Where in the world is Rachael??

Well, it hasn't been quite a month since my last update, but still I am embarrassed by my lack of motivation. I am on Facebook everyday if anyone is looking for me.

The last couple of weeks have been pretty uneventful. We've learned how to Skype, which the kids love to do. They're actually a bit annoying sometimes while I'm skyping. They like to scream and yell and fight and jump in front of the camera and stick out their tongues, just a warning for anyone that wants to Skype with us.

Caleb had his first Karate lesson, which he cried for probably 3/4's of the time. He insists that he doesn't want to go back, but he will be going again this week. I just don't want him to give up so easily. I think if he could get past his fear than he would love it. It's really hard for me to see him crying and all I want to do is let him stop trying, but that wouldn't make me a very good mom, would it?? No really, would it?? I can only hope that I'm doing the right thing.

Riley has learned to get into the car and into his carseat by himself. And, wow, does that help me out! I still have to buckle him in of course, but I'll take what I can.

I went to see the movie, "Blind Side". What a great movie! I came out of that movie wanting to not only adopt a child, but a whole country. You have got to go see it!!

I got my hair cut in an actual style, which I haven't done in probably 10 years. I usually just get it trimmed, but this time I had it cut. Shawn thinks it's pretty short, but I like it. I have very long bangs and it's cut with many, many layers. It looks thicker and healthier.

And lastly, I started reading Nicholas Sparks' "Dear John". I have learned that watching a movie after reading the book it's based on makes the movie so much better. Atleast, I think so. However, finding time to read is very difficult for me. The boys get very impatient while I'm reading and visa versa. So, I might have to wait till Shawn gets back home before finishing it.

I am very excited to see the movie. I love Channing Tatum!

Afternoon Delight

I opened up an ice cream cake and let the boys have at it. They thought I was the greatest mom on earth. I think I was having a moment of insanity because they literally got chocolate all over the floor, but they had LOTS of fun doing it!!

Caleb liked the ice cream

And Riley liked the cake.

So, it worked out well. There was no fighting, for maybe the first time ever.

Just another day

It's amazing how much daily activities take up my day. By the time I get breakfast cleaned up, it's time to make lunch. And before I finish a load of laundry, there's another one piling up in the hamper. I have weeks were I feel like I'm moving in circles. Each day is the same as the day before...UGH!

And then, I hear Riley put 3 words together to make a sentence and I notice that Caleb is putting his coat on without assistance and I realize that each day is not the same and that I'm not just moving in circles. I am teaching my kids something new each day. I am a vital part of society. It's hard to remember that when there's not a regular paycheck coming in or an annual evaluation or awards for the most valuable employee.

It's a New Year

We wished 2009 farewell and welcomed 2010 with good wishes.

Cheers! I love being surrounded by great friends.

I only hope that this coming year brings as much love and joy as the year that has passed.

Highlights from December

December has been an awesome month for us. We've spent some great family time together and Shawn's 30 days of leave have gone by VERY QUICKLY!! Some of our December highlights include a trip to Ueno Zoo, German Village, Holiday parties, and of course, Christmas.

We never get tired of going to Ueno Zoo. Each trip, we find something we love more than the last time. This time it was the Vivarium which exhibits the largest salamanders Shawn and I have ever seen and a beautiful tortoises.

This great shot of the boys only took about 4 tries...

If you ask Caleb what his favorite animal at the zoo is, he'll tell you it's the elephant, but we almost had him convinced that it was the hippopotamus because it's so much fun to hear him say, "hiptamonaness".

The day that we went was cold, but beautiful.

This is Riley mimicking the Puffin Fish. I love this face!!!

By the end of the day, we were exhausted, but neither of the boys fell asleep on the 1.5 hour train ride back home.

The boys got their box of Christmas presents from Nana and PawPaw and had lots of fun pretending to be race car drivers with the empty box.

Caleb wanted to be mailed off to Nana and PawPaw's house in the box. When we asked him where he would go potty while he was in transition, he said, "just get me a bag". He was SERIOUS too!!

Our next big event was an ITT (Information, Travel and Tickets for military) trip to German Village, which is right outside of Tokyo. We took a big sightseeing bus, which Caleb always thinks is so great!

So, this place had buildings inspired by German architecture, but that was probably the only thing that made it anything like Germany. We were kinda expecting German food or German beer...but nope. It did, however, have bumper cars, archery, roller coasters, grass sledding, an arcade, riding trains, and the largest display of Christmas lights that I have ever seen.

The bumper cars and riding trains were the only fun things that Riley was old enough to do. He got extremely upset when Caleb ran off to do other things, like ride the kiddie roller coaster with mommy!

Oh my gosh, did I have fun riding the kiddie coaster.

It was bitter cold on this big hill with the wind blowing, brrrrr.

It was a lot of fun.

We had a little Christmas get together with friends and Riley helped make a gingerbread train. Ok, so he helped eat the candies off the train after his friends decorated it.

This is Christmas Eve after "Santa" dropped off toys and ate cookies and the reindeer ate carrots and left poop droppings (raisins) out on the sidewalk.

The best present Santa brought was a dual decker Radio Flyer Tricycle. Caleb pedals and Riley holds on for dear life. It's incredibly funny to watch them on it together. Riley yells, "so fast, so fast" and Caleb giggles.

It's been the best month of the year.

12 months to go

I don't know why, but this Christmas I seem to be missing home more than ever. I am so ready to come home. December 7th was our 2 year anniversary in Japan which means 12 more months to go.

Many of our local friends are headed to Saipan for the holidays to sit in the sun, but we have no big plans. We are finding it very relaxing to just be a family again . Shawn has been on leave (vacation) since December 6th and for the rest of the month. It was been wonderful having him here to help out with the daily activities with the boys. Caleb has really loved having "daddy" to drop him off at school, but asks for "mommy" to pick him up. We've been busy with just making dinners together, baking Christmas cookies, making tree ornaments and holiday cards, taking walks to see Christmas lights, and playing at the parks since the weather is so warm.

We are thinking of all of you and missing you so much. Enjoy your family and friends and be thankful for the love that surrounds you whether it comes from the person sitting next to you or from half way around the world.

Finished product

This is for my mom. She wanted a finished picture of the lights.