Two thousand twelve. & I miss my family too.

The Holiday Season brings families together, miles that separate disappear with smiles, hugs, and joyful reunions.  The miles that separate my little 'ohana [approx 90 to Puna, and 2500 to Washington] seemed so much further this year as gatherings and holiday cheer commenced on opposite sides of the pacific.  Oh man, how do I continue this post without sounding absolutely pitiful and making everyone depressed?  Best stop all that stuff right now.  Let's just suffice it to say - I MISSED MY FAMILY LIKE, SUPER CRAZY.  ;)

All that aside, we enjoyed beautiful fellowship with our friemily's [made up a new word!  that's friends who are like family] - potluck after potluck, new adventures in Waipi'o, Pu'u honua o honaunau, and our annual New Years celebration at the Stewarts, which by the way, we did on Friday night instead of Saturday and I quite like because I'm bringing an attitude of always being one-step-day-move-ahead-of-the-game into 2012.  :)  Um, yeah...we'll see how long that lasts.  ;)

So, as the last of the holiday treats are consumed, new resolutions are made, decorations are tidy back in storage, and life resumes back to [what we know as] 'normal', I like to remind myself:  true happiness does not come from external influences [people, places, & things].  It comes from being content and at peace with ones lot in life, whatever that may be. 

Warmest greetings from beautiful, sunny, warm Waimea - wishes for a productive, growing, inspiring 2012. 

 With all my love, Mrs. C.

These few photos are courtesy of my Cali Girl.  She's got quite an eye!

'The wall' at City of Refuge.

Max & Adam [brothers], taking the leap!

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

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

SIX?!

Ok - it's shortly before midnight, so I better get this post, POSTED.

Today is/was Kawena's 6th Birthday!!!  I can't believe time has gone by this quick!!  I shared her birth story with her and Cali last night, and they absolutely loved hearing it - almost as much as I loved the journey down Memory Lane, reminiscing about the days and hours that led up to welcoming her in to this wonderful, whimsical world.  :)

We had a beautiful day, centered around THE Birthday Girl who, make no mistake, took full advantage of her special day.  :)

Here are some pics!

She woke up to her birthday banner - note the 'Pinkalicious, Purplicious, and Goldilicious' cupcakes!  She was so thrilled!  :)

Polly Pocket camper!!  Yay!!

Then a scrumptious dutch babies breakfast, courtesy of Daddy.  :)

All ready for a fun filled day!

 She chose Dinner at Genki Sushi - without any persuasion from Mama!  :)

Sad I didn't get to bake her a cake, but who could feel bad for too long with a DQ ice cream cake instead??

 Birthday Girl!

And last, but not least...

Here's my sweetie bugs at about 2 weeks old.  *heart-melting-ok-fine-i'll-have-another-one* :D

Alrighty y'all - sorry for the rushed post, but I had to get this done before the clock strikes midnight~

Going to bed now,

Mrs. C.

Keeping up.

Ok - I promise to keep up before it seems too overwhelming to catch up.  

Kiefmeister's graduation.

Hooser 'ohana.

Congratulations Kiefer!  You did it, and we are so proud of you!

Sunday morning meeting.  I spoke about graduation being a beginning, and Noah mentioned how thankful he was to be found in meeting on his first day of "real life".

Us with the GRAND-parentals.  Oh, how we <3 <3 <3 them!

Recaido/Prestidge respectively.

Back to school for the last few days of the year - FUN RUN!  Go Kawena!

Our little sweetie pies!  Hard to believe they are on to 6th and 1st grade next year.  WAH!

Field day on the last day of school.  Rugby clinic turned out very well - hopefully some children will come out to play next year!

And with that, our school year has come to an end!  Schools out for summah!

Enjoyed a visit from dear Jo Lonseth, from Seattle.  Took her on an adventure clear around the Island - and had such a blast playing tourist.  Jo did something right, because Cali asked her to change her flight to leave later...I guess she kinda liked having her around!  :)

First stop - Buster Browns, again!

Not very convinced...

At the top!

My sweetie.

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 What else can I say?

Hang Ten Benz!

Home today waiting for Terry to get up; he's been working graveyard shift.  The girls and I are having a very lazy morning.  :)  Kale and Noah took a last minute flight to O'ahu for the week, so besides dog sitting a very obnoxious pup, we have a clear calendar!  It's weird having such a quiet house after all the hustle and bustle of the last several weeks.  Summed up over breakfast this morning, Kawena states quietly: "I miss Uncles."

Love,

Mrs. C