Life Altering Decision - The Final Outcome

Cranberry-Chicken-Mushroom-Mozarella Pizza (no pizza sauce). Photos later.

Different I must say.

Maybe a good option for leftover Thanksgiving (using the turkey of course).

This Friday is Gabe's play - and there are a bunch of folks coming over beforehand - so what will it be?

Stay tuned!

Newsworthy

In the last week Gabe has been on -

KITV t.v. channel
KHON t.v. channel
KSSK radio (Perry & Price Saturday Show @ Jimmy Buffet's)
Wayne Harada's column in the Honolulu Star Advertiser (and in this column he was noted to be the grandnephew of Doug Mossman!)

He's being quite humble about it - he posted on his Facebook page that he feels blessed.

Busy

I am amazed sometimes at my son Gabe. For example,

• He spent 10 hours yesterday at dance rehearsal (and they rehearse solid!!!!) -
• Came home about 10:30,
• Went to bed
• And now its 5:45 a.m. - he woke up a half hour ago to get dressed.
• He's on his way to a t.v. station for a filming (an interview and preview for Brigadoon) - that's at 7:00 - 8:00,
• Then at 9:00 he has to be at Jimmy Buffet's to perform on the Perry & Price Show,
• Then he has to be back in Kaneohe by noon because he's in a Flashmob at the mall at 1:00
• Then it's back to Brigadoon rehearsal by 2:00 - probably until 6:00 tonight.

Don't know how he does it.

And I guess I am okay now with him having his license - otherwise I'd have to do all that driving (that alone would do me in).

Aahh to be young again.

What Spring Break Means to Me

• Packing lunches everyday for fieldtrip outings
• Kids at the beach everyday - translation "washing loads of towels everyday"
• No traffic! So I hear - I haven't had a chance to go anywhere.

These are the conversations (I use that word loosely) I've heard/had this Spring Break week with various children

Hannah
"What? Egg sandwich again?"

Michelle
"Can I stay up all night and watch my ipad?"
"But I don't have to wear school uniform shirt today" (My answer "Too bad - that's all that's clean...I've been too busy washing towels to wash clothes.")
"I have lots of new friends at my Spring Break Program." (Me -"Really, what's their names?") Her -"I don't know but their my best friends."

Gabe
"Mom, can I use the car?"
"Mom, can I use the car?"
"Mom, can I use the car?"
"Mom, can I use the car?"
"Mom, can I use the car?"

Gabe
"Can I have some money?"
"Can I have some money?"
"Can I have some money?"
"Can I have some money?"
"Can I have some money?"

Thank goodness today is the last day. I want to drive my car for a change, I am almost broke, we're out of bread and I need clean clothes!

Life Altering Decision

Chicken Pizza with Ranch & Tomatoes or Chicken Alfredo Pizza.

Decision and photos later.

More Falconry

This is Brian - the falconer extraordinaire!

He made the whole experience so worthwhile -
His passion for his birds is awesome.

We followed him on foot as he drove in his little van

up into the hills.

We thought he had a big aviary that we would be going to.

But no -
He opened the back of the van and there they were in boxes, cages and atop roosts!

We spent 5 unforgettable hours interacting with birds
like this beauty.

It was an unforgettable day -
not just because the birds are spectacular (which they are) -
not just because the countryside where the lesson takes place is so gorgeous (although it is) -
but because Brian's passion for these magnificent animals is heartwarming to witness.

Even me, the non-animal-lover, couldn't help but feel inspired by Brian as well as his birds.

(I LOVE THIS PICTURE - IT CAPTURES EVERYTHING!)

I highly recommend this experience.
(Don't get sucked into the more expensive - and commercialized imitators with the slick brochures)

If you are fortunate enough to go to Ireland -
Be smart and give Brian a call!
Newgrange Falconry.

Tonight's Pizza Delight

Kalua Pig with BBQ Sauce & Pineapple Pizza

'Twas yummy.

I Took a Bone Carving Class in Ireland

And this is what I made

Its a pendant made from beef bone.

It took me 6 hours to make.

I love it.

Living for the Weekend

Tomorrow is a furlough day for school but Michelle has services tomorrow (which means she and her Skills Trainer will have a day at the mall and in the community). Hannah is supposed to have services tomorrow although we are currently trying to work that out with her teacher. Gabe is off too and I think he's headed to the beach.

Tomorrow night is pizza night and Gabe just informed me that he's inviting his homies over again - so I guess its 2 larges and a small. For Gabe its boring pepperoni. Boring cheese for the girls and, as promised I believe I'll try kalua pig and cabbage pizza - I think I should cook the cabbage first.

Michelle has horseback riding on Saturday then we have an Eagle Scout Court of Honor that night. I am making shoyu chicken and a ham. The Court of Honor is for Kalai and Sean Hanohano and Blaze Featheran. These boys' parents are good friends of ours.

Susan bought a car - a 1991 Toyota Camry - really good deal - only 53,000 miles and excellent shape!

So now we have SHRED back - albeit with way more mileage than when she originally took it...anyways I know Gabe has been waiting for SHRED to return - he thinks he'll get to drive it whenever he wants...yea right.

My back's acting up a bit and now my right knee is hurting (arthritis I think) but still...

Life is good here in Haiku Village.

Prom

Me and Gabe - before the date arrived

Gabe and the date - a cute little girl named Brianna

TGIF

So our new tradition has been Friday is Homemade Pizza Night. Not only homemade pizza but also root beer and ice cream. So it really should be called Night of Forbidden Foods - that is, dairy, carbs and sugar.

But we love it.

Gabe had some of his homies over so I made them a regular pepperoni pizza (boring...) I also made them BBQ chicken drumsticks.

I made a plain cheese for the girls (again, boring).

But for Gene and I it was fresh spinach, roma tomatoes, mushrooms and...wait for it... pineapple. It was yummy.

The rootbeer was AW so good. And the ice cream - Dreyer's Double Fudge Brownie - but only a half a scoop.

It's a good thing this kind of indulgence only happens once a week.

Up next Friday - I'm thinking either kalua pig and cabbage pizza (since pork is on our forbidden foods list!) or eggplant parmesean pizza...can't wait to see which one I decide to make.

Family

I have a cousin on the Mossman side whom I have never met. His name is Kale Clay. His mother's name is Nancy Clay. She lives in Arizona. I met Kale's Grandma, Grand Aunt, Aunt and cousins, at our Mossman Family Reunion this past November.

I will meet Nancy in person in May when I go to Phoenix for an FASD meeting. I am sooo looking forward to that.

I will meet Nancy again, along with her husband Mark, and two of their daughters in October because they will be traveling to Scotland with us on our Mossman Ohana Trip. I am sooooo looking forward to that too.

I missed my chance of meeting cousin Kale here on earth. Kale died a little over a year ago. I have gotten to know him a little through online memorials written by his family and friends. He is an awesome person. I am sooooooo looking forward to meeting him in the next life.

Now Nancy needs our help - or rather each of us needs the blessing of being able to help Nancy. Here's her story in her own words. Please help if you can. This is my family.

My 23 year old son, Kale Daren Clay is the 2nd son, 3rd oldest in a family of 8. Think Brady Bunch on Steroids! A crazy, happy, loud bunch of us. We were part gypsy, moving often. I tell people, "Witness Protection". Far more interesting than the truth behind our many moves. As a result, the kids were each others best friends, learning that many things come and go in life, but your family is your rock. Kale's had friends wherever he went. From Boise, Washington, Arizona, Colorado, even in Iraq.

Joining the Army became his primary focus after a few years of drifting after high school, dead end jobs, etc. His weight piled on, something far too easy for the Brown line he comes from. We eat our feelings! He had to lose 100 pounds to join, and it took him just under a year to do it. He was focused and driven, wanting to be part of something he could feel proud of. He was so proud wearing his uniform. He had such a smile, that just melted your heart. You could not stay mad at him long. A practical joker, and seeker of fun; full of pranks and mischief. He made friends of senior command leaders, who would seek him out, just because it felt good to be around him. He made the unit's deployment bearable, said many of his battle buddies. Mike, his battle bud, told us the story of how Mike was called home due to a surgery his wife would be having. Kale carried Mike's gear, all 80lbs, in addition to his own, during the heat of summer in Iraq. Never complained, only asked how his wife was whenever they spoke.

After his Iraq deployment he settled into life at Ft. Carson. He would be moving on to a new duty station the following spring at Ft. Drum, with Afghanistan deployment in the summer. I had worried so much over his last deployment as only those who send loved ones off to a warzone know. In my mind, he was a "boy scout camp". That is where I pictured him and believed him to be safe. Seeing him fully decked out in his protective gear always seemed to shock my brain to reality that he was not "safe". Each day you prayed, held your breath, and hoped you would never get "the knock".

Most of us had talked to him either day before or a few days before, I remember we talked about the college classes he was signing up for, and working towards making his Sergeant rank. He told me about his cool new tatt he got with his Battle Buddy, Mike, since they had both served on a security team. Kale became Uncle to his kids. They loved the mischief Kale would bring to the house. That morning when I woke up, Sat. Feb. 13th, he was on my mind. I called him, and his phone just rang and rang. I left a message for him to call me back. That evening, a rare quiet date with my hubby, just us and the remote. Kids all out at a dance, friends, dates, etc. Two of our gang, were both living out of state. About 9pm, we get "the Knock". It seemed unusual, we were not expecting anyone. I heard Mark talking, then saw them enter.

It seemed like slow motion, and took me only a second to recognize them, instantly knowing, Kale was dead. The one closest to me, not sure how to break the news, nervously asked me "how I was doing?" I looked him straight in his eyes, my voice shaking and said, "I don't know, you tell me how I'm doing." Not wanting to hear what was coming next.

"We regret to inform you that your son, Kale Daren Clay has been killed."

My head started crying out, "NO, NO, not Kale!, Not my son, Not my baby!" I pretty much lost it at that point, crying so hard. We held each other for a time, trying to absorb it. It seemed so unreal, you just kept thinking it or saying it as if it somehow would feel more real the more you heard it. We next knew we had to tell our children. We were about to inflict the cruelest pain on our children, their hearts were about to break and we could not fix this. We started calling them home, "get home right now." The tones, and words already alerting them something major was happening.

We called our daughter in Washington, hospitalized the past year for trying to jump off a bridge in Seattle. I was about to devastate her and I could not be there to make sure she could handle this. To not have anyone there to hold her or know she could get through this. The screams in the phone tore through our hearts.

Jordan came in just as dad was telling Kassy in Virginia. The party she was at with friends and family there, all told me later how her screams and cries just cut them all to the heart. Jordan hearing the news that his beloved brother and best friend, was dead fell to the floor, doubled up in pain.

The girls came next, Megan, Jessica and Becca, all hearing the crying and the news fell, crying, screaming, so unbelievable.

Brian was the last to arrive, he met the kids in the front yard and hearing the news started swinging, trying to fight us from delivering him this cruel blow.

We all held each other, cried, friends gathered, all of us numb and in shock. We learned that he was killed in a head on collision early that morning. Another passenger, Pawel Serafin died with him. The driver was a friend of Kale's, and he received injuries to his legs and some internal damage. They served together in Iraq. The truck they hit, was a 350 utility truck. He was injured in the crash. Kale's injuries we later learned, were two instant death injuries, one upon impact, the second as Pawel, who was not seat belted, flew forward, smashing into the windshield.

I was told that Kale had tried to call a taxi that night, he had tried to call a friend who did not pick up the call. He had plans to meet up with a girl he was seeing but they missed each other. So many things that would have given us a different outcome. Jordan Peters later told me that he held up the Designated Driver business card that all soldiers are required to have on them at all times, he gave a safety briefing to his unit with it. If only he had just called them. If only a police officer was at the bottom of the hill just past base.

There have been so many hard things we have experienced this past year, burying him, his birthday 17 days later, the two weddings his sisters had that he missed or his first neice being born. Going through trial, seeing those photos I tried so hard to not see that will haunt me to the end of my days. The greatest tragedy was that his death was preventable. The choices made to have "fun" have a lifetime of devastating pain. I carry that till the day I die.

Seeing how it has torn up the hearts of my family. Jordan Peters was sentenced to 10 years, and a bad conduct discharge. His career is over. He carries the pain of this as well to the day he dies. There are no winners here.

This is why I became involved with MADD. It took a personal experience to open my eyes to this huge problem.

If I can spare one other mother, the pain my heart carries, one other family from being destroyed over the loss of a loved one than the work I do and Kale and Pawel's death will have meaning. MADD was there from day one, and has continued to assist our family during those very dark hours. The services they provide make coping possible. It is free to victims and survivors but is not free to make possible. It takes events like the Walk Like Madd, their biggest campaign, to fund the many programs of education, assisting with court/trial for victims, working with lawmakers etc.

My son loved being a soldier and was so proud to serve his country. Won't you help me give back? Any amount adds up. I set a goal to raise of $2328.00 the ages of Kale and Pawel. I am half way there, and need help. It is not an easy thing for me to do, I am one who takes pride in serving others and am not good at accepting help. It is my driving force to do this for them.

I have chosen to walk in Kale's boots he wore in Iraq. They are big, and will probably really hurt, but I walk for him. He did so much for so many others, never caring about his own discomfort. I hope you will take a minute right now, and find someway to help.

One, pass on our story to all your contacts, the more ears that hear his message the better.

Two, sign up to help our team, on the walklikemadd.org, we are listed in Phoenix, and look for Team Clay/Serafin. You can join us if you are close, Sat. April 2, Westgate Center, Glendale AZ, or sign up as a "Virtual Walker". You don't even have to walk.

Or just send a donation! Really, every dollar helps. Ask people for donations or to sponsor you!

Next, never drive if you drink, don't let someone you know drive if they have. Never be a passenger of an impaired driver. Wear your seatbelt!

From his birthday March 3 to the walk April 2, I am going to find daily hard things, in his honor, so join me in that too. I struggle with getting up early, exercising more, eating better... always putting change off. Not this time, I promised him the day I buried him, I will do hard things, because he showed me how.

I pray together, we can save lives!

Two Boys Turning 17 Today

The Biebs

and

The Babe

I like the one with the fake glasses more.

Happy Birthday Gabe the Babe.

Fifteen Years Ago Today

My mother became my guardian angel.
"Those we love don't go away,
They walk beside us every day,
Unseen, unheard, but always near,
Still loved, still missed and very dear."

In the beginning, when I'd think of her I'd cry.
Now I smile.

"You can shed tears that she is gone
or you can smile because she has lived.

You can close your eyes and pray that she'll come back
or you can open your eyes and see all she's left.

Your heart can be empty because you can't see her
or you can be full of the love you shared.

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember her and only that she's gone
or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
or you can do what she'd want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on."

Up Next

Brigadoon

March 25 - April 10

Castle Performing Arts Center

Starring Gabe Wright and Nicole Enos

In Front of the Irish Peat Moss Fire

Our Irish Friends

We made wonderful friends with Catheroina and John Lambert and their daughter Kerry.

Catheroina cooked for us, John made us laugh & Kerry entertained us.

We love them.

The Birds

My anniversary gift to Gene - falconry

We spent 5 hours on an Irish country hillside flying hawks, falcons and owls.

A spectacular, once in a lifetime experiences.

St. Paddy's Day...a Month Early & in Ireland

I swear we didn't have a drop!

(serious blackmail picture)

From Our Irish Farmhouse Window

We saw this

Every morning.

Ireland

Me and My Boyfriend of 37 years (35 years married)

Northern Ireland Coast

13 February 2011

28 and counting

That's how many hours before we fly off tomorrow evening for Ireland. Only got a million things left to do - but they are all manageable.

Can't forget to -

1. Leave Valentine treats for the kids
2. Finish my work for engineer's group
3. Get Valentines for the girls to give to classmates
4. Register for my D.C. meeting in March
5. Make Hannah's appt with neurologist for when we get back
6. Clean the fridge
7. Vacuum the van
8. Mail Jacob's Valentine present
9. Cut my hair!!!

At least I'm packed...

Found!

A talking photo frame - of Jacob - about age 9 years old - saying "Happy Mother's Day Mom! I hope you have fun in Buffalo! I love you!"

I was thrilled to find it. I had forgotten all about it.

And I can't remember why I was in Buffalo 11 years ago!

Cleaning Closet

Its scary...like Hoarders Buried Alive. Items found:

To Be Trashed

Black heels circa 1990 - cracked vinyl

Dick Tracy T-shirt

Susan's shoes from when she was maybe 3

17 purses!!! including one from 1985 when we moved here!

Lots of broken hangers

A white linen skirt - what was I thinking????

Old computer cords

2 backpacks

Lauhala bags that are pretty much eaten away.

Keepers!

A quilt I made for Jacob when he was 2

A red muumuu I thought I'd chucked

My favorite Peter Max shirt from 1978!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (And cause I've lost some weight, it fits!!!)

Some cool reef walkers

3 wooden hangers - the antique kind that the dry cleaner used to give - I know they are valuable cause they have Territory of Hawaii printed on them - so that's pre-1959!!!!!!!!!!!!

No money yet, but I'm not done cleaning!

So far - 5 garbage bags for the dump.

Hoarder!!!!!!!!!!

What's On Her Mind

Michelle woke up yesterday morning and said, "Mom I have a picture of Hunter in my mind."

I said, "oh you're thinking about Hunter?" Hunter is a girl from church.

Michelle said, "No I just have a picture of her in my mind."

I was telling Gene about this last night and he asked her, "Do you still have a picture of Hunter in your mind?"

Michelle, closed her eyes for a moment then opened them, smiled widely and said, "Yup I still have her picture in my mind!"

Happy Birthday

To my Mama.

She would be 79 today.

Happy Birthday Mama.

Wednesday Nights

Gene works at the temple Wednesday nights so its quiet around here (not that he makes a lot of noise).

I cook whatever - or not at all - on Wednesday nights.

Gabe doesn't have rehearsals on Wednesday nights.

The two girls read or play quietly on Wednesday nights.

I like Wednesday nights.

Who's In Charge?

I asked Michelle to get me a cup of ice water.

She did and when she gave it to me she said, "Can you get your own next time?"

I replied, "No".

She said, "Are your legs broken?"

I said, "No".

She said, "Well why can't you get it yourself?"

I replied, "Because I'm the mother and you're the kid. You have to do what I say"

She said, "But I'm not the mother!"

I said, "Right that's why you gotta do what I say - like get me water!"

She looks at my water and says, "Can I have a sip?"

I said, "No. Go get your own!"

She walks off muttering to herself, "But I'm not the mother!"

He Wrote - So I Breathe - For 7 More Days at Least

Dearest Mother,

So this is my day:

Today Jacob Wakes up and turns off the alarm on the phone. except that it is not an alarm, someone is actually calling us at 6:15 in the morning. One of our investigators dialed the wrong number. So i get 15 more mins of sleep.

Now Jacob Gets out of bed for reals. And crawls to the bathroom to find a spanish elder on the pot (oh yeah, we had 2 spanish move in with us in our apartment. one doesnt ever lock the bathroom door...)

Jacob, waiting to shower, forgoes morning exercise in favor of the ever well balanced breakfast that is doughnuts and mountain dew.

Jacob goes in to the shower and lets hot water run over him for about 10 mins before actually beginning the cleansing process.

For studies Jacob and comp relate scripture people to star wars characters (after all, it is pday studies.)

Jacob then watches as the spanish missionaries take off in their full-time car taking only a moment to fantasize of the varied comforts it would offer before wrapping up in a jacket and beginning the trek to Wal Mart.

Some guy screams at us on the way to walmart from his car as he drives by, which in and of itself wouldnt have been odd except that we were in pday (normal) clothes.

We walk to email at the family history center and our zone leaders wave as they drive by in their 2010 Subaru. grrrrr.

and now i am here! but all in all, not to bad a day so far to be honest. smith and i have a lot of fun no matter what we are doing. which makes things entertaining.

hmm....as for the work, we have another baptism this saturday, then one next friday, then 2 more 2 weeks after that. once again, baptisms dont equal amount of work put in (altho in all modesty i believe we have put in great work) but they are good encouragement to keep it up. we also picked up a couple new investgators this week. yups. smith is definately my favourite comp, and i think that we are gonn serve together till he goes home (he has only got this one and next left) altho after that i only have 2 left and their are still others who i want to have a chance to serve with.

random factoid: i think that my favourite commandment to teach on the mission is Tithing. tiss awesome. kinda like buying blessings. lol, jk. but it really is my favourite commandment to teach. my fav overall would probably be repentance or faith tho.

anyways, hope you have a wonderful week, and i thank you again for being awesome. and helping me in the infinite ways that you do!

love, jake

On Tuesday's I Breathe

once I get Jacob's email.

...I'm still holding