Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Friday, July 12, 2013
Friday, May 17, 2013
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Long time...
So Easter was completely UNeventful. I was sick so we stayed home. Kaipo was at work so there was no a alternative for the kids. I was so busy with all the 'parents going on a mission' stuff I didn't even do easter baskets. I am a lame mom. So we will be doing all the fun easter stuff this week end.
We are getting yet another dog. She is really little and her name is Yoyo - currently. She is a maltese, yorkie mix. She was originally rescued by a friend of Kaipo's. I guess she is a little skittish - We are hoping to love that out of her. I guess she is really small. I am thinking 4 - 5 lbs. maybe smaller. I am excited. I know we do this all the time, we adopt a dog and then let them go. I can't promise that won't happen again. I will say that I will try harder to deal with the hard stuff as well as the good. I miss sophie - our last little dog. She was a sweetheart and we all miss her - in some ways I wish I had never let her go - but she is with someone who needed her. So - we'll try again. The Kids won't know till monday - so keep it on the DL ;)
The kids are having their spring break this week, I wish we had had money to do something fun - but Kaipo wasn't even home so what can you do? The kids have been taking it easy, hanging out with friends etc. I am so grateful that spring is finally here. The grass is greening up and the trees are starting to get their leaves, I love it, Winter is so hard for me, I love spring all the more - even with allergies!!
We are all working on getting back to church - that's a long hard road. I have good days and not so good days - just like everyone else. I resolve to do better every week and sometimes it just seems harder. It's hard work. I am looking forward to General Conference - I will have to watch on the computer - since we don't have normal TV. That will be ok though. I can watch at my own pace and take notes if I want to. I can also listen on the radio - we still have access to that. I tried getting one of those digital converter boxes and an antenna for regular TV - but I haven't been able to get it all to work, it says the signal is too weak. So I dunno - I guess we will make do.
Well that's all for tonight.
I love you Mom and Dad, I hope you had a good day - we'll talk to you soon.
Love Jules
Thursday, September 6, 2012
So I'm sick, I have a nasty cold. I picked up Kaipo from the airport today and he has been so sweet. He's making me stay in bed, he says he's got the kids and he is going to make chicken noodle soup for dinner. I am so grateful for this beautiful man I married, he loves me so much. I am incredibly lucky to have Kaipo as my husband. He is my everything.
The kids started school this week and so far it seems good. Kahelelani is on aderol for ADD and it makes her shakey by the afternoon, so we have to live with that because the aderol helps her focus and she needs that. Food helps, but she doesn't crave it so she has to force herself to eat so the shaking will go away. One of the reasons I am staying home right now is to make sure she eats and help her when she gets home from school.
Londen is in highschool now and its nice having the schedule split up into A day and B day, he gets overwhelmed easily and I hope this will help.
I am watching my sister's kids and I love it. I can't get enough of my neices and nephews. I also love seeing my sister more.
I'm finding that having teenagers is quite the challenge. I didn't realize how hard it would be. Every day is an emotional battle, and the constant questioning of my self is exhausting. I just hope we all make it through this, it's crazy.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Back to school update
School is back in session and I am taking some time off of work, it's been very peaceful around here.
Londen is in 8th grade. He seems to be on top of things even though it's a little harder than last year.
He recently started a martial arts class. I am excited for him. He really likes it so far. We continue to have a house full of boys. They are good kids and I enjoy having them around.
Kelani is in 6th grade and doing pretty good. She has had some drama, but she was able to work it out on her own - I was pleased, and proud of her. She is still doing gymnastics and loving it. She is forming her own sense of style and she is just so cute.
Kaip is still working out of state, it has it's advantages and disadvantages, just like any other career, We miss him when he's gone and love him when he's home.
I am just enjoying some time off work. My Jeannette and I are working on some plans to start a business. More on that later.
My brother Dan is living with us right now. We get to see his son Oliver every week, so cute and so fun.
Trying to find peace and enjoy life. Gratitude is the key I think. I do best when I am looking at all I have to be grateful for.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Hey World... My kids make mistakes !!!
As a parent I tend to get wrapped up in my children's mistakes. I take responsibility for them, I feel bad about them, and I take it all personally. I forget that they make mistakes to learn, just like I do. Mistakes are not bad things, they are part of life and they are the best teachers. I realized this past week that it's not about me, I need to stand back and let the natural effects of mistakes and consequences take place. I can be there to talk it through and love my children despite their mistakes.
As a child I remember feeling stupid when I made a mistake. I remember feeling like I needed to be perfect and I just wasn't. I even assumed that I wasn't worth loving because I wasn't perfect. Most of the time when I made a mistake and got in trouble I would think things like "why do I even try" "maybe I should run away" "I should just give up now cuz I'm never gonna make it". It's important to me that my kids don't feel like giving up on life when they make mistakes. It's part of life and it's an important part of life. All of the real lessons I have learned in my life have been a result of one mistake or another. I tend to beat myself up when I make mistakes which is a natural reaction I think for most people. The real question I forget to ask myself is this - What did I learn and how will I do it differently next time? I also forget to ask my kids that. I always tell them that I love them and that I love them no matter what mistakes they make.
On this last incident with Kelani, I found my self being angry at and hurt by her because of how it made me feel and how I might look to someone else(?)! Well guess what... IT's NOT ABOUT ME!!! I don't have to allow myself to be embarrassed when my child is living and learning. And if someone wants to judge me because of the choices or mistakes my kids make, Well I feel sorry for them because they don't get it. We are supposed to make mistakes. It's part of life, if it were possible to achieve perfection in this life, there would be no need for the Atonement. Jesus Christ was the only man who ever lived who didn't make any mistakes. What in the hell was I doing thinking I could be perfect or expecting for one second for my kids to make all the right choices.
Sometimes I just need a smack upside the head - even if it is from myself.
Thanks for reading, I hope my mistake can help you in some way. It has opened my eyes a little wider.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Mother's Day
How will we work out seeing both moms? (grandma & nana)
What should I get them?
Should I give the kids some money, or let them use their imagination? I wonder if they will bring my breakfast in bed?
Maybe this year I will just show my kids how grateful I am to be a mom. I'll do stuff for them.
Should I go to church? I know there are lots of mom's who don't go to church on mother's day because inevitably you walk away feeling as though you haven't done enough for your kids.
Yes, I think staying home and focusing on the mothers in my life and enjoying my kids for the day, that sounds like a good mother's day to me.
Mother's day is like my birthday. I try so hard not to have expectations, but I think they are built in. I tell my self that it doesn't matter. Then I hear something that someones kids or husband has done for them and I think either - Wow, I'm glad my husband isn't like that, or Wow, why doesn't my family do stuff like that.
The other approach is to take matters into my own hands and tell them what would be nice. I just don't want to have to ask, it takes the spontaneity and the sincerity out of it.
I am really going to try this year to just let it be what it is. Just another Sunday. I love my kids and I am so glad to be a mom, weather I'm good at it or not, I still love doing it.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Spring update
Lots of new things going on. We have decided to sell the trailer and the 4 wheeler. The 4 wheeler is already sold and we have the trailer listed. We love camping but we find that we just don't do it enough. It is a little sad we have lots of fun memories with that stuff, but it's only stuff.
We don't have a lot planned this year, DonLee is having a 60th birthday luau with his friend Dick. We will be going to Vegas to celebrate with him. The kids love to go visit "Tatai" it is a nice break from regular routines. We love to see dad, he is so great.
Our nephew Nainoa went into the MTC this week, he is going to serve in Fort worth TX. We are so excited for him and love him so much. We had some great family time with him before he left. He will be missed.
Kelani is finishing 5th grade. It has been a challenging year for her. We are looking forward to 6th grade hoping it will be better. We are trying to help her get ready for Jr. high. It is crazy how fast they grow up. She is at that age where she's still a little girl most of the time but she shows her diva side more and more. She has been taking gymnastics this year. She likes it and is learning lots, I think it is way good for her. She is so loving and is very much a physical touch kind of person. We just love her so much and want her to be happy.
Londen is finishing up with 7th grade, I would say his Jr. high experience has been good thus far. He has a ton of friends, our house is constantly full of kids. It's fun trying to feed them all. Boys are always hungry. We love it though. We love our boys, we have lots of fun joking around with them. Londen has gotten so big, he is taller than me now. I love it. He is so cute. His grades could be better, but we love him regardless.
I am excited for the easiness of summer to set in. The kids fight more - but it's ok, they fight now and we have to worry about homework and getting to bed early (by early I mean before midnight) and all that fun stuff. I just don't have as much to worry about in the summer - at least it feels that way.
I am having a great time with the allergies this year. I don't know if I'm the one getting worse or if the air is worse - it's probably me. I can never tell if all my symptoms are allergy related or if I have a cold on top of them. Zyrtec isn't working this year so I am trying Claritin D, it seems to be doing alright.
I love that the trees are filling out and the grass is greening up, flowers and birds - all that sappy stuff, I just love spring. It is a breath of fresh air.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Happy Love day!
I do appreciate winter for a couple of reasons - I really enjoy a cozy house and snuggle time. I like to stay inside as much as I can and just chill. The other reason is because after a long winter, spring is soooo much sweeter. I look forward to things coming back to life and the rain and the freshness of spring. It's filled with hope and anticipation.
It's valentines week-end and I just want to say I love my family and my friends so very much. I really am grateful for all of the good influences in my life.
Happy Love day!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friend or Foe?
I am just surprized at myself - I didn't used to be confident and whitty - In fact there was a day when I would have totally said something dumb - or second guessed my self for days. I was with my husband so I think he gave me some of that confidence - I'm so proud to have him - he's like my trophy husband- only a million times better.
So heres to you mister - I skipped a grade so I'm better than everyone else - The little people grow up to be healthy, happy, functional adults. I wonder if he regrets or even knows how big of a jerk he was?
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
A new baby
Been listening to the Dixie Chicks a lot lately, they have a lullaby called GodSpeed. It is beautiful.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ff73eZ0i_vw&feature=related
October Update...
Kelani decided she wanted her hair cut, so we cut it in an A line bob - short
Here's the before.
There you have it. It's cute and it still covers her ears.
I guess one of her classmates decided that she wanted to be just like Kelani so she also cut her hair and tried to match Kelani's outfit from the day before. Kelani was distraut. I tried to tell her that it's a good thing - I never had anyone copy me when I was a kid. I was too much of a goober. But she is still upset. I feel sorry for the other girl, she must really not like being her self. She has blonde hair and is taller than kelani. Kelani said "She's trying to steal my life!!" I told her that was not possible. Maybe when she's older she'll get it. In the mean time I have told her to ignore the other girl if she can't be nice. I guess our next door neighbor, a girl just younger than Kelani also cut her hair short. - Too much drama for me.
Londen doesn't have drama - he's a boy. That is great for me. He has challenges... He has a couple of classes at school that he is struggleing with but that is par for the course. I am doing my best to help him, much of my anxed from jr high is coming back to me. I thought I had blocked it out - no no, it's right there, the feelings for worry, the smells, the heartbreak - all of it. No one told me that you may have to relive your past thru your child. I keep reminding my self that he's different, and his experience is different. I just hope it's different in a good way.
Other than that, not much is going on. It got cold really fast, I hope it will warm up for a few days before we embark on another winter season. It has already snowed. September was such a great month. It was mostly warm and so beautiful - making it hard to let go of summer. The heater is on and working round the clock and we should put some more blankets on the beds. And Sophie hates going out to go potty - so that is going to be fun. I literally have to shove her out the door. I need to cut a doggy door, but I'm not sure she'd use it. She's still cute and I still love her.
Kaipo's schedule continues to be crazy and challenging, but we manage. It's getting easier to transition between the scenarios of Dad home and Dad not home. There are pro's and cons to both. They are just different experiences.
Monday, August 24, 2009
A new school year begins.
LOL I'm just kidding. I will try to lay low and be there for them how ever they need me, I love them both so much, most of what I do is for them.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
True Happiness...
1. Quit being so selfish - do unto others...
2. Be grateful - for everything, for everyone and all that they do to make life better.
3. Don't sweat the small stuff.
4. Be the kind of person who is easy to love and care about.
5. Cut the drama. Look at the positive.
That's it in a nutshell.
These are things I have known for years, I didn't realize how angry, and self serving I had gotten. I was playing the victim, and I wanted it to stop. So I went to a counselor, and I read some books. I got the kick in the butt I needed. I am much happier, the depression is gone, and I can proudly say I am no longer the victim, I am the recipient of a wonderful life, surrounded by people that I love and take care of. I have a wonderful husband and I will never forget how much I love him and how much he does for me and the kids.
Gratitude, and unconditional Love. Simple.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
My giant green couch
Monday, April 20, 2009
My husband is a saint
So I'm on the mend. I have a thyroid scan this week. We'll see how that goes. It's a nuclear scan?! I have never heard of it before. It's a 24 hour test that involves injections and stuff. Yay! I have to say my husband has been a saint throughout the last year. I guess it's been pretty hard for him, but he has hung in and still loves me. Thank goodness for that. I am so grateful for him. He keeps me sane and is always adjusting to what I need. I love him so much.





















