Caught Up!

Michael told me he'd be home around midnight. He's determined to take his day off this week - which means staying late on a couple of other nights..... That gave me time to write a 4 page newsletter for my presidents. I do NOT often write so much, but it's the first letter of a new year...lots of info to get out. 

Met a friend at cake house and had an enjoyable time getting to know each other better. I had banana milk tea - YUMMO - but I got a strainer stuck in my tea pot. LOL

Two younger ones had lots of chances to experience natural consequences today.

More paperwork....

Arielle continues to work on training Yuuki.....this lesson was "sit, stay"...and she so badly wants to follow Arielle.....

 BUT SHE STAYED!

Stacia asked for Shepherd's Pie for dinner. I made the veggie mix up - saved some for Michael and I and then added the turkey.....and ended up with a totally vegan Shepherd's Pie....and no beans and rice. Too bad Michael missed it....doesn't look appetizing...but really...I'm slowing my life down...searching for simplicity...and so there you have it...pictures of dinner. 

The blog is caught up! 

My regional paperwork and newsletter are caught up! 

I'm still searching for a good spine book to use to study Japan in the upcoming school year.....that's the next project. LOL 

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Jared's Pack Out

I was not expecting the emotions of Wednesday. Jared left on 5 July to move to TX with "the boys". Wednesday was the day TMO came and packed his things to go to TX. 

Tuesday night Nolan and Michael took things apart, weighed and re-weighed...and we decided if we left his books we'd be under his weight allowance of 320 lbs. They charge $6 a lb if you don't make weight. 

Wednesday I woke up and saw all Jared's things in the living room and it hit me - he doesn't live here any longer. 

They loved the Fuji Stick....they were perplexed by the Cowboy hat. Something about it bothered them. They kept chattering away and I kept hearing "hato". Finally, they asked me, "Is this a hato?" I explained it was a cowboy hato from TX.

They were also amazed by our family photo and asked me about 5x if all the 9 children were mine. I think they were sure I was misunderstanding the question. ::snort:: 

I wonder how they'll ever get those "exercise parts" back together - but Michael said, "That's their problem!" ::snort:: The bike? I gave them Michael's bike first....Nolan saved the day by telling me I gave them the wrong bike. ::snort:: 

Nolan and Zander spent the afternoon cleaning the room and reorganizing....moved dressers, put futons in the corner so Nolan has a spot his own.....

Zander is thrilled he claimed a spot in the closet....

Another highlight of this day was getting a call out of the blue to go out for coffee....and later another invite for the 9 market and lunch - had to take a rain check out that offer.

I received an email today saying that Jared's weight was 380lbs. Michael is sure they didn't subtract the packing material. 

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Toesday

No, it isn't a typo. Tuesday was Toesday..... Wouldn't you think a nail like this could be pulled off? 

Stacia did not....She wailed, she gasped and wiggled....this is the toe she hurt in OR weeks ago. I promised a pedicure if she'd let me fix it.....I hoped it would eventually fall off and she wouldn't need to see a doc. It closer and closer and finally this day I got the clippers and cut most of it off. I taped the small part back down....Today (Thursday) she showed me that all but a little sliver has come off and she's no longer freaked out by the lack of a nail....the new one will grow in time - I hope - or her toe will look like mine. ::snort::

Besides the toe - I met with a PWOC president, interviewed another potential regional board member, and continued to face plant in the paperwork. 

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

PAPERWORK and more

I determined to get "paper work and such" caught up for my regional PWOC position.  I had totally FORGOTTEN if I turned in paperwork, we'd get money back for my trip to Korea...and Tokyo.... Really...paperwork, tiny details...these are not the parts of my position that bring me joy! I prevailed....but suffice it to say....I did not blog until tonight - Thursday night at 21:20 because I was doing my best to finish the chores. LOL

I DID take time on Monday to have lunch with a friend - we've been trying since January. In the evening I took the kids and a friend to youth group. Michael ended up staying in and working until after youth group - so instead of waiting for them, the kids and I went to visit another friend whose husband is deployed. We'd also been trying to work in a visit since I got home.  Unexpected blessing of Michael working late.

I also interviewed for a Regional Board member.

We did school.

I've spent a lot of time trying to figure out FOOD around here. LOL

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Sunday?

I seemed to have lost nearly a week...but never fear....I uploaded photos and now I REMEMBER what we have been up to. ::snort:: 

Sunday Michael continued a preaching sermon on I Peter. He began before....emergency surgery, emergency leave.... you know the story. 

Michael and I were up to the challenge to eat vegan out at the club...but it wasn't what I'd call "good eating." I suspect we'll do better off at home. LOL 

I wanted to see if I could find a way to get to my "new beach" without parking and walking....and we discovered my walk is nearly 3 miles. I'd forgotten to get ON the beach we'd have to climb a ladder over a wall and then down a wall....but there were ropes to help....

We left the beach with JUST enough time to make it to the base to see BRAVE. Mixed reviews in our home about it.

We brought Michael home and I took the kids back to base for a bowling party with their friends.

Satisfying day!

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...