Meteor Mondays

I dreamed last night of a little attachment to the Bosch which I'd forgot I had. The Bosch French Fry Disc. I used it all the time in TX where we ran a produce co-op and had tons of potatoes.....I never used it in Japan - where Gold Yukons were really worth their price in gold. I dreamed about making oven fries...and tonight we had both potato and sweet potato oven fries.  It's a good Monday.

Family circle reminded us to "stay alert" and we had a nice talk about what it looks like to live with a sense of expectancy....then.....

We headed to the hot tub to watch meteors....yep....we love Mondays.

Now, I'm grabbing a cuppa sleepy time tea.

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

Reconnecting!

We last saw Hous, Tami and kids eight years ago. We were stationed together at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska. Both families have nine children - both families now have four children at home. It was fun to meet up with them again as they travel to their new assignment at Maxwell with Officer's Christian Fellowship.  We chatted briefly at chapel and then had them over for dinner, ultimate Frisbee, tag, ice cream and lots of talking!! 

Some of us

Richard and Zander opted to eat outside

Our older children have missed having youth to visit with....this was a blessing! Everyone had a great time - though they really didn't remember each other from eight years ago.

Guess what? The Waring girls showed me how to use the timer on my camera! Here's a photo of all twelve of us! Even Yuuki cooperated!

Richard (front) was a baby & I was pregnant with Stacia (front)
last time we were together

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

Japanese Class

Our  high school students wanted to take more years of Japanese. They'd already worked through Pimsleur. Arielle wanted to be "fluent." Nolan was game to give it a shot too.  I began to look for programs.

I found some sites which would work for the younger two. Finally, I called Ryu and Kim. I went to college with Kim. We reconnected again in Tokyo. Ryu, Kim and Jun have since immigrated to America. Kim teaches English to Japanese students. I wondered....would she be willing to teach these two.

Ryu will teach them! He's the native Japanese speaker in their home.  Kim purchased some books for the kids in Japan, a friend of hers brought them over....and they're off.

Ah - the wonder of Web Ex.  They'll meet weekly via the Internet. I promised Akikosan we'd not forget our Japanese. I think it's a promise we can keep.

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

Ending a Week

We re-discovered Papa Murphy's (Thanks Rachel). Much cheaper than Neighborhood Pizza and yummy too. Certainly quicker than making my own.

We've visited a few families at a park. We've had a gentlemen over to our home for a very casual dinner. We've hosted my parents. Tonight, was our first family guest for dinner...I'm not sure pizza and s'mores count...but we had fun! 

Ah, Arielle has missed her kids....I think I see the start of a new batch of kids....this little one was excited to come to "Arielle's House."

Movies, pizza, s'more, exploring new friendships - a great way to end a week!

Pssst - there's been some concern that I decorated without an eye to young guests. Wasn't a problem at all - we keep em busy at our home. LOL 

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

All About Juggling

This was an interesting week of school. I have no clue HOW but we got a full week of school completed. 

It's all about juggling! 

Tuesday was snatched away with a long doctor's appointment. 

Wed was PWOC and more attempts at labs. 

Thursday was finally success with 7 vials drawn.....and great fun with the lab tech. I discerned that the furloughed civilian phlebotomists are usually the ones who draw the "big ones." He did fine. I talked him through it. LOL 

I had a migraine for three days of the week - and kept going until Thursday afternoon as I've not had a knock down migraine for 14 months and I didn't really get what was going on. 

By the grace of God the children kept moving on their independent work. I found snatches of times when my eyes focused enough to work on couch school. LOL 

Here are a few quick glimpses of the week: 

We continue studying the Middle Ages.  We finished King Arthur, read a few more biographies in Famous Men of the Middle Ages, focused on the lifestyle during the period and Charlemagne. 

The younger two are learning a variety of magic tricks and how to juggle. This will allow them to be period entertainers at the Medieval Feast we may throw....sometime....before we move past this period. LOL  It didn't take long before they grabbed costumes.  I let Stacia use scarves instead of rolled up socks - easier. 

We also discussed Coat of Arms and the younger were asked to create one....they both did more than one....but we laminated them and have bookmarks. (They do know their last name). 

Stacia's shows Gherkins and the cross. Zander's  has seven stars for each Gherkin, six jewels for each of us living at home (an extra for God) and a tree symbolizing the faith of the family. He informs me the scratchings on the left are his Japanese name????? All in all I was impressed at how well they picked out key features of what is important to our family. Way to go! 

The older two spent the week studying Charlemagne and reading about Roland in lit. I think Arielle is enjoying Movies as Lit more than her Lit of the Middle Ages.....

Arielle finished an application for a summer internship - and now we wait. 

We are moving into weekend mode. Nolan and I drove over to Papa Murphy's for dinner. That gave us just enough time for our Rhetoric discussions..... all in all a good week of school by and through  the GRACE of God. 

The migraine is easing up. 

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

Family Room

I love to see our family room being used as we envisioned. This room is more crowded than any other room in the house. It's a gathering place; a very comfortable room where we all enjoy being together, while working on various projects...or as Zander often chooses to do...enjoy our solitary pursuits in the company of family. 

Right in front of Zander is a nice bar and then the kitchen. I especially love having family nearby as I cook meals.  (Yes, I'm also a bit of a people-er). 

Yuuki is less-than-impressed by Arielle trying to deck her out in glasses. 

We are truly thankful for this home. 

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

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...