Day 7

Day 7: Picking our home.

Today our totally awesome sponsor hauled us around again. She and her two girls took us to complete the paperwork on our new van - now we can drive. Then she took us to look at our housing options. We were really disappointed that they would not offer us a 3 bedroom (with "bowling alley") on Camp Foster, but after seeing the 4 bedroom option on Kadena we are happy. The hardest part of making our decision was that everyone we have met attends the same church, we will have to go to another one. The home will definitely take care of our needs for the next 3 years.

After she dropped us off at the hotel, we decided to do some adventuring of our own. Jason had some errands to run. So he got behind the wheel for the first time!! We don't have a decent road map of the island or of the bases - so this was an adventure. We managed to drive from Camp Foster to Kadena Air force base without getting lost. We ran a few errands - we have cell phones now, we are real people again. Then we headed back to the Camp Foster, Jason had to go to Dental Headquarters. He had only one mishap and I don't think it was his fault - but it is fun to tease him. He had to squeeze the van between two rows of cars parked on both sides of a narrow street. Our trim grabbed someones tire that was rotated and sticking way out - oops!! No damage done, except maybe his pride.

Jason did make me drive later from the hotel to the post office, then to the commissary and back to the hotel. I did it and now I am not so scared of driving, it will take some getting used to. Every time you go to signal - you turn on your wipers (Jason had the rain to cover up his goofs!), also I keep hugging the curb!

At the commissary we bought a few Japanese treats!

The tube looking things are popscicles -yummy.  CCLemon is fizzy lemonade.  The drink pouch with the apple is really jello in a pouch - the kids don't love jello, so this one is out for us (by the way - made by Coca Cola).  The white one is a water drink - has milk and lactic acid in it - kind of yogurty tasting!! Trying the treats is super fun.

It has been cloudy everyday we have been here and rained for at least a few moments almost everyday!

Day 6

Day 6 - Newcomer Orientation;

Today was Newcomer Orientation, which means we spent several hours watching PowerPoint presentations about different aspects of living in Okinawa. Our super fantastic sponsors had signed us up for childcare so we didn't need to worry about the kids.

How the day actually went: At 6:45am we catch a bus with everyone else headed to orientation. We were told they would stop at SAC (School Aged Childcare), CDC (Children's Daycare) and then orientation. The bus drove us directly to orientation. As we were leaving the bus, the bus driver informed us to stay on the bus if we needed to go to CDC. We explained that we were keeping Charlotte, but needed to take the boys to SAC. He told us that they would take care of SAC inside. So we headed in and never saw or heard anything about SAC. So we punished our children for our inability to go ask and they stuck with us for the day. We had the Didj and leapster, sack lunches, snacks and a few toys.

The orientation started at 8 and ended at 12:30. Charlotte threw up twice (once on Jason's uniform and once on me)!! Jason and I both passed our driving test at 2pm, got our laminated permit by 3pm and headed back to the hotel. Our super patient sponsor shuttled us around and waited for us to get everything squared away.  She then took Grahm and Jacye to her house to play and get some wiggles out.

Charlotte was a little cranky at the hotel, but then started wrestling Jason and begging for tickles - she kept down Goldfish and some sprite so we decided to...

At 5 we headed to Jusco, a Japanese version of the American Mall for dinner and fun. Our sponsors took us (we will finish up the paperwork on our vehicle tomorrow, now that we can actually drive) and the Palmers. We had 9 children 8 years and under!! The kids wanted McDonalds for the Japanese toys. The happy meals come with a choice of corn and a few different drinks. We ventured to try some other choices - Jason had some soup and I had pork cutlet and curry!! The kids then spent time in the arcade area and learned that you don't always win. They ran around giggling and entertaining each other. Charlotte made friends with some teen girls. They would squeal every time she would wave at them. After we got a picture of them together - they touched her cheeks, belly, begged for high fives. I think Jason and I were very entertained. (I did receive a warning from our sponsor that some times you have to tell them to back off a little bit - I guess they love blondes). We then headed back to the hotel - Charlotte threw up again in our sponsors car. I am sure they will be glad when we don't have to rely on them so much. I think we will have to have them over for dinner and babysit for them for a month to repay the kindness!!

Day 2 Hanging out BBQ - freaking out about housing

The Stinchfields wanted us to immediately feel welcome to the island and invited us to their Branch Presidents home for a BBQ.  It was nice to get out of the hotel and have several couples to ask questions to about living here.  Everyone was very nice and we received lots of good information!

By this point we had seen the inside of two different homes and I was freaking out about how I was going to live here for 3 years.  Everyone has made their homes feel nice and welcoming.  They have them decorated really nice, in fact I am stealing ideas and wondering how I am going to do the same thing in my house.  It was just that I was moving from my house, the house I had remodeled just the way I wanted it to these concrete cream colored boxes.  I went to bed feeling anxious.

Day 3 Church - feeling better about housing

We went to church with the Stinchfields and met even more wonderful people who had lots of advice.  In hindsight, having the fellowship of the church and the immediate support group that is built in helped us a ton.  We had dinner with the Stinchfields and I got to look at their home again, and the home of another member and I was feeling really good about the housing.  Maybe a good nights sleep helped!  I was mentally putting my things away in each of the different housing types and this was going to work just great.  (Hope you are hearing Annie singing "I think I'm going to like it here.")

Day 4 Laundry - teary Charlotte

Today I tackled some laundry and had Charotte crying most of the day.  She woke up at 6am and fell asleep between 9 and 10 (she didn't stay up late either!!).  The nap helped a little.

Day 5 Park - Charlotte crying to go back to Idaho, to hard here.

This morning was hard to get ready for the day.  Charlotte started being really fussy again.  She cried that she wanted to go back to Idaho.  She also said that it was too hard here!!  She is only two!!  I can understand her feelings, the first time I talked to my Mom since we arrived on the Island when I hung up I wanted to cry.  Too bad I have an audience of 3 to keep the brave face for. 

One thing I have noticed about our transition is that my kids deal with things completely differently than I do.  When ever we drive somewhere they want to ask 100's of questions and I want to sit in silence.  Silence to deal with everything that is new, to relax for a minute.  It makes it hard for me to cope when I want them to be quiet and yet I know they need me to answer their questions and talk to them as they make this huge adjustment. 

Today we went to a local park, probably recognized by its Pineapple shaped restroom!!  The parks here are really cool.  The slide was constructed of concrete, they have the coolest climbing ropes ever.  The kids loved getting out of the hotel and hanging out with new friends - The Stinchfields and the Palmers.

We made it!!

Well we made it to Okinawa and now our new adventure begins!!

Not our house, just one of the many look alikes!

Day 1: The airplane
We left our hotel in Seattle at about 10:30pm Wednesday night.  We found out at the airport that our weight limit for our luggage was 70lbs and not 50lbs, we should have stuffed them with lots more stuff (well we didn't take our maximum number of luggage - hauling around 3 kids, 6 suitcases and 3 car seats was plenty!!).  We went to the gate and the kids settled in - They all eventually went to sleep.  Unfortunately Grahm was very tired and I was unprepared, he had at least on accident while sleeping.  None of the open gift shops offered shorts.  We felt so bad and he was a good sport about it, they eventually dried.
Our flight was slightly delayed, we boarded at about 4am Thursday.  The kids went back to sleep for awhile and then entertained themselves with their backpacks and the one kids movie the airplane played (yes - only one).  We had two stops before we reached Kadena Airforce Base on Okinawa.  One of those stops we had to deplane and then were able to wait in a small waiting room!!  We climbed off the airplane 17 hours later in Okinawa.  The airport at Kadena was very small, things went smoothly and we met our sponsors the Stinchfields (Matt and Chelsea Rowans family). 
Definitely hot and muggy - but I like it. 
Now the story gets even better - they brought 2 cars to get us to the hotel in.  They borrowed one car, so we would have two large vehicles to transport people and luggage.  Well, we found out after we were all loaded that something was amiss with the borrowed vehicle and of course it was the girls driving this car.  We called the boys back to jump us and they headed off to check Jason in and we headed to the hotel.  We made it to a busy intersection (at the stop line) and it died completely.  We had fun trying to get help - one nice guy tried to help us, but he didn't know how to open his hood (everything is in Japanese in your cars).  Then another group came to help and we pushed the car onto the sidewalk (the whole time I was thinking - please don't leave me and the kids (some of them hers) alone and go find help).  We were able to get it jumped, we once again summoned the boys who this time were going to follow us to the hotel.  We didn't make it.  We had to abandon the car and the luggage.  Bad alternator.  The Stinchfields were great and it made our adventure that much more memorable - Jayce made an instant friend with their son Hayden.  We are so grateful for all the help and friendship they have given us!!
Other initial thoughts - everything looks the same (on the bases).  Every building is the same. 

I will be doing some back blogging of our last days in Milwaukee and our vacation with family in Idaho and Utah.

Signing Off

The movers will be here tomorrow to take my computer, so this will be my last post for awhile.

We have been super busy getting everything ready to go to Japan, Idaho, Utah, and Storage. 

We did have one special event that I thought I would share as my parting post.  Father's Day was extra special - we spent 4 hours in the ER.

While I was cleaning up from a yummy Father's Day dinner, Jason was taking out the trash - and the kids... we bouncing on the blow-up mattress upstairs (after having been told several times, not to indulge in such activities).  From what we gathered, Charlotte got a little extra bounce and her chin hit the hardwood floor.  I hear her crying and was ignoring it.  She cries a lot, especially when her 2 big brothers are involved.  Then I hear Jayce telling her she had better go see me, the little flag went off and I met her at the top of the stairs.  Her chin was bleeding profusely.  I didn't even try and look at it really good (I have some experience with chin injuries, they always need stitches). 

I told the boys to get their shoes (I found out later that Grahm thought I was kicking them out to the street).  I grabbed a paper towel for the blood, met Jason on the front steps and informed him of our family outing.  He held Charlotte while I made sure we had the appropriate insurance information and off we headed.  By this time she had stopped crying and it had stopped bleeding!!  We were admitted at 6:45pm and 4 hours later and 7 stitches later we were on our way home!

She was so tough, she hardly cried at all.  I asked every nurse I talked to that I wanted someone good at stitches, so what did we get?  A resident, who even I could tell she didn't have a clue how to suture (no offense to any of my favorite residents out there).  I hope it heals pretty, I was willing to take her to a plastic surgeon - I told them I wanted it pretty.  I am still angry about it.

At one point while she was being sutured she was tearing up a little and said she was not a big girl, because big girls don't cry.

Now she is twins with her mom!!

I will post again in a month or so - from JAPAN!!

Pregnancy and Moving Don't Mix

Pregnancy is hard enough (and wonderful) all by itself.  It is hard on your body physically, then add in hauling boxes down a flight of stairs - some of them too heavy for a pregnant body.  I think this accounts for my ferocious appetite.  I am guessing my Dr is going to make a too much weight gain comment (if your Dr has done this you know what I mean, if not you are very lucky - I have had 2 Dr.s comment on excessive weight gain).  Toss in late nights trying to get it all done, early mornings to take care of the 3 bored (all their toys are boxed up) and energetic children  - and lets just say every day it gets a little harder.

And this is not even throwing in the emotional part of it all.  Pregnancy brings its own fun bag of emotions (hormones - whatever!) and then add in moving.  Phew - it can be a bit crazy and challenging to deal with the emotions and me.  For instance if for a moment thoughts of friends that have left and those being left behind sneak into my thoughts I have to take a minute.  Today I walked into an almost empty attic and just about lost it.  I love my attic - it was what completely sold me on this house! 

I am tired physically and emotionally!  Yet the challenge of getting it all done and getting my family on to the next stage keeps me going and enjoying it  - well, for the most part!!

To a Wonderful 10 years!

(Best looking man alive!!)

I can hardly believe that 10 years ago today I married the greatest man ever.  He is perfect for me in every way.  He is all that I need to keep me sane and going each day.  When he comes home to a worn out wife and wild kids, he gives me an extra long hug and then we work together for the rest of the evening and by bedtime I am good to go for another day.  What would I do with out him?

What we have done together in the past 10 years:
5 moves (about to embark on #6 - 5 years ago we were just as deep in move #5).
3 children (and 1 more on the way)
Jason's Undergrad classes
Dental Degree
Part of my Masters classes
3 years enlisted in the Navy
Bootcamp
Commissioned an Officer in the Navy
Officer Candidate School
Completely rennovated a house
Refinished and built more furniture than I can keep track of
and so much more!

Jason, I love you!

Last Days in Milwaukee - The Museum

Before we can leave Milwaukee the boys decided a trip to the Museum was a must.  So a couple of weeks ago Jayce skipped school and we headed over for a few hours.  They enjoyed all the exhibits we could make it to.  I think the Butterfly room is my favorite.

Special Visitor Day

Jayce invited his Dad to his school's Special Visitor Day.  Jayce requested that he come in uniform, which I knew Jason would be squimish about (he thinks kids are grubbby).

They spent the morning together at Jayce's school.  They made a spinner or buzz saw.  Jayce filled out a questionaire about Jason and then they enjoyed a school lunch together (Jason loves cafeteria food, hehehe).  Jayce had a lot of fun showing his Dad off to his classmates.  Everyone thought the uniform was so cool.

The Ultrasound Experience of Every Mom's Dreams

A few weeks ago when I had my ultra sound, as always it was an unforgettable experience.  It is always so cool and rewarding to see that little body wiggle, squirm, and kick.  I love the heartbeat and the entire experience.  I love the anticipation that comes as you wait to hear the tech announce if it is a boy or a girl.

Every time we have gone to get an ultrasound I make sure Jason can come and share the experience and we always have extras.  For Jayce, we invited my Mom.  For Grahm...well maybe it was just Jason and I  - don't remember.  For Charlotte, we hauled along Jayce and Grahm.  This time I did not want to bring 3 kids to the ultrasound, but as fate would have it  - we did.

We brought treats, let the boys have their handheld games and hoped that they would be quiet and behave.
While I lay there having my ultrasound, Jayce is playing a Star Wars game with Grahm eagerly watching.  My ultrasound had theme music - The Star Wars Theme Song.  And that is not the best part, Grahm and Jayce are singing along with it.  Nuh, Nuh, Nuh, Nuuuuh, Nuh, Nuhnuhnuh, Nuh!  I had to try really hard to not let my belly shake from my laughing, but it was so funny.  I not only was having an experience of motherhood, I was drenched in.  I will love this memory of Baby Girl #2's ultrasound.

I love being a Mom!