Proverbs 31:28“Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.”

I love this verse; it reminds me of my 3 best friends back home in Alabama.. They are great mothers, great friends, great wives… great at all they do! They are what I miss most about Alabama… I loved the church and I loved my home but the church is just bricks and my home is where my family is, so for me it is those friends that have a left a large void in my heart… God placed each one of them in my lives for a reason, and looking back I know that it was to lift and encourage my walk with the Lord… Today as I wander this new country without them, I draw closer to Him….. Jeremiah 29:11 “ For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” His plans are great, His reasons I cannot understand, but that is why He is God and I am man… I trust you, Lord, lead me closer to you!

On an awesome side note….. On Friday we meet the Fichter’s , Jeff and Jeanette… They have two little ones… Today, we all went to Sapgyoho… A beautiful place to do some shopping and buy fresh seafood… The kids had such a great time and the natives just had a hay day with our children….. One elderly woman picked up little Michael and just swung him around.. They loved to stare at the kids and some even took pictures.. It was so fun! There was a huge play area for the children, an amusement park, and shopping areas.. We all had a great time! I hope you can all get a small piece of what our life in Korea will be like… Enjoy!! Love to all!!

At the fresh market in Sapgyoho.. The kids loved all the fresh fish, crabs, octopus, and clams

A squid trying to escape...

The family at the pier... Michael was hiding....

Kayden on the ship playground...

Michael being silly!! Ahooy!

Sweet Lily, loved the breeze.. Mike took her for a little bird watching..

Such a sweet angel.. Loving her alone time with daddy!

Me and Lily relaxing....

The boys posing for a picture....

A Korean women who just loved the kids... She asked to hold Lily and to take a picture with her... Lily is going to have to get used to the paparazzi!!

Some of the best Popsicles.....

Yummmooooo...

Cheese!

Jeanette and Maddie posing with the popsicles..

She had melon and loved it...

This little boy kept coming up to Michael and wanting to play.. they just kept yelling funny things at each other in their own languages... They were so cute!

Mike just had to try their fried bugs... We think they might be a form of a flea... yucko!!! Go testosterone!

Some of the funny construction signs that are on the side of the road!!

Yet another!

The merchants walk around and give samples of what they are selling.. The came and cut fresh fruit for all of us... Lily just loved the pineapple....

We got the kids a slush and Michael couldn't wait to get to the bottom of his.. he tipped it over and splat... All over his face.. He was bummed, but Jeannette and Maddie came to the rescue with a refill.. Thanks guys!

In front of the store....

Poor Lily was spent by the time we headed home.. Sweet girl, not happy!

A view from the car on the way home.. The rice patties on the side of the road!!

The vendors were on the main highway selling food in the middle of the street.. if you want something you just stop by them and they take your order and serve you in the middle of the road... Crazy!!

Believe it or not, this is a fake person.. They have mannequins that sit at the side of the road and wave caution lights... That is an ingenious idea....

Mike's new beater... His 1993 Hyundai Galloper... He loves it... it seats 9 people.. they boys think it is the coolest car ever... Mike is happy.. bought it for 1500.00 dollars... Just something to get around Korea in... Soon our van will arrive from overseas...

Camp Humphrey’s bound…

This morning was bright and the air was fresh after yesterdays fog. The family woke after a long nights rest, got ourselves dressed, fed, caffeinated (of course) and begin the long tedious journey of loading 18 bags and making the short trek across the street to where the bus loads. Today was the day! The day we travel from Yongsan to Humphrey’s. Mike has been stationed at Camp Humphrey’s, so for us, this will be where we call home for the next 4 years. The bus arrived late and the kids waited ever so patiently at the stop with no entertainment. I say patiently, but for those who know my children, patiently accompanies 40 “ when is the bus going to be here?” followed by “ I have to go pee!” and the ever so exciting “ Its taking a long time!” None the less, we pushed on! The bus was close to empty, which gave our family plenty of room to stretch and breathe. Kayden relaxed and played his DS, Michael played his gameboy with daddy, and Lily napped the entire hour and fifteen minute hike! We arrived and were immediately greeted by 2 men in Mike’s unit. Each brought their car, one brought his car seats, and we loaded on up… 18 bags, 5 Stafford’s, and 2 soldiers who know what its like to be displaced… They toured us around the base, showed us where the schools were located, pointed out the Starbucks (and necessity like air,) got us situated in the hotel, took us for lunch, and even helped Mike get papers for housing. Talk about service. They have been a huge answer to prayer. Just yesterday, I wore myself sick wondering if people would be hospitable, warm, encouraging; and fresh off the bus, we are greeted by smiles of hope! Smiles to calm an anxious mom, a fearful newcomer, and a stressed out wife. I sit now, in the hotel room with 3 napping children, worn out by a hard day of shuffling from one place to the next. I am sure they will wake soon and be ready to take on this new adventure, but for now I breathe; I take a moment to just relish in all the God is doing… Once again, God has shown himself faithful! Even after His perfect track record, I worried!?! How easily I forget how big He is, how perfect His plans are for me, and how involved in my life He chooses to be. He amazes me. I simply amaze myself, too. Not for the same reasons though. I amaze myself at how quickly I turn to my fleshly desires and worry or stress… After all God has revealed to me, I still fall, stumble, and crack… I know this process will never be perfected, I just pray that I draw closer to Him through all of this.


1 Peter 1:6-7 "In this you greatly rejoice though now for a little while you may have to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith- of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire- may be proven genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. "

Lord, refine me….

A day filled with park fun and shopping!

The kids are loving the hotel park.. It has something for every age... Lily loves the slides and the adventures houses, Michael loves the basketball hoop and spaceships placed throughout the jungle gym, and Kayden just loves the fresh air... They run, giggle, climb, and make friends..... Boy, do they make friends.... I love that about them, they make friends everywhere they go! Just a simple smile and they are off running, playing tag, and bonding with others around them.. It makes my heart smile to see the kids interacting with others. Watching other people see my kids the way that I do; as the awesome kids that they are! They are flexible, resiliant, understanding, loving, patient ( most of the time ), and of course amazing.. They joy they bring only multiplies in times of chaos.. It makes me realize that they teach me as much as I teach them.... That they smile at a simple joys, not overcompensation.. That they thrive off happiness... To be a child again, that is what I desire....... Here are a few of their giggles.....


Cheese!!!!

Weeeeeeee.......Lily at the bottom of the slide......

Lily.... mid-slide.... she loves this......

Tired.... so tired in fact, she could sleep standing up!

Kayden loving the fresh air....

Lilyann planning in the fun tree houses.

Kayden enjoying his DS at the park... Only Kayden would love this!!!

Kayden and Michael.... you can't really see Michael, thats because he refused to be seen... Only Michael!!!

Rainy day, restless bodies, renewed spirits...

Today is gloomy and dreary... The rain falls, the fog stays low, and the kids grow restless. Amidst all of this, my spirits lift. I received an email from my friend Jen yesterday, reminding me of a few the promises the Lord has given. Not just to me, but to all who believe. Promises to carry, empower , love.... the list went on. My favorite promise was to renew. To renew MY strength. Little ole me? Supermom! In need of a renewal? As the hotel grows smaller, and the childrens patience wearing, I read on. Isaiah 40:28-31 "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is an everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understandings no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power to the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not grown faint." What an awesome promise to cling to. To simply be reminded that His understandings NO ONE can fathom... I keep finding myself trying to figure Him out. To figure out His plan for my life. He is Mighty, He is Holy, and He has everything under control. I simply need to let go.. To stop wondering when our stuff will arrive, stop worrying if the kids are going to fit in, stop wondering if I will find friends... He was promised to renew me... The only strength I need is Him... His strength, His guidance, His peace..... I need to cling to the promise that he has prepared a way for me. That He has gone before me, shielded my path, and hand picked people that will come my way.. People that will impact me, and people whom I can impact. People who are lost and seeking, and people who will incourage my walk, when I am seeking.. I hope in Him...
The kids getting restless in the hotel room.. They are eager to go puddle jumping!

The view from the room.. You can see how foggy it is by simply comparing this picture with the next... This picture was taken today and the next was taken yesterday.

Yesterday... You can see the city of Seoul in the background.

If I can't have Boldly Going, I'll settle for Starbucks!

I thought this was pretty cool... my first Starbucks receipt in Korea......

Our adventure away from comfort!

Isaiah 9:6 "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Praise God!


Well.... This trip to Korea didn't start last week, or even last month, it started years ago, when Mike and I decide to follow Christ... To follow Him wherever He would lead, to follow Him out of my comfort zone and into His plan for my family.... We know the old saying " wherever the Army sends us", but for us, we know that God is so involved in our everyday life, that He ordained this decision, and so, we follow Him! That choice lead us here! To sad goodbyes, heartache of loneliness, and a yearning for peace that only He can provide... The choice leads us to our knees! To the only place that I feel comforted when I am so far stretched from home! I cry when I think of friendships that I desire to reach out to, friendships that were left but not lost. Friendships that build stronger with distance, for prayer builds and does not seperate...I long for many things.. A place to call home; a place to lay my children down at night, a place where THEY feel settled. I long for a peace that surpasses understanding... I pray for it, and I wait expectantly, for I know He will answer!

















Amy and me.. Our "See you later" moment!


















Aunt Debbie with Michael and Lily


















Mr. Brock and Michael ( his favorite Sunday school teacher)


















All the ladies who have loved and raised my kids... Hillcrest Baptist church nursery!! I love you all!


















Having a ball jumping on the mattresses... the only things left in the house...

















Michael... sound asleep...

















Lilybug, snooping around


















Miss Allison, came to say goodbye at the hotel.. I love you girl!!!


















Kayden and Grace spinning Michael and Jake around... The only fun thing to do in a hotel!
















Taking a break!

















Michael drawing on the 14 hour plane ride!

















Kayden, as happy as could be with his new DS...

















On our layover in Chicago...


















Sweet boy!


























Trying to wheel Lily into our room from the second room.... the only way to get her to sleep was to have a seperate room for her to go down in.... then Mike had to wheel her over to our room... Sweet baby!



















In Yongsan, Korea... Our first destination...

















Beautiful!!


















The boys running free in the gardens
























Kayden at the park outside our hotel


















Michael playing in the park at the hotel in Korea

Lily was a hit to the tourists and the natives...

Really.... they love her!

Little Bit!