SPRING BREAK - ROAD TRIP PART 2 - DAY 5

We left California bright and early. I drove six of the hours. Arielle drove the final two hours. It took us nine hours.  The roads were great - other than the two semis that zipped in front of me without signaling...yes, I did honk. 

 

Note I left the seat in Michael's laid back position

 We stopped at a couple of rest areas but didn't really STOP until Yreka -  the halfway mark. The kids wanted breakfast at Black Bear Diners. We've noted we like the one in Yreka better than the one in Redding.

No photos - but we checked into our hotel. So happy to have one room free.  We went over and surprised Grandpa.

When Krista got off work she joined us. She was scheduled to work at a health fair at her place of employment, one of the local middle schools.  The school just happens to be the same public school where I went to 7-9th grade. Lots more bars but all else looks the same.  Stacia dutifully went from station to station getting her passport stamped. Here we learn that the food industry uses yellow, red and orange in their advertising because these colors make you hungry. LOL

 

Krista was assigned with safety and crowd control for the fire dancing. Believe it or not, we were informed this is good for your health. ::snort:: We got the sense they are used to preforming in much less clothing.

 

This man burned his arm and singed his hair...

 

This man caught his pants on fire - I.am.not.making.this.up!  The photos of his pants on fire had to be deleted - unfortunately he is into gangsta style and it showed much of his body I don't want to remember!

 

This performer is one of the science teachers at the school

 

 

We were totally wiped out and came home to sleep after the health and wellness fair. 

Spring Break - Road Trip

I suppose it's endearing, but it's starting to freak me out. Michael has taught Nolan how to change a tire, the chains and tools are in the van, the oil is changed.....and if we don't hit a "spring snow storm," we'll be fine.  Long time friends KNOW my record with passes and snow...and so I'm praying for nice weather...and no flights off  mountain tops. Seriously.

Nolan has been instructed that of the three adults going on this trip (Arielle, himself and me) HE is the one that stays awake. The significance being  WE are the drivers. He's riding shot gun and is tasked with talking - a lot.

Shoot! What could happen on a road trip???? ::sigh::

Bags are packed. We had enough hotel points  to get one hotel room free and we'll pay for the other - not the hotel we wanted to stay at....but on the other hand not the cheapest hotel either. I found one at 1/2 this price on West 6th and Michael said, "No."

The kids and I are heading to Oregon. Shhhhh....we may be surprising my Dad....but Mom knows we're coming....

For those unaware, the last really big road trip I took, without Michael, included a 9. earthquake, a tsunami,  communication black out from the family, and 8 days trying to hop a ride home. 

The chances of repeating that are VERY slim...and this time I have all the Gherkins with ME.....maybe that's why Michael is making sure I have tools, water, food, sleeping bag.... maybe it's why Stacia keeps asking, "Why can't we take the train?"

Arielle and I are confident. Krista does this alone - we've got it. It's time to do this thing -  get out there and have adventures. ::ye haw::

Spring Break - Day 4

Our Wednesdays are made for chapel...... CWOC treated us to a scrumptious breakfast at PWOC.... after studies we had a PWOC board meeting.

Michael went to the doctor and now has a couple more referrals - all part of retiring - and is on quarters for 3 days - not part of retiring.  He's got some bad crud....

After the board meeting the kids and I had hair cuts. The gal my appointment was with was having a longer than expected coloring....and so I had a gal who hasn't cut my hair before.  I've learned to say I want a "Mom Bob"....so I said that....and that has never resulted in razors and thinning and such...but there you have it....

I'm pretty sure I should quit allowing close-ups or at the very least shouldn't smile for them. ::snort::

The older three headed for PYOC. As Michael is sick, and we are leaving for five days, Stacia and I stayed home.  We talked about our day and then I worked on some projects I need to have done before I leave - Prot News and such.... and now I need to go pack....because I'm determined to load the kids into the van and leave at 0darkthirty....debating if I should plot a route or just put in Mom and Dad's address in the GPS and go.

Arielle will have a college preview day on Friday in OR.

CWOC = Catholic Women of the Chapel
PWOC = Protestant Women of the Chapel
PYOC = Protestant Youth of the Chapel
Prot News = Protestant Parish weekly bulletin/newsletter

Spring Break - Day 3

We spent the a.m. playing games and running around the house. I don't know why - synergy. 

 

Elise likes her blueberry smoothie - to eat and wear

 I made these as a surprise for tomorrow's PWOC board meeting.....

Brenner and Stephanie picked up our three extras around 3:30 p.m. We had a blast. It was fun reliving those days and yes, we really are content to be past them.  Yuuki seemed spent and relieved to have less little ones in the house. LOL

I headed to base at 4:00 p.m. to meet with a gal to chat. We watched session 11 of Daniel. Only one more week in this study.

McBean Park - Spring Break Day 2

I did beat the little darlins up! My body was ready to be up at 0330.

 

I heard a sweet little voice soon after:

 

Good morning God

This is your day

I am your child

Show me your way

 

I told her God isn't up at 0330 - He's snuggling down for another hour of sleep. Poor theology. I know. I know.

 

The time change didn't lead to later mornings for our household......it's been awhile since the dinos have been played with.

Clara Beth animal tamer extradonaire!

We all got up, ate, I worked out, and we headed to Lincoln for McBean Park.

Clara, Nolan, Cole, Stacia, Elise, Arielle

 Alex asked to stay home. He said his ears are bothering him. I'm not quite sure if he has a bit of congestion - has no symptoms - or if he just craved some quiet. I let him stay home.

She's a natural!

Cole scales tall walls

This is a really nice park which we need to visit more often! Especially NOW when the weather is in the mid- high 70's and most are in school. ::snort::

I did find it ironic to note all the TRASH around the park. I rarely saw trash in the parks in Japan (the beach was a different story) and there are no trash cans at the parks in Japan. I looked around and observed empty trashcans all over the park. I picked up trash while the kids played....and got an education on the things kids are eating and drinking these days. LOL

We came home in time for Nolan and Arielle to have Japanese and the girls to nap.

I made biscuits, a salad and cut up fruit, to go with the roast and veggies we'd put in the crock pot early this a.m.

These kids were waiting for Michael to get home - so.was.I.  Takes me back a few years - to the days when all Michael had to do to be my big time hero was walk in the front door. ::snort::


Elise flies upside down

After dinner we went for a nice walk around the neighborhood - tis the season - great weather and just a few mosquitoes.  We used to do nightly walks to wear the kids out before bed.



Leisurely walk.....



Burning off energy

 

Day 2 of Spring Break is in the bucket. It was a fun day. BEAUTIFUL weather! I do keep thinking we really NEED RAIN.

Spring Break - Day 1

We have declared the upcoming week to be SPRING BREAK.....and we kicked it off by welcoming 3 more children into our home. They'll spend a few days with us while their parents have some pre-deployment couple time.  It's fun for all of us to have little ones in the house again.  Wednesdays are ALWAYS crazy and Thursday the kids and I are leaving town for a few days.

We settled in, played around and when we thought Yuuki would appreciate a break....we walked to the blue park.

Stacia, Zander and Clara Beth

Shoot out at the OK Corral - Cole on top

Elise doing her Calamity Jane impression

Nolan and Elise

Ah - sweet hugs for Arielle from Elise

He decided not to use it in this setting - great choice!

 Stacia is five feet tall now! She comes to the top of my nose. She is nine years old. I think she may hit six feet in the photo below.

LOVE THE HAIR

 The girls needed a water break..and I was going as fast as I could but eventually Elise decided she could use the dog watering faucet much easier....

 

Elise was nice enough to help Clara get a good drink

 After dinner we had about an hour to play. Cole LOVES the walkie talkies the boys have......

It was a lot of fun to listen to the dialogue between him and the big boys upstairs. It's obvious these are military kids.

Meanwhile Mr. Mike entertained the kids taking strange photos.....

Elise is quite the photographer!

Michael, Elise and Clara (in the pjs)

Odd, odd photos.....Michael, Elise, Clara, Stacia and Arielle's feet

 

I'm glad we opted to simply enjoy the kids this week - rather than trying to fit school in too - we're brainstorming what we want to do.

We settled down with a bit of Veggie Tales and then off to bed.

Michael and I are going to spend some time in the backyard onsen to reward ourselves for successfully resurrecting our pre-school parenting skills. ::grin::

A Very Full Week

Some weeks are busy and we've had several in a row like this.  I'm starting to realize this may be life until we skid right into retirement. I think I'm o.k. with that if I can find one day to rest a week. ::grin::  We don't often post a long "week in review," but that's  what I'm doing this week.  In addition to this, add in a busy work week for Michael as he still catches up from his weeks off after surgery, sermon prep and workouts.

We left off with Stacia's determination to sell enough lemonade to get us all to Japan.

FRIDAY
We finished up our school week and I went to an appointment with my favorite base doctor. He ordered my typical labs: cholesterol, blood glucose and thyroid. He also referred me to a dermatologist to check out some suspicious spots and insists I must have a colonoscopy. It is currently scheduled for next week - but I will not be in town. I'll get it rescheduled.

I capped off the week with some PWOC board chatting time and then some Star Trek episodes at home.

Seesters....

 

 

SATURDAY
Arielle has been joining Stacia and I for Saturday morning breakfasts. We went to Kim's Country Kitchen in Lincoln this week.  

As always we enjoyed the conversation and the time spent together.

I must admit it's a tad bit alarming to eat with a canoe over your head.

Arielle needed to buy some new sheets and Target was nearby. 

Ah the decisions..... I told her to go with the set that made her smile.  Who cares what room mates may think? She chose Olaf. I'll turn the top sheet into a quilt for her as she prefers not to have a top sheet...sort of a futon type of thing going on.


 When we got home Michael was done with sermon prep and suggested we drive to Roseville and see Paddington - which we did.  Unfortunately, the showing we planned to attend was sold out. We went to the mall - yep - first time we've done that and we've been here 1 1/2 years. LOL  Michael doesn't like shopping.....but the Disney store provided  a fun trip down memory lane.

We remember hunting EVERYWHERE for a Woody for Jamin(23)

SUNDAY

Gathering together with the body of Christ is always a blessing. Michael preached on Matthew 14:22-27. His points were Be Obedient, Be Bold, Be Not Afraid and Be Amazed. Powerful.  I think I'm somewhere between the "Be Not Afraid" stage and the "Be Amazed" stage of our particular walk on the water.

 

It was Zander's turn to choose our Sunday dinner restaurant. He wanted to go to Taste of China. I have no desire to give them any further business after "the incident," but it was Zander's turn. We discussed it and discovered he likes Taste of China for the sweet and sour chicken. So Michael found another Chinese restaurant to try out. 

 

Full House Chinese in Yuba City - a winner. There were only two women working but they were courteous, the facility was clean and the food was yummy (not over the top yummy but yummy). Next time we'll order family style as we discovered when Zander wants "Sweet and Sour Chicken" he wants CHICKEN....not the rice, egg rolls etc.... I mentioned that I'd like to order just veggies and she created this for me.  I could only eat 1/2 of it. MINE was over the top yummy.

Veggie Delight

We spent the rest of the afternoon/evening resting.

 

MONDAY

Lots of school.

 

I had my fasting labs and then put the PWOC trainer hat on and trained this year's PWOC Leadership Selection Team. A team of five great women committed to praying for God to reveal leaders for next year's ministry here at BEALE AFB PWOC. 

Stroller parking for training

Japanese lessons are a highlight of Mondays.

 

I was hugely blessed when the pharmacy had BOTH my meds ready and I didn't have to make two 30 minute trips to base to get them!!!!

 

TUESDAY

We did mega amounts of school!

 

We got the news that Prince King had made his arrival in Germany! We do miss Josh and Christine.

Daniel John

 Jamin made a trip to Texas A & M and was interviewed for a program in National Security and Diplomacy.

 

I finished the day discussing Daniel 9 with some sweet gals.

 

WEDNESDAY

Our Retreat Logo

Stacia came down with the flu. This changed our Wed routine. Zander stayed home with her. Nolan, Arielle and I went to PWOC.

 

After PWOC the older two watched kids and I attended a Retreat team meeting. It's going to be good.

 

THURSDAY

Stacia was still sick - so Zander got some school done and stayed with her.

 

Us older 3, headed for M&Ms (Moms and Mentors). We finished discussing Desperate by Sarah Mae and Sally Clarkson.  This group is growing and we are praying for older moms who are willing to join and invest in the group. I've committed to leading until retirement.  We had nine moms today - plus quite a few children - and we'll be starting Walking with God in the Season of Motherhood at the end of this month. The group determined to meet twice weekly through the spring/summer.

 

I decided to make sugarless chocolate chips - so I could make sugarless, gluten free cookies on

Friday. LOL

Stacia felt better today but we told her she had to fever free for 24 hours before she could go out.  Arielle stayed home with her and the rest of us went to see a 7 p.m. showing of The Dropbox.

Stacia came down this morning with a tooth that needed pulling. I've had nine children - I just don't pull teeth. Michael does.....HOWEVER.....ZANDER has become the official puller of teeth in our family. We're starting to wonder if he'll have a career in dentistry. Stranger things have happened.

Both are happy with this arrangement - and I figure $3 for 3 tooth extractions is a STEAL of a DEAL!

  

FRIDAY

School......

 

National Prayer Luncheon  at 11:30.

 

Quick trip to the commissary and getting goodies ready for Bunco.

 

Friday night was the first Beale PWOC/Chapel Bunco night. We had a blast. Everyone was welcome....women, men, singles, youth, spouses.....We called it a Mustache Bunco Bash.

 

Stacia was thrilled to be allowed out of the house

Arielle babysat for a couple of families last night. We had 18 attending - that's a great start. There is talk of making a chapel bunco night a monthly event...not necessarily sponsored by PWOC. I always think back to Wayne and Cherri and the wonderful monthly bunco nights they hosted in their home for couples from First Church in Portland. We've seen this usually grows as more become aware of the easy fun.....great way to get to know a lot of folks quickly.  AND you don't have to answer those "ice breaker" questions which can be uncomfortable for the majority of us. LOL

 

SATURDAY

We're back at Saturday!  Arielle was up coughing all night. I woke up at 0400 and couldn't get back to sleep. We were both downstairs early. Around 7:45 Stacia came staggering in with an offended look on her face. She woke up and thought we'd gone out to breakfast without her. I assured her THAT will not happen. She was the original partner in the early Saturday adventures - we can't leave her.  We decided to eat breakfast here and sit enjoy the backyard onsen instead of going out. We're all tired.

 

Next week looks really busy too. The following week is busy but a bit less. I think the week of  22 March will be back to normal....maybe. 

 

We guessed, given the low manning at this assignment,  we'd be running up until retirement.....and we're going to love those months in the trailer. LOL

 

Note: Stacia doesn't wear her green shirt ALL the time - she does put it on every time I pull it out of the dryer.