Gift #347- A Great Start!

I have been praying for a few weeks now that this morning would go smoothly.  That peace would reign in this house and that the kids would have calm hearts.  Not just the kids.  I am usually the biggest wreck of all.  The Lord heard and answered.  We had a quiet easy morning.  The kids were calm and happy.  We made cinnamon rolls and even had enough time to watch half an episode of Mythbusters!  I measured the kids heights on our door frame.  Macy is a full inch taller than Sam.  I have a feeling that he will catch up quickly!  We are off to a good start!  Thank you Lord for hearing and answering our prayers.

Gift #346- Help is On the Way!

Mimi and Papa on the plane bound for Japan!  

We are very excited and so thankful that they are coming to do life with the Thomas kids as we are away waiting on the arrival of the newest Thomas kid!

Gift #345- A Girl and Her Dog

Gift #344- A Boy & His Dog

Gift #343- Having One More Week

The school supplies have been purchased and the backpacks are hanging ready.  One week from today, at this very hour, the kids will be heading out the door for the first day of school.  They are excited and apprehensive at the same time.  The days go by too quickly but yet sometimes drag on forever.  I hope that this particular week drags long and wonderfully.  I pray that we will take advantage of each moment and make the last few days of summer memorable ones.

Gift #343- A 15 minute bullet train ride to Costco

Last week the kids and I were looking for a little adventure so we hopped on the Shinkansen and took it to Hiroshima.  Hiroshima is about an hour away by monster van, but it is a cool 15 minutes by bullet train!  When we arrived, we caught a cab to the new Costco.  That was a bit of an adventure in itself.   I kept telling the driver that we wanted to go to Costco.  He kept saying things in Japanese and giving me the most confused looks. I finally used my phone and typed out COSTCO.   The driver said "OH  COSACO!  I said "Hai COSACO".  The kids all smiled at each other from the backseat.  We made an afternoon out of going to the new COSACO!  It was like stepping into America and we had a great time together.

Gift #342- Macy's Texts

Daddy and Daughter love notes!  What a gift!

Gift #341- Help With the Grocery List

When I told Josh and Macy that I had to run to the grocery store, they were quick to "help".  They very graciously made the grocery list for me.  I was extremely appreciative of their unsolicited and highly-entertaining assistance.

(The "QOO" on Macy's list is a Japanese juice box.  It has a jello consistency and she loves them!)

Gift #340- Book Club Baby Shower

My girlfriends showed up for book club last night at my house bearing not only their books, but a pink tiara and snacks and flowers and baby girl gifts!  A surprise baby shower!  They all arrived at the house at the exact same time and I noticed that they had gifts in hand, but it took me a second to realize what was going on!  It was when I was crowned with a hand-made pink and purple ribbon tiara that it sunk in.  The ladies had taken the time to purchase a beautiful flower arrangement for myself and even a small one for Macy.  She was so very proud.  They brought the most wonderful pink whoopee pies and strawberry layer cake and pink pretzel sticks and cookie bars and hummus.  I received some of the most precious little toys and clothes and hand made hair bows.  I felt so loved and cared for and I just didn't (and still don't) know how to say thank you for such kindness.  My heart felt so very full.  We eventually got around to book-club talk and the discussion was wonderful!  I couldn't have asked for a more perfect evening.

Thank you Marisa, Erika, Cindi, Michelle, Wendy, and Myia.  I am so very grateful that the "Writer" saw fit to bring you all into my story.  It is exceedingly more rich because of you.

Gift# 339- A girl's first manicure!

Macy at Miss Lily's getting her very first manicure.

And she chose Minions!  And I love that she did.  As a girl, (and maybe even sometimes as an adult), I was always painting fun things on my fingernails.  Fish and flags and polk a dots!  One of the last gifts that my mom gave me before she passed away was a few bottles of crazy-colored nail polish and some nail stickers and rhinestones.  And I was 36!  Despicable Me 2 premiers here on base this Sunday. Macy will be ready for the show!

Gift #338- Proud Mom Moments

Over the years I have had my fair share of proud mom moments.  I have had one or two shameful moments as well.  Like when Sam used his new "grab-nabber" at the grocery store to very innocently grab a very forgiving woman's chest!  But it is the proud moments that I choose to write about so here it goes.

When we were in Okinawa last week, I took the kids over to a nearby Marine base that had a skate park.  When we arrived, there were other skater kids already there.  They dressed the part with the Vans shoes and skinny jeans and flat billed hats.  It was almost sunset when we arrived.  On base, at sunset, you can usually hear the music playing as the Colors are Retired.  When you hear the music, you are expected to turn towards it and stand quietly until it is over.  The music began to play over the loudspeaker.  I wondered if the boys would do the right thing and face the music or if they would keep on skating with their cool new friends.  After all, no one else was around and the music was very faint.  I watched intently from the car as Jack put his skateboard down, turned toward the music and stood respectfully.  The other boys skated on for a few moments.  Then they noticed Jack and they followed suit.  I was so so proud of Jack in that moment.  This was not his base, there were other skater kids around, and he didn't know if they followed the same rules, but he did what he knew was right.  When I turned 16, my dad wrote me a letter.  He said that doing the right think might not always be cool or feel good.  He was right.  I am sure that Jack wondered in that moment if stopping to stand still was the cool thing to do.  But he did it anyway.  I made sure to tell him how proud I was.  I am painfully aware that many of the choices he will face in the upcoming years will be much more difficult than deciding whether to stand still for the Retiring of the Colors.  I am praying Proverbs 9:10-12 for Jack each day.  "Cause Jack to fear You since this is the beginning of wisdom.  Cause Jack to know you and to understand your perspective on any situation.  Add years to his life, and give him the reward of the wise."  I am very sure that God is hearing my prayers for my almost-teenager!  As for Sam, I am praying an entirely different and longer prayer!  :0)