Anthony's learning to scuba dive!

So I can't say that I'm totally thrilled about this. In one way I'm so happy that he gets this experience, but my hysterical fear of being eaten in the ocean makes me a little skittish about this new adventure. Why wouldn't you try it though!? Okinawa is one of the top 10 world dive spots! The coral reefs here pale by some opinion the Great Barrier Reef in Australia! There are species that are here that are no where else. Yes, there are sharks too. But we won't talk about it! :)




I've researched a bit to find out that there are four species of sea turtles that make a huge journey to the China Sea and the Ryukyu Islands (The chain of islands that includes Okinawa). One of them is the Loggerhead sea turtle. Right now is the migration season, and they are making the trip to lay their eggs in the sand, which will hatch later this year. It's a pretty exciting time for the area. I say this because the scuba lessons have came for the reason Anthony has been invited on a long (two tank) dive on another island to see the migrating turtles. It will be an amazing experience. The girls are so happy they want daddy to bring home a picture of Nemo! When his trip is over and we download the pictures I will be posting them!

A good year of pictures!

Gecko Issues

We've been busy as always, Anthony is going to Texas tomorrow for some training for three weeks. It's the first time we've been apart in over a year. It's weird thinking about that. But he has been trying to get so many of our tasks done before he leaves to make it easier on me, so sweet! He put up a fence in the back yard so the girls can run like crazy and not stray into the street. It was a big task, but he did it. Last night we went to pick up a shed for our bikes and lawn mower. When we were breaking it down to fit in the car we found a large gecko. Large I mean, 3 inches long. I took it back to the car to show the girls. Andi petted it which encouraged Sierra to try it herself. But she must have smelled too sweet because the gecko bit her on the finger. I couldn't stop laughing at her reaction. The gecko doesn't have teeth, and it didn't leave a mark, but she was so freaked out. For the rest of the evening she couldn't stop talking about the "ecko" that scared her and bit her on the "fener." I can't imagine the complexes she's going to have later on in life! :P

Domesticated Day!

So today was a glorious and beautiful sunny day! Sierra and I started it with a walk while Andi was enjoying herself at school, then played outside in our new princess house. It was then in the midst of reading a large textbook that I decided to make homemade jam. Here in Okinawa fruit is outrageously priced. For example, apples are $2 a pound, mangos are $8 a pound, and strawberrys are $12 a pound normally. Well right now strawberrys are $3 a pound! I was so excited I bought 3 flats and made freezer jam. I only made it through 1 1/2 before I ran out of pectin, but all in all this is a special treat for us. No more hording the homemade jams from the states that I conned the moving man into hiding in our boxes (food and perishables aren't allowed because if they break on the ship in transit then the rats and birds eat your stuff and ruin your items). My husband will be so excited to come home to this tonight after his long day today. The only bummer was on the way out of the store, Sierra tripped on the sidewalk and ripped open her old scrape wound from before and gashed it bad. She soaked her socks with blood and got quite a bit on her shoes before I got her in her seat an a wipe held on it. Poor thing. :( But she was brave, laughed about it tickling after a while, and Andi helped mommy make Sierra happy by bringing her a toy (she's so thoughtful sometimes). Honestly, there was only a brief moment when I thought I would kill over in the parketlot from the sight of all the blood, but I made it! :)

We have been exploring the island quite a bit lately, taking advantage of the cooler weather. I'm sad to say we are now thin skinned and couldn't make it through an Idaho winter right now. But in defense, not sure you Idahoans could make it through and Okinawa summer right now either.

We have some great friends, one who is Japanese, who let Andi borrow this little Japanese blessing dress with accessories. She loved it, posing prettily for the camera. The girls can speak a little Japanese, but since there are so many Americans on the base they don't get alot of opportunity to use it.

Okinawa is a tropical island, so beach activities are the favorite. We love to go beach combing for seashells and sea glass. Though we are excited for the warm weather to go swimming again. Anthony and I hope to try to go snorkeling and maybe scuba diving this year. The waters around the island are saturated with beautiful corral communities. This place is rated in the top 10 spots to scuba dive in the world. The sea life is truly amazing. Hopefully, I will be able to post that success story later! :P

Baby Love Blankets has it's own Website!!! :P

Finally, in all my spare time, heehee, I managed to create a website for my business. So this blogspot will now be used to show my family and friends what we are up to here in Japan. I've created a link here though for it under my "Family and Friends" just incase you would like to see how my business is doing also. Thank you all for your support!

Our Family

Our family started nearly 10 years ago, when Anthony and I became best friends. Such a blessing the Lord brough in my life with him. Six years later we married, then welcomed a beautiful little girl, Andi, into our lives. A couple years later, Sierra, barreled into our lives. We have yet found a sturdy enough helmet with chin strap for her. Right now we are on the adventure of a lifetime in Okinawa Japan. What an amazing experience so far!