When Joy Takes a Long Vacation

Sometimes I find myself dismal. Dismal and looking.

But not looking where I should. Searching for joy -- an uplifted soul.

I catch myself looking... around. At my circumstances. My life. The grind. And guess what? That never cures dismal.

If I really wanted to find joy -- no matter where I am or what I'm doing -- I need to find Jesus in the midst. I need Jesus-spectacles.

Because if I can just see His Hand, His presence, His Spirit at work in me or around me and give Him thanks, then joy comes.

So, if you want to smile, laugh, and, well, be jovial -- find Jesus in your situation. He has not deserted you, no matter how you feel.

Find Jesus. Gratitude flies. Peace overcomes. Joy abounds.

Wide-Eyed and Waddling

• We celebrated our four-year anniversary over the weekend. We went to our favorite restaurant and are planning to see a foreign film tonight about a group of monks that were martyred in Africa.

• Here is a treat to help with all the slackness lately! {At 15 months, better late than never!}

• Verse to memorize this week: Romans 5:3 ~ We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.

A Message on a Sign

We are elated, no doubt! Let's answer some questions, shall we?

How far along are you?
About 11 weeks

How long have you known?
Since the second week of April

When is the due date?
December 13, 2011

The babies will be how far apart in age?
About 22 months

Was this planned?
You betcha

What are you thinking?
That we want a large family, and God's grace is enough for us

Have you been to the doctor?
Yes, and I am making sure to convey my wishes that this pregnancy goes differently than the previous one (because I am not going to doctor appointments every week or so!)

How are you doing thus far?
Exhausted, somewhat nauseous, ravenous, emotional, but otherwise great! This first trimester is going so much better than my first trimester with Aolani (where I was miserably sick nonstop). I have not vomited from this pregnancy yet. If I feel queasy, I eat and feel better. If I have a headache, I sleep and feel better. Ricky always feeds us girls toast in bed before rising in the morning, which helps. When I was pregnant with Aolani, I craved Italian food, specifically marinara sauce. With this one, I crave all bad food that I avoid - fried food or sugar. But, I do resist. Except for that large order of waffle fries from Chick-fil-A ;)

This is why I have become so slack and late on my blog posts! I have been resting a lot, going to bed early, and end up with very little computer time. I am hoping to regain some energy with the second trimester.

More stories to follow...

Flying and Spinning

• Sorry this is so late -- I need a whole week just to recuperate from vacation!
• Aolani's updates: saying look and lock, walking farther distances (like across a room), eating like a pig (she has molars all around now and uses them!), flirts with everyone...
• In case you can't read Aolani's shirt, it reads I get my good looks from my dad :)

• We went to a butterfly exhibit at an arboretum last week in Cincinnati. We loved it, but I think Aolani was more enthralled with all of the other toddlers running around than by all the Brazilian butterflies flying all around us!

• At a cookout and waiting on her beef dog and beans...

• Reading a new book in my old bubble-suit!

• I frequently catch her sitting in front of the washer/dryer, watching it spin, banging on the door, squealing with excitement, and saying washer while pointing at it :)

• Verse to memorize this week: 2 Corinthians 12:10 ~ That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Deep and Wide

Since I am writing on Ricky's laptop, which means that I am super slow, I will keep this short. So, I will share two verses I wrote this week (in italics) that add on to a nursery rhyme, Deep and Wide.

Deep and Wide

Deep and wide, deep and wide.
There's a fountain flowing deep and wide. (2x)

Wide and deep, wide and deep.
There's a fountain flowing wide and deep. (2x)

Let's jump in, let's jump in.
God's grace is offered to all men. (2x)

Jumping in, jumping in.
Jesus' blood covers our sin. (2x)

Gimme That Nose

• 
  
  We are currently in Ohio visiting with Ricky's family, but we did make a short trip to Kentucky for Ricky's brother's college graduation (from our Alma mater). Aolani was such a good trooper traveling on the plane and the next day besides 11pm bedtimes, strange places, strange faces, and no naps! So adaptable :)

• While we were in Kentucky for 24 hours, we saw many friends and even packed in a short visit with our friends who also had a girl born shortly after Aolani. These two girls were too cute together, although Aolani did get a little grabby with Scarlett's toys!

• Aolani just loves Ricky's family's doggie (aka woof, woof). If the dog is up, she is following the dog around, if the dog is down, she gets right in front of the dog, gets on her belly, makes eye contact, and pats the dog's snout.

• Here she is hard at work getting dinner together:

• Verse to memorize this week: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ~ Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

No Good Thing

My prayer for the day --

Keep me safe, my God,
for in you I take refuge.

I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord;
apart from you I have no good thing.”

I say of the holy people who are in the land,
“They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.”

Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more.

I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods
or take up their names on my lips.

LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup;
you make my lot secure.

The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.

I will praise the LORD, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me.

I keep my eyes always on the LORD.

With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure,
because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
nor will you let your faithful one see decay.

You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Psalm 16

Camel

• Aolani is walking much farther one her own but still not long distances (like across a room).


• The other day Ricky was giving her a spit-bath, and she started trying to spit in her hands and rub them!


• I think Aolani prefers to walk in her crib or on the carpet -- softer landings!

• We are busy preparing to fly north for a week to visit with Ricky's family.


• We hosted a lot of guests this weekend, and Aolani loved all the attention -- showing off, walking... She even streaked for the crowd!


• Our neighbors came over for dinner, and the woman is expecting the couple's first child. I went on and on about childbirth, only to find out later that she already had four children! Like I know anything! Foot in mouth. Bottom line: No more assuming!

• This is an old picture but newly-seen by me and too cute not too share!

• Verse to memorize this week: Proverbs 16:9 ~ We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.