Gift #49- Dad is Home!

You know how I joked last week that I was not sure if Hank would come home from his trip to Guam after he learned that he had all of these crazy kids and pets waiting for him....  Well--  He Did!!!  He made it home yesterday after being gone for a little over 5 weeks.  We didn't let him rest though.  We got up early this morning and went to a professional baseball game.  In the picture above, we are on the tour bus heading to the Yahoo Dome to watch the Fukuoka Hawks!

Gift #48- Bunnies Wearing Samurai Hats

The kids learned how to make origami fish and samurai hats in culture class at school.  Today, Macy decided to make one for Fluffy.  We all laughed and laughed as we chased that bunny around the house and tried to fit a little paper hat on it's head.  We laughed even harder when the bunny finally gave up and "posed" for this picture!

Gift #47- Kindergarten Graduation

Sam and Macy- Kindergarten Cowboy Day

Logos Christian Academy

About 5 years ago this very week, I was at Hunting Island State Park in Beaufort, South Carolina for Jack's Kindergarten graduation.  It was a beach picnic so I was not expecting the children to put on a little program.  Well, they did.  They stood before the parents and sang 'Start spreading the news, we're leaving today.  We want to be a part of it 1st grade 1st grade!" Oh my goodness.  I still get teary just typing it out.  My girlfriend Wendy and I just looked at each other and started boo-hooing!  Our babies were graduating from Kindergarten!  The very next year, Josh put his mama through the exact same torture.  Thankfully, I was a little more prepared.  There were no less tears, but I did bring along tissue and I stood in the back as to not distract.  Today, the youngest of the Thomas Kids graduated from Kindergarten.  In true Amy fashion, a few tears were shed.  Sam and Macy were so proud as they sang "Kindergarten, Kindergarten its time to say goodbye to Kindergarten.  Look at the progress we've made.  Now it's time to go to First Grade."  Oh My-  I get a little teary typing that one out also!  It is the little songs that get me every time!!!  Just imagine how I am going to behave at their high-school graduations!  I will mostly likely need to be medicated.  ;0)  We spent the first 3 semesters in Fallon, NV  where the kids attended Logos Christian Academy.  We made so many wonderful memories there and had a difficult time saying goodbye. I worried that the kids might have a hard time adjusting to their new school, but my worries were relieved when I met their teachers.  They went out of their way to welcome our family.  The kids spent their final semester at MC Perry Elementary School-  Home of the Samurai.  It was a wonderful school year and today we begin enjoying our summer adventures in Japan!

 Sam and Macy's Kindergarten Class at Logos Christian Academy in Fallon, NV.  This little school, it's students, parents, and staff became a part of our family.  It was the very best way that Sam and Macy could have ever begun their school careers.  We love Mrs. Jung!

Sam and Macy with their new classmates at MC Perry Elementary School.  The teachers could not have made us feel more welcome and at home.

We were so blessed to be in Mrs. Lemos and Mrs' Horton's Kindergarten Class

At the graduation ceremony today, in true Macy fashion, Macy won the 

"Great Teacher Helper" Award

In true Sam fashion, Sam won the Class Wiggle Worm Award!  ;0)  That's My Boy!

Gift #46- Burger King Crowns

I absolutely love that Sam and Macy still request crowns each time we visit Burger King.  It reminds me that they are still so little.  They put them on immediately, wear them throughout the meal and then keep them on for at least an hour after we leave.  I think that next time I take them to Burger King, I will request a crown too.  I will wear it during the meal and for at least an hour after I get home!  Maybe it will inspire me to build that Lego airplane with Sam or paint that water color masterpiece with Macy rather than doing the dishes or folding another piece of laundry.  I will let you know how it goes.  ;0)

Gift #45- Cherries at the Commissary!

Today I found California Cherries at the Commissary!  What a nice treat!

Gift #44- Bible Study Girls and Polynesian Sauce

So I was having one of those Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day mornings.  One of those mornings when nothing seems to go my way.  I usually go to the post office to check my mail in the late afternoons after I pick up the kids from school.  But today, I decided to go a little earlier.  I had ordered a few new books and I thought that might help cheer me up a little bit.  Well, what I got in the mail was way better than new books!!!  It was a package from my girlfriend Nancy-  one of my sweet Bible study sisters from Fallon.  The package contained a magazine about Japan, some delicious Fallon Trail mix, a picture of My Bible Study sisters and, if that were not enough....  Polynesian sauce from Chick-fil-A!!!!  Instantly the sun came bursting forth!  :0)  I climbed into the Monster Van and had a good cry, but not because I was having a bad day anymore, but because of this precious, thoughtful, and well-timed gift.  My very first job was at Chick-fil-A in Panama City.  I learned that the chicken sandwiches are marinated in pickle juice!  So just last week, the boys and I marinated some chicken and fried it up!  Jack said, "These would be even better with Polynesian Sauce!"  And now we have it!  When Jack gets home from school, he is going to come undone!!!  (He shares my excitement for the little things- especially "food little things.")

So I just made it sound as though it were the Polynesian sauce that I was most thankful for!!  :0)  That is certainly not the case!  During our time in Fallon, I had the pleasure of being a part of a Bible study with some of the most amazing and wonderful women I will ever know.  We met together each Monday and studied the Bible and laughed and cried and ATE and ATE!  :0)  My time spent together in their company truly defined my experience in Fallon, NV.   No matter the distance, we will forever be Bible Study Sisters.

Gift #43- Salty Sea Air

 Salty sea air is good for the soul!  Sam, Macy, and I went to the beach today while the boys were camping.  It is not the white sand beach of home, but the water is clear blue and beautiful and we are very thankful to be close to it once again.  We slathered on the Coppertone 45, turned up our Kenny Chesney and soaked up the sunshine.

Gift #42- Closing Day

So today was closing day of Iwakuni Youth Baseball.  We had a closing ceremony in the base gym.  The color guard presented the colors.  The children and coaches took off their hats and held them over their hearts.  The National Anthem was sung.  I don't know what it is about baseball and the National Anthem that chokes me up, but it gets me every time!!  Looking out and seeing my four babies in their handsome uniforms with their hats and hands over their hearts just filled me up!  Some days I want to keep them little, but seeing them grow and become just thrills my soul.  Twinkle Twinkle Little Stars!

Gift #41- Technology

Ray 

Thanks to Face Time, I was able to "meet" my brand new nephew for the first time yesterday!  Sometimes technology can be such a blessing!  My sweet sister-in-law made sure to show me all his little toes and his sweet chunky thighs.  I wanted to jump right through the screen.  We sure do miss our families and friends, but we are so glad that we can use our phones and computers to catch up with each other.  It makes this great big distance between us seem a whole lot smaller.  Look how cute that baby is!  

My brother Ted and his beautiful wife Mary
Happy Birthday Mary!
You are a blessing!

Gift #40- Okonomiyaki

I have a feeling that out of the 1000 blessings that I am trying to count, 900 of them will involve food!  This is Hiroshima style Okonomiyaki.  It is delicious.  I have fallen in love with the food here and hope to take a cooking class or two.  Here is a little information about what goes in it:


When making Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki, cabbage and other toppings are not mixed together with the batter. Rather, the batter is spread on the grill like a thin crepe and the ingredients such as cabbage are put on top of it. After all the toppings are in place, the entire Okonomiyaki is flipped over and steamed. After steaming it for a reasonable amount of time, it is put on top of noodles. Hiroshima-style is characteristic of layering the Okonomiyaki on top of Udon or Yakisoba noodles. Then, an egg is spread on the grill and fried into a thin layer which is used to place the Okonomiyaki on top of it. It is flipped over again and is served after adding sauce and sprinkling green laver. In Hiroshima, the Okonomiyaki sauce is slightly sweeter than the Kansai type. 


I was able to try this delicious feast a few weeks ago in Hiroshima.  Mine had bacon and shrimp mixed inside!  The sauces on top are SO delicious.  Now I am getting hungry.  

Gift #39- Keeping the Classroom Bunny for the Summer

My sweet little Macy volunteered to keep the class pet for the summer.  So today I brought home a bunny named Fluffy and all of his gear.  Wait......  That is a blessing isn't it?  I will choose to count it as such!  :0)

PS-  Our wonderful neighbors and friends had a very sad family emergency and had to rush home to the states very quickly this morning.  (Please say a prayer for peace for the Goering Family).  We wanted to do ANYTHING to help them out so we very happily said yes when they asked us to keep their goldfish for the summer!  So now we have a Turbo, a bunny, and five gold fish!  I am lucky to have such a sweet sweet husband.  :0)

(PSS-  Hank if you are reading this, then you just found out that you are coming home to 4 kids on summer break, a dog, a bunny, 5 goldfish, a crazy wife, and a 1300 square foot town home.

I love you so much.  You are still coming home aren't you?  ;0)