Up on my SOAP BOX....

I normally try to stay pretty even keeled about things. I am opinionated and will always express my thoughts and opinions to my family and hubby. But enough is enough and I have to say this to all of society......

OK people WE need to WAKE up and realize how dangerous it is to NOT pay attention while driving!!!!!

I had to take my hubby to work this morning. On my way back to Star on one stretch of the road I noticed the following: a guy driving a work van-- texting!!! He had both of his hands on top of the steering wheel with his phone in between his fingers texting away. Can you beleive it?

Then just past this guy was a lady driving....as in moving forward towards me and she was putting her mascara on!! Truly--had her head turned so she could see her eyes up close and was DRIVING!!!

Then continuing down the road was a lady (mother--she had kids in the car) and she was talking on the cell phone, looking in the rearview mirror probably to deal with one of the kids and she totally swerved into my lane because she wasn't paying attention to the road.

Now, don't get me wrong I have been guilty of being busy on the phone while driving--just talking on it NOT texting, I have had to look back and check on my kids.... BUT c'mon!! It is getting out of hand. Maybe because my kids are getting to the age when they will be driving in the near future I am becoming my aware. Maybe because Oprah is doing a whole NO PHONE ZONE in the car thing I am becoming more aware. The reason doesn't matter. What matters is that I am becoming more aware and I am trying to put the phone down when I am driving. I pull over and then talk. I park. I am trying to change my habits. We all need to become more aware. Our cars can be weapons. Our cars can hurt others. Our cars can kill people. I couldn't live with myself if I hurt someone. I don't know how I would get through life if one of my loved ones was hurt or killed because someone else was being irresponsible on their phone. So let's wake up people. Let's put the phones down. I promise you there is NOT one phone call or text more important than other people's safety.

Well, I guess I will step down off my soap box now. Thanks for letting me vent. Now put the phone DOWN. And please understand that if you call me and I don't answer it may be because I am driving. Leave me a message and I will get back to you, ASAP. Thanks!!

Life is like a.....JUMP ROPE

Have you heard this song by Blue October? It is so awesome. My sister, Cori, let me know about this fun song. It is downloaded on my cute yellow IPOD. It brings happiness to my soul. Not only is it a fun song to listen to, the message is uplifting. My favorite lines of the song.....

• Life is like a jump rope...Up, down, up, down
• It will get hard so remember life is like a jump rope
• Don't be ashamed to cry
• Watch all the negative go by
• Keep pushing through it all
• Don't lose yourself
• Be strong
• Don't give up hope

If you haven't heard this song...you need to. Search for it. Find it. It truly lifts my soul. I need to be reminded life is like a jump rope. There are ups. There are downs. It will and does get hard. But everything will work itself out. It is these times that I am reminded to give 'it all' to my Savior. I love that we are never alone. The mighty One, the Lord, our Savior is always there..just waiting for us to ask for His help. So start jumping......remember it will get hard, but just remember you are never alone. Be strong. Keep smilen'.

A Baptism, An Ordination and a Music Festival.....

Our family had a VERY special day last Saturday, March 6, 2010. Kawehi was baptized by her daddy and then confirmed. She has been looking forward to her baptism day for sometime. We have had so many neat discussions with her about baptism and what it means to have the Holy Ghost--a marvelous gift. I am sure she was overwhelmed with what she was feeling. She cried. I know she felt the spirit. I cannot believe she is 8. Time is truly flying bye. I am trying to enjoy every moment of this little girl's life. She is a beautiful younglady. One of the things she treasured the most (besides the day itself) was that Grandma Lewis was here with us. My mom flew from Las Vegas to share this special time with our family. We always have so much fun with Grandma. It was a wonderful experience. I am grateful to my Heavenly Father for giving us these special ordinances to particpate in.

Kawehi, Daddy & Mommy

Kawehi & G'ma

The Gilbert Family & Grandma


An addition to Kawehi's Baptism we ordained Monkey Boy to the office of a Deacon. We had a "double special day". He turned 12 back on Feb. 12 but he wanted to wait for G'ma Lewis to be here, so he waited. He was ordained by his father and a few other special men in his life. He thought about who he wanted and then went and asked these special men to participate. After talking to a couple of them I know they were touched to be asked to participate. One was our former Bishop, one is currently in our Bishopric, two are close family friends, 2 of them were his previous scout leaders and his best friend's dad. I was reminded that when we are called to our callings in the church you just never realize the impact we may have on a life!! So, please, please, take your callings seriously. These special men have played a huge role in the life of my son. I am grateful for the priesthood. I am truly blessed to be married to a man who honors his priesthood and sets such a wonderful example to my sons.

Kalani, Monkey Boy and TCIG--I love these handsome guys.


After our busy morning at the Stake Center we then had to take TCIG to his music festival. He performed a solo and in an ensemble. He plays the trumpet (just like G'pa Lewis did) and loves it. He did an awesome job. I am so proud of him.

We had a very busy day last Saturday. But it was a wonderful day. I love "busyness" when we are participating in family events. I love the spirit we felt all day. I love that we were able to share it with my mom. I felt my dad's presence. I felt the Holy Ghost. I could feel my Father in Heaven's happiness that 2 of His children progressed in the gospel. My cup runneth over.

Projects.....Does anyone else have this?

I was cleaning in my kitchen the other day and I looked around and saw the following...

This is JAG's valentine's day box. We had to make it at home. It was so fun creating this little box with my little guy. Thanks to my mom, the Cricut machine I received for Christmas made it especially easy and fun. JAG designed how he wanted it done. It was really fun to see his imagination at work.

When I saw the above, sitting on the counter I laughed out loud. Monkey Boy was working on his electrical merit badge and had to perform an experiment using an alternative source to conduct electricity. After researching "online" he discovered that a potato would conduct electricity with a nail, steel wool, and whatever else those metal things are called. But just seeing the potato sitting there with lot's of metal things popping out made me laugh. The kleenex is from a brand new box we had to empty for Kawehi's valentine box. We couldn't use the kleenex fast enough so we had to just take it out and it ended up on the counter. So this is my kitchen, full of projects, full of memories. Does anyone else have projects like this around their house? I love these types of projects. It reminds me of many times I worked with my parents on my own projects. I hope my kiddos will remember the times we have spent making projects with them. These memories are priceless.

Happy Birthday...post #2

Here is Miss Kawehi...on her 8th B'day--TODAY!!

Her favorite gift..High School Musical School.....

Her favorite drink: Chocolate Milk for her special breakfast

Kawehi and her best friend JAG (her little brother)

Kawehi and her Daddy..her favorite person in the whole world!!

Daddy woke up early and made Little Princess her favorite breakfast...french toast, sausage, eggs and chocolate milk. Daddy goes to school on Thursday night so we decided to celebrate Kawehi's b'day in the morning.

Kawehi is so excited to get baptized! March 6 is the big day. G'ma Lewis is flying in to be here for her baptism, next Thursday and she cannot wait. She has been waiting for this special day for a long time. She has been preparing for this day for as long as I can remember. She is such a sweet little girl. These are some of her favorites: her family, riding her scooter, bogie boarding, the color pink, playing her DS game, pizza, Disney Channel, reading, jump rope club, playing with her brother JAG, listening to music with her big sis, dancing, Hula. She is so fun to hang out with. She giggles in her sleep and is usually happy. Kawehi adds so much sunshine to our family. She entered our family at the perfect time and she has been such a sweet blessing from day one. Happy Birthday, Sweet princess. We love you.

Happy Birthday.....Monkey Boy and Kawehi

Since my last post we have had 2 special birthdays for 2 special kids. Monkey Boy turned 12 on the 12th and Kawehi turns 8 today!! These are very special b'days for the kiddos. Monkey Boy receives the priesthood and Kawehi gets baptized. We have been busy with b'day celebrations and interviews with the Bishop, preparing for baptism, preparing to receive the priesthood, holding Family Home Evenings about these special occasions, memorizing Articles of Faith to graduate from Primary etc. etc. SO BUSY!! But busy with GOOD things. We have been 'anxiously engaged' in learning and practicing gospel principals. I am so proud of these 2 kiddos for the decisions they are making to progress in the Gospel and to strengthen their testimonies. They are wonderful kids and they both add so much to our family. Here are some pictures to show their special day:

**To celebrate Monkey Boy's Birthday we took the family to an Idaho Steelheads (hockey) game. The kids' school had a special 'Family Night' package and it happened to be on his b'day so we took advantage of it. We each got a hot dog, chips & a drink with our ticket. Not too bad. We had a lot of fun....but I must admit I enjoy football or basketball over hockey. Of course the boys loved it because of the fighting..heehee

Kawehi, Courtney (best friend of Pineapple Princess) and Pineapple Princess
Daddy, TCIG and JAG lovin' the game

The group...JAG was upset about something

Monkey Boy and his best friend D.N. (despite the look on Monkey Boy's face--he really did have a great time. We have the hardest time getting him to smile)

There is my happy Monkey Boy, sitting in a chair made of hockey sticks.

Monkey boy is such a fun guy. He has a 'low-key' personality. He doesnt' need much to be happy. He is super funny, super laid back and will do what he can to help out. He loves his family. He is excited to be a Deacon. He is a happy boy even though most of the time he doesn't smile. I cannot believe he is 12 already. Time flies. Sometimes I don't like it. But I have to accept it. We love you so much, Monkey Boy. Thank you for being in our family.

**Since I can't figure out how to upload more than 5 or 6 pictures at a time I will have to upload Kawehi's pictures separately.

We are BACK!!!!!....

Hello...We are back! I have missed blogging...I cannot believe it has been 2 months since my last post. How time flies. It has been a busy 2 months. Our family has been very busy..and crazy!!! The kids and I left Hawaii on Dec. 10 and flew to California to stay with my brother and his family. We had tons of funs with the Lewis Family. Then we drove to Las Vegas to my mom and sister. Had tons of fun with them all in Vegas. I was reminded that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas..heehee. We spent Christmas in Vegas and loved every minute of it. Kalani flew to Vegas on 12/21. I missed him so much. I was so glad to have our family back together. We got into Star on 12/28. It snowed the night we got home. WE LOVED IT. We missed the snow so much. We are happy campers now. Here is a recap of our lives:

• left Hawaii
• landed in California
• drove to Las Vegas (Nevada)
• drove through Utah
• arrived in Idaho
• OK--that is 5 states and one ocean
• Christmas and all the preparation for the holiday
• made yummy treats
• ate too many yummy treats
• celebrated birthdays
• celebrated the New Year in Idaho
• BSU won the Fiesta Bowl--love it
• enrolled 5 kids and 1 husband into school
• changing addresses
• waiting for mail to catch up to us
• looking for a job
• still looking for a job
• loving the snow and the cold
• just trying to get back into things and loving life

This is my 15 year old girl CS. I cannot believe how fast she is growing up. She got her hair done in Vegas and it made her look so grown up.
Here are the girls at the Kona Airport waiting for our flight. The Kona Airport is kind of old fashioned--you wait outside (under a rooftop) and then literally walk out onto the tarmac and climb the stairs into the airplane. My kids thought that was pretty funny.

JAG and Monkey Boy--looking so much alike, waiting at the airport.

All the kids with the candy leis, Dr. Fogel gave them. Thanks, Doctor!

TCIG doing what he does best....at the airport.....

at Grandma's....

Well that is a real quick snapshot of our lives. I am excited to be back in Idaho. We cannot wait to get into a routine. We cannot thank everyone enough that has helped us this last year. So many thank you's, so much love to give. Thank You or what they say in Hawaii..Mahalo.