Reflections

I meant to blog while I was in the US, but it just didn't happen. I can't believe how quickly 3 weeks can go by. John would say that he can't believe how long 3 weeks can take to pass! It was hard being in the US without him, and I was so happy to see him on Friday. The house was in perfect order when I got home including a beautiful bouquet of flowers and chocolates. He's so sweet! We had a great day today taking bikes to brunch and to the store. We spent a long time talking at brunch...lots to catch up on. I was reminded of how incredible this experience is living in Tokyo, and I am so happy that John and I are getting to experience it together. It is definitely hard being here away from our precious family and friends, but I know it is an experience that we will always cherish. I pretty much crashed as soon as we got back to the apartment - yay for jet lag!

My time in the US was wonderful! I had such a great time with my families and friends. Here's a small list of what all I got to do: go to my favorite Mexican restaurant in Richardson with my mom, sister, Lauren and Tanner - lots of laughing; got together with all my family at Mom and Dad's and ate more Mexican food; ate lunch with my niece at her school; almost got stuck in a tornado with my sister - a little scary; ran errands with Mom; dinners at my sisters' houses - chicken enchiladas and manicotti (yum); babysat my nephew - took him to Mama and Papa's to see the chickens then played Operation and every other game that he owns; loved on my sweet puppies at Aunt Nicole's; played Wii Just Dance with my family and friends - Jennifer and Lauren are tied for the spirit award as they revisited their high school cheerleading days during the game; went to my niece's Hot Chocolate birthday party; saw a movie with my family - more laughing; shopping and lunch with my mom-in-law (a great tradition); seeing Nonnie's (Johnapelus) new apartment; dinner in Houston with my family; seeing Papah twice while I was in Houston; lunch at Gaga and Big Daddy's house; had margaritas at Gloria's with my Dallas friends; shopping with Lauren - and laughing until we cried after I fell out of the car (it was parked); seeing my friends' babies and pregnant bellies; lunches and dinners with my Dallas friends; visiting my youth pastor and wife; left the house at 3:00 am with Mom and Dad to go to the airport - shed some tears; and many more things - this was just a small list! I am so blessed and loved by such amazing families and friends.

I am horrible at taking pictures, so I've stolen these from my sister:

Callie wanted to dress up for me when I came over for dinner. I felt so special! She dressed Colt as well. Note the off buttons and sunglasses on Colt. Too sweet!

This is Callie and I when I went to her school to have lunch (at 10:45!). I bought her and Colt yukatas, which is like a Japanese robe. She told her class that she was Japanese. I didn't even try to explain that one.

My beautiful sisters and I at Callie's Hot Chocolate birthday party. It was so much fun spending time with them!