Halverson Talk

My crazy Josiah

2012-01-10T06:07:00.001-08:00

This was from last Sep! We went camping at Flaming Gorge with some friends. Josiah said this is where I came for the scout camp here and went clif jumping!!! So we were searching for the spot where he went alomst 15 years ago. We stopped at the dam info center and asked where it will be and the lady knew that place. It is abour 10 min away from the dam and a little hike to the spot.

If you are looking for a place to clif jump, this is a place to do it!

This is the sencond clif

He is crazy.... first one was about 70 feet and the second one.... a lot higher than the first one. I need to ask Josiah. I was more nurvous with the kids trying to get to the edge of the clif to see Dad jumping.

I can totally see Lily trying this kind of stuff someday!

Here are some pictures from the camping trip

My addiction...

2012-01-09T12:16:00.000-08:00

It was last year when my good friend Aya gave Lily the crochet flower pin for Christmas gift. She told me how easy it is to make it! I have tried to learn to crochet before, but I never really got it. She invited me over to her house and showed me how to make it, but my kids were there... so didn't work.

But those flowers were soooo cute!!! I really wanted to learn it!! So, since then I used You Tube like crazy!!! to learn how to crochet!!!!! I still have a lot of learning to do, but I am getting pretty good at it!
I've made a lot of things ever since and it is sooooooooo fun!!!

My mom is super good at crochet! Why didn't I learn from her as I was growing up!??
Here is THE site that helped me TONZ to start learning crochet.

Crochet Geek by Teresa
http://crochet-mania.blogspot.com/#!/p/index-of-patterns.html

She has lots of tutorial on Youtube and she does slow motion! So student like me that needs to repeat the motion many many times, this site is amazing and I have no guilt to go over again and again! because I am not bothering my teacher ;0)
She also have free patterns. So its good to practice on those before spending money on patterns that is beyond my skills!

So, etsy.com has been my addiction. There are many patterns there (easy to super intermediate) and I bought many patterns ;0) I am working on Josiah's hat now and leggings for my friends new babies!!! How fun!

Good reminder

2012-01-07T06:28:00.000-08:00

So, I always dreamed all the fabulous things we can do and have when Josiah is done with school.... I just see many friends around who has all the things that I wish I had and it is not easy not to be jealous. That is my honest feeling. Then I heard this talk by President Uchtdorf (He is in the presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) He always seemed to know what I need to hear. I really enjoy listening to his talks. I loved his talk at General Relief Society Conference 2011, and this part of his talk really reminded me how the happiness can be found everyday. What he said is nothing new.... I know it. But it is so good to be reminded time to time.

The lesson here is that if we spend our days waiting for fabulous roses, we could miss the beauty and wonder of the tiny forget-me-nots that are all around us.

This is not to say that we should abandon hope or temper our goals. Never stop striving for the best that is within you. Never stop hoping for all of the righteous desires of your heart. But don’t close your eyes and hearts to the simple and elegant beauties of each day’s ordinary moments that make up a rich, well-lived life.

The happiest people I know are not those who find their golden ticket; they are those who, while in pursuit of worthy goals, discover and treasure the beauty and sweetness of the everyday moments. They are the ones who, thread by daily thread, weave a tapestry of gratitude and wonder throughout their lives. These are they who are truly happy.

明けましておめでとうございます　～ここ何年か振り返って～

2012-01-06T15:09:00.000-08:00

明けましておめでとうございます。

今年こそは少しずつ私たちの生活の様子を書いていこうと思います。

年が明けてもう１週間！！アメリカはハッピーニュイヤー！！！！って夜中に言って１月１日ちょっとだけリラックスな１日をおくりそれでお正月終わり、みたいな感じなので、全然お正月なきがしません。ちょっとお正月っぽく３１日はお寿司をしてみたりお雑煮作ったりしましたが、やっぱり日本のお琴がいつでも聞こえるようなテレビ番組もないし、ここではお正月気分は無理です。でもお雑煮とかお餅とかが恋しくなるのは日本人って証拠ですよねぇ。子供たちもおいしいって食べてました。子供たちにも文化を教えるのに、もっと色々やるべきだったかなぁ。皆さんは何かしました？？

そうそう、１月３日でやっとジョサイアも大学院が終わり、５日から仕事が始まりました。今週いっぱい休んで月曜からスタートにすればよかったのに、今までずっと勉強の毎日だったから。私ならゆっくりしたいけどなぁ。

ジョシーも運がよく(いや、がんばってきたからかなぁ）、ユタの電力会社での就職が決まり、昨日ニコニコして仕事から帰ってきました。同僚も同じくらいの年代の人たちが多いようで、仕事に行くのが楽しみといってます。

長かった学生結婚生活。やっと終わりです。苦しい苦しいって言う生活ではなかったけれど、何が大変だったかって子供たちの手助けがもうちょっとあればうれしかったなぁ。うちの子たち他のお友達よりもけっこうやんちゃだし、元気良すぎだったりすること多かったから、あぁもうわたしだめぇって思うこともしょっちゅうだったし、でもお勉強あるからちょっとの時間子供達ジョシーにあずけて気分転換にどこか行くとかとかあまりできなかったなぁ。子供たちもお父さんは勉強だから！宿題してるから！って言われて育ってきたから、なかなかお父さんとたっぷり遊ぶって事出来なかったんじゃないかな。でもそんな中でもジョシーは子供たちに本読みとかしてくれたり、時間のある時はあそんであげたり、勉強のない夜は一緒にテレビドラマ見たり、愚痴ろうと思えばリストは長～く続くけど、でも感謝することや楽しかったことも愚痴るリストを超えるくらい沢山あったから、きっとやって来れたんだろうなぁ。

学生生活してるママたち！ガンバレー！！！！何か私に出来ることあったら連絡してね！！！
そして応援してくれた家族の皆さん、お友達、ありがとうございました。

First Day of Work

2012-01-05T07:54:00.000-08:00

Yes... Josiah has worked before, but today felt a little special. He was a little nurvous last night and this morning. This is it. Its the REAL JOB. It is not the others in the past weren't, but thinking that this is what he will do and where he will work for many many years made Josiah a little more nurvous than before. After a few years of staying home to do school work, it is kind of weird that he is not here during the day!!

2011 pictures -Spring and Summer-

2012-01-04T05:06:00.000-08:00

I take waaay too many pictures... we are running out of space on the computer. Josiah told me to organize the file and it has been taking me forever to look through all the pictures I have taken over the years! I should do the digital story book thing that lots of my friends are doing!!

here are some from last year ;0)

New Year, New Beginning! #2

2012-01-03T21:21:00.000-08:00

So, today was a big day for our family. It took a long long time, but my husband Josiah is finally done with his school!! He will be graduating with a master's degree in Electrical Engineering with the high voltage power emphasis.
I met him in 2002. We were both going to Weber State University. He was going there even before I met him. Since then he studied and studied and never gave up on achieving his goal. Studying back then and last 5 years are totally different. Back then, Josiah had no wife, kids, dog, house, rental property, demanding church callings, and all the bills to pay.... I just want to say that it took enormous level of determination and endurance for him to get here. I am amazed how strong Josiah is. I am very grateful for all these years of work he did. Thank our friends and family for their friendship and support throughout this journey!!

WE MADE IT!!!!!!! YAAAAAAAAY!!!

So this is how our anxious day went.
My kids and I decided to decorate outside to surprise daddy, so as soon as we finished our breakfast, we went to Zurchers to get balloons and butcher paper for a banner! We got home and start working on decorating, then Josiah came out asking what I am making for lunch!

Shoot.... he saw the streamers and balloons....

He pretended that he didn't see it (to kids, he didn't see nothing at all and had no idea what we are doing outside) He decided to spend some time in the office till we are all done decorating. Little after noon, we were finally done with decorating, and kids were so excited to get Josiah! I spend all the time decorating and not preparing the lunch. So we decided to take daddy out for lunch to Wing Nutz ;)

He told us he would have till 3 pm to look over his assignments then he will be done FOREVER!!!!

So when we came home, I decided I should take a power nap on the couch till the time came. hee hee. I was so anxious I wanted the hour to pass sooner, so crocheting and nap were perfect.

Then I heard the office door opened a little after 3!!! and Josey said, "I just sent my last assignments!"

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!!!

We had fire crackers and gave big hugs to Josiah!!!

Kids' request for the evening was to spend some time with mom and dad together.

We had a great time at the pool swimming!

What a good day.... From now on, we all have a little bit more time to be with each other ;0)

New Year, New Beginning!

2012-01-03T21:12:00.000-08:00

I won't even say that I will do better job updating this year! Thank you for visiting our blog! Here is a letter that I sent to friends and family for holiday grettings! I am sorry I missed some of you! Josiah and I will do better with cards and hopefully they will be all sent by Christmas!!!

Dear family and friends

2011 was another exciting year for the Halverson’s. We thank many of you for the kind words and prayers as we were figuring out where Josiah would get his job. We are very excited that we get to stay in Utah and stay close to our family and friends. We can’t wait for this New Year to come and all the adventures that await us. We can’t thank you enough for all of your friendship, love and support throughout us trying to get through school. We must admit that it was not easy for us especially for Josiah, but we are glad that he did it. We hope that we may be a support to others as much as you have been to us.

Here are 2011 happenings at Halverson family

Josiah- It was another year of staying in his office all day to do his school work. Even though he was at home everyday doing schooling, I didn’t get to see him out of the dungeon playing with us till late evening. He worked very hard all throughout the year. His “stick-to–it-ness” to reach his goal, his mom calls, is truly amazing. With wife and two kids and all the responsibility he has, I am sure he had a lot on his shoulders for all these years as he tried to get through school. We are very thankful for his strength and his love for this family. We are very proud of him for his accomplishment. He also enjoyed being a scoutmaster as his dad had been for years while Josiah was growing up. He is getting a whole bunch of new scouts next year and excited to work and play with all those great boys in our ward!

Yuki- as I reflect my days, I don’t have big accomplishments or new excitements to share. But I have learned what it is like to be a mom of kids in school! And I enjoyed seeing kids learning and growing each day! With Kai starting preschool and both kids in Japanese school trying to get my schedule straight for driving, house work, homework with kids and playtime was not easy. I am sure many moms can agree that some days there was no “rest on the couch” till kids are ready to bed! I know it will just get busier as the kids get older, and I am bracing myself for the New Year!!! I also love being a primary chorister. Trying to figure out how to get those older group to be interested in songs, to sing them, and trying to help the younger ones remember the words were challenging. Yet it is my favorite part!!!

Kai-He had a great summer starting with spending fun time with grandparents and cousins in Utah! He loved every chance he had to be with cousins!! He also got to visit Japan to spend some time with his family there! There he acquired the taste for raw salmon and that is his favorite ever since. This fall, he started his preschool and he absolutely loved everything about school! He has started Karate class because of the influence of the power rangers we watched everyday in Japan!! I must say he has pretty strong kicks! He still has his high energy moments, but I can tell that he has matured a lot and is turning into a very good big brother!!!

Lily-She also had a great summer with family! She just loves everything Kai and their cousins are doing and tries so hard to be a big girl, and she really has been growing like crazy! Kai and Lily went to a Japanese preschool for a month while they were visiting Japan. She learned the language so well that we could tell she had a hard time switching to English when she came back here. Kai and Lily have been closer this year. She is getting older and is able to play with him better, they play together all the time! They call themselves “best friends”, and I am touched how much she loves and care for him. It was a hard day for her when Kai had to start his school. She also did a good job with tumbling class this fall, but she decided she likes dancing better!
Oh, she now wants people to call her “sprinkles” ;) She says it’s her new nickname!

and here is Japanese letter to friends and family!

にっぽんの大切な家族やお友達へ
今年の1年も我が家は色々とありました。こうしてまた1年健康で幸せに過ごせられたのもいつも支えてくれている両親、家族、友人たちのおかげです。本当にありがとうございました。日本での震災の時は、皆さんや友人達の家族の安否がとても心配でした。これからも、被災された方たちの1日も早い復興と皆さんの安全な毎日を私たち家族は心からお祈りしています。カイやリリーが、夜寝る前に家族でお祈りする時に、いつも日本にいる家族や友人たちが安全で守られるようにとお祈りしています。子供の素直な神様への祈りが皆さんにも届きますように。皆さんの来年がより良い１年となります様にお祈りしています。
では、今年のHalverson家の出来事をさらっとまとめました！！
★ジョサイア★今年も去年と変わらず、毎日勉強勉強の日々でした。その甲斐もあり、今年いっぱいで大学院も卒業です。(今ちょうどラストスパート中です)　長かった学生生活でした。でも一生懸命がんばったダディに私たちはとっても感謝です。子供たちはお父さんの宿題をしてるところを見て育ってきました。いつも勉強で忙しくて、なかなか遊んでもらえなかったけど、カイの父への尊敬している姿を見て、勉強も、教会の責任も一生懸命がんばってる父の姿を子供はしっかり見ていたんだと思いました。今まで応援してくださった皆さんありがとうございました！教会ではボーイスカウトの指導者に召されて、大雪の中キャンプに行ったり、サバイバルスキルのクラスなど、アウトドア大好きなジョシーにぴったり。でもスカウトの知識があるのと子供に教えるのは全く違って大変といつも色々調べながら良いスカウトマスターになれるようにがんばってるところです。
★ゆき★今年は特に新しいことや達成したことが無いような気がしますが、でも今年は子供たちの学校が始まったり、習い事があったりと今まで以上に忙しい毎日でした。子供たちが何かを学んで帰ってきて、それを楽しそうに話す時に“あぁがんばって連れて行った甲斐があったぁ”って思います。子供たちが大きくなればなるほどもっと私も忙しくなるんだろうなぁ。母の仕事って地味なことや達成感があまりないような事毎日ですが、でもこうして家族が笑ってるのを見ると、私の役目もとっても大切なんだなぁなんて思うこのごろです。私も今年から教会の子供たちの音楽の指導者になって、最初はどうやったらいいのか悪戦苦闘でしたが、最近はどうやったら小さい子が歌詞を覚えてくれるか、高学年の男の子たちが歌ってくれるか考えるのも一つの楽しみになってきました。
★カイ★今年のカイを始めと今とで比べると、心も体もかなり成長した気がします！ズボンも靴も何回買い換えたことか。沢山ご飯も食べるからいつも元気だし、やっぱり伸びるんですね！今年の夏はアメリカでも日本でも沢山家族との時間をすごしました。いとこたちとのお泊りや、山登り、パレード、キャンプ。日本では幼稚園やいとこ達とのお祭り、新しいお友達と言葉が通じなくても遊んで沢山の楽しい思い出を作りました。おじいちゃんと夜中に起きて市場に行ったり、おばあちゃんにゴーカイジャーショーにつれてってもらったり、おなかいっぱいサーモンも食べて、とっても楽しい夏でした。秋からはプリスクールも始まって、学校に行くのが楽しみでならない毎日です。日本語の学校にも通い始め、少しずつ日本語が話せることの楽しさを覚えてきてくれているようです！帰国してから戦隊ものの影響で、空手も始め、来年はイエローベルトでがんばります。
★リリー★リリーもビックリするくらい大きくなって、言葉もお兄ちゃんに負けないくらい！まだ小さいベビーと思ってたらもう３歳になってしまいました。やることなすことお兄ちゃんの真似で、小さいのに近所の男の子たちが遊ぶのに一生懸命くっついていってます。リリーも日本の幼稚園に泣きながらも毎日行って、カイと同じクラスでがんばりました！お歌も沢山覚えて、まったくだった日本語も会話が出来るくらいになり、帰ってきてからはちょっと英語と日本語で混乱してたみたい。ジュースの自動販売機とお店のおもちゃの販売機が大好きで、見つけるたびにそこから動かず何回おじいちゃんおばあちゃんのがおれたことか。(笑)　秋から体操のクラスに挑戦しましたが、やっぱりダンスがいいみたい。来年はバレエを始めてみようかと言っているところです。いつもひょうきんで、家族みんなを笑わせてくれるかわいいリリーです。

catching up

2011-02-23T21:08:00.000-08:00

I am so not good at doing this. I won't say I will do better this year... but I should be doing a lot better than last year!!
Well, here are some fun pics from Jan and Feb. Do you all agree that Feb went so fast?? I can't believe its almost over!! Shoot I have only a few days to do my visiting teaching... I am so sorry ladies!!!

Happy New Year!!! We stayed at Mike and Rachel's over night! We had Sushi for New Year's Eve Party, and on the new year's day we all went to a park for some sledding!

Lily cried the whole time we were there. Lack of sleep for sure!

My little dancer

Nice and Warm Day At Farm
We have early church this year. We got home and the weather was so perfect for a walk at our favorite farm!

Happy Valentine's Day
so I told Josey that I can't ever curl my hair... It takes too long to do it and I am just not good at it to make it look good. Josey has been telling me to cut my hair short and do something different, but I really want to keep growing it. I had to do something that I can tell him I won't look the same everyday with mid awkward length hair. I watched Youtube like crazy and tried it. It was pretty fun to have my hair different!

Merry Christmas

2010-12-24T06:29:00.000-08:00

This free digital ecard personalized with Smilebox

海, がんばったね

2010-07-20T00:15:00.000-07:00

アメリカに帰る何日か前に, 海の幼稚園の参観日がありました.
この日に思った事はしっかり残さなきゃと思い, ここにもかきました.

A few days before we left Japan, we had parents day at his preschool.
I really felt that I need to write down what I felt that day.

いつも帰って来ると私にベタベタで, 疲れてるはずなのにまだあそぼうよの毎日....
私はもう!!暑いんだからとかのっかるなぁ!!! とか, まだ遊びたいの??
少しやすみなよ!!とか何度も冷たい態度をとってしまったりしてて, あの子の頭の中の事を考えてあげてなかったなぁとかなり反省しました.

Whenever he came home from school, he wouldn't let me go. He always wanted to play with me and wanted my FULL attention. I wasn't always nice to him. Now I think of it, I was pretty cold to him. I didn't try hard enough to care his needs every time he asked me to do something with him.

年長さんと一緒の1ヵ月間, 先生からも何度も海が友達に手をあげてしまったと言う電話があり, 幼稚園早かったかなとか.... 私の育て方悪いのか.... とか色々悩んだりもしました. そんな時, おばさんに今海は社会勉強してるんだから, ここでちゃんといいこと悪いこと教えて, 勉強させてあげなよ! と励まされ, 海も
慣れない環境でがんばりました.

He was put into the oldest class there. I often got a call from his teacher saying Kai hit his friends... Kai pinched his friends... She explained me that it looked like he was just so excited to be there that he doesn't know how to express his excitement. But still it was not good to be physical like that. Whenever I got phone calls I regretted putting Kai in the school. I thought him being physical might not be him showing excitement and it could be his frustration not knowing the language and not being able to communicate.
I really thought about pulling him out of school, but my aunt told me that if I did so I would take Kai's social learning opportunities away. That is true. I wanted him to learn. Me and Kai often had talks about respect and care for others. He seemed to understand what we talked about little by little as days went by.

私を見ながらニコニコして, 手をふって, すごくうれしそうにしてる海. とってもかわいかった. ちゃんと先生の指示にもしたがって, まわりのお友達のしてる事を見ながらちゃんと椅子に座って, お絵書きしてて. もっとお歌とか手遊びとかあるのかなぁと思ってたのが, さすが年長組! やることや本の内容とかがけっこう海の年には高度で, この中で頑張ってたんだぁと思うと胸があつくなって, ぎゅうっと抱きしめてあげたくなりました. 全く日本語が出なかった海. きっと彼も戸惑ってた毎日だったんだろうな... 友達になろうっ, 皆と同じくなろうって頑張ってたんだろうな.... 3才の子供には結構過酷な事をさせてしまったかもと反省したのと同時に毎朝笑顔でバスにのって楽しんでやりとげた海がとてもたくましく見えました.

During my visit, he was so excited to see me. He was waving at me and looked so happy to have me. He was so cute. He was listening to his teacher pretty well, and followed his friends to get his project done. He stayed seated the whole time I was there. I imagined that his age level will be doing a lot of singing, dancing, playing, drawing and stuff, but the oldest class is getting ready to be in the 1st grade. Kai had a little bit of taste of being in the kindergarten. It must have been tough for him. Thinking about that almost made me cry. I bet he was trying so hard to understand what was going on, trying to fit in, trying to speak their language.... It wasn't easy for a 3 year old. It sure wasn't easy for me to go to foreign county when I was 15. Kai, I am so proud of you.

すごいなぁ海. 頑張ったんだね. 沢山ほめてあげなきゃね.

パパとママの産まれ育った国が違う. 自分はアメリカ人であって, 日本人でもある...

これからいいことも辛い事もいっぱいあると思うけど2つの文化に誇りを持って育っ
てほしいなと思います.

I bet it is not easy having parents from different counties, cultures... Especially when he is in Japan. He will be always different from others. I hope that the difference will be a positive thing for him and Lily. And I need to teach and raise my kids in a way that they will be proud to be half Japanese and American.

日本への里帰り (日本語)

2010-07-15T00:40:00.000-07:00

子供達と私は6週間程日本へ里帰りをしてきました! 家族の皆や
友達達に会えてとっても楽しい時間を過ごしました. ジョシーを一人
おいて行くのはとっても悪いなぁと思いながら, でも離れてまた分かるお
互いの必要さとか, いい時間になったかなと思います. 天気もなかなかよ
くならず, 暑くなったり寒くなったりで, でも帰る頃になって少し夏らし
い日も! でもあんなにムシムシしてたかなぁと蒸し暑さにやられました.
沢山イベント事もあってとっても楽しかったぁ!!!
両親も沢山甘えさせるぞーとの意気込み通り, 子供達とってもかわいがっ
てもらいました!!!ここ2年写真や電話だけののおじいちゃんおばあちゃ
んだったので実際に会えて沢山愛を受けて子供達にとっても本当によかっ
たと思います!!! そして両親に限らず, 家族のみーんなにとってもかわい
がっていただいて, 特におばぁちゃんにも何回もだっこしてもらって, と
っても貴重な時間を過ごしました.

今回はずっと前から海を幼稚園に行かせようと色々, ママ仲間からお話をきいたり,電話をかけたりとがんばりました. 結局, 色々悩んだ末に, 近所のお世話になっている御家族の息子さんが(海の事を覚えててくれてる)通ってるところにお世話になろうと決め, いってまいりました!!! その息子さんのお蔭で, 朝泣く事もなく, 幼稚園で泣く事もなく, イヤダとだだをこねる事もほとんどなく, 毎朝笑顔でバスに乗り, 通園してくれました!!!! あの日本語ゼロの海君の日本語もすごい上達して, 改めて子供の脳のやわらかさにビックリさせられました.

リリーも家族の皆ととっても楽しい時間を過ごしました. 時々見せる凄い食べっぷりに皆ビックリでした. リリーも海の時と違って全く人見しりもせず, 誰のひざにでもチョコンと乗り, 皆さんにとってもかわいがってもらいました. 前に送った写真の写り具合いが悪いのか, 写真とちがってとってもかわいいねぇとよく言われたり....(私も送った写真を見ながらこれは確かに写り悪かったなぁと思いながら.....) 自分の子だといいも悪いもないもので....(笑) りりーが私の真似をして父の事をパパと呼ぶようになり, 父も私とかぶるといいながら涙ぐむ事も多くありました. 涙もろい親子なのでしょっちゅう泣いてました.

私もたーくさん食べましたよぉ!! 途中までがんばって痩せないとと色々母のエクササイズグッツをやってましたが, 後半諦めが入ってきました. 友人の旦那様は私の帰る時の太り具合いをいつも楽しみにしているそうで.... 目標! がっかりさせる. のはずが...おいしい食べものの誘惑は簡単には避けられません....温泉に, おいしいご飯, はぁ.... あれなしにどうやっていこう...作るしかないなぁ...

そしてそして, 仲のよかった中学時代からの親友達にも会えて, とってもとってもうれしかったぁ! 皆バラバラになって違う人生あゆんで, ずっとあってなくっても昔のように話せる. やっぱり友達って大事ですよね. 35才か40才になったら温泉旅行にでもっなんて話しました. 皆母になって, それぞれお友達がいるなかで, こうして会って仲が絶えないのは本当にすごい事だなと思いました.ありがとう!!!

そしてちょっとシリアスに.....

今回は楽しいだけの里帰りではありませんでした. きっとアメリカに住んでるママ達にはきっとよく分かる話. 特に私は一人っ子でとっても大事に育てていただいて, 今回は両親とまわりの家族の愛がひしひしと伝わる毎日でした. 毎回行く度に知り合いに言われる大事な家族との距離への一言にとっても傷ついて, 悪気
があるわけじゃないんだろうけど, いつも言われるたびに自分を責めていました. 自分の結婚の決断に疑問を持ったり, でも笑ってる子供の顔を見る度にこの子達がここにいるのは間違いじゃないと自分をはげましたり. でもどんなにはげましてもらっても大事な両親や家族を残して行く事に自分を責めない日は1日として
ありませんでした. そんな中でも私の家族は悪い事1つも言わず, 海とリリーという孫, ひ孫が産まれてきた事, 一所懸命育てている事に自信を持ちなさいと励ましてくれたり, 父も親にとって子供が幸せでいる事, そして孫が幸せに育っていることが1番の願いだといってもらいました. そんなやさしい家族をおいていくの
がとってもとっても辛く, 飛行機に乗っても涙がとまりませんでした. ジョシーも今まで以上にこれからの事をかなり真剣に考えてくれていて, 家族の皆に自分達がどれだけ想っているか伝えられる方法を探していこうと真剣に考えて協力してくれています.

日本とアメリカ.... 直行便もでて今まで以上に快適に,快速につくようになってこれからもっと家族にしてあげられる事を考えて, 出来る事はしていこうと深く思った里帰りでした.

また海くんの幼稚園のはなしなど後でかきます!!!

Trip to Japan 日本への里帰り

2010-07-14T23:41:00.000-07:00

Kids and I have visited Japan last 6 weeks. It was a lot of fun to see all my family and friends. I felt bad for leaving Josiah here all alone, but it is always nice to have the chance to remind myself (and him) how much we need each other ;0) The weather there at first was as bad as Utah's May. It was super cold one day and hot the next day! But it got better and warmer in late June. I just forgot how humid it was over there. There were a lot of events going on there during this visit. Kai's school had a lot of events, 3 festivals, family trip... We really had a great time there. My parents were dying to spoil my kids and they were totally rotten! Kids had awesome time with their grandparents that they have only seen on the pictures for last two years. I am glad that not only my parents but other family members got to see the kids and spend great time with them. Especially my grandmas.

This time, I have decided to send Kai to yo-chien (pre-school) in Japan. I made some phone calls to arrange his enrollment before we went to Japan. Most of the schools in my town said they would accept him, so I decided to take him to a school that my friend's mom owns. My friends' kids are also going there so I thought Kai will have some friends he knew. He had a great time there and his Japanese really improved!
I will get into more details later!

Lily had a great time with all my family members! She is so not shy that everyone totally adored her! I guess she looked a lot different from the pics that I have sent before, they told me how cuter she looked ;0) (good thing? right?) She called my dad "papa" as I called him. He told me that everything she does reminded him of me that he would get emotional all the time as he played with her.

I got to eat a lot of great food!!!! I gave up on losing weight. My friend's husband was excited to see how much I gained at the end of the trip, so it was my goal to disappoint him. I will totally miss all the great food. and hot springs.... I think kids will really miss the convenience stores there and the vending machines. They were addicted to the vending machines. I got to see my best friends that I really really missed. They all recently had babies and we were all moms this time. It is always so nice to pick up where we left off! Even though our lives have changed so much since last time I saw them, we can talk like last time we saw each other was only yesterday. I will miss them very much.

It really was a great trip!

On the serious note....

This visit was very interesting one. It really made me think about our future. I am the only child and like always there were many that told me how sorry for my parents that I am so far away. Especially my mom being pretty sick, everyone felt like they have to speak up on be half of my family. I couldn't help myself feeling how horrible child I am to leave my family. All the good things I have with my great husband and kids seemed selfish act. Above everything happening, my family is all so supportive of my life and grateful that they get to have Kai and Lily in their lives. My dad told me the best thing I can do is to be happy and raise his grand kids with love. My aunt told me that there is nothing to feel guilty. I have brought two beautiful great grand kids who are the reason for my grandma to live. I love my family and I am so sorry that I couldn't stay longer. and I am so grateful for my husband who had been so supportive and willing to let us go visit.

little something but I don't want to forget

2010-01-10T23:20:00.000-08:00

here is another something I don't want to forget about.
Today 1/10/10, Kai went to his cousins' ward with his cousins! He was excited about that! I was worried if he would be ok in the primary. It is still his 2nd time in it. He was totally fine and Josiah said he was sitting on his seat listening to his teacher. When I saw him after his class, he showed me his new CTR ring. He was so excited!!!! He treated it like a treasure. I asked him what he learned today, he said "I learned about Jesus Smith". He was trying to say Joseph, but sounded like he said Jesus Smith. I asked "is it JOSEPH SMITH?" and he said "Yeah, Joseph Smith".

Wow.... 3 year old learned about Joseph Smith today.

We've talked about Joseph Smith at home, but I was very impressed that he remembered that was what he learned today. Apparently it made a strong enough impression on him to remember and he was able to tell me the name. I am thankful for the teacher who taught my son today, and the spirit that was there to touch his heart. These little ones are really saved for latter days. So smart! I thought to myself that me and Josey REALLY need a lot of preparing to teach these young ones at home so that they can do what they were called to do here. I had great lessons today at church and kids all had a great time at church. It wasn't super memorable day, but everyone was happy all day, we were all getting along, had a fun night together, when we said good night, kids told me "I love you" like they really meant it. Day like today is really what joy of having a gospel in life is all about.

Kai's first day of Sunbeam

2010-01-10T22:44:00.000-08:00

While I am on the internet, I'd better write down something that I will never want to forget about my kids.
Kai started Primary last week. It was a big day for him and me. I am in the primary, so I am with him a lot of the time. I had a little talk with the president and I had to make some rules to be ready for him to come.

rules
-won't let him come to sit on the piano bench with me
-won't come to his seat to sit with him
-trust the teachers and let them handle him while I do my calling

and I was hoping that he will be so exicted to go and happy to be in the same room with me! Yeah, right.... but really hoping so.

He didn't want to go to the primary AT ALL. As he went in the room and sat on the ground crying. He was totally screaming. Our neigbor kids that Kai loves were there to help him, but that didn't work! He didn't want to be there and he didn't want to let me go. I didn't know what to do... and meanwhile I had to go up there to play the songs. It was a chaous.
I had to stick to my rules. I told him that I love him and I will be very close to him and left my screaming and crying son with his teacher and sat on the bench. It was really REALLY hard to keep my rules. Even though Kai was crying, I knew that he was trying me to see if I would give in. I could see that in his eyes. Kai was trying so hard to be with me around the piano, still screaming. (and smiling a little) His teacher asked me if it is ok for her to hold Kai and take him to the back to have a talk, that is when his heart was really broken. I knew that he was really sad. But I knew that was neseccary for him.

After kids were sent to a small room, it was a disaster....(at least it sounded like it) Kai and his buddy were screaming. Me and a few moms were outside of the room hoping that they will be better. (and really worried about thier teacher)
When the sharing time came, all the kids came back to the big primary room. Sunbeams were the last one to come. Kai was very happy and seemed to be enjoying it. He looked at me and smiled. After a few songs, it was sharing time by brother Mabey. He was really interested and was trying to participate. I sat next to the piano which is in front of the Sunbeams hoping that he will stay on his seat. He just sat on his chair still listening to the lesson and talking to his friends next to him. I looked at him and told him he was being a good boy and I love him. He just looked at me and nodded like he was saying " I know, mom" I wanted to cry. He looked so grown up all the sudden. I will never forget that moment.
He came to the bench a few times after that while I was playing the piano, but he just came to hug me and kiss me and told me that he loves me. What a sweetheart.
He did a great job on the first day. I was expecting a lot worse at biginning, but I souldn't underestimate my boy. He is a big boy. Now is an official Sunbeam.

He got a crown saying I am a child of God at the end of the class. We took pictures of him with it to remember this special day.

What a day.... to be thankful

2010-01-10T21:14:00.000-08:00

So I am staying at my sister in law's for about a week with my kids to watch my niece and nephews. I've done it a few years ago and it was a lot of fun! This time is going to be a little different from last time since I have two kids and my niece and nephews are a little older, I am excited to spend the time with them!
Kai is super excited every morning to see his cousins. He hates them leaving to school! My nephew let Kai sleep in his bottom bunk bed, and Kai loves that. He started acting like a bigger boy since then.
So I had a whole bunch of fun things to do on Sat with kids. I had a plan to go to SLC for a few hours, so when I got back I was going to take the kids to sledding and make homemade pizzas! On Fir, I got everything ready and was really excited for Sat. Then the next day I woke up having really really bad stomachache....I mean really really painful one. I am really healthy, so when I get something like that I freak out. It was so bad that I couldn't even stand up... I think that kids could see that I was really hurting, they were really sincere....
Anyways, to make the story short, I decided to go to ER (maybe I over reacted now I think of it, but I was worried that if something happened to me and I wouldn't be able to take care of the kids.) The Dr thought that I have a ovary cyst or appendicitis. so He had me do a lot of tests (thinking is this really necessary??) came to find out that I need more tests and Dr told me depending on the results, I may be free to go home or surgery immediately....
I thought to myself, after all these tests it must be something!!! I was getting my mind ready for the bad news!
After hours and hours of waiting, Dr came to tell the result. "I am sorry, but I really don't know where your pain is coming from. Everything looks great and I can't find anything wrong with you. you are free to go." and a little more explaining of results and lots of guessing where the pain might have come from....
Me, Josiah, Lily and our friend were there just thinking.... Are you serious?
He said that CAT scan couldn't see appendix clearly, but ultrasound showed no problem. Nothing wrong anywhere. I know I should be really happy to hear that, but I didn't know what to say or think about the result. Then the thought of all the bills we need to pay for this came really fast. Our good friend said to me after me apologizing for this whole thing.... "you should be really happy about this!! It is better to know nothing wrong than getting ready to go to surgery or going through a lot of pain and being worried about kids!" That was nice thing to hear, and she is right. Then I thought all the people who were a lot more serious conditions at ER maybe hoping to be able to survive the night or something.... I really should be grateful for being ,Dr called, "Perfectly Healthy". I just really thank my kind husband who took me to the hospital and took a good care of me. I also thank my friend who made me realize that I needed to be happy about the result! I also thank my niece and nephews who watched my kids for a few hours.

On the way home me and Josiah thought we need to do something for the kids. We got their favorite pizzas and cookie dough for them. I really can't thank them enough...

Oh I had to add this! Lily had a really bad diaper rash, and super cranky! My niece may not like the idea of babysitting very much after this.... Thank her for all she tried! She told me she still loves my Lily. What an angel. My older nephew were being so sincere. While I was in pain he kept checking on me, suggesting that I should call his dad (who is a Dr). He saw me on the floor hurting and called his dad for me. When we left to hospital he showed me he will have the phone on his hand for updates. What a sweetheart. My younger nephew also told me that Kai had an accident. big one and small one all at once.... I wouldn't be happy when Kai does that. My 3rd grade nephew decided that kai needs serious help, so he took him to a tab and gave him a bath, put the dirty clothes away, and helped Kai get dressed with a new set of clothes. WHAT A NICE BOY!!!! I almost wanted to cry when I heard that. Their parents should be really proud. They are super good kids and I love them so so much.

It was a pretty painful day... but also by the end of the day I felt really good both physically and emotionally. I love them very much.

あけましておめでとうございます!

2010-01-04T23:56:00.000-08:00

前は日本語は日本語のサイトをと思っていたんですが, やっぱり時間的に
それと私の性格的にそこまでうまくできない事を素直にうけとめて(泣)
日本語と英語のブログを1つにします! 3月から何も書き込みしてない
なんて.... 私らしい.....今年こそは日本の家族, 友達のためにも
頑張るぞぉ!!!!

So here are my goals...

2010-01-04T23:23:00.000-08:00

I went to our ward's RS Enrichment committee meeting the other day and got to chat with really awesome ladies in our ward! During the meeting, we were talking about importance of keeping the journals, and Ah that conversation was for me from Heaven!!!! I am so not good at keeping it, but I really do see the importance of it! I was trying harder than ever at keeping kids' journals till Aug last year, then I just kinda got lazy! I know someday I will really wish that I would have kept our memories more often, so I will try really hard to blog and keep the journals this year!!!

So if I list my goals here, the little pressure may help to get me going!!??
Josiah and I always make goals as a family and ones for individual. He is very good at doing that. I am still thinking about what I want to accomplish... here are some that I am really going to try my hardest!!

-keeping my and kids journals in any way I can!
-go to the temple once a month!
-do family history
-write to my grandmas every month
-read Book of Mormon by the end of the year
-spend more quality time with kids
-learn something new
-clean and organize and maintain!!!
-garden
-work out hopefully try the short triathlon race in the Summer??
-be good at taking pics

oh... many more I am sure, but now that I have mentioned. I will get them done at least the ones that I have listed here ;0) Especially I really need help on reading a BOM. It is a challenge to all in our ward and I really want to do that!
I will keep this blog updated a lot better this year ;0)

What happened last year!!! -Christmas Letter to Friends and Family-

2010-01-04T22:34:00.000-08:00

I am really bad at keeping a jurnal or updating the blog.... I am going to try to do better this year!!! Here is our letter that I have sent to friends and family (well... I didn't get this letter done soon enough that I didn't really send to many people...)

A Happy New Year!!!! I hope you all had a wonderful year. I say this every year, but again it feels like this year really passed like a bullet train!!! Although, we did have a pretty fun year! Kids experiencing new things and discovering the joy of all the fun holidays throughout the year made our lives so much more fun! Through the kids eyes we for sure see the blessings that God gives us everywhere every day. Here is what has happened in our family this year!

Josiah- This year is a big milestone for him. He graduated from Weber State University in Computer Engineering Technology. And is finally done with his commuting to Ogden! He got to join the team who made a hover craft for the senior project and was chosen as a senior project of the year at Weber State. He sure worked so hard and enjoyed doing the project! While working on his degree, he had worked full time to provide for the family. He sure is a hard working dad. Watching him in a gown at commencement really made us appreciate everything he did and does for us and we are so proud of him! Josiah got a great job at Sunrise Engineering last year (Thanks to the Bailey’s) and has been enjoying working there, and the work has inspired him to keep going to school to get a master’s degree. He is again back in school 2 weeks after the graduation to prepare for getting into the Masters of Electrical Engineering Program with an emphasis on electrical power at Idaho State University’s outreach program! He is still in the ARMY National Guard and is enjoying being a soldier. He is such a busy dad, but he tries hard to spend some quality time with me and the kids. We are so lucky to have him!

Yuki- getting into making tutus after making one for my niece’s b-day! Someone like me who starts making something and never finishes, I feel like I finally found a craft that I am good at doing and it made me feel good ;0) I have been working as a substitute crossing guard from this Fall and totally love it! enjoyed going to a volleyball game at church once a week and loved playing with awesome ladies in our stake! Did a lot of canning with my neighbor friend this year, was a lot of fun!! Worked really hard for making a music program for our Ward Chirstmas party and made a lot of my own arrangements! Ah it was a great time! And as always LOVE being a mom for our adorable kids! I have to admit there are days that they drive me absolutely NUTS, but there are many great moments that remind me of my calling and amazing blessings in my life!

Kai- don’t know where he gets his energy ( I claim it is Josiah’s gene) he is a very busy boy! This year he truly enjoyed all the events and was so fun to watch him enjoy every moment! Little before turning 3 he started drawing stick figure with smiley face REALLY well! Since then he absolutely LOVES drawing and we think he is pretty good at it! He also started talking a lot more! I can’t believe how much he knows and remembers! He really surprises me with crazy faces! They are sometimes so cute and funny I really need to write them down! He did great job at potty training! It took shorter than I thought! He absolutely adores his sister. He just can’t give enough hugs and kisses to her! He is pretty protective of her when we are with other kids! What a cute brother. More things he loves are his Mcqueen, UP (movie), Birthday parties, Being outside playing “bad guys”, playground, throwing rocks in the river, playing in the dirt with his cars, noodles, Tofu, Natto, pizzas, hamburgers, library, ice cream cone, bed time story, candyland, praying, church, his friends and cousins, grandparents, and of course his family! He is such a fun kid! We love him!!!

Lily- She is such a good girl! She was just a new born at the beginning of this year, but now she is One year old! Lately she started to walk and talk! Ah, she is just so cute! She is such a mama’s girl, she follows everywhere mommy goes. And of course her first word was MAMA!!! We can’t tell between Daddy and Petey and according to her Daddy and Pete says “woof woof” ;0) She is such a good eater, I think she eats more than Kai. She won’t let you go till she gets a bite of what you are eating! Kai is always her target! Even though she gets lots of scratches from her big brother, she loves playing with Kai and tries to copy whatever he does! She LOVES her bath time and cries for joy like a dinosaur baby when I turn on the water! She has a perfect smile and her cute hugs and kisses make me and daddy feel so loved.

Pete- He found his best friend! Our neighbor dog “BUDDY” is his best buddy. They have a great time running and wrestling in our yard! He is such an energetic dog, and he just loves everyone who visits our home and dying to lick them to death! Someday he may calm down a little or will he ever?? Kids love him and he just loves them! He is such a good dog! He just let them do ANYTHING.

Wow.... I really have to update....

2009-07-03T05:49:00.001-07:00

I can't believe that the last time I update the blog was January.... What have I been doing?
Here are some fun things we've done since last post ;0)

March
It was Lily's first girl's day! In Japan, on March 3rd is a Girl's Day and we simply celebrate being a girl ;) Usually people decorate "Hina" dolls but we don't have it here... so my parents send me hina dolls card for Lily ;0)Kai was more excited than Lily of course! Sushi and cake! He thought it was his birthday!

April
We took Kai to Disney on Ice for the first time! We weren't sure if he would like it and sit still.... HE TOTALLY LOVED IT!!!!! He was staring the show the whole time and cheering for all the characters!!! It was so cute to see how excited he was!
Lily is getting so chunky! She reminded me of her big brother! We just want to squeeze their cheeks and kiss them!!!
Oh, and it was Kai's first time actually enjoying Easter!!! Now he is getting the idea of egg hunt, he just LOVED it! I swear he was doing egg hunt everywhere all week long!

May
We are so proud of our daddy! He graduated from Weber State! He is a very hard working dad! He had to commute from Sandy to Ogden a few times a week for school! He works all day and goes to school and comes home to do homework till it is time to go to bed! I don't know if I can do what he does! Thank you for all you do for us, honey! You are really the #1 dad!! and congrats!!!!!
We went to Park City with our good friends! We've been planning on this trip since last Aug when we went camping with them! We were all cute pregnants back then! We thought there would be no way for us to camp with all these babies next year... so we went to the condo in Park City! Our room was connected to the pool! Kids were so excited! It was fun to see older kids playing together! We had a great time talking over mid-night! Thanks for letting us watch Brides War, boys! and we have to do that again next year!!! All my pictures are in my email... since my camera was dead...Thanks Loretta for sending all the pictures!!!

June
We just went to Payson Lake to camp with our friends! I was a little worried about Lily.... for her being little and the weather didn't look so great.... But actually Lily enjoyed it! Our friends have kids that are around Kai's age, so Kai was totally entertained the whole time! It was heaven for Kai because our camp food was out, so he can get into chips and snacks without getting our help! If not ours, then someones snacks were always on the table! That boy didn't eat very well (nutrition wise)during the camp....
and the second day of camping was our great niece and nephew's baptism! The church wasn't too far from the camp site either and we won't miss that for anything! It was a very special day! There were many family members to see them being baptised. The talks were so awesome and spirit was so strong! I think we all felt that!! I hope all the kids will remember that special day!

Lily's Baby Blessing

2009-01-17T13:43:00.000-08:00

This day was so special to our family! We blessed Lily on the first Sunday. (1/4) She was dressed in her first white dress and looked so beautiful! During the meeting, We got to listen to Josiah's parents testimony! We always knew that they have testimony of the church, but it was very touching to hear them bearing it at church. Grandkids got to hear it also and I think it was very special! My calling is in the primary, so I get to stay in the primary and watch the kids. I was totally underestimating how much little kids know! When a teacher bears testimony they do listen and I know spirit touches them!! So I am glad that Kai got to hear grandma and Papa that day! I think spirit was strong that day because Josiah and I just did the temple work for my grandpas and great grand parents the day before!
It was just a perfect day for our beautiful Lily's blessing!

I can't believe that I haven't updated almost for a month!!!

2009-01-17T13:05:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it has been almost a month since I updated last time! I've noticed that I just don't have enough time to do all the things that I want to do! I have all the craft projects that I was planning on doing... and got all the materials, but haven't even started it yet! I am trying to send out Lily's baby announcements to family and friends... (I know... it is kinda too late...) and I would like to paint a few places in the house! Josiah and I just bought a digital piano so that I can start teaching the piano lessons. I need to make lesson plans...
Somehow I just have so much stuff that I intend to do, but haven't happened yet!!!!
I just have to make a to do list and get them done like my husband does! He is so great at it! He has a little notebook or piece of paper that he carries around and lists things to do! Even prioritized sometimes! He is so organized! People say you marry someone opposite and that is SO me and Josey! He truly inspires me to be better at organizing and use my time more efficiently! (so I actually get something done!)
Well, updating was one of the things I've wanted to do, so ya--y!

Happy Holidays!!!!!!

2008-12-18T13:50:00.001-08:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Oh my goodness....

2008-12-09T14:27:00.000-08:00

Kai

Lily

I know that siblings can look alike... but when I saw this picture of Lily, it totally reminded me of her big brother! Warning!!! I know those pictures aren't the cutest pictures of my babies....

I love my sister....

2008-12-08T15:03:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures of Kai being a cute brother ;0)

He has been a big brother for only 2 weeks...I can't blame him for making some mistakes, right??? hahaha It is amazing how much love he has for her! At the hospital he was totally ignoring her, so we were wondering how he would be when she got home.... Well, nothing to worry about! He totally knows that he is a big brother!

Yesterday, when Lily was crying on the couch, he ran to her and put his hands on her cheeks, and trying to say something to calm her down! He is such a sweetheart!

Welcome to our family -Lily Ayumi Halverson-

2008-12-08T13:13:00.000-08:00

This is Lily with her eyes open ;0) She is a big sleeper, so you don't see her awake very often!

When I got home, our house was decorated with pink!!!!
My cute friends from our ward came and did this fun decoration for us!

It has been a while since we had a new addition to our family.... But here she is!
Our beautiful daughter, Lily Ayumi Halverson, was born on November 20th at 7:05 pm. She was still 36 weeks old, and we were a little worried, but she just really wanted to come and join us before all the holiday fun started! She is perfectly healthy and just really tiny ;0) She is really a cute little girl! She was 6 lb 1 oz, and 19 1/2 inches long. If she were to go full term, she could have been a big baby!
The labor was sooooooooo much easier than Kai, and I am doing really really well!
Having her makes this time of the year even more special this year!

Kai just loves his little sister sooooooooo much that he won't leave her alone at all! He is touching her face, giving her kisses and hugs, squishing her.... I just can't leave two alone even for a minute.... poor guy.... I have to pull him away from her a lot of the times. He just have too much love sometimes ;0) I know that they will be great friends when she gets a little bit bigger!

Count Down!!!!

2008-11-19T15:29:00.000-08:00

Since last Sunday (16th)... I have been getting this lower back pain like crazy! I remember this feeling from last time! Braxton hicks is getting tighter and it is so uncomfortable when I walk... I know that the baby is telling me something!
So I was a little worried yesterday at the Dr's check up... With Kai, I couldn't see my Dr due to her medical conference or something for three weeks when I was supposed to see her every week! and finally saw her and I was dilated to 5 at the check up! I didn't know the pain I was feeling on and off was contraction! I totally freaked out! As you can imagine!

So this time, I was pretty confident that I am not that close, but I know I am getting close! Yep, I was right! I wasn't feeling this pain for nothing!
He said that the baby's head is right there.... I am getting pretty close, but not yet! He is guessing that we will still have one more check up, but I shouldn't be surprised if I go into labor any time!!!!

I still had a lot to get ready for the baby... so while Josiah was sick at home with Kai, I went to the store and got almost everything ready!!!! Lily can come any day and I won't freak out!

I am so excited to have her!

Kai and I went to a visiting teaching today and the friend we visited has a 5 month old baby! Kai was giving kisses and hugs and won't leave her alone!!!!! It was sooo cute to see how excited he was with the baby.... at the same time... oh boy....
he won't leave Lily alone....

My friend suggested that I would take a little baby doll home and show how to hold the baby and give bottle and stuff.... Kai just LOVES the doll and won't leave her alone! Thomas trains are his LIFE!!!!! but he put one of his favorite engines away and held the baby the whole time!!! I can't believe this! He is so protective of her also. When Pete come any close to the doll, he freaks out!

I am excited to see how he will react when this new baby comes!

Family Picture

2008-11-10T21:35:00.000-08:00

We weren't going to do a family picture this year without the baby Lily.... but the day we went to Park City was just perfect for taking some family pictures! Josey's dad just sent me some pictures that he took, and here they are ;0) I am hoping to do a "family picture" when Lily comes ;0) Although Josey is from a family that dad is a great photographer, he is not a big fan of doing pictures ;0( but hopefully Lily will be a great excuse to do it and Josey will enjoy it also ;0)

Halloween 2008

2008-11-06T20:44:00.000-08:00

This Halloween was a lot more fun than last year! Now Kai was getting the idea of Trick or Treating and enjoying it, it made it so much fun to take him and watch him.
Kai was going to be a Bob the builder at first, but he didn't like to wear the hat and the tool belt for very long time.... so the last minute mom decided that she should get a different costume for him! Kai loves Winnie the Pooh, and we were lucky to find one 2 days before Halloween ;0) Mom had to do some sewing to fit Kai's size, but it turned out perfect on him!

Since Halloween this year was on Friday, we decided to go up to Ogden and do trick or treat with Rachel's family. (we've done that every year so far) We thought that Kai would love to see his cousins! and He LOVED being around them!

This year, Kai was Winnie the Pooh, Dad was something from Hannibal...(I have to ask him the right name for it) and Mom was a witch. Josiah was totally ready for the Halloween more than a month ago! But for me, with all the parties and being pregnant and everything.... my costume wasn't the first priority this year....
So at the last minute, we stopped by at Wal-Mart and saw what I could be this year. Josiah was excited to paint my face, so I chose one that required a little bit of creativity ;0) Although after painting my face... he says "I think I messed it up..."
We were about to go out and kids were waiting for us.... no time to do it again!!!
I decided that it looked good enough for last minute costume! hahaha

Kai was so cute! The costume was perfect for him! He was a little Pooh with a Thomas candy bag! We just loved watch him walk with his cute bear costume ;0) He was begging us to open the candy every time we stop by a house....

We really had a great time!

Event Update

2008-11-06T13:23:00.000-08:00

I haven't updating the events that are happening in our family lately....
I have two blog type of things in Japanese and this, so I always end up updating this one when I have more time to think and type in Eng...(it still takes much more time in Eng...)

Kai turned 2 years old on Oct 25th! and we had a pretty big weekend for that! We had a family dinner on Fri. I made chirashi-sushi that looked like this character that Kai loves, and Thomas the train cake ;0) Kai sure loved it, so if it didn't look that great, it sure worked for him ;0) My parents have sent him whole box full of presents, so we let him open some of them on Fri!

On Sat, we invited Josiah's whole family to this condo that we could stay for free in Park City! We reserved the biggest one we can find to fit everyone there to stay over night! We had Josiah's parents, Rachel's family, Alex family and her fiance, and Nik and his girlfriend! It was too bad that Natalie got pretty sick that her family couldn't make it... We wished that they could be there, but Kai still had a lot of fun with cousins. He doesn't get to play with his cousins very often that he was soooooo excited to be around them! It really made us happy to see how much fun he was having with the kids!
The condo had a hot tub outside, and all the kids were so excited to get in! When all the kids went in, Kai also HAD TO get in with them! The tub was full with 8 kids! It looked pretty full ;0)
Kai got a lot of presents and he was so happy to get every single of them!

The next day, Josiah's mom suggested that we should take family picture outside! It was such a pretty day and the landscape was just perfect with pretty fall color in the back! We had a really good time with family that weekend!

He knows!

2008-09-30T15:05:00.000-07:00

Today was my first Dr's appointment here in Sandy! I wish I didn't have to change my Dr in the middle of the pregnancy, but there was no way for me to drive up there when the appointments get every other week or every week....

Anyways, so for the first time, I decided to get a baby sitter so that I could meet the Dr and have a good conversation instead of chasing Kai ;0)

My neighbor grandma just loves Kai and she offered to watch Kai when I go to Dr's appointments! Her grandson lives right next to her house, and he is also Kai's favorite friend! So she called him to play with Kai and offered to watch two kids for a few hours! What a nice neighbor!!
She is just really sweet grandma! I am so lucky to have good neighbors here! Everyone around us are just so nice! They are bit older, so they take care of us like their kids or grand kids!

When I came home to pick Kai up, the grandma told me that she was very touched that he knew who Jesus was. She said he pointed at the picture on the fridge and said "Jesus". Our FHE theme for this month was Jesus and Prayer! Some FHE I see Kai understanding what I am teaching, some... he just wonders around too much that I feel like and am just talking to myself. But to know that he knows who Jesus is when I am not around made me feel very happy and I too was touched.

Kai does spontaneous sweet things.... He doesn't hesitate to pray before lunch in front of all the Japanese kids. He prayed once when he got hurt. It is so great to have this little boy! He teaches me simple but important things!

Mmm... yummy....

2008-09-25T15:28:00.000-07:00

Josiah thought that we are ready to eat when I rolled it! No no... we have to let it sit in the freezer for 30 min!!!

I couldn't wait that long... so we took it out after 15 min ;0)

One of my hobbies is cooking ;0) Especially desserts are really fun to make! I have been craving this "Roll Cake" (that is how we call it in Japan...) with strawberries that I had at my friend's house! I finally found out who made it, and got the recipe from her!!! I was sooooo excited! I made it last Sunday, and IT WAS SOOOOOOOOOO GOOD!!! I tried so many recipes over years.... and I've never been able to make it this soft and moist!!! The lady that gave me the recipe told me that this can be used for normal cakes, so I am thinking to make birthday cake for Kai this year!

Crafty Friend

2008-09-16T15:02:00.000-07:00

It is less than 3 months till our little baby Lily comes to our family!
I have been shopping here and there to prepare for our daughter's arrival.
It is so fun to shop for dresses and accessories for the baby girls, but oh my goodness... they can be really expensive!!! Some of them look easy enough for me to make at home! (not the dresses...! the head band and hair stuff ;0) so I've been asking my friends if they know how to make them!
Then, one of my friends told me that she always makes them herself and told me not to buy them because they are soooooooo easy to make! You can make them even cuter and the way you want!!!!
So we got together today and made some head bands with cute flowers! It was so easy to make! It is my kind of craft! EASY, FAST, and CUTE! (oh, and lots of fun to make!)
She is so good that she made a few of those head bands while I was making one and talking.... They are so cute that I want to put them on Lily soon ;0)
Thanks to her, I don't have to spend $ and $ to accessorize my baby girl ;0)
I will try to put pictures here when I make some again!

Governer's Day

2008-09-15T16:00:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday was Governor's Day in Utah. Not very many people know what that is.... unless your family is in the military. It is the day that Governor reviews all the units (ARMY and Air Force) in Utah, and they all get together and march in front of the Governor. It is pretty amazing to see all the soldiers get together in their uniforms and march! I can't say how many soldiers, but there were a lot of them!!! It is usually held at Camp Williams, but the road construction is pretty bad, so they have decided to have it at U of U stadium this year.
We took a train to SLC to avoid the traffic. The trax was filled with soldiers! It was really cool to see so many of them, but some people who didn't know about that day seemed to wonder what was going on!

I think doing this at U of U was a great idea! There were lots of things to see other than the parade! The military band was playing out side of the stadium, blow up toys for the kids, BBQ for lunch, whole bunch of vendors selling things to support the units in Iraq.

I am so proud of Josiah for being in ARMY. I can't say that I fully support, because I am scared that he will be called to serve in a war somewhere again....
But watching him wearing his uniform and him being proud of being a soldier to serve this country, I am very grateful.

Looking at the huge crowd of soldiers, each soldier can seem to be one of many.... but as I look at families there that were supporting and cheering for their loved ones, I do know that each of them has a family, a wife, a husband, kids and friends that love them and care about them very very much! Each soldier there is so important and their lives are so precious!!! Every year I come to this parade and I wish world peace!

Dog Walk and Swim

2008-09-06T14:02:00.000-07:00

I've never heard this kind of event before, but whoever thought about this is so awesome!!! The event is called "Dog walk and swim". Draper pool opens the last day for the dogs! It is a pretty big event! It started with a walk. I think I saw more than 100 dogs there. There were all kinds of dogs, really huge ones, tall ones, really small ones... I don't know the names of breeds, but you name it! It was there!

We walked for about 20-30 min, there were people standing on the trail to direct which way to go... (just like 5k or 10k with humans ;0) They had trash cans for boo-boos and buckets with water on the trail ;0) Pete was doing pretty good even though many other dogs were walking along with him! Kai did good with walk also! He got a little slow, so dogs behind him were sniffing him and giving kisses too much.... I had to get him in the stroller ;0)

After the walk, all the dogs went free in the pool area! It is an outdoor pool, and thank goodness it is the last day! I wouldn't swim there after seeing so many dogs in the pool! hahahaha It was crazy... you see dogs running, sniffing, peeing on the poles, jumping in the pool, swimming... it was a mad house!!!!

It was so fun to see so many dogs swimming together! They were going nuts in the water to get the tennis balls that thier mom and dad threw! Pete was so busy chasing after other dogs to play for 30-40 min... didn't even care about swimming!!!
Josiah finally grabbed him and threw in the pool! (We thought Pete was a little scared that he couldn't touch the bottom of the pool when we was trying to get out!) He didn't want to go back in for a while... But he also wanted the tennis balls, so he finally jumped into the pool with other dogs around him! After that, he kept playing fetch in the pool for a while!

We got this nice leash from the ruffle!!! It was so cool! Since we found out that we have lost Pete's this morning... Josiah had to alternate with rope for walk today. So lucky US!

Kai enjoyed seeing dogs there also! I think it kind of scared him or overwhelmed him at first! He wouldn't get out of the stroller forever and just sat there and watching dogs run and swim. We had such a fun time there! We would love to go next year again!

If there is anyone wants to adopt a dog, that will be a good place to find your puppy! There were dogs with "Adopt me" sign. They were such cute dogs and made me really sad how much fun they were having with other dogs and how innocent they were... yet, they don't have someone that loves them like we love Pete.... I hope they will find a good home!

One night at Park City

2008-09-03T13:59:00.001-07:00

I've been waiting for this day!!! Since Josiah has served in Iraq, all the veterans that served in Iraq and Afghanistan get to go to these hotels and condos for two nights a year for free. So we have decided that we would stay at one of the condo during the labor day weekend! Just 2 of us! Josiah and I didn't do much together this Summer since I got back from Japan... We have been busy moving and organizing which was pretty important to us this Summer.... The camp that we went was the only trip we made! (Well, except my Japan trip.... but that is going home... it doesn't count as a family trip, right?? hee hee)

Josiah's parents watched Kai for us while we are gone. We thought that Kai would miss us... but he knew that they have Thomas the train at their house, so he didn't even care we were there or not!

It was kind of weird not having Kai around... especially with me, this was my first time not having him around me for more than 3-4 hours! Josiah's mom said that it may be harder for me than for Kai! and that was true! Although it was kind of sad not having him around, it was pretty nice to have alone time with Josiah. I think we were both a little shy and didn't know what to talk or what to do sometimes ;0)
It made me think how it is gonna be when we are retired and old.. just 2 of us in the future.

We had fun shopping, eating out, and watching movies with treats without any interruption till midnight! We haven't done that forever.... Sleeping has been more important than playing till mid-night. We knew that we could sleep in as long as we wanted!

The weather wasn't very good up in Park City last weekend... It was rainy and very cold! We weren't dressed for it at all... so we ended up leaving there early. But we had a lot of fun together.

Josiah's mom said Kai was doing just fine! Slept well, played well and ate well! He didn't cry or look for us. He was just fine with grandpa and grandma! (oh, and Thomas the train)
We are planning another night stay next month, but this one is with the whole Halverson family for Kai's birthday! Thanks to Josiah for his service in Iraq! and we are totally taking advantage of it ;0)

Does anyone know good activities up there that don't cost too much??

Pray and Amen

2008-08-29T06:06:00.000-07:00

Josiah and I have been teaching Kai to pray for last a few months. We would fold arms, pause....and say "Amen". When we say Amen, we would unfold arms like "Banzai!" We thought that way he would get it easier when we say "Amen", it is the end of the prayer. We have tried and tried... he was just not interested at all!

We have this primary songs on DVD, and it has pictures come up with songs. Yesterday he really wanted to watch the DVD and asked me to play! So I put it on! He loves any music that we weren't surprised that is his favorite DVD to watch! Then all the sudden, he saw this little boy on the TV praying and HE FOLDED HIS ARMS!!!!!!!!

Josiah and I were there to watch him and thought "Is he doing "pray... and Amen" ???" He would do again and again.... Yep, he is doing it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We were so happy to see him do that all by himself! One of the bishopric in our old ward says "when you raise your children, you will have times that you feel like what you are doing is just hopeless...or not making any progress. But, just be consistence and one day you will see what you have done means something to them and to you.... It can take time, so be patient and continue what you are doing."
That is so true!

I put him to bed last night and asked him to pray... and he folded his arms as I pray with him. It was such a precious moment! It almost made me cry. Josiah and I decided that we needed to be better at praying with Kai every night. It was a good reminder! It was such a sweet moment that I had to write it down ;0)

Thanks to Logan!!

2008-08-27T14:43:00.001-07:00

I am working on the camping trip story... it is taking a bit longer than I expected, so I decided to write something else ;0) hahaha

Logan (Chad and Kenzie's son)was playing with Kai a lot during the camping trip. We've noticed that he just knew so many words for being a little less than 2 years old!!! He would repeat whatever we said! Kai has not been a big repeater yet.... We were wondering when he would start picking up things more. We weren't too worried about him, because mom and dad speaks different languages, I bet Kai is pretty confused now... But, we were just amazed how much Logan knows!

It was towards the end of the trip, I would ask Kai to say "Yuki" and he tried to say it! We were so surprised that he would even try it! It got even better after the trip! At home, he would say "Josey", "Banana", "OK", and even some Japanese words that I have been trying to teach him for months! It surprised me that Kai was trying to sing this song that Kenzie was singing to Logan during the trip (well... Logan was saying the words to the song all the time, so I bet Kai picked that up from him!)

It is so amazing how much kids pick up stuff from each other! I thought Kai was mostly attacking Logan for playing the toys he wanted... but he was also learning a lot from him! It is so fun to listen to him trying say things now! It was just a few days that Kai got to play with Logan, but the influence he got was pretty big!
So far, he says a lot of English words. I'd better teach him more Japanese... I thought I speak Japanese a lot with him, but I just have to be more consistent!

Wish me luck!

2008-08-25T21:46:00.000-07:00

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

It's a girl!

2008-08-19T15:31:00.000-07:00

Some of you may know that we are expecting a baby in Dec. We knew that it will be a girl from the day one ;0) Before we found out that I was pregnant, Josiah once told me that he had this feeling that there is a daughter waiting to come. He doesn't usually say stuff like that! So, I thought that this baby must be a girl! We are very excited when we saw her cute little face on the targeted ultrasound day at the clinic. It always amazes me that we can see baby's face before coming out! It is still hard to see, but she sure has big lips like her big brother!

Kai loves to look at my tummy and give kisses. He points at it and says "baby". He does the same thing to Josiah's tummy also... so he may not be understanding all the way... but it sure is cute when he is kissing ;0) Kai has been loving pushing the stroller lately. I should find a T-shirt saying "big brother in training" or something! He is so cute when he pushes so fast and run like crazy! I am sure he will be a big help for mama next Spring.

What a fun day!

2008-07-25T21:26:00.000-07:00

Pioneer Day!

I know this was last month.... I have been trying to edit forever and finally did it!
Our family has been waiting for this day to come! We wanted to show Kai what a parade is like, so we went to one in Provo on July 4th, but we somehow thought that it starts at 10am.... by the time we got there, people were leaving! We just caught the end of the parade....(Kai was actually excited to see police cars!) So we were very excited for this time! Josiah and his sister Rachel did 10k in the morning. They finished a lot faster than I expected ;0) so by the time me and Kai got there to cheer, they were all done.... Well, we didn't waste time there! We left the race soon after to watch the parade! Kai and his cousins were so excited to see it! Kai did a little bit of candy catching with kids and enjoyed eating whole bunch of them during the parade!

We took him to a carnival in the evening. It was still very very hot outside.... We tried to get him on a few rides, but he didn't like to go by himself yet.... Those rides are not big enough for us to go with him, so we just went on the Merry-Go-Round a few times together! He still had a lot of fun! Maybe he will enjoy rides a lot more next year!

Good-bye Ogden

2008-07-02T07:10:00.001-07:00

So, Finally we are moving today!!! We didn't know till yesterday afternoon! I can't believe how hard it is to buy a house. I don't remember being this hard when we bought the duplex....
Things are already packed up before I came home from Japan, but there are little things here and there that we had to pack last night! It was kinda sad to pack everything.... we had a lot of memories here. Sleepless nights with Pete's illness, getting ready for baby Kai, taking care of plumbing problems, chasing after Pete around the neighbor, baby proofing the house for crazy Kai, having dinner with friends from our ward!! It was so much fun, but we know it is time to move on! I am going to miss this house a lot. Ogden is the only place I lived in Utah since college.
It will be hard to move and leave all the friends I made! I will keep in touch, my friends!

We are moving to Sandy today!

P.S
Can somebody teach me how to put "friends" on the side of the blog?? I've seen it on everybody's and I can't figure it out yet.... Thanks!

Trip to Japan

2008-06-30T07:03:00.000-07:00

Kai and I had a great time in Japan. Thanks to Josiah, we were there for 6 weeks! It was so much fun to spend some time with my family. It was not easy to get there.... Kai and I think we did enough flying for this year.... hahaha! But it was totally worth it!
We didn't do anything too special over there, but Kai made some friends, played with his second cousins, ate lots of fish and found his love for mini-cars!!!
Kai wanted to play with my parents dogs (Jun and Genta) but they were so scared of Kai! Kai will chase after them and they were constantly running away from him.

I hope it works....

2008-06-24T07:36:00.000-07:00

So many of my friends made their blogs and they look great!!! I made this blog long time ago, but I haven't really done anything with it.... Since our old ward split that I think I should be updating what is going on with my family ;0)
Kai and I just got back from Japan! We were there for about 6 weeks! It was so much fun to be at home with my family. Kai got to see most of my family again and made some Japanese friends! Lately he started saying some Japanese words and it is so cute! He turned into a kissing machine there! He just love to give hugs and kisses to everyone he loves!!! My family loved that!

I was so excited to eat all the great food there (especially seafood...). Well, in Japan during the pregnancy, Dr don't say not to eat Sushi and stuff as much as here... so I was totally ready to eat their fresh sushi! But of course all the sudden it didn't look or taste good to me anymore when it was right in front of me!!!! hahaha....