Happy Birthday Jesus!

Happy Birthday Jesus our Savior... Thank you God for sending your only son to live on this earth and give his life for us!.. All to him I owe!...

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!.. Today is officially christmas in Japan!... Santa visited the kids a few days ago since Mikey is off playing games in Hamamatsu this weekend... (Santa really needs to give us a couple of big wins!)

Here are a few pics of the kiddos opening gifts from Santa and Grandparents while Skyping with our families!..

Mecailin with some of her new Babies and Cam showin off some of his Buzz Gear!...

As much fun as we had, I really wish we could have been together on the actual day, but none the less Sarah and I decided we would go to church with the four babies... I didn't Make it long.. Cam decided he wanted to scream the entire time!... Sooo, I took Scrooge home... But managed to threaten him with his life to grab a couple of "Christmas Day" photos... I haven't had a family of four photo in a year!!... So hopefully those will come soon!

A bday bash!

Soo this pastweekend the guys had home games FINALLY!!.. and I had to miss day two b/c I had a sick baby and wanted him to get plenty of rest for the suprise bday party Sarah was having forRay!... All of the American and Japanese Players were invited along with some of our favorite families who have graciously made us Family!.... I gotta say when Sarah was planning the party, I wasn't sure how the turn out would be or how it would all go down.. But It was a COMPLETE success and Such a blast!.. We had an unbelievable spread of food!... Most the team, Amrican and Japanese, showed up along with wives and girl friends!.. The thing I love most about these get togethers is the fun love, support, and laughfter you get even with a language barrier!.... These people are all truly amazing and I wish more and more every day I could actually carry a meaningful conversation with them!!.... Thanks to

all these people who took us in and do everything possible to make usfeel comfortable and loved!.. Whether we can speak or not, their smiles and bright eyes say it all!... We will keep trying, and never get past the Hi's, konichiwa's, how areyou's?, Genki desu ka's?, but I know.... I can call them Friend, Yujin......

These two.. Bless my Soul... I love them!!

What a Great guy "Lamar"... Mecailins Hand

some (as she puts) Friend.. She is sure

to always include him in her prayers at night!

The Lopez family!.. What an amazing family!.. Immediately took us in.. inviting us to parties for the kids, giving us rides, and Sanai teaches Japanese Lessons to the guys!..

The Yasuda Family!.. Cutest boys EVER... And not only are they cute, but so loving!.. Angie and Taka are super down to earth and I feel like I have known them Forever!.. Angie

is such a special blessing and having her here for Sarah and I is Amazing!... They are huge Lakes fans which makes me smile every time I

see their boys with the guys!..

All the girls at the party...

All the guys...

Joho.. Playing with Mecailin! :)

Mikey and I...

Thank you Sarah!.. good times Had by all!!.. So Blessed to have you!!

Home Made Christmas "Home"

Every year we spend Christmas overseas is a little different in one way or another!... This year we have decided to not spend a lot of money on decorations, a tree, ect... which kinda was breaking my heart!... But I will agree with Mikey, it is kinda rediculous spending a bunch of money on things when we wont take home or know if we'll be back to use them again... So basially they turn to trash as soon as the day is over!... Sooo this year,with the help of my little elves we have done our own decorating, and it has been so much fun!.. And you know what.. It makes this place seem like "home".... Not to mention, the kids have loved being so involved.. and Camdon (bless his heart).. doesn't stay in trouble for tearing down a tree or decorations!

"Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart."

Mecailin Hanging the First Ornament on our tree! :)

And Camdon.. He liked putting his right on top of Sisters!

Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you

may look back and realize they were the big things....

"If you haven't got all the things you want, be grateful for the things you don't have that you don't want."

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!...

Letters From Santa

I saw a status on FB about this little site that allows you to creat a message from Santa!.. It is super cute and my kids both Loved it!... Check mine out!.. It was really easy and so much fun for the kids to have Santa say their name and give out a little information on them!..

Trash Talk = Foot in mouth...

When mikey returned from his road trip last night, the kids and I were already in our beds asleep. When we all woke up this morning I begin to hassel him about reading my latest blog b/c I found it kinda humorous.... He insists he hasn't read it yet and will in a minute while pulling out a bag from his trip..... An Airlplane for Cam, a stuffed ummm Dinosaur (i think) for Mecailin, and I didn't get left out!.... A starbucks card for mom!... After all that trash talk!... Yes.. This is the penny pincher!... And its not even christmas!!!... Foot in mouth as he reads the blog... haha!.. But What a wonderful husband and Daddy!... :)...

Weekend Madness with MOM!

WE LOVE YOU MIKEY AND REALLY MISS YOU WHEN YOUR GONE!!....

Mikey and his team go on away trips at least every other weekend... This leaves the kids and I alone usually Friday through Sunday.... Finding ways to stay busy and passing the time isn't always easy, but we try.... Our (MY) favorite spot of course is starbucks(only when Mikey's gone), but it doesn't seem to bother the kids much when bribed by doughnuts!!...

Then off to the Mall... There is a really cool play area that we visit to burn off the kids overdose of energy (maybe from the doughnuts??)...

After we play.... It's usually time for Lunch.... Mikey is always the inforcer on what comes when and What order it should all go down.. WELL DADDY'S Gone... :)..... I say Ice scream you Scream!!

ok.. So by now.. Maybe we do need some Lunch!... Don't tell Mikey but its 3:00 and nap time is 1:30..... My Favorite spot!!... YOSHINOYA!!! Yoshinoya is the

best spot in Japan.. Cheap (bout the only thing Mikey would be satisfied with today)... and YUMMY!.. Rice bowls, covered in meat, noodles, cooked onion, and a peice of tofu.... Not to

mention the little glasses the kids like to have tea parties with!...

Now for Me to finish off the damage of our daily outing.... I mean... What would make for a more successful day then me hitting a wall trying to avoid hitting a motorcycle???... NOTHING!...

Our Nightly ritual for when daddy's gone... Watching a new movie and staying up WAYYYY to late... The icing on the cake... Sleeping with Mommy! :)

Now that the fun is over... I must reflect on the madness and ask myself.... "Is the overprotective one, the always in order one, the inforcer, the penny pincher, the party pooper we call daddy RIGHT??".... well... as bad as I hate to admit it... 1 damaged car, 2 belly aches, 3 extra cranky, 4 rooms that look like a tornado has run through later,..... I will swallow my pride and go with..What would we do without Mikey??..... Only three days and we're a wreck! ;).... Glad we have an adult around the other 4 days of the week!.... Now to put the kids down for a nap and get busy cleaning, cuz you know this place is unexceptable to the uptight! ;).. Love you Babe!.. Thanks for keeping us all inline!..... Go gettem today!...

Otsu, Japan

I can't lie (because all you would catch me) when I say I was more than apprehensive about coming back to the land of the rizing sun!... My first experience in Japan was very cold, lonely, and PREGNANT!... Living in a big city was just not my style with no car, freezing cold weather, and a huge language barrier! I couldn't wait to get out of that situation!... So when we were headed back, I was more than nervous, but knew Mikey nor I would be able to make the long months without our family together ever again!... So here we are in Shiga... And to my suprise I have enjoyed it So much!!.. Great Car, wonderful apartment, beautiful small town!!! Our first couple of months were filled with warm sunshine, lots of parks to enjoy outside, and some site seeing!... Mikey's team mates had friends (girls) In here and there, so that gave me some fun companionship to the games, but they all returned to the states, and it was still not the wife/mom I had prayed for... But once again by November Prayers were answered!... The Schafer family who has been here 3 years returned!!.. And they are wonderful!.. Sarah and Ray have twins Sol and Sophie who are 8 months old!.. I think I cried during the first real conversation I shared with Sarah because she is just that amazing!... As for the kiddos, they are already overflowing with toys from a 2nd hand shop we love and we have found the coolest indoor play areas!.. they seem to be happy and love going to Mikey's games!.. ANNND as for Mikey's games... The Lakestars are in 1st place as of now and he has been playing great!.. God has continued to bless us and we can't wait to see what else will come about this season!... Holidays are coming up and we wish all of you the best and want to take the time to remember our saviors birth!!.. Loving and missing you all!...