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...

Culture Shock

SO a lot has gone on since I last wrote on here. So here we go: We found out after Thanksgiving that we would be moving to Misawa Japan in February. So we went on our crazy Christmas around the USA and saw all our family & Friends! It was a lot of fun and great to get to see everyone! We got Back the 2nd of January and and they came to pick up our stuff on the 7th. It was insanity! They send 3 groups of people and normally they come on 3 different days. One for storage (because your house is tiny and wont fit all your stuff), one 600 lb. load that will fly to Japan and get there in 4-6 weeks, and the third is the majority of your belongings that will go by boat and get to your destination in 2-6 months...BUT all three groups came the same day. It was a crazy few days, but in the end everything was gone and we were hopeful it would all make it there in one piece, lol...After they picked up our stuff we had 2 weeks to paint the entire inside of our house and baseboards, and clean everything before our renters were moving in. So we had some Amazing friends who came over and spent many a nights helping us paint and clean! Without them it would have never gotten done!!! We were fortunate enough to have some great friends we lived with the last 3 weeks we were in Alabama! It was so fun, but a bitter sweet! I miss them more than I can ever describe! We left Alabama the 2nd of February and headed Louisiana to see Kelly, Lacey & the boys for a couple of days and then headed to San Antonio to drop off Kiley's Rabbit Chloe to live at her Grandparents neighbors farm and to see Korry's parents, lol. We then headed to Dallas where we spent a few days at the Great Wolf Lodge with my sister and her family. It was great to get some time with them and not have to worry about anything! I am SO glad they got to come and see us before we left. We stayed in Dallas for the week and ran crazy errands trying to get everything done before we had to leave. We got to spend some time with my Mom & Tom and Korry Grandparents. I was so excited that my Grandparents made the trip to Dallas to see us before we left to! We were able to see a lot of family & friends before we left! It was great!!! We left Saturday morning the 16th heading to Seattle and then jumped on a plane to Japan that Sunday. We were so tired we got here checked into our hotel and had no jetlag...because we all slept for about 17 hours straight...Exhausting trip...BUT we were so glad not to be jet lagged, lol. Most of you know already, but a few weeks after we got here we found out my Dad had been taken to the hospital and passed away a few days later. I was not able to come home. This was the hardest situation. I am so thankful my brother is stationed right there, so he was able to be with him. I wish I was closer and could have been able to see him, but I know he is in Heaven with Bama (his Mom) and he is no longer in any pain. I can't even describe the loss you feel when something like this happens. The feelings of hopelessness and not being able to function sneak up on you in the craziest times and situations. I feel like the world is just passing by and I'm standing still. Everyone handles things differently and I've surprised myself in how I choose to handle this. I am sure in time it will get easier, but it's a day by day sometimes hour by hour process. I keep holding on to the memories I have! We got into a house shortly after we arrived here. It's not as bad as I thought it would be, so thats good, lol. No garage which was hard as we often get 12 inches of snow overnight apparently, lol. And during the summer we do not have AC here, so it gets very hot and humid...so we will have to find other ways of staying cool...We will be in the water a lot this summer I'm sure! :) Korry started his job and has quickly jumped in! Of course is doing a great job, as he always does! (Gotta Brag on him a little ;) Kiley is now enrolled in a Japanese, No English speaking, Gymnastics team. They're Amazing! She practices 3 times a week, about 9 hours a week. In Hachinohe, about 45 minutes away from where we live. She is learning fast that this is a WHOLE new playing field! She LOVES it though! It is really challenging her! We had parent teacher conferences last week and she is catching on to the new school. It was a little tougher this time around, but she has caught up, which I am relieved with! Kiley is also signed up to play baseball this summer...so I'm pretty sure this summer is going to be insane with all 3 in baseball and Kiley also doing gymnastics...Ahhh...the life with 3 active kids! Gotta love it... ;o) Brendan will start baseball in about 5-6 weeks. He is thrilled! He has been practicing and getting better and better! So I'm excited for him to get into something as well. We also had his parent teacher conference and he is doing Great! He LOVES school! He is exited in he mornings which is Great! He is the top of his class in reading and math. He is reading at a 2nd grade level. SO his teacher might recommend some gifted classes next year to challenge him more. So we shall see. Right now we're working on his hand writing...so he needs some pen pals...(hint, hint). ;) Bailey is Bailey. He is home with me and keeps me on my toes and laughing everyday! He is so different from the other 2 it's insane! Some of the things that come out of his mouth just shock me sometimes! He turned 4 today (I can't believe it) and had a bowling Mario Brothers Birthday party yesterday! It was a lot of fun! He will also be playing baseball this summer. He is SO excited to finally be able to play baseball on his OWN team! It'll be cute!!! As for me I have been busy trying to get things settled here and get everyone where they're supposed to be. I'm adjusting to Japan and getting out there, but I'm not gonna lie there have been times where I have Major Culture Shock! The language barrier is very overwhelming, but I'm sure in time I will learn more and more of what they're saying...or just get better at charades! ;o) We all got to go to a Japanese baseball game last weekend and it was fun. Different...but fun, lol. We are heading down to Tokyo for Memorial Day weekend. So that will be interesting...we're planning on going to Tokyo DIsney for a day, Tokyo Tower and sightseeing the other. We're taking the bullet train, so the kids are thrilled about that. a 4 hour trip instead of the 12 hour driving trip! :o) I'M excited about that! Driving around here is a joke! Anyway...I hope you all have a great weekend! We miss everyone very much! We Love You! :)

Jesus is the Light in this Darkness...

So this morning I had Anxiety dropping my Daughter Kiley (3rd Grade) and my son Brendan (Kindergarden) off at school. I know they're safe and they love school, but after the evil this Country, this World witnessed last Friday it makes me want to shelter them and keep them home with me and know they're safe each and every day...but this idea is unrealistic. So I did all I could do! Gave them the BIGGEST hug told them I Loved them and dropped them off at their schools. My Stomach in knots, a frog in my throat as I waved goodbye. All the way home I just prayed for Angels, TONS of them! In my visions they had swords, lol...Protection to all those innocent children having Christmas parties and looking forward to their vacations and writing their letters to Santa. The best protection possible is from Jesus and his many Angels! I kept thinking about those parents, grandparents, siblings that will never get that chance again! The chance to hug them, enjoy Christmas, ENjoy the night before CHristmas awaiting Santa, reading the Christmas story, the Birth of Jesus...So incredibly hard for those left here on this Earth...But I also keep thinking about the Absolute bliss that those babies are experiencing! THey are in Heaven! THey are with Jesus!!! What a perfect way to spend Christmas than with Jesus and the Angels! But the utter loss that those here are feeling is unimaginable to me! I can not Fathom it...I feel sick and sad and Im an outsider! So my Thoughts & Prayers, this Country thoughts & Prayers are with those that are left behind! I read these amazing words from someone who can say it a lot better than I can... Twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38, When 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate. Their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air. They could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there. They were filled with such joy, they didn't know what to say. They remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day. "Where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse. "This is heaven." declared a small boy. "We're spending Christmas at God's house." When what to their wondering eyes did appear, But Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near. He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same. Then He opened His arms and He called them by name, And in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring. Those children all flew into the arms of their King, And as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace, One small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face. And as if He could read all the questions she had, He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of Mom and Dad." Then He looked down on earth, the world far below, He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe. Then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand, "Let My power and presence re-enter this land!" "May this country be delivered from the hands of fools." "I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!" Then He and the children stood up without a sound. "Come now my children, let me show you around." Excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran. All displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can. And I heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight, "In the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."

Hug your CHildren, hold them tight! Pray for others that don't get that chance...

Kiley's 2nd Gymnastics Meet

Kiley had her second Gymnastics meet a few weeks ago. We had so much fun watching her and she had a Blast Competing! She did Awesome! She took 2nd Overall! We are very proud of her. She has her State meet the weekend after Thanksgiving. My Mom is coming for Thanksgiving tomorrow and will be able to stay and see her Competition for State, so Kiley is Very excited! Here are some pictures of her last Competition. I hope all is well and you all have a Wonderful & Blessed Thanksgiving!

Prayers Please...

So I was waiting to post anything about where we think we will be moving, but I need prayers! We got orders to Misawa Japan for February of next year...GREAT...Right!? Yes and No...There is an internship Korry was told to apply for that was supposed to tell us and everyone else who the person picked was, where they were going and when they would be moving...AND they haven't told anyone yet, so we're in Limbo...Which wouldn't be a huge deal EXCEPT we're supposed to be moving to JAPAN in 2 and 1/2 Months!!!!! I am beyond stressed! We have a house that has to be rented out while we're gone. We have to sell one car and ship the other and TONS and TONS of paperwork to get done. Our van and our first load of stuff has to be shipped the first of January if we're going...So anyway, there is a lot going in right now and TONS of questions and concerns and I am trying my very best to just put it in Gods hands...this is a test...I can feel it, lol! ;o) So please pray for guidance and strength and patience and answers in "His" time...which is hopefully before we ship our stuff in January...Thank you all for your prayers! They are much appreciated right now! Much Love!!! :o)