Mother Culture

Seven

2011-08-28T10:01:00.000-10:00

We have been blessed with yet another beautiful babe! Elijah Akeakami is so precious. Who would have thought we'd have seven children, oh they are such a blessing and I am so amazed at the love of our Father in Heaven who entrusts us (with all of our flaws) to raise these children. With every child my love for each of them grows so much deeper. When expecting my second child "I thought...how could I love another as much as I do my first?" It's amazing how our love becomes immeasurable with each child that you have. How much more is the Father's love for us?

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 3:14-17

The Beauty Around Us

2010-12-16T21:31:00.003-10:00

Some of the best gifts are the ones all around us, the ones that usually go unnoticed. As I take a walk with my children I can't help but marvel at the beauty all around us. I can't help but to think about the beauty of our Creator and how good he is to us to give us these gifts to enjoy. Everything is so beautiful around us. Every tree, every creature, every person. Even in the midst of a challenging day just to step outside and look around at the wonders that God made. To think that we don't have to travel miles to see the ancient wonders of the world like the Great Pyramid of Giza, but in our own backyards whether big or small every created thing is a wonder because God made it all. And how blessed we are to be able to enjoy these wonders. He is full of Beauty.

Thank you Lord for the gift you have given me to see, to smell, to touch and the words and mouth to proclaim the beauty of your creation. I love you!

Still

2010-12-15T01:36:00.001-10:00

Be still and know that I am God.

Psalm 46:10

This verse says so much to me at this time of the year. As I approach Jesus's birthday I don't want to forget to acknowledge my Savior. And through all the busyness of my mind with thoughts and anxiety of what I shall do this year for my loved ones and friends I am stubborn. I fail to go to the One who gives me peace. I continue with my busyness and my heart is heavy because I know that all He wants for His birthday is my heart.

My dear sweet Jesus, capture my heart and don't let me go far from you. Draw me close to you and hold me tightly in Your arms. This is where I want to be. Still...with You.

I Wonder

2010-11-18T19:44:00.000-10:00

During the day as we are going through the motions we forget so easily about what a blessing our children are to us. We get so busy. Some days it feels as if all I did was tell the kids what to do. All day. I wonder if I even had dialouge with my children about anything else than to do this or to do that. Am I just merely letting the days go by without taking the time to build relationships with my children? If the only reason I have children is to tell them what to do then when it's time for them to leave our home it was just that. They fulfilled their duty to mom and dad and now it's all up to them to live life and I never made the time to get to know who they really are. What would make them want to come back? Is that what it is?
Am I taking the time to sit and get to know my children? Am I taking the time to play and laugh with my children? Sometimes at the end of my day I wonder, then I go to sleep and thank my Father in Heaven that it's an awesome thing that my children are so forgiving and that they love me just because. Is that how our Father's love is?

Missing Him

2010-11-17T20:47:00.001-10:00

" Where's Cody?" Baby Ash asks. "When is Cody coming back?" Tori inquires. These questions kind of come to me as a surprise. You'd never think that they would miss their big brother with the teasing and tattling that goes on, but they do. My response to Tori was, "maybe like seven days." And then she asks to show her how many days that is in fingers and I put them up only to hear "aww!" "Do you miss him?" I ask. "Yeah..."she says.
We do miss having Cody around even just a for a few days. I don't even want to think about the day he prepares to leave our home. What a hard day that will be. I'm just so thankful that we get to spend all the time that we do spend together as a family.Whether we're working, playing, relaxing, sleeping...we're doing it together and we'll have much to look back on and remember all the good times we've had. I always have people tell me that "they grow up soo fast." They are right. Our babies grow up too fast, before you know it they'll be all grown up.
Cody, take your time growing up. We don't mind having you around :o) We love you!

I really am happy for him while he is spending the week at grandma's house. He's planned this for over a month now so he could go to Honoli'i and surf everyday before the Honoli'i Paka surf contest on Saturday. Hope he does well and has lots of fun! It really is a good break for him and he desreves it. You are awesome son!

A is for apple

2010-11-10T21:25:00.003-10:00

Today I did it! I made my very first apple pie. And it was delicious. I have been wanting to make an apple pie for the last month and forever now. I purposely bought a whole bag of granny smith apples the last time I went shopping so that I could make something apple. I always end up making something simple like an apple crisp, but I have always wanted to try to make an apple pie and for some reason it kind of really scared me, you know the crust and all, something about it. Thanks to our Apple theme this week with the kids. I borrowed a whole load of books having to do with apples from the library and all week (you gotta read "The Apple Pie that Papa Baked by Lauren Thompson- what a lovely book!) we have been reading about apples, doing apple art, yesterday we did apple stamping and today was the BIG day....to make an Apple Pie with the help of the kiddos, well just a little because you know, I wanted it to turn out just right and there couldn't have been any mistake during the processs....It actually turned out to be more of a cooking show with the kids watching....How fun! We all waited in anticipation staring at the pie bubbling in the oven for the whole hour and when it was ready, oh everyone gobbled it down. There wasn't even time to let it cool down not even for 5 minutes. So now the Apple pie, well it's in our happy tummies...and there is one left over for daddy unless it doesn't make it until tomorrow morning. Ode to our Apple Pie!

Don't forget to read this lovely book to your littles! You won't regret it, I love the pictures.

Olivia's Art

2010-10-06T23:27:00.002-10:00

What happens when I leave my computer and a 6 year old little girl takes over? She creates.

And these are just a few of her creations!

Olivia, you are an amazing artist, I love you!

Beautiful

2010-08-25T06:51:00.000-10:00

The Robin's Advice

2010-08-22T07:55:00.000-10:00

Down in a field, one day in June,

The flowers all bloomed together,

Save one who tried to hide herself,

And drooped, that pleasant weather.

A robin that had flown too high,

And felt a little lazy,

Was resting near this buttercup,

Who wished she were a daisy.

For daiseis grow so big and tall;

She always had a passion

For wearing frills about her neck

In just the daisies' fashion.

And buttercups must always be

The same old tiresome color,

While daisies dress in gold and white,

Although their gold is duller.

"Dear Robin," said this sad young flower,

"Perhaps you'd not mind trying

To find a nice white frill for me,

Some day when you are flying."

"You silly thing!" the robin said;

"I think you must be crazy

I'd rather be my honest self

Than any made-up daisy.

You're nicer in your own bright gown,

The little children love you.

Be the best buttercup you can,

And think no flower above you.

"Though swallows leave me out of sight,

We'd better keep our places;

Perhaps the world would all go wrong

With one too many daisies.

"Look bravely up into the sky,

And be content with knowing

That God wished for a buttercup

Just here where you are growing."

By Sara Orne Jewett

Remembering

2010-08-14T23:16:00.001-10:00

Where does the time go? Browsing through my photo's I came across this one of Cody in front of his crop of corn. All through growing up Cody loved being outside working in the dirt and planting things. He still loves being outside and there is still more time before he will be on his own maybe planting a garden in in his own yard, but time flies....in a blink of an eye your children are all grown up.
The next few posts I will be sharing photos of my babes when they are young. Just a little reminder of how quick time goes by and that I need to cherish every little moment with my children. They are precious.

Camping in Ka'u

2010-07-23T02:16:00.008-10:00

What an awesome time we had. The pictures say it all. Good Food. Good company. Good times!

Manoha's, Mossman's, Almeida's, Salas's, Yamada's, Kanahele's, Robello's

and Chris Olayan

July 2010

Campgrounds

The Crack!

On our way home...

Love

2010-07-17T04:31:00.000-10:00

I love it when my children get along or at least look like they do in pictures. Here in this photo is my oldest son, Cody-14 and oldest daughter, Olivia-6. I'm grateful for my children and all that they do for each other in sharing, respecting and looking out for one another. Some days it does get tough and seems like I've been a referee all day in trying to smooth out the edges in sibling squabbles, but in the long run I know it'll all be worth the time and energy that we put in as moms. Don't ya think? It's so encouraging to rummage through your pictures and run into one like this. Gotta cherish em'!

At Ocean's Edge

2010-07-14T16:41:00.002-10:00

I love it that we live on an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. We have the luxury of being able to either stroll down to the beach (which was the case as I was growing up) or hopping into your car and in not more than 15 minutes standing on the shoreline. There's so much to offer at the beach. There is never a hesitant body who will refuse the suggestion of going to the beach. Kids are always occupied for many hours and as for myself there is much daydreaming to be done. Explorations and treasures are uncovered. Sand cakes are created and seaweed salads are prepared. Creatures are investigated all the while being kissed by the sun. There's no better place to spend your living days than at the ocean's edge especially with your loved ones!

(Photographer: Luke Kanahele -my 12yo son:: Taken at South Point, Hawaii)

Highlights of our Move!!

2010-07-10T17:06:00.001-10:00

Home Sweet Home!

It's really hard work to move! Can I say that again? Especially when you decide to pack everything you own in a matter of a few days. Litterally, I think I picked up boxes on a Thursday night and didn't really start packing until Saturday and having to be out by the following Wednesday. A family of 8 can really accumulate ALOT of stuff and create ALOT of work when it comes to moving and not to mention a little toddler and preschooler trying to unpack at the same time with all their needs needing to be met. It was very interesting, but it got done. Thanks to the gracious help of many hands. We had two huge trailers, a little one, a few trucks and a some of Ash's friends and brother to help us. Thank goodness it's over! Now we have to unpack....the easy part, I think?!

New Beginnings

2010-07-10T16:39:00.001-10:00

South Point, The Southernmost part of the United States- 15 minutes from our house

We are officially permanent Na'alehu residents as of July 1st and we are homeowners for the first time to a beautiful house. What a journey it has been to get to this place, but we made it. What a blessing everyone has been in helping us to get to this place in our life. I know it's just another stepping stone, but it's so exciting to be able to live in such a beautiful place with a lovely climate and finally our own. No more cold nights and chilly feet! What were we thinking when we thought we could survive in a cold climate?!

We're enjoying the weather and getting familiar with the little quaint town of Na'alehu. Everything you need is right here. Ash will be working very close to home at the nearby stations in Na'alehu and Pahala, we got our new PO Box, we've visited the little library which is really quite lovely, and the community pool is 20 minutes away which is where the kids will participate in the swim team this fall. We are definitley looking forward to making this place our home which already feels that way for many years to come. Can't wait for all our friends and family to come visit us...anytime!

Not One, But Three

2010-06-07T10:12:00.000-10:00

Arriving home home from a little hike with Tori and Baby Ash, we were greeted from the rest of the family. Cody, Luke, Seth and Olivia had left in the wee hours of the morning to go hunting with dad. It was a little past 1 and they were already home. What a surprise! An early arrival usually means that they caught something,but as we drove up they immediately said that they didn't catch anything. Oh man....
What they said was not only a joke , but an understatement of what they really came home with. They did not only come home with one sheep, but three! It was a happy day for the hunters. Who could ask for anything more but an awesome successful hunt with their dad and to come home with three prizes? Awesome!

Beautiful

2010-05-22T06:47:00.001-10:00

(Speaking for a few days ago, just tryin' to keep up!) Beautiful is what today was. From the very beginning to this very moment the sun was shining brightly, the color blue filled the skies and there was no cloud to be found. I love days like these. Who doesn't? It was the kind of day that makes you wish that everyday was like this. I can never get enough of the sun and basking in the warmth of it. In fact, it's exactly what I did. Hearing the kids afar off playing in their clubhouse that they built in the shrubs of our yard, I took ten minutes of lying out on the trampoline in pure bliss.

Since I'm actually writing this a few days later we have yet to have a beautiful sunny day like the other day was. Don't we wish life was like this? Beautiful everyday? It's not really how life is given to us. Some days may be absolutely beautiful and then others are absolutely bleak where we can't even see through the clouds. It may be that we have these most fabulous days to give us strength to carry on through those days that don't seem very clear to us. But hold on because those Beautiful days will sure to come right around the corner.
The great thing about not keeping your life to yourself but giving it to Jesus, our Savior, is that those beautiful days can be permanently instilled within our hearts. Even through those dark, bleak days we can still experience a Beautiful day because what Jesus gives us is Beautiful...it's a gift of eternal salvation that we can never loose even on those not so Beautiful days. And the awesome thing about this gift that Jesus gives is that even though we don't deserve it, by His graciousness He has given it to us not by what we've done, or who we are, but because He loves us so very much. He loves you more than anyone could ever love you. And you know what? Because of His beauty, you are Beautiful and that makes every single day Beautiful.

Fallen Away

2010-05-19T00:03:00.001-10:00

It's quite easy to fall away from anything. I have fallen away from posting on my blog which actually makes me sad because all the posts that I have entered since I started this blog are really quite priceless. They take me back to the precious moments that I have shared with my family. Time can never repeat itself but memories can go on and on. That's the great thing about pictures and journaling because no matter how old we get and how forgetful we can be when something is recorded there is no excuse but to remember.

This is also true for God's Word which also reminds me of how I fall away time and time again from spending time with Jesus and reading His story which indeed has been recorded for us not to forget the mighty and wonderous things that He has done and all the awesome promises that He has made to us. Whether it sits upon our shelf or whether we open it daily it reminds us of His awesome Love becasue no matter how far we have fallen away from Him it is never too late to come back. It is by His grace that we are loved and not by what we do or who we are or what we become. Oh, how awesome is that.... I am coverd by His blood that He shed at Calvary. I love You Jesus and I'm sorry for falling away. Thank you for accepting me just as I am and wooing me back to You. What an Amazing grace!

By Your Side

2010-03-24T00:49:00.000-10:00

Jesus is by my side! Amen.

Dwell

2010-03-06T04:47:00.000-10:00

dwell
1. to live or stay as a permanent resident, reside
2. to live or continue in a given condition or state
3. to linger over, emphasize, or ponder in thought, speech or writing

Lately, the Lord has put this word on my heart. Dwell. This is where He longs for me to be. In His dwelling place~ His presence, His care, at His feet. Not only now and then, but All the time. Just like sheep I stray so easily from His side, but just as a Shepherd, Jesus never fails to bring me back to Him. There is no place I'd rather be.

Oh Father in Heaven~ I love you. Let your love take residency in my heart, help me to continue growing closer to you and in all my ways, thoughts, and words. I want to dwell with you.

One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Psalm 27:4

the little ones

2009-11-19T16:20:00.003-10:00

ash: look at that nose and lips

tori:beautiful smile...

ollie: what a beauty

My Love

2009-10-09T23:15:00.009-10:00

There are many in this little world that I love.....
But the one I want to shout out to the world about....
The one who has given me the opportunity to trade my ashes in for beauty.....
The one who has allowed me to wear forgiveness like a crown....
He has won my heart, oh yes, He has.......Jesus, You are beautiful..... I love you!

Lets Go for a Walk!

2009-09-09T21:17:00.003-10:00

Whenever momma makes this suggestion in our home there is never an argument. Why? Well, because a walk is the perfect thing to do when the sun is out and the weather is lovely. It's the perfect way to break up the day and to enjoy the fresh air. Everyone is happy and it feels nice when everyone is happy. Why not go outside and make everyone happy and get some exercise while you're at it....Go for it momma and daddy too!

I Love Weddings

2009-09-05T04:38:00.002-10:00

Not that I have been to any lately, just visiting different sites and running into them. They are really quite lovely!
http://www.designspongeonline.com/2009/05/wedding-bells-a-shop-horne-wedding.html

Family Day

2009-09-02T12:49:00.007-10:00

Wouldn't you agree that these are the best kinds of days? They are unforgettable, making memories kind of days. Make you smile kind of days.

Created for Work

2009-08-29T01:16:00.002-10:00

After a long while of not visiting my favorite store, Salvation Army, I finally had a few moments to browse today. Nothing much caught my eye so the last resort was the book section. While pondering over the books, I found a treasure. Just love it when that happens! A book I've always been curious about, Created for Work: Practical Insights for Young Men By Bob Schultz. After skimming through it and reading the first chapter to Cody I knew I scored...it was a whole 25 cents.

The book is talking to young men about Cody's age and beyond about how to work with all your heart, not as a requirement or out of drudgery, but really taking ownership and doing your best...going the extra mile. Awesome stuff!

The author has written several other wonderful books on raising your childern. I've gotta say he does an awesome job at imparting wisdom and relating it to what the Bible teaches us.

Work while you work,

Play while you Play,

This is the way to be happy each day.

All that you do, do with your might,

Things done in halves are never done right.

One thing each time and that done well,

Is a very good rule, as many can tell.

Moments are useless trifled away,

So work while you work,

Play while you play.

-M.A. Stodart

You are my Sunshine

2009-08-27T16:28:00.003-10:00

Really.... the sunshine really does feel like mine when it brings smiles to my children. Yesterday Luke and Cody were working hard on something out in the yard. Little did I know that they were working hard on getting the trampoline up. They finally put it aside and with some more hard work they got it up today. Upon going outside on this beautiful day, I was greeted with smiles from my littles while they were frolicking under the sun on the trampoline. This beautiful day also inspired us to bring our lunch outside to have a picnic with faithful tuna and peanut butter/jelly sandwhiches along with grapes, and pretzels with Cody's concoction of chocolate chip dip. After eating the chocolate you would of thought that Ash Jr. went swimming in it. He was covered in chocolate smudges, but you know what? He was also covered in smiles. And I was also covered in smiles after spending time outside with my children on this lovely day.

Letting Them Go

2009-08-26T22:46:00.004-10:00

Easier said than done. Letting your kids go is a hard concept. I don't quite know what this concept means, I mean obviously...I've never really let my kids go...to school that is. I don't even know what it's like to drop not even one of my children off at school or watch them walk to the bus stop to catch that big yellow bus. There are other things that we can practice with letting them go. I guess that's what you call teaching them independence. I had a hard time today with letting my children go....with independently doing their school work. We've had some work assigned to Us" !! Isn't it supposed to be assigned to the child not the parent as a co assignment?? Instead I was found at the computer doing intensive research (if that's what you wanna call it) for something that Luke is suppose to work on, on his own. I just thought I'd help him...I like learning too! I know....he's never going to learn to do things...like school work on his own, without me on his side coaching him along. I do though. I do have to learn to let go. It's scary at times. Yes. I have to learn to trust and to just let go. Kids, worries, imaginations.....are amongst the many things that I have to learn to let go. But before I do let go, here's a really cool link to an article I found while intesively searching the web today.

Seasons Change

2009-08-22T22:28:00.003-10:00

It feels as if the seasons literally changed, perhaps within the day that our family made the move to Volcano.... from the middle of the summer to the beginning of winter. At least thats how it felt when we first settled in. We even had the fire going the first few nights. Picture us snuggling up to eachother trying to all fit in front of the fire. How cozy it was! I think now we are getting acclimated to the chilly nights here at 4,500 foot elevation. Just think of what kind of weather winter will really bring us. Some say last winter got down to the fourties at night....brrrr. Hope the cold isn't all the winter will bring.....by then we might need some water to fill our catchment tank. Our everlasting question....will we have enough water to last us til the next big rain? It seems as if it never rains. Just a little mist here and a little mist there. Well, seasons do change....in the weather and in our lives. What a beautiful season it is! It's time to enjoy the weather....

I Didn't Give Up

2009-04-03T22:39:00.003-10:00

At times, during a long day like today, it is very tempting to just want to give up all disciplines and just do whatever.

It started off with taking Luke to Piano...he's doing very well, by the way, for beginning just 6 months ago. Thanks to MBTA and footing the bill. It's soo wonderful! I wait in the car for a whole 40 minutes while Luke is in his lesson. All the while, the big scary dog that lives next to Luke's teacher barks at us like he wants to eat us...nevertheless it is awesome entertainment for a 14 month old (A.J.) He loves the scary thing and now knows how to say dog. So I guess Fridays during that 40 minutes that we wait in the car for Luke is designated for A.J's turn in homeschooling and learning how to say dog and what a dog sounds like. He's got the bark down. You should hear him, it's so dang cute!
What was next on my mind? Salvation Army...my favorite department store. Something about it. It's like digging for treasure, literally. I seriously have to walk around the store several times really slow to make sure I don't miss a thing. At times I'll be walking around to discover that someone scored something that I really like and I can kick myself for not looking better. So seriously, it's like a treasure hunt and a competition to see if I can spock some cool stuff at a really cool price before anyone else gets it. Is that retarded or waht?! That's where we went next and I scored once again.....let me see, what did I get: Oneil rashgaurd and a yellow GAP rain jacket/windbreaker for AJ (at a $1 ea.) , 3 really groovy looking drinking glasses-vintage style- of course, small white milk pitcher, really cute small vase- small enough to sport one gardenia, a mirror for the wall for $5. that I plan to paint a vintage color, banana yellow saucers that are already hanging on my kitchen wall-.50 cents ea! khaki green shorts for Victoria, two pillows that I plan to recover, a vintage bedsheet and a Wheel of Fortune board game for Luke. Yes, I pretty much went on a little shopping spree....so terrible. But the great thing about it, is that I left happy and got away with everything for pretty much pennies...gotta love it!!

Next, AJ's hemoglobin blood test then back home to eat lunch, hurrying the kids out the door to go back to town to do TB test's for the "school" kids- Olivia was crying ALL the way to the Dr's because she was terrified of getting the TB test and to her surprise it wasn't even bad at all...I even had to pry her out of the car...., unexpected visit to the park, pit stop at the library for Olivia who has been waiting for a long time to get her library card and all the other kids had to get a replacemet. I underestimated the time that we would spend at the library and by the end of it all.....EVERYONE including me was cranky.

Here I am several hours later...almost midnight and remembering how I regretted fitting all that I did into this one little day...why am I writing a post soo long? Because I enjoy writing and I almost forgot how much I love keeping up my blog and moments like these when I'm by myself doing something that I like to do makes it all worth it after a very looong day..... and I didn't even Give up......even though I felt like it. Did I mention that I love all the little companions that I get to spend my very long days with all six of them. They're awesome!

Good Nite for now.

Stillness

2009-04-02T06:52:00.002-10:00

I love the stillness of the morning. I love the morning song of birds. Everything sounds so calm out there. And in here everyone is sound asleep, so quiet.....I love this time of day. My soul is a rest.

Sweet Jesus, may you keep my soul at rest even amongst the busyness of my day. I will find rest in trusting You, in knowing that You love me......Your peace , I love.

Appreciate

2009-04-01T04:45:00.004-10:00

appreciate according to yourdictionary.com: to think well of; understand and enjoy; esteem to recognize and be grateful for; be thankful for to estimate the quality or worth of, esp. favorably to be fully or sensitively aware of; notice with discrimination ☆ to raise the price or value of

A word I need to remember lately.

Waking up early in the morning to the quiet song of birds or the croaking coqui frogs, everything calm and nothing to tend to, the dark still skies.....these kind of moments are easy to ponder upon what I most appreciate.

Hustle and bustle, scurrying around, doing this and that, tending to the cries of a baby or the constant requests of a toddler, petty arguments between children.....these are moments that more often I forget to appreciate.

This morning I am reminded that there are many things in my life to appreciate.

I appreciate.......
the relationships that my children have with one another
the help that I get from Cody, Luke and Seth
that my husband likes to and knows how to cook (sometimes better than me now!)
that baby Ash makes me melt everytime I hold him
that my children have a yard to play in
that my children are healthy
that I am healthy
that I am able to stay home with my children and that Ash can stay home more too!
the frienships that I have
the encouragement that I recieve from my friends and family

....and most of all I appreciate that God has entrusted me to be a mother and a wife to seven beautiful people, my family!

There is soo much to appreciate, it makes me appreciate even the moments that are not so easily appreciated....

Chickens and Kids

2009-03-11T10:42:00.010-10:00

Kids as in children not goats. We would love to get a goat, that is the children and I, but daddy says, "No way, chickens are enough!"

Thanks to Cody's innovative ways, we now have a lovely little chicken coop in our back yard with 5 lovely chickens that we have adopted from our dear friends, Jaime and Eva. They are the ones who started all this, well, Cody has been talking about it for a very looong time now, but if it weren't for Jaime and ordering all those cute little chicks, well...we wouldn't have some of them in our backyard right now. If I'm not mistaken, we have 2 rhode island reds, 1 buff orpington, a black star?? and hmm? I forget the other one?? As you can see, I am still learning. It's great though to observe the curiosity of my son and taking a liking to these amazing birds. He has learned soo much and it kinda just rubs off on ya. The hens will give eggs in about 5- 6 months. Isn't that great! Just think we will have fresh free range eggs very soon.

So, I guess chickens are enough for us ...for now that is. Maybe in a year or two we can convince daddy to let us have a goat ...or two. You know, for milk and cheese and I guess a whole lotta those, smelly breezes. So....our chickens and kids...are doing just fine these days. Just as long as they are fed!

Soon, I will post some of our latest pictures of our 'little farm' in Papaikou.

Oh, and one last thing....Well you know, we had a beautiful full moon shining high in the sky last night and when we got home from dinner at The Ganoza's, Ash and Cody had a clever idea to go hunting in the field behind us despite the fact that it was nearing midnight....the pigs have been leaving their tracks behind for quite some time now. Well, they decided to go hunt some down and they came back in the middle of their hunt with so much excitement because they ran into a few LARGE pigs. Ash shot at one with his bow , but it got away without being able to track it down....so now, the boys are following daddy's instructions to go find it this morning before it rots. Let's see what they come up with...they're still not back yet.

Lovely Wednesday to you all!!

Book Review Credit

2008-11-26T05:16:00.002-10:00

I would like to credit my previous post to the actual Passionate Housewives, Desperate for God Blog. Hope you all have a beautiful day!

Passionate Housewives, Desperate for God: A Book Review

2008-11-26T04:22:00.004-10:00

Here is a book worthy of your time! I have been eyeing out this book for a long time and just as Marci in her review shares her reasons for not reading many books on being a wife, I share the same reasons, but this book is an exception. I have not yet read it myself, but I have been following their reviews and the blogs of the authors for quite some time now. I am in that place now in my life where I think it's time I ought to just go ahead and buy the book as a reminder of what it is to fulfill God's calling in our lives as mother's, as wives.

Marci's Review

For the most part I don’t read many books on being a wife. They tend to make me plummet into an abyss of perfectionism and in turn make my marriage worse. That said, I loved Passionate Housewives Desperate for God. It is a book that unashamedly challenges the standard cultural perceptions of homemaking, encourages and gives hope in the role of homemaker, and it examines the roles of wife and mother in the light of God’s perfect plan. The authors start off by dispelling common cultural myths about what a housewife is: a mindless maid for a tyrannical husband, the “desperate” housewife living a double life, or more commonly a woman who feels obligated to do her duty at home while leaving her dreams at the door. Though these myths may be founded on some reality, the author’s seek to, “lay aside the stereotypes and glamorized myths and discover the rare jewel of godly womanhood—to rediscover what it means to be a passionate housewife ‘desperate’ for God alone!” They challenged many presumptions I have as a wife and mother; the need for “me time”, my personal needs vs. serving others, the advice of self-help gurus, and the subtle messages that we ingest through living in a self-centered society. Romans 12:2 says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is good and acceptable and the perfect will of God.” This challenge really helped me to look at the things that were influencing me and ultimately stealing the joy I have for my position as a wife and mother.

More than anything I loved the encouragement and perspective this book provided on the unique and special role of homemaker. I think the thing that makes me most unsatisfied as a wife is the feeling that my job is futile and never ending. Laundry is always dirty no matter how much I wash, the work seems never ending and that I must be wasting my God-given talents by “slaving away” in my home.

I gained new perspective on the work of home making through these words by Martin Luther, “What you do in your house is worth as much as if you did them up in heaven for our Lord God. We should accustom ourselves to think of our position and work as sacred and well-pleasing to God...”
The authors also point out that homemaking is one of the only jobs where the worker will see the direct results of their work, will experience immediate benefits from, and that the worker at home is truly their own manager. The combination of these two insights has changed how I feel about working in my home and for my family. I now see that what I do every day does have eternal importance, if done with a heart of service to the Lord, and that I have so much more freedom working in my home than I would working as an employee to someone else. Lastly, I loved how the author’s unfolded the role of wife and mother in light of the plan God has put in his Word. Though God’s plan is a far cry from the realities of homemaking in our society and even in my life, it encouraged me to change my perceptions, my selfishness and to stop being influenced by the shallow role that the world has made being a wife and mother into.

It encouraged me to find greater satisfaction and passion in life through the only one that can provide true and lasting satisfaction, “Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Whoever drinks this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks the water I shall give to him will never thirst. But the water I give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” (John 4:13-14).

Really, I have been dealing with these own issues in my life for too long now. Normally, I am focused and know exactly what my purpose is and what my vision is as a wife and as a mother..... but lately my mindset has been quite the opposite. I have been holding on to a "ME" kind of attitude. And this kind of attitude has only left me with discontentment and ungratefulness for the blessings that immediately surround me daily. I have not been able to see clearly the blessings that God has intended my family, my children, my husband to be to me. And really, when I am not walking in God's will for my life and walking in my own ways or allowing the ways of this world to influence me I am quick to end up in the danger zone. I have been experiencing the repercussions on relying on those influences and feelings. Not a good thing at all.... Why am I sharing this? Because I know that we as women, housewives, mother's, have a unique calling, a precious calling and oh how challenging it is at times, but let me promise you that God's Word is the final authority above all and only He can fill what we are missing or what we need and when we we rely on Him and only Him than the purpose that we have for our life would be carried out with passion, not allowing our joy to be stolen. Let us rejoice in the joyful life God has so promised us!

My sweet Jesus, I am so sorry for allowing my self to be influenced by the ways of this world. I am sorry for always seeking after my wants, my desires, and not considering your truth to be my sole reason for living. Oh how easy it is to get lost. It says in your word,
A person who strays away from home is like a bird that strays away from it's nest.

Proverbs 27:8

How does a baby bird, aside from the safety of his nest, feed himself? Lord , You are good and I just want to praise you for your faithfulness in my life and never allowing me to get too far from my nest without rescuing me. I love you!

Love

2008-11-22T23:41:00.006-10:00

Why do I do the things I do for my children? Well, because I love them. Love goes around...if you give it, you will receive it. I am overwhelmed with the love my children show me through the many things they do for me. Cody, always lending a helping hand in many ways; Luke is quite the big brother to little "A"..always pitching in when I'm busy or even need a break; Seth, always drawing me such sweet pictures; Olivia, finding new ways to make things pretty for me; and little miss Tori never fails to give me a big smile; A.J, just being his cute self...that is love.

Last week in our devotion time this is what we read:

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
1John 4:7-11
Thank you Jesus for your LOVE!

Service

2008-09-20T01:31:00.007-10:00

It has been awhile.....I'll make a long story short...service is a good thing, a real good thing and He is so faithful.

For even the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.
Mark 10:45

On another note our friends have this sticker plastered all over their automobiles (scooter, truck) :

He>I

I couldn't figure out what it meant, well, it's simple, He (Jesus) is greater than I.

Wow! How profound, I've come to love this sticker. So simple, but oh so true!

Let's get Organized!

2008-07-07T20:52:00.007-10:00

Is it that time of the year when you could use some encouragement and ideas on how to organize your home and manage your time?

It's the middle of the summer and there's no other time that I spend more time deciding on how I can make my calling as a wife, mother and home schooler easier and a lot more joyful. It's when my home is organized and I am managing my time wisely that I can really enjoy doing what I have been called to do.

How about you? Could you use some downtime to take for yourself and be refreshed and encouraged in your journey of mothering, being a wife or homeschooler?

Well, you must take a look at this GREAT opportunity to be encouraged.

Check out the following link!

Let's Get Organized by Cindy Rushton

Diaper Blessings!

2008-07-01T15:23:00.006-10:00

Ready to write our tithing check......

Me: "Do we tithe from our gross or our net?"

Ash: "Our net, we give the first (emphasized) fruits of all our earnings."

Me: Remembering what God teaches in His word "okay"

Ash: "Don't worry, the Lord will provide like He always does."

Me: Thinking about the many blessings He has blessed us with. "Yeah, I know"

I'll make a long story short, the Lord ALWAYS blesses our obedience. He never fails, He alone is faithful to fulfill ALL His promises. It's just that we forget from time to time.

And this time He blessed us with almost a years worth of diapers. Praise God, Victoria has been potty trained for two weeks now because I did not want to go out and buy one more pack of diapers. And she's doing very well! So, all these diapers are for baby Ash.

Ash(Daddy) came home yesterday and called for me to come outside. He told me to look in the back of his van, I had no idea that I would discover a van load of diapers! They happened to be given to him by the guy who was training him in the HFD ( he also happens to work for the distributor of these diapers). They were talking about kids yesterday and to the trainers surprise Ash fit the perfect description for the family he would bless with all the diapers that would have only ended up at the dump because the outside of the boxes were damaged by water. Big deal... All the diapers were sealed in plastic anyway! He just couldn't see throwing them away and he had them in his truck for two weeks with no one to give them to until he met Ash. Wow! $193.00 worth of diapers the day after I was questioning about our tithing check! And you know what? Not that numbers matter, it's the heart and how you give that matters, not what you give~ but we gave exactly $190. just the day before, almost the same amount that the diapers would have cost. Thank You Lord! I guess my long story made into a short one is out the door....I can never seem to make a story about God's Blessings a short one. His blessings go a loooong way!

Malachi 3:10

My Sister Visits

2008-07-01T15:10:00.005-10:00

Aunty Sarah and Baby Ash

It was a short, but sweet visit. We went to the beach and had fun, we spent some time at the pool and ate lots of junk food. We had lots of fun with her. We can't wait to see her again. Love you Sarah!

Kaimana Visits

2008-06-28T22:03:00.004-10:00

Mana, Seth, Ash and Baby Ash hanging at the local surf spot, Honoli'i Paka

The Beach

2008-06-28T21:25:00.003-10:00

Luke "The Duke" Kanahele

Don't want to spend a bunch of money? Don't want to drive far? Beautiful, hot day?.......Head for the beach. We love spending time at the beach. Everyone is content, babies and all. There's always something to do. Hungry, thirsty? Dig into the cooler, open an ice cold can of Pass O Guava Nectar and munch on some chips. In the mood to explore? Walk down the beach and look for broken glass, interesting rocks & sticks or play in the river mouth. Feel like getting a good workout? Grab a board and catch some waves. A little sleepy? Take a nap under the tree. There's nothing like a fun filled day at the beach.

We Love Our Daddy....

2008-06-15T17:42:00.006-10:00

Tori on the rocks

Daddy and Tori swimming

Daddy Ash and Baby Ash

And we love going camping. We had an awesome time at Laupahoehoe this weekend. Jumping off the boat dock, singing around the fire, playing volleyball, eating lots of goodies, hanging out with friends and spending time with daddy are some of the highlights of our weekend. We are left with leftover food, sunburns, tired bodies and brains, and best of all..... memories. We can't wait to do this again! Oh yeah, and thank you daddy for taking us :o) Happy Daddy's Day!

My Dollhouse by Olivia

2008-06-09T19:55:00.006-10:00

Olivia has been practicing 'graphic arts' on the computer lately. This is her latest.

"This is my doll house and my moms doll house. I like to play with my doll house and toys. And I like to set up it. I like to set up my doll house so it can be clean. I love when my mom is playing with me. I like when my mommy is happy with me, playing toys. "

by Olivia Kanahele 6/9/08

Catch of the Day

2008-06-09T19:37:00.005-10:00

Even though Ash has been super busy with school this year there still seems to be a little time for play. Actually, Brad, a good friend of ours was here on the island last weekend and wanted to fit in a dive session with Ash. This is a little evidence of what they came back with. Usually you'll see pictures with the fish uncooked and right out of the ocean. This here is a picture to die for. Kumu right off the frying pan with a perfect crisp to it. Can you hear that crunch? Yes, you can bake it or you can steam it, but this is how we like it best. Dipped in flour with salt and pepper and fried. How long has it been since you've had fresh fish caught hours before right out of the frying pan?

Tide Pools

2008-06-07T07:41:00.004-10:00

What do you do on a hot beautiful day? Well, if you live in Hilo you pack up your littles with a cooler full of snacks and head off to Onekahakaha. This was a few weeks ago and it's been beautiful ever since. The boys love to bring their nets and explore around in the tide pools. It keeps them busy for hours. Beach Days, you gotta love um'.

Cody sneaking up on a fish

You spock the baby eel and manini?

Conway Kaka Graduates

2008-05-27T01:57:00.007-10:00

Conway, with proud mom and dad

Conway with sister(Lilia) and brothers (George and Ashley)

This is a photo (taken from my mil- I hope you don't mind mom!) of Conway, Ash's oldest nephew. We are so proud of him...and his family. He did it! He is now officially an alumni of Kamaheameha Schools.

We love you Conway and even though we can't be there, we send our congratulations to you all the way from the Big Island. Excellent job!

What I Love...

2008-05-27T01:03:00.010-10:00

There are many things that I love. But one thing that I love.... is to sew. I love the idea of selecting a piece of material and turning it into something. Sometimes it takes me awhile before I actually start a project after long moments of contemplating what I'm going to make and being inspired by other crafter's on other blogs or books like Bend-the-Rules Sewing by Amy Karol from the library. But once I get started I am determined to finish. And the result..... well, this time it's a tote bag with a lining which took me a few times stitching, unstitching and stitching back again, and a little bravery before I finally understood how to do it. Oh, and did I mention a few lost hours of sleep because the wee hours are the only time that makes sense to sew with 3 littles in tow. I'm still trying to figure out how other mothers find the time to sew. The problem with me is that once I start something I can't put it down.

Happy Week

2008-05-25T19:14:00.006-10:00

Here's Baby Ash wishing you a happy week. JOY to you all!
Daddy, where's your glasses?

Fun @ the Park

2008-05-25T18:19:00.011-10:00

The annual HFD EMS Run took place today and we had lots of family fun....

Go, Luke!

Seth running for the finish line

Ash's turn to keep an eye on the jumping castle and...jumping children

There's nothing like being in a jumping castle for a girl like Tori

Hello there Luke!

Whatevahs!

2008-05-22T17:16:00.004-10:00

Baby Ash's shirt says it all. He is now officially 4 months old today! (And yes, that's my fat opu hanging loose, thanks to beautiful babies like the one in my lap....)

Face Painting Fun

2008-05-16T17:42:00.002-10:00

Olivia as a clown, painted by Cody
(She doesn't look very happy, I think she didn't want the paint to get messed up by smiling.)

Mommy had fun painting Tori's face, "Thank you mommy!".

Soap Suds

2008-05-15T00:21:00.004-10:00

I like to laugh about it now, but at the moment I just get weak. This is what happens when you're attention is away from your 4 and 2 year old. They like to get creative. Here they are playing 'beauty salon' at the kitchen sink, not to mention, with the dish soap, without my permission. What 4 and 2 year old little girls ask their mother for permission to wash their sisters hair at the kitchen sink? And you know that washed hair on Tori? Well, it has been cut today by.... well, herself. Another unattended activity that toddlers like to do, especially in the Kanahele household, is surprise me with their own beautiful haircut. These are Victoria's own words, "Look mom, my cut my hair pretty". Oh, to enjoy these moments and laugh about them after the fact. What a blessing....in disguise!

3 Months and Growing

2008-05-14T00:47:00.004-10:00

Did I mention what a sweet baby he is? He is now rolling over, managing to bury his face into the ground, accomplishing a red nose. He laughs and smiles all the time. Loves to read books, seriously...everyday during nap time while I'm reading books to the girls his eyes are glued to every single page, now trying to bat at the pages. And he loves to talk. He loves to be carried, although he doesn't mind being on his own. And yes, his are a blue gray..still. We'll see what happens. People swear they are blue. I always tell everyone it's funny because he was born on his oldest brothers birthday and they both were born with the same color eyes. Isn't that neat?! Oh boy, we just love the little guy!

Change is Nice

2008-05-05T14:38:00.002-10:00

Excuse me, while I make changes around here. You know how it feels good to change your living room around once in awhile? Well, I don't have very many options to do that in my little home, so my little space on the web is the next best place to do that. Hope you're having a joyful day!

Hunting with Dad

2008-04-27T00:36:00.004-10:00

And this is what they came home with yesterday afternoon. Waking up before dawn, the hike and preparation was well worth the time. What a good time they had. There's nothing like a hunting trip with dad...especially when they come home with something.

Dad and Luke

Dad and Cody

2nd Annual Camp Laupahoehoe: Easter Weekend

2008-03-25T07:04:00.008-10:00

Are you guys ready??!!

Tori found an egg!

So far, this is the second Easter that we have gone camping. Last year we went with our church family, New Hope Hamakua. This year we went with our good friends, The Browns (we love them!) and my dad and little brother were able to join us this year because they were visiting from Oahu. We had a great time. Lot's of food, goodies, laughter, and fun! I just thank the Lord for His saving grace and all that He does for us and giving us a good weekend. What blessed people we are.

Blast from the Past

2008-03-16T11:15:00.003-10:00

She loved to spend time on this swing when she was five years old....guess who??

Signs of Spring

2008-03-15T13:48:00.006-10:00

Spring has arrived. This photo is just a bit of evidence that Spring is here indeed. Seth came back to me with this picture that he took. How lovely! We have gardenia's blossoming impatience blooming and plumeria's adorning their tree. I love this time of the year!

"Rise up, my love, my fair one,
And come away.
For lo, the winter is past.
The rain is over and gone.
The flowers appear on the earth;
The time of singing has come,
And the voice of the turtledove
Is heard in our land."

Song of Solomon3:10-12

We love him!

2008-03-08T14:08:00.006-10:00

He is now about 7 weeks young. We're so happy baby Ash is a part of our family. He's so cute..so squeezable! No, seriously he is a joy to our home. He's a very good baby, really mellow. I don't know what we would do without him. Babies are special.

No Vegetarians Here

2008-03-06T16:06:00.003-10:00

Luke's first kill

Skinning his first animal

Last Saturday it was Luke's turn to go bow hunting with dad. This is what they came home with after a long hike. Okay, now for the cooking. I've tasted this sort of sheep before and it was actually good...we'll see what I come up with in our oven...not quite sure when I'm going to brave it! I'll let you know how it turns out.

A.J. is here!

2008-02-04T15:06:00.000-10:00

Ashley Hueu Jr. has arrived and yes, I know it's a late notice....We've been so blessed to have Ash's mom here with us for several days to help us. Though I'm stubborn and I still got up and did things that I probably should have left alone, it was nice having her company, knowing that when Ash wasn't able to be home , his mom was there to back me up.

Anyhow, he was born on Tuesday night @8:05, January 22, that would be on Cody's birthday! He weighed in at 6.8 oz. and was 19 in. He was expected to come more likely on Luke's birthday, which is January 31, since baby was due January 30th, but decided to come a week early. All was well with the labor and delivery. I ended up staying in the hospital til Friday evening for various reasons. I actually enjoyed myself in there. I got to watch lot's of uninterrupted t.v. and enjoyed all the cooking and home shows, we have no cable at home, so it was quite nice. I was spoiled with meals served to me and just a nice peaceful time, almost like a retreat for little A.J. and I.

I am just so grateful for all the gracious people who helped us. That includes the Brown family who took care of our children and treated them as their own, the Doi's who dropped off a box full of dinners and of course my mom in law who caught up with all my laundry and did all the other house cleaning and helping us with the kiddos and my sister in law Loha who took the kids off my hands for a few hours at a time, bought groceries for us and cooked meals. Oh and I can't forget those who kept us in your prayers! I thank God for you all and love you very much.

We have been soo very blessed with such a special gift as A.J. Baby Ash, you are so loved by all of your brothers and sisters and mommy and daddy! Children are indeed a blessing from the Lord!

Psalm 127:3-4

Milk, It Does a Body Good

2008-01-13T18:31:00.000-10:00

On the subject of milk cartons....Have you ever seen such a creative milk carton as the one found at our local grocery store, KTA?? I've gotta say that this IS by far the coolest looking milk carton. Don't ask me why, but you know those moments in the morning when you just think about and observe things around you at the breakfast table while you're having a bowl of cereal or oatmeal in the peace and quiet of the morning, if your lucky, before the kids are up. Well, I noticed my milk carton and how artistic it was. It's a picture of Waimea country north of Hilo, very pretty place with Mauna Kea snowcapped in the background and a content cow. Very colorful, too!

We are fortunate here on the island. KTA, the grocery store that I frequent most of the time and give all our money to are supporters of local products. As seen on the milk carton you can see the Mountain Apple Brand stamp which means it is a local product. And even if most products that are free of rBGH (Bovine Growth Hormone) say that there is no significant difference found in the product from ones that do not claim free of rBGH, our local Mountain Apple Brand milk bought from KTA is free of rBGH. The same with our local selection of meats. We also have the option to buy Mountain Apple Brand Meat which is grass fed beef. I think it's really neat that we have these choices in our local grocer and that we are supporting local farmers.

Can you find a prettier milk carton than the one found here on the Big Island?? And yes, it's true that milk does a body good, raw milk that is, but if you can't get that than I'm actually learning that milk with the most fat is healthier for you ,so whole milk, preferably non homogenized and pasteurized. If you want to read more about this, you might want to go out and borrow the latest book on health that I have been reading, Nourishing Traditions. Happy Health to you!

A few December Highlights

2008-01-11T09:26:00.000-10:00

Victoria- Christmas Eve

Me, Olivia and Seth making gingerbread houses-Christmas Eve

Cody and his Gingerbread House

Olivia and Braden

Malakai, Seth, Olivia, Braden, Luke and Cody- Christmas Morning

Happy Sunday

2007-12-16T14:45:00.000-10:00

Victoria

Seth shooting his bow

Hope y'all are having a good weekend! What a nice quiet day it has been. Church, shooting bow n' arrows, taking photo's, Olivia and Victoria are having their own little tea party mind I say in panties and a diaper. Our neighborhood is nice and peaceful, the sun is out, and the yard is clean. Everyone has a smile on their face. Oh and Victoria has switched from having a tea party to playing bubbles in the bathroom sink with the dish soap. Well, gotta go get Victoria outa' there before she floods the bathroom and sniff,sniff! I think she's made a mess in her diaper. Gotta go do mommy things like changing diapers. Hope y'all are smiling as big as Victoria is. Life is good and Christmas is right around the corner! May you have a blessed evening.

Christmas Traditions

2007-12-06T22:31:00.000-10:00

This was actually posted 2 years ago on homeschool blogger, things haven't changed much, but getting started a little late on our Christmas advent readings. This year I found a free advent reading guide complete with printable ornaments to either hang on the tree or put up on the wall somewhere. Everyday there is a reading and then the kids can take turns each day coloring the corresponding ornament and hang it on the tree. We will end our daily advent readings with a little treat, this year Bob's candies peppermint sticks..yummy!

What does advent mean?, according to the 1828 Websters Dictionary, it says: A coming; appropriately the coming of our Savior, and in the calendar it includes four Sabbaths before Christmas.- it is intended as a season of devotion, with reference to the coming of Christ in the flesh, and His second coming to judge the world.

And this year the boys don't have any surprises when it comes to gifts. They are each getting set up with a compound bow to go hunting with of course! They will just not be able to use them until Christmas Day which they are very anxious about. They will be learning patience, haha!

In years past Ash and I have agreed that we would not spend any money on rinky dink gifts. Instead we would give each of them a gift that is of value and will not end up left on the ground and in the trash. This has worked very well for us and the boys have been content with one nice gift that will last a lot longer.

Well, I hope you all are enjoying this joyous season, baking, shopping (maybe), and spending time with family and friends and most importantly reflecting on the gifts that God gives to each of us. Merry Christmas!

Dec. 9, 2005 - Kanahele Christmas Traditions

Merry CHRISTmas everyone! I hope you all are enjoying this time of year when we really get to reflect on our saviours birth. I think it's a wonderful time of the year where we can spend time with our families and friends and cherish all the memories!

I just recieved Cindy Rushton's email about her new Christ centered Christmas Ebook and I thought it might be fun to share some of our traditions here in the Kanahele home. We start the season off with advent readings about 4 Sundays prior to Christmas Day. Last year we did the Jessse Advent Tree. We had a small 2 foot artificial tree and everyday the kids and I would start off the morning with the appropriate reading for the day and then we would all work together making the corresponding ornament. It was a lot of work to do it this way, but we had fun. This year, we're expecting our fifth child, due on January 5, so I found something a little simpler to do. I found an advent reading list on the internet from Focus On the Family and each night before the kid's go to bed we read the scripture for that day and the kid's get a treat after the reading. I have chosen these red and white butter mints to give them after each reading and explained to them that Jesus came, not to live, but to die for our sins...the red on the candy representing the blood He shed and the white represents the washing of our sins and Jesus making us "as white as snow". Then we will brush our teeth of course! and the kids fall asleep to daddy singing worship music. This has worked out well for us this year! A nativity has replaced a tree in our home this year and in the beginning of this month we all worked together to make a murial of Christ's birth which is hanging on our wall. The kids have so much fun decorating each character in the Christmas story. We also made paper angels to hang from our kitchen bar for everyone to see. We have also decided together that we will decorate our front porch with white lights, representing Jesus, being the light of the world. Everytime we look at our art, we are reminded of why we celebrate christmas. We make something homemade to eat to give to our neighbors and friends. Last year the kid's and I delivered our goodies to our friends and neighbor's homes and while my oldest son played the ukulele we sang a Christmas carol at their doorstep. This was a really special time and I think we will do it again this year. On Christmas Day we start off the morning with daddy reading the Christmas story, singing a little worship and saying a prayer before we open up any gifts that have been given to us. We have reminded the children that this is a season of giving and not wanting, which they take very well. My husband and I have also started a tradition about 4 years ago to buy one great big gift for all of the children to enjoy together and three really nice individual gifts that represent the three gifts that Jesus received from the wise men. This also has proved to be a hit in our home. This has eliminated any clutter of "junkie" toys around the home after Christimas! In the past, the big gift has been a trampoline, the kids also received ukulele's, boogie boards and such. In the afternoon of Christmas Day, we have a nice dinner which consists of a ham, potato salad (dad's favorite), a veggie dish and dessert. The dessert is a birthday cake for Jesus and we end off this wonderful day with singing "Happy Birthday to Jesus". The rest of the day we spend time resting and enjoying each others' company!

These are just a few of our traditions and hope you all enjoyed taking a peek into the Kanahele home during this wonderful time of the year!

What are some of your Christmas Family Traditions??

Banana Bread Anyone?

2007-12-04T00:45:00.000-10:00

This is our families all time favorite Banana Bread recipe. We make it all the time and it never seems to last very long...it ends up in our tummies in minutes. Nothing like a slice of Banana Bread topped with butter, fresh out of the oven.

Easy Banana Bread

1 stick butter (or margarine)- melted or softened

1 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

Cream these ingredients together

Add:

1 3/4 cup all purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

Stir all ingredients together until well mixed.

3 Lg. over ripened bananas

Mash in separate bowl and add to batter.

Pour either into one large loaf pan to make a tall loaf and cook for approx. 1 hour or two loaf pans to make smaller, shorter loafs for about 30 minutes in a 350 degree oven. Check for doneness by inserting a knife- just a little batter should remain on knife to ensure that it will be moist and not too dry.

You can also add walnuts and anything else you may think of. I've tried this recipe with whole wheat flour. I think I've also tried half and half(whole wheat and white flour)....I'm sure you can make a healthier version to try to steer away from the refined flour and sugar, but just not the same:o)

I think that's about it...Enjoy!

Wondering What to Give?

2007-12-03T15:50:00.000-10:00

Christmas always comes too fast for me. Nevertheless, it's my favorite time of the year. Once December 1st arrives I try to think of creative ways to show gratitude to loved ones and friends who bless us through out the year by means of a gift that is homemade. I know I should start earlier, but I never do. In my search for ideas I came across this really neat website and thought I'd share it!

http://www.giftsfromyourkitchen.com/index.html

We're off to get a Christmas Tree

2007-11-28T09:33:00.000-10:00

Today is a special day because in celebration of our Saviors Birthday we are going to search out the perfect Christmas tree. Last year our sweet little tree came from the nearby property that my boys cut down and surprised me with. This year we will buy one. I just can't help to think about actually buying a tree and then throwing it out in a month. Today I was thinking, like I usually do, and decorating our home in anticipation for Jesus birthday brings joy and smiles to my children. Whatever the cost, they will always grow up with good memories of how Christmas was celebrated in our home. And that makes me happy!

You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 16:11

Cheese!

2007-11-23T03:05:00.000-10:00

I just had to post this photo of 'Tori', my little sweet heart. Ain't she cute?

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving day. I cooked so much food we didn't know what to eat first. It was a good day with family and friends.

Oh, I'm thirty today!...not sure what we'll do... I have relaxing in mind, no cares, no worries just doing whatever I want, no cooking, just leftovers and maybe a massage and a good book. Love you guys!

Give Thanks

2007-11-21T22:14:00.000-10:00

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good.
Psalm 136:1

Some of the things that the kids and I have been sharing about what we're thankful for:

Victoria, when asked what she's thankful for, a big smile

Olivia, "I'm thankful for Jesus and flamly.

Seth, "I'm thankful for Tori."

Luke, "I'm thankful for my bed."

Cody, "I'm thankful for our car that takes us surfing."

Mom, "I'm thankful for my health."

Tomorrow during our feast we'll get a chance to ask daddy what he's thankful for. We'll be sharing our thanksgiving day with one or more of Ash's friends in his class. The kids and I went into town earlier this morning to pickup a few last minute ingredients, we got home at two and I've been prep cooking ever since. Here's whats on our menu:

Turkey and gravy
Ham
White rice
Mashed potatoes
Potato Salad
Stuffing
Green Bean Casserole
Seven Layer Salad
Cranberry Jello Salad
Ambrosia
Corn on the cob
Homemade rolls
Pumpkin Crunch cake
Pineapple Upside-Down cake with ice cream
Sparkling Apple Cider
Sherbet/&-Up Punch

I think that's about it...I know we'll be stuffed!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sending all our love to friends and family...

Love

Ash, Heather, Cody, Luke, Seth, Olivia, Victoria and baby

We are Raising Fish!

2007-11-20T12:18:00.000-10:00

Luke, proud of his blue ribbons

Cody, Sixth place for Menehune Boys Division-the cool thing is that he made it straight to the finals from his initial heat.

That's right, it's hard not to raise fish when you live so close to the ocean. Cody and Luke proved their skills in swimming and surfing within the past few months. They both joined a swim team during the last of the summer through the beginning of November and they both did really well. Luke earned several first places. He is exceptionally good at his butterfly stroke. And Cody got sixth place in his division at a local surf contest the other day.We are so proud of both of them and their accomplishments. Seth is gearing up to be our champ for next season.

Good Job Boys!

Roastaroma

2007-11-07T04:20:00.000-10:00

A new addition to my list of favorite tea is Roastaroma by Celestial Seasonings.

Roastaroma® Herb Tea

Roastaroma is made from healthy grains which have been brought to life by the roasting process. Malt made from barley contains natural grain sugar which gives it a touch of sweetness. Unlike most grain beverages, Roastaroma is blended with selected spices, creating an absolutely full bodied taste treat. It is delicious by itself, or try some cream and honey! This flavor was especially created to give the coffee crowd a delicious coffee-like, caffeine-free alternative.

There's nothing like stepping into a home with the aroma of coffee brewing or even visiting your nearby Starbucks. I love the smell of coffee, I love the taste of coffee, I'm just not a coffee drinker. I just don't like the caffeine in coffee, my body tells me it doesn't like it and I'm almost always pregnant or nursing. So, my next bet is a drink that is similar in taste to coffee. The box of Roastaroma came home with me about a month ago and I've been loving it as a nice morning treat ever since. Try it, you might like it too!

Happy Birthday Olivia!

2007-10-25T03:29:00.001-10:00

Yesterday, the 24th, was her actual birthday! My little girl turned four.

I can't believe how fast she is growing and what a sweet heart she is.

Thank you everyone who helped make her day special.

We love you Olivia Anuenue, hope you had a wonderful day!

First Bikes

2007-10-22T22:49:00.001-10:00

Victoria (21 months) on her very own bike

Olivia (almost four) on her first bike

Do you remember your first bike? Maybe the first time you rode without your training wheels? I do and I'll never forget that.

Buying a bike for Olivia meant also buying a bike for Tori. I guess those are the perks of being a little sister who thinks she needs to have exactly what her big sis has. Usually I wouldn't give in but this time it made perfect sense. I couldn't picture taking Olivia to the park with her new bike without Tori constantly badgering her big sister to get off, let alone trying to fight her way onto the seat. So, that's what we did today while the boys were on their trip with grandpa and grandma. Olivia got some extra cash for her birthday and decided she wanted to buy a bike with her money. After our ordeal of getting help to get the bike down and Victoria practically jumping out of the cart and hurting the inside of her lip pretty bad at Walmart, we headed to Ross ( old faithful) and found a perfect sized bike for Tori. This evening after I finally put together Tori's bike we headed for a bike ride. The joys of watching little girls for the first time on their bikes. They had so much fun, they were pooped only after a half an hour.

Grandparents Visit

2007-10-22T22:27:00.000-10:00

Our family after church

Grandpa and grandma with the gang and Victoria half asleep after stuffing ourselves

There's nothing like a nice full weekend. My grandparents from California (my mom's parents) who visit every year happen to come in time for Olivia's party. It was great to have them here to help us celebrate Olivia's 4th birthday. I know that she'll always remember her great- grandparents unlike me being in Hawaii, never really got to see my great grandmas who were still alive while I was growing up. I just praise God for wonderful grandparents, knowing how much they love to see everyone and the time they put into spending time with us. I know that they value family and that they love each and everyone of us. What special people they are to me.

They arrived here in Hilo on Friday and they leave on Wednesday to go back home. Today the boys had a great time with them journeying to Kona. They left early in the day and came back home in the evening after a day at the beach, a walk down Ali'i Dr. and and ice cream cone. I always remember the ice cream cones that grandpa and grandma treated me as I was growing up.

A Party for Olivia

2007-10-22T22:11:00.000-10:00

Olivia started asking about her fourth birthday about two months ago and requested a party with friends. She was very specific...she wanted it at the beach with a pinata. For awhile she contemplated about what theme she wanted. I think it went from a monkey party to a pony party. So, My little pony it was and we got busy planning for it. She kept on asking how much longer til her birthday and it was a great opportunity to get out the calendar and chart the days and introduce her to the different months of the year. She had a wonderful time with her family and friends at Onekahakaha Beach Park!

Guava Jelly

2007-10-07T13:21:00.000-10:00

Here are the guavas we picked, prior to this photo the cooler was filled to the brim. The boys and I had a blast picking them. It was so funny we were laughing the whole time. Just think...20 years later we'll be sitting around the Thanksgiving table laughing about that time we picked guavas.

Guavas all sliced. I love the color. They're so pretty. We picked enough guavas to make a batch of jelly right away and I reserved a whole bunch of juice and even froze the rest. It might make great Christmas presents.

One lonely jar of Guava jelly left to share with someone special!

Finally made it!! I actually bought canning jars last guava season and they've been sitting in my closet. When we went on our field trip to Umauma Falls-World Botanical Gardens we came home with a cooler full of guavas. I was kind of hesitant before making it because I didn't have a canner, but managed to complete the project with more confidence than what I started with. I made it the first time and the jelly didn't jell so I poured everything out and decided to try again, but this time I used Cody's candy thermometer. After the first batch didn't turn out Cody reminded me that his thermometer had a jelly setting on it. Thanks to Cody! At first I thought the second time didn't work out either, but after a few hours we noticed that the jelly in the jars were jelling, hallelujah! The whole family was excited with me...I made my very first batch of jelly and it wasn't very hard after all. It worked! We used a few bottles to make sure it tasted good and it sure turned out yummy, just like the Hawaiian Sun brand at the store or even better!

World Botanical Gardens

2007-09-27T07:23:00.000-10:00

These are photos we took at our field trip to World Botanical Gardens in Umauma on Tuesday. As you can see, we had a great time. We even got to take fruit home: papayas, ulu (bread fruit), a ton of guavas (We're going to attempt making guava jelly), and other fruit that I don't even know the name of but tastes wonderfully good.

I don't know how to get rid of this underline...

Olivia and Tori in the car because Olivia wanted to run away from the mosquito's

One beautiful plant Cody took a picture of on our walk through the garden

Umauma Falls

The Gang

It's a Good Busy

2007-09-19T22:16:00.001-10:00

Preparing Ash for work everyday

Preparing school for the day, if I even get that far

Changing diapers

Answering a 3 year olds questions all day

Erasing pen marks out of a library book

Motivating the boys (and me!) to get their lessons done

Planning meals

Driving the boys to swim practice 3 days a week

Piano lessons once a week

Field Trips

Play Dates

Managing the home and chores, making sure they get done

Making time to laugh with the kids

Ice cream, chocolate chip cookie, orange Julius breaks (Lately our family has had a sweet tooth!) good thing I'm pregnant, I have an excuse for getting fatter:o)

Being available for the neighbor when her car won't start

Making time for my husband at the end of a long tiring day

All this and more....

I may get tired and weary, but life is good! It's really good when God is the center and when He is the reason for doing everything. All the glory goes to Him.

That's what I mean when I say "It's a good busy" One thing is remembered: Just keep it simple.

"Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gently and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls,

"For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

Matthew 11:28-30

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13

A Haircut for Seth

2007-09-04T16:24:00.001-10:00

Before:

We let his hair grow out because the color was so pretty and we thought he looked pretty cool, but it was time for a haircut and a change.

After:

And much happier......

What a handsome young man! Don't ya think?

Back to School

2007-08-30T23:05:00.000-10:00

Luke in the middle of learning

Kids enjoy rainbow experiment

small scale of the Subaru Telescope which is on the summit of Mauna Kea

Actually we have been back to our studies pretty steady since the middle of July. This year we took another route with our home schooling journey. We decided to try out something totally new and enroll the three boys into a Public Charter School which is based in Oahu and we correspond with through the internet and email. It's been a great change so far. All books are provided for and funds are alloted for each child to participate in extra curricular activities like guitar, piano, or tennis lessons. Each week we are required to submit sample lessons and we are to report to one field trip a month where we see their teachers face to face. You can't beat that! The accountability is great, the field trips and the help with suggestions and books are such a plus and we still get to have school at home! So far so good. Yesterday, we attended our first field trip with the other families who are enrolled. We met with a few of the teachers at the Subaru Telescope Facility in Hilo. What an informative workshop it was. It was kind of long, but the neat experiments in between kept the students attention.

Cody and Luke's First Swim Meet

2007-08-30T22:45:00.000-10:00

It was held in Pahala on Saturday and yes, it was Cody and Luke's very first experience of competing in a swim meet. This is their first year swimming on a swim team, The Torpedos. And they are really enjoying it. We're so proud of them. Although they didn't place, they did very well in their races. Cody swam 25 fly, 50 breast and 50 free and Luke swam the same but in different age level.

Good Job Luke! (Look at that cloud in the background. It looked like it was going to rain, but the weather was perfect)

Swimmers, take your mark....Go Cody!!

Way to go Cody!

Coach Dad in action

Oh, one more thing.... It was our twelfth year wedding anniversary! Can you believe it?...Twelve years and many more awesome years to look forward to. Our marriage just keeps on getting better and better :o) Thank You Jesus! We were blessed to be able to spend time with my mom and the kids at a really good Mexican restaurant in Pahoa on the way home after we stopped at the skate park in Volcano. Thank you mom for the treat! We had a great time...Love You! And I love you Ash! XOXOXO

Hurricane?

2007-08-15T06:43:00.000-10:00

Not really....it actually turned into a tropical storm late last night. As soon as we heard the severity of the hurricane we went into town and prepared. My son filled all our empty coolers and 5 gallon size buckets with water, just in case. So, yesterday as the hurricane was approaching our island all we could do was stay tuned to the news and watch for changes and updates. Even though we live a little north of Hilo we were expecting a lot more than what we got. Did it rain? Barely... Did the winds pick up? No, not at all. We just had a normal day of very overcast weather with a few sprinkles here and there. And then they kept predicting the heavy rains and winds to come early this morning, I didn't hear a thing...just a normal night of peace. I just thank God for watching over us and deciding to change the path of this storm. Yeah!

Long Day

2007-08-03T16:28:00.001-10:00

We just got home and I'm beat, but I couldn't help but to reflect on the days highlights... I started this morning in my devotions, and then was convicted not to spend too much time on the computer and instead make much needed bread. To be honest, it's been awhile but once I start, it's like why have waited so long? I made enough dough to make 6 loaves, but I only have 4 pans, so while Olivia was helping me form the dough into loaves I came up with the idea to make cinnamon rolls. They turned out yummy, even if it meant they were whole wheat...

Before they went into the oven

After they came out of the oven and ready to eat

Oh and our cucumber plants are producing lots for us! Yesterday in the cool of the morning I went outside to harvest a few and look what I got! Shall I make pickles?

Oh, I forgot to add...the latest lesson the Lord has taught us through our watermelon. Well, yesterday when Ash came home some guy rode through our watermelon patch with his motorbike. You should have seen the boys including Ash, it was like a fire lit their pants and they ALL went running outside to find this guy that ran over our watermelon. Ash gave a few mean looks at the guy who was down the way. He came back into the house just all roweled up. I reminded him that it's just a watermelon and that it's not worth getting mad over. All the while the boys were outside getting ready to hammer nails into wood to place by our watermelon so that when the guy rides by again he would pop his tires. On a funny, but true note, I reminded him in a humorous way that "The Lord giveth us watermelon and the Lord taketh our watermelon away."After a few minutes Ash cooled down and immediately called out to the boys not to do that. All, I could think of is what it says in God's Word...Bless your enemies...love your neighbor as yourself.....God's love never fails to cover ALL sin :o) This morning after Cody was finished with his devotions, he came to me and shared what the Lord had taught him in John 15 and Nahum. He told me that the Lord was still teaching him something about the watermelon....that, just as He (the Lord) pruned our watermelon plants, He was using that picture to show us how He prunes our lives, our heart.... spiritually. He shows us physically what he does spiritually in our lives. We have been reading through the book of John this month and this morning we were supposed to read John15 together, but Cody was the only one who ended up reading it ( We had a late start and needed to be out of the house by 10:15) And here's what it says:

"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vine dresser. (the funny thing is that watermelon grows on a vine!) "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

"You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.

"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

"If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them out into the fire, and they are burned.

"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

"By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples."

John 15:1-8

God is so awesome, He is so faithful and He never keeps us in the dark. He never fails to speak to us even in the little things. I am so blessed that I serve such a wonderful God!

Commitment

2007-08-03T06:38:00.000-10:00

Am I commited to my calling, my responsibilities? Well, this mornings devotional challenged me to think about this.....

John 3:4

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

I stared at the paring knife at my feet. That alone meant leaning over my expanding middle. Picking things up was not convenient. I looked at my husband. He took pity and retrieved the knife for me.

Pregnancy and motherhood are two things that no woman who has experienced them would ever call them convenient! Morning sickness, physical exams, and waddling around like a walrus are not convenient. Nor are wiping noses, answering countless questions (sometimes the same ones), picking up toys, and washing piles of laundry on the list of most sought-after jobs.

Convenience is the byword of our society. Unfortunately, much of what truly matters in life is not convenient. Imagine associating "convenient" with God. John 3:16 would take on new meaning: "For God found it convenient so he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish." Suddenly salvation is reduced to something "doable".

Motherhood and salvation have little to do with convenience and everything to do with commitment. Commitment means doing all the things that are not easy but necessary. Commitment gives immense value and dignity to all that is done, because commitment is costly. Commitment cost Jesus his life. Commitment costs a mother time and energy.

But, oh, the rewards! Would any Christian wish that Jesus had chosen convenience? Does any mother who knows that her children are "walking in truth" think of her sacrifice?

Today I choose commitment over convenience, and I pray for help to live that way.

By Kathleen F. Turner

Wowee!!...Watermelon!

2007-07-26T14:35:00.001-10:00

Gee..how long will we have to wait?? Every morning we go outside to just stand there and watch them grow. Maybe by watching them they might grow faster... Just can't wait to eat our homegrown watermelon.

FFH

2007-07-23T16:11:00.000-10:00

Seth

Luke

Cody

Seth

FFH: standing for Future Firemen of Hawaii, or we'll rather say if that's what they would like to be....when they grow-up. Naturally, all the boys want to be exactly what daddy is, we'll see about that. There has been a lot of buzz about firemen around here because of daddy's career change. Whenever we're on the road and we see afire truck or any vehicle that has to do with the fire department our heads are always turned. It's quuite funny! It'll probably last for quite awhile. We're just soo proud of our daddy, my hubby. He made it through the first week..Praise God!

Garden Update

2007-07-20T07:20:00.000-10:00

Heres to a little garden update. You saw photos of what our garden looked like when everything was prepped and planted and now here are few photos of our harvest:

Picture of one of our plots a few weeks ago, now it is totally over grown with pak choy, anuenue and manoa lettuce, roma tomatoes, sweet peppers and cucumbers.

Pak (bok) choy and lettuce..some raishes that we grew for fun..they didn't come out as pretty as yours Eva :o)

radishes

Sweet peppers on the plant

Sweet peppers ready to eat!

Our corn plot that's not doing so well right now, not quite sure what went wrong??

Our watermelon plot

Baby watermelon ( sugar baby variety) that are growing super fast, I think we'll have ripe fruit within the next month. We've been having to check on them everyday to make sure the bee's aren't stinging them. We've lost a few to stings, so we covered the remainders with netting. So far, we counted 10 growing strong!

HFD 36th Recruit Class

2007-07-19T18:07:00.000-10:00

Okay, for those of you who might be interested in seeing photos of my hard working, sweat wrenching husband in the middle of training here's the link: HFD 36th Recruit Class .

Just to let you know, he's been coming home sore all week from the physical training, doing lots of homework and studying for exams. He hasn't even come home yet today..it's 6:15 PM...because his class is volunteering in cleaning up the building where the blood bank was held for today.

They weren't joking when they warned the families it would be a rough year...it's fun though to see the pictures and hear all the things that they had to go through for the day. There's no doubt that they'll all be in shape and ready for the job when the training is done.

Wow! Fire men what heroes, especially my Fireman...to be :o)

Back to Work

2007-07-17T06:44:00.000-10:00

Ash's vacation has come to an end or shall I say my vacation? We had a great time just hanging out, literally. We did a lot of staying home, enjoying the yard, watching videos, making big brunches and taking lots of naps. We did get to the beach once which was great fun! You figure we would have visited the beach more often being that the weather was beautiful, but it was soo much nicer just to stay home and let the kids have fun playing in our yard and the pool. It was a nice break for me because Ash took on the responsibility that I usually have when he's at work. I really got to be lazy!

Well, it's over! He has officially started his first day of training yesterday. What did his day consist of?? 50 push-ups first thing in the morning with the whole team because one guy showed up in the wrong kind of slacks, lots of paper work..again...a presentation by the mayor and other important people, oh and to end off the day sweeping and mopping and emptying garbage at the Central Fire station. How's that for a day, and didn't get home til' 6:00 with several pages of reading and homework.

Way to go Ash! I'm so proud of you and so grateful that I get to be your wife , the one who gets to take care of you...wake up early in the morning with a hug from you, make your lunch, make sure your uniform is all ready and set to go and most importantly pray for you and keep it together all the while taking care of your 5 beautiful children. What a blessing!! I am so happy for you. And I'm stoked that I'm yours :o)

And the kids and I.... this week I'll be testing Cody and Luke for their end of the year progress report and all three boys will be attending a sports camp Monday through Friday from 2-5 pm. We did well yesterday. We did some of the testing made sure the house was tidy and made dinner before we left for the sports camp and came home to a clean house with dinner in the crock pot, I actually had to cook it a little more in the oven because the potatoes and carrots weren't quite done. We had roast chicken with potatoes and carrots if you're wondering.

Thank You, Lord, for this beautiful gift that You have given me to be a wife to one awesome husband and a mother to 5 beautiful children. Please help me to do the best that I can and when I get tired or weary can You please carry me in Your arms?? I love You Jesus!

Just Good Friends

2007-07-04T23:31:00.000-10:00

Bye Fed Ex!

2007-06-29T06:35:00.000-10:00

Today is the very last day that my husband will be wearing a Fed Ex uniform, it's the very last day that he will be delivering or picking up boxes and letters. It's been ten years that the good Lord has provided for us through this job. I just want to thank you Heavenly Father for being so gracious to us and for the many wonderful friends that Ash has made through the years at Fed Ex. Bye Fed Ex!

Nobody Knows But Mother

2007-06-28T07:38:00.001-10:00

How many buttons are missing today? Nobody knows but Mother. How many playthings are strewn in her way? Nobody knows but Mother. How many thimbles and spools has she missed? Nobody knows but Mother. How many burns on each little fat fist? How many bumps to be cuddled and kissed? Nobody knows but Mother.

How many hats has she hunted today? Nobody knows but Mother. Carelessly hiding themselves in the hay- Nobody knows but Mother. How many handkerchiefs willfully strayed? How many ribbons for each little maid? How for her care can a mother be paid? Nobody knows but Mother.

How many muddy shoes all in a row? Nobody knows but Mother. How many stockings to darn, do you know? Nobody knows but Mother. How many little aprons to mend? How many hours of toil must she spend? What is the time when her day's work shall end? Nobody knows but Mother.

How many lunches for Tommy and Sam?Nobody knows but Mother. Cookies and apples and blackberry jam- Nobody knows but Mother. Nourishing dainties for every "sweet tooth," Toddling Dottie or dignified Ruth- How much love sweetens the labor, forsooth? Nobody knows but Mother.

How many cares does a mother's heart know? Nobody knows but Mother. How many joys from her mother love flow? Nobody knows but Mother. How many prayers for each little white bed? How many tears for babes has she shed? How many kisses for each curly head? Nobody knows but Mother.

~ Mary Morrison~

Now, I'll just have to come up with my own version of 'Nobody Knows but Mother.'

MM! MM! Candied Popcorn

2007-06-27T15:20:00.000-10:00

Once again, Cody experiments with another recipe....candied popcorn. After he gets his recipe off the internet he is in search of all the ingredients. If we don't have all of them, he goes up to our nearby mom and pop store to see if they have it, if not the ingredient ends up on our next shopping list.

Cody is always experimenting with recipes mostly ones that will curb his sweet tooth and not only his, but it ends up curbing the sweet tooth of everyone else in the family. Cody has been an ambitious cook ever since he was two years old. He started with play dough that would keep him busy for hours, making cupcakes for his stuffed animal friends to making toast for me when I was stuck in bed after the birth of Luke and even now we continue to find him in the kitchen whipping up something new. On the list of goodies that he likes to make includes: mochi ( a sweet rice flour Japanese dessert), li hing mui lollopops( an island favorite), Saturday afternoon he cooked Korean chicken for lunch.

Cody's latest endeavor which he hasn't made yet because I'm afraid the recipe asks for way too many eggs (10 eggs!) are Ensemadas- a filipino pastry topped with a buttery,sugary like paste. We were walking around at our local farmers market last week with empty stomachs oohing! and ahhhing! at all the yummy looking baked goods. We spocked an ensemada and that was it, Cody was on to another recipe. As soon as we got home he looked it up on the Internet. When I'm brave enough to let him use 10 of our egg yolks. I'll let you know how it turns out.

By the way, the candied popcorn was a hit. After the first try which came out a little soggy, Cody tweaked his recipe and made it just right the second time and a few more times after that! All I can say is that Cody is an aspiring baker/chef. Cooking is pretty cool hobby in our house because we're always experimenting. It's almost like science. You don't quite know how it's going to come out and it takes a least a few times before you master a recipe and then your brave enough to play around with it. Yesterday, in our house we experimented with biscuits. It started all because we didn't really have anything quick for breakfast and I don't care to buy Bisquick because of the hydrogenated vegetable oil in there, so I always make our pancakes or waffles from scratch. Yesterday morning it was biscuits. We've tried biscuits a few times before, but every time we make them they turn out different. So we have tried several different recipes. That's the fun of it. Anyhow, we found a 1933 recipe and we made it twice yesterday. In the morning we called them roll-cuits because they seemed like they came out like half rolls- half biscuits, they were good though. We figured that we probably added a little more milk than needed. Then for dinner, I was craving a Kentucky Fried Chicken dinner, so I made fried chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy and those biscuits. This time I added less milk and they turned out a little less moist and drier, like a biscuit. I still don't think we've mastered the biscuit. I think it will take a few more times. Okay, was this post about biscuits or Cody's popcorn??? You wanna come over and dine at our house? Your very welcome to :o) On a last note, do any of you have a good biscuit recipe or tips on how to make them right?

Victoria, the great!

2007-06-26T07:11:00.001-10:00

I just thought you would like to see a close up of my sweet little girl~literally~ Victoria Kaiulani, she'll be 18 months on July 6. They grow up soo fast!

Prickly Prawns

2007-06-26T06:37:00.000-10:00

Seth, Cody, Kevin and Luke

Those beautiful prawns sitting all nicely on Luke's shoulders ( See that baby with the cool hairdo in the background, yeah, that's my baby and that's what she looks like all the time..naked with a diaper on and usually all sticky from eating the lychee off the ground ~ in this picture she's sticky from a lollipop ~mixed with a little dirt from playing in the garden, that's Victoria for you!)

The boys have been enjoying some freedom and going down to our beach down the hill on their own. It's great they have each other, the three boys..talk about adventure! At "The Mill" (our beach down the hill) , there is a stream/river that comes down from the mountains and flows into the ocean and in the river or stream?? I'm not sure whether to call it a river or a stream...good question, something to look up...anyhow, the river is home to prawns that the boys have been catching, bringing them home and insisting that they are going to eat them. Several days in a row along with some of their friends they have come home with a few prawns at a time. Our freezer is now the home of those poor prawns. We're supposed to eat them! I'll let you all know when we do.

Summer

2007-06-25T18:04:00.000-10:00

I like summer time! It's the time of the year when life is a little less complicated, at least for me. I mean, if school doesn't get done I don't feel all that bad, if dinner doesn't get done on time I still have a few more hours of daylight to get creative, if it gets hot in the house we all tumble out to the yard to play in the water. You get the picture... We've been having a really nice summer thus far staying close to home and enjoying each others company, having friends over and just having fun being outside. You have probably noticed that I haven't frequented my posts lately, that's because when I do update my posts, it actually takes a while editing photos and typing at my speed doesn't help either ...lately those few hours are well taken up by spending more time outside and getting to know my children a little more :o)

As I was going over my photos I can't help to share some of the memories that the month of June brought us. Praise God for beautiful summers!

IVORY Soap

2007-06-14T15:47:00.001-10:00

Within the past year I started buying IVORY soap bars (the green one), it's supposed to be a melon scent, I believe, well I really don't remember...all I do know is that it's a really pretty light green color wrapped in a light green paper. Personally, I'd much rather use shower gel, but my dear husband likes his bar soap, so to keep all costs down I found the famous IVORY green bar soap in a bulk package for something like $4. I have never liked IVORY soap, the white one, the smell is too strong for me, so the green will do and has done us well in the last year or so. The green IVORY soap has not only done us well in keeping us clean, but it has done me well to inspire me and make me really appreciate the simple things in life. When I first purchased the soap I noticed that there were quotes on the front of each of the light green papers that cover the light green soap. Some of the quotes that are on the packaging are as follows:

"Family is natures way of providing us friends"

"Happiness is a warm bath"

"Complicating life is easy. The genius is in the simple things."

"Making the simple complicated is easy.Making the complicated simple is brilliant"

Nevertheless, God's word surpasses any quote that anybody has ever made up or has said it's just that every time I go to take a bath and I have to grab a new bar of soap these quotes just make me think and remind me that life is made to be simple and not complicated like I sometimes like to make it. It makes me feel all bubbly inside!

Lychee Season

2007-06-01T15:21:00.000-10:00

Have you ever tried lychee?? What is lychee ? You might be asking. Well, you'll have to come to our house and find out because lychee season it is! The round red fruit is covered in a reptile like skin and inside you find a very sweet, transparent, jelly-like fruit with a brown seed that drips down your face as you take a bite. It's always really cool when the month of May comes around and we start to see little red things hanging from our tree. The boys have been busy harvesting our tree everyday. It's funny, when it comes to getting lychee out of the tree and we've finally got a winner bunch, it's like gold. Everybody enjoys eating a BIG red juicy lychee.