Farewells, Bonfires and Moving Madness

I do not think we could have fit one more bit of fun  into Jared's short trip home.  He's winging his way to TX as I write.  It was a short trip - but it was a great break for us in the midst of moving madness....and it was good for him to get to come home to Japan one last time. I believe we needed to see him and he needed to see us. ::grin::

Michael realized last year, due to the abrupt circumstances of his departure, Jared didn't have a "final" week at chapel. He had volunteered in seen and unseen capacities for three years. Michael gave him the "God coin" today at the airport.

 When Jared left for college he planned to be back to see us before we moved. Today, he knew this may well be his last time in Japan. This gave the leave-taking a different feel.

In a God-coincidence, he ended up sitting next to the husband of a gal I mentor. They had a great talk to Haneda, rode the bus across Tokyo together and Jared hopped on the plane for MN and TX.

 

 This was taken just after they bowed to the plane....

Jared's final moments in Misawa.....

We planned to spend the day preparing for our packers and attend  church this evening....about 2:00 p.m. - as we were nearing a need for a break - I remembered there was a combined service today. It turned out well as we needed to focus on getting ready today. We deliberately did NOT focus while Jared was here. I am glad the kids and I have worked on this daily for weeks before his visit or we'd be in a world of hurt now.   For our mid-afternoon break we decided to use up a science kit rather than packing it.

If the mentos don't work....try water and a bike pump. This little car was so impressive we decided not to throw out the kit. LOL

We packed for three more hours and then loaded a bunch of burnables into the van for our "end of the school year" bonfire. We also found fireworks which can't be shipped.  Yuuki had been following us around all day...we were never out of her sight. She seemed a bit perplexed by all the  activity. She was very happy to jump in the van with us and head for the beach.

Arielle texted a couple of friends that we were at the beach - come and bring marshmallows - and they did. It was a fun way to end a busy day of moving madness....We'll keep at it all day tomorrow and we should be all organized (things to ship now, things to ship July 10th, things to go in our suitcases, things for the missionaries, things for the thrift store, things for the garbage) before they arrive Tuesday a.m.

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

Unleash the Monster

This day took a twist when Michael and I needed to run down to the hospital at Hachinohe to visit a few troops. 

Jared went to visit with a friend. 

We unleashed the moving monster while he was out.....

We valiantly tried to subdue the moving monster when Jared returned.....picked up some pizzas and a souvenir Jared wanted and settled in to end our night laughing with Tim Hawkins.

Jared will fly out tomorrow a.m. and we'll spend tomorrow and Monday finishing up the "organizing" portion of this move...sure would be easier if the thrift store were still open.

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

Luvin Japan - Hirosaki Castle

It was a beautiful day at Hirosaki! There were very few folks, the view of Iwakisan was GORGEOUS,!

As our time in Japan begins to wind down the enormity of  leaving Japan hits us at odd moments. Today was such a day. We all did our best to hide our emotions - we ARE Third Culture Kids  - but the photos Michael captured do show several of us in a bit more melancholy frame of mind than typical.  By the end of the day I was singing the Hee Haw song, "Gloom, despair and agony on me, deep dark depression, excessive misery...." ::snort::

Most of the Cherry Blossoms were gone...but there were still a few to be seen.  

Seriously, I was making a memory....seriously. 

Is it genetic?

 

Weeding

 

The last one out of the park....realistically this is our last time to Hirosaki.

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

Sweet Sixteen at Cape Shiriya!

Happy Birthday to Arielle! Sweet Sixteen! It has been a joy to watch the woman of God Arielle has become....yes, I said she's BECOME.... not WILL BE. 

We drove up to Cape Shiriya lighthouse today....

It was a red letter day as we found FIVE glass floats..... 

 

When Michael told Arielle to get the camera because he wanted to give me something....and I knew we hadn't been anywhere NEAR a mall....I figured he'd found a float....but he found an oblong roller....our very first one!  I was suitably impressed.

Of course this is the way to measure a really big piece of bamboo! ::snort:: 

 

Today's treasures....I rescued the bottle in the knick of time! 

There were several cute foals....and this led to the funny of the day..... 

Zander  - "Perverted Pony!"

Me - "No Zander, the pony is nursing." 

Zander - "Really?"

Me - "Yes, horses breasts are down there...." and the car rang with laughter...o.k. Hashimoto moment....couldn't quite find the right words....

When we got back to Misawa we went to Papa Genos for dinner.... and then Arielle showed us a few things she wanted....and we got them for her. She'll have a "rolling birthday." Her main gift from us is still to come.

These are fake books with a box....

She passed on these....

We drove up to the house late at night and discovered birthday fun! Arielle has some great friends.

Arielle opened a few gifts....Stacia made Arielle a jewelry set clear back in February and was thrilled that her birthday FINALLY arrived! She also got her a Barbie coloring set at the AWANA store. Back at home she began  having second thoughts and thought maybe Arielle would like the watch she got better.....we talked about it and then she went upstairs, came back down and said, "Arielle says she would LOVE to color on the airplane!" Later, Arielle told me Stacia subtly said, "Arielle  - do you like watches or coloring best?" ::snort:: 

Wedding Crocs - they are GREAT. 

Onsen towel and a little glass teddy bear in an onsen tub

One friend MADE this fake book

Chocolate bandaids - perfect gift for our sweet, fun, slightly klutzy (like her mother) daughter! Her friends know her well. 

Arielle has asked me to try to figure out how to make an ice cream cake using the Cashew Banana Ice Cream recipe.  I'm going to try to get the ice cream part in the freezer before they pack the food processor and then play with it when life has settled after the packers take our things. 

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