adoptingmama

T-ball!

2010-04-15T07:53:00.001-07:00

S is totally loving T-ball!

And what is a baseball player without his adoring fans?

And did I mention that is was freezing on the day of his game last week? OK, it was 3 degrees above freezing...but really does that even count?

Resurrection Sunday

2010-04-02T09:16:00.000-07:00

Almost two thousand years ago the Savior of the world was on his way to be crucified and it was tragic. But just a few days later he triumphed over death. Resurrection Sunday is coming and I can't wait to celebrate HIS life after death. It gives me hope that I too one day will be raised in a newness of life that I cannot comprehend during this lifetime.

I am praying that my light is shining for Jesus!

I am praying that everyone knows that I'm celebrating HIS resurrection!

Chicken Schnitzel

2010-01-28T19:59:00.000-08:00

Ingredients

3 large eggs
½ teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon Italian Seasonings
2 teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon pepper
2 1/2 cups breadcrumbs (8 slices of bread)
2 lbs.chicken strips
Canola oil

Directions

Beat eggs in a shallow bowl with garlic, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper.
In a separate shallow bowl, combine breadcrumbs (I pulse the bread slices in the food processor to get nice fresh crumbs).
Dip each cutlet into egg mixture to coat completely, then dredge in breadcrumb mixture, patting it on to help it stick.
For each 3 strips, heat ~2 tbsp oil in a large skillet over med heat.
Cook 3 strips at a time until golden brown and cooked through, about 3 minutes per side.
Transfer the cooked chicken strips to an oven-proof platter or pan, and keep warm in the oven while cooking the remaining strips.

Baked Macaroni and Cheese

2010-01-28T19:51:00.000-08:00

4 slices bacon
8 ounces penne pasta
1/2 onion, finely chopped
½ teas. Minced garlic
3 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups cream
4 Tbs. melted butter
1 Cup bread crumbs

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2. Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside.

3. In a large pot with boiling salted water cook pasta until al dente. Drain.

4. In a medium skillet saute the chopped onion, and minced garlic. Take off heat and add chopped cooked bacon and set aside.

5. To make the sauce, in a medium saucepan melt the butter or margarine over low heat. Once melted, add the flour and stir constantly for 2 minutes. Gradually add cream and continue stirring until thickened. Stir in Cheddar cheese and stir until melted.

6. Combine cooked pasta, sauteed vegetables and sauce. Pour into a 2 quart casserole dish. Add the melted butter to the bread crumbs and sprinkle on top.

7. Bake uncovered in preheated oven until cheese on top is melted and brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Serve warm.

Would you take tambourines?

2010-01-28T08:17:00.000-08:00

http://oneinjesus.info/2010/01/28/faith-lessons-by-ray-vander-laan-crossing-the-red-sea/#comment-21902

This article is thought provoking...I've never thought about this way. Maybe I'll be packing tambourines next time I go somewhere. What about you?

Interesting, very interesting....

2010-01-24T16:22:00.000-08:00

Matthew 18:15-17
If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses'. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

My husband had the opportunity to hear a new twist on this scripture. A twist that has brought some interesting thoughts up, as well as lots of discussion.

This scripture is frequently used to explain what do with with a fellow Christian that isn't following God's will any longer. My understanding of how to explain this scripture may be wrong, but I've heard the scenario often described this way. If someone sins against you, you talk to the sinning party one on one, you bring witnesses, you take it to the church and if all of this fails to bring this person back to following God's will then you cut them off never to talk or speak to them again unless they want to repent or study repentance and then you can talk about repentance with them.

But let's look at what this scripture actually says. It says that if he still refuses to listen then you are supposed to treat them like a pagan or a tax collector. Hmm....here is the interesting part.....ready?....How did Christ treat pagans and tax collectors? I'm pretty sure that Jesus ate with the tax collectors and the pagans. He talked to them. He spent time with them. He loved them.

What if we started treating people that weren't following God's way like this? Do you think it might make a difference?

Creamy Potato Soup

2009-12-09T16:27:00.000-08:00

In large pot saute

1/4 yellow onion chopped
1 stalk of celery chopped
1 clove of garlic minced
1 tablespoon fresh basil (or 1 cube of frozen basil)
1 cup carrots chopped
1 teaspoon of pepper

Saute til onions are transluscent

Add 1 1/2 cups chicken broth bring to a boil and cook til carrots are soft

Take off the heat and blend with mixer or hand blender

Add 8 russet potatoes peeled and cubed and 2-3 cups of chicken broth into the pot

Bring to a boil

In a medium sauce pan make a roux:
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup flour
1 cup cream
1 cup milk
1 Tablespoon of salt

Cook til thick and then add to the big pot of potatoes

Heart heavy but still at peace

2009-11-25T13:49:00.000-08:00

I've been a little bit heart heavyed these past few weeks. Hubby and I had been looking at adopting again. It has been a maze. First we thought it would be the right thing for God if we adopted a child with special needs. We could easily have taken a deaf child, or one with some correctable disabilities (club foot, cleft palate, etc). But did you know that most countries think that we are a big family and must of course not want more kids or be able to care for them financially? If we wanted to adopt a child that was over 5 years old then there are a couple of countries that would accept our application. And then of course there are a few countries in Africa that would be willing to look at our application if we wanted to accept a child that might have HIV or AIDS.

So as you can see my heart began to grow heavy with these thoughts.

We turned our attention towards the possibility of adopting an infant again. Our agency, ever so sweetly told us that we would more than likely not be picked by a birth- mother since she is usually seeking a home with no children or maybe one other child in the home so that her child can have the best chances in life.

Wow...so there are 148 million orphans in this world....

We are a family that would take one or maybe even two of them....

We are blocked though at this point unless we change what we are looking for.....

but

We do have a great family...

We have 5 wonderful kids....

We will wait...

We will wait with peace knowing that if and when God decides that we should adopt again HE will make it very clear what path we should take and how we should get there....

New 'do

2009-10-11T21:35:00.001-07:00

Well I hadn't really had a good haircut since we moved to Hawaii about 2 and half years ago. On Saturday though I finally went and got a new 'do. It is a haircut I've had before but this time seemed different. I was ready for a change and somehow cutting my hair was like really closing the door on my time in Hawaii. This short hair version of me feels like the Northwest, feel like home, and feels like me....

Before

After

What is my house?

2009-10-06T22:39:00.000-07:00

My goodness I have just read the most beautiful prayer. It comes from a book entitled "The Valley of Vision", a Puritan Prayer book. Here is the quote that really got me thinking:

Sanctify and prosper my domestic devotion, instruction, discipline, example, that my house may be a nursery for heaven, my church the garden of the Lord, enriched with trees of righteousness of thy planting, for thy glory;

What does my house say about me?

Are my children being raised in a home that will lead them to the cross of Jesus?

Will my children feel nurtured along thier path?

Will they know where the path is?

Will I be leading them along the way?

Walking with them through the pearly gates?

I pray so. (And yes there is a lot to say also about my church being a garden. That will have to wait for another day though.) Right now it is enough for me to concentrate on my home and making it Heaven's nursery.

And what about you? Do you want your home to be a nursery for Heaven? Helping send your loved ones toward HIM? Is there anything you need to do to help make that happen? Anything you need to change?

Joshua 24:15 But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, ... But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." (New International Version)

Still waiting

2009-09-21T09:22:00.000-07:00

It's just after 9 am on a Monday morning
And I'm still waiting
For L and S to get up….
Pretty quiet around here….
Already read my bible studies,
fixed up the budget,
And then our elderly neighbor came over…..
And woke up the dogs,
Who woke up the kids,
And….now the day has officially started.
Happy Monday!

My big girl, L

2009-09-17T15:17:00.000-07:00

First Day of School 2009

2009-09-08T13:08:00.000-07:00

Each of the kids gave me some crazy looks and some classy looks. I also got some pictures of each of them talking to me. Best quote? S said, "The worst thing about school would be getting in trouble." I asked him, "What happens whe you get in trouble?" He let me know, "You have to go to the principal's office!"

Our Family Holiday!

2009-09-07T22:04:00.000-07:00

My beautiful L! She is getting so big. She turned 10 recently!

M&B our beautiful oldest daughter and her fabulous husband.

My Girls!

S's foot in the sand

Hey who are those two cuties!

Great picture of B (notice the reflection in her glasses)

They are about to blown away....

All of us near the Lewis and Clark statue in Seaside, OR

Taking a final bow, at the end of our Talent Show

But of course the final word is from God. I think this picture says, "Follow me"

Missing

2009-09-02T23:08:00.000-07:00

Just read this interesting aritcle. I had never heard of Hygeia (online support for miscarriage).

Makes me think of our baby, Roman. Wierd how certain life events bring it up more than others. Watching my kids up there tonight I thought, "one of my kids is missing".

If there are others that need support I'm here to hear you, not just listen :)

I have...

2009-09-02T22:12:00.000-07:00

"I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." Psalm 119:11

All four of our youngest children learned this verse along with 15 other glorious verses at our Summer Memory Program. The theme this year was the "Fruit of the Spirit". So they, of course, also learned these verses:

"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, fathfulness, gentleness and self control, against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23.

All of the other verses they learned pertained to the different fruit of the Spirit. Tonight was their big presentation where they recited all of their verses and then were recognized for the verses that they memorized.

I am so pleased that they each learned all of their verses, but more importantly, I'm so happy that parts of God's word has been planted in their hearts.

Getting ready....

2009-08-28T10:41:00.000-07:00

It is nearly the end of summer and we are getting ready to start the school year. While I do believe that all of our learning should be part of our daily lives, we are going to embark on a little bit more of a focused study these next two years. We all decided that we wanted to know more about the people that have lived on this earth before us. So we are going to start way back at the beginning of time and work our way forward. We hope we can incorporate some drama, some works of art and lots of play to really get to know the people that God has created. So be prepared for our kids to be living, eating, dressing and playing like kids from long, long ago. I am so blessed to spend this time with my kids and I wouldn't want it any other way!

Great Vacation!

2009-08-17T08:11:00.000-07:00

We've had a great vacation.

We started back on July 18th with our niece Kayla coming to visit for a week. We had a really good time with her. We mostly just hung out although we did venture into Seattle so we could go to the EMP. They were having an exhibit about Jim Hensen. Wow he had an amazing mind.

We drove down to California and went straight to DH's family's house. We were able to see his parents, both of his sibs and all of their kids. There is still something so amazing about his connection with biological family. He didn't grow up with them but they are a great part of his life!

We left their house and went onto my parents', but quickly had to leave and go to see DH's adoptive mom. She is older and very ill. It was a hard visit, but we were still so happy to have seen her.

Back at my parents' house we spent time with them, my sister and her two kiddos even came over for a couple of days.

We headed from there with just L to a 3 day christian concert in Monterey July 29-31. We met up there with some awesome friends. What a great time we had praising our Jesus. Our daughter L had a blast!

Then came camp, Aug 3-8. We were both teaching at the camp went to as kids. While L was a camper the other kids were pre-campers. It was up near Yosemite and it was a beautiful week! What a great week to just focus on Christ and how he knows all of the pieces of our lives and how they fit together. HE has a great plan for me and I do enjoy seeing how it all fits together.

We met up with the L family after camp for a weekend in San Jose. We all had a nice weekend playing and relaxing. We were able to celebrate L's 10th birthday since it had passed while we were at camp. We worshipped with the Campbell Church of Christ in San Jose. A lovely congregation of enthusiastic worshippers.

We left for San Diego Monday, August 10th with the L family but without each of our husbands. They had to work and we wanted to go and play int he sunshine....so we did :)

We beached it a few times, went to the Wild Animal Park and visited Legoland too. This weekend we relaxed a fair bit. We went to worship with the North County C of C, saw DJ an old friend. We even were able to squeeze in a new movie, "Ponyo", which was great. Today we will be washing clothes and packing up, getting ready to leave bright and early for Seattle tomorrow. We are going to try and make it a little fun on the way up. We will stop and see at least one mission and also see the redwoods too....It has been a great vacation but whew....I can't wait to get home to my own bed! And I totally miss my DH too!

Fellowship, fellowship, fellowship

2009-07-10T09:12:00.000-07:00

DH and I sure enjoy gathering with our church family. We've had multiple opportunities lately too. :)

We had 59 people join us a few Friday's ago to eat dinner together and sing praise songs. Let me just say how awesome it was to have 59 people in this house, singing. The kids mostly sat in the middle of the room with all of the adults encircling them. The kids sang their little hearts out as well as the adults. What a memory for each of my children to tuck away into their hearts.

We also were able to host our friends from Hawaii. He is in the Air Force and had about a month of leave. Part of it he used to help at church camp on Oahu and then they headed here. They were here part of their time and also over in Montana. The time that they were able to spend here was so awesome. We enjoyed hosting them immensely! We played cards, ate good food, went to a water park together, played XBOX, and just enjoyed each other's company. We are sure going to miss them!

While they were here we celebrated Independence Day. We were pretty beat from going to the water park so we stuck close to home. At the last minute we ended up at a neighbor's house (friends that we also go to church with). Wow! Such a generous heart these friends have. We had such a good time playing games, eating great food (homemade marshmellows, anyone?) and of course lighting fireworks.

Yesterday I was able to fellowship again with a couple of moms and a whole bunch of kids! Each of the 4 mothers had extra kids. Nieces, Nephews and friends. They all loved being able to look at the animals together. They played hard and slept even harder last night.

What would I do without my church family? I am so happy to have them here on this side of eternity and know that eternity with them will be sweet too!

Cute Photos of the kids, playing out front

2009-06-23T10:17:00.000-07:00

Only Friends Would do this:

2009-06-23T10:15:00.000-07:00

Dress up like a dinosaur. Put your arms around each other. and smile like you've never smiled before! Friends!

Summer Fun!

2009-06-23T10:12:00.000-07:00

Sisters Forever

Jumping for joy!

Co-operation

2009-06-23T10:05:00.000-07:00

We've been getting together with some of our friends to do crafty schooly kinds of things every other week.

Here's S and his friend G. They are working on an art project. They are 5 years apart yet they sit side by side in our learning environment. I love that about homeschool.

Here is A and B with their buddies K and S. There is a lot of concentration going on, can you tell?

Busy, busy...

2009-06-09T09:47:00.000-07:00

I've been too busy to blog.

Our new home has been buzzing with people. In and out, fellowshipping, conversing, eating (of course). I love seeing all of our friends here at our home. I love catching up with each of them and loving on them. If you haven't been by yet, call me up and we'll put you on the calendar. We would love to see you here soon.

Cause we really love being busy, busy...it makes me smile :)

Aloha~
May you have a blessed day.

Did I say that we have some great friends???

2009-05-21T06:10:00.000-07:00

Here is a quote from my former blog about our move, NOTICE THE DATE:

January 05
Moving, moving
There are 2 moves to let you know about....
First and foremost our family is moving to Seattle in just a few weeks. Our dear friends offered to let us stay with them for several weeks while we wait for our house in Hawaii to close and then wait for our household goods to arrive in the NW. We love these friends! They are like family! Like family, except we actually picked each other. I'm focusing on this verse while we prepare to move.
Deuteronomy 31:8 (New International Version)
8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

Wow.
Let me say it again, WOW!
We have been with bibliomom and her family for more than 4 months. They have been welcoming, inviting, and have given us way more than average friends usually give! We have all grown weary of our temporary living situation, cause if it was permanent there are things we'd do differently. You know, we'd have a real bedroom and not look like we were always in the middle of moving. But other than that we've really enjoyed being here. Bibliomom's kids have been more than gracious. They've let my children be in the middle of all of their things. Playing with their toys, sitting in their favorite seats, and even taking over their beds sometimes. Bibliomom and I have had a great time cooking together, surfing the internet together and trying to keep the kids happy as clams. The guys, well, the guys work at major software companies...we've been lucky to have them around at all. They work so many stinkin' hours!

There are people on this planet that you choose to make a part of your family. Bibliomom is one of my favorite sisters. So this is my public way of telling the world that these people are top notch, awesome, loving, fabulous friends and if I had to do it all again, I'd call bibliomom and ask, "Hey do you still have that bed in the basement?"
Love ya sis!
and Mahalo!

The final tie is cut

2009-05-20T17:15:00.000-07:00

Our home in Hawaii has finally closed escrow. God's timing is always perfect and I'm sure there have been lessons that we have learned (or could have learned) while we were waiting...

I do know one thing for sure. I am more patient now than I was 10 years ago. I've let this process happen to me. Trying to enjoy the parts I could enjoy and thankful for every day that I'm alive. And while I am sad that this last tie is broken with Hawaii, I am so glad to be moving on to our new home in Washington.

Thankful...

2009-05-10T07:18:00.000-07:00

This Mother's Day thing is special. I so remember how hard this day used to be. Those memories are kept locked tightly away in my mind usually, but today I choose to take them out. Examine them, be with them, and be thankful. I am so thankful for my children, here and the one that is already with Jesus too. Thankful for each sweet face when they are happy. For each head that lays on my shoulder when they are sad. For each giggle of delight. Thank you dear Father in heaven for these children you have blessed me with.

Trip to California, part 2

2009-05-07T01:06:00.001-07:00

Visit to California, part 1

2009-05-07T00:53:00.000-07:00

Tulip Festival 2009

2009-05-06T10:51:00.000-07:00

Peace

2009-04-22T14:13:00.000-07:00

We have been living with friends a long time (since the last week of January), while waiting for our house to sell in Hawaii. Ten, or so, years ago, I would have been on the phone with the Realtor every other day trying to figure out what was happening. What I could do to speed up the process. What I could control.

Now, at this point of my life, I've been content to wait. To not talk about it every day. To be content where I am. To just be. To be at peace.

Thank you LORD for that peace.

We rode a little roller coaster this last weekend when the escrow officer thought we would close on the house this week, only to find out on Tuesday that it wouldn't be for another 2 weeks or so. I almost wanted to jump on the roller coaster permanently and start obsessing over every detail and getting stressed out. But I'm choosing to step off. The house in Hawaii will sell, eventually. And we will purchase this great house here in Washington, eventually. But until then, I'm going to relax ,hang out, enjoy the ride, and just be....at peace.

By the way - Have I mentioned how extremely thankful I am for the friends that let us just live with them??? They are awesome! And hey after living with each other for 3+ months we are all still friends, praise GOD!

God is working on my heart....

2009-04-07T09:32:00.000-07:00

I'm listening to God's voice trying to discern what direction I am supposed to be moving. Thank you for your prayers to God on my behalf. I'll let you know soon what I'm thinking.

We are trying to be pateint while we wait for our house in Hawaii to close (May 15th) and then for us to close on our house here in Washington (May 20th). We are still so thankful to our great friends that have let us stay in their home for oh so long.... We will actually miss each other when we are gone and if we could we may think about making it permanent.... We have actually liked it that much.

When is the right time?

2009-03-13T09:23:00.000-07:00

I've been a busy lady the past 12 years or so.

DH and I successfully raised a child from 13 to adulthood. It was so successful that she is our full fledged daughter, by the way, completely bonded to each other as parents and child. That was pretty special.

We went from a teen to adopting a newborn. At the time I really did think that was so much work, but you know what they say, "Hindsight is 20/20". She was a piece of cake. She's a bit more work now, but only because she can move now.

Then the twins came, after a false start of a couple of other adoptions. Talk about stress! They were foster/adopt which meant letting our hearts be open had some drawbacks, just in case it didn't work out. But it did and we got to be their forever family. One of the twins has some special needs though that I pegged as early as under a year old. Hmm, well we were certainly busy then too.

Then God called us to actually use the embryos we had made years earlier and we were happy that one of them finally worked and we had our son.

Whew, in between all of these additions, DH worked an insane amount of hours, we visited family that live 2 states away, homeschooled all of them, bought a house in the country, moved to the city, moved to an island and back again to the Northwest. And now I'm looking to the horizon.

Just beyond this current stress of actually selling the house in HI and actually buying and moving into the house in the NW what will I do?

I find myself drawn to ministry (go figure with a preacher for a dad). I am so trying to figure out a role for myself that won't step on my faith's toes about women being in subjection. I have passion people. I want people, that only have a vague idea of what Christianity is about, to meet me and to say, "Oh wow, her and the Supreme Being are close!" Right now my current circle of people consists of people that go to the same worship house on a weekly basis. And until now I've been satisfied ministering to the people that come to that building. I've taught bible classes, led singing for women, taught children, counseled, listened, loved. But when is the right time for me to move to the next phase? How do I really increase my circle? I'm struggling with this. Do you have any ideas? I'm not as busy as I have been in the past, but I do realize I'm still extremely busy...

Well if this is the time to do the next thing, what will it be and how do I accomplish it? anyone? anyone?

Prayers requested and coveted.

Praises to the Creator of the Universe!

2009-03-12T08:56:00.000-07:00

God is so incredilby awesome! Can I get an, "Amen!"?

The Lord God Almighty brought a new life into this world on Tuesday. She was born to an awesome Christ following family that has been hoping for her to join them for so many years. I've been so blessed to be there to hold her when she was still nakkie, from the womb, nakkie. Straight from the Creator! Wow, I love this family and am so happy that they have another child on this earth to raise and love. (Big sister was pretty excited too) I can't wait to see this new little one grow up in God.

Won't you join me in saying it?
"God is soooo incredibly awesome, AMEN!"

2009-03-05T09:30:00.000-08:00

Little Man, very proud of the church building he just built

Twin A and friend S so cute and cuddly in the morning

Little Man playing with the Marble Craziness

2009-03-05T08:58:00.000-08:00

I promise I didn't drop off the face of the planet....

I am trying to stay focused on not stressing out about our houses and the lack of movement on the one in Hawaii. Apparantly I think that if I don't tell ya'll anything about the rest of our lives than that part isn't happening either.

We are still enjoying being back in WA. It is as if we have put on an old pair of jeans and remembered that they were a perfect fit and that they still are! First who doesn't love a place that just feels right? And second I love feeling like me, but better.

My anxiety about the house selling is there, but I'm still trying to keep it at arms length.

I'll post some pictures in a sec of some of the craziness the kids have been up to....

In a land far, far away

2009-02-13T20:38:00.000-08:00

...there lived a beautiful princess.

She stayed with friends while her parents had some work to accomplish. She played with her friend, a true friend that she hadn't seen in along time, all day long. And she stayed up too late and didn't get enough rest. And, as any good princess would do, she had a melt down. She cried for her parents, but they were too far to come and rescue her. The princess wants to be happy. She wants to be sweet.

If she could only figure out how....

How do you stay happy when the people who are usually there to help you stay calm are gone? How do you stay sweet when everything about your life is very topsy-turvy?

She is still in a land far, far away from me and I need you all to pray for her. You see there are people that look at Twin B and think, she's an average girl with average emotions and yet they are wrong. She is special, that girl. God made her that way and in her heart she wants to fit the idea of what a good girl is, but her emotions, well they win far more often than she wishes. And our dear friends are watching her and frankly, I'm not sure they ever really knew that Bekah was special in this way. She can really hold it together for about 24 hours. Putting on her best face. Staying sweet when she wants to melt down. But we are on day 4 now and she is tired.

So please pray for her.
Pray for our friends as they care for her.
Pray for me as I sit on the other side of the ocean, praying.

My kids are soooo sweet...

2009-02-06T10:24:00.000-08:00

We are still waiting for my minivan to arrive from Hawaii. While we are waiting, DH is taking the shuttle from Bothell to Redmond. I've been dropping him off at the shuttle site and picking him up again at the end of the day. Today though bibliomom and I decided that we are going to take the 4 oldest to a play this evening. If we are going to a play then we need DH to pick up 2 youngest kids and he needs a car to do that. So he took bibliomom's car to work today. Knowing that I didn't have to get up and get ready to take him to the shuttle today (and bibliomom's daughter doesn't go to school today) we told the kids last night, "tomorrow when you wake up, be really quiet, get yourselves breakfast, don't wake up the moms" Well my kids really try, but they apparantly couldn't contain themsleves past about 7:30.....oh well they are sweet and they meant well, but.....well they are just so sweet for even trying....

Busy Weekend and Settling In

2009-02-03T13:04:00.000-08:00

Friday we had so many fun friends come to visit us over at bibliomom's house where we are camping out for several weeks. We have to wait for the houses to settle and for our belongings to arrive from Hawaii. We ended Friday evening with dinner with some awesome friends. Saturday the husbands watched the all 6 kids while bibliomom and I headed out to the yarn store. I leaned to knit! Woah, that was fun so I got some yarn and got to knitting myself a new scarf (of course). We headed over to the Annual Chili Cook-Off for our old church where we were able to see lots of friends. Sunday felt so good....worship, class and lunch with friends at Red Robin. Monday we got over to the library. The kids were so happy to see the library. I'll have to write later and tell you about our huge grocery shopping trip we did last night...whew...shopping for 10 people is a lot of work!

Arrived Safely

2009-01-30T12:29:00.000-08:00

We are in Seattle! We are settling in and having such a great time! We got to look at the new house and the kid's each picked out their new rooms. We can't wait to settle on the house in Hawaii (3/2) so we can settle on the new house in Woodinville (3/16). I'll update everyone soon and all of the news...Today is a day of freindship and renewal visiting with all of our friends here in the Northwest.

Changes are comin'

2009-01-27T10:54:00.000-08:00

We are leaving tomorrow to fly to the Northwest. We won't be back to Hawaii for a few weeks. I am excited to get there but a little stressed about all of the work. God will take care of the details. Here's to new adventures, in old places!

Kids stuff

2009-01-23T17:11:00.000-08:00

The Queen of Everything Here clued me into this site. WOW! If you have kids or know kids or like kids at all you need to look into this. It has a 'boatload' of awesome games and fun things to watch. And the premise is awesome! Let's find and/or create great bible based education our kids can really get into.

Aloha

2009-01-18T18:00:00.000-08:00

Today is Aloha Sunday at the congregation where we worship. On Aloha Sunday we have morning worship and that is followed by potluck dinner and a devo. Right before the potluck they celebrate birthdays and anniversaries of the month and they present Aloha books to those that are leaving...Well you totally know where I'm going with this. Today was our Aloha Sunday. We still have one more Sunday here, but this was our last potluck and singing. They asked Allen to say a few words at the end of the devotional time together. Aw, he made me cry....he preached unity and love even during times of disagreement. He told them they were family to us and that we would take their aloha spirit with us wherever we go. He told them that they had no idea the pains and trials and struggles we had been going through back on the mainland and the we needed a place to regenerate and we have.

He read Romans 8:1-17

1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, 4in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. 5Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. 8Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. 9You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. 10But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. 12Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. 13For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 14because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." 16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 17Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

God has been good to us for letting us come to Hawaii. We will miss many things about being here. Especially the people. But, it's time to go home. ~Aloha~

Lord, nothing is impossible with you. I am your servant.

2009-01-14T23:42:00.000-08:00

Tonight in Bible Class we were reviewing the birth of Christ. I know, a few weeks late, but they are embarking on a study on the book of Luke and that is how the book of Luke starts. Two verses really spoke to me...

The first one is talking about how even "old" Elizabeth is with child:

Luke 1:37 For nothing is impossible with God.

Isn't it amazing that he used an older woman to show how miraculous he was? God can and frequently does things that seem against the odds. Thank you LORD for being so awesome! I know in my life HE has done things that I thought were impossible. I'm trying Lord, to let go. Let go of my control and just let YOU shine. YOU will put us where we need to be and it will be all for YOUR good. Notice I didn't say it would be good for say, us. But the outcomes will be good for God and for showing HIS glory!

The second verse is Mary's answer after Gabriel tells her that she is going to have God's child:

Luke 1:38 "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said."...

Wow, what phenomenal faith! She is more than likely a very young woman that has just been cast into a terrible position. She will be pregnant without a husband at time when that could have gotten her stoned. And yet she doesn't protest, or whine, or complain, or give a million reasons why she just can't right now....she submits. She says she is the LORD's servant! Lord, let me have this faith. The faith that YOU will protect our family, that everything will go according to YOUR plans.

Lord, nothing is impossible with you. I am your servant.

What?!?!

2009-01-13T12:07:00.000-08:00

So Mr.and Mrs. Buyer's buyer may be having problems with his financing...if he falls through we start all over again! So of course you know what I need...prayers! Lots of prayers!

Things are going smoothly...

2009-01-12T11:52:00.000-08:00

Mr. and Mrs. First Offer are in the process of becoming Mr. and Mrs. Buyer! They finally negotiated the price they wanted with the prospective buyers of their current home. Yay! So now we moving along the process of escrow. Yikes...things are going smoothly and if you know me very well at all this is when I stress out. I want it to continue to go smoothly.

Lord, please bless me with a calm heart.

Parts are starting to leave the island

2009-01-09T10:07:00.001-08:00

Well today is momentous. In a few minutes we are leaving to take DH's Expedition to the docks to be shipped to Seattle. Living on an island has been a surreal experience in so many ways. Letting your belonging go across the ocean without you is weird. The process is starting and we are on our way to Seattle. It will be a slow process, one that I'm not in control of, but it has started and I am thrilled!

Thank you all for the prayers!

2009-01-09T10:05:00.000-08:00

DH's eye is doing much better! The Dr. put him on double antibiotics and eye drops for his infection on his eye lid. It is looking better, so thanks for the prayers!

Update on the sleaze and HURRAH!!!!

2009-01-06T18:52:00.000-08:00

Mr. and Mrs. First Offer had their first open house on Sunday and they received an offer that they accepted! We are sooo excited! This is the family we wanted to get our house and this is the financial deal that we wanted to agree on, as well. We are moving! and we are moving with our house sold so we can find our next home in Seattle! Yay!
Now for the sleazy, Mr. Second Offer update. His deal he was making at the same time as ours (totally unethical and probably illegal too) fell through and now he wants to come back to our house and make a new offer. I'm laughing here....it's a moot point, out of my hands and not because of spite or vindictiveness on our part, we can't take his offer cause we are already in an agreement with Mr. & Mrs. First Offer. Wow did God take care of that one!?!

One more thing - DH needs some prayers. His eye is bothering him and he has some kind of allergic reaction or infection...pray that it is nothing serious! I'll let you know how that goes.

Moving, Moving (repost from my spaces acct)

2009-01-05T18:41:00.000-08:00

There are 2 moves to let you know about....
First and foremost our family is moving to Seattle in just a few weeks. Our dear friends offered to let us stay with them for several weeks while we wait for our house in Hawaii to close and then wait for our household goods to arrive in the NW. We love these friends! They are like family! Like family, except we actually picked each other. I'm focusing on this verse while we prepare to move.
Deuteronomy 31:8 (New International Version)
8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
Secondly this blog is moving too. You can find me over at blogspot from now on. http://adoptingmama.blogspot.com/

My old blog is at http://adoptingmama.spaces.live.com

People can be so sleazy sometimes...

2008-12-31T13:56:00.000-08:00

Let me set the scene:
Our house has been on the market for 3 weeks and we had 2 offers on the house already. Our first offer was a contingency offer and our second we just finished negotiating Monday night. Our first offer has 72 hours to decide if they want to take the contingency off the table and move forward. Mrs. First Offer says she wants to proceed but wants the Navy husband to take a look at our house on Friday. If Mr. first Offer says no then it goes back to Mr. Second offer. So either way we were almost in the final phase….
But Mr. Second offer is a sleaze ball and didn't sign on one of his spots he was supposed to sign on, no big deal, happens a lot, send it back. Well now Mr. Second offer is pulling out cause he didn't want to wait and see what would happen with Mr and Mrs. First Offer. And Mr. Second Offer is saying that he wasn't in a legal contract since he didn't sign on one of the spots. Indeed he's already put a different offer on another house.Slimey is the word that comes to mind.
And sleazy too....

2008-12-31T13:46:00.000-08:00

We made it to the top of Makapu'u point. The view was amazing!