"Saturday at Home"

8.28.10. I am grateful for our local boys winning the US Little League Championship, Netflix and kalua pig quesadillas!

Just one of those Saturdays when I wanted to stay home. I did laundry, looked at more travel packages, watched the Waipahu team kill Texas 10-0 for the US Little League Championship and advance to the World Championship game tomorrow against Japan. Then I spent the night watching our new Netflix on the XBox and eating kalua pig quesadillas from Mexico restaurant while Sonny went to Ryan Massey's bday party at Chuck E. Cheese, we didn't go to Juvall and Moana's wedding and Fosi and I just chilled at home. The boys had slept over last night and went hiking with Fosi and Timo for boy scouts, the Fosi had a 9am stake YM pres. mtg and watched Kyler Nordgran play with Moanalua in the day.

"Ole EPIC!"

8.27.10. I am grateful for a Latin Friday celebration at EPIC today, delicioso!!!

It was our monthly potluck and we had a lot of new people to celebrate with us. The Little League team from Waipahu beat Georgia twice to get to the US Little League Championship tomorrow. Fosi went to watch Farrington play Kamehameha and me and Sonny had McDonald's (nasty) and I researched Disneyworld packages because it looks like I'll be taking Fosi and Sonny to Florida with me! Well, its not finalize yet, but I have a chance to make it happen and I want to take it because this is a fantastic opportunity with me being there for work. Mahalo ke Akua for this opportunity.

"Hina"

8.26.10 I am grateful for the new piece of artwork in my office, "Hina" by my talented cousin Brook Parker. So talented, yeah, my ohana! Buy his artwork today!

I purchased an art print from cousin Brook at Made in Hawaii, his only soft piece called "Hina", which depicts a mother holding her child lovingly. He delivered it to my house this morning and I have to buy a frame for it. Bella started work with EPIC yesterday and its strange and wonderful to see her and have her meet everyone and work. I can trust that she's gonna do a great job for the launch event. Jeanne started yesterday, too and so I feel great that its not just me anymore working on the Initiative!

"Skyping"

8.25.10. I am grateful for skyping with my girl from down under, Ms. Roni. Technology is so FUN sometimes!

I spent the evening skyping with Roni, while she was at 'work', and Derek jumped on. Technology is amazing, bringing people together from three different countries to talk and see each other and feel like you're just in the next room. It was nice to hear their voices, even though Roni is so hilarious with her investigative skills and scheming! Love her!

"L-O-V-E"

8.24.10. I am grateful today for LOVE. . .new love, old love, a husband's love, a son's love, family love, friends' love, doggie love, self-love, love of life, love of the 'aina, love of culture, and of course, God's love!

A friend of mine today told me she thought she was falling for someone. It made me think about love and how it feels when you first fall in love with someone and can't stop thinking about them. It is an exhilarating feeling and I think its one of the best feelings in the world! But whether its fresh or aged, between friends or lovers, love is what its all about and I am grateful for so much love in my life!

"Comfort Food"

8.23.10. I am grateful for comfort food. . .well, it's not called health food for a reason! Sometimes, it just hits the spot!

Tired day at work, felt like I was sleep walking, and Fosi played tennis while I grabbed same nasty McDonald's. I don't know, but sometimes a Big Mac just hits the spot!

"Stake Conference"

8.22.10. I am grateful for a wonderful Stake Conference and Fosi's new calling in the Honolulu West Stake Young Men's Presidency.

The weekend ended with Stake Conference and the talks focused on obedience, keeping the Sabbath Day holy and reading the scriptures. The new Stake YM presidency was called and we were pleasantly surprised to hear Bro. Nordgran was called as the Stake YM secretary! Now its Bro. Piena (Pres.), Bro. Nunies (1st Counselor), Fosi (2nd Counselor) and Bro. Nordgran-what a great group! I'm so excited for them and us, as the YW presidency. After stake conference, they were all set apart and Bro. Piena became a High Priest and High Councilman. Its a nice lazy afternoon and we're feeding the missionaries at 6pm tonight. Bella comes back tomorrow and she starts at EPIC on Wednesday, along with Jeanne. What an exciting week ahead and an inspired way to start it!

" Made in Hawaii"

8.21.10. I am grateful for great food, music, local made products, good friends and lots of memories at the annual Made in Hawai!!!

Saturday was another cleaning day. Project! We were supposed to clean out the storage and Sonny's room, but just cleaning the storage and looking through containers, boxes, re-boxing and taking dump took all day. The storage looks great and organized and labeled, but Sonny's room and the office look like a tornado hit it, for now. Priesthood session was at 3pm and after that, Fosi, Sonny and I went to the annual Made in Hawaii festival. It was great to see the vendors, including lots of people we've made friends with over the years-Deb and Mary, Roy and Stacy, bought a painting from cousin Brook, saw Alan of Scrapper's Friend and gave him our condolences on the passing of his daughter. I did wax a little nostalgic, thinking of all the years Bella and I and Creative Native Crafts/Paper Island, had a booth at that festival. We always did well and worked really hard and had a following (especially with our hut and the year we did the "Keep Kamehameha Hawaiian" shirts). How grateful we are for all the support from our families, friends, fellow vendors and the public. I must say I was glad to just be there and enjoy, but I'll always have great memories of our time there as vendors. We ate, sampled and watched Mailani and Dr. Tre perform in the Pikake Room. It was a nice time-spent the rest of the evening at home relaxing and watching movies.

"Dancing with the Stake"

8.20.10. I am grateful for a fun night at the Stake Conference Adult dance with family, friends and DJ Fosi!!!

Even on my holiday, I have to find something productive to do. I'm so happy we cleaned and I did all the laundry and Fosi and Timo cut the grass. Sonny helped with vacuuming the house and raking the yard and anything else I needed. That eveing, the stake adult dance evening, "Dancing with the Stake" took place at the Stake Center and Fosi was the DJ. It was Sunday Best attire and Fosi looked so handsome in one of Timo's suits. The event was from 6:30-11pm. LeGrand Akana and his wife were the emcees and there were musical performances and dance performances by people in and out of the stake (like Moana Allen). I got there at around 9pm with Niu and Tamara because I had to wait for the Ulimas to come and be his babysitter. It was beautiful, the Scovels and Tanakas took care of the decorations and food and the result was spectacular. The Scovels always go all out. The music was great, we enjoyed the dancing. Mac and Ang were there, the Nordgrans, Nauahis, mom and dad, Timo and more. Not as well attended as it should have been, but everyone who attended had a great time. We gotta have more of these events! And of course, I went home with the DJ!

"Thursday Nights with Harry"

8.19.10. I am grateful that a Friday holiday means a free Thursday night! Should it be dinner with my son, a movie, Rocky Road or Harry Potter? How about all of them!!!

Holiday tomorrow!!! Chee to the huuu! No work=Happiness for me! Fosi went to YM and rehearsal for the dance program tomorrow and so I got an evening with my son. We had dinner at Kalihi BBQ, cheap and nasty. Then picked up a movie, some ice cream and I spent the rest of the evening with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. . .my favorite way to spend an evening at home-READING!

"Woman, thy name is Stamina. . ."

8.18.10. I am grateful for. . .stamina. Work, shopping, homework, making nachos, dishes, scriptures and bedtime prayers. To all the working moms, we GOT this!!! (ok, it's Fosi's basketball night) =)

Women all over the world often do it all-work, rear children, clean house, do laundry, care for elderly parents, serve in church and the community. And they do it with grace, love, compassion and no expectation of return. I wish I could say I was like that, but I'm not. I try and I've gotten better over the years, and my life is a reflection of the fact that I still have great lessons to learn. I've been really tired, hard to sleep and busy at work, but I made it through the day and still managed to make nachos-I'm so proud of myself! And happy got to have a night off for basketball!

"My Sole"

8.17.10. I am grateful that I can come home from an extra long day at work and know that dinner will be made, my son will be fed, bathed and his homework done, thanks to my hubby. So grateful for you, Fosi!

I worked 12 hours today because we had a HI HOPES strategic meeting tonight and I was exhausted! So nice to know that all will be taken care of on the homefront. I know that's not necessarily the case for a lot of women and I'm glad Fosi will take good care of Sonny and the house. And when I come home, he'll be smiling and glad I'm safe and not complaining. Mahalo ke Akua!

"Happy 22!!!"

8.16.10. I am grateful for a nice family dinner celebrating Timo's birthday. May this be your best year ever, bro!
Manuia Lou Aso Fanau!!!

I can't believe Timo is 22 already and a return missionary! I remember when he was just a little moe mimi! Fosi cooked and Apa, TJ, Kesi and Fili came over to celebrate with dinner and a nice guava cake from Deelite. I hope this is great year for him, now that he's back, with college, work, church callings and. . .dating?

"Sonny's Testimony"

8.15.10. I am grateful for Family Home Evening and Sonny bearing his testimony. =)

I don't know what I'd do without Sundays. Unfortunately I usually spend the mornings cleaning, doing laundry, catching up on reading, blogging, cooking, etc. Church was good and we had FHE again with the whole aiga. Sonny led the music and volunteered to give his testimony and he did such an awesome job! I'm SO proud of him, he's growing up to be a fine boy. Another week begins, but there's a holiday on Friday-hooray! Faumuinas go to Disneyland tomorrow and Lani's wedding and when she returns she'll be working with me at EPIC for a month or so preparing for the Launch Event, hooray! Me, Jared and Bella, together again!

"Lyman's Hair"

8.14.10. I am grateful for sharing in a wonderful birthday and hair-cutting ceremony with Lyman and the Nauahi family. Congratulations!

I worked today for a bit: HI HOPES Board Meeting, OPPS and Module 5 of the FLT. That was great and then we picked up noodles and headed to the Nauahis for Lyman's 14th birthday party and hair-cutting celebration. Fosi and Sonny had helped all day and there were family and friends to witness the cutting of Lyman's hair. Sina watched via Skype. It was a big moment, he had been growing his hair since birth and it meant a lot to him, but he decided it was time to cut it and serve sacrament again. It was an emotional ceremony, with cousin Sina cutting it, a Tongan mat down and Tongan leis on everyone involved. Lyman cried and almost everyone else did, too. Very touching and brother K finished off the haircut. When he emerged from the bathroom, it was like he was another person. So handsome and mature looking, confident and glowing. We're SO proud of him for his decision (though I love long hair on men), this was the right decision to make. We enjoyed an evening of music, food, friends, the kids swam all night. Then I watched "Eat, Pray, Love" myself, last movie and I feel asleep! Wasted $10-tried to cram it all in because I read the book and had been looking forward to the movie forever! Ah, I'll go again soon!

"Friday Night with Sonny"

8.13.10. I am grateful for some much-needed alone time with my son tonight to just eat, play and hang out.

Friday night, and after a great time opening bank accounts with the youth, I got to spend the evening with my son while daddy watched Farrington kick Campbell's muli (sorry to my Ewa friend. . .). We had dinner at Kenny's and played at the Fun Factory-he won a lot of tickets (he's always lucky like that!), beat me in air hockey and got some fun toys. Then a night of cruising, tv, ice cream and it was so relaxing and nice to be with him and be home after a crazy couple of weeks!

"Harry Potter to the Rescue?"

8.12.10. I am grateful for great books. I love Harry Potter books and hopefully my son will learn to love them too!

I love to read, more than almost anything, and I've always wanted my children to share in that love of reading. Sonny has had a difficult time with reading, its been a struggle. We've done reading and homework all summer, but I still worry he's not up to 3rd grade reading level. So I decided to be more proactive. I will read his 30 minutes with him every night from the Harry Potter series, upgrading him to a more difficult level. He'll read, then I'll read and ask him comprehension questions. I hope this works and that he'll thank me, and not curse me, one day!

"The Face I Wanna See at the End of the Day"

8.11.10. I am grateful that after a looong day and night at work, I get to come home to this <<<------------.

I'm still tired after 'partying my body' for two weeks, I'm not as young as I used to be! Because of this, I feel ill again, so I took the first half of the day off knowing I had to teach class tonight, the last make-up FLT class with the youth. Got to stop by the skateboard park to see Sonny with his new skateboard. My night class went really well. Nice to come home and see my son sleeping peacefully after a long day for him, too. So blessed!

"Tofa My Feleni. . ."

8.10.10. I am grateful for spending the last two weeks with my sistah from down under, Ms. Veronica Milford. Me, 'L-town' and a whole bunch of other people will miss you, safe flight and come back soon. . .aloha oe!!!

Although the morning started with an early meeting, I'm grateful I was able to grab a lei and rush to the airport to give Roni a proper good-bye. Loren and Kalani were there to see her off. Its been a whirlwind two weeks and these are great memories that will last the next six months until she comes again. I wish her a safe flight, a great transition back to work and home and a return soon. I have such great friends and I'm thankful! Love and miss her!

"Sam Choy's and Karaoke. . .A Good Way to End a Vacation"

8.9.10. I am grateful for a wonderful farewell dinner and celebration with my girls at Sam Choy's, we'll miss you Roni!!! ;(

I can't believe that two weeks have gone by with Ms. Roni-its been a blast! I'll be recuperating for many days but it was worth it! After work, Loren, Kalani, Roni and I enjoyed a delicious dinner at Sam Choy's. Loren's fellow chef, Chef Aurelio, cooked us up some 'ono pupus and took care of drinks and I had a fabulous prime rib dinner and lovely desserts. Then, we sang karaoke at Wailana Coffee House past midnight and that was a blast! Bye bye to Roni tomorrow!

"Boom Down Saturday"

8.7.10. I am grateful for a day of crazy cleaning (mission accomplished!) and attending a great fundraiser with friends.

Spent the whole day cleaning my room and bathroom really good-feels so good! And doing all the laundry! Then met Lou, Kalani, Roni, Robyn, at Pipeline's for Mento Mele's fundraiser (Boom Down Luau). Pupus, music, a game of pool and saw Lina. Then off to Mai Tai's, Zippy's, the Shack and Robyn dropped me off on her way home to Hau'ula. Exhausted but fun-those girls are party animals (Roni and Kalani). Love them!

"Beach Day!"

8.6.10. I am grateful for a day off, a day at the beach, great food, friends and live music.

So it was a vacation day for me but I didn't end up going to the Big Island and that's okay, even though I looked forward to it for a while, but it wasn't meant to be this time. Instead, slept over at the hotel, got up early to take Kalani to work, spent the day, get this, at Kailua Beach Park (absolutely gorgeous-saw lots of dogs!)under a tree resting while Roni swam and tanned, visited with Bella, ate at Boot's and Kimo-thank u to the banana mac pancakes! Picked up Kalani and dropped them off in Waikiki then met them at Rum Fire's in Waikiki. Mailani sang at Hot Hawaiian Nights then off to Gordon Biersch for 808 music-they were amazing! Dancing and grindz, Fosi picked us up and dropped the girls off and I went home. Whew!

"Back on my Feet"

8.5.10. I am grateful for opening bank account with HI HOPES, and cruising with Kalani and Roni at Aku Bones, Zippy's and everywhere else!

Got to rest for one day and back to work! Opened up bank accounts with Ipo, Noy, Adrian, Kehau and Jarvis-it was great! Success! Went home a little early, picked up the girls for Aku Bones, Zippy's and cruising. Took Roni to EPIC to visit my office, tried Mai Tai's, negative. Another busy night with the girls, even half-sick!

"It Helps to Be Sick and Loved"

8.4.10. I am grateful that even though I had the flu today: Fosi took care of me, my son and friends checked up on my, Dinah gave me a massage and I had a lot of rest and liquids. Guess that's what I needed! Here's to a healthier tomorrow!

Sick day!!! Felt awful but the massage and love and sleep helped. Hope for better health soon.

"I'm Coming Down. . ."

8.3.10. I am grateful for dinner with friends and cocoa puffs.

Roni was supposed to go to Tahitian class and got lost walking up and down Nimitz. Kalani came down and they came over for dinner and cocoa puffs. I got sick today, flu and Timo took them home while I hit the bed. Sicky poo-yuck!

"Manic Mondays"

8.2.10. I am grateful for Sonny's first day of the third grade, Tahitian class (not really, lol) and Korean food.

I can't believe Sonny is in the third grade! Mrs. Kido's class, A6, Kapalama Elementary. Wow. Big boy already, took him to school and class, TJ is right next to him. Worked, took Roni to Tahia's dance class and I was forced to dance, too?!!!? It was good exercise, but sore knee. Ate Korean food after at Yummy's.

"The Next Day"

8.1.10. I am grateful for teaching the YW at church and a late night surprise visit and treats with Kalani and Roni.

Even though I wanted to sleep all day, there was laundry to do and a lesson to prepare for YW in my ward on standards. Good lesson and evening with the family. Kalani and Roni spent the day at Lou's and surprised me by picking me up for a late night dessert at Zippy's and a tour of the Kalihi housing units! Kalani drove up on a sidewalk by accident, hello!

"Birthday Bash 20"

7.31.10. I am grateful for being a part of an awesome KCCN Birthday Bash!!! The bands were off da hook and Na Wai loved the crowd!!! Mahalo everyone!!!

Birthday Bash was a success! After weeks of rehearsal, it went off without a hitch. Lau sang with us, Brandy was great, the DJs dressed in drag were amazing (Davey, Shannon, Pipi, Augie) the dancers were fab, the sound was actually GREAT and we remembered all of our choreography! We felt, looked and sounded better than we ever have at the Bash and the crowd was so awesome!!! Our friends were there, cheering us on. Kalani, Roni, Louisa, Lina's family, Bella and Lui's family-so blessed! Went to eat at Zippy's afterwards, then home to crash and be relieved! Mahalo ke Akua!

"TGIF"

7.30.10. I am grateful for a Friday night out with the ladies.

Derek left for Japan this morning, can't believe he won't be here when Kiwi is here, ah well. Called in sick to work, needed to be rested for the concert and was feeling a little under the weather. Shopping for clothes and other stuff for the concert tomorrow. Worked and went out with the ladies-Likelike, Rumor's. . .the weekend has begun, birthday bash tomorrow!

"Wailana's"

7.29.10. I am grateful for dinner with my girls and the kids at Wailana's.

After a long day of work and recuperating from little sleep, it was nice to grab dinner and hang out with Kalani and her nephew and nieces, Sonny and Roni at Wailana's. The kids and Kalani slept over at Roni's.

"The Kiwi has Landed"

7.28.10. I am grateful for my friend, Roni, coming in from Australia and a day of Kahuku shrimp, Ted's Bakery, Na Wai rehearsal, L&L's and hanging out! G'day today!!!

What a day! I took the day off to pick up my friend, Veronica Milford aka 'Roni', who flew in from Australia today. She came dressed in winter garb because its cold down under now. We grabbed lunch with D at Fumi's shrimp truck in Kahuku, then dessert at Ted's Bakery in Sunset. Hung out at home then went to final rehearsal for the Bash at Jan's house with the dancers and Brandy. Roni watched and then we grabbed L&L's, went back to check her in at Executive Center and hung out until the 'mixing' crew came to 'jam sesh'. That was good fun, chillin', singing and talkin' story (beautiful company!). Went home at 5am, hello, good times!

"Dance to the Bash"

7.27.10. I am grateful for meaningful work and a fun birthday bash dance rehearsal.

Initiative work for transitioning foster youth is very meaningful, challenging and hard work, but worth it. I am grateful for work that pays me and treats me well, with great people in a manner that allows me to make a difference and serve others. Long and tiring week, though, getting ready for the Bash, dance rehearsal with the girls-gotta get this choreography down!!!

"Sayonara"

7.26.10. I am grateful for celebrating successes with friends today.

Attended a lunch with the Youth Circle team to celebrate Derek's new coaching job in Japan with the semi-pro 'Sagamihara Rise'. I am SO happy and stoked for him, a dream job and an amazing opportunity to grow as a coach and experience a different lifestyle, culture and people-away from the comforts of home and Ewa Beach! Gave him a pocket language and culture guide and, of couse, I was emotional, because I'm going to miss him, but I know we'll see him again and I wish him all the success and happiness in the world! Sayonara, brother!