Michelle and the Cup of Water

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

She got the cup, went to the fridge, got the ice from the ice maker then filled the cup with water and started bringing it to me.

As she walked toward me with the cup she said "Oh by the way Mom there is a bug in this water."

Me - "Well throw it out and make a new one".

Michelle - "Oh no I'll just get the bug out - the water will be fine".

Of course I made her get a new one - although she couldn't understand why that was really necessary.

Long Day

We went to a baptism this morning then came home and Gene did some handyman work around the house while I worked on my Relief Society Lesson for tomorrow. The girls just played around the house.

This evening we went to an activity at the church - potluck dinner - then came home.

While it doesn't seem like we did much today it sure feels like it was a long day...

Tomorrow is Father's Day so I'll be up early. And I still have to put the finishing touches on my Relief Society lesson.

For My Birthday I Want

This!

Is this not the most beautiful thing you've ever seen?

No - Not Again!

Today I got a call from Michelle's teacher. Apparently Michelle had 2 "episodes" today that look a lot like seizures.

No good news.

Hannah's seizures are still 30+ per day and are more intense. She takes a cocktail of medications that keep being tweaked but still are not working.

Don't know how we'll handle TWO with seizures.

Anyway, I'm trying to get Michelle in to see the neurologist as soon as possible...that in itself is quite a trick - we usually have to book appointments 2 months out!

Gabe's Saga

So Gene dropped Gabe off at airport Monday at 5:00 p.m. for his trip to Europe.His flight was supposed top leave at 7:50 p.m. for Newark then after a 6 hour layover he was supposed to go on to Rome.

His first flight cancelled due to mechanical issues. The next flight they had available that could take all of the group was at 4:00 a.m. on Tuesday.

Today he calls me from Newark - he's still there - they missed the connection to Rome! So they have had to stay in Newark. They now split the group - he and 6 others are supposed to leave on an Alitalia flight later today.

Oh and his bags are somewhere...

His attitude is good! Glad he's having these experiences.

As a seasoned traveler I've learned its all part of the journey and makes for GREAT stories later. It's all good.

And, like I told him, "Rome will still be there when you arrive!"

But these kinds of hassles is the main reason I never travel during the summer unless I absolutely have to.

Getting Gabe Ready

Gabe leaves on Monday for 2 weeks in Europe. I left today for 3 days in Milwaukee so before I left I had to get Gabe ready to go.

Had to make sure he packed what he was supposed to pack. Gave him his euros. Made sure he has enough $ on his debit cards. And warned him that his room better be clean by the time he leaves!

He will come home on my birthday! What a great gift!

38 Days

We got the official letter from President Cannon, President of the Idaho Boise Mission. Jacob will be coming home on Wednesday July 20, 2011. He will arrive at 2:41 p.m.

We are so looking forward to seeing him.

President Cannon reminded us that this is a special time for Jacob - these last few weeks will be filled with wonderful experiences and unforgettable times.

I had asked Jacob how he felt at this time - he wrote:

"as far as my feelings about the mission and it ending......

right now i feel like....that feeling you get when you are trying to finish up that essay or research paper 10 minutes before the bell is about to ring because you thought you did everything but forgot a few details that you want to add in.

as for leaving....its kinda like when you go on a trip and have a ton of fun but cant wait to get home at the end of it. the trip was great, but getting home is awesome."

Wonderfully put.

Prayers

Our nephew (Gene's side) Greg's 3 year old son Bryson (better known as Buffalo) was diagnosed with Stage 4 neuroblastoma. He has a malignant tumor in his abdomen as well as cancer in his bone marrow and bones.

He will get five rounds of chemo and then surgery to remove what's left of the tumor followed by another round of chemo. After this he will get a bone marrow transplant and then radiation. He has also been accepted into a study that will allow him to receive Antibody Therapy which has upped his prognosis by 20-30%

The little guy starts his road to recovery today with his first round of chemotherapy.

All prayers are appreciated.

Bryson and his family - he's the guy in the middle.

Good Medicine

I have a super bad cold.

This morning I decided I'd hurry and clean the house, do the wash and then go back to bed.

I did and was sleeping soundly when I was awakened by the phone. Ugh!

But it was my cousin Leilani in Florida and she was just calling to say hi and howzit going and we talked for about 15 minutes and it was just what I needed to make me feel better.

Why? Because Leilani is such a positive person - nothing gets her down - not her cancer which she has been battling for years, not her back problems which leave her incapacitated sometimes, not the fact that her husband is out of work.

Amazing lady.

But then I got to thinking maybe these things do get her down at times and she chooses to deal with them by lifting others with her positive inspirational spirit.

Either way - it's good medicine.

This Week

Gabe comes home tomorrow night.

Girls in school all week.

A bit of work to do each day - not too much though ;)

Get ready for departure next Saturday - Milwaukee til Tuesday morning. Just me this time.

Baltic Sights

Stuff we ate.

Islands between Helsinki & Stockholm

Our cabin is top right window next to the ladder

Sky at 11:30 p.m.

Sky at 1:30 a.m.

I would definitely go back to the Baltics - maybe rent a house on one of those islands for about a week and just relax...spend a couple of days in Stockholm (which I think is now my 2nd favorite European city - after Budapest)

Helsinki

We had a wonderful weekend in Helsinki and Stockholm (and most especially on the cruise between these 2 cities). My bag dropped on the floor and my camera inside broke :(

I only have stale photos from my phone - which I will post later.

Everyone survived back home. Gabe is in Utah til next Monday and Jacob comes home in 48 days!!!

Hectic

Yesterday I had a full day conference I was coordinating for ACECH - with Mayor, Lt. Governor AND Governor all speaking. I also had to get Gabe ready to fly out, get the girls out of school early, get Gabe to the airport AND then take the girls to Girls Club! Oh I forgot - I also had to go to the dentist!!!

I am happy to report - MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

The conference went off without a hitch - except the Governor was late but no biggie.

Gabe and Lakona got to the airport in plenty of time and are now in Utah until June 6.

I did get to the dentist.

Gene picked up Michelle which saved me a stop.

Had 30 minutes to spare before Girls Club - so visited with Brandi and took a 5 minute nap.

Whew! Home by 8:30!

Girls Club was awesome. It is 1 Wed. per month at Easter Seals and is a Club for girls with intellectual disabilities - they play games, have dinner, etc. It is the perfect place for Michelle and Hannah. Finally - they have FRIENDS!

Today we leave for Helsinki - back on Tuesday. Can't wait to sleep on the plane!

Michelle's Car

Michelle got a plasma car for her birthday.
Luckily it has a weight limit of 200 lbs. because lots of grownups rode it.

Steve



George (Susan's boyfriend)



Susan


Gabe



And finally


Michelle!

Special Recognition

Hannah got a Special Recognition Award at school last week for Resiliency! She sure has displayed resiliency as she's faced the challenges of seizures, classroom changes and a psycho teacher!

Hannah & Mom & Dad

Hannah & Aunty Leo

Hannah & Mrs. Juliet - the WONDERFUL teacher (not to be confused with Ms. PSYCHO teacher)
We are so proud of Hannah!

14!

Hard to believe it - but she is!

She thinks she looks cool when she winks.

Small Town Local Feeling

Kaneohe has that small town local feeling - and I love it. It was brought home to me once again as I attended Castle High School's graduation last night.

• Everyone seemed to be there
• Seemed like Everyone knew everyone else
• Cars were parking everywhere - on the medial strip, in no parking areas, double parking - and no parking tickets were issued
• Oh the police were there - enjoying the festivities
• Everyone cheered for everyone's else's graduate (as the names were called)
• Samoan, Japanese, Korean, Haole, Hawaiian, Filipino names called out with perfection
• Only about 1000 people had actual tickets for the event but many more arrived early and stood around waiting to rush the field to congratulate their graduate
• You could never bring enough lei to this graduation - after you give to everyone you know you want to give to the kids who don't have as many
• At 9:00 the graduates are driven through Kaneohe town on buses bound for Project Grad Night activity. The streets are lined with folks wishing them well.

I love Kaneohe.

Gene's 60th

We had a great time in Phoenix and Utah for Gene's birthday. Here's one picture - blurry - from our final morning.

PaRTy Day

Lots of reasons to celebrate at the beach today -

birthdays (3!)

anniversaries

family

Love it.

God Bless America

Trey's Wedding

The Conversation

Hannah talks to herself. Here's how it went this morning -

Hannah 1 - "Come on - change your clothes"

Hannah 2 - "Maybe you're not my boss."

Hannah 1 - "Hey don't give me that attitude?"

Hannah 2 - "Hannah - Tell her to get ready."

Hannah 1 - "You better get ready"

Hannah 2 - "Who said you can tell me what to do?"

Hannah 1 - "You need to listen"

Hannah 2 - "You're not my boss"

Hannah 1 - "What did you say to me?"

Hannah 2 - "Hannah - Tell her not to say that"

Hannah 1 - "Don't say that"

Hannah 2 - "But I asked you a question - Is today Friday?

To which all I have to say is " Who's on first??????"

Photos from Last Saturday

'Twas a good day.

Epilogue

So my excitement about the slim chance of seeing the Northern Lights - deflated.

Gene tells me he saw them TWICE - in Utah.

Who'd have thought?

And where was I?

Decision Made

Gene and I cancelled a trip last year and the result was that we each had a $1000 American Airline voucher that we had to spend by a certain date or lose it completely.

We toyed around with lots of possibilities. Criteria for destination was:

1) Earn as many miles as possible

2) Route had to have seats we could upgrade to First

3) Once there, spend as little $ as possible.

And the winner is...

Well not all of the Baltics -

Finland & Sweden.

We leave 26 May for Helsinki - tour the city on the 28th then embark on a two day cruise to Stockholm.

I know its a little late in the season but...

if I could have my wish...

I'd like to see

The Northern Lights!

The Cure

Psycho teacher = Migraine with no end

I want both to

It's up to me to let go of the string.

Snarky Me

What A Difference 24 Hours Makes!

Today is a MUCH better day.

Susan came over to take her sisters to the beach.

Gabe only had a two hour rehearsal.

My step-mom called and gave me a needed pep talk.

Gene and I went to a conference where I received the Parent of the Year Award.

They served delicious veggie burgers for lunch at the conference.

Steve and Azeema came to the conference to give me a lei when I got the award.

Came home and Hannah is taking a nap.

And tonight I am going to see Jump! at the Hawaii Theater with my good friend Cynthia and Gabe and his friend Isaiah.

Yesterday - nasty yesterday is almost a memory.

Revealed

Secret #1 - Laura Boman is not only sweet, she is also a good driver (I guess not so secret)

Secret #2 - I am going to a luncheon today and getting a big award - Parent of the Year (don't tell the person who turned me in to CPS yesterday)

Ginny and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

The worst day of my life was April 9, 1999 - the day we lost our son Michael.

The next worst day was in 2008 when we got some bad news about a relative.

The third worst day was Feb. 28, 1996 when my mother died.

Today is the 4th worst day.

Someone told a lie about me - called CPS and reported that I neglect Hannah and don't supervise her. I know who did it and why. They did it out of pure vengeance because they were mad about a stand I had to take in regards to Hannah.

I may be bossy, pushy and demanding but I am NOT neglectful. I am a good mother.

CPS quickly closed the file when I told them who I thought made the report and why. They actually confirmed my suspicion in an unmistakeable way.

But still - to think someone hates you soooo much that they would try to hurt your family in such a terrible way!

Lots of tears today...Lots of lessons to be learned here...but still...right now - it sucks to be me.