April of this year we got a wonderful surprise. Steve's mom and step-dad, AKA Halmoni and Harabogy, came to visit us for two weeks. It had been 9 years since Steve's mom had travled to the states, and she was quite nervous about it. This has prevented her from coming any time before. They had always talked of coming, and we wanted them to come, but her health and what the traveling might due to her body always prevented her from coming. We were all so excited to pick them up from the airport. So excited, we waited at the wrong point. Ok, the airport had the wrong one listed, but they found us. And of course the first thing grandparents are going to do is spoil their grandchildren with love and gifts. After a long trip, we had to travel another three hours to get back to our place. Though we have lived here ten years, this was Steve's mom's first visit to our house.
Since they had to come in April, when Harabogy could get time off, they undertstood that the kids would be in school and Steve would need to work. There was no real interest in sightseeing, since his mom had lived in the states before. Instead there was work to do. Planting of beautiful flowers, bushes and plants, and cooking a Korean feast. The girls had a blast learning how to make kim bap, and we all enjoyed eating it.
We did make a quick trip up to Shipshewana. Heather's parents wanted to come back early from Florida to see them, and we wanted to get Steve's grandma and mom together for the first time since our wedding. They had such a special relationship. It was a good reunion.
His parents' anniversary was while we were here, and we celebrated with a cake, flowers and sparkling wine. They also blessed us with a special gift, that Steve has used to finalize his plans to go towards a 15th anniversary trip to Hawaii in two years. His mom enjoyed Hana Market, a local Korean store, and stocked us up on Bacchus and Shin ramyun. Though she is adventurous in her eating, nothing impressed her until we took them to Nine Irish Brothers. Harabogy is of Irish decent, but had never eaten Irish food. I think all the adults went away satisfied.
The time went fast, and all were sad to make the trip back to the airport. It seemed that Halmoni adjusted to the time change better and her body seemed to do just fine with this trip. We are hoping that this will encourage her to come back another time.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Thursday, June 9, 2011
The Climb
In December we went down to Georgia to spend Christmas with my sister's family. Our parents were support to come, but mom started having heart issues, and couldn't come. We definitely missed them, but the kids still had fun together, and no one got the stomach flu this year! Maybe Georgia is not so bad, or...
One of the days we decided to go into Atlanta and see the Federal Reserve (free and neat) and Ikea. As Heather started the walk through exhibit at the Federal Reserve, Gabe wanted to be picked up. Since we had the stroller, she told him he could either go in the stroller or hold her hand. When he said no to those options, whined and didn't make a choice, Heather put him in the stroller, which led to a major fit. She took him into the women's bathroom and held him in a stall for what seemed like eternity, but was probably more like an half hour. Somehow the guards didn't come in and Heather unusually kept her cool. But at the end Heather broke down and Daddy was steaming mad and took over in the men's restroom. Worst...fit...ever. No problems the rest of the day, luckily.
When we got home from our trip, Heather was making supper and Gabe was sitting on the counter, "assisting." He looked over at the bananas, and said "ba-na-na." Heather was in complete shock, as Gabe hardly was able to say anything, and usually we would call a banana something like "nana." Nope, he clearly enunciated each part of the word. It was from here that he started to make a steady climb in talking. Slowly, but surely, he started to get clearer and more sounds. He LOVED his speech therapist, and we were all to see his great progress. He even started to enjoy his physical therapist more when she started to let him choose what to do. His physical abilities continued to climb at the steady rate they had from the start. Just fewer tantrums during the sessions.
His tantrums have made a steady climb, but only in frequency. It is not uncommon to have several major tantrums a day. This has been the hardest part of parenting Gabe. He can be very obedient and charming, but then if something goes against what he wants to do, whack, he'll make you pay, big time. We have tried to have him in his room, and if he doesn't calm down, shut the door. But we started to find that we were loosing it having to hear to his ear piercing, finger nails on a chalk board fits. Since we would be able to hear him from anywhere in the house, we found another place where he could be safe and secure, yet we could get away from the sound. This allows us all to get rational.
A few days ago he actually went the whole day without a major fit. We celebrated the "No Fit Day!" He really enjoyed that he didn't throw a fit, but probably not as much as we did. He managed to keep it up for a few days before breaking it. Not bad, considering. We are starting to learn some of his triggers (did we just come from a new situation, especially one with lots of noise or people?). We also have to pepper him a lot before an event, and give him a countdown as to when an event will end, especially one that he enjoys. At the same time, he knows that we are his parents and we are in control, not him.
Addison absolutely loved her third grade teacher. Steve and Heather still question some things, but we'll have to see. In February, at the last minute, her and her best friend Kiersten decided to perform "Tonight" by Toby Mac for the annual variety show at church. They did really good for the last minute. We really enjoy their friendship.
Through Addison's third grade teacher she got introduced to Lego Robotics, and fell in love with the basic programming. She is doing the summer camp for it, and is hoping to be a part of the team at school next year. She will no longer be at the nearest elementary school, but going to the 4-6 grade school. It's like a mini-junior high, and just make us as parents cringe that she is old enough to be there. She is excited, and is looking forward to not only Lego Robotics, but also the string program where she will be learning the cello. Oh, she wants to do everything, but we have to find a way to hold her back. She is so social and extroverted, that can be a challenge. But at least she still loves to be with her parents, and we'll enjoy every second that it lasts.
Lauren is our little sponge and comedian. Though she is also introverted and shy. She loved Kindergarten this year, and has continued on her reading skills. She is currently able to read chapter books, and is about at the end of first grade reading level. She loves Star Wars (as well as Addison), and would play Star Wars Wii all day long if we'd let her. She is joyful, and will say the darndest things. Recently we went on a walk and Steve and I both thought she said "Run, Forrest," even with the southern drawl. Turns out she said "run for it." Other times, she'll make a quip that is spot on.
Lauren loves to spell words and write words, but she also uses them to hurt others. She can have a hardened heart about this, so can be a challenge. Her work ethic lasts about five minutes. I think mom has been a little too lenient or distracted by Gabe to focus on this issue enough.
Steve has had another sudden valley develop in his life. Last November he started having issues with dry eyes. In January, almost out of the blue, his position at the court was eliminated. Praise the Lord that since it was done this way, he got severance pay and was able to file for unemployment, as well as found a position within WALKING distance from home that started the end of February. It was quite a hit to the pocket book, but God always makes things work, and he has blessed us over and over financially. But because of this job change and possibly an incorrect diagnosis, he didn't follow up enough about his continuing eye issues. After seeing another ophthalmologist who referred him to a specialist in Indy, it looks like he has a condition where his brain is wanting his eyes to blink out of control. He tried the prescribed treatment, and though it helped, it was not completely effective. And today he rear-ended the vehicle in front of him. May or may not be related to his eye issue, but raises concerns. First accident he's been in for over a decade.
Heather tries to spin all the plates unsuccessfully. Many get dropped, and are usually are the ones like "having a spotless house" and "playing with the kids." The past year she has felt more like she has been able to come out of the cave that she has been in trying to care for Gabe. But she has also felt the consequences of lost attachments to friends and acquaintances. She struggles with yelling at the kids.
With everything that Steve has gone through, and with the kids getting older, Heather is trying to discern what role God wants her to have over the next coming years, and is considering taking a course in accounting. She does social work daily, and it doesn't pay the greatest. And she has always wondered why God made her greatest strength in math.
As far as our house, we are moving forward with the idea of adding on to our house. We don't know yet if this is really going to happen, but we are taking steps towards it. The houses that we would like, are just much more than it would be to simply add on. Sounds crazy, but to get what we want, and to make the updating that would be needed, that is where we are at. And we really love our neighbors. We have been blessed with wonderful neighbors, and would hate to lose this community of friends. Not just adult friends, but friends for the kids, that we can trust our children to be in their homes, and they in ours. So far God is leading us in this direction, but we know things can change.
Through it all, we continue our climb to eternity, to our everlasting, loving, Heavenly Father. This life is just a pale shadow of what is to come. But may we shine His light to others in this dark world.
One of the days we decided to go into Atlanta and see the Federal Reserve (free and neat) and Ikea. As Heather started the walk through exhibit at the Federal Reserve, Gabe wanted to be picked up. Since we had the stroller, she told him he could either go in the stroller or hold her hand. When he said no to those options, whined and didn't make a choice, Heather put him in the stroller, which led to a major fit. She took him into the women's bathroom and held him in a stall for what seemed like eternity, but was probably more like an half hour. Somehow the guards didn't come in and Heather unusually kept her cool. But at the end Heather broke down and Daddy was steaming mad and took over in the men's restroom. Worst...fit...ever. No problems the rest of the day, luckily.
When we got home from our trip, Heather was making supper and Gabe was sitting on the counter, "assisting." He looked over at the bananas, and said "ba-na-na." Heather was in complete shock, as Gabe hardly was able to say anything, and usually we would call a banana something like "nana." Nope, he clearly enunciated each part of the word. It was from here that he started to make a steady climb in talking. Slowly, but surely, he started to get clearer and more sounds. He LOVED his speech therapist, and we were all to see his great progress. He even started to enjoy his physical therapist more when she started to let him choose what to do. His physical abilities continued to climb at the steady rate they had from the start. Just fewer tantrums during the sessions.
His tantrums have made a steady climb, but only in frequency. It is not uncommon to have several major tantrums a day. This has been the hardest part of parenting Gabe. He can be very obedient and charming, but then if something goes against what he wants to do, whack, he'll make you pay, big time. We have tried to have him in his room, and if he doesn't calm down, shut the door. But we started to find that we were loosing it having to hear to his ear piercing, finger nails on a chalk board fits. Since we would be able to hear him from anywhere in the house, we found another place where he could be safe and secure, yet we could get away from the sound. This allows us all to get rational.
A few days ago he actually went the whole day without a major fit. We celebrated the "No Fit Day!" He really enjoyed that he didn't throw a fit, but probably not as much as we did. He managed to keep it up for a few days before breaking it. Not bad, considering. We are starting to learn some of his triggers (did we just come from a new situation, especially one with lots of noise or people?). We also have to pepper him a lot before an event, and give him a countdown as to when an event will end, especially one that he enjoys. At the same time, he knows that we are his parents and we are in control, not him.
Addison absolutely loved her third grade teacher. Steve and Heather still question some things, but we'll have to see. In February, at the last minute, her and her best friend Kiersten decided to perform "Tonight" by Toby Mac for the annual variety show at church. They did really good for the last minute. We really enjoy their friendship.
Through Addison's third grade teacher she got introduced to Lego Robotics, and fell in love with the basic programming. She is doing the summer camp for it, and is hoping to be a part of the team at school next year. She will no longer be at the nearest elementary school, but going to the 4-6 grade school. It's like a mini-junior high, and just make us as parents cringe that she is old enough to be there. She is excited, and is looking forward to not only Lego Robotics, but also the string program where she will be learning the cello. Oh, she wants to do everything, but we have to find a way to hold her back. She is so social and extroverted, that can be a challenge. But at least she still loves to be with her parents, and we'll enjoy every second that it lasts.
Lauren is our little sponge and comedian. Though she is also introverted and shy. She loved Kindergarten this year, and has continued on her reading skills. She is currently able to read chapter books, and is about at the end of first grade reading level. She loves Star Wars (as well as Addison), and would play Star Wars Wii all day long if we'd let her. She is joyful, and will say the darndest things. Recently we went on a walk and Steve and I both thought she said "Run, Forrest," even with the southern drawl. Turns out she said "run for it." Other times, she'll make a quip that is spot on.
Lauren loves to spell words and write words, but she also uses them to hurt others. She can have a hardened heart about this, so can be a challenge. Her work ethic lasts about five minutes. I think mom has been a little too lenient or distracted by Gabe to focus on this issue enough.
Steve has had another sudden valley develop in his life. Last November he started having issues with dry eyes. In January, almost out of the blue, his position at the court was eliminated. Praise the Lord that since it was done this way, he got severance pay and was able to file for unemployment, as well as found a position within WALKING distance from home that started the end of February. It was quite a hit to the pocket book, but God always makes things work, and he has blessed us over and over financially. But because of this job change and possibly an incorrect diagnosis, he didn't follow up enough about his continuing eye issues. After seeing another ophthalmologist who referred him to a specialist in Indy, it looks like he has a condition where his brain is wanting his eyes to blink out of control. He tried the prescribed treatment, and though it helped, it was not completely effective. And today he rear-ended the vehicle in front of him. May or may not be related to his eye issue, but raises concerns. First accident he's been in for over a decade.
Heather tries to spin all the plates unsuccessfully. Many get dropped, and are usually are the ones like "having a spotless house" and "playing with the kids." The past year she has felt more like she has been able to come out of the cave that she has been in trying to care for Gabe. But she has also felt the consequences of lost attachments to friends and acquaintances. She struggles with yelling at the kids.
With everything that Steve has gone through, and with the kids getting older, Heather is trying to discern what role God wants her to have over the next coming years, and is considering taking a course in accounting. She does social work daily, and it doesn't pay the greatest. And she has always wondered why God made her greatest strength in math.
As far as our house, we are moving forward with the idea of adding on to our house. We don't know yet if this is really going to happen, but we are taking steps towards it. The houses that we would like, are just much more than it would be to simply add on. Sounds crazy, but to get what we want, and to make the updating that would be needed, that is where we are at. And we really love our neighbors. We have been blessed with wonderful neighbors, and would hate to lose this community of friends. Not just adult friends, but friends for the kids, that we can trust our children to be in their homes, and they in ours. So far God is leading us in this direction, but we know things can change.
Through it all, we continue our climb to eternity, to our everlasting, loving, Heavenly Father. This life is just a pale shadow of what is to come. But may we shine His light to others in this dark world.
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