Basketball

Haley on her way to play Seoul.

You can try to fight it...

...but why? Gotta love them!

Christmas

Thanksgiving DInner

Homecoming...

Pink Bunny

Daegu Warrior Eagles!

Last week…

Basketball: Chris and I are coaching Isabelle and Sophia's basketball teams. I'm coaching Sophia's team and Chris is coaching Isabelle's team. I decided to coach Sophia's team with the reasoning, "The kids are five and six, how complicated can this be? If I'm off a beat, the kids will never know". WRONG! I had half of the coaches sitting in the bleachers! Somehow I had forgotten how many volunteers a kindergarten class can bring in, we have one head coach (me), two assistant coaches (who can easily pass as professional coaches) and one stand-in coach. I would be putting it lightly if I didn't admit that I was slightly intimidated and wishing I had taken a course on Basketball. When the assistant coaches introduced me as, "Head Coach", I felt my height shrink by at least two inches. I stood there thinking, "Is it too late to sign up for Snack and let one of the Assistant Coaches take over?" Oh well, a little humility never hurt.

Cats

The evening we went to see Cats.

Isabelle...

Haley and Homecoming

Haley and Alyse before the Homecoming Dance 08.

Halloween

Isabelle

Sophia

Sports Banquet

Haley, Sophia and Isabelle
Haley was awarded the, "Coaches Award".

Sports Banquet

Haley had her sports Banquet Saturday night. In Cross Country she was given the "Coaches Award", she was extremely honored.
Report cards also were last week, all the girls did very well.

My apologies

I have to apologize for my previous post and the stench of misery it exhumed. Being away from home and surrounded by less desirable situations has left me with a bitter taste that was once known as holiday cheer, tis the season.

It's almost Turkey time and the countdown begins... who's the turkey now?

I was in the PX today, picking up mouthwash and dental floss when a flustered acquaintance rushed up to me telling me she was picking up some "last" minute Christmas gifts for family back home. It frightened me that she was using the words "last minute", this meant the clock had started ticking and the race of "I finished my Christmas shopping (blank) weeks ago" was on! Of course, I hate this race because I always finish last, if I even participate.

I find it most challenging to maintain an appearance that is in no way offensive to the mother who is sharing her holiday story of how she sacrificed the last 3 weeks at the local blood bank in order to fulfill her deserving child's dream of being the proud owner of the #1 most desired gift 2008.
I understand how important it is to get the perfect gift at whatever cost.
I don't know what the kids want for dinner not to mention Christmas and I have to be honest, don't think they know either.
The festive part of the season is lurking around the corner, can you hear the joy in my voice? (cha-ching)

If you must shop for us, pick up something that makes you happy and don't worry if it doesn't make it by Christmas.

To all American Citizens,
Below you are provided a list of requirements for to achieve Christmas Cheer, if you choose not to complete all of the listed demands you are at risk public shame and lifelong guilt.
1. You will appear jovial at all times.
2. Wear festive attire with either red or green, light up accessories are encouraged (batteries are not included).
3. Provide addresses of the last 100 people you have met in your life, write them a note and appear to be sincere, if this is not possible then a newsletter advertising your family's achievements in the last year will suffice.
(I had a hard time remembering my address of the last 8 years and now I am expected to achieve this?)
4. Kill a tree and if one is not available, purchase and assemble one at your local retailer...color optional.
5. Bake, bake and bake some more. If you are unable to bake, go to your closest retailer to purchase a candle in the scent of "home baked (fill in the blank)"and pick up your fresh baked (fill in the blank) on your way out.
6. If at any time you feel the pressure holiday cheer, no worries, just stop by customer support at your local retailer for assistance.
7. Be reminded that all requirements need to be completed by a designated date. If you choose to fault this deadline a late fee will be charged but to help you avoid these fines our local retailer and publicity specialists have volunteered to provide you with a daily countdown clock and notify you when you have moved from the green zone to the amber zone. Please, for the best interest of your festive integrity follow the provided guidelines.

Its always at this time of the year that I consider buying a Costco membership.

Later, while grocery shopping a co-worker invited us to their house for Thanksgiving dinner (out of pity) because we are choosing to eat at the Dining Facility on post. Call it our overseas tradition, but eating at the Dining Facility is our number one choice, they do a great job, the price is reasonable, no one is left out, bank accounts aren't drained and the government foots the bill, who wouldn't call that a reason to give thanks?

More happy thoughts...

Growing Pains

Friday morning at work, Billie Holiday in the background, window open, birds chirping and not a person in sight...moments to appreciate. I love Fridays!

Haley has decided to work tonight instead of participating in the local festivities. This not only is her 14Th birthday but also marks the year that she has made the transition from child to teenager, like all change, comes sacrifices.

Last weekend Haley made business cards and flyer's advertising that she is a red cross certified babysitter, a week later and she has 3 jobs lined up, including tonight (the night of Halloween and her Birthday). Work equals an income and with the income is freedom from begging mom and dad for money, this is a good thing.

As of recently we decided to have Haley pay for her own violin lessons. Historically, Haley had the tendency to forget about her violin commitments, as long as she was practicing , we would pay for the lessons. With the breach in her agreement, she is now responsible for the payment of her lessons.

Yesterday after school Haley worked for 3 hrs babysitting 2 children. What she earned in 3 hrs. still did not cover the cost of an hour of violin lesson (I love reality moments). Haley has quickly realized that her free time was also the time that parents needed babysitters, this brought to light how inconvenient it was for her to work (sacrifices).

Thursday evenings are when the violin teacher comes and the hour was approaching. Haley sat on her bed with phone in one hand and money in other, obviously she was struggling to make a choice, was she going to cancel her lesson or was she going to pay? Hunched over with tears in her eyes she looked at me, "mom, what should I do?"(this is code for, mom...are you sure you wont pay for my lesson?) "Haley, this is your money and you have to be the one who decides how to spend it, you need to ask yourself, "is the violin something that you want to continue?" With pain in her body language, she decided to pay for the next 2 weeks of lessons.

Later that evening...

"Mom, I think I made the right choice, once my teacher found out that I am paying for my own lessons, she gave me a discount and I am totally going to practice!" (I'm thinking to myself, "all this time I have been paying full price and now a discount?" )