The Joy of Joe: September 2012

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Happy (Belated) Birthday, Joe Sung Min!

One year ago, on August 25, 2011, Amy and I landed in Korea, Liv started kindergarten and it was Joe Sung Min's 1st birthday. What an eventful day. This year, we were excited to be able to celebrate his actual birthday at home with the family.

We had a small, low-key get together on his actual birthday: Grandma, Grandpa, Liv, Joe and myself. There was chocolate cake (none for the boy, he doesn't have much of a sweet tooth) and presents. His favorite? The card from Grandma and Grandpa with a monkey on it that plays the chorus of Tarzan Boy by Baltimora. He LOVES it and his big sis was happy to help show him how to make the card play the music. Grandma and Grandpa gave him a sound puzzle with different vehicles that makes their different sounds. We gave him one of Liv's barely used toys - a Fisher Price Alphabet Zoo. He loves his letters and hearing the different sounds the animals make. He doesn't really get the concept of a birthday this year and I know next year will be very different. :)

On Sunday, we had his "official" party at Grandma and Grandpa's with his great-aunts and uncles, some of Brian's cousins, and some friends of ours from St. Mary's, the school Liv attended the past few years. There was lots of good food, great company and, as an added bonus ALL the kids had a great time playing together. *phew* As usual, Joe had to be in the middle of everything - he even sat at a little table and had some lunch with his new buds Edgar and Guillermo.

Me & Joe with his Godmother, another Becky :)

Liv with her BFFs Lauren (L) and Emily (C)

Liv with her AG doll, "Sofia"

To read about Joe Sung Min's 1st birthday (doljabee) in Korea, click here.

We are constantly amazed at how far he has come in the past year. He handled the party with all the people, the noise, the kids without batting an eye. We are proud of our little man and look forward to what lies ahead. (And we hope the terrible twos will be short lived) :)

Stay tuned.

Saturday, September 1, 2012

According to Bexx...Happy Birthday to a Wonderful Friend

Mags: "Hey Miss Becky. You know what? I just love birthdays. I love the cake, the ice cream, the decorations and the presents. I just l-o-o-o-o-o-o-v-e presents."
Me: "Birthdays ARE a lot of fun, Mags. I love 'em too."
Mags: "I'll bet you've had a LOT of birthdays, Miss Becky."
Me: (changing the subject) "Let's go sneak some icing off the side of those cupcakes while no one is looking!"
Mags: "Good idea. Watch my back."

Not long ago, Liv and I took a much needed vacation to visit my good friend Mel and her family. My girl was super-cited to finally meet Tuck, Mags, Miss Mel and Mr. Chris (and hopefully see Mr. Chris' toe jam collection.) I could not wait to finally meet Mel, who had become one of my closest friends over the past few years. From the instant we met, it was as if we had known each other all of our lives. Hanging out with her and her family seemed like something we did all the time.

I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your friendship, for being there for me not only during the good times, but for encouraging and supporting me in those times when things looked bleak. (And of course talking me down off of more than a few ledges when work and life got a little too overwhelming.)

You possess the hallmarks of an amazing friend: honesty, compassion, loyalty, selflessness, humor and, as an added bonus, a quick wit. You have made my life, and countless more, a better and brighter place. Thank you for giving of yourself so freely to others. And thank you for sharing your beer with me. :)

Happy Birthday Mel!

In honor of our rides down the mountain making up songs about the man with the worst parking spot and the questionable dating habits, I give you:

A Birthday Ode to Mel (to the tune of "Escape" - aka "the Pina Colada Song")

Happy birthday to you, Mel
you're an amazing friend,
I am so glad that we met,
Our fun it has no end
You always have the right words to say
To make your friends feel better
You are truly Wonder Woman
right down to the yellow letters.

I'm a little embarrassed to post my other birthday song below. Apparently, my mouth was full of chocolate chips or something when I was talking to the guy about creating this and he mistook "Mel B." for "Shelby." Whatever. I guess it is an honest mistake, but I think "Mel B." would have been the more obvious choice. At any rate, I hope you enjoy this little ditty and think of your own little minion. I think he got her personality perfectly!