Makana, you truly live up to your name. ♥

July 22, 1999, 5:10 am.  

5lbs 13oz, 21 inches long. 

Calista-Rae Makanalani Joanna Campbell

It seems like just yesterday she was placed in my arms for the first time, rendering me unable to contain the overwhelming love I immediately feel for her - I inspect every little finger & toe in awe.  As my finger traces both her 'barely there' eyebrows, and settles for a moment on her button nose, I realize the world became much smaller for me:  it was suddenly wrapped up in this beautiful little being.  Her head full of dark black hair, inquiring eyes, and content spirit intrigue me, everything about her perfect.  How could I possibly love someone so much?  But I do, and will for all time.

Cali Girl:  Thank you for choosing me to be your Mama - I couldn't have dreamed of a more sweet, patient, kind, caring & obedient daughter.  [your blonde roots are showing! ;-P]

Happy 12th Birthday my sweet Cali girl.  Daddy, Mommy, & Sissy love you TOO MUCH!

Perpetuate & thrive.

Wondering what's going on with The Campbell's?

Well...[other than missing our WA 'ohana] we celebrated July 4th in Kona with our friends - fulfilled our patriotic duties of the day by going to a parade, bbq'ing, eating too much, and of course, fireworks.

Smile & wave girls, smile & wave.

4th cupcakes - Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Yellow Cupcake with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting (regular cupcake with gooey chocolate chip cookie dough in the center).  ONO-LICIOUS!!!

 Calista ventured on for another week at Ho'olauna, this time, on the other side of the Island, in Puna.  We joined her for the Ho'ike on Friday afternoon - which included demonstrations on pounding taro, throwing net, cracking coconuts, & la'au lapa'au.  Concluded the afternoon with a potluck - what a beautiful day!

Cali introducing the next segment of their Ho'ike.

Pounding taro [kalo] for poi.

Happy to have our big girl back!

We enjoyed witnessing the marriage of our friends, Allison & Jared - now Mr. & Mrs. Spencer.  <3 

And had a blast from the past with a mini HS reunion at ka hale 'o na Campbell.

Haniel, Diane, Alyssa & Ethan, Sharnell & TKCK & Brian, Sarah

And on that note, we've been attending Hawaiian language and culture classes as an 'ohana this past week at Kanu o ka 'Āina, the girls' new school!   Kanu o ka 'Āina focuses on culturally based learning, with the purpose of perpetuating and conserving Hawaiian language and culture.  We are so excited!  *Must mention that Calista is now introducing herself as Makana.  :-D  How is a Mom supposed to deal with her child renaming herself?  Luckily, Cali has told me her family will still know her as such.  Phew!

Anyways, summer is basically over, don't know if it really began [certainly not temp wise, it's still cold!].  We will savor the next few days [tomorrow is Cali's 12th birthday, not even gonna go there right now], and get ready for back to school next week (?!).  Hope all is well in your corner!  <3 <3 <3 & hugs!

Catch-up, not ketchup.

Ta-da!  Back on the Island after beautiful travels to the Mainland, Canada, and Kaua'i: my souvenir?  It came in the form of a cold & cough, not my first choice, but somewhat expected.  :-)

Just a few highlights from Seattle:

The Space Needle - what I like to refer to as 'the heart of Seattle'.

The girls got to ride a camel at the Point Defiance Zoo.  How cool!

I LOVE the *vibe* of this city.

Honey and I on Mariners date night.

Love and Baseball.

My sweetie girl turned 7 while we were there!

Some of her gifts in the morning.  Then we did the Chuck E Cheese thing and ended the night with a luau celebration at Uncle Josh' new place.  A-W-E-S-O-M-E!

Oh, and got upgraded to first class on the ride home for volunteering for a later flight!  :)

 Kaua'i:  Calista attended Ho'olauna Kaua'i with Kamehameha Schools, as a part of their summer explorations series.  The theme this year was [self-sustainability] & [doing/giving without expecting anything in return].  They visited a salt lo'i (a salt farm) cultivated and cared for by the Kanahele 'ohana (Helene Chu), learned to harvest and pound kalo into poi, hiked Waimea forest and picked maile to make lei, snorkeled, surfed, and learned the hula they performed at Ho'ike.  We went over to attend the Ho'ike, a celebration and showcase of what they learned.  What a wonderful experience for our keiki!

Sending our big girl off, just hours after getting back from WA.

'Nuff said.

Shrimp Station in Waimea.  Absolutely wish we had this on BI!

Kilaue'a Lighthouse.

Missing our Cali Girl.

Calista sharing some of her genealogy in 'olelo Hawai'i.

 In other exciting news, the girls have been accepted to Kanu o ka ‘Āina charter school here in Waimea [ http://www.kalo.org/ ] for the upcoming school year.  They are really, really looking forward to this new learning experience & being closer to home.  :)

We are adjusting to a quiet house - for those who don't know, Kale moved to WA & Dad will be there through November.  Although we are far away from most of our family, we count the blessings of living in Hawai'i with an attitude of gratitude.

Think of you often, hope all is well!  

Love,

Mrs. C