It's Official I'm 33!

So, I thought I finally would feel different when I turned 33 but you know what, NOT! I still feel the same as I did as a teenager. Is there a age when you finally feel like like that age?!? Is there such a thing?!?

As, I reflect on my life in the last 33 years, there has been many milestones that has define my life.

Here are a few:

-My first memory as a child is when I was celebrating my 4th birthday.

-One of most important event that would change my whole life, is when I was converted to the L.D.S faith at the age of 17.Being born a Catholic, I had searched for several years for the answers to my questions regarding religion because the faith I was raised in couldn't answer them correctly. I finally found the right answers in the L.D.S faith. Thank you Elder Nielsen and Elder Bell.

-Graduating from High School at age 19.-The moment I found that I was final happy and comfortable with my self image at age 19.Being raised in a culture, that being skinny was not DESIRABLE was very hard. I was told many times, "if only you were fatter, you would be so pretty.", "you need to gain weight if you want boys to look at you.","Hey, you look like a mop and no boy wants to hug a stick." and many more. The sad thing is I believed them and would go on diets to gain weight but reality was I would eat like a horse and couldn't gain the weight. I final discover that my weight doesn't define me. As for anyone else opinion on my weight, I DON"T CARE! Because I love myself and how I look.

-Moving to Utah with my family in 1996 age 21

-Meeting and Dating Blake, age 21- Getting married for time and all eternity in the Bountiful Temple, Utah . Age 21It amazing where my path had led me because of my faith.

-Moving to Reno, Nevada, for Grad School for Blake. Age 23

-Being pregnant with my first child, age 23-Finally become a mom, Isaac was born on September 23rd, age 24
-Becoming a mom again, Nathan on January 10th, age 26 -Becoming homeless because our apartment burned down, age 26-Buying our first house in North Salt Lake , Utah. Age 26-Becoming a mom for the third time, Mya on January 24th. Age 28-Moving to Hawaii, age 31-Discovering the love for Hula
-Returning back to College, age 32-Celebrating my 11th Anniversary-Hearing for the first time "I love you Mommy" from my children. PRICELESS!

As I celebrated my birthday and reflect on my life I have come to the conclusion, that I been truly blessed with a beautiful family.

Missing Them Already

As our time here in Hawaii is rapidly coming to a end, I already missing dancing hula with this Halau. I can still dance hula wherever I go and join other Halau's but they never will replace what I have with this Halau. The girls and women I dance with in this group, brings this special spirit that I'm not so sure I can find in an other Halau. I love the unity, silliest,and encouragement we give to each other.

On Friday, we perform for "Relay for Life", it was a relay for cancer. We all participated in honor for our friends and love ones, who are fighting, who are survivors , or has died of this disease. I chose this video, not because I'm dancing great (for I have never danced this dance before) but because even with the mistakes it was a BLAST.

Mother's Day

The gifts from your children are pricless and I treasure each of every gift my children makes for me, especially on Mother's Day.

This poster is the wrapping paper Nate made to wrap his present.

Isaac made me a sweet smelling pouch and a jar full of hugs and kisses.
I especially love the poem that came with the jar and it reads:
"When I am at school, or when we're far apart, you may get a little lonely, but you're always in my heart. Here are some hugs and kisses, for when I an away, to remind you that I love you, each and every day. with love from Isaac"

This notebook made by Nate was so funny and sweet. The page I enjoy the most is:
"This is my mom. She is so prete and happy and nis and frenle and kind. I love my mom. Nathan."
The Nursery Leader in our ward took a photo of each of the kids in Nursery and presented the photos to the moms for Mother's Day. This was the photo presented to me. (Did I mention, I'm the Nursery Leader)

I have been truly blessed to be a mother to these precious children and I thank my Heavenly Father every night for them.

Happy Mother's Day Karla

Happy Mother's Day Liz

TWO IN A POD

Blond and Red

Curly and Sassy

Friends and Competitors

Silly and Sweet

Two in a Pod

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

My hubby is the everything that's good in my life The reason for my smile The one who keeps me on track The one who makes everything worthwhile

There is a lot more to love
Than I ever knew
I've learned so much about it
Since I married him.

I want to thank him for being a great husband and father to our children.
He has enlightened and enriched our lives.

"THIS IS POLYNESIA"

This was the theme for May Day for the Elementary school my Boys attend. The Islands featured in this show were FIJI, TONGA, TAHITI, SAMOA, COOK ISLAND, AOTEAROA(NEW ZEALANDS), and HAWAII. It was a truly magical and amazing event.

Samoan Warriors

Nate is FIERCE!

The Kindergartener's were AWESOME

Maori Warrior

Strong and Proud

Isaac is a very sick warrior but continued with the show.

Nate showing off the only tattoo, he'll ever have.

Check out the EARRING. He couldn't wait to take it off because he said it HURT.

We truly enjoyed watching the boys perform. It's an experience of a lifetime that we will never forget.

WHAT WAS I THINKING?!

May Day is also known as Lei Day in Hawaii and it is a BIG DEAL! Most of the schools, no all of them celebrate it by putting a cultural performance. The school come up with a theme and each grade would perform a dancing number on it decided culture. Then the school perform this production for the children's parents and extended families. More details about this production in future post.

My ordeal started of my impromptu visited to Nathan's Kindergarten class. When I arrived the children were practicing their dance for May Day and the teacher wanted me to watch it from the beginning. This class is performing a dance from Samoa. It was very endearing to watch them perform for me. Afterward, the teacher asked me if I had a sew machine and can I sew. I told her that I did have a machine and I can sew, curtains. The next thing I know I have a pile of fabric thrust in my arms and was told good, you'll be in charge of the costumes of this class. WHAT?! was my reaction but she told me no one had step forward to make the costumes and May Day was in two weeks. I was shown a drawing on the board like this:

and was told this is what we want. Also, could I make an example for my daughter and bring in a couple of days. Oh, did you see that the girl's dresses have to have two slits on each side. Okay, can anyone can say FREAKED OUT, because I agree to do it. What the heck was I thinking. Here I am, a PUERTO RICAN trying to sew a native Samoan dress. I don't really know how to sew and I'm was trying to study for my finals for my classes also. Nevertheless, after two nights of no sleep because I was beside myself with worry about making these costumes, I made the example and was prepared to tell the teacher, to find someone else because I just couldn't do this. So, I brought this in:I just had to have Mya model the dress, so you can see how it looks. Isn't she cute!

The teacher and the dance instructor loved it. So, I told them, what was my decision and was told " No, you can do this" and I did! I learned so much about doing the correct measurements to make the dresses, doing seams and those DARNED SLITS. I would look at any clothing I had, that had slits and study how it was made. Then I was able to duplicate it to the dresses. As for the lava lavas( which is wrap a round) for the boy, I was able to cut up all the fabric and the straps. Then the Kindergarten teacher's Aid volunteered to sew the seams. Then I was able to get a friend to sew the top seam and attach the straps. I made 9 girl dresses and handed out the 8 lava lava out and our goal was to have it done by Monday the 28th. After many early morning and late nights, we MADE IT!

Sweet, the finish product

I was so happy and relieved to be done. But NOOOOOOOOOOO, I had to stop and offer my help for Isaac's 2nd grade costumes. I am LOSING IT! I would say a resounding YES! So, I had to stray paint a stencil on the boys lava lava.Most of the Polynesians men and boys wear lava lavas

Insert the elastics in the top seams and sew on the tassels.

Blake told me, NO MORE, enough is enough. But I had already volunteered for tomorrow to help drive the Kindergarten to and from the Polynesian Cultural Center because that's where our school is performing their May Day program. Also on Friday, I'm to help the Kindergarten change in their costumes and put on makeup.

I have decided I have forgotten how to say NO!, because before I never had a problem with using that word before. With all this volunteering for May Day, my life has be hectic and overwhelming. I have learned to appreciate the challenge and learn that I am more capable to do more than I realize. I been truly BLESSED!

Stay tune for the next post of MAY DAY!

A Love of Music

After months of long practices and rehearsals. We were able to see Isaac performing with the Jubilate Choir with the other keiki of our small town.

He was pretty excited about performing but once he's on the stage, he's STAGE SHY!
As we watch him, we just chuckle because it's so obvious but according to him, he was great.

Come and watch this cute video of the keiki performing.

Fun In The Sun!

Getting ready for my run on the beach at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday morning when I decided it would be fun to take the kids with me and explore the beach. I also thought it would be nice to let Blake sleep in.
We had such an AWESOME experience. We explored the beach for 3 hours!

So, come and join us and see what we did and found in the slide below:

WE DID IT!

We woke up early to participate in this event and we had a SWEATY and FUN time.

It was a 2 miles trek with at least 500 members of our Stake participating. It was an AWESOME way to start out our Stake Conference weekend.

We were shown a map of the path to take and had people to guide us in the right direction. There were a couple of stations you had to participate in and were given different items to prove you had been there. I especially enjoyed the station that you had to do FIVE KICKS before continuing the run. As you near the end of the run you can hear the the music BLASTING encouraging you to finish.




I placed 2nd in our ward to finish the race, Isaac placed 4th, Nathan placed 10th, Blake and Mya placed 11th and 12th.

It was a great way to start a day with FAMILY and FRIENDS.

SPRING BREAK!

We had many fun adventures on our two weeks break.
These are some of the things we did;

• Visited the Honolulu Zoo with friends
• Went Whale Watching
• Snorkel at Shark Cove
• Visited the Hawaii Temple Visitor Center
  
• Went Boogie Boarding
• Went to an Neighborhood Egg Hunt
• Night Games( hide and seek in the dark and search for each others with flash lights)
• Went to the Beach.
• Also drove mom CRAZY with their arguing

By the end of the break, I couldn't wait for school to start AGAIN!

Good Recipes?

So, I have been Tagged by Becca in the search for better ideas for DINNER! (click on her name and it would take you to her blog)

Well, if you speak to Blake, he would testify that I'm not the best of cook but I am getting better.
I do agree at time I'm at lost for "What to have for Dinner"!?!? but when I have those moments we have Breakfast for Dinner, like homemade Waffle, Pancakes, Eggs and Bacon. (Usually made by my hubby!)I'm a little spoiled because my husband cooks all the meals on the weekends and I just do the week's dinners.

But Usually we have;

• Chicken Enchiladas

• Pork and Onion-Roasted Pototoes

• Chicken Tortilla Casserole

• Teriyaki or BBQ Meat with Rice

• Pasta either with Poultry, Meat, Sausage or Seafood with red or white sauce.

• Roast Pork or Steak and ARROZ CON GANDULES with is Yellow Rice with Green Pigeon Peas ( When I'm feeling Spanish)

• Puerto Rican Fried Meat Pies (Empanadas)Not very often!

• Cooking Bananas with Fried Portuguese Sausage with saute onions

So, we live in Hawaii and Spam is very BIG here!

• BBQ Spam and Pineapple and Rice

As for vegetable a ton Tomatoes because we belong to a Tomatoes Coop. The recipes above varies for week to week.

Becca I hope this help. I also look up recipes on the web.
I thought this tag was fun, so I decide to tag LIZ.
(click on her name and it would take you to her blog)

So how the tag works is... you pretty much just do the same thing that I did. Blog your usual dinner meals for a week. I am hoping that you will be inspire to do and try something new! If you see something yummy that you want to try, just post a comment on the persons blog asking for the recipe.