Highlights of 2015

I may have dropped the ball on blogging this year, but I am not going to miss highlighting our 2015 and getting one last post in before the new year. 

This year brought a lot of changes for us. We started the year in Korea finishing up our teaching contracts and soaking up our last few months before leaving for the states. 

We went around Seoul. Took in a baseball game, ate at our favorite places, and went to Pyeongchang- the host of the 2020 Winter Olympics. It was great to take a few days before our long flight back for a nice relaxing trip by ourselves. It was such a quite town and just what we needed. 

In February, we took an 8 day trip to Thailand. This would be the last international trip for awhile, and for the most part we enjoyed every minute of it. We had so many adventures and I can't wait to finish blogging about it. 

In May, we moved back to the states and with that we had a nice long summer vacation seeing our family. We had so many nice adventures-- here are some of our pictures to hold you over until I catch up. 

The first stop back in the states was to Orlando to visit Universal Studios and of course the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It was just as amazing as you would think. Matt and I had a blast with my little siblings, Jud and Olivia, and my cousin, Jessie. 

May also brought a mini-family reunion in St. Augustine, and watching two of my cousins graduate high school. 

{Mmmmm Butterbeer}

After my birthday, ekk 27!, we headed out West. Our first stop was California to see my dad and his wife. We had adventures in Lake Tahoe, Matt picked up fly fishing, and we took a took to Disneyland. 

We also got to visit Devils Postpile. Matt and my dad went fishing and I had fun at the camp sight and took a mini hike. 

Matt and I then took a road trip to Idaho to see his parents. We were able to see Jackson Hole, WY, the Grand Tetons, and Yellowstone. 

Idaho was filled with family reunions both on my side and Matt's. 

Three generations worked and finished this quilt. Matt and I love it. 

Disneyland was amazing. We were there for the 60th anniversary, and I loved every minute of it. 

We went camping a few times this summer, and I loved it. Any place with Matt is good for me. 

When the summer ended, I started graduate school at Georgia State. And a whole new adventure started. We haven't had too many traveling adventures, but the end of the year still brought a lot of change. 

We actually had all six siblings in one place and took some squinty eyed pictures. 

On Thanksgiving this year, I ran my first and maybe last half marathon! 

And Matt and I celebrated five years of marriage! 

 And those were the highlights of our 2015! 

Cheers to you and yours!

Have a happy new years. 

Getting Back in the Game

I can't believe the last time I've wrote on this blog! I feel guilty for abandoning it, and not documenting the wonderful summer and fall we've had. 

So, this is my attempt at getting back to this blog writing thing. 

I hope to go back and share our past adventures and keep track with what is going on with our current life. 

I don't have much time tonight now to write, but here's a quick list of what's been going on. 

1. We moved back to Georgia after living in South Korea for about 2 years. 

2. We visited The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando with my younger siblings and my cousin. 

3. Took a trip out West and visited my dad, Matt's family, and my Idaho family. 

4. Visited Yellowstone, Devil's Postpile, Yosemite, Jackson Hole, the Tetons, and Disneyland

5. Had a family reunion with Matt's family 

6. Started graduate school and almost finished with my first semester 

7. Trained for a half marathon - race day is Thanksgiving! 

8. Saw my sister, Chantal, and her daughters for the first time in years

9. Started looking for apartments 

10. Getting excited for our 5th wedding anniversary 

Friday Letters #20

This letter is going to be a little different. It's not really a letter. 

This week has sucked. This week made me doubt our decision to move to Korea. To be far away from family. When we made the decision to move to Korea, we knew we would miss things. We knew birthdays would pass, weddings would take place, and babies could be born without us being able to be there for these occasions. We thought we knew what we were giving up, but I guess we didn't really completely understand. 

 Early Monday morning, I was awoken by Matt telling me my mom needed to Skype because something had happened. It's the thing that you never want to happen. It's the news that you never want to get. And yet, it happened. Sunday evening, or our Monday morning, my cousin passed away. 

Greyce was 26 and fought a battle against Cystic Fibrosis every day of her life. 

Cystic fibrosis is "an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system. A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that- clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections; and obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food." {Source}

Greyce and I became cousins when we were ten and my mom married Greyce's uncle- now my Barry Dad. I still remember the first time we met- I was so excited to be gaining a cousin that was my own age! We ate ice cream in the carport of our Nana and Papa's old house and talked and talked. This was also the first time I heard of CF and what it meant to live with the disease. With Greyce's bowl of ice cream she also had a handful of pills to take. During our ice cream, she patiently explained CF and what it meant in her life. Greyce was an amazing woman, and I'm so thankful to have had her in my life for the last 15 or so years. 

See the thing about living in Korea is it's not actually that easy to get back to the states. There's all this tax info that I don't quite understand. There's the fact that it takes about 20 hours to get back to Georgia.  There's the fact that tickets are about $1600 on a good day. Or that I don't have vacation days like I did in Hawaii. As much as I wanted to fly home right away and be with family to give comfort and to be comforted- it was not possible. And that's what makes me so mad about our decision. I love Korea, but does it have to be so far away? I love traveling and adventuring, but does it have to take me away from family? Was this the best decision for us? Is Korea worth it? These questions are what I am struggling to get through. This week I've been struggling with loving Korea. Struggling with being an expat. Struggling with accepting that Greyce is gone. I know without a doubt that Greyce is in a wonderful place, and I know that she is feeling better. That she is healthy and can take a deep breathe and she can be free of hospitals and doctors and medicine and whatever else she's lived with. But I also know I am sad and her family back in the states is sad. 

Dear Greyce, I miss you. I am sad you have left, but so happy you are in a place of comfort and love. We love you! Aloha 'oe- Until we meet again. 

For those that are interested in learning more about CF or how you can help click here. 

If you are interested to donating to the CF Foundation- here is the info:

CF Foundation 

In Memory of Greyce Leake

2302 Parklake Dr., NE

Atlanta, GA 30345 

You can also make donations on-line. 

{I've debated on whether to share this or not, but as most of my readers are family and/or friends I wanted to explain how I'm really feeling. I feel it would be dishonest to not mention bad days here in Korea.} 

The Thankful Project Day 10: A Memory

I can't believe it's already November 10th. I am having so much fun with The Thankful Project and linking up with Chasing Happy. 

Day 10: A Memory

I've been going through old photos on my computer and trying to make them a bit more organized and I found this one. I thought this would be the perfect memory to share. 

{I know the picture quality is horrible, but I had to share it with you guys.}

Here is the story behind the picture: 

Sixteen is a pretty important age in American culture. Your Sweet 16 is one of the birthdays you look forward to and dream about when you are a kid. You can drive when you're 16. You have freedom! And if you're Mormon, like me, you can start dating at 16. This is a pretty big deal... at least to Mormons. :) 

When I turned 16, my Papa took me on my first 'date'. This is one of my most cherished memories and I want to share it with you. On this particular day, my mom dropped me off at my grandparent's house. I said hello to Papa and told him I was ready to go. My mom, Abuela, and I started chatting and I didn't notice my Papa disappear. 

The doorbell rang and my Abuela told me to go answer it. I opened the door to see my Papa holding some freshly cut Magnolia flowers for me. {By freshly cut, I mean he cut them off the tree growing in their yard.}I was so surprised and touched that my Papa would really go all out on this 'Father Daughter Date'. 

For the date, my Papa took me to a .... shooting range. Not the most conventional date, but I had a blast.    To this day, I still have the shooting target from that day. My Papa wrote the date on it and I've kept it in my treasure box all this time. I must say I was not expecting to go to a shooting range, and I don't particularly like guns, but I had a fun time. Surprisingly, I'm not that bad of a shot. {Maybe Papa was just trying to scare all my future dates away by showing me how to shoot a gun.} 

After the shooting range, we went to the restaurant Killer Creek and ended the night with ice cream from Coldstone Creamery. It was a great date, and I had such fun sharing the day with my Papa. 

To this day, my date with my Papa was one of the best dates I've ever been on. I'm so thankful to have such an amazing grandfather in my life. I'm thankful to have this experience and this tradition to pass down to my children. What I great Papa I have! 

What memory are you thankful for? 

My Visit Home: Georgia On My Mind

Like usual I had a great time visiting with my family. Here are some pictures of the last week in Georgia. 

See you in a year Georgia family 

MIA... Sorry

If you haven't noticed, I have been a missing from my blog the last week or so. I will try to be better while I am on my mini-cation, but I have been busy! 

In case you are wondering here is what I have been up to: 

Packing up and leaving Hawaii

{After living there for 4 1/2 years. It took 3 suitcases and many many US postal boxes, but I finally got us all moved out of Hawaii. There were some tears, but I am excited for this new adventure.} 

Flying to Atlanta and upon arrival realizing one of my suitcases did not make it. 

{The one with the shot glasses I have collected while in Hawaii, and the one with all my clothes. Of course, the clothes did not bother me, but the shot glasses did. Which lead to a complete melt down in the airport! The good news is my bag was found, and has returned to me.} 

Driving to Missouri for an Asian Baby reunion 

{post to come later}

Hanging out with these lovelies. 

Totally relaxing at the pool. 

Eating WAY too much Chick-fil-A 

Seeing my BFF 

Going to WAY too many doctors appointments 

And Skyping with this hunky man. 

I have been having a blast, and kinda don't want this trip to Georgia to end. 

But I do need to get back to my husband! 

Happy 10th Birthday Olivia

To my little chicken, happy birthday. 

I am so thankful that this beautiful spirit came to our family all those years ago. I love my little sister more than words can express. She is one little firecraker and always keeps us on our toes.

LOVE LOVE LOVE HER!!!! 

Happy 16th Jake

Happy 16th to one of my favorite cousins! 

Happy 20th Joe Joe

{image via} 

Happy Birthday Little Brother! 

I love you! 

{Mind you, I think this right after I asked if we could take him back.}

I really can't imagine my life without my little brother Joe Joe.