life is like a box of chocolates

I once heard that "life is like a box of chocolates!" But what does that really mean?

Today it means sometimes you get a delicious chocolate with peanut butter or fudge inside, and sometimes you get the gross strawberry creme filled ones. Or even worse, the chocolate covered coconut ones. My boys had both today and they weren't happy about it.

And I got caught. Earlier today I had a hankering for one of these little gems. So I stole one from each of my kids 'box o' chocolates'. Stupid me, I taught them boys to count and I couldn't blame it on their dad (stupid deployment!) like I normally do. Luckily for me, K80's not home from school yet. Hope I sneak this one past her!

P.S. I know the Bible tells me "Thou shall not steal" but does it really count when I bought the chocolate in the first place? Pastor John Reimer if you are reading this you are allowed to use this in your sermon series. I am happy to be a good example of what NOT to do as a parent.

Learning more each day.

After 17 years of being married to a US Marine stateside one would think they knew a lot about the military, especially the Marine Corps. Living just 6 months overseas I've come to realize I am very much misinformed, in the dark or just plan oblivious to so many things. In the states we do not get AFN (America Forces Network, our TV and radio stations), but here that's all we got. I absolutely complain about the TV, the lack of normal shows and decent radio stations. (Major Plug for Pandora on my IPod... it's a real lifesaver!) However, since we do not get commercials I've learned a lot about our military, the behind the scenes info so to speak.

So you are asking yourself, what are talking about woman... allow me to explain.

Years ago, and I mean many many years ago, back when I was in college and the Gulf War happened I heard something that didn't stir much in me until now because I didn't understand at the time what I was actually hearing. But I remember hearing anti-war protesters asking the public and local college students NOT to donate blood during an on campus blood drive. They said it would "support the war effort!" I truly didn't understand what that meant until recently. I believe what they were trying to say was that donating blood would help save the lives of wounded warriors and that would technically be supporting the Gulf War. (I have a huge gut wrenching ache in the pit of my stomach just typing that... it's unimaginable to me.)

This brings me to today's lesson on the military...
Did you know that military personnel and their families can only use blood donated by other military members or their family? What does this mean... this means we take care of our own. Every wounded warrior, every family member that's ever needs blood gets it from one of us. We don't use any donated outside of the Armed Forces Blood Program. On one hand I am very sad to think that people wouldn't donate because we are military. I am sad that another reason is security, apparently we (the ASBP) has to have stricter screening procedures for our blood donors to ensure we do not get any tainted blood. But on the other I am very proud to think we truly take care of our own. We, military families, have a bond few people around the globe will ever truly understand.

It's an honor to be part of this family... so if you'll excuse me I need to get to bed. I have to get my rest I am donating blood soon.

BTW: I've never donated blood before. In high school I was told I could never donate b/c of my blood transfusion I had in the late 70's. I've just been told I pass the screening and can now donate. I am thankful for those who donated 33 years ago, it's why I am alive today. I am blessed with the thought of being able to save a life of a wounded warrior. Donate blood today, you never know who's life you could be saving.

Scars and the stories they leave behind...

Well, like I've said we've been here for six months. Which means it's been exactly 6 months since that dreadful day at Torii Beach and my encounter with that slimy creature from under the sea. Last night before bed I am not sure what made me think of it but I checked out my scars. Yep faint but still visible on my hand, slightly darker on my calf. My right thigh... yeah you can see it from across the room. Zorro the Jellyfish left his mark.

Picture this... I'll be in my 90's hanging out at the villages in Florida, (I plan on being a snowbird) talkin' trash about my trip to the beach, pullin' down my pants and showin' off my scar to all the other old bitties in the bunco room. All the while Mark is down at the park takin' out pigeons with his pocket pistol reminiscing with his VFW cronies. We are gonna be such cool old people, our grandchildren will have so many stories to tell about us.

Our Anniversary

We've officially passed the 6 month mark on island.

We've been here for 6 months and 1 week.

It's unbelievable everything that has happened since we left the states.

I miss the USA, but I am very excited that in 7 days my mom will be here to share,

explore and live life with us!

Shake Rattle and Roll

So it seems we've have an earthquake with several aftershocks in the past 24 hours. A 5.4 Earthquake... they said that's a pretty good one! There have been several earthquakes on Okinawa since we arrived but I never felt anything.

What does that say about me?

Am I oblivious to my surroundings or

do I just have such a rockin' life nothing jars my rhythm?

Whooda Thought...

Lesson #386 that I never thought I'd have to teach.

"You cannot use your brother's toothbrush because you are too stinkin' lazy to go upstairs to the other bathroom." The kids have two toothbrushes, one upstairs and one downstairs. Apparently Thing 1 was using Thing 2's toothbrush and Thing 2 figured it out! Talk about a blow up at 6:25am!

Can't say I blame him, it's pretty gross. But I honestly never knew I would have to tell my kids to only use your toothbrush. I assumed and you know what that makes: an ass out of you and me. Anyone want to guess where Thing 1's missing toothbrush is?

Lesson learned, excuse me while I go buy more toothbrushes!

Birthday Boys!

Seth with his $100 bill.

First ever... they were so thrilled!
Funny story about this photo... I asked Caleb to turn it around, so what's the boy do? He turns around! K80 was rolling on the floor laughing. Caleb... You're so funny!

Happy Birthday My Boys!