And I'm actually thankful for that! My family is pretty dang amazing when it comes right down to it. God was good when He was planning how to knit us each together.
So let's start from the beginning:
Dad (aka Greg or daddio) was born in Salem, 3rd of 8 kids - worked hard all his life, graduated from my alma mater (McNary), went into the Marine Corps and found himself there. Met my mom...
Mom (aka momma) was born in Puyallup, 1st of 4 girls. She was the one who took care of it all and of everyone. A Jobs Daughter Queen, graduated high school & also joined the Marine Corps. And surprise surprise - she did awesome in the Marine Corps!
Both my parents were married before they got together - but God had bigger things in mind...so while on a date with a guy name George at the officer's club, my mom met my dashing dad & ditched George!! Match made! They definitely faced their trials during their 30 (yes that's right...I said THIRTY) years together - but overall they have put our family first in all things and have taught my brother and what it means to take care of your family first & foremost. Sure during my younger years it was tough to see where they were coming from...but looking back I know that God is good based on how my family has turned out. We love each other, we are family first - but now we are friends as well. What an unbelievable blessing - to love my family AND to like them... We fully understand one another and how each person works within the bigger picture.
Since I know who I am... there's Allan, the younger brother :) The baby -- the only boy of 3 girls (yes.. I have 2 older half- sisters from my dad's first marriage). And boy is he ever the only boy... He is my dad's "buddy" - two peas in a pod. Literally, my brother is a mini-me of my dad, a small carbon copy. But he is one of the coolest, most down to earth kids I have ever met. He is very caring and probably the most stable individual out there.
On top of all this - recently Isaac was added into the mix. And it was as if he was an ever present fixture within our family. He stepped right in and all the dynamics still worked and worked well. My dad has another buddy, my mom has another mind to bounce business ideas off of, my brother finally has the brother he always wanted, and of course I got the best end of the deal -- an amazing husband who is not only willing to put up with my craziness from time to time, but he also loves me for that very reason. I've said it before and I reckon I will say it again -- we are far better together than we ever were on our own.
All in all I am thankful for my family - thankful for my husband, my immediate family, for our unique extended families, & for our friends that are just like family. What an amazing gift in the big scheme of life. To love who you were placed next to in this life. Things are good!!
Now back to my Friday night with my hubby... time to relax together and enjoy our life together. Thank you God for your blessings.
<3
Friday, April 16, 2010
TGIF!
In all seriousness - thank goodness it's Friday! This week has been crazy - crazy work, crazy family, just flat out crazy! It's time for rest!
So tomorrow, we will finish some projects around the house (cross your fingers I can get Isaac to really put a dent in the office...it's chaotic to say the least). Then off to the WU Annual Hawai'i club Lu'au. That should be tons of fun! And Sunday will round out the wknd with the big guy playing worship at church and then rest, rest, rest -- mixed in with some studying for real estate.
Phew...I'm ready for the weekend for sure!!!
<3
So tomorrow, we will finish some projects around the house (cross your fingers I can get Isaac to really put a dent in the office...it's chaotic to say the least). Then off to the WU Annual Hawai'i club Lu'au. That should be tons of fun! And Sunday will round out the wknd with the big guy playing worship at church and then rest, rest, rest -- mixed in with some studying for real estate.
Phew...I'm ready for the weekend for sure!!!
<3
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Pipe Dreams
Ok... I know it's not going to be a pipe dream forever... But these are just glimpses of things I would want in my house, either current house - or future house.
Organzied Home Office:
I love this one - clean, but still warm. Tons of storage and lots of places to showcase some fun knick knacks that Isaac and I have both collected - individually & collectively.
This one is probably a bit more realistic for my house and the configuration of our current office. I think the only change I'd make is to switch the bench & chair - so either of us could look outside...and I'd get a different chair. All in all... I like it!
Organized Master Bedroom Closet:
Hello! Talk about storage & beauty galore! Plus the high ceilings make it definitely not feel like a regular ol' closet. I just love love love it!
Organzied Home Office:
Organized Master Bedroom Closet:
I think if I were still a single gal - this would be my dream closet! But with the big guy's stuff, this might not work effectively for us. But I still love it! I love the doors over the dress section. So cute!
Dreaming Dreaming Dreaming!
<3
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
An Evening At Home
It sure is nice to spend an evening at home -- love being together. I treasure these moments because I know that with the end of school comes the start of preparation for the coming football season. (tip to all those football girlfriends/fiances/new wives....football is absolutely not only a fall sport). So I will treasure these nights... even with the big guy playing Tiger Woods on Wii.
He may shoot me for posting that... I'll risk it :)
Haha - love my Hawaiian!
<3
looking forward to running tmrw...time to be healthy! :)
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Hawaiian Music
I've said it before and I'll say it again....I love Hawaiian music... particularly classic Hawaiian music. And one of my most favorite songs is the one that Isaac and I danced to at our wedding. "Misty Rains and Lehua" - and it the version we danced to was sung by Isaac's Nana.. It was so special to be able to have her be a part of our day that was so significant, since she couldn't be there with us in person.
On another note... Isaac & are going to start being better about taking photos of our life in these early years. We've got adventures on the horizon and we need to document!!
<3
Sickness Makes You Stop
There's nothing like being sick to make you come to a complete stop.... Urgh.
But a benefit to being stopped in my tracks is that I am forced to think and rest, and think and rest, and think and rest. So I've been thinking a lot already - and it's only 9:00am. Here are some thoughts that have bubbled to the surface:
1. God is soo good. He works in a sometimes confusing way, but in the end it all comes together perfectly (why wouldn't it though...He's God). Ex: me w/ wyldlife...just when I'm thinking what the heck did I get myself in to, God brings out a desire in some of those 6th grade girls to meet together and talk about that really great God.
2. My husband is an outright stud. Not just in the general meaning of "he's a stud." But he's absolutely the most amazing man I have ever come across. He is incredibly loyal, kind, focused, talented, family focused, and loves Jesus. Thank you God for bringing us together -- we are better together than I think we were on our own.
3. Though I may not always enjoy my job - I do enjoy getting things accomplished and feeling like I am a part of something bigger than myself. I value that my job enables me to step outside myself and focus on getting things done for others. I think it's important to not think of one's self as the most important person in the world -- I just find it hard to believe that everyone cares to know EXACTLY what I'm doing, ALL the time.
4. I'm starting to not be so concerned with what others think of me. Even though it's a slow, and sometimes painful, process...it's one I'm willing & have to go thru. I guess that's part of growing up.
5. The life Isaac & I are creating is one that I am so excited about. We're making choices to be financially set for our future children, we're making choices that are creating an environment that will be warm & welcoming, and we are making choices to surround ourselves with those who are like minded and/or respect/value how Isaac & I are choosing to live.
6. Reality has hit me that in order to really enjoy the life that Isaac & I are creating - I have to take care of myself. On all fronts. Now is the time to take care of our lives - rest, healthy eating, exercising, vitamins, balance in our choices, etc.
Just a couple of things running thru my brain as I'm at home....
<3
But a benefit to being stopped in my tracks is that I am forced to think and rest, and think and rest, and think and rest. So I've been thinking a lot already - and it's only 9:00am. Here are some thoughts that have bubbled to the surface:
1. God is soo good. He works in a sometimes confusing way, but in the end it all comes together perfectly (why wouldn't it though...He's God). Ex: me w/ wyldlife...just when I'm thinking what the heck did I get myself in to, God brings out a desire in some of those 6th grade girls to meet together and talk about that really great God.
2. My husband is an outright stud. Not just in the general meaning of "he's a stud." But he's absolutely the most amazing man I have ever come across. He is incredibly loyal, kind, focused, talented, family focused, and loves Jesus. Thank you God for bringing us together -- we are better together than I think we were on our own.
3. Though I may not always enjoy my job - I do enjoy getting things accomplished and feeling like I am a part of something bigger than myself. I value that my job enables me to step outside myself and focus on getting things done for others. I think it's important to not think of one's self as the most important person in the world -- I just find it hard to believe that everyone cares to know EXACTLY what I'm doing, ALL the time.
4. I'm starting to not be so concerned with what others think of me. Even though it's a slow, and sometimes painful, process...it's one I'm willing & have to go thru. I guess that's part of growing up.
5. The life Isaac & I are creating is one that I am so excited about. We're making choices to be financially set for our future children, we're making choices that are creating an environment that will be warm & welcoming, and we are making choices to surround ourselves with those who are like minded and/or respect/value how Isaac & I are choosing to live.
6. Reality has hit me that in order to really enjoy the life that Isaac & I are creating - I have to take care of myself. On all fronts. Now is the time to take care of our lives - rest, healthy eating, exercising, vitamins, balance in our choices, etc.
Just a couple of things running thru my brain as I'm at home....
<3
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
One of My Life Goals
I know that God really brought Isaac and I together for a reason. There are so many things about our lives that coincide before we ever got together, that it is somewhat comical how good God is. And of course there are little things that we've discovered that we think are fun to connect to...one being that one of the last heirs to the Hawaiian throne (Princess Ka'iulani) was half Hawaiian & half Scottish (my heritage). And when we were on our honeymoon - the church designated as being the "first" church in Hawaii was a Lutheran church. Now we realize that these little ties are silly - and probably insignificant. But they're fun for us.
But in marrying Isaac and having a real opportunity to experience and learn about Hawaiian culture, and Polynesian culture as well, I have found a deep rooted appreciation and growing love. There is something about the warmth of the culture, the honor/respect for Hawaiia's history/ali'i, and the overwhelming kindness expressed. There seems to be an insatiable interest in the history -- I finally finished Hawaii's Story by Hawaii's Queen by Queen Lili'uokalani - a fascinating autobiography of her life, and the complexities of Hawaii's history, annexation, and her experience as the last reigning monarch of the Islands of Hawaii.
I feel like I want to learn and take in so much more about Hawaii....so I am on the hunt for some more materials. The history nut in me is going crazy.
Ok - so one of my life goals is to go to the Merrie Monarch Festival on the Big Island. I love Hula...it is so beautiful, such a beautiful way of story telling & expression. I just love it... Now... to find a way to make getting there not an issue with my school teacher husband. So cross your fingers we can figure out a way to make it work!! Otherwise I may even go with out him! Any one want to be my back up dates?!
All in all...I'm loving the chance to be a part of a new culture, even if in a removed sense. It is such a blessing, and I can not wait for our future kids to experience it all as well!
<3
But in marrying Isaac and having a real opportunity to experience and learn about Hawaiian culture, and Polynesian culture as well, I have found a deep rooted appreciation and growing love. There is something about the warmth of the culture, the honor/respect for Hawaiia's history/ali'i, and the overwhelming kindness expressed. There seems to be an insatiable interest in the history -- I finally finished Hawaii's Story by Hawaii's Queen by Queen Lili'uokalani - a fascinating autobiography of her life, and the complexities of Hawaii's history, annexation, and her experience as the last reigning monarch of the Islands of Hawaii.
I feel like I want to learn and take in so much more about Hawaii....so I am on the hunt for some more materials. The history nut in me is going crazy.
Ok - so one of my life goals is to go to the Merrie Monarch Festival on the Big Island. I love Hula...it is so beautiful, such a beautiful way of story telling & expression. I just love it... Now... to find a way to make getting there not an issue with my school teacher husband. So cross your fingers we can figure out a way to make it work!! Otherwise I may even go with out him! Any one want to be my back up dates?!
All in all...I'm loving the chance to be a part of a new culture, even if in a removed sense. It is such a blessing, and I can not wait for our future kids to experience it all as well!
<3
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