Thankful

So here I am, in Utah, at another Thanksgiving dinner with Dru's family.
I love it.
Great food and good company.
I should take photo's later on today when we eat.  I don't think I ever have.  I should.
Masaru's taught me the most I've ever learned about Thanksgiving this year AND I TAUGHT KIDS FOR FOUR YEARS.
Maybe I just forgot.  I'm getting pretty forgetful lately I've noticed.
I've been reading everyone's 'grateful' lists this year and liking it.
I don't wanna do a huge list, so was thinking about what I'm REALLY grateful for RIGHT NOW today and apart from the OBVIOUS family, health, friends etc I came up with two.
#1  Dru's part time job at Simplot.
Without it, we'd have nothing.
With it, we can survive on a tight budget and I'm fine with it. 
I'm so grateful for Dru being who he is (yeah you can switch off but I have to write it).
He's so good at whatever he does, it reminds me of my brothers, it drives me nuts sometimes but in this area I"m grateful for it.
He's a hard worker, a perfectionist, takes pride in what he does, intelligent and people just like him you know.
I mean don't you?  You think of a reason NOT to like Dru...............yeah, you got nothing right?
See?
Without Dru being who he is, we wouldn't have this job and I'm grateful for it.
I met Mark, Dru's boss, at the gym the other day and thanked him for all he's doing for Dru to which he replied 'It's nothing, Dru's a great lawyer and I don't know what I'd do without him, you found a good one there Melissa'
He tried to 'hint' at a full time job at Simplot to HIS boss the other day at the staff meeting.  The boss didn't bite, but Mark said he's going to keep trying cause he wants Dru on board.
Whatever this 'period' of our life brings I'm going to be grateful for it, whether it turns into full time or Simplot helps us to get to the next phase of the Nakaya's life.
But for right now, thanks Mark and thanks Simplot.

#2 Scriputres.
Without the study of my scriptures lately I'd be lost.
They've talked to me in a way that has helped me the most with this phase of my life I seem to be going through.
I don't know what I"d do without them.
I love them, I love to study and I love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

So that's about it.
Happy Thanksgiving America and Happy Nothing day the rest of the world.

'Sweet jump dude'

Here's his mate doing the scooter jump.



Will Takeshi do it on his bike?



Another day, another sweet jump.

25 weeks

So here I am at 25 weeks.  Finally I look pregnant and I'm still feeling great.  Everythings going well and Emiko moves around, it seems, a lot.  I like it.  I'd rather have her moving than not you know.
I went to the doctor and everything looks great.
I know I've said it before but I REALLY love my doctor.  He's awesome.  I hope we can stick around here so I can give birth to Emiko with him.  I feel great about him.
27th is still the c-section day and we're excited for it.  It's gonna be great.
I'm still exercising at least 3 days a week and feel great physically. 
My clothes aren't fitting anymore cause my tummy's too big.  So I need to try and find my maternity clothes.  Who knows where they are.  I can't be bothered to tell you the truth.  Maybe I'll get Dru out there to hunt.  Maybe they're down in Utah.........I dunno, but it's about that time that I started to switch.
Yuki keeps telling me how much she's going to love her sister, and I believe her.  She needs this sister like you wouldn't believe. It's going to be awesome for her.  She's so scared of the dark that it'll be nice for her to have a room mate.  I think she's pretty excited.
So that's the update.
Baby's good.
Mother's good.
Everyone else is either good, or not telling me otherwise and that's good with me ;)

Journal Entry Fiftyeight

What do you do now to keep your family close to the gospel? 

 

Click HERE to read mine. 

Word String

Write a story-a comedy or mystery, romance or tragedy-using these words: celebrate, guitar, taste, pop, school, sleepy, television, child, bionics, electrical, alive, rich, coat, tablet, scrap.

You must use these words but of course you can add others-so it makes sense.

Leaves

Love the Leaves.....
Love these littles.........
How's that for the letter L?

Pilgrims

 So Masaru comes home daily talking about Indians, Pilgrims, Mayflower, Thanksgiving and such.
Yesterday he sat at the art table and made a hat for Takeshi.
He's been talking about how he's made an Indian hat as well as a Pilgrim hat and can choose what he wants to be at his 'feast' on Friday for his classroom which we gave a can of tomatoes for.
I really am impressed with how his school year is going this year.
I like his teacher and he loves school.  It makes me happy.
He had parent teacher conferences a couple of weeks ago and he's doing great.  He's an excellent writer and is top in the class for P.E.
Everything else is on grade level which is fine by me.  She said he's a little shy to read out loud in class so needs to work on that.
I think that's a personality thing though and not really due to him not being able to read.  He's quite the perfectionist and so reading out loud is a little stressful for him cause he hesitates if he's not confident with a word.  *ahem*( anyone else seeing here that he takes after his father at all, or is it just me?)
Anyway the teacher loves him.  She said he's pleasant, kind, responsible, caring, hard worker, great listener and the list goes on.
Masaru really is a good boy.  I've always said it.  I don't forsee any future problems with this kid.  I had a few months of 'funkness' due to him 'leaving' me for full time school, of course others are going to love having him around.
He's the best.
Alright, that was a big tangent.  I just realized I didn't write about his conference though, so there we have it.
Great writer, good at P.E and a wonderful kid.
Great report.
Proud mother.
So back to the hat.
Here it is.
He made it for the kids and made a beard as well.
Takesh wouldn't touch the beard, so the mustash will have to do.
I think he looks more like he's from Mexico rather than a Pilgrim, and Yuki's in the wrong kinda hat and that hair on her lip will have to be waxed don't you think?
LOL
Thanks Masaru, great job.

Chin up......

We've received two more rejections and Dru said something today that stopped me from wallowing.
He goes

"It's alright babe, there's always storms before the rainbows"

So true.
Love you babe.
You're my rainbow and for some reason I feel like I'm the storm ;)

No surprises

We were sitting in sacrament meeting at church to day and I picked Yuki up and cuddled her.
I said 'I like your cuddles Yuki, how come we don't cuddle more?'
She replied 'Cause I like Daddy better than you'

I was speechless.
I mean I always knew, you know, but being told directly was like a little punch to the nose.

At least we have an open honest relationship right?
That's something.


Even though I'm not your favourite Yuki...............I love you bub and I know that you love me, you know, secretly when Dad's not around right?

Finished

I just finished reading this book as part of my daily studies.
Pure awesomeness if I do say so myself.
There's no excuse for anyone as this book is free for all women and can be collected at church.  If you don't have one let me know and I'll get you one.......................somehow.......................someway.
ALL WOMEN SHOULD READ THIS.
I LOVED it and will be reading it once a year to keep me in check.
The book itself is beautiful, faith filled and visually appealing as well as having nothing but wonderful gospel principles and encouraging words for women of the world.
When I first heard that the Relief Society women were going to bring out a book on our History I wasn't interested.  They said it would help us to know who we are and where we came from.  I still wasn't interested.
I actually thought 'How can that help me RIGHT NOW in this stage of my life?'
Boy wasn't I wrong.
With my latest struggles this book has been a heaven sent.
Knowing where I came from and my history as a part of this unique programme has lifted my spirits, made me stronger and more focused as a woman and more determined than ever to be the best person I can be.
I know my role, I know my place, I know my support and I know I can do it.
Although some of the world may look down on me as a 'lesser' woman for staying at home full time, this book showed me the exact opposite.
I'm needed.
My kids need me.
My husband needs me.
And despite the world not knowing it sometimes, IT also needs me.
I'm in the right place, doing the right thing being a part of something great.
We all are.
Read this and tell me you don't feel loved, inspired and rejuvenated for what the world has to throw at you.
What a blessing.
I'll be referring to this book forever.
I feel blessed and grateful to be a woman in this world at this time with the duties I have.
I am full of potential and greatness and I know with the Lord and my angels helping me I can achieve this greatness, one day at a time.

Journal Entry Fiftyseven

What did you do as a family on the Sabbath? 

Click HERE to read mine. 

HEADLINE HUSTLE

Cut out different headlines from a newspaper and arrange them so that they tell a story.  (Eliminate any words from the headlines that you don't need)

Allison

So way back in the old days like 12 years ago when I was on my mission Allison was a part of my life.
She was found by other sisters and taught and baptized and served a mission herself.
We had a special friendship and have kept in contact over the years.
Her and her mate decided to come to the USA and do a trip.
So far they've had a blast and stopped off here for the night to catch up and hang out.
It was just one night but it was really nice to see her and see how things are and what's been going on.
I'm glad she could come.

I've got problems...................right?

So I take things to seriously when it comes to TV and movies.
I always have.
I'm not sure why.
But it's a problem.
This is why I get fired up about stuff, or disappointed, upset, frustrated, scared and not just during the movie/TV programme but a long time afterwards.
I've always been like this.
I think I've already said this but I STILL cry in cartoons.
The other day we were watching 'Cars' and I was crying at the end where Lightning McQueen helped the blue car to the finish line.
To make things worse Dru happened to come home right at that time and took one look at me and said 'Aww are you ok babe?'
It was a little embarrassing to say the least.
Now I've seen Cars multiple times yet am always 'in' the moment.
Dru and I are watching a TV programme at the moment and last night I couldn't get to sleep because it was so upsetting what happened and so I just stared at the roof thinking about everything that's going on in this programme and being upset by it.
IT'S JUST A PROGRAMME FOR GOODNESS SAKE.
What is my deal?
A TINY part of it is hormones BUT pregnant or not, since I can remember I've been like this.
I take things on board and it's all somewhat REAL for me I guess.
I must be quite sensitive.
I think I need to start rating what I watch.
I wish I could disregard stuff like others seem to, only think of it as the movie it IS instead of making it real life and personal in my head you know.
It's a dilemma.
This morning I chatted Dru on gmail chats for 10 mins while he talked me down from my upsets about this show.
He's gotta be thinking 'Gosh Milz is totally nuts' yet patiently reads while I type my woes about a TOTALLY MADE UP SHOW to him, takes it seriously because I am I guess, and then answers all my questions and puts me at ease.
Surely he's getting blessings for all of this?
I'm crazy.
I think it's fact.
I guess I need to learn how to work with crazy so I don't make my kids crazy.
*sigh*
One more chore as a mother...........................'try not to make your kids as nuts as their mother is'

Takesh

Good times

So I've told you all this before but I'll re cap for first timers.
Dru's Dad's neighbour decided to build a cabin and Dru, his father and brother built it for free, and in return we're allowed 2 weeks a year each to spend at this cabin.......forever.
Dru and I have used it once.
Remember last year we stayed the night in the cabin on our way over the country to Montreal?
Maybe not.
Anyway this is the first time we've used it for enjoyment purposes and it was a huge success.
We invited a couple of mates and left Thursday and stayed till Sunday.
BEST.TIME.EVER.
Man what a great weekend with great people.

 First thing we did when we arrived was start the fire.
It was SOOOO COLD.
We got the kids warm, let them run around like headless chickens for 30 mins then put them to bed.
Takeshi had a tough night.
He's not feeling the best.

 The next day Dru and I decided to go for a bike ride with our family (it wasn't snowing yet).  Man it was SO WINDY.  The two younger kids in the trailer were ok though.  They had the best seat in the house right there.
I felt bad for Masaru but he made it...........just, like me.  I had to hand my bike over to Dru to ride cause I couldn't get up the hill tugging 60lbs.  I know I've become wimpy during my pregnancy damn it. 
Our mates {above} showed up that night and we hung out and talked and kept warm.
We had a great dinner of soup and enjoyed each others company.

 Saturday we hung out, watched movies, played games and went to look at cave falls.
As you can see it was just beautiful.
It was SUPER DUPER snowing though.
I think it made it that much cooler in both ways.
Mr. Boyle was the one who wanted to get out so we packed up and went for it.
It was only 15 miles away but it took us around 40 mins since we were the first ones making tracks in the snow with our cars.
We slipped a couple of times on the road and one time Masaru was panicking.  It was pretty funny.
I don't fully trust anyone driving in the snow but if I had to chose to ride with anyone it'd be Dru and in our massive land cruiser.  It always makes me feel a little safer.
If we rolled we'd be ok and not crunched into a ball like an aluminium can. Plus if we ran into anyone, unless it was a semi truck, we'd be ok.  That makes me feel good.

 Here we all are infront of the falls.
I loved that we went and saw this.
We had a yummy dinner and then our mates headed back home while the rest of us watched movies all night.
The kids finally slept alright Sat night and Dru and I had an alright sleep for once.

Then the other two kids woke up sick as well.
So don't come and visit us if you wanna stay healthy.
They've got this cough which is bad.  I hope it doesn't turn into anything worse since we don't have insurance at the moment and can't afford a doctor's appointment.
Always the way right?
We got back 9pm last night and the kids slept like logs.
BEST.SLEEP.EVER for the WHOLE FAMILY last night.
I'm keeping Masaru home from school today in hopes he'll heal a little faster internally and be alright for tomorrow.
I'm really glad we went.
I might start insisting we use our two weeks a year and go up with family/mates as it's so fun and there's enough to do.
Now back to unpacking, washing, cleaning, sick kids and all the usuals.
*sigh*

Gone

We're gonna be gone this weekend.
We leave today and get back late Sunday.
It should be a lot of fun.
There's no internet so I hope everyone else has a great weekend.
I'll blog about it Monday.
Love Milz xx

"You mean they're just GIVING OUT CANDY?"

 Masaru as Darth Vader.

 Yuki as a dinosaur.

 

And easiest of all...................Takeshi as a fireman.

 We headed off to our church to do a 'trunk or treat'
This means that people park their cars and hand out lollies from the boot of their car.
It's simple, easy and  I love it.
You can 'dress up' your boot if you'd like but I never do.
I just aren't fun am I?  Really it's effort and I like to put forth little effort.
The most important thing is I'm handing out lollies...................and that's what I did.

 We invited 3 of our neighbours who don't come to church and they all came with us to the 'trunk or treat' and then we came back and headed out along the street to 'trick or treat' the neighbourhood.
We had the best time.
The kids LOVED it.

 

Our street gets hardly any trick or treaters and so the kids made out like bandits man.

They had their bags full at the church, we emptied them, then headed out with lighter loads for the neighbourhood.

They raced around like mad-men while 7 of us adults followed them around.  We met up with our other neighbour as well and she and her two kids joined us half way through.

There was only one casualty and it wasn't my kid so that was alright ;)

They got SO MUCH CANDY.

I couldn't believe it.

I was a lot of fun....................cold, but a lot of fun.

 This picture doesn't do it justice.
I should've emtied all the lollies out and then taken a picture of the pyramid of candy.
But I couldn't be bothered.
Dru reckons there was about 10 pounds worth............give or take.
What are we suppose to do with all of that?
I'm proud to say that yesterday I had 3 pieces and today I've had none.
Sometimes I think you can just have enough right?

 Here they are with their loot.

 Cute Masaru.

 Sassy Yuki.

Cheeky Takesh.

I had fun and it was a great night spent with good mates.
I love our neighbours man.
I'm so happy here *sigh*  for once I'm content and could stay in a place for more than a couple of years.
Typical, just when I get into the 'settled down' mode our life couldn't be more unsettled LOL
Always the way right?