Hi Girls

Only 3 more days til you fly to Utah!
It is hot in Utah. It is 90 degrees.It is very green and pretty. There is a waterpark near the townhome we are renting!
Please be obedient at school and get all your work done.
I miss you and will see you soon.
Be kind to everyone.
Ilove you.
Mom

Hello Michelle & Hannah

Well girls when you woke up this morning I was already gone. I am on my way to Utah. Daddy will leave tomorrow morning. Jacob will leave tomorrow night You will fly to Utah to meet us on Monday night - not very long from now!

Tonight and tomorrow night Aunty and Aunty Brandi will be with you. This weekend Aunty Brandi and Susan will be with you.

I hope you have a good day at school and that you are helpful to your friends.

Please be good big sisters to Carly and Lehua! They love you both so much. Make sure you don't carry them because when you carry them they can't exercise their leg muscles.

Michelle - I downloaded 5 new episodes of Rugrats on your Ipod. You can watch them on the plane.

Hannah - Have a great school day with Ms. Juliet and have fun on the monkey bars! Maybe you can read a book to Carly tonight

I love you, remember to always be kind.
Mom

You Know You're From Hawaii

So I lifted this from someone else. Its funny - but if you notice that the numbering is off its cause we Wrights don't do ethnic jokes...

1. You buy large quantities of toilet paper in case there’s a longshoreman strike…
2. You don’t understand why anyone would buy less than a 20 lb bag of rice…
3. You would serve spam as a meat for dinner…
4. You can taste the difference between teriyaki and kal-bi
5. You know what a plumeria is and which color would die first: yellow,white or red…
6. You know why there’s shoes and slippers outside of front doors…
7. You know why there are alphabets on trees or any posts on graduation day (this isn’t how everyone does it?!)
8. You know what lei day is…
9. You know what is the “stink eye”; and how to give it…
11. You can correctly pronouce kalanianaole, kalakaua and aiea
12. You know what is in the big breakfast at mcdonald’s
13. You know what a “huli huli chicken” is…
14. You can name 3 varieties of mangos…
15. You have at least one family member whose name is “_____ boy; or “tita”…
16. You have said “wat, owe you money?,”; “karang your alas”; or “da kine”…
17. You know the difference between being hapa and being hapai
18. You give directions using mauka and makai…
19. You know what is “hawaii pono’i”…
20. You know what it takes to get into kamehameha school…
21. You know how to correctly pronounce “Likelike”…
22. Someone says the word “UKU” and your head starts itching. eeww…
23. You raise your chin to say “wassup” instead of nodding. (like one haole)…
24. When making “Shaka” the back of your hand is facing out. (Except I am partial to the ‘lazy shaka’)
25. You say, “Nori” not seaweed paper…
26. You say “Brah” not “Bro”…
27. You despise the movie “North Shore”…
28. You know why Sharks Cove is called Sharks Cove…
30. You laugh at couples with cheesy Aloha attire…
31. If you get one pair of “tata” slippers…
32. When you e-mail mail people in pidgin…
33. You know what is “Morgan’s Corner”. (And it still scares you!)
34. If you’re immune to “leptospirosis”.
35. When it’s 70 degrees and it’s freezing to you.
36. You use “tako” instead of worms or fluorescent pink fish eggs for bait…
37. You got lickins’ with “da rubbah slippah”…
38. If you can walk through Waianae and not get mobbed…
39. You know that “Kukui nut” is not some mental person…
40. You’ve given Kahi Mohala’s number out to a guy/girl you didn’t like… (This is a good idea, haha!)
41. You call it “saimin” not “Top Ramen”…
42. The surf report is on your speed dial…
43. Your local kids wear slippers and shorts in November in Michigan! (inside the house, of course!)…
44. “Dressing up” means shorts and a aloha shirt.
45. You say “shave ice”, not snow cone or shaved ice…
46. Rainbow Drive-Inn is a special date.
47. You go Kam, not Aloha, swap meet.
48. You know pineapples don’t grow in trees.
49. When you hear the words fund raiser, you know it means Zippy’s Chili
50. Your mouth waters when you hear the words li-hing mui.

Poke Bowl

Did you hear about the Poke Bowl you can get at Foodland??? Any poke they sell - they pile it on rice for $4.99!!

2 days in a row I've devoured them! First I tried the ahi shoyu poke bowl, then last night the limu ahi poke bowl

Broke da mout!

Planning Jacob's Farewell

We've scheduled a BBQ farewell party for Jacob this Saturday from 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at the District Park. That is our kind of setting - lots of run around room, playground equipment, bathrooms, lots of parking and did I mention free? (and only 3 blocks away).

How many are coming? Who knows! We've invited a bunch so planning for maybe 100?

It will be a great opportunity for Jacob to see everyone before he leaves. He has invited his girlfriend Sam and her family so we will get to meet her parents (and sister I think) for the first time.

Our good friends, the Featherans, are helping us with tables, tent etc. but that's as fancy as it'll get - it's a bring-your-own-lawn-chair affair.

I have been so touched by the friends who have called to ask "What can I bring?" - I am usually not a "potluck" person so its been hard - BUT, the friends who have asked are really close friends and will get irritated if I don't allow them to help.

So here's the menu -
BBQ Chicken (made with my special secret recipe)
BBQ Ribs (made with another one of my special secret recipes)
Hot Dogs (the red ones - cause I love Michelle and she loves them)
Hamburgers (this one is still a maybe...thinking about it)
Noodles (Aunty Leo ordered!)
Sushi (Aunty Leo again!)
Pasta Salad (my not-so-secret recipe)
Potato Salad (Kookie Laumatia specialty!)
Chinese Chicken Salad (by Gourmet Chef Friend Larry Medal)
Baked Beans (our neighbor Bob Meyer's specialty!)
Rice (Rochelle Featheran's got the biggest rice container I know of!)
Ice Cake (old fashioned kind courtesy of Ice Cake Queen Korey Teruya)
Cup Cakes (Brandi doesn't know this yet but I am going to ask her to buy these=D)
Chips (my super secret recipe - buy them at the store!)

Is your mouth watering? Then come on down!

Invasion of the Time Snatchers

So as most of you know I am a very organized person (usually). I can remember appointments etc. without having to write a note to myself (usually). But nowadays it seems things are getting out of hand...

This morning I remembered that the new kids' Guardian Ad Litem was coming over at 9:30. Luckily she called and said it would be more like 10:00.

I say luckily because this is what I forgot. Michelle's therapist was coming over at 9:00. She was on time.

The Guardian Ad Litem showed up at 9:50 so I kicked the therapist out.

I also forgot that Lehua's Enhanced Healthy Start worker was coming over at 10:30 so when she showed up I kicked out the Guardian Ad Litem.

Its 11:38 and the Healthy Start gal just left.

Whew!

Honestly, 7 kids is no work at all compared to the time it takes to deal with all of the adults assigned to offer us "support services"! This week alone I have spent 12+ hours either meeting with, talking on the phone to or corresponding with these "helpful" folks.

And its all the same - same questions, same discussion...

I'm tired - and its only Wednesday - and the dreaded Catholic Charities social worker is coming back tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Questions, Answers & Blood

So yesterday this social worker comes over to talk about the new kids etc. She had made an appointment for 3:00 - fine. She came - she was nice enough. But she stayed 3+ hours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What's up with that????

And while she was here:

1. She had to talk to each of us individually.
2. Jacob talked about preparing for mission and importance of Family Home Evening (yea!)
3. Gabe talked about his performances and importance of Family Home Evening (yes!)
4. Hannah talked about the ocean and a doctor kit (huh?)
5. Michelle talked about how she didn't want to talk to the lady but wanted to go outside with Elvis (yea!)
6. The lady let Lehua play with her file folder
7. Lehua got a cut on her finger from the lady's file folder and bled everywhere
8. Gene had to take Lehua to emergency cause it was bleeding so bad and wouldn't stop
9. Jacob had to go along to apply pressure to the bleeding finger
10. Hannah wet her pants twice.
11. Michelle, Hannah and Carly got into 3 screaming fights over the toy doctor kit Carly got for her birthday.
12. I had to find Gabe a ride to the airport (for his trip to Scotland) cause Gene had taken the car to the hospital with Gabe
13. Michelle kept nagging for dinner saying "But Mom I am so hungry."
14. The lady kept asking her stupid questions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you are a social worker - get a clue - tune into what's happening around you and adjust!!!!!

Dinner was at 7:30 - rice and eggs

The Good News
Lehua's finger got glued (can't wet it for 3 days - yea, right - try that with a 1 year old!)

More Good News
Gene did sneak out later and got Panda Express for he and I - sweet date!

REALLY, REALLY BAD NEWS
The lady is coming back on Thursday cause she didn't get to talk much to Gene cause SHE made my baby's finger bleed so bad he had to leave and take her to the hospital!!!

New Picture

So trying a new header picture. Our friend Viv, the photog wonder, did some quick pics yesterday after church. Its hard to get everyone looking and smiling at one time! Other pics

She sent some other great shots which I'll post later.

The Show Must Go On

That was the title of Gabe's play this weekend. It was a musical revue chock full of maybe 40+ dances and songs. He was in probably 6 numbers - had several solos, duets and danced a lot. He has quite the stage presence! Will try to post pictures soon.

He leaves for Scotland in 2 weeks so this week I need to devote time to getting him ready for his trip as well as for the start of school (which he'll miss the 1st two weeks)...sounds like a money drain to me!

On the Mend

We are slowly recovering! Michelle and Hannah went back to school on Thursday, Carly is doing better, the baby is improving and I am at about 80% I think!

Gene has been so great at helping with the baby at night especially and Susan came over on Thursday night to help.

Next week is sure to be better!!

Sick Sick Sick

It started with Michelle last Wednesday night - fever, stuffy nose, coughing and vomiting. Carly got it on Saturday (minus the vomiting thank goodness). Lehua and I got it yesterday. Today Hannah came home from school with 102 fever. So this is a very nasty day - with 4 really sick kids and a sick mama...

This too shall pass.

The First Week

Well it has been more than 1 week since we became a pair of mid-to-late 50's parents with seven children ranging in age from 11 months - 22 1/2 years old. What we have learned (or re-learned) thus far:

1. Some things have changed - there's Similac, Similac with iron, Similac Advanced, Similac R.S., Similac Isomil Advanced etc. etc. etc. and they all cost about $22.00 per can! (calculate x 2 cans per week)
2. Some things have not changed - cornstarch is still as good as baby powder.
3. An 11 month old, a 35 month old and an 8 year old cannot fit the same size diaper - no matter how you alter the thing. (Believe me I've tried)
   
4. It is totally unrealistic to expect Hannah to NOT play with, touch, monopolize or break the new kids' toys.
5. Job, hobbies, sleep take a back seat to everything these days.
6. The best way for a 55 year old to get down off the hill in the backyard in one piece (while holding on to a child) is on one's ample butt (the 55 year old's - not the child's).
   
7. "Hi Mom!" are nice words.
8. "I sorry" are too.
9. "Mom - can you download another episode on my ipod?" are bad words.

But the best thing we've re-learned (and continue to re-learn daily) is that Heavenly Father is there to strengthen, uplift and cheer always, always, always.

Its all good.

They're Here

The girls arrived on Friday! They are adorable little ones. Carly is almost 3 and Lehua is almost 1.

Some challenges but lots of love and excitement.

"Reestablishing" a nursery and baby proofing the house after 8 years has been a fun, interesting and cash draining experience! But we bought the toddler bed, high chair, clothes (they came with practically nothing), the baby food and the most awesome stroller!

The other kids are over the moon about these new ones as are we. Pics up soon.

Oh also Susan is moving to Sunset Beach area - moving into a house with a bunch of friends. We will miss her (and our car which she is taking for a little while). She plans on coming over on Sundays for church, dinner and the washer and dryer.

Well Its True

Our house will be bursting at the seams. 2 new little girls are scheduled to arrive on Wed. July 1. As you may know from previous post they are almost 1 and almost 3 years old.

Hannah and Michelle are over the moon about being big sisters.

As soon as we take photos I'll post them but until then we are busy arranging, rearranging, scheduling, rescheduling and just getting so excited about the whole thing.

The Lord truly has us in mind and we continue to lean on Him for support and guidance while rejoicing the the great blessing He is about to bestow upon us.

Special News for Hannah & Michelle

Hi Girls,

I have some special news - on Thursday we will find out about 2 little girls who will soon come to live with us.

One girl is almost 1 years old. Her name is Lehua. The other girl's name is Carly Rose. She is almost 3 years old.

I know this is a a big surprise. It was a surprise for Daddy and me too. The social worker just called and asked us if we wanted more children in our family.

So after my airplane lands then Dad and I will go to the social worker's office. They will come home to us in afew days.

I know you are both ready to be big sisters. I know you will be kind and helpful to the 2 little girls. You can help today by making sure you put all your toys away and put the little toys up high so that Lehua doesn't get them in her mouth.

I love you!
Mom

Good Morning Hannah & Michelle!

I am having a very nice time learning to make books. Cousin Ally is a very good teacher. So far I have made 8 books of different sizes.

Tonight is my last night here in Portland. Tomorrow morning I will catch the plane home. I should be home by the time you get home from school.

Cousin Ally and Aunty Alo have a great big dog named Arlo. He is a Malamute. He has lots of white, black and gray fur. He has blue eyes. Aunty Alo rides her bike and Arlo runs along the side of her as she rides.

Michelle - Did you like Young Women last night? Dad said you went to see the movie "Up". I hope you will be able to go to Kamaaina Kids today!

Hannah - I was happy to hear that you read Mrs. Wishy-Washy. You are getting to be such a good reader.

I love you both very much. I know you are being good and being kind to all your friends and family.

Love,
Mom

Good Day to My Two Girls!

Hello Hannah and Michelle!

I am still in Portland with Aunty Alo and cousin Ally. Ally is teaching me how to make books! It is very exciting, interesting and fun. Above is a picture of their cat named ReeRee.

I am so glad you are both having a good time at school. How did you like going to the Old Spaghetti Factory last night with Dad, Susan, Jacob, Gabe and Aubrey? Did Aubrey like the spaghetti?

Here is a picture of cousin Ally.

I will be coming home on Thursday. It will be my birthday on that day! At dinner time we will go to cousin Micah's house for dinner because they are having a graduation party for their big brother, Telenoti.

Have a great day at school! Remember to always be kind.

Love,
Mom

Pictures for Hannah & Michelle

Thank you for your emails! I love reading them!

On Friday n ight I went to Temple Square with Aunty LeAnn and Aunty Stephanie and Vanessa. Remember Vanessa the girl who slept in your room with Sara? Here are 2 pictures - one of me standing next to a statue of a mother and a boy. The other is of the Salt Lake Temple. Isn't it beautiful?

.

Last night I went to a wedding reception. My friend Suzie's son got married. Her son's name is Jared and his bride's name is Cristina. The first picture is of me and Suzie. The second is of Jared and Cristina. The party was held inside a big red barn! It was so fun to attend a party in a barn!

Today I will drive from Salt Lake City to Las Vegas then I will catch a plane to Portland, Oregon.

Did Jacob tell you his exciting news? He has been called to serve a mission in Boise Idaho! He will be a missionary for 2 years! He has to come to Utah for training in August then he will go to Boise. So in August our whole family will get on the airplane and come to drop Jacob off in Utah. You girls will get out of school for maybe 1 week or more so that you can ride the airplane with us and come to Utah. That will be very exciting!

I love you. I know you are being helpful and obedient. Always remember to be kind too. I will be home on Thursday - that day is my birthday too! Yipee!

Love,

Mom

Jacob's Missionary Call

Came today! He's bound for Boise, Idaho! Reports to Missionary Training Center in Utah on Aug. 19! So happy for him!

A Big Hello to Hannah & Michelle

Hi my girls,

Well Thank you for the email Hannah! Michelle - I am sorry you missed your fieldtrip but that is so fun that you got to go and pet that mouse!

I got to Las Vegas last night. This morning I will drive to Utah with Aunty Stephanie. It will be a 6 hour drive. Tonight we will go to dinner at a special restaurant next to the Salt Lake Temple. It is a very beautiful place.

I will try to post a picture tonight.

Did you like the lockets I left for you? Did you like the pictures inside?

Have a great day at school! Remember to be obedient and always be kind.

Tell Mr. Brindle or Ms. Juliet to do me a favor - I don't know Michelle's teacher's name and I don't have Jenelle's email address so I hope you can tell them to allow Michelle to read the blog everyday if possible. Jenelle can email me her email address and phone - Ms. Juliet you can give her my phone number if she doesn't have it. Thank you so much.

Love to both of you girls!
Mom

Lost

Where oh where can my camera be? Perhaps in Orlando?

Maybe time for a new one...but the old one was only like 3 months old!

If you see it - CALL!!!

In 3 days

I will be flying to Las Vegas. I will overnight at my cousin Stephanie's then she and I will drive to Salt Lake City area. Am going to a wedding reception in Mapleton, Utah. My friend Suzie Bray (who moved from Hawaii like maybe 15 years ago?) - her oldest, Jared, is getting married in the Manti Temple with reception to follow in Mapleton. Suzie doesn't know I'm coming!

We'll leave Salt Lake on Sunday and drive back down to Las Vegas then I will leave Sunday night for Portland, Oregon. My sweet niece Ally is conducting a a 3 day Bookbinding workshop for me! I am super excited since I have been looking for one for almost a year and a half now.

I get back home on my birthday, June 25. My upgrade already came through for the outbound flights so things are definitely starting our very fine!

Okinawa 1945

Gabe is in a play called Okinawa 1945. It is the play that his school is going to be performing at the Fringe Festival in Scotland (after I pay the last payment of $2,248 today!- yikes!), Went to see it on Saturday night.

It is sobering - the story of high school girls in Okinawa who are studying to be nurses. They are forced to take care of injured Japanese soldiers hiding in caves on their island. It is a very sad story.

Here is a picture of Gabe - he's a Japanese soldier. (top right)

Its kind of a dream-come-true role for him.
He gets to where a uniform and carry a gun (and shoot it!)

To Michelle & Hannah

Here is a picture of the penguins from the movie Madagascar!

Today Dad went to an alligator farm and saw lots of alligators, alligator babies, turtles, and other reptiles. He watched the farm owner feed the alligators. The alligators eat great big rats! he even saw a white alligator - it is called an albino alligator.

We will be home Friday night. Have a great time in school and remember to be kind to everyone!

Love,
Mom & Dad

Hello Girls - We're in Orlando

Hi Hannah and Michelle!

How is your first day at ESY?

Dad and I are in Orlando, Florida. It is very hot here. From our hotel room we could see the fireworks at Disneyworld. Yesterday we went to Universal Studios and we saw Shrek and also the penguins from the movie Madagascar!

Last night we went to dinner at the Rainforest Cafe. They have fake elephants and gorillas in the restaurant - but they look and sound real. It was a lot of fun.

Today I will go to my meeting and Dad will swim at the pool. Here is a picture of Dad in our hotel room.

We will be home on Friday night and we will bring you special surprises.

Remember to do your work and be helpful and cheerful. We love you. And remember to always be kind.


Love,

Mom and Dad

Byodo In Temple and a Cute Cousin

We went to Byodo In Temple yesterday with the girls and and with my cousin Herman, son Steve and Steve's wife Michelle and their daughter (who is 3, sooooooooooooo smart and soooooooo cute!).

The girls loved seeing the fish, feeding the birds and playing with their cousin.

It was a nice relaxing afternoon. Afterward we went to eat Chinese food at Pah Ke's (yum).

I really enjoyed meeting Steve and Michelle and their daughter but wish we had more time to visit. They live in Pasadena - maybe we'll stop by sometime when we go to California.

An Elder Now

Jacob was ordained to the office of an Elder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints last night, June 3, 2009 by his father Gene Wright. Gene was assisted by Bro. Irving Chun and the 2 missionaries assigned to our Ward.

All in all it was a wonderful night. One step closer...

Smooth

Classic... glad we got this on video...our tuition dollars

Something Special (Olympics, that is...)

This past weekend was the State Special Olympic State Games at the University of Hawaii. The whole fam went to cheer on our two athletes.

Michelle placed first in Softball Throw and Running Broad Jump. She placed 2nd in 50 meter.

Hannah placed 1st in 50 meter, 2nd in Softball and was disqualified in Running Broad Jump (line?what line?).

Our friend Aubrey placed first in every event she participated in.

Michelle made friends with a dog named Heidi.

Both girls chose sombreros for their prizes for their awesome lawn bowling skills...which Gene and I ended up holding.

Special Olympics is da bomb! It is so unbelievable that so many people volunteer to help kids like Michelle and Hannah. It provides such a great opportunity for them to excel in an activity since in most activities they lag behind their same age peers.

Michelle at the Beach

While we were traveling Susan took everyone to the beach. Here's a great picture of Michelle. That's Cheyne and Hannah in the background.