Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

A Mother Venting :(

O.k. everyone. I am going to do some venting. I don't normally do this online. I usually call a tons of people to let them know, but I feel this is important. I had to pull my son out of preschool because of bullying, and now choir practice. These pictures are what happened in choir practice when he was playing in the children's bedroom.
He was hiding in the closet and they went after him. He tried to leave but they wouldn't let him. I am livid. I teach my boys the 3 strikes you are out rule. This week I have really been enfasizing(sp?) how the Lord made our bodies and spirit and is our job to protect them. When asked what to do, my son Zach now likes to say "block and punch". I understand a little rough housing, but when you son comes out with blood on his face and shirt, that is different. As a mother I will be his shadow for a long while, until I know he can properly punch someone in the nose. My opinion might change, but in the state I am in right now. I don't see that happening. If I decide to homeschool , or not have babysitters, or not have certain people over, or not go to choir practice, or anything to keep my kids safe, that is my right and job as a mother. This should not be happening at such a tender age. What are parents not teaching there kids?
I don't want to judge, but I am appalled. Anyways, I am looking for the possibility of leaving this island as soon as possible. I love my boys. They are everything to me. All 3 of them. Sorry I am a downer right now. Not that many of you have seen this side of me. Take care. Love you, Desiree

Here we are

I just want to say thanks for all your comments and for your support. We love you all a bunch and are actively trying to find a way to get back to you all sooner. Okinawa is nice, but we have been away for 10 years and I am really starting to go through some sort of withdrawal style homesickness. I can't wait to be surrounded by family again. I was thinking about Dad and all the activities we had at the house and all the friends and family that filled it so often. I want to do the same. We love you all and can't wait to see you again.

Christmas 2008

Well,

Here's a super happy Christmas Message from the Monteith's (of Okinawa). We are living in a tropical wonderland of sun, water, and more biological diversity than you can shake a candy cane at. The weather here is actually quite good. I have only needed a jacket twice so far, and one of those times was at 2 in the morning in a steady wind.

Our year has been good so far, and looks to be continning(sp?) into the future just as well. The only off note is, of course, the fact that I have to write this note to you all. I would rather be discussing it with you over dinner. 'They' say its a small world, but it seems larger when I think of family and friends around the world. We miss you and love you very much.

Oh, let's just get to the details, so I can focus on the positives. Zachary Boy is 2 1/2 and smart as a whip. When we sing at bedtime he loves to sing his ABC song. We read the scriptures out loud and he repeats the words so he can be part. He rides a 'big boy' bike with training wheels and will be getting a newer one for Christmas. Don't tell him!

Michael, Jr. is learning letter and number games and how to recognize key words. He can add numbers just like his Dad. On his fingers! His only issue right now is the habit of scaring his brother for a laugh. He then wonders why Zachary won't immediately sit back down and play! Mostly though, they share what will make each other happy, and one thing I love to see is them teaming up to open our heavy front door. They are a great pair, and we love them very much.

Desiree is making friends as usual. She teaches a beginner's sewing class, hand and machine, for Relief Society, and is on the Enrichment Committtee(I got on a roll with those tee's). The two of us are on the Activities Committee(that's better) and we team teach the Sunbeams class in Primary(Michael, Jr. is in the class, also). She can often be found in the yard with friends watching the kids play, or trying some new recipe in the kitchen. All of us love her, and couldn't function without her.

I am in the U.S. Navy. I am proud to be serving my country, and my Heavenly Father by doing the best I can in work and my callings. I have recently become qualified as a Watch Commander and am in charge(on randomly scheduled days) of the training, care and distribution of a twenty man security team. It sounds cooler than it is, but it's still pretty cool.

Okinawa actually has a lot to recommend it and we have only begun to tap the well of tourist activities available. We have camped at the beach twice, wandered in foreign cities, and gone to Tokyo Disneyland (which was quite fun!). If anyone wants to come visist we will be gracious and enthusiastic hosts. We love you all and can't wait to see you again. Thanks for all your calls, letters, emails and care packages. We will be together again.

Merry Christmas,
Love,
The Montieth's
Mike, Desiree, Mike, Jr., and Zachary Boy

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree....

Well this year we made our Christmas tree. We left ours back in storage. We don't really have a lot of room in our house, so this was the next best thing. I actually like it. It reminds me of Dr. Seuss. The boys had fun making the decorations, of course it was a little hard to steal them away from the Steelers game. Our next project is covering our windows with snowflakes since we will not be getting snow here. We have already started making some, and Jr. was going scissor happy.

Until next time. Love you.

Just a couple of new pictures!!!

Children as Drug Dogs

I know, I know, child labor and bad environment and all that. Seriously though, Desiree was trying to get Zachary to eat some chili the other day. Kidney beans, meat, tomato paste, we've all been there. Zachary only wants the corn bread (probably because I have taken to calling it 'corn cake' to get them to eat it). Zachary demolished his to crumbs getting it into his maw. Yes, look it up, its appropriate.
So Desiree puts a smidgeon (also appropriate) of chili on a spoon and cleverly disguises it with 'cake' crumbs. Zachary won't have it. He just turns his head. Well, he also whined, but I digress. So Desiree dumps it off the spoon, except cleverly again for one bean. Crumbs back on, up to Zach's face, no go. So then for an experiment she dumps the last bean, and a full spoon of 'cake' crumbs go into the mouth no problem.
These kids could detect kryptonite in a lead box. Love em.

Send it to Jesus

Michael, Jr. drew a fairly recognizable picture of Jesus Christ, the Golden Plates, and a rather sturdy table to hold them up (just the plates, I'm sure). Which shows that in addition to scriptural knowledge structural engineering is getting in there somehow. Anyway, he showed it to both of us and then was not satisfied with promises, but made us put the picture in an envelope to 'mail to Jesus'. We thought that was pretty sweet. Also, we are planning on buying the Animated Stories from the Book of Mormon since he did this shortly after watching one of the DVDs at a friends house. Cute as a button.

Sleep Tight

For the past couple of days, I have come to discover that when I check on my boys they are in Zachary's bed. They are so cute.

Halloween

My boys had a blast on Halloween. They especially loved the candy. It was so cute how they got their bags ready and said trick or treat and thankyou. Zachary was extremely eager. He has a huge sweet tooth.

Creative Hide and Seek Spots

AFN Commercials

Here in Okinawa we don't get regular television commercials. We get the Airforce Network. I was looking for some of my favorites, but they didn't have them on youtube. But here are a few to give you a taste of what we see in between shows.

http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=SpOb_qSggGE
http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=mghxZzWVO7A
http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=LemcePDZSxk
http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=YSEUOQSIpfc
http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=8bNrrQ7xhyQ

The ones I have posted I have actually watched on t.v. I can't wait to find the Lewis And Lebowski Expedition, and the crafts commercial that copies Napolean Dynamite, and the conseving energy one that is like Forest Gump.

Pumpkins

Here are the pumpkins. Take them as you will.

Just a Couple of Pictures

Watching T.V. together

Our Disney transportation

Yeah!!









A family wanted to take a picture with our boy because he was a blonde. My boys got a lot of looks, and their hair touched.

Year 1978

My sister showed me this website that you could put your picture in it from the years 1950-2000. I always wondered how I would look like with an afro. Try it.

Tokyo Disneyland!

Well, we made our first real trip somewhere since we arrived in the Land of the Rising Sun. The 100 Yen store doesn't count. We had a lot of fun.



Ate a bunch of random stuff you wouldn't believe.



And we went on some great rides.



We also had some good family time.



I'll send a disk with more pictures, as soon as I remember or March of 2011. Whichever comes first.

Super Heroes in Training

These boys are already into some Super Hero worship. Zachary loves to have us read a Spiderman book almost every night. I don't know when Michael, Jr. picked up on Batman, although I think I have let him watch parts of Batman Begins he hasn't seen it in a while, but he knew who he wanted to be for Halloween. Here they are, the new 'Dynamic Duo' (Robin always was a piker, Chris O'Donnell notwithstanding).



Zachary looks sad, but he really fought for the costume!

Fire Balls

Michael, Jr. must have seen DragonBallZ once or twice because he taught his brother Zach a new skill. Let the Fire Balls fly!

Junior the Giver

Well Michael Jr. has been a real sweetheart this week. Last week was hard because of preschool starting. This week he is finally figuring it out. Sunday he had to share with me a treat he got at Primary class. It was so funny seeing his little hands filled with fuzzy, sticky, gummy candy. He was so proud of saving some for me. Of course I took it and popped it in my mouth and said Thank you. Tuesday in school, he made me a necklace. He was so happy. I was too. He was very protective of it. He wanted it on me, and he didn't want Zachary touching it. Of course I granted his desires. Today he made a bear crown. Later in the day he let Zachary wear it for a little bit. My boys are great.

The Stitches are Out.

Well I went to the doctor yesterday and they are out. Zachary handled it very well. At first he did not want to lay down. The memory is still pretty fresh. It is nice to know that Zachary isn't alone in this world. He has two people he can count on in the future to compare his chin with. Naomi and Rachel. Wow.

Okinawan Recipes from Relief Society

Miso Soup (5 Servings)

Ingredients:
4 cups water
1/2 cup pork meat, thinly sliced
1/2 cup daikon (white radish), thinly sliced
1/4 cup carrot, thinly sliced
1 bag (8g) dashinomoto (soup stock granules)
1 tablespoon wakame (seaweed), soak in water and cut to small pieces
2 tablespoons miso paste
4 green onions, thinly sliced

Directions:
In a medium saucepan: add 4 cups of water, pork meat, daikon, and carrots. Boil until carrots are tender. Reduce heat to medium, and add dashinomoto and wakame. 30 seconds later, simmer gently. In small bowl, take 4 oz of liquid from saucepan and dissolve 2 tablespoons miso paste then add to saucepan. Remove soup from heat and put green onion. Serve immediately.

Yakisoba (5 servings)

Ingredients:
2 cups pork or beef meat, thinly sliced
1 each carrot, cut into long thin strips
1/2 yellow onion, thinly sliced
1/3 medium head cabbage, coursely chopped
1/2 bag (1/2 kg) yakisoba noodles
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
*Add salt and black pepper to taste
1/4~1/2 cup yakisoba sauce (recommend thicker one)

Directions:
In a large skillet put olive oil, stir fry pork meat 30 seconds and add salt and black pepper to your taste. Add carrot and stir fry 30 seconds. Add yellow onion and stir fry 30 seconds. Add cabbage and stir fry 30 seconds and reduce heat medium, and add 1/8 cups sauce. Add noodles and the rest of sauce and mix well; remove from heat.

I liked it all.

Stitches Stitches

Well Zachary has finally been initiated into boyhood. He was climbing up the bathtub and fell down. I did not witness the event. Daddy witnessed it all. I thought at first it was just his mouth but soon realized that blood came from a nice clean cut on his chin. This happened Friday night. Later on Sunday, he fell again and busted a stitch. This reminded me of when Michael yanked the superglue stuff off of his cut above the eye coming home from the hospital. The doctors were thinking that the superglue stuff might work. I wasn't for the might work, so the stitches were put in. Zachary was very mad at being held down. They wrapped him up pretty good. I held him down too. Everything is fine now. I just need to remember to call the doctor to pull his stitches out.

The following day after the doctor. He picked out the Spongebob bandaids. It was either that or Helly Kitty.

We put a butterfly bandage after we cleaned his boo boo. We decided he didn't need to go back to the doctors for another stitch.

Looks alot better.

Questions Answered

To answer a couple questions that have been asked, Michael Sr. is taking an online class. He has finished his Sociology Bachelors. He is working on a Psychology Bachelors as long as the military will let him. Second the preschool Michael goes to is Niko Niko meaning, I think, Smiles Smiles. It is not expensive because it is for the military and it is based on your paygrade. There you go. :)

1st Day of Preschool

Well it is about time for the pictures of his first day of school. He is really enjoying school.

Michael and Zachary playing while I check Michael into the computer. We also have to check him into class too. Very tight with the security.


Walking to class. Zachary is excited to start preschool too.


Michael and Courtney playing.

This wasn't on the first day, but it was cute. I take Courtney to school in the morning.

Good Boys

Well, the boys have been wearing their mother to a frazzle lately. Fighting, running and falling, getting loud. It's all a big to-do. But, boys will be boys, and Desiree is a strong woman. And they are not bad boys, just crazy. Here are a couple of pics to let you know how they are doing. The first one here is Mike, Jr. after we built some things together. I'll let you guess which one I did (I am a show off).











Next is their rendition of Napoleon Dynamite's 'Pull Me Into Town' scene.











One more thing, let me tell you that 'nomiso' means 'brains' in Japanese. Or Nihongo, as they say. And the boys love it when I chase them around like a zombie saying 'Nomiso, nomiso'. Its alot of fun, and a little weird. But that's me. Love you all, hope you are doing well. I am in school again with a couple more classes to go before my Psych Bachelor's is complete. Desiree is getting ready to teach some sisters out here how to sew. And as she sews, so shall she . . . you know. Gotta go, Love, Mike

Tribute to Military Wives

I found this on one of my friends website, and I really enjoyed it.

The Military Wife

The good Lord was creating a model for military wives and was into his sixth day of overtime when an angel appeared. She said," Lord, you seem to be having a lot of trouble with this one. What’s wrong with the standard model?"

The Lord replied," Have you seen the specs on this order? She has to be completely independent, possess the qualities of both mother and father, be a perfect hostess for four to 40 with an hour notice, run on black coffee, handle every emergency imaginable without a manual, be able to carry on cheerfully, even if she is pregnant and has the flu, and she must have six pair of hands."

The angel shook her head. "Six pair of hands? No way!"
The Lord continued. "Don’t worry, we will make other military wives to help her. And we will give her an unusually strong heart so it can swell with pride in her husbands achievements, sustain the pain of separation, beat soundly when it is overworked and tired, and be large enough to say, "I understand" when she doesn’t and "I love you" regardless.
"Lord," said the angel, touching his arm gently, "Go to bed and get some rest. You can finish this tomorrow."

"I can’t stop now," Said the Lord. "I am so close to creating something unique. Already this model heals herself when she is sick, can put up six unexpected guests for the weekend, wave good-bye to her husband from a pier, a runway or a depot, and understand why it’s important that he leave."
The angel circled the model of the military wife, looked at it
closely and sighed.

"It looks fine, but it’s too soft."
"She may look soft," replied the Lord, "but she had the strength of a lion. You would not believe what she can endure."
Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the Lord’s creation. "There’s a leak," she announced. "Something is wrong with the construction. I’m not surprised that it has cracked. You are trying to put too much into this model."

The Lord appeared offended at the angel’s lack of confidence. "What you see is not a leak," he said. "It’s a tear."
"A tear? What is it there for?" asked the angel.
The Lord replied, "It’s for joy, sadness, pain, disappointment, loneliness, pride and dedication to all the values that she and her husband hold dear."
"You are a genius!" exclaimed the angel.
The Lord looked puzzled and replied, "I didn’t put it there."

Author Unknown

To the Zoo, To the Zoo . . .

We went to the Okinawa zoo on the 4th. It was fun. Really, fun. Seriously,

it was fairly small, but good. It did have some interesting things that you don't see in U.S. zoos. Like the pool of a hundred (at least) turtles. Also the koi (carp) pond, where we watched the ducks and fish battle for food pellets.



Then after I wrestled the Hippo . . . and won . . . Desiree and the Boys desided to tackle the 'Giant Hog'-not me!

We also saw some cool reptiles.

All in all it was a fun day and we are glad we went.

Michael on Sunday

Sunday was a wonderful day. So many different things happened that made me so pleased and love my son Michael. First, in the morning, I was lying in bed when my son got his clothes on and said mommy look. I looked in his bedroom and he made his and his brothers bed. I have never asked him to do that before. Later, we were sitting on the couch and he says listen to me count. He counted 1-50. That was the first time. We have only really been practicing to 30. Next, we went to a linger longer at the bishops house. The bishops wife mentioned that on the balcony was a kiddy pool and to be aware of it. I thought if my boys get wet it will be no big deal because it is very hot. So I went up there later looking for my boys, and here is Michael soaked. He asks if he can take his shirt of because it is wet. I say yes and to keep his underwear on. I went downstairs to get some icecream for him. When I went upstairs and looked through the door I saw the shirt, his shorts, and socks. There were a couple of boys looking in the pool. I call for Michael and this little skinny naked cutie comes to me and says look mommy. It was hilarious. Granted we had a discussion that in the bath you can take your clothes off, but everywhere else you need to be covered down there. I love my boys. Desiree :)

The Boys Lately

Well it is summer and it is very hot over here. It gets to about 115 in the shade at 5pm. I thought that I could tough it out but I find myself not as strong. The funny thing is that people over here say that in the winter when it is 65 that you will want to wear a coat because you acclimatise. I have found out that I will be outside in this horrible heat and because the humidity I get a chill. My little Michael has lately decided that he enjoys wearing long sleeve shirts and pants lately. He says he is not hot when we are out. Crazy. He is so funny. I am the primary pianist again. But today I was happy to be it because Jr. actually hummed to some of the songs and waved his hand to conduct. I was so happy. Later on today he was singing a lot. Both my boys have taken a liking to getting the bad guys lately and killing them. Michael goes around saying I'm dead and Zach just shoots and says chase me. They are adorable. Here is a little clip.

4th of July

On the 4th, the Airbase hosted a fair. We went and the boys had a lot of fun. We saw lots of planes and helicopters. Here are some pictures.
Zachary and Mike, Jr. sat at the controls of many different vehicles.




This is the bay of a Rescue Helicopter of some kind. I think it is a version of the Black Hawk.

You can just barely see Zachary under the wing of this C-130 Hercules.







It was Zachary's first time seeing fireworks (no pictures of those). He absolutely loved it. We found we had more fun watching the boys reactions than we did watching the fireworks. Love you all.

For Those Who Know

Rebecca Harlow is getting married and this is a link to her bridal shower blog. You can leave recipes and play games and sign her guestbook. Hope lots of us do. She has always been a good friend to us all, and congratulations. http://rebabridalshower.blogspot.com/

Food Storage

My girlfriend Tirzah sent this video she found to me. It is hilarious.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=If7YJ-oeSy8

Some Recent Photos

They boys staring off at the beach.

Michael and Zachary showing off how strong they are by carrying this stick up a hill.

A moment when they are together in harmony.