What If...

you could help someone other than yourself?
you could gather as many cans as you could to help others?
your Cub Scout Pack was the best at helping others in need?
you were the one to deliver them?
What would you say? What would you do? How would you feel?

I know I've written about HS's Cub Scout Pack before in previous posts. It is hard not to since we live and breathe scouting the majority of our hours not spent doing homework or practicing Karate. We are addicted. There really should be a program for those like us. Something along the lines of AA, but geared towards helping us process all the good things that we see our Pack participate in during a Scout year.

So far, we've watched the boys head on board the Mighty Mo to clean and polish spaces, assist in making cards for veteran's, gathered healthy snacks for the Wounded Warriors, and recently, gather canned goods for the Hawaii Foodbank. The pack donated 125 cans to "Canstruction" a fun event that spotlighted several local businesses creative prowless of using cans to create sculptures. All the cans donated will benefit those in our community. Thankfully, the outreach that they provided allowed our Scouts to grow and even LD was able to gleam what a smile, a hug, and a big "Mahalo" will do for one's self esteem.

So, what if...

you weren't looking for payment for doing something good?
you didn't need a toy as a motivator to be polite?
you were part of something much larger than yourself?
What would you say? What would you do? How would you be changed?

M'm! M'm! Good!

It's Friday. Do you know what you'll be serving your family to eat tonight? I do. The anticipation for Friday Family Night's pizza prep builds to a loud crescendo by the time the pizza dough is ready for toppings. If for some reason we're thrown off of our weekend tradition, you may just hear one of my children mention that they are missing pizza...Not that they are spoiled or anything.

HS has enjoyed helping me create pizza's since he was a tiny tot. He'd stretch his arms as far out as he could in order to sprinkle the sausage on just right. He'd teeter on his tippy toes as he attempted to place the tomatoes in what resembled grin with pepperonni for eyes and a basil leaf for a nose. Tonight would be unlike no other. Only, instead of HS helping, LD was inspired all on her own. Squeals ensued as she ran towards me when she heard the bread machine beep it's last beep! to let us know that the time had come.

I was thrilled to hear my littlest blessing ask for her apron, "momma need one, too!'" she said with a grin from ear to ear. She then proceeded to manhandle a chair over to the counter and clamour on to the seat. "There, momma. I help, too!" she said through her Cheshire grin.

She rolled the dough and taste tested its quality. "Yep. Good." Her eyes got as big as turkey platters as she watched me pour the cheese into a bowl and slice the ham and then set it next to the pineapple. "Mmmmmm...great, momma!" as she took turns placing a handful of cheese onto the pizza and then another into her mouth. She did the same for the garlic marinated shrimp and red pepper slices. After each handful placed into her awaiting taste buds, she'd smile, rub her belly, and then say with glee, "I'm helping you!"

So, it may have taken me twice as long to prepare our pizza tonight. I am fairly certain that next week I will prepare the pizza with my chef in training. One thing is also for certain, she's quite the food critic and judging from how much she ate and how many times she proclaimed the food "delicious," I'd say we're in for a tasty pizza tonight!

The Pound, Clang, and Honor of a Calling

Have you ever sat down and pondered why you're here? What is it that draws you to your job and sucks you in like quicksand? Well, I guess right now, I find myself asking questions much like these. It is as if a playback button is pushed in my deep recesses of my mind and a booming deep voice continues to say: Attention. Attention. What are you doing with your life, SQ? I've tried desperately to turn erase the recording. I've tried tuning it out. I've tried humming a happy song by the Black Eyed Peas to drown out that time honored question..."are you happy with what you do?"

Well, my vision of my future always held three things: happiness, husband, and children. I always thought I would be standing in a classroom with faces looking towards me like I was their guide through education. I'd open the door to the love of learning and then watch them soar into the next grade with the knowledge I pumped into their sponge like brains. I knew I'd be in love with the smells, sounds, and activity of the classroom. I'd wanted that classroom for as long I as could remember and far into my days of creating my own classroom complete with tape on the grounds with names of my "students." It's funny how God throws you those visions, allows you to taste the sweetness of the fruits of your educational labors and then...makes you see the true meaning of what He has planned for your life. Mine is becoming a mother.

I waited for six years (five if you count the miscarriage we endured before getting pregnant with HS) before having children. I stepped away from my career of teaching and jumped head first into my calling, motherhood. I became addicted to the sights and sounds that a baby brings into the household (don't go thinking I'm super mom...I will be the FIRST to say I HATE lack of sleep syndrome!) and loved the toddler outings, playdates, and art projects that I was able to do with HH. I prayed and prayed be able to experience one more joy as great as HS. God did indeed hear our prayers after many years of disappointments and tears. LD entered our world and graced us with her smile and new views and challenges. I am fully immersed now into motherhood...PTG, spit-up, temper flares in the middle of a shopping mall, pacie crises, field trips, karate tests, music classes, and playdates. The calendar is full not because of things I need to do, but things that are for the children. I am a mother. I love my job especially...

1. For the moments that HS comes home from school and says, "mom, I've been asking to call you all day to tell you something." "What?" I ask. "I love you." he beams.

2. For the time spent at the playground soaring in the air on a swing, pumping my legs in rhythm to my 2 year old LD's chubby little legs. It's OK if we are barely moving...she thinks we are flying.

3. For the cheerleading section that I provide them when they are trying to ride a bike for the first time, do well on a test, or just need to turn and see a friendly face saying, "Yep...You're AMAZING!"

4. For the thrill it is to have tiny arms wrap themselves around you in a bear hug and then when you realize that those same arms can wrap themselves tightly around you.

5. For the laughter

6. For the teachable moments in the day

7. For fruit smoothies loudly sipped in a competition to see who is enjoying the smoothie more and then getting some going down the wrong pipe so that your darlin's pat your back and say, "it's ok, mommy. I've gotch ya!"

8. For times spent in the kitchen baking with helping hands. Lots of math, cooperation, and reading skills can happen all at once and they never know what hit 'em.

9. For outings that they wait on baited breath for and can't wait to sit on a bouncing school bus as we chat about whatever they want.

10. For the tears of frustration, joy, and jubilation. Each has been a learning opportunity for my own development as well as a way for my children and husband to see me for who I am.

God has given me a purpose. I may hear the announcement in my head questioning the purpose of my life. Some days I do question if I'm doing anything worthwhile. Especially when I know that so many of the women I admire are working mothers with successful careers and I've chosen to stay at home. Sometimes I can't help but envy them.

It's hard to think you've found your calling on the days and moments when the laundry piles are all over my bedroom floor and you are still in your PJ's wondering how in the world you're going to get all the piles clean and clean the house and go to that meeting you were suppose to be at in hour, the cat has had a hairball for the tenth time on the stairs and you happen to be the lucky owner of the foot that gets to squish into the texture, the dog is acting crazy with a big cone on his head since he hasn't been able to get exercise since you decided to take away the crown jewels. It's also hard to be happy when HS is having a holier than thou attitudinal problem due to the beginnings of his hormone roller coaster and LD is screaming at a velocity higher than the squeal of a super hornet getting ready to take off the flight deck as she stomps to the corner for the billionth time because she hates to hear the word "no."

However, if my parents taught me anything when they were fluffing my wings before I took flight, there is a silver lining. Focus on the positives and the negatives will seem minute to the big picture of life. It's the pounding of my heart, the wrinkles around my mouth from smiling, and the pride I feel when I look at my husband and children that tells me that I am doing what I was born to do. I am a mother. The classroom can wait. They, however, have been given to me for such a short time. In no time, I'll be watching the soar.

Just Call Me "Coney"

It happens to many all around the globe. One day, you are being a frisky puppy dashing after a ball that squeaks. The next, there's a big bulbous attachment around your head, your privates ache, and you just can't seem to make out exactly how many of the same faced owner that you have. Never mind, that even your arch nemesis is offering you moral support by taking a nap directly over your head and hasn't one tried to pounce on you (and what? you're noticing that the same sworn enemy is actually feeling empathy for you?) Poor Cody, he's experiencing that now as he recovers from surgery. We've affectionately called him "Coney" for now as he faces two weeks of cool drugs to ward of the pain, stitches to heal the surgery incisions over where he once had tiny balls forming and over the space where once there were dewclaws.

The first night having him home was rough. Humans think it's hard to return home so quickly after childbirth, but poor Cody returned after only spending the day at the vets. He looked miserable and heaving his 40 some pound body into the minivan tore at my hearts and HS's. "He's sooo sad! Look what they've done to him!" HS shouted out as I tried to get Cody comfortable for the ride home. "He's fine, honey...I promise..." as I hold back my own emotions as his rich chestnut eyes stare boars through my eye sockets and plead with me just to pet him and never stop. "He'll be great in no time...won't ya, Cody?" Not even a wag of the tail. Not even a twitch of his butt. The drugs were working. By the time we returned home, HH helped carry Cody inside and I just sat...on the floor, cradling his puppy head. He panted, slept, and would wake just to stare at me as if to say, "Lady...I know what you did..."

HS took his time going up the stairs to bed. Every few steps, he'd turn and announce his own angst for taking Coney, I mean, Cody in for surgery. "He didn't tell you he wanted to be there and get this done to him...why did you take him?"

Well, why did we take him in...

1. He's not really needing to produce baby Cody puppies.
2. The world can really only handle one Cody.
3. SQ (that would be mwah) would not have been happy trying to fight him at the dog park as he goes after a female in heat and then gets dumped in the nasty dirt as he checks her out.
4. Peacefulness is a good thing.
5. Howling at the girl dogs in heat is a bad thing.
6. Lifting up your leg to use relieve one's self is a little nasty when you're walking.
7. Growling because you're happy to be playing tug-o-war is fantastic...growling because you are full of raging hormones is not so great.
8. At some point, there can be enough puppies in our world and cutting down on too many being born is a good thing to practice.
9. He didn't know what those things were that were beginning to dangle.
and
10. Because I said so.

I'm happy to report, that by the next morning, Cody was back to normal. By a few days into wearing his new accessory, LD and HS had decorated it with stars so he looks like he's not only going to conact mars, but he's his very own walking constellation. He's gone outside, entertained the neighborhood kids with his ability to contact the alien space dogs using his super huge cone, and above all, the tail is back to wagging. He manages to do just about anything while wearing his cone of shame...he eats like a champ, plays ball with himself using the cone as his own mit, and is even beginning to try his hand at running while wearing the cone (still not the best idea). We're getting used to feeling the pressure of the cone nudge us before his wet nose licks our leg and he's not embarrassed to still dance around while LD twirls or watches her favorite show. Yep. Cody is bouncing back. Just call him "Coney" for short and all will be even better with the world.

Bye, Bye, Crib...

...Hello Toddler Bed! After my LD became a crib escape artist and the ceiling rattled whenever she awoke from her nap, we knew that the time had come to say a fond adieu to the beloved crib that had kept HS comfy and LD snug as infants, before LD had an unplanned visit to the ER at Tripler. Off went the side board and viola! we easily transformed that crib of comfort into the new haven of slumber.

I must admit my delay in transitioning her. HS was by her age already sleeping on a twin bed. He was not, however, a Prince and a Pea sort of guy. LD, in contrast, is the Princess and the Pea of our day and age. She has always been attached to her crib to sleep in. She prefers it to everywhere else (minus those many, many, MANY hours spent sleeping with her while she was an infant) forget about the car (she'll scream her way home to her secure confines first), don't even think of the stroller (seriously, those bumps that you don't even know exist are felt on her tiny bum), and falling asleep on the sofa just won't do (why in the world would she do that when she's got all her creature comforts upstairs?).

When HH announced that it was time, I panicked. Honest to goodness, pure panic.

"What about her naps?!? She'll become the world's worst demon without her sleep! Let's wait just a bit longer..." I begged. "No." replied my ever calm husband.

"Goodness, I just think she may feel like she's being swallowed by the rail...look at all the room she still has left..." I said as I flung myself over the rail and pointed to the teeny bit of space still left near her feet. "No." replied my slightly perturbed husband.

"You know she just may get out of her room and go roaming the house at night...you know easily her cute tubby fingers can open anything...how are we going to stop that?" I said as I flung my hands on my hips in retaliation to his ever constant shake of the head and classic stare boar into me and said what words could not express..."really, who-are-you-kidding?"

In the end, I knew that HH was right. It was time to jump in and make the switch. Never mind she may be up at odd hours of night, poo-poo her afternoon nap, and resemble Medusa by the end of the first week of her new sleeping arrangement. LD couldn't have proven me more wrong.

Although she looked at her crib a little funny at first, she quickly popped her pacie out from her mouth and exclaimed with twinkles in her blue eyes, "my BED! Look! MY bed!!!" HH peered over at me. I of course was tearing up as I watched her admire her "new" place in which to dream sweet dreams.

She couldn't quite decide how to get into bed, but once we showed her to crawl through the opening, she quickly jumped in, snuggled in amongst her many blankets and beloved Pooh Bear and then let out a heavy sigh. Indeed signifying her acceptance and approval of the change.

Special Note: You may be wondering if she has morphed into Medusa from lack of sleep. She has had no problem thus far making the transition. She has also not roamed the house needlessly or failed to snore during nap time as she keeps Pooh in a death grasp.

4th Kyu Calm

Move quickly.

Sound, calm mind.

Be light in body.

Have a clever mind.

Master the basics.

- Gogen Yamaguchi

Is it truly possible that today, my darlin' son and HH tested for 4th Kyu, brown belt in Karate? The months ebb and flow, and even though I have sat as LD peered over the rail into the dojo as HS practiced his kata, witnessed the evolution of the katas and skill in both of my men, it just does not seem possible that they have reached a pivotal karate milestone. For many who choose to practice karate, their teaching lasts until they've progressed a few belts, then outside influences take over and they become cobwebs among the dojo's rafters. For others, the drive to press until you can't go any further takes over. Regardless of what may happen, if one remains calm, collected, and of quick mind to determine levels of importance, it is clear that karate does have a place within the hearts of our family.

For HH, his journey of karate began during this tour. He grew tired of sitting along the sidelines and saw an opportunity that never flourished during his own childhood and would serve as a vital piece of connectivity between father and son during a shore tour. He practices when he can and takes his weekend mornings in the dojo. For HS, his love of karate began long ago when he was three and we were still living in Japan. He began practicing karate when he was four and by the age of 8 1/2 he has practiced in three dojos and had to endure "white belt hood" three times. This day, for him, meant that he had finally stepped beyond the belts he had earned before. He would test for brown and he would succeed in demonstrating to us all that his love of karate stems from within.

One thing that I observed right away with this belt test was HS was yet again near the front row during testing. With each of his previous tests, he had slowly shifted position to the back row. Basically, that meant that he was among the youngest to test for this new belt level and almost instantly the nerves began from deep within my bones. What many fail to tell you about motherhood is that you will take on the fears, nerves, and frustrations that your child may not even begin to be feeling. HS looked as calm as a cucumber as they began what would be a two hour test.

The other thing I noticed about this test was impossible to not notice. LD was witnessing her first karate test since she was just a squirming infant. A babysitting blunder would seal her fate to sitting on the edge of the elementary school stage overseeing her big brother and dad kick, punch, spar, and kiai! their way to brown.

The third observation of this test was rather simple. The test examiner's meant business. Not to say they neglected their duties previously, but it was obvious that as they walked among the lines of examinees that they scrutinized every move, blink, and outward motion that they witnessed. My heart jumped as they would make their way in front of HS. Never faltering, he would stare forward as if hypnotized by something that glowed in front of him.

Finally, God shown down his grace upon us all during this test. The men performed soundly as they carried out their test, LD called out only once during the test (He must have heard my prayers to not have her be a blubbering, screaming mess as we raced to the exam), and I, although I had no significant part in the test, was able to not have a heart attack as my blood pressure reached critical level sweating out the many stressful moments given to me as I perspired on behalf of all of my family members in the hot gym.

The seconds dwindled down to one moment...receiving brown. The awesome accomplishment of my HH and little man. Now, it's time for me to sit, relax, and calm my mind as I and try to get the color back into my face and the heart rate down...thankfully, one thing I know from witnessing so many years of karate practice...the basics are what matters most.

Bear Beginnings

I've heard my son make all kinds of fantastic noises, but some of the best are when he's surrounded by his den and they are showing their pride in their rank...grrrrowl (Tiger), howwwwl (Wolf), and from the depths of his Cub Scout soul...GRRRR! How can this be true? HS's going on his third year of Scouting and is enjoying everything good about the Bear year. I remember way too vividly him sportin' a gigantic orange cap that was so big it looked like it ate his head, an oversized shirt purposely purchased to stand the use of many years, and very baggy pants with no beltloop "bling".

Now his uniform shirt fits perfectly (in fact so much so that I'm crossing fingers and toes that he doesn't outgrow it since he only has one more year after this to wear blue before we switch him to khaki), he's earned several really cool patches, and has a belt full of so much bling that he's had to decide which ones he wants to showcase! By the looks of his ballcap, his head size has caught up with the size of the cap and actually looks kinda small for him.

He's certainly inspired his momma...look whose sportin' khaki as he enters the world of Bear-dom! HH had already joined the ranks of scouting last year and will continue on as Pack Cubmaster. This year is certain to hold loads of fun for da Bears...whittling chit, campouts, hikes, and all with a den leader that we've call signed "Papa Bear" or "PB" for short. We are super proud of his quest to enjoy scouting to the max!

Zoo-rific

If I could talk to the animals
Just imagine it. Chatting with a chimp in chimpanzee!
Imagine talking to the tiger.
Chatting with the cheetah. What a neat achievement it would be!
If we could talk to the animals. And learn there languages.
Maybe take an animal to agree.
I'd study elephant and eagle. Buffalo and beagle.
Alligator, guinea pig , and Flea.
I would converse in Polar bear, python.
I wouldn't curse in fluent Kangaroo!
If people asked me can you speak rhinoceros. I'd say of causurus. Can't you?
If I could flirt with a furry friends. Man the animal.
Think of the amazing repartee.
If I could walk with the animals. And talk with the animals.
Grunt, Squeak And squawk with the animals.
And love they could talk to me.
If I could talk to the animals. Think what fun we'd have.
Asking over crocodiles for tea.
Or maybe lunch with two or three lions. Walruses and sea lions.
What a lovely place the world would be.
If I spoke slang to an orangutan. Oh the advantages.
Any fool on earth can plainly see.
Discussing ease and art and dramas. With intellectual llamas.
That's a big step for a dual of three.
I'd learn to speak in antelope and turtle.
My Pekingese would be extremely good.
If I were asked to sing in Hippopotamus I'd say why-not-amus and I would.
Stop and think of it. There's no doubt of it. I could win a place in history.
If I could walk with the animals. And talk to the animals.
Grunt, Squeak, And squawk with the animals.
And they could. Squeak, and Squawk, and Speak , and Talk To me.
They would talk too. - Lyrics and music by Leslie Bricusse

Heading to the Honolulu Zoo for a morning is always a blast. Make it a morning revolves around one very talkative toddler, her daddy, and her mommy and that blast of a morning morphs into a zoo-rific time!

It has been a long time since HH has been able to make one of our outings to the zoo. Needless to say, watching LD talk to all the animals, make sounds mirroring their noises, and listening to her questions and chatter reinforced the fact that she is digesting all around her and truly making a niche for herself. We had a fantastic time exploring the zoo together. It is perfect first thing in the morning as the zoo is opening. The animals all put on their best show for the clan. LD marveled at the skill of the monkey's as they swung on their vines and loved watching the giraffes munch off of the tall branches towering high above her head. We dined on fine Spam musubi for snack and enjoyed having a bento box picnic along the shores of Waikiki as surfers and swimmers frolicked in the warmth of the Pacific ocean. On reflection, LD does not really get time with the two of us all to herself.

Typically, our family outings always involve the entire clan, so she must lobby for attention and chattertime. However, today she got us all to herself. She could chat, laugh, pull at our arms in order to lead us to where she wanted to go without challenge. I'm sure she would admit, it was nice to have a date all to herself with mommy and daddy. We were more than happy to oblige.