Home is where your Mother is.

One of the things I realize now that I am a "grown-up", is that my Mom is the smartest and most amazing person on the planet.  

 

1.  My Mom was thrifty, she was 'green' before 'green' was cool - case and point:  

-Old ketchup bottles became new water bottles.

-Old paper bags were new text book covers.

-We washed and re-used all disposable paper goods.

-This list could go on and on...but I'll spare myself the embarrassment.

2.  My Mom was honest, and realistic:

-"Silence is agreement."

-"If you need an answer NOW and I'm not ready to give you one, it's automatically NO."  (unfortunately we weren't creative enough to re-phrase our question from "Mom, can I sleep over at my friends house? TO "Mom, can I NOT sleep over at my friends house?"

-"If you really want to fight, come over here and duke it out.  The rest of us will watch."  Note:  that was generally a scary enough prospect to call immediate truce.

-"You're wearing THAT out?  Please, child.  At least take a jacket." :-D

3.  She knows just how to respond:

Noah:  MOM, I HATE YOU!

Mom:  I hate you too, Noah.

[Stunned silence and reflection ensues.]

...but knows just how to listen:

Me:  Mom, I'm pregnant.  What do I do?

Mom:  Love that baby.  What else would you do?

4.  She spent time teaching us the things that matter MOST in life:

-Walking in to her room, kneeled in prayer, is one of the most comforting memories of my childhood.  

-Meeting was never an option.

-And yes, bible studies every morning, even during [*gasp] summer!

So you know, in my ripe age of 28 and a mother of 2 sweet thangs, while most dread the thought -  I think of "turning in to my Mother" and swell with pride to imagine one day living up to all the greatness she IS.

I love you Mama.  For all you are, and all you will be.

Mama on Prom Day.

Thunder, Lightning, and In Between

Oh yeah, did I mention we did a 5K?  SO fun!

My fellow runnin' Mama's.

And we went to go watch Calista's favorite band [Kolohe Kai] perform in concert.  (That's my local girl!)

She's my sweetheart.

Love this dude.

Dad's 57th Birthday - family photo op.

Sweetie pie.

Terry's U-16 state champions.

Leap of faith.

Will take the opportunity to shirk my responsibilities ;) in light of the impending storm, to update my blog and hopefully hit the 'publish post' button before the power goes out [x fingers crossed x].  ;P

Found myself struggling through a proper explanation about news of Osama Bin Laden's death to my almost-12 and almost-7 year old - which began with the question: "So Mom, this man is dead.  Is that a good thing?"  My bottom line?  Trust God, he looks after everything.

Humble pie, 'a la mode... ;-)

I went to O'ahu for an interview with Hawaiian Airlines [as a Flight Attendant] on Monday; 3 weeks of nerves awaiting the fateful day meant a lot of carb over-indulgence on my part...which admittedly, does not make one feel better, only worse.  ;-9  Fast forward to today, which finds me at home on the Big Island coming down from that major adrenaline high and reflecting on 'what just happened?'  Dare I say, I was convinced and borderline cocky:  I had this one IN the bag.  So, interview day comes and even though our group interviewer tells us they received 6000 applications in all, I'm still convinced I'm SO great they'll see me, love me, hire me, and *POOF* I'm Hawaiian Airlines newest F.A.  Imagine my surprise, when even being so presumptuous to change my flight home for an "unknown date", I receive the "thanks, but NO thanks" e-mail.  So sets in the shock: "wha..?!  How could they NOT love me?  How could they NOT invite me back for the second & third interviews I was so convinced were mine?"  And then, the reasons about why this is just as it should be come FLOODING in:  #1 Being away from my kids for days a time, no thank you.  #2 Being away from my Husband for days at a time, no thank you.  #3 Dealing with ignorant people all the time, NO thank YOU!  #4 Missing meeting occasionally, NO, and  #5 This list could go on and on.  Don't get me wrong - the benefits would have been great, but would the rest have been worth it?  So, when I have any doubt in my mind that things worked out JUST the way they should, I remember this night a couple weeks ago:  while sitting in Jade Palace restaurant eating a 'celebatory' dinner with my family, we discuss the +'s and -'s to my being a Flight Attendant, and I sum it up simply, "I'll be gone ALL the time!"  The family sits quietly for a second to ponder the statement, and as it sets in, I look up at Kawena, who is sitting directly across me at the table, with her head bowed and tears streaming silently down her face.  And I realize, yes, some things are meant to be, and home caring for my family is ALL for me.

<3 and hugs,
Mrs. C

I have always done things backwards...

...you know what I'm talking 'bout, and I'll spare the details.  ;-P


Nike Free 5.0

 I started running a couple years ago, realizing the risk I took in either loving or hating the prospect.  I was quite surprised to find myself getting lost in the miles - pounding the pavement as it stretched further behind me, sweat dripping down my face, thighs burning, and "thinking away" the occasional cramp.  After gearing up with basic necessities:  a proper pair of running shoes (my current Nike Free 5.0's in black, which I chose since they mimic barefoot movement - the bottoms are separated more like a tire than a plank), a few Under Armour shirts for the COLD weather ;-P, MUSIC on the iPod, and determination in my heart, I relied on positive thinking and hit the ground running, literally.  I have always wanted to race - 5K, 10K, half marathon, and eventually a full marathon.  With the first two races worn in the soles of my running shoes (did a 10K last month and a 5K this past Friday), I have fallen in love.  Yes, part of it is my nature of loving with ALL or NOTHING - admittedly, moderation has never been one of my strengths.  ;-P

Now on to other, more interesting things.  My brother Kale is in his last semester of Nursing School, diligently cramming his brain with absolutely everything he's learned the past three years.  For him this means little sleep during the week, a little more sleep on the weekends, and school work up to his elbows 24/7.  SO proud of him - and we ALL know he's going to make it, don't we folks?

Dad has moved back to Campbell Hale - plans are to split the year between here with us, and Washington to be with my 'ohana there.  Naturally, he has chosen the Summer to be there, the Winter here.  What's the Hawaiian word for snowbird? 

On another note, for those who don't already know, he finally released his first solo album - a project that has been a lifetime in the making.  "Life Among The Hills" is the title track, which happens to be a song he wrote in my honor.  The track "Too Bright Eyes" was written for my sister DoRe', and there are two songs my girls are featured on - "Little Ones" and "Papa's Heart Sings". I feel so fortunate to have this to pass on to our future generations.

I'll wrap it up here - see you again soon.

Love,

Mrs. C

1st 10K - DONE!

Working my way to the start!

Right after crossing the finish.

Kawena says, "Mom, usually you're proud of us; usually you're cheering for us!"  She loved the role reversal and SO DID I!!!  :))))

Not much to say, other than racing has been a dream/goal of mine for a while and I FINALLY took the plunge, just a day after the Kona Tsunami [no pun intended].  6.2 miles of pure running bliss - YES, BLISS!  ;)  Looking forward to the next one! 

Love from Big Island,
Mrs. C

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.