Our Second Outing This Week

We had scheduled our second outing of the week to Towada Horse Park today. Those who had been there knew that when it was wet, the slide was closed....so we opted not to go. It turned out to be a beautiful day, but who can tell? LOL

Instead, we headed to the Misawa Aviation Museum.  This is ALWAYS a lot of fun. There is an outdoor park area where we had a picnic. It turns out some moms from one of our squadrons was meeting there as well....all also PWOC and/or MOPS moms...so we ended up with eight moms, twenty-two kids, and a lot of fun.

Stacia was so VERY excited to try this...she was tall enough this time.

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Not a second of hesitation as the "ride" began.

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The famous spinning room.

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Zander told me he was "taking over the Japanese Internet" at this station.

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He and Colton spent a lot of time in the cockpit of an airplane. It was fun to listen to the scenarios they constructed for each other.

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I love sitting with those who have explored more than us and picking their brain. I think I have some new ideas for the rest of the summer...if I can remember what they are. ::snort::

Rain....Rain...Rain

After complaining about rain a few weeks ago, I'm really enjoying it this week. It's a great break hot and humid summer. LOL  I LOVE the weather changes in Misawa. Texas seemed like one long summer - with a week or two of winter thrown in.  There were no long, cold, winter nights in TX.....I don't know that we need THIS MUCH change within one season, but there you have it.

Today I spent quite a bit more time on base. I ran to pick up the parking permit and show it to Pass and ID. I haven't a clue WHY, but they wouldn't let the previous owner out-process until I did this. They ASSURED me he'd be able to out-process now.

I visited three locations looking for a spot for our PWOC Fall "Rally".  Not sure we'll settle on that name, maybe. I hadn't realized it would be so hard to find a venue for a chapel event.  The complication is a congregation meets in the chapel on Saturday, so we can't use the chapel facilities as planned. I think it's going to be great, if I can get one of the locations on the North side...wooded, nice views....all in all it will be a blessing.  Although, at this point, none of those spots are open for our dates. I'll keep knocking on doors.  ::snort::

I continue to nurse my aching, itching legs....one swollen. They look better than yesterday....I'm taking Ibuprofen and putting as much Benydryl lotion on as allowed.....


Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Sushi Shrine????

It's so tough learning how to be a Japanese Belle.

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I've been wanting to share some comments I've overheard....

Stacia - "There's a lot of tripping and hiccuping in Japan."

Stacia - "You are being totally difficult, Mom!"

Zander, as we stepped out of the car and smelled a the pungent fish fertilizer, "There's a Sushi Shrine nearby!"

Zander - "In the movies Sumo Wrestlers are ok, but in real life, oh boy!"

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Sunday Sliding

Not a pool in the BX.....and so....we bought a...

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After the kids got it set up, learned HOW to slide, added a bit of dish soap to the surface....it was lots of fun. ::grin::

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Jared opted to stay inside the Inferno aka house and take a nap.

I went to meet our new neighbors and discovered they were the large family from across the hall when we were in the TLF last summer.

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Another Great Park!

It is our goal to go on a minimum of one family outing a week. This is our attempt to stave off a summer of moping because Michael isn't here to go exploring with us.  We are getting a jump start by participating in the Chapel's Summer Activities.

Last week we had three outings. LOL  This week we started off by following Windy and children to Lake Ogawarako Park.  This park features all sorts of climbing structures.

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Look closely and you'll count 10 children. How I wish the number had been 14.

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This park boasts camping spots and cabins. I wondered about using the location for a spring retreat....They really are cute cabins, all futons...but the squatty potties may well be a deal buster for our ladies. ::snort::

It was a great outing. We ran back to base in time for the older kids to go to Youth Group and for the younger ones and I to enjoy a visit in the park by the chapel. Unfortunately, some strange bug found me....I have GIANT red spots on my legs. I really should take a photo. ::snort::

Today we did school, ran to base and will run back again in a couple of hours for VBS training.

BTW - we scored two ITT trips ($360.00), a balloon bouqet ($25), a photo matted and framed ($60) and a t-shirt ($30)....wonder what July's Deployment Passport will bring. I love our FSS (Force/Family?/ FORCE support Squadron).

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Tea Time

I found this darling little tea pot at Namdemon in South Korea. I thought it would be a great souvenir.

 

When I got home I read the packaging. ::snort::

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Unbelievably Warm!

The weather this week has been absolutely fantastic! We've enjoyed it to the max.....3 picnics, an outside potluck.....and I've been doing LAUNDRY all day to get things dried before the rain starts next week. LOL

Friday was gorgeous. By the time Zander and I got home from our walk, I'd decided to play hooky. Windy agreed. We emailed a few others. Twyla and boys were able to join us.

I was late! In Japan - you IGNORE police with flashing lights. You pull over if they put on the sirens. I noticed the police....in front and behind me....I noticed the flashing lights....I didn't remember that ON THE BASE they have a sort of eclectic set of driving rules...mostly American but Japanese style. Ok now....so...good reminder that I'm only on loan to Japan. ::snort::

I was SO relieved to see the police speed off that I took the wrong turn.....and was looking to figure out how to turn around when we noted a HELICOPTER was cruising right above our van...and finally security forces jumped out into the lane.  I was informed that I couldn't pass. I told her I was trying to find the lake and wanted to do a u-turn. I wasn't allowed to do that either. There was an alarm and alert at Security Hill and we were the first car stopped.....so we watched and wondered....and the fighters began to do some circles...rather low....and I told the children...."Well....maybe the North has done it and we have a front row seat..." but all was well....or you would have heard about it on CNN by now. ::snort::

We finally MADE it to the beach. A few of us got strange sun burns. We all had fun. Zander caught a tadpole.

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We were up bright and early today to get Arielle and Jared to the meeting point for a work day at a Christian retreat center. They were to meet at 6:45. Arielle was the only girl who showed up. She opted to stay home.

I spent a bit of time on a ministry call....watched movies...hung laundry...the kids washed the Joy Mobile....

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We attended a "Fighter Wing Staff Agency" Potluck. It was fun to visit with old friends and meet some new ones. Susie talked to me about hopping. She goes out of here to all over - often. She has 4 young kids. She shared a few tricks with me. She gave me a website to check. She's been to Korea, Kadena, Guam, Alaska, Seattle...all on hops....not the Patriot Express but hops. I am excited to do some research and give it a whirl.

Jared says it will cost a lot in hotels. I may leave Jared in Misawa. ::snort:: I'm going to TX or OR or WHEREVER THE PLANE MAY GO....my babies need an adventure. ::snort::

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...