A Bittersweet Birthday

Another birthday has come and gone. The age doesn't bother me. It's just a number. One child did said I was 16 and the other child said I was 36. The 36 number did bother me for a second or two. It was a bittersweet day though.

Late Sunday afternoon, the phone rang. It was my parent's. It took no time to realize it was the middle of the night there, so something was wrong. My grandma had died. Mom had told me last week they were putting her in hospice, but no one thought it would be anytime soon. I thought maybe it wouldn't be until we were back in the states. Sadly, no. She was the second grandparent I lost since we've been overseas and the fourth or fifth funeral I missed. That just isn't fun or fair. My parent's reassure me that everyone understands why I can't be there, but I still hate that I'm not there. The funeral was on my birthday. I won't ever have a problem remembering that.

On a lighter note, it was a good birthday. I spent the day by myself, which is rare. I ran errands, which anyone with little kids knows is a wonderful thing to do alone, went to the beach to collect shells since a jar full of mine fell off a shelf and broke the other day, then came home and got stuff done around the house. I told the husband where I wanted to go for dinner and he made a point to be home from work early so he could take me.

I picked a restaurant that is well known here and, based on their advertising, frequented by lots of Americans. It was on the fancy side for my kids, but they were extremely well behaved.

 We had dinner, all four courses of it, and it was awesome. They have a curry soup that is the best thing I've ever tasted. If you've ever had Japanese curry, it was that, but in soup form. Seriously, the best soup ever!! Pineapple butter came with the bread and it was almost as amazing as the soup. When we were almost done, the husband asked the manager looking lady if they did anything for birthdays. They then brought out ice cream with a raspberry sauce and a candle for me and ice cream for the husband and kids. Hubby and the kids sang to me and everyone in the place (all 15 of them, we went right when they opened for dinner) clapped. The staff even brought me a present! It was a really good dinner. We obviously don't get out much, but it was one of the better dinners I've had in a long time. 

When we got home, this magically appeared from the freezer. I do love ice cream cakes. We were all so full though (we were still full when we went to bed hours later) that we decided to save it for the next night.

At this point in my life, this is the kind of birthday I want. I like gifts, (who doesn't?), but they aren't necessary. I'd rather have good time with my family.

31 in 31 Update

Last July, I did a link up for 31 things I wanted to do in my 31st year of life. That 31st year will be over soon, so let's see how I did.

1. Successfully finish this scuba dive class. This means managing the ocean dives without freaking out. Nope, didn't happen. I'm certified to dive in swimming pools though! I kinda had a panic attack at the pool one night. I have no desire at all to finish it. If my husband insisted, I would do it for him though.

2. Learn how to properly work my Japanese A/C remotes. Ha! Since we started using the A/C this year, I keep thinking that, but then we'll be moving soon, so why bother at this point?

3. Maybe learn some Japanese beyond the basics. I have learned more, but it's not enough to have a conversation with anyone. 

4. Get off this island. Even if it means going to another island nearby. Yes! Tokyo last September and I've been to two other nearby islands. I had to take a ferry to those islands, but that counts in my book since some islands here only require crossing a bridge.

5. Increase my blog/twitter traffic. Yes!  I don't know exact numbers, but I'm guessing my blog followers have increased by at least 200 since this list was made.

6. Have more date nights with the husband. These are few and far between. We try, but we just don't have a sitter. We end up taking the kids with us.

7. Finally get my boudoir pictures done. I made an appointment, but then had to cancel. Now I'm having a hard time justifying the cost.

8. Go to the mall. I haven't managed to go to a Japanese mall yet. Yes! My sister and I went to one and Little Missy and I went to another last week.

9. Lose the 6 pounds I gained this last deployment. Ha!

10. Then lose 10 more. Yeah right. Yeah right. See? I knew 10 months ago I wouldn't do it.

11. Actually do the public speaking I keep saying I will at work. I have, multiple times. I can't say that I volunteer to do it, but if no one else is available, I do it. 

12. Take a worthwhile class, so it can be added to my resume of course. No. I haven't even thought about this. I have done other stuff to add to the resume though, so I'll still call this a success.

13. Go to the Naha Fish Market, buy something, and cook it, all by myself. Not yet, but I still plan to go at some point.

14. Volunteer for one of Little Man's field trips at school. Why did I say this? I don't even want to. 

15. Make my husband enroll in school. I had him. He went to the Ed Center the day before they canceled tuition assistance, but then he never went back. 

16. Rekindle my love affair with bad TV. This won't happen until we move back to the States. I only have 10 channels. 

17. Give up soda. For good. I think about doing this. Does that count?

18. Enjoy my children as much as possible. Yes! I have days where this doesn't happen, but I try my best.

19. Take my dog for walks more than once every couple weeks. He and I go for a lot of long walks. Well, we did before he went on vacation anyways.

20. Go to as many parks as I can possible find. We've been working on this and are making good progress. We've gone to every park we can find here. I've more than conquered this. 

21. Wean myself off horrible Facebook Zynga games. It's only been recently, but I've done it. 

22. Accessorize more. I go through phases where I try. I buy stuff, but then I never end up wearing it. I guess I'm just not an accessory person. 

23. Win something substantial. I won at Xbox right before Christmas. Then I got a $500 Victoria's Secret gift card. I'd call that substantial, but it's not what I had in mind. 

24. I'd like to start running more, it would help with #9 and #10, but I don't see it actually happening. Not running so much, it tends to aggravate my back problems, but I have been exercising more.

25.  Keep up with cooking dinner, at least 4 nights a week. I go through phases with this. I'll do good for a few weeks, then slack off for a few. I'm lucky that my husband doesn't care if we have sandwiches for dinner.

26. #4 will happen, but let's shoot for Tokyo or Seoul. See #4. I made it to Tokyo!

27. Redesign my blog. Yes!

28. Take hubby to a love motel. Even though he says he will absolutely not go. He still refuses, but I bring it up occasionally. I'm not giving up!

29. Make someone take really, good pictures of me. A friend took pictures of me a month or two ago. She even brought makeup and fixed me up. They aren't professional, but of the 100+ she took, there were some really good ones.

30. Have another girl's only trip. No. Most of the girls from that trip have since moved. My sister and I had a few days with only us. We had talked about going to Taiwan or Kyoto, but she wanted to spend as much time as she could with the kids. My sis and I have been talking though. There's a trip to the Dominican Republic next year that I doubt we'll take the kids along, so maybe I'll just leave hubby home too.

31. Keep trying to take advantage of every experience I can. I try to do everything that I see or hear about. I drive my husband crazy, but my kids don't seem to mind. We won't be here forever, so I'm doing everything I can, while I can.

I only accomplished about half of the list. Some of these were far fetched, but half isn't too bad considering I had less than a year to do it all!

The Birthday Fun

For the little one's fourth birthday, we didn't have a party for her. I still wanted her to have an awesome birthday day though. I mean, come on, you only turn 4 once!

We started the day at the Neo Park. The kids and I went to the park while the husband was deployed, but hadn't been back. I wouldn't call it a zoo, but they have a variety of birds and smaller animals. We started with a train ride around the park, then walked the whole park. 

There is a huge variety of birds. They are so used to be fed, that they just follow you everywhere. 

There is a petting zoo, but it costs extra (they do have a huge tortoise that little kids can ride though) and the birthday girl decided she wanted a pony ride instead. She asked me if she looked like a cowgirl.

Next, we went to Fruit Land. We had never been, but I figured why not since we were in the area. It had a lot of different trees, many being fruit trees, with informative little quizzes about the trees along the paths. There was also a mini scavenger hunt to find the fairy tree. The kids loved it! There was also a butterfly house (we didn't see any though) and a bird area.

We went to Chili's for dinner. Mainly because I knew she would love if they sang Happy Birthday to her. She was super tired, but she still loved it. Once she got home, she had a present waiting for her! I think it's safe to say she had a good birthday.

Rainbow Tie Dye Birthday Cake

My baby turned 4! I'm not really sure how that happened, it seriously seems like she was just born. 

She was only 19 months when we moved here. It's just crazy. It did not go this fast with my son. 

We didn't have a party for her, so I wanted to have a fun cake. The cakes at the commissary are crap 

and it costs too much to have a nice one made, so I decided to make one myself! I love to bake, 

but I don't ever do anything fancy. I've seen so many people make these Rainbow Cakes though, 

I thought I would give it a try. 

Source

After I read the recipe, I kept looking for an easier one. I found it in a Rainbow Tie Dye Cake. This ended up being easier to make than I expected, so I have to share!

I started with two yellow cake mixes. I felt like one wasn't enough, so I made two, just to be safe (one would have been enough, because I had enough left for a dozen cupcakes). 

Then, divide the batter as evenly as you can into six bowls. 

I could only find the packs of the four basic food coloring here, so I used those and made the 

orange and purple myself.

Line 2 round cake pans with wax paper and grease the sides.

Layer the cake batter in concentric circles.

Use about 3/4 of the first bowl for your bottom color (Since I used to 2 cake mixes, I only used about 

half of the bowl). For the next color, use a little less, continuing on like that. 

In your other pan, do the same thing, but reverse the colors. 

I used the Roy G. Biv method for my color order, but you can do whatever. 

Bake the cakes as directed on the box.

Once they are cool, ice the top of one, slap 'em together, and ice the entire cake.

It was  huge hit with my kids, judging by the fact that there isn't much left.

Since I had batter left over, I made cupcakes. 

You can do this however you want, but I alternated colors in the cups, so the cupcakes

 came out in all different varieties of colors.

Birthdays and Homecomings

I can honestly say that we did nothing this weekend. Hubby is still grounded, but they've let up a teensy bit, so he was able to go to his softball tournament this weekend. I had planned to go on Saturday, but I didn't even manage to put a bra on until 3:00. By that point, is it even worth doing anything? The little one and I did eventually leave the house, but he called us on the way there and said it was over. We picked up a pizza and went right back home.

Sunday, we did nothing. I finally got out of my pajamas around 5, but then took a shower and put clean pajamas on. We sat around and watched movies all day. Can't say that happens a lot. 

Someone did have a birthday this weekend. I won't say how old he is now, but it's a very significant age. I've been asking for the past few months about having a party and he wouldn't budge, so family it was. We didn't do anything exciting (I was waiting for Little Man to get home). He doesn't want a big deal made, he says it's just another day. It is just another day, I feel the same about my birthday, but I'd still love if he made a big deal out of it! Last year he was deployed on his birthday, so a few days before he left, the kids and I bought birthday balloons, made him a cake, and sang happy birthday. He acted all whatever, but I know he liked it. And no matter what he thinks, he is still as hot as he was the day I met him, when he was much, much younger.

Today, I got my Little Man back! This past 2 weeks was too long! It's not right having only one child for Christmas. They both need to be here. The plan was to have dinner, have hubby blow out the candles on his birthday cake, then let Little Man open his Christmas presents. Well, Little Man came home with a nasty cough and congestion. He just got worse as the day went on. He fell asleep on the couch around 4 and slept until I woke him up to put him to bed at 8. Hubby is also still at work, so cake and presents will have to wait until tomorrow!

USMC Birthday Ball

The Marine Corps ball is held every year in honor of the Corps birthday, this year being it's 237th. If you have never been to a ball, the ceremony and history of it are something special.

I have been to a few Army balls and while similar, there are many differences (I have no idea about the other branches). I'll do my best to describe the evening, but I know I won't get all of this right. You think by now I would know of all of this and the meaning behind it all and I like to think I do, but my details may be off.

The night starts out with a cocktail hour. This ends up being the time when everyone arrives, the women stand around and talk, while the guys wait in line at the bar. Everyone is in their seats when the ceremony begins. Seating is usually done by company/squadron. You sit with who you work with.This is always a good time to hear stories about your spouse.

The Adjutant's Call signals the start of the ceremony. 

The March of the Colors is next. Basically, the American flag and the Marine Corps flag are carried in. The colors are referring to the streamer like ribbons on the flag poles. The ribbons have specific meaning to the unit, with many being awards or recognitions. Once the colors are escorted in, the National Anthem will play, followed by the Marine Hymn. Once the flags and the honors have been presented, the adjutant will "Publish the Order". This is simply the reading of General John A. Lejuene's proclamation. It is read every year and it something that most Marines will recognize. 

The next event of the evening will be the reporting of the Youngest Marine in the command to the Commanding Officer as well as the Oldest Marine in the command. The Marine Corps birthday cake will then be escorted into place. The oldest Marine will be presented with a sword and will cut two pieces of cake with the sword. I asked hubby how close he was to being the oldest Marine. He made a face, but the oldest was a Warrant Officer born in 1964. Hubby's got a few years to go! The youngest this year was born in 1993. Way to make me feel old.

The first piece of cake will be placed at an empty table for the Missing Marine. The setting is for those Marines lost from the command and should there not be any losses it represents those Marines throughout the Marine Corps that been lost. The second piece of cake will be presented to the youngest Marine by the oldest Marine, symbolic of the passing of the torch.

The chaplain will then ask everyone to bow their head in prayer. It is normally a pretty standard prayer. Our chaplain this year gave the best prayer ever. My husband is in an engineer battalion, so it makes sense, but the chaplain mentioned blowing things up. Not something you normally hear in a prayer! The Commanding Officer then says his piece. He had great things to say too. The battalion was named Engineer Support Battalion of the year and a few of my husband's Marines were given similar awards. The guest speaker is then introduced. Being overseas, we don't get super famous guest speakers. In the states, you'll get well known military figures (at least well known in the Marine Corps). People you want to listen to speak. I couldn't tell you who we had speak the last couple years. This year, a SgtMaj on island gave our speech. Right before he started speaking, hubby informed me that they were the same MOS (job). It's a small MOS, making it odd. He then gave hubby a shout out. Proud wife here!! He was also extremely entertaining and gave a power point presentation. It was all pictures, but he did his best to entertain.

After that, dinner is served! Good thing to, since it's at least 8 o'clock by this time. Dinner comes out in courses, usually 3. Dessert is just cake though. Plain, ole cake. Then the fun begins! Everyone is in a great mood by this time (all those trips to the bar) and the dancing begins! I'm not a dancer, but it sure is fun to watch! My husband's Master Gunnery Sergeant spent a good 5 minutes trying to convince me to dance with him. I promised him a slow song and you better believe he came and found me as soon as one came on. The rest of the evening was spent listening to my husband tell stories to his junior Marines. All this talking and alcohol leads to goofy pictures like this.

It is always a fun night and something I look forward to every year. There is nothing like a room full of Marines, in dress uniform, wishing each other a happy birthday.

Happy Birthday Marine Corps!

source

On November 10, 1775, the Second Continental Congress resolved to raise two battalions of "American Marines". Congress commissioned 31-year-old Samuel Nicholas, a well-known Philadelphian, as captain of the fledgling force of Continental Marines. Nicholas raised two battalions of Marines and began the long, illustrious history of the United States Marine Corps. 
On November 1, 1921, General John A. Lejeune issued Marine Corps Order No. 47, Series 1921. The order provided a summary of the history, mission, and traditions of the Corps. General Lejeune directed that the order be read to every command each subsequent year on November 10th in honor of the founding of the Marine Corps. This tradition has continued every year since 1921 throughout the Corps.
The first official "Birthday Ball" was probably held in 1925 in Philadelphia. No official records of the event were held prior to that date. Guests at the ball in 1925 included the Secretary of the Navy, General Lejeune, well-known national leaders, and representatives from all the military services.
On October 28, 1952, Commandant General Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr. directed the celebration of the Marine Corps Birthday be formalized throughout the Corps. The details were included in the Marine Corps Drill Manual approved in 1956. General Shepherd's order helped bring together the inclusion of a cake ceremony and other traditions still held every year at the Marine Corps Birthday Ball.

Watch the Commandant's message here. 

 We had the privilege of celebrating the Marine Corps birthday at our ball tonight. There is nothing like seeing a room full of grown men walking around and wishing each other a happy birthday.

I asked my husband for his thoughts and he quoted something similar to this.

What is a Marine?
226 years of romping, stomping, hell, death, and destruction. The finest fighting machine the world has ever seen. We were born in a bomb crater; my mother was an M-16, my father was the devil, and each moment I live is an additional threat upon your life.
I’m a roughish-looking, roving soldier of the sea. I am cocky, self-centered, overbearing, and I do not know the meaning of fear, for I am fear itself. I am a green amphibious monster made of blood and guts who arose from the sea, whose sole purpose in life is to perpetrate death and destruction on the festering of anti-Americans throughout the globe, wherever it may arise. And when my time comes I’ll die a glorious death on the battlefield, giving my life to mom, apple pie, and the American Flag.
We stole the eagle from the Air-Force, the anchor from the Navy, and the rope from the Army; and on the seventh day, while god rested, we overran his perimeter and stole the globe, and we’ve been running the show ever since. We live like soldiers, talk like sailors, and slap the hell out of both of them at the same time.
Marine by day, lover by night; drunkard by choice, United States Marine by act of god.
SEMPER FIDELIS

Birthday Party!

Little Man leaves in a couple weeks to go to his dad's for the summer. His birthday is in July, so we never get to celebrate with him. Ever since Little Missy's birthday party in February, he has made comments about not celebrating with us. 

Saturday, we had a birthday party for him. We reserved a park on base and prayed the rain would hold off. Hubby grilled meat for burritos, we had cake of course, but mostly the kids played. Besides the playground equipment, we had a bouncy house for them to play on. 

My kids had a blast and I think all the other kids did too! After we had done cake and presents, it started to pour. The kids were all playing in the bouncy house and since the top was open on it, it just turned into a fun slip n' slide. 

I'm really glad we did celebrate his birthday early. I don't want him to feel left out or feel like we do more for his sister than him. It made no difference to him that we did it a month before his actual birthday, so this may turn into an annual thing!

Happy Birthday To Me

So, yesterday was my birthday. 

It's too the point that it's just another day. I don't get all worked up about it and I don't expect a big fuss. 

A few lovely ladies did take me and a friend out for joint birthday lunch on Monday.

My lunch date

These girls have introduced me to the best places! 

They raved about the cheese fondue and it was to die for. 

We had 3 orders.

It was decided that we loved each other enough to double dip and I'm really surprised no one licked the bowl.

Yesterday, the same girls bought me lunch at the office.

I don't know why I didn't see it coming, but they also bought me a cake (have you noticed we love to eat?), flowers, and a card.

Hubby bought me new diamond earrings. I love them, but this was the best thing he ever could have gave me. Husband, don't think that gets you out of buying me presents!

I wasn't expecting anything, but the day was kinda special. These girls have helped me keep my sanity through this deployment and I love them for it!

Why do my birthdays make me wonder if my mom feels old?

Happy Birfday!

My baby girl is 3 today! 

How is this possible?

I don't recall it going this fast with Little Man.

She was 19 months when we moved to Okinawa.

Crazy!!!!

The day she was born

We didn't have big plans for the day.

She and I went to the commissary, where cupcakes were purchased. 

I know, bad mom. I should have made them.

I let her have one when we got home. 

The other 2 are for her and her brother tonight.

We'll have pizza for dinner, cupcakes for dessert, and presents.

A little before her first birthday

Tomorrow, we are having an actual party at an indoor play place.

She is so excited!

I love that she is old enough now to get it.

Her daddy emailed and said he wanted to call and wish her Happy Birthday, so hopefully he can!

Right after she turned 2

A couple weeks ago