Saturday, December 29, 2012

Gift #205- My Jack


Today is my Jack's 12th birthday!  I just can't believe it!  The days go too quickly.  Jack you are so kind and helpful and perfect!  I love you so much and am so proud of you.  Here is a mushy little poem that I wrote to you when you were 5.  You are still "handsome and kind and helpful and smart."  You still "help fold the bath cloths" and will forever have a big heart.


I know a boy
His name is Jack
He’s Super-de-Duper
And that is a fact.

He loves playing with Legos
And riding bikes very fast
If he were in a race
He wouldn’t be last

He loves cartoons
Like Jerry and Tom
He’s super-crazy
He gets that from his mom

He loves cookie dough ice cream
And popcorn and candy
He thinks peas are gross
And pizza is dandy

A race-car driver
Is what Jack wants to be
Something much slower
Would be fine with me

He wants to play drums
I am hoping guitar
One thing’s for sure
He’s going to go far

He’s getting so tall
His feet hang over the bed
I wish I could put
A brick on his head

He’s handsome and kind
And helpful and smart
He helps fold the bath cloths
He has a big heart

Jack is so special
I just can’t wait to see
The wonderful man
That he’ll grow to be.


Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Gift #204- Garden of Light Children's Home


This Christmas morning we were so very fortunate to be able to visit the Garden of Light Children Home to hand out gifts and play with the kiddos.  The kids did not know that we were there or that they would be receiving gifts.  The directors brought them into the gym area where we were all hiding behind a curtain.  When the kids were all seated and quiet, the curtain was opened and the kids could see that the stage was LOADED with presents!  They were quiet at first, but as soon as the gifts started being handed out, the noise level quickly rose!  Many of the kids did not open their gifts right away.  They wanted to save them so the moment would last longer.  In fact, the little guy that Josh chose, did not open his gift at all.  As we were leaving, he was carrying his unopened package back to his room.  He wanted Christmas to last a little longer.  I knew exactly how he felt.  


Hiding behind the curtain for the kids to come in.  I never expected to spend my Christmas morning this way-  standing in our socks with 6 other families and some single Marines on a small stage in a Japanese orphanage trying to keep our kids rounded up and quiet.  I wouldn't change a thing!


 
Hank got in on the fun!

Jack chose to buy for a 12 year old boy named Amano.  Amano loved his gifts and spent much of the morning shooting Nerf darts at his friends.

Macy chose a 10 year old girl named Sawada.  Sawada loved her gifts and Macy loved watching her open them!

This is the sweet little boy that Josh chose- Abe.  Josh bought him a remote control car and some Legos!  We did not get to see him open the gifts before it was time to go.  But the memory of him saving his gifts meant so much to us.


Gift #203- Christmas Morning!


I love Christmas Morning!  This was the scene at our house BEFORE the kids came down.  Santa brought each of the kids a Pro scooter and a stocking full of treats!  They were so happy!

Turbo was pooped after helping Santa deliver all of the gifts



It just wouldn't be Christmas without Egg Nog and Moose Mugs. 

Hank made me this beautiful manger out of an old pallet!  I will use it each year in my garden for decoration.  I am so proud of it!

Google Maps kept us updated on Santa's location.  The kids were happy to learn that he does indeed fly to Japan!  

GIFT #202- The Greatest Gift of All


Candles glow from frosted windowsRooms are filled with twinkling lights,There's a manger scene, boughs of evergreen,Someone is singing 'Silent Night'...And every gift my heart remembers, of easy laughter, dear old friends,Precious faces and smiles,All remind me once again:The Best Gift of All is JESUSHis love knows no season or placeYou can see Him in the firelightReflected on each face...And though we cherish the blessings of Christmas, When his love seems especially near...The Best Gift of All is Jesus - ALL THROUGH THE YEAR!


Sunday, December 23, 2012

Gift #201- Sunday Mornings


After 13 years of wedded bliss you would think that we would have figured it out-  our Sunday morning routine.  But without fail, 10 minutes before church begins, we are still at home rushing around trying to find shoes, brush teeth, slick that last little bit of hair down, etc.  Someone is usually crying, someone else is grumbling about having to wear a collared shirt, and on a few occasions, Hank and I are not speaking to each other.  :0)  From what I hear, this is a fairly common phenomenon for most Sunday morning church-goers.  This particular Sunday morning at the Thomas house was no exception.  I tried to get up a little earlier than usual.  It is the final Sunday of Advent and I wanted it to be peaceful.  After all, our sweet Sam and Macy were about to sing in the children's choir and Hank was about to play the role of a life time.  But, with 10 minutes until show time, Macy was waiting for me to find sew on a button, Sam was crying about his sweater, Josh was MIA, and Jack had just slipped his pink Iwakuni football sweatshirt over his head to wear into the house of the Lord!  To make things even crazier, I was up to my eyeballs in making a Jesus costume for Hank.  His beard needed to be adjusted this morning, so, in true Amy fashion, I waited until the very last minute.  I found myself muttering some mild curse words under my breath as I am attaching the last little piece of elastic onto a Jesus beard made of felt and a ladies scarf.  Talk about crazy!  Oh, did I mention that it was potluck Sunday and that I forgot to turn the oven on when I put my casserole in?

Hank went ahead to church with the kids and I arrived shortly after the service began- just in time for the children's program.  There is something so very beautiful about little voices singing Away in a Manger.  (Unless you are the mom of the child who on stage making funny faces and covering his ears.)  I was not that mom this year and it was glorious!  Last year was my year.  Right Sam?  Hank made his brief appearance as Jesus and he looked just perfect- beard and all.  The advent candles were lit.  The pastor gave a very short and sweet message about peace at Christmas time and then we sang O Come All Ye Faithful together.  For a brief second, I longed for home.  But as I looked all around me, I realized that I was already there.   My casserole cooked while we were at church and it turned out just right.  We sat with a wonderful Japanese family during the potluck and talked about our many different Christmas traditions.

After church, we quickly straightened up the tornado-like mess that we had made this morning.  The boys played with friends, Hank and Sam went to the gym, and Macy and I stayed home, watched Christmas movies, and painted our nails red and green.  We were almost done with our nails when we noticed from the window that it was snowing!  It was perfect!  For a brief moment, everything was so peaceful.  Today I am so very grateful for a Savior who is the Prince of Peace- even in the midst of crazy every Sunday morning at 1275D in Iwakuni, Japan.




Gift #628- Finishing