​It's a bit of an odd month with the Kim Clan. Aidan had some trouble at school recently with his teacher and I am at a loss to understand the man. A few weeks ago, my husband got a phone call where he was told that Aidan was under disciplinary action for swearing. My husband was shocked and questioned Aidan about the incident at school.

It turns out it is quite possibly the teacher and the system that should be put under disciplinary action. There was a girl in class who brushed up against Aidan and put her hand extremely close to his private parts. Aidan, of course, reacted to this, saying "Sexual assault!" The teacher noticed the interaction and asked the girl what she was doing. The girl, of course, denied everything, and the teacher took her side. This, apparently, pushed Aidan over the edge and profanities came out of his mouth. This incident had been a series in a long time of interactions with the teacher where Aidan's voice was not heard. I believe all of the frustrations of not having the teacher hear you or protect you proved too much for him.

Of course, Aidan was punished for swearing. He is an extremely bright kid who needs to take a little less pleasure in the insulting language he and his friends engage in.

It turns out that in Korean culture, when a child gets in trouble at school, he or she is required to write out what happened in the presence of the teacher and the principal. And this is what resulted with this incident. My husband seems to think that a parent should also be involved in this process. He made quite the point of asking Aidan a long series of questions to make sure he understood what had happened as clearly as possible. Aidan had to amend or change quite a bit of his statement.

Because this is a potential sexual harassment case, Hansung (my husband) made some phone calls. The calls were made to different authorities. Information was gathered. and Aidan was told to not sign any other documents at school. 

The child had to defend himself to the Parents Advisory Council on Monday. He just kept repeating that he swore but he did not swear at the teacher. 

Two days later, the teacher approached him about what he wrote. Aidan said he wasn't going to sign anything. The teacher told him to just read it. Apparently, Aidan corrected something, signed the paper, and sent it to his Dad.

My husband was not pleased that Aidan had signed the paper. We spent most of the evening trying to understand how Aidan had been manipulated until my husband just looked at him and said, "You are not somebody!" I believe he just wanted Aidan to acknowledge that he had not listened to his father.

That was a terrible night. I had three different things due at the end of the week. My mind had been in stuck in public policy for English Language learners until it was rudely interrupted with the ongoing saga of what was going on with Aidan. 

And that is where we leave this unfortunately tale as it is not finished yet. And I just keep coming back to the stories Aidan told about his teacher before the whole thing happened and how nobody really liked him. 

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On a much lighter note, Jordan brings a smile to my face with his little boy smile and little boy ways. I really love that he always runs up to me and gives me a hug when he sees me outside. He is always polite, saying goodbye to me in the morning and announcing when he has come home. 

Jordan's teacher is pleased with his work at school and with him. His teacher is a Christian and commented to my husband about Jordan when they were doing street crossing duty in the morning. 

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On a much lighter note, today is Justin's birthday. He turns 18. I just keep smiling when I realize that by Canadian law he is considered an adult. We will have a meal of pork ribs later today as this is what he asked for. Afterwards, there is a plan to go to Baskin Robbins 31 for ice cream. I am just praying that the positive energy from Justin's birthday is going to outweigh all the negative crap from this week. 

On June 25th, eighteen years ago, I was at the doctor's for a prenatal check. We were back at the doctors just a few hours later. That beautiful boy was born in the evening around 8:00. I remember the angels dancing around the room when they placed that sweet bundle beside me in the recovery room. He was sleepy, but he smiled.

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What stories do you have about what is going on in your life? I would love to hear all about it! 

June 25 is the day the war ended in Korea.  Those who remember celebrate that day.  It is also the day that Justin was born. 

I remember that eventful day quite well. We had gone to the doctor to make sure everything was alright. The nurse was able to check my blood pressure and other things were normal. She said come back in one month. I was back in less than a day!

Hansung had gone to work, and I was exercising. I kept running to the bathroom and wondered why and I  remember feeling pain in my back. It was happening! I called Hansung and told him. He said "Mumuma" on the phone and told me he was coming. He also called Pastor Bill from the church to give me a ride. 

I remember thinking that the back pain hurt a lot. I just didn't have anything in me. Then Pastor Bill showed up. He helped down the stairs and into the car. And off to the clinic we went!

When we arrived, they checked everything. I was poked and prodded. I remember the doctor said "Rapid progress". It was then that Hansung arrived at the clinic. This was good for me.

I remember walking up and down as the pain got stronger and stronger. Hansung didn't really know what to do to make me feel better. I thought taking a shower would help. We had planned for a water birth. Why not? I thought to myself.

The water was like a sting ray on my back! That didn't help at all.

I walked around some more. Two nurses told me to come to them. I obediently did what they asked. 

I remember being propped up and thinking that it was all very weird and how very, very tired I was. The nurses were talking to teach other. And then they were talking to me. 

Someone was telling me to push through the blur. I pushed and the other nurse pushed on my stomach. I remember the calmness after that. I was so tired and the baby, dear little Justin, was fine.

He was so little. And I was so tired. I closed my eyes almost immediately. 

They took me to my room and I slept for quite a while. I remember when the nurse came in and gave me my son. What a beautiful little thing he was! I remember the angels came knocking on the door after that. I felt like one was watching us as we looked at each other. 

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Fast forward sixteen years later. Justin is in his first year of high school. I never really wanted him to be in high school while we were in Korea, but he is in high school. He is studying many different things and doing projects. 

He is handsome. 

He is funny. He is fun-loving.

He is a bit of a goof-ball! He plays with people. He plays with me. He plays with his brothers. 

He is patient. Patient with his father. Patient with his mother. Patient with his brothers.

He is continuously on his phone until I tell him that he needs to get off. Can't win them all!

His father says he could do anything. He just needs to put his mind to it. 

He has decided that he wants to be a pilot. We talked about it last night actually.

I saluted him and asked if we were going to get a discount on our travel expenses. "I think so!" was his reply.

We all ate cake last night to celebrate his birthday. Happy Birthday Justin! For your mother, your sixteen years is a beautiful thing!

The LORD bless you, and keep you: The LORD make his face shine on you, and be gracious to you: The LORD lift up his countenance on you, and give you peace. Number 6:24-26
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