A little blue slip... or ten.

After going to Hiroshima to check out ToysRUs a couple of weeks ago, I decided to finish up Christmas for Pumpkin Online.  Don't get me wrong, there was a great selection, I just had a hard time figuring it all out.  I wasn't able to be certain about the age requirements, assembly instructions.. etc.  So, I hop onto Target.com, aware that it could take a long time to get all the way here with cheaper shipping, I wanted to start early.  As I check out, I change my billing/shipping info to our new address, and click "check- out".  I only missed one thing, the shipping address hadn't changed.  Pumpkin's Christmas was on the way to NC!  I call the Target help line, and some woman starts talking in Japanese.  I try again, same person, same language.

Finally, I just decide it will probably get forwarded here, right?!  I mean, we gave the post office our forwarding address!  Psh, we're smart, I got this.

Then, I track the packages about a week later.  Delivered.  Hm, that's not really how I was hoping it would work out.  My amazing neighbor is all " Hey, there was a package out side your house, so I picked it up for you.  Want me to return it?"
" uh, Yeah!"  I tell her there should be a few more coming in, but I am just so thankful she would do it!  So, I re-order her Christmas presents from Amazon.com which is quickly become my most favorite shopping site!

Then, yesterday comes around.  I buckle Pumpkin in the stroller on a beautiful Monday morning, get in the elevator and head across the street and around the corner. I open up my cute little P.O. box and take out a couple of blue slips, indicating packages! Then, I reach in to double check, just to make sure there isn't any more...  about seven more fall out.  I have ten blue slips in my hand, a stroller in the other.  The lady standing behind me mentions something about how happy that is " It would be even happier if I had a car!" Or if I could drive... Or if I had my cell phone  to call my husband who can drive AND has a car... She says " Oh, I could load them up and take them for you!"  For real?!  My day has been made.  So thankful for good Samaritans just hanging around!

We load up the majority of the shipment from Amazon, and, two packages from Target.  That means we have a couple of " multiple" gifts.  Looks like we will be donating to Toys for Tots! This wonderful helper gets to my building before me, grabs a shopping cart, starts to load up the packages, and puts me in the elevator with it!  Bless her heart!

I get home, find my cell phone in the toy box.  Don't you wonder how it got in there..  and call C.  He's like, " wait for me!  wait for me! I'll be home for lunch and I want to open them with you."  So I sat there.  For an hour and half, surrounded by packages!  Resisting the urge to slash through the tape and open them all, I put them up high, and played with Ava in her room.  On the ground.  Patience has never been my strong point.

Needless to say, the packages were opened, wrapped, bowed and put under our tree.  Well, stacked behind it.  Life with a toddler!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Ava- Thanksgiving 2010

What a great Thanksgiving!  Red got home from duty, went to sleep after staying up all night, and Pumpkin and I got to cleaning.  We did laundry, dishes and vacuumed, she is always so happy to help!  Then, after she went to for a nap, I got started in on some deviled eggs.  Shortly after, our friend Courtney came by to join in on the cooking.  We made sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole and strawberry spinach salad- yum!  Red Deep-fried the Turkey.  When he brought it up from downstairs, I have to admit, I was worried.  It looked, quite, um, charred?  However, he quickly averted my fears when he peeled away that tiny layer of black to reveal, juicy, tender sweet turkey!  We injected it with a Spicy pineapple rum sauce from Pampered Chef I had sitting in the pantry.  Then, we rubbed it down, on the inside and out.  I wish I had planned that more thoroughly, we could have roasted some pineapple with it!  We enjoyed a very relaxing day of cooking.  Since it was just the three of us, we were able to have dinner whenever every thing got ready and clean up as we felt like it and in between eating desserts.

Tomorrow, we get to decorate for Christmas!!  I am so excited to pull out those boxes and try to find a Christmas tree.  I always flash back to a memory of my Mom, dad, brother and myself at a Christmas Tree Farm with a saw.  We had found the tree, and dad and my brother were cutting it down.  We hauled it back to the suburban, tied it on top, and took it into the house.  Christmas always seems like such a wonderful time of year.  The smells, the flavors, the cookies!  I love it all.  This season seems so crazy.  Thanksgiving kick-started the long list of things to celebrate for our family.  Next week, Ava's first birthday.  Four days later, our Second Wedding Anniversary.  Then, Christmas, New Years and Valentine's day!  I am so thankful we have so much to celebrate.

I have to wait until tomorrow to eat this...

The Best Sheet Cake Ever


Just LOOK at it!  Ok, and no, it's not the exact same recipe.  Give or take about a half a stick of butter in the frosting, which I actually think I am going to have to start adding because my frosting was too thick. 


I grew up calling them Texas Brownies.  Eat this stuff right after a bowl of  Cowboy Stew  and you will be one happy cowboy, or girl!  Cody ends up eating four or more bowls of this each time I make it, and it freezes great, so I always keep some in the fridge!


So far I've chickened out on the Peach Cobbler Rolls .  After Ava is asleep and the dishes are done I might have a change of heart and get wild since Cody has duty at the barracks tonight.  At least I know all of my food will actually still be here tomorrow!  I will just have to make sure to keep him out of sight until dinner.


When we found out we were coming to Japan and would be here just in time for the Holidays ( little did we know we would have all of our stuff!)  We started talking about what we would do to celebrate.  We usually both do big things with our families, and were looking forward to doing the same this year since pumpkin was too new to travel last year.  Red kept on mentioning deep-frying a turkey like his dad had always done.  I have to admit, this idea turned me off slightly.  Then I got to thinking.. the Turkey is the biggest part of the meal.  I have never cooked a whole turkey by myself.  If Red deep-fries one, then I don't have to worry about making it and causing potential disappointment!  Sure babe!  Deep fry seven turkeys if you want!  Then, we ended up deciding against it because we were pretty sure the fryer would never get used and our space is slightly limited.  Today, our fried turkey thanksgiving dreams came true!  Some of our neighbors told us we could borrow theirs!  I love how things work out!






Ok,  time to prepare the little one dinner so it will be ready by the time she wakes up from her nap.


No, I am not eating the brownies.  Or the banana bread.  Or the Kringle.  It's for Thanksgiving, conflabbit.

Oh 0630, how I hate and love you.

Red's alarm goes off.  It is 0625.  He hits snooze.  Not five minutes later, a familiar sound fills the room.  I've heard this before.  This is important.  I have to get up now.  I look up at the monitor, all of the little dots are up in red, that means it is definitely time to get up.  Why you ask?  The darling child is awake.  In hopes of a few more minutes, I snuggle up with her while Red goes to get ready.  She sits up, looks towards the door, climbs off of the bed by herself and picks up her monkey and stands at the bathroom door.  " Dada? Dada. Dadadadada." I pick her up and bring her back to bed with me, she puts her hand in my mouth, waits for my eyes to open, and smiles.  Goodness it is wonderful to wake up to that!  ( The smiles, not a small hand digging in my mouth.)  She gets off the bed by herself again and heads back towards the bathroom door.  By this point, I know it's all over.  She is awake and it is 0630 in the morning.  This means, for me to achieve my goal of waking up before her to have a little bit of time to wake up and get ready for the day I would have to wake up around Six A.M.  That is way too close to five for me.  

However, I do enjoy the benefits that being awake before 7 am brings.  Like, by the time we have finished diaper change, breakfast, play time, snack and get dressed for the day I am not embarrassed that I haven't made it into clothes and make up.  Until about 1 p.m., you can actually feel awake and accomplished for the day.  But by about 2, I needed a nap.  


Guess this is going to take some getting used to!






We all went to the commissary when Red got off of work tonight.  We nearly shut it down, but we made it out with all of our Thanksgiving ingredients!  I am trying really, really hard to make this one less of an "event" this year.  Just relax, I mean we just moved across the world and we're tired.  But, all of my life, Thanksgiving has been our family reunion ( literally).  So, there would be tons of people who brought tons of food.  Lots of different dishes to fall in love with and attach to Thanksgiving.  My list?


Cornbread Stuffing
Sweet potato Casserole
Kringle
Spinach and Strawberry salad ( yum, yum, yum!)
Mashed Potatoes
Peach Cobbler Rolls
Deviled eggs
Texas Brownies

Etc, Etc..  While this makes no sense to feed a small group with this many items, I am totally doing it anyway.  It's tradition.  I'm at least cutting the list down by half right?  It surely won't be the same as having all of my aunts and uncles and cousins and grandparents and second cousins ( and Mom and Daddy!  Taylor, you too.)  We won't go to the church the night before, spend the night and wake up early to start cooking.  My Aunt B won't call me "sweet thang" and the Thanksgiving place-mat with my name and birth year won't be here.  And no, we probably won't play "brown Turkey" or have a talent show.  But one thing is for sure.  I am thankful that I have my family.  I am thankful I have a husband that loves me and a daughter that is so full of life.  I am thankful to have food to prepare and mouths to eat it.  I am thankful that we are happy, safe and warm.  Every year things change.  Some small, some big.  The love that holds the traditions together, will not change.

Surprise!!!

Are you ready?

You may need to sit down.

This effects you greatly.

We have our stuuufff!!!

I got the E-mail while Red was gone this past week.  It said the earliest available day for delivery was the next morning.  First, I happy danced, and then Pumpkin joined in.  Now that was some sort of cute.  The very first thing I did, was call Red.  Since the service isn't the most reliable, I couldn't get through.  So I said to myself " Hello, this is a sign that you need to just get the shipment any way, and surprise him!"  I knew I couldn't do it alone.  Pumpkin is sick, and I was coming down with the same thing.  Even if we were both healthy, that little booger doesn't nap long, and trying to keep her contained with a group of movers all by myself?  Not so much.  I called my friend here to see if she had anything going the next morning and if I could enlist her help.  Courtney is very sweet, and even voluntarily watched Pumpkin for the Marine Corps 235th Birthday Ball.  So I was hoping I could pull another sweet act of kindness from her.  To my joy, Courtney agreed and said she would be over in the morning right before the movers.

We happy danced some more.   

The movers arrived about 0830 Thursday Morning.  Since we received our express shipment on Friday, when Red left, the process was still fresh in my mind.  I went down stairs, confirmed the crates were ours and gave them permission to open them.  Upstairs, they lined the walls and corners with padding to protect them from getting bumped, and put rugs down on the tile to make sure it didn't get marked.  I was checking out the inventory sheet, and realized that there was quite a few things missing.  No couch, recliner, washer, dryer, Ava's dresser.  I thought maybe they don't put the really big stuff down?  Weird.   As boxes started to come in, we learned very quickly that the actual inventory they were moving in went past number 290, and my list only went to number 260.  So, for every item that wasn't on my original inventory list, they listed for us.  Apparently, in the hurry of the move, we didn't check the mover's inventory list back in the states, and are very lucky all of our things arrived and are in good condition.

While they were hooking up our Washer and Dryer ( I had our H.E. front loaders sent here because they were a recent purchase and they clean Ava's cloth diapers so well along with the rest of our laundry), the man hooking it up said " excuse me, dryer a challenge."  The plug didn't fit.  Awesome.  As much as I tried, I could not get my four prong plug to fit into my three prong outlet. Next, he told me not to use my washer until I went to get new hosing since it was leaking.  Minor road block, right?  All I have to do is go to the PX, check if they have an adapter for the dryer since the sell the same one there and find some replacement hoses.  I have tools now, I can do anything as long as I have directions. 

If it were only so simple.  The movers left, and Courtney stayed all afternoon helping me unpack and organize my kitchen!  When I needed a break from being surrounded by boxes, I headed out to the PX in search of said items.  The manager said, " We are all out."  When I asked him what I should do next, he said to go to the housing office and to the Self-help desk and see if they had any.  By that time, it was too late in the day and they were closed, so Ava and myself had some dinner and hit the hay.

The next day, I enlisted some extra help. Red's sergeant told us to call if we needed anything.  Ava needed to go to the doctor, and I needed to go to the Family Housing Office.  Since I don't have a driver's license  here because I am too chicken, I asked for a ride.  He drove our sweet 1996 model minivan for us, and I was able to find a new dryer cord, and hoses for the washer.  After he dropped us off, Ava went for a nap, and I decided to put on my tool belt.  ( just figuratively, I don't really have one.)  After finding the right tools I needed, I set to work on replacing the leaky hose.  Not a problem!  This fixing stuff is easy!  I put a load of diapers in the wash and set out on fixing the dryer.  I unscrewed the back, took out the old plug, and screwed the new one in like the directions said.  While I was having some problems with a stripped screw, the washer starts to lose it.  It is bouncing every where on the spin cycle and I nearly get trapped in the laundry room.  I turn it off and back on, to try again.  I manage to get the cord plugged in, and right after I hear a little *zap* and see a small spark, the washer starts to bounce again!  I climb over, and shut the door to the laundry room, thinking the washer would just bounce for a minute and be done.  I was wrong.  It got worse.  Ava wakes up, and I have to not let her get under my feet while I am trying to get to the dryer to turn it off, or at least unplug it since the drain pipe has come loose and my floor is soaked.  After I get the beast turned off, I throw a towel down and try to move it with out being able to actually get in the laundry room.  Cody's sergeant comes back over and is able to move it out of the way for me. Deciding to just dry the diapers since they were almost done anyway, I load up the dryer and turn it on.  At least I tried, it did not turn on.  By now, it is time for some play time, dinner and bed.  

After she was fast asleep, I talk to my brother on skype who is waiting for his continental breakfast.  I tell him about my issues with laundry, and he asks if I have checked my breaker.  I tell him no, and go to do it.  I flip the switch off and back on and here bzzzzzz *pop* Then, I look to my laundry room, and it is filled with smoke.  I turn the breaker back off and check for a fire.  There wasn't one, so I check on Ava to see if her room was clear and put a towel under the door.  I opened the window to air everything out and return to my computer where I am chatting with my brother.  He tells me there is no risk of a middle of the night fire, but I am not convinced.  I shoot a text to Courtney, to see if her or her husband, Tom know if I am still in danger.  They said they had no idea, but came to check it out any way.  Tom unplugged everything and I felt much better about that!  Before going to bed, I was so completely thankful that Cody would be home in the morning. This surprise stuff is hard work!  


This morning, I was able to get up with Pumpkin, have breakfast and get some final organizing done on the front part of the house.  That way, when I told him all of the stuff we had to fix, he would be in a good mood.  I heard the doorbell ring and a knock.  After opening the door, I tried to hold him in so I could get him to close his eyes.  No such luck.  " Is that my recliner??  Our stuff is here?!"  I smiled and nodded while he stumbled around in shock at our things.  He headed towards the back of the house, I handed him Pumpkin and stopped him.  " Listen... I had a few things happen."  Bless his heart, he laughed, checked it out and fixed the washer.  Then, we headed over to housing, picked up a new dryer cord and called the trouble line to get an electrician to come fix whatever I did wrong.  ( I still blame the outlet, it was burned and I followed all of the directions!  Surely it has nothing to do with my lack of experience.) Then, we got to work on unpacking the rest of our stuff.  

Got to love him!

Did I ever tell you about the earrings?

I don't think I did.  I was out a computer when it happened.

One morning, a few days before the Marine Corps Ball, we woke up.  Technically, Pumpkin woke us up, but she is so cute I hate to cast blame on her.  We are sitting around, and Red says "Hey, did you ever find earrings to wear to the ball?"

"Well, no.  I was just planning on wearing the pearls I wear every day."


"How do you feel about wearing these?"


He is giving me a morning surprise?!  That's a jewelry box! 



This memory will be stuck in my mind for a long, long while.  He reached over to his nightstand drawer, and pulled out a simple, white jewelry box with a small ivory ribbon tied around it.  As I opened it up, I saw the most beautiful, elegant pearl earrings.  They are too special for every day, yet classy and simple.

" I was going to wait for our anniversary, but I wanted you to have them for the ball."

::tears::
  
Have I mentioned how much I love him lately?  Not just because I get wonderful present surprises like that, but because he is sweet, thoughtful, and puts up with me.


I can't recall one single time I have been able to surprise him.  He always catches on, or I can't keep my mouth shut.  But this?  This will be good.  Unless he already knows?  You don't think he does, right?

I have a huuuge surprise!

A wonderful, thrilling, amazing surprise. For my wonderful husband,




You will find out when he does!



I even talked to him on the phone earlier and made it sound like I was excited about nothing.

Hehehe.

Don't tell him any thing is up, ok?

This morning, we met up with a friend who has her dog here. Unfortunately, pets have to be quarantined for months before they can be let loose in the country. They don't have rabies in Japan, so they are just trying to protect from any more diseases. Totally noble, I wouldn't want the rabies either, but it makes me sad for the pups. We went to get him from the kennel, and walk him on the sea wall. It was such a beautiful morning! Not too cold, the water was blue and the air was clear enough to see the mountains. Before I knew it, we had walked 3 miles. Headed back to the house, I thought I would be so energized for the day. Not so much. Apparently, I am getting a cough/ cold. Chicken soup any one?

Seeing all of the dogs made me miss Izzy. I know she is in the best of hands, but I would really like her in my hands. Or keeping my feet warm. Or standing watch by my bed to make sure the reflections don't come off the wall and kill us all. I am so thankful my dear, sweet momma is taking care of her for us, what a sweet lady.


AFN decided to show a marathon of 90210 last night. I had never seen it. Either one, the new or the older one. I had always heard of it, but I am weary of watching "new shows" because there is a risk of addiction. Apparently, I didn't realize just how high the risk was here. Besides getting Ava fed, bathed and down for bed, I couldn't leave it. There were no commercials. There was no breaking point. It was like I just had to stay. I am so ashamed. C called while it was on, he said maybe he would get me a season or two for Christmas. I had to agree. I am a victim to my addiction. Enabler!

I think the coffee and b-12 are kicking in, I better get some work done around here!

"Do All Things With out Grumbling or Complaining,"

-Phillipians 2:14


What an amazing thing the Lord calls us to do. At least, it seems amazing considering the world we live in. Full of " Stand up for your self!" and " if you don't like it, let some one know!". As people, we constantly whine about getting up early, not having time to work out, being sore from working out, the dishes, the laundry, grocery shopping, being too hot, being too cold. It is a rare occurrence ( at least in what I have seen and the person I am) that we take every small thing God has given us, and give thanks instead of whining.

Every time I complain inward about seeing another person live in negativity, I refuse to see the plank in my own eye. Every time I start to have a pity party because my husband's job moved me somewhere I didn't choose; I miss my home in the states, I miss having a back yard with a deck and the most amazing neighbors, I am failing to believe that everything works for His purpose.

"Do all things with out Grumbling or Complaining"

The part that really gets me here is ALL THINGS. Not most everything. Not the things that are easy to be happy about, but all things. Everything. From going to court to waiting for your husband to come home late from work with out calling again. We are to have a servant's heart, not mind or actions, but the heart of a servant. Willing to do what needs to be done and be happy about doing it.

No one said it was easy, right?

Apparently..

Having Punkin' Head's bed and diapers make a huge difference in her comfort!! She hasn't slept through the night in about 3 months,when we started this visiting all of our family and moving to Japan thing. Last night, she ate dinner ( Chicken to share with mommy, potatoes and steamed peas and carrots) had her bath, and was very quickly ready to have her bottle. I was sure she would wake up and want to play or be upset at some point during the night. Nope. She conked out, and woke up thirteen hours later. She woke up happy and ready to play, what more could a mom ask for?!

I have a computer again!

A real, live, computer. And.. our first shipment! I am so excited to go through all of this!
I can't believe it's been so long since I've updated. I promise I am getting started on that right now.

Punkin' did incredibly well on the plane ride over. She slept most of the way! ( seriously, what kid does that? I don't know, I was just so happy) We hung out in TLF ( Temporary lodging facility) for about 10 days, when we moved in to our building across the street. We are on the sixth floor, 2 bedroom, one bath and about a million and a half closets. It's definitely a tighter squeeze than the house we had in the states, but we will make it home. With so much storage, I doubt we will notice too much of a difference.

Red got a minivan. I say Red got one, because he got a driver's license, he picked it out, test drove it and bought it. For a whopping $950. I am thrilled! I never knew I could be so excited over a fourteen year old minivan that came with curtains on all the back windows. However, this means not only getting from point A to point B, but doing it whenever we please and being able to take things with us!

We headed out to Miya jima yesterday for a little local sightseeing. It's one of the top places to see in Japan, and it was definitely beautiful. The leaves were changing colors, the tide was in and the deer were everywhere. They were in your pockets, your bags and your lap, if you let them! We visited a Shrine and walked around the mountain a little bit. The island is known for it's Maple trees, so one of the popular items was this cookie. It is like a pancake, in the shape of a maple leaf, with all sorts of different fillings. We tried Almond ( my favorite ) Chocolate, Custard, Green tea and a few others. While we were walking around, Punkin' got stopped by 3 Japanese girls. They thought she was " soooo cute!" and asked to take pictures of us. So, we took some pictures, they said thank you and went on their way. That was the most curious part of the day.

And today, our first shipment arrived!! I have clothes and shoes and my coffee brewer and my computer! Now, I just have to worry with putting it all away and finding a place for everything. Punkin' is loving getting to play with all of her toys we couldn't take on the plane- that definitely helps to get things done. Also, we are back to Cloth diapers again. I have giggled at how fluffy her bottom seems a few times now. They are way more cute than 'sposies anyway.

I pinky promise to keep this more updated. Oh, have I mentioned my child is walking now? And in a couple of weeks she turns ONE? She is such a happy, sweet, energetic child. We are so blessed to have her in our lives! God really does give the best surprises.