Corey visits the kids in VA

Over the holiday weekend, I had a chance to fly to Norfolk to spend the weekend with the kids.  Boy were they surprised to see me get off the plane.  We had a great afternoon at the Nautilus on Sunday.  I really enjoyed getting to spend time with the kids since I hadn't seen them in 2 weeks.  

The kids are keeping busy with school during the week, but I think the weekends gives the kids a chance to think about both Michael and I being gone.  They are adjusting to being back in the states and their new schools.

I can't wait to see them again 6 FEB 09.

-corey

Beautiful Lighthouses of FL

Since I am in Jacksonville, I decided  to take a tour of the lighthouses in FL.  The first lighthouse I visited was the Mayport lighthouse that sits on the US Naval Base.  This lighthouse is not accessible to the general public, but can be viewed from the outside of the base.

I also had an opportunity to visit St. Augustine, FL and it's lighthouse.  This lighthouse is truly remarkable and very similar to the lighthouses of NC.  The lighthouse is open to the public and for a fee (free for military) you can tour the lighthouse and the grounds including the lighthouse keepers house.

As the tour of FL lighthouses continues, I will post more pics.  You can get more info on FL lighthouses at www.floridalighthouses.org

-corey

Our Family is on both coasts.

Michael and Corey have both made their way to school.  Michael is in San Diego, CA and Corey is in Jacksonville, FL.  The kids are in Suffolk, VA with Me-maw.  The wonderful thing about technology is that even though we are spread all over the states we can constantly be in touch.  Please keep us in your prayers.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from the Haire family!

We had a wonderful Christmas in Virginia.  We spent Christmas Eve with Corey's family at Pete & Jean's.  Christmas day we had a fabulous dinner with Michael's brother, John and his family.  After being in Japan for 3 years and missing all of those Christmas' with family it was so nice to have an opportunity to spend this Christmas with both of our families.

We are glad to be home!

We left Okinawa on 11 DEC 08 and headed to Jacksonville, FL.  We landed in Jacksonville and then drove to Spring Hill, FL.  We spent the night with Corey's mom, Barbara, picked up our new car, did some errands and then took off for Powder Springs, GA to see Michael's parents.  We spent Saturday & Sunday with Michael's parents.  Michael made his parents proud when he gave the word on Sunday at his parents church.  

From GA we drove to Suffolk, VA to do the walk thru on the house and go to closing.  The walk thru went well with very few items that needed to be corrected.  We are so excited about the new house.  

While waiting for settlement we went to Cape Charles to spend some time with Corey's dad and Majoy.  Cape Charles is such a peaceful little town and it was nice to recover from jet lag.

The kids were in heaven with all the attention from all the grandparents.  It was great to see everybody and the spirit of Christmas was everywhere.

Good-bye Okinawa!

We will greatly miss our church family and friends.  Being in Okinawa has left a lasting impression on our family.  Even though we were ready to go, Okinawa will always have a place in our hearts and all of our friends will continue to be in our prayers.  We love you guys!

For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.  

-Deuteronomy  30:16 

Our friends say good-bye.

As our time in Okinawa is coming to a close and it's time to say good-bye to our friends.  We had a really nice thai dinner with the Davatelis' & the Schweers'. 

Corey's friend Liz  threw her a fabulous going away party at one of her favorite Okinawa restaurants.  We had a great time and a wonderful dinner. 

Its so hard to say good-bye to such wonderful friends.