Thoughts on Being Home

{ last year's halloween }It's hard to imagine these sweet boys can be the source of so much stress as well as incredible joy. I had a very lucrative and comfortable full-time job in Manhattan as an Executive Assistant up until August 31st of this year.  I gave it up voluntarily (along with the incredible benefits) to spend more time at home with the boys.  I was fortunate to work out a 10 hour/week consulting position helping with the firm's marketing efforts.  It gives our family a little cushion but it's chump change compared to what I used to make.Up until this point, my in-laws had been watching the kids.  I never had to worry if they were being loved or given enough attention; my concern was that they were being loved way too much and allowed to...

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A Prayer for You

Here are the framed prayer prints for the boys:{ prayers created in photoshop }In saying this is a simple project to do, I realize it's not so easy if you're not familiar with very basic Photoshop elements (or text boxes in Word).  Believe me, I'm no Photoshop guru - all this required was creating several layers of text.  So if you do know basic Photoshop, then you can probably replicate this easily.And as promised, I will create one for a reader.  Simply comment on this post with the name of the person you'd like a prayer written for (you can submit up to 2 names) by 11:59pm on Friday, Nov. 5.  I'll randomly pick a name that weekend and contact you if it's yours.  Then I'll work with you to create the words for the prayer and send...

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Personalized Prayer Prints

I so desire to be a woman of prayer (much like my grandmother) but have such a long way to go.One day earlier this week as I sat and prayed for my boys, I was inspired to create something that would always remind me to be in prayer for them.   I hope this will be something Christian and Nathan carry with them each and every day of their lives.{ prayers for my sons }  These are individual posters printed on 8.5 x 11 photo paper.  They were created in Photoshop but could just as easily be created in a Word document.  And it doesn't take much time to make!  I'll show the finished framed product in a future post.I'd love to encourage you to make one for your children or anyone you may know!   To help you get started, I'll offer to make one for a reader. ...

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Flower Power

Here are some highlights from CJ's dohl.  Although we had many more guests at his party, it was much more lowkey than Nathan's in terms of preparation because we held it at a local park (CJ is a June baby so we took advantage of the nice weather).  We kept decorations very simple and had subs, gimbap (Korean california rolls), pasta and other simple picnic fare for lunch.  { sugar cookies made with lots of love }The most work went into prepping the favors - homemade sugar cookies.  I thought these would make great centerpieces.  So I cut the cookies into flower shapes, stuck them on a lollipop stick, decorated each one, put them in a clear treat bag, tied a ribbon, and then placed a few in several pots (sticks...

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Dohl Celebration!

{ traditional korean rice cake }We celebrated Nathan's one-year birthday on September 26.  In Korean tradition, the one-year birthday (called "dohl") is a big celebratory event because long ago, many children didn't make it to their first birthday.  It seems like the current trend is to throw incredibly elaborate dohls which could easily end up costing a couple grand (if not more).  I always thought this was absurd considering the baby wouldn't even remember the birthday!  But tradition is important and every birthday is worth celebrating, so we have been elaborate while trying to keep the costs affordable.  For CJ and Nathan's dohl, we incorporated the traditional elements such as the hanbok (Korean outfit), duk...

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Hard Work

My two-year-old likes to gloat about how much "hod wuk" he does at home (he helps tend the garden, mow the lawn, pull out weeds, etc.).  So Uncle Sun decided to take advantage and put CJ to good use in his own front yard.[CJ found the straw hat in the garage and insisted on wearing it while he worked.]{ how does this electrical wiring stuff work? }{ i sure hope i don't get shocked. }{ this is just so wrong.  aren't there child labor laws? }*Disclaimer:  Just to be sure no one notifies the authority on us, CJ gladly volunteered his services.  And there was no electrical wiring involved.  Just a lantern you stake into the ground which he enjoyed using as a shov...

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Tribute to Grandma Kim

Bong Ha KimJuly 15, 1930 - October 16, 2010Tonight we celebrated my grandmother's life and legacy.  Over 300 guests came to pay their respects and say their final "See you soon".  I paid tribute to her in a letter I shared:{ with her third great-grandchild;photo taken by sun yun }Dear Grandma,As the eldest of your grandchildren, I had the privilege and honor of bestowing you with the title “Grandmother” for the first time on the day I was born. And 10 grandchildren later, it became a role you embodied and embraced with so much love, pride, and care. You spoiled each and every one of us rotten – not with material things (for you knew these things mean nothing in the end) – but with the power of your prayers and by demonstrating God’s love to us on a daily basis. None of your...

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Turkey Chili in a Slow Cooker

I've just recently discovered the convenience and beauty of the slow cooker.  We had gotten one as a gift for our wedding (that was five years ago) and had only used it once.  That was until September of this year, and now I use it at least once a week.My favorite recipe thus far:  turkey chili.{ turkey chili cooked in a slow cooker }This is the best chili I've had (Hubby and neighbor both agree), and it's such an easy and economic meal!  Give it a try and let me know what you think.TURKEY CHILI RECIPE(from Rival Crock-Pot Slow Cooker Recipe Cookbook){ ingredients from trader joe's.  super affordable & good for you! } INGREDIENTS:1 pound ground turkey1 small onion, chopped1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo beans, rinsed...

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Package for Grandma

Need a break.  Shipping the kids to grandma's.   { mama, you did pay extra to send us via overnight delivery, right? } { mama, are you sure this is the right address? }{ surprise, grandma!...

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Life Lessons

Today's post is on life lessons, which I inevitably and generally without fail, have to learn the hard way.{ cj showed an interest in computers since infancy }This was the invite for CJ's one-year birthday party (the details have been modified).  Sure, the photo of him playing on the computer and following in the footsteps of his father (a web developer) seems harmless and adorable enough.  However, the reality is it's really NOT a smart idea to let your child slam away on the keyboard of your laptop.  Hubby downloaded a program called BabySmash for CJ - it lets your child press the keys and fun shapes, letters, and noises pop up on the screen.  As you can imagine, CJ absolutely loved it.Well, the end result of all that babysmashing looks something like...

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First Steps

Someone took his first steps tod...

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The Breakout

{ nate:  come on, people.  it's my birthday.  let me out of this joint. }{ ava:  don't worry, cuz.  i got your back.  i have some mad negotiation skills and am able to get whatever i want. you just let me do all the talking. }{ hey, you!  yeah, you with the fancy camera and crazy lookin' hair.  i demand that you get over here and release us at this very minute or else!   i know my constitutional rights and according to the fourth amendment, you can't keep us here without probable cause!  so drop the camera, bend over, put your arms out, and pick us up RIGHT THIS INSTANT!! }{ hey, did you hear a word i said?  i said get us out of here RIGHT NOW! }{ oh man, we're never breakin' out of this place....

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In My Footsteps

Being home with the boys has quickly reminded me how sinful and selfish my heart is.  The past month has been a truly humbling experience.  I catch myself raising my voice and getting frustrated because CJ insists on getting his way, but I insist on getting mine.  And just like CJ, I pout and fume inside when I don't get it.  He is a reflection of my very self.And I've also noticed how quick he is to imitate me.  Even simple things like when Jazz (our sharpei shepherd mix) is hanging around and sometimes in the way, I'll say "Go away, Jazz!"  And then I immediately hear those same exact words echoed in a similar unkind tone from the small, squeaky voice of my two-year-old son.  Ugh.I've been reading Don't Make Me Count to Three!...

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Library Totes & Fire Trucks

I love taking the boys out to our town's library which is within walking distance from our house.  Primarily because no one else goes there, so we have the whole place to ourselves and I don't have to keep a hawk's eye on the children.  CJ is a bit "assertive" (euphemism for "bully-ish") and is often found snatching someone else's toy or books.  We're working on sharing, but it's been a very slow process. { monkey totes from target | $2.50 each }Speaking of sharing, I started buying two of everything even before Nathan was born or conceived (I guess I had already assumed sharing would be difficult for my children).  Among those purchases are these adorable monkey totes for $2.50 each at Target.  Now the boys use it as their library book bags...

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Poster Child

{ nathan modeling his DOC band }Nathan didn't get a lot of tummy time in his early months (ramifications of being a second child; sorry babe!).  We noticed his head was starting to get flat.   Around five months at the pediatrician's suggestion, we took him in for a consultation at Cranial Technologies in Paramus.After taking some images and measurements, they determined he had somewhere between a moderate to severe form of Brachycephaly (sounds so serious).  They recommended a DOC band for our little guy.  We were already familiar with the band because several of our friends had to get it for their children.  We decided to go ahead with it, and there was no excuse since the entire thing was covered by our insurance company.I have...

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