Blog Feed: Living and Learning

The pretty, happy, and funny are below... the real is that I realized when I was almost finished writing this post that it is Thursday, and I could have linked up!

This and That

Published on 2013-04-14 03:37:00

Now that our long sickly "Spring Break" is finally over, we are beginning to actually enjoy the spring a bit.

Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real

Published on 2013-04-06 22:53:00

The "Back in the Saddle" version...Chiming in a little bit late, but I did start the post on Thursday, US time.

Pope Francis II am attempting to pull myself out of my fog of sleeplessness to welcome our new Pope!Last evening we kept our computer tuned into the "chimney cam" watching for smoke coming from the Sistine Chapel signaling the election of a new Pope.

Mardi Gras

Published on 2013-02-12 19:45:00

The King Cake has been eaten (though not photographed, unfortunately, due to the fact that my family said that the dribbled light green, yellow and purple icing looked like seagull poo -

Winter Light

Published on 2013-01-21 00:26:00

The weekend went by so quickly, but I captured a moment of peace on a Saturday morning.

Happy Birthday!

Published on 2013-01-16 08:15:00

From little red jelly bean...and super chunk...to big 6-year-old!I turn around and you're doing all kinds of big-boy things, and I wish I could stop time some days. I'm so glad that you got to play in the snow on your birthday, and that I got to hear

A New Year

Published on 2013-01-02 05:16:00

New Year's isn't over on the 1st in Japan.

Creative Juices

Published on 2012-12-18 20:40:00

Sometimes those creative juices need a little jump start to get them flowing.

Ten

Published on 2012-12-16 06:37:00

Ten years ago today you came into this world against all odds.

Advent Catch-up

Published on 2012-12-14 04:12:00

Well, I see the last time I posted here was Halloween!

All Hallow's Eve

Published on 2012-11-01 09:14:00

Even without Trick-or-Treat to look forward to over here, Halloween is serious business.Or.... not.The kids enjoyed the carving of the pumpkins ever so much, and even ended up carving the ones I was planning to keep as Thanksgiving decor.Today we cel

Fall Things

Published on 2012-10-11 00:56:00

It's cooler here in Saitama.

Oh, I Do Live in Japan!

Published on 2012-10-07 07:16:00

Sometimes, if I stay in our familiar neighborhood and don't venture into Tokyo very often, I can almost forget that I live in a culture so different from the one in which I was raised!

Learning Together

Published on 2012-09-21 21:00:00

I have been asked to share about our curriculum for this year.

pretty, happy, funny, real

Published on 2012-09-20 03:41:00

{pretty}Pretty bunny, pretty girl!

Summer Vacation is...

Published on 2012-09-02 05:25:00

Cricket on the beach.Fireworks!Tono's birthday...with favorite people and favorite apple pie a la mode.SillinessLaughterTogethernessDon't forget nature...BeautySand, sand, everywhere... inside, outside, in bathing suits!Boogie boardingSwimmingIncredible blue skiesAnd, conking out in wonderful, all-played-out exhaustion in unlikely places...and unusual positions!And, now summer vacation is over.So long, summer vacation!

Summer Memories - Diamond Jubilee

Published on 2012-08-31 20:28:00

As Activities Director at Takayama I ended up having a full, busy, and super fun summer.

Still on Vacation!

Published on 2012-08-19 19:57:00

I realized today that I was about to end up not posting a single thing from our summer cabin home this year, and I don't have a single photo uploaded or anything.

My Country 'tis of Thee

Published on 2012-07-03 23:04:00

Wishing my fellow Americans a very blessed Independence Day!I was watching various patriotic videos on YouTube with the kids, and the full lyrics of this one made me heart swell.

First Day of Summer

Published on 2012-06-20 22:09:00

Yesterday was the first day of summer, and the weather was very appropriately summery here in Saitama.

Living in a Foreign Country

Published on 2012-06-17 17:14:00

It's not always easy to explain what it's like to live in a foreign country long-term.

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

Published on 2012-05-31 01:31:00

{pretty}We've had such a mild May, with chilly mornings, warm days, and frequent afternoon thunderstorms.

Thirteen

Published on 2012-05-21 21:01:00

The teen years is a whole new phase of parenting that, honestly, can seem a little scary as it draws near.

Hello???

Published on 2012-05-21 08:46:00

Is anybody home?

Come See Us

Published on 2012-05-07 19:18:00

Literally.Over at Snapshots Around the World the theme is Self Portrait.

Say What?

Published on 2012-04-25 21:27:00

This morning after praying the Our Father together Spanky had a perplexed look on his face.

{pretty, happy, funny, real} - Spring Has Sprung Version

Published on 2012-04-12 20:18:00

The weather here is making it extremely difficult to concentrate.

He is Risen!

Published on 2012-04-08 18:00:00

What a glorious Easter Sunday we had here in Saitama.

Blessed Holy Week!

Published on 2012-04-05 03:05:00

We approach the end of Lent and the beginning of the Triduum.

This and That

Published on 2012-03-26 01:36:00

One would think that I had given up blogging for Lent!It's been so long since we celebrated St. Patrick's Day that these photos are probably overkill, but for the record:It was a fun feast day, especially since Spanky's baptismal name is Patrick.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!!!

Published on 2012-03-16 17:39:00

In honor of the day, I share with you a family favorite...Now I'm off to make green treats!Are you wearing your green?

Where Were You?

Published on 2012-03-11 18:35:00

Where were you at 2:46pm on March 11, 2011?Growing up in the US I often heard people ask the question, "where were you when you heard about the Kennedy assassination?"In more recent years, we may ask, "where were you when you heard about the 9/11 attack?"Big, tragic events stand out in our minds, and we can often remember exactly where we were, and what we were doing when that event occurred.I snapped these photos just minutes before the big earthquake shook the ground under our feet on March 11 [..]

Yesterday...

Published on 2012-02-29 17:40:00

Our day was like this.And included lots of this. Pardon the "after" shot. :o)And, coffee for mom...Not to mention Lenten pretzels with lentil chili for warming up.The pretzel has a deep spiritual meaning for Lent. In fact, it was the ancient Christian Lenten bread as far back as the fourth century. In the old Roman Empire, the faithful kept a very strict fast all through Lent: no milk, no butter, no cheese, no eggs, no cream and no meat. They made small breads of water, flour and salt, to remin [..]

Girl's Day

Published on 2012-02-26 22:46:00

Girl's Day, or Hinamatsuri, is coming up on March 3. We're ready! When Miss Moppet was 2-3 weeks old we received a delivery. The delivery guy brought in several big boxes, and I couldn't imagine what could be in them. They were Miss Moppet's Hina-ningyo, or Girl's Day Dolls - sent by her two loving aunts in Kyushu. If you clicked the link above you saw a much more elaborate version. We are very thankful for our more simple set - I have no idea where we would store or display anything bigger! [..]

Ash Wednesday Daybook

Published on 2012-02-21 23:07:00

~ I find myself ~praying earnestly:1) Spanky came down with a fever last night. Thankfully it's down this morning but I'm praying that it stays that way so that we can all make it to church to receive our ashes tonight.2) All of the sufferers of the Tohoku earthquake/tsunami/nuclear disaster as we come up on the 1 year anniversary.noticing God's glory:We have been noticing a change in the air - spring is not far off. Yesterday the temperature was up a bit, and today is not much cooler. The su [..]

The Trip

Published on 2012-02-06 20:33:00

Before our trip to the US becomes a distant memory, I thought I should post some photos and comments - more for my own memories than anything else, really. I didn't take nearly as many photos as I thought I would. Mostly because I just wasn't focused on that, but also because we misplaced our camera for a while in the middle of our stay. Thankfully, it was found!So, here we go.My dad hadn't been putting up the larger tree that my mom always decorated, and ended up getting rid of it. He did h [..]

I've Been Published!

Published on 2012-02-02 02:39:00

Got your attention?The truth is that the wonderful Karen Edmisten has been published. She has a new book out called After Miscarriage: A Catholic Woman's Companion to Healing and Hope.Some time ago she contacted me to ask if I would mind if she used a quote from a blog post I wrote after my miscarriage in 2008. I am so honored to be a part of this project, even in just this very small way. Karen's book The Rosary: Keeping Company With Jesus and Mary totally changed my understanding of the R [..]

A Catholic at Bob Jones University?

Published on 2012-01-27 01:32:00

Inspired by the fact that my last post actually helped someone, I decided to write about one of the most surprising discoveries on our trip to Greenville.Bob Jones University has an awesome Christian art collection! Photo of the Museum and Gallery lobby from websiteCleverly named, the Museum and Gallery is filled with Italian, French, Spanish, Flemmish and Dutch art from the 14th -19th centuries all arranged in a beautiful gallery complete with furniture, tapestries and sculptures from the perio [..]

Church in America

Published on 2012-01-25 19:11:00

One of the highlights of our trip to the US was getting to go to Mass in English for the first time as Catholics. We felt awkward some of the time, and were fumbling around with papers as we tried to keep up with the unfamiliar words. Thankfully, since some changes in the translation of the Mass had just been introduced at the beginning of Advent, we weren't alone! Also, here in Japan most people bow rather than genuflect, so we practiced that a bit before going, and I think we got it down pr [..]

Weeeee're Baaaack!

Published on 2012-01-23 20:46:00

Long time, no blog! Our time stateside just flew by. It was filled with fun and laughter (boy, does my family love to laugh together!), and good food, and the joy of being with loved ones.I have been trying to sort my photos in between trying to keep kids awake until a somewhat normal hour in the evening, and much too early mornings due to jet lag. We're finally on a pretty good sleep schedule - early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise, you know.Several of us came hom [..]

Early Christmas Wishes

Published on 2011-12-17 15:47:00

We are off to mass in a couple of hours, then back home to change, check last minute things around the apartment, then on to the airport! I will be able to check in from my dad's house, but I'm sure the days before Christmas will be busy. So, a bit early, from us to you... May your Christmas be filled with blessings and memory making moments with those you love!

Contentment in the Midst of the Bustle

Published on 2011-12-12 00:50:00

I know what it looks like.It looks like this. I was rushing through on some mission of importance when I caught sight of him.He was whispering to himself while meticulously arranging himself on the sofa for a good read with his dinosaur buddy. You can just see the rejected pillow and blanket on the floor in front of him.I stopped to watch, and since my camera was perched on top of the hutch next to me I grabbed it, and quietly snapped photos, trying not to catch his attention.I was successful f [..]

Thursday Thoughts

Published on 2011-12-07 18:54:00

We have been talking about a trip back to the US for sometime now, and for various reasons we decided that this Christmas holiday would be a good time to go for it. After several days of being glued to my computer and the phone I finally managed to book our tickets (talk about crazy fuel surcharges - ack!), and now I am working on my "to-do-before-taking-off" list. There are medications to stock up on, a tourist visa to apply for (online, and easy, thankfully), re-entry stamp on my passport to [..]

On a Tuesday...

Published on 2011-11-29 07:35:00

Well, hello there!I am finally back from the land of squeaky voices, frogs-in-throats, and cough-ity-cough. Whew!We were so glad to be well enough to finally have our Thanksgiving on Saturday with our dear friends. We were so happy that they were willing to risk our germs! The kids had a blast playing games galore, and I, for one, talked my self back into hoarseness. It was worth it. I didn't take one single photo, though. The memories are stored away in my heart. :o)Having Thanksgiving so l [..]

Thanksgiving!

Published on 2011-11-24 16:34:00

Thanks to you all who continue to stop by in spite of my sketchy blogging these days.We were supposed to have our Thanksgiving dinner with friends on Wed., which was a national holiday here, but we have been so sick. Sore, swollen throats (with little food going in, and even less voice coming out!), achy ears, and exhaustion have been keeping us down. We are hopeful that we will be able to keep our rescheduled Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday.Meanwhile, it's Thursday evening in the US right now [..]

Birth Story Haikus

Published on 2011-07-05 18:16:00

Jennifer over at Conversion Diary just had her fifth sweet baby. Trying to type with one hand inspired her to tell her birth story in haiku form, and she invited everyone to join in. After posting mine in the comments I thought it would be fun

Gathered at the River

Published on 2011-07-04 23:49:00

What do you do when your country's birthday falls on a work day, because you live far, far away? Celebrate early, of course!This year we had a combination Independence Day and Goodbye Party river meet up. Some good friends of ours are mov

Happy Independence Day!

Published on 2011-07-04 08:02:00

Happy Birthday, USA!Thankful today for all of those who have fought and sacrificed for our freedom. May we use it well!

Summer Happenings

Published on 2011-06-29 03:40:00

Oy! Summer.I don't mean to be a summer downer, but I just really don't feel good when it's hot and humid. I think some of it is just my constitution (those Irish genes), but some of it is connected to my arthritis as well. Right now

Barns

Published on 2011-06-21 21:56:00

Do you have barns, or barn-like structures where you live? Here in the suburbs of Tokyo we have no barns, as such. At least none that house farm animals. We do have old buildings that are used for storage - some for rice, some for o

Dads

Published on 2011-06-19 07:33:00

My dad was the one that would do the scolding, and maybe even the spanking when I got into trouble. That 's not what I remember most about him, though. I remember how he always looked across the dinner table at my mom and said, "isn't you

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

Published on 2011-06-17 00:06:00

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~{pretty}There's something new brewing in the Miss Moppet studio. She is having a lot of fun with a new medium, and new subject matter. This one is unfinished, but I'

What About All of That Debris?

Published on 2011-06-15 08:12:00

A friend shared this link on Facebook today. There are twenty something photos showing the state of destruction a few days after the tsunamis next to a photo taken recently (when you click on the link there will be a 15 second ad, then the phot

Wild About Flowers

Published on 2011-06-14 17:26:00

Come on ladies! You know you have them. Let us see 'em!Show us your Wildflowers over at Snapshots Around the World this week.

Pitter-Patter, Drip-Drip

Published on 2011-06-10 21:27:00

I have become such a lame blogger! It just seems that one day flows into another, and life is sweet, but not incredibly eventful.I used to dislike rainy season. A lot. Over the years of living here, however, I have come to appreciat

A Japanese Nurse Blogs Her Experiences in Tohoku

Published on 2011-06-07 21:21:00

I just wanted to post a link for anyone who is interested in reading about some first-hand experiences of a young nurse volunteer in the disaster area. An anonymous person has translated her entries into English. The translation is quite

What's Underfoot?

Published on 2011-06-06 20:11:00

That's the theme at Snapshots Around the World this week.In all honesty I probably should have posted a photo of Lego strewn all over the floor (ouch!), but I chose something prettier. They were a gift from my very first host family (gasp!) 21

A Conversation

Published on 2011-06-06 03:49:00

Miss Moppet: Mom, do you hear a voice in your head?Me: (raises eyebrows)Miss M: I mean, when you're thinking about something. Me: It depends on if I'm actively pondering something or just letting thoughts flit through my mind.

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

Published on 2011-06-02 18:18:00

I think I'm on a once every three week pattern here. I do love seeing all of the posts linked up over at Like Mother, Like Daughter each Thursday, but I just seem to get busy at the end of the week and miss posting my own. So, although th

Between Rainy Days

Published on 2011-06-01 19:30:00

When it's rainy season we have to seize any sunny - or, at least non-rainy - days when they present themselves. The park may be too soggy for playing, but a jaunt to the store or just a walk can lift the spirits.Normally rainy season is very ba

Snapshots 3

Published on 2011-06-01 02:51:00

How's the view from your kitchen sink? Link up over at Snapshots Around the World, and let us see!I'm over here trying not to pout about the fact that I have no window to gaze out of over my sink...;o)

When the Rain Won't Stop...

Published on 2011-05-30 00:01:00

We are fast approaching rainy season here, and, like every spring, I have been asking myself why in the world it keeps raining now - before we are officially in rainy season! Part of the answer is just regular old unpredictable weather. We

Snapshots

Published on 2011-05-23 09:19:00

This week's theme over at Snapshots Around the World is musical. Come link up and show us what you've got!Kim had to ask me to explain what my photo was this week. Before reading the comments, see if you can figure it out. Japa

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Published on 2011-05-18 21:18:00

We don't have a garden, actually, just a balcony. I guess I can call it my balcony garden.I haven't planted much in spring for the past few years, because we have been spending all of our time at the cabin during the summer. Why pla

Snapshots

Published on 2011-05-17 17:08:00

The theme over at Snapshots Around the World this week is tea.Come see our photos, and please add a link of your own.We would love to see photos from lots of different places, but you don't have to live in a country other than Germany, Japan, or the

Wanted: Clean Air

Published on 2011-05-16 09:31:00

It seems that I have much less blog fodder since coming back home. Or, is it that I now have more of a life once again? I have more in my life to organize, anyway. I also have a husband to cook for, and to chat with, to laugh with,

Twelve!

Published on 2011-05-12 02:33:00

When I was 23 weeks pregnant with you I fell down the stairs. I was carrying a sleeping, one-year-old Miss Moppet, and it was around midnight and very cold. She had a terrible cough that was worrying this novice mother, and our wonderful

Settling In

Published on 2011-05-10 08:13:00

Saga ShrineWe decided to leave Saga so quickly that my head is still spinning, I think. Once we started calculating how much it would cost to have Tono come back alone by train, then go back down again to drive up with us we realized that it would b

New International Photo Blog Project!

Published on 2011-05-09 16:55:00

I am thrilled to announce the start of a new photo project! Kim in Germany, and Rebecca in the US (Midwest), and I in Japan will share an image each week from our part of the world interpreting a general theme from our own cultural perspective (natu

Happy Mother's Day!

Published on 2011-05-08 23:01:00

This is how I found the table yesterday morning.I hope all of you Moms out there feel very loved and appreciated today (yesterday, depending on your time zone!). I know that I do. The greatest gift truly is just being together - all of us, in one pla

Slight Change of Plans

Published on 2011-05-04 17:50:00

We are HOME!!! We are recovering from the sudden decision, the moving out, and the 20 hour drive. I will post more once we are settled and rested.It really is good to be home!

He's Here!

Published on 2011-04-30 03:04:00

After a full day and a half of driving in horrible traffic, and sleeping in the back of the van, he is finally here!The next few days will be spent catching up, and there's a drive to Nagasaki for a day in the works. &

He's Here!

Published on 2011-04-30 03:03:00

After a full day and a half, driving in horrible traffic, and sleeping in the back of the van, he is finally here!The next few days will be spent catching up, and there's a drive to Nagasaki for a day in the works. &nb

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

Published on 2011-04-28 04:57:00

I'm very excited to finally joining with Leila and the girls for their new project. As they put it, so beautifully:~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~{pretty}Child-picked wildflowers on my windowsill{happy}From B

What Next?

Published on 2011-04-27 02:15:00

A reader asked if Saitama wasn't safe enough now for us to go back home. Here's my best answer, interspersed with photos taken at our near-by park. Ahhh, spring!According to the opinion of many things have calmed down, the radiation levels are

One More Thing

Published on 2011-04-24 18:33:00

This is a confession of sorts.I gave up sugar in my tea and coffee for Lent. Now, I know that sounds kind of wimpy, but it was actually pretty big deal for me. I am very attached to my coffee and tea, and it was still pretty cold when Lent star

Beautiful Easter

Published on 2011-04-24 06:01:00

I learned a lot this Easter. Having things a bit upside-down and out of place in my life at the moment actually helped me to focus more on basics. Church is central. I knew that already on a certain level, but this year I was able to appr

Good Friday

Published on 2011-04-22 03:06:00

May you be blessed this Good Friday, as we remember what our Lord did for us!After a simple dinner, we will be off the catch the bus to church. I may be scarce this weekend...see you after Easter - and my yours be filled with joy!

Voice of Autism

Published on 2011-04-19 19:49:00

Oh, my goodness! This made me cry and cry. I know that I will be thinking about this, and how it may relate to our Nutkin for a long time to come. If you love, or even just know, someone with autism, please watch this!hat tip:

Thankful

Published on 2011-04-18 22:56:00

Sorry I didn't get around to updating yesterday. We were able to get Miss M to the doctor, and it seems that everything is alright. The doctor seemed concerned about her heart, because he couldn't think of what else could be the cause of

Palm Sunday ~ Holy Week Begins!

Published on 2011-04-17 17:55:00

The Lenten fast is almost finished, and we near the time of celebration! Here we are with no Easter baskets, few craft supplies, and no possibility of making new pysanky eggs for this Easter. We will celebrate in a different way. We will celebr

Field Trip - Saga Castle

Published on 2011-04-13 20:35:00

I know it may not look like much compared to other castles in Japan that have towers still standing tall and well preserved. However, it is the only castle in Japan that actually has the castle residence restored and open for viewing. The

Of God's Mercy, and Unexpected Pain, and Continued Shaking!

Published on 2011-04-11 08:58:00

This morning I read in my devotional the following passage, and shook my head in wonder at how it seemed to have been put there just for our current situation.Though the mountains leave their place, and the hills be shaken,My love shall never l

Offering Thanks

Published on 2011-04-09 01:43:00

It's not easy to talk about. I hate to complain about our situation. It has been one of those days where I just feel so done with being here. We feel a little down, aimless, unmotivated, and homesick. I can't bear to feel that way f

Up and Down

Published on 2011-04-08 09:05:00

I hate to write a downer of a post today after the lovely spring one I wrote yesterday. However, the reality is that we are up and down. The past few days I was starting to feel like maybe we will really be able to go home next week, and

Saga Spring

Published on 2011-04-06 19:12:00

Yesterday was an absolutely perfect spring day. My sister-in-law took us to see the koinobori of Kawakami Shrine for an afternoon of living in the now and forgetting our cares. I have to say that we were pretty successful.When I saw the r

The View From Here

Published on 2011-04-05 20:23:00

As time passes things are starting to return to semi-normal back home. Missionary friends who had evacuated have returned for the most part, the International school started back yesterday, and most Japanese schools start this week. Tono'

Up and Running!

Published on 2011-04-03 07:29:00

I'm back online! Tono sent my laptop with the new mobile thing-a-m'jig, and now I'm back in the blogging saddle! The mobile connection is a tad finicky, but actually much faster than I expected. I was answering emails and whatnot fo

Hello, My Friends!

Published on 2011-03-29 01:29:00

I am so thrilled to be online and able to read all of the encouraging, heartfelt comments from all of you! So thrilled that I hardly know were to start. I wish that I could write to each of you individially, but for now I will give an upd

Hello, From Saga City!

Published on 2011-03-18 01:46:00

Dear friends, thank you so much for your prayers and encouragement! That last post was mostly for me, from Tono, so I won't translate it right now, due t limited time.We have been in Saga Prefecture, near my sister-in-law's house since Tuesday

ＳＵＥ　ＳＡＮ

Published on 2011-03-17 17:46:00

あさ、やっと　シャワーを　あびました。よるも、ひるも、からだ　の　ふるえ　が　とまりません。くちがかわき　たいへんです。　よわいですね。せいしょ　を　ひらき　ました。

Update

Published on 2011-03-16 04:18:00

Sue and kids went to kyushu for safety.please pray I can join them soon.

Worsening News

Published on 2011-03-14 22:00:00

Unfortunately, it seems that the opinion of my friend that I posted yesterday was not correct. The situation has taken a turn that even he did not anticipate. There have been more explosions at the nuclear power plant, and the evacuation

Some Reassuring Words

Published on 2011-03-14 07:57:00

Copying and pasting a Facebook comment from a friend who works in the nuclear power industry here in Japan:" It's safe and there will be NO another Chernobyl in Japan. I visited both Fukushima 1 & 2 sites many times. They are located on tenacious

On Hold

Published on 2011-03-14 03:59:00

It feels like life is on hold. We can't really do much but prepare for the worst as best we can, and pray, pray, and then pray some more!Tono was unable to go to school this morning, because the trains were not running, and in light of the cont

Update

Published on 2011-03-13 10:51:00

We're still OK over here. It's hard to focus on anything but the news while at home. This is what we are hearing over here:* 70% chance of a magnitude 7 quake in the next three days. Only God knows if, when, or where!* Seismic activity in

Together Again!

Published on 2011-03-12 00:12:00

Tono is home, and things are starting to feel right again - here at home, anyway. We can't seem to tear ourselves away from the TV news (I finally found the cable to hook our little TV up so we could see the news! Whew!). I was watc

Hoping to Hear From Friends

Published on 2011-03-11 07:55:00

There are still several people we haven't heard from yet, and we're praying for their safety.I have been thinking about a blog friend - she is a frequent commenter here, and comments as "J's Mom." She lives much closer to the epicenter, and I j

I Feel the Earth Move... but We're OK!!!

Published on 2011-03-11 03:59:00

Wow! That was the biggest earthquake I have ever experienced! We are all just fine, and Tono is OK as well. The phones are pretty much dead, but somehow he managed to get through to my cell a while ago (thank You, God!). He an

Recuperation & Preparation

Published on 2011-03-04 20:12:00

Yes, we're recuperating! Again.We haven't had this much tummy ick in many a winter. Thankfully - and I really mean that - it has mostly been me and the older two kids that have had to deal with it. My constant prayer while squatting

Fixated

Published on 2011-02-24 01:24:00

Is that the word for it? Obsessed, maybe?Whatever you call it, he's it!This is how I find him　100 times a day.That is our balcony. The net he's pulling back is the one we put up to keep him from poking objects through the bars when he w

The Arsenal

Published on 2011-02-23 03:54:00

This picture makes me smile. It's from last week at the park. All of the snow is long gone, and though it's still pretty chilly there is a spring-like feeling in the air. The virus season, alas, is still hanging on, apparently.

Expanding Creativity

Published on 2011-02-21 17:45:00

I feel a new craze coming on. Every spare jar, candle holder, and old picture frame glass will soon be filled with swirls and art.BouncerMiss M got a glass etching set for Christmas, and when we had the chance to sign the kids up for a one-time

Winter Into Spring

Published on 2011-02-15 19:51:00

We had a beautiful snowfall on the evening of Valentine's Day, but by the next morning it was raining lightly, and then later the sun was shining again. I like to dream of snow and it's so fun to hear in the weather report that it's coming.&nbs

Valentine's Creative Love!

Published on 2011-02-14 19:01:00

Yesterday morning Tono and I woke up to find this on our bedroom wall!Miss M had been planning this for some time, she said, and woke up with Bouncer in the very wee hours of the morning, armed with double-sided tape, and made a huge Valentine for us

Just a Bit of Real Winter

Published on 2011-02-09 20:02:00

We got just a short snow shower yesterday. Of course, the kids went out for a while, but I just watched from the balcony.It wasn't nearly enough to declare a snow day, and by afternoon it was sunny again. It sure was pretty while it laste

Creative Play

Published on 2011-02-08 20:33:00

One of the best things I have found about homeschooling is the way the kids play together. The days when Miss M and Bouncer would play pretend with their stuffed animal for hours have passed, but they can still have the chance to enjoy the fun

Doing His Best

Published on 2011-02-06 19:03:00

Yesterday after church we had some friends over. It was the first time to get together with those friends in a while, and it was great to talk, laugh, and catch up.The only bad thing was that I had been having hip pain all weekend for some reas

Concentration

Published on 2011-02-01 20:15:00

Pays off!I did it!Now, where can I get some of that?!!;o)

Weekend

Published on 2011-01-30 17:19:00

The weekend just flew by! The news around here is all about snow, snow, snow. It's now official. Our city is the only place left in the country of Japan to not have any snow.I exaggerate, but only slightly. While, in my adult

Candlelight

Published on 2011-01-28 20:36:00

I was inspired this week by blog friend, Elizabeth. She has a way of doing that! These three posts reminded me that I have been wanting to use up our old candle stubs and make some new light for the remainder of this darker, colder season

Impromptu Field Trip

Published on 2011-01-23 20:35:00

The kids had been after us to take them to Tama Zoo for some time. It's a great zoo - maybe the best in our area. Well, it's not really in our area. It's across town, and with the crazy Tokyo traffic it can take anywhere from 1 1/2-

A Hard Decision

Published on 2011-01-20 07:55:00

I want to thank everyone who was praying for our big decision about Nutkin's school situation.We came to a decision in the car on the way over to talk to the education counselor! We both felt that keeping him at home for at least this coming ye

A Peek at Our Nature Table (prayer request attached)

Published on 2011-01-19 05:04:00

A couple of years ago I bought hyacinth bulbs, stuck toothpicks in them, and placed them over jars of water under my sink in order to force the blooms. It was a science experiment with the kids, and we were rewarded with lovely hyacinths.

Figuring Life Out - One Thousand Gifts

Published on 2011-01-17 18:58:00

Do you know about Ann's book? I cannot wait to read it! See what it's all about...It's available at Amazon USA or for pre-order at Amazon Japan.

And Now He's Four!

Published on 2011-01-16 17:40:00

Happy Birthday, Spanky!January 15, 2011 The traditional cake around here - no icing, lots of fresh cream, and sprinkles galore. No one will allow me to deviate from it - except that my blueberry loving boy needed some of those on top.&nbs

On Turning Forty...

Published on 2011-01-10 17:22:00

Having a birthday on Jan. 10 can be a bummer here in Japan. It falls after winter break, usually just after school starts back. This year, however, since I was turning the big 4-0 someone decided to let my birthday be a national holiday.&

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM !!!!!!!

Published on 2011-01-09 08:08:00

Her children rise up and praise her ; her husband, too, extols her:"Many are the woman of proven worth, but you have excelled them all."Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting ; the woman who fears the Lordis to be praised. &nbs

Better Than a Resolution

Published on 2011-01-05 23:38:00

If you also read some of my favorite blogs listed in the right sidebar, you may have read about the idea of naming the year. I love this idea. I love the idea of choosing a word that signifies some spiritual aspect to focus on for the yea

New Year's Greetings - Japanese Style

Published on 2011-01-02 21:13:00

Each New Year's Tono sends hundreds of post cards, and we receive hundreds as well. It's sort of a love/hate thing. Everyone tries to get their cards finished before the evening of the 31st, and the post office keeps them all until the mor

Happy New Year!

Published on 2011-01-01 05:25:00

Or, as we say in Japan...あけましておめでとうございます！(akemashite omedetoh gozaimasu)In Japan, the New Year begins with soba noodles - for long life.We actually had ours a couple hours before midnight, due to the presence of littl

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