Thursday 13

13 things I need to do before Saturday, when my Big Sister and her family arrive at the Tiki Hut











1. Fluff Hammock.

2. Pick up porta-crib, high chair, and baby-gate from my neighbor.

3. Install an AC unit in the kitchen window.

4. Scrub out the bathtubs.

5. Remove books from the bottom of the book case and bring down a few baby toys. Also, crawl around and look for other dangerous items and put them away - ie the box of photos and John's paper clip collection.

6. Put indoor plants upstairs so baby Katie won't eat them.

7. Go shopping for stuff like water bottles and snacks so I look like I'm cool like that.

8. Decide whether to have them sleep in our room downstairs or upstairs in the girls' rooms. I just don't know which is best. If they are downstairs, they will have more room to roam if Katie doesn't want to sleep, and a little more privacy, but if they are upstair, Katie could have her own room - and the PT won't wake them up in the morning. I don't know. I think we've discussed this before.

9. Show Emily and John how the flush works on the toilet.

10. Sweep off back lanai (patio) and set out the little lawn mower and dump trucks for Katie and John to enjoy.

11. Stock up on sunblock and bug spray.

12. Paint my nails and pluck my eyebrows and chin hairs.

13. Iron my grass skirt and pick up my coconut bikini from the dry cleaner.

The B-ONE

My husband's "real" job in the Air Force is flying in the B-1 bomber. The B-1b, affectionately called the Bone is a super-sonic bomber. It flies really fast, and has a powerful roar on take off - what a cool air plane!

Back in the Air Force, my husband's job is to drop the bombs. For the next couple years he is calling in those bombs from the ground with the Army. He is kind of like an exchange student - an Air Force ambassador of bomber goodwill to the Army.

The B-1 community is pretty small as there aren't very many of the planes. The B-1 is only located at two bases, so you always know someone who knows someone who you know...

As we were moving I was mourning the loss of close friends, and I didn't think I would really miss that B-1 "community" but I read an article today that brought all those green flightsuit memories back to me. I miss you B-ONE.

A friend, Jon, wrote that Day in the Life of article about a B-1 swap out. It looks like it is a series, so we will get to read more next week.

Jon, you're a great writer! You should start your own B-1 Blog!

Did you feel that?

at 12:47pm Hawaii Standard Time the Earth was thrown off its orbit when the last piece of my laundry was washed. and folded. and put away. It was a beautiful moment.

*

*

*

John just had an accident, so don't worry, everything's right in the world, again.

A flower for you on Mother's Day!

Aloha Brothers and Sisters
(aloha)
Happy Mother's Day!
Today I am excited to talk about my favorite topic - ME! I love Mother's Day - any opportunity to celebrate ME is a good thing! And because we are lucky enough to be able to talk to you today, I get to talk about my favorite job:

Being the Mom. I realize this leaves some of you out, but today I would like you to look deep inside and find your inner mother. I know you have heard her voice before "put down that cookie" or "be nice" or "close the door"

As a mother I have many jobs - you know the regulars:
laundry
dishes
clean up on aisle 5
taxi driver
nurse

But there are also more exciting Mom jobs that have taken me by surprise:
Mom the actress - while shopping with all 4 of my children at the mall last week - Why did I think going to the mall with all the kids would be a fun thing? I was not having fun and I felt like curling up into a ball and pulling out all my hair, but instead I put on my charming smile and sailed through a few stores without losing or abusing any of my children. It was an Oscar winning performance.

Mom the fun stopper - the fun stops here

Mom the Drill Sergeant - the voice that can command the attention of children everywhere

The Momintator - ready to rid the world of all evil and rescue her children from danger, even when it means embarrassment for the mom. I'll Be Back.

And Teacher Extraordinaire:

“Mothers, you are your children’s best teacher. … Teach your children the gospel in your own home, at your own fireside. This is the most effective teaching that your children will ever receive. This is the Lord’s way of teaching. The Church cannot teach like you can. The school cannot. The day-care center cannot. But you can, and the Lord will sustain you. Your children will remember your teachings forever, and when they are old, they will not depart from them. They will call you blessed—their truly angel mother”

“Take time to always be at the crossroads when your children are either coming or going … whether your children are six or sixteen. …

“… Take time to be a real friend to your children. …

“… Take time to read to your children. …

“… Take time to pray with your children. …

“… Take time to have a meaningful weekly home evening. … Make this one of your great family traditions. …

“… Take time to be together at mealtimes as often as possible. …

“… Take time daily to read the scriptures together as a family. …

“… Take time to do things together as a family. …

“… Take time to teach your children. Catch the teaching moments. …

“… Take the time to truly love your children. A mother’s unqualified love approaches Christlike love” (President Benson, To the Mothers in Zion, 1987).

Blah Blah Blah

Let every mother realize that she has no greater
blessing than the children who have come to her as a gift from the Almighty;
that she has no greater mission than to rear them in light and truth, in
understanding and love. …

I remind mothers everywhere of the sanctity of
your calling. No other can adequately take your place. No responsibility is
greater, no obligation more binding than that you rear in love and peace and
integrity those whom you have brought into the world. (Gordon B. Hinckley)

Happy Mother's Day, Mom! You are the best!

ps - I tried to get the kids to say stuff like "My mom is an awesome mom!" and "My mom can beat up your mom!" and "My mom is the most beautiful and wonderful mother in the whole world!" I'll let you know if they pull through for me.

It's Aloha Friday

It's Aloha Friday, and I hope you are ready to kick back and relax this weekend!

Aloha, in the Hawaiian language means, love, affection, peace, compassion, hello, goodbye, and more. Saying Aloha is more than saying hello - it also conveys a sense of love and welcome.

There is a lot of talk, in Hawaii, about having the spirit of Aloha. I think that is my favorite part of our time here in Hawaii - seeing and feeling that acceptance and love.

There seems to be a strong sense of family, here. Families are strong and big and close. My friend, Lia, from American Samoa says that there is no word for Uncle or Aunt or Cousin in Samoan because all family is as close and caring as your own parents. Lia has family visiting with her all the time and is often away on the other islands to visit and help out cousins and aunties. She says the aloha spirit can get a little out of control!

That spirit of Aloha makes me think of my own family and my 6 sisters. We are spread all over the US, but when we get together there is an overwhelming feeling of love and acceptance and teaching and learning and family. We should all live here in Hawaii! We could take over this place...

Extreme Aloha sums it all up:

Aloha is a very special word in Hawaii. To use it freely is acceptable, but to use it appropriately means that you know the special feeling behind the word; Aloha. It means that you see the mountains as drive down the freeway and still marvel at them after all these years. It means that you like the feeling of warm sand between your toes, and cool salty water against your legs. It means that you don't mind stopping to pick up a piece of trash as you walk on the beach or sidewalk. It means that you remember to smile at total strangers, just because. Most of all it means you think Hawaii is one of the best places in this world to live, and you're happy to share it with others.

Do you have the Aloha Spirit?


ps - this Sunday I get the chance to try out the "Aloha Brothers and Sisters" to the congregation for the first time. I am a wee bit scared - but I know they'll answer back with a friendly "Aloha" and I'll feel better.

Surf Club *updated

The mom's surf club meets today. We'll be meeting up in Haleiwa, at Ali'i beach, at 3pm, if you want to join us. The Surf Report says that the conditions are fair and that the waves will be a steady 1-2 feet. Just right for beginning surfers (or surf wannabes) like me.

I'm not asking for much here, just a chance to stand on the board. Just one swell that pushes me and the board toward shore. I don't need to be able to do this:


Or this:



I'll let you know how it goes.

Planning to visit soon? Try brushing up on your surfing skillz here.


*Here it is, my Surf Report:

The good news: I am proud to announce that I stood on the board, with both feet...but only for like a half a second before I rolled into the water.

The bad news: I only got up that once. After that I paddled like crazy and felt the waves pushing, but I didn't get on my feet.

I was having fun, until some dad started giving me tips. At first I thought that was nice. Then it started to annoy me. And when I got out of the water and found the same dad sitting on the beach near us, ready to offer a few more handy tips, I started to feel a bit grouchy.

I gave him the stink eye and sat out until he and his family finally left. The more I think about it (and I'm thinkin' about it plenty) the more I think he was really just trying to be helpful - he's probably a real nice guy and a great dad.

And probably it's my pride that's a little hurt. All right? I'll be the first to admit that I don't know what I'm doing. Okay? I'm not ashamed to tell you that my arms are sore from all that paddling. Got it? So stop watching me, it's starting to creep me out.

I can't wait to get out there and try again!

Vote Vote Vote for Hannah

I am in mom heaven. How I love election time. And I don't mean the Republican Primaries.

It takes me back to 6th grade... to Mo-town...to balancing on a bar-stool, cutting out hundreds of little footprints...to the smell of a Sharpie Pen and rubber cement...to
Get in Stride, Vote McBride

My mom was the queen of all grade school elections in the era before dot matrix printers and personal label makers. As our #1 campaign manager she came up with clever sayings, great handouts, and memorable one-liners. My sisters and I all ran for student body officer at one time or another. We didn't win very often, but we always ran in style.

And now it's my turn. I have been waiting for this moment for so. many. years. Oh, the years of teacher nominated student council. The anguish. The disappointment of lost opportunity. But no longer. Finally it is MY, er, Hannah's turn!




Hannah is running for Middle School Vice President. I could not talk her into wearing a sweatsuit (complete with sweat bands) and running on stage for her speech, and plus, Barrett doesn't rhyme with Stride. So we are going with the classic "chews" Hannah B. for V.P.

Who doesn't love a stick of gum with a message? (besides the janitor)


I'm trying to talk her into blowing a big bubble at the end of her speech. She thinks it's tacky. I think it will really tie it all together. And whose election is this, anyway?

Hannah is a lady and she knows how to vote so we don't need Pedro any more.


Yo! chewz me for V.P.

The Mom-inator

Not only is next Sunday, Mother's Day, it is also the week that our family gets to speak in church. Waaaaa!

Speaking in church seems to be a way to be welcomed into a ward. It gives us a chance to introduce our family, and it gives our ward the chance to see just how cuh-razy we are.

We weren't given a specific topic to discuss, but since it's Mother's Day...

What would you like to hear on Mother's Day? Stories about how perfect and wonderful I am as a mother? Stories from the scriptures about other perfect mothers? Ways to become a better mother? People who have helped me on my journey of motherhood? Ways in which I am failing to be a good mom? A plee for help? Stories about bad mom behavior at the grocery store and library? That sad poem about which child loves mom the most? Jokes about moms? Skip the whole mom topic and discuss Baptism?

I know some women get all wierd about Mother's Day, but I'm fine with it. I don't want to hurt any feelings or leave any non-mom's out, though. Have you ever had to speak at church on Mother's Day? Do you have any tips for me - good talks you've heard, or embarrassing things to avoid? Should I use Annie's list of mom-jobs? What? Help me out here.

I'll be back...

It's Aloha Friday

As we were getting ready to move to Hawaii, I was a little confused about all the islands - how many are there, which is which, is Hawaii a state or an island, etc.

I'm still a little fuzzy on just how many islands there are, so I thought I would educate myself a little more about this amazing state on today's Aloha Friday.



The state of Hawaii consists of eight main islands: Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe and the Big Island of Hawaii. (and though I was happy to find this little tidbit of information, my map does not show which islands is Niihau, or Kahoolawe. But I'm here here to help. Do you see that little island next to Kauai? - that is Niihau. And that little island between Maui and Kauai is the island of Kahoolawe.)

Hawaii is the most isolated population center on the face of the earth. Hawaii is 2,390 miles from California; 3,850 miles from Japan; 4,900 miles from China; and 5,280 miles from the Philippines.

The Hawaiian Islands are the projecting tops of the biggest mountain range in the world.

Hawaii was the 50th state admitted to the union on August 20th, 1959.

The wind generally blows east to west in Hawaii. The highest recorded temperature is 96' F (Honolulu Airport), but temperatures over 92' F generally occur only once or twice a year. The lowest temperature (under 3000 feet altitude) is 56' F. Temperatures under 60' F may occur but rarely more than once a year. Average daytime temp. (July) is 82' F. Average daytime temperature in January is 72' F. This is why we do not have air conditioning. I will say that there are a couple hours in the afternoon that are just a little warm.

There are no racial or ethnic majorities in Hawaii. Everyone is a minority. Caucasians (Haoles) constitute about 34%; Japanese-American about 32%; Filipino-American about 16% and Chinese-American about 5%. It is very difficult to determine racial identification as most of the population has some mixture of ethnicities.

The island of Oahu draws more visitors than any other to Hawaii. One-third of the state's best surfing beaches are on Oahu.

The Big Island is Hawaii's largest at 4,038 square miles. It is twice the size of all other Hawaiian Islands combined.

Kilauea Iki, found on the Big Island, is the world's most active and largest volcano.

Kalaaupapa, on the island of Molokai, was once a leper colony administered by Father Damien.

The island of Lanai is considered Hawaii's most secluded. Lanai's Hulope Bay is a marine preserve and considered one of the best diving spots in the world.

Wendy's Tiki Hut, can be found on the island of Oahu - just a short drive from some of the worlds most beautiful beaches.

I have a feeling

it's either good sleepin' or good bloggin'. Not both.

Sorry.


So you just get a To Do list today, and even my to do list is boring:

Fix hair

Water the lawn

Sweep

Laundry

Return movies to the library

Find Wahiawa Post Office

Find out what I signed up to take to Enrichment Meeting tonight

Take a nap

Pick up kids

Homework rodeo

Fix Dinner? Left over lasagna?

Go to church

Watch a Lost episode from a couple weeks ago



What are you up to today?

It's not chocolate

Here's a little story as told by Sydney.

Yesterday I went to use the 3rd graders' bathroom and there was a Kindergartener going poop in the middle of the room. Ew! Right on the floor.

So I went and told my teacher.

My friends and I have noticed some stuff in the middle of the bathroom before, but we never knew who did it. Now we know.

Jobs I'm glad I've never had: elementary school janitor.


*update: Sydney says there was another poop incident today. It was so bad that the office had to get on the loud speaker and tell all the 3rd grade girls not to use that bathroom. double ew!

The first step...

Compulsive Writer says confession is good for the soul. Okay, here goes:

Hi, my name is wendy and I don't want to hang the big picture of Christ right smack in the middle of the living room wall.

What does it mean. Does it signify a reluctance to put Him at the center of my life? Am I on the slippery slope? Have I stepped off the straight and narrow? Lost hold of the iron rod?

I'm slow about hanging pictures, I admit. We have lived here for 4 months now, and I am just barely getting everything put together. Nathan was ready to hang pictures before the movers were finished unpacking the truck. But I needed a rug. And curtains. And the computer sitting on something other than a cardboard box before I could imagine pictures on the walls.

Now that I've finally got the couch where it belongs, the piano set right where it fits, and a clean rug tying it all together, I'm feeling a bit guilty about not putting the print of Christ over the piano. It's not that I don't like the picture. It's actually a very nice one, in a lovely frame, but I just don't want it to take over the living room.

I'm not sure if writing this out is making me feel better, but sitting here at the computer has given me a new view of the room. Hold on.

,

,

,

Okay, I hung up the picture near the front door. It looks nice, and not hidden in the corner, like I was considering. And I still have the wall above the piano and the wall above the couch for something else...6 botanical prints in 2 rows of three, or a picture of each of the kids at 3 years old, or...

Whew. Now if I could just decide what to do with the gold framed picture of the Oakland Temple....

Return to Sender

Dear Hot Fruita Mom,
Sorry I had your name misspelled on my side bar. I have a little spelling problem. The letters get tangled up sometimes. Here are some flowers, just for you!

Your Friend,
wendy


Dear Next Door Neighbor,
I didn't realize you were outside when I told your kid that he's no longer allowed to play over here. I had assumed that if you were outside you would have heard your kid beating up my kids and would have said something to guide him toward civility and kindness. I'm sorry. My Mistake.

Sincerely,
wendy

ps - when you smoke in your backyard, all that second hand stuff just comes right in my bedroom window. cough, cough.



Dear Friends and Family,
There is a bit of a time difference between here and there. That means at night I have to be careful to not call you after my dinner, because chances are you're already counting sheep. And if it's still AM over there, it's pretty darn early over here. Especially on a Saturday morning.

Love you lots,
wendy


Dear Needy Wife of a Deployed Soldier,
I realize this is a difficult time. I do. Really. But now may not be the right time for you to comfort your children by buying the gigantor playfort from Costco. Yes it fit inside my 'burb, but I don't ever want to drive that close to the steering wheel again, and I mean it. It was very nice of the two men left in our neighborhood to help unload that beast, but I would feel a little uncomfortable asking them assemble that bad boy, if I were you. Oh, I see, the Elder's Quorum is going to take care of that. Great.

Hugs and Kisses,
wendy

ps I think Nathan left his cordless drill in storage.


Dear Stat Counter,
We were friends since the day I set you up on my sidebar, two weeks ago. I love looking at your smooth graphs and clever data. I wonder how many of those 134 hits were actually just me, checking to see if there were any new comments.

BFF,
W'sTikiHut


Dear Ms. K,
3rd Grade homework doesn't need to be so dreadful. The reading response book seems like a friendly workbook, the cover is attractive, the stories are fun, the paper is not scratchy. We follow the directions closely, but you always shoot us down with your red pencil. Could you please try to be a bit more constructive and encouraging in your comments? Just a little? One smiley face? Maybe?

Signed,
Mrs. B


Dear Schofield Barracks Pool,
Brrrr. Swimming in South Dakota was warmer. Next time I'm wearin' my wetsuit. Or better yet, we'll just go to the beach.

unsigned

Isn't That Odd? Most Unusual!

I just realized that for the next month the kids and I will all be a multiple of 3.

John is 3

Emily is 6

Sydney is 9

Hannah is 12

and

I am 30


Rather auspicous!

+++++++++++

I had to come back and edit this to mention that

my sister Laurie is 36

my sister Heather is 33

my sister Sarah is 27

and my sister Anna is 24

(sorry Erin, I forgot that you just had a birthday, and thanks Heather for reminding me that we are 3 years apart, not just 2, whoops!)

++++++++++

Here's a little fact about multiples of 3: if you are ever wondering if a large number is a mulitple of three, you can add up the digits, and if the sum is a multiple of 3, then the original number is also. Try this:

4674

4+6+7+4=21

4674/3=1558

so 4674 is a multiple of 3


--------------

677

6+7+7=20

677/3=225 remainder 2

677 is not divisible by 3

It's Aloha Friday!

Today we will be answering the question: What does Da Kine mean?

Before you find out the meaning of this word, you have to know where if comes from. In Hawaii there are many ethnic groups and languages, yeah? During plantation times there were workers from all over the place - Hawaii, Japan, the Philippines, Korea, etc all trying to communicate. Pidgin kind of melds all these together. The official languages of Hawaii are English and Hawaiian. Pidgin is the local slang. But more than just slang.

As a side note, let's just remember that I'm a silly haole. I would look like a complete idiot if I started calling you braddah, and drawling out an oh riiiiigh (all right) in agreement to you. But I like to pretend that I'm cool like that. So, no geev me da stink eye, yeah?

Back to Da Kine:

Da kine is pronounced like this: da = duh, kine = kind minus the d

Peppo's Pidgin to the Max defines "Da Kine" as

DA KINE (da KINE) Da kine is the keystone of pidgin. You can use it
anywhere, anytime, anyhow. Very convenient. What would we do without DA KINE?
"Ey, I no can da kine if you no like da kine, too!"

This is a very handy word if you have a memory like mine. If I can't remember the name of that thing that I need to open a can of spam, I can say "brah, toss me da kine."

Da Kine also seems to be able to describe something as way cool, the best. This blog, it's da kine!

Interested in speaking pidgin mo bettah? Head over HERE, you'll be making talk story like a local in no time.

Happy Birthday to Emily!

The End

by A.A.Milne

When I was One,
I had just begun.

When I was Two,
I was nearly new.

When I was Three
I was hardly me.

When I was Four,
I was not much more.

When I was Five,

I was just alive.

But now I am Six, I'm as clever as clever,

So I think I'll be six now for ever and ever.

That spider was really starting to creap me out. We've seen a few of these in Hawaii, too. (p.s. that is not me doing the diving)

The Itsy-Bitsy Spider

This,

THIS (actual size) was in my kitchen this morning. There I was happily puttering around the kitchen; serving cereal, putting away milk, making lunches - when all the while, THAT was there, waiting...

As I tucked Emily's lunch into her pink backpack, I noticed something move on the wall right by my left hand. I stepped back and saw the Biggest Spider of my LIFE.

Aaaaaaaaaaaa.

I screamed and the kids screamed. I made Sydney get the Raid while I made sure the spider didn't sneak away. But the spider was so fast. He ran behind a cupboard, so I screamed and pulled out the cupboard and sprayed him.

He moved in such an interesting way, kind of bobbing his body as his long slender legs moved him steadily along. He was, seriously, the size of a rice cake (not the mini kind.) If he was resting on a naval orange, his long legs would have almost met at the bottom.

He started across the tile, so I sprayed him some more, and screamed. He seemed to be slowing down, so when he climbed up the bullentin board I thought it might be best if I just carried him outside (it is earth day, isn't it?) But as I moved the bulletin board he started his muppet walk right toward me, so I screamed and set him down.

As I was screaming, I was hoping that one of those guys doing pushups in the field out our back gate (one, hup, two, hup...) would notice and come rescue me. No such luck.

The Raid didn't do much to slow down that spider and he ran to hide behind the kitchen garbage can. I left a puddle of raid there, which he swam through on his way back toward the cupboard. I hefted a box at him (with a scream thrown in for good luck) but even covered in raid he was able to dodge and run. It was time to head to school, but I could NOT leave that spider there, so I did what I knew I should have done to start with. I screamed, and I stepped on him.

WAAAaaaaaaaWAAaaaaa!

My heart was racing! After I dropped off the kids I ran my fasted 3miles ever!

So, I told my friend Heidi about the SPIDER and she said - you know they get bigger, and you have to be careful stepping on those spiders, because they can jump.... great....

She also told me that in Hawaii they are called Cane Spiders, because they are often found in sugar cane fields.

Wikipedia says not to worry, they rarely bite and almost never inject venom (which luckily does not cause long term problems.)

Wikipedia also says that Cane Spiders

are welcomed in many homes as they feed on pests such as cockroaches and silverfish. Their exceptional agility and speed, as well as their ability to contort and squeeze through tight spaces, give them a strong advantage both in capturing prey and evading predators. They feed at night, which is another thing that makes them frightening to humans.

Maybe I should have given him a lai, and a kiss on the cheek and invited him to dine on the cockroach that John spotted earier in the morning...

Ah, paradise! Wanna come for a visit?

No Cool Story nominated me for a Thinking Blogger Award. I don't want to let her down, so I found a puzzle to make you think I know how to think. Thinking, always thinking...

May Day!

Each of the four women in this puzzle received a bunch of flowers from her boyfriend, for May Day - isn't spring wonderful?
Wanda's boyfriend, Mitch, gave her a huge bouquet of her favourite blooms, which aren't roses.
Matthew gave gladioli to his girlfriend (not Wendy).
Wynne received a dozen lilies, but not from Nate.
What type of flowers were given to each woman and who is her boyfriend?

Aaahh, wasn't that sweet of Nate?

I loved those logic puzzles when I was in about 5th grade...

Here are some blogs that make me think:

Mary in Mary-Land - She's my little sister and I've been trying to out-think her since she was in training pants. But she is too smart for me.

Muse at Meander - She is smart. She is athletic. She hitch-hikes. I love visiting her blog and learning more about her life in Isreal. I have been reading her blog for a few years and she keeps it interesting and educational and fun!

Amanda at Our Lot in Life is a real life friend from South Dakota. I stumbled upon her blog and spied on her for a few weeks before getting up the nerve to tell her. She is the book club queen and always inspires me to read and think.

Elizabeth at 3 Mo's and 1 No Mo - I enjoy reading about her "bi-cultural" family. She is some kind of shrink, and if you think she's not analyzing you, you're wrong.

and last but not least - Deanne at Fragile Flower is a childhood friend. She looks so smart in her black framed glasses and she is always doing cool things that totally suprise me - like auditioning for Deal or No Deal.


The participation rules are simple:


1. If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs that make you think,
2. Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme,
3. Optional: Proudly display the 'Thinking Blogger Award' with a link to the post that you wrote.

I'm Going to Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter

Dear Wendy,
Sorry about your sore foot. Bummer for you. Maybe it's time for a new pair of shoes. Or maybe you're just getting old.

Dear Wendy,
What does Hui mean?

Dear Wendy,
Good work hanging the curtains. They look fab. Could you kindly take some pictures? And while you're at it, go ahead and return the curtain rods that didn't work - you could use the moolah. A new mirror? A bit of poster art? A rug?

Dear Wendy?
Is that a mustache I see on your upper lip? You might want to consider waxing.

Dear Wendy,
When is Laurie and Co. coming to visit? Please find out and write it on your calendar. Pronto. And maybe go ahead and buy that bed you are considering. P.S. Good job finding a porta-crib and high chair for baby Katie. P.P.S. Time to start putting away marbles. And cleaning out your closet. And installing that window air conditioner.

Dear Wendy,
of the Stormy Eyes? or Peter Pan and?

Dear Wendy,
Just one more week until your guy comes home. Wooohooo! It wouldn't hurt to start shaving again. Good thing the recycling will go out before he can see the leaning tower of pizza boxes. Did you find any small fluffy pillows?

Dear Wendy,
You cannot dance. Please stop embarrassing me by rocking out to Jack Johnson on the freeway. You are sure to see someone you know. Sydney can move like a jellyfish. You cannot.

Dear Wendy,
Do you see the time? Go to bed. And I mean it. You are going to regret this at 6:45am.


Yours Sincerely,
w

XOXOXOXOXO

P.S. You Totally Rock!

I am so sad.



Our first duty station was Pensacola Naval Air Station. It was a great introduction to the military, and one cool thing was the Blue Angels who lived in our neighborhood and flew right over our house.

Our first day on base we were driving out the back gate, past the air field right along the gulf of Mexico, when we saw a sign that read - Close Windows - Loud Noise Area. Just as we passed the sign two Blue Angels screamed right over our little brown van. Wowza - they are so LOUD! You can feel them.



I'm so sorry for their loss.

Happy Aloha Friday!

Today's Hawaii focus is Jack Johnson, a North Shore local musician turned big time. When we first got here we noticed his music all over the radio, and people kept telling us, "Ya Brah, he's da kine!" So we had to check him out.



If you saw Curious George, you would be familiar with Jack's (first names only - we're close like that, me and Jack) sound. Upside Down seems to be the most popular from that movie.


I just purchased his latest CD In Between Dreams. It's got a great groovy, kinda relaxing beat - nice easy guitar and even some ukulele. You can listen and watch here. Listen to some great music, and see Hawaii - beautiful shots of the ocean and surfing and banana trees and chickens and...


Seriously, Nathan, you are going to love this! If you have a chance to go visit his video gallery, you should listen to Better Together. When are you coming Home?


I've been listening to this CD all week, and one song that has been particularly insightful is Good People:

You win it’s your show now
So what’s it going to be?
Because people will tune in
How many train wrecks do we need to see?
Before we lose touch
And we thought this was low
Well it’s bad, getting worse….

Where’d all the good people go?
I’ve been changing channels
and I don’t see them on the tv shows
Where’d all the good people go?

Jack performed here in Waikiki last weekend, but we didn't go. Boo! Hiss! on me. sorry Jack.

All About Me!

Kristine over at Some Semblance of Order tagged me with this MeMe. Fun x 4!

Four jobs I have had in my life: (I am embarrassingly underemployed. sorry to disappoint you. But currently, besides being a totally fun and cool mom, I am:)
1. Elementary School Volunteer Teacher Helper on Tuesday mornings (except for when I have preschool at my house)
2. Readiness Assistance Volunteer for my husband's Squadron (all this extention talk has made this job go from easy breasy to a little more than I was hoping)
3. Activity Day Assistant (mid-week church meeting for girls 8-11 years old)
4. Primary Teacher for 7 year olds

Four movies I have watched over and over:
(not counting Thomas the Train)
1. 7 Brides for 7 Brothers
2. Anne of Green Gables
3. Return to Me
4. Bride and Prejudice

Four places I have lived (other than Hawaii):
1. Rapid City, South Dakota
2. Abilene, Texas
3. Pensacola, Florida
4. Hood River, Oregon

Four TV shows I love to watch:
we have no television reception here - nada. zip. zero. So until Nathan deploys and I decide to buck up and pay for cable rather than counseling, I am keeping up online with my two favs:
1. Lost
2. Grey's Anatomy
that's all.

Four of my favorite foods:
1. Taco Bell Bean Burrito with No Onions
2. Nor' Shore Shave Ice (even better than Slurpies, which got me through the last couple months of each pregnancy)
3. Warm Chocolate Chip Cookies
4. Shrimp

Four People I hope will respond -
all four of my loyal readers! just let me know if you decide to play!

++++++++++++++++

Didn't I just say I love me some Chocolate Chip Cookies?

You Are a Chocolate Chip Cookie

Traditional and conservative, most people find you comforting. You're friendly and easy to get to know. This makes you very popular - without even trying!

What Kind of Cookie Are You?

***********
Only 2.5 months 'til my birthday!

Your Birthdate: July 6

For you, love is a natural progression from friendship. You are almost always friends first. In love, you are loyal, steady, and honest. You are not a cheater or even much of a flirt. You are most compatible with people born on the 6th, 15th, and 24th of the month.

What Does Your Birth Date Mean For Your Love Life?

ps - Nathan's Birthday is on the 24th.

^^^^^^^^^^^

and just for fun:

Your Pimp Name Is...

Ms. Big Spenda

What's Your Pimp Name?

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Obviously it's getting late, and I have no cable TV...Must. Go. To. Bed.

Tuesday To Do

Aaarg, I have so much to do tomorrow, that if I don't write it down I will explode, or fall asleep on the couch and skip all of it, whichever!

early am:

• Up/dressed/lunches/girls to school
• Clean up/laundry
• Prepare Joy School games (Is it MY turn already?)
• Preschool O-Rama Here

afternoon:

• take a nap
• Get out wheat and grinder
• Think of some relay races
• Pick up girls
• PTA meeting
• Homework help
• Start bread

evening:

• Quick dinner
• Activity Day girls - Word of Wisdom activity - (grind wheat, knead whole wheat bread, bake bread. Hand out about Daniel and friends. Run and not be weary relay races.) Activity Day leader is sick, so it's all me!
• Hang out at the church during YW
• Go to bed

Well, now, that doesn't look so bad...

Happy Birthday Little Sis

Tonight I am spotlighting McSister #7. I was just thinking that if I only blog family birthdays, I could still be on here all the time!

Erin is the youngest of the McBabes. I can remember how excited we were when Erin was born. She is 12 years younger (yikes, am I getting old?) than me, but I have always felt really close to her. When Erin was a baby, Mom let us rock her and snuggle her and spoil her. I remember talking to Erin in baby talk, taking her for rides on the back of my bike, and sitting with her on my lap while watching The Little Mermaid.


Erin loved The Little Mermaid. When she was about 3 years old, there was a large rock near our home in Oregon, that she loved to lay on and sing "Part of your World", just like Ariel (minus the shells.)


My girls (and John) just love Ernie. They want to be just like her. Erin is such a cool Auntie - she wears hip clothes, she is smart, she is athletic, and she listens to cool music! What's not to love?

Happy Birthday, Erin!
Woot! Woot!

It's Aloha Friday

OK. You know when you wanna get away, I mean one ting

about Friday ma, da working work is ovah yeah.

Frankly, ya, I feel good man.

I work hard all week long.

I can't wait to get away, you know like down like the beach.



It's Aloha Friday, no work 'til Monday.

Doo be doo, doo doo be, doo be doo be doo be doo!
(Paul Natto, not me!)






At the Tiki Hut, we'll be spending our Aloha Fridays learning a little more about the Aloha State.

Today's word is Wahine.


I chose this word, because it is on my sidebar, and every time I notice it, it makes me happy. I thought Wahine rhymed with Online, but it turns out I was wrong.

Wahine is pronounced Wah-HEE-nay, rhymes with Al Fine (if you took violin lessons you should remember that word.)

Wahine means woman.

Hope you have a happy Aloha Friday!

Readers Unite!

I have been reading up a storm! Here are some brief thoughts about the books in my library bag:

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver was a fascinating journey into the Congo c. 1960. I loved the book and sobbed though the sad parts. It made me feel so gluttonous - we have so much luxury and safety and we don't even know it! It makes me want to sew little girl's dresses to donate to the Humanitarian Services. And it makes me want to learn more - so I checked out Heart of Darkness by Conrad, and a couple nonfiction books about Africa.

Charms For the Easy Life, by Kay Gibbons. Love this book. Loved watching the changes in America in the early 1900's. Loved the grandmother. Loved when he sent her a box of all his childhood memories. I also read A Virtuous Woman.

I must stop here to take a picture. I have my windows open and I hear some guys outside saying "Bang Bang Bang." Apparently there is a little war game going on in the field behing our house. THere are guys in camo wearing rucksacks and helmets, carrying pretend guns. Sorry about the terrible picture - the good camera is livin' it up in Vegas, but that is basically the view from the kids bedroom. How much counseling are my children going to need...

Back to books:

Ophelea's Mom by Nina Shandler. With Hannah turning 13 this year, and me without many friends with kids over 6, I'm looking for a little "how to be a mom of a teenager" guidance. This book was not it. It was discouraging and I did not love it. But looking back on my teenage years, and what my sisters and I put my mother through, this book was probably more realistic than I want to believe. Maybe mom should write the book - My 23 Years Living With Teenage Girls or 23 Years of Crazy or How I Raised 7 Daughters and Lived to Tell or....

Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think by Brian Wansink. Interesting look at food, but it just made me hungry. In fact, I think I need to go bake a batch of chocolate chip cookies.

What are you reading?

Shorty

You know, maybe y'all got the little joke, but just in case, my "poem" for my ma was actually a little rewritting of Shorty Like Mine. Come on. Please tell me you have heard that song before. I can't be the only one with a 12 year old car stereo D.J.

Said DJ and I have been planning that brilliant poem for months - we sing along making up our own words because sometimes Bow Wow is hard to understand, and it's probably better that way.

We are considering inviting the YW to sing Mommy Like Mine to their mom's on Mother's Day.



PS - Mom, the copycat poem was supposed to be a little silly joke, but it's still true: Look around the world and you'll never find, another Mommy like mine...

Happy Birthday Mom!

I wrote a little poem in honor of my mom's birthday:


Mommy Like Mine

Search around the world
But you'll never find
Another Mommy like mine
Mommy like mine


To all my friends
You got a Mom
But she ain't nothin' like mine

Cute face
Nice smile
Mean Walk
Talk the talk

Stay fun and smart
Let me tell you some more



Search around the world
But you'll never find
Another Mommy like mine
Mommy like mine!



(thanks Bow Wow)




Mom with John in December 2006, and December 2003

Army Wives

My husband has been in the military for 7 and a half years now. He is in the Air Force, and we have mostly enjoyed the adventures that this job has given us. It has taken us across the USA and over the sea. It has brought us closer together as a family, and separated us by half a world.

I am good at playing the martyr and have done my best to play up the deployed spouse card. Twice. But now that we are living on this Army base I am embarrassed to see what a whimp I have been.

These Army Wives are amazing. They are strong and brave. They are independent and they love with their husbands.

Living here has brought the war in Iraq a little closer to my doorstep. I guess I should have felt a stronger connection when my husband was drawing combat pay, and maybe I have blocked that out, but it seems so much more real here, where all the dads in our neighborhood are gone. For at least a year. And the base paper on Friday said that some will be gone even longer, now. My husband's longest deployment was just over 4 months long, and I have a feeling these ladies would be ashamed to call his last trip to Guam an actual deployment.

At church and at school, the vast majority of the mom's with kids the same ages as my kids, are living solo. And their husbands are in real danger every day. I don't know how they do it, but these ladies just keep on keepin' on.

So, my husband is TDY (military speak for a short assignment away from home, usually some kind of class) for a month (kindly stay away from my house all you PTSS victims, please) and I've been feeling a little sorry for myself - I mean, my husband is gone and I'm not allowed to complain about it to anyone, what with all the "I haven't talked to my husband for 3 weeks and he won't be home until August, maybe..." Sheesh! poor me... (I'm just kidding here, really I'm fine. One month gives me just the right time to get some projects done around here

but not get too set in my ways.)

But today at church I saw a mom that I really respect, sitting alone in the pew with her 5 kids. Just a week ago her husband was home for R and R (Rest and Relaxation - a 2 week furlough in the middle of the year-long deployment.) I saw them out running errands, and running on the track. They were really cute together. But he headed back out a few days ago. And today she had her game face on, and seemed okay, but there was such a difference from last week - like the weight she had been carrying was temporarily gone, and now she's got it on her shoulders again.

I wish I had a way to help, to bring the dads home, to give all those ladies a chococlate bar and a flower, to keep my husband home for the next go around, to bring world peace and to stop world hunger, to make everything OK. But I don't, so instead I will pray. I will deliver cookies and offer to babysit. I will smile and make a friend.

Fly Safe

Come home soon!



and Happy Easter!

It is peeps season, and to help you understands and appreciate peeps even more, head over to peeps research for the latest scientific facts about your favorite treat. You will find answers to your most pressing questions - what happens when a peeps is frozen? Can peeps survive high temps? Can conjoined peeps be separated safely?

Haven't had enough of peeps? Check out Lord of the Peeps!

Peeps are friends, not just food. And they love the library!

Mmmmmmmm!

And BINGO was his Name-O

Last night was the Middle School family bingo night. I was cooerced into helping the PTA put on this big activity. I want to volunteer my time at the middle school, just not so much at a bingo night. But I helped anyway.

I attended 2 planning meetings where we spent hours deciding if 15 bingo games was too much and if we should charge more for water than soda. I helped address envelopes to local businesses asking for donations. (Which I thought was so silly, why would they donate to a Bingo Night?)

Hannah had a YW camp certification activity, so she couldn't go, and I was trying to think of a way to just not go, but we went early and helped set up. Then passed out sodas. Then we played BINGO. And Emily and Sydney loved it!

And we won! We won! BINGO!


Emily won a bingo round and recieved a Spa Gift basket full of bubble bath and lotion and an eye mask. She was so cute when she yelled out BINGO and ran to the front of the room for her prize.

John won a door prize drawing of $25 to City Mill - a local hardware store. Yippee!

And I won a box of hand blown wine glasses! We don't drink a lot of wine, and one of the other mom's had talked and talked about those glasses, so when they won a basket of cards and paper, we traded.

The prizes were incredible: a $100 gift card to Walmart, $50 to a game place, lots of restaurant $ cards, a family zoo membership, fun gift baskets, 10 free hot wings at Hooters!, a $50 jewelry card, and 43 $1 Wendy's coupons! I was so suprised by all the donations. How generous.

So BINGO Night was fun. We had a fun time setting up and cleaning up. We enjoyed the pizza and only spilled a little bit of our soda. We had fun marking our bingo cards, and we LOVED winning! When we left, John was still wondering when we were going to sing about the dog...

Is Bingo like gambling?

Mumble Mumble

It is late late late. In fact, where you are, it is probably early. Nathan is out of town for the month and I'm trying to improve my sleeping by staying up late. Then maybe I'll be able to sleep through the night...

Nathan is in Mo-town visiting his fam. He got to see our newest neice, Taylor, and says she is just beautiful! He is planning to visit the Brinton's tomorrow to give them some Chocolate Covered Macadamia Nuts. In a couple of days he heads to Vegas for some training.

Nathan was gone last year at Easter time, too, but I have no memory of what we did for Easter. Were we at my parents house? I know we went there for conference, but I just can't remember Easter. Did I sew for the girls? I don't think so... If it wasn't so late I would check my blog history.

Emily keeps calling Friday "Lucky Friday." She has said it a few times, and each time I think "huh?" and then I remember Good Friday! and I laugh! Lucky Friday!

Happy Birthday to Katie and Michelle!

We stuffed the bunnies and attached the fluffy tails, but our fancy new camera is busy taking pictures on the mainland, so you'll just have to use your imagination. Sorry. No new beach pictures this month. But Nathan promised to bring home some terrific pictures of stuff getting blown up...

I went ahead and found last year's Easter memories. We were at home. I bought myself some little purple pansies, and though I don't have any pictures, I DID sew dresses for Em and Syd and a skirt for Hannah (which turned out totally un-cute, but I made her wear it to Stake Conference anyway) And that's something else I remember (see I'm not losing my mind) Stake Conference is always on Easter in Rapid City. Odd. And it made it tricky to do our Saturday Easter Egg hunt because I had to be at the Stake Center for some Primary training, leaving my poor kids home alone with baskets full of chocolate and jellybeans and peeps.

How did we already get to Thursday?

Conference Projects

Conference weekend is always fun. This weekend, conference was a lovely way for us to rest up from out Spring Break activities. I enjoy listening to the prophet right here at home, in my pj's. But keeping the kids quiet so I can actually hear is sometimes a challenge. This year I had some projects ready for the kids to work on - keeping their little hands busy seems to keep them quiet!

We hand stitched little bunnies, thanks to Design Mom for the pattern.


The little fluffy tails were so fun to make that Nathan and the kids went wild making more in all sizes and colors:


Emily really wanted to stitch a bunny, but it was too hard, so I punched a notecard for her, and she carefully sewed this little egg:


Emily also enjoyed playing with cards. She has a very steady hand:

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Conference was broadcast at 6am and 10am here in Hawaii. It was nice to stumble out to the couch and drose through the morning sessions. I really enjoyed hearing about the Tabernacle Dedication, and I loved the Who's on the Lord's Side, Who? talk.

------------------

Today is our last day of Spring Break and we are going to: head to WaWaWorld for some fluff to stuff our bunnies, then to the beach for a picnic lunch. I hope your Spring Break was as exciting as our!