Resolutions for 2019

The intro is from my post five years ago on resolutions (just because it still accurately expresses my thoughts!):

"Let me start by saying that just hearing the phrase New Year's resolutions rubs me wrong. I think that one reason is because weight loss is the first thing to come to mind because it is so common. Also, no one actually keeps them or remembers them after a few months. So they seem pointless and not very profitable.

But... it is hard for me to let such an opportunity to pass me by. I relish times of purpose to be still and reflect. [I sound like a Mary -- haha, but I really am a Martha-doer struggling to find (designate) time to be still and reflect.

If God does not forbid it, and it strengthens your love-relationship with Christ, then I want to take advantage! Not that I cannot make "resolutions" other times of the year, but I have to be somewhat forced to sit back and reflect or it just does not happen because life is constantly demanding! Since this new year's time is already designated for making resolutions, then I'm going to let it "force" me :)

I find that I frequently need to evaluate my life in all areas to keep it going in the direction I want it to (towards glorifying God, of course). I hate regret and don't want to be on my death-bed, looking back on my life, and thinking, "If only I had done something with that part of my life back when I had the chance before it spiraled out of control."

The best way to change anything is to alter my spiritual life and let God have more access to my heart so He can bring true and lasting change to myself..."

I loved what I did last year — the idea and what I chose! (I certainly plan on doing that concept again in the future.) But, last year proved to be really chaotic for me. And, it’s hard to keep resolutions (make changes) amidst a bunch of inconsistencies and changes! Some months I did well and other months I forgot to even read the resolution I had made for that month ;) Enough excuse-making...

Now, I have learned over the years that when I make a resolution, it has to be completely based on reality, meaning I cannot expect Ricky to help me keep my resolution. I have to be able to do it entirely by myself that doesn’t take time... Something that considers our family and circumstances.

I am making one resolution for the year and praying that there are repercussions that extend and influence other areas.

• To always consider Ricky first. Before what I think we need to do or should consider doing. Let Ricky do what he chooses to do in peace and without judgment from me. I’ve spent the last 11 years pushing us. For naught. I might think that I’m just trying to be respectful of others, which is a good thing, but even so, I am going to put Ricky first. That’s my job and my calling. Unless Ricky is well nourished physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, then our family is literally not going anywhere or doing anything.

Be kind and build each other up.   1 Thessalonians 5:11

A wise woman builds her house...   Proverbs 14:1

For if you live according to the flesh, you will die. But if by the power of the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, then you will live.   Romans 8:13

Merry CHRISTmas!

2018

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him...
Romans 15:13

Rejoicing in the God of hope! 

Ricky, Aidan, Aolani (almost 9), Micaiah (7), Raphael (1)

What an adventurous year to reflect upon! From beginning our vocation as missionaries with Wycliffe Bible Translators, to training in Orlando, to finishing up the court reporting career, to embarking on this epic, cross-country road trip. All the while, our family has had the joy of watching the first year of life for baby Raphael - so fun! God is good.

On the Road...

I know.

I have neglected the blog, but I have not forgotten it!

I have not had the time to read or write like I thought I would on this cross-country road trip. I don’t think I will be able to post our family mosaics and will just have to let Ricky’s post, pictures and videos documenting our trip on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube) suffice.

I do hope to have some time on our longer drives coming up to occasionally write a pondering ;)

Getting Going

• First weekend  of August: After the kids returned from the grandparents house, Ricky’s dad and brother came for a visit. They took the big kids out one day while Ricky and I worked and watched the baby. We all went out to lunch after Raphael’s baby dedication at church :)
• Second week of August: A friend visited for a day; we left for Wilmington for a week (Ricky took vacation); we had a meeting about Wycliffe with our old church small group and a few other close friends; we stayed with some neighbors from our old neighborhood our first two nights and visited other neighbors while we were nearby; visited more friends; I spontaneously got to go to a movie theater with a friend while Ricky watched the kids; and, we got to share with the missions committee we used to be on at our church in Wilmington — so surreal and neat!
• Third week of August: The only thing out of our normal activity was having friends over for dinner one evening ;)
• Fourth week of August: We held a home meeting at a friends' house (for 10 :) and then had a sleepover; we babysat the four boys while our friends took the girls to the farmers’ market to help them sell their coffeeWe ; went to a back-to-school party and our church’ baptism/pool party; a friend came to visit for a day; we tried to celebrate Micaiah’s spiritual birthday but he started to feel sick :( ; and, we hosted our small group one last time before our big trip!
• Raphael began crawling in Wilmington! The big kids and I had to babyproof the house when we returned. And soon after, he began to stretch out his arms to us to be picked up ;)

I 

• School verses: Micaiah -- Psalm 1:1-2  ; Aolani -- Galatians 5:22, Psalm 128:1

Peeled Bananas

 Why is your newsletter called Peeled Bananas?

A woman from Asia once said that reading the Bible in her national language was like eating a banana with the peel still on it. But having the Bible in her heart language, the language in which she dreams and thinks, was as satisfying and delicious as eating a peeled banana.

Playing Catch-Up

• First week of July: We go to a birthday pool party for the kids' friend; we took a day trip to Boone; Ricky met with friends; and, Micaiah got a haircut.
• Second week of July: I have friends come over every day to help me either plan school for the next year, clean, cook or teach school; a friend comes stay overnight; we have Candle in the Window (like a Christian airbnb, kind of) visitors from Missouri come for dinner and to stay one night (and I received a massage from a guest!); we had the honor of sharing with our sending church about Wycliffe Bible Translators; and, then we went to our church's groundbreaking picnic.
• Third week of July:  I have friends come school the kids for me so I can work in our home office; I participated in some MailChimp webinars; a friend from college came for an overnight visit; we went to another birthday party for a friend of the kids; and, we had a summer small group picnic gathering.
• Fourth week of July: More help abounded this week; Aolani had to go to ER one day because she had chest pain and shortness of breath (turned out to be intestinal gas; blueberries don’t agree with her!); I got to go to a luncheon for mothers and talk about birth while Ricky took the kids to the doctor for Aolani’s follow up; and, we met my parents to pass on the big kids so they can enjoy their week with my parents :)
• Fifth week of July/early August: All I know is that the kids had too much fun (cousins, pool, aquarium, beach, water park, mini golf, gymnastics center and time at the farm!) Meanwhile, we got to go on double date with good friends to a new ice cream and bakery shop; friends would come over for a little each day to free me up to office work; another close friend came to surprise me and take me on a date downtown; and, we took Raphael to a friends’ house while we had the privilege of meeting with the elders of local church that we are connected to (fun)!
• During the month of July, Raphael got his first two teeth (bottom front); his hair started to grow and turn honey-colored; and he began to rock on all fours preparing to crawl :)

• School verses: Micaiah -- 1 John 4:7, Matthew 4:4, 1 Corinthians 2:9, Psalm 63:1  ; Aolani -- Psalm 55:22, Galatians 5:16, Philippians 4:12-3

My Favorite Corrie Ten Boom Quotes

"You can never learn that Christ is all you need, until Christ is all you have.”

“Hold everything in your hands lightly, otherwise it hurts when God pries your fingers open.”

“What wings are to a bird and sails to a ship, so is prayer to the soul.”

“If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. But if you look at Christ, you’ll be at rest.”

“It is not my ability, but my response to God’s ability that counts.”

"This is what the past is for! Every experience God gives us, every person he puts in our lives is the perfect preparation for the future that only he can see."

“The measure of a life, after all, is not its duration, but its donation.”

“There is no pit so deep, that God’s love is not deeper still.”

"Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, and receives the impossible."

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”

“There is no panic in Heaven! God has no problems, only plans.”

“When I try, I fail. When I trust, he succeeds.”

“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength.”

“The first step on the way to victory is to recognize the enemy.”

Rays of Sunshine

• First week of June: More friends come help address letters for me; a friend comes to help homeschool the big kids; and, we pack up to head south for the rest of the month.
• Second week of June: We stop by my parents’ farm for a night before we all meet my brother's family in Hilton Head for family vacation — which was relaxing and allowed us to get caught up on our Wycliffe work so we’d be ready for training. 
• Third week of June: The onsite portion of our Wycliffe training, called Equip, began and lasted two weeks. We learned too much and came back feeling inspired and overwhelmed! It felt like living on a college campus. There was a wonderful program for the kids, and they made many close friends :) After just two days Aolani said, “I think this is my new home.”
• Fourth week of June: They gave us a free weekend to enjoy Orlando. We took the kids to the Magic Kingdom for a day, arriving at noon and leaving the park at 2am! We had kept this adventure a secret and didn’t tell them until right before we left to go ;) We stopped at DaySpring to recover for a couple nights before returning home.
• When we were packing tea bags for me for the trip, Aolani exclaimed, “All this tea? Mom, you’re going to be drunk!”
• When Ricky got home from work one day, Micaiah asked, “Was justice done today, Daddy? Did she go to jail?”
• This month Raphael began to eat solid food tooth (blended smooth), sit up alone (surrounded by pillows though), and bathe sitting up in the tub. He wakes twice a night, normally. Everyone fell in love with him in Florida! 

• We didn't school this month, so no school verses ;)

Wholehearted Willingness

After God had spoken "Now” and released us to GO into full-time, international missions work, we prayed for almost two months before moving forward.

It was during this time that I felt Him asking me a question. And I knew that I had to do a little soul-searching first and not simply or impulsively answer.

“You are willing to die for a people group, but are you willing to suffer for them?”

And I knew that He meant voluntary suffering. Being willing to give up what little bit of health I had left. Lay it on the altar as a willing sacrifice.

It seemed different to suffer for not renouncing your faith in Christ versus suffering for a people when someone else could go.

That’s like voluntarily having the severe restless legs I had during pregnancy (intense pain and sleeplessness). Who would volunteer for that?!

I don’t like suffering. Death? Please! Torture gives me the chills.

But suffering is coming for everyone no matter what — voluntary or involuntary.

Really, it was a matter of obedience. Would I be willing to go wherever He sent me even if that meant embracing more suffering?

Of course, I would quickly shout, “Yes!” But He was telling me to wait and ponder, so that my “yes” would be deep in understanding and full in knowledge. A wholehearted acceptance.

There was no Aha! moment. Just prayers. Because suffering for the Bibleless is suffering for Christ.

I was praying a lot that God would help me to have His heart for people and love others more than myself. And I would pray that I would learn to trust His Spirit in me to endure with faith, love, and joy.

I’m still praying. But I am much more confident in my yes.

*I know Wycliffe Bible Translators would not send its members into wanton endangerment or ignore health concerns. I think that God just wanted me to wrestle with this and trust Him even more than I already do.

News, Changes, New Changes

Hi friends!

We are honored to share some exciting news— we have recently joined Wycliffe Bible Translators! I’ll share a little of the story now.

While we always knew that we were called to worldwide missions (since before marriage), we had never felt clear direction from God regarding specifics. Even though our heart never wavered, we were unsure of what our specific role would be. We have had two careers, two moves, and three kids while we waited.

Beginning in the summer of 2015, we began to feel anticipation, like some big change was coming (we thought it was my healing, which may come anytime!) Then in October 2016, God released us to pursue Wycliffe Bible Translators! What a surprise!

After much prayer and a long application process, we became official in April. We are now in the process of being launched to our first assignment, Public Relations for International Media Services, based at the JAARS Center in Waxhaw, North Carolina. Our assignments (and location) may change over time as the Lord leads. Please visit here for more information about joining our team.

We can share more of the story when we are traveling. We are honored to call you friends and greatly appreciate your communication, care, prayers, encouragement, and all support for our family!

Goal –
We must have 100% of our partnership team before we can be released to our assignment. The target date for our move to Waxhaw, North Carolina, is May 1, 2019.

Travel – 
Ricky will likely finish his current job this fall. We will leave soon after to travel cross-country to visit old and new friends. Please be in touch!

Note – 
We want to make it clear that if you are unable to provide financial support at this time, please do not avoid us! We treasure a relationship with you, no matter what!

Prayer Requests – 

• Develop partnership team
• Old and new relationships 
• Homeschooling during this time 
• For Ricky to strongly finish court reporting 

What we want to do for you – 

• Pray and intercede 
• Encourage and bless 
• Share passion
• Spread the vision

Gratefully,
Ricky, Aidan, Aolani, Micaiah, & Raphael  DiMartino

Rolling into a Blur

• First week of May: We enjoyed a day visit from a friend; had old neighbors over for dinner; and, helped host a health and wellness event for the Marshallese in our community (we even had an interpreter). My friend taught, I organized, and Ricky had a Poppin’ Party with all the kids!
• Second week of May: We had more friends over for dinner; Ricky worked out of county most of the week; and, Ricky’s dad and brother came for a long weekend. We went to Sierra Nevada in Asheville one day and had a blast, but I think I got food poisoning that knocked me out for a day. Thankful that the big kids still got to go to church and small group :)
• Third week of May: Ricky’s brother took his dad to the airport to fly out and picked up his mom who flew in to visit for a week — Ricky’s brother got sick the next day and had to leave two days early; the big kids got haircuts; we got to go on a movie theater date; a friend stayed the night; and, we all went to Boone for an overnight mini-vacation and to celebrate 11 years of being yoked together ;)
• Fourth week of May: Ricky worked out of county three days this week; Aolani and the adults had dentist appointments and celebrated with milkshakes afterwards; went to a friend’s birthday party; and, went to small group.
• Fifth week of May: A dear friend took our big kids along with her kids to a local children’s museum for a day; we went to an old friend’s house in the mountains for dinner (reconnected with one of my teachers from high school!); went to a Marshallese birthday party for one year old twins that was still going on after midnight :) ; a friend visits overnight; and, Ricky invited some Marshallese teenage boys over to watch basketball.
• After much thought and discussion, we decided to give Aolani a dollar a day during the week for all of the ways she helps me around the house and with the baby while Daddy works :)
• I helped Micaiah change his first poopy diaper!
• Raphael grew really strong this month! He rolls and moves around everywhere. He’s teething and sucks/chews on his fingers. The hair on his head is finally growing. He is quick to smile, and he poops twice a day. He is getting louder and more talkative by the day. He especially loves his family and siblings. He nurses for about five minutes every hour and a half. And he still sleeps from around 1am until 1pm, waking twice to nurse. Generally, he naps three times a day. We started solid food toward the end of the month — avocado and butternut squash. He is beginning to really like playing peekaboo and started playing in a walker. Raphael is also really responsive to me — enjoys my presence and wants me. Overall, he is still a happy and easy baby whom everybody loves and adores!

• School verses: Micaiah -- Psalm 51:10, Romans 14:11, 2 Timothy 1: 7, Mark 16:15  ; Aolani -- 1 Timothy 4:12, 1 Peter 1:24-25, Ephesians 2:8, John 8:12, Romans 8:37

Called to Peace

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.

Colossians 3:15

This is a popular verse in our home. And it has been for me for years now. But recently the Spirit illuminated a new depth of meaning that I had been missing.

I used to always focus on the first half of the verse, thinking the second half to be more like a directive telling me how I needed to behave. "Act peacefully since His peace rules your heart.” Not that there’s not truth to that, but I don’t think that’s what Paul is saying here.

I think Paul is getting at God’s action and not ours.

He has called me to be in and dwell in peace. It's not a call to action but a reminder of this gift He has for us. He wants for me to have and know peace. Imagine the Father beckoning His child to come get dessert.

So come and get it! For He is calling you to peace.

Focusing on Friends

• First week of April: We had a friend visit one night; started taxes; had a sleepover with our friends; celebrated my birthday by going out to a cafe with a friend (and Raphael); and, went to small group. 
• Second week of April: Taxes continued and completed; and, we got to visit a friend and see his new house and share a meal and games. 
• Third week of April: We went on our second annual cabin adventure with two other families (great friends); there were seven little boys (6 and under) and only two girls! The kids had a blast! 
• Fourth week of April: Ricky had to work out of county all week; my mom came to visit us for five days; we hosted our last missions committee (and are now stepping down); went to small group; and, held a tea party for Aolani. She invited seven girlfriends. She dressed them up upon arrival, and then they painted Kwik Stix flowers, did puzzles, drank tea and ate homemade strawberry shortcake, and played Guesstures. Ricky and Micaiah went to join a friend and his sons begin building a fort. 

• School verses: Micaiah -- Matthew 5;14 & 16, Psalm 97:8-9, Joshua 24:15,  ; Aolani -- Psalm 34:10 & 18, John 15:13-14

Open Expectancy

When Raphael was a newborn and it was time to feed him, he would lay across the Boppy on my lap and just open his mouth, wanting and waiting for me to put the nipple into his mouth. Knowing I would do it.

I keep thinking that God wants us to trust Him like that. Going to Him with open hands, expecting Him to fill us and nourish us.

Let’s go to Him with that confidence in His goodness (Heb. 4:16, Ps. 81:10)!

People and Places Plenty!

• First week of March: My mom visited; a friend joined us for a game day and dinner; the big kids enjoyed a play date with friends; and, we got to go on a double-date with some of our friends to see Tortured for Christ :) Great film!
• Second week of March: We had to go to Asheville one day for an appointment and then treated the kids to a bakery for behaving so well; I got to get a massage!;  attended a JAARS Day with some friends (a free family event on a Wycliffe campus in NC) which had a bunch of fun activities; and, went to small group.
• Third week of March: We had friends over for dinner; a good friend babysat so Ricky and I could go on a date to see the superb Broadway musical, Amazing Grace; attended the annual fundraiser for our local pregnancy care center; and, had several friends over to join us for pizza and Wonder (I was really surprised at how much the kids loved it!)
• Fourth week of March: We enjoyed a sweet long weekend visit with a good friend from Wilmington, and we went to small group.
• Fifth week of March: I met with the two women who are teaching a wellness class I am organizing for May; enjoyed friends visiting briefly; and, we went to DaySpring for four days to enjoy a few days there and drive to Wilmington for a day and go to our nephew's third birthday party :) 
• When we went to Asheville looking for a specific address, we ended up near a post office and Micaiah shockingly said, “We drove all this way to go to the post office?!?!” ;) And when we were about to enter this facility, there was a “Quiet please" sign on the door. And in we come with two small kids and a baby. When one of the men working there saw us entering, his jaw dropped and he stared at us in utter disbelief and fear. His expression was priceless! (He had no need to fear as all three children behaved wonderfully.)
• When we were going to my parents’ farm, Micaiah asked how much further when we were close. I told him that we had 20 more minutes. He exclaimed, “Twenty is not far from five and five is not far from zero!”

• School verses: Micaiah -- Isaiah 9:6, Romans 12:19 & 21, Psalm 27:14, Matthew 18:3, Proverbs 3:5-6 ; Aolani -- Jeremiah 33:3, 1 Timothy 4:12, Romans 8:38-39

You, God's Joy

I wanted to get this down before I forget it!

Having a newborn really brought meaning to Zephaniah 3:17!

He will take great delight in you, 

Newborns don’t DO anything. They just are. I would get overwhelmed with delight looking at him, coddling him, and nursing him — simply just with him BEING. And I realized that must be how God feels about us, delighting in our being, not trying to earn His delight by doing and serving and working and proving.

He will quiet you with His love, 

When he would get fussy or sad, I would gently shush him and pat him, reassuring him of my presence and that he’s going to be okay. This is quieting with love!

He will rejoice over you with singing. 

Sometimes when I am simply looking at and loving him, I would get so overjoyed that I couldn’t contain my heart. I would just erupt with singing and song would burst forth!

All of this 

God does 

Over you 

Just because 

You’re His.

Links to Share

• Voice of the Martyrs has a Pray Today app!
• Ana Harris writes When You Don't Have Much to Offer
• Ann Voskamp:

Endearment

• First week of February: We have a friend visit for a day; attend a house dedication party; and, host a small Super Bowl party.
• Second week of February: We had friends join us for dinner, and I put together a “Sip and See” for a close friend to celebrate the birth of her sixth child :)
• Third week of February: Friends from our old church in Wilmington who are now missionaries (Timothy Two Project) stopped by for a quick visit; my parents visit for a long weekend to celebrate Aolani’s eighth birthday, and they let Ricky and I go to the chiropractor and to the movie theater for a late Valentine date ;)
• Fourth week of February: We had friends over for dinner; Ricky had to work out of county four days and I had friends stop by periodically to check on us, and Aolani cooked all of our meals :) ; Ricky’s dad and brother visited to celebrate Aolani; and, we went to our small group meeting.
• Raphael has the oddest sleeping schedule! He will not go bed before we do and needs to fall asleep with us and in our bed. But once he’s asleep, he sleeps for 12 hours straight! This means he sleeps from midnight to noon! He might take a good nap in the afternoon and little catnaps during the evening until bedtime:) He often pumps his right leg when he is excited, and we call him “thumper”. He really enjoys having his diaper changed, laughing with us, and singing with me ;)
• Micaiah lost his 2nd tooth, the real way this time (it was loose). I am often commenting to people about the four rolls on each of Raphael’s thighs. One day, I overheard Micaiah jovially telling someone about the baby’s four chubby thighs ;) Another time, Micaiah was passing out little pieces of his bread and telling us that it was for sermon (communion)! After explaining to him how most wars are tragic and devastating, Micaiah added, “But some wars end happy because of Aslan. And god is all-powerful!"
• Aolani is such an awesome help with Raphael, from changing diapers to playing with him! She even goes around the house wearing a “nursing cover “ pretending to nurse her baby (stuffed animal Sarah).
• The kids love their new chores for the year!

• School verses: Micaiah -- 1 Thessalonians 5:19, Exodus 20:8-10, Matthew 6:33, Proverbs 3:5-6 ; Aolani -- Psalms 40:1-2, Philippians 4:6-7

Mouths, Eyes, & Hearts Wide Open

• First week of January: We started schooling again after a 12-week break; a friend visits overnight; and, we got to go a really neat (free) Compassion event with another family!
• Second week of  January: My mom visited and did life with us — had one of my high school teachers that I was close to over for lunch, had some friends over for dinner and games, and visited our dear Romanian friends. 
• Third week of  January: A normal week! Ricky did get to share about the Persecuted Church at our church this week; he usually does every four months :) 
• Fourth week of  January: We had a busy week of hospitality! We had friends over for dinner twice, had a visitor for lunch, and hosted our church’s mission committee meeting. And, I turned 18 years old, spiritually ;)

• School verses: Micaiah -- John 3:7, Matthew 6:24, Psalm 89:8, Ephesians 6:11 ; Aolani -- Psalms 46:1-2 & 62:1-2

Health Update

Symptometry —

Since I wrote a year ago:

[Recap: I had started taking molecules to improve circulation the last days of 2016, and they helped!]

However, we felt like we should get pregnant, and I could no longer take those molecules as they were not safe for pregnancy. I had to focus strictly on taking particulates and molecules for the baby. 

Then over the summer, I felt God urging me to stop taking the particulates and molecules from my Symptometry treatment. So I did.

We still try to eat scientifically as we feel better when we do.

I am regressing more quickly now than I did when I took the Symptometry treatment. I guess the treatment was slowing down my deterioration more than we realized. But I’m not going to start back and disobey God unless He directs me to begin again.

We do not know all of His reasons and purposes for directing me to stop after leading us to be on it for almost four years. However, we both feel as if my healing is coming swiftly, and last summer I began to feel His jealousy to receive ALL of the glory for my healing...


Restless Legs (RLS) — 

Right after birth I was able to decrease the amount of my prescription drug by a third!

Not wanting to take any medication, I started taking the L-Dopa supplement (naturally occurring in the velvet bean). I think it helps because I am now able to not routinely use the drug!

However, my legs get restless (and sometimes my arms) if I nurse in bed at night (clearly it’s hormone-related for me). So, we try to arrange my sleep with the baby’s 8-hour chunk to avoid breastfeeding in bed and interrupting my sleep.

Also, I am taking a warm soak every night before bed (it warms and relaxes my legs and gives me a quiet time to pray, recite Scripture, and talk to Ricky).

This whole routine is fairly new, so we are still working it all out. But now, my RLS is better than it was before I got pregnant, thanks to God for providing the L-Dopa :)

A Month of Partying!

• Our daily activities this month are here. Other happenings: 
• First week of  December: Ricky got to go to the Marshallese Gospel Day Celebration (they celebrate the day Americans brought the Gospel to the Marshall Islands :) and was shown great honor; I had a successful postpartum appointment; a friend came to visit one day; we had some friends over for dinner; and we celebrated our first snow of the season with some friends (we ended up trapped there and had to have a family sleepover!) So fun!
• Second week of  December: We had friends over for dinner; Ricky’s mom arrived for a 10-day visit (and got to meet Raphael :); got to go to a friend’s Hawaiian Christmas party (with baby); and, went to a dinner party with our small group. [We delivered our gingerbread cookies to a halfway house this year.] My MIL took Aolani to a hair salon to get her first real haircut, and she took both kids to the movie theater and on a carriage ride. 
• Third week of  December: Ricky’s dad and brother came down to join us for movie night and our fancy dinner. Then Ricky’s mom flew out. We ventured to church for the first time since Raphael was born on Christmas Eve. We showed the kids the first old Star Wars movie (and they really liked it). 
• Fourth week of  December: All of our Christmas Day activities are here (and we had three little Marshallese girls over as our party guests). It was really nice getting to host Ricky’s family for Christmas; they left the next day. We had a friend over to celebrate his birthday with dinner and a game. The next big event was on New Year’s Eve — Aolani had a sleepover with girlfriends at their house (and had a blast!), and we hosted the boys’ sleepover (lots of snacks, Lego marble run, Lego robot competition, Lego Ninjago movie).
• On a side note, we have gotten a lot of use out of our queen air mattress -- a great purchase!
• Raphael outgrew his newborn clothes and now weighs over 13 lbs. He sleeps through the night, meaning he sleeps one 6-9 hour chunk and 3-hour intervals after that. He sleeps in a bear suit at night. He is in his crib for the big chunk and then joins us in bed. I nurse him to sleep, and if he isn’t asleep after that then Ricky holds him until he gives up (usually a few minutes). He loves to be warm and swaddled. Raphael is very social and happy! Our smiliest baby! It's great having so many people to love on him and give him attention :) Pretty easy and laidback; he fusses a little when he is hungry, tired, or has a dirty diaper (cries only if his needs persist). And he loves to coo and talk :) Right now, he is not on a nursing or napping routine, but he sleeps a lot and nurses well! We are not in any rush with this as we know it’ll come; we are treasuring this time! He naps when he’s tired and will go in the crib. We let him suck his thumb during the day in his crib but not other times. He eats every few hours generally. I only feed him on one side each feeding to keep my milk supply regulated. Also, Raphael likes riding in the car and having his diaper changed. We are not sure about how he feels about bathtime because sometimes he likes it and sometimes not so much. He loves his whole family! He gained neck control, seems really strong and sturdy, and has a dimple on his right knee :) I believe all of his bodily functions are normal and regular, thankfully. He resembles Aolani in the face and Micaiah in the body. 

• I’m going to take a break from memorizing new verses this year since I feel like I really need to solidify the verses I have already done. It’s definitely not for lack of verses that I want to learn, but I want to pause this year and be able to quote every verse without help before moving on and adding more. Not positive how I’m going to focus on that, but that’s my goal. I have a plan but it needs tweaking. 

Resolutions for 2018

I got the idea of one resolution a month from Ann Voskamp. Not that I cannot do the other ones when it’s not the assigned month, but I like having just one thing that I need to focus on and accomplish each day. It’s not overwhelming that way and seems very feasible! I have too many resolutions otherwise. Plus, it’s said that it only takes 21 days of repetition for something to become a habit. I am not good at having abstract goals, so I put my planned action step for how I hope to do each one after stating my desire.

January --

Embrace my husband emotionally by offering him a sweet smile when he comes home and thank him for coming home.

February --

Engage my kids' ugliness by expecting the badness (disobedience, ungratefulness, whining, entitlement...) and complimenting them when they act or speak nicely instead of shaking my head and acting repulsed (my natural response).

March --

Be who I want to be by responding the way I will have wanted to when I look back on this moment in retrospect. 

April --

Believe for the unseen by praying while I nurse at night.

May --

Speak gratitude by verbalizing my thanks instead of pointing out when something doesn’t go my way (a rational, adult way of complaining). 

June --

Daily worship by listening to  one song a day and focusing only on the Worthy One in praise.

July --

Do literature delving by reading for just five minutes a day, alternating fiction and nonfiction,

August --

Let go of frustration by repeating myself kindly and asking again instead of exasperatedly saying how many times I have already asked or sarcastically thanking for not doing what I asked.

September--

Learn the Scripture I already memorized by rehearsing two verses every waking hour. 

October--

Live trusting God by restraining my anger when my felt needs are not being met.

November--

Give presence to my kids at night by helping my husband put the older kids to bed, when possible.

December--

Grow in grace by reading just one Bible chapter a day.