I wonder....

Uneasiness. I'm not sure why but I am definitely second guessing. Praying...

Island Fever or not?

I don't know what it is but I think I might have Island fever. It's only a temporary feeling but I think I just realized how inconvenient it can be when you are so used to a 24 hour city. Stores or restaurants close before 10 PM here and they open at 9am or 10am. Junk.

There are some other things that I miss about being in the mainland. Things are much cheaper so wallet shock in Hawaii is an understatement. I like a full cart of groceries for less than $100.

There are places that can accommodate all of your needs, for example threading for your eyebrows, on every corner. Just don't have to go far that's for sure. Walmart Kmart Lowe's Home Depot OfficeMax Costco and Sam's Club all of these places are close to where you live. Not much travel necessary.

I love being able to drive to another state. I wish that we did more driving then just going to California or Arizona.

I loved going on hikes. I did one with a bunch of women and I wish I could do it again. I love seeing red rock and I love going to Mount Charleston during the winter.

Hawaii is gorgeous and Hawaii is my home but there is a lot that the mainland can offer that Hawaii cannot. I don't regret moving out of Hawaii to experience things. It was the best thing we could have done. Not only does it help you to realize how special Hawaii your home is but it opens your eyes to possibilities. There is so much to do so much to learn so much to see outside of our islands. Even though I missed Hawaii when I was in the mainland, I was grateful to have the opportunity to be away from it too.

What ever the case things happen for reason and we are back home now. We have been blessed and we are so appreciative.

7 Steps to protecting our children from sexual abuse - #3

Step 3: Talk About It

Children Often Keep Abuse a Secret, but Barriers Can Be Broken Down by Talking Openly About It “My daughter tells me everything. I know she would tell me if someone molested her.” Understand Why Children are Afraid to Tell The abuser shames the child, points out that the child let it happen, or tells the child that his or her parents will be angry. The abuser is often manipulative and may try to confuse the child about what is right and wrong. The abuser sometimes threatens the child or a family member. Some children who do not initially disclose abuse are ashamed to tell when it happens again. Children are afraid of disappointing their parents and disrupting the family. Some children are too young to understand. Many abusers tell children the abuse is "okay" or a "game." Know How Children Communicate Children who disclose sexual abuse often tell a trusted adult other than a parent. For this reason, training for people who work with children is especially important. Children may tell "parts" of what happened or pretend it happened to someone else to gage adult reaction. Children will often "shut down" and refuse to tell more if you respond emotionally or negatively. Talk Openly With Your Child Tools for Talking to Your Children Good communication may decrease a child's vulnerability to sexual abuse and increase the likelihood that the child will tell you if abuse has occurred. Teach your children about their bodies, about what abuse is, and, when age-appropriate, about sex. Teach them words that help them discuss sex comfortably with you. Model caring for your own body, and teach children how to care for theirs. Teach children that it is "against the rules" for adults to act in a sexual way with them and use examples. Teach them what parts of their bodies others should not touch. Be sure to mention that the abuser might be an adult friend, family member, or older youth. Teach children not to give out their email addresses, home addresses, or phone numbers while using the Internet. Start early and talk often. Use everyday opportunities to talk about sexual abuse. Be proactive. If a child seems uncomfortable, or resistant to being with a particular adult, ask why. One survey showed that fewer than 30% of parents ever discussed sexual abuse with their children. And even then, most failed to mention that the abuser might be an adult friend or family member. Talk to Other Adults About Child Sexual Abuse Support and mutual learning occur when you share with another adult. You raise the consciousness of your community and influence their choices about child safety. You may be offering support and information to an adult whose child is experiencing abuse, and may not know what to do. You put potential abusers on notice that you are paying attention.

d2l.org

Appreciating Life...

There comes a time in your life when you truly appreciate those IN your life, including friends and family.  I don't know if it's because I'm getting older but I never felt the need to show appreciation to those I care for MORE than I do now.  Being in Las Vegas for several years also made me realize how short life is and that time is too precious to waste on things or people that don't add value to your life. If a person doesn't compliment your life and brings you down, it's time to be away from them. It's time to go your separate way.

Lately I've had the overwhelming feeling and need to stay away from anything that makes my blood boil.  Any Drama that comes my way, I dislike.  It's not that I don't care or think I'm better than them but it just means I can't handle wasting such energy and stressing over stuff that don't really matter. Even if it's family members or people I love or care for, I choose to stay away. I continue praying for them that life will get better but refuse to co-exist with them.

Life is too short.  We are all getting old.  Love onto God, our family and our treasured friends.  Anything else is secondary.  I love you all...

Happiness or misery? Hell no to misery...

 

 

In every situation that I find myself in, I choose to be cheerful and happy. I've learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness OR the greater part of our misery, TRULY depends upon our disposition.  It most definitely does not depend on our circumstances.  Trust me, I've been "Down in the dumps" with my attitude in my own personal privacy but, when I choose to change the inner attitude of my mind, in changes outer aspects of my life.  My faith becomes stronger and I can "live" another day :)

 

Our family has had many challenges.  We've had many arguments and disagreements. We are, by all means, NOT PERFECT.  Because My hubby and I, no matter how grouchy we may be, have still the same ultimate goal to make it work in all situations, we simply...make it work!  We love each other and we love our children.  We've both grown up in different family lifestyles and we choose to adopt some practices we grew up with and disregard others.  Our upbringing made us stronger.  We, never once, used our upbringing as an excuse but used it as a motivation to provide our kids with a loving home with loving parents. 

 

I had such a nice bonding time with Tainoa tonight building his Halo model.  He got it for his birthday from Aunt and Uncle and he absolutely LOVES it.  The vibe of happiness is so strong with this kid.  I love it!  Feeling his happy vibe tonight MORE SO comforted me that our decisions were right in all angles.  The kids are happy!  That's what matters.

 

Situations are tough financially but there is always time to spend with family.  That's what makes me happy.  I choose to focus on this verses the stress that comes with that "next bill" that will come in the mailbox.  I choose to focus on the kids verses the noise I hear in our car that absolutely needs fixing.  YES there are many challenges and I can list them all...but I choose not to.  No, I don't think they are less important but there are somethings you can't change right now so what is left but the power of prayer and faith that all will work out.  I choose a disposition of all things positive.  As long as I have God in my life, I have strength and will continue to do what is right for my Ohana whom I love dearly!

 

http://www.hawaiianhomelands.org/2012/09/22/lai-opua-welcomes-blitz-build-homesteaders/

September 16-22 Now Habitat for Humanity Week!

When I say "Life has been changed!", I am not kidding!!!  After today, we have our own home.  We can start making new memories.  We can live again. Life starts NOW.  Our creativity has no limits, our dreams can come true as SKIES THE LIMIT.

Habitat for Humanity, Blitz Home Builders, DHHL and 1000 plus volunteers have changed 5 families lives!  They've blessed us all beyond belief!  I still can't believe that we were a part of this HUGE event! 

Abercrombie deemed September 16-22 HABITAT FOR HUMANITY WEEK! I cannot wait to be a part of blessing more families lives!  Mahalo Kona for embracing the program and coming out to volunteer in ALL ANGLES of this event!  You are amazing - and we love you all so much!

The torch is lit!

Easy to forget the positive things...

This morning I had a temporary breakdown. It lasted no more than two minutes. I almost was going to spend my morning thinking about how little my paycheck was when my husband said and his beautiful voice, " it's something".

He was absolutely right it was something. It was better than the zero.
I haven't really focused on the wallet shock that I receive here back in Hawaii but then again it's not really an issue. I remember when I first moved to Las Vegas I was so excited to see cheaper deals everywhere. You share with your new friends that the expensive food etc. is ridiculous back home. They give you the shocked look on their face and then again you think... wait a second you lived through that and never crumbled. It wasn't really an issue no matter what you got paid. So now I sit here and think about it and realize that there truly isn't any place like home. Call him is where the heart is and the heart is your family and your true friends. I found some awesome new and true friends in the mainland yes I did. What was missing for so long was the love of some members of the Ohana. Family is one of life's biggest blessings bestowed upon us from God above. It is vital to the happiness of our lives and for the happiness of our children. No matter how expensive it is to live in Hawaii it doesn't matter because now the smiles have returned to my children's faces.

This morning it was easy to focus on the negative the junk paycheck but then when my husband reminded me with his smirk remark I realized that he was absolutely right. We have been blessed beyond measure. We were able to conquer all of the negative inner lives up to this point. We now will be living in a home with my mom and not much people get to experience that in Hawaii unfortunately. We are blessed so how dare I get mad over the negative.

We are so grateful it is unbelievable. We were chosen and that is something we need to embrace. Now is our turn to show our appreciation in every way possible. Thank you Jesus for all that you do. sometimes we do not feel worthy we love you.

Day 4 of the Blitz Build!

It's Day 4 of the Blitz Build through Habitat for Humanity and Hawaiian Homes!  It's so exciting to see the progress of these 5 homes.  We are so blessed, just like the other four families, to be able to have an affordable home in Hawaii, Kailua-Kona!

Day 2 of the Build

Day 2 of the build at La'iopua on the Big Island!  Thank you Habitat for Humanity and Hawaiian Homes!!