Savoring (and packing ::snort::)

We've spent the past couple of days simply savoring each moment we have together. How strange that it takes an upcoming separation to really slow down and savor....to laugh about the snoring, reach for hands more often when running errands, hug and cuddle more often, silly little glances, snuggling close to hear the heartbeat you won't hear for a bit of time....savoring. One of the joys of deployments; a new awareness of how much you truly do mean to each other.

We are staying up late to watch Star Wars; a special, special treat for the kids.

Tomorrow, we begin our "deployment trial" as Mike leaves for a month. He'll be home mid-March for a bit more time and then the real thing. Our goal in the next month is to find all the little things we've not thought of and take care of them before the real thing. We've never had the luxury of a trial run before. ::snort::

One of the fun things about these trips are the new toys Michael brings home!

From 2010-02-15

From 2010-02-15

Nah, I won't get preachy - but - (ah shoot; I'm a teacher,I have to get preachy) if you have the luxury of keeping your spouse home, why not pretend you have a long separation coming up and see if you can't savor a bit of the fun without the parting?

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

26 Years & All of Japan is Celebrating With Us....

Twenty-six years ago today, I married my best friend.

From 2010-02-14

We had a great day. To do it justice, I'll have to write it up later.

Twenty-six years later....

From 2010-02-14

From 2010-02-14

Snow...fireworks...and a new cultural experience. It just doesn't get any better than this.

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Saturday Sledding

I have a FANTASTIC husband!

Mike took the kids out sledding and told me to go to bed. I was on Day 3 of a migraine, which started with Jared's science experiment. I hadn't had time to sleep it off and the meds were having limited success. I agreed, with the understanding that they'd take lots of photos.

From 2010-02-13

They headed to this great hill on the base. We were a bit sad when we couldn't find "sleds" earlier in the season, but this snow mover has proven to be wonderful fun.

From 2010-02-13

Mike finds the size to be a bit limiting. Jared commented that watching Mike slide down the hill was "like watching a giraffe do the things giraffes do."

From 2010-02-13

This is the photo that made all wish they'd had video running.

From 2010-02-13

As the story goes, Stacia, Zander and Arielle were sliding down the hill. They hit a bump and Stacia flew out. She continued holding on to the sled and the sled went over the top of her.....with Arielle commenting, "One minute Stacia was there and the next all I saw were her arms under the sled." Since no one got hurt, and it really was funny to see, we enjoyed a good laugh.

From 2010-02-13

Stacia got back on the sled and the day ended well. She told me ALL about the day several times when they arrived home.

Mike came home with lasagna and garlic bread to throw into the oven. Shew. What a blessing.

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Amusing Sign

From 2010-02-03

Ah, the permission to follow the rabbit trail. I love diversions and have to guard so closely against them in so many areas of life. This amused me.

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

I'm dreaming of exercise equipment again...

There was a GREAT machine at the gym in San Angelo. I told everyone it was HARDER than an elliptical, yet easier than an elliptical. It adjusted to your strength and stride....no buttons....just change your pace....awesome machine...great workouts....cross between a stepper and an elliptical and you could run on it as well....without hurting your knee.

Mike has been talking about a machine at the gym. It's the one above....very, very similar to the one I loved in TX.......and now I KNOW which machine I want to buy....trouble is, it's spendy - I've found it for $5,000.00 - $8,000.00 and no one will ship this puppy to Japan. ::snort::

BUT we've finally found a machine that both Mike (tall, long stride) and I (somewhat short) both would be happy to own.....in the meantime, now that I KNOW this wonder is at the base gym....when the ice goes away....maybe I'll drive all the way up there....once we get school well under way. LOL

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

What's a nice TEXAN girl doing in a predicament like this?????

What's a girl to do when she's over by the ponies, sledding down a hill, blocks from home and realizes she has to go potty....

From 2010-02-11

I heard her coming and ran to open the door....but the drama was over...."It went all out my leg," she told me.

I needed to wash another load of snow pants and coats anyway. ::snort::
Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Tanjobi Omedeto Alexsan & Language Bloopers

Zander has decided that Japanese lessons aren't terrible after all. Akikosan won his heart with Valentine Chocolate.

From 2010-02-11

These are Japanese animated characters. The one on the left is a bread roll filled with adzuki bean paste. He's like superman. The other hero is the piece of bread. The chocolate was good.

From 2010-02-11

Today Zander turns 8! What a very long ways he has come in the last 4 - 5 years. We're proud of him. Akiko is now working on base. We've moved our lessons from afternoon to evening. Mike made it home right before Akiko arrived.....so we saved his Ice Cream Cake (icesu creamo keki - slaughtered that spelling LOL)to share.

From 2010-02-11

She seemed to really like the ice cream cake. Later this evening Jared remarked that we probably should have explained the pig hat so that she doesn't think it's an American tradition.

From 2010-02-11

From 2010-02-11

From 2010-02-11

From 2010-02-11

Today's Japanese language humor is once again brought to you at my expense. I replied, "Watashi WA kokeshi doll" and it should have been "Watashi NO kokeshi doll". I said, "I am a Kokesihi doll," instead of "That's MY Kokeishi doll." Jared and Akiko realized my mistake at the same moment.

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...