Thursday, May 31, 2012

Yuuki's Grand Day

The kids have been teaching Yuuki "tricks". Most are tricks Susi told us she knew before....so she now sits, stays, shakes, rolls over and gives high fives....but when we headed to the beach and I discovered her in my seat.....

Tired after her road trip. LOL 

She LOVES to dig holes in the sand and roll around.

At the end of Akikosan Lessons...Yuuki is exhausted...she does this to herself. 



Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Love, Bikes, Beaches and Language Lessons


  • Reminded yesterday and this a.m. again as I read e100 (I Cor 13 and 2 Cor 5:14-15) that it's all about love...and that has always been my vision and will be my vision and I don't need anything fancier. ::snort::  The love of Christ controls, constrains, motivates, compels, captivates my life...or should. 
  • Bike ride with Stacia to the produce market

  • Simply can't take another moment shut up in here working on regional Admin stuff - heading to the beach

Not sure WHY they added these after the tsunami
They're great to lay on in the sun


  • STUNNINGLY beautiful day - can see the mountains, warm breeze at beach - good call
  • Need to create a new map....wish I was more techie
  • Created a new "go to" dinner using rice, organic red lentil soup, spices and some veggies - curry rice casserole! It cooked while we played at the beach. 
  • Fun lesson with Akikosan. I sure wish we could take her with us back to America. LOL 
Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Morning Bike Ride

I discovered my bike has had a rough winter. The handlebars are twisted, the speedometer and bell are missing, the basket holder is missing. I know it sounds like an old lady bike but it makes me happy. The speedometer and bell are useful for work outs. The basket is great for going to the market and putting produce in to bring home. Oh well......The debate will be - do I buy a Japanese bike or wait a year until we're in the states and leave this one here. Probably the latter. 


This morning was beautiful for a bike ride.  Stacia was happy to go with me and my lopsided bike.

This road can get busy

Most of the roads are rural 

See the mountains! 
I love all the early morning greetings we get as we ride by our neighbors and through the fields.  This is a great time of year to simply observe.

Newly flooded field of rice

This field has dried out enough to be mud. LOL 

After a rather harrowing sharing of our narrow lane with trucks and such...we made it to the smaller produce market. I bought spinach, bananas, apples and an onion.....filled my back pack (since the basket is out of commission).  Stacia bought....

Chocolette icesu creamu.....as Stacia gets a bit steadier in the traffic....we'll attempt to ride to the big produce market by us - the foot onsen/organic restaurant/strawberry field market! 

Choosing Joy!

©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Curry Rice Casserole

I'd never had curry until I moved to Japan - but I like. Kobiashisan told me that curry is "Japanese fast food" like mac and cheese.  I put this together and it's good - though I know Michael won't eat it. I think Michael used to like curry or at least tolerate it until his last deployment. They ate curry every single day. Now he doesn't eat it....I don't blame him...but we like it. LOL  Today I created this go to  dinner.  I'll make a big salad and fish for Michael. 


The commissary began carrying these "all natural soups".  Arielle and I like this one. 

Ingredients - to make a big crock pot
2 containers of Curried Red Lentil Soup
a big onion - chopped
4 - 6 garlic cloves, minced
2  - 3 potatoes (yes, that IS the size of them here and they are EXPENSIVE)
handful of carrots
2 - 4 T of Curry powder
1 - 2 tsp of chili powder
leftover cooked rice - 4 cups

Heat up soup and mix curry and chili with it. Taste. Do you like? If not add more.

Put cooked rice, chopped onion, garlic, carrots and potatoes in crock pot. Pour seasoned soup over all. Turn crock pot on High for about 3 hours. Adjust as needed.

I needed to write this down before I forget what I did.....and I'm going to find a good curry recipe that doesn't use "mixes".


Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

"....My Parents Were Married!"

I am a woman of average height (alright already I'm 5'4" when I stretch but in Asia that makes me tall!) I am the mother of a daughter who is very tall for her age. Check out the photo of her playing twister below. She will be seven in August. It's fairly hard for me to cuddle her these days. Growth charts predict she will be at least 6 feet tall.

Having heard from some of my taller friends that life can be awkward as a tall woman, I've begun encouraging her in any of her girly pursuits, I often tell her how regal and elegant she is. Tonight she told me, "Mom, I'm not regal my parents were married - you should know!" ::snort:: But I'm planting seeds.


Barb, herself a tallish woman, hadn't seen Stacia in about 4 months (like the new feather she's sporting  - she waited nearly a year for it). She commented on how much Stacia has grown. She was about to tell Stacia how tall she's gotten when Stacia said, "I KNOW - I'm BIG."  As Barb and I talked she verified I was on the right track. When a young girl hears, "You're big for your age!" She doesn't hear, "I'm tall, I'm elegant, I'm regal."  She hears, "I'm BIG, I'm FAT, I'm a CLUTZ." 

Might we more carefully consider the words we speak in a child's presence? 

I HAVE and WILL teach her about inner beauty, being comfortable with herself et al....but I do think I will be much more careful in the future about the words I use to describe young kids in their hearing...they pick up on them young. LOL  


Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...


Earlier Love

Before God blessed us with Yuuki, the wonder dog, the highlight of our month was to go to Barb's. Not for haircuts but to play with Lucy.......

and Reeses. 

We had appointments scheduled for the week Michael came home from the hospital. I couldn't break away and so we simply cancelled. We finally got gussied up again today. Shew. It was time.  The above kids are pre-haircut.

It's always fun to visit with Barb and watch the kids play with these dogs. They began to worry what Yuuki would think, but we decided they'd just have to tell Yuuki these dogs were their loves before her...but they love her best now. ::snort::

Yuuki seemed to forgive them.

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...


How Many Gherkins Can You Find?


  • TnT - Ps 51 "Renew a steadfast spirit within me." Steadfast...firm...established...fixed in the face of life. In leadership, I'm encouraged to be steadfast in the face of challenges. In my personal life, steadfast in the face of uncertainties, kids flying the nest, child rearing challenges...steadfast. 
  • Bike ride with Zander and Stacia through the Japanese farming fields, early a.m. "Ohiyogoziamasu" to neighbors....priceless.
  • Fielding ministry emails and praying for a regional brain (admin coordinator) and more. LOL 
  • Zander earned $10 after he rewashed the car and got it right! 
  • Haircuts for all. 
  • Strange incident with an irritated bicyclist.
  • We stopped with dinner on base so we could see Michael. 
  • Rousing bedtime game of Twister....like the new haircuts? There are four Gherkins in this photo - can you find them all? 


Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Playing in the Big League Now

A major milestone in our family is the day you get your military dependent ID. You don't need one until you are 10. You lose them when you are 21 or 23 if you are still in college. 


Zander worked HARD to learn to write his name in cursive...and Alexander Gxxxxxxx  is a LONG name to fit in a tiny spot. I told him to just write a G with swirls...but Michael insisted on learning to write it for real. We did compromise and let him sign as Alex G..... 


 I think that's a long horn sign.



The tradition is ice cream for family celebrations. I went out to dinner with friends last night and got home after Michael was already in bed (he still gets really tired at the end of the day).  I assumed they'd have ice cream before I got home. Evidently Zander told Michael he'd like to wait for Jared (at work) and I to get home before ice cream. Sweet boy. 


Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

A Full Tuesday


  • TnT Ps 50.23 - Being a person of thanks + determining my conduct beforehand  = liberty, rescue, freedom. Do the word studies to figure out how I reached this one. LOL 
  • EARLY a.m. Skype with Mom Mary and Dad Earl - great service from a worker at CC Rehabilitation Center to set it all up. Dad Earl slept through the whole thing, but I think it was good to see him. Certainly was fun to see Mom Mary and for her to see and talk to all, see our home etc. 
  • Spent PWOC with the kidlets today....it was FUN...though terrifying...and a bit snotty. ::snort:: 
    • Zander was my secret weapon to play with the little boys. Good time for all. 
  • Lunch with Arielle, Stacia, Zander and Michael. 
  • Zander got his ID
  • Cooked a "go to" dinner for family 
  • Night out with friends - I need to do more of that!  

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Monday, May 28, 2012

Bucket List

Bucket list? WHAT bucket list?  Jared has a few places he wants to revisit or things he wants to do  before he leaves Japan.

We thought we'd do one of them today, canoe on Lake Towada....but it was too cold. We all lost our motivation and spent a lazy day at home instead.
  • Got up early to try a video Skype with Michael's parents - too many glitches - we'll try again tomorrow. 
  • Skyped with Jamin - a fun and rare treat to catch either he or Josiah at home. 
  • Too cold and wet to go to the Gorge and lake. 
  • Michael took the older 3 children to see The Avengers. Nolan and Jared watched it yesterday and loved it. He'll see if Zander should see it and if so, maybe I'll go watch it. 
  • "Zander, you and I should have a PAC meeting." The words of a child raised around the chapel. LOL 
  • "Zander, we've watched Hogan's Heroes for 100 nights." 
  • "Stacia if that were true you'd be old like Dad now."  Just sayin. 
  • Starting to plan a trip to fit between the day I return from PWOC trainings and before Jared leaves for the states. LOL
  • Caught up on blog reading while the olders and Mike went to the movie and the youngers watched a movie beside me. 
  • Considering a dynamic view for the blog...really should work on printing some more of the blog out....should get caught up before we retire. 
Hmmm....searching for a graphic for bucket list, I realized I have done a lot of things on others' bucket lists.  I'm also wondering if a bucket list should be things you dream about doing that aren't based in reality or some goals which MAY be attainable..... realistic to strive for.....thinking I may need to create a bucket list of things to do before I...you know...kick the bucket! LOL  I think I'll start small with a Japanese Bucket List....

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Today's Toothless Smile


Expect many of these in the next week or so. I'm fully aware this is likely the last time I'll walk this path with one of my babies....and I love the missing front teeth phase. I kept telling her, "Soon you'll loose your front teeth"....and soon is here! 


Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Rice Paddies

The fields across the street from our subdivision have been flooded and rice is planted.  This field was flooded today.  Stacia had a blast taking photos with my sony point and click. 

This field was flooded 1 - 2 weeks ago. 



I like the phase where the rice is golden on the stalk right before harvest best. Love the seasons here...and because I was out in the paddies...... I took a couple of shots of our subdivision.  Our home is the 2-story furthermost from the road, next to the fields. LOL 

I enjoyed having Stacia along for the walk. The farmers are always so much happier to see me when she's with me. ::big grin:: Who could resist this look? 





Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Farming in Northern Japan

I've been wanting to get some photos of the farming around us. Since Michael has lifted the ban on the good camera (bit of a joke there - he didn't like the way I kept hitting it on the side of slides...but I really LIKED the point and click he got for my pocket)....anyway I took the Nikon DSLR and went out for a walk....and I may need to buy another DSLR...a bit lighter than the one we have....but still able to use real Nikon lenses....maybe with a video option - does Nikon do that in their DSLR series?  Oh yeah - FARMING. 


When they plant, they cover the rows with giant plastic. 

As the seedlings grow, the cut little slits for them to grow...and cover them with these "bubbles" - domes of plastic.  In a bit the make holes in them so the water can get in and some humidity out....

Today, in a field near us, the farmer was removing the bubbles - a sure sign summer is here for REAL. 


I'm amazed at how hard farmers work - and they're not spring chickens. To the right of the lady you see a flooded rice paddy....the subject of the next blog post. 

I want to go around town and snap photos showing the way they use EVERY spare bit of land to plant crops. It's really amazing. 



Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Saturday Project!

Stacia and I came home from Asia's birthday party to find....this out in the back. It has been in the garage...this could only mean one thing. We were NOT going to the beach or the park this sunny afternoon - we were conquering the garage. 

We have a lot of need for storage and a single car garage. We haven't wanted to purchase shelves - but I think we will shortly. Michael is organized and I know this garage bothered him.....I'm not so organized and yet I was plagued with the idea, when he was so ill, that they'd send us out and someone else would have to pack that nightmare. It was time. LOL 

We all worked. We found a mouse. ACCCCKK! Michael and Jared went to work. We continued to work, mostly throwing things away (the kids REALLY are beyond most of these toys and honestly who NEEDS 3 garbage bags of Burger King toys...not even poor, emotionally deprived Third Culture kids ::snort::).


Look at it.....I think the bowflex will leave with Jared and we can put shelves on that wall - which will let us organize all the other stuff along the right wall. See the tall black/plastic thing? It has games in it. The two white stacks next to it used to be as tall as that one - and we threw that many toys away.  I plan to tell Stacia the next time she and her neighborhood friend Maggie bring mud cakes and leave them in my garage....well....the kitchen set would make for a nice bonfire on the beach. ::snort::: OK - maybe I won't....maybe I will. 

Michael found a net and we took a clue from our Japanese neighbors to keep the crows out.....and usually we only have the two cans on the left. Busy day...hope they'll take it away.  Maybe Jared will rethink my offer to make a room in the garage and stay. ::snort:: 


Trying to leave our mark on Japan - we planted a nectarine tree.....we dream. 


Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Day in Bullets


  • Quiet time this a.m. 
  • Sweet couple talk 
  • Sometimes things just don't go the way we'd like; but God is still God. 
  • Skype with my Mom and Dad. 
  • Michael was able to talk with his mom while I took Stacia to Asia's party. 
  • Happy 3rd Birthday for Asia! Stacia loved attending the party. Cutest "microphones" made out of cupcakes, frosting, sprinkles, ice cream cones and licorice I've ever seen (and I've seen my share of kids' birthday parties). 
  • Michael reports someone at the center is bringing a laptop so we can have a skype date (video) with his mom and dad. 
  • PROJECT at home (blog to follow)
  • Jared and Michael are at work
  • Peaceful afternoon walk with Stacia in the rice paddies (blog to follow)
  • Dinner
  • Cook up some English muffins
  • Baths and a movie....I'm hearing talk about Jerry Lewis' "Geisha Boy" 

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Friday, May 25, 2012

Tilting the Balance at Hirosaki Castle

Jared has a few things on his bucket list to do before he leaves Japan. This is a 4 day weekend so we plan to knock out a couple of items. 


Today we tilted the family balance...We now have 5 graduated adult children and 4 still in school. 


Jared wanted no graduation ceremony but to walk across the bridge at Hirosaki Castle, flip his tassle and be declared done! This we did.  It was a GREAT graduation ceremony and we told him he's now fully graduated and no longer a graduate select! We were sad the timing and weather didn't work for the other kids to be there....but it's fine. Really it is. 



Yep - he was sort of a stand out in his garb...we were fine with that. We took more photos...need to find photo shop and see if we can adjust a few color issues...but we're happy with the day.


















At this point the kids formed up for a photo for the "sidebar of the blog".  Love it! They are so well trained.

 Then Jared said, "Wait, I'll step out so you can use the photo after July." So thoughtful.....



Resulted in the first "fab four photo"....

and a mini Mama meltdown. 


NEVER too old for walks with dad. ::snort:: 

Did I mention the weather was cool...not raining but not scorching hot. So we lingered and discovered new areas of the park we've never seen. ::snort:: 






Working clock....

 Out of focus but a memory to capture....Jared realizing this may well be the last time he leaves Hirosaki....and us realizing that we are entering into a lot of lasts in this land we love. 

Consoled ourselves with freshly made senbei - and apple ice cream. LOL




Note he's CLEANING the iron and BLOWING on the iron... ::snort::

Um - yeah - prayers for the next months are welcome. We are living it NOW, in the present.....taking as much time as we can carve out for family, maintaining ministry and this mama knows that there will be some hard days between now and say August....but it's still all good. It's a phase of parenting.


Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...