The Temple

We are enjoying our time here in Mesa, AZ. It's about 100 degrees, but since it's a dry heat, it feels way different. Sometimes my skin feels like it's on fire, but I'm not sweating...weird! It just feels like we're in an oven here in the southwest instead of a steamy bathroom in Okinawa.

Howard and I went on a date to the Mesa Temple this afternoon while his sister Edna tended to the children for us. It was a nice break, peace and quiet. We also had a quick lunch in the cafeteria, for some reason I think Temple food is delicious! After we were done in the Temple we went over to the visitors center since Edna was meeting us there. We have been wanting to see the Joseph Smith movie for a long time now, so that's what we wended up doing. Two times during the movie Jack said he had to go pee, so Howard took him, but he failed to produce any results. Finally the third time he said he had to go pee, Howard ignored him. After whining about it for a minute or two, Jack strips down naked (on the bottom half anyway, he left his t-shirt on) and starts yelling that he has to go pee. I try to get his pants back on before we exited the theater to go potty, but he just kept screaming, so he went to the potty half naked. Third times the charm, he finally peed on the toilet for me. I was embarrassed that Jack was having one of his toddler moments, but grateful that we were able to make it to the bathroom without anyone seeing him naked. (I didn't take this picture I have posted, but I had to add something nice for everyone to look at.)

This Week in California

Here's a run down of our "vacation" so far. We call it a vacation, but it seems like work. We're always on the go and never get a chance to really relax. Life had been so hectic and there just never seems to be enough time for everything that we want to do.
Monday - Arrive to California, late night dinner at Denny's (very tasty)
Tuesday/Wednesday -Van shopping, we ended up getting a 2006 Honda Odyssey EX, very nice!
Thursday - Visit with my Mom, do some housekeeping for the BBQ
Friday - Visit with my Dad in the desert, also saw my half brother and 2 aunts. Haven't seen them in about 9 years. The kids had a blast swimming in a converted trough.
Saturday - BBQ at my Mom's house, saw lots of relatives. Ate lots of watermelon (it's so cheap in America!)
Sunday - Went to Church in one of Howard's wards from his missionary days. We saw Elder Daniel Jensen there (I was his Sunday School teacher when he was in high school in Okinawa.)We were really excited to see him, it was just a coincidence, what a small world. After church we went to the Wiley's and saw a good friend and met his wife and new baby. My friend Jeff and I were good friends in high school and he baptized me 10 years ago. It was great to see him and his wife, they are such a fun couple. (And their baby is soooo cute.) Afterward we went to the cemetery to visit my Grandma. She passed away 13 years ago, and I miss her more the longer she's gone. It was a really good experience for the kids, to show them a cemetery and talk about life after death.
Monday - We went back up to my Dad's house and he gaVe me a set of OLD China, so Howard and I packed that up carefully. What a relaxing day.
Tuesday - We spent the afternoon at Chuck E Cheese and met up with a couple friends that we knew in Spokane. All the kids have grown up so much, I remember when they were babies!
Wednesday - Hasn't happened yet, but we plan on packing up the van in the morning and head on over to Mesa. I'm really looking forward to going to the Temple there. Wish us luck on the road trip!

Hawaii

Our Hawaiian vacation is coming to an end. We've had a pleasant time staying with Howard's Aunt Wendy. Her and her husband, Rick, are wonderful people and we truly felt at home while we were here. I'm short on pictures, sorry. We enjoyed the water park, Target, and the Polynesian Cultural Center while we were here. We wanted to do more, but we ran out of time.

Today we went to Church and afterwards we went to visit an old friend of mine (she's not old, I've just known her for 12 years). We had lunch with Cara and Ongo, they're such a cute family. I knew her when I was in high school and she has always been such a good example for me and I've always appreciated that. I'm visiting more of her family next week, I'm looking forward to that visit as well. Tonight for our Sunday dinner we had a cousin and her 3 children over at Aunt Wendy's house. Anela and I got to know each other well on my last trip to Hawaii 2 years ago. We both got married in 2000 and have kids the same ages. She's really sweet and we had a nice talk about Twilight. I haven't read the books, but I plan on it when Howard leaves for school in a few weeks.

The kids are FINALLY asleep and we've packed our bags for ANOTHER plane ride tomorrow. We're off to California. We arrive Monday night and then on Tuesday morning first thing I have to go buy a mini-van. I'm excited and dreading it all at the same time. It will be nice to get a new vehicle, but at the same time it's painful to have to spend that much money on a dumb van. Wish us luck and pray that we'll get a nice salesman that will give us a good price on the van.

Sayonnara

Good bye Okinawa! Thursday morning we boarded our bus to Naha and left beautiful Okinawa. Our flights went well. Not easy, but we survived and I think that made it successful. Jack was naughty in the airports, but well behaved on the plane. The other kids were perfect. I was just grateful that our kids were quiet. I hate being the one person on the plane that ruins the trip for everyone else. We had the most kids in tow out of everyone on the flight, but it was the families that only had 1 child that threw the temper tantrums. Ironic.

All of the Japanese people oohed and ahhed over Luke, even business men in their fancy suits. Babies are hard to come by in Japan.

Many tears have been shed over the past few days, but now that we are in Hawaii, it's time to relax and enjoy our vacation. Oh how we LOVE Hawaii. It's now Thursday morning (again), thanks to the magic of time travel and the International dateline.

What a day!

I'm using this post to grip and complain about my day. This was the most recent problem, Erin got gum in her hair. Normally the kids don't chew gum, but I bought some for the plane ride Thursday and the kids found it. Thank goodness I had peanut butter!

Here is our lovely view from the 3rd floor. You would think it would be nicer since we're on an island.

The base recently renovated the lodging for families here. It was closed for over a year and yet, they still failed to install an elevator. I know it's good exercise for me, but this is NOT fun taking a 2 year old, a 3 month old, groceries, and a stroller up and down all by myself. We are on the top floor!

They also failed to put in new refrigerators. Yes, that is rust around the freezer. There are also water drops in the freezer. I have to keep the milk in the freezer to keep it cold enough. The fridge is worse than an ice chest.

This morning when I did laundry, I did not see the purple crayon that Howie left in his pants. There was only one article of clothing that did not get marked up. I used my stain stick liberally and I bought some bleach (notice it in the first picture) and I saved the clothes! Thank goodness!!

Last but not least, Howard was in a car accident today! It wasn't his fault, but it's still a hassle. He's okay, no one got hurt at least. Thank goodness there were witnesses, because the lady that hit him would not take responsibility. Once everything was all said and done and the police report was filed, Howard was cleared of any fault.

I hope tomorrow is a better day!

Friday Night

Here are a few pictures from the Kadena Marina. I'm really going to miss this place, it's awesome! This was Friday night at the restaurant on the patio.

Busy Busy Busy

The past few days have been very busy for us. We've said some good-byes, cleaned our house, and visited a few fun places. Saturday night we went out to a bon fire on the beach. We had a wonderful time with some friends, I'm really going to miss this place. Lots of tears were shed this weekend as well. I had a nice Mother's day. Howard got me flowers on Friday, and I got some more from church. Sorry this post is so scatter brained, I'm in the library and I'm trying to keep Jack and Luke quiet. Very difficult! Other than being really really sad about leaving, I'm super excited to get on with life and move on to new adventures. I wish I could take all of my friends with me and the sun set on the beach as well. (And the Japanese parks, sushi, curry, free dental, cheap cars, etc...the list can go on and on!)

Moving Update

First things first...I just wanted to share with everyone that we SOLD OUR CAR!  And we got a fair price for it.  We were afraid that we were going to have to end up giving it away. We're SO relieved that we got our money's worth out of it.  Every little penny helps go towards the purchase of our van in the States.  Tomorrow the movers come again to take away the last little bit.  This will probably be my last post for a while.  I'm not sure how often I will have internet access in lodging, and blogging probably won't be high on my list. 

Right now we are in the middle of packing our suitcases.  My bedroom looks like it vomited clothes everywhere.  We're having to decide what to take and what the movers take.  I really want to pack light, but it seems like that is nearly impossible with 6 people.  Friday afternoon we move into lodging.  I'll have a housekeeper for the week, HEAVEN!  

Yesterday was my farewell luncheon.  When my good friend Verenda said goodbye, I just broke down in tears.  I've been so blessed to have been able to have known such wonderful women!  I've learned so much from all of them and will cherish their friendships forever!  It's so hard to say good-bye, especially since I don't think that I'll ever be able to return to Okinawa. It's not like we can just get in the car and take a road trip!  

I need to close, if Howard catches me blogging, I might get in trouble.  He's outside with all the kids keeping them out of my hair so I can pack.  

Dorothy

Jack and Luke had some pictures taken on May 1st.  I can't pick up the disc until Tuesday, but she emailed me this picture of Jack.  He had a fun time with that fish! We named her Dorothy (like from Elmo's World).

House

We just received an email today from Tinker AFB.  They offered us a 4 bedroom house!  It will be ready for us June 4th, a day BEFORE we get there. Howard and I are so excited.  They sent us the floor plans and it said 'renovated' on it and it is 1350 sq ft. We will have a separate living, dining, and family room.  All we currently have is an all-in-one room for everything.  We are so happy to be finally moving up from our 950 sq ft 3 bedroom home that we have been in for the past 4 years.  It is TOO small for our growing family.  We accepted the house, but nothing is final until we get there and sign the lease.  Hopefully it's not a dump, but I'm sure it will be better than what I am currently in!