Gratitude

Waikiki Weekend

I was invited to participate in a FAM Tour by Aston Hotels and Resorts of their Oahu properties.  The tour came with 2 night complimentary room stay at the Waikiki Beach Aston and a day and a half of wining and dining and gifts galore from Aston.

This was the view from our room! Yep - I could see the fireworks on Friday night!

So much fun - and so many gifts from Aston - lots of snacks, electronic goodies. gift cards, bags, you name it!  I will definitely recommend Aston to everyone!
Gene and the girls came the second night and swam - a very fun weekend.

Oh - and got to go to may favorite vegan restaurant, Ruffage, and eat the ahi poke, avocado salad - best salad hands down!

Les Mis in London

Saw it on Oct. 8, 2013 - exactly 28 years from when it first opened.  Didn't realize it when I bought the tickets.  Even more strange - saw it in London on it's 26th anniversary in 2011 - again didn't realize it when I bought the tickets.  Thinking about the 30th anniversary. Glad I got to see it this time with my nephew Rene.

Long Enough

It certainly has been long enough since I've posted to this blog. Funny how life gets in the way.  A quick update -

• Gene - went hiking in Arizona and Utah in Sept.  Also went to my nephew's baby party in Louisville in Sept.  Gene also got to fulfill a life long wish to visit Auschwitz in Poland (flew to Zurich then Krakow in early November).  He also did a couple of trips to Phoenix.  Gene was a gold medalist in the Hickam Half Marathon!  Yes, he is still running almost daily and trying to figure out where in the world to go on his next hike.
• Susan - still working with students with autism and living on North Shore. She came over the other day and I taught her how to make pumpkin pie.  Her pie was AWESOME and I hope she makes one for Thanksgiving!
• Jacob - enjoying school at Utah Valley University.  He is working at the theater box office at the University.
• Gabe - still on his mission in Long Beach California and has had a number of experiences that have helped him grow!  So happy he is having this opportunity!
• Michelle - grade 10 at Castle High School!  Had a knee injury in October and still in a knee brace.  Has switched her love from Sonic the Hedgehog to Donatello of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
• Hannah - grade 8 at King Intermediate.  She is taller than Michelle!  Her seizures have improved - meaning far fewer!
• Me - Got to go to England to do genealogy research with my ohana.  What a great trip!  Thankful to be alive and still kicking!

More later.

Father's Day

Patient, hard working, funny, kind, devoted, generous, smart, faithful and loving.  He is a GREAT dad.

Gabe's Email

Got this from him today!

Mommy!

So i just copied and pasted half this letter becaus eits what i wrote to dad. but anyways I love it here! So the area im in is awesome! Im in Long Beach east and im litterally smack dab in the ghetto. Like seriously. We walk the streets and we see gang members on every corner. Dont freak out or anything but the area im in is known for

stabbbings and ive heard  a total of 13 shots in the past week. But the good thing is that we are the most protected people in the area. Besides the lord watching over us, last night while walking past some of the top gang members there are, they stopped us and asked us if anyone was harassing or messing with us. Then they said "Well stay safe and we got your backs." I love it here! Even the hispanic gangs love us and invite us to there baby showers! Everyone sees os and either avoids us or smiles and askes how we are doing. Also in my first week here Ive taught 10 lessons, found 5 new investigators, and committed a homeless person to getting off alchol, getting into a shelter, and getting baptized! She reads her BoM every night and prays multiple times a day! We go by her every day and she says she prayes every day to see us. Shes an amazing soul and I love feeling her spirit. I love it here! Well gtg

My P-days are on monday so ill message you on mondays. Love you!

Ps I didnt get the suit yet and thank you for the POG!

and the adress is 6500 E Atherton St Long Beach CA 90815

 

Family Pictures - May 3, 2013

Michelle

Today is her birthday.  16 years old.  She likes babies, dogs, rice, her cell phone, babies, ice cream, swimming, babies, music, sleeping in, dance class, babies, cats, bunnies, and did I say babies?

Junior

This is the 15 year old boy we took in under emergency foster care.  This was my Facebook post about him.

Expect more.

When we took in this foster kid for emergency shelter, we were told he only knew 4 signs, couldn't shower himself, needed help wiping, couldn't talk, grabs people and pulls them, slept little, doesn't interact with anyone and that altho he had been on anti psychotic meds he had not taken them for more than 2 weeks.

What we learned

He knows many more than 4 signs (you just have to require him to use them), he can shower himself (with supervision), he can wipe (!), he can say some words (including the very important 3 - hi, please, thank you), he does grab your hand (but only to show you what he wants), he is on a regular 10:00 p.m. - 6:15 a.m. sleep schedule, his meds have kicked in nicely, he is very obedient, he is even tempered - no outbursts at all, AND he LOVES to play Simon Says (I'd say that's pretty interactive!)
His auntie's home on Maui just passed inspection etc. so that she can take him permanently. He leaves on Monday. We are so happy for him!

What was presented and perceived as a challenge has ended up being a wonderful blessing.

Our Lesson

Never give up on anyone. Every person has such potential :)

More of Uncle Kini's Party

The girls loved Candie's baby Maree

Girls

At Uncle Kini's 80th Birthday Party.

Today's Lunch

It is yummy.

Got A Friend

S.B. comes to visit Hawaii once a year.  We have lunch.  And talk and talk and talk.  Catch up on our families.  Known her for 25 years or so.

The kind of friend you learn from.  The kind that has been such a role model in my life (and she's waaaay younger).  I always feel better after being around her - been that way since the very beginning.

Thankful for her.  When I grow up I want to be just like her.

Can't wait til our next lunch date - February 2014.

Gabe

Temple Morning with Mossman Cousins

Best. Session. Ever.

Michelle's Musings

I found Michelle's notebook from school.  She had to write sentences using specific vocabulary words. Here are some of them.

Sulk - Hannah was sulking at mom because she scolded her.
Evidence - I had evidence that Hannah was playing with my iPad.
Occupation - My dad's occupation is being a temple worker.
Contradict - Hannah contradicts herself by saying she doesn't want her baby but now she wants it.
Chronic - Hannah has chronic seizures.
Insufficient - I have insufficient sonic toys.
Maintenance - I did maintenance in my room by picking up my perler beads.
Gullible - I felt gullible when Daddy tricked me.
Famished - I feel famished for dinner.
Acquitted - I acquitted Hannah after she returned my sonic toys.
Vacate - I vacate the bathroom so Hannah can go in.
Malignant - I'm worried that my mom has a malignant beauty mark.
Expelled - Mom expelled Hannah from the car.
Lean - I have a very lean body.
Domestic - Dad shows domestic skills by washing clothes.
Reluctant - I am reluctant to lomi Dad's feet.
Abdomen - Gabe has a soft abdomen.
Beligerent - Gabe was beligerent to Jacob.

One Day More

Til these 2 super cousins arrive for a week of PLAY!

Mark-n-Nancy

Love My Mossman Ohana

Hi I'm Ginny and I'm A Mormon

So I was asked to submit my profile to Mormon.org and I finally did.  You can see it at (and my picture) at http://mormon.org/me/BNCH/Ginny

But here it is below as well.

About Me

My husband and I have 5 children ranging in age from 12 - 25 years old. At age 59 and 62, we are also older than most parents. All of our children are adopted. Four of our children have disabilities. Our youngest 2 girls have Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). Their birth moms drank alcohol while they were pregnant. Both girls are friendly, loving and love to be helpful. Michelle is 15. She likes babies, dogs, pizza and rice. She has mental retardation and a severe hearing loss. Hannah is 12. She likes singing, dancing, playing outside and candy. She has mental retardation and a very severe seizure disorder. We didn't know that our children had disabilities before we adopted them. Although several of them were slow to make milestones as infants, we believed that if we just gave them enough love they would "snap out of it." But what happened instead was that WE "snapped out of it" and came to love and value them for what they are - beautiful, wonderful children of God. What a privilege it is to be their mother.

Why I am a Mormon

I am a Mormon because it brings me joy. I am a Mormon because it teaches me how to be a better parent. I am a Mormon because, while I do have trials come to me, facing them and everything else in life is easier because of the gospel teachings. I am a Mormon because it gives me peace.

Personal Stories

How has your knowledge of the Plan of Happiness changed/benefited your life?

Knowing that this life is a preparation for eternity gives me comfort and peace. I know that our family can be together forever. I know that the physical and mental disabilities and limitations that my children have are not permanent. I know that our Father in Heaven watches over us and loves us. I know that we are never a lone.

How I live my faith

I teach toddlers at church on Sunday. The children in my class range from 18 months to 3 years old. I LOVE being with them each week. I think my experience raising my own children has helped me be more patient with my toddler class and their energy and excitement keep me feeling young. I keep active in my community by working on task forces and committees focusing on people with disabilities. I think it is important to help everyone see how much people with disabilities contribute to the richness of life. I want to live in a community where my children are cherished just as much as the Savior cherishes them.

Headed to Utah

Memorial Obituaries Wright, Leon

We are so grateful for Leon and all the things he did for us when we lived in Utah.  We are so happy he was able to visit us here in Hawaii - even though it is not his kind of place.

He was a great brother.

Families are Forever.

Clown

Leave my laptop for an evening and when I come back I find its been hacked - 

Evidence below.