Traveling

We had a misunderstanding. Michael said we were leaving at 0630...BRE was up and ready to go at 0620. Michael was JOKING. So Bre and I were ready.....but we didn't leave until about 0930. Arielle caught the joke, the boys and Stacia sleep until we push them out of bed.

This was the sign we saw most the day....no points of interest ahead! ::snort::  We got a late start but we're in Henderson, NV..... Some sights from the day....

Beautiful California area - we'll be camping soon

Reno

Sleep and an "early" start on the slate for tomorrow. 

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

Bre made it!

She's here....nine hours and change... Stacia is giving her the "detours" aka "tour." 

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

Making a Room

Yuuki loves to sit and lay on the steps leading to the spa

Culture shock - ordered this YESTERDAY and it arrived today. We don't even have a mailbox key yet. 

Michael and I ran to the post office to pick up our mail. We had a HUMONGOUS stack....turns out they were to eight different people who supposedly lived at this address. Hmmm. We DID get a few fliers to the current resident and I'm counting that as mail to our new home. ::snort::

When we got home the kids took all the seats out of the van. We had spent the day packing. Yuuki seemed to know something was up.

 It was. We took her to visit her new vet. We really liked the group of ladies and the vet loved that Yuuki was just in from Japan.

Vegan meals like this too many more days and I'm bound to get fluffy! 

We stopped by Sam's and loaded a futon and two recliners into the back of the van. The timing is odd with us leaving...but we had decided a futon would be good to have when our parents visit so they don't have to navigate the stairs. Bre is due ANY TIME and will need to sleep somewhere tonight.

Arielle got really silly. We expected Bre about 8:00 p.m. It is now 9:19 p.m. She called at 7:45 and was two hours out. 

Yep, the silliness led to this....

Nolan enjoys the benefit of his work

I had commented to Mandy that I hoped the younger two would love all the boxes when we unpack but may be too old to enjoy on our next move......look at this...."Mom, I made a sword and a shield!"

Arielle tries out the Grannie Bed - note all the furniture is gigantic and I can't touch the floor any longer. I'm not in Japan any longer. 

See the pile of boxes......they are dreaming of what they're going to build. Zander (Alex) asked if he can bring some on the trip. They are going to love all the boxes in a couple of weeks. ::snort:: 

Still waiting for BreAnne to arrive. Moving cardboard to garage, bracing windows, packing suitcases...waiting for Bre. 

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

Arielle's Handiwork

Arielle must be feeling a bit better the last couple of days - she's doing Stacia's hair again. This one is a bun, wrapped in a lace braid.

This one has four braids which meet at the bun.....and she tells me she can't do my hair! 

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

Huh???? - Culture Shock....

Things that make me go "Huh?" here in America. Look how close these carts are to the cart corrals? Two different days....

It would be too great of an inconvenience to walk 20 feet so your cart doesn't damage another's car? This sort of  what - self-centeredness? Lazieness? Lack of thought? is stunning after living in Asia for four years.

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

Bit of Humor

Arielle found this online and the dog barking sounded so familiar.....we shared on FB but I know some aren't on FB. We are thinking this may be fun to do.....we haven't yet....but we HAVE found great humor in this as we face our challenge with dog noise....and I HAVE done the "hey, hey, HEY," thing when Yip and Yap are getting loud...and they quiet down to listen. It makes me smile.

 

When we get home, we'll make more of an effort to get to know our neighbors. I'm sure that will help. They HAVE turned the light off that was shining in our windows.

I figure they are having to put up with new kid noise in the back yard - they probably think the dog noise levels it all out. Maybe it does. As long as the dogs go inside before 10 - 11 p.m.

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

It's ONLY Wednesday?

I drove with Michael to base today and kept the van. I was able to go to the fitness center and get a work out in....which was nice. 

The kids and I  decided to take advantage of having wheels and go explore our area. We didn't find a thing we set out to find. We did discover the Yuba City Airport, a big amphitheater, lots of corn and cows.  We found THESE on our doorstep when we came home for lunch. Thanks, Valerie. We're sorry we missed you and the girls. 

Our big goal for the day was to go back to base and get our laundry done before we picked up Michael.  It was hot and run down...but functional. We have clean clothes.

We saw our first coyote as we left the housing area. Unfortunately, a truck hit it just as we saw it. 

I said earlier today on Facebook I really needed a date night but didn't think it would happen until after our trip. When we got home Michael asked where I'd like to go. We put  pizzas in for the kids and headed for Chipotle. YUM - vegan bowl....very good. 

There was a little store next door which sells and repairs phones. We went in and discussed phone options....we really don't want a two year contract....burned too often on those with our lifestyle.  You don't WANT to know how much it cost us in Japan to leave at the "wrong time". LOL Still researching. 

We stopped at Sam's club and decided we'll go back tomorrow night and pick up some furniture. I want a futon before Bre gets here. She needs a mattress and we plan on getting one anyway.

We hit Lowes and came home.....This cracked us up....doesn't show up well - but our 15 pass parked next to a really tall truck. Michael said, "We aren't in Japan any longer are we?"  He suggested you could drive many Japanese cars under the truck. ::snort::

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