TGIF - Hair and Blog Books

Arielle talked Stacia into growing her hair out so she could braid it and play with it. She found a website with lots of tutorials and both girls have enjoyed the new experiments.  This "star burst" is really cute.

A full day of school, bit of socializing for both Gherkins and me, dinner....and look what came in the mail today. It's been fun to review 2010 all printed and ready to enjoy. LOL

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

The Cafe

A couple of folks have mentioned this cafe to me in passing. I was happy to visit it today to see for myself. Lacey and I met for lunch, a hot drink and some meaningful conversation.  The restaurant exceeded my high expectations. The conversation was perfect.

This cafe is near Big D's. On the road you'll see a little sign that simply says "cafe".  I think it has a french name....but I couldn't figure it out from the signs.

 

Turn onto that street and you'll see a parking lot; there is more parking around the front too. I loved the little play area, the clean lines, wood stove....

 

I don't drink coffee, but Lacey's looked good. I had a "whipped milk" - which was the steamer I'd been dreaming of...I also had a Basil Pesto Pasta that was yummy. 

I plan to take advantage of this new find as much as possible before I move. It's "close" to our house.

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

The Work Must Go On

Even in the dead of winter (February in this case), when the snow is fresh and the roads are covered.....

The work continues. EVERY SEASON IS CONSTRUCTION SEASON in Misawa. It's truly amazing to watch.....and they'll bow politely as you pass....this isn't a great photo...but we we're driving...and our memories are sharp and clear. LOL

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

She's a Wrapper

A true TCK (Third Culture Kid) moment....wrapping homemade lumpia with my daughter, in our kitchen in Japan, while Michael manned the fry pan.....Arielle was THE star WRAPPER.....

I could not BELIEVE we were out of rice....neighbors to the rescue...and the kids really like WHITE rice much better than our typical brown rice. 

At MOPS today Melissa shared her international adoption story. It was precious to watch the videos of the  two "Gotya" days. Of course, this calls to mind the dream Michael and I have long had of running a Christian Children's home...Arielle helped with the little Moppettes and reports that babies are exhausting...::snort::

We had lunch with Michael, ran to the commissary, and then Arielle visited with friends while I began chopping, chopping, chopping for our vegetable lumpia...and ginormous cheese rolls for the younger set. ::grin::

The kids are cleaning up and then we'll settle in for a devotional, a time of sharing (one praise, one thought, one prayer request), and at LEAST one chapter of Aman's Adventures.

Ah, the perfect ending to a busy day.....and the week is almost over. 

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

Archery Adventures

Our archery adventures continue as all learn how to use Alex'  new compound bow....they are shooting into the snow hill at the end of the street.....

Alex has spent much time trying to figure out how to teach Arielle NOT to shoot her arrows HIGH...and into the farmer's field...but the neighborhood kids enjoy the search and rescue aspect being added to the fun.

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

Visitors from Afar

Our chapel community has been hosting our PAC AF Command Chaplain and Chief this week. For me this has added up to three meals out in the past three days, more opportunities than typical to connect as a chapel staff, a great sermon received at the Prayer Luncheon and lots of fun conversations.  I have enjoyed the extra opportunities this week has provided for connecting with Chapel Staff.

Ch. Dondi Costin - via 376aew.afcent.af.mil

For Michael it has also meant trying to get a week's worth of work done in a "short week," a chance to interview with the command chaplain and then on Monday, Michael and TSgt Anderson drove our guests down the coast to the areas which sustained more tsunami damage.

I was sorry I couldn't find a photo of Chief O online...he's come out annually for the four years we have been here. ::grin:: He'll retire in a few months after 30 years of service.

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

About that Driving Ban....

It's a bad sign when your cars are covered with snow UNDER the carport! I KNEW that average snowfall is in April.....but around here....it feels like spring when the roads melt.

I HAVE been driving....the roads are often covered with snow in the a.m. but o.k. by mid-morning.....

Just how much snow HAVE we had this year? These facts are from Misawa's Emergency Management Facebook Page on 12 March.

• Misawa has accumulated 187.8" of snow so far this season
• 34.2" shay of last season's 222.9"
• On this date LAST season we were sitting at 176.7"
• Currently we are 11.1" ahead of last season
• The last day of snowfall last season was on April 9th

Winter hasn't given up yet - but SPRING IS COMING - it always does. ::wink:: 

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