The General

Heath's good friend Steve 'bequeathed' us his infamous car, "The General" as his parting deed before leaving Korea. This car has been the focus of much controversy on the base, receiving a formal complaint from the Chaplain himself. I am just happy to have an extra car; sharing has been difficult with Heath's crazy hours! It probably won't last past October, as we're fairly confident that it won't pass it's annual safety inspection. For some reason they get all nervous about having taped on bumpers. Come on! What's unsafe about that?

"Flying Fish"

Ryan's world lately consists of two things: airplanes and swimming. His obsession with aviation prior to this summer was mere child's play. There is not a conversation in our home between the hours of 7am and 8pm that isn't airplane-centered. It's become all consuming - even Heath is beginning to tire of answering all the technical questions...how fast does the f16 (a10, c130, bell x1, f15, f86, c5, c17, u2, e3, you get the idea) fly? how much gas does it take? how long do you taxi? how many buttons are in the cockpit? how many guns, bombs, missiles? can you show me the landing gear, canopy, throttle, engine, ladder, ...? Is the (fill in the blank with your favorite plane) in Korea (California, Oklahoma, Arizona, Alaska)? Our friends are blown away with the firing squad of questions Ryan has become. Actually, not just our friends......anyone in a flight suit is fair game. Walking through the BX can be excruciating! As exhausting as it is, I am so happy to see that he has such a passion for the family business at this tender young age!

We've been spending a lot of time at the pool this summer to beat the heat. He started swimming lessons today and loved it! He actually propelled himself through the water on his own.......it was during the floating lesson but hey, I'm not going to quibble. He was swimming! Our lessons are everyday for 45 minutes over the next 2 weeks. I can't wait to see his progression.

9 weeks, 2 days

It's official! March 8, 2008 is the due date. We had our first ultrasound this morning and finally got to see this little being that has been making me so ill over the past couple of months. I have been so grumpy and tired and nauseated (and quite selfishly wondering how my life can accomodate another child) lately that I expected to be unaffected by seeing this baby. I couldn't have been more wrong. It is such a wonder to see this tiny person moving, to hear his heartbeat, and to know that he is so fragile and innocent and completely dependant upon me for the next 7 months. I am ready to move forward now, to share my body - again - knowing this WILL be the last time, and to give this and our other two beautiful children the best chance in life that I can offer. I am so lucky to be sharing this with Heath, the greatest husband ever!

We are so blessed.

In and around Seoul

Everything just looks so different here, from the people, to the cars, the construction, housing, street signs, you name it! Here are a few shots of things that struck me on our way up to Seoul today.

Traffic Guy in the Rain

Unfortunately, there wasn't enough traffic to slow us down enough to get a good shot......but, here he is, nonetheless, decked out in his rainy weather gear!

My first knockoff!

I finally did it!

I shopped around for 8 weeks - there are so many bags to choose from and so many different 'qualities' - but finally settled on a Jimmy Choo. I'm so excited! I'm feeling confident now to go out and search for all of your requests. FYI, the 'good knockoffs' won't go for less than $50-$60.

For Erich........the Motherland!

A sampling of Korean cars.