SUCCESS

Totally pulled it off and surprised the three youngest kids. Anna, a friend, met us at the airport and then went to Sunday School to take photos. When I get them I'll share photos and more details of the homecoming.  Here is a video that Arielle took when they realized Mike was in the room.

After surprising the kids we came HOME. I had put a roast in the oven last night.....we enjoyed that. During lunch the neighbor kids dropped by. Jared had hung a big vinyl banner on our carport. They told her they'd like to know what her Dad looked like. Then they invited her to play outside. I told them we were planning to go somewhere and Stacia added, "Yes, we have to go show off dad." LOL

Michael wanted to go to the ocean....of course we did. 

Where we relaxed....

Played Pooh Shells....

And found a RED piece of sea glass.

Michael was totally surprised by Death by Chocolate. 

And we enjoyed surprises from Michael as well. We're trying to decide if we should wear them to chapel next week. 

Ah, it's unbearably sweet. We've played games, watched a movie, walked, talked.....Michael will spend the next couple of days in-processing and then we'll have two weeks of RECON. Yes, yes, yes.  We're so serious about this that I plan to take the time off teaching Bible Studies....something I didn't even do after the birth of children....but it's time. Viva la family. 

Choosing Joy!

©2010 D.R.G.

~Coram Deo~

Living all of life before the face of God...

One Goofball

ONE goofball extremely anticipating his Dad's return....ONE Day - so close you can SMELL it.

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Two Choices

I recently read that every choice is a seed. The thought has stayed with me...obviously not new as the name of this blog for over five years has been "choose joy".  I'm thankful to the Holy Spirit for the reminder to evaluate what I'm planting in my daily choices. 

Today - TWO DIRECTIONS to choose from (we went left before we went right). ::snort::

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Three!

THREE kids in front of THREE computers. 

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

FOUR!

FOUR Unabridged audio books....perfect for bedtime for three young men...or so they tell me. 


Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

FIVE

Unbelievable!!!! FIVE....5.... F*I*V*E.....

Charming FIVE year old who loves the toilets in Japan....and pushes each button at least FIVE times when we are out together.......Since she has blond hair the obasans just smile and rub her hair as she exits having kept everyone waiting for far too long. 

Or.....FIVE eagerly counting children.

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

SIX.......

Sweet......Mr. Roku (Low Ku)....Roku is six in Japanese. 

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Seven -

We were out driving on Saturday, always on the look out for countdown photos when we happened upon this family cemetery WAY in the middle of no where......7 Buddhist graves.

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

8 Days

EIGHT year old Zander helps me with the fly away laundry. Stiff wind around here......

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

9 Glass Floats

It's still fairly common to find glass floats along the beaches in Japan. I've not  PERSONALLY found any, but Twyla has given me one and the kids bought me a bunch for Mother's Day. You can find HUGE ones and I plan to go looking for some in the very near future.

The kids bought me this little basket and it holds 9 Japanese glass floats illuminated with battery-powered tea lights as we're not allowed to burn candles in our home.

NINE DAYS? SINGLE DIGIT! This is our guess.....even if it turns out this is day 11 or 13 or 18.....we'll be happy that for today we think it is NINE. LOL

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Ten!

Eggs are sold by 10's instead of a dozen in Japan. The Farmer's Markets sell them by 11. 

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Eleven Origami Creations

Nolan with a collection of 11 origami creations - dogs, flowers, cranes, houses, lanterns, fishes, cups and pianos. 

Nolan is growing into a wonderful young man. He's wonderful with Stacia and younger boys we know.....they love to see Nolan. I'm sure Dad will love to see him too - in 11 days? 

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Twelve Travel Aids

These are often seen at the entrances to department stores. You put in Y200 and get out a small car, doll, puzzle or toy of some sort. I've heard this helps noisy young travelers. 

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Thirteen!

At an age where many girls are ill at ease and self-conscious....Arielle has blossomed! She's worked hard in the past year to overcome her shyness. She's allowing the Holy Spirit reign to shape her into a godly woman. She's a joy to mother.  Thirteen DAYS!!!!!!

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Fourteen Taste Treats

Every grocery store has a really cool bakery in this part of Japan. Yummy breads and such. Most things are way less sugary than in the states...cakes without frostings etc....but this bakery obviously gets a lot of American traffic. It's on the "right start tours" and so new Americans are toured through it.....

This cracked me up in the middle of all the delicacies....

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Fifteen Jets

Fifteen jets of what? Water? Pesticide? The farmer in the field on the other side of our fence.

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Sixteen....Sweet!

Jared David entered our life 16 years ago.... He and I are similar in many quirky ways. This can be good and can cause a lot of flat foreheads (you know - knocking heads)....but I'm thrilled as I observe the godly man he has become. His passion for God will carry him far....16 is a very nice number. 

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Seventeen Porta Squatties

.

Seventeen porta squatties at the Misawa Airshow! These were all over base. 

Eighteen

I discovered 18 water bottles in the fridge when I cleaned it out. I know we need to stay well hydrated; but this is overkill. Now that summer and football are over, I limited it to one bottle per person....


Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Nineteen!!!!!!!

Nineteen year old Jamin is the child who caused me to repent of thinking I had parenting figured out - and chased me to the face of God to learn  many lasting lessons in faith and parenting.  This kid who "would never learn to read unless you get him on meds".....blesses me. He reads, he writes, he cleans, he works, he runs......he loves his largish family and we love him.  Jamin is a Sophomore this year at Angelo State University.  He chose to stay in San Angelo and share an apartment with Josiah. We're glad. I'm not sure he's settled on a major.....need to ask him about that. ::grin:: 

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...