Happy First Birthday Little Man!

May 25th, 2005

May 25th, 2006

He's a Daredevil

One of Stone's favorite places is the sink area in the bathroom... so when I was getting ready yesterday he took advantage of the chance to be in the bathroom. Usually he enjoys taking the towels out of the basket and making sure each and every one of them is unrolled, unfolded and flat- well yesterday he decided he wanted to see what was in the sink...it did not take him long to realize he could stand on the basket to get a little higher... he was so proud of himself for climbing up there. He has no fear- he stood on the basket precariously perched for a good 3 minutes. We definitely have a climber on our hands.

Golden Week

We had a fabulous Golden Week... the weather was absolutely wonderful.

On Wednesday, we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast with the Chans and in the afternoon we went out car shopping... maybe we will get a new car... maybe we won't who knows what the future holds.

Here is Stone enjoying the car ride... he was in his own little world... he was so content and peaceful!

On Thursday, we decided to head out for a McDonalds picnic... we headed to the Dinosaur park here in Mito... we never found the dino park but we did find a nice communitry center with a park behind it... so we popped a squat and enjoyed the peace and quiet of the community center play ground.

Stone enjoying a little flower.


Stone loved walking along the fence.


Enjoying the see-saw...behind us was a scary group of scarecrows.


Enjoying the slide...one of the first times.


Stone loved running in the field.


Enjoying bubbles at the end of the day.

why...

Why do people say things when they don’t mean it? Do people say things because they think you want to hear it? Why do people say that they want to do something but never take the initiate to make it happen? Why do I put so much faith and energy into what people say? Why do I continue to think that maybe just maybe this time it will be different?

**Just some "why" questions that were floating in my mind last night!**

Stepping out...

A Mommy Moment

Last week I had a mommy moment... I was cooking dinner and Stone was where he usually is while I make dinner… on my heels. He was standing and trying to reach anything he could… well he succeeded and managed to grab and pull down my bottle of water… not your average 16 ounces of water… no this was a whole liter of water that I had just filled up… he immediately started to play in the water and squealed with glee… but I immediately picked him up as I said ‘Stooooone’! Then I took a moment to think about it… I could just clean up the mess and forget about it or I could let him play in the water (the floor needed to be mopped anyway) and take pictures. I did the latter. He had so much fun… splashing and hitting the floor… after a while I got two towels and we cleaned it up “together”?!

I learned my lesson though… Stone can reach the top of the table now and I need to be mindful of that but more importantly seizing the moment and enjoying life as a toddler was fun and quite enjoyable.

Here are some pictures of him enjoying the water!

Stone Took His First Steps!

This evening after Lj got home he was playing with little man and all of a sudden Stone let go of the door and walked to Lj... so after dinner we got the camera and prodded him to do it again and he kept walking between Lj and me… he was so excited and so cute with his arms up in the air!

Maybe I will get a picture tomorrow... we did video tonight!

Little Miss Anonymous

The other week we received an anonymous comment on our blog… the comment was intended to be hurtful and it really got to me that I did not know who would say things like that… I think I was more hurt that a “friend” would think we did not love or care for our families and that us living in Japan was an indication to them (anonymous) that a relationship with our family was not important… it ate at me for weeks. Well, the other day a sweet friend Sharon left a comment on my scrapbooking site and I noticed her ip address… and I thought well that address makes sense it has her town/state in it… so I was off to do a bit more research with anonymous’ ip address and sure enough I was able to find where little anonymous’ comment came from…a town where I can only think of two people I know from there. I am not really too sure if I have satisfaction in knowing or not… yes, it still bothers me that they think that we do not think our family and or relationships with those in the states are important… but now I am also able to understand that if it was indeed the anonymous person I think it was why they would think that way.

My Mom!

My sister emailed the other day and my mom broke her leg two weeks ago… she went to the doctor with what she thought was a MS flare-up and it turns out she has a broken her leg and also a few other ailments. I am sure she will be in the hospital for a while with rehab and all that other kinds of stuff… physically she has to be able to do a few things and her strength is not up to par right now because of the MS. Times like this are when I wish I lived closer so I could help with everything my mom and sister will have to deal with. I know I can encourage and pray for her from Japan but I wish I could ease the burden my sister will feel trying to make sure everything is taken care of.

Here is a picture of Stone and my mom in February.

What my blog says about me...

In lieu of updating... here is a random selection of words found in my blog... What do they say about me?

Try out your own blog here... What does your blog say about you?

crazy baby...

I love iphoto...I could take crazy pictures all day!

Saying Good-bye is Never Easy!

God has given us a great family here in Japan… each year He adds to it and with the additions come many good-byes to friends who are returning “home”. This year was an especially difficult year to say good-bye. We are saying good-bye to some great friends and I know that it is not only Lj and I who are saying good-bye but Stone also… and I know he is too young to understand and he will bounce back but I am sad that he won’t be able to play and laugh with them everyday like he can now. We will miss them and there will be emptiness here in Mito without them… I know they are struggling with the end of their time in Mito as well and I understand that it is not any easier to leave but it is hard to stay behind year after year. I pray God’s peace on them as they embark on this new journey… We love you guys, Rusty, Rachel and Greg!

Changes

Change is upon us once again...

I am no longer working for EBC4U… there was no support for me so after 3 plus years helping out with that I had to bow out… In April I am going to start teaching one day a week at a preschool/ day care center in the next town over… it is about an hour away! I am looking forward to getting back in the classroom but not looking forward to leaving Stone… he will be in the same center and I will be able to spend quite a bit of time with him while we are there… but still I know I will miss him.

At the end of this month a lot of our friends are returning to the states… it is always hard to say goodbye… I have done it way too many times in the last few years… I know our paths will cross again but it is so hard now! I feel a bit of sadness for Stone as he is so close to a lot of our friends as well and it has been so much fun to watch him love on them and get excited to see them.

Stone is getting close to walking… he is pulling up on everything and is exploring every nook and cranny of the house! I love this stage… I have loved every stage and it has been so fun to watch his personality develop… he has mind of his own and is quite determined.

Change is good and it is what keeps us going… without change life would get stale.

Stone at a few hours (5.25.05)











Stone today (3.21.06)

So sweet...

A friend just sent me this picture...it catches everything I love about Stone at 9 months.

Sassy...Curious...Smiley...

Loving...Teething...Playful...

Happy...Sweet...Moving

Thanks Holly!

No greater souind...

than Stones giggle as Lj plays with him.

joy!

Stone and his Daddy




















Stone and his Mommy