Vacation Photos Part 1

Here are some photos of our recent time in the states. I didn't realize how much of our vacation centered around food....no wonder I gained weight. ::snort:: 

Heading for the airport....van wouldn't start....

We spent 7 hours at the SEATAC airport....here Jared checks in at the USO, while the girls sleep under the table....

and Nolan tries to read.

Our first "Blizzard" run

Stacia and Grandpa, Krista in the background

Mom and I (not a great photo of either of us)

We were able to help Krista and Bre decorate their apartment....

Bre

Arielle and Nolan

Stacia and Mike top the tree

Thanksgiving Day I got to meet the newest member to our family - Harmony.

Krista, Arielle, Me, Sherri holding Harmony, Amy, Bre and Stacia in front

Amy and Harmony

Harmony and Grandpa Will (my brother)

Ah, sharing decadent chocolate desserts with my peeps has become a trademark....

My very first friend in the world....we've been friends 44 years...that's a long time. We're antiques. ::snort::

Choosing Joy!

©2010 D.R.G.

~Coram Deo~

Living all of life before the face of God...

Stranded in Seattle Take Two

As soon as we began planning this trip, a couple of our older offspring (still at home - wink) began to speculate how Mom and the kids would probably get stranded in Seattle again.  I insisted, if nothing else, the oldest one or two would get on Space A with Michael and the littles and I would have an adventure on our way home.

I've been chuckling all day at the irony of us being stranded in Seattle again. It seems to only happen when we are flying to Japan. ::snort::

We were told to arrive at 9 p.m. for roll call. We arrived at 5:30 p.m. They told us roll call was moved to 11:40 p.m. We played cards, explored, found what food one can find without going through security (hot dog bun and cheerios at USO or ham sandwich (ain't happening) at little shop), and waited. At 11:40 p.m.  they told us the airplane needed some repairs and they'd let us know at midnight who would get on the flight. WHY they couldn't have determined this at 11:40 is beyond me - but I don't have a military mind. ::snort::

At 12:23 a.m. they told us that only 22 of the 80 waiting would get on (people moving have first priority). We were also told the plane would be "delayed" 14 - 24 hours as they repaired it. (A fellow passenger told me that this is what they did last week and then cancelled the flight - which would explain so many trying to get on last night). I honestly think they should have known that at 9:40 p.m.,  when Space Required reported that they didn't have 80 seats left. We could have begun booking flights (for Sunday as it was still Saturday), found a hotel and settled down. As it was we landed at the hotel at about 2 a.m.  Got to bed at 3 a.m. - after booking 7 International flights. The other two Space A flights to Asia this week are already full with Space Required travelers (moving)...we could wait a WEEK to try for this flight again - but many of those who didn't make it this week will be waiting...and there are no guarantees. Mike would fly back with Jared ASAP.

I've lost Oct and Nov and really want to be IN MY OWN BED....I didn't voice this to Michael, but he knew and booked us all going home.

Because it was now early Sunday a.m.  (remember they told us at 12:TWENTY THREE a.m.) we were not able to buy an International ticket online. We've been told this is a homeland security measure. We booked for Monday a.m.

Everyone slept hard and well - poor babies.  We finally got moving by 12:30 p.m. today and walked to Denny's. The waitress fell in love with our family and Stacia specifically. She showered us with blessings....we ordered 3 all you can eat pancakes and she brought extra plates for the littles, she brought them refills of milk, she loved Stacia and Zander's comparisons of pancake meals in Misawa with Denny's.

From previous Seattle Adventures, I remembered  there are many free or reasonable transportation options in Seattle. I asked. Sure enough - we could take the air tram all the way to Pikes....or we could take a free shuttle to the mall. We went mall hopping. We split up and laughed when we were getting back on the bus. Mike and I had both bought games....different ones even....for a game night tonight and for fun on the plane.

We've ordered pizza in from Round Table, Michael and Jared are working out, the littles are playing "Monopoly Deal".  I'd love to post the photos....but my SD card has split in half....and my computer won't read it. I'll baby it until I hit Misawa and can read the photos with the cord....and buy a new SD card...could try duct tape. LOL

I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS IS THE SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT.  We don't feel like it's begun yet. LOL But we have been having a blast with family....so really....it's all good.

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

Waiting....Margin...

We like to travel with margin. We were told to arrive to check in at 9 p.m. tonight and got here hours early...seems they changed the time to 11:40 p.m. So....we've explored the airport, ate some free food at the USO (stale doughnuts and a hot dog bun - no hot dogs and cheerios)..... and I've updated the blog.

I'm starting to come up with a Plan B in case we can't all make it on the rotator tonight. We'll send Mike and as many of the older ones who can make it to Japan.....I'll stay here a week if need be with the little ones...and we'll go watch Voyage of the Dawn Treader.....sounds like a good plan, doesn't it? We loved the first movie, were disappointed with the second....

I'd love to hear any thoughts or info any of you have on routes to train for being a midwife or doula....I know the midwife would require more math and science...or I suspect it would.

I must remember to buy some more travel card games for Space A travel. ::snort:: Hope to be home tomorrow a.m.  The 6th in Japan.

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

So Proud - So Hard

I won't say much as typing a post on the i pad is considerably slower typing for me!

We are so proud of our adult children! Any time we have to spend with them is a precious gift.They are all doing well, which certainly gives me hope for our homeschooling lifestyle. Yes, over 20 yeats of schooling and there are still many who think they need to tell how to do it better. I think I was blessed to begin when there weren't so many "camps" of homeschoolers. Snort! When we began, no one got huffy about educational methods, publishers, religious differences...if you found another homeschooler you recognised an indpendant, kindred spirit...and were thrilled, without a thought of critiquing their style. People still went to jail for homeschooling, we had big things to worry about.

Yes, visiting with our four college students, all on dean's lists, hearing comments from new adults in their lives, rave comments from professors - both at secular universities and Christian colleges, gives me the courage to say.....

We didn't finish all our work, we are more laid bqck than many, we did have gaps, we are busy and receive criticism for our schedule and lifestyle.....but look at them fly! They know how to learn, they love the Lord, their characters are firm, they own their education....some didn't read until 10, but shoot a 4 point in college puts things into perspective...I'm blessed in this season to have a track record which helps me resist peer pressure. Snort

Guess I can make long posts from ipad. My heart is full. Spending time with the boys a few weeks ago, hearing the girls' post graduation plans....great times! Saying goodbe - HARD...but they all 4 are chasing after God and their God-given dreams....they are safer in his care than in the care of this mama bear....time to get the younger ones up, call this vacation over and start the long trip back to Japan. Traveling prayers are welcome - I still seem a bit confused about finding the turn signal on a Ford. Snort.

Ear plugs work....vacation photos and thoughts to follow next week.

Yes, still choosing joy....thrilled at where God is moving...wondering what it would be like to live in one location with roots....but trusting God with the details...loving the results and the on- going adventures.

Choosing Joy!

©2010 D.R.G.

~Coram Deo~

Living all of life before the face of God...

Day After

Still using "strange" computers - photos will follow.

WOW over 23 people at Mom's for dinner....and the family continues to grow. MISSED our men children and Nate and Heather.....but had a blast.

If we can't decorate the day after Thanksgiving - we can create new traditions.

This a.m. the girls and I headed out for a bit of shopping therapy (no this is not a local photo). I'm so GLAD we didn't do the 2 a.m. thing. Everything we wanted was there at 9:00 a.m. I got the main family gift, each child one more thing and I'm done....well need to buy for Michael....

We picked up Mom somewhere along the line for one store and lunch. She needed to come rest. We dropped her off and met Michael and the rest of the kids at the theater. We saw tangled. I was TRYING to figure out WHY the screen was so out of focus when Bre handed me some glasses. Ah - my first 3 D movie. For the most part fun...but some of it made me a bit dizzy.

DUCKS are playing....I came back here to write a PWOCI blog article and am now going to go watch the rest of the game....still looking for the perfect ipad cover....

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

We Made It

First, I must say DSL in the states is MUCH slower than we have living on the economy in Northern Japan - love my fiber optics. LOL  I'm not on my laptop - so no photos...but a quick recap. 


The rotator was wonderful. They had 33 extra seats. For those who image us strapped inside a C-131 (or some such number)...think commercial. It's called North American Airlines. They contract to bring military personnel back and forth. We had 2 extra inches of leg-room, comfy seats, nice meals....but no in seat screens for movies...and I didn't think the movies they chose to blast on the big screen for all (kiddos) to see was appropriate...other than that - comfort. I was in front of Zander....spent 8 1/2 hours trying to get him not to kick, wiggle, jiggle, fiddle....but for some with sensory issues he did fine. We arrived 2 hour earlier than we were told we would arrive. 


Thanks to Anna, we knew there was a USO. We went to find it. It was cramped - but cozy and free. 


The girls had left Eugene at 2 a.m. to drive to Seattle - usually a 4 - 5 hour drive. They made it at 11:00 a.m. We spent 8 1/2 hours in the air and 6 hours in the airport. ::snort:: There was quite an ice and snow storm waiting and we hadn't a clue. If we HAD, we would have told the girls to wait and we'd fly down. Bre had her first accident - and all was fine. Kent, a friend of the girls, had come with them. He ended up driving most of the way and we were glad he was with them. 


Poor Michael drove home in THAT while suffering jet lag. Adventures.

We are staying in a gorgeous home. GORGEOUS. They prepared for us in so many ways.... their home is immaculate, elegant, comfortable, up the Mackenzie River in the mountains....really quite lovely. We'll be here until Sunday afternoon or Monday. They are in Hawaii and we are enjoying the arctic blast with their pellet stove. Love that.

We spent yesterday trying to recover from jet lag and reconnecting with my parents and the girls.




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

Will We Fly?

The Patriot Express is a plane that flies directly from HERE to Seattle. No buses or trains in Tokyo....right from here. Unless you are on orders or have a Red Cross Emergency......you fly space A. We are assigned categories. Spouses flying are usually Cat 4. If you fly with an active duty member ON LEAVE, you are Cat 2. We will be trying to make it on today to fly home - as Cat 2. They load the folks on orders first. Then they let Cat 2 on....starting with those who have been on the list the longest. To fly Cat 2 you can't go on the list until you are ON LEAVE. Then they begin to fill Cat 3 and Cat 4.  We were told we are number 31 - 38 and that there should be enough seats. It appears Osan is not using over 60 of their seats and that will add to the number left when the plane arrives here in Misawa.  We will put however many can get on to the plane on the plane this a.m. I (as Mike is the active duty member and for any of us to fly Cat 2, he must be present) will take any who can't make it and try to book commercial tickets....and do the train, bus, two plane thing. LOL  We'll let you know what happens. 

This is my fact finding trip. I plan to try to fly Cat 4 to my PWOC installations in Korea sometime this winter/spring. 


The girls are getting our van out of storage and plan to meet us in SEATTLE Tuesday your time.....so excited....even with Jet Lag. LOL 


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