My house is kinda picked up, I’ve eaten a meal, the kids are asleep and Loren is working late…so after many weeks of procrastination, I can finally sit down to write out this post. These days I sift through a piling to do list, constantly evaluating and reevaluating my days, only to settle for accomplishing the very top priorities (which mostly involve food or cleaning). Time runs through the hourglass quickly and my energy falls with each granule of sand that hits the bottom. Even the kids have commented on how quickly time has been passing lately. Memories continue to build, the weather continues to change, and every time my gaze lingers long at one of my girls, I am a startled to see how quickly they are maturing. And now I find myself in the middle of February writing about December.
For Christmas my mom and sister came out to Japan. I know they had a good time, but I also think it was a bit challenging. A cross-continental journey right into the heart of a country with such big language and cultural differences. Add a little jet lag, a holiday, some tired parents with some rowdy kids, and you have a busy vacation. We tried to relax, but that isn’t our style. They traveled to Tokyo alone in the first week and stayed in Shibuya, shopping and eating rainbow ice cream. Then we took a girl’s trip to Kyoto for a few days. I think we would have enjoyed ourselves more if I had not gotten us turned around so often, and if I could have played tour guide a little better with more Japanese. We were also outnumbered by the many tiny people who were our travel companions. I think we deserve a medal for braving the packed buses, walking the crowded side walks, and for visiting every bathroom in Kyoto. Even though Kyoto is a bigger city with more foreigners, I was surprised at how much the seven of us stood out. My mom was very aware of how often people stared at us, and it did not help our cause when we took the girls out in kimonos. For my mom and sister, despite moments of frustration, they had a good time enjoying the food and scenery (and of course the girls) and want to come back again soon.
Unagi 
Bamboo forest, Kyoto 
Walking the city streets under six umbrellas 
Shinkansen train to Kyoto 
Shabu shabu 
At least in a foreign country, you can rely on McDonalds for a familiar meal 
Kabuki theater in Kyoto 
Gion district, Kyoto 
Observing practices in a different culture 
Kimono fitting 
Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kyoto 
Lunch break 
Visiting the Pacific Ocean on the other side of the world 
Kiyomizu dera, Kyoto
Loren and I were also thankful to have them in town, because we got to go on a weekend trip alone. We drove a few hours north to Hakuba Valley in Nagano prefecture. Loren finally talked me into a ski trip, and it was about as treacherous and cold as I had expected. Hard feelings for skiing aside, I loved the beauty of Nagano and gazing at the snow tipped mountains. Also, there are a lot of foreigners who come to the area for holiday and we enjoyed some great conversations in English and even some tacos and bagels!
Hakuba Valley, Nagano 
Theme of the day, fall and pick yourself back up again 
A smile after a run from the top of the mountain without the wife 
Matsumoto Castle, Nagano 
View from the top of the castle 
Beautiful drive up the side of a mountain 
Togakushi shrine 
We came for the trees 
Our time since December has been filled with a few fun side trips and busy days. We had a two week stretch of sick days, and in the middle of it I missed my half marathon because I crashed my mom bike and injured my ankle. Thankfully the kids were fine, but Kitty does not like riding on that bike! If you read my previous post about Kitty and her notorious clover eating habit, you might laugh when you hear that she got caught red handed at her kindergarten. The teachers were concerned about her safety and at the bus stop my friend translated the story from the teacher and I assured them that it was ok, “she eats them all the time!”. The next week Kitty had a baggie of clovers and a clover bookmark she made at school, so I guess they have embraced her quirky habit. Other good news, I do not have to fight with Avalyn to do her homework anymore (I think she understands it more now), I ran a relay race with some friends last week, and all the kids are feeling better.
I also realized that around this time last year I wrote my first blog post. I was visiting Japan for the first time with Loren to plan our move, so maybe it’s a good time to catch up on our Japan story from the beginning here. There are a few good stories before and after that post, and others that weren’t that great…but our whole journey so far is all there. As always, our family appreciates all of the continued prayers. God is always doing alot of work behind the scenes, so we just want to continue to have faith in His timing and plan. We are also winding down to the end of the school year, so in a couple of months the girls will be going through some big transitions. Please keep them in your prayers also. Thanks for reading!
First ever Santa encounter, he lost some weight here in Japan 
Top of Mt. Gozaisho 
Missed the last bus to our car after we got off the gondola 
Kite festival in Nishio 
Flue season means mask season 
Winter travel, not too cold this year thankfully 
Nabe dinner with neighbors 
London loves onigiri 
Relay with team onigiri
Your family goes to various places more than my family!I wish all experiences become precious memories.
I admire your effort.Our family always enjoys time with your family.
Yoshiko-san! Yes, we enjoy traveling Japan:) We are blessed to know your family, Japan is more special because of you all!
So good to hear from you!
Hi Dar! I am trying to figure out how to send out email notifications for new posts. You are on my list and I cannot figure out how to notify subscribers! Sorry, thank you for checking in!