Ready to Go

• Believe it or not, we had a pretty mellow week. We had two families over for dinner, went to the local farmer's market and out for a Thai lunch, and watched Toy Story 2 (complete with dinner on the couch -- a real treat).
• The appliance guy came yesterday, and our dryer is fixed! [It was out of commission for 10 weeks.]
• I forgot to mention just how much the kids love the fence. And us, too. We did not realize the grand parental benefit of it until we let the kids outside while Ricky cooked dinner one night, and... it was peaceful and quiet inside! Whoa. Yippee!
• Aolani's antics: lies in bed at night saying, "Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair!"; stood outside the back door and yelled, "I huff and blow your house down!"; told me that it feels good when I rub her back...
• Micaiah's mishaps: leaves his crocs (outdoor shoes) by the backdoor; has started putting on Ricky's shoes and tries to walk in them; I just bumped his morning nap this past weekend and now he takes a solid two-and-a-half hour afternoon nap...

• Verse to memorize this week: James 5:9 ~ Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door!

Clear Vision

"But we are able to see Jesus,"

~ Hebrews 2:9

Yes. That is enough.

Celebrating Much

• We made it through the weekend of busyness of eight activities (two were cancelled), and Ricky's parents were here to help. After the guys worked all day Saturday on the fence, it is up! We went to another town for dinner and cheesecake to celebrate Ricky's birthday, which is in a couple days. Aolani went to her very first birthday party (Ezra turned three) and had a blast. [I think this story is hilarious: When Aolani pulled up with Ricky and his mom, Ezra and another little girl walked out the front door. Aolani asked Who's that? Ricky's mom said That's competition (jokingly, of course). Aolani got out of the van, pointed to the girl, and said Look! It's Competition! ;)
• Fence: We are still working on a few odds and ends, but it is operative (and beautifully well-done)! Ricky's mom added a few flowers and got green bug spray that should help ward off or kill black widows. Our friend put the hose reel up on the wall. Gate latch is up, but we are going to add one more. [First day out back, Aolani moves a chair over to the gate, climbs up, and tries to get out. Seriously.] We hope to get a bat holder or something for outdoor toys. Another friend has offered to give us their two yard toys their kids used. We have a concrete septic tank out back that seems dangerous, so I wanted to cover it or something. Ricky's dad staked down some fake putting-green grass over top of it, and it is great (see picture below). For now, the kids just go out back when Ricky is home making lunch or dinner and when there is company. After we see what kinds of problems arise, I will let them out to play before Ricky comes home for lunch and dinner, so he can get them in. I will not let them out by myself (when I have to get them in alone) until Aolani becomes more obedient.
• The gender difference showed up just today while we were outside. Aolani picks and brings me a little, sweet, yellow flower. Micaiah, so inspired, goes and brings me a worm.
• We are still going sans snacks as they have started eating their meals much better.
• We are also going sans socks starting tomorrow as the kids just take them off anyway when I put them on.
  
  
  
   I seriously think our collection of prayer pillows might be Micaiah's favorite indoor toys! He throws them, stacks them, pounces on them, rests on them, walks on them, head bangs them, carries them, and just about everything else a tot could do with them.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  The septic tank cover
  
  

• Verses to memorize for the month of April (I already quote two of theses verses; I'm just filling in the gaps to complete the passage.): Hebrews 4:12-6 ~ For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable. So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

A Gift Basket for a New Mom

Yesterday, I got to organize a baby shower for a dear friend. It was the first one I've done, and it was fun! Anyway, there was lot of details to consider and (just in case you ever need shower ideas) I wanted to share a special gift basket idea. My pregnant friend opted for a gift card versus the typical baby supplies you receive at showers (and, it is her fourth baby). Instead of just handing her a card (which would've been fine), I wanted her to have a tangible, useful gift. [Although I put it together, I used a little of the money given for her gift card to make it from everyone and not just from me!]

I know it doesn't "match"; I just used a little sticker I had leftover, the only ribbon I had, and some cloth napkins from my linen closet. Another lady gave me her peach basket; I stuffed some packing paper underneath to elevate the goods.

On to the contents... First off, I had seen this post about homemade natural postpartum goodies for new moms a while ago. I even made me a few things before I had my second child to help with my postpartum healing. So, this is not a completely crazy, unique idea -- I had inspiration :) I was thinking of consumable items to help with nursing, postpartum healing, and diaper changing. I bought three new items, gave her one hand-me-down item, and made six items. I got the recipes, made many lists, bought the ingredients, gathered the right bottles/jars, printed the labels, and constructed a list of all the items in the basket and little notes (that was rolled into a scroll and tied with ribbon) to put in the basket, too. [I had another friend help me to actually make the products.]

Here is the list of what is in the basket and the notes:

For Nursing --
Mother’s Milk Tea 
Washable Breastpads 
Natural Nipple Cream (shea butter, coconut oil, arrowroot powder)
     Apply liberally before and after nursing as desired. Completely safe for
     baby and moisturizing and healing for the breastfeeding mother.

For Postpartum -- 
Perineum Spray (witch hazel, lavender)
     Spray on you perineum after using the restroom.
Comfrey Salve 
     Comfrey is wonderfully healing for damaged skin, and is especially useful
     for lubricating the stretched, sour, and damaged skin of the perineum after
     childbirth. Apply a small scoop with your fingers from front to back after
     using the restroom.
Postpartum Blues Spray (water, geranium)
     Geranium essential oil is excellent to prevent postpartum depression, so
     diffuse around the room to help balance all those adjusting hormones.
Bath Salts (Epsom salt, sea salt, almond oil, lavender, geranium)
     Regular ionized table salt is wonderfully healing for sour and stretched
     muscles after birth. Add 1 cup to your tub.
Dark Chocolate 
     Directions: Unwrap and devour

For Diaper Changing -- 
Baby Oil (almond oil, lavender)
     Use however you want – massage oil, lotion, diaper cream, etc
Hand Sanitizer (aloe vera, vodka, tea tree, eucalyptus)

Here is a view from above:

Note: I also did three shower games. I Googled baby shower games and whoa! There are hundreds to choose from. I chose Name the Baby Animal, Guess the Baby Food (by smell not taste), and Inside the Diaper Bag. And, I had some cute prizes (gifts I already had stored away for such a time as this) for the winners. If anybody wants a recipe for a product described above, contact me. I just used my lotion recipe for the natural nipple cream recipe because it is simple and creamy. Also, I added only one drop of green food coloring to the hand sanitizer (just for fun), but it turned it really dark. I probably won't add any coloring next time I make it.

Building Outside and Inside

• This past weekend was simple enough -- the fence posts are up (it took 7-8 hours, 3-4 men, pizza and beer, and great skill on behalf of our help; we are letting the concrete harden for a week, so the wood panels go up this weekend), church, and family movie night (complete with popcorn, pizza, and Toy Story).
• We had dinner with a neighbor the other night and have a family over (from our church) for dinner tonight. Fun, fun!
• The weekend upon us is jammed full with ten events (I cannot remember a weekend like this; I am just hoping to actually be present for each one and not forget one).
• Starting this past week, I decided to remove snack time. Yep, no more snacks in hopes that their appetites would be in full force at meals. And so far, they are both eating a lot more at meals, instead of filling up on snacks and being more picky at dinner and consuming fewer nutrients. It's working, and no one is starving ;)
• Last week, Ricky went outside with a friend to square away the fence and locked the door behind him. Aolani started having a break down; she yelled, "Daddy, don't you want me?!" and bawled for thirty minutes -- it was heartbreaking for me!
• Aolani won pantie-status on Monday; she did not pee in her crib during nap time seven days in a row. We made a sticker chart last week, and she'd add a sticker every day she was dry after her nap. Boy, is she proud -- no more undies (they were thick cotton and not that cute) in exchange for cute, thin panties :)
• Micaiah's mishaps: has learned how to walk on a mattress, constantly yells Dada, is so smart and showing it (i.e., I asked Aolani to bring me her pajamas from under the changing table, and he runs and gets them and brings them to me), and is already better at picking up toys than his sister!

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• Verses to memorize for the month of April (I already quote two of theses verses; I'm just filling in the gaps to complete the passage.): Hebrews 4:12-6 ~ For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable. So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

What Is In My Heart

Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. ~ Luke 6:45

Here are two stories I read a few months ago that teach the same concept and won't stop haunting me --

1. "Our friend Brett used to tell this story about a speaker who asked a man to come up on stage with him, and handed him a cup filled with water. The speaker then shook the man's hands, and water sloshed all over them both and onto the stage. 'Why,' asked the speaker, 'Did water just spill everywhere?' 'Well,' sputtered the man, 'Because YOU shook my hands!' 'No,' said the speaker. 'Water just spilled everywhere because there was water in the cup.' Think and pray with me today about what is in our cups...and what therefore will come out: NOT because life or others shake us up, but because of what was IN our cup, to start with." (taken from The Ayars Affairs)
2. Paul David Tripp tells this story from his childhood. He was attending a family gathering, and his uncles began drinking a bit too much and making inappropriate comments about women. His mother quickly gathered him up and left. Once they were in the car, she said, "Nothing comes out of a drunk that wasn't there in the first place."

Let's stop making excuses for our behavior and ask God to "purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 Jn. 1:9)! It is a matter of the heart. We cannot blame other people or circumstances for our reactions or our words; they only bring out what was already there to begin with!

Springing into Action

• Our vacation at my parents' home was nice. We had to combat a stomach virus and head cold while there, which changed our visitation plans but oh well. [Our kids just love seeing their cousins!] I have quite a lot on my plate right now which is why this is Friday. The fence posts go up tomorrow, and we just started taxes last night... There is just too much to catch up on.
• Aolani's antics: puts her brother in her crib a lot [they were both in there the other day, I got distracted unpacking and turned around to discover them both standing in her crib butt-naked]; suddenly likes to cuddle with me [jumped in bed with one morning, cuddled up, started rubbing my back, and whispered I love you -- crazy sweet!!]; showed some girlfriends of hers how to pee in the grass outside; peed all over herself and the floor this morning because I was using the toilet when she had to go pee (the benefit of having one john); prefaces every story she wants to share with One time...; and is growing leaps and bounds right now, surprising me every single day with her thoughts, words, and abilities!
• Micaiah's mishaps: threw a book, a toy, and a towel in the toilet (we do try to leave the bathroom door shut); cries and clings to the wheelchair if Aolani is on my lap while we read or sing or play something together; is almost running; likes to generously give everyone high-five; is going through the throw-everything-in-the-trashcan phase [after he took his pants off to toss them in too, we decided to elevate the trashcan and just put a box under it so it's out of his reach]; whipped out a step stool for Micaiah to use to climb up onto the couch (and now I can just pull him onto my lap from there -- no more lifting and hoisting!); is becoming quite the copycat [after reading and singing songs out of a book with Aolani, Micaiah grabbed the book once we were done with it and sat on the floor while he flipped through the book and sang Da-da-da-da-da]; is so emotionally sensitive [just this morning while he screamed, Ricky firmly told him No screaming and Micaiah whimpered, teared up, smacked his own hand, and started shaking his head no!]; loves to rough-house and play with Daddy; is such a boy with his cars and balls; can whine and fuss and whimper and cry with the best of them; likes to do Ring Around the Roses with Aolani and me; prostrates himself on the floor to throw his little tantrums; and is so cute, sweet, cuddly, and affectionate [frequently comes over to me to climb up onto my footstool to lie his head on my lap and receive some lovin' :)]

Resurrection Day

They are both wearing outfits that belonged to my brother and me! [I know I'm prejudiced, but oh man are they not edible!]

Go Fish

Go(ing) Fish(ing)

                         "I'm just texting."

The girls liked to take turns putting each other down for naps in Aolani's sleeping bag.

In the fortress (Mommy designed/directed, Daddy built) :)

Always showin' love (a great babysitter in the making)

Blowing bubbles

• Verses to memorize for the month of April (I already quote two of theses verses; I'm just filling in the gaps to complete the passage.): Hebrews 4:12-6 ~ For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable. So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

A Want I Need (or vice versa)

A few weeks ago in The Immediate Hallelujah post, I wrote:

Now, I am not saying seek out persecution or go looking for difficulty. They will come your way. I am saying that when it comes, welcome it, maybe even desire it (yikes!), with open arms and give thanks for it! Yay! An opportunity!

I was quoting Philippians and BAM! Here is Paul saying, ever so directly, that he desires suffering --

I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, (3:10)

Yes, LORD, timidly praying for the courage to want this same heart because I do so-very-desperately want everything else Paul mentioned in verses 10 and 11,

 

Living a Lively Life

• Over the weekend, we had some friends over one night to watch some NCAA (via internet), eat pizza and popcorn, and play board games. Aolani always goes a little over-the-top around groups; she is such party-extrovert (she kept sneaking out of bed to see what we were doing for two hours after we put her down!). One of our friends spent the night, keeping us up until 3:30 a.m. talking ;) Also, we had a family over for dinner the next night, and Micaiah passed on his virus to four out of five of them --- yeah, we feel like losers :(
• Speaking of this virus: Micaiah's vomiting only lasted a day, but his diarrhea is oh-so-steady (twice today). But, he did eat some solid food for dinner tonight, and his spirit seems to be returning. Sadly though, I think he lost a bit of weight :( Good thing we are going to Grandma's house for nine days (leave Friday), so that she can fatten him up!
• My body started fighting nausea and lethargy yesterday; I could hardly talk, such was my energy (I could just lay my head on the kitchen table and close my eyes, with a barf bucket beside me). I went to bed when Ricky got home from work and slept 12 hours! This afternoon I started coming back and even ate a snack. So glad I never really got it (vomiting or diarrhea -- I really think oil-pulling helps me). We are going to travel with a bucket just in case it hits Aolani in the car! 
• After I nurse Micaiah once he awakens from his naps, I put him on the floor to go play. He likes to first close his crib door before walking out the room -- cute! Ricky called today as he was leaving work, I put him on speakerphone to talk to Aolani and me. I hung up without letting Micaiah have a turn talking to Daddy, and Micaiah started crying. I called Ricky back, let the boys chat via speakerphone, and then Micaiah was happy as a lark!
• So for a while now, I have been telling (and showing) Aolani that she can start wearing thin panties versus her thick undies once she stops peeing in her crib during naps (seven dry days in a row). Well, we had five dry days in a row, I am getting excited, and then she peed during Monday's nap. The last two days were dry. Panties are coming soon, I hope.
• As we are leaving in two days for our trip to visit my parents, I'll take a week off from posting.

• Verses to finish memorizing this week: 1 Peter 5:6-11 ~ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. 

Even If...

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ~ Romans 8:35-7

A while ago it hit me. Paul lists all the many ways people can suffer and emphatically proclaims that off course these sufferings cannot come between you and His love -- how silly, how absurd (I bet Paul was thinking here)! Yet, doesn't everyone think the opposite? I always hear from people that if God loves them, then He won't let them endure

trouble -- your house burns down, your car is stolen, you lose your wallet

hardship -- you break your back, your loneliness is choking, you grow paranoid

persecution -- you get sent to jail or fined or lose your job because you won't keep quiet, you are locked in a room for months, you are beaten or burned

famine -- hunger (if Jesus loves me, surely He will send me food and not let me go hungry)

nakedness -- no clothes, no warmth (if Jesus loves me, surely He will provide me with clothes to wear)

danger -- drug-users keep wanting money, your children are being threatened, thieves are prowling

sword -- machetes take your limb, guns permanently kill nerves, acid burns your eyes and takes your vision.

"For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." We are always one step away from death; we live in the danger zone. We are targets, for His sake.

To me, Paul is saying, "Christ loves you -- even if you have problems, even if things are hard, even if you are persecuted, even if you are hungry, even if you are cold, even if you are in danger, even if a gun is in your face, even if death is knocking at the door..."

Jesus loves you, no matter what you feel or what hard thing is in your life, Because having a nice, comfortable, easy life is not the measure of His love for you. Jesus going to the Cross for you is. [We actually believe that more hardship is God's way of loving us.]

When Paul says that we are more than conquerors in all these things, he is not saying we command the hard thing away (poof, be gone), and conquer it by getting rid of it. He is saying that no matter what happens to my body, nothing can really touch me (my spiritual blessings, my eternal fate, my joy, my peace... real things). Prove yourself a conqueror by not letting it disturb your trust in Christ and His love for you.

I am more than a conqueror in every hard thing. And, even though it may not look like it, Jesus loves me.

Dancing Diva

• Our weekend was full of people -- dinner with a new neighbor (we are so excited to have a sweet, friendly, helpful neighbor; she is single, has two dogs, is oh-so talented/has many skills and jobs, is good with kids, plays games, just a perfect neighbor for our family), a wedding (could not get Aolani off of the dance floor; she was livin' it up), our church small group gathering, dinner with friends (Ezra's family), two nights of "just us", and then yesterday.
• Micaiah got some tummy virus that has had him throwing up all day (and some diarrhea too). I kept waiting for Ricky to come home for lunch to help (towels on the floor covering vomit, the house reeked of acid, Micaiah was naked and sick and nasty, and I was getting weary). He didn't show but called right before nap time saying that the judge decided to work through lunch :( So, I called my dear friend, Superwoman, to come to my rescue, and she did -- open windows, mop floors, and just give me a time to collect myself and laundry! Micaiah has been sleeping a lot, is cuddly, is a little feverish, and no more vomit (just lots of diarrhea).
• Aolani's antics: frequently washes the little play cars in the bathroom sink, says no way (didn't get it from us?), while wrestling with Daddy and Micaiah said hey buddies, answers I love you too after we say "I love you", while snuggling with us on the bed before sleep she suddenly got up and said Love you guys but I got to go to work and left, and (a first!) she got up during her nap yesterday and went to the potty to pee! I caught her doing real imaginary play for the first time a few weeks ago; she was feeding pigs that were invisible her refrigerator magnets. I ordered some slotted clothespins that came a few days ago. Once we opened them, she got two out and said with amazement and delight Drumsticks! A surprise for me! (she has a small drum but no sticks.)

Aolani would park herself in front of the fruit trays and go at it! The buffet table and the dance floor, back and forth, back and forth...

• Verses to memorize this week and the next: 1 Peter 5:6-11 [I already quote verses 7, 8, and 10; so, I am just filling in the gaps in order to know this whole passage.] ~ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.