The stories of Kauai

Not the best picture of us but the scenery is nice.

Twice mom and dad watched the kids for us so we could got out. This night we got to go out with Chad & Bridge so Mamo & Papa had all 6 kids to them selves. We had a great time and really appreciated the break that they gave us. Thanks Mom & Dad...we love you guys.

Mamo & Papa

This is Huddy after the day at the beach in Hanale...

This is Huddy & Ty 1 minute later.

Ok you are probably wondering "who is this little girl in the picture...that doesn't look like a Hughes or a Phillips?" No she's not one of ours but we did take her under our wing so to speak for the afternoon. When we got to Hanale beach this little girl was running around the beach naked with no parents in sight. She decided she liked the toys our kids had to play with but before she really moved in on us she peed about 3 feet behind were Ty & Levi are sitting. Jay about lost his marbles over that one! The scary thing was that she would go out in the ocean by herself and go all the way up to her head...it worried us so we kept an eye on her while we were there. Then we decided we needed to find her parents so we started asking around and found out that the lady selling jewelry & smoking dope (OK we didn't actually see it but...hey some things you just know.), sitting at the main entry was her mom. One older man on the beach went up and talked to her and all she said to him was "its a nice day, she'll be fine." UNBELIEVABLE!!!! There were signs all over the place warning about the under tow. So we left hoping the poor thing didn't drown...she didn't we saw her walking down the road with her mom and her mom's jewelry tote...that's something you don't see everyday.

This is Ty not to happy with Levi dumping sand down his back. Levi, however, is enjoying himself and the free sand to eat to its fullest. Ask his mommy what his poop looked like the next day...hee hee hee.

Ty was OK with the water...but not in love with it. But doesn't he look like he's enjoying it?

On the way to the Beach in Hanale we stopped at the famous "Bubba's Burgers" to eat lunch. You know...the place where their logo is " we relish your buns"...I thought it was funny...at the time anyway.

I so enjoyed watching my Jax this time in Hawaii. He really did enjoy himself. He is just growing up so much and he is more independent and so helpful. I love you bud.

My little Hula girl also had a fabulous time and made the most of the trip. I love you Moo!

Ty & Hudson. Hudson loved Hawaii and was always saying "I'm gonna be happy today mom!" which was fantastic for us! Ty on the other hand was a little small to really enjoy all the activities but he did ok once we got to Hawaii. He started the trip off on the wrong foot though. The night before we left for Hawaii he puked and had the you know whats. He had a fever a few days of the trip and he pooped about 5 minuted after every take off (5 out of 6 plane rides)...he also cried about 7 of the 11 hours we were on the plane going and coming. 18 months is a hard age to try and travel. He just didn't understand that he had to stay in our laps and he didn't like that we were making him...so he fought us most of the time. We tried to make him happy with any kid of treat there was available but that only works for so long. Out of the 14 hours that we were in the air he only slept for 1 of those hours. Not good.

The hotel that we stayed at had activities for each day and this day the kids activity was "bubble blowing". It was perfect for the little kids. They just brought out tubs of liquid soap and fly swatters, of all thing. They worked fabulously! It was really windy and it blew a hundred bubble out of those fly swatters each time they re dipped!

Mamo & Papa with the grand kids.

We decided since we had kitchens to utilise them. So we went to Costco to buy food for the week and this is what we came back with. It looks like a lot of food but we actually ran out 2 days before we left.

The kids loved watching the big fish in the ponds. I love Emme's face in this picture. It looks like she got caught doing something she shouldn't have!

Emme & Huddy...best buds.

Here we are hanging out as a family in our living room.

The stories of Kauai continued....

This moment made me proud. Before we left for Hawaii Hudson wouldn't even put his face in our pool, but for some reason he got brave and decided to give it a whirl...and he didn't die! He even went out in the ocean and put his face under. Way to go Huddy Boy!

One of the sunsets that we saw.

Jay & Jaxon watching the surfers that were practically surfing into the rock!

This was the first morning we were there. We went and had a family breakfast together at the resort (mainly because we hadn't made it to Costco to get food yet.)

Happy to be in Hawaii with my Honey!

Sand castles were a big deal to Kenna. She would have built one everyday had a we let her.

She loved diggin down in the sand!

This is Jaxon on his way to snorkel with the 2 white Phillips men.

Jaxon and Kenna were both old enough to get out in the ocean and snorkle...amazing...at least to me. The only way I snorkeled was with Bridgette and Mom, on a boogie board with my face in the water. When a school of fish came right up near us...I freaked! Feet as high up in the air as they would go...OK so that was a little funny. But then it wasn't funny when the wind and waves started taking us out of the cove. B & I didn't have fins so mom had to do all the major kicking. And of course Bridgette is teasing my by saying things like "HEADLINES...3 snorkelers lost at sea." It took everything I had not to hyperventilate! When Bridge said she saw a snake, I kicked and paddled like my life depended on it. Can you tell? I don't really love the ocean...I love the look of the ocean but what's out there...terrifies me...and yes I know...God is in control (for those of you who are judging me right now) but I have a healthy fear of his greatness and he did create the ocean!

While Jaxon was out snorkeling with the guys, Kenna was at the pool making friends! I love this about my sweet girl. She loves people and people love her!

This is Kenna right after the Hula class she took. She loved it! She sang the song all week..."pearly shells, pearly shells, by the ocean...." and on and on.

This is Kenna trying to teach mommy how to hula...I was a great student!

Now this is a funny story...who is this? This is my friend Jennie from HIGH SCHOOL who I haven't seen in 3 years!! I was walking back to our room one afternoon and we almost ran right into each other! I couldn't believe it. She was there with her kids and cousin so we hung out by the pool that day and then later that night Jennie and I went out to catch up. It was her last day there. How great of God to let me run into my friend in Hawaii!

Boogie Boarding was another one of the fun activities that Jaxon and Kenna loved this trip. They both did a great job! Kenna would board until she had had one to many head dives into the sand...then she would drag her self onto the beach and build a sand castle!

Here she is...check out how she is holding her breath! Too funny!

This was the playground that was right outside our sliding door. It was perfect with the kids the ages that they were. Huddy especially loved it!

Hudson going up the slide...he does things his own way.

This is Spouting Horn...its not that neat...but we thought the kids would like it.

Here's my honey BBQ-ing steaks for us one night.

Family Photo

Forgiveness

Psalm 32
Of David. A maskil. [a]
1 Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
2 Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.
3 When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.
5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD "— and you forgave the guilt of my sin.


This is the same verse as my verse of the week above just a different version. I have physically been struggling with my sin the last few weeks and when I read this verse my uncontrolled reaction was to cry tears of joy and frustration. How can God keep forgiving me? Won't he ever get sick of my lack of discipline, my stubbornness, my pride over the same issues in my life? NO! He will forgive me over and over and over again. That makes me sob with gratitude to the Lord of my life. I am waste with out His forgiveness and I am stagnant with out the Holy Spirit to change my life. As frustrating as it can be to feel the constant struggle of sin in my life Ive been noticing something else lately. When I am sinning, hanging on to my sin, being stubborn and not forgiving others, I physically feel week, tired, easily irritated, and even angry. As I read the above passage today I felt as if it were food for my soul...God shining light on my struggles. Painful to take? Very much so. But a burden lifted at the same time. God wants me to ask for forgiveness so that He can wipe my slate clean....even if this is every day, every hour, every minute! Hard to believe, I know. But His word says so and I believe everything He says to be true. So my conclusion for the day is this

Stubbornness & Pride (or not asking for forgiveness)= my bones waisting away, groaning all day long, & my strength sapped out of me day & night

OR

Asking for Forgiveness= Blessings because my sins are washed away.


I love this old hymn that ties into this passage:

Not what these hands have done can save this guilty soul;
Not what this toiling flesh has borne can make my spirit whole.
Thy work alone, O Christ, can ease this weight of sin;
Thy blood alone, O Lamb of God, can give me peace within.


Thank you Lord, for forgiving me over and over again when I don't deserve it. And thank you for your promises that encourage me to believe that You and You alone can change me, that you can make me who You want me to be. Amen.

We're Back!

Home, SWEET, Home! Boy do I have stories to share...unfortunately I am to tired to relive our week...so when I finish the 15 loads of laundry, plan my meals for the week, go to the grocery store (we came home to NO food), get Jaxon & Jay ready for football (that starts tomorrow), finish reading my book club book (that is also tomorrow), call the 9 ladies who left messages for me...plus the other's that I need to call, break down Tyson's crib (he's moved into a big boy tonight), Plan a going away party for some friends (that is Saturday), and actually do this all with a happy heart (only by the Lord's doing) will I be able to up date you.... =) Until then....=)

Fiesta!

This is now a once a summer event that we all look forward too...that is a swim party for "Big People". These are some of our closest friends in the world (John & April Moffatt, Chad & Stephanie Crocker, Matt & Jami York and Chad & Bridgette Phillips). All of them are gifts from the Lord and have been such a huge part of our lives over the years. Last year we had a luau theme and this year we went Fiesta style. We all pitch in and make dinner together...this year we had fajitas and homemade ice cream! It was very yummy! Its just so great to all hang out together, to have fun and not be interrupted by little people...as much as we love the little people, it is nice to hang out as adults once in a while! We Since the Fiesta ended up on Bridgette's birthday we thought it would only be right to blind fold her and make her swing at the pinata! It was that Alaskan strength that I hadn't anticipated...3 whacks and it was down! We even sang Happy Birthday to her in Spanish! Thanks for sharing your big day with us B!

The Senoritas: Steph, April, Bridge, Heather & Jami

The Hombre's: Chad C., John, Jay, Matt & Chad P

B swinging at the sombrero pinata!

This is pretty funny! I set the timer on the camera to try and get a group picture in the hot tub...well, as I was running to get into the water I slipped and took Bridgette down with me...and we got it all on film!

It worked better the 2nd time!

Your never too old...

This last weekend my grandparents came to visit and we had a great time visiting and playing with them. We stayed up late talking and watching "shark week" on the discovery channel (why we watched that a week before we leave for Hawaii...I don't know!). One afternoon we spent swimming. Norma-ama ( or Nama Nama as Huddy called her) played the whole time with Hudson who became even more comfortable in the water because of her patience with him. But Grandpa Rog, on the other hand, wanted to hang with the big kids. Jaxon's jumping off the diving board then so should he.....Yikes! I captured his first dive...check it out!

Here he is contemplating whether this is a good idea or not. Mind you he just had a hip replacement not even a year ago.

The first bounce....

Uh oh! This isn't looking to good...

He tips off the diving board but catches himself on the edge of the pool....

And dives in!!!! He was inches away from cracking his head on the side of the pool. Kids...this is how NOT to dive off the diving board. You'd think that would persuade him to stay off the board the rest of the day...but NO! He was right back up there trying it out again...and he didn't make the same mistake twice!

OLD GUYS RULE!

I can't believe my eyes!!!!!

Should I be disturbed or should I laugh...I'm not sure...what I do know is that my mouth HIT the floor! OK-(breath, breath)....We are watching Mitch & Avery Crocker for 3 days...we love these kids, they are like siblings with our kids and they all get along great. The 4 older kids are outside swimming and I'm sitting at my desk working on some things. I hear some strange noises outside so I look out the window just in time to see Kenna trying to make the kids laugh...which is not uncommon...she is our "Funny Girl". As she danced around making the kids laugh, she turns around (now mind you she's wearing her swimsuit) and gives her self a WEDGIE!!!!! Out popped her little white buns....I couldn't believe my eyes!!!!!!!! So after gasping for air and then laughing out loud I slowly walked to the back door, called for her to come to me, squatted down (still trying not to laugh out loud) and said:
"Kenna, Ive been spying on you".
Her eyes about POPPED out of her head, then she hung her head.
"Do you know what I saw?" I asked.
"Yes, you saw my not modest buns shakin". she said biting her lip.
"That's right, and if I see or hear that your "not modest buns" have seen the sunshine again I will have to visit those buns with the wisdom worker." I said in a very strange voice cause I'm still trying not to laugh.
"OK Mommy, I'll keep em' covered up real good." she said with a serious face
"Great, now go play with your friends."

I am still laughing and thinking "Great, Ive gotta tell Steph & Chad that my daughter was flashing her son!" Good thing we know them well.

OH! The joy of raising children!!!

Oops! I forgot one!

Along with the Heaven for Kids book. This one has been our kids all time favorite! Its Pilgrims Progress for kids! Again it brings up great spiritual things to talk about with your kids and really gets their little minds thinking! This one is a must have!

More books!

4 of these are books that I really enjoyed from our book club this last year the others are books I recommend for kids and parenting. All are worth reading! They are not in any specific order.

(**book club books)

** A fantastic marriage book that every married couple should read.

This was my favorite parenting book of the year! It has so much application for anyone training toddlers all the way up to pre-teens. I love Gingers sense of humor in this book. I laughed the whole way through it...and even cried in a few area's (area's I knew I had let go in my own parenting). If you have read "Shepharding a Childs Heart" by Tedd Tripp you need to read this book. She expands more on the same principles but gives WAY more application!

** A great Novel about the story of a prostitute and how she finds redemption through Christ. It pulls you in immediately and often you find yourself relating to her issues. An easy read...I read it in 3 days!
**This book was right up my ally! I love anything related to personality types and this one was great! It talks about your personality type in your extended family and how you have been effected by other personality types in your family. It was very interesting!

**This book was SO encouraging! Randy Alcorn does a fantastic job describing what Heaven might be like based on what the bible says. If you know you have been saved by the blood of Jesus Christ you should read this book...it will make you long for Heaven and being in God's perfect place. If you are unsure of your salvation you should read this book...it will make you think about life after death. The book is a bit repetitive in some area's so I did some skimming. I do know that they came out with a more condensed version of this book so that it wasn't so wordy and lengthy. I would like to read that one so that it doesn't feel like a brain over load!

Jay and I both loved Heaven so when Alcorn came out with one for Kids we snatched it up right away. Jay reads it to the kids once in a while and it always makes the kids start to think about important issues and they ask GREAT questions during these times. I wish I would have known these things as a kid!