Reflections

"Be happy for this moment, this moment is your life"

There couldn't be a more suitable quote at this moment. Yesterday I went to show my support to some old friends in the passing of their dad. Before the services, I had that really sick feeling in the pit of my stomach, as I was thinking to myself, "is this really happening?" However, I came away from the celebration of his life with a new look on my own. I want to be remembered the way he was, I want people to say that I knew how to light up a room, that I lived life to its fullest, that I loved my family more than anything. I challenge everyone who reads this to reflect on who you are, and what your stamp on life will be. When your time here on earth has ended, whether you've had a positive or negative effect on someone, their memory of you will be eternal. Are you living your life the way you want to be remembered? Your life is made up of little moments, so be happy for this moment and make the best of it!

First attempt @ notecards

So, taking some inspiration from my old friend Tammy, I decided to make an attempt at note cards. My Auntie's 50th b-day was coming up, and the invites didn't say "no gifts", so what was I going to do? As people get older, it seems to get harder to find the right gift. After much thought, I decided on personalized note cards. Now, Tammy's cards are absolutely adorable, I would know, since I have some of my own. That being said, I had some pretty high expectations for myself. I decided that since my family is Hawaiian, and LOVES the islands, I would use photos that I took from our family trip last summer. The theme was Honus. Let me know what you think!


I needed something to put the cards in, so I bought this plain tin and decorated it with Hawaiian themed scrapbooking paper. I cut the letters out of brown card stock using my cricut machine, which I love!


These pictures were all taken on the Big Island of Hawaii. I've always loved the Honus, and had a blast seeing them and capturing these shots. I adhered the pictures onto a cream colored note card, and inked the sides of the cards, along with the envelopes to match. I then hand wrote my aunt's name in the corner of each card.

So, I've had a few weeks to digest that Kainoa is actually six now. I was a little worried for a minute that we might be experiencing the "terrible sixes", but it only lasted a few weeks. See this happens to me every year, I have yet to experience any of the "terribles", however about a month before his birthday, this strange boy enters my home, who isn't very fun to be around. I beg and beg for him to bring my son back, but he just doesn't listen. Once Kainoa reaches his birthday, the "terrible" is gone, and my love bug is back. Just look at that sweet face...

Coolest Avo Ever!!!

For Father's Day, we decided to get out of town, and take a trip to my dad's vacation house in Sonora. My daddy is happiest when he's here, and Dante and I could use the break. As usual, we left about two hours later than planned, and arrived somewhere close to midnight, (this drives my dad NUTS). However once he knew we were safe, off he went to bed. We woke up the next morning to a PERFECT day in the mountains. Saturday we lounged around pretty much all day, (Dante slept till 11:00AM, but he needed it) and then we went and saw UP! GREAT movie! Had something in it for all of us, I believe my tough husband even had a little bit of watery eye syndrome. Through out the whole day, Kainoa is trying to convince his Avo (grandpa in Portuguese) that he should open his Father's Day present. Well Avo wouldn't budge, Kainoa would have to wait unil Sunday. So, first thing Sunday morning Kainoa was begging to open presents. First he gave his daddy the cool Superman shirt he picked out, and then it was time for Avo's present. Kainoa could hardly contain himself.

We got Avo a water gun!!! When Kainoa opened his for his birthday Avo said he wanted one, so that's what he got. The minute he opened his present, they were plotting on when they could have their battle.

After the presents were opened, we packed up and headed to Aunt Lilly's and Uncle Manuel's house on Lake Tulloch to get some lake time in. Kainoa had fun with Nana riding on his rocket. I on the other hand was a wreck, the water was so choppy, that they flew up in the water more than a couple times. I was relieved when the ride was over.
After we brought the boat in, it was time for Kainoa and Avo to battle it out! I remember playing with my grandpa as a kid, and thinking that he was the coolest grandpa ever. I always wanted that for Kainoa, and am so happy that he has the coolest Avo ever!!!

Six years!!!

Last Tuesday, June 9th, I celebrated 6 years of being the mom to the most amazing blessing I could have been given. To think that six years have actually gone by, just blows me away. Gone are the days of needing mommy to do everything for him. Now we celebrate the days of independence and being a "big" boy. It's amazing to watch him grow, and slowly become his own person. To see him take on some of my traits as well as Dante's and still manage to have his own as well. Being the mom of a six year old takes a little more patience then in the past. He knows EVERYTHING (I thought those were the teenage years), and loves to speak out of turn to get his point across (again, teenage years), but he is still that same sweet love bug he's always been, which makes it so much easier to look past the not so fun stuff. Sunday night, he came and sat with me and said, "Mommy, now that I'm six, next I'm going to be seven, then eight, then nine, then ten." I told him that I will be excited for ALL of those birthdays, but right now, I'm just going to sit back and enjoy SIX.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Field Day

Last Friday Kainoa, Dante and I experienced out very first annual field day at school. Dante and I are so happy we took the time off to help out. We all had a blast and are already looking forward to next years field day.

Make a Smilebox scrapbook