Hebrews 13:8

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever. Heb 13:8

I read through the book of Hebrews today during the kids' nap. The book is so rich with info that it is a little overwhelming (especially knowing the Jewish context in which the letter holds in order to better understand it). At the same time, there is so much to be gleaned from its richness. Though it talks about Old Testament faithful people, the tabernacle, and old ways of sacrifice, it always points to Christ! As I was finishing my reading, I rested on the verse above. Sometimes I just breeze over verses like that (the "sure, I know that" kind of verses), but there is something to be said of about the sheer magnitude of its truth. When you are tempted to fret over the real estate, stock and job markets, just remember that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever." Circumstances are always unstable, but we don't waiver in tough times when we fully abide in Christ and His word. In this world where truth seems to be determined by popular oppinion (or the voice of a few loud ones with a immoral agenda), it is good to remember that His word does not change (no matter what the the most recent polls say). Truth is always true; God is always who He says He is; He is always faithful to do as He says in His word. He is the Solid Rock upon which I stand.

The kids' first bath together

Well, I was finally brave enough to put the kids together in the bath. Isaac loved it and helped to wash his sister. He was even careful to not knock her over. It was a lot of fun.

There are also of a few pics of them together. Abigail is so smitten with her brother. He makes her smile and laugh like no other. He loves her, but he isn't quite as excited to be around her as she is with him. (He has started his power-trip with telling her "NO Gail-Gail!!!" every opportunity he can. I remind him that God has not made him the mommy or the daddy. He needs to look out for his sister and protect her, but not be the parent. He just likes to be bigger than someone and tell them what to do.)

Highlights from the grandparents' visit

We were treated to a wonderful dinner from the grandparents.

Doesn't Abigail look like her grandma more than her mommy?

Three generations of handsome men.

We had a day of fun with all the two sets of grandparents...

...and Aunt Susie...
Everyone ALWAYS LOVES being with Aunt Susie!
Denise and Craig said she was "so nice and very intelligent".

The girls bonded this week...

Let's go to Sears

Grandma Denice and Grandpa Craig took the kids to Sears and got pictures. Isaac was the very best boy and did everything the photographer asked him to do. Abigail, on the other hand, wasn't the happiest camper. After pictures, Isaac had the best time with Grandpa playing basketball in the store and playing at the play area at the mall. He is going to miss Grandpa a lot when he leaves! Grandma Neicey has been so great with the baby girl too! It's been so nice having them here.

Fun, Fred, Fire, Foot-Flusher and Flying a Kite

Though we had 2 kids and a mommy with boogers and a cold, we drove 5 hours (round trip) yesterday to see family I haven't seen in years (and the kids have never met).

My mom's oldest brother, Fred, and his wife, Sheila, retired some years ago (nice huh?) and have an RV that they often bring up to their property in WA, right next to the beach. I just LOVE my aunt and uncle and, naturally, so did the kids (even though Abi-girl was teething and was a fuss-fuss).

We met my parents and Hanna (their German exchange student who will be with them for a year) there and had such a nice time. The beach was perfect for a long walk with my aunt. It was so great just to talk a catch up. Isaac built a sand castle with Grandma, flew a kite with Uncle Fred, played outside with Hanna, snored with Papa, laughed by the camp fire with Aunt Sheila and was a great boy for mom in the van the entire drive. Praise Jesus! He also stayed dry and liked going potty in the RV because the flusher was a foot pedal he could step on. (With kids, it's always those little things that are the best).

I am reminded of how blessed we are that God has given us such a great family and how precious a gift they are. The time goes quickly and it will be over before we even realize it. In light of that, I praise God for the security I have knowing that Christ paid the penalty for my sin on the cross and, by no merit of my own, I will be able to dwell with Him in Heaven for eternity. I am reminded that this life really is a vapor. I am also reminded that Heaven will be so much better!

If you think about it, please pray for my uncle Fred. He has a aggressive (treatable/not "curable") form of bladder cancer. Pray that he finds rest and hope that can only be found in Christ. Pray for wisdom and accuracy for the doctors and the treatment. Pray also for my aunt who is his support. XOXO FRED & SHEILA!!!!!

Seattle 2008

Our timeshare offered us 2 free nights in Seattle and a $50 gift card for sitting through another presentation...so off we went. Here are some highlights:

There was a building being constructed right next door. Isaac was so excited...they even let him talk to the crane operator on the walkie-talkie 30 stories up.

We used a gift card to have lunch at Cheesecake factory. We were playing peek-a-boo with "Gail-Gail"

Daddy read Abigail a book...as you can see she was teething and drooling up a storm.

Isaac loves to visit the bookstore and play trains in Seattle. The one above is last year.
The one below is this year. How time flies!!!


Isaac love being read to; Daddy is a good reader.

We were so proud of both kids. We put them in a room together for the first time and they both did awesome (even though they both came down with a cold). Isaac was the best big brother and worked really hard at being quiet so his sister could sleep.

This trip, though worth it, was a reality check for us. The first time we took this trip, we had no kids to care for and pack for. Trips are a lot more work and much less "vacation" with little ones...and the dive to Seattle is much longer with nursing stops and the "I have to go POOP!!!" stops that last 20+ minutes each (and don't always result in a #2 after all...especially when your son is gagging at the smell in the rest stop bathroom and can't perform). :)

Veggie Tales Concert

One of Chris' homeowners gave us concert tickets. Isaac loved it. Scared at first...danced in the middle...tired at the end...but didn't want to go home. It was a fun night.

Abigail LOVE the sand!

Christina and I took the 4 kids (all 2 and under) in the mini-van to Cannon Beach for one last summer trip before the weather changes. Considering how cold the beaches are in the NW, we had a wonderfully warm day at the beach. Even though we pushed the kids through naps and Christina drove her kids our REALLY early in the morning...they all did really well.

Abigail (though she is scared of the grass) LOVES the sand. I saw her wheels turning and she soaked in the texture and let the sand run through her fingers. She took her sand toys and kept banging them together then lifting them in the air like you would see a band member do with the symbols. It was super cute. The big kids had fun running up the dunes and hiding in the grasses (that Isaac said looked like green beans). They also loved the seagulls and made really good impersonations.

How do you "SAY CHEESE" in Japanese?

SAY CHEESE

IS THE FLASH TOO BIGHT FOR YOU CHRIS?

OH...FORGET IT!

WE GIVE UP...let's just make silly faces in this one...

We had fun with the free cultural pass to the Japanese Garden that we got from the library. The weather was beautiful and we enjoyed the quiet sounds of the waterfalls and leaves blowing in the wind. We didn't have the best picture day...All the pics above with Chris' eyes closed are real...The only silly one is the last one.