Gift #87- Hank's Story Telling

Hank comes from a long line of practical jokers and story tellers.  I did not have the chance to meet Hank's Grandfather before he passed away, but I have heard that this larger-than-life man could tell a story or a joke like no one else.  Hank did not necessarily inherit the joke-telling gene.  He knows that about himself and is ok with it.  He still tries occassionally and this is very endearing to me.  About mid-way through one of Hank's jokes or funny stories I usually begin to laugh.  He realizes that I am not laughing at the joke, but at him telling the joke.  Then he laughs at himself trying to make me laugh.  It is one of our crazy things.  

BUT....  I think that he did inherit the story-telling gene.  Just mention the subject of flying and you will see what I mean!  Hank can tell some flying stories.  He becomes so animated.  He uses his hands to illustrate his story.  He makes all manner of jet engine noises.  He turns into a big kid! You can tell that he is passionate about his craft.  He gets particularly excited when the story involves some kind of danger or near-death experience.  He usually doesn't tell me these types of stories.  He saves them for dinner guests and I hear them over dessert.  Sometimes I smile at him sweetly and kick him under the table.  Other times, I pretend like I have heard it a hundred times and just keep pouring the coffee.    I am not sure which is a bigger blessing, Hank's endearing inability to tell a joke or his super ability to tell a great flying story.  I like them both.  I am sure that his Grandpa would be very proud to hear one of his tales.  My friend Jen took these pictures of Hank when he was visiting in Beaufort last summer.  I stumbled across them today and they made me smile.  

Gift #86- The Lord of the Dance

I know that I have posted about Sam for two days in a row, but he just provides me with SO much material!  Jack caught him on video today dancing!  It is just a short little clip, but super cute.  We got a kick out of the dance itself, but we laughed and laughed at the replay.  Laughter is so good for the soul.

Gift #85- The Simple Things

 Sam went to a little pool party the other day and came home with some glow in the dark bracelets.  He wasn't wearing them on his wrists.  He chose to wear them on his cute little ears instead.  He wore them around the house for hours!  I am not sure what the appeal was, but he was happy as a clam with those bracelets around his ears.  Next time he says that he is bored, I am not going to make any big plans to entertain him, I am just going to give him some glow bracelets.  It is the simple things in life.

Gift #84- Date Night with Jack

Not only did Jack make me a cake for my birthday, he gave me a coupon for a free dinner out with him!  I cashed in my coupon  a few nights ago and he and I went to a little restaurant on base called JD's Grille.  We had a fun time together.  It is rare to spend time alone out with just one of the kids and it was a reminder that I need to do it more often.  Jack was a gentleman.  He checked the menu price to see how much a soda was.  It was $1.75 so he said that he would stick with water.  But, he said that I was welcome to get a diet coke if I wanted one.  ;0)  We split a chocolate cake for dessert!  A perfect way to end a perfect date!

 Jack checking out the bill!  ;0)

Gift #83- Miss Clairol

Thank you Lord for Miss Clairol.  Thank you specifically for Miss Clairol 106A Dark Blonde.  Thank you for  "layers of rich tones and contouring highlights in one one simple step".  Thank you that, although my little girl has spent most of her growing days outside of the FL, GA, AL tristate area, she still has the good manners to say "Mama, that white hair on the sides of your head looks good on you, but my hair isn't going to do that is it?"  All good southern girls know the importance of beginning with a compliment when you are about to say something NOT so complementary.  Bless her little heart.  :0)

Gift #82- Sam's New Friends

Sam does not know a stranger.  He is the most popular person in our family.  We are all known as Sam's mom or Sam's brother.  Whenever he sees a group of kids, he just goes right up to them and starts playing.  This was the case at the pool today.  He saw some Marines diving off of the diving board and thought that he would join in.  He did everything that they did- even an awesome belly flop that earned him a very red tummy and some serious cheers from the Marines!  When I asked Sam who the guys were, he said "Oh those are just my fwiends.  We were doing some twicks"!  Sam still can not say his R's so his comment was even cuter!  Before the Marines left, I asked them to take a picture with Sam.  They were very happy to do it!

Gift #81- Piano Lessons

Macy and I started piano lessons today!  Our Chaplains wife and dear friend, Rebecca, is teaching us.  I have a feeling that little Macy is going to pick it up a lot quicker than her mama!

Gift #80- Our Mimi

Happy Birthday to the Worlds Greatest Mimi!  We love you all the way to the moon and back!

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!