Homeschool fun

While moving and settling, it was hard to fit in more than just the three R's for school.Now that we've settled into a normal routine, our school has become a lot more hands on. Here are some things the kids have been busy working on lately.

Joshua and Ava hanging out laundry during their "busy bag" time. 

The older kids and I have been learning about the tabernacle and the instructions the Lord gave to Moses on order to build it. I have to admit, I've learned a TON from this lesson, and my reading through the Bible(although I'm WAY behind) has been right on track with what we are learning in school! 

So, we began making our model tabernacle using the My Father's World curriculum.

First, the Most Holy Place. It holds the Arc of the Covenant, which contained inside the tablets of Law (10 Commandments), Aaron's staff and manna. This was where the high priest could enter once a year, and sacrifice for the sins of the people. It was the dwelling place of the Lord.

The Arc we made which had miniatures of the items I just listed. This was fun for the kids, too, and helped them remember!

This was the lampstand that had to stay lit continually . It was in the Holy Place (only priests were allowed in here).It also contained the Altar of Incense and The Table for the Bread (also really interesting)

The covering for the tabernacle was a bit tricky, but we used felt that we had on hand and newspaper on top, since the last layer was to be leather,  and I didn't have any of that! You can also see some of the other pieces the kids made and learned about as well.

 And here it is! All finished! We were excited to have completed this project and learned a lot about the specific instructions the Lord have His people in building the Tabernacle. 

 We also read about the 12 spies that were sent into Canaan. They brought back figs, grapes and pomegranates. So, for snack, we had grapes, Fig Newtons and pomegranate juice. Who knew Bible history could be so yummy?

Zoo trip with Auntie Sarah

The past few weeks here in Hawaii have been a great time meeting and getting to know some of Shawn's side of the family. He comes from a large extended family and it has been so nice to be near them. Shawn's sister, Sarah, has lived in Hawaii her entire life and goes of UH. So, while we've been here, we have really gotten to spend some sweet time with her. The kids loved her immediately, of course, and she seems like a natural with them too! We recently went to the zoo with our Auntie and then walked to get shave ice (yes, that's SHAVE ice, not "shaved" as you would think...it's a Hawaii thing). Here are some pics of our fun day!

For the most part, the animals were the same as you would find at any zoo. But, they do have some unusual birds and NO penguins or polar bears (big surprise, huh?)

I love this picture of Caleb...he's so handsome!

Joshua, my now 6 year old! 

He's got his "camera smile" rockin' today!

White shirt + shave ice - bad idea!!

goofy!!

Ava loved Sarah toting her around. (Sarah is the tall blonde who looks nothing like her brother :)

Hawaii 101

We've been in our new state almost four weeks now, and here are some things I've learned about Hawaii, in general:
1.) Hawaii time= slower than anything you ever thought was possible. Also, the "cushion" of time that exists between being on time and an hour late.
2.) COCKROACHES FLY!!!! I can't stress enough how much this disturbs me to my core. It's one things that they exist and scurry about, but FLY??? Shawn still has to kill them for me (I love him!)
3.) Everyone is family here. This is a part I love. Instead of Mr. and Mrs., people refer to others as "Auntie" and "Uncle".
4.) You should NEVER go to the store on Friday or Saturday...or Sunday. Overall, just stay away on the weekend. You'll go in there and many hours later come out, having spent way too much money and irritated (this also corresponds with "Hawaii time")
5.) This area is BEAUTIFUL!!! I hope I never get over the view of the ocean or Diamond Head outside the window, or the mountains as I drive down the highway (slowly, as many people drive in "Hawaii time", also :)
6.) I'm not the only one who's new to the area, or lonely for friends....something maybe the Lord will use to draw people into a relationship with Himself.
     Thanks for praying for us, encouraging us with your cards (especially for the kid's birthdays), and the support!

Our kids playing with some new friends in their yard. 

This is the tree line that seperates our house from our neighbors. The kids love playing with their kids and have worn the grass out sliding down the hill on boogie boards or cardboard.

Big sister kisses in the backyard!

Family photo shoot!

A good friend from UBC shot some photos of us before we packed up and left Ohio. I've been wanting her to shoot our family ever since I've seen her pics from others. There are many people that call themselves photographers that in my opinion are just people with fancy cameras. Marissa Bowers is a talented artist who captures the moments that are real. Not always fancy, posed, all smiles pictures, but the real deal...life as we know it. I tried to keep the kids as true to life as always, Ava with her tutu and twinkle toe shoes, Haleigh in her jeans and sketchers, Joshua with a goofy smile. These pics turned out better than I could've imagined. Click on the link to view them all and the password is peoples. If you'd like to order some, Marissa will be happy to accommodate you. Thanks a ton, Marissa! This was the MOST fun I've ever had taking pictures with our kids!! 

Family Photos

This made me so happy.....

Look whose moving in the neighborhood!!

Here are some pictures of our new home in Hawaii!! We LOVE our new place!Here is a pic of the living room (minus furniture...but we're working on that!)

 The living room flows into the dining room...

This is a room we will use as a school/guest room.We're thinking of maybe getting a futon and some dividing curtains or something. 

Our kitchen which opens up into the dining room

More kitchen...

 The school/guest room downstairs

I love this little closet that uses the space under the stairs (I know, it's the little things...)

Downstairs bathroom

The boys x-tra large room

The kids bathroom

 The girls room (hard to really get this picture right)

Our GIANT room!!

This is a room off of our room, which Shawn will use an an office. LOVE THIS!!

Our bathroom! Yay for double sinks :)

 OK, I have to show this...After I step outside, I see THIS!

 Front view

 Part of our backyard (really, really, blessed to have one at all!)

     So, now we are spending time waiting for our things to arrive and buying things we need in the meantime. Also, we are cleaning the house preparing for living there. One thing we've found fun, is all of the tiny lizards running around ( I MUCH prefer these to cockroaches!) The kids have already met the neighbors kids and are itching to get to the beach! Thanks for the prayers friends!

ALOHA!!

WE'RE HERE!!!!! I can hardly believe that it's real...but we are finally here! The plane ride was pretty good, considering we had 5 children, plus Shawn and I traveling for almost 20 hours. We had a really bumpy ride into Hawaii, but the plane landed safely :) I was really proud of Haleigh and Caleb on that leg of the trip, because they were sitting alone. Our tickets were all crazy that flight, and they ended up alone. They kept each other entertained, and even when Caleb got motion sickness from all of the turbulence, Haleigh kept fanning him and "mothering" him, since we were forbidden to get out of our seats at that time.
    We've been staying with a family since we landed and they are the kindest people. They planted a church here a few years ago, and Shawn connected with him through a mutual friend. We hadn't even met them until we stepped into their house this week! But, one thing that I know is that the bond that we have in Christ, makes strangers even feel like family.
     Today, we signed a lease on a house in Kapolei. We love it! I hope to post some pics in the next few days. There is a park right down the street, and we already met our neighbor! The kids are SO happy about the house, and I was really excited that we have a backyard!  It has rained ever since we got here, so no beach fun, just yet. I think it might just be the "winter" weather here. Still, it's pretty amazing to look out your bedroom window and see the mountains!
     Please continue to pray for us as we settle down here. The kids are doing well, although their internal clocks are still a little off. Also, please pray that we will have some divine appointments while getting to know people in the area. Thanks so much for the prayers and encouraging words!!
Aloha!