Today our adventure led us to the Polynesian Cultural Center. We stopped at a really cool McDonalds for lunch-it had a waterfall on the inside. After lunch we went into the Center. There are 7 native cultures represented: Tonga, Fiji, Tahiti, Samoa, Aotearoa, Marquesas and Hawaii. You can visit each village and watch a show. They were great and so entertaining and really funny too.
We saw drum presntations, learned Tahitian dance moves, fished the ancient way, watched a mock pig hunt, got tatoos and coconut tree climbing plus many other things. It was a great time. We aslso tried delicious pineapple coconut juice-which the boys especially loved. And Jeff and I tried cooked tapioca root and poi. We watched the canoe pageant and rode a canoe.
The center was built by the mormons and many of the people working there are students at Brigham Young University right next door. A lot of the money the center makes is returned to the students in the form of financial aid. It is all very interesting!
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Monday, May 16, 2005
Our Day
This morning we watched our neighbor friends for a couple of hours. So Jeff and I took all 4 boys to the park for about and hour and a half. They all had such a good time-including Jeff! Then we came home and had lunch and then their mom came.
After lunch we headed to the USS Arizona Memorial. We got there at 1:20 and were able to get in line for the 1:30 show. First you see a movie and then you ride a boat over to the memorial. This was my second time and it brought me to tears again. I just can't imagine how those Navy wives must have felt that day. They even have letters on display that were sent to wives telling them that their husband died. It must have been so scary.
Then we headed to the exchange to buy all our tickets for the places we are going to this week. We can get really good prices for the military.
Then we came home and had dinner. It was a nice day and the weather has been great! Until tomorrow...
After lunch we headed to the USS Arizona Memorial. We got there at 1:20 and were able to get in line for the 1:30 show. First you see a movie and then you ride a boat over to the memorial. This was my second time and it brought me to tears again. I just can't imagine how those Navy wives must have felt that day. They even have letters on display that were sent to wives telling them that their husband died. It must have been so scary.
Then we headed to the exchange to buy all our tickets for the places we are going to this week. We can get really good prices for the military.
Then we came home and had dinner. It was a nice day and the weather has been great! Until tomorrow...
Things have been crazy!
Well, as the title says things have been crazy here! Toward the end of the week Jacob got the stomach flu. It always amazes me how I can function when I am woken out of a dead sleep. One minute I am dreaming and then I hear Jacob cry and my maternal instincts just kick in. I see him and the bed covered in throw up and I just know what to do, strip bed, put sheets in washer, bathe Jacob, set up sick bed in living room. But he is finally starting to feel better today.
Saturday I was invited to go to a scrapbooking day in honor or national scrapbooking day 2005 at a hotel in Honolulu. I went with 2 friends from church. It was from 9am-4pm. I started and completed Jacob's ABC scrapbook and had such a nice time.
When I got home we went to Wendy's for dinner and then each got a free Frosty (Thanks for the tip Uncle Marv)! Then we went to the commissary. After that we dropped off our groceries at home and then left for the airport to get Jeff! The boys were so excited the could hardly control themselves. Jeff came in on time and Micah greeted him with a big hug and a lei. Jacob went right to him and they hardly leave his side all day.
We brought Darrick to the ship this morning because he has duty and then they leave on Monday for another week out to sea. We did not go to church since Jacob was just getting over the flu. We took Jeff for a walk around the base and down to the west side of the penisula to see the view, the ocean and the crabs in the water. We enjoyed the warm sunshine and the sweet smell of plumeria in the air.
Then we went to meet Darrick on the ship for a tour of the USS Hopper. On our way home I drove Jeff to Ford Island and showed him a few of the original buildings from the Pearl Harbor attack. We came home for a yummy lunch of homemade tacos and then off again!
We headed to Pali Lookout to see the view and then a little hike. As we were walking up a man told us "You better hold on to your kids!" and boy was he right! The wind was insane. If we would of put Jacob down the wind easily would had blown him over. But the view was amazing! Micah looked at me and told me that my hair was crazy!
We hiked a little and the wind died down on the trail. We visited the nest and bird eggs Micah discovered a few weeks ago. They were still there and had turned a little brown. We returned home and had popsicles. The boys played and rode bikes and then Jeff played soccer with them while I made dinner. After baths and a game of ZINGO the boys were ready for bed.
We need to rest because we have a lot planned!
Saturday I was invited to go to a scrapbooking day in honor or national scrapbooking day 2005 at a hotel in Honolulu. I went with 2 friends from church. It was from 9am-4pm. I started and completed Jacob's ABC scrapbook and had such a nice time.
When I got home we went to Wendy's for dinner and then each got a free Frosty (Thanks for the tip Uncle Marv)! Then we went to the commissary. After that we dropped off our groceries at home and then left for the airport to get Jeff! The boys were so excited the could hardly control themselves. Jeff came in on time and Micah greeted him with a big hug and a lei. Jacob went right to him and they hardly leave his side all day.
We brought Darrick to the ship this morning because he has duty and then they leave on Monday for another week out to sea. We did not go to church since Jacob was just getting over the flu. We took Jeff for a walk around the base and down to the west side of the penisula to see the view, the ocean and the crabs in the water. We enjoyed the warm sunshine and the sweet smell of plumeria in the air.
Then we went to meet Darrick on the ship for a tour of the USS Hopper. On our way home I drove Jeff to Ford Island and showed him a few of the original buildings from the Pearl Harbor attack. We came home for a yummy lunch of homemade tacos and then off again!
We headed to Pali Lookout to see the view and then a little hike. As we were walking up a man told us "You better hold on to your kids!" and boy was he right! The wind was insane. If we would of put Jacob down the wind easily would had blown him over. But the view was amazing! Micah looked at me and told me that my hair was crazy!
We hiked a little and the wind died down on the trail. We visited the nest and bird eggs Micah discovered a few weeks ago. They were still there and had turned a little brown. We returned home and had popsicles. The boys played and rode bikes and then Jeff played soccer with them while I made dinner. After baths and a game of ZINGO the boys were ready for bed.
We need to rest because we have a lot planned!
Thursday, May 12, 2005
It has been a few days...
This has been such a busy week abd very challenging at the same time. The boys have really been misbehaving which usually happens when Darrick is gone for awhile. I am so glad that he will be home tomorrow.
We were going to go to the beach today with our neighbors but Jacob had an upset tummy and we opted to stay home, much to our disappointment. We had a pajama day and just relaxed. I also started getting the guest room for my brother Jeff who will be here on Saturday.
I also sat down and made a schedule of what we will do while Jeff is here, we will be busy but it is going to be so fun. Jeff is coming to Hawaii to visit us and do a cross cultural study so some of the places he needs to go to are places that I have not been yet so I am looking forward to seeing them too!
We were going to go to the beach today with our neighbors but Jacob had an upset tummy and we opted to stay home, much to our disappointment. We had a pajama day and just relaxed. I also started getting the guest room for my brother Jeff who will be here on Saturday.
I also sat down and made a schedule of what we will do while Jeff is here, we will be busy but it is going to be so fun. Jeff is coming to Hawaii to visit us and do a cross cultural study so some of the places he needs to go to are places that I have not been yet so I am looking forward to seeing them too!
Monday, May 09, 2005
Taking time to listen
Nothing exciting happened today...we got up early to bring Darrick to the ship since they are out to sea again this week. So we are all feeling pretty tired tonight.
I was thinking today about listening to God. Last year at God's Moms we had a guest speaker who had an amazing testimony. She talked to us about being obedient to God's call and what happened to her when she did not obey. It was then that I realized that I hear God's voice in my life too. Since then I have been taking time to listen more.
As Darrick wrote last night, last week I received confirmation that we should be leaving Anuenue. I heard it so clear but then I wondered "Why did we feel that at first we needed to be at Anuenue?" And God brought to my mind the story of Abraham and Isaac. If you are not familiar with the story God asks Abraham to sacrifice his only son. Abraham was obedient even though God had promised him that he would have many desendents, so sacrificing his only son made no sense. When he was obedient, God stopped him and gave him his son back.
I feel like that is what the reasoning was. I wanted so bad to be at an established church, but I was obedient to God's calling to go to Anuenue. It was a struggle for me to give up I wanted but I laid all my desires down to follow His will. But now God is releasing us to go somewhere else. It is overwhelming to me that He loves me so much and listens to the desires of my heart.
There are some people that we have grown to care about at the church and it is difficult for us to leave in that aspect but we are excited to see what else is out there for our family.
So take time to listen to that still small voice and recognize who it is.
I was thinking today about listening to God. Last year at God's Moms we had a guest speaker who had an amazing testimony. She talked to us about being obedient to God's call and what happened to her when she did not obey. It was then that I realized that I hear God's voice in my life too. Since then I have been taking time to listen more.
As Darrick wrote last night, last week I received confirmation that we should be leaving Anuenue. I heard it so clear but then I wondered "Why did we feel that at first we needed to be at Anuenue?" And God brought to my mind the story of Abraham and Isaac. If you are not familiar with the story God asks Abraham to sacrifice his only son. Abraham was obedient even though God had promised him that he would have many desendents, so sacrificing his only son made no sense. When he was obedient, God stopped him and gave him his son back.
I feel like that is what the reasoning was. I wanted so bad to be at an established church, but I was obedient to God's calling to go to Anuenue. It was a struggle for me to give up I wanted but I laid all my desires down to follow His will. But now God is releasing us to go somewhere else. It is overwhelming to me that He loves me so much and listens to the desires of my heart.
There are some people that we have grown to care about at the church and it is difficult for us to leave in that aspect but we are excited to see what else is out there for our family.
So take time to listen to that still small voice and recognize who it is.
Sunday, May 08, 2005
Mother's Day / Big Decision
Happy Mother's Day! I had a nice relaxing day. This afternoon Darrick and the boys took me out to dinner in North Shore to Kua'aina Burgers. We were told that this was the closest hamburger we would find to an In-n-Out Burger. The atmosphere was awesome and we were able to eat outdoors. It was really good but we think In-n-Out is still better. Then we walked across the street to Flavormania-Homemade Ice Cream and we had hot fudge sundaes, yummy! We then took the long scenic drive home and watched the sun set. It was beautiful. I hope all the moms reading this had a nice day, now I'm handing it over to Darrick...
Well here I am. I am writing tonight to tell you about a decision we finally made. I think everybody knows that our Pastor at Anuenue is leaving for Colorado in June. Well the church was asking for people to pray about and decide if they were going to stay or leave the church. Jenn and I have been praying. I have been feeling that we should leave but I wanted to be sure that it was God telling me that and not me. I have to be honest I was feeling like "here we go again, Friendship all over." They are even looking to raise up someone from the inside of the church. Last week Jenn finally got her answer from God saying we are not suppose to stay at Anuenue so that was the answer that we were looking for. I was sensing that I would not be able to serve the way they would need with my terrible schedule with work. We will be looking for a new church again. So please pray for us to find the right church home here in Hawaii.
Well here I am. I am writing tonight to tell you about a decision we finally made. I think everybody knows that our Pastor at Anuenue is leaving for Colorado in June. Well the church was asking for people to pray about and decide if they were going to stay or leave the church. Jenn and I have been praying. I have been feeling that we should leave but I wanted to be sure that it was God telling me that and not me. I have to be honest I was feeling like "here we go again, Friendship all over." They are even looking to raise up someone from the inside of the church. Last week Jenn finally got her answer from God saying we are not suppose to stay at Anuenue so that was the answer that we were looking for. I was sensing that I would not be able to serve the way they would need with my terrible schedule with work. We will be looking for a new church again. So please pray for us to find the right church home here in Hawaii.
Saturday, May 07, 2005
Another day in Paradise...
I am so excited because next week this time I will be giving my brother Jeff a BIG hug! He is coming to stay with us for 2 weeks!
Darrick took someone else's duty day today so that he could have a Saturday off while Jeff is here. He took the van so the boys and I hung out at home. We did a ton of cleaning, I am so tired! Around 10 am, we went in the backyard to give the boys a haircut. I was so nice and warm that when we were done I put the sprinkler on so the boys could play and wash off the hair. They were having a blast! All of the sudden Jacob says "Diaper off!" and takes it off and runs in the sprinkler. Micah looks at him and takes his underwear off too! It just made me think how kids are so free and uninhibited.
In the afternoon we played in the front yard and Jacob has finally started riding his scooter! It is so cute to see him ride around with his big yellow helmet on. It seems like just yesterday it was Micah learning to ride his scooter.
As I was walking to our computer room to write this I was startled by a pretty big gecko in our hallway! I have no idea when he got in the house. And I just checked to see where he was and he is gone! Hopefully he will not turn up my bed!
Darrick took someone else's duty day today so that he could have a Saturday off while Jeff is here. He took the van so the boys and I hung out at home. We did a ton of cleaning, I am so tired! Around 10 am, we went in the backyard to give the boys a haircut. I was so nice and warm that when we were done I put the sprinkler on so the boys could play and wash off the hair. They were having a blast! All of the sudden Jacob says "Diaper off!" and takes it off and runs in the sprinkler. Micah looks at him and takes his underwear off too! It just made me think how kids are so free and uninhibited.
In the afternoon we played in the front yard and Jacob has finally started riding his scooter! It is so cute to see him ride around with his big yellow helmet on. It seems like just yesterday it was Micah learning to ride his scooter.
As I was walking to our computer room to write this I was startled by a pretty big gecko in our hallway! I have no idea when he got in the house. And I just checked to see where he was and he is gone! Hopefully he will not turn up my bed!
Friday, May 06, 2005
North Shore-Part 2
Today after Darrick got home from work, we headed out to North Shore Again. Our first stop was turtle beach and this time there were 4 turtles sleeping on the beach-it was amazing! They are so huge and incredible! We took some pictures by them and then headed back to the car to pick up a sandwich at the deli for Darrick and I. I had made the boys sandwiches at home. Then we headed to a different beach with much calmer waves.
After we ate our picnic dinner Micah was ready to try out his new Batman boogie board. He was a little scared at first but we both encouraged him and he tried. The waves were pretty small so he was able to get a feel for laying on the board without getting knocked over by big waves. He had so much fun and rode a lot of waves.
It was getting cooler so Darrick and Micah got out of the water and we sat and enjoyed the beautiful sunset.
After we ate our picnic dinner Micah was ready to try out his new Batman boogie board. He was a little scared at first but we both encouraged him and he tried. The waves were pretty small so he was able to get a feel for laying on the board without getting knocked over by big waves. He had so much fun and rode a lot of waves.
It was getting cooler so Darrick and Micah got out of the water and we sat and enjoyed the beautiful sunset.
Thursday, May 05, 2005
A Day Trip to North Shore
We had such a great adventure today with our friends(Lauren, Charlie and Alex) who live across the street from us. Darrick is out to sea for 2 days so it always helps to get out of the house. I watched Charlie and Alex for about an hour and a half this morning while their mom went to the doctor. What a busy morning I had with 4 boys!
Then we packed up and enjoyed a beautiful ride to North Shore. We first stopped to feed some horses, at a ranch, some carrots but they were across the field and not interested in coming over to us. So then we headed for turtle beach which is known for sea turtles that swim in the ocean and sun bathe on the shore. Well, this was strike two: no turtles today! There was one swimming in the water but we could not see him very good. But the ocean was beautiful and we took a nice picture that you can see below.
Then we headed to Lauren's favorite sandwich shop: Storto's Deli and Sandwich Shoppe. It was so, so good! They serve their sandwiches on sweet hawaiian bread, I can't wait to go back! We ate it in the car enjoying the view of the beach.
The we headed to the Dole plantation. For the first time in my life I saw how pineapple grow, I was quite surprised. See picture below. Then we fed the koi fish in the pond. They went crazy for the food and splashed water on us. All of the sudden, Micah was crying and was so upset because his slipper fell in the koi pond. Thankfully they were not interested in eating it! We found an employee who fished it out with a net! We then tried their famous dole pineapple whip. It is a pineapple sherbert and so refreshing and yummy! We then rode the dole train and then headed back for home.
There is so much to see here, we are having a great time!
Then we packed up and enjoyed a beautiful ride to North Shore. We first stopped to feed some horses, at a ranch, some carrots but they were across the field and not interested in coming over to us. So then we headed for turtle beach which is known for sea turtles that swim in the ocean and sun bathe on the shore. Well, this was strike two: no turtles today! There was one swimming in the water but we could not see him very good. But the ocean was beautiful and we took a nice picture that you can see below.
Then we headed to Lauren's favorite sandwich shop: Storto's Deli and Sandwich Shoppe. It was so, so good! They serve their sandwiches on sweet hawaiian bread, I can't wait to go back! We ate it in the car enjoying the view of the beach.
The we headed to the Dole plantation. For the first time in my life I saw how pineapple grow, I was quite surprised. See picture below. Then we fed the koi fish in the pond. They went crazy for the food and splashed water on us. All of the sudden, Micah was crying and was so upset because his slipper fell in the koi pond. Thankfully they were not interested in eating it! We found an employee who fished it out with a net! We then tried their famous dole pineapple whip. It is a pineapple sherbert and so refreshing and yummy! We then rode the dole train and then headed back for home.
There is so much to see here, we are having a great time!
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Old Pali Hike
Darrick has duty today which usually makes for a long day so I thought the boys and I should go somewhere. I was looking for something FREE, so it would fit into our budget! I read in one of our books about a 1 mile hike that is on a paved road and "stroller friendly" so I thought I could combine an outing with my workout.
So we packed up and headed for Old Pali Road Hike. The drive was so beautiful! So green and lush. The hike starts at a lookout point and it was awesome, we will definitly be taking visitors there. The hike started out on a wide paved path. The boys walked some since it was downhill and a flat path. Again, the views were breath taking. We would stop and look at plants and birds. We stopped by a banyan tree to look and Micah noticed a nest tucked in the roots of the tree with white eggs in them! Micah was thrilled at his discovery!
The path kept getting more narrow and the plants were covering the path at parts, which would of been fine except I had the double exercise stroller. The path kept going downhill and the boys were having so much fun but I decided that we should turn around since the entire way up would be uphill. They both wanted to ride and I pushed them as far as I could. I was sweating and breathing hard. I had Micah get out and walk and that helped. After a little while he got back in and I pushed then both again. I think them plus the stroller is 70 lbs. Micah walked the last little bit to the top. It was a great workout and another chance to see another part of the island!
So we packed up and headed for Old Pali Road Hike. The drive was so beautiful! So green and lush. The hike starts at a lookout point and it was awesome, we will definitly be taking visitors there. The hike started out on a wide paved path. The boys walked some since it was downhill and a flat path. Again, the views were breath taking. We would stop and look at plants and birds. We stopped by a banyan tree to look and Micah noticed a nest tucked in the roots of the tree with white eggs in them! Micah was thrilled at his discovery!
The path kept getting more narrow and the plants were covering the path at parts, which would of been fine except I had the double exercise stroller. The path kept going downhill and the boys were having so much fun but I decided that we should turn around since the entire way up would be uphill. They both wanted to ride and I pushed them as far as I could. I was sweating and breathing hard. I had Micah get out and walk and that helped. After a little while he got back in and I pushed then both again. I think them plus the stroller is 70 lbs. Micah walked the last little bit to the top. It was a great workout and another chance to see another part of the island!
Monday, May 02, 2005
The Dentist
Today Micah and I went to the dentist. It was a big day because it was Micah's first trip to the dentist. I was nervous about how he would do but he did great. It helped that the people working with him were really good with kids. He had 2 x rays and a cleaning. I am happy to report that he has 0 cavities! The dentist just said we need to floss his teeth every night! That should be a good trick. Have you ever tried to floss someone else's teeth? Well let me tell you, because I did it tonight, it is not easy!
I also had a check up and have 0 cavities too! They said that they like to start seeing kids at 2 so I made an appt. for Jacob for next Friday, but I have a feeling it is not going to go as smoothly as Micah's appt! We'll see...
I also had a check up and have 0 cavities too! They said that they like to start seeing kids at 2 so I made an appt. for Jacob for next Friday, but I have a feeling it is not going to go as smoothly as Micah's appt! We'll see...
Sunday, May 01, 2005
Our Weekend
We had a really nice weekend. This past week Darrick and I have been working on a new budget for our family. We have tried many times but have not been disciplined enough to stick to it. This time we were very specific in our numbers and are determined to make it work. I wonder how many people out there really have a budget and if so do you have any advice for us? We would love to hear from you. Anyways, we are cutting back on eating out and trying to slow down our weekends. And it was great!
Saturday morning started off with pancakes. We are trying to incorporate "traditions" into our family. The boys are at ages now that this is working. Like Saturday morning is "Pancake morning" or no TV on Sunday morning. Does anyone have any other traditions ideas? We have a few more that we are thinking about.
Darrick had two soccer games on Saturday so we spent most of the afternoon at the soccer field. They did not play so great and lost both games. But we had an umbrella and our lunches and the boys and I had a nice time. After the game we went to the commissary to grocery shop.
Then we had a BBQ to go to for a guy on the ship's birthday. I met some really nice new people and the food was really yummy. I like to see who Darrick works with. Everyone seems to think that Darrick has big ears. I have never thought that. Once they did a skit on the ship and the person playing Darrick taped plates on the sides of his hat so everyone would know he was Hays and they did! Have you ever thought that...be honest...I guess maybe love is blind!
Today Darrick was not feeling well and did not go to church. The boys and I went by ourselves. I taught the 3-5 year old class for the first time. It went so great, the hardest part was that I didn't know all the kids names. I had 13 kids!
In the afternoon they boys played in their pool, and we made puppy chow. We made our own pizza muffins for dinner. Micah kept putting on too much sauce and Jacob kept taking bites of it raw, but they had fun. Then the boys rode skateboards. Micah grew out of his old skateboard and it was getting old, so they each got a spiderman skatebaord with batman pads. See Picture below. They are really into superheros, especially Batman, Spiderman and Superman. Micah did good and Jacob tried a little but mostly just likes walking around with his gear on! Ahhh...life with boys!
Saturday morning started off with pancakes. We are trying to incorporate "traditions" into our family. The boys are at ages now that this is working. Like Saturday morning is "Pancake morning" or no TV on Sunday morning. Does anyone have any other traditions ideas? We have a few more that we are thinking about.
Darrick had two soccer games on Saturday so we spent most of the afternoon at the soccer field. They did not play so great and lost both games. But we had an umbrella and our lunches and the boys and I had a nice time. After the game we went to the commissary to grocery shop.
Then we had a BBQ to go to for a guy on the ship's birthday. I met some really nice new people and the food was really yummy. I like to see who Darrick works with. Everyone seems to think that Darrick has big ears. I have never thought that. Once they did a skit on the ship and the person playing Darrick taped plates on the sides of his hat so everyone would know he was Hays and they did! Have you ever thought that...be honest...I guess maybe love is blind!
Today Darrick was not feeling well and did not go to church. The boys and I went by ourselves. I taught the 3-5 year old class for the first time. It went so great, the hardest part was that I didn't know all the kids names. I had 13 kids!
In the afternoon they boys played in their pool, and we made puppy chow. We made our own pizza muffins for dinner. Micah kept putting on too much sauce and Jacob kept taking bites of it raw, but they had fun. Then the boys rode skateboards. Micah grew out of his old skateboard and it was getting old, so they each got a spiderman skatebaord with batman pads. See Picture below. They are really into superheros, especially Batman, Spiderman and Superman. Micah did good and Jacob tried a little but mostly just likes walking around with his gear on! Ahhh...life with boys!
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