SpiderMan 4

Today we went to Comprehensive Park again, but this time we took bikes and explored a little more. We started at the great playground we found the first time we went but then the kids found a track to ride bikes/scooters on and from there we saw a spider web jungle gym. We headed that way and found the spider web and another playground with a zip line. One of Owen's most favorite things about Okinawa is zip lines. I have to agree with him they are pretty fun. I tried one at another park where there weren't so many people watching. We went to the park with our friends Shari, Kaitlyn, and Kyle. After the kids wore themselves out we headed to McDonald's for lunch. I now know why McDonald's has picture menus. It is for people like me who can't read Japanese or ask for a happy meal in Japanese. Luckily, the good people at the McDonald's made it simple for this American and all I have to do is point and smile. We filled up on some fast food and a Japanese veggie juice box and went home for naps. It was a good day.





Owen on the zip line




Spiderman's jungle gym




SpideyO

Christmas Lessons From My Kids

My Angels Before Church on Christmas Eve


Her grown up Christmas Dress



As I sat in church tonight or rather chased my toddler in church tonight I was thinking about Mary. I wondered if she ever tried to sit through Christmas Eve service with Jesus as a toddler. Or any service for that matter. We only think about Jesus as an infant and as an adult, but not really about how he grew up. Did Mary have to whip out the goldfish to keep him quiet. Did he try to race his cars on the pew? Did he crawl to the end of the pew just to get away and then stand up and run? Did Mary ever think Why on earth did I drag these kids to church tonight in the wind and rain?

Then as I chased Alison up the stairs to the cry room one last time and she looked back at me with that sweet grin and eyes all aglow with wonder I felt that Jesus himself was smiling at me. I felt like He said "this is why you brought them. Because I love them. Because I made them in my image and they need to know about me. You brought them here so they could know me." I don't think Jesus cares about them sitting still or being completely quiet. I think He likes to hear their joyful noises, probably more than I do.

So we raced home to get the kids to bed because it is Christmas Eve and Christmas doesn't come unless you go to sleep. I was wanting to rush through it and get to the wrapping, and stocking stuffing when Owen asked "Why is Jesus the King of all Kings?" Wow, he did hear something at church. I guess it doesn't have to be silent to learn about God. Afterall it is a birthday party so there should be some noise. So maybe this Christmas I'll try to be more like my children. I'll try to have more fun and find Jesus in the simple things. He's there if I just look for Him. I hope you find Him this Christmas too.

Remembering Christmas

One big thing I remember about Christmas is my mom's cookies. I've been told that my Grandma Fox was a fantastic cook. I wish I could remember that, but I don't. My mom is a fantastic cook and hospitality is definitely her gift. She must have taken after her mother. At Christmastime my mom always made what seemed like 100's of different cookies and candy. Everyone looked forward to my mom's cookie trays. If you were lucky enough to be one of our neighbors or someone my Dad worked with than you have undoubtedly enjoyed some of my mom's Christmas goodies. I've had lots of favorites over the years, Pecan tassies, fudge jumbles, chocolate crinkles, sugar cookies, spritz, and monster cookies to name a few. I can still remember how she would store them all in tins out in the garage because it was always cold enough out there to keep them fresh. I would go out to cure my sweet tooth and freeze my toes just to find the right cookie.

The other day I mixed up some monster cookies and baked them. Alison came in while they were in the oven and looked in the window and said "ooh cookie". It made me sad. I picked up that sweet girl and told her how I wish she could be in GramZ's kitchen making cookies. I hate that part about living here. The part that means my baby will be 4 years old before she can spend Christmas with GramZ again. I don't want my little ones not to remember what a great cook their GramZ is and all the special treats she makes them. I can picture Alison in a little apron helping my mom and learning all her secrets. I guess it's best that she will be 4 when she starts baking with GramZ because really right now all she'd make is a mess. And GramZ hates a mess in her kitchen. :)

Mom still makes lots of cookies at Christmastime although she has cut back quite a bit. She will act like she's not good at it and even try to say it's just too much effort but she's lying. She is very good at it and she makes it seem effortless. Unfortunately, I did not inherit my grandma's or my mom's ability to cook and with our present lack of kitchen utensils we'll be lucky to have slice and bakes for Santa this year. Too bad we can't go out to the garage and take what we want from Mom's stash. Thanks for all of the cookies and the memories mom, we'll be missing them this year!

Mommy Has Left the Building

Last night for the first time since we've been here I went out by myself with a few ladies for dinner. It was so nice to have adult conversation and no one screaming for milk or trying to suck lemonade up their nose through a straw. We went to a garlic restaurant and it was wonderful. It's the kind of place where you pick several things to order and then share. Everything was delicious and of course garlicky. After dinner we went to Starbucks and hung out for a little while. It was my first trip to the Starbucks here and it is right across the street from my base. I had the chocolate mint mocha and I'm thinking I need to go get a few more of those before they're gone until next year. It was a great outing and just the break I needed. When I got home Jeff said Alison cried for me for about 30 minutes at bedtime. I felt bad, but only for about 2 seconds. I knew she was safe and for crying out loud I left her with her dad not a stranger. She will get used to being without me again, I hope. I need a periodic outing to regain my mommy strength.

Owen and I went to visit his school today for an interview. Despite the fact that he acted totally shy and wouldn't answer any questions the principal asked she said she didn't see any reason he couldn't start in January. He will attend Okinawa Christian School International, http://www.ocsi.org/ , starting January 8th. We are very excited about this opportunity. He will be in the K4 class and he will be the 10th student in the class. He got to see his class and the other students today. The Japanese children are so adorable. They all said "hi Owen!"There are other American children at the school too. It is about a 20 minute drive in good traffic but I think it will be worth it. He can take a bus but I'm not ready to put my baby on a bus for that long. Maybe next year. The school is celebrating their 50th year this year and seems to be very strong academically. It is located up on a hill in the Yomitan area of Okinawa. It has an incredible view of the East China Sea. We think Grandpa will be jealous that Owen gets to see the ocean everyday and he doesn't.

Not much else new here. Jeff is on the inpatient service this week and it seems to be going well. We're still trying to figure out how many hours this new job is going to take. It doesn't seem any worse than residency so far and hopefully it will be better.

It's 9:36pm and I need to go watch Fox and Friends. It is so strange to watch it before bed rather than when I'm getting up, but at least I can watch it. Have a good Wednesday!

We've Been Elfed

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1416065694

Playing BabyDolls

We decided before we moved that we would have the kids share a room so that we could have a playroom in the new house. We'll see if it lasts but we figured it was worth a shot. This morning Jeff was setting up O's train and Alison came in wheeling her stroller and two baby dolls. She began talking a mile a minute, but we had no idea what she was saying. I asked her what her baby's names were and Owen jumped in and said "we just had the babies". I said "oh did you have twin baby girls?" He said "yes, their names are Marshmallow and Lamb". We thought it was sweet but he certainly won't get the job of naming any real babies at our house. Not that we are having anymore babies, but if we did he wouldn't name them.

Odds and Ends

Hello all,

We are moved in. Slowly getting settled. Now that everything is where we want it I imagine our household goods will show up just to mess things up again. I'd almost not mind the mess of the boxes yet to come since it means we will get our bed. How I miss my bed. The government doesn't believe in pillow top mattresses. Don't get me wrong I am totally thankful that the have given me a bed to use until mine comes, it is just not what I would choose should I be given a choice. I'm learning a lot about choices and needs and wants these days. It amazes me what I can live without when it is not an option. Like House and Grey's Anatomy, haven't seen those since we left the states. Oh, and The Office, I think that is on the AFN but it's last season. Today I took the kids to a park. It was awesome. So many things to climb and cool slides. One thing I have been excited about moving here was the parks. There are many more for us to find and explore. Our tree is up and it looks great, in my humble opinion. It's not as nice as my big tree back home but it'll do. It was extra special to hang my flag, harrier, and eagle, globe and anchor ornaments this year. I am constantly reminded of how blessed I am to be from such great nation and how blessed I am to have the marines to keep me safe. I'm also blessed to have the opportunity to live in another country. It is sure opening up my worldview.

I have found my self wishing for the familiarity of home. Not so much of the place but of the people. How I would love to have Kristin and Drew for neighbors. People who love us for who we are because they have taken the time to get to know us. They wouldn't look at Owen's tantrums as evidence of bad parenting, but rather 4 year old behavior. I'm longing for Joy and Brian who love my baby girl no matter if she screams or not. I'm wishing for friends who know the worst and best of me and love me anyway. It's hard being the new guy. I want our new neighbors to know me, but unfortunately they have already seen my worst. It's humbling to share a wall and a small neighborhood. I wish they knew that although I may have a short temper at times that I am fun to be with too. That although I can get fired up about some things I am also a friend who is loyal to the end. I guess I have to rest in God's grace. I have to remember that He will care for me and He will provide the friends I need. He is changing me from glory to glory and I can see growth since moving here. I just have so far to go.

Ok, so I want to say to Pam and Shelvin I can't wait for the bowl game either. I had no idea we played the Gators until I read Pam's comment on the blog. Maybe I'm glad I live across the world now. I have emailed you guys many times but it gets sent back. Thanks for all of your encouragements. Well, at least Pam has been encouraging. Shelvin, just remember "Hail to the Victors!" Looking forward to the Gator/Wolverine banter.

Aarin, I have emailed you too and it gets sent back. Sweet friend I am praying for you. I will call you soon. I told Nisha to hug you for me. I sure miss you and I'm in this fight with you. Please give your girls hugs from me. I love you!

And at long last here are some pictures

The kids on a fake Santa at American Village

The "Super Charger"

The Singley Mansion.

Ours is the one on the right, 6145 B

Don't be jealous, we've earned the privilege of living here. Actually, I think it's going to be pretty nice once I get some walls painted.