Day of thanks #6

Today I am grateful for my husband and children. I know that sounds trite, but today I have special reasons. #1. My husband has been away for a week and I finally get him back!!! I realize how much he helps out around the house (well, I always knew he did - but when he is gone...the trash gets backed up, the dishes stay in the sink a little longer and the laundry doesn't walk itself upstairs like it usually does). Patrick is an amazing partner in life! He does so many little things that I tend to take for granted. After dinner he always cleans up, does the dishes and vacuums the whole downstairs. He empties the dishwasher in the morning before I wake up and makes sure the newspaper is out for me to read. He is so thoughtful - in ways he may not even know. He is an amazing father also. He has taught Gavin to ride his bike, he helps Evelyn learn English words (since she learns mostly Japanese at school), and he reads to the kids every night. So when he goes away...I really notice how much he does.
I also am so grateful that I have great kids. I mean, really great! They have been awesome all week without daddy and have helped chip in around the house also. They rarely fight (an occasional bicker - but that is normal, right?), they entertain each other, and they are just fun to be around! Last night we went to the bowling alley for some bowling, games and dinner - and it was like I was hanging out with friends.
I am grateful for these three blessings in my life and I truly thank God every day for them! But I figured I better blog it also - or karma might get her revenge on me!!!

Day of thanks #5

Today I am super grateful for activities on our base. There are always a ton of options to do on base - some weekly, like Make your Own pizza night every friday night - or some are annual, like the Oktoberfest celebration that was held today. Even though it was quite hectic (and I had to do it all without Patrick here)...I took the kids to football/cheerleading games, ballet practice and then to the Oktoberfest...all before noon! I love that they have special (free) events that make you feel valued and appreciated. There were a ton of games and activities for the kids, free food, Yokota Idol finals, live band...all within a 2 minute walk of my house! I love that the base truly makes an effort to give people a reason to get together and be crazy!!!!

Day of thanks #4

Today I am grateful for random days off with my kids. Except that I totally thought Evelyn had off of school but she really didn't. Her school called me to make sure she was ok....oops! I guess subconsciously I needed a random day with my two kiddos. I am the mom that hates when summer ends and I have to give my kids away for most of the day. So I always get grateful for silly days off for teacher training, or some testing, or conferences, etc. But since the kids go to separate schools - they have separate schedules and rarely are both home together. I love spending days doing nothing, everything and anything with my little ones. They are my best friends forever :-)

Day of thanks #3

Today I am thankful for skype. I know last year I used this same one - but it's true. Living 7000 miles away from friends and family is tough - but having skype makes it a lot better! This week alone we have talked to both parents, friends, and other relatives! I love that I can see someone sign on and within seconds I can see their face and talk to them! And today (as in almost every week) I got to talk to one of my besties, Ashli, and watch gLee together. Talking on the phone is great - but seeing my loved ones faces is even better. I don't know what I would do without it!!!

PS - This picture is of me on the computer in front of Ashli's tv watching gLee).

Day of thanks #2

Today I am grateful for the chance to learn about my host country's culture and language. I have been very blessed to be a part of 3 (yes, that's right...THREE) different culture groups to be able to learn about rituals, activities and food...but now I have started to try to learn their language!!! When we found out we were moving to Japan last year, my mother bought us Rosetta Stone. We have not be very diligent with it - but after having to use my 4 year old daughter as an interpreter, I decided it was time to really step up my game and learn parts of the language.

I am very lucky to have a friend who lives off base that participates in Japanese language classes. She lives across the street from a community center which offers the lessons for free. She has been going for over a year and has learned so much!!! So after she had invited me a few times - I decided to give it a go (and drag another friend with me!!!). I learned so much in the first lesson, and my brain actually hurt after the 2nd lesson. Today was the 3rd time I went and I am actually 'getting' it. I am hearing sounds and words that make sense and our teachers are so patient and fun! They really help us grasp why things sound a certain way - instead of just memorizing it. I actually held a conversation (basically consisting of "Good Morning. I am Kelly" - but hey...it's a start)!

I have started coming home and doing Rosetta Stone after my lessons and things make so much more sense!!! I am so happy and grateful I can at least make a valiant effort in leaning Japanese. Hopefully Evelyn won't be the only one who knows it by the end of this year!!!!

30 days of thanks....

I know I have a ton of things I need to post about - and maybe this will nudge me to be on my blog more and post in between thankful posts. But in The 4 Bulls tradition, I will post every day about something I am thankful for. Today is easy. I am thankful for little boys who love their momma!!! Patrick is away for training in Texas, so Gavin told me he would sleep in my bed to protect me and keep me safe! He also told me he would take out the trash, vacuum and do the dishes....I guess that is what he thinks the man on the house should do. (to Gavin's future wife...You are welcome).