Photo Countdown.....

We won't be saying much about countdowns as the days go by.....long time readers know the drill.....but we decided today to begin a photo countdown. That way when we are too close to mention the excitement in our lives...you may be able to pick it out by various photos on the blog. 


BTW Jared and Arielle would like to surprise at least the younger two when Michael finally does come home. We did that for the olders once....and they think it would be fun. I wonder how the countdown will play into that.....maybe we'll have to be sly so the younger two don't figure it out. LOL Maybe Nolan too....hmmmm....I wonder if we can surprise him. 


The countdown begins.....

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

Adventures....

I discovered something new about the kids today...they love adventures and trying new things. Hmmm...given their parents, and our lifestyle, this is not a surprise.  This came out when we were talking about going to the Swim Beach again today. It seems that they'd like to do different things and think twice a week is fine for the swim beach. ::snort:: I really should have guessed as earlier in the summer they were tired of the lake and that is what led to the discovery of the swim beach. ::snort::

We ran errands on base - including several related to getting this errant sign to STAY on the fence. ::snort:: I heard from another that she had to repair it tonight...I'm guessing this thing is not going to survive the stormy weather.  We'll see.

We headed for the City Pool .....but alas....the slides are being repaired. They say they'll be fixed by Sunday. We'll go back. It looks like a lot of fun.

I decided to head down a different route on our way home...then saw this road. Doesn't it scream at you to try it out? Since we had 2 hours before we needed to pick Jared up from football....we explored.

We ended up at the Veedol Memorial Beach.....had the whole beach to ourselves. We've not been hunting for sea glass since we discovered the swim beach. We tried our luck....found a few pieces. 

I LOVED the big, crashing waves (the swim beach is a little blocked off cove). The kids loved finding barnacles and limpets and such.

Stacia knows I want to find glass floats.....but she thinks these will be "just as nice". She insisted on collecting all she found and plans to paint on them. 

We arrived back on base to pick up Jared just as the team broke up (30 min late). It was a great adventure considering the pool we meant to go to didn't work out. LOL

n other news, I'm going to have a bit more responsibility than I was planning for our Fall Rally. I need to refocus my to do list and settle in. Prayers appreciated.


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

Well-Executed Day

Tuesday was a great day. 


We schooled. 


We grilled and had our big meal at lunch time. Stacia helped with prep and was EXCITED that she'd made a "kokeshi" - Japanese Doll.....sort of cracked me up when I remembered Bre and Krista making corn husk dolls a couple of decades ago. 

We took care of "things" on the list...like checking which new school books I still need to order, checking out the new spelling program and  preparing packages for the mail - seven of them. 

We took Jared to football.

The youngers and I went to the swim beach. A storm blew in. We kept swimming. It was a blast to introduce the kids to the pleasure of swimming in a warm ocean in the RAIN.....cool sounds of the rain when you duck under....fresh water on your head, salt water splashing up.....and then there was a rainbow...that seemed to start at the wharf and touch down in the ocean.  I was glad we got caught in the storm.

The day ended with a 2 1/2 hour Skype call with a ministry partner.

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

So You've Had a Bad Day....

This house sits on a winding, corner across from  the Kihi Shrine. Last winter, someone slid into the corner of their home. They finally re-sided the house, and put up this "fence".  I was skeptical about the fence...but it seems to have stopped a car slamming into their home again.

Look at those tires suspended in the air.....he must have gone airborne.

This spring we discovered both Arielle and Nolan had outgrown their bikes.  We thought the bikes at the BX were too expensive. I've been shopping around off base and they are even more. These two bikes were on sale yesterday. I bought them. Of course it's so HOT that we aren't riding bikes much today.

We're still getting lettuce, peppers and such from our planters. 

Other than  the above - today I went to the gym even though Jared is done with 2 a Day practices. I picked up a check from the chapel. I spent a bit of time on local PWOC things, and regional too. We did school. We worked hard to get out of here and play while Jared had afternoon practice, but it wasn't meant to be. Things kept going "wrong".  Then we remembered youth group and decided to spend the afternoon getting packages ready to mail - but didn't have boxes. I'll pick some up tomorrow a.m.  

We also planned to work on school plans...but it has to be in the 90's upstairs...weally, weally HOT. LOL 

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

Humanitarian Aide Drop - Michael

For those interested, I have attached the link to the British Forces News article about the last humanitarian aide drop her in Kabul. I will post more photos later.


-Michael


{Editor's note - click the title or click here to view the clip. 
Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Stacism

Today as I talked to Arielle and Stacia, I said, "Stacia, Arielle is such a great sister for you. You're lucky to have her."

She responded, "Yes, I'm lucky she is MY sister. I remember the day she was born!"  In a cooing, sweet voice.....

Arielle and I cracked up as we realized she was channeling BreAnne and Krista who often tell her they are lucky to have her for a little sister and they remember the day she was born. ::snort::

In another nod to her 25 year old sister....Stacia kissed a frog hoping for a prince. 


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

Is it over yet????

Football is good for me. I go to the gym while Jared goes to football in the a.m. I've missed the gym. I've lost 4 lbs in the last 1 1 1/2 weeks. LOL

Why are we too busy to breathe? Football.

Jared got stitches out and is able to fully practice.

MOPS planning retreat today. Followed by a great lunch at a restaurant close to us.

School continues.

Beach date yesterday. Tonomi Clan today.

Fall Rally prep continues. I've had 3 inquiries today from ladies brand new to Misawa who saw the info on the blog and would like to know how to join PWOC and attend the rally... someone is reading the blog. Always affirming to hear. LOL

I'll leave you with photos...

Look - our own burgers!

Yes - we DO love Misawa!

Emotions in these eyes (of any sort) make me smile. 

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