He's The Love of My Life

He's 5 years old, 45 inches tall, and 47 pounds. He's blonder than blond and he is the love of my life. Yes, Owen sealed his place in my heart tonight. As he was picking the donut he wanted for dessert he went for my favorite, the boston kreme. The last boston kreme. I said "oh, that's my favorite" and he started to put it back. I told him to go ahead and have it I didn't need it. He was enjoying his donut and proceeded to tell me how it was now his favorite. Then he said "mom, sometimes at church they have donuts with creme in them you could get one there". I said "yes you're right I could, but donuts are not very good for mommy." Next thing I know he's right beside me handing me the last half of the donut. I told him No thanks and then he said the sweetest words a boy could say to his mama, "No, I want you to have it.". And with that he is permanently the love of my life. I enjoyed the last half of the boston kreme as I listened to O and his sister giggling in the tub. Life is good.

A Pretty Big Girl Bed

For a Pretty Little Girl

It's A Bird, It's a Plane, It's

SuperKIDS! I found these jammies for Alison at the exchange today. They only had one pair and I've learned the hard way if you think you want it you need to buy it when you see it, so I did. Is she precious or what? She calls herself "buperman". Owen spent some time teaching her how to fly. Thankfully it only involved jumping off the couch. I love my little "supermans". 

Look Mom, A New Floor

The old gray tile

The new floor in the family room

Half and half

The green stairs. A thing of beauty, mom I have no idea why you didn't put these in the new house.
The hallway

We finally decided to put in our request for a new "wood" floor. I assumed it would take months to get it but somehow we lucked out and got it in about 3 weeks. God is good! I can't believe I waited so long to ask for it. I'm thinking there is a lesson there. Anyway just wanted to show off our new and old floors. But don't worry we get to keep the green steps. I have a feeling we'll miss those when we leave here.

Why Is It...

That my children's illness of choice seems to always be a stomach bug? Just before 5am I heard Alison crying for me. When I reached for her in her bed I felt something wet and realized she had thrown up. I felt bad for her but I felt worse for me. That sounds selfish and maybe it is but we just put the little girl in a BIG girl bed Monday night. It had clean sheets, a beautiful quilt, and a "shortcake" blanket. What it didn't have was a mattress pad. I wasn't able to get to the store to buy one and I wanted to get her in her bed over the holiday weekend because Jeff was off to help me. I figured no big deal, she's still in a diaper at night so the mattress will be fine. And then the stomach bug hit. Much to my amazement the mattress was spared. It seems Alison is much like her brother and would rather throw up on herself or me than actually mess up anything in her room. We ended up downstairs as to not "wake" her brother. Our efforts were meaningless since he woke up when he heard me changing her and said "I think I could just stay up now". Oh sure, because what I really need at 5am is both my children up and about while my bed is still calling my name and it is going to be dark outside for another good hour. After a cup of coffee the world seemed better or at least more awake. We got Owen off to school and came home to the laundry and disinfecting that occurs after a stomach bug hits our home. Too bad Jeff wasn't still off to help. So now the little girl, who is feeling much better by the way, has another perfectly clean big girl bed, with a towel under the sheet (just in case) until I can get to the exchange and buy a mattress pad tomorrow. Sweet dreams my little sick one. Sweet dreams!

Shh... I Have a Secret

 Our last trip to Disney World

OK so it's not really a secret but we haven't told the kids yet so it is a secret to them. I just booked us a Thanksgiving trip to Tokyo Disneyland and Disney Sea. I'm so excited I can't stand it. I admit it I'm a HUGE Disney World  fan. We are waiting to tell the kids until it is definitely official. It looks like a go but Jeff's work schedule could always change so to avoid disappointing them we will wait to tell them. Of course if you know me at all you know I can't keep secrets well. Well at least not secrets like this. I'm famous for buying Jeff something for his birthday or Christmas and not being able to wait to give it to him. I just love making people happy so it is hard for me to keep things like that under wraps. I'll keep you posted as the trip gets closer. 

Rock The Vote!

I voted! It is the 5th time I've voted for President. Am I getting old? My mom taught me that you shouldn't talk about who you vote for. It is a personal decision and freedom for each individual. I can see her point but I'll just go ahead and let you know I'm for MCCain/Palin baby! I hope all of you will decide to be for them on your own. But even if you have a different opinion, VOTE!! Exercise your freedom to choose our next President because Freedom isn't Free. Can't wait for November 4th. And here's hoping for no hanging chads or recounts. Oh, and that my ballot actually makes it to in time to be counted. :)

Hard But Good

Our sermon today was titled "Hard But Good". It was based on 2 Corinthians 2:1-4. The message was very good and encouraged me about the conflicts in my life as well as my life in general. When we first moved to Okinawa and people would ask me how things were going I often responded "they've been hard, but good". That may sound silly, but it is the truth. I would also say "I guess if things weren't hard I wouldn't realize how much I need God". So we are almost finished with our first year in Japan and things are GOOD. Hard But GOOD. I was thinking over the events of this last year and I think the phrase "hard but good" can apply to many of them.

1. Moving to a foreign country away from family and friends. HARD because we won't see them very much for 3 years. GOOD because our little family of 4 will be strengthened as we depend on each other.

2. My mom having a pulmonary embolism/blood clots. HARD because I couldn't be there to care for her but GOOD because we could see God's protection in sparing her life and Praise Him for how well He cared for her.

3. Jeff becoming Department Head. HARD because it is a lot of hours and new responsibilities he's never had before GOOD because he's learning everyday and being used by God as a physician and leader in the FP clinic

4. Struggling to find friends and connect. HARD because I long for close friendship, and encouragement that only comes from someone who knows me and invests in me. GOOD because it forces me out and to depend on God to find me a place to fit in.

5. Flying internationally with 2 kids under 5 by myself. HARD I think these reasons are obvious GOOD because we got to go HOME and love and be loved on by our families and I gained confidence in my ability to do things out of my comfort zone.

6. My Dad being diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease HARD because I want to help, and he is not getting good care and I want to yell at the neurologist, and tell him to treat my dad with love and respect just as he would want one of his family members to be treated. GOOD because we have seen such an outpouring of love from family and friends. 

7. My brother enduring the stress of his job. HARD because I want all good for him and I know what a hard working, loyal employee he is. GOOD because it gives me a chance to remind him of the one who cares for him. 

8. A dear friend finding out her cancer is back. HARD because enough is enough already and she should be able to enjoy her sweet husband and watch her beautiful girls grow up without dealing with anymore pain/meds/fear etc. GOOD because I get to see her become more Christ like with every battle she faces, and I get to see God's people come to her side and pray for her and care for her. 

9. A dear friend learning of her parent's separation. HARD because Wow we didn't see that coming and no matter what age you are it rocks  your foundation when parents split up GOOD because she is choosing to live with hope and courage for her kids and she can hold tight to Jesus and KNOW that HE is Good and He never changes.

10. Brent and Heather having twins. HARD because we're not there to watch them grow, oh and because raising one newborn is hard enough let alone two. GOOD because God created 2 more beautiful Singleys and they are being raised with love.

I'm sure you get the point. Life is hard but good. With the elections and financial crisis going on back home I'm somewhat thankful for living abroad right now. I guess what I felt God showed me today is that although the circumstances I live in may be hard or trying or scary HE is GOOD all the time. Everything is His and we can trust Him. 

"I will lift up my eyes to the hills-- From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth." Psalm 121:1

My God is so big, so strong and so mighty. There's nothing my God cannot do (for you)

Owen learned that song in preschool and I find myself singing it a lot these days. I hope you all are encouraged today that God is for you and not against you and that He never changes. Have a great Sunday.

Bunco

I have joined a bunco group. I LOVE it! Probably because I have won money the last two times. Really I just enjoy getting out and having time with other women and eating good food. Although I must say it makes me feel a little bit old since I can remember my mom having a bunco group when we lived in Nebraska. Now I know why they did it. Those few hours away from little ones are priceless in this stage of life. Alison is in the middle of potty training and is also in some major separation anxiety stage. It is about to drive me nuts. At the end of each day I feel beat up by my 2 year old. She is so bossy and even though I correct her it is still exhausting to have to do that every time she forgets her manners or says something like "NO DON'T TALK TO ME". Isn't that supposed to be what she says when she is a teenager? I'm trying to remember this is a season, but this is a phase I didn't encounter with Owen. I'm not sure if it's a gender thing or a personality thing. Maybe I should read that book "The Strong Willed Child". Of course just when I've had enough of her tantrums and manipulation she does something really sweet. This afternoon she laid down to watch her show and she looked up at me and said "mommy, yay down with me". I couldn't resist, so I laid next to her and snuggled her sweet little bossy self up. Pray that I have the wisdom and strength to raise her right. I know why parents give in, it puts an end to the screaming. But that will only be a temporary fix. The root problem will remain. So even though it may be easier to give in to her fits, and I may lose a few of the battles I'm praying to stay strong so I can win the war. In the meantime bunco is definitely some good therapy.

P.S. On the potty training front she is doing very well. Only a few accidents in a week. She was the one ready to do this, not me. Of course now she's pushing for a big girl bed too. What happened to my baby? 

Alisonisms Part Two

Dancing with her daddy

Before I forget I want to record some more of Alison's fun sayings.

"I do do myfelf"

"I'm worry" (I'm sorry)

"Daddy you ride mommy's go go in a littleittle bit"

"I nant to" (I don't want to)

"I nant to seep my crib anymore"

"2, 5,2,5,2,5 Not, a me" (counting for hide and seek, ready or not, here I come)

"cat-a-cake, cat-a-cake, roll it, pat it, baby and me"

"Daddy, help me dance"

"I'n know how"(I don't know how, complete with her hands out palms up)