Arielle's Birthday

Life is a blur and I don't remember why Krista and I went over to the house early on the 23rd - but we did.

We were determined to make a birthday banner and found supplies for that in the house. I thought it was pretty cute. Everyone signed it and Jamin told us to hang it behind his graduation table. He also got a birthday balloon for his graduation table. It was about perfect for our two introverts to share the day with each other. LOL

We went to Mr. G's for lunch.

This photo should be last.....woe to she who eats slowly...


Waiting for bumper cars...

Arielle and her banner...the pig hat is packed.

It was a blast to have the whole family at a table again....4 to be precise.

I've just been kicked off at 20 minutes because a military student needs the computer...it will be nice to be back at a family base. ::snort::

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...

A Packing Day

I'm not sure WHICH packing day this was....I believe the 21st. Krista wasn't in town yet.

The kids enjoyed another playdate with the A family. It's rare to find someone who takes Zander in stride...and we have found that in Deja and family. He's a handful....he can try a person's patience...but she seems to find good in him as well....and feeds him the right food on top of all that. ::snort::

Farewell gifts from the A Team

Emma knitted this scraf for Arielle. It's to be a warm hug from Emma on cold, winter, Misawa days. Bre later told me she almost cried watching Emma and Arielle say goodbye (which turned out NOT to be goodbye yet. ) ::snort::

We thought it would be good for the younger ones to see their things in boxes, as practised.

Stacia said, "Wow! There's lots of hiding places now!"








Even Big People need to let off steam.

Note - I'm at the library and loving the FAST connection. I'll load all the photos that I've uploaded to PB and hopefully get to graduation pics before Saturday (one week late). You KNOW being behind is killing me! ::snort::

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Locks of Love

Two years ago, BreAnne began growing her hair for Locks of Love. On Wednesday, 20 May, we had a girls day at Trendsetters. Bre's rather petite. Her only request was that Heather make sure she "look 24 and not 10" once her hair was cut short. Heather cut off 11 - 12 inches.

I think it turned out darling and was thrilled that Arielle, Stacia, Heather and I got to be a part of the culmination of the project.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Today.....

I told a friend who called tonight that I guess we are going to continue to feel like we are making no progress whatsoever and then all of a sudden it will all be done. LOL

Bre is back in Spokane. Do pray for Bre. The company she works for is closing their mall outlets and so her plans are up in the air.

Josiah, Jared and Krista worked all day at the house.

Mike went to the office.

I took the little ones for a last playdate with the A family.

I got my wedding ring and my new ring resized. Oh, I don't think I've blogged about Sunday yet. ::snort::

Sunday after chapel we had a farewell dinner. It was sweet and touching....and I still hate goodbyes. ::snort::

We then went to have family photos taken. I'll upload some of our favorites when I can get photos to upload. Heather took the photos with our camera....this took care of the pack the tripod delima and allowed her to play with a Nikon digital. ::grin:: We got rained on, but did get some good photos. In my favorite family photo we noted that Stacia and Zander are messing with the older boy's hair...so we are still debating which will be "the one". LOL

THEN Mike took us to DQ. The kids gave me a Mother's Ring. I was totally surprised and blown away. I love it. It will be a tangible piece of them that I can take with me. I laughed. I cried. They snapped photos. LOL

Back to today...Mike came to the house after work and he, Josiah, Krista and Jared are still working. I made two trips to Lowes. I really don't like Lowes. They aren't the most helpful in this store and I ALWAYS end up with the wrong gadget that has to be returned and a new one searched for.

I'm not sure how long they'll be at the house. Josiah is making noise of an all nighter to get it DONE. LOL

I have zillions of photos but I can't seem to get a good enough connection to load them.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Hero - Fred & Jason Stoeker

{Note: Jamin planned to write a review for this book. With moving out of our home, settling in to the trailer and Jamin's graduation, our review will not be posted in a timely manner. Below is the publisher's review. We may post Jamin's review later - AFTER we are settled in Japan...or at least when we have reliable wifi and don't have to race around town looking for connections. ::snort::

Please also note, that I cannot get any photos to load on the blog with current wifi connections while traveling.}

Hero: Fred Stoeker & Jason Stoeker with contributions by Mike Yorkey

Publisher's Summary:

You already know it’s not easy being a single man in this culture today. But it is easy to be overwhelmed, to feel helpless and hopeless about living by God’s high standards for singles. It’s easy to cave in to the pressures of this sex-soaked world and accept defeat—blaming the media, the culture, even girlfriends who don’t know how tough it can be.

But many men have read books like Every Young Man’s Battle and Tactics and have committed themselves to stand strong and pure in the power of God, and to go on the offensive against the onslaught of negative stereotypes. Some have suffered. Some have fallen. But many have experienced victory—and you can be among them.

What makes those committed men so desirable to women? Be Her Hero is their motto. From best-selling author Fred Stoeker, along with his son Jasen, come the straightforward insight and real-life examples you’re looking for to help you take personal purity to its logical conclusion. Here’s straight truth with irrefutable evidence of what makes an ultimate hero to women who long for men of faith—men who stand by their convictions and make their world a safer and better place.

Are you ready to accept the challenge?

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Wednesday, May 20th

Mike went to the office, the kids and I did laundry, got our hair done and made sure we were ready for the final pack out on Thursday.

Having Bre ready and willing made life much easier.

The ongoing debate is....who is taller...Arielle or BreAnne? Bre has been reminding them all SHE is number one, the first born, primo....and they've been pointing out to her that even number six is now taller than she and soon number seven will catch her. ::snort::









Even laundry rooms can be fun if you're with the ones you love.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...

A very Full Day

OMW - If I go to the front of the van and STAND up, I can get 4 bars and maybe post and maybe get email...maybe. I've tried to email Heather and Bobbie Jo for the past hour. Ladies....I've not forgotten. Heather - I'll call you after lunch...we need to take photos, why did we say goodbye last night? I should have saved my tears. ::snifft:: (snorting and sniffing)

Yesterday - we made a great banner out of purple duct tape, a garbage bag and a sharpie....see the packers did leave something. LOL We took Arielle to Mr. Gattis. I LOVED having to move 4 tables together again....and having every seat in the van full as we headed for graduation.

Graduation was sweet....and hard. I have photos...a few...the flash wasn't working and the kids used the little Cannon power shot....We're so very proud of Jamin.

Standing on that platform it came home for all of us...we're leaving....and four kids will be Stateside when we leave....Denial came to a screeching halt. Ah...pray for us. Thanks for all in the SACHSA family who have promised to be there should the boys need anything.

I woke up at 5 a.m. today with leaking eyes....but this is fairly common when a child leaves home around here....and this is graduation, leaving home and saying goodbye to many dear friends.

Today is a chapel farewell. Heather is going to take some family photos for us. Bre flies out tomorrow afternoon. I'll upload photos when I can get a strong enough connection to make it to Photobucket.

Choosing Joy! Yep - even in goodbyes.
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...