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)

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!