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...

Snippets

• TnT - Col 1.17.  "He is before all thing and in Him all things hold together." I know this verse is peaking of creation, but it says ALL and today it is comforting for me to think He holds me, a small part of His creation, together. An amazing chapter. 
• Waking up and realizing the girls are no longer here makes the house feel emptier.
• Spent the day at Hirosaki Castle...walking the bridge in graduation garb was symbolic and on Jared's bucket list. 

Choosing Joy! 

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