The turn in the weather has a blessed thing here in South Korea. The sun shines, the temperature climbs, and March has beautifully come in.

Our family has enjoyed March as a season of beginnings. The school year has started, the new semester has begun for my husband and myself, and the season of Lent has started.

Aidan passed a Taekwondo test a few weeks ago. He, of course, was brilliant on the day of the test! I am one proud momma! And we are still waiting for him to bring home the actual belt. 
​

Aidan's birthday was March 21st, but it was much more like a birthday week!

On the Sunday before, he had no problem putting up his hand in church when the announcer asked if there were any birthdays. He gleefully accepted a box of chocolates. I was not surprised when he asked if he could eat a few before lunch, but I told him to wait. He enjoyed most of the box after Sunday School.

On the actual day, we went out to eat at the one and only Uzbeki restaurant in Jochiwon. Justin also brought him special chicken on that day which all of the boys ate on the way to the restaurant. Aidan ordered a really lovely pork and rice dish, but he couldn't finish it all. 

We let him have a couple of friends over on Friday night for a pajama party and sleep over. They had a great time eating pizza and cake, drinking cola, and playing games on their devices until 11:00! Apparently, this was way past their bed time for all of them. Interestingly, they all got up early to play more games together, enjoyed chocolate pancakes for breakfast, and went off to spend the afternoon together.

In other news, Justin has started high school, and can't you tell from this picture that he is quite proud of his uniform? LOL!

I admit that I am not exactly comfortable with him going to high school. What happened to that energetic, rambunctious young boy who bounced around like Tigger from Winnie the Pooh? He grew up! 

We prayed for him the night before he started. I hugged and cried my eldest boy and the reality of it all set in. I hope and pray that he will continue to improve himself in high school! Strive on to bigger and better things young man!

And for those of you who are wondering, it's an all boys school! There are only a handful of female teachers, so he will not be learning how to flirt or any of those other skills that are necessary for relationships of the opposite sex! Mom will continue to be the main woman in his life for now.
​

And Jordan! A wonderful mischief maker, lemonade stealer (yes, the lemonade in the picture was mine), and all around fun kid! This is the child who still get excited about dances with Mom, picture books, and hidden cookies in the pantry.

This is my sweet trinity of sons. Our home is full of love, and I am blessed by each of them.

And I need to end with the man who has been with me for over twenty years. Hansung Kim is a husband, friend, father, professor, and part-time singer. Next month, we get to celebrate his birthday.

For now, I just thank God for all of these gifts. Aidan, Justin, Jordan, and Hansung. 

But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children--
Psalm 103:17

It’s been a beautiful Thanksgiving (Chuseok) week here in South Korea. We have spent lots of time outside enjoying the beautiful weather as well as eating, laughing, and fellowshipping with good people.

Sunday afternoon after church we went into Sejong City to the Lake Park beside the library. It was a beautiful afternoon for a walk and we spent about an hour walking around the lake, poking our noses into interesting spots, including a new coffee shop, and a few other improvements since we hadn’t been there for over two years.  Aidan and Jordan enjoyed using the kick board around the lake.

Monday we had a great visit with Grandmother and Big Aunt and her husband in Seoul. We managed to get up there quite early and were able to visit Duck Su Koon (palace) which is where we had wedding photos done 20 years ago. It’s always good to revisit places like this (note to self here)!

Tuesday was a lovely day of playing around in the house and walking around a reservoir 10 minutes from our place. We strolled down the boardwalk and got to listen to Justin sing. He had a hilarious Sound of Music moment where he learned the words to Do-Ray-Me. (Check Facebook for the video on this)

Wednesday we enjoyed fellowship time with people from church. We had some good conversations about teaching English, missions, ethics, and just horsing around. 

———--
​
Justin is studying for midterm exams and tends to distract himself with news, YouTube, Kim’s Convenience (CBC show now on Netflix). 

Aidan continues to be a source of support and joy unlike any other kid I know. I made him tea earlier this week and he must not of expected me to do it. His eyes popped open and said, “Woo!”. He sat down, tasted his tea, looked at me, and declared “Mommy, you are the best Mommy ever and I love you!” I know this sounds terribly cheesy but he was completely sincere in that moment.

Jordan has been practicing Taekwondo all week because he wants to get the next belt. He woke up rather early this morning, ate breakfast, brushed his teeth without being asked, and wanted to leave an hour early for his Taekwondo test.  We kept him in the house for as long as we could. We will get the results in a few weeks.  Pictures to come...

Just for fun...

Aidan's birthday was last week and our little boy was privileged enough to celebrate twice! We went to his favorite restaurant for a meal where he ordered a plate and ribs and could hardly finish it. Over the weekend, we took four of his friends to McDonalds for lunch and then ice skating in the afternoon! He had wanted to go back to the ice skating rink since December when we went with a friend from church. The day was completed with us trying to light the candles outside. It was really fun for Aidan who was highly amused by not being able to light the candles!

In other news Aidan became the class captain! He campaigned and gave a speech, and the kids in his class voted for him. He was excited and took great pride in it.

________________

Jordan had an interesting meal the other night. A bowl of pasta sat in front of him for about 5 minutes with no tomato sauce. He just looks at the tomato sauce and refuses to eat whenever I serve it. This time he decided to add parmesan cheese. When I wasn't looking, he also added chocolate sprinkles from the pantry. I smiled when I saw it and told him he had to eat his creation.

"Isn't my creation beautiful?"

"Yes, it is! And you have to eat it."

He took a few enthusiastic spoonfuls with Justin and Aidan making incredible funny faces. It took about 20 more minutes before I heard, "I'm full!"

________________

Jordan also had a little run in with the law while we were shopping a few weeks ago.  We were in the car when I heard from the back seat, "Mommy, I took something from the Homeplus." 

​Aidan confirmed this with, "Jordan stole a spinner from the Homeplus!" a little too enthusiastically!

I, of course, freaked out from the front seat. "Jordan show me what you took!" He obediently produces the toy in front of my eyes.  "Jordan, the police station is very close! I think you should tell the police what you did!" 

Jordan started screaming and yelling, "I'm scared they will put me in jail!"

"We are going back to Homeplus first and you are going to give back the spinner. Maybe they won't make you go to the police."

"Okay."

So, we drove back and went to customer service. Jordan cried as he said in Korean that he had taken the spinner. The woman who was listening to this handled it well. She just smiled and said it was okay. Jordan looked relieved when he realized he did not have to go to the police station!  

I'm hoping the whole episode made a deep impression and he will never consider stealing again.

__________________

Justin continues to have an incredible sense of humor and really is continuing to mature as person.  I can count on him to lighten my day with a joke, a wise crack or a hug for Mom.  (Which is great for a teenage boy!)

I woke him up on a Saturday around 8 am because I knew he was supposed to go volunteer at a soup kitchen but he didn’t tell me he was supposed to catch the bus. 

“Justin, what time are you supposed to go to the soup kitchen this morning?”

He sleepily replied, “8:30 or 9:30” and rolled over with his eyes closed.

i was about to get into the shower when he came and knocked on the door. “I’m supposed to be there by 8:30, so can I shower first? Thanks Mom for checking on me.”

Yes, I let him shower first and he managed to get out of the house on time!

Jordan's birthday just passed and he was adorable.  My little boy is growing up and learning how to make his own birthday fun!

It started at the end of September. On the last day of the month, I said to him there are 17 more sleeps until his birthday.  The following day, it started.

"Mommy, how many more sleeps until my birthday?"

"Sixteen more sleeps Jordan!"

"Okay!"

And on it went for another fifteen days.

Daddy heard one of these interactions and decided to add on some fun of his own.  

"Jordan, you have to get people excited about your birthday."

I could see his little eyes contemplating the thought but not sure what to do about it.

"Jordan, you have to tell people that your birthday is going to be great.  You have to say that we get to eat cake and play games and have fun."

"Okay Daddy!"

That night when I was putting him to bed and moments before he fell asleep he asked me in a most serious voice, "Mommy!  How can I get people excited about my birthday?"

I told him I would think about it and we could talk about it the following morning at breakfast.  

Sure enough, he asked and Hansung and I both explained how he could his brothers excited about his birthday!  

And just in case anyone wants to know, he got two amazing gifts.  The first one was a transforming robot that happens to store small cars that also transform into much smaller robots.  The other one, you guessed it, was a different transforming robot that he also adores.  I do like it when he is more excited about his toys than what he is watching on television or Youtube. 

******

Another story revolves around Justin and his enjoyment of food.  Hansung has taken up grilling as of late which has resulted in some magnificent meals including our anniversary celebration.  He roasted lamb, potatoes, and carrots and I was in food heaven.  So was Justin.

When he saw the grilling pan he exclaimed, "Oh Daddy! I can feel your love!"

This went on for the whole meal with Justin declaring Dad's love through almost every bite.

The clincher came at the end when he was served ice cream cake.  "Oh Daddy!  Thank you for marrying Mommy and including me in your anniversary celebration.  Your love is very, very deep!"

I laughed so hard, I cried.

Justin is a special boy!

*******
Almost every day at 8:10 am Aidan's little friend Minsu shows up at the door and they walk together to school.  I forgot how absolutely delightful it is to have a consistent friend in grade two.  He beams every time he sees this little boy.

*******

What I have learned for the month of September from my children is that friends, food, and excitement about birthdays are all very important.  

I imagine this banquet of faith, friends and food to be an amazing space where all are enthralled to be there.  We get glimpses of it every now and then with what we share and celebrate with family and friends.