Hawaii Standard Time... in Korea.

We got back from Hawaii a week ago... so why are the children still waking up at 4:45am? I don't know. But it's ruining my early workout schedule. I'm up early... but so are they!!

It's now 5:48pm, and their both passed out- They both skipped their afternoon nap to go to the pool on base. E. is on the couch with McQueen clutched in his paws and Lulu, is in the crib, with a pacifier in each hand. So, yes, it's nice to cook dinner with some peace and quiet, but I have a sneaking suspicion that they will be up past their 8:30pm bedtime....

A few of the highlights of our Hawaii trip-

Seeing Anna and John in Honolulu while we enjoyed the Hale Koa in Waikiki.
E. and Matt got to ride on a submarine.
Dinosaur exhibit at the Honolulu Community College
Visiting (well, crashing the quiet vacation of) Dad and Kissy.
Picking up new fabric at the Kapaia Stitchery- inspiration for a bed-sized quilt and patterns for stylized Japanese stitching.
E. learned how to swim!! still has floaties on, but he can paddle around by himself!!
Tasty dinner at the Hanapepe Cafe- third time's a charm.
Lovely sunsets from the south shore of Kauai.
Seeing sea turtles in the surf at Tunnels Beach.
Relaxing by the pool with the sweet scent of plumeria on the breeze... ahhh.
Going for a run in the mornings- listening to the birds and the waves.

Enjoy the new slideshow of pictures in the upper right corner of the blog- you can click on a pic to enlarge.

Cookies...

Andes Peppermint Chip Oatmeal Cookies... the best EVER!

I finally found this recipe- it makes the most delicious holiday cookies I've ever had. This is the generic recipe-

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup dark brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 3/4 cups flour
• 1 cup old fashioned oats
• 1 1/2 cups Andes Mint Baking chips

(I substitute applesauce for 1/2 the butter, and use just 2/3 c. brown sugar. I also like to use 1 1/2 c. flour and 1 1/2 c. oats with sprinkle of allspice.)

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
2. Using an electric mixer, cream the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until fluffy (about 3 minutes).
3. Beat in egg and vanilla extract.
4. On low speed, add baking soda and salt, and then flour. Mix completely.
5. Stir in oats and Andes baking chips.
6. Measure out 2 tablespoons for large or 1 tablespoons for small cookies. Place on lightly greased cookie sheet two inches apart. Press lightly.
7. Sprinkle some of the remaining chips (from the 10 oz. bag) on top of each cookie.
8. Bake for 20 minutes for large cookies or 12-15 minutes for small. Do not overbake.

Happy Birthday, Lulu

Well, the little munchkin is the big ONE. She's got 20 lbs, two little teeth, some big smiles and chubby thighs to show for it. We celebrated the big day a home with close friends (and neighbors) Megan, Brian, Anna and John. Lulu opened up her beautiful presents with glee... new blocks and a truck from Grandma and Clayton, new clothes and blocks from Nana Cheryl and Papa Chuck, new clothes and a swimsuit from Aunt Ching Yi, and a Lulu puzzle from Pops and Kissy.

We all enjoyed the party- I made some nice summer salads and Matt picked up a dolphin ice cream cake from BR.

Kiddos at play

New visors for the kiddos to block out the relentless Korean sunshine... and so they can fit in with all the other Koreans who wear visors. E's says "Friend Ship" and Lulu's says "SweetHeart". awwwhhhh.

Doing a little light reading... and helping me "organize" the bookshelf. What were all those silly books doing on the shelves?? It's much easier to find things when they are

spread out all over the floor!!








Plastic tunnel from Oriental Trading Company- fun, fun, fun!







Little Bean playing at the new play area in Pyeongtaek. She isn't walking yet, but getting quite brave about climbing up on things. I was suprised that she was able to navigate all the plastic balls on the floor.

Letting go...

Just Let Go

Link above is to a nice article in Yoga Journal about letting go.
The steps of detachment:
1: Acknowledgement
2: Self-Inquiry
3: Processing
4: Creative Action
5: Freedom

Detachment is one of the hardest lessons in life, I feel. Perhaps for me, the harder thing to learn is letting yourself become completely absorbed in something- to trust, to have faith, to love. My tendency is to keep my distance, so that part of me is always detached, from everything. But, the tree that stands alone in the field is more easily uprooted in the windstorm. The trees in the forest have each other for support.

From the article: " I have a huge amount of respect for the Zen warrior approach to the inner life, the one in which you heroically renounce your weaknesses and tough out the hard stuff, perhaps using your sense of humor to give you the power to move forward." I identify with this, but it also leaves me drifting over the tops of my emotions and never getting down the weeds to think about how I really FEEL about things. My DH can attest to this!

So, PCS season is here and we bid a "till we meet again" to the friends that we've made, and begin to feel that emptiness in our hearts. Not so many familiar faces around base. Fewer kids at the playgroups. Nobody left to invite to Lulu's birthday party :(

I was just commenting to a friend the other day- "I'm so busy dwelling on everyone that's leaving that I don't have any energy left to welcome the new folks to town."

I guess I'm still acknowledging all the detachment that's taking place. I'll keep you posted on how the "self-inquiry" step is going-

Out and around Osan

The boys riding bikes- the community garden is just behind them. We are nursing along some tomatoes, radishes, potatoes, onions, parsley, mint, peas, peppers, lettuce and a smattering of random flowers. CE doesn't have the water spigot hooked up yet, so we are hand-carrying water to the garden every couple days.

Pics of the family a one of the many fini-flights this past month- Lulu actually LIKES wearing the earmuffs- she's probably realized that having your cheeks squooshed is better than being deafened by a gaggle of F-16s.

Ms. Lu and I exploring the Dragon's Jewel temple with Anna and Jane. LOVELY PEONIES. Ah... reminds me of my wedding boquet... 5 years ago. Amazing how the time has flown; 5 zipcodes and 2 children later... here we are!

My new workout regime consists of carrying Lulu everywhere. So we've done the flight line twice w/ her in the backpack. 6 miles with 25 lbs on my back is certainly a good workout!! This picture is from an afternoon where we explored the trails around Osan. Matt was able to join us and we hiked up to a little temple and gazebo about Pyeongtaek. Nice cool day and a sweet baby cooing in my ear all the way up the hill. What could be better?