Hannah

Poor thing - seizures up to 4 times a day...and we're still waiting for the neurologist to get back to us!!!

What a Face!

Here's a picture of Michelle at her Young Women's activity last night.
They made dips. She likes chips!
She's so small. The other 2 girls are barely 12.
Michelle is almost 13.

This Week

Since we're leaving on Thursday for Washington D.C. I'll have a busy week but am looking forward to 3 more films - Mid-August Lunch, Bran Nue Dae, and A Good Rain Knows. The first is Italian, the second Australian Aboriginal and the third is Korean (I think).

Michelle keeps asking what I will do in Washington D.C. and can't quite believe that all I will do is go to meetings. She's right - we do plan on going to the temple one night (Friday) and also meeting up with some friends (the Blacks) while we are there.

Its 4:30 a.m. and I just woke Gabe up to finish his homework. This is a rough time for him - Dance concert rehearsals are brutal. They run 4-9 p.m. weekdays and 10-6 p.m. weekends. And he comes home dead tired (and REALLY grouchy) - but homework trumps everything.

Dance concert is two weeks away so the end is in sight...for all of us!

The Problem With Foreign Films

...is they don't come with a rating...so while I don't go to R rated movies normally, one that should get an R rating slips in at the film festival.

Last night's Girl With The Dragon Tattoo was one such film. Lots of action but...the R rated stuff just doesn't suit me.

Yesterday afternoon's Korean film, A Brand New Life was definitely G rated. Its the story of a young girl who is left at an orphanage by her father - through most of the film she holds on to the notion that he's coming back for her - then finally abandons that hope and embraces another - as she flies off to be adopted by a French couple. I recommend this one.

A Film Recommendation

The opening film of this year's Hawaii International Film Festival's Spring Showcase did not disappoint. Mao's Last Dancer is one of the top three movies I have ever seen in my life.

From the Academy Award nominated director Bruce Beresford (DRIVING MISS DAISY, TENDER MERCIES), comes the inspirational true story of Li Cunxin and his extraordinary journey from poverty to international stardom. MAO'S LAST DANCER beautifully captures the intoxicating effects of first love, celebrity and the pain of exile. Ultimately, the story depicts the aspirations of all immigrants and the fulfillment of the American dream.

Superb music, inspirational ballet, beautiful cinematography and a heart-warming story of sacrifice, dedication, determination and family.

Seldom has a film left me so inspired and satisfied. I walked out of the theater smiling and crying at the same time.

Wonderful, wonderful!

It is supposed to open in theaters in the fall.

Treat yourself!
(Tomorrow its A Brand New Day & The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo)

Playing Tourist

Going to Polynesian Cultural Center today - got the Super Ambassador package - private tour guide and all.

Something different...but I know it'll be a loooooooooooooooooong day.

A Little Sympathy

Hannah wanted me to take a photo of her i.v. yesterday. Camera phone=blurry picture.

I'm into Nostalgia Today

So when I decided to redo the blog banner I ran across a bunch of random photos I thought I'd post. Its the labeling that I find tedious...

Gene & I in Cinque Terre Italy

Gene laughing while playing Hi henry in Italy or Scotland (I forget where)

Pretty Ladies

My handsome men

Gene's Debut

I think Gene's "Lost" episode was on last night. I saw online that the episode that was on last night was about Hugo - and Gene said the episode he was in was about Hugo...so I figured...

Since we don't have t.v. I am currently downloading the episode from itunes to my ipod. Will let you know if its the one -

For those of you who watched it - maybe you already know -

Or maybe not...

13

Some pictures from '13'.

That's my boy!

Girls and Some Friends at Universal

California Cousins

Here's some pictures from our visit to California last month. We got to visit with my sister Susan and her awesome family. I love my sister! She has the warmest heart! She is a wonderful mother - I am in awe of her!

We hung out at her house - let the kids play in the backyard with the dog - Trooper. We went to the pool and out to dinner. Everything was low key and relaxing.

Her oldest son is Dylan - same age as Jacob. He is tall, handsome and smart. Very interesting fellow - we enjoyed talking to him.

Sam is next. He is very friendly so he reminds me of Sue. He taught Michelle how to play wii!

Then there's Emma! She is a cutie - but the BEST thing about her is that she is sooooooooo kind! She was so patient with the two girls! She was the highlight of their trip!


All of her kids have Sue's warm personality and winning smile. They are AWESOME people.

Playing Catch Up

So after being sick for about a week I am playing the catch up game...and here's my list for today:

1. Get my tradeshow work done - about 2 weeks late!!!!
2. Compile Salary Survey for ACECH - about 1 week late!!!
3. Write my boy!
4. Clean the house
5. Compile Family Reunion email list
6. Post California pictures to the blog

Let's see how far I get.

Other news -

• Gabe was ordained to the office of a priest yesterday!
  
• Tomorrow we take Hannah to the hospital for EEG. She has fallen 16 times in the last month.
• Gabe's play closed on Saturday night. I saw every performance (7) and I LOVED EVERY MINUTE!! I would see them all again and then some. I will try to post some pics later.
• Susan is preparing for a summer trip to Thailand and Bali...ooh to be young and free!
• We got to see Uncle Kini and Aunty Judee a week and a half ago at Gabe's play. Uncle looks great with his oh-so-distinguished-cane.
• Jacob bought a new suit and tie with his birthday money.
• Gabe's in rehearsals for Spring Dance Concert and another play. Such a busy guy!
  
• We are getting ready to leave next Thursday for my annual meeting in Washington D.C. - in preparation Gene is reading The Lost Symbol.
• We have a friend, Mary Boman, coming in from Utah to visit. We'll meet up with her at least a couple of times this week.
• I just bought tickets for the Hawaii International Film Festival's Spring Showcase which starts this Friday with the film Mao's Last Dancer. Then we'll see films on Sat., Tues., and Wednesday. I have a great friend who willingly goes with me to the films.

So much to be thankful for!

A Wonderful Easter

Today was a most glorious day - Easter Sunday. A perfect day to think about all that I have been blessed with. Reasonably good health, a nice warm home, supportive friends, the comforts of life, a job, relatively healthy children, an active mind, new opportunities to learn and grow each day, the chance to repent and do better tomorrow, a wonderful family...and the knowledge that we can be together forever because of HIM whose resurrection we celebrate today.

Oh sweet the joy this sentence gives...I know that my Redeemer lives.

Good News!

HE LIVES!
And because He does - we shall too!
HAPPY EASTER!

Gray

My cousin Herman is so cute.

Sunday he says to me "I just noticed your hair".

Me: What about it?

Him: The color.

Me: What about it?

Him: Its all one color - gray.

Me: Yup

Him: Its really pretty.

I agree. I like it alot.

Gabe's First Review

Click here to read

Hannah

Isn't this the BEST school picture you have ever seen?

Blog Crazy

So - you're not going crazy - I am I'm playing with new backgrounds today

I made my layout with the Myspace Background Maker. Get myspace layouts, graphics, and flash toys at pYzam.

13 Posters

If you're in town - COME!

News and News and News

News 1 - Gabe's play open this weekend and runs for 2 weekends. Anyone want tickets?

News 2 - Hannah
Dr. thinks they are petit mal seizures. Trying to get us in to neurologist...hopefully in the next week.

News 3 - Jacob
Heard from him yesterday -

"This week was okay. we had interviews, which was cool. ill be moving in 2 weeks about, so tahts cool.

i ended up buying myself running shoes and exercise clothes for my birthday to help motivate me to be active.

im really tired right now. we played basketball for 3 hours today and football for 2. my brain is on auto pilot o_O

hmm...we do have a golden investigator, who will probably be baptized next transfer. so yeah, working hard and following the spirit is the key to good stuff.

hmm... what can i say now? i will just put my head down on the keyboard for a sec and think.............aegalsdhfhasdkbvsd

o yeah! i was gonna say that you, mother, are like the most wonderful of people. yup. you are amazing. and dad is pretty legit at being awesome. as is aunty. and i could go on but because you are all so humble i will leave it at that.

love you guys!

love, jake

p.s. "Wait! you forgot the crystals." Napolean"

Last Day

Of our California vacation. We'll spend this morning at Universal again (Curious George, Waterworld Show & Simpsons Ride) then back to hotel to change and check o0ut. One more stop at In N Out before heading to the airport.

Its been an enjoyable trip! The girls have been really good. And their ipods are godsends!

Had two more incidents with Hannah - 1 yesterday while standing in line for Studios Tour and one this morning in hotel room. Will get this checked out tomorrow when we get home.

The weather has been so fine here in so. cali.

Its good to go on vacation and good to go home.

Kinda Scary

So last week I got a call from Hannah's teacher because she had fallen over twice in about an hour and a half's time. First time she was sitting on a bench then apparently for no reason she fell over backwards onto the floor. About and hour later she fell backwards while standing. When she fell both times her eyes were open and remained opne while she was down but she did not respond - just stared. I called the doctor who said to watch her closely, call ambulance if she passes out but to schedule appointment dor followup.

After I picked her up from school she was fine, My intention was to schedule appointment when we got back from this trip we are on.

Last night at Devin's baptism it happened again. She was sitting on a chair next to Gene and next thing she was on the floor. Once on the floor she just went over and hit the wall. Gene picked her up and again she did not respind when her name was called. Eyes open but glazed over.

An hour later she's standing next to me eating ice cream and down she went. We called her name but no response. Her eyes were totally open but vacant. After a few seconds we got her up and she was fine.

Worrisome indeed and I will definitely be calling the doctor this a.m. and scheduling something for Tuesday morning.

Peculiar and scary.

I am thinking it might be the clonidine she takes - afterall it is a blood pressure med and could be makine her hypo-tensive. But a thorough follow up should clear the mystery.

Great California Adventure - Survived Day 1

Wow! We've learned alot! Like:
Michelle doesn't like
blue water in the airplane toilets
the toilet itself on the airplane,
the sound of lift off,
the red flashing sensor on automatic toilet flushing systems in public restrooms,
hand dryers in public restrooms,
the plane landing
the smell of a new rental car
Its A Bugs Life 3-D (this feature will elict a loud, hysterical shriek of GET ME OUTTA HERE NOW!!!)

Hannah doesn't like
most all rides and attractions in Disneyland except autopia, tea cups, carousel and its a small world.

Gene and Ginny like
Its a Small World - this is a super long ride which allows for a great NAP!!!

Really the girls were so good yesterday. After a red eye flight they stayed awake and energetic and in good moods all day! We got to the park at about 8 and stayed until almost 4. The walk back to the hotel (which seemed so close in the morning) was challening for all at the end of the day. But they made it - their feet were sore but the bodies were eager to hit the pool when we arrived back at the hotel.

My dear dear cousin Ruth Ann joined us at the park and is the best best best with the girls. I also so enjoy talking with her. Where has she been all my life? Or more like where was I all of her life!

My brother Bill came by last night and we went to dinner at Cheesecake Factory - the food was TERRIFIC. It was so wodnerful to spend time with Bill and Ruth Ann.

Its almost 8:10 a.m. and the girls are still asleep. Will wake them soon then breakfast and off we go to the north and to devin's baptism tonight - which is the real reason we are here in California,

Jacob, Jacob, Jacob

Jacob's birthday is coming up on April 8 - so if you'd like to drop him a line please do - his address is in the right side bar.

Here's what Jacob emailed yesterday. He's so crazy.

So yeah, some lady destroyed our car doors which was exciting because it broke the monotony of what would otherwise have been a normal day. crazy stuff makes the mission more fun. oh yeah, spritual stuff! Well, iwas reading Acts and even Paul got an "Emergency Transfer" from his companion. So it shows that even the best of us can sometimes blow our cool and need to take a break from the stressfull things of life. But that doesnt mean ignoring them, just taking a breather and them tackling giving it another go. in missionary work, we have to always be patient and tolerant of the weaknesses and short coming of others, but even more so to be aware of those things in ourselves. oh yeah, tell Skyla i say 'sup' and grats on the baptism marriage thing =]

Another spiritual thing: Abraham had one tight entourage. And when his brother lot was captive, he was like "You 300 come with me and we are gonna go get my brother back!" and they went and owned all of them. He was like, the O.O.G. (original original gangster) that and he had, like, a bazillion kids in his family tree BECAUSE he was so righteous and paid his tithes. So if we follow his example we can inherit great mansions.

Songs of Soloman shouldn't even be IN the bible. Like,where along the line did someone decide that it was a good idea to include it? (on a side note, it does provide some entertainment when you are completely bored during the 1 hour of personal study time)

Well, as the Romans say, "Live long, and prosper" (or someone kinda like them)

love yas, jake

p.s. We all live in a yellow Submarine.

p.p.s. oh yeah, one of our investigators is on the run from the law. which makes it hard to set appointments. any sueggestions?

Counting the Hours

Yesterday Michelle asked "How many more hours til we go to Disneyland." I answered "36". She was dismayed. (isn't it funny how when you're young time passes so s-l-o-w-l-y but when you're older it races at break-neck speed?)

But those 36 hours are passing quickly.

Its 3 a.m. and I've got tons to do before we leave for the airport (in 17 hours).

• Finish updating directory for work NOW
• Download stuff to 3 ipods (mine, Hannah's & Michelle's) for use on the trip
• Pack girls lunches for school 5:30 a.m.
• Meeting this a.m. from 7-8 a.m.
• Take Gabe to get his Driver's Permit at 10:00
• Drop off Directory proof at printers 11:30
• Download and print a reservations, etc. 1:00
• Laundry 1:30
• Pack my suitcase 4:00 p.m.
• Go over Gabe's schedule with him 5:00 p.m.
• Take Gabe to rehearsal 5:30 p.m.
• Do bills etc. 6:00 p.m.
• Clean house 6:30 p.m.
• Get girls ready 7:30 p.m.

Thank goodness Michelle insisted I pack their bag 2 days ago.

Its gonna be a loooooooong day.

But the flight tonight should be restful...we all got upgraded to first class...gotta love my American Airlines!

St. Patrick's Day

Hannah's teacher sent this photo to me today. McHannah O'Hannah.

Vacation

We are taking the girls this week on a little vacation. We leave Wednesday night for California. Our plans include Disneyland, visiting my sister Susie in Ventura, going to a baptism in Lompoc and also going to Universal Hollywood. We come back Monday night.

I hope to also see cousin Ruth Ann and my brothers Bill and Bobby. Maybe...

The girls (especially Michelle) are SUPER excited.

Gabe has to stay home cause he has rehearsal - his show opens in a week and a half. Hoping he behaves while we're gone - he is, after all - 16 now!

Super Hawk

Well Michelle did get to be the Super Hawk at her school...but not before a bit of trepidation. The Vice Principal forgot to announce her name. And Michelle, who knew she was going to get the award, looked forlorn. But then the teacher went up and whispered to the VP and the announcement was made - and there was even cheering from the audience!

It was supposed to be a surprise but her teacher told her about it. Actually she had been told that if she got x number of stickers she would be the Super Hawk. She knew she had the requisite number so it was not a surprise.

The photo below is blurry - but it shows you how little she is compared to other 6th graders - and she's also a year older than the other kids