So long 2010....Hellllooooo 2011

It's 9pm on New years Eve and I am ready to crawl in to bed and wake up next year ;)  I have been ready for 2011 since June...and boy am I glad i'ts here.  I didn't really know if I was going to be able to make it to New Years after Lee left.  I kept telling myself that if I could make it through the holidays that I would be okay.  Well theHolidays have come and alomst gone and I'M HERE!!!!!!!  By the grace of God, amazing family and friends and a whole lot of tears...Lee and I survived our first 6 months apart and only have a 11 months and 1 week and 2 days left apart!  You know I can't say all of 2010 was bad...a lot of miracles have happened for us this year and with the trials come the blessings and I wouldn't trade any of them.  2011 wil be a tough year but one filled with learning, growth and ending with a wonderful reunion when my baby finally comes HOME.  Thank you all for following the Blog and supporting me through all my ups and downs.  I will do a "year in review" later this week but for now I wish you all the love, peace and happiness your heart can hold in 2011!!!!!!!!

Christmas Eve Day Fun...

It's Christmas EVE Day and we decided to gotoTemple beach and enjoy our beautiful weather:)

It was only 9am but it was already hot and perfect beach weather!

The storms of last week had washed up so much drift wood and debris BUT the water was nice and clean:)

The kids has SO much fun playing with the sticks...they were occupied for hours!!!

Kayla was in Doggie Heaven as there were dozens of coconuts on the beach for her to husk;)

Who knew sticks were so fun...forget buying toys, we're playing with sticks from now on!

Um...NO we can't take this one home Savannah!!!

We played and hung out and had so much fun.  It was relaxing and beautiful and I thank Heavenly Father for this moment!!!

What made it even more perfect was that my HONEY called and I got to talk to him while watching the kids play in the shore break.  Almost as good as having him sitting beside me...

We went home and got showered and headed to MCD's for lunch!

They ate all there food so they got ICE CREAM!!!

Austin is so handsome...he is gonna be a heart breaker when he is older;)

Jackie is the naughtiest kid ever but he's so stinkin cute that you can't stay mad at him:P

Okay...maybe I'm biased but is that not the face of a future Super MODEL??? She is my gorgeous princess and she, like her Daddy, has me wrapped around her little pinky!

I have to work tonight but am gonna make it home for the ritual opening of one present...so will post those pics later. I hope everyone has a MERRY CHRISTMAS and know that we love you all!!!

Christmas Break Happenings...

 We were lucky to have some great weather before our recent "monsoon" weather and got this great picture of the kids at Turtle Bay...so adorable!!!

 We finally decoarted the Christmas tree (after it sitting in our house for over a week) and had my first Chirstmas tree decoration with Savannah!!!

 I think it came out pretty awesome!!!

 We had our Ward Christmas party and my camera was not working so great but got this too cute for words picture of Savannah and her BFF's!

 Santa came to town and we had a lot of fun and good food...LOVE my ward!!!

 I took Savannah to see the NUTCRACKERBALLET for the very first time...I go every year and I was so excited to be able to share this tradition with her.

This is her standing in front of the Orchestra...we got scolded for using hte camer( i guess its not allowed) so I didn't get a chance to snap one of us together.  The ballet was WONDERUFL and I am convinced that I was sent to the wrong body because my soul was meant to be a BALLERINA!!!!!!  Savannah fell asleep because it was way past her bedtime but she loved the first half and I'm looking forward to taking her and Daddy next year.

Blog Challenge Day 10: What I Wore TODAY...

It's Sunday so hereis my favorite new Church dress...it's from Target and it's a 2X!!!!!  I had a black one that was a 4X that used to fit like this!!!!!  So yay for me...although you can see my arm looks gross...loose skin and dropping weight fast are not a good combo;P  Hope you all have a great day!!!

Day 9: My BELIEFS

So day 9 (more like day 20 but who said I was perfect? LOL) of the BLOG CHALLENGE is my beliefs.  Im going to try and go SIMPLE and not ramble;)
1. I believe that I have a loving Father in HEAVEN who created me in His image and is watching over me every second of my life.
2.  I believe that I have an elder Brother, JESUS CHRIST, who loves me uncoditionally...taught me how to return to our Father in Heaven, suffered for my sins and died for ME.
3.  I believe that Jospeh Smith saw our Father and Brother and was led by divine call to restore Jesus Christs Church to the earth.
4.  I believe that we have a living Prophet, Thomas S. Monson, who reeives revelation from God.
5.  I believe families can be together for Eternity.
6.  I believe that animals go to Heaven :)
7.  I believe that TRUE love has nothing to do with fairy tales or hollywood...but with respect, honor, faith and kindness.
8.  I believe that success in life is based on how many people you have helped along the way...not how much money or things you have.
9.  I believe that best friends, chocolate, sunsets, a good laugh and puppy slobber are all NECESSITIES in life.
10. I believe that forgiveness is easier than holding grudges AND asking for permission is much easier than asking for forgivenss;)

Okay so I rambled a little and could go on more...but these are my basic beliefs!!!

Blog Challenge Day 8: A Moment

Hmmm...this is pretty vague and is making it kind of difficult for me to settle on a topic.  I have many moments in my life...some amazing and some not so amazing ones but I am very grateful that I have some.  I am definitely not BORED by any means;)  Ok...here is a good one that just popped into my head.  I have always loved my husband with all my heart and I am the kind of person that gives my whole heart to the people I love.  Lee has been hurt a lot in life and has put up a lot of walls.  He always loved me and did so more than anyone else in his life but it was always a guarded kind of love.  Over the years the walls have slowly come down and once he found the gospel, I saw him blossom and grown beyond my wildest dreams.  Well my moment is simple but life altering in so many ways.  On Lee's hard days, I always tell him, "You know how much I love you? Well Heavenly Father loves you a million times morea nd is watching over you".  So, the other day, we were on the phone and having a conversation about some past traumas in our relationship...which is ALWAYS fun (NOT).  I was a bit emotional (ok I was a blubbering mess) and Lee is his most sincere and sweet voice says, "Honey I know that I haven't always been the best husband and I have put you through a lot but I PROMISE that I will try my best to love you the way you love me and the way Heavenly Father loves us.  Im not there yet but I WILL get there...I promise."  All my insecurities melted away and I just cried and my HEART WAS FULL...of love, hope, grattitude and comfort.  I will never forget that moment and I KNOW that my sweet husband is giving me his WHOLE HEART and will love me for Eternity...the way I love him;)

Thanksgiving and Turkey Trot!

The video is funny and I apologize ahead of time for all my talking. I REALLY do not like the sound of my voice and need to remember not to talk so loud when I am video taping stuff:P

Savannah is number 4...we did not train her for the Turkey Trot because we didn't even know that she was an alternate until the day before! Her teacher sent home a note saying to come and cheer her on because someone got sick:( and she was filling in.

She came in last..but hey SHE MADE IT and did a wonderful job. Oh and the girl who won had the longest legs I have ever seen in my life!!!

Lee's Mom and Brother came over ofr Thanksgiving and spent some great quality time with Savannah!

Austing loves Uncle Robert :D

This is the first year that I didn't have to cook ANYTHING!  It was so nice and the food was DELISH!  Of course I couldn't eat all my favorite foods but I took a small bite of everythign Sara made so I could sample her cooking skills!

It was a wonderful meal and although I missed Lee quite a bit...I was grateful for the wonderful family I have and all the blessings in our lives!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Blog Challenge Day 7: My Best Friend

Day 7 of the Blog Challenge is a toughie...I have ALOT of best firends...no really I do and not just random people I call my best friend but REAL best friends.  I have been very blessed to have several people in my life who would fit every single description of what a best friend is.  So I am going to talk about ALL of them:)  So I am going to put them in CHRONOLOGICAL order so no one fights over who I love more cause I love you ALL equally ;P

1. JONNY- Since Iwas born, my brother JONNY has been my best friend.  He tortured me mercilessly at times but I adored him and we had so much fun together.  All the way through college we still hung out and I even lived with him and his wonderful wife for a few years.  He always knows how to make me laugh and put me in check when Im getting out of hand.  I miss him and his family so much and wish we didn't live so far away:(

2.  Kalani:  We met in the 6th grade but didn't start hanging out until the 9th or so but she is my long lost twin sister :p  We are so DIFFERENT but so much a like its CRAZY.  She lives in ENGLAND and flew 24 hours to come and see me on our 31st Birthdays.  I would almost move to England just to be able to sing Karaoke and shop with her every weekend. If it was a tropical climate I'd already be there ;)

3.  Alii:  We met in High School but got super close in College.  I could take pages to describe our friendship but I will sum it up simply by saying that Alii has stuck by me and my husband through thick and thin.  He has been there for my best and worst times and although we hardle see eachother...i know that I can call him day or night and he will be by my side! 

4.  Lisa:  She has always been my older Sister/Mother but in the past few yeras, she has become my best friend.  I know I can call her any time and tell her ANYTHING and she would never judge me.  She gives me the best advice and has seen me through some major emotianl meltdowns:P  LIke most of my list, she lives thousands of miles away but when we do get to see each other, it;s WONDERFUL.

5.  Sara:  Yes...Savannah's Mother SARA...is one of my best friends;P It's been a long road for us, but over the past three years, we have really grown to love each other and have become like sisters.  Now that we are living together, we have had our friendship tested quite a bit but every road block that we hit just brings  us closer together. 

Okay I have a few more to list but have taken three days to write this much and want to get this posted already:P  But I will do a follow up post later!

Happy Anniversary Honey...

 It has been 6 years since we said "I do"...and I love you more today than I thought I ever could!

 You made me the happiest girl in the world that day and I couldn't imagine living a day without you to hold my hand and walk with me through this life.

 Everytime you kiss me, my knees get weak and when I look in to your beautiful blue eyes I feel the world around us disappear and its just you and me!

 Even though we aren't together physically today...we are more connected spiritually and emotionally than ever before! 

 Thank you for teaching me waht TRUE love is...for accepting my fautls and accentuating my positive attributes.  Thank you for alwyas having my back no matter what and loving me unconditionally.

 I miss holding you and kissin gyou and scratching your head :P  But most of all I miss waking up to you every morning and going to bed in your arms every night.

 I love how you make me laugh and help me to RELAX, let my hair down and enjoy life...

Its been a long road these past few years for us Honey...but I would do it over 100 times again if I had too!  You are my world and you have become the most amazing husband and father in the world...and you are still growing every day.  I can't wait to see what the next 6..20..50 yeasr has in store for us.  I love you and always will...Happy Anniversary Honey!!!

Happy Birthday to ME!

Wow...I am 34 years old!!!  Actually I don't really feel any older but I do feel wiser ;)  I decided to kick of my Birthday weekend in Kona in the only place in the world that I can find total peace in this world...the TEMPLE!  I flew over Thursday afternoon and spent the evening there.  I stayed overnight and then got up bright and early to send my Birthday morning communing with the LORD!  I really think this needs to be my new tradition.  Wake up and startof celebrating my birth by doing the Lord's work!  I said goodbye to my sweet temple worker sisters (as Laie will be opening and I wont be back until next year) and said "see ya later" to my Kona Temple.  I admit I cried a little but then focused on my beautiful Laie Temple that is opening in a few days!!!

The night of my birthday is also the night of my Wedding Anniversary.  Lee and I go to 21 Degrees North (fine dining restaraunt @Turtle bay) every year and my sweet and amazing best friend in the whole world offered to take me there for my Birthday:)  Lee loves Alii almost as much as I do and was so happy to know that he would take me out to celebrate.  Lee sent me sucha beautiful Birthday/anniversary card that told me to PROMISE to have fun and celerate my life becuase that is what Jesus would want...and to not be sad.  I was a little sad but had so many wonderful things to keep me smiling.  Alii and I talked andlaughed and ate yummy food and it really was the perfect way to spend the night!

I told the waitress that I dont eat sugar/carbs and she said her sister was on a similar diet.  Well when we asked for hte check, she brrought out this amazing and beautiful dessert for me!!!  I am in the stage where I can have a small amount of berries so this was perfect.  She ot a very nice TIP!!!!

Saturday we celebrated my irthday with Sara nd the kids.  I wanted to get in the Christmas spirit so we went to Wondward mall to participate in their fun Christmas activites.  We ate breakfast at IHOP first then I got a mani/pedi while Sara and the kids played:)

The got to see Geoffery the giraffe from Toys-R-us...

Made Chritmas ornamnets and bags while watchign the Nutcracker...

And we played in he "snow" that was coming out of the top of the Christmas tree...aka Bubbles!

All in all it was a wonderful Birthday and I am truly blessed.  I only have one more without my hubby but really he comes home three weeks later so I think I will change my Birthday/Anniversary to Decemer 11th next year:D

I LOVE TO SEE THE TEMPLE...

I had the privelege of attending the Cultural Celebration for the Temple Re-Dedication that 2000 of the Youth of Hawaii put on for the Prophet!  It was the day after my Birthday and was AMAZING.  I was very lucky to get a ticket from my sweet friend Jocelyn...they only gavee tickets to VIP's and parents of the children performing.  What an amazing expreience...the Prophet spoke to the kids before their performance and I caught the ending part in which he gave them a blessing.  I am so proud of the kids from my ward who worked so hard and did such an amazing job.  I don't have any video of hte performance because it was very dark but there is one for sale and I am definitely getting it!!!

The audience sang "Aloha Oe" to President Monson, then spontaneoulsy someone started singing,"We Thank The O GOd for a Prophet" and it was so beautiful. Please don't mind my singing int he backround...LOL...I was crying so only could get a few bars out!

I am so blessed to have been able to attend the Cultural Celebration and then the next day attended the broadcast of the Dedicatory Services.  I have never been to a Temple dedication before and I LOVED every minute of it!!!  They show a video fo temples before the live feed and when they cut to the Dedication I see a close up shot of my brother, Scott and his wife Jolene.  Jolene was the Organist for that session and the Choirs accompanist) and Scott got a seat right next to her.  Total surprise to see them and I started crying when I saw Scott on screen.  The entire session was so full of the spirit and I just WISH Lee could have particapated in all the events.  I promised hi that we would atttend a dedication together one day but it wont be the same as our hometown Temple!

The chapel that I watcehd the broadcast from is right next door to the Temple. So as soon as it was over, I jumped up and ran over to hopefully see the Prophet up close as he left the Temple.  I got a pretty good spot but all the security kept walking in front of me so I couldn't get a good picture:(  But as he was leaving he looked over at me and I waved and he waved back at me...well and all the other people around me;)  What totally surprised me is that he got in to a plain old mini van!!!  It was cute and totally unassuming and I LOVE THAT!

After they left I thought, hey mabye I can find my brother???  There were SO many people coming out of the temple and who came up to see the prophet that I didn't think I'd be able to find him but from across the way I caught a glimpse of him and started walking/running towards him waving my hands.  About half way to him he saw me and his face lit up and he started coming over to me and I literally ran into his arms crying like a baby.  I didn't realize how much I needed to see someone I loved at that moment.  I had fought the sadness about not having Lee with me pretty well and I wasn't crying out of sadness...more like relief...that someone was there who knew me and loved me and could share in this sacred and special moment with me.  He held me and kissed my forehead and said "Oh my baby sister" and I just cried.  It was a moment I will NEVER forget and I am tearing up now as I relive it in my mind.  It just brought home the importance of FAMILY and of being SEALED.  I know it's important and have dreamed of it everyday since meeting Lee but now its more than a wish or a dream...its a PASSION.  My entire life is focused on making it to the temple with my husband and I am going to do everything I can to be worthy and ready for that day. 

It was an amazingly spiritaul weekend that I cannot describe in words buta m so grateful that I got to experience in person!!!

Kona...

Im going to Kona for my Birthday and have tons of fun things to do this weekend, so will be having a little break in my Blog challenege...but will resume next week:)  I will also post all o fmy Birthday Adventures as well!  If any of you have strated the blog challenge PLEASE comment so I can check yours out:)  Love you all...Mibi

Mormon temple on Oahu opening its doors for the first time since 1978

Check out this video of the Laie Hawaii Temple open house newstory:D Has gorgeous pictures of the Temple Rennovations!!!!!!

Mormon temple on Oahu opening its doors for the first time since 1978

Trick-or-Treat LAIE STYLE

Grandma Harp came over the day before Halloween and Savannah dressed up for her!

It's "Jesse" and Buzz" from Toy Story...LOVE this picture!!! They are both smiling and looking at the camera :)

We went to Turtle Bay's Halloween Bash and they had so many fun free things to do for the kids!

Savannah entered the costume contest...she didn't win but I thought she was the cutest kid there:P

We met up with Mercel and Isaiah (My best friend, Ivanas kids) and went trick or treating in our neighborhood.  We went down Moana and Iosepa streets and were POOPED...it was SO PACKED and the kids scored so much candy!

Buzz and Woody...Best Friends Forever!

Savannah got her face painted at Turtle Bay!

We were home by 8pm and climbed into bed to watch Hocus Pocus!  It was my first Halloween with Savannah and it was tons of fun...a little bittersweet because her Daddy wasn't with us but I know we will have at least a few more Halloweens before she is too cool to be seen with her parents:P