Off to Korea

I am close to leaving for Korea!! I can't wait to go and meet my nephew, Marc and see my sister and bro-in-law. I will be leaving at 8:30 am Wednesday our time and arriving at 6:30 pm their time on Thursday. The whole international time line kinda throws me for a loop. If you think about us, pray for our family as I am away. Pray that the kids are well behaved for those watching them, safe and they don't miss me too much. Maybe I put too much on my job as mom but I know I will sure miss my babies! Pray also for the people watching the kids, that their lives are blessed for doing this for me. Pray that my husband has a great bonding experience with the kids and that his job continues to go well. Pray lastly for me as I am flying half way around the world for safe travel and a safe return. Also, for my peace of mind as this will be the longest I will be away from my family since it began. I look forward to this adventure with great anticipation, hope for renewal and will be looking for blessings and teachings from Christ. This is my first time really outside the US walls, so I can't wait to be immersed in a new culture and see my family!

Countdown to Korea

So I am going to Korea! I am so excited to go and meet my nephew Marc Charles! He was born on February 27th and I will be the first family to visit. My countdown is 7 days now. With this comes a lot of anxiety though. I will be leaving behind my kids for this trip. The only other time that I have been separated from them is when my husband and I went away for a ski vacation for the weekend to Seven Springs for Valentines Day before Scottie was born. This will be a test for both parties and for Peter as he will now be the primary caretaker of them while I am away.

Now, on Monday morning I sit here unable to sleep and just thinking about being away from my kids in a little more than 48 hours... That is eye opening. Tons of thoughts run through my head as I prepare to go see my Sister and leave my children and husband. When the kids wake up on Wednesday, they will get a surprise, Mommy won't be home. I will have to say goodbye to them the night before as I will leave at 5 am to catch an 8:30 flight. I am so excited to get to Korea but my stomach is "narfach" or nervous to be leaving my house, kids and husband as this is what I chose to do with my life. I know it will be good for all parties involved but I will miss my snuggle time with my boys, putting them to bed, reading them stories, making "treats" and dinner with them, and hearing Scottie call out "mom-mommy"when he wants me. I just hope that he does well for my friend Jenny who is stepping into my place as Peter just started a new job and couldn't take time off from work. Stephen told me yesterday that he was going to be "the best big helper" so I hope he does well too. I know kids are resilient but I sure will miss them...

Happy half birthday Scottie!

Happy half birthday Scottie! He is growing up so fast. He tries to keep up with his brother in almost every way. He loves to help Mommy. He helps with laundry, dishes, vacuuming, cooking, and anything else I will let him do. He takes the trash to the can, helps pulling weeds, feeds himself for the most part, tries to play Wii, dusts, and makes huge messes. He wants to learn to ride a bike, play games with his big brother, play baseball or any other sport with a ball, and play on the computer. He has lots of teeth, the molars are popping through right now. He is learning many words and signing to get his point across to those who don't understand him. He is even calling me "Mommy" which makes my heart sing! He runs, dances, tries to sing the alphabet, and loves to pretend talk on the phone (maybe he is trying to imitate something he sees too much?? ;) ). He, unlike Stephen, doesn't mind me sitting and talking with my friends at the park. He takes off and plays like the big kids! He amazes me more and more each day. I look forward to planting the garden with both boys this year. I have a feeling that I won't be the only one playing in the mud and needing a bath afterwards.

Just thought you would get a kick out of my Amish son, Scottie.... Don't my boys clean up well? Stephen loves for him and his brother to try and dress the same. This was as close as I could get on Sunday but when I got home and just looked at them, I thought Scottie stepped out of one of my favorite books. I have resently gotten into reading an author by the name of Wanda E. Brunesetter. She has written many novels about the Amish and they are very interesting if you would like a good easy read for the evenings.

Brotherly Love...

( Come on and ride with me, Little Brother)

(trains in the living room)

(This is how you fly a kite, Scottie.)

(making a fort)

I love to watch these boys every day. There is nothing that will make a mother's heart sing like the sound of her children playing and being there for one another. Stephen is a great big brother and loves to teach Scottie new things. Scottie soaks everything Stephen says in and tries to keep up with him in almost every way. They amaze me...

Scottie's newest word is "MINE." I wonder where he learned that one...

Enjoying the Springlike weather!!

I had the privelage of spending Saturday with 3 very important people in my life other than my husband and children. My Daddy, Grammy Pat and Granddaddy came for a short visit. We had a good time chatting and eating some soup I made for lunch. Stephen and Scott couldn't wait to play with the toys that Grammy and Granddad brought them. Stephen is a boy after his mother's heart also. He did his best to get whoever he could to play a game with him. Since my Dad's visit was cut short so they couldn't play "Take the Train," Stephen settled on playing UNO with Grammy and me. We always enjoy seeing my grandparents and love visiting with my Dad. Thanks for the special times and memories. Once again I am reminded that life is short and so we need to make every moment count and spend it with those we love and tell them so!

The weather here has been amazing. Since the beginning of the week, we have spent most of our time outside! (A pre-curser to summer for sure!) Scottie has even mastered opening the door to the garage to let us know he wants to go outside to play! We have enjoyed our time at the park with friends, playing baseball in the front yard, and just messing around like boys. We ate popsicles for the first time this year, wore shorts and short sleeves, and stayed out until it was too late to make a good dinner. I sure love this time of year! I have started back walking so I feel really good. My body loves exercise, my boys don't always cooperate for me... but we are getting back into the swing of it. I hope you enjoy the pics of our everyday goings ons...

Spring has sprung in Berryville, VA!!

We are so excited that it is finally getting warmer! This week we are to have 50s for temps and the snow is almost all gone! It was fun to have for awhile but we are now ready to have it warm up and be able to play outside again. My boys love to run around and tackle each other and it will go a lot better when they can play in the yard. We can't wait to go to the park and yesterday we even ventured out on bikes for a little while. We came back in only because it was very windy outside. Our little crocuses are peeping out of the ground and the tulips we planted are starting to emerge from their dormant states. It will be great when the strawberries come back and I can have fresh fruit from our home to eat for breakfasts. It will happen sooner than later I predict! I can't wait for all the color and warmer temperatures that come with spring and all the fun!!

Growing too fast...

It seems as though it was just yesterday I found out I was pregnant again... Now I have this boy who loves helping in the kitchen, thinks he is too big for naps, and loves harassing his big brother. He is growing up so fast. Later this month, Scottie will turn 18 months old... and be officially into toddler hood. He tries to keep up with his brother in almost every way. First he watches then imitates what he sees. Words are flying out of his mouth, a new one almost every day. He is now putting words together to make phrases too! He is learning how to run. Its so cute to watch his little legs go! Last night as I was putting him to bed we did most of our night time routine then he said "Ma bed" so I put him in his bed then he waved at me and said "bye bye!" and layed down. I wasn't ready for that one yet! He is even helping me make dinner... enjoy the video!

Stephen is growing up too! Its hard to believe that it is time to start to think about school for him. We are going to hold him from kindergarten but since it is an all-day kindergarten here, he needs some time away from mommy to prepare him for that. He is also doing new things every day. He loves art and crafts, helping in the kitchen and yearns for learning. He always wants to do math, learn new letter sounds, tries to read and spell, and practice writing his name. He even helps me make lunch. We all can't wait for spring to come so we can go outside and explore and play games again.

Happy Birthday, Marc Charles Puffenbarger

I was on pins and needles when my brother in law, Jarrod called me on Thursday, February 25th saying, "I need Dad's phone number and be praying for Steph. Her water broke and we are headed to the hospital." She was 34 and 1/2 weeks along. So I went over to my friend Jenny's house and prayed. I was a mess. This wasn't how it was supposed to happen. I was supposed to be there to help her out and teach her about being a mom. This was not my plan... But it was God's plan and His way is perfect. I heard nothing after a brief phone call later saying she is stable and they are giving the drug to speed up the development of baby's lungs. I was still a mess. I called my Dad to see if he heard anything and he said to my anxiousness, "Denise, worry is not of God. The best thing we can do is PRAY!" Then on Friday when I called dad he said she was resting comfortably. Then, I get a call around 4:30 on Friday from my sister and brother all the way in Korea on Skype and they announced the arrival of my newest Nephew, Marc Charles Puffenbarger. He was born February 27th, at 4:59 am Korea time (2:59 pm February 26th) 2.2kg but he was a "lil' Champ!" They are now home and mom and baby are doing great! This is definitely a testimony to the miracle God has given to their family that he is healthy, eating well and home so soon after birth. Praise God for answering these prayers given by so many for this new family. Thank you to all my friends for going to God on our behalf. Congratulations new parents. I can't wait to see how God enriches your life with this new life! It will be a grand adventure! Can't wait to see you in T minus 23 days and meet little Marc!

This is Marc's first picture with his parents!

I know I will be late but I wanted to throw him a birthday party since he will be 1 in Korea! So I am going to bring my teddy bear mold and make him a cake! So my only question is what day are we celebrating as his birthday?? :) Congradulations again! He's beautiful.

Stephen and Scott are anxiously waiting to meet their new cousin this summer. In Scotties words "baba" when he saw the pictures of Marc on the screen. Stephen can't wait to see his Uncle and Aunt and loves to talk to him on the computer. (Really I think that he likes to see himself through the camera as well as talk to them.) I love the relationship they have with my little boys and can't wait to bond with Marc as well!