Where oh Where has the time gone..

I lot of time has come and go since my last post and I promise to do better. I am so good at uploading to facebook but never here. That being said this may be a long post...

Over Thanksgiving my parents joined us in Paradise for 2 weeks, and my dad brought along his yucky cold! YUCK! we spent thanksgiving with my parents, our new "good" friends Eric and Dana, and their 2 girls. As well as all the kids in our neighborhood! The kids played outside all day while us ladies cooked and the 3 guys drank! Between 6 adults we finished off 6 bottles of wine and 2 bottles of tequila. yikes. It was my first year hosting and I loved every minute of it. We even made the kids shave ice. We wished all of our family could be here with us, but our neighbors and friends are quickly becoming family.

T and Lauryn.. we think they look like they could be related

Shave Ice

Compliments of Mikey.. Thanks for the margarita maker!

just a few of the kids in the neighborhood

While my parents were we got to do some fun stuff once grandpa was feeling better. We went to the zoo here and it is beautiful. Very different from the Portland Zoo and lots of animals that we would normally not see. I told the kids it felt like we were back at Animal Kingdom in Disneyworld..

she wore this jacket all day even though it was 85 out!

yes, they had a cow in this whole cool farming section

Carson was in heaven with all the monkeys they have here

Everything is open u literally could reach out and touch the animals.. 

We also spent a yucky day out on the North Shore just to see the stormy weather and of course take my parents to one of our favorite restaurants "cholos".

T had plenty of soccer over the 2 weeks so my parents got to see the "new" team and watch her play. They also got to witness a few practices and Skill sessions. They were amazed at the level of play these kids are at. Her team plays up a at u12 all season then drops down to u11's for state. Big learning advantage for them. They also have all the girls playing on 2 teams for the winter season to get some exposure and more game time in. T is playing with the U11 boys for now with 5 other girls.  We had a great thing at home with amazing coaches but this program is out of this world. It has been an adjustment for T as she is the not the "go to" girl anymore and each player on the field is amazingly good. She is also learning each person has a specific role on the field and they are to play at that role. Her coaches as good about playing the girls in various spots that they are capable of playing so they are not pigeon holed in one spot. She is playing the outside mid and forward. She is finally adjusting and at one point we were not sure she could make the jump to where she needed to be to play at this level. Her coach reminded us it was a confidence issue not an ability issue and that we would all work together as a team to get her feeling it. She finally hit her groove 2 weeks ago and scored. Her confidence went thru the roof and we are hoping things begin to fall into place. 

some things never change with all the boys and their toys!

Christmas this year was a bit lonely and very strange for us. We had plenty of things this holiday season to keep us busy. The kids are out of school for 2.5 weeks as it really is their only break besides 5 days at spring break and 2 more days off till they get out of school in May. So to start the holidays T's soccer team had a party at her Coach's house. It was so nice and enjoyable to watch my kids fit in with the others and T to really start to feel apart of the team. She and one other girl are really the only "girly" girls so that has been a change as well! The families are all so nice and welcoming and we enjoy them. Santa even paid a visit to the kids that night.

Team socks.. super cute

T asked santa for a "CAR" ??

C asked for a "puppy".. so sad!

L asked for a dragon.. ??

I was looking for fun things to do with the kids to see lights and came across the "Christmas in Polynesia" at the cultural center. It was a 30 minute canoe ride through the canals. Each area had a scene played out of the "story of Christmas" it was wonderful to see and hear! We went with our neighbors John, Tussanee and their son Jonathan. ( he is the boys BFF) Since we were on the NS we had to of course visit Cholos.. for a yummy dinner.

Christmas eve we went to church at place we will hopefully call "home." We loved it and the kids did as well. It was very much like southlake at home and it felt very comfortable and soothing! After church we headed into town to see the Rivera side of the family. We spent a few hours catching up with them all as they were so excited for us to be back "home"!  Christmas morning we opened presents, ate breakfast, skyped with my family and then headed to WaimeaYardhouse. We all pretty much forgot it was Christmas as it felt like another day. Kinda sad, but at least we enjoyed ourselves. It reminded us why we took the adventure here, SIMPLICITY! but with that said.. we will be in Oregon for the holidays next year~! 

Settling in...

 Carson on his board, took us a while to get him out there but once he did it he loved it..

 Logie has no fear and loves to be on his board as much as he can. He loves the big waves..

 Grandma's last night.. we all went to the Yardhouse to celebrate he last night..

 This was my dad's last night.. we went Kona Brewing in Hawaii Kai on the marina

We now have been here just over 2 weeks. Kids have pretty much settled into a routine and are loving it. They quickly made friends and we are blessed to have a street full of kids!! They spend all day outside on the weekends and week nights after homework, they will all be outside till dark! We are still getting to know people and that has been hard. I was so blessed to have such great friends at home that "change" has been hard for me, Although the first two people I did meet were Susie and Tina. Kinda ironic, don't u think? T tried out for 2 soccer teams and made both, we left the decision to her and she chose the team that is farthest (of course )from the house but I think has the biggest potential to teach her alot.Her new coach coaches HS soccer, played professionally and has coached at the college level. His daughter was the #1 recuit out of Hawaii last yr and plays at UCLA.. She also plays on the US U-19 national team, so to say soccer with him is challenging and exciting all at the same time is putting it mildly..  Her new teammates are just as dedicated, if not more than she is and it is a big learning curve for her. She is adjusting well and learning their style of play and the girls have been so accepting and sweet to her, as have the parents with us! After each game they have a team potluck which has been a great opportunity for us to get to know everyone. Jon always told me it was like this here, but to experience it is another thing!! Now driving into Hawaii Kai 3 times a week.. Yikes..My commute is about 35/45 mins in, not bad since it takes about 25 mins to get to town depending on traffic and then I turn right around and head home, to bad it is about an hr home with traffic.. Jon brings her home so they get to have quality "catch" up time on the drive home. Plus there usually is no traffic by the time they head home..  We have made a priority to spend time as a family since that is all we have at the moment. We eat breakfast and dinner together and have Friday family time in Honolulu since sissy has skills in Kahala those nights and saturday night movie time. It has been nice spending the time with them and really getting to know each one as they go thru this change. We make one day on the weekends about going to the beach and hanging out. Even if we spend just a few hrs there the kids love it. They each have their own body boards and are really loving the weather and chance to learn something new. T has conquered her fear of "sharks' and is ready to learn to surf, so she is just waiting for her chance. We are thinking a "family" xmas gift with be a surf board, but Momma wants a paddle board!!
Jons work is going better than expected and he is loving it. It is a real change for us as he works in town which takes about 15/20 mins to get to, so he leaves when I walk to the kids to school in the am and I do not see him till after practice at 6:45 (m,w) or after work at 5:15/5:30 (t,th) !! Thank god for Aloha Fridays when he is usually home by 3.. it is an adjustment for us all to have him gone all day but we are managing and finding things to keep us busy. I have joined the gym here and it is just not the same as Clubsport.. but it is a place to go and workout. Although, I am finding myself running more outside and only going in to lift, spin and do yoga. I have found a new appreciation for yoga and love it!  It is helping w my running and my back. I am finally back up to 30 plus miles a week and loving it.. Early morning runs in the sun cannot be beat and it makes 6 to 7 miles seem like a breeze.. plus having Jon on some of these runs makes it nice as well.  All in all things are good here and we are rolling with the tide. Waiting for some visitors.. :)

A series of lasts....

The last few days have been hard for us as we have started to have our "last" of several things. The weekend was good for Tatum. She got to spend the entire weekend with her bff's Taylor and Jessie. Tina and I took the girls and Carson to the new movie dolphin Tail and then to dinner.. It amazes me how grown up these 3 have become and the fact that they have been inseperable for 6 years now.. She is blessed to have such great friends that we consider daughters!! T had he last games as an official Toro this weekend.. She won one and lost one and scored a goal. Her team has become so close so fast it was hard to say goodbye. They threw her a party yesterday, which was so thoughtful.. We are really going to miss both coach Eric and Coach Shane, along with all the girls and their families. We also went to her old teams game and said some goodbyes there as well. Even though she no longer plays there she loves and misses those girls greatly! As for Carson he played his last game as well. He too went out with a bang!! 3 goals, I missed his game since I was at T's but grandma and all of our friends were good about keeping me updated. Logan had nothing this weekend so he got to spend some qt with grandma and grandpa all by himself, and he loved every minute of it. We had our last BBQ night with the gang, which was far harder than I could have ever expected! These families are far more than just our best friends, they are our family! I cannot imagine my life at this moment without any of you and I expect many visits and Skype calls!! As we count down our last days here each day grows harder. My heart was very heavy today and i felt as if i could throw up at any moment and just when i needed it i got an amazing text from one of my bbf's that got me thru the day! I am not sure if this is so hard because Jon is not here to support me thru this or because I am an emotional basket case.. Probably both!! But I look forward to our new journey as a family and lots of sun..oh and seeing my poor hubby who has been by himself for the last 8 days.

Sports..sports..sports.. oh and some packing..

Well, we are down to the wire.. All of our stuff leaves on Wed. and then we will be off to live with grandma and grandpa for a few weeks. I am amazed at how much stuff we have accumulated over the 8 years we have been here and even more amazed at what we have gotten rid of! Once the packing is done I can relax and enjoy my last few weeks here with friends and family. With all we have going on at home in our crazed life of course sports does not end. The kids will be playing up until the day we leave. We have made such great friendships from all their teams, I hate to leave them. T is playing some great soccer and her team is really coming into their own. It is so fun to see them move the ball, switch the field and play "real" soccer. T had a goal this weekend and their team is 2-0 in league play.. They have come so far. Logan, Wow.. he is my stud. He rocked it out on the football field. I have seen his confidence grow each play and by the end of the game he was a totally different player than who started the game. He was loving being out there and I am so sad for him that his last game will be next weekend. He has made some good friends and has enjoyed the experience, especially since he gets Jon all to himself 4 days a week! Plus they beat Tualatin this week, what is better? Carson.. well let's just say he should have been on the football field. I missed his game since I was at Tatum's but apparently he was laying kids out. I think he has been watching a little to much of his sister! He too had a goal this weekend, but their poor team got killed! He enjoyed himself, and that is all that matters. I am thankful that the kids have sports and great friends to keep them distracted in this crazy time. The Grandparents have been great as well, taking turns hosting the kids overnight so that we can get things finished. I have always known how lucky we are to have family close and I am so sad to be leaving them, but I am looking forward to being a "family" and building new and even more meaningful relationships with my children and husband!

Aloha..

WOW! What a whirlwind this has all been. Last I knew Jon was in Hawaii for an interview and I was packing to head to Prineville to camp with our friends, fast forward 45 days and my house is a wreck, I am down one car (already shipped out) and people are hosting going away parties. We are offically headed to paradise for our new adventure! Jon and I both very excited to move back to his "home" and he is even more excited to raise the kids the way he was raised. We have a new home to move into in the Ewa Beach area, just about 15 mins from Ko Olina resort. Really all I cared about was that there was a target close by!! I got my wish... Now as for the kids... Tatum is now in 5th grade and about to turn 11 next month. She is taking this very hard and the only thing she is excited about in this move is her new soccer team. That being said she will be trying out with 2 teams that are amazing and travel a ton. We are very excited for her and the opportunity and the coaches are looking forward to meeting her. Logan, is now 3rd grade.. playing his first year of football and loving it. He could really care less about the move and just want to get over to the beach. Carson, oh our little smart a$$.. Jon and I finally realized who he is.. he is a mix of his uncle Bobby and my Uncle JR.. ALways messing around, joking, playing tricks on people. That kid is a riot, but a handful. He just started 1st grade and he to is excited for the move. Jon will leaves in about 8 days and the kids and I will follow at then end of the month with my mom and Aunt in tow. We cannot wait to start our new life and we promise to keep you all updated.