Thick oozing mud

Saturday February 28th Nate and I woke up at 4:30 to wait for our friends to gather at our house.  Then we traveled up the hill to meet up with our other teamates to race in... THE SWAMP ROMP

This is a muddy, icky, sandy, swampy race they have at the marine base in Kaneohe.  You race with a team of six and must stay with your team throughout the race.  We had a girls' team and a guys' team.  Amongst the running are hurdles, large swamp areas, crawling through sand, a run through the ocean water, bluish grey clay mud that seemed to suck you in, and best (or worst) of all, a slide into a huge pile of thick mud about 1 foot deep, 15 feet long and 20 feet long.  Most of the thick mud came off during a run through the ocean water near the end, but we were still worthy of a wash off from a fire hose afterward.  When I took a shower at home and wiped myself dry, I noticed the once white towel was now orange!  I had to shower 3 times before the towel remained white!  And then my mother in law noticed my dirt-hued skin!  It was a lot of fun.  

Before....


After...

I posted this video because I thought it was funny how serious the fireman seems to be taking his job.  You can see Nate getting sprayed near the end:

Snowing Flowers

It has been sooo cold. Monday Nate didn't surf because "it is too cold", an excuse I had never heard him say before. But as soon as I stepped outside, I stepped right back inside for jackets. Today Kezia said she wished we lived somewhere where it snowed. This afternoon she and I were walking behind the bank when we found ourselves in a shower of yellow blossoms floating down from the tree above. It was magical. I said, "Look, Kezia! It is snowing! It's snowing yellow blossoms!" She picked some up and placed them upside down on her fingers. They looked like elegant dancers.

Why it's important to listen

Yesterday the girls were laughing in the backyard. I went to see what they were doing and I found Kezia yanking Ivy's underwear off!!! I called her in the house immediately and had a choice to either punish her or listen to her reasons. She explained that she was playing doctor and Ivy had a baby in her tummy and she was getting it out. I am glad I chose to listen.

I love my work

Me at my office

(Although Ivy's not with me when I'm "working".)

Fridays I walk around Haleiwa, a small touristy surf town, visiting the stores that book lessons for us, refilling flyer holders, and befriending other business owners. I answer calls for people wanting to take a lesson with the aim of making them happy before they even arrive on the shore, and then Nate and I take turns teaching. Can life get any better than this? Seriously. (BTW if you are wondering what the heck I'm talking about you can check out www.rainbowwatersports.com)

I am beginning to see also the good side of a business that a long time ago I would have termed "frivolous". It is an amazing opportunity to be in a position where I can help make someone so happy, so excited and feel so fulfilled, and give them a memory to last a lifetime. We are both having a great time with this business (can you tell?) It's growing and we're trying to prepare for a whole lot more business this summer.

It may be silly, but in a way, I feel like I'm doing a small part of service to mankind. I take people out of an hurrying world, give them an enjoyable experience while teaching them a fun sport and "tour guiding" them through a tropical river. Everyone we have taught arrives back on shore with the same look people give when they debark a rollercoaster (no, not the barfing look) the "Whoa! That was AWESOME!" look. And then I get to read their testimonials and have an even stronger confirmation that yeah, this is good.

We are both having a great time with this business (can you tell?) It's growing and we're trying to prepare for a whole lot more business this summer.

Feelin' Good

Today I noticed something. I feel good. Last year was gave me a tough beating and it is taking me time to recover, but I am recovering, and today I felt good. I feel healthy and strong, not frazzled. Most women get excited if they lose a pound or two. I've gained 4 and I'm happy. To me, it's a sign that I am getting healthy again.

Happy Valentine's Day!

PS-- Elysse is FINE!!!

Make a Smilebox greeting

Elysse's new trick!

This video was taken January 3rd, and was the first time we spotted her trying to do what her sisters do when they get dressed. I started shooting the video after she was at it for a good 5 minutes. Talk about persistance!


Since this time, Elysse has put everything over her head: bras, shirts, necklaces, keychains, anything that has a big hole. Once she spotted a lady's purse at church. She looped the strap around her head and tried to take off down the hall with it!

Are you sure?!?

A question I found myself asking quite often recently. Once I walked into Nate's office. He had a very solemn look on his face and he stared into the computer screen. I asked if he was alright. "Yeah." He said. I looked at the computer screen, which was all white except for the words "What to do when the waves are TOO BIG : DEPRESSION" Hmm... are you sure?

Apparently he was putting together a graphic for an article on his magazine but the circumstance was pretty funny.

We were leaving a friend's party and I was backing the car out of a long, curvy driveway. Nate asked if I would want him to get out and guide me. I was confident I would be fine, so I said no. Again he asked and again I said no. Right after that, we heard a "CRUNCH!" and everyone around stopped and turned. I completely smashed their driveway light. This time it was Nate's turn: "Hmm...are you sure?"

And then the other day we were riding bikes to the playground. I was helping Kezia ride without training wheels, and Ivy took pride in the fact that she didn't need any help with her trike. Our friends were passing by and Ivy was riding straight for the curb as she turned her head and bragged, " I don't need any help!" But on the word "help" she hit the curb and found herself spread eagle on the sidewalk. Hmmm.... are you sure?

Gone Paddling

Last Monday we fulfilled one of the last Christmas experiences by paddling as a family down the river. We were joined by some of our friends, too. Gong Xi Fatzi! (Happy New Year!) Afterward we set off small fireworks outside our place. Our new friends came out to join us. Then the rain chased us all inside.

Happy Birthday, Ivy and Elysse!

So, we are a little late on Ivy (Jan 14th), but today is Elysse's birthday!!!  I feel a sense of relief, like I made it through the first year!!! Happy birthday to two of my beautiful daughters!

A new swimsuit, sticker book and car seat from Grandma Burgoyne!

Trying to catch the cake...
Looks like she got it!