'Tis the Season

The Christmas season has come and gone and we will be ringing in the new year soon.

The girls had a blast opening their presents Christmas Day. I think Maya and Kiera's favorite gifts were the Littlest Pet Shop figures and house.

Jasmine's favorite I believe was the movie The Pink Panther. It has played about 5 times in the past week. That could have been the only thing under the tree and she would have been happy.

I'm hoping she will take advantage of the Bamboo writing tablet (for the computer) and comic software to create cartoons she's always drawing. I think my favorite gift was Guitar Hero. I got it for the girls but have found myself always wanting to play. It's so addicting.

We missed not having daddy here to share Christmas with but we were able to email and talk to him over the phone. One thing I picked up after Christmas was a web cam so that Charlie, I and the girls can do video calls together. It has been so nice to see him and talk to him live more often.

I hope everyone enjoys their night and wishes many great things for 2009!

'Twas the night before Christmas...

It's Christmas Eve and already so much has happened since I last wrote. The girls finished up school with parties and gift exchanges.

On Sunday our church had a Christmas service and party. The kids entertained us with a skit written and directed by Jasmine. It was about a girl who needed to think about some of the things she had done in her life. For each bad example was a good example and a scripture to explain why she needed to change. In the end, the girl understood what her parents had been trying to teach her and she decided to work on being good. We all need examples like that in our life and it always brings us back to what God has called us to do.

Monday I celebrated my birthday with my girls. I got free tickets to the botanical gardens Christmas light show.

The park was lit up beautifully with different themes.

It was actually the coldest night of the year dropping to 60... brrr. So we bundled up (crazy, right?) The night ended in a fireworks display. What a great end to a birthday!

Christmas Eve is always a special time twice over for us. Charlie and I celebrated our 14th wedding anniversary over email and phone. What can you do, right? Our love for each other grows more and more every day and with every deployment. They can make you or break you. They have taught us so much about how we feel, our emotions - good or bad, and how much we can't stand to be apart. I love him more today than ever.

Christmas Day is tomorrow and it will bring many surprises for the kids. They are very excited and often ask me what's a good time to wake me up, not before 6 am please!

Mid - December

Only 10 days until Christmas!

This past week was very busy for us. Jasmine went fishing at the beach for a school field trip. They also studied marine life, reefs and cleaned up the beach. What fun! I don't think she knows how lucky she is. Maya performed in her Christmas play and did a wonderful job. She was so nervous but got through it.

Friday night we attended the III MEF Marine band Christmas concert. The music was beautiful. At the beginning of the second half, they did a "Christmas of Oz " skit. The girls really enjoyed their funny act.

On Saturday we had a blast watching a Harlem Globetrotters game!

They came all the way to Okinawa and gave us a free show! The girls loved their tricks and comedy. They even caught a souvenir ball thrown into the crowd. After the game we met all the players and had them autograph the ball.

The girls are continuing to practice for their Christmas skit and singing for their church party next week. I'm finishing up wrapping gifts, making goodie bags for their classes and getting last minute stocking stuffers. Charlie is doing well. He's ready to come home, only 42 days left. We send our love and good wishes. We hope that everyone is well and is having a Merry Christmas!

December 2008

Welcome to my new page!

I'm excited to share what's going on with the Starnes family. This will be a great way to keep in touch and check out some of the things we have been working on.

The month of December is always busy for everyone. For us, this year brings some new challenges. This will be the first Christmas and Anniversary that Charlie will be away on duty.

The girls and I have been ajusting to his deployment well but everyone has their moments where we just miss daddy more than ever. We know that he is safe and healthy. We are able to communicate via email, messenger, and telephone on a regular basis. We have also been sending holiday packages of fudge, cookies and candy to him and his 25 troops throughout his deployment. He's thankful for a little piece of home and he says it boosts everyone's morale.

We have been busy buying Christmas gifts, sending cards, decorating the house and practicing for school programs. Buying everything online has become a way of life. We decorated our Christmas tree on the first of the month.

The girls enjoyed helping while listening to carols, eating popcorn and telling stories about each ornament (we only buy one ornament a year and there is aways a story behind it.)

Maya will be in a Christmas performance at her school next week. Her class will be singing in a program called, "Christmas Around the World". She will be singing in five languages! She has been practicing for months and as the time moves closer she's getting nervous. But I assured her that she will be fabulous.

I hope you have enjoyed reading. I will post what's going on frequently to keep you in the loop.