And our guest is...

Becky (LeMahieu) Peterson! This is her 2nd visit to Hawaii to see me. At Christmas time her and her husband, Jim, came but this time it is just us girls!

She arrived safely after a long day of flying, first a 1 hour flight and then an 8 hour flight. After I got the boys in bed we had time to catch up and visit. She will be here a week!

Earthquake

Last night I was in bed messing around on the laptop computer and all of the sudden the house and my bed shook. Now being from California, I was like "That just felt like an earthquake!" but I wasn't sure if Hawaii has earthquakes.

This morning after I got up and checked the news, it said last night we had an earthquake! It was mild with a 3.2 magnitude and then they reported that no tsunami was generated by the quake. Yikes, sometimes I forget we are in the middle of the ocean!

This afternoon we are going to the airport to pick up our newest guest!

Happy Birthday Hope Chapel West Oahu!

Last Sunday HCWO celebrated its 5th birthday. After the last church service everyone was invited to stay and celebrate and everything was FREE! We had such a blast! They had 2 bouncy houses, two blow up water rides, a petting zoo, pony rides and eating games. They also had waffle dogs, which by the way were amazing, garlic fries, bentos, cake, shave ice and slushies with ice cream. They posted pictures on the website. Just go to www.hcwo.com then click on photo album and then Family Day 2006 and then slideshow. Be sure not to miss the picture of me in the food eating contest with whip cream all over my face!

Where is Darrick now?

Darrick called me last night from Hong Kong! It is so hard for me to think of him there since I have never been there and have no point of reference. He is half way through his initation and it is three weeks now until he will be home!

Day Off

Today we had the day off because it is Statehood day-the day Hawaii became a state. So the boys and I went out to lunch and then to Toys r us because they were having a big sale. While we were walking through the store Micah said "Mom, my tooth is really loose". I checked it but it was not quite ready to to pull. So we continued shopping. The next time I looked at him, he had smears of blood on his nose, cheeks and around his mouth. He had been wiggling the tooth and then touching his face. After I cleaned him up I gave it a little turn and it popped right out. It is the second tooth he has lost and they are both on the bottom front.

Today also is 4 weeks until Darrick comes home...it's the final countdown!

Happy Birthday Darrick!

"Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to Darrick, Happy Birthday to you!"

"How old are you now? How old are you now? How old are you Darrick? How old are you now?" ANY GUESSES?

Happy Birthday Darrick! We love you so much!

We made it through the week!

This picture was taken Thursday morning-the first morning we all needed to get out the door by 7:15am. And we did it-we actually have done it successfully 2 days in a row now! After we get out the door, we first drop Jacob off at Miss Jackie's house and then second Micah and I drive to school. I first bring him to his class and then I go clock in for work and get ready for my day.

My official job is going to start on Monday. I will be going into each 3rd and 5th classroom everyday and helping the students who tested just below proficiency to try to help them meet proficiency. But this week I went around to all the grades in all the classrooms and helped out where I could. I love being back at school and in the classroom interacting with students. It is also really different for me because growing up I went to private school 1st grade thru college and when I taught before I always taught in Christian schools.

One thing that I do think that is really cool is that since 70% of the families are military every morning when the flag goes up and every afternoon when the flag goes down, they play colors and everyone on campus freezes and turns toward the flag.

My parents also left on Thursday. They were here for 3 weeks and I cannot even tell you how much they helped. We were sad to see them go but our next visitor will be here is 2 1/2 weeks...is it you?

Superheros-protecting Ashley Ave.

Robin- Jacob, Spiderman-Noah, Red Ninja-Jalen, Batman-Micah

Micah's first day in class

Ready for his first day
Micah and his teacher, Mrs. Kaneshiro
Working at his desk
In his classroom

Nine years and counting!

Today is our anniversary, wow 9 years. It has gone so quickly. About 5 minutes after I got home from work today, a florist delivered a beautiful arrangement of roses, lilies,and daisies-it is beautiful and smells so good. We got cards and some really nice emails. I wish we were together so we could celebrate together

I love you Darrick and I love sharing my life with you! Happy Anniversary Honey!

She's works hard for the money...kind of

Today was my first day at work! It was different for me to get up and get ready and then leave the house without the boys! They stayed with my mom and dad today. I have always loved school so much. There is just something about walking on campus and seeing all the kids and going into the classes that ignites a little spark in me. Today I went and helped out in all 3 of the 3rd grade classes. It was easy, and it is hard to realize that I am getting paid for it. I love interacing with students and getting to know them.

Tomorrow Micah will have his first full day of kindergarten! He is excited.

Where in the world is Matt Flint?

Matt, Darrick and I were both so excited that you responded to our blog. Darrick has been wondering how to get in touch with you.

Matt Flint was stationed with Darrick on his first ship and he is a great guy. They were best buddies on the USS Supply and I met him when I moved to New Jersey after we got married.

Matt, we would love to have you come visit. We are stationed here with Sonya Haught. She is still in contact with Bryan and he is coming out to visit the 1st week in October. Is there anyway you could make it too? It would be so fun for us to all be together again.

Please let us know how we can get a hold of you!

Today Micah had his first day of actual kindergarten. It was a half day and only half the class. He did great and said that he loves school. Praise God!

Tonight we went to the Hale Koa for a Hopper swim party but the weather was weird and it rained off and on. But the boys had fun in the pool and my parents enjoyed relaxing by the pool and walking on the shore of Waikik Beach.

All Hail the Chief!!!

Yes! Today Darrick called me and asked if I knew who it was...and I was like "yea, it's Darrick my husband" and he said, "It's DCC Selectee!" which means Damage Controlman Chief Selectee! Yes, Darrick made Chief! Throughout the entire US Navy 240 damage controlman first classes were eligable and 70 were chosen. Only 4 people on the Hopper made it. Now starts the 6 week initiation which is very intense and time consuming, but it is all worth it. So congratulations honey, I am so proud of you!

A Perfect Day

Mom and Dad

Today we had the best day. We got up and had a very yummy breakfast at the Wright Bros. Cafe. It was a beautiful morning and we were able to eat outside. We saw one ship leaving and one ship coming in which my parents really enjoyed seeing. From there we headed up to Shark's Cove. The sky was so blue today with a few big white puffy clouds. The temp. was 87 degrees with a warm wind blowing. The water was so warm it felt like a bath tub! We all got in and went snorkeling. My mom and I went out the farthest and saw so many amazing and beautiful fish. None of us wanted to get out of the water. Even Jacob got in and snorkeled for the first time. After a few hours there we stopped at the General Store in Haleiwa to get Shave Ice. Mom and I got ice cream in the bottom, which is the best way to have it. I think that we will all sleep really good tonight and I hope my parents can get out of bed in the morning!
Mom, Micah and Jenn
Micah and Jacob

Jenn and the boys
Nana, Jacob, Micah and Papa

Kindergarten Kamp

Today was Orientation Day at Lehua Elementary School. We started off the morning at Kindergarten Kamp. There are three kindergarten classes and Micah is in C2 with Mrs. Kaneshiro. He has two neighborhood kids in his class. My parents went to Kamp with us. We had a tour of the school, met with his teacher and other staff members and got to see his classroom. Tomorrow starts testing where each kindergartener is tested one on one with their teacher for 20 minutes. It was an exciting day!

Mom, Micah and Dad at the USS Utah Memorial. It is sticking out of the water on the right, it is all rusty.

First Tooth

Last Wednesday while Micah was brushing his teeth, he came to me and said his tooth hurt. When I looked at it we discovered it was loose. Well after a whole week of wiggling it, it came out this afternoon! And it was pretty soon after we got back from looking at the class lists...I feel like Micah is growing up before my eyes today. It is exciting but sad because Darrick is missing it, but I guess there will be more teeth to lose and more first days of school. So tonight the Tooth Fairy is coming to our house...does anyone know how much teeth are worth these days?

Getting ready for Kindergarten

Today Lehua Elementary posted the class lists for school. So Mommy, Micah, Jacob, Nana and Papa went to go find Micah's name on the list.

Papa and Micah riding the waves!

Dad and Mom swimming in the ocean