such a good year

Go team Rix! Santa brought us jerseys. The kids get a kick out of the fact that we are numbered in order of age, 01 being the oldest, all the way down to number 09. If I had my choice on number placement, any guesses on what number I would like to be? This should be easy.
I have yet to arrive on the level on which matching outfits is cool. I did not say I was above it, merely that I have yet to reach it. One day, I will probably enjoy going out in public wearing matching jerseys with my family, but today was not that day. I've relented on the subject to a degree, and feel myself slipping dangerously towards being involved... We went on an outing today and yes, I was the lone one out not wearing my jersey. I was completely fine with it, and so were they. Dillon reminded me plenty of times today that I am number 5 so why would I have to wear a shirt to prove it?
I've been spoiled where photography has been concerned for the last few years so the idea of taking our own family picture, inside, with fluorescent lighting {...insert melodrama here...} was a little on the dreary side for me. Plans included finding a cool place outside to do it, but it rained all day, foiling that last attempt at decent lighting. But of course, once we got going and everyone was being their usual charming selves, we had a blast. As usual. Why did I dare think this would lack color?? Just look at these people. I love them! The experience itself will live on for me behind each image.

You can imagine what it is like for the nine of us to hop in a car and go out and do things here, in the bitter winter cold, with a baby, and an 8 passenger car, right? Easy as pie. Sure. So that being said, we haven't exactly gone out and toured the country. Totally fine with all involved since we've had plenty of fun inside {Wii, anyone?} and anyone watching sushicat knows we've had our fair share of adventures.

We did feel the time ticking away the last couple of days. This put me into the usual end of the vacation slump {A touchy mix between is it over already? and can I please be home, yesterday?} Since Monday was pretty much taken up with the family photo taking extravaganza that left today to fit in any last minute things we wanted to squeeze in before we head for home.

I didn't care what we did, so long as we did it together. I did have hopes to make it back to Seoul, but I wasn't piping in suggestions, I didn't want to be the decision maker on this one and be held accountable later when everyone else was miserable and I have a big smile on my face. It was decided then that instead of the beach {it was snowing} or driving to Taegu, {Ben and Co's new home in a couple weeks} we would go to Lotte World. Something akin to Disney World, with a large portion of it existing indoors so that we could frolic in the warmth and even ice skate should the need arise.

But after an extended drive due to typical traffic {but on a Tuesday?} we arrived at the PX at Yongsan in Seoul to buy our discounted tickets and decided that the PX should BE our destination. So be it. The PX is a wondrous place filled with army deals and tax free stuff. Who wouldn't want to drive 3 hours in traffic just to shop there? Not the Rix's, we were all for it.

We went to Dragon Hill Hotel afterwards and had a fantastic dinner, then drove around Seoul for awhile, bringing back plenty of memories, and creating new ones. "That is the longest train I have ever seen!" Devin - speaking of oncoming traffic on the other side of the Han River.

2008 has been a good year hasn't it? So good in fact, that the folks and I have decided to live the last day twice. I know, I know, I'm the only one who gets a kick out of going over the dateline and I trip out overit every time I do it... we are going one way around the earth, the sun is going around it the other way, and we'll meet again on the other side, 47 minutes after we left. See what I mean? No?? I'm still alone on this? Good grief, people. It's cooool.

But really. Time. Good heck. Where did it go? I am still fighting that lump in my throat thinking about leaving these beautiful kids and my favorite brother {not because he is the only option} and Kwona, I couldn't possibly ask for a better SIL, ever.

These last three weeks have not been the only ones that flew by this year. I'm a little concerned about how time seems to be passing faster and faster. This line of thought reminds me of that Kipling poem that I love, 'if you can fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds worth of distance run' {or something like that} because it makes me think about how valuable and liquid time really is. Time management could very well be my new years resolution. Slow the heck down. I like to know what's coming up and I like to think about it, plan it, and be done with it already. If it's out of my control, I microplan just to burn energy. I've gotta stop hurrying up to get finished or I'm going to miss it all. I want to be able to look back at my life and know I did my best at being in the moment. I'm going to treat each day like it is the last day of vacation. Soaking in as much of the happiness around me and finding ways to bottle it.

Perfect example: My day today. Really last day of the vacation when all the moments get a little distorted and everything tips me closer to bawling. I spent most of our trip today holding Dillon in my lap. We shared a seat belt again in our allotted space next to Seaira's deluxe traveling chariot and I couldn't get enough of it. And he didn't mind much either {he told me he loved it}. I didn't mind one bit that parts of my body were asleep for hours at a time. I just kept thinking next time I see him he might be too cool to be held by his aunt.

OK, I've gotta quit this entry before I lose it. It's been a long while since I've done a rambling post, so if you are still with me, or skipped the middle to read the last paragraph, consider this my end of the year report, and give me me a free rambler since it's been awhile.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

little number nine

I don't know how I'm going to leave this baby girl here when we pack up and head for home next week! How old will she be next time we get to hang out? She is thinking about crawling {tho she'd rather just skip it, and run} and I can't think about missing the next big things in her life without getting a big lump in my throat.

Mom talked about gifts being representations of the love we feel for the person we give them to. Seaira is a gift from heaven.

"On Christmas Day!"

Christmas was a beautiful day here for the nine of us {wait until you see the jerseys}.

The kids got up early but we didn't get around to digging around under the Christmas tree until after 10 when we'd had breakfast and the dishes were done.

I wasn't much more than a bump on the couch since I acquired a shiny new migraine sometime Christmas Eve. I was so bummed!! I've only been looking forward to Christmas with the family since last April when I booked the flights.

Thanks to Ben, my dad, and a sweet blessing I was able to enjoy most of the morning before laying low in the back room for a very long day.

But if you remember what I wanted for Christmas, I certainly got it:

I got a lot of massages, including a vice like maneuver from my mom where she pushed on my head while I laughed, cried, and quoted movies at her.
I got a lot of hugs from the kids. They each came in a few different times throughout the day to check on me and make me smile. Searia even came in for a nap, so really, I couldn't ask for more than that.
And I got to spend time with my family. My mom is such a good nurse. We laughed a lot and they took such good care of me. I can't think of a time where I was in that much pain, but wouldn't take it back {now that it's over} for the love I felt from my family.

This Christmas will go down as an all time favorite.
Ben even added a level of excitement to the day by talking me into going off post to a Korean hospital for a mystery shot. After getting over the part that included a shot {I'm the biggest baby!} I was all for it and even got a little excited about doing something so scary, so long as they brought the camera and it involved alleyways and an adventure.

The plan was botched when Kwona reminded us that Korean's promising 'similar' drugs to those on post was an illusive thing. OK, maybe not that scary.

the ultra ride

Patience IS a virtue and it paid off today. Ben took this amazing nap that empowered him with all kinds of skills. He took me for a ride today on his bike. I shouldn't call it a bike. It's an Ultra Classic Electra glide. The name itself should tell you this thing is fan-cy.

We weren't cold at all. Well maybe my hand was a little frozen because I took my glove off for most of the trip to take a gazillion pictures... but I barely felt that. There is just something about being on a motorcycle.

I didn't know where we were going or even where we went but I loved it. I thought we were going in to town to buy a couple last minute gifts. A couple hours later and a new frame of mind on how beautiful Korea can be in the dead of winter, we came back to the PX to grab those gifts.


a highlight: riding in the special motorcycle lane {the shoulder} and abiding by the special motorcycle laws in Korea. {what laws? red lights? where?}



marshmallow fields.

Thanks Ben.
Love - your little brother.

OSAN

In no particular order: my day {and bits of yesterday, too}

Osan is a short, winding ride from where Ben and co. live. It's a military city and outside the base it's teaming with the usual vendors with the same assorted stuff, just arranged differently. We parked at the Air Force Base, then walked across the street to haggle . I love haggling. It's an art form, really. Kwona is the queen, I'm an amateur but I did pull off a deal with an ajashi who said his price was 'so low, so good' but he went lower, and it got better.

This is the face I get a lot from my littlest niece. Something like 'why are you always pointing that camera at me?' Because you are just that cute Seaira, that's why.

Cari and I drew on some plates... {she knows me so well, look how many bags she drew on my ant arms!}

I love alleyways almost as much as the food here. I can't help it. I want to wander down each one to see what is on the other end.This one I was glad I ventured down {or up} It had a cool courtyard and a view.

see anything about this picture below that may have caught my attention? It was actually my mom who saw it. He might as well be here for as much as he is the topic of conversation. Are your ears burning Bearded M?

Lunch.

seoul for the soul

Saturday started early as we headed for Seoul to go to the temple to do Grandpa's work. It was a memorable experience for all of us.

We couldn't decide what to do with the rest of the day but it seemed a waste to just head home without doing something fun while we were in the city.

It was cold and nobody was real excited about getting out of the warm car. But once we decided to go to Itaewon, a shopping district close to the military post, we had a good time. The shopping isn't the best there because it is a tourist trap, but it is still fun to wander around and watch people.

"...and they'll go blind with my awesomeness..." - kung fu panda

We decided to have dinner in our old neighborhood. The building to the left {103} was our apartment building. We had fun laughing about the good times we had the last time we all lived together in this crazy place.

And now for some really good news: Cari has become a blogging fanatic. We set her up with a blog last night and she is already posting like a champ. Add her to your favorites, she's going to be our corespondent to this part of the world.