Pajamas????? Humph!

We spent this a.m. decorating for next week's VBS. Quite fun. I met a couple of new women and enjoyed accomplishing something definite. LOL

Several of us ate lunch together. I've discovered most on base head to the food court, BX, commissary on hot days - AC.

We headed to the ocean for an hour of swimming. I bought a pump to blow up the air mattresses, but it doesn't work.

Ran into the W family...which was fun.

Back home in time for quick showers and Japanese lessons.

Akiko informs me that our yukatas are "pajamas, suitable for hotel wear".  Evidently, you have to do everything just right for festival.....sleeves, hem, hair, shoes....Sunday we'll go shopping for a real yukata for Stacia. Arielle and I will rent one.  We're looking forward to going to festival with Akiko. I invited her to church but she likes to sleep.....I may have to find an evening service. ::snort::

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

Playing - Self Care at its Finest

When we lived in San Antonio I had a dear friend...Brenda. We would go to the parks, the lakes, Sea World...and we'd play with our kids. We'd visit...but we played a lot while we visited. We noted we were some of the few in our group that played with their kids..... In San Angelo, at Park Days, I'd be one of a handful of Mommies playing with her children instead of visiting under the pavilion.

Guadalupe River State Park, near San Antonio - site of many happy afternoons

Yesterday, I realized something. The kids were playing at the chapel outing. The moms had a great time visiting....as we should. Nothing wrong with that. I've ENJOYED and CRAVED the female friendships with which God has blessed me.  I realize, however, that I've transitioned from being the "playing mommy" to the "visiting mommy". This leaves a lot of the watching of younger children to Arielle - and she needs the freedom to enjoy her friends too. I'm also robbed of the "funnest Mom in the world title." My youngest two need to know I play. I've been fairly busy since they were born. ::snort::

Yesterday afternoon I donned my swimsuit when we headed for the beach. Instead of shorts and t-shirt. It was COLD and I didn't go in much.  Today, we went again. I swam the whole time with the little ones. I took Stacia and Zander way out to the rope with the big kids. All had a great time. At bedtime I heard things like, "Mom, thank you for swimming with us today," and "Mom, we had fun jumping over waves, didn't we?," and "Mom, you are the funnest"!  Not one of them commented on the fact that I look bad in my swimsuit (and I was glad to have lost that 10 lbs in the last few weeks).  ::snort:: Yes, I love visiting with my friends and I'm sure there are balances to be had...but I know I got it right the last couple of days. I wasn't sure the little ones would WANT to play with MOM - but they loved it. I did too.  Mike committed to me years ago to be "a fully engaged father"  - even though he's "getting up there in age". This week I realized that I NEED to play as much as possible with the children, while they still want to play with me.

Not the actual waves we jumped over...

THIS is self-care at it's finest!

Choosing Joy!

©2010 D.R.G.

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

Marshmallow Guns???

I've still not found a Feingold friendly marshmallow....certainly not in Japan. Blue dye and yuck in them...but they taste so good.

The white coals SCREAMED for roasting marshmallows and making s'mores. A treat we've not had  at home in recent years.....and one that used to be a part of every camping trip and many BBQ's.  Twyla and Jim made some yummy ones for all the guests at the lake last week..... Before I knew it - we were grilling......No, I don't keep marshmallows in the house....but the kids got marshmallow guns for Christmas.... ::snort::  ::gasp:: They willingly sacrificed the ammo.

Yes, bamboo yakitori skewers for sticks....

I also don't keep Hershey's in the house and didn't want to WASTE the organic graham crackers I order from vitacost on such small marshmallows and chocolates..... thus was born the world's smallest s'more....

It's hard to tell, but it's a mini-mallow, with a chocolate chunk between two Annie bunny grahams. Tasted wonderful.

Choosing Joy!

©2010 D.R.G.

~Coram Deo~

Living all of life before the face of God...

Outdoors Day

Today was to be our long awaited, and oft cancelled trip to Towada Horse Park. I'd not been too worried when plans fell through twice before for us to go. I knew we'd go with the chapel on 20 July - Chapel Summer Activities....our picnic was packed, but unfortunately....it was not to be. They are typically closed on Mondays....or Tuesdays if Monday is National Holiday. As you may remember, yesterday was OCEAN DAY.  We knew this may happen.

The group called and said we were going to Swan Park instead. We love both Swan and Liberty park; both are less than 10 min from our house. Off we went. It was a great group today. Lots of fun for all in our family.

We headed to Shimoda mall when we left the park. I bought some produce and some fresh salmon to grill for dinner.

When we got home, we realized it was too hot for any of us to want to do school AND there was still much of the day left.

We went to Veedol Swim Beach. SCORE. The bathrooms were open (we'd thought they'd only be open on the weekends until August), the beach was pretty empty... it was cooler than our house, AND Anna and kids happened to be there. They enjoyed  a rousing game of football on the beach and in the ocean. I'm not sure I've mentioned that most our beaches around here are rather littered. We've got to beware of  broken glass or tin cans. That is not the case at the swim beach. They groom it. There's a HUGE mountain of sand - so I think they keep it pretty well covered and such....we couldn't find sea glass or sand dollars...but no broken glass, strange garbage or tin cans either. The kids really like swimming here. Jared and Arielle mentioned how clean the water is. I guess they aren't particularly impressed with swimming at the base lake. No one had mentioned that to me before. LOL The bathrooms and showers here are certainly cleaner. ::snort::  We'd like to try again with the kayak.....

 Arielle is becoming a lovely young lady, inside and out. I've been thrilled to watch her confidence in social settings increase. She's really coming out of her shell.

Stacia loved that I came in (though not far; it was COLD)...here she gives me non-stop encouragement and swimming tips...."Hop, Mom, hop like this". Yes, I DID have the camera in the ocean...not to fear it wasn't the Nikon DSLR...this is why Michael buys me point and clicks these days.

They've built a cove out of tertrapods....out by the flag it is over Arielle's head....the older ones like the depth....the younger ones are detoured by the waves....and there is a lifeguard on duty...though he's WAY far away from the ocean. I don't quite understand the thought on his placement.

The one shell of the day

Michael, remember the wall we walked on last year? It now sports and English sign....and there were many bikes parked on the wall and elderly Japanese gentlemen  over the barricade fishing....guess they figured only Americans would be criminal to cross it? ::snort::

I discovered my Lands End suit of 3 years ago....has lost its elastic. I'm trying to find another online...but it's a bit late in the season. I guess I can keep using safety pins. LOL

We came home and enjoyed a dinner of grilled salmon, grilled potatoes, buns and fruit. Dessert will be the next post. Mike Skyped....practically, nearly perfect day.

Amazing that last week I was thinking we must not get a summer in Misawa....it was COLD, rainy and foggy....this week....mid 80's...wonder how long it will last?

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

Me and All of Japan

Renee, Ricky and Catherine joined Arielle, Stacia and I for a trip out to the "Dirty Obi" shop today. We were on  a mission for yukatas. Akiko is taking us to the festival in a couple of weeks and we need yukata....summer kimono.  Well....... This place is amazing...room upon room of kimonos, obis, yukatas......overwhelming. The summer yukatas were only Y100.  Then he gave me "special price" - I haven't a clue why.

These are cotton. I washed them. Sleeve fell off one and one shrunk a lot....nice bathrobes...the sleeve that fell off was for Krista - I bet she could fix it. LOL

THIS has got to be one of - if not THE - strangest car I've seen on any of the continents I've lived in.

It is HOT here!!! Hot! 84* last time I checked around noon.  The kids and I thought it would be a great day to go to the swimming beach. Several Americans (Navy Seal included) have drowned in the seas of Northern Japan. Because of this, it is now in the SOFA agreement that we will not swim in beaches north of Hachinohe (which is south of us).  This is the ONE beach that we are allowed to swim in - it's a little man made cove.  This being a Monday during the school year, we expected seclusion. We knew it was a long shot, but we invited several friends to join us. Twlya and Mary and kids did. We had a great time......there was quite a stiff wind and so we're still gritty after a shower. LOL

It seems, however, that me and ALL OF JAPAN thought it would be a good day to go to the beach. Turns out today is a National Holiday - Ocean Day. ::snort:: What are the chances????

Marine Day (海の日, Umi no Hi?), known as 'Ocean Day' or 'Sea Day' is a Japanese national holiday celebrated on the third Monday in July. Many people take advantage of the holiday and summer weather to take a beach trip. As it is a modern secular holiday, there are no traditional ceremonies associated with the day.

This really struck us as funny. I bet it's a story we remember and tell for years to come.

We had dinner and then ran to the base to deliver Jared and Arielle to PYOC.  I watched the kids at the park while Renee ran to see a friend of ours and her new baby. She came back and I ran to the hospital, while Renee and Susane visited. Then I had time to visit with Renee and Susane while we waited for PYOC to conclude....Good day. Tomorrow we venture to the Horse Park.

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

Heat Wave

We had a heat wave today.... 81* at 7:30 p.m. It was HUMID.

Great day to be in the Air Conditioned chapel. ::grin:: Then we headed for Kaikinkoen....Momoishi Beach.

Some enjoy the ocean...

Some enjoy the estuary....

All had fun and STAYED cool! We went to visit the Miss Veedol Swim Beach and found it packed. When been told it was only open in August...um...it was open...but we prefer our quiet beach. Though the showers and western toilets at the Swim Beach are appealing.  

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

Reports from the Rock Pile

The Public Affairs video on the trip Michael describes below:


Click here to read an official article about the outreach.

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