Christmas Memories

Christmas Memories...

1) Santa Claus is coming to town...Kacy wasn't quite sure what to think of Santa coming to our house...but was thrilled the next morning.2. Video chatting with family...a new found hobby of ours. We spent the majority of the morning talking to our families and showing off the goodies. Good times!

3) Princess Kacy--Kacy received a princess (almost the size of her--that she named Callie) along with Callie came a princess outfit for Kacy, that she has worn for two days now. She also got this vanity/beauty set. We have all been beautified numerous times.

4)Christmas Dinner with the Duesters, Evans, Hawkins, Prices, and Steuernagels. Lots of good food, kids, and company! It is great to be around friends and family when you can't go home.

5) Although we look peaceful here, we had our moments throughout this day. We were all fairly sick and poor Sara didn't know how to handle it. She had a couple of crying bouts that about sent us all over the edge. I'm happy to report that this picture was taken at the end of the day (when she and mommy had both crashed) and she had a better day today.


All in all, we are very grateful for the Christmas that we had. We had many good times and there will be memories to cherish!

Pre-Christmas

In reviewing the posts to the blog so far, lots of text--and for some of you that is BORING. So in an effort to swing the pendulum the other direction, here are some photos (and a movie to boot). Laura is much happier with photos anyway.


Kacy made cookies with Mommy.


Borrowing ideas from the Brownlee's, the illustrious duo of Hayley and Kacy with the dancing Seth bringing holiday cheer to everyone in this short movie clip.




Sisters.


Following the tradition of new pajamas on Christmas Eve, the cousins pose nicely. Really, it was nice. They usually aren't that cooperative.



Reading stories on Christmas Eve.

Late Christmas Gift

Thank you, Dr. Lee! My finger feels a bit naked right now, but there are no pins, no bandages, and just a couple small dots where the pins were removed. Still a bit stiff and I have to be careful but it is exciting to have the finger "free" again...I've even typed a few letters with it tonight.

It even looks pretty straight! I'll know for sure once I can actually bend it again.

Finger Update

Over Thanksgiving, we had our traditional American football game here in Daejon. It is a chance to share some American culture with our friends from other nationalities. We welcomed a New Zealander this year...we had to explain several times that lateraling the ball backwards was not as common in football as rugby. We have also graduated to flag football the last couple years. Towards the end of our game, my right ring finger got caught in a shirt while pulling a flag. In the midst of pulling the flag, it appears that I also fractured my finger.

As soon as I did it, I was pretty sure it was broken. For some reason, the 30 degree angle of it seemed a dead give away. I went the emergency room and they confirmed with an x-ray what I thought was the case. It is my first time to the emergency room for my own injury. Overall, it was a pretty smooth trip and the doctors/nurses were nice. I saw an orthopedic specialist, Dr. Lee on Tuesday, 2 days later. Then I found out that not only was my finger fractured below the top knuckle, but also rotated. He offered to do surgery on it that night. I declined and got digital copies of my x-rays. With those and a short video of my finger bending (or should I say overlapping my middle finger), I made a distant consult with my friend Steve and his sports medicine doctor. He confirmed that pins were inevitable and to go ahead with the procedure. And Wednesday was the day it was done. I was able to watch most of it via "x-ray" view on a TV. Interesting, but not something I wish to repeat.

Three pins later and the largest splint they could find, I was "fixed". Overall, I have a lot of faith in Korean doctors. It's not the US, but it's where we live and pretty good generally. However, my confidence is shaky ever since Kirk, my brother-in-law, got his pinky turned into Swiss cheese when he broke it playing basketball. They had several attempts to get the pin properly placed. And let's just say that little hook of his has never been the same. So all I'm hoping for is--FUNCTIONALITY! Straight is not required.

In order not to lose any of the small readership we have and keep a G rating, I won't post any pictures of my finger with pins sticking out although they are available upon request.

I kept asking the doctor if he was happy with how everything looked. I finally built up a relationship enough to get an answer a couple visits later. He seemed a bit puzzled at times so I wasn't sure what response I would get. He informed me that he had straightened the finger correctly, but it just didn't seem right. He had informed me during the operation that he thought I had broken my pinky previously, judging by how it looked. He is probably right with basketball and whatnot. I just never went to the doctor. He has also drawn the conclusion that this finger was injured previously as well. Who knows it that is correct, or just an easy way to explain a not so straight finger. Regardless, he says it will be fine, but not 100% normal.

Jumping ahead 3+ weeks, i just got the pins out last Friday. I was quite excited. I get to lose the splint in favor of a little gauze. Of course, now my joint is totally stiff from having the pin in it to keep it immobile. I think the physical therapy may be more painful than the break or the surgery...we shall see. I am still hopeful for functionality and all seems headed in that direction. It is more straight than it was when I broke it. And it doesn't overlap my middle finger as much as it did prior to the surgery. We'll leave it at that. I'll let you know how it comes out...

A political digression...

As I sit here in Korea and watch a speech by President Bush, I can't help but question our exportation of democracy. And when I say "ours," I mean the West. This isn't just Bush's view but a more widespread western view. It includes an assumption that democracy is the way to go and it is the best form of government. In social studies classes, we refer back to how the West has had a "superiority complex" in the past, particularly when looking the colonial era. But has that changed?

In the Cold War era, particularly in the 60s, 70s, and 80s, the US in particular but also other European powers sought to stop the spread at communism at any cost. Dictatorships were fine as long as they were capitalists. Now, we have equated freedom to democracy, while these two things are distinctly different. History shows many forms of governments can be successful. Monarchies are quite out of style and undoubtedly had some issues in the past with a hereditary throne because let's face it, despite their genes some people aren't meant to lead. They just don't have the gift. And every leader in a democracy is excellent? Man/woman of the people?

In Athens, perhaps one of the first places to practice democracy, they warned of demogogues...people that were smooth talkers and could sway the masses, often on emotion. They knew with people's freedom and right to vote, there was a responsibility that had to be instilled in people, and for long term sustainability, into the culture. When we export democracy, are the people receiving it ready for it? Is it the best form of government for them? Can their culture embrace the founding ideologies of democracy in a way that benefits the nation and the overall good? I just ask the question...maybe the answer is yes. (I won't even get into Plato's philosopher-king concept although it fits into some of the questions above.)

Overall, this commentary and line of questioning comes from my opinion that we think we know more than anyone else. We think our knowledge has surpassed all others and we have taken "civilization" where no one has tread before. It seems quite often to be an unspoken and unackowledged assumption, but one that is present nonetheless. This seems a bit egotistical and ignorant to me, but then again, what do I really know. The ancient Sumerians in several thousand BC had libraries of books and all the mysteries of Egyptians still aren't solved/explained. The Phoenicians accomplished many seafaring feats without the GPS and engines we have today. Does that not take perhaps more skill? And still today some simple aboriginal or African bushmen live in secluded inhospitable places that few dare visit, yet they have done it for hundreds of years. The knowledge of astronomy that the Mayans and the Egyptians had was astounding. We should tread with great caution when we think we have the best and most advanced ideas ever. We might just turn out to look very foolish in the end...and who wants that?

A Contagion...

After 7+ years of marriage, I continue to find my wife full of surprises. The most recent came when she was baking cookies at her mother's house last Saturday. One minute we are baking cookies, the next she is up on a chair screaming hysterically. Why hysterical...that information didn't come until later.

Backing up the story a bit, I came in the kitchen when beckoned to check out scratching sounds under one of the cupboards and, I think, light the pilot on the oven. The scratching stopped immediately when I opened a drawer near it...I thought to myself, this is not a good sign, but didn't say anything other than a laughing yes when my wife asked me if it was a mouse. The cookie baking continued leading up to our little furry friend entering the kitchen and seeking some warmth under the oven. Both Laura and I witnessed his scampering. This occurred just prior to the hysterical screaming on the chair. I wonder...is that the natural reaction or learned behavior from cartoons and movies when you see a mouse. Regardless, I've never seen Laura this scared when it didn't involve heights...closed/tight spaces...caves...well, that's enough.

Shortly after, Jerry (my name for the mouse) ran back across the kitchen floor, undoubtedly returning to his previous location, scratching under the cabinets. He wasn't seen again, but every time Laura's pants swished against each other or anything touched her, she got all creepy. Well, actually it didn't take anything at all to make her jump. I told her that mice were generally more afraid of people, than people were of mice, although there may be an exception in her case. At the same time, fear is a contagion and it made me keep looking around and put me on edge too.

The resulting stomping around the kitchen to "scare" the mouse was quite hilarious from the living room. Thank goodness Kacy was taking a nap and didn't have to witness this chain of events it may have scarred her for life. (of course Hayley would've helped Uncle Darren catch the mouse). Speaking of, I did get a bowl and broom out to "catch" the mouse, or at least make my wife think that I was going to. I believe it was more of a physocologial exercise than a real threat to Jerry. However, Jerry's days may be numbered as I think General Affairs from the school is going to put Jerry to rest...very soon.

Family Photos

So the project of the night was Christmas photos. Coming up on our fourth Christmas overseas we feel inspired to send out a photo Christmas card. We would like for that photo to feature our three year old and 6 week old. To the casual observer this would appear to be a very simple task. However, to the experienced parent they have already started laughing because they are well aware of the nightmare we encountered.

First of all, three year olds (Kacy) don't stand still. Secondly, new big sisters are very excited at opportunities to hold their dear baby sisters. It was amazing how Laura would get Sara settled down, get Kacy ready, put Sara in Kacy's lap, only to have Kacy squeeze Sara and cause her to start screaming again...which would in turn start the whole process over. The good news: Child Protection Services is not really an issue in Korea...Kacy was close to damaging Sara.

Some photos of our venture perhaps tell more of the story. Let's just say in the 30 minutes were over 100 pictures were taken, none of them will make the Christmas card! We won't post that picture here so those that get a card will at least get some surprise.

The first post...

So here we are, entering the world of blogging for the first time. Laura thought this was a good idea...I thought she should do the dishes. But maybe it's time for us to improve our communication with the rest of the world. I have been working hard to improve my email communication but perhaps this will take us to the next level.

Some cute pictures of the kids from the last couple weeks. Kacy is into all kinds of big sister things. And Sara is...well, Sara--eat, play, sleep and cry sometimes in the middle of any of those. Both are doing well.



We had a good time seeing Santa last week at the annual Christmas Bazaar. Kacy enjoyed it immensely.

And this last picture is from Timeworld Dept. store with the Christmas lights.