Two recent stories

We had babysitters over last night!! This is what they had to say (they are two sisters who come over together) when they wouldn't give Kai candy.

Kai: Shayyyy! You're driving me CRAZY!
Me*trying not to laugh*:I'm sorry Kai...
Kai: I want you to go over there *points out the window*
Me: Outside all alone?
Kai: No. Never mind its dark and scary out there...dont go Shay ok?

What a child!

Another story:

When I went to pick up Kai the other day from preschool, Miss Annie his teacher said to me;

"We all loved those Japanese treats Kai brought today!"

He had what's called the "snack bag" for the day, which means it's his turn to bring a snack to share with the class.

"HUH????"

I asked, puzzled, because I distinctly remember handing a bag of animal crackers for Kai to put into his bag.

Immediately, Miss Annie's face turned cloudy, as if to realize she had eaten something she wasn't supposed to.

"The animal crackers??"

I thought, Kai must have said these animal crackers are from Japan!? I was confused.

Miss Annie explained to me what they had. Yup, they were snacks I had bought from Japan alright.

It turns out, that Kai had packed himself a few bags of treats that I had gotten from Japan (for the kids)!! I laughed so hard.

I ended up asking him to please ask me before stuffing his bag, but couldn't get mad at him...something about being responsible and taking the initiative made me happy.

Funny kid.

"Is my mom in trouble?"

So when something BAD happens to me, I have the habit of writing about it.

Cuz then I feel better.

So this is about today.

The day was beautiful, the morning was bright.

I dropped Kai off at his preschool. He's been learning lots and I've been so impressed.

"Good bye Kai! Have fun and learn lots!"

Gosh, I'm such a "mom" now, saying the same lame (sweet) things every other mom says.

With a light tune in my heart, I drove to the local Kroger. Tuesday's my shopping day.

I got everything I needed and checked out.

The total rang up to be $65.

I hand the cashier my wad of coupons and watched as the price came down.

Final cost for me? $12. I was ecstatic.

Great trip! I tell myself in my head. This is our week's groceries for a family of four, plus I got a few free CAT foods to donate to some people in our branch.

With a lighter heart, I headed to my all time favorite store.

Target.

I MISSED YOU! I think to myself, being away from this place while I was in Japan was a hard thing to do!

I wandered the aisles snatching up clearance items and clothes for the boys and much needed things, then was ready to go get Kai.

"MAMA!!"

aww, the smile that melts my heart. Someday, I think to myself, he won't even want to acknowledge me. Well, I'm gonna enjoy it for now. I give him a big squeeze and a fat kiss on the cheek.

"Ready to go meet your friends at Chick-fil-a?!" I ask excitedly. We've all been looking forward to it.

We cranked up some kids songs and headed out to meet our friends. Driving along the road, I see a bike coming from the opposite direction. By the time I realized it was a cop motocycle, it was too late, he had flipped a U and had his lights on. "ME?" I thought to myself incredulously. Let me tell you, that out of my decade of driving history, I've only received ONE ticket-and that was when I was 18. I also got pulled over while driving to AZ last year, but luckily, I didn't get a ticket, and that's about it. I've been a clean and good driver.

Well, to say the least, this cop wasn't very nice and I knew I was gonna get it this time.

Mean while, the kids were EXCITED.

"Hi!"

Kai called out from his seat in the back.

"Hi!"

said Jaiden too.

A friendly duo of sons I have.

"Hi!! HI!! Hello!?!"

Again, this cop wasn't a very friendly one.

"HELLO?!?!"

Kai and Jaiden were adamant to get a reply.

"Hi, are you a bike man?"

"Umm, ARE YOU A POLICE?"

The cop's still ignoring my boys and I'm antsy to turn around to hush them.

"Hey!" Kai was puzzled as to why he wasn't getting a reply, because they were plenty LOUD.

I finally turned around and spoke as softly and patiently as I could and in Japanese said;

"Hey kids, be quiet please, mommy's talking to this police man."

"IS MY MOMMY IN TROUBLE?!"

Kai was shocked but sounded pretty excited.

Please do tell me Mr. police man, why my mother is in trouble! He seemed to be amused.

I felt my face get hot with embarrassment or laughter, but this was no time to laugh.

the cop continued to interrogate me with questions.

"HI MR. BIKE POLICE MAN, IS MY MOMMY IN BIG TROUBLE?"

The cop never did crack a smile or even return a simple child's "hello."

JERK.

He wrote me up for two citations. Speeding, and for not having an updated insurance card in the car. Oh, and he said something about my license.

JERK.

Oh well.

Kids sure make things fun huh.

Glad this didn't happen on a day/week where I was on the verge of breaking. I think I handled it pretty well.

It's funny, because when I got pulled over in AZ back in June, my mom laughed at me (not mean). the following week, she got a speeding ticket. Then while in Japan, I laughed at her about it, bragging that although I've been pulled over, I've not received a ticket in a decade. So, it figures this should happen to me.

Anyway, on a random thought, I'm always thinking of how relieved I am that it was ONLY a speeding ticket or a citation. Why you ask? It's a good reminder to me to slow down and really obey traffic laws. It's so much better than if I would have gotten in an accident, or worse, had injured someone. It's a good reminder to us all that laws are really out there for our own safety.

The cop could have been a bit nicer though!

JERK.

The Book Thief

So I'll be honest, it was a slower start for me with this book, but I just LOVED the writing (very original, very creative and VERY different, yet "aww" striking) (guess I'm not so good with words if I'm making them up! ;) and it was a GOOD story. Great characters and great writing equals great book. It really made me feel things...well, you'll just have to read it!

The Book Thief

My Rating: 5/5 (really)
Pages: 550 - Speed: Fast
Subject: Historical Fiction

This is one of the most creatively written books about WWII given from a German citizen's perspective. Witty and refreshingly inventive, Zusak was inspired by his German mother's stories of the Nazi rein (watch it here). One particular memory was when a herd of Jews lead through town heading to the concentration camp. An old man that couldn't keep up was given bread by a watching boy. Weeping in the boy's feet, the man poured out gratitude. But a soldier tore the bread away, whipped the man dry and beat the boy to the ground. This story inspired the two polars of the novel, which are pure love and destructive evil- both part of the human experience. A little girl named Liesel is the main character who looses her family and is emotionally lost. She catches the eye of Death-the narrator-who is haunted by human suffering (instead of the other way around). He is gathering her little brother's soul when he notices the girl and takes pity on her (though he complains he was so busy those days). She is taken in by an unlikely couple who dangerously and quietly object to the Nazi agenda. Her old "father," Hans Hubermann, has such depth that you grow an extra heart valve for this shy accordion player. Saved by a Jewish comrade in WWI, he vowed to reciprocate to his rescuer if the need arose. In the middle of a city not unlike Munich, where "the sky was the color of Jews," the rescuer's son, Max Vandenburg, appears starving at the door where Hans is his only hope. Finding refuge in a corner of Hans's basement, Max and Liesel develop friendship while white-painting over the pages of "Mein Kampf" and writing in their own creations. Liesel becomes obsessed with the craft of book thieving in a mansion house where she delivers laundry. The little joy she can exude includes reading a stolen text, one titled "The Grave Digger." During rampant war, the characters are trying to find beautiful moments to maintain dignity and purpose. The novel speaks frankly of alluded terror and secret heroism, but does so so delicately it is appropriate for young teenage readers as well as adults. For example, referring to human nature, Death says, "So much good, so much evil, just add water." This is simply unforgettable and bound to be a favorite.

{Thanks http://jenbrownbooks.blogspot.com/}

Home

O-hoy hoy! I'm home!

Japan was good.

I learned a lot and felt a lot of things.

All good things.

It all seemed like a dream, to be there with my biological family, including my mother! It was truly a dream come true.

(photo above: Oba-chan (my grandmother), my mom, and me!)

Who do I have to thank for the amazing time?

so many people.

Thank you Oji-chan and Oba-chan, my aunts and uncles, thank you mom, thank you to those who helped my family while I was away in any way. (Marnie and Brett, that's you)

and thank you RONNY.

He watched the kids 24/7 for the whole 12 days I was gone.

Yes, he missed me.

He said the kids were more wild and harder to take care of than last year.

I laughed.

He said of all the 20 (estimation) things he had planned to get done around the house, he got done maybe ONE.

I laughed.

He said he's pretty tired and needs a vacation from that vacation.

I laughed.

He told me how grateful he was of me.

AWW.

He found himself getting LONELY,

with NO ONE TO TALK TO DURING THE DAY.

I laughed.

Now he will understand my late night PILLOW TALKS.

YAY!

He said he was ECSTATIC when he had visitors.

It's true.

Then the visitors complimented on "how clean the house was."

"why, thank you!"

he thought.

then he realized: I don't give enough compliments and "thank you's" to Monika.

That was nice, although I still laughed.

All in all, I've decided that I need to do this more often! ;)

I love you Ronny.

Thank you.

(left: Oji-chan (grandpa) me, Oba-chan, and mom)