Ice Skating w/5 kids in Japan...

That was my day! Looks fun, huh? It actually went a lot better than one would expect. Adam had to work, so me and 3 other moms took our kids ice skating today. We drove about an hour to the rink. We arrived about 1:00, and I was on the ice exactly 1 hour later...by the time I got skates, tied the girls, put and reput skates on the boys, put gloves, hats, etc, loaded Luke in layers and then the front pack, then smelled poop and had to unload, change clothes, baby wipe bath, and recloth and reload, then took Isaac and Jacob on an emergency run to the bathroom, then Jake had to go #2--that was fun w/ice skates & a baby in the front pack, balancing him over the Japanese squatter (#1 is a breeze for boys w/squatters, but #2 is a challenge!), then finally put on my skates, and then at 2:00 we were on the ice. Whew! It took a little convincing to get J out there, but he finally decided the sliding metal chair looked fun. Have any of you ever seen these in the states? I hear they have them, but they were a first for me today--and they totally saved me. The girls had lessons before coming to Japan, so they were fine, but it was the boys first time--you know, when they can't even stand on the ice w/out falling. So, thank goodness for the chair. But then a worker took the chair away after 15 minutes, because they rotate them, you have to get a # and wait for a turn. That totally opened a can!! There were adults and big kids out there pushing each other around on them. W/a lot of sign language I threw a little fit, counting my boys over and over for them, trying to convince them to just let me keep one chair, that I was an exception to the rule and needed one! Nonetheless, throwing a fit in a foreign country doesn't always do a lot of good...no chair. So, I had the girls keep getting me a new number every 10 minutes and we were able to keep a chair most of the time.

The girls made friends w/some japanese girls right off. It's funny how w/kids the lanuage thing isn't really that big of a deal--they figure it out and play together anyway.

Oh, and if you're thinking, "I can't believe they're not wearing helmets" or "I can't believe she's skating w/Luke in the front pack!", you can rest at ease that anything goes in Japan. And don't worry, I didn't skate w/Luke on front unless I was pushing the chair, so I wasn't going down.

Adam took Isaac on a daddy date tonight--they went to KFC and bowling--Isaac got a personal high of 106 (w/bumpers of course). He had a lot of fun. I asked him who knocked more pins down, him or Dad, & he said confidently "I did!"

2006 Update

Since I included our blogspot address in our Christmas card this year, I thought I'd write a quick little summary of 2006. Hope you like the above pic, it was taken while in the middle of trying to get the family Christmas card pic, which let me tell you, was not an easy task. That's why we had to settle for one w/Isaac's fingers in his mouth.

So 2006, Emma started 4th grade, Sarah started 2nd. They both swam on the base youth swim team this year again, and are taking a little break right now, since swim team is a year round never-ending sport. They also both played soccer this fall, and LOVED it. Especially Emma, she never finished a game or practice without her face being dark red and splotchy. And she even made a goal at the last game. Emma still loves animals, and the highlight of her year was getting a puppy last February. She's a black Doberman named Duchess, who goes nuts each day when Emma gets home from school. Emma's always up for a big project, her latest has been collecting goods for an orphanage in Hiroshima.

Sarah still loves to catch butterflies, read, do puzzles, jump rope, and play with her friends. She's not as fond of Duchess, but puts up w/her. Jacob follows Sarah all around the house each day saying "Rara, Rara". Out of desparation last summer I assigned each of the girls a "buddy brother", who they would help take care of, get ready for bed, hold hands crossing the street, etc. Anyway, Sarah's buddy is Jacob. She just informed me about a week ago that she really wants a new buddy, it just isn't working out for her. Alot of nights we'll race getting ready for bed, with "buddy teams", she says she's tired of losing. But she really is very compassionate and patient with her little brothers.

Isaac just turned 4, and started Yochien (Japanese preschool) this past fall. He has loved it. He loves cutting, glueing, folding, and playing in the mud making "mud balls", a favorite Japanese-childs' pastime. He has really suprised me lately with his Japanese. He doesn't practice a lot around the house, sings some japanese songs--but an older boy from Yochien was at our house last week and Isaac busted out with a bunch of Japanese, I was amazed.

Jacob is 2 1/2 and started Yochien this past fall as well. I wasn't planning on sending him, but when I took Isaac to register and get uniforms, the sensei's really wanted me to sign him up and brought out a bunch of tiny little uniforms, and with Luke being only about 2 weeks old, it didn't take a whole lot of convincing to talk me into it. He loves it as well, and we're not too sure if he's speaking much Japanese, because we can't really understand much of his english either. So, we'll give him the benefit of the doubt, he's fluent!

Luke, our bonus child, was born this past August. Since Japanese people don't normally have negative blood, and I am B-, I got to go to Yokosuka, a navy base near Tokyo, for 4 weeks to deliver. (If it's hadn't been for the blood issue I could have delivered at a Japanese hospital, but our base is small w/only a clinic.) So at 37 weeks the kids and I took the Shin (bullet train) to Yokosuka. Adam came a few weeks later. We ate a lot of fast food, did a lot of walking, shopping at the exchange, and playing at parks. Luke Thomas Workman was born on August 8, and has been a complete BLESSING ever since. He is the best baby, and we all enjoy him SO much!

Adam still stays very busy as the base prosecutor. He now serves as 2nd counselor in our branch presidency, which keeps him busy also. In any free time he finds, he enjoys hiking w/the family or riding his road bike w/friends.

As for me, I stay very busy w/5 kids, a large dog, and husband. I enjoy getting a babysitter Saturday nights for my date night out, and running in the mornings w/Luke and Duchess.

Our 3 years in Iwakuni is coming to an end, we leave this summer! Such mixed emotions, I have loved it here and will truly miss it! But am excited to be closer to family. We'll have a better feel for where we'll be going next in about a month.--so that means that you all have about 6 months left to book those flights and come visit Japan!!

We enjoyed getting Christmas cards and letters from so many of you. We hope you all had a Merry Christmas and have a wonderful New Year!! We miss you!

You know Dasher, and Dancer, and Donner, and Blitzen…

Yesterday was the annual base Jingle Bell Jog. We usually don’t dress up too much, the girls just focus on the race part of it. But this year I decided we were all going to dress up—as Santa and his 8 reign deer, only we had 6 not 8. At 9:00pm Wed. night the girls and I were raiding the thrift store for anything brown to wear. Luke already had a Santa costume, I found some rope, and we were all set. It was a lot of fun! Much to Emma and Sarah’s dismay, Jacob insisted on walking the whole way. I thought he’d take a ride in the jogger w/Luke, but he was very determined. I kept great track of everyone, I’m thinking of tying them all up like reign deer next time we go to the mall.

We may not have gone all out on the yard this year w/decorations, but I made up for it w/the car. I totally scored points w/the kids on this one.

It was Adam’s birthday yesterday. Other than having the bug I had last week, he had a great birthday. He wasn’t quite as bad off as I was though, and we did manage to get a babysitter and get out in the evening. The night before we celebrated w/the kids at a local Japanese restaurant—it’s not too often these days that we take them all out to a restaurant, but they were all actually really good.

Adam took the day off today to watch the Cougs play. Go BYU!—apparently they won because my husband was in a very good mood all day. After the game he took the boys out hiking. They found Isaac’s coat right where we had left it last week when we were there taking our family Christmas car pic. That is the great thing about Japan, you can leave you wallet in the middle of the street for a week and no one will touch it. We never lock our car, in fact we leave the keys in the ignition. We’ll have to make a few changes when we get back to CONUS.

Well, better get to bed, Mrs. Claus has a few more projects to finish up in the morning before everyone gets up.

girls night out!
I got out for a girls night out tonight! Yeah, I need those once in a while. We saw a good movie, Holiday. Very cute chick flick. Although I was totally disturbed that there were two little boys, maybe 6 and 8 yrs old, sitting behind us watching it w/their parents. Hello! Who takes their little boys to a PG13 chick flick?? So the babysitter cancelled, maybe you'll have to too!! Anyway, it wasn't that bad, but it just wasn't a show for two little boys. Ok, new subject. Adam had branch pres. mtgs tonight, and is still there! Hello, it's going on 10:00! Poor guy.So I made a new friend this past week who has gotten me very interested in machine embroidery...right now I have Santa watching a few computerized embroidery sewing machines on ebay. I've been a very good girl this year, we'll see how it works out. This new friend, she's moving at the end of the week. I seem to always do that, meet really nice friends right before they leave, that way I get to be friends w/them for a really long time, maybe a week or a month. It's great. That's military life for you.Yesterday I took Christmas sugar cookies to Isaac and Jacob's Yochien classes and let them frost and decorate them. Japanese sweets normally aren't very sweet, often made of rice, with a little sweet bean surprise inside. I'm sure the sensei's appreciated the sugar high they were all on the rest of the day. The boys were so excited to have me there, it was so fun. And it was so nice to leave the mess there...now we don't have to decorate any at home this year! The babysitter did a good job tonight, 4 kids asleep in Emma and Sarah's bed, just like every night.

Not a good night! Today after work Becky picked me up and told me she wasn't feeling well. She had gone to Hiroshima earlier in the day and suspected a sandwich she ate might have been getting revenge on her. We ran an errand out in town and when we got home she went straight to the bed and curled up in the fetal position. Within minutes she was puking. I had planned to take Sarah out tonight. I try to take the kids out once a week for some one on one time. Tonight was Sarah's turn and she was really looking forward to it.

I figured my trip out with Sarah was cancelled when Becky started puking, but she didn't want Sarah to be disappointed. She also perked up a little bit after the first few rounds of hurling. So I went and got the kids some videos, got the baby changed and tucked in his crib, and verified with Becky about 50 times that she was sure she would be fine if I left. She assured me she would be just fine.

I got back about an hour and a half later. Much to my surprise one of our neighbors was there. She said Becky had called her for help with the baby. I was really grateful for her help, and she told me that if I needed her in the middle of the night not to hesitate to call. I told her there would be no need for that since there was nothing she could do for the baby that I couldn't do for him. Then it occurred to me--she has a nursing baby also. Becky called her over to feed the baby. All I can say is that I am not going to think too hard about this, and I am just extremely relieved that I am not dealing with an inconsolable baby right now.

My night out with Sarah was quite enjoyable. We went to a brand new Tex Mex place that opened up here. Tex Mex is a first here, which is fine since we have really grown to love sushi. But tonight was a nice change of pace. The only downer at dinner is that the restaurant is really small and we got stuck sitting close to one of our neighbors that hates us because of our dog, and after about the fourth tequila he was really becoming the life of the party.

The guy crys about Duchess crapping on his lawn, although both times she has done it I have immediately gone home to get a shovel and have immediately returned to pick it up. One time he told me he was going to call the cops about it, and I told him to go right ahead. He did. Since he knew the cops wouldn't care about cleaned up crap he told them that she was running loose and attacked his 17 year old son. Total BS, and the cops knew it. But when the cops show up at the base prosecutor's house it always makes for some good neighborhood drama. He just doesn't like my dog b/c she is black. Other than that though, we had a really good time.

Well its time to get the kids to bed, they are watching air buddies for the fourth time, and it is going to be a long night. The baby is going to have to figure out the bottle, I am not calling the neighbor.

AJW

New Shirt!
I volunteer at the Base Thrift Store for a few hours every monday morning, so I find pretty good stuff. A few of my friends work there as well, so it's fun. Anyway, got Jacob a new "Tigger" shirt yesterday, which he was very excited to wear this morning to Yochien. After he got it on, I told him that Sensei would really like it. (Japanese LOVE Pooh Bear and Mickey Mouse stuff--pretty much anything Disney, but especially those two. Speaking of Japanese loving disney--that reminds me of a story....later.) Anyway, when we got to the bus stop, Jacob wanted his coat zipper down, so I unzipped him and he proceeded to show all the kids at the bus stop his new shirt. Then the bus pulled up, I'll have to post a pic of the bus, it's pretty funny--green gingham seat, flowers on the outside--anyway, bus pulls up, and he runs up to the Sensei helping them on and holds open his coat so she can see his shirt. She smiled, and tried to usher him on--there was a long line behind him. He didn't budge, just kept holding open his coat for her to see, this time she sort of nodded and smiled, but still not good enough for J. So, I came up behind him and told him, "She really likes your shirt!", and lifted him up onto the bus. Yeah, they both got on the bus happily this morning, I like those mornings.
So Luke is 4 mo. old now, and I finally got around to taking a little photo shoot of him in his blessing outfit. I had fun trying out our new camera, and he was totally happy, so it was an easy job. Some of you have requested a pic (parents) of this, so if you can not save it from this site, let me know and I'll email you a copy. So I am asking for your participation in a vote on which one I should hang on my wall--this may require you to push the comment icon and reply!!! Don't be scared--this is 2006, I know you can all figure it out. Anyway, would love to have your vote. We'll just # them 1-6, #1 being at the top. THANKS!
Ok, so the Disney story--in Japan they have these hotels called "love hotels" everywhere. You pull your car in to a little garage spot, you cover your licence plate with the cover provided, and you go in and pay by the hour into a little machine in the wall. You never see anyone the whole time you are there. Anyway, it was one of the boxes I wanted to check while I am here, just to really experience Japan. So a couple of months ago we did. The room was not at all what I expected though, we walked in and the first thing I saw was a poster sized framed pic of Whinnie the Pooh on the wall. Then the Minnie Mouse comforter. And the close to life sized Mickey Mouse sitting in the corner! It was so crazy, I mean I knew Japanese love disney, but not quite to this extent! Anyway, to make a long story short, we couldn't be as secretive as most because we coudn't figure out how to use the pay machine--which meant we were locked in till we paid. So I had to call the front desk for help on getting out. We almost forgot our sourveniers, but she made sure we didn't--a Mickey wash cloth and matching glass cup. Jacob really appreciated them.

Saturday night was the girl's piano performance. They played the prelude music for a Christmas music show that was provided here on base. They did a great job playing. Becky was a little nervous at the dress rehearsal because Sarah had completely forgotten how to play the piano. She initially wrote it off as bad nerves, but when they got home she still couldn't play a thing. They worked on it for a little while and by the time of the actual show she did a flawless job, as did her sister. All of Becky's students played a little number. It was nice. After the kids played we stayed for the rest of the show. The show was at the base theater so we got dinner for the kids, namely nachos, popcorn, and this green melon drink they sell in Japan that is like soda but is pretty much straight syrup. Jake spilled his popcorn after about 1 minute. Buttery popcorn is really slippery on a movie theater floor after it gets trampled a few times.

During the performance I spent most of the time with the boys out in the foyer. They entertained themselves by scooting around on the floor pushing an ice cube. After they pushed it back and forth a few times they would put the ice in their mouths. I would lecture them and make them spit it out if I saw it. Unfortunately, I don't think I saw it every time. The doc who diagnosed the disorder on my face came out into the foyer and pointed out to me that a lot of bacteria lives on the floor. I said thanks doc, but they're boys, they're thoroughly entertained right now, and they are doing so without assaulting anyone or destroying property. He has all girls so I didn't expect him to understand.

Yesterday church went relatively smoothly. I spent most of Sacrament holding the baby while Becky tried to control the other 4. The next hour I still had the baby and he finally fell asleep in my arms so I was able to knock out a bunch of finance stuff while he was asleep. Because our branch is small I am also the finance clerk. The third hour the baby woke up quite hungry so Becky got to nurse him while trying to keep the sunbeams under control in sharing time.

Saturday I took the boys to the gym and set up a tee for them and let them hit a bunch of balls and run the bases. I think they are going to be ready for tee ball this spring. Other than that there is nothing new at our house.

Isaac was up all night last night with an ear ache. It is so nice when they get to the age that they can tell you exactly what is wrong. This morning he said he was fine, so I hesitated taking him in, but decided to, hoping to prevent being up all night tonight. So I took him in, it was definitely an ear infection, and he got some antibiotics. Jacob only broke 2 balls off the tree in front of the pharmacy.
This morning Emma gave me a note to sign to attend the 4th grade maturation program. Seems so early, can't believe how fast they grow up!!! Adam and I have said since she was about 3 that when she turned 8 we would take her to dinner and have "the big talk", I've read 8 is a great age to start, before it gets weird for them. Anyway, here she is, 9 1/2, and still no dinner! We just kept putting it off, and putting it off. So I felt the time crunch today, wanting to talk to her before she gets it all from school. I got a babysitter, and we took her out tonight. I wanted to go out in town to our favorite Korean restaurant where we could talk freely and nobody would understand what we were saying, but Adam had duty and couldn't leave base, so we settled for the Mongolian night at the Club here on base. It actually went really well, don't know why we put it off so long. She is such a good girl, it was fun spending time with just her.
The pic is one Adam took last night of Luke and I. He is getting big way to fast!! Still so much fun, such a GOOD baby.

Pretty normal day around here today. Crazy morning, boys missed the bus, but luckily it comes by 15 minutes later again, and stopped for us. Then Luke needed to eat, so didn't get off for my run till 10:00, and I was about an hour off all day. Oh well, it was Monday, nobody likes Mondays. Ran errands all afternoon with a really nice new neighbor 2 doors down who happens to be in our branch too. She's more like my parents age, a nice change of pace, and nice to visit with. Then beat the girls home just in enough time to fill the advent calendar, it has little wooden drawers that you fill with candy, and pull out each day. When the boys got home a little while later, they both freaked out -- Isaac wanted to open every day but day 4, and Jacob wanted two pieces. Both fell apart. Got to love it. Makes you want to do nice, fun mom things more often. Finally I put it out of sight and things got better. Not sure if the boys will be included on the advent calendar thing tomorrow. Maybe I'll just eat their pieces.
Isaac is quite the ladies man lately. He keeps wanting girls to come over and play. Which is fine, he's really only had one friend (other than Jacob) since we've been here, so it's nice he as a few more. Anyway, this is what I caught them doing though. I'm going to have to keep a close eye on that one.
So after we worked through the advent calendar issue, I taught piano lessons. I have a 12 yr. old girl who helps with the boys while I teach. They didn't seem to want to play with her today. It's getting pretty cold, so they wouldn't play outside like they usually do during lessons. Anyway, while the sitter was helping Isaac on the computer, Jacob decided to turn the family room into a batting cage, or the Christmas tree into a Tee. Bam, he hit that red ball with all he had. It's amazing how many little pieces of glass one ornament can make. Anyway, first, but not last I'm sure, ornament casualty today.

Now that Sunday is finally over maybe we can get some rest. I was late for my meetings this morning because I had to go to medical and get my incision packed with gauze. Last week I had a zit that swelled to 4 inches in diameter and when the antibiotics wouldn't reduce it they went in with a knife, cut it open, and drained about a thimble's worth of pus out of it. Every morning I go in to have them stuff a shoe lace looking piece of gauze into the incision. I should be done next week. Becky wanted me to clarify that it wasn't really a zit, it was a staph infection. It looked like a huge zit. Everyone in the family has been getting them, mine was just very large and too deep to respond to antibiotics. Everyone has bacteria that lives on their bodies, but for some reason this trash infected an ingrown hair, or a knick with the razor on my face.

During church I got to watch Becky struggle with our five kids, then go off to sunbeams and struggle with someone else's.

Tonight we pulled out the Christmas decorations. We have been avoiding the project for as long as possible since we just moved and got everything put away. Pulling out several bins of Christmas nick-nacks made us both want to vomit. But when the kids start asking in their prayers that we put up the Christmas tree what can you do? We relented and pulled everything out. So far we have put up about 1/3 of our stuff, including the tree, and that seems like more than enough. Becky just asked me when Christmas ever got so out of control, I don't know, but we are about to retake control.

The other day ago Becky went upstairs and the girls had Luke decked out in their build-a-bear clothes. I wasn't too pleased that it was the ballerina outfit, but I thought the boy's grin looked good enough to post a picture here.

The kids went to bed over 1/2 hour ago, but keep coming downstairs with one excuse or another. All four are crammed into one bed, at their insistence, with a full size Doberman. Sarah just came down quite concerned because sometimes the Jake wets the bed and since Becky made chili for dinner he is indicating in his own way that she might wake up in something much worse than a little puddle. I told her to sleep in one of the other beds, but no, she doesn't want to do that.

Pretty normal, crazy day around here. I got to sew for a while this morning, once again, I love Yochien!! So nice to have a few hours with just Luke in the mornings. I finished up the last of the Thanksgiving Turkey in a Turkey/rice soup for dinner. I didn't think it tasted all that great, short a few ingredients, but it was a hit and everyone ate a ton, except for Emma, can't win them all I guess.
Tonight, like every other night, Jacob didn't want to go to bed. I sat in the boys room for a while nursing Luke, but after about a half an hour Isaac was asleep, and I was done messing around with Jacob. So, I went out, shutting the door behind me. He came down about 30 sec. behind me screaming. I reput him back up in bed. And he came back down....and so on, about 3 times. (we couldn't find the bungie cord tonight). But after 3 times of it he stopped. I was shocked it stopped so soon. The girls were happy, they just wanted to start our game of Scrabble. Anyway, about a half an hour later when the girls went up to bed, this is what they found....(the pic).....Jakey and Duch, all snuggled up together in the girls bed. Duchess had been in the boys room on the floor, patiently enduring the screaming, I guess she followed him in to the girls room though.
Wish me luck, tomorrow Luke and I are going mecan picking with the second graders. Mecans are like tangerines. The kids love them, they're the perfect snack size for them, and the peel practically falls off itself.

I love Yochien!!

What a weekend. Nice to have half my kids back in school today. The boys are on Japanese holiday today, so I'm swapping in a few minutes to go run. Saturday Adam and I were running together, kids with a sitter at home, and we stopped at the gym for a potty/drink break. While in the gym we ran into the flight surgion, who took one look at Adam and said, "What is on your face?" Adam said, "I don't know doc, you tell me". He told him he was positive it was a staff infection and needed antibiotics. We have all been taking turns with these runnaway zit/bite looking things for the past month!! I took the boys and I all in about a month ago, we all had one at the same time, totally painful, anyway, was sent away told it was just a bite. Since then Isaac's had 3 more, and me 1 more, and Adam his first. Whenever Adam gets something, it's not just a little thing, it's like 10x worse than when the rest of us get it. And that's how his face has been this weekend. Kinda looked like he has a dinosaur egg in his cheek, I measured it Saturday night at 4 inches in diameter. Anyway, he's doubled up on the antibiotics, and hopefully will get better soon.
So Adam missed church yesterday, so I got to do it all by myself. Spent most of Sacrament meeting nursing and in the bathroom with Jacob. Not quite sure what the rest of them were doing, pretty sure I don't want to know from the reports I was getting from Sarah. We don't have a nursing room in our new church, somehow it got left off of the plans, pretty sure it was a MALE who drew up the plans. Anyway, no nursing room, just suposed to use the relief society room, which has a glass window in the door. Yesterday I was in there nursing Luke, and got busted in on to get the sacrament. It was a nice offer, but really when I'm nursing in the "mother's lounge", I just figure I"m going to have to miss the sacrament. Needless to say, my husband has been given strict instructions to figure out a better mothers lounge.
So after sacrament mtg I got to start my new calling as Sunbeam teacher. Just what a mother of 5 wants to do after surviving sacrament mtg. I really am trying to have a good attitude though.
After church we went straight to Yochien to see the boys artwork on display. It is sooo amazing what the Japanese can do with trash!! They are so incredibly creative!! You can see for yourself in the pics!! I love Yochien!!
The boys were able to take alot of their artwork home, and as soon as we walked in the door, they ran upstairs to start decorating their room. A little while later I got Luke to sleep, and laid him down in his crib, in their room. I told the boys they'd have to stay out for a while, and go play somewhere else. I laid down. About 15 minutes later I heard Luke screaming and the boys back to their decorating. I went in their and got after the boys, and told Isaac he might have to have a spanking, that I was really mad, but that I'd talk to Dad about it. Then I went back to laying down on my bed, with Luke this time. About 5 minutes later Isaac came into my room and announced, "Mom, if you have to give me a spanking, I'm going to have to take your gum away!". (He had given me gum earlier that I was still chewing.)
So Duchess chewed up my bra this morning. It is the 2nd time she's done that. The first one was only a $20 bra though, and this morning's was a $50 Victoria Secret. She really doesn't chew up too much, a toy here or there, but she's really pretty good for a puppy. Chewing up my bras is totally crossing the line though!!

Today is Thanksgiving. I smoked my annual turkey, and Becky made about 9 dozen rolls (literally), an equal number of deviled eggs, and sweet potatoes. The morning started at 0430 so I could get my turkey going in the smoker.

Things have been going smoother with the neighbors since we have convinced the Jake to keep his hands off the neighbor's balls. However, we had another incident today that I am sure has the neighbors talking about us. Although this time it was more of a serious incident in my mind.

The boys' bedroom is on the second floor, and there is about a 4' by 2' ledge just under the window. I guess they built it there so if the house was on fire you wouldn't immediately burn inside the house, you could just sort of slow-roast on the outside while everyone watched, or until the firemen got there. One of the little neighbor kids informed me this morning that Isaac had been out there playing on the ledge earlier. I ran upstairs to interrogate him about it, and sure enough he didn't even try to deny it. I think he thought I would be proud. I wasn't. The neighbor kid also informed me that a lot of people drove by in their cars, slowed down, and watched him playing out there.

I cannot believe nobody said anything to us. These people will inform us about the most petty bullsh!z, yet noone said anything about this. Don't get me wrong, I am fully responsible for what my kids do, but if you see them in danger please say something. That ledge is 15' off the ground with solid tile patio underneath. I tried to make a lasting impression on the boy that I never wanted him to do that again, and we are in the process of putting a child-proof lock on it.

We had dinner tonight with the Hiroshima mission president, about 25 missionaries, some branch members, and 4 Yochien sensei's from the boys school. It was a good time and the smoked turkey was a big hit, as was everything Becky made. Reminiscent of home, Becky cajoled everyone into a game of pit, a Radford family favorite. The branch members have never before seen the fiery, loud, aggressive side of Becky that comes out when she plays such games. I have, and I was quite content to hold the baby.

-AJW

Fun at the Vet...

Today was busy as usual. Luckily I didn't have a Wymount White Glove check or anything, but I did have to get our old place all swept out, and those last few straggler things out. It's amazing how much I swept out!! I filled up a whole garbage bag!! It's amazing what can hide under those carpets and behind the beds. I finished cleaning up the yard, taking stuff to the thrift store, running errands, etc. So much fun.
Last night Adam took Duchess for a walk and let her run around out by the land fill on base. She stepped on a peice of glass, and came home with a bloody paw. It didn't look much better today, so after the kids got home from school, we took Duch to the vet. It would have been nice to take her earlier, but the girls insisted on coming, and the vet is closed from 12-4. Not quite sure, guess they got to take a nice long lunch. At least I remembered today though, the last two times I had to go to the vet off base, I went during those hours and had to make two trips. When we got there at 4, somehow about 10 other pets beat us there, so we had a nice long wait ahead of us. The boys were totally wild. They cleaned out the candy bowl, ran in and out, in and out of the automatic door over and over, ripped a dog poster off the wall, Jakey stuck his finger in a lady's bird cage several times--she didn't like it, Isaac asked another lady "what's his name?", (referring to her dog) about a dozen times, confused as to why she wouldn't answer. Most japanese speak at least enough english to answer that, but apparently she didn't. Anyway, after about a half hour I knew we weren't going to make it, so we left to run some errands. Got back about an hour later, and still had 2 people ahead of us, but it was only about 15 minutes more and we got in. The vet gave Duch a few stitches. She cried out pretty good, apparently the numbing medicine didn't work too good, I felt so bad for her. The kids all stayed pretty occupied with watching the proceedure. The doc wrapped her up pretty good, and assured us she wouldn't be able to chew it off. So far we're good. Anyway, we were all so into watching, and giving Duch our love and sympathy, that after we walked out and went to the counter to pay, the nurse had to bring Luke out. I had forgot him!! He was sleeping so good in his carseat in the corner! I was so shocked, I couldn't believe I totally forgot about him. And it showed on my face. The whole lobby full of people thought it was pretty funny. Well, they were laughing. But I'm sure they weren't just thinking it was funny. Seeing that they only have about 1 kid at the most here, and I had 5 kids and a big dog, and they had been totally out of control the whole time, I'm sure they were thinking more than it was funny.

As we got drove off, Emma said "Yah, I don't think I can be a vet anymore". It has been her dream for the past 6 years to be a vet.

The minute we got home, the girls raced to the stock of sharpies, signed Duch's paw, and took her around the neighborhood to get signatures.

WHAT A PAIN!

The last few days we have been moving. Our AC is being remodeled, so they relocated us a block away. I can't complain too much, I didn't have to lift a single thing, the Japanese movers took care of all of that. But reorganizing closets and putting pictures up on the wall has been 3 full days. Moving always provides an opportunity to de-junk and reorganize and we did plenty of that.

Thursday Becky ran in a race. She ran a 10k, took second. She got beat by some Japanese lady with legs half as long. She wasn't very happy about it. She brought home another HAT (huge _$$ trophy), she is accumulating quite a collection.

The girls had parent teacher conference last week. Their teachers had a lot of really nice things to say about them. Emma is in fourth grade but is in a 4/5 split class, and Sarah is in 2nd grade and is in a 1/2/3 split class. Although Emma has a plethora of talents, academics doesn't come easily for her. Becky and I work with her every night, we are still waiting for a few things to click for her.

Today was church. Becky was sick in order to catch up around the house. I came home and grabbed the kids after meetings and before sacrament. I sat in the congregation with the kids. We spent probably 30 minutes of sacrament meeting in the bathroom. Isaac had to drop a deuce which took about 15 minutes, and then Jake took his turn for another 15 minutes. While Jake was going Isaac sat on the floor of the stall by his side. Those boys have NEVER sat so still during sacrament meeting. I think we should install a speaker in there.

-AJW

Aren't balls for throwing??
It's a good thing we are moving this week, because Jacob sure didn't score points with our neighbor 2 doors down today. I finished piano lessons, got the boys from Lexi, their sitter, and locked them in the house for a few minutes while I changed my clothes, before beginning the huge project of ripping out our neighbors carpet to put in our new house down the street. While upstairs, Isaac and Jacob escaped out the sliding glass door, and headed down the street. Our yards are small, so they didn't have to go far before they found some really cool glass balls, about baseball size, 2 doors down. They were sitting in the neighbors potted plants as a decoration. Jacob's really into balls, throwing them, hitting them, whatever, so he started throwing them into the road. So I finished up changing, went downstairs, then outsitde to find them, with Isaac coming towards me saying "Jacob's breaking the glass". Hearing the smashing glass, I cringe and head to assess the damage. Just then the neighbor and her husband pull up. They just stair for a few minutes, then I appoligize and offer my best explanation. She tries to discipline Jacob, which doesn't go over too well with me. She tries to lecture him, criticize him for hiding between my legs, and wants him to pick up all the glass himself. Mind you, he's barefoot, and two, I really don't want him picking up broken glass. She's a pro at parenting and knows exactly how he will learn his lesson, she is a working mom with 1 baby. Anyway, to make a long story short, I take him home, put shoes on him, and help him pick up the glass and pay for the balls. Her last words to us were, "I just don't know why he would come down here and do this". I'm thinking, "Lady, come on, he's 2, you live about 15 yards away from us, and they are balls that make an awsome sound when hitting the road!!
Good thing we're moving a few houses further down the street on Thursday. They're renovation the air/heating systems, and so it's our turn to move. This week should be a lot of fun!

I survived church! These days, that's a real bragging right. Our new building does not have a drinking fountain--what church doesn't have a drinking fountain. The church must no longer be true. j/k But it is a pain, I mean, what am I supposed to ask Emma or Sarah to do with Isaac or Jacob when they take them out? And a nursing mom with 5 kids doesn't always remember bottled water. But it does provide for an escape from sunday school for 10 min. while I walk down the street to the nearest Coke machine for an Aquarius (like Gatoraid, but less sweet, much better). Drinks are such a big thing here in Japan, vending machines on every corner. In the states we never spent $ on drinks, but it's become quite the little hobby here for the kids and I, trying different drinks. The japanese make apple juice like you wouldn't believe.
Back to church, we made it on time! Only about 3 minutes after, I consider that on time. Thanks to the girls, the house was a WRECK this morning, I could see I didn't have time for it all, so I assigned the girls each a brother to dress, put shoes on, and comb hair. You wouldn't believe how well it worked. Jakey had his hair gelled and everything. And Isaac wore his suit for the first time. I've never been able to talk him into wearing it, but somehow Emma did. It may have had something to do with all the suckers she shoved in his pockets, I don't know. I did notice halfway throught the sacrament that Em failed on the socks, so Isaac had little black church shoes with no socks and his suit. Nice.
It was the primary program today. Luke needed to eat when it was time for the kids to go up, so Adam got to deal with Isaac. He helped him say his parts. The first one Isaac refused to say, so Adam said for him, the 2nd one he started to say, then fell off whatever he was standing up on, Adam got him back up, then he did his "funny talk", with his tongue hanging out. Needless to say, Adam go to finish that one as well. Adam took him to the bathroom when he was finished, they walked by me in the back and Isaac said, "I talked funny mom!"
Better run, I hear the hose on outside, and it's definitely not warm today.

Last night was the Marine Corps Birthday Ball. The Marine Corps turned 231. Happy Birthday to Terran too! And Becky Kemp! 2 easy birthdays for me to remember. I got a new dress from Modest Dresses.com. I had seen it and liked it online last year, and saw it again this year on half off-so bought it. I got the only color left in my size. It was a little crazier than my usual black or red, but fun. We had a great time--the food was much better than last year, and we got real crazy drinking a few cokes. And I made it 5 hrs with out Luke! I thought that was pretty good for a 3 mo. old. My dress kept getting tighter and tighter in the chest as the night went on though, so at 1030 I figured the baby needed to eat and we came home. The kids were all asleep, and the house a wreck. Well, Adam just left for Sun. morning meetings, and I've got 5 kids bouncing around on my bed helping me write this. Better go, we're going to try to be on time for church today!!

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Another day down at the Workmans. Isaac fell asleep on the couch at 5:00 tonight. By 5:30 I decided that it was for the night, and moved him upstairs to his bed. It's 10:45 pm, so far, so good. I went to enrichment tonight, it was so nice to get out with only 1 baby, enjoy our new building, and get dinner--it was mac and cheese with dad tonight for the kids. The girls have school off tomorrow, and Mon. and Tues. too. Thank goodness no Japanese holidays fall in the next few days, the boys will still go. With just the girls home I think I should be ok. I actually really enjoy a little time with just the girls once in a while, we can do a craft or sew a little with out all the boys help.

Adam has the day off tomorrow for Veterans day. Nice thing about the military is that we observe all the holidays. Tomorrow Adam and I are going to knock our long run out first thing, we should be up to 12 mi. Then we're going to come home and go camping overnight at Myajima. NO MARSHMALLOWS!! Duchess should enjoy getting out, she really likes to jump up and catch sparks from the fire in her mouth. It's pretty entertaining to watch. Emma freaks out, worried she'll burn herself.

So last Sunday night I had my Japanese friend over, Yumi, (a lady in our branch) to celebrate her birthday. While eating cake at the table, I felt something sticky on my bare feet. I reached down to see why it was sticky on the edge of the rug, lifted the rug a little, and found a sticky, syrupy, peanut buttery plate. It had been days since we'd had anything with syrup for breakfast!! You just never know what kind of suprises you'll find at our house!!

You will never believe what I have. I have a baby that takes a binky. None of my other kids would take a binky. If you have kids that won't take a binky, just keep having kids. Sooner or later you too can have a kid that will take a binky. It worked for us.

It has been a couple of days. Yesterday was Sunday, which for us means anything but a day of rest, especially for Becky. Meetings for me start at 8:00, church starts at 10:00. That means Becky has to get all five kids ready all by herself. It's hard for me to feel guilty when I am about the Lord's errand.

I am a lot busier with my new calling at church, but it sure is easier than wrestling the kids to get ready at home, and having a spectator's seat up on the stand watching Becky struggle with four kids while nursing the baby couldn't be easier. Steve knows what I am talking about. But just like everyone else in leadership positions I will pretend like the sacrifice is absolutely killing me.

This new church arrangement has really given Emma an opportunity to grow. Throughout the entire meeting she is constantly volunteering to take her little brothers out to the potty or get a drink (not that we have a drinking fountain). The problem with her taking the kids out though is that the building sits right on a very busy highway, and the front doors to the building are automatic sliding glass. When those doors open if you take more than five steps in the wrong direction you are going to get run down by nissan's version of a mack truck. It has been a major concern for all of those who are parents of little kids. However, our Branch President wisely pointed out that in order to eliminate the danger of run-over children, we simply need to teach them differently. Needless to say he doesn't have little kids.

Today was Isaac's fourth birthday. We started the day by opening his presents. Among other things, he got a radio controlled 4-wheeler, with a little guy that sits on top. It goes really fast and actually survived a full day of his abuse. He tested its durability by driving it off the curb, tripping and falling on it when his dad was driving it, and by harrassing Dutchess (family dog) with it who was attacking it like it was a crazed squirrel running through the house.

It has become tradition for Becky to make the kids their birthday cake. She has been able to meet every one of their demands over the years. Isaac's demand this year was for a rocket cake. Relatively simple for her. She made two cakes and chopped one of them up to make the wings and everything. It turned out really well.

Becky invited one of the neighbor families over for cake and ice cream. Mom and dad weren't able to make it, but were nice enough to send all three kids over. Gee thanks.

Its hard to believe he is four. He is really growing up and even let his brother open one of his presents this morning. Happy birthday little man!

-AJW

What a day! I'm exhausted! It started at 4:55 am. Adam and I are trying to get ready to run the Tokyo marathon in February, so just running short runs during the week, then a longer run together on Saturdays, adding on 1 mi. each week. Anyway, since we had a day trip planned today with the kids, we had to do our run early. Had the babysitter sleep over to save time this morning. We were up to 10 mi. this morning, it's fun, like a date, I just talk Adam's ear off talking about anything and everything to make the time pass. We got back a little later than planned, Adam threatened me not to wash my hair because we didn't have time, but after 10 yrs, I'm still not intimidated, and washed it anyway. ( I only made everyone on the bus wait 7 min--oops) Used the babysitter, threw everyone together in a whirlwind, and off we were, to ride a steam locomotive, pick and eat apples from an orchard, and visit Tsuwano, a quaint little Japanese town with temples, shrines, Torii's, little shops, and lots of coi (carp). I packed so well last night, laying outfits out, preparing 6 lunches, snacks, jackets, etc. I did pretty well, only forgot 1 thing, 1 important thing, the front pack. I was a little nervous for a minutes once I realized, but then just thought, I've got blankets, a billion jackets, I can jimmy rig something up. Adam's fleece jacket made for a comfy little front pack for little Luke. Too bad our camera broke after 1 picture, or I'd post a pic of it. Why can't the camera break just before the trip, so you can bring the other camera?? Murphey's Law I guess. Most of the day went pretty well, as well can get these days with 5 kids. The train ride was really neat, until someone opened a window while in a tunnel. Lots of black smoke, even Jakey was making faces. At least it wasn't one of my kids who opened it. This time. After we got off the train we were lucky enough to be walking right next to the engine as it took off again and tooted it's whistle. It was SOO loud and long!! I covered Lukes ears the best I could, but he and Jacob were both screaming hysterically after. Fun times. At the apple orchard, both Jacob and Isaac never quite mastered the apple orchard rule of "finish one apple before you pick another". It's way more fun to pick than eat. But at about $6.00 for 4 apples, I didn't want to pick any to take home. We'll eat applesauce, it's a lot cheaper. And the apples were free while we were there, so long as you ate them. Tsuwano Village was very nice. We had 2 hrs to spend there, so that meant we got to see 1 shrine walking at a 2 yr old pace, stopping to feed every coi along the way. Actually, we really hustled at the end, and were able to get ice cream before heading back on the bus to go home.
Well, that was our day in a nutshell, hope I didn't bore you, we miss you all!! Off to bed..
Becky

Today was Friday and the kids had the day off from school. Yes, all four of them were home. The boys had the day off from Yochien because it is some Japanese holiday that has to do with sweet potatoes, in fact yesterday they went on a field trip digging for them and Isaac came back with a big bag of small ones and said they were babies. As for the girls, they had the day off because they haven't had one for eight whole days and the teachers need the day off for prep time.

Needless to say it was not a good day for Becky's mental well-being. She called me yesterday at work and wanted me to take the day off today, but I couldn't because this whole job thing is kind of demanding and unfortunately I need to plan my time off with more than a day's notice. So she spent the day at home with the kids. When I left this morning I asked her what she had planned for them and she said, "oh I have a list of chores for them." At that point I knew it was going to be a very long day for her.

She called me at the office around 9:30. The day actually started with a highlight and that is the baby slept in until then. He is the best baby in the world. As long as Becky gives him a steady diet of that skim milk he does nothing but sleep or grin. The other kids, however, were not such angels. Becky had embarked on cleaning the girls' room, and things were not going well.

Having never had sisters myself it amazes me what little piggies girls can be. They never hesitate to shove their dirty clothes back into the drawer after they are done wearing them. They change their clothes 5,000 times before deciding what to wear, and throw all of the outfits that didn't work out on the floor. They've been going through their halloween candy like a rat in a dumpster and as long as they throw the wrappers in the general direction of the garbage can they think they are good. They have no clue how much their mom does for them.

People say the teenage years are going to be so difficult, but if the girls start taking a little pride in themselves it will all be worth it. On second thought, I saw Becky's room when she was a teenager and it was a train wreck also. I guess we will have to hold out until they are mommies before they get that sense of cleanliness.

Last year as some kind of cruel joke on Becky and I, Grandma Kim gave the girls a perfume making kit for Christmas. Well this morning Becky thought she had it packed away high and in the back of the closet, but Jake is a very cunnning two year old. Somehow, unbeknownst to Becky, he got ahold of two bottles of perfume oil and he dumped them all over his head. Just after that is when I came home for lunch. The baby was crying because he was due for his dose of Becky's skim milk, so I just grabbed him and slipped away while the other four endured the wrath. I hate it when the kids get the day off.

-AJW

Tonight was Isaac's last soccer game. The soccer season is officially over now for the Workman family. It has been a good experience for the kids. Issac was three this year in a four year old league. He had his moments where he would chase and kick the ball, but for the most part wasn't too interested. Tonight he spent a good portion of the game with his arms held out to the side, and would spin his body down the field like a helicopter. At one point the little girls on the team started doing cartwheels. He tried to join into the gymnastics action by standing on his hands and kicking his feet up into the air like a donkey. It certainly wasn't soccer, but he appeared to be having fun, and at least he was within the lines on the field which is more than I can say for about five of his teammates.

As for the girls, they have been bugging us for the past two years about how bad they wanted to play soccer. I warned them that to be good at soccer they had to be aggressive and be willing to get in there and push and kick with the other kids. I told them they couldn't be shy out there, and it required a lot of hustle. I doubted their assurances to me that they could live up to all that. I am surprised to say they exceeded my expectations. Emma especially, she never finished a game without her face the color of a deep shade of purple. She would out-hustle everyone out there. As for the aggressiveness, she never let anyone push her around out there. She even got an unsportsmanlike penalty on one occasion for returning an elbow that the refs didn't see her receive to a boy that was about 6 inches taller than her. I couldn't have been prouder!

-AJW

EMMA MADE HER FIRST GOAL TONIGHT!! We are so proud of her. And Sarah too, Sarah worked very hard tonight as well. We just got back from dinner celebrating. It was their last game, and she wanted it pretty bad. The girls have both enjoyed soccer so much this fall, I feel bad I didn't let them play last year like they wanted. It has been a lot of fun.
Last night was Halloween. We had the boys' sensei's from Yochien over to trick-or-treat with us. Isaac's sensei has three kids, it was their first time trick-or-treating. It was a lot of fun to share it with them. We ordered pizza hut pizza wich is also always a hit with the Japanese as well. Emma changed her mind about a dozen times on what she was going to be this year, and finally decided on a 50's girl (poodle skirt, etc). Sarah made a very cute little red riding hood, she's usually pretty decisive and simple, phew. The boys were both batman. and Luke a little dinosaur. Luke was so good, just slept in the front pack the whole time.
Well, guess I'd better get things under control, the older four are wrestling on my bed on top of me right now, and Luke crying in the cradle. TIME FOR BED!! Miss you all! Maybe I'll figure out how to attatch pics next time!

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I have created this blog in an effort to keep a better personal diary of our current events. It also serves the purpose of keeping interested persons posted on the daily events of our lives. Since we live on the other side of the world from family and friends hopefully this will help you feel a little closer to us.

-AJW