The Toddler Teaches

Each morning, I set aside a short time for Phoebe and I to start our day with prayer and a scripture reading. In almost all of our activities together, Phoebe limits the time that I am in charge...and ultimately takes over. This morning she took the Bible out of my hands and said, "Okay, you the kid. I am the mommy."

"Okay, Mommy," I said.

Phoebe turned the pages of the Bible, "Um, this page says, 'God is awesome.'"

"Yes, He is awesome."

Turning the page again, she read on, "God is love...And He is NOT really naughty!"

Out of the mouth of a babe. This simple truth.

Thank you Lord, for revealing Yourself to me today, through the wisdom of a child....and thanks for letting me know, that some of the stuff I teach her is sinking in!!!

Praise Him, Praise Him, all you little children. God is love, God is love.

Praise Him, Praise Him, all you little children. God is love, God is love.

The Slow Metamorphosis of a Non-Runner

I have never liked running. It would be more accurate, actually, to say that I really disliked it. When Xee and I were first married, he convinced me to go running with him. Uuurrgh. Okay, for my new hubby, I would do anything. Well, we didn't exactly get very far before the whining started: "This hurts my shins. I don't like this. I HATE this." Xee realized rather quickly that his life partner would definitely not be his running partner.

After my dad died, we came home from California and began to settle back into our daily routines here. On one of my regular walks out to the beach to exercise with Phoebe, something happened to me. I was pushing the stroller along, listening to my iPod, and under the weight of all that I had been feeling, the emotional exhaustion and the pressing grief upon my heart...I just wanted to run away. Suddenly, without thought, with total abandon, like an instinct really, I was RUNNING! Me. The non-runner. The despiser of running.

I felt the breeze against my face, felt my feet hitting the pavement. Running from something. Running toward it. Hitting it head-on. And then there were tears. Wonderful tears. And sweat. Lots of sweat! And panting...lots of that too. And healing.

I have started to run a little more and more during my work-outs. And little by little, the duration of which I jog, sprint, whatever, is increasing (especially if I am on the grass). Would I call myself a runner? I don't know if I would go that far. But if you ask me if I run, the answer is now, "Yes." Yes, I run. In fact, last week we all exercised as a family on Xee's day off. He pushed the stroller, and you know, without that extra weight of a 30lb child in a 17 lb stroller, I was moving. I had no idea I had it in me.

Neither did Xee. He said, and I quote, "You run like a gazelle." I was a little shocked to hear that from a man who, for years, has said, "You run kind of funny." Well, my husband may be a little biased...he was running behind me, of course, and maybe he enjoyed the view. That is all I will say about that!

Anyway, who would've thought? Nine years after our first (and what I thought would be our last) run together, this might just be a regular thing. I may be fit to be a running partner after all. And isn't it just like God, to use something totally unexpected in our lives, to bring peace, and comfort, and restoration, and endurance. Life is moving. And so am I.

Finally...Some Pics!!

A friend of mine likes to refer to Phoebe as "freakishly strong"...okay, she is getting a little help here.


More origami from that oh-so-talented husband of mine.

Here's me, having lunch with three of my very favorite girlfriends.

Thanks for the ride, Mrs. Shanti!

Phoebe snuggles with our dear friend and hostess in Orange County, CA. Phoebe just loves Beth and truly enjoys spending time at her home...she has two doggies, and Mrs. Beth lets Phoebe help with their daily walks. She also has a collection of kid stuff to play with. We are so blessed to have a "home away from home" at the Eislebens.

We had to make time before leaving So Cal to go to Dizzeyland...are you dizzy looking at this picture? This is Xee's view. Poor guy gets dragged on this ride, only to regret it immediately. This time, I let him off the hook. Phoebe and I are in the purple cup.




Not our first time at the Happiest Place on Earth...but the first time we were patient enough to stand in line to meet the famous Mickey and Minnie (good thing the line was short...Phoebe started to tell everyone in line, "My turn, my turn!").

Shortly after returning home to Hawaii, we got to hang out with some friends who were vacationing here. After playing all day with her friend, when I finally got around to trying to snap a shot of the kids together, Phoebe refused to comply with my request and this is the pose that I got. So, the next pic is of Grayson, hangin' loose!

Adorable Gray, and his mommy, Melynne.

Baseball season has started and Phoebe is joining in the fun. She is totally into it! If it involves movement...she is into it. When asked to be
still, she replies, "But I need to MOVE!"

Just a few short weeks after visiting the Her family in Fresno, CA, we got to spend time with them again here in Hawaii! It was SO much fun to play with cousins and enjoy precious time together. Phoebe often says she misses her fam-i-ly. Can't wait to see you guys again!!!

One of many shots of Ayden making this face....is this a requirement of being a boy??

Now that is a CLOSE-UP!

Three little monkeys splashing in the tub!

If Phoebe is awake, she is dancing! Here she is encouraging her cousin, Nana, to join her for some skirt twirling. Notice how the boy in this clip (cousin Ayden) keeps "accidentally" bumping into the girls.

Phoebe and Angelina in an iTouch trance.

Xee takes the kids and Auntie Khou for a little golf cart ride.

Xee and his Mom on the gruelling Koko Head hike. Mom, you are one strong lady!


One last walk on the beach...come back soon guys!!!

Smoochin' on Daddy!

These two don't look anything alike, do they?

Yep, it is pretty clear that she inherited a fish gene from someone in our family.




This is a super short clip, but look closely.... swimming under water. No feet touching. We often get asked if she has had swim lessons. The answer is, "NO". Little Miss is mostly self-taught. We are pretty biased toward our kid, but even WE are impressed. The girl has no fear.

Easter Blessings!

O Lord, my God, When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made

I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder

Thy power throughout the universe displayed

When through the woods and forest glades I wander

I hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees

When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur

And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze

Then sings my soul my savior God to Thee

How great Thou art, how great Thou art

Then sings my soul my savior God to Thee

How great Thou art, how great Thou art

And when I think that God, His Son not sparing

Sent him to die; I scarce can take it in

That on the cross my burden gladly bearing

He bled and died to take away my sin

When Christ shall come with shouts of acclamation

And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart

Then I shall bow in humble adoration

And there proclaim my God, how great Thou art

Then sings my soul my savior God to Thee

How great Thou art, how great Thou art

Then sings my soul my savior God to Thee

How great Thou art, how great Thou art

They Say The Darndest Things

(Raise your hand if you love Phoebe's new haircut...Me too! It is ADORABLE)

Phoebe is growing up so fast, our heads are spinning! She turns three next month and we are clinging to two for as long as we can. Here are a few things the little Miss has said recently. She is continually cracking us up.

We were all on the golf cart for a little evening ride around the neighborhood. A big truck passed us and we could smell the exhaust. Phoebe said, "Oh, that so pee-u."

Since our recent trip to the mainland, where Phoebe and I spent two whole weeks away from Daddy, she lovingly insists (on just about a daily basis) that Daddy sleep with Mommy.

Xee totally melts every time Phoebe says this: "Daddy, I love spending time with you."

Mommy melts when Phoebe grabs her face and says, "Oh, I just love you so much."

Phoebe is getting older, and she occasionally skips naps. I don't always know from day to day if she will nap for me. The other day, she was insisting that she did not want to take a nap, but she was a total grump. I overrode her desire to skip the nap, and decided she needed to lay down. She was out in a just a couple of minutes.

When she woke up, I asked her if she had a good nap. She said, "Yeah." And as if to acknowledge that I had done the right thing by making her rest (and my overall mommy of the year status), she replied, "Mommy, you always take such good care of me."

Anytime Xee and I are discussing something remotely serious...not arguing, just discussing life, etc., Phoebe interrupts, "Guys, guys, don't be rude to each udder."

The other morning Phoebe and I were snuggling in bed. She declared, "I slept all night in my bed." (She struggled with that for a few weeks, and in desperation I offered her a "special treat" as a reward when she stayed in her own bed.)

"That's great honey", I said. Then Phoebe sniffed and said, "I sfell something."

(Uh oh, my yucky morning breath?) "What do you smell Phoebe?"

"My sfecial treat!" (LOL)

Her newest expression of independence? When she wants her way and is not getting it, she huffs and says, "That's my CHOICE." And when she is not wanting to comply, it is, "That's not my CHOICE."

Recently I was driving to a birthday party and I called Xee at work because I forgot my directions. He was pretty busy and was kind of short with me. I wasn't exactly sweet and loving when I told him that I was sorry to have interrupted him at work. When I got off the phone, Phoebe asked, "Why you being so mean to my Daddy?...Don't do that to each udder."

My response? I promptly called Daddy back and apologized.

Then Phoebe insisted she say "hello" to Daddy. I gave her the phone. And she said, "I'm sorry my Mommy being so mean to you."

Okay, lessons are flowing both ways around here!!!