Marvelous Monday

Today is a Federal Holiday and Michael had the day off. We took advantage of it to meet Matt, Rachel and Kids at Bishop's Pumpkin Farm.   The morning was cool and we could  pretend it was a typical fall day...for a couple of hours. ::grin:: 

This was a day of firsts! For all four of these it was their first trip to a pumpkin patch or corn maze. It was Stacia's first trip to a petting zoo - well the first she remembers; we didn't make it to petting zoos in Japan. 

We started the day wandering through the petting zoo. 

This boar was fun. He was making alarming sounds, which I mimicked. He responded. 

I told everyone we'd reached an understanding...I promised not to eat him or his relatives and he promised not to eat us. 

Classic family shot....two looking normal, one picking her nose, one looking the other way and I have no clue why I'm laughing.

We even enjoyed the train. This little train takes you around the grounds - which was a fun way to see it all.

It's been 14 years since we've lived near a real pumpkin patch or corn maze. I told them I need photos of them in the Pumpkin Patch since we'd missed those infant shots. 

Stacia (8)

Nolan (14)

 

Ours with the S's boys - Joy had run off

Um....who needs spelling for leadership? 

Stacia (8)

Zander - 11

 Joy discovers hay is lots of fun

Arielle likes it too

The big kids tried jumping....

Then everyone did....Seth and Nathan sort of face planted in the hay

The apple cider is awesome....but these aren't ALL mine...mom's job is to hold the drinks 

Next up was the corn maze! I am SO glad we had Matt and Michael with us. I'm not sure Rachel and I would have found our way out. ::snort::  I was sorely tempted to pluck a few ears of corn. 

Nah, we would have found a group to follow...but it was very comforting to know  no matter which way we went the guys would be able to figure out what this map meant.  I wish there had been an observation tower so we could have seen the maze from above as we did the tanbo/rice art last year in Inakadate. 

Here's a shot I found online - but I don't think it's this year's. 

Moment when the men took over navigating from the kids

So fun to have little ones to carry

We see the exit! We made it! 

A hay ride was the perfect way to rest our weary feet. It also showed how expansive the farm really is. We let the kids each get a pumpkin to bring home in honor of the first trip to a real patch.

I want a truck like this

A funny thing happened in the corn maze, on the hay ride, in the pumpkin patch....it seems my phone was self-dialing and calling all sorts of people. Oops. I apologize if you are one of them.

It was a lovely day. Spending time with Matt and Rachel's family reminds me of what it was like when we had 8 kids at home....their kids stair step right below ours...giving our younger four the opportunity to be the older four. LOL

Back at home all but Zander tried and approved of Caramel apples. I discovered  we've not tried many pumpkin or caramel things - they aren't Michael's favorites....but maybe I will explore for the rest of us. LOL

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

Spectacular Sunday

Michael preached this a.m. from Mark 10:13-16. Good stuff. 

Our family tradition for eons has been to eat out on Sunday to give all of us a "day of rest."  I felt a relaxing family day at home was in order, so I suggested we pick up rotisserie chicken at the commissary and take it home. I had all the go withs ready. This was a great idea - except this commissary doesn't sell rotisserie chickens. ::snort:: We settled for a couple of boxes of Banquet chicken. We pulled up and our land lord and his friend were here. I'm glad we came home.  Michael mentioned the smoke alarm had gone off twice - they're all wired together - it's LOUD and bright as lights flash with them. We disconnected it until I could contact him.  He's a fireman and went right out and got another one.

Other lazy day activities....games....eating....planting mums Mum forgot she purchased....

Emptying and cleaning the hot tub for the first time....

The amazingly perfect (low 80's) days beg for one to sit outside...and knit?

Stacia has been asking endlessly for a Star Wars marathon. I've not watched Star Wars for years. I lost interest in Star Wars as I couldn't follow the plot line. We determined to watch from Episode 1 and see if that would help. We watched Episode 1 and took a popcorn break. I dreamed up a popcorn/chocolate/cashew mix during that episode and they enjoyed.

We watched Episode 2 and took a break for ice cream. I was figuring this out and excited to see how the storm troopers become the bad guys.... THEN I was told we don't HAVE Episode 3. Why? It's a dark movie...."everyone dies or turns bad." Um - THAT'S the episode I NEED to watch to understand this thing. Neither Netflix nor Amazon had it available for streaming.

We watched Episode 4 - but I'm not excited any longer as I realize I'll STILL not know what happened.....and they won't tell me as they don't want to ruin it. Um.

We checked facebook and found the status update we'd been expecting to see in the near future. Bre is "in a relationship." Yep, Izaak and Bre are officially dating. Here's a photo of Izaak and Bre.  God things (and good things) come to those who wait. We look forward to getting to know Izaak and Dakota (his son) more.  We already know Bre fairly well.

Why did we stay up till midnight watching Star Wars? Because tomorrow is a day off! Viva La Columbus!

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

Sensational Saturday

God has blessed us with this hot tub. Michael and I began our Saturday soaking and chatting......

Then we were off to Ch. Josh K's and Christine's wedding. In our living room.

This was a first! The wedding was at Edwards AFB. Michael preaches tomorrow. We planned to drive down to Edwards and back. Josh said he couldn't see driving 15 hours for a 1 hour ceremony. He set it up so those of us who couldn't attend were able to join the wedding via LIVE STREAM! It was COOL.

Our wing chaplain and his lovely family joined us for lunch and the wedding.  Zander said, "Let's do weddings like this all the time. You can enjoy them this way." ::snort::  I think he enjoyed being able to eat lunch and chat during the wedding.  I KNOW he and Stacia loved the time they spent with Jonathan.

The S family were at Yokota AFB in Tokyo before they moved here to Beale. This was a fun photo to take.

We had another Peeping Tom incident.....more accurately a Peeping Pigeon incident. We're still at war with them. They may be winning at this point.

Arielle and Nolan had their second Japanese lesson with Ryu and Kim this afternoon. They are really enjoying this piece of "Japan" in the midst of our new life... honoring  the past and embracing the future.

While they "worked," Michael and I chatted with Bre. We put her on the speaker phone and had a great time.  It will be much fun to see all in November.

We rounded out the evening with leftovers and a Netflix movie, "Aristocats."  We streamed the movie and  had my laptop connected to the big screen. Right as the movie ended, Earl Jr and Mary (Michael's brother), Skyped in. It was great fun to talk with them from the  big screen. They caught us because the Skype was left online due to the Japanese lessons. I need to remember to turn Skype on and chat with folks when they can catch us.

It was a great Saturday full of life's blessings: a bit of couple time, family time, friends and fellowship, extended family.....good times - God times.

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

Cheering Them On!

It seems the role of a MOCA (Mom of College Aged and Adults) is to be a cheer leader.  I watch, pray and cheer as the adult Gherkins streak through life. 

::snort:: Jamin - 2nd set from the right

Ladies Retreats, Campus Life Trips to Six Flags, youth trips...

Krista - front right

Planning VBS's, youth outreaches, outreaches to the city's homeless and bridal showers for friends....

Krista & Bre at Terrah's Bridal shower

New marriages and hobbies established and growing....

Shelby & Josiah - just MARRED

The newest Gherkin! 

New Ministry initiatives....

Bre on the right

Go Team Go! Your Dad and I are in the balcony cheering  you on. 

This  may be the week this one breaks the college record.....he's running this week and I'm praying. October 15 - 5:00 p.m. - Red Arroyo (off College Hills). 

Run Jamin!

This is also mid-term week for Jamin and Jared.... Jamin's last and we'll all gather in TX to cheer him on as he graduates in December!

Jared will have another mambo cardiac test....

Jared AKA as SUPER Server! 

Yep - praying and cheering and keeping watch! Gotta love technology which allowed me to shamelessly harvest all but one of these photos. When a mom can't be there - technology is the next best thing. Speaking of technology.....it's a joy to be able to text, FB and call the elders.....and I did just that with most of them yesterday! Go techies!

The future looks bright with a generation like these marching out to make their mark for the King!

Go Team, GO. 

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

Fantabulous Friday!

Yes, I AM thankful it's Friday!

This is a treat I try to work in on Fridays.....phonics review via games. 

The real treat of the day was having a sweet family over for dinner. We had eight children in the house again....and some adult conversation too. It doesn't get much better than this. 

This little one has perfected his marshmallow eating style....put it on the stick, take it off and eat it. ::grin:: 

The kids organized  charades inside. Here they plot their strategy. 

Elijah  faithful in the midst of all the false prophets

See the blonde little one? She called me "Gem ma" - Yep - Grandma. Great night. 

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

God Provides

 At a time when I've simply not been able to find the energy reserves to begin baking bread again.....

God provided through the commissary's choices last week. Many commissaries around the world were discounting dated items before the shut down. Ours didn't. Today they began giving food away that is past date or near date. Michael came home with a pallet of mostly whole grain breads: flat breads, English muffins, bagels and sour dough bread.

I figure I have another month to get the starter going and find the energy to begin baking. I'm happy.

In other news I had all my labs run on the first. The doctor called with lab results today. OK she CALLED yesterday, but when I called back the front desk put me on hold. Five minutes into that routine I realized if I hung up she would call me back when she was available and I wouldn't have to spend another 40 minutes on hold to talk to the front desk to leave her a message. ::snort::  My time counts too.  She called back this a.m.

My fear was  all the labs would be normal and I would be told this is middle age. BUT I also KNOW Hashimotos and suspected my numbers were high again. I feel best when the T4 is  1 - 1.5. When we left Japan the T4 was 2.25. Now it's 3.7.  Even conservative docs begin raising meds at 4.   I have no energy. I push for a couple of hours and then must sleep. I have trouble with short term memory. My skin is flaking. My nails have split. I've gained some weight. My hair is falling out....and so they upped my Synthroid again. Within a couple of weeks these symptoms should go away. Well.....the weight gain will stop but loss won't be automatic - everything else usually reverts like magic. ::snort::

In the past two months it was tough to embrace the perimeters of freedom which Jesus  led me to. I felt crummy. I was gaining weight. What was the point? Obedience. Freedom from addictions. I'm happy I maintained as all my other labs are great....I'm on  a good course with all but the thyroid..and if I HAD said forget it with this nutritarian lifestyle, I would be in a much worse spot in several areas.

I'm so thankful I don't have to find the energy to find wheat berries, bake and start a starter. I'll rest until I feel more energetic.

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