Back in OR

Everyone is exhausted after day 3 of travel - Michael more than the rest of us I'm sure - but I'm drained too.  It can be awfully tiring sitting and watching scenery wiz past. ::snort:: 

Not my favorite retirement option

Ah, Oregon....

This was a great place to stop when Stacia got car sick

We arrived, got the girls settled back at their apartment, met my folks for dinner and are now back at the hotel. We look forward to sleeping in tomorrow and not hitting the road at 0630. 

Another highlight of the day was talking to Mom G. We didn't see her much in CO but she is having a great time in Denver.  It was great to hear the lilt in her voice as she talked about art fairs, lake concerts and going south to visit with Earl Jr and Mary.  She'll fly back home on Monday evening. 

As we don't know how long we may be footing hotel bills, I didn't book us into our regular hotel here in Springfield. I LOVE the people at that hotel.....so here we are....much cheaper....but much older, right by the highway, outdoor pool, no fitness center or hot tub....and internet that only works sitting at the business center and not in the rest of the hotel.  I'm going to look into choice points we've earned on the rest of the trip if we don't end up leaving....because this girl NEEDS a fitness center and a comfy bed....with fluffy pillows.... ::snort:: The good points are price, we're near the hospital, the police are right outside our door and we have a clear shot to the road which leads to my parents. LOL 

Sorry, I'm so whiny tonight. I've been traveling since June 10th and I'm plain ole tired.....I'm sure I'll think life is grand in the a.m. 

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

OLD FRIENDSHIPS

First - the frustration. We've spent UNTOLD hours dealing with cardiac drama while home for a FUNERAL. The doc's comments have ranged from, "Not a problem, the local center gets these wrong all the time," to "you need to be seen before you return to Japan."  SHE must initiate the process with a referral. Typically, she puts in a referral, the local tricare office selects a doc and there you go. Evidently, they cannot google for stateside cardiologists - so we did. ..all on PERSONAL LEAVE TIME as she has deemed Michael will not need further treatment....o.k. we were working with it. We found a doc. They had an appt for Michael on Monday - we'd fly the next day....but when we went to make the appointment the referral we were told had been submitted is not in the system. The soonest appointment is now next Friday and without a referral there are no guarantees he'll get the appointment. 


(July 7th a.m.) OK caught in mid-rant and I'll delete the rest....seems a saint of a COL called all together in one room to talk this out. They ARE amending Michael's orders and he will stay in the states until he can have an appointment. Because COMMON MEDICAL SENSE says you do NOT look at results from a cardiologist and respond, "They get it wrong, I'm sure he doesn't need treatment!"  I pray they DID get it wrong....but good grief....The kids and I are supposed to fly back as planned. We are checking to see if we can change our tickets and fly back with him when he cleared to do so.  Please pray that the kids and I can amend our flight plans. Common sense says he'll not have a procedure done but I'm going to be really upset if we touch down and here two days later he's having a surgery and I need to figure out how to get us all back to the states. LOL 

Long travel day but a great end to it....good friends, good food, good visits...and a big "campfire with smores" in the backyard. How we miss our friends. Being with Ryu and Kim makes Japan feel closer!

Kim, Beth and I

Jordan, Michael, Don and Ryu

Jun and Stacia

Bre, Arielle, Sara, Jon and Krista

GIANT pizzas!

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

Another One Flies the Nest

"The boys" were up at 0600 and ready to hit the road. Everyone got up, we circled up, prayed, hugged and they hit the road.

View for Earl & Mary's - white in the middle is USAF Academy

The rest of us had breakfast, Michael and Earl went downtown to get a birth certificate for him (his was stolen 3 years ago), we showered, packed the van and hit the road a few hours later.  Back through WY - not a lot to comment on.....This time we have Bre and Krista with us. Look what Krista found - I got to try something new AND I didn't cheat on the chocolate fast. 

We seem to have amazing luck at hitting events.....Olympic Tryouts, Rodeos and now softball tournaments. We tried our standby hotels and they were full. We opted for Quality Inn here in Rock Springs, WY.  Only one washing machine...so we're only washing essentials. ::snort::  The kids are enjoying the BIG, outdoor, 8 foot pool which you CAN jump and dive in. LOL  Bre's resting and I'm watching laundry and blogging......

Still on tonight's agenda? Dinner, more swimming, hot tub....I didn't bring work out clothes with me when I went to W.I.L.D. because I knew the schedule would be full. I did NOT realize I would go directly from there to a several week long trip. If it looks like we won't be coming home on the 12th - I'm going to have to go buy some workout clothes. I'd love to hit the elliptical tonight.  Frankly....we need some stress relief around here. LOL 

Last we heard from the three boys, they were in Lubbock, TX.  I can't seem to embed the song as the connection here is slow.....but here is the link to a song which has special meaning on this day of goodbyes...This is Not Goodbye by Sidewalk Prophets. 

I can see it in your eyes that you are restless

The time has come for you to leave

It's so hard to let you go but in this life I know

You have to be who you were made to be

As you step out on the road I'll say a prayer

So that in my heart you always will be there

Chorus: 

This is not goodbye

I know we'll meet again

So let your life begin

'Cause this is not goodbye

It's just "I love you" to take with you

Until you're home again

The stirring in your soul has left you wondering

Should you stay or turn around

Well, just remember that your dreams they are a promise

That you were made to change the world

So don't let fear stop you now 'cause

Chorus

I know the brightest star above

Was created by the One who loved

More than we'll ever know

To guide you when you're lost

What started as a still, small voice

Is raging now and your only choice

Is to follow who you are

So follow who you are 'cause

This is not goodbye

I know we'll meet again

Oh 

Chorus

Choosing Joy!

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

4th of July

TnT Matt 1:21,23....Jesus is still Emmanuel - God with us. Emmanuel be our sanctuary (refuge, secret place).

Jerome, Jared, Jamin, Krista, and Arielle headed out early this a.m. to climb the "cog" or "incline" behind Manitou Springs. This used to be a railroad up the side of Pike's Peak....now it's an

Jared

Krista

See the title way at the top - that's the end of the trail

Crystal (Niece)

Don (Crystal's son) Jerome (nephew) and Jared

View looking down along the trail 

Love this photo - not the start of the trail 

 We had forgotten, having lived at sea level the past 3 years, that Arielle has trouble with the altitude. She got dizzy, was stumbling and finally curled up under a tree, started to go to sleep and was talking about BANANAS and GRAPES! Krista was going slow with her, but other hikers from the area stopped and told her to get Arielle off the mountain. They arrived home and Arielle was still in bad shape but with ice packs around her body, water and sleep she recovered just fine.

We spent the rest of the day relaxing......catching up....Josiah, Michael and Earl worked on a marker for Beatrix' grave. 

Ping pong and Foos Ball

Jenny (niece) stopped by 

Reading Dad G's military records

Movies - cousin time 

Stacia and Lily, BFF

As requested - the family with Michael and I in it

Beatrix - a faithful dog friend

Jerome (nephew) the burger miester

Setting up internet in the workshop

All had a blast in the back pasture!

Looking for a picture for the blog's side bar - boys in TX - adding Jared

No, Really - it's true! 

The evening ended with us all sitting out on the patio and watching an amazing show of lightening and thunder. Fireworks are not allowed in CO this year, but we had a heavenly show better than any firework show would have been anyway. 

It's been great to have all the Gherkins together, to spend time meeting and catching up with extended family. Tomorrow a.m. the boys will head back to TX and the rest of us will head back to the West Coast. 

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