Adios September

I enjoyed September's header. Seeing Keenan's joyful mid-air kick always put a smile on my face.

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Gratitude Journal:

Keenan: I love my mom. She buys me balloons. BIG balloons.

Valu: Grateful that I was able to get ahead on my projects that are due next week.

Mom: Grateful that my kids like each other--most days.

Dad: Grateful for friends that cook me delicious fried fish and other ocean delicacies.

War Wounds

Tuesday, 29 September 2009

By looking at these feet--you can definitely see that they belong to boys. They are definitely not feminine nor can they be described as pretty. They look like they have been in a war. The War of Boyhood.

I feel responsible for Valu's scaring. Yes, those are nasty warts on his foot. 5 months ago they were getting a bit out of control. They were multiplying on top of one another. The over-the-counter treatments were not working so I made an appointment to see a dermatologist to get them burned off. Valu wanted a quick and somewhat painless remedy. I didn't spend a lot of time looking for a dermatologist--I found him in our local doctor reference guide. As we sat across from the 145 year old doctor and he said that he knew just what to do to make sure these warts didn't grow back, I believed him. I was sure that he had MANY years of experience to back up his claims. What I didn't realize is that he probably earned his doctorate out in the war trenches during World War I. This 'supposed' doctor took out a scalpel and cut out a 3 inch circle which was at least 1 inch deep. Luckily, Valu was oblivious as to what was going on. His foot was numbed and he was laying down so he couldn't the horror. I was sure the mad doctor was going to hit bone. I was so shocked and mortified I just sat there with my mouth open. I kept waiting for 'that' crazed mad doctor laugh to escape from this smarmy lips. He really seemed to enjoy the look of horror on my shocked face. PSYCHO!! It took a good month for that wound to heal and the warts came back anyway. Sorry, Valu. I wish your scar had a better story behind it rather than - "My mom took me to a psycho doctor who hacked the heck out of my foot."
Keenan has only minor nicks on his cute piggies. I will give him a year or two and I am sure he will be sporting some nice scars. Ki's feet---oh--Ki's feet! These poor soles have truly been through the trenches. He has so many scars that he can't remember how he earned all of them - but several are from slipping on mossy rocks. His big toe sports the most noticeable damage. When he was young he nearly sliced his toe off with a machete. Yes, little boys in Tonga were supposedly given machetes to play with. Ki has a HUGE scar on his knee from a machete, also. The stitches on his knee tore apart and the wound healed like a gaping hole. Seriously, it is amazing that Ki survived his childhood. As you scan his body there is a scar every inch or two. Ahh, the tales his body can tell.

I love these hands. They are a bit rough to the touch but when these hands are clasped in mine, they are very loving and gentle.

Gratitude Journal:Keenan: Grateful for my friends. I have girlfriends and friends that are boys.Valu: Grateful that this long day is almost over.Mom: Grateful to belong in this household of men.Dad: Grateful that Heather puts up with all of our boyness.

The Harrasser

Monday, 28 September 2009

I couldn't figure out what was bothering T'ea--she seemed stressed as I took these photos.

It wasn't until I was editing these photos that I saw the reason for her stress.

Keenan loves to tease and harass T'ea. Just look at his smirk.

He doesn't have a younger sibling to tease so T'ea gets the special attention.

Gratitude Journal:

Keenan: Grateful that I could play 'bikes' at school.

Valu: Grateful for a fun evening with my family.

Mom: Grateful for a beautiful evening. We have been spending a lot of time outside enjoying the long gloaming before the sun goes down. The sun seems to be rapidly decreasing its time in the sky. We are trying to soak up the last of the long summer nights. (We don't really have a fall--or a winter or spring, for that matter. lol)

Dad: Grateful for laughter. There is no greater sound. Especially, when it comes from the lips of my loved ones.

Birthday Boy

Sunday, 27 September 2009

This amazing boylie turned 12 today. TWELVE YEARS OLD!

His last year of tweenie-dom. In 365 days he will be a TEENAGER! gasp...sigh...inhale...exhale...inhale...exhale....His birthday landed on a sunday this year--so we had a family celebration.He will have a party with his friends in October.
Gifts to honor the arrival of Prince Valu into the world included:
Skullcandy Stereo Headphones for his itouch.iTunes Gift Certificates for music and games.Deal or No Deal DVD GameForrest Gump and Karate Kid DVD Set because the poor kid has never seen these classics.The best for last--Dancing with the Stars for PS2. Hee Hee Valu loathes 'Dancing with the Stars'. I bought this PS2 version so that I would have something to wrap and just to get a reaction from him. I actually ordered this but it didn't arrive in time for his birthday. He was actually a good sport. When he opened this gift...he laughed and said, "Just what I've always wanted!" -with just the proper amount of sarcasm without coming across as brash or bratty. :)
Of course, the favorite toy of the day was the "filler-toy". (I always get a couple of cheap toys for both boylies so the non-birthday boy doesn't feel left out.) The balloon car cost a whoppin' $1. :) It really doesn't cost much to keep these boys happy.

Simple pleasures really are the best.

Keenan want to buy a big balloon and attach it to the back of our car. "So we can go REALLY fast."

Hope all your wishes come true!

Gratitude Journal:Keenan: Grateful for my brother Valu. He picks out the yummiest birthday cakes.Valu: Grateful for a wonderful birthday. Grateful I am loved.Mom: Grateful for Valu. It truly is a pleasure to have him in our home.Dad: Valu has always been an obedient young man. His influence makes me want to be a better man. He is truly an honorable son of God.

Perspective

Saturday, 26 September 2009

I find myself reflecting over this photo that I took the day we went to the pond.

I almost missed this flower. We were walking back to the car when Keenan wandered over to the bushes just off of the trail. We were hot, tired and thirsty and I was determined to make it back up to the top of the hill as quickly as possible to quench my thirst. Keenan hollered, "Mom, hurry! Come and look at the beautiful flower." I had been looking at beautiful flowers all day--and didn't want to stop ONE more time--so in an effort to appease his demands without having to actually turn back, I said,"Cool Keenan! That is lovely. Hurry back! I am going to beat you up the hill..." He said, "Mom, please you really need to see this." I tried again to manipulate him, "Wow, that IS pretty! Hurry! Look at Dad and Valu. They are way ahead of us. If we don't hurry we are going to have to hear about their victory all day. Hurry, lil' Dude." Keenan said, "Please Mom! It is sooo beautiful." I exhaled a sigh of resignation and back-tracked to where he was standing. He was laying on the ground looking up at the tree. When I asked him what he was doing he said, "This is the best way to see." When I squatted down and looked up, I realized what he was talking about. These flowers were so heavy that their heads hung parallel to the ground. I couldn't see them from where I was standing. The greenery around them kept them camouflaged from an adult perspective. But, they were the perfect height to be enjoyed by a young child. Keenan could just walk right underneath and look up into their beautiful floral faces. -- I almost missed it! One thing I love about being a momma to younglings is I get to enjoy things from their perspective. The world is full of wonder--I just need to remember to keep my eyes open to new perspectives.

Gratitude Journal:

Keenan: Grateful that I got a treat. I love chocolate treats.

Valu: Grateful that our hard work paid off. The cars look great.

Mom: Grateful that our family hyper-cleaned the inside of our cars. They were filthy and smelly. But, now they are clean and even smell delightful thanks to Febreeze. :)

Dad: Grateful for my hard-working family. Together we can accomplish anything.

Field Trip

Today, Keenan's pre-school went on a field trip to the Children's Discovery Center.
He was so ecixted he could hardly contain his enthusiasm.


How cute are these darling keiki?! Do you see the cuteness that melts my heart?


I love that pre-schoolers still hold hands. Simply precious.


Keenan was soooo excited to take his first bus ride. We talked it up for days upon days.


I followed behind the bus. We had fun waving to each other.

These were the 2 little cuties that I was in charge of. We spent our 2 hours at the center sprinting from one station to the next. Good thing that Kache (pronounced Cash) had a 5 second attention span, too. Because 5 seconds is about as long as we stayed at any one station.


Well, Keenan did spend a good couple of minutes banging on this drum. A crowd gathered and cheered him on. He loves to perform.
The truth is--after being at the center for 30 mins the boys were ready to leave. They wanted to get back on the bus.

Keenan and Kache would have been perfectly content just riding the bus the whole day. :)
Gratitude Journal:Keenan: Grateful that I was able to go on the bus.Valu: Grateful for the weekend--my last couple of days of being 11.Mom: Grateful that Keenan and his friend had a good time on their field trip.Dad: Grateful for the weekend. I love spending time with my family.

Valu's School

I often take the back road to Valu's school just so I can enjoy the beautiful scenery. I love when the sun streams through the lush canopy of trees. It really does feel as though the rays of heaven are shining down as the light touches my car and my skin. These types of magical experiences make me smile--makes the divine seem just a bit closer. I feel so blessed to experience such beauty on a daily basis. Truly blessed!

Valu's school sits atop a mountain side which has amazing views of the Ko'olau Mountain Range. I would not have been a good student here--I probably would have gazed out the window and day-dreamed the day away.

Gratitude Journal:

Keenan: Grateful to be able to play lightsabers.

Valu: Grateful that this school week is almost over.

Mom: Grateful that I am surrounded by such beauty and that Valu attends a school that challenges him.

Dad: Grateful for my boys. They are great boys, wonderful sons.

Whaat?!

Every time I pass PCC I notice this Tiki and chuckle. Doesn't it look like he is saying, "Whaat?!! I didn't do it!" I often wonder if the ancient Hawaiians were using a bit of humor when they created this one. Maybe he is trying to warn visitors to "STOP". Or maybe he was created in honor of the strongest man in the village. Does it look like he is carrying the world in his hands? Whatever the reason, I sure am glad he is there. He always catches my eye and makes me smile.

Gratitude Journal:

Keenan: Grateful that I could play and color.

Valu: Grateful that I am able to finish my assignments during school. I really do not like homework.

Mom: Grateful to be surrounded by beautiful Hawaiian art.

Dad: Grateful for my family. I just love them so much.

The Mohawk Was Scalped

After a year and a half, Keenan finally decided to give up the mohawk. It was fun while it lasted.

I think this new 'do' is adorable too.


A side view


Sigghh! Mom! Will you please hurry!
Gratitude Journal:Keenan: I am grateful for my Dad.Valu: Grateful for study hall. I am all caught up with my assignments.Mom: Grateful for the quiet that lingers after the boys go to bed.Dad: Grateful for the ability to reason and strategize.

Where Have We Been the Last Two Weeks?

Well...we haven't been well. It all started on Sunday, 6 September. Keenan was up all night with a horrific cough. His bronchitis seemed to have moved deep into his lungs. After a trip to the emergency room, his x-rays showed that his lungs were remarkable clear and that his oxygen levels were at 100 %. Poor little guy was actually getting better even though his cough sounded otherwise. Valu and I joined Keenan in the depths of the ugly bronchitis hacking sessions. We are all feeling much better now. We are once again noticing that the birds are chirping and the sun is shining---all feels right in the world.

As I snapped this shot in the ER--I felt a little impish. Here is my kid feeling sick and a bit needy and I have the sudden urge to document this moment?!! Sad! Sad and pitiful. I realized that my photo-a-day quest was becoming a bit contrived. I needed to take a step back. Being sick forced me to take that break. I feel renewed and determined to be more mindful. Mindful of BEing in the moment instead of documenting the moment. This I promise! :)

Gratitude Journal: (Sadly, this too fell away. We usually share our gratitudes before family prayer--but being sick and having some of us asleep at prayer time made our gratitude sharing non-existent.)

Keenan: Grateful that my nose is not full of boogers anymore.

Valu: Grateful that my health has been restored.

Mom: Seriously--it is amazing how grateful I am for good health. Truly!

Dad: Grateful that my family is feeling better. I am also extremely grateful that I didn't get their sickness.

The Search for a New Hale

We are still looking for our perfect piece of paradise. Every time we drive through this neighborhood I find myself taking a deep sigh. We love the serenity and the peaceful energy that surrounds this area. We keep looking in different neighborhoods but nothing compares to this place. Now, we just need the perfect home/lot to come on the market. We have seen several beautiful homes--but the lots are too steep. We want a view of the mountains and a view of the ocean--and we would like the lot to be level, please. I know this home exists. I see it in my head and can feel it's calming energy. ---- Knock Knock! We are ready for you, our beautiful dream home. Come to us - or send us to you. We are excited to meet you.

Can you see the gorgeous mountain view thru my salty rain stained windows?
Breath-taking!

This is the ocean view as you come down the road. Well, at least a bit of it--I couldn't get my cell phone camera to work before we were already down the hill.


After looking at homes we ate at Sam Choy's. Ki enjoyed a good 4lbs of crab.
Gratitude Journal:Keenan: Grateful that my mom and dad came home I missed them.Valu: Grateful that my parents weren't gone very long--Keenan had a rough time.Mom: Grateful that Date Days are as much fun as Date Nights. -- I just need to remember to prep Keenan for new things. He has been doing so well with transitions lately that I forget that the unfamiliar cause him great distress. Sorry buddy.Dad: Grateful for a relaxing day with my lover. A wonderful day.

Why Is It So Quiet?

...Ohh...the boylies are playing computer games.

They are not allowed to play during the school week -- so this really is a special treat.

The way brothers bond in the 21st century.

Gratitude Journal:

Keenan: Grateful that I am not sick anymore. Yeah!

Valu: Grateful for the weekend. I love weekends

Mom: Grateful that Keenan is feeling better and that everyone else is still healthy.

Dad: Grateful to hang with my family. It has been a productive and busy week. Grateful for a 3 day weekend.

Mommy's Playtime

Thursday, 3 September 2009

We spent quite a bit of the day outside playing in the yard. I was hoping a good dose of fresh air and soaking up lots of Vitamin D would help this little boylie's sick body.While Keenan played I was able to play a bit, too.

I really love my 50mm f/1.2 lens. It creates lovely bokeh. Which is wonderful for distracting backgrounds. I rarely shoot with my aperture fully opened at 1.2--but today I had fun playing. Notice how short the depth of field is in this shot. The focus starts to blur at Keenan's knuckles, right where the plane changes.

I adore this beautiful blue ginger plant.

Mostly due to the fact that it is one of the only plants that thrives on our property.

I certainly am not known for having a green thumb.

Gratitude Journal:

Keenan: Grateful that my body is not sweating anymore.

Valu: Grateful for books and that they are so readily available.

Mom: Grateful that Ki likes to cook - especially on nights when I don't want to.

Dad: Grateful for good friends and good food. I think most problems could be solved around a table of delicious food.

Sick Boylie

Wednesday, 2 September 2009

This little boylie is not feeling well. He caught the nasty fever and body aches bug. His daddy slept with him last night because he kept crying out in the night. Keenie was most upset because he couldn't go to school. Through out the day he kept trying to convince me that he was 'all better' now and could go to school. His feverish body and oozing nose told me different. Sorry bud, I think you are going to be home with me the rest of week. This bug is not something you want to share with your friends, not matter how much you miss them.

I know he is REALLY sick when he sucks his thumb and needs a blankie.

Blankies are usually only needed when he goes to bed. He loves their Downy smell, and is very particular about their freshness. I love that his star wars guys are tucked in and watching Beethoven 2 with him.

Gratitude Journal:

Keenan: Grateful I am all better so I can go to school tomorrow. (Wishful thinking or is he already learning how to manifest.)

Valu: Grateful that my immune system is strong and that I am not sick. -- (Wow, that is a powerful manifesting statement. WTG, Valu!)

Mom: Grateful for our health. Being healthy is truly a wonderful, glorious blessing.

Dad: Grateful that Keenan is feeling better. It hurts me to see my loved ones suffer.

Valu Man

Tuesday, 1 September 2009

Valu: Did you just take my picture?

Me: Yes.

Valu: You didn't get my permission before you took it.

Me: I didn't. Can't we revise our rules a little. It is wearing to get your permission before I take every photo--takes the spontaneity out it. And frankly, it just squashes the joy out of photo taking. -- What do you think of giving me free reign. I will always let you delete the photos you don't like and I promise not to post any photos of you without your permission. Deal?

Valu: Hmm...

Mom: Let's go and look at the spontaneous photo I just took and tell me if you don't like how natural you look.

Valu: Umm...No! Too much face.

Mom: What if I make it black and white? Ohh...I love it. Can I post it? Remember, it's not just for our blog it's for posterity sake. I need more pictures of you. Years from now, I don't want your kids asking me why I didn't take more pictures of their daddy. And you know they will...

Valu: Ok, Mom -- Ok. You can post this one. But, I'll have to think about giving you free reign.

I love that Valu has had this mustache since the day he was born.

Gratitude Journal:

Keenan: Grateful to be able to play with my brother, Valu.

Valu: Grateful for a day free of homework.

Mom: I love the fact that Keenan always refers to Valu as: My brother, Valu. --- ie: My brother, Valu is fun to play with. Mom, where is my brother, Valu?

Dad: Grateful to hang with my boys tonight while Heather went to Enrichment.

August Blog Header

Monday, 31 August 2009

In keeping with my monthly tradition of adding a new blog header every month, here is a photo of August's header and a screen shot of my messy desktop.

One day, I might look back and find this tidbit of my life extremely interesting. Or not. :)

Gratitude Journal:

Keenan: Grateful that I can swim under the water for a long, LONG time.

Valu: Grateful that my 7th grade class will be going to camp again this year.

Mom: Grateful for Mondays -the new start of a week full of possibilities.

Dad: Grateful to be able to go to bed early tonight, I am tired.

Cake Balls

Sunday, 30 August 2009

Today, we decided to make cake balls. I found the recipe on Steph's blog. I have heard the hype about these little delights and thought we would see if they were as good as everyone claims they are. Being a Sunday we had to use what we had in our pantry. The boylies and I decided that we would make the balls out of strawberry cake and cream cheese frosting, and dip them in white chocolate. -- It wasn't until after we baked the cake that I realized that we didn't have any white chocolate to coat the cake balls. Drat. I thought for sure I had white dipping chocolate in my pantry. I was leary about trying this combo with milk chocolate.

Surprisingly, the milk chocolate coating was actually pretty tasty.

I think we will make these again, real soon. Next time, we'll try a different version.

Gratitude Journal:

Keenan: Grateful that we made chocolate yummies.

Valu: Grateful that my mom knows how to improvise.

Mom: Grateful for a quiet reflective day.

Dad: Grateful for good friends and good company.

Tree Gazing

Saturday, 29 August 2009

Today we decided to mix things up a bit and hang out on land today instead of the beach. Keenan and I wanted to show the Ki's the Botanical Gardens, since they missed out on our previous adventure.

We ate our picnic lunch under the canopy of this beautiful tree.

Our view from the picnic table.We sat in silence and enjoyed the rustling of the leaves. The songs of the birds.This land is magical.

We walked down a small trail and came across this picturesque scene.


We brought 4 loaves of bread to feed the ducks and fish.


The fish were the most entertaining. We spent a good hour here just soaking up the ambiance of this beautiful little pond.


Look at how they all swarm up to the shoreline when they see a human. They know humans=food.


They ate the bread right out of our fingers.


Feeding Frenzy.

The boylies chased each other back up the hill while I lagged behind soaking up the beauty of this place. I love these mountains. They calm my inner most being.

As the couple holding hands passed by the boylies, Keenan mockingly teased them by saying, "Hi, LOVAHS!" He says this whenever he sees PDAs. -- A while ago, Ki and I jokingly started to call each other LOVAH and it kinda stuck.
Gratitude Journal:Keenan: Grateful that I could touch a fish--they are slimy.Valu: Grateful that we could enjoy a different part of this island.Mom: Grateful that we tried something new--the picnic under the trees was delightful. We will definitely be doing more of this in the future.Dad: Grateful that my wife always finds fun things for us to do. She is a great activities director.