This House Has Soul

"A home without books is a body without soul." --Cicero

I have a 2010 calendar book by Mary Engelbreit that includes a quote each week, mostly about homes and family life. I really like this quote because I love books so much and imagine I will always collect children's books.

Here are some pictures of our new library (which is only six months or so in the making and more than four years in the planning)...



If I were choosing everything myself, we would have the smaller iMac. But alas it's all about compromises. And apparently feeling like I could run the world from my very own desk.



This is the wall that used to have Rachel's bed against it.



This is the nook where Rachel's makeshift closet lived. We're waiting for a giant chalkboard to arrive for the wall.



After the quartz countertop was installed in the corner we decided we needed the same for our inexpensive (aka: ugly) desk from AFW. It's perfect for the desk and really ties everything together. Jake's handy work in woods class brings us this beautiful pen holder. Thanks, Jake!

It's thrilling to have it done and to feel like this house really reflects some of me now.


We had wood floors put in here too and the rest of the wood refinished to match. I love them. Much less shiny and yellow. Did I mention that it's great to be done?!

It's obvious we have books! Come on over and borrow one.

P.S. -- The "cabinet lady" coined it the "library" instead of office. I like it even though it's a bit pretentious. I don't think I'm very pretentious otherwise so I'm going to chance it and call it my library. So there.

P.P.S. -- Don't comment if you disagree and think I am pretentious. I don't want to hear it.

Rachel's Exciting Week

Rachel has had more than her fair share of excitement this past week.



On Tuesday, she took her first dance class. I've been considering putting her in a class for a long time now but I had trouble justifying another activity for me when she's so happy to put on music and dance around the house...


In any case, it was a huge hit and as you can see they don't simply spin around to music here. I love how intense her face is in this shot. The second half of class is tap and she has the most adorable tap shoes in the world. So little and shiny!

On Thursday, we headed to the district headquarters and registered for KINDERGARTEN. Can you imagine? My BABY is five and going to school in the fall. She is so cute and sweet. Shortly before we went to register she asked me very seriously in her little voice, "What if I'm not prepared for Kindergarten?"

Oh, sweet girl. So serious. So concerned. So ready. A better question would be regarding Mom's readiness. Can I be a "stay-at-home mom" when there's no one at home with me?!

And then today Rachel was able to wear her new outfit from Jane and Ruby (homemade by Annee) that was sent to celebrate turning 5. Oh, how she loves it and the matching bag. I may have created a monster as far as her fashion needs go. As long as she still gets down and dirty to play I think she can hate jeans as much as she wants...

Here she is at preschool showing everyone how a mom looks to hit the town. Well done.

There's nothing like a fabulous new frock from the other side of the world to throw you back into blogging! Thanks, Annee. It's perfect for Rachel!

One Unforgettable Event from 2009

On Thursday night, October 29th, we headed out to swim team in spite of the snow. School had been cancelled for two days but the roads did not seem that terrible to me. On Dublin Blvd, another car lost control and flew over the median and head-on into our van. The Nissan SUV then spun around and forced us into a tree. The kids and I were thankfully kept safe inside the faithful Toyota Sienna with the airbags deployed. We feel so blessed.



This is what the other guy looked like. He happened to walk away safely also.



Now it is on to dealing with insurance companies and picking out a new car!




The following day I saved the van from being crushed mistakenly because I showed up to empty out some of my things. It was not at the lot where they'd towed it because it was being transported to a wrecking yard, instead of another van that insurance had already "totalled out."



Can you imagine that nightmare? The car gets crushed before insurance can see it! That was close. Just another thing to be thankful for this year.

I'll never forget how I spent my 39th birthday feeling a bit older perhaps (with soreness in my neck and shoulder) and quite a bit more humble. Life can indeed change in an instant.

P.S.- Just to reiterate--no one was hurt in the accident. Jake and I had minor scrapes and bruises and a few sore muscles. Ben had one bruise from his seat belt and Rachel was completely unharmed. Amazing, really.

My New Favorite Ten-Year-Old

I'd like to share 10 facts about Ben:

1. Favorite color: GREEN

2. He LOVES cars, especially fast, expensive sports cars. Go figure.

3. When he grows up he wants to be a professional keeper (soccer goalie, for those of you not in the know) or an NFL running back. Either one.

4. Favorite vegetable: CELERY

5. Favorite meal: Hot wings with steak and fries.

6. His best friends this year are: Matthew, Evan, Max, Cutter, JonJon, Joseph, Jacob, Brandon, ect. ect.

7. Favorite sport: Soccer (or lacrosse, although I argue he has so little experience watching or playing lacrosse it can't be a favorite.)

8. Favorite subjects in school: PE and Math

9. Favorite hobby (besides sports): building models

10. He's an absolutely amazing brother, friend and son. His teacher adores him this year because he is so kind and genuinely nice with everyone.

Ben is one-of-a-kind and we are so happy he is in our family.

Love you, Ben!

Guess What Jake Brought Home from School...

The swine flu.

That's right. My eighth grader, who is not the most social person, brought home the swine flu.

He's on tamiflu and we're prepared in case the rest of us get symptoms but we're hoping Ben's birthday plans aren't affected by the illness.

My guess is that A LOT of people are going to get it. Let's hope it's not too severe.

That's my excitement for today. Plus a soccer tournament for Ben in Denver. He's becoming a really great goalie. Way to go, Ben!

Get well soon, Jake.

Baked Potato Soup

I hosted the "lunch bunch" last week at my house and served a family favorite.







Here's the recipe.



INGREDIENTS

9 baking potatoes
2/3 cup butter
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
6 cups whole milk (I use 2%)
1/2 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup bacon bits, divided
4 green onions, chopped
10 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese
1 (8 ounce) container sour cream



DIRECTIONS
Prick potatoes with a fork and bake for about an hour. Scoop out the flesh and mash with a little milk. In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in flour and cook a couple of minutes. Whisk in milk, a little at a time, stirring constantly until thickened. Stir in potatoes, salt, pepper, (use an immersion blender before adding anything else, if you want it less lumpy) 1/3 cup bacon bits, 2 tablespoons green onions and a little bit of the cheese. Cook until thoroughly heated. Stir in sour cream and heat through. Serve topped with remaining bacon, onions and cheese.



It's not healthy, but it sure is delicious. How I love fall and curling up with a warm bowl of soup!

Check Out What I Brought Back from Korea

Here are a few of my Korean finds...

A "Rolex" for Dave. (Which may or may not have stopped working already...)

A new vase.

A "super-soft" blanket for Rachel to dance on, because what else would you do with a super-soft blanket?

A couple of fabulous purses.

Some parasols.



The idea to make crepes(said with French accent) for breakfast with creme(also said with French accent). Delicious! Betty Crocker's recipe is not as good as yours though, Annee. You truly are a Renaissance woman.

Lori posted more wonderful details about our adventure HERE.

Let me publicly thank her for not posting every single picture of my rear end that she took and for keeping the pictures of my bad hair days to a minimum. That's a good friend.

The one detail I need to add is that I returned to Colorado to find a little piece of Korea in my very own family. I had been commenting on the bus ride to the airport on the eclectic fashions worn by Korean children. Every color in the rainbow makes for a good Korean outfit.

Check out what Rachel was dressed in to welcome me home (after she went to Costco, and Lowe's, and to a soccer game).

Korea may be over 6000 miles away but when Dad and Rachel are in charge of the outfits, it feels like I'm right back there. (A snowman shirt and snowflake tights in September--what the heck?!)

This picture is for you, Kurt. It's a paper chain made of origami cranes, I think. It was impressively long.

Farewell, Korea

Today I head home. I'm thrilled to be seeing my family in a mere 24 hours or so. Korea has been great fun; the sights, sounds, and smells of this land have sealed us BFF's. Thanks for a great trip, girls!

(This is at Seoul Tower overlooking the city. The fence is covered in locks that people place there to "lock in" their love and commitment to each other. Interesting.)

Thanks also to Darin, Henry, George, Ruby and Jane for sharing so much of their wife/mom with us for nearly an entire week! This adventure was way better than any spa week.

Many more details to come of the adventures. For now I need to pack up.

Seoul Grand Park

On our first full day here we celebrated the American Labor Day holiday by visiting Seoul Grand Park with Annee's family and some other families from the base.

Their "Grand Park" offered rose gardens, petting zoos (featuring animals with odd hair cuts), a dolphin show and a complete zoo, among many other thing. It was fascinating and very clean.

The weather started out a bit rainy but as luck would have it, as soon as we purchased ponchos to protect from the rain, it cleared up. I'll take a 3 ounce poncho for 2000 won and clear skies any day! (The exchange rate is about $1 to 1200 won.) It was the perfect introduction to a city that has been coined "not quite right" by Americans.

I ordered a traditional Korean lunch item call bibimbap. It was completely delicious with white rice, fresh vegetables, a little seaweed and a fried egg. So yummy.

It's been fun to see how the Koreans love little blond Ruby and Jane and how friendly they are to foreigners. It's a great adventure.

I Am In KOREA

Lori and I made it to exotic, wonderful Korea. The trip was long but rather uneventful and a nice time to unwind.

Halfway through the flight it seemed much longer...

Finally we arrived to discover that Korea is a very quiet country. In spite of the large number of people, we were the only two talking and laughing...What can we say? We're finding joy in the journey.

Dr. Fish got a hold of my feet and it was a super ticklish experience. Unfortunately, I don't think the callouses are gone. I might have to spend a year or so here, with my feet in the water, to see that result. The fish definitely seemed to have a great meal though.

Kim chi is delicious. You would love it, Ben.

Bul Go Gi and all its side dishes from Sam Il is also delicious.

Korea is exciting and wonderful. More to come...