Andy in Iraq

Andy sent us an SD card full of pics and videos, what a treat for us all. This one was on there of him and Ben, I'm thinking it was taken here before Andy left because as far as I know Ben is still here, at least I think that is who I see each day coming and going.
I think it goes without saying that they are in a "DRY" area of the world, wonder why they post it. You know how those military type are, sometimes they need things spelled out for them.
Looks like a sand storm. I believe this is a view from Andy's barracks.
On the road to ?????? not sure.

Have Suit will travel

I'm in my Sunday best thanks to Major Dawson who is a size or two ahead of me. Also I wanted to look my best at Tripp Roy's memorial, since he was a fan of jacket/suit and ties. I couldn't sport the tie, still a bit of baby fat around that area......Please do remember our friend Amanda Roy and her children Jackson and Alyssa as they move forward in their new chapter of life without their fearless leader Tripp.
I'm thinking of jumping in for a swim, but you know that mom won't like that and besides we are going to pick daddy up at the airport after this event and I'll be all wet. Soooo, I guess I'll wait til summer for swimming.
Riku, in the front with the yellow towel, participated in the "Love Junx" event. An event for D.own Syndrome children all over the island to perform in front of the community. It was wonderful and such a joy to be among so many Down Syndrome folks, you could feel the love. Riku is one of Junko's church members. His mom and dad are so sweet. We saw a couple of folks we knew or had met at other events around the island, it was quite a reunion.
Tomo and Bethany are ice cream LOVERS. Bethany is trying to share hers with Tomo and teese him at the same time.
Of course he thinks Princess Bethany is IT.......

Red Envelope Project

We participated in this project at Koza Baptist Church.. Thanks to Hallmark for their donation of their unused RED envelopes left over from Valentine's Day. We gathered and sent 288 envelopes. Thanks to our church family for participating with us to make a "Pro life" statement to our President. It is not too late for you too to make a statement especially if you are in the states. Check out: redenvelopeproject.org and see how you can help. You need to send them to the President by the end of this month

Beach Rock Village

Back in February, before Andy departed for Iraq, Tom and I went on an overnight to the north end of the island while the big boys stayed home with the little ones, what a blessing that was for us. We celebrated our 27th Anniversary. We went to a really neat place called "Beach Rock Village" for lunch in a real "Tree House", very "Swift Family Robinson". We took a video on my cell phone, but have been unable to download it, therefore, I have enclosed the web site so you can go and view some pics of this really neat place. We certainly would classify it as "Okinawa Hippie Hangout", not that we fall into the category at all, believe me we felt a bit out of place at first and apprehensive as well, but, settled with, "We are here, let's check it out." mode. Anything that can be home grown was grown, even the chickens.......T-Pee's were the choice of lodging, no kidding. Tom made reservations for us to stay the night, but as the sun began to set, he cancelled as we weren't sure we wanted to try something that new after dark....... so we stayed at Okuma then went searching for "Beach Rock Village" when the sun came up. It turned out to be quite an adventure and an excellent Pizza and Salad meal atop a tree. If you are on Okinawa it is a must go and see and eat in the tree, hey that rhymed....I'll stop there. Go check out the site: http://www.shimapro.com/index.html

Fun time playing with friends!!!!

Tomo's friend Saran came for a visit, he loves her so much, she's so pretty.....
Knock knock...let me in to your little bitty house,
Tomo loves Mio too, she such a special young lady.....
Juda and his traffic jam.......

To hear or not to hear, that is the question??????

Cheeeeezooooo (japanese version of Cheese)
When Mom pokes that thing in, it makes my tongue poke out. NOT
(Note: Tomo is not sporting a tatoo or a booboo on his face)
Tomo finally has a hearing aid. We have truely been blessed by Navy Medicine and the docs taking care of Tomo and Juda. As dependants of a retiree, they don't rate hearing aids. Even if they did they are quite expensive. Keep in mind we aren't even sure Tomo needs it, so this is trial and error. So the doc that just retired ordered some to keep in stock, and they are loaning us this hearing aid, short term, long term, as long as we need it................we are so very thankful for this opportunity for Tomo. At first he cried when we put it on, so little by little each day we have him wear it. His ear canal is quite floppy, mushy, soft, causing sound waves a problem to get back to the ear drum. That much we know for sure, so we aren't sure if that is causing the hearing deficit or that he has a bad drum, nerve, etc.......Time will tell. Just like Juda's glasses, this device too will be a challenge to keep on, but we will persevere.

Our new friends and visitors

Juda catching a ride on Hikari. We sure enjoyed our visitors today, Sakina, Pastor Naomi along with Rika, Mia and Casey (he jumped in the pic at the last minute)