Sunday

Our original plans for today didn't work out because of rain but it was still a nice day. We went to church in the morning and then we were planning on riding the train in Ewa Beach.

We had lunch at McDonalds and then went home and showed Nana and Papa the video of the boys Christmas programs at school. Then they watched "Racing Stripes" with the boys while Darrick and I did our lesson for our Marriage study.

This evening we had our study and Nana and Papa watched the kids upstairs while the couples met downstairs.

After everyone left we gave the boys a quick bath while Nana and Papa fed the girls-our guinea pigs! Nana took to it right away and was a natural. Papa had a little difficulty. He didn't know whether to hold the food or the guinea pig and then it kept trying to wiggle away from him. I think he was glad to hand Twinkle back!

4th time visitors!

Yesterday afternoon we picked up Nana and Papa from the airport (Jenn's mom and dad). This is their 4th time visiting us since we moved here 3 1/2 years ago.

They had a great flight even though it was long. It took a full 6 hours because of the wind. They were about 40 minutes late and the boys could hardly wait any longer. We greeted them with leis and lots of hugs and kisses.

We took it easy last night because everyone was so tired. We went to dinner at Zippy's and then watched "Over the Hedge".

Our Day at the Beach

Today since it was a holiday we were able to get together with our friends Beth and Oscar. They came out to look for housing in December and have now moved here with their two kids, Hezekiah and Genesis.

We know each other because Beth's sister-in-law, Susan, is one of my good friends from childhood, who married Beth's brother. Also in high school my brother Sam dated Beth for a little while. Plus we all rode the same school bus and went to Ontario Christian.

It was amazing weather and we stayed over 5 hours! Oscar brought a mini BBQ and we grilled hotdogs and played in the ocean all day. Micah decided to try surfing and did so awesome!

Enjoy the slideshow!

Day at the beach with Friends

Introducing Sarah

This afternoon Micah picked out his guinea pig. Miss Teri thought she had another girl that was tan but it turns out that she doesn't. So Micah could choose a white one with red eyes or wait for the next letter. He tried holding and feeding one and feel in love with her, so we took her home.

She is an albino and had lots of rosettes in her fur which makes her fur stand up funny but Micah loves her! He also got her eating apples and carrots from his hand already.

Time to Update!!!

Boy do I have a lot to catch everyone up on! On Februray 8 we celebrated Micah's 7th birthday. We made chocolate cupcakes for hime to give to his class and they were a hit! He also got a birthday hat at school but he didn't really like it too much.

Right around Christmas we met a new family that moved from San Diego and is now stationed on the Lake Erie too. Their names are Carlos, Pat and Abbie. Well Pat's birthday is also February 8 and some of her neighbors invited us over to celebrate her birthday. We had an awesome dinner and dessert.

Also on Friday we picked up a guinea pig to babysit for the weekend. One of the teachers at Jacob's preschool has guinea pigs and right now she has a lot of babies that need homes. Jacob wanted one so I agreed to watch "Skittles" over the weekend to see what it was like having one as a pet.

The boys LOVED Skittles but I think Luke thought it was a toy becaise everytime he would poke it, it would squeak. I did a lot of research on the internet and we went to the library and checked out a bunch of books on guinea pigs.

Saturday I turned into "Super Soccer Mom". I woke up at 5:30 am to cut endless oranges and assemble bags of lunches for after the games. Yes, it was my weekend to bring halftime oranges and after game lunch. In Hawaii instead of just a snack after the game you provide a lunch to each player. And of course I was scheduled to bring snacks for Micah and Jacob's teams on the same day. Micah had a game at 8 am and Jacob at 10 plus I had to ref a game at 9:15. It was truly a day I wished Darrick was home.

Sunday after church Pat, Abbie and me and the boys ate lunch at the Beach Cafe and then hung out at the beach. It was such a beautiful day and the kids swam in the water. We were also surprised to find out the Lake Erie was pulling back in to get gas and the guys were coming home Sunday night!!! While we were at the beach we watched the ship pull into Pearl Harbor!

Monday and Tuesday I subbed in a 3rd grade class.

Darrick had duty on Monday and since the ship was still here we brought dinner to him on the ship so we could spend more time together.

Tuesday night Darrick also got to come home and the boys would not leave him alone. There was a lot of wrestling going on. The sailors did not have to report back to the ship until today (Wednesday at 3:00) so Darrick and I had the morning together.

It was nice for Darrick to help bring the boys to school. When we got to school the teacher told us that the guinea pig mom died last night so if we want to adopt a baby we can now. So Darrick and I shopped this morning for the supplies we need. In our research we learned that guinea pigs like to have company so we agreed to get two females, one for Micah and one for Jacob. So after school they picked out their babies. Jacob picked his right away and named her "Twinkle" because he likes the song "Twinkle twinkle little star". The only other girl was white with red eyes and Micah did not like her. So they teacher said she has others she can bring on Friday and Micah can pick.

We decided to keep the guinea pigs upstairs in the playroom since Luke is only allowed downstairs. Jacob spent a lot of time tonight cuddling with Twinkle and singing her song to her. So sweet!

Perfect T-shirts

This weekend I found 2 t-shirts that just seem to sum each of the boys up at the stage they are at right now. It could almost be their own personal motto!

Jacob: Let's Do it MY WAY Then we can do it MY WAY
Micah: Today's Forecast 100% chance of video games

Super Cast off Sunday

This afternoon we took Luke to the vet, yes right in the middle of the Super Bowl. The vet did an x-ray today to see how it is coming a long and we had some good news! His leg is healed so no more cast!

But there was some not so good parts. His leg and foot are pretty nasty. His paw is huge and he has some sores from where the splint was rubbing and some puffiness so he is on antibiotics. It is really tender so he is walking on only three legs. The bone healed pretty good but he does not have the full range of motion that he does with his other three feet, it is more stiff and does not bend really. And he had to get a HUGE cone-the biggest yet-to keep him away from the sore spots.

But all in all I think it turned out good, thank you God!

What a week!

The boys and I had quite a busy week this week! Darrick and the ship made it to San Diego safely at the beginning of the week. At night he has been freezing but it was all worth it when he got to eat at In-n-Out!

Micah was awarded with his 2nd GLO STAR award. He was very proud and I enjoyed the assembly. After the assembly was the most beautiful full rainbow in the sky-I'm so glad I had my camera. It has been raining a lot lately so I have seen a couple everyday.


The boys have each had caterpillars now for a couple of weeks and this week they both hatched out of their cocoons. Jacob's came out while he was at school so I took these pictures so he could see it. The butterflies were so beautiful!


On Friday I took Jacob to get his haircut because this coming week they are having school pictures as well as he will be having Preschool Graduation pictures. He has been wanting to grow it out like Micah but he just has gnarly hair, like his Uncle Dave. It was just getting thick and bushy. So he got a normal boy haircut style and I love it!

One day this week I subbed and I was the Music Teacher. It was super easy because they cancelled the classes with band and I just had to show a video about music to the classes I did have.

We also had some news, which some of you will love and some of you will not.

Darrick called me and told me that the ship wants him to stay another year. Even though we chose the orders to Lemoore we were penciled in as having them and we were just awaiting the official orders. So basically they are not ours anymore more. It all comes down to money, politics and where the Navy needs people and how much it costs the Navy to move them. So as of right not we will be staying in Hawaii until August of 2009. The only thing that could change it is if Darrick makes it into the officer program, which we should find out in the next couple of weeks.

There are definitly pros and cons. This will be great for Darrick's career but not so good for family time. It will be great to give the boys some more stability but not good for the adventure of moving to Ca. And of course it will be good to stay at our church and school and with our friends but it is not good for being apart longer from our family and friends in California.

So if you thought you might not be able to make it to Hawaii before this summer-it looks like you may have another year to save and get out here!

Soccer Saturday

Today was a full day of soccer and with Darrick gone it was all up to me!

It started with getting to the field at 8:15 am for Jacob's soccer pictures. It looked cute but he has the hardest time trying to smile.

Then it was off to Jacob's soccer game. They played the Warriors. Jacob got a total break away and scored a sweet goal. He was so proud.

After Jacob's game it was my turn to ref a game for Jacob's division. The boys sat on the sidelines while I ran up and down the field. I made a few mistakes but the parents and coaches were very gracious to me.

Then at 11:00 Micah had his soccer pictures and then his game. Micah took a really hard kick in the gut. He cried a little and came out to sit but then jumped right back into the game the next quarter.

Now we are home again and all showered and clean. We are getting ready to watch Stars Wars-Episode 1. May the force be with you!

The Big 5

Today is Jacob's real birthday and now he is 5 years old! I can hardly believe it. But you know I have found 5 to be a hard age to parent. I loved when both of the boys went through the 4's and so far 6 almost 7 for Micah has been great-but 5 stinks!

They are starting to try to be their own person and try to do more things and things they know they shouldn't. Darrick and I have both learned that 5 year olds know EVERYTHING and we know nothing. They also tend to be very dramatic and moody. And at late 4 and 5 they both picked up the word boring. Everything is SO Boring!

Thank goodness it is only a phase!

Also now that Jacob has turned 5 we put his special blankie into his memory box. He was fine with it and has only asked for it twice. But I have no idea how we are going to get him to stop sucking his thumb. The dentist and pediatrician both told us he needs to stop. Right now we are just not going to worry about it. Any thumb suckers out there?

Happy Birthday Jake! We love you so much! You are still our cuddler and love to be cozy. Somehow you are just cool, you don't try to be but you are one of those people who are, and people tell us that all the time. You make us laugh with the funny things you say and do and cry with frustration. May God continue to bless you and give us strength to parent you!

Marriage on the Rock

Today Darrick and I started a marriage series called "Marriage on the Rock", not marriage on the rocks :) by Jimmy Evans. We opened up our home so we are hosting and another couple are the shepherds or leaders and then there is one other couple. There are 52 couples in our church doing the study.

We will be meeting every Sunday at 5:00 pm for the next 10 weeks. For part of it Darrick will be in San Diego so we have to do via email. We are both really looking forward to it.

Happy Birthday Micah and Jacob-a little early

Today we celebrated the boys birthdays. Darrick is leaving this week with the ship to go to San Diego for about a month and will miss both of their birthdays. Jacob will be 5 on January 23 and Micah will be 7 on February 8.

Micah was thrilled and surprised to get a Nintendo DS! Jacob loved his puzzle from Nana and Papa and his first big boy scooter!

We had chocolate cake and ice cream and spent the day together. It was a good way to celebrate.

Goodbye Old Friend

Yesterday our dear Pepsi passed away. Darrick's mom bought Pepsi for him about a year before Darrick joined the Navy. When Darrick joined my parents agreed to take over the responsibility of taking care of Pepsi. Jeff was young and really enjoyed having Pepsi as a pet. These pictures are from this summer when we were visiting my parents. Thank you Dad, Mom and Jeff for giving Pepsi a loving home.

Another day of subbing

Wednesday morning at 6:30 am I got called to sub again. In order for me to get to school in time we have to leave the house at 6:45! So we had to get ready quick but we made it.

I was in a 3rd grade class, my favorite age! It went well. It is also nice that other teachers are meeting me and they really like the fact that I am an experienced teacher. One teacher already asked me to sub 2 days for her in February!

Today I did not get called, which was nice because I could get some errands done.

There is also a terrible news story that happened here today. A man threw a toddler off an overpass into the freeway traffic below. The child died and they are still trying to figure out why this happened. Also a woman was murdered the day before. Things like that never happen here so everyone is in shock.

hiho, hiho, it's back to work I go

Today was my first day as a sub in Hawaii. I actually got the phone call last night, which I like so much better then getting called in the morning. The assignment was for First Grade at Iroquois Point Elementary-Micah's school.

So the boys and I had to get up much earlier then normal and we had to be out the door by 6:45 am. Then we dropped Jacob off at before school care and then Micah and I headed to school.

I signed in and got my key and headed to the classroom. To my surprise there were NO lesson plans! Yikes! So I winged it the best I could. But later in the morning, the teacher's roommate brought the lesson plans. Then things went much better. The day went really fast and everything went smoothly.

Since I have my teaching degree, I am in the highest pay category, which means I get paid $147.00 a day! When I subbed in NJ about 10 years ago I got paid about $70.00.

So all in all, it went really good. But one funny thing happened. All the classrooms have really big windows. A couple of times I saw Micah pass the window and peek in. Then his teacher told me at recess that Micah went to the bathroom about 4 times this morning and was wondering if he was ok. I said he was and that I think he was spying on me!

Some ladies also came by because they were checking the students in the school for headlice. One of my students have to leave because they were infected. Oh dear!

Jacob's hair

From the time Jacob was born, he has had very challenging hair, as you can see from the first picture. Darrick wanted to cut it right away, but I told him you cannot take a little baby to the barber. So we dealt with it for many months. I finally gave in and we got Jacob a haircut. Soon after that his hair grew very thick so we started to get him buzz cuts. It looked cute on him and he has had his hair like this for about 4 years. But now he has decided that he wants to grow his hair out, I think because Micah is growing his out. This morning was the first time we could style it since it finally got long enough. But all his hair grows forward so I had to but gel in it to get it to stay to the side. What do you think?