Another Amazing Experience in Japan

There have been numerous things that we have done in the last 3 years living here that we have not been sharing on the blog, and in hindsight maybe we should have. There have been a lot of experiences that are memories that we will have forever to share with friends and family!

Last week we had the opportunity to go out to an orphanage in Shichinohe and help with pulling a float in a local festival. It was a humbling, yet extremely enjoyable few hours out of our day! The day started at the orphanage, just saying hello to the children, ages 5-17, and then watching the girls take some pictures with them, and letting them take pictures of the girls. Once we got to the starting spot for the parade, we had to locate our float. As we made our way to float #3, we got stopped numerous times so people could say hello and take pictures of both girls. I always get a few laughs watching the interaction, both girls are good sports with it, and seem to eat up the celebrity-like attention they get.  Once things got underway, we took turns pulling the float and playing Taiko with those on the float. There were a few stops along the parade route while we waited for all of the floats to catch up, and at every stop there was a rush to the coolers on the back of the float, and the push to get me to join in for a beer, and along the walk there were a few older families that were giving out Sake right at their homes, All that watched quickly noticed the group of 8 Americans that were participating in the effort. With a few high-fives, kids running up and saying hello as loud as they could, to the Elvis look-a-like that ran up and walked a half block just saying "so cool" over and over to me, to being a part of the Taiko battle at the end for the crowd, and pulling the float back to it's "off-season" resting place, for a private performance and thank-you speech, was yet another adventure that will not soon be forgotten. Here are a few pictures from throughout the day.

When "good-bye" changes meaning!

It wasn't that long ago we were walking through security at the airport saying good-bye to my dad and step-mom. It was a good-bye Christine and I knew had the uncertainty of not knowing the next time we would be home for a visit. We were boarding a flight to move to Japan for the next 4 years. Audrey was 3 1/2 and was oblivious to the length of time, and exactly "what" was happening. Spring of 2011 after going through the events of the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami of March 11, we made a trip back to visit as much family as we could squeeze into a month long vacation. This time around we were saying "good-bye" to many more family members, many times over. Again in doing this Audrey seemed a bit unaware of the meaning of these rituals that we often take for granted. Fast forward to August 2013, we go to the terminal in Misawa to see the Vanderheiden's off, as they close the Misawa chapter of their lives and embark on new adventures in Idaho. For over an hour Audrey is using the time as a typical afternoon, playing and being silly with Christien. The time comes for them to board their flight. We all exchange hugs, say good-bye, and wave as they go through security. All seems to be much the same of previous times we have said good bye. Things quickly change as we are getting into the car to drive home.
            For those of you that don't know we have become very close with Paul, Meghan, Christien, and Baby Clara! They are as much a part of our family and closest friends. Fortunate enough to have gotten to know them over the last 3 years. Audrey has asked a few times if they are in my family or Christine's. Although no blood relation exists, the word "family" is very much an accurate description.
    Flashback to getting into the car. Audrey looks me straight in the face and says "Dad, I feel sad" I knew what was coming but asked her to tell me why she was sad. In her "mature" 6 years of existence she replies: "Mr. Paul, and Mrs Meghan, and Christien, are getting on that plane to move to somewhere new, that makes me sad. They won't be coming back here, and I already miss them." I told her everything would be alright and we will be seeing them again, and that we can talk to them on Skype. She seemed to understand. I close the door, get into the car and in the mirror she is crying. THIS is what changes the meaning of good-byes.
   I grew up a military brat, and have said a million good-byes. It is NEVER any easier saying good-bye to family, it sucks every single time. Being the first time seeing the effects of a true good-bye and the understanding of what it means sinking in for a kid for the first time changes everything. I didn't know what to say. Giving hugs and kisses seem to work for now!

Time flies

After chatting with my sister about her recent visit to our Grandparents, I became aware that we have not written an entry in well over a year. I started to look through the last blog and quickly realized that so much has happened since then. We have had My Dad and Lisa come for a visit ( post to come on that visit a year late), Welcomed our second little lady Elena (pronounced Ellen-a, we just liked our spelling) Audrey has started school, and graduated Kindergarten, reads books at an impressive rate, and is about to start 1st grade. I am in the last week of classes before I will have my Bachelor's degree, we are within a year of leaving Japan, and should find out the sex of Baby Brown #3 on Thursday.
Life has taken some crazy, yet amazingly awesome turns over the last year, I hope the next year is much more of the same. We wouldn't have it any other way!