TWOS. TWOS. TWOS. TWOS. TWOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

~Oh Christmas Tree~

On a whim we drug out the Christmas tree Sunday night.  We weren't really planning on decorating at all since we are flying home in a few weeks...but with all the other decorators out there posting all their fun pics i really couldn't help myself.  So we pulled out our mini tree and our most favorite ornaments and introduced the kids to a little holiday cheer.  i think they liked it.   

 

 hanging one all by herself

 

her first, unassisted hanging ornament 

 finally, a tree with little homemade ornaments!

1 Corintihians 15:22

~Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life.  (NLT)   Rejoice. 

The Lord took Kalei home today, please continue to pray for this family.

UPDATE

I really appreciate all of your prayers and concern for our friend Kalei and many of you have been asking for an update.

As of last night she has been steadily declining and her organs are now failing.  Our hearts are broken for this family and we are all in shock.  Prayers are still VERY MUCH needed--please keep praying!  We know God can provide a miracle of healing, but we also know that no matter what, He can provide the only true comfort and peace that this sweet family needs so much right now.

Being in church today was hard.  It was hard, and beautiful and real and there is no other place I would rather have been.  I teach Kalei's son in children's church.  He's a wonderful kid, full of energy, creative and has a super kind heart--a lot like his momma really.  As we were sitting on the floor writing/drawing all the things we had to be thankful for, he was so involved in the activity--telling me about all of his favorite toys, his favorite trips and his family.  My heart was screaming on the inside, all these thoughts running though my head-- how this sweet kid has no idea that his momma is fighting for her life--why does this have to happen? What is he going to be like next week if the unthinkable happens?  How is all of this gonna change this innocent little boy?   

And then I breathe.  

I know God is in control.  I don't understand.  I probably never will.  But that's okay.  Because God has a plan,  and it's for GOOD--not to harm us.  

So I breathe.  and I love this kid the best i can and i teach him our verse for today, try to ingrain it in his mind--"to be thankful in ALL circumstances, for this is God's will for you, in Christ Jesus".  I've never felt that i'm preparing/arming a child for life more than i was in those minutes.  and i don't think a child's lesson has ever taught me what it taught me today. 

and then I went to our adult church service where we sang Remain during worship.  We came to the chorus, and I look around completely moved by the emotion in the room. I've said before that i've not ever been a part of a church like this.  When we first started attending here, i was constantly in awe of the real worship in the room, the way people seemed to be moved by their love for Jesus.  Today that all came back and strong.  Everyone knows Kalei--she's been a part of this church for years, she's a rock in our body of believers and we love her--i mean we really LOVE her.  We'd just finished taking time to pray for her as a church body and we are singing Remain and the voices are strong, people's hands are lifted up to our Lord-- in a time where you'd think we'd be broken we were praising God, reaching to Him, not just singing the lyrics but MEANING them...

"When troubles come my way, 

You guide and You sustain, 

lead me, I pray. 

Forever You will be

 the great eternal King, 

Now and always." 

You are God with us

You're victorious

You are strong and mighty to save

For Your word stands true 

There is none like You

And when all else fades

You remain

Like I said.  It was beautiful.  Raw and painful.  But beautiful...and real.  

So now i sit here at home, humbled by everything I have-- my sweet husband beside me and my 2 perfect children tucked in bed, our room glowing by the newly decorated Christmas tree-- and I try to make some sense of this day, of what's happening to our dear friends, of the helplessness i feel.  and when i can't make sense of it--i do the only thing i can and turn to the Lord. 

A Little This and A Little That

found a couple more pics of our "jack days" on the camera

riding the kiddie rides.  Nora only sits in them if they are *not* moving

getting ready for NC winter weather--if there actually is any this year

trying on all of her black friday purchases.  

i heart this kid

thanksgiving day with my lovie

thanksgiving dinner can really wear a kid out

we needed a little air while black friday shopping--thankfully the store we were in had a pump!

uh-oh 

he cracks himself up

*Immediate Prayers Needed*

A friend of ours is currently fighting for her life in the ICU.  Just a few weeks ago, directly after giving birth to her daughter, Kalei, wife and mother to two has been diagnosed with a rare lung cancer.  She and her husband are currently on the mainland seeking advice and treatment.  In the past 24 hrs she has had an emergency surgery and is now in fighting for her life.   

I know I have many wonderful readers out there that are believers in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and I ask that you take time today, NOW, to pray for this precious family.  The next 24 hrs are critical.   

 

 Big Brother with his new little sister

Our Day of Thanks

 I am so thankful for my sweet little family and that we were able to spend this holiday together. 

We decided to take the easy route this year and eat our Thanksgiving meal at the DFAC (dining facility).  It was just okay--but no cook/no cleanup was pretty nice and made up for it! 

 our friends chris, sarah and baby bump came to eat lunch with us

Warrior Thanksgiving 2011

Nora was a very happy girl at lunch 

 i just had to add this in...how can some people be SO BAD at picture taking??  when i saw it i just had to laugh and then as soon as the nice guy left the room i asked someone else to take our pic again

 second time around was MUCH BETTER, yes?

 

Nora LOVED the pumpkin pie---so much that she ditched the fork and went straight for her fingers! 

after lunch we went to the park to burn off some of those calories! the kiddos were super excited about this!

 

 i love watching them play together

 hand-holding...seriously makes a momma's heart melt!

 and a little Thanksgiving side-hug too!

after the park we went home to take naps and watch a little football.  that evening we went to our friends Jenn and Kevin's House to eat leftover turkey sandwiches and play board games.  It really was a beautiful and fun day--a little low-key than our usual, but a nice last Thanksgiving in Hawaii.

Thanksgiving Movie Monday

Happy Thanksgiving Week!

Just Another Day

that started out with 9 kiddos. 2 of which were not so excited about getting there pictures taken!

1 silly girl and a funny pair of glasses

and a knocked out little boy with all of his best friends.

Saturday Sequence

Lovin' on my gigglebird momma, what you doing?