Pools of Redemption

• Well, most everything is back to normal. Over the weekend, Ricky got the kiddie pool out for the first time since Micaiah broke his leg (to redeem it!). Micaiah's first response was, "No pool; hurt leg." But, he very quickly forgot any inhibition, and they had a blast! Also, we went to our church's summer pool party/baptism, and all had fun.
• Right now, we are gearing up for our singles week or week without kids -- making plans, etc. Today is our last day of "summer school", and we'll begin pre-K curriculum when Aolani returns! I told her, "You'll learn reading and writing and math and to listen and follow directions..." To which she added, "and to try..." ;)
• Micaiah has a check-up with the doctor tomorrow to make sure his leg is healing fine (which we think is doing better everyday!)
• Potty-training update: He had it down-pat again before our Seattle trip. However, with not having access to a washer, airplanes, time change, strange people, hotel, travelling, I did not want to take chances and just put him in pull-ups the whole time. He figured those out right away and rarely went in a toilet. So, we had to re-teach him for the third time (poor guy), and this time is taking the longest. He poops in the potty every time (thankfully), but he has about one pee-pee in the pants a day still. And now, he travels again to Grandma's.
• I just updated my health improvements :)

• Verse passage I'm still memorizing (I'm just taking it slow and am about two-thirds of the way now): Revelation 21:1-7 ~ Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.

Going Over and Back

• Well, it's been a full two weeks... 
• First, our trip to Seattle with Ricky's family... Our main purpose in going was to attend the memorial service of Ricky's grandfather (he passed away in March but was cremated). However, we also spent time visiting with family. Ricky's dad drove down to help us fly over, and Ricky's mom did the return flight. While the kids generally did okay on two of three plane rides, we were THAT family on the first flight*. We all adjusted fine to the time change. While there,we went to a DiMartino gathering, went paddleboarding, visited with family, played games, went swimming at the hotel pool, watched a Mariner's baseball game (in a suite!), spread some of Ricky's Grandpa's ashes, went to his internment and memorial service (where many of the grandkids shared), and then went to a family picnic :)
• *Story: Right after the pilot asked everyone to sit down and buckle up for landing and we all complied, Micaiah had to go poop. And, he screamed, "POOOOOP NOWWW!!!" at the top of his lungs over and over and over for 20 whole minutes. We were getting icy glares and harsh looks from e-v-e-r-y-o-n-e on the plane. But how is a 2-yo supposed to understand that he just can't go right now?! Love, comfort, harshness, affection -- nothing helped because he simply had to GO. I had begged the flight attendant for mercy soon after the ordeal had begun but no exceptions. Poor Micaiah, poor people. An unfortunate situation.]
• For the flights, I had filled a carry-on suitcase full of new activities and toys for the kids. Included (followed by my rating for how useful it was at keeping the kids occupied): new set of 10 little books (4), lego diy travel kit (10), color wonder (3), a magnetic travel fishing game (7), activity pads (0), Highlights Hidden Pics magazine (8), snacks (10), and the Ipad with new shows from Bill Nye the Science Guy/Elmo/Winnie the Pooh (10). Hint: only one activity at a time :) It is difficult to travel on a plane with little kids that cannot yet read or write (to occupy themselves and control physical energy)!

• I have had some difficulty getting back into the swing. Thankfully, my friend came for a short visit to help me unpack and do all 7 loads of laundry ;) Our small group has started back, and my mom came back this week (yay). We are finally beginning to adjust back from the time change -- 10 days later! Hopefully, we can make church this week ;)

Aolani's ship-aircraft

Swiss Family Robinson movie night

their car

"Dominica"

• Verse passage I'm memorizing: Revelation 21:1-7 ~ Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.

What Forgiveness Looks Like -- Part 2

I wanted to add some more points for clarification to last week's post on forgiveness (part 1).

When I was reading it over, I not only felt like it was somewhat incomplete, but I was struck by how it seemed to put forth this "poor me" aura. Like a I-need-sympathy-because-poor-me-is-so-sinned-against, kind of thing. Which is ironic because if you know me, that is not me at all. I think the whole victim mentality is dangerous, as it can lead to a wrong view of self, sin, and God.

I'm not the perfect, quiet girl that does and says no wrong. When I say that a person's words feel like little daggers, I should first tell you that I have unleashed quite a few daggers of my own. I know how to unwisely use the tongue to hurl harsh and hurtful words. A wrong of which I need forgiveness from others and God.

Also, there is one thing that really helps keep the right perspective and steer clear of the victim mentality. When I feel wronged and am pausing to pray, I not only forgive and free the other person, but I ask God to forgive me for being offended. Because love is not easily offended... 

In addition, I forgot to share that I added one extra step at the end, per a friend's suggestion -- to pray for that person. This is huge, and it is a practice that I've begun to do frequently. It keeps me from letting bitterness creep in (which happens when you "lecture" or "preach to" that person in your head).

I mean, hey, Richard Wurmbrand was praying for his persecutors while they were beating him in the Communist prison!

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ~ Romans 5:8

We show God's love for others to others by imitating our Savior.

Shall we not do likewise?

The Traveling Days of Summer

• Our time lately has been too hectic. Ricky had a great work trip and learned a lot. Superwoman has to cut back her hours to help, so I've had to find someone else to come over for a few hours a week to help cook. Now, I have two dear friends that help cook a little and bring their kids every week -- my kids love it! We traveled a lot over the weekend. One day we visited my aunt and uncle in another town and went to the pool for a while :) [We picked up a file cabinet in a different town we got on Craigslist on the way.] After church the next day, we drove to another town to visit my brother and his family where they were vacationing to have a picnic in the park.
• And, this week has flown by! Ricky has a heavy workload, and I'm refining my recipe book which is consuming every spare minute I have. I am trying to get too much done before we leave for Seattle for a week in a few days. We are flying there for a week to attend Ricky's grandfather's memorial service and visit with family. So, this blog may be silent next the next week or two after my pondering tomorrow...
• I wanted to document that I finally decided to completely stop wearing my retainers after wearing them for 14 years since I got my braces off (not every night like the first several years; I was only wearing them once every two weeks up until now). But, I am quitting ;)

Micaiah is perfecting his frowny face (here is my uncle; yikes, no picture of my aunt!)

All four kids -- Kylie, Aolani, Caroline, Micaiah

The conquering heroines of the 10-foot rock-wall

• Verse passage I'm memorizing: Revelation 21:1-7 ~ Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.