Completion

• The last 2-3 weeks are so crazy; I am honestly feeling frazzled and my brain feels fried. We posted a job ad on Craigslist and have gotten many responses. We are currently still interviewing. Stood up (no shows) six out of the 10 interviews so far. Yep. So, lining up friends to help for each day, babysitters in the evenings, and interviewees. Late bedtimes. No office time. Meal planning for 12 weeks. Daily work... And, things keep breaking around here -- which means more work and phone calls.
• Two weekends ago we took food over to some friends who just had a baby boy, Beto, and visited. Then, drove to visit my aunt and uncle for a day -- go to church with them, lunch, pool, play, dinner, dance... :)
• This past weekend involved babysitting our neighbors' kids for an evening. The next day was a doozy. We dropped the kids off with some family friends from church for the whole day, over 12 hours! Then, Ricky and I moved the rest of our stuff in our storage unit here to share one with a friend in another town. This took no carseats and two trips for us with a packed van -- a long, hard, hot day! Thankful for 5 p.m. coffee boosts. But, it is finished! We are out and saving money ;) Then, we all crashed on the Sabbath -- naps for us all and pizza/movie night.
• Aolani's antics: lost her first tooth (a year earlier than I expected); finished pre-K and had a little graduation party with us to celebrate (we are currently taking a two-week break while I prepare the Kindergarten curriculum to begin next week); overheard her telling Micaiah, "Now, I'm a human and your a dog"; wet her bed for the first time since becoming potty-trained years ago (!!); says that God spoke to her on the slide two weeks ago about forgiving her and telling the whole wide world that He is the only Father; and, then asked us a few days later (7/20) to pray with her to receive Jesus and give her life to Him!!!
• During this two-week break, I gave them oodles of surprises that I kept for stored away for this time from the parents (us) and both grandparents. It's been nice :) Next week, I'll begin Preschool with Micaiah and Kindergarten with Aolani... I am a little nervous about time (and, of course, my competency and ability as a teacher... I guess that applies to motherhood too) and training new help, but I am so thankful for Sonlight, our curriculum.

Showing her pre-K completion certificate

• Last week's school verse: Mark 16:15 ~ Go into all the world and preach the good news to everyone.
• This week's school verse: Deuteronomy 6:4 ~ Hear, O Israel: the LORD our God, the LORD is one.
• Verse to memorize last and this week: Psalm 40:17 ~ But as for me, I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; you are my God, do not delay.

Christ's Defiance

"My hope is not in my ability to remember, but in Christ’s power to save. 

In his letters, Newton pours image after image to make his point. Christ enlightens the most ignorant, He softens the hardest heart, He rescues the most lost, He delivers the most tempted, He comforts the most distressed, and he pardons the most guilty. 

In defiance of all my sins, and my fears, and my forgetfulness, Christ saves to the uttermost."

~ Tony Reinke

A Kaleidoscope Week

• It has been quite a week, and we are in need of rest! We: had several semi-spontaneous guests stay a couple nights with us (a 4-yo boy included, which thrilled my kids), broke out our kiddie pool, visited a local Spanish-speaking Guatemalan church on Sunday, had family movie/pizza night, lost our new helper (Addison) due to health problems and are looking to hire someone else starting ASAP (just making do this week by leaning on friends), are in our last week of pre-K (and final reading lesson!) for Aolani and then we'll take a 2-week break... I received a new wheelchair cushion -- parental gift :) -- and am so,so appreciative! My dad had his third back surgery a few days ago, and it seems to have been successful :) Ricky's parents have separated as of last week (after 34 years of marriage), so Ricky is coping with that pain and loss right now. Ricky had a transcript deadline last Friday that he missed even after pulling an all-nighter, so he worked most of the weekend and got very little sleep. 
• We had a neighbor get shot in the head and live! Long story short: we have been praying for him ever since we moved here four years ago and he gave his life to the Lord a few weeks ago! Ricky and he started studying the Bible last week, but he just went to the hospital for bleeding on the brain. Please pray for M.

with my friend, Teresa

All the neighbor kids joined in to celebrate Teresa's birthday

Yay -- no broken leg this year!

• School verse: John 3:16 ~ For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.
• Verse to memorize this week: Psalm 40:16 ~ But may all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; may those who long for Your saving help always say, “The Lord is great!”

The Byproducts of Good Works and Righteousness

"Truly, if faith is there, a believer cannot hold back... He breaks out into good works." ~ Martin Luther

"We are never saved by our good works, but we are not saved apart from good works. Out of our saving faith in Jesus Christ, there springs immediately goodness and righteousness. Spring is not brought by flowers, but you cannot have spring without flowers. It isn't my righteousness that saves, but the salvation I have received brings righteousness." ~ A.W. Tozer

Dancing Wonder

• Last week, my hired help was on vacation. Several other friends and back -up were unfortunately unable to help as well. Yet, Ricky had a week off from court. So, I "hired" Ricky ;) We'll just leave it at -- we're alive. We had some friends come over this weekend for a little birthday party, a fireworks show in town, golf driving range, life... We took watermelon, Frisbee, and sparklers to the Independence Day fireworks show. It was so good and the kids had  a blast running around in the rain, jumping in puddles, eating, playing, and staying up late!
• Micaiah's antics: woke me up one morning by showing me his six-pack and counting perfectly from one to eleven; called the compartments/holes in the waffles waffle bones; asked me if one of our weekend guests was staying forever; and, kept yelling during the fireworks show "So awesome!"
• Aolani's antics: informed me, "When I grow up I want to be a kangaroo… No a superhero… No Tigris!" (from Kung Fu Panda); is really into coloring, drawing animals, and making cards; writes "I U" on everything; and, said that we needed to throw the sparklers in the sky to make fireworks ;)
• School verse: Psalm 119:105 ~ Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
• Verse to memorize this week: Psalm 40:14-5 ~ May all who want to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace. May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!” be appalled at their own shame.

4 Kids {video}

I've shared this video from a Catholic comedian, Jim Gaffigan, with many and seen it over and over again (and still laugh uncontrollably!!)... If you have kids, it is a must-see!


He actually has 5 kids now; this routine is from three years ago.

Enjoy ;)

Getting Around

• Two weeks ago: We hired part-time help to come four afternoons every week to help with lunches, dinners, other cooking, and some housework as well. A college-aged girl, Addison, is helping for the summer, but then we need to find more permanent help come August. Anyway, our new helper began this week (two weeks ago). Ricky's mom brought Aolani home and stayed a night. My mom brought Micaiah home and stayed several nights to help train the new help. Our friend from Wilmington came for a 4-day visit! :) [And, I did not manage to get a single picture! :( ] And, we had other visitors in and out all week; I counted a total of 10 different cars that came to our house this week one week alone! Hence, no computer time for me ;) Some other happenings: my friend and I got to go to court with Ricky one afternoon while my mom was here; we had many game nights; my dear friend, Erica, had a baby shower we got to attend; and, we did pizza/movie night, pineapple cake, homemade gift/banner, singing and dancing for Father's Day. 
• Last week: Somewhat normal... Addison is a sweet girl to work with and seems to tolerate me well. We did go to Knoxville one day spur-of-the-moment to meet Ricky's mom and grandma there for a short visit. And...
• Micaiah kept his undies dry at night for a whole month, so we let him join Aolani in the bunk bed! Right now, they are sleeping together but on opposite ends of the bottom bunk. And they love it! So over the weekend, we took his bed/crib apart, stored it, and rearranged that entire half of the room. It's mainly a dress-up area, but Micaiah enjoys it a lot too!
• Micaiah's mishap: "That's 'cre-bub-ble!" (incredible)
• Aolani's antic: Ricky announces one night, "Okay kids. It's time to get in bed." Aolani looks perplexed and asks, "Get in bed and do what??" LOL -- Really?!

Erica's baby shower (both in long, horizontal-striped dresses -- unplanned)

Happy Daddy Day

The dress-up area of the bedroom (although those are her real clothes on the left wall)

• My mom recorded this "interview" of Micaiah -- it captures him well, and we love it! Enjoy my three-year-old boy ;)

• School verse: Philippians 3:1 ~ Whatever happens, dear friends, be glad in the Lord.
• Verse to memorize this week: Psalm 40:11-3 ~ Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord; may your love and faithfulness always protect me. For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me. Be pleased to save me, Lord; come quickly, Lord, to help me.