Samoan prayers

Yesterday the Samoan Islands experienced a very large earthquake and the following tsunami waves. These waves had a devastating effect on these small island nations. Some of the smaller islands were completely submerged underwater.

In our ward we have many, many members who are from Samoa and are directly affected by this. Our Bishop served his mission in Samoa, our RS President is Samoan, we have a recent returned missionary that served there and the list goes on.

Please pray for not only our members in Samoa, but all the people there.

Waialua District Park

Here in Hawai'i the islands are divided into districts...Hawaii Kai, Kaimuki, Waikiki, etc. Waialua is actually a pretty big "district". Haleiwa used to be considered Waialua, but then became it's own town years ago (that's another story).

Our district park is pretty big and is located in what used to be considered the middle of Waialua Town. It's behind Waialua Elementary School, across from the library and Waialua Shopping Center, across from the Waialua Bandstand and close to the sugar mill. It's made up of complex of recreation areas.Basketball courts, and they gym. This is where Waialua Elementary School holds it's graduation ceremony and other community events. That's a pool located behind the basketball courts. Picnic areas

I just love the "retro look" signs on the bathrooms!

Baseball field and the tennis courts behind that. The big football field is located to the left of the baseball field.

When it's hot during the summer, you'll drive by and see people sitting in the cool shade of the trees. The pool is used year-round by all sorts of people. On the weekends you can drive by and see the bouncy houses and smell the ono BBQ of family picnics.

It really is a hidden treasure.

First BIG Swell

All night Wednesday night I could hear the surf. If it's big enough and the winds are right we can hear it from our house and that's a sure sign that the surf is pretty big. So Yesterday on my trip into town I went around towards the eastside, instead of the freeway.

The traffic was backed up, so I figured that Lanis put have some size...it did, not much, but I couldn't even take a picture. Chuns was so crowded I couldn't even pull over into a parking spot. Cars lined the road all the way to Pidleys. It was crazy and so many people out. The Bay didn't show anything, but it was picking up the surge, so the water wasn't calm.

Then I came around the bend to this...

This is Three Tables. There were 3 guys out. Couldn't actually see the "tables". It's a pretty dramatic place to watch because it's so close and the rides are pretty short. There really wasn't anyone even watching these guys.

When I got up towards Sunset, I could tell that there must have been something because of the cars parked along the road. Sure enough...

Not too many people out and just a perfect day. Wasn't onshore winds yet, so it was nice...hadn't gotten bumpy.

The farther I went, the windier (is that a word?) it got. The North Shore was definately the place to be yesterday. When I came back around, it was just getting dark and there were still guys out!

Hawaii Schools

(photo: Honolulu Advertiser)

The teachers in Hawaii have voted to approve their contract. This contract will cost them almost 8% in pay because of the 17 furlough days they have to take. This is 17 days of non-instruction...no school...nothing! It's sad that because of our economy it has come to this. At least the teachers have their jobs and by approving this, they can move forward and make the best of it. In CA they are increasing class size to try and save money, so this is just another way to try and do this.

They have published the dates, every month will have two Fridays off. I feel so bad because I can see it's going to be hard to make up the instruction time. At least they have a contract. Everyone at WES seemed to be glad that part was over and now they can just get on with it.

Just another sign of the times.

200

This is it...my 200th post! I never thought I'd have so much to say about our life here in Hawaii, our family and just things in general. This blog has helped me in so many ways...more than I can even begin to describe.

So in honor of 200, I've changed things around a little bit (thanks Bri), add somethings and taken somethings away. Enjoy!

Mahalo nui loa to all who read it.
J

There's also another post right after this one...the "REAL" 200th one!

Grand Birthdays

I know that this post is a little late, but I'm really making an effort to get caught up...so here goes.
June is a very, very busy month for celebrations in our family. Our anniversary, Traci & Billy's anniversary is the same day as Geoff's birthday and then there are the grands birthdays! With two of them being on the same day (Lauren and Greyson) and Jack's also being in that same week...their mother's put in some planning.
This year Lauren and Jack had a combined party at a park. They had two separate sets of friends, decorations, goody bags, etc. It worked out great. Everyone did eat Gluten Free cupcakes just to make things easier. Greyson had a party the following week at another park, and that was great also. This was a fun year with all the parties and Jack and Greyson really "getting into" it.

Lauren~7

This has been a huge year for Lauren. Going from not feeling very well all the time to feeling GREAT all the time. She's been so brave with all the drs. visits, blood test and even the endoscope. She's accepted the celiac and is learning to make adjustments. It's heart warming to see the change this had made. She told me that she wants to be a dr. someday, and this wouldn't surprise me. She has the sweetest voice and the sweetest spirit to go along with it.

Jack~4

Jack, Jack, Jack...he's into telling the silly jokes rights now. He's learned to swim, dive and even do a cannon-ball in the pool at the MH. He started Pre-School this year and loves it! He has started taking more risk...which seem to lead to scabs, black eyes or some "boy injury". He adores his sister and is always checking if something is "gluten or wheat free" for us. His job to earn $$ is picking up the golf balls at the MH and he takes that very seriously. He still wants to be a garbage man when he grows up, but that might change.

Greyson~2

Grey has gone from a toddler to a little boy this year. What a little boy he is! Even at this age he's very athletic. He can hit, kick and throw a ball better than most other kids. He was able to figure out how to ride a scooter within just a few minutes. He wants to try just about anything, including surfing. This year, on the days that Jack isn't in Pre-School, we babysit Greyson. This has been wonderful for us to get to know each other. He's the best eater and sleeper I've ever seen. He loves his older cousins, especially Lauren and has the best belly-laugh! Makes me laugh thinking about it.

Nothing is like having grandchildren. It's so much easier and such a joy there aren't enough words to describe it. We just love them.

Thunderbirds

Over the weekend, I went with friends to Hickham AFB to see the Thunderbirds and the base's Open House. My friends called to say that the parking was great on the base which worked out great, since we had just been going to go to Lagoon Drive (by the airport) or Ewa to park and watch. We were able to get seats in the bleachers that were set up. It was hot, and no shade, but still great viewing. Thank goodness for stiff trade winds!

The show was great! I had actually seen them the last time they were here and the show was right over Waikiki. I really think that may have been a little bit more impressive since the planes were flying by the hotels and around Diamond Head. This was still a great show and well worth the sunburn I got.

600 miles per hour and inches apart is pretty impressive!

Thanks to the Air Force for the earplugs, bleachers and a great show.