Back Online!

It's hard you know, to say goodbye to a land you love, to people you adore and to a culture that you have come to admire.

It has been SO LONG since my last post. It has taken me this long to finally feel a bit settled and into the "groove." It has been a whirlwind! The first month back we spent with family in Utah trying to reaquaint ourselves with loved ones. The second month we unpacked boxes, painted, moved furniture around and back and put in a backyard. And now the third? Well, the third is shaping up to be just as busy with the boys back in school, Scouts, TaeKwonDo and tracking down dad in the hospital for our Thursday night family dinner date in the cafeteria.

I also did a very baaad thing this summer...I didn't take pictures. Why? I am not even sure. I think I was just out of sorts and trying to find my place again in the family. Anyway, I have repented of my slothfulness and once again will have my camera with me at all (ok, most) times.

So, I have LOTS of small items to catch up on with the blog; but for now, I will post the last of my favorite pics from our last few days in Japan.

Joshy running at the beach. It took two years, but he finally overcame his fear of the crashing waves and rising tide and would run and play in the water with the best of them.

We had to find sleep where (and when) ever we could get it. Have I mentioned that making an across the planet move is exhausting? Well, it is. We were grateful to those who had us for dinner, helped us with the last of the packing, came and said their goodbyes and most of all to the Deaver family that allowed us to bunk with them for a week. We love you (even though you won't ever read this) and miss you terribly.


This was the Shisa I passed everymorning while walking my kids to the bus. I miss it.


Josh and I took a last walk to "our" vending machine for our favorite drink, peach water! Happily, Josh and I have found that propel's mango/tangerine water taste just about the same so all is well in the world.


Did I mention that they had to use a crane to get the stuff OUT of our apartment? They didn't need one to get the items in...just out. Apparently, the elevator had shrunk in size in the two years we lived there. Josh and I camped out and watched the crane while I inwardly chanted "don't drop that...don't drop that....DON"T DROP THAT!" a hundred times while watching my favorite purchased asian antiques be lowered to the ground. I am happy to report that the Okinawan movers are magic and not ONE ITEM was broken.

We miss you Okinawa!


But, on to another life...another adventure...and in the end, what I know will become another tearful goodbye when we eventually leave our home here.


I have lots to update you on, so stay tuned I will be back online...soon!