Aolani's First Christmas

Better late than never, but it's not too late since Epiphany was yesterday ;)

Last week, we finally celebrated the Holy Day with both families.

First, the Olivers --

Kylie, our niece, helped Grandma pass out the presents.

What could be better than books?!

Kylie assembling Aolani's new stacking rings.

The "push" toy

Kylie's new rocking ride

When Aolani goes missing, look in the trash...

Now, the DiMartinos --

Her first baby doll from her great grands

When she walks, she will pull this hen behind her, and it will leave eggs in its wake.

Wooden bead maze

We dubbed this bouncy, blow-up steed, Dominick (the Italian Christmas Donkey).

Party Hearty

Fahrvergnügen

• We pray that everyone had a blessed weekend celebrating Jesus' birthday!
• We have not participated in the gift-giving part yet with either of our families, but we hope to this week.
• Aolani's seventh tooth (a sharp dagger) has broken through over the weekend.
• Here is our talented "Farfy" (my nickname for her) reading upside down! I can't do that! [She got her first real cut with blood and all last week playing too rough.]

• Here we are returning to our igloo after the Christmas Eve service.

• Pretty in purple in her Christmas dress:

• She got to open one of her presents from Grandma and Pawpaw Oliver.

She would not let go of the bag. We're just hoping that Jack the Rabbit stays attached, despite her violent attempts to behead him.

• There haven't been any videos lately because my camera has been down and out for awhile. But, I finally collected some of her recent tricks for you, including her wave and "Uh-oh."

• Verse to memorize this week: Colossians 4:6 ~ Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

That's One Way To Do It

"Don't Give Up"

I just have to brag on my honey. For my Christmas present Ricky painted this piece of artwork, which he entitled Don't Give Up. He started it back in October, and he had purchased the canvas while I wasn't at work. He worked on it every Sunday afternoon, IN THE ATTIC. He didn't want me to have any clue what he was up to, and he had all the details worked out so I would never get suspicious. He led me to believe that he was upstairs reading or playing on his laptop. Anyway, this picture is suppose to be Jesus showing me my home on the New Earth. Ricky is holding Aolani, and they are waiting for me right down the path. Further down the road are the people that Ricky says I have impacted for Christ while living on the present earth. And there are a ton of details that I would not explain well (mansion, windows, forest, cliffs, birds, flowers, palm trees, island, whales, horses, stream, vineyard, colors, etc). I love the wounds he painted in Jesus' hands. As you can imagine, I was and am deeply moved, humbled, thankful, and encouraged by what Ricky painted. It is hanging in our room.

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.

Philippians 1:21-26