tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14581280631446823482024-02-20T07:57:44.567-05:00Ben & Kristiat the start of new adventures...Ben and Kristi Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467292149646703051noreply@blogger.comBlogger120125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458128063144682348.post-62954416246487472562010-05-20T23:10:00.002-04:002010-05-20T23:11:38.672-04:00New HomeHi friends, <br /><br />Kristi's blog has a new home! :) <br /><br />Check it out <a href="http://kristigraves.blogspot.com">HERE</a>!Ben and Kristi Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467292149646703051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458128063144682348.post-23339107041253945202010-05-08T15:32:00.006-04:002010-05-08T15:43:15.151-04:00cake pops!thanks to my friend <a href="http://craftydoughpuncher.blogspot.com/">ashlee</a> for giving me the recipe to try these adorable cake pops :)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/4589306933/" title="cake pops by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3302/4589306933_a67dfd467a.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="cake pops" /></a><br /><br />i made these for my mom and grandma for mother's day, and although i need to practice more, they turned out cute and taste yummy! :)<br /><br />here's my cutie grandma...<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/4589923744/" title="yam and kristi :) by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4003/4589923744_506930a103.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="yam and kristi :)" /></a><br /><br />happy mother's day to all you moms and mom's-to-be out there, especially my sweet, wonderful momma!!<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/3796905974/" title="marmy by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3524/3796905974_d59bdfbf56.jpg" width="500" height="313" alt="marmy" /></a>Ben and Kristi Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467292149646703051noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458128063144682348.post-44659464590000777882010-05-03T16:47:00.005-04:002010-05-03T17:12:10.587-04:00busy bees!we've been super busy the last month visiting family and friends, and figuring out what we're doing next, haha. :) we've gotten to see lots of people near and dear, and are thankful for the downtime we've had. <br />here are a few pictures from the last month: <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/4554910747/" title="me and my sweetie by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4554910747_f8f56f37d7.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="me and my sweetie" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/4553563616/" title="with graeme and ashlee :) by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3374/4553563616_85aa55a046.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="with graeme and ashlee :)" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/4497586698/" title="the whole gang :) by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4497586698_9c46efd98e.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="the whole gang :)" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/4494802828/" title="nerf guns by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2687/4494802828_da4816725e.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="nerf guns" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/4471458558/" title="b, l, k, g, r by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2733/4471458558_25c2c7251d.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="b, l, k, g, r " /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/S9855OvPZ1I/AAAAAAAALZs/7JEzyeZ9XKM/s1600/ryancharissakristiben"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/S9855OvPZ1I/AAAAAAAALZs/7JEzyeZ9XKM/s320/ryancharissakristiben" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467152128022636370" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/S9854pODvxI/AAAAAAAALZk/EfNewxVWoYI/s1600/4524993036_d3d3caf681.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/S9854pODvxI/AAAAAAAALZk/EfNewxVWoYI/s320/4524993036_d3d3caf681.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467152117951348498" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/S9854VjCwEI/AAAAAAAALZc/AK4jkZPCmWw/s1600/4524417405_387d56db5a_b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/S9854VjCwEI/AAAAAAAALZc/AK4jkZPCmWw/s320/4524417405_387d56db5a_b.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467152112670654530" /></a><br /><br />as nice as it's been to travel around, see people, and live out of our car :P (haha) -- we're also ready to move back into our own space, and get to unpack all our stuff and use it again! (some things we haven't even gotten to use since there was no space for them in japan!) :) we have a busy rest of the month, but are excited to be able to see more friends and family before we pack up the BIG moving truck!<br /><br />big things: <br />* all our things from japan arrived last week and are in boxes! :O<br />* we found an apartment in dubuque! <br />* we'll be moving in about a month! <br />* ben will be finishing school over the next 2(ish) years <br />* kristi will be subbing/possibly more :)<br />* we'll have a guest room, so visitors are welcome!!<br /><br />happy spring! :)Ben and Kristi Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467292149646703051noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458128063144682348.post-75843686863887212462010-03-27T17:00:00.002-04:002010-03-27T17:03:44.464-04:00one step at a time...we are now the proud owners of a 3 pc. sectional couch and an entertainment console!!! (courtesy of the pottery barn outlet store we visited yesterday). we got a great deal - such a blessing!<br /><br />now all we need is a place to put it all..... =D<br /><br />ps: to see a picture of our entertainment console click <a href="http://cn1.kaboodle.com/hi/img/b/0/0/7e/0/AAAACzSFGe8AAAAAAH4A8g.jpg">HERE</a>Ben and Kristi Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467292149646703051noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458128063144682348.post-27884744988680585742010-03-24T18:03:00.003-04:002010-03-24T18:21:31.182-04:00Nike + Running + Ben + KristiBen and I have been trying to get back in shape - especially now that we have some extra time on our hands =) So we started running about 2 weeks ago. <br /><br />To help with motivation, (and partly because it's just fun) we bought some Nike Plus gear to keep track of our runs - it tells you how many miles, time, calories, etc. =) <br /><br />You can see ben's run on nike+ if you go <a href="http://nikerunning.nike.com/nikeos/p/nikeplus/en_US/plus/?sitesrc=fbk_ab_plus#//runs/detail/74879637/1550459391/all/allRuns/">HERE</a>! (i can't figure out how to link mine for you to see)<br />It has a neat graph to show you how you did on each run. <br /><br />We didn't even have to buy the fancy shoes, all we bought were these fun <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0032B1N5A/ref=oss_product">bands</a>, and the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ID6DTG/ref=oss_product">holder</a> for the sensor that straps onto your shoe! <br /><br />I'm hoping we can keep it up even when we get busier, it's been fun to run together!<br />I'm really not a very good runner, but Ben's really helped me - he's wonderful =)<br /><br />Happy Spring and love from Georgia!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/S6qQIsTY88I/AAAAAAAALTs/PaeJaDlk7PM/s1600/IMG_0284.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 248px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/S6qQIsTY88I/AAAAAAAALTs/PaeJaDlk7PM/s320/IMG_0284.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452328777891247042" /></a>Ben and Kristi Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467292149646703051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458128063144682348.post-18985892483006672602010-03-14T22:15:00.003-04:002010-03-14T22:21:17.265-04:00what a blessing :)we were able to buy a car last week! <br /><br />here it is :)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/4428502324/" title="our new car!!! :) by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/4428502324_4b1308454f.jpg" width="500" height="313" alt="our new car!!! :)" /></a><br /><br />it's a Honda Civic LX, and we love it! <br />God is good. <br /><br />we're slowly taking care of things here and adjusting to life back here in the US -<br />we definitely enjoy being back!<br /><br />ps: happy "pi" day! :) (3.14)Ben and Kristi Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467292149646703051noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458128063144682348.post-81461483609499881892010-03-10T10:50:00.002-05:002010-03-10T10:57:15.745-05:003 years ago today...was our wonderful wedding!! :) <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/423137606/" title="my love! by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/167/423137606_1dfc10e01d_o.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="my love!" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/423145974/" title="thekiss by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/54/423145974_92e56cc9fc_o.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="thekiss" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/834892844/" title="one of my favorite wedding pictures. =) by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1166/834892844_3ca5315414.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="one of my favorite wedding pictures. =)" /></a><br /><br />happy anniversary my sweet! <br />what a crazy adventure we've been on these last 3 years!<br />now we're at the start of a new adventure, and i can't wait to spend many more years with you! <3Ben and Kristi Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467292149646703051noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458128063144682348.post-19035673473787121422010-03-06T15:14:00.005-05:002010-03-06T15:39:15.500-05:00it's nice to be back :)we've been having a great time being back in the USA! <br />relaxing, sleeping in, hanging out with my parents, getting to go to church again! we're also car shopping (which isn't the most fun, but a necessity!) :) <br /><br />we've been able to do some fun things already -- for instance, we went with my parents earlier this week to the mall of GA and saw AVATAR in their IMAX theater :) here we are with our 3D glasses on...<br />my parents:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/4404748129/" title="Avatar in 3D on IMAX Mom/Dad by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2690/4404748129_e5b37a1d96.jpg" width="500" height="368" alt="Avatar in 3D on IMAX Mom/Dad" /></a><br /><br />us: <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/4405521366/" title="Avatar in 3D on IMAX Kristi/Ben by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4055/4405521366_35aa520e08.jpg" width="500" height="379" alt="Avatar in 3D on IMAX Kristi/Ben" /></a><br /><br />i've also been busy working on cards! <br />i'm really trying to sell some during this downtime to make a little extra money (and it's something i enjoy doing, so that's a blessing!) <br /><br />here are a few i've made recently..<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/4393047108/" title="hello by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2750/4393047108_93014df935_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="hello" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/4392239507/" title="miss you by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2783/4392239507_452620f346_m.jpg" width="240" height="176" alt="miss you" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/4392263931/" title="best friend by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2729/4392263931_d0195b26a1_m.jpg" width="240" height="181" alt="best friend" /></a><br /><br />and here's the link for my brand new ETSY shop! <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/kface22">CLICK HERE</a><br /> <br />i love etsy and have ordered a few things from there, and finally decided it was time for me to give it a try. :) let me know what you think if you get a chance to go look :)<br /><br />happy march! looking forward to spring weather which should be here soon!<br /><br />ps: our 3rd anniversary is next week! :) <br />and we're also SUPER SUPER excited for our dear friends <a href="http://tonyandcharity.blogspot.com/">charity and tony</a> who are expecting a baby this fall! :) visit their blog to read their story, it's an amazing testimony of faithfulness to our Great God.Ben and Kristi Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467292149646703051noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458128063144682348.post-63191928271581476282010-02-25T16:20:00.002-05:002010-02-25T16:36:30.262-05:00a red eye and a missing tooth...funny name for an update, but it's what's been going on here! <br /><br />*ben finished up his paperwork/meetings/checking out today and is flying to atlanta on a redeye flight tonight! SO glad to be seeing him soon and getting to relax together! it's been a crazy roller coaster ride up to the very last step (even the plane ticket home was a headache!) but we can now say bye bye navy!! =)<br /><br />as for the tooth...<br />**i unfortunately had to get a tooth extracted last week unexpectedly, and went in to see the oral surgeon this week to try to get the ball rolling for the next step. it rolled quickly and just as i was healing from my extraction site, they had to re-cut it open yesterday morning to do a <a href="http://ladentalimplants.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/images/bone_graft_step2.203220316_std.jpg">bone graft</a> in preparation for the <a href="http://envisionwebmarketing.com/Dental/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/implant-2.jpg">implant</a> they'll be putting in my toothless space. needless to say it's been kind of crazy week battling jetlag and surgery pain and on top of that i also seem to have come down with a cold! =X i'm kind of a mess right now! but God is good and i do have pain medicine, which i'm thankful for!<br /><br />***in other news, my dear friend <a href="http://charissaeirene.blogspot.com/">charissa</a> recently got engaged and is getting married this fall! we've had a ton of fun tossing ideas around and planning for a beautiful october barn wedding, and my bridesmaid dress arrived in the mail today and is so cute! =) weddings are such fun and i'm so thankful we were able to move back in time to be a part of it!<br /><br />that's all for now, as a pain pill and some rest are calling my name... but i hope all is well with all of you! =)Ben and Kristi Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467292149646703051noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458128063144682348.post-15420880590584450962010-02-22T18:52:00.002-05:002010-02-22T18:54:11.792-05:00we're back!after 30+ hours of traveling and multiple flights this past weekend, we're in the US of A! =) we're apart right now as ben is processing out and i'm here in atlanta waiting for him. <br /><br />we're still jet lagged and feeling kind of out of it, but we're here! thanks for praying for our safe travels!! we're glad to be back, and when we're together and more settled we'll try to post more =)<br /><br />hope to be seeing lots of you soon!!!Ben and Kristi Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467292149646703051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458128063144682348.post-91486766521772836482010-02-15T04:10:00.002-05:002010-02-15T04:21:06.693-05:00Japanthings we will NOT miss...<br />-strange looking (and tasting!) food<br />-crazy tiny roads<br />-scooter riders that go around you and go slow!<br />-poorly insulated apartment<br />-crazy trucks that scream from their speakers<br />-annoying neighbour's bass thumping through our walls at night<br />-rainy season<br />-not being able to watch tv online due to copyrights<br />-limited shopping selections at grocery store and NEX<br />-14 hour+ time difference<br />-being so far away from our friends and family<br /><br /><br />things we WILL miss...<br />-polite people<br />-clean-ness<br />-nice scenery<br />-sasebo elementary<br />-cheap cell phone plans<br />-100 yen stores!<br />-our shower and heated toilet seat<br />-steak salon<br />-interesting culture<br /><br />less than one week left!Ben and Kristi Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467292149646703051noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458128063144682348.post-72894839121427767072010-01-29T03:10:00.003-05:002010-01-29T03:13:56.606-05:00if you haven't noticed...our countdown over there --><br />22 DAYS! that's how long we have left in japan. <br />it's crazy and overwhelming and exciting and scary all rolled into one.<br /><br />we've been busily trying to pack up our house and my classroom and are feeling some of the stress of moving across the country, but let me say that i am SOOOO incredibly thankful that ben is home and we are able to work on all of this together!!!! God is good. my amazing husband doesn't have to leave me for months at a time anymore!!!! it's hard to believe that part of our marriage is over, but i can't express in words how thankful i am to be finished with that part of life. <br /><br />if you would, you can pray for us as we wrap up the last of things here and head on to new adventures that await us.....<br /><br />thanks friends!!Ben and Kristi Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467292149646703051noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458128063144682348.post-48353379470731090932010-01-12T17:22:00.009-05:002010-01-30T21:43:02.513-05:00snow day!for the first time since i've been teaching here in japan, it snowed enough on a weeknight that we got a SNOW DAY! :) this is how it looks outside our window right now:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/S0z4T9WLtSI/AAAAAAAALOM/mS7swdenDMY/s1600-h/IMG_0040.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/S0z4T9WLtSI/AAAAAAAALOM/mS7swdenDMY/s320/IMG_0040.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425984672843412770" /></a><br />i'm definitely not minding the day off as we had a kindergarten potluck family night last night, and i was at school for 12 hours! sadly, though, the ship doesn't recognize or celebrate snow days =( (silly ship!) so ben is at work, but hopefully won't be have to stay too long and can come home and play! <br /><br />some random updates:<br /><br />*we went on a date last weekend to our favorite restaurant here in sasebo called "Steak Salon". it's definitely something we'll miss when we leave japan! it's a mom and pop type restaurant and is run by a cute older couple, with only enough seating for about 12 people. the food is SOOOO good! we've taken all our visitors there and they've all loved it as much as we do. :) here we are standing outside: <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/S0z5110i5BI/AAAAAAAALOs/kOZlzcm54Is/s1600-h/IMG_0026.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/S0z5110i5BI/AAAAAAAALOs/kOZlzcm54Is/s320/IMG_0026.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425986354450457618" /></a><br />and getting some hot chocolate from starbucks on the chilly walk back to the car through the ginza:<br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/S0z6eXPas-I/AAAAAAAALO0/1K25wEcqvRA/s1600-h/IMG_0035.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/S0z6eXPas-I/AAAAAAAALO0/1K25wEcqvRA/s320/IMG_0035.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425987050616304610" /></a><br /><br />*yesterday i finished a 40 card order from a friend of mine, and here are a few...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/S0z5FqW1L5I/AAAAAAAALOU/ioZbbfo6KAM/s1600-h/IMG_0037.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 217px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/S0z5FqW1L5I/AAAAAAAALOU/ioZbbfo6KAM/s320/IMG_0037.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425985526739316626" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/S0z5fmyzOJI/AAAAAAAALOk/vdjsMhzmumI/s1600-h/IMG_0009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/S0z5fmyzOJI/AAAAAAAALOk/vdjsMhzmumI/s320/IMG_0009.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425985972459485330" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/S0z5fL_4bgI/AAAAAAAALOc/lpB-VeOW_Yw/s1600-h/IMG_0010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 224px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/S0z5fL_4bgI/AAAAAAAALOc/lpB-VeOW_Yw/s320/IMG_0010.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425985965266595330" /></a><br /><br />*we're still plugging away trying to get things ready for our move! reminds me of that song we used to sing at church "the countdown's getting lower every day"! =) please keep us in your prayers as we finish our time here in japan!<br /><br />happy snow day!Ben and Kristi Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467292149646703051noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458128063144682348.post-91046310395473533532009-12-30T23:01:00.006-05:002009-12-30T23:09:34.696-05:00the countdown's on!not only is it new year's eve here, we also have an official countdown to when we leave japan!<br /><br />in case you didn't see the one over on the side, here's a new ticker i made just for fun: (feeling a little pirate-ish today i guess?!)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.TickerFactory.com/"><br /><img border="0" src="http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/4;10748;119/st/20100220/e/Leaving+Japan%21%21+Arg%21+%3D%29/dt/14/k/60a2/event.png"></a><br /><br />in some ways it's hard to believe it's been almost 3 years since we moved here! and even though it's a little overwhelming to think about, we're <span style="font-style:italic;">very</span> much looking forward to the new adventures we'll get to experience in 2010. =) <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!<br /></span>Ben and Kristi Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467292149646703051noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458128063144682348.post-71236849422796813762009-12-22T19:49:00.003-05:002009-12-22T19:57:11.142-05:00christmas break!i'm officially on break from school right now, and have been working on keeping the house cleaner (at least trying to!) :), making cards for an order, making christmas cookies, checking things off my to-do list, and trying to enjoy a little down time! sadly ben still has to work this week and next, but he's been getting out pretty decent times the last few days, and although he does have duty (sleeping on the ship) christmas eve, i'll get to pick him up christmas morning and spend the day with my sweetie! :) so i really can't complain. and it's our last christmas to be spent in japan away from our families, so we're glad about that too.<br /><br />times have been a little crazy as we are ending up our time here. we'll be moving back <span style="font-style:italic;">in just a couple of months</span>, and we are experiencing all the emotions that come along with a big change such as that! (scared, excited, nervous, overwhelmed...) we are trusting God to direct and guide us into this next chapter of our married life, and if you think about it, please keep us in your prayers as we prepare for our big cross-country move back to the US! :) hopefully we can see <span style="font-weight:bold;">much</span> more of all of you in 2010.<br /><br />merry christmas from the graves!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/SzFqXU_fCSI/AAAAAAAALOE/x1fc1zXth4g/s1600-h/Photo+on+2009-12-20+at+11.30+%235.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/SzFqXU_fCSI/AAAAAAAALOE/x1fc1zXth4g/s320/Photo+on+2009-12-20+at+11.30+%235.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418228775707937058" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/SzFqXOwvqLI/AAAAAAAALN8/0bDmrZyDVwk/s1600-h/Photo+on+2009-12-20+at+11.29.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/SzFqXOwvqLI/AAAAAAAALN8/0bDmrZyDVwk/s320/Photo+on+2009-12-20+at+11.29.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418228774035499186" /></a>Ben and Kristi Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467292149646703051noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458128063144682348.post-91767053865966854642009-11-28T06:35:00.003-05:002009-11-28T06:38:53.148-05:00it's beginning to look...a lot like christmas! <br /><br />ben and i have enjoyed our break from work and set up the christmas tree yesterday, made christmas cookies and decorated them today. =) (yum!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/SxELUZ60cZI/AAAAAAAALNw/8Esxk0vcs-A/s1600/IMG_1155.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/SxELUZ60cZI/AAAAAAAALNw/8Esxk0vcs-A/s320/IMG_1155.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409117072631558546" /></a><br /><br />it seems crazy to me that it's almost december! hope you're all enjoying your weekends and recovering from your turkey comas! heheBen and Kristi Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467292149646703051noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458128063144682348.post-51077764801336133212009-11-26T18:20:00.003-05:002009-11-26T18:26:31.285-05:00happy thanksgiving!we had ours yesterday, you're having yours today :)<br />a few things i'm thankful for this year: <br /><br />-ben is HOME! he made it home a few days ago, and we got to spend thanksgiving together for the first time since we moved here! =) it's so nice to have him around, and it won't be much longer til he won't have to leave for months at a time anymore! WOO HOO!! =)<br /><br />-this is our last thanksgiving in japan! it hasn't really felt like thanksgiving to me, all 3 years we've been here and away from family and friends, and we're looking forward to being in the states next year to celebrate =) this year, though - we were invited over by some very nice friends we've made here and were able to eat turkey with them, and we're thankful for that as well!<br /><br />-God is good all the time. we are fast approaching the end of our time in Japan, and while we're so thankful for this, there are a lot of unknowns as well - but we are thankful that God is faithful and we continue to trust in Him.<br /><br />HAPPY THANKSGIVING friends! we love you! <3Ben and Kristi Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467292149646703051noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458128063144682348.post-23635615266507399012009-11-18T05:57:00.002-05:002009-11-18T06:20:46.890-05:00field trip time!it's been a busy month so far - can't believe next week is thanksgiving!<br />we took our kindergarten classes to the aquarium today and had a great time!<br />here are a few pictures :)<br /><br />we got to see all kinds of fish and turtles and sea creatures<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/4114780036/" title="IMG_8328 by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2499/4114780036_ca21fb46b8.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="IMG_8328" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/4114780284/" title="IMG_8337 by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2543/4114780284_eee9d6b6d8.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="IMG_8337" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/4114012675/" title="IMG_8353 by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2602/4114012675_25d2127563.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="IMG_8353" /></a><br /><br />i kept thinking he was making a fish face: :)<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/4114780818/" title="IMG_8364 by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2768/4114780818_a27d0a899c.jpg" width="277" height="500" alt="IMG_8364" /></a><br /><br />we also got to see the fun dolphin show!<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/4114782016/" title="IMG_8419 by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2645/4114782016_973f64ace2.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_8419" /></a><br /><br />and then we ate lunch and took a group shot before heading back to school. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/4114014183/" title="IMG_8422 by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2492/4114014183_0f513c073f.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_8422" /></a><br /><br />for this month - on facebook - i took a challenge to write something i'm thankful for each day as my status, a good thing to do always but especially this time of year as we get ready to celebrate thanksgiving next week. it's a good practice for me in general too as sometimes it's easy to get sad thinking about how tough things are or how much i miss my husband. i've found it to be a very useful exercise for me to try each morning to focus on something positive that the Lord has blessed me with, because there are so many things that fall into that category! hopefully you're reminded of things to be thankful for today as well. :)<br /><br />here's something else to be thankful for, in <span style="font-weight:bold;">Psalm 121</span>:<br /> 5The LORD is your keeper;<br /> The LORD is your shade on your right hand.<br /> 6The sun will not smite you by day,<br /> Nor the moon by night.<br /> <span style="font-weight:bold;"> 7The LORD will protect you from all evil;<br /> He will keep your soul.<br /> 8The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in<br /> From this time forth and forever. </span>Ben and Kristi Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467292149646703051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458128063144682348.post-18680403685635037242009-11-01T00:19:00.006-04:002009-11-01T00:27:39.683-04:00october fun in mrs. graves classon friday we wore our costumes to school and all my kids dressed up except one! (so we dressed him up so he wouldn't feel left out) :) i was a butterfly again...<br /><br />here we are!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/Su0MyyFcj1I/AAAAAAAALNo/raS3Lx7UTUA/s1600-h/Halloween_006.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/Su0MyyFcj1I/AAAAAAAALNo/raS3Lx7UTUA/s320/Halloween_006.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398985594864701266" /></a><br /><br />in other news, ben left a few days ago.. :( boo hoo! <br /><br />it's been busy at school lately - this week is the end of first quarter for us which means teacher work days and parent conferences... "fun" :P <br /><br />i've been reminiscing the last few days as i've been here hanging out by myself, how this is the third october i've spent in japan. in some ways it's hard to believe we've been here almost 3 years, and in other ways it feels longer. we've sure had a lot of adventures and changes and ups and downs (as life always does, i suppose). thank you for praying for us as we get ready for another big change and leave japan for new adventures!<br /><br />happy november!Ben and Kristi Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467292149646703051noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458128063144682348.post-41101831186297072082009-10-21T06:05:00.005-04:002009-10-21T06:16:33.925-04:00long overdue......pictures of my classroom, and a few more from hawaii. <br />it's been very busy since we got back, and i've also been sick since last week... <br />sorry for the delay! we had a wonderful vacation - it was hard getting right back into "real" life. <br /><br />this year i only have 12 kids, which is a nice change of pace from last years 23! and i have a ladybug themed room... as you can see from the word wall...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/St7doQjo3SI/AAAAAAAALNI/iPcWaiXtkjo/s1600-h/IMG_1402.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/St7doQjo3SI/AAAAAAAALNI/iPcWaiXtkjo/s320/IMG_1402.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394993087345384738" /></a><br />and bulletin board...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/St7dnoI2uDI/AAAAAAAALNA/7NH5b6UiFEk/s1600-h/IMG_1401.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/St7dnoI2uDI/AAAAAAAALNA/7NH5b6UiFEk/s320/IMG_1401.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394993076495628338" /></a><br /><br />here are a few fun shots from hawaii - our camera got sand in it while we were in maui and stopped working, so we unfortunately didn't get as many pictures as we wanted... but we had lots of fun relaxing and ben and i went on an awesome snorkeling adventure which was very neat. we also saw a magic dinner show, went to the polynesian cultural center, visited pearl harbor, shopped at the swap meet, and went mini golfing that was with black lights and neon golfballs! we ate lots of good food and had an amazing view from the hotel. it was a great vacation :)<br /><br />here we are...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/St7e3s2NBsI/AAAAAAAALNg/ldoUqJ_NxNI/s1600-h/IMG_1707.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/St7e3s2NBsI/AAAAAAAALNg/ldoUqJ_NxNI/s320/IMG_1707.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394994452149110466" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/St7e2osr49I/AAAAAAAALNQ/WH5opj5DIR8/s1600-h/IMG_1657.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 283px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/St7e2osr49I/AAAAAAAALNQ/WH5opj5DIR8/s320/IMG_1657.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394994433855579090" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/St7e3IkffZI/AAAAAAAALNY/eWSSDoYv6mw/s1600-h/IMG_1693.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/St7e3IkffZI/AAAAAAAALNY/eWSSDoYv6mw/s320/IMG_1693.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394994442411146642" /></a><br /><br /><br />hope all is well with all of you - october is a busy time at school, and has been busy for ben too. he'll be out at sea again before we know it :( but i'm so thankful we've had a good amount of time together the last 2 months!!!! love from japan....Ben and Kristi Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467292149646703051noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458128063144682348.post-77723509986862413802009-09-27T22:17:00.004-04:002009-09-27T22:34:56.619-04:00guess where we are!...on our vacation in <span style="font-weight:bold;">HAWAII!!!!!!</span> :D<br /><br />we met my parents here saturday morning and are having a nice stay here in honolulu!<br />yesterday we hit up the north shore, dole plantation for some yummy dole whips, ate at a local mexican restaurant... and today we visited pearl harbor and saw the uss arizona memorial, took a shopping trip to the huge "swap meet" and ben and i visited the beach for a little fun while my parents relaxed and read books. what a nice time! it's the first real "vacation" ben and i have ever taken since we got married, and we're enjoying it! we're headed out soon to eat some yummy steak for dinner, and tomorrow we go to the polynesian cultural center before we leave on our island hop to maui on tuesday. <br /><br />just wanted to check in and say hello from hawaii! :) <br /><br />here are a couple of pictures as always...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/SsAeSDdnkKI/AAAAAAAALMg/11-kolMziRA/s1600-h/IMG_8190.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/SsAeSDdnkKI/AAAAAAAALMg/11-kolMziRA/s320/IMG_8190.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386338449851125922" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/SsAeRgdyGrI/AAAAAAAALMY/IQ8XUJRpqqM/s1600-h/IMG_8186.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/SsAeRgdyGrI/AAAAAAAALMY/IQ8XUJRpqqM/s320/IMG_8186.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386338440456575666" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/SsAf6qe1k9I/AAAAAAAALMo/WFPizBLL5-g/s1600-h/IMG_8196.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/SsAf6qe1k9I/AAAAAAAALMo/WFPizBLL5-g/s320/IMG_8196.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386340247031616466" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/SsAgqoum6TI/AAAAAAAALM4/LgPQ_q0eV5Q/s1600-h/IMG_8191.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/SsAgqoum6TI/AAAAAAAALM4/LgPQ_q0eV5Q/s320/IMG_8191.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386341071194614066" /></a>Ben and Kristi Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467292149646703051noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458128063144682348.post-79877236471877366602009-09-01T03:09:00.004-04:002009-09-01T03:44:03.644-04:00he's back!yay!! my sweet hubby got home about 2 weeks ago, and it's <span style="font-weight:bold;">so</span> wonderful to have him home :)<br /><br />schools starting up and he's studying for his next computer test, thus we've both been busy working bees. we can't wait for our vacation at the end of this month! <br /><br />here's a few pictures of us from this weekend...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/SpzKfuzM8pI/AAAAAAAALMQ/poOqx8h3PXE/s1600-h/IMG_1388.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/SpzKfuzM8pI/AAAAAAAALMQ/poOqx8h3PXE/s320/IMG_1388.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376394701661074066" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/SpzKfA8X_UI/AAAAAAAALMI/z21yCXiupQ0/s1600-h/IMG_1391.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/SpzKfA8X_UI/AAAAAAAALMI/z21yCXiupQ0/s320/IMG_1391.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376394689351515458" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/SpzKegF0f8I/AAAAAAAALMA/ypp6VHuEzEg/s1600-h/IMG_1370.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ua6b6dvnH1o/SpzKegF0f8I/AAAAAAAALMA/ypp6VHuEzEg/s320/IMG_1370.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376394680532762562" /></a><br /><br /><br />i'll try to take some of my classroom soon. <br /><br />happy end of summer from japan!Ben and Kristi Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467292149646703051noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458128063144682348.post-86724172155671615992009-08-07T18:44:00.006-04:002009-08-07T19:33:58.481-04:00summer trip 2009well, it was a fun few weeks. it was jam packed with shopping and seeing people, and it was such a blessing to have a change of pace for a little while, especially while ben is away. the only thing missing on the trip was BEN! it felt strange to be there without him, and i'm glad that won't be the case much longer. when he's gone, a part of me is just missing - no matter where i am or who i'm with.<br /> <br />but speaking of ben! he's amazing. he passed another computer certification test and is already working towards another one! he's plugging along and will hopefully be home soon. i'm sooo proud of him! he works so hard and does so much. i can't wait to have him home!!!!!!!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/3797626210/" title="i <3 ben! :) by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2566/3797626210_32651de530.jpg" width="470" height="237" alt="i <3 ben! :)" /></a><br /><br />as always, here are some pictures. i took a TON! <br />if you go <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface">HERE</a> you can see the rest, but i will just summarize and pick a few to share now. <br /><br />i left on jul 6, having an overnight layover in korea (:X no fun!) and arriving in atlanta on tues jul 7. i was a zombie! my parents picked me up and i spent a few days with them, then thurs night i flew to north carolina to surprise the <a href="http://tonyandcharity.blogspot.com/">charity</a> and <a href="http://theloudones.blogspot.com/">jan</a> and join them and <a href="http://charissaeirene.blogspot.com/">charissa</a> for their beach getaway. here are a few pictures from that trip. it was so refreshing to get to spend time with dear friends! i hadn't seen charity or jan since our wedding over 2 years ago!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/3797625138/" title="IMG_7248 by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2676/3797625138_e1da7ab3f3.jpg" width="470" height="332" alt="IMG_7248" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/3797633230/" title="beach weekend :) by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3637/3797633230_a8289ffee2.jpg" width="470" height="345" alt="beach weekend :)" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/3797640950/" title="lunch at "fishy fishy" by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3599/3797640950_a486b2480b.jpg" width="470" height="297" alt="lunch at "fishy fishy"" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/3796817815/" title="fun times! by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3463/3796817815_fe1926d063.jpg" width="470" height="316" alt="fun times!" /></a><br /><br />sunday afternoon we even got the treat of meeting up with rachel thorpe for lunch, and having jan's boys come up for the day! i hadn't met matthew yet. what a cutie!!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/3797647720/" title="girl's lunch by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2472/3797647720_556d0640bf.jpg" width="470" height="258" alt="girl's lunch" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/3796830309/" title="loudon's by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2615/3796830309_25895df4f6.jpg" width="470" height="333" alt="loudon's" /></a><br /><br />sunday night we met up with <a href="http://joelandgwen.blogspot.com/">gwen</a> and RK and i got to spend a few days hanging out with them while joel was away on a pastor's retreat. what a sweet time! we went shopping at our favorite: TARGET, watched girly movies, and had long talks on the porch. it did my heart a world of good. love you gwen!! :) <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/3797660060/" title="charissa, charity, RK, gwen by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3031/3797660060_944d1d4a40.jpg" width="470" height="333" alt="charissa, charity, RK, gwen" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/3797117657/" title="me and gwen :) by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2665/3797117657_76c8479352.jpg" width="470" height="333" alt="me and gwen :)" /></a><br /><br />look at this precious smiley riley!<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/3798686167/" title="smiley riley :) by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3560/3798686167_50b2aecddb.jpg" width="470" height="333" alt="smiley riley :)" /></a><br /><br />we took RK to a grassy spot outside starbucks and did a photo shoot. there were too many to choose from! but here's 2 :)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/3797918678/" title="sweet girl! by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2480/3797918678_3fc5808b5e.jpg" width="332" height="500" alt="sweet girl!" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/3797097717/" title="IMG_7536 by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2495/3797097717_e249f80b39.jpg" width="470" height="332" alt="IMG_7536" /></a><br /><br />i headed back to atlanta on the 15th and spent 2 weeks hanging out in atlanta with my parents. mom and i did lots of shopping :) dad and i went to have thai lunch, and it was great spending time with them. i also spent the night with yammie (my sweet grandma!) and we got together with my aunt, uncles and cousins for an evening, too.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/3796905974/" title="marmy by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3524/3796905974_d59bdfbf56.jpg" width="470" height="313" alt="marmy" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/3796090031/" title="pops by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2576/3796090031_1e937055ab.jpg" width="470" height="333" alt="pops" /></a><br /><br />here's my mom with her brothers and yammie<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/3797603862/" title="brett, mom, barry, yammie by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3456/3797603862_0360fed386.jpg" width="470" height="333" alt="brett, mom, barry, yammie" /></a><br /><br />and yammie with a few of her grandkids<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/3797592108/" title="yammie and grandkids by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2642/3797592108_58a929a729.jpg" width="470" height="333" alt="yammie and grandkids" /></a><br /><br />my parents and i met up with my friend Adrian (who i've been friends with since 8th grade) and got to meet her sweet TWIN girls! <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/3796087901/" title="with adrian and her twins! by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2568/3796087901_4988fd173e.jpg" width="470" height="333" alt="with adrian and her twins!" /></a><br /><br />i also had the pleasure of getting to spend a day with <a href="http://web.me.com/suter/Site/Welcome.html">kent and brook</a>, and a photo shoot of sweet lilley! the lighting was perfect and we got some great shots here are a few of my favorites from that! brook and i spent the evening catching up while lilley slept and kent was away at a lock-in, it was a great time! <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/3796091391/" title="with suters on game night by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3496/3796091391_015c2830d9.jpg" width="470" height="333" alt="with suters on game night" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/3796746170/" title="IMG_7805 by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2530/3796746170_339fc5ab8c.jpg" width="470" height="361" alt="IMG_7805" /></a><br /><br />isnt she precious?<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/3795905579/" title="ahh, feel the breeze :) by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2465/3795905579_908292c4d2.jpg" width="470" height="333" alt="ahh, feel the breeze :)" /></a><br /><br />this is definitely my favorite picture from the whole shoot, (maybe the whole summer). her eyes just sparkle! she's such a sweetie.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/3795909067/" title="IMG_7955 by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3536/3795909067_8632aa3d87.jpg" width="470" height="333" alt="IMG_7955" /></a><br /><br />jul 28 i boarded yet another plane to head to arizona to visit <a href="http://thebotmas.blogspot.com/">jodie</a> and jess. more shopping, eating out, helping jess set up her classroom, an afternoon in the pool where i became a lobster, and lots of laughter! it was a quick visit, but such a fun one. i also did one more photo shoot - this time of sweet cambria joy! i was so glad to get to meet her!<br /><br />look at this grin! she's adorable.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/3796965893/" title="love her grin! by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2466/3796965893_880cdda33f.jpg" width="332" height="470" alt="love her grin!" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/3797788514/" title="IMG_8054 by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2445/3797788514_55314c5e0a.jpg" width="360" height="500" alt="IMG_8054" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/3796971553/" title="botmas! by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3459/3796971553_e9f6bfe3ef.jpg" width="470" height="369" alt="botmas!" /></a><br /><br />here's the 3 muskateers: <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/3796092549/" title="bffs :) by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3478/3796092549_afa7607217.jpg" width="470" height="333" alt="bffs :)" /></a><br /><br />and here's cambria with sunburned aunt kristi :)<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/3796911826/" title="cambria and red aunt kristi :) by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3427/3796911826_fced239313.jpg" width="470" height="384" alt="cambria and red aunt kristi :)" /></a><br /><br />i got back aug 1 and spent the last few days in atlanta before boarding the looong flight back on wednesday. now i'm back in japan, feeling jetlagged, counting down the days til ben gets home. school starts back in a couple of weeks, and once it does i'm praying the time will fly and our life in japan will be wrapping up! Lord willing we will be finished here this coming spring, and heading on to new adventures. :) <br /><br />so that's my trip in a nutshell! i got to do lots of shopping, eating out (i started my diet yesterday! haha), visiting, chatting and lovin' on sweet babies! it was great to see some of you, and hopefully we'll get to see even more of you in 2010! thanks for all the love, support, prayers and encouragement you've been to us over the last 2 1/2 years! :)Ben and Kristi Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467292149646703051noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458128063144682348.post-35701119348819564082009-07-17T14:25:00.001-04:002009-07-17T14:28:16.998-04:00surprise!go <a href="http://tonyandcharity.blogspot.com/2009/07/friends.html">here </a>to see what i got to do last weekend :)<br /><br />God is so good!<br /><br />last weekend i was able to pull off a HUGE surprise to my sweet girlfriends and show up in time to go to the beach with them! i'm in the states for a couple of weeks while Ben is away, and it's been exactly what my lonely heart has needed. the Lord provided some great plane ticket deals, and i've been able to see lots of friends in the last week that i've been in the states.<br /><br />pray for my sweet hubby as he's working super hard, and that we can get through these next weeks before we can be together again. i'll be back in japan the beginning of august.<br /><br />ps: i can't put any of my pictures up now, but i'll post a ton when i get back.<br /><br />happy summer! :)Ben and Kristi Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467292149646703051noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458128063144682348.post-63295948302374164592009-07-04T23:25:00.004-04:002009-07-04T23:44:13.907-04:00it's beginning to look a lot like....christmas?! well, not really! haha. i say that only because i got my first christmas card order on friday! so i busted out all my christmas paper that has been tucked away since last year, and got started. here are a few i've done so far (the order is for 50)... <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/3689176752/" title="cmas 2 by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2590/3689176752_8af42e3ed2.jpg" width="460" height="381" alt="cmas 2" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/3689175792/" title="cmas 3 by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2647/3689175792_a8ce1e05ec.jpg" width="460" height="373" alt="cmas 3" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/3689223972/" title="christmas card order by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3639/3689223972_f24a32a1d0.jpg" width="460" height="375" alt="christmas card order" /></a><br /><br />funny side note - her name is "MERRY" (spelled just that way) - seems fitting for christmas cards, doesn't it? :) she is actually my kindergarten aid at school, and is a big help to me in the classroom! we got together on friday to do a little classroom shopping at the wonderful 100 yen store, and when i showed her the cards i've been making, she told me she wanted some! she also ordered 25 thank you cards, and i've been working on those too:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/3688368851/" title="ty 3 by kissyface, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2474/3688368851_79e31c6587.jpg" width="460" height="421" alt="ty 3" /></a><br /><br />what a blessing! the Lord is so good, and knew i needed something like this to put my energy into. He always provides. this summer has been tough and exhausting emotionally, but the Lord is teaching me, and using this time to show me i still need to work on being dependent on HIM alone. <br /><br />ben has had a few days off this week to relax, and got to go snorkeling the other day! he said it was very neat :) i'm always thankful when he gets a break cause he works so hard! <br /><br />happy 4th! i spent the 4th here working on cards as i didn't really feel up to a big crowd, and we can actually see the fireworks from our apartment, so i watched them from the window in my pjs. exciting stuff, i know. :P hope you all enjoyed your holiday! love from japan...Ben and Kristi Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467292149646703051noreply@blogger.com5