Saturday, February 08, 2014

Most Excellent Day

By this time next week our little girl will be a MRS. Very exciting times. This is our second wedding in six months. No wonder its been hard to put down CA roots; we've been traveling a lot.

The wedding is exciting - but it's not our only excitement in February:

  • 8 Feb Nolan turns 15
  • 9 Feb Josiah turns 25
  • 10 Feb - Grandma T turns significantly  more
  • 11 Feb Alexander turns 12
  • 14 Feb Will (my brother) turns 48
  • 14 Feb John and Mary K's 32nd Anniversary
  • 14 Feb OUR 30TH ANNIVERSARY
  • 14 Feb THE WEDDING - BreAnne marries Izaak and becomes a Mrs. 
  • 20 Feb Jamin turns 23

Today is our last day before heading to the wedding....we'll go as far as we are allowed without leave tomorrow and then on into OR on Monday.

Today is also Nolan's Birthday - or as Zander says, "Our Birthday Celebration."

We decorated bright and early

Years ago I invested in some birthday decorations which could be used repeatedly. There was a lot of talk around then in the home school community about creating traditions. We created some. I got a Birthday sign, seat back covers and a rug from Oriental Trading.  We pull it all out multiple times a year.

This PIG has always been a part of Arielle's (16.5) memory. It's the Party Animal hat! While in Japan we purchased Mini-Pig - knowing the Party Animal will eventually fall apart (held together with pins at this point). Mini Pig is special as his wings flap AND he's from the Y100 store. ::snort:: Both pigs were pressed into service for this day.

This errant balloon will evidently hang around a couple of more weeks....

The Birthday Boys are UP

Arielle and Nolan had Japanese mid-terms today. Their reading is really improving....and wow....they are learning a lot. Michael and I need to get back to this. Arielle made 97% and Nolan 86%.  They are both getting fairly comfortable with Hiragana. Nolan has recently moved into Katakana and Arielle has progressed to Kanji. 

Michael and I had a few expectations for the day: 
  • GET THE 2013 End of the Year letter's mailed
  • Get staff Valentine gifts assembled
  • Buy trailer tire chains
  • Take Yuuki to the Kennel 
  • Pack
  • CELEBRATE two birthdays

Everyone pitched in - this brought back memories of missionary newsletters - back in the day when they had to be printed, assembled and mailed - you know without electronics.  These two decided they could make money doing this - and were quite surprised when I told them many used to make money putting out monthly newsletters for missionaries and organizations. 

Arielle and I had so much fun with the wedding candies that we made more....and then she assembled all the pieces into these cute little gifts for staff.

 As we worked I commented, "How many families do you know that work on their Christmas letter at the same time as they work on Valentine's Staff gifts?"

Stacia replied, "Other than my family, I don't know of any!" ::snort::

Packing, packing, packing....we aren't hauling food this time.

Hair cuts and shoes and these two are ready to USHER. 

Getting the backyard onsen ready for our absence



I've not felt well today. Michael and the kids went out to dinner. Finally, time for gifts! LOL 


Nolan's main gift was a new Bible and cover. 





 Zander's main gift was two Wii games. 

Michael brought me flowers.....

Pretty flowers

Flapping Mini-Pig


Candles are arranged so they make a "N" or a "Z"

Nasty Tradition 

Three kids are playing Wii. Michael is vegging. Arielle is crafting. I'm blogging....we love our family room. 

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

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

So much fun! and consideration for you! God Bless you all. excited for this special week.