Holly Jolly Ol' Times!

WOW!  I have not blogged in a while, not like I have followers or anything but I do it anyway!  SOOO, First thing, Halloween was fun, Madalyn's 2nd Birthday Party which was Owl themed was a hit and Holiday Crafting began back in November.  WHEW!  We have been busy busy!  Odyssey of The Mind is getting fun and I can not wait until competition in Palm Springs!!  Such creative minds!!  Pictures to post of all events since my last post. 

Just some pics I took of The kids on my side of the Family

 I took over 600 pictures and of course edited. These are just a few..

Summer in Mississippi

The kids and I went back home for the first time since Summer of 2009.  We had soo much fun visiting with Family and friends.  It was hot but I am here to tell you Mississippi-ans that the heat is nothing like Okinawa!  It was actually a nice brake for us!  Hot but ok!  Anyway, we got to visit with Lindsay, Tyler and Amy.  First we went to The Jim Hensen Museum in Leland.  All these years it was our first! 


Paige and I had not seen each other in about 9 years!!



Finally learned how to ride it!

First time at Jim Hensen Museum

 





She ate markers!



The move from Japan to Cali...

It sure has been a long time since I have blogged.  Moving from Japan was all but fun!  Our first flight was not that bad only 2 hours, however Madalyn would not stop acting up.  I also felt a huge headache coming on, so when we arrived in mainland I went for some meds but my husband took that small bag out of the carry on and put it with our checked luggage.  SOOOO, I was without meds for 2 days.  The looooong flight from Mainland Japan to LAX was miserable.  I was sick with a migraine and was running back and forth to the restroom.  I am sure people thought I was air sick.  haha!  I had to wait until we went through customs before I could get to my meds.  Madalyn was pretty good on that flight though most of the time she was asleep in Douglas' arms!  I was so happy to have all the flying behind us.  Our next step was to spend a few weeks with The Morales side of the family and of course house hunt.  NOT FUN!!!!!!! 

8.9 Japan Earthquake and Tsunami

Oh my it has been a very devastating weekend here in Japan.  Although we are located about 1200 miles away from where the devastation happened, we still had tsunami waves and warnings all weekend. 
Trystan and I were in JUSCO, which is a little bit of everything, guess you can say a mall with a grocery store.  When we were getting into the van the local sirens sounded and of course I had no clue what was being said, but I remembered that sound from last years Okinawa Quake (which is where we are located in Japan) and the tsunami warning that sounded then.  I really didn't think much of it because the base sirens did not sound until 45 minutes later.  I was told by a friend that we were under warning because of the quake and I had no idea there had been one due to no reception inside and it did not push to my phone as an alert. 
SO, we were palnning to go to Dolphin Park which is located on the Sunabi Sea Wall.  Had to catch my friend before she left but she was in the parking area!  Thank goodness!  Decided to run errands before lockdown and we arrived at one place as they were shutting down.  NOW, the locals were still doing things as normal!!!  SERIOUSLY!  We did NOT have waves over a meter but why chance it!  We had some friends and their little boys stay with us until mid morning Saturday.  I was so happy to be able to house them and provide a safe place!  Trystan really enjoyed Joe's breakfast too!  That was a treat! 
Trystan was also supposed to have encapment at Hansen for Young Marines and graduation Sunday afternoon.  Thankfully that was canceled due to unstable tsunami conditions.  They will graduate next weekend.  Michelle ordered a cake for our kids and we ate it today.  was a nice cake and tasted good!! 
Well, facebook is constantly flooded with family and friends concerned about how we are doing and we are FINE!  We are so greatful for your concern and we ask that you pray and continue to pray for all of those devastated in mainland Japan and US coastlines to include Hawaii as well. 

Okinawa is located where the blue arrow points

The Cammo Cake for Trystan, Lilly and Gabriel

Trystan, Lilly Mikey and Gabriel
Soon to be Young Marines!!!

Whale Watching

It's been a while since I have posted.  We went whale watching last week and it was so AMAZING!!  It's so wonderful to see God's creatures in their own environment and not behind acage or a pool!  We got SOAKED and rocked with the waves but gosh, it was fun!  Finally, Trystan and I got some quality time together!  I have all of the photos on FACEBOOK-- https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1617703087-- under Whale Watching.  KRISTIN!!~~ Not sure how you spell your name!  This link is for you! 
I will blog more later.  Too busy right now!
Oh and None of us got sick!  Just a little boy.  Poor thing!

Before

A Whale Tail

Trystan and Elijiah
SOAKED!!



After!!
Me, Trystan, Elijiah
and The Destiny Crew



One month down, 3 to go

Douglas has been at TBS for a month now.  So far we are doing!  It's been nuts here around the house.  Trystan is doing so great in Young Marines bootcamp.  He graduates in 3 weeks and I am so proud of him!  He is learning a lot about Macine Corps History, drill, instrucion, respect and discipline.  We have been trying to go whale watching, humpback whales but the first attempt the water conditions were too dangerous and last weekend I was VERY VERY sick.  Trystan caught a Japanese bug from school and shared it with Madalyn and I as well.  Thank goodness it's over.  I got the worst of it.  WHEW!  I would have much rather been in labor than go through that again.  SERIOUSLY!  I still don't have an appetite for much other than coka-cola and ice water.  I did manage to eat some chex mix today. 
We have had more than a few Earthquakes in the past month.  Just 1 year ago this week we had a 7.3 magnitude quake and tsunami warning from Chili's big quake all in the same day.  Gosh, I hope these 5.-ers do not get any stronger.  I am mentally prepared for another big one, i think. 
I will post some new pics later.  Need to leave and get Trystan from school. 

Countdown to our return to the states!!!

Well, we watched Douglas fly off to Virginia, TBS, the other day and now the kids and I are here with the earthquakes again!!  Last night we had a small bit of shaking going on and whew, hopefully not another huge quake like a year ago.  NOT FUN!! 
Anyway, we will be headed back to Cali this summer.  although, not the East coast closer to my family, we will be right there with Douglas' family.  I am so happy that the kids will finally get to know his side as well. 
I started a fun jar for the item sold at flea marketing and OYS so that the kids and I can use that money to explore Okinawa.  First up..... HUMPBACK WHALE WATHING!!!!!!  Oh we are so excited!  I just may HUGE mamals!!  HAHAHA!  just some nausea meds should be fine! 
Kids are growing way too fast. 
About Douglas, I am so proud of him.  He has worked so hard to earn his next rank, Warrant Officer!  I wish we could be there to see him pin on and graduate but it would cost us $7000!!  I will be ok if someone took some pics for me and maybe record the ceremony.