i am thankful for...

First and foremost, my family-immediate and extended.

I love my hubby, Mitch. He's probably too good for me (ask my parents, the'll surely agree!). He works less than 80 hours a month (yes, that's full-time for a pilot) and is home enough to take care of the girls while I sleep-in many a-mornings, endures my moodswings like a champ, forgives my late-night blogging sessions (not unlike tonight!), give me massages, and even cleans the bathroom without me having to ask!! What a guy, right? :)

Then, there's my 3 beautiful little girls. Although they sometimes feel like more work than anything else, they give me so much joy and purpose in life. Truly, I can't imagine life without my kids. What did I do before them?! I can't even remember!

I feel so blessed to be able to not only live in beautiful Hawaii, but to live so close to family! I'm never far from a helping hand, a baby-sitter, an outlet for venting frustrations, and a shoulder to cry on. Plus, my girls have the luxury of having 11 cousins right here on Oahu to share all these holiday memories with. (who needs more kids when you got cousins, right?)

I am also grateful for my testimony-the Faith that I have in my Saviour, Jesus Christ. The knowledge of where I came from, my purpose here on Earth, and most importantly, the GOAL of where I hope to go after this life is through. I can honestly say that I am at peace. Despite all the turmoil and confusion in the world around us that can cloud our minds-to be grounded in the knowledge of these simple truths is a blessing I strive to not take for granted.

I'm grateful for Thanksgiving! A holiday set aside for all of us to take a step back and think about the big and little things in our lives that make us who we are, and drives us to be better people. To express that gratitude to those who are responsible for our happiness and successes. And most importantly, a time for us to think of ways we can share this joy and happiness with those around us as well.

Here's how we spent Thanksgiving morning (or, was it afternoon?). Running around the yard with Airi's bunnies, Oreo and Ella.
And then in the evening, it was dinner and relaxation.
Too much food...
Good times, good times!
We missed you, Daddy!

(p.s. The outfit Jolee is wearing is 10 years old...Riho wore it when she was a baby! CRAZY, huh? Rediculous hand-me-down, I know!)

seina's baptism day

This past week, my niece Seina turned 8 years old!

I still remember the day she was born. It was one month after I returned home from my mission when we heard the good news. Then just 2 weeks later, the joy turned to fear as we all learned of her heart condition. Not knowing what to expect, or even how long she would be able to stay with us, I recall the jumbled mix of emotions we all felt that day. Sorrow, Joy, Fear, and Faith. Now, 8 years (and 6 open heart surgeries) later, you couldn't even tell she has a heart condition! She's seriously the toughest little girl I know!

We are all so happy to be able to celebrate Seina's birthday and baptism!

Here's just a couple of pictures we took at the chapel after her baptism. It was one of the most Spiritual and uplifting baptismal services I have ever attended! Then afterwards, we all got together at Airi's house for some yummy food and festivities with family and friends.

For all those details and pictures, check out Airi's Blog.

operation: "finger freedom"

As most of you are probably aware from looking at our pictures...Anna has a bit of a fixation with sucking her fingers. It drives me CRAZY and I've secretly been plotting ways to get her to stop. Today, I decided to put my plans into action.

Day 1 of operation "Finger Freedom"

You can't tell too well from the flash, but I wrapped her middle finger with some medical tape. She usually sucks her index and middle fingers together...and this afternoon when I wrapped her index finger, she just switched to sucking her middle and ring finger. So, tonight I decided to go with the middle.

She's been sucking her fingers since she was about 4 or 5 months old. We had hoped she'd stop around 9 months or so (when Kela stopped sucking her fingers) but it just kept on going and going! I've rubbed vinegar, garlic, salt, etc. on her fingers...to no avail. So, this is my first attempt at some extreme intervention. Wish us luck!

sittin' pretty

My friend Mari gave us her Bumbo seat that her daughter no longer uses. As soon as we brought it home, Kela and Anna wanted to try it out so we plopped Jolee inside and watched. Lo and behold! She loved it! Hooray for sitting up! And, to top it all off, this was the first time she actually grabbed a toy and played with it! You can tell by the picture...she's really concentrating on that thing (it's actually a little mirror she's looking at). Anyway, thanks Mari! Jolee loves her new seat and I'm hoping to enjoy some more "hands-free" time! (hoping, hoping)

And, today we had Jolee's 4 month check-up. Her stats are:

She weighs 14 lbs. 9.5 oz. (71%)

She's 25 inches long (75%)

Head is 40.3 cm. (30%)

Once again...big baby, small head.

four months ago today...

...our little Jolee was born.

Feels like just yesterday we were rushing to the hospital, worried that we wouldn't make it in time! And then getting there just in time for the doc to tell me, "don't push!" right as Jolee "slid out" in all her perfect 8 lb. glory! Oh, the memories we can now look back and laugh at (now that it's OVER with)!

A couple tidbits of our little #3 child:

• Jolee now weighs 14 lbs. and is probably our chunkiest baby. It may not look it in the pics, but Boy, does she have some thighs!
• She's beginning to enjoy her car seat more and more! Yippee!!
• Sadly, she isn't too fond of Mitch...she cries and cries with him. *so sad*
• She's our smiliest baby-if that's even a word. Kela was our least smiley baby...hmmm...maybe we're loosening up as parents already?!
• She rolled over for the first time a couple weeks ago-in her bassinet. And then just today (right before the above pics were taken) she rolled over again! I just can't seem to catch it in the moment, though.
• Has already discovered her little fingers and "munches" on them all day long!
• If I could have it my way, she'd be our last baby...but I'm not holding my breath on that one.
  

mr. mom

Not to brag, but seriously, what guy would volunteer to take 4 kids to the mall - all by himself? And 2 of them aren't even his own kids! That's my Mitch. He occasionally takes Kumen off of my sister Airi's hands - sometimes at our house, but once in a while to the beach or the mall. Did I mention by himself?

Well, today I had to run a few errands with Airi so Mitch offered to take Kumen to the mall with Kela and Anna. My other sister Elika called and since she had some work errands to run, Mitch invited Aya along as well! So, Mitch braved the mall solo-with a 4 year old, and three 2-year old's in tow! And even managed to cram all four of them on to our stroller made for 2!

Yes, apparently, he did get a few surprised looks when he strolled around the mall looking like this.

And, the reason he went to the mall was for the "Keiki (kids) Time" activity. Today was balloons and face painting. They all got to bring home their "animal balloons" except for Kumen. Apparently, there were a couple of popped balloons which prevented them from getting their face painted (ran out of time), but the kids all still enjoyed the day at the mall with Daddy, a.k.a "Uncle Mitch."

*I apologize for the horrible quality of the pictures. I had the camera with me, so Mitch had to snap these with his camera phone - apparently, he was a bit shaky. But, you get the idea...

3rd time was the charm...it seems

I just couldn't resist posting this funny story.

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This afternoon, on our way to the chiropractor's office, we walked by our very favorite shave ice place. The owners are these two very lovely Chinese ladies, probably well into their 70's, if not 80's. They also speak fluent Japanese, and since we are regulars there, they know us very well. And I mean, really well. As in, they know us, my sister Airi's family, my Mother (who lives in Seattle & speaks Japanese) and even my Mother-in-law (who lives in Arizona & is Chinese) and asks about them all the time. Did I mention we are regulars there? They practically know us by name!

Anyhoo, as we walked by this afternoon, they stopped us to look at Jolee (who is usually strapped in her dreaded car seat, but today happened to be awake in my arms). They both get this startled look and repeatedly tell me (and each other) how pretty she is--like they're surprised Mitch and I could make such a cute little baby or something! Anyway, I'm laughing it off because really, they're oogling at my too-cute baby so obviously, I can't disagree! :) And then one of the ladies goes (after glancing at Kela and Anna), "She's prettier than her sisters!" My jaw just about dropped, but now I'm just laughing out loud because it's just too darn funny to take offense! Then, she points to Anna and says, "She'll be pretty when she grows older!" And then they both go back to oogling at little Jolee for a brief minute before walking away.

Too funny!

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A few things were running through my mind as we walked away:

1. Was it so shocking that Mitch and I could have a cute baby?
2. So, if Anna is destined to be pretty once she gets older...what does that say about how she looks now?
3. And finally...What about Kela? (poor thing...I probably shouldn't mention this to her when she's older! )
4. I suppose one cute child out of three isn't so bad, eh? *hee hee*

Anyway, like I said, it was just too funny to take any offense. If you know old Chinese ladies-you know that they simply say whatever they think-regardless of how it sounds to the person listening. They meant absolutely no harm, I'm sure...I just had to laugh!

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And, since I can't post without a picture, here's a couple of pics of the girls with their cousin Aya the other night. We hung out in Hau'ula with my sister Elika and her kids for the evening.