Ride 'Em

Michelle takes Therapeutic Horsemanship - every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. at the Waimanalo Polo Field.

She has learned to pat the horse when you walk behind him.

Her horse is named Palaka and her instructor is Saundra.

She likes to ride fast!

She loves it...can you tell?

Celebrity

So I went to Polynesian Cultural Center yesterday with my nephew and we took the Temple Visitor's Center Tour and I had a close encounter with a celebrity - I had to get my picture taken with him!

It's MARK EUBANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!

For those of you who are saying "Who dat?" you must not be from Utah or spent much time in Utah. He was the weather guy on KSL t.v. station for decades. He's like rock-star-famous in Utah!

He is here serving a mission at the Visitor's Center!

Relatives

Several relatives are flying in for Rookie's funeral next Friday. He was greatly loved - but I think his wife is even more loved. We all want to be here for her.

I love my ohana!

Susan Update

Got a call from my Susan today! So good to hear her voice! She is still in Uluwatu (spelling) at a place that's only $7 per night. She is enjoying herself and meeting new people.

She'll be home on 27 July - and we are soooooooooooooooooo looking forward to seeing her!

No matter how old she is - she's my little baby!

Movie Night

Michelle and Gabe and some of the other teens in our ward went to see Toy Story 3 last night. here's their picture. Michelle is so short!

Email from Jacob

Got the following email from Jacob yesterday (I live for his emails and letters!) - my commentary is in yellow:

Heya Jenny, whats up?(He says "Jenny" cause people I have known 30 years still mispronounce my name as Jenny instead of Ginny which rhymes with skinny)

Uncle Rookie will be remembered as a Hero, a true man of vision. Let us celebrate his legacy!

LOL @ Brandi. He's referring to my note to him that Brandi got in an accident with her new car)altho it is sad that her cars are now broken (and that insurance will probably be rediculous now) tell her she has MY permission to use my car which is really your car which susan was borrowing but cant as she is now in Bali. ;)

So i am in the Boise South Stake of the Boise South Zone. We have a car half of the weak as we are in a car share. The Summer is nothing short of Horrible. It is way to Hot here. Almost as bad as the winter is cold.

In Eagle we only covered 4 wards, but i am back up to 5 wards here, which is about average. the most i have covered at a time is 9 wards.

I remember hearing Stories of Rene. Tell him i say 'Hi' (and where in Ohio is he from? my comp now is from Ohio)

love ya Ginny, write ya gain soon! He's trying to prove to me that he knows how to pronounce my name. you are an awesome mother.He's emphasizing this because in my note to him I emphasized that I know her writes his girlfriend more than he writes me -- he's trying to score points with me)

love, jake

Sad News

We had a death in our family. Rookie - husband of my hanai sister Molleen. I have known him since I was 5 years old.

He was such a fun and happy person.

I will miss him.

Tell your loved ones how much you love them - do it today.

GOOD Sabbath

I love getting up on Sunday mornings.
I love going to Church.
I love my associations with Church friends.
I love the quiet activities we do on Sunday.
I love having the family eat all 3 meals together.
I love everyone being home.

I love the Sabbath.
Sabbath day observance brings peace.

This I know.

The BEST Card Ever

I got a birthday card from Gabe today.

On the outside it looks like just a sweet normal card.

Even on the inside - it looks like a sweet normal card.

And then you press the button...

It plays "What a Wonderful World" as it shows some of Disney's best mothers.

Sorry for the blurriness - but my camera (and my eyesight ain't so good)

But as for the card -
I LOVE IT!

Pictures of Susan

Finally uploaded these pictures from my camera. These were taken on the morning Susan left for Bali. June 20, 2010 - Father's Day. SO hard to say goodbye to my #1 girl - she is the bestest of the best. I am so proud of her for being such a loving and kind daughter and big sister.

Bali Hai Will Call You...

And she did! Susan has called twice from Bali. When she first arrived she was supposed to check into Hotel Lusa but it was full so they checked into another hotel (on the beach in Kuta) and ended up paying $11 per night (which she and Melissa split). She said it was nice but that the water smelled like sulfur.

Today she called and they have left the city and are in someplace called Ubud? Theya re staying at a $3 per person per night hotel that is just okay. They are looking for another place.

She said she is well and enjoying herself. She said it is very interesting - lots of dogs around - the people believe the dogs are reincarnated criminals. She also said lots of cows around - the cows are revered. She said the cows are really "beautiful".

I am glad she is enjoying herself in a new part of the world. What an adventure!

We plan on speaking every 3 days. Can't wait til the next call!

Double Dose

Went to the neurologist for Hannah yesterday. He had upped her meds a month ago (doubled them) because he wanted the Tegretol at a specific level and hopefully control her seizures.

At this appointment we learned that the blood tests showed the tegretol level in her blood didn't even go up 2/10ths - so very minimal.

Why - when the dose was DOUBLED???

Answer - her metabolism is too high - DUH! The doctor said this as Hannah was jumping around the office...and had already had 41 seizures that day.

SO - we are doubling everything AGAIN and seeing if that will work.

This metabolism thing is, of course, why she eats and yet stays slender, slender, slender.

I want to switch my metabolism for hers - just for one month. Please.

Sageet

We got an invitation to a Sageet (Engagement Party) for Steve and Azeema. It was on Saturday night. We didn't know what to expect - but the invitation said wear green and bring a south asian dish for potluck.

These are the people that gave the party.
His name is Joe, I can't remember her name but the baby is Anwar.

All the furniture had been removed from the living room and there were mats and pillows around the edges of the room.

There was a beautiful decorated 4 poster bed at the "head" of the room.

Steve and Azeema sat on the bed while each guest hand fed them bits of a special doughnut
This was some kind of Asian cermony. It was very interesting.

Then the women all danced a cultural dance and invited everyone to join them.

Everything was very interesting and the food was plentiful, different and yummy. Everyone was so kind and warm and one more thing I noticed - every single woman that attended (most were Indian/Pakistani I think) - everyone of them was absolutely beautiful! Like movie star beautiful.

It was strange for me to be at a party and realize, for the FIRST TIME EVER that
I wasn't the ONLY beautiful woman in the room.

Miracles

So last Friday Susan told me that she lost her debit card...GREAT. She was leaving for Bali 2 days later and losing it meant she'd have to take just cash...which is not that great an idea.

We decided we'd let her take one of gene's debit cards.

On Saturday afternoon I got a message on my cell phone from a guy named Gary who found her debit card AND her driver's license (she neglected to tell me she had lost that too).

How did he get my number since its not on either card????

MIRACLE.

We picked it up that night and she left Sunday.

Someone's watching over us for sure.

Good News!

Its not a brain tumor!

So we keep plugging away hoping to get the right mix and dosage of meds to control the seizures.

Thanks for the prayers.

Catch Up

Camping went well for Michelle - thanks to her awesome sister Susan. Both enjoyed the camp, beach and activities.

Hannah had her MRI on Saturday - but no results yet :-(

Gabe got back from Utah and jumped right into 3 weeks of drivers ed classes. He met a girl at EFY that he is particularly fond of - but she lives in New Mexico.

The mother of some good friends died so we'll be going to a funeral on Wednesday - gene is speaking at it.

Susan is starting to pack for her trip.

And I have a terrible cold. Not feeling good at all.

But could be worse.

Anticipation

Michelle leaves for camping in a couple of hours. How will she do? Who's to say? Packed food she will eat since I know she'll turn her nose up at what they will be serving - so filled the cooler with bologna sandwiches, pizza, chips, cookies, pears, orange crush and water. She'll at least survive.

Gabe home in 2 days - YAY!

Hannah's MRI in 2 days...praying.

The Week That Was

...Gabe went to EFY in Utah and is now spending the weekend having fun with Jimmy Fitzgerald and family (Jimmy used to be in our Ward and was Gabe's Young Men's leader - he moved to Utah in Dec.)

...Got Lakona (Gabe's friend) off to Utah on Thursday night! Whew! He'd never flown before and was a bit nervous. Called me from each layover (3) so I could walk him through the process and guide him (over the phone) to the next gate.

...Hannah had 2 really bad seizures -she had probably more than 50 this week - but 2 were significant because she got hurt! A huge goose egg with one and a very bad cut and fat lip with the other. We took her in after the lip one and her neurologist finally got serious. He added another drug to her medication cocktail since he said he had "a bad feeling that Hannah is one of those people that will not benefit from medication". If she continues to get hurt then we'll start looking at helmets. Her sedated MRI to rule out a brain tumor is scheduled for next Saturday.

...Susan moved back home - sort of. Some of her stuff is here. She was here one night. Her bed and last bit of stuff and her body (maybe) should be here tonight.

...Michelle learned to make pancakes! Her first real cooking feat.

...Got a letter from Jacob's Mission President telling us Jacob got made an Area Leader - not sure what it is but it sounds good!

...Had a GREAT Family Reunion meeting the other night! Things are certainly firming up for this event. I love my Mossman Ohana.

...Spent a good 10 hours this week doing some Mossman family history research and discovered not only the location of Captain Mossman's store in Honolulu, but also refernce to and map of location where he owned a boarding house!

...Heard from my Mossman cousins in England =) and now have such a yearning to go and visit them and go to the family plot in Berwick again. Now if I only had the money.

...Got a cool email from my sister Leilani - reminding me to keep track of our brother Bobby.

...Had a great online chat with my cousin Lisa! Gotta love FB for that one. I'm planning a baby shower for my cousin Manu's wife on July 10. As always, Lisa is the connector in her family.

...Finished completing the tabulation of the Annual Salary Survey for my work. I had to do the formulas on the spreadsheet and everything. Those who know me realize this is quite an accomplishment cause I don't do numbers - only colors.

...Had a meeting with FOG about our upcoming Church History trip in late September. Awesome friends. We have the best potlucks for these meetings. Our travel plans are firming up and we will once again be able to stay at Marydale Inn in Jameson, Missouri. A wonderfully relaxing place.

...Made Sticky Toffee Pudding last night for Gene's dessert! Its the recipe from Augill Castle in Kirkby Stephen (Lake District England) where we stayed in 2006. Yummy and still some left!

...Broke the in-the-door-ice maker on the fridge. Luckily Gene is handy and will fix it (its the motor) today.

And that was it for the last week. Certainly B & B - Busy & Blessed!

Reunion Meeting

Got one tonight at 6 at Bina's house. Its always a game to see who is going to show up. Hopefully it will be productive and we will get all plans finalized.

I've set a goal to get all registration info out by June 15th but I can't do that unless everything is finalized.

Here's hoping!

Long Weekend

Gabe and company finally got to Utah after having their departing flight cancelled last Thursday. He began his Especially for Youth week at BYU Provo and I am sure he is having a blast.

He'll end up staying for 2 weeks cause I ended up getting Lakona a ticket and registering him for the EFY session next week - so had to register Gabe for next week's session as well. They'll have a great time. No regrets about the expense. All worth it.

We spent most of this holiday cleaning screens, louvers, windows, floors, walls, closets, rooms and rearranging furniture in anticipation of Susan returning home today for about 3 weeks. She leaves for Bali on June 20.

Gene went to the dump TWICE cause we had so much JUNK!!!! Feels good to get rid of stuff...

Not much else going on - but decided we had to have some kind of barbecue for Memorial Day - so just started some chicken - probably eating late cause I got such a late start! Oh well - food is food!

More reunion

Just spent 3 hours viewing 300+ webpage references to either Mossman Family Hisotry, Captain Thomas James Mossman or Mossman Ohana. Lost to weed through - but all in all a reqrding experience.

I found a blog of a woman I know we are related to who is in Northumberland England. I sent her an email.

Found a reference for a Thomas Mossman who I think is my mother's first cousin - sent him an email.

And found the website for Shirley Mossman Nisbitt whom I know we are related to - sent her an email.

Hopefully will make contact and spread the news about our upcoming reunion and get to know these folks too.

But hey - aren't we all related anyway?

Anyway - all this research has made me homesick (yup, homesick) for England. So don't be surprised if I take a short journey there sometime before November...wanna go back to Berwick where the Captain came from, wanna go to Edinburgh again and this time visit John Knox house (which is really the Mossman house), wanna see Keith & Viv at Hill House and visit Ian & Marian in Plymp Wales...oh and as long as I'm there...gotta see Les Mis ;)

Reunion

I am on the Planning Committee for our upcoming Captain Thomas Mossman Reunion scheduled for November 10-12, 2010.

It has been an interesting experience...I'm a "just start doing it" kind of person and not into yapping about it - just DO it.

Sooooooooooo it was great meeting with my subcommittee comprised of my 2 cousins Godfrey and John this past weekend and planning out two days of reunion activities. We got so much accomplished in a one hour meeting! Both are solid and dependable and have great families who I know will give them support to carry out the reunion functions. I love these guys!

For a peek at what we will be doing check out our reunion blog at http://www.mossmanohana2010.blogspot.com

Almost Off

Gabe leaves tonight for Portland and then Provo. He will be visiting the Bradys in Portland. They used to be our neighbors here in Haiku Village about 8 years ago and we visited them a couple of times after they moved to Virginia. Their kids were Gabe's best friends - I am sure they will have a GREAT reunion. Wish I could be there too.

Lori Brady (the mom, and the BEST neighbor I have ever had) invited my sister Alo over for dinner tomorrow night to see Gabe. I am so happy that connection between the Bradys and Alo will finally be made. They have alot in common - big dogs, bike riding, hiking...plus pretty me.

Gabe will then fly to Utah on Monday to attend Especially for Youth Program at BYU Provo. He enjoys EFY so much and it it totally worth the money for him to go!

If I had enough $ I would send Lakona too. (He's Gabe's friend who sleeps at our house about 4 nights a week - but alas $ doesn't grow on trees).

Gabe has spent much of the last two days cleaning his room and getting his things organized for the trip. I know he'll have a good time, make and renew lasting friendships and strengthen his love for family and God through his experiences over the next 10 or so days.

Ah to be 16 again!

This Brings Back Memories

If you go to this link

http://living.aol.com/morning-rush/great-catch-good-morning-america/87902748001

You'll see a video of something that happened recently with a little kid. The exact same thing happened to Jacob when he was the same age at Windward Mall.

Sorry you gotta watch some short commercial first.

Wedding

So my brother Steve is getting married to Azeema I think the weekend of August 7. I am looking forward to helping them in any way I can.

Should be an exciting time.

Returning - Semi

I have been without a desktop computer for 2 weeks. It is difficult running 2 businesses from a small netbook and near impossible to blog - but here goes...

News of Note -

Gene got back from Nicaragua - he found it interesting and depressing - in his words "its not the destination, its the journey". Although the hotel he stayed in was 5 star the entire area of the capitol is like a slum. he said people begging everywhere, buildings slapped together, alot of poverty. he hired a private guide for a day and went hiking, saw an active volcano, took a boat ride on Lake Nicaragua and saw some historical sites. he had an adventure on all of the flights (cancellations, rebookings, etc.) but was in first class or business the entire time - so not too tough. Bottom line - he earned 58,331 miles.

Michelle had her 13th birthday on Saturday. We spent the night before in a cabin at Bellows then on Saturday we rented a pavilion at Bellows. it came with a jump house and 20 rounds of mini golf. It was perfect. We invited about 50 people and they all came!

We started the party at 11:00 - the jump house was a big hit! The spot was also next to the drivng range so most of the teens and men spent the day hitting balls. Kookie and Manu Laumatia and 6 of their 10 kids came, Kookie's friend Stephanie and her 3 kids, Uncle AKini, Aunty Judee, Tehani & Jonah, Candie, Cheyenne & Sorrel, Wena, tricia, Kawena & Kaliko Adams (friends from church) came, Renny & Heather (Michelle's classmates) and their family came, Carly and Lehua, Chad & Jill and their new baby CJ came, Gene's friend from work, Steve and Azeema, brandi and my sister-in-law Debi (Bill's wife) was visiting so she came too.

We had chili, hot dogs, chicken, rice, salad, cornbread and cupcakes.

We were suppsoed to end the party at 2:30 b ut didn't end until almost 5.

A fun day for all -- and now we have a 13 year old!

Aunty Natalie

About 2 weeks ago I came home one night and Michelle rushed to greet me. The conversation went something like this:

Michelle: Oh mom! I love Aunty Natalie! She has 3 dogs and a pool. She said I can come to her house tomorrow and play with her dogs. She said I can walk her 3 dogs. I love her. Aunty Natalie has a pool and she said I can swim in her pool and play with her 3 dogs! I love Aunty Natalie.

Me (to Gene): Who's Aunty Natalie?

Gene: The census worker.

Fast forward to Mother's Day - I open my card that Michelle made for me.

On the outside it says:

Happy Mother's Day Aunty Natalie
(then Aunty Natalie is crossed out and the word mom is written below it)

On the inside she wrote:

Roses are red
Violets are blue
Is it fast Sunday?

GREAT Day

It was a great Mother's Day for me. Jacob called and we all got to talk to him - we talked for about 1 hour and 45 minutes. He sounds so good.

He is healthy and happy and enjoying his mission. He is in a totally biking area now so is getting a lot of exercise. He said a lady in a store bought him a bike helmet - totally random.

His faith in the Lord has grown and I can hear the love that he has for missionary work in his voice. The area he is in, Eagle Idaho, is a rich area and he and his companion live in the basement of a members home on a golf course.

He says they eat at different members homes every night and fend for themselves for breakfast and lunch. he and his current companion share food.

He said last week he went to a sushi p0lace to eat - it was a pslurge - $25 per person - and he stuffed himself and got sick.

Love that boy and talking to him made my day!

Only 7 more months til I hear his voice again - Christmas.

Mothers I Love

I am lucky to know some really great moms out there - so on this day I am wishing all of them love, peace and joy wherever they might be. So here's my shout-outs to some special ones that have been such great examples to me (listed in no particular order): (HMD-Happy Mothers Day)

Stephanie (my Oprah style girlfriend) - Can't find the right words to tell you how much you mean to me. When we reconnected it was like - BINGO (hehehe). How did I ever get along all these years without you girlfriend? Loving growing old with you. HMD

LeAnn (my #1 BFF always - the only person who can sling it as good and as quick as I can) - A near perfect example of motherhood (laundry done or just folded?). A perfect example of a friend. One of the few people (outside of my family) that is as smart and pretty as me. I miss you! (We gotta dump these kids and husbands for a few days and get away!!!) 30 years as friends and an eternity to go - lucky, lucky me. HMD

Lori (the BEST neighbor I have ever had) - Such a joy to know. Hands down the SUPER mom of the century. Lori does it all. But her greatest gift is her genuine interest and concern for others. She walks the Savior's walk - and my life is richer because of her. Its been 5 years or so since she moved but I feel her love thru the miles. HMD

Susie (my mirror image so they say) - Your heart. If there is anything I covet - its your heart. When I think of you I think of the quote from Proverbs "...her children rise up and call her blessed" Throughout our lives people have always said we look a lot alike - how lucky I am since
that means I must be tall! HMD

Alo (my gorgeous, talented socialist sister) - Your strength and determination inspire me. Your intellect might just surpass mine - if that is possible. Your politics make me nauseous. HMD.

Sharon (my Kentucky mom)- thanks for rescuing me last Sunday! Such a blessing in my life in ways to many too mention. HMD

Candie (my cousin extraordinaire) - Knowing there are moms like you bringing up the next generation of keiki puts my mind at ease as far as what the future holds. I am so impressed with all you do as a mother and the obvious joy you find in being a mom. Although I hope your current obnoxious fixation with all things Twilight is just a stage you're going through and that you will snap out of it quickly. HMD

Kathy (the sister with the same body frame as me) - Beautiful inside and out. So much like mom it makes me teary. Just one thing though - you need to eat more. HMD

Mom (my sunshine) - The epitome of a kind, supportive, loving and JOYFUL angel. Gene says if I am like you when I am older he will be a lucky man. My goal - to be JOYFUL like you. I am so looking forward to seeing you again someday - I can see it now - you'll be wearing something long, flowing and purple I'm sure. HMD

Ada (my mother-in-law) - My example of faith, humility and generosity. Blessed every life you touched. You taught me so many lessons of life through your stalwart and quiet example. I am sure Heaven became that way upon your arrival. HMD

Aunty Ginny - First, last and always in my heart. HMD

Disaster Area

I have been in Nashville since Monday. I was supposed to arrive on Sunday but Nashville airport was closed due to tornados and storms so I flew into Louisville and caught a bus down to Nashville.

Nashville has been declared a federal disaster area. There is flooding and devastation everywhere - except on the little hill where my hotel is.

It is such a strange experience being here under these circumstances. I will blog more when I get back to Hawaii.

I am safe, the area I am in is safe, my meetings are going fine - and I'll be home by Mother's Day.