What I'll Miss...

There are many aspects of life here in Korea that I am going to miss. When we moved here, 2 years ago, I was unsure of what to expect; I was somewhat scared and anxious, very pregnant with Jamison and far, far away from the familiarities of life. Why didn't I rest in God's plans and know that He had worked out the many details that consumed my thoughts and worries? In these difficult moments and times of transitions, God was faithful (as he has promised to never leave us, nor forsake us) to guide us and show us His plan. After arriving, life fell into place; not without some trials and some difficulties and a lot of missing our family, but Korea became our home. God placed some wonderful ladies in my life that became my circle of constant friendship and support. Many of those ladies have since moved, some are still here...they have made this a fun experience. He placed us in a wonderful church, where we grew and our children were taught the truth in love every Sunday. We have made some wonderful memories and have experienced another culture...what an opportunity! Jamsion will always have the fact that he was born in Seoul, Korea...that's a conversation piece! I thought my time to leave would never get here; now that it's two and half days away, it's a bitter sweet time. I feel as though I am leaving family again, my military family. So, to those left here at Osan Air Base: enjoy your time here, embrace every moment, and continue to help each other out! Before you know it, you too will be saying good-bye...which is not as easy as you might think!

What I'll miss:

-my sweet friends...there are too many to name!

-Pizza night at the Officer's Club, where the kids went crazy and bounced in the bouncy castle and the parents just relaxed

-the Flower Market, where flowers are so, so cheap...like 6 dollars for a dozen roses!

-the National Anthem at 5:30, every weekday and Taps every night at 10:00...

-the simplicity of life that I have come to appreciate

-Thai food...this was Jordan's favorite, Pad Thai

-Knowing almost every single lady and not being able to go anywhere here on base without stopping to talk to at least 5 people!

-Happy Quilt-where I have spent much time and money...building my collection of designer fabric, it only cost 2.50-3.00 a yard!

- Hallasan Tower-our apartment; and being able to run upstairs, downstairs or down the hall to play, visit with a friend or borrow an egg!

- Everland (an amusement park) that we have been to a bazillion times

-our church, Mission Baptist and my MOPS group there

-Ms. Lee, my ajima (cleaning lady) who gave me freedom from all household chores...I became a bit spoiled and maybe even lazy!

-afternoons at the park or the indoor pool, along with many other mothers

-walking Jannah to and from school

And, here are a few things we won't miss, not even a little bit:

-After 2 years of being here, my children no longer like being gawked at and having their pictures taken by random people; nor does one of my children (Jordan) care to be touched on his cheeks and head by strangers while we are out. What he doesn't realize is that in the Korean culture, he is put on a pedestal because he is a son (and they love his blue eyes and fair skin). So, I hope when we get back to America, they can cope with loosing their celebrity status!

-The smells of Korean cuisine; somehow, we just never acquired a taste or liking for the food here. The smell of these bugs cooking (for your pleasure of eating) still make me sick.

-I won't miss the Exercises (practice/preparation for war time with North Korea) that the active duty participate in and the ones that we as spouses participate in...although, it's for a very worthy cause (like right now, Kim Jong Il is making it all seem real and worthwhile).

-I won't miss the crazy moped drivers that can do you more harm than the buses!

-I won't miss lugging groceries from the parking garage, up to the 3rd floor and down the long hallway to my apartment!

All in all, there is much more that I will miss than I won't miss!

OAES Field Day

We joined Jannah for field day last Friday; even Jordan was invited to participate. There was much fun to be had with many games to play. The reward was a popsicle once all of the games had been marked off of their card; the funny part was that Jannah wasn't motivated at all to do the games....because we have popsicles at home (her own words)! She did have fun and so did Jordan, the best part for me is that it was warm and sunny...love the warmer days we are having and I had fun with all of the other moms!

Jannah and her teacher, Ms. Lowder

Brooke & Jannah (they were partners for the day)

Jordan doing the football toss...they told him he was so good, he would play for the Dallas Cowboys one day...so that's what he now thinks!

Jordan putting on combat gear (only in Korea would you do that at field day)

Jannah with the popsicle...turns out everyone got one...regardless of completing all of the games!

Easter Egg Hunt

That's right, Osan had an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday (took place after our t-ball game); I don't know about the hunt part, but I know there were lots of eggs!

The Army's band was there for some good ole' toe tappin' music!

Sparky the fire dog was there, have you ever seen him at an egg hunt? Jordan asks us every time if he is real...still not sure what he thinks about Sparky!

J and J after the hunt

Baby J was sure all of those eggs were...you guessed it...balls!

Notice the candy outline around Jordan's lips...nice!

Black Friday at the BX (Base Exchange)

We didn't have to make out a list as to where we might go on "Black Friday". In fact, we had only one choice, the BX on base. For those of you who don't know, the BX is like a small department store...like Kohl's or kinda like Target. Kelly and I both miss the shopping after Thanksgiving, so we planned on hitting the BX at 5:00 a.m. They had some great sales, just nothing I needed; except for that $20 gift card to the first 100 customers! We got up early, in the cold, and headed to the BX, a long 2 minute drive from our apartments! We had fun while waiting 2 hours for the doors to open, and while we made no major purchases, we did get a gift card!!

This was the line waiting for the 7:00 a.m. opening, and this is us as we are wide awake and ready!

Proud holders of the $20 gift cards!

Osan Air Show 2008

It was a beautiful Saturday as we ventured out to the Air Show. There were lots of people and lots of airplanes. For some reason, I was not in "photographer" mode, so I didn't take a whole lot of pictures. Despite the lack of pictures, we did enjoy our time. We ate hamburgers for lunch and then topped it off with a funnel cake for the parents and ice cream for the kiddos. We also had some lumpia (our favorite Philippino dish). All that to say, we were pretty full when we left! The food is always one of the best parts of festivals/fairs/airshows...right?

Us in one of the ROK's airplanes
Jannah striking a beautiful pose on the plane!

lots of planes, lots of people

The usual at an air show...holding of the ears...I think it's so darn cute!

a Blackhawk....I think these are so cool!

Jamison and Daddy...in uniform....the new AF uniform!

This is Jordan with his "blew up airplane". He saw people with these when we first arrived. Of course he wanted one. So, when we did finally find them, we had to get one for him and one for Jannah, even if they were $6.50 each!

Korean-American Festival 2008

So, here's a little taste of the culture we experience any time we walk off of the base! This was a festival, to honor the "friendship" we as Americans have with the Koreans. This first picture is right outside of the base, this is what we call "downtown".

This man sits outside of the gate (the gate that goes onto the base), and sells "Rolex" watches along with hats and some wooden jewelry. He's funny and always speaks when you walk by. He likes to dance! He was trying to balance the umbrella....never a dull moment around here!

Just wanted you to know that this is the only blond Korean I've ever seen! He was making these little things...not sure what they are called. Kinda like a funnel cake on the outside and some jelly filling on the inside...not bad. We got some, and gave them to one of the Korean maintenance men in our apartment....he was grateful.

There was a lot of food.....very little we dared to try....but, we did get the kids some cotton candy!

One of the many souvenir shops

My precious kiddos!

A hog being roasted....Jordan was really interested in this...he kept wanting to go see it, and asked where the other part of the pig was.

unknown cuisine

Jannah with the Thai women; not really liking the clasped hands....not sure what that means in their culture!

more Korean entertainment

Jamison and Mommy

Off to "School"

I realize this is a little late (we've been living in these beautiful towers for 3 months now, and I've yet to post pictures; that's because I just now took them). I wanted to show a little bit of the base off. This is Hallasan Towers, which is home to 110 families, including the Bailey family! We live on the third floor and we just love it here!

Everything is close enough to walk, and we do a lot of walking! We are headed to school on this particular day. Jordan is in the lead, and has left Jannah behind with the sole responsibility of carrying both his and her toys for show and tell at school!

Jannah and Ms. Mi;
she still pronounces Jannah's name like Jane-ah

Weston and Jordan playing; I couldn't get Jordan to take a picture with Ms. Mi............not sure why!