joyfulmomof4

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Japanese Tea Ceremony

In no particular order- The girls Japanese Teacher Naomi was kind enough to invite everyone to attend her daughters Tea Ceremony from her school. This was a great opportunity. Usually the kids would not be able to attend a real Tea Ceremony (to young) so when she opened this up we jumped at the chance. We went through 3 stages. The first and last were in open rooms and we were served ion our seats. The second ceremony was in atraditional room. Kneeling for that long is an art in itself. The Americans were all aching when it was time to get up!! The Tea was nothing like I have ever tasted before. The kids could barely get it down it was very earthy and strong like penzoil. I was ok until the 4th cup! That kind of put me over the endge. Little headache , lite headed, no joke it's that strong. ANyways we had a blast. Oh Yah, Katie was a hit in her kimono, all the japanese girls would giggle went she walked by!

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!