Gift #494- Having a Baby Brother to Love

"I will name him George.  And I will hug him and pet him and squeeze him."  

Gift #493- This Christmas Present....

One Week Old

Thanks for my Reindeer PJ's Baker Family!

Gift #492- Going Home

We couldn't wait to get you home and be together as a family again.  It was quite an adventure getting back to Iwakuni.  We took a cab to another cab.  A local train to the Shinkansen and then transferred to another Shin.  We were loaded down with suit cases and strollers and carseats and babies!  We were a sight!  But we made it back to Iwakuni where our sweet friends Mike and Myia Carreiro were waiting to escort us home!  We arrived back home to our Jack and Josh and to the smell of baked ziti and garlic bread cooking in the oven (courtesy of our sweet neighbor, Doris).  It was so good to be home and together again.  We had spent almost 3 full weeks apart.  The boys spent the first week with Hank.  They spent the second week with their friend Spencer, and the third week with very kind friends who volunteered to sleep over on our couch.  We are so grateful for friends like the Boucher's, Denardo's, Espinoza's, Topel's and Savarese's.  They slept over and brought food and had the boys over for dinners.  I think that Jack and Josh had mixed feelings about us returning!  :0)  

Gift #491- He's Here!

Henry Joseph Thomas

December 17, 2014 3:55 pm  JST

10 pounds 2 ounces

22" long

He waited until his due date to arrive.  He wasn't in a big hurry.   I went in for my doctors appointment and my water broke!  I went up to labor and delivery where they admitted me right away.  Hank and the kids came up and brought my hospital bag.  They visited for a little bit and then went to McDonalds for lunch and home for naps.   The nurse called Hank about an hour later and told him that he should come back over to the hospital.  Henry was born within the hour.  A healthy, bouncing baby boy.  The nurses wagered on how big he was.  The highest guess was 9 lbs. 8 oz.  We were all surprised when the corpsman said 10 pounds 2 ounces!  The Dr. called  him baby moose.  We considered "Sumo" as a middle name.  :0)  We finally decided on Joseph- which means "to increase" or "an addition".  We also thought that Joseph was an appropriate name this time of year.   We were so happy to finally meet baby Henry.  We couldn't be more grateful to the Lord for yet another good and perfect gift.

Gift #490- Snow in the Mountains

Hank took the boys snowboarding for the first time this season!  They had a great time!  We love being so close to snow!

Gift #489- This Message from our Realtor...

CONGRATULATIONS!!

YOU JUST BOUGHT YOUR HOME!!!!

All is well and you closed today :)

We will keep you posted on the progress and you keep us posted on the deadlines. 

Just a reminder to send us the TOPO and we will take a look at the house placement.

We are so happy for you, it is going to be a beauty!!

Kindest regards,

Karen and Angela

Gift #488- Our Cozy Digs

We had a great little apartment in Yokosuka- two bedrooms and a full kitchen.  We made it cozy by adding a Christmas tree made of tinsel and colored lights.  We had a great time together making cookies and gingerbread houses.  We played at almost every park we could find.  We saw lots of movies and ate out way too many times.  I was thinking that Henry would arrive a week early, but he just kept hanging in there.  So we just kept waiting.  We missed the boys back at home, but we had a nice time together as we waited.

Gift #487- Safe Travel to Yokosuka Naval Base

It is quite an adventure getting to Yokosuka, but we made it safely with no troubles.  This was taken on our first leg of the trip- from Iwakuni to Hiroshima.  Everyone is still smiling!

Gift #486- Promotion Day!

Hank was promoted to Lt. Col. On Monday (Dec 1).  We had a very impromptu and informal ceremony in the middle of our living room.  His very kind friends came at 7am so they could celebrate with him before the kids and I left for Yokosuka.  Frank Savarese read the promotion warrant, Jack read the oath, and Josh ripped off the old patch and replaced it with the new.   It was short and sweet.  Hank thanked his friends for coming over so early.  They joked and said that they didn't know that they had a choice.  :).  Congratulations Lt. Col. Thomas.  We are very proud of you.

Gift #485- This......

Jack and Avery Grace last night just after the tree was lit 

at the annual Iwakuni Tree Lighting Festival.  

The tree lighting is probably my favorite base event of the year.  It has such a great community feel.  The weather was a bit warm this year, but the music, hot cider, santa's arrival on a firetruck, being together with friends, and the countdown to the big light-up certainly gave it a holiday feel.  It never fails to warm me up when I hear all of the voices together counting down from 10 and then seeing all of the faces when the tree is finally illuminated.  We came home, grilled brats, and watched a funny movie.  Life can be so very good sometimes.

Gift #484- Thanksgiving 2014

We had such a happy Thanksgiving this year. Many of our friends live on the 6th floor of one of the mid-rise apartment buildings here on base.   They opened up their homes, put tables out in the hallways and we shared the day together.  There was so much food, so many happy children and so many friends.  It felt like we were home.  We shared our lunch with the Denardos- some very good friends of ours from Beaufort.  We actually left the with more food than we showed up with!  We spent the evening with our neighbors here on the street.  The Goerings set up the movie projector out in the yard and played Elf on the side of the building.  The Topels made desserts and appetizers to share.  It was a great way to celebrate the many things that we have to be thankful for this year.   

Gift #483- 2 of my Pumpkins!

This was from Halloween so I am a little behind.  Just wanted to make sure to post a picture of this belly of mine.  As you can imagine it is quite a bit bigger since the above photo was taken!  AG, the twins, and I leave for Yokosuka on Monday to wait this new little guy out.  We are excited about our adventure together.

Gift #482- Dad and Me

Yippeee!!!  Daddy's Home!

Gift #481- Hanz and Franz

We enjoyed a nice day at the Kintai when Hank arrived home.

Gift #480- The Anticipation before Dad's plane arrives!

It had been almost 11 weeks and the kids were anxious for dad's plane to arrive.  It was 9:15 at night. The airport was very quiet, except for Sam and Macy and AG.  They couldn't keep quiet and still.  And I loved watching every minute of their happiness.

Gift #479- Halloween Howl 2014

The adults get to have some fun too.  My friend Jess and I at the Halloween Howl.  Our theme was Mag of Thrones.  A good time was had by all!

Gift #478- Will Smile for Candy

After the witch costume didn't work, my neighbor Marisa offered a soft ladybug costume.  It was not well received, but was tolerated as long as she could play in the candy bucket.  AG had her first lollipop this evening and she will never be the same again.

Gift #477- An Inflatable Tube Man

Josh wanted to be a tube man this year.  He thought that it would be really funny.  And it was.  But he said that it slowed him down a bit while trying to ride his skateboard and hindered the efficiency of the candy hunt.  Next year he said that he is opting for something a bit more candy-gathering efficient.

Gift #476- My Little Blue Angel

This has been one of my favorite costumes of the boys for years!  I think that Sam can get one more good wear out of it before we pass it down to his little brothers.

Gift #475- Laughter induced by trying to put AG in a Witch Costume

Gift #474- A Symbiotic Relationship

Avery Grace feeding Turbo her unwanted veggies!

Gift #473- A Baby with a Mohawk

Gift #472- An updated photo of our soon-to-be little boy

Gift # 471- A clean baby in a bunny towel

Gift #470- My Number Two Number One Boy

Joshy decided that he wanted to go to the dance about 10 minutes before the dance.  We scrambled and were able to put a few things together from Jack's closet.  He looked so handsome and had a fun night at the homecoming dance with his friends.

Gift #469- My Number One Boy

Jack- ready to head out the door to meet his friends for the homecoming dance.  Isn't he so big and handsome?  Looks like his daddy!

Gift #468- Lunch with my Ladies!

Last Thursday I traveled to Hatsukaichi to visit with my students.  I got to see their homes and neighborhoods, some of their favorite shops and their favorite restaurant.  It was such a neat experience.  The food was a bit daunting, but it was very traditional and something that I will never forget.  I will leave soon for Yokosuka to have the baby.  We will be moving back to the US soon after.  I only have one more class with my ladies.  I will miss them for sure.  Spending time with them has been a highlight of my time here in Japan.

Local Sashimi- Raw Bream and Mackerel.

Cuttlefish, Squid, Fried Pumpkin, Chestnuts, Lotus Root...  So many different tastes!  It was really exciting to see what course was going to come next.

Gift #467- My handsome Sam

Sam- all dressed up for the Mini Ball.  Converse and all!  He came home sweaty and sweater-less and showed me some of his new moves.  Oh to have been a fly on the wall!  I love this kid!

Gift #466- Macy and the Mini Marine Corps Ball

Isn't she lovely!  She is all dressed up to celebrate the birthday of the United States Marine Corps.  She and Sam attended the Mini Ball on Friday evening where they learned about many of the traditions of the Marine Corps birthday ball and they danced the night away!

Gift #465- A Baby in a Kimono

My students gave Avery Grace this sweet little summer kimono (also called a Yukata).  She loved it!  Well, I think she actually loved the fuss that we made over here while she was wearing it!  But she sure was cute!

Gift #464- Our Very Own Little Patch of Dirt

Hank went on a house hunting adventure last week in South Carolina and found a perfect little patch of land for us to build a home on!  Building was not our intention, but the Lord placed just the right people in our paths and worked out every small detail.  We are so very excited.  We will have a super home that will fit this super-sized family!

Gift #463- Adventures with Good Friends

The boys went on a white water rafting adventure with their friend Spencer last weekend.  They had such a great time together.  The boys have been so fortunate to make some wonderful friends here in Iwakuni.  I love seeing the smiles on their handsome faces!

Gift #462- Getting your Fangs First!

Just in time for Halloween!
FANGS!

Gift #461- Approval for the Thomas Family to become a Family of 9!

We received our approval from the US Customs and Immigration Service to adopt from China.  We are one step closer!

Gift #460- Our Birthday Girl

She is her mama's daughter for sure!  

This year passed so quickly.  I can't believe that this little girl is already one! Avery Grace is such a bright little light in the Thomas house and I don't know what we would do without her.

Gift #459- 15 Years

I met this boy when I was 19 years old in Arden Jensen's American Literature class.  He wore t-shirts and steel-toed boots and told me that he would take me flying.  Our first outing was to see a  community theater play (for extra credit) and then to Applebees for milkshakes.  On our second date, he kept his promise and took me flying.  We married 6 years later.  2 countries, 5 states, 8 moves, 11 homes, 15 years, and countless kiddos later, he is still the one for me!  Happy Anniversary Hank.  These upcoming months and years will be full of adventure as we welcome our 2 little boys, move back home, and begin this 312 story! The best is yet to come.

PS- We ate at a Japanese style Italian restaurant for our anniversary dinner- Campagne.  My pasta came complete with crab eyeballs!  Gotta love Japan!