Monday, May 25, 2009

Kuleana Land

What is Kuleana?
kuleana. (Native Hawaiian) nvt.right, privilege, concern, responsibility, title, business, property, estate, portion, jurisdiction, authority, liability, interest, claim, ownership, tenure, affair, province; reason, cause, function, justification.

The people of Kanu Hawaii hear our kuleana calling to us. We have kuleana:

  • To become self-sufficient and sustainable as individuals and as a whole
  • To build vibrant communities where people know and rely on each other
  • To live in an environmentally conscious manner
  • To provide quality education and care to children
  • To give to and care for people in need of help
  • To honor, respect, and protect the traditions, cultures, rights, and sacred things of others
  • To participate in our government and hold it accountable for the public good

We had walked by this place many times, but we were a to scared to ever go in. :)  
Now we were invited in, and this place it AMAZING!
This sign is Brylie's favorite.

Notice all the scary warning signs!

I have never seen so many surfboards, it was AWESOME!
Papaya Tree
They have their own artesian well.
Mom, can you see this?

Look!

Koi fish

Pele is a big fisherman and surfer.
water play
fun in the little car
Look who is visiting from Utah, Brielle!
The girls playing Doctor.

This place was Heaven, music entertainment, animals and good food. My fav coconut juice and meat.

Thanks Pele!  Pele is the guy who runs and takes care of Kuleana Land.  No electricity is used there.  They have crops there and all sorts of animals, we got to see bunnies, roosters, chickens, goats, koi, birds, a chameleon and I think that was all the animals.
Enjoying more of the signs on the way out. 


Before heading home we went for a walk and the kids picked some flowers.





Here is Krew just finishing up is first popsicle.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Last Sunday

As you can see we wore Kali out, she fell asleep taking her night time bath.
After church we headed up to the farm to see this guy. 
and to bury these two cowry shells for a while.


I thought Grandpa Wood would appreciate this picture :)



Monday, May 18, 2009

Princess Picnic

Lili had been wanting to do a princess picnic for days, so it was time for a little dress up and yummy food.  It was perfect!


Lili was the perfect hostess, and she made sure that everyone got to try a delicious cookie that tasted like watermelon.

Princess Jocelyn looked so stylish, as always, in her hat dress and cute shoes.



Jocelyn is finally getting her teeth in at 10 months!!
Taylor is my model, when ever I ask the girls to smile, Taylor is always happy to do so and poses for me as well!


Nate enjoying his watermelon cookie.
Jack enjoying the shade and all the crazy kids around him.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Mothers

      
I didn't have the opportunity last week to sit down and really write down my appreciation for my mothers.  My mom is on the left and Aaron's mom is on the right.  I am so lucky to have these two beautiful women in my life who I can turn to and talk to when ever I have a problem or just need to talk story :)  I love them both so very much and I feel so blessed to have these to Angels in my life!

I have been thinking A LOT this week about my mother, especially since she just celebrated her birthday on the 16th.






HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!!!
I am not good with words and I don't pretend to be, but all week I have been thinking about this and wanted to write it down and hopefully try to express my feelings for my mother.
I call it:










Now, I get it.

When you would wake up early in the morning to make us breakfast and get us off to school, than want to lay down and relax or catch up on some sleep we use to give you such a hard time,  
now, I get it.
When you would be the last one in the kitchen putting everything away, and making sure the sink and the counters were clean while the rest of us sat and watched a movie and gave you a hard time for not just leaving the mess till morning,
now, I get it.
When you would wake up early Sunday morning to get ready and prepare a nice dinner for us to come home to after church and than sit and play the piano so we could have the spirit in our home,
now, I get it.
When you would get frustrated with us when we were not all ready to go to church on time because you wanted to get their 10 minutes early so you could sit and prepare yourself for the meeting and to feel the spirit, we would hassle you,
now, I get it.
When you made sure that we always said family prayer and read together EVERY night no matter how late it was or how tired we were, even if you had to wake us up just for our turn to read,
now, I get it.
When we would have F.H.E. and family counsel every Sunday and did a family activity together every Monday night no matter what we had to work around or give up,
now, I get it.
When you would make each of us decorate our rooms with pictures of the Temple and Christ and mormonads, even when I wanted to decorate with posters of whom ever the media said was cool at the time,
now, I get it. 
When you wanted to make every moment a teaching moment when I just wanted to tell you what crazy things were going on in school with out a lecture :)
now, I get it.
When you spent so much of your time driving us to and from practices and supporting us in our sporting events and band concerts, plays, Jr. misses, etc. even if it wasn't how you would have wanted to spend your time, you were completely selfless and I never understood,
now, I get it
When you were so persistent about us learning to play the piano, and to sing and learn an instrument, we fought you endlessly,
now, I get it
When you were a little short fuzed or impatient with your five crazy kids, because you hadn't slept in weeks trying to accomplish your own projects, keeping the house together, preparing meals, keeping up on laundry, being a friend, taking care of your husband, and tending to your children whom you would stay up with through out the night while we were sick or woke up scared because of a night mare.
NOW, I GET IT.

Mom, I know we gave you such a hard time growing up, and I am sorry for that.  I just did not understand, what an amazing women you were and still are, and how you just wanted the best for us and you were doing everything you needed to in order for us to return to our Heavenly Father again.  Sadly, it was hard for me to relate to an angel who was sent from Heaven to be my mother, with no desire to sin and with no tolerance for sin.

Now with my own family and children, slowly I am starting to understand more and more every day why you did things that way.
Now, I get it :)

I love you mom,
THANK YOU!