Images of our Halloween

Happy Halloween from the Hays Family!

Jenn: Tinkerbell, Darrick: Captain Hook, Jacob: Robin, Micah: The Human Torch

Goodie Bags Micah and I made for his class

Well I am back from my Weekend retreat.
On Saturday while I was gone Jenn and the boys went to a Halloween party and a going away party for the Shedd's.
The retreat was a good time of learning what a man of God looks like and what I need to do to be that man. I think something I struggle with is me trying to do good things for God rather than allowing God to do good things through me. Another thing is I sometimes get so mad at people when they do things they shouldn't do. The speaker said to remember they are lost and need Jesus. That will really help me to keep from getting angry.
On Saturday on the retreat we had free time so we played some basketball and went swimming. I did okay on the court but hurt my ankle again so it is pretty swollen tonight.

Today I got home in time to meet Jenn and the boys at Church and hear the message. When we got home we rested and Jenn actually slept. Then we went for a bike ride around the housing area. The weather was so nice today with a nice cool breeze. After our ride Jacob tried riding his bike without the training wheels. He actually did really good but we put the wheels back on because he needs a little more time. He still likes to look around when he rides and when he did that he would fall over.

The past few days I have been down and out with the flu. It hit me early morning Wednesday and of course, how it always goes, Darrick was leaving to go out to sea Wednesday thru Friday. I stayed home from work for 2 days and mostly in bed. But I am finally starting to feel better today and was able to go to work but took it easy.

Today after school was the Lehua Family Fun Fair. So the boys and I went and had a really great time. They had different games and a cake walk and yummy food like shave ice, nachos and hot dogs. Micah and I each won once on the Cake walk and Micah chose cookies and I chose brownies.

Darrick did come back tonight but later than expected so we did not get to spend anytime with him. Mike Ching from Bible Study picked him up soon after he got home and they rode together to HCWO's Men's Retreat. It is Friday-Sunday and even though we haven't seen him in days, I'm so happy that he can go.

Gold Bullet

It was so wonderful today when I started the van this morning and it was so quiet!!! What a blessing! We forgot to mention yesterday what the problem was. It was the tensioner (Don't ask me what or where that is). Darrick had changed the tensioner pulley but not the tensioner. So thanks to the mechanics at the Autoport for fixing our van. By the way the Gold bullet is what we call our van. The boys love Gold Bullet and think it is the fastest and coolest car on the road.

And we all seem to be adjusting to life without Moses. The boys did not mention him this morning before school so I did not either. And they didn't mention him in the afternoon. Only once in the evening they each asked me where he was but there were no tears. That was one of the hardest nights for me as a mom. I knew we were doing the right thing but it broke my heart to hear the boys cry like that. I had to lay in bed with Micah until he finally fell asleep. He kept saying the sadest things like "Will Moses forget me?" "Will they change his name?" "I love Moses"...

Hopefully the worst is over!

Bye Moses

Well today was a bit of a sad day. The family that adopted Moses picked him up. Everything was going good until it came time for the family to take him away, Micah started crying, the hardest cry we have seen from him in a long time. It was hard but we feel it is the best thing for Moses. We took a picture with the family so you could see who adopted him. The little girls were so excited to get Moses, we could tell they will give him plenty of love and attention. Besides the little girls they have another dog at home and a big yard for them to play in.

Also we have a huge praise. We got our van back today and it was nice and quiet. Not only was it quiet but it didn't cost even close to what we thought they would try to charge us and we got a screw taken out of one of the tires and the hole fixed so the van is ready for our next visitors.

Saturday

Well we finally decided that it is time to take the van in. The squealing is so bad, it is embarrassing. So we brought it to the Autoport on the Navy Base so hopefully they can figure out what is going on with it. But in the meantime that left us without a car so we rented a car. It is a Dodge Neon. We are really enjoying driving around in the car, and it is blue, which the boys like.

Then we had to go to Honolulu to pick up the papers that prove Moses is a pure breed Cairin Terrier. And here is another God thing. The Navy housing in Washington does not have fenced in backyards so we decided it would be best to not take Moses but we were not sure what to do. We wanted him to go to a good family, but how would we find one? Well last week Darrick was talking with some people on the ship and they were talking about pets and Darrick just threw it out there that we were looking for a home for Moses and one guy said he wants him. He has 3 kids who want a dog. So next week we will bring Moses to his new family. We are sad but we feel it is for the best.

Yesterday I got my haircut. It was just getting too long and I was starting to get headaches. So I got about 4 inches cut off and layers put back in it and the lady thinned it out. It feels so good.

We also got our first takers who are going to come visit us before we leave. They are coming the second week in November. We are so excited! Who are they? You'll just have to wait to see!

Letting God do His thing...

It never fails to amaze me how God works everything out for us in His time and not our own and also that He has such good things in store for us, better then what we think we want.

Once again, like I wrote before, I had our future all worked out. In the present moment I wanted San Diego so we could be 2 hours away from my family and because it was familiar to me. I wanted to send the boys the City Tree Christian School, where I use to teach when we lived there and I was going to try to get a job there. We knew living there was going to be expensive, but oh well, what could we do. Darrick and I have talked often about someday owning a home near the woods, we both love the outdoors and the forest. Darrick has also talked about wanting to live somewhere cheaper so we will be ok when he retires from the Navy. But those were our quiet desires for the future that we kept tucked away inside our hearts.

And then BAM out of nowhere God reveals His next step for our lives: Washington. God listened to our hearts and gave us what is best for us and not what I thought we needed. And today I had another comfirmation that this is the path God wants us on.

Today I talked to Jackie, who takes care of Jacob while I work, and told her that we are moving. She sat there a little amazed and said that her supervisors implemented some new rules for the providers that imposed on her family, like no home schooling your own children, etc... and she was considering quitting but was unsure what to do with finding another provider for Jacob. I told her we are leaving in December and that is the same time she was thinking of quitting! Can you even believe it? We love Jackie and the only reason we have Jacob there is because she and her family are Christians and that is the type of home we want Jacob in. But God is working it all out. I can't wait to see what He will do next!

Blessed

Tonight I am feeling blessed...not because I have a kitchen filled with dirty dishes but the events of the day.

Jacob woke up with an upset tummy today so he and I stayed home. He is feeling better tonight and his appetite is back.

So since I was home I did some laundry and while I fold clothes my mind wanders and I got an idea. For the past few nights I have been researching schools for Micah in Washington. I found an amazing Christian school that just seemed to have evrything we are looking for, it is called Nothshore Christian Academy. So my idea was that I needed to call them and see if they have any openings for kindergarten starting in January. The woman I talked to was the Admissions Director and she was great and very friendly. And she told me that she just got notice of a kindergarten opening in January! So we took it and she is reserving it for Micah Hays. God is so amazing and has everything so perfectly planned, it is almost hard to wrap your brain around. Here is the link to the school if you want to check it out: http://www.northshorechristianschools.org/

Then this afternoon I got a call from a girl named Linda. She is the sister of my friend Gloria Bracamonte and her and her husband, Josh, just arrived here on island yesterday because they just got stationed here. This is their first move and they were feeling pretty lost. So I went to pick them up to hang out with us.

The neighborhood was having another BBQ since we still had defrosted food left over from Sunday after the earthquake. So I invited Linda and her husband Josh to join us. I know I have said this many times before but I love our neighbors. We are so blessed to have them. We truly have become the dearest of friends and all our kids just act like one big happy family. We had such yummy food and Tonya made a yummy chocolate pudding pie (by the way Tonya, I already ate my piece, so good thing we split it between us).

Darrick is out to sea this week but will be back tomorrow, which is the last thing I feel so blessed about. Monday morning I woke up to find a note from Darrick on the counter in the kitchen. He was just thanking me for supporting him and loving him through all the Navy throws at us and to tell me that he loves me. It really made my day and makes me feel warm when I think about it. I love you too Darrick and would follow you anywhere-but I prefer somewhere close to family and in the USA!

We're okay!

Our life has been on full speed lately and it has been hard for us to find a moment to slow down.

We have a few items of really big news:

1. We survived the earthquake! Darrick had duty Saturday so the boys and I were getting up and waiting for Darrick to come home so we could go to church. And then the earth started shaking! It was strong and the biggest one I have ever felt. The entire island lost power! So everyone started to hang out outside. We borrowed a car to get to church because I was scheduled to Sunday school. There were people there, only a lot less then normal. Darrick was stuck on the ship. When we got home the neighborhood had an impromptu BBQ until about 4 pm when the power came back on. Thanks for the calls we got to make sure we were ok!

2. On Friday Darrick got a call from the higher up people in charge of Navy region west asking him if he would come to the USS Ingraham and be their Chief since they do not have one. Here is a little history. Our time in Hawaii is coming to an end September 2007 so this December 2006 it is time for us to pick our new orders. We were planning on San Diego. About 3 times Darrick mentioned to me "Have you thought about Washington?" "No of course not" I said, "we are going to San Diego!" Darrick couldn't believe it on Friday when they called and requested him in Everett, Washington! We feel really peaceful and sense God's leading but we were not planning on moving so quickly. This has all been verbal agreements so far and we are waiting for the paper orders. Darrick will leave the Hopper December 15, 2006 and report to the Ingraham January 15, 2007. So this holiday season we will be moving again! So if anyone wants to visit who has not, this is your LAST chance! We also found out today that Darrick will be leaving for another CARAT cruise (which he just returned from) around May 2007. So we are busy researching housing and where we can send Micah for school and learn all we can about the area.

Our New House Guests

This morning the boys and I went to the airport to pick up our next visitors: Charlie, Maud and Amelie Hays! Charlie is Darrick's brother, Maud is Charlie's wife and Amelie is their 8 month old daughter.

This is the first time we have met Amelie and I for one am heads over heels in love with my niece. I just can't get enough of her. She is sleeping now and I just want her to be awake. She is crawling and loves watching Micah and Jacob acting like goof balls. I am so happy to be an Auntie and to have an adorable little girl to love. We are going to have a wonderful week together!

After we picked them up from the airport we had lunch and then drove to Pali Lookout. It is super humid today and overcast so the view was not awesome but they still enjoyed it. Tonight we brought Subway to Darrick, he has duty, so we could eat dinner together.

Here are a few highlights since my last update:

The van is still having issues. It is still squealing really bad. Darrick changed the belt and the pulley and brought the alternator in to be checked but still it squeaks! And it is driving Darrick crazy and about every guy Darrick talks to about it. What is funny is that most guys will say to Darrick "Let me look at it" so they both stare under the hood and listen to the squeak and then they give their opinion.

Last night Micah had his first sleepover. We are on Fall Recess this week because we are in year round school. Micah's friend Jalen, who lives 2 doors down from us invited Micah to spend the night since there was no school today. I think it was harder for me then him. He did great and had fun-I can't get over how big he is!

Darrick's leave is over now and he has gone back to work as Chief. He is enjoying it but is still getting use to being in a new position.

My friend Sonya has still NOT had her baby! She went to the doctor today and everything is still fine. Her next doctor appt. is Wednesday and if nothing has happened by then they are planning to schedule her to be induced.

I love so much when family and friends visit-a piece of home here in Hawaii.

Random Thoughts from Jenn

Our Car: what is up with our van lately? Before Darrick came home, the rearview mirror fell off and so did one of the arm rests. Then it started making this really terrible squealing sound. This weekend someone backed into us in a parking lot and put a big dent in the side and yesterday we had a flat tire! I tried to fix the rearview mirror by myself while Darrick was gone by super gluing it on. But what I didn't know was that there is a button that you slide out and glue that onto the glass first then once it is dry you slide the mirror onto the button. So I basically superglued the button to the mirror...opps. Thankfully Darrick was finally able to get it loose and is going to fix the mirror today. Yesterday he also put the armrest back on, changed the belt and fixed the tire!

The CW network: One of my favorite shows is "America's Next Top Model" which is on the UPN network. When we moved to Hawaii I soon discovered that they do not have UPN here and I learned to live without my show. I have also been a very faithful viewer for many years of "7th Heaven" and "Gilmore Girls" which were on the WB which we do get in Hawaii. When it was announced that UPN and WB were merging to make CW I was so excited that I would get to watch "Top Model" again...WRONG! Hawaii is not playing the new CW network-and yes I had a freak out session, just ask Darrick! No 7th Heaven or Gilmore Girls...I thought this was paradise!

Sonya: my friend Sonya is going to have a baby. She is going to be a single mom and asked me to be her support person during labor. Well her due date was September 21 and today is the 27th and still no baby! We are just waiting for the phone to ring saying its time. We sleep with the phone by our bed in case she calls during the night, but nothing! We can't wait to meet this little guy.

It is 6:00 am in the morning here and the world is just starting to wake up, I hear the birds chirping. All the boys, including the big boy, are still sleeping and I am enjoying some quiet time by myself but it is time to get breakfast going and get ready to go to school. Have a good day everyone!

From the Chief

Hello everyone this is Darrick.
I am sorry you have not heard form us, Jenn has been asking me to update for days but I just haven't. Above is a picture of me getting my anchors. I still have a hard time believing it sometimes, I am a Chief, because after the ceremony we pulled in and I went on leave so I have not been to work as a Chief yet.

So what have we done? We have been to Shark's Cove and the Hale Koa again but this time for Friday night swimming and fire works. On Friday one of the guys I recruited with, Wade, pulled into Pearl Harbor on the USS Boxer so he went with us the the Hale Koa and then on Saturday Wade and the boys and I went to Sharks Cove and did a little driving around the Island. Yesterday Jenn had to work but Micah was off from school so the boys and I went to the Bishop Museum and spent a couple of hours in the Science Center learning about Volcanoes and Waves. We like it because we learn about how Hawaii came to be. Other than that we have hung out at home and went on evening walks and jogs around housing.

Friday I have to go back to work but as a Chief so I will try to tell you how that was.

Just spending time

It is so hard to explain in words what it is like to have your husband gone and basically out of touch and then the next day he pops back into your life and is sleeping in bed with you again. It all feels familiar but different because they boys have grown, I got a job, Micah started school and we have new routines. But we always thank the Lord for our foundation in Christ that keeps our marriage on solid ground.

We are so thankful that the boys have had no problem readjusting and are so happy Daddy is home. About 20 times a day Jacob stops and looks at Darrick and either tells him "I missed you Daddy" or "I love you". They just want to be with Darrick every single minute and go where he goes.

On Friday after we left the ship we came home and Darrick took a 3 hour nap. He had only gotten 1 1/2 hours of sleep the night before because it was his final night of iniation, so he was exhausted. Once he was up we took a walk and played. We were all in bed early after such a busy day.

Saturday late morning we went to the Hale Koa and swam in the pool. The boys had so much fun showing Daddy all they could do in the water. It was so nice to be together as a family and I enjoyed a little time on a lounge chair by myself while Darrick swam with the boys.

This morning we went to church and Darrick was welcomed back by many people who were happy to see him. Jacob and I both took naps and Micah and Darrick have been playing trains. Tomorrow Micah and I are also taking the day off from school so we can have another day together.

Homecoming Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our Last Day

This is it...our last day until Darrick comes home. I woke up and instantly got butterflies in my stomach. The boys and I have been busy making banners, getting haircuts, and of course cleaning things up.

The Hopper will be going through the channel at 8:00 am so it will be a early morning for us. We are going to go to Hickam Airforce Base and watch the ship come through. Then we will hop in the van and head over to Pearl Harbor to watch the ship pull in pier side. For being on the support group board I was given a VIP parking pass so I get to park up close!

Another ship that was out to sea with the Hopper will be pulling in 1 hour after us on the same pier so there is going to be a lot of people. Plus the Navy Band, and Hula dancers, it is going to be quite a celebration!

Today is also the last day of Darrick's initation to be Chief and it is an all nighter but then in the morning before they pull in he will be pinned as Chief and will be wearing his new uniform when we see him! Congratulations Darrick.

So today the cup art goes in the fences, the banners get hung up, and all of our last minute preparations get done...I think I better shave my legs!

Getting Closer

As you can see from our ticker the time is quickly coming to an end!

I had such a good time when Becky was here, it was hard to see her go. One night my friend Sonya was able to come over and stay with the boys and we went out to dinner at the Cheesecake Factory, went shopping at the Ala Moana Mall and then hung out at Barnes and Noble. She left to go back to Michigan on Wednesday.

So we finished out our week with school and bible study on Thursday.

Friday night the boys and I relaxed and hung out and had our last movie night without Daddy. We popped popcorn and watched "Chicken Run". It is not a new movie but we had never seen it before. I also cut the front and back yards after school hoping that will be the last time before Darrick gets home.

Saturday we did some cleaning up and homecoming preparation at our house.

Today I taught preschool Sunday School at church and then we had a get together for the ship to get stuff together for the ship. We painted some banner to hang up and then made gift bags for the single sailors that live in the barracks.

Our goal this week is to get to bed on time so we are nice and rested up for Friday! Micah and I are going to take Friday and Monday off so we can spend time together as a family.

What we've been up to!

Wednesday: After school, which got out at 12:25, we went to Shark's Cove to go snorkeling. We stopped at Stordo's for lunch! We saw amazing fish and had one of the best snorkeling days ever. Then we stopped and had some shave ice with ice cream and shopped around a little. Then before we headed home we had dinner at Cholo's.

Thursday: Becky and I got pedicures and ran some errands. At night we had Bible Study at our house.

Friday: We had lunch with Micah at school for "eat lunch with your child month". We had roast turkey with gravy, vegetables, a roll, and rice. Yummy! Then after school we went down to the Hale Koa and swam and watched the fireworks.

Saturday: We had a kid's preparation party for homecoming. The kid's made lei's for their sailor out of colored noodles, that Becky and I dyed. Then my friend Sonya came over and watched the boys so Becky and I could have a girl's night out. We had dinner at the Cheesecake Factory and then went shopping, we had a great time.

Sunday: Today we went to church and then have been relaxing the rest of the day-we all took naps too!

We are having a really good time and are glad we still have a few days together!

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

Yes, we're still here!

Since we picked up my parents it seems like we have been so busy.

Thursday: my parents watched Jacob while Micah and I went to VBS. Then Thursday night we had Bible Study at our house. Dad and Mom joined us and we all had a nice time.

Friday: my parents watched Jacob again while we went to VBS. Then they met us at VBS to see Micah sing in the VBS finale. He did such a good job Mom and Dad treated us to Dave's Ice cream. At night we had movie night and watched "High School Musical".

Saturday: my dad edged and mowed the grass!! And he got the edger started right away, Sam-we must have been doing something wrong! Then in the afternoon we went to Haleiwa and hung out at the beach. I was really surprised how much time my parents spent in the ocean. It was warm and they just played in the waves and dad even body surfed, kind of. Some of the waves knocked him over and dragged him to the beach and then pulled him back, it was pretty funny. Then we had dinner at Killer Tacos.

Sunday: was church in the morning and then a restful day. We watched a movie and the boys swam in our pool in the front yard. In the evening we walked to the minimart to check it out and get an after dinner snack.

Monday: Mom and Dad babysat the boys and our neighbor Loretta. I had my first day at work. It was called Lehua on tour. The staff toured Pearl Harbor, Ford Island, military housing and a historic hawaiian church. It was very interesting and I learned a lot.

My mom and dad have been such a great help! They are doing laundry, cleaning up, helping with the boys, giving me back rubs, taking care of the car, watering the lawn etc. I am so thankful they are here!

And the guests are...

Papa and Nana Gutierrez! Yes, they were here a few months ago in the spring and are now back-they are really living the retired life! They came to visit us and give me help and a break while Darrick is deployed as well as help with transition as I go back to work.

After dinner tonight we all took a walk to enjoy the warm breeze and smell the plumeria. Once we got down to the crabs we all were taking our time looking around. All sudden Jacob started screaming like I have never heard him scream before. I turned around and there was about 10 wasps swarming around Jacob's head. My maternal instinct just took over and I started hiting them away with my hands. My mom and dad came running and helped and we got them away. I got stung once but poor Jacob had 2 on his hand, 3 on his ear and a few on the back of his neck.

We started searching the near by bushes and found a large wasp nest. Jacob walked by and bumped it with his head and they came out and attacked. Praise God he is alright!

Darrick called me late last night and they are now in Singapore. It had been weeks since we talked so it was extra good to hear his voice.

Vacation Bible School

Yesterday was the first day of Vacation Bible School at our church. The theme is "Fiesta-where kids are fired up about Jesus!"

I am doing the Crafts and it went really well yesterday. I also helped decorate with my friend Mayra. I met her a few months ago at church. She is from Oaxaca and is newly married (5 months) to Livingston. If you have been here to visit then you know when I say that she lives in Brother Towers on the 26th floor. She invited me and the boys over to see the view, which is amazing!

Micah, Charlie and another friend Joey are all attending VBS and they loved it!

Tomorrow our next visitors fly in...we can't wait!

Hip Hip Hooray-we made it halfway!

Today is the official halfway point through the deployment. Halfway down-halfway to go! We celebrated with a kids halfway party. I was in charge of this event and it went really great. We had face painting. Micah got spiderman and Jacob got a bat on one cheek and a lightning bolt on the other. We had a balloon man come-who was amazing, he could make anything. Micah got a spiderman and Jacob got an alien (I have no idea why he picked that) and a sword. We also had a craft table where kids could make a card to send to their parent on the ship. We also made a kids handprint banner to hang up at the homecoming. Then we had cake and pretzels and cookies.

Next week Thursday is the Adults halfway party!

Thanks

Wow, thanks for all the responses. It seems to be a pretty hot topic and all of you brought up good points. It all really comes down to style choices. My friend prefers preppy and traditional clothes (www.garnethill.com) and I like our boys in relaxed surfer, skater style clothes (Old Navy). She loves the jeans and is keeping them and insists they will look good with a red polo and tennis shoes.

Today the boys and I all went to the dentist. Jacob and I have 0 cavities. Micah has one little one on his last right upper tooth. So he will need a filling. The dentist also had to have a big talk with me about Jacob's mouth. He recommends that Jacob start seeing the orthodontist around 6 years old. He has a very small jaw and his teeth do not fit. He will need head gear to stop his upper jaw from growing outward to let the bottom jaw catch up...he kept going on and on. It made my head spin. Forget college, we have to save for braces first!

We need your opinion

In our neighborhood we have a debate going on and we would like some more opinions. A mom (who shall remain a mystery) bought these jeans for her 4 year old son to wear. Please comment on your thoughts and please be honest! Thanks!
Back of jeans have a little red bird sewn on the pocket
Front has alligators and little red birds

Close-up of back pocket

Cheese Burger in Paradise

Tonight we got together with Mr. and Mrs. Hamiliton. They are friends of my Grandpa and Grandma Vanderbilt and they go to the same church. When my Grandma heard that they were coming to Hawaii she insisted they look up her grandaughter and say "Aloha!" The boys and I picked them up at their hotel and then we parked and walked to Cheese Burger in Paradise for dinner.

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July Everyone! We hope that you had a nice day! We celebrated by attending the 2006 Block Party and Fireworks Spectactular on Pearl Harbor. During the day they had activities for the kids and we also walked around and looked at the booths. We met up with some other Hopper spouses and kids and sat together by the stage. At night before the firework show they had a comedy show with Bert Kreischer, Alonzo Bodden and Jay Mohr. They were pretty funny and told us how much they appreciated what the military is doing and how much the appreciate the families. We all got teary eyed and shed some tears when we stood to hear the National Anthem and then we saw a beautiful firework show. Jacob ended up falling asleep before the fireworks and missed the whole thing. I was so thankful that I borrowed my neighbors wagon because I just loaded Jacob in it, asleep, and was able to get him and all my stuff to the car very easily. The boys both fell asleep on the way home but I was prepared and changed them into their pajamas before we left the parking lot so I could put them straight to bed when we got home!

This night also bring backs a lot of memeories because it was 11 years ago on the 4th of July that after watching fireworks by Upland High School that I said goodbye to Darrick and he left at 3am to go to San Diego to fly out to Boot Camp in Great Lakes, Illinois. Darrick, I am so proud of you and all the sacrifices you make for us and our country. Only 9 more years-we can do it!

RIMPAC 2006

Right now RIMPAC is taking place here. RIMPAC 2006 brings together military forces from Australia, Canada, Chile, Peru, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States. This year's exercise is the 20th in a series of RIMPAC exercises conducted periodically since 1971. More than 40 ships, 6 submarines, 160 aircraft and almost 19,000 Sailors, Airmen, MArines, Soldiers and Coastguardsmen are participating. RIMPAC is intended to enhance the tactical proficiency in a wide array of combined operations at sea. RIMPAC stands for the Rim of the Pacific and helps to promote stability and enhance interoperability.

It is so amazing to see all the different ships here as well as the different flags and uniforms. Needless to say the exchange and commissary are places to avoid with all the added military people. Tomorrow the bases are having huge celebrations to celebrate the 4th and to host all the countries-should be fun!

Darrick called last night and said he is not able to post on our blog right now, the computer guys are trying to figure out why. But he is in Kota Baharu which is in Malaysia.

Shirts Darrick sent the boys from Japan

Neighborhood Night at North Shore last week