Self Awareness

Every once in awhile we all exhibit moments of brilliant self-awareness. We recently had one such moment with Stacia. We've known for some time this little one is an EXTROVERT (one of 3 in our family of 11).  Hints: she ALWAYS wants to go with me to the commissary and says things like, "I LOVE to see how many of Mom's friends we'll see," and "I love it when Mom stops and talks to strangers." These are not things our more introverted children have EVER said. ::wink::

A few days ago Zander and I were talking. He commented, "I'm a loner." He is. I agreed. Stacia interrupted the flow of our conversation to say, "I'm a PEOPLE - er."  This was followed, in true Disney style, with a song and dance.... much leaping and spinning... "I'm a people er, I need PEOPLE. I like to talk with people. I like to drink tea with people. Every thing is better with PEOPLE. I'm a PEOOOOOOPPPPPLLLLLL - er!"

I commented to  friends over a year ago I was praying for ways to help my little extrovert learn the value of solitude, silence, and listening earlier in life than I have. Some chided me for trying to turn her into an "introvert." Hear me carefully, in the same way  I teach my introverts the value of community, I need to teach my extrovert the value of solitude, silence and listening.  Never seeking to change the person - only Jesus transforms - but helping all to see the value of the full picture.

A few weeks ago in family circle Stacia began to pray along the lines of, "Jesus help me learn to listen to you and others more and more."  "Jesus I want to know you more."  "Jesus, help me be a good friend and listen better." Um.....yes....she is learning the value of silence, listening, solitude.

Praise God she'll always be a people-er for His glory.

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

Family Circle

Back story: Monday we got a LOT of school done. We got so much done I thought we may get two weeks done this week.

Tuesday I left the home at 0830 to be at the clinic by 0915 for an 0930 appointment. I was not seen until 1014.  I loved the doc and the tech....but next I had to "run in for a referral" - which took another 30 min. I "ran into" the commissary - and it was the last day they were open. CRAZY lines.  I had hoped to be home by 1030 - it was 1355 by the time I got home.

via Google Images

Wednesday is our one morning of the week when we are out of our home. The doc had insisted I come in THIS a.m. for fasting labs - and I couldn't fast longer than 12 hours for the test. We pushed and got out of here in time to be at the lab EARLY, before PWOC...only to find they are closed the first Wed morning of the month. Remember, the doc and the lab both told me to come in today.  I thought I handled it well - though I did let the guard know I was TOLD to come in and I live off base.

Tonight in Family Circle, during prayer time, Zander prayed, "Thank you I'm starting to make friends at PWOC. Help me to endure  frustrating events....pause....and help me to act more like you....all the time."

OUCH. I prayed after Zander that God would help me to endure the frustrations of closed med groups office....and Zander helpfully added, "And embrace it - act like Jesus."  ::snort:: I thought I handled it well this morning. He told me I didn't really embrace the change.

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

We're Home!

It appears it simply takes longer than we thought to get to Mom G and to my parents home as well. Both are 8 - 8.5 hour trips... still only a day's drive and closer than we've lived to family in over 20 years.

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

Meanwhile back in TX

 Jamin won first place in his meet....4 miles in only 22.10.  It was a wet and rainy course. 

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

Photo Albums, Pool, Puzzles and Delightful Conversation

It was rainy today. That didn't stop us from enjoying ourselves. The kids enjoyed time at the river.

Michael and I spent the a.m. talking with Mom G. It was great fun to go through several photo albums and hear stories I'd not heard before.

At lunch Mom G introduced us to "Hiouchi Ham Apple Salad" Sandwiches. She ate these often when she was a child  in Hiouchi. Deviled Ham, Chopped Apple, Mayo....on white bread.

We did a bit more yard work and then spent an hour at the river. Nolan shared his earliest memory was staying on this side of the river (with Grandma?) and digging a channel in the stream while the big kids rowed across and jumped off Big Rock.

Stacia loves to pick reeds.  Mike showed her how to make them whistle.  Different size reeds make higher and lower pitches.  They can actually make a really LOUD whistle if you do it right.

We had more fun with Yuuki and Arrow....I'll have to blog it tomorrow as I'm too tired to do stories justice tonight.

As the rain continued, we decided to move to the trailer park and enjoy the community house. We were the only ones using it. Steaks and trout from Mom G's freezer!

Stacia, Mom G, Arielle

 We enjoyed, pool, puzzles and talking after dinner. I learned how important it is to tell your story rather than let others tell it for you. Delightful conversation.

We'll break camp early in the a.m. and head back for Beale. We'll see Grandma G at Thanksgiving at OUR HOUSE.

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

Perfect Day in Crescent City

Today was a BEAUTIFUL day in Crescent City! No overcast, no wind and no rain. We headed over to the house bright and early to wake up Grandma. 

"U Pick" orchards in Japan are like fresh produce buffets. You pick whatever you can eat right there on the spot. We loved them. Grandma's yard felt like being at a Japanese u-pick. 

Michael spent the morning visiting with her while I went with the kids down the river. For Yuuki this meant smelling every bush, twig and rock along the path. 

 The neighbor's dog, Arrow, adopted us.  He played fetch for hours. It looked like so much fun to Yuuki at one point...SHE jumped in to get a stick....brought it back....barked around in circles and refused to do it again. ::snort::

Yuuki rolls in the sand to get the water off

Poor Yuuki was having a blast off her leash. She was racing up and down the beach...but it got to be too much for Arielle. Can't you almost hear Yuuki saying, "Ah, c'mon - put me down!"

"Ah MAN, ARIELLE, Arrow is going to see me being carried like a fru-fru dog, PUT ME DOWN!"

Plenty of room for a bit of practice. 

A view I've not tired of in 30 years. We've spent many happy afternoons diving off of "Big Rock" and laying on the sandy beach. We didn't get the row boat out today.

 Stacia asked if she could find a few rocks to take home to paint. I agreed. Arrow, however, thought the rocks were a new game and kept jumping up, knocking them out of her hands, and burying them.

Arrow through the target - way to go Zander!

We enjoyed our picnic lunch on Mom G's patio.  We spent the afternoon picking apples, moving bear scat, cutting out elm trees and starts, transplanting bushes, raking shavings, etc. 

The kids and I went off on a walk sometime in the afternoon. We were sad to be reminded we can't walk in the Stout Grove with a dog. Apparently, dogs on leashes pose serious threats to Giant Redwood trees.

Michael and the kids headed to town in the van. Mom G and I headed to town in her car - which I like!  We met up at the Grotto for dinner. We had hoped to watch the sun set from the restaurant. It turns out they close all the windows as the sun begins setting. ::snort::

We headed over to Battery Point and watched the sunset there. We also saw a raccoon! Stacia found three pieces of sea glass for me. The lighthouse was pretty. The ocean was gorgeous.

We keep looking around for the five missing children these days.....

Photo Bomb ::snort:: 

A very full day. 

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

Jared Update

I am sorry to leave those of you who may read the blog and are praying for Jared hanging. I forget some connect only this way and not with texts and Facebook. 

Jared is at home.  He had a bit of frustration navigating the insurance system...but is on a great course now. We are praising God for a Christian doctor whose family we know through running co-ops in TX. This doc happens to practice on the base and he was able to see Jared, refer him to the cardiologist, help Jared understand the tri-care system and he explained all that the other doc had said in a way Jared could understand. I think best of all if feeling that you are being HEARD. 

Jared is wearing a heart monitor.  He and I were expecting a watch, I guess. ::snort:: Those of you in the know - know that this involves stickers, wires and not getting wet. He's not loving it - but we're hopeful it will provided needed info. He is taking Dronedarone. All diagnosis are speculations at this point - so we'll just ask that you continue to pray for accurate clarity. 

I found it funny that Jared gave a speech in debate. Knocked it out of the park. He then received a call from the heart monitoring office asking what he was doing to elevate his heart rate. ::snort::  He is not allowed to serve at work as there is the potential of getting the monitor wet.  

He is scheduled for an echo cardiogram on Monday. 

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