IT'S ALL IN HOW YOU LOOK AT IT.....

Sat. Night....Tiki must have seen a commercial. She comes in with a bright smile like this...and as much excitement as a kid who saw Santa Clause..."CHUCKIE CHEESE DAD!!! PLEASE!! MOM, CAN WE GO TO CHUCKIE CHEESE??!!! " It's really the last thing I think Alika & I wanted to do...We look at each other like..who wants to break the news to her?? NOT ME! ME EITHER! "Sure!! lets go" Screeching & screaming!!" yeaaaaa thank you Daddy! I love you Mommy ( with a kiss)" She was dressed in minutes...Daddy was dragging a bit, she kept saying "hurry Dad!" I guess she's used to hearing us say that to her. Her excitement now has become contagious...were in the car saying " ohhhh BOY!" We get there, Tiki & Alika bolt, I order food...
WHERE IS MY FAMILY??? Tiki & Daddy doing the race car, she's his hero...YEEEE HAAAAWWW! GO DAD, FASTER". I'm off to test my basketball shooting skills...Alika comes up behind me..."CHALLENGE YOU".

That's the great part of having kids....an excuse to be seen @ Chuck E. Cheese on a Saturday night challenging your husband for more tokens!!

What happens to us from 3yrs. to 40?...we loose soo much excitement, laughter, innocence, vitality just for the small things...THANK GOD FOR CHILDREN to remind us that its STILL THERE.

The DAY has come.....

Well here it is!!! my "stay at home Mom " days are OVER!!! I am a substitute health nurse....don't laugh too loud all that know me real well!!!! It's just that when you have a kid..priorities CHANGE!! I wanted a job with the same hours my girl will have & I can still be a MOM!!! Anyway....my first day , yesterday , was at a High School. WHAT DRAMA!!!! It was entertaining to say the least! Today was Elementry ( what an extreme ) all the same DRAMA, only difference is a BIG boo-boo lip & a tear in the corner of their eyes!!! After Monday, I will be on my own ( thats' a bit scary) but I'll do the best I can do!! My main goal right now is to get a Elementry school as a permanent so when Tiki starts, we can go same school. I really like it soo far, but then again, I haven't been to the "rowdy" schools where there are 15 fights a DAY....oh Lord, help me through THAT!! I'll blog as much as I can, but I miss sitting here reading my regulars, writing regulary....I have to adjust to more than just work.....I have to adjust my blogging addition!!!

SIBLING SECRET....

We used to "pretend" we were the Partridge family...we wanted to be just like them. We would practice everynight. Big Brother Tim, was "Keith"....his instrument..a tennis racket. ( NONE OF US EVER PLAYED A INSTRUMENT), Sister Teri, was "Lori". I think we did have a somewhat of a small organ player. Now I ,(being the tomboy) wanted to be "Chris" and play the Drums!!! I fought hard for it, but my brother Greg won that role ( it was more fitting), so there I was..."Tracey" with the Tamborine!!! HOW BORING!! I clearly remember my parents probably thinking to themselves..."Where are the kids??!" They opened the bedroom door as we were tucked away in the back room singing " I Think I love You".
Man, those were the days!!

put your records on live

Saw this video this morning, the words, the beat, it was a nice song to hear for a Monday morning! Hope it picks up your Monday morning!

MIRACLE BIRTHDAYS !!!!

Here is my Gorgeous MOM! Making a Thanksgiving dinner..while her 3 ( out of 4 ) ( I'm not in photo) watched on.. My Mom's B-day is March 12th. so are ALL 3 of her kids shown here!!
None, were taken out by c-section...My Brother Tim (left) sister Teri and brother Greg. Howz that?!! March 12th was always a special day at our house...but I can remember....when I was very young...I DIDN'T GET IT!! WHY is everyone but ME getting presents??!!!!!! My dad used to pull me to the side ( so the others couldn't see) and he gave me a wrapped box. He would say " Shhhh, Don't tell the others...THIS IS THE SPECIAL PRESENT". I wish I could remember what it was, but I thought "IT MUST be SPECIAL, because they all have to open theres in front of each other!" Looking back of course, I realize now that I'm a parent, he was feeling sorry for me & wanted me to have some fun too". For many, many years I've been the oddball of the bunch...Then my Sister Teri, had her 1st born on.....YEP! MY BIRTHDAY!!!!! I WAS NO LONGER THE LONER OF BIRTHDAYS!!! My mother & father are now in Heaven together....but they sure created a memorable day that will be with ALL of us FOREVER!!!

RED SKIES AT NIGHT....

The waves came up, daddy went to surf while Tiki & I made sand castles, played chase....early evening fun!!
Tiki again took these shot all by herself...we laughed because as she was giving the countdown...1...2...3! the camera was moving ALL OVER the place..to our surprise...nice job!!
Alika & I laughing at her giving orders.......
The sky was sooo BEAUTIFUL!!! I was soo into it that I forgot to take pictures as the sun started setting, when Alika came in he said "Get the Camera!" heeelllloooooo...

EaRtHqUaKe!!!!!!!!!!

Well, I'm sure the news has come & gone that Hawaii had a 6.6 earthquake!!! YES HAWAII!!!
I'm from California...Home of Malibu, Rodeo Drive, and Earthquakes!!! I'm USED to them...or so I thought!

I had gotten out of bed early, Alika was watching T.v. and not too far along was Tiki girl coming out of the bed, hair messed up, rubbing her eyes...to lay on my tummy. It was raining. cozy..I jumped up and said " I'll make a BIG breakfast..." My dad used to make the BEST breakfast potatoes in the whooooole world...I thought I'd try his potatoes. Mushroom omelet ( alika makes the omelets) toast. Alika went to Mcdonalds to get coffee. we ALL ate...Tiki opened the front door & said "ITs raining HARD!" Reading the paper..coffee in hand, husband watching football...BOOM! It started ROCKING....Tiki came BOLTING out of the other room with eyes WIDE OPEN...Alika in the doorway, looking outside...I hold Tiki scared!!! Alika has NEVER been through a earthquake....now a HUGE JOLT GOES OFF!! I had just watched a show about N. Korea & the missile's...I THOUGHT THAT'S WHAT IT WAS....We just got bombed!!! Alika kept saying..."no it's the BUS..." ( sometimes the bus comes down the street and it really does vibrate) . Then I saw it....FEAR. My husband had FEAR in his eyes I've never seen before ( after all, this was very new to him ) then I panicked. we grabbed clothes ( after calming down did I realize I grabbed about 3 pajama sets for Tiki & NOTHING FOR ALIKA OR MYSELF!!)
We got in the car & took off towards high ground...a Tsunami could be next. Our neighbor was like " hey brah, you felt that??" Alika, very pale at this point is like "Brah! get out, were goin to the mountains" we fled so fast our tires smoked....we probably flung some wetness on his face as we left!!
Now were approaching higher ground...but the rain is soo bad, the flood water is coming DOWN, I feel we JUST PUT OURSELVES IN GRAVE DANGER...we parked...no radio working, no IDEA if a tidal wave hit...was it a bomb? that was scary, not KNOWING ANY INFORMATION. We waited about a hour, went home. same neighbor was outside wiping down his MOPED! by this time were alot calmer & laughing at our "FREAK OUT SESSION". We pull up..Alika says " Our neighbor is probably thinking here comes the wig outs and THEN WE DONT EVEN OFFER TO TAKE HIM OR HELP HIM...he's like 'HEY! I only got a MOPED'.
Well, kids have fire drills in school....this was DEFINITELY a DRILL...we realized we ARE NOT prepared for an emergency like we always thought we were!!! Tonight, were off to wal-mart to make a kit...like everyone else is!!!

Larry's house

Our friend Corbin, gets pretty creative when it got too dark to see his food!!
Larrys apartment....as you can see, not only is he a good host during a crisis...he rents surfboards to all the tourist in waikiki!!! Always good to know someone with a BBQ & someone who rents surfboards!!
Good ol Larry (left) who took in alot of people who didn't have power to cook their own food..

Here in Waikiki at our friend Larry's house who had a BBQ ( power was out, so we ALL needed to eat!!
still light outside. eating dinner early, while we still have daylight.
ALL STORES, RESTAURANTS CLOSED!!! ABC stores open, but letting one or two people in at a time so no looting gets out of hand. the line was there from 8am till 7pm...endless.

Dave And Tim Behind The Scenes In Hollywood On Location

My Big Brother Tim @ work...playing!!! ( he's in the black shirt)

NOT JUST A NURSERY SCHOOL RHYME !!!!!

I received this by e-mail today and thought it was important to share with anyone who might come across this....My child is playing today at preschool, UNAWARE of the dangers that is occuring in this world today.. I agree with this, and hope that all YOUR CHILDREN are safe & covered by God's grace & Love! click n' read

I'd like to say a BIG HAPPY B-DAY to 2 VERY SPECIAL PEOPLE!!!!
My Beautiful Niece RANDI, who today turns 14!!!!! Have FUN @ Magic Mountain, go on ALL those twisty, turny, upside down CRAZY rollercoasters for US!!! Wish we could all be with you!! Luv U!

Next, to my Beautiful, most awesomest Friend EVER....TAMI!!! Sweet *@*, and don't look a DAY OVER ****, nah , Tami is ALWAYS there for EVERYBODY!! She is the wisest counsel, strong encourager, and a HUGE sense of humor!!! I wish for my "sister" MUCH love, and MUCH JOY today!!! I LOVE YA!!!

Alika is leaving today to go to another Island ( MOLOKAI ). Tomorrow Morning he will PADDLE 41 MILES to come home!! It's the last race of the season, (and potentially dangerous)
It will take anywhere from 5 - 7 hours straight of paddling...,. I wish my Husband much Love & Prayers....Me & Tiki will be waiting at the Finish Line for you with OPEN ARMS!!!!

FRIDAY NIGHT QUOTE.....

"......if I ever go looking for my heart's desire again, I won't look any further than my own
backyard, because if it isn't there, I never really lost it to begin with."


Dorothy of The Wizard of Oz

1st Field Trip !!!!! Mommy went too!!

We all went to a PUMPKIN PATCH!!! A 30 min bus ride , a hayride , and FINALLY...Tiki picks her first pumpkin!!!
She REALLY loves to take pictures, everytime I take one, shes gotta take 6 of ME! I decided to show off the pumpkin she picked for me & Daddy. OMG!!! I have NEVER been on a excursion with a bunch ( 30+) of 3-6 yr olds....WHAT A HOOT!!! ( for the first 2 minutes...) The bus driver looked hung over, as soon as the bus drove off....THEY ALL SCREAMED for JOY!! yes was cute...at first. THEN when he came to a red light everyone kinda settled...green light, he presses the gas.....WEEEEEEEEE, AAWWWW more SCREAMING, This went on for 5 minutes straight. These kids are party animals!!!
After we were all finished...these party animals were all HYSTERICALLY CRYING!!!! Bus diver was READY for cocktails at this point...I don't drink, I WAS READY FOR A COCKTAIL!!

behaving....for now.

In the still of the night....

The house was quiet...it was probably seemed like eternity, but then I realize it's only been minutes. I was enjoying this quiet time. I go in the other room to see whats going on....Daddy is reading to Tiki before she's off to bed. they didn't know I spied ( until the flash went off for this pix). The cute thing about it all , was Alika was YAWNING as he was reading the story....I betcha I know who goes down first!!!

NIKE TOWN 5K RACE

Makana about to cross the finish line ( in maroon shirt, orange shorts ). Really proud of him!!!
someone else is REALLY PROUD OF HIM!!!
Tiki wanted to take a picture of her brother with his trophy & daddy!!! she did a good job! (notice Alika trying to fit in the frame..he didn't think she got the shot).

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS !!!

Here is Alika watching his Nephew Hakau...He really wishes he was part of the coaching staff!!!
Alika, Tiki , Tiki's half brother (whole in heart!!) Makana!!! were ALL football fans!!!