Dear baby sister,

Last week you graduated from high school. 

I am so, so proud of you. For 12 years, you have persevered through tests, exams, studies, classes, teachers, friend drama, boys, stress, and much, much more. I have watched you grow into a beautiful, talented, gracious, and well-rounded young lady. You are so loved and admired, and everything you touch turns to gold. You are inspring to me in so many ways, and I just wanted you to know that I am bursting with pride and love for you. 

Happy graduation, dearest! 

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Back-2-Cali & a Mug Swap

We made it! 

Here we are in California, with a lovely evening breeze blowing through my window and absolutely NO humidity to be felt! It is truly wonderful, and I had nearly forgotten what perfect weather feels like. 

The hubs and flew in on Thursday, and it could have been the worst trip of our lives. 

Firstly, we were being uprooted from our home for the last four years; leaving dear friends, our creatively put together nest, our jobs, our schedules and routines and all familiarities.

Secondly, we were flying home with our cat. 

30,000 feet in the air, for over 12 hours (including a layover in Vancouver), with our dear fur-baby. 

Thirdly, we had to pack and clean and pack and clean and train new teachers and pack and clean and move out of our little and loved apartment. 

Needless to say, it's been a crazy couple of weeks. 

And here is where I report that despite all of the obstacles in front of us, 

GOD WAS FAITHFUL TO US. So faithful! 

And even if the trip had been horrible, He would have still being faithful because He just can't stop being faithful, but the trip (all things considered) was FANTASTIC!
What could have been the worst 26-ish hours of our lives, turned out to be great! 

So, God was faithful and MERCIFUL! 

Our dearest and bestest friends in Korea drove us to the airport. 

That was not an easy goodbye. I mean, how in the world do you say goodbye to folks that you just love with your whole heart and then some? It was so hard, there were many tears, but I wouldn't have traded that time for anything. I was so glad to have them there, supporting us, praying with and for us, loving us, and sending us off. 

Moto, our dear fur-baby, did exceptionally well with the traveling, praise the Lord! 

This was the aspect of the trip that I was most worried about. Our dear cat is such a lovey thing, but he's also very vocal. I didn't want to be those people on the plane who had the cat who didn't shut up for the 10 hour flight and kept everyone awake. 

BUT, he did so great! He was meowy and uncomfortable, but once we were on the plane and in the air, I covered his travel bag with my blanket and he kept quiet. We were also sitting next to a dear old lady who loved animals and didn't mind the cat at all! 

OK, before this gets too long, I'll sum up the rest of our trip: 

We flew through Vancouver (Canadians are SO NICE!) and on to San Francisco, picked up rental car, drove down to my brother's place (he and his new wife are kitty-caring for Moto for the time being until we get our own place), spent a few days with the cute newlyweds and let Moto adjust, drove back up to the airport, got picked up by one of my best friends, and arrived at my parents house yesterday evening! Wooo! 

Aaaaand, when I got here, there was a wonderful package waiting for me! 

Thank you, CuppaKim, for a wonderful Mug Swap! 

And thank you, thank you, THANK YOU, sweet Cindy, for such adorable mugs!! 

I've wanted these mugs for a looong time, they're the kind where you can stash your tea bag on the side pocket when it's steeped long enough--so nifty! 

And that, my friends, is how the last couple of days have been.
We are missing our Korea-home and Korea-family whilst still being excited and happy with Cali-family and Cali-friends. It's very strange to be feeling both emotions at the same time.
And since we gained a whole day when flying from Korea to California,
we're also adjusting to a different time zone and trying to figure out what day it really is.

But for now, I'm just going to relax with a cup of tea in my new cute mug.
Here's to being unemployed! 

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This is not the end.

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Whirlwind Wedding Weekend

John and I are now back in Korea after our whirlwind trip home to California for my brother's wedding. It was SO beautiful! We had such a wonderful time seeing family and friends, and celebrating my brother and his new wife. 

Here are some photos of the beautiful day: 

Getting ready with the seester & my big girl shoes. 

From top left, clockwise: brother, dad, mom, husband

Here comes the beeeeautiful bride! 

The handoff. 

CUTE decorations! 

Dancing in to the reception. 

Table 12--I helped make the wedding favors! 

Speeches & songs. 

Dancing & cake. 

The getaway car. 

Congratulations SO much, Mr. & Mrs. Majzoub! 

I love you both dearly! 

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Déjà vu

Around this time, in August 2008, I was crying. 

We had quit our jobs, sold or given away most of our stuff, moved in with my parents for a month, and we were just a few days away from moving across the world--far from cultural familiarity, family, and friends--to South Korea to take jobs that we didn't know how to do. 

I woke up in the middle of the night, weeping. 

I felt so scared, so not ready, so overwhelmed, so emotional, so inadequate, so insecure. 

I didn't want to leave my family and friends, my home, my idea of happy. 

I wept and wept, hot tears covering my pillow, until I couldn't breathe. 

My brother and my husband rushed in to comfort me, 

but they couldn't take away the fear, the pain of being uprooted. 

Anne said it best, 

"'I've put out a lot of little roots these two years,' Anne told the moon, 

'and when I'm pulled up they're going to hurt a great deal.'"

Little did I know then what God had in store for me. 

As it turns out, it was way better than I could ever have dreamed. 

And now, four years later, with a heart full of new framily members (framily = friends that are as close to you as family), a head full of new memories and experiences, and a hand full of new skills, I'm crying. 

And I can't stop. 

There's a big chunk of my heart that is SO excited to be returning 'home' to California. 

I am overjoyed at the thoughts of seeing and doing life with family and friends again. 

And, I'm not going to lie, I can't wait to go to Target and the Safeway produce section.

But...

the other big chunk of my heart HURTS. 

I feel so scared, so not ready, so overwhelmed, so emotional, so inadequate, so insecure.

I don't want to leave. 

I don't want to leave my framily, I don't want to move across the world again, I don't want to make a transition,  I don't want to feel culture shock in my own culture, I don't want to tear apart our little apartment, and I just don't want to 

stop doing life as I know it. 

That tear-stained night in August 2008 helps me believe that these tear-stained days of August 2012 will bring forth more of God's good plans for my life. And just as I didn't expect it then, it may be better that I could ever dream.

 And yet... 

I have put down many roots these last four years,  

and when I'm pulled up, it's going to hurt a great deal. 

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We kindly interrupt this blog for a special digital announcement...

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Someday Baby

One of my Pinterest boards is entitled "Someday Baby" and it is full of cute and wonderful ideas for the future. 
And yes, I do mean future. This is not a pregnancy announcement. 












Within the last year however, I have wished for that "someday" to be more of a "sometime soon". 
The baby fever really hit me last year, when my BBF (best-baby-friend) was born, and I haven't been able to shake it since. 

This week my husband wrote a post about our recent baby-thoughts, 

and I'd love for you to hop on over and read it here. 

And in the meantime, 

I hope to turn my "someday" sighs 

into "Thy Will be done"s. 

read more "Someday Baby"

Change

This year feels like a big year to me. And no, I don't think the world is going to end. 
2012 feels big. It feels like a lot is going to happen. My best-baby-friend (new term, folks) is celebrating his first birthday, my brother is getting married, my sister is starting her senior year in highschool, so many dear friends are bringing new littles into the world, and more friends are moving and leaving and traveling. Change is happening, growth is taking place, and the hands on the clock of life never cease to move. 
The hubs and I are also in the process of seeking direction and guidance from the Lord as we plan for 2012. This could be a monumental year for us. 
We've been in Korea for 3 and a half years now. Our teaching contracts are finished at the end of August. We will be debt free. PRAISE THE LORD! The goal that we came to fulfill is complete. We are tired, homesick, and jaded. We have family and friends waiting for us in the States. In a big way, it feels like it is time. Time to go home. 
But what does that even mean? In the last 3 and half years, Korea has become home. Pyeongtaek has become home. This tiny little apartment has become home. God has provided family for us here: friends that have done life with usso much so that the lines of regular friendship have been crossed, life-long familial relationships have been achieved. We have overcome unique cross-cultural situations and work difficulties. We have nested. We have a cuddly cat. We have a Christian community. We have learned the language. We know this place, from the coziest coffee shops to the best samgyeopsal to the train schedule to the open markets. This is home. 
To leave would be life-altering. We have put down such deep roots in this place, to transplant now and pull up those roots would be both painful and scary. And yet, there is a decision to be made. There is no easy answer, either way we are leaving someone. I hope that our closest family and friends know how we wrestle with this decision, how important you all are to us. 
Oh the possibilities. We have so many plans, but we are seeking the right one. 

Needless to say, we need prayer. We don't know what we are going to do or where we are going to go. We don't know how to plan or what to be excited or scared about. We are waiting. And we are praying. Will you pray for us? 

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Dear Dad,

I've been missing you a lot these days. 

I miss your hugs. 

I miss drinking tea together. 

I miss driving and listening to Enya in the car.

I miss hearing you whistling through the house. 

I even miss your cheesy jokes. =) 

I miss you, Dad. 

I'm sorry that I couldn't be home

to celebrate your birthday with you this year. 

But I'll be thinking of you all day. 

Love, your

read more "Dear Dad,"

Greetings from Amurrica!

Hello friends! 
After a very long day of traveling, and three different flights, we made it safely to Amurrica last Saturday. Thank you so much for your prayers! 
We have been having such a wonderful and relaxing time here with family, eating and laughing and catching up. 
I haven't been taking many pictures because I wanted this to be a real vacation. ^^ But here are a few shots of the last week: 

Some of the highlights from the last week:
- receiving my new GUITAR (!!!!!) - reading on my new Kindle (gosh, I love that thing) - visiting Target ^^ - laughing (so much laughing!) with my family, especially while playing Apples to Apples- Thanksgiving dinner! 
Some of the culture shocks from the last week: 
- seeing huuuuge pick-up trucks everywhere- the low prices of produce! - all the different southern accents- big portions! - so, so, so much variety in stores and restaurants! - country music 

Happy Belated Thanksgivingfrom Toone! 

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Pre-Flight Jitters

In just over 24 hours the hubs and I will be

departing on our long-awaited trip Stateside. 

Three take-offs and landings later, 

we will be home. 

I say "home" and I mean it. 

"Home" has become a very fluid word for me 

in the last few years. 

I think all my expat friends will be able to relate. 

Home is where the love is. 

And there is so much love waiting for us in Tennessee. 

I'm not really looking forward to 

saying bye-bye to my Moto-cat tonight

or to the 2 layovers that we have in

store for us tomorrow, 

BUT,

here's what I am looking forward to for our trip: 

*FAMILY! 

*hearing and speaking English everywhere

*TARGET! 

*REAL Thanksgiving food!!! 

*just. relaxing. 

*catching up and sharing laughs

with people I love

*Red Robin

*pumpkin pie

*TARGET!! 

*visiting my very first Hobby Lobby

*autumn in pretty TN

*not working

*people-watching in airports

*my neck pillow

*reading through an exciting new series

and 

*TARGET!!! 

I covet your prayers for the hubs and I as we travel, dear friends. 

Please pray for safety for us and please pray against spiritual attack. 

Pray that John and I would operate  in great love 

towards one another in the midst of the chaos of traveling. 

And please also pray that God would grant us 

wisdom and clarity on how to spend our time and money

during this trip. 

God-willing, my next post will be from the States! 

LOVE! 

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Traveling Excitement + Earring Book {tutorial}

In just a short 25 days, the hubs and I are going a-traveling! We'll be visiting his family in Tennessee for Thanksgivingand we are beyond excited! 
The reason for our excitement is two fold: (1) this will be only our second trip Stateside in over 3 yearsand (2) this will the first time we see John's family in 4 years! 
To sum it up: WE SO EXCITED! 
Aaaand, I've already started mentally packing my bag(s). 
But, I was presented with a daunting situation while mentally trying to pack my earrings. 
Hilarious, right? 
You see, a while back I created the cutest little earring holder. You can see it here. 
Great, right? But not exactly fit for travel. And I like the idea of being able to take all of my accessories with me when I go places. 
And so, the Simple Earring Book was born! 

View the tutorial after the jump! 

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Happy birthday, Momma!

I love you and miss you so.

Linking up all over the place.

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I lift my hands

The hubs has been quite sick this week. It's one of those weird types of sick, where we don't really know what's wrong. 
He's at the hospital right now having tests done. I have to be at work. I want to be at the hospital with him so badly.
The anxiety is big. 
But my GOD is BIGGER.  
I've been singing this song to myself for the last couple of days. 
And I'm going to keep singing it. 

Linking up all over the place.

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In Sync

Nope, this post is not about the beautiful boy band 

that haunted my adolescence, sorry. 

It's about marriage...

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W.I.L.D {6}

1. She's here! 

2. Grabbing Jamba Juice @the Incheon Airport (it's one of the only one's in Korea!). 

3. Taking the Seester for her first pedicure. 

4. Making her sit with the Kinders at lunch time. ^^ 

5. Loving on the Kinders. 

6. Trying to decide what to eat @Butterfinger Pancakes. 

7. Teaching the Seester how to play chess. 

8. Having her meet & hang out with my dear friends. 

9. Taking her to see HP&DH Pt. 2! 

10. Teaching her the Korean alphabet. 

11. Singing our hearts out @the noraebang!

12. Having fun on the moving walkways. 

13. Discovering H&M in Seoul! 

14. Being tourists. 

15. Going to see the a m a z i n g show, NANTA. 

16. Just having my cute Seester around. 

Linking up all over the place.

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Quick Update

Just wanted to give you a quick glimpse of my sister's visit with us here in Korea.  I promise I'll be posting more about her visit later on! 

Linking up all over the place.

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We SO excited!

I lead a pretty simple life here in Korea. Not too many extraordinary, overly exciting things happen to me on a regular basis. 
And don't get me wrong, I LOVE my simple life. LOVE IT. 
BUT... 

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The Trymnal

"At nine they stopped work, and sang, as usual, before they went to bed." - Louisa May Alcott, Little Women 
I've always loved this idea. Finishing the day in song, in praise, in worship. What a great way to refocus, to remind, to respond. Because the hubs and I are both very musical, this idea appeals to us. 
So, I decided to start by making us a "song-book", a hymnal if you will. And because our last name is "Trammell", I decided to call it the "Trymnal". 
^^ 

I found a nice, ring-bound binder to store our music in 

and decorated the cover sheet with water color paint...

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Fourth-a-versary

This post is dedicated to my John. 

Today is the fourth anniversary of our wedding day. 

Four years. 

1,461 days. 

35,064 hours. 

2,103,792 minutes. 

126,227,704 seconds. 

Thank you, John-dear, for the best 126,227,704 seconds of my life. 

Happy Fourth-a-versary! 

I love you. 

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