Quick trip

I have had one BUSY week! It began last Tuesday with a quick trip down to Arkansas.
Josh and Staci needed some help with their children. Staci's mother was very ill and she usually takes care of them Tuesday evening while they have community group and also all day Wednesday. It was fun to see the children and play with them.

The weather was nice and the first thing I noticed was everything was in bloom! A week later now I have noticed that things are starting to bloom here in Kansas also.
Josh had drawn "streets" on their driveway. There were also bridges with a river flowing underneath it, and a car wash/gas station too.

We read books, painted pictures in their art room and cars and princesses. Thursday morning I headed back to Kansas. Ran into a slushy snow just past Joplin. But sunny by the time I got home in time to babysit the Kansas grandkids!

Japanese lesson on Girls' Day

For our Japanese lessons this week, I told the girls about Hina Matsuri Day which is also known as Girls' Day. In the above picture, I am with my friends at a girl's day celebration. Girl's Day is a special holiday in Japan that takes place on March 3 every year. The families make wishes for the good health, growth and happiness for their girls.

Japanese families display dolls of the Emporer and Empress in their homes. Some doll sets also include all of the Imperial court; the attendants, musicians and their possessions. These dolls are not played with as they are usually gifts from the grandparents or inherited from the girl's mother and are quite delicate and expensive!


Hannah and Sophia painted pictures of Japanese girls in kimono and then made these princesses.

We set up our own red tier stand for our Emperial court. We didn't really have an emperor or empress or all that goes with it. We improvised.

A Japanese woman made kimono for my Barbies so there they are on the 2nd to the top. Along with Sophia's "scratchy bunny" that she sleeps with. And a samurai at the bottom to protect them all.
The girls loved dressing up in kimono and whirling the umbrellas around.
Then we played "mama-goto" or "house" with our Japanese play dishes.

I prayed a blessing on all my granddaughters. He has a special plan for each one.

Seven years

It has been 7 years since we moved into our home on this date.
Our care group (that's what we called them before Adam moved here and they were renamed community life groups), friends, and mom and dad helped us with the move. We lived 6 months in the country in a rental since our home in Quail Creek sold before our new home was finished.
The Josts (whose home we rented) loaned us a cattle trailer to load up all our furniture and boxes. They worked so hard to clean it out. Even put in a nice flooring! There were several pickups too.
Here our lawn is still dirt - no grass yet. And on the street running south there is only 1 house. Today there are 6 homes on that street.


laying down on the job

We had a delicious lunch provided by my friend Becky.

We enjoy our home, especially to host Bible studies or have friends over to eat. And in particular to have the family over! What a blessing. Our hearts go out to all those whose lives have been uprooted this past week due to the tornado breakout.
This day is also a special day for one of my young mom friends, who is celebrating her birthday. Happy Birthday Tami!

And I think of sweet Cora whose birthday it is on this day too. Cora's family grieves their loss as Cora is now with the Lord. Blessings to you, dear friends!