Gift #337- Laughing Until You Cry

So, I have been wearing maternity leggings with my dresses lately.  Leggings are like tights without feet.  Maternity leggings are extra beautiful as they have a big panel for your expanding tummy.  I have cut a few pair into shorts to wear under dresses.  They kind of resemble biker shorts with a big tummy.  They are very attractive.  I bought a new pair the other day as I left mine in the hotel in Okinawa.  The only pair that I could find were black with a gray snake print.  I didn't love them, but knew that I would make them into shorts so no one would see them anyway.  Somehow, these leggings ended up in a duffel bag that Sam had won at sports camp.  This bag was full of little prizes- frisbees, beach balls, water bottles, etc.  I just happened to be on the phone with Hank when Sam came in and decided to explore the contents of his new duffel bag.  He had no idea that I was paying any attention to him.  He found the maternity leggings inside the bag and looked so very perplexed.  He must have thought that they were some magical sports pants.  He held them up to his waist and then up to his shoulders.  He put one leg on his arm.  He studied these snake-print spandex maternity leggings for a full five minutes.  I thought that I was going to come undone.  He finally looked at me with sheer disappointment and said "here mom, see if these fit you."  He truly seemed sad that these magical pants were not his size.  He left the room and I relayed the story to Hank.  I laughed until I literally cried and it felt so good!  Thank you Lord for the gift of laughter.  It is so good for the soul.

Gift #336- She Loves Me Even When I am Grumpy

Yesterday was one of those days.  2 steps forward.  3 steps back.  The kids were begging to go to the pool.  I did not want to wrestle this over-size belly into an under-sized swimsuit and get out in the 115 degree heat. I am also doing a little nesting around the house so I felt as though there were a million things to clean and fold and brush and put away and trim and water and feed and you name it.  I couldn't just leave it all behind.  I put the kids off as long as I could and then I grumpily rounded them up for the pool.  Macy sat shotgun next to me on the way there and sang her usual Taylor Swift.  When it got to the part of her favorite song that says "You are the best thing that's ever been mine", she poked me in the arm and sang the words right to me!  I had been so grumpy and bossy.  And she was telling me that I was the best thing that had ever been hers!  My heart melted a tiny bit.  I thanked her for her being so sweet and thanked God for the "grace-full" moment.  We stayed at the pool an extra hour.

Gift #335- Making it Home

We had a great time in Okinawa.  But it sure is nice to be home!  The picture above was taken at American Village- a large American-themed shopping center near Kadena AFB.  I learned very quickly that all 4 of the kids are just like their dad when it comes to shopping.  The minute that they step into a mall or store, their feet start hurting!  Sam said that his feet were LITERALLY burning!  In the photo, the kids were supposed to look like cute pirate panda bears, but except for Macy, their faces honestly reveal how they felt about shopping that day.  Macy was sweet to fake a smile for her mom!  I bribed them with ice cream and that seemed to soothe their aching feet.  The same bribe works on Hank too!

Gift#334- Space A Travel

Island Hoppers

The terminal announced that there were only 17 available seats on the flight to Okinawa.  Guess how many people were ahead of us?   12!   So the five of us made it on to the flight and we are now enjoying a little getaway on this beautiful island.

Gift #333- Macy's Drawings

You never have to wonder if someone loves you when you have a Macy around.  

She 'tells" you all the time!

Ok-  She is a lot of "sweet", but she can also be full of spice-

judging from the caption on her gatorade bottle!

Gift #332- A Very O-tanjoubi Omedetou (Happy Birthday)

My sweet friends came today and brought a Japanese potluck birthday lunch!  It was a wonderful way to spend the day.  Great food and wonderful company.  The Happy Birthday song sung with a Japanese accent is very beautiful and I will remember it forever.
39 is going to be a good year!

Gift #331- A Family of Seven

Last night we had my early birthday celebration.  Hank leaves today for a few months and we all wanted to celebrate together.  We went to our favorite restaurant- Kikutei.  We were aware that this would be our final dinner together as a family of six!  When Hank returns, I will be in Yokosuka waiting to meet this little girl.  And when I return home, we will be a family of SEVEN!
So very exciting!

Gift #330- My Personal Chef

For two years now, Jack has volunteered to make my birthday cake!  I just love this kid!

Gift #329- Our Wet 4th of July

No fireworks again this year in Iwakuni and enough rain to float the ark, but we had so much food and fun with friends that the day was a big success.  We had a block party in the early evening.  Some of the guys rented tents and tried tying them together.  The rain made huge puddles on the top of them and every now and then one would give way and someone would get soaked.  The funny thing is, no one had enough sense to get out of it.  There were 8 adults huddled together in sideways rain telling stories and laughing at ourselves.  The kids were out in the rain- skim boarding in the grass and splashing in the puddles.  It was a very memorable 4th here in the land of the rising sun.

Mom would have been proud!  :0)

Gift #328- Being Little

Just loved this little image of Sam this morning bending over playing with his Legos.  

Stay little sweet Sam!

Gift #327- Origami Paper

I don't know how Macy would pass these long rainy days if we didn't have origami paper!