Mom's Surprise 60th Birthday!

On Wednesday, March 7th we celebrated Mom's 60th Birthday!  I got the family together at the Dunes at Maui Lani for a surprise birthday dinner.  All her children, grandchildren, sisters, Granny, Dustin & his family & Chris attended.  Christina came, too, and she represented Aunty Val so well!  The look on Mom's face when she arrived was priceless.  Through her tears, she grumbled that she wasn't dressed nice enough!  Too funny!

Her special table was decorated with bouquets of roses, flowers, leis, and gifts.  She and Dad sat at the birthday table so they could see everyone and just absorb the love each person brought that evening.  We enjoyed great food, shared stories, reminisced, and laughed until we cried!  Aunty Linda made the cutest card for Mom that included a list of "Remember whens . . . "  We all enjoyed reading those memories!

We sang "Happy Birthday" and then Kamalani, Kamalei, and Kamaehu sang acapella to her.  The whole restaurant got quiet and listened in.  At the end of their song to "Tutu", applause could be heard throughout the restaurant.  It was quite a touching moment.  Of course, Papa got it on video and posted it to Facebook!

Throughout the evening we took small group pictures.  We got an updated picture of the four generations - Granny, Mom, Me & Malia, and Kamalani.  Mom took pictures with Dad, her sisters, her grandchildren, and of course, her son, Llewellyn!  At the end of the evening we gathered for a large group picture with everyone!

It was truly a special and memorable night for me seeing my mother so happy, surrounded by love, laughter, and a great family, so full of life!  Before bed, I thanked my Heavenly Father for blessing me with such a wonderful mother, friend, and confidant and for the fabulous evening we were able to spend with her.

I'll add pictures soon . . .

Challenges are Blessings . . .

Well, Spring Break has come to an end!  The Monday we have all been dreading is here!  It was a great break.  Didn't get everything done that I wanted to, but we did have a lot of rest, relaxation and family time.  Tried out a few new recipes, got to Blog and Pin, and did some much needed cleaning!  spent some time in the recording studio listening to the kids sing and record.  We attended the St. Patrick's day Youth Dance on Saturday and had a blast dancing, talking, and laughing!

Today actually wasn't as hard as I thought it would be.  I started my day at 5:00 am (hit the snooze button a few times) and then decided to read my scriptures BEFORE I did anything else.  It really made a difference in how my morning went.  Although it didn't take away children arguing, nagging them to get ready, and some frazzled moments, I seemed to be able to handle it a whole lot better than usual.  It's been busy, but manageable!  I am so grateful for that.  More importantly, I am grateful for a simple challenge I gave to my Sunday School students yesterday at church.  We had a lesson on Faith and ways we can increase and exercise our faith.  I gave the class and myself a challenge to pray daily (morning and night, before meals, and personal prayers), read scriptures daily, and have a family home evening.  As their teacher, I have to set the example, so it has helped  me reassess my own life and the areas I need to improve.  It's true, the lessons we teach and talks we give are really meant for us the most!  Challenges are blessings!

Kamahiwa - Junior National Young Leader's Conference

Wow, we are so proud of Kamahiwa!  A month ago he was nominated by his Social Studies teacher, Kumu Kiani Yasak, to the National Junior Leadership Council, to be a participant in the upcoming Leadership Conference.  A few days ago we found out that he has been selected!  The invitation reads, "In Honor of your academic achievements and leadership ability, The Congressional Youth Leadership Council cordially invites you to participate in the Junior National Young Leaders Conference."  As a participant, Kamahiwa will fly to Washington D.C. for one week, visit National historic sites, have a photo shoot at the White House, and field experiences at the National Museum of American History and Maryland Science Center.  The website states, "The Junior National Young Leaders Conference offers mature, high-achieving middle school students the opportunity to learn about leadership by studying the leaders of the past and by focusing on social advocacy to make a positive impact in their homes and communities.  Through an examination of both different historical time periods and characteristics of leadership, students will gain a better understanding of what it takes to become an effective leader."

Way to go, Hiwa!  We are so very proud of you!

Eternal Families

It's 12:17 pm on Tuesday, March 13th, 2012.  Tears are flowing, streaming down my face as I sit here in my room.  My family is at the Kona Temple.  My 80 year old Grandmother is going through for the first time and being sealed to my Papa who has been gone now for over 3 years.  In addition, my Mom and Aunty Momi are being sealed to them, along with my Aunty Val, who passed a little over a year ago.  My sister Malia is doing the work for my Aunty Val.  Kamalani did her baptism and confirmation this morning.  Although I am not there physically, I can feel their spirits so strong.  I can't stop crying and giving thanks to my Father in Heaven for the Plan of Salvation and the knowledge that families truly can be together forever.  Not even physical death can separate us!  This truth brings me the greatest peace and joy beyond measure.  Nothing in this life brings me greater comfort than knowing I am part of an eternal family, joined together through the sealing power.

As I sit here pondering and reflecting, it is as if they are all here with me.  Surrounding me with their unconditional love!  I can feel their joy and the joy!  I firmly believe/know that there are lessons to learn in every difficult situation and everything happens for a reason.  Today, I am assured that not being able to go to the temple has taught me how to bring the temple to my home.  A lesson I really needed to learn.

I love to see the temple, I'm going there someday
To feel the Holy Spirit, to listen and to pray . . . 
But, for now, I will bring that spirit here
To my earthly home so dear

Domestic Inspiration!

I love Spring Break (well, any break is great)!  One of the reasons I love it so much is that it gives me an opportunity to do things I am usually too tired to do and enjoy like cooking, cleaning, decorating, journal writing, organizing, grocery shopping, planning meals, etc.  I feel good when I get into that domestic zone!  Some people take no joy in working around the home.  I can understand that.  After a long day of teaching, shuttling kids around, sports activities, hula practice, appointments, homework, etc. I am not always in the mood to cook and clean!  But as I change my attitude and really think about what I am doing, I realize that I am serving my family.  Don't get me wrong, my kids have chores and my sweetheart helps immensely around the house, but recently I decided that I should and could do more.  Adding a smile to my work and an attitude of gratitude for the opportunity to be a wife and mother has made the load easier to carry!  Here's a few quotes that help me find joy when I need it most:

No earthly accomplishments can compensate for failure in the home.

~President David O. McKay

The greatest work you will ever do is within the walls of your home.

~President Harold B. Lee

Today I made homemade Portuguese Sausage Pizza for lunch.  Reminded me of lunches my Mom would make for us when I was a kid.  It was a big hit, the kids loved it!!!  Here's a picture and the recipe for you to enjoy!

Homemade Portuguese Sausage Pizza

6 English Muffins (cut in half)

1 - 5 oz. Portuguese Sausage

2 cups mixed shredded cheddar cheese

2 cups mayonnaise

Lay English Muffins on a cookie sheet (12 total).  Mix shredded cheese and mayonnaise.  Fry sausage in a small pan until golden brown.  Spread cheese & mayo mix evenly on each muffin (about 2 tablespoons).  Add    

4-5 sausages to each muffin.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or until cheese melts.  Let cool and serve!

For dinner I made corn chowder- my Mommy's yummy recipe (I'll post that one later)!  House was cleaned, lunch done, dishes washed and dinner on the stove by 2:00 pm!  It makes me feel good that I can go to my night job knowing my family is taken care of - clean house + food ready to eat + fridge full = HAPPY KAWA'AS!

Pinterest

Spring Break 2012

Well, it's officially Spring Break 2012!  I'm very excited to have this time off from teaching - time to spend with my sweetheart and the kids.  Llewellyn is off the whole week, too, so that makes it even better!  I thought I would start the break by making a list of things I'd like to do:

Sleep, Sleep, Wake Up (stay in pajamas), Eat, Go Back to Sleep, Wake Up and Read Until I Fall Asleep Again! *smile*  Back to reality . . . here's the REAL list:

• Family Beach Day
• A few date nights with my sweetheart *wink*
• Picnic and swimming at 'Iao Valley
• Spring cleaning
• Family Service Project (do something for someone in need)
• Start a new book
• Stay up late & sleep in
• Home Movie Night

Simple pleasures that mean so much to me!  I still have to work a few nights at my second job, but just knowing that I have this free time to enjoy with my 'ohana fills me with joy!  I'll keep you all posted on the things we actually do on the our Spring Break List!  For now, have a great weekend and remember to live, laugh, love, learn, and smile!

*muah* ((((hugs))))

Luana

The Absentee Blogger

Oh me, oh my!  I have been an absentee blogger!!!  That has got to change!  Blogging is good therapy - reminds me of my blessings, releases frustrations, makes me feel peaceful and happy to record and archive things for my future posterity.  Sooooooo . . . I'm recommitting myself (sounds like I'm heading for the psych ward) to blogging AT LEAST once a week!  I'm counting on you guys to call me to the carpet if you haven't heard from me for a while.  Sometimes I need that extra push, shove, swift kick in the 'okole to get me going again.

I am also on Pinterest now!  Love, love, love it!!!  Pinning has actually inspired me to get back to blogging.  The two go hand in hand.

Stay tuned . . . Keeping Up With the Kawa'as is back in action!

*muah* (((hugs)))
Luana