Ortho, Tricks and Games

• "What time DOES the sun come up around here?" Krista up with the sun as is her mother...and the answer...04:18 this a.m. 
• "Now you can see how beautiful this place is without snow!" Zander loves Japan and is happy to share it with the girls! 
• Zander's accident was private ..... VERY private! And he had us all in stitches retelling it at dinner!

Arielle saw the ortho today! UGH. He said she is only the second patient he's seen in his practice who has had this happen...I knew I didn't want to hear. Her bite has WAY over-corrected. I knew this. She is having trouble talking, she can't chew....He had said they purposefully over-correct as the teeth move back after they are done...but hers don't even match now....so....instead of getting braces off she will go a month without rubber bands...and then if it isn't where he wants it she will rubber bands again - THIS time in reverse. 

The girls and I ran to the mall today. Always fun...Krista has some ideas for journals that I want to try for WILD....not being crafty I'm leery - but SHE makes it sound easy. ::snort:: 

The kids have been working to re-teach Yuuki how to roll over. Ms. Susi told us she USED to do this trick....She really likes to sit, stay, and shake...the commands we have used....she's a bit rusty on rolling...

 By the end of the day....

Dinner was Gyudon, rice, fruit and salad....and it was fun to have a host of folks in the kitchen helping and simply talking while I worked. I miss that greatly.  The kids played games....

All have gone to bed. I stayed up to do a bit of WILD work....and am heading to bed as soon as I hit publish and switch the load in the washer to the dryer.

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Mother's Day

Krista was the first to shower me with gifts....gifts and acts of service are her love language. She brought some of my favorite chocolates, two kinds of cosmos popcorn and a plate she found at the Asia Bazaar.

Michael set the table with beautiful flowers and a sweet card (acts of service/words of affirmation).

The bowls above and this vase are things the other kids picked up. This is my new dandelion vase.

We attended the 1100 service, had lunch at Karinbas, and then went out to Statue of Liberty Park (time and touch). 

Bre gave me a lovely card (words of affirmation), we attended the 1700 service, came home and enjoyed a spectacular ice cream cake Michael and Stacia had made (acts of service).  We were able to talk to Mom Mary - haven't connected with my Mom yet...but it will still be Sunday tomorrow in the states. LOL

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

True Love....

Today was the 2nd annual Cross Training (PYOC)  True Love Waits Banquet and Ceremony.  I had a bit of a laugh at the various ways this was seen advertised on base.....

True Love....Awaits  

True Love...WAIT. 

We were glad BreAnne and Krista are here to share this day with us. The  house was full of activity as everyone prepared. 

Doing what they love most - dressing the baby

 

We headed to base where we dropped the girls and Zander and Stacia off at Weasel's Den. The rest of us went to the banquet. 

Tiaras were given to the girls to remember they are Daughters of the King

Mackenzie is one of our neighbors and goes to PYOC with us

Cody, Jared and Matt (Kazuki)

 

Gals

Guys

We picked up "the four" and headed to the chapel for the ceremony.

Kazuki & Michiko

I'm sure there will be more photos of the ceremony itself....but I'll go ahead and post these now. 


We've done this two ways now....in the context of family and with a big, public ceremony in a group of peers. The verdict is out on which our family personally prefers....I think both ways have some positives. The commitment is absolute and THAT remains the same. ::snort::  It was a beautiful day. I did miss the more personal exhortations of a family ceremony....but those will happen in other venues. LOL 


Come to think of it - the older four never "did" True Love Waits....we stress and train the goal of emotional, physical and mental purity from the time our kids are about 18 months. We begin with reading books such as Princess and the Kiss and the Squire and the Scroll....with the older ones this led to a personal commitment, which we commemorated with dinner and symbols. Our younger ones grow up in a family culture that openly trains, embraces and mentors this commitment and talks about letting God write our love stories.  For our family, this is a step on the life-long journey for all of us to live lives of purity.

It was very special for us that the older girls and Zander and Stacia were able to join us for the ceremony at the chapel.


Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Bullets

• I Thess 4 - Sanctification and Love go hand in hand. Abstain from sexual immorality, excel in love, attempt to lead a quiet life...knowing we have HOPE. 
• Pray, Prepare, Practice, Present....working on practice today.  
• Up and running to attend True Love Waits Ceremony for Nolan, Arielle and Jared. 
• Commissary run. 
• Dinner, as a family, to celebrate TLW commitments. 
• "Yeah, well BRE actually GRADUATED!" Stacia (6yo) has a new dis to use on her siblings this a.m. 
• Michael is making me an awesome ice cream cake for Mother's Day. 

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Girls' Homecoming

Eleven p.m. found us in Hachinohe awaiting the arrival of the "girls." Over 24 hours and they made it home. 

There just aren't words. We're thrilled to have them home for a couple of weeks. Originally, the plan was to have all four of the older children come out for Jared's graduation. Jared decided not to have a ceremony, the boys have new jobs and timing didn't work...but the gals came out anyway and we plan to enjoy....and show them Japan at a time when it isn't under 3 feet of snow. LOL


Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

They Made It!

• TnT I Thess 3:11-13 May the Lord direct our way together, may he cause you to increase and abound in love for all, may He establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father....
• Michael's Day off -  we have two events to attend ::snort:: This is what it looks like from his desk....a day off is an oxymoron. LOL
• Fun to attend a medal decoration of one of our chaplains - then spent a bit o time doing a touch of work at the chapel.
• Between events - Micahel and I grabbed Subway and took it to the ocean. Always fun to visit with my boyfriend. Lots to talk about as God gently moves us to new seasons.
• Girls should be touching down in Tokyo in one hour....so much pent up excitement!
• Catholic Parish Appreciation Dinner
• Retreat work night
• 12:14 a.m. and we're home with the girls. Seven Gherkins at home. Photos tomorrow.

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

White Chicken Enchilada (Cindy's)

This is my friend Cynthia's recipe! It's a keeper. 

12 corn tortillas (I used flour)
1 cup heavy whipping cream (I used 1/2 n 1/2)
2 cups Mexican blend cheese
3 cups chicken, cubed and cooked
1 large onion, sauteed
1 cup roasted red bell pepper strips (canned) or fresh red pepper
4.5 oz can chopped green chiles
12 oz cream cheese, cubed

Mix chicken, onion, red peppers, green chiles, and cream cheese together.  Spread equal amounts onto each of the twelve tortillas.  Roll and place in 9x12 baking dish.  Slowly pour whipping cream over the top allowing it to soak into the shells instead of running to the bottom of the pan.  Sprinkle Mexican blend cheese over the top.  Bake at 375 for 20 minutes or until warmed all the way through.


Next time I will use low fat or fat free cream cheese and maybe decrease to 8 oz from 12 oz...other than that I'm not sure what else to do to lower the calories and cholesterol in this one...but it is YUMMY and  filled my craving for White enchiladas. LOL  Below the info made with my substitutions. 

More of our favorites are at the recipe tab above. 


Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...