Lego Contest 2009

OCHEA~ Okinawa Christian Home Educators AssociationThe first place winner of her age category. Samantha built a barn complete with a back view of stables , horses and feed. A water fall on the left, windmill and other great details.
Our 3rd place winner in her age category. Taylor built a playground complete with slide, swings, sand pit, benches, carousel , bushes, water fountain and boat.
The girls did an awesome job! It was fun to coordinate and we had a great time.
Can't wait til next year!!

Toys "R" Us

The kids have been wanting to go to the Toy store since we found out there was one here. We finally went!! It was on average 2-3x the cost of the U.S store.. We still had fun checking out the toys and seeing the difference. By the way if I don't looke thrilled, I am still on a ton of meds and at this point was nauseus and had a headache. I really did have fun!!

Katie's JESUS cake

Katie had been asking and asking to bake a cake for Jesus. We picked a Red Velvet with white frosting. The red would remind us of the blood He shed for us and the white would remind

us of how we are cleansed of our sins and forgiven!!
Standard Katie pose - Thia was Katie's cake and we baked it just the 2 of us. You know in a house with 2 big sisters your always fighting for a place in this kitchen.

But this was all about KATIE!!!
The best part- this cake was egg free for Samantha!!

The Armor of God

Ok ,here is the deal with Okinawa. When you get here you find out that probably for the first year all of your family will get the crud = cough , congestion, sinus infection that seem to last forever. Well we have all had it at least once with a few of us having it more times that needed.

We have also been told that if you have allergies they will get worse and if you don't have allergies you might get them. One doc we saw said the "3 sisters" are prevailant here. Allergies, Asthma and Eczemza. We are dipping into 2 of those now. Taylor and I had walking pnemonia back in November. This past week I was at the gym and my ankle blew up. I went to the ER to find out I had cellulitis. How in the world???? Who knows but after antibiotics that did not help it continued to spread (very painful I might add) and with 4 visits to the hospital for continued monitoring last night was the doosey. They changed all my meds gave me 2 different IV antibiotics. One which they call the RED MAN named this appropriately because you hava an allergic reaction while on the drip. You trun red and itch! Mine started with my head itching in a way I couldn't imagine moving down my shoulders to my trunk. They slowed the drip and gave me ice paks and allergy meds, but you have to finish the meds..It was much fun!!! Today I am on bed rest and the cellutlits seems to be responding to the current meds and my insane drips last night. I will survive this latest attack. God is merciful.

I believe this is all attacks from our biggest enemy- SATAN! We live on an island that is full of idol worship. Statues on every building and every home . I believe that this is just one way he attacks in a place where he is worshiped everywhere.

God's will for us

"Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
"Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints...."
Ephesians 6:10-18

Surgery Day!!

Her last meal 9p.m. Wednesday night
Big ole' things
Our happy girl excited to begin and heal!
Webkinz!! and a little snuggle bug.
She was so brave the entire time. No fussing, no complaining , no crying.
Dad - hanging out and waiting.
More snuggling - 2 hour wait..
Anesthesia time...
Cool hat and still a good attitude.
The team of people who surrounded Taylor were a blessing. We prayed together for her and the doctors and nurses. The Anesthesiologist prayed with us and was a christian. Her Doctor was a christian and her post-op nurse was a christian. Like I have told a few people yoou can't special order better than that. God really covered all the bases.
Post-op
Heading back to the Pediatric recovery- cartoons and popsicles!
Jason having a little snack.
What a trooper!
Yummy- Yummy - Yummy!

Taylor's Surgery

Here's the scoop;



Her check in time is 7:45 a.m. Thursday morning Okinawa Time. If all goes as scheduled it won't take forever to get her into surgery. They try to get the kids in early so they do not have to starve or be nervous to long.



Taylor had her last meal tonight at 9:30 p.m. She had a bagel with cream cheese and a glass of milk. She is a bit nervous but hanging tough. No tears yet. From her or from me!



We have a peace about her surgery and believe that having her tonsils and adnoids out will greatly imporve her quality of life.



Pray for good coagulation after surgery. No post -op bleeding. Radical healing that could only be by the hand of God. May this be so much smaller than what she is expecting. If your gunna pray - might as well pray BIG!!!



God has blessed us with children who are very healthy. Small surgeries and little booboo's. We are thankful for His hand of protection on all our children.



Taylor and I have been singing

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.

This has become our surgery theme song. For a little girl who has never had more than a bump or bruise, she is very brave and we give glory to God!!

Also, If you want to check what time it is here- click on my time zone link....The world clock on the left hand side...

New years Eve Pics...

We spent New Years Eve At church. We had worship service then a soup potluck. Lots of yummy soups to try. We played games and hung out til after midnight. All the kids made it. We played the game where you have to guess the persons name that is stuck to your back. Let's just same my best game time is not after 10:30 p.m. Jason on the other hand guessed people I have never even heard of. We had a great time and rang in the our first Japanese New Year!

Oki Zoo Christmas Celebration

All the employees wore Santa suits. The Americans

have taught the local people that Christams is all about

Santa. It is sad to see that this is what we pass on.

They had a snow machine that sprayed the audience.

It was alot of fun and we all enjoyed it.

This is the main field were the laser show was later
on that night. We made it through the show and then
carried a bunch of tired kids to the car!!

The $10.00 snow slide. It was really pricey and packed.
That is $10.00 for 1 ride.... Ouch!!

The winter snow pig! With the deflated Snow man in the back ground.

You gotta love living in a foreign land. It is all about the experience.

Happy New Year

I am excited to see what the coming year will bring. If God is for us who can stand against us?

Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work withing us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Men and Shopping???

I was sent this link by a good friend in Germany. Jason and I cracked up!!

http://bewareofthedoghouse.com/videoPage.aspx

Those Crazy Kids!!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

REMEMBER:
Jesus is Better than Santa
Santa lives at the North Pole.
JESUS is everywhere.
Santa rides in a sleigh
JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.
Santa comes but once a year
JESUS is an ever present help.
Santa fills your stockings with goodies
JESUS supplies all your needs.
Santa comes down your chimney uninvited
JESUS stands at your door and knocks.. and then enters your heart.
You have to stand in line to see Santa
JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.
Santa lets you sit on his lap
JESUS lets you rest in His arms.
Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is "Hi little boy or girl, What's your name?"
JESUS knew our name before we did. Not only does He know our name, He knows our address too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.
Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly
JESUS has a heart full of love.
All Santa can offer is HO HO HO
JESUS offers health, help and hope.
Santa says "You better not cry"
JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you.
Santa's little helpers make toys
JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.
Santa may make you chuckle but
JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.
While Santa puts gifts under your tree
JESUS became our gift and died on the tree.
It's obvious there is really no comparison.
We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about.
We need to put Christ back in Christmas.
Jesus is still the reason for the season.
God bless you all

Taylor's Surgery

After many doctors visits and many yucky sore throats and giant tonsils, mouth breathing, rough nights and general discomfort. We finally have a physician who has listened to our concerns and is willing to take out Taylor's tonsils and adnoids. We have been turned down 2x for a tonsilectomy because she has not had strep enough times (that seems to be the criteria) here they listened to me and our concerns for her and the problems that come from her tonsils. Long story short, she is having surgery Jan 22nd.

The same surgeon has also allergy tested Taylor and found some interesting results. We have also found out she is highly allergic to dust (5) medium allergic to cats (3) and somewhat allergic to dogs (2) so now we are making some changes and trying our best to make her life better. The numbers are on a 1-5 scale, 5 being the worst. All of this is new to this week.

As you all are aware of we have all 3, dust, a dog and a cat. Unlike Virginia where the pets were outside, the carpet was new and the house was more conducive to her breathing. We struggle here for living space, clean air and a pet free zone. The dust is never ending, the cat is indoors (mandatory on post) and the dog is in and out. We cannot keep the pets outside 24/7 like we did in VA due to policies and the deadly creatures we live amongst. Anyways, we are making as many changes as possible to make Taylor's life better and still manage in our OKI quarters (house for you civilian folk!)

Please pray for the allergies in general here, many allergic reactions and allergies in general adapting to a new environment and new exposures.





Thanks for any and all prayers.....

Thanksgiving

The 1 man Airfoce kitchen. You could try to fit 2 people but you put

yourself at risk for serious injury.

This picture is not posed.
Real people eating real food. Yes they do have turkeys in Okinawa

but only on base (that would be the Airforce base).

Our table decorations. We all made turkey hands.
Almost there....silverware, food, people, and a few more decorations..
A litte early for a nap son.
Easy on the cider Katie!!Always a lady!! Refusing to take a picture while chewing.
Chowin' down in her cheerleader outfit!

(Gift from Daddy when he flew home 2 days prior.)
Yummy Mommy..