Pinewood Derby

This weekend Jude participated in his first pinewood derby race.  This is one of the highlights of the year for all Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts.  Actually, it's a huge deal!  Like, boys and dads go nuts over this kind of crap, getting all competitive and spending weeks to create the perfect car.

Husband and Jude had great time working together, but, unfortunately, Jude's car didn't place.  But, in the end, Jude and Husband spent countless hours working together, doing manly things as a team...and that's what it's all about.

So, good job boys!  Maybe next year!

Duet

We were bored last night, so we decided to do our favorite thing: sing karaoke.  With our days numbered here, we are indulging in everything we enjoy. And nothing makes me happier than to hear Husband and Jude sing a duet.  I love it!

A year later, 3/11/12

Wow, I can't believe it's been a year since Japan experienced one of the world's worst natural disasters.  The time has flown by, but for me, 3/11/11 seems like yesterday.

Today will be a somber day with sirens blaring at 2:46 PM.  The sirens are expected to last for several minutes, and during that time we will take a few minutes to pray for all of those who died, suffered and are still suffering because of the earthquake and tsunami.

There are certain days in your life that you will never forget, like September 11th. For me, March 11th is one of those days.  No matter how hard I try to forget the fear, anxiousness, and sadness that grabbed hold of me on that day, I cannot.

The events of March 11th were unimaginable, and I was here to witness them firsthand.  On that day, I experience the worst moment of my entire life.  It happened when Jude and I were hiding under our dining room table, watching as things were shaking and falling, listening to the horrible sound of our apartment building contort and flex, being jerked around by the force of the earthquake.  Jude was crying hysterically and asked me, "Mommy, are we going to die?"  At that moment, I didn't know the answer to his question.  I had no idea what was going to happen.  At that moment, my heart sunk.  A 6 year old child should never, ever have to utter those words.  Never!  And to hear MY sweet, helpless baby ask me if we were going to die, shot a jolt through me.  I decided we weren't going to stay in our building to see what was going to happen.  I decided we were going take our chances and run out.  We were going to be active participants in whatever was going to happen next.  We weren't going to sit there under the table and wait.  No!  We were going to run and get out.  And that's just what we did.

Once we were out and safe, nothing else mattered.  I was safe and my baby was safe.  I spent the rest of that miserable day outside, too scared to go back inside, wanting to protect my baby boy from all that could harm him.  I refused to spend the night in my apartment building.  I was too scared to go back, so we spent the next several nights at a friend's house, where I felt safer.

Ten days later, under Husband's order, Jude and I evacuated back to the States-- not knowing if or when we would be able to return or see Husband again.

March 11th and the month that followed sucked!  The uncertainty of the situation was the worst part.

However, I know March 11th sucked a lot worse for my Japanese students, friends and co-workers.  Yet, they handled it with honor, patience, pride and resiliency.  I saw the sorrow in their eyes, and today, it still lingers for some.

So, today on March 11, 2012, I think about that dreadful day a year ago, and I'm overcome with sadness for my gracious host nation and all of those in it.  

I would do it all again

This picture was taken a couple of years ago, before I chopped off my hair. 

Husband and I will be celebrating our 9 year wedding anniversary on Friday.  We were married on President's Day, 2003.  

Our relationship has had its ups and downs.  It hasn't all been roses and chocolate and sweet tender kisses and hot hotel sex.  Like most couples, we've had our moments where things were less than perfect.  But through it all, we've managed to stay true to one another.  And after those less than perfect moments, we were lucky enough to find each other on the other side, where we could fall in love all over again.

And if Husband asked me to marry him again, I would-- not just for the perfect moments, but for the un-perfect moments, too.

So, Happy Anniversary, Leo!  I love you with all of me--not just now but forever!

Happy Valentine's Day

Since I live in the future, I already had a great Valentine's day with my family!  I started the day by volunteering at Jude's school.  His class had a Valentine's day party, and I helped out.  Then, for dinner we ate sushi.  Yum!  After that, Husband and I curled up on the couch together and watched a cheesy girly flick.

And Husband surprised me with an AWESOME Valentine's day gift:  Breaking Dawn Part 1 on Blu-ray!  Yes, my husband LOVES me!  I loved how Husband wrapped the gift in Christmas wrapping paper!

So, I hope you have a great day and spend it with those you love most!

Moving

It's officially unofficial that we will be moving to Georgia this summer.  We haven't gotten all the paperwork, yet, but Husband is expected to be at his new job by August 22nd.  And since Jude's school starts on August 1st, we hope to be there and settled before school starts. We hope to leave Japan the first week of July or so.

Keep in mind, these dates could change.

So we have about 5 months left in the Land of the Rising Sun!  I  can't believe it.  I wish time would pass a little slower, so I can take it all in just a little more!

24 hours

Husband will be back in my arms in 24 hours, but who's counting?  Oh, did I forget to tell you?  Husband has been gone for about a week.  We was on a business trip and will be returning tomorrow.

Even after almost 9 years of marriage, I still miss him when he's gone.  Even though I have a 7 year old, spastic monkey sleeping in my bed, it's not the same.  I miss the warmth and comfort only his daddy can provide.

Thankfully, I only have 24 more hours to go.

Instagram pics

Empty train in Tokyo.

Traditional Japanese New Year's food prepared for me by my friend on New Year's day.

My family and I on New Year's day visiting a shrine in Ome, Tokyo, Japan. 

I drive over this bridge every Friday on my way to teach in Hino, Tokyo, Japan.

Here is a glimpse of my world in Japan.

Our new home...maybe

This week we were notified that we MIGHT be moving to a small town in central Georgia.  The paperwork hasn't gone through, yet, but Husband is convinced we will be moving there.  Let's just say I am less than excited.  In fact, I would rather stay here and endure earthquakes, tsunamis, radiation, typhoons, volcanoes, and floods than move to a small town in the middle of nowhere.

I was hoping Husband would be transferred somewhere in Texas, where we could be closer to our friends and family members, but it seems we will have to spend another 2-3 years away from our peeps.

I know.  I know.  I should be thankful I'm moving back to America, but I ain't.  I know Japan.  I know this area of Japan, and I love it.  I have everything I need here, and I'm happy here.  I've spent the last 4 1/2 years getting to know this wonderful country and its people.  I've gotten used to life here in Japan.  Jude doesn't even remember living in America.  We moved here one month after Jude's 3rd birthday, and he's forgotten about his home in Texas.  To him, Japan is his home.  He, too, doesn't want to leave this extraordinary land.

I'm not saying Georgia, USA is bad.  I'm just saying that I don't care for small town living.  I prefer big cities.  Remember, I'm from Houston, Texas--the most awesomest place in Texas.  I like big cities because they provided you with so many options, and I like options.

But I know I don't have a choice in the matter.  That's how my life works.  I gave up everything to marry my husband and follow him around the world, and it's a choice I don't regret; however, I wish Georgia wasn't on my mind.

2012

Happy New Year!

I'm happy to say goodbye to 2011 and to bring in 2012 with great friends, food and fun.

2011 was a crazy year to say the least, especially with the earthquake, tsunami, typhoon, and BOMB!

2011 was wild ride that kept me on my toes.  I hope 2012 is boring and uneventful.  I've had enough excitement.  Really!  Enough!

2012 will bring change...lots of change.  In case you didn't know, my family and I will be relocating back to the states sometime in July.  Husband's job here is almost done.  We aren't sure where Husband's job will send us next, but we do know it's somewhere stateside.

And as much as I love it here in Japan, I'm ready to go back.  I'm ready to join the real world again and be close to family and friends.  I'm really, really ready to shop at Target and go eat at Luby's Cafeteria whenever I want.  It's the simple things in life that most people take for granted that I miss most.

So let the countdown begin: 6 months left in the land of the rising sun!

On love and marriage

Love is a complicated thing.  That's for sure!  And it seems that this year has been a very tumultuous year for love and marriage.

This year we (Husband and I) have witnessed the end of 8 different marriages.  Husbands have cheated, wives have cheated, ex-wives have been assaulted, best friends have stolen husbands, wives got tired of their useless husbands sitting around doing nothing, etc.  In total, since Husband and I have been married (almost 9 years now), we have watched as 15 couples have gotten divorced (some are still in the process).    Crazy, huh?!

Some of our friends and co-workers are currently working on their 3rd husband/wife.  And I'm not sure if this is a cross-section of what's going on in America or if we just have a bunch a friends who have been unlucky in love.  But, either way, I'm shocked that so many people we know have had failed marriages.

What happened to for better or for worse?  What happened to to love and cherish from this day forward  until death do us part?  What happened to all of that?!

Look, I'm a hopeless romantic.  My mom and dad have been married for over 40 years.  Same goes for Husband's parents.  Both Husband and I grew up in houses where those vows were taken seriously and still are.

I know not every day of married life will be filled with rainbows and pink ponies and rose petals and kisses and hot hotel sex.  I know that!  And I hope I never fall out of love.  But if I do, I hope Husband looks past that and loves me enough for the both of us.  I hope he will love me in my worst moments, and I hope I will always cherish him and respect him and honor him...no matter what.

Look, I understand some people shouldn't be together.  I get that.  I understand that some people are abusive and hateful and mean and ugly.  I get that, too.  And those people shouldn't be married, ever!

So, if you are considering marriage, please don't go into it lightly with high expectations of a fairy tale life where everything is peachy and wonderful all that time.  I assure you, that don't exist.  And don't get married if you have a bad feeling about it, or if you don't agree on the basics like money, how to raise your future kids, religion, etc.  And don't get married if you don't have respect for one another.

Marriage doesn't equal happiness, and it seems lately that marriage brings out the worst in people.

Packing

Weenie:  "Hey, how many pairs of underpants should I bring for Jude on our trip to Thailand?"

Husband:  "Bring 5 and then turn them inside out, and he can wear them again for another 5 days."

Weenie:  "Really?"

Husband:  "Yep, that's my plan, and I'll go commando a couple of days, too."

Weenie:  "Really?!"

Husband:  "Yep, when I'm on vacation I like to free-ball it."

Weenie:  "Ew!"

My AT-AT is bigger than yours

Jude raked in some major cash for his birthday and decided to splurge by buying a big ass AT-AT.  If you are a Star Wars fan, you know what I'm talking about.  If you aren't, you probably could care less!

I'm not sure who was happier to get this, Jude or Husband.

So, a big THANK YOU to BJ, Lola, and YaYa for the birthday money.  You have made Jude and Husband so very happy!

On your 7th Birthday

Dearest Jude,

I can't believe you are 7 years old.  Where has the time gone?  It seems like just yesterday we were changing your diapers and teaching you how to use silverware.

I know this past year was difficult for you with the earthquake and relentless aftershocks and evacuating back to the States and being homeless for a month and all that.  It was difficult for your dad and me, too.  And that's okay.

You don't know it yet, but those moments, when things were most stressful and crazy, those were the moments when you shined as bright as a star.  It was during all the craziness when I realized just what a good, strong, kind, mature, charismatic kid you are.  I mean, I've always known you are amazing, but during those stressful times, you came through to the other side tougher and stronger, like a champ-- so willing to go with the flow and take whatever it was that was coming your way.  You made me proud--so very proud.  In fact, you make me proud every day.

I know I tell you this all the time, but its true: of all the children in the world, I was lucky enough to get the best one...you!

Look, I'm not perfect and neither is your father, but we are two imperfect people who came together to create a perfect boy...you!

So, Happy Birthday, Sweet Boy!

Love,
Momma

30 Days of Denim- Day 16

30 Days of Denim

Here is yesterday's outfit:

Shirt: (bought in Japan)

Sweater:  Banana Republic (bought in Japan)

Jeans:  (bought in Japan)

Boots:  Nine West

Necklace:  Lia Sophia

Earrings: (bought in Japan)

I had to work yesterday, and it was a chilly out, so I thought I'd wear boots, and pretend to be a grown up.  Oh, wait.  I am a grown up!  Shit!

**And a special thanks to my photography team (which consists of Husband and Jude).  Husband takes the pictures, and Jude tells me when I look like a dumb ass.  Thanks guys for all your help!  

Almost a wardrobe malfunction

This weekend Husband and I attended a ball associated with Husband's work.  I wore a silver, sequin gown that weighed about 5 pound and was as hot as an oven.  Husband looked so incredibly handsome.  I think we should get dressed up more often!

Caterpillar Update

All of our caterpillars are gone.  They have simply vanished off our balcony.  Husband thinks they crawled away to our neighbor's, but I'm not sure where they went.

Jude and I are disappointed because we really wanted to see them change into moths.

Oh well!

41

Happy 41st Birthday to my wonderful husband.  I love you!

Yes, I let my kid play with fire

Last weekend my friend invited my family over to her house for a barbecue. We pigged out on grilled meats, pickled veggies and beer!  And we got to play with fireworks.  It was awesome!

Husband playing with fireworks.

Jude lighting his sparkler. 

Jude and E. 

Jude playing with a sparkler. 

Thankful Thursday #1

I'm so thankful for all I have, and I've decided to share my thankfulness with you on Thursdays, hence Thankful Thursdays.  So, let's begin.

I'm thankful Husband has an awesome job that allows us to travel the world.  In a time when so many are unemployed and experiencing financial hardship, I feel even luckier that Husband has a secure job that pays our bills, gives us medical insurance, and allows me to be a half-ass stay-at-home mom.  For that, I'm so incredibly thankful.

What are you thankful for today?