Day 12.... 11 year of being grateful .... Happy Birthday Pomai!

Pomai.... how grateful I am that the Lord sent me to you! Especially as my first.  You have brought me sooo much JOY in soooo many ways! I am grateful for the young women you are turning out to be.  I watch you and am amazed that you are mine. I love your laugh, your sense of humor, your ability to write, your love of learning, your desire to do the right thing, your love of cooking and crafting, your ability to be a peacemaker, your willingness to help with the children, your faith in the gospel and in prayer, your thoughtful nature, your desire to make those around you happy, your golden hair, your beautiful smile, our going to bed moments... talking in your bed... singing you your song...I see my mother kneeling...love all the moments. You are an amazing 11 year old and I hope you know how proud I am of you and so is the rest of our family.

Speaking of which.... your birthday has been quite fun today.  It started with our tradition at 5:30 this morning.  Every birthday we put balloons up - meaning we blow them up and stick them to the ceiling. So at 5:30 when I got up to do it ... I could not find the balloons I had asked Namu to buy.  I went in and woke him up... he name several places (nothing) and then finally got up to help me look.  He got dressed and went to his car to look... I offered to go knowing how frustrated he was but he said he would go to Foodland if the balloons weren't in the truck.  I heard the truck leave.  About 15 min. later he returned. He said, "They didn't have any balloons" (Me: Awwww, really?) "So I got these, he held up 4 punch balloons and a package of water balloons" Smiling I said, " We, can make that work."
We got to work first trying to blow up the punch balloons... to thick, neither of us could blow them up.  Water balloons.... can I tell you I have never been able to blow these up... and today it was the same.  Namu was blowing them up.... meanwhile Nalia and Helaman show up and then Ammon .... who quickly learns that if he squeezes the water balloons they will *pop*. So then it looks like this ... Namu blowing up balloons and hearing *pop* *pop* with Nalia and I trying to distract Ammon from popping more balloons *pop*. A few minutes later Namu has finished blowing up 1/2 the bag and goes downstairs to blow up the punch balloons with the air compressor ... *pop* *pop* (still trying to distract Ammon).  Helaman runs into the bedroom to take Pomai the balloons. Me: Helaman come here.  No, wait don't go in the room yet... let's wait till we are all ready (He is in the room now)  Me still (whisper): Come on out... lets wait. Helaman scream: NO, I WANT TO DO IT NOW! (carrying him out.... is she really still sleeping?)  I hear the air compressor going and then **POP**. The punch balloon EXPLODED (it was soooo loud!) Meanwhile Pomai is still sleeping (or we think so :p). (Me: hmmm that balloon must have gotten REALLY BIG). A few minutes later Namu walks in with 3 of the HUGEST punch balloons I have EVER seen.  The nub to tie the rubber band on the punch balloon was almost gone. Me: "Namu we gotta make these smaller or they are gonna pop. Nalia, (as I am holding two in my hand now) hold this one carefully while we let the air out (handing it to her, she grabbing it with a little too much...) so they don't ...." **POP** (in her face and mine...lol... and I thought the first one was loud...Pomai still sleeping) (really not wanting to ruin the surprise...sweet girl)). (Me thinking .... K, we are down to two balloons) *pop* *pop*. Before Ammon can pop anymore... Me: "Nalia, just grab all these balloons and take them with your brothers and put them on her bed and wake her up with Happy Birthday.!" *pop* Namu and I finally get the punch balloons deflated and we go to hang them on the ceiling before she walks out..... lol.... to see something like this....


and that was just the first hour of the day.  We had a lovely breakfast birthday thrown together in 30 min. (because I just found out Namu is working till 8 tonight) with me making chocolate chip waffles (Pomai's request) and trying to make her birthday party invitations... (yes I was working with the laptop on the stove... while making waffles)... because she is frustrated about them not being done (suppossed to be done the night before along with her Science Fair Project that is due tomorrow.... both are postponed because I fell asleep with a migraine). Somehow we made it.... kids ready for school and a birthday breakfast on the table.

Off to school at 7:45... they will be late ... some things are just more important :) Happily when I got home I was able to also show her these lovely gifts from her aunties....

Nia: Top 11 reasons why she love Pomai
Kahi made this:

Aunty Pua made this:

and Aunty Hanu made this:

Kekauoha Cousins Playlist

Don't I have the coolest sisters.... :)

I put Pomai's video on Facebook and she got lots of responses and Uncle posting videos from their trip 3 years ago... 

Pomai I hope you know how loved you are and how special you are!!!! Love you lots... plus one x 2....lol

Day 11 - A flexible job

So I am learning not to procrastinate.  I want to wait till the end of the day to write however, I find myself so tired and busy it doesn't get done all the time.  Tonight I will be working on Science Fair project so I will probably not have a chance to get to this.

I am so grateful to work at HTA.  It definitely has its good and bad however the flexibility in my hours and ability to work from home make it sooo worth it! I really do love teaching... today was the first day back at the LC.  It was fun and I do enjoy being with students. Today we made atom models :) What I am most grateful for though is that I can work from home. I can do house cleaning and then get to work in 30 seconds. I don't have to pack a lunch. I don't have to get dressed up. I don't have to run out the door and sit in the classroom all day. Some days it is not the easiest.  However I still get to be in my kiddies space.  It really is such a blessing and truly priceless!

Day 10 - FHE

I know I said FHE already... still it was soooo fun! We had the best time laughing and playing.  I was teaching them how to lead music. Nalia and Pomai were laughing about how Namu was leading. And then the jokes about big triangles, small triangles, squares and circles.  I know it doesn't make sense to you .... it was one of those had to be there situations.  Anyway the laughter made it sooooo fun!

Day 6, 7, 8, 9 - Diligence... lol

Still working on diligence ... obviously... that is ok. I am picking myself up again and even though I want to change the date as I input I won't cause this is a lesson for me as well. :)

Day 6 - Thursday

Having a best friend here that is like my sister! I have been so blessed to have 4 sisters and best friends on top of that ... unfortunately my soul sisters all moved away (or I did as they might say).  This past year I found a sister friend in someone I had not expected.  I have wondered and watched Kyndra for many years... wondering what made her tick and how she moved with such confidence.  I felt so blessed when I was called as her counselor and if I am honest a little intimidated because I saw all she had done.  Then at our first presidency meeting I remember distinctly feeling like I had soooo much to learn from her and that I would have to work hard to keep up with her.  Well little did I know.  We became soul sisters last Feb. and man what a blessing she is in EVERY aspect of my life!  I have learned sooo much and I am truly a different and better version of myself because of her (hopefully she would say the same about me... lol) I am grateful everyday that the Lord saw fit to bless me with a friend who could love me despite all my inadequacies and just accept me for who I am and still make me want to improve and be a better mother, wife, member of the church and friend.  Thank goodness the Lord knows what I need better than I do :)

Day 7 - Friday
This has been the longest week of my life at work.  3 nights getting home after dark ... grrrrr. However here was my very happy moment.  I fed my family peanut butter sandwiches (my favorite meal ... lol ... not theirs) and after showers we all piled into our King size bed and watched a movie.  I was so exhausted that I slept for most of it ... however the BEST part was having my family all there, reaching across the bed and finding my hubby's arm amidst the bodies. JOY... PURE JOY! We haven't done that for so long...  it was pure BLISS! Pictures later .... even if they are ugly... lol

Day 8 - Saturday
Date Night - Oh this blessed thing!!!!! I am so grateful that my hubby loves it as much as I do! We start to get cranky with each other when we don't have it ... of it is such a blessing! We went out to Kaneohe with the Smith's for a quick meal at a wonderful little Mexican restaurant.... YUM- O. So good. The best part was time with my hubby and that the Smith's were willing to come home by 9 so Namu could work.

Day 9 - Sunday
Lots to be grateful for... today, my calling ... I do love it and it is such a blessing in my life.  The Gollayer's talk in church about sacrificing our lives to build the kingdom and how important temple attendance is. I loved their talks! Ana putting Ammon to sleep ... I got to enjoy the lesson. Namu cooked dinner and made fried rice. YUM-O again.  The WHY book and reading about the sacrament. Set the tone for the day! Blessings all around :)

Day 5 - My Parents

My parents.... If ever there were two people that sacrificed for their children and gave everything to being great parents ... it is them! I am so grateful for the daily sacrifice they make on behalf of me and my family. My parents watch my two boys everyday I have to work in town and this week that is everyday. Never a complaint ... can you imagine! They love and care for two rambunctious little boys and my boys LOVE them.  The list of what they do for my two boys would be endless. Walks, reading, playing, listening, diaper changes, poop clean up, lunch, snacks, naps, movies, tantrums, timeouts, hugs, kisses, and lots of love.  Thank you Mom and Dad for ALL you do!

Day 4 - My Girls

Pomai, Nalia, and Anela.... Unfortunately today I did not get home till 6:30... It was getting dark outside.  I came home to the kids all wanting hugs, time and food.  I did what I could ... rushed upstairs to get food on the table and started asking my girls to help me out.  I didn't hear one complaint (I know that is not normal ... however I soooo grateful that it wasn't cause I was so tired. Nalia helped with the table, grating cheese, getting out chicken, Pomai helped with the boys and dinner. Anela stirred food and helped with the table. I was so grateful because they helped so much I was able to get the other things done AND maintain a happy spirit in our home! Thank you girls!

Day 3 - Family Home Evening

Can I tell you how much I love Family Home Evening.  I must say I never really enjoyed FHE growing up. I had a moment that changed my life ... when I was a YW president in Utah I was in a PPI with my Bishop ... He asked me about our family home evening and if we were having it every night. I was full of excuses.... It is only Namu, Pomai and I... Namu is working 3 jobs and is never home.... It feels funny doing it alone.... etc.  He looked me in the eye and said, "When are you teaching your daughter the gospel? How does she know you have a testimony?" His words pierced my soul. He said, "It doesn't have to be a big deal ... just you teaching your daughter.. keep it simple.  The important thing is that you are doing it." I have tried to use that council in my life and apply the simplicity of FHE.

Tonight was one of those nights ... and still so fun. We didn't have much time because I got home late and Namu had to work (driving). So Anela chose a lesson using a ready made FHE lesson books ( her lesson was on the Second Coming). Love those kits. :) Then we sang the new Primary song "If I Listen with My Heart"... The kids love it ... We sang it 3 times. I love Family Home Evening ! :0)

Daily Tidbits:

• I started back at school today. Grateful for the job I have.
• Conversation with Helaman - Mom, my neck hurts. It hurts. I feel sick. I need water. Mom: Does your throat hurt?" Helaman: Oh yeah, that is what that is... I must have swallowed a bee."
• Anela's best part about her day was basketball
• Kyndra fed the girls and I pizza ... after my car had problems and was smoking

Day 2 - Why?: Powerful Answers and Practical Reasons for Living LDS Standards

Well I know I have so much to be grateful for ... today I have especially enjoyed a new book I just bought.  It is meant for LDS youth ... just my style ... lol ... however I have found it to be full of great reminders as to why we live the way we live.  I am loving it! I am also loving that Pomai is enjoying it and quoting the book already :). It was well worth the money I spent! I got my copy at the BYU bookstore ... you can get it online.  The authors are John Hilton III and Anthony Sweat. I have the follow-up book on order ... I can't wait! :)

Daily Tidbits:

• Family Council today - Grateful Journal for the family
• Helaman - Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and the Temple
• Anela - Christmas and celebrating the birth of Jesus
• Nalia - Christmas and the Ranch
• Pomai - Seeing the prophet and the Temple Open House
• Lilia - My family
• Namu - all the extra work - Turtle Bay and driving for Gaylene

• Namu - PPI with the girls
• Church time changed to 12:00 - ugh... hard with the boys... will have to work out :)
• Reminded about fasting in book and the purposes of fasting... just what I needed to hear today as I was fasting.  So grateful for his tender mercies.