My Family

My Family

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Newsletter

Dear Friends and Family,

We have not done this in a few years, so we decided to catch you up on our life since moving to Japan in 2013 …we’re still here.  We have experienced typhoons, earthquakes, Japanese food (which is NOTHING like American Japanese food), the Korean black market, the biggest city in the world, busiest train station in the world and been in and seen some of the craziest festivals you could ever imagine!  We have conquered Mount Fuji, been skiing, seen Japanese baseball (Mashiro Tanaka) and been closer than felt comfortable to North Korea.  Been to Tokyo Disney, Disney Sea, the Hirosaki Castle during the cherry blossom festival, been to the Sea of Japan and the very Northern tip of mainland Japan.  We have seen the great Panda’s, been to the largest temple in Tokyo, rode the bullet train to Tokyo, took selfies in the middle of Shibuya crossing (the busiest intersection in the world), ate Japanese cuisine at the famous Ninja Restaurant in downtown Tokyo and been to the top of Tokyo Sky Tree and Tokyo Tower.

Kiley is 12 ½ years old, doesn’t seem possible we almost have a teenager.  She started out practicing with a Japanese gymnastics team when we first arrived and after about seven months made the team.  Each year she competes in four gymnastics meets in Hachinohe and Hirosaki, two cities in our prefecture.  In the spring of 2015 she qualified for the All Japan Gymnastics meet and competed at level 6 in Tokyo … she placed 38th overall and last year she placed 6th over all in Aomori prefecture (Northern Japan).  We were very proud of her to say the least.  Kiley trained with the #1 junior male gymnast in Japan who went to Austria and won the world championships.  We will see him in the Olympics in 2020.  There are a few new American families that participate in gymnastics, so carpooling has been a HUGE relief!  Kiley is also doing ballet on base.  Her last ballet recital is in March and she’ll be doing a regular ballet dance and a dance on Pointe’.  She is also doing well in school.  She just won her class spelling Bee and will compete against the 6th grade in a few weeks.  If she wins she will get the opportunity to compete in Tokyo this spring.

Brendan will be 10 years old in June, how time flies.  He started playing on a Japanese ice hockey team about 2 ½ years ago and hasn’t slowed down since.  Last year he moved up to the B team and started playing in tournaments in Hachinohe and Misawa.  In November his team got the opportunity to train with some of the best players in Hokkaido, the island north of us, in Tomakomai City. Brendan and Korry took the overnight ferry to Hokkaido, Brendan’s first boat trip out to sea.  He had a great time and learned so much. In his last tournament, Brendan’s team beat the best team in Hachinohe but unfortunately lost in the finals 2 to 0.  It looked like they spent all their energy the day before.  Brendan also plays outdoor soccer during the spring, baseball during the summer and just started playing indoor soccer this January.  He is the youngest on the outdoor soccer team, but hopefully that will push him a little harder to keep up.  He is also doing great in school.  He also won the class spelling bee and will compete against the 3rd grade in a few weeks. 

Bailey is turning 7 in April and is always busy doing something.  Bailey ran in his first race when he was 4 against 5 -7 year olds, he ran 2 miles and got second place. He was the first to the top of Mount Fuji when he was 5, he never wants to be second at anything he does.  He watched on the sidelines while Brendan played hockey and would skate every once in a while, but couldn’t officially start until he turned 5.  So, as soon as he turned 5 he was out there with the big boys!  He has now been playing for a little over a year and a half.  He is the most competitive kid I have ever seen!  I Love it. ;o) He also plays outdoor soccer in the spring and baseball during the summer.  He is very bummed he isn’t old enough to play indoor soccer with Brendan, but I am sure he will find other things to keep himself busy.  Bailey is doing great in first grade.  He loves his teacher and has lots of friends (mostly girls).  So in a nutshell our kids are busy!  ;o) 

Brittany started a photography business when we arrived and is still shooting family photos, but took a step back and started concentrating on school.  She went back to finish her Elementary Education degree and is taking between 12-16 hours a semester, it has kept her very busy.  She is also substituting at the kid’s school to gain experience and some extra money, which is always nice. 

Korry worked as the Chief of Public Affairs in Misawa for the first 2 years and then was asked to be the Wing Commander’s Executive Officer last March.  He has been doing that for nearly a year now and has really enjoyed both jobs but is ready for the next adventure. He made Major in January and will pin on later this year.

Which leads us to our next big announcement!!!  WE ARE FINALLY MOVING!!!  We are beyond ecstatic to be moving back to the United States and to be back closer to our families.  We will be moving in June to Scott Air Force Base in Belleville, Illinois just outside of St. Louis.  We will be making the rounds to visit family and friends, we will let you know where we will be stopping and if you would like to meet us at any of our stops you are more than welcome to let us know and we can try to plan something.  OR when we get settled into our next house come and visit, we’ll plan some fun activities!  It’s been a long 3 years and 4 months since we have been home so we can’t wait!  Please keep us in your prayers and hope to see you soon! 
God Bless!

Love,
Korry, Brittany, Kiley, Brendan & Bailey


Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Unnamed Heroes By: Korry Leverett

I came across this amazing story my amazing husband wrote back in 2009 on his deployment in Iraq.  His words still move me today!  

Unnamed Heroes
By 1st Lt. Korry Leverett
407th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs

Recently I made the journey from Malmstrom AFB in Great Falls, Mont., to Ali Base, Iraq.  It was a lengthy process to say the least but upon arrival I became privy to all the amazing things Airmen are doing in the 120 degree heat, day and night.  As impressed as I was, and still am, I was swiftly reminded of the serious nature of the business we are in and the toll it takes on the men and women who sacrifice so much for our nation.

As evening approached and moonlight filled the sky at Ali Base, Iraq, 20 or so Airmen and Soldiers gathered at the tail end of a C-130 Hercules to pay their respects to three soldiers who had been killed the night before.  It was one of the most gut wrenching events of our short lives but we knew it had to be done.  Lining both sides of the aircraft in preparation for the transfer my heart raced.  The mood was somber and silence filled the night sky.  I didn’t know what to expect of myself and even more importantly I did not know what to expect of two of my young Airmen that were there with me.

“I need you two now,” said Chief Master Sgt. Gerald Delebreau, superintendent for the 407th Air Expeditionary Group at Ali Base, Iraq.  He was looking straight at my Airmen and requesting their immediate assistance with the transfer.  I could see they were a little surprised but they did not hesitate.  They had just been asked to assist in the transfer of a fallen comrade … no questions asked, they were there to support.

As the vehicle backed up to the procession and the transfer team began to unload the flag draped caskets our detail was called to attention and the order to present arms was given.  We stood eye to eye at attention, saluting as the team passed in front of us three times.  We were doing everything we could to pay the proper respect to those who paid the ultimate price.

As the procession ended and the detail was dismissed I could see out of the corner of my eye a large group of Airmen, many of whom worked on the flightline, off in the distance standing at attention.  I was moved by their presence … they had made every effort to cease operations for even just a moment in time to pay their respect.

As we drove back to our CHU (compartmentalized housing unit) late that evening neither my Airmen nor I could say a word.  I could tell they were deeply moved by the event and found out the next morning that neither slept well that evening.

We had no idea who the fallen soldiers were we just knew that we had to take a moment in time to honor those who sacrificed so much.  Though they were nameless to us they will live forever in our minds as American heroes.

Saturday, January 18, 2014

Photo book from 2013

I have always ordered my photo books from Apple or York Photo, so I received a coupon in the mail for a free photo book from shutterfly…so who turns down free photo book!?  Certainly not me!  Well I'm hoping it comes quickly and I love it, but here is the digital version!  :)




Click here to view this photo book larger
You'll love Shutterfly's award-winning photo books. Try it today.

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Our Yearly Letter

Dear Family & Friends,
This has been a pretty eventful year for this Leverett clan!  First new thing is our new address in Misawa, Japan.  We received our orders the end of last December and arrived at our new home middle of February.  It’s been pretty crazy, but we’re getting settled in slowly!   We had our first big trip over Memorial Day and went to Tokyo for the weekend.  We saw the Emperial Palace, went up the Tokyo Tower and spent a day at Tokyo Disney.  It was a lot of fun, but extremely expensive!  So our trips will probably be few and far between.
Kiley started the 4th grade this year and is loving school.  She had one B+ in math and the rest A’s on her report card this semester.  She has been doing gymnastics about 45 minutes away for 10 hours a week in a town named Hachinohe with all Japanese students since we arrived here.  She is the only American that attends there and is loving it.  They don’t speak any English, but Kiley is slowly learning some Japanese.  She was recently asked to join their Japanese gymnastics team, so we will be plenty busy with that.  Kiley is also in Ballet with some of her friends here on base and she was given the first solo in the recital that they’re getting ready for in June.  She is very excited for our trip to climb Mount Fuji coming up in July.
Brendan started 1st grade this year and is doing great!  He is in an exceptional reading program and accelerated math club.  He loves school!  Brendan is playing Hockey on a Japanese team off base.  He practices 6 hours a week, the Japanese take their sports very seriously, and he loves every minute of it!  He played in his first hockey tournament last weekend and did great!  He is also playing basketball on base with his best friend and really enjoys that too! 
Bailey is still home with Brittany during the day and doing pre-school there.  He is very excited and ready to start Kindergarten, but we’re not quite ready for that.  Bailey played t-ball over the summer and is playing basketball now.  He is quite the athlete!  He ran in his first race, a color run, here on base a few months ago, 1.8 miles, and came in 2nd.  He wasn’t old enough to run, so we just put him with the 5 & 6 year olds.  He never stopped!  He had a blast!  He wants to start playing hockey, but they like them to be 5, so he will probably start next fall.  He wants to be a goalie like Korry!
Brittany is staying busy with Bailey at home and helping in the kids classrooms at school.  She started her own Photography business back in October and has been very busy with that the last few months.  She will be starting back to college the 1st of January to finish her Elementary Education degree.
Korry is staying very busy with Public Affairs here and will be heading back to the United states for 6 weeks in January to attend school for the Air Force in Maryland.  He was 1 of 7 chosen out of the entire Air Force to attend this school.  So we are very proud of him.  He is also playing on an adult hockey team here in Misawa, they play about once a month and he is loving every minute of it. 
We love and miss you all very much!  Please keep us and our journey in your prayers!  It’s a blessing to be able to see the World, but difficult to be so far away from the ones we love!  We hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!


Love,  Korry, Brittany, Kiley, Brendan & Bailey

Monday, April 22, 2013

Bailey's Mario Brother's 4th Birthday Party

I can not believe my baby boy is 4 years old already!  Wow how the time flies after you have children! He decided he wanted a Mario Brother's Bowling Party.  It was a lot of fun!  He had a blast...so Success!  Here are some pictures from the fun!  :)













































When I Get Where I'm Going

Have you ever heard a song that just touches you? I bought this song on Brad Paisley's album when it first came out (probably over a year ago) and I've never really heard it. But a few days after my Dad passed away this song came on my iPod when I was driving and it gave me peace, made me cry my eyes out and made my heart just ache. It's such a Beautiful song. You don't hear too many songs like this one too often these days. The words are Beautiful!



When I get where I'm going
On the far side of the sky
The first thing that I'm gonna do
Is spread my wings and fly

I'm gonna land beside a lion
And run my fingers through his mane
Or I might find out what it's like
To ride a drop of rain

[Chorus]
Yeah when I get where I'm going
There'll be only happy tears
I will shed the sins and struggles
I have carried all these years
And I'll leave my heart wide open
I will love and have no fear
Yeah when I get where I'm going
Don't cry for me down here

I'm gonna walk with my grand daddy
And he'll match me step for step
And I'll tell him how I missed him
Every minute since he left
Then I'll hug his neck

[Repeat chorus]

So much pain and so much darkness
In this world we stumble through
All these questions I can't answer
So much work to do

But when I get where I'm going
And I see my maker's face
I'll stand forever in the light 
Of his amazing grace
Yeah when I get where I'm going
There'll be only happy tears
Hallelujah
I will love and have no fear
When I get where I'm going
Yeah when I get where I'm going

I know music isn't everyones thing, but I love listening to the words of songs.  This song just made me so glad that my parents instilled in me Christian values and ever though mistakes are made and wrong decisions are made there is forgiveness and there is a God and there is a heaven and that "should" give us all HOPE in this unGodly world we live in.  I truly can not imagine how someone who doesn't believe feels when someone they love dies.  Because the only hope I can grasp when those hard days come is that someday I will see them again...