Pililani 2010

 Just a few convention images for those interested.  Wasn't good with taking photos this year...

Airport Excitement.

Tired Mom & Dad, elated Calista & Kawena.

Our baby girls.

Oldest to youngest, tallest to shortest, for now.

The future.

Papa and his pride and joy.

The Kurasaki's. (Caleb is the sweetest little boy.  If I was promised a baby exactly like him, I'd have another.)  :)

Daddy with Stanley and the Sunday shirt he sewed for him.

Uncle Larry & Uncle Walter.

Dear Aunty Karen & Aunty Ruthie.

 

 

Once in a blue moon...

I found it fitting - tonight being a blue moon.  ;)

Anyhow, getting ready for convention, and enjoying the turn from 'Summer' to 'Fall' even here on the Big Island.  I know most of you who experience MAJOR temp changes will call me a wimp on that one - sobeit.  :)  Lots of rain, thunder, lightening etc...SO happy the landscapes of old Waimea are returning; green, lush, and all that beauty.

Glad for the closure at Ioane's funeral.  What an amazing thing it was to witness the 'ohana bidding farewell to a member that was so obviously loved.  He leaves a legacy in his sweet keiki, Loea and Ioane Jr - how touching to witness the out pour of love and support from the community; these children will never lack.

Fall sports season is over and now we gear up for the Holidays and the wonderful experiences and memories in store.  Packing, prepping for convention - feeling needy and so thankful!

Here are some of my favorite recent pics:

Gonna turn in for the night - hugs, kisses, and lotsa misses - LOVE, Mrs. C.

Thoughts and actions.

News this last week of two people I know personally taking their own lives has left me devastated and ready to run away for a while.

Frederica was a friend, the Mother of one of Calista's dearest buddies.  She was a sweet, sweet woman - I didn't know her well but understood her struggles as a Mother and Wife.

Ioane was a classmate, friend, and Calista's cousins Dad.  He was a kind and loving soul, ready with a smile and patient in conversation.  Obviously strong in body, I loathe the demons he was left to battle in his mind.

Prayer, prayer, and more prayer for me. 

Everything else I was intending to update my blog with seems so minuscule now - so I will postpone later as I collect myself.

Love you all,
Mrs. C

HANDS Percussion - Chinese Drums

Last night we enjoyed another performance as a part of the Kahilu Theatres Makana series, which is free of admission to the community.  It was amazing, the drummers are extremely talented; the precision and expertise in which they performed their art was breath-taking and chicken-skin inducing to watch.  It was like witnessing a love affair unfold between the artist and the drum, a sort of love/hate relationship with passion and noise, physical and rhythmical abilities united.  We enjoyed it so much!
Here is a quick clip I found on youtube (they discourage filming/photography in the theatre, and quite honestly I was too enchanted to think about breaking out my camera):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJD9jj2j_oo&feature=related

It's a beautiful Tuesday!  Terry is off today and it's my last day as a 27 year-old.  ;-P 

Love you lots,
Mrs. C

Lessons From A Practical Mother - #1

If getting your children out of bed in the morning and ready to leave on time is next to impossible (without constant harassment and reminders), try this:

1.  Tell your children - "No matter what you look like, what you have on, whether you brushed your teeth, brushed your hair, gone to the bathroom, or had breakfast, you WILL be in the car when it leaves at XX:XX." 
[warning]  *Be aware the 'threat' of being left home is sometimes what they want!  Let them know going is not an option - ready or not. 

2.  Be prepared for the slight chance you will show up at school, church, or spend a day running errands with a child that is in Jammies, hasn't brushed their teeth or hair, or hasn't had breakfast. 

3.  If you encounter 'curious' stares or sideways glances from other parents, smile nicely [avoid any smart aleck remarks] and remind yourself this is a lesson that will be paying you back for years to come.

4.  And finally, remember you only have one chance to keep your word on this or they won't take you serious the next time, so be consistent and make it count.  They learn quick, and you probably won't have to do it ever again.

Cheers!  :-)

[disclaimer] These are just the opinions of a practical Mother, and is not intended to replace professional advisement or help.

Heartfelt Thoughts

I suppose the trouble with blogging, at least for me, is that when I go without posting for a period of time I feel like I have to fill you in on every detail during the lapse - which perpetuates my procrastinating nature...and I'm SO over that.  In every way.  And then there is this matter:  that I don't really know WHAT to blog about since my mind is a constant wheel of needless/useless/rather embarrassing thoughts.  ;-P

Anyways - it's been a great September, tough to believe the month is almost over.  Lots of birthdays to celebrate this month; my Sis has been super sweet in the 'tribute' posts on her blog - check it out at http://www.dorearnall.blogspot.com/.  She's got one up for my favorite youngest niece, my favorite 25 year old brother, and my favorite redneck brother-in-law.  :-D  Love them Sis, make sure you print them up for keepsake scrapbooks!

Came across a blog focused on the [disgusting] food served at a school cafeteria in the mainland; after discovering that, I was so thankful for something to compare our cafeteria food with.  Mr. K rocks!  All our bread is made from scratch - whole wheat at that, brown rice, real meat (!), etc.  One of my project passions (or vice-versa) this year is to get our school garden started so that we can eventually supplement the cafeteria with school grown veggies.  Slow foodies unite!  :-) 

Thinking about the real-ness of Motherhood, for example this lovely conversation I had with Kawena today:

"Moooommm!"  Kawena calls from the bathroom.  "I made doodoo and I need help wiping!!!!"

I respond from the kitchen [elbow deep in soapy dish water] with:  "Kawena, you can do it Honey.  You're six years old, and I've told you before.  It's not about how much toiler paper you use or how hard you wipe.  It's about making sure your butt is clean."

Keep in mind we're yelling back and forth, and I don't even think twice about the neighbors overhearing and passing judgement on me.

...Or the major threat of the day, spoken from Kawena to Calista: "Sissy, if you don't stop bothering me, I'm seriously going to sit on you...That's it!  I'm sitting on you right now!"

It dawns on me that the absurdity of a conversation like that, even more so when written down, is my normal.  And my normal doesn't include a lot of glamour - just raising kids and working hard, and I wouldn't trade that for anything.  :-)

Love you lots,
Me

Kawena's 2010-2011SY Fall Picture

Calista's 2010-2011SY Fall Picture

Peek-a-boo!

Ok, so I've promised to NOT completely drop off the 'blogging hemisphere' but since tip-toeing my way back on Facebook I've not had time to get on here.  I will admit much of my reasoning has to do with laziness, it's just easier to upload to Facebook than it is here.  ;-D

Anyhow, the girls have gotten off to a roaring start here at school; Kawena in 1st grade and loving it, Calista started Middle School, and well, is making the best of it.  She had a tough go in the beginning but has settled in to a bit of routine which has really helped her.  The fact all of her buddies from last year have either moved or gone to Kamehameha Schools was really tough socially, and puts her basically at a 'loner' status which honestly doesn't seem to bother her.  Guess Mom just has to get over it, huh? 

Noah leaves for Washington on Sunday...so sad to see him go, happy to see him leave.  Know what I mean?  :)  It's going to be interesting - being just the four of us but I will say I am thoroughly looking forward to it.  Love you baby brother, and you're always welcome to come home (after giving it a for real try up there first though).  I know you're going to love it!

Soccer coach for Kawena's little team, and really enjoying all the girls!  Sweetie pies, lots of talent, and we are having a blast.

Calista is going out for V-ball this month - making her Uncle Kale really proud.  :)

Had the sisters since Sunday; what a priviledge for us all.  Esther is quite the character and we LOVE her!  So sweet to be with Aunty Maja again as well.

I better get back to work ;-P and finish up my uber-productive day. 

Love you lotsa,
Mrs. C

The heart of my six year old.

This is a copy of the e-mail Kawena sent to Calista today:
Hi sissy i Misst you so Much Evre Niyt i ak
I cant Wat Win you come Home

Love Kawena

Let's see who was able to decipher this without any help...
Hi Sissy,

I missed you so much.  Every night I ache.  I can't wait when you come home.  (crying face) 


Love Kawena


Need I say more?  :-D  <3 <3 <3 Mrs. C

...

There are three kinds of people in the world, the wills, the wont's and the cant's. The first accomplish everything; the second oppose everything; the third fail in everything.

Calista - Explorations on O'ahu!

Sent our dear little Cali to O'ahu today for a week at the Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus for Explorations.  She was so excited - and waited several months for this day.  :)

 

Some pictures from the send-off:

 

 

 

 

Oh, it feels weird at home not having her around, but we know she is having a BLAST and looking forward to making new friends!  :)

Hope all is well,

Mrs. C.  \mn/

Freedom. OH, freedom!!

Happy 4th of July, lovelies!

Picture of the flags flying at Pililani Convention grounds.  This flag, which only fly's during convention, was draped over the coffin of Aunty Maria Rosehill's son when his body returned home from Vietnam.
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Here's a little picture journal of our time in the Marine Corps.  Up until recently I didn't know much about Terry's experience in Iraq because when he returned home I was not in the frame of mind to deal with his experiences emotionally.  Throughout the years I have picked up little pieces of stories he would tell others (mainly other comrades, or someone he knows could relate), and have decided the best help I can be is just by listening.  :)  And on that note - make sure you have your speakers on and listen to my new playlist!  It's awesome.

Convoy, Terry is on the far left.

My honey in Iraq, looking cool despite the heat.  :)

His fighting hole for that night, the night war was officially declared.  *sigh*

The next day - Terry took this shot of the aftermath of the bombings, a burning oil field in Iraq with fellow Marine LCPL William Bigcrow.  This was the day the liberation force Terry was a part of crossed the border into Iraq.

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And in happier times...
Here are the formal pictures from the 3 Marine Corps balls I attended with Terry:

Oh, we were such babies in this one.  :)  Nov 2001.

Nov 2002.

Nov 2003, pregnant with Kawena.  :)

And...

It's only fitting I end with this one, the infamous parting picture.  This one was taken the day Terry left for Iraq - already in the holding area to board the plane.

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Let freedom ring,

Mrs. C

:) Loveys.

Journal prompt July 2, 2010 - if you could be any animal in the world, what would it be and why?

Kawena - "If I was a animal I would be a white tiger because they are cool and awesome.  Also really cool."

 Calista - no translation needed.  :)

Fathers, be good to your daughters...daughters will love like you do.

Happy Fathers Day to my most amazing, spectacular husband (the love of my life and Father of my children) - as they say, any man can be a Father but not every man can be a Dad.

And to my Dad, who loved and supported me through times that would have made him less-than-proud.  He also happens to be the Worlds Greatest Papa, according to 5 very sweet, very smart little girls.

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And now on to a hodge-podge of other pictures that I have been meaning to post, but haven't had time to thus far:

The girls Spring school pictures.  :)

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The first of a few trips out to Ninole - 

Crawdad delights.

Paradise.  Seriously.

Favorite time of day - sunset, starts cooling down and the day begins to settle.

Courtesy of C.C. (Cali Campbell)

The girls and I took a trip to the Hilo Zoo, here they are with Namaste, the White Bengal Tiger.  You know he was hand raised by a magician in Las Vegas and then donated to the Hilo Zoo?  He's quite the mellow cat nowadays - doesn't seem like he'd hurt a fly, but wouldn't put his tiger nature to the test in that matter.  :)

The girls and a friendly Nene.  I think it would've stayed there all day to talk, but hey - we had places to go and things to see!  The Nene Goose is the Hawai'i State bird.

Another photo courtesy of C.C.

Daddy wrangling up the cows, modern day style.  ;-P

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On that note, I have two little girls hovering over my shoulder so I will stop here and pick up later.  Have a beautiful evening!

Cheers,

Mrs. C