Mama made

Do any of you go by the name of Mama? I always called my own mother "mommy" but I have become "mama" to my own little ones and I have to say I love it. I don't know where it all started, but I never want it to change. There is a blog I found through a friend and I adore it. It's peaceful, quiet, reflective and she makes so many handmade crafts. Soulemama is always sewing, quilting, crafting and knitting. Knitting, knitting, knitting. It was always something I had wanted to learn, but never felt I had enough time. Once we moved here, I found I had a lot more time on my hands and taught myself to knit finally. I love it. It can be quite addicting and the only thing tempering it is Walmart's meager offering of needles and yarn.

On the blog she talks about mama-made items and how special they are to our children (and friends and family). For Christmas I knit a scarf for Spencer's brother who is serving a mission for our church. He was in North Dakota, but he just transferred to Minnesota, so I know it could be put to good use. I also made one for my dad. I also got my first sewing machine for Christmas this year. Those of you who know me and sewing are probably wondering how that is possible considering how much I sew. One word: theft. I would steal my own mother's for extended periods of time and use it. Now that I don't have that luxury, I had to break down and buy my own. I brought some fabric from Utah I purchased there intending to make myself and Sienna aprons, so what a better to way to break in a new sewing machine? But Madelyn loved Sienna's and a tiny apron is cuter than a mama-sized, so we made one for her. I think it's her new favorite thing. Here are a few of my creations. I am sure there will be much more to come...

Maha`ulepu

We went out to Maha`ulepu Beaches with some friends. Spencer was on-call and it was out of range for response, so I went without him. It was a little daunting, especially with the off-road driving I did. I tend to be a nervous driver and was a little unprepared for it, but I did alright. Tons of huge potholes, big rocks to avoid, but the Pilot survived (and so did we). I just kept telling myself that the car was made for this, and it was a reason why we bought it, so I wasn't going to break it.

The beach was beautiful and very isolated. There are no amenities; it's just you and the wild and undeveloped land. There are fantastic places to explore and it's great for beach walking. Such a gorgeous place here on the breathtaking island that is our home. We are so blessed!

Madelyn and makeup

Madelyn had been very interested in my makeup lately. She loves using my brushes and we had to laugh when she attempted to use the eyelash curler. Silly baby! She has also had her moments getting into the makeup and drawing pictures by writing all over the walls and bathroom drawers with eyeliner. She wasn't very happy when we found her doing that. She will throw a fit just because we caught her doing something naughty; even if we didn't discipline her about it.

Lihue Light Parade

We had the opportunity to go to the Lihue Light Parade, where many businesses deck out vehicles with lights and drive down one of the main streets. It was very special for me to be there, in our new home, making the most of activities here in our new community to celebrate the holidays and start our new special traditions. It was 71 degrees when we were there, so we looked up Spanish Fork's temperature: 7 degrees. It was very surreal thinking of everyone I love and miss freezing at home while we were all outside in t-shirts and shorts. We were not missing Utah weather that night. We were very grateful to be right where we were.

                          Even the garbage trucks get decked out

Halloween

After a very crazy time arriving in Hawaii, I was a little remiss in taking Halloween pictures. I took some pictures later but forgot to post them. I am missing Aidan's, but he was Luke Skywalker and we all know what her looks like, don't we? We did have a great time getting to know members from our ward at the trunk-or-treat, which was very fun and I am sure the kids enjoyed it, even without main trick-or-treating.

Kalihiwai

We went with several friends to Kalihiwai Beach. It was so gorgeous there. The kids paddled around in the kayak, jumped into the river where it dropped off into deep water, and played in the sand. We saw Angela from one of our favorite TV shows, The Office. Spencer boogie boarded for a little bit, while most of us sat around and talked and enjoyed the beauty and friendship that surrounded us.

Lilly Bug

Tomorrow will mark the 3rd anniversary of losing Lilly.

 I always think of her, but especially more at this time of year.

 I am so grateful I was allowed to be a part of her life, even for a short time. 

Those 5 months that I was her mama are so precious to me and I thank Heavenly Father for allowing me to have them.

 I picture how much fun she would be having here with us in Hawaii. 

I pray that she will be loved and safe with her mother, and that she will somehow know how much I love her and miss her always.

Kalapaki Beach

We live about 5 minutes away from Kalapaki Beach and we like to go there when Spencer is on-call because he can get to a flight quickly. Spencer was "working" during the photos. The pictures don't show off how pretty the scenery is because it was a little overcast, but there is a beautiful mountain view and good waves for boogie boarding. We are so very blessed in the beauty that surrounds us here and so fortunate to have the opportunity to live in Hawaii.

Kids

Our kids had the opportunity to make ornaments and yesterday they were able to decorate a Christmas tree for a hospital. We have a great lady in the neighborhood that provides crafts and has the kids go to her home to make them to take to different hospitals on the island. I am so grateful for them learning how to serve and help others around them.

.http://www.kauaiworld.com/articles/2009/11/29/news/kauai_news/doc4b1224371c66d578237405.txt

Day of thanks

I just need to express my gratitude for my life. I have such amazing friends and family. My life is so beautiful and rich because of the wonderful relationships I have with them. Even the hard times in life have made me grow and become a better person and that makes me grateful for them. Life is such a beautiful gift and there is much joy to be found. I hope you all have a day full of family, friends, thankfulness, peace and joy. I know I will. Happy Thanksgiving.

Thankful

I love the Thanksgiving season. It is so special to me to take the time and sit and truly reflect on all that we have been given. I want to take some time this next week to post some of the many things I have been blessed with and am grateful for right now.

There are so many things in life to be thankful for and when you truly sit and reflect on how much you have been given it is overwhelming. Right now I am especially thankful for the opportunity we have been given with this new job and new life in Hawaii and all the extra time we have together as a family. I can't express my gratitude for this. That's what I am thankful for today.

Video of Aidan jumping off the pier

It's sideways and I have no clue how to fix it. Sorry. Hope it doesn't kill your necks!

Hanalei Bay

I LOVED this place! We were invited to go Hanalei Bay with our friends Heidi and Nic, Jeff and Amanda, and Matt and Mindee. Heidi's little boy Ty and Mindee's son, Ridge and Aidan have become buddies. Mindee has a daughter Aidan who is 10, that has become good friends with Sienna. We are so lucky to have already found so many great people and friends here.

It took about an hour from Lihue, where we live to get there, but the drive was amazing. Super pretty, green, just gorgeous. Even though it's on the north shore, which is supposed to have big waves in the fall/winter, it was a pretty mild day. We borrowed a paddle board and tried it. It was fun to try, even if I kept falling off. I'll get my balance down and be able to do it someday.

There was a pier right by us that a bunch of people were jumping off, so we wanted to do it too. It took Sienna a little while, but she has fun jumping with Aidan (the friend). My Aidan we talked into having us lower him over the edge and drop down into the water where I would help him up after. My little boy who is normally so scared totally did it, over and over again. He loved it! I was so proud of him.

Madelyn is in love with the ocean. She will see it and yell WATER!! as loud as she can. She would run into the waves and the get a little freaked out and run up for a little bit and then run right back into the waves again. She has no fear and would drown herself very quickly so we have to be especially careful watching her. I am glad that she loves it though.

The kids went out on a kayak with Jeff and loved that. Aidan (friend) and Sienna played in a tube for a while, they all made sand sculptures. It was the best day. We ended the day going for pizza at Brick Oven Pizza, (no, not the same, but still super yummy) in Kapaa. I love it here. We also went to Lydgate Beach the day before and Kalapaki Beach the next day. 3 in a row was awesome. We all love it here and are so lucky to have this opportunity.  (Thanks Heidi for the pics! I always forget my camera.) I have a video of Aidan jumping in the water, but I don't know how to post it with the new blogger set format. Any suggestions?

Hay ride

The kids and I were invited to our friend, Sheri's daughter's birthday party. While we were there the kids got to go on a hay ride around a little bit of Mapleton. The kids loved it. My niece, Kaitlyn, was hanging out with us that day and got to come along for the fun. It was a great party.

Friends

I have been so very blessed in my life with amazing friends. I was able to get together with a few and needed some pictures of us together. The top picture is of my friend, Kristin. We have been friends since we were 3 years old in Sacramento. She moved to Utah not long after we did and we were in contact for a while. After losing touch for a few years we found each other again and I am so glad. We even had babies not too far apart in age. The curly brown haired boy in the 2nd picture is Cole. He's adorable!

The other pictures are Sheri, Amber and the three of us. We were able to head down to St. George for a weekend a little while ago, but forgot to take pictures while we were there, of course! We were too busy having fun! All 3 of us only have brothers, so we say we are each other's sisters. Theses are just a few of the many great friends that I am so lucky to have and I am so grateful for all of them. I have learned so much, been comforted, strengthened, and just had tons of fun with all of them. I am so lucky to have such wonderful people in my life. (Don't think I've forgotten the rest of you, just because I didn't post pictures! )