Spring update

Spring...I love it, it comes with it's challenges but it's way better than winter. I am getting back on track and I'm excited about the future.

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.

Happy Love day!

Hi all - its been several monthes, I guess I should say something... Well the holidays were crazy but we made it thru - although I have to say I hoped the parties every weekend would stop at the new year - not so my friend. We have birthdays and then superbowl - life really hasn't slowed down much. January passed quickly for me because it was so busy. That is a good thing, January is my hardest month - I need to change my thinking on that one.
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!

Friend or Foe?

I ran into a kid I knew when I was young. I'v known him so long I don't remember meeting him for the first time. Our Families were in the same ward when I was born. Ironicly he and I were born about 2 weeks apart. - Anyway I saw him last night when Kaipo and I were out to dinner, I was introduced to him (again) by his cousin- Whom I've only known as an adult, another story another day - Any way I said "Oh I know you" and he said "I don't think I know you" I said "Oh yes you do - we grew up together, I could tell some stories..." So I told him my name and a flood of memories spred over our faces. He then said " I wouldn't have recognized you from when we were kids" - I thought but didn't say the same thing. I then said " Oh good so I'm not the same dorky little kid anymore, Sweet!"
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?

A new baby

My brother Dan and his wife Jaime just had their first child, it's a Boy. He was born Oct. 4, 2009 at 1:40 someodd in the afternoon. He's about 7 lbs and healthy as a horse. He is so cute. We are all tickled to have a new baby in the family. His name is Oliver Quincy Adams. Sooooo Cute. I'm reminded so vividly of my kids birth days, wishing I could skip back in time for a moment and relive the wonderous times like that.
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...

It's a new month and things are starting to settle into a routine. I prefer the boring day to day stuff. I would rather not deal with a lot of drama - don't get me wrong there's drama, but it's 5th grade drama and Jr. High drama.
Kelani decided she wanted her hair cut, so we cut it in an A line bob - short

Here's the before.

the after

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.

A new school year begins.

Wow. Summer is over. My kids are growing up right in front of my face. Londen started his first day of Jr. High today, I don't know who was more nervous, me or him. I hope he had a good day, I remember how confusing it can be. I am glad that he has friends that are in 9th grade. Kahelelani started 5th grade today. She was nervous but didn't want me to walk her to school, "Mom, I'm in fifth grade!!! I don't need any help". It's funny how many times your role changes as a mom. I'm not sure how to do this more grown up thing. I can't cuddle them, they may or may not want to discuss their problems with me, and I am a total dork now - which I intend to take full advantage of. Remember all those times we were out and you threw a tantrum in the middle of the store??? it's payback time, the dorkier, the better.
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.

True Happiness...

It's been a while since I last blogged as you can tell. I have to say I'm sad that summer is over (mostly), but I have learned so much this summer about my self, my life, my husband, and my kids. I realized that its like I have been going through life with blinders on - now my eyes have been opened so to speak. I blogged earlier this year about having depression and it seems I forgot some basic skills - and yes SKILLS is the right word - I just needed a little jolt to get back on track. so here it is, my big awakening...
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.