Gift #304- Sitting on the bus with Sam and Macy

Sarah, Macy, and Sam with the deer at Miyajima

Mrs. Miller's First Graders

Macy, Sarah, and Kento

 Being silly

Today was Sam and Macy's final field trip of the year.  They asked their mom to join them and I quickly agreed.  I might have been stretching the truth a little a few posts back.  Josh wanted me to go on his last field trip with him, but he didn't want me to sit with him or talk to him much.  That was ok.  Sam and Macy totally made up for it today.  They saved me seats and held my hand and laughed at my jokes. All of this in front of their friends!  If you are going on a field trip with one of your children, choose your first grader!  You will not be disappointed.

Gift #303- Winning the Championship Game

Picture It.  The championship playoff game.  We are down by two.  The score is 9-7.  Top of the final inning.  We are at bat.  Not only do we need 2 runs, but we need to hold 'em off at the bottom of the inning.  We have 2 outs and a player on 3rd.  Jack Walker steps up to the plate.  Full Count.  Here comes the final pitch.  This could be the game.  Jack swings and it's a HOMERUN!  And the crowd cheers.  And Jack smiles at his mom as he rounds 3rd.  And she yells "way to go baby" and her heart is so full. We are back in the game.  We hold 'em at 9-9 at their at-bat and the game goes into overtime.  After 3 very stressful overtime innings, WE WIN.  And the boys throw up their gloves and jump into their coaches arms.  And if you are a ball player between the ages of 10 and 12 in Iwakuni, Japan then you feel like you just played the final game of the world series.  And if you happen to be wearing an orange jersey, then you just won it all!  And life is so very good.  And on the way home in the Monster Van we give thanks to the Lord for allowing us the victory.

Gift# 302- A Ride on the Shinkansen

A few weeks ago, I went up to Yokosuka Air Base near Tokyo for a doctors appointment.  Check out my ride!  The kids are really hoping to catch a ride on the shin before we leave Japan.  It is a bit expensive, but I think that we might just have to pay the price and have the adventure!

Gift #301- Air Conditioning

This was an email that we received from the base housing office a few days ago! Base housing turns the cold air off in early fall and it stays off until someone flips the switch!  

The switch got flipped and it is good! 

Family Housing Residents,

We are happy to inform you that the air conditioning will be turned on today, 22 May. Contractors are going to each area to turn on the a/c system.

Please make sure the control panel is switched from warm to cool.  This should be done for each control panel.  Please remember to close all windows and doors when using your air conditioning.

If you feel the air condition is not cooling properly, please call the Trouble Desk at 253-3131.

Enjoy!

Family Housing

Gift #300- The Pool Is OPEN!

The outdoor pool on base opened on Saturday at 11:00.  The Thomas kids were ready!  We had a nice afternoon.   The water is still a bit cold for Hank and I, but the kids jumped right in.  We shared a can of boiled peanuts during one of the pool breaks.  It was the last of the cans that I brought home from my trip a few weeks ago so we ate slowly!  We look forward to long afternoons at the pool when school gets out in a few weeks.

PS-  that "last can of boiled peanuts" part was written shamelessly yet purposely to elicit some sympathy in the hopes that someone might feel sorry for us and send some our way.  :0)

Gift #299- Messy Ponytails and Unbrushed Teeth

Today I am extra thankful for the morning chaos in my home.  I am thankful for Macy's do- it-herself mess of a ponytail and for the way that one little wavy strand never gets brushed back and gets tucked behind her ear.  I am thankful for that wiggly baby tooth of Sam's that gets brushed only after 15 reminders.  I am thankful for the pancake box that Jack left open on the counter and for the sticky syrup drops on my kitchen table.  I am thankful for the lunchbox that Josh left behind once again and for the big glob of Sparkling Crest toothpaste that he left in the sink.  I know that there are at least 7 mommas in Moore, Oklahoma today who are waking up and wishing for the same type of mess.  PB&J crumbs on their countertops and missing library books.  My heart is broken for them.

Gift #298- Josh's Fieldtrips

Josh at the Iwakuni Recycling Center

Josh still wants his mom to go on his field trips.   I love that!  I know that my field trip time with him is coming to a close.  Jack does NOT want his mom to go on a field trip with him and the two of them are only one school grade apart.  I will take every opportunity to hang out with him while he still lets me and will be grateful for the time that I have.  

(PS-  Jack, you are really missing out.  Your mom is so cool and tells the funniest jokes!)

Gift #297- Banana Bread

I heard a knock at my door this morning at 7:40.  Just after I had sent the last of the kids off to school.  I was a little frustrated to hear it I will admit.  It was so early and the kids had just left a tornado of a mess and I hadn't even brushed my teeth yet!  I grumbled on the way to the door and opened it slowly to see the teenaged son of Jack and Josh's baseball coach.  He was bringing me a loaf of warm chocolate chip banana bread that his dad made for us!  Earlier in the week, the coach had called to see if I could sew a name on a baseball jersey.  I joked that I would do it in return for some type of homemade baked good. I never thought that he would actually make me some type of baked good!  But he did.  I smiled when the son handed me the warm bread.  It reminded me how nice it was to be thought of.  I am going to do my best to return the thoughtfulness to one or two of my neighbors in the upcoming days.

If you have a chance, click on the link below to read an article about an 82 year old Connecticut barber who gives haircuts to the homeless in exchange for hugs.  It might just inspire you to do something unexpected for someone this weekend.  Taking someone a warm loaf of chocolate chip banana bread might be a good place to start!

Full story and slideshow here

Gift #296- A Housekeeper!

My new housekeeper started today.  She was sent straight from heaven.  I came home to a lemon pledge scented house and a clean stove!  I am so very thankful!

Gift #295- A New Stroller and Patient Dog

A friend of mine gave me a stroller today.  Macy felt like she needed to test it out and Turbo was the lucky guinea pig.  She strolled him along outside for a half hour or so.  He was a good sport and didn't try to jump out.  Maybe because she had him securely strapped in like a good little mommy should.

Gift #294- Being Called Mom

It was a happy Mother's Day here in Iwakuni.  Blessed beyond measure is how I felt as the six of us walked to the chapel together.

Macy and Sam gave me poem books that they made at school.  Sam said that I was as pretty as his sister!  And as sweet as Turbo!  :0)

Both Sam and Macy said that I like to be lazy.  That kind of stung a little.  But hey, I do like to be lazy. Macy redeemed herself on the next page of the book when she said that her mom was as pretty as an angel.

Josh spent his own money on a Yankee Candle and some Victoria's Secret Lotion.  Hank said that he did this without any prompting.  I think that meant more to me than the gifts themselves.

Jack chose the most beautiful heart shaped ring!  I can't tell you how proud I was to slip it on and wear it to church.  The gifts were so nice, but it was the thoughtfulness that meant so much.   I am so thankful that the Lord gave me the opportunity to be the mom of a Jack, and a Josh, and a Sam and a Macy!  I am one lucky girl.