Cute things

So me and some moms in my ward started a little preschool co-op. Yes I am still homeschooling the girls but I felt this was good for Niyah because she has been having a hard time always comparing herself to her big sister. I felt it would be good for her to do something all on her own. This also fits with homeschooling because each mom takes a week. So she is still being taught in a home in a loving environment. She has done really well with it and her confidence has went up. Which is what I wanted. This is Niyah on her first day.




I had to buy a new piano (weeks ago) and the girls of course loved the big box. It took turns being a boat, a cave, a castle, then a bed. Surprisingly their Dad said they could sleep in it all night. I was sceptical, but we let them try. Half an hour after lights out, they came upstairs wanting their own beds.






I was making honey toast when Niyah stole the bottle. I found her trying to drink it. She really likes honey.


So my parents sent Niyah some canned beets from their garden. She loves Beets!!! She would have ate the whole bottle if we let her.







Here is some cute outfits my mom sent. I thought they were so cute!




Harley is such a good reader. She loves to read to her sister. I thought it was so cute the way they snuggle up and Harley was reading Niyah "The Friend." She is such a good big sister.


Oh and for an update we have decided on a name for the baby.
As long as she really comes out a girl her name will be
Genevieve Kata Woolstenhulme
We will probably call her Gena for short.

history of it: Genevieve is Jebs grandmothers original name (she changed it later in life) it means Woman of/for the people its of course Italian. Kata (pronounce like Kate-ah) is from my grandmothers name Kathryn (Kate) we were going to just have it be Kate but then we came across this Japanese version of Kate which can mean both a form of martial arts, or as a name it means worthy girl (woman). Since she will be born in Japan we thought it would be nice to give her a Japanese twist. So together it means worthy woman of the people. We prayed and took our time making sure and I really love the name and feel good about it.

8 things Tag

Alright I don't do these but since Jenny named me and I love her I will try.


8 T.V. shows: well hmmm. I don't even own a TV anymore (and yes it is a choice not just because we are to poor) But when I have watched with my mom at her house I did have a weakness for "TLC'S what not to wear." "TLC'S Survivor Guy" If I had to choose to watch something it would be "I love Lucy" "Genie" "Bewitched" (Still wish I could wiggle my nose and *poof*) Sorry that's not eight, its the best I can do. Probably something funny my kids would like.

8 Things I did yesterday: Took Niyah to preschool, Did school with Harley, Cleaned the House, Did two loads of laundry, Taught a piano lesson, Fixed potato soup for dinner, Went to the Gym to walk on the treadmill while Jeb played racquetball, Went through the nighttime routine to get kids into bed (PJ's, toy pick up, brush teeth, brush hair, read scriptures, have prayers, send back to bed at least 5 times) and an extra one, relaxed in bed re-reading Mansfield Park by Jane Austin.

8 Things I am looking forward to: Giving birth, having a new baby in the house, seeing more things in Japan, having my parents visit so I can show them things, having Jeb complete his degree here in Japan, Getting to watch my children learn so many things, Someday making it back to the states, climbing Mt. Fuji myself after I have the baby, the next 20 years.

8 Things I wish for: To understand people better, to be able to communicate better, to be more patient with my children, to read more, to take courses at George Wythe College, To live in the country with a farm, to go camping again, to fulfill my mission in life.

8 people I tag: anyone who feels the desire to do so. It was harder then expected.

English School Camp

A few weeks ago we were invited to an join a English School for a overnight "English camp." The school often sends invitations to the homeschooler group here on base to surround their students with English speaking people and children. We thought it would be fun so we signed up. It did turn out to be a lot of fun, it completely wore me out but it was really fun.

We went down by train and met the man in charge at the station. We met him at one of the most famous districts of Tokyo, Harajuku. He was still waiting for another family so told us to go on ahead through Yoyogi park. We walked around through a big plaza with some very strange people. I am not sure why but that is the place were all the people who like to "dress up" come to hang out and get their pictures taken by tourists and young Japanese people who think its funny. Ummmm well we tried to avert the children's eyes and walked on into the park. Now we didn't realize upon entering it exactly what park it was or anything. This park was more like a forest then a park. Which is really how the Japanese seem to design their parks. They have this ability to design things so that you can be in the middle of Tokyo and walk into this "park" and you feel as if you are in a great big forest. We walked for a long time... carrying our luggage or rather Jeb was carrying the luggage (thankfully I have a really tough husband who doesn't get tired carrying three packed bags for a few miles. ) . We asked some locals for the directions on how to get out of the park, we needed to go to the Olympic Plaza (where the athletes stayed in around 1970 when Japan hosted the Olympics. ) We found our way out and found the plaza.

Then we met the kids and they were so cute. It was so fun the way the ogled at us Americans. They latched on to our two little girls and petted Niyah like she was a little baby to be brought around. We played way to many games. Went on a treasure hunt which took us up and down so many stairs! I was starting to get very tired and very hungry. It was around 8:30 at night when we finally made it to the restaurant with everyone. I had been very hot and sweaty (no air conditioning) I had walked more miles then used to and many stairs and played with little children. So when the food options came out and there was nothing familiar or comforting on it I could have cried. I was just not in the mood for odd things. I ordered what was supposed to be European meatloaf with sauce. No it was not good and I can not even say that the meat was cooked. So then finally after 9:30 we get to head to our "room."

So I had thought that since it was the Olympic hotel it would be very nice. Well we were very disappointed. The outside looked nice. The actual hotel part was very questionable. In the room where four very old little yucky twin mattresses. That was it. No shower, no toilet, no sink.... no anything actually except four mattress with really nasty stains that made you really not want to lie down. They had the traditional Japanese shower (which means community shower.) This is not uncommon and I understand most traditional hotels have their bathing this way. We were exhausted and hot and stinky so to the community shower we went. Brief description. You undress in the first room, then enter the bath room where there are a go number of shower heads very low towards the floor. You sit (Squat) on a bucket and wash yourself off. This was fun. Not as bad as you think its going to be, you kind of get over the whole everyone is naked thing. Then you are to go and soak in the big very hot tub. The girls were delighted at the "swimming pool." They had no qualms about being naked and jumping in. So once they are washed they were off before I could stop them diving in with little naked bums swimming across the pool. All the ladies thought they were so koowai (cute)! It wasn't just the nudity that is different from our culture it is the relaxed talkative atmosphere. Usually if in America you do end up in a community shower say at the gym everyone basically baths quickly and gets dressed without much talking. Here they sit around gabbing and laughing. Its definitely girl hour. Just in a big bathtub. I think that was the biggest surprise for me. All these Japanese ladies talking to me while "bathing." So that was our first Japanese bath.

That night was rough sleeping on those beds and everything. It didn't help that late that night the uncooked meatloaf decided it was going to make me very sick. Of course the bathroom is down the hall and around the corner. Ok the bathing I could get used to but you need a toilet in your own room!! So here are the pictures from our little adventure.

The next morning came way to early. We had to be up for a walk in the park at 6:30 AM. Jeb took pictures of us sleepy girls on our lovely beds.

Yes me and Jeb pushed our bed together. This so we could share the sheets we had to check out so as to have better coverage against the nasty beds.

The walk was beautiful. We walked through Yoyogi park to the Meji shrine in middle.

Here is were you wash yourself before entering the shrine

The girls with their new friends standing in the area inside the shrine.

In that building is where the God is. Its not very nice to take pictures actually in it so sorry you can't see the really big drum in there. If you come to visit I promise to take you to see it! :)

We then headed back for breakfast and more games. (cold fish and noodles in the morning I am just not there yet.) The little kids are so much fun and cute. Their manners are just so adorable and they way they love us is hard to resist. They especially loved Jeb. He plays rough and that is not their culture at all. But the little kids quickly figured out they could "tackle" and jump on the "big" American and he thinks its fun. He spun them around and around a whole new concept for them to be twirled around by somebody. All the kids quickly formed a line like he was a carnival ride. I laughed and laughed. This is him trying to catch his breath while the children wait around anxiously for more.

This little girl was cute, stealing Jebs glasses.

Harley and her new best friend on our way back to Yoyogi park for the rest of the afternoon.

We spent a couple of hours in the park. We learned that the park is their version of central park. Its huge! Fun though to see so many people laying around. Then we went to the famous Harajuku area. To this street that is really famous for its "trend setting" fashions. Apparently it is the young hip place to be. I can not say I enjoyed it one bit, and most definitely did not enjoy trying to make our way through with a line of small children. If you really look at that picture click on it to make it bigger) you can see the amazing crowd. It was so crowded, Niyah was getting so tired she was about to collapse. It is not a place I have a tiny bit of desire to go back to. The shopping was off the wall weird stuff to me and fit perfectly with the weird men dressed up like baby dolls posing for pictures out on the plaza, thats the best description I can give you.

On the whole it was a great experience. We can't wait to do more with the English School. We even enjoyed our hotel, it was a true Japanese experience and makes a great story to remember.

Mt. Fuji

So I am finally posting about Jebs Mt. Fuji climb. This occurred weeks ago and I just haven't had the time to sit and load all his pictures up. So Mt. Fuji is one of those amazing things that really you are told you "have"to do while in Japan. Mt.Fuji is kind of the main God for the Japanese religion (Shinto). Its a huge symbol of their culture and entwined in everything for them. Its also a pretty difficult climb. Its the tallest Mountain in Japan and is tougher then expected. The Japanese always say "A wise man will climb Fuji once, a fool twice." Americans tend to be foolish and some members of our branch have climbed it numerous times. :) So Jeb really wanted to go this year, and seeing as how Pregnant girls are seriously discouraged from going, he had to do it alone. He left here at 2:30 in the morning, made it to the beginning point (which is about half way up the Mt.) at around...... I am trying to remember 4:30 I think. Started out at around 5:00. Bought his "stick." (Ok a total tourist thing to do, but you can not climb Fuji and not get the stick. Because when you tell anyone who knows that you actually climbed Fuji they say, "where's your stick?" and then they want to check out your stamps, that you can get on your way up the Mountain till the final one at the top. ) So he made the climb in just over four hours. Which is a good time, I believe the average is 6-7 hours. Worst time is around 10. Of course coming down is quicker, although I heard painful on your shins.

I will just show you the pics of his journey. Take in note it was the last day of the "Legal" climbing season, the Mt is now officially closed. The weather up there is crazy. Although it is still like summer here, they Mountain has received snow. And the winds I read somewhere in the off season can actually blow people down the Mountain. So the last day of the season and the weather is starting to turn and wasn't very pretty. So Jeb is wet from, both perspiration, and rain.

Some guys from Jebs work. I just liked the view of the clouds far below.

Up they go!

Farther up the Mountain, Jeb looks a bit more tired

In this picture you can actually see the ocean in the distance!

Here is one of the gates leading to the shrine. I have learned they are to mark the way for the God to come.

Here is money stuck in the wood, people giving to the God. They usually have little boxes you can throw your money in but I guess they didn't have them here so they just stuck it in the wood. I am not sure what the God does with the money......... or who collects it, I can't help but wonder.

Still climbing up.

As you can tell they are very much above the tree line. NO vegetation up here.

another gate.

He made it to the top! and took a picture of his watch as proof that he made it up in the time he said. This because he was the first person from his group up there and knew they wouldn't believe him.

A nice map showing you the way around the volcano top. WHICH by the way I found out afterwards has been dormant for 300 years and is beginning to rumble again. Scientist are wondering if she isn't due to go......

Good job handsome man!!!

This is him, LATE that night when he finally arrived home. Exhausted, barely able to walk (I said he should have slowed down) but in truth happy that he made it and of course (being who he is) happy he did it in such great time.

Some cute things

I haven't done any cute little things for awhile so I thought I might share a few. First of course is the picture the hospital e-mailed me of little girl number 3! I think she is adorable already. During the ultrasound she kept her legs up like that as much as possible and kind of looked like she was rocking back and forth. Then if the technician pushed on her a bit she would kick and punch out. It was fun to watch.




So here are the girls making cookies. Jebs work requests "mormon" cookies a lot so we try to provide. Harley has now moved up from just stirring to now reading me the directions! She reads them very well. I think this made it so when we started doing some fraction work in school time she thought it was so fun and just flew through it. That girl is so smart and just loves learning. She is a great little chef in the making. Niyah is great also, she just loves to eat it before its ready a little to much. :)

A couple of weeks ago, I said to Niyah that it was about bath time. I finished cleaning the kitchen and went upstairs to find she had put herself in the bath tub. With her sunglasses on. I asked her what she was doing, she said she needed goggles for her swimming.

They do however have real goggles. Their Daddy brought some back from Missouri. They were so excited I could hardly get them to take them off. Harley kept asking when we could go swimming. She has really become a great swimmer and I have to fight to keep her in the shallow end. She loves the diving board. Niyah was so funny as she kept standing in front of the mirror smiling at her reflection and saying over and over I look so cute, I look so cute! I couldn't help but laugh and take a picture for future posterity!

This is us with a Elder we enjoyed having over. His name is Elder Black and he is from Idaho. Funny guy. He had to leave this area to go out into rural Japan. Poor guy, they get spoiled when they are here by the base because the members here all feed them really well. I hope he is enjoying himself now, out in the rice paddies!

Ultrasound results

So I went to have my ultrasound this past week. The verdict is that we are 90% sure that we are having.. another Girl! We are very excited. Jeb says he loves his girls and already loves this one but is just a bit disappointed he really wanted that boy. :( I think this girl is going to be extra special and can already tell she is coming with a very independent mind. For names, no ideas yet, any suggestions anyone has are welcome! So go ahead post a few ideas. Well that's all for now just a quick update. Sorry no pictures, they didn't have a printer to give us a ultrasound pic. They said they would try to e-mail me one. We will see.

The Grand Tour

OK some of you few people who visit my blog will find this very boring. But an even fewer people have asked me about the house we live in. The mood struck me so here are some quick pictures of our home. Before you continue remember, I have never been gifted in the area of interior decorating. If it wasn't for contact with some people who have this gift it wouldn't even occur to me to attempt to decorate.... so keep that in mind when viewing my simple home. This is not to show off any type of decor, lets pretend that you surprised me by stopping by and asked to look around. (I didn't even do any special cleaning for these pics so its kind of like you did!)

You walk in, just an empty entry way. I have had a few moments when I have thought about what I could do to brighten up the place but since we have had to buy alot of new furniture since moving here it has not been my top priority. On the right hand side is my laundry room and the half bath. No need to see details of those I promise they are the most basic kind and nothing has been done to improve them. I shut the laundry room door for the picture because its laundry day and I am not showing my dirty clothes to the world.

As you walk in you see into the living room, dining area, and out the back door. The piano is on the wall to your right. Exciting stuff??? You can see my little china hutch I love so much. Also my new big Japanese fan that I love on the wall.

The living room dining room and such from different corners of the room so you can get an idea of space and layout. Not that big but its really not to bad either. My new book shelves, I really like them. Its supposed to have a TV in the middle. Since we don't have one (and no we don't want one) I need to find a big vase with a plant or something to fill it up.... someday. You can see into the kitchen and up the stairs to the bedrooms. I will say my curtains that Jebs mother helped me with make it so much nicer then the cheap blinds. She taught me that much, curtains can make a big difference.

The kitchen has more cupboard space then I was expecting so thats really nice. There is a door that opens to the laundry room from here. Making it easy for the girls to run in circles through the kitchen, entry way and around and around.

Up the stairs you can see into the girls bathroom. It has a red and blue fish shower curtain, so in all my skill I bought red and blue towels and red and blue matching rugs... WOW. I did however wash the rugs together and the blue rug is now purple, red stayed the same surprising. There goes my skills. The computer room is on your right. Our bedroom is on your left. I am not showing you our bedroom. Even though it was clean, bed made and everything. Its just the bed is all there is to the room. Its just a bed with some closets I promise. We do have a master bath thats all.
(computer room)
Now the only thing I have some bit of pride in. I think the girls room is cute. Thanks to Jebs mom sending me the vinyl flowers and their names, and finding by chance a matching curtain at the base thrift store, for me at least this room is adorable. My tastes like I said are simple. The cutest decoration in the room of course was the two little cow girls I found when I came in to take the pictures. So cute I thought they would be the highlight of the tour.

Welcome to our home. Now how about some chocolate nut drop cookies? I made them last night with the girls, its my Aunt Janettes recipe and she has the best cookies in the world. :)