Greetings to Michelle and Hannah

Hello my girls!

I hope your teacher will let you read this.

Dad got to Washington D.C. yesterday. This morning we are leaving to go to Moscow Russia. We are at the Washington D.C. airport. We will fly from here to Nashville, Tennessee then to Chicago, Illinois and the to Moscow Russia. We will be on 3 airplanes!!

The flight from Chicago to moscow will take 12 hours! We will eat dinner and breakfast on the airplane. The airplane has chairs that change into beds where we can lie flat. We will be sitting in seats number 2D and 2G. They will give us DVD player to watch movies but I think I will just watch my shows on my ipod instead.

It was very hot in Washington D.C. It was 95 degrees!

We will stay in a hotel in Moscow. I will post pictures later if I can.

One thing I forgot to tell you about - when Dad arrived in Washington D.C. he caught the metro to the hotel I was staying at. The metro is a train that goes underground! It goes very fast!

We love you both and hope you are being good girls. Be obedient to Susan and Aunty and Jacob and Gabe and your teachers.

We are so proud of you both because you are both learning so much. We are so proud of you because you are both so kind. Remember to always be kind.

Love from Mom and Dad.

Food Storage

The Church has always taught its members to store food and supplies for emergencies or as a fall back in case of economic hardship. We have had an addition to our food storage in an unexpected way.

The other night I kept hearing our dog Elvis barking outside. I yelled at him to stop - which he did. The next day he barked on and off for periods of time - I'd yell at him to stop and, again, he would stop.

Yesterday Leo came home and said "Where did the chicks come from?"

Oh no, I thought, not baby chicks again. About a year ago a chicken laid eggs in our yard and 8 chicks hatched. Cute things - until they got old enough to crow - then they'd crow at all hours - including 2:00 in the morning. Finally, after many attempts to get them to move out of our yard Gene succeeded - although I will not tell you how (it was not homicide).

Since that time every so often a chicken will come in our yard and lay eggs. Gene will take the eggs and relocate them (I'm not saying where) and that would get rid of the mama and daddy too. No worries about crowing!!!

So when Leo mentioned the chick - my mind went back to our past experience.

"Gene will have to relocate them," I replied.

"But they are out there in a cage with food and water," she said.

"What!!!" - I ran out to see - at first I saw this -

Hmm - that is our beach towel - but what is it covering?

So that's what the dog's been barking at!

But where did they come from?

The culprit.

Those of you who know me know that I love animals - in the zoo. I am not a pet fan. This is why we have had fish, 3 rabbits, 2 rats, a duck, a turtle, a cat, 10 guinea pigs, a dog and now 3 chicks and I have never, ever, fed, petted, touched, bathed, watered, walked, or took any of them to the vet. I refuse to give them any attention. (Most of the animals have come via the culprit above)

And although I am not an animal fan - even I admit that letting these little chicks loose will mean their quick and certain death from neighborhood cats and dogs.

So I have been trying to find a silver lining in all of this and I think I finally have...food storage. We do eat chicken.

God wraps many of the most beautiful gifts in packages we never open

I may have sent this link to you of Susan Boyle on Britain's Got Talent. If I didn't (or even if I did) - it deserves at least 1 more viewing!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

I'm humbled.

Now Isn't That Special (Olympics)

Last Saturday the girls participated in the Area Special Olympic Track and Field Games. They have been "practicing" with their team (Kamalii Koa) for about 6 weeks - on Saturdays. Usually Jacob or Susan will take them. I say "practicing" with "" because Michelle mostly wants to walk or sit while Hannah doesn't mind running - she just goes in whatever direction she wants. Oh - and there are only like 2 other kids on the team - both teenagers.

Their coach is a very nice young lady named Kat (she's an engineer!) and Mark (I think he is an area support staff) assists. We are in awe of these volunteers - they are there every Saturday rain or shine! I am sure the Lord blesses them for their service. They are really a blessing to us.

Additionally, at the Games themselves there are hundreds of volunteers who help cheer, escort, coach the Olympians. The local Lions Club provides a free lunch for everyone too.

Anyway the Area Games were at Schofield so we had to leave by 8:15 to make the Opening Ceremonies. The girls marched in like Olympic athletes - waving pompoms.

They both participated in the 50 meter run and soft ball throw. Hannah did the running long jump and Michelle did the standing broad jump.

Michelle walked away with 2 first place blue ribbons and 1 2nd place and Hannah had 1 first place, 1 second and 1 fifth place. (If you are unfamiliar with Special Olympics - everyone is a winner...)

We were surprised that Michelle beat Hannah in the 50 since Michelle hates to run - but evidently, if she has a crowd cheering her on she does just fine! They were both smiling at the grandstand and each other as they ran!

I only got to take pictures of one of the times they went up to the winners stand - my camera died after that! But here's the proof!

Notice the close up below of Hannah's shoe. When we arrived at Schofield I noticed that she was wearing her oldest, most ripped up pair of shoes! I noticed cause her sock was sticking out about 1 inch at the toe. We saw a Games official using duct tape to mark off the finish line. Gene asked him if we could have a piece of tape for a "Special Olympian with a ripped shoe." It held well - she took the socks off so they wouldn't stick to the tape. We threw the shoes away (finally!) when we got home.

The State Games are next month...looking forward to it! Hannah will have new shoes by that time and we probably should get them special t-shirts too.

If you ever want to have a lot of fun while serving someone - volunteer for Special Olympics!

The Haircut

So I've been under the weather - and today Gene asked Jacob to watch for Hannah's bus because I was going to take a nap. Well he watched for her bus but then failed to watch Hannah after she got off the bus...and, as I'm sure you have guessed from the title of this post...she cut her hair.

Its bad. Susan took some photos on her camera but hasn't given me them yet. But this shot (taken after her hair was fixed) shows the shortest strands.

I was going to take Hannah down to Fantastic Sam's to get it "fixed" - but Susan thought she could do it - and by golly I think she did a GREAT job - especially considering there were probably 15 different lengths to blend in AND the fact that Hannah has like 4 cowlicks didn't make it any easier.

Traveling FOG

FOG (Forty and Over Group) went to Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany in February. Vivian took lots of photos but I'll just post a few now.

We took a cruise down the Rhine and saw numerous castles - like maybe a dozen or more. really incredible.

This is a shot of the whole group minus Vivian the photographer.

Here is another shot of some of us posing somewhere. I can't remember - but maybe where the Rhine and the Moselle River come together.

One of the advantages of being short is that I can lean on Gene and go to sleep
anytime - anyplace.

WARNING - Rated XXX parting shot

The best part about traveling is going with the one you love.
(WOW - my hair sure looks black!)

Easter Bunny

So I had to crop this photo in a really weird way in order to even see the girls' faces! The photog takes a photo in which the Bunny is the major focus! What's up with that?

Anyway -we took this in the mall on Saturday. The mismatch clothes should be a clue to you that this photo stop was totally unplanned.

General Conference

Been listening to General Conference on the web. Two things have stuck out in my mind.

1) Satan wants us to think we are too far gone - but the Lord embraces our return to Him no matter where and no matter when. Any time any place is the right time and the right place to seek Him.

2) The natural man will never be satisfied.

My AWESOME Cuz

This is my cousin Trey Mossman. He is the General Manager at Nick's Fish Market at the Fairmont Kea Lani in Wailea. He is AWESOME! He always treats us like royalty! Gotta love that boy!

Sharon and I ate dinner there last night. It was FANTASTIC! We had appetizers - sashimi, kalua pot stickers; soup - japanese pumpkin with lobster cake; island snapper; and the great strawberry dessert that he sets on fire!!!! He makes a cute decoration on your plate - using brown sugar, devonshire cream and chocolate syrup. You dip the straberries in the sugar etal and achieve palate nirvana!

Here's the design he made on my plate.

Have a Lavender Day

So I went to Maui with Sharon - a quick overnighter. We got there on the 31st at about noon, picked up the rental car and headed to Kula to the Lavender Farm. We had a cart tour with Alii Chang, the owner of the farm. Although there was tons of lavender I ended up taking one picture - not of lavender but of eunum schwazkopf - a black flower from Holland!

I highly recommend the lavender farm for its fantastic view, relaxing atmosphere and great tour with Alii. The gift shop is richer from my purchases alone...the shampoo smells heavenly.

We stayed overnight at the Marriott Wailea and lounged around most of the day until our noon check out.

Angel

As I was helping Michelle get dressed for school today she said, "Mom check my back."

I replied "Nothings wrong with your back."

She said, "Check again."

I said, "What am I looking for?"

She replied, "Are my angel's wings growing yet? I ate angel food cake last night."

She sure is an angel - wonder what she'll say when I give her the news that angels don't have wings...

But if they did I am sure hers would have grown to full size by now!

Pencil Me In

That's what I'm gonna have to start saying to this boy. He's in almost nightly rehearsals and full Saturday rehearsals for Singin' in the Rain (opens April 10 and runs til April 26 -weekends only). He's in thrice a week afternoon rehearsals for Dance Concert (runs May 9-11).

Just got an email announcing the play Okinawa (the one that they are taking to Scotland) previews on May 12 then has another 2 week preview June 12-21 - so expect an intense rehearsal schedule for that one!

He enjoys it though - but he gotta keep up the grades - and I gotta keep the fridge stocked 'cause when he's in rehearsals he eats like there's no tomorrow!

Do You Have A Dog?

Well I had a meeting (IEP) last week for Michelle. We inserted a goal about how to appropriately greet people and carry on a conversation.

With Michelle things usually go like this...

Mom/or other Adult: "Michelle this is Ms. So and So - say hello ot her."

Michelle: "Do you have a dog?"

Ms. So and So: "No"

Michelle: "Do you have a cat?"

Ms. So and So: "No."

Michelle: "Do you have any pets?"

Ms. So and So: "No."

Michelle: "Do you have a baby?"

Ms. So and So: "No."

With those answers Michelle will then become totally uninterested in you UNLESS you are fat - then she will ask you when your baby is coming out.

If you give one "YES" answer her follow up remark will be "Can I come to your house?" and she will stick to you like opihi to rock and will repeat the "Can I come to your house?" refrain until you are ready to scream.

She is very predictable - dogs, cats, pets and babies. And one more thing - pizza.

Fat Pizza Delivery Guy with a dog, cat or baby - BEWARE!

Its Always Fun When Grandma Comes

Grandma Sharon is here for a week! We are so excited to have her here. She is staying in a vacation rental in Kaneohe overlooking the bay - about 10 minutes away.

She brought gifts! The girls got some adorable crocheted purses. Here they are with her.

We went to dinner at Kin Wah with the Frost family. We ordered way too much food - but it was ONO! I meant to take a picture of the food before we ate - but forgot - so here is the aftermath...

Notice Hannah is still eating.

I Walk the Line

So for about 3 months or so I've been walking the mall for some exercise. Usually at 8:00 each weekday morning - 3 times around the top = 1 mile. I started walking with my friend Missy and her friend Lisa. They are great girls. They are both young mothers so usually have kids in tow or sometimes can't make it cause of sick kids etc. I have enjoyed their company.

There are other regular walkers - my age or older - as well as a whole group who do Chinese exercise (not tai chi). Most of us walk in one direction (as if there is a sign prohibiting counter direction walking!). On rainy days all of us old people get out of our cars and walk cautiously over the wet asphalt (I'm sure all of us are repeating the same mantra "Please don't let me fall and break my hip").

Last week my friend Rochelle started walking too. She is more like my age. But she is a speed demon walker - I have a hard time keeping up - which is good.

How does it go? "Let your reach exceed your grasp else what's a heaven for"

Just What the Doctor Ordered

Got parenting ails?
Kids acting up?
Teens got attitude?

The prescription's in - Dr. John Rosemond!

Gene and I went to hear Dr. Rosemond (nationally syndicated columnist) when he was on a speaking tour here during the past 2 weeks. We enjoyed him tremendously. He spoke TRUTH!

He talked about parenting old style - like how our grandparents did - as opposed to parenting styles of today which rely on experts who espouse theory over time-proven practice.

So it's back to "Because I said so..." at the Wright household.

One of the things that made so much sense to me was when he talked about self esteem. he said we have been led to believe that we should value and instill self esteem in our children as if possession of self esteem is the key to living happily and successfully (after all, that's what most parenting experts have been saying). As a culture we have bought into it.

Dr. Rosemond says that what we should instill in children is Respect for Others over so called self esteem. Feelings of good worth come from doing good things for others/being of service to others. That is exactly what the gospel teaches!

He says that prisons are full of people with high self esteem - people who think they can get away with breaking the law cause they are above the law!

He also said that when you think about it the opposite of self esteem is humility. I want my children to be humble - because when when people are humble they are teachable and open to the things of God.

Read John's books and if he's ever in your area - go see him! It'll change your life! (www.rosemond.com)

Note - I am usually not a self-help-book-fan but I unabashedly, unapologetically, untypically HIGHLY recommend these books!

)

Reading Aloud

Those of you who know our Hannah know that she talks to herself - alot. Usually when she talks to herself she relates the events of her day - repeating what people have said. So one day she is sitting by the front door near her backpack and I think she's talking to herself - she's saying "hannah did not have a very good day today. It started at breakfast when she would not listen. Later she refused to do her work..."

I looked over at her and realized she was reading a note that the teacher had written to me!

Gene and I were both amazed and happy that she has improved so much academically. At one point we thought she would never learn to read!

Here's a goofy picture of her

Nikita

One of my favorite Elton John song's is Nikita. He sings "Oh Nikita is it cold - in your little corner of the world?"

Well we will soon find out...

Gene and I go to Washington D.C. on April 23 for my ACEC Spring Convention - usually I go to Women's Conference in Utah right after. Not this year though...we're headed to -

MOSCOW (and not the one in Idaho)

I saw an unbelievable fare out of D.C. - $64 on American each way - with tax it was $213! We couldn't pass it up! So we leave D.C. on 28 April, arrive Moscow 29 April and stay until 3 May.

Gene has wanted to go there for awhile now and I am so glad this opportunity came up.

Cynthia and Nadine are joining us so we should have a GREAT time!

We are a little cautious though - the Visa process alone is daunting! Russian Visa requires that you list ALL the colleges you ever attended (no matter how long ago); your last 2 jobs (even if you've worked at the current jobs for decades); your parents names (no matter how long ago they died), every country you've visted in the last 10 years (complete with dates) and tons more info about your life. It took Cynthia literally 2 hours to complete the form!

I have read that once you're in the country be prepared to carry your papers with you at all times cause the police will stop and ask to see them and the police are notorious for giving minorities a hard time unless you pay the a bribe!

Fortunately we have hired a private guide who will be with us from the moment we arrive to the moment we leave.

We are staying at Maxima Zarya Hotel which is out a bit from the city center. Didn't know that Moscow is the most expensive city in the world! Fortunately our hotel is reasonable (about $155 per night and that includes breakfast and dinner for 2) and new,

Will post when we return for sure - but till we leave we are sure filled with excitement and trepidation.

Oh - one more thing I've read about Moscow - bring your own roll of toilet paper - those torn up pieces of newspaper neatly stacked in a box next to the toilet are not for reading!

A Young Man Prepared (or Preparing)

(He says he's smiling in this picture - and I don't know what's up with the Alfalfa hair)

Jacob is preparing to serve a mission. It is quite a feat - to think that a young man at age 19 would sacrifice his time to serve anywhere he is sent for 2 years - and pay for it on top of that! And to think that same young man has kept himself morally clean thus making himself worthy to serve! He is an awesome guy!

He has completed all the paperwork and just has the interviews left to do. We expect those will happen within the next 2 weeks or so - so we anticipate that within maybe 6 weeks he'll know where he is being sent and when he'll go. (We think he'll probably leave in June)

He has been reading the Book of Mormon in earnest (he made a goal to read it once before his birthday - April 8th - and one more time before he departs). He's been attending Scripture Study class and the Missionary Correlation Meetings and has been going out with the missionaries about once a week.

He is also trying to get in as much video game time as he can - going cold turkey will be hard!

We Had Twins!

If you haven't heard of or seen a Kindle - put it at the top of your "gotta do" list. This gadget is amazing. So amazing we bought a his and hers.

It is a neat, sleek ebook reader by Amazon. See how thin and small?

It can hold about 1500 books from Amazon's 250,000 Kindle bookstore. They download instantly (and free) anywhere you can catch a cell phone signal (no need to hook up to a computer!) There are buttons to press to turn pages, search text, etc. It can even read aloud to you!

Kindle books ordered through Amazon run from 99 cents to $9.99 for best sellers. You can get all the Standard Works of the Church for $4.00!!

The device also allows you to type in notes as you read.

Overall it is a great tool! It should prove to be a fantastic addition to our travel gadgets and take POUNDS off Gene's luggage weight - he's been known to travel with HARD BACK books that take up the majority of his luggage weight allowance.

A Kindle 2 will set you back about $350 - but well worth it if you're an avid reader (especially an avid on-the-go reader). Oh one more thing that makes it a good buy - FREE SHIPPING!

(Note - I do NOT work for Kindle or Amazon)

Gabey Baby No Longer

Gabe celebrated his 15th birthday on March 1. We were hot off our trip home from Germany - still on European time for sure but managed to take him and 2 friends to stay at the Embassy Suites in Waikiki.

The guys had a good time swimming, walking around Waikiki and eating. And eating. And eating.

Gabe is taller than me by many inches! He is a good looking kid with loads of talent and a kind heart. Always singing or playing the piano...in fact we usually have to tell him to stop singing.

He got a bunch of cash for his birthday and quickly went out and bought an iTouch.

Two performances are in his near future - Singing in the Rain (weekends in April) and Dance Concert (2nd weekend in May).

15 years old already - wow - where'd the time go?

He thinks he's getting his driver's license and a car when he is 15 1/2. Hahahahahahahahaha!

Post Christmas Trip

Went to Las Vegas on New Years Eve - my cousin Mellene's son Manu Boy (I mean Manu Man) got married in the Las Vegas Temple on Jan. 3. I went up early and spent a few days with my awesome cousin Stephanie. We had a great time chatting and relaxing.

The wedding was wonderful. Manu man and his lovely wife Ashley are not just a wonderful couple - they are wonderful people. The food was ono and it was fun to see the next generation coming into adulthood with such grace and optimism for the future.

One other bonus of this trip is that I got to go to the Liberace Museum - it as fascinating! Don;t miss it on your next trip to LV.

Does She or Doesn't She?

This is my sister Alo. I googled her to get a picture... This is a test to see if she reads this blog. How long will it take her to say "Hey get my picture off your blog!"

Ruth Ann

My mother had a first cousin named Ruth Marian (aka "Oofie"). Ruth had a daughter. Her name is Ruth Ann. Ruth Marian died last year. Ruth Ann came to visit Hawaii and stayed with my first cousin Candie and family.

I had met Ruth Ann when she was a child. I got to meet her again now that she is an adult.

She is an interesting and delightful person! Despite our age difference I really enjoyed meeting and talking with her!

She lives in L.A.

She looks like a Mossman!

Is this the little girl I carried...

Susan Kapuauiokalani Wright
(the smile hasn't changed!)

Getting sentimental is easy when you're post 50 years old - just thinking that she turned 21 on January 8th! Flash back to January 11th 1988 - the night we got the call from Sally Lee saying she had a brand new baby girl for us! It was 9:00 p.m. and I had spent an exhausting day cleaning closets at the church - it was about 9:00 p.m. when the call came. Gene came home a few minutes later - and in his typical dead-pan style said "I'm so excited I think I'll stay up all night and pay the banjo." I then proceeded to call everyone I knew!

We met her for the first time on January 13th - she was a beauty! After we picked her up from the social worker's office we went to see Tutu who, like veryone else, fell in love with her instantly.

Truly, Heavenly Father gave us His best!

Flash forward to January 8, 2009 - 21 years old - still beautiful - she has a kind and loving heart. She is busy working, loves the beach, sun and surf, and is such a great help to us.

- and we still feel like we did 21 years ago - He did give us His best!

Mele Kalikimaka

To friends and family far and near -

We wish you a wonderful Holiday Season! May the Lord continue to bless you and may you continue to look to Him and Live!

Aloha - The Wrights

Gene's Getting Old

At 57 he is looking fine...although he has had a few medical issues (I tell him old man illnesses) - he is still a healthy specimen who continues to have great taste in women.

He has been busy writing (rewriting) book #2 and continues to be an avid reader.

He has had a work issue that has challenged him but I believe things are on the path of resolution (can I be any more vague?)

Today he was on the roof trying find a leak, then tore out the bathroom wall repairing a leak yet he'll find time for our weekly Saturday date to Sam's Club.

I think this year has certainly expanded his "Fatherhood" experiences as we have learned to parent (in a different way) almost adult children. And to prove it the gray hairs are finally starting to crop into those blond waves.

Can you see the gray?

He hasn't run a half marathon this year - but hes been busy running everywhere - always serving others. He's a great example to the rest of us.

Ginny = Gorgeous After All These Years

2008 did not disappoint! It brought many opportunities to learn, serve and grow. I continue to enjoy working for 2 great companies - Hawaii Sales Representatives and the American Council of Engineering Companies.

I must confess to a new addiction - to Grey's Anatomy!!!!!

I have enjoyed seeing the fam grow and have really enjoyed the time that Gene has taken to travel with me. He continually shows me that I am important and is always kind to me - still opens my car door after all these years!

I have also found joy in seeing the happiness in others - especially in Brandi as she has worked productively in her chosen field, dedicated herself to her doctoral studies and found her self in what seems to be a wonderful relationship.

Ditto for Steve - he got to go to Lithuania etc. this past year to do paid research and is quickly approaching the completion of his doctorate. He too seems to have found a special someone and I am happy for him.

Somedays the house is still a mess and the laundry has piled up but as I look back I realize that I did accomplish a lot this year --- I made Executive Platinum again...which means 2009 HERE I COME!

And through all the ups and downs of 2008 I remain pretty and smart.



Left - picture of me before I quit dying my hair.
Right - picture of me w/natural hair color

Hooray for Hannah in 2008!

Now in her 3rd grade at Heeia Elementary Hannah has learned to read! She can read simple books with CVC words. We are very proud of her.

She is still very active and into everything. One of our friends gave her a sweater that says "Requires Constant Supervision" on the back - that fits Hannah to a tee!

She still loves music and can sing anything. Her favorite songs are "Unwritten" - Natasha Bedingfield and "How to Save a Life" by the Fray. Easy to tell she has teenage siblings.

Her baptism was surely the highlight of her year and we were humbled by the many friends and relatives that attended her baptism service.

We are still working with medical experts on a number of issues with Hannah and hope that with their assistance she will be able to grow to be a happy, responsible person.

Michelle - The Miracle

Well Miss Michelle enjoys being 11. She thinks she is a big kid and likes to boss Hannah around. We gotta laugh when we hear her saying "What did you say to me Hannah? You don't give me attitude!"

She is enjoying 5th grade. Her best friend is a boy named Renny. She said he is her boyfriend. I told her the prophet said no boyfriends cause she is too young so now she says he's just her friend.

She is still always happy! What a joy to be around someone who is always in a good mood.

We are trying to get her to cut back on the rice - but she told me that rice is a grain and grains are healthy!

She loves her ipod nano that Aunty Leo gave her last Christmas.

Her likes include - Ben 10 Alien Force, popcorn, rice, beans (except green and lima), vienna sausage, dogs and, of course - babies.

her dislikes - all vegetables, fruits (except bananas), loud noises.