Field Trip

Yesterday Emma’s class went to John’s Incredible Pizza. It’s like a bigger Chuck E Cheese with a buffet and small rides. I got to go along! I didn’t think she would like the rides, but she did. We also went to Awana, so it was a long day. 

Driving a school bus



Hammerhead shark game

Mini teacup ride


I did not think she would like this, but all her friends went on it, so she just kind of did what they did...squeal. 






We had our last picnic in the car at Awana. She was kind of grumpy...I told her she had to eat her dinner to get her toy.

Apparently there was a tornado or two by base yesterday...while we were at Awana. 😭  I missed it.

Needed break

The movers finished everything on Thursday. I was exhausted from the week, and it seemed to hit me Thursday when I walked through the empty house. Now we had to live here for two weeks with no stuff. I asked my friend Bridget to borrow an air mattress and when I went to pick it up, she had a whole pile of things ready for me: 2 air mattresses, sheets, blankets, pots and pans, plates and bowls, table and chairs. I was so grateful for her generosity, especially in my exhausted state. We loaded it all in the van and set up house for the next two weeks. Then while Skyping, Emma fell asleep...at 5:30. She had told me she didn’t want to go to dance class. And I don’t know how, but over Skype Grandma Connie noticed that Emma’s eyes looked like she might have a fever, which she did. So she had to stay home from the school and she missed all the St. Patrick’s Day stuff they did, but we got some pictures. 

Friday was hard. I was tired and cranky. We ended up just watching a lot of Netflix, and we colored...only for Emma to fall asleep again in the middle of the afternoon. Her fever had gone down to 99, so I didn’t think much of it. She acted fairly normal. 

Saturday we started to not be so tired, and she seemed better, so we went to the library to get books, and the commissary for food. Ms. Holly invited Emma over to decorate cake balls, but after sword fighting with Chaplain Tangen, she grabbed her coat and asked to go. I had noticed while we were there she felt warm again, and when we got home I took her temperature: 102. So we had another afternoon of Netflix and naps. Today we stayed home from church, and had “home church.” We also colored, played Candy Land (from Bridget), painted nails, went to the park, pulled some weeds, Skyped and watched more Netflix. We feel much more rested. She had no fever today, so she goes back to school tomorrow. I still don’t have a clue what was wrong with her, but we definitely needed a restful weekend.

Emma finally made the 100 club!

We have actually had a thunderstorm or two! This one went north of us.

We had two moving companies doing two differnt shipments on Thursday...it was busy...they were all done by 1:30ish. 

Empty house.

Emma went to Lily and Reagan’s on Tuesday and Thursday after school. They have a balance beam in their garage.

Random afternoon nap: Thursday.

Silly kid found daddy’s hat.

Friday

These pictures are from my friend Andria, Siri and Eleia’s mom. She took pictures for Emma to see what the leprechaun did.

He made a mess.

Dressing up Daddy Bear.

Helping Ms. Holly.

All done!

Such a little chef

Sword fighting with Chaplain Tangen, whom she remained Taylor? 

Then she came home and did this. 

Home church this morning. She set up chairs and was handing out bulletins.

My bulletin. ❤️

She led the singing. This was her doing announcements...which also resembled handing out awards at Awana or school.

Moving Day 1

The movers came today and packed the downstairs. Tomorrow they do the upstairs, and also the unaccompanied baggage. Packing is boring. I just sit there and watch them. I had my friend pick up a tray of subs from subway, and she stayed to hang out until she had to pick up the girls from school. It was nice to chat and hang out and not just sit. 

Lots o boxes

We didn’t know they weren’t packing everything today, so we got the whole house ready. It would have been nice to know so I didn’t have to pack everything and remake the bed. Oh well. 

Pretending to be Rapunzel climbing her tower with her hair. What else do you do when your toys are in boxes?

Getting ready for the movers

We have been working our tails off to get ready for the movers. Steven has arranged everything we  need from Korea: movers, TLFs, legal documents so I can sign out of everything, and our tickets. I have been doing a lot of work at home while Emma is at school. We have sorted and labeled things for a household goods shipment (our big one to Japan), unaccompanied baggage (500 lb quick shipment to Japan), storage, stuff we are packing in suitcases, and random stuff we will need before we leave. We tried to do a lot this weekend, but it was hard to do too much...she is a good helper, but she also like to play...which is normally fine, but I had to sort every into piles and we can’t touch them. Today she went to Riley’s house after school so I could finish packing. I think we are ready for the movers to come tomorrow. I am glad today is over, and I will be even more glad when all of our stuff is gone. Then it will be on to the next item on the list: selling the van.

She made herself a snack on Saturday.

We took down the curtains and the curtain rods on Saturday. 

We went mini golfing with Riley and Liam on Sunday. thankfully the last few days were very nice out. The next few weeks are going to be cold and rainy.

In front of the ‘Ninjago’ house. 

The tape measures were very exciting. As was the ladder, which is green, Daddy’s favorite color!

This kid. How many times have I told her not to bring rocks home from school? I have taken lots back already, this is just what I found while cleaning and packing. She fills her pockets.

We made lots of muffins this morning...trying to use up pantry ingredients...and have some food after they take all our stuff. Emma enjoying ‘having’ to eat hot lunch and I may have even bought some breakfast cereal...not that we will need it after all these muffins! 

Packing cubes are great! You can’t see them here, but under all the stuff I piled on top, are very organized suitcases. I’m just glad we got everything in and we don’t need any extra luggage. And it is much easier to get stuff out when we need it...instead of making a mess trying to find something or having to pull everything out for one thing. 

Reni Rally

Today was Emma’s last Reni Rally...their awards assembly. It’s very loud. A few kids get recognized for certain things, then all the kids run around and give the parents high fives while they play loud music. 

They were supposed to wear their blue Dr. Seuss shirts, but apparently Emma’s was dirty. I thought it was clean, or I would have washed it. She wore last years shirt. 

Pretty Beale sunset.

Last month at Beale

It seems strange to think we have less than a month left at Beale. This is the only place Emma remembers. I have said for years that wherever you live, there will always be things you like and things you don’t. As I was putting the trash out this evening I stopped to look at the view. This is definitely something we loved here, and will miss when we move. 

Busy days and nights

The ball is rolling! The movers are scheduled for next week. Our tickets have been arranged. We leave April 2. Steven will get there April 26. I have been busy getting everything ready at home while Emma is at school. During the evenings we have been working on a school project: the leprechaun trap. It was fun. A nice break from everything else. LOTS of glitter. And a happy girl. Some friends stopped by in the evening to pick something up, but the little visits from friends seem to make our evenings go much smoother. I’m not saying we are lonely, but i have definitely noticed how even a few minutes of Emma having someone else to play with, read to her, or talk with her have made such a difference in her behavior. Pray for her a lot in the next few weeks. I’m going to be very busy with moving stuff, and I can tell it is already upsetting her in ways she doesn’t even know. Moving is hard. Moving overseas is a different animal. Moving overseas without Daddy means we walk by faith that God will provide everything we need for each day: sleep, friends, food, help, patience, distractions....and we don’t worry about tomorrow. His mercies are new every morning.

We went for a bike ride Sunday afternoon. We didn’t stop to see anyone because I was afraid they were napping. But Ms. Holly stopped by on her bike ride later! Emma was very glad she did.

So I made the mistake of telling Emma there won’t be chick fil a in Japan. Gasp! She was very upset. So last night I took her to Chili’s. They have one on base in Japan. Not sure if it helped her, but it was nice to not have to cook. 

My dinner buddy. 

I paid $5 for this puzzle at JBF. I assumed it had all the pieces. Obviously it doesn’t. But we finished it anyway. Ms. Holly stopped by yesterday on her bike ride and helped us with a few parts.

She got an otter book and baby otter from the book order. Did you know baby otters are so fluffy they can’t sink or swim under water!?

Making a leprechaun trap. Girl loves to paint. I have never really let her. But it was fun, so maybe we will do it more. 

All done!

We painter her name in glitter. There is a ladder. And a gold road, leading to our trap hole.

She wanted a rainbow kitty. We did it in glitter. Pretty sure no one else will have one of those!