Swinging

I think most children love to swing.  And some grownups do too!

The kids' swing busted so Papa helped put up a new one.

You can purchase elastic swings on-line but we found this chair at Target.   Papa took off the legs and made it into a swing!  Much much cheaper!

While I was out swinging Claire, the Google street view car came by!  Someday in the future you will be able to see a crazy lady in the street taking a photo of the car!  Ha!

Papa got tuckered out by the work he did.

(he threatened me this week that he will take a picture of me sleeping - probably with my mouth wide open and drooling - and put it online for all to see.  But you see, I think he is just cute!!  And so helpful!)

Worship time family style

A benefit of making your kids take music lessons when they are young is being able to listen to them in your old age.  I LOVE it!!  

Josh is now a worship pastor and Jill teaches piano lessons.

Last Sunday our kids led worship at church.

Side note:  Josh's guitar is a personalized one he got from Dehradun Guitar in India.  Click on that link!  Josh's friend and mentor, Dave Murray, moved to India in 2010, along with his family.  Their idea was to help Indian artisans.  Mel started a textile-based fashion company called JOYN and Dave started this guitar company.

 Peeking into the children's worship time during the Sunday School hour.

I had never heard this song before, but boy, it really resonated with me!
Lately, I have been so overwhelmed by God's extravagent love!

Satan tries to discourage and tell lies, saying you aren't worth anything.
Doesn't matter what he says.   It is who God says I am!

Adam has begun a series on Revelation.  

You can listen here.

 After a good old fashioned potluck - oh, who doesn't love those???? - Josh's family had to head back to Arkansas.  And we had to do our "silly wave good-byes"!!  This is a family thing we do everytime we say good-bye!

Eight!

What time is it?

Time to celebrate Sophia turning 

What time is it?

Time to get ears pierced!   

Her mommy and daddy said she had to wait until she was 8!

Her cousin also went along and got hers done!

What time is it?

Time for a Japanese meal!

Sophia wanted a Japanese-themed birthday party.

She wanted some maki-sushi.

I added nashi (Asian pear) and grapes too.

I made place cards for everyone.

I let Sophie choose which Japanese doll to use as a centerpiece.

I have 4 Japanese lady dolls and 1 Samurai.

One day, each grandchild can pick one!

She also requested sukiyaki!  I know.  Sukiyaki and maki-sushi don't really go together, but what the birthday girl wants, the birthday girl gets!

Mom and Dad used to make sukiyaki dinners and over the years probably did so over 100 times.  At least!  Maybe 500!!   It's a lot of work, especially doing the dishes afterwards!  They would often do it for an entire church group!  Maybe 150 people!   I don't know how they did it!

 

starter chopsticks

I remember my Japanese nanny,Taniguchi-san, teaching me how to use them when I was very young.

I was so glad that Dad was able to come.  But he couldn't use chopsticks.  

He can't use his right hand anymore.  It was going to be too hard to try with his left hand.  

Time for birthday cake!

Mt. Fuji cake!

 How old is Sophia, Claire?

Claire picked out this card just for Sophia

(because Claire likes "Tinkerbella"!)

 Time for gifts!

Translation:   "Happy birthday"  "How old are you?"

Sophia LOVES Legos!!


I gave each grandchild a little gift.  They were from Grandma Lois' things.

 This seashell turtle is made from seashells from Nichinan, in Japan where I grew up.

Claire didn't get a little Japanese gift because I knew she would much rather have Princess Sofia shoes!  One day she will appreciate a little Japanese gift too.

What time is it?
It was time for Dad to go.  So grateful to the Home for bringing Dad to our home!!
Just before he left, he kind of gave a chuckle (I LOVE his little laughs!).
Then he said, "I hate to ask but, you ARE my daughter, aren't you?"

We kidded the driver that she could let go of him and he would fly down the driveway right into the van!

What time is it?
Time to reflect on how much Sophia has grown!

ONE!

 TWO!

 THREE!

FOUR!

FIVE!

SIX!

SEVEN!

What time is it?
Time to praise our heavenly Father for this precious, dear, delightful young lady!!

Soon it will be time for her to be all "growed" up!!
             And walk down the wedding aisle.
                               Have babies.

Slow down!