Bella Tres Chic: What's On My Happy List?

Friday, July 17, 2015

What's On My Happy List?

Kyleigh in Korea!

mission week 9

Kyleigh left the MTC on Monday, July 13th. Just two days shy of 9 weeks. She left in the wee hours of the morn. {She said it felt like they were escaping prison as it was in the dead of the night, and they were herded out quietly and quickly haha} She was able to call home later that morning from the Salt Lake airport before flying out. We were able to talk for close to an hour. It was great to talk to her... Although a little hard on the emotions as it was like saying goodbye all over again.
A missionary mom friend suggested to say a prayer with her before ending the call.

I'm sorta known around here for praying in the car as I drive.

Even praying in the bathroom.

Prayer works anywhere, right?

Now I can add praying over the phone to my list. ;)

Kyleigh's group flew to Seattle, and then had a 15 hour flight to Seoul.....then another flight to Busan. Kyleigh told us she might be able to call from Seoul to at least let us know she had arrived safely in Korea. That call would have come in the middle of the night Utah time. Needless to say I didn't sleep too well that night. I kept waking up wondering if I had missed the phone ringing.

No call ever came.

Just kept thinking no news is good news.

Finally Tuesday night about 7:00 {10:00 a.m. Wednesday morning Korea time} we got an email from Kyleigh.

Welcome to Korea!

Hey Mom and Dad!!!

I made it safe and sound. I tried to call home from Seoul but couldn't figure out how to work the phone haha! The airport in Seoul is HUGE!! We got delayed there about half an hour because it was so foggy and dusty outside. We arrived in Busan about 7 something last night {Tues.} The mission president and his wife and some of the office missionaries were there to greet us. We drove through the big city and it was so cool. I'm in Asia!!! I'm in Korea!!! I kept telling everyone that it is so weird that our families are on an entirely different continent! We arrived at the Mission home and I felt just fine. I feel at home. This is my new home for 16 months. I feel like I have been waiting to come here since before I got my mission call....it's strange...I feel at home...maybe it's the whole foreordained to this calling thing. Any way I love you all sooooooooooooooooo much! I just got to send this quick email to let you know that I am alright! We meet all the trainers today and I get assigned tomorrow. I'll talk to you soon!! Love you much!!!!!!!

Love,

Sister Kyleigh Cooper :)

Wednesday morning we received a few pictures from Kyleigh's mission president, Pres. Barrow. This was Kyleigh's first day in Korea... about to go out "jundohing"... Korean word for proselyting... I'm guessing.

Thursdays are no longer her P-days. We are assuming it will be Monday. Looking forward to hearing from her again.

On the day Kyleigh arrived in Korea the family showed our Korean pride

Displaying the flag out front.

We had mini Korean flags lining the walkway....

We had Korean food for dinner.

Hannah and I made dessert sushi.

{made from donuts, Swedish Fish candy, Twinkies, fruit roll ups and fruit snacks.}

Idea from Over The Big Moon HERE

This went over way better than the meal. Just say'in.

Before Kyleigh had left the MTC she mailed home the last of her things that she decided not to take with her. On the day she arrived in Korea we got that package. Makes you sad and happy all rolled into one. I have to say I'm gonna miss those runs to the mail center to get MTC packages off to her. It kinda became a weekly habit. My sending package days are very limited now. Just too darn expensive to send to Korea. That's why you set up an Amazon Prime Account with her Korean mission address.

Another great tip from Bella in Berlin. ;)

65 days down. Only 485 to go!! Go Kyleigh in Korea!!!

In other family news this week......
My girls love to watch cooking shows! Emma and Hannah used to play "chopped" years ago. With Kate's recent obsession with cooking, we decided to play it again for Family Night. The girls were in two teams. I came up with ingredients they were required to use for 3 dishes.....an appetizer, entree, and dessert. To up the challenge there is always one ingredient that doesn't really belong. They can add any other ingredients they want as long as the required are in it. The hubs and I were the judges. Scoring them on taste, creativity and presentation.

Taste testing was delightful!

For the entree...chicken, tomatoes, hummus, black beans, fresh basil and apricot preserves...

resulted in a yummy chicken salad with an apricot dressing as well as a chicken/hummus panini with tomato side dish. These guys are skilled in the kitchen. Just say'in.

Dessert ingredients....

results were a pudding/fruit trifle in a canning jar and brownie pudding cake garnished with fresh mint.
Everything was edible and tasty.
{This judge was impressed.}
I could not decide the winning team. I left that up to the hubs.

Emmsie got to join us for lunch this week at the hospital. She volunteers off site at the IHC childcare center so she usually isn't able to be with us when we eat lunch with dad on volunteer days.

Hannah got to spend some time at City Creek shopping with her good friend.

We had a "garden" activity.

Have you seen this garden coloring book? It's gorgeous!

SO... truth be told I have a little thing for fairy gardens. I'm quite fascinated by them. Kate, Brie and I went and got a few items to add to our fairy garden that we started last summer. HERE

Emma and Hannah got to go ice blocking!

Fun with the cousins!

Hannie has been wanting to go to this place forever. I took her on a one on one to celebrate a job well done with her post surgery recovery. She did awesome!

They even have gluten free bread. So this place is a keeper!

I have some funky food allergies. Which is quite the story, but that is a post for another day. :)

My current summer read. :)

I'm a sucker for a good biography. Add classic Hollywood.

LOVE. LOVE. LOVE.

The actors and actresses from that time.

THE BEST.

Gary Grant, Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Doris Day and Rock Hudson

are among some of my favorites.

The book talks about the filming of SABRINA...

one of my all time favorite movies!

{Although I like the remake with Julia Ormand, Greg Kinnear and Harrison Ford even better.}

If you haven't seen this show. You just have to. Paris is involved.

Since we are on the topic of Audrey....Kyleigh and Emma's room is kinda all classic Hollywood...Audrey inspired.

We have a collage wall of classic Hollywood stars.

Kyleigh loves this James Dean poster that her cousin gave her! In fact that was one of a few things I was not to get rid of while she was away. haha

These are Couture Magazine covers from the 50's & 60's.

It's Audrey though that makes her presence known throughout the room more than any other classic movie star.

Seeee...Here she is AGAIN! :)

We even have THE CUTEST children's book about Audrey!

We sorta like her around here.

Funny thing about that bed pictured above...That's Kyleigh's bed. Or was before her mission. After Kyleigh left, Emma wanted to sleep in it. So not only is her bed taken, but Brie got Kyleigh's cell phone.... The hubs drives her car. Hannah wears her clothes, and I wear her Alex and Ani bracelets.
Kyleigh might not want to come home for awhile. lol