus would have been able to create a miracle, and Peter could also walk on the stormy sea and Peter KNEW this! Well, Jesus did tell Peter "Come" and Peter did just that. I wonder, would I have had the faith to do that? Would I have said" Lord, if it is you, hurry and get in the boat" or better yet, "Lord, if it is you, STOP the storm!" Once Peter was on the water, he seemed to forget WHY he was there- he lost sight of his goal-Jesus outstretched hand, and began to fall. BUT! Jesus / God is right on time...Jesus reached out and took Peter's hand, and he did not drown. How often do I yell at God and say "where are you??!!" "Why are you not answering ME?!" I often forget that it was ME who stepped OUT OF THE BOAT, and it is ME who forgets the GOAL...and God/Jesus is always waiting for me to reach out and take His hand...
If you have not guessed it, I spend many days "Shouting AT the Lord" nearly as many as "Shouting TO the Lord" and yet, HE always has His hand stretched out ready to answer in HIS timing...and NO, I am not always happy with His timing, but after all, I DID STEP OUT OF THE BOAT, SO IT IS I WHO MUST KEEP SIGHT OF THE GOAL...no matter what the day has in store...So my goal this week is to remember: GOD IS ALWAYS RIGHT ON TIME.

Friday, January 25, 2008

In Prince's heart...

Well, it is early-for writing anyway :-)
I am using green as Kaitlyn has expressed her desires for warmer weather and sunshine. I would have used yellow, but it really does not show up that well and I am not in a super sunny mood! :-)
Kaitlyn is still running a fever and showing me patches of "bites". She is having transient patches of whelts, most of them do not itch-but the idea is making me crazy as I have no idea what could be causing any of this-not comforting to a mama who is also a nurse. I don't feel like being a nurse today, I just want to be her mama and cuddle her and read to her today, she seems to think this is a wonderful idea.
As Kaitlyn sits and watches one of her new-found, and also most favorite programs-"Word World", she cuddles her mini-schnauzer and asks "mama, does Prince (yes, she named him and his full name is "Prince Charming" Registered and all! lol) have a heart?"
"Yes, he has a heart, all living things have a heart"
"Well, what is IN his heart?"
"hmmm, I think just muscles and blood"
"Mama, why not God, and love, and happy things?"
"Well, I am not sure if God lives in animals' hearts, I think God does love animals or He would not have made them." "You are probably right, there is probably lots of love in his little heart, and he has happy things too, 'cuz he knows you love him".
"Mama, when I die will you tell Prince I love him?"
"Yes, I will tell Prince you love him, but you won't die yet"
"mama, you KNOW I have to die one day and go get my wings".
Ok, panic mode kicks in about now-she has this way of bringing up death...she is calm as she speaks about it, but it brings a certain panic to my heart.
"Kaitlyn, when are you going to die"
"Oh, not yet, but when it is time, I will go to heaven. Don't forget-OK?"
"OK, I won't forget"
"You won't forget to tell Prince I always love him?"
"No, I won't forget, plus I think he will always know and I think he will feel you as an angel when you get your wings".
"OH,MAMA!" "DO you think God will let Prince see me with my wings? That would be way cool, huh mama?!?" As she flits off to read a book about 5 little monkeys who tease a crocadile...