Recycle, Repurpose, Renew, Repair

What do you get with an old tire, an old table, and a free umbrella . . .

Namu took all this stuff (that I was ready to take to the dump) and made a lovely backyard oasis for the kids and I. Before this we rarely used the backyard but not anymore! It makes me SMILE everyday and somehow that it didn't cost a thing makes it even better. My favorite thing- that Namu drilled a bigger hole in the table so the umbrella could fit. He also fixed the bikes that were also headed to the trash as well as the two strollers that were broken. So here's to saving money and using what you have. Good job Namu!

Halloween Pictures

HOLY SMOKES BATMAN how did you get that LOLLIPOP?

GLAMOUR GIRL and CINDERELLA

Check out HANNAH MONTANA!

(more pictures later)

My LOVE/HATE relationship with costumes

(this is the long version) Every year I resolve to make Halloween fun. Honestly, I dread it but don't want my kids to dread it so I put on a brave face and do my best. I try so hard to do anything to make it fun including hosting the annual "get together" and buying decorations to fill both the outside and inside BUT I always get stuck on the costumes. Sadly, this year was extra crazy so I let someone else host the party and never got around to doing decorations (so sad) but the cosume dilema was still hanging over my head. Pomai wanted to be Hannah Montana (all I could think of is YES! I don't have to buy a wig) but then Nalia wanted to be Hannah too. I tried to convince her to be Miley but she didn't like that because she is all about the GLITTER. Anela wanted to be a princess but I had a BYU cheerleading costume so I worked at convincing her that a cheerleader would be more fun.
So last Saturday we hit Saver's to find something, I kept telling myself I could make the costumes myself instead of buying them (the last two years I have left the costume shopping to Hanu and my girls did ask what they were going to get from Aunty Hanu this year). We quickly found a princess costume that Anela had to have - so much for cheerleading. We searched for all things sequined for Pomai's outfit but not much luck in her size. We did find a cute jeans jacket, a purple and black short skirt, fish net stockings, a glitter microphone and a bedazzled cap - ok that might work for Pomai. I could not find shoes for her but thought maybe we could figure something out later. Meanwhile Nalia was still whining that she couldn't be Hannah. But then she found a "dog house purse" (see pic) and I had found a pink sequin vest that matched the house and thought Paris Hilton (not the role model I want for my child) which led me to MOVIE STAR/GLAMOUR GIRL. Nalia LOVED the idea!
I was still uneasy about Pomai's costume (always listen to your gut) so I showed Mike and Kahi the pieces via the video phone. Mike hit the nail on the head when he said "Man if you just add leggings, Pomai could be Debbie Gibson" AAAAAHHHHH it was true that was the costume I had. I desperately tried to figure out how to get to town with everything else goin on. Luckily, Mari came to the rescue! She was going to town and found a pair of black boots, bracelets and makeup . They worked perfectly.
I was so happy with all the finishing touches I was able to make despite being costume challenged. I cut Pomai bangs (Yep - thanks to You tube) and took apart a pair of earrings to make her a pair of clip-ons, cut up a old onsie to cover Anela's pink headband and make it blue, and bent my earrings so they clipped on Nalia's ears. I got great satisfaction creating costumes this year instead of buying them all so surprisingly I hope I get to do it again next year.

Haunted Houses

I have a very vivid memory of the haunted house at the Lua's. I must have been 8 and I was dressed as a princess (yellow holoku) for the 3rd or 4th year in a row. I also remember being so excited to go in the haunted house. The next memory is STARK FEAR! I remember screaming and crying so much that everyone was taking their masks off for me -- no offense but it did not help. Mom walked me slowly through (past the trolls, and the coffin and the vampire but it did not help) Hated it.
FAST FORWARD - Junior or sophmore year in high school - Haunted Lagoon. I went with some of my friends because if I didn't I would be lame. I remember being scared but making it through.
FAST FORWARD 1996 - Namu and Ikuna invite Collettey and I to go to Haunted houses with them. (Can I just say I suddenly felt 8 again). Despite my protests no one seemed to think I was really serious about being scared. (I even asked to wait outside-right at the door. The real problem was that I had only met Namu and Kuna a few days before that and I felt silly trying to explain to them how scared I was.)

It started with the Haunted Forest, then the Haunted Hay Maze, and finally the Nightmare on 13th. The next night it was the Park City Haunted Mine. I must say going to one haunted house after another actually made my fear disapate and just resigned to the fact that I was not going to get out of going. The BEST thing that came out of the haunted house experience -- MY HUBBY. Well I needed someone to hide behind and claw and when Colette wanted to share Ikuna's arm I drew the line there and grabbed Namu's arm (no sharing for me). (This was the beginning of a beautiful relationship). Haunted Houses became an annual event until . . . Hawaii.

It was a drought until 2008 with the Haunted Lagoon. What fun we had! PCC pulled out all the stops - walking on water, chainsaws, skeletons popping out of nowhere, monsters in the bushes and in the water. We took our 3 girls the other night. And even though I didn't get to claw at my husband this time it was still a blast. Pomai buried her face in my legs and cried hysterically when I would scream, Nalia sat on the floor of the canoe (in between all the big people so no one would know she was there), and sweet Anela took a nap halfway through (she was no phased at all). The girls loved it after the fact but I told them of my history with Haunted Houses and they felt a little better. I must say it was so fun to be scared again - whoevever thought I would say that?!!!!

Elder Bednar

I love Elder Bednar. His talks over the last two conferences have resonated deeply within me. I have worked at implementing the changes he suggested. Despite my less than perfect attempt even small changes have resulted in miracles. Although I don't have time to go into depth right now here are the links and favorite quotes from his talks.
Pray Always- Oct. 2008
"Simply stated, prayer is communication to Heavenly Father from His sons and daughters on earth. “As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely, God is our Father, and we are his children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part” . . . "(Moses 3:4–5). We learn from these verses that the spiritual creation preceded the temporal creation. In a similar way, meaningful morning prayer is an important element in the spiritual creation of each day—and precedes the temporal creation or the actual execution of the day. Just as the temporal creation was linked to and a continuation of the spiritual creation, so meaningful morning and evening prayers are linked to and are a continuation of each other." (Pray always - www.lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-947-14,00.html)

Ask in Faith - Apr. 2008
True faith is focused in and on the Lord Jesus Christ and always leads to righteous action. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that “faith [is] the first principle in revealed religion, and the foundation of all righteousness” and that it is also “the principle of action in all intelligent beings” (Lectures on Faith [1985], 1). Action alone is not faith in the Savior, but acting in accordance with correct principles is a central component of faith. Thus, “faith without works is dead” (James 2:20).
The Prophet Joseph further explained that “faith is not only the principle of action, but of power also, in all intelligent beings, whether in heaven or on earth” (Lectures on Faith, 3). Thus, faith in Christ leads to righteous action, which increases our spiritual capacity and power. Understanding that faith is a principle of action and of power inspires us to exercise our moral agency in compliance with gospel truth, invites the redeeming and strengthening powers of the Savior’s Atonement into our lives, and enlarges the power within us whereby we are agents unto ourselves (see D&C 58:28).
(Ask in Faith - www.lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-851-31,00.html)

ENJOY!

Gratitude for the women around me

Lately, I have been filled with gratitude for the women that are around me. I find myself always watching and learning from those around me. There are so many moments when I am struggling with a situation and I am able to think of someone else and their response to a similar situation and I think oh yeah I can do that too. I know that some of you will say "please, if you only saw the real me . . ." but the point is that I have seen these things and your actions continue to bless my life. Here are just a few:

1. My Mom - so many wonderful things but lately it has been her constant example of reading the scriptures and being prayerful . She never misses a day.

2. Pua - a working mom (and amazing teacher) who still manages to find time for her family as well as her friends and doing things she loves.

3. Hanu - I was so impressed by the spirit in her home. I know that doesn't just happen. She is so patient with her children and talks things out. I also admire her ability to make friends and to be a great friend.

4. Kahi - I love Kahi's ability to be "in the moment" of her children and those around her. She also as an incredible ability and courage to always speak the truth without hurting anyones feelings. I know it is because she is being true to who she is.

5. Nia - Nia is so outgoing. I love that she keeps in touch with everyone and manages to be in contact with so many people. She never lets time and distance come between her and her friends and family.

6. Emily - When Emily disciplines her children it is with a sweet "awww don't do that, that is not good". I have never heard her yell or be short.

7. Grace - Even though she works, she still makes time to play with her kids. Her children are obviously her first priority. I love the way she "plays" with her kids and even when she gets home late you can still find her with her kids at the park.

8. Halona - she is a leader's leader. Her ability to read into what people are really saying and find ways to motivate each person amazes me daily.

9.Ui-she fits into the not quite human category for me mainly because I am always amazed by the many things she can do and do well. What I have learned from her especially recently is that she is able to quickly adapt to different situations and make it work. She is also excellent at being involved in the community and finding time to do the things she loves. But what impresses me most is that even though she has an insane schedule that makes me exhausted just watching, she still is savors and enjoys each moment.

10. Meilani - I admire Meilani's insight about each of her children. In conversations she will say a little comment that makes me realize that I don't know that about my children. I also admire her faith in Heavenly Father and that her will take care of each of us.

11. Kaui-her ability to make anything a party. To be friends with everyone and no matter what the occassion might be Kaui has invited at least 10 families. She is so easy to be with and manages to keep everyone around her real too --especially me.

12. Diane - I have never met another person than serves more people silently than her. She quietly goes into the lives of so MANY people and finds a way to quietly serve. The acts are simple but always just what is so important at the time. She is quiet about her many, many talents but when it is time to serve they suddenly manifest.

13. Nue - So she is one of those all of the above women but she recently taught me another great lesson. Nalia and Azure decide to little "entrepreneurs" and pick the plumeria and sell them. They put the flowers in a laundry basket and were yelling at the cars as they passed by "Flowers! Flowers for sale". I was watching them and shaking my head. At one point I even told them to stop. Well a little later it was time to come in so I told her to walk Azure home. A little later Nalia shows up with 2 quaters. I asked her where she got it. She said , "Aunty Nue."
"Why"
"I sold her the flowers. At first I told her .10 cents a flower but she said that was too expensive. She said she would buy the whole basket for a dollar."
Embarrassed I called Nue back and apologized that she had to pay for the flowers. She said "No, I was just playing along. Next time though I will teach them how to make a lei so they can make some real money." Why didn't I think of that?!

OK so I will have to continue this post another time. So many other people came to mind it was difficult to stop (I am so blessed to be surrounded by so many amazing people). So thank you to the many women that bless my life just by being themselves.

Hawaii Fi-Do

What fun we had yesterday! Pomai had a project on animal and human teams and since Grandma works with a company, Hawaii Fi-do, that trains service dogs - she called in a favor. Susan Luehrs, the owner, was so kind to let us come last minute. She had Marie, a caretaker and service dog owner show us around. Marie was awesome and so patient. She answered all of Pomai's questions and showed her around. Nalia and Anela both have a fear of dogs (Nalia has gotten chased on more than one occassion) but it was fun to watch them go from stark fear to playing with the dogs.

These dogs are amazing and it was cool to learn the ins and outs of selecting the dogs to training them. We heard some amazing stories of the independence these dogs are able to provide for their owners. Everything from retrieving to warning them of possible seizures or food burning on the stove. You name they can do it. It was a wonderful way for Pomai to learn and as much as I love the internet - you just can't beat the real stuff. Please check out their website http://www.hawaiifido.org/ and see all the great things this non-profit organization is doing. I hear they are always looking for puppy raisers and donations. Thank you Susan and Marie.

MAYBE

So I was modeling, for my family, the new shirts I bought. We were deciding whether to keep all of them. Nalia was assisting me by making a list and writing down what decisions were being made. I was just about done when she had to go and rinse the dishes - so she handed me the list with the following instructions:
Nalia: Mom just finish marking the list. If it is Yes (keep) then put a check; if it is no (return) then mark an X; and if it is a maybe mark it with a "P".
Me: Why am I marking a "p" for the maybe ones
Nalia: You know Mom, mayPee (sounding it out for me) don't you hear it? mayPee