Mother's Day 2013

It is becoming a habit to begin blog posts by stating, "The day did not go as planned, but was a great day in any event..." and that would sum up this day. 

However, since I do possess the gift of gab, I'll share a few more details.  I went to bed Saturday night chuckling at the challenge the eldest two Gherkins had tossed out for the remaining seven. 

Arielle and Stacia brought me a wonderful breakfast in bed...it's been QUITE a long time since that has happened....I would say never but my memory IS failing a bit these days and I imagine sometime in the past 28 years of motherhood this has happened before. ::snort::  I had yummy oatmeal with blueberries, raspberries, 1/2 a banana, flax seed and almond milk....AND a cup of Vanilla Chai tea....

The kids had made this card.....if you look closely it's on a canvas type background and has their hand prints and messages.

We attended the 1100 service on base - always an enjoyable time when the body gathers.

I had put a lasagna in the oven so we rushed home to eat - but it wasn't done.....I had plenty of time to saute a huge wok full of veggies, cut up some fruit and make a salad for the two of us who don't do "food with faces."

We had thought we'd take advantage of the beautiful weather and head out to either a Tulip festival or a flower garden...but with the late lunch....and a GREAT skype with all three elder Gherkin males....it was too late to make that happen.  There are no screen shots as I can't seem to find them after we take them in Windows 8....so we didn't bother. Michael is really having a lot of pain and I think it was best to stay home anyway.

We tried out a new recipe I found online for Cashew Banana ice cream. I used peanut butter instead of  cashew butter...and we added a bit of chocolate....Arielle made some vegan hard shell.... Everyone loved it. I suspect I could make the yonana this way....but it was nice to have the whole batch done before "ice cream time".  We worked together, while the kids played outside, and made two batches...one with Andes mint chips in it. I can't fathom that taste combination but Michael and Nolan seemed to like it....I must remember to post the recipe on the blog in case something happens to the link.

It WAS yummy...and can be made ahead of time and frozen. Makes Sunday night much easier....though this is almost healthy enough to be a treat more than once a week. ::wink::

The rest of the night was filled with For Get It.  Arielle won the first game....









I won the second game.... It is fast paced enough to be an enjoyable. 












Not EVERYONE seemed to enjoy the game....and this is not a staged photo.  She actually did quite well but really, really doesn't like losing her points.

All in all it was a great day....and Jared will be here on Wednesday a.m. (Tuesday night in Tokyo). Prayers appreciated as he begins his first solo international flight in a few hours.

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Hirosaki Dressed with Cherry Blossoms

Perfect timing! We did it!!!  We've tried for four years to make it to Hirosaki for the Cherry Blossom festival...and there is ALWAYS something we are doing...traveling for PWOC, preparing to speak, freak storms blowing off blossoms, no blossoms.... This year we made it. I think they would have been fuller a couple of days earlier...but this was the day we could break loose from Misawa. 

Visiting Hirosaki to see the Cherry Blossoms was on Arielle's bucket list. The first weekend of festival we simply couldn't go - and we heard there were only one or two trees in bloom. Last weekend we stayed home and cheered on Jamin as he raced at the LSC.  This weekend it was raining...but we decided this was our best chance....and off we went...

We decided to take a bit longer and drive through Towada/Hakoda as the snow along the road is famous....last weekend it was 20 ft high...still pretty impressive this weekend....

Along the road

Standing on a 3 ft high ledge

 There are several of these tunnels which always seemed to have no purpose. Today we saw they exist just to keep the roads clear...the snow piles up but the roads are clear. LOL

We arrived at Hirosaki Castle and enjoyed a picnic lunch in the van. Then we headed out. Michael took spectacular photos....It happens admission is free from  9-12 of May...SCORE...and yet, it really wasn't crowded as most the crowds went the last two weekends. The trees were beautiful!

Funny - I took one of him taking photos as well! 

I was contemplating breaking off a few sprigs to dry in my Bible for a prayer Keepsake....who would notice...OH he's taking another photo! 

 While Michael took photos....we amused ourselves...quite well in fact. 

I don't know in the midst of a cherry blossom grove....can't imagine starting a fire...but there had to be a reason for the sign. Unbelievable. 

Of COURSE we stopped to buy Sembei on our way back to the van...lots of it! 

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Luvin Japan ~ Living with the Paparazzi

It used to unnerve us....

Cell phones pointed in our direction....people setting up photos only to veer left and catch one of us as they clicked....but we've gotten used to it....

The paparazzi ...when we zip down roller slides we are sure to hear clicks and see the line of cameras out....and today I couldn't help but smile as we formed up for group pictures....it's become a game to count how many others are taking our photo on the sly. ::snort:: 

This, however, is the shot which brought the paparazzi out of hiding...several out loud laughs and snickers as we posed for this one. I won't even consider how many computers this photo may reside on. ::snort:: 

Yes, I repented of my momentary immaturity and we posed for a nice photo.....but the laughs were worth it...just sharing a moment of international solidarity. ::wink:: 

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Lovin Japan - Cherry Blossoms

We ran to Statue of Liberty Park in hopes of catching Cherry Blossoms. Unfortunately, it began to rain - but we're hardy. I'm pretty sure Michael will have some photos of the landscape to add...but here are the ones I tagged to share. 

We wait and wait and WAIT for the blossoms to bloom....they are beautiful, delicate and short-lived. They remind one of the beauty and brevity of life. They are to be celebrated. Parks are lit at night and people enjoy flower viewing parties (Hanamei) in the parks. Spring storms often blow all the blossoms away days after they bloom.

We hope to make it to Hirosaki to view blossoms shortly.....on "the weekends" it was raining and we hear only one or two trees were blooming....we're trying to find a time to get up there before a storm blows them all away. Maybe Friday or Saturday. 

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Knowing Blog Friends

What's the difference between "knowing about" someone and "knowing" someone...this is a concept I've spent considerable amount of time musing on, praying about, studying through....and I will blog someday....when life slows down a bit more....but Sunday was ANOTHER example of the difference between knowing about and being known.

Vicky and I have known about each other for a bit more than a year...maybe longer. We've read each other's blogs. We recognize each others' families. Saturday afternoon I got a FB message telling me she, Seiju, her father in law and sons would be in our area to catch the ferry from Hachinohe back to Hokkaido on Sunday and asking if we could meet.

We had a lovely lunch together.  And I wish we had a bit more time to get to KNOW each other...but we definitely have moved from "knowing about" to "knowing." ::grin::

We're jealous of how Vicky and Yoshi can move back and forth between Japanese and English....and my kids LOVE your accent, Vicky.

Note, I'm not sure how far and wide Vicky would like her blog shared or I'd link it. She provides a fascinating view of life in Japan.

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Luvin Japan ~ Unexpected Sights

Yes, I have a LIST of over 100 things to post and I'm falling behind as I need the minutes to think and "do them justice." 

No, this gentleman was not on the list.

It's hard to see what he is doing...I WAS driving and snapped three shots....I think that's pretty spectacular! This is the best.

In the midst of morning rush hour, he was calmly standing on the sidewalk going through a full range of stretches and yoga-like poses.

I love seeing the unexpected as I go through the day. One just never knows what will make one smile.

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

You'll Never Guess....

...what we did Sunday morning..... We set up the big screen and caught Jamin's last race at the Lonestar Conference Championships. We missed Sunday School - but who could pass up the opportunity to watch him run again? 

I can't find the screen shots....but oh well....it was fun! Jamin ran 10 K and turned around and ran 5K the next day.....not something I'd recommend...but hey.....you're only young once.  ::wink::

These young men have the distinction of being the first Angelo State Men's Cross Country team to bring home the Conference Trophy in 21 years!

The women won as well and it may be the first time both the men and women won.... 

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...