My Rachel Friends

Above are pictures from Rockmont with Rachel Pearl.

Below are pictures from Rockwood with Rachel Collins.

I was not very fond of these cows following us, but Choonghwan thought it was very amusing!

This summer the only plans I had involved a trip to Charlottesville, VA. I'm really happy with the way the summer turned out, and it's not quite over yet. Rachel Pearl invited me along on a trip to Rockmont where we enjoyed the cooler weather and greener grass and also were able to catch up with some good friends. Choonghwan got his first "travel days" of the summer and met us in Knoxville at the end of our trip, and then he and I picked up on our own adventures at the Collins' farm in Rockwood, home of my other dear friend Rachel. I enjoyed good company and laughs and watching Choonghwan with the cows and the four wheeler.

If your confused after reading this because of all the Rachel's and the Rocks, here's another version: My city friend and I headed to the mountains and I met my country friend on the farm. The bottom line is this: I had a great time and kicked myself for not doing all of this sooner, but now I know that I will do it again soon!

Atlanta Visit

sometimes it's hard to get Mara Kate

to smile in pictures, but not at the Quarium!

jellyfish!

This summer has afforded me more time to travel and visit with friends and family. I've really enjoyed these opportunities- the only downside being that Choonghwan is busy with his new job and often unable to join me.

Most recently I visited Kane, Jana and Mara Kate in Atlanta. I extended my stay longer than usual (thanks guys!), and had a chance to do some sightseeing as well as participate in some family routines. I even cooked a Korean meal! We took lots of pictures at the "Quarium," and I have lots of mental pictures of our trips to the pool and the bead shops. I was also glad to be there long enough to see Mara Kate relaxed in her element- making up songs, talking to herself, singing, saying funny things, and just being cute!

One thing I've realized this summer is just how blessed I am to have family that loves each other and wants to spend time together - playing, sharing, giving, talking, teaching, learning and growing closer through it all!

Ladies' Trip

The Barker girls, and myself, took a girls' trip up to Charlottesville, Virginia. It was a nice treat from mom, a good location, and a needed break from the boredom of summer. We really had a great time- there was plenty to do, so we didn't get bored, but we were able to relax and had lots of time for conversation about our husbands, in-laws and how to love each other better.

On the way up, we stopped at a local winery and sampled some wines (although we're smiling in the picture, there were a lot of "blech" faces during tasting!) We stayed at a lovely bed and breakfast tucked away in the Shenandoah Valley- way, way away! Our day in Charlottesville included an historical tour of the Monticello, Jefferson's eclectic home, an afternoon of shopping in the Pedestrian Mall (including a bead shop!), a movie, and dinner at Crozet Pizza. On Sunday we headed to the Martha Washington Inn in Abingdon and saw "Don't Cry for Me, Margaret Mitchell" at the Barter Theater. (None of us young gals had seen "Gone with the Wind," so mom had to fill us in, but she did a pretty good job and we enjoyed the play.) The Martha was luxurious- we all wanted to come back with our beaus- and we finished the trip off with massages!

It really was a memorable time together, and a blessing to be able to enjoy the time together.

Grand Canyon

This year the gang's splitting up for a boyz trip and a girlz trip. The boys just got back from the Grand Canyon (and Vegas, but what goes on in Vegas, well, you know.) It looks like they were able to survive without their women, but I think we're all glad they came back to us. Although they almost didn't, thanks to bad weather and cancelled flights. I think these pictures of the "men" are cute, and am glad that Choonghwan can stop others to ask them to take pictures! The ladies are headed to Charlottesville in a few weeks...

심심해요...

Choonghwan doesn't return from Korea until Wednesday; I have cleaned and organized everything in sight, and now I am bored. Thought I would post a few photos from our most recent trip to Cheekwood. We've really enjoyed our membership, and if we decide to stay in Nashville, I know we will join again. But for now, all our plans are "up in the air," so to speak. It will be interesting to see what is revealed. Enjoy the pictures; we enjoyed taking them!

Cheekwood Botanical Gardens

Today, March 29th, 2008, marks the 5th anniversary of our wedding and our marriage.

The scenery at Cheekwood reminded us of our wedding day five years ago; especially the overcast weather that made for great pictures. We took lots of pictures with Mom and Dad as we walked all around the gardens. We've taken family to Cheekwood before, but have never enjoyed it as much as today- gardens are very enjoyable with a mother who knows so much about plants! Mom was pointing out every plant that she used in our wedding, and that also made it extremely meaningful. We had so much fun today that, instead of going out for a fancy anniversary dinner, we've decided to stay in and eat Ramen noodles! And we'll enjoy it just as much as we would anything else...

Enjoy the pictures. Aren't they gorgeous?!

He is Risen... Indeed!

It was great to come back from our cruise and stop by in Atlanta to celebrate Easter with everyone! Jana and Kane taught Mara Kate to complete the proclomation, "He is Risen!" by shouting, "Indeed!" God's gift of salvation in the death and resurrection of Jesus is the greatest life-changing miracle! We are also thankful for the blessings He has given us as a family!

Cruise!

For the celebration of our 5th anniversary we decided to do something we've never done before and take a cruise. It really was a wonderful time. We enjoyed simply relaxing and being together. We made the most of the fun on the boat and enjoyed the "excursions" to Cozumel and Yucatan. Great shopping, amazing food and fun sights to see. Below are some pictures from the Mayan ruins at Dzibilchaltun. I loved going back and forth between Spanish and Korean! (And yes, Choonghwan did get seasick the first day due to some rough weather, but he found his sealegs soon enough!) We would recommend this for anyone looking to relax, get away and explore a new place!

IDEA!

While packing for our upcoming cruise, I was trying to be super-organized. I had on my list to charge camera batteries, and as I was doing so, I had the following idea. Although I'm sure it's not an original, it was to me, and I just had to share. (My sister-in-law and I recently had a talk about blogging, and I think this is something she would do!)

Here's the idea: Write down your contact info and snap a picture of it. That way, if your camera gets lost and falls into the hands of an honest helpful soul, they can find your info while browsing through pictures trying to see if they recognize a face among the pictures. I know, I know, it may be unlikely that someone will actually do this, but that's what I did recently when I found a cell phone in a rainy Target parking lot. I called the last number dialed and eventually found the owner and returned the phone. Made me feel good. My results are below:

Annual Trip to Nashville

Kane and Jana have started a sweet tradition of trekking to Nashville for an annual visit. It's not always easy to schedule such fun road trips, especially when we are the farthest away of the other "family" choices in Knoxville and Birmingham. SO- we are very thankful for the time they took to travel and visit. We enjoyed relaxing with them in our home and took them to school, Cheekwood, the Pancake Pantry and even played on our apartment playground (the first time we'd done that in the two years we've been living here... funny what having a two year old around can do to change your viewpoint!) Of course we were sad to see them go, but looking forward to our upcoming stops in Atlanta to visit again!

I must be...

... the luckiest gal in the world! To come home after a looooong day at school and find my sweet husband making kim-bab!

Give Thanks

It's been a different school year this year, a lot of icky, but I have been learning to give thanks in the midst of such. Really, there is plenty to be thankful for as God is good.

One of the things I am most thankful for is family, and I am especially thankful for each opportunity we have to spend time together. Here are a few recent snapshots of our gatherings...

We took a detour through Birmingham so we could ride with Patch and Laren to Mara Kate's 2nd Birthday in Atlanta... Phew!

Choonghwan is a great uncle!

At the Varsity in Atlanta after the birthday party.

Mom and I travelled to Kingsport for Katy's first wedding shower.

Elmo shoes!

Mara Kate loves Christmas trees, and I was happy to help her make one at Fantasy of Trees.