Gift #79- Grilled Cheese and Ramen

I have grand visions of being that mom who plans her meals a week in advance, shops using coupons, and feeds her children only healthy organic snacks.  I have actually attempted it once or twice.  And who knows, maybe one day I will get there.  But on this day, I am thankful that my children love grilled cheese and ramen.  I am thankful that they don't mind eating Reese's Puffs right out of the box when their mom forgets to pick up milk.  I am thankful for the clean plates and "thank-yous" after a delicious corn dog and Ore-Ida dinner.  I am also thankful for a sweet husband who smiles patiently at his wife, takes out the carton of eggs and makes a romantic dinner for two out of scrambled eggs and American cheese.  Thank you Hank.  Pork tenderloin tomorrow I promise.  :0)

Gift #78- The Japanese Hardware Store

We have a great hardware store out in town called Nafco.  It is very similar to Lowes or Home Depot.  You can get flowers, plants, potting soil, lumber, nails, home decoration, etc.  It is super fun to go in and browse the aisles.  You never know what you are going to find.

I went in for fertilizer today, but left empty handed.  Can you guess why?  It is somewhat difficult to know what you are getting!  :0)  


Roly Polys are taking over my garden.   So last week, I put one in a bag and took it to Nafco.  I was determined to find some type of repellent.  I went to the customer service department, showed the employee the bag, and made an X with my arms.  Usually an X with your arms means NO.  I thought that might work.  It did not.  So then I found myself making all kinds of funny gestures to get the point across that I wanted roly poly repellent.  Just close your eyes and imagine that for a second.  :0)  I finally thought to ask if anyone spoke English.  I should have asked that in the first place.  A very kind gentleman came over and led me right to what I needed.  When I got home, Jack reminded me that I had a translator app on my phone.  I wish I would have remembered that before I started acting out the phrase "roly poly repellent".  ;0)

You can find these delicious-looking dog treats in the pet aisle!   Smaller versions of similar fish can be found in the grocery stores.  People eat them as snacks or in soups and salads.  I have not been brave enough to try one yet.

 This is another strange thing that we have noticed here in Japan- you can buy pet bugs at Nafco or many of the stores around town.  They also sell all kinds of jelly's that the bugs eat.  It is very interesting.  My niece Lily would be in heaven!  She loves bugs!  This particular bug is called a Hercules Beetle.  Sam wants one!  I love animals, but I draw the line at insects and reptiles!

Gift #77- Passing the Swim Test

Sam and Macy are very excited!  Today, they received their swim cards!  They had to swim the length of the pool and tread water for two minutes.  Now they can wear the "cool" orange wrist bands which allows them to swim in the deep end and go down the slide.  This also means that mom does not have to get in the cold water with them each time we visit the pool!  :0)  The wrist bands are meant to be taken off after each swim session, but I am quite sure that Sam and Macy will wear theirs all summer long as proof that they passed the test!  I remember doing the same thing with Miracle Strip Amusement Park wrist bands!  ;0)  We are so proud of you Sam and Macy!

Gift #76- Josh's Sense of Humor!

 Josh has the best sense of humor.  As you can see from the picture, he is not afraid to make a funny face on demand.  One day very soon I just know that he will grow into those sweet front teeth of his! :0)  He is quick with a joke.  He remembers funny movie lines and has the best comedic timing.  He makes me laugh every day!

This is the birthday card that Josh made for his dear mother on her special day!  Hank proof-read it and was not sure if I would laugh or cry.  I chose to laugh through the pain.  :0)

Gift #75- Birthday Cake and the Sweet Boy who Prepared It

 Jack loves to cook.   He wants to be America's first professional baseball-playing chef!  I think that he can do it!  A few days before my birthday, he looked through my recipes and asked me what kind of cake that I might want.  I was quick to answer "chocolate" of course!  He found one of my favorites, and made a list of the ingredients that he would need.  I drove him to the commissary and he went in on his own and bought all of the necessary ingredients.  He came home and went right to work.  Before I knew it, my birthday cake was finished.   He is such a thoughtful kid and he makes me proud every day!  He also makes a mean chocolate cake!

Gift #74- Birthday Sushi

Sushi 105

The kids and I went out for sushi for my birthday lunch.  We went to a place called Sushi 105.  We call it Sushi-go-round because the sushi comes by your table on a conveyor belt.  You just pick up the plates as they go by the table.  The cost of each plate begins at 105 yen.  The waitress counts the number of plates at the end of the meal to determine the price of your meal.  Of course we picked dessert first.  It was some type of caramel custard- I think.  :0)  The kids chose chicken and fries.  Big Surprise!  ;0)  But they also got a little adventurous and tried the different sauces.  Both Jack and Josh tried fried scallop sushi.  Josh really liked it.  Jack-  not so much.  But I was really proud of all of them for trying new things.  You should have watched their faces when the raw squid and octopus tentacles came around!  We had a great time together and it was a fun place to spend a birthday lunch.

 Sam said that he was going to take a little break from looking at the sushi.  ;0)

 Octopus Tentacles.  The different types of sushi that came around were so interesting!

 Jack was very willing to try some new things.  He said that he probably does not want to go back though.   ;0)

 This Southern girls favorite sushi-  fried shrimp on rice!

Shrimp in Japanese is "Ebi"

 Macy eating her chicken with chopsticks.  They really did get into the spirit of things.

My first raw sushi-  salmon on sticky rice with onions.  It was not bad at all.  But I think that I will stick with fried seafood.  :0)

Gift #73- Birthday Breakfast in Bed

Hank, Jack, and Josh got up very early this morning to make a birthday breakfast for me.  They brought it to me in bed along with a hot cup of coffee.   It truly warmed my heart!  It was a great way to begin a very Happy Birthday.  It was such a happy birthday, that I am going to spend the next few days blogging about it! ;0).  Yesterday I mentioned that my blessing of the day would probably be cake!  Cake was one of the many blessings of the day and I will most definitely be sharing about it in the next day or two!

Gift #72- Turbo's Girlfriend

Today, I am thankful for our sweet neighbors and their little dog Daisy.  Our neighbors leave on Saturday for the good old US of A.  We will be sad to see them go, but so happy that they will be with their families once again.  Turbo will miss their sweet Daisy girl as Jack and Josh will miss their dear friend Alex. 

PS- Tomorrow is my 38th birthday!  Just a warning- I have a feeling that my blessing of the  day is going to be cake!!!!!  :0)

Gift #71- McDonalds in Japan!

Yea for McDonalds.  It is nice to have a little taste of home when we need it.  The McDonalds here is a little bit different.  The ladies at the counter wear skirts and heels.  They are very friendly.  There is definitely a language barrier.  I need to learn how to say "no onions" in Japanese.  The menu is very limited, but the quality of food is fantastic.  It all comes packaged very neatly and served with a smile.  It is a little expensive compared to McDonalds at home, but it is worth it when we are in need of a McNugget fix.  

Gift #70- Our Church Home

Our Church-  The Marine Memorial Chapel.
Having a church family is such a blessing.  

Sam and Macy got new Bibles!  They took them to chapel this morning and followed along during the Scripture reading.  They looked through the picture stories during the sermon.  Even Sam took extra care to straighten out a few bent page edges before he closed his up and snapped it shut.  It is apparent that they are very proud of them! Thank you Pappa and Ms. Diane!  

Gift #69- Rainy Day Chess Lessons

Hank is teaching the kids how to play Chess.  Macy has beat her mom a time or two already!