Something to think about

So yesterday, I was unloading my groceries at Costco. I heard someone call my name and turned. It was a gal that I had gone to college with in Oregon some 14 years ago. Let's just say that at the time, she and I had our differences. Right now, I can't even remember what they were, but we weren't exactly friends. I had ran into her about 5 or so years ago here in Washington at one of the Ho'olaulea's and clearly remembered who she was. Through the years, I've seen her off and on since she and Maia were dancing for the same halau.

She stopped to tell me that she just wanted to apologize for the things that she had done to me when we were in college. She wanted me to know that she felt bad and didn't want me to judge her now for the way that she was back then. I told her that an apology wasn't even necessary and that those things had happened such a long time ago, and it wasn't even that bad. As far as I recall, it was just 2 local girls being the titahs that they were their whole lives. She told me that she needed to say sorry for her. It was really nice and truly unexpected. I never held any bad feelings against her or anything even close to that.

With everything that's going on in our lives, yesterday was proof positive that things come back to you (in no way do I mean bad for her, but more like good things for me). I truly feel that your character and the way that you conduct and carry yourself is all you will have to define you in the end. Regardless of how bitter and foul (once again, not talking about this gal) people can be, I CHOOSE not to change the person that I am to stoop to anyone's level. I CHOOSE not to let someones animosity change the way that I perceive others or the way that I keep a positive outlook on life in general. There are always going to be people out there who truly enjoy trying to "get at" others. It's just really sad because like I say, in the end, that's what you'll be remembered as, and that is undoubtably pathetic. What a waste of ones life....

I'm really glad that she and I crossed paths later in life, when we were both "grown up" and had some experiences behind us that taught us to be the way that we are. I'm glad that I got to help her feel at ease by simply being there to accept her apology.... "ALOHA"

I guess you could call it a slow weekend...

Our schedules are usually packed. Between Kiale's baseball, Maia's music/school stuff and Kalani's fastpitch, we rarely have a weekend where we don't have to be somewhere. This last weekend, for us, at least, was slow. So Kiale and I took some time to have a Mommy/Son day on Saturday. We FINALLY got to go mini-golfing. He's been asking to go almost everyday since the sun came out! Got some Taco Bell before we headed out. After tasting his Nachos, he said with the seriousness of a congressman, "Mommy, I'm never going to McDonalds again!!! While we were there, I took some pretty cool pics of him, and just thought that I'd put them up...

Adda boy, Hawai'ian...

Us locals got together last night at Bob and Li's to watch UFC 84, Penn vs. Sherk (Shrek as Lili says). For those of you who missed it, so sad... It was one of his best pieces of work. That poor Haole boy had no idea what happened... When the fight was pau, Sherk looked like he had been hit by a Semi. BJ, not one mark on him.

The best part about watching his fights, other than his awesome talents, is hearing the music when he walks in (E ala e by Iz) and seeing the Hawai'ian flags flying in the audience. Being from a small place like Hawai'i, especially tiny little Hilo, it's really something to see someone come so far with their career. Hawai'i may not have the big things like a pro football or basketball team, but we got the UFC undisputed Lightweight Champ!!! Way to go Hilo Boy... keep it going!!!

Happy Birthday Kahealani!!!

On Sunday, we celebrated my niece's 1st birthday. It was really nice to see our Kikaha Ohana. With our kids' schedule, we're not able to spend as much time with them as we'd like. It was great to be able to hold all my babies (Kamuela, Nolan, Kahealani and Realani) in the same day! Happy Birthday my baby... We love you!!!

Can you say busy!!!

I meant to do this 2 days ago, but am just now getting here. This weekend was proof positive how our kids keep up busy! But like I say, I'll go without sleep 24/7 if it means them staying active and out of trouble. Our philosophy is "Start 'um young". Get them involved early in life so that committment becomes second nature by the time they are in their teens.

Saturday started with Kiale's registration for Roughriders Football. It's one of the oldest peewee teams around and they have an awesome program. We got there an hour before it started, and were still about 150th in line. People were there since midnight!!! Thank goodness for our Hamo connection, Uncle Junior and Rashan. We were able to "slip up" to the front of the line. Even with that, Kiale was the first on the waiting list. By the time we were done talking with Rashan's old coach, Kiale had a practice jersey in hand. I always say, it's not what you know, but WHO you know! Especially for us islanders...

Kiale and Kama had their second baseball game of the season. What a nail biter. They won 6-5, but it was a close one. Kiale hit all 3 times at bat and made the winning run. Can you say proud mommy?!!!! My "titah" side came out when the coach from the opposing team decide to throw a 3 year old tantrum when one of our kids hit a home run. Let's just say that some highly inappropriate words (BS and the F-bomb) came flying out of his mouth. Yes, Metro Parks will be receiving an email from a few angry parents.

The day continued in Fed Way in the 93 degree weather for Kalani's game, but not before a stop for some ono grins' at L&L. She pitched at did pretty well that day. Had some good hits too. I was approached by a pitching coach who was interested in her (we come across this alot). That, along with an invite to play with the Mosquito Squad 12u's in State's left her feeling pretty good that day. I still say that she'll be phenomenal by the time she's seasoned and about 15. Me and Maia got to have lots of good stories during the down time. It's hard for me to see my first born grow up so fast...

When we finally rolled home around 10, my and Iva had an inkling to get out of the house and enjoy some "grown up time". So we headed over the the Emerald Queen where I had a surprisingly lucky night. After only about 10 minutes of being there, a slot machine decided to be extremely generous to me. Picture giving someone a nickle, a dime and a quarter and them giving you a $1000 back. Yeah, that's a pretty good return, i'd say!

Who does that???

Thanks to all of our friends and family who've been giving us support with our latest "drama" with Kaila. We thought that we were through with all the ridiculous shit that came with her, but surprise, surprise, here we go again! No worries though, we've actually been laughing over how petty, sad and pathetic the whole situation is. It's a waste of everyone's time. Personally, I've got more important things to worry about, like washing my hair :)

This just goes to show that now matter how you try and raise a kid, or how you try to influence the kind of person that she is, other influences sometimes have a stronger pull. You know, we've tried to instill our "local" ways in her. Show her what matters in a polynesian family. Show her the love and happiness that a typical island family provides along with unlimited support from tons of people. But I guess that she's just so damn haole. With her, it just won't work. It's funny cause she LOVES to say how Samoan she is, but she has no idea what it means to be one. Seriously, the only thing Samoan she has is her name. At least our other 3 kids know what they're made of and what family means.... That's ok, cause after what has just happened, she's got the entire extended family pissed at her. Like I've always told her, "CONSEQUENCES!" (More to be explained later... It really is like a poorly rated soap opera!)

Update from Surgery and Kalani's Tournament

Charlie had his knee surgery on friday, and for the most part, everything went fine. He woke up with a request for a "Venti ice coffee with 4 splenda and half-and-half", so I knew that he was back in check. The whole procedure with recovery only took about 3 1/2 hours this time, as opposed to the 6 hours previously. He was feeling "pretty good" due to the wonderful narcotics provided by the hospital. Took his prescribed pain medication after eating and could not tolerate the percocet. He got majorly sick :( Stopped taking the pain meds for fear of praying to the porcelain gods again. Woke up on Saturday with a bellowing, "Babe, grab my crutches!". He's fine now though!

Even with the surgery, we went to Kalani's tournament yesterday in Chehalis. Rain, wind and all!!! They played 3 games and sadly, lost all 3, with the second being a massacre. They only had 9 players, since high school playoffs are still going on. They were also in a "B" tournament which this team clearly wasn't ready for. They played the same tournament last year with the same results. I think that they team is flat out green. The girls have little to no experience playing in highly competitive situations. They also tend to give up when they get to a certain point in the game.

Kalani did pretty good. Had some solid hits and pitched somewhat consistently. When it comes to her pitching, she's got the potential to be something really special. She's only 12 years old and is one of the fastest pitchers that I've seen in the 14u group. But then again, she's also almost 5' 10" and built just like Charlie! She just needs to be consistent with hitting the glove straight on. Like we told her, we can put her in all the pitching lessons that we want, but practice is the only thing that's gonna get her where she needs to be. We told her that she's not gonna be starting pitcher just because she's Kalani. But at her age, she also doesn't have the drive and mental game that the older girls have, but that will come with time. We're planning on putting her on a different team next season, one that she actually has to try out for and hopefully will challenge her and push her to want to be better...

My first Blog!!!

So I've been thinking about making a blog for a while now. Actually created this about a month ago, but never really took the time to start. So now, here I am. My first posting! I decided to try and do this at least a few times a week. It gives me a chance to keep the friends and family up to date with what's going on in our lives. It lets me praise my kids, be excited about things that happen or will happen, and it lets me "vent" a little when I get pissed off our stressed out....

Right now, the biggest thing on my mind is Charlie's surgery tomorrow morning. He's having knee surgery at Allenmore. It's not as severe as his other knee surgery a few years ago, but we're having to go through the same stuff again. I think that he's just excited to get his Vicodin prescription! They say that he should be able to go back to work by Wednesday. We'll see if that actually happens. Last time he was out for 5 weeks... Kalani's got a Fastpitch Tourney in Chehalis this weekend, so we'll see if he's able to tolerate being there....