Back Again

• I have two weeks to catch up on...
• After we spent a week at my parents' place, we went ahead and did a grandparent week. We left Aolani with my parents and took Micaiah with us. [That night we FaceTimed with Aolani. Micaiah was teary and desperate without his big sister; he told her, "Aolani, I miss you this day!"] The next day we met Ricky's family at a midway point to exchange the lover boy (he did fine leaving us but kept adoringly kissing my hand at lunch). Yep, we honeymooned at home for one whole week! We went to church, small group, court together (got to go to his work!), spent time with friends and had quality conversations, movie, games, a lot of work, sleeping past daybreak... ;) Meanwhile, the kids had a blast -- see slideshows below.
• Last week involved the return of routine and daily life for our household. My friend Teresa returned, our green peppers were planted, more organizing, schooling  and reading restarted, crafts came back with painted flowers in our windows, a movie theater date night, church, small group, and Ricky's 31st birthday! For it, we had breakfast-foods for two meals, let him have alone time, had a movie marathon with the kids all day, Aolani quoted her verses for him (see previous post for video), ate pizza and cupcakes, opened presents, and some friends came over late that night to surprise him :) 

 Old picture from before Easter of 3 of the 4 girls who surprised me for my birthday :)

 Painting with wet chalk

"Daddy, Mommy and that's me riding a sea turtle!" -- Aolani

"Grandma and Papa on their wedding day" -- Aolani

• School verses: Last week -- Proverbs 25:15 ~ Be patient and you will finally win.  This week -- Proverbs 12:22 ~ God delights in those who keep their promises.
• Verse to memorize this week: Psalm 28:7 ~ The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. 

What Your Heart Knows

Today is Ricky's birthday. For part of his present, Aolani quoted the Bible verses she knows --

[It's 10 minutes long.]

What Forgiveness Looks Like

I'm slowly reading Ken Sande's Peacemaking for Families, which makes me want to read his other books. Anyway, in it he explains the four components to true forgiveness -- so powerful and definitely makes me think about the forgiveness I offer to others (how weak it is, how insincere it can be, what it should be by His power and example...):

• I will not think about this incident.

• I will not bring up this incident again and use it against you.

• I will not talk to others about this incident.

• I will not allow this incident to stand between us or hinder our personal relationship.

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. ~ Matthew 6:14-5

Stories are Happening

• We had a lovely trip -- full of celebration! Jesus' resurrection, our nephew's birth, and my 30th birthday :) We also visited with friends, went to the chiropractor, had game nights, saw Cinderella in the theater as a family (Micaiah's first time and Aolani's second), went through some boxes of my old saved stuff, and spent lots of time with family... I am going to have to catch up from leaving my parents' house and all this week's happenings on next week's mosaic.
• Micaiah announced, "Happy Good Fries-day!"
• Aolani made me a card before we left that read, "I luf u" ;)
• Aolani asked on our long drive there, "How much longer until we get there?" Ricky answered, "45 minutes." To which she exclaimed, "That'll take forever!"
• Aolani: "I have dressed everything; I have dressed everybody. I'm a fashion 'signer."
• As we drove past the sewage plant (with the windows down), Micaiah told Ricky "I smell the beach now!" Ricky matter-of-factly replied, "Micaiah, that's poop."
• "Triceratops, stegosaurus, bronchiosaurus… Who do you think named all these dinosaurs?" our friend questioned Micaiah. "Grandma."
• Aolani: "I am so clever. When Daddy asks me to tell him cities, I say Africa, Ireland, England, and the United States."
• Micaiah: "I so 'sited!"
• The following pictures are from the week before we left:

Our first nephew -- Isaac Thomas

with half the crew on my surprise outing

washing Daddy's feet on Maundy Thursday

driving the "big truck"

• Here are two slideshows from our trip:

• Verse to memorize this week: Psalm 34:9-10 ~ Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

Reasons to Celebrate

• We had a pleasant past week :) We spent seven hours (with the kids) one day cleaning out our storage unit -- skipped naps, took a picnic, took Legos... that the kids did not even play with until 20 minutes before we left ;) They wanted to play with everything else and be in the midst of the action, of course. Family movie night, church, small group that turned into fun with friends, and a surprise girls' night out in honor of my 30th next week. Four girl friends took me to the movie theater and then celebrated here with coffee cake and games. I felt humbled and loved :)
• Yet, the best news... our first nephew was born on Monday morning -- Isaac Thomas! And he is already such a cutie :)
• We are busy packing today to go to my parents' home for a week to celebrate Resurrection Day, meet baby nephew Isaac, and celebrate my 30th ;) So, this blog will be silent for a little while.
• For Holy Week we made palms to take to church for Palm Sunday, did this awesome dying white flowers activity, are washing each other's feet tonight for Maundy Thursday, a few other things, and I made homemade Resurrection eggs for my little ones. [We also used Ann Voskamp's lent wreath and devotional.]

Fingerprint cross

Quiet time turned into nap time

At the storage unit

• School verse: Proverbs 12:10 ~ A good person is concerned for the welfare of his animal.
• I am memorizing Psalm 27. This week will be verse 11  ~ Teach me how to live, O Lord. Lead me along the right path, for my enemies are waiting for me.