May 2007 Archive

5/20 - Ok ladies and gentlemen, here is the long awaited update. I have heard a lot of comments about how I have been slacking so
I'll make this update worth your while. First let me say that I have been on 2 trips during my update lull. I went to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina
for a week, came home on a Sat and flew to Korea on Sun. I have been home for a week and now I am off to Seattle, Washington. This should
be it for a little while. Ok now what you have been waiting for... Oh by the way if you look to the right under favorite links you will see Layton's
Chance. Check out my brother's website. He is starting his on winery from scratch with his his lovely wife. Be sure to watch their business grow
and buy wine from them when the business opens in 2010. I don't drink wine but I will be buying a few bottles.

I missed the Easter update but under the picture section to the right you can find the Easter 2007 pictures. Riley got a new bike
and some candy. She also went to an Easter egg hunt at the commissary. That was crazy. About 50 million kids and not 50 million
eggs. Those kids who take a minute to get their mojo going didn't get very many eggs (Riley). But that's ok because she got more
than enough candy (still eating Easter candy) and she had a blast. That's what truly matters.

Check out Samantha's new do! I think the change was two-fold. Less hair for Zachary to grab and easier to
manage with two rowdy kids. Looks good!

You know it must be a special occasion to get me into a suit. Samantha
is a volunteer L.I.N.K.S. (Lifestyles, Insights, Networking, Knowledge
Skills) mentor. She helps new and old Marine Corps spouses adjust to
the Marine Corps way of life. We went to a volunteer appreciation
dinner. It was very nice and you can see the certificates that were presented to Samantha for her volunteer work.

On my trip to Camp Lejeune I picked up a couple of kites for Riley. This was the first time she has flown a kite and she was
so excited and had a great time. Even when the kite was slamming into the ground she was thrilled to the gills!

Picture this: Riley, Zachary and I are zooming down the Okinawa Expressway.  We have just dropped off our good friend
Amanda and her family at the airport for her move off island..sniff sniff.  It is about 10:30 am, I have a pedicure appt. at
11:30 with Laura my other friend leaving the island..more sniff sniff .  I am stressed and almost on edge. Let's go back a bit. 
When you get on the Expressway you get a ticket that shows where you got on, then when you get off you hand it to the
ticket taker to pay the toll.  Well Riley asked if she could hold the ticket. That was my mistake.  Keep in mind English is
usually limited on the Expressway especially from the ticket takers.  A few minutes later I hear "mommy, I dropped the ticket."   In a panic I
look to the floor but don't see it.  When I asked where the ticket was Riley said with much enthusiasm "It's in here mommy".  The picture
says it all, it "dropped' in the half full water bottle.  What could I do.  I started to gulp down the water.  Then my germ a phobia kicked in and
I stopped that.  I quickly pulled over, poured the water out and finagled the ticket out. I tried my hardest the dry the ticket with the A/C
however the ticket guy still noticed it was wet.  I avoided eye contact, made sure to say I was sorry in Japanese and gave exact change. 
I think it is safe to say Riley won't be holding the tickets for me anymore & there is a good chance I have been black listed on the expressway!

The first picture is a friend of ours from a long time ago! This is R.J.,
he and I were roommates in Camp Lejeune back in the early 90's.
He was even in Samantha's and my wedding. We have kept in touch
off and on over the years but he and his family have moved to Okinawa.
It has worked out great because they have a daughter a year older than
Riley and a son about 4 months older than Zachary. Their daughter Avery and Riley get along great.

Time for big boy food.  Zachary have finally started baby food.  He likes all the fruits and veggies so far except the peas. 
He gave them a good try but only ate half the jar before crying.  We will try those again in the future.  It looks like are are well
on our way to feeding a family of 4.  I think my grocery budget just doubled!!!

What has 4 wheels, a battery and no insurance?  That would be Riley's new (new to her) Barbie Jeep.  One thing you learn in
the military is that there is always somebody who will take your hand me downs and there is someone always will to return the
favor to you.  A friend decided her daughter was too big for this Jeep. You think teaching a 15 year old how to drive is tough? 
Try teaching a lead footed, no fear 3 year old.  Wish us luck!

NEW BED!  Some a have already heard about yet another new bed for Riley.  When my friend Amanda found out they were
leaving the island she offered us her sons bed.  Riley is LOVE's the new bed.  She gets to climb a latter to get in it and can fit
ALL stuffed animals in there too.  I have to also mention that it is a great hiding place from the elephants, alligators and crocodiles
that apparently live in her room.  That's a whole other story there.

I also celebrated my 32 birthday this month.  It was a pretty quiet day.  I was able to enjoy the day and do some things I wanted to get caught up on. 
Mother's day was another big day.  This year was extra special because this was my first Mother's Day times 2.  Riley went shopping for me at the
100 YEN store and I got a nice Orange glass (a drinking glass with an orange wedge on it) from her and 2 small shot glass/vase thing from ZAQ. 
What can I say, they came form 100 YEN and Riley picked them on her own. They are sitting nicely in the curio shelves of my clock to cherish forever.

One last thing from me. The military is a great community.  We travel and get to meet new people.  Unfortunalty when we meet new people and start
a friendship eventually one of us have to move.  This past weekend was tough for me.  Amanada and her family left for Texas and Laura and her family
left for North Carolina.  Amanda was my trainer at the gym then my friend and I met Laura  through daycare.  Riley will miss her son Logan and daughter
Ceaira.  I will miss my friends.  We have planed to meet in Vegas in 2010...I will be there for sure, lets see if everyone else makes it!  Peace Out.

Other pages that I updated:

Cakelady Cakes
Picture Mania: I tried something new with the pictures. Send me an email and tell me if you like it...
Riley's Artwork