So we fell off the wagon again...

Aloha faithful followers- 
If you remember from our last posting about 2 years ago (seems like it), we admitted to our addiction to moving stuff.  Well, we thought we had our addiction under control but in fact we are moving AGAIN.  This time it is not our choice as the house we so dearly love is being sold from underneath us.  Now before you feel too sorry for us, we knew that the house was for sale before we moved into it.  We took the chance that because it had been on the market for 18 months and was overpriced with not too eager sellers, that we would be good to go for as long as we needed it.  Well, the problem is that we made the house our HOME and basically "staged" the house for them.  We knew we were in trouble when we started having to show the house 2-3x/week.  I guess before each showing, we should have thought it through a little bit and left dead roaches around the house and maybe one or two of Evie's potty training turds on the carpet, but hindsight is 20/20 ya know. So, even though this house has been perfect for us and our needs, we know that God is in complete control and will provide for us- no question, no doubt!  We have 2 months (11/1/12) to find another place and ask for your prayers for that to come up sooner rather than later as we would hate to have to move in the winter.  Ya know slick roads, frostbite, and boxes buried in snow, etc.:) 

Moving on from the bad news- we are otherwise doing very well here.  We have become the Russell Bed & Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner which we absolutely love.  We have had such great quality time with our visitors so far.  Kristi and Eric (Lallie's sister and her husband) were here for a couple of weeks and we had quite the adventures together.  From homemade Luaus, to snorkeling with turtles, to all cramming in an old Hilo hotel room made for two and watching Michael Phelps win gold, to learning "Your welcome" in Hawaiian (which is Aole Pilikula in case you were wondering).

We then had the joy of having my sister Jennifer visit us for 2 weeks and what a truly special time that was.  Jen learned how to breath out of her mouth for the first time as she snorkeled with the Humuhumunukukuapa'as and found a new addiction called Shave Ice (which we had I think 4 times while she was here).  She conquered Palolu Valley in the heavy tropical rains and witnessed the incredible orange glow of the lava first hand. I learned more about my sister on this trip than any other time and I consider that a true privilege.

We now currently have our first repeat visitors from the Kays' Clan- Grandpa Keith and Grandma Yvonne and our enjoying a slower pace of not completing the "cramming everything into a short period of time tour"- which is fun of course, but exhausting.  We love to have them here!

We have settled into a great church called Living Stones, which is right on the beach and full of solid- don't beat-around-the-bush teaching and excellent worship. It has been a source of encouragement and fellowship for us.  Lallie has been involved with a couple of women's studies and is making connections.  It is challenging because nothing and no one will replace the connections, friendships, and family that we have back home.

I am continuing to enjoy my work at West Hawaii Community Health Center as challenging as it is.  I am trying to recruit my good buddy from PA school to work with us over here and will see what comes of that.  I am enjoying my 3 minute downhill bike ride to work although its a "buggah" comin' home but good for me.  We hope to find a place that allows me to continue to ride to work but we shall see.

Home schooling is in full swing and going well for the most part.  The kids love it (mostly) but have found that teaching mostly in the AM is what works to keep their attention and focus.  My Father's World curriculum is excellent and really has a focus of solid biblical teaching intertwined into the lessons which we love. Lallie loves learning with the kids and is enjoying every one of those "light bulb" moments. She feels this time is truly a gift!

Logan and Clay have joined the Kona swim team and are becoming very skilled swimmers- which is a really good thing when you are surrounded by water!  They have swim meets all over the island and we experienced the first one last weekend.  They did great especially for their first time!  Oliver is following right behind them swimming like a keiki dolphin!

Evie is such a big girl basically potty training herself making BMs the size of her (okay TMI sorry).  She's a little parrot always wanting to do what her big brothers are doing and usually succeeding at it in her own way.  She is sleeping in a big girl bed now and likes all things with pink and princess.  I am always amazed at just how different girls are and am reminded everyday.  What an incredible gift she is to this family!

All three boys had their birthdays which of course was very different than every before but still great.  We had "low key" birthdays which was actually quite nice this time around. Oliver had a pirate party, complete with a pinata party. For Logan's birthday, we were able to connect him with a surfing instructor named Logan (what are the odds?!) who was willing to teach him to surf.  He really did such an incredible job shredding up the waves dude!  I was out there on my boogie board trying to get some pictures and getting pummeled by waves at the same time- good times! We also celebrated by going to the local bowling alley.

Yup, Oliver got "rescued" out of 3" of water

That's about all for now.  We love you all and miss you all tremendously!  We have many more visitors headed our way in the coming months and hope that YOU are one of them!  Please make your complimentary reservation with our courteous staff who are ready to take your call 24/7 unless its between the hours of 7pm-6pm HST or during dinner break which is 6-7pm:)  We promise the lowest rates of all of Hawaii or you will be entitled for a full refund!!!  Follow us on Facebook for daily live updates if you just can't enough of us.

Love,

Chris, Lallie, Logan, Clay, Oliver, Evie and ?



Oh did I get anyone's heart pumping a little with that "?". I am so sorry it was just a little typo.  The editing staff gives it sincere apology:) Or was it?  Yeah it was.  Maybe. For sure, its possible. Absolutely not but yet, was it?