grateful for grandmas

every day nahe goes to her grandma's house in kahuku.  if ahonui is really lucky, he gets to go to grandma's house as well after school and sometimes on saturdays.  when ahonui was younger and i'd get off work to pick him up, many times he wouldn't want to leave the house.  i used to feel hurt and unwanted when this happened, as if i was on hidden camera to get the "bad parent" award.  when explaining my feelings to my own mother, she told me "just be grateful that he's not miserable there, that he's taken care of, and that he's loved unconditionally every moment that he's there."  what an eye opener.

 

there are not enough words of gratitude for my mother-in-law and all that she does for us.  she is always happy and willing to take our babies at the drop of a hat.  she never expects or asks to be compensated for her time and efforts.  if we are running late or go out on a date, she never asks when we are coming back or hassles us about the time.  she is one of the sweetest and most thoughtful women i know and she gives our kids TONS of love.  'nuff said.  i think i scored big time when it comes to my in-laws.

 

 

and then there's my own mother. yesterday she called for ahonui from downstairs and told him that she would make him a slushy (a kool-aid type slurpee) if he would come down and give her kisses.  i love that stuff.  then around 9:15pm lastnight i went to pick up brandon from work.  nahe didn't even notice me leaving the house because she was too busy entertaining (dancing and singing, of course) granny and grandpa walford.  when i returned, my mom had nahe in the bathtub, so i wouldn't have to worry about still giving her a bath.  (yes, i'm fired for not bathing her earlier.)  if i'm too tired (or lazy) to make dinner, my mom usually has a delicious backup dinner for us downstairs.

 

her awesomeness never ceases to amaze me.  after brandon, i must admit that she is my best friend.  i'm so grateful that i have been blessed with a wonderful mother who has taught me correct principles.  i'm thankful that she guides me and is not afraid to scold me when i get off track.  i'm happy that although she is crazy busy most of the time, she makes time to give me lots of love, give our family some dinner, and to give my children a slushy and a bath.

never too busy

a typical day in the kahaialii household...

 

school, work (byuh/pcc), gym (don't get it twisted - that's all brandon), homework, housework and laundry, more work (island transporter/pcc), cooking, baths, then finally my favorite time of the day - my babies.



 

i have a notebook that i keep in my purse, and each day i make a list...errands to run, bills to pay, groceries to buy, phone calls to make, things to clean, etc.  by the end of the day, it would be a miracle in itself if i had crossed everything off my list.  although i try to get a lot of things done every day, i really want to get into the habit of focusing more on what my babies are asking of us.  if it's not for a drink of water, it's usually a book-reading request, an iron-man playfest, doll feeding, or a navy seal covert op under the bed.  it's been a very bad habit of mine to casually brush off their pleadings and deem them a waste of time...how horrible of a parent was i planning to be?!  no longer will i be that fuam...no more.

 



i am recommitting myself to pay attention to their invitations...no matter how small or insignificant they may seem at the time.  because to them - every request is important.  how do you find time for your little one's constant requests?  how do you make your child feel special on a daily basis?

i love to see the temple

despite ahonui's classic crooked smile, this is my favorite picture of my family yet.  partly because i think i look pretty darn good, mostly because it has my favorite people in it, but also because it has a very special building behind us. 

today is thursday.  and since i missed the entire 2012 year, i also missed the month of november and the thanksgiving holiday.  i will make an attempt at "thankful thursdays" to help me to get back into the groove of blogging more often.  so today, i am expressing my gratitude, for the temple, obviously.

today is also brandon's day off, and we are going to ward temple night for our weekly date.  don't judge me, but i haven't been to the temple to do an actual session since...umm, sadly i can't remember.  i'm thinking it was in the vicinity of 2006.  so i'm looking at tonight's session as a big step in the right direction for brandon and myself, and my family.  i am excited and nervous.  because in a way, it feels like the first time for me again.

i am grateful for this opportunity.  i am thankful for the close proximity of this beautiful blessing in our community.  i'm glad that i don't need to travel for hours and on airplanes to get there, that i can simply walk down the street if i wanted.  i'm so happy that brandon will be there with me tonight.  and i'm eternally grateful that the temple allows us to be together forever.

2013 comes with some real stuff

hello world!

i wouldn't say that updating my blog is a major resolution for the 2013 year, but it's definitely one on my list.  i am often reminded by one of my favorite aunties, who lives in idaho - and is somewhat disconnected with laie life, that she looks forward to my updates and unfortunately i have let her down these past few years with my lack of blog nurturing.  so this one's for you, aunty norma!

to sum up 2012, honestly nothing really jumps out at me as being exciting or totally newsworthy.  i think overall we had a good year, though.  here are some of what i think are 2012 highlights from our little family's lives:

• ahonui started kindergarten at laie elementary in august and is in mrs. lefau's class.
• nahe turned 2 on august 30th and is a typical energetic, playful little girl.
• i had gallbladder removal surgery in june and was out of work for 6 weeks.
• i work 3 times a week for my mom in her island transporter office which reduces our monthly rent a good amount.
• nahe was potty trained i think in october, but she has the occasional accident (particularly in mrs. america's home - can you say, embarrassment central?!).

we continue to love living in laie.  i am so grateful and feel so blessed to be near my family, laie first ward members, and many friends.  this 2013 year comes with resolutions of getting in shape, getting out of debt, and getting closer to our Heavenly Father.  we are a work in progress, and are excited for what the future holds!