...Precious MOMents.....

I have been super busy trying to get everything ready for the big move to Hawaii. I have been running around like a "madwoman". I have been at times grumpy, short tempered, tired and just not very nice. I apologize to my family for that. Just not enough hours in the live-long day. However, because my little guy, JAG, is in Kindergarten I have him home every morning. And no matter how "crazy" life is he makes me smile. He makes me laugh. He makes me take a deep breath. I often will stop and just look at him and wonder what he is thinking....
Could he possibly be dreamin' of all the fishin' he will do in Hawaii--boys love to fish.

Is he remembering the stories we read together....Will he remember how much we loved to read?

I always want to know what my kiddos are thinking. I love seeing the look of wonderment on their faces. The light bulb going on when they figure something out. Or when something "clicks" with them. I need to remember that no matter how crazy life is I need to stop, look, listen, love, hold, smile, snuggle, pray, give thanks, laugh, cry, dance in the kitchen with JAG, kiss my honey when he walks in the door, speak softly, love, laugh, breathe....for these after all...

ARE THE SWEETEST TIMES.........

Happy Birthday, Princess....

Do you remember what you were doing seven years ago right now? I do. I was in the Valley Medical Center in Las Vegas in labor with this little cutie pie. This is KKG, I will use her Hawaiian middle name, Kawehi (the W makes the sound of a V) and she is 7 years old today. Kawehi is the sweetest little princess. She has brought us so much joy. She was born right after we lost Jensen and renewed our hope and faith. She laughs, she cries, she bosses (she is a girl after all) she loves her family, she loves swimming and would live in her bathing suit 24/7 if we let her--but moving to Hawaii might just up her chances. Winter of 2007 my relief society president came to the door and little miss Kawehi answered the door in her swim suit, not a big deal you think....well it was SNOWING outside. I just had to laugh and say this is our life. Heehee. Kawehi has the blueset eyes, dimples to die for and the cutest little teeth --that she is losing quick by the way and is a great reader. She loves to learn the art of Hula and is pretty good--if I do say so myself!! She is a "daddy's girl" to the extreme and sometimes I am saddened when she only wants Daddy, but I was a "daddy's girl" so I can't complain. Kawehi loves High School Musical, especially, "Troy", Disney Princess--anything, but her favorite is Ariel. She loves pizza, spaghetti and chocolate in any form!!! She is such a joy to her family. I am so blessed to be her mommy. Happy birthday my little Lilo, my sugar, my princess, my sweet little girl. Hope your days are always sunny and you can always hear the music.

.....So you had a bad day.......

This is JAG. He is 5 1/2 years old. He is usually a VERY happy, energetic, go with the flow kind of little guy. He RARELY has a "bad day".....However, like us all, he is entitled. I am not sure why his day was bad on the day this picture was taken, but his big sis. CS, decided it was worth documenting with a picture. Oh, little JAG, someday you will look back and laugh at this picture. You may have been having a bad day, but you are soooo cute and this picture made me laugh!!! Here is wishing everyone a good day!!!

Let's go on a Hike!!!!

A couple of weeks ago Allan took the four kids that were home on a hike. Our oldest son was at a Boy Scout Campout called Klondike. They camp in the snow and ice. But NAIG, our 2nd son, needed to participate in a day hike to pass off a requirement for his WEBLOES. They had a lot of fun and enjoyed the wonderful weather here in Boise, ID. Mommy stayed home and cleaned and tried to pack some more.
Daddy and Monkey Boy

They went from walking in the snow......to dry dirt (see picture above).

All smiles.....can't wait to do it again. Thanks, Daddy for a great Saturday activity!!!

Conversation with a 12-yr. old boy.....

So I am driving my 12 yr. old (TCIG--his initials) son to the doctor this morning, and this is how the conversation went:

Me, "TCIG, what are you guys doing for Scouts tonight?"

Him, "Law merit badge"

Me, " What are you doing for it?"

Him, "Law merit badge" (he said it really slow like I didn't hear or understand him)

Me, "Ok, but what are you DOING for it?"

Him, "The requirements for the merit badge!" (sounding frustrated--like why isn't she getting me?)

Me, "Ok, TCIG, but are the requirements? What activity are you doing?"

Him, "oh, I don't know ".

Since this boy is my oldest son every "boy" thing he does makes me just sit back and go "UMMM". A sister spoke in Sacrament meeting Sunday. They are new to the ward so she was introducing their family. They have 2 daughters and then 3 sons. She said she doesn't even pretend to "get" her sons--the noises they make or the smells they make. I almost stood up and said "Amen, Sista"!!!! Why do boys think bodily noises or smells are funny? Why do they like the stupidest movies and video games? I am still tryin' to figure that one out. But I love my boys UNCONDITIONALLY!! They are so fun. They make me laugh. When I see my oldest son pass the sacrament or perform his duties as a 2nd counselor in the Deacon's class presidency my heart soars. I love him in his WHITE SHIRT!!! (inside joke some of you will understand) So, my son may not be the greatest conversationalist, but he tells me the basics: I love you, Mom. Thanks. Please. I love you, Ikaika (his Hawaiian middle name)!! It means Warrior as in my Stripling Warrior.

Happy Birthday, Monkey Boy

Today is my son's birthday. He is 11!!! We call him Monkey Boy, so that is what I will refer to him by in this post. This is the only picture of him I have on my computer--this whole 'blog' thing and downloading pictures on our computer is still really new to us--and I have most of our pictures packed. Anyway, my little guy is 11 today and I can't believe it. Time is just flying by. The picture is a great example of this son of mine. He loves to fly, to jump, to swim, to climb, to do anything. We have called him Monkey Boy since he was a toddler. He climbed on everything. So hence the name. He is full of love. He makes us laugh everyday. He was born literally at the end of my first marriage. This little guy was my saving grace. I would cuddle with him everyday and just love, love, love him. He took my mind off the stresses of what I was going through in LIFE. He helped me stay sane. He is a peacemaker {most of the time}. He loves Scouts and even wants to go tonight, on his B'day. He loves video games--{he isn't allowed to play too much} He hates doing chores {but what kid doesn't} He loves to do science projects with his great dad. He loves Allan so very much, they are buddies. He loves to watch movies. He is great at doing an English accent. A mom in class working with the reading group told me when it was his turn to read he totally did it in an english accent--she almost told him to stop, but said she couldn't because he was really good at it. He can remember lines to movies. He loves to sing. He loves music. He is a great big brother and a little brother {he is right in the middle}. He is my kid that is happy with almost nothing. He can have fun playing with a stick, a rock or a sock. He is very imaginative. He tells great stories. He loves to talk. He knows a lot of facts--and you can almost catch him at any time of the day saying 'Hey, Mom, did you know....". He wears glasses and is so handsome. He has gorgeous blue eyes that sometimes you can't see because of his glasses. He is my kid that is proud to say he has no cavities and hardly brushes his teeth and in spite of that the dentist says his teeth are GREAT!! {how embarassing for me, his mom, to state that little jewel!!} He is full of life. I couldn't be more proud of him. How can someone be so full of joy and sadness at the same time? Oh, that is right--I am his mom. So full of joy he is in my life, a little sad because he is growing up so fast!!! So, Monkey Boy--FLY, FLY, FLY!!! Happy Birthday!!

Friends make the "WORLD" go around.....

I have been thinking a lot lately about FRIENDS. I have decided that I am the luckiest girl in the world because I have the greatest of friends. I have thought about what my life would be like if "so and so" wasn't a part of my life. I have learned that friends are the "icing" on the cake. Life is hard enough, could you imagine trying to get through this crazy life without your friends?

I recently went to Arizona because my dear friend, Sami and her hubby Cole saved their frequent flyer miles and got me a ticket. Sami won't fly over water...so she probably won't visit me in Hawaii. This was probably the last time I will see her in a long time. Friendship means the world to her and I. We talk almost everyday. It hurt to say goodbye to her on the curb at the airport. I took a deep breath as I walked into the airport that morning. I couldn't even turn around to watch her leave. I cried. Thank you Sami for the GREAT weekend. And a special thanks to Cole for the ticket.

My oldest daughter, CS, is having a hard time with us moving to Hawaii...because she doesn't want to leave all of her friends. I understand. As time draws closer I am getting the "pit in my stomach" feeling of leaving our home, our friends, all that we are comfortable with. I have told her many times that "true" friends won't allow the ocean between them to kill a friendship. I feel your pain, Pineapple Princess (her nickname).

I have friends. They give me great joy. I would love to name all of you and give you a huge hug...But I am afraid I would leave someone out. So, I will say this: consider yourself hugged and loved no matter what category you fall into!!! I have friends in: my mom, my sister, my sister in laws, my aunts, my cousins, my 2nd cousins. I have friends that I have known since 2nd grade. I have friends that I grew up with. I have friends that make me laugh and cry..at the same time. I have friends that teach me how to make bread. I have a friend that takes care of my little guy, JAG, and loves him like one of her own. I have friends who let me cry on their shoulder, laugh with them, vent to them. I have friends because we met through a "kid" activity. I have friends that I serve with in church. I have friends because of visiting teaching. I have friends that secretly do things for our family. I have friends that love me unconditionally--just for me. I have friends who have lost loved ones recently. I say to them--do not give up hope. One of the greatest tender mercies of our Savior is that he knows you and the pain you are suffering. He will not leave you comfortless. Turn to Him--he will carry you through this pain. I have friends who have little ones at home and feel like all you do is tend to their needs. I say to you all--please take care of yourself. Don't forget to do something little for yourself. Let others help you. Because that is what friends are for. I have friends who call me Mom. The greatest word in the english language. I have a friend that I grew up with and am now marry to....Kalani, you are my greatest friend.

This post is getting too long. I just wanted to let you all know that I LOVE YOU. I cherish the friendships we have made. I laugh with you. I cry with you. I worry about you. I am concerned for all of you and the struggles that you are all going through. I pray for you. I consider all of you some of my greatest blessings in my life. I wouldn't be who I am today without the influence and love you have all given me. I thank you. I will miss the daily interaction of those of you in Star. The waves as we pass each other on the street. I will miss coming to church in the Star 2nd ward. I will just miss you. But the greatest thing about technology is that we will just be a click away or a telephone call away. So thanks to all of you who make my world go around!!!