Arrow of Light

My boys. My Boy Scouts. How I love them. It seems just like yesterday when my oldest received his Arrow of Light and that one I'd now an Eagle Scout. Kupono made 11 this year and along with that honor came another one of receiving the Arrow of Light award. This award is given to little scouters who have completed the Cub Scouts program and have finished all of the requirements. We were a little shaky that Kupono would finish all of the requirements necessary by the time he turned 11 but add always, we managed.
As a mother, I am grateful for the Boy Scouts Program. I don't know of any program besides our youth programs at church that concentrate on developing the character of young men. In this day and age, we need valiant and righteous men to become husbands and fathers. The scouting program has helped each of my sons to develop survival skills, good citizenship, self esteem, and a lifetime desire to serve others. Thank you for our founders of the Boy Scouts. Kupono had now crossed over from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts and is ready to serve even more diligently.
By the way, is that Pohai and why is he there? Oh yes, although he's received his Arrow of Light many moons ago, he has never participated in a Crossover ceremony. We fulfilled that dream today for him. Two Crossovers in one night...a dream come true for me.

Finally

Oceanic Cable finally has a seating area. Wow! When did this happen? And when did they finally figure out that customers did not enjoy standing in long lines holding their sometimes very heavy cable/ phone/ internet equipmemt? I remember standing in that very long line holding my heavy cable box in one hand and three young children with the other. Nice job Oceanic! Your customers deserve to be seated while they wait.

My Comeback

Ok....so Iʻve been blog hibernating a bit...well, a little more than a bit...ok, I should not go on, I will only list more excuses. But really, my downfall started when my camera broke and I refused to blog without pictures. When I finally bought one, I ended up sending it with my son on his mission.
I missed blogging....I'm a writer, always have been...so not being able to blog meant suffocation of mind, body, and soul. It's another way for me to journal. Thousands and thousands of thoughts enter my brain's data processing center every minute of the day. I want to store them all but can't when there's no blog. Therefore, you can imagine what a bliss it's been since Pohai installed my blog application on my phone. Blogging is so fulfilling. I don't feel selfish dedicating my time on this. I feel as if I'm doing my part in documenting life through my perspective. This way, generations to come can read about the lives of their parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, etc.
Blogging also allows my family and friends to stay in touch with us.
I'm ready to begin, again! I realized I have not blogged in a year so be ready for some major back blogging as I call it.....enjoy!

Blogging Support

A big hug to my friend Hoku. She reminded me today of my blogging hibernation. I am thankful for people in my life who lead me in the right direction and are true examples of doers and not just talkers. Every time I feel like I am slipping away, some angel always appear to put me back on track. So, thank you Hoku and angels everywhere for your love and support in so many ways!

Homeschooling

I never thought in a million years that I would be a homeschooling mama. Iʻve researched homeschooling for many years but the time was always wrong to give it a try. When I did finally decide to do it, because there is no good time,...I gave it my all.  The day I broke the news to my children that I was going to homeschool them, they swore they werenʻt going to ever talk to me again. I wish I documented the look on their faces...but, being the good sports they always are...they were willing to put their future in their motherʻs hands.
We are going into our fifth year of homeschooling. Since this is somewhat a public post and not my personal journal, I guess Iʻm supposed to write about how "rewarding" and "phenomenal" itʻs been. Truth be told, it has been that and more! I've grown so close to my children as I've come to know their needs and their concerns about life on individual levels. We've had our hair pulling days (yes, our own and each other's, you'd figure we'd be bald by now) but from 8-2, Monday through Fridays, there's no other place I'd rather be. The most rewarding feeling for me is that they feel the same...well, most of the time anyway and I'll gladly settle for that.
I'm so grateful to have made the decision to homeschool. Regardless of what anyone has to say, it's been one of the biggest blessings we've experienced as a family. I encourage those with a desire to give it a try, of your desire is true, I know you'll love it.

Sew Therapeutic

Two years ago, one of my besties introduced me to the world of sewing. Being that I didnʻt learn to cook till I was married, of course, I couldnʻt sew either. Iʻve done simple stitching here and there but never a serious sewing project with a beginning, middle and end. I started off sewing blankets and cute little hooded towels. Shortly after, I sewed blankets with more details and layers. Itʻs been a fun and very therapeutic learning process. Because of the lack of time and childcare, I am unable to attend sewing lessons. So what do I do? I go on Google and I find online lessons to teach myself a thing or two. I must say that I am pretty comfortable now with my sewing, and maybe a little bold even since Iʻve given some as gifts. I always add a little side note of precaution to the recipient to never wash the items for the seams might just untangle and theyʻll end up with a piece of fabric which then I am no longer responsible for. Thanks to sew many inspirational acquaintances of mine, Iʻve learned to sew more than just blankets and hooded towels now. Iʻve started sewing blouses and skirts too. Hereʻs a recent project my daughter and I worked on together.

Originally, this was supposed to be her blouse but after completion, she decided to give it to me. Sew nice of her:)

As you can see, I was very content with the results. I even wore it to church that following Sunday to show it off. Sew very vain!

This is me cutting the pattern for my daughterʻs skirt. We didnʻt have a pattern so it was rather challenging.

I love my rotary cutter and cutting mat. It is the foundation to all of my projects...they are sew helpful!

Her sew fed up look..thereʻs no picture to the finished skirt yet...mainly cuz itʻs sew unfinished.

This is a baby blanket we sewed for our little friend Blazeʻs first birthday. I hope he will sew love it.

My sewing partner and I started this project at 10 pm...that wasnʻt sew smart because we ended up pulling an all nighter.

The completed blanket looked sew fluffly and warm. We were sew very excited to give it to him.

I really enjoy sewing and am looking forward to many projects my daughter and I can do together. Itʻs therapeutic not because it relaxes us but because it challenges us to an amazing end result that fills both of us with a sense of accomplishment and self satisfaction.