Creativity, in our children.

e·qui·lib·ri·um

Equilibrium:
A state of rest or balance due to the equal action of opposing forces.

Sometimes, I am SO off balance, in the state of UNrest.  All or nothing-instant gratification--excessive--indulgent--always going BIG or going home, kinds of off balance.  I know what I need to do, I just need to do it.  Like: set priorities straight.  Think things through.  Breathe.  Balance.  Be flexible.  Rid myself of things that don't bring me JOY or are a waste of precious time.  (wait, is this considered...oh, never mind)  :9

Recovery Ice Bath:

Freezing craziness after a super long run.

Teehee.  Ok, so I made up my own definition for that one.  ;)  I had my first one on Sunday, after a 13.11 mile run.  In the likely case you've never been crazy enough to have one yourself - this is how it goes down.

1.  Run for a period of time long enough to where your legs are like what the hey are you doing, I have grown a brain FOR you and will simply refuse to move in a natural or coordinated form (yes, picture Woody from Toy Story kinda run).

2.  Make a hot cup of anything.  I chose water, but cocoa and tea would work just as well.  It's a mean trick, but it works.  Hot inside, frozen outside.

3.  Don a hoodie and knitted cap, and get your game face on.  Yell in your best Arnold Schwarzenegger (ok, I had to spell check his last name) voice "YOU CAN DO THIS!"

4.  Start the cold water in the tub, and as much as you try to, don't forget the ice.

5.  Start your descent.  Stick your foot in and ignore the little voice in your head convincing you this is quite possibly the way you will die.

6.  Realize it's Now or Never.  Submerse bottom half shakily.  Chatter teeth.  Close eyes.  And before you know it, you're numb, and thinking, this is not so bad now, is it?  

7.  Last but not least - realize the full depth of your mental problems.

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Oh, and in case you're wondering - it really works!  NO pain yesterday, or even today!  ;)

Happy Tuesday, Happy kids are back in school day!

Love and hugs,
Mrs. C

Ha foo, Ha foo, hafoo, hafoo, ha fooooo!

I could not help but share this darling video with you!  Make sure you watch until the very end.  :)

Happy Wednesday my lovelies!

XO,
Mrs. C

Ola Mau

Ola mau literally translated is life forever. 

Feeling the tug to update friends and family near and far - a far too neglected blog begins to weigh on one's mind, for good reason.

Feb 17, 2002.

10 years of wedded [mostly] bliss, gone in the blink of an eye.  :)  10 years of loving together, growing together, and learning together.  Happy Anniversary to the most beautiful man, he loves me despite myself.

10 tin foil roses for 10 years.  Who knew tin/aluminum is the metal celebratory of one decade married?  :)

City of Lights.

We celebrated with a combined purpose trip - International Rugby Sevens tournament in Las Vegas.  Highlight of the trip?  Aunty Bea.

 

Welcome Back.

Happy to welcome brother #2 back to the Islands, home.  A new chapter awaits, excited for you!

Spring Fever.

Spring break excursions were slightly less this year with Cali's rugby [knee] injury and crutches handicap.  Therapy appointments prove to work well - she is getting better!

Aunty Sarah (one of my best buds who happens to be a Physical Therapist) working Cali through some exercises.

Got them in the ocean yesterday, finally, and all felt right in the world.  LSD provided the spot, drive right up on the pier and jump in which was perfect for my girl.  We even jumped off the pylons! 

Mom.

Terry is picking Mom up after school today for a couple nights here with us, really happy to see her soon.  

No matter how old I get, I still really need my Mom.

Dad.

Dad coming home soon too, end of April.  Feeling his pull towards home, understand the division of heart, HI and WA are too far apart.  

No matter how old I get, I still really need my Dad.

Siblings.

Sissy holding down the fort in WA, being the world's best Mama to my nieces, and world's best wife to my deserving bro-in-law.  She does what brings her joy, too.

Brother #1 - Japan is treating him well, I know that much.

Brother #2 - See previous entry, Welcome Back.

Brother #3 - Washington dreams.  They're coming true, but I still MISS you!  ;)

Oh, and no matter how old I get, I still really need my siblings.

Grandma.

Still don't know how I can properly pay tribute to my Grandma (my namesake).  Although I was only 10 when she passed, I have the fondest memories of her love.  I need to talk about her to my children more, instill her lasting legacy of aloha.  Dad tells us of her spirit of giving without expecting, and her expressions of selfless love - 'give your hurt to Grandma, I'll take it for you'.

 Love and Life.

Closing thought - I have SO much more than I deserve.  Happy you're in my life!  :)

Love, hugs, and cheers,

Mrs. C

Knock Knock!

Me, as I'm giving Kawena a head/neck massage to ease a headache:  "You're spoiled."
Kawena:  "Mom, only rich kids are spoiled."
Me:  "Kawena, being spoiled means you don't truly appreciate what you have, regardless of how much or how little."
Kawena:  "Oh.  Okay.  That still means I'm not spoiled."

:)  Happiness is...having children who appreciate.  Not just things, but life. 

And you know, they've taught me this?  As a young Mother, I was in the very bad habit of appeasing my tearful child (over a lost or broken item) by telling them: not to worry, Mommy will get you a new one.  That changed one day when my little one, before I could even get a word out, beat me to it by saying, "Is ok mama, I gonna get new one, yeah?"  Whoa!  Brakes on.  Talk about instilling a sense of entitlement and eliminating the incentive to take care of things.  So, here we are today.  Always learning to appreciate, and being thankful for lessons that truly help us understand the meaning. 

'ohia lehua, the flower of the Island of Hawai'i, commonly found near the volcano.

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!

Yes, it's true. Another year has flown by.

 Mele Kalikimaka!

With love and warm wishes,

TKCK