Our New Van...

On Saturday, we got our new van... it is really big and will carry lots of people and stuff! Costco and Ikea... here we come... wanna join us?

Stone feeling right at home decided to take a little nap.

GENKI boy!

Stone has never been a fan of hats but if I tell him he looks so かわいい he will leave it on at least for a little while. He was being goofy with his hat on the other night... looking so cute!

Auntie Holly

Stone loves his Auntie Holly. She is a crazy girl who is always ready to play and has tons of lovins' to share (as long as Stone is not too drooly!)... I think she spoils Stone a bit but every baby needs a some of that... and... she even lets him eat rocks!

Holly is also a great friend to Lj and I. She has a very generous spirit and is always willing to go the extra step. We are truly blessed by her friendship.

Reiko ちゃん

Reiko Yo "roshiku" bo is one of the young Christians at Mito church. Over the years we have seen her mature into a beautiful young lady with a passion and love for God.

Usually one day a week Reiko comes over to spend the afternoon with Stone and me. As soon as she walks in the door she gives all of her attention to Stone and he just eats it up. He loves playing games with her and he even likes to share his snacks with her. She teachs him a bit of Japanese as they play… recently, she taught him how to hold up one finger when asked how old he is in Japanese. Reiko is one of Stone’s best friends… he loves and adores her and there is no doubt that she loves him.

A Wallet is a Magical Thing...

As soon as Stone sees mine he must have it….he loves to open it up and play with the cards, all the receipts and other papers that are in there…he likes to take the cards out one by one… and he has learned how to put them back in the right way…

Trial or Lesson?

This past week was a trying week for Lj and me. We were looking into getting a new car- we needed something a bit more efficient on gas and since we were getting a new car we wanted something with a bit more room... gotta have space for the Costco runs! Two weeks ago, Shizuka and Kazuya helped Lj fill out an application to get a loan from the bank we have used for the last 7 years... they even offered to co-sign if needed. We send off the application and waited... finally some paperwork arrived in the mail that said we needed to have a meeting at the bank and please bring all your important papers from 1972 until now. So we prepare for the meeting and are set to go on Saturday... well, Thursday rolls around and the bank calls... not really getting all the guy is saying I tell them to call Lj... They call Lj and then he asks them to call Shizuka. A few minutes pass and Shizuka calls Lj in tears apologizing for the bank... we got turned down for the loan... not because we don’t make enough money- we had a co-signer if needed, not because of our age, not because of our visa status- they never saw our passports, not because of our jobs... we were turned down for no other reason than simply we are gaijin (foreigners). Shizuka told them they would co-sing- they said, "No... They are gaijin... they can't have a loan" end of story... no no no! Not giving up we went to the dealer with Shizuka and Kazuya yesterday and applied for a loan through the dealer... well, after only a few minutes of waiting we were approved for a loan with no co-signer... they even gave us a three year loan... it will go past our actual visa status. So soon so soon we will be in our new car!

Looking back on this whole experience I know God was working... He led us to the van and He blessed us with friends who were willing to help do whatever needed to be done. God continues to teach me and remind me that He is always there blessing me and for that I am thankful.

I just love this little boy oh so much!

Stone loves his Auntie Amy!

Stone has an obsession with shoes and he was more than thrilled when Amy let him try on her slippers...They were a bit too big but still fun to wear. I love this picture of the two of them.

Our Little Soccer Player

Stone enjoys coming into the teachers room during my lunch break. The principal and the other staff dote on him and spoil him with attention. Last week they were playing with a soccer ball and Stone was showing them the correct form...



*I've told him soccer was a 'hands off' kind of game...