Disneyland tokyo

The day after Thanksgiving was much nicer weather wise.  We went to Disneyland. It was fun, and predictable having been to Disney before.   Usually I don't enjoy routine or sameness,  but today I really enjoyed knowing exactly what each experience was going to be like.  Maybe being in a different country with weather I didn't anticipate just made the predictability of Disney soothing.  Everyone had a nice time,  even adam.  Nathan Adam and I left early ( around 5) so Adam could get some sleep.  Also we had committed to eating dinner at the hotel as part of our package deal so Nathan and I got the royal treatment with some delicious food.   On the way to these new hotel I realized we had left our passports in the safe at the hostel from the night before....whoops!  Justin was good enough to grab them the next morning as he and the girls didn't leave disney until 10 pm.

disney sea

We spent Thanksgiving away Disney sea this year.   It was a lot of fun,  but soooooo cold!  We met up with the Kirkpatrick  family.   The kids were excited to see each other, and Justin and I had a great time palling around with Catina and Alex.  They are a fun family.   We were used to Okinawa and  didn't dress warmly enough.   It didn't help that it rained all day long.  Disney sea was pretty interesting,  but had super long lines.  I wish it would have been nicer because the park was pretty cool. 

Me and Catina.... my terrible selfie

the kids together!

fireworks and Christmas show on the river

hostel where we stayed.... those beds were hard!  The end of the day was a bit traumatic.   We lost our Kate on the way to the bus.  Found her back at Disney... she starred following the wrong stroller and when she realised her mistake went to the first American she saw who took her to lost and found.   Then when we got to the bus we didn't have small enough bills so we had to go back and get change.   Finally made it to the hostel cold, wet, but happy and especially thankful for Kate and the Kirkpatrick family. 

grocery roulette

whenever I go to the Japanese grocery store I feel like I am playing grocery roulette.  They have lots of premade food or premarinated meat.  It looks delicious,  so I always grab some.   Most of the time it's great,  but sometimes, like tonight the meat isn't what I thought.  Tonight it was really chewy... maybe even stomach or some kind of organ.... it looked good,  tasted ok but the texture was gross..

A grocery loss, but we won with the styrofoam crackers!  My favourites!

scuba diving

We all finished up our scuba dive certification today.   It was pretty awesome.   What a great thing to do.   It's so fascinating to swim underneath the water and see all the living things that live there.   I still struggle with my ears some times,  but I am getting a lot better.  I only got pictures of Nathan unfortunately,  but we all got our certification today except Kate and Adam because they were too young.

fukugawa falls

Such a fun and beautiful hike we took with the kids on their day off.  The hike was short... maybe 20 minutes,  but we had fun in the water.... started on the second hike,  but all the younger kids made me nervous.   There were lots of signs saying to turn back, so I was responsible!   Friday and Saturday this Saturday this week were pretty great.   When we got home,  we chilled for  a bit and then Kasey came over to spend the night and justin and I had dinner at the club for free!   The next day we went scuba diving for our certification and then I took Sam,  Kate and Michelle to see a play.   It was really good.   Then we went out for katsu.  Yum!  Nice weekend. 

hiking!!!

Hiking at forest prefecture park.  It was awesome!  I got put in charge of a hiking group at church.  It's so much fun.   These ladies are truly amazing and I'm so thankful to go on adventures with them.

Nathan, cross country, sugar, Japanese and gratitude

I've been so impressed with Nathan this cross country season.   He has taken it seriously and made goals and gotten far every meet.   He has one last meet.   So far his personal best for a 5k is 18:51 which is pretty smoking.   He's hoping to get down to 18:30 for his final meet.   I'm crossing my fingers for him.   He really is super disciplined and admirable in his efforts toward greater health.   

I'm trying to emulate him in a small way.   For the past month I have not had desserts and candy.   I'm trying to make it my new norm to only have sugary things once a month.   I did slip once when our friends from England sent a care package with curly whirlys lol.  Anyway,  yesterday was my splurge/ sugar day and it was kind of gross.  I ate Halloween candy all day and it really didn't taste that good,  but it did fill a compulsive need that I have sometimes.  I know that sounds weird.  But,  I think I will be successful in waiting for next month for my Splurge.  I guess the question is,  do I eat sugar on my dedicated day (22nd)  or save for Thanksgiving pie?  Or save for our trip to Tokyo to try Japanese desserts.... is that even a thing?  Either way,  here's to less sugar in my diet and hopefully improving the family diet.  

Last note.... in scriptures today I read "In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."  I'm keeping this blog so that hopefully I can become more thankful.   I know gratitude brings joy.  And I want to "rejoice"  evermore!

Last note....I started meeting with a Japanese tutor and she is AWESOME!!!  So kind and prepared.  Definitely worth the time and money.   I really hope I can learn some Japanese.   

dive classes, broken arms, Japanese McDonalds and happy cave

Sadly we I didn't take any pictures today.   However,  we started our dive classes!  Just a few short weeks and  we'll be in the water!  Then we went to happy cave.   I really should have gotten a picture but surprise, my phone was dead! The cave was kind  of spooky.  Made me realise how terrified they must have been to resort to living in that cave.  Then we visited sister Garcia in the hospital.   She broke her arm.   Hopefully she will be ok.  Then we went to Japanese McDonald's.   It was so much better than American McDonald's!  So good!

inktober 2019 day 13 ash

We tried our hand at inktober today while justin was at a presidency meeting.   It was pretty fun!  We might even do it again tomorrow!  Drawings are in order from top to bottom Samantha,  Nathan,  Michelle,  Megan

Samantha hoco

Samantha had a great homecoming dance.   She went with Davin Stevens and Rockwell Tobler.  She had a great time.  

Speedy Nate

Nathan has had a great cross country season.   Her just keeps getting faster and faster.  So proud of this kid!  He's at 19:03 right now.

Oct 11th Adam is 8 months

Our naked fireman is 8 months today.   He is starting to scoot across the floor and crawl a little bit.   He's a terrible sleeper!  He wants to only sleep if he is nursing or can touch Justin or I.  It's super annoying.... we're working on sleep training.   He'll go to sleep after 10 or so minutes of crying,  but wakes up after only half an hour or so.   It's annoying.  He's getting 4 new teeth.   He already has 2.  Despite his lack of sleep,  he's generally a really happy baby.   We sure love him. 

missionary sons

I made a beautiful missionary wall/ shrine if my 2 sons serving their missions.   I love it!  Joey is in Brazil and John is in Mexico.   It makes me happy every time I walk by their smiling faces!  I'm so grateful they wanted to serve and are growing and experiencing so many new things! 

ocean

Today I'm grateful to live in such a beautiful place where the ocean is just minutes away.   I went running with stroller warriors today around the Ginowan seaside.  It was beautiful.   It's really strange to live in such an amazing place,  but still live normal life.   Instead of enjoying the beauty around it's easy to get caught up in the day to day schedule of cleaning,  planning and laundry... we haven't seen nearly enough if this island!  But I'm grateful that even the day to day humdrum activities ( like exercise) can involve a beautiful view and gorgeous weather.   

gratitude

ok trying again.....I have a friend who writes something she is grateful for every day and posts it to facebook.  It's super cute.  I think it helps her really feel grateful for where she is.  I decided I'd like to do that too, but I'm hesitant to share on fb because I think I might come off as braggy, anyhow, here goes day 1!  I'm grateful that I live on a beautiful island in Japan with amazing sunrises.  I'm grateful to have a huge backyard that is somewhat level (compared to many of the hilly yards around us).  I'm grateful that I saved my hammock from Mexico so we could enjoy it here.  I'm grateful for Nathan who happily mows the huge yard after running 7 miles for cross country practice for his 2nd workout and to earn $20.  I'm grateful that Nathan loves cross country and that he is getting faster at each meet.  I'm grateful that even though he still dislikes school, he is getting all of his homework done with minimal complaints and doing well in his classes (minus geometry).  I'm grateful that his sister (math genius) is tutoring him in math and that when I have the odd chance to sit with him I actually remember some geometry.  Seriously I think it's one of my favorite math subjects. 

3 more years...minus 2 boys..plus one and on to Japan

ok.  I'm a horrible blogger....it's time to journal again.  I love blogging because it doesn't take up any room and I know I can always find it.  Sometimes the public nature makes me a little hesitant to share everything I'm thinking, but I'm pretty aware that no one really reads it so it's a fairly safe place.

Life is crazy....lots has happened since I last wrote, but I'm just gonna jump in.

SPRING BREAK 2019

We went to Switzerland and Italy with a short stop in Germany and a night in France.  It was pretty fast paced and a lot of driving, but it was great.  We went with the Johnson family as well.  This made the long hours in the car bearable, as did fablehaven.  It is a good book.