Gift #316- My Sister Kim

I was lying in bed this morning and it dawned on me that I had not been posting about my family on their birthdays over the past few months.  I am not sure how I let that happen.  Aside from my salvation, family is truly the biggest blessing that the Lord has given me.  I am going to spend the next few days catching up!

I do not remember a time when Kim was not my best friend.    She knows me inside and out and still likes me!  :0)  I remember fighting over who got the shower first in the morning and who had to wash the dishes, but never a time when we weren't close.  We shared many of the same friends in high school and did not let college moves keep us apart.  When I was a starving camp counselor making $80 per week, she was a starving new teacher.  She scraped her pennies together and paid off my wedding dress as a surprise.  To this day, she is quick to send a cheerful package.  She does mock me from time to time with pictures of Shell Island and dolphin encounters, but I can take it.  Kim, your 40th birthday came on May 6th.  You said that this will be your best year yet.  I have a feeling that it will.  You are one of the biggest blessings that the Lord has given me and I don't know where I would be without you.

Gift #315- Jack's First Guitar Lesson

Jack and his new guitar teacher- Adam.  Adam asked Jack to choose the song that he wanted to learn first.  Jack's choice- Limelight by Rush.  You can do it Jack!

Gift #314- Panama City Love

Just checked the mail and had an awesome package waiting!  8 cans of boiled peanuts!  (3 of them had my name on them and I am not sharing!)   Harry and David's Macadamia Moose Munch, lollipops, a birthday present and some sweet little clothes for baby girl! We are in the thick of rainy season here in Iwakuni, but a package from home sure did make things brighter!  Thank you Dad and Ms. Diane!

Within 2 minutes of tearing open the package!

Now all we need is an Avery!

Gift #313- 4 Days in Tokyo

We returned home late last night from our trip to Tokyo.  We had a great time together.  The kids have some wonderful friends here in Iwakuni, but it sure was nice to get the kids away and have them all to ourselves for a few days.  The trip was a reminder to us of how we need to get out as a family more often.  We traveled over night on a tour bus.  We went straight to the pool after arriving at the hotel.  I think that we could have skipped Disneyland and the zoo and everything in between as long as we had that hotel pool!  We went to the top of the Tokyo Tower, toured a temple area, took a river cruise, shopped at Odaiba, went to the Ueno Zoo, traveled on the Tokyo subway, visited with a dear friend, went to Disneyland, ordered room service for Father's Day, and the list goes on.  It was a memorable trip and we are so thankful for the time spent together.

Gift #312- My New 2nd Graders

I wish that I could slow down time!  It goes way too fast.  The kids had a wonderful final day of school.  We celebrated with lunch out and Baskin Robbins!  Sam said that he was a little sad to leave his teacher.  He said that he didn't cry, but that his eyes filled up.  :0)

Sam got the Most Improved Student Award in reading and the Good Sportsmanship award for always showing "fairness and compassion to others."  I love that about you Sam!

Macy got the "Wonderful Writer" award.  This was very appropriate for Macy.  She comes home each day and writes stories and poems and business letter and letters to the editor.  She is a very impressive little writer!  Great Job Macy Moo!

Gift #311- My New 6th Grader

Joshy got the Commander's Award which means that he got straight A's.  Not to be a bragging mother or anything, but he did get straight A's both semesters!  Proud Proud Proud.  Way to go Josh!

Gift #310- My 7th Grader!

Jack didn't want to pause for a picture for mom, but I told him that no one would believe that he was smart if I didn't get a picture of his awards!  He got an award for having a GPA of 3.5 or higher.  And another one for having the same GPA for both semesters.  You are an amazing kid Jack.  You make your dad and I proud every single day.  Stop growing!  Your mom can't take it.

Gift #309- My Little Piano Virtuoso

Macy had her very first piano recital on Saturday at the base chapel.  She played Ode To Joy and played it very beautifully.  She bowed to the audience as she went up to the piano and then again as she sat down.  She looked like such a big girl.  She said that she was a little nervous, but you couldn't tell as she smiled the entire time she was playing.  We celebrated with Baskin Robbins!  Great job Macy girl!

Gift #308- Getting Along

Yesterday, for a brief moment, all of the kids were laughing together and getting along so beautifully.  So what if they were playing Minecraft on the XBox.  And so what if they were throwing around phrases like "did you get infinity with that bow and arrow" and "can someone help me find the potion of invisibility."  That type of nerdy talk might cause a mother a tiny bit of concern regarding the socialization of her children.  But I sure did enjoy watching the four of them have fun together.  Besides, I have always had a thing for nerds.  Right Hank?  ;)

Gift #307- Berta

This is Berta.  Berta is my neighbor.  She was one of my very first friends here.  We talked one afternoon on the street corner and she said to me "hey, I like you.  We should be friends."  And that was that.  The very next day when I saw her, she called me "Ames"- like we had known each other our entire lives.  I wish that it was always that easy to make friends.  Berta moves away on Saturday.  I will be very sad to see her go.  But I will take the advice of the late great Dr. Seuss-
 
“Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.” 

Gift #306- Bringing Home the Bacon!

Josh started his new job today!  He has his very own paper route.  He delivers the newspapers around our neighborhood on his skateboard!  We are proud of you Josh!