Sunday, January 25, 2009
Ja matta Okinawa
Our time on Okinawa has just about come to an end.
Although we don't yet know as of now where we will go, we will be leaving in about 3 months!
I have missed my family and friends so so so much since we've been so far away. I have missed a niece and a nephew being born. I have missed my sisters wedding. And I have missed two funerals. And in March I will miss my little sister going into the MTC, and if I don't see her when she departs to Cambodia, it will have been almost 5 years before I see her again!
However, I have love love loved being here. I learned Japanese in high school and so coming here was a dream come true. I love the sights and the people here are so kind. Okinawa has a slow paced way of life and it's almost calming. I love the beach, to swim or just lay out on the sand. I get a kick out of American Village that sells anything from used leather jackets to American license plates, and the gift shops that for some reason always sell Spam.
And although my time away from my family is over due, there are many things that I will miss in Oki.
I will miss Chula-u's free foot bath (Ashiyu) with its natural hot spring water. I will miss all the neat attractions here like the castle ruins, Ocean Expo, Butterfly Park, and the crazy crazy parks with nets ropes and rings that are ridicuously dangerous for children to play on. (but fun)
I will miss driving around the shoreline and taking in the beauty of Okinawa's sapphire ocean.
What I think I will miss the most is probably all the wonderfuly delicious SUSHI!!!!!!!
I don't know how I am ever going to eat sushi in the States after enjoying the most fresh and delectable fish and Japanese dishes here.
So in the next three months I am going to see everything again, and eat so much sushi it will come out of my nose!
I don't want to leave here with any regrets......
Although we don't yet know as of now where we will go, we will be leaving in about 3 months!
I have missed my family and friends so so so much since we've been so far away. I have missed a niece and a nephew being born. I have missed my sisters wedding. And I have missed two funerals. And in March I will miss my little sister going into the MTC, and if I don't see her when she departs to Cambodia, it will have been almost 5 years before I see her again!
However, I have love love loved being here. I learned Japanese in high school and so coming here was a dream come true. I love the sights and the people here are so kind. Okinawa has a slow paced way of life and it's almost calming. I love the beach, to swim or just lay out on the sand. I get a kick out of American Village that sells anything from used leather jackets to American license plates, and the gift shops that for some reason always sell Spam.
And although my time away from my family is over due, there are many things that I will miss in Oki.
I will miss Chula-u's free foot bath (Ashiyu) with its natural hot spring water. I will miss all the neat attractions here like the castle ruins, Ocean Expo, Butterfly Park, and the crazy crazy parks with nets ropes and rings that are ridicuously dangerous for children to play on. (but fun)
I will miss driving around the shoreline and taking in the beauty of Okinawa's sapphire ocean.
What I think I will miss the most is probably all the wonderfuly delicious SUSHI!!!!!!!
I don't know how I am ever going to eat sushi in the States after enjoying the most fresh and delectable fish and Japanese dishes here.
So in the next three months I am going to see everything again, and eat so much sushi it will come out of my nose!
I don't want to leave here with any regrets......
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Bryton Lee Frisby
December 19, 2003.
5am ish
I wake up Jason after counting contractions for an hour.
"Jason, we need to go to the hospital."
"....Are you serious?"
I laugh, "yes, let's go"
I then wake up my mother and wish her a happy anniversary, and tell her that we will be going to the hospital.
At about 6am I get all signed in and in my hospital bed.
Doctor's and nurses come in and out and family arrives.
at about 1130 I get my epidural (which for me was the worst part) and with Jason holding my hand and my mom my side at 12:00 noon I began to push and 18 minutes later (12:18) Bryton Lee Frisby was born. 17 inches long and 5lbs 2oz.
I remember Jason running back and forth saying,"She's got hair"......."She's got dimples!"
I think we were all a bit worried that she wouldn't be a healthy baby since she tried coming 3 weeks earlier and I was shot up with all sorts of steroids and other things to help her develop, and then with me only gaining 9 pounds and her still coming 4 weeks early. But she was perfect. Although Jason and I were surprised at how large her hands and feet were. We received several pairs of infant booties at my baby shower-none of which fit her unusually large baby feet.
I am so happy that I have this beautiful gem in my life!
She is the greatest joy! Her laugh is extremely contagious, and she has the wit and sarcasm that keeps me rolling on the floor.
I can't imagine a life with out her. She is five now....FIVE YEARS OLD!!!!
The things that she does astound me, things I didn't learn to do until I was much older that she is.
I am very proud of her. I am proud of what she has done and been doing, and how she has made me the mother I am today.
Happy birthday Bryton
AND....
Bryton has been just shy of NUTS when it comes to Indiana Jones. She has had a huge interest/crush since she first saw the commercials for the new I.J. movie. So, we totally decked out the park across the street with spider webs, home made vines, giant ant hills, a huge excavation site (big pile of sand with treasures in side). Also we made a great big dark tunnel using black tarps and the bridge area of the playground and a golden treasure chest.
So after all the kids recieved their Indiana Jones hats (folded, taped and painted newpapaer) they headed over to the "Excavation Site" where I had made Treasure Rocks (dried coffee grounds, flour, sand, and salt. I put a "treasure" in each rock then baked them) which the kids could break open and find their treasure!
After everyone had a chance to find treausres we started our obstcle course adventure!
First the kids had to swing over the Snake Pit, and then hop on the letters of Bryton's name to the Balancing Beam. From there they had to climb and maneuver through vines and not fall into the Ant Hills, Climb up the stairs to the tunnel that had glow sticks for everyone. When they got to the top they had to dip their cup into the treasure chest, slide down the slide and pour their treasures into the pinata. Then when the pinata was full we broke it open and all the kids filled up their Treasure Bags.
Bryton got so many great gifts from her friends and she had a wonderful party. I hope she will remember it always.
5am ish
I wake up Jason after counting contractions for an hour.
"Jason, we need to go to the hospital."
"....Are you serious?"
I laugh, "yes, let's go"
I then wake up my mother and wish her a happy anniversary, and tell her that we will be going to the hospital.
At about 6am I get all signed in and in my hospital bed.
Doctor's and nurses come in and out and family arrives.
at about 1130 I get my epidural (which for me was the worst part) and with Jason holding my hand and my mom my side at 12:00 noon I began to push and 18 minutes later (12:18) Bryton Lee Frisby was born. 17 inches long and 5lbs 2oz.
I remember Jason running back and forth saying,"She's got hair"......."She's got dimples!"
I think we were all a bit worried that she wouldn't be a healthy baby since she tried coming 3 weeks earlier and I was shot up with all sorts of steroids and other things to help her develop, and then with me only gaining 9 pounds and her still coming 4 weeks early. But she was perfect. Although Jason and I were surprised at how large her hands and feet were. We received several pairs of infant booties at my baby shower-none of which fit her unusually large baby feet.
I am so happy that I have this beautiful gem in my life!
She is the greatest joy! Her laugh is extremely contagious, and she has the wit and sarcasm that keeps me rolling on the floor.
I can't imagine a life with out her. She is five now....FIVE YEARS OLD!!!!
The things that she does astound me, things I didn't learn to do until I was much older that she is.
I am very proud of her. I am proud of what she has done and been doing, and how she has made me the mother I am today.
Happy birthday Bryton
AND....
Bryton has been just shy of NUTS when it comes to Indiana Jones. She has had a huge interest/crush since she first saw the commercials for the new I.J. movie. So, we totally decked out the park across the street with spider webs, home made vines, giant ant hills, a huge excavation site (big pile of sand with treasures in side). Also we made a great big dark tunnel using black tarps and the bridge area of the playground and a golden treasure chest.
So after all the kids recieved their Indiana Jones hats (folded, taped and painted newpapaer) they headed over to the "Excavation Site" where I had made Treasure Rocks (dried coffee grounds, flour, sand, and salt. I put a "treasure" in each rock then baked them) which the kids could break open and find their treasure!
After everyone had a chance to find treausres we started our obstcle course adventure!
First the kids had to swing over the Snake Pit, and then hop on the letters of Bryton's name to the Balancing Beam. From there they had to climb and maneuver through vines and not fall into the Ant Hills, Climb up the stairs to the tunnel that had glow sticks for everyone. When they got to the top they had to dip their cup into the treasure chest, slide down the slide and pour their treasures into the pinata. Then when the pinata was full we broke it open and all the kids filled up their Treasure Bags.
Bryton got so many great gifts from her friends and she had a wonderful party. I hope she will remember it always.
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