Well hello there!

Is there any reason, in particular, that I've neglected my blog so much that I had to come in with a team to "flip my blog"? No..there is no reason. Other than I left my beloved home, Okinawa, and came suddenly and violently to Mainland Japan. It has been quite the transition for me. Marine and Doodle seem to be getting on amazingly well. I'm the only one who had trouble.
I've since taken to teaching at the school (finally giving this Master's Degree JUSTICE!), and have subsequently decided to learn Italian. It just SOUNDS romantic doesn't it?
My precious little sister is expecting, and everything here on the home front is gearing up for retirement. Can't wait until this Marine's wife is celebrating all manner of holidays with my family.
So..for Thanksgiving..I am thankful for such a beautiful soul to be married to. My husband, Marine, is more of a soul mate than I could EVER have dreamed of to be mine. I'm thankful for a beautiful, intelligent daughter, who, incidentally, won a writing contest this week (proving she is SO much like her Momma), and I'm thankful for the absolute most precious family anyone could ever achieve. My Momma, my sister, my Grandma, my Aunt Lisa...they all keep nudging me even when I'm 10,000 miles away. How blessed am I that I can pick up the phone and literally FEEL their presence all the way over here in Japan? :) And last, but not least, I'm thankful for my daughter's God Father Dustin. We love you SO much and can't wait until we get to be within driving distance of each other!
All in all, this is a year of many blessings. Lil Bean (my sister's baby) is sure to come by February..retirement comes in June..and in between there is nothing but love. Just as Daddy would want it to be. Have a blessed Thanksgiving all. Remember your blessings...and as Bing sings in Holiday Inn..."I've got plenty to be thankful for"..