...aging...

So. I have been horrid at blogging this month. I'm not quite sure why... but I thought...what better way to come out of my hiatus than a ridiculous blog?! So.... I was flipping channels the other day and I happened to stop at Oprah. Now. I'm not a huge Oprah fan.... although- I'd LOVE to be in her audience on a "Favorite Things" giveaway.... Anywho- I stopped at Oprah b/c Suzanne Somers was on... you know... she was in Three's Company and Step by Step... still don't know? IMDB it. Anywho. I was kinda taken aback by how... ick... she looked. I mean. You can tell homegirl has gotten some botox done.... Anywho. I thought it was ironic that she was on the show to discuss her secret to staying young. Poor Suzanne. I mean. You're getting old. Me too. But honestly... I can TRY to make myself look younger... but when all is said and done... I'm going to turn to dirt. It's just so sad to me the lengths people will take to try to look younger- TRY being the keyword. Newsflash- you're old... and you look old... as a matter of fact... you look ridiculous and old! Now... I know it's easy for me to say...but I honestly don't think I'll care. There are other things I'd rather spend my time (and money) thinking about than how to get my wrinkly cleavage to look smoother... ya dig? I'll be pulling a Diane Keaton- and wearing turtlenecks and gloves to hide my age- in the dead of summer in AZ!

In case you're itchin' to know Suzanne's secret to staying young... go to this link! (I promise, I won't judge you!!!! haha!)

...dinner plans...

So. I love staying at home. It is THE greatest decision I've ever made. And...although it would be nice to have money....it's even better knowing that my son is w/ someone who loves him- ALL the time! But. It HAS been hard to not have money... (God has been good to us)... so. DLo and I have come up w/ a dinner plan...to help us save some cash flow on food! I like to call it "Gilmore-ing it"... What? you ask? Well. In the show "Gilmore Girls," Rory and her mom go to her grandma's house every Friday night for dinner. So. DLo and I...for the 3rd week in a row...have finagled our way into dinner w/ my parents. It. Is. Fantastic! Not only do I not have to THINK about cooking...but I don't have to pay for it either... benefits us! AND my parents get to see Jude... benefits them! It's a win-win situation (or if you watch "The Office"- a win-win-win situation...) Anywho. Thought you would all like to know what cheapskates we are! ;) No....in actuality...I'm loving spending so much time w/ my parents. It's one of those things that I feel I took for granted when I was in college and living at home...and the beginning of our marriage. Time is short. I'm glad to see them weekly...I'm trying to be more diligent in talking to them a few times a week too... (It was kinda ridiculous how close we live- and yet how weeks would go by w/o us seeing each other...) I just wish DLo's parents lived closer... but I'm going to make an effort to scam dinner see them more often too!

...right of passage...

So. I dunno if it's like this for all Asian kids... but... I'm PREEEETTTTY sure that if you have even the smallest bit of Korean in you... it's a requirement for you to play the piano at some point in your life....

I began playing when I was about 4 or 5. I figured my mom would try to get Jude started at 3 or 4. I had NO idea she was going to start so soon...














It was so cute...he LOVED hearing the sounds..and he'd look up at the sheet music like he just knew what it was there for...and every once in a while, he'd move it, like..."someone turn the page please!"... I don't think Jude knows the trouble he just got himself into...b/c when I expressed interest in the piano- it was like... MY LIFE for 12 years! Poor kid.... but...maybe, unlike me, he'll keep up w/ it and actually be good! ;)

Here's a video of the pianist in action... you'll note that my mom is jabbering excitedly in Korean in the background!!!

...how sweet it is...

...to be loved by Jude...
(I mean...really- can they BE any cuter?!)

...no admittance...

So. When it comes to Kim...I'm pretty much an open book. What you see is what you get. I'm not one who is easily able to hide my emotions or feelings...and I don't want to hide anything. And...although I take "pride" in the fact that I'm "real"...it can also get me into trouble. Alot. LOL. Well....for the most part...I don't care...for the most part. But...lately...maybe it's b/c I'm "growing up" or b/c I'm a new momma or b/c I'm starting to see my family's "role" in the community more...I dunno...but lately- I've been feeling the need for more privacy. I mean. I love blogging. I do. It's a chance for me to share a bit of myself w/ whoever is brave enough to read about it! It's a way for my family and friends to see what's goin on in my crazy world- to see my son grow and grow and grow- to hear me vent- to hear me cheer... you get the drill.... but....it's also a way for peeps who don't necessarily know me- to get a lil' glimpse of who I am. My weariness comes from when those who don't know me...read my blog...and perhaps get the wrong impression about me...or begin to think they know me.... Same goes for my FB or my almost extinct myspace.... I get really uncomfortable when I realize that people who I don't even know are requesting to be my friends... it's not that I don't want to get to know new people...I just...don't want people to read my randomness and get an impression of me that is not...accurate. It's not that I care, per se, what people think about me....but it kills me what people think about my family b/c of me. Does that make sense? ...Rambling....it's a hard subject for me to talk about, I guess. Anywho. So. What's my point? Well...if you notice that somehow you are no longer on my "friends" list...please don't be offended... (insert: "it's not you, it's me") I just...need to keep a tighter leash around my personal life, I think... idk.

...eight...

So. My boy is 8months old today. He keeps inching closer and closer to being a year old. I dunno if I'm handling the speed of time too well.... remember being kids? and time seemed to drag on and on? Sigh. Jude has blessed my life so much. There isn't a day that goes by that I do not look into his face and thank God for trusting me with such a precious life...

Anywho. These past couple of months, I've noticed such huge growth in Jude's "skillz"...and I've officially joined the "ithinkmykidisthesmartestthingintheworld" club...I mean. I'm not biased or anything, you know! He really is a smarty pants! So- what's JW up to lately? Well...he:

*says "blah blah blah" and "mamamamamama" (and I swear, when he's upset or wants something, he yells "maaam")
*claps his chubby little hands
*grinds his teeth constantly (which he officially has 7 of...w/ an 8th one starting to make a bump on the bottom)
*dances- he does the "bebebootskoot"- so adorable!
*waves hello and goodbye and gives "hi5's"
*boycotts naps and cries whenever mom or dad leaves the room
*eats anything and everything I put in front of him
*grabs things w/ his finger/thumb- but isn't always successful at getting things in his mouth!
*mimics other baby's crying (which. is. hilarious!)
*loves other babies
*smiles smiles smiles
*laughs now when tickled
*cuddles w/ mom while watching sesame street (which we do every morning for like 15 mins before naptime...when he isn't boycotting)
*gets into a "faux" crawling position...but the poor boy can only go backwards!
*"reads" stories w/ me (meaning- he will actually look at the book now- instead of EVERYTHING else in the room) and touches the fuzzy/furry pages (you know those darn baby books!)

As usual- I've probably repeated a zillion things- and I KNOW I've missed a zillion too... He really is such a joy...I wish time would just go a little slower...

Jude-
Seriously son? Why are you the cutest thing ever? Mommy and daddy are so overjoyed with you being in our lives. We hope and pray that you will grow up to be a strong young man who loves and serves the Lord. We pray that you make smart choices and always do what is best. Know that mommy and daddy love you- no matter what. We are so proud of you son...
-Maaaam

...2009...

Well. Here we are! It's a New Year! I'm not one to make resolutions...b/c I'd get WAY down on myself if I didn't follow through...but...I'm not opposed to setting goals for myself. So:

This year I will try NOT to:
*be bitter
*stay up too late
*eat too much
*take people for granted
*(laughs)be so obsessed w/ Twilight...

This year I WILL try to:
*be a better wife, mother, and friend
*consistently be in the Word
*cook more
*save more on groceries
*eliminate debt
*teach my son

I look forward to 2009. It's going to be an interesting year, I can feel it! This is the last year that Derrick and I will be in our 20's...it will be the year that Jude turns 1...it will be filled with plenty of fun milestones that I will treasure forever. Here's to 2009!