Why I've been M.I.A. + Big News!

I know it's been awhile since my last update. We have been so busy! We flew from Oahu to Virginia Beach in December. We spent a wonderful Christmas together as a family.. always a blessing but even more so since we couldn't fly home in 2011 when Delilah was born. Then the girls and I spent some time with my family while James flew back to Oahu and finished up everything with the move. He came back in February and we all drove up to Northern VA to start our new adventure! 

Here's what we've been up to..

 

:: We bought our first home! ::

 

:: We shared silly meals with people we love ::

:: We played in the snow on several different occasions.. something we all really missed in Hawaii ::

:: We spend several weeks with a bad cold and spent lots of time snuggling and resting ::

:: We had a wonderful Easter with my parents ::

AND....

 :: Baby #3 due to arrive December 6th, 2013 ::

We are feeling so so so blessed. I say that not to brag but just to give thanks and respect to the ultimate giver of blessings. Thank you God for all you've given us!

Oahu Spots: Hanks Haute Dogs & Giovanni's Shrimp Truck

    I know it has been way too long since I've posted. Life has been kind of crazy getting ready for our move. I am sad (and happy) to say this is probably my last Oahu spot post! I only have two days left on Oahu and they will be spent mostly cleaning and taking care of my babies. After a month with my family and some time getting settled in our new place I'll share with you all the things I love about Northern Virginia. I have high hopes that we will find a lot to share.

   The last few weeks we went to a couple of our favorite places one last time before we leave. These are definitely places to put on your MUST VISIT list if you ever make it to Oahu.


Hanks Haute Dogs - Hank's has been featured on both Diners, Drive ins, and Dives, and Man Vs. Food Nation. It is awesome. I definitely recommend the chicken dog and you mustmustmust get the duck fat fries. They are a little pricey for hot dogs.. just to warn you. They are SO worth it though. My mouth is watering.. I may have to convince James to take me just one more time tomorrow afternoon.




Giovanni's Shrimp Truck - There are a lot of shrimp trucks on Oahu but we heard from everyone when we came here that THIS was the best. It really is everything we hoped it would be. You definitely have to go to the location in Kahuku and NOT Haleiwa because there is a huge difference. We've tried all three kinds of shrimp and they are all worth trying. I personally don't prefer the "Hot & Spicy" because it is really spicy. The flavor is really good, and James gets a half order sometimes because he loves it, but it is a little too much for me. The girls really love the Jumbo Garlic Hot Dog with rice.

Delilah enjoying a Garlic Hot Dog - 2012

James with our lunch - 2012

James on my 22nd Birthday at Giovanni's - 2010

Baby Josie at Giovanni's - 2010

My birthday at Giovanni's - 2010

Our Happy Thanksgiving

I hope everyone had a really lovely thanksgiving yesterday. We definitely did. We relaxed all morning. We called Mimi (my mom) to say Happy Thanksgiving and Grandma (his mom) to say Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Birthday (I hope you had a great birthday, Mom!). Grandma wanted a picture so we took one while James and I still weren't looking super awesome.

Josie is making that face because she's trying to see her cute little piggie tails.

She loved them and kept asking me to fix them every time they got messed up.

Me and my cute little kitchen helper started prepping and cooking around 10am.

Elbow deep under the skin. I slathered it in a rosemary garlic compound butter that Josie helped me make.

It was my first time making a full sized turkey. I was pretty worried but it was one of the most juicy turkeys I've ever had.

We had stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, warm rolls & butter.

It was well worth the hours in the kitchen and the extra few pounds!

We had a great day together as a family, and a great meal with our good friend Derek. Nothing is more adorable than listening to two grown men watching football, talking about Josie "pee-peeing in the potty".  We missed our family & friends that couldn't be here, but it was still a really great day. Hope everyone had a very happy thanksgiving!

Love is Christmas

This is a song worth listening to.

"Love Is Christmas"

Sara Bareilles

I don’t care if the house is packed,
Or the strings of light are broken.
I don’t care if the gifts are wrapped,
Or there’s nothing here to open.

Love is not a toy, and no paper will conceal it.
Love is simply joy that I’m home.

I don’t care if the carpet's stained; we've got food upon our table.
I don’t care if it’s gonna rain, our little room is warm and stable.

Love is who we are, and no season can contain it.
Love would never fall for that.

We sing oooooooooooooooo
Oooooooooooooo
Ooooooooooooooooooooooo

Let love lead us, love is Christmas.

Why so scared that you’ll mess it up? When perfection keeps you haunted.
All we need is your best my love, that’s all anyone ever wanted.

Love is how we do, let no judgment overrule it.
Love I look to you, and I sing.

Oooooooooooooooooo
Oooooooooooo
Ooooooooooooooooooooo
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Ooooooooooooooooo

Let love lead us, love is Christmas.
Let love lead us, love is Christmas.

Oahu Spot: The Counter

The Counter burgers are delicious and fresh. Totally worth the money.

Mini Burgers were perfectly sized for little hands.

The "Fifty-Fifty" with Fries and Sweet Potato Fries. Both fries were awesome. We all ate our fill and had some left over.

James got a custom built burger with Jalapeno Jack, Bacon, Sauteed Mushrooms, Organic Green Chilis, and Garlic Aioli. He was really pleased to find out the green chilis were the real deal. My New Mexico man was a happy one :)

I got a Backyard Barbeque Burger in a Bowl. It was really tasty but I enjoyed James burger more. I would custom make my own next time.

 All four of us were very happy with our lunch at The Counter and would definitely come here again. I think there is a location near where we are moving in Virginia! I wish we had found this place a few years ago. It was a sit down place that was still on the louder side - perfect for families with small children. If there is a location near you, go try it out! It's worth it :)

*I wasn't paid or compensated for this review. They're just yummy burgers I wanted to share with you.*

My Christmas Playlist

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Target has decked their halls, the mall has up decorations, and as is tradition we decorated this past Wednesday on my birthday. In honor of the start of the holiday season, whether it starts now or after Thanksgiving, here are my top 20 favorite Christmas songs this year. What are your favorites?

Gearing up for the Holidays

Trying to find where I can buy this.. anyone know?

Well the Christmas season starts early in this house. I have been watching Christmas movies, listening to Christmas music, planning out all the presents and decorations. 

I don't care that it isn't even Thanksgiving yet. Who decided you can't celebrate Christmas until after Thanksgiving anyways? I say its all part of the holiday season.



Anyways my pinterest boards are all aflutter with Christmas and gift ideas. I found >this webpage< full of homemade gifts that had lots of great ideas I wanted to share with you. Here's a little of what you could find there.

1. Rosette Necklace - Super cute for any woman or teen on your gift list.

 2. DIY: Monogram Mugs - This one is great for anyone teen and up on your list. Fill them with hot cocoa packets and marsmallows or special tea bags or coffee. 

 3. Socks Owl - Super super cute for any kids in your life. Whooooo wouldnt want one of these? (see what I did there.. :) )

 4. Chalkboard Coasters - Great for writing love notes or initials so you can remember where you left your cup.

5. Solid perfume pocket watch locket - Such a unique and special gift. It looks really easy to make too!

Those are just a few of the 101 Simple Handmade Gift Tutorials you can check out. Will you make any homemade gifts this year? What's on your gift list this year?

Ooey Gooey Popcorn: Halloween Edition

Beware! Warning! Caution! Look out, mate! DO NOT MAKE THIS POPCORN IF YOU HAVE NO ONE TO SHARE IT WITH. You will eat the whole bowl. You might not even feel bad about it. It's really that good. Its also a great way to be creative with some of that leftover Halloween candy.


True story: I was sitting on the couch a few days ago watching a movie with Delilah. I had a sudden desperate need for this popcorn. A you-don't-even-understand-how-much-I-need-this-popcorn-right-now kind of craving. I made the popcorn. I ate almost the whole thing by myself.. but I saved a little bowl for Josie. I am a good mom after-all. Did I mention I made a batch a few days before it and we annihilated it? James loves it too.

 ...I said it was a true story not a good story.

Are you convinced yet? Make this popcorn!

Ooey Gooey Popcorn: Halloween Edition

{Adapted from Sweet Treats and More: Gooey Vanilla Bean Popcorn}

Ingredients:
1 Bag of Microwavable Popcorn (I used movie theater butter but you can use whatever floats your boat.)
1/2 Cup of Sugar
1/2 Stick of Butter
2TBSP Light Corn Syrup
1TSP Vanilla Extract
Your Choice of Halloween Candy (I used 1/4 cup candy corn and 10 Butterfinger covered pretzels, roughly chopped)




Directions:
Pop popcorn according to instructions. Pour into bowl carefully avoiding the unpopped kernels.
Stir in your choice of candy.
In small saucepan heat sugar, butter, corn syrup, and vanilla, over medium heat, until butter is melted and sugar is dissolved. Stir constantly.
Pour sugar mixture over popcorn slowly and stir together. Scrape the bottom of the bowl to be sure all candy gets mixed thoroughly.
Let cool slightly & enjoy :)

I have also kept this in a tupperware on the counter and it was still awesome the next day. It's never lasted longer than that.

Wrapping it Up ~ Day 31

 *click here for the other 31 days*

Wow, today is day 31. This month has been challenging and rewarding. I want to thank those of you that have followed along through the last 31 days (and stuck with me even on the days my writing wasn't so great.) Thank you for your sweet comments & words of encouragement. There were days when I wanted to give up and it was always those days that you would comment and I would pray and between you and God, I could write another day.

I'm really so glad I took this 31 day challenge. It taught me a lot about dedication, about the kind of blogger I want to be, about prioritizing blogging into my daily life, and most importantly about keeping God the center of it all.

I hope you've been inspired to draw closer to God yourself and I hope that those who started following me through this series will continue to now that it's over. I still have a lot to share with you. There are many new adventures ahead.

{If you aren't subscribed but you would like to be, look over to your right. You can follow by email or blogger and also follow my pinterest and facebook page.}

I'm off to paint pumpkins, watch Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin, spend time with friends and take pictures of the girls in their costumes. Come back tomorrow for a great way to use up some of that halloween candy! 

Have a safe and happy Halloween!

Embracing the Season ~ Day 30

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I talked a little about embracing the season back when I was sharing our family mission statement. I hadn't planned on talking about it anymore but I can't shake the feeling that there's still someone out there that needs to hear more of my heart on the subject.

I mentioned before that living in Hawaii has been a real season of loneliness for me. I grew up in Virginia Beach, I went to the same church for 13+ years, I had the same wonderful friends all my life, I spent every holiday with my loved ones. When I was 20 I married my best friend. I was happy and comfortable, surrounded by the familiar. Surrounded by hugs and reassurance in every aspect of my life.

Then I moved to "paradise".

Note: Please don't hear this as complaining. I feel very blessed in every aspect of my life. I just want to be transparent with you. Blessed does not mean perfect.

I came to paradise with just my husband and a belly that looked like I was smuggling a basketball. (at least that's what all the stewardesses kept telling me) I was 32 weeks pregnant, we had no home, and I had left behind the people that gave me my sense of security. James and I had been married less than a year. Even though I loved and trusted him we lacked the deep security and intimacy only time together can bring. I was insecure and afraid.

But God provided. What I was told could take weeks took days. We had a house! Not only that, but because we only had (almost) one baby, we were only eligible for a two bedroom. God apparently pulled some strings because we ended up with three bedrooms. A beautiful home that I love. Space for us and guests, for toddlers to run and room to store the outgrown baby items. He also provided an opportunity for my mom to come stay with us when Josie was born. My mother was there the day I became a mother. Most importantly though, with no one else to lean on, my husband and I became a team. We learned to parent, for the most part, on our own. While advice was only a phone call away unfortunately babysitters were not. We didn't have much opportunity for escape when parenting got tough. Being away from family took our crutches away and made us stand on our own feet. I am so thankful for that now. 

God took a season of fear and turned it into a season of knowing I could count on him. He took my season of insecurity and showed me that in Him and my husband, I can rest and feel secure. He took a season of being away from family and taught us how to raise our own.

Over the next few years some things got easier, others did not. I felt confident that God provides, I felt confident in my husband. However, I didn't have friends. Growing up in the same area my whole life I never had to find friends. I made friends all the time, they just found me. Making friends for an introvert is incredibly hard. Joining clubs, taking a class.. those things make me incredibly anxious.

On top of that, it was really hard to go out. There isn't a ton to do here in "paradise". The beaches are beautiful, but I don't like to take my pale little babies out in the sun and heat for very long. Taking Josie to the movies ended in disaster. Eating out was more stress than it was worth. We shopped too much and spent too much money the first year we were here. Even crafting is hard to do with little hands around. I felt bored and lonely.

But God provided. First of all, because of my loneliness, my relationship with my husband has grown leaps and bounds. He is truly my very best friend. Then when Josie was two months old I met my BFF, Lydia. Her son is just a year older than Josie. About 4 months after I found out I was pregnant with Delilah, she found out she was pregnant with her second son. She loves crafting and shopping and one of her favorite foods are chimichangas. We are a friend match made in heaven. He also brought me great neighbors and friends to spend the holidays with. God knew exactly what I needed. He also used my loneliness and boredom to draw me closer to himself. I've read through my bible, read books, & read blogs. I've cried out to God in my loneliness. I've praised God for my blessings. I have a better friendship with my Savior now than I ever did before.

God took a season of loneliness and turned it into a season of creating forever relationships. He took a season of boredom and gave me the time to devote to Him. 
If I had tons of friends, would I have been able to focus my energy on the people that he most wanted me to?

Everything in life is a season. It all ends. The good ends, the bad ends.. then it all begins again.

Lydia and her boys are staying with us for a couple of months. It's a season of loud and a season of lots of snuggles. It's a season of way too many tantrums and so many giggles. It's a season of the dishes always being dirty and its a season of baking cookies and learning to make new meals. Its a season where introverts never get a chance to be alone and having slumber parties with your best friend every night.

Whatever you're going through, know that nothing lasts forever. Whatever season of life you're in, embrace it.

*linking up with Women Living Well*

When Quiet Time Isn't Quiet ~ Day 29

 *click here for the other 31 days*

Sometimes my time with God looks like this..

...and sometimes it looks like this.

Whatever your "quiet time" looks like, embrace it! Enjoy it! May it bring glory to our God and draw you ever closer to Him.

Having "Church" at Home ~ Day 28

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I have a confession to make.. I haven't been going to church. 

What's that? You couldn't hear me? I said I haven't been going to church.

Why are you looking at me like that? You still can't hear me? *Sigh* I haven't been going to church! There! I said it!

I know, I know. I was the ultimate church girl in high school. Never missed a Sunday, Wednesday night, special event, work day... What happened? I have 1,001 reasons why, don't we all? We need church though. Need it. It feeds the soul.

We have a couple churches that we are going to try out after we transfer early next year to Northern Virginia. For now though, we found something that works for us. Sunday morning we..

•  Come downstairs, get the girls settled, and grab a cup of coffee.
•  Find a sermon to watch from our laptop. We have been watching the sermons from New Life in Chantilly, VA. We chose them because we are thinking about attending there next year and we wanted to get a feel for the services and atmosphere. We really like it so far.
• After the sermon we read a chapter from the bible. We've been reading through Ecclesiastes, one of my favorite books.
• Then we read one chapter from our couples devotional. We have been working our way through the Love Dare and we both really enjoy and recommend it.
• And to bring everything to a close, we pray together as a couple.
  
  And that's our home "church". It's really no replacement for the christian socialization, uplifting atmosphere, and accountability that a real church family gives. However, we can go in our pajamas, I can nurse without leaving the room, and when meltdowns happen we just hit pause. It's what works for us this season in our lives. I hope you're not in a season of missing out on church, but if you are - go find one! And if you can't, I encourage you to find something that works for you.
  

This is My Prayer ~ Day 27

*click here for the other 31 days*

 

~ This is My Prayer ~

Bless me, heavenly Father,
forgive my erring ways,

Grant me strength to serve Thee,
put purpose in my days ...

Give me understanding,
enough to make me kind

So I may judge all people
with my heart and not my mind ...

And teach me to be patient
in everything I do,

Content to trust Your Wisdom
and to follow after You ...

And help me when I falter
and hear me when I pray

And receive me in Thy Kingdom
to dwell with Thee some day. 

-Helen Steiner Rice
{source}

10 Scripture Memorizing Techniques ~ Day 26

*click here for the other 31 days*

Well I started this post yesterday but never got a chance to finish it. Delilah is sick and just wants to watch the Lorax and be held all day. Some things just take priority over blogging, ya know? Today Delilah is feeling a little better, but if you could keep us all in your prayers I'd so appreciate it.


Scripture memorization is important for a few reasons..

•  It helps us understand who God is and who we are through him. (Colossians 1:16)
• It helps keep us from sin (Psalm 119:11)
• Like worship, we can use scripture as a weapon.(Ephesians 6:17)
• We can use it for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16)

Can you think of more reasons memorizing scripture is important? 

I searched around and came up with 10 methods for memorizing scripture. Hopefully this will help everyone find a way that works for them.

1. Make a Scripture Memory Box.

     Searching pinterest this was the most commonly pinned method. This one I'm really interested in trying out myself. You can find the main tutorial here, or you could also look here and here.

Scripture Memory Box {source}

2. Write it on your Mirror.

      Use a dry erase marker or an old eyeliner to write out the verse you'd like to memorize. Read it while you get dressed in the morning. Read it while you brush your teeth before bed.

3. Post It On The Refrigerator.

     Write out or print your favorite verse and hang it on the fridge. Let's face it, we all spend a lot of time in the kitchen.

4. Make Scripture Art.
     There are so many ways to do this. You really don't have to be artistic. You could make scripture art on your computer, paint it, doodle it out. It could be just for you or you could share it with the world. Create it and review it, or better yet, put it on display and read it everyday. Check out some more examples of scripture art here and here.

Scripture Art {source}

5.  Write it Down.
      Everyday! As a visual learner this is a really great method for me to remember something. Watching myself write something down really helps it stay in my brain.

6. There's an App for That!
    I have an app on my iPhone called "Bible Memory Verses" and another for kids called "Adventure Bible Memory Game" both were free. These are great for memorizing verses both at home and on the go.

7. Make a Memory Book.
   This one is for kids, but it could easily be adapted for adults. This would be a great way to learn together as a family.

Memory Book {source}

8. Make Memorizing Scripture a Game.

    This website has lots of great game ideas for memorizing scriptures.

9. Make a Verse your Background.
    On your computer, phone, or iPad. Take the time to read it every time you turn your electronics on.

10. Make Hand Motions to Go Along with your Verse.
     Like these cute kids did.


Well, I'm certainly inspired to memorize more scripture. I hope you are too!

*Linking up with Holy-Spirit Led Homeschooling*