Flashback Friday...Cute kids and Summer fun.

This is one of my favorite pics of all time. For the record, I am an absolute sucker for a tourist-trap photo-op. I fall for them every time. Those amusement park ride candid shots? Unless something is really wrong with them...I have to have them. Get your pic taken with the pony? Gotta have it.

This was the Del Mar Fair, circa 2000. It was just me and the kids that day, and when I saw this parrot booth, I just had to seize the opportunity. The older boys were ecstatic, Coree would smile for anything anyway...but Jake? Luckily he snapped the picture just before Jake dissolved into sobs. Don't know which he hated more...the crown on his head or being forced to sit next to something with such huge talons.

Lost in Translation...Shopping is a Best!

I've been in search of a couple of things I haven't been able to find at the BX...which I really don't mind too much, because it gives me an excuse to venture out in town to one of my favorite places to wander around with my mouth hanging open...



Jusco in American Village.



I don't know why I get such a kick out of looking around here...but I do. I really have to have some time to spend here, though...because I lose all track of it. Jusco is like a mix between a department store and a mall. Stores within stores...and an enormous grocery store thrown in for good measure. It's all a bit overwhelming for me...in a good way.


I saw this hanging in a window of one of the shops and was wondering what the Japanese writing said. Anyone know?



This brings me to one of my favorite things to shop for in Okinawa...or at least window shop...Engrish T-shirts. I can't get enough.



These were in the girls department. Click on it. Go ahead. I tend to steer clear of buying my daughter clothing with certain phrases...the least of these being "throbbing" and "pulsate" but they are still on the no-go list.



Didn't get this one...but it's cute.



Maybe the scale doesn't translate here, but this is in the baby section (note the onsies below). I SOOO missed out on an epic opportunity! If I had had a baby here, he would have been decked out in rasta-wear all the time. Some of you know I'm actually serious!



Dr. Strangelove, anyone? Or how about that glaring pomposity for toddlers? LOVING these!

What I forgot to do, was take pictures of the dozen Engrish shirts I purchased for the family. Our kids are SO going to be decked out for back to school!

I'm No Baby Momma (or...I sold my soul for an underwater digital camera)

Let me start out with a disclaimer: I love babies...babies are cute and sweet and fun and full of promise. We all start out this way...fuzzy-headed, chubby-cheeked and beautiful. I'm so grateful to have been blessed with 4 of my own...lucky for me, not all at the same time! I still love holding a good, sweet (sleeping) baby...ONE baby...not 3 or 5.

That said, now I can continue with this post...

About a week and a half ago, during a phone convo related to one of my responsibilities, a fairly new friend was asking me for some unrelated info...like the ages of my kids and if I could get away from them for an entire day to watch a room full of someone else's kids for a REALLY good cause and "it paid really good money", $25 an hour to be exact. Her dilemma was, she needed people who didn't have to bring any of their own kids. People like that are evidently in short supply as they usually already have full time employment. The situation was further complicated by the fact that so many flee this island for the brutal summer.

So, I was looking at the calendar as she pleaded her case, at the ever-dwindling number of days I had left to accomplish all that I wanted to before Cliff's homecoming...like painting the entire interior of our home, turning our bedroom into a themed bed and breakfast suite, finishing college algebra and losing 50 pounds. Suddenly, $50 an hour would not have been enough. But she was tugging at my heart strings with the "really good cause"...and some quick calculations made me realize that for 9 hours of work, I would have almost exactly enough for that underwater camera I had been drooling over just the day before. I relented. How bad could it be?

Immediately, I started digging through my craft supplies and matching my children's books to my felt-board pieces. I would have these preschoolers eating out of Auntie Carrie's hand. BUT...two days before the event, I received the phone call from this friend's co-worker that hit me like a slap upside the head. It went something like this..."Well, some of these mommies are leaving their babies for the first time ever...and since you're so (insert some PC word like mature or experienced here...I forget what she called me) we figured it would give them more confidence to leave their babies with you for the day." BABIES?!? You want me to watch the bab-IES...as in plural? All at one time? (I screamed in my head, of course...as I listened to myself say..."Oh, OK...that's fine" and returned my gluesticks and pony beads back to the shelf.)

Let me back up a little...I was a stressed-out, uptight, anal-retentive mother of babies...and again, I only did them ONE AT A TIME! I was never able to take my children to one of those free-for-all, nursery settings with kids from babies on up to 6th graders in one room that I've too often seen. I used to pay for a baby sitter for my own kids at home while I'd go to church (for mid-week activities) and have to monitor that kind of situation (because of my church responsibilities) for other people's kids...and the scene would make me nutty. It's not that I condemn parents who utilize this type of childcare...on the contrary. I'm just too much of a control freak. In my mind, group childcare should be neatly compartmentalized...by small age groups in separate rooms and tidy schedules with a very tight ratio. Somehow, I got the feeling that wasn't how this was going to be...

And I was right. I wish I had a time-lapsed video so you could all get a little glimpse. The babies were cute, but the control freak in me just could not relax with the mixture of sizes and abilities. The ones who could barely hold their heads up with the toddlers who could crush fingers with their shoes and bounce toys off bald heads like nobody's business. The feedings were comical...trying to accomplish naptimes...not so much. The fussy baby (whose mother informed me would not be able to sleep unless the room was pitch black and silent....yeah...that'll be no problem to accomplish) pretty much set the tone for everyone else...so I'm sure you can imagine that one. Once I did get them all to sleep, I literally sat frozen in the dark, listening to the older children run, laughing, up and down the corridor. I blocked the door with my body...ready to eviscerate anyone who dared try to turn the knob and wake my charges from their hard-fought sleep. The whole time I kept thinking things like, "How on earth do I get suckered into these things?" and "Why are minutes seeming like hours?" and "Am I putting off some sort of unknown vibe that says I'm capable of caring for babies in large numbers, or is this a fluke?"

Eventually it was over. The parents came back for their precious cargo, and I made my long, reflective drive home...having been reminded of my strengths and limitations. I am a WAY better mom (and caretaker in general) of older children...meaning old enough to speak to, reason with and wipe themselves. For me, having babies was the investment phase. I was not one of those moms who HAD to have a baby and wanted to freeze said baby in time. I couldn't wait to look back on it all with great nostalgia. It was the children that I wanted...the fun and the laughter...the learning and discoveries...but for most of us, children are acquired as babies first, and I was willing to put in the investment to grow them into people.

Was the $25 an hour worth it? If it made a difference to those families, I guess it was. Will I be persuaded so easily the next time? With this memory so fresh, probably not. I think it's important to accentuate our strengths, even in service. We all have gifts and they are not the same gifts. If you need my help...unless you are headed to the ER or something, I think I'd rather come fold your laundry, do your dishes or make you some dinner. I'm sure there are plenty of "baby mommas" out there just looking for some fat cheeks to squeeze.

And I'll let you know how things work out with that hard-earned camera! ;-)

Flashback Friday...Goodbye Oasis St.

Well, the day is finally here...the sale of our house closed today. While it is such a good thing for us to get out from under this mortgage, and we feel so blessed to have been able to sell it...it is still so sad to let go of our first home. We went through much to make it ours and had no idea that it would end like this.



So today, while I am counting my blessings on this island paradise (number one of which is the fact that my husband will soon be back to share it with me) I am feeling a little sad, too. Truth be told, I have been avoiding looking at pictures of it...which is sad, because we did a lot of living in the two years we spent in that house. I came across one by accident today, and was overwhelmed by a sense of longing for it. It was a great house.

Maybe rehashing the whole process here will help to bring me to a sense of closure. The experience was not all bad, after all. I don't regret it. We learned many lessons...like how to paint (and how NOT to paint), how to lay sod (and how to lay sod in the dark by work-light as the grass rolls lie shriveling in your driveway in the 115 degree heat...at midnight), how to level sand and lay pavers (and how to do it over again), and what plants are truly drought tolerant (and which are more drought "not-so-much").





We learned what we like and don't like in a stovetop, a counter surface, a bathtub...and children's rooms in proximity to ours. Although I suspect by the time we own our own home again...that last one won't really matter. Maybe we'll just skip the family home altogether and go right to the vacation condo? Who knows! At any rate, here are some flashbacks on our journey to home ownership. It was a wild ride...not for the faint of heart, that's for sure!

It all started when we received orders (in July of 05) to report to NAF El Centro (in Dec of 05). This came as quite a shock as Cliff already had orders to stay in San Diego...but that's the military for you! We had really been wanting a home of our own, especially Cliff, who had been earnestly praying for one...but the market seemed to always climb at a rate that just outpaced Cliff's placement on the pay scale. This was an answer to prayer as homes out in the Imperial Valley were less than half what they were in San Diego...and the growth out there was explosive.

We started looking around that very weekend, but soon discovered that everything in our price range that would fit our family of 6 was an overpriced dump as people tried to ride the market wave. Our cheapest option...to get on a waiting list for a new home development release date. This we did, and through a series of fortunate events, ended up calling on a day when 3 homes fell through...a situation that then becomes "first come, first served"...so we jumped in the car and drove the two hours to put our money down. By the time we got there our first choice was gone, but we chose the next least expensive model and wrote out that earnest money check. After that, we only had to figure out what we were going to do in the mean time until it was built...6-8 months after we were due to move there!

We schemed our way through many scenarios...of which, the most far-fetched fell into place. We purchased a travel trailer, put most everything we owned into storage, and lived in the base RV park for 6 months. For real. With 4 kids and a Rottweiler. And home schooling. Yes...we were like something out of a bad National Lampoon film. But, I'm sure Cliff's status as the Base Chaplain bought us some slack initially (you know those "religious" types) and after some time, I think we managed to debunk that first impression we made. When we just couldn't stand the heat anymore, we moved into one of the temporary lodging units for 2 more months...until that happy day when we picked up the key.



It seems so nice and neat when I type it here like that. Trust me, it was anything but...and I think everyone around us was just as sick of it as we were. The construction delays, the financing options, the VA requirements, the painting...it was always something! But we were so proud to be painting our own home.





Cliff's mom even came out to help us. The kids jumped in...even friends stopped by to take a turn. It was a lot of work...but so rewarding to see it come together (even though there were a couple of accent walls that we never did finish...but we left the paint for the new owners and they can have at it).

Even more frustrating, when it was time to receive new orders, was the way the bottom fell out of the market, houses sat empty and developments folded. Who would have known that things would get this bad? And that our Imperial Valley would be one of the hardest hit? We thought we could ride it out...maybe take orders to Yuma or San Diego and have Cliff commute...but there was nothing available for him in either place, and as gas prices went through the roof, our options became more limited, anyway. It seemed like the perfect economic storm and we were caught right in the middle. We couldn't even rent our house out for half of our mortgage payment...so we really had to sell. It was a painful choice, and the day the realtor brought over the listing papers, I cried and cried.

The biggest lesson that I learned through all of this was really not to get caught up in the hype. I'm not saying that a home of your own is not a righteous desire or even a wise investment. What I'm saying is that for our family in particular, it needs to be the least of our worries. We are blessed to be provided a home wherever we are sent. It might not have a kitchen island or a master suite with a closet large enough to fit a home office...but it will be home no matter what the layout, for it will contain everything that is most important in life. Our family is so blessed to serve in the capacity in which we do...no matter how nomadic the lifestyle or the sacrifices required.

Sometimes you have to experience loss to truly know gratitude. Having to let go of this home helped me to focus more on what matters...a wonderful husband; healthy, fabulous kids; the Gospel of Jesus Christ...and the opportunity to serve while living the adventure of a lifetime.



So, goodbye fabulous first home on Oasis St. Goodbye epoxied 3 car garage and upstairs laundry room. Goodbye maple cabinets, Corian countertops and kitchen island.







Goodbye automatic sprinklers and great big bathtub.



Goodbye spacious square footage conducive to epic nerf gun battles.









Goodbye formal living room and powder room with pedestal sink.



Goodbye themed bedrooms and custom paint colors.











Goodbye Jack and Jill bath.



For now I have this fabulous, 4 bedroom, 2 bath, cement bungalow complete with "one-butt kitchen" and complimentary gecko bug patrol service...surrounded by beautiful green hills and tropical flower gardens. I have a neighborhood culture to rival all others. I'm even getting my khaki colored walls back...just as fast as I can paint them (as long as I paint them back, government white, when it's time to go). But most importantly, in 2 weeks' time, I will have everything that matters in life back under one roof...a roof that keeps the love and warmth in and the typhoons out. I am a rich woman! Goodbye Oasis St. Thanks for the memories...and the lessons, too!

Rumikosan

Had another appointment with the Hair Whisperer. Unfortunately, I kept forgetting to call sooner. When I did call (early June) I had to wait almost 6 weeks to get in! Makes one take pause and think, "Should I really be singing her praises and handing out her cards all over this island?" Of course I should...that's how I found out about her...but now I'll have to plan better.

I decided in honor of Cliff's homecoming (and our 90/90 summer in all of it's sweaty glory) to go short and sassy.


Here's the back...what do you think?

You'll have to wait till the homecoming pics to see the rest...wouldn't want to tip anyone off or anything. ;-)

Since my late style had been shorter in the front and longer in the back, and now I'm doing the opposite look, I'm going to have to go in installments. This time I was smart and made my return appointment as I left her salon. September 2nd will be part 2 in what will probably be 3 visits to get it just how I want it...and then I'll most likely keep it the same for 5 years...it'll take me that long to come up with something new.

Broken bones and Chinese food

(not the actual x-ray...but close enough)

The Stuarts have now had their first broken bone. Care to take a guess who it was? I'll bet you said, "Patrick" and you would be right. Funny story. Patrick went out for a run yesterday, as he often does. But Patrick doesn't just run somewhere and back...that would be so....pedestrian. Patrick runs freestyle-like. He jumps on and bounces off stuff. He leaps tall buildings in a single bound.

Yesterday he thought he'd jump off of a terraced hillside...only he failed to notice another terrace in between his jumping and landing points and had to adjust in midair and ended up landing on his shoulder. He came home and told me he was hurt, but he didn't seem to be in that much pain. When I asked him if he needed to go to the ER, he said he didn't think it was that bad and he just took some Motrin and laid down.

A few minutes later, I was heading out the door to take Troy to football conditioning and heard Patrick yelping from his room. He was thinking he may have really hurt himself and needed that ER visit. Coree thought it was hilarious that I so nonchalantly said, "OK, get in the car." Once we were on our way, with each bump, Patrick moaned and yelped...so I knew it probably wasn't good. Luckily, the gym was barely off the path to the hospital, so we dropped off Troy and were on our way.

The visit was as close to perfect as an ER visit can be. There was only one other family in the waiting room (it was still during business hours on a Friday) and they were able to get us right in. The nurse diagnosed the broken collar bone correctly upon palpation, so the x-ray was really just a formality. I almost couldn't bring myself to look at it...but Patrick was impressed. He was disappointed he didn't get a scar out of the ordeal...or at least a cast people could sign. (a sling and swath just doesn't have the same cooleo factor, I guess.) Now we are charged with keeping him from falling and creating an open fracture (the bone is pretty sharp now and right under the skin) which would be a-whole-nother mess entirely! I'm thinking bubble wrap.

Luckily Patrick was feeling well enough to join us tonight for some really great Chinese food. We went to Ryu Dining...a little hole in the wall place (the Ball family recommended) that looks more like a beach burger shack on the outside than the really killer Chinese bistro that it is.


The decor was charming...


and the music was excellent (love Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald, etc.) but there was only one other couple in the place...and when they left...


we had the owner all to ourselves, and he can TALK! Super nice guy...but dude...how are we supposed to keep shoveling in your awesome food if you keep talking?









We will definitely be repeat customers, though. Can't wait to bring Cliff here.

Flashback Friday...Jay and Jamie

This flashback is a tough one to do, and I'm trying to focus on the happiness that it contains, and not the sadness that Cliff and I feel right now. Jay and Jamie Hare are special friends of ours...they were VERY special friends to Cliff at a time when he needed them most. When he was a young adult, working and going to college, he worked with Jay and Jamie in the hunting and fishing industry and they were also great friends. Cliff once told me that when he was really struggling with all that was going on in life, they were a source of happiness and stability in a lonely world. I am forever grateful to them for that.


(We were headed to some sort of street festival here...circa 1991)

I met Jay and Jamie while Cliff and I were dating and we had several fun, double dates with them. One of the funniest memories I have is when they were so excited to take us to a Japanese restaurant that they loved. They couldn't wait for us to try the green tea ice cream for dessert. It was served and Cliff and I each took a bite at the same time. They were looking at us expectantly as we both scrunched up our faces and said, "Eww!!" Jamie said, "You don't like it?! I love it. It reminds me of spumoni." Cliff and I busted out laughing because the day before we had had a conversation about how we both hated spumoni. Other than that, the food was great...and the company was even better.

When Cliff and I got engaged, we took a trip to Utah so he could meet my family. We planned it as a camping trip with Jay and Jamie and had a great time fishing in Beaver, Utah...







We have made many trips back and forth to Utah since, and we always think of them when we drive through that area.

They were also in our wedding...
and because of the stress involved, they decided on a much smaller backyard ceremony with no attendants...



(I'm not sure if I should apologize, or say "You're welcome".) Unfortunately, neither of us got to attend, as Cliff was in Marine Corps OCS and I was on bedrest for preterm labor with Troy, but we were there in spirit.

Through the years our contact with them has waxed and waned, depending on our location and circumstances...but we'd always catch up again. When we'd mention them to the kids and they'd say, "Who are they again?" We'd start listing things we've done with them and as soon as we'd say...


"You know, the ones with all the animals...you got the feed the pig a banana?" then they'd remember.


Jay and Jamie always had lots of animals to play with.


Fun day at La Jolla Beach...Jamie and Coree.

Jay passed away on July 12th. He had cancer. He was too young and had too much living yet to do...but we trust in the Lord and his timing. Our hearts are breaking for Jamie, who has shown so much courage and grace through this battle. Her daily Facebook updates have always been so full of faith and understanding. She was so much at peace knowing that Jay had turned his heart to the Lord in this time. In the end, what else can you ask for?

I so wish I could give Cliff a great big hug. He's lost his second close friend in less than a year...and he's so far from home, doing a tough job which surrounds him with death and grief during this deployment. I am so proud of what he is doing, but wish I could be there to comfort him. He'll have to settle for my prayers...but I have faith in their power and ability to comfort, even when I cannot.