Seeing Jesus

Tonight Kezia asked if she's ever seen Jesus. That got us talking about how we can see Jesus in people, since everyone has the love of Christ in them. She said she knows a girl in school has that love in her because today in recess Kezia was not having fun with a hula hoop, and the girl noticed and said to her, "Why don't you just drop that thing and come play with me?" And so she did.

So there you go.

Year in Review

I had wanted to write a year in review at a time when it seemed more appropriate (say, New Year's?) but better late than never. I chose this picture because I think it sums up our year: the world went a bit topsy durvy, I look like I was going mad, but we're still hangin' in there as a family. ;)

Elysse was born February 3rd. Since then, she's learned to do all the baby things: smile, eat, poop, crawl, put gross things in her mouth, gabber, and win hearts. Her favorite discovery this year has been her lungs. She loves to use them to her greatest ability, often combining her cries and yells with body thrashing and wiggling. Funny thing, I gave her part of her middle name, "Wailana" meaning "calm waters", with the hope that she will take on the challenges of life with the patience and gentleness of calm water. But it seems like this will be more of a goal than a description at this point. Nevertheless, we all love her and are so happy she is part of our family.

Ivy continued her music classes on Wednesdays until April with her friend Rylan and loved going-- it was her class. Ivy has been a joy to have around, always full of hugs and kisses. Her favorite thing to do is snuggle with her blanket, which I have learned is an art form: rubbing the bottom of her nose with a corner of her blankie while sucking two fingers on the other hand. She often says, "I want to go home and snuggle", or "Do you want to snuggle with me?"

Ivy has found her place quite comfortably in Kezia's play world, that of pretending to be different animals (dogs, usually,) mommy and baby, Dancy the Dog superhero, or anything else that uses a very active imagination. Ivy took swimming lessons this summer (with me as teacher) and she loved that, although she was a bit nervous about the whole "not holding onto the wall" idea. Ivy began Joy School and Great Beginnings preschool. She loves to be with her friendsIvy's vocabulary and speaking skills have sky-rocketed this year, beginning with being a "not-yet- 3 yrs old babbler" to "will this child ever take a breath between words? almost 4 year old." Ivy has been our fearless one, when it comes to movies, stories, etc., and more fearful when it comes to physical things, like swimming or coming down from something high. (Funny thing, because Kezia is not as fearless about physical things, but imaginary things frighten her terribly.) But by the end of the year, this fearful side has been quickly shedding. She decided she loves hula, and is very good at it, too, performing after only a few practices (and practices at home).

Kezia finished her last year of Joy School and Great Beginnings. She also took swimming lessons and loved being in the water. Her imagination is still so strong, and I have recently asked myself why it is that we have toys and games when all the girls want to do is run around the house imagining different situations.

The biggest news about Kezia is that she started Kindergarten! And she loves it. She began at Hale Kula, a school on an army base, and although she loved it, I was not happy with a lot of things at the school. And then came a big blessing for us when she switched schools and now has a teacher who really enjoys what she does, has a personal care for each student, encourages students instead of put them down, believes that naptime is necessary for 5 year olds, and is teaching Kezia at her level! She used to come home with these silly assignments, like "color all the T's green" -- way too basic for her. Her new teacher immediately put her in a more advanced group and now she is reading and writing and the whole jazz. (Yes!)

Kezia also joined a soccer team this year (check out http://www.rainbowsoccer.blogspot.com/) and loved running around kicking the ball around. Kezia loves her hula class and likes to pretend to be the hula teacher at home.

Nate has been amazing this year, stabilizing Immediate Property Solutions and Stand Up Paddle Surfing Magazine, as well as beginning numerous other businesses, taking on transcribing work from 4am to noon several days per week, and being in the Bishopric. Nate has really enjoyed entering surf competitions this year. Since beginning stand up paddle surfing, he has turned into an amazing surfer, taking on big waves at breaks I'm too scared to go to. One great blessing is that despite lack of sleep, high stress, and 90+ hour work weeks, we have been blessed with great health this year. Nate swears by his MaxGXL that that is why he is able to keep up such a demanding schedule.

Heidi: I had a poignantly difficult year, and am so grateful for my "angel-sister" Janae who has been there for me for a good part of the year. I have felt a great deal of stress and anxiety this year, and that has been compounded by a baby who loves to cry and scream, and doesn't understand the reason for taking good naps or sleeping through the night. I have been learning to be verrryy patient, a lot more empathetic, and even more grateful for the little things in life. I have found some things to be quite relaxing, such as blogging, (so now you know the reason), reading to elderly people through an organization I started called Tutu Stories, sitting on the grass cheering Kezia on with the soccer ball, teaching swimming lessons, reading chapter books to the girls at night, and, of course, surfing.

We have been blessed with so many things this year, more than we can count. Of course, Elysse joined our family -- that was a big one. On the forefront were these, in no particular order:

One of the new businesses we started is Rainbow Watersports (http://www.rainbowwatersports.com/.) We opened up business in October teaching stand up paddle lessons in Haleiwa, and we absolutely love it. We have such a good time taking people out on the water and teaching them something that we love to do, and then opening up to them the beautiful world of the ocean and river. What could be better than making new friends while doing what you love and getting paid for it?

We have been blessed so, so, so greatly this year through a miraculous move back down to the North Shore, our "home town". We are so happy here; one more day in our old place and I think I would have cracked. I think about being here and I feel all warm and happy inside. We are so lucky to live where we can see the ocean from our back door, walk to the beach and to a friendly playground, enjoy silence outside instead of roaring motorcycles and cars, be in a good school district, be close to our surfing spot and our SUP surf lesson location, and be surrounded by happy people. So so lucky and blessed, and we are so grateful for it.

We have also been so blessed to have so much company this year: my parents and brother Shaun and nephew Nathan, Nate's log time friend Andrew, my long time friend Amy, and friends the Schields, my cousins Stacey and Craig, Nate's aunt and cousin, Nate's other cousin, Nate's mission companion and wife, and I am sure others who slip my mind at this midnight hour.

We were also miraculously blessed with the opportunity to go to the mainland in the summer for my family reunion and to visit Nate's siblings and grandma as well. After thinking we weren't going to be able to go, it all came together last minute and it was so good to be with family again.

This year we are particularly grateful for supportive friends and family members, good health, a great place to live, nutritious food to eat, light switches that work, and our family.

Have a very happy 2009 and may it be a wonderful, prosperous year for you!

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Thank goodness for vigilant big sisters!

Today we went to the beach and Grandma came with us. I saw a whale in the water, and it was moving in a direction behind rocks that were blocking our view, so Kay and I stepped over a bit to see if we could see it again. Kezia interrupted our google-eyed gazing when she called, "Mooom! Elysse almost went into the water!" We turned to see Kezia carrying Elysse back up to the blanket. We laughed, realizing we left Elysse by herself in search of a whale.

Why I love four year olds

A few weeks ago Ivy and I were walking through the park. I was pushing Elysse in the stroller, and kicked a baby coconut out of the way. Ivy exclaimed, "Hey, Mom! Don't do that! That's my favoritist thing in the whole wide world." And then she picked up the coconut as though it was a fragile kitten and put it in the stroller to keep.

Today we were at the beach. Ivy was sitting closer to the grass and singing this pleasant song: "This is a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful plant!" I went over to her to see what kind of plant would be worthy of such a flattering refrain. With her arm outstretched, she handed me a raggedy baby beach plant, dirty root and all, its solitary two small leaves botched with brown marks. Beautiful, Ivy!

Kezia got Stitches

We have a curtain covering shelving that is foolishly held up by some ceramic pieces. Kezia tugged on the curtain, causing a ceramic elephant to fall down on her forehead. I was right in front of her, but on the other side of the bathroom door ready to get into the shower. I quickly wrapped myself in a towel and came out. Blood was pouring down the side of her face and squirting everywhere. I called for Nate, who had been outside doing something in the van, but, thank goodness, had happened to be in the house at that time. Nate applied pressure and the bleeding stopped, but the gash looked deep enough we thought it would need stitches.

While we drove, Kezia dozed off, and had a hard time waking up, but after some songs and a phone call with my mom, was able to stay awake.

The doctor agreed, and I stayed in the ER with the girls while Nate packed the van with stuff from the condo. We said a quick prayer, including that Kezia would feel peaceful and not scared about the stitches. With such a long wait, I was so grateful I had grabbed food for Elysse and an entertaining computer for the girls.

Nate arrived at the ER just in time for the stitches, which was such a blessing because he and a nurse held her tight, since she was freaking out. I mean, the blue-in-the-face, screaming and thrashing "I DON'T WANNA DO THIS!!!" freak out. And then all of a sudden she completely calmed down. Just closed her eyes and rested in the nook of Nate's arm as though she were falling asleep. After the doctor put in 2 stitches, the kind nurse gifted Kezia with a teddy bear.

I had seen that freak-out scene before every time it's vaccination time. So hoping to glean some wisdom, I asked Kezia in the car what made her calm down so quickly. She said she didn't know. But tonight before she went to sleep she said, "Mom, it was Heavenly Father." I asked, "What was?" She said, "Heavenly Father helped me feel peaceful and calm."

Crab hunt!

One of our family activities that we had for Christmas was a crab hunt.  We walked to the beach after dinner with a bucket and flashlights in hand in search for tiny sand crabs on the beach.  At first the girls were timid, walking along a vast beach in the darkness.  But after 1 or 2 caught crabs, they really got into it, and they loved it!  We caught about 20 crabs before letting them loose.  Definitely a repeat activity.

PIZZAZZ!!

The day after Christmas we had such messy fun painting the balance beam.  We got most of it done, but our work has been slowed by a storm that has come through.  Still, the girls are excited to bring the floor to life when we can.

A Recycled Christmas

Last year a friend told me about the community breakfast for the homeless, and since then I thought it would be a great thing start out Christmas with. We arrived at the breakfast and happened upon our friends Kelsey and Kia as well.  The place was packed with people from all over the island--about 400 or so.  And plenty of volunteers.  While we were waiting to be able to serve, the girls got some balloon creations.  Then we got to work, Ivy and Nate collecting trash and Kezia and I helping with the serving line.  Nate said Ivy picked up all sorts of trash, not just from the tables, but also off the ground. 

 Kezia and my job was to put the utensils and soy sauce package on the plate and pass it down the line to be piled upon with food.  Kezia was amazing.  She worked so quickly, plopping the soy sauce packages on the plates and replenishing the utensil pile when it got low.  I wish you could have seen her.  She worked with joy in her little heart until the very end.  I was so proud of her.  

The Crowd

 

Giving out the presents

We went home and opened Christmas.  The girls loved everything.  

They're like young lions ready to pounce on their prey of presents

                                                    A Christmas Morning Rainbow

This rainbow wrapped the sky Christmas morning.  Just as a rainbow is a sign of God's blessings on the earth, we felt richly blessed this Christmas.

Tight on time and money, we found ourselves with just 2 days to prepare.  Eeeks!  But we felt really blessed-- so many things fell right into place.

There was a garage sale around the corner of our house where I picked up some books for the girls, and I happened to spy a climbing gym for Elysse through the car window among large item pick-up pile at a building.  

On Tuesday our kind friends watched Kezia and Ivy while Nate worked and I hurriedly got things prepared for a clubhouse for the girls.  This club house consisted of our beach tent, their chairs, table, and easel, and pieces of wood for the floor painted white, and a 2X4 between 2 cinderblocks for a balance beam, all painted white.  The best thing of all:  We had all of it already.  

The one thing we did not have were decorations.  I had stopped by Walmart late Monday night and wandered in a daze into the craft section with hazy thoughts of creating some sort of door hangie-doo for the tent.  I ran into a girl from the condos where we used to live, who confessed to me she was a craft-lover, gave me some ideas, and showed me the discount table where I found door hangers, hearts strung on fishline, and crocheted hem lining.  That plus some pink netting and some ribbon and we had a decorated clubhouse that looked pretty cool...except one thing:  Color.

                                                           Can you beat those smiles?!?

And that was on purpose.  Actually, it kind of grew out of the realization that we did not have time to paint it ourselves, but we thought it would give the girls a sense of ownership if they painted it on their own. 

All this time I was looking on the internet to see if I could score some Veggietales movies.  And guess what -- 2 days before Christmas Eve someone posts some that were perfect for our girls! 

 We also gave our girls plenty of family activities to do during break, such as movie night, feeding koi fish, camping, paddling, crab hunting, Hawaiian sledding, pool, and making cookies.

That plus princessy toothpaste, toothbrushes, and bubble bath, and a make-your-own-tent thingie-do from a friend and we had a full Christmas.

 Gifts: $45.

Looks on faces: Priceless.

Eric, Nate's dad, came over after the girls thought everything was over with to load them up on more gifts, giving them both the gift they say was their favorite:  Ivy received a pony and Kezia received a princess dress.  As soon as they were open, they both shared their toys with each other, quoting a song and saying, "sharing is caring".  I had to pinch myself to see if it was really happening.  They also loved getting a puppet show and puppets from Aunt Cheri and Uncle Braden.

My favorite gift was a well-needed nap in the afternoon, and a beautiful poem from Cheri and Braden.  Nate's was a free day to surf however long he wants to.

                                        Omigosh!  Raspberrry Jam?!?  How did you know?!?  

That night we had a delicious meal at the home of our great friends, the Skafs.

Christmas Eve

What a blessing Christmas Eve turned out to be!  We had made plans a month ago to spend Christmas Eve with our great friends the Monsons, who had lived with us in October.  I also invited our friends the Stillwells, who just recently had twin baby girls.  In the back of my mind, a small panic began to develop:  How was I supposed to be able to prepare the house for guests, prepare a meal, and squeeze 6 adults 4 kids, and 4 babies into our tiny little place?!? 

Monday morning Jessica Monsen called asking if they could do it at their place instead, and they will provide the main dish.  Aw YEA!!!

We were about to leave to go to their house on Christmas Eve when they called to cancel:  Their friend was in critical condition at the hospital.  So the Stillwells suggested we go to their house instead We combined our side dishes and desserts and they cooked their Christmas ham a day early.  The kids performed the pagaent, and on the way home we read Luke 2 and sang Christmas songs. 

Christmas Eve: Success.

Santa's Workshop

 This year the girls and I got to help wrap gifts for "Operation: Toy Box", gifts that were donated by people in the community to be given out to needy children at a Christmas breakfast we were planning on volunteering for Christmas morning.  It was even better than being in the real Santa's workshop, perhaps because of the warm weather, or because no one had pointy ears and red and green striped socks, or maybe it was just the fact that all these toys were given in love to kids who may otherwise get nothing for Christmas.  

Joyful Christmas music hummed in the background.  Toys in plastic packaging were stacked against the walls, in piles according to age group.  Rolls of wrapping paper stood slanted in gift bags, and an army of scotch tape dispensers stood ready to seal the packages.  Seated were 3 youth, 3 adults, and us, unrolling, cutting, taping, and labeling.  The girls enjoyed picking which toy to wrap next, passing the tape, and passing the beautifully wrapped gift down the table.  

At one point, Elysse was hungry, so we slipped into the back room where I could nurse her.  This room was even more magical than the first.  On the floor were signs that read "Girls 0-12 month"; "Boys 12mo-3yr" "Girls 4-6" and so on, up to teenagers.  Behind each sign were piles higher than Kezia with gleaming, crisp packages awaiting the hands of a boy or girl on Christmas morning.  And there was no list of who was naughty or nice.

The girls couldn't wait to go to the breakfast and see who would receive the gifts they had so joyfully wrapped.