February Giveaway Failure

I failed. I have the February giveaway items in my closet...but they never got mailed. Mike went to training, I was preparing for my 21 days of travel in March, then Michael deployed and we were finding our deployment legs...I simply didn't get the package mailed (and haven't mailed school books back to friends and/or Mother's Day gifts), it's so HARD for me to fit the extras into my days.

We are two months late - and it seems silly to send out goodies that may be stale. SO..... I had plans for March and April...but it's May. I can't think of much else until after our retreat...well I'm THINKING, but I fear follow through won't be there.

Please extend grace. Our Japanese Giveaways will begin again in June....I need space to breathe. LOL

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

Thursday/Friday

Thursday, I joined Susane and Sarah and we drove up the site of our upcoming Ladies Retreat. It was great fun to get a visual of the place.  I think it's going to be great. The scenery is spectacular and right on the lake. I was a bit surprised by a man in a robe and not much else wandering by - but this is Japan - I suppose it must have something to do with an Onsen. I want one of the robes now. LOL

Thursday night was Japanese lessons. Poor Akikosan. We were TIRED. We've been up at sunrise and I've not been falling asleep before midnight - despite my best resolve.   Last night I fell asleep shortly after 8:00 p.m. (the kids tell me I went to bed at 7:30 p.m.) and I slept in until 6:30 a.m. I've been up at 4:45 a.m for the past two weeks.

Today was Bible study day. Our group really loved Kay Arthur. It was the first week with Kay. We're doing "Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed." A study with two sessions each, taught by Priscilla Shirer, Beth Moore and Kay Arthur. This has been a great introduction to Priscilla and Kay for the ladies in "my" group. I was wondering what others would think of Kay. They loved her...more than that, they loved digging out "gems" for themselves. Go ladies! It was exciting for ME to hear them come in and begin discussing their homework around the tea pot......not even WAITING for the first "discussion starter". I love the Word.... I'd like to do another study by Priscilla and I've not a full blown Precept in five years now...so it's about time to lead another one. This is a great study to end our year.

After Bible Study, Twyla and I ran out to Hachinohe to pick up the kids' glass projects from Monday. The kids are very happy with their work. I relaxed and let the boys keep their cups...but those are the most expensive cups in the house. LOL I bet they'll be careful washing THOSE glasses. LOL

Stacia loves her glass float and gave it to me. I put it in the old fishing creel I have.

Tomorrow, I'm going on a "study retreat" to finish up (I pray) the retreat messages. If you think of it, say a prayer or two for me.

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

Golden Week

Golden Week in Japan runs from 29 April to 5 May. All the children are out of school and people are out of work.
During this week we CELEBRATE....and keep celebrating....

It begins on 29 April  with the Emperor's Birthday (Tennō tanjōbi) and/or Showa Day (Shōwa no hi). Showa day specifically  honors the birthday of the Shōwa Emperor (Hirohito), the reigning Emperor from 1926 to 1989. The purpose of the holiday is to encourage public reflection on the turbulent 63 years of Hirohito's reign.

3 May is Constitution Memorial Day (Kenpō kinenbi).

4 May is Greenery Day (Midori no hi). A day to commune with nature and enjoy your blessings.

5 May - TODAY - is Children's Day (Kodomo no hi). Traditionally this was "Boys Day" or "Feast of Banners" day. There is a "Girls Day" (hinamatsun) is on 3 March.  In 1948 the holiday was changed to Children's Day to celebrate the happiness of all children and to express gratitude toward mothers.  Here's a bit more info from Wikipedia:

Before this day, families raise the carp-shaped koinobori flags (carp because of the Chinese legend that a carp that swims upstream becomes a dragon, and the way the flags blow in the wind looks like they are swimming), one for each boy (or child), display a Kintarō doll usually riding on a large carp, and the traditional Japanese military helmet, kabuto. Kintarō and the kabuto are symbols of a strong and healthy boy.

Here is a photo of our neighbor's flags. We had three little carp in our yard, but one kept blowing away. I love the idea of a celebration in honor of children.....and the blessing they are to our lives. We'll continue this celebration beyond our time in Japan.

I'm thinking Akiko bring mochi tomorrow.....

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

"Adventures"

"Mom,  do not go that way, you will get us absolutely LOST." - Oh Zander, of such little faith. I told him it was an adventure - and it WAS. We found a farm with a giant horse tied up in this little bitty driveway....

Our other adventure was a dining adventure. We've been meaning to try "Coco's," which advertises "California Cooking".  We were surprised that the place was PACKED and that we were the only Americans......whereas when you go to the "Japanese style" restaurants around here they are packed with Americans. Wonder why.....anyway.....The food was good.....BUT.....

Does that "hamburger steak" look just a bit rare? I wouldn't try it. Jared did.

Ah, it came with little cast iron hot plate.

Pancakes seemed safe to Zander and Stacia...

Ice cream and Chocolate sauce on PANCAKES???

Nolan couldn't find the French Toast, until he saw the dessert menu.

Personally, I think ice cream on beans is a bit much.

We did enjoy it and the food was good.

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

Do you know what THIS means?

It means it's WARMING up! This is the first time in months that we wore flip flops and went barefoot on the beach. A big improvement over snow boots.

Evidently, "Don't get all wet," means - in boy speak - "don't get ALL wet!" I couldn't really be upset with them....I understood their excitement.

Of course, anything the boys can do...

Just a tad bit cold. ::snort::

We searched for more sea glass, enjoyed the waves and the sand.....

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

Hanami

Today was the last day of Golden Week (yes, I WILL write about that soon). Today is the day that we understood the excitement over Hanami - Flower Viewing - usually Cherry Blossoms.

 I invited Katie and her kids to come out to Liberty Park with us to see the Cherry Blossoms. I've never seen such a big crowd at any local spot...but it didn't feel overly crowded..... it's a big place.

We hit it RIGHT. The trees were in FULL bloom (as opposed to Saturday's photos when I thought they were in bloom  ::snort::).  We enjoyed a picnic lunch together. Katie's husband is also deployed. I sure enjoyed relaxing and visiting with an adult in the middle of the day. LOL  Katie is a couple of years older than our oldest.  Her 8 month old baby LOVES me. It's strange. I'm not a "baby" person, but the first time we met he reached for me ....and continues to do so. He made my YEAR during Sunday School. He was resisting a nap. I asked if I could walk him for her at the side of the class.... he snuggled his little head right into my neck and then would look up at me and smile....by the time the opening prayer was over he was sleeping.  We enjoyed visiting (at least I did ::grin::), Jared studied under the statue, the kids played.

Michael is such a good traveler. ::snort::

It really felt like a magical land.  I stood under the trees and they made a roof.....gently falling blossoms....

We got school done too! A full day in the sun and school....waking up at 4:30 isn't that bad, really. LOL

You know, I was feeling bad that we didn't do the tourist thing and go to the castle for Cherry Blossoms...but honestly...we are having a lot of fun simply joining in with local festivals etc.

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

Matters of the Heart

Deb, a local friend, told her 3rd graders that Dandelions are weeds. Ah, the trauma. My little ones are not enlightened DOD students. ::snort:: They aren't aware of this sad fact yet. I'm feeling the aging of my baby....and I'm quite content to continue collecting bouquets of Dandelions.

"Humph! Zander said, "don't know why Dad BUYS flowers for you when there are lots of free flowers he could get you everywhere." ::snort::

The fun bottle from Saturday's outing makes the perfect Dandelion vase - marble and all. Check out the little blue glass float in the basket. THAT is a float, that Twyla, found on the BEACH. I want to find floats....and I will some day...but my very first float was given to me by Twyla...and I have to guard it very carefully...from all manner of thieves. ::wink Twyla::

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