Gift #228- Josh Calling His Mom!

Josh doesn't get too excited about much of anything.  So when he called me today and asked me to come to the skate park right away to watch him do a new trick, I couldn't pass up the opportunity.  I hope that he always remembers to call his mom!

Gift #227- Shrimp Gumbo

 I have my moms recipe for gumbo and it is by far the greatest in all of the world.  But I was hungry for gumbo the other day and did not have all of the necessary ingredients nor the level of commitment that it took to make a roux and so on.  I searched online for a quick and easy gumbo recipe.  I found one, made it, and it was actually very good!  Not as good as moms.  But perfect in a pinch.  Shrimp Gumbo with Tabasco Sauce is most definitely a gift from the Lord.

PS- Here is a link to the recipe.  I left out the green onions and added 2 cans of lump crab meat.  Yum!
http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Quick-Shrimp-Gumbo

Gift #226- The Lord's Supper with our children

We always participate in the Lord's supper on the first Sunday of each month at our base chapel.  I can not tell you what a blessing it is to see all of my children holding the bread and the cup.  I am not sure if there is a bigger blessing than knowing that your children believe!

Gift #225- Thomas Kids on the Honor Roll!

I have never paid much attention to the bumper stickers that say "My Kid is on the Honor Roll."  And will admit, when I do see them, they kind of get on my nerves.  Not sure why.  But today, when my babies were standing on the stage holding their honor roll certificates, all I could think was- Bring on the stickers!  This momma is plastering her monster van with "My Kid is on the Honor Roll at MC Perry Elementary School" bumper stickers.   I am so proud of you Jack and Josh!  And soon, all who see our giant blue van rolling down the street will know it!  :0)  Proud Proud.

Gift #224- Everyone laughs in the same language!

Macy and Ren at Funky Momo.  Two snaggle-toothed friends.

Gift #223- A Family Train Ride

We took a little trip to the Hiroshima Peace Park last week.  We had a great time together.  

This was Macy waiting for the train.

Some of Hank's photography-

The Genbaku Dome.  

Gift #222- Monkey Man Sam

I am not quite sure how Sam climbing the door frame qualifies as a gift, but I just had to post.  I did the same exact thing when I was a kid!  Weird huh?  Randall kids, does this look strangely familiar?

Gift #221- Macy and Sarah

Macy and Sarah trying on hats at the Exchange

Macy has always been a little bit reserved.  She did not speak her entire first year of preschool!  But she has made a little friend here and they are stuck together like glue.  They can get a little crazy, but I love seeing Macy being silly with her sweet little friend Sarah.

Every now and then, they let Sam in on the fun too!

Gift #220- Hank's Birthday

He is handsome and kind.  A really great guy.  He is clever and funny even though he doesn't try.  He likes popping his toes in the middle of the night and chewing his ice and that's just not right.  But he wrestles with Sam and tells Macy she's cuter.  He cheers for Jack on his bike and for Josh on his scooter.  We wouldn't trade him for all the gold on the earth.  We hope that he had the most wonderful birth(day).

So, it's definitely not my best work.  But I hope that it does the trick.  Happy Birthday Hank.  We love you most.

Gift #219- Sam's New Pet

So our little sugar glider was just a little more pet than we could handle.  He had a little bit of a biting habit and Sam was afraid of him, so it just wasn't going to work out.  We found him a great home with another sugar glider.  We were sad to see him go, but we knew that it was for the best.  We replaced Sam's little pet with a class guinea pig.  This little guy is super cuddly and lazy and EASY!  The kids can hold him all day long and he doesn't try to get away.  Sam named him Charlie and I think that he is a keeper.

Gift #218- DJ Sam

Sam spent ALL day outside today with his friends.  They were building a DJ stand.  They made a stage and a turn table and had spotlights!  It was pretty impressive.  Sam was the DJ.  They played Christian Rap songs and invited everyone in the neighborhood.  It was freezing out, so we had a slim crowd (only the parents).  The boys put lawn chairs out for the families.  We all came out wrapped in blankets and cozied up together to watch our kiddos put on a show.  It felt like family as we laughed and cheered and complained about the cold together.  It was nice!  We were happy when it was over, but it was nice.