Happy Birthday, Jackson!

We went to Singapore for Jackson's 2nd birthday. It sounds a bit over the top for a 2 year old's birthday, but who cares! It was fantastic! Zoo, Singapore Flyer (ferris wheel), eating and eating and eating. Jackson is a fabulous traveler, and we had a blast exploring the city together. On the day of his actual birthday (of course we went to Singapore the weekend prior to his bday so we could take advantage of the free ticket one last time), we had a small party at our house. It was on a Wednesday and perfect for a mid-week event. Good friends, tasty treats, and lots of laughs.

Jackson's sweet spirit brightens every room and every person's life he touches. Not a day goes by that I don't give thanks to Heavenly Father for sending him to our family. We loved him before he came to us, we love him every second of every day, and we will love him forever. xoxoxoxo

matchy-matchy

This past Friday was International Children's Day, and Johnny's work celebrated it on Saturday with a really fun kids party. They thought of everything, from balloon making to clowns to an area just for toddlers. For some reason, Johnny and I decided to go against our natural instincts and match all three of our outfits. It started with Johnny's shirt, and then Jack, and finally me. It was cute while in the apartment, and then we were in the taxi, and both said, "we look kind of ridiculous". But we rolled with it. After the party we went for dim sum at the BEST dim sum place EVER. Impeccable food, service, and atmosphere. Fun for all!

Grateful

I'm so grateful for many, many things.

First and foremost, I'm grateful for the constant peace I have in my soul through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

I'm grateful for eternal families and the blessings that come from working hard at and having fun in a marriage.

I'm grateful for the joy I feel when my son is kissing me and laughing with me - I mean full-on LAUGHING - after I get home from work, and the never-ending bliss I feel every moment I am with him.

I'm grateful for a truly patient, kind, compassionate husband who makes me laugh and never makes me cry, who respects the decisions I make, and honors his mother and my parents the same way I honor them, and who has seen me at my best and at my worst and loves me still.

I'm grateful for the unconditional love I have always felt from my parents, who are examples of acceptance, patience, and humility, as well as how/when to laugh and enjoy life and to be a disciple of Christ.

I'm grateful for siblings who love me so much and have done SO SO much for me in my young&dumb years that I will never be able to repay them - ever - for the generosity and support they showed me.

I'm grateful for my beautiful nieces and nephews who are so smart, funny, and loving.

I'm grateful for my in-laws, who love me like I'm one of them, and treat me with such kindness and shower my son (and dog) with so much affection.

I'm grateful for my friends, who have always brought such light, color, vibrance, and love to my life, and have been kind to me and didn't give up on me, even when I showed a lack of gratitude for them.

I'm grateful for my job, and the fulfillment it brings me while I continue to be a working mom. I have meaningful relationships with my colleagues, and they are a much needed support system for a working expat mom in Vietnam.

I'm grateful for our nanny Arlene, who makes it easier for me to go to work in the morning, knowing Jackson is well cared for and that she truly loves Jackson and Baxter and goes to great lengths to protect them and make their days happy and fulfilled. She is truly an Auntie.

I'm grateful for living is this beautiful country, and the incredible people I've met, both local and expat. I've learned much in the way of patience and humility living here.

I'm grateful for my wonderful dog Baxter, who loves us no matter what and has been with us from the beginning of our marriage. He taught me more than I could have ever imagined I could learn from a dog. He is the world's greatest cuddler. :)

I'm grateful for my homeland, the United States of America, and even though it has its fair share of ups and downs, and constant polarizing events, it is still the Land of the Free, the Home of the Brave and I say, and will always say, God Bless America.

I'm sure I have many more things in my mind for which I am grateful, but this is what I can muster up for this Thanksgiving season. Happy Thanksgiving, all!

Church boy
Ditching church to take care of two toddlers (aka: go for a walk)


Jackson not listening to Dad



My Thanksgiving work party - my turkey was the only traditional Thanksgiving dish - we had a Master Chef contest and I won "best dish" :)

Cooking a turkey on our on-the-counter oven (traditional ovens are rare and expensive) - and it worked brilliantly!

Jackson's Vietnam Dol

This weekend we had Jackson's Dol (Korean 1st birthday party). It was so much fun, and very special because our dear friend Jamie and her friend visited us from the States. Jackson's birthday is July 18, but we needed to do his celebration early since we're heading to the States in less than two weeks. He was SUCH an amazing trooper for his party. Didn't get annoyed once. He's also walking all over the place now, so he was on the move during the party with lots of people to look after him. Our Korean friends helped me dress Jackson in his Hanbok for the Korean "fortune telling" part of the party, and also brought amazing rice cakes as part of the Dol Table. Everyone was so generous with their gifts and love for us and Jackson. We're very blessed to have so many wonderful friends here in Vietnam.

Thanks to my sister-in-law and my friend Carol for giving me ideas for the Korean traditions, and to the caterers for making everything so easy. It was really fun to plan. Johnny made three Korean dishes plus pan chan and we catered the rest. We had around 50 guests. So much fun. Some of these photos were taken by a colleague, so don't mind the date in the right hand corner.

Another Saturday Afternoon

We went to our neighbor/good friend's house for their son's 1 year bday party. It is SO so hot right now in Vietnam, and poor Jackson gets very sweaty because of his mop of hair, so luckily our friend was able to get some pics of him pre-sweat. He is teething with his fifth tooth, so not much smiling from him that day. :) Another beautiful Saigon Saturday afternoon with my favs. Muah!!

8 Months of Bliss

Jackson is 8 months today. He is a happy baby, with lots of smiles, laughs, and love to give everyone he meets. I am so blessed to be his mother, and cherish every minute I have with him. When I come home from a long day at the office, and read him the Ear Book (his current fav), he obliges me by laughing hysterically at my attempt to entertain him with my vocal abilities (or lack thereof). His ability to express his love for us and be so happy to see me and Johnny overshadows the stress and anxiety I feel when I'm rushing home to see him. He definitely lets us know in more ways than one that he's a very happy baby.

I'm grateful for you, Jackson Charles Park!

Chuc Mung Nam Moi!

Happy Tet! We had a great time with my sister, nephew and parents. We spent the first two days of Tet in Vung Tau, a nearby beachtown, with a local Vietnamese family. It was really fun and special. Will post more pics soon. In the meantime, enjoy pics of Jackson in his first Aodai!

Poor guy was hot and totally done with his Aodai!