Cape Zanpa

It's been beautiful this weekend so we've gotten out of the house, hit the road and saw some sites. Today we went to see the lighthouse at Cape Zanpa.

It was such a blustery day. The winds made the usually non-existent waves huge!

The girls were so excited to see the water and feel the spray on their faces. They ran down the steep hill and hurdled the rocks.

That was a big one! Don't worry, they really aren't that close.

The sun was starting to set.

Spring Has Sprung

It's spring in Okinawa!

Today we went to the Cherry Blossom Fest in the northern part of the island. The trees have bloomed a pretty bright pink.

I was able to get some good shots of the girls.

I even got a good picture of me.

I'm a Military Wife

My kids teach me so much everyday. This day was no different. On the ride home from school I broke the sad news to the girls that daddy's plane did not leave and that he is still on his base. They looked up at me and I could see the disappointment in their big brown and green eyes. Suddenly, all the things that they had planned to do would be put on hold. They wouldn't be able to wrap their little arms around him or climb on his back. They wouldn't be able to tell him all the things they had learned or show him how much they had grown while he was away. They wouldn't be able to play with him on the floor or sit on his lap. But each of them looked at me and said, "It's ok mommy, he's safe. That's all I ask."

The girls are so strong. They've never asked for anything. They are happy and grateful kids. All they need to know everyday is that their daddy is safe.


The Silent Ranks

I wear no uniforms, no blues or greens.
But, I am in the military, in the ranks rarely seen.
I have no rank upon my shoulders. Salutes I do not give.
But in the military world is where I live and am rarely seen.
I am not in the chain of command, orders I do not give or get.
But my husband is the one who does, this I can not forget.
I am not the one who fires a weapon, Who puts his life on the line.
But my job is just as tough, I'm the one who is always left behind.
My husband is a patriot, a brave and pride filled man.
And the call to serve his country not all can understand.
Behind the lines, I see things needed to keep this country free.
My husband makes the sacrifice, but so do my kids and me.
I love the man I married. The military is his life.
So I pledge to support my hero and stand among the silent ranks known as
THE MILITARY WIFE.

You've Gotta Laugh Sometimes...

It's funny how our brains process information differently. I'm always aware and careful of what I say not to confuse anyone around. But this time my country side took over.

So today I was standing at the top of the stairs. I hollered down to whomever would respond to me,

"Can someone throw up some toilet paper?"

Kiera comes running to my rescue.

"Yes, mom?"

"Can you throw up some toilet paper?"

She looked at me puzzled.

"Say it again?" She asked.

By now I could have gotten it myself. Patiently, I asked it again.

"Can you throw up some toilet paper?"

And with sarcasm she responded,

"Mom, I don't EAT toilet paper."

A Break From the Rain

So, ok, it's been a while since my last post. The rain has been falling here in Okinawa and has caused us to stay indoors. The girls have been keeping busy with lots of homework and studying for quarterly tests. So it's a good thing that we haven't been able to get out much.

Today the sun was shining. And since Maya and Kiera had a half day of school we checked out a new park nearby.

The girls enjoyed climbing, hiding, swinging and exploring new places.


They were also able to run off some built up energy from all those rainy days.


We even did some reef walking.

The park has some really nice places to sit and relax. There is a koi pond where kids enjoyed feeding the fish and turtles. They would love to hang out here on a nice afternoon. Can you imagine Maya and Kiera sitting out here and chatting when they are our age?

Of course I got a few really nice shots of them also. This one is my favorite. Maya will let me take a million pictures of her.


Kiera doesn't have the patience for me but I got one in.

My Sweet Sandy

Sandy is my Oki mix that I rescued from the local kennel. Isn't she adorable? The first time I saw her she was so weak. She didn't bark or whine or even get up to greet me. I brought her home Charlie said I picked the most pitiful dog.

But she's been really good for me. She has helped me through Charlie's deployment by keeping me company, asking for daily walks, securing the house and giving me lots of love and happiness.

She performs some tricks. She sits on comand. She shakes her paw to your hand when you say, "paw". And saying, "Mama" means to show me "who's your mama".

She also has us play some tricks too. She scratches the door when she wants in or out. And she pushes the back of my knee when she wants to go on a walk. Where she got that one I don't know. I guess she's trying to push me to the door.

The girls love her too. They look forward to coming home to see Sandy and play with her. She's become a great addition to our family.

Sayonara...

It always happens with the military...You finally really get to know someone and then they leave. We said sayonara to a friend that is moving back to the states this week. We also welcomed two friends back from deployments to Qatar and Iraq. Before we know it, Charlie will be home as well.

Happy 2009

The Starnes family was the first of their family and friends to ring in the new year being 14 hours ahead of eastern standard time. We had friends over for a game night. The kids enjoyed playing games together while the adults played games too. Midnight came quickly and we had our own countdown. We celebrated the new year with confetti poppers, horns and great food. The girls and I called daddy also so we could share the new year together. We called it a night around 3 am.

The next day we had a little celebration watching the ball drop in Times Square on tv (it was already 2 pm our time). Later that night, we went on base to see "Tops in Blue" perform. They are the Air Force's singing and dancing group. They are chosen out of many to take one year away from their job and perform shows at all the bases around the world. This year they sang all the songs the girls knew. Their faces were lit (especially Maya) through the whole show and sang along. It was a lot of fun.

The girls are working at getting back on a schedule reluctantly. That means 9 pm bedtimes and 5 am wake-ups (Jas has to meet the bus at 6 am) :( They start back to school on Monday the 5th. They are happy that January is here though because they know daddy comes home at the end of this month! We have left the Christmas decorations up so we can have a small Christmas with Charlie once he makes it home. The girls are excited about that!

We hope that everyone is enjoying the new year. We hope that it brings good times, prosperity and good health to all. Happy 2009!

'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.