Sunday, December 31, 2017

Happy New Year!

Kylie and Daniel's Wedding, Santa Rosa, Ca. 

It has been a year full of new things (Landon started talking, Emerson started preschool), joy (Landon stopped nursing and began sleeping through the night), sadness (heaven welcomed my grandma and Josh's grandpa), and celebrations (Josh's sister Kylie was married!). We have done life closely with both sides of our family this year, traveling together, visiting Disneyland, tailgating at USC, and walking through sickness and struggles together. We have also have enjoyed getting closer to many of our friends from church and friends from past.

Probably the biggest behind-the-scenes news that has consumed Josh and I this year is the monumental effort to try and move home. More specifically, we are actually trying to move into Josh's parent's back yard. (baby boy needs to be by his mama! Just kidding. But also I'm dying laughing.) We are achingly those millennials moving back in with their parents, but even better since we are bringing two kids with us. Whoops. 

haven't mentioned it just yet because the house plans from the city have yet to be fully approved and much of it has been touch-and-go but, as of this week, it seems more likely than not. Looks like 2018 is shaping up to be quite an interesting year already. 

More on that later but for now, we hope that joy permeated your heart this past year, and through the sorrows and celebrations, changes and mundane, Jesus was real and present in your life. He makes all the difference.

Love,
J

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

The Mark of Christmas

Each Christmas is marked by something. 2016 - Landon's first Christmas! 2015 - Christmas in our new house. 2014 - we had E and it changed the direction of our hearts forever

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. The kids were lavishly loved on. The family parties memorable. The school stuff - performances/pajama parties/gingerbread house decorating/gift exchanges/cookie decorating playdates. A surprise 70th birthday soiree. E's first sleepover at Grandpa and Grandma's house. My mom did a daily advent with the kids that was just the best. Staycation at Disneyland. The kids went to their first Candlelight Christmas Eve Service. The girl cousins had a 'sleepover' with my mom (in the living room) on Christmas. Sweet sweet memories.

But the indelible mark of Christmas this year was the act of extraordinary giving. In the past month Josh and I have been able to participate, in a small way, in some extraordinary giving and our hearts are so full we could burst! 

Here's what happened for one of those acts: The Saturday night before Christmas we found out a family from our church weren't able to give their children any presents for Christmas. Four kids - the two youngest in middle school and high school. The next day, Christmas Sunday, on a whim my sister (who has never done anything like this before) posted this on social media. 


The response was overwhelming. Over the next 12 hours SO. MANY. PEOPLE. gave money, dropped off presents, brought over gift cards. People who have no money, some who do, couples, singles, older, younger, families who know them personally, and complete strangers. COMPLETE STRANGERS! 

The girls when opening their gifts.




It was remarkable.

I am compelled to write the names of those who gave because their giving has left a permanent mark on my own heart. I know they'll never see this nor do I think any of them need the recognition but the act of typing it out gives me a chance to linger on each person and ask Jesus for a sweet blessing on their lives.

Kelsey. Jodi and David. Sandy. Blane and Aimee. Randy and Laurie. Melissa. Gary, Lola, Courtney and Sydney. Jason and Dawn. Lori. Pat and Tduk. Rianna. Leila. Michelle. Chanh. Mark and Ruth. Paige. Reg and Mayme. Sheldon and Kristin. Grace. Noah. Begum. Nozomu and Mifumi. Dad and Mom. Josh. Anonymous givers. 

What an incredible reminder to be generous, to love, and to serve others. I hope you too, get the chance to be the hands and feet of Jesus and participate in some extraordinary giving in 2018. 

Merry Christmas!



Thursday, December 21, 2017

Miyabe Family Christmas



We hosted the Miyabe Family Christmas party again this year. As with the Disneyland trip, I am left (weeks later) by all the laughter and joy.

But here's the thing. This group, the people here, are not without aches and sorrows, disappointments and even loss. The strength of Christ is such that even through the pain, there is joy! We can laugh, and sing, and dance even still. It is God who holds all things together. And the grace that has lavishly been poured out on me, my family, frees us to worship and celebrate together. What a difference Christ makes in our lives!
























And a special thanks to my brother in law for capturing the night. 

Monday, December 18, 2017

The Magic of Disneyland

We spent two nights at the Disneyland hotel. A most amazing Christmas gift from Josh's parents to us and the kids. I am mostly struck by the joy and laughter. See for yourself..




We don't cosleep, so she took full advantage of the fact that she was one bed next to me. Every time she woke up she'd call out to me, and because I didn't want her waking up Landon, I'd crawl into bed with her, and she'd snuggle up and fall back asleep. The only problem is that I'm a finicky sleeper and cannot sleep with someone all over me. So tired! After we got home my sister unhelpfully suggested I should have let Josh sleep with her. Goodness gracious, why didn't I think of that!?


Emerson rode the roller coaster and he went to see Minnie. haha


His favorite.

His second favorite.

Waiting for the parade like


Her favorite rides were Soaring Over the World, Big Thunder Mountain, and the Cars Ride. She barely made the height restriction but she sure was happy that she did. Not a little baby anymore.

Kylie took this of Emerson on the Toon Town rollercoaster..and yet she still loves them. I don't get it! lol Her father's daughter for sure. 




First time riding on the bow of the boat. Usually Emerson and Cole get it. Whoops, sorry second child. :p Love how dang proud he is of that opportunity. haha

So focused, so bumpy. lol

This girl went down the biggest water slide (where the Disneyland sign is) BY HERSELF. Sure she got stuck halfway because she wasn't heavy enough but still, she did it! She is 3. 

My favorite photos of the trip were the ones at the pool of Josh and E. Right? So good.


Every day he still tells us "phew phew, ooot! ooot!" (Buzz Light Year Ride with Uncle Luke). Between this and singing the Tiki Room song, it's safe to say the trip left a lasting impression on him.


I'm not sure who loves the princesses more. hah

 A father's love for his son. gah!

Meeting Santa





Magic Hour Day 2 had us like.. but still, our only group photo! =) 

What a whirlwind! And what magical memories.

Next up, last post of the Reverse Recap, Miyabe Family Christmas. Christmas in 7 days!