To Hannah and Michelle

Hello my girls,

Like I told you - I will be gone for 5 days and nights. I will be home on Monday night. I am going to Virginia with Aunty Brandi.

I put your clothes that you should wear for school on my bed. Go in my room on Thursday, Friday and Monday and get your school clothes. I put a sign on each stack so you will know which clothes is for each day. On Saturday and Sunday you can just get clothes out of your drawers.

You can ask Dad if he will take you to the pool. If you have been obedient and have no bad attitudes he might say yes. I know you both love to swim.

I love you both very much. I know you will be helpful and obedient while I am gone. Remember to always be kind.

Love,

MomThis is an old picture. I look much prettier now! Haha!

August 7, 2010

A never-to-be-forgotten day.

Beginnings and endings.

Celebrating the wedding yesterday as my youngest brother got married while just hours before my 26 year old nephew dies unexpectedly.

Everything happens for a reason.

Whoa - this week!

Got back from Utah last night.

This week -

• 3 meetings today
• 1 conference call at 3 - please help me remember this.
• Dinner tonight with sister and her fam visiting from California
• Catch up from being gone last week
• Uncle coming in on Wed.
• Brother coming in on Friday
  
• Decorate for bridal shower on Thurs. for Azeema
• Horseback riding for Michelle Sat a.m.
• Steve's wedding Sat. a.m.
• Pick up the food for wedding
• Reception at 5:30 p.m.
• Get Gabe to rehearsal every night 6:30 - 10:00 p.m.

Yikes!

But the week has started off GREAT! I got a letter from Jacob!

Defying Gravity by Gabe Wright (:

So I ran across this on youtube. Evidently from one of his EFY Talent Shows this year.

Next...

Flying out tomorrow night - Orlando bound for FAS Training Conference. So much to do:

1. Get Salary Survey out (its sooo past due) and I need Gene's brain to help me with it
2. Prep for tradeshow (which starts the Monday after I get back)
3. Pack (small detail)
4. Do some family reunion related correspondence
5. Prep for Sharing Time in Primary
6. Coordinate the girls schedules for when I am gone
7. Pay some bills

So much to do yet I procrastinate.

At least I don't have to clean - did that yesterday!

Footloose

I didn't get to go to Gabe's performance tonight in Provo BUT...that dear, sweet, talented, smart, witty, gorgeous, humble, exciting, stupendous, excellent, thoughtful, kind, loving, cheerful, spiritual, benevolent, honest, inspiring and beautiful VANESSA went!

She said "He did sooo good!" Yup four o's and an exclamation mark!

It's really the 2nd time she's sat in on a performance when I couldn't - she went to Dance Concert last year when I was somewhere - maybe Russia.

Anyway - she's my new BFF.

Update on My Boys

Boy #1 - The Missionary
Got a quick email from him yesterday. he didn't have too much time to write - why? Because he had spent all day in the ER. He cracked his head open! But he says he's okay AND THAT'S ALL HE SAID! Grrrrrrrrrrrr.

Boy #2 - The Performer
Called last night from Provo. He is having a great time at his singing workshop. He said he is the first person to win the lead for Footloose during their first year of attending the workshop. He is thrilled. He said everyone there is soooooooooo talented so it ups his game. There is also a girl there from one of the Kailua wards!

So grateful my boys are doing well. I pray for them everyday.

GREAT Day

Definitely was 'cause -

I got a letter from Jacob

AND

A phone call from Susan

I miss those two kids. Both are doing well and enjoying where they are - Boise Idaho and Bali Indonesia.

Now could there be any two places that are more opposite? Or two people that are for that matter...

What She Said

Overheard this comment from Hannah:

"Yup when I grow up I want to be a custodian."

?????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!??????

Sabbath Thoughts

Am happy for this day even though I...

1) Have to give a talk in Sacrament Meeting
2) Have the Sharing Time Activity in Primary today
3) Am responsible for cooking the ham dinner for tonight's fireside
4) Have to plan the kids activity for the fireside
5) Miss my 3 oldest who are all in various parts of the world.

Luckily I have help - both here on earth and from above.

Good Sabbath!

Is it or Isn't It?

They say its the new Harry Potter.

Started reading it this past weekend.
The jury is still out - but so far...

I'm a HUGE fan!

Talk

I have to give a talk on Sunday at church. A bit nervous.

Topic - How the gospel has blessed my life - or why I am glad the missionaries taught me the gospel - or something along those lines...

Lots to say - and I can keep it within my time limit - but still nervous (although not scared).

I have faith the Lord will help me say what is in my heart and what can uplift others.

The gospel means everything to me.

Susan News

Susan called (via skype) yesterday. She is back in Kuta and doing well. She is enjoying Bali - they were waiting for a shuttle to go out the Gillys (which I think are islands).

She said they will stay in Kuta awhile then go back out to Ubud. Her traveling partner Melissa is a good planner and has the next 3 weeks all planned out as to what they will see and do.

Only 3 more weeks! Miss her lots!

Departures and Arrivals

Gabe leaves today for EFY in Laie. He then comes home on Saturday morning and then leaves Saturday night for 3 weeks in Utah - he'll be attending a 1 week singing workshop and a 2 week theater workshop at BYU Provo.

It will certainly be quiet around here without him!

He got a call yesterday - he made the ensemble for the musical "Once Upon This Island" directed by Ron Bright at Windward Community College. They told him he would have gotten one of the young male leads but since rehearsal begin today, the fact that he'll be gone for the entire month of July precludes him from those roles.

But ensemble is GREAT - lots of dancing and not as much pressure (especially with school starting August 4).

This production marks an "Arrival" of sorts for him...although he's been in lots of plays before this marks the first one that is truly community theater (as opposed to school production) and the first one that is primarily adult actors.

He is thrilled to work with Ron Bright - directing KING here in Hawaii for more than 40 years.

It opens September 10th at Paliku Theater.

He's certainly not shy.

He gets it from his father.

Proud to be an American!

Happy 4th!

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.