Holidays away from Family

We are so blessed to live near Will's family and enjoy many fun times with them, but I have to admit that it is always around the holidays that I miss my family a little more, and wish that they were a little closer.
The concept of living near to where you grew up and surrounded by family is a little foreign to me. My parents did a great job of creating family traditions and we enjoyed having lots of friends over on the special days. Many activities often revolved around church functions and there are many memories there too. Even throughout college I always was able to spend Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years around my family.
And then college ended, life began, and I couldn't always "go home" for the holidays... where ever that was. Each day is a little different now. We celebrate with different people and in different ways, we have forged out our own family traditions, but there is always the wish that things could be the way they were. It's in the memories.

Thanksgiving

This past Thanksgiving I pulled out the electric knife (so wonderful for carving a turkey, even if it only gets used once a year!) and I was immediately flooded with memories of my Grandpa. His job always seemed to be carving the turkey, or any other meat for that matter. He often put on his ichiban cook san apron to keep the juices off of his clothes. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite times, but my family tells me we never really celebrated it in Japan (my Thanksgiving meal is usually what my mom made for Christmas), so many of my memories probably go back to my college and post college years when I would make the trip up to Ohio for Thanksgiving. Thinking back it was crazy to make the 10+ hour trip for such a short time, but that was life before kids. Those Thanksgiving trips hold many memories in and of themselves, but I always enjoyed our family meal, which was often at church to accomodate everyone. Grandma made the turkey and all the aunts made the sides. After eating our feast we would gather in a big circle and share things we were thankful for. 

About 6 years ago we had our first sibling Thanksgiving and that is when we first attempted the feast on our own. We managed and it tasted fine and then from then on I have loved making the meal! The recipes can be found here.

Christmas 

Christmas is always hard, but again, we have worked to make our own memories. Will kindly follows my family's tradition of opening presents on Christmas Eve. I really need to ask my dad and grandma why they do it in the first place. Was it so santa couldn't exist? Or so that they didn't have to wake up early Christmas morning? I don't really know, but that's what we do. We make our pizza dinner and then open presents. 

The last time we were all together was 2010 in the States! Lots has changed since then!

Of course it always feels a little different then at home, when we would be out late with the Christmas Eve service at church. We would often do hand bells (think the kid color coded ones) by the train station and people would stop and watch. Then we would get home late, make our little pizzas and convince our parents that it wasn't too late and we should open presents. Then we would start with the youngest and each people would get a turn opening a present as we went through all seven people, usually more because we often would have people over who could not be with their families for Christmas. Christmas day, we opened stockings and then got ready for the Christmas feast! We would have quite a crowd over. Then we would stay up late doing an 1000 piece puzzle! oh the memories. 

Christmas always seems small when we are not surrounded by lots of people, but it is nice to be able to make our own traditions and see Alex and Liam get involved in them. We bake cookies, make ornaments. I had lots of other things on our to do list this year, but the flu kind of wiped out most of those options.

New Years

Then of course New Years. New Years Eve here is not very exciting. I think since New Years is the main holiday in Japan, there is so much more going on. We would watch the singing competition on tv, and laugh at the costumes. We would go to church in the morning and enjoying an omochi feast with the others afterwards. This is certainly an area where we need to figure out some more of our own tradtions, nothing has stuck out yet. New Years was fun, but it was also a time when the spiritual needs of the Japanese people came out loud and clear. As they flocked to the shrines, bought trinkets to wish for luck and good fortune in the next year. If only they realized that there is Someone who could meet their needs and love them through whatever they face.

I am thankful for the memories, even when my family is far away. I am thankful for the new memories that we have made with our boys, and the ones we will make along the way!

brothers

I'm pretty sure if we are going to want Liam to learn anything, we are going to have to get Alex to model it for him first. Alex did a happy dance after getting some treats... Liam did it too.

Alex pretended to sneeze in bed and Liam started saying "cho, cho."

And there was no contest between Will and I to see if Liam said mama or dada first...
"Alex" or something like it was definitely the first word that came out of his mouth!

If one has it, the other wants it. But sometimes they will share it.

Or Liam will just eat it for Alex.

But oh, the love. I hope and pray it always stays.

You know you are a teacher when...

This morning I was cutting out Lightening McQueen sight word cards from Kelly's Kindergarten. Alex noticed and requested some batman cards...

So guess what we did? 

(Of course laminated for durability!)

Then we played with them of course!

And he made his name.   

We will see how long they actually stay together!

Saturday morning fun at the Plunkett's... I know what you are thinking... What an  exciting life! Haha! We are thankful for a down day today! It's been a busy couple of weeks.

See you Later

Sorrow.
Because we lost our Grandpa.
Sorrow, because we don't get to see him here on earth any more.

Joy.
 Because we were able to be together as a family.

But oh JOY, because he is more alive than he has ever been.
Jesus first, Others second, Yourself last

Thankful.

That he loved Jesus oh so much. 

Thankful that his 9 kids could testify to the godly man he was.

Thankful that he loved his wife.

Happy
For the many, sweet memories that we can all share.
Happy for the fellowship we could share.

Grateful.
That this is not a forever goodbye.
Grateful for the example that he set for us.
That Grandpa had his eyes fixed on Jesus.

Grateful that he got his first best:

To be with Jesus.

So many people are so focused on the legacy they will leave.
Will they impact the world because of the wealth they gave away,
 or because of the change they put into place.
My Grandpa cared most about one thing:
He Loved Jesus.

As I was writing this post, a couple lines of the following poem came to my mind. As I was looking it up, I thought it was interesting that it was written by C.T. Studd, who's quote above I had found in one of my grandpa's bibles.

“Two little lines I heard one day, Traveling along life’s busy way;

Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done;

Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgment seat;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice

Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God’s holy will to cleave;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;

Each with its days I must fulfill, living for self or in His will;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score;

When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;

Faithful and true what e’er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn;

Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;

Only one life, “twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say, “Thy will be done”;

And when at last I’ll hear the call, I know I’ll say “’twas worth it all”;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last. ”

-C.T. Studd

Pastor Donald Schaeffer's Memorial Service from Grace Church on Vimeo.

Grandpa

He had a sense of humor, thankfully my grandma did too. Many a time she had to keep a watchful eye as the dessert plate was passed around. In high school I remember sitting next to grandpa during Sunday lunches. It was there I gleaned nuggets of truth like "a broken cookie only has half the calories," "gum is dumb,"  or how the numerous benefits of dark chocolate warranted a second helping. 

It was also at that table, during my many college vacations, that I saw my grandpa and grandma start their day reading their bible, then the little red devotional, and praying for their family and christians around the world.

He was sweet enough to keep my 4th grade sculpture of an old man (I guess it was him, but a much older version) on his dresser for far too long. He was wise enough to discipline me when I lied about picking apples off of their old tree instead of off the ground like I had been told. 

He was fluent in Japanese. And by fluent I mean that he made up a song of poor "Saganaki", who had no toys. The song always moved him to tears while the rest of us were crying with laughter. He drank his coffee the "German" way. Two parts water, one part coffee. He was German so I guess it was his German way.

He introduced me to Hercule Poirot thanks to their VHS tapes.  

He made me blueberry blender shakes after my wisdom teeth came out. He also told EVERYONE he saw at church the next week that I had gotten them out. But people would have noticed my bruised, chipmunk cheeks anyways. 

He was either in his chair reading his Bible and doing studies for his sunday school class, or sitting on the couch doing a crossword puzzle with my grandma, or more recently doing a sudoku puzzle. 

He never learned to type and never really touched the computer, but he had an iPad before any of his grandchildren, and used that to continue to listen to the Word, catch up on news, and of course, practice a sudoku puzzle or two. He amused us all by getting on the Wii balance board one time. I think just to show us that he was not too old to try something new. 

My grandpa was pretty much the kind of grandpa everyone would want to have. 
And now he is gone. 

But not really.
He knew what was important. He did not value materials, but relationships. He led by example. His legacy will live on.
Because he loved Christ.

The day before he died, I was at bible study and John 14:3 was mentioned in our video-- Jesus had Grandpa's place ready to go, and He was ready to welcome him home. That thought filled me with such hope and peace. Its sad to have to say goodbye but I'm so grateful that my Grandpa can be home with his Savior.

As I imagined the reunion Grandpa had with Jesus, this picture came to my mind:

Alex and Julia ran to my parents with just joy in on their faces because they were seeing someone they loved. My parents' arms were open wide ready to embrace them.

Heaven's reunions will be so much more than we can ever imagine.

Thank you Jesus.
Thank you for my wonderful Grandpa.

Grandpa and Alex

Grandpa meeting Liam

(or W. Donald as Grandpa thought he should be called!)

My Heart is Full...

Well, you know summer is over when I quit writing! I have not even been able to finish a book either! I have started several, but none have really captured me, so I have put them down. That is so not me, but time is precious and I really don't want to waste it on a book I don't want to read (I managed to do that several times this summer!)

The Lord has been so good to me these last months. It is such a privilege to READ His word, go to church and HEAR the word, and then to SEE his faithfulness unfold in front of me.
Its not been a big, resounding AHA moment, but rather so many little truths whispered to me when I need it.

Today's message on Mark 14:1-11 was the reminder I needed from Mary that Jesus is worth it all. The pastor commented on how we need to stop valuing this world. I can put so much emphasis on what other people think, or wishing I could give my kids more of what they want, but THAT doesn't matter. All across the world, believers are giving it ALL up for Jesus.

One of my favorite songs right now is Boldly I Approach by Rend Collective.
I'm posting all the words because they are so beautiful.

By grace alone somehow I stand

Where even angels fear to tread

Invited by redeeming love

Before the throne of God above

He pulls me close with nail-scarred hands

Into His everlasting arms

When condemnation grips my heart

And Satan tempts me to despair

I hear the voice that scatters fear

The Great I Am the Lord is here

Oh praise the One who fights for me

And shields my soul eternally

Boldly I approach Your throne

Blameless now I'm running home

By Your blood I come

Welcomed as Your own

Into the arms of majesty

Behold the bright and risen Son

More beauty than this world has known

I'm face to face with Love Himself

His perfect spotless righteousness

A thousand years, a thousand tongues

Are not enough to sing His praise

Boldly I approach Your throne

Blameless now I'm running home

By Your blood I come

Welcomed as Your own

Into the arms of majesty

This is the art of celebration

Knowing we're free from condemnation

Oh praise the One, praise the One

Who made an end to all my sin

Boldly I approach Your throne

Blameless now I'm running home

By Your blood I come

Welcomed as Your own

Into the arms of majesty

This weekend I was kind of beating myself up over some things... weaknesses that I was seeing in how I was communicating with my kids at home and school... I am a perfectionist, so when I see myself doing something wrong, I really get frustrated at myself and what other people think of me. What am I thinking? There is no way I can be perfect by myself. 
But, Hallelujah, I serve a God who FORGAVE me! And even when I will mess up and fail again, He will forgive me AGAIN because He loves me so much. (See also the song The Love of God, we sang that in church today too! Beautiful)


As I think about the song, I am also think about the moment when we will get to BOLDLY approach God's Throne. Can you imagine? My heart has been heavy these last weeks... my dad's father is not doing well. But this song reminds me of the JOY he will have that moment he gets to meet Jesus. My grandpa is such a great man of God. He stepped out in faith many times and has faithfully served the Lord. I know that he will be so happy to RUN into Jesus' arms and be welcomed.

As hard as it is thinking about it, and as many times as I will continue to fail and make mistakes, I can live life with the grace and assurance that Jesus will welcome me home.
So at the beginning of every day and then when it comes to a close, I hope that I can say:

I live for Jesus.

and it be true.

The Last of my Summer Reading: Books 21-22 (and 19 1/2)

Well, the summer is over now that school has started, except that I think our hottest days have been after school started. These are the last two books I read before


 21. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas: This was such an interesting perspective of a nine year old trying to understand what was going on in WW2. So much he did not understand but followed along because it was what he was told to do. The ending of the book was so shocking I kept thinking about it for days and days, still in utter disbelief. I am glad to have discovered John Boyne this summer! I look forward to reading more by him!

 22. Fault in Our Stars: This was an good last read of the summer. I have to admit, I did often feel like I was back in seventh grade reading Lurlene McDaniels and crying during class! ;)


  19 1/2: The Julian Chapter: Well, I guess summer is over, but this was a good saturday morning read (Alex woke up way too early!) so thought I would add it. It is written from the perspective of the bully in the book Wonder. I'm glad Palacio wrote this because there are always two sides to every story. And while Julian was a big bully, it is a side that kids need to hear. It's about learning from your mistakes and not letting them define you. It's about asking for forgiveness. Reading  the Julian Chapter made me want to read Wonder all over again, they are both must-reads!

Oh, Sweet Liam!

Oh Liam!

This little man brings so much joy to our life! I have never met such a happy and sweet kid! 

Somehow, this summer, he stopped being a baby and started being a little boy. 

I love his sense of humor. He knows he is funny. 

I also love that fact that he will eat anything I put in front of him

(his brother is not so accommodating)!

I love his laid back attitude towards EVERYTHING! This boy knows how to chill! :)

(he also climbs on every! Its a little nerve-wracking sometimes!)

I love his hilarious faces when he meets a new adventure.

 Currently his favorite sound is a roar.

Playing dinosaurs? "rrrrroar"

Playing trains? "roarrrrr"

All animals? "rroarrrr"

He makes sure we hear him!

 He is all boy! He loves to be outside and wants to be out there even more than Alex some times! He gets about three times as dirty as Alex, so most of the time we go straight to the bath. 

I think he is part fish, so he really doesn't mind.

One of my favorite things is seeing how much Liam loves and looks up to his brother. 

I can imagine the mischief they will get in to as they both get older. (Help me now!)

I love hearing them laugh. Watching them give each other good night hugs and kisses is one of the sweetest things in the world. 

I am pretty sure Liam tries to say the word "Alex". Its more of an "Ack" but I think it means Alex. :)

 Today when Liam woke up from his nap, Alex was a little grumpy so they were both sitting on my lap. Liam was so concerned about how Alex was feeling. He reached over and started patting Alex's back and looking into his eyes.

It was so precious. I'm glad they love each other.

I can't wait to see how he will keep growing this year!

(I could go on and on, but I will stop for now! ;) )

Books 18-20!

 18. eleanor & park: The little blurb on the inside cover almost made me not want to read it... "smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try." I didn't want to read a book about two people falling in love and then breaking up! Depressing! But, as the end came closer I changed my mind. It was a good book. :) I'm hoping for a sequel though.

  19. Wonder: This book was beautiful. I could not put it down. There were so many good lines in this book, but one of my favorite was “Be Kinder than is necessary. Because it's not enough to be kind. One should be kinder than needed." A must read!

 20. Bossypants: I needed a funny book to read and this was perfect. Tina Fey is hilarious! I started reading it when I was rocking Liam back to sleep one night, but I had to stop because I kept shaking him awake with my laughing! ;)

Things Alex says...

When I am Alex I have one A, When I am Alexander I have two As.

[in a robot voice] I am a robot, I do not understand. (after we had told him to do something, that he probably does not want to do)

The pterodactyl is touching it, not my fingers. (after I told him not to touch my papers)

(at the atm) Good job daddy! Is candy going to come out?
Me: No money comes out.
alex: you mean cash. cash is not money.

I love you Wiam. (Those sweet, tender moments are almost inevitably followed by a loud cry from "Wiam" when Alex's love turns a little too fierce.)

to will: I need to take my calendar to school. Tell my teacher to see if it is okay to take to school.
to me: I have my phone in my packpack. Tell my teacher if its okay so I can call you at school.

This boy is beyond excited to start school in a couple of weeks! He is only going for 2 half days a week to preschool, but I think he is ready for it! I am glad he is excited. If I ever go to school we have to talk about if I am going to my school or his school! [And yes, I know his backpack is huge (and heavy filled with all his toys) but it was on sale for $5 at target! ;) ]

What a summer it has been. The threes are, well, quite interesting to say the least. Between his fits of insanity we have so many wonderful moments. Life is all about dinosaurs, super heroes, pixar, dinosaurs books, trains, and batman. (yes, i know he is a super hero, but he is pretty much in his own category.)
We have had so many great adventures this summer, and I will definitely miss him this next school year, but I can't wait to watch him keep growing! And humoring us with his funny words.

Will and I look at each other all the time and wonder there this comes from. Of course then I see Will I remember...
(Yes, Alex definitely has his father's humor! ;) )

Books (that I kind of wish I had never read)

You know those books that make you cringe while you read them, yet you REALLY just want to know the ending so you finish reading them anyways. And then at the end you think about all the time you wasted reading the book when you could have been improving your life somehow...
yeah, the following fall in that category.

 16. Casual Vacancy: I much prefer J.K Rowling as a children's author. I would rather be stuck in Hogwarts any day, than in Pagford. Its pretty much a soap opera set in a little English village. And it is a TERRIBLE place to live.

17. Gone Girl: No words. Just a reminder that we live in a fallen world. And what kind of ending was that?

Sorry if you loved these books. We are all entitled to our own opinions! haha!
Next on my list are eleanor and park and Wonder. Hopefully these will be better. But then I need to make sure I read some really happy books.

a wonderful week at Hilton Head

I don't even know where to begin when I think about the wonderful week we had away at the beach. So many memories that I will cherish forever. Even though we are all home together all summer, it was so refreshing to have a change of pace for a week and focus on fun and rest! (Can they really go hand in hand? ;) ) We usually spent the mornings at the beach then we would come back for naps and rest time (reading time for Will and I!). The afternoons we would go on a bike ride and then we did different things every evening!

Beach Fun

We most certainly have two beach bums for kids! The boys loved the water, the sand, the sun! Liam had no problems being sandy from head to toe, he didn't mind eating it either.
 He was the destructor of all kinds of sand castles as if he was the giant sitting on the castle and letting it squash to the ground.

When we would go to the water to wash off he would lay in the shallow water for ages and stare at the water coming in and out. Out deeper he was not afraid of a little wave coming up to him. He was a little fish in the water.

Each day Alex warmed up a little more to the water and the waves. Once he learned how to "swim" (tread water with his puddle jumper on) he enjoyed swimming back and forth to Will and I!

It took FOREVER to coax him into the water though because he loved to play in the sand.

Towards the end of the week he would run to the water from our spot on the sand to get water. Along the way he would get so distracted looking at other people and what they were doing. On the way back he would do the same, then have to take a minute to locate us again, then he would wave, and keep coming towards us.

The water was perfect for little kids. Lots of shallow, calm water that made it easy to play and float without being crushed by a wave. I had never seen so many sea creatures that were alive!

 On one beach walk, we saw about 4 starfish walking back to the water, crabs walking, sea snails, and we saw and felt numerous sand dollars with our feet in and out of the water!

 What fun! The one bad part of the beach was when I was stung by a jelly fish, but in the end I was thankful it was me that was stung and not one of the boys! 

By the end of the week Will and I were experts at setting up and taking down our canopy and cleaning up the toys! We were about 2 miles from the beach so we ended up driving every day because of all the stuff we had. 

Bike Rides

I had heard from people that Hilton Head was a great place to ride bikes, so we decided to rent some and a kiddie cart while we were there. I am so glad we did! Every day we spent time on the bikes.

 Most of the time we just went for rides around the plantation, but we did venture on a longer ride one time to a park and riding to Coligny Plaza for ice cream and treats was fun too!

On our bike rides we would see turtles and alligators swimming in the ponds and herons (I think, or maybe egrets...) standing on the edge of the water.

We would ride under huge trees and see the spanish moss hanging down. Alex's "whoopie" as we flew down a hill or Liam's "ahahahah" over the bumps were precious sounds letting us know that the boys loved it too. Liam even fell asleep on the rides a couple of times, his head resting against Alex's shoulder. It was so sweet. 

Evening Excursions

After our early dinners (Liam has to eat by 6 or he gets super fussy!) we enjoyed heading back out to do something fun. Tuesday it was walking along the marina and seeing fireworks at Shelter Cove.

 Wednesday we enjoyed a bike ride to the beach and then a nice walk down the beach.

 Thursday we went up the Harbourtown light house and enjoyed Greg Russell under the Liberty Oak Tree.

The boys loved being out and about and enjoyed all the new experiences.

Alex just came up to my lap and asked in a pitiful voice if we could go back to the beach and to our other home! :) It was the first time we had spent a whole week at the beach since before he was 1. I am so thankful for the wonderful memories we now have together.

Out of all of the beaches I have been too, Hilton Head is one of the top! I hope that we can go back again soon!