The Many Wonderful Places We Go

Family love

2010-07-07T02:43:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I drove maybe 20 miles at the most to get to IKEA to see my brother Josh, his wife Dawn, and their 2 boys. I got lost so I had to pay an extra 400 yen in tolls! Which is not that much but it adds up when you get lost a lot.

We got to IKEA and my 30 minute drive trip seemed like nothing when Josh and Dawn told me how long their trip was 2 hours. They live closer to IKEA than I do. Only traffic in Japan. James and his cousin Calvin had a blast playing at the child watch at IKEA. I enjoyed visitng with Josh and Dawn. Unfortunately Dawn would ask me what I thought about furniture and design and I felt bad cause I had no clue. I have no design talent. Yet it was fun.

The end of the IKEA trip came when James triped Gabby while he and Gabby were suppose to be eating their hotdogs. I was buying some cookies for baby Andrew. Gabby was screaming bloody murder. I came over and promptly took them home. Some Japanese ladies came and assisted Gabby until I arrived. I felt bad for leaving them while I bought cookies. They were in eyesight. I wrongly assumed they would behave if they were eating their hotdogs. Never again.

I got a headache and could hardly move by 9 pm. James came downstairs after going to bed and gave me a kiss, then said, "Moomy, I hope your head ache feels better now. It should." I almost cried he is so loving and kind. What a kid.

Double Double Ear Infections and Invictus

2010-06-01T08:10:00.000-07:00

Andrew and Gabby both have double ear infections. It has been a sad day for Andrew. He feels not so good. Gabby is getting better remarkably well.

I watched the movie "Invictus" it was inspiring. I no have printed up the poem and hope to memorize it. For we all are the masters of our souls. I believe with God's help.

I love my family.

Sick

2010-05-31T20:51:00.000-07:00

This last week has been sickly. James was home 4 of the 5 days of school last week with a high temperature. The funny thing was he did not show any signs of illness except for the temperature. He played all day. Friday his fever broke. He went to school.

Sunday night Andrew was crawling to Aaron wimping and then just collasped on the floor and fell asleep. We had people over for dinner so Aaron just though hugh he must be tired how cute. I came out and saw Andrew on the floor and thought well he did not have a good nap today he is just tired. I put a blanket on him. I checked on him after dinner and he felt warm I took Drew upstairs and felt I should take a rectal temp, it was 102.4. Andrew did not fight me when I took his temp. That's a bad sign when a baby does that. I gave him Motrin IB and held him he felt like he was getting hotter. I took him to the E.R. They gave us more anti fever meds and eye drops. The Doc said come back if he is not better.

The next day he seemed okay not great but okay. I treated his fevers and held him. I was more concerned with Gabby and her pain and getting her to the doctors. Today I took him to see the Nurse Practioner. I love Nurse Practioners. Andrew has a double ear infection. His temp last night was 103.7 timpanic. I should have taken a rectal but I thought I'll give him motrin and he'll be okay. It took and hour to an hour an a half to the motrin to take effect. He was arching his back and crawling around and could not get comfortable. He also did not want to nurse. I am glad we now know what he has and can treat it.

Gabby got his fever. It went away in a day then on Sunday night at 0130 she woke up crying that her ear hurt. I gave her motrin and we went to bed. When the motrin was up she started to cry again complaining about her ear, I gave her motrin again. I decided to take her to the E.R. Gabby was able to tell the medical assistant that her pain looked like frowning face # 4. I and the medical assistant was impressed with Gabby's ability to be so decisiveness on her pain. Well the doc said it was a virus cause she did not have a temp. I told him I gave her motrin and I would like to recheck her temp she feels warm now. I took a rectal there in the E.R., Gabby was not happy about it but she was brave. Her temp was 101.7. The doctor changed his mind and ordered anitbiotics. I am so grateful I listen to that little voice that said that temperature they took under her tongue it incorrect. I feel the voice was the Lord watching out for Gabby. I feel the Spirit confirm this as I type. Gabby is much better today her ear still hurts but not as bad.

James got a spiderman web slinger thing. It sprays silly string out. James could not get it to work Aaron told James he was doing it wrong and showed him what to press. James pressed it and got a face full of silly string. Aaron thought I bet that upset James. Instead James ran outside and said,"That was a happy surprise!" I love how James always sees the glass half full.

Gabby is always saying, "I like that." and I will say, "Me too." and then she will say (which I use to always say),"Me three, Me four, me five." It is really cute.

Andrew was so proud of himself when he took all of his med so easily. Of course I praised quite enthusiastically.

I love Aaron for all of his help. I love the Lord for helping me to help others this week like Julie Rust when she needed someone to watch her kiddos while she went to the Doctors' and shopping, and a Sunday night dinner with adults. And helping Trish Longoria with Church. It was great

Drew was Up ill Last Night

2010-05-25T05:33:00.000-07:00

Drew woke up at 0030 crying nothing seemed to sooth him. I would try to nurse him and he would nurse for a minute and then writhe in pain, arch his back, and start to cry. I tried cuddling again he would writhe in pain, arch his back, and start to cry. We gave him Tylenol after five minutes of him calming down and then starting the whole thing over again. I had insomnia and so I took Andrew downstairs. He finally fell asleep 30 to 40 minutes later. It was sad to watch because he would get comfortable for a few minutes and then wake up and start the whole writhing in pain again. He would seek comfort and relief from me and I could not give it too him. Finally the tylenol kicked in and he was fine.

I took James and Drew to the Dr. Malari (I like him). He cultured all 3 of them for strept. It came back negative. Dr. Malari called me to tell me that the culture was negative and they woud keep watching it. I love that when doctors take the time to call even when things are negative. That way I know they didn't just forget about it. Not that they would intentionally would, on rare occassions it can happen. So I like him as a doctor.

Tonight Brother Skelton came over to assist with a blessing for Andrew. He has not really gain any wieght since he was 8 months and I am getting a little worried, he also has been sick for a whole month with a cold. Maybe it is just teething. Aaron gave the blessing Brother Skelton assisted. It was beautiful and assured Andrew would have no long term effects.

When Brother Skelton came over Leeanna his daughter was with him. James was outside and saw the Skeltons walk up. I heard him yell, "My friends you are here! Welcome to my house!"

James misses his cousins in the states and asks when can we go home to our other house and see our cousins. I remember when seeing my cousins meant everything to me in the summer. I told him not for a whole year. I think James is ready to move to the U.S. I am grateful that he loves his extended family so much.

Gabby went to bed with her princess sunglasses on and stuffed animals all around her. She asked me to close her door. Which was a first she has a slight fever too. I think she is just tired and knows she needs the rest. She usually sneaks out of her room and come downstairs to be with us. When we take her back to bed she cries and has us sing her lulabies and cuddle her. It takes a long to for her to fall asleep. The funny thing is she is so tired yet she will fight sleep.

I met an old friend from San Diego, Erica. It was so funny because I was thinking about her 2 days ago. There I was in the comissary parking lot and I turned around and we both recognised each other. We picked up where we left off before.

The Lord loves us and His Church has been restored to the earth again. Its true.

Kids all sick with Temperatures

2010-05-24T08:13:00.001-07:00

James stayed home from school with a temperature. He said nothing hurt him. Later in the day Gabby had a temperature. When I asked them again, "Where it hurt?" They replied, "Nowhere."

I asked Aaron for a blessing, he asked me to prepare by reading my scriptures for 30 minutes. As soon as I sat down Andrew wanted to play and Gabby came down to cuddle. I was chewing gum and blowing bubbles and Andrew was popping them with his fingers. He thought it was amazing. When I stopped chewing the gum he kept opening my mouth to see where the gum went. Poor guy.

James played quietly all day at the house, except for the occasional battle between he and Gabby. For family home evening Aaron taught the lesson. The topic was how Christ will leave the ninety and nine to find the one lost sheep. Aaron had the kids act it out. i put the children to bed, I read them scripture stories. We sang scripture power before reading them. I sang abide with me to put them to bed. Andrew is waking up I better get him.

Temperatures

2010-05-23T07:22:00.000-07:00

Andrew had a slight temp and a runny nose today. I took him to church. Aaron was singing today in sacrament meeting. It was a beautiful rendition of, "Be Still My Soul". He sand with Brother Stoner, Nelson, Nelson the younger.

James was upset at me today for taking his umbrella away today. He was not walking with it carefully and was banging it into people. He was really upset that I would let him get wet. I had to explain to him in church that he was being dangerous. When he understood the why of it all he understood that I was not trying to be mean, I was protecting others. He now has a temperature. I need to check it again and make sure he is not to hot.

Gabriella, slept almost through the whole block of meetings. I am now in the nursery and loving it.

We had Nisah Al Akim over for dinner tonight. She was just delightful. We laughed a lot tonight. It is always nice to have someone over who relaxes the room.

The talks in sacrament were on geneology and doing it. They were wonderful. writing on my blog is doing my geneology.

I just love warm rainy days.

Colds

2010-05-22T16:49:00.000-07:00

Andrew woke up yesterday with a cold and I with eye crustations. Andrew and I have been fighting a cold for 4 weeks now! I think it is time to visit the Dr. again. It think he has a low grade fever.

Yesterday was a gorgeous day. I asked Aaron to set up the bike carrier for me to take Andrew and Gabby on a ride. He did so and he then reorganized the bike shed so we could get the bikes in and out easily. He is just so great.

James organized, "The show the Great Bike Race". We raced around the track behind our house. It was a lot of fun. James was on his scooter, Aaron and I were on our bikes. We bought Gabbby a Princess bike yesterday. She rode it and rode it all day long, except when I took her grocery shopping. Then she rode in the bike carrier. While she rode her bike and I mine she would ring her bell and then I would ring my bell. Then I would ring my bell and she would ring hers. It was adorale, but a good reminder that she mimics all that I do.

I need to cut Andrew's nails. He loves to rub my ear when he gets tired, when his nails are long he scratches me and I get upset, then Andrew gets upset. It's not a happy site.

I made chicken enchiladas because Drew was playing with the enchilada sauce cans and dropped on and dinted it. It was a good meal with lots of left overs because enchiladas are to hot for the children.

Aaron shared an insight with me today. He said, "we are all Martha's if we have not read our scriptures for the day, prayed sincerely, had family prayers, and family scripture study. When we do those things then we are Marys' putting Christ first." It reminded me of a general conference talk I heard recently.

Singing

2010-05-21T00:12:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I watched my friends children while she got some errands done. Her husband is away for awhile. My friend Julies' boys are really cute and fun. Tate the oldest wanted to play house. He told Gabby she could be the mommy and Lukey was the baby. Gabby ran into her closet where her play clothes were and started to sing while she dressed, "I need put my dress on, my dress on, dress on, oh and my hat." She ran out of the room. It was so cute she was so excited to play with her friends.

James and I had a relatively good time doing homework. I love to see when he does something really well he is so pleased with himself. James is always watching out for his brother Andrew. Drew almost put some Lego's in his mouth and James threw his arm down and removed the Lego's out of Drew's way.

Aaron hung up my favorite picture, "Forgiven" by Gregg Olson and it made my night. I read in the scriptures in Mosiah about how we need to pray for forgiveness and rely on Christ and the Lord will continually forgive us. I need that. For He is mighty to save. I made rolls last night and we had left over chili.

It's been a long time

2010-05-18T16:21:00.000-07:00

Today I watched a little mormon tube movie about a woman who blogs and she was burned in a plane accident. She blogs everyday, I on the other hand blog once a year. I feel it is time to change that.

Well yesterday was a busy day. I woke up and got distracted. I wanted to finish unpacking. The problem was my house was a mess to I cleaned and mopped. I felt better. When lunch was over it was a mess I clean the kitchen again. Then dinner time rolled around I was to tired to clean the kitchen again. I watched Chuck. Gabby helped me sweep yesterday it was so thoughtful.

I made sausage, onion potatoes, and broccolli Gabby picked up a sausage and said, "I like this food mommy." I think I am going to have to stop trying to be gourmet and be scaled down to get my children to eat. We were at the store and there was doll furniture there that matched Gabby's doll house which has not been at the store for 6 months. I bought her some doll stuff. James was so excited when he saw the new toys he helped Gabby open boxes and set up the furniture and car by the dollhouse.

James is my bright light as usual he tries so hard with his homework. He is learning. I hope he is learning to love learning. This morning he carried a rollie pollie to school to show his class. They are going over life cycles.

Andrew is in my arms insisting to type which makes typing difficult, He makes me laugh. nbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb mmmmmmnnnnnnnnbbbbdsd He became excited when he saw the repeating letters.

Aaron is my busy man barely able to have time for himself. He loves the people in our branch, he tries to serve as Christ would have him serve. I love him for his dedication and selflessness.

Drew Warby

2009-07-05T23:14:00.000-07:00

Well we have a new addition to our family. He arrived on July 1, 2009, 9 lbs, 21.3 inches. The kids love him, James especially. Drew had not urinated for about 24 hours so he could not get circumcised until he did. I told James and daddy we need to pray to Heavely Father to help Drew to urinate. James immediately prayed that he would pee. About 3 hours later I called Aaron to tell him that Drew was going to get circumcised and James wanted to talk to me. He asked, "mommy did Drew pee." I responded, "Yes he did James." James squealed with delight, "Yeah now he can come home!" Even the sincere prayer of a five year old really does work. Gabby insists on holding "Baby Dew" about three times a day. She holds him maybe for 15 seconds and she is good for 3 hours. She loves to sit on the arm rest of my recliner and sit by Drew when I am nursing him. She will snuggle into my arm and pat his head. It is adorable. We all have colds so we are all praying Drew does not get it.

James and Gabby love holding Drew. He is really a sweet baby. James looks forward to coming home from school and holding Drew. I am already mixing up the boys two names. Aaron, is helping out at home and the kids love having him home so much. He is always so busy with work and church. I just realized Aaron never had me take one picture of him. He loves to take pictures but not be in one. I will have to force him to be in a picture.

2009-05-25T18:06:00.000-07:00

2009-05-25T17:56:00.001-07:00

Here are the cakes I made for James and Gabby's birthdays. It was fun and hard at the same time. I had a cold when I frosted James cake. As I was frosting his cake my left ear was filling with fluid. I couldn't pop my eardrum by 8 pm and decided to go to the E.R. The doc was very helpful and gave me meds to drain my ear. It took 2 weeks for the ear to drum. I was lucky I did not get and infection. James is now 5 and Gabby is 2. We are expecting our 3rd in 4 weeks! I can not believe how big the kids are getting and the cute things they are saying.

2009-05-25T17:46:00.000-07:00

So we went to Okinawa this last week and it was great. 3 days were rainy and 3 were beautiful. Unfortunately when we went to the beach my batteries had lost power. So you will get pictures of our adventures through out the island. Aaron was there for a business conference so he was unable to play with us most days.

Happy New Years

2009-01-18T18:47:00.001-08:00

Here are some pictures of what we have been doing here in Japan. I got to go and see some snow monkeys with my neighbor and friend Sara. It was a lot of fun. That day I aslo got to see the Black Crow Castle which was beautiful.

2009-01-04T17:15:00.000-08:00

Okay it has been a long time since I have blogged. I have been busy. I am an early morning seminary teacher and I am 15 weeks pregnant. So Since mid October I have not felt like doing much than lie on the couch or by the white cool bowl in the bathroom. Well I am on the up and up. So I am going to blog today.

James and Gabby are growing like weeds. James said the funniest thing last week. We got him a doctors kit and he was listening to Aaron's heart with his toy stethescope, he looked up at Aaron and said, "You have a happy heart, it's sick." Then James proceeded to check Aaron's ears and blood pressure, everytime saying, "It's happy, it's sick." Then he gave Aaron a shot and said, "I gave you a shot you cried, but its okay it only hurts a little. Now you get a sticker and a lollypop. Cause you only cried a little." When Aaron told me what had happen I had a good laugh.

Gabriella woke up this morning and I asked her how did you sleep well.

She said, "Ahuh."

I then asked, "Did you have good dreams?"

She said, "yesh."

I asked her, "What did you dream about?"

With a big smile she responded with a big smile, "Jesus Christ." She continued telling me about her dream but I could not understand what she said was jibber jabber. Eventhough I am sure she knew what she was telling me. It made me really happy.

Last weekend my friend Sara had an extra ticket to go she the snow monkeys and the Black Castle in Nagano Prefecture. It was a really cool experience. I loved it and felt it was the nicest Christmas present. The monkeys were adorable one was quite the bold one when he went up and started to grab at Sara's coat. There were 4 rules we had to follow while at the monkey reserve. 1- don't feed the monkeys, 2-don't touch the monkeys, 3-don't stare at the monkeys in the eye (they take it as a challenge and will beat you up) and 4-take all the pictures you want! Pretty cool hugh.

Aaron has been busy at work, but he always has time for his family. He is a great dad and husband. He is so thoughtful. We had a great Christmas! Well I better go.

We Love Japan

2008-09-15T18:14:00.000-07:00

We made it to Japan. Before we got to Japan we had a lot of fun in the states. James and I went to Yeosemite National Park. Can we say "Overpowering". It is just awesome there. James and I had a great time. Aaron and Gabriella could not come cause Gaby was ill. Next time. James and I hung out with my sisters, Jen and her family, Alicia and Ashliegh. They were great tour guides.

Right before we left for Japan we went to Aaron's brothers wedding it was just beautiful. I love temple weddings. They are just so sweet. I got to put the finishing touches on the wedding cake it was yummy. It was a italian wedding cake with lemon and raspberry filling and a cream cheese whip cream frosting. Aaron's Aunt Lu decorated it with flowers and ribbon. Which made it look great.

I got to fly alone with the kids to Japan and they were awesome. Our seat neighbors were really helpful. It was the easiest flight I have ever experienced in my life. The Lord really blessed us.

We love Japan and may never return to the states again. The people are so kind and friendly. I am sure there people here who are not kind, but I do not have to worry about them. I will never meet them because they will never try to help this foreigner. It would be to much trouble for them.

Yesterday James, Gabriella, and I went to the store. It was amazing! I now have my new produce store. It is called AVE (AVEE). Gaby became upset and began to cry at the end of our short shopping trip. A kind lady gave her a handheld pinball game. It quieted Gaby down. I wish there was some way to repay her for her kindness so I pray that the Lord will bless her.

James is doing well and has a new best friend Gavin. They actually play trains together without fighting. That's a miracle. Today James and I played Scooby Doo. James had me put a blanket over my head and made me be the ghost while he was Scooby Doo. He took off the blanket after I chased him around the apartment and he said in a surprised voice like all the characters on Scooby Doo, "Mommy!?" It was adorable. I had to give him a big fat kiss.

Gaby is Gaby she reminds me of my sister Camarie. Where she knows who she is and what she is doing and nobody better try to tell her otherwise. Gabriella is still not liking people touching her curly hair, but no one can resist it. I can't resist it too, so I just make Gaby deal with strangers touching her hair. They all say she is so beautiful or lucky! She is learning to deal with it.

Every time we see a non foreigner (Japanese) I am the foreigner (Gygen) here. I have the kinds say Ohio Gosymus (Good Morning), Konichiwa (Good Afternoon), and Domo Origato Gosymis (Thankyou). I know I am writing this wrong and pronouncing thank you and honor (gosymus) wrong. My friend laughed at me cause I said Gosymus wrong. I will need to improve.

I feel we should use as much Japanese as possible. I hope we will learn more. I will need to have a friend who knows Japanese take me shopping and tell me what is what.

Aaron is enjoying his job and the autonomy it offers. He gets to travel all over the Pacific. I may go to Australia with him when he goes.

I am teaching early morning seminary and it is going well. I love my students. They all have such strong spirits. I am learning a lot from them. They read their scriptures everyday. They are mastering their scriptures. I love them.

We got a new computer a MAC. So when I figure out how to post pictures I will.

The week of April 6th, 2008

2008-04-14T14:52:00.000-07:00

Well this week we found out that my brother-in-law Mickey will be getting married in July. Congrats Mickey and Sara!. We will have to fly out of Las Vegas instead of San Diego.

James this week has been practicing coloring in the lines in his coloring book. This is a slow progress he still colors outside of the lines, but he is now just using one color of the picture and keeping the color in the same general area!!! This is a big accomplishment for a 3 almost 4 year old. He is also practicing reading his letters. This week he looked at the liscence plate of our car and noticed the letter and said some of them!!! What a genius! He is counting objects now too. So hopefully we will be ready for kindergarten next year! He said the cutest thing at the zoo last week. We were at the orangutans and there were 2 bars for climbing. James climbed half way up straddling himself between the 2 bars and he, "Look mommy! I am a orangutang!!" It was so cute I started to laugh and the man passing by did too.

Gabriella, she is babbling a store and when she wants something she points and says, "dat!" When she wants to be picked up she holds arms up and bends back her hands ever so slightly and says, "Uh, Uh, Uh!" She loves to cuddle. She loves to play with James toys and James is learning to share. I was afraid that Gabby was losing her curl yesterday but it turned out the humidity was only 14. That is really low her in Southern Cal. When we go to the zoo or the store Gabby insists on get out of the stoller or shopping cart and pushing it to practice her walking. When I want to get out of the store quickly I can't because she screams bloody murder until I let her out and let her walk!!! She is adorable though.

This Friday my sister-in-law Amy and her family will be coming to visit with us!!! We are terribly excited. We will be celebrating James' birthday while they are here. Since James will have to have his train cake for his birthday I must make it early, because the pan will be packed and on its way to Japan when his birthday arrives.

Aaron is the same busy with work, but always manages to make lots of time for his family.

Our Family Motto We Move

2008-04-09T15:16:00.000-07:00

With my husband's occupation we tend to move every now and then. I guess you could say our family motto is, "We Move". Eventually I may come up with something that will become more awe inspiring, but for now it is "We Move".

Our next move will take us to Japan! We are terribly excited. We only hear great things about Japan from friends who have lived there previously. Some say how can you leave your friends and family, you will know no one there?

First I think well my church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) is global, it becomes my extended family. Even as a child when my family lived in Turkey my church was there and the members there became my families extend family. Second I thought of my mother's saying, "There are good people everywhere, the secret is find the good and praise it." Third, I think we need challenges in our lives if we try to make it safe and never changing we do not grow. I am not saying that I am not a little apprehensive, but I know all things work out for our good.

Japan here we come!!!