Thrift Store Shopping

Like the hundred yen stores, the Japanese second hand stores are another treasure trove of Japanese goods, but the thrift store locations here are a well kept secret by those who know about them who don't want the other base dwellers to know about them. Luckily, I know a gal who has been here almost 10 years who showed me where some of these hidden stores are. We found some great stuff.

We found everything from Japanese art, kokeshi dolls, glass floats, and lots of plates and platters. I don't think I paid over 5 dollars for anything. I think I found another winter activity.

A Little Chilly

The temperature is starting to drop here in Misawa, although, it's not as cold as the Midwest... so far. The kids had to rake and bag the leaves on Saturday as a chore but they were rewarded with one last motorcycle ride for the year.

We weren't ready for fall to end yet, with it's comfortable temperatures but hopefully the kids will enjoy skiing.

Grateful

I'm feeling grateful lately, and not just because I'm supposed to although, Thanksgiving is a nice reminder, but I'm generally feeling very grateful for all that God has blessed us with. I'm also feeling very hopeful for those who are in need of his blessings at this time.

I feel like most of the time I've been blessed far more than I deserve. These are the things I've been especially grateful for lately:
1. My faith; I love the gospel of Jesus Christ, I'm a better person because of it.
2. An incredibly loving husband who is a good man, who loves his family beyond measure.
3. My kids (if I expound, I won't make it through my list).
4. The opportunity to live in a foreign land, to travel, to experience, to live.
5. People who don't know me well but treat me as if we've known each other years.
6. Little reminders from family and friends far away that they still think of us and miss us.
7. Modern technology that I can hear from family and friends far away.
8. The peace and serenity of nature (Japan has a lot and some to spare).
9. Health and strength and a body that allows me to be active.
10. The World, in all it's chaos there is so much to appreciate, so much good in it.

Gifted and Talented

Every once in a while I need to take a break from blogging about the wonders of Japan and brag a little about my kids. This is such an occasion.

Danielle was tested and accepted into the tag (talented and gifted) program in her school. She is one of three kids in her whole class to be accepted into this program. This girl is amazingly smart and we couldn't be prouder! Okay, done bragging for now.

Goshono Jomon Museum

Today I was able to go (thanks to a good friend watching Avie) with Danielle and her 6th grade class to the Goshono Jomon Museum in Iwate Prefecture. It's a little over an hour south of the base.

KiKiKi Bridge, the entrance to the museum.

The kids got to make a little craft before we set off to explore.

Jomon refers to the prehistoric period of Japan from about 14,500 B.C. to about 300 B.C.

One of the actual excavation sites.

Jace and Danielle

A Little Dusting

Snowfall has hit Misawa.

These two couldn't wait until this morning to go out, they had to go out last night! It was dark and somewhat of a blizzard; they didn't seem to mind.

Kimono

We found a bargain yesterday at the farmer's market. 500 yen for a second-hand kimono. Since new ones are really expensive we were all over it. Danielle found a silk one.

Sea Glass

With parent teacher conferences we couldn't go far from base but we tried to cram in some sea glass hunting before we had to be back to meet with Danielle's teacher.

We went a little over an hour north near shipwreck beach.

We found lots of treasures including a couple of crabs and loads of sea glass.

This is a sad picture but it's the reality of what man has done to our environment. So many of the beaches here in Japan and elsewhere are completely polluted! It's heartbreaking! There are many nice beaches here but also some that are not.

I was able to convince Rayce to leave his crab behind, but we came home with lots of other treasures.

Statue of Liberty Park

The kids have a long weekend, a very long weekend. They have parent teacher conferences today and tomorrow and the Veterans Day Holiday on Monday, so a 5-day weekend! Yesterday was an early release day to top it all off so we set out to find the Statue of Liberty Park. It's about a 20 minute drive from base and it really does have a Statue of Liberty.

I crammed the kids bikes in the back of Dan's car to bring them...I need my van back.

I love the Japanese parks, they're so pretty.

Japanese playgrounds are awesome! This is a roller slide, the kids loved it!

zip line fun

So I haven't been to New York yet to see the actual Statue of Liberty...can I still say I've seen it? Haha