I'm Eeking Back....

Well, I am tired of opening my browser to have that previous ugly post staring back at me. It was a difficult year, and I'm hoping that I can put an end to it.

At the time, I had decided that some things had to go to ease the stress in my life. So, I took a break from blogging. I should have posted about my decision...for both of you who read my blog(wink). I decided to spend my free energy fostering local and online relationships, translating to less pressure and more rewards for me. Writing on the blog has always been too much of an ideal for me to live up to.

If you know me well, you know I don't do anything I'm not going to be good at. I read some wonderful, amazing, inspiring blogs. I have always worried about my consistency. Plus, I wanted to make sure I was sharing a variety of uplifting news. So, when we don't reach these benchmarks we sometimes set for ourselves, it can make us feel more failure. I didn't need that at the time, or now. So, I'm trying a fresh start with a new outlook in a new place--figuratively and literally.

We recently moved from one side of the US, actually from the furthest West in Hawaii, to the east coast, in South Carolina. It's been a BIG move, a huge ordeal, and the toughest move of all for our our family. We're finally in a home, still no belongings yet, but I need to get on task. Each week is getting a little better. In a few weeks when our home is in order, and I have a better routine, this will hopefully all be a distant memory.

But, today, I need to live the quote I have at the top, "Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life." All the good. All the bad. All the moments. And there are some really good ones in there. I should have chronicled them this past year, instead of rushing past them. This year will be different...better. It's up to me, right? Just be patient for me. And I'll try to be gentle on myself.

So, a little recap from my November 2011 post to now:
The holidays went off without too much of a hitch. Carols were sung, presents were gifted, merry was made. I did spend most of Christmas day with a migraine, but we got to skype with my whole family and speak to Dennis's on the phone.

The rest of the school year was a struggle for one and a breeze for another. That online K12 program certainly is easier on some personalities than others. For my oldest, Sabrina, she missed making friends and worked hard every day to stay caught up, cutting into any social life she may have wanted. For Hayden, he was in his element. He loved finishing his work mid-morning so he could have computer free time. He would minecraft with his friends in the afternoon and spend some days with his best friend doing school work, then playing. McKenna's school year went off well. She had a great relationship with her teacher, enjoyed school, and had some great friends.

We were able to take a trip to the Big Island of Hawaii during spring break, amazed at how much more untouched it was than Oahu. We had a fabulous week and saw another amazing part of this world. Maybe I'll do another recap post of that some time. My mom was able to come out a couple of weeks later, during the worst storm weekend we had our entire time on Oahu. It was such a disappointment to not be able to show her more of the beauty of Hawaii, but we were able to spend time together, and that's what really matters anyway.

My middle brother and his family came out at the end of May and spent 2 weeks in our home. They allowed us to be tourists and do all of the fun things Hawaii has to offer for one last time. The kids really enjoyed hanging out with their cousins since they don't get to often.

About April, we had started preparing to move off the island, knowing an assignment would come in May. The options of location weren't great, and we did get an initial assignment to Cannon AFB, NM. This base is so remote that after a process involving a medical board, the assignment was cancelled due to lack of facilities to support Sabrina's diabetic needs. Then began the waiting game...9 weeks to be exact, before we would get the new assignment.

The second week in August, we receive an assignment to Shaw AFB, SC, followed by a mad rush to get out of Hawaii before the end of the month. We started packing up on the 10th and cleared our house on the 20th. We flew out of Hawaii on the 21st and, 3 flights later, into South Carolina on the 22nd. The south definitely has a learning curve. But, we're adjusting. The kids all started school last week, and so far are holding their own. Now to see where this new adventure takes us!

BFF on the island...

Pam has been one of my longest friends. We met on the steps at UCLA over 20 years ago. She was approachable, and I was lost. Fast friends, we ended up in each others' weddings. In fact, since living overseas, her wedding was the last time I had seen her. Her visit to Hawaii was probably one of the most anticipated things this summer. Yet, it has taken me two months to post pictures and celebrate the fun we had.

I could say that it was just too much fun...that I'm still recovering from all the fun. But, the truth is, that after the golden time of vacation-- and fun-- and laughter, real everyday life gets in the way. So, I've been amiss to share the joy she brought into our home during her short stay.

She arrived on the kids' first day of school, so I had planned some fun things for the mornings and others to include the kids after school. Right off the bat we went up to the PCC, Polynesian Culture Center. We had a great day soaking up the sun and island culture, catching up just like old times.

The next day, we went kayaking in the morning at Hickam Beach. It runs alongside the airport runway, so it's isn't unusual to catch air departures in the background.

That same day, after the kids were out of school, we took advantage of Hayden's recent sailing instruction. He took both of us and the other kids out around the harbor, showing off his mad skills. Pam said it was one of her best memories.

Dennis went with us one day to Waikiki, on an underwater adventure in a submarine. We went nearly 100 feet down and saw some cool sights...turtles and fish.

Since Pam had been to Hawaii several times, I tried to show her some things she may not have seen before. We took her to Pali lookout, where it's always windy, but an amazing view of the east side of the island.

On her last day, we made it to the Arizona Memorial. It was the first time our family had been there. It was an amazing place to spend a morning. We watched a historical video and took the boat out to the memorial. (I think this was McKenna's favorite part!)

These five short days meant so much to me. Unable to live close to family, for a short time she brought memories and a sense of "home" that we have missed being away from those we love.

Sweet Pam is a kindergarten teacher, and she embodies that in every sense of the word. She is the most sincere and open person I have ever met. She engaged my children, treated my husband like an old friend, and won over my friends from church.

My only regret from this visit is that it wasn't long enough, though she left promising to return next year. With some of the tourist stuff out of the way, I'll look forward to more long chats and enjoying each other's company. Because over all, she definitely wet my appetite for more. We welcome our visitors. Book your tickets now!

Hawaiian Summer 2010...a drive-by...take 2!

It seems so strange to be wrapping up our summer by the end of July, but with the kids starting school at the beginning of August, the carefree days of summer definitely had come to an end.

When we last left off, we had celebrated the 4th of July, and were preparing for Sabrina's birthday. We are lucky enough to live in a place where everyone wants to come on vacation... This month we were able to see our friends, the Blevins, from Virginia. We got to know their family while living in Germany. They were celebrating her oldest's graduation. We met them for a day at the Polynesian Cultural Center....a must see for anyone visiting Oahu for the first time.

It was our first time to the center. My favorite part of the day was the Rainbow Parade on the river. Each polynesian village gave a short display of their unique styles in dance and song as they floated by. During the rest of the time, you can visit each village and learn something individual about each Island and people.

There are hands-on crafts and activities...lots of fun for the kids. McKenna tried her hand at the activities at New Zealand's village. They are a warrior people and these balls on the ropes double as weapons and props in their dance. It's not as easy as you might think to swing these around without hitting yourself! We had a great time and look forward to many more visits from friends and family.

That next week, Dennis left for the wedding of his niece, Amber Sipes to Stephen Via in Virginia. He was able to spend a week with his family there and celebrate with them. We wish we all could have gone, but wish them the most happiness in their futures together.


If April is Month of the Military Child, then July was "Month of McKenna". She was hopping around here making the most of her waning summer days. Which means I was driving....driving...driving....

She still has been taking gymnastics, and moved up to the intermediate class. But, she had been begging since last fall to play soccer. They started their 10 week season in June. She has enjoyed every minute of it. Plus, Hayden and Sabrina get to see what it was like when they were that age...watching the ball roll by...twirling your hair...picking up ladybugs in the grass...

We also took an opportunity to put her in a round of swimming lessons. She has been resistant to putting her head in the water, but she made more progress in this session than she had in the previous four she took last year. She is now swimming without any flotation, jumping off the diving board, and sliding down the slide. The last day of class they got to play on a surfboard...totally Hawaii!

And, YAY FOR ME, I finally got to a late-night crop with some friends for the first time in a year and a half. It got me motivated to document more of these fun, fabulous memories we are making as a family. So, it's ok that I have, like, 10,000 pictures, right? That I'll never get caught up...I keep scrapping, and the pictures keep coming. (I take NO responsibility for it, either! these kids are just so dang cute!) It reminds me of that Doritos commercial, telling you it's ok, "go ahead, we'll make more."