A Wolfepack Reunion, Part 1

This past Thursday, we just said goodbye to Suzanna and Ruby, my sister-in-law

and niece.  Mike's brother and his family came out on August 1st to spend some time with us exploring beautiful Hawaii!  We had lots of fun adventures while they were here.  Mike even took the week off of work while his brother was here to enjoy time together as a family.  After the first week, Jeff had to fly back to Indiana and Mike had to go back to work.  The girls' adventures, however, continued. Here are some photos to enjoy of our first week together.  I hope Ruby remember's this trip.  Maybe these pictures will help!  More to come...

Week 1 - Adventures with the whole family!

The first morning, in matching outfits.

Hike to Lulumahu Falls in Nu'uanu

At the Pali Lookout

We both found out on the same day what we were having.  It was so special!

Ruby gets a little brother; Lily gets a little sister!

The house we rented on North Shore.

Playing in the waves near Rocky Point.

Mike "showing" Jeff how to skim board.

The waving to their daddies.

Jumping from Waimea.

Jeff's jump!

A dip in the ocean with daddy.

Our North Shore hike to the Ehukai Pillboxes.

Part 2.

Lily's excited face :)

New hats!  Thanks Uncle Jeff and Auntie Suzu.

Ruby rockin' the hat!

Good times.

Dads surfing at White Plains while we play at the beach!

Silly Lily!

Lily's turn to stand.

Some wave action.

Ruby's turn to stand!

Happy, happy, happy!

Pool basketball BBQ.

Corn Hole.

Family shot in Makaha.  After Ruby hiked the mountain :)

Family shot in Makaha.

Lily kissing baby Emma!

Lily kissing Ruby :)

Pretty Plumerias!

Mom and daughter time.

Bathroom Update

Howdy folks!  It's been a while since I blogged about a project.  That's because they have been few and far between.  When I do start one, I forget to take pictures.

April 2015
Well, our downstairs bathroom is almost complete.  There are three major things that we still want to do, and we've just about finished the first.

1) Build custom shelving to fit in the corner.

2) Custom order glass for the shower.

3) Put wainscoting bead board up on the wall.

The second is pricey, and since we already have two fully functional bathrooms upstairs it's been on the back burner.  The third is purely aesthetic, but it will be a nice touch once everything is complete.

The first is what my husband has been working so hard on this past few weeks.  He is so talented, and I am proud of what he's accomplished.  He bought a biscuit joiner and absolutely loves what it has allowed him to create.  His next project will be a large table for the back lanai!

Here are some pics to take us down memory lane and how far the bathroom has come:

The vanity before.

The bathroom before.

The jet tub that wasn't to code.  Notice the engraved
family portrait on the wall to the right!

Demo day.

Making my hubby proud :)

Gutted.

We had to take it a step further to redo the plumbing.

Reframing and a window.

Mikey building the slab for the shower.

Work in progress.

A shot of the bathroom before drywall.

Drywall and Durock is up.

Paint applied.

Almost done.

Shelving being fitted.

Shelving painted.

Shelves in.

Doors on and shower curtain up!

August 2015

After getting an estimate for the custom glass, we realized the shower wall wasn't enforced properly.  This meant we were going to have to bust out some tile and restructure some things.  We decided it wasn't worth all the fuss, so we put up a shower rod and curtain instead.  The wainscoting will have to wait too.  With another baby on the way, this is probably as nice as the downstairs bathroom will ever look :)

Sitting in Silence

I recently read a blog about how serving our children, is like serving God himself.  

Matthew 25:40 says, “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Many days I need reminding that I'm right where I need to be.  Bringing Glory to our Savior through things that may seem trivial.  But if my heart is in tune to God's praise, nothing is off limits.

The cooking
the cleaning
the shopping
the play time
the messy feedings
the diaper changes
Yes, even the meltdowns

I'm doing it all for God's glory.  I find great joy in knowing that.  

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."  
1 Corinthians 10:31

As Christians, everything we set out to do can be done for God's glory.  As I sit here in silence this Wednesday morning, I pray that I will be reminded of that throughout the day.  That my actions, words and attitude will point to Christ.

Another Beautiful Day

A snapshot I want to always remember.

God is so good.  Too many times I don't believe that statement.  HE IS GOOD.  I base his goodness on how I'm feeling or the circumstances in my life.  I turn myself into the judge of God's love for his people.  Who am I to do such a thing?

So yes, God is good, but not because I had a good week.  Not because everything worked out for me.  Not because my life is easy or because I really enjoy my family and don't have to work.  God is good because that is truth.  A truth I'll be lucky to remember if I ever stumble off this mountain top.

Yesterday, I shared a devotional with the middle school Sunday school class.  It happened to be all boys that day... six of them.  And I realized that I'm not even practicing what I preach.  We talked about what it means to have a relationship with God.  What is a relationship anyway?  What does that look like?  Time, communication, care, love, physical touch, etc.  These were some of the answers they came up with.  It seems logical, right?  Sure, easy even.  So why is it such a struggle to give God what he deserves?  Why can't I give God my time?  Why is it so hard to focus on him?  What am I missing?  Does it all boil down to spiritual discipline?  I'll let you know when I figure that one out.

Until that day, I just have to rest in the fact that HE IS GOOD.  His will is perfect, and he allows me to stray... but he always brings me back.  For that, I am thankful.

God, keep me close to you.  I pray that with each step I take, I'd lean more on you and less on myself.  I'm praying Proverbs 3:5-6.  Help me to trust in you with all of my heart (not just part of it).  I don't want to lean on my own understanding (because I don't truly understand anything).  Help me to acknowledge you in all my ways (even when I don't think it matters to you).  Please direct my path.  Today, tomorrow, and everyday.

Free to Struggle

Hallelujah! We are free to struggle. We're not struggling to be free...

As I've watched my daughter learn to walk these past couple of weeks, I have been inspired by her progress.  We don't learn to walk in one fell swoop.  It's a process.  It's a struggle.  First, she stood with support, and then she started standing without support.  Next, she'd try a step, fall down and revert to crawling... then she'd try again.  She still falls often, but now she's taking multiple steps on her own.  She's learning to master art of walking, by taking baby steps (literally).

Watching her got me thinking about my spiritual walk.  Oftentimes, I revert back to crawling in the sense that I feel comfortable with it.  I don't want to struggle, so I do what I know.  I keep to myself, don't offer a helping hand, don't mention my faith in Christ to others, and don't acknowledge his presence in my life.  I do what's easy--crawling.  Now, I know that's not what saves me.  Obviously, Christ did that work.  Today, Good Friday, is the day we recognize that very fact.  But I feel like he desires more from us if we're able to give it.  Why crawl, when you're capable of walking?    

These lyrics from the band, Tenth Avenue North, encouraged me this morning. The beauty of trying is that we're not struggling for our freedom, but we're taking steps of faith because that's what God has called us to do.  We may fall.  We may trip.  We may even struggle in this life.  But thank the Lord we're not struggling to earn our salvation--God already covered that.  

You are free to struggle as you walk out your faith!  Take risks.  Step outside your comfort zone every now and then.  Share someone else's burden.  Just remember that you're free to struggle, you're just not struggling to be free.

"From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked."  -Luke 12:28

Happy Easter.  He has risen!

Say what?!

Blog, with a nine month old... you must be crazy!  Seriously, we've had so many adventures as a family lately, but I don't have the motivation to capture and publish them.  

Do you ever feel like you don’t have time to think, when the truth is there are a million things you’re thinking about all the time?  My mind never really stops thinking, but it’s usually about trivial things like… What am I making for dinner?  What ingredients do I need for that?  I need to go to the store.  Why are you crying at my feet?  When was your last nap?  When did you eat last?  How long do I have before she wakes up?  Ohhhhhhh, she’s awake!  I should clean the car.  I should go for a jog.  Maybe I’ll unload the dishwasher or throw in a load of laundry.  No, my feet hurt.  I’ll sit and fold laundry.  Lily, don’t cry at my feet please.  Crap, the living room is a mess.  Why are there crumbs everywhere?  Lily, please don’t cry at my feet!  What was I making for dinner again?    

This is my train of thought.  It’s a crazy train, but the Wolfepack is all aboard!  I’m sure there are many moms out there who can or could at some point relate; however, I’m beginning to realize that there are many types of kids and many types of moms.  I’m a part of a huge community of awesome moms, yet somehow I feel like I’m different.   It’s all I can do to focus on Lily sometimes, and it wears me out.  I don’t feel like typing, or blogging or focusing on anything.  I need motivation.  I look at moms who work, and wonder how they do it.  I know staying at home is an important job, but all too often thoughts of guilt and inadequacy creep in to bring me down.  I love what I do, but sometimes it seems like I’m not doing enough.  Again, I compare myself to others I see around me and wonder why I can’t keep up.  I only have one kid, geez.  Morning devotions, a rigid schedule, exercise and a healthy diet?!  They crazy.  Aint nobody got time for that!  Then I feel like something must be wrong with me if I can’t juggle it all. 

Nothing is wrong with me!  The truth is, some days I do feel like super woman… like I can take on the world!  Other days, when I hear her scream from her crib I just want to climb back under the covers and cry myself back to sleep.  And that’s OK.  We have good days and we have not so good days!  The bad days make me thankful for the good ones. 

The awesome thing is that I know I’m not in this alone.  So many parents out there can relate with me.  The other wonderful fact is that no matter how short I fall, I am saved by God’s grace through faith-everyday.  It’s a gift of God, not by my works, so that I can’t boast, brag or blog about it.  So even if I did do everything right and had perfect days everyday, it still wouldn’t be enough.  Praise Jesus!  I don’t want to boast in my sin, but it does abound.  Thank you Lord that you forgive our sins and draw us to yourself.  

Help me to see you in all of life’s circumstances.  Help me turn to you in the good times and the bad—the days I’m ready to take on the world and the days I want to hide under the covers and cry.  Thank you for being my rock; my calm in the storm; my refuge; my perfection.

Christmas Blog

    I love the ambiance that a Christmas tree brings to the entire month of December.  I know it's not about the tree or the decorations, but the ambiance does something to me that's invigorating!  The smell of spruce, or pine, or whatever it is, has such an effect on my mood.  Waking up in the dark mornings to a tree that's lit up puts me in a state of reflection and contentment.  Weird, I know.  Usually, the reflection time doesn't last long though, as I quietly sneak my cup of coffee and try to pray a few sentences of thanksgiving.  Within 15 minutes, without fail, Lily lets me know she's awake in her crib upstairs.  She has a mommy-radar, I just know it.  She can sense when I leave my bedroom!  I can’t get mad though because she gets that trait from me.  I never want to miss out on anything.  At least I still have a few moments to myself when she naps.  I'm grateful for that.

    This weekend I made cookies, and Lily helped.  When I say she "helped", I mean she didn't cry the entire time :)  She sat in her Bumbo on the counter playing with measuring cups and plastic bowls as I whipped up some tasty treats.  When she got bored with that, I put her in the living room, and she played quietly for a solid 20 minutes without a peep!  I was amazed.  That doesn’t happen often, but when it does I’m appreciative.    

    It has been fun decorating for Christmas this year!  It's the first year in a very long time that we're staying home for the holidays.  We are looking forward to it.  Not sure what our plans are yet, but I’m excited to start our own family traditions!  We put our tree up on Black Friday, and I've been doing little bits of decoration ever since.  I am enjoying having a home to decorate!  It is such a blessing.  

    To kick off the season, we had a little Christmas party last weekend with several of our closest friends.  A friend helped me make a snowman cut out as a game for the kids, and I used cardboard to make some props for a DIY photo booth.  Mike and I planned a treasure hunt for the kids too.  We also did a gift swap and enjoyed hot chocolate and some good laughs together.

    Just last night, to continue spreading the cheer, our family delivered the baked goods we made to each of our neighbors!  Lily was dressed in my infant Christmas PJs with her Santa hat.  She looked so darling, and she was so happy to be out and about past her bedtime visiting with all the neighbors!  

Me:  1984                                       Lily:  2014

    We were invited to a Christmas Eve “open house” across the street, and we’re looking forward to it.  We introduced ourselves to the couple that lives behind us who’s in closest ear shot of Lily’s cries, and then we sat by a koi pond in the backyard of a widow who lives kitty corner to us--sipping Pepsi and swapping stories.  We’re so thankful to have such sweet neighbors.

    Most of all this season, I’m thankful for our Savior.  It’s because of him that we are able to enjoy these blessings.  Christ took on flesh for our sakes.  He became something tangible so that we could understand perfection, and our lack of it.

    I am a terrible Christ follower.  I lack spiritual discipline.  I’m fickle and shallow.  I care too much what people think.  Thank GOD my actions (or lack of them), don’t affect Christ’s love for me!  I’m glad it’s his perfection that saves me.  And finally, I’m thankful that he continues to beckon me.  He beckons me to get out of the rut I so often find myself stuck in, and look to the cross.  I pray that we would not get so blinded by the ambiance of Christmas and the feel-good sentiments this year that we forget what a sacrifice it was to become flesh.   Even if you don’t have much time to reflect, just lift your heart before the Lord. 

“Even before a word is on my tongue, you know it completely O Lord.” Psalm 139:4

May your days be...