Settling in!

So I had planned to do a quick post daily, but posting hasn't been a huge priority. We are ten days in and things are going great. They're going different then I expected, but none the less great! We are getting into a bit of a routine which is always nice for me and the kids.  I've also gotten into a routine with my rehabilitation. I'm going to be going to the hospital every Tuesday for now.  My wound looked OK today, but not healed enough to remove the stitches!  I was so grateful to have that itchy thing off for even a few minutes.

We spent the weekend in Nagoya and were really able to see quite a bit. We went to the science museum which was extremely interactive and very impressive.  We also saw Sakae - which is a huge shopping district.  But, the place I was probably most excited to visit was a little organic farm that is only a couple mile walk from our apartment.  The produce here is amazingly fresh and huge!  They have cows, sheep, chickens and pigs.  The gardens are pristine and it delighted me so to be surrounded by such a familiar setting!  Below are a few pics from Bran's phone!

I am hoping to post daily but they will be short because it takes forever to type right now!  Hope everyone else is doing wonderfully!

Glory to God in the midst of a storm!

I have been both excited and a bit anxious for our trip to Japan for months now. But, about a month ago I started praying that God would use this experience to move in me in such a way that it would be clear it was directly from Him!  I wanted this trip to be life changing for me, in a way that would draw me nearer to Him.  Even though we haven't even hit our one week mark God has answered my prayer!

In the last year I have realized that I spend too much time choosing fear over faith.  In my head I know that God is in control, but my human nature sneaks in and tries to take the reigns.  In my own self centered way I prayed daily for my experiences while in Japan.  In the back of my mind I thought of many different scenarios in which God might reveal to me a lesson on being worried or scared.  Here are some of the great situations I thought might happen:  I thought the kids and I would get on the wrong train and end up on the other end of the city without a clue how to get back to our apartment.   I thought maybe Abe would get another ear infection or some other bizarre-o illness!  Or maybe I would get stuck with a basket full of groceries without a clue how much to pay.  The last thing I thought was that God would use my greatest fear in the entire world, drop me in a country where I don't speak the language, and allow me to truly experience FAITH!  I have never had a major surgery and was foolish enough to think I never would.

The last 6 days in Japan have been a true test of my faith!  God has strengthened me and has held me close every step of the way.  Each day has provided more and more evidence that God is in control.  I have held Isaiah 41:10 tightly in my hand and haven't let go.

      "Fear not, for I am with you;
      Be not dismayed, for I am your God,
      I will strengthen you, I will help you,
      I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

My heart is joyful that I have been lucky enough to truly experience what it means to have faith.  So, I give God all the glory in the midst of this storm.

1 year old!!

12 month stats:
Height - 33 inches
Weight - about 23 lbs 

Health - This has been a GREAT month for Abram.  He hasn't been sick!!!  He got two new teeth and was pretty cranky for a few days about they're through now.  I'm happy to say this is a short section this month and I hope it continues that way. 

Sleep - This little guy is going to bed about 6:30 and is up for the day at 5:30.  He is still taking two naps a day totally about 3 hours of sleep.  Just today he was very resistant to take his morning nap, so I'm wondering if we are starting to transition into the one nap a day in the next month.

Eating - This boy AMAZES me.  He literally eats TONS of food.  He can eat the same portion of food that I do, and he does.  I am still giving him a bottle at night, and I know I need to cut it out, but I love it and so does he. :)  I'm sure we'll transition out of this when I'm ready.  I introduced peanut butter and fish this week and he loved both and had no reaction.




I can't believe our baby will be turning 1 on Friday (in America that is).  I think it is going to get pushed ahead even soon since he is turning 1 somewhere over the Pacific Ocean.  There are multiple reasons why I just LOVE this little guy.  Here are a few:
-I LOVE how he lets me snuggle him for about 30 minutes after he wakes up.  He lays his little head on my chest and periodically lifts it up to give me a dreamy little smile!
-He is an amazing little dancer! :)
-I don't have to worry about him finishing his meals.
-He loves his sissy.
-He loves to wave at anyone during dinner.
-He is so happy, he has a beautiful little gentle spirit, but is definitely all boy.  He bangs on everything, grunts, and loves to eat rocks and dirt.  

I'm a walkin little man!

Rocks are so yummy!

Entertained himself by banging a cup for about 5 mins.

Really has had more of an interested in books lately! :)

Pig face just like mommy used to do.  Darn teeth!

Lovin his comfy chair - thx Grammy & Grandpa KC

Adi taking him for a little walk - aka: dragging him around.

LOVES his paci and so do I right now! :)

We are so blessed to be parents to this amazing little boy.  I know God has great things planned for him!  A very happy birthday to you buddy!!!!

Holiday World Summer 2012

We had a fun day at Holiday World.  My mom used to take Kelly and I to Sunsplash so much through the summer and we all had such a great time making wonderful memories.  It was fun to visit the water park today with the kids.  They both had tons of fun splashing around.  Adison thoroughly enjoyed the slides and Abram liked everything.  They are such sweet kids - what fun!!
We even caught Santa on the way out and Adison LOVED seeing him.  It is so funny how turning three has turned her into such a big girl!  She has made the comment, "Sure, I can do it - I'm three now." many times throughout the last month.   Here are some pics - we miss you daddy!

Sensory Play

I've been having a difficult time trying to think of things to do with the kids because Abe puts EVERYTHING in his mouth.  It doesn't seem to matter what I give Abe to play with, he tries to eat it!  The boy likes to eat just like his mama!

Today Adi is playing with flubber and Abe attempted shaving cream.  60 seconds of play resulted in a 10 minute bath for him. Last time I made flubber Adi wouldn't play with it, and I ended up giving it to Lindsey.  Yesterday she told me she wanted me to make more flubber.  I told her last time I made it she wouldn't even touch it.  She told me in a very matter of fact tone - "Well, I'm three now, so I can play with it now!"

Adi will play with the flubber all day on and off.  I guess Abe is just still a little young to really sit and play with much.  Actually I think it is just the boy in him.  He just wants to walk/crawl around banging on everything!

I LOVE her little mind!

We were reading Adi's devotion tonight before bed and the verse that was attached to the devotion was out of Joshua.  We had a great little conversation.  This is mainly for me to remember because I LOVE little moments like this.  Here it is:

A:  Joshua was an Israelite!
Me:  You're right, he was an Israelite.
Me:  Do you remember what Joshua did for the Israelites?
A:  Yes, he helped tear down the wall.
Me:  Where was the wall?
A:  Jericho.
Me:  Did God help him tear down the wall?
A:  No, the screamed really loud and that is how the wall came down.
Me:  Well, you're right they did scream really loud and the wall did come down, but do you know who helped them make that happen?
A:  God!!!

It makes us so happy that Adi is getting to the age where she is thinking for herself and that little bits of what we believe are making their way into her day-to-day thoughts.  Her prayers before meals and at night have been melting my heart.  If all we do is teach our kids to love the Lord with ALL their heart and to show everyone they come into contact with His love - we have done our job!

Abram's First Birthday Party...

 Can you dig it? He could!  We had a little construction themed party, but once everyone got here it was a bit chaotic and I didn't even get to pass out the hard hats and little Lowe's aprons.  We appreciate everyone coming and celebrating this amazing little guy.  This first year has gone by so quickly, and Abe is such a sweet little snuggler whom we love to pieces.  I don't have all of his one year stats.  It is going to be a couple months late since we're not taking him in for all his immunizations until mid November.

Happy birthday to our big boy, Abram.  God has blessed us with such a sweet little soul and has taught us even more about His amazing love.  We love you so much buddy!  Mommy and Daddy

Birthday banner

The kids didn't really color on the blueprints due to the great weather.

Isn't that cake AMAZING - thanks Tracy!

Such a sweet picture!

LOVE that smile

He's SO excited!

Thanks for helping me with the mess Sherri!

He was literally eating chunks of cake straight out of the water. :)

All the kids

Best buds