OR 18 YEARS OLD?!?!?!?
*if this is any indication of what her teen years will be like, I hope we can find a great deal on a family cell phone plan!
On Thursday, Noa was a year and a half old. I haven’t done well about keeping up with her month birthdays, but this one struck me significantly. Something about her being as close to 2 as she is to 1, and especially as she seems to have grown up light years since Martha was born. There aren’t words to express my incredible gratitude to the Lord for this wonderful person he has placed in our lives. And not just in our lives, but He’s given us the great pleasure of loving and knowing her better than anyone else in this whole world. It is hard to watch her grow up and the time passes too quickly, but honestly, I can’t wait to know and love her better in the months and years to come. And if these 18 months have been any indication, I know I’ll enjoy loving and knowing her more and more than I do now. I have found that, as in my marriage, being the mother of my daughter just gets better and better.
Do you like Hello Kitty? Here she is!
Tonite when I put her to bed, I lingered with her and we cuddled on the extra bed in her room. I talked to her about the things we did today and the people in our lives and we had a great little chat. It was mostly her saying “yea” and “no” to my quesitons about what she enjoyed, who she loves, and what she likes to eat or not eat. It wasn’t anything deep 
but it was fun to just sit and talk to her and know that we were understanding each other. It made me excited for many many many more conversations with this sweet girl as we end our days and reflect. I look forward to the days that they are deeper, but for now, I can’t imagine anything sweeter at the end of my day.
So I just want to praise the Lord for the 18 wonderful months of life he has given our Noa and all he has given us through that precious life. “Every good and perfect gift is from above” and I can’t think of many greater gifts than this precious little girl.
Happy Easter from our family to yours! Though its late in coming, I pray that we all celebrate the life and victory of our King as much today as on Easter.
Growing up, my mom always had us hunt for Easter eggs that were filled with little objests that helped to tell the Easter story, starting with Palm Sunday through the Resurrection. I think there are 12 eggs in all and it was always exciting to see who would find the last egg in the story – the empty one – that reminded us of the great celebration of Easter – the empty tomb that tells us that Jesus is ALIVE, not just then but NOW! This year, Uncles Seth and Micah planned the same hunt for Noa and she got to find and open all the eggs herself.
She had a blast finding the eggs
and putting them in her pretty little basket
Eric and I both agreed she has never sat so long and so well for family devotions as she did that evening as Seth let her open each egg and he shared with her that part of the story. Even though we know she didn’t understand everything, we pray that even now her young heart is beginning to understand what a tremendous sacrifice both Father and Son made on the cross, and that the joy and victory and hope of Easter morning would become her own.
While Noa hunted and opened and learned, Martha busied herelf looking just cute as can be. 
We are excited for when both girls can participate in the hunt, and even more so, for when both will call on our Risen Christ as the Savior of their souls and the Lord of their Lives. How we pray it will be very soon!
Yesterday was an adventure! Noa went to my parents’ house and Eric, Martha, and I made the trek to the U.S. Embassy in the middle of Tokyo. After 4 trains and subways to get there (about 2 hours, the whole of which Martha slept in the snuggly), we made it to the little piece of America here in Japan. It was actually a lot like the DMV, nothing impressive, but we were thankful that things went relatively quickly and we were able to apply for her Consular Report of Birth Abroad (it will be like her English birth certificate), her passport (which we need very soon in order to apply for her visa to live in Japan), and her social security. Some people have asked us if she will have dual citizenship. Japan is one of the hardest countries to get citizenship in, and being born here holds little value on the issue so we have not even thought of exploring that option. Right now she’s just 100% American We hit rush hour on the way back so we were on a pretty crowded train. Thats also when Martha decided to stop being the angel child and start wailing. For over 20 minutes on a hot, crowded train, Eric bounced up and down trying to comfort her. She eventually wore herself out and just looked around the rest of the trip. It was one of those things that could have been really stressful, but there was nothing we could do to change the situation so we just smiled at those who stared and kept smiling at each other and Martha, thankful that about half the passenger at least had headphones. It was wonderful to get home and go to bed. Martha and I both slept great – she went almost a 7 hour stretch for me, for which I am incredibly grateful. I needed the rest after walking around the big city. She obviously needed it too.
The newest citizen of The United States of America (outside the Embassy – see the flag?):
I wanted to get up our Easter photos but I don’t have the cord for the camera here at home. I’ll have to share those later. For now, here’s a few random ones:
With Aunt Hannah
About 2 months ago, we weaned Noa off the paci, using the logic that pacis are for babies and Noa is a BIG sister. She seems to have gotten it pretty well, though she’s occasionally been known to “taste” Martha’s paci. The last few weeks, though, she’s picked up this bad habit that we are trying to figure out how to break…
Welcome Calvin Pfeil! Calvin was born 11 days after Martha (even though their due dates were exactly a month apart!) and we are so glad he is here now too. Sarah and I enjoyed being pregnant together and I know we will have fun with our little ones being so close in age. I can’t believe Martha slept through her first date!
Here is Martha in her special sweater made with love from her Grammy. Eric’s mom is always spoiling us with beautfiul handmade gifts and we just love having those tangible reminders of her love for us. In fact, the red sweater that Noa is wearing in the photo above is also a Grammy Special. Thank you thank you thank you Grammy! ( or as Noa says, “Mimi”)
On our way to check in to the clinic: Inage Birth and Women’s Clinic
At about 5cm: We’re halfway there!!!!
My amazing midwife, Eriko, who delivered Martha and was an amazing labor coach.
A sweet sweet baby girl, totally worth the effort! 
We are so thankful for God’s care and provision for us throughout all the little details of Martha’s arrival. Everything from the timing of it, to the kind and wonderful care of the clinic staff were clearly gifts from God and we are so thankful. Praise HIM!!!
